There is nothing quite as hypocritical as a politician preaching the virtues of democracy while doing everything he can to destroy it. But as Election Day approaches, that is exactly what is happening. President Bush is traveling the country bragging about supposedly bringing democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan while waging a stealth campaign far different from his rhetoric here at… return to article
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Reader Comments (78)Page 1 of 1 pagesIf we continue to promulgate the idea that Bush was “selected, not elected”, especially among the least thoughtful of us (80% of a demographic thinks that the outcome of 2000 was not legitimate?), we could very well end up killing each other in the streets.
One has to wonder - is gaining political power worth destroying the leading democracy in the world? Do we really want to use leftist rhetoric here?
Surely it is a good thing to engage the electorate - but to stoop to encouraging violence (ala abortion clinic bombers and labor union busting heads) is a dangerous path to pursue. . .
Posted by atThisRate on Sep 28, 2004 at 7:07 AM “If we continue to promulgate the idea that Bush was ‘selected, not elected’, especially among the least thoughtful of us (80% of a demographic thinks that the outcome of 2000 was not legitimate?), we could very well end up killing each other in the streets.”
Ignorance is strength.
Posted by Dayv on Sep 28, 2004 at 9:53 AM The choice of using sketchy and illegitimate means to keep and gain power has already been made by our opponents. Our choice is, do we lose by fighting fair or do we try to fight back, regardless of the cost to our principles? It’s not a great choice, but it seems to me that the cost of losing is higher than of fighting fire with fire.
We tend to valorize the Civil Rights struggle as this great triumph of non-violence, but remember that most other liberal gains from 1860-1933 were made by labor groups who were not afraid to use violence and intimidation (or stand up to it in kind) in support of their principles. They got their hands dirty, and we are a better society for it. No one will thank us or think well of us for not using every tool at our disposal to beat back the tide of anti-democracy.
Posted by Rob Salkowitz on Sep 28, 2004 at 10:30 AM Is George Bush planning to go into Iran the same way he went into Iraq! I sure think if he is elected for the 2nd term we will see his army there!!!!
Posted by Ray Riffat on Sep 28, 2004 at 12:58 PM Civil rights was not one by liberals. It was one from the right, research brown vs. the board of education and tell me how republican appointed judges voting to allow a small black child to attend an all white school is somehow a victory for the left. Then explain to me how democrate George Wallace stood on the steps with armed troopers to prevent that little girl from entering the school, is somehow a “liberal” victory. Tell me how Robert Byrd (D) a former member and grand wizard for KKK, is a liberal for civil rights. Then tell me how Republicans ending slavery in the United states was again a “left wing” victory.
Then tell me how JFK who was a staunch interventionalist (Maybe you heard of vietnam)would oppose sending freedom to Iran and Iraq and Afghinstan. WOW I can not believe the level of uneducated people on this website. Feel free to email me if you have any legitmate questions. If your a hater with out a real unemotional thought in your head that please dont bother.
Dave
Posted by Davis Mendoz on Sep 28, 2004 at 1:26 PM Intelligent people don’t spout off verbatim from Rush Limbaugh’s show, and they know how to spell.
Also, what does the civil rights battle of the 50s and 60s (wherein bigoted Democrats defected and became...you guessed it, Republicans, like Trent Lott and Strom Thurmond) have to do with George Bush proclaiming the importance of democracy while trying to suppress the black vote TODAY, in 2004?
Defend that, mouthpiece.
Also, George Wallace was an embarrassment to all decent Americans of either party.
Posted by Mary C. on Sep 28, 2004 at 2:07 PM “The only things missing are government-sponsored mural portraits of George W. Bush splashed on sides of buildings and state-run television. “
If you think about it - In a fascist state the corporations run the government, so we really do have state-run television. We just aren’t told that’s they way it is. But that is kind of the gist of the story anyway isn’t it. Bush saying one thing but doing another.
It’s taken 1984 a little while to take holed but it’s definitely here now.
Posted by George Lacy on Sep 28, 2004 at 2:10 PM To the person who described the civil rights movement and the abolition of slavery as being inspired by the Right, I’d like to give you a short, concise American history election. While it is true that Abraham Lincoln was a Republican, the Republican Party was founded (ironically) specifically as an anti-slavery party and was considerably left of center during Lincoln’s time. And while it is true that most of the Southern governors and politicians who opposed civil rights in the 50s and 60s were Democrats, they were ideological right wing. It amazes me that people somehow think that Republican and Democrat are synonymous with right wing and left wing. An basic understanding of the evolution of the major American political parties would be helpful to some of our fellow readers.
Posted by Steve on Sep 28, 2004 at 3:21 PM To Davis Mendoz: The success of the Republican party in the last 40 years has been due to one thing. The bigots who voted Democratic for 100 years now vote Republican because they rightfully blame the Democrats for the civil rights movement. When they were Democrats they had to moderate their views to keep their committee chairmenships. Now they run the Republican party. How many times did you hear the slogan “The party of Lincoln” at the Republican convention this year? I counted twice, both on “moderate” night by Rudy Guliani and the black Lt. Governor of Maryland whose name I forgot.
It is highly doubtful that any Republican on the Warren court would be a Republican today. Even Barry Goldwater would have real problems with the “social conservative” loonies of today. Certainly not Lincoln or the trust busting Teddy Roosevelt.
Posted by Phineas Phinque on Sep 28, 2004 at 3:30 PM There doesn’t seem to be any question that big money runs our world right now. It most certainly runs our government. How else would lying and/or misleading the citizenry about everything, especially about a war, be allowed to happen? The fact that there is still a majority in this country that believe Saddam had something to do with 9/11 shows how successful the government controlled media has down it’s job. The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal have issued apologies for not being critical enough before the war, but has anything really changed? Too little too late as far as I’m concerned.I know I don’t hear/read enough about the “big” or “tough” questions. Press conferences are a joke. Where do most people get their information? Cooperate/government controled television, newspaper and radio. Even NPR, to which I am a devoted listener, has been dubbed “National Petroleum Radio” of late. If we, the citizens of this country, do not start digging deeper into the issues surrounding us and start really asking the “tough” questions, our democracy, that which is already slipping away, will be gone before we know it.
Posted by Scott Kushner on Sep 28, 2004 at 3:52 PM The irrational, ungrammatical, misspelled posting of Davis Mendoz is difficult to address in view of his complete misunderstanding of the issues. What on earth does the civil rights movement of the 60’s have to do with Bush suppressing democracy and the fair electoral process in this country? The suppression of dissent, rigging of elections, and the control of the population through fear are the tools of dictators. Hermann Goering described this process when interviewed at the Nuremburg trials. It appears that Mr. Mendoz would prefer a fascist government to a democracy. Perhaps he should have attended a school that matriculated students whose course of study included history, basic comprehension, and english language.
Posted by workerforpeace on Sep 28, 2004 at 4:06 PM Our national media is controlled by big corporations. Big corporations also control the government. This has never been a battle about gay rights or women’s rights or civil rights. These issues are all simply misdirection ... hot-button issues tossed into the fray to focus our attention (both from the left and the right of the political spectrum) while the facists chip away at the Constitution. Both political parties have their hands in the trough, both are beholden to corporate America, both are guilty of corruption.
I’ve never been much for conspiracy theories or black helicopters delivering jack-booted thugs to our doors in the dead of night but, of late, I fear for our democracy.
It is important to remember something. Thomas Jefferson didn’t expect our government to last long after his death. John Adams, his nemisis, noted that all governments come to an end and that we are not a chosen people. Our duty is to bust our asses to make sure this fragile experiment lasts as long as possible.
Posted by Richard Stone on Sep 28, 2004 at 4:25 PM Go into any federal building (if you can get past security) and you will see HUGE pictures of Bush and Cheney on display. Gives me the creeps! Richard Stone is right: we need to work as hard as possible to keep our democracy from going down the tubes. The Texas Republican Party included in its platform that the separation of church and state is a myth. Anyone who has studied history knows that the separation of church and state is NOT a myth but is an integral part of our nation’s founding and was put in place to keep our nation from becoming a theocracy or worse. I sure don’t want anyone telling me what I am to believe and say. People, vote Bush out! Only 51 percent of the voting age population voted in 2000, and Bush received only 47% of the votes that were cast. He received half a million fewer votes than Gore. He “won” by only 5 electoral votes. Yet instead of pursuing a bi-partisan agenda, he has thumbed his nose at over half of the American population. When 9-11 happened, he shouted with glee, “I hit the trifecta!” He has a right-wing agenda that he has crammed down our throats for four years. Does anyone honestly believe that he will lighten up if he wins in November? NO. It will be worse! All he cares about are his corporate buddies. He laughs at how gullible the evangelicals and blue collar folks who support him are. “I’ve got them snookered.” He is a spoiled, rich boy whose Daddy has pulled him out of every fix he got himself into. Don’t trust him! And, please, please, please don’t vote for him.
Posted by Marion on Sep 28, 2004 at 5:18 PM Hey, come on guys, can’t you see? Dave Mendoz is not his real name and he’s just baiting you! Funny joke, ignoramus calling others uneducated, etc. So don’t be so gullible and fall for it!
On a serious note, if you actually study the Civil Rights Movement, for example read something like Parting the Waters, you see that although King and his strategies were very effective in winning the hearts and minds, it was only the direct action of SNCC combined with the presence of the Black Power movement and similar threats that really pushed things to change.
I don’t advocate violence, but we do have to be willing to play hard ball. Voting and marches and legal actions will only go so far against these facists. We have to find ways to hit them economically and really hurt them, and really show them that there is the power to hurt them worse if we expect to stop them. We can’t forget that they are truly fascists.
Posted by J. Eden on Sep 28, 2004 at 6:10 PM It boggles the mind how folks like Mr. Mendoz get the idea that coming to a progressive/left wing website, spewing ridiculously small minded bile, mispelling every other word, and calling us ignorant will convince anyone to come to their side. Every single racist Democrat in the South first became Dixiecrats in 1948, fought the Civil Rights movement every step of the way through the 50s and 60s and are Republicans today. The future of the Democratic party is in the coordination of a true American Left, an inclusive group of people who will defend democracy and refuse to cower to these hatriots on the right. Hannity-freak dittoheads like Mr. Mendoz are literally a waste of time.
Posted by John McCormick on Sep 28, 2004 at 6:13 PM Wow! It seems like everyone here is on point with the problem at hand, except for Mr. Mendoz, of course.
I do have a question for y’all though...how do we go about informing those who are not aware of the danger the 2 parties are to democracy without enraging them so much that they close their ears and mind to anything else you say?
We are all here talking about it amongst ourselves, but don’t we need to get the word out to those who can’t see the slow erosion of our democracy? I have to be honest, I have never read 1984 (i know, deplorable for a man my age) but i can feel the strain that is affecting society by more powerful corporations and less and less rights that were granted by the Constitution. (If I ever do get to reading fiction again it will be at the top of the list. However, with things unfolding the way they are why read fiction when reality is so bizarre in itself.) But it is happening isn’t it? Our fragile experiment is coming to an end. i wonder if Pres. Lincoln felt the same way.
Must it come to revolution as atThisRate implies? I hope not. Is there a way for a revolution to be non-violent? I know the sexual revolution in the 60’s wasn’t violent but i know it was a pretty violent time.
I would appreciate any help. thanks in advance.
peace.
Posted by Ray on Sep 28, 2004 at 6:13 PM Eisenhower was right, “Beware the Military Industrial Complex”. To Scott Kushner , who muses “our democracy is slipping away”. Its gone. Big money is firmly in charge of our foreign policy and how we obtain the natural resources to run the Money Machine known as the United States Government. Which I might add is not to be construed with the American People or their misgotten belief they are free and live in a domocracy. About the only thing free here in America is the ability to spend. They have dangled and we buy whatever they put in front of us. We consume at an astronomical rate. We now need wars to keep up the pace of consumption. With every American man,woman and child in $9 thousand dollars worth of debt we cannot get off the treadmill. Of course cosuming is cool. To ride around in your SUV talking on your cell phone about the color of your new pillow cases. Advertising is now propaganda, not content with entertaining, they have expanded to mind control. Whatever feeds the machine we get up and go to work each and every day just to keep up and all the while somehow believing what we are doing is right. The internet may well be the only way we can communicate our frustration and discontent with the sad state of affairs we find ouselves in. Our politicians have no desire to change the status quo for they would be out of a job and all its benefits. Our Government now controls so much of our life we have no semblence of freedom left. We are taxed to death without representation, which if you recall is what started the whole dream of a democracy called America. With fees, levies, fines and surcharges galore, they rake it in and spend how they please.
Posted by Peter A. Brenner on Sep 28, 2004 at 6:21 PM I liked the article. I don’t think it was liberal propaganda and the GOP isn’t the only party using dirty tricks. The Dems are doing everything they can to keep Nader off of the ballots, 25 of the 26 independant legislative and congressional candidates in Minnesota are not going to be allowed to be on the ballot because of some obscure law requiring minumum percentages in the primaries.
The FCC consists of totally partisan dems and fascists and they decide who gets to be in the debates and on the ballots. We’ve been tricked! The debates aren’t even debates. The candidates have their preset rules to abide by which turns real debates into two-party stump speeches. One rule: you can’t ask a direct question to your opponant. That’s not a debate, it’s a speech with the other candidate watching. What a joke.
To all the bushcorp supporters: The war in Iraq in not to spread democracy or to fight terrorism, it’s for control of the middle east. Oil.
Posted by scott smith on Sep 28, 2004 at 6:27 PM Hey Dave, talk about uneducated. You better take a spelling class, but I think you are just messin’ with us. or you are really stupid.
Posted by Pat Garin on Sep 28, 2004 at 6:31 PM In a perfect world by constitutional design of our democracy the judicial system would protect us from such blatent election fraud… but instead the Supreme Court appointed Bush 4 years ago. ( Guess which political party wants the chance to name next few Supreme Court justices? )
Go Figure!!!
Posted by John Walker on Sep 28, 2004 at 7:00 PM Speaking of Lincoln, a commentator just wrote an article describing the United States under the Bush regime as “the government of the Corporation, by the Corporation, and for the Corporation”—pretty scary. I’m trying to do my part. I am buying nothing right now except what my family must have to subsist. Hey, Ray, it’s time for you to read “1984”—and add in “Animal Farm” while you’re at it—George Orwell was ahead of his time. Too bad “we the people” can’t seem to learn from him or from history!
Posted by Marion on Sep 28, 2004 at 7:07 PM Marion, thanks for the tip. I did read “Animal Farm” in high school, but it’s probably time for a refresher. I work in a library so i’ll check it and “1984” tomorrow, however, right now I am fully aware of the abuse of the gov’t and the power of the corporate/state mouthpiece -today’s media. There is an intersting article here that talks about it, http://www.lewrockwell.com/jarvis/jarvis75.html
The person writing the article is libertarian and while i don’t quite agree with “market is the solver of all problems” part of their platform they do know the consitution, which is something i am deeply concerned about.
as for the commentator that wrote the article describing the United States under the Bush regime as “the government of the Corporation, by the Corporation, and for the Corporation” there is a PAC group called billionaires for bush - www.billionairesforbush.com that actually uses that slogan to rally the people behind anyone but Bush...it’s comedy! not to mention sweet!
peace.
Posted by Ray on Sep 28, 2004 at 7:53 PM Please correct me if I’m wrong, but think that Socrates told us thousands of years ago that any civilization that hopes to survive and thrive must first study and learn from the mistakes of others past. ( maybe a 1984 BC version of Mr. Orwell? ) Seems his words have sadly fell on deaf ears…
Posted by John W. on Sep 28, 2004 at 7:56 PM I’m tired of the liberal nonsense that big corporations are bad guys.
A short lesson in economics: Corporations of all sizes create jobs. The ignorant poor do not. Liberal politicians pander to the ignorant poor because they vastly outnumber those who create jobs and understand our system.
QUESTION: If we allow a liberal government to tax and regulate away the ability of corporations, big and small, to creat jobs, who will house, take care of, and feed YOU?
Posted by Art Hunt on Sep 28, 2004 at 8:14 PM Art old buddy old pal… are the big “USA” corporations you refer to outsourcing those mentioned jobs overseas to take adavantage of dirt cheap / slave labor, then re-importing the products produced to Walmart where the suddenly unemployed can now only afford to shop? Do those corporations mentioned have a PO box headquarters in Bermuda to avoid paying any USA taxes?
C’mon Mr. Hunt - please open your eyes to what’s happening around you for goodness sake!
Posted by Brooksie on Sep 28, 2004 at 8:39 PM Art, you’re tad bit testy. Please calm down and instead of immediately going on the attack here, take a minute to hear and consider other viewpoints. Sure, not all corporations are bad, but the flip side is just as true: Not all corporations are good. We need to recognize BOTH and take reasonable steps to keep corporations from being bad. Corporations which look only to profit and not to the valuable contributions of their employees are bad—or at least not good. Sam Walton, when he founded Walmart had 10 rules, which emphasized the importance of sharing profits with associates of the business and helping them build their retirement nest eggs. The people who worked for him helped make the business successful and he felt it was only right to see that they reaped benefits from their efforts. Somewhere along the line, our corporations forgot these rules (or else never followed them) and focused only on one rule: maximize the corporation’s profit. Where do the employees’ interests come in here? What happens to their retirements? Well, I think you know the rest of the story. It’s spelled Enron—and all the other corporations which have lied, cheated, stolen and left their employees with nothing to show for their loyalty and hard work. These corporations did not create jobs; they destroyed pension plans. They didn’t do anything but enrich top management and the board members. I, for one, am glad they are being prosecuted and I hope that they receive punishment commensurate with the damage they caused to State of California, its citizens, and the employees of Enron. From your language, I am guessing that you are a fan of Rush Limbaugh. Please see the link at the end of my post for another view of corporations and what they are doing to our world, our economy, and our freedoms.
Ray, I enjoyed the Billionaires for Bush web-site immensely. Thanks! I read the Lew Rockwell article as well. I am a fairly avid reader and check out lots of government web-sites but I have not seen any sign of the proposals he discusses. I am getting out my copies of “Animal Farm” and “1984” also—it’s time for me to take my own advice and re-read them, too!
Here is a link to an article on “corporate” America:
http://www.thealliancefordemocracy.org/html/eng/1933-AA.shtml
Posted by Marion on Sep 28, 2004 at 8:47 PM Art,
You are right. In one form or another, corporations of one kind or another feed us, clothe us and provide shelter. Of sorts. In their drive to increase profits, the more poorly they can provide these essentials, the “better” they perform.
Personally, I’m not anti-business ... I actually run one and believe that, to survive, I must do my best to ensure a healthy bottom line.
However, I understand that “I” don’t make any money, by myself. This company does nothing and makes no money without the labor of the people I employ. Therefore it is enbumbent on me to provide my employees with a fair wage, good working conditions and a safe environment. As it happens, I also provide very low-cost health insurance to my employees. A healthy workforce is part of my “bottom line.” Not only are my employees very productive, they are very loyal.
The faceless, globalized corporations that control our governments (all governments, not just this one) either don’t care or have forgotton the human part of the equation, if they ever recognized it.
Al, it seems to me that you would rather abdicate control of this democracy to the drive for profit than curb corporate excesses, thus preserving the liberties which made these profits possible. Can that be correct?
Posted by Stone on Sep 28, 2004 at 8:50 PM Stone,
Now you are the epitome of a good corporation; I can see why your employees are loyal. And you are to be especially commended for providing them with low-cost health insurance. I wish you the best of success!
Posted by Marion on Sep 28, 2004 at 9:12 PM What a wonderful expose article which then led me all through this even longer list of blogger comments. That’s one of the greatest elements of open democracy now propelled by lightning speed. At least we’re still able to read other aspects of our tumultous world and Presidential Election politic through the internet that 10-15 years ago just wasn’t possible. --And thereby learn about elements of voter fraud which are working beneath the surface until exposed. Even if through e channels while not on the controlled networks.
I hope that Kerry lays some of these facts on the table through the debate presentations and wakes up some of the sleepy masses that big Corporations and their control of remaining planetary oil is the root of all the upheaval in the Middle East. I wonder where I can read more about advance knowledge that the present Adminstration was aware of 9/11 jetliner plots in advance. Just like it was discovered years later that Roosevelt’s Administration was perfectly well aware of a Japanese Fleet sailing for Pearl Harbor…
Posted by Carbon Bridge on Sep 28, 2004 at 10:11 PM I am always amazed at conservatives with their understanding of the facts. Can you imagine if all the of the 1900’s was dominated by conservatives of the type we have today? There would be no civil rights, nor there be any middle class as we see now. There would be no Social Security, nor would there be any respect for the Constitution. Unions would be severely restricted, or maybe outlawed. There would be no minimum wage laws. There would be no EPA, so all of us would be a lot sicker from the garbage we put in our environment. There would be no Family Leave Act, so none of us would be able to take off work to care for a sick family member. If you lost your money in a failed bank, you just would be out of luck. Women and minorities could do nothing if discriminated at work. If you were fired at work unjustly, before you reached retirement age, you would receive no pension. The list goes on and on.
I believe the Democratic Party has done wonderful things for the working, middleclass people of this country. It is the Republican’s goal to reverse these programs, that has helped so many Americans, and concentrate power and wealth back to the rich. If you want to live like a Republican, you better vote Democratic.
A few years ago, we impeached Clinton over a lousy dress. With Bush in office, we all are wearing that blue dress now.
Posted by mike on Sep 28, 2004 at 10:18 PM http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0928/p01s03-uspo.html
Headline: Cheaper vs. cleaner: big differences
Byline: Brad Knickerbocker Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Date: 09/28/2004Consider two recent news items: oil prices creeping up toward $50 a barrel and Antarctic glaciers breaking up into icebergs at an accelerated pace, probably due to global warming.
They may not seem related. And with war in Iraq and the economy topping the list of election concerns, energy and the environment aren’t exactly front-page political news.
But the two overlap considerably. And while they may not rank as top-tier issues among voters, they resonate deeply and personally for millions of Americans - including many who’ve yet to make up their minds whom to vote for.
Posted by One More on Sep 28, 2004 at 10:39 PM Great article, great comments everyone. Just wondering, what do we do now? Why is this not making waves with the voting public? Preaching to the choir makes one feel good, but it doesn’t do anything to produce change. Any ideas for how to take this information and use it productively?
Posted by Paula Rucker on Sep 28, 2004 at 11:09 PM Sorry Mike, but there goes the EPA too? ( they must have re-hired James Watt )
From today’s news:
http://www.bushgreenwatch.org/mt_archives/000193.php
EPA Imposes Gag Rule on its Employees
The Bush administration is noted for its strict control of
“leaks” to the press and its discipline regarding perceived acts
of dissent.Now, President Bush’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
ordered its staff to “refrain from answering” questions from the
news media, according to an agency memo obtained by Public
Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). [1]The gag order was issued by Bharat Marthur, the top EPA official
for the Midwestern region. In a memo to all regional staff,
Marthur forbids EPA staff from initiating contact with the press
or responding to any press queries. Even EPA’s designated
spokespeople must now “report their conversations” with
reporters to the Office of Public Affairs.Likewise, EPA staff in the Rocky Mountain region have been
ordered not to answer any “potentially political inquiry” from
the media.The ban seems to violate not only a longstanding EPA practice of
allowing its experts to talk with reporters about matters within
their areas of expertise. It also appears to violate
Congressionally-enacted bans on agencies trying to impose any
“nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement” on their employees
without informing employees of their rights under the
Whistleblower Protection Act.
Posted by Tanya on Sep 28, 2004 at 11:09 PM Stone has found the key to a successful business, treat your employees as you would treat yourself. While businesses and govt programs can provide jobs, only those buying products or services actually create jobs. That’s why Dubya’s tax cuts suck so bad. In almost all cases, middle and low income folks and famlies will spend almost all tax relief recieved while the high income will invest or save theirs. Investing does provide capital, but once again, if products are not purchased, jobs won’t last long. I know that economics can be very difficult to understand, but some solutions are not rocket science. And a quick word about the debates.......based on what I have read in the “agreement”..don’t expect any barn-burners.....several of you are correct, the only debate that will be worth it’s salt, will be one that allows these two to really go at each other......Make it a debate and not a “he said, he said” waste of time. If a true debate were allowed, Dubya would probably loose his temper and bust into slinglish very rapidly. Bing, Bing, Bing........Kerry by a KO in the second round.
Posted by Alex on Sep 28, 2004 at 11:25 PM I hear all too much of persons who are moderately liberal, or claim to be progressive yet somehow still vote with the Democrats complain about the corporate controlled media. Now I am not saying that the media isn’t under corporate control, it certainly is. But think about this Ralph Nader is the candidate of we progressives who despise the corporate controlled media, yet how often do we see “our” progressive media even discuss him, the answer is never. Please anyone who is even slightly liberal, and for you conservatives out their who we may be able to convert PLEASE check out the Nader ticket and compare how his platform alligns with progressive thought compared to that of Kerry or ‘hahaha’ Bush
VOTE NADER IN 2004 it really is our only hope for a true democracy free from corporate overlords:
www.votenader.org
Posted by Richard Rhodes on Sep 28, 2004 at 11:27 PM Mr. Rhodes,
While I don’t disagree with your stand on Nader (and I recognize Nader’s appeal), the sad fact is that if too many of us vote for Nader, we’re condemed to four more years of Bush.
Posted by Stone on Sep 28, 2004 at 11:43 PM I appreciate your honest opinion and mean you no disrespect Richard, but a vote for Nader in 2000 assured that G. W. Bush got elected. ( OK...er, umm… appointed ) A vote for Nader in 2004 will help assure us 4 more years of this big mess we are all in that’s likely to get worse. Ralph is a rare genuine and brave caring person for sure! He should have been appointed head of consumer affairs for life 40 years ago, but his disruptive presidential aspirations have only served to undermine the same very honerable goals he stands for. Not voting for him is just as much my duty as is not voting for Bush this time around.
Posted by Ricky Trader on Sep 29, 2004 at 12:06 AM Republi-Con Artist (def.) Someone in a particular political party who believes they can fool all the people all of the time...especially if a cowed news media aids and abets.
Neo-Con Artist (def.) A master-level Republi-Con Artist who seeks to “fool all the people all of the time” and pass it off as somehow helping the people...while at the same time the people are having their pockets picked. (see Serial Spinner, Master Magician, Karl Rove, Moriarty, entire list of Who’s Who in the Republicon Party).
Republi-cancer (def) a near fatal disease associated with falling for the the Republi-Con Artist and Neo-Con Artist spin. Causes Brain Rot, medically speaking. Only known cure is “The Truth.” WARNING: Republi-cancer is contagious and spreads rapidly if anti-toxin not administered immediately following exposure. Often leads to death and destruction. (see 9/11 report, Iraq War, AID’s funding, Medicare, Halliburton, Oil Cartels, etc., etc.) (Note: a comprehensive list is available in 666-page appendix).
Paul Sorrells
wizard2000@austin.rr.com
Austin TX
Posted by Paul Sorrells on Sep 29, 2004 at 12:14 AM Fast question for David Sorita - where are your sources? You say it is from the ‘New York Times’ and stuff, but what date, section, or anything? Also, I know for a FACT that half of the stuff you “quoted” was taken completely out of context. According to what I see in this article, there is nothing to back it up.
Posted by Chris on Sep 29, 2004 at 12:18 AM Do you ever read the Times or Dealer or Herald or Post, etc.. Chris? I Do plus a great many other publications available online. This story was not exactly any big new revalation to anybody who stays well informed. Please feel free to water your little bad seed of doubt planted. All the strongest fertilizer and best dirt in the world ain’t gonna help the poor thing sprout. ( nice try though! )
Posted by Brett on Sep 29, 2004 at 12:43 AM Chris??
Mr. Sirota spells his name Sirota, not Sorita. It’s a small thing, but the small things count.
Reading is a wonderful thing. Comprehension’s even better. Retention’s amazing. Try to be a better person…
Posted by Dee Dee on Sep 29, 2004 at 2:21 AM Ray, while you are dusting off your Orwell, check out “It Can’t Happen Here”, a cautionary tale by Sinclair Lewis. A fine example of his Nobel Prize winning foresight.Though written in the 30’s in response to European facism, his debunking of government propaganda and jingoism is equally relevant today. If not more so, since it is we, not Europe, who stand to lose if Bush is “selected” again.
Posted by Gary C. on Sep 29, 2004 at 2:39 AM Great idea about the W murals! Here in Austin there’s this guerilla-artist group that plasters huge decals of food and small furry animals all over the city. I think it’s time they started plastering Dear Leader’s idealized grimace everywhere. What a great way to illustrate how bad things have become.
Posted by Pat Doyle on Sep 29, 2004 at 8:17 AM This message is for Dave Mendoz.
You make a very distorted and revisionist claim. Yes, a Republicans (A.L.) once freed slaves. And yes a Republican ( T.R.) once came out against the robber barons of his era. Thery were also conservationist in creating national parks and such at one time. But none of that would happen today in the Republican party. It is not the same party by any measure. Lincoln would be considered a bleeding heart liberal by today standards for his views and politics. Even Nixon would be be considered a left winger by todays standards. It is not the party that matters. Ideology changes and shifts all the time. The issue itself is what makes a measure either right or left slanted. The Republican party is not even the same Republican party of the Reagan era anymore. It has gone far to the right of conservatism. It is now the party of the robber barrons, the suppressionist, the shredders of the constitution, it is becoming the party of dictators. If you appose us we will change the rules so that you can no longer have any input, party, Doubt me? In my lifetime (48) I have never witnessed such a coniving, lying, deceptive, rule breaking, secretive, back door policy administration. Makes me long for the Nixon era. To be fair the Democrats have shifted far to the right of where they used to be as well. But in principle (perhaps not action) they still have some of the old core values. In the south you fail to mention that most people were Dixicrats at one time (suedo Democrats), until they decided to take up the mantle of civil rights. Thats when they all left the “left” wing party and became Republicans where they could fend off attempts at giving all people the same rights. Repubicans opposed civil rights then just as they do today in trying to prevent certain minorities from casting votes. They are no longer conservative in my estimation either. They are spending like drunkin sailors to quote a Republican. The debt will be fostered upon the next generation. The deficit is outrageous, we are fighting an unjustified war, and they have no desire to conserve any natural spaces let alone create any new parks or designated wild space. So, is this really the same party that stands for the issues of long ago that Republicans love to link there party to? Sounds to me like that would be the Green party.
Posted by Rocco on Sep 29, 2004 at 8:53 AM Carbon Bridge, you can read more about the 9-11 issue at the following links:
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/
http://www.fromthewilderness.org
http://www.peterlance.com/
http://911research.wtc7.net/index.html
Posted by Rita on Sep 29, 2004 at 9:43 AM Allot of apparently thoughtful posts on this site. Definitely one of the better sites out there. Plenty of you approach the peoblems of today from a wide range of different angles. Some can rattle off minute facts about the subjects, but you never seem to put the puzzle together. You can explain how corporate dollars account for the decisions being made that effect the health and wealth of individuals and groups here and abroad, but why is it being done? Its easy to say its greed, that’s like saying the US government sanctioned and supported slavery solely based on greed. It was much deeper than that, and you can’t possibly discuss it unless you go back to Alexander the Great/ Aristotle and the African knowledge they usurped, whom latter followers called Greek....You also have to learn about the Councils of Nicea and soo much more. You can expose lying politicians, medical practioners/ researchers, Corp CEO’s and religious leaders here and abroad. Some of you are even abreast enough to tie seamingly diverese issued together, like; without getting into too much detail, how World War I, resulted in the end of the Turkish Empire at the hand of The Crown by using/ lying to Arabs (The Saudi Royal Family) to drive out the Ottoman’s therefore making the land fertile for (white European occupation of a land they have no legitimate claim too.) Just another in the long line of CRUSADES amongst Caucasians (Arab or European ie Aryan or Semite) who claim a religion whos most ancient foundations lie in the heart Africa (Judiasm, Christianity, Islam or Buddism) but today, no African has any input into except as appointed/ annointed lackeys. spirituality versus religious cavemen dogma is a touchy subject. Why is D-O-G your best friend as opposed to G-O-D? The answer lies in the ancient of days, and you still hold onto it sub-concsiously til this very day. A cursory study of ancient remains of Egypt, India or the so called Mid-East proto-civilizations would tell you what those people looked like, amongst other things. It would also give a glimpse into the story of the people rule these places today. The discovery of oil in that region in the mid-to late 1800’s coincided nicely with this thing called Zionism. Hence war was needed.. That must be tied into population figures between races/ ethnicites. The less melanin, the less fertile, unless you can be targetted for birth control and or abortion here and ESPECIALLY abroad. Of course American tax dollars subsidise STATE Mandated HMO provided fertility treatment for those who generally become impotent and bald by age 35. Finally, unless you are willing to say the words White Supremacy, you’ll never understand why things have happened, are happening, and wil continue to happen. Control of international resources and markets, in a trickle down kind of way, ensures that the 10% of humanity that classifies themselves as white will not have to fairly compete with the rest of humanity. You give me 2 billion of food aid annually (that has to be spent with your own private companies) while I’m left to services 10 billion in debt annually that you racked up while you were raping me. Like Cat said...Oh baby baby its a wild world!!
Posted by Shabba Nzinga on Sep 29, 2004 at 9:48 AM Carbon bridge--a correction on that second link:
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/
regards
Posted by Rita on Sep 29, 2004 at 10:03 AM I have never been so afraid for this country. I think the Republican Party would prefer a Stalinist system run like the Soviet Union was run for so many years. They could dictate all social issues, allow their corporate buddies to pollute with no regulation, monitor libraries, tap phones,attack anyone with differing views as unpatriotic, control the media - OH WAIT, sounds familiar......
Posted by Just Me on Sep 29, 2004 at 10:19 AM You guys crack me up. I was just as frustrated and concerned as you when I had to live through 8 years of Bill Clinton. Guess what I made it and you will too. Your understanding of basic economics is laughable. You guys represent an indictment on our educational system. I am sure that most of you spent at least 16 years in school and yet your ability to reason is not much better than that of an elementary school child.
Well at least you can feel good that you made someone laugh.
Posted by Marc on Sep 29, 2004 at 12:15 PM There are many conservative myths. Lets debunk one.( general disclaimer: not all corporations are bad)
“have you noticed how businesses like healthcare and oil cry about government regulation. That if they were regulated less, their goods and services would be cheaper. Well conservatives have gutted as much regulation as possible, but those savings have not gone into consumers pockets, they’ve just been redirected into the pockets of those people that were already quite wealthy. Centrists and liberals have let extremists define what capitalism is. Somewhere along the line the masses became what is alarmingly close to being indentured servants. That paycheck at the end of the week is belows to the corporations.
The poorest 20 percent of U.S. households saw their average income decline 1.9 percent between 2002 and 2003. The wealthiest 20 percent, for their part, enjoyed a 1.1 percent increase in average income over the same time.
The country made no progress whatsoever in closing up existing race and gender income inequalities. Hispanics actually saw their incomes decline considerably, by 2.6 percent, in 2003. As for other minority groups, black households still make about 62 percent of what white households make, and Hispanic households now make about 69 percent. At the same time, there was a real decline of 0.6 percent in wages of women who worked full time—the first such drop since 1995.
Under Bush an additional 1.3 million people ducked under the poverty line, raising the percentage from 12.1 percent to 12.5 percent.
And the poverty rate for children rose from 16.7 percent to a shameful 17.6 percent—that’s 12.9 million children in poverty. Looking at long-term trends, poverty has risen for three consecutive years.”
So its a myth that global corporations are benevolent institutions that if freed from governmental interference will provide a clean environment for all and good jobs for the poor.
Posted by T Paine Jr on Sep 29, 2004 at 12:27 PM While plenty of people have already weighed in on the Mendoz post, I thought it would be worthwhile to deal with his first factual error on a simple factual basis.
“Civil rights was not one by liberals. It was one from the right, research brown vs. the board of education and tell me how republican appointed judges voting to allow a small black child to attend an all white school is somehow a victory for the left.”
Following is a list of the nine judges who decided Brown v. Board of Education, and the Presidents who appointed them:
Felix Frankfurter – appointed by Franklin Roosevelt
Hugo Black – appointed by Franklin Roosevelt
Earl Warren – appointed by Eisenhower
Stanley Reed – appointed by Franklin Roosevelt
William O. Douglas – appointed by Franklin Roosevelt
Tom Clarke – appointed by Truman
Robert H. Jackson – appointed by Franklin Roosevelt
Harold Burton – appointed by Truman
Sherman Minton – appointed by Truman
Only one Republican appointee in the bunch and he has been so thoroughly disowned by the Republican party that referring to him as a republican appointed judge would seem to be a set up for a punchline for a really bad joke.
That last was just my opinion. But there is no way to take someone so obviously misinformed seriously.
Posted by factchecker on Sep 29, 2004 at 1:15 PM No, I don’t call this a democracy, it never was one and never will be. This country was dreamed up. Government of the people, manifest destiny, capitalism, freedom; all bullshit lies. As George Clinton used to say, “THINK - THINK, IT AINT ILLEGAL YET!”
Posted by theloneous on Sep 29, 2004 at 2:03 PM The national symbol should be changed to CHIQUITA BANANA.
The media will announce debates will be won by Bush BEFORE the debates are over and ALL “mainstream” media outlets will carry that story.
On November 2nd, Bush will be declared the winner [according to many “pseudo pollsters” including those of many famous polling organizations which are putting out phony polls by including as many as 14% more registered GOPers than DEMS] BEFORE THE POLLS ARE OPEN!
“Mainstream” media outlets -ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN - will carry the story as a “story about a story” to get around election laws and will claim that they had no intent to influence the outcome of the election? Why? They all stand to gain BILLIONS is pending legislation in enacted by a government with all three branches controlled by the GOP.
Posted by jwceithaml on Sep 29, 2004 at 3:39 PM Thanks, FactChecker, for setting the record straight on the Brown decision.
Depressed Democrats and/or Liberals and/or Independents, do not give up hope. Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” What matters is what each of us does with whatever happens to us. Winston Churchill said, “Nevah, nevah, nevah give up.”
And one last quote, by a woman who came to this country by swimming the Rio Grande, to her children: “If I put it on your back, someone can take it away from you; if I put it in your heads, no one can.” Believe in liberty, freedom, and justice. Then make it so.
Posted by Marion on Sep 29, 2004 at 4:32 PM I always get a charge out of reading what some of these kooks post. I’d have to say my favorite on this thread is jwceithaml’s conspiracy theory. Are you serious? Where the hell did you get the idea that the mainstream media is biased in favor of BUSH? Which right-wing propagandist masterminded this plot? Dan Rather or Chris Matthews? Please tell me more about the government’s plan to pass laws donating billions to these outlets in the event Bush is reelected. I was really getting tired of hearing about Bush being behind the 9-11 attacks so I’m glad to hear about a new crackpot conspiracy theory.
Posted by Harry on Sep 29, 2004 at 5:38 PM NOVEMBER 2004
HEADLINESBUSH WINS ELECTION BY SUBSTANTIAL MARGIN
BUSH DECLARES WAR ON IRAN, NORTH KOREA,SYRIA
GASOLINE PEAKS AT $5.50, HIGHER PREDICTED
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PRIVATIZED
MILLIONS DIE IN HAITI DROUGHT,(PAGE 12)
BUSH DECLARES SOUTHERN BAPTIST STATE RELIGION
ALL U.S. MUSLIMS GIVEN 1 WEEK TO LEAVE USA.
ALL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS MUST SUBMIT STORIES TO DEPT. OF VERIFICATION
MILLIONS OF U.S.CITIZENS APPLY FOR VISAS TO ICELAND.
Posted by Doom'.n Gloom on Sep 29, 2004 at 6:28 PM Harry:
Rush Limbaugh, Rupert Murdoch, Washington Times, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reilly, Brit Hume, Tony Snow, Neil Cavuto, etc., etc., etc., ad naseum. These are just a few of the mouthpieces of the Bush regime.
Posted by Marion on Sep 29, 2004 at 6:43 PM To Scott Kushner and others here: The media’s job is to nail the bastards. Period. They have forgotten that purpose in their zeal to appease stockholders--a noble business decision, but a crappy way to run a newspaper.
We need a courageous press that we can trust. Mr. Kushner’s proposal that peope start digging into the issues that surround each of us and ask the tough questions is the very core responsibility of the press. I would propose that he look into the blogosphere.
Bloggers are like the pamphleteers of the 18th century from which actual living, breathing newspapers were born. They were obsessive and tenacious and mean spirited; they were determined to scandalize, satirize or out-scream their chosen victims, usually politicians.
Bloggers might actually be able to bring back a little respect to journalism if they manage to come up standards and if they will always divulge their sources.
Maybe that is the method Mr. Kushner alludes to. Democracy isn’t dead--far from it. We’ve been in an invisible veracity-slump since Reagan, maybe since Nixon, but we now have what citizens in any democracy have never had: unparalled communicability of ideas and information utterly unfettered by commercial or government requisites.
Just as panphleteers needed just their wit and a few guineas to publish an armload of witty flyers, any jackass with dialup can affect the weave and weft of the currency of information; can unknot the snags of obfuscation; can run rings around Dan Rather and O’Riley.
They have wireless, digital cameras, broadband and spellcheck. They’re smart as hell and apparently don’t need much sleep.
I think Bloggers ought to remember and accept the most noble and apparently forgotten purpose of the press, the kind of purpose engraved in the entrance-way granite of Tribune Tower, the kind of purpose that started a free press and kept the greed of Big Money and Big Government in its place for decades, a simple tenacious, bulldog credo: nail the bastards.
Posted by Chris Garlington on Sep 29, 2004 at 8:59 PM Chris, I have always liked Finley Peter Dunne’s rule: “The job of the newspaper is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” But your motto carries more punch! Nail ‘em.
My great grandfather was a newspaper editor and his motto was altruism over egoism (or selfishness). He was a highly principled man and lived the Golden Rule. He denounced war ("War must end. It is a failure. A resort to force is a confession of impotence. . . . It solves no problem, answers no question, concludes no principle of ethics and always leaves the victor in defeat."). He valued freedom of speech, free thought, and a free press. One of his editorials ended, “And I would have my country recognized and respected by all the nations of the world, not because of the threat of its massed artillery, not because of its menace of marching men, not because of its steel-clad armadas of the seas, not because of its winged argosies of the skies laden with messengers of destruction, but because she deserves and should receive the veneration of all peoples in all lands everywhere as the one outstanding, dominant, glorified nation with a soul.” I wish a journalist of his caliber was around in this day and time.
Posted by Marion on Sep 29, 2004 at 10:13 PM Foxs News is dangerous, it is the collaboration between the government (which is dominated by the right) and the media to influence public opinion. Isn’t that what the Founding Fathers were worried about?
Posted by mike on Sep 29, 2004 at 10:22 PM Marion, I’m glad you can reel off the names of some right-wing commentators. What is your point? Is it supposed to make jwceithaml’s any less ridiculous? He might as well claim that the New York Times and Los Angeles Times are in on the plot, too. Hell, that would have been more believable that CBS, given their recent stunt with the National Guard documents and advice to the Kerry to look up Bill Burkett. What percentage of American journalists voted for Gore in 2000? I believe it was 75-80%, though I could be off. I could cite evidence of pro-Democrat mainstream media bias all day, but the fact of the matter is that most of the media is unabashedly in Kerry’s camp and to claim that they’re conspiring to hand the election to Bush is assinine. Besides, Kerry is trying to hand the election to Bush and doesn’t even need their help.
Posted by Harry on Sep 30, 2004 at 9:36 AM Harry,
My point is that it is not the “liberal” media—the “journalists” I have listed are clearly right-wing and there are many of them out there. They have not reported the news. In fact, they have shown far more bias than CBS News ever could or would.
More journalists vote for the Democratic ticket because they are more informed than most of us. The more informed people are, the more likely they are to vote for the party platform that better supports freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right of assembly, the right to trial by jury, etc. Also, the more informed people are, the more likely they are to question the powers that be, whatever the political party. (Unless they are shouted down by the likes of Bill O’Reilly or Rush Limbaugh who never tolerate a viewpoint divergent from their own.)
I am just asking that we all try to be as informed as possible and then make our choice. I would ask that you reread jwceithaml’s post calmly and see if there are any truths within it. And then read Greg Palast’s book “The Best Democracy Money Can Buy” which includes a chapter about Florida in 2000. I will be more than happy to return the favor. Another book that should be read by one and all of us is Chris Hedges’ “War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning.” Also, read the Texas Republican Party platform—it is frightening.
Peace, my brother.
Posted by Marion on Sep 30, 2004 at 11:07 AM There is a widespread epidemic now occurring across the United States .... It is called the “Bush Plague.” If we do not control this epidemic now our country will ultimately experience a slow and painful death ..... For the sake of America it is crucial for its people to “wake up.” PLEASE.....do your homework --- get the facts .....then vote responsibly. Thank you.
Jinny Lee
PO Box 592
Melrose FL 32666
Posted by Jinny Lee on Sep 30, 2004 at 2:50 PM To Richard Rhodes. I agree completely. To Ricky Trader, Ralph Nader’s constituents are legion, unfortunately these constituents are alot like the apostle Peter, who denied his faith three times before watching his savior crucified. Biblical analogies tend to be heavy handed( but I think it’s a pretty good fit). If all of us like minded people actually demonstrated our true convictions, and voted for Ralph, he could actually WIN!
Posted by Dr.D on Sep 30, 2004 at 4:17 PM For some reason even though he’s Democratic, my husband is on a GOP mailing list, and he has now received two mailers from that party urging him “Make Your Voice Heard VOTE ABSENTEE”. Very helpfully, there are two attached absentee ballot applications.
What do they know that we don’t?
Posted by Joyce on Sep 30, 2004 at 9:30 PM Nice piece, Sirota.
Has everyone forgotten about Diebold el al’s efforts to “assist” in the election? It seems as though making our votes count is truly the biggest challenge to ousting Bush. I urge all of you to help people register and then vote on November 2.
Posted by Erik Cooke on Oct 1, 2004 at 6:13 AM For those of you who advocate violence to solve your problems should harken back to Gande/Martin Luther King who understood that if you fight fire with fire you give the majority the excuse to focus on your resistance while forgetting why you struggle. Don’t play into the hands of your opponent. They want you to fight back so they can have an excuse to beat you with billy clubs. We need the undecideds to see the injustice clearly without refraction. Violence only feels good for a moment. The aftermath is a boot on your neck.
Posted by Mark Adelman on Oct 1, 2004 at 9:31 AM The majority of these responses make absolutely no sense in connection with the original article. It makes me worry about what you people do in the public sphere. God help us all.
Posted by anonymous reader on Oct 1, 2004 at 11:59 AM About Corporations: it’s true, not all corporations are inherently evil, but one thing many have in common is the bottom line of profit. I recently saw the documentary called “the corporation,” and it was really informative. I recommend that everyone see it. Check out this page http://www.thecorporation.com/about/ to see what I mean.
Posted by cyberella2002 on Oct 3, 2004 at 10:55 AM Ray: I too an non-violent. Some links that have many examples of how to get the word out are, MoveOn.org, americanprogress.org, and go to outfoxed.org, click on the tab activism for links to other sites.
Carbon Bridge, I do not know where to find the information on the net, since it is so scattered. The folling DVD’s are excellent “Uncovered” “Fahrenheit 911, and “Outfoxed”
Again, Ralph Nader has NO SHOT of winning this time around. Independents must organize together and work BETWEEN elections to overhaul the parties and their frigid lines on issues.
Posted by bobby on Oct 3, 2004 at 9:53 PM The commentary here in is obviously from relatively well informed and intelligent voters but as in 1984 the control of information by the opressive power of the government kept the larger population in line.
Our current government is very adept at using Orwellian language and suceeding in convincing the genuflecting followers to ignore reality just like Bush, Cheney and many in the Republican party seem to be doing.
All suggestions to look at Ralph Nader as a viable candidate is wishful thinking to say the least.
Personally I have respected Mr. Nader for most of my adult life until he went ahead and aided George W. Bush to become president and in effect is attempting to destroy everything Nader believes in. And now, once again Ralph is attempting to do the same thing...it make no sense. He gets no national exposure, he’s hardly going to appeal to a national audience and his platform is percieved to be to radical for the wider electorate. Having said that I agree with all he stands for and I also like Peter Camejo his running mate.
Vote for Nader if you must in a state not in play but be reasonable and realistic and don’t help Bush to destroy everything you and I believe is wrong in this country in a state that is yet undecided.
Incidentally, while we’re rereading books that have relevance, “Brave New World” is also a great book to revisit. Also, “Brave New World Revisited"…
Posted by BAM on Oct 4, 2004 at 9:43 AM A writer above reported many of his misunderstandings of historical facts and cited that West Virginia’s senator Robert Byrd was once a member of the Klu Klux Klan. Well, I suppose that is possible but if the writer has paid any attention at all to the long established and current mind set of Senator Byrd it bears no relationship to whether or not he was once a member of that racist organization other than to point out that his maturity eventually brought him wisdom.
Now, on the other hand our current president used to be an alcoholic and became born again and stopped his destructive ways. The difference between senator Byrd’s change in behavior and the presidents is that once an alcoholic your always an alcoholic but the president of course can’t and won’t admit to any flaws in his mental toughness. Everyone else must be wrong, only his decisions are meaningful, he alone through the “hard work” can lead us on to victory against the terrorists
According to some experts many of Bush’s personality traits are those of an alcoholic and although he has to be commended for his turn around his personality and behavior is far more influenced by his alcoholism than Byrd’s is because of past membership in the KKK.
David Duke was a member of the KKK and even though he has since stopped wearing the Imperial Wizard’s Robes he is still a racist seeking office In Louisiana , as I believe, a Republican.
Bush and many in the Republican party do not on the surface articulate blatant racist policies but their intentions are no different than Mr. Dukes and occasionally will slip and say what they mean like Senator Trent Lott did a while back.
What is reported by Mr Sirota is another indication how the Republican party operates just under the radar and not only displays their “Banana Republic” mentality but their racist atitudes as well.
Posted by BAM on Oct 4, 2004 at 11:37 AM Heres an opinion from a European, Left-leaning, but mainly middle-a-da-road average Joe - Vote for Bush - Please, Please, Please! Why? Because then America will get so estranged from Europe that we might break off ties with you red necked, animal-marrying, mullato, hillbilly hicks that seem to be in the majority over there - I visited America once and was delighted to see how stupid most of you are - my 11 year old son is more intelligent than the average 30 yo middle class professional in the US - remember, Americas strength was borrowed/stolen/coerced from the rest of the world - Einstein, Nazi & Japanese scientist, Alan Turing (British Scientist who created modern computing) and your disgusting nation is nothing but a threat now to world peace. Is the world better off without america? Yes it is, and bush is man to take america out of the equation for good. ‘A nation under God’ ha ha ha ha - a nation under a massive self delusion maybe, if there really was a god/jesus, he wouldnt have anything to do with that fuckin’ drunk, drug takin, neanderthal bush or that pissy fuckin’ coward cheney and certainly not with rumsfeld or the incredibly idiotic ashcroft. heres hoping osama and iran get cosy -probably so if bush gets four more years, which knowing you thick fucks is not only possible, but probable - who knows what ‘ol osama could do with some weapons grade plutonium - god willing.......
Posted by Our Lord on Oct 5, 2004 at 5:42 AM What is your point “our lord”? Do you think you can influence the opinion of anyone by hurling unfounded insults at them? Or are you just trying to flame? Or maybe you’re really a right-wing nut case who is trying to make people think that all Europeans hate Americans, think we’re stupid, ad nauseum.
Perhaps the bloggers here do not represent “the average 30-something middle class professional” but most of the replies here have been expressed intelligently. And with a bit of respect, I might add.
Posted by Paula Rucker on Oct 5, 2004 at 6:18 AM Cont....
By 1960, Nikita Kruschev had been let in on the biological weapon. His 1960 statement will long reflect the arrogance of the secret blend of communism and democracy. The two countries would go to a November 1972 agreement to cull the Black Population.
In 1961, scientist Haldor Thomar publishes that viruses cause cancer. In 1995, he and Carlton Gajdusek informed the National Academy of Sciences that “the study of visna in sheep would be the best test for candidate anti-HIV drugs.”
In 1962, under the cover of cancer research, the United States charts a path to commit premeditated murder, the “Special Virus” program begins on February 12th. Dr. Len Hayflick sets up a U.S. mycoplasma laboratory at Stanford University. Many believe the “Special Virus” program began in November 1961 with a Phizer contract.
Beginning in 1963 and for every year thereafter, the “Special Virus” program conducted annual progress reviews at Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA. The annual meetings are representative of the aggressive nature in which the United States pursued the development of AIDS.
In 1964, the United States Congress gave full support for the leukemia/lymphoma (AIDS) virus research.
In 1967, the National Academy of Sciences launched a full scale assault on Africa. The CIA (Technical Services Division) acknowledged its secret inoculator program.
In 1969, Fort Detrick told world scientists and the Pentagon asked for more money, they knew they could make AIDS. Nixon’s July 18 secret memo to Congress on “Overpopulation” serves as the start of the paper trail of the AIDS Holocaust.
In 1970, President Nixon signed PL91-213 and John D. Rockefeller, III became the “Population Czar.” Nixon’s August 10 National Security Memo leaves no doubt as to the genocidal nature of depopulation.
In 1971, Progress Report #8 is issued. The flowchart (pg. 61) will forever resolve the true laboratory birth origin of AIDS. Eventually the Special Virus program will issue 15 reports and over 20,000 scientific papers. The flowchart links every scientific paper, medical experiment and U.S. contract. The flowchart would remain “missing” until 1999. World scientists were stunned. The flowchart will gain in significance throughout the 21st Century. It is also clear the experiments conducted under Phase IV-A of the flowchart are our best route to better therapy and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. The first sixty pages of progress report #8 of the Special Virus program prove conclusively the specific goal of the program. By June 1977, the Special Virus program had produced 15, 000 gallons of AIDS. The AIDS virus was attached as complement to vaccines sent to Africa and Manhattan. However, because of the thoroughness of authors, like Dr. Robert E. Lee, we also learn the Stanford Mycoplasma Laboratory issues one of the first papers with AIDS in the title. “Viral Infections in Man Associated with Acquired Immunological Deficiency States.” The primary scientist, Dr. Thomas Merigan, was a “consultant” to the Special Virus program.
Progress Report # 8 at 104 - 106 proves Dr. Robert Gallo was secretly working on the development of AIDS with full support of the sector of the U.S. government that seeks to kill its citizens. Dr. Gallo can not explain why he excluded his role as a “project officer” for the Special Virus program from his biographical book. Dr. Gallo’s early work and discoveries will finally be viewed in relation to the flowchart. We now know where every experiment fits into the flowchart. The “research logic” is irrefutable evidence of a federal “Manhattan-style project” to develop a “contagious” cancer that “selectively” kills. Dr. Gallo’s 1971 paper is identical to his 1984 AIDS announcement.
Progress Report #8 at 273 - 286 proves we gave AIDS to monkeys. Since 1962, the United States and Dr. Robert Gallo have been inoculating monkeys and re-releasing them back into the wild. Thus, even government scientists are baffled that both HIV-1 and HIV-II would “suddenly emerge” from two distinct monkey ancestral relatives during the last 100 years. A 1999 Japanese study will ultimately prove the Man to Monkey origin of Monkey AIDS. The monkey experiments summary definitively proves Monkey AIDS is also man-made.
Cont.....
Posted by Scrappy -Au. on Oct 14, 2004 at 3:32 AM Cont…
In 1972, the United States and the Soviet Union entered into a biological agreement that would signal the death knell for the Black Population. The 1972 agreement for collaboration and cooperation in the development of offensive biological agents is still U. S. policy.
In 1973, we find that world scientist, Garth Nicolson reports on his project, “Role of the Cell Surface in Escape From Immunological Surveillance.” His report is accompanied by seven published papers. Dr. Nicolson worked in conjunction with the Special Virus program from 1972 until 1978. Dr. Nicolson is considered by some to be Dr. Gallo’s “West Coast” counterpart. It is strongly held that because of Dr. Nicolson, Dr. Robert Gallo and Dr. Luc Montagnier would secretly meet in Southern California to coordinate what they would and would not say about the special virus development program.
In 1974, Furher Henry Kissinger releases his NSSM-200 (U.S. Plan to Address Overpopulation). It is the only issue of discussion at the World Population Conference in Bucharest, Romania. The men in the shadows had won, the whole world agrees to secretly cull Africa’s population. Today it is Africa and other undesirables. Tomorrow it may be you.
In 1975, President Gerald Ford signs National Security Defense Memorandum #314. The United States implements the Kissinger NSSM-200.
In 1976, the United States issues Progress Report #13 of the Special Virus program. The report proves the United States had various international agreements with the Russians, Germans, British, French, Canadians and Japanese. The plot to kill Black people has wide international support. In March, the Special Virus began production of the AIDS virus, by June 1977, the program will have produced 15,000 gallons of AIDS. President Jimmy Carter allows for the continuation of the secret plan to cull the Black Population.
In 1977, Dr. Robert Gallo and the top Soviet Scientists meet to discuss the proliferation of the 15,000 gallons of AIDS. They attach AIDS as complement to the Small pox vaccine for Africa, and the “experimental” hepatitis B vaccine for Manhattan. According to authors June Goodfield and Alan Cantwell, it is Batch #751 that was administered in New York to thousands of innocent people. This government will never be able to repay the people for the social rape, humiliation and out right prejudice people with HIV/AIDS face on a daily basis. The men in the shadows of the AIDS curtain accurately calculated that you would not care if only Blacks and gays are dying. In fact you don’t care that nearly a half million Gulf War veterans are encumbered with something contagious. Soon there will be no more Black people and a confused military, older White people will start suddenly dying and you still won’t get it. Be here now for us, give us a chance to be there for you.
Suddenly, just as President Nixon had predicted, there was explosive death. On November 4, 1999, the U.S. White House announced,.... “Within a period as short as five years, all new infections of HIV in the United States will be African American....” At some point our experts must be allowed to begin the interface process of allowing the history of this virus program to count. It is ludicrous and preposterous to fail to review the U.S. virus program in which to elucidate the etiology of AIDS.
More of the history of the secret virus program can be found in the archives of Dr. John B. Moloney. A review of the files under Dr. Moloney’s name would further pinpoint additional dates and records consistent with one of the greatest hunts, capture and proliferation of disease in the history of the human race. We have found the missing link. It is the guts of the research logic of a federal program that seeks to kill. We have found a curtain of AIDS. We can identify some of the people who work in the shadows of the curtain. Dr. Robert Gallo and Dr. Garth Nicolson must lead us in review. In light of the attack mechanisms available in which to inhibit AIDS, it is time that not another person be stricken with this relic, synthetic mycoplasma chimera.
Help those of us who are still here to realize full and contributory lives. We are all one people.
Cont…
Posted by Scrappy -Au. on Oct 14, 2004 at 3:40 AM Cont…
On September 28, 1998 I filed suit against the United States for the “creation”, “production” and “proliferation” of AIDS. On November 7, 2000, the appeals court agreed with the lower court and held AIDS bioengineering as “frivolous.” The world continues to wait for the court to rule on the resubmitted issues. The court can not continue to simply brush aside our experts and the government’s flowchart.
I have been asked to give my perspective with regard to the federal program MK-NAOMI . MK-NAOMI is the code for the development of AIDS. The “MK” portion stands for the two co-authors of the AIDS virus, Robert Manaker and Paul Kotin. The “NAOMI” portion stands for “Negroes are Only Momentary Individuals.” The U.S. government continues to orchestrate silence from the very top echelons of the Congress and military. At present there is no accountability. The good people will ultimately create a tsunami of public outrage. We can not allow the state an autocratic right to govern outside of the Constitution. Our society is structured to hide crimes committed by the state, while punishing citizens for minor indiscretions. Their strategy focuses on the general confusion they can create via manipulation of the media. They are very good at what they do. We must become more focused in our continued presentation of the flowchart. The flowchart is the absolute missing link in proving the existence of a coordinated research program to develop a cancer virus that depletes the immune system. New diseases do not create old illnesses.
This compilation of court documents and correspondence is the true effort of one man’s achievement in solving the mystery of the origin of AIDS. We have found the origin of AIDS,
it is
US!.C’mon Mate will ya wake up over there and smell the bullshit n’ theft of human rights. Stop your government from what it is doing around this beautiful planet of ours. If the constituents of your country, and they are the ONLY ones, who can do something about it, doesn’t act soon by taking control of their governments actions, then inocent people everywhere are going to suffer big time. Wake up people, take a good look around you, and try to experience it all, without the prozac.
It’s not like you have no idea how to get what you want. Haven’t you guy’s already had a civil war in your history? Or are bloodsoaked battlefields on one’s home soil, too much for a supposed enlightened Nation, such as AMERICA, to cope with?
Live, and let live for christ’s sake will ya!
Posted by Scrappy -Au. on Oct 14, 2004 at 3:42 AM Scrappy-Au:
Your posts makes my heart hurt (literally), I feel like I’m about to have a heart attack. As a Black man, being the target for elimination by the most powerful entity on earth, with the apparent blessing of the rest of the worlds’ most powerful governments is truly distressing, that I’m so contemptible as to be worthy of complete annihilation just because I am who I am takes my breathe away. History has shown us that all who ever inhabited Africa eventually became Africans yet Africans cannot inhabit any land and truly become of that place, but remain forever of Africa. Blackness is a powerful thing, I guess the only thing left powerful enough to be a challenge for the “Powers that be” I’m glad I’m a Black man, our legacy of resistance is long and strong. I’m also glad I don’t have to contemplate living in the Hell this world will become if these mad scientist and their masters’ plans completely succeed.
Posted by theloneous on Oct 14, 2004 at 8:40 AM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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