Michael Moore.com : Mike's Words
Michael Moore's letter to General Wesley Clark. Don't miss this.
Saturday, September 13, 2003
A Sad Farewell, well not really
This is the last dispatch from Sergeant Sean___ from Iraq. For months, he has maintained the blog, Turning Tables, but tonight is his last post before he returns (without injury, thank God) to the States. He gives a long interview, which is posted to his site, that lays out his experience.
A gentle soul, a sensitive, benign voice of our military. He will be missed.
A gentle soul, a sensitive, benign voice of our military. He will be missed.
Patriot Act rears its ugly head again
Yahoo! News - President Asks for Expanded Patriot Act
The USA Patriot act of 2001 is a monster that eats people. It’s a threat to our civil rights and a callous insult to every military man and woman who has served to secure our liberty.
Now the president, apparently oblivious to the public’s disdain of his Orwellian affronts to the character of our republic, is seeking to expand the act again. I thought this was dead months ago, but obviously the neocons are tenacious as terriers.
What irks me the most about the president’s position is the assertion that law enforcement is hamstringed by the law. Two thoughts: 1) If they can’t enforce the law within the law, they’re an ineffectual joke and I don’t want to hear them crying. 2) Duh, no joke George. The constitution, the codes and case law have sought to protect the people from the tyranny inherent in power since this nation was founded.
"The House and the Senate have a responsibility to act quickly on these matters," Bush said. "Untie the hands of our law enforcement officials so they can fight and win the war against terror."
This is no joke. President bush wants “Administrative Subpoenas,” giving prosecutors the power to demand documents from citizens without court approval. And the power to hold people in jail without bail, without have to show that they’re dangerous. Both are so unconstitutional, it’s staggering.
Past efforts by John Ashcroft to expand Patriot have included revocation of citizenship of terrorism suspects, the withholding of information about detainees, and … get this … a DNA database of people associated with terrorist groups. That’s frightening; the kind of desperate power-mongering I never thought I’d see.
If there is evidence sufficient under the Fourth Amendment, let the accused terrorist be brought to justice as provided by our laws. That’s what we do, because that’s who we are.
An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.
- Thomas Jefferson
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."
- George Washington
The USA Patriot act of 2001 is a monster that eats people. It’s a threat to our civil rights and a callous insult to every military man and woman who has served to secure our liberty.
Now the president, apparently oblivious to the public’s disdain of his Orwellian affronts to the character of our republic, is seeking to expand the act again. I thought this was dead months ago, but obviously the neocons are tenacious as terriers.
What irks me the most about the president’s position is the assertion that law enforcement is hamstringed by the law. Two thoughts: 1) If they can’t enforce the law within the law, they’re an ineffectual joke and I don’t want to hear them crying. 2) Duh, no joke George. The constitution, the codes and case law have sought to protect the people from the tyranny inherent in power since this nation was founded.
"The House and the Senate have a responsibility to act quickly on these matters," Bush said. "Untie the hands of our law enforcement officials so they can fight and win the war against terror."
This is no joke. President bush wants “Administrative Subpoenas,” giving prosecutors the power to demand documents from citizens without court approval. And the power to hold people in jail without bail, without have to show that they’re dangerous. Both are so unconstitutional, it’s staggering.
Past efforts by John Ashcroft to expand Patriot have included revocation of citizenship of terrorism suspects, the withholding of information about detainees, and … get this … a DNA database of people associated with terrorist groups. That’s frightening; the kind of desperate power-mongering I never thought I’d see.
If there is evidence sufficient under the Fourth Amendment, let the accused terrorist be brought to justice as provided by our laws. That’s what we do, because that’s who we are.
An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.
- Thomas Jefferson
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."
- George Washington
Friday, September 12, 2003
The horror, the horror
My God, Where have I been? It just now coalesced in me, the observation that my coblogger, Kyle, made a few posts ago (that the US Army is recruiting Mexicans and Latino US citizens to do the fighting in Iraq) with Bush's announcement that we've made Iraq our battleground against terror, the effect of which leads to the endless nightmare that Riverbend describes regularly in her blog from Baghdad.
Here's the coalescence: We've manipulated the press, the world, even our enemies, into a war that we are fighting using others' bodies to do battle on others' soil. The classic, "Let's you and him fight."
Too bad for Bush it's still killing GI's regularly, but not as bad for Bush as it is for the dead GI's, Iraqis and Mexicans.
Here's the coalescence: We've manipulated the press, the world, even our enemies, into a war that we are fighting using others' bodies to do battle on others' soil. The classic, "Let's you and him fight."
Too bad for Bush it's still killing GI's regularly, but not as bad for Bush as it is for the dead GI's, Iraqis and Mexicans.
The bigger they are...
I just revisited the site I referred to in my previous post and saw something I'd not focused on before. Of all the recent presidents whose polling numbers were charted, only Bushes I and II hit those nutsy highs in the eighty-plus range. Neither Reagan nor Clinton, the "popular presidents" reached such heights. They wallowed in the fifties/sixties ranges--and were re-elected. But Bush I collapsed, from super-inflated numbers to the thirties as the election approached.
I dunno, but as a Bush-despising observer I gotta say, I love what I'm seeing.
I dunno, but as a Bush-despising observer I gotta say, I love what I'm seeing.
Fun, fun, fun
A fabulous site to follow, if you're a nut about such things, as I've become, is Polkatz's charts of the various polls. He's tracking nine polls, showing the ups and downs of Bush's popularity as well as public reaction on other questions. Very thorough, very revealing.
Most fun, at the moment, is watching the striking parallel between the downward slopes of Bush I's popularity during his one term and Bush II's. The latter's spiked about as high as his father's (both tirggered by wars against Iraq) but has plummeted similarly and now has fallen faster, sooner than his Dad's.
Let's hope Bush II keeps up the good work.
Most fun, at the moment, is watching the striking parallel between the downward slopes of Bush I's popularity during his one term and Bush II's. The latter's spiked about as high as his father's (both tirggered by wars against Iraq) but has plummeted similarly and now has fallen faster, sooner than his Dad's.
Let's hope Bush II keeps up the good work.
I concur
Being of Swedish descent, having visited that fine country many times--lived there for a year in my youth--and with many cousins and a sibling who reside there, I feel as does my co-blogger, deep sadness and sympathy for the Swedish people. I don't follow politics there very much, but I do recall that twenty-something years ago their prime minister, Olaf Palme, was similarly killed. He was out walking his dog, or something. Wthout bodyguards, as was Ms. Lindh.
That tells one much about Sweden, doesn't it? I hope they don't over-react, as the US invariably does, and turn into an armed camp as we have. I understand their sadness--feel it myself--and even rage. I just hope they continue to display the goodness that abides in their nature.
That tells one much about Sweden, doesn't it? I hope they don't over-react, as the US invariably does, and turn into an armed camp as we have. I understand their sadness--feel it myself--and even rage. I just hope they continue to display the goodness that abides in their nature.
Swedes Mourn Lindh
Headline: Swedes to Mourn Lindh at Rallies Before Euro Vote
This blogger would like to express his profound sadness at the brutal murder of the Swedish Foreign Minister, and sympathy with those who've experienced this loss. My thoughts and prayers are with our friends in Sweden.
This blogger would like to express his profound sadness at the brutal murder of the Swedish Foreign Minister, and sympathy with those who've experienced this loss. My thoughts and prayers are with our friends in Sweden.
Thursday, September 11, 2003
It could have been...
The attacks on 9/11/01 were a chance for us as a nation to love and be loved. I am convinced that if we would've reached out to the world with love and in peace, we would have brought the terrorists to their knees.
Words fail
I attended a candle light vigil this evening on the second anniversary of the 9/11 attack. A sweet, nonpolitical gathering in the courthouse garden in downtown Santa Barbara. Some singing, some praying. Very solemn.
But later, after an hour or two of late-night surfing of the usual leftist crazy websites, I again grew enraged at the course our nation has taken, the mad rush to war, the killing and maiming and endless warmongering. But then that anger morphed to dismay, to sad disappointment, when I found this site, this powerful series of photos taken a few days after 9/11/01, showing how loved this nation was around the world, photos taken in major cities and small towns throughout Europe, the middle and far east--everywhere--of people crying over our loss, placing wreaths at our embassies.
This lost love, this lost honor, is the fault of one man. George Bush. He has made this a hated nation. This makes me sad, so sad.
And mad as hell.
But later, after an hour or two of late-night surfing of the usual leftist crazy websites, I again grew enraged at the course our nation has taken, the mad rush to war, the killing and maiming and endless warmongering. But then that anger morphed to dismay, to sad disappointment, when I found this site, this powerful series of photos taken a few days after 9/11/01, showing how loved this nation was around the world, photos taken in major cities and small towns throughout Europe, the middle and far east--everywhere--of people crying over our loss, placing wreaths at our embassies.
This lost love, this lost honor, is the fault of one man. George Bush. He has made this a hated nation. This makes me sad, so sad.
And mad as hell.
It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
If you maintained any lingering doubts about parallels between America's present course and that of the Roman Republic--and if you want a finely painted overview of the decline of Rome into an imperial dictatorship--click here. Can't wait to buy the book!
Black Copters
Headline: Black copters over Oregon
Check out this cool conspiracy theory involving black copters, forest fires, and a visit from ... well, let's just say he ain't Smokey the Bear.
Check out this cool conspiracy theory involving black copters, forest fires, and a visit from ... well, let's just say he ain't Smokey the Bear.
Bush Resigns!
For the full text of his resignation speech, on the eve of the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, click here.
Salam Pax Webchat
BBC Webcat with Salam Pax:
This is really interesting. Basically, Salam Pax is interviewed online by the BBC audience. Here's a sample:
"Question: When do you expect / hope the coalition will pull out of Baghdad and give you back your city?
Answer: As soon as we're back on our own feet. If they pull out of Baghdad too soon, we'll have chaos. If they stay after we have a government, and when it looks like we are able to run things, it would be unacceptable. For the moment I think we need their help. It's less the military force, more people helping us in governance issues, administration, showing people the way. "
This is really interesting. Basically, Salam Pax is interviewed online by the BBC audience. Here's a sample:
"Question: When do you expect / hope the coalition will pull out of Baghdad and give you back your city?
Answer: As soon as we're back on our own feet. If they pull out of Baghdad too soon, we'll have chaos. If they stay after we have a government, and when it looks like we are able to run things, it would be unacceptable. For the moment I think we need their help. It's less the military force, more people helping us in governance issues, administration, showing people the way. "
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Raed is making money
To Kyle and others who want to know whazzup with Salam Pax's blog lately (his latest post is 8/31) I must admit my earlier suggested link to a RealPlayer interview with him by way of Daily Kos is not fruitful any longer. Lost in Kos' archives, I guess. But you can learn what Salam has been up to here.
Don't consider the source
Okay, so the source is Al-Jazeera, but the report is too crazy not to be true. Not only are we running out of cash from the seized Iraqi assets that we've been using as handouts and salaries, we've been duped about a reported find of gold bullion. Not likely this item will find its way onto Faux News.
"A senior Congressional aide described the cash crunch as a “mess”.
“Seized assets are down to almost nothing. Oil money is a mirage in the near term,” said the aide who asked not to be identified.
And according to a recent report to lawmakers, gold-coloured bars which were seized with much fanfare by occupation troops in Iraq, appear to be melted-down shell casings made mainly of copper. US officials had believed they would be worth at least $600 million."
As I said, too funny to be fiction.
"A senior Congressional aide described the cash crunch as a “mess”.
“Seized assets are down to almost nothing. Oil money is a mirage in the near term,” said the aide who asked not to be identified.
And according to a recent report to lawmakers, gold-coloured bars which were seized with much fanfare by occupation troops in Iraq, appear to be melted-down shell casings made mainly of copper. US officials had believed they would be worth at least $600 million."
As I said, too funny to be fiction.
The good old Cold War
I was researching the famous Nixon-Khrushchev "kitchen debate" in connection with the book I'm working on and found this edited transcript. My reaction was this: Nostalgia.
Oh, how tranquil was this exchange compared to the rhetoric of today. And this was at the absolute height of the Cold War. Khruschchev was USSR's most belligerent Premier and Nixon was soon to run for president (against JFK) on a platform that urged even greater containment of "Soviet expansionism. " Can you imagine such dialog between Bush and Osama, Bush and Saddam, Bush and anybody he deemed our enemy?
Oh, how tranquil was this exchange compared to the rhetoric of today. And this was at the absolute height of the Cold War. Khruschchev was USSR's most belligerent Premier and Nixon was soon to run for president (against JFK) on a platform that urged even greater containment of "Soviet expansionism. " Can you imagine such dialog between Bush and Osama, Bush and Saddam, Bush and anybody he deemed our enemy?
Shock and awe
The Independent article that Kyle links to in the immediately preceding post is so .... so .... I'm blogless.
Latinos: Uncle Sam Wants You!
News: "But while officials praise the willingness of Mexican Americans and other Latinos, the strategy has been denounced by anti-war groups as a cynical exploitation of impoverished young men who are lined up to be little more than cannon fodder."
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