Another report you won't be reading in the US media: "A report to the UN human rights commission in Geneva has concluded that Iraqi children were actually better off under Saddam Hussein than they are now.
This, of course, comes as a bitter blow for all those of us who, like George Bush and Tony Blair, honestly believe that children thrive best when we drop bombs on them from a great height, destroy their cities and blow up hospitals, schools and power stations."-from the commentary in The Guardian (UK), by Terry Jones, "a film director, actor and Python. He is the author of Terry Jones's War on the War on Terror."
Friday, May 06, 2005
''The DNC is Coming''
"Yes, it is coming to Boise on 5/25:
The Democratic National Committee (DNC), under the chairmanship of former Vermont governor and 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean, is sending assessment teams around the country to speak with Democratic voters.
Chairman Dean is eager to put DNC resources into states that have traditionally been overlooked, and the first step in this process is gathering input from Democrats throughout the country. This means sending teams out to get your ideas and opinions on what needs to be done for Dems to win more offices."-the post on Subduction Zone: "The writings on this site will be focused on those areas generally surrounding the cascade mountain range and containing the Columbia River basin."
The Democratic National Committee (DNC), under the chairmanship of former Vermont governor and 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean, is sending assessment teams around the country to speak with Democratic voters.
Chairman Dean is eager to put DNC resources into states that have traditionally been overlooked, and the first step in this process is gathering input from Democrats throughout the country. This means sending teams out to get your ideas and opinions on what needs to be done for Dems to win more offices."-the post on Subduction Zone: "The writings on this site will be focused on those areas generally surrounding the cascade mountain range and containing the Columbia River basin."
Thursday, May 05, 2005
''Feeling Heat, DeLay Speaks of Humility''
"Also at issue is whether Republicans who have financial ties to the majority leader should participate in ethics deliberations involving him. Two of the five Republicans on the panel said Wednesday that they would not deliberate in cases involving Mr. DeLay because they had contributed to his legal defense fund.
On Thursday, Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, called on the other Republicans to step aside because they had received contributions from Mr. DeLay's political committees. The Republicans have said the money would not influence them; some Democrats have agreed that receiving money from a House leader should not be disqualifying.
But Dr. Dean argued otherwise. "The foxes should not be guarding the hen house," he said."-from the article in Friday's New York Times.
On Thursday, Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, called on the other Republicans to step aside because they had received contributions from Mr. DeLay's political committees. The Republicans have said the money would not influence them; some Democrats have agreed that receiving money from a House leader should not be disqualifying.
But Dr. Dean argued otherwise. "The foxes should not be guarding the hen house," he said."-from the article in Friday's New York Times.
''The secret Downing Street memo''
Greg Palast and Ray McGovern slice and dice the leaked memo in the London Times on The Smirking Chimp.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The apparent Shiite interest in banning former Baath Party members from the government seems at best a roadblock to reconciliation and possibly an incitement to a wider insurgency. But Iraqi-made solutions are the only real hope. Americans who have waited for Iraqis to take control have good reason to wonder whether our military presence is part of the solution or much of the problem."-from the editorial today in the Seattle P-I.
''More stations are climbing aboard Air America''
"Air America debuted as the liberal counterpart to conservative talk radio in March 2004 with a lot of publicity -- and a lot of questions about its ability to survive financially long enough to build a national network of stations and an audience.
A year later, Air America this week has added two more stations in midsize markets to boost its total to 55, with more coming. And in the most recent Arbitron report on the Seattle-Tacoma market, local Air America affiliate KPTK-AM (1090) posted a respectable performance for a station that has had the new format only since last October."-from the article today in the Seattle P-I.
A year later, Air America this week has added two more stations in midsize markets to boost its total to 55, with more coming. And in the most recent Arbitron report on the Seattle-Tacoma market, local Air America affiliate KPTK-AM (1090) posted a respectable performance for a station that has had the new format only since last October."-from the article today in the Seattle P-I.
''Campaign Confidential''
"May 6, 2005
Donation Demand: The chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean, demanded last week that President Bush return the $2,000 campaign donation he received in 2004 from Jack Abramoff, the disgraced GOP lobbyist. Abramoff is being investigated by the FBI, a federal grand jury and a Senate committee over allegations that he defrauded and overcharged Indian gaming interests. An Orthodox Jewish philanthropist, Abramoff is also at the center of the ethics brouhaha over House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's overseas travel.
"If President Bush is truly sincere about pursuing a reform agenda, he should immediately return the questionable funds he's received from Jack Abramoff," Dean said in a statement on the eve of Bush's April 28 televised press conference. "He should also sever all ties and make it clear that he is no longer just a phone call away from Mr. Abramoff as news reports have suggested."
Judging from the past, Dean's wish is unlikely to be honored. A Campaign Confidential perusal suggests that a donor's money is good until he gets indicted."-from The Forward, a newspaper for the Jewish community, published in New York.
Donation Demand: The chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean, demanded last week that President Bush return the $2,000 campaign donation he received in 2004 from Jack Abramoff, the disgraced GOP lobbyist. Abramoff is being investigated by the FBI, a federal grand jury and a Senate committee over allegations that he defrauded and overcharged Indian gaming interests. An Orthodox Jewish philanthropist, Abramoff is also at the center of the ethics brouhaha over House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's overseas travel.
"If President Bush is truly sincere about pursuing a reform agenda, he should immediately return the questionable funds he's received from Jack Abramoff," Dean said in a statement on the eve of Bush's April 28 televised press conference. "He should also sever all ties and make it clear that he is no longer just a phone call away from Mr. Abramoff as news reports have suggested."
Judging from the past, Dean's wish is unlikely to be honored. A Campaign Confidential perusal suggests that a donor's money is good until he gets indicted."-from The Forward, a newspaper for the Jewish community, published in New York.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
''The Chairman's Colorful Cabinet''
"Howard Dean is bringing minorities to the top of the minority party. That's rarer than you might think.---
Question: What do Branch Rickey, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Howard Dean have in common?
Answer: Each of them made a decision to break the color barrier by picking African Americans for key spots on their teams. Rickey, of course, signed Jackie Robinson to the Dodgers. Clinton appointed Ron Brown as the first African American to head the Commerce Department and Franklin Raines as the first black Office of Management and Budget Director (among others). Bush has followed in that tradition by naming African Americans as national-security adviser and twice as secretary of state -- Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, and Rice again, respectively.
And Dean?
Dean recently joined this notable list when he brought Cornell Belcher on as the first African American to serve as polling director for the Democratic National Committee (DNC)."-from the post on the American Prospect Online. Armando puts this on the table for discussion on Kos.
Question: What do Branch Rickey, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Howard Dean have in common?
Answer: Each of them made a decision to break the color barrier by picking African Americans for key spots on their teams. Rickey, of course, signed Jackie Robinson to the Dodgers. Clinton appointed Ron Brown as the first African American to head the Commerce Department and Franklin Raines as the first black Office of Management and Budget Director (among others). Bush has followed in that tradition by naming African Americans as national-security adviser and twice as secretary of state -- Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, and Rice again, respectively.
And Dean?
Dean recently joined this notable list when he brought Cornell Belcher on as the first African American to serve as polling director for the Democratic National Committee (DNC)."-from the post on the American Prospect Online. Armando puts this on the table for discussion on Kos.
''...how Seattle money saved Air America''
"Geov Parrish: So I understand that your last visit to Seattle played a role in getting Air America off the ground, with Sen. Maria Cantwell introducing you to Rob Glaser of RealNetworks fame. Talk a little bit about that.
Al Franken: Kenan Block introduced me to Maria. I was in Seattle. I think Seattle is like Minneapolis. It's essentially not that big a city, and people know each other. So Kenan [a public affairs consultant], who I know from his days as a producer at McNeil-Lehrer, is somebody I always see when I go to Seattle, and he wanted to introduce me to Maria. I met her, was delighted to, and she introduced me to Rob, who I was delighted to meet. We had dinner, and I sort of asked him to look at Air America and give me some advice on it. It was my clever way of luring him into it. I'm very clever. And extremely persuasive."-from the story in The Weekly.
Glaser later became an investor and Air America supporter.
Al Franken: Kenan Block introduced me to Maria. I was in Seattle. I think Seattle is like Minneapolis. It's essentially not that big a city, and people know each other. So Kenan [a public affairs consultant], who I know from his days as a producer at McNeil-Lehrer, is somebody I always see when I go to Seattle, and he wanted to introduce me to Maria. I met her, was delighted to, and she introduced me to Rob, who I was delighted to meet. We had dinner, and I sort of asked him to look at Air America and give me some advice on it. It was my clever way of luring him into it. I'm very clever. And extremely persuasive."-from the story in The Weekly.
Glaser later became an investor and Air America supporter.
''Howard Dean Touched Me!''
"Get your minds out of the gutter, people, it was not like that. I got to hear Howard Dean speak tonight @ Bar Broadway (in Sydney) and Lisa & I got our photo taken with him. He was very sweet and we put our arms around his waist and he had his arms around our waists and I thanked him for letting us take a photo and he beamed at me and said, "Oh, no no! It was my pleasure!" :-D
I have been a big fan of Dr Dean's since I found out he signed the first state law (Vermont) on same-sex civil unions, giving gay couples the right to get child custody, etc. I want all my gay pals + same sex couples everywhere to just have the same rights that straight people take for granted, so this was a step in the right direction. And Vermont, of all places! I mean, not as shocking as a "red state" but I just did not know little Vermont had it in her. Go maple, go maple, go go go maple syrup. :-)
It was very cool to hear Dr Dean speak tonight - I love this guy. He's very smart and well spoken and so logical/practical, it's quite refreshing. He's charismatic yet does not sound like "a politician." I was bummed when he gave up the presidential candidacy, but listening to him speak tonight really makes me want to believe that we can change things. I loved what he had to say. Might be harder to get involved from Oz, but it's still possible.
I had the most hilarious taxi driver yesterday, this cute little gramps. We got talking about George Dubya Bush + we had tons to say, but the funniest bit was when he said, "Heck, my dog is smarter than George Bush - I would have voted for my dog over him! No, really! My dog is extremely smart!" I laughed + said I wished I could have picked his dog over Monkey-face. ;-)"-from B-Fly: An Oz Blog. Dean in Australia this week?
I have been a big fan of Dr Dean's since I found out he signed the first state law (Vermont) on same-sex civil unions, giving gay couples the right to get child custody, etc. I want all my gay pals + same sex couples everywhere to just have the same rights that straight people take for granted, so this was a step in the right direction. And Vermont, of all places! I mean, not as shocking as a "red state" but I just did not know little Vermont had it in her. Go maple, go maple, go go go maple syrup. :-)
It was very cool to hear Dr Dean speak tonight - I love this guy. He's very smart and well spoken and so logical/practical, it's quite refreshing. He's charismatic yet does not sound like "a politician." I was bummed when he gave up the presidential candidacy, but listening to him speak tonight really makes me want to believe that we can change things. I loved what he had to say. Might be harder to get involved from Oz, but it's still possible.
I had the most hilarious taxi driver yesterday, this cute little gramps. We got talking about George Dubya Bush + we had tons to say, but the funniest bit was when he said, "Heck, my dog is smarter than George Bush - I would have voted for my dog over him! No, really! My dog is extremely smart!" I laughed + said I wished I could have picked his dog over Monkey-face. ;-)"-from B-Fly: An Oz Blog. Dean in Australia this week?
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
''Dems' Reaction Is Mighty Lame''
"President Bush's energy proposals deserve a D+ grade. The good parts: extending a tax break to owners of clean-diesel vehicles, and relying more on liquified natural gas (LNG). In France and other European countries, more and more automobiles are running on LNG.
But the other elements of his plan strike me as misguided -- for example, pushing to expand refining capacity. Doing so creates a disincentive for automakers to produce cars that run on LNG (and for consumers to buy these cars). And why didn't Bush propose raising the federal tax deduction for hybrid car owners, or (better yet) converting the tax deduction to a tax credit? (Credits are more valuable.)
This presented Democrats with an opening, especially as the average price of gasoline at the pump hit $2.23 yesterday. But, based on their published quotes, at least two Democratic leaders in Congress came across sounding silly and predictably partisan in reaction to Bush's proposals. From USA Today:
The president has suggested there is nothing he can do to provide immediate price relief,” Harry Reid, the Senate Democratic leader, said in a written statement. “That is simply untrue. We can and should do more to lower the price of gas today.” Reid offered no specifics but said Bush fails “to make the real investments we need to develop renewable energy sources and biofuels that will benefit our economy, create jobs, free us from this national security threat our dependence creates and protect our environment.”
Reduce gas prices today? That's a ridiculous standard to hold someone to, and people who set ridiculous standards tend not to be taken very seriously. When gas prices rose in late 1999 and early 2000, would this have been a reasonable request of the GOP Congress -- Clinton should "lower the price of gas today"? In political terms, does Reid's statement do anything to connect with independent voters or is it likely to appeal only to voters who already dislike Bush?
This statement by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, was equally lame:
[Rep. Waxman] said Bush “never asked the American people to pitch in by cutting gasoline waste by excessive idling of their cars and other wasteful activities.”
Okay, Congressman, you're right. Bush never specifically asked Americans to not idle their cars. Neither did he ask Americans to turn out the bathroom light after they're through taking a leak. Is this the basis on which we're going to criticize him? This is the best Dems can do -- suggest that the president didn't wag his finger at the American people enough?
Howard Dean, care to comment on this issue? Your party needs you. Badly."-from the post on the Demagogue blog.
But the other elements of his plan strike me as misguided -- for example, pushing to expand refining capacity. Doing so creates a disincentive for automakers to produce cars that run on LNG (and for consumers to buy these cars). And why didn't Bush propose raising the federal tax deduction for hybrid car owners, or (better yet) converting the tax deduction to a tax credit? (Credits are more valuable.)
This presented Democrats with an opening, especially as the average price of gasoline at the pump hit $2.23 yesterday. But, based on their published quotes, at least two Democratic leaders in Congress came across sounding silly and predictably partisan in reaction to Bush's proposals. From USA Today:
The president has suggested there is nothing he can do to provide immediate price relief,” Harry Reid, the Senate Democratic leader, said in a written statement. “That is simply untrue. We can and should do more to lower the price of gas today.” Reid offered no specifics but said Bush fails “to make the real investments we need to develop renewable energy sources and biofuels that will benefit our economy, create jobs, free us from this national security threat our dependence creates and protect our environment.”
Reduce gas prices today? That's a ridiculous standard to hold someone to, and people who set ridiculous standards tend not to be taken very seriously. When gas prices rose in late 1999 and early 2000, would this have been a reasonable request of the GOP Congress -- Clinton should "lower the price of gas today"? In political terms, does Reid's statement do anything to connect with independent voters or is it likely to appeal only to voters who already dislike Bush?
This statement by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, was equally lame:
[Rep. Waxman] said Bush “never asked the American people to pitch in by cutting gasoline waste by excessive idling of their cars and other wasteful activities.”
Okay, Congressman, you're right. Bush never specifically asked Americans to not idle their cars. Neither did he ask Americans to turn out the bathroom light after they're through taking a leak. Is this the basis on which we're going to criticize him? This is the best Dems can do -- suggest that the president didn't wag his finger at the American people enough?
Howard Dean, care to comment on this issue? Your party needs you. Badly."-from the post on the Demagogue blog.
''An Open Letter to Howard Dean'' II
The congressman from Ohio shares his thoughts: "Speaking before an ACLU crowd last week in Minnesota, the home state of Paul Wellstone, the only senator to vote against the war, you were quoted as saying, "Now that we're there [in Iraq], we're there and we can't get out.... I hope the President is incredibly successful with his policy now." Did these words really come from the same man who claimed to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party, and who had recently campaigned on the antiwar theme? What's changed?"-Dennis J. Kucinich.
Photos: Seattle Pro-Filibuster Rally--4-25-2005
Dina Lydia Johnson offers us these pictures from the vigil at the Federal Building in Seattle.
''PAC behind purchase of DeLay billboards''
"LA MARQUE — A political action group founded by former Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean has purchased a pair of billboards, one of which is in La Marque, aimed at House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
“Lobbyists sent Tom DeLay golfing; all you got was this billboard,” the roadside banner reads. It also contains a generic photograph of golfers’ feet on a putting green.
Democracy for America, a national organization founded by Dean, now the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, purchased the billboard as well as one in downtown Houston. The billboards went up Monday morning with the La Marque advertisement on Interstate 45 South. facing northbound traffic near Vauthier Road."-from the story today in The Daily News of Galveston County (TX).
“Lobbyists sent Tom DeLay golfing; all you got was this billboard,” the roadside banner reads. It also contains a generic photograph of golfers’ feet on a putting green.
Democracy for America, a national organization founded by Dean, now the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, purchased the billboard as well as one in downtown Houston. The billboards went up Monday morning with the La Marque advertisement on Interstate 45 South. facing northbound traffic near Vauthier Road."-from the story today in The Daily News of Galveston County (TX).
DNC Video: ''Agree''
John McCain, Howard Dean and other leaders of both parties go on camera against the "nuclear option."
Monday, May 02, 2005
''A Message to Michael'' (Moore)
"Howard Dean is beginning to build a permanent grass roots infrastructure for the Democratic Party. It's about time. He needs all available support from persons such as yourself and MoveOn.org to bring together and re-focus all the energy we had during the 2000 and 2004 elections."-from the letter on the "View from the Radical Center" blog.
''Why Howard Dean is Right on Iraq, Again''
"Then there is the consideration of what will happen to ordinary Iraqis if we pull out in a vacuum. When it inevitably disintegrates into civil war, and is turned into another Afghanistan where terrorist and war lord factions control parts of the country, what will the lives of ordinary Iraqis be like? Of course you can argue that it isn't much better now, but a pullout will serve as not just a catalyst of deterioration, but also as a symbol that America does not keep her promise. Then when the going gets rough, we simply wimp out. No, I don't think so. We broke it, we are going to have to fix it. Pulling out right now without significant international peacekeeping forces (a significant portion of which also must be US troops) will simply make us go back on our word. As bad as Iraq is now, it will be much worse if that happened. Combine this with the national security implications to the United States, and you have your answer as to why Howard Dean said what he said."-from the Deaniac83 Blog.
I'm willing to listen to another Deaniac on this issue. An earlier post, "Listen to Howard Dean," is worth a read, for a taste of what a "rabid Howard Dean fan" who resides in California has to say about messaging.
I'm willing to listen to another Deaniac on this issue. An earlier post, "Listen to Howard Dean," is worth a read, for a taste of what a "rabid Howard Dean fan" who resides in California has to say about messaging.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
''Errors Up North''
"Lawyers sue over Snohomish County’s electronic voting machines---In many ways, last year’s doomsayers were right: In the November election, electronic voting machines across the nation added votes, lost votes, broke down and switched votes.
And that’s just what’s documented. But, given that Congress failed to investigate and counties are still buying the equipment, it’s a dead issue, right?
Wrong. Across the country, candidates and voters are petitioning or suing county election officials over voting machines. But none in quite the way that Everett attorney Paul Lehto and his lawyer, Randy Gordon, are going after Snohomish County and its electronic voting vendor, Sequoia Voting Systems Inc., in a lawsuit filed in April.
In what’s being hailed as a simple but brilliant argument that could serve as a national model for legal action, Gordon’s lawsuit, which was filed in King County, argues that it’s unconstitutional to outsource voting to a company that keeps the process secret the way Sequoia and other makers of electronic voting equipment do. The Washington Legislature has just passed a bill that will require electronic voting machines to print paper receipts starting next year. But that, says Gordon — who’s just filed to run against Dave Reichert in the 8th Congressional District — won’t solve the mysteries of what happened on Election Day in Snohomish County."-from the article in Seattle's Real Change newspaper, by Cindy Spanton.
Paul Lehto and author Bev Harris (Black Box Voting) will speak on election reform May 4, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Seattle’s College Club, 505 Madison. $12. For tickets, call Pat McCoy, (206)283-0725.
And that’s just what’s documented. But, given that Congress failed to investigate and counties are still buying the equipment, it’s a dead issue, right?
Wrong. Across the country, candidates and voters are petitioning or suing county election officials over voting machines. But none in quite the way that Everett attorney Paul Lehto and his lawyer, Randy Gordon, are going after Snohomish County and its electronic voting vendor, Sequoia Voting Systems Inc., in a lawsuit filed in April.
In what’s being hailed as a simple but brilliant argument that could serve as a national model for legal action, Gordon’s lawsuit, which was filed in King County, argues that it’s unconstitutional to outsource voting to a company that keeps the process secret the way Sequoia and other makers of electronic voting equipment do. The Washington Legislature has just passed a bill that will require electronic voting machines to print paper receipts starting next year. But that, says Gordon — who’s just filed to run against Dave Reichert in the 8th Congressional District — won’t solve the mysteries of what happened on Election Day in Snohomish County."-from the article in Seattle's Real Change newspaper, by Cindy Spanton.
Paul Lehto and author Bev Harris (Black Box Voting) will speak on election reform May 4, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Seattle’s College Club, 505 Madison. $12. For tickets, call Pat McCoy, (206)283-0725.
''Urgent: Andy Stephenson needs your help!''
"Many of you will remember Andy Stephenson from his primary run for Washington Secretary of State. You may also know Andy from his work on Black Box Voting and electronic voting issues. Andy has been a leading advocate for electronic voting reform, and is personally responsible for much of the attention this cause has received.
Today, Andy needs our help. Andy has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his pancreas, and requires surgery, which will be performed the second week of May. Because of Andy’s sacrifice for the cause of electronic voting reform, he does not have health insurance and is unable to cover the costs of this surgery.
Andy is at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and they require $25,000 upfront to schedule this surgery. As of this writing, Beth Ferrari has negotiated with Johns Hopkins to schedule the surgery if we can provide $15,000 this Monday, May 2, and $10,000 soon thereafter. The entire surgery is slated to cost $50,000. Beth has done amazing work in negotiating with Johns Hopkins.
If you are able to contribute in any way, please don’t hesitate.
1) via USPS:
send a check or a money order to:
Andy Stephenson
P O Box 25624
Seattle, WA 98165-1124
2) via Paypal:
(You must have a Paypal account) here.
After logging in, choose "Send Money" and enter Andy's email address
as the recipient: Andy_Stephenson@comcast.net
3) via Amazon here. Just enter the amount and click "pay now."
!!!IMPORTANT!!!
If you can contribute, please email Beth Ferrari at info@dougzilla.com so she can track how much has been raised and report to Johns Hopkins. Activists are working with Johns Hopkins to secure a fee reduction, and we are working with members of our Congressional delegation to secure their help in this matter as well. In the meantime, Andy needs your help. I was contacted this afternoon and asked to spread the word about his situation, and I’m asking you to join me in helping Andy. Please forward this email to everyone you know, and please help financially. Over $11,000 has been raised in the last few days, and we need to keep pushing. This is a national effort."-message from Ray Minchew, Executive Director, Democracy for Washington.
Today, Andy needs our help. Andy has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his pancreas, and requires surgery, which will be performed the second week of May. Because of Andy’s sacrifice for the cause of electronic voting reform, he does not have health insurance and is unable to cover the costs of this surgery.
Andy is at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and they require $25,000 upfront to schedule this surgery. As of this writing, Beth Ferrari has negotiated with Johns Hopkins to schedule the surgery if we can provide $15,000 this Monday, May 2, and $10,000 soon thereafter. The entire surgery is slated to cost $50,000. Beth has done amazing work in negotiating with Johns Hopkins.
If you are able to contribute in any way, please don’t hesitate.
1) via USPS:
send a check or a money order to:
Andy Stephenson
P O Box 25624
Seattle, WA 98165-1124
2) via Paypal:
(You must have a Paypal account) here.
After logging in, choose "Send Money" and enter Andy's email address
as the recipient: Andy_Stephenson@comcast.net
3) via Amazon here. Just enter the amount and click "pay now."
!!!IMPORTANT!!!
If you can contribute, please email Beth Ferrari at info@dougzilla.com so she can track how much has been raised and report to Johns Hopkins. Activists are working with Johns Hopkins to secure a fee reduction, and we are working with members of our Congressional delegation to secure their help in this matter as well. In the meantime, Andy needs your help. I was contacted this afternoon and asked to spread the word about his situation, and I’m asking you to join me in helping Andy. Please forward this email to everyone you know, and please help financially. Over $11,000 has been raised in the last few days, and we need to keep pushing. This is a national effort."-message from Ray Minchew, Executive Director, Democracy for Washington.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
''U.S. Out of Iraq: Forum Features Conyers, Woolsey, Lee, Ellsberg''
"It will be much harder and longer to get out of Iraq," Ellsberg said, because of the oil and because of the US alliance with Israel. "It is hard for me to foresee when we will leave the oil of the Middle East to people who are not our collaborators."
It will take a long time to get out, Ellsberg predicted, whether under Republicans or Democrats. But it is not too soon to start talking about the need to get out, he said. Woolsey's resolution is important, he said, not because it will be passed by a majority anytime soon, but because if we are ever to get out or to avoid additional wars, we have to see clearly that it's better for us and for the Iraqis for us to leave.
This is true, Ellsberg warned, not because the future will be peaceful and free of problems after the US troops leave, but because as long as we stay, "the people we choose to be collaborators will be targets of terrorism." We unify the resistance forces, he said. "And that precludes the possibility of a peaceful Iraq."
People who call for getting out now, Ellsberg cautioned, will be called defeatists, appeasers, weaklings, losers, cowards, and pro-terrorist. The opposite is true, he said. The war strengthens terrorists."-Daniel Ellsberg, speaking at a forum held in a US House of Representatives office building on April 28, 2005, from the post by David Swanson on his website.
It will take a long time to get out, Ellsberg predicted, whether under Republicans or Democrats. But it is not too soon to start talking about the need to get out, he said. Woolsey's resolution is important, he said, not because it will be passed by a majority anytime soon, but because if we are ever to get out or to avoid additional wars, we have to see clearly that it's better for us and for the Iraqis for us to leave.
This is true, Ellsberg warned, not because the future will be peaceful and free of problems after the US troops leave, but because as long as we stay, "the people we choose to be collaborators will be targets of terrorism." We unify the resistance forces, he said. "And that precludes the possibility of a peaceful Iraq."
People who call for getting out now, Ellsberg cautioned, will be called defeatists, appeasers, weaklings, losers, cowards, and pro-terrorist. The opposite is true, he said. The war strengthens terrorists."-Daniel Ellsberg, speaking at a forum held in a US House of Representatives office building on April 28, 2005, from the post by David Swanson on his website.
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