Democrats Need to Shout!
With State of the Union address looming on the horizon, it is time for the Democrats to rehearse their disdain for whatever Bush says. Of course whatever he does say will be lies; the Dems need to shout it out! I hope that Reid, Pelosi, and Dean can all get together and scream at the president. Whatever his spin on the State of the Union is, the president deserves nothing but the best dissenting reaction that the Democratic leadership can muster.
How Are We Different?
The unlawful use of torturing detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gitmo, and elsewhere is appalling. The Bush Administration continues to thumb its ultra-conservative nose at International law and condones torturing these detainees in the name of "war on terror". The press has gone mute since the photos from Abu Graib were released and the American public has gone soft as a result. The military cannot effectively investigate or prosecute any incidences of abuse because conflicts of interest. We as a nation are left with a wartime policy of torture and abuse that rivals only China as blatant abuses of human rights. What makes us different from the Chinese? Perhaps because our cause is righteous? I think not. Perhaps because we are at war against terrorists? What of the laws and rules spelled out in the Geneva Convention articles? Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld are no better than Mao, Stalin, or Saddam. The tactics that Bush allows-even though he will deny that-are just as heinous as the human rights violations we as a nation condemn in other countries. We impose trade sanctions against North Korea for human rights issues. We cry out against apartheid in South Africa only to fall into the same type of torture and inhumane treatments that we once bemoaned. How, as a supposed Christian nation can we stand by silently allowing our elected officials to basically get away with murder? I for one will not support any future canidate-Democrat or otherwise-who will not take a stance against the abuses of power currently in effect. It is time that we demand accountability of our government. No longer can it be allowed to run unchecked and seemingly immune to any laws of any land.
Republican Rats run for cover!
It's about time-Jack Abramoff has plead guilty to several federal charges and perhaps some high level Republic heads will begin to roll. Surely Abramoff will save his own slimy skin by divulging juicy names. Congressmen, fellow lobbyists, perhaps even a high level Bush Crony can run for cover. You can bet that Karl Rove is already casting his spin on this one-what lies will he concoct? It is my hope that this scandal; this blatant criminal conduct, will finally open the eyes of the more moderate Republicans and fence dwelling Independents and they will come to realize that theere party is doing far greater harm than good for this nation.
No Alito!
The confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito are to begin soon, and The Democratic Party is soliciting signatures on an online petition to be sent to Senators who will be responsible for his confirmation. Judge Alito would a most dangerous voice on the highest court and his confirmation must be blocked. This nominee is yet one more piece in George W. Bush's ultra-conservative machine designed to overwrite the Constitution. From Roe v. Wade to gun ownership; Affirmative action to the Fourth Amendment, Alito stands to be a decisive and devisive vote if any of these issues were before the Court. What we need is a press that will actively investigate and truthfully report anything pertaining to Alito and his past voting record. We also need for the Democrats in power to do everything possible to stop his nomination. For the future of our civil liberties and the future of an intact constition, just say no to Alito.
http://www.democrats.org/alitoresources
Weapons of Mass Deception
Way to ring in the new year-with a flooding of the Truckee River. This was ominously like the floods of '97, but it turned out to be less extensive. I did spend some of my time indoors watching a very interesting movie call Weapons of Mass Deception. This movie really opens ones eyes to the way the mainstream media has practically brainwashed this country into buying into the lies that led us into war with Iraq. Not only are the media giants like Ruppert Murdoch's Fox News and Viacom's CBS News wholly in the palm of the government's hand, but their coverage is slanted to the point of outright propoganda in favor of the Bush administration's war policies. The press' failure to question and report accurately what is happenning in Afghanistan and Iraq has coddled the citizens of this country into a false hope and faith that we are- and can- win the war on terror. Using embedded journalists is probably the single most effective way to misrepresent the war and its affects on civilians. By merely showing our soldiers brushing their teeth, playing cards, and other mundane routines and leaving out the real war like women and children being killed daily by American and insurgent activities continues to further the government's attempt to paint a rosy picture of how-and what-we are doing in the war.
Happy New Year!
I'm just getting this blog going, and I will be posting soon. I am looking forward to a great year!
