This appears in the comments section on a post in Ten Percent:

Me: Oil is a major cause. So is war profiteering. Bush’s militant, Christian fundamentalism plays a role too.

RickB: Yep all those, and I’d add imperialism. They all came together in a perfect storm, starting with a right wing judicial coup aided by a sibling’s state control and a father who used to be leader & headed the secret police and army for the empire. That’s how it would have been reported if it had happened in a developing nation!

Comments from people abroad often give us a perspective on things here that we really need.

The fog we live in because our media is propaganda oriented rather than news oriented needs to be lifted in as many ways as possible.

 

Dusty has a great blog, It's My Right to Be Left of Center. I recently discovered that she also has a YouTube Channel. I know its from a while back, the time of the Blogswarm Against the Iraq War, but this slideshow makes a lot of points that are worth thinking about, a couple of which I would like to emphasize here.

One item she nails is the role of war profiteers in getting us into Iraq and keeping us there. One area of failed analysis is that many on the left see our presence there almost exclusively in terms of neocon foreign policy objectives. The neocons certainly have been the propagandists, but the people with the power, Bush and Cheney, were at least as motivated by personal greed and political corruption as by policy considerations. Many on the left like giving political opponents the benefit of the doubt when it comes to personal integrity. That is an admirable impulse, but when it is taken too far, it becomes an obstacle to accurate analysis.

The slideshow also points out that violence roughly doubled in Iraq between January and March of 2008, despite the alleged success of the escalation in Iraq. There are a lot of reasons to be skeptical of the claims of the corporate media and rightists in the GOP and the Democratic Party on the supposed success of the "surge" (or perhaps "splurge"). This is yet another.

Another point of concern is the growing number of troop suicides. At home, veteran suicides are going up too. This is another cost of the Iraqtastrophe that the corporate war party hides or ignores. The video gives a personal look at the human costs of this war on American troops. I also would recommend the blog Faces of Grief to see vivid photographs of the suffering of the Iraqi people, something we as Americans are morally obligated to face and acknowledge.

As an aside, I can not help but note the irony in Kennedy's comments on secrecy, given that his administration's greatest failures, the Bay of Pigs and getting us further into the Vietnam war, were policies developed and acted on in secret.

 

Universal healthcare is one of the most important issues for middle class Americans. It would provide healthcare for middle class people whose jobs have been shipped abroad by Lou Dobbs' corporate sponsors and a safety net for middle class people who face similar job losses in the future.

Helping the uninsured get beyond their absolute dependence on emergency rooms for medical care would make everyone safer who really needs emergency care.

Lou Dobbs doesn't care.

I would have stopped watching that racist corporate panderer entirely if my gym didn't have CNN on all the time. The propaganda fest Dobbs plays out while I'm working out is amazing.

Dobbs is attacking universal healthcare with a truly reprehensible tactic, demonizing people who support including illegal aliens. This is a classic bait and switch. Dobbs wants to gets people so worked up over illegal immigration that they won't listen to people who want to get healthcare for the uninsured.

Universal healthcare is literally a life and death issue. More than 18,000 people in this country die each year because they don't have access to health coverage. Playing these kinds of games with the lives of middle class Americans who are getting screwed by Dobbs' corporate sponsors shows Dobbs' hypocrisy in claiming that he cares about the middle class.

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) recently sent me an email defending their organization from an attack on that organization designed to distract Dobbs' viewers from his real, anti-middle class agenda.

Tim Carpenter, PDA's National Director, said:

On CNN last night, Lou Dobbs was in the anti-immigrant zone. Nothing new about that--except this time he went after PDA.

“Tonight,” he intoned, “a political action committee called Progressive Democrats of America, PDA, is pushing a major new plank for the Democratic Party. PDA wants what it calls health care for all, including illegal aliens. One leading member of Congress has already signed on.”

A report from a CNN correspondent was briefly matter-of-fact: “Progressive Democrats of America wants to end the Iraq war and plow the war funding into setting up a system of universal health care.”

And I got a few seconds on camera, explaining: “We believe in health care for all.... Our goal fundamentally is to make sure that all of us have health care, all of us within the U.S. borders have health care.”

That concept made host Lou Dobbs nearly apoplectic, as he soon let viewers know. “I mean this is utterly and completely outrageous,” he said.

The idea that “illegal aliens” should have health care as a human right made Dobbs go ballistic. “I'll just speak for myself,” he said, “I mean, it is unbelievable that any elected representative of the people would provide that level of benefit to citizens--to people who are not even citizens of this country.”

What set off Dobbs’ eruption? Apparently it was his correspondent reporting that PDA “is urging the Democratic Party to adopt a plank at the party's convention in Denver, guaranteeing accessible health care for all.”

I think it is great that PDA is fighting back against Dobbs' garbage. I also think it is high time that middle class Americans unite to fight back against Lou Dobbs, who is a tool of the superrich who does everything in his power to distract and divert us from our real enemies.

Sadly, Dobbs' attack on PDA is part of a broader campaign by Dobbs' to deny healthcare to middle class and poor Americans. He loves ranting against universal healthcare on a regular basis these days.

I remember when CNN stood for Cable News Network, not Corporate Nuzzling Network.

Pathetic.

 

Hat tip to Dandelion Salad:



Great quote from Ms. Sheehan:

Nancy Pelosi is not afraid. She is an accomplice to Bush's crimes.

The positions Sheehan is taking on the issues are worth listening to. They are supposed to be what every Democrat stands for, but she is having to run as an independent to push them.

Sigh.

Please Visit Ms. Sheehan's Campaign Website

 

Here are two scary reports from Netroots Nation (an affair started by the conservative Democratic blogger behind the DailyKos). The blogs reporting on the incident have very different political perspectives, which lends credence to the story.

After Downing Street:

Before Pelosi speaks, an announcement is made from the podium that disruptions will not be tolerated--if any of us express our frustrations too passionately with Pelosi and the sell-out Democratic Party leadership we will be arrested.

Stephen Keating:

Before Speaker Pelosi hits the stage, moderator Gina Cooper makes an announcement that any organized protests will result in the program being stopped and the protesters escorted out. She does give the crowd ten seconds to make their feelings known, which results in one shout: "Where's our &%#$@ impeachment?"

You would think that this was a Bush campaign event run by Karl Rove.

The notion that a supposedly progressive or liberal political conference would threaten to arrest people for protesting against a racist, corrupt, heterosexist, rightist, Republican war criminal like Nancy Pelosi is just plain disturbing.

I have previously blogged about conservative ideology, misogyny, and pro-war posturing at the DailyKos. I can't say I'm surprised by a conference run by the same people pandering to a right-wing wacko like Pelosi.

But, I am surprised at the fascist tactics used to do it.

 

GDAEman edited some Democracy Now video with an interesting twist on the visual imagery of "credits" at the end.



Here's the full transcript of Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez's interview with Vincent Bugliosi. His brief bio follows:

JUAN GONZALEZ: We now turn to a man considered to be one of the best prosecutors in this country. In his career at the LA County District Attorney’s office, he successfully prosecuted 105 of 106 felony jury trials, including twenty-one murder convictions without a single loss. Alan Dershowitz calls him “as good a prosecutor as there ever was,” and the legendary F. Lee Bailey calls him “the quintessential prosecutor.” His most famous trial, the Charles Manson case, became the basis of his classic book, Helter Skelter, the biggest selling true-crime book in publishing history. Two of his other books, And the Sea Will Tell and Outrage, also reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list.

Bugliosi has a strong sense of mission.

VINCENT BUGLIOSI: Well, in my book, The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder, I set forth an airtight legal case against George Bush that proves beyond all reasonable doubt that George Bush took this nation to war under false pretenses, on a lie, in Iraq, and therefore, under the law, he is guilty of murder for the deaths of over 4,000 young American soldiers in Iraq fighting his war, not your war or my war or America’s war, but his war.

Interestingly enough, there have been billions of very harsh critical words written and said about George Bush, none of which he could possibly care less about. So the words are absolutely meaningless. But up until now, other than words, no one has done anything at all to George Bush. No impeachment, no investigation of him.

But this book here, The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder, in it, I put together a case against George Bush that could result—it absolutely could result in his being prosecuted for first-degree murder in an American courtroom. I set forth the legal architecture against him, the overwhelming evidence of his guilt and the jurisdiction to prosecute him. And I say that if justice means anything at all in America, and if we’re not going to forget about these 4,000 young American soldiers who are in their cold graves right now as I am talking to you and who came back from George Bush’s war in a box or a jar of ashes, I say we have no choice but to bring murder charges against the son of privilege from Crawford, Texas.

I may be sounding presumptuous to you right now, Amy and Juan, but I’m telling you this: I am going after George Bush. I may not succeed, but I’m not going to be satisfied until I see him in an American courtroom being prosecuted for first-degree murder.

The criminality of the Bush regime is something that seldom is even whispered about in the corporate media. That's one of many examples of why we need honest, independent media like Democracy Now.

 

Here's the story from the New York Times 7/21/08 (Note the pro-fundamentalist bias.)

It has taken a man of God, perhaps, to do what nobody else has been able to do since the general election season began: Get Barack Obama and John McCain together on the same stage before their party conventions later this summer.

The Rev. Rick Warren has persuaded the candidates to attend a forum at his Saddleback Church, in Lake Forest, Calif., on Aug. 16. In an interview, Mr. Warren said over the weekend that the presidential candidates would appear together for a moment but that he would interview them in succession at his megachurch.

It is bad enough that the forum is at any church, which violates state/church separation and discriminates against atheists. But, it's worse given the militant fundamentalism of the Saddleback Church.

The article then does a softball description of the church's sheepherder, Rick Warren.

Mr. Warren, the author of the best-selling book “The Purpose-Driven Life,” said he had called each man personally to invite him to his event, which will focus on how they make decisions and on some of Mr. Warren’s main areas of focus, like AIDS, poverty and the environment.

Talk about giving a misleading view of one of the most prominent figures in the Christian Taliban. Here's a more realistic view of Rick Warren.

Warren's heterosexism was exposed by the Gay News Blog in 2006. Warren's heterosexism and misogyny also was exposed by Jewish Women Watching.

Warren has called gays “unnatural” and part of a “hierarchy of evil.” During the last Presidential election, he urged his congregants to vote against a woman’s right to choose. He advises that gays and lesbians, as well as women who have had abortions should seek forgiveness.

Queers don't need forgiveness from the Rick Warrens of the world. The Rick Warrens of the world need forgiveness from us.

Also, Warren's focus on poverty is dubious. He opposes more government programs that actually fight poverty while encouraging his followers to give more money to charities run by churches. That might have more of a feel good sensibility for Christian extremists, but private charity has been proven for centuries to be inadequate to pull people out of poverty. The only thing that ever has worked is government intervention.

Warren's interest in AIDS is mixed. He supports funding to help heterosexuals with HIV/AIDS, especially in Africa, but opposes HIV prevention efforts. Warren is perfectly aware of the fact that "abstinence only" programs are HIV promotion programs, not HIV prevention programs.

As for the environment, Warren's good words don't match his egregious deeds. No one who genuinely cares about the planet opposes birth control and abortion rights. There is no such thing as a serious effort to stop global warming (or any other global environmental problem) without making population reduction a major priority. Sadly, Warren and the rest of the Christian extremists would rather destroy the planet than accept a living planet where women have a right to control their own bodies. The kind of hatred and bigotry of the Rick Warrens of the world is boundless and immune to reason.

Obama's previous speech at that fundamentalist hate-church raised some doubts about him on my part. However, Hillary Clinton actually is a militant Christian fundamentalist, rather than someone like Obama or McCain who merely panders to these anti-American extremists. Sadly, McCain and Obama are displaying bipartisan heterosexism and misogyny by speaking at the Saddleback Church. The Green Party looks better every day.

I remember what the mililtant, Christian fundamentalists in Orange County were like when I lived in Southern California. Corporate media propaganda cannot fool me. It shouldn't be allowed to fool anyone else either.

More on Warren's homohatred

The American Prospect 6/30/08

Akinola has been essential to the break. He defied the requests of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Episcopal presiding bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and installed the Virginian Martyn Minns as a bishop of the Nigerian church, after Minns broke from the Episcopal one. Just as critically, he has been a mouthpiece for the most homophobic tendencies within the church, telling the New York Times that he jumped back in horror the first time he met a gay couple, comparing homosexuality to everything from pedophilia to zoophilia, and pushing for Nigeria to enact a five-year mandatory sentence for homosexual acts or "associations", a bill so broad that it could lead to the imprisonment of AIDS caregivers. While there would surely be conservatives fighting against Robinson and the liberalization he represents without Akinola, he has increased their power and influence tremendously.

In no small part because of these retrograde social views, Akinola has wide support among American conservatives. After Minns' installation, the Washington Post published a mash note to Akinola by Michael Gerson, calling his Christianity "undeniably alive" and denouncing Williams and Schori's "condescension". Rick Warren even compared him to Nelson Mandela. Warren would do better to head the words of Mandela's ally, and Akinola's fellow Anglican Archbishop, Desmond Tutu: "If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God."

 

From Indybay 6/25/08 - hat tip to Nancy Pelosi's Table:

Cynthia McKinney Remarks in support of Cindy Sheehan's 4th Amendment Burial March

June 24, 2008

Last week, Nancy Pelosi helped deal a double blow to Democratic Party grassroots supporters and to the U.S. Constitution itself. On Thursday, June 19, George Bush got another $162 billion from the Congress for war and occupation. On Friday, June 20, Nancy helped Bush give immunity to telecommunications companies that helped him spy on us!

Fannie Lou Hamer of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party remarked that she was sick and tired of being sick and tired. And she did something about it by standing up at the Democratic Party Convention that routinely had accepted all-white, non-representative state delegations from the South.

Well, I'm sick and tired and outraged, too. And I'm doing something about it.

Cindy Sheehan is my choice for Congress.

Nancy thinks that by November you will have forgotten about all of this.
Don't forget! Remember--in November!

Vote Cindy! Vote Cynthia!

Nancy Pelosi's Table is a wonderful example of using blogs to challenge political corruption and betrayal. I encourage you to check it out.

 

Hat Tip to Atomic Gay Wonk:



I previously expressed my disgust at Ms. Dole's attempt to name a HIV/AIDS bill after Jesse Helms, that's right, Jesse Helms.

 

I found this linked on the United for Peace and Justice website, which is a good example of peace groups with different viewpoints cooperating to promote common goals.

StopWarOnIran.org is the coordinating site for a collection of actions in over 20 states so far. The efforts are on or around August 2.

Find an Action Close to You!

Here is a description of the New York action and a call for similar efforts around the world.

MASS MARCH IN NYC

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
Assemble 12 p.m. at Times Square

43rd St. & Broadway

AN APPEAL TO ORGANIZERS AND ACTIVISTS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD:

Consider as soon as possible if you can organize a STOP WAR ON IRAN protest in your locality during the weekend of August 2 – 3. Let us know so that your protest can be listed.

YET ANOTHER U.S. WAR?

The U.S. occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan is hated by the people there. These wars have no support at home and are ruining the domestic economy. Instead of pulling out, the Bush administration is preparing for still another war—this time against Iran . This must be stopped!

AGRESSION TOWARDS IRAN IS ESCALATING

On June 4, George Bush, with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at his side, called Iran a “threat to peace.” Two days before, acting as a proxy for the Pentagon, Israel used advanced U.S. fighter planes to conduct massive air maneuvers, which the media called a “dress rehearsal” for an attack on Iran ’s nuclear facility. Under pressure from the U.S. , the European Union announced sanctions against Iran on June 23; a bill is before Congress for further U.S. sanctions on Iran and even a blockade of Iran .

IRAN “THREATS” A HOAX

Iran as a “nuclear threat” is as much a hoax as Bush’s claim of “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq used to justify the war there. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which inspects Iran ’s nuclear facilities, says it has no weapons program and is developing nuclear power for the days when its oil runs out. Even Washington ’s 16 top spy agencies issued a joint statement that said Iran does not have nuclear weapons technology!

U.S. and Israel are the real nuclear danger. The Pentagon has a huge, nuclear-capable naval armada in the Persian/Arabian Gulf, with guns aimed at Iran . Israel , the Pentagon’s proxy force in the Middle East , has up to 200 nuclear warheads and has never signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran did sign it.

WAR HURTS U.S. ECONOMY

While billions of dollars go to war, at home the unemployment rate had the biggest spike in 23 years. Home foreclosures and evictions are increasing; fuel and food prices are through the roof. While the situation is growing dire for many, Washington ’s cuts to domestic programs continue. A new U.S. war will bring only more suffering.

WHAT WE DO RIGHT NOW CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

While the summer is a difficult time to call protests, the August recess of Congress gives the White House an opportunity for unopposed aggression against Iran . We must not let this happen! From the anti-war movement and all movements for social change, to religious and grassroots organizations, unions and schools, let us join forces to demand “No war on Iran, U.S. out of Iraq, Money for human needs not war! “

This call to action is issued by StopWarOnIran.org, a network of thousands of concerned activists and organizations fighting to stop a new war against Iran since March 2006.

 

Anti-atheist bigotry is becoming a bipartisan pastime in this presidential election. Obama has called for an expansion of Bush's hate-based initiatives to divert federal funding away from inclusive charities and towards religious ones.

John McCain is not willing to be outdone in pushing for discrimination against people like myself. (Baltimore Sun 7/17/08)

CINCINNATI - Appearing before some of his presidential rival's most ardent supporters, Sen. John McCain urged delegates to the NAACP convention yesterday to support school vouchers as a way to improve education in largely black, underperforming school systems.

McCain acknowledged that he will have difficulty making inroads among black voters. But he used his speech to the Baltimore-based civil rights organization to criticize the education views of his Democratic opponent, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, and to argue that the country needs to move away from "conventional thinking" with regard to public schools.

"Senator Obama dismissed public support for private school vouchers for low-income Americans as 'tired rhetoric about vouchers and school choice,'" said McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. "All of that went over well with the teachers union, but where does it leave families and their children who are stuck in failing schools?"

As far back as 2001, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) did an excellent job a few years back of debunking claims by the corporate media and militant Christian fundamentalists that vouchers improve educational achievement.

Of course, the main agenda behind vouchers is attacking atheists' civil rights and church/state separation. Sleazebag politicians love using us freethinkers as whipping boys and girls.

In McCain's push, corruption also plays a role (surprise, surprise). John McCain clearly sees vouchers as a way to use tax money to buy support from preachers and religious school administrators. "Keating Five" McCain is one of the most corrupt politicians in the history of the Senate, and the vouchers patronage scheme is no different.

It should also be noted that "Keating Five" McCain's anti-union crack is further evidence of how he is bought and paid for by wealthy and corporate interests. I guess a kept man like him doesn't want to upset the gravy train.