michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Mar 13, 2006 18:29:39 GMT 4
FEINGOLD TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTION CENSURING THE PRESIDENT Feingold Says Congress Must Condemn the President’s Violation of the Public’s Trust Through Illegal Wiretapping Program Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has announced that he will introduce a resolution in the U.S. Senate on Monday to censure the President of the United States. Feingold’s resolution condemns the President’s actions in authorizing the illegal wiretapping program and then misleading the country about the existence and legality of the program. Feingold calls the resolution an appropriate and responsible step for Congress to take in response to the President’s undermining of the separation of powers and ignoring the rule of law. “The President must be held accountable for authorizing a program that clearly violates the law and then misleading the country about its existence and its legality,” Feingold said. “The President’s actions, as well as his misleading statements to both Congress and the public about the program, demand a serious response. If Congress does not censure the President, we will be tacitly condoning his actions, and undermining both the separation of powers and the rule of law.” The President’s illegal wiretapping program is in direct violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The FISA law makes it a crime to wiretap Americans in the United States without a warrant or a court order. The Bush Administration has obtained thousands of FISA warrants since September 11th and has almost never been rejected by the FISA court. FISA even allows wiretaps to be executed immediately in an emergency as long as the government obtains a warrant within 72 hours. “This issue is not about whether the government should be wiretapping terrorists – of course it should, and it can under current law” Feingold said. “But this President and this Administration decided to break the law and they have yet to give a convincing explanation of why their actions were necessary, appropriate, or legal. Passing more laws will not change the fact that the President broke the ones already in place and for that, Congress must hold him accountable.” # # # FACT SHEET FROM U.S. SENATOR RUSS FEINGOLD ON HIS RESOLUTION TO CENSURE THE PRESIDENTSenator Feingold’s resolution of censure condemns the President for breaking the law by authorizing an illegal wiretapping program, and for misleading Congress and the American people about the existence and legality of that program. The President Broke the Law by Wiretapping Outside of FISAIt Is Illegal to Wiretap Without the Requisite Warrant or Court Order: The law is clear that the criminal wiretap statute and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) “shall be the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance . . . and the interception of domestic wire, oral, and electronic communications may be conducted.” FISA Has an Emergency Exception: The Administration has indicated that it ignored FISA because the application process takes too long. In fact, in an emergency where the Attorney General believes that surveillance must begin before a court order can be obtained, FISA permits him to immediately authorize the surveillance as long as the government goes to the court within 72 hours. Prior to 2001, the emergency wiretap period was only 24 hours. The Administration requested and received the increase to 72 hours in intelligence authorization legislation that passed in late 2001. FISA Provides for Wartime Situations: FISA also permits the Attorney General to authorize warrantless electronic surveillance in the United States during the 15 days following a declaration of war, to allow time to consider any amendments to FISA necessitated by a wartime emergency. The Administration Has Used FISA Thousands of Times Since 9/11: Administration officials have criticized FISA, but they have obtained thousands of warrants approved by the FISA court since 9/11, and have almost never had a warrant request rejected by that court. The President Made Misleading Arguments Defending his Wiretapping ProgramMilitary Force Resolution Did Not Authorize Wiretapping: The President has argued that Congress gave him authority to wiretap Americans on U.S. soil without a warrant when it passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force after September 11, 2001. There is no language in the resolution and no evidence to suggest that it was intended to give the President authority to order these warrantless wiretaps. Warrantless domestic surveillance is not an “incident of war” akin to detaining an enemy soldier on the battlefield as the Administration has argued. In fact, Congress passed the Patriot Act just six weeks after September 11 to expand the government’s powers to conduct surveillance of suspected terrorists and spies. Yet the Administration did not ask for, nor did the Patriot Act include, any change to FISA’s requirement of judicial approval for wiretaps of Americans in the United States. Prohibition on Wiretapping Limits Executive Power: The President’s assertion of inherent executive power is also wrong. The President has extensive authority when it comes to national security and foreign affairs, but given the clear prohibition in FISA, that authority does not include the power to wiretap American citizens on American soil without a warrant. Executive Branch Review of Wiretapping Is Not Enough: The President has argued that periodic executive branch review provides an adequate check on the program. But Congress when it passed FISA explicitly rejected the idea that the executive branch should be fully entrusted to conduct national security wiretaps on its own – a power that the executive had abused in the past. In addition, the Administration has said that NSA employees decide whose communications to tap. Executive branch employees are no substitute for FISA Court judges. Congress Did Not Approve This Program: The extremely limited briefings of the President’s warrantless surveillance programs to a handful of Congressional leaders did not constitute Congressional oversight, much less approval. In fact, the failure of the President to keep the Congressional Intelligence Committees “fully and currently informed of all intelligence activities” was a violation of the National Security Act. The President Made Misleading Public Statements about Administration Wiretapping“Finally, we need to renew the critical provisions of the Patriot Act that protect our civil liberties. The Patriot Act was written with clear safeguards to ensure the law is applied fairly. The judicial branch has a strong oversight role. Law enforcement officers need a federal judge's permission to wiretap a foreign terrorist's phone, a federal judge's permission to track his calls, or a federal judge's permission to search his property. Officers must meet strict standards to use any of these tools. And these standards are fully consistent with the Constitution of the U.S.”--President George Bush, June 9, 2005, in Columbus, Ohio “A couple of things that are very important for you to understand about the Patriot Act. First of all, any action that takes place by law enforcement requires a court order. In other words, the government can't move on wiretaps or roving wiretaps without getting a court order. Now, we've used things like roving wiretaps on drug dealers before. Roving wiretaps mean you change your cell phone. And yet, we weren't able to use roving wiretaps on terrorists. And so what the Patriot Act said is let's give our law enforcement the tools necessary, without abridging the Constitution of the United States, the tools necessary to defend America.”--President George Bush, July 14, 2004, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin “Secondly, there are such things as roving wiretaps. Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires -- a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so. It's important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in place when it comes to doing what is necessary to protect our homeland, because we value the Constitution.”--President George Bush, April 20, 2004, in Buffalo, New York Republican National Committee's statement regarding Senator Feingold Appearing on ABC's 'This Week'RNC-Feingold's Folly: Senator Announces Plan To Censure President Bush On ABC's 'This Week'3/12/2006 12:28:00 PM Contact: Republican National Committee Press Office, 202-863-8614; Web: www.gop.com WASHINGTON, March 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Republican National Committee: "Sen. Feingold's out of touch attack demonstrates, once again, that Democrats are willing to play politics with the most important issue facing the American people. Attempting to harness angry partisanship for short-term political gain does nothing to make America safer and everything to detract from President Bush's continued efforts to aggressively fight the War on Terror. Not only is Senator Feingold's approach a disservice to those who work tirelessly to protect America, it sends the wrong message to our enemies." -Tracey Schmitt, RNC Press Secretary -- SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D-WI) WRONG ON PROTECTING AMERICA Sen. Feingold's Long History Of Attempting To Kill The PATRIOT Act: March 1, 2006: Feingold Voted Against An Amendment To Make The PATRIOT Act Immediately Effective. (S.2271, CQ Vote No. 24: Adopted 81-18: R 55-0; D 26-17; I 0-1, 3/1/06, Feingold Voted Nay) March 1, 2006: Feingold Voted To Kill The PATRIOT Act. (H.R. 3199, CQ Vote No. 28: Motion Agreed To 84-15: R 55-0; D 29-14; I 0-1, 3/1/06, Feingold Voted Nay) February 28, 2006: Feingold Voted Again To Kill The PATRIOT Act. (S. 2271, CQ Vote No. 23: Motion Agreed To 69-30: R 55-0; D 14-29; I 0-1, 2/28/06, Feingold Voted Nay) December 16, 2005: Feingold Voted To Kill The PATRIOT Act Reauthorization. (H.R. 3199, CQ Vote No. 358: Motion Rejected 52- 47: R 50-5; D 2-41; I 0-1, 12/16/05, Feingold Voted Nay) October 25, 2001: Feingold Voted Against The PATRIOT Act In 2001. (H.R. 3162, CQ Vote No. 313: Passed 98-1: R 49-0; D 48-1; I 1-0, 10/25/01, Feingold Voted Nay) --- Paid for by the Republican National Committee Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
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michelle
Administrator
I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Mar 13, 2006 21:01:55 GMT 4
Urgent: Co-Sponsor Feingold's Resolution to Censure the President!I just signed on as a citizen co-sponsor of Senator Feingold's resolution to censure the President for his illegal wiretapping program. Please join me by signing this petition:www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/page/petition/censure0306/kobktWith your help, we can begin to make real change.
Thanks!
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Mar 14, 2006 14:03:03 GMT 4
Letter from Congressman John Conyers, March 13th:Is There a Case for Impeachment?I appeared last week at a Harper’s Magazine forum which addressed the conduct of the Bush Administration and whether it has committed crimes that rise to the level of impeachment. A crowd of 1,500 enthusiastically heard from several experts and me as we discussed the tyranny of a President acting to commit a fraud against the United States. I need your help to build the case for an impeachment investigation.I have conducted an exhaustive study on this subject and believe that we must begin the process to investigate this administration for possible impeachable offenses. As former congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman noted at the forum, a groundswell of public support is necessary for impeachment proceedings to succeed. There was overwhelming public support for pursuing a case against Richard Nixon, while these same conditions did not exist when the Republicans tried to impeach President Clinton. Public opinion is on our side and now is the time to make a difference. Become a Citizen CosponsorI have introduced House Resolution 635 to create a special committee to investigate whether the president's misconduct rises to the level of impeachment. 29 Members of Congress have already joined me as cosponsors. Lend your support. Help build momentum to enact this legislation by joining the more than 42,000 concerned Americans who have already signed on as Citizen Cosponsors at: johnconyers.com/citizencosponsors, or encourage your friends to sign up. Watch the Harper’s forum You can watch “Is There a Case for Impeachment?” online here:www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQueryText=impeachment&image1.x=0&image1.y=0&image1=Submit Read the Report Read the Constitution in Crisis, A 182-page report with over 1,000 footnotes covering the entire spectrum of deception, manipulation, torture, retribution and cover-ups by the Bush Administration. It can be found online here: www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/5769. Write a Letter to the Editor Visit this link to write a letter to the editor in support of House Resolution 635.johnconyers.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={E5BA9DF0-57B0-49D1-B27B-03A00710DE8E} Thank you for working to help build a better democracy. Sincerely, John Conyers You can view as a webpage here: www.conyersforcongress.com/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=1999986760.203989.69&gen=1
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DT1
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You know, it's not like I wanted to be right about all of this...
Posts: 428
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Post by DT1 on Mar 16, 2006 9:32:55 GMT 4
The crash and burn of Fiengold's censure attempt has left me shaken-and suspicious... Allow me to share with you the thoughts of fellow blogger Jon D. Ryan...(republished courtesy of buzzflash.com) Subject: What exactly is it with the Democrats? A brain parasite?Last week, I was fortunate enough to have BuzzFlash link to an entry on my blog that detailed my frustrating experience with a Democratic Congressional Committee fundraising telemarketer. The responses I received all echoed the same frustrations I had, about the Democrats just not 'getting it', even when the biggest problems are so blatantly obvious. I agree, but it really goes deeper than that. I don't need to list the countless instances of Democratic timidity, for if you're reading this, you're more than well aware of them. What do you think explains what is really going on? Some thoughts to ponder ... - The 'move to the center' strategy we've often heard is about as effective as supply-side economics has been in eradicating poverty. It's given them loss after loss after loss in the quest for 'the mushy middle'. Why do they continue to do so? History has shown us repeatedly that the most profound changes do not come from the center, it comes from one side or the other. The civil rights movement and the Iraq War didn't come from apathetic moderates, they came from people, regardless of whether they were right or wrong, who had the strength and determination of their convictions and made their visions a reality. - Is the influence of the corporatist Democratic Leadership Council so pervasive that they are all getting their hands tied? Are they still more of a force than we are aware of? - Are they continually getting bad advice? If so, why do they continue to listen to it? One would think that they could look at the results of that advice and change strategy, as most normal humans do when something isn't working anymore. But they aren't. Why? - Have the above said bad advisors convinced the majority of them that classic liberalism is about as dead as classic Marxism, and that us netroots people are so far out of the mainstream that we should be ignored? And once again, why do they believe it? Although I may not agree with some things on the left of the blogosphere (too tame for me), I hardly hear anything radical or insane coming from Kos, Americablog, Eschaton, etc. Can't these other politicians see that - especially when they look at the netroots fundraising successes of support for candidates such as Howard Dean and Paul Hackett? - Let's get into conspiracy theory stuff here, just for the sake of discussion. Are there some backroom deals going on where some of them are working for the Republicans? Are the people giving them the continual bad advice secretly working for the GOP? Is there some kind of blackmail involved? Is it a brain parasite? Like I said, classic conspiracy tinfoil hat stuff here, but the obvious questions aren't being answered either, so maybe one of these makes sense. - 'Lack of spine' also gets mentioned a lot. How does that work? We can't say 9-11 scared them into submission, because 1994 and the 'Contract with America' happened, right? This is not a five year old phenomenon. What exactly do you think is causing this lack of spine? What are they so afraid of? Dems weren't always this way. Did Ronald Reagan leave them with some sort of permanent psychological scarring? - Are they just as corrupt as the Republicans? - Is it the resistance to 'taking the gloves off and getting confrontational' that so many on the left seem to have? We could embrace many of the effective hardball tactics they do, with one big difference - we're not making things up. I put these out there because at one time or another, I've thought about them, and/or heard them from others, but no one has of yet laid out a concrete theory for me. And I don't see journalists asking these hardball questions to the Democratic establishment that follow through and debunk the stock answers. Perhaps one of you can help me. John D. Ryan fivebeforechaos.blogspot.com
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michelle
Administrator
I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Mar 21, 2006 16:01:23 GMT 4
New Velvet Revolution Ad in Sunday's Washington Post! Demands Congress Hold Bush/Cheney Accountable, Stop Another Ill-Conceived War Before It Starts!This morning (Sunday), lawmakers and members of the media in Washington D.C. opened the Op/Ed section of the Washington Post to find VelvetRevolution.us' latest ad waiting for them. READ THE AD:www.bradblog.com/archives/00002574.htm
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michelle
Administrator
I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Mar 23, 2006 15:14:01 GMT 4
Impeachment Resolutions Sweep America!From California to Vermont, from Wyoming to North Carolina, from New Hampshire to New Mexico, impeachment resolutions are sweeping America! They are popping up in Town Meetings, City Councils, and Democratic Committees. And when they pass, they make headlines locally and even nationwide. Let's turn this local activity into a nationwide grassroots movement! We've collected everything you need to know here: impeachpac.org/resolutions To help organize impeachment efforts in your town, county, or state, join the Impeachment Working Group of Progressive Democrats of America: pdamerica.org/impeach-wg.php_____________________ Support Feingold - Censure Bush - Stop Cowering!It's been 10 days since Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced a resolution to censure George Bush for illegally wiretapping American citizens. Just two Democrats have joined him: Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA). Polls show Americans support Feingold's censure by 48%-43% - including 29% of Republicans. Rightwinger Bill Kristol called it a smart move and says it helps Democrats. When the Republican Party ran attack ads against him in Wisconsin, Feingold got a standing ovation. So why are the other 41 Democrats still cowering? Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 and deliver a simple message: "I urge you to support Senator Feingold's bill to censure George Bush."And for Democratic Senators, add this: "And stop cowering in fear of Republican thugs!" If you have time, join Jane Hamsher in visiting the local office of your Senator: www.firedoglake.com/2006/03/22/git-yer-boots-on-its-recess-time/Post the replies you get here: democrats.com/senate-censure_____________________ 33 Congress Members With CourageCongressman Bob Filner from San Diego has signed onto H Res 635. There are now 33 Congress Members supporting Congressman John Conyers' bill to create an investigation into possible grounds for impeachment. Filner's name is not yet in the official list, because Congress is out of session this week, but Congressman Conyers' staff confirms that he has agreed to co-sponsor. Learn more and ask your representative to join the list: www.afterdowningstreet.org/635_____________________ NEW FLYER FROM AfterDowningStreet.orgPrint this out, make copies, post it around your town and hand it out at events! Open PDF www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/2006-3-flyer.pdf_____________________ Boycott ExxonMobilConsumers for Peace launched this boycott campaign, supported by After Downing Street and many others, seeking an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops and mercenaries from Iraq and the impeachment of George W. Bush and prosecution of U.S. officials responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The campaign urges consumers to boycott of ExxonMobil products and to purchase CITGO products as an alternative. ExxonMobil has been selected for boycott because of its apparent active involvement in U.S. policy in the Middle East in general and Iraq in particular, and its power to help change these policies. The campaign urges the boycott of products and services of nine consumer products firms connected with ExxonMobil through its board of directors. They are: Campbell's Soup; Carlson Companies (Radisson Hotels, TGI Friday's); Corning Inc. (Steuben Glass); Metlife; Novartis; Pfizer; Verizon; Wells Fargo and Wyeth.www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/9488_____________________ UPCOMING EVENTSA Panel Discussion with Cindy Sheehan, Ray McGovern, and Larry Everest Speaking the Unspeakable. Is the Bush Administration Guilty of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity?March 23, 7 p.m. International House at 2299 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/9038Political Musicians Anti-Flag and Congressman Jim McDermott to Discuss Depleted UraniumMarch 24, 11 a.m. Henry Fonda Theater Lobby, 6126 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Anti-Flag, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), Dr. Donald Broder, Jodie Evans, Tim Goodrich. Launch of a Petition Campaign to Support Depleted Uranium Munitions Study www.anti-flag.com/Town Hall Meeting Examining The Cost of Iraq: Lives, Jobs, Security, Community Sponsored by the Progressive Democrats of OhioMarch 25, 1 - 3 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, Ohio Gold Star Mother and PDA Board Member Cindy Sheehan Congressman Dennis Kucinich Tim Carpenter, National Director, Progressive Democrats of America Francis Chiappa, President, Cleveland Peace Action Paul Schroeder, co-founder of Families of the Fallen For Change Farhad Sethna, Immigration attorney and concerned citizen Event emceed by actress and PDA Board Chairwoman Mimi Kennedy An opening chant for Peace will be performed by Michael McMurray in Arameyic, Hebrew and Arabic. www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/9539Progressive Plan for OhioMarch 26 www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/ohioplan.pdfARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST GEORGE W. BUSH: The Evidence, and What the Constitution DictatesMarch 28, 7:30 p.m. Amy Goodman of Democracy Now hosts a panel discussion featuring Michael Ratner, Bill Goodman, Shayana Kadidal, and Maria Lahood, attorneys from the Center for Constitutional Rights and authors of a new book, Articles of Impeachment Against George W. Bush (Melville House). At The Culture Project, 45 Bleecker Street, NYC (corner of Bleecker and Lafayette Streets) Admission is free - seating is limited - first come, first served LINK: www.ccr-ny.org/v2/whatsnew/calendar/display_event_v2.asp?ID=108 March to Redeem the Soul of AmericaApril 1 – 14, 2006 in Texas: Irving – Dallas – Waco – Crawford ConsumersforPeace.org, Crawford Peace House, Dallas Peace Center, Texas Peace Action www.marchforredemption.org SOUTHERN REGIONAL MARCH FOR PEACE IN IRAQ & JUSTICE AT HOMEApril 1, Atlanta will host the largest anti-war march in the history of the South. The date, APRIL FIRST, links the 3rd anniversary of the war, March 20, with the 38th anniversary of Dr. King's death, April 4. Activists are organizing contingents from Birmingham, Alabama; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Memphis & Nashville, Tennessee; Tallahassee, Florida and all corners of Georgia. www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/7943Easter in Crawford, TexasApril 10-16 Join Cindy in Crawford. Everyone's welcome! Sign up for these events, find others, and create your own at www.afterdowningstreet.org/eventSee Also UFPJ: unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php?caltype=39&lcountry=&state=&search=SearchAnd PDA: pdamerica.org/events/main-list.php
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DT1
Moderator
You know, it's not like I wanted to be right about all of this...
Posts: 428
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Post by DT1 on Mar 24, 2006 0:44:10 GMT 4
It's criminalBy Scott Ritter (republished courtesy of truthout.com) 03/22/06 As America reaches the third anniversary of President Bush's decision to invade and occupy Iraq, there is for the first time the unsettling realization brought about by the clarity of acts that emerges only after the passage of time that something horrible has happened. This awakening of collective awareness on the part of the American people is reflected not only in the numerous polls which show President Bush's popularity plummeting to all-time lows, largely because of the war in Iraq, but also the collective shrug of the shoulders on the part of the one-time cheerleaders for the war in Iraq -- the mainstream American media -- when covering the hollow rhetoric of the President as he tries to rally a nation around a cause that has long since lost its allure. No amount of flowery language and repeated pulls at the patriotic heartstrings of America, no repeated assault on the senses and sensibilities through repetitious referral to the events of 9/11 can jump start a second phase of the kind of mindless nationalistic fervor that greeted the erstwhile Cowboy President when he first herded a compliant America down the path of war with Iraq three years ago. Looking back on the string of unfulfilled objectives, broken promises, squandered dreams, shattered bodies and eviscerated lives that was and is the war in Iraq, one thought emerges plain and clear. This isn't simply a result of bad governance. This is criminal. Bad governance is telling the American people that a war with Iraq would be concluded in a manner of months, and would cost the American taxpayer less that $2 billion, when in fact the war has gone on for three years now, with no end in sight, and over a quarter-trillion dollars have been expended, with untold billions more to be spent. Criminal governance is the fabrication of a justification for war (weapons of mass destruction), hiding the President’s true intentions from the American people and the Congress of the United States (Bush signed off on the Iraq war plans in late August 2002, and yet continued to publicly state that no decision for military action had been made), and shredding international law by waging an aggressive war of pre-emption void of any United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing such actions. Bad governance is manipulating war planning on the part of military professionals so that we enter into a conflict with far too few troops for the task, with no plan for how to proceed once the fighting ended and the reality of occupation set in. Criminal governance is violating every principle of the laws of war in the conduct of the occupation of Iraq, manipulating the economic and political direction of Iraq, suppressing its population, and engaging in wanton acts of widespread murder, torture and abuse of the Iraqi people. The fact is the war in Iraq has degenerated into one giant hate crime. American soldiers and Marines are being thrown into a cauldron of our own making, scalded by a conflict with no purpose or direction, with the end result being that in order to survive these fighting men and women have dehumanized the totality of the Iraqi people. The ancestors of ancient Babylon have become nothing more than "sand niggers", "rag-heads", "camel jockeys", "ninja women" or "haji" in the hearts and minds of American fighting men who are now killing Iraqis in ever increasing numbers. Gone is any talk of rebuilding Iraq. We are there to destroy it. The criminal nature of the war in Iraq is starting to become common knowledge among observers of the war. It has long since been common knowledge on the part of those waging it. In Vietnam Americans were shocked by the revelations of Mai Lai and the murder of innocent Vietnamese civilians by American fighting men. But Mai Lai is repeated in bits and pieces every day in Iraq, with the American military occupation slaughtering family after family of Iraqis in the name of bringing peace and security. The realization that something has gone horribly wrong in Iraq, however, has not translated into any kind of discernable action on the part of the American people. While pundit after pundit breaks ranks with the Bush administration on Iraq, often repudiating their own pre-war chest beating and encouragement of the war, the fact is that the manifesto which manifested itself in the invasion of Iraq -- the 2002 National Security Strategy of the United States -- continues to dictate the manner and nature of America's interfacing with the rest of the world in unquestioned fashion. Indeed, President Bush has, on the eve of the third anniversary of the Iraqi war, promulgated a new, improved version of this manifesto, the 2006 National Security Strategy of the United States, which re-affirms America's commitment to the principles of pre-emptive war. In short, the President has re-certified America as the greatest threat to international peace and security in modern times, especially when one considers that even as America is engaged in the brutal rape and occupation of Iraq, President Bush has his eyes firmly set on another war of aggression in Iran. What are the American people doing in response? There is a huge difference between becoming aware and taking action. While poll numbers on Iraq reflect a growing unease about the war, this unease has not manifested itself into any discernable reaction of consequence. The Democratic Party has remained largely mute, largely because of the culpability on the part of much of its membership in facilitating and sustaining the Iraqi war and its underlining doctrine of global domination by the United States. But in the face of the near total subservience on the part of the Republican Party in supporting the policies of President Bush no matter how illegal and harmful they are to America and the world, the Democratic Party must shake itself free of the doldrums it currently finds itself stuck in. The time for passive recognition that the war in Iraq has gone bad is long past. The time for concrete political action has arrived. The Democrats need to recognize that the political struggle in America today is not a trivial extension of the partisan Red State-Blue State nonsense the American media likes to bandy about, but rather a far more serious struggle of national survival, if one in fact defines the American nation as being reflective of the ideals and values set forth by the Constitution of the United States. The Iraq War, if anything, is a reflection of the total abrogation of constitutional responsibility and process by the Congress of the United States. As a result, the President has led a nationdown the path of illegal war of aggression which has damaged America's reputation abroad, and its very fabric here at home. The Republican-controlled Congress has done little to stop this collective march towards national self-destruction, rubber-stamping the president's illegal actions with little regard to either the rule of law or Congress's status as a second but equal branch of government. This must end.The fact is that America today stands on the brink of having everything we stand for as a nation being swept away by a power-crazed President and a compliant Congress, both of whom are Republican. Whatever direction the Democratic Party takes in the future, it must be with the recognition that the hopes and dreams of saving the United States as a nation of laws founded in the words and principles of the Constitution rest heavily on their shoulders. The Democratic Party must become laser-like in its rejection of the war in Iraq, resolute in condemning this war for what it is, an illegal war of aggression,and determined in fighting for the concept of a nation governed by the rule of law by holding President Bush accountable for his illegal actions. In short, the rallying cry of the Democratic Party must become impeachment. Given the magnitude of the crimes committed by the United States in Iraq under the direction and leadership of President Bush and his administration, there is simply no other recourse that can bring a halt to the madness in Iraq, and the insanity being planned in Iran and elsewhere. The remedy is clear. The question now is whether the Democratic Party is up to the task. Mod's note:It should be obvious to any rational person that political affiliation is a shell-game,an illusionary construct designed to silence you,and render you powerless. Find your voice,and use it. Time is not on our side.
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michelle
Administrator
I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Mar 26, 2006 13:09:12 GMT 4
Ganging Up On FeingoldRuss Baker March 24, 2006 Was it my imagination, or did I see the ghost of Joe McCarthy heading into the RNC headquarters the other day? And was that the ghost of Don Knotts’s quivery TV persona holding court in the Senate Democratic cloakroom? Only a conscienceless bully—like the one dissected in the movie “Good Night, and Good Luck,” about Edward R. Murrow’s television crusade against McCarthy’s serial abuse of the public trust—could have come up with the disgustingly misleading radio ads now attacking Sen. Russ Feingold. And only the chickenhearted—or those henpecked by consultants—would fail to back up this courageous figure. On Wednesday, taking its cues from remarks by President George W. Bush, the GOP launched radio ads[ www.rnc.org/News/Read.aspx?ID=6188 ]against Sen. Feingold in his home state of Wisconsin, with these words: "President Bush is working to keep American families safe…But some Democrats are working against these efforts to secure our country…Their leader is Russ Feingold.” The ad criticizes Feingold for his censure resolution against the president, but in a classic trick, fails to tell listeners what the censure is about. They will not know that Feingold is upset by Bush’s unauthorized wiretapping. Instead, here’s what the ads claim: Now Feingold and other Democrats want to censure the president, publicly reprimanding President Bush for pursuing suspected members of Al Qaeda. Of course, an ad that actually respected the listeners would tell them the truth. Something like: Now Feingold, with little support from his quaking Democratic colleagues, wants to censure the President…for authorizing wiretapping on American citizens that even many prominent Republicans believe is illegal—and unnecessary. Feingold wants the president to pursue real suspected members of Al Qaeda—not turn the U.S. into a police state. And that’s the crux. Democratic senators were reportedly upset that Feingold didn’t notify them of his plan to introduce the censure resolution—and doubly wounded that he criticized them for “cowering with this president's numbers so low. The administration ... just has to raise the specter of the war on terror, and Democrats run and hide." Some of Feingold’s Democratic colleagues may also have resisted lining up behind the Wisconsin senator’s banner on this issue because they plan to compete with Feingold for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. The fact is, a Senate censure resolution would be a legitimate catalyst for discussion of the levels to which this administration has sunk in debasing democratic safeguards and process. It is not the same as impeachment, which must emanate from the House of Representatives. It is at once more attainable than impeachment and a strong symbolic reprimand. Yet leading Democrats have started their customary throat-clearing exercise, saying that more time is needed to study the issue, and so forth. Even if that were true, allowing a censure resolution to advance need not preclude a serious Senate investigation of the truth behind the administration’s confusing justifications for ignoring the law in its domestic wiretap program. Indeed, with stonewalling by the GOP majority a given on almost any topic of import, a vote on a censure resolution that has garnered substantial public support may be the only way to force our representatives to do their jobs as watchdogs of the public interest. As for the GOP ad, it could legitimately have attacked Feingold’s true position. One can always disagree on the merits. Instead, the RNC attacks him for what he did not say and did not do. Bush himself has publicly accused Feingold of opposing “terrorist surveillance.” And we all know who plays that kind of game: cowards like Joe McCarthy, who collapsed and faded away when confronted by a determined adversary, the Boston lawyer Joseph Welsh, in a memorable encounter during the televised Army-McCarthy hearings in 1954. Taking their cue from Welsh and Murrow, the Democrats should be airing their own radio ads—if not to back Feingold, then at least to inform the public about the RNC lies—and to take the liars and those behind them to task. If people understood the facts of the situation, they would be appalled—and furious at being manipulated in this manner. Instead, the Democrats are running from Feingold as if he had the avian flu. The spinmeisters who air attack commercials of this sort are like piranhas—they’re agnostic about whom they rip to shreds. If they can get away with doing this to Feingold, they can do it to anyone—and will continue to do so until someone stands up and gives a yell like Howard Beal in the classic film "Network": mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. But first, the Democrats need some backbone. That they lack one is evident because they will not even show boldness when the American people already get it. An American Research Group poll revealed last week that an astonishing 48 percent of American voters support Feingold's call for a Senate censure of President Bush and just 43 percent oppose it. Even a sizable chunk of Republicans (nearly one-third) favor censure while nearly a fifth of GOP supporters back impeachment. It is no small thing that it took William Kristol, the conservative pundit and editor of The Weekly Standard , to intone (on Fox News Sunday, no less) that Feingold “is smarter than the Democratic congressional leadership” and “deserves credit for taking a principled stand.” Kristol, who presumably isn’t signing up for the Feingold-for-president campaign, nevertheless declared that the senator “is making his case coherently. He’s an impressive politician.” Meanwhile, from the liberal side of the aisle, it is the apoplectic blogosphere that must yell and scream before even the most modest of official resistance bestirs. Now, elected Democrats, standing up for your principles is not that hard once you get used to it. It’s just been so very long for you that you’re out of practice. Investigative reporter and essayist Russ Baker is a longtime contributor to TomPaine.com. He is also the founder of the Real News Project, a new not-for-profit investigative journalism outlet. He can be reached at russ@russbaker.com. Source: www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/03/24/ganging_up_on_feingold.php
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DT1
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Post by DT1 on Mar 31, 2006 11:42:28 GMT 4
Impeachment of President George W. Bush and his cabinet is unavoidable because the U.S. Constitution provides for impeachment of the President, Vice President and other civil officials guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors.
Impeachment is unavoidable because the President and his cabinet are violating the Constitution, federal and international law. Felonies committed include fraud against the United States, making false statements to Congress, violating the War Powers Resolution, misuse of government funds, the use of torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of prisoners in U.S. custody, violating federal laws regarding retaliation against whistleblowers and other individuals, leaking and misuse of intelligence and, in express violation of the 4th Amendment and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), illegally spying on the American people.
Other crimes committed by President Bush and his administration include dereliction of duty before, during and after 9/11, dereliction of duty before, during and after Hurricane Katrina, setting up secret prisons around the world, holding and confining U.S. citizens indefinitely and without due process, access to the courts or the right to see a lawyer, secret arrests, secret transport of prisoners to countries that practice torture, and redefining torture as only when pain equivalent to "major organ failure" occurs. Last but not least, President Bush and his administration declared war on Iraq under false pretenses, knowing all along that Iraq had no WMD, had no ties with bin Laden/al Qaeda, and had noting to do with 9/11.
In violation of Constitutional, federal and international law, beginning on 3/15/2003, President Bush and his administration bombed Iraq's over 26 million population, nearly half of whom are children, in a military exercise called "Shock and Awe" that included the "saturation bombing of key urban centers." (Comparable U.S. sites would be cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco). To date, over 2,323 U.S. troops and over 33,773 Iraqis have been killed in the immoral, illegal and unconstitutional Bush war on Iraq.
Impeachment is unavoidable because felony crimes have been and are being committed in violation of federal, international and Constitutional law. Moreover, not even the Republican majority in the House can halt impeachment because when felony crime occurs, to block or impede investigation and prosecution is to be accessory to the crime. Elizabeth Colón Santa Barbara, CA
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michelle
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Post by michelle on Apr 1, 2006 0:12:33 GMT 4
From: Center for Constitutional RightsGood News on Impeachment Progress! C-SPAN & Washington PostDear Friend, I have great news. Thanks to your help, we are making progress on holding President Bush accountable and advancing an impeachment inquiry. The Washington Post just ran a front-page story about impeaching President Bush, quoting two attorneys from the Center for Constitutional Rights. Click here to read this important story. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/24/AR2006032402248_pf.htmlThat’s not all. This Sunday, C-SPAN 2 is broadcasting a panel discussion on the CCR impeachment book that we recently convened. You can see me and several other CCR attorneys outlining the case for impeachment this Sunday, April 2 at 4pm (Eastern Time) on the BookTV segment of CSPAN 2.Please consider taking a moment to spread the word about this important movement to hold the President accountable and protect our democracy. Forward this email so others can see the Washington Post story and consider watching our event on Sunday at 4pm. Of course, today the Senate Judiciary Committee is also considering a resolution to censure President Bush for illegal domestic spying. This is a start, but a censure resolution will not: Remove a single wiretap from Americans' phones; end the Iraq War; halt U.S. government torture or stop the President’s other violations of the constitutional principle of the separation of powers. Impeachment will ensure thorough investigation, real accountability and the restoration of our Constitution. Please take a moment now to forward this email to spread the word. You can also click here to make sure your representative supports the resolution to investigate impeachment. www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ccr/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2702Thank you for taking the time to act today , and I hope you will watch our impeachment event this Sunday at 4pm (EST) on C-SPAN 2. Sincerely, William Goodman Legal Director, Center for Constitutional Rights P.S. Please spread the word and forward this article to friends:
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michelle
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Post by michelle on Apr 2, 2006 19:26:53 GMT 4
Senator Feingold's Opening Statement (Video) From Censure Hearingwww.bradblog.com/archives/00002631.htmResolution To Censure Bush Call And Congratulate Senator Russ Feingold His Washington D.C. Office: 202.224.5323[/b] feingold.senate.govTestimony Of John Dean On Censure tinyurl.com/z28aeJohn Dean Blasts Warrantless Eavesdropping Watergate Figure John Dean Tells Senate Panel Warrantless Eavesdropping Exceeds Nixon Wrongdoingby Laurie Kellman www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1790919Impeachment Talk Becomes More Than Whisper GOP Seizes On Issue To Energize Voter Base; Democrats Nervous As Activists Push Aheadby Jack Torry tinyurl.com/rmbf9RNC Releases New Web Ad Titled, 'Censure? Impeachment?'3/31/2006 12:18:00 PM WASHINGTON, March 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Republican National Committee today unveiled a new web ad titled "Censure? Impeachment?" The web ad features Democrat attacks on the Terrorist Surveillance Program. "Censure? Impeachment?" will also be e-mailed to Republican grassroots supporters and is available for viewing now at www.GOP.com. This Sunday, C-SPAN 2 is broadcasting a panel discussion on the CCR impeachment book that we recently convened. You can see CCR attorneys outlining the case for impeachment this Sunday, April 2 at 4pm (Eastern Time) on the BookTV segment of CSPAN 2.
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DT1
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Post by DT1 on Apr 5, 2006 20:54:30 GMT 4
Impeachment Does NOT Mean Cheney Will be President Impeachment will write this nightmare into history. by Lucille Moyer www.opednews.comThat anyone would even begin to think that Cheney would come out of the impeachment process uncharged and unscathed is mistaken, sorely mistaken. That one would think to impeach Bush without Cheney, and Rumsfeld and the others, is short-sighted... maybe blind. We'd get Hastert as president, but we're waiting at the door for him, too, to impeach him for his taking bribes. Even if Hastert were to become president, no Republican would be Speaker of the House because they have all lost their credibility and it's looking good for a Democratic majority. After 2006 elections (praying for the removal of electronic voting machines) the mean and corrupt Republicans will be where they always deserve to be, without a stolen vote, in the minority. Activists I know are completely unaware of what is developing in the real 'conservative' and religious communities, where even evangelical Christians are actively rebuking this administration and congress for their un-Christian policies and activities. A couple hundred Sojourners led by Rev. Jim Wallis (www.sojo.com) were arrested on the steps of the capitol protesting an immoral U.S. budget. It amazes me that activists can recite the crimes chapter and verse, but can't bring themselves to say the word 'impeachment.' They don't seem to be able to trust the truth, or their fellow Americans, once they see the truth clearly. The left, progressive activist movement is hobbled by its own ignorance and myopic view of the impeachment process. They don't trust anyone in office, so they don't trust the impeachment process to expose the truth and hold the perps accountable (not without good cause, I admit). But they don't seem to understand what the process will do: raise the public consciousness and write the crimes into history. Sometimes not accurately, but if it is not written, it didn't happen! Sometimes I think that many on the left, the Dems for sure and many activists, might be just as addicted to the stimulus of constant conflict as those in perpetual war zones. They seem unwilling to relinquish their 'identity' as activists if things were to get better. What would they do with themselves? But they miss the point... they'd have a solid place in our society participating in, maybe guiding, a new paradigm shift in consciousness. The world hates a vacuum. What activists need to do is not only point out and rebuke these criminals and their lies and destruction, but demand impeachment and prosecution. At the same time we must begin to create that which we do want in our government and society, so those systems and organizations will be ready to fill the vacuum when this house of cards collapses, which will most certainly be very, very soon...the American People willing! Personally, I'm suffering from Outrage Fatigue. I want this nightmare to end. I want the killing to stop. I want a break from this constant stress and feelings of shame. I'm willing to speak the truth as long and loud as it takes, and to go through whatever we in America must go through to get rid of Bush and Cheney and their ilk. We must not shirk from speaking the truth all the time and demanding impeachment, whether we think it will happen soon or not. Americans CAN handle the truth... because we already know the truth! Besides, impeachment says, "WE'RE SORRY!" Mod's note:Momentum to topple this currupt gang of traitors is building... Aulthough you would never know it watching the network(matrix?)news, the White House is being protested daily.[/color]If you don't belive it,go to yellowcakewalk.net and look for yourself.
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
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Post by michelle on Apr 17, 2006 13:48:44 GMT 4
Press Release As Bush Crimes Mount, Why are Democrats Retreating?GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATESwww.GP.orgFriday, April 14, 2006 Contacts: Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@greens.org Greens accuse Democratic Party leaders of ignoring new revelations of Bush high crimes and misdemeanors, citing Dems refusal to pursue impeachmentWhite House obstructed a grand jury investigation if it withheld evidence about Bush's leak authorization in Plame case, say Greens. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party candidates and leaders faulted Democrats for refusing to hold President Bush and his administration accountable for a mounting list of high crimes and misdemeanors. "Hardly a month goes by without major new evidence that the Bush White House has lied to the American people," said Byron DeLear, Green candidate for Congress in California's 28th District www.delearforcongress.org. "Democratic leaders and moderate Republicans in Congress have hardly mustered a peep of collective protest. Rep. John Conyers [D-MIich.] has introduced a House resolution calling for investigation and possible impeachment; Sen. Russell Feingold [D-Wisc.] has prepared a motion for censure. But their fellow Democrats have declined to join them."The Green Party of the United States called for impeachment of President Bush initially in July 2003, citing widespread and deliberate deception in making the case for invasion of Iraq, as well as numerous violations of the U.S. Constitution and international law to which the U.S. is signatory www.gp.org/press/pr_07_21_03.html. As further evidence of White House deceit and crimes have surfaced, Greens have reiterated the demand for impeachment. See www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_06_09.shtml and www.gp.org/press/pr_2006_01_03.shtml Among recent revelationsLewis 'Scooter' Libby's April 6 testimony that President Bush himself authorized the leak disclosing Valerie Plame's CIA employment indicates that Mr. Bush knowingly withheld material evidence from the grand jury investigation of reporter Judith Miller. The White House has not denied Mr. Libby's allegation; the obstruction of evidence -- a possible felony -- was clearly motivated by politics rather than national security. In 2003, President Bush continued to allege that two trailers captured in Iraq were mobile biological weapons laboratories, even after Defense Intelligence Agency had informed the White House that the facilities had nothing to do with biological weapons. (Reuters, April 12, 2006, www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0412-04.htm According to a confidential memo from Prime Minister Tony Blair's office revealed in The New York Times on March 27, 2006 www.nytimes.com/..., President Bush told Mr. Blair that he was determined to invade Iraq without a second U.N. resolution and regardless of whether arms inspectors failed to find Saddam Hussein's purported WMDs. The report confirms evidence in the Downing Street memo www.afterdowningstreet.org that Mr. Bush was set on an invasion and that intelligence and information fed to the public were "fixed", i.e., manipulated to support his intentions. Greens note that these revelations are consistent with President Bush's assertion that he had the right to order the National Security Agency to engage in surveillance against U.S. citizens without a warrant in accord with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the Fourth Amendment. "These new crimes are hardly surprising to those of us who recognized the fraud behind the war from the very beginning and the vote obstruction in the 2004 national election," said Michael Berg, who is seeking the Green nomination for Delaware's lone seat in the House of Representatives www.bergforcongress.us. "As the mountain of evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors has grown, so has the cowardice of the Democratic Party leadership." "It is criminal that the Democratic elected officials allowed this country to invade Iraq, and it is criminal that they continue to support an illegal war," added Aaron Dixon, Green candidate for the U.S. Senate in Washington www.aarondixon.org MORE INFORMATIONGreen Party of the United States www.gp.org 1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404 Washington, DC 20009. 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN Fax 202-319-7193 Green Party responses to the 2006 State of the Union, including a call for impeachment www.gp.org/video/2006stateofunion/ "The Case for Impeachment: Why we can no longer afford George W. Bush" By Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's Magazine, March 2006 www.harpers.org/TheCaseForImpeachment.html (excerpt) "Gangster Government: A leaky President runsafoul of 'Little Rico'" By Greg Palast, Buzzflash, April 9, 2006 www.gregpalast.com/detail.cfm?artid=490&row=0
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DT1
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Post by DT1 on Apr 23, 2006 11:29:01 GMT 4
Neil Young: 'Let's Impeach the President' Rocker records protest album, 'Living with War' Tuesday, April 18, 2006; Posted: 8:42 a.m. EDT (12:42 GMT) LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Veteran rocker Neil Young has recorded a protest album featuring an anti-Iraq war track with "a holy vow to never kill again" and a song titled "Let's Impeach the President," the singer said on Monday. The 10-track set, called "Living with War," was recorded this month by a "power trio" -- electric guitar, bass and drums -- plus trumpet and a 100-member choir, the 60-year-old Canadian-born musician announced on his Web site. (Watch how many angry artists are putting their melody where their mouth is -- 4:09) Young's longtime manager, Elliot Roberts, told Reuters the album, which has been the subject of Internet buzz for several days, will be played for executives at his label, Warner Music Group's Reprise Records, on Tuesday. Reprise spokesman Bill Bentley said Young's latest effort, which he spent about three days recording, came as a surprise. "We didn't know he was making a record," Bentley said. Young is the latest in a string of recording stars to take musical aim at U.S. President George W. Bush and his conduct of the war in the Iraq. Others have included Steve Earle, Willie Nelson and the Rolling Stones. In a message crawl along the bottom of his Web site, www.neilyoung.com, Young drew parallels to two of the leading protest singers of the 1960s, saying of his new record: "I think it is a metal version of Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan ... metal folk protest?" www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/18/leisure.young.reut/index.html
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michelle
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Post by michelle on Apr 28, 2006 4:04:38 GMT 4
Taking the President to Court by Congressman John Conyers Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 12:46:24 PM PDT As some of you may be aware, according to the President and Congressional Republicans, a bill does not have to pass both the Senate and the House to become a law. Forget your sixth grade civics lesson, forget the book they give you when you visit Congress - "How Our Laws Are Made," and forget Schoolhouse Rock. These are checks and balances, Republican-style. As the Washington Post reported last month, as the Republican budget bill struggled to make its way through Congress at the end of last year and beginning of this year (the bill cuts critical programs such as student loans and Medicaid funding), the House and Senate passed different versions of it. House Republicans did not want to make Republicans in marginal districts vote on the bill again, so they simply certified that the Senate bill was the same as the House bill and sent it to the President. The President, despite warnings that the bill did not represent the consensus of the House and Senate, simply shrugged and signed the bill anyway. Now, the Administration is implementing it as though it was the law of the land. Congressman John Conyers's diary :: :: Several public interest groups have sought to stop some parts of the bill from being implemented, under the theory that the bill is unconstitutional. However, getting into the weeds a bit, they have lacked the ability to stop the entire bill. To seek this recourse, the person bringing the suit must have what is called "standing," that is they must show they were injured or deprived of some right. Because the budget bill covers so many areas of the law, it is difficult for one person to show they were harmed by the entire bill. Thus, many of these groups have only sought to stop part of it. After consulting with some of the foremost constitutional experts in the nation, I determined that one group of people are injured by the entire bill: Members of the House. We were deprived of our right to vote on a bill that is now being treated as the law of the land. So, I am going to court. With many of my Democratic Colleagues (list appended at the bottom of this diary), I plan to file suit tomorrow in federal district court in Detroit against the President, members of the Cabinet and other federal officers seeking to have a simple truth confirmed: a bill not passed by the House and Senate is not a law, even if the President signs it. As such, the Budget bill cannot be treated as the law of the land.As many of you know, I have become increasingly alarmed at the erosion of our constitutional form of government. Whether through the Patriot Act, the President's Secret Domestic Spying program, or election irregularities and disenfranchisement, our fundamental freedoms are being taken away. Nothing to me is more stark than this, however. If a President does not need one House of Congress to pass a law, what's next? The following is a list of co-plaintiffs on this lawsuit. I would note that I did not invite every Member of the House to join in the suit, and I am certain many, many more Members would have joined if asked. However, this was not possible for various arcane legal reasons. The other plaintiffs include Rep. John Dingell, Ranking Member on the Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Charles B. Rangel, Ranking Member on the Ways and Means Committee; Rep. George Miller, Ranking Member on the Education and Workforce Committee; Rep. James L. Oberstar, Ranking Member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; Rep. Barney Frank, Ranking Member on the Financial Services Committee; Rep. Collin C. Peterson, Ranking Member on the Agriculture Committee; Rep. Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Committee; Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, Ranking Member on the Rules Committee; Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark, Ranking Member on the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee; Rep. Sherrod Brown, Representing Ohio's 13th District. Tags: George W. Bush, budget, constitution, Recommended (all tags) Source: www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/4/27/154625/574
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