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Letters
Nov 23, 2005 22:39:53 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Nov 23, 2005 22:39:53 GMT -5
Bush: Kill the Messenger www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1648988,00.html "The public has a right to know whether politicians would seriously consider killing journalists in order to stifle independent or critical voices. In this particular case the family, friends and colleagues of the victim also have a right to justice." White House spokesman Scott McClellan said: "We are not interested in dignifying something so outlandish and inconceivable with a response." The White House said almost the exact same thing about Karl Rove and Scooter Libby in their roles as leakers too. The White House is simply not to be believed about anything. The fact the White House went after the Wilsons also speak volumes when placed in this context. This administration threatens a free press. Would you be next if you disagreed with Bush or his policy? It's a good question, because the press has not been forthcoming with the truth about this administration. Background and comments on this story: www.boomantribune.com/story/2005/11/23/19120/600 Thank you,
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Letters
Nov 27, 2005 0:54:15 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Nov 27, 2005 0:54:15 GMT -5
Kill The Messenger www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1892464,00.html THE Middle Eastern news network Al-Jazeera was accused by Donald Rumsfeld, the American defense secretary, of broadcasting “vicious, inaccurate and inexcusable” reports about the war in Iraq the day before President George W Bush met Tony Blair at the White House and apparently suggested bombing the station’s headquarters. Rumsfeld denounced the satellite television station at a Pentagon briefing on April 15, 2004 after Al-Jazeera had reported that America’s assault on the insurgent stronghold of Falluja was terrorising civilians. “They are simply lying,” Rumsfeld said. To be frank and honest... I can pretty much tell who is honest and who is not at this point in the Iraq war. The White House lies routinely, and Al-Jazeera tells the truth routinely. Hence the White House would want to attack and destroy Al-Jazeera by any means at their disposal. They would do the same to any media source that opposed them I suppose. Including yours. Yet submitting to such a regime does great harm to the citizens of the United States, because by submitting to such people as those who currently occupy the White House, the media spreads lies and propaganda.
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Letters
Nov 29, 2005 10:15:22 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Nov 29, 2005 10:15:22 GMT -5
Who is terrorizing whom? As I look deeper into the national issue of "terrorism" I have been able to identify some issues and trends that I find rather disturbing. "Terrorists" and "terrorism" are being used by the US government in a coordinated program of jingoism and propaganda. This jingoism and propaganda is being used to scare American citizens, erode their rights to privacy, and intimidate people into accepting losses to their civil rights. This comes in addition to practices such as labeling citizens "enemy combatants" for the purpose of stripping their habeas corpus rights, and the use of torture, secret prisons, and military attacks on foreign soil. In particular I noted comments made by Sec. of State (mushroom cloud) Rice in a recent press appearance where she said: "You can't allow somebody to commit the crime before you detain them, because if they commit the crime, thousands of innocent people die," she told the USA Today daily." news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051129/pl_afp/usattacksiraqrice_051129083651 This is a gross exaggeration. Yes the US was attacked on 9/11, however the success of that attack was largely due to intelligence and security failures by the same administration that never seems to be able to accurately or effectively manage intelligence or security. The solution is not to fear monger American citizens, it's to get a new administration which can accurately and effectively deal with important intelligence and security issues; the current adminstration has a proven track record of completely failing on both. "How to deal with groups of people, individuals, that respect no law, that wear no uniform, that follow no regulations." This is easy. These "terrorists" are much more accurately described and dealt with by specialized police units and special prosecutors as an organized crime issue. They are criminals plain and simple. They have only become "terrorists" due to a lack of effective government, a government which has consistently failed in its job of handling foreign relations and organized crime issues. It's not a military problem, use of the military will just make this worse. It is a foreign relations problem, it is an organized crime problem; it should not be used to fear monger American citizens or strip them of their privacy and civil rights. Thank you,
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Letters
Nov 30, 2005 9:34:26 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Nov 30, 2005 9:34:26 GMT -5
Who Is The Enemy? news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051130/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iraq Bush: "While our military presence may become less visible, it will remain lethal and decisive, able to confront the enemy wherever it may organize." This is completely unacceptable. Who is this "enemy" that Bush keeps referring to? I thought the Iraqi people were our _FRIENDS_. Why are we bombing them? Why are we shooting at them? If they don't like us, why don't we just leave??? This is an insane war being run by a man who cannot be trusted. We are hearing about torture chambers, death squads... Being run by a Bush supported government. Conditions that appear to be identical as those under Saddam. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO STOP AN INSANE WAR POLICY!!!!!!!
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Post by Fusioner on Dec 1, 2005 0:22:47 GMT -5
Propaganda in America U.S. Is Said to Pay to Plant Articles in Iraq Papers www.nytimes.com/2005/12/01/politics/01propaganda.html billmon.org/archives/002347.html If you go back and read my original post, you'll see my interest in Lincoln Group was less because of its propaganda and disinformation work in Iraq, and more because of a few intriguing hints of possible involvement in similar work here in the domestic battle space -- where it's generally conducted under the brand name Grand Old Party. Granted, there's nothing specific in the LA Times article to feed such suspicions (the company's Republican Party ties aren't even mentioned) but given the amount of money involved, and what we've learned about the Cunningham-MZM ring, the Abramoff-Scanlon rackets, etc., I would strongly urge the Times to dig deeper -- even though I can't afford to pay them for it." I too have been shouting as loudly as I possibly can about propaganda in the main stream media. It must be identified and stopped for safety and health of our democracy. The effects of propaganda and jingoism is insidious and very, very dangerous to our national security. I know it is taking place. Please help stop GOP propaganda and jingoism. Thank you
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Letters
Dec 1, 2005 19:07:46 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Dec 1, 2005 19:07:46 GMT -5
The White House AssaultAmerica’s leadership is waging a war against the journalistic standards and practices that underpin not only a free press but our democracy. The Fourth Estate is withering under an unprecedented White House assault designed to intimidate, smear and discredit investigative journalism — and allow the president and his political cronies to lie with impunity. If left unchecked, this and future administrations will continue to: - manipulate the media "message" by producing propaganda, putting journalists on the government payroll and tightly scripting all public events;
- dismiss all dissenting views in the media as biased and politically motivated;
- undermine public trust in journalism using the right-wing “echo chamber” to sow hostility toward reporters who challenge the official line; and
- eliminate access to information making it nearly impossible for journalists to investigate vast swathes of the federal government.
www.freepress.net/presswar/
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Post by Fusioner on Dec 2, 2005 4:34:36 GMT -5
The Truth on the Ground in Iraq news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051202/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq Fewer Suicide Bombings in Iraq in November BAGHDAD, Iraq - Suicide bombings fell in November to their lowest level in seven months, the American military said Thursday, citing the success of U.S.-Iraqi military operations against insurgent and foreign fighter sanctuaries near the Syrian border. Sounds like good news doesn't it? The Republican propaganda machine would use a headline like this to state their tactics and strategy in Iraq are finally paying off, their plan is working, yada, yada, yada.. In reality what you are seeing is an adjustment of tactics and strategy on behalf of the Iraqis in order to better take the fight to the US occupying army. I doubt seriously that even the US Military on the ground will publicly admit that a reduction in attention getting suicide bombings means big trouble for our troops. There has been no change (unless you count a substantial increase) in the number of Iraqi citizens willing to die to see their country freed of an occupying army. However, the managers of the war on the Iraqi side have begun to feel local political pressure at blowing up innocent civilians. Suicide bombings are now becoming a thing of the past, though we will still see them; what you will see more of in the future are small squad attacks against congregations and convoys of American troops. Instead of sending suicide car bombs into groups of Iraqi civilians (which hurts their recruiting efforts) those same people willing to die in this war will organize suicide attacks, probably in small squad units, against our soldiers there. These people we are fighting against... People who were previously non-violent and whom Bush has now made into our "enemy" are beginning to settle into place for a long, drawn out, semi-organized urban guerrilla war against US troops and positions... Interspersed with an occasional suicide bomb attack to be sure... But this story does not indicate any sign of success in Iraq, on the contrary, it shows every sign of a change in tactics, a change which will be more focused, and lethal upon, US soldiers. Now... If our government were not feeding you propaganda... You would be hearing this from the Military on the ground in Iraq. Instead you are hearing it from a civilian analyst sitting at a desk in the middle of the midwest. Wait and see who is more accurate. You can watch the body count, it will prove my point.
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Post by Fusioner on Dec 2, 2005 7:18:19 GMT -5
fusioner.proboards60.com/ ...read=1131129004 ^^^ Media Resources ^^^ SEND LETTERS!!!___LETTER___ Judgment at Nuremberg Part IIIwww.huffingtonpost.com/larry-beinhart/judgment-at-nuremberg-par_b_11559.htmlThis article is too long to paste into an email. Besides, I have respect for authors, it should be read where he posted it, not copied out for general distribution. I highly encourage/advise that a senior editor read this piece, it's about the same length as your typical newspaper editorial... Maybe 10 minutes reading time. You should also read the comments, they were made by AMERICANS. I will excerpt the closing paragraph: "If civilians are killed in the course of a legitimate military operation, it is regrettable, but an unfortunate necessity. But if it is not a war of self-defense, if it is a war of aggression, then those deaths are among the multitude of evils that make aggressive war “the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole.” **** The link in that email, which I sent to EVERYONE I COULD THINK OF... Is an absolute MUST READ!!!!
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Letters
Dec 2, 2005 16:30:19 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Dec 2, 2005 16:30:19 GMT -5
www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-12-01-letters-iraq-war_x.htmThis article is blatent propaganda by your paper. 1) Congress, including many Democrats who now accuse the president of lying, voted to go to war with Iraq. Congress authorized the use of force as a last resort in the event inspections failed. They did not vote to declare war. 2) Saddam Hussein ignored United Nations resolutions to disarm. Saddam Hussein caved in, unimpeded inspections were taking place. When inspectors complained about lack of access, that access was authorized. Saddam was cooperating with inspections after the last UN Security Council declaration. 3) Regarding weapons of mass destruction, President Bush was relying on a lot of the same intelligence as Congress, previous presidents and foreign leaders. He didn't lie or fuzz up intelligence to meet his ends, as some argue. When has the President _ever_ told the truth about the War in Iraq? Of course he lied, they deliberately sold bad intelligence: Niger Uranium, Curveball... These stories have been investigated and have been found to be patently FALSE. Is the President manipulative, or is he a moron? I think it's both. 4) There is much at stake here, including the lives of millions of Iraqis who have stood up in the face of death and voted for democracy. These are the people we are now dropping bombs on, destroying their towns and villages. 80% of them want the US out of their country. You are advocating a war of agression. A war crime, not a political position. www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-beinhart/judgment-at-nuremberg-par_b_11559.htmlMost sincerely,
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Letters
Dec 3, 2005 10:17:33 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Dec 3, 2005 10:17:33 GMT -5
Ideological Litmus Tests???www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/13314542.htmState Department using ideological litmus tests to screen speakers By Warren P. Strobel and Jonathan S. LandayKnight Ridder Newspapers WASHINGTON - The State Department has been using political litmus tests to screen private American citizens before they can be sent overseas to represent the United States, weeding out critics of the Bush administration's Iraq policy, according to department officials and internal e-mails. This is yet another example of how the White House is controlling ideology. Where dissenting opinions are suppressed and discriminated against... In this instance people who oppose violence are denied a job opportunity. Is this how we raise our children in the United States? The schoolyard bully gets the last word? It is better to be violent, bomb and shoot people, than it is to promote peace or diplomacy? If you are Republican, the answer is clearly yes. The bottom line on this issue is not about politics, it's about violence, preemptive killing, and crimes against humanity. Thank you,
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Letters
Dec 17, 2005 16:15:21 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Dec 17, 2005 16:15:21 GMT -5
The World is Flat I have serious issues with our Presidency. Our media is supposed to be looking out for the welfare of our citizens in the United States of America, not the welfare of their inside sources and friends in the corrupted GOP. The world is in fact round. However, in order to provide artificial "balance" in the political coverage, the media appears to be bringing "flat earth" proponents to the table for the purpose of producing some kind of disingenuous balance. The result of artificially "balancing" political coverage has led to the spreading, and acceptance, of GOP propaganda. It is prevalent throughout our TV and print media outlets. George W. Bush has stated he'd prefer to be a dictator at least three times. It's not a "joke" - Our President is spying on Americans. Our President has taken us into a war based on falsified and easily disproved intelligence; regardless of the outcome, going to war under false pretenses is a crime. Our White House is under criminal investigation for exposing a CIA agent for political vengeance _and_ for lying to Congress for the purpose of engaging in an illegal war of aggression. The world is round. Our President acts more fascist, than democratic. This is not a joke, our very democracy, the balance of power allocated under the Constitution of the United States of America has been grossly violated. These are _ALL_ impeachable offenses. Yet our media still balances their coverage with "oh well the earth is really flat". Perhaps our media should go back to political school and re-learn the basic characteristics of a criminal ideology called fascism, errr flatism - It seems to apply to our country.
* * *
"You don't get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier." Describing what it's like to be governor of Texas. (Governing Magazine 7/98)
-- From Paul Begala's "Is Our Children Learning?"
"I told all four that there are going to be some times where we don't agree with each other, but that's OK. If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator," Bush joked.
-- CNN.com, December 18, 2000
"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it, " [Bush] said.
-- Business Week, July 30, 2001
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Letters
Dec 17, 2005 16:52:17 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Dec 17, 2005 16:52:17 GMT -5
RE: Robert D. Lenhard Get _YOUR_ news at FireDogLake. You will find the truth there. I can tell you that you will not find the truth at the Washington Post. The Washington Post is surely aware of the facts, they just don't print them. firedoglake.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_firedoglake_archive.html#113485007313391863 And in an uncharacteristic moment of cheerful bipartisanship, Bush is also appointing a Democrat, Robert D. Lenhard, who was quite helpful to the 1600 Crew as part of the legal team that challenged the constitutionality of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law. But there is perhaps another reason why Mr. Lenhard is being rewarded by BushCo. at just this moment. He's the husband of Viveca Novak, whose testimony now provides the foundation for Karl Rove's defense in the CIA leak case. A small but rather key fact that both the Washington Post and the White House Press Release manages to leave out, wouldn't you say? They WaPo is having quite a stint in the GOP stenography department this week, it would seem.
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Letters
Dec 17, 2005 19:46:14 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Dec 17, 2005 19:46:14 GMT -5
The President's shocking admission that he authorized the National Security Agency to spy on American citizens, without going to a court and in violation of the Constitution and laws passed by Congress, further demonstrates the urgent need for these protections. The President believes that he has the power to override the laws that Congress has passed. This is not how our democratic system of government works. The President does not get to pick and choose which laws he wants to follow. He is a president, not a king.
“On behalf of all Americans who believe in our constitutional system of government, I call on this Administration to stop this program immediately and to fully cooperate with congressional inquiries and investigations. We have had enough of an Administration that puts itself above the law and the Constitution.”
Sen. Feingold
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Letters
Dec 18, 2005 2:51:03 GMT -5
Post by Fusioner on Dec 18, 2005 2:51:03 GMT -5
What is Fascism? Do _YOU_ support it???
Should fascism be given "equal time" in America's media?
Are you an American, or do you support fascism?
Do you know what fascism is?
***
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of “need.” The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.
Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes the media are directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media are indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses. Fascists spy on the civilian populace.
Religion and Government are Intertwined
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
Corporate Power is Protected
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
Labor Power is Suppressed
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.
Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
I smell more than a whiff of fascism in America. It smells really bad. How long will you, and your employer, support a fascist program for America? Will you educate people who have forgotten what fascism is? Or will you tell America to "Do as you're told, take what we give you" and support the GOP agenda?
It's a serious question, of grave historical significance.
There are no more moderates, no more democrats, no more liberals: the choice is clear. It's fascism, or America.
What does your employer represent?
That's my message to the media. What's yours?
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rp
New Member
Posts: 2
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Letters
Dec 18, 2005 12:32:34 GMT -5
Post by rp on Dec 18, 2005 12:32:34 GMT -5
In my opinion, Congress has to at least censure President Bush for his illegal authorization of the NSA to conduct domestic wiretapping, if not impeach him. I much favor the latter. This authorization is in direct violation of the law preventing just such abuse of power without judicial oversight. If they fail to act, Congress should permanently adjourn itself and go home. They will be without meaning. The whole system of checks and balances and the Constitution itself is just another "quaint", meaningless piece of paper to this junta.
Now more than ever, we need to take back this country from these fools.
Rise up patriot and demand a return to law without which we are no better than street thugs.
RP
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