Here's the line up for Laura Flanders' show this weekend:
The Laura Flanders Show
Saturdays and Sundays 7pm-10pm ET
Saturday: Is Cindy Sheehan the catalyst of crisis for the Bush presidency? Pat Buchanan thinks so. What about you? Lisa Gill, from Military Families Speak Out; Gold Star mom Georgia Schilz; and roving reporter, Rose Aguilar, who is touring the reddest parts of the USA - all chime in. Then a how-to on keeping Counter Culture alive, with Phil Hartman, organizer of this year's "Howl Festival" in New York City and standup storyteller Jonathan Ames.
Sunday: This was said to be a historic week in Israel and Iraq, with a Gaza withdrawl and an almost-ready constitution. But was it? What's really changed? Richard Harvey on the London subway shooting coverup. Then Kathy Kelly, from Voices in the Wilderness, on being prosecuted for aiding ordinary Iraqis while US oil companies broke the UN sanctions to sell Iraqi oil. Then, psychologist Dr. Robert Jay Lifton on uprooting superpower violence.
The show's a favorite among community members and if you haven't listened yet, tune in to find out why.
Remember, you can listen over broadcast radio (if there's an AAR in your area), via XM Satellite Radio or listen online.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Checking in with the other community sites
I meant to note this earlier this week but if you've missed Mike's "Camilo Mejia and an interview with Dona of The Third Estate Sunday Review" (Mikey Likes It!), Mike's excerpting an article by Mejia and interviewing Dona. Here's an excerpt from the interview with Dona where she and Mike are discussing how last Sunday's edition of The Third Estate Sunday Review almost was a "best of" of past articles:
But when people were saying that the "best of" would be last Sunday, you ended up voting no on that.
Dona: Well, two Sundays ago, we had the problem with getting things posted to the site. It wasn't fixed until Thursday evening. That's really not enough time to do an edition. But the issue of the press corp shrugging their shoulders, basically, over John H. Johnson's death was an important one. So we went from feeling that Sunday would be the "best of" edition to feeling like there was no way we could do that and be silent on something this because this is really the sort of reason we started The Third Estate Sunday Review.
What do you think of this Sunday's edition?
Dona: I told Jim you were going to ask that. Well I'm really not in favor of the push, push, rush, rush, inspiration will come school or view. I'm someone who believes that you really need to prepare ahead of time. I'm not saying my view is better and it's certainly not the only way. But I do think the editions are stronger when we've batted around ideas and actually started drafts before Saturday rolls around. I say all of that to say that despite that, I think the edition is one of our strongest ones. I believe the reason is that we were bothered by the treatment of John H. Johnson's death. That really motivated us. I think you can see it in the pieces dealing with Johnson like the essay and the parody of World News Tonight as well as in the pieces that don't address him like the editorial, the news review and the TV review Ava and C.I. did. I think, in terms of media criticism, it's the strongest edition we've done. But, having said that, I think that's the exception. I don't think strong work often results from this fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants way of putting an edition together.
Let me note Betty's latest that she finished last night "The World May Not Be Flat But Thomas Friedman Has A Bearded Butt" (Thomas Friedman Is a Great Man). No excerpt because I know I'll spoil a joke with an excerpt but with Thomas Friedman still on vacation, "Thomas Friedman" and Bettina go on vacation as well. It's not what Betty expected or hoped and, in the end, it's not what "Thomas" hoped for either.
Kat did "Community Roundup" yesterday (and does a far better job than I'm doing here) and notes that I asked her, Ruth and Isaiah to all take the week off this past week. All were taking part in the Sheehan vigils Wednesday night and assorted other things. Ruth, Isaiah and Kat are regular contributing community members. When Ruth phoned on Tuesday, she was planning to do a Friday Ruth's Morning Edition Report and, while we were talking, she was speaking about her week. It was going to be a very busy week. No one needs to knock themselves out to contribute and I asked Ruth to take the week off and followed that conversation with e-mails to Isaiah and Kat. Kat also selects highlights from the sites of various community members so check out her entry.
Elaine's done some amazing entries this week (Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude). She's also noted that Rebecca will be back from vacation after Labor Day. My personal pick for her best entry this week would be 'Marine of the Year' Faces Attempted Murder Charges" (Democracy Now!):
Apparently nothing changes. In every war, people are asked to serve and then left to fend for themselves. As with every other "plan" for this invasion/occupation, concerns were elsewhere.
The suicides at Fort Bragg didn't result in a change, the domestic abuse (and murder) only resulted in a white wash. Lariam, a routine drug, is dispensed but questions about it are swept aside. (Maureen Orth wrote about Lariam's possible effects in the December 2002 issue of Vanity Fair.) Medications, training and experiences all have effects but our government would rather live in denial.
Astronauts are "decompressed" better than the military is. Possibly that's due to the fact that, in terms of ratio, the government's dealing with far fewer astronauts than military members. But the military is expected to return to "normal" and fend for themselves with few resources.
I'll say again that I think Elaine's doing a wonderful job filling in for Rebecca and, again, that Rebecca and I have urged her to do her own site for months now.
And of course Cedric does an excellent job at Cedric's Big Mix. I have noted his "Connections" here this week but I want to note it again because I think it's important:
Before getting into anything else, I want to talk about the four guys at the retirement home that I'm now visiting twice a week. As readers know, this started because my preacher wanted us to be reaching out to people in our church. If you have a place of worship, you may notice that some people come in and they've been coming for years. My preacher was concerned that some people, due to age or handicaps, didn't get the attention that they should. He also spoke of how we had groups that knew each other and supported each other within the congregation but we needed to reach beyond those groups and support the entire congregation.
When he first addressed the issue, I was one of the few people under forty who agreed to assist. There's a group of twins, 26, that are now taking part too. But still there's not a lot of committment from the younger congregation members. I get asked questions like, "But it's weird, right, talking to those old guys?"
It's not weird at all. I've probably had better conversations and more fun talking to them than most of my conversations since I started doing this. I've also found out that one of the men isn't just sick with a cold. I'm pretty sure my preacher knew that and that might be part of why he wanted us to get out and make real efforts. When this man passes, the group will be down to three. They're already isolated because they have very little family that lives remotely near. They get on the bus each Sunday morning to attend church and the rest of the time they're pretty much at the retirement home where they at least have each other.
But I keep thinking about how we are all in groups and we get our support and feedback and acknowledgements from that set of peers. Probably thirty years ago, this group of men were part of a larger group in the congregation. Illness and age and mobility has decreased the size of their group and now it's down to four. I don't know why it is that we all carve out our places to sit, we all have the pews we've got to sit in and the nods and hellos we make a point to always do.
Some of us will get married and/or have kids and some of us won't but having kids doesn't mean you're set in old age in terms of not being left alone. One of the guys has six kids. They visit at holidays for a few hours. One son, who lives in another state, calls twice a month and his daughter writes him regularly. But I don't think that's how, when he was my age, he saw his old age - kids keeping in touch via phone and mail, living in a retirement home.
From The Third Estate Sunday Review, I'll note "World News Tonight's hard hitting reporting (a parody)" and I'll note that it's not in screenplay format. We tried to get it into proper format but when the names were centered over dialogue, for instance, they'd switch over to the left margin in publishing automatically. From the entry:
The "personalized manner" in which ABC's World News Tonight saluted Peter Jennings work Monday, combined with the naval gazing quality of turning over so much of the evening broadcast of a show entitled World News Tonight made us wonder what else we could expect from ABC in the future?
FADE IN:
INT. STUDIO -- NIGHT
Activity on the floor as people rush around. We take in various technicians that make up the crew.
Slowly we move towards the anchor desk where CHARLIE GIBSON is getting last minute make up touches and DIANE SAWYER sits with eyes closed, centering herself.
WE SEE A HAND
counting down, with fingers, from five as THEME MUSIC BLARES.
CHARLIE
Good evening. I'm Charlie Gibson and this is World News Tonight. Our top story, Diane Sawyer. How are you doing, Diane?
DIANE
Tired, but you know all about that, Charlie!
Both guffaw.
CHARLIE
Those early Good Morning America hours can try a soul! Ah, but seriously, let's go to Barbara Walters.
WE SEE BARBARA WALTERS
on a monitor in a pre-recorded interview.
BARBARA
Diane was someone you knew to watch. I remember when she was at other networks. I'd watch. You knew to watch. You'd see her and think, "That girl, that's someone to watch." I remember saying that to Sam Donaldson once.
WE SEE SAM DONALDSON
on a monitor in a pre-recorded interview.
SAM
Barbara Walters always likes to tell the story that she told me Diane Sawyer was someone to watch. Well there are two sides to every story and here's mine: I am the one who noticed Diane Sawyer. I told Barbara, "That's someone to watch."
At the anchor desk, Charlie, with a serious expression, shuffles papers.
CHARLIE
Diane's had an illusturous career here at ABC. She's interviewed everyone from Michael Jackson to Daniel Ortega. Over the years, she's delivered many memorable moments. But viewers haven't seen all of them.
WE SEE FOOTAGE OF DIANE SAWYER
on the monitor. Diane is at the Michael Jackson Neverland Ranch. Diane teases Bubbles the chimp with a banana. Diane grins at the camera. Bubbles grabs the banana. Diane gasps and bursts into laughter.
At the anchor desk, Diane smiles warmly towards the camera.
DIANE
I've always believed that as a journalist, the most important thing I can do is tell a story. You've got two and half minutes, in some cases, to convey a complex story and viewers depend upon you to bring the news that's important to them . . . to them. I'm very proud of the work I did in Afghanistan.
WE SEE DIANE SAWYER WALKING DOWN A STREET IN A BURKA
as we track her, she turns to the camera, lifts up the bottom hem of her burka and reveals she is wearing go-go boots. Dropping the hem, Diane bursts out laughing and slaps her knee with her right hand.
At the anchor desk, Diane smiles to Charlie.
CHARLIE
After the commerical, we'll be back with an equally hard hitting look at John Stossel. This is World News Tonight.
Diane nods seriously.
DIANE
John Stossel, grim faced, dour reporter or network cut-up?
ON THE MONITOR WE SEE JOHN STOSSEL LOOKING
nervously around. Then we see he's holding a whoopi cushion and standing by a desk.
The name plate on the desk reads "Hugh Downs."Still looking around, John pulls out the chair behind the desk, places the whoopi cushion in the chair, pushes the chair back up to the desk and, giggling, runs out of the office.
FADE OUT
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
But when people were saying that the "best of" would be last Sunday, you ended up voting no on that.
Dona: Well, two Sundays ago, we had the problem with getting things posted to the site. It wasn't fixed until Thursday evening. That's really not enough time to do an edition. But the issue of the press corp shrugging their shoulders, basically, over John H. Johnson's death was an important one. So we went from feeling that Sunday would be the "best of" edition to feeling like there was no way we could do that and be silent on something this because this is really the sort of reason we started The Third Estate Sunday Review.
What do you think of this Sunday's edition?
Dona: I told Jim you were going to ask that. Well I'm really not in favor of the push, push, rush, rush, inspiration will come school or view. I'm someone who believes that you really need to prepare ahead of time. I'm not saying my view is better and it's certainly not the only way. But I do think the editions are stronger when we've batted around ideas and actually started drafts before Saturday rolls around. I say all of that to say that despite that, I think the edition is one of our strongest ones. I believe the reason is that we were bothered by the treatment of John H. Johnson's death. That really motivated us. I think you can see it in the pieces dealing with Johnson like the essay and the parody of World News Tonight as well as in the pieces that don't address him like the editorial, the news review and the TV review Ava and C.I. did. I think, in terms of media criticism, it's the strongest edition we've done. But, having said that, I think that's the exception. I don't think strong work often results from this fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants way of putting an edition together.
Let me note Betty's latest that she finished last night "The World May Not Be Flat But Thomas Friedman Has A Bearded Butt" (Thomas Friedman Is a Great Man). No excerpt because I know I'll spoil a joke with an excerpt but with Thomas Friedman still on vacation, "Thomas Friedman" and Bettina go on vacation as well. It's not what Betty expected or hoped and, in the end, it's not what "Thomas" hoped for either.
Kat did "Community Roundup" yesterday (and does a far better job than I'm doing here) and notes that I asked her, Ruth and Isaiah to all take the week off this past week. All were taking part in the Sheehan vigils Wednesday night and assorted other things. Ruth, Isaiah and Kat are regular contributing community members. When Ruth phoned on Tuesday, she was planning to do a Friday Ruth's Morning Edition Report and, while we were talking, she was speaking about her week. It was going to be a very busy week. No one needs to knock themselves out to contribute and I asked Ruth to take the week off and followed that conversation with e-mails to Isaiah and Kat. Kat also selects highlights from the sites of various community members so check out her entry.
Elaine's done some amazing entries this week (Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude). She's also noted that Rebecca will be back from vacation after Labor Day. My personal pick for her best entry this week would be 'Marine of the Year' Faces Attempted Murder Charges" (Democracy Now!):
Apparently nothing changes. In every war, people are asked to serve and then left to fend for themselves. As with every other "plan" for this invasion/occupation, concerns were elsewhere.
The suicides at Fort Bragg didn't result in a change, the domestic abuse (and murder) only resulted in a white wash. Lariam, a routine drug, is dispensed but questions about it are swept aside. (Maureen Orth wrote about Lariam's possible effects in the December 2002 issue of Vanity Fair.) Medications, training and experiences all have effects but our government would rather live in denial.
Astronauts are "decompressed" better than the military is. Possibly that's due to the fact that, in terms of ratio, the government's dealing with far fewer astronauts than military members. But the military is expected to return to "normal" and fend for themselves with few resources.
I'll say again that I think Elaine's doing a wonderful job filling in for Rebecca and, again, that Rebecca and I have urged her to do her own site for months now.
And of course Cedric does an excellent job at Cedric's Big Mix. I have noted his "Connections" here this week but I want to note it again because I think it's important:
Before getting into anything else, I want to talk about the four guys at the retirement home that I'm now visiting twice a week. As readers know, this started because my preacher wanted us to be reaching out to people in our church. If you have a place of worship, you may notice that some people come in and they've been coming for years. My preacher was concerned that some people, due to age or handicaps, didn't get the attention that they should. He also spoke of how we had groups that knew each other and supported each other within the congregation but we needed to reach beyond those groups and support the entire congregation.
When he first addressed the issue, I was one of the few people under forty who agreed to assist. There's a group of twins, 26, that are now taking part too. But still there's not a lot of committment from the younger congregation members. I get asked questions like, "But it's weird, right, talking to those old guys?"
It's not weird at all. I've probably had better conversations and more fun talking to them than most of my conversations since I started doing this. I've also found out that one of the men isn't just sick with a cold. I'm pretty sure my preacher knew that and that might be part of why he wanted us to get out and make real efforts. When this man passes, the group will be down to three. They're already isolated because they have very little family that lives remotely near. They get on the bus each Sunday morning to attend church and the rest of the time they're pretty much at the retirement home where they at least have each other.
But I keep thinking about how we are all in groups and we get our support and feedback and acknowledgements from that set of peers. Probably thirty years ago, this group of men were part of a larger group in the congregation. Illness and age and mobility has decreased the size of their group and now it's down to four. I don't know why it is that we all carve out our places to sit, we all have the pews we've got to sit in and the nods and hellos we make a point to always do.
Some of us will get married and/or have kids and some of us won't but having kids doesn't mean you're set in old age in terms of not being left alone. One of the guys has six kids. They visit at holidays for a few hours. One son, who lives in another state, calls twice a month and his daughter writes him regularly. But I don't think that's how, when he was my age, he saw his old age - kids keeping in touch via phone and mail, living in a retirement home.
From The Third Estate Sunday Review, I'll note "World News Tonight's hard hitting reporting (a parody)" and I'll note that it's not in screenplay format. We tried to get it into proper format but when the names were centered over dialogue, for instance, they'd switch over to the left margin in publishing automatically. From the entry:
The "personalized manner" in which ABC's World News Tonight saluted Peter Jennings work Monday, combined with the naval gazing quality of turning over so much of the evening broadcast of a show entitled World News Tonight made us wonder what else we could expect from ABC in the future?
FADE IN:
INT. STUDIO -- NIGHT
Activity on the floor as people rush around. We take in various technicians that make up the crew.
Slowly we move towards the anchor desk where CHARLIE GIBSON is getting last minute make up touches and DIANE SAWYER sits with eyes closed, centering herself.
WE SEE A HAND
counting down, with fingers, from five as THEME MUSIC BLARES.
CHARLIE
Good evening. I'm Charlie Gibson and this is World News Tonight. Our top story, Diane Sawyer. How are you doing, Diane?
DIANE
Tired, but you know all about that, Charlie!
Both guffaw.
CHARLIE
Those early Good Morning America hours can try a soul! Ah, but seriously, let's go to Barbara Walters.
WE SEE BARBARA WALTERS
on a monitor in a pre-recorded interview.
BARBARA
Diane was someone you knew to watch. I remember when she was at other networks. I'd watch. You knew to watch. You'd see her and think, "That girl, that's someone to watch." I remember saying that to Sam Donaldson once.
WE SEE SAM DONALDSON
on a monitor in a pre-recorded interview.
SAM
Barbara Walters always likes to tell the story that she told me Diane Sawyer was someone to watch. Well there are two sides to every story and here's mine: I am the one who noticed Diane Sawyer. I told Barbara, "That's someone to watch."
At the anchor desk, Charlie, with a serious expression, shuffles papers.
CHARLIE
Diane's had an illusturous career here at ABC. She's interviewed everyone from Michael Jackson to Daniel Ortega. Over the years, she's delivered many memorable moments. But viewers haven't seen all of them.
WE SEE FOOTAGE OF DIANE SAWYER
on the monitor. Diane is at the Michael Jackson Neverland Ranch. Diane teases Bubbles the chimp with a banana. Diane grins at the camera. Bubbles grabs the banana. Diane gasps and bursts into laughter.
At the anchor desk, Diane smiles warmly towards the camera.
DIANE
I've always believed that as a journalist, the most important thing I can do is tell a story. You've got two and half minutes, in some cases, to convey a complex story and viewers depend upon you to bring the news that's important to them . . . to them. I'm very proud of the work I did in Afghanistan.
WE SEE DIANE SAWYER WALKING DOWN A STREET IN A BURKA
as we track her, she turns to the camera, lifts up the bottom hem of her burka and reveals she is wearing go-go boots. Dropping the hem, Diane bursts out laughing and slaps her knee with her right hand.
At the anchor desk, Diane smiles to Charlie.
CHARLIE
After the commerical, we'll be back with an equally hard hitting look at John Stossel. This is World News Tonight.
Diane nods seriously.
DIANE
John Stossel, grim faced, dour reporter or network cut-up?
ON THE MONITOR WE SEE JOHN STOSSEL LOOKING
nervously around. Then we see he's holding a whoopi cushion and standing by a desk.
The name plate on the desk reads "Hugh Downs."Still looking around, John pulls out the chair behind the desk, places the whoopi cushion in the chair, pushes the chair back up to the desk and, giggling, runs out of the office.
FADE OUT
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
Air America weekend line up :Chris Hedges, Kathy Kelly, Joan Jett, Stephen Stills, Deborah Dickerson, Rose Aguilar, David Albright, Dr. Mahdi Obei ...
Weekend Schedule for Air America Radio :
Liberal Arts
Saturdays, 1pm-2pm ET
In this edition of Liberal Arts, Katherine explores the art of memoir from both ends of the economic scale with memoirists Jeannette Walls of MSNBC and the author of "The Glass Castle'' and McSweeney's editor Sean Wilsey, the author of the much acclaimed "Oh The Glory of It All." They are joined by the quirky Brooklyn pop duo One Ring Zero.
So What Else is News
Saturdays 3pm-5pm ET
More news and entertainment from host Marty Kaplan.
Ring of Fire
Saturdays 5pm-7pm ET. Rebroadcast Sundays 3pm-5pm
Chris Hedges, veteran foreign correspondent for the New York Times, is back to talk with Mike about his book War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning. A fish tale and so much more: Bobby talks with Dick Russell, author of Striper Wars, about the successful campaign to save the striped bass from commercial overfishing.
Mike talks with Arlie Hochschild, professor of sociology at the University of California Berkeley about the psychic damage and moral erosion created by the neo-con economic plan. Humorist and author Roy Blount, Jr. joins Bobby to talk about a time when "red and blue" states were known as "North and South", "Union and Confederacy". The Pap Attack: The Story of Tom DeLay and Cockroaches and "The Triumph of the Shrill" continues....this week, Ann Coulter.
The Laura Flanders Show
Saturdays and Sundays 7pm-10pm ET
Saturday: Is Cindy Sheehan the catalyst of crisis for the Bush presidency? Pat Buchanan thinks so. What about you? Lisa Gill, from Military Families Speak Out; Gold Star mom Georgia Schilz; and roving reporter, Rose Aguilar, who is touring the reddest parts of the USA - all chime in. Then a how-to on keeping Counter Culture alive, with Phil Hartman, organizer of this year's "Howl Festival" in New York City and standup storyteller Jonathan Ames.
Sunday: This was said to be a historic week in Israel and Iraq, with a Gaza withdrawl and an almost-ready constitution. But was it? What's really changed? Richard Harvey on the London subway shooting coverup. Then Kathy Kelly, from Voices in the Wilderness, on being prosecuted for aiding ordinary Iraqis while US oil companies broke the UN sanctions to sell Iraqi oil. Then, psychologist Dr. Robert Jay Lifton on uprooting superpower violence.
The Kyle Jason Show
Saturdays 10pm-Midnight ET
This Saturday night, Kyle and his crew introduce a new monthly feature, Nostalgia Night, in which an entire evening is devoted to the music, culture, and news of a particular year gone by. So slip on the mood ring, dust off the pet rock, and squeeze into those mustard yellow bell-bottoms, because our inaugural Nostalgia Night kicks off with 1975! The good news: Earth, Wind & Fire. The bad news: The Captain and Tenille.
Ecotalk
Sundays 7-8 am ET
We'll be airing programs from "The Best of EcoTalk" archives for the next few weeks. Due to popular demand we'll replay the interview with Dr. Riki Ott on her new book about the human impacts of the Exxon Valdeez disaster more than a decade later. Dr. Ott tells a chilling story of the heretofore hidden health impacts of exposure to petroleum to people and animals with repercussions for all of us.
Mother Jones Radio
Sundays 1pm-2pm ET
More investigative reporting with host Angie Coiro.
The Iraqi scientists from Saddam Hussein's nuclear and biological weapons programs posed a huge risk to international safety after Saddam's fall. So why did the Bush administration refuse to track down the scientists after the 2003 invasion of Iraq? Mother Jones reports that all but three of Saddam's top 200-some nuclear scientists are missing. Mother Jones Radio interviews Dr. Mahdi Obeidi, the "mastermind of Saddam Hussein's former nuclear centrifuge program," and the only Iraqi nuclear scientist known to have been granted refuge in the U.S. since the invasion. Joining him in this exclusive interview are David Albright, former U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq, and Kurt Pitzer, the author of Mother Jones' September 2005 cover story on the missing scientists.
Politically Direct
Sundays 2pm-3pm ET
It's a musical melange on Politically Direct this Sunday as David welcomes two-time Rock & Roll Hall of fame inductee Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills & Nash), followed by Rock & Roll femme fatale Joan Jett (The Runaways; The Blackhearts) and her longtime musical partner, Kenny Laguna (Tommy James and the Shondels). And, for what it's worth, David says, "I love rock & roll."
Ring of Fire
Saturdays 5pm-7pm ET. Rebroadcast Sundays 3pm-5pm
Chris Hedges, veteran foreign correspondent for the New York Times, is back to talk with Mike about his book War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning. A fish tale and so much more: Bobby talks with Dick Russell, author of Striper Wars, about the successful campaign to save the striped bass from commercial overfishing.
Mike talks with Arlie Hochschild, professor of sociology at the University of California Berkeley about the psychic damage and moral erosion created by the neo-con economic plan. Humorist and author Roy Blount, Jr. joins Bobby to talk about a time when "red and blue" states were known as "North and South", "Union and Confederacy". The Pap Attack: The Story of Tom DeLay and Cockroaches and "The Triumph of the Shrill" continues....this week, Ann Coulter.
The Laura Flanders Show
Saturdays and Sundays 7pm-10pm ET
Sunday: This was said to be a historic week in Israel and Iraq, with a Gaza withdrawl and an almost-ready constitution. But was it? What's really changed? Richard Harvey on the London subway shooting coverup. Then Kathy Kelly, from Voices in the Wilderness, on being prosecuted for aiding ordinary Iraqis while US oil companies broke the UN sanctions to sell Iraqi oil. Then, psychologist Dr. Robert Jay Lifton on uprooting superpower violence.
The Revolution Starts...Now
Sundays 10pm-11pm ET
Steve Earle sits down with Kim Wilson, student of Muddy Waters and leader of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and his own Kim Wilson Band. Picks include: Muddy Waters, Little Walter, BB King, Sonny Boy Williamson, the Thunderbirds, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
On the Real
Sundays 11pm -1 am ET
Chuck D and Gia’na Garel are back live this Sunday night delivering their finest. Deborah Dickerson will be in the greenroom sharing raw thoughts about women in the black community.
Remember, you can listen over broadcast radio (if there's an AAR in your area), via XM Satellite Radio or listen online.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
Liberal Arts
Saturdays, 1pm-2pm ET
In this edition of Liberal Arts, Katherine explores the art of memoir from both ends of the economic scale with memoirists Jeannette Walls of MSNBC and the author of "The Glass Castle'' and McSweeney's editor Sean Wilsey, the author of the much acclaimed "Oh The Glory of It All." They are joined by the quirky Brooklyn pop duo One Ring Zero.
So What Else is News
Saturdays 3pm-5pm ET
More news and entertainment from host Marty Kaplan.
Ring of Fire
Saturdays 5pm-7pm ET. Rebroadcast Sundays 3pm-5pm
Chris Hedges, veteran foreign correspondent for the New York Times, is back to talk with Mike about his book War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning. A fish tale and so much more: Bobby talks with Dick Russell, author of Striper Wars, about the successful campaign to save the striped bass from commercial overfishing.
Mike talks with Arlie Hochschild, professor of sociology at the University of California Berkeley about the psychic damage and moral erosion created by the neo-con economic plan. Humorist and author Roy Blount, Jr. joins Bobby to talk about a time when "red and blue" states were known as "North and South", "Union and Confederacy". The Pap Attack: The Story of Tom DeLay and Cockroaches and "The Triumph of the Shrill" continues....this week, Ann Coulter.
The Laura Flanders Show
Saturdays and Sundays 7pm-10pm ET
Saturday: Is Cindy Sheehan the catalyst of crisis for the Bush presidency? Pat Buchanan thinks so. What about you? Lisa Gill, from Military Families Speak Out; Gold Star mom Georgia Schilz; and roving reporter, Rose Aguilar, who is touring the reddest parts of the USA - all chime in. Then a how-to on keeping Counter Culture alive, with Phil Hartman, organizer of this year's "Howl Festival" in New York City and standup storyteller Jonathan Ames.
Sunday: This was said to be a historic week in Israel and Iraq, with a Gaza withdrawl and an almost-ready constitution. But was it? What's really changed? Richard Harvey on the London subway shooting coverup. Then Kathy Kelly, from Voices in the Wilderness, on being prosecuted for aiding ordinary Iraqis while US oil companies broke the UN sanctions to sell Iraqi oil. Then, psychologist Dr. Robert Jay Lifton on uprooting superpower violence.
The Kyle Jason Show
Saturdays 10pm-Midnight ET
This Saturday night, Kyle and his crew introduce a new monthly feature, Nostalgia Night, in which an entire evening is devoted to the music, culture, and news of a particular year gone by. So slip on the mood ring, dust off the pet rock, and squeeze into those mustard yellow bell-bottoms, because our inaugural Nostalgia Night kicks off with 1975! The good news: Earth, Wind & Fire. The bad news: The Captain and Tenille.
Ecotalk
Sundays 7-8 am ET
We'll be airing programs from "The Best of EcoTalk" archives for the next few weeks. Due to popular demand we'll replay the interview with Dr. Riki Ott on her new book about the human impacts of the Exxon Valdeez disaster more than a decade later. Dr. Ott tells a chilling story of the heretofore hidden health impacts of exposure to petroleum to people and animals with repercussions for all of us.
Mother Jones Radio
Sundays 1pm-2pm ET
More investigative reporting with host Angie Coiro.
The Iraqi scientists from Saddam Hussein's nuclear and biological weapons programs posed a huge risk to international safety after Saddam's fall. So why did the Bush administration refuse to track down the scientists after the 2003 invasion of Iraq? Mother Jones reports that all but three of Saddam's top 200-some nuclear scientists are missing. Mother Jones Radio interviews Dr. Mahdi Obeidi, the "mastermind of Saddam Hussein's former nuclear centrifuge program," and the only Iraqi nuclear scientist known to have been granted refuge in the U.S. since the invasion. Joining him in this exclusive interview are David Albright, former U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq, and Kurt Pitzer, the author of Mother Jones' September 2005 cover story on the missing scientists.
Politically Direct
Sundays 2pm-3pm ET
It's a musical melange on Politically Direct this Sunday as David welcomes two-time Rock & Roll Hall of fame inductee Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills & Nash), followed by Rock & Roll femme fatale Joan Jett (The Runaways; The Blackhearts) and her longtime musical partner, Kenny Laguna (Tommy James and the Shondels). And, for what it's worth, David says, "I love rock & roll."
Ring of Fire
Saturdays 5pm-7pm ET. Rebroadcast Sundays 3pm-5pm
Chris Hedges, veteran foreign correspondent for the New York Times, is back to talk with Mike about his book War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning. A fish tale and so much more: Bobby talks with Dick Russell, author of Striper Wars, about the successful campaign to save the striped bass from commercial overfishing.
Mike talks with Arlie Hochschild, professor of sociology at the University of California Berkeley about the psychic damage and moral erosion created by the neo-con economic plan. Humorist and author Roy Blount, Jr. joins Bobby to talk about a time when "red and blue" states were known as "North and South", "Union and Confederacy". The Pap Attack: The Story of Tom DeLay and Cockroaches and "The Triumph of the Shrill" continues....this week, Ann Coulter.
The Laura Flanders Show
Saturdays and Sundays 7pm-10pm ET
Sunday: This was said to be a historic week in Israel and Iraq, with a Gaza withdrawl and an almost-ready constitution. But was it? What's really changed? Richard Harvey on the London subway shooting coverup. Then Kathy Kelly, from Voices in the Wilderness, on being prosecuted for aiding ordinary Iraqis while US oil companies broke the UN sanctions to sell Iraqi oil. Then, psychologist Dr. Robert Jay Lifton on uprooting superpower violence.
The Revolution Starts...Now
Sundays 10pm-11pm ET
Steve Earle sits down with Kim Wilson, student of Muddy Waters and leader of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and his own Kim Wilson Band. Picks include: Muddy Waters, Little Walter, BB King, Sonny Boy Williamson, the Thunderbirds, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
On the Real
Sundays 11pm -1 am ET
Chuck D and Gia’na Garel are back live this Sunday night delivering their finest. Deborah Dickerson will be in the greenroom sharing raw thoughts about women in the black community.
Remember, you can listen over broadcast radio (if there's an AAR in your area), via XM Satellite Radio or listen online.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
NYT: The fumes from his smelly jock k.o. Todd Purdum yet again
But a survey of tens of thousands of pages of documents released by the National Archives this week makes it clear that Mr. Roberts, whom President Bush has nominated to the Supreme Court, was often his own best storyteller. What follows is an impressionistic sampling of his writings from 1982 to 1986, when he served as an associate White House counsel.
Protecting Reagan With Women
Some critics have made much of Mr. Roberts's jocular 1985 aside in a memorandum about whether an administration aide could be nominated for an award celebrating her transition from homemaker to lawyer. The comment: "Some might question whether encouraging homemakers to become lawyers contributes to the common good." A (perhaps not terrific) joke about lawyers has been interpreted in some quarters as an insensitive critique of women.
But another document from that same year shows that when it came to discussing women's roles, Mr. Roberts could be a sensitive New Age guy. On June 14, 1985, in a briefing memorandum for a presidential news conference, he noted that a proposed description of President Ronald Reagan's tax proposals "assumes that the auto worker's wife will be a homemaker, rather than a wage earner."
The above is from Todd S. Purdum and John M. Broder's "As a Man of Letters, Roberts Showed Practicality and Humor" -- an "impressionistic survey" passing itself off as reporting in this morning's New York Times.
Okay, let's all face facts, Todd S. Purdum's athletic cup (an apparent mandatory wardrobe requirement for reporters -- male and female -- at the Times) is so smelly that no one wants to wash it. Fine, can Purdum not hang it somewhere and let it air out so that the fumes from it will stop interfering with his ability to report?
Are they writing an op-ed today or is this supposed to be wink-wink reporting? I'm not sure. "Roberts could be a sensitive New Age guy"? I don't think that even the worst feature writing in a mainstream publication would attempt to utilize that word combo. But not since Purdum attempted to make his Dead Sea Scrolls joke, has he tried so hard to be funny and had a joke fall so flat.
Wait, maybe it wasn't a joke? I mean I'm assuming it was an attempt at a joke. Kind of like Purdum and Broder assume that the earlier remark by Roberts was a joke:
Some critics have made much of Mr. Roberts's jocular 1985 aside in a memorandum about whether an administration aide could be nominated for an award celebrating her transition from homemaker to lawyer. The comment: "Some might question whether encouraging homemakers to become lawyers contributes to the common good." A (perhaps not terrific) joke about lawyers has been interpreted in some quarters as an insensitive critique of women.
I'm not surprised that Purdum has a problem evaulating a joke, "(perhaps not terrific)," but exactly what is the basis for assuming that it was a joke in the first place? Because when trying to sell a tax proposal, Roberts didn't repeat it? That makes it a joke? Might it also be Roberts' real feelings and those feelings were shoved aside when the time came to sell a tax proposal?
Yeah, that might be. But when the fumes from the smelly jock overcome Purdum (and his common sense), the boy can't help himself. Purdum, it's been years since you were a copyboy at the Times, you don't have to try to prove your manhood at this late date. But if you feel you do, sporting the smelliest jock doesn't make you "manly," it just makes you "stinky" -- sort of like the article he co-wrote with Broder.
If he won't wash it, can he at least air it out? Those fumes are destroying his brain.
Robert Parry, actually reporting on the memos, didn't find John Roberts "New age sensitive."
From Parry's "Judge Roberts's Slap at Women" (Consortium News):
Which brings us to two little-noticed memos penned by Roberts when he was a young lawyer helping to shape legal policy in Ronald Reagan's White House from 1982 to 1986. One of the women's rights issues at the time was whether women should get equal pay for comparable work, and a Washington state "equal worth" case was winding its way through the federal courts.
Three Republican women in the House of Representatives -- Olympia Snowe of Maine, Claudine Schneider of Rhode Island and Nancy Johnson of Connecticut -- implored the Reagan administration to accept a U.S. District Court ruling in favor of the principle. They wrote that "support for pay equity ... is not a partisan issue."
As the issue heated up in early 1984, Roberts wrote two tartly worded memos, which showed which side he was on.
The first -- to his boss, Fred Fielding, on Feb. 3, 1984 -- denounced the notion of equal pay for comparable worth, saying "It is difficult to exaggerate the perniciousness of the 'comparable worth' theory. It mandates nothing less than central planning of the economy by judges."
Roberts returned to the issue in a second memo on Feb. 20, 1984, again using language that compared an approach toward rectifying wage discrimination against women to Soviet-style policies, the ultimate insult in the Reagan administration.
Roberts expressed annoyance that three Republican members of Congress would favor what he called "a radical redistributive concept." He also cited possible justifications for paying women less than men for comparable work, such as the female tendency to lose seniority by leaving the work force for extended periods, presumably for child-rearing.
But Roberts didn't stop there. He included in the memo a quip likening the congresswomen's advocacy of "equal pay for comparable worth" to the most famous expression of communist principles.
"Their slogan," Roberts wrote, "may as well be 'From each according to his ability, to each according to her gender.'"
The existence of these two memos was reported by the Washington Post on Aug. 16 near the end of a lengthy article on the National Archives' release of Reagan-era documents on Roberts. But the slap at the women's rights issue has drawn little attention.
When asked about Roberts’s memos, Olympia Snowe -- now a U.S. senator -- responded diplomatically. "Hopefully, 21 years later, Judge Roberts possesses an openness with respect to issues of gender-based wage discrimination," Snowe told the Post.
But the larger point is that Roberts -- while in a position to influence policy inside the White House -- opted for a knee-jerk right-wing position on an important discrimination issue facing the American people.
Then, rather than showing sensitivity to the long history of injustice inflicted on women in the work place, he chose to make a joke, suggesting that women wanted money they didn't deserve.
See what a reporter can do when he's not choking on his own crotch fumes? When he doesn't assume that his article is a try out to become the headliner at Catch a Rising Star?
In other reality-based reporting, note Matthew Rothschild's "Santorum’s People Toss Young Women out of Barnes & Noble, Trooper Threatens Them with Prison" about how a Rick Santorum book signing event turns into a nightmare for teenagers and their parents:
As Shaffer was talking with her friends, Rocek made a joke.
She held up a copy of a book by the gay writer Dan Savage called "The Kid," which is about how he and his partner adopted a son. And Rocek said, "It would be funny if we got Santorum to sign this book." (To discredit Santorum, Savage and his readers in 2003 came up with a nasty definition of "Santorum" that now often appears on Internet searches for Santorum's name.)
Not everyone enjoyed the joke.
"A woman nearby snapped: 'He's only here to sign his own book. He won't sign that,' " recalls Galperin.
Shaffer says the woman also added, "You're shameful and disgusting."
For a minute, the young women thought that would be the end of it.
But no such luck.
A state trooper in full uniform, including hat and gun, was in the store, and, according to Shaffer and Galperin, he met with the person who didn't care for the Dan Savage joke, along with a few others, including members of the store and Santorum's people.
Galperin says she heard the trooper ask, "Do you want me to get rid of them?"
And then the trooper, Delaware State Police Sgt. Mark DiJiacomo, who was on detail as a private security guard, came over to the group of women.
Here is the conversation, as Galperin remembers it: "You guys have to leave."
"Why?"
"Your business is not wanted here. They don't want you here anymore. If you don't leave, you're going to be arrested. If you can't post bail, you'll go to prison. Those of you who are under 18 will go to Ferris [the juvenile detention center]. And those of you over 18 will go either to Gander Hill Prison or the woman's correctional facility. Any questions?”
Shaffer remembers the conversation basically the same way.
"I said, 'Sir, we're not doing anything wrong. We're sitting in a bookstore. On what grounds would we be arrested?' "
"He said, 'This is private property. Are you going to leave on your own, or are you going to leave in cuffs?"
Shaffer decided to leave with her friends.
Galperin and Rocek decided to stay.
"That's it," he told them, according to Galperin. "You're under arrest. Give me your ID. You're going to prison."
The above's an excerpt. To read Matthew Rothschild's article (The Progressive) in full click here.
Th e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
Protecting Reagan With Women
Some critics have made much of Mr. Roberts's jocular 1985 aside in a memorandum about whether an administration aide could be nominated for an award celebrating her transition from homemaker to lawyer. The comment: "Some might question whether encouraging homemakers to become lawyers contributes to the common good." A (perhaps not terrific) joke about lawyers has been interpreted in some quarters as an insensitive critique of women.
But another document from that same year shows that when it came to discussing women's roles, Mr. Roberts could be a sensitive New Age guy. On June 14, 1985, in a briefing memorandum for a presidential news conference, he noted that a proposed description of President Ronald Reagan's tax proposals "assumes that the auto worker's wife will be a homemaker, rather than a wage earner."
The above is from Todd S. Purdum and John M. Broder's "As a Man of Letters, Roberts Showed Practicality and Humor" -- an "impressionistic survey" passing itself off as reporting in this morning's New York Times.
Okay, let's all face facts, Todd S. Purdum's athletic cup (an apparent mandatory wardrobe requirement for reporters -- male and female -- at the Times) is so smelly that no one wants to wash it. Fine, can Purdum not hang it somewhere and let it air out so that the fumes from it will stop interfering with his ability to report?
Are they writing an op-ed today or is this supposed to be wink-wink reporting? I'm not sure. "Roberts could be a sensitive New Age guy"? I don't think that even the worst feature writing in a mainstream publication would attempt to utilize that word combo. But not since Purdum attempted to make his Dead Sea Scrolls joke, has he tried so hard to be funny and had a joke fall so flat.
Wait, maybe it wasn't a joke? I mean I'm assuming it was an attempt at a joke. Kind of like Purdum and Broder assume that the earlier remark by Roberts was a joke:
Some critics have made much of Mr. Roberts's jocular 1985 aside in a memorandum about whether an administration aide could be nominated for an award celebrating her transition from homemaker to lawyer. The comment: "Some might question whether encouraging homemakers to become lawyers contributes to the common good." A (perhaps not terrific) joke about lawyers has been interpreted in some quarters as an insensitive critique of women.
I'm not surprised that Purdum has a problem evaulating a joke, "(perhaps not terrific)," but exactly what is the basis for assuming that it was a joke in the first place? Because when trying to sell a tax proposal, Roberts didn't repeat it? That makes it a joke? Might it also be Roberts' real feelings and those feelings were shoved aside when the time came to sell a tax proposal?
Yeah, that might be. But when the fumes from the smelly jock overcome Purdum (and his common sense), the boy can't help himself. Purdum, it's been years since you were a copyboy at the Times, you don't have to try to prove your manhood at this late date. But if you feel you do, sporting the smelliest jock doesn't make you "manly," it just makes you "stinky" -- sort of like the article he co-wrote with Broder.
If he won't wash it, can he at least air it out? Those fumes are destroying his brain.
Robert Parry, actually reporting on the memos, didn't find John Roberts "New age sensitive."
From Parry's "Judge Roberts's Slap at Women" (Consortium News):
Which brings us to two little-noticed memos penned by Roberts when he was a young lawyer helping to shape legal policy in Ronald Reagan's White House from 1982 to 1986. One of the women's rights issues at the time was whether women should get equal pay for comparable work, and a Washington state "equal worth" case was winding its way through the federal courts.
Three Republican women in the House of Representatives -- Olympia Snowe of Maine, Claudine Schneider of Rhode Island and Nancy Johnson of Connecticut -- implored the Reagan administration to accept a U.S. District Court ruling in favor of the principle. They wrote that "support for pay equity ... is not a partisan issue."
As the issue heated up in early 1984, Roberts wrote two tartly worded memos, which showed which side he was on.
The first -- to his boss, Fred Fielding, on Feb. 3, 1984 -- denounced the notion of equal pay for comparable worth, saying "It is difficult to exaggerate the perniciousness of the 'comparable worth' theory. It mandates nothing less than central planning of the economy by judges."
Roberts returned to the issue in a second memo on Feb. 20, 1984, again using language that compared an approach toward rectifying wage discrimination against women to Soviet-style policies, the ultimate insult in the Reagan administration.
Roberts expressed annoyance that three Republican members of Congress would favor what he called "a radical redistributive concept." He also cited possible justifications for paying women less than men for comparable work, such as the female tendency to lose seniority by leaving the work force for extended periods, presumably for child-rearing.
But Roberts didn't stop there. He included in the memo a quip likening the congresswomen's advocacy of "equal pay for comparable worth" to the most famous expression of communist principles.
"Their slogan," Roberts wrote, "may as well be 'From each according to his ability, to each according to her gender.'"
The existence of these two memos was reported by the Washington Post on Aug. 16 near the end of a lengthy article on the National Archives' release of Reagan-era documents on Roberts. But the slap at the women's rights issue has drawn little attention.
When asked about Roberts’s memos, Olympia Snowe -- now a U.S. senator -- responded diplomatically. "Hopefully, 21 years later, Judge Roberts possesses an openness with respect to issues of gender-based wage discrimination," Snowe told the Post.
But the larger point is that Roberts -- while in a position to influence policy inside the White House -- opted for a knee-jerk right-wing position on an important discrimination issue facing the American people.
Then, rather than showing sensitivity to the long history of injustice inflicted on women in the work place, he chose to make a joke, suggesting that women wanted money they didn't deserve.
See what a reporter can do when he's not choking on his own crotch fumes? When he doesn't assume that his article is a try out to become the headliner at Catch a Rising Star?
In other reality-based reporting, note Matthew Rothschild's "Santorum’s People Toss Young Women out of Barnes & Noble, Trooper Threatens Them with Prison" about how a Rick Santorum book signing event turns into a nightmare for teenagers and their parents:
As Shaffer was talking with her friends, Rocek made a joke.
She held up a copy of a book by the gay writer Dan Savage called "The Kid," which is about how he and his partner adopted a son. And Rocek said, "It would be funny if we got Santorum to sign this book." (To discredit Santorum, Savage and his readers in 2003 came up with a nasty definition of "Santorum" that now often appears on Internet searches for Santorum's name.)
Not everyone enjoyed the joke.
"A woman nearby snapped: 'He's only here to sign his own book. He won't sign that,' " recalls Galperin.
Shaffer says the woman also added, "You're shameful and disgusting."
For a minute, the young women thought that would be the end of it.
But no such luck.
A state trooper in full uniform, including hat and gun, was in the store, and, according to Shaffer and Galperin, he met with the person who didn't care for the Dan Savage joke, along with a few others, including members of the store and Santorum's people.
Galperin says she heard the trooper ask, "Do you want me to get rid of them?"
And then the trooper, Delaware State Police Sgt. Mark DiJiacomo, who was on detail as a private security guard, came over to the group of women.
Here is the conversation, as Galperin remembers it: "You guys have to leave."
"Why?"
"Your business is not wanted here. They don't want you here anymore. If you don't leave, you're going to be arrested. If you can't post bail, you'll go to prison. Those of you who are under 18 will go to Ferris [the juvenile detention center]. And those of you over 18 will go either to Gander Hill Prison or the woman's correctional facility. Any questions?”
Shaffer remembers the conversation basically the same way.
"I said, 'Sir, we're not doing anything wrong. We're sitting in a bookstore. On what grounds would we be arrested?' "
"He said, 'This is private property. Are you going to leave on your own, or are you going to leave in cuffs?"
Shaffer decided to leave with her friends.
Galperin and Rocek decided to stay.
"That's it," he told them, according to Galperin. "You're under arrest. Give me your ID. You're going to prison."
The above's an excerpt. To read Matthew Rothschild's article (The Progressive) in full click here.
Th e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
NYT: "Judges Rebuff Government on Endangered Species" (Felicity Barringer) and news of Coretta Scott King
Federal judges on opposite sides of the country ruled Friday that the Fish and Wildlife Service had acted arbitrarily and violated the Endangered Species Act when it reversed its own decisions and cut back on protections for two disparate species.
The judges - one in San Francisco and one in Brattleboro, Vt. - overturned separate regulations involving California tiger salamanders and gray wolves in New England.
In both cases, the Bush administration had combined sparser, distinct populations of a species with larger, robust populations, and then said protections could be reduced.
The above is from Felicity Barringer's "Judges Rebuff Government on Endangered Species" in this morning's New York Times. Make this your must read (or know about) article from the paper today.
Of the Associated Press articles the Times is running (online or in print), we'll note (with sadness) "Coretta Scott King Is Mostly Paralyzed:"
Coretta Scott King is mostly paralyzed on the right side of her body and faces a long, difficult recovery from a stroke, but she managed to say a few words Friday, her doctor said.
Dr. Maggie Mermin, King's personal physician, said that the 78-year-old widow of Martin Luther King Jr. is unable to walk and has been mostly unable to speak since the stroke Tuesday in the left side of her brain, which controls speech functions.
''She said a few words today. We're very encouraged by that,'' the doctor said.
Mermin said King would be in Piedmont Hospital for at least another week and said, ''I'm not certain she'll have full recovery. ... We certainly hope for that.''
Remember that the Un-Embed the Media tour continues:
* Amy Goodman in Hopland, CA:
Sat, August 20
TIME: 3:30 PM
10th Annual Sol Fest Benefit
Solar Living Center
Hopland, California
Tickets: $20/day or $30/weekend
For more information, visit http://www.solarliving.org/solfest2005.cfm
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
The judges - one in San Francisco and one in Brattleboro, Vt. - overturned separate regulations involving California tiger salamanders and gray wolves in New England.
In both cases, the Bush administration had combined sparser, distinct populations of a species with larger, robust populations, and then said protections could be reduced.
The above is from Felicity Barringer's "Judges Rebuff Government on Endangered Species" in this morning's New York Times. Make this your must read (or know about) article from the paper today.
Of the Associated Press articles the Times is running (online or in print), we'll note (with sadness) "Coretta Scott King Is Mostly Paralyzed:"
Coretta Scott King is mostly paralyzed on the right side of her body and faces a long, difficult recovery from a stroke, but she managed to say a few words Friday, her doctor said.
Dr. Maggie Mermin, King's personal physician, said that the 78-year-old widow of Martin Luther King Jr. is unable to walk and has been mostly unable to speak since the stroke Tuesday in the left side of her brain, which controls speech functions.
''She said a few words today. We're very encouraged by that,'' the doctor said.
Mermin said King would be in Piedmont Hospital for at least another week and said, ''I'm not certain she'll have full recovery. ... We certainly hope for that.''
Remember that the Un-Embed the Media tour continues:
* Amy Goodman in Hopland, CA:
Sat, August 20
TIME: 3:30 PM
10th Annual Sol Fest Benefit
Solar Living Center
Hopland, California
Tickets: $20/day or $30/weekend
For more information, visit http://www.solarliving.org/solfest2005.cfm
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
Friday, August 19, 2005
"Este mes puede ser uno de los peores para Estados Unidos en Irak" (Democracy Now!)
Francisco: Hola mi amigos. De parte de "Democracy Now!" doce cosas que vale hacer notar este fin de semana.
Este mes puede ser uno de los peores para Estados Unidos en Irak
Mientras tanto, agosto se perfila como uno de los meses con más bajas para las tropas estadounidenses hasta este momento. En los primeros 10 dÃas del mes, murieron 44 soldados, y la semana que comenzó el 3 de agosto fue la cuarta con más bajas estadounidenses en la guerra.
Más de 1.500 vigilias con velas contra la guerra en Estados Unidos
En la noche de ayer, personas de todo Estados Unidos participaron en más de 1.500 vigilias con velas, en un llamado a cesar la ocupación de Irak. Las vigilias fueron convocadas por Cindy Sheehan, que continúa su protesta contra la guerra cerca de las tierras del Presidente Bush en Crawford, Texas. A continuación, palabras de la madre de un soldado herido en Irak, durante una vigilia en Washington DC.
Gilda, una madre de un soldado que peleó en Irak: "Lo que resulta imperdonable es que usted traicionó a nuestros hijos e hijas, estadounidenses idealistas, que con confianza pusieron la vida en sus manos. Nosotras, sus madres, no le vamos a permitir a usted que continúe con su vida."
Mientras tanto, en Crawford, aumenta el número de personas que se unen a la protesta de Cindy Sheehan, cuyo campamento ha comenzado a instalarse en las tierras de un vecino del Presidente Bush, que ofreció su propiedad a Sheehan. Entre las personas que se le unen, hay muchos padres de soldados fallecidos en Irak, incluyendo a la Senadora Becky Lourey, del estado de Minnesota. También participa en la protesta Colleen Rowley, ex informante del FBI y candidata al Congreso de Minnesota. El ex analista de la CIA Ray McGovern se encuentra también en Crawford, y se espera la llegada de muchas personas más, que se reunirán en una movilización prevista para la noche del jueves.
Cindy Sheehan,"Aquà en el campamento Casey, siempre estamos de buen ánimo, porque sentimos el apoyo de la gente de todo el mundo".
Republicanos se unen a la demanda de retirada de Irak
Mientras continua la protesta en Texas, en Capitol Hill hay avances en el desarrollo de los esfuerzos contra la guerra. El congresista Walter Jones, de Carolina del Norte, afirmó que apoya junto con cerca de 50 de sus pares una resolución conjunta para pedir al Presidente Bush que anuncie a fines de este año un plan de retirada de Irak.
Este fue el último giro del drástico cambio de posición de Jones, que fue el polÃtico responsable de la iniciativa para que la cantina del Congreso cambiara el nombre de las papas fritas, que en inglés se llaman "papas a la francesa", y las denominara "papas de la libertad", expresando rechazo a la posición del gobierno de Francia contra la invasión de Irak.
La propuesta de resolución dirigida al Presidente Bush fue presentada en junio por Jones, el republicano Ron Paul, de Texas, y el demócrata Dennis Kucinich. En ella se solicita al Presidente que comience la retirada de las tropas el 1 de octubre de 2006, pero no se establece una fecha para completarla. Jones afirmó que entre quienes respaldan ahora la medida hay republicanos.
Senador Hagel: Estados Unidos "más y más atascado" en Irak
Mientras tanto, el senador republicano, Chuck Hagel, de Nebraska, dijo el martes que Estados Unidos se queda cada vez "más y más atascado" en Irak y reafirmó su opinión de que la Casa Blanca está desconectada de la realidad y perdiendo la guerra.
Hagel se burló de las declaraciones de junio del vicepresidente Dick Cheney, en que éste afirmó que la resistencia en Irak estaba "llegando al fin de la agonÃa". El senador dijo: "Quizás el vicepresidente podrÃa explicarnos el aumento en los ataques que estamos sufriendo. Si eso es ganar, entonces tiene una definición de ganar que no es la mÃa."
Legisladores iraquÃes no logran acuerdo sobre Constitución
La Asamblea Nacional de Irak no logró un acuerdo sobre la nueva Constitución en el plazo previsto, que terminó en la medianoche del lunes, pero los legisladores se concedieron una semana más de tiempo.
Las principales diferencias aún son el papel del Islam, los derechos de las mujeres y si se permitirá a chiitas y kurdos establecer regiones autónomas en el norte y sur del paÃs, respectivamente. El Wall Street Journal informa que el gobierno de Bush "presiona a los iraquÃes" para que acuerden un borrador, "aunque sea para guardar las apariencias, de manera que parezca que el proceso polÃtico sigue su curso".
El lunes, el embajador de Estados Unidos en Irak, Zalmay Khalilzad, participó en la Asamblea Nacional con el fin de observar las negociaciones. Khalilzad, que habÃa presentado en el fin de semana su propio borrador de Constitución, culpó a la última tormenta de arena en Irak de que no se haya alcanzado un acuerdo en el plazo que terminó ayer. "Reconocemos que los tres dÃas que se perdieron por la reciente tormenta de arena retrasaron la agenda de deliberaciones", afirmó.
Irak puede afrontar una crisis polÃtica si no se llega a un acuerdo en el correr de la semana próxima. Según la ley de transición redactada por Estados Unidos, en ese caso la Asamblea General deberÃa ser disuelta, y habrÃa que llamar nuevamente a elecciones para comenzar el proceso polÃtico otra vez.
Audiencia por asesinato de prisionero afgano por parte de soldado estadounidense
Pasamos al escándalo del maltrato a un prisionero. Un detenido afgano que murió en 2002, bajo custodia militar estadounidense, tenÃa heridas tan graves que los músculos de sus piernas se desintegraron. La información surge de la declaración realizada esta semana por una médica de la Fuerza Aérea, en el juicio a un soldado acusado de haber golpeado al prisionero. La médica, que realizó la autopsia del detenido, dijo que ese examen mostró que los músculos estaban "desintegrados y deshaciéndose". También declaró que las heridas pudieron ser provocadas por repetidos golpes con la rodilla o de puño. El soldado Willie Brand es acusado de haber maltratado en Afganistán a dos prisioneros que murieron más tarde, ambos en 2002.
Conyers pide investigar la participación de Ashcroft en caso de filtración de CIA
Ahora pasamos a las noticias más recientes de la investigación sobre quiénes dentro del gobierno de Bush revelaron que Valerie Plame, esposa del embajador Joseph Wilson, era una agente encubierta de la CIA. El congresista John Conyers solicita que se investigue la participación en el caso del ex fiscal general John Ashcroft. En un principio, Ashcroft no se excusó de participar en la investigación, pese a que estuvo asociado durante mucho tiempo con Karl Rove, quien fue interrogado por el FBI acerca de la filtración. En ese momento, Ashcroft recibÃa informes personales sobre la marcha de la investigación. Conyers dijo que eso fue "una falta ética grave que exige una investigación de inmediato".
Informe: Rove no informó al FBI de conversación con periodista de Time
El pedido de investigación de Conyers fue presentado luego de la publicación de un nuevo informe sobre el asunto, del periodista de investigación Murray Waas. Waas reveló que la decisión de designar a un fiscal especial, adoptada por funcionarios del Departamento de Justicia, se debió en gran medida a que los investigadores habÃan comenzado a dudar de la veracidad de la información aportada por Karl Rove. Cuando el FBI interrogó a Rove por primera vez, éste no dijo a los investigadores que habÃa hablado con el periodista de la revista Time, Matthew Cooper, acerca de la esposa de Wilson. Por otra parte, Rove sostiene que se enteró de la identidad de Valerie Plame en una conversación con un periodista. Pero según Waas, Rove dijo a los investigadores que no recordaba las circunstancias en que eso ocurrió, quién era el periodista o si la conversación fue cara a cara o por teléfono.
Gobierno de Bush busca destituir a juez en caso de indÃgenas
El Departamento de Justicia ha tomado la inusual medida de pedirle a un tribunal federal que destituya a un juez, involucrado en una demanda colectiva que lleva nueve años. Esa demanda fue presentada por nativos estadounidenses, que pretenden cobrar millones de dólares en regalÃas de gas impagas correspondientes al siglo XIX. El año pasado, el juez Royce Lamberth declaró en rebeldÃa a la secretaria del Interior, Gale Norton. Lamberth también ha sido muy crÃtico con el Departamento del Interior por no haber determinado cuánto dinero se adeuda a las tribus nativas estadounidenses. El magistrado describió recientemente al Departamento del Interior como "los restos moral y culturalmente inconscientes de un gobierno vergonzosamente racista e imperialista, que debió haberse enterrado hace un siglo, el último y lamentable bastión de la indiferencia y el anglocentrismo que creÃmos haber superado". Lamberth ha fallado sistemáticamente a favor de los 500.000 nativos estadounidenses representados por la demanda colectiva. En un fallo del mes pasado, el juez sostuvo que "nuestro gobierno aún trata a los indÃgenas nativos estadounidenses como si no merecieran el mismo respeto que los demás miembros de una sociedad en la que se supone que todas las personas son iguales".
Informe: PolicÃa británica habrÃa mentido sobre asesinato de inocente
En Gran Bretaña, y según información filtrada que divulgó la red de televisión ITV, el gobierno podrÃa haber mentido acerca de detalles clave en el asesinato de un brasileño inocente en una estación de subterráneo, cometido por policÃas. Según declaraciones de testigos filtradas, el electricista brasileño Jean Charles de Menezes recibió los disparos mientras lo sujetaba un miembro del equipo de vigilancia de Scotland Yard. La información filtrada indica además que Menezes vestÃa una campera de jean, no una gruesa como declaró la policÃa, y que sólo empezó a correr cuando vio que su tren entraba a la estación. Menezes fue asesinado por la policÃa poco después de los atentados del 21 de julio en Londres.
Aumentan acusaciones de encubrimiento en disparos de PolicÃa en Londres
Aumentan las acusaciones de encubrimiento en Londres por el caso de los policÃas que mataron a tiros a un brasileño, que inicialmente fue descrito como un posible sospechoso de los atentados del 21 de julio.
El oficial británico a cargo de la Comisión Independiente de Reclamos de la PolicÃa (IPCC, por sus siglas en inglés), dijo ayer que la policÃa en un principio se opuso a una investigación independiente de la muerte de Jean Charles de Menezes, pero que más tarde accedió a ella.
La policÃa emitió una declaración luego de que los abogados de la familia de Menezes se reunió con la comisión de reclamos, para exigir más información acerca de la muerte de Jean Charles. Escuchamos al abogado de la familia de Menezes, Gareth Pierce: "Hubo una gran confusión y pedimos a la IPCC que averigüe en qué medida se debió a incompetencia o negligencia, o absoluta negligencia, y en qué medida puede ser algo más siniestro. No lo sabemos, simplemente preguntamos".
Menezes recibió siete disparos en la cabeza de la policÃa, que lo siguió en una estación de metro de Londres el 22 de julio, un dÃa después de los atentados fallidos en un metro de esa ciudad. Mientras tanto, la BBC informa sobre la suspensión del informante que filtró documentos que contradicen la versión oficial de los hechos proporcionada por la policÃa.
Coretta Scott King sufrió un infarto y un ataque cardÃaco
Ahora pasamos al estado de salud de la pionera en derechos civiles Coretta Scott King, viuda de Martin Luther King Jr. El médico dice que sufrió un leve ataque cardÃaco y un infarto de entidad que perjudicó su capacidad de habla y afectó la motricidad del lado derecho de su cuerpo, pero que está "totalmente consciente". La hija de King dijo que la familia espera una plena recuperación.
Francisco: Hello, in English, here are 12 headlines from Democracy Now! Pass on to a friend.
August On Pace to Be One of Deadliest Months of War For U.S.
Meanwhile August is shaping up to be one of the deadliest months so far for U.S. troops in Iraq. 44 U.S. soldiers were killed in the first 10 days of the month alone. The week beginning Aug. 3 marked the fourth deadliest week of the war for U.S. forces.
More Than 1,500 Antiwar Vigils Held Across the US
Last night, people across the United States participated in more than 1,500 candlelight vigils calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq. The vigils were called by Cindy Sheehan who is continuing her antiwar protest outside of President Bush's property near Crawford, Texas. Here is the mother of a soldier who was wounded in Iraq, speaking at a vigil in Washington DC.
Gilda, mother of soldier wounded in Iraq:"What is unforgivable is that you betrayed our idealistic American sons and daughters who trustingly placed their lives in your hands. we, their mothers, will not let you move on with your life."
One mother of a soldier who served in Iraq, speaking in Washington DC. Meanwhile, in Crawford Cindy Sheehan has been joined by a growing number of people at her protest and has now begun setting up camp on the property of one of President Bush's neighbors who offered his land to Sheehan. Among the people joining her are several parents of soldiers killed in Iraq, as well as Minnesota State Senator Becky Lourey, whose son died in Iraq, as well as FBI whistleblower Colleen Rowley--who is running for Congress in Minnesota. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern is also in Crawford and many more people are expected to pour in for a rally planned for Thursday evening.
Cindy Sheehan:"Our spirits are always good here at Camp Casey 'cause we feel the support of everybody around the world."
Republicans Join Calls for Iraq Withdrawal
Even as the protest continues in Texas, there are new developments in the antiwar effort on Capitol Hill. North Carolina Republican Congressman Walter Jones says he has about 50 co-sponsors on a joint resolution that calls on President Bush to announce a plan for withdrawal from Iraq by the end of this year. This is the latest twist in the dramatic shift in position by Jones who was the politician behind the move to change the name of French fries to "Freedom Fries" in the Congressional cafeteria. The resolution was introduced in June by Jones, Republican Ron Paul of Texas, as well as Democrat Dennis Kucinich. It calls on the president to begin the withdrawal by Oct. 1, 2006, but it does not set an end date. Jones said the new supporters include five Republicans.
Sen. Hagel: US ‘More and More Bogged Down’ in Iraq
Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska said Thursday that the United States is getting "more and more bogged down" in Iraq and stood by his comments that the White House is disconnected from reality and losing the war. Hagel mocked Vice President Dick Cheney's assertion in June that the resistance in Iraq was in its "last throes," saying, "Maybe the vice president can explain the increase in casualties we're taking. If that's winning, then he's got a different definition of winning than I do."
Iraq Lawmakers Fail To Agree on Constitution
In Iraq, the country's National Assembly failed to agree on a new constitution by Monday's deadline, but legislators have extended the deadline an extra week. Key differences remain over the role of Islam, women's rights and whether the Shiites and Kurds will be allowed to form autonomous regions in the south and the north. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Bush administration "pressured Iraqis" to agree on a draft "even for appearance's sake so the political process seemed on track." On Monday, the US Ambassador to Iraq -- Zalmay Khalilzad - sat in on the National Assembly to observe the negotiations. Over the weekend he submitted his own draft of a constitution. After Monday's deadline passed, Khalilzad blamed the country's recent sandstorm for the delay. He said QUOTE "We recognize that the three days lost because of the recent sandstorm set back the schedule of deliberations." If a constitution is not agreed to by next week it would throw Iraq into a political crisis. Under the U.S.-written transitional law, if the constitution is not agreed to on time, the national assembly would be dissolved. Iraq would then have to hold new elections and start the political process all over again.
Court Hears Details of Killing of Afghan Prisoner by US Soldier
Now to the ongoing prisoner abuse scandal. An Afghan detainee who died in US military custody in 2002 was injured so severely that his leg muscles were split apart. This according to an Air Force medical examiner's testimony this week in the trial of a soldier accused in the beating. The examiner who performed the autopsy on the prisoner said his muscles were "crumbling and falling apart." She testified that the injuries could have been caused by repeated knee strikes or by a fist. Army Private Willie Brand is accused of abusing the two prisoners in Afghanistan in 2002. Both later died.
Conyers Calls For Investigation Into Ascroft's Role In CIA Leak Case
Now onto the latest in the investigation into who within the Bush administration outted CIA operative Valerie Plame, the wife of Ambassador Joseph Wilson. Congressman John Conyers is calling for an investigation into former Attorney General John Ashcroft's role in the case. Ashcroft initially refused to recuse himself from the investigation despite his longtime association with Karl Rove who was being questioned over the leak by the FBI. At the time, Ashcroft was being personally briefed about the investigation. Conyers described this as a "a stunning ethical breach that cries out for an immediate investigation."
Report: Rove Failed to Tell FBI About Conversation w/ Time Reporter
Conyers' call comes after a new report by investigative journalist Murray Waas that Justice Department officials decided to appoint a special prosecutor in large part because investigators had begun to specifically question the veracity of accounts provided to them by Karl Rove. When first questioned by the FBI, Rove failed to tell FBI investigators that he had talked to Time reporter Matthew Cooper about Wilson's wife. In addition, Rove claims that he learned of Valerie Plame's identity during a conversation with a journalist. But according to Waas, Rove was unable to recall virtually anything to investigators about the circumstances about that conversation including who the journalist was or whether it took part in person or on the phone.
Bush Administration Attempts To Remove Judge in Indian Case
The Justice Department has taken the unusual step of asking a federal court to remove a judge involved in a nine-year old class-action lawsuit filed by Native Americans seeking billions of dollars in unpaid and gas royalties dating back to the 19th century. Last year the judge -- Royce Lamberth -- held Interior Secretary Gale Norton in contempt of court. He has also been highly critical of the Interior Department for failing to identify how much money Native American tribes are owed. Lamberth recently described the Interior Department as the morally and culturally oblivious hand-me-down of a disgracefully racist and imperialist government that should have been buried a century ago, the last pathetic outpost of the indifference and anglocentrism we thought we had left behind." Lamberth has consistently ruled in favor of the 500,000 Native Americans covered in the class action suit. Last month Lamberth said in a ruling, ''Our government still treats Native American Indians as if they were somehow less than deserving of the respect that should be afforded to everyone in a society where all people are supposed to be equal.''
Report: UK Police Lied About Shooting of Innocent Man
In Britain the tv network ITV has obtained leaked information that indicate the British government may have lied about key details involving the police shooting of an innocent Brazilian electrician aboard a subway car. According to the leaked witness statements, the Brazilian man, Jean Charles de Menezes, was being restrained by a member of Scotland Yard's surveillance team at the time that he was shot. In addition, the leaked information indicate Menezes was wearing a thin denim jacket -- not a bulky jacket as police said. It also now appears that Menezes never ran from the police. He only began to run when he saw his train pull into the station. Menezes was shot by police shortly after the July 21st attempted bombings in London.
Allegations of Cover-up Grow Over London Police Shooting
Allegations of a cover-up are growing in London over the fatal Police shooting of a Brazilian man initially characterized as a possible July 21st bomb suspect. The British official in charge of the Independent Police Complaints Commission said yesterday that City police initially opposed an independent investigation into the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, but agreed to it later. The Police issued the statement after lawyers for the Menezes family met with the complaints commission, demanding more information about the killing.
Gareth Pierce, lawyer for the Menezes family:"There has been a chaotic mess and what we have asked the IPCC to find out is how much of it is incompetence and negligence, including gross negligence, and how much of it may be something more sinister. We don't know--we're simply asking the questions"
Menezes was shot seven times in the head by police who followed him to a south London subway station on July 22 - one day after the failed London subway bombings. Meanwhile, the BBC is reporting that the whistleblower who leaked documents contradicting the official police story on the shooting has been suspended.
Coretta Scott King Suffered Stroke, Heart Attack
Now an update on the condition of civil rights pioneer Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King, Jr. Her doctor says she suffered a minor heart attack and a major stroke that impaired her ability to speak and affected her right side, but the doctor said she is "completely aware." King's daughter said the family expects a full recovery.
Este mes puede ser uno de los peores para Estados Unidos en Irak
Mientras tanto, agosto se perfila como uno de los meses con más bajas para las tropas estadounidenses hasta este momento. En los primeros 10 dÃas del mes, murieron 44 soldados, y la semana que comenzó el 3 de agosto fue la cuarta con más bajas estadounidenses en la guerra.
Más de 1.500 vigilias con velas contra la guerra en Estados Unidos
En la noche de ayer, personas de todo Estados Unidos participaron en más de 1.500 vigilias con velas, en un llamado a cesar la ocupación de Irak. Las vigilias fueron convocadas por Cindy Sheehan, que continúa su protesta contra la guerra cerca de las tierras del Presidente Bush en Crawford, Texas. A continuación, palabras de la madre de un soldado herido en Irak, durante una vigilia en Washington DC.
Gilda, una madre de un soldado que peleó en Irak: "Lo que resulta imperdonable es que usted traicionó a nuestros hijos e hijas, estadounidenses idealistas, que con confianza pusieron la vida en sus manos. Nosotras, sus madres, no le vamos a permitir a usted que continúe con su vida."
Mientras tanto, en Crawford, aumenta el número de personas que se unen a la protesta de Cindy Sheehan, cuyo campamento ha comenzado a instalarse en las tierras de un vecino del Presidente Bush, que ofreció su propiedad a Sheehan. Entre las personas que se le unen, hay muchos padres de soldados fallecidos en Irak, incluyendo a la Senadora Becky Lourey, del estado de Minnesota. También participa en la protesta Colleen Rowley, ex informante del FBI y candidata al Congreso de Minnesota. El ex analista de la CIA Ray McGovern se encuentra también en Crawford, y se espera la llegada de muchas personas más, que se reunirán en una movilización prevista para la noche del jueves.
Cindy Sheehan,"Aquà en el campamento Casey, siempre estamos de buen ánimo, porque sentimos el apoyo de la gente de todo el mundo".
Republicanos se unen a la demanda de retirada de Irak
Mientras continua la protesta en Texas, en Capitol Hill hay avances en el desarrollo de los esfuerzos contra la guerra. El congresista Walter Jones, de Carolina del Norte, afirmó que apoya junto con cerca de 50 de sus pares una resolución conjunta para pedir al Presidente Bush que anuncie a fines de este año un plan de retirada de Irak.
Este fue el último giro del drástico cambio de posición de Jones, que fue el polÃtico responsable de la iniciativa para que la cantina del Congreso cambiara el nombre de las papas fritas, que en inglés se llaman "papas a la francesa", y las denominara "papas de la libertad", expresando rechazo a la posición del gobierno de Francia contra la invasión de Irak.
La propuesta de resolución dirigida al Presidente Bush fue presentada en junio por Jones, el republicano Ron Paul, de Texas, y el demócrata Dennis Kucinich. En ella se solicita al Presidente que comience la retirada de las tropas el 1 de octubre de 2006, pero no se establece una fecha para completarla. Jones afirmó que entre quienes respaldan ahora la medida hay republicanos.
Senador Hagel: Estados Unidos "más y más atascado" en Irak
Mientras tanto, el senador republicano, Chuck Hagel, de Nebraska, dijo el martes que Estados Unidos se queda cada vez "más y más atascado" en Irak y reafirmó su opinión de que la Casa Blanca está desconectada de la realidad y perdiendo la guerra.
Hagel se burló de las declaraciones de junio del vicepresidente Dick Cheney, en que éste afirmó que la resistencia en Irak estaba "llegando al fin de la agonÃa". El senador dijo: "Quizás el vicepresidente podrÃa explicarnos el aumento en los ataques que estamos sufriendo. Si eso es ganar, entonces tiene una definición de ganar que no es la mÃa."
Legisladores iraquÃes no logran acuerdo sobre Constitución
La Asamblea Nacional de Irak no logró un acuerdo sobre la nueva Constitución en el plazo previsto, que terminó en la medianoche del lunes, pero los legisladores se concedieron una semana más de tiempo.
Las principales diferencias aún son el papel del Islam, los derechos de las mujeres y si se permitirá a chiitas y kurdos establecer regiones autónomas en el norte y sur del paÃs, respectivamente. El Wall Street Journal informa que el gobierno de Bush "presiona a los iraquÃes" para que acuerden un borrador, "aunque sea para guardar las apariencias, de manera que parezca que el proceso polÃtico sigue su curso".
El lunes, el embajador de Estados Unidos en Irak, Zalmay Khalilzad, participó en la Asamblea Nacional con el fin de observar las negociaciones. Khalilzad, que habÃa presentado en el fin de semana su propio borrador de Constitución, culpó a la última tormenta de arena en Irak de que no se haya alcanzado un acuerdo en el plazo que terminó ayer. "Reconocemos que los tres dÃas que se perdieron por la reciente tormenta de arena retrasaron la agenda de deliberaciones", afirmó.
Irak puede afrontar una crisis polÃtica si no se llega a un acuerdo en el correr de la semana próxima. Según la ley de transición redactada por Estados Unidos, en ese caso la Asamblea General deberÃa ser disuelta, y habrÃa que llamar nuevamente a elecciones para comenzar el proceso polÃtico otra vez.
Audiencia por asesinato de prisionero afgano por parte de soldado estadounidense
Pasamos al escándalo del maltrato a un prisionero. Un detenido afgano que murió en 2002, bajo custodia militar estadounidense, tenÃa heridas tan graves que los músculos de sus piernas se desintegraron. La información surge de la declaración realizada esta semana por una médica de la Fuerza Aérea, en el juicio a un soldado acusado de haber golpeado al prisionero. La médica, que realizó la autopsia del detenido, dijo que ese examen mostró que los músculos estaban "desintegrados y deshaciéndose". También declaró que las heridas pudieron ser provocadas por repetidos golpes con la rodilla o de puño. El soldado Willie Brand es acusado de haber maltratado en Afganistán a dos prisioneros que murieron más tarde, ambos en 2002.
Conyers pide investigar la participación de Ashcroft en caso de filtración de CIA
Ahora pasamos a las noticias más recientes de la investigación sobre quiénes dentro del gobierno de Bush revelaron que Valerie Plame, esposa del embajador Joseph Wilson, era una agente encubierta de la CIA. El congresista John Conyers solicita que se investigue la participación en el caso del ex fiscal general John Ashcroft. En un principio, Ashcroft no se excusó de participar en la investigación, pese a que estuvo asociado durante mucho tiempo con Karl Rove, quien fue interrogado por el FBI acerca de la filtración. En ese momento, Ashcroft recibÃa informes personales sobre la marcha de la investigación. Conyers dijo que eso fue "una falta ética grave que exige una investigación de inmediato".
Informe: Rove no informó al FBI de conversación con periodista de Time
El pedido de investigación de Conyers fue presentado luego de la publicación de un nuevo informe sobre el asunto, del periodista de investigación Murray Waas. Waas reveló que la decisión de designar a un fiscal especial, adoptada por funcionarios del Departamento de Justicia, se debió en gran medida a que los investigadores habÃan comenzado a dudar de la veracidad de la información aportada por Karl Rove. Cuando el FBI interrogó a Rove por primera vez, éste no dijo a los investigadores que habÃa hablado con el periodista de la revista Time, Matthew Cooper, acerca de la esposa de Wilson. Por otra parte, Rove sostiene que se enteró de la identidad de Valerie Plame en una conversación con un periodista. Pero según Waas, Rove dijo a los investigadores que no recordaba las circunstancias en que eso ocurrió, quién era el periodista o si la conversación fue cara a cara o por teléfono.
Gobierno de Bush busca destituir a juez en caso de indÃgenas
El Departamento de Justicia ha tomado la inusual medida de pedirle a un tribunal federal que destituya a un juez, involucrado en una demanda colectiva que lleva nueve años. Esa demanda fue presentada por nativos estadounidenses, que pretenden cobrar millones de dólares en regalÃas de gas impagas correspondientes al siglo XIX. El año pasado, el juez Royce Lamberth declaró en rebeldÃa a la secretaria del Interior, Gale Norton. Lamberth también ha sido muy crÃtico con el Departamento del Interior por no haber determinado cuánto dinero se adeuda a las tribus nativas estadounidenses. El magistrado describió recientemente al Departamento del Interior como "los restos moral y culturalmente inconscientes de un gobierno vergonzosamente racista e imperialista, que debió haberse enterrado hace un siglo, el último y lamentable bastión de la indiferencia y el anglocentrismo que creÃmos haber superado". Lamberth ha fallado sistemáticamente a favor de los 500.000 nativos estadounidenses representados por la demanda colectiva. En un fallo del mes pasado, el juez sostuvo que "nuestro gobierno aún trata a los indÃgenas nativos estadounidenses como si no merecieran el mismo respeto que los demás miembros de una sociedad en la que se supone que todas las personas son iguales".
Informe: PolicÃa británica habrÃa mentido sobre asesinato de inocente
En Gran Bretaña, y según información filtrada que divulgó la red de televisión ITV, el gobierno podrÃa haber mentido acerca de detalles clave en el asesinato de un brasileño inocente en una estación de subterráneo, cometido por policÃas. Según declaraciones de testigos filtradas, el electricista brasileño Jean Charles de Menezes recibió los disparos mientras lo sujetaba un miembro del equipo de vigilancia de Scotland Yard. La información filtrada indica además que Menezes vestÃa una campera de jean, no una gruesa como declaró la policÃa, y que sólo empezó a correr cuando vio que su tren entraba a la estación. Menezes fue asesinado por la policÃa poco después de los atentados del 21 de julio en Londres.
Aumentan acusaciones de encubrimiento en disparos de PolicÃa en Londres
Aumentan las acusaciones de encubrimiento en Londres por el caso de los policÃas que mataron a tiros a un brasileño, que inicialmente fue descrito como un posible sospechoso de los atentados del 21 de julio.
El oficial británico a cargo de la Comisión Independiente de Reclamos de la PolicÃa (IPCC, por sus siglas en inglés), dijo ayer que la policÃa en un principio se opuso a una investigación independiente de la muerte de Jean Charles de Menezes, pero que más tarde accedió a ella.
La policÃa emitió una declaración luego de que los abogados de la familia de Menezes se reunió con la comisión de reclamos, para exigir más información acerca de la muerte de Jean Charles. Escuchamos al abogado de la familia de Menezes, Gareth Pierce: "Hubo una gran confusión y pedimos a la IPCC que averigüe en qué medida se debió a incompetencia o negligencia, o absoluta negligencia, y en qué medida puede ser algo más siniestro. No lo sabemos, simplemente preguntamos".
Menezes recibió siete disparos en la cabeza de la policÃa, que lo siguió en una estación de metro de Londres el 22 de julio, un dÃa después de los atentados fallidos en un metro de esa ciudad. Mientras tanto, la BBC informa sobre la suspensión del informante que filtró documentos que contradicen la versión oficial de los hechos proporcionada por la policÃa.
Coretta Scott King sufrió un infarto y un ataque cardÃaco
Ahora pasamos al estado de salud de la pionera en derechos civiles Coretta Scott King, viuda de Martin Luther King Jr. El médico dice que sufrió un leve ataque cardÃaco y un infarto de entidad que perjudicó su capacidad de habla y afectó la motricidad del lado derecho de su cuerpo, pero que está "totalmente consciente". La hija de King dijo que la familia espera una plena recuperación.
Francisco: Hello, in English, here are 12 headlines from Democracy Now! Pass on to a friend.
August On Pace to Be One of Deadliest Months of War For U.S.
Meanwhile August is shaping up to be one of the deadliest months so far for U.S. troops in Iraq. 44 U.S. soldiers were killed in the first 10 days of the month alone. The week beginning Aug. 3 marked the fourth deadliest week of the war for U.S. forces.
More Than 1,500 Antiwar Vigils Held Across the US
Last night, people across the United States participated in more than 1,500 candlelight vigils calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq. The vigils were called by Cindy Sheehan who is continuing her antiwar protest outside of President Bush's property near Crawford, Texas. Here is the mother of a soldier who was wounded in Iraq, speaking at a vigil in Washington DC.
Gilda, mother of soldier wounded in Iraq:"What is unforgivable is that you betrayed our idealistic American sons and daughters who trustingly placed their lives in your hands. we, their mothers, will not let you move on with your life."
One mother of a soldier who served in Iraq, speaking in Washington DC. Meanwhile, in Crawford Cindy Sheehan has been joined by a growing number of people at her protest and has now begun setting up camp on the property of one of President Bush's neighbors who offered his land to Sheehan. Among the people joining her are several parents of soldiers killed in Iraq, as well as Minnesota State Senator Becky Lourey, whose son died in Iraq, as well as FBI whistleblower Colleen Rowley--who is running for Congress in Minnesota. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern is also in Crawford and many more people are expected to pour in for a rally planned for Thursday evening.
Cindy Sheehan:"Our spirits are always good here at Camp Casey 'cause we feel the support of everybody around the world."
Republicans Join Calls for Iraq Withdrawal
Even as the protest continues in Texas, there are new developments in the antiwar effort on Capitol Hill. North Carolina Republican Congressman Walter Jones says he has about 50 co-sponsors on a joint resolution that calls on President Bush to announce a plan for withdrawal from Iraq by the end of this year. This is the latest twist in the dramatic shift in position by Jones who was the politician behind the move to change the name of French fries to "Freedom Fries" in the Congressional cafeteria. The resolution was introduced in June by Jones, Republican Ron Paul of Texas, as well as Democrat Dennis Kucinich. It calls on the president to begin the withdrawal by Oct. 1, 2006, but it does not set an end date. Jones said the new supporters include five Republicans.
Sen. Hagel: US ‘More and More Bogged Down’ in Iraq
Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska said Thursday that the United States is getting "more and more bogged down" in Iraq and stood by his comments that the White House is disconnected from reality and losing the war. Hagel mocked Vice President Dick Cheney's assertion in June that the resistance in Iraq was in its "last throes," saying, "Maybe the vice president can explain the increase in casualties we're taking. If that's winning, then he's got a different definition of winning than I do."
Iraq Lawmakers Fail To Agree on Constitution
In Iraq, the country's National Assembly failed to agree on a new constitution by Monday's deadline, but legislators have extended the deadline an extra week. Key differences remain over the role of Islam, women's rights and whether the Shiites and Kurds will be allowed to form autonomous regions in the south and the north. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Bush administration "pressured Iraqis" to agree on a draft "even for appearance's sake so the political process seemed on track." On Monday, the US Ambassador to Iraq -- Zalmay Khalilzad - sat in on the National Assembly to observe the negotiations. Over the weekend he submitted his own draft of a constitution. After Monday's deadline passed, Khalilzad blamed the country's recent sandstorm for the delay. He said QUOTE "We recognize that the three days lost because of the recent sandstorm set back the schedule of deliberations." If a constitution is not agreed to by next week it would throw Iraq into a political crisis. Under the U.S.-written transitional law, if the constitution is not agreed to on time, the national assembly would be dissolved. Iraq would then have to hold new elections and start the political process all over again.
Court Hears Details of Killing of Afghan Prisoner by US Soldier
Now to the ongoing prisoner abuse scandal. An Afghan detainee who died in US military custody in 2002 was injured so severely that his leg muscles were split apart. This according to an Air Force medical examiner's testimony this week in the trial of a soldier accused in the beating. The examiner who performed the autopsy on the prisoner said his muscles were "crumbling and falling apart." She testified that the injuries could have been caused by repeated knee strikes or by a fist. Army Private Willie Brand is accused of abusing the two prisoners in Afghanistan in 2002. Both later died.
Conyers Calls For Investigation Into Ascroft's Role In CIA Leak Case
Now onto the latest in the investigation into who within the Bush administration outted CIA operative Valerie Plame, the wife of Ambassador Joseph Wilson. Congressman John Conyers is calling for an investigation into former Attorney General John Ashcroft's role in the case. Ashcroft initially refused to recuse himself from the investigation despite his longtime association with Karl Rove who was being questioned over the leak by the FBI. At the time, Ashcroft was being personally briefed about the investigation. Conyers described this as a "a stunning ethical breach that cries out for an immediate investigation."
Report: Rove Failed to Tell FBI About Conversation w/ Time Reporter
Conyers' call comes after a new report by investigative journalist Murray Waas that Justice Department officials decided to appoint a special prosecutor in large part because investigators had begun to specifically question the veracity of accounts provided to them by Karl Rove. When first questioned by the FBI, Rove failed to tell FBI investigators that he had talked to Time reporter Matthew Cooper about Wilson's wife. In addition, Rove claims that he learned of Valerie Plame's identity during a conversation with a journalist. But according to Waas, Rove was unable to recall virtually anything to investigators about the circumstances about that conversation including who the journalist was or whether it took part in person or on the phone.
Bush Administration Attempts To Remove Judge in Indian Case
The Justice Department has taken the unusual step of asking a federal court to remove a judge involved in a nine-year old class-action lawsuit filed by Native Americans seeking billions of dollars in unpaid and gas royalties dating back to the 19th century. Last year the judge -- Royce Lamberth -- held Interior Secretary Gale Norton in contempt of court. He has also been highly critical of the Interior Department for failing to identify how much money Native American tribes are owed. Lamberth recently described the Interior Department as the morally and culturally oblivious hand-me-down of a disgracefully racist and imperialist government that should have been buried a century ago, the last pathetic outpost of the indifference and anglocentrism we thought we had left behind." Lamberth has consistently ruled in favor of the 500,000 Native Americans covered in the class action suit. Last month Lamberth said in a ruling, ''Our government still treats Native American Indians as if they were somehow less than deserving of the respect that should be afforded to everyone in a society where all people are supposed to be equal.''
Report: UK Police Lied About Shooting of Innocent Man
In Britain the tv network ITV has obtained leaked information that indicate the British government may have lied about key details involving the police shooting of an innocent Brazilian electrician aboard a subway car. According to the leaked witness statements, the Brazilian man, Jean Charles de Menezes, was being restrained by a member of Scotland Yard's surveillance team at the time that he was shot. In addition, the leaked information indicate Menezes was wearing a thin denim jacket -- not a bulky jacket as police said. It also now appears that Menezes never ran from the police. He only began to run when he saw his train pull into the station. Menezes was shot by police shortly after the July 21st attempted bombings in London.
Allegations of Cover-up Grow Over London Police Shooting
Allegations of a cover-up are growing in London over the fatal Police shooting of a Brazilian man initially characterized as a possible July 21st bomb suspect. The British official in charge of the Independent Police Complaints Commission said yesterday that City police initially opposed an independent investigation into the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, but agreed to it later. The Police issued the statement after lawyers for the Menezes family met with the complaints commission, demanding more information about the killing.
Gareth Pierce, lawyer for the Menezes family:"There has been a chaotic mess and what we have asked the IPCC to find out is how much of it is incompetence and negligence, including gross negligence, and how much of it may be something more sinister. We don't know--we're simply asking the questions"
Menezes was shot seven times in the head by police who followed him to a south London subway station on July 22 - one day after the failed London subway bombings. Meanwhile, the BBC is reporting that the whistleblower who leaked documents contradicting the official police story on the shooting has been suspended.
Coretta Scott King Suffered Stroke, Heart Attack
Now an update on the condition of civil rights pioneer Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King, Jr. Her doctor says she suffered a minor heart attack and a major stroke that impaired her ability to speak and affected her right side, but the doctor said she is "completely aware." King's daughter said the family expects a full recovery.
Sunday Chat & Chews
It's that time again, Friday, and like a slasher movie villan, the Chat & Chews are waiting at the gate to be released on the public. The Chat & Chews air on Sundays. Check your local listings for air times.
ABC's This Week will have the following guests:
Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M.
Sen. George Allen, R-Va.
Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.
Claire Shipman, ABC News
Paul Krugman, New York Times
George Will, alleged bow tie sporting alien from outer space*
Kinky Friedman, running for governor of Texas, author, musician
Topics will include:
. . . are we nearing a tipping point with Iraq? In the last week, the missed deadline to draft an Iraqi constitution, a new call for the president to withdraw U.S. troops, and continued casualties in Iraq have all given added momentum to the nation's antiwar movement -- a movement personified by Cindy Sheehan. How will this affect the Republicans in 2006? I'll ask Sens. George Allen, R-Va., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., Republican leaders with very different views of the war.
With regards to Hagel, we'll note this from Friday's Democracy Now!:
Sen. Hagel: US 'More and More Bogged Down' in Iraq
Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska said Thursday that the United States is getting "more and more bogged down" in Iraq and stood by his comments that the White House is disconnected from reality and losing the war. Hagel mocked Vice President Dick Cheney's assertion in June that the resistance in Iraq was in its "last throes," saying, "Maybe the vice president can explain the increase in casualties we're taking. If that's winning, then he's got a different definition of winning than I do."
Friedman will discuss "[r]unning as an independent" for the governor of Texas, Bill Richardson will discuss border issues.
For the roundtable, Shipman, Krugman and George Stephanopoulos will discuss "Iraq and Cindy Sheehan, rising gas and oil prices and the just-released John Roberts documents" while George Will frowns a lot, sighs, smirks and makes what passes for "insightful" and "witty" only amongst the most educationally starved sets.
Claire Shipman's inclusion means one woman will be present, Cindy Sheehan will be 'discussed.'
She's fit for a topic, why not fit for a guest?
NBC's Meet the Press comes on with big promises -- why does it seem like so much bluster?
SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D - WI)
Foreign Relations Committee
SEN. TRENT LOTT (R - MS)
Author, "Herding Cats: A Life in Politics" Intelligence Committee
LARRY DIAMOND
Author, "Squandered Victory: The American Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to Iraq" Fmr. Senior Adviser on Governance, Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq DAN SENOR
Fmr. Chief Spokesperson, Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq
We'll hear the differing analysis and opinions of two former advisers of the administration's team in Iraq: Larry Diamond, former senior adviser on governance to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and author of "Squandered Victory: The American Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to Iraq" and Dan Senor, the former Chief Spokesperson for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.
Differeing analysis and opinions? Wow! That would be a first. Will we really get it? Magic 8 Ball says "It is doubtful." Here's why:
The contributions both Diamond and Phillips make to understanding what has taken place in Iraq are considerable. But there is a sense in which one of their most important contributions is inadvertent. For both their books illustrate and exemplify the extraordinary consensus about the duty to intervene that has arisen over the course of the post-cold war world. We have not yet begun to pay the price for this--not because we do it ineptly but rather because it rarely seems possible except on the far fringes of the political right and left, what with the "historic compromise" between the Bush Administration and the human rights movement over humanitarian intervention, if not over torture, rendition, the Patriot Act and myriad other issues, to have a serious conversation about whether the United States has any business trying to create democracies by force of arms. Instead, the consensus not just of these two writers and activists but of the great and the good from the Kennedy School of Government, to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, to the thirty-eighth floor of the UN, to 10 Downing Street seems to be that we--whether the "we" in question proves to be the United States, the UN or that mythical entity, the international community--must learn to do this sort of thing better, more effectively, perhaps more humanely. It is not only L. Paul Bremer who suffers from hubris.
That's from David Rieff's "No Exit Strategy" (The Nation) where he reviews both books. The "debate" between Diamond and non book author Senor (Magic 8 ball predicts) will follow the same pattern: "quibbles" over how to do an invasion. The issue of whether or not it should be done will not be addressed. We couldn't ask before the invasion, we can't ask even now apparently.
Note to Timmy, we're still waiting for real debate on Meet the Press. Magic 8 Ball notes that there are no female guests on Meet the Press.
CBS' Face the Nation promises less bluster, offers one female guest and seems interested in what could be termed "kitchen table issues" which could lead to less speculation and more actual information but then, that's the "beauty" of the Sunday Chat & Chews, you just never know if the Cracker Jack box contains a prize or not.
Host:
CBS Evening News Anchor Bob Schieffer
Topics:
Gas Prices, Real Estate Bubble, Economy
Guests:
Glenn Hubbard
Dean, Columbia Business School
Former Chairman, White House Council Of Economic Advisers
Robert Reich
Professor Of Social And Economic Policy, Brandeis University
Former Secretary of Labor
Mike Allen
The Washington Post
Anne Kornblut
The New York Times
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
ABC's This Week will have the following guests:
Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M.
Sen. George Allen, R-Va.
Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.
Claire Shipman, ABC News
Paul Krugman, New York Times
George Will, alleged bow tie sporting alien from outer space*
Kinky Friedman, running for governor of Texas, author, musician
Topics will include:
. . . are we nearing a tipping point with Iraq? In the last week, the missed deadline to draft an Iraqi constitution, a new call for the president to withdraw U.S. troops, and continued casualties in Iraq have all given added momentum to the nation's antiwar movement -- a movement personified by Cindy Sheehan. How will this affect the Republicans in 2006? I'll ask Sens. George Allen, R-Va., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., Republican leaders with very different views of the war.
With regards to Hagel, we'll note this from Friday's Democracy Now!:
Sen. Hagel: US 'More and More Bogged Down' in Iraq
Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska said Thursday that the United States is getting "more and more bogged down" in Iraq and stood by his comments that the White House is disconnected from reality and losing the war. Hagel mocked Vice President Dick Cheney's assertion in June that the resistance in Iraq was in its "last throes," saying, "Maybe the vice president can explain the increase in casualties we're taking. If that's winning, then he's got a different definition of winning than I do."
Friedman will discuss "[r]unning as an independent" for the governor of Texas, Bill Richardson will discuss border issues.
For the roundtable, Shipman, Krugman and George Stephanopoulos will discuss "Iraq and Cindy Sheehan, rising gas and oil prices and the just-released John Roberts documents" while George Will frowns a lot, sighs, smirks and makes what passes for "insightful" and "witty" only amongst the most educationally starved sets.
Claire Shipman's inclusion means one woman will be present, Cindy Sheehan will be 'discussed.'
She's fit for a topic, why not fit for a guest?
NBC's Meet the Press comes on with big promises -- why does it seem like so much bluster?
SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D - WI)
Foreign Relations Committee
SEN. TRENT LOTT (R - MS)
Author, "Herding Cats: A Life in Politics" Intelligence Committee
LARRY DIAMOND
Author, "Squandered Victory: The American Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to Iraq" Fmr. Senior Adviser on Governance, Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq DAN SENOR
Fmr. Chief Spokesperson, Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq
We'll hear the differing analysis and opinions of two former advisers of the administration's team in Iraq: Larry Diamond, former senior adviser on governance to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and author of "Squandered Victory: The American Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to Iraq" and Dan Senor, the former Chief Spokesperson for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.
Differeing analysis and opinions? Wow! That would be a first. Will we really get it? Magic 8 Ball says "It is doubtful." Here's why:
The contributions both Diamond and Phillips make to understanding what has taken place in Iraq are considerable. But there is a sense in which one of their most important contributions is inadvertent. For both their books illustrate and exemplify the extraordinary consensus about the duty to intervene that has arisen over the course of the post-cold war world. We have not yet begun to pay the price for this--not because we do it ineptly but rather because it rarely seems possible except on the far fringes of the political right and left, what with the "historic compromise" between the Bush Administration and the human rights movement over humanitarian intervention, if not over torture, rendition, the Patriot Act and myriad other issues, to have a serious conversation about whether the United States has any business trying to create democracies by force of arms. Instead, the consensus not just of these two writers and activists but of the great and the good from the Kennedy School of Government, to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, to the thirty-eighth floor of the UN, to 10 Downing Street seems to be that we--whether the "we" in question proves to be the United States, the UN or that mythical entity, the international community--must learn to do this sort of thing better, more effectively, perhaps more humanely. It is not only L. Paul Bremer who suffers from hubris.
That's from David Rieff's "No Exit Strategy" (The Nation) where he reviews both books. The "debate" between Diamond and non book author Senor (Magic 8 ball predicts) will follow the same pattern: "quibbles" over how to do an invasion. The issue of whether or not it should be done will not be addressed. We couldn't ask before the invasion, we can't ask even now apparently.
Note to Timmy, we're still waiting for real debate on Meet the Press. Magic 8 Ball notes that there are no female guests on Meet the Press.
CBS' Face the Nation promises less bluster, offers one female guest and seems interested in what could be termed "kitchen table issues" which could lead to less speculation and more actual information but then, that's the "beauty" of the Sunday Chat & Chews, you just never know if the Cracker Jack box contains a prize or not.
Host:
CBS Evening News Anchor Bob Schieffer
Topics:
Gas Prices, Real Estate Bubble, Economy
Guests:
Glenn Hubbard
Dean, Columbia Business School
Former Chairman, White House Council Of Economic Advisers
Robert Reich
Professor Of Social And Economic Policy, Brandeis University
Former Secretary of Labor
Mike Allen
The Washington Post
Anne Kornblut
The New York Times
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
Baby Cries a Lot Sits Down and Poops on his co-workers
Baby Cries a Lot sits down with The Progressive magazine for an interview entitled "Al Franken Interview" (by Stephen Thompson) and it's not pretty. Stephen Thompson tries hard throughout the interview. He even stretches the truth but it's of no help.
For instance, after running down Franken's two sitcoms (both quickly cancelled), Thompson offers, "He has also worked in film--most notably as co-writer and star of 1995's Stuart Saves His Family, a spin-off of the Stuart Smalley character he'd created for SNL."
Most notably? Thompson's far too kind. What was Stuart Saves His Family's opening domestic box office?
$371,898.
It's final box office total?
$912,082
Most notably? It didn't even make a million at the box office. Thompson tries so hard, but it's Baby Cries a Lot's nappy and he's determined to poop if he wants to, poop if he wants to.
Franken: Yeah, I’m not that leftwing, which is the odd thing about this: My views on most things would jibe with most Americans'. On most issues, most Americans are certainly left of this Administration. Not necessarily left, but more common-sensical. Given a chance, they’d spend less on the military, they wouldn’t make more nuclear weapons, they would want to increase environmental regulation rather than reduce it, they would want to spend more on education and health care, they would enforce corporate-responsibility laws and make corporations pay their taxes, all those kinds of things. Crazy talk. [Laughs.]
Common-sensical? He did graduate college, didn't he?
No, he's not "that leftwing." He's jingoistic and he's Baby Cries a Lot, but he's not leftwing. Which is why the original title for his program was nixed (it included the apparently dreaded word "liberal").
He explains, a nonshocker, how much he enjoys socializing with Republican senators. We kind of got that idea when he brought on AEI refugees and assorted others. One so offensive that Randi Rhodes, whose show aired immediately after, expressed her dismay that Baby Cries a Lot had the man on as a guest.
But, and maybe this somewhat explains The Nation cover story that was so dominated with news of Baby Cries a Lot, note how he fails to bring up any of the other shows. As Randi Rhodes noted (I believe it was in the lengthy profile the Washington Post did on her) that it wouldn't hurt him to plug some of the other shows when he goes on TV. Apparently it would hurt his pride to do that interviews so, instead, he resorts to insults and dismissing reality.
Q: Did you have a difficult time attracting talent in the beginning?
Franken: Well, we didn't really have a problem attracting talent, because there is no talent to some degree. [Laughs.] The right wing has had a radio apparatus for years and years, so they’ve had minor leagues--they've had local rightwing guys who've become national rightwing guys, and who build slowly, and that's how it goes. We haven't had that. It isn’t like we have a farm team.
Possibly Thompson meant, by "talent," guests or writers. Baby Cries a Lot instead goes to the other on air personalities. They don't even qualify for a "farm team."
Next, Thompson appears to attempt to correct the impression (huge ego) that Baby Cries a Lot has just left with readers.
Q: You do have some experienced radio veterans.
Franken: Yeah, but you need an experienced radio veteran who is a liberal advocate. And there just hadn't been any radio that did that. And so they weren't trained--they had developed all these bad habits of being objective and balanced and stuff like that. [Laughs.] It's hard to get that out of a person. I mean, obviously, I value objectivity and actually caring about facts, and we do that on the show. I'm not saying we're objective, but we're advocates. Katherine [Lanpher, co-host of The Al Franken Show] is certainly much more objective than I am, and tries to rein me in and keep me in check, which is good.
Kathaerine's "experienced." (Presumably Rachel Maddow would qualify as well, WRSI & WRNX, but he doesn't mention her.) But it's in that "objective and balanced" radio (read public radio). That's the only kind of "radio veteran" at Air America Radio, according to Baby Cries a Lot, because there was no one who'd been "a liberal advocate" and there "just hadn't been any radio that did that."
You know, outside of his inflated ego there's a thing called facts. He might want to visit the Land of Facts someday. (An appearance by Bob Somerby was a disaster as Franken refused to let the fact checker surpreme -- intended as a compliment -- get a word in.) Laura Flanders had extensive training in radio and is a liberal. She was doing a daily show while Baby Cries a Lot was still trying to figure out why Stuart flopped (and flopped so big). In addition, before Air America Radio existed, Mike Malloy and Randi Rhodes were popular radio hosts. They were established names, dealing with the news from a liberal perspective for many, many years. They were not unknowns. Randi Rhodes was successful in her markets and known via internet streaming outside of her markets. Mike Malloy, too, was a trusted voice. But somehow the three of them don't even qualify for a "farm team?" Besty Rosenberg's EcoTalk existed (like The Randi Rhodes Show) prior to Air America. But Besty Rosenberg doesn't cut it a farm team either apparently.
Most people grasped that the "family" wasn't a family when Lizz Winstead was disappeared. Considering that Baby Cries a Lot rushed Greg Palast off the air for daring to question the hagiography surrounding Ronald Reagan, that he played an insulting and demeaning theme song before David Brock's every appearence ("We Will Brock You") and that he, like O'Reilly, wouldn't let Jeremy Glick make his points (boiled down as chickens coming home to roost), we've been pretty easy on the man who delighted in mocking the death of Arafat with a zeal that one doesn't expect from such a fluffy man. His sexual remarks to a guest (an elderly, African-American woman) were in bad taste. His comments about activism by entertainers (while praising Meg Ryan) were insulting (and ticked a number of people off). But the worst we've done prior to this entry is to dub him, rightly, Baby Cries a Lot (he turns on the tears when he can't win an argument -- watch the CSPAN video closely if you've missed this trait on his radio program).
Yet once again, his ego leads him to insult others at Air America Radio. For the record, Laura Flanders, Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy and Betsy Rosenberg came to Air America Radio with radio experience, as liberal voices on the air. They do now, what they did then and do it amazing well. They are not a "farm team," they are on the first string. They know their facts, they know how to shape their points and make their points in a manner which is both entertaining and educational. They are radio professionals and they deserve something more from Baby Cries a Lot then to be slammed and/or overlooked.
In addition to them, Matthew Rothschild has been doing The Progressive Radio Show for many years and Baby Cries a Lot has just slighted Rothschild (and I'm sure others, I don't claim to be an expert on radio) as well. There's also FAIR's CounterSpin program, which, Laura Flanders hosted for years.
No, he's not "that leftwing." And as he bends and twists in the wind, most listeners can grasp that. (Or at least community members can. He's loathed by community members. And he has only himself to blame for that and his tendencies that include raving over Ronald Reagan go to the reason why.)
Not surprisingly, when Thompson asks Baby Cries a Lot about his "dream contributors," Baby gurgles three names, all men. Note, this isn't three hosts, this is three contributors. To put it into TV terms, Baby Cries a Lot wasn't asked to pick an anchor for the evening news. If he had been and had still chosen three males, that would be bad enough. But what's worse is that Baby doesn't even think of a woman who can contribute a report. That's what he's listing, people who could do reports. And no woman springs to mind.
Baby Cries a Lot prefers women to play mommy (as happens on his show) or sex object (as happens during his USO tour -- which resuled in angry responses to Mother Jones when they ran his USO piece).
Baby Cries a Lot needs to start recognizing the contributions of others at Air America Radio and he also needs to grasp that people like Laura Flanders, Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy and Betsy Rosenberg have been fighting the good fight while he's been yucking it up. They aren't the "farm team," they are varsity players, first string. Were his talent as large as his ego, he'd be a radio giant. It's not and he's not. It's time he stopped minimizing (or ignoring) the work of others.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
(Note: As mentioned earlier today, the interview was e-mailed by Brad who also made a strong case for addressing it here.)
For instance, after running down Franken's two sitcoms (both quickly cancelled), Thompson offers, "He has also worked in film--most notably as co-writer and star of 1995's Stuart Saves His Family, a spin-off of the Stuart Smalley character he'd created for SNL."
Most notably? Thompson's far too kind. What was Stuart Saves His Family's opening domestic box office?
$371,898.
It's final box office total?
$912,082
Most notably? It didn't even make a million at the box office. Thompson tries so hard, but it's Baby Cries a Lot's nappy and he's determined to poop if he wants to, poop if he wants to.
Franken: Yeah, I’m not that leftwing, which is the odd thing about this: My views on most things would jibe with most Americans'. On most issues, most Americans are certainly left of this Administration. Not necessarily left, but more common-sensical. Given a chance, they’d spend less on the military, they wouldn’t make more nuclear weapons, they would want to increase environmental regulation rather than reduce it, they would want to spend more on education and health care, they would enforce corporate-responsibility laws and make corporations pay their taxes, all those kinds of things. Crazy talk. [Laughs.]
Common-sensical? He did graduate college, didn't he?
No, he's not "that leftwing." He's jingoistic and he's Baby Cries a Lot, but he's not leftwing. Which is why the original title for his program was nixed (it included the apparently dreaded word "liberal").
He explains, a nonshocker, how much he enjoys socializing with Republican senators. We kind of got that idea when he brought on AEI refugees and assorted others. One so offensive that Randi Rhodes, whose show aired immediately after, expressed her dismay that Baby Cries a Lot had the man on as a guest.
But, and maybe this somewhat explains The Nation cover story that was so dominated with news of Baby Cries a Lot, note how he fails to bring up any of the other shows. As Randi Rhodes noted (I believe it was in the lengthy profile the Washington Post did on her) that it wouldn't hurt him to plug some of the other shows when he goes on TV. Apparently it would hurt his pride to do that interviews so, instead, he resorts to insults and dismissing reality.
Q: Did you have a difficult time attracting talent in the beginning?
Franken: Well, we didn't really have a problem attracting talent, because there is no talent to some degree. [Laughs.] The right wing has had a radio apparatus for years and years, so they’ve had minor leagues--they've had local rightwing guys who've become national rightwing guys, and who build slowly, and that's how it goes. We haven't had that. It isn’t like we have a farm team.
Possibly Thompson meant, by "talent," guests or writers. Baby Cries a Lot instead goes to the other on air personalities. They don't even qualify for a "farm team."
Next, Thompson appears to attempt to correct the impression (huge ego) that Baby Cries a Lot has just left with readers.
Q: You do have some experienced radio veterans.
Franken: Yeah, but you need an experienced radio veteran who is a liberal advocate. And there just hadn't been any radio that did that. And so they weren't trained--they had developed all these bad habits of being objective and balanced and stuff like that. [Laughs.] It's hard to get that out of a person. I mean, obviously, I value objectivity and actually caring about facts, and we do that on the show. I'm not saying we're objective, but we're advocates. Katherine [Lanpher, co-host of The Al Franken Show] is certainly much more objective than I am, and tries to rein me in and keep me in check, which is good.
Kathaerine's "experienced." (Presumably Rachel Maddow would qualify as well, WRSI & WRNX, but he doesn't mention her.) But it's in that "objective and balanced" radio (read public radio). That's the only kind of "radio veteran" at Air America Radio, according to Baby Cries a Lot, because there was no one who'd been "a liberal advocate" and there "just hadn't been any radio that did that."
You know, outside of his inflated ego there's a thing called facts. He might want to visit the Land of Facts someday. (An appearance by Bob Somerby was a disaster as Franken refused to let the fact checker surpreme -- intended as a compliment -- get a word in.) Laura Flanders had extensive training in radio and is a liberal. She was doing a daily show while Baby Cries a Lot was still trying to figure out why Stuart flopped (and flopped so big). In addition, before Air America Radio existed, Mike Malloy and Randi Rhodes were popular radio hosts. They were established names, dealing with the news from a liberal perspective for many, many years. They were not unknowns. Randi Rhodes was successful in her markets and known via internet streaming outside of her markets. Mike Malloy, too, was a trusted voice. But somehow the three of them don't even qualify for a "farm team?" Besty Rosenberg's EcoTalk existed (like The Randi Rhodes Show) prior to Air America. But Besty Rosenberg doesn't cut it a farm team either apparently.
Most people grasped that the "family" wasn't a family when Lizz Winstead was disappeared. Considering that Baby Cries a Lot rushed Greg Palast off the air for daring to question the hagiography surrounding Ronald Reagan, that he played an insulting and demeaning theme song before David Brock's every appearence ("We Will Brock You") and that he, like O'Reilly, wouldn't let Jeremy Glick make his points (boiled down as chickens coming home to roost), we've been pretty easy on the man who delighted in mocking the death of Arafat with a zeal that one doesn't expect from such a fluffy man. His sexual remarks to a guest (an elderly, African-American woman) were in bad taste. His comments about activism by entertainers (while praising Meg Ryan) were insulting (and ticked a number of people off). But the worst we've done prior to this entry is to dub him, rightly, Baby Cries a Lot (he turns on the tears when he can't win an argument -- watch the CSPAN video closely if you've missed this trait on his radio program).
Yet once again, his ego leads him to insult others at Air America Radio. For the record, Laura Flanders, Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy and Betsy Rosenberg came to Air America Radio with radio experience, as liberal voices on the air. They do now, what they did then and do it amazing well. They are not a "farm team," they are on the first string. They know their facts, they know how to shape their points and make their points in a manner which is both entertaining and educational. They are radio professionals and they deserve something more from Baby Cries a Lot then to be slammed and/or overlooked.
In addition to them, Matthew Rothschild has been doing The Progressive Radio Show for many years and Baby Cries a Lot has just slighted Rothschild (and I'm sure others, I don't claim to be an expert on radio) as well. There's also FAIR's CounterSpin program, which, Laura Flanders hosted for years.
No, he's not "that leftwing." And as he bends and twists in the wind, most listeners can grasp that. (Or at least community members can. He's loathed by community members. And he has only himself to blame for that and his tendencies that include raving over Ronald Reagan go to the reason why.)
Not surprisingly, when Thompson asks Baby Cries a Lot about his "dream contributors," Baby gurgles three names, all men. Note, this isn't three hosts, this is three contributors. To put it into TV terms, Baby Cries a Lot wasn't asked to pick an anchor for the evening news. If he had been and had still chosen three males, that would be bad enough. But what's worse is that Baby doesn't even think of a woman who can contribute a report. That's what he's listing, people who could do reports. And no woman springs to mind.
Baby Cries a Lot prefers women to play mommy (as happens on his show) or sex object (as happens during his USO tour -- which resuled in angry responses to Mother Jones when they ran his USO piece).
Baby Cries a Lot needs to start recognizing the contributions of others at Air America Radio and he also needs to grasp that people like Laura Flanders, Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy and Betsy Rosenberg have been fighting the good fight while he's been yucking it up. They aren't the "farm team," they are varsity players, first string. Were his talent as large as his ego, he'd be a radio giant. It's not and he's not. It's time he stopped minimizing (or ignoring) the work of others.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
(Note: As mentioned earlier today, the interview was e-mailed by Brad who also made a strong case for addressing it here.)
Democracy Now: Live from Camp Casey in Crawford; Rita J. King, Bob Somerby, Arianna Huffington, Tom Hayden & Danny Schechter
Republicans Join Calls for Iraq Withdrawal
Even as the protest continues in Texas, there are new developments in the antiwar effort on Capitol Hill. North Carolina Republican Congressman Walter Jones says he has about 50 co-sponsors on a joint resolution that calls on President Bush to announce a plan for withdrawal from Iraq by the end of this year. This is the latest twist in the dramatic shift in position by Jones who was the politician behind the move to change the name of French fries to "Freedom Fries" in the Congressional cafeteria. The resolution was introduced in June by Jones, Republican Ron Paul of Texas, as well as Democrat Dennis Kucinich. It calls on the president to begin the withdrawal by Oct. 1, 2006, but it does not set an end date. Jones said the new supporters include five Republicans.
Even as the protest continues in Texas, there are new developments in the antiwar effort on Capitol Hill. North Carolina Republican Congressman Walter Jones says he has about 50 co-sponsors on a joint resolution that calls on President Bush to announce a plan for withdrawal from Iraq by the end of this year. This is the latest twist in the dramatic shift in position by Jones who was the politician behind the move to change the name of French fries to "Freedom Fries" in the Congressional cafeteria. The resolution was introduced in June by Jones, Republican Ron Paul of Texas, as well as Democrat Dennis Kucinich. It calls on the president to begin the withdrawal by Oct. 1, 2006, but it does not set an end date. Jones said the new supporters include five Republicans.
Allegations of Cover-up Grow Over London Police Shooting
Allegations of a cover-up are growing in London over the fatal Police shooting of a Brazilian man initially characterized as a possible July 21st bomb suspect. The British official in charge of the Independent Police Complaints Commission said yesterday that City police initially opposed an independent investigation into the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, but agreed to it later. The Police issued the statement after lawyers for the Menezes family met with the complaints commission, demanding more information about the killing.
- Gareth Pierce, lawyer for the Menezes family:
"There has been a chaotic mess and what we have asked the IPCC to find out is how much of it is incompetence and negligence, including gross negligence, and how much of it may be something more sinister. We don't know--we're simply asking the questions"
Menezes was shot seven times in the head by police who followed him to a south London subway station on July 22 - one day after the failed London subway bombings. Meanwhile, the BBC is reporting that the whistleblower who leaked documents contradicting the official police story on the shooting has been suspended.
Coretta Scott King Suffered Stroke, Heart Attack
Now an update on the condition of civil rights pioneer Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King, Jr. Her doctor says she suffered a minor heart attack and a major stroke that impaired her ability to speak and affected her right side, but the doctor said she is "completely aware." King's daughter said the family expects a full recovery.
The above is from today's Democracy Now! Headlines and were selected by Wally, Pru and Keesha. Democracy Now! ("always worth watching," as Marcia says):
Headlines for August 19, 2005
- Israel Says Withdrawal Nearly Complete
- Settler That Killed 4 Palestinians Calls for Sharon’s Murder
- Republicans Join Calls for Iraq Withdrawal
- Putin Calls for Iraq Withdrawal Timetable
- US Building New Prison in Iraq
- Activists Target Disney for Child, Sweatshop Labor
- Rumsfeld Attacks Hugo Chavez
- Israel Says Withdrawal Nearly Complete
- Settler That Killed 4 Palestinians Calls for Sharon’s Murder
- Republicans Join Calls for Iraq Withdrawal
- Putin Calls for Iraq Withdrawal Timetable
- US Building New Prison in Iraq
- Activists Target Disney for Child, Sweatshop Labor
- Rumsfeld Attacks Hugo Chavez
Cindy Sheehan: "I Was Just a Spark That Lit This Fire"
Broadcasting on location from Crawford, Texas, Democracy Now! brings you the voices of military families and anti-war activists who are speaking out against the occupation of Iraq. Cindy Sheehan left Crawford last night to attend to her sick mother, but we caught up with her on her way out of Texas. [includes rush transcript]
Broadcasting on location from Crawford, Texas, Democracy Now! brings you the voices of military families and anti-war activists who are speaking out against the occupation of Iraq. Cindy Sheehan left Crawford last night to attend to her sick mother, but we caught up with her on her way out of Texas. [includes rush transcript]
Excerpt from this segment:
CINDY SHEEHAN: Well, it's kind of ironic, because this morning I gave two interviews, one to Air America and one to “Nightline” early this morning. And I said, you know what, this Camp Casey movement is bigger than me. It's growing. It's bigger than any of us. And even if I had to leave today, it would keep on going. And if we leave August 31 without the President speaking to us, it's going to keep on. It's growing. It's organic. It's here, and nothing is going to stop it. And just because I’m gone, things will just carry on as normal. I want to get back as soon as possible, because I did say I would stay there until President Bush spoke with me until he left on August 31. I hope if he comes out and speaks to the other moms that they give him hell, though.
AMY GOODMAN: How many other moms are there there of people who are in Iraq or who have died in Iraq?
CINDY SHEEHAN: We have about six moms there. They're Gold Star moms. And there's probably -- I don't -- of women who have -- who have children over there right now, it's hard to tell. Maybe about the same or a little bit more.
AMY GOODMAN: Your reaction to the more than 1,500 vigils that were held around the country on Wednesday night?
CINDY SHEEHAN: It, to me, is just absolutely amazing and so gratifying that something I did – like, I was just a spark that just lit this fire, and it's blazing, and it's out of control now. Like I said, we don't need the spark anymore, and I am just -- I’m just so grateful that the universe chose me to be the spark, but also that America has responded. But I’m grateful and amazed, but I’m not surprised, because I have seen this coming.
Army Vet Ann Wright Running "Field Operations for Peace, Not War"
Ann Wright spent 26 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. She was a diplomat in the State Department for 15 years before resigning in March 2003, protesting the then-impending invasion of Iraq.
Ann Wright spent 26 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. She was a diplomat in the State Department for 15 years before resigning in March 2003, protesting the then-impending invasion of Iraq.
Nadia McCaffrey’s son Patrick was killed in Iraq in June 2004. His death received national attention after Nadia invited the press to Sacramento International Airport to record images of his flag-draped coffin returning home, contravening U.S. military policy.
State Senator Becky Lourey Lost Her Son in Iraq, Now She’s Fighting Against the War
Minnesota State Senator Becky Lourey lost her son Matt in Iraq earlier this year. She has been one of the foremost voices working against the war in Minnesota.
Minnesota State Senator Becky Lourey lost her son Matt in Iraq earlier this year. She has been one of the foremost voices working against the war in Minnesota.
Navy Officer Charlie Anderson participated in the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. He is at Camp Crawford to ask questons about how the Bush administration managed the invasion and to challenge the post-invasion policies. [includes rush transcript]
Mimi Evans came to Camp Casey from Massachusetts because her son is soon to be deployed to fight a war she doesn't believe in.
F.B.I. Whistle-Blower Colleen Rowley Says No to Occupation
Colleen Rowley was named the “Time” person of the year. She went from F.B.I informant to F.B.I. whistleblower. She spoke out on the war in Iraq and visits Camp Casey from her home in Minnesota. [includes rush transcript]
Colleen Rowley was named the “Time” person of the year. She went from F.B.I informant to F.B.I. whistleblower. She spoke out on the war in Iraq and visits Camp Casey from her home in Minnesota. [includes rush transcript]
Crawford Peace House Supports Camp Casey
The activist community center, Crawford Peace House is hosting Camp Casey. We speak with Peace House spokesperson Hadi Jawad.
The activist community center, Crawford Peace House is hosting Camp Casey. We speak with Peace House spokesperson Hadi Jawad.
Ruminations on America is a site run by journalist Rita J. King and this is our third time noting it this week so please visit the site. Today we'll note something King wrote entitled "Ruminations:"
The protest against Vietnam didn’t start when the war first kicked in, either.
It took a while for people to see through the lies they had been told because, despite all our self-imposed cynicism, humans seem to be a pretty trusting lot, after all.
Or maybe it’s just easier to blindly believe in authority than to investigate the matter.
Either way--let the games begin. The catalyst conscientious Americans have desperately needed has stepped not into the limelight, but into the blistering Texas sun as she waits for a president who can’t face her or the white crosses representing the dead that loom like specters on the road leading to his vacation ranch.
Sure, he met with her before…
Before she was demanding an explanation.
It took a while for people to see through the lies they had been told because, despite all our self-imposed cynicism, humans seem to be a pretty trusting lot, after all.
Or maybe it’s just easier to blindly believe in authority than to investigate the matter.
Either way--let the games begin. The catalyst conscientious Americans have desperately needed has stepped not into the limelight, but into the blistering Texas sun as she waits for a president who can’t face her or the white crosses representing the dead that loom like specters on the road leading to his vacation ranch.
Sure, he met with her before…
Before she was demanding an explanation.
Also please pass on the following:
For those of you who have contributed essays to the Ruminations on America project, thank you! To contribute, write an essay of no more than 1000 words on the current state of the union or true core American values, with a photograph that conveys a sense of who you are and a brief introduction to your life and email it to ruminationsonamerica@hotmail.com.
A member e-mails to ask that we highlight Bob Somerby's post today (and chose the excerpt).
From Somerby's Friday essay at The Daily Howler:
LOGIC OF LOSERS: Most likely, we'll get fuller facts on the Plame leak case when Patrick Fitzgerald concludes his probe. In the meantime, we continue to marvel at the strange logic that is now hailed on the liberal web. Yes, we refer to Arianna's latest, approvingly linked to by many lib leaders. Arianna quotes New York Times owner Arthur Sulzberger, who praises Judith Miller's "act of conscience." But to Arianna, this makes no sense--so she proffers a puzzling rebuttal:
HUFFINGTON (8/18/05): Directly contradicting this position is a former Timesman with impeccable journalistic credentials. Bill Kovach, the former Times Washington bureau chief, former curator of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, and founding director of the Committee of Concerned Journalists, has publicly voiced what many in and around the paper are saying privately.We regard Sulzberger as a dim bulb. (Link below.) But could anything make less sense than that puzzling statement by Kovach? In our view, it's sad when dim-bulb thinking like this begins to define the liberal web. Due to their industry from the mid-60s onward, pseudo-conservatives have a forty-year head start in the nation’s potent spin wars. Progressives need to be smarter, much smarter. We can't get there praising nonsense like this."When I was chief of the [NYT] bureau in Washington," he told Sidney Blumenthal, "we laid down a rule to the reporters that when they wanted to establish anonymity they had to lay out ground rules that if anything the source said was damaging, false or damaged the credibility of the newspaper we would identify them. If a man damages your credibility, why not lay the blame where it belongs? Whoever was leaking that information to Novak, Cooper or Judy Miller was doing it with malice aforethought, trying to set up a deceptive circumstance. That would invalidate any promise of confidentiality. You wouldn't protect a source for telling lies or using you to mislead your audience. That changes everything. Any reporter that puts themselves or a news organization in that position is making a big mistake."
Apparently, Sulzberger is furious with Kovach for these remarks.
First question: Does anyone know what Kovach means in that first high-lighted statement? It's slightly odd when he says he'd out a source if the source said something false; after all, people say things in good faith all the time that turn out to be false in some way. If you announced that you'd out a source for that reason, you'd likely have very few sources. But at least that part of his statement makes sense; what does Kovach mean when he says that he'd out a source "if anything the source said was damaging?" Here at THE HOWLER, we don't have the slightest idea--and, most likely, neither do you. But so what? Kovach is taking an anti-Miller line--and on the liberal web, that means we must cheer.
But Kovach's second highlighted statement is much, much harder to parse. "Whoever was leaking that information to Novak, Cooper or Judy Miller was doing it with malice aforethought, trying to set up a deceptive circumstance," he says. We have no idea what "a deceptive circumstance" is--although the phrase feels good to liberals--but shortly thereafter, Kovach seems to say that the people who spoke to Novak/Cooper/Miller were "telling lies or using [them] to mislead [their] audience." But what were the "lies" involved here? And who exactly was being "misled?" For example, here's what Cooper wrote in Time. It seems to us it's essentially accurate:
COOPER (7/17/03): [S]ome government officials have noted to TIME in interviews (as well as to syndicated columnist Robert Novak) that Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, is a CIA official who monitors the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These officials have suggested that she was involved in her husband's being dispatched to Niger to investigate reports that Saddam Hussein's government had sought to purchase large quantities of uranium ore, sometimes referred to as yellow cake, which is used to build nuclear devices.Where are the "lies?" Who was "misled?" In fact, Plame was "a CIA official who monitors the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction." And she was "involved in her husband's being dispatched to Niger"--a fact that wasn't publicly known at the time these officials told it to Cooper. As far as we know, Plame's involvement was fairly minor (although we wouldn't simply assume that we have been told the full truth on this matter)--but Cooper's statements were perfectly accurate. So who exactly was telling him "lies?" For liberals, it feels very good to make this claim--but the claim doesn't seem to make sense.
Paula e-mails to note Arianna Huffington's "Why Are the Media Having Such a Hard Time Covering Cindy Sheehan?" (The Huffington Post):
As Gary Hart points out there is indeed a rich history of protest in America. From our Founding Fathers to abolitionists to suffragettes to labor strikers to civil rights marchers, protesters have repeatedly challenged the status quo and changed our society for the better.
So why are the mainstream media having such a hard time covering Cindy Sheehan?
So why are the mainstream media having such a hard time covering Cindy Sheehan?
It's as if the simple, direct, and starkly emotional nature of her stance is too raw for them to handle in any of the standard ways. So they've taken to treating her with a strange mix of detachment, condescension, distortion, and aggression.
Paula Zahn referred to her as "this woman." Edmund Morris alluded to her in the New York Times as an "emotional predator." And Dana Milbank wanted to "determine, once and for all, whether Cindy Sheehan is Rosa Parks or Lyndon Larouche."
It's one thing for the O'Reillys and the Limbaughs to spew anti-Cindy venom. The problem arises when, under the pretense of offering both sides, MSM figures regurgitate the GOP attack machine's most contemptible hits ("she's a puppet," "she's anti-Israel," "her own family is against her") as if there are always two legitimate sides to every story. I wonder if the civil rights protests were happening today, who at the cable shows would feel compelled to give equal time to the John Birch Society?
And what to make of the attempt to paint the nascent anti-war movement as a "special interest group." Leaving aside the fact that Sheehan is clearly nobody's pawn and has been raising her voice in protest long before Fenton and MoveOn and Ben Cohen arrived on the scene to lend their support, the use of the term "special interest" is blatantly misleading. Thinking that the war is a lousy idea -- as a majority of Americans now do -- does not qualify one as a "special interest group."
Paula Zahn referred to her as "this woman." Edmund Morris alluded to her in the New York Times as an "emotional predator." And Dana Milbank wanted to "determine, once and for all, whether Cindy Sheehan is Rosa Parks or Lyndon Larouche."
It's one thing for the O'Reillys and the Limbaughs to spew anti-Cindy venom. The problem arises when, under the pretense of offering both sides, MSM figures regurgitate the GOP attack machine's most contemptible hits ("she's a puppet," "she's anti-Israel," "her own family is against her") as if there are always two legitimate sides to every story. I wonder if the civil rights protests were happening today, who at the cable shows would feel compelled to give equal time to the John Birch Society?
And what to make of the attempt to paint the nascent anti-war movement as a "special interest group." Leaving aside the fact that Sheehan is clearly nobody's pawn and has been raising her voice in protest long before Fenton and MoveOn and Ben Cohen arrived on the scene to lend their support, the use of the term "special interest" is blatantly misleading. Thinking that the war is a lousy idea -- as a majority of Americans now do -- does not qualify one as a "special interest group."
So you can imagine what a pleasure it was watching Keith Olbermann this week, who, instead of offering a "balanced," "on the one hand, on the other hand" look at Sheehan, named Limbaugh "today's worst person in the world" for his despicable Sheehan attack, saying "I guess the painkillers wipe out your memory along with your ethics."
Markus e-mails to note Tom Hayden's "An Exit Strategy for Iraq Now" (Common Dreams):
Already 82 members of the Iraqi National Assembly have signed a public letter calling for "the departure of the occupation." A former minister in the Iraqi interim government, Aiham Alsammarae, is talking with 11 insurgent groups about a transition to politics. Even the militant Shiites led by Muqtada Sadr have shown interest in the political process by collecting a million signatures for American withdrawal. Surveys earlier this year showed that 69% of Iraqi Shiites and more than 75% of Sunnis favored a near-term U.S. withdrawal.
Neither the Bush administration nor the news media have shown interest in these voices, perhaps because they undercut the argument that we are fighting to save Iraqis from each other. By most accounts, the U.S. military presence has attracted and enlarged the hard-core jihadist forces. The course we are on also contributes to incipient civil war because of subsidies and training for Shiite and Kurdish forces against the estranged Sunnis. It was not enough to invite a handful of Sunnis into the constitutional talks.
Any settlement proposal must guarantee a troop withdrawal and new efforts at reconstruction. A successful peace process will guarantee representation for the Iraqi opposition in a final governing arrangement. It will encourage power-sharing arrangements in economic and energy development as well as governance. The handing over of the Iraqi economy to private and mostly U.S. interests will by definition end with the occupation.
These are plausible steps toward conflict resolution. Perhaps Cindy Sheehan's moral stance will awaken courage among politicians who openly or privately deplore the fabricated origins of the war but cannot bring themselves to be honest about the war itself.
Rachel e-mails to note Danny Schechter's "What's the Best Way to 'Support Our Troops'?" (Guerilla News Network):
"Support our troops" is a stealth and deceptive slogan. It's the slogan du jour of demagogues and those that deny that it's the duty of Americans to question their government especially when it is lying to them. It's a way of depoliticizing the war and personalizing a crusade. The Defense Department, military recruiters, veterans groups and right-wing media outlets use this patriotically correct mantra shamelessly in a change the subject maneuver for sympathy, and to bait critics and bolster misguided patriotism.
Who among us is not saddened when American soldiers die or by underreported accounts of the mounting wounded in Veterans hospitals and the walking wounded starting to turn up in our streets from this war like they did after the Vietnam War?
Veteran John Crawford writes in the Times: "One of my buddies got locked up in an institution by the police for being a danger to himself. Another woke up in the hospital with no memory of the beating he received from those same police -- not for being a danger to himself, but to everyone else. One guy got a brain infection and wakes up every morning expecting to be in Iraq. Two more are in Afghanistan, having re-upped rather than deal with being home. Five more went back to Baghdad as private security guards. Their consensus on how it is a second time around: still hot and nasty….
"War stories end when the battle is over or when the soldier comes home. That's one way to tell it's a story. In real life, there are no moments amid smoldering hilltops for tranquil introspection. When the war is over, you pick up your gear, walk down the hill and back into the world, where people smile, congratulate you, and secretly hope you won’t be a burden on society now that you’ve done the dirty work they shun."
But don't just feel sorry for these soldiers who, unlike their Vietnam War counterparts, volunteered, and in some cases, are living on bases in imported luxury compared to the Iraqis they are ostensibly there to defend.
And Martha e-mails about Danny Schechter latest at his News Dissector:
Those of you who have been following my "coverage" from a distance of the so-called Gaza disengagement may realize that I have sought out perspectives and points of view from many sides of the conflict (few conflicts have only two), and draw on a wide range of sources.
Yes, of course, I am trying to inform you about what's going on to the best of my ability, but I also want to call attention to what the networks are NOT doing. They could easily be doing this type of multi-source reporting. They are not just lazy, just committed to a way of presenting the news devoid of all context, background and nuance. That is shameful.
This event has become a media spectacle, with live reports and lots of "action," real and contrived. Unidentified and often extremist organizations with political agendas -- including the Israeli government -- are shown as having no agendas. One commentator on CNN said it was a conflict between secular and religious groups, as if there were no conflicts among them.
Example: Yesterday morning, when the Israeli army and police moved into a synagogue, the impression was given that the people who were resisting were settlers when in fact many were what the Israeli press calls "infiltrators" from outside Gaza, even "lunatics." The New York Times reports today that the clash "produced scenes of violence and raw emotion that the Israeli government had wanted to avoid."
We had CNN commentators comparing the tactics used by the outsiders to the passive resistance of the civil rights movement. The differences are so clear, but never cited.
Civil rights protestors were fighting for freedom for all, not for special privileges for themselves or to deny freedom to others. In the U.S., the police were violent. In Gaza, the police were restrained. It was the protesters who were violent, as the report from Ha’aretz, the Israeli daily, makes clear. The folks refusing to leave the Kfar Darom synagogue were portrayed sympathetically without any examination of their claims, the legality of their settlements or the politics of their positions. Images drove the explanations we heard, not information or analysis.
Here are excerpts from a number of reports which basically contradict the NARRATIVE we watched and the PERCEPTIONS they reinforced.
BuzzFlash has picked their GOP Hypocrite of the Week and click here to read who it is. (Kara's hoping to have time to do one of her "live from the awards" reports later today).
Amy Goodman notes at the end of today's Democracy Now! the following:
As we wrap up here today, this weekend, Lance Armstrong is coming to the ranch. He will be riding with President Bush on bicycles. He has also come out against the Iraq war, said the money would be better spent on, well, budgets like the National Cancer Institute. Yes, Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor. On Saturday night, Steve Earle is going to come here and play, and on Sunday, Joan Baez will also be bringing the music to this community. And the events here just continue to evolve. Today a religious ceremony will take place, religious leaders of different faiths walking past the crosses of more than 800 service men and women who have died in Iraq.
Steve Earle (who also has an Air America Radio show that airs Sundays) at Campy Casey Saturday night, Joan Baez on Sunday. (And Brad, I will note BCAL later tonight hopefully. Sorry for the delay.)
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
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