Monday, March 31, 2003
What Bush Thinks About Democracy
"You don’t get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier." Describing what it’s like to be governor of Texas.
(Governing Magazine 7/98)
-- From Paul Begala’s "Is Our Children Learning?"
"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I’m the dictator.
-- CNN.com, December 18, 2000
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0012/18/nd.01.html
"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there’s no question about it, " [Bush] said.
-- Business Week, July 30, 2001
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jul2001/nf20010730_347.htm
Friday, March 28, 2003
An Open Letter
A friend wrote this, and I’m publishing it as he doesn’t have a web page.
Open letter to those on the frontlines of “Operation AMERICAN Freedom:
“The fight to bring back freedom to America by voicing your opposition to the war is a noble task. I salute your bravery; I praise your courage to stand up for the Constitution of the United States and the principles of justice that this country should stand for.
Don’t listen to people that claim to be patriotic by waving an American Flag. The American Flag they are waving so proudly was probably made in China, Korea, or Taiwan. The flag is just a symbol. The true strength of this country exists in the ideals of the Constitution and the sense of justice that can only be obtained if people are willing to use their heads and their hearts in striving for the truth. Those willing to voice dissent over the current political situation are the most patriotic people I have seen in a long time.
It is easy to die for one’s country but it is much harder to Live for one’s country by striving to make it a better place. You are supporting the troops by not wanting them to be in harm’s way. If the government would have listened to the millions of people involved in anti-war protests in the United States and around the world then how many American, British and Iraqi people would still be alive?
The truth is in precious short supply these days. I have watched the protests in person and have seen the valiant efforts of protesters to awaken the general public to the truth of the war. Unfortunately what I have seen in life doesn’t translate to the news stations. The mass media has ridiculed and demeaned the Anti-War protests by under-counting those who are participating and selectively reporting only the negative activities that can arise from any large gathering of people. I also cite the over-reporting of the “Support The Troops” pro-war people on almost every news cast.
In effect, the “news” stations have turned into extremely biased public relations firms for the Government. I have yet to see someone from the protests invited to participate in a panel discussion of WHY they are opposed to this war.
I am thankful to KBOO, the Internet, and Free Speech TV for providing an alternative to the biased news I have seen on the public channels.
A suggestion -
The best way to lead people to the truth of the matter is to engage the thinking process by asking questions.
Questions like -
Are you better off now then before George W. Bush took office? Is the world a safer place? Is the stock market better now or before George W. Bush took office? Why are there more people unemployed now that Bush is in office?
16 of the 19 hijackers on 9-11 were from what country? - Answer - Saudi Arabia - Why has the Government not followed up on this? Why are we attacking Afghanistan and Iraq in the name of fighting the terrorists of 9-11 who were mostly from Saudi Arabia?
If the Government wants to “Support Our Troops” then why are they cutting health care benefits for veterans? - Follow up question - If the Government wants to “Support Our Troops” then why are they allowing the use of depleted uranium shells in combat when they know of the health risks related to cancer and Gulf War Syndrome? Is the health of our troops important to the Government?
How much money will Halliburton make related to war contracts from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? Vice President Dick Cheney was former CEO of Halliburton. What other companies are getting rich from the war?
Why wouldn’t the Vice President disclose the contents of discussions he had with Enron executives in setting up our energy policy in America? What information is he trying to suppress?
The US Government is fighting a “War on Drugs” as well as a “War on Terror.” The BBC World News reported that Afghanistan has produced a record crop of poppies and will supply a large amount of opium & heroin to the world. The US is currently in control of Afghanistan. Why has this failure of the “War on Drugs” in Afghanistan not been reported in the US news?
It is common knowledge that the US supplied “Weapons of Mass Destruction” and “Operational Support” to Iraq during the first Bush Administration for use in the Iran/Iraq War. Should those in the US Government who sold these Weapons of Mass Destruction to Iraq now be tried as Terrorists or for War Crimes?
75 Billion Dollars is being spent to fund the war for the first six months. How could that money be used to improve the United States? Education? Health Care? Employment? Think about it.
Create your own questions to encourage debate and reason. Make people THINK!
I am just an ordinary American working at a job in downtown Portland, Oregon.
Thank you for your time - keep up the good work.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Was Falwell Right?
He said the Teletubbies were dangerous, and here’s proof! The newest one, named Dubya.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Today's Reading
A great collection of writings are at truthout.
A “gotta read” - Noam Chomsky’s latest.
And two more from Paul Krugman:
Who Lost the U.S. Budget?
Things to Come
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
March is a Verb, Too
Just got back from the Tuesday noon activities at Pioneer Square, across the street from work. There was a march this morning from the north Park Blocks up Broadway and around in the center of downtown. Folks went to City Hall eventually, and blocked doors for awhile, then regrouped at noon.
Unfortunately, the fun didn’t last for long, as the riot cops peppersprayed both protesters and bystanders. Here’s some shots from today.
I was really happy to hear that so many people showed up to testify against Senate Bill 742 in Salem yesterday, that it took three rooms to hold them all. And even the police thought the bill was “over the top”, they don’t want to have to enforce it. Hopefully this stinker’s dead…
