IFPJ

U.S. Militarism & Global Tensions Rise Together
By Phyllis Bennis | Institute for Policy Studies

17 September 2008

Dear friends,

Just a note on where we are, before I get into the analysis here. As all of us recognize, as we wake shaking in the night, fearing tomorrow, this is an incredibly dangerous moment. It doesn't just seem to, it really does get worse each election - the stakes grow higher, the dangers spread further. People's lives - not only, not even mainly, our own - are at grave risk. This election is probably the most important most of us have ever faced. And its outcome is at least partly in our hands.

My friend Holly Near, the great songwriter and singer-agitator, recently sent me some of her ideas of how to think about this election:

Official: Bush OK'd raids into Pakistan
Kelli Arena | CNN.com

President Bush authorized U.S. special forces to conduct ground assaults inside Pakistan without seeking Islamabad's permission first, a senior American intelligence official said Thursday.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said better U.S.-Pakistan cooperation is needed to fight terror.

"We have had the president's OK for months," said the official, who declined to be identified because the order is classified. "It is my understanding that the Pakistanis are well-aware of the change."

by Linda Milazzo

During Sarah Palin's acceptance speech when nominated by John McCain for Vice President, McCain wouldn't leave Palin alone on stage. Rather than give her the momentary limelight, McCain peered over her shoulder and read her speech alongside her. He was visibly nervous and has remained so ever since. Other than Wednesday at the RNC when Palin finally appeared solo, the image of McCain hovering authoritatively over her is the constant at every appearance. McCain's public subjugation of Palin, and her public acceptance of it, set male-female advancement back decades. Were Palin truly a trusted and powerful woman she'd request and be granted autonomy on stage, and reject McCain's Taliban-like presence. All that's missing is her burka. Honestly, what strong woman tolerates a man hovering over her in the presence of thousands? If she's really VP worthy, McCain should leave her alone.

Here are 3 short videos evidencing McCain's "tight-leash" on Palin. The first is Palin's acceptance of the nomination for VP:

A coalition working to end the war in Iraq announced it is organizing the year’s largest anti-war mobilization. Million Doors for Peace, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, will ask one million Americans to sign petitions urging the next Congress to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq within one year.

The action combines the best of grassroots activism and support from the netroots. The campaign will allow tens of thousands of volunteers to download a neighborhood “walk list” for the coalition website. The volunteers will then use this public information talk to and identify neighbors who oppose the Iraq war and will join the efforts to end the war. Please join this effort, click here.

TWO VIEWS: OF INDEPENDENCE SQUARE AND OF AMERICA

Independence Square 1917

Assembled in Independence Square, Philadelphia, thousands of patriotic Americans recently pledged their unanimous support to the President in the following stirring resolutions:
"Meeting on the eve of a great crisis affecting our national life and on the sacred ground where, 141 years ago, the fathers of the Republic declared belief in the unalienable right of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we citizens of Philadelphia, following the traditions of the fathers, here publicly renew our oath of allegiance to the Constitution and the laws of the Republic, pledging to the President of the United States our loyal support in any action which, in the exercise of his constitutional powers, he may deem necessary to the protection of American rights upon land and sea. Because the common defense is a common duty, universal military training is the only system that is fundamentally democratic and fair. We urge upon Congress the prompt enactment of a bill to put this system into immediate operation." - April 1917 issue of The National Geographic Magazine (XXXI)

Notice the people were renewing their oath to the Constitution and the laws of the Republic. They only pledged their support to the president in his exercise of his constitutional powers. And, they didn't neglect Congress; Congress has it's duty to perform, too. How different from today.

Independence Square 2008A 'Sea of Tombstones' in Philadelphia Brings Memorial Day Remembrances to a New Level
by Cheryl Biren-Wright

In the early hours on the Friday before Memorial Day, members of the Delaware Valley Veterans for America, other veterans groups and volunteers, began the painstaking process of marking out the grid that hours later would hold markers representing the 4081 U.S. service members who lost their lives in the Iraq war (as of May 24).

Adding to this stunning visual were the buildings that flanked the memorial that was first displayed on Veteran’s Day 2005. But, it wasn’t historic Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell or the National Constitution Center that pulled at the heartstrings of those who walked along the somber exhibit. It was the tone that was set by the organizers, mostly veterans, who moved quietly among the perfect rows listening, sharing stories, and answering sometimes difficult questions.

As a Sergeant of Marine Infantry, I was charged with enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice - the UCMJ. I didn't have the luxury of any special legal training to help me do that job - a job I would be punished under the UCMJ for not doing. All I could do is read it and executed it. I sent a lot of Marines to the brig for violating the UCMJ.

My reading of it tells me that Blackwater and the rest of the "security" forces in Iraq are subject to military law as promulgated.

Notice paragraph (a)(10) and the rest of the paragraphs highlighted in bold. Also note the two italicized paragraphs. As I read it, Blackwater and friends are subject because they are serving with the U.S. Military or are subject because they are mercenaries in violation of the law of war.

Subtitle A > PART II > CHAPTER 47 > SUBCHAPTER I > § 802

§ 802. Art. 2. Persons subject to this chapter

(a) The following persons are subject to this chapter:

Blind Politics

NASCAR

Better NASCAR than going hunting and shooting someone in the face.

Green Peace

Smart Loop

Shredded Wheat

Mt. Fuji

Crops Circle Video Clips:

How to Make Crop Circles

How to make a crop circle

Making a Crop Circle: Part One

ROCHESTER AREA RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT
FOR IMPEACHMENT NOW!

This list is yours just as the country should be. Join this list. Share it. Make it grow. Healing reconciliation of our divided nation is dependent on impeachment and full truth.

Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern recently said, “Impeachment should not be off the table.” Many believe letting Nixon retire without full exposure of the corrupt system is why Americans allowed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Charges of lies that led to war, illegal torture, corruption of the constitution and lying about the horrific events of September 11, 2001 come from reputable scholars. Impeachment and investigation are not subjected to a timetable or congressional whim.

The nucleus of this people’s impeachment list was supplied by Kenyatta DaCosta, a young African-American writer in a wheel chair. He had a score of his friends to sign up. Do they have more courage and concern than we privileged progressives of the suburbs?

On March 8, 2008, our criminal president vetoed a bill that would have restrained his torturing human beings. This, added to his other crimes, convinces us that the White House is controlled by a group of criminal psychopaths that in no way reflect the U.S. Constitution or the values of the undersigned. 9/11 is given as the reason for the “Homeland Security Bill” which suspended many civil rights, but this bill was written BEFORE the events of September 11, 2001.

Towns and counties across the nation are speaking for impeachment and the documenting of the truth NOW!

These 101 Rochester area concerned citizens and groups speak out for immediate impeachment of Cheney and Bush. Those that want to add their names and/or organizations should contact Jim and Jean Barlow at salmonvalley@att.net. If everyone who reads this gets more names to contact us the list can grow exponentially.

Print this out for use with your friends, communities, congressional reps and organizations. This list is yours just as the country should be.

… JHB

FOR IMPEACHMENT OF DICK CHENEY AND GEORGE W. BUSH:

Adams, Ellen
Allen, Jake, High School student
Alvarez, Esteban
Ames, Art
Anderson, Ashley
Arthur, Ken
Aveint, Malili
Badsrow, Luineseo
Barlow, James H. Regular Army of the USA, four years service, VFP

Not everyone has succumbed to election mania. ImpeachThem.com and New Jersey People's Organization for Progress reminding Citizens where their duty lies.

DIY ORANGE FLOWERS TO WEAR AND GIVE AWAY

YouTube: How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers

Origami VIdeos

Crepe Paper Flowers

Paper Flower Hand Prints

Paper Flowers

You can find lots of clever, quick and inexpensive ideas for paper flowers on the web. Even, the supper-dupper, multi-fold, multi-sheet, brain-boggler origami flowers; if you're up for that. Give it a go. Wear a boutonniere. Give a flower away. Afterall, the "Buddy Poppies" that go on sale every Memorial Day are, in the end, just paper flowers too.

OH YEH, MAKE NICE EVERYWHERE YOU GO - GIVE SOME ORANGE FLOWERS TO THE POLICE AND OTHER PEOPLE.

Take a break from the horror ot the propaganda spewing from the Bush White House and remember there was a time when America had another vision of Baghdad.