War Criminals in the White House...the Justice Dept... the Dept. of Defense?

It appears that Bush, Rove, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzalez et al are concerned about a "little law" that was sponsored by a conservative Republican--Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr (R-N.C.)--and passed by a Republican controlled Congress 10 years ago. So says the Washington Post

The Republicans plan is to write a new law providing protection for any war criminals in the Republican White house and anyone who simply followed their orders.

Republicans go ballistic if anyone "suggests" that there are war criminals in the White House. They deny that war crimes are being committed. So the writing is on the wall. If there are no war crimes there is no need for any new laws that would weaken or extinguish the current war crimes act.

Congress should pass no law that protects criminal behavior. It doesn't matter if that behavior is taking place on US streets or in our very own White House.

I guess the neo-cons are starting to sweat since it looks like they may not be able to maintain their totalitarian control. They should have been more competent. Then they would have "realized" that there is no statue of limitations on war crimes and violations of the Geneva Convention.

I say let them sweat. IF they are guilty they should be held accountable.

Rep. Bobby Scott to host screening of The Great Warming

If you're in Tidewater Va you might want to check this out tonight.

Media Release
July 26, 2006

Rep. Bobby Scott to host screening of The Great Warming 
at Norfolk State University

Where: Mills E. Godwin Student Center, Ballroom A
Norfolk State University, downtown Norfolk.
Directions attached.

When: Monday, July 31, 2006 at 6:30 P.M.

For more information on the film, please visit:
www.thegreatwarming.com.


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott
(D-VA-03) will host a screening of the film "The Great
Warming" at the Mills E. Godwin Student Center, Ballroom
A, at Norfolk State University on Monday, July 31, 2006 at
6:30 p.m.

"The Great Warming" is a film that reveals how a
changing climate is affecting the lives of people all over
the world.  The film includes commentary on global warming
from scientists, religious leaders, a former CIA chief, and
other opinion-makers.  Endorsed by numerous environmental
groups, churches, and evangelical groups, the film is
significant not only for its content but for the way it
highlights the growing concern about global warming from
across the ideological spectrum. 

Along with presenting strong scientific evidence about
global warming, the film also covers how evangelical
Christians and other people of faith are working with
secular advocacy groups and scientists to push
decision-makers to take action.

Following the film, Congressman Scott will lead a panel from
the science, environmental advocacy, and religious
communities in a discussion of the environmental and moral
implications of global warming on our community, our nation
and the planet.

"We can no longer ignore the evidence of the strains
mankind has placed on our fragile planet and we can no
longer put off the need to address this serious global
problem," said Rep. Scott.

The screening will be open to the public and will begin
promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Apologies....

Apologies to all for "disappearing" for a few days....Mosquitos are apt to do this sometimes. The wind whips up and away we go.

Mosquito got a chance to go on a camping adventure for a few days...prowl around the woods and waters...My country cousins have it good....a variety of species....in the urban environment it's mostly "people" on the menu.

Unfortunately, there was no internet access....since it was a spontaneous "as the wind blows" kind of thing I didn't have a chance to warn my beloved readers....I've been enjoying my fan club...I appreciated your emails. I am less appreciative of the daily visits from army.mil ( it appears to be an "information" division on the west coast and east coast) and treas.gov folks who seem to be tracking this mosquito on a regular basis now. I counted on the house.gov and senate.gov folks....but the army.mil (army "information systems" i.e. intelligence?) and the asset and forfeiture dept at treas.gov were surprises. I guess the patriot act has opened the door to quite a few surprises everywhere. I hate to see my tax dollars at work this way.

Why don't you guys start grappling with some real problems like global warming and how to protect our ports? If you want to make your jobs easier....send me an email with your questions...I have nothing to hide.

Anyway, I'm back....I have a bunch of necessary errands to do today (which will take hours) and then I need to catch up on some current events...but I hope to have some interesting stuff for you up soon.

Buzz, Buzz....Mosquito

Noteable Quotes

Last December Joe Lieberman said, "It is time for Democrats who distrust President Bush to acknowledge that he will be commander-in-chief for three more critical years and that in matters of war we undermine presidential credibility at our nation's peril." To which U. S. Rep. John Murtha replied, "Undermining his credibility ? What has [Bush] said that would give him credibility?"

"I was a Republican until they lost their minds," Charles Barkley, former NBA star.

March 2006 Press Briefing with Don Rumsfeld:

Reporter's Question: What is the difference in your mind between sectarian violence and civil war?
SEC. RUMSFELD: You know, it's a good question, and we have been trying to look for a way to characterize what are the ingredients of a civil war, and how would you know if there was one, and what would it look like, and what might be its progression, either up to increased violence or down to less violence. And it's a hard thing to do, and people are analyzing that and thinking about it. And I think until I've had a chance to think more about it and -- I will say, I don't think it'll look like the United States' civil war.

Ingredients for a civil war? How about "sectarian violence" and approximately 100 civilians deaths per day? The current death toll in Iraq surpasses anything happening in Lebanon. I'm sure that the folks in Bush World are pleased that Iraq is being "ignored" by the media. Bush's current "plan" for Iraq is "to send more troops....

Bush told Brownie, "You're doing a heck-of-a job Brownie." Into that same vein of logic Mosquito goes, "You're doing a heck-of-a job Bushie!"

George's campaign funds from Big Oil

VA Senator George Allen received $227,950 in campaign contributions from the Energy and Natural Resources sector. The oil industry was his second largest total in this category at $70,700. (Note: These figures do NOT include money from individual contributors like "oil executives.")

The Republican party supports giving subsidies to the oil industry with record breaking profits. Does anyone wonder what happened to the idea of campaign finance reform?

George with his "Bush 97%" rating went along with them. At least we don't have to worry about the oil industry. Check it out:

--Houston based ConocoPhillips' 2Q profits surge 65 percent to $5.2 billion
--Exxon reports 36 percent earnings increase
--Shell, Europe's second largest oil company, 2Q profit up 40 pct. on oil prices

IF my income had risen that much in three months (and had been rising dramatically in previous quarters) I would be dancing in the streets. (Note: Dancing in the streets is more fun than protesting in the streets.) I would be able to give campaign donations to keep those favors coming too. Unfortunately, with the high gas prices my household income is falling dramatically.

George you've done a great job looking out for Big Oil companies and subsidizing them at my expense. Do you even wonder why I'm not grateful? Do you understand why I find your "boasting" about how much funds you have for this election a good reason NOT to vote for you. Expensive, slick campaign TV ads are not going o change my mind. Are you even curious about what your constituents want George? Is this money from Big Oil more than enough for you?

AGL Resources $2,000

American Gas Assn $2,000

Anadarko Petroleum $7,000

Ashland Inc $1,000

Atmos Energy $3,100

BP $3,000

Burlington Resources $3,000

Chevron Corp $3,000

ConocoPhillips $2,000

Exxon Mobil $5,000

Halliburton Co $2,000

Hunt Oil $4,000

Interstate Natural Gas Assn of America $1,000

Kerr-McGee Corp $1,000

Koch Industries $9,000

Marathon Oil $4,100

Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Assn $1,000

National Assn of Truck Stop Operator $1,000

National Ocean Industries Assn $2,000

National Propane Gas Assn $3,000

Occidental Petroleum $3,000

Petroleum Marketers Assn $2,000

Shell Oil $2,000

Washington Gas Light Co $1,000

Williams Companies $3,500

Data from opensecrets.org

R2D2 is funny, it's slick...

I even chuckled when I heard the phrase used. But it won't stick. It won't stick because the people are sick of slick campaign slogans, empty promises, cronyism and corruption in Washington D.C. Unfortunately, you aren't solving the problem, you are part of the problem. We want our incumbents to run on their records. George Allen your record is abysmal.

You can brag about all the money you have raised. I'm sure you won't talk about the money you received from Jack Abramoff on 4/28/2000. We are well aware that the corporate elite are lining your pockets. I would have preferred that you spent your time in office sponsoring and/or supporting legislation on campaign finance reform. I want a candidate who owes no favors to the special interests of the corporate elite.

Where were you when we phoned and wrote you numerous times about net neutrality? You didn't even have the decency to tell your constituents how you were going to vote on this issue despite numerous requests. Then you try to deceive us by posting some slick PR on your website making it "appear" that you voted for Net Neutrality. But we figured out what you were going to do before you voted for your corporate constituents....You were in the top 10 list of recipients of corporate telecommunications money. You serve the same "ELITE" interests that are George Bush (your mentor's) base.

Where were you when we demanded an independent investigation of the government's incompetent response to Katrina? We remain vulnerable to continued incompetence because you have done nothing on this except protect the people who should have been held accountable.

Where were you when we asked that Big Oil NOT be given the opportunity to drill in ANWR? When I called your office I explained that I was concerned that "our" oil would simply disappear somewhere in the world and the profiteers would be the Big Oil executives. We need to safeguard that oil for a time in the future when we will need it more and it's value will be higher. That oil belongs to the American people NOT Big Oil and it should be safeguarded for a future date when we have an urgent need.

I'm angry George. You have taken the Grand Old Party that my father loved and supported and turned it into the Grand Oil Party.

What in the world did you do in Iraq? You used taxpayer money to visit Iraq's green zone to "see for yourself" what was going on. "Bored George [you] forgot to take off your rose colored glasses."

The Virginia Pilot editorial board writes, ÂAllen's...appraisal..ignores the relentless reports of American military deaths and injuries, Iraqi civilian casualties, and factional fighting in a nation that seems to be growing more dangerous by the day. Perhaps the good senator saw what his politics wanted him to see....As always, though, the truth isn't neat, and anyone who pretends it is risks seeming entirely out of touch with truth. That Allen has done so here, eagerly bolstering the White House line, may score him points with Washington's GOP elite. But it is unlikely to do him much good among the Virginians who have grown wiser and wearier about the war and who deserve to hear a truth untainted by election-year politics. [Virginia Pilot, Editorial, 6/6/06]

Finally, the corporate media will report that Iraq is out of control and in the middle of a civil war. What's the plan now George? Have you even asked your beloved George Bush this one simple question?

In the meantime, while you live in comfortable splendor our "poor" soldiers continue to fight..while you say you support the troops. Why aren't you insisting on a withdrawal plan? It's well known that the troops were polled and 72% want to withdraw from Iraq. Maybe you don't get it because you are an urban cowboy and not a soldier.

I expect that you will continue to play politics as usual. I am disgusted with folks (be they Democrats or Republicans) who put their party first and America last. I've been your constituent far too long and heard my requests that you represent MY INTERESTS fall on deaf ears. I'm tired of you supporting "your friend" George Bush and his cronies at my expense.

I'm tired of America's national treasury being looted by your cronies in no bid contracts in Iraq and in thin the Katrinana debacle.

George we didn't ask you to kick your friend George Bush when he's down. We only asked that you do your job and hold him, and other elected officials, accountable for their programs and policies. You did Bush (and us) a disservice when you gave him a blank check to do whatever he wanted with no oversight, no checks, and no balance.

You brag about your fundraising abilities and disparage your contender's "lack of money." "Maybe" I should give you a break on this one. (The way I see it, it's one of the few things you can brag about.) But I see all that money as a disadvantage to me. The corporate elites are filling your pockets with money. You owe them favors and will sell us out every time an issue comes up that will make the elite richer and the middle class (on down) poorer. Poor George, I'm afraid you just can't win. We can't afford you.

I will also give you credit for knowing where Craney Island is. But that little bit of knowlegdede pales in comparison to your conclusions on the ground in Iraq's Green Zone and your Senate record.

You follow closely in George Bush's footprints. Our country doesn't need another Bush follower to keep us "deadset" on this disastrous course. This course has set the Middle East ablaze and innocent civilians (and soldiers) are dying. In the meantime, America's image in the world is...I don't even have a word to describe how low it has fallen. It will probably take many decades for us to redeem ourselves in the eyes of the world.

I'm not vengeful George. Since you enjoy horseback riding, I'm content with you riding off into the sunset on a horse. But you might want to take off those rose colored glasses. I'd hate to see you ride off a cliff.

Why isn't Congress acting on the Iraq crisis?

Why is Congress playing politics instead of requesting an updated National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq?

Iraq is out of control and in a civil war. Almost a thousand Iraqi's are dying each week. The last NIE was done in 2004. "The NIE is a crucial document . . . that tells you how to tweak your policy," a former CIA officer said. "That's hard to do if you don't want to look at it."

"...senior figures at the CIA, along with a number of Iraq analysts, have been pushing to produce a new NIE. They've been stonewalled, however, by John Negroponte, the {Bush] administration's Director of National Intelligence, who knows that any honest take on the situation would produce an NIE even more pessimistic than the 2004 version. That could create problems on the Hill and, if it is leaked as the last one was, with the public as well."

Another CIA source stated that Negroponte, "doesn't want the president to have to deal with [the potential impact of a pessimistic assessment]....[The administration] can call it whatever they want," said a former CIA officer. "There's a civil war going on in Iraq."

Meanwhile our troops in Iraq don't have the option of NOT dealing.

Why doesn't Congress have to deal with it? We already know Bush isn't. What plan? heh heh....I imagine Bush laughing and looking for the plans as he once joked with the press and looked for imaginary WMD's.

It's disgusting that we must push Congress to get on the job. Our troops are waiting.

We need more echoes not less...

Kathy in Blacksburg has posted Why we need Progressive Echoes.

I echo this. It's amazing that mainstream reporters accuse bloggers of "echoes" when the MSM press use only a few sources such as the AP wire, a few major papers (the The New York Times and The Washington Post) for their stories.

Journalism school teaches that consistency and repetition are necessary to make a story "stick." The press reported "ad nauseum" on Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, the blue dress, and the lie. This resulted in impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton.

In 1995, The Republican Congress even launched an investigation into the fan club for the Clinton's cat, Socks. They left no stone unturned in their search of the Clintons. When the MSM becomes an echo chamber our representatives feel the heat and something gets done.

In this day and time, Bush has been given free rein by the Republican Congress and the corporate MSM. He lies to the American people, illegally invades another country, his staff orders a treasonous act--the outing of a CIA spy, no-bid contracts given to various corporations including the VP's firm Haliburton (Cheny has a significant amount of stock holdings and he "assisted" in setting up the contract), Bush ignores legislation via signing statements, Bush gives an "un-precedented order" to stop a Justice Department investigation into his illegal NSA wiretapping, Bush is trying to ignore a Supreme Court decision.

The question becomes, can Bush do anything that would launch corporate media to cover it, in detail and "ad nauseum", as they did the Clinton White House. Today, the media refuses to investigate the Bush White House. The Republican controlled Congress is able to neglect their oversight duties when the corporate media refuses to cover this story.

Republicans get away with this because the corporate mainstream press wants legislation that will result in more money and more power for corporate media. They want to eliminate net neutrality by preventing Congressional legislation guaranteeing this. They want the FCC to relax ownership rules. Our Republicans in Congress (and a few Democrats) are promoting the corporate media's interests. In return, the media covers the news with Republican talking points, and minimizes Republican scandal and corruption.

Whatever happened to campaign finance legislation? Did you know the media lobbyists work against campaign finance reform? There's alot of advertising money to be made and they don't want to lose any money or control over our congress.

The blog world and it's echoes have brought important news to the attention of the American people. The mainstream media is being exposed as a Bush/Republican propaganda machine. Sometimes, they actually have to cover a story (even if it is "biased.) So the Blog echo chamber is able to pressure MSM and our congress.

Have you noticed if a mainstream paper, such as The New York Times, does attempt to do some investigative journalism, the corporate mainstream media launches an attack on them and join the Republican voices shouting, "traitors?"

The blog world is "up front" with our bias, the media is not. They profess they are objective and have no hidden agenda other than to report the news. (If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you....ooops...that saying is going to have to go isn't it? They are selling our bridges to foreign companies no less.)

"Objectivity" is a myth not an actuality. If the reader knows a writer's bias up front, they can do additional research across an entire spectrum.

So, my blogger friends please echo on! Keep focusing on those important issues and keep the pressure on!

If I could ask the current Republican candidates one question it would be, "why would Republicans investigate the fan club for the Clinton's cat, Socks, and not investigate the numerous allegations of illegal crimes committed by the Bush White House? I bet they would answer that nothing illegal has happened. then they need to be asked, "Well how would you know? You never investigated!" It is an important question isn't it? "It should be asked of "all" our Republican candidates during their current campaigns.

If it is echoed, maybe the corporate media will have to report it. If it's not echoed...I'm hoping another important issues (there are so many out there) is echoed and kept in the public spotlight.

We need to DEMAND that Congress obtain Bush's plan for dealing with Civil War in Iraq

Iraq is out of control. The Bush regime cannot hide the truth any longer. Iraq has descended into a civil war.

Congress needs to step up to the plate and demand that Bush explain how he plans to deal with this horrible quagmire.

I bet Bush will resist working with Congress. I don't think he has a plan; I hope I am wrong. But if he does have a plan Congress should study it carefully. All of Bush's plans for the middle east have been wrong so far. (At least he's consistent.)

Unfortunately too many innocent civilians have already died due to Bush's plans. We need a corrective course asap.

Pat Buchanan makes sense today!

The world gets stranger every day. Hopefully Bush is listening to folks like Pat Buchanan today...check it out at crooks and liars (this link is to the quicktime player)

IF the link doesn't work go to www.crooksandliars.com and scroll down to Neocon Saturday

W.O.E.--Where's my muse?

I checked all the filing cabinets and the disks with the files. I even resorted to checking under the bed. Nothing, nowhere. All my prior creative writing has disappeared. Oh no, I signed up for the Weekend without Echoes project--W.O.E. It's Sunday and nothing can be found.

To make matters worst my mind is not into naval gazing and letting the muse spring up from my depths. it seems like family and friends have sprung up out of nowhere with inconvenient emergencies needing my help and support. My focus is everywhere but here in blogville.

I'm furious with what's happening to innocent people, folks just like me, living in hell in other parts of the world. I'm especially focused on the Mid-East because the current Bush regime is embarked on a reign of terror in that region in Iraq. The Bush regime is sending additional munitions to Israel so they can continue to stay the course of illegally invading (and maybe occupying?) Lebannon.

So, my apologies to F.T. Rea, Vivian Page, and the other participants in W.O.E. I'm just not there. I'm sorry I'm not fulfilling my committment this weekend.

I guess I'm just following that pesky mosquito nature of mine.
buzz buzz....mosquito

Why we need to speak out on the Middle East!

I don't have to be an expert in the history and cultural aspects of a war to conclude that numerous violations of international law and the Geneva Convention are occurring. When innocent civilians are targeted, it is my duty to speak out. I feel more obligation to speak out when my country is the one committing the war crimes (i.e. Iraq) or another country is given resources by my country.

I am ashamed of my country leading the world into an acceptance of lawlessness. We break international law and violate the Geneva Convention. We support allies in doing the same.

When I see civilians targeted by a government my silence and agreement implies consent(especially when they are supported by my government). I will not remain silent while entire families are being exterminated. All civilians should always be guaranteed safety. If soldiers must fight they should fight each other. There are no valid excuses to attack civilian populations and vital civilian infrastructure. War is a hideous thing. It's dreadful that our leaders eagerly embrace it while refusing to talk and negotiate with anyone they disagree with. We need more talk, more negotiations, and less violence.

I believe that ALL war criminals need to be tried. (I'm not talking low level enlisted personnel in the armed forces…the investigations need to proceed all the way to the top.) If atrocities are committed on both sides…then both sides go to trial. I believe that folks in Israel , Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq , Afghanistan, and the USA are are currently guilty of war crimes. They are committing war crimes as I type. Our silence gives them a blank check to continue their disgraceful war crimes.

I am ashamed that our "allegedly" elected officials and representatives, with no discussionde, have lined up to support Israel's disproportionate response and the war crimes Israel is committing. Israel is our ally and the resources we provide give us bargaining power. Why aren't our leaders joining Kofi Annan and the United Nations and demanding that a ceasefire take place?

Why aren't we demanding that our leaders talk, negotiate, and utilize diplomatic channels rather than use illegal invasions and force as our major tool?

An atrocity is an atrocity folks, no matter how you dress it up. Every living being on this planet is entitled to personal safety, respect, and dignity. If they choose to join the armed forces and choose to put their safety at risk they have that right. But civilians have the right of safety and protection under International Law and the Geneva Convention.

My message to the democratic party--Why aren't you taking a strong stand for the rule of law, international law and the Geneva Conventions? The probability of an "October Surprise" has escalated. Are you going to continue to do the same things that keep costing you elections?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Lowell Fields posted, "Why Not To Post on the Arab-Israeli Conflict" on Raising Kaine (July 20). I find his reasoning disturbing for a variety of reasons. One major concern I have is that Lowell pulls out his expert credentials--masters degree in Middle East studies plus extensive time spent in the region—and he does not feel qualified to discuss this very complex situation. The implication is that we should leave this to the "experts." Unfortunately, "experts" can be bought. The experts that are most likely to be interviewed in today's corporate media are usually promoting someone's agenda.
--Recently I published information giving perspectives on the "other side" of the Israeli/Arab conflict. I have not given equal time to Israeli views simply because I provided space to offer alternative views that are not given time in the corporate MSM. It's my attempt to provide some balance to our unbalanced MSM.

Mosaic Special Report: Insight Into the Middle East

Link TV is doing a Live Call-in program with Link TV's team of journalists and Middle East experts. They will answer call-in questions and e-mails about what's really happening in the current crisis. "Drawing on reports from 28 Middle Eastern news broadcasts, Link TV provides context, analysis and a behind the scenes look at the story you never see on American TV."

Link TV is broadcast on Dish Network and Direct TV. (Warning: Direct TV is owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and you may not want to feed his media empire) Dish Network also offers an additional station that Direct TV does not. FSTV also offers alternatie media perspectives.

If you don't have a satellite you can get a webcast.

Here are the Broadcast Times:

Thursday, July 20 10:00 PM
Thursday, July 20 11:00 PM
Friday, July 21 10:00 PM
Friday, July 21 11:00 PM

Republican Senator DeWine is exploiting 9/11

Ohio Senator Mike Dewine is using a still photo of the twin towers with computer generated smoke depicting the 9/11 attacks in a campaign ad. Dewine plans to "fix" the ad with real footage of the 9/11 twin tower tragedy.

DeWine is exploiting the 9/11 tragedy; he thinks this will convince voters that he is "stronger" on national security issues than his opponent. Why doesn't DeWine feature himself and his record to show "his" strength on national security issues.

Why don't these Republicans just simply stop the exploitation of a national tragedy, stop the spinning lies, and run on their d#%@$ records?

The link is here

Pat Robertson and pork barrel politics

Demi-billionaire Pat Robertson has had a free ride in Virginia and it needs to stop now. It started when the Republican Attorney General Mark Earley declined to prosecute Pat Robertson for illegally using charitable funds and resources in his diamond mining ventures in Africa. It would have been devastating for Robertson to lose his special tax exempt status. (Pat Robertson's history of large campaign contributions to Mark Early and Governor Kilgore didn't hurt.)

"Virginia's Office of Consumer Affairs determined that Robertson "willfully induced contributions from the public through the use of misleading statements and other implications." Yet when the office called for legal action against Robertson in 1999, Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley, a Republican, intervened with his own report, agreeing that Robertson had made deceptive appeals but overruling the recommendation for his prosecution." Pat Robertson then proceeded to expand his mining operations in Africa.

Senator "bridge to nowhere" Stevens of Alaska started this latest government give away when he tacked an amendment to a Senate bill allocating lots of money for Pat's 1-64 interchange. (This is highly unusual.) House representatives Thelma Drake and Randy Forbes did their part getting this pork barrel project approved in the house.

It's interesting that Drake fails to mention this accomplishment on her website. Thelma knows the majority of Hampton Roads residents are furious with this tax dollar give away to Pat Robertson This project does not benefit the citizens of hampton roads. That money could be put to better use helping fund another tunnel crossing or ease our traffic congestion. This project benefits Pat Robertson's real estate development project.

It wonder what sort of return Pat Robertson gets on his "political contributions."

There is a history of political payoffs to Robertson. The Bush administration put the scandalous "Operation Blessing" on the government website for Hurricane Katrina donations. (It was only one of three organizations posted.) Public uproar forced FEMA officials to remove it. And now we have our own "bridge to nowhere" being proposed "just for Pat."

Max Blumenthal of The Nation reported, “Far from the media's gaze, Robertson has used the tax-exempt, nonprofit Operation Blessing as a front for his shadowy financial schemes, while exerting his influence within the GOP to cover his tracks.” South American mines, Federal (and possibly state) tax dollars for roads, a racehorse, and now a milk shake, Robertson’s speculative endeavors cover a broad spectrum. (NOTE: Pat Robertson is accused once again of violating his tax exempt status by using his ministry to market a diet shake he has now licensed to General Nutrition corp.)

Hopefully no local or state tax dollars will be used to finance Robertson’s latest endeavor. Let this dem-billionaire foot the bill for once; he needs to finance his own real estate developments. If that federal pork barrel project money can not be used where VDOT's needs it, then Virginia should return these funds rather than waste the tax payer's money. Virginia needs to stop bending over backwards trying to figure out how Pat’s interstate link can safely fit within standard highway safety guidelines. This exchange does not safely fit into I-64. Stop making exceptions and giving away our tax dollars to wealthy elitists.

Links:
http://www.skeptictank.org/robem2.htm
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050919/blumenthal
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/343813p-293471c.html
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=107788&ran=90328&tref=po

Robert Fisk, in Beirut, reports...

Robert Fisk, chief Middle East correspondent for the London Independent. Described by the New York Times as "probably the most famous foreign correspondent in Britain", he has over thirty years of experience in international reporting, and he's a regular guest on Democracy Now.

Goodman interviewed Fisk, who lives in Beirut, today.

This morning the death tolls were 242 Lebanese and 24 Israeli civilians. Fisk stated

But it's a tragedy of immense proportions, because it’s also tearing apart a country. In the last 24 hours we found the Israelis have turned to attacking a milk factory, Liban Lait -- it’s actually the producers of milk I drink every morning in my tea -- a paper box factory, for heaven’s sakes, hardly a terrorist target. We've already seen them smash up the runways of Beirut Airport and destroy part of the -- most of the lighthouse, the new Manara lighthouse, in Beirut. The Israelis today even attacked the factory which imports Procter & Gamble goods here. We've had an ambulance convoy, a convoy of new ambulances from the United Emirates, cross from Syria into Lebanon, got attacked from the air. It's an all-out war against the economy infrastructure of a country that was at last beginning to look modern again, after the 15 years of civil war, which cost 150,000 lives. And it's very sad to see.

Fisk is furious with Hezbollah for providing the excuse Israel needed to attack Lebannon. It's senseless to blame the Lebanese government, "who can't even control a water faucet, let alone a Hezbollah militia man."

He's angry with all the players who are killing innocent civilians. So am I Mr. Fisk so am I.

SC Republican threatens Utility workers w/ gun

"Rep. Wallace Scarborough, R-Charleston, was charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill after the 47-year-old brandished and pointed a pistol at utility workers and then fired his gun about 9:45 p.m. Saturday, according to an affidavit."

If the Republicans are overthrown this fall the nation's stand-up comics are going to have to work harder. I would rather be "amused" than dismayed by the Republican's in Bushworld.

Finally, the AP reports Iraq is out of control....

America's corporate controlled press is broaching the subject that Iraq's civil war is out of control. They still can't bring themselves to call it what it is--a civil war. They've got the "sectarian violence" euphemism. I guess they think this will be "less troubling" to their readers. Some honest up to date reporting would be "less troubling" to this reader. Here's the AP report.

Democracy Now --a "must see" web broadcast

Democracy Now's excellent broadcast on Tuesday included:

--World Health Organization: Lebanese Residents Displaced by Israeli Bombardment Expected to Top 900,000
--A Sampling of Arab TV Coverage of the Middle East Crisis
--U.S. EXCLUSIVE: Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad on U.S. Foreign Policy, the Resistance in Iraq, Syrian-Lebanese Relations and More

The WHO report on the 900,000 displaced Lebanese residents and the unity that is occurring between disparate groups (ranging from Christian to Sunni) working to help them.

Mosaic TV is a Peabody award winning show. It's a daily digest of Arab Tv news and is available on Link TV via Dish Satellite. Excellent clips from Mosaic were shown and Amy Goodman interviewed the director, Jamal Dajani.

I have never seen nor heard an interview with the Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad. It's amazing what the corporate controlled media doesn't show us.

I wonder how many Americans remember that Syria cooperated with the United States by providing intelligence from immediately after 9/11 until March 2005?

If you want excellent coverage of the Middle East watch the July 18 broadcast of Democracy Now

Another lesson from a 15 year old American girl

15 year old Ava Lowery has much to teach us. Here's another of her creations...open your ears, your eyes, and your heart.

Go Here

Bush has taken away our right of informed consent in medical experiments.

Bush and all his tricky "shit" has me outraged. Since when did I give up my right to informed consent? Seems like the Pentagon was reluctant to use their troops for a clinical trial of artificial blood that the Pentagon needs for treating wounded soldiers. The difficulty is that the troops are "distrustful" of the Pentagon. They are tired of being vaccinated with the newest stuff created especially for them and then experiencing unexpected side effects.

So...Bush's FDA sprang into action and is allowing the Pentagon to use American citizens in their clinical trials without their permission. No, I'm not crazy you are reading this correctly. I'm not the only one who is outraged. Republican Senator Charles Grassley (Iowa) sent the following to the acting FDA commissioner, Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, a Bush appointee.

"It is outrageous that, for all intents and purposes, the FDA allowed a clinical trial to proceed, which makes every citizen in the United States a potential 'guinea pig,' without providing a practical, informative warning to the public."

An FDA regulation, enacted in 1996 and rarely used, "allows for waiver of the consent required in clinical trials, if some type of community outreach program is put into practice was used to make informed consent irrelevant."

"I am skeptical," Grassley wrote the FDA, "that any participating medical centers managed to conduct effective, practical outreach to the community and to provide a meaningful, informative warning to the public about the PolyHeme study."

So all you citizens in Hampton Roads, Falls Church and Richmond listen up. Do you remember hearing anything about these community forums to inform the public of these proposed clinical trials being allowed in your community sans informed consent? Better yet, were you able to attend one?

It sounds like the few people who did attend one of these forums in NC were not told that the first part of this three part trial ended abruptly due to 10 heart attacks among the first 81 patients. (Two of these 10 patients died.) The Wall Street Journal (2/22/06) reported that Northfield Laboratories Inc., which makes PolyHeme, quietly shut down that part of the trial and has refused to publicly disclose the results. The hospitals failed to mention the 10 heart attacks at their community meetings and presented PolyHeme as being considered safe due to these trials.

Northfield pushed to have its product testing started again without publishing any results from previous trials held through 2001. In December 2003, the FDA allowed Northfield to start signing up trauma centers. Now, at least 600 people have taken part, the study needs 120 more patients in the third part of it's trial.

The "typical" patient can't offer the informed consent that normally is required for clinical trials. The 1996 FDA rule, that is being used by Bush's FDA commissioner, says it is acceptable to give trauma patients experimental treatments without their knowledge. The hospitals (not the patient who is taking the risk) are typically paid around $10,000 from Northfield Laboratories for each patient they treat with PolyHeme.

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital and Innova Fairfax Hospital are some of the hospitals participating in this study. At this time, Sentara's status is "no longer recruiting", Innova is no longer participating, and VCU remains an active study participant.

Some of the suspected side-effects of Polyheme are: heart attack,various "serious" cardiovascular adverse experiences, and pneumonia.

The Pentagon has other studies in the pipeline that they want tested.

At least one other blood substitute, Hemopure, manufactured by a company called Biopure, appears likely to be tested using the same opt-out consent system. Asked whether the study protocol will use an opt-out or opt-in consent, Biopure's spokesman said the opt-out design is “how they are currently done. A spokesperson for the Navy, which is running tthe Hemopure study, said it would be premature to comment on consent waivers because there could be potential changes in protocol.”

This trial is currently being conducted in 18 states that include California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia

So if you travel, or live, in these states and suffer a traumatic injury or need emergency treatment at a participating trauma center, you could become an unknowing research subject without your consent. Unless you happen to be wearing a light blue wristband imprinted with the statement: "I decline the Northfield PolyHeme Study."
Warning: This bracelet won't protect you from any future studies in the Pentagon/FDA pipeline.

I agree with Senator Grassley, "The idea that the FDA would put the burden on the public to opt out of this mass experiment is outrageous."

Congress needs to pass a law and close this looloophole ASAP. Contact your Senators and Representative, Ask them to support Senator Grassley on this issue and get legislation enacted now. Request that they stop supporting the pharmaceutical firms and start representing your interests!

In the meantime, you can obtain that light blue "hospital" wristband by emailing Investor_Relations@northfieldlabs.com It took about two weeks for my light blue bracelets to arrive.

Some links:
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=11533
http://www.defrance.org/artman/publish/printer_1531.shtml
http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/printer_547.shtml
http://nsweb.nursingspectrum.com/nursetonurse/thread.cfm?COUNTER=124873&AGE=6&NUM_REPLIES=10

Un-plug from the MSM matrix

Surf over to Electronic Infidel and check out this editorial.
Electronic Infidel is:

...committed to communicating the realities of life on the ground for ordinary Palestinians and challenging myths and distortions about them in the commercial media through analysis and our own reporting. EI is independent of any political, factional, ethnic, or religious affiliation, and bases its view of the conflict on the foundation of universal human rights and international law. The Electronic Intifada condemns all attacks on civilians, regardless of the perpetrators, yet encourages people to examine the structural roots and dynamics of violence in the conflict and the imbalance of power that perpetuates these dynamics.

EI undertakes research, and compiles and publishes reference material, commentary & analysis, personal journals from the frontlines of the conflict, media news and analysis, and even satire. EI aims aspects of its information service at journalists & editors, activists -- occasionally encouraging letters of concern -- at students of the media, and researchers looking for reference material, and offers automatically updating streaming content via our "wire service for websites",

This website covers the Lebanon-Israel conflict, various statistics (including death and injury toll), history resources, media analysis, and even recipes from the Palestinian kitchen.

Corporate controlled mainstream media advertises "fair and balanced" or objective news coverage; we end up with corporate and political "spin." (If you believe their advertisements I have a bridge to sell you....oops..that old time "adage" is becoming obsolete isn't it?)

Check out a variety of sources that openly admit a Palestinan bias, an Israeli bias, an Iraqi bias, a "South American" bias...compare the different POV's and think for yourself. What a revolutionary concept.

Local Film Seminar: Converging Storms: Energy, Capitalism and the Environment

A new 3-Part film seminar series at The Studio For the Healing Arts on Wednesdays July 19-August 2.

Wed, July 19 More Inconvenience: Energy and The Environment

We'll examine issues associated with a global system whose petroleum dependency and imperative to expand is precipitating, and colliding with, the ecological realities of diminishing fossil fuels, global warming, resource depletion and contamination (food, water, land, etc), species extinction, and over-population. What is the nature of the environmental crises now challenging the global system?

Wed, July 26 Who Killed the Democratic Experiment?
We'll address the underlying causes of the multiple global crises.
Topics include: the intrinsic contradictions of capitalism,
globalization, militarism, corporate consolidation and the
elimination of market competition, the global "race to the bottom" by business to exploit cheap labor and lax environmental standards, and the fraud of neo-classical economics taught in universities. The role of racism, nationalism, religious bigotry, and anti-immigrant
"nativism" to justify the actions by secret governments that
undermine citizen's privacy, civil rights, and electoral rights (voting fraud).

Wed, August 2 The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community
We'll expose the myths of empire and the culture of domination. We'll tell new stories for a global civil society and a culture of partnership. Discussion of relocalization of our food production, in working local commerce, expanding fair trade measures, education and community-building. How do we fit into the emerging "other superpower": the convergence of grass-roots environmental, global justice, and peace movements to raise consciousness and supply leadership throughout the world.

Host: Tench Phillips, Naro Cinema

Facilitators: Two visionary scholars will provide their perspectives on the global crises.

Tom Ellis will offer a gaian humanitarian world-view. He is a
professor of English at TCC, an officer of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, and founder of gaia circle.

Steve Rosenthal will offer a Marxist socialist world-view. He is a professor of Sociology at Hampton University and leads the local chapter of Amnesty International with his wife Mimi.

Dates: Wednesdays, July 19. 26, and August 2 at 7:15pm
Location: Studio for the Healing Arts, 1611 Colley Ave (2nd floor) in Ghent.

Registration: $25 for the series. Call Naro office at 625-6275 to pre-register, seating is limited. Visit www.narocinema.com for more
info.

Film clips include previews of the following new titles:
Who Killed the Electric Car? Waging a Living Why We Fight
America From Freedom to Fascism Crisis is Our Business The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil The War Tapes

Terror in the Mid East

I have not come across any more reports of the Israeli poison "gas" so I'm wondering what's up with that. True, not true? I have no idea....However there is one atrocity that is showing up in numerous reports. The Israeli soldiers ordered civilians to leave their homes. Then they bombed and incinerated the 20 fleeing civilians. (This story was first published by Beirut IndyMedia.)

Renowned British journalist Robert Fisk "watched one of these [surprises] from my sea-front balcony at dusk on Saturday, an American-made Apache helicopter turning three times over the Mediterranean before firing a single missile - perfectly visible, with smoke pouring from the tail - that smacked into Beirut's brand new lighthouse on the Corniche in a cloud of brown muck. So what was this for? Another "terrorist" target, I suppose. Like the gas stations bombed in the Bekaa Valley. Like the convoy of 20 civilians incinerated in an Israeli air-raid on Saturday after being ordered - by the Israelis themselves - to leave their home village on the border."

I find it astonishing that the alleged terrorists in the Mid-east--Hamas and Hezbollah--were playing within the rules of the Geneva Convention and originally restricted their targets to military ones (i.e. the "captured" soldiers). Israel has not show the same restraint and both sides have now taken off the gloves. [NOTE: suicide bombers have not played by the rules and they targeted civilians...hence the label "terrorist."] The rulebook has been thrown out. War is never civilized, but the rules of the Geneva Convention granted protection to civilian noncombatants. We could flee an area without becoming military targets.

Unfortunately, the US has been a world leader in not playing by the rules of the Geneva Convention. Can't nations be terrorists too...When they target civilian populations and vital infrastructures?

I detest this new world order of no rules and no laws at home or abroad. What's become of civilization? I am reminded of something Gandhi said. When asked what he thought of western civilization, Gandhi replied, "I think it would be a a very good idea." I do too, Papou, I do too.

AP distorts the news

Why does this AP story--Gunmen seize Iraq Olympic committee chief--not include crucial facts?

The gunmen used three government vehicles and wore police uniforms when they kidnapped the Iraq Olympic Committee Chair and "at least 30 others." The corporate media gives us a distorted view of what's happening in Iraq and around the world. If the news media refuses to provide the crucial "context" factor in their reports they can at least include the crucial facts and stop omitting them.

Notable Speech-Rep Rahm Emanuel (D-ILL)

Democrat Rahm Emanuel (ILL) gives suggestion to White House on reducing their spending.

"Mr. Speaker, yesterday the President said we continue to be wise about how we spend the people's money.

"Then why are we paying over $100,000 for a 'White House Director of Lessons Learned'?

"Maybe I can save the taxpayers $100,000 by running through a few of the lessons this White House should have learned by now.

"Lesson 1: When the Army Chief of Staff and the Secretary of State say you are going to war without enough troops, you're going to war without enough troops.

"Lesson 2: When 8.8 billion dollars of reconstruction funding disappears from Iraq, and 2 billion dollars disappears from Katrina relief, it's time to demand a little accountability.

"Lesson 3: When you've 'turned the corner' in Iraq more times than Danica Patrick at the Indy 500, it means you are going in circles.

"Lesson 4: When the national weather service tells you a category 5 hurricane is heading for New Orleans, a category 5 hurricane is heading to New Orleans.

"I would also ask the President why we're paying for two 'Ethics Advisors' and a 'Director of Fact Checking.'

"They must be the only people in Washington who get more vacation time than the President.

"Maybe the White House could consolidate these positions into a Director of Irony."

Newt Gingrich declares World War III

No, you aren't having a bad dream. Newt's back with a "bang."

David Postman reports that Newt Gingrich says America is in World War III. Gingrich wants Bush to go to Congress in September and declare this.

Gingrich is "very worried" about Republicans losing seats this fall. Recognizing WW III is important for military and political reasons.

This is World War III," Gingrich said. And once that's accepted, he said calls for restraint would fall away. He also said.

There is a public relations value, too...public opinion can change "the minute you use the language" of World War III. The message then, he said, is "'OK, if we're in the third world war, which side do you think should win?"

Gingrich acknowledged that there is fall out because House and Senate Republicans "'forgot the core principle'" of the party and embraced Congressional pork. "Some of the guys," he said, have come down with a case of "incumbentitis."

I agree with Newt on that last point. However I strongly disagree on pursuing the WW III option. I think if Newt's motivation was "military" he'd be calling for Bush to speak to Congress NOW...It seems to be purely "political" to wait until September for Bush to speak to Congress about WW III.

Gingrich says that as of now Republicans "are sailing into the wind" in congressional campaigns. He said that's in part because of the Iraq war, adding, "Iraq is hard and painful and we do not explain it very well."

How about some refreshing truth? It's not the "explanations" about Iraq that need fixing...it's giving a "blank check" to incompetent leadership and then refusing to hold them accountable. Now, spin that one Newt!

Will US support this? Israeli using poison gas...

Wayne Madsen reports that Israel is now using poison gas and depleted uranium--DU--missles in Lebanon. It sounds like this is not the first time poison gas has been used.

Will U.S. citizens support this behaivor? Why not, the U.S. has made Iraq a nuclear waste dump with our DU and only a few speak out... What's a little gas?

IF this is true we are surely destined to be given our own special place in hell.

I wonder if exposing war crimes will be labeled extremist and unpatriotic?

"Pitiful" Fundraising OR Integrity?

Allen supporters like spreading the news that the Webb campaign's fundraising is "pitiful." Given the fact that George Allen has had years to create a political warchest and the corporate lobbyists love how he votes...how could Webb have equal funds at this point?

I don't see Webb's fundraising as "pitiful." The vast amounts of money that Allen is raising comes from the special interest corporate sector that is controlling our media and our government.

I'm voting for a Senator who will represent MY interests not the "elite" interests of a powerful minority. I prefer a Senator who has not sold out to the special interests of corporations that view me as a consumer (to profit from) not a citizen.

RECENT EVENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, LEADING TO ISRAELI ATTACK ON LEBANON

BASIC TIMELINE

June 24, 2006: Israel abducts two Gaza civilians, a doctor and his brother. It is believed they were taken to Israel. Their current status is unknown. (Not widely reported by MSM thus nameless--no one has reported "names" of these two people.)

June 25, 2006: Militants in Gaza, probably Islamic Jihad, abduct an Israeli soldier--Corporal Gilad Shalit. It is believed he was taken to Gaza. (MSM gave worldwide coverage)

June 28, 2006: Israel escalated attacks on Gaza.

July 12, 2006: Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers and crossed the border into Lebanon. The status of the soldiers is unknown.

July 13, 2006: Israel declared this an "act of war" and launched the heaviest bombing of Lebanon in 24 years. Known targets of Israel's bombing campaign are the Beirut airport (national symbol of Lebanese reconstruction progress), bridges (at least 20 are heavily damaged), and Hezbollah's Al Manar TV station in a Beirut suburb. It is estimated that 47 Lebanese civiians, including 15 children are dead. (I heard an update last nite that the Lebanese civilian death tolled has doubled to a 100)

July 13, 2006: Hezbollah militants responded with rockets fired into northern Israel killing one Israeli woman and injuring 29.

July 14, 2006: Israeli ships attempted to block ports. Hezbollah militants responded by firing rockets and heavily damaging an Israeli ship. The Israeli's report that a drone loaded with explosives damaged the ship. The Richmond Democrat reported Hezbollah likely hit Israeli ship with an Iranian missile.

I have numerous reasons to distrust the corporate mainstream media's middle east coverage. I want to know why violence is escalating in the region. I reference Amy Goodman for viewpoints without a corporate bias. Her Thursday broadcast included Naseer Aruri and Uri Avnery. On Friday Noam Chomsky and Mouin Rabbani share their perspectives on the latest with Israel.

POV's ON THE SITUATION

Naseer Aruri sees the Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon as creating an opportunity for "Israel to reshape the strategic landscape in the region." Aruri thinks Israel has two main goals. 1)Prevent a diplomatic two state solution with Gaza, and 2)Realize objectives from the '82 invasion of Lebanon, which are a) "...to foreclose on the option of a Palestinian state," b)to redraw the Lebanese political map to bring the Phalange (right wing group allied with Israel) into power, and c)to reduce Syria's influence in the region.

Uri Avnery stated that, in Lebanon, Israel aims to destroy the Hezbollah army's stockpile of rockets. Israel also hopes to influence the Lebanese people, so the government will exert pressure to lessen Hezbollah's power.

In Gaza, the goal is to destroy the elected Palestinian government led by Hamas, Israel defines Hamas as a terrorist organization. The United States helps Israel in Gaza by actively stopping monetary transfer to the elected Palastinian government. An additional goal partly involves Gaza, but mostly involves the West Bank. Avnery stated, "At the same time...where Olmert announced his annexation program, what's euphemistically called 'convergence' and described here often as a 'withdrawal,' but in fact it's a formalization of the program of annexing the valuable lands, most of the resources, including water, of the West Bank and cantonizing the rest and imprisoning it, since he also announced that Israel would take over the Jordan Valley. Well, that proceeds without extreme violence or nothing much said about it."

Noam Chomsky said Hezbollah captured the two soldiers to display solidarity with the Palestinians. According to Chomsky the analysts generally agreed on this point and he read from the Financial Times, "The timing and scale of its [Hezbolla's] attack suggest it was partly intended to reduce the pressure on Palestinians by forcing Israel to fight on two fronts simultaneously."

Chomsky labelled Hezbollah's actions as "very irresponsible" and subjects the Lebanese people to extreme disaster and terror. Whether Hezbollah's plan will produce any results, such as Israel freeing prisoners or some form of solidarity with the peole of Gaza, remains to be seen but Chomsky "wouldn't rank the probabilities very high."

Basically, Mouin Rabbani thinks "Israel is..trying to rewrite the rules of the game and set new terms for its adversaries...that no attacks of any sort on Israeli forces or otherwise will be permitted....Any such attack will invite a severe response that...puts the entire civilian infrastructure of the entire country...from which that attack emanates at risk. Judging by what we've seen so far, it more or less enjoys tacit to explicit international sanction. The possibilities that this conflict could further expand into a regional one, perhaps involving Syria, is at this point quite real."

Mouin thinks the situation will worsen.

"Well, I think it's probably going to get significantly worse. I mean, in Lebanon...Hezbollah has a more restricted agenda of compelling Israel to conduct prisoner exchange, whereas Israel has a broader agenda of seeking to compel the disarmament of Hezbollah or at least to push it back several dozen kilometers from the Israeli-Lebanese border. You know, the Israeli and Hezbollah perspectives on this are entirely incompatible, and that means that this conflict is probably going to continue escalating, until some kind of mediation begins."

Mouin says, "In Gaza, it's somewhat different. I think there Hamas has a broader agenda, of which effecting a prisoner exchange with Israel is only one, and I would argue, even a secondary part. I think there Hamas's main objective is to compel Israel to accept a mutual cessation of hostilities, Israeli-Palestinian, and I think, even more important, of ensuring their right to govern. And I think, at least as far as the Israeli-Palestinian part of this is concerned, Hamas's main objective has been to send a very clear message, not only to Israel, but to all its adversaries, whether Israeli, Palestinian or foreign, to remind the world that political integration and democratic politics for them are an experiment, that they have alternatives, and if they're not allowed to exercise their democratic mandate, that they will not hesitate, if necessary, to exercise those alternatives."

A SIMPLE SOLUTION?

Uri Avnery and his friends believe the "...solution to that is to exchange prisoners. We [Israeli's] have done this before. It should be done now. And we are very much against the statement of our prime minister that he will not even consider exchange of prisoners. I think his statement really puts the lives of the prisoners in jeopardy."

Noam Chomsky states, "The United States regards Israel as virtually a militarized offshoot, and it protects it from criticism or actions and supports passively and, in fact, overtly supports its expansion, its attacks on Palestinians, its progressive takeover of what remains of Palestinian territory, and its acts to, well, actually realize a comment that Moshe Dayan made back in the early '70s when he was responsible for the Occupied Territories. He said to his cabinet colleagues that we should tell the Palestinians that we have no solution for you, that you will live like dogs, and whoever will leave will leave, and we'll see where that leads. That's basically the policy. And I presume the U.S. will continue to advance that policy in one or another fashion."

The United States has a long history of being the one vote on the security council that blocks United Nations actions in the Middle East. I don't believe that John Bolton nor the Bush administration are going to surprise us with any needed "diplomacy."

Arna's Children

The current middle east situation blowing up in our faces and the pundits will be spinning. I want to suggest you check out this incredible film--Arna's Children. (It's available at Netflix).

This film covers a ten year period and documents an Israeli woman's work with Palestinian children creating a local theatre troupe. It reveals their relationships with each other and the larger conflict around them. It presents a picture of the human side of this conflict that is severely neglected by the corporate controlled press with their globalization perspective.

It really is a great movie.

Why Does the CIA...?

AMY GOODMAN: Why does the CIA call Cheney “Edgar”?

RON SUSKIND: Well, that's one of the nicknames inside of CIA for the Vice President, Edgar Bergen. I guess you all are old enough to know who that is -- some younger listeners of yours may not be -- the famous ventriloquist and his puppet Charlie McCarthy. Look, there are lots of nicknames. This one is nasty and probably half-true....

Source is Democracy Now 7/15/06

VA Pilot Poll on Webb vs. Allen

I heard that the professional politicos believe that George Allen's popular in the Hampton Roads region. The Virginia Pilot is running a poll

Who will you vote for in the November race for the U.S. Senate? As of 8:05 pm 1,137 votes have been cast. James Webb has 50.84% George Allen has 42.83% and 6.33% are undecided.

I realize these online polls are not "scientific." But it's refreshing that a 16-1 campaign contribution advantage is not reflected in this online poll. Felix, have you ever heard this? Money isn't everything

Baghdad starts to collapse as its people flee a life of death

I just spoke with a friend who is on an international email list. The past week they have grown more and more alarmed at what they perceive to be a world news blackout on what's occurring in Iraq. Hopefully the corporate controlled MSM blackout is coming to an end. I came across this a few hours ago.

I was aware a few days ago that the nightmare was growing more horrific after checking in here.

I'm still trying to collect all the info since I'm also a subscriber on that list. However, the posts are very sensitive b/c some of those folks live in places that if it was known they were participating it could mean their death. So I'll see if I have permission to post some of what they are saying.

If you are moved to take any sort of action I would suggest emailing the first link to your local news media (press and tv) and asking them why they aren't reporting this crucial information!

Remember the Troops who don't want to be there...

Ava Lowery is a 15 year old peace activist (from Alabama) who received death threats from rabid Bush supporters for this Video.

Think about the troops who don't want to be "occupiers" of Iraq. Her new Peace takes Courage video provides some balance to the government spin that the MSM puts out. We have troops praying that we'll stand up and support them. Take a few minutes to watch the video and think about what it means to "support our troops" as Iraq continues to spin out of control. I hope everyone plans to vote this November. Seriously consider supporting a "real" troop such as Jim Webb and not another chickenhawk like George A. We already have an abundance of chickenhawks squawkin' up there in D.C.

Most Americans plan to vote for Democrats

That's the headline from yahoo news greeting me this morning. The AP reporter begins with "Republicans are in jeopardy of losing their grip on Congress in November."

The latest AP-Ipsos poll shows Americans hope to see Republicans lose control of Congress by a 3-1 margin. The poll found that 81 percent of the "self-described liberals" will vote Democratic, 56 percent of the moderates plan to vote for a Democrat, and 24 percent of conservatives say they will vote Democratic.

I enjoyed reading this comment from "self-described liberal" Gary Wilson, "They used to say there's nothing worse than a tax-and-spend liberal Democrat. There is something worse: It's a borrow-and-spend Republican. This is going to come back to haunt us."

I'm not fond of the corporate controlled mainstream media--MSM--or our corporate controlled government. MSM definitely deserves criticism for simply being stenographers for Republican talking points and pretending they are doing investigative journalism. This practice was disastrous for our nation pre-Iraq invasion and continues today.

"Self described liberal" I wonder how long they've been using this label. I bet we'll see more of this. So moderates and conservatives prefer for someone else to label them?

"But a Democratic takeover of either the House or Senate would be disastrous for the president, leaving both his agenda for the last two years in office and the chairmanship of investigative committees in the hands of the opposition party." Personally I'm more concerned about the effects this will have on our country. But then I'm one of those folks that doesn't believe any party should be put above country.

Buzz Buzz

Cell Phone Cooks Egg

Over the years I've heard anecdotes here and there of someone getting a cancerous brain tumor and they were a heavy cell phone user. I believe one person was a big wig* in one of the presidential campaigns. Of course, since we no longer have any government watchdog agencies protecting public safety (the heads of our agencies are usually former corporate lobbyists and they prefer to safeguard corporate products) you might want to be cautious given this funky finding. Two Russian journalists used two cell phones to cook an egg

I used to use a headphone "regularly" but I kept "killing" them....however, I'll be getting another headphone soon. No sense in taking any chances.

Of course I doubt the cell phone industry is going to do studies to prove their phones may be dangerous or safe. Why should they? The corporate news is not going to jeopardize any potential corporate profits. They prefer to keep their advertisers happy.

I don't know if there are any "objective" scientific studies that prove anything conclusively. I'd rather be safe than sorry. BUT...if you have children using cell phones please buy them a headphone. Studies due show that children have higher risks with radio waves, microwaves, pesticides, etc etc than adults.

I'm not talking bluetooth technology. I'm suggesting the headphones with a wire that plugs in the phone.

* Just an "aside," Did you know the term "big wig" came from Colonial Times. The "big wigs" in the community literally wore big white poofy wigs...if you weren't a big wig you didn't have one....Funny how a little saying can last for a few hundred years. But then again those "big wigs" were funny looking.

Ya don't say....noteable quotes

"There certainly has been an upsurge in sectarian violence," Rumsfeld told reporters en route to Iraq from Kandahar, Afghanistan. "There's no question but that they're trying to incite a civil war, and they have been for a long time, and they've failed so far." Buzz Buzz "Earth to Rumsfield..."

"Republicans used to accuse Democrats of "throwing money at problems." The Bush administration not only throws money at problems; it misses them." Froma Harrop Seattle Times

Today the BBC reports, that while in Germany, George Bush said Israel had the right to defend itself, but its action should not weaken the Lebanese government. Buzz Buzz The Great Communicator strikes again!

King George wants the final say.

According to the LA TIMES Bush is NOT going to let the recent Supreme Court decision change his plans. In Bush world, Bush is our King George and no authority is granted to Congress or the Supreme Court. How dare those Justices not roll over and endorse the King and his minions! To be fair to Bush, the Republican (and corporate) controlled Congress were easily taught to fetch, roll over and play dead. A few Democrats, such as Lieberman, are also lapdogs. Heaven help us. Maybe that Texas Republican, Ron Paul, will join forces with Rep. Conyers; they can lead the House to unseat this insane King. Then we, the people, could rest a little easier (and safer.) A bi-partisan solution to this madness is long overdue.

King George thinks if he says someone is guilty that is all it takes. Forget laws, forget justice. Off with their heads!

Well I'm no lapdog. American citzens aren't lapdogs either. We know the emperor king has no clothes. So watch out "George." Judgement day is coming sooner that you think. Unfortunately for you, the majority of Americans refuse to be serfs and peasants for your kingdom. But you wouldn't know that since you allegedly "ignore" the polls and the wishes if the American people.

Buzz Buzz Buzz......

Senate Replaces FEMA

The Senate voted 87 to 11 to replace FEMA with a new federal agency named EMA--Emergency Management Agency. The Sentate did not restore the cabinet level position that FEMA once had. EMA will remain in the DHS--Department of Homeland Security. The major change appears to be that EMA will report directly to the President in times of major disaster.

I fail to see how this will help under the current Bush administration. He will probably be on vacation whenever a disaster strikes. Michael Brown, "hired" by the Bush administration, took the brunt of the criticism for FEMA's unraveling when Hurricane Katrina hit. However, the buck stops with Michael Chertoff and President Bush. It seems the Senate is simply passing the buck on this one.

Doesn't the Senate realize that we, the people, are sick of all the political window dressing and "spin?" Final passage may not occur since the House is considering a version that would take FEMA OUT of the DHS and restore it to the former structure that worked successfully in the past.

However, the House bill does not address the fact that the current White House resident is "incompetent."

Texas Republican says Impeach Bush

David Swanson (afterdowningstreet.org) reports that Republican Texas Congressman Ron Paul said this on the radio yesterday:
---"I would have trouble arguing that he's been a Constitutional President, and once you violate the Constitution and be proven to do that I think these people should be removed from office."
---"Congress has generously ignored the Constitution while the President flaunts it, the courts have ignored it and they get in the business of legislating so there's no respect for the rule of law."
--"When the President signs all these bills and then adds statements after saying I have no intention of following it - he's in a way signing it and vetoing - so in his mind he's vetoing a lot of bills, in our mind under the rule of law he hasn't vetoed a thing."

The radio interview is available here

David Swanson is calling on folks to email Rep. Ron Paul at rep.paul@mail.house.gov and ask him to act on his convictions. Ron Paul is correct. George Bush should be impeached for the "right" reasons. Violating the constitution of the United States is a good place to start. This is not political revenge; it's about protecting our constitution and our liberty. I hope you will email AND call Rep. Ron Paul at
(202) 225-2831

Ask Rep. Ron Paul to step up to the plate and do what he knows in his heart needs doing.

A Tidewater Dems Gathering

This evening, Dr. D. C. Armasinghe held an event at the Dawat Indian restaurant near Military Circle. Approximately 50 people attended. The evening included a short presentation by the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi… It was refreshing to see a roomful of Americans in a multicultural atmosphere complete with a different sense of time and presentation style. The Big Buy documentary was the highlight of the evening. This Robert Greenwald documentary does a great job of detailing the corruption that Tom Delay spread throughout Texas which has had a profound effect on Washington DC and the nation. It’s a shameful testament to our current state of corporate controlled media that this film has not appeared on any of our major TV networks. One new fact that I didn’t know….Virginia’s own Randy Forbes is one of Delay’s “patsies” and he received lots of money. Virginians need to prepare now for Delay’s influence in VA. Delay is making his home here and I wouldn’t be surprised if money from Delay (and Texas) are not already infiltrating our state legislature. Abramoff allegedly donated a tidy sum to Virginia’s current Republican Attorney General. I doubt that he’s going to investigate himself.

After the film, Susan Mariner gave an effective talk that enlisted new volunteers for Jim Webb’s Senate Campaign. The representative from Phil Kellam’s campaign had less luck during his pitch. He asked for questions and Star Womanspirit asked how Democrats could support Kellam when he supports the Republican’s ANTI-Gay Marriage Amendment and says that he supports President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq and stay there until the job is finished. I was pleasantly surprised to see this outspoken audience member get support from the majority of the attendees and hear Kellam referred to as Thelma Drake Lite. These Kellam positions are not popular among this gathering of Democrats. I find it interesting that Star Womanspirit is active with the MoveOn campaign that is educating the public about Thelma Drake’s poor congressional record. It appears that local Democrats prefer their candidates to offer a alternative to the Republican agenda. Of course, the folks are “reluctantly” supporting Phil Kellam. But I suspect if he doesn’t offer them a good performance he will end up facing a hard Democratic primary in the next election cycle.

With these positions, Phil Kellam does not deserve the work of unpaid volunteers. He’s wealthy enough to pay his campaign staff. Hopefully, Kellam will have a chance to prove that he is a Democrat if elected to the House. Thelma Drake has already demonstrated that she’s not worthy of re-election. Her 98% record of voting for Bush’s agenda proves that she sold her soul to the elite corporate special interest groups. Luckily, concerned citizens wanting a real change have the option of working for Jim Webb, whose campaign funding will not come close to the corporate funded war chest that George FELIX Allen has accumulated.

Tom Delay is not going away.

Time's website reports that Tom Delay plans to launch an aggressive campaign to win back his house seat. Hopefully he won't be successful. Unfortunately, Tom Delay now calls the state of VA his new home. I can't see any good coming to the citizens of Virginia with a Tom Delay moving here. Hopefully, when Rick Santorum loses his race he will leave Virginia and return to Pennsylvania. Since when did Virginia become the preferred dumping ground for corrupt Republicans? www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,1211574,00.html

Virginian Pilot "Covers" for Allen

For those of you who depend on the Virginian Pilot as your news source you were poorly served by their coverage of Cheney's recent jaunt into Norfolk. Senator George Felix Allen joined Cheney at this event, and the VA Pilot doesn't report Allen's attendence. The VA Pilot also failed to cover the important net neutrality issue and the fact that Senator George Felix Allen voted AGAINST net neutrality.

On his website, Allen misleads his constituents by making it "appear" that Allen supports net neutrality. For months, Allen has refused to answer numberous questions from constituents calling his DC office. Allen knows that this issue has strong support among his constituents. This issue creates strange bedfellows such as the Christian Coalition and MoveOn.org (both groups support net neutrality). Unfortunately for Allen's constituents he's #8 on the top ten Telecommunications Lobby list. Should we question George Felix Allen's motives? Has he sold us out to the corporate lobbyists? Virginians need to let "Felix" know he's been caught red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar.

Hampton Roads citizens can hope that Portfolio will cover this crucial issue. In the meantime, spread the word and set the record straight. 1) George Felix Allen accepted lots of money from the telecommunications industry and 2) George Felix Allen killed the Durbin/Snow Amendment in committee. 3) On the floor of the Senate George Felix Allen voted for Senator "Bridge to Nowhere" Steven's version which eliminated net neutrality.

Hopefully, Jim Webb will advocate for net neutrality and help preserve our freedom of speech on the worldwide web. Our Buzz, Buzz, Buzz swarm is directed at Allen...hopefully he'll have to deal with swarms of mosquito's and other pests IF he decides to come out and face the people in Virginia.

Net Neutrality Defined

It's appropriate that the "inventor of the web" define Net Neutrality. According to Tim Berners-Lee, Net Neutrality is this:

If I pay to connect to the Net with a certain quality of service, and you pay to connect with that or greater quality of service, then we can communicate at that level.

That's all. Its up to the ISPs to make sure they interoperate so that that happens.

Net Neutrality is NOT asking for the internet for free.

Net Neutrality is NOT saying that one shouldn't pay more money for high quality of service. We always have, and we always will.

When I pay my ISP for connecting to the Internet, I pay for the bandwidth for ALL traffic I choose to send an receive. If it is phone traffic (VOIP), web (HTTP) or video (RTSP), I want my bandwidth and quality of service to be the same across all protocols independent of the payload source or destination. The idea that my ISP (currently Verizon) could give priority to their VOIP services, their movie services and their web sites, while slowing or retarding the quality of other competing services seems repugnant to me and simply unfair. Net neutrality is important because it keeps the Internet a level playing field where competition can thrive.

This is the defnition of Net Neutrality. Don't let the Corporate Elite and their "bought" congressmen tell you any different. There's a GREAT video of Tim Berners-Lee sharing his views on the current Net Neutrality debate here http://dig.csail.mit.edu/breadcrumbs/node/144

GO TO http://www.savetheinternet.com/ AND GET BUSY!

Mosquito's First Blog

To develop personal awareness and personal consciousness is to develop a Mage's way of being in the world: A natural magic that involves wisdom, knowledge of self, and a deep knowledge of the interconnectedness and harmony of all.

This Clarity unmasks the myth of individuality and aloneness that has plagued humankind for centuries.

A new consciousness evolves that is paradoxical. Seeing the interconnectedness of self within the energy of all life forms brings to light that everything one does matters greatly. Everything we do impacts the world. The physicists call this Chaos Theory and they often cite the example of a butterfly and its wings impacting weather worldwide to describe this principle.

The neo liberals are changing the world into a new chaotic "white" man made madness. It is enough to drive me to blog. I call on the strength and knowledge of my brothers and sisters in Mexico and throughout central and south america. The Zapatistas, the revolutionaries in Bolivia and Venezuela. I remember your cultural wisdom and know that I am not powerless. I strive to be a mage mosquito.