Congo: New Year, New Ops, Same Questions, Same Fears

Georgianne Nienaber

The notoriously failed Kimia II operation in eastern Congo has ended today, December 31. Soundly and forcefully criticized by Human Rights groups for the devastation it wrought on civilian populations, it will be replaced sometime in January with a new mission, dubbed Operation Amani Leo, sources say. North and South Kivu commanders Colonel Bobo Kakuji and Colonel Delphin Kahimbi will have their respective operation zones closed, according to information received from sources close to MONUC. Former Nkunda loyalist Colonel Makenga Sultani will lead a military sector, and this will hopefully reduce and or limit the influence of wanted war criminal Bosco Ntaganda who has established a parallel government administration in Masisi territory, sources add. It was Ntaganda who orchestrated the military coup against CNDP General Nkunda in January 2009.

In addition, 180 captured CNDP casualties from the last years of fighting have been relocated into barracks in the Katindo neighborhood 5 km from Goma and at the Himbi District of Goma under the auspices of the "Social Affairs" advisor to Governor Julien Paluku Kahongya, Theophile Mpabuka. A former CNDP official, Mpabuka was kidnapped by Mai Mai at the Kiwanja massacre in November 2009.The Mai Mai executed two of those in custody, tried to kill two others who managed to escape, and released Mpabuka in return for a promise of ransom.

The goal of the transfer of the CNDP combatants is said to be so that Ntaganda should "have no reason or pattern" to continue his illegal collection of taxes at the villages Kilolirwe and Mushaki" in Masisi territory.

Image: For Information only (from jrs.net)

This potential shift in personnel, combatants and allegiances coincides with the end of a controversy-plagued UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). A twelve-month extension was changed to a five-month mandate, which will require additional UN oversight. The Security Council approved the resolution to impose the mandate on December 23 after reviewing the recommendations of the Panel of Experts. (See Final Report) The Council also requested that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon submit a review by April 1.

Although critical of MONUC's role in abuses endured by the civilian populations in eastern Congo, Human Rights Watch cautions that troops should not be withdrawn until some kind of safety mechanism is in place.

"The civilian cost of the current military operations in eastern Congo has been catastrophic," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "The secretary-general should ensure that MONUC's new mandate is implemented in a way that ensures peacekeepers do not find themselves aiding those who are committing war crimes."

Human Rights Watch called for MONUC's conditionality policy that sets out conditions for the mission's support to Congolese army units to include the removal of Congolese army commanders with a documented track record of grave human rights abuses.

Al Jazeera, the only news organizations with consistent video and reports coming out of DRC, released this video today. It sums up the conflict, the spin, and the effect upon the civilian population. If you do nothing else today, watch this report.

So what does this all mean? In Congo, nothing is certain, but if ground reports pan out it does indicate that Bosco Ntaganda has outlived his usefulness to the regime of Joseph Kabila. "Regime" is a loaded word, but to call the failed state of DRC a "government" seems to fly in the face of reality there. When Ntaganda engineered a coup against the commander of the CNDP rebel group in January 2009 because of a secret deal negotiated between former enemies in the capitols of Rwanda and DRC, the CNDP was expected to integrate with the Congolese army (FARDC). Talk to the United Nations Mission in Congo (MONUC) or Nkunda loyalists, and the answer morphs from completely integrated to up to 90 percent remaining loyal to Nkunda.

According to human rights groups, Ntaganda became the region's worst nightmare, setting op a parallel administration in Masisi territory. Ntaganda had expected the government of the DRC to negotiate his warrant arrest by the Hague, however the outcry from human rights organizations and especially support from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for his arrest made that impossible.

A hardened rebel fighter, Ntaganda won the support of the Congolese government by retaining control of the region as well as some operational successes. That is not all he accomplished. The report of the UN Panel of Experts on DRC details pilfering of funds earmarked for soldiers' salaries, illegal timber harvesting and sales, smuggling across the Ugandan border at Bunagana, and collusion with the Rwandan rebel army (FDLR). The humanitarian havoc wrought by the FDLR in eastern Congo was the impetus for the disastrous joint Rwanda/DRC operations in the first place. It has become exponentially worse as detailed in human rights reports.

Meanwhile, sources say Ntaganda has taken his ill-gotten wealth and purchased buildings, cars, motorcycles, cows, and even a fuel station in Goma. The fuel station should raise some eyebrows. Ntaganda has taken advantage of the frustrations of rebel groups in both North and South Kivu provinces that promises made by the DRC government of Joseph Kabila in March 2009 have not been fulfilled. In order to protect himself, Ntaganda has formed a political collective, CPC, with the support of Ugandan Tutsi generals to fight FARDC. The alleged goal is control of an oil rich zone along the Ugandan border which falls within the confines of Virunga Park, from the Mabenga Bridge on the Rutshuru River to the Ishasha custom station.

Here is where it gets really interesting. According to sources, Heritage Oil made a secret visit to the Kasoso stream near the Nyakakoma fishing village. Heritage Oil is the same company that exploited oil in Ituri during 2003-2004.

Ntaganda was in Ituri during this same time period. The atrocities allegedly committed by Bosco in Ituri as documented by human rights reports including the following: August 2002: Massacres of civilians, burning of homes and looting in Songolo, Zumbe, Lipri and other villages; November 2002: Massacres of civilians because of their ethnicity, in the towns of Mongbwalu, Kilo and surrounding area in the Ituri district; August 2002 to March 2003: Ethnically-targeted arrests, torture and killings of Lendu and Ngiti civilians 2004: Murder of a UN peacekeeper in June and abduction of another later that year. (Source: International Center for Transitional Justice)

Now, sources say that in Goma, Beni and Butembo, petrol with a "light red color, totally different from the petrol normally imported from Kenya," is being sold. Government sources confirm that Dominion Oil has also been exploring in the same corridor. The Congolese Ministry of the Environment has ensured UNESCO that there will be no oil exploration within Virunga, but exploration maps tell a different story.

Sector 4 is the focus. It is in Virunga Park which is to the west of Lake Edward

A consideration of the roles of Colonel Bobo Kakuji and Colonel Delphin Kahimbi, and the introduction of Colonel Makenga Sultani to a possible command position is also in order.

Kakuji has been the operational commander for Kimia II in North Kivu since March, where many of the atrocities against civilians have occurred. Kahimbi is the Deputy Commander of the Forces Armees de la Republique Democratic du Congo (FARDC) in North Kivu.

According to section 184 of the Report of the Panel of Experts, Sultani is a very interesting choice if he assumes command of a military sector.

According to interviews with several members of CNDP in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, the decision to remove General Nkunda caused a division within the CNDP officer class, many of whom felt betrayed by General Ntaganda and remained fiercely loyal to General Nkunda, notably Colonel Sultani Makenga, formerly the third most senior officer in CNDP. In particular, these divisions culminated in a near shoot-out between rival factions of CNDP at the Grands Lacs Hotel in Goma on 5 June 2009, following an argument over the control of the smuggling of timber sourced from Rutshuru and Masisi territories through the Bunagana border post. Active CNDP elements have informed the Group that these internal divisions are still significant, although there have also been moves by top CNDP political and military figures to bridge these divides. A fuller discussion of these political movements will also be outlined in the present section of the report.

If all of this unfolds as sources predict, will the "divides" be "bridged?" Or is this an occult move by the Kabila government to sit back and see who ultimately becomes the winner in a war that has claimed six million? With Big Oil now in the mix, it is anyone's guess and everyone's fear.

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Researcher Sarah Markworth contributed cross-referencing with UN documents to this report.

Ain't Michelle Obama a Woman Too?

Remember Sojourner Truth's famous quote--Ain't I a Woman?

Where is the outrage?

Is it only received for "elite white women running for President?"

Believe it or not Hillary is NOT the only woman affected by sexism. ALL women are affected by it. That's where our focus should be--protecting ALL women from sexism not just a chosen few.

Misogyny is misogyny is misogyny.
Sexism is sexism is sexism.

Think about it all of us should be outraged whenever the media uses it's power to spread sexism, racism, or any other "ism."

The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power

The book is OUT!!

This is one of the reasons I refused to support Hillary Clinton in her presidential run. This is Hillary's Church....Read it, check it out, and that elitist I was "chosen" to be the Pres attitude that Hillary shares with George Bush will begin to make lots of sense.

This elitist church prefers to recruit the rich and powerful to become members.

Buzz...Buzz...

Hillary Clinton---SOC

I am enjoying my sabbatical....I planned this sabbatical for a variety of reasons...including anger with the Hillary Clinton antics and the typical Dem indecisive passivity. So now for my SOC--stream of consciousness--Hillary rant.

I am drawn to comment on the latest situation. If ever a statement was uttered that deserved a genuine sincere apology it is this. Amazingly Hillary Clinton seems to share many of the same character flaws that George Bush possesses....one of these being the inability to apologize. It's like she feels no remorse from how her actions affect others. Pile that on top of the fact that (maybe it's that cult religion she belongs to with the other neocons...you know the "religion of the world's elites"--the fellowship, the family...that operates in "secret cells" around the world....the one where the elite members are anointed by God to rule the masses...maybe that's why...) Hillary believes this presidency is supposed to be hers.

Then there's the hypocrisy of the Clintons. Hillary easily made a contract with the Democratic party to prevent the FLA and MI delegates from voting for this year's presidential nominee...at least while she was the presumed nominee. Clinton starts losing...now Hillary "needs" these delegates for her own personal gain. WE see a genuine flip flop for personal gain...Hillary is now fighting for these delegates rights....the same rights she previously signed away.....Jeesh.

Hillary may be more conservative than John McCain. There's good reason she did not receive the NARAL endorsement. Her new neocon religion--The Fellowship--takes credit for Hillary voting for a bill that would allow professionals like Pharmacists to refuse to dispense birth control for women (even if they were the only pharmacist in a small town) and for police officers to refuse to protect abortion clinics from violent acts.....definitely not a pro womans's choice bill that's for sure.

And then there is Hillary's continuing to change the rules....It would be like a football team suddenly demanding that the preseason games should now be counted. This would not be tolerated in football why is it tolerated in our presidential primary.

Unlike Hillary I believe that the majority of the press has given "her" the free ride. The lamestream corporate media press has never covered her religion, which could genuinely be called a cult with serious implications. The corporate press has never really covered the fact that her campaign manager is a lobbyist with the same firm as McCain's (oops...I think that guy recently resigned for lobbying in Columbia while campaigning with McCain).....

The bottom line is that Hillary does not have the delegates to win this nomination...she almost 150% of the remaining delegates to win and that is a mathematical impossibility. It true others have campaigned until June BUT HILLARY DOES NOT MENTION THE FACT THAT IT WAS STILL POSSIBLE FOR THOSE CAMPAIGNS TO WIN....NONE OF THEM WERE FACING A MATHEMATICAL IMPOSSIBILITY.

So the next time Hillary tries to use the "campaigns going into June" rationale I hope some reporter somewhere will do their job and ask the question, "How many have continued to campaign until June when it has become a mathematical impossibility for them to win the nomination." Enough of the ridiculous Clinton spin. This is as bad as there "don't ask don't tell" program that they substituted for their campaign promise to give gays and lesbians the right to serve "equally" in the military.

There is no reason for any candidate to remain in a primary race when winning becomes mathematically impossible. UNLESS maybe Hillary feels entitled to the presidency...like a Queen...and like George Bush she has a terrific DENIAL mechanism....something I hope this nation never has to endure in another president. We need someone who can make decisions based on reality not denial.

The bottom line comes to this--candidates who support their party and their party's nominee gracefully bow out when it becomes impossible to play by the rules and win the nomination. This is what Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, Bill Huckabee, Romney, etc......all did.

There appears to be no reasoning with Hillary Clinton or her "ardent" supporters. We only get excuses and rationales from them. It looks like they will forgive Hilalry "anything..." distorting the truth and even using racist words and thoughts to win the office.

So it's past time for the super delegates to step forth and end this thing.....They need to step by June 7th at the latest and end this thing now. We have a presidency that needs winning. It would be a disaster of major proportions to set up a self-destructive scenario that allows McCain to continue the Bush policies in our land.

So we need to demand that the super delegates do their duty and do it asap.

And for the record....Hillary's slip up is a scenario that has been on her mind for some time...it's not the first time she has brought up the Robert Kennedy campaign and assasination. I'm with Keith Olberman...it's unforgiveable to publicly bring up that situation for obvious reasons.

So I decided to simply do a pleasurable rant today...now back to my summer projects....

Buzz...Buzz...

Hillary's 3 a.m. Girl Speaks Out.

Hillary Clinton OPPOSES Same Sex Marriage

Do the "feminists" and LGBT supporters of Hllary Clinton know that she opposes same sex marriage and would have voted to pass the Defense of Marriage Act if she had been a member of the U.S. Congress. According to Hillary Clinton, "Marriage has got historic, religious, and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage has always been, between a man and a woman."

It also appears that Hillary Clinton has a secret religious life. She belongs to a "secret" religious organization that is allegedly linked with George Bush, John Ashcroft, Condi Rice, Sam Brownback, ex Sen George Allen, Virginia's own Frank Wolfe and Pat Robertson. It is a religion that recruits powerful members who are anointed by God to be leaders and to rule the people. This version of believing in Jesus does not believe in democracy and is also anti-union.

There's a book coming out in May that will expose this religion and will reveal that Hilary Clinton is a member in high standing in this group. In the meantime, here are two sources to get you started-- Hillary's Nasty Pastorate and Hillary's Prayer: Hillary Clinton's Religion and Politics.

Here They Go Again!

Why does the lame-stream corporate media consistently hold Barack Obama to a different standard than Hillary Clinton or John McCain? (Besides the obvious point that Obama IS the change candidate that will upset the status quo and therefore "us" consumers may get a fair break for a change and the corporations won't be able to make such HUGE profits.)

They want to discount Barack because he's a great speaker. Ronald Reagan and John Kennedy were great speakers and the media was not hard at work minimizing their speeches. Their speeches were not dissected, taken out of context, and minimized or misinterpreted.

The media and the other candidates want to discount every word that comes out of Barack Obama's mouth. They are saying IGNORE what Obama says and listen to US tell you what he really said. THEY want to do our thinking for us. They want us to DISTRUST Obama and not listen to him.

The fact is that words and the candidate's record are the ONLY things we have to judge a candidate by. How a candidate performs in a debate, in a speech, answering a reporters questions is usually the standard we have always judged our candidates by....along with what is known about their records. WHY are we suddenly going to minimize one of our most important tools for assessing our presidential candidates? It's like changing the rules of a game every time a certain team gets in the lead.

We have ALWAYS judged our candidates speeches and words. This is often the most important factor for a candidate winning or losing an election. Kennedy is credited with winning the presidency by out debating Nixon on television.

Hillary and John McCain are not being held to the same standard. They say something, it gets repeated again and again(unless it's a gaffe like McCain stating that Iran is training Al Queda), and they may get a question. Barack's statements aren't repeated. His words are dissected, taken out of context and the original message is thrown overboard. We are being told we shouldn't judge Barack Obama by his words.

The fact that Barack Obama can communicate and inspire people should be a major asset for any presidential candidate. The corporate media is turning it into a handicap. Alleged journalists (i.e. the pundits who are more often wrong than right) are hard at work distorting and miminizing Obama's statements. They are not doing this with Clinton nor McCain, the "status quo" candidates. The media wants us to shut off our minds, and shut off our hearts, so we won't hear the messages of hope, possibility, and change that Barack Obama is sharing with us.

As it is the media is hard at work trying to negate Obama's message. They are trying to tape Obama's mouth shut. If that's the case then let's tape up the mouths of all three candidates and see what kind of campaign we will have.

We should LISTEN to ALL the candidates with our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds so we can evaluate the messages they are communicating to us. We should assess their positions on the issues we care about, and thoroughly check out their records.

All we want is FAIR, ACCURATE reporting. We haven't seen much of that in a very long time. It's time to shut off the corporate media and do our own thinking an analyzing. IF they won't report the news fairly for all three candidates then WE need to throw them out of the process.

Crystal Ball Musing on 2008 Presidential Election

IF the powers that be successfully stop the grassroots candidate--Barack Obama--from running as the Democratic candidate....(and with the corporate media machine hard at work on throwing the kitchen sink at him they might somehow steal it)

Then THIS will become big news. Barack Obama and his supporters won't use it....we don't want the old style politics....but here's my prediction....IF Hillary is the candidate against John McCain THIS will be used by the rightwingers for sure. They always throw in the kitchen sink.

SHAME ON YOU HILLARY

Hillary thinks attacking Barack Obama with the kitchen sink (rumors, myths, and lies) is "the fun part of my campaign."

SHAME ON YOU HILLARY....you have fun dividing us? But then that keeps the power with the rich and powerful (You and Bill are enjoying joining their ranks aren't you?) and your special interests lobbying elitists. AIPAC said that they own Hillary Clinton.

SHAME ON THE DEMOCRATS sitting on the sidelines and not speaking out with the truth to counter Hillary's many lies. Quite frankly, I don't know if their is a silent Democrat worth being Obama's Vice President at this point.

I used to think well of John Edwards. But his silence is sad and it won't be long before he's off my list of okay dems.

Barack Obama is the people's choice and he's currently the front runner in spite of media reports and the Democrats deafening silence on this matter. I say to Obama. Don't let them strong arm you into accepting Hillary as your Vice President...she will undermine any substantial change you attempt. IF the Dems won't give you your due then I say that you have the people behind you and the power to run as our independent candidate and you can take out McCain and Hillary with an easy 35-40 percent of the vote. So let Hillary threaten the Dems with a divided Conference. Just stand up now and let the DNC know that if they try to force you out you have a viable alternative--you will run as an independent. (You'd have to do that now so if you have to run as an independent your stalwart volunteers can get you on the ballot of each state. We already know money isn't a problem...Then maybe you could get a great VP....someone like Cynthia McKinney....let MoveON run some Will.I.Am adds on TV and then you could really make history....The first Independent President of the U.S. WOW!!

Buzz...Buzz...

Hillary's character is the issue....not experience

Great judgement you have there Senator Clinton....

Bill Clinton got this one right!

Hillary Clinton Sells Out Children

Let Us Begin with Hillary's Own Words


These "lobbyists" also represent the insurance industry, big Pharma, and defense contractors. Hillary has told us that when she takes money from lobbyists this will not influence her vote.

Last October, Thomas Edsall examined defense industry campaign contributions Edsall reported:

Senator Clinton took in $52,600, more than half of the total going to all Democrats, and a figure equaling 60 percent of the sum going to the entire GOP field. Her closest competitor for defense industry money is former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R.), who raised $32,000.

Hillary Clinton accepted a campaign contribution from a rogue military contractor, Textron. Textron is an international conglomerate based in Providence, RI. Textron is notorious for bribing Sadam Hussein and becoming embroiled in the Food for Oil Scandal. This resulted in Textron paying a 4.6 million dollar fine. Textron is also known for it's manufacture of cluster bombs.

Cluster bombs are controversial due to the ongoing danger to civilians, especially children, long after the battle has ended and peace treaties are signed. These cluster bombs (many actually look like a kid's toy) continue to lay around for years after a war has ended. Laying in wait to maim or kill innocent civilians....including women and children. (Cluster Bomb FAQ)

Now we all know that Hillary likes to remind us that she is a champion for children.

Hillary's campaign website states :

America is ready for a president who fights for our children. Hillary has spent her lifetime as an effective advocate for parents and children.

From her first job out of law school at the Children's Defense Fund to her time as First Lady of Arkansas and of the United States to her service in the Senate, helping children has been at the center of Hillary's public life.

In the White House, Hillary will continue her lifelong work to create a world where every child is cherished, loved, and able to fulfill his or her potential.

So we have Senator Hillary Clinton telling us that there is nothing wrong with her accepting lots of money from corporate special interest lobbyists. The money will never influence how she votes. Then why did Hillary Clinton vote against Senate Amendment 4882, which would have banned the sale of cluster munitions for use in heavily populated areas? Why did Hillary Clinton vote AGAINST protecting children she has promised to defend?

State Representative David Segal (D-Providence), whose district includes Textron and who asserts that the corporation produces cluster bombs, calls Textron’s conduct “starkly opposed to the values of most Democrats and Americans. Nobody who takes their money can legitimately claim to be against this war [in Iraq], or the horrors of war more generally.” (Source)

Providence City Councilman Miguel Luna, an Obama supporter, has asked Clinton to return Textron's PAC money. Luna says, “I find appalling the double standard that allows her to vote for war with Hussein, and also take money from a corporation that was bribing him . . . . By taking money from Textron and those who profit from war, she’s committing herself to continuing a foreign policy based on war, and not on dialogue.” (Source)

I say that Hillary Clinton has a lot of explaining to do. Christine Heenan, Rhode Island communications director for the Clinton campaign, was asked about the Textron issue and declined to comment. (Source)

Why does the corporate media refuse to ask Hillary Clinton the tough questions? Why isn't the press doing it's homework on the Senate record that she is so proud of. Her Senate record pales in comparison to Barack Obamas. (Source)

I believe that the corporate media is promoting their fave corporate girl by not asking the tough questions. Yet they highlight Senator Clinton making numerous, uncontested statements about how the media is out to get her. The corporate media adds fuel to Clinton's false claims of being fully "vetted" by allowing their pundits to make cheap sexist attacks that inflames Hillary's base to rise to her defense. It's such a load of corporate spin.

Hillary we the people are sick of politicians like you. We are sick of being sold out to special interests. We are sick of business as usual. Many of us were appalled that Madeline Albright (one of "your" foreign policy advisors) thinks the Iraqi embargo was worth it even though hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi children died because of this embargo. Yet this embargo did not stop Saddam Hussein from living in luxury from bribes from companies like Textron.

Hillary we are rejecting your experience....especially your foreign policy experience.
You are acting like George W. Bush. You deny the reality of the world around you. You are now running a negative campaign with a scorched earth policy. Your actions are shouting that IF YOU can't be the Democratic President in 2008...then you will do what you can to prevent any Democratic from becoming President in 2008.

Hillary, if you persist in your negative campaigning there are many American citizens willing to d what the corporate media fails to do....We will call you out on your record. We continue to speak out that we do NOT want to continue the negative politics, the special interests politics, the politics as usual. Hillary you represent the status quo. No matter what you do we want change.

It is not too late to salvage the Clinton legacy and keep your self-respect. You don't have to emulate George Bush's infamous inability to change course. You need to stop the dirty, negative campaign tricks immediately. On March 4th, I hope you will be able to read the writing on the wall and face the reality that you will not be able to win the democratic nomination. It would be refreshing to see you change the negative course you have embarked upon and do the right thing with grace.

Is Hillary Clinton a Chickenhawk too?

It appears that Hillary Clinton is attempting to outflank George Bush by going to his right (if that is possible) when it comes to Iran.

Heaven help us if "this" woman becomes America's first example of what a woman President is able to do.

For further information go to The Dreyfuss Report.

SHAME ON CONGRESS

Amen Keith Olberman....Shame on Jim Webb for JOINING the Bush/Cheney war crime folks AND the special interests corporate lawbreakers. So much for his oath to defend our civil liberties, the rule of law, and our constitution.

Hopefully, there will be a day of reckoning and Senator Harry Reid,Senator Rockefeller, and other Dems who want to be complicit in the Bush war crimes can share adjoining cells to George Bush and Dick Cheney.

Why the Democrats were so quick to help the Republicans cover up so much info that would have come out in court....information such as...Bush's illegal wireless surveillance program has NOTHING to do with capturing terrorists or 9/11....In fact Bush started the program BEFORE 9/11 occurred......

Makes me wonder how many Dems like Harry Reid, Rockefeller, ex dem Lieberman have been comlicit partners in the Bush war crimes.

WE are NOT going to forget this folks. The majority leader and the party are now brazenly supporting the Republican agenda. We need folks to run against these turncoats....

To the Democratic Contenders. Barack Obama made sure he voted on this important bill...and he voted to uphold our constitution. Hillary Clinton was in Washington but Hillary could not be bothered to take the time to do her job...the job she is being paid to do as a Senator. Sorry Hillary, but I'll say it again. Yours is the type of experience this country does not need any more of.

Hopefully, some of us will be able to take some time to follow the telecommunication money trail so we can report who the Dems are that can be bought. We don't need any more Senators for Corporations and special interests in "our" Congress....It's ready for our Congress to REJECT the OLD EXPERIENCE AND CREATE AN HONEST WAY TO DO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS....

Any chance the House Dems have encough shreds of honesty to do the right thing and not approve the Senate version with it's telecommunications immunity? (A piece of the bill that has NOTHING TO DO WITH PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AND IS ANTITHETICAL TO THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST.

BUZZ...BUZZ...

Moore on religion....

I adore Michael Moore. It's shameful how the Corporate propaganda machine has tried to turn Michael Moore into a villain.....instead of the American hero this man is.

Moore exemplifies the values of freedom, equality, and social justice.

buzz...buzz...

Hillary Clinton will NOT release her income tax returns...

The Candidate who loves to say that "I've been fully vetted...." and promotes this as a strength appears to be hiding something. Obama has already released his income tax returns....Clinton refuses to release hers....UNLESS I become the Democratic nominee.

Does Hillary think she can keep us distracted from information like this?

I alway;s thought that Who's got the money? Where the money goes...and Who it ends up with are vital questions that voters need to know in order to make an informed decision.

No one needs a nominee like this. Here's the source.

MONEY TALKS! OBAMA VS. CLINTON

The "buzz buzz" is that the Clinton's are now having to put their own money into the campaign starting at 5 million dollars. (Hillary must be thankful that they have deep pockets and can keep digging in as needed.) Obama supporters have already matched this and then some within the last 24 hours.

I tried to buy shirts and jackets at Obama's website store. They are all sold out and they wouldn't let me buy some really nice stuff that is on back order....I was able to get one back ordered shirt though.

Out of curiosity I visited Hillary's website. They appear to have plenty of shirts and jackets in stock, sitting there, waiting for someone to purchase them. Any business person with sense knows that if you "need money" and your inventory isn't selling you must lower your prices. I wonder when Hillary will be advertising a sale on her items?

Meanwhile, Obama's store is struggling to meet the demand. They have even had to start raising prices.

I have heard of campaigns having to run to their state headquarters to get restocked with bumper stickers and yard signs but I can't remember ever visiting a national campaign website and ALL the t-shirts and jackets sold out....Looks like Obama is making history again! LOL

I've always been told that money talks....It's speaking LOUDLY right now. We, the people are going to keep Obama supplied with enough money so that he will end up being our next President.

Obama or Clinton--Change or Status Quo?

If you are on the fence deciding between Obama and Clinton consider these factors.

1--Honesty --We've just been through 8 years of a President who lies...do we want more? Read this brilliant piece on Hillary's latest lie in The Richmond Democrat.
2-Inability to admit a mistake.--We've been through 8 years of a President who has a big blindspot. He cannot admit an error or a mistake. Sound like someone we know? The last debates, once again, Hillary was given a great opportunity to "admit" her mistake in voting to give President Bush the power to invade Iraq. She could not admit that she'd made a mistake.
3--Divisiveness- -Haven't we had more than enough of this in 8 years. For whatever reason, it appears Hillary's greatest natural talent (maybe because of 1 and 2?) is to divide people...this makes her the "choice" Democratic candidate among the Republicans. Hillary will not be able to unite folks. But we have a GREAT candidate who can.

Barack Obama is NOT more of the same. He can bring the honesty, the ability to admit a mistake, unity, and inspiration back to our white house.

Isn't it time for a real change for the better? We have a clear choice in these two candidates. Hillary will be the status quo, politics a usual, with a ring of corporate lobbyists around her. Barack Obama ha pledged greater transparency in goverenment operations and creating a more inclusive government process for the American people.

Yes it would be great to have a woman as President of the United States. But that's not enough reason to vote for a second rate, status quo candidate that will bring us more of what we are already sick of. When a woman does win the white house (and she will) I would prefer it to be a great, positive experience for our nation and one that will open the doors for more women to run in the future. It will be terrific when our woman candidate really is the best candidate running. But that is not true in this race. The best candidate running is Barack Obama. And he's not running on the history making fact that he will be the first black man in office. He's running on his own merits. This is the moment, the time, to put the best candidate into the White House AND make history at the same time.

It just doesn't get better than that does it? Feminists should have no trouble supporting a man of color....it's a feminist ideal to support people of color. This will only open the door to new candidates and new possibilities because I am positive that Barack Obama is the best candidate for these times.

I'll be phone banking for Obama as much as possible between now and Super Tuesday evening.
I really do want to be able to vote for a Presidential Candidate this election cycle. Unfortunately, my heart and my soul cannot be forced to support Hillary Clinton. I beleve if Hillary makes it as President, this version of "Margaret Thatcher" (she compared herself to Margaret Thatcher) will only make it more difficult for women running in the future.

Buzz...Buzz..

Another former Clinton supporter speaks out.

Elizabeth B. Moynihan, the widow of Daniel Patick Moynihan, the NY senator who assisted Hillary Clinton's election to his Senate seat,endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nominee. Mrs. Moynihan successfully managed three of her husband's four Senate campaigns.

In an e-mail statement to the Obama campaign, Mrs. Moynihan wrote that she had been inspired by Caroline Kennedy's NYT op ed. Mrs. Moynihan added that she was "dismayed" at the Clinton's hostility toward Mr. Obama's candidacy.

Mrs. Moynihan wrote that her husband:

would have become excited, as I have, to see Barack Obama rekindle hope in our young as he encourages them to participate in the political process, and I know Pat would approve, applaud and encourage me to join Caroline Kennedy in supporting Barack Obama’s candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president.

It is a rare gift to be able to inspire people to share a vision that requires commitment and dedication....

The hope that John Kennedy characterized for Americans spread across the world, then faded with his death. I believe Obama, like Kennedy, has the gift to transcend obstacles and to inspire Americans to bring out the best in themselves. I firmly believe the election of Barack Obama would help restore hope and America’s image in the world.

Another former Clintonite defects. I hope more Hillary Clinton fans will take a long hard look at what's happening before your eyes. We have two candidates with similar issues and policies. Values and ethics are what separates them. It's because Barack Obama is showing sterling integrity and ethics that folks are flocking to his campaign. Meanwhile, folks are exiting the Clinton campaign because there is a noticeable lack of values and ethics.

Our country needs to united like never before. There is NO WAY that will happen under Hillary Clinton or John McCain.

Now if we can only keep the elections clean and fair.......

Values--This is the difference between Hillary and Barack

The policies of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are "similar." The New York Times Editors say:

On the major issues, there is no real gulf separating the two. They promise an end to the war in Iraq, more equitable taxation, more effective government spending, more concern for social issues, a restoration of civil liberties and an end to the politics of division of George W. Bush and Karl Rove.

What separates these two candidates? George Lakeoff identifies "values," not issues, as the major differences between these two candidates. Caroline Kennedy knew they held similar policy positions. She decided that Barack Obama's is the candidate with the ethics and integrity that inspire her:

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates' goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

George Lakeoff sees a striking difference between these candidates:

The difference is striking. To the editors of the New York Times, the quality of leadership seems not to be an "issue." The ability to unite the country is not an "issue." What Obama calls the empathy deficit -- attunement to the experience and needs of real people -- is not an "issue." Honesty is not an "issue." Trust is not an "issue." Moral judgment is not an "issue." Values are not "issues." Adherence to democratic ideals -- rather than political positioning, triangulation, and incrementalism -- are not "issues." Inspiration, a call to a higher purpose, and a transcendence of interest-based politics are not "issues."

Many in the Democratic base have left the Clinton camp and headed for the Obama camp due to the "old and dirty politics" the Clinton campaign has resorted to.

Senator Leahy states, "He [Bill Clinton] is not helping anyone, and certainly not helping the Democratic Party.

Columnist Maureen Dowd writes:

“It’s odd that the first woman with a shot at becoming president is so openly dependent on her husband to drag her over the finish line. She handed over South Carolina to him, knowing that her support here is largely derivative.

According to the Nation's columnist Nicholas von Hoffman:

By the time Hillary and Bill have finished with Obama the real man may be unrecognizable to voters in Iowa or any place else … If he can wipe enough of the Clintonian slime off himself, Obama may be able to come out from under and explain to the world that sometimes less experience is more and better. (The Nation)

Senator Kerry states:

I think you had an abuse of the truth … I mean, being an ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth, and I think that over the last few days it’s been over the top.” (On National Journal radio)

Ted Kennedy: “With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion.”

The truly great presidents are gifted with the ability to inspire us and they have the values and authenticity that is needed so we will heed their call.

Hillary Clinton does not have the values necessary to inspire us. She will distort the truth....and the latest outcry from Hillary is that she offered her hand to Obama and he shunned her. But, Hillary, truly an authentic corporate girl, is so "nice" stating, that her hand is still reaching out to Obama. And the corporate media is playing Hillary's song. Hillary will lie, distort the truth, play dirty politics, do anything to become president. The fact that Hillary will take any cheap shot she can is a major reason I am running away from her.

If Hillary Clinton will lie to "win" the presidency how can we trust her to tell us the truth if she actually becomes president?

Due to Hillary's lack of values and authenticity I do not want her to be this country's first example of a woman president. I will end up more disappointed in Hillary Clinton than I have ever been with Nancy Pelosi's poor leadership in the House.

No one has has the audacity (yet) to define Hillary Clinton as a "uniter." She has surely been successful at dividing her own party....how much will she harden the divide that already exists in our country? Hillary is described as "competent" and "smart." This campaign is showing that she lacks the values I hold important--honesty, integrity, and authenticity. After encountering Hillary on tv I often am left with the feeling of "Who the "heck" is Hillary Clinton and who does she think she's fooling?"

Out with the old divisiveness...it's time for the best person to step into the office....and if we are so lucky to have a candidate who has the potential greatness to inspire and lead us as Kennedy and Reagan possessed...then we are truly blessed to have that person running for office this year. I believe in my heart that person is Barack Obama.

SOURCES:
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