THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Introducing the first of our Thinking Outside the Box series. TOB's will be utilized to assist our creative thinking, expand our options, choices, and solutions and hopefully help us reduce the close mindedness and narrow world view that comes in part to a "puritan heritage" that helped found this county. However, the lack of options that comes with narrow mindedness is promoted by many power brokers in the USA mainstream, especially our corporate media.

Thanks to Liz Diaz for creating great graphics for our Thinking Outside the Box series....

Now...for our first installment we will travel to Denmark and a creative solution they put into action to stop speeding. There was only one problem...It worked too well.

VA "lefty" blogs under surveillance

Mosquito is usually on top of things and was aware when military intelligence was visiting on a regular basis, as well as various other governmental departments. M knows Corporations keep an intense check on blogs and mail list. They've even been known to "threaten" lawsuits if someone writes negatively about them and/or their products. With the recent medical experimentation article the Sentara operation has given us a number of hits. My personal fave are hits from folks like the latimes.com (That's one paper I enjoy reading.)

Mosquito told me about this regular visitor from Yorktown who would spend hours at a time on the blog. I checked and six visits already today from 1:58 am until 8:44 a.m. for over 3 1/2 hours on this blog. I was amused that M hadn't already figured it out. But the CIA has a facility located in the Yorktown area and the blog "fan" is most likely "not" a fan. It sounds like one or more employees working a shift monitoring blogs. The outclicks usually go to "interesting" places like site meter and various beta blog pages that should not be assessable to the average net surfer. However, there was one "outclick" to Black Nell's blog.

I bet there are other lefty blogs in VA with regular visits from Yorktown for multiple page views on the same day....sharing the same "ISP." So check your blogging records folks. Let's see if the CIA, military intelligence, and/or DHS are wasting their time "monitoring" Bush's political opposition instead of those "actual" terrorists who plan violent actions. That's where they should be spending there time isn't it?

But then in Bush World they have a reputation for incompetency and wasting time and money?

I know that Mosquito blogged about various government visitors months ago (and recently another progressive VA blogger wrote about the CIA visiting them. (yes...sometimes it actually says CIA. Mosquito reports one known prior visit that was identified as CIA)

Unfortunately we've entered dark times in our country where the people who should be "under surveillance" aren't and the patriots trying to shed light on all the illegal stuff going on are the ones under surveillance.

So don't be intimidated and let's keep working to get our democracy back on track.

Christmas At War

A few crazy extremists have grabbed power and wrecked havoc on the US and British governments, and distorted the true meanings of the Christian and Muslim faiths. Some in this minority love war so much they have created a conspiracy theory that there is a War on Christmas. With hundreds of thousands of children and their parents being killed in the Middle East due to the Corporate Profiteers and their partnership with Religious Extremists it's time for the responsible people in American to get serious about stopping this madness.

For everyone who lives their faith and works hard to create Peace on Earth and Goodwill to "others"....I direct your attention to Ava Lowery's vision of the REAL Christmas War we need to STOP ASAP.



Buzz...Buzz...

SAVE THE INTERNET

Be wary of the corporate media's FAKE grassroots "front group" called Hands off the Internet....this is their public relations propaganda to kill net neutrality...one of the founding principles that the creators of the internet instilled into the system to make it what it is today.

Join the millions of Americans fighting to Save The Internet This is the issue that is uniting America not dividing us. Groups as varied as MoveOn.org and the Christian Coalition all support net neutrality.

The internet is currently our strongest tool to counteract the corporate and "neo con" propaganda.....let's not lose our voice!!

Let's Act now so that Net Neutrality is one of the first bills passed in our new "Democratic Congress." We've fought long and hard and it's time to put a stop to the corporate dirty tricks and their dirty money polluting our democratic system.

Buzz...Buzz...

NewsFlash-- McCain's War on Blogs

John McCain who has the brand marketing of a "maverick" but marches in lockstep with George Bush, Dick Cheney, and the neo-cons is showing his true FASCIST colors.

He's introduced legislation that is declaring a War on Blogs....Check it out here.

Better get in touch with your Senators and raise some "holy hell."

Buzz...Buzz...

Soldiers want withdrawal is not recent news....

The fact that the soldiers want to withdraw from Iraq is not a recent phenomenon. There's been a poll out for awhile where 72% of the troops (stationed in Iraq) thought the US should withdraw from Iraq. Grassroots "peace" activists in Hampton Roads are regularly approached by local service members voicing concerns about the Iraq occupation.

The "news" was that the topic got some coverage by the Nation. (I noticed a few other VA bloggers were posting this Nation scoop a few hours "after" it first appeared on the lefty blog roll...Kudo's go to this blog for breaking the story in the VA Blog network. Credit where credit is due folks.)

There are two Virginian Pilot articles featuring Jonathen Hutto and his appeal for redress. October article November article (So the VA Pilot "finally" deserves some credit for not ignoring this story. Hopefully, the Virginian Pilot will become "curious" about what local activists in Hampton Roads are up to and more pertinent local news coverage will be done. Folks are tired of the media obsession with crime, crime, and more crime. We want in-depth coverage on "pending legislation" so that folks have time to research and then contact their elected officials BEFORE the bill is passed.)

It is amazing that the Appeal for Redress project has managed to obtain over a thousand signatures in spite of systemic obstacles. We know that military personnel are "hesitant" to speak their minds when their opinion differs from the commander in chief. The military structure discourages speaking out an opinion or concern. The service members working on the Appeal to Redress project are not allowed to discuss the issue on base with their colleagues. All Appeal for Redress activities have to be done off base and in civilian life (including the clothing). [Note to Service Members: Jonathen Hutto (the founder of this Appeal for Redress) is currently up for "Sailor of the Year."]

I "predict" that if the Corporate Media adequately covers this story and the service members discover they can legitimately voice their concerns to Congress...there will be more "thousands" of signatures headed to Congress. I believe just the reservists who would like to "Appeal for Redress" number in the thousands....IF this gets adequate coverage the service members themselves may be the factor that ends the occupation of Iraq.

Heck....even Colin Powell has "finally" decided to speak out and call for the troops to withdraw within the next six months.

UPDATE: Star is correct on one point....This blog was first up on Lefty Blogs at 12:02 pm. However, as I surfed this a.m. I believe that the west of shockoe blog is the one who got the scoop on all. Their post on this reads 11:01 a.m. We stand self-corrected on this point....Buzz...Buzz...Mosquito

My Thanks to....

I want to thank a few folks for making my first six months in the blogging world easier.

Thanks to Vivian Paige, for helping me out with newbie blog questions, sharing her wisdom, and giving me honest feedback on the Senate race in VA.

I have appreciated the kind words and moral support from the Virginia Beach Dems. I have enjoyed the progressive views from this corner of the HR blog scene. You have managed to ruffle some feathers this year.

F.T. Rea at Slantblog gave me some insightful comments when I appeared to be the lone VA blogger covering Israel's invasion of Lebanon. I really enjoy SlantBlog's coverage of Richmond and Virginia life and his original art work is an added bonus.

Recently Terry Carter at The Liberal Progressive gave me much needed assistance to get my blog back on the lefty blogs blog roll. Terry strikes me as one of those wise old souls....I find it hard to believe he's "only 21." I was still playing a "jock" during that time frame....I love D.C. btw, and I have made this my D.C. must read blog.

Alice Marshall of GoTV has been a source of inspiration for me. Alice's analysis, thoughts and opinions are "must reads" in my book. I definitely appreciate how she acknowledges quality blogs emerging in VA. This helps me stay on top of things.

To all of you who have visited, linked, and especially those who attempt an honest dialogue (no matter what your beliefs and position) I thank you and appreciate the encounters....I will try to be as courteous as possible even with the passionate topics...but being a "mosquito" I can't make an ironclad guarantee. But I'm not a disease carrying "mosquito" so my bite is not deadly....I'll save those "disease periods" for the few who truly deserve a deadly bite. For those of you who are just spin, try to spread mindless propaganda, and "play word games" I will continue to "call you out" whenever you post nonsense comments.

Happy Holidays.....Buzz...Buzz...

The Pentagon's New Guinea Pigs--Civilians

After suffering various side effects from "experimental" vaccines, the enlisted military does not trust the Pentagon when it comes to medical experiments. The Pentagon decided to turn to the civilian sector for their medical experiments.

The Pentagon used civilians to test Polyheme in 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Hospitals (such as Sentara's Norfolk General and Richmond's Medical College of VA) participated in the first Pentagon Polyheme study and they were paid $10,000 per patient. (The trauma team chose the unwilling civilian patient who took all the risk and received no compensation.)

The Pentagon is relying on a rarely used 1996 FDA rule that "allows for waiver of the consent required in clinical trials, if some type of community outreach program is put into practice... to make informed consent irrelevant." This rule demands that community outreach and discussion be conducted....however, this was not done appropriately.

The first civilian tests on Polyheme must have "flunked." The Pentagon wants to test another blood substitute product--Hemapure-- a cow blood substitute on the US people...again without our permission. Federal Health Advisers have declared the Hemapure experiments on US civilians as too risky and report that the benefits do not outweigh the costs.

The Pentagon is continuing to exert pressure so these experiments can move forward.

Hopefully, folks will contact their Senators and Representatives and demand that our right to consent to medical experimentation be protected. The 1996 FDA provision needs to be revised so that an "opt in" program is created. Therefore, "prior consent" must be obtained for trauma medical experiments. It should work this way....Hearings are held to educate the public on the need for the drug, risks, etc...etc... Then anyone who is willing to be included in the experiments can wear a wristband, bracelet, or necklace, that identifies them as a "potential" subject in the trauma study. Prior consent is necessary since most trauma victims are not in a condition to give consent. This way no one (not the Pentagon nor Big Pharma) can use US citizens as guinea pigs unless we give our consent to the arrangement.

Is the Pentagon thinking that "all of us" fall under their hierarchy now? This is dangerous thinking in any democracy.

Buzz...Buzz....Buzz....

Norfolk Sailor making history

The Nation reports that a Norfolk sailor, Seaman Jonathan Hutto, is making history with his Appeal for Redress.

Jonathan Hutto gets the mosquito's highest commendation...Five Buzzes.

Buzz...Buzz....Buzz...Buzz...Buzz...

Diabetes Cure?

Canadian researchers "may" have found a cure to diabetes.

I'm not surprised that this is a Canadian discovery. Canada, a country with national health insurance, has more incentives to cure disease than does Big Pharma and the other health care corporate profit mongers in the USA.

I've always loved Canada and I hope the new prime minister, Bush's boy, doesn't dismantle much of what has made Canada a truly great democracy since the 1960's.

Buzz...Buzz...

SHUT UP & SING

"One of the most thought-provoking and powerful films of the year."—Richard Roeper, EBERT & ROEPER

"Life in Bush America gets a blunt, honest telling in this documentary that makes you want to stand up and cheer without ever begging for tears or glib sympathy."—Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

I had a blast last night. Tench Phillips of the Naro gave me the movie poster because I was willing to stand up and say a few sentences about the fabulous Dixie Chicks. It's a great poster....Thanks Tench.

It's so cathartic to actually stand in front of an audience and say, "I am disgusted and ashamed of George Bush." I suggest you try it sometime.

Tench was "brilliant" doing a double feature of SHUT UP & SING and the U.S. versus John Lennon. For those of us old enough to "remember" it was definitely a reminder of parallel universes. For the younger folks in the audience it was "eye opening" to hear the same rhetoric (God and country) used to cover up illegal acts, crimes of high treason, and other "dastardly" acts.

My recommendations is take the time to watch both these films this weekend. It's quite an experience. Here are the show times:

Sat, Dec 16
SHUT UP AND SING 2:30
U.S. versus JOHN LENNON 4:15
INTO GREAT SILENCE 6:15
SHUT UP AND SING 9:15

Sun, Dec 17
INTO GREAT SILENCE 2:30
SHUT UP AND SING 6:00
U.S. versus JOHN LENNON 7:45

Tonight's Peace Fest Events: The Dixie Chicks and John Lennon

Tonight's Peace Fest Happenings:

Naro Expanded Cinema
1507 Colley Ave. in Ghent
625-6276 or www.narocinema.com

Friday, Dec 15
SHUT UP AND SING 7:15
U.S. versus JOHN LENNON 9:15

Media Watch--WAVY TV 10 ignores the "Static"

Amy and David Goodman appeared on the Washington Journal (Cspan) today discussing their new bestseller, “Static,” and answering questions called in from viewers. Amy Goodman is the award winning journalist working with Democracy Now. Amy Goodman said, “We need media that covers the movements that create static in our society.” I agree with her; the discussions important to a democracy can occur when media covers the “static.”

Media should not be silent on the important issues and important questions of the day. Media should go where the silence is. Independent media is crucial for any democracy. How can citizens "rule" if they don't have the information they need to make informed decisions?

In this spirit of media I must express my “disdain” for Wavy TV 10 news who has repeatedly failed to cover recent demonstrations and street theatre occurring in Hampton Roads (even when they are “there.”) I watched Wavy TV 10 parked their satellite truck in a parking lot across the street from a local demonstration outside the gates of the Norfolk Naval Base but did not attempt to talk or “cover” the demonstration.

On Wednesday night I watched Wavy TV 10 drive by the Naro Theatre as local residents honored the Iraqi children killed a memorial of candles and children’s shoes bearing the names of children killed. There were readings of the names and singing to honor these victims of America’s current occupation of Iraq.

The Corporate Media ignores the voices of local citizens speaking out against the Bush agenda.

We will not be silenced.

December....taking it easy

December is a month I prefer to "slow down" and catch up on stuff. So posting at mosquito blog will probably be "erratic" this month instead of a daily process....

Tonight the Naro is showing Iraq in Fragments which I'm definitely looking forward too...along with other peace fest events this month.

Wishing ALL a "happy holiday" whatever and however you are choosing to celebrate.

Buzz...Buzz...

Link to Save Net Neutrality

Here's the link to help Save Net Neutrality

It's a Girl....Congratulations to Jim and Hong Webb

Early this morning Hong Webb birthed a 7 pound, 3 ounce baby girl. Hong and the newest member of the Webb family are reportedly doing well.

The baby's name is Georgia LeAnh Webb. She's named after Jim's mother and LeAnh combines Hong's family name (Le)with a common Vietnamese middle name Anh.

Iraq in Fragments at Norfolk's Naro Theatre...

Wednesday, December 13, 7:15 p.m., at the Naro

The feature film Iraq in Fragments will be the opening film of the Light in the Dark Film Festival at the Naro. Filmed in cinema-verite style, director James Longley's poetically rendered documentary looks at contemporary Iraq through the eyes of Sunnis, Shites, and Kurds. Stories include a fatherless 11-year-old apprenticed to the cruel owner of a Baghdad garage; Sadr followers in two Shiite cities rallying for regional elections while enforcing Islamic law at the point of a gun; and a family of Kurdish farmers welcoming the U.S. presence, which has allowed them a measure of freedom previously denied. Winner of three Documentary awards at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival: Best Director, Cinematography, and Editing (94 minutes)

Introducing the film, and the situation in Iraq concerning the targeting of teachers will be former liaison officer for Doctors Without Borders, Nabil Al-Tikriti:

Nabil Al-Tikriti (naltikri@umw.edu) received his Ph.D. in Ottoman and Islamic History from the University of Chicago in 2004 and joined the University of Mary Washington faculty the same year. Concurrent with his academic career Prof. Al-Tikriti has spent several years working in international emergency relief and election monitoring in several countries in the Middle East, Balkans,and Africa. His scholarly interests include Ottoman History, Modern Iraq, and Human Rights

Light in the Dark Peace Festival

The web pages are up for the Light in the Dark Peace Festival courtesy of the iMage Project and web designer Liz Diaz. Website had the schedule of events and information about the Tidewater Peace Alliance and the progressive groups making up this organization. This team "kicked" into action when it was discovered that the web pages were wanted but had not been planned. Thanks to Jean Campbell and Liz Diaz for putting some dynamite web pages up.

Check it out here. (I also update the links on the sidebar).

NET NEUTRALITY ALERT....ACTION NEEDED NOW

FCC TRYING A DECEMBER SURPRISE

According to The Nation, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has bent the rules to force FCC commissioner Robert McDowell to "un-recuse" himself and vote on the telecommunications merger issue.

The FCC Chairman appears to have an unreported, unacknowledged conflict of interest himself. Allegedly, FCC Chair Kevin Martin has plans to run for Governor of NC and he is hoping to be able to have the favor returned with lots of telecommunications money for his campaign coffers. Therefore, he is trying to rush the telecommunications merger of AT&T and Bell South throught the FCC with NO NET NEUTRALITY GUARANTEES. Martin knows that the new Congress will not go along with such a maneuver.

Martin is IGNORING the voices of the overwhelming majority of the American people who continually contact the FCC making their voices heard to preserve Net Neutrality. The difficulty is that Martin only appears to "hear" the voices of the special lobbyists with money.


Contact the FCC toll free at 1-866-418-0232 to voice your concerns and ask how to file an official complaint to stop this merger from occurring in December with no Net Neutrality guarantee.. . You might ask who you call to report a the FCC Chair's possible conflict of interest in this matter.

Martin is undermining the public interests he is supposed to be protecting.

It's also a good idea to contact the new Democratic leaders of Congress and members of the Senate Commerce Committee and ask them to intervene to prevent the FCC from selling us out on Net Neutrality to the telecommunications industry. The subcommittee members phone numbers are here.

ACt now and SAVE NET NEUTRALITY.

Remind Congress WE want out of Iraq....

Congresswomen Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) were on TV yesterday; they are concerned that many in Congress did not receive the message we sent to Congress during the midterm election. They suggested that those of us who voted for change and to end this illegal occupation of Iraq contact our representatives and Senators in Congress and let them know what WE want regarding Iraq. After all we are the ones that end up bearing ALL the costs.

So keep your elected officials honest....At the very least, contact them this week (phone and/or email) to give them something to ponder during their Christmas vacation....maybe you'll want to contact their office and schedule an office visit with yourself and a few neighbors while they are home for the holidays.

It's probably a good idea to stay in regular contact with them. After all, "special interest" lobbyists (defense contractors, corporations) are sending many folks to their congressional office every day with their "reasoning." So plan on contacting them again when they return to Congress and then continue to give them "regular" wake up calls as needed.

If you'd like to stay an extra step ahead of the special interest lobbyists you might let them know that we don't want our government starting any new wars with Iran or down in South America either.....If you're afraid and thinking that someone is planning to invade America and "occupy" us then I suggest you make a psychiatric appointment for an assessment.

We have OUR priorities that need to be addressed asap amd it's up to us to speak them to the powers to be...we, the people are the ones who don't have the special interest lobbyists and we know what that means. If we don't speak out on OUR issues--health care/health insurance, our troops special health needs, transportation issues, rebuilding NOLA and the nation's infrastructure--they will not be addressed.

Here's a video from the 15 year old peace activist Ava Lowery if you need any inspiration....just substitute Christmas for Thanksgiving....

Samidoun in Norfolk

Last night, we were spellbound watching Samidoun, a multi-media presentation of the war Israel launched against Lebanon and its aftermath. (* Samidoun translates from Arabic to “steadfastness,” or “those who stay.”)

The producers, two award winning independent reporters--Ana Nogueira and Andrew Stern-- were in attendance. They shared their experiences and told us of their journeys obtaining the images and sound to create Samidoun--a multimedia presentation of the reality of war in Lebanon. We intimately experienced the raw truth of war and it's aftermath. We were able to see and hear the reality of what surrounded these reporters. The Lebanese people were given the platform to speak their truth. Best of all, Samidoun gave us the space to make up our own minds and opinions of what happened in Lebanon.

We learned details, new facts and information from legitimate, independent war reporters. "Hezbollah/hizbollah have no preferred English spelling of their name. The English words are simply a phonetic translation of Arabic. Hezbollah's television station is named Al-Manur. Al-Manur is the Arabic word for light house. Many Lebanese believe the British targeted the Lebanese lighthouse (which are historic and valued in Lebanon) as a symbol of Hezbollah. Stern and Nogueira shared a story of how they learned about drones. Drones make a whizzing, almost a buzzing, sound. They were walking around a Lebanese town when this whizzing buzzing noise started. Their Lebanese guide ran for cover under an awning and frantically waved and yelled for them to take cover. A drone was in the area. Israel used the drones to launch their bombing attacks. If civilians did not take cover in time to hide from the drones they would die in a bombing attack. Even in their homes people would freeze and stop all physical movements when drones came whizzing and buzzing so as not to set off an attack.

Nogueira and Stern remained on site for many hours to obtain their stories. After one Israeli bomb attack the Corporate Media showed up for their superficial "tour" and then left to dispatch their stories. During their tour the bodies of five Lebanese civilian had been recovered. Which is why the Corporate Media reported that five Lebanese civilians were killed and Democracy Now reported the true civilian death figure as 20. Nogueira remained on site until the last body was pulled from the wreckage in the evening hours.

Did you know that only four countries in the world label Hezbollah a terrorist organization? Acording to Stern and Nogueira the four countries are the U.S., Israel, Jordan, and the Netherlands. After some online research it looks like the number could be high as 9 IF all the countries listed online actually do define Hezbollah this way (U.S., Israel, Jordan, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Italy and Poland). Wikipedia states that six countries label Hezbellah as terrorists. ( U.S., Israel, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands.) The American Spectator reports that the Netherlands, Italy and Poland are the only Eurpoean countries defining Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Another online source states that Great Britain does not identify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, only an "arm" of Hezbollah is identified as terrorist. Their is no consensus online of how many or which countries actually identify Hezbollah as terrorist organization. (Of course, no one disputes that the U.S. and Israel define Hezbollah as terrorists.)

The work of Ana Nogueira and Andrew Stern exemplifies what independent media strives to create. It is in-depth, investigative reporting that presents the reality surrounding the reporters and sparks a discussion of the situation. In reality there is no one truth, no one party line that everyone adheres to. Only in "propaganda" is news distorted an presented this way.

Samidoun is the polar opposite of the propaganda that corporate media produces and packages as news in the USA.

Ana Nogueira worked as a producer at DemocracyNow. She is now an independent reporter and continues to work on assignment for Democracy Now. A sample of her recent reporting in Lebanon is available here.

Andrew Stern is a photographer and author whose work focuses on social and political issues around the world. For additional information and to view Andrew's work visit andrewstern.net

Star Womanspirit is blogging with Mosquito

Star Womanspirit, a local Hampton Roads activist has agreed to blog here with Mosquito. Star will present information on various events and happenings in the progressive community in Hampton Roads and areas she may visit.

Star has been affiliated with many local organizations over the years in the LGBT and feminist communities--Womynspace, Unicorn Productions, NOW, Equality VA, and Hampton Roads Pride. Star enjoys concert production and features the work of various Independent performing artists as time and money allows via MuSeek and the Hampton Roads Indy Media Coalition. She spends most of her time working with the Broadcast Group--website, video, and radio--at Hampton Roads Indy Media Coalition, and organizing projects and events with the Tidewater Peace Alliance, and the iMage Project.

Star lives in Portsmouth with her beloved Jean, and three mystifying spirits from Tibet.

John Warner needs serious scrutiny

The recently passed John W. Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2006 has some fine print that should concern everyone. The new law--PL109-364--should be reviewed by many. The provision that is so alarming is entitled, “Use of the Armed Forces in Major Public Emergencies.”

According to Senator Leahy, (D-Vermont), the measure virtually invites the White House to declare federal martial law. It breaks h historical tradition of "federal restraint." “The changes to the Insurrection Act will allow the President to use the military, including the National Guard, to carry out law enforcement activities without the consent of a governor....Using the military for law enforcement goes against one of the founding tenets of our democracy."

Is anyone surprised that this bill was rubber stamped and rushed through Congress with the due haste that we have come to expect from the "Rubber Stamps" anxious to continue Bush's War on our civil liberties? This provision “was just slipped in the defense bill as a rider with little study,” Leahy said. “Other congressional committees with jurisdiction over these matters had no chance to comment, let alone hold hearings on, these proposals.”

Of course, our sweet talking allegedly "moderate" Senator John Warner had his hands all over this bill and it's passage.

Just like Warner was able to successfully prevent hearings on the renderings and White House authorized torture policies he was able to rush a hasty bill provision through Congress that authorizes Bush to trump the rights of states and their citizens if Bush decides martial law is necessary.

Warner has granted more power to a President who has shown that he is the one who needs adult supervision. It seems to me that John Warner and Arlen Specter (R-PA) are operating by the same game plan.

I hope that Warner does run in 2008. The message that the voters could send the Rubber Stamp Congress in showing him the door would truly be powerful.

Hopefully the new Democratic chair--Carl Levin--will legislate Warner's martial law provision out of existence asap. No one needs to give George Bush a new toy to wreck havoc with in his remaining two years in office.

SAMIDOUN IN NORFOLK TONIGHT

Tonight residents of Hampton Roads can discuss what's happening in Lebanon with two award winning independent journalists who have recently returned to the US. Here's the Info

SAMIDOUN

Wednesday, December 6, 7:15 p.m

Seminar at the Studio for the Healing Arts

Admission $10

In Attendance: Ana Noguiera and Andrew Stern

Samidoun: a multimedia journey through the 34 day war in Lebanon and its aftermath, produced by award-winning independent reporters Ana Nogueira and Andrew Stern. Interweaving still photography, audio and video, Samidoun is a uniquely intimate look at the human cost of this conflict that took the lives of over 1200 people, wounded thousands more, and displaced over one million.

RECEPTION FOR THE FILM MAKERS 6 p.m. at Azars Restaurant, 2000 Colley Ave.

Another Rubber Stamped Nomination

The media and the Senators united today to talk about how impressed they were that Gates was candid in stating that “We are losing in Iraq.” It takes so “little” to please this Rubber Stamp Senate. If Gates had stated the obvious deceitful propaganda, “that we are winning,” he would have been blasted. Frankly I don’t think there was any other answer that a logical, reasonable person could have given to the question. Therefore, it’s not time to “applaud” this candidate.

I’m not saying that Gates should NOT get the nomination. However, I have grave concerns given his history of deceiving Congress during the Iran Contra scandal and “cooking” the intelligence to fit his agenda. There is no history of Gates speaking "Truth to Power" and being truthful with intelligence reports to Congress. The Gates nomination has troublesome questions and to Rubber Stamp this nominee is irresponsible.

Bush and the Republicans are RUSHING this nomination through the current Republican lame duck congress. It’s only a matter of a month before the Democratic Senate would be installed.

Americans voted to put the Republican Rubber Stamp Congress out of business. Given Bush's horrible track record with his nominees the Senate needs to thoroughly assess any Bush nominee.

Consider this scenario...Bush obtained Rumsfeld’s resignation quickly after the mid-term elections so that he could put another "loyal Yes Man" appointee up before the Republican Rubber Stamp Senate.

A quickie four day hearing and then a vote by the current Rubber Stamp Congress is a slap in the face of the the voters ended the rule of the Rubber Stampers. This is the Congress that has rubber stamped Bush’s previous disastrous appointments.

The head of Homeland Security--Chertoff--was derelict in his duties during the Katrina disaster and allowed incompetents to head up disaster relief without overseeing the situation. The debacle during Katrina showed that his people were incompetent, corrupt, and guilty of cronyism. Gonzalez at the Justice Department and Rice as Secretary of State are simply extensions of the Bush administrations, worst they aren’t producing results. Gonzalez “shields” the White House from the legal system and gives opinions that appear “un-constitutional.” The one case that has been sent to the Supreme Court overruled Gonzalez’s opinion on the matter (I continue to wonder why Bill Frist doesn’t have his ankle bracelet on for insider trading. What’s good enough for a wealthy private citizen should be good enough for a wealthy, Republican “rubber stamp” Senator.)

Condoleeza Rice is showing the same incompetence as a Secretary of State as she did when she was in charge of national security when the 9/11 attacks occurred on the World Trade Center. Rice did nothing, in spite of a report with a title spelling out that Al Queda was determined and ready to attack the United States.

I’m not alone in this opinion; many others, including Donald Trump have noted that Bush “does not surrounded himself with good people. Rumsfeld is a disaster. Condoleeza Rice is a nice woman. But when she walks in she doesn’t solve any problems…..You think that’s good?”

It's obvious that Bush needs Congress to do it's job properly and provide the necessary oversight to insure that the best candidates are being nominated for these positions. Bush desperately needs help in order to hire the right people who can produce positive results.

Any current Democratic Senator who is not willing to thoroughly "vet" this nominee is choosing to support the Rubber Stamp Republican Congress that has thoroughly disgusted the American people. IF this nominee ends up being a disaster their maybe "hell to pay" when it comes re-election time. Americans voted and voiced their disgust with the Rubber Stamps.

With all due respect Mr. President....

With President Bush making public statements about how minority extremists should not be allowed to inflict their ideology onto the people (of course he was referring to someone "other" than himself). This is a great description of how the neocon Republican minority has operated in the USA. Bush continues to insist that he remains the decider (and divider or the dictator) and what the American people want is trumped by Bush desires.....

I wonder if Bush would continue to push for this war if it involved "any" sacrifice from him and his family? Maybe Bush should offer up his new ranch in Paraquay to help pay for the Iraq debacle and impose a hefty war tax on everyone who has prospered because of this disaster.

I applaud Jim Webb and join him with my own sentiments. Image is courtesy of buzzflash and it is available as a refrigerator magnet here

PEACE FEST EVENTS

Friday and Saturday a capacity crowd attended Susan Posey's annual Fair Trade Festival at Sacred Heart Church in Norfolk. The entertainment was excellent with many crowd pleasing acts. Terra Nova was on hand with vegatarian meals made from local produce.

On Sunday thirty folks gathered for the Bringing It Home Seminar. A short video--The True Cost of Food--was shown. Farmer John Wilson was in attendance and he shared information about Community Supported Agriculture--CSA--and the benefits of local, sustainable, organic farming. Five Points Farmer's Market also sent a representative to discuss the community building and activism that is occurring in the Five Points Section of Norfolk surrounding the local Farmer's Market there.

There was intense discussion of what the community can do to support the local sustainable farm movement by volunteering at the CSA's, the local Farmer's Market, and creating urban vegetable gardens. The Fair Trade cities and zoning was also discussed.

Food Not Bombs folks are serving the homeless at two locations in Norfolk every Sunday afternoon and they obtained some additional food resources at this event. Approximately 15 folks have decided to continue meeting and volunteering their time and energy in these projects.

Afterwards some of the participants gathered to eat at the local No Frill Grill in Ghent.

On Wednesday night. Samdouin will begin with the filmamkers at a reception at Azar's in Norfolk at 6 pm. This will be followed by the multi media presentation of Samdouin and a discussion to follow. It is great to have an opportunity to discuss the middle east with two independent, investigative journalists who recently spent time there.I'll put up more on the Samidoun event later.

Hampton Roads Peace Celebration

Welcome to the Second Annual
Light in the Dark Festival for Peace
Sponsored by the
Tidewater Peace Alliance
throughout December 2006
10 Regional Film Premieres at Naro Cinema
Peace Festival Seminars and Special Events
Peace Festival Seminars and Special Events
Primary event location:
The Studio for the Healing Arts
1611 Colley Ave., 2nd floor (one block north of the Naro)


FIFTH ANNUAL FAIR TRADE FESTIVAL

Friday, December 1, 3-10 p.m.

Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,
Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Princess Anne and Blow Streets in Ghent

Coffee, chocolate, hand-made crafts, and other goods from both local artists and fairly paid artists and farmers from around the world. Music, poetry, theater, and spoken word! Shop for change this season!

BRINGING IT HOME

Sunday, December 3, 1-4 p.m. :

Seminar at the Studio for the Healing Arts

Admission: Please bring a food donation to serve the homeless: pasta, canned goods, flour, etc.

Moderator: Susan Posey

* Community Supported Agriculture * Farmers Market * Becoming a Fair Trade town * Buying Fair all year round * Introduction to the Hampton Roads Fair Database

Free Food Served by Food Not Bombs

SAMIDOUN

Wednesday, December 6, 7:15 p.m

Seminar at the Studio for the Healing Arts

Admission $10

In Attendance: Ana Noguiera and Andrew Stern

Samidoun: a multimedia journey through the 34 day war in Lebanon and its aftermath, produced by award-winning independent reporters Ana Nogueira and Andrew Stern. Interweaving still photography, audio and video, Samidoun is a uniquely intimate look at the human cost of this conflict that took the lives of over 1200 people, wounded thousands more, and displaced over one million.

RECEPTION FOR THE FILM MAKERS 6 p.m. at Azars Restaurant, 2000 Colley Ave.

The Second Saturday Salon:
Fire and Light, and Off-Road Search for the Spirit of God

Saturday, December 9, 8-11p.m.

Free and open to the public

Faciliator: John Robertson, author of Fire and Light

“In FIRE AND LIGHT, Jon Robertson searches for evidence of a unifying spiritual intelligence among the world's religious texts, scientific theories, and spiritual philosophies. This off-road quest leads him through the Bible, the Qu'ran, and the Bhagavad Gita to psychotherapists, mystics, and even a retired sailor from Southern California. At the end of his pursuit, Robertson discovers a powerful and loving force accessible to everyone on the planet.”

Bring a dish to pass

Walk In Their Shoes: Remembering the Children

Wednesday, December 13, 5:30 p.m. in front of The Naro Cinema

Organizer: Carol Manuel

A silent visual tribute to the thousands of children who have been casualties of the invasion and occupation of Iraq will be held in front of the Naro Theater on Colley Avenue. Children's shoes bearing the names, ages, date of death, and the circumstances of the death will be laid out in tribute to the innocent lives that have been snuffed out as a result of war and violence since 2003. A brief reading of names and candle lighting will take place at the opening of the display. You are invited to participate in this memorial to the Iraqi children

Iraq in Fragments

Wednesday, December 13, 7:15 p.m., at the Naro

The feature film Iraq in Fragments will be the opening film of the Light in the Dark Film Festival at the Naro. Filmed in cinema-verite style, director James Longley's poetically rendered documentary looks at contemporary Iraq through the eyes of Sunnis, Shites, and Kurds. Stories include a fatherless 11-year-old apprenticed to the cruel owner of a Baghdad garage; Sadr followers in two Shiite cities rallying for regional elections while enforcing Islamic law at the point of a gun; and a family of Kurdish farmers welcoming the U.S. presence, which has allowed them a measure of freedom previously denied. Winner of three Documentary awards at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival: Best Director, Cinematography, and Editing (94 minutes)

Introducing the film, and the situation in Iraq concerning the targeting of teachers will be former liaison officer for Doctors Without Borders, Nabil Al-Tikriti:

Nabil Al-Tikriti (naltikri@umw.edu) received his Ph.D. in Ottoman and Islamic History from the University of Chicago in 2004 and joined the University of Mary Washington faculty the same year. Concurrent with his academic career Prof. Al-Tikriti has spent several years working in international emergency relief and election monitoring in several countries in the Middle East, Balkans,and Africa. His scholarly interests include Ottoman History, Modern Iraq, and Human Rights

Sufi Dances of Universal Peace,

Friday, December 15, 8-10 p.m.: Studio

$10 (space is limited so come early)

Location: Studio for the Healing Arts

The Dances of Universal Peace are simple, meditative, joyous, multi-cultural circle dances that use sacred phrases, chants, music and movements evocative of the worlds many sacred traditions.

Offered as "body prayer" in a spirit of sacredness, the dances promote peace and create an integrated experience of body, mind and spirit, helping dancers to gain direct experience of the unity of all.

No experience is necessary - the dances are simple and are taught each time by a trained facilitator.

Kids for Peace Art Fest

Saturday, December 16, 1-4p.m.

Location: Studio for the Healing Arts

Organizers: Sonia Monson and Dani Vedros

Please join us for an afternoon of art, music and fun for the entire family. Kids 18 and under are welcome to submit art work in any medium for display at the Art Fest. Performance art, spoken word, poetry or musical performances are also welcome. This is a non-competitive and inclusive event where the joy of giving and receiving our unique gift is embraced and celebrated. The theme for this year is “Creating Peace: Within Ourselves, our Community and our World”. This event is part of the Light in the Dark Peace Festival.

You can submit art ahead of time at The Studio for the Healing Arts at 1611_D Colley Ave or bring it with you the day of the event.

Transforming Ourselves and The World: The Premiere of the Dharma Gaia Satyagraha Sangha

Sunday, December 17, 1-4 p.m.

Location: Studio for the Healing Arts

Free and open to the public

Facilitators: Tom Ellis, Mac McKinney

Join us for the premiere of a biweekly, ecumenical sangha (community of practice) dedicated to exploring the universal Dharma set forth by all the great sages of the past, as applied to the political and ecological crises of the day by such Satyagrahis as Gandhi, King, Mandela, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Wangari Maathai.

DOUBLE FEATURE AT THE NARO

Tuesday, December 19, 6 p.m. "Invisible Children"

Discussion Facilitator: Duke White

No admission charge for this film. Donations will be collected.

INVISIBLE CHILDREN The filmmaking adventure of three young Americans who have traveled to Africa is transformed into much more when they find themselves stranded in Northern Uganda. What they discover is a tragedy of huge proportions-a true story in which children are both the weapons and the victims, being abducted from their homes and forced to fight as child soldiers. With coverage on Oprah, CNN, and the National Geographic Channel, this film has taken on a life of its own, empowering youth across the world to change culture, policy, and lives. (60 mins)

Tuesday, December 19, 7:30 p.m."Dorothy Day: Don't Call Me a Saint"

Discussion Facilitators: Steve and Kim Baggerly from Catholic Worker House

DOROTHY DAY: DON'T CALL ME A SAINT: Few people have had as lasting an effect on the world as Dorothy Day, who was born in 1897 and was a noted journalist and social activist who was arrested for participating in various social protests. How is it that Day (who died in 1980) now finds herself on the path to sainthood, already bestowed by the Vatican with the title "Servant of God"? In 1933 she co-founded the left-leaning Catholic Worker newspaper. The subsequent movement spawned by this publication became one of the leading proponents for social and economic justice for the poor. Directed by photographer Claudia Larson. (60 mins)

"Angry Gods: Theocracies Wage War", Seminar

Wednesday, December 20, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Location: The Studio for the Healing Arts

Moderators: Junaid S. Ahmad and Rev. Paul Boothby

The role of the state and media corporations to spread a message of fear and retribution has been well documented. But how are religious values and ethics compromised by Christian, Judaic and Islamic institutions in order to align with the militant goals and human rights abuses of the nation state? Film clips from such new movies as Jesus Camp and Passionate Voices will be shown with discussion led by expert facilitators.

Junaid S. Ahmad is a J.D. candidate in law at the College of William and
Mary, Williamsburg, VA.

Rev. Paul Boothby is Minister of the Unitarian Church in Norfolk.

First Annual Peace Walk in Ghent

Friday, December 22, 5 p.m.

Begins at Bella Yoga on Colley Ave.
Sponsored by: Tapestry Inc.

Opening circle with prayer, song and setting of intention at Bella Yoga
Please join us for an evening of reflection and communion as we use walking meditation to unite as a community with an intention of universal peace. We will walk silently through the streets of Ghent aligning our hearts with a common wish for peace and then we will celebrate the solstice with an open house at the Blair Building.

Winter Solstice Celebration: An Embodied Invocation for Peace, Compassion and Global Healing

Friday, December 22: , 7-10 p.m.,

Location: Studio for the Healing Arts, $10.00 (space limited, come early.)

Please join us for one of the final events in the Light in the Dark: Festival for Peace, an evening of dance, drumming, meditation and ritual in celebration and invocation of peace and compassion within ourselves, our community and our world.

Facilitators: Dani Vedros, Elizabeth Gay, Alexandra Kedrock and the Drum Group Beleza

For more Information: http://www.studioforthehealingarts.org/ or e-mail dvedros@cox.net

"I Know I am Not Alone"

Friday, December 27, 9p.m.

Location: Special showing at The Boot, 123 21st Street in Ghent

The Reel Prospects for Peace: Israeli Cinema 1948-2006 (Part 1)
Seminar

Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 7p.m.:

Location: The Studio for the Healing Arts

Moderated by Dr. Avi Santo, Assistant Professor of Communications at Old Dominion University

This new seminar uses selected clips from Israeli films spanning nearly sixty years to engage an audience in a conversation about how peace and conflict have been represented on the silver screen and what these shifting images suggest about real ongoing strategies for peace in the Middle East.
=====================================================================================================================================
10 Regional Film Premieres at Naro Cinema

Film dates and show times. See below for full film synopsis.

Naro Expanded Cinema
1507 Colley Ave. in Ghent


Wed, Dec 13
IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS 7:15

Thurs, Dec 14
WORDS OF MY PERFECT TEACHER 7:15

Friday, Dec 15
SHUT UP AND SING 7;15
U.S. versus JOHN LENNON 9:15

Sat, Dec 16
SHUT UP AND SING 2:30
U.S. versus JOHN LENNON 4:15
INTO GREAT SILENCE 6:15
SHUT UP AND SING 9:15

Sun, Dec 17
INTO GREAT SILENCE 2:30
SHUT UP AND SING 6:00
U.S. versus JOHN LENNON 7:45

Mon, Dec 18
AT THE GREEN LINE
plus short TALKING PEACE 8:00

Tues, Dec 19
INVISIBLE CHILDREN 6:00
DOROTHY DAY: Don't Call Me a Saint 7:30
SHUT UP AND SING 9:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ten Premiere Films at the Naro Cinema/ Descriptions

INTO GREAT SILENCE The unlikely European arthouse hit arrives in America! What would it be like to renounce the modern world and live a communal cloistered life? After years of asking for permission, filmmaker Philip Groening was finally granted the opportunity to live with the Carthusian monks of the Grande Chartreuse, a monastery in the French Alps, and film their simple daily lives. We find that all of their rituals of prayer, work, meals and meditative walks are imbued with the spirituality of the present moment. Large portions of the narrative are entirely silent, and the gorgeous visuals within this unique film transform the cinema into a great monastery where we're granted a palpable experience of the contemplative life. (160 mins)

IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS Filmed in cinema-vérité style, director James Longley's poetically rendered documentary looks at contemporary Iraq through the eyes of Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds. Stories include a fatherless 11-year-old apprenticed to the cruel owner of a Baghdad garage; Sadr followers in two Shiite cities rallying for regional elections while enforcing Islamic law at the point of a gun; and a family of Kurdish farmers welcoming the U.S. presence, which has allowed them a measure of freedom previously denied. Winner of three Documentary awards at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival: Best Director, Cinematography, and Editing. (94 mins)

SHUT UP AND SING The Dixie Chicks were at the height of their popularity as the national-anthem-singing darlings of country music and top-selling female recording artists of all time when they made their now infamous anti-Bush comment in 2003. The film follows the lives and careers of the three women over a period of three years, during which they were under political attack and received death threats while continuing to live their lives, have children, and of course make music. The film ultimately presents who the Dixie Chicks are as women, public figures, and musicians. (93 mins )


WORDS OF MY PERFECT TEACHER The renowned Bhutanese Buddhist "king", scholar, filmmaker (The Cup, Travellers and Magicians), avid soccer fan, and world teacher Dzongsar Kyentse Rinpoche is the subject of this terrific new documentary. Filmmaker Lesley Ann Patten breathlessly chases Kyentse around the world-the UK, Bhutan, Canada, the U.S., and the World Cup playoffs in Germany-in what becomes her own spiritual quest. This is a rare opportunity to spend time with a Buddhist Master who says it's time for his students to "wake up" and has no qualms about revealing secrets that many have spent lifetimes searching for. And he does so with a perfect command of English! The film is set to a world beat that includes music by Sting. (100 mins)

INVISIBLE CHILDREN The filmmaking adventure of three young Americans who have traveled to Africa is transformed into much more when they find themselves stranded in Northern Uganda. What they discover is a tragedy of huge proportions-a true story in which children are both the weapons and the victims, being abducted from their homes and forced to fight as child soldiers. With coverage on Oprah, CNN, and the National Geographic Channel, this film has taken on a life of its own, empowering youth across the world to change culture, policy, and lives. (60 mins)

No admission charge-donations to be collected.

DOROTHY DAY: DON'T CALL ME A SAINT Few people have had as lasting an effect on the world as Dorothy Day, who was born in 1897 and was a noted journalist and social activist who was arrested for participating in various social protests. How is it that Day (who died in 1980) now finds herself on the path to sainthood, already bestowed by the Vatican with the title "Servant of God"? In 1933 she co-founded the left-leaning Catholic Worker newspaper. The subsequent movement spawned by this publication became one of the leading proponents for social and economic justice for the poor. Directed by photographer Claudia Larson. (60 mins)
Norfolk Catholic Workers Steve Baggarly and Kim Williams will facilitate a post-film discussion.

TALKING PEACE Jews and Palestinians come together in the suburban home of a San Diego couple to share their stories and their pain. This intimate film documents what happens when a human face is put on those considered to be the enemy: a foundation of trust that can grow. (30 mins) Plus 2nd feature....


AT THE GREEN LINE Military service in Israel is mandatory, and the act of refusal is considered treason. Regardless, a "Courage to Refuse" movement has been growing steadily among high-ranking soldiers and officers. This powerful film takes the viewer to the front lines of the conflict with Army reservists who patrol the occupied territories and interact with Palestinians. Through interviews they reveal their struggle to reconcile individual conscience with responsibility to, and love for, one's country. (60 mins)

I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE Armed with an acoustic guitar and a video camera, musician Michael Franti takes us on a musical journey through war and occupation in Iraq, Israel, and Palestine. Along the way he shares his music with everyday people who in turn reveal the often overlooked human cost of war. (90 mins)

U.S. VERSUS JOHN LENNON Lennon's transformation from Beatles rock star to anti-war activist to iconic inspiration for peace is documented by biographers David Leaf and John Scheinfeld. They reveal the U.S. government's attempt to silence Lennon, showing that this was not just an isolated episode in history but that the issues and struggles of that era remain relevant today. (PG13, 99mins)

Bush's New Plan...A new version of stay the course.

With pressure from the American people, a new Democratic Congress, and the upcoming report from Bush's Iraq Task Force Bush is responding with a preemptive strike--a new version of “stay the course.”

Bush’s New Plan has the following goals: keep the troops in Iraq stationed at permanent bases, reduce American casualties, and reduce Iran’s influence. This is NOT the plan of the American people who voted loud and clear that they want the troops out of Iraq asap.

John McCain is an ally of the so called “new” Bush Plan. It’s not difficult to assume that Robert Gates is on board with this new plan also. Why else would Bush move so quickly to put his Rumsfeld replacement before a Congress that remains Republican controlled for a very short time. Bush had to move quickly to get “his” new “Rumsfeld” on board.

Bush plans to negotiate a ceasefire with the insurgent Sunni’s and then create an alliance with them that will either strengthen Prime Mininster Maliki or replace hime with a Sunni strong man. Then Bush will have the US troops work with the Sunni’s to restore order to Iraq and install a government “friendly” to America to strongarm the Iraqi people. (Bush’s version of a democratic government. Then Bush will keep US troops in Iraq at the permanent bases.

Unfortunately Bush is not living in the real world. Just like his other plans this plan will not succeed. According to Nir Rosen:

“....Shias own Iraq now. Sunnis can never get it back. There's nothing Americans can do about this.
So, for Sunnis, whether these reports are true or not, for Sunnis to ever imagine that they could ever regain power, that the Baathists could ever be restored to power, that Americans actually matter in Iraq anymore is naïve in the extreme. Iraq is Shia now. They have the majority, the security forces, they have the militias. What you are going to see in Iraq I think, in Baghdad especially, is a virtual genocide of the Sunnis. And the Americans are going to be unable to stop that.”

The reality of what is happening in Iraq is that the Sunni’s are going to go down in defeat. Whether or not American troops are there. The plans on the table with the best chance of success are the plans proposed by Senator Jim Webb--an orderly troop withdrawal while simultaneously working with Syria and Iran who have influence in Iraq and who have a strong interest in a stabilized, peaceful Iraq.

If Bush and his team are unwilling or unable to face reality they need to be replaced with a tean that can. A team that is able to work with Syria and Iran to help the US do the best we can with the awful disaster Beorge W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and their neocon cronies have created in the middle east.

Unfortunately, it looks like Jim Webb was right when he said that the people that made this mess are not going to be able to fix it.

Americans need to stop letting their President try to blame the victims--the Iraqis--or anyone else for this mess. It's time for Bush and the neocons to take responsibility and be held accountable for this disaster (and others).

According to Nir Rosen:

There is no solution. We’ve destroyed Iraq and we’ve destroyed the region, and Americans need to know this. This isn’t Rwanda where we can just sit back and watch the Hutus and Tutsis kill each other, and be like wow this is terrible should we do something? We destroyed Iraq. There was no civil war in Iraq until we got there. And there was no civil war in Iraq, until we took certain steps to pit Sunnis against Shias. And now it is just too late. But, we need to know we are responsible for what’s happening in Iraq today. I don't think Americans are aware of this. We've managed to make Saddam Hussein look good even to Shias at this point. And what we’ve managed to do is not only destabilize Iraq, but destabilize Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran. This is going to spread for decades, the region won’t recover from this, I think for decades. And Americans are responsible . AMY GOODMAN: Do you think troop withdrawal now, if not an answer, a necessity? NIR ROSEN: Troop withdrawal, if I was an American, then I would want troop withdrawal, because why are Americans dying in Iraq? Every single American who dies in Iraq, who is injured in Iraq, dies for nothing. He didn’t die for freedom, he didn’t die to defend his country, he died to occupy Iraq. And if withdrawal the troops you’ll have less Americans killing Iraqis. Everyday the Americans are there they kill innocent Iraqis, they torture innocent Iraqis, and the occupy Iraqis and terrorize Iraqis. They should leave today.

Americans also need to face reality. I agree with Nir Rosen that there is no solution and we need to withdraw our troops immediately.

Bush Denies Reality of Civil War

At a press conference today U.S. President Bush said, "There's a lot of sectarian violence taking place, formented in my opinion because of the attacks by al-Qaida causing people to seek reprisal." Bush believes the escalating violence is nothing new. “We’ve been in this phase for awhile.” Bush, continues to dodge acknowledging that a civil war exists in Iraq. "When you see a young democracy beginning to emerge in the Middle East, the extremists try to defeat its emergence," Bush said.

Bush said he will meet with al Maliki, Iraq’s prime minister for his plan to “quell” the violence. According to Bush, "The Maliki government is going to have to deal with that violence and we want to help them do so. It's in our interest that we succeed."

In spite of the anticipated recommendations of talks with Iran and Syria from the White House Iraq Commission, Bush does not affirm plans to talk with Iran or Syria. The U.S. President repeated the demand that Iran has to suspend their uranium enrichment program before the U.S. will enter talks.

Bush continues to promote his belief (with the help of the Western Corporate Media) that Iran and Syria are to blame for contributing to the violence in Iraq. "The Iranians and the Syrians should help — not destabilize — this young democracy," he said. "That government is being undermined, in my opinion, by extremist forces encouraged out of Syria and Iran," Bush said. "Why? Because a democracy will be a major defeat for those who articulate extremist points of view."

This "Bush belief" is debunked by many middle eastern experts. The US is seen as the creator of the Iraq civil war and the current unrest. This goal of the US--to create a civil war in Iraq--was put into action with Negroponte's (who has experience with death squads and fermenting civil wars in South America) appointment to Iraq. It is not in Syria's nor Iran's best interest to have a destabilized Iraq as a next door neighbor. Syria is already reeling from providing refuge to over 1 million Iraqi's with thousands more flooding Syria's borders every day.(Kaveh L Afrasiabi, Nir Rosen, Robert Fisk)

Meanwhile in Bush World, the Bush diplomacy continues with no recognition of what the United States has done to Iraq, the Iraqi's, and the people living in the Mid East Region. Bush refuses to acknowledge the damage and chaos that is the result of his actions--the illegal invasion of Iraq. Everyone is to blame except for George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Dick Rumsfeld, Condeleeza Rice and their minions.

Now George W. Bush expects the major victims of his failed plans--the Iraqi's--to create the solution. The "minor" victims--the American people--will continue to put their lives on the line and "foot the bill." This sounds like the expectations of someone who has been protected from accountability and responsibility for his entire lifetime.

Heaven help us all.
Sources:
Cartoon by Steve Bradenton
Yahoo News
Asia Times
Information Clearing House
DemocracyNow.org Nov 27, 2006 report

End This War

We need more Public Service Announcements--PSA--like this on television.....

Media Watch--Hampton Roads

Local television newscasts are difficult for many of us to keep up with. Yesterday, I was flipping through channels and I caught the tail end of a WVEC tv (channel 13) broadcast. They were comparing drug prices of three popular prescription drugs (I have no idea if these were generics, etc). However, unlike the Virginian Pilot's recent drug story WVEC included COSTCO in it's report. I saw that the lowest COSTCO competitor's prices for the three drugs was approximately $116.00

Costco's price was approximately $47.00. The $69.00 savings is significant. It would definitely be worth the time and gas to travel to Costco to get this kind of savings.

So three and a half buzzes for WVEC for doing a competent job reporting on local drug prices.

CheneyBush will NOT visit the troops on Thanksgiving

According to Dekafile Cheney's office confirms that there are NO plans for VP Dick Cheney to visit the troops on Thanksgiving day.

We should have already known this...It's not a PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR. So the troops in Iraq backdrop is not needed for a "photo op."

The Bush administration needs to learn the difference between USING the troops and SUPPORTING the troops.

Buzz...Buzz...

George Allen misses with this last shot

Thank heavens George Allen is on his way out. However, he is giving all of us one last shot...and it really misses the mark on what we want or need.

Anyone who enjoys the national parks in this country are sure to feel more threatened if Allen's legislation is approved. Allen wants citizens to be able to carry guns into our national parks.

I'd feel safer with more park rangers and no guns. The park rangers are not looking forward to having to deal with armed citizens in the parks.

The Republicans are not attending to the spending bills that they have failed to address (and are leaving behind in an attempt to thwart and slow down the agenda that got the Democrats elected. Instead they are trying to rush this kind of nonsense through the Congress.

Hopefully you will contact Warner, Allen, and your Representatives in the House and get this bill killed.

That would be "our" parting shot to Senator Allen.

The New York Times is correct is accessing this bill as one that fails to provide protection and increases the dangers for all of us.

Source is The New York Times

Richmond Times Dispatch and the Corporate Bias

The Richmond Times Dispatch columnist A. Barton Hinkle is definitely writing from a corporate viewpoint in his article Class Warfare: Jim Webb's Populism Merely Skims the Economic Surface

He ignores current health statistics for poor children in our country, the increasing rates of poverty and homelessness, and he definitely isn't listening to middle class folks who are finding it more difficult to maintain their current standard of living as Bush and the other wealthy elitists celebrate and crow about the current booming economy...the rewards fail to trickle down to the majority of the American people. The people who are working harder every day to keep the economy booming.

IF I was a subscriber to this corporate rag I'd be canceling my subscription. Why would I pay to help them continue to promote a corporate anti-American citizen viewpoint?

Buzz...Buzz...

George W. Bush--Pre and Post Presidential Statements

It's valuable to remember George Bush's pre-election statements and promises and then his post election statements and actions.

It's a shame the Corporate Media has not accurately reported the lying that has become so commonplace in the election process....But then they would have to do something other than just repeating what the latest Republican Propaganda is....and that would entail a little work.

The Republicans have really raised the bar on saying anything to get elected...IMO

Buy George Bush

If you must buy something for Christmas check out this George Bush Doll. It definitely captures his essence.



You can participate in the Buy Nothing Day Campaign and order this doll online on any day but Nov 24th.. Heck it may end up being a collector's item...at least it's amusing.

You can buy the Bush Doll here

Participate by NOT Participating

Buy Nothing Day

Every November, for 24 hours, we remember that no one was born to shop. If you’ve never taken part in Buy Nothing Day, or if you’ve taken part in the past but haven’t really committed to doing it again, consider this: 2006 will go down as the year in which mainstream dialogue about global warming finally reached its critical mass. What better way to bring the Year of Global Warming to a close than to point in the direction of real alternatives to the unbridled consumption that has created this quagmire?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Buy Nothing Day Link

NOVEMBER 24 IS BUY NOTHING DAY - NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
(November 25 outside of North America)


THE ULTIMATE REFUND: On November 24th and 25th – the busiest days in the American retail calendar and the unofficial start of the international Christmas-shopping season – thousands of activists and concerned citizens in 65 countries will take a 24-hour consumer detox as part of the 14th annual Buy Nothing Day, a global phenomenon that originated in Vancouver, Canada.

From joining zombie marches through malls to organizing credit card cut-ups and shopoholic clinics, Buy Nothing Day activists aim to challenge themselves, their families and their friends to switch off from shopping and tune back into life for one day. Featured in recent years by the likes of CNN, Wired, the BBC, and the CBC, the global event is celebrated as a relaxed family holiday, as a non-commercial street party, or even as a politically charged public protest. Anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending.

Reasons for participating in Buy Nothing Day are as varied as the people who choose to participate. Some see it as an escape from the marketing mind games and frantic consumer binge that has come to characterize the holiday season, and our culture in general. Others use it to expose the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption.

Two recent, high-profile disaster warnings outline the sudden urgency of our dilemma. First, in October, a global warming report by economist Sir Nicholas Stern predicted that climate change will lead to the most massive and widest-ranging market failure the world has ever seen. Soon after, a major study published in the journal Science forecast the near-total collapse of global fisheries within 40 years.

Kalle Lasn, co-founder of the Adbusters Media Foundation, which was responsible for turning Buy Nothing Day into an international annual event, said, “Our headlong plunge into ecological collapse requires a profound shift in the way we see things. Driving hybrid cars and limiting industrial emissions is great, but they are band-aid solutions if we don’t address the core problem: we have to consume less. This is the message of Buy Nothing Day.”

As Lasn suggests, Buy Nothing Day isn't just about changing your habits for one day. It’s about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste. With six billion people on the planet, the onus if on the most affluent – the upper 20% that consumes 80% of the world’s resources – to begin setting the example.



For more information and media interviews contact

MEDIA LIASON: Laura Fauth
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 604-736-9401
EMAIL: media-pr [at] adbusters [dot] org



Editor’s Notes

[1] For more information on Adbusters, Buy Nothing Day, or to watch Kalle Lasn’s 2004 Buy Nothing Day interview with CNN visit www.adbusters.org

[2] Buy Nothing Day facts:
* The first BND was organized in Vancouver in September 1992, an idea by artist Ted Dave, as a day for society to examine the issue of over-consumption.
* In 1997, it was moved to the Friday after American Thanksgiving, which is the busiest shopping pre-Christmas weekend in the US. Outside of North America, BND is usually celebrated on the following Saturday.
* Despite controversies, Adbusters managed to advertise BND on CNN, but many other major TV networks declined to air their ads.
* Soon, campaigns started appearing in US, UK, Israel, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, and Norway. Participation now spans over 65 nations.

[3] Shopping and consumption facts:
* Per capita consumption in the U.S. has risen 45 per cent in the last 20 years.
* Although people today are, on average, four-and-a-half times richer than our great-grandparents were at the turn of the century, Americans report feeling “significantly less well off” than in 1958.
* A recent article in New Scientist featured research suggesting that the more consumer goods you have the more you think you need to make you happy. Happiness through consumption is always out of reach (New Scientist, 4th October 2003, Vol.180, Issue 2415, p44. Available online after registering at www.newscientist.co.uk).

Is Bush "guilty?" You be the judge...

This Thanksgiving Holiday will be spent browsing You Tube and posting the more interesting clips for you.

The thing about the following clip is that Bush gives such a detached yet strained response (IMO) to the question.

What do you think about the response and it's significance?

Judge This one for yourself.

Donald Trump Speaks Out on Bush

No one can accuse Donald Trump of being a flaming liberal. It appears that Bush wouldn't have made it on The Apprentice.

Maybe we need to have future candidates go through an Apprentice process before we vote next time?

If it would have weeded out this "worst President ever" I'd be tempted to try something like this.

Only in America....

Media Blackout

Since the Corporate Media refuses to cover protests (such as the one at the School of the Assassins in Fort Benning GA)...I thought I would put up this clip to remind others that protests have occurred and continue to occur....

In spite of the continued propaganda from Corporate Media George W. Bush's approval rating is now at 32% and below. They won't run an official impeachment poll but a resent online impeachment poll 87% voted to impeach Bush. America has now joined with the rest of the world to oppose the agenda of George W. Bush.

Enjoy the video and remember the Corporate Media Blackout included NOT playing peace or protest songs on the radio.

Bush Gang Can't Keep Barbara Bush's Purse Safe

George Bush's daughter, Barbara, had her purse stolen from under her table while dining at a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Secret Service men were on duty at the time.

It seems that one or two purse snatcherw were able to outwit the United States Secret Service. Thank heavens the purse snatcher wasn't planting a bomb.

Here's the link

Remembering some Bush moments...

The Incumbent Dems are a HUGE Disappointment

Hopefully the newly elected Dems will be able to shape up the Democratic party.

Right now the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer are embracing the Republican's agenda in this lame duck Congress. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Senator Harry Reid doesn't allow the Bush agenda pusher Joseph Lieberman to set the Democratic agenda in the Senate.

Reid says that Gates will be a "shoo-in" for his nomination. So much for the seriousness they are taking for their role of oversight and accountability of the current White House. This appointment should be seriously assessed and take some time to do it...especially given Gates past record with the Iran Contra Scandal. They need to know that they are installing a Secretary of Defense who will stand up to VP Dick Cheney.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is saying he will accommodate continuing to pay for Bush's endless invasion of Iraq and will even go along with temporarily increasing troop numbers.

Texas Democrat Jim Hightower hit the nail on the head when he stated so long ago that it would be nice to have two parties in Washington DC

I believe it's not too soon for concerned Americans to start creating a third party and flushing ALL the incumbent DEMS and REPUBLICANS down the nearest toilet if they continue their business as usual.

I can assure the Dems of one thing....this will be the last victory they will have for a long, long time if they proceed as they have in the past. The grassroots will not give them any more energy or time until they "show us the 'results'!!"

Buzz....Buzz....

New Survey: Iraqis Want a Speedy U.S. Exit

According to the Editor and Publisher:

The latest new polls state that 74% of the Shiites and 91% of the Sunnis want the US to leave Iraq within a year. A "much-respected" organization--The World Public Opinion--conducted the survey.

By a wide margin, both groups believe U.S. forces are provoking more violence than they're preventing -- and that day-to-day security would improve if we left. Support for attacks on U.S. forces now commands majority support among both Shiites and Sunnis.

Both groups believe the US presence creates more violence.