Peace Hugs

Kate Anne, communikating on multi-levels -- personal and political, as well as for peace, justice and nonviolence

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Bush: Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11

In yesterday's press conference, once again George W. Bush admitted that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11. But the news on NBC and CBS (and probably ABC) didn't allow any coverage of this admission. There are still people who believe that Iraq was responsible for 9-11. Our mainstream media isn't about to tell them otherwise. From the site linked in the title:

THE PRESIDENT: I square it because, imagine a world in which you had Saddam Hussein who had the capacity to make a weapon of mass destruction, who was paying suiciders to kill innocent life, who would -- who had relations with Zarqawi. Imagine what the world would be like with him in power. The idea is to try to help change the Middle East.

Now, look, part of the reason we went into Iraq was -- the main reason we went into Iraq at the time was we thought he had weapons of mass destruction. It turns out he didn't, but he had the capacity to make weapons of mass destruction. But I also talked about the human suffering in Iraq, and I also talked the need to advance a freedom agenda. And so my question -- my answer to your question is, is that, imagine a world in which Saddam Hussein was there, stirring up even more trouble in a part of the world that had so much resentment and so much hatred that people came and killed 3,000 of our citizens.

You know, I've heard this theory about everything was just fine until we arrived, and kind of "we're going to stir up the hornet's nest" theory. It just doesn't hold water, as far as I'm concerned. The terrorists attacked us and killed 3,000 of our citizens before we started the freedom agenda in the Middle East.

Q What did Iraq have to do with that?

THE PRESIDENT: What did Iraq have to do with what?

Q The attack on the World Trade Center?

THE PRESIDENT: Nothing
, except for it's part of -- and nobody has ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a -- the lesson of September the 11th is, take threats before they fully materialize, Ken. Nobody has ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq. I have suggested, however, that resentment and the lack of hope create the breeding grounds for terrorists who are willing to use suiciders to kill to achieve an objective. I have made that case.

And one way to defeat that -- defeat resentment is with hope. And the best way to do hope is through a form of government. Now, I said going into Iraq that we've got to take these threats seriously before they fully materialize. I saw a threat. I fully believe it was the right decision to remove Saddam Hussein, and I fully believe the world is better off without him. Now, the question is how do we succeed in Iraq? And you don't succeed by leaving before the mission is complete, like some in this political process are suggesting.


Meanwhile CNN reports that 61% of Americans want us out of Iraq. Obviously, there is some sanity in America. And getting out of Iraq is a mainstream majority position -- but you won't hear that emphasized in the corporate media either.

Then at yesterdays press conference Bush tells Republican candidates to run on the economy, "which is strong", he says. But strong for whom? Not the average Americans who see costs going up a lot faster than the raises in their paychecks. I've ordered my copy of Thom Hartmann's book, Screwed: The Undeclared War Against the Middle Class and What We Can Do about It and look forward to sharing its information -- but buy your own copy and give this book and its message more coverage.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Monday, August 21, 2006

Weekend Wrap-up: Peace, Politics, Brunch & Revival

Jonathan Tasini and Chris Owens in Brooklyn

This was a weekend of peace, politics and revival. I joined Betty Lou Hornick for the Saturday Union Square peace vigil and when we ran into the Tasini for New York U.S. Senate folks, while I was sporting my pink peace hat and Tasini for New York button, I took it as a sign and joined them for an afternoon of politicking. Looked a little bedraggled by day's end but it was good seeing Jonathan Tasini and meeting Beth and Gwendolyn.

Action Note:The New York Democratic Primary is September 12th and with NY1 playing games with the rules for debate, contact them and demand they allow political discussion. Check out the Tasini [title link], or go right to Stephanie Cannon's recent entry which is a reposting of a FAIR action alert. [Hmmmm....should give FAIR a regular link and check out their Counterspin podcast -- in my spare time ;-)]

Sunday (after plebian laundry), I was off with Jaye Louie and Joan Pagan to Long Island City for brunch. We went with no specific destination in mind, but ended up at Lounge 47 on Vernon Blvd, a place certainly worth re-visiting (yummy crabcakes!). Energy flagging, I revived by allowing myself the luxury of a Sunday afternoon nap. Managed to take in most of Laura Flander's Radio Nation show and blogging with YBNurmal, Nightbird and others on the show's blog. (Maybe Benno was out politicking with Jonathan? Ahhh, just checked the show's blog one more time and he made it for a late posting, reminding folks to donate money to Jonathan's campaign -- yes!! Anybody checking the blog will see Benno's important message: Donate $5 at www.tasinifornewyork.org -- And don't forget to write NY1.)

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Friday, August 18, 2006

Wiretapping illegal, unconstitutional: IMPEACH BUSH

Kudos to Judge Anna Diggs Taylor of the United States District Court in Detroit for speaking truth to power and ruling Bush's warrantless wire-tapping illegal and unconstitutional, violating free speech, privacy AND the separation of powers. Of course, as the NY Times reports, the Bush administration quickly countered saying "the decision was the work of a liberal judge advancing a partisan agenda." Free speech, privacy and the separation of powers are partisan? I'd call those things essential for democracy and part of MY freedom agenda.

The Bush folks say that the wiretapping has impeded terrorists, but the issue isn't the wire-tapping, it is the warrantless part of it. The system is set up that wiretaping can get approval even after it takes place but the Bush administration doesn't want to bother with the red tape. This leads us to the question, 'Just whom are they wire-tapping?" Some possible terrorists, maybe, but what about others? Democrats, poliical enemies? Otherwise, why not get the warrants? Trust them? An administration known for its multitude of lies? No way. I'm not trading off my liberty for false security. I have never felt more insecure as I have under this corrupt Bush administration.

Bush lies, people die. Bush spies, Democracy dies. As Thom Hartmann said as he reported this ruling on his show yesterday, "The Bush Administration has broken the law. Would somebody please impeach this guy?" And Cheney, too -- they are in cahoots. Let's take our country back.

Where does YOUR congressional representative stand on H.Res 635 introduced by Rep. John Conyers, which would begin a serious investigation? The list of co-sponsors lacks my congressmember Joe Crowley. Gotta make a call and get on 'im. Toll free: 888-355-3588. Join me in checking and calling. As Thom would say, "Tag, you're it!"

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Juxtapositions

Coming back to NYC, busy at my paid work and impacted by the passing of my sister, I am not quite my activist self but I couldn't help but notice the justaposition of the terror announcement following the Lamont victory over Lieberman. Obviously others have noted it, too, especially when it comes out that Britain was not ready to move on the arrests of the potential suicide plane riders but were pushed by the Bush administration to do so. Keith Olbermann cited on his Countdown show Monday night a whole list of these "interesting" justapositions of such terror alert-raising announcements at opportune times for Bush and the GOP. Former Homeland Security head Tom Ridge admitted he sometimes raised levels to orange purely at the request of the Bush Administration, not because he felt that it was necessary. (Indeed, he questioned it -- but did it anyway.) See Keith's transcript [title link] or his video for more info, but the good news is that Americans aren't buying it as quickly as they were. Bush isn't getting a big bounce -- yet.

Still hoping for a bounce, George W. Bush is out there talking about the "freedom agenda" even as his policies seek to limit our American freedoms. The man has no shame. He pushes for the terror of war in the name of peace and freedom. He sees war as an election tool, looks at Iran, and beats war drums. Meanwhile, CBS this morning showed the devestation caused by Israel's bombing of Lebanon. You can be we didn't make any friends there by endorsing such bombing. I hope that Americans are watching and get the message espoused by singer Michael Franti, "You can bomb the world to pieces but you can't bomb it into peace." . Let's demand of our politicians that they quit pouring kerosene onto fires. We need to make peace, not war. Accentuate the positive, let's demand the establishment of a Department of Peace.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

The Politics of Ego

Lieberman concedes to Lamont - sort of. He gives lip service to concession but he's determined to dismiss the results of the Democratic primary and put ego over political loyalty. Will Joe Lieberman follow through on his announcement to run as an independent? Will the Democratic Party give Ned Lamont full support -- money? The message to Joe should be that you are or should be a political servant. The Democratic Party of Connecticut has spoken. Squash your ego and go home, Joe. Serve in other ways.

As my friends know, I have no love for Democratic Leadership Council leader Joe Lieberman. We must keep repeating the message that the PEOPLE are speaking up against the Corporatists. ACTION: talk to Lieberman and his staff, talk to the Democratic Party, demand loyalty to the winner. Support the middle class, peace and JUSTICE!!

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne