Memorial Day Messages

To those who serve and pay the price, with no say in right or wrong, good or bad, just or unjust. Spend wisely the flower of our nation and be sparing with the lives of those who answer the call of Duty, Honor, Country. -- Jim

I have officially become a friend of KPFT, link to program schedule. Without a contribution, just a willingness to help and spread the word about alternative non-commercial media. Live in Houston/Galveston or live worldwide on the web.

Other Liberal Airwaves - Radio Air America - listen here.

Mary Ann in Milwaukee wrote to Charles Auld:

Because people spoke out, Bush suddenly seemed vulnerable. Now, like a roar of shouting, the voices multiply: As more and more people awaken to incompetence, masquerading as leadership.

Because people spoke out, the New York Times was forced to recant its reporting of Weapons of Mass Destruction prior to the war. The voices of many people prompted the Times to bow to the truth, that there were no weapons and thus no foundation for a "war of pre emption."

Because people spoke out against misleading campaign advertisements, the Washington Post published a long article (5.31.2004)detailing the lies being presented by the Bush campaign in its desperate fight to pre-empt Kerry. The Post too has bowed to truth.

There's a pattern here: The Bush administration attacks false premises, non-existent weapons, truth tellers. It promotes fear and promises to "save" us from conjured dangers and gathering threats WROUGHT BY THEM!

Because one lower-rank military person spoke out, by placing a note and a CD under the door of an officer, scandalous mistreatment of prisoners has come to light. History may recount that one lone voice brought down generals and an administration, as citizens bowed to the truth.

Yes, one voice can make a huge difference. And many voices together can change our country's direction.

A citizenry that assumes its power, voices its concerns, and engages in dialogue across the chasms (often erected by lying politicians), that is true democracy. Yes, true democracy is indeed a danger - a danger to the truth-betrayors.

Archives

An page of mine from last year that includes a gratuitous Coupling reference to Lesbian Spank Inferno.

Another archive - What was I writing about one year ago today. A lot of stuff, as usual. One thing I notice is that both of these archives include adult language. This is actually not common on my pages. A year ago a European Union legal website devoted to US and EU relations, they are bad - they explain why, was pointing to my website to get progressive views on what was going on here. The link is not on that main page anymore which has been greatly redone. They still have a link on another page. I am under American Information, News, Politics. A year ago I started with political bigotry, went on to the CIA, a lot of current political hot topics, and closed with bring back Buffy and Willow.

BACK TO IRAQ NEWS

To those who think that reporters aren't supporting the war effort enough and refuse to report good news, well, here's a shocker: There isn't much good news to report. The security situation is growing worse. The power is still bad (three hours on, three hours off, or so.) Major U.S. contractors are bypassing Iraqi companies, leading to growing resentment. What kinda sorta good news there is is being pretty well covered. The (maybe) truce between Moqtada al-Sadra's Mahdi Army and U.S. forces in the south, the coming together, however shakily, of a caretaker government. I refuse to reprint the press releases that pour out of the CPA on any given day. Most of the 'good news' they release has to do with passing out free soccer balls to kids. Is this what should be reported when U.S. troops and Iraqis are dying every day?

Like the woman on the day of the car bomb who wailed that "The Americans did it!" I got some flack for just quoting her, but I included her not because I believed her (I don't.) but because her reaction is part of the story. To those who think the press doesn't pay enough attention to the Iraqis: This woman is a prime, albeit exaggerated, example. I would honestly be shocked if the U.S. had done this and I don't think it did. You have to examine Iraqis' statements critically. This one was easy, others are not.

To those who criticized me for even quoting her, if you don't like that Iraqis feel this way and express themselves by blaming the Americans, well, too damn bad. The occupying forces, including the Americans, are responsible for security under the United Nations resolution. So far, they haven't done a very good job of providing it.

My point in all of this is that the reporters I've met so far are smart, talented and very good at what they do. Many of them most emphatically do not stay in the Green Zone. Most live and run around Baghdad in constant fear for their lives. All of us are trying to a do a job and stay safe at the same time, which is the same thing Iraqis are trying to do every day. And like Iraqis, the journalists I've met are frustrated with the security situation.

Kerry Honors War Dead

John Kerry took a break from politics on Monday to pay tribute to America's war dead, but made a statement nonetheless by choosing Republican-leaning Virginia to show that his presidential bid will be different.

With Virginia Gov. Mark Warner -- whose name has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate -- by his side, Kerry watched a parade in Portsmouth after quietly visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. He did not speak publicly.

No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Virginia in 40 years, but Kerry told reporters aboard his chartered jet; "I don't care what's usual or not. There's not much usual about this campaign."