Political Idiots

So old Bush is trying to persuade the public that “his” war is going well. His usual chuckling self has been on a virtual tour to help improve his dismal performance ratings. For the past five days he’s been speaking to folks about the Iraq situation. “Let me put it to you this way: If I didn’t think we’d succeed, I’d pull our troops out,” Bush said. Though he has expressed understanding about the concerns surrounding the war, he still stands firm in his belief that the war is good for American security.

“I cannot look mothers and dads in the eye, I can’t ask this good Marine to go into harm’s way if I didn’t believe, one, we’re going to succeed, and, two, it’s necessary for the security of the United States,” Bush said.

“There was some awful violence. Some reprisals taking place. And I can understand people saying, `Man, it’s all going to — you know, it’s not working out,’” he said.

Although the looming prospect of a civil war, the sectarian violence that continues to spread, and still the lack of a united Iraqi government have been focal points in the media, President Bush insists that America and Iraq are on the right path. “The way I like to put it is, they looked into the abyss as to whether or not they want a civil war or not and chose not to. That’s not to say we don’t have more work to do, and we do.”

-Edwin Hess
PoliticalIdiots.org

source:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/bush

Why is it that every other country, whether its a bullshit reason or not, will actually take to the streets and protest something? Why do they make such a fuss that their governments actually have to listen? Why do we as Americans only “demonstrate peacfully”? Do you think THEY are listening?

Now don’t get me wrong, Im not calling for violence or anarchy or anything of that nature. Im simply asking why we have “marches” and “Peace Parades” to try and get our point across? It seems that if “We the People” were actually serious about making changes, we would motivate ourselves and organize to bring about a change. Unless its a new Wal-Mart supercenter in our city, or the possible extinction of a bug that we would step on if it were in our house, we don’t really protest. Yea, we SAY we do. But do we REALLY?

The recent French labor protests along with the Mohammed cartoons and the earlier French protests (damn the French know how to protest! ce la vie?) are just small examples of the worlds sense of change. Again, I don’t personally agree with some, if not all, of the reasons. I just see that they bring about a sense of interest and possibility of change that we don’t seem to get here in America. We “bitch” and “complain” about the things we don’t like or disagree with. We say we will show the powers that be with our voter-power. But we still sit in the same old spin cycle, never really getting to a resolution or compromise.

How can we bring about a change, without causing any violence or mob mentallity? How do we let our “leaders” know that we really are serious this time? We do like the great, true, leaders have done throughout history. We stand tall. We walk tall. We let them know that we are watching, hearing, and feeling there choices. There are way to many injustices and wrongdoings for ALL people to list and write about at this moment. We all know that it happens. We all know that “THEY” don’t give a rats-ass that WE bust our butts so there can be more and more billionares every year. So let’s show them we are here. Let’s send them a wake up call.

I don’t care if you are a Republican and hate Democrats. Or vice-versa. Let us know how you feel, what you think, and what WE THE PEOPLE should do…

-Edwin Hess
PoliticalIdiots.org

Palast Charged with Journalism in the First Degree

Greg Palast | September 12 2006

It’s true. It’s weird. It’s nuts. The Department of Homeland Security, after a five-year hunt for Osama, has finally brought charges against … Greg Palast. I kid you not. Send your cakes with files to the Air America wing at Guantanamo.

Though not just yet. Fatherland Security has informed me that television producer Matt Pascarella and I have been charged with unauthorized filming of a “critical national security structure” in Louisiana.

On August 22, for LinkTV and Democracy Now! we videotaped the thousands of Katrina evacuees still held behind a barbed wire in a trailer park encampment a hundred miles from New Orleans. It’s been a year since the hurricane and 73,000 POW’s (Prisoners of W) are still in this aluminum ghetto in the middle of nowhere. One resident, Pamela Lewis said, “It is a prison set-up” — except there are no home furloughs for these inmates because they no longer have homes.

To give a sense of the full flavor and smell of the place, we wanted to show that this human parking lot, with kids and elderly, is nearly adjacent to the Exxon Oil refinery, the nation’s second largest, a chemical-belching behemoth.

So we filmed it. Without Big Brother’s authorization. Uh, oh. Apparently, the broadcast of these stinking smokestacks tipped off Osama that, if his assassins pose as poor Black folk, they can get a cramped Airstream right next to a “critical infrastructure” asset.

So now Matt and I have a “criminal complaint” lodged against us with the feds.

The positive side for me as a journalist is that I get to see our terror-busters in action. I should note that it took the Maxwell Smarts at Homeland Security a full two weeks to hunt us down.

Frankly, we were a bit scared that, given the charges, we wouldn’t be allowed on a plane into New York last night. But what scared us more is that we were allowed on the plane.

Once I was traced, I had a bit of an other-worldly conversation with my would-be captors. Detective Frank Pananepinto of Homeland Security told us, “This is a ‘Critical Infrastructure’ … and they get nervous about unauthorized filming of their property.

Well, me too, Detective. In fact, I’m very nervous that this potential chemical blast-site can be mapped in extreme detail at this Google Map location

What also makes me nervous is that the Bush Terror Terriers have kindly indicated on the Internet that this unprotected critical infrastructure can be targeted — I mean located — at 30º 29′ 11″ N Latitude and 91º 11′ 39″ W Longitude.

After I assured Detective Pananepinto, “I can swear to you that I’m not part of Al Qaeda,” he confirmed that, “Louisiana is still part of the United States,” subject to the first amendment and he was therefore required to divulge my accuser.

Not surprisingly, it was Exxon Corporation, one of a handful of companies not in love with my investigations. [See " A Well-Designed Disaster: the Untold Story of the Exxon Valdez. "]

So I rang America’s top petroleum pusher-men and asked their media relations honcho in Houston, Marc Boudreaux, a simple question. “Do you want us to go to jail or not? Is it Exxon’s position that reporters should go to jail?” Because, all my dumb-ass jokes aside, that is what’s at stake. And Exxon knew we were journalists because we showed our press credential to the Exxon guards at the refinery entrance.

The Exxon man was coy: “Well, we’ll see what we can find out…. Obviously it’s important to national security that we have supplies from that refinery in the event of an emergency.”

Really? According to the documents our team uncovered from the offices of Exxon’s lawyer, Mr. James Baker, the oil industry is more than happy to see a limit on worldwide crude production. Indeed, the current squeeze has jacked the price of oil from $24 a barrel to $64 and refined products have jumped yet higher — resulting in a record-busting profit for Exxon of nearly $1 billion per week.

So this silly “criminal complaint” has nothing to do with stopping Al Qaeda or keeping the oil flowing. It has everything to do with obstructing news reports in a way that no one would have dared attempt before the September 11 attack.

Dectective Pananepinto, in justifying our impending bust, said, “If you remember, a lot of people were killed on 9/11.”

Yes, Detective, I remember that very well: my office was in the World Trade Center. Lucky for me, I was out of town that day. It was not a lucky day for 3,000 others.

Yes, I remember “a lot” of people were killed. So I have this suggestion, Detective — and you can pass it on to Mr. Bush: Go and find the people who killed them.

It’s been five years and the Bush regime has not done that. Instead, the War on Terror is reduced to taking off our shoes in airports, hoping we can bomb Muslims into loving America and chasing journalists around the bayou. Meanwhile, King Abdullah, the Gambino of oil, whose princelings funded the murderers, gets a free ride in the President’s golf cart at the Crawford ranch.

I guess I shouldn’t complain. After all, Matt and I look pretty good in orange.

*******

A personal request to readers. Many have written to ask what can be done to protect Matt and me from becoming unwilling guests of the State.

First, this ain’t no foolin’ around: Matt and I are facing these nutty charges. So spread the info. We believe that getting the word out is the best defense.

Second, call Homeland Security and turn us in. They seem to have trouble finding us. If you get a reward, you may choose to donate it to the Palast Investigative Fund, a 501(c)(3) educational foundation which supports our work and pays our legal fees.

Third, ask your local library to order our book, Armed Madhouse: Who’s Afraid of Osama Wolf? Homeland Security now reserves the right to read over your shoulder at the library; therefore, the more our agents are forced to read this subversive material, the more likely we can convince them to come in out of the cold. All kidding aside, we do ask you to request your library order the book: not everyone can afford to purchase this hardbound edition.

Our thanks to Amy Goodman at Democracy Now! and the folks at LinkTV for broadcasting our report from New Orleans and the Exxon refinery. And to Gil Noble, host of the ABC Television’s Like It Is, our Courage in Journalism award for broadcasting our report on his network’s New York affiliate. Catch Gil on WABC every Sunday at noon.

http://www.infowars.com/articles/media/palast_charged_with_journalism_first_degree.htm

Heres some Positive news coming out of Iraq…

Security Forces

“The Iraqi Defense Ministry Has Begun Distributing Armored Humvees To Iraqi Units That Look Nearly Identical To Their Tan-Colored U.S. Counterparts.”

(Todd Pitman, “Iraqi Troops Start Rolling Out In Ramadi,” The Associated Press, 4/10/06)

International Efforts

“Iraq Received The New Italian Ambassador This Week. His Country Has Allocated 200 Million Euros To The Reconstruction Of Iraq. The Projects Will Focus On Providing Potable Water And Power Plants.” (Bill Crawford, “Paying Attention,” National Review, 4/10/06)

“The Iraqi Vehicles Are Equipped With Bulletproof Glass And Radios, Painted Outside With The Iraqi Flag And Chocolate Chip Camouflage Markings.” (Todd Pitman, “Iraqi Troops Start Rolling Out In Ramadi,” The Associated Press, 4/10/06)

There Are Currently Over 250,000 Trained And Equipped Iraqi Security Forces. (State Department Website, www.defendamerica.mil, Accessed 4/13/06)

“Japan Has Agreed To Build A $119 Million Power Plant For The City Of Samawa. The First Of Three Power Plants For The Province Of 200,000 Should Be Completed In Under Two Years.” (Bill Crawford, “Paying Attention,” National Review, 4/10/06)

“Japan Also Agreed To Provide $300 Million To Help Modernize The Country’s Largest Sea Port At Umm Qasr.” (Bill Crawford, “Paying Attention,” National Review, 4/10/06)

Rising Economy

“Air Rafidayn Will Soon Begin Flights Between Three Iraqi Cities And The Chinese City Of Guangzhou. These Will Be The First Direct Flights To China Since The First Gulf War.” (Bill Crawford, “Paying Attention,” National Review, 4/10/06)

“Hundreds Of Local, Arab And Foreign Companies Representing 32 Countries Are Taking Part In The 3rd International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition …” (Middle East North Africa Financial Network Website, www.menafn.com, Accessed 4/13/06)

* Deputy Prime Minister And Minister Of Finance Ziad Fariz: “The fair is a distinguished opportunity for all participants, traders and investors to contribute to the rebuilding and development of Iraq.” (Middle East North Africa Financial Network Website, www.menafn.com, Accessed 4/13/06)

Defeating the Terrorists

Iraqi Police Have Captured Top Zarqawi Aid Mohammed Hila Hammad Obeidi, Also Known As Abu Ayman. (”U.S.: Top Iraqi Insurgent Leader Captured,” The Associated Press, 4/6/06)

*
“[A]bu Ayman Was Responsible For Assassination Attempts Against Iraqi Officials And For Other Kidnappings …” (”U.S.: Top Iraqi Insurgent Leader Captured,” The Associated Press, 4/6/06)

“Iraqi Army And US Soldiers Detained 17 Anti-Iraqi Forces Personnel And Discovered Four Weapons Caches During Operation Red Light II …” (State Department Website, www.defendamerica.mil, Accessed 4/13/06)

_________________
DEMONLOVER

meanwhile…back at the ranch….Congress is trying to pass another $20 BILLION dollar iraqi aid bill (one 20 billion sent already), while walls are fallin down around our ears at home…..

Gringo Peligroso

John Glenn’s Finest Moment:

Regardless of your political views, this certainly gives us all food for thought.
Sen. Glenn was so quick on his feet.

When you speak from the heart and with passion, you never know what comes out.
SENATOR JOHN GLENN SAID:
Things that make you think a little…….

1. There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq
during the month of January…..

In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January.

That’s just one American City ,about as deadly as
the entire war torn country of Iraq.

2. When some claim President Bush shouldn’t have started this war,state the following;
FDR…led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us: Japan did.

From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost, an average of 112,500 per year.

Truman…finished that war and started one in Korea , North Korea never attacked us.

From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost, an average of 18,334 per year.

John F. Kennedy….started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. Vietnam never attacked us.

Johnson…turned Vietnam into a quagmire. From ! 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost,
an average of 5,800 per year.

Clinton…went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent, Bosnia never attacked us.

He was offered Osama bin Laden’s head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing.

Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.

3. In the two years since terrorists attacked us
President Bush has liberated two countries,

Crushed the Taliban,

Crippled al-Qaida,

Put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran and North Korea, without firing a shot, and
captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people!

The Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking,

but…It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch
Davidian compound. That was a 51-day operation.

We’ve been looking for evidence of chemical weapons in Iraq for less
time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.

It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy
the Medina Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the Police
after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick, killing a woman.

Wait, there’s more………………….

Some people still don’t understand why military personnel do what they
do for a living. This exchange between! Senators John Glenn and Senator
Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading . Not only is it a pretty impressive,
impromptu speech, but it’s also a good example of one man’s explanation
of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living.

This is a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of our military.

JOHN GLENN ON THE SENATE FLOOR Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004

Senator Howard Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn: “How can you run for Senate
when you’ve never held a real job?”

Senator Glenn: “I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars.
I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by antiaircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in
the space program.

It wasn’t my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the
line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the
daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me .. as I
went! the other day… to a veteran’s hospital and look those men -
with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell THEM they didn’t hold a
job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have
gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger
Chaffee… and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their Dads
didn’t hold a job.

You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in
Arlington National Cemetery , where I have more friends buried than I’d
like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.
You stand there, and you think about this nation, and
you tell ME that those people didn’t have a job? I’ll tell you, Howard
Metzenbaum; you should be on your knees every day of your life
thanking God that there were some men - SOME MEN - who held REAL jobs. And
they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a
dedication to duty that was more important than life itself. And!
their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible.
I HAVE held a job, Howard! What about you?”

For those who don’t remember - During W.W.II, Howard
Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA

If you can read this, thank a teacher….

If you are reading it in English, thank a Veteran.

Please keep this circulating.

Thats a swell article. Lots of feel good stuff. Thers also several DIFFERENCES between all the wars and the like. I personally don’t like ANY politician. I have MUCH, MUCH respect for Mr. Glenn. But to end all of that feel good stuff with ripping on whats his name, for not serving? Did you forget that almost 90% of the current White House staff NEVER served in any form whatsoever? And come election year, whether it was against Mcain or Kerry, (both veterans mind you) they tried to rip them a new one? And yet, they are the ones responsible for the meager (I use that term oh so remorsefully, considering the previous comparisons to other lives lost) comparison of 2500 hard working honorable soldiers lives? Atleast Truman, FDR, and Eisenhower all had a basic understanding of the military and how it works. Unlike the current “leaders” who run it like a corporation and think that you got to spend money (lives) to make money!

Must be, since they can’t hear what the people are saying. They spend tax dollar money like it’s an open cash register, they don’t hear the people screaming to control Illega immigration, etc. We need to understand thier alien language; or better yet, blow the f*&king aliens out of here!!!

Are they Legal or Illegal aliens? I think its more that Fascist-Capitalists are running this country and they don’t really care where your from as long as they get their money!

Do aliens have money or credit cards?