BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIX MIX -- DC.
TODAY ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN, BULLY BOY PARDONED TWO TURKEYS AND ALLOWED WHITE HOUSE DOG -- BARNEY, NOT BIG BABS MOMMA BUSH -- TO TORMENT THEM BY CHASING THEM AROUND THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN.
LAUGHING BULLY BOY NOTED THE MILLIONS OF TURKEYS HE HAD NOT PARDONED AND REMARKED HE HAD NOT HAD SO MUCH FUN "SENDING PEOPLE TO THEIR DOOM SINCE I ALLOWED 131 TO BE EXECUTED IN TEXAS. IT GIVES ME A THRILL, LIKE HEARING THAT 2872 AMERICANS HAVE DIED IN MY ILLEGAL WAR."
BULLY BOY SPENT THE REST OF THE MORNING MOCKING THE TURKEYS THAT HE HAD NOT SPARED WITH REMARKS LIKE, "THAT TURKEY LOOKED ME STRAIGHT IN THE EYE AND CRIED 'GOBBLE, GOBBLE, SAVE ME, GOBBLE, GOBBLE.' I REALLY ENJOYED SENTENCING THAT ONE TO DEATH."
THE ONLY SERIOUS NOTE IN THE PROCEEDINGS CAME WHEN ALBERTO GONZALES EXPLAINED THAT ONCE PARDONED, TURKEYS COULD NOT TURN AROUND AND PARDON THE BULLY BOY, SHOULD HE BE IMPEACHED.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
Starting with resistance within the US military. Conscientious objector John A. Rogowskyj Jr. was deployed to Iraq at the start of this month. The twenty-two-year-old Marine was deployed, as the Associated Press notes, after a Marine captain recommended he be discharged, after a major said he couldn't serve in compbat duty in June, because a D.V. Odell Jr. ("commander of the Fourth Marine Division") doesn't seem to grasp what a c.o. is the policy that the US military has on them. The AP notes that Odell, a major general, found Rogowskyj to be "theologically confused and [he] does not reflect any officially recognized faith group."
Take that, America's forefathers. The slow witted Odell Junior might also make some time to check out "Selective Service System: Fast Facts" which notes: "Beliefs which qualify a registrant for CO status may be religious in nature, but don't have to be. Beliefs may be moral or ethical; however, a man's reasons for not wanting to participate in a war must not be based on politics, expediency, or self-interest." By the military's own guidelines, Odell Junior's statements are not only insulting but ignorant. "May be religious in nature, but don't have to be." Rogowskyj was deployed as a result of Odell Junior's failure to grasp the policies the military has set in place. There ought to be disciplinary actions for Odell (busted back down to a New Orleans post?). More likely, everyone will play stupid (well the tone is set from the Oval Office).
Edward Colimore (Philadelphia Inquirer) reports that Rogowskyj declares in the court papers: "I see now that I must separate from the military with all due haste, or suffer without the forgiveness of grace, for defying the truth that I see plainly before me, that violence as a means or end cannot be tolerated."
To repeat for the slow witted Odell Junior, who not only fails to grasp the freedom of religion clause in the Constitution but also fails to grasp official military policy, Rogowkyj need not belong to any church or faith, need not subscribe to Odell Junior's notions of 'old time religion,' in order to be granted c.o. status.Rogowskyj signed up for the reserves in 2002 thinking he would be helping stateside during national emergencies.
Recommended: "Iraq Snapshot"
"And the war drags on"
"Ruth's Report"
"Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts 'A Bully Thanksgiving'"
"NYT: 3,709 Iraqis died in October (Sabrina Tavernise)"
"NYT: Attempting to calm things in print"
"Guns and Butter (Ruth)"
"Thanksgiving"
"Robert Parry, Iraq, Judith Regan"
"thanksgiving"
"JUDITH REGAN: BORN TRASH, DIE TRASH AND STINKING UP THE WORLD IN BETWEEN"
"Trashmouth Judith Regan"
Friday, November 24, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Trashmouth Judith Regan
BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIX MIX -- DC.
THIS JUST IN!
JUDITH REGAN: BORN TRASH, DIE TRASH AND STINKING UP THE WORLD IN BETWEEN!
WHILE JUDITH REGAN AND RUPERT MURDOCH WERE PUSHING THEIR TRASH-FEST THE OFFICIAL LINE WAS ANY MONEY O.J. SIMPSON MADE WOULD GO TO HIS CHILDREN.FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, "Publisher Calls Book a Confession by O. J. Simpson" BY EDWARD WYATT, NOVEMBER 17, 2006:
Ms. Regan also said she was told that the advance and royalties for the book, which was written with an uncredited ghostwriter, would go to Mr. Simpson's children and not to him. Mr. Simpson owes $33.5 million plus accumulated interest to the victims' families after being judged responsible for the deaths in civil court.
THE BOOK WAS IF I DID IT AND WAS PROMOTED AS A CONFESSION BY O.J. SIMPSON. JUDITH REGAN AND RUPERT MURDOCH WERE TO PUBLISH IT. JUDITH REGAN WAS TO GET 2 HOURS OF PRIMETIME ON FOX NEXT WEEK WHERE HER INTERVIEW WITH O.J. SIMPSON WOULD AIR.NOW THAT THE PUBLIC HAS SCREAMED FOUL AND THE BOOK AND SPECIALS CANCELLED, THE TRUTH COMES OUT.
DESPITE THE CLAIMS OF TRASH MOUTH REGAN, O.J. SIMPSON HAS BRAGGED TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT THE BOOK WAS NOT HIS CONFESSION TO KILLING HIS EX-WIFE NICOLE SIMPSON AND RON GOLDMAN, THAT IT WAS "BLOOD MONEY" AND THAT THE UNDISCLOSED SUM (RUMORED TO BE $3.5 MILLION TO O.J. SIMPSON) HE WAS PAID: "I SPEND THE MONEY ON MY BILLS. IT'S GONE."
"I SPEND THE MONEY ON MY BILLS. IT'S GONE."
TRASH MOUTH REGAN GAVE "BLOOD MONEY" TO O.J. SIMPSON. RUMORED TO BE MILLIONS. AND HE SPENT IT ON BILLS.
DESPITE TRASH MOUTH'S LIE THAT HE WASN'T PROFITTING FROM IT, SIMPSON SAYS, "I SPEND THE MONEY ON MY BILLS. IT'S GONE."
AS TO WHY SHE WAS GIVING SOMEONE MOST CONSIDER TO BE A KILLER A PUBLIC FORUM AND BUTTLOADS OF CASH (FOR HIS CHILDREN, SHE CLAIMED)? FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, "Simpson Publisher Explains" BY JULIE BOSMAN:
To explain why she is publishing O.J. Simpson's book, Judith Regan, the publisher of ReganBooks, released a 2,200-word statement on Thursday in which she claimed to have been the victim of abuse at the hands of an unnamed former boyfriend.
THE FORMER BOYFRIEND DENIES THOSE CLAIMS BUT, IF TRUE, WOULD JUDITH REGAN WANT SOMEONE TO GIVE HIM MILLIONS TO RECOUNT WHAT SHE ALLEGES TOOK PLACE?
NEXT UP FOR JUDITH REGAN?
REPORTEDLY CHARLES MANSON IS WILLING TO WRITE A HYPOTHETICAL BOOK ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE TATE-LABIANCA MURDERS.JUDITH REGAN, BORN TRASH, DIE TRASH AND STINKING UP THE WORLD IN BETWEEN.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
Starting with news of war resisters within the US military. Yesterday, Ehren Watada held a press conference, early in the morning. Possibly too early for the independent print publications or possibly it didn't make the New York Times so they had no heads up? Whatever the reason, Alex Massie (UK's Telgraph) did cover it and notes that Watada, the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse to deploy to Iraq, intends to "fight with with everything I have for my freedom and that of all Americans. I will face imprisonment to stand up for my beliefs" which means "subpoena withnesses - including 'decision-makers' - whose testimony will . . . demonstrate the war's illegality."
Turning to news of another US war resister, Agustin Aguayo, who had a day in court yesterday, even if he wasn't present for it. Leo Shane III (Stars and Stripes) reports that while Aguayo is held in "military confinement in Mannheim, Germany," his attorney, Peter Goldberger, told the judges of the US Court of Appeals in D.C. that Aguayo was wrongly denied c.o. status and not supplied a sound reason for the denials: "Enough is enough. This decision by the Army has been baseless and cruel. They've had two previous chances to recognize his status, and they've failed to give a reason for denying it twice."
Turning to news of war resister Darrell Anderson who self-checked out of the military in January 2005 and turned himself in at Fort Knox on October 3, 2006. By the end of the week, he was released from military custody and it was announced he would not be charged. He continues to speak out and will be taking part in events next month.
From Courage to Resist:
Military resisters, their families, veterans and concerned community members call for public action Dec. 8-10th!
It's time for us to escalate public pressure and action in support of the growing movement of thousands of courageous men and women GI's who have in many different ways followed the their conscience, upholding international law, taking a principled stand against unjust, illegal war and occupation and stood up for their rights. Widespread public support and pressure will help create true support for courageous troops facing isolation and repression, and help protect their civil liberties and human rights. We call for the following:1) Support for War Objectors 2) Protect the Right to Conscientious Objection 3) Protect the Liberties & Human Rights of GI's 4) Sanctuary for War Objectors. We urge you to join us December 8-10th for a weekend of action in supportof GI Resistance and GI Rights!
As part of those events, Darrell Anderson will be at the College of Marin on Friday, December 8th to speak at a screening of The Ground Truth. Also speaking will be Anita Anderson (or Anita Dennis to use her married name), Darrell's mother. This is one of a number of events Courage to Resist and other organizations will be staging.
And we can't note Anderson without noting Kyle Snyder who shared the same attorney and was supposed to share the same agreement. Synder self-checked out and moved to Canada after serving in Iraq. He returned to the United States last month and, on October 31st, turning himself in at Fort Knox only to self-check out again after discovering the military had lied yet again. As Courage to Resist notes, "At the risk of arrest, he is speaking out bravely on behalf of war resisters and active duty GI's." They are asking that you: "Call Ft. Leonard Wood Fort Leonard Wood Office of the Commanding General Major General William McCoy, Jr., 573-596-0131 and the Public Affairs Office, 573-563-4013 email: alleym@wood.army.mil -- Demand that the Army 'Discharge Kyle Snyder with No Punishment'."
Recommended: "Iraq Snapshot"
"NYT: 'Bomb Blasts Speaker's Car in Green Zone' (Edward Wong)"
"Other Items"
"Judith Regan, Media Matters, Iraq"
"Music, Iraq "
"passports, robert altman, iraq"
"Return of the Posturing Talk Express"
"THIS JUST IN! JOHN MCCAIN: BRAIN DEAD STILL AND MORALLY CORRUPT"
THIS JUST IN!
JUDITH REGAN: BORN TRASH, DIE TRASH AND STINKING UP THE WORLD IN BETWEEN!
WHILE JUDITH REGAN AND RUPERT MURDOCH WERE PUSHING THEIR TRASH-FEST THE OFFICIAL LINE WAS ANY MONEY O.J. SIMPSON MADE WOULD GO TO HIS CHILDREN.FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, "Publisher Calls Book a Confession by O. J. Simpson" BY EDWARD WYATT, NOVEMBER 17, 2006:Ms. Regan also said she was told that the advance and royalties for the book, which was written with an uncredited ghostwriter, would go to Mr. Simpson's children and not to him. Mr. Simpson owes $33.5 million plus accumulated interest to the victims' families after being judged responsible for the deaths in civil court.
THE BOOK WAS IF I DID IT AND WAS PROMOTED AS A CONFESSION BY O.J. SIMPSON. JUDITH REGAN AND RUPERT MURDOCH WERE TO PUBLISH IT. JUDITH REGAN WAS TO GET 2 HOURS OF PRIMETIME ON FOX NEXT WEEK WHERE HER INTERVIEW WITH O.J. SIMPSON WOULD AIR.NOW THAT THE PUBLIC HAS SCREAMED FOUL AND THE BOOK AND SPECIALS CANCELLED, THE TRUTH COMES OUT.
DESPITE THE CLAIMS OF TRASH MOUTH REGAN, O.J. SIMPSON HAS BRAGGED TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT THE BOOK WAS NOT HIS CONFESSION TO KILLING HIS EX-WIFE NICOLE SIMPSON AND RON GOLDMAN, THAT IT WAS "BLOOD MONEY" AND THAT THE UNDISCLOSED SUM (RUMORED TO BE $3.5 MILLION TO O.J. SIMPSON) HE WAS PAID: "I SPEND THE MONEY ON MY BILLS. IT'S GONE."
"I SPEND THE MONEY ON MY BILLS. IT'S GONE."
TRASH MOUTH REGAN GAVE "BLOOD MONEY" TO O.J. SIMPSON. RUMORED TO BE MILLIONS. AND HE SPENT IT ON BILLS.
DESPITE TRASH MOUTH'S LIE THAT HE WASN'T PROFITTING FROM IT, SIMPSON SAYS, "I SPEND THE MONEY ON MY BILLS. IT'S GONE."
AS TO WHY SHE WAS GIVING SOMEONE MOST CONSIDER TO BE A KILLER A PUBLIC FORUM AND BUTTLOADS OF CASH (FOR HIS CHILDREN, SHE CLAIMED)? FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, "Simpson Publisher Explains" BY JULIE BOSMAN:
To explain why she is publishing O.J. Simpson's book, Judith Regan, the publisher of ReganBooks, released a 2,200-word statement on Thursday in which she claimed to have been the victim of abuse at the hands of an unnamed former boyfriend.
THE FORMER BOYFRIEND DENIES THOSE CLAIMS BUT, IF TRUE, WOULD JUDITH REGAN WANT SOMEONE TO GIVE HIM MILLIONS TO RECOUNT WHAT SHE ALLEGES TOOK PLACE?
NEXT UP FOR JUDITH REGAN?
REPORTEDLY CHARLES MANSON IS WILLING TO WRITE A HYPOTHETICAL BOOK ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE TATE-LABIANCA MURDERS.JUDITH REGAN, BORN TRASH, DIE TRASH AND STINKING UP THE WORLD IN BETWEEN.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
Starting with news of war resisters within the US military. Yesterday, Ehren Watada held a press conference, early in the morning. Possibly too early for the independent print publications or possibly it didn't make the New York Times so they had no heads up? Whatever the reason, Alex Massie (UK's Telgraph) did cover it and notes that Watada, the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse to deploy to Iraq, intends to "fight with with everything I have for my freedom and that of all Americans. I will face imprisonment to stand up for my beliefs" which means "subpoena withnesses - including 'decision-makers' - whose testimony will . . . demonstrate the war's illegality."
Turning to news of another US war resister, Agustin Aguayo, who had a day in court yesterday, even if he wasn't present for it. Leo Shane III (Stars and Stripes) reports that while Aguayo is held in "military confinement in Mannheim, Germany," his attorney, Peter Goldberger, told the judges of the US Court of Appeals in D.C. that Aguayo was wrongly denied c.o. status and not supplied a sound reason for the denials: "Enough is enough. This decision by the Army has been baseless and cruel. They've had two previous chances to recognize his status, and they've failed to give a reason for denying it twice."
Turning to news of war resister Darrell Anderson who self-checked out of the military in January 2005 and turned himself in at Fort Knox on October 3, 2006. By the end of the week, he was released from military custody and it was announced he would not be charged. He continues to speak out and will be taking part in events next month.
From Courage to Resist:
Military resisters, their families, veterans and concerned community members call for public action Dec. 8-10th!
It's time for us to escalate public pressure and action in support of the growing movement of thousands of courageous men and women GI's who have in many different ways followed the their conscience, upholding international law, taking a principled stand against unjust, illegal war and occupation and stood up for their rights. Widespread public support and pressure will help create true support for courageous troops facing isolation and repression, and help protect their civil liberties and human rights. We call for the following:1) Support for War Objectors 2) Protect the Right to Conscientious Objection 3) Protect the Liberties & Human Rights of GI's 4) Sanctuary for War Objectors. We urge you to join us December 8-10th for a weekend of action in supportof GI Resistance and GI Rights!
As part of those events, Darrell Anderson will be at the College of Marin on Friday, December 8th to speak at a screening of The Ground Truth. Also speaking will be Anita Anderson (or Anita Dennis to use her married name), Darrell's mother. This is one of a number of events Courage to Resist and other organizations will be staging.
And we can't note Anderson without noting Kyle Snyder who shared the same attorney and was supposed to share the same agreement. Synder self-checked out and moved to Canada after serving in Iraq. He returned to the United States last month and, on October 31st, turning himself in at Fort Knox only to self-check out again after discovering the military had lied yet again. As Courage to Resist notes, "At the risk of arrest, he is speaking out bravely on behalf of war resisters and active duty GI's." They are asking that you: "Call Ft. Leonard Wood Fort Leonard Wood Office of the Commanding General Major General William McCoy, Jr., 573-596-0131 and the Public Affairs Office, 573-563-4013 email: alleym@wood.army.mil -- Demand that the Army 'Discharge Kyle Snyder with No Punishment'."
Recommended: "Iraq Snapshot"
"NYT: 'Bomb Blasts Speaker's Car in Green Zone' (Edward Wong)"
"Other Items"
"Judith Regan, Media Matters, Iraq"
"Music, Iraq "
"passports, robert altman, iraq"
"Return of the Posturing Talk Express"
"THIS JUST IN! JOHN MCCAIN: BRAIN DEAD STILL AND MORALLY CORRUPT"
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Return of the Posturing Talk Express
BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIX MIX -- DC.
THIS JUST IN!
JOHN MCCAIN: BRAIN DEAD STILL AND MORALLY CORRUPT!
JOHN MCCAIN FAVORS "GO DEEP" AND SADLY THIS ISN'T THE OPENING SENTENCE TO THE LATEST REPUBLICAN SEX SCANDAL.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN WANTS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF U.S. TROOPS IN IRAQ TO 'WIN.'
DESPITE THE FACT THAT GENERAL JOHN ABIZAID TOLD HIM LAST WEEK, IN CONGRESS, THAT THE U.S. DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TROOPS TO DO THAT.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VOTERS DON'T WANT THAT. DESPIRE THE FACT THAT THERE MAY NOT BE CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR IT.
SO JOHN MCCAIN IS MORALLY CORRUPT ENOUGH TO WASTE EVERYONE'S TIME ON SOMETHING THE MILITARY, THE VOTERS AND CONGRESS DO NOT BELIEVE IS POSSIBLE.
INSTEAD OF WORKING ON A REAL SOLUTION, JOHN MCCAIN WANTS TO WASTE TIME ON A NON-STARTER WHILE PEOPLE ARE DYING IN IRAQ.
THE POSTURING TALK EXPRESS IS BACK IN BUSINESS.
IT NEVER LEFT.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
Starting with Agustin Aguayo. On September 2nd, Aguayo self-checked out of the US military after his repeated attempts to obtain conscientious objector status failed (2004), after his attempts to address the matter in the US federal courts failed (August 24, 2006) and while he was about to be sent back to Iraq. While serving in Iraq, as a medic, previously, Aguayo was confronted with the realities and decided that, due to moral and religious reasons, he could not serve in the illegal war. Helga Aguayo, Agustin's wife, explained to Mimi Mohammed (Los Angelest Times): "My husband has never broken a law and I am proud of him. He doesn't want to support the war -- he cannot do so conscientisouly. He is a conscientious objector, but the Army forced him to become a resister." On September 26th, less than thirty days after self-checking out, Aguayo turned himself at Fort Irwin. Though Fort Irwin is in California, Aguayo's wife and two daughters were not allowed to see him and the military quickly sent him back overseas to Germany.
On yesterday's The KPFA Evening News, Aaron Glantz reported on Aguayo's case which landed in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. -- the first "for a federal court since 1971." Glantz spoke with Vietnam war resister and author David Cortright (Soldiers in Revolt: The American Military Today) and Cortright noted the similarities between then and now: the "transferring . . . to other bases" and the fact that such transfers put them in contact with "other soldiers who were opposed".
Kevin Dougherty (Stars and Stripes) reported that the court schedule for today would "considst of just oral arguments. Each side has been alotted 15 minutes to articulate their case." Today, Glantz reports (at OneWorld) on the above and notes Aguayo's beliefs: "By doing guard duty, appearing to be armed, even without bullets, I gave the false impression that I would kill if need be. I am not willing to live a lie to satisfy any deployment operation. By helping countless soldiers for 'sick-call' as well as driving soldiers around on patrols I helped them get physcially better and be able to go out and do the very thing I am against -- kill. This is something my conscience will not allow me to do."
Matt Apuzzo (AP) reports: "Judge A. Raymond Randolph, one of the three judges on the case, said he'd been reading up on the Vietnam appeals and asked how the case differs from those filed decades ago by people who realized their opposition to war only after receiving a draft card. Attorney Peter Goldberger said the Aguayo's beliefs evolved over time and 'crystalized' to the point that he could no longer take a life." Joel Seidman (NBC News) notes that "Aguayo has unsuccessfully fought the Pentagon for more than two years to be declared a conscientious objector and win a discharge."
In his court statement, Agustin notes: "And even if I truly had non-combatant status, I have been to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom II, and I know what to expect. I know what will be expected of me. And because of this first-hand knowledge, I simply cannot take part in this deployment. Some people might think that a fear of death is the number one reason for refusing to deploy. But that is not correct. I have to be true to myself and do what is right. Even though I deployed as a non-combatant in 2004-05 I still carry guilt from my participation . . . When you know better you do better. Therefore, this time I will not deploy. My conscientious objection applies to all forms and aspects of war. . . I have come to believe and understand that the purpose of our existence on earth is to value, cherish and conserve the miracle that is human life. To do so one must show each and every day through actions that nothing is of greater importance than the conservation of life. . . . I have made my choice for peace, for humanity, and for a better tomorrow. Even though I understand that one of the consequences of refusing to deploy may possibly be a trial by court-martial and even my imprisonment, I cannot and will not deploy."
Recommended: "Iraq Snapshot"
"And the war drags on"
"Ruth's Report"
"Ehren Watada and Agustin Aguayo"
"Other Items"
"Law and Disorder, Abeer, Third Estate Sunday Revie..."
"Abeer, Iraq"
"abeer"
"Abeer (Betty filling in for Kat)"
"Sit down, McCain"
"THIS JUST IN! JOHN MCCAIN OFFICIALLY NUTS!"
THIS JUST IN!
JOHN MCCAIN: BRAIN DEAD STILL AND MORALLY CORRUPT!
JOHN MCCAIN FAVORS "GO DEEP" AND SADLY THIS ISN'T THE OPENING SENTENCE TO THE LATEST REPUBLICAN SEX SCANDAL.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN WANTS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF U.S. TROOPS IN IRAQ TO 'WIN.'
DESPITE THE FACT THAT GENERAL JOHN ABIZAID TOLD HIM LAST WEEK, IN CONGRESS, THAT THE U.S. DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TROOPS TO DO THAT.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VOTERS DON'T WANT THAT. DESPIRE THE FACT THAT THERE MAY NOT BE CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR IT.
SO JOHN MCCAIN IS MORALLY CORRUPT ENOUGH TO WASTE EVERYONE'S TIME ON SOMETHING THE MILITARY, THE VOTERS AND CONGRESS DO NOT BELIEVE IS POSSIBLE.
INSTEAD OF WORKING ON A REAL SOLUTION, JOHN MCCAIN WANTS TO WASTE TIME ON A NON-STARTER WHILE PEOPLE ARE DYING IN IRAQ.
THE POSTURING TALK EXPRESS IS BACK IN BUSINESS.
IT NEVER LEFT.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
Starting with Agustin Aguayo. On September 2nd, Aguayo self-checked out of the US military after his repeated attempts to obtain conscientious objector status failed (2004), after his attempts to address the matter in the US federal courts failed (August 24, 2006) and while he was about to be sent back to Iraq. While serving in Iraq, as a medic, previously, Aguayo was confronted with the realities and decided that, due to moral and religious reasons, he could not serve in the illegal war. Helga Aguayo, Agustin's wife, explained to Mimi Mohammed (Los Angelest Times): "My husband has never broken a law and I am proud of him. He doesn't want to support the war -- he cannot do so conscientisouly. He is a conscientious objector, but the Army forced him to become a resister." On September 26th, less than thirty days after self-checking out, Aguayo turned himself at Fort Irwin. Though Fort Irwin is in California, Aguayo's wife and two daughters were not allowed to see him and the military quickly sent him back overseas to Germany.
On yesterday's The KPFA Evening News, Aaron Glantz reported on Aguayo's case which landed in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. -- the first "for a federal court since 1971." Glantz spoke with Vietnam war resister and author David Cortright (Soldiers in Revolt: The American Military Today) and Cortright noted the similarities between then and now: the "transferring . . . to other bases" and the fact that such transfers put them in contact with "other soldiers who were opposed".
Kevin Dougherty (Stars and Stripes) reported that the court schedule for today would "considst of just oral arguments. Each side has been alotted 15 minutes to articulate their case." Today, Glantz reports (at OneWorld) on the above and notes Aguayo's beliefs: "By doing guard duty, appearing to be armed, even without bullets, I gave the false impression that I would kill if need be. I am not willing to live a lie to satisfy any deployment operation. By helping countless soldiers for 'sick-call' as well as driving soldiers around on patrols I helped them get physcially better and be able to go out and do the very thing I am against -- kill. This is something my conscience will not allow me to do."
Matt Apuzzo (AP) reports: "Judge A. Raymond Randolph, one of the three judges on the case, said he'd been reading up on the Vietnam appeals and asked how the case differs from those filed decades ago by people who realized their opposition to war only after receiving a draft card. Attorney Peter Goldberger said the Aguayo's beliefs evolved over time and 'crystalized' to the point that he could no longer take a life." Joel Seidman (NBC News) notes that "Aguayo has unsuccessfully fought the Pentagon for more than two years to be declared a conscientious objector and win a discharge."
In his court statement, Agustin notes: "And even if I truly had non-combatant status, I have been to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom II, and I know what to expect. I know what will be expected of me. And because of this first-hand knowledge, I simply cannot take part in this deployment. Some people might think that a fear of death is the number one reason for refusing to deploy. But that is not correct. I have to be true to myself and do what is right. Even though I deployed as a non-combatant in 2004-05 I still carry guilt from my participation . . . When you know better you do better. Therefore, this time I will not deploy. My conscientious objection applies to all forms and aspects of war. . . I have come to believe and understand that the purpose of our existence on earth is to value, cherish and conserve the miracle that is human life. To do so one must show each and every day through actions that nothing is of greater importance than the conservation of life. . . . I have made my choice for peace, for humanity, and for a better tomorrow. Even though I understand that one of the consequences of refusing to deploy may possibly be a trial by court-martial and even my imprisonment, I cannot and will not deploy."
Recommended: "Iraq Snapshot"
"And the war drags on"
"Ruth's Report"
"Ehren Watada and Agustin Aguayo"
"Other Items"
"Law and Disorder, Abeer, Third Estate Sunday Revie..."
"Abeer, Iraq"
"abeer"
"Abeer (Betty filling in for Kat)"
"Sit down, McCain"
"THIS JUST IN! JOHN MCCAIN OFFICIALLY NUTS!"
Monday, November 20, 2006
Sit down, McCain
BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIX MIX -- HANOI, VIETNAM.
JOHN MCCAIN, REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM ARIZONA, FAILED CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN 2000, WANTS MORE AMERICAN TROOPS IN IRAQ. NOW.
SO YOU'D BE FORGIVEN IF WONDERING THE 70-YEAR-OLD'S MENTAL CAPACITIES WERE FAILING.
WHILE ADVOCATING FOR MORE US TROOPS, MCCAIN ALSO SEES IT AS A NEVER ENDING WAR IN IRAQ NOTING "IT'S NOT THE END WHEN AMERICAN TROOPS LEAVE. THE BATTLEGROUND SHIFTS, AND WE'LL BE FIGHTING THEM AGAIN."
AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND APPARANTLY AGAIN, AND AGAIN . . . ACCORDING TO MCCAIN.
HE'S CAUGHT IN A WAR LOOP!
IN 2008, JOHN MCCAIN WILL BE 72. IT MAY BE TIME FOR THE OLD WAR HAWK TO STEP ASIDE AND HAVE HIMSELF A SEAT.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
Starting with US war resister Ehren Watada. In June, Lt. Watada went public with his decision to refuse to deploy to Iraq thereby becoming the first commissioned officer to publicly say no to the illegal war. In August, an Article 32 hearing was held. The US military announced August 24th that the recommandation by the hearing's presiding officer, Lt. Colonel Mark Keith, was to court-martial Watada. Thursday, November 9th, as noted on that day's broadcast of The KPFA Evening News, the Army announced it would court-martial Watada. As Gregg Kakesako (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reported then, no date had been set but Eric Seitz, the civilian attorney representing Watada, expected the court-martial would be held in 2007. Today, Robert Shikina (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reports "that Watada's pretrial hering is set for Jan. 4, with the court-martial beginning Feb. 5."
Sunday, the Japanese American Citizens League, Honolulu Chapter, held an symposium
at the University of Hawaii on Watada's decision to refuse to fight in an illegal war. Bob Watada, father of Ehrne, Jon Van Dyke (of the University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law) and attorney Eric Seitz. Robert Shikina reports that letter from Carolyn Ho, Ehren's mother, was read to those attending: "For some elected officials to claim that this is beyond their purview and Lt. Watada is courageous but should take the consequences for his decision is an outright evasion of responsibility and lack of moral courage." On the same event, Derrick DePledge (Honolulu Advertiser) reports: "Van Dyke and Seitz say the war is illegal under United Nations charter and that Watada was right not to deploy on moral grounds. The U.S., in its justification for war, alleged that Iraq had failed to comply with U. N. disarmament resolutions. The U.S. and its allies discussed a new resolution on the war with the other nations on the U.N. Security Council, but when diplomacy stalled, determined that a new resolution was not required before the 2003 invasion. 'This war cannot be justified -- logically or factually or legally,' Seitz said." Shikina notes 83-year-old John Masunaga's impressions: "'Ehren's standing up for something we all should have stood up for,' he said, noting the internment of Japanese Americans. 'The Time World War II started, we were trying to prove ourselves good loyal citizens. Sometimes you have to speak up and try to right some of the wrongs."
At the gathering, Seitz spoke of the efforts to silence Watada. Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9 a.m., Ehren Watada will be participating in a "Tele-news Call" along with Seitz and Bob Watada. More information can be found here. As The Honolulu Advertiser notes, Ehren Watada could be sentenced to up to six years if convicted in the court martial -- six years in a military prison.
Watada is part of a growing resistance to the war within the military. Along with Watada, others standing up publicly include Joshua Key, Kyle Snyder, Ivan Brobeck, Darrell Anderson, Ricky Clousing, Mark Wilkerson, Camilo Meija, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Jeremy Hinzman, Corey Glass, Patrick Hart, Joshua Casteel, Clifford Cornell, Agustin Aguayo, Joshua Despain, Katherine Jashinski, and Kevin Benderman. And those are only some of the names of those resisting who have gone public. In addition, over thirty US war resisters are currently in Canada attempting to be legally recognized. It is a movement regardless of how it is covered (or, more often, not covered) and regardless of what the likes of Mommy's Pantyhose may think.
Information on war resistance within the military can be found at Center on Conscience & War, The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline, Soldier Say No! and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. Appeal for Redress is collecting signatures of active duty service members calling on Congress to bring the troops home -- the petition will be delivered to Congress in January (on MLK day). One of those organizing Appeal to Redress, Jonathan Hutto, was interviewed by John Catalinotto (Workers World) and explained, noting the MLK memorial, "I am moved by this, by King taking a place where there are memorials to Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson. Theirs were dedicated to presidents. King's is dedicated to justice and peace. That's the vein in which we want to present this appeal."
Recommended: "Iraq snapshot"
"Ehren Watada's court-martial set for February 5th (Robert Shikina)"
"Other Items"
"Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts 'Requiem for a War Hawk'"
"Through the Times Quickly"
"NYT: 'Allies Wage Raid In Iraq, Seeking Abducted Guards' (Edward Wong)"
"Panic in the Kitchen?"
"Ty, Jess and Ava filling in for Elaine"
"A talking post by Jim (Third Estate Sunday Review)..."
"abeer, iraq, michael ratner"
"Editorial: Signs of activism life on campuses"
"TV: Day Break"
"Justice for Abeer and her family?"
"Music retrospective: Stevie Nicks"
"Mommy's Pantyhose wants to be a tough boy"
"Judith Regan: Trash merchant (still!)"
"Happy Birthday"
"Playlist this edition"
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JOHN MCCAIN, REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM ARIZONA, FAILED CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN 2000, WANTS MORE AMERICAN TROOPS IN IRAQ. NOW.
SO YOU'D BE FORGIVEN IF WONDERING THE 70-YEAR-OLD'S MENTAL CAPACITIES WERE FAILING.
WHILE ADVOCATING FOR MORE US TROOPS, MCCAIN ALSO SEES IT AS A NEVER ENDING WAR IN IRAQ NOTING "IT'S NOT THE END WHEN AMERICAN TROOPS LEAVE. THE BATTLEGROUND SHIFTS, AND WE'LL BE FIGHTING THEM AGAIN."
AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND APPARANTLY AGAIN, AND AGAIN . . . ACCORDING TO MCCAIN.
HE'S CAUGHT IN A WAR LOOP!
IN 2008, JOHN MCCAIN WILL BE 72. IT MAY BE TIME FOR THE OLD WAR HAWK TO STEP ASIDE AND HAVE HIMSELF A SEAT.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
Starting with US war resister Ehren Watada. In June, Lt. Watada went public with his decision to refuse to deploy to Iraq thereby becoming the first commissioned officer to publicly say no to the illegal war. In August, an Article 32 hearing was held. The US military announced August 24th that the recommandation by the hearing's presiding officer, Lt. Colonel Mark Keith, was to court-martial Watada. Thursday, November 9th, as noted on that day's broadcast of The KPFA Evening News, the Army announced it would court-martial Watada. As Gregg Kakesako (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reported then, no date had been set but Eric Seitz, the civilian attorney representing Watada, expected the court-martial would be held in 2007. Today, Robert Shikina (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reports "that Watada's pretrial hering is set for Jan. 4, with the court-martial beginning Feb. 5."
Sunday, the Japanese American Citizens League, Honolulu Chapter, held an symposium
at the University of Hawaii on Watada's decision to refuse to fight in an illegal war. Bob Watada, father of Ehrne, Jon Van Dyke (of the University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law) and attorney Eric Seitz. Robert Shikina reports that letter from Carolyn Ho, Ehren's mother, was read to those attending: "For some elected officials to claim that this is beyond their purview and Lt. Watada is courageous but should take the consequences for his decision is an outright evasion of responsibility and lack of moral courage." On the same event, Derrick DePledge (Honolulu Advertiser) reports: "Van Dyke and Seitz say the war is illegal under United Nations charter and that Watada was right not to deploy on moral grounds. The U.S., in its justification for war, alleged that Iraq had failed to comply with U. N. disarmament resolutions. The U.S. and its allies discussed a new resolution on the war with the other nations on the U.N. Security Council, but when diplomacy stalled, determined that a new resolution was not required before the 2003 invasion. 'This war cannot be justified -- logically or factually or legally,' Seitz said." Shikina notes 83-year-old John Masunaga's impressions: "'Ehren's standing up for something we all should have stood up for,' he said, noting the internment of Japanese Americans. 'The Time World War II started, we were trying to prove ourselves good loyal citizens. Sometimes you have to speak up and try to right some of the wrongs."
At the gathering, Seitz spoke of the efforts to silence Watada. Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9 a.m., Ehren Watada will be participating in a "Tele-news Call" along with Seitz and Bob Watada. More information can be found here. As The Honolulu Advertiser notes, Ehren Watada could be sentenced to up to six years if convicted in the court martial -- six years in a military prison.
Watada is part of a growing resistance to the war within the military. Along with Watada, others standing up publicly include Joshua Key, Kyle Snyder, Ivan Brobeck, Darrell Anderson, Ricky Clousing, Mark Wilkerson, Camilo Meija, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Jeremy Hinzman, Corey Glass, Patrick Hart, Joshua Casteel, Clifford Cornell, Agustin Aguayo, Joshua Despain, Katherine Jashinski, and Kevin Benderman. And those are only some of the names of those resisting who have gone public. In addition, over thirty US war resisters are currently in Canada attempting to be legally recognized. It is a movement regardless of how it is covered (or, more often, not covered) and regardless of what the likes of Mommy's Pantyhose may think.
Information on war resistance within the military can be found at Center on Conscience & War, The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline, Soldier Say No! and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. Appeal for Redress is collecting signatures of active duty service members calling on Congress to bring the troops home -- the petition will be delivered to Congress in January (on MLK day). One of those organizing Appeal to Redress, Jonathan Hutto, was interviewed by John Catalinotto (Workers World) and explained, noting the MLK memorial, "I am moved by this, by King taking a place where there are memorials to Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson. Theirs were dedicated to presidents. King's is dedicated to justice and peace. That's the vein in which we want to present this appeal."
Recommended: "Iraq snapshot"
"Ehren Watada's court-martial set for February 5th (Robert Shikina)"
"Other Items"
"Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts 'Requiem for a War Hawk'"
"Through the Times Quickly"
"NYT: 'Allies Wage Raid In Iraq, Seeking Abducted Guards' (Edward Wong)"
"Panic in the Kitchen?"
"Ty, Jess and Ava filling in for Elaine"
"A talking post by Jim (Third Estate Sunday Review)..."
"abeer, iraq, michael ratner"
"Editorial: Signs of activism life on campuses"
"TV: Day Break"
"Justice for Abeer and her family?"
"Music retrospective: Stevie Nicks"
"Mommy's Pantyhose wants to be a tough boy"
"Judith Regan: Trash merchant (still!)"
"Happy Birthday"
"Playlist this edition"
"Highlights"
"Where's the content!"
"Bully Boy -- the portable idiot (humor)"
"THIS JUST IN! BULLY BOY -- AN IDIOT IN ANY CULTURE OR CLIMATE!"
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