The 'left' goes right (and it's not pretty)

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   TONIGHT THE G.O.P.'S CONVENTION WAS ABOUT SEVERAL THINGS INCLUDING INTRODUCING SARAH PALIN TO AMERICA.   IN ISN'T IT INTERESTING NEWS, THE LEFT SPENT THE WEEKEND TOSSING GUTTER RUMORS AT A PROFESSIONAL WOMAN.  APPARENTLY THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES WERE NOT AN ABERRATION BUT A SIGN OF NEW DIRECTION FOR THE DEMOCRATS.   [VOTE NADER!]   FROM THE TCI WIRE:     Barbara Starr (CNN) reports US Secretary of Defense "Robert Gates is expected to present proposals to cut U.S. troop levels in Iraq to President Bush, along with proposals for beefing up American forces in Afghanistan".  Barring some huge change of direction at this week's Republican Party convention, the two major parties will both be offering the American people cuts and calling them "withdrawal."  Turning to the US presidential race, not content to disgrace themselves on the front page of the New York Times today, the press decided to do so at the White House.  "One last question for you," a reporter who will remain nameless asks, "because this is another on that you hear a lot --  this issue is raising a lot of questions and sort of prompting a lot of debate about -- the idea of Sarah Palin, mother of five, soon to be grandmother of one, coming to Washington potentially as a vice president, in the most demanding job one could imagine. Any issues raised there about the whole motherhood-work divide?"  Pay attention to Dana Perino (White House flack) responding because even WMC blows it (and Feminist Wire Daily still doesn't appear to have noticed a woman had been named as a running mate), " You know, I don't think that those questions would be asked if it was Todd Palin that was the nominee. And I think that Sarah Palin has proven that you can choose as a woman to be a mother and be a strong executive, and to have a wonderful, loving family. And that's what she's chosen to do. And I think that's why the party has rallied around her so fully."  Exactly right.  Dana Perino got something 100% right today -- a rare thing for her.  But not only was it rare for her, it's too much for many 'lefties.'  The question WOULD NOT and HAS NOT been asked of a man.  But Palin, John McCain's running mate pick if he gets the GOP nomination, is being 'probed' in what should damn well remind many of the crap Kimba Woods and others had to put up with over 15 years ago.  It wasn't right then, it's not now.  The paper of little record tries to hide behind "Mommy Wars" to 'cover' the non-story.  Susan (Random Thoughts) gets right to the point, noting no one gives a damn about Barak's two children while he's on a ticket but Palin is supposed to be uanble to have kids and run for VP: "The article reeks of sexism. The message is clear: If you're a woman and you've just had kids, don't bother running for high political office."  Joseph (Cannonfire) notes the garbage that's been thrown at Palin already (false rumors) and where it's coming from: The Daily Toilet Scrubber and Andrew Bareback Mountain Sullivan.  Somehow Bob Somerby, covering similar terrain, can only hiss at Andy Sullivan -- well Somerby's always been scared of his own shadow.  As for a non-rumor regarding Palin's family that is also non-news, my opinion is here and Anglachel offers her own here.  It's a real shame that Stephanie Miller (who wants no one digging through her closets) has chosen to demonstrate just how trashy she is on this topic and it's even sadder that Women's Media Center finds her to be a voice worth quoting in an article.  As pointed out here last night, "And 'scoring' a 'win' for Barack via smut only further adds to the perception that he has nothing to run on and no qualifications. Why else would you be tearing into a young girl?"   The RNC is currently holding their convention and will select their presidential nominee (presumably John McCain).  Amy Goodman's already found attention getting stunts to get her name in the headlines.  She could have pulled the same stunts in Denver and faced the same police treatment.  But Denver was about her selling the Democratic Party and Minneapolis is about her tarring and feathering the RNC.  (Most years, we generally let the RNC tar and feather itself.  But it's CrackPot time these days.)  Ava and I addressed Goody's garbage Sunday but two things need to be noted Obama Groupie Patricia Wilson-Smith LIED on air and got away with it.  She said early on (sticking with the talking point) that she was for Hillary originally, as she became more heated she wanted the whole world to know about the work she's been doing: ". . . I've been working so tirelessly over the last year and a half for Senator Obama".  It's not both ways.  Wilson-Smith lied.  Get used to it.  You'll see a lot more woman trying to tell you they were Hillary supporters at the start and then went over to Barack with the implication being that you can as well!  Don't believe liars.  Do what you want, but don't believe liars.  The second thing is that, as noted, there was no convention bounce for Barack.  As Ava and I noted:   The Thursday speech was a whimper (and as we feared last week, no one taught Barack to modulate). The entire week was a Love-In. Only, unlike past love-ins, it wasn't about "us" (however, you define the noun), it was about Barack.  Try to get it if you support Barack (we don't) because you (his supporters and the media) continue to hurt his chances of winning in November. Americans want to elect a president to work for them. Americans aren't electing a Love God, a Second Coming, a Homecoming King. James Carville has famously (and rightly) called the first night as a disaster. It was a disaster. The disaster continued all week, with few exceptions.   The convention was supposed to bring America on board. What was being sold? It wasn't the Democratic Party. It wasn't a need to make the country better. It was Barack, Barack, Barack, Barack. Over and over.   Here's reality that the campaign better start accepting: Barack is not experienced.  That's a reality. America will gladly take a chance on a candidate if they believe the candidate has something to offer them. You need to accept the reality and you need to drop the testimonials. If you're serious about getting Barack into the White House (we plan to offer advice when we cover the GOP convention as well), you need to start making it about America and not about Barack.   It was a vanity parade. It was grown adults embarrassing themselves like Baby Soxers. It was never about where American can go, only that Barack could lead.   "Change to what?" was the question created during the primaries by the campaign refusing to be specific. "Lead us where?" is the question they replaced it with as a result of the convention. And, just like during the primaries, they had no answer to the question their actions raised. Four nights of non-stop infomercials told you there was a product named Barack and that you should buy it. But no one could ever tell you what Barack could or would do. Now people may buy a number of things from infomercials. They might buy a treadmill or a hair care product or anything else. But the infomerical has to tell you what it does. Repeating "It's great!" over and over doesn't sell the product.  And the convention didn't sell to America. It may have picked up a few converts. It didn't provide what Barack needed or anything he could build on. Four percent is what we're told the 'bounce' was. Four percent isn't a bounce and isn't even beyond the statistical margin of error. In other words, four four days, a non-stop infomercial ran and it didn't sell a damn thing.   RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Other Items" "Dexy, still working it for the military" "Iraq" "It's neither your news nor business" "No, the man e-mailing wasn't sincere" "Response to Lady X" "Clearing up Gutter Trash's lies" "Notes (Ava)" "Public reply so everyone sees it posted here first!" Truest statement of the week Truest statement of the Week II Truest statement of the Week III A note to our readers Editorial: Ignoring the only news out of Denver TV: The endless non-news Sexism MSNBC's Weiner Dog The overview of Gutter Trash's attack How it started and who started it A rare moment when John Edwards told the truth Highlights "The polling doth not riseth" "THIS JUST IN! CHRIST-CHILD FALTERS!"

The polling doth not riseth

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   THE CHRIST-CHILD STARRED IN A WEEK LONG INFOMERCIAL LAST WEEK.   AND ON THE THIRD DAY?  THE POLLING DOTH NOT RISETH.   4%? SO TAKING INTO THE ACCOUNT THE MARGIN OF ERROR OF PLUS OR MINUS 5%, BARACK GOT NOTHING.       FROM THE TCI WIRE:   Starting with the US presidential race.  Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader held a Super Rally in Denver Wednesday and took the stage to the tune of "This Land Is Your Land."  Below are some of his opening remarks and you can see the video here:   Ralph Nader: . . . one of the best songs of social justice ever written.  And for those of you concerned, all this [points to confetti] can be recycled. Well, where do we start?  Let's start with something dealing with Colorado.  The Democratic Party Convention selling sky-boxes.  And guess who paid big money for those sky-boxes? Coors.  One million dollars.  How about this one: Excell, one million dollars. Qwest, six million dollars.  Well, you know, if they are really a part of working people, the way they used to say they were, fifty, sixty years ago, under Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman.  They'd have hospitality suites, not for these fat cat corporate lobbyists who are tearing the heart and soul out of America, they'd have hospitality suites for workers, for farm workers, for nurses, for patients trying to get health care, for consumers being ripped off, for students who are being gouged by student loans.  They'd have all kinds of hospitality suites and maybe they ought to go and see how some people in Denver live on the other side of the tracks, to see the poverty and the desperation and the lack of affordable housing and the lack of insurance when they get sick. This party is sick.  It's decaying.  It's lost its soul.  And its leaders can't ever get up on the stage like at the Pepsi Center -- the Pepsi Center, imagine after you say "The Pepsi Center" -- I'll bet you the tax payer built that center. You never talk about the poor.  That's a no-no in Democratic Party dictionary.  You talk about the middle class, which they've helped shrink through NAFTA and WTO and all the way they've crushed opposition to corporate power.  Corporate power has crushed so much of its opposition  they've brought trade unions to their knees.  They've made it almost impossible for industrial or commercial workers to even form a trade union because of the Taft-Hartley Law and other obstructive laws that no other western country puts before it workers.  The Democrats are dialing for the same dollars, the same corporate dollars the Republicans are dialing for.  And they don't even bother covering it up.  They're being winded and dined by the corrupters, the corporate predators, the corporations who have ripped off American consumers and workers that depleted their pensions who are outsourcing your jobs when you get out of college. Who are saying to you when you get out of college, "You got a skill but try getting a good paying job, try getting affordable housing, try getting affordable health insurance, try getting anything that your forebearers were able to get."  You know what you're doing?  I'm talking to young people in the audience, you're the first generation that's ever polled and said they aren't going to be as well off as their parents. And the indicators are all coming down.  More and more, millions of Americans, not making a living wage, not even close.  Wal-Mart wages.  K-Mart wages. Millions and millions of people who have to get sick or become sicker or even die because they can't afford health insurance.  Just think of that. This is the richest country in the world and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science, just to give you a fact, says 18,000 people a year in this country die because they can't afford health insurance.  That's six 9-11s. Washington turned the country upside down after . . .  9-11.  In a lot of bad ways, as we know.  They don't turn the country upside down for 58,000 people who die every year from work-related diseases in the mines and foundries.  They don't turn the company upside down for 65,000 Americans who die from asphyxiation or cancer due to air pollution.  They don't turn the country upside down for the 100,000 people who die from medical negligence and  malpractice in hospitals. They don't turn the country upside down for any form of violence -- however preventable it is -- if it's source is corporate crime, corporate negligence, corporate greed and corporate power. You know some people ask me this around the country, "Nader, what are you doing this for?  What do you expect to achieve?"  Well look at what we've achieved tonight.  You have seen the young leaders of the future on this stage.  You have seen not only veteran advocates like Cindy Sheehan, you've seen Ashley Sanders.  You've seen Rosa Clemente.  You have seen Nellie McKay.  You've seen someone you're going to hear a lot more of in the next few months, you've seen Rev. J  Wait and see.  He's only 21-years old and he's breaking away from this notion that although many of us have always hoped there would be an African-American ascended to the presidency of the United States.  He's saying something more than that.  He's saying that's not enough, that may be an unprecedented career move into the White House but it's got to mean more than that, it's got to mean standing up to the corporate subjugation of the American people.  It's got to mean pushing forward a war against poverty.  It's got to mean coming from your background, something more than if it were just a White man or White woman in the White House, it's got to mean a peculiarly insistent sensitivity to the bottom 100 million Americans in this country who are at the bottom of the income scale: African-Americans, poor Whites, Latinos who do the most dangerous work, who do the most dangerous work for us, who do the most thankless work for us, who raise our children, take care of our children, be with our ailing parents, harvest our food, service us in all kinds of ways while they're underpaid and overcharged, while they're excluded. While they're disrespected.  While their marginalized.  And the only time they're held up before the country is when they ask them to go overseas and fight our criminal wars for us.     RECOMMEND: "Iraq snapshot" "Other Items" "Iraq, China, etc." "When C.I.'s right, she's right (Ava)" "The sock puppet master calls" "What Elaine said" "brief" "i just cross posted for c.i. and probably screwed ..." "The weekend " "Naomi Wolf" "Taxi ride" "Kate Michelman" "Laura Kaminker: Her own little fan club" "Rachel Maddow" "I don't support the War Resisters Support Campaign..." "Gutter Trash Is a Damn Liar " "Laura Flanders" "Denver and bust" "THIS JUST IN! THE DENVER SUICIDE PACT!"

Denver and bust

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   IN DENVER TODAY, THE DEMOCRATS SIGNED THE PARTY'S SUICIDE PACT WITH THE NOMINATION OF BARACK "SWEETIE" OBAMA.  SWEETIE HAD TO BE INFLATED (THEY TOLD LIES) TO MAKE IT APPEAR HIS MEAGER RESUME WAS IN ANY WAY WORTH OF RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, LET ALONE HOURS AND HOURS OF TV COVERAGE.   U.S. HOUSE REP. CHET EDWARDS DECLARED SWEETIE "HELPED PASS THE NEW G.I. EDUCATION BILL."  IF BY "HELP PASS," HE MEANS BARACK ACTUALLY SHOWED UP FOR A VOTE, THEN YES.  BUT BARACK DID NOT WRITE THE LEGISLATION OR SPONSOR IT AND "HELP" WAS PILING IT ON THE SAME WAY AS WHEN NANCY PELOSI FOOLISHLY PRONOUNCED BARACK A "GIFT FROM GOD."  YOU SORT OF SEE HER TELLING THE EXCHANGE STUDENT HOW SPECIAL HE IS OVER AND OVER WHILE BASKING IN HER 'GOODNESS' FOR HER EFFORTS.   THURSDAY'S BIG EVENTS INCLUDE BARACK'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FOLLOWED BY A BIG PITCHER OF KOO-AID.   FROM THE TCI WIRE:   Starting with war resistance.  In Canada yesterday, protests took place.  Total Catholic reports, "Catholic groups demonstrated outside Canada House in London on Tuesday in protest against the deportation of US soldiers who refused to fight in Iraq and sought asylum in Canada."  It notes the groups included Voices in the Wilderness, Pax Christi, the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Catholic Worker Movement and that they carried posters with photos of war resister and the following "Canada: Stop Deporting US Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in the Illegal War in Iraq."   Bruce Kent explains, "In the year that Franz Jagerstater was beatified by the Pope in recognition of his conscientious objection and subsequent execution for refusing to serve in Hitler's army, it seems extraordinary that the Canadian Government is adopting this position.  These soldiers have every right to refuse to fight in an illegal war."  While they stood up "White boy" (read his article -- better yet, don't) Nathaniel Hoffman (Boise Weekly) blathers on about the DNC convention (24 paragraphs) before including this: "Now for a few updates on the home front. Army deserter Robin Long, a Boise native, was sentenced to 15 months in jail, after being kicked out of Canada and returned to his unit at Fort Carson, Colo. He will also get a dishonorable discharge."  That would be Robin's local weekly and that's all they have to offer.  Never forget the 'alternative' press always has something else to do.  Robin was court-martialed last Friday and Courage to Resist spoke to Robin spoke with him later that day:   Courage to Resist: Well Robin your court martial is done, you got 15 months in military prison, how are you feeling about the outcome?   Robin Long: I -- all in all -- on the day of the trial, had a really good day.  I got to tell the army and the world exactly how I felt and I got to meet one of my heroes, one of my heroines, Col. Ann Wright and I enjoyed all the support that was there, all the people that came to see.  It was kind of funny, when I was leaving, they rushed me off to a Humvee and they had -- they had the military police escort front and behind and they stopped traffic at all the intersections.  And while I was leaving, all the supporters, a lot of them were saluting so that felt really good.  I was kind of looking at different figures -- that I could be out as early as April of next year.  With everything so . . .  I don't know.  I'm just looking forward to getting the RCF Unit and start doing my time.  And when I come out, start speaking for peace again and my word will be that much more powerful.  I can talk now in the States instead of being up there in Canada. And hopefully, we can end this occupation, this war.    Courage to Resist: Now you said you got to tell the army exactly how you felt?  What did you tell them?   Robin Long: Oh, I told them, I mean, with my defense case, Col. Ann Wright and with the other witnesses, we basically got to say to a forum and an audience that normally wouldn't hear the things we were saying about the legality of the war in Iraq and, you know, following your conscience and international law, a higher duty and it felt really good to say those things.  And to let people know that they can think for themselves and follow their heart.   Courage to Resist: And did Col Wright testify at your trial?   Robin Long: Yes, she did.   Courage to Resist: And what did she say?   Robin Long: She was basically saying the things she saw working in the army and with the State Department and her decision to resign from her position in opposition to the Iraq War and also she kind of said that she wasn't offended because she's part of the military you know she wasn't offended by me deserting.  Having a colonel, someone in that high of a position, you know, with the State Department, working with different embassies, MongoliaSomaliaia, Afghanistan that maybe they paid attention to her.  The military judge looked really interesting in what she was saying so.   Courage to Resist: You said that she was one of your heroes.  I'd be willing to be that the next time we see Ann Wright, she'll be saying that you're one of her heroes.  So now you're back in the county jail?   Robin Long: Yep, I'm here at the El Paso jail waiting for transport transfer.  They haven't told me yet where I'm going.   Courage to Resist: Any hints, any clues about where you might be headed?   Robin Long: No, not yet.  They said whichever place has availability.  It's kind of -- kind of weird.  I can't bring anything with me in jail.  Like all of the books that nice people have sent I can't bring any of that stuff with me.  Mail, I can't even bring address book.  So I'm going to be sending out all my, my papers that I need to have with me to somebody so that can mail them back to me when I find out where I am.   We'll note more from Robin's interview later in the week (hopefully tomorrow).  US war resister Jeremy Hinzman is the US war resister who was the first to go to Canada and apply for asylum. August 13th, he was informed he had until September 23rd to leave Canada or be deported.   To show your support for Jeremy and other US war resisters in Canada, Courage to Resist alerts, "Supporters are calling on Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, to intervene. Phone 613.996.4974 or email finley.d@parl.gc.ca,"Iraq Veterans Against the War also encourages people to take action, "To support Jeremy, call or email Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and ask her to intervene in this case. Phone: 613.996.4974 email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca."   Aidan Delgado is a war resister who has told his story in book form. The Sutras Of Abu Ghraib: Notes From A Conscientious Objector In Iraq is now out in soft cover (list price $15.00).  Eric Snider (Creative Loafing) states,  "The most engaging aspect of The Sutras is Delgado's quest for CO status; although he's ostracized for his stance, overall he's treated quite fairly."  Three other war resisters have told their story in book form: Kevin Benderman's Letters from Fort Lewis Brig: A Mater of Conscience, Camilo Mejia's Road from Ar Ramadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mejia (Camilo plans a second book), and Joshua Key's The Deserter's Tale.  Peter Laufer's Mission Rejected: U.S. Soldiers Who Say No to Iraq details many war resistersincludingng Joshua Key and Jeremy Hinzman) and Aimee Allison and David Solnit's Army of None: Strategies to Counter Military Recruitment, End War, and Build a Better World covers war resistance with a strong focus on stopping it at the point of the entry.  Many of these books (and other items as well) are available at Courage to Resist.   There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes Yovany Rivero, William Shearer, Michael Thurman, Andrei Hurancyk, Megan Bean, Chris Bean, Matthis Chiroux, Richard Droste, Michael Barnes, Matt Mishler, Josh Randall, Robby Keller, Justiniano Rodrigues, Chuck Wiley, James Stepp, Rodney Watson, Michael Espinal, Matthew Lowell, Derek Hess, Diedra Cobb, Brad McCall, Justin Cliburn, Timothy Richard, Robert Weiss, Phil McDowell, Steve Yoczik, Ross Spears, Peter Brown, Bethany "Skylar" James, Zamesha Dominique, Chrisopther Scott Magaoay, Jared Hood, James Burmeister, Jose Vasquez, Eli Israel, Joshua Key, Ehren Watada, Terri Johnson, Clara Gomez, Luke Kamunen, Leif Kamunen, Leo Kamunen, Camilo Mejia, Kimberly Rivera, Dean Walcott, Linjamin Mull, Agustin Aguayo, Justin Colby, Marc Train, Abdullah Webster, Robert Zabala, Darrell Anderson, Kyle Snyder, Corey Glass, Jeremy Hinzman, Kevin Lee, Daniel Baker, Mark Wilkerson, Patrick Hart, Ricky Clousing, Ivan Brobeck, Aidan Delgado, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, Blake LeMoine, Clifton Hicks, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Logan Laituri, Jason Marek, Clifford Cornell, Joshua Despain, Joshua Casteel, Katherine Jashinski, Dale Bartell, Chris Teske, Matt Lowell, Jimmy Massey, Chris Capps, Tim Richard, Hart Viges, Michael Blake, Christopher Mogwai, Christian Kjar, Kyle Huwer, Wilfredo Torres, Michael Sudbury, Ghanim Khalil, Vincent La Volpa, DeShawn Reed and Kevin Benderman. In total, at least fifty US war resisters in Canada have applied for asylum. Information on war resistance within the military can be found at The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline [(877) 447-4487], Iraq Veterans Against the War and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. In addition, VETWOW is an organization that assists those suffering from MST (Military Sexual Trauma).   [. . .]   Moving to the US race for president.  Tom Hayden lied (there were many but where there are Barack lies, there is Tom Hayden) that Barack had done a bang up job helping Hillary retire her campaign debt.  He DID NOTHING.  As community member Eddie points out, even Danny Schechter's fallen for the lie ("Remember, Barack's campaign helped her retire her campaign debt!").  Reality, New York Times, A16 today (buy a paper), Michael Lau and Griff Palmer report: "The analysis by The Times found that Obama donors gave $300,000 to Mrs. Clinton in July and $135,000 in June."  Chump change.  He did nothing to help retire the debt.  He's gotten credit from liars like Hayden and from people too smart to give credit like Danny.  Her worshippers, Danny?  Her worshippers?  And you're puzzled so many see you and Media Channel as part of the problem?  Hillary busted her ass for the Democratic Party last night and it is exactly the attitude Danny's exhibited today (short on facts and sprinkles of insults) that has no defense.  There is no defense for it.  And, no, PBS' convention coverage is not praise worthy?  Was no one watching last night?  Ava and I skimmed last night's coverage today and sexism was on parade.  We'll address it Sunday.  One example: Maybe someone thinks it's 'natural' to have three historians on repeatedly during the broadcast to talk about Hillary and the women's liberation movement when . . . all three are men.  Talking about the struggle for women's equality?  PBS should be ashamed.  Unless they're so ignorant that they believe there are no female historians?  Is that it?  And because women know they can count on attacks from all sides, be sure to check out how Eleanor Smeal chose to smear other feminists.  When a DC lobbyist takes over Ms., feminism suffers -- and it has suffered.  In the real world, To The Contrary's  Bonnie Erbe (at US News & World Reports) observes, "The Democrats nominated a junior, inexperienced Senator with no legislative accomplishments on his resume to whom young Americans and latte liberals swarmed due to his cool, celebrity-like demeanor. But then, those same Democratic leaders act surprised that Middle America isn't following suit. How bizarre!!!"  Kownhaus notes, "The meltdown of Progressive Blogosphere 1.0 is due in large part to major 'A' list bloggers turning a blind eye to misogyny and sexism because it helped the candidate they supported.  MASSIVE FAIL!"  Meanwhile Jerry White (WSWS) takes on the latest nonsense from fauxgressives Katty-van-van Heuvel (who doesn't do corrections) and Robert L. Borosage, "Apart from their assertion, which is false, that Obama will end the occupation of Iraq, the authors make no attempt to substantiate their claim that Obama represents a 'stark ideological contrast' with McCain. In fact, they virtually acknowledge just the opposite."  And White drives it home with this section:   The Nation is no more able to explain how such a movement represents an alternative to the "entrenched order" than they are able to establish Obama's reformist credentials. Both in their support for Obama and their insistence that all social opposition after the election remain oriented to the Democratic Party, the Nation reveals itself to be a critical prop for precisely the reactionary order they claim to oppose. They themselves are simply its "left" flank. Of course, the political milieu for which the Nation speaks has a direct and personal stake in the outcome of the election. They count on the arrival of a Democratic administration as an opportunity for many in their ranks to secure choice positions and enhanced status within the apparatus of power in Washington DC, whether as congressional staffers, trade union functionaries or researchers at Democratic-linked think tanks in the capital.   Martha saw that highlighted by Susan (Random Thoughts from Reno) and Susan has my nomination for "Truest Statement of the Week" at Third this weekend:  "The party is 'worried' now about mass defections by Clinton supporters to John McCain.  Well, what in the hell did they expect? After the May 31 charade effectively handing Obama the nomination, they lost what little chance they had in the fall.  Don't expect Clinton supporters to 'get over it' any more than Gore supporters when the 2000 election was stolen."  Hillary Clinton gave a great speech last night.  Jess, Dona, Eli, Martha and Shirley report the community members e-mails agree it was great and agree it didn't change their mind one bit.  Who are they supporting?   Ralph Nader is the independent candidate for president.  Tonight he and running mate Matt Gonzalez hold their first Super Rally.  This one in Denver.  From Team Nader:   D-Day. Denver tonight 6 p.m. University of Denver Magness Arena. Sean Penn, Tom Morello, Cindy Sheehan, Jello Biafra, Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez will be there. Standing up to the corporate two-party controlled debate commission. Calling for an opening up of the Presidential debates. If you are in the area, see you at the event.  If you know people in the area, call them, text them, e-mail them -- and give them the details. Free Speech TV will be streaming the event live on the Internet. (Wednesday, August 27, 7 p.m. Mountain time, 9 p.m. Eastern.) Just click here to watch. Also, Free Speech TV will be broadcasting the event live on Dish Network Channel 9415. If you are home watching convention coverage on cable, watch for Ralph. He'll be in the DNC belly of the beast at the Pepsi Center today. He'll be on Fox TV with Neil Cavuto in this afternoon at about 4 p.m. And MSNBC with Dan Abrams tomorrow morning at about 10 a.m. Other mainstream media interviews are being nailed down as we speak. Stay tuned for more details. The bottom line is this. The conventions are supposed to be about democracy. But in fact, they're two big corporate parties. Talk about corporate crime and corporate power, and you are drummed out of the building. Talk the happy corporate talk, and they invite you in for a drink. Thank you Ralph Nader for having the guts to stand up. For the American people. Against the corporate takeover of our democracy. Stand with Ralph today. If you are in Denver, come on down and join with us at the Magness Arena tonight at 6 p.m. If you are not in Denver, give whatever you can afford -- $10, $20, $50, $100 -- to help defray the costs of tonight's event. (Renting the arena, sound, lights, stage hands, video crew and equipment, flying in road trippers, printing of 100,000 fliers -- you get the picture.) By the way, great start on the fundraising drive -- we're at close to $15,000 after just two days. But we have to hit $100,000 by September 4. So, let's get 'er cranked. Thank you for your ongoing support. With your help, tonight, we will shake it up. Onward to November.   Green Party presidential candidate's Cynthia McKinney spoke in Denver this week and Black Agenda Report (which is endorsing McKinney for president) posts her speech.  This is an excerpt:     Cynthia McKinney: Our country has been hijacked and the Democrats have proven themselves to have been in on the plan.  When it came to the Constitution, the Democratic leadership showed us that aiding and abetting illegal spying on us was more important to them than protecting our civil liberties.  When it came to war and occupation, the Democratic leadership showed us that financing an illegal and immoral war, based on lies, was more important to them than they people's desire for peace.  And when the people, hurting from the financial mismanagement of this country, called foaccountabilityty for the crimes that have been committed against the people here, against the global community, against nature, itself, the Democratic leadership took impeachment off the tableGrassrootsts Democratic Party activists want a livable wage! A "Medicare-for-all" type of health care system, repeal of the Bush tax cuts that have ushered in the greatest income inequality in this country since the Great Depression.  But the Democratic Party has shown itself to be incapable of providing even a semblance of the values even of its own activists.  The Democratic Party's national leadership didn't even mention Hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors in their Congressional agenda for the first 100 days.     RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Denver Super Rally" Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "The Softer Side of Narcissism" "Eleanor's Smear" "Iraq" "amy goodman - hustler pin-up" "Marianne Means and creating spaces" "The uninformed Phyllis Bennis" "Barack's unwed mother?" "Nader Super Rally in Denver Wednesday" "Hillary's speech" "The stuffed shirt" "THIS JUST IN! NO ONE CAN SAVE HIM!"

The stuffed shirt

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   TONIGHT IN DENVER HILLARY CLINTON ATTEMPTED TO RESCUE LIAR AND "SWEETIE" BARACK WHO COULDN'T EVEN SHOW FOR THE SPEECH. SHE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WHO WAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND HIT ALL THE RIGHT NOTES.   BUT THE CANDIDATE IS BARACK.   AND IT WAS NO SALE.   MEANWHILE HE STRUGGLED IN KANSAS TODAY.  IT WAS LIKE A COUPLE WITHOUT CHEMISTRY IN A MOVIE WHO KEEPS SAYING "I AM FALLING WITH YOU" OVER AND OVER IN ORDER TO TRY AND CONVINCE THE AUDIENCE THAT IT REALLY IS HAPPENING.  BARACK GAVE A SPEECH AND TOOK OFF HIS COAT TO LOOK LESS STUFFY BUT BLEW THE PLANNED GESTURE BY SAYING, "I'M GOING TO TAKE OFF MY JACKET, GET A LITTLE LESS FORMAL HERE."  IT WAS ABOUT AS BELIEVABLE AS BEN AFFLECK AND JENNIFER LOPEZ IN GIGLI.       FROM THE TCI WIRE:     The Nader Super Rally takes place in Denver tomorrow night:   "Open the Debates" Super Rally at the DNC Speakers/Performers: Val Kilmer, Sean Penn, Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, Nellie McKay, Cindy Sheehan, Ike Reilly and more Magness Arena, University of Denver 2199 South University Blvd. Denver, CO 80208 Click here to go to the Denver Super Rally web page (303) 832-2509 or events@votenader.org Map it Jess spoke with Ashley Sanders, the Super Rally Media Coordinator this evening, and she states, "We're hoping for 5,000 people and we want the mood to be thoroughly Democratic and we want the peopl to feel inspired about voting for candidates who actually represent them."  Which is a good time to note Ruth's post last week:   [. . .]   Starting with war resistance, US war resister Robin Long was court-martialed Friday at Fort Carson. His civilian attorney was James Branum who shared a few thoughts at his blog on Sunday:   The last few days have been a dizzying blur for me. I've been in Colorado Springs for Robin Long's court-martial at Ft. Carson, as well as to the support IVAW's State of the Union base tour.  The trial itself was pretty intense. I was so proud of Robin and witnesses: Pete Haney (of the Colorado Springs Justice & Peace Commission), SGT Matthis Chiroux (IVAW and resister to an ordered Iraq deployment) and COL Ann Wright (who can't even begin to summarize her bio). I also want to thank the folks who sent supporting written statements. We used some in the trials, but will be using all of them in the upcoming clemency/parole fights.    In the next day or two, I'll write up a lengthier blow-by-blow account of the trial, but for now I'll just say that while we (Robin and I) are disappointed by the sentence, we are happy that we got to present Robin's case. I think that in the future, the record will show that Robin's decision to go to Canada might have been illegal under US law, but it was supremely moral act and it was one in compliance with International law.   US war resister Jeremy Hinzman is the US war resister who was the first to go to Canada and apply for asylum.  August 13th, he was informed he had until September 23rd to leave Canada or be deported. J. Gilbert of Orilla draws the comparison to the two cases in a letter to the editors of the Orillia Packet & Times:   On June 3, the House of Commons voted to stop the deportations of American servicemen and women who come to Canada rather than participate in the fighting in Iraq.   Incredibly, the Harper government has chosen to ignore the decision of the House of Commons. In spite of that clear vote, they deported Robin Long, an American soldier seeking sanctuary in Canada, back to the U. S. Last week, Robin was sentenced to 15 months in prison at a military penitentiary. He also received a dis-honourable discharge. This has huge implications for the rest of his life: he will be ineligible for student loans, mortgages, and many employment opportunities. Even worse, he will never be able to return to Canada, where his two-year-old son lives.  His crime? Refusing to participate in an illegal and immoral war, once its true nature became clear to him.   In Robin's own words: "I remember that a soldier is just a uniform following orders, a warrior is the man or woman that follows their conscience and does the right thing in the face of adversity." This he has done, and continues to do. Jeremy Hinzman has received his deportation date: Sept. 23. It is clear that he is a conscientious objector. It is wrong that he be punished for following his conscience.    What has been done to Robin Long cannot be fixed. But it must not be repeated. The Harper government has an obligation to comply with the will of the House. The deportations must stop.       To show your support for Jeremy and other US war resisters in Canada,  Courage to Resist alerts, "Supporters are calling on Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, to intervene. Phone 613.996.4974 or email finley.d@parl.gc.ca,"Iraq Veterans Against the War also encourages people to take action, "To support Jeremy, call or email Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and ask her to intervene in this case. Phone: 613.996.4974 email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca."   There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes Yovany Rivero, William Shearer, Michael Thurman, Andrei Hurancyk, Megan Bean, Chris Bean, Matthis Chiroux, Richard Droste, Michael Barnes, Matt Mishler, Josh Randall, Robby Keller, Justiniano Rodrigues, Chuck Wiley, James Stepp, Rodney Watson, Michael Espinal, Matthew Lowell, Derek Hess, Diedra Cobb, Brad McCall, Justin Cliburn, Timothy Richard, Robert Weiss, Phil McDowell, Steve Yoczik, Ross Spears, Peter Brown, Bethany "Skylar" James, Zamesha Dominique, Chrisopther Scott Magaoay, Jared Hood, James Burmeister, Jose Vasquez, Eli Israel, Joshua Key, Ehren Watada, Terri Johnson, Clara Gomez, Luke Kamunen, Leif Kamunen, Leo Kamunen, Camilo Mejia, Kimberly Rivera, Dean Walcott, Linjamin Mull, Agustin Aguayo, Justin Colby, Marc Train, Abdullah Webster, Robert Zabala, Darrell Anderson, Kyle Snyder, Corey Glass, Jeremy Hinzman, Kevin Lee, Daniel Baker, Mark Wilkerson, Patrick Hart, Ricky Clousing, Ivan Brobeck, Aidan Delgado, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, Blake LeMoine, Clifton Hicks, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Logan Laituri, Jason Marek, Clifford Cornell, Joshua Despain, Joshua Casteel, Katherine Jashinski, Dale Bartell, Chris Teske, Matt Lowell, Jimmy Massey, Chris Capps, Tim Richard, Hart Viges, Michael Blake, Christopher Mogwai, Christian Kjar, Kyle Huwer, Wilfredo Torres, Michael Sudbury, Ghanim Khalil, Vincent La Volpa, DeShawn Reed and Kevin Benderman. In total, at least fifty US war resisters in Canada have applied for asylum. Information on war resistance within the military can be found at The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline [(877) 447-4487], Iraq Veterans Against the War and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. In addition, VETWOW is an organization that assists those suffering from MST (Military Sexual Trauma).     RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Other Items" "al-Maliki's words get attention" "chatty e-mail" "Brief post" "Reasons to use your vote wisely" "Ralph Nader, Mary Jo Buttafuoco, Isaiah" "Isaiah, Terminator, etc." "The unclosed deal" "Enter the traitor" "THIS JUST IN! COWARD IS THE REAL UGLY! ASK SUE!"

Enter the traitor

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   FADED FILM ACTRESS SUSAN SARANDON, WHO LAST HAD A HIT FILM ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, TROTTED OVER TO THE DNC CONVENTION TO DECLARE SHE WASN'T SUPPORTING RALPH, SHE WAS SUPPORTING BARACK.   NO ONE WAS SURPRISED BY THE NEWS.  THOUGH MANY ARE SURPRISED THE PHOTOS OF HER CHILDREN THAT A DRUG STORE REFUSED TO DEVELOP NEVER GOT HER IN TROUBLE.   WHEN THESE REPORTERS APPROACHED SUE, SHE INSISTED WE MUST BE FANS AND MUST HAVE SEEN HER IN THELMA & LOUSIE.  WHEN WE POINTED OUT WE WERE TOO YOUNG TO HAVE SEEN THAT FILM AT THE MOVIES, SUSAN BEGAN CRYING, LOOSENING THE ELASTIC STRAPS HOLDING UP HER FACE.  (FOR SOME REASON, SHE FAILED TO USE A SIMILAR DEVICE ON HER BREASTS.)   FROM THE TCI WIRE:   Starting with war resistance. US war resister Robin Long was court-martialed in Colorado Friday and Karen Linne, Fort Carson Public Affairs Office, explained Friday afternoon that he was sentenced to 15 months behind bars, reduced in rank (to E1) and given a dishonorable discharge. Robin was held at the Criminal Justice Center in El Paso Country while awaiting the court-martial and he will receive credit for the time he has served ("about 40 days"). Friday Colorado Springs' News Channel 13 (ABC) reported on the court-martial: Eric Singer: Now getting back to a story we told you about earlier on in the newscast, a judge at Fort Carlson sentences a soldier to 15 months for desertion. He ran to Canada. Nina Sparano: Twenty-four-year-old Private First Class Robin Long was supposed to be deployed to Iraq three years ago. Only On News Channel 13's Scott Harrison was in the court room for the sentencing. Scott Harrison: Early Friday afternoon, Private First Class Robin Long left this court room and walked down this sidewalk for the last time as a free man for the next fourteen months or so as he begins his sentence for desertion. Long seemed in good spirits as guards escorted him to a waiting vehicle. He also got a warm send off from peace activists and anti-war protesters who came to support him. Some supporters hired an attorney from Oklahoma to represent Long. James Branum: He got to speak his mind about why he did what he did and he knows that, yes, he did the legally wrong thing but the morally right thing. Scott Harrison: Long's sympathizers expected he would serve some time after going AWOL then fleeing to Canada to avoid deploying to Iraq but they think 15 months is too harsh. Ret. Army Col. Mary Ann Wright: Four months, five months something like that -- which is pretty common among all of the ones who have gone AWOL and been public about it. I think that would be an appropriate punishment. Sgt. Matthis Chiroux: Robin Long to me is a hero. He is an individual who stood up during a time of great, great crisis facing overwhelming adversity and opposition and stood true to what he knew to be right. Scott Harrison: Coming up at six, we'll learn more about the influences effecting Private Long's life that led him to be at this court room today. At Fort Carson, Scott Harrison News Channel 13. Nina Sparano: Long's sentence will be reduced by forty days because of time already served. He's also reduced in rank to private and will receive a dishonorable discharge. Saturday KRDO offered another report: Samantha Anderson: [The court-martial of] a Fort Carson soldier Friday at times became more of a debate about the Iraq War then about the soldier's desertion. In our continuing coverage, News Channel 13's Scott Harrison explains how more service men and women are taking stands to oppose the war. Scott Harrison: For most men and women in the military, the decision to go to war is a simple one. They follow orders. It's part of the job of being in the armed forces. But Friday's court-martial here at the mountain post attracted other soldiers who have taken stands similar to Private Long in opposing the Iraq War. We told you Friday how Private Long pleaded guilty to avoiding a deployment to Iraq by fleeing to Canada. Among those supporting him at his court-martial were a retired Army Col. and State Dept diplomat. Ann Wright: I resigned in opposition to the war in Iraq. And that's -- he went AWOL because of the war in Iraq. Scott Harrison: Also present was a Reserve Sergeant who announced a month before his scheduled deployment that he wouldn't go, considering the war an illegal act of aggression. Matthis Chiroux: I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen. My situation is quite unique. Scott Harrison: Sgt. Chiroux says the Army has decided not to court-martial him partly because he gained sympathy and support in Congress for the growing cause of war objectors within the military. The different actions toward Sgt. Chiroux and Private Long show how the military itself can seem divided on the issue. Ann Wright: And that's an interesting thing because one would think that the army throughout the world would have a common view of these things. And that maybe there wouldn't be such disparity. Scott Harrison: These war objectors -- whether in or out of the military -- say there are hundreds of servicemen and women like Private Long and more will come as the war continues. Matthis: Who takes his dedication to the Constitution so seriously that he is willing to face persecution for it? Not even our own president is willing to do that. Scott Harrison: Private Long is believed to be only the second soldier court-martialed for desertion by fleeing to Canada since the end of the Vietnam war. And both of those cases have happened just within the last month. At Fort Carson, Scott Harrison News Channel 13. Samantha Anderson: The other soldier Private First Class James Burmeister, received a six-month sentence and a bad conduct discharge the same week Private Long was found in Canada. Robin Long wasn't 'found' in Canada that week. He was expelled from Canada July 14th. (He was extradited.) Second, there has been more than two US war resisters who went to Canada and then returned and were court-martialed. Darrell Anderson returned from Canada and turned himself in October 3, 2006 but was not court-martialed, as Jim Fennerty explained to Jim Warren (Lexington Herald-Leader) back in October of 2006 (article no longer available online, but quoted in this October 4th entry). Two others would follow him back to the US that year. Kyle Snyder would turn himself in and then self-checkout again when the US military broke the promised agreement. Snyder was informed that he was going back to his unit, despite the agreement that had been worked out. Snyder is married to a Canadian citizen and should not (unless Judge Anne Mactavish thinks she can get away with it) be under threat of deportation today. The other? Remember The Full Brobeck? Ivan Brobeck returned from Canada and turned himself in on November 7, 2006 (mid-term election day and Brobeck returned with an open letter to the occupant of the White House). Brobeck was court-martialed Dec. 5, 2007 and released on Feb. 5, 2007. As Robert Fantina (Political Affairs magazine -- one of the few to note Brobeck) explained, "Several soldiers who deserted after a tour of duty in Iraq have stated that cruelty towards Iraqi citizens was a factor in their desertions. One of them, Lance Corporal Ivan Brobeck, witnessed the abuse of Iraqi detainees and the killing of Iraqi civilians. Another, Sgt. Ricky Clousing, had similar experiences. His allegations of systematic abuse of Iraqi detainees are now being investigated by the military." Ivan Brobeck would be the first known US war resister that went to Canada and returned to the US to be court-martialed. Back to Robin's court-martial. Jupiter Kalambakal (AHN) reported, "During the trial, Long, 25, of Boise, Idaho, said he fled when his unit was deployed to Iraq because he felt it was an illegal war, according to CBC. Prosecutors, on the other hand, said he abandoned his duty and his country." Tom Roeder (Colorado Springs Gazette via Albany Times Union) noted that Col. Debra Boudreau presided as the judge, that the prosecution called no witnesses and that the prosecution "showed a six-minute video of Long, sporting dreadlocks and a beard, telling a Canadian news reporter 'I think I was lied to by my president'." That's the October 2007 CBC interview Robin gave. The use of the video indicates Robin's civilian attorney James Branum was correct when he told Nick Kyonka (Toronto Star) immediately before the court-martial, "I think they want to prosecute him for free-speech issues without actually charging him." A McClatchy Newspapers-Tribune Services article in The New Haven Register reported Ann Wright was among the witnesses and she testified that the Iraq War "was against, the law, arguing that justified Long's fleeing to Canada. . . . The lone character witness called to speak for Long was Peter Haney with the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission. He had met the soldier three times while Long was awaiting trial in the El Paso County, Colo., lockup" and he testified, "I've observed Mr. Long in situations that would be trying to just about anyone. He seemed to me to be extremely poised and lucid." From that article: In his testimony, Long talked about his life in Canada and attacked the war in Iraq. "I feel the war on terror is a war on peace," Long testified, saying he planned to eventually move back to Canada where he has a girlfriend and a son born while he was on the run form the Army. In Nelson, British Columbia, Long said he perfected his organic gardening skills and converted his Volkswagen to run on recycled cooking oil. Long told the judge he wanted to serve little or no jail time, but would take a bad conduct discharge as punishment. He wrapped up his time on the stand by telling the judge, "Peace, love and light." Long's civilian attorney, James Branam, closed his part of the sentencing hearing by comparing Long to Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. "The morality of what he did should lessen the punishment," Branam told the judge. Dan Frosch (New York Times) quoted Jim Branum stating, "I felt he doesn't deserve a day in prison. Any jail time is unjust." Nick Kyonka (Toronto Star) reported, "About two-dozen anti-war supporters gathered around the courthouse at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo., yesterday afternoon as a military judge handed down Long's sentence." Other coverage included an AP article, Erin Miller filed a report for KBS Radio. David Fox and Jesse McLaren write to the Toronto Star to point out that the sentence proves Judge Mactavish was wrong in her decixion. Jesse McLaren: "Since it is now clear that deporting war resisters to the U.S. does indeed produce irreparable harm, the Harper government must enact the motion passed in Parliament to stop the deportations and let war resisters stay." David Fox: "Justic MacTavish claimed he would not suffer 'irreparable harm' if deported. How is a military jail sentence and a felony conviction not irreparable harm? No soldier should face jail for opposing the illegal and immoral war in Iraq. And Stephen Harper must be held to account for deporting Robin Long when he knew full well the persecution and punishment he faced in Bush's America." Robin's civilian attorney Jim Branumn notes Free Robin Long and at his own site notes press coverage here and here. Friday, Free Speech Radio News reported on Robin and the lead up to the court-martial and Jeremy Hinzman. Jeremy is the US war resister who was the first to go to Canada and apply for asylum. August 13th, he was informed he had until September 23rd to leave Canada or be deported. Jes Burns: Back in Canada, another war resister, Jeremy Hinzman, is fighting for himself and his family to remain in the country. The Canadian government has ordered the Hinzman family to leave by September 23rd despite a motion passed in Parliament in June calling for an end to the deporations. Earlier this week Hinzman spoke at a Toronto forum to discuss strategies to stem the tide of current deportations. Jeremy Hinzman: Ever since we got here, if it wouldn't be for the support of all of ya'll . . . It seems like we've had our hands tied. The Canadian government intervened in my case, said that the illegality of the war was irrelevant to our refugee claim. We appealed this all the way to the Supreme Court and, in November of last year, they refused to hear our case. So being here for four and a half years, working full time, having a family, having friends we thought perhaps that we'd have a shot at compassionate, humanitarian grounds for staying here. and as Michelle said last week we found out that that is not going to be the case. It's pretty devastating but all I can say is that I'd rather -- or I'd proudly serve jail time rather than kill and displace innocent people. Jes Burns: The current hope for Hinzman is a new federal appeal in his case. Alyssa Manning is a lawyer representing him and other war resisters. She says the decision to deport Hinzman was made based on the assumption there would be adequate protection for his religious beliefs and political opinions back in the United States. But new evidence has emerged -- evidence that has already been used to stay the deporation of another war resister Corey Glass. Alyssa Manning: New evidence has since come out that was not available to the Federal Court of Appeal that says that soldiers who speak out against the war in Iraq are actually subjected to severe punishment by the military solely for speaking out. And it was based on this new evidence that the Federal Court issued a stay of removal in Corey's case. Justice [Orville] Frenette, for the Court, he said, "The applicant submits that if returned to the United States he will be court-martialed for desertion and he will be incarcerated in a military prison where, like Stephen Funk, Camilo Mejia and Kevin Benderman, he will suffer persecution and cruel and inhumane treatment." He then said: "I believe the evidence here shows that if returned to the US the applicant will suffer the harm he has described." So that's a clear finding from the Federal Court that what these resisters have been alleging would happen to them if they're sent back is actually happening Jes Burns: Manning says there were definite errors in the decision to deport Hinzman and his family. She hopes a new round of appeals will convince the Canadian courts to stay the deporation. To show your support for Jeremy and other US war resisters in Canada, Courage to Resist alerts, "Supporters are calling on Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, to intervene. Phone 613.996.4974 or email finley.d@parl.gc.ca,"Iraq Veterans Against the War also encourages people to take action, "To support Jeremy, call or email Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and ask her to intervene in this case. Phone: 613.996.4974 email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca." There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes Yovany Rivero, William Shearer, Michael Thurman, Andrei Hurancyk, Megan Bean, Chris Bean, Matthis Chiroux, Richard Droste, Michael Barnes, Matt Mishler, Josh Randall, Robby Keller, Justiniano Rodrigues, Chuck Wiley, James Stepp, Rodney Watson, Michael Espinal, Matthew Lowell, Derek Hess, Diedra Cobb, Brad McCall, Justin Cliburn, Timothy Richard, Robert Weiss, Phil McDowell, Steve Yoczik, Ross Spears, Peter Brown, Bethany "Skylar" James, Zamesha Dominique, Chrisopther Scott Magaoay, Jared Hood, James Burmeister, Jose Vasquez, Eli Israel, Joshua Key, Ehren Watada, Terri Johnson, Clara Gomez, Luke Kamunen, Leif Kamunen, Leo Kamunen, Camilo Mejia, Kimberly Rivera, Dean Walcott, Linjamin Mull, Agustin Aguayo, Justin Colby, Marc Train, Abdullah Webster, Robert Zabala, Darrell Anderson, Kyle Snyder, Corey Glass, Jeremy Hinzman, Kevin Lee, Daniel Baker, Mark Wilkerson, Patrick Hart, Ricky Clousing, Ivan Brobeck, Aidan Delgado, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, Blake LeMoine, Clifton Hicks, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Logan Laituri, Jason Marek, Clifford Cornell, Joshua Despain, Joshua Casteel, Katherine Jashinski, Dale Bartell, Chris Teske, Matt Lowell, Jimmy Massey, Chris Capps, Tim Richard, Hart Viges, Michael Blake, Christopher Mogwai, Christian Kjar, Kyle Huwer, Wilfredo Torres, Michael Sudbury, Ghanim Khalil, Vincent La Volpa, DeShawn Reed and Kevin Benderman. In total, at least fifty US war resisters in Canada have applied for asylum. Information on war resistance within the military can be found at The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline [(877) 447-4487], Iraq Veterans Against the War and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. In addition, VETWOW is an organization that assists those suffering from MST (Military Sexual Trauma). [. . .]   Ralph Nader, independent presidential candidate, is providing Ralph's Daily Audio Monday through Friday and this is "Bailouts on Your Back:" This is Ralph Nader. The giant corporate destruction of capitalism is proceeding at an accelerated pace. It looks like captialsim -- that is the bearing of risk by the business -- is only for small business, not giant corporations that are deamed too big to fail no matter how their executives, overpaid as they are, undermine, weaken and damage the company their workers and share holders. Three examples. The US government now has enacted legislation which provides for up to $25 billion in loan guarantees for the domestic auto companies. These are the same companies that for years opposed fuel efficiency standards while they sold customers their gas guzzling SUVs. Well when the price of gasoline went up, SUV sales went down and what's General Motors doing? Ford? Chrysler? They're going to Washington for, essentially, a tax payer bail-out. And they want more than $25 billion dollars in loan guarantees . Next up is the nuclear industry. They can't get Wall St. financing for their new nuclear plants without a US government loan guarantee. They wanted $50 billion in recent legislation. But the Congress only gave them $19 billion for starters in loan guarantees. The Wall Streeters think that nuclear power is so risky and unpredicatable that they won't give them any loans without Uncle Sam guaranteeing them. And then there's Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. For years opposing adequate regulation and adequate capital-ratios and they took on very risky financial instruments and now they're diving and they're in consulation with? US Treasury for some variety of bail-out or guarantee. And so it goes. The big guys are too big to fail and so they have no incentive to bear the risk or even let their owners -- the share holders -- control runaway CEO pay that's tied to inflating profits and taking on excessive risk so their stock options are worth more for their private riches. Capitalism is used as a propaganda tool by giant corporations -- as a legitimization of what they're doing. That is: going into the market place, bearing the risk, succeeding where they succeed and accepting the verdict of the market place which, of course, is always beyond their control. This is The Big Lie. Wall St. goes to Washington for bail-outs, hand-outs, give-aways and subsidies -- and that ought to be an issue in the presidential campaign. You won't hear John McCain and Barack Obama talking about this at all. They're in the same boat of government subsidized corporate capitalism. This is Ralph Nader.   RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Robin Long, Jeremy Hinzman" "30 die in Sunday's bombing" Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "Change You Can Believe In" "And the war drags on . . " Truest statement of the Week Truest statement of the week A note to our readers Editorial: Support War Resisters TV: Cyborgs or gasbags, which is worse? Denver Super Rally: Putting the issues on the table Stephanie Tubbs Jones (1949 - 2008) vanden Heuvel doesn't do corrections Barack's Running Bud Barack, the little s**t Highlights "Barack focusing on what matters" "THIS JUST IN! BUSY BARACK!"