It's never the princess' fault!

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   TODAY BARACK OBAMA, SENATOR SWEEITE, BLAMED THE MEDIA FOR HIS OWN REMARKS JULY 4TH THAT HE WAS GOING TO "REFINE" HIS POLICY ON IRAQ.  THIS LED TO AN UPROAR OVER BARACK BACKING OFF FROM HIS PROMISE TO WITHDRAW.   AFTER BLAMING THE MEDIA, BARACK INSISTED HE DID NOT MISPEAK AND STATED, "I WASN'T SAYING ANTHING THAT I HADN'T SAID BEFORE."   BELIEVE IT OR NOT, ON THAT SENATOR SWEEITE IS TELLING THE TRUTH.  SO IS THE MEDIA, HOWEVER.   A NUMBER IN THE PRESS ARE RUNNING WITH BARACK'S PROMISE TO WITHDRAW ALL US (COMBAT) TROOPS FROM IRAQ WITHIN 16 MONTHS OF ENTERING THE WHITE HOUSE.  IN FEBRUARY, SPEAKING IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, BARACK ANNOUNCED HE WOULD WITHDRAW ALL US (COMBAT) TROOPS WITHIN 10 MONTHS OF BEING SWORN IN.   THE MEDIA IS CORRECT THAT BARACK HAS BROKEN HIS PROMISE.   BARACK IS CORRECT THAT IT'S NOT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HE'S BEEN SAYING . . . IF YOU JUST GO BY JUNE AND IGNORE HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISES DELIVERED TO WILD CHEERING.  ON JUNE 5TH, BARACK TOLD CNN, WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS STILL PROMISING A WITHDRAWAL, "WELL, YOU KNOW, I'D NEVER SAY THERE'S 'NOTHING' OR 'NEVER' OR 'NO WAY' IN WHICH I'D CHANGE MY MIND.  OBVIOUSLY I'M OPEN TO THE FACTS AND TO REASON.  AND THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT WE'VE SEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN SECURITY ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ.  AND OUR TROOPS AND GEN. PETRAEUS, DESERVE ENORMOUS CREDIT FOR THAT.  I HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE FROM A BROADER PERSPECTIVE, THOUGH."   BY JUNE, BARACK WAS PUBLICLY 'REFINING' HIS POSITION AND BREAKING HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE.  IT ECHOED WHAT SAMANTHA POWER, THEN HIS FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR TOLD THE BBC IN MARCH, "YOU CAN'T MAKE A COMMITMENT IN WHATEVER MONTH WE'RE IN NOW, IN MARCH  OF 2008 ABOUT WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE GOING TO BE LIKE IN JANUARY 2009.  WE CAN'T EVEN TELL WHAT BUSH IS UP TO IN TERMS OF TROOPS PAUSES AND SO FORTH.  HE [BARACK] WILL OF COURSE NOT RELY UPON SOME PLAN THAT HE'S CRAFTED AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OR AS A US SENATOR."   TRANSLATION, HE LIED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.  POWER KNEW HE WAS LYING IN HIS 'PROMISE' AND TOLD THE BBC THAT IN MARCH.    TRANSLATION, TOM HAYDEN AND ALL THE OTHER PANHANDLE MEDIA REJECTS SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE INTERVIEW IN MARCH.  WHERE THE HELL WERE THEY?  (PROSTITUTING THEMSELVES FOR THE CAMPAIGN OF BARACK.)     FROM THE TCI WIRE:   Turning to the US presidential race.  Barack Obama?  Arab News notes, "For Obama, who recently changed his positions on campaign finance and a wiretapping law, the suggestion that he was also changing course on a central premise of his candidacy holds particular peril. While Obama has long said he would consult commanders in the field when withdrawing troops, that point might have been lost on many Democratic primary voters who supported his call to end the war."  What's going on?  A bit of reality on War Hawk Barack. Suzanne Goldenberg (Guardian of London) puts it this way, ".Barack Obama was yesterday fending off charges from right and left that he had abandoned the core premise of his candidacy - the withdrawal of all US combat forces from Iraq within 16 months of taking office - in an attempt to attract voters from the political centre." Suzanne's a little out of it.  So were Katrina vanden Heuvel and Arianna Huffington on ABC's This Week last Sunday.  Withdrawal in 16 months?  That's 'so January 2008.'  Barack promised withdrawal of all (combat) troops within 10 months in a speech in Houston, Texas.  Always one to carry water for Barack, Tom Hayden immediately penned "End the War in 2009" (which popped up online at The Nation, Feb. 20th and elsewhere a bit later). Hayden: "In his victory speech in Texas Tuesday, Barack Obama promised to end the Iraq war in 2009, a new commitment that parallels recent opinion pieces in The Nation.  Prior to his Houston remarks, Obama's previous position favored an American combat troop withdrawal over a sixteen-to-eighteen-month timeframe.  He has been less specific on the number and mission of any advisors he would elave behind."  (The Texas primary was in March.  Barack was in Texas campaigning, for any more confused than usual by Tom-Tom's bad-bad writing.)  Texas community members saw the 10 month 'promise' pushed in advertising as well as on the campaign trail.  Those were his words (and Tom-Tom notes 'words matter') so let's all drop the nonsense that Barack's plan was 16 months (or at least leave the lying to Katrina who's become so very good at it).  Goldenberg's uninformed, ignorant or lying -- take your pick.  In her piece (dated tomorrow), she traces the uproar to Thursday when Barack said he might 'refine' his Iraq 'plan.'  If that's when the uproar started, is Arianna Huffington psychic?  Arianna was calling him out for 'refining' on Iraq Sunday on This Week. More water carrying from the allegedly 'independent' Guardian of London (which never wrote about the Downing Street Memos because 'independence' did not include informing people that Tony Blair lied England into an illegal war -- no time for 'truth-telling'  while Blair was in office at any rate.)  CNN reports that presumed GOP presidential candidate John McCain and the RNC are calling Barack a "flip-flopper" and they quote Barack's 'clarification' where Barack lies and says he has always said 16 months.  No, Barack, you went to ten months in February.  AP reports he celebrated the 4th of July in Butte, Montana (Kansas, he's done with you, he got what he needed) eating a hot dog. Tom Baldwin (Times of London) observes, "Grassroots activists whose energy and donations have helped to propel Barack Obama towards the White House are suddenly choking on the bitter pill of disillusion. In less than a month since clinching the Democratic nomination, he has performed a series of policy pirouettes to assuage concerns about his candidacy among a wider and more conservative electorate." Geoff Elliott (The Australian) points out, "Barack Obama has started a dramtic reversal of the policies that helped him defeat Hillary Clinton for the presidential nomination, softening hardlines stances on the Iraq war and troop withdrawals. Campaigning in North Dakota, Senator Obama said that while the US could not sustain a long-term presence in Iraq, his trip to the Gulf nation this month might prompt him to "refine my policies" on the war." John Bentley (CBS News) quotes Brian Rogers of the McCain campaign stating, "Today, Barack Obama reversed that position, proving once again his words do not matter. He has now adopted John McCain's position that we cannot risk the progress we have made in Iraq by beginning to withdraw our troops immediately without concern for conditions on the ground. Now that Barack Obama has changed course and proven his past positions to be just empty words, we would like to congratulate him on taking John McCain's principled stand on this critical national security issue. If he had visited Iraq sooner or actually had a one-on-one meeting with Gen. Petraeus, he would have changed his position long ago."  Jonathan Weisman (Washington Post) terms it Barack exploring "the possibility of slowing a promised, gradual withdrawal from Iraq". NPR has two audio reports here. How bad it is?  A friend just called to laugh at ____'s latest nonsense.  In place of a now killed feature for Third, we may address ____'s latest nonsense and his plethora of lies throughout the campaign.  Poor ____, it's even harder to airbrush out reality today than it was following his expulsion from the Red Family commune in his "smash the state" days (when he fancied himself Chris Jones in Wild In The Street).    Ralph Nader is opposed to the illegal war and has always been opposed to it.  He called it before it started and throughout.  He has not waffled like Saint Barack.  Yesterday he spoke at the University of Hawaii-Manou. Craig Gima (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) reports:    In a news conference before the speech, Nader said Hawaii voters are being marginalized by the major candidates. "When political candidates do not campaign in a state, voter turnout suffers," Nader said, adding that he has campaigned in all 50 states in the last two elections. Nader said he supports the Akaka Bill and native Hawaiian rights, and said Hawaii should be a model for the rest of the country in renewable energy. "This is the only place in the world where every form of renewable energy occurs," he said. Nader also said that if elected he would push for universal health care, an increase in the minimum wage to $10 an hour and the repeal of what he called the anti-union Taft-Hartley Act.   Derrick DePledge (Honolulu Advertiser) notes that no presidential candidate has campaigned in Hawaii since Richard Nixon in 1960, notes Nader is already on the ballot in Hawaii for the presidential election and quotes him explaining, ""I didn't start running for president until the doors started closing in Washington against consumer, environmental, labor and other citizen groups. So when you don't have a chance to have a chance to improve your country on Capitol Hill and before the regulatory agencies, you either close up shop and go to Monterey and watch the whales or you go into the electoral arena."  Third Party Watch covers it here. Ahead of the apperance KHNL, AP and KITV reported on it. Thursday the Reno Gazette Journal reported Nader's campaign had turned in their signatures to be on the ballot in Nevada.  The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the campaign collected 12,000 signatures -- far more than needed to qualify. KRNV reports that if the Democrats attempt any of the manuevers they did in 2004, the Nader campaign will fight it.   The Nader Team notes:     Declare your independence from the flip-floppers McCain and Obama. Drop $4 now on Nader/Gonzalez for the Fourth of July weekend. Thank you. As you enjoy your Fourth of July weekend with friends and family, keep an eye on Nader/Gonzalez: Ralph Nader will appear on CNN and C-Span this weekend. Steve Scully's interview of Ralph will run on C-Span twice on Sunday night at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. EST. You can also watch on line now here. CNN's Rick Sanchez interview with Ralph will run on Saturday night. Ralph is a huge sports fan. Check out Dave Zirin's recent interview with Nader on sports here. And Dan Patrick's Sports Illustrated interview here. When Ralph Nader was growing up in Winsted, Connecticut, his hero was Yankee slugger Lou Gehrig. Gehrig was known as the Iron Horse for his stamina and persistence. (Now you know where Ralph gets it.) Ralph is campaigning in Hawaii this weekend. See story here. Nader/Gonzalez will be on the ballot in Nevada. See story here. We here at the Nader/Gonzalez campaign are pumped about the possibilities this summer. Ralph is polling at 6 percent. We'd like to bump it to ten percent and get Ralph into the Presidential debates. We're shooting for 45 states by September. And the possibilities of a three way race. Two flip floppers. And the real deal. So, drop four dollars now on the real deal. And declare your independence from the flip-flopping, corporate controlled McCain and Obama. Together, we are making a difference. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend. Onward The Nader Team   FROM THE TCI WIRE:   On the sexism front, notice the new target?  We don't highlight Maureen Dowd at this site.  I'm not a Dowd fan.  But, if you missed it, it's time for Bash the Bitch and it's Dowd's turn.  Maybe you didn't notice that?  Maybe you think David Brooks or Frank Rich just isn't deserving of calling out for their own problems -- which really do exceed Dowd's.  (And for the record, leaving facts aside, Dowd can out-write either of them -- both of whom also leave facts aside.)  It's brewing.  You saw Judith Miller take the fall not just for her own bad work but for Michael Gordon and a hundred others.  Now it's time to throw another woman on the fire and it appears it will be Maureen Dowd.  Can ____ honestly say he's referred to a male journalist being "spanked" before?   Can ____ pretend that they've focused on any male the way they're focusing on Dowd now?  Watch them try to if anyone calls them out.  More than likely, no one will.  Dowd's not above criticism.  But we're not talking about criticsm.  We're talking about (nod to Blondie) "Rip Her To Shreds" and note the "her."  Dowd's got a twice-weekly column.  Are we honestly supposed to believe that anything she could do the MSNBC no-stars don't out do her on?  There's a free floating rage over a number of issues and it appears it's about to glom on Dowd.  As usual, the woman's male peers will remain exempt.  And let's see when anyone will stand up and say: "That's about enough."  I doubt they will.  And this nonsense of you have to like Dowd to defend her is nonsense.  All you have to support is fairness and equality.  But that's never existed online and let's stop pretending it will by magic.  In the meantime try to pretend that Dowd's actions are worse than Keith Olbermann or Chris Matthews, et al.  And try to pretend that sexual degredation that's aimed at her would be used to 'critique' a man.  (That's not a tone argument.  We came up with Todd S. Purdum 'cupping' the story here in response to all the 'knee pads' nonsense about Elisabeth Bumiller. It's noting that, regardless of the 'tone' you choose to use, you apply it fairly regardless of gender or you're a sexist pig.)   If it's summer, it's Bash The Bitch.   Turning to the US race for president, Dominic Lawson (Independent of London) reflects on Primary Barack and the flip-flops that have ensued of late, "Those who actually supported Obama during this process now divide neatly, if unevenly, into two groups.  The first, smaller, group is full of buyer's remorse.  The blogosphere is hissling like a catherine wheel with their anger with Obama, obviously, but above all with themselves.  The second, much bigger group, continues to buy Obama's story.  They argue that everything and anything is justified if it helps to get a Democrat back in the White House; some of them add that 'of course' Obama doesn't believe any of the things he is now saying to woo the 'redneck states' and that once in the White House he will revert to his 'true beliefs'.  To this group we must address a simple question.  How do you know what Obama really believes in, other than his own destiny -- and, of course, his conscience?"  As Brian Montoli (CBS News) observes today, "What a difference a presidential campaign makes." Yeterday, Montopoli was noting Time's report of the religious right coming together in Denver to support Senator John McCain (the presumptive GOP nominee).   Meanwhile Hillary Supporters Vote Nader lists four reasons why: "(1) Single Payer Health Care will be back on the table, (2) The Wasteful, Bloated and Secretive Military Budget will be brought back to the forefront of the American People's minds.  (3) Renewable Energy and American Jobs back on the front burner.  (4) Persecution Protection From Corporate and Political Criminals will be spotlighted.  This includes: Net Neutrality, Telecom Spying and the outrageous lies that put the American and Iraqis People in harms way, destroyed the US economy and our children's future.  McCain and Obama have taken all these issues off the table."  This as Honolulu's KITV notes Ralph Nader will be at the University of Hawaii tonight while Barack "has no immediate plans to campaign here" and the McCain campaign says "Hawaii is not on his schedule."   Team Nader announces:   Ralph Nader said on ABC's This Week that the Nader/Gonzalez campaign will be on at least 45 states in November. Well, time to get it done. Need a summer job? We've got one for you. Become a Roadtripper for Ralph. Collect signatures to put the Nader/Gonzalez team on the ballot. Optimum profile for a Roadtripper for Ralph - energetic, youthful spirit, personable, fun loving, adventure seeking, democracy warrior. Check out Ralph making the pitch for more roadtrippers in this video. Interested? Contact mark@votenader.org. By the way, in case you didn't notice, on Saturday, we launched our campaign to raise $40,000 in ten days - by July 6. You did it in six days. Kaboom! Thanks to you, Nader/Gonzalez will be on the ballot in ten states, as promised, by July 6. Our goal - 45 states by September 15. We must now thank all of our roadtrippers. (Pictured above - our Illinois road trip crew turning in their signatures last week.) You help fund them. But they go out - day in and day out - and collect the necessary signatures to put Nader/Gonzalez on the ballot. Our nationwide team has been busting it all around this country. Today, our crew in Nevada will turn in 12,000 signatures - more than twice the 5,000 needed. As they say - what was collected in Nevada, stays in Nevada. And as a result, Nader/Gonzalez will be on the ballot in that key swing state. Thank you and congratulations Nevada road trip crew. Finally, why we are doing all of this? We are doing this because we have no alternative. McCain is the candidate of perpetual war. Obama is the corporate Democrat and panderer in chief. (Still doubt it? Check out this article in the New York Times documenting his flip-flop on telecom immunity and the political fallout.) Let's keep our eye on the ball. And get it done. By the way, Ralph is in Honolulu, Hawaii tonight for a campaign speech and rally. If you are in the area, please stop by. Onward     TV notes.  Bill Moyers Journal will reair the program revolving around Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran and a member of IVAW, including interviews with Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue who made the documentary Body of War which tells Young's story which is strong way to note the Fourth of July. NOW on PBS notes: A reminder: There is no NOW on PBS on July 4, 2008.  However, on the website we do have an insightful interview with a North Korea expert commenting on the thawing of relations between our country and North Korea, including a look ahead and analysis of McCain's and Obama's reactions.       RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Other Items" "ABC's in the tank with the Pentagon! (Or so a crackpot e-mails)" "Iraq snapshot" "Corey Glass" "The treaty" "Thoughts" "talking post" "go read kat!" "lies and truth" "Nut Job and other irks" "Nader in Hawaii tonight and on the ballot in Nevada" "Who called the Iraq War "a severe scar on our democratic fabric"?" "It is what it is" "Amy Goodman, selling it for the Aspen Institute" "Brian Montopoli, other topics" "Sick of it, that's me" "Nader on the ballot in Nevada" "This and that" "Weekend" "Barack's sweetheart deal" "Nader, 1969: "Canada to Admit Any U.S. Deserter"" "Talking post" "Dave Zirin interviews Nader" "THIS JUST IN! TEACHING 'PROGRESSIVES' TO READ!" "Teaching 'progressives'"

Teaching 'progressives'

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   READING IS FUNDAMENTAL BUT BEING ILLITERATE DOES EXPLAIN SUPPORT FROM 'PROGRESSIVES' FOR BARACK OBAMA.   HISTORY LESSON, CEDRIC'S BIG MIX STARTED IN 2005. MONTHS LATER CAME THE DAILY JOT.  THE TWO MERGED IN THE FALL OF 2006 AS DOWN TIME WAS USED TO BLOCK WALK, REGISTER VOTERS AND MORE TO HELP THE DEMOCRATS TAKE BACK CONGRESS.  IN OTHER WORDS, WE WASTE A LOT OF TIME OFFLINE.  BUT THE MERGER MEANS IF YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH ONE, YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH BOTH.   UNDERSTAND THAT, TOM HAYDEN?  WE'D HATE TO THINK YOU SAW "CEDRIC" AND DECIDED "I'LL SCREAM AT THE BLACK GUY!"   TOM-TOM HAYDEN (AKA THE PIPES OF PEACE) GOT HIS PANTIES IN A WAD ABOUT SOMETHING HE SAW HERE.  NOT "READ HERE" BECAUSE READING IS HARD AND TOM-TOM CAN'T MASTER IT.   SINCE TOM-TOM WROTE, WE HAVE SEARCHED THE ARCHIVES AND THIS IS APPARENTLY THE FIRST TIME TOM-TOM HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT BY BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX.  CONGRATS TOM-TOM, YOU'RE ALMOST FAMOUS!   NOW EACH DAY WE CARRY SOME STUFF FROM THE COMMON ILLS AND THAT'S NOTED WITH "FROM THE TCI WIRE."  FOR INSTANCE, WE ALWAYS INCLUDE THE WAR RESISTERS SECTION BECAUSE THE PATHETIC 'PEACE' 'LEADERS' DON'T WRITE CRAP ABOUT THEM.  THEY DON'T COVER THEM.  WAIT, WHY ARE WE TELLING YOU THAT?  YOU'RE ONE OF THE ONES STAYING PATHETICALLY SILENT! AND ON THE RARE TIMES WHEN YOU DO ADDRESS IT, YOU PUT FORTH THE LIE THAT THE ONLY WAR RESISTERS IN CANADA DURING VIETNAM WERE "DRAFT EVADERS."   MOST ADULTS AND EVEN CHILDREN CAN GRASP WHAT TOM-TOM CAN'T.  A FEW DAYS BEFORE HE WROTE, C.I. QUOTED LINDA HIRSHMAN'S SLATE ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT A SEXIST PIG TOM-TOM WAS.  THAT APPEARS TO BE WHAT GOT TOM-TOM SO UPSET THAT HE HAD TO GRIPE TO CEDRIC'S BIG MIX.   APPEARS TO?   TOM-TOM NEVER LEARNED THAT WHEN COMPLAINING ABOUT SOMETHING WRITTEN, YOU NEED TO SAY WHEN IT RAN.  ONE WONDERS IF HE WRITES TO THE NEW YORK TIMES, "DEAR NEW YORK TIMES, YOU ARE WRONG!  THAT WAS MEAN!" AND HONESTLY EXPECTS THEM TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE'S WRITING ABOUT?  IF SOMETHING UPSET YOU, TOM-TOM, TRY POINTING IT OUT.  TRY SAYING WHEN IT RAN AND/OR THE TITLE OF THE REPORT.  WHEN YOU'RE WRITING, TRY LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU'RE WRITING ABOUT.  AND, THIS CAN BE CONSIDERED PART ONE.  WE TOLD AVA AND C.I. ABOUT YOUR E-MAIL AND AVA SAID, "I'M GRABBING A PIECE OF THAT."    TO REVIEW: (1) GRIPING AT ONE OUTLET WHEN THESE ARE JOINT-POSTS MAKES YOU APPEAR RACIST.  (2) YOUR INABILITY TO READ IS TROUBLING.  (3) WHEN WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A REPORT, YOU NEED TO NOTE WHEN IT RAN AND/OR THE TITLE.  (4) YOUR REFUSAL TO USE YOUR PUBLIC SPACE TO COVER ANYTHING BUT THE CORPORATIST BARACK OBAMA IS NOT ONLY EMBARRASSING, IT'S A BETRAYAL OF WAR RESISTERS AND THEIR BRAVE STANDS.  IF THAT'S TOO MUCH FOR YOU, GRAMPS, GO SIT ON THE PORCH AND TELL THE WORLD AGAIN HOW 'TOUGH' VIETNAM WAS FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU HAD TO TAKE AN 'INVASIVE' PHYSICAL.  REMEMBER WHEN YOU SAID THAT'S WHAT MOTIVATED WAR RESISTANCE?  GUESS C.I., ELAINE AND REBECCA SERVED YOU YOUR SEXIST LUNCH ON THAT ONE.  WE'LL TOSS OUT A (6) FOR YOU.  "BULLY BOY PRESS" SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR CLUE THAT THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HUMOROUS POSTS.  NOT LAUGHING, MOVE THE HELL ALONG.  OR, IN THE WORDS OF CHER, "IF YOU CAN DIG IT, I'M HAPPY FOR YOU, IF YOU CAN'T, HEY, I'M SORRY."     FROM THE TCI WIRE:   Starting with war resistance.  In a dramatic development for US war resister Corey Glass, currently residing in Canada, there are no charges against him. May 21st was when Corey Glass was told he would be deported. Corey Glass is an Iraq War veteran and a US war resister. He went to Canada seeking asylum -- the kind of welcoming Canada provided to war resisters ("draft dodgers" and "deserters") during Vietnam. After being told he was being deported, he's been 'extended' through July 10th. June 3rd Canada's House of Commons voted (non-binding motion) in favor of Canada being a safe harbor for war resisters. This morning Russell Goldman (ABC News) reported: "Unbeknownst to him and his legion of supporters, Glass, 25, was actually discharged from the U.S. Army shortly after he went AWOL in 2006. . . .  According to U.S. Army documents and officials Glass was discharged from the California National Guard on Dec. 1, 2006, four months after he arrived in Canada and six months after he failed to show up to a required muster."  Goldman quotes Corey stating, "I had absolutely no idea that I had been discharged.  This is insane.  This is so weird.  There are no warrants?  No one is looking for me?"  According to Major Nathan Banks, the US military does not consider Glass AWOL or a deserter, there are no charges against Glass and Glass is out of the military.   Events planned are still being held.  Corey Glass is not the only US war resister in Canada and he is also not necessarily in the clear.  In the US, Courage to Resist is planning "July 9th actions at Canadian Consulates nationwide:" Join a vigil and delegation to a Canadian consulate near you on Wednesday, July 9th to support war resisters! On the eve of Corey Glass' possible deportation, we will demand, "Dear Canada: Abide by the June 3rd resolution - Let U.S. war resisters stay!" More details and cities to be confirmed soon! Washington DC - Time TBA - 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW (map). Sponsored by Veterans for Peace. Info: TBA San Francisco - Noon to 1pm - 580 California St (map). Sponsored by Courage to Resist. Info: 510-488-3559; courage(at)riseup.net Seattle - Time TBA - 1501 4th Ave (map). Sponsored by Project Safe Haven. Info: 206-499-1220; projectsafehaven(at)hotmail.com Dallas - Time TBA - 750 North St Paul St (map). Sponsored by North Texas for Justice and Peace. Info: 214-718-6362; hftomlinson(at)riseup.net New York City - Noon to 1pm - 1251 Avenue of the Americas (map). Sponsored by War Resisters' League. Info: 212-228-0450; wrl(at)warresisters.org Philadelphia - Time TBA - 1650 Market St (map). Sponsored by Payday Network. Info: 215-848-1120; payday(at)paydaynet.org Minneapolis - Time TBA - 701 Fourth Ave S (map). Info: TBA Los Angeles - Noon to 1pm - 550 South Hope St (map). Sponsored by Progressive Democrats LA. Info: pdlavote(at)aol.com Help organize a vigil at one of these other Canadian Consulates: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Anchorage, Houston, Raleigh, Phoenix, or San Diego. Please contact Courage to Resist at 510-488-3559. Veterans for Peace issued a joint call with Courage to Resist and Project Safe Haven for July 9th vigils at Canadian Consulates: "Dear Canada: Do Not Deport U.S. War Resisters!" Contact us if you can help organize a vigil, or can otherwise get involved. Locations of the 22 Canadian Consulates in the United States. Recently on June 3rd the Canadian Parliament passed an historic motion to officially welcome war resisters! It now appears, however, that the Conservative government may disregard the motion. Iraq combat veteran turned courageous war resister, 25-year-old Sgt. Corey Glass of the Indiana National Guard is still scheduled to be deported July 10th. We will ask that the Canadian government respect the democratic decision of Parliament, the demonstrated opinion of the Canadian citizenry, the view of the United Nations, and millions of Americans by immediately implementing the motion and cease deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and other current and future war resisters. Join Courage to Resist, Veterans for Peace, and Project Safe Haven at Canadian Consulates across the United States (Washington DC, San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles confirmed--more to be announced). We mailed and delivered over 10,000 of the original letters to Canadian officials. Please sign the new letter, "Dear Canada: Abide by resolution - Let U.S. war resisters stay!" http://www.couragetoresist.org/canada  Canada's War Resisters Support Campaign will hold a "Rally to Stop the Deportation of Parkdale Resident Corey Glass" July 3rd, begins at 7:00 p.m. (with doors opening at six p.m.) at the May Robinson Building, 20 West Lodge, Toronto: "In 2002, Corey joined the Indiana National Guard. He was told he would not have to fight on foreign shores. But in 2005 he was sent to Iraq. What he saw there caused him to become a conscientious objector and he came to Canada. On May 21, 2008, he got his final order to leave Canada by July 10, 2008. Then on June 3 Parliament passed a motion for all the war resisters to stay in Canada. However the Harper government says it will ignore this motion."  They are also asking for a July 2nd call-in.  Diane Finley is the Immigration and Citizenship Minister and her phone numbers are (613) 996-4974 and (519) 426-3400 -- they also provide her e-mail addresses minister@cic.gc.ca ("minister" at "cic.gc.ca") and finled1@parl.gc.ca ("finled1" at "parl.gc.ca").    To pressure the Stephen Harper government to honor the House of Commons vote, Gerry Condon, War Resisters Support Campaign and Courage to Resist all encourage contacting the Diane Finley (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration -- 613.996.4974, phone; 613.996.9749, fax; e-mail finley.d@parl.gc.ca -- that's "finley.d" at "parl.gc.ca") and Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, 613.992.4211, phone; 613.941.6900, fax; e-mail pm@pm.gc.ca -- that's "pm" at "pm.gc.ca").  Courage to Resist collected more than 10,000 letters to send before the vote.  Now they've started a new letter you can use online here.  The War Resisters Support Campaign's petition can be found here.   There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes 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, 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).   [. . .]   Turning to the US presidential race.  Barack Obama continues to attempt to prove he is patriotic.  Meanwhile this is how Ralph Nader described the country to Jim Lehrer (PBS' NewsHour) in 2000, "Well there are ups and downs.  Obviously the slavery period was counteracted by the antislavery movement, women got the right to vote, workers got the right to form trade unions.  They built the middle class.  As they say, they gave us our weekend, they gave us benefits.  The farmers' popular progressive movement against the banks and railroads companies that leavened power more; it gave people a chance to have more voice.  So I think we have to look back at our history and say why is it every time concentrated power got too much and social justice movements opposed them, and the dominant business community opposed a social justice movement and finally lost, America was better as a result.  Everybody benefited, including the businesses because democracy tends to expand markets."  In 2000 at this time, Nader was coming in at four-percent in most polls.  The most recent CNN-Opinion Research Poll found him to be holding at 6%.    On the Iraq War, while Barack wants credit for a speech he 'gave' in 2002 (online recording is a 're-creation'), what has he done since?  While Barack was supporting Bully Boy's illegal war throughout 2004 and stating repeatedly that he didn't know how he would have voted if he had been in the Senate, Ralph Nader knew where he stood in 2004: "Every day our exposed military remains in war-torm Iraq, we impreil U.S. security, drain our economy, ignore urgent domestic needs, and prevent Iraqi demonstratic self-rule.  We need to announace a withdrawal of our troops, not increase them."   In May of 2004, speaking to the Council of/for/from Foreign Relations, he would explain (in the belly of the beast): "After 9-11, it's now become quite clear that whatever emphasis there was on the al Qaeda apparatus, there was a superior emphasis on removing Saddam Hussein from Iraq.  What's interesting about this is the following.  It illustrated -- in ways perhaps never before illustrated in our country -- the fragility of our democratic institutiatons.  Here is a nation run by a tottering dictator presiding over a diplated army, with troops not willing to fight for him, surrounded by hostile Kurds to the north, hostile Shiites to the south, surrounded by three very powerful countries compared to his military ability: Iran, Turkey and Israel.  And had he directed one aggressive threat toward any of them, they would have obliterated his regime.  And yet Iraq under Hussein was viewed as a threat to the United States?  But what was most troubling was the lack of any deliberative process by the US Congress which was stampeded into this situation, lack of any deliberative or investigative process by the mass media which clicked their heels and loved the graphics that they were given, and without a deliberative attentiveness to the perceived concerns of the American people.  Before the invasion of Iraq, we tried to have Bush meet with one or more distinct groups in our country who had knowledge and were concerned about the invasion of Iraq.  Thirteen of these groups, with very little press attention, wrote open letters to President Bush in February and early March, asking for a meeting.  They included letters signed by the National Council of Churches, former military officers, former intelligence officials, student groups, women's peace advocates, a business group, labor group.  I don't know of any other impending hostility that had such an ecumentical coming-together, expressing doubt and opposition to the pending move.  None of these letters were answered by the White House.  There were no meetings.  President Bush, being the messianic militarist that we've come to know so well, was not interested in meeting with anyone who was critical of his proposed Iraq policies.  That was a severe scar on our democratic fabric."   Meanwhile Steve Holland (Reuters) notes Barack's "flexibility" and "nuance on Iraq".  Glen Ford (Black Agenda Report), endorsing Cynthia McKinney (presumed Green Party nominee), observes, " The true voices of peace speak clearly, in simple language. 'The U.S. should withdraw all troops and mercenaries from Iraq in as orderly a fashion as possible,' says former Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, candidate for the Green Party's presidential nomination. 'This withdrawal should be quickly accomplished, since the troops and the equipment were all pre-positioned in the area to start with, at the start of the invasion'."   And Team Nader notes:   Here's something you can do right now for Nader/ Gonzalez. Donate six dollars now. Why six dollars, you may ask? Because yesterday, CNN reported that Ralph Nader is at six percent in its most recent national poll. And while the flip-floppers Obama and McCain might look down on six percent, we are excited. Our goal of course is much higher. Right now, our goal is ten percent in the national polls. Why ten percent? Because ten percent gets us into the Google sponsored debates in New Orleans on September 18. If we get on the Google sponsored debates, we're convinced Nader/Gonzalez will move toward 20 percent. At twenty percent, people see a three way race. When people see a three way race, everything is possible. And we believe that in this momentous election year, everything is possible. But right now our motto is as follows: Get it done. Now, what exactly do we mean by get it done? We mean get Ralph Nader on the ballot in at least 45 states (Ralph was on only 34 in 2004) Here's our ambitious ballot access timetable: Ten states by July 6. Fifteen states by July 20. Thirty states by August 8. Forty states by September 1. Forty five states by September 15. Right now, we're in stage one: ten states by July 6. And we're in the middle of the stage one fundraising campaign. Right now, we need to raise $40,000 by July 6, 2008. Thanks to your generous donations, we're at $27,672. But we want to get to ten states as soon as possible. So, help us blow by our $40,000 goal early. If we can get stage one done early, then we can move onto stage two ahead of schedule. So, please, drop a six spot here now. There's nowhere to go but up. Together, we are making a difference.   RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Corey Glass is not AWOL, is not a deserter" "Iraq and the law" "corey glass" "how ralph became ralph" "Corey Glass, out of the military" "Ralph Nader, lessons from 2004" "corey glass discharged" "War resistance action tomorrow" "Corey Glass discharged!" "There really is no defending Barack" "Found in the paper" "News on Corey Glass" "Corey Glass is discharged" "Barack's Chicago roots" "latest news on corey glass" "Nader and Barack" "Corey Glass discharged" "COREY GLASS DISCHARGED!" "Barack closes his make up case" "THIS JUST IN! BARACK GIVES UP THE MAKE UP!"

Corey Glass discharged

FROM THE TCI WIRE:

Corey Glass is not AWOL, is not a deserter

In a dramatic development for US war resister Corey Glass, currently residing in Canada, there are no charges against him. May 21st was when Corey Glass was told he would be deported. Corey Glass is an Iraq War veteran and a US war resister. He went to Canada seeking asylum -- the kind of welcoming Canada provided to war resisters ("draft dodgers" and "deserters") during Vietnam. After being told he was being deported, he's been 'extended' through July 10th. June 3rd Canada's House of Commons voted (non-binding motion) in favor of Canada being a safe harbor for war resisters. Today is when Russell Goldman (ABC News) reports the development. In "Canada Ready to Deport U.S. Deserters," Goldman reveals:

Unbeknownst to him and his legion of supporters, Glass, 25, was actually discharged from the U.S. Army shortly after he went AWOL in 2006.
Glass and about 40 other American deserters who like him sought refugee status have prompted a national debate in Canada that last month reached the floor of Parliament on where to draw the line between cowardice and conscience.
"I had absolutely no idea that I had been discharged," said Glass when ABC News informed him of his status. "This is insane. This is so weird. There are no warrants? No one is looking for me?"
According to U.S. Army documents and officials Glass was discharged from the California National Guard on Dec. 1, 2006, four months after he arrived in Canada and six months after he failed to show up to a required muster.

Army Major Nathan Banks is quoted stating the US military does not consider Glass AWOL or a deserter, there are no charges against him, he is out of the military.

The development (similar developments happened during Vietnam) comes as polls show huge support in Canada for US war resisters. From Jason Buckland's "Don't turf Iraq war deserters, poll says" (Toronto Sun):

Three in five Canadians favour giving U.S. soldiers resisting the Iraq War a chance to stay in Canada as permanent residents, a new poll said yesterday.
Results from the nation-wide Angus Reid survey showed 64% of Canadians support war objectors seeking refuge north of the border.
"I think Canadians were opposed to the Iraq War from the start," said Lee Zaslofsky, national co-ordinator for the War Resister Support Campaign (WRSC).
"The fact that it has dragged on so long -- is in shambles, really -- I think Canadians understand why someone would want to stop fighting for that kind of cause in that kind of place."

The news today includes a shocker for many reporters. Ebony Horton, whom we called out in May, and others quick to swallow, should damn well pay attention. Sarah Childress (Newsweek) reports, "The number of active-duty soldiers who deserted the Army last year is higher than previously reported -- at 3,301, the military said last week. (The Army said the original figure was tallied incorrectly.) Deserters are branded after abandoning their posts without permission for 30 days. The tally is hardly at Vietnam War levels, but it's still significant for an all-volunteer military."

As Rebecca noted Friday, we are discussing how to cover the illegal war at Third and this news about Glass actually jumps a planned angle for Sunday. What's happened isn't surprising historically. Corey Glass should inquire about his IRR status before attempting to visit or return to the US. For Glass and for others, action is still needed. So planned actions should continue such as Canada's War Resister Support Campaign calling for a "NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION, Wednesday July 2nd" -- that's today:

STOP THE DEPORTATION OF U.S. WAR RESISTER COREY GLASS

On July 2nd…
CALL MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION DIANE FINLEY!

Details

U.S. Iraq War resister Corey Glass is still facing deportation on July 10th, despite the Parliament of Canada having voted in favour of a motion to let Corey and other U.S. war resisters stay.

The federal government and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration must respect the will of Parliament and implement the motion which calls on the government to "immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members […] to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and … the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions … against such individuals."

On July 2nd, the War Resisters Support Campaign is calling on all supporters to call Minister Diane Finley and ask her to:
• STOP deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and all U.S. Iraq war resisters; and
• IMPLEMENT the motion adopted by Canada’s Parliament to allow U.S. Iraq war resisters to apply for permanent resident status.

Here are the numbers to call:
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley
613.996.4974

MP Diane Finley's constituency office (Simcoe):
519.426.3400

Or email her at:
minister@cic.gc.ca
or
finled1@parl.gc.ca

* * *

It is more urgent than ever that we send a message to the Canadian government that Canada needs to welcome US men and women who refuse to participate in the illegal and immoral war in Iraq. There are three actions you can take today to help support the war resisters.

• Sign the petition in support of the war resisters;
• Contact the federal government and make your views known; and
• Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

Petition
Add your name to the petition calling for the federal government to implement a provision to allow war resisters to stay in Canada. Initial signatories include June Callwood, David Suzuki, Maude Barlow, Shirley Douglas, Naomi Klein, Ann-Marie MacDonald, and many others.
Please download a copy of the petition, sign it, circulate it and return it to the campaign.

Write a letter to the editor
Letters to the editor are an important piece of the public debate on this issue. The majority of Canadians opposed the war in Iraq and support the provision of sanctuary for US soldiers. Send a copy of your letter to the campaign to resisters@sympatico.ca.



And, in the US, Courage to Resist is planning "July 9th actions at Canadian Consulates nationwide:"

Join a vigil and delegation to a Canadian consulate near you on Wednesday, July 9th to support war resisters! On the eve of Corey Glass' possible deportation, we will demand, "Dear Canada: Abide by the June 3rd resolution - Let U.S. war resisters stay!" More details and cities to be confirmed soon!

Washington DC - Time TBA - 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW (map). Sponsored by Veterans for Peace. Info: TBA
San Francisco - Noon to 1pm - 580 California St (map). Sponsored by Courage to Resist. Info: 510-488-3559; courage(at)riseup.net
Seattle - Time TBA - 1501 4th Ave (map). Sponsored by Project Safe Haven. Info: 206-499-1220; projectsafehaven(at)hotmail.com
Dallas - Time TBA - 750 North St Paul St (map). Sponsored by North Texas for Justice and Peace. Info: 214-718-6362; hftomlinson(at)riseup.net
New York City - Noon to 1pm - 1251 Avenue of the Americas (map). Sponsored by War Resisters' League. Info: 212-228-0450; wrl(at)warresisters.org
Philadelphia - Time TBA - 1650 Market St (map). Sponsored by Payday Network. Info: 215-848-1120; payday(at)paydaynet.org
Minneapolis - Time TBA - 701 Fourth Ave S (map). Info: TBA
Los Angeles - Noon to 1pm - 550 South Hope St (map). Sponsored by Progressive Democrats LA. Info: pdlavote(at)aol.com
Help organize a vigil at one of these other Canadian Consulates: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Anchorage, Houston, Raleigh, Phoenix, or San Diego. Please contact Courage to Resist at 510-488-3559.
Veterans for Peace issued a joint call with Courage to Resist and Project Safe Haven for July 9th vigils at Canadian Consulates: "Dear Canada: Do Not Deport U.S. War Resisters!" Contact us if you can help organize a vigil, or can otherwise get involved. Locations of the 22 Canadian Consulates in the United States.
Recently on June 3rd the Canadian Parliament passed an historic motion to officially welcome war resisters! It now appears, however, that the Conservative government may disregard the motion.
Iraq combat veteran turned courageous war resister, 25-year-old Sgt. Corey Glass of the Indiana National Guard is still scheduled to be deported July 10th.
We will ask that the Canadian government respect the democratic decision of Parliament, the demonstrated opinion of the Canadian citizenry, the view of the United Nations, and millions of Americans by immediately implementing the motion and cease deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and other current and future war resisters.
Join Courage to Resist, Veterans for Peace, and Project Safe Haven at Canadian Consulates across the United States (Washington DC, San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles confirmed--more to be announced).
We mailed and delivered over 10,000 of the original letters to Canadian officials. Please sign the new letter, "Dear Canada: Abide by resolution - Let U.S. war resisters stay!"
http://www.couragetoresist.org/canada

Again, those actions should continue. Team Nader notes:

We're Having a Party!

Posted by The Nader Team on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 11:53:00 AM

We're having a party!

A Nader/Gonzalez House Party!

And we're inviting you to be one of 100 Nader/Gonzalez supporters to host a House Party on Saturday night July 26, 2008. Sign up now.

With the help of modern technology, you can have Ralph Nader right there with you in your living room.

If you choose to be one of the 100 to host a house party, we will send you a remarkable documentary DVD about Ralph Nader - An Unreasonable Man and the Awake from Your Slumber DVD starring Ralph Nader and Patti Smith - both autographed by Ralph Nader.

Plus, we'll throw in a special collector's edition Nader/Gonzalez button.

The purpose of the National Nader/Gonzalez House Party Day?

Raise $100,000 to help put Nader/Gonzalez on at least 45 state ballots.

To reach our goal, we are asking that each house party host bring together 20 or more friends, family, and other party goers to donate $50 each.

But you can organize your house party any way you want. If you want to bring together 40 people at $25 a pop, that's great. Or four people at $250 a pop, that's good too.

Now, of course, you won't be doing this alone.

Ralph is really excited about our house party project. (Check out our House Party video here.)

He'll be available that night - either by phone or through the wonders of the Internet - to talk with you and answer your questions.

So, if you want to host a house party - click here. Our house party staff will answer any and all questions you may have.

If you can't host a house party, please donate now to help fund our ballot access drive - remember, you can give Nader/Gonzalez up to the legal limit of $4,600. And if you choose, your name will appear on our home page!

So, if you can, join with us on July 26.

While McCain and Obama continue to flip-flop toward November, Ralph Nader remains steadfast - standing firm on a platform to shift the power away from the corporations and back to the people.

On Sunday, Ralph told ABC's George Stephanapolous that we intend to get on at least 45 states.

And we can't let Ralph down.

Stand by the candidacy that will stand by you.

By the way, yesterday, 319 of you kicked in $12,761.69. Thank you all very much.

As a result, we are now well on our way to our fundraising goal of $40,000.

This will help us secure ten state ballot lines by July 6. Together, we are making a difference.

Onward

The Nader Team

PS: We invite your comments to the blog.

Your contribution could be doubled. Public campaign financing may match your contribution total up to $250.

Sherry and Lyle highlighted the above.

The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.

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sex and politics and screeds and attitude

Barack closes his make up case

:BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   THERE ARE REAL PROBLEMS IN SENATOR BARACK OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN THAT CANNOT BE . . . POWERED AWAY.   "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CUTIE!" CRIED ONE SUPPORTER.   WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT, PRESUMABLY UP AGAINST JOHN MCCAIN NOW, THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN HAS DECIDED TO STOP USING THE LIP GLOSS THAT MADE BARACK SUCH A PRETTY, LITTLE HEAD TURNER DURING THE PRIMARIES.   "IT WAS STRAWBERRY SMACKERS," EXPLAINS BARACK.  "I JUST THOUGHT, 'UH-HUH, YEAH, THAT'S ME.'  I PICKED IT OUT MYSELF.  I THOUGHT I LOOKED REAL PRETTY WITH IT."    BUT THOSE DAYS ARE OVER NOW AND INSTEAD OF THOSE PRETTY, PINK, SHINY LIPS, BARACK ALMOST HAS LIPS TODAY LIKE ANY OTHER MAN.   "I POWDER THEM TO TAKE DOWN ON THE SHINE," HE SAYS.  "DAVID AXELROD TOLD ME JOHN WAYNE WOULD DO THAT ALL THE TIME BACK IN THE DAY."   BUT LAYING OFF THE MAKE UP -- WHICH DID INCLUDE FOUNDATION -- MEANS THE LINES AROUND HIS MOUTH ARE NOW VISIBLE.   "D.S.L.?  YEAH, I'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE.  I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT IT MEANS," BARACK CONFESSED.   FROM THE TCI WIRE:     Starting with war resistance.  As Canada gears up for actions to demonstrate support for US war resisters, a new poll is released.  The Angus Reid Poll finds: "A majority of Canadians would agree with the decision to let American military deserters stay in Canada as permanent residents, a new Angus Reid Strategies survey reveals. . . In the online survey of a representative national sample, three-in-five Canadians (64%) say they would agree to give these U.S. soldiers the opportunity to remain in Canada as permanent residents.  Quebec (70%) houses the highest proportion of respondents who agree with the motion, while Alberta (52%) has the fewest supporters.  A gender breakdown reveals that while both males and females would agree to let U.S. military deserters remain in Canada, females are much more sympathetic (69% versus 57%)."  The findings come as Canada is on the verge of deporting the first US Iraq War resister.  May 21st was when Corey Glass was told he would be deported. Corey Glass is an Iraq War veteran and a US war resister. He went to Canada seeking asylum -- the kind of welcoming Canada provided to war resisters ("draft dodgers" and "deserters") during Vietnam. After being told he was being deported, he's been 'extended' through July 10th. June 3rd Canada's House of Commons voted (non-binding motion) in favor of Canada being a safe harbor for war resisters. Douglas Glynn (The Barrie Examiner) quotes Corey stating, "The motion is not legally binding, though the majority of Parliament voted for it. I realized innocent people were being killed. I tried to quit the military while in Iraq," he said, "but my commander told me I was just stressed out and needed some R and R (rest and relaxation), because I was doing a job I was not trained to do. I went home on leave and said I was not coming back." So that's where it stands currently.   Canada's War Resister Support Campaign is calling for a "NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION, Wednesday July 2nd:"   STOP THE DEPORTATION OF U.S. WAR RESISTER COREY GLASS On July 2nd…  CALL MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION DIANE FINLEY!  DetailsU.S. Iraq War resister Corey Glass is still facing deportation on July 10th, despite the Parliament of Canada having voted in favour of a motion to let Corey and other U.S. war resisters stay.   The federal government and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration must respect the will of Parliament and implement the motion which calls on the government to "immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members […] to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and … the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions … against such individuals." On July 2nd, the War Resisters Support Campaign is calling on all supporters to call Minister Diane Finley and ask her to:  • STOP deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and all U.S. Iraq war resisters; and • IMPLEMENT the motion adopted by Canada's Parliament to allow U.S. Iraq war resisters to apply for permanent resident status. Here are the numbers to call: Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley 613.996.4974 MP Diane Finley's constituency office (Simcoe): 519.426.3400 Or email her at:  minister@cic.gc.ca  or finled1@parl.gc.ca    In the US, Courage to Resist is planning "July 9th actions at Canadian Consulates nationwide:" Join a vigil and delegation to a Canadian consulate near you on Wednesday, July 9th to support war resisters! On the eve of Corey Glass' possible deportation, we will demand, "Dear Canada: Abide by the June 3rd resolution - Let U.S. war resisters stay!" More details and cities to be confirmed soon! Washington DC - Time TBA - 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW (map). Sponsored by Veterans for Peace. Info: TBA San Francisco - Noon to 1pm - 580 California St (map). Sponsored by Courage to Resist. Info: 510-488-3559; courage(at)riseup.net Seattle - Time TBA - 1501 4th Ave (map). Sponsored by Project Safe Haven. Info: 206-499-1220; projectsafehaven(at)hotmail.com Dallas - Time TBA - 750 North St Paul St (map). Sponsored by North Texas for Justice and Peace. Info: 214-718-6362; hftomlinson(at)riseup.net New York City - Noon to 1pm - 1251 Avenue of the Americas (map). Sponsored by War Resisters' League. Info: 212-228-0450; wrl(at)warresisters.org Philadelphia - Time TBA - 1650 Market St (map). Sponsored by Payday Network. Info: 215-848-1120; payday(at)paydaynet.org Minneapolis - Time TBA - 701 Fourth Ave S (map). Info: TBA Los Angeles - Noon to 1pm - 550 South Hope St (map). Sponsored by Progressive Democrats LA. Info: pdlavote(at)aol.com Help organize a vigil at one of these other Canadian Consulates: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Anchorage, Houston, Raleigh, Phoenix, or San Diego. Please contact Courage to Resist at 510-488-3559. Veterans for Peace issued a joint call with Courage to Resist and Project Safe Haven for July 9th vigils at Canadian Consulates: "Dear Canada: Do Not Deport U.S. War Resisters!" Contact us if you can help organize a vigil, or can otherwise get involved. Locations of the 22 Canadian Consulates in the United States. Recently on June 3rd the Canadian Parliament passed an historic motion to officially welcome war resisters! It now appears, however, that the Conservative government may disregard the motion. Iraq combat veteran turned courageous war resister, 25-year-old Sgt. Corey Glass of the Indiana National Guard is still scheduled to be deported July 10th. We will ask that the Canadian government respect the democratic decision of Parliament, the demonstrated opinion of the Canadian citizenry, the view of the United Nations, and millions of Americans by immediately implementing the motion and cease deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and other current and future war resisters. Join Courage to Resist, Veterans for Peace, and Project Safe Haven at Canadian Consulates across the United States (Washington DC, San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles confirmed--more to be announced). We mailed and delivered over 10,000 of the original letters to Canadian officials. Please sign the new letter, "Dear Canada: Abide by resolution - Let U.S. war resisters stay!" http://www.couragetoresist.org/canada  Canada's War Resisters Support Campaign will hold a "Rally to Stop the Deportation of Parkdale Resident Corey Glass" July 3rd, begins at 7:00 p.m. (with doors opening at six p.m.) at the May Robinson Building, 20 West Lodge, Toronto: "In 2002, Corey joined the Indiana National Guard. He was told he would not have to fight on foreign shores. But in 2005 he was sent to Iraq. What he saw there caused him to become a conscientious objector and he came to Canada. On May 21, 2008, he got his final order to leave Canada by July 10, 2008. Then on June 3 Parliament passed a motion for all the war resisters to stay in Canada. However the Harper government says it will ignore this motion."  They are also asking for a July 2nd call-in.  Diane Finley is the Immigration and Citizenship Minister and her phone numbers are (613) 996-4974 and (519) 426-3400 -- they also provide her e-mail addresses minister@cic.gc.ca ("minister" at "cic.gc.ca") and finled1@parl.gc.ca ("finled1" at "parl.gc.ca").    To pressure the Stephen Harper government to honor the House of Commons vote, Gerry Condon, War Resisters Support Campaign and Courage to Resist all encourage contacting the Diane Finley (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration -- 613.996.4974, phone; 613.996.9749, fax; e-mail finley.d@parl.gc.ca -- that's "finley.d" at "parl.gc.ca") and Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, 613.992.4211, phone; 613.941.6900, fax; e-mail pm@pm.gc.ca -- that's "pm" at "pm.gc.ca").  Courage to Resist collected more than 10,000 letters to send before the vote.  Now they've started a new letter you can use online here.  The War Resisters Support Campaign's petition can be found here.   There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes 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, 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).   [. . .]   Turning to the US race for president.  Alexander Mooney (CNN) reports on the latest CNN-Opinion Research Corporation poll which finds Ralph Nader with 6% of the vote, Bob Barr with 3% (Adam Kokesh is supporting Bob Barr), John McCain with 43% and Barack Obama with 46% -- the poll does not include Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's presumed nominee.  PBS' NewsHour has today added profiles of presidential candidates Ralph Nader and Bob Barr.   "We do need a more fundamental strategy here on giant corporate power," Ralph Nader declared in October of last year at the DC Green Festival.  That is the central political issue of our time. It's corporate power and the takeover of our government and the spread of commercial values into every nook and cranny of our culture including the commercialization of childhood, the commercialization of universities, the commercialization of almost everything these large companies touch. . . . The other day there was a report saying that TORT lawyers were having trouble suing nursing home chains for severe mistreatment of elderly people and neglect.  And the reason why is because these nursing home chains are owned by tiers of corporations -- some of them offshore.  And the most immediate tier have very few assets so they can't be responsible for paying the verdicts.  And so the TORT lawyers say, 'Well we just can't handle it.'  And so more and more people can be mistreated or neglected in these nursing homes with impunity."   Ralph Nader's running mate is Matt Gonzalez and the Nader-Gonzalez ticket is on the ballot in Illinois and  The Hartford Courant notes: "Campaign volunteer Peter Ellmer was able to solicit several pledges on Sunday from people who are willing to collect signatures to get Nader on the Connecticut ballot."  Nader is working to be on the ballot and Team Nader notes that Monday saw $12,761.69 donated to the Nader-Gonzalez campaign.  We'll close with Nader in a moment, but first, the Dems. Paul Bedard (US News & World Reports) notes that Barack's campaign is still suffering problems from Wesley Clark's remarks [see yesterday's snapshot or Deilah Boyd's (A Scriveners Lament) post here] and now also from Barack's efforts to distance himself from Clark and includes these observations by Suzi Parker, "Obama can kiss Arkansas goodbye.  A lot of Dems are mad that Obama threw Clark under the bus and denounced his comments about McCain.  If anything, they think the Obama should have just let the comments lie.  A lot of Dems I am talking to are Clintonites but also supported Clark in 2004 [when he ran for president].  Also hearing from Clark supporters who were in the draft movement that the Obama folks must have forgotten Clark has a massive database of supporters that has only gotten bigger since 2004 because Clark has been out campaigning for Dems since then."   Susan (Random Thoughts from Reno) blogs, "Now convince me, Obama supporters, your candidate is something other than a ringer for the GOP.  This guy is NOT, repeat NOT, a Democrat.  Now he wants to expand 'faight-based' programs . . . Yeah, give these outfits federal money and allow them to discriminate.  That's REAL progress."  Also noting the new support for 'faith-based' programs is Vasleftt (Corrente) who terms it part of "Obama's bottomless pit of capitulation" and withdraws the previous endorsement of Barack.  This is on the heels of his cave-in on illegal spying, his broken promise over public financing and, as Klaus Marre (The Hill) points out, Barack's 'big speech' yesterday was a slap-down to MoveOn. If there is a spine in there, presumably, it is collapsible.  Finally, Team Nader notes:   We're having a party!  A Nader/Gonzalez House Party! And we're inviting you to be one of 100 Nader/Gonzalez supporters to host a House Party on Saturday night July 26, 2008. Sign up now. With the help of modern technology, you can have Ralph Nader right there with you in your living room.  If you choose to be one of the 100 to host a house party, we will send you a remarkable documentary DVD about Ralph Nader - An Unreasonable Man and the Awake from Your Slumber DVD starring Ralph Nader and Patti Smith - both autographed by Ralph Nader. Plus, we'll throw in a special collector's edition Nader/Gonzalez button. The purpose of the National Nader/Gonzalez House Party Day? Raise $100,000 to help put Nader/Gonzalez on at least 45 state ballots. To reach our goal, we are asking that each house party host bring together 20 or more friends, family, and other party goers to donate $50 each.  But you can organize your house party any way you want. If you want to bring together 40 people at $25 a pop, that's great. Or four people at $250 a pop, that's good too. Now, of course, you won't be doing this alone. Ralph is really excited about our house party project. (Check out our House Party video here.)  He'll be available that night - either by phone or through the wonders of the Internet - to talk with you and answer your questions. So, if you want to host a house party - click here. Our house party staff will answer any and all questions you may have. If you can't host a house party, please donate now to help fund our ballot access drive - remember, you can give Nader/Gonzalez up to the legal limit of $4,600. And if you choose, your name will appear on our home page!  So, if you can, join with us on July 26. While McCain and Obama continue to flip-flop toward November, Ralph Nader remains steadfast - standing firm on a platform to shift the power away from the corporations and back to the people.  On Sunday, Ralph told ABC's George Stephanapolous that we intend to get on at least 45 states.  And we can't let Ralph down.  Stand by the candidacy that will stand by you.     RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Other Items" "NYT renews interest in Iraq" "ron jacobs, illegal wars" "Third, McCain" "Kevin Zeese, Ralph Nader" "Gay Pride celebrations" "Magazine writing" "Iraq, Third" "Barack's America!" "THIS JUST IN! BARACK THE SMUT PEDDLER!"