Barack distracts from sexism

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   SENATOR BARACK "SWEETIE" OBAMA WAS IN AN UPROAR TODAY.  HIS CAMPAIGN DUBBED A CARTOON COVER OF THE NEW YORKER "OFFENSIVE."   OFFENSIVE WAS THE BARACK OBAMA FUNDRAISER AT THE END OF LAST WEEK WHERE FAILED SITCOM NON-STAR BERNIE MAC DID A 'ROUTINE' IN WHICH WOMEN WERE CALLED "HOS" AND GREEDY, A ROUTINE SO VULGAR AND SEXIST HE WAS HECKLED.    IT ONLY GOT WORSE AS BARACK STEPPED FORWARD AND PRETENDED TO CALL OUT THE SEXISM AND TAKE BERNIE MAC TO TASK BEFORE SAYING "I'M JUST KIDDING YOU."  SCREAMING THAT THE COVER WAS OFFENSIVE AND IMPLYING RACISM HAD ALL THE USUAL BARACK CROTCH SNIFFERS RUNNING WITH HIS TALKING POINT.   WE CAUGHT UP WITH AILEEN ALFANDARY OF KPFA AND AMY GOODMAN OF PRAVDA ON THE HUDSON.   "WE'RE JUST WHORES," EXPLAINED GOODY WHILE ALF REFUSED TO BARK.  "I SWING MY ASS AND SELL IT FOR BARACK.  I'M NOT A JOURNALIST, I'M JUST A CHEAP WHORE.  THAT'S WHY I DON'T GIVE A DAMN THAT ALL WOMEN WERE CALLED HOS.  I'M A WHORE AND AIN'T I A WOMAN?  I WILL GET BARACK INTO THE WHITE HOUSE AND, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'LL STILL BE A WHORE THEN."   REACHED FOR COMMENT, SENATOR SWEETIE SAID, "THOSE HOS BETTER BE WORKING IT.  I'M NOT KIDDING."  ASKED ABOUT HIS TANTRUM OVER THE MAGAZINE COVER, HE LAUGHED, "YEAH, YEAH, KEPT PEOPLE FROM FOCUSING ON BERNIE MAC AND FROM READING THAT ARTICLE THAT PROVES I AIN'T NO POLITICAL VIRGIN."       FROM THE TCI WIRE: Starting with war resistance.  The American Family News Network's OneNewsNow demonstrates just how some people must actually beg to be stupid -- that's the only explanation for their nonsense.  They quote a retired Lt Col Bob Maginnis in the US on war resisters in Canada stating, "The military is pretty strict on treason -- and if it gets its hands on these people, it will put them in jail.  They'll spend years, I would expect, in jail.  I don't think they're just going to let them go free unless a new president comes in and grants amnesty -- and of course we've seen that in the past."  "Treason"?  What a moron.  Desertion is not treason.  As for amnesty and "we've seen that in the past" -- does he mean Vietnam?  We saw no amnesty for desertion (Gerald Ford did institute a clemency program for deserters and draft evaders -- there was no amnesty for deserters, not even by Jimmy Carter).  Historically, Andrew Johnson gave amnesty in December 25, 1868, FDR gave amnesty in 1933, Harry S. Truman did four amnesties  -- all programs included deserters.  Canadian MP Bob Rae took to the Toronto Star on Saturday to give a much needed history lesson on Canada during Vietnam, "At the time, those coming over as draft dodgers and deserters knew they would not be able to return home without facing arrest. It would be years before a general amnesty would allow that to happen, and it applied just to the draft dodgers; deserters are still arrested if they return. The Pearson and Trudeau governments kept the border open, despite U.S. objections, and refused to allow Canadian border officials to become agents of American military policy. It strained the relationship -- as did public statements by Canadian officials about the war itself -- but it did not break it.  The Vietnam generation has made an extraordinary contribution to the life of the country. In every walk of life, in every profession, in every community, Canada is a better place because we decided to become a place of refuge for those seeking a different political home, even those who were defying American military law to do so." Meanwhile the Los Angeles Times offers the editorial "Seeking asylum in Canada: The case of U.S. Army deserter Joshua Key should prompt the U.S. to do some soul-searching" which notes, "Because of the sympathetic reception that Canada gave U.S. conscientious objectors and deserters during the Vietnam War, Americans may assume that our gentle northern neighbor will grant refuge to the perhaps 200 Iraq war deserters who have fled to Canada and thus spare us the agony of prosecuting them. But times and Canadian laws have changed. Although Canada declined to help the U.S. invade Iraq and its public largely opposes the continuing U.S. operations there, its courts have consistently ruled that U.S. deserters have no right to asylum. The courts have sensibly concluded that Americans who volunteer for military service cannot claim to be conscientious objectors merely because they oppose the war in Iraq, and that soldiers who wish to challenge the conduct of the war can do so through established legal procedures at home without fear of persecution."  The editorial notes Canadian  Judge Robert Barnes decision regarding Joshua Key's claims for refugee status as well as the motion the House of Commons passed June 3rd) and comes out on the day that Robin Long's hearing takes place.     War Resisters Support Campaign - Vancouver notes that hearing was scheduled to begin at 9:30 this morning.  Andy Iven (The Province) reports, "Long's lawyer, Shepherd Moss, will ask the Federal Court this morning to grant a stay of his deportation order" and notes Vancouver's War Resisters Support Campaign chair Bob Ages explaining that Long was never informed that the Canadian Border Services Agency had decided to deport him prior to his being arrested and quotes Ages asking, "Without the decision [being communicated], how do you know you are supposed to appeal?" Chris Cook's Gorilla Radio will feature Sarah Bjorknas (of Vancouver's War Resisters Support Campaign) as a guest this evening. She will be speaking about Robin Long. It airs live on 101.9 FM in Canada ond online from five to six p.m. PST.   An interview with Iraq Veterans Against the War  Matthis Chiroux taped last Wednesday was aired this morning on WBAI's Law and Disorder.   Dahlia Hashad: Matthis is with Iraq Veterans Against the War and a conscientious objector himself.  Welcome Matthis to Law and Disorder.   Thank you ma'am. It's good to be here.   Dahlia: Matthis, you're here in New York City protesting.  Can you tell us why you're here?   Matthis: I call New York City my home but I'm out in front of the Canadian embassy today.  I am advocating the rights of Corey Glass and other US war resisters in Canada who may face deportation despite a resoulition of support from the Canadian Parliament for allowing US war resisters to stay in Canada. And that is not right.  That is not democratic.  The people at large have spoken -- two-thirds of the Canadian people believe US war resisters should be able to stay and the government is prepared to act in opposition to that.    [. . .]   Michael Smith: Matthis, we hear the chants of anti-war activists in the background.  We wanted to ask you about yourself.  What's led you to the decision to refuse to deploy to Iraq?   Matthis Chiroux: Yes.  Well I served for five years in the army.  I see a great need for a defensively postured, professional force that can also participate in military operations abroad  but I see that this force has been hijacked by those who are not adhering to the Rule of Law anymore as recorded in the Constitution and I refuse to -- I refuse to follow illegal orders.   Michael Smith: Are you under orders now to deploy to Iraq?   Matthis Chiroux: I am.  I am under force reactivization orders.  The president signed a state of emergency orders declared on September 14, 2001. It's the reason, his authority for calling me back and more or less drafting me as a veteran to go and fight his war in Iraq which I believe to the very core of my self as a soldier and citizen that this war is illegal and I feel bound to refuse to participate.   Michael Smith: When are you supposed to ship out?   Matthis Chiroux: I was supposed to ship out June 15th.  Instead I made a speech in Washington, DC.  I was there actually informing members of Congress of the plight of war resisters.  I met with members and their staff and I think roughly about 30 offices and I put forward to them the fact that military members who cannot call themselves conscientious objectors according to the army's standard are being left with options by the army and that is 1) deploy as ordered despite your beliefs and despite what you understand the law to be; 2) go AWOL -- you know flee the country or, if you stay in the country, go into hiding and live like a criminal . . .   To show your support for Matthis, Iraq Veterans Against the War asks that you:   Contact your congressional representatives and ask them to publicly support Matthis.  Contribute to IVAW's legal defense fund to help Matthis and other resisters. Send a message of support to Sgt Matthis Chiroux at  thankyoumatthis@ivaw.org.    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.  The Green Party concluded their convention yesterday.  Media attention largely fell into two categories: silence and snark.  Leave it to Aileen Alfandary to bring in "uninformed" which, for the record, she did on the first news break of KPFA's The Morning Show where she declared of  the Cynthia McKinney and  Rosa Clemente ticket, "This year's Green ticket marks the first time a US has nominated women of color for both president and vice-president."  Uh, no, Alfandary, it's not.  From Friday's snapshot: "What About Our Daughters? explains that, if McKinney is the nominee, this is the third time two women of color would be on the ticket with the first being Lenora Fulani and Maria Elizabeth Munoz in 1992 (New Alliance Party) and Monica Moorehead and Gloria La Riva (Workers World Party) in 1996."  And, no, Alfandary, she's not a "Hip-Hop artist" -- usually you have to go to the Atlanta Journal-Constiution to find that sort of lie.  She's a "Hip-Hop activist" (and bills herself as that). Alfandary continued, "McKinney is African-American, Clemente is Puerto Rican."  Oh really?  That's how Clemente self-defines?  Here's Clemente explaining it in 2007, "I am often asked what I am usually by Blacks who are lighter than me, and by Latinos as dark or darker than me.  To anser the ,000 question, I am a Black Boricua, Black Rican, Puertoriqueoa! Almost always I am questioned about why I choose to call myself Black over Latina, Spanish or Hispanic.  Let me break it down.  I am not Spanish.  Spanish is just another language I speak.  I am not Hispanic.  My ancestors are not descendants of Spain, but descendants of Africa.  I define my existence by race and land.  (Borinken is the indigenous name of the island of Puerto Rico.) Being a Latino is not a cultural identity but rather a political one.  Being Puerto Rican is not a racial identity, but rather a cultural and national one.  Being Black is my racial identity."  Amazingly Alfandary made so many mistakes during The Morning Show while providing McKinney, Clemente and the Green Party convention 49 less seconds than she devorted to a Barack Obama magazine cover (listen to all Alfandary's news breaks in the program).  A political party holds a convention.  They nominate their presidential candidate. And it's less important to Alfandary than a magazine cover?  Is their any perspective or awarness?  (No, there's not.  And Ava and I will tackle it Sunday at Third.)  NPR gave the nomination three minutes in a report Sunday by Cheryl Corley (Weekend Edition Sunday).  And just to be clear, the cover is not the issue.  Though Amy Goodman and Aileen Alfandary act like it is, the reality is Obama campaign is attacking the cover to discredit the article.  Back to the Greens.   The convention began Thursday "at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago" and it ran through Sunday.  A video of McKinney speaking at the party's Presidential Candidate Forum Friday night can be found here. Kimberly Wilder (On the Wilder Side) has a photo essay of the weekend here and you'll notice how much Cynthia McKinney looks like her mother, Leola McKinney, who was among the many attending the convention (as was Cynthia's father Billy McKinney). Wilder reports that not only were they, they "switched their registration from Democratic Party to Green Party" and "were elected to be the delegates from the Black Caucus.  So, Cynthia McKinney's parents went on stage to cast the GP-US Black Caucus's two votes: both for their daughter".  The voting took place Saturday and involved only one round which Cynthia won.  In her acceptance speech, McKinney noted her son Coy who "grew up playing on the Floor underneath my desk in the Chamber of the Georgia House of Representatives.  His buddies were the legislators down there, under the Gold Dome, who were my and my father's colleagues."  She noted her father, "When my father first started out in the world of politics in Georgia, he began as a Republican, because Georgia Democrats would not allow Blacks to vote in their primaries.  Some of my father's closest friends today are still Republicans because of that history.  My father served 30 years in the Georgia Legislature as a Democrat.  Because of him, I served 4 years in the Georgia Legislature, when we were the country's only father-daughter legislative team.  And then I went to Congress and served 12 years working with the Democratic Party and its current leadership representing the State of Georgia."  And she noted her mother, "My mother is the genteel Southern lady who keeps our family glued together.  A nurse by profession, a nurturer by instinct, she could patch over all the times I had  political disagreements with my Dad and it ended up being discussed, not only at the family dinner table, but also on the evening news."  She noted the Democratic presidential primay, "And even though for the first time a woman and an African-American were being taken seriously in national primaries, a real discussion of race and gender has been studiously avoided on all sides."  From McKinney's speech (which is posted in full at Austin Cassidy's Independent Political Report):   In 1851, in Akron, Ohio a former slave woman, abolitionist, and woman's rights activist by the name of Sojourner Truth gave a speech now known as "Ain't I a Woman." Sojourner Truth began her remarks, "Well children, where there is so much racket, there must be something out of kilter." She then went on to say that even though she was a woman, no one had ever helped her out of carriages or lifted her over ditches or given her a seat of honor in any place. Instead, she acknowledged, that as a former slave and as a black woman, she had had to bear the lash as well as any man; and that she had borne "thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And Ain't I a woman?" Finally, Sojourner Truth says, "If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!" As it was in 1851, so too it is in 2008. There is so much racket that we, too, know something is out of kilter. In 1851, the racket was about a woman's right to vote. In 1848, just a few years before Sojourner uttered those now famous words, "Ain't I a Woman?" suffragists met in Seneca Falls, New York and issued a declaration.        That declaration began:      "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government . . . . But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled."        Two hundred sixty women and forty men gathered in Seneca Falls, NY and declared their independence from the politics of their present and embarked upon a struggle to create a politics for the future. That bold move by a handful of people in one relatively small room laid the groundwork and is the precedent for what we do today. The Seneca Falls Declaration represented a clean break from the past: Freedom, at last, from mental slavery. The Seneca Falls Declaration and the Akron, Ohio meeting inaugurated 72 years of struggle that ended with the passage of the 19th Amendment in August of 1920, granting women the right to vote. And 88 years later, with the Green Party as its conductor, the History Train is rolling down the tracks.          The Green Party is making history today. According to one source, 45 women have run for President in primary elections in the United States in the 20th Century; 22 have made it on the ballot in at least one state in November. Thank you, Green Party, for pulling this history train from the station.           But we make history today only because we must. In 2008, after two stolen Presidential elections and eight years of George W. Bush, and at least two years of Democratic Party complicity, the racket is about war crimes, torture, crimes against the peace; the racket is about crimes against the Constitution, crimes against the American people, and crimes against the global community. The racket is even about values that we thought were long settled as reasonable to pursue, like liberty and justice, and economic opportunity, for all. Yes, Sojourner, there's a lot out of kilter now, but these two women, Rosa and me, joined by all the men and women in this room, are going to do our best to turn this country right side up again.          McKinney is an actual nominee, her party's candidate.  The Democrats don't have one yet, they'll hold their convention in August.  Barack Obama is presumed to be the candidate and  a new group has sprung up in reaction to him. Progressives Against Obama announces: "When Barack Obama broke his promise to progressives, and voted for the FISA Amendments Act, it was with the assumption that progressive voters would never abandon the Obama campaign, because they had no alternative.  Now a group is organizing disgruntled voters online with the purpose of proving Obama's assumption to be wrong.  Progressives Against Obama have begun to organize online at ProgressivesAgainstObama.com. "  Along with the FISA cave, the organization notes Barack's waffling position on Iraq, his announcement that he'll expand Bully Boy's 'faith' based funding, his "opposition to full marriage equality" and his "use of homophobic preacher Donnie McClurkin."  The organization's founder Jonathan Cook declares, "We do not support John McCain, and we do not support right wing and racist attacks against Barack Obama.  As progressives, we oppose Barack Obama from a progressive perspective.  We intend to hold true to our ideals even as Barack Obama trades them away for the sake of political power."  Gilles d'Aymery (Swans Commentary) advocates for independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader, "The Nader-Gonzalez ticket is by far the most qualified and experienced to govern the nation.  Their combined expertise, their common sense approach to problem solving, and their acclaimed honesty appeal to a wide range of people from all sides of the political divide.  Contrary to the two candidates of the duopoly [Barack and McCain] they are not panderers; they are not flip-floppers; they do not exploit fear for political ends; and they have no corporate masters and are not owned by lobbyists, which allow them to represent the interests of the entire American people, not the top twenty percent of the population. . . . as often stated, a vote for Nader is a vote for sanity -- and the country has never needed more sane and sound policies than since the 1930s."  Jesse A. Hamilton (Harford Courant) reports, "Right about now, the Forces of Nader are adding the familiar name of Ralph Nader to the Rhode Island presidential election ballot for November.  The state requires 1,000 signatures to do so; his campaign reported they'll be handing over more than 2,000." Foon Rhee (Boston Globe) notes, "His campaign also plans to turn in signatures today in South Carolina, and says he will be well on the way to being on the ballot in 15 states by next week.  In Massachusetts, Nader said he has about 17,000 signatures in hand and is aiming for 20,000.  He needs 10,000 valid signatures to get on the Bay State ballot."  Chris Giganti (The Digitel) explains that 18,500 signatures were gathered in South Carolina and that the petition was filed this afternoon.  Nader was campaigning in North Carolina this weekend and Rachana Dixit (Charlottesville Daily Progress) reports he declared that corporations "were never designed to rule us.  They were designed to be our servants, now they have become our masters" and that he addressed "cutting the military budget, adopting single-payer national health insurance, completely reversing the United States' policy in the Middle East, impeaching President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, and cracking down on corporate crime and welfare."  This morning Team Nader summed up the goals and objectives for the immediate future as well as the ones reached over the weekend:   Four days ago we announced our goal of putting Ralph Nader on the ballot in five more states - for a total of fifteen states - by July 20 and that we would need to raise $60,000 to get it done.  How are we doing?  In those four days, we've raised - thanks to you - more than $26,000. Later today in South Carolina, we will turn in more than 18,000, more than enough to get us on the ballot. We only need 10,000 valid. South Carolina - check.     Later today in Rhode Island, we will turn in more than 2,000 signatures.   We need only 1,000 valid to get us on the ballot there.      Rhode Island - check.   In Massachusetts, we have about 17,000 signatures in hand. We need 10,000 valid. Our goal is 20,000. We're well on our way in Massachusetts.In Missouri, we have 14,000 in hand. We need 10,000 valid. Our goal is 20,000. We're well on our way in Missouri. Our South Carolina road crew is being deployed to Arkansas this week. They should knock out Arkansas by the end of the week. So, by Sunday, July 21, as promised, we will have 15 states in the bag. (See updated map here.) On the political front, McCain and Obama are in a dead heat. (See Rasmussen daily tracking poll here.)  CNN's most recent poll puts Ralph at six percent. Ralph has been on the road campaigning, most recently in Charlottesville, Virginia. Check out this news video.  And as the panderer Obama moves to the right, many of his supporters are taking a new look at Nader/Gonzalez. Check out, for example, Allison Kilkenny's Huffington Post blog titled The Other N Word.  And see also Greg Kafoury's After the Obama Betrayal.  Our short term goal - raise the remaining $34,000 by July 20. Help us get there now. Our medium term goal, put Nader/Gonzalez on the ballot in 45 states by September 20.  Our long term goal - change the country. Step by step. Together, we are making a difference. Onward RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Robin Long hearing takes place today" "Jim Muer, on the job to nowhere" "And the war drags on . . ." "Cynthia McKinney, Let her shine" "Bob Rae does what needs doing (and does it well)" Truest statement of the week Truest statement of the week II A note to our readers Editorial: Who did you get into bed with? TV: The dog days of summer and the dogs Roundtable DVD: Stop-Loss Barack Obama on human rights, 'Screw 'em' What's The Progressive lying about now? One year later, Barack answers the question Are children allergic to Barack? Who's driving in the Indycar Race!!!! Highlights "Cynthia's the Green's choice" "THIS JUST IN! REACTION TO MCKINNEY'S NOMINATION!"

Cynthia's the Green's choice

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   SATURDAY ANOTHER POLITICAL PARTY DECLARED THEIR PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, THE GREEN PARTY USA MADE CYNTHIA MCKINNEY THEIR CANDIDATE.   MCKINNEY HAS PICKED ROSA CLEMENTE AS HER RUNNING MATE SO THE TICKET MIGHT BE OF INTEREST.   IF "OF INTEREST' MEANS SNIDE AND SNARKY COMMENTS FROM REPORTERS, ABC NEWS HAS IT COVERED.    SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, CYNTHIA TUCKER IS ON HER FAUX-GRESSIVE KNEES PRAYING TO HER FAUX GOD THAT HER FAUX LIFE STYLE CONTINUES AND CYNTHIA MCKINNEY, WHOM TUCKER HAS TARRED AND SMEARED FOR YEARS, DOESN'T MAKE IT INTO THE WHITE HOUSE.   THESE REPORTERS ATTEMPTED TO SPEAK TO TUCKER FOLLOWING A TAPING OF THE CHRIS MATTHEWS SHOW; HOWEVER, SHE BOLTED OUT OF THE STUDIO SCREAMING, "PLEASE, MY LORD TED BAXTER, DON'T LET THAT WOMAN INTO THE WHITE HOUSE!  I'LL TELL ANY LIE YOU WANT! I ALREADY DO!"    NODDING TO US AS SHE RAN PAST, SHE STOPPED IN MID-SCREAM TO HOLLER, "EAT BEN & JERRY'S!"  THESE LITTLE PLUGS ALLOW "TRUE MAJORITY" TO CONTINUE RUNNING THE SCRIBBLES OF A FAUX-GRESSIVE AND BAD WRITER.   FROM THE TCI WIRE:     Starting with war resistance.  Patrick Arden (Metro) reported earlier this week on the NYC demonstrations to show support for Canadian war resisters and noted Matthis Chiroux:   Wearing his dog tags and waving a copy of the U.S. Constitution, Matthis Chiroux is a sergeant in the Army's Individual Ready Reserve. Last summer he was honorably discharged after five years of active duty that included a stint in Afghanistan. In February he received a reactivation order.    "I was supposed to report for deployment to Iraq on June 15," said Chiroux, 24, who intends to stay in Brooklyn. "They'll have to arrest me."           Iraq Veterans Against the War asks that you:   Contact your congressional representatives and ask them to publicly support Matthis.  Contribute to IVAW's legal defense fund to help Matthis and other resisters. Send a message of support to Sgt Matthis Chiroux at  thankyoumatthis@ivaw.org.    On IVAW, Joy Wiltermuth (Downtown Express) profiles Fabian Bouthillette who "is the secretary and outreach coordinator for Iraq Veterans Against the War's New York chapter, which shares space with the War Resisters' League in Noho, at 339 Lafayette St." as he lays out his last night years (he enlisted at 18).  He explains, "I'm a guy who grew up ppor.  It was just that simple. . . I was quick to jump on it [leaving the Navy -- he did not self-checkout].  I was not going to work hard to support the war machine anymore.  Once I came to that realization, I could no longer do it."   Meanwhile in Canada, Judge Robert Barnes' decision in US war resister Joshua Key's case last week opens up a number of possibilities for war resisters. Dee Knight (Workers World) reports on the latest and also provides the background such as: "Joshua Key went to Canada with his wife Brandi and their four small children following 16 months living underground in the United States after he decided not to return to Iraq. He served as a combat engineer in Iraq for eight months in 2003. His book, 'The Deserter's Tale,' has been an international best seller. He said he and his family have felt support from 'about 95 percent of the Canadian people'."    Last night we were noting continued failure of the war resistance 'movement' to get across the point (or even be aware of it) that Canada gave asylum to deserters during Vietnam (and didn't ask: "Were you drafted or did you enlist?") and reviewing real time press noting war resisters (who were deserters) like Jeff Enger, Jack Colhoun, Victor Schwarzmann who did make lives for themselves in Canada.  And it's all wiped away/ignored by today's 'movement' which continues to blater on about "draft dodgers" when there is no draft today so it's really not pertinent to the discussion but certainly does allow the right-wing to dismiss calls for asylumn by insisting, "Well that was draft dodgers.  There's no draft today!" Today, the the Wall St. Journal's offered the editorial "AWOL in Canada" which shows 'reason' and 'sympathy' by stating, "Vietnam-era draft dodgers were breaking the law, but at least they could claim to be avoiding conscription.  Today's U.S. soldiers and reserves are volunteers, who enlist knowing full well that they could be sent overseas and into combat."  Repeating: Five years the 'movement' has wasted. Five years of gas bagging about a draft -- when there is no draft today. Five years of insisting that Canada took in draft dodgers -- when there are no draft dodgers today. Five years of blathering on about crap that doesn't matter. The only point today's 'movement' should have made regarding Canada granting asylum to today's war resisters was: "They should because they welcomed deserters during Vietnam." That's not a difficult sentence. And, unlike what the 'movement' offers today, it is factually correct. Until the basics are correct -- until they are stressed over and over -- the 'movement' will continue to muddle along.  "Almost 40 years ago we accepted deserters from an illegal war" is the talking point the movement in Canada should be using and the US side should be noting, "Hey, 40 years ago, they accepted deseters from an illegal war."  Canada is not being asked to do anything it hasn't done the past.   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 race for US president, Drew Pritt denies masturbating in public.  Yesterday's snapshot note Austin Cassidy's Independent Political Report article on Drew Pritt's attack on presumed Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney.  Pritt only continued his attack after the article published by taking to the comments section repeatedly.  Insisting, "I do not stomp squirrels, or masturbate in public, or do the other things I am accuesd of," and blaming malicious gossip on any rumors to the contrary, he then goes on to repeat an obvious lie, that his hero Jesse Johnson will be "denied a nomination, by a woman who used the Green Party REPORTEDLY to pay off her debt, before she switched parties."  That is a lie.  It's an ugly lie.  And while whining about the meaness towards him, Drew Pritt wants to lie about McKinney. Democratic Party member Pritt (who's run for several state offices in Arkansas) maintains, "If the Green Party is to thrive it has to appeal to progressives like myself.  Cynthia McKinney does not appeal but repels."  Again, Democrats need to stay out of the selection of the Green Party's presidential nominee.  He does not know what he's talking about (McKinney's "HIGH WATER MARK" is not 3%, she's defined victory -- if she's the nominee -- as 5%). If any Greens are offended by Pritt's attempts to derail their own selection (and they should be), hopefully, they'll remember that in 2012 because a number of 'high profile' Greens damn sure didn't feel bad about butting into the Democratic primary.  Kimberly Wilder (On The Wilder Side) annouces the "hope to have video up sometime today" of the ongoing Green Party Convention taking place in Chicago through Sunday and notes, "There is a great feeling that Cynthia McKinney will be the next candidate."  Regardless of whom the nominee is, the acceptance speech will be made Saturday and a press conference with the presidential and vice-presidential nominee will be held after.  Yesterday, Kat Swift's questionnaire response was not mentioned.  It had not been posted.  It still hasn't. ("Questionnaire from Kat Swift will be posted shortly.")  Since she has publicly asked people to donate to Cynthia's campaign, it may not end up posted.  The convention isn't just about the national ticket.  On the charitable side, Green Party 2004 v.p. nominee Pat LaMarche is overseeing "donations for area shelters" and states, "I would like for folks with less agreeable resting places for their heads to know that Greens came to town and that we did not forget them."  A noble effort and one that the big-money RNC and DNC might consider emulating.  Green Party Congressional candidate Steve Alesch spoke yesterday at the start of the convention.  Patrick Ferrell (Suburban Chicago News) notes that was one of two "high-profile positions at the group's national convention" for 2 "local Green Party candidates" and explains the other, IVAW's Jason Wallace, was slotted for "a Friday morning speech" and "selected to serve as the convention's election administrator.  In that role he will oversee the casting of delegate votes for the presidential and vice presidential nominations as well as the approval of the national party platform."  Tuesday Jason Wallace's campaign announced: "Veterans issues are of key importance to 11th Congressional district Green Party candidate Jason Wallace.  Wallace, the only veteran in the race, is calling for several key changes in the government's approach to caring for those who have served in the United States military.  These include changes in funding and coverage as well as his support for the idea of replacing Silver Cross in Joliet with a VA hospital. . . . Wallace calls for complete, mandatory funding for the VA.  This is an idea that is supported by voters in the district."  [The press release will run in full tomorrow, there isn't room for it in the snapshot.] Ron (Green Party Watch) reports: "Jason Wallace, Illinois candidate for the 11th district CD, noted that he is running in one of the top five competitive races in America. Wallace noted that his campaign is committed to run for ten thousand dollars only, 10K in 08, versus the multimillion dollar campaigns his Republican and Democrat opponents are working with. Education is probably his number one issue, and he has seen first hand the impact of underfunded education on middle class families. Wallace is also a member of Veterans for Peace, attended Winter Soldier, Wallace was serving in the Iraq 'Occupation'. The war is obviously a big issue for Wallace. Wallace also wants to make his district in Illinois a leader in the production of "green manufacturing"."   Though the votes haven't been made (let alone counted) National Journal states: "Road to the White House features Bob Barr, and will cover Green Party WH candidate Cynthia McKinney's Green Party Convo speech (C-Span, SUN, 6:30 pm/9:30 pm)."  (The other Cynthia, the evil faux-gressive, will be on The Chris Matthews Show so she'll probably make time for a hate-out to McKinney.)  The Minneapolis Star Tribune notes, "Former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney's trek back from defeat takes her to Chicago this weekend and an improbable political rebirth. She is expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate for the Green Party of the United States and could appear on the ballot in as many as 36 states." Grist magazine picks up on McKinney's v.p. choice, "Yesterday hip-hop activist Rosa Clemente accepted McKinney's invitation to run as the VP candidate. More to come on the Green ticket soon."  NYC IMC offers, "Clemente, born in the South Bronx, is a graduate of SUNY Albany and Cornell Univeristy." What About Our Daughters? explains that, if McKinney is the nominee, this is the third time two women of color would be on the ticket with the first being Lenora Fulani and Maria Elizabeth Munoz in 1992 (New Alliance Party) and Monica Moorehead and Gloria La Riva (Workers World Party) in 1996.  Deanna Taylor (Dee's 'Dotes) observes, "It will be interesting to see how Cynthia McKinney's choice affects her chances for obtaining the GPUS Presidential nomination."  Wake Me Now advocates for Cynthia, "Former Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who seems poised to capture the Green Party presidential nomination, in Chicago, this month, 'is at this juncture in history the only vehicle through which progressives can both register their outrage at Barack Obama and begin the process of rebuilding a mass, Black-led movement for real social change.' Meanwhile, the frequency of Obama's Right turns seem to increase in direct proportion to the nearness of the general election. 'Surely no one with a brain any longer believes that Obama is a closet progressive, or even a genuine liberal.' The question is, How many progressives will put their votes and resources to honorable use?"  Matt (The Underview) notes Cynthia McKinney will be among his guests on Shared Sacrifice Saturday which airs "from Noon to 2:00 PM mountain time" and is also downloadable.  Rick Pearson (Baltimore Sun) sums up Cynthia's positions on the issues: "In her presidential campaign, she has pushed for a quick end to the Iraq War and has promoted impeachment proceedings against the Bush administration. She also has advocated a 10-point human rights plan that includes integrity in the nation's voting system, full employment and reparations to African Americans over slavery--which has been a plank in the Green Party platform." Cynthia's campaign site has reposted an essay by Vivian Berryhill which asserts, "Securing the Green Party's 2008 standard-bearer position would bestow on McKinney the historic title of 'first' African American woman to be on the ballot as a viable candidate of a major party for President of the United States. That title alone will not only lessen the aura surrounding Barack Obama's position as the 'first' African American male presidential nominee, but she may also siphon off just-enough left-wing, African American, and women voters, to sink both their chances for victory in the Fall." The one and only Roseanne weighed in Wednesday at her site (Roseanne World) stating: "for president GREEN PARTY. . . .the party for feminists. Let's replace pelosi with sheehan as soon as possible, and then as fast as we can replace the entire woman hating democrat party with a green ecofeminist progressive socialist one that really works and is not afraid to make campaign finance reform a priority."  Pacifica Radio will broadcast a three hour special on Sunday "as the convention comes to a close) that will stream online at the Pacifica website (noon to 3:00 p.m. EST; 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central and 9:00 a.m. to noon PST).    Barack Obama is the presumed Democratic Party nominee.  Susan (Random Thoughts) notes Tom Hayden's July 4th moment of "WHAT'S WRONG WITH HIS EYES!" (Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby -- the response is "He has his father's eyes.") and advises, "Well, Tom, maybe you SHOULD have critically looked at Obama's slipperiness on this and many other issues before making a fool out of yourself."  I have to disagree with Susan on this because if Tom Hayden couldn't make a fool out of himself, what would he have to offer at this point? Yes, I really agree with Susan (though Tom-Tom has nothing left to offer) and Glen Ford (Black Agenda Report) also notes Hayden and Hayden's (drug induced?) belief that a 'movement' exists for Barack and it can and will (didn't happen with FISA) pressure him: "Nothing of that nature will occur, because Hayden and other progressives are not organizing to make it occur. They are too concerned with remaining 'for' Obama. Not only are Hayden's and Fletcher's peculiar 'movements' without political content - they emerge like magic, requiring none of the hard work of organizing.  And just how were those popular 'rising expectations' that Hayden speaks of supposed to express themselves? Progressives waited until it was far too late to bring these 'expectations' - to whatever extent they exist - to bear on the candidate. Obama coasted through the primaries with virtually no dissent from his loyal progressives, and now sees his way clear to publicly dismiss them, so as to never again be 'tagged as being on the Left'." Tom-Tom's probably hopping from foot to foot and straining to contain himself -- it's truly been years (decades) since he received so much attention.  Black Agenda Report -- Ford, Margaret Kimberly and Bruce Dixon -- are not 'waking up,' they always called it like it was and if Tom-Tom needs tuturing, he might try contacting them.  In the meantime, he can read Kimberley's latest: "All hell broke loose and tongues wagged endlessly and needlessly because of an accurate statement made by the candidate first husband and former president Bill Clinton. 'It is wrong that Senator Obama got to go through 15 debates trumpeting his superior judgment and how he had been against the war. There's no difference in your (Obama's) voting record, and Hillary's, ever since. Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen'. The words fairy tale resonated in millions of ears, but the validity of Clinton's comments were lost on a public incapable of distinguishing fact from fiction, or trivia from substance."  Added note, the Green Party will be discussing impeachment at their convention.  "Calls for impeachment have become so common in the last few years that we forget how recently it has entered the political arsenal.  Once viewed as a blunderbuss, it is now used as a bludgeon."  That's from Jo Freeman's review of David E. Kyvig's The Age of Impeachment (link goes to her own site, it's also available at Senior Women Web here).  In terms of the current administration, you can refer to Jason Leopold's latest at The Public Record. While the Green Party convention goes on, Bill Moyers Journal explores the GOP and, no doubt, has Cynthia, Ralph and Bob Barr penciled in for an upcoming show in order to maintain the PBS diversity mandate. Tonight also provides a new feature "What's your vision for the future of the American Dream?"  It's a segment tonight (tonight in most markets) and will also be an online feature.  Click here for YouTube video.   Ralph Nader is running for president.  Check the transcript of  "Election 2008: Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader" (Washington Post) and Team Nader notes:   Here's is your task for today. Drop a $20 bill on Nader/Gonzalez. Why $20? Because we want to get to $20,000 by the end of the day. On our way to 15 states. And $60,000. By July 20. We are now at over $15,000. In just two days. So, $20,000 by the end of the day shouldn't be a heavy lift. (If we get there early, take us to $25,000. We're easy.) On our way to 15 states. And then 45 states. By September 20. Nader/Gonzalez is the positivo campaign. Two rules here at Nader/Gonzalez headquarters: Rule Number One: No whining. And Rule Number Two: Get it done. It's not that we don't take our world seriously. We do. But whining and negativo man attitude doesn't get us where we need to go. Which is 45 states by September 20. Take the telecom immunity/spying bill that Obama voted for, McCain dodged, and Bush signed into law. It's an unconstitutional law. Did we whine and cry about it? No, we did not. We spoke out against it. We're running this campaign, in part, to defend the Fourth Amendment and the Constitution. And we've produced an awesome video denouncing the new law. Or take ballot access. Our young roadtrippers are busting it all around the country to leap the ballot access hurdles the Democrats and Republicans have erected to make life miserable for us. But we refuse to be miserable. Check out this neat video about our roadtrippers in Nevada. No whining there. We tried to get on the ballot in 2004 but only made it on 34 states. (We're shooting for 45 this time around.) Why only 34 states? One reason: The Democrats organized an underground campaign to knock us off. When we say this, people don't believe us. But just yesterday, a grand jury in Pennsylvania indicted twelve Democratic political operatives for the illegal use of millions of dollars in taxpayers' funds, resources and state employees for political campaign purposes. (See Nader/Gonzalez press release here.) The grand jury found that as many as 50 Democratic House Caucus staff members contributed "a staggering number of man-hours" to successfully knock Ralph Nader off the ballot in 2004. A House Democratic employee testified before the grand jury that "everybody was working on this." "A veritable Army" of Democratic staffers were enlisted in the effort to deny Nader ballot status, the grand jury found. It was virtually a caucus-wide endeavor and many of the employees spent an entire week on the Nader petition challenge, the grand jury found. This is a scandal of immense proportions. And twelve Democrats in Pennsylvania now stand charged with crimes. Attorneys General Oregon, Illinois and Ohio - three states where Democrats successfully knocked us off in 2004 - should launch similar investigations. This year, we're not taking no for an answer. We're building our funds to secure ballot access and to fight back if they come after us again. So, please, drop a $20 bill now on Nader/Gonzalez. We're fighting not just for 2008 - but for future generations of independent citizen activists, candidates and campaigners. (In case you missed it, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals knocked out a requirement that only residents of Arizona be allowed to petition in the state. Ralph Nader challenged this requirement as unconstitutional We're hoping to carry this victory to other states that have similar requirements. See story here.) We're a positivo locomotive. We've got the Big Mo. Nothing will stop us now. Together, we are making a difference. Onward   RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Facts do matter, war resistance should grasp that" "Iraq" "I Hate The War" "Gumbo in the Kitchen" "The intervention" "puma and other things" "british government pays for war crimes" "Why Nader?" "Truths" "Marie Cocco, Ralph Nader" "Ian Austen, Bonnie Erbe, Greg Kafoury" "On blogging . . ." "John Conyers left the building but forgot to say so" "Sour grapes make for a lousy bottle of whine" "More lies from The Progressive and the Falluja slaughter" "Sexism and silence" "Barack's big dreams and ego" "THIS JUST IN! BARACK WANTS STARDOM! "

Barack's big dreams and ego

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE   SENATOR BARACK "SWEEITE" OBAMA HAS FLIP-FLOPPED AGAIN.   AFTER ALLOWING HIS TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS TO BE INTERVIEWED BY ACCESS HOLLYWOOD -- A PROGRAM THAT USUALLY HIGHLIGHTS YOUNG WOMEN ONLY WHEN THEY'RE DRUNK OR DRUGGED OUT -- BARACK IS NOW CALLING IT A MISTAKE.   IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, BARACK EXPLAINED HE WASN'T OFFENDED BY THE CHILDRENS' ANSWERS OR EVEN BY THE QUESTIONS THEY WERE ASKED, "BUT I JUST DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF ANYONE BEING SEEN AS MORE PRECIOUS THAN ME!"   ASKED ABOUT HOW THIS LATEST MOVE MIGHT BE SEEN AS YET ANOTHER FLIP-FLOP, BARACK DISMISSED THE CONCERNS STATING, "I'M HOPING TO GET THE LEAD IN THE MOVIE ADAPTATION OF FLIPPER.  WANT TO HEAR ME SQUEAK?  JIM BELUSHI IS SET TO PLAY THE FATHER!  I ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK WITH HIM!  HE IS A COMIC GENIUS!"     FROM THE TCI WIRE:       Starting with war resistance.  There are celebrations in Canada today but before we get to that, two journalists get the facts right at the top and deserve note.  Patrick Arden (Metro) opens with, "Canada was a safe haven for 60,000 U.S. military draft dodgers and deserters during the Vietnam War."  Ian Austen (International Herald Tribune) also grasps and conveys the basics, "During Vietnam, Pierre Trudeau, the Liberal prime minister, welcomed American deserters and draft dodgers, declaring that Canada 'should be a refuge from militarism.' Americans who arrived were generally able to obtain legal immigrant status simply by applying at the border, or even after they entered the country."  Adding a detail, prior to Trudeau's 1969 declaration, some were being advised to fly in because you could not be immediately turned back the way you would be if you tried to enter through a land border.  London Topic notes a 5:00 pm rally this evening in Victoria Park for US war resisters attempting to be granted safe harbor in Canada and among those participating will be MP Irene Mathyssen who states of Judge Robert Barnes' decision in US war resister Joshua Key's case, "The federal court is filling the void that is left by the lack of political will demonstrated by Immigration Minister Diane Finley."  Demonstrations were scheduled to take place throughout Canada.  They found a celebratory note with some late breaking news.  The CBC reported that US war resister Corey Glass, due to be deported as early as today, "can stay in Canada while the court reviews and decides on his applications for leave and judicial review -- process his lawyer said could take months"; and they quoted him declaring, "I was shocked.  I was just enjoying my last little bit of time I had in Canada."  AP and Canada's GMA pointed out that Glass "is one of about 200 American deserters believed to have come to Canada to avoid service in Iraq.  So far, Canadian immigration officials and the courts have rejected efforts to grant them refugee status."  Canwest News Services (via Ottawa Citizen) quotes Glass stating, "I had my bags ready and had moved out of my apartment.  So I'm in the process of looking for another apartment."  Colin Perkel (The Canadian Press via CNews) quotes attorney Alyssa Manning stating, "The fact that the stay was granted in both cases means that the Federal Court judge decided that there was a serious issue to be decided in both of the applications.  There is a strong indication that leave will be granted."  Perkel also notes the one carrying on the spirit of Pierre Trudeau today, MP Olivia Chow, stating that the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs "to stop wasting taxpayers' money" by refusing to implement any program (or heed the motion the House of Commons passed June 3rd) because "[i]n the meantime, we're wasting thousands and thousands of dollars throwing people in jail and attempting to deport them."  Amnesty International updated their call for Glass not to be deported noting the latest developments.  Kevin Connor (Toronto Sun) quotes the government's spokesperson for citizenship and immigration, Danielle Norris, stating, "His deportation has just been stayed -- it doesn't mean he can stay and he hasn't been granted refugee status."  Liam Lahey (Inside Toronto) notes attorney Manning explaining that "Glass still needs three decisions to go his way in order to be on the path to permanent Canadian citizenship.  The federal court first has to decide to hear his case.  If that happens, he'll get another hearing at and if that decision comes down in Glass' favour, he'd then be allowed to argue his deportation order anew with immigration officials."  In the US, UPI reports, "News of the judicial reprieve was greeted favorably by protesters in Washington, who gathered outside the Canadian Embassy to show support for Glass and other war resisters living in Canada."  CTV News notes that the news has led to celebrations and today's planned demonstrations "will now celebrate the news" but, War Resisters Support Campaign's Lee Zaslofsky explain, "We're also going to try to put pressure on the government to resolve this whole thing on war resisters instead of dealing with it one court at a time."   Which brings us specifically to US war resister Robin Long.  Rod Mickleburgh (Globe and Mail) explains, "Mr. Long, 25, was arrested and taken into custody by Nelson police last Friday on a warrant from the Canada Border Services Agency.  The CBSA alleged that he had violated his release conditions by failing to inform them of his address changes in the charming Interior city, home to several other U.S. deserters seeking to remain in Canada. With no work permit allowing him to earn money, Mr. Long had been 'couch surfing' at the residences of friends. He was further shocked on Tuesday to learn for the first time that authorities were planning to deport him almost immediately, despite a key Federal Court ruling last week ordering the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to reconsider another deserter's failed refugee claim."  Jack Keating (The Province) adds, "The surprise decision was revealed by a Canada Border Services lawyer at an Immigration and Refugee Board Hearing in Vancouver on Tuesday. Long, 25, is being held in the Nelson city jail after being arrested by police last Friday on an outstanding immigration warrant."  Lahey pins down July 14th as the day Long faces deportation.  Meanwhile Steve Clarke, Federal Liberal candidate for Simcoe North, writes "Gov't can't keep ignoring motion concerning war objectors: Clarke" to the Orillia Packet & Times.   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.  "We were taught as young children," Ralph Nader explained, "that in our democracy, under our system of justice, nobody is above the law -- nobody.  But this bill puts the President and the telecom companies above the law."  It was the expansion of spying on Americans.  And it passed.  Barack Obama broke another pledge, flipped another flop, and voted for it.  (Those voting against it included Senators Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and Russ Feingold .)   As Nader noted, "This legislation . . . sets up a double standard of justice.  Break the law as a citizen, go to jail.  Break the law as a corporation, go to Washington and get immunity. Remember, there were telecom companies, such as Qwest, that refused to follow President Bush's illegal wiretap orders and chose instead to obey the laws of the land."  Barack caved.  He broke his word.  He sold out his supporters and the rule of law.   Rebecca's "your frankenstein monster has escaped," Kat's "Hillary and Barbara stand up, Barack crawls," Marcia's "Ralph Nader, Jesse Jackson, Barack, Hillary," Ruth's "Barack, Hillary, Ralph, Glen Ford," Mike's "He tore apart the Democratic Party, now its families," Elaine's "Who stood up? The woman they attacked.," and Cedric's "Jesse Jackson Jnr. has a new Daddy" and Wally's "THIS JUST IN! GUESS WHO GOT A NEW DADDY!" (joint-post on the last two) address it.  A Barack supporter blogs at the Nader-Gonzalez presidential campaign site: "With yesterday's vote, it was last straw, for my decision not to contribute to Senator Obama's presidential candidate."      Meanwhile, the Green Party's confention began today and runs through the weekend (July 10th through July 13th).  It's taking place in Chicago. Pacifica Radio will broadcast a three hour special on Sunday "as the convention comes to a close) that will stream online at the Pacifica website (noon to 3:00 p.m. EST; 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central and 9:00 a.m. to noon PST).  Kimberly Wilder (On the Wilder Side) notes some initial press coverage.  Vying for the party's presidential nomination are Kat Swift, Kent Mesplay, Jesse Johnson and presumed nominee Cynthia McKinney.  Today is introductions and receptions.  Tomorrow will provide several news conferences with Congressional and public office candidates (first at nine in the morning) with a Presidential Candidates' Forum beginning at seven p.m.  The presidential candidates will hold their press conference at nine a.m. on Saturday. Saturday afternoon will have the roll call vote, the v.p. acceptance speech and presidential nominee acceptance speech followed by a press conference featuring the ticket.  Presumed nominee Cynthia McKinney has picked her running mate: Rosa Clemente.  Clemente declares, "I hope that my Vice Presidential run will inspire all people to recognize that they have more than two choices.  The time has come to stop talking about what we have to do, but do it by building a 3rd party.  I hope you join me on this journey."  Austin Cassidy's Independent Political Report notes that Democrat Drew Pritt has launched a blistering attack at McKinney.  As we said throughout the Democratic primary, if it's not your political party, butt the hell out.  It's a real shame some Greens couldn't adopt the same policy during the Democratic Primary but instead acted as cheerleaders for Barack (Ted Glick for starters). Speaking to Green Party Watch Radio, Kat Swift encouraged people to contribute to Cynthia so that she might qualify for federal matching funds.  The Green Party asked the four candidates to fill out a questionnaire.  It's shocking that with the Iraq War over five years old it doesn't even qualify for a question. Asking 'your thoughts' on "Middle East Policy, including Iraq, Iran, and Israel" is not asking about the Iraq War.  Note all candidates repsonses are in PDF format.  Johnson responds, "Diplomacy is key."  Mesplay responds at length but speaks of the "admitted mistake: poor intelligence."  After that and his apparently mistaken belief that WMDs were found in Iraq, I'm not interested in quoting him, use the link if you're interested.  Cynthia responds, "In 2006, I voted no on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date.  I consistently opposed every regular and supplemental appropriation meant to fund the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  I have participated in International War Crimes Tribunals (in Brussels, Spain and Malaysia) designed to bring to justice the Bush-Cheney administration.  I was targeted by AIPAC and others for my opposition to the Israeli occupation of and genocidal policies toward Palestine."  McKinney's referring to the House Resolution "On Prevailing in the Global War on Terror Bill" (June 12, 2006 for the vote).  Her record in the US Congress allows her to cite many votes and she repeatedly voted (in all of them) against the illegal war -- going all the way back to HR 114 in October 2002.  Should McKinney be the nominee, she would likely be one of two candidates who were in Congress in 2002 and voted on the original resolution.  While McKinney voted against it, presumed GOP nominee John McCain voted for it (in the Senate).  Mark Blumenthal (National Journal) writes of polling and his thoughts are mainly useless; however, someone might want to ask him where Cynthia McKinney is in his discussion?  She's expected to be the nominee Saturday night.  She's been expecte to be the nominee since at least January.  John McCain and Barack Obam are not yet their party's nominee.  So what's the excuse for leaving Cynthia out?  You'd think the press -- having rubbed themselves raw as they got off on their own sexism -- would be making an effort at this point to be inclusive.  But don't just call out the MSM, what's Yes! Magazine's pathetic excuse for Erik Leaver's crap called "Presidential Candidates on Foreign Policy" that does not cover Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney or Ralph Nader but includes John McCain?  Answer: There is no excuse and Yes! is struggling for readers. Crap like this explains why.  (A topic we'll return to tonight.)   Ryan Teague Beckwith (News Observer) notes Nader will be in Raleigh, Carolina Saturday night (St. Mary's School auditorium from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.) and that he needs 500 signatures to qualify for the North Carolina ballot which should not be difficult since Nader "was the top write-in candidate in North Carolina" in 2004.  Matt Holmes (Charlottesville WCAV) notes Nader's Virginia Sunday rally, "Nader will be in Charlottesville on Sunday. He'll hold a rally at Gravity Lounge at 2pm. The campaign suggests a $10 donation for the general public, $5 for students who attend."  Nader will be in Richmond, Virginia Saturday as well, at the Virginia Holocaust Museum from one p.m. to three p.m.  And he became the first presidential candidate in nearly 50 years to campaign in Hawaii last week (1960 was the last time a presidential candidate campaigned in Hawaii).   RECOMMENDED: "Iraq snapshot" "Robin Long, Corey Glass, war resistance" "Iraq" "your frankenstein monster has escaped" "Barack, Hillary, Ralph, Glen Ford" "Hillary and Barbara stand up, Barack crawls" "Ralph Nader, Jesse Jackson, Barack, Hillary" "Who stood up? The woman they attacked." "He tore apart the Democratic Party, now its families" "Jesse Jackson Jnr. has a new Daddy" "THIS JUST IN! GUESS WHO GOT A NEW DADDY!"