Blogging for America

Well, it seems that we have the right to bear arms , detainees at Guantanamo Bay have the right to habeas corpus, corporations are protected--the court reduced the amount Exxon is liable for for polluting the Alaskan coastline in the Valdez spill, and the court ruled that a man deserved a re-trial because the person who accused him of domestic violence was dead --at his hand--(as in she could not testify against him). . .among other rulings.

Here's the cite for all of this term's decisions:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/07slipopinion.html

From Joel Tyner:
H.RES.1258 Title: Impeaching George W. Bush, President of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors. Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] (introduced 6/10/2008 Cosponsors (5) Latest Major Action: 6/11/2008 House floor actions. Status: On motion to refer the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 251 - 166 (Roll No. 401). COSPONSORS(5), BY DATE [order is left to right] Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 6/11/2008 , Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 6/11/, Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 6/11/, Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 6/18/2008 , Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 6/18/2008
[time to call rest of Congress on this-- at (800) 828-0498!...(pass it on)]
In fact...did you know that literally five major polls over the last few years (from Zogby, Newsweek, Ipsos, and American Research Group) have proven repeatedly that the vast majority of us across the U.S. do, in fact, favor Bush/Cheney impeachment?...(media blackout of national sentiment censored for years):
-- July 2007 American Research Group national poll of 1,100 Americans;
-- January 2006 Zogby national poll of 1,216 Americans;
-- October 2005 Ipsos Public Affairs national poll of 1,001 Americans;
-- October 2005 Zogby national poll of 1,200 Americans;
-- October 2006 Newsweek national poll of Americans.
[ http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Threepart_case_for_Cheneys_impeachment_ made_0706.html ;
http://www.democrats.com/bush-impeachment-poll-2 ;
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3528 ;
http://www.impeachpac.org/?q=node/6 ;
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/14897 ]
Also-- well over 100 Dutchess residents have signed on the petition started by yours truly to impeach Mr. Bush (including many prominent Dems from across the county; click on "View Signatures"); join us http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ImpeachW and http://www.WexlerWantsHearings.com !...(pass it on)...
Twelve Reasons to Impeach Bush/Cheney for High Crimes and Misdemeanors Against Constitution
[from David Swanson; click on http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/9171 for much more]
Memo from a January 2003 White House meeting of Bush and Blair at which Bush made clear that the U.S. would go to war with or without the United Nations and proposed various strategems to try to create a justification for war, a report that the CIA had strong evidence before the war that Iraq possessed no weapons of mass destruction, a January, 2003, State Department memo showing awareness that Niger documents were forgeries, a report that Bush was personally informed that the aluminum tubes claims were not supported by the State Department or the Department of Energy and that Iraq was very unlikely to attack the United States, testimony that Bush and Cheney were involved in the leaking of misleading classified information and in a campaign of retribution against Joseph Wilson, Paul Pillar, who was the CIA's national intelligence officer for the Middle East and South Asia from 2000 to 2005, report that facts were fixed to support going to war, top aide to Secretary of State says facts were fixed to support going to war, an Amnesty International report on ongoing torture and unlawful detention. reports that almost 100 prisoners have died in US custody, "State of War" report by James Risen reveals illegal spying and reports on meeting between MI6 and CIA that preceded the Downing Street Meeting in July 2002, "Constitution in Crisis" report by John Conyers summarizing evidence of illegal activities, and Henry Waxman report on 237 Bush administration lies in searchable database...

Labels: impeachment resolution, Maurice Hinchey

We all will miss George Carlin--he who vocalized the unspeakable, who shed light into the crevices of our culture.
The only comedian to have a routine as part of a Supreme Court case... http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1977/1977_77_528/ which pointed out that free speech over public airwaves is not free.
And, do check out his routines that are posted on youtube.com His take on religion is spot on, imho.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o

Labels: Free Speech, George Carlin

The other day a friend commented on the floods, the quakes, the tsunamis, the fires: " the earth is like a dog, shaking itself [to get rid what ever is bothering it]."
That image gives one a pause,no?

Labels: Earth

In a interesting twist on capitalistic censorship, Wal-Mart, the largest music retailer in the country (!), is signing exclusive marketing deals with recording artists. Meaning that only Wal-Mart will market the music. The Eagles, Journey, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban among others are signing these deals.
I find the Wal-marting of music very disturbing. While I understand the need for musicians to get their music out, BUT using a venue which exploits its workers, opposes legislation that would require working wages* or health insurance**, and discriminates against women is not my idea of a corporation that I could or would do business with.
Plus, what demands might Wal-Mart make on these artists? I would reference what Wal-Mart has asked of its other suppliers. . . not to mention that Wal-Mart requires only sanitized versions of songs. . .



* according to Wal-Mart the average associate earns $9.68/hour. That works out to about $17,000 BEFORE taxes. Not exactly a living wage!
** associates need to BUY their health insurance from Wal-Mart at 7%-25% of their wages, needless to say, 57% are not covered.


See http://www.walmartwatch.com/ or http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/

Labels: Journey, Keith Urban, music, The Eagles, Wal-Mart

The Senate committee report released yesterday claims that Bush & Co. overstated, in fact, exaggerated the uncertain intelligence reports that led us into the quagmire that is Iraq. That Paul Wolfowitz (then deputy secretary of defense) and Stephen Hadley (now the National Security Advisor) conducted rogue intelligence operations is also very disturbing (a bit reminiscent of Iran-Contra Affair?).
So, now official: The administration mislead by exaggeration, and because of this the US entered into a war of aggression, which had as its main objective to overthrow Saddam Hussein. The death tolls are now 4092 for American troops, over 500,000 Iraqis. This does not take into consideration all the injured troops and Iraqi civilians. There are over 4 million Iraqi refugees.

So what do we do with this report: shelve it? use it for an example of a Texas Tale Tale? or hold the administration accountable?