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Letters From Our Readers
Letters from our Readers January 1- January 31, 2004
By Axis of Logic Readers
Jan 10, 2004, 16:40
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LETTERS FROM OUR READERS
We receive hundreds of emails daily from our readers. We publish some of the many letters received that we believe add value to the commentary and news already published on Axis of Logic. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we cannot publish many of the worthy letters we receive. - LMB
Dear Ms Samples,
I have just read your article, If Words Could Talk ... I would like to share some of my thoughts regarding America's quest for empire and its need for secrecy. Please bear with me. Perhaps you could share the links/information below with others - I think they say a lot!
Since the United State's pre-emptive invasion of Iraq back in March, 2003, I have come to the conclusion that the power of the press is not necessarily what the press DOES publish but in what the press chooses NOT to publish. This discovery is a result of my dealings with the so-called 'free' press and observing the media before and after our invasion. Soon after the invasion of Iraq I wrote a letter-to-the-editor of a local paper that contained several Google searches and suggested that the paper print them so that its readers would learn something about our history (and Britain's) in that region of the world. Surprisingly, 98% percent of my letter was published. Amazingly, it was the 2% that was left out that would have enlightened the paper's readership. A fine example of 'pre-emptive' editing, or, to use a more descriptive term, 'censorship'.
I believe that after Iraq there will be another, and another, and another series of pre-emptive attacks by the USA somewhere in the world - regardless of who the next few presidents are (although some idiots are more prone than others). Why? As you are probably aware, President Eisenhower warned against the Military-Industrial complex. During the intervening years the seriousness of the problem has mushroomed to include every aspect of our society. An appropriate acronym, to me, is MIME-FECE$ - The Military-Industrial-Media-Educational-Financial-Entertainment-Congressional-Executive-$ complex. The last, $, is what it finally all boils down to. The sound of silence is deafening and the odor that permeates from it stinks. Unfortunately, the pile deepens with each passing day. And our troops are left holding the bag - unfortunately, many wind up IN the bag along with the other fertilizer - and there ain't no exit. The 'revolving door' concept only works at the top of the chain.
Perhaps you could do a series of history lessons for Americans. Could it be that the rest of the world knows more about us than we know about ourselves? Perhaps you could do the following two Google searches and share the information with your readers:
1 - 'Prescott Bush' and
2 - 'Carlyle Group'.
Here are two Web sites that should get you started:
3 - 'Iraq chemical weapons Britain',
4 - 'Iraq chemical weapons Winston Churchill',
5 - 'Iraq chemical weapons United States', and
6 - 'CIA overthrow governments'.
Here is a corresponding list of Web sites (only one each) that will reveal information that our mass media has chosen to ignore:
#3 - www.mediareviewnet.com/Britains%20dirty%20secret.htm#4 - www.iraqwar.org/chemical.htm#5 - www.sundayherald.com/27572#6 - www1.minn.net/~nup/6nov2001.htm (you will need to manually enter the 1 after www)
Assuming that only 1% of the Web sites found are true, this sure beats American intelligence of three independent sources!
Many years ago I read The Penkovsky Papers, said to be written by a Russian spy. Only within the last year or so have I learned it was fiction - written by the CIA. Please refer to www.ihr.org/jhr/v09/v09p305_Marchetti.html near the end of the article. The quote at the beginning defines the problem.
Perhaps you could notify all families who had loved ones killed on 9/11, all military personnel who have been injured and the families of all those killed about the truth as well. Also, have all your readers check out www.costofwar.com
You may also want to visit this site that reflects the past glory and valor of America's major coalition partner:
Where does it end? Since Bush's pre-emptive strike in Iraq in March I have come to the conclusion that World War II would never had occurred if it weren't for the $$ signs that American capitalists saw in the rising star of Hilter. If you have done the Google search on 'Prescott Bush' above you will get a taste of what I mean. But grandpa Bush was not alone. Please do searches on the following strings:
"IBM Thomas J. Watson Hitler",
"General Motors Hitler",
"Ford Motor Hitler",
"Standard Oil Hitler",
"General Electric Hitler",
"Wall Street Hitler",
"Chase Manhattan Hitler",
"Morgan Bank Hitler",
"Dupont Hitler",
"Kodak Hitler",
"Alcoa Aluminum Hitler".
What do their actions say about 'free' markets? SO much in the land of the 'free'! As the cartoon character Pogo stated many years ago, "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
Regards,
Ron Brown
Dear Ron,
Thank you so much for your very thoughtful response, and for the wonderful research topics. You can rest assured that I will delve very deeply into them, and I hope that others who may read this letter will take the time to do the same.
Even if it looks like we can't stop the Democracy train wreck, we must keep trying, don't you think? To lower our heads and take our places in the bread and circus line is not an option...
Thank you again,
Sheila
January 31, 2004
Sheila,
Your Axis of Logic article was posted on a comic-collectors forum. In case nobody let you know, Stan Lee was not involved in the creation of Captain America. Captain America was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby back in 1941. Stan Lee's first comic book work (a 1 page text story) actually appeared in Captain America Comics # 3.
It was at least nice to see someone give Kirby his due credit, but it is Joe Simon, not Stan Lee, whose collaborative effort created Captain America. Just letting you know for future reference.
Aside from that, this was my first reading of "Axis of Logic," I saw your main page, "Our purpose is to promote peace, equality and human rights throughout the world," and I wish you the best of success in all your goals.
Charlie V.
Rush Comics
Dear Charlie,
Thank you! I am honored to have my article published in such a forum -- what a thrill ! At least now there's a slim chance that George Bush will see it. LOL
And, thanks for pointing out to readers that Joe Simon deserves credit for creating Captain America. Let me hasten to assure you that I never intended to take anything from Simon and his wonderful creation of Cap; I was referring to the many Stan Lee/Jack Kirby stories that ensued, specifically "The Monster Unmasked," which I think was either #99 or #100. I was attempting to point out that this is the world in which our current president is most comfortable, rather than who created the characters populating it.
However, if my comments, "Sometimes Bush is Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's heroic and virtuous Captain America -- draped in the personae of the US Flag -- locked in a death struggle with the violent, twisted and monstrously evil Red Skull," leave the impression that Lee "created" Cap, I am truly sorry. Please believe me when I say it was a Lee/Kirby story to which I was referring -- and not to the original creation by Simon of this marvelous character.
Of course Simon created Cap -- and the world is a better place for his having done so. And I will lead the world in giving Simon his due credit for it.
Thank you for visiting Axis of Logic. I hope you'll come back again -- and often.
Sincerely,
Sheila
January 30, 2004
If Words Could Talk
Just read your article. Hope to see more writers writing in this vein. I would hope that writers would strive to educate the public to not just Bush and his crew but who and what John Kerry is. John Kerry has a lot in common with George Bush. The public must be made to understand that the election of Bush or Kerry does not matter we will go down the same path differing ony in method. Both of these men were indoctrinated by Skull and Bones at Yale. Both men will have an administration around them made up of CFR members. Skull and Bones is a secret organization, CFR is not, it just wont ever put its total plan front page top of the fold New York Times. Most people don't know who they are much less what their agenda is. When they show up on C-Span they present them self as a debating society.
Ever since the CFR was founded their have been CFR members in the presidents administration. The secretary of State has always been from the CFR, maybe one exception. I would hope a multitude of writers would rise up and tell the public the CFR gets its orders from the International Bankers, and that Congress, Supreme Court, and Presidency get those same orders via the CFR. All of the people you name in your article, every one except maybe bush, not sure about him my list is old, are members of CFR, even Mrs. Rice, and their are many more.
I have just started to read a document I had known of for a long time but never read. This document is bone chilling. The authorship is in dispute and some adamantly claim that it is a forgery. Some say it was written before the French Revelation no matter, it for sure covers the time line from the Bolshevik Revolution till to day and lays out this New World Order in spades. No matter what you believe before or after you read this document you should read it. You can find it on the Internet with its History. The Protocols of The Meetings of The Elders of Zion. This document matches the New World Order to a "T". Keep up the good work.
XXXX
Thank you for taking the time to write. I am in agreement with you that the public needs to be educated; to be made aware of what is going on not only behind their backs, but all around them -- before their very eyes. The media must bear much of the blame for not exposing this -- yes -- conspiracy, if for no other reason that they are aware the public will not venture outside the "info pens" into which they have been herded. We are conditioned to believe what our media tells us and not to question what they do not. Sad, isn't it?
Yes, I have read the Protocols. They are frightening and, if true -- terrifying. I have no reason to believe they are not. Today's conspiracy theories are all too often tomorrow's history.
Thanks again for writing,
Sheila
January 30, 2004
Sheila,
I just finished reading your article on the PNAC and group. I found it on Information Clearing House web site. I have felt that way for a long time about Bush and the NeoCons around him. He's just the puppet for their words and not good at that either. You can't understand him most of the time. Thank you for writing and letting people know what is really going on in this administration. Years ago I read many Taylor Caldwell books and she always warned about the war mongers and the amunition makers.And didn't Dwight D warn us of the military? I see no end in sight as man will always solve differences with Wars. They play with the bodies of our youth. The youth of our nation who are so brainwashed into thinking they are actually defending our country. Only to some day find out it was the folly of the Bush Regime.
Joanne Lewis Seattle WA
Dear Joanne,
I am also a fan of Taylor Caldwell. It's sad that this generation of Americans feel no compulsion to read, isn't it? However, there are so many fine writers on the Internet sounding the alarm about what is going on in the world that I have hope they will somehow break through the wall of silence erected by the US mainstream media. I might suggest you read our own Manuel Valenzuela and the United Kingdom's Robert Fisk, if you do not already.
And, of course -- keep reading me, 'cause you ain't seen nuthin' yet...LOL
Thanks,
Sheila
January 30,2004
Comment on If Words Could Talk...
Dead on. Excellent piece.
Alan Homcy
Cleveland OH
Thank you so much Alan. You make me feel good all over -- more than anywhere else...LOL
Sheila
January 30,2004
Comment on NWO
At last the press of America is waking up. Stand by the truth and the truth will stand by you.
Have a nice day,
Alan
Dear Alan,
I sure hope you're right. Because, when the smoke clears, I don't want to be out there, standing alone.
Thanks,
Sheila
If Words Could Talk--Thank You!
Sheila--You might want to read this old article----Thank -you---How we have forgotten!http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,853885,00.html
Thank you. The Guardian is one of the few media out there, "fighting the good fight." Sometimes the truth is so startling, even frightening, that it's easier for far too many people to switch to the media that will comfort them with info-tainment and Viagra ads...
Thanks for the reminder,
Sheila
Dear Axis of Logic,
Mary xxxx
Smyrna, GA - sick and tired of this mess
January 29, 2004 - From one of our admirers -
Hey ASS HOLE ... publish THIS in your communist paper will you ??? On the front page, in color. It is the sentiment from (actual) America in response to your Liberal criticism of President Bush.
And by the way ... GOOD JOB on giving aid and comfort to the Iraqi killers. No doubt they are distributing copies of your hate America article today at their recruiting offices. May you ROT in deep hell for it.
(This email included a great picture of Uncle Sam with a very mean look on his face, and his middle finger in the air. - AL ed.)
Dear Mr. Stasi:
Thank you for taking the time to write your satirical send-up of Goofball and his machinations. My brother in Germany forwarded it to me so I assume it's really gotten around.
Unlike Perle, Cheney, and Rove, who are palpably sinister; I find Bush and Rumsfield quite entertaining. Where does their self-confidence come from? To me it seems inexplicable. As you pointed out they won't be around when the reckoning occurs but how approprate would be some Circus-Reality-Maximum event: American Astronauts stranded on Mars, in a panicked attempt to conserve oxygen and extend provisions, do the Donner party on their European and Asian guests. Imagine the ratings. Houston pleads, "Robbins please don't eat Mr Wang, a billion Chinese are watching!"
I usually have a deep reservation about someone I read as wholly Science and no Spirit. To my mind in an age when our physics has reduced matter to the same insubstantiality as the Vedic Indians, or Plato or Bishop Berkeley; a balance is called for. But your article was so inspired, so in-the-moment timely, and on target (I worried when you started your lift-off metaphor that you wouldn't be able to follow through, but you did), that I let any doubt pass. In other words people like my brother and myself, probably outside your target audience, also appreciated your effort.
Thanks Again,
Eric Lund
Dear Sheila,
I write partly as a compatriot; I was born in Seminole, Oklahoma and moved to Fittstown (near Ada) at the age of six, attended the University of Oklahoma until I went away to graduate school. (Now, a retired professor of English at the University of Wisconsin.)
I write partly because of my experience at the village of Yanoun, near the Israeli settlement of Itemar, in the area near Nablus. A group of four, from ISM, were with Palestinians gathering olives when we were ambushed by a group of Israeli settlers. As a result, I was compelled to go to the police station in Ariel for a deposition, where I identified the ring leader of the group (at least the policeman told me he was the ring leader). After that I was compelled to go to the hospital, where I was detained for a week, with broken ribs and a "partially punctured lungs," until time for my flight back to the U.S.
My congressman, Ron Kind, representing Wisconsin's 3rd District, called me at the hospital in Jerusalem, called the U.S. consul in Jerusalem, and wrote letters to Colin Powell. I expected that nothing would come of these and other efforts, knowing the Israeli government's capactiy for denying, lying and balking--and of course nothing did come of it.
From Younan I was taken to the police station in Ariel, and later to the hospital, by Anat Matar, a professor of philosophy at Tel Aviv University. Her son Haggai, who had just turned eighteen, had also just gone to jail as a conscientious objector.
Mrs. Matar has kept me informed of the trial and the sentencing of the five conscientious objectors. Quite recently they were given a year in prison; and if they still refused to serve in the West Bank, another year.
It is nice to hear that a fellow Oklahoman (the family home is still functional, near Stonewall) is concerned about injustice, the oppression, the bullying, inflicted on the Palestinians with almost complete impunity.
Keep up the good work.
Jim Delaplain
Dear Jim,
Thank you for sharing your experience, and for your kind words.
Like you, I am increasingly concerned about the daily hemorrhaging of Palestine lives and property, but even more so about the wall of indifference that separates American citizens from the truth. I am not yet ready to give up on the American people. I have to believe if they knew of the famine, curfews, bloody slaughter of innocent Palestinians -- many, far too many, of them children -- and the mindless destruction of crops and homes, they would rise up in protest. I cannot believe that Americans condone crimes against humanity. I cannot believe Americans are aware they are paying for their president's unconditional backing of a policy of ethnic cleansing.
In November 2002, Ariel Sharon bragged, "We are placing no restriction on our operations. Israel is under no pressure. No one is criticising us or has the right to do so. We are talking here about Israel's right to protect its citizens."
Sound familiar?
We must tell the American people.
Thanks again,
Sheila
No Manifest Destiny for Palestine
By
Jan 19, 2004, 15:01
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Dear Sheila,
Please accept my congratulations on a researched and splendid article.
Americans and Brits alike are mere cannon fodder when it comes to the voracious appetite of the apartheid state. It is a subject that gets more and more untouchable as time goes on.
As our country implemented the concept of 'Manifest Destiny', the settlers of historical Palestine wish to do the same. When we say that Manifest Destiny will not work in Palestine, we are labelled terrorists.
Yours fraternally,
Rasheed
Dear Rasheed,
Thank you so much for your far too kind words. Yes, it is heartbreaking to see a concerted, international effort to silence those who would speak out against such human tragedy and destruction.
I am reminded, however, of what Dr. Edward Said pointed out shortly before he died. He asked, "Why do the Arabs never pool their resources to fight for the causes which officially, at least, they support. And how much further can we sink?"
Is it possible the Arab states are so afraid to damage their relationship with America that they can stand by while Palestine is crushed beneath the heel of a pathologically deranged killer? Is this possible? What of the children? Where is the Arab voice?
Thank you again.
Yours in peace,
Sheila
Dear Axis of Logic,
Regarding healthcare...
I find it somewhat disgruntling that people are unable to control what they allow into their bodies and then expect others to fit the bill for their lack of self control. It is a proven and undeniable fact that a plant based diet, with B-12 supplementation as needed, is a far superior diet to the Standard American Diet and yet, the USDA, who admits their food pyramid is wrong, would never admit that a plant based diet could eliminate 80% of our affluent health issues, due to the politics surrounding it. The New World Order's own organization, the World Health Organization's research thoroughly documents these facts, yet, we still have meat and dairy forced at us through the media and nutritionists. If people would accept and put into practice this simple fact...VEGETABLES ARE GOOD FOR YOU, the more raw the better as cooking anything kills most vitamins and nutrients. Wake up sheeple, for your own sakes.
Jason Allen Whitwood
Dear Axis of Logic,
I believe current actions of war are nonetheless actions of a fear bitten nation whose humanity was violated the day the Middle Eastern Terrorist (remember they represent the immoral majority of various Muslim fundamental States) chose to violate us. Why for Foreign Policy? Love of God, religion is more precious than life itself? They value beliefs more than life itself? This may be the obvious reason that our fear bitten nation, not the potential threat (Weapons of Mass Destruction included) makes our presence on foreign land. Where bitten? The ideology of the aforementioned allows improper values and no respect for humanity, and government (pick the nations who’ve felt the bite, Afghanistan and Iraq…and their governments that allow) are void of respect for any sovereign nation or humanity. Will this ideology change itself? How do you change, undo this ideology, malice? Where is their law or code of ethics? Conscience? Who (leadership), what city-state is responsible? Where is their separation of church and state? War, Barbarianism sanctioned by any loving person, persons or Nation representative of them for that matter, God, his representative clergymen teaching hate, for immortality? They practice careless leadership that degrades with disregard for the innocent? Love of ones self and self esteem being, which hasn’t history, taught? I’m not defending war (nobody defends ideologies of war, but terrorism and barbarianism justifies it), but defending our president for waging his War Against Terrorism reflects the attitude of many or mass majority of our fear bitten nation as well as Nationalists abroad. Passivity negates no results in the aforementioned city-states who allow these threatening entities to instill their terrorist activity and ideology on the passive innocent. Their foreign sovereign nations fail to subdue these threatening entities. US soldiers are dying, spilling blood getting blown to bits (500 casualties to date, this was posted) on a daily basis defending us, our values. They (the U.S. Heroes) love life and Humanity are defending us, our president in this time of crisis! Can their neighboring countries help subdue the aforementioned threatening entities either in diplomacy or with their superior regimented Armed Forces? With or against, all Nations are in this together and must assume responsibility including those Nations lacking! It seems that our latest Presidential candidates (and this prompted me to write this!) should be more respectful, supportive than contradictive even in their campaign of this. Does this justify? Procrastinate needed actions, the job of armed forces? Can they imagine or do they assume the pain our Commander in Chief must feel with each casualty, harm to our heroes who know and believe this is the ONLY way to correct injustice all other Nations included. Can they believe and convey they occupy for peace as well as justice? How to undo injustice, the current crisis and threat? And how defend it? Does the mass majority of Middle Easterners, Terrorists Extremists included believe their violations are justified? Aren’t their Governments, city-states responsible, though not appointing the deviant behavior of their countrymen? Is there conscience? Their moral character reflected in their people, clergymen, not leaders or leadership the aforementioned? This complex matter demanding immediate rational actions need solutions for speedy results. U.S soldiers in harms way certainly DO NOT deserves the fate they accept! They accept responsibility to correct this, ideology not corrected with time. Remember we used to be called tourists, sightseers, visitors and guests in these places? They were safe to visit. Who, what entity the real enemy? How do we as a nation appoint ourselves as world police where other nations lack? Where is our worldwide support to defend Humanity? Passive? Is this The United Nations, League of Nations responsibility? They still exist. But do they still delegate? World Leaders ALL must be more supportive! How long do we as a nation tolerate mass degradation of our freedom, justice and values from malice? How proclaim or get the message out that they (foreign nations) deserve all the things the U.S Constitution dictate in any form or entity. Does our actions justify our causes of a fear bitten nation.
Tom
Dear Axis of Logic,
"The editorial choices we make have no hidden agenda and are not attached to any particular ideology or political organization."
If you think that you can fool all the people all the time then you must think your readers aren't smart. Everybody has an "agenda" or "particular ideology." There is no such thing as being completely neutral. Humans always have biases even if they admit it or not. Some organizations are truthful and admit it others don't and think that people won't notice. Your organization has a bias and that's to counter conservatism. There's nothing wrong with that but at least be honest enough to admit it instead of trying to cover it up.
Serg
Dear Serg,
Thanks very much for your thoughtful words - words that I wholly respect.
You present a worthy challenge!
First off, I agree that no-one is "value free" or "completely neutral". I also agree that everyone has an "agenda" or "particular ideology". Perhaps the statements you cite from Axis of Logic could be more clearly written. I'll think about that. However, for the purpose of reply, please allow me to explain the statements as we mean them to be understood.
The statement says our editorial choices "... have no hidden agenda and are not attached to any particular ideology or political organization".
Despite your suspicions, we/I believe this statement to be true. Do we have agendas? Of course! Each one of the contributing Editors and I have our own individual agendas. On some we agree and others, we disagree. As a group, however, our "agendas" include (but aren't limited to) an agenda to stop U.S. warmaking, unprovoked attacks on other sovereign countries, intervening in other nations' democratic elections or governance, neocolonialism, corporate globalization, racism and others. But they are not hidden in any sense of the word. We are completely open about our positions, presuppositions and sets of assumptions about all that and make no attempt to hide them. They are not "hidden". That's one of the things that sets us apart from the corporate media which (obvious to us) is replete with hidden agendas.
Our (as a group) - editorial choices are not attached to "any particular ideology or political organization". This statement is absolutely true. Editors of Axis of Logic strongly disagree with one another on both - our world-views and on our views of U.S. politics. We publish articles that reflect very different views regarding all sorts of issues. We also publish articles that reveal our "agendas" (but not hidden agendas) - as described above.
When you describe our organization as having "a bias and that's to counter conservatism", respectfully, I cannot agree. For example, I view myself as a "fiscal conservative" and think the traditional liberal approach to fiscal management is singularly wrong-headed. On the other hand, I believe that a government should truly be "of the people, by the people and for the people" - i.e. "all the people". Also, I personally believe the terms "liberal" or "conservative" are outdated, not useful and should be abandoned when discussing political issues.
Again, thanks very much for your thoughtful words. I take them seriously. You've actually moved me to reconsider the wording in our mission statement - because they have obviously been misunderstood.
I welcome your response and will, with your permission, publish your e-mail in "Letters from our Readers". Thanks for reading Axis of Logic!
Sincerely,
Les Blough, Editor
On Fri, 9 Jan 2004 23:43:29 -0500 "George Luttrell" <gluttrell1@comcast.net> wrote:
Here is a question I would love an answer for: If you are "nonpartisan" when was the last time you said something nice about the president?
Have you taken your lithium?
One other question-have you seen the black helicopters lately?
Get some counseling for that pent up anger, then get a life!
George Luttrell
Aston, Pa.
An employed taxpayer
Dear George,
Thank you for writing us. I'll take your question seriously and try to give you a serious answer. It is our experience that if people want to read "nice" things about the President, all they have to do is pick up their local newspaper, the New York Times, Washington Post or any other mainstream media. The corporate media is the 4th branch of Government and has systematically supported the Neocon/Bush agenda.
It is because of this broad support by the corporate media that we launched Axis of Logic last May. It is our purpose to offer the American people alternative views of President Bush's agenda and those neocons who are instructing him how to handle foreign policy.
In any case, you are more than welcome to write something and submit it for publication on Axis of Logic. If it is well-written, I will give it careful consideration for publication - regardless of your point of view.
Would you mind saying how you heard about Axis of Logic? - just surfing the net .. or referred by someone??
Thanks very much for taking the time to write and expressing your views.
Sincerely,
Les Blough, Editor
Axis of Logic
Boston, MA
rmcmail@speakeasy.net
Dear Les,
I choose to remain mostly nameless on the web. I choose to be know as Viper Grendal in most places.
I usually don't write web sites about these sorts of things, but this one had grains of truth and I really smelled something wrong with it. In all actuality, this was a tough one to dig into and I started to wonder how much truth there really was to it.
I apologize for my ignorance on the first email to you. The error of my ways was pointed out pretty quickly in an online forum about this subject. That may have been why I spent so much time with it.
I appreciate you responding to my email and being receptive to it. That shows character, and for that I have bookmarked your site as a source of material. I like to stay up on different views on issues, especially when some integrity can be maintained in those views.
As far as writing on this I'll have to decline. Thanks
for the offer, I do appreciate it.
Take Care,
VG
From: "Thomas Mc." ThomasMc@ThomasMc.com
Subject: Vince Guarisco's article:
"Pat Say's Bush is "Blessed" -- did the Devil make him say that?"
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 13:25:28 -0800
To: I hope you don't mind, I've included a link to this article by Vincent L. Guarisco in the weekend update of my website, a daily news & opinion magazine that questions the status quo (non-profit). http://ThomasMc.com/0110.htm
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From: himbi <himbi@swissonline.ch>
Subject: re:America -- Can We Talk?, Axis of Logic Commentary, December 22, 2003
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 01:13:26 +0100
Dear Axis of Logic,
Congratulations for your article and I think the WORLD is voting as you do !!!! let the good doctor heal the wounds inflicted
by BushCO and the PNAC puppetmasters !
Dear Axis of Logic,
With regard to your stories on the signing of the Patriot 2 Act on the 13 Dec.,
It's also been reported that Bush used the cover of Saddam
Hussein's capture to sign into law Patriot Act II -
further restricting rights at home by giving the FBI
nearly unlimited power to spy on citizens.
I contacted the ACLU and received the following response:
From: Matt Bowles [mailto:mbowles@dcaclu.org]
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 11:28 AM
Subject: re: FW: Patriot II
This is very misleading and irresponsible. What passed was a small PART of PATRIOT Act 2, it expanded the scope of the national security letters. The ACLU did a press release on it and it is on our website. Ill paste it below. It passed a while ago, but maybe it was 'signed' on the day saddam
was caught, i dont know.
Matt
***
ACLU Disappointed at First Significant Expansion of PATRIOT ACT in Intelligence Bill, Takes Heart in Closer-Than-Expected Vote Printer-Friendly Version
Send this article to a friend!
November 20, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media@dcaclu.org
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union expressed its disappointment at the House~s passage today of an intelligence bill that will expand PATRIOT Act records gathering powers by subjecting more businesses to "national security letter" authority, but pointed to today~s much closer-than-expected vote as another sign of the growing momentum to revisit and narrow the controversial USA PATRIOT Act.
While the authorization for intelligence funding normally passes by an overwhelming margin, it faced significant bipartisan resistance this morning due to last week~s discovery of an amendment that would, for the first time, expand the sweeping law enforcement powers granted the federal government in the PATRIOT Act. The Senate is expected to vote on the conference report this evening or tomorrow.
"This PATRIOT Act expansion was the only controversial part of this legislation," said Timothy Edgar, an ACLU legislative Counsel, "and it prompted more than a third of the House, including 15 conservative Republicans, to change what is normally a cakewalk vote into something truly contested. One need look no further than this vote to get an effective gauge of the PATRIOT Act~s lack of popularity on Capitol Hill and among the American people."
At issue is a provision in the final version the 2004 intelligence authorization bill, which passed the House this morning by a vote of 264 to 163. Last-minute efforts to strike the provision were unsuccessful.
The amendment, which is the only piece of the intelligence package that is at all controversial, would greatly expand the FBI~s ability to issue so-called national security letters to a wide variety of businesses. Currently, the Bureau is permitted to use such letters, which are issued
at the sole discretion of FBI agents, only against traditional financial services like banks or credit unions.
Such authority would be the first substantial expansion of the 2001 USA PATRIOT Act, which has come under increasing fire in recent days for its aggressive use by the Justice Department against garden-variety criminals.
Most surprising, the ACLU said, was the defection of 15 right-wing Republican members. In addition to Idaho Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter, who has taken a leadership role in the fight to narrow certain invasive surveillance and investigative powers in the PATRIOT Act, Indiana
Congressman Mike Pence, Otter~s fellow Idahoan Mike Simpson, North Carolina~s Walter B. Jones and 11 other conservative lawmakers bucked their caucus to vote against the bill.
Practically, the change would, the ACLU said, further expand the FBI~s ability to force small business to invade their clients~ privacy without giving those so ordered any judicial recourse to stop unwarranted intrusions. It would also impose a gag order on business served with the
letters, preventing them from informing their clients that they were forced to turn over the records.
"The more that checks and balances against government abuse are eroded, the greater that abuse," Edgar added. "We~re going to regret these initiatives down the road."
________________
Matt Bowles
9-11 Organizer
American Civil Liberties Union
1333 H Street, NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
mbowles@dcaclu.org
Tel: (202) 675-2306
Fax: (202) 546-0738
You might want to clarify your posting.
** John N. Cooper **
** 36 N 7th St. **
** Lewisburg PA 17837 **
** jcooper@bucknell.edu **
** http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/jcooper/ **
** Vox 570 523 6059 Fax 570 577 1739 **
(We responded to Dr. Cooper who later wrote an article for us, "SUVing America". Ed.)
"Carolyn E. Taylor" <cetaylor3@earthlink.net>
Subject: Mary Pitt commentary
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 18:15:27 -0800
To: <contact@axisoflogic.com
To Whomever:
One of the potential (but not obligatory) pitfalls of anger is that it can
become the scattershot of sawed off shotgun firing willy-nilly, including
bommeranging.
I find particularly offensive that Mary Pitt indulges in such over-the-top
rage that she is blind to any other answer to that anger except her own, and in so doing rationalizes totally unfounded pot shots.
Specifically, how DARE you suggest that other candidates and specifically Sen. Kerry would be someone who might "compromise the principles of the Democrats in order to "get along" with the Republican opposition." If anyone's record suggests such propensity to "bend Republican," I dare say you ought to look in your candidate's mirror. But after 20 years of leadership advocacy for Democratic principles absolutely down the line, an entire life heritage of Democratic values -- something which in fact Howard Dean cannot claim, Sen. Kerry has earned far more respect than your wild-eyed potshotting piece accords.
Yes, we are angry. But a lot of us who are angry see a much better
candidate for voicing that anger, one who can translate that anger into
policies which restore Democratic principles to the White House. And, at least as far as primary voting goes, it's not Howard Dean but rather John Kerry.
You don't serve your cause -- just as Dean has not served his except in some short-run testosterone-rousing sense -- by thinking your anger makes your candidate the only or the best vehicle for that anger. Just as Dean should never have misrepresented his own Iraq position vis-a-vis his fellow candidates, you should not be casting aspersions on others who have a much longer and stronger track record upholding Democratic values than does Howard Dean.
The goal here is to unseat George Bush.
Sincerely,
Carolyn
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