Shoot - first and nothing to say....
Anon | 09.05.05 - 6:25 pm | #

Can we get a plane to Italy? I'm ready to relocate to someplace where the people matter.
Lovepack | 09.05.05 - 6:26 pm | #

Anyone know where I can get a good $6,000 shoe horn?
High-Fashion Condi | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:27 pm | #

I just heard on the news that water is beginning to go down in N.O., some pumps are working now.

Then they said Perquimans (sp?) parish hadn't seen much if any assistance.
Anon | 09.05.05 - 6:28 pm | #

Okay, I still have a question...

(First of all, thanks to all who responded to my previous attempts at asking this, but I wasn't clear on what I meant before)

So here's the deal:

I have put Americablog as my homepage because it is always the first place I go every time I'm online. Recently, because I have been on the page so much, I have noticed that various blog entries by Michael and some others have disappeared from the site after people (myself included) have read the entries and in some cases provided comments about them. I ask this question only because some of these blog entries are *really* provocative and, to my knowledge, accurate. Michael had a scathing piece about the president's vacation that was, I thought, particularly dead-on.....so my question is, are these blog entries being removed for some reason that is not obvious?

Just curious. Keep up the great work!
Youareyou | 09.05.05 - 6:30 pm | #

omg lou dobbs just said this is another example four years from 911 that the fedral govt is not prepared to handle an emergency. You go lou, kool aid must be gone. chertoff on next.
blueeyedpupil | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:30 pm | #

Monday, September 05, 2005


"Progressive" blog exposes itself as insidious right wing fake.

I have always supported and promoted John Aravosis' blog and work, however the following post appeared on 9/4/2005 that showed some of John's colors that I wish I hadn't seen, yet glad I did.

I'm sorry because I no longer respect John and some of his friends, who have been attacking their own readership all night on AMERICAblog.

They've been posting furiously to move this to the bottom of the page... John is unpologetic and rude as is his groupie friend Lawson. The vitriol and hate spewed by these people have been outrageous.

I'm glad because, I was not the only one to remark that the felt they had landed in a right wing blog by mistake.... no comapasion, no caring, no sense of community.. I don't know where they are leading, but I'm glad I'm no longer falling for it.

Lawson in DC who claims to be a long time friend of JOhn's has been hammering at AMERICAblogs readers in recording breaking comment section, using circular logic and hearing nothing.. a no win situation. A typical right wing tactic.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON SEPTEMBER24, JOHN ARAVOSIS AND FRIENDS AT AMERICABLOG THINK YOU ARE HURTING THE "PURITY" OF THEIR MESSAGE AND ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO GO. THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOU, IF YOU DO. THEY DON'T WANT TO "LOOK BAD".

John has moved over to the "reputation and appearance is more important" than actually being a progressive and making a difference.

Check the blog and read the comments of this posting... make up your own mind.

(remember: John also censored and deleted all comments that he didn't care for)


http://americablog.blogspot.com/...about- this.html


Sunday, September 04, 2005

I'd like a straight answer about this protest on September 24
by John in DC - 9/04/2005 03:11:00 PM

I've heard Cindy Sheehan is involved, but then again, I read posters in DC last night that made this thing sound like the "everything but the kitchen sink" coalition was running it. The poster, from A.N.S.W.E.R., said the protest was about ending US colonialism, or some such crap, in Haiti, Palestine, Cuba and beyond.

I for one will have nothing to do with a protest that is devoted to that kind of wingnut crap. I sincerely hope that ANSWER has nothing to do with the Sheehan protest, because if it does, I'm going to recommend folks don't go. Haiti? Are these people nuts?

So, anyone got the scoop on this? Is ANSWER just trying to hijack this thing or is this protest devoted to all these ridiculous causes?
DavidDeLaFringe | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:31 pm | #

ohhh examining browns qualification saying hes in over his head.
blueeyedpupil | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:31 pm | #

The first and only federal
conspiracy trial
arising out of civil resistance
to the Iraq War begins
September 19 in Binghamton, NY.
redjb | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:32 pm | #

Mike Brown defending his ability to lead? Give me a break! Tell that to the dead in the bayous!
rusty | 09.05.05 - 6:32 pm | #

Bush and Rummy attended a baseball game together while the Hurricane was hitting, then Rummy joined him for the guitar photo op the next day.

No wonder there was no order for troops until Thur.

“Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld joined Bush in San Diego, watching the Padres fall 7-5 to division rival Arizona Monday night. Rumsfeld mingled with World War II veterans before Tuesday's speech…”
http://tinyurl.com/dmkr8
sans-culotte | 09.05.05 - 6:32 pm | #

Youareyou: I hadn't noticed any threads missing. Are you sure they didn't just get moved into the archives?
Anon | 09.05.05 - 6:33 pm | #

Lou Dobbs doing some straight talk on Brown...even the Horse shit
JJ | 09.05.05 - 6:33 pm | #

The photographer who was turned away from the Superdome by a National Guardsman because he wanted to photograph dead bodies, told to go to Iraq to snap the bodies there. Iraqis, of course, not servicemen. They got the word out early, the only "early" that has occurred.
MrsT | 09.05.05 - 6:33 pm | #

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/ar...cle.php? id=3091

is promoting the march...
a.n.s.w.er. may be glamming on
redjb | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:34 pm | #

dobbs is doing piece after piece about the critic, and not disagreeing. hes highlighting all the flaws, IM shocked
blueeyedpupil | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:35 pm | #

I almost forgot...Happy Labor Day - don't forget to thank your hired help.
CatCiao | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:35 pm | #

From daily kos:

As noted, the Washington Post got burned today by a "senior Bush official" who told them that Gov. Blanco of Louisiana had never declared a state of emergency in the site - a claim the Post printed as fact:

Yet the claim was demonstrably false and by late afternoon the Post had been compelled to print a correction.

This week's Newsweek contains the same false claim - and though their recital of the anecdote is unsourced, common sense suggests that someone or some operation fed them both the same line, which neither organization checked out before running.

Monday's Times, not surprisingly, confirms that the White House damage control operation is being run by Karl Rove and Dan Bartlett.

Add it up.


My addition:

Here's the Newsweek story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9179...9179587/page/5/

Write to reporter evan thomas (evan.thomas@newsweek.com) and editor Mark Whitaker (mark.whitaker@newsweek.com) to request that they correct the error. Whenever the media passively reprints whatever Rove feeds them without bothering to confirm the facts, we need to call them on it every time, especially regarding this disaster. They cannot get away with being responsible for the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent American citizens due to their indifference, incompetence and outright evil.
David in Midwest | 09.05.05 - 6:35 pm | #

The Citizens' Tribunal on Iraq
Our voices will not be silenced.

September 18 - 23
Binghamton NY
Aim. To present the legal, historical, and moral defense for civil resistance to this illegal, immoral war.

Because Judge Thomas J. McAvoy, who will preside over the St. Patrick's Four trial, stated in May that his "court offers no opinion on the war in Iraq as it is entirely irrelevant to this matter..."

Because Judge Thomas J. McAvoy admitted that even if the Iraq war was illegal, "it does not provide a justification for violating the criminal laws of the United States..."

Because Judge Thomas J. McAvoy has suggested that the four defendants will be unable to explain and defend their actions in the context of international law, which the United States Constitution allows...

And because the ministers of all wars work furiously to silence the voices of dissent, the voices of conscience, the voices of peace, the voices of victims...

We, the members of the St. Patrick's Four Support Team, have invited expert witnesses to provide, in a public court, the testimony that shall affirm the legal right to resist nonviolently this criminal act of pre-emptive aggression.

All events of the Citizens' Tribunal on Iraq are free and open to the public. Location TBA soon. All panels will begin promptly at 7 PM unless indicated otherwise.


-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------

Sunday, September 18: "The Voices of Faith"

-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------

Monday, September 19: "The Voices of Diplomacy"

Opening Remarks and Moderation by James Petras, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at SUNY-Binghamton. He is the author and editor of over 60 books, including the acclaimed Globalization Unmasked: Imperialism in the 21st Century. His work has been translated into 26 languages. Petras was a member of the Bertrand Russell Tribunal Against Repression in Latin America.


Ray McGovern, served 27 years as a CIA analyst and is now on the Steering Group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity. He works for Tell the Word, the publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour.

Ann Wright resigned from the U.S. Foreign Service on March 19, 2003 to protest the invasion of Iraq, which was a violation of the United Nations charter. Ms. Wright joined the Foreign Service in 1987 and has served as Deputy Chief of Mission of U.S. Embassies in Sierra Leone, Micronesia, Mongolia, and briefly in Afghanistan. Before entering the Foreign Service, she served in the Army and has a combined regular Army/Army Reserve service time of 29 years
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------

Tuesday, September 20: "The Voices of Victims"
Opening Remarks and Moderation by Jim Clune, member of Zachaeus Catholic Worker house in Binghamton, New York. Jim was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War and has been a Peace Movement activist ever since. He has been involved in over 2 dozen direct actions similar to the SP4 action, and visited Iraq with Voices in the Wilderness in 1999.

Kathy Kelly helped initiate Voices in the Wilderness, a campaign to end the UN/US sanctions against Iraq. For bringing "medicine and toys" to Iraq in open violation of the UN/US sanctions, she and other campaign members were notified of a proposed $163,000 penalty for the organization, threatened with 12 years in prison, and eventually fined $20,000, a sum which they've refused to pay. Voices in the Wilderness organized 70 delegations to visit Iraq in the period between 1996 and the launch of "Shock and Awe." Kelly has been to Iraq twenty two times since January 1996, when the campaign began.

Medea Benjamin, a powerful and charismatic force in human rights activism, has struggled for social justice in Asia, Africa and the Americas for over 20 years. She is the Founding Director of the human rights organization Global Exchange. She is also the co-founder of Code Pink: Women for Peace, a women's group that has been organizing against the war in Iraq and pushing for a reorientation of budget priorities in the US to focus on heath care, education and housing, not war. In February 2003, Benjamin visited Iraq and met with weapon's inspectors, women's groups and ordinary Iraqi civilians.

Dr. Rosalie Bertell is the President of the International Institute of Concern for Public Health, and a renowned epidemiologist by profession. A member of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart for more than fifty years, Dr. Bertell is also an expert on the health effects of low level radiation, including depleted uranium. She has received great acclaim and numerous awards, including the Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Peace Prize) in 1986.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------

Wednesday, September 21: "The Voices of Justice"
John Bonifaz, a constitutional lawyer, is a co-founder of AfterDowningStreet.org, a national coalition of veterans' groups, peace groups, and public interest organizations seeking a formal congressional investigation into whether President Bush has committed impeachable offenses in connection with the Iraq war.

Bill Quigley is a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans School of Law and legal advisor to the four defendants.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------

Thursday, September 22: "The Voices of Soldiers"
Jimmy Massey, a cofounder of Iraq Veterans Against the War, served twelve years of active duty in the USMC and was a platoon sergeant in the 7th Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. After witnessing first hand the horror of war he refused to continue service, filed and won CO status, and has since been telling people the truth about the war in Iraq.

Camilo E. Mejia is former prisoner of conscience, Iraq war veteran, war resister and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War. He served nine months in confinement for refusing to return to Iraq after a two-week leave.

Michael Blake was in the U.S. Army for three and a half years. He served in Iraq from April 2003 to March 2004 and soon decided that he couldn't participate in the destruction of humanity any longer. Upon return to the U.S. he filed for conscientious objector stauts, and after seven months of processing he recieved an honorable discharge and was realeased from service. He now feels responsible for telling ordinary citizens what the war is really like and how it is being fought.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
redjb | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:37 pm | #

OH PLEASE!
Condi Rice packing aid parcels.
Has she no shame?
I have a little, so I won't mention footwear.
Oscar Wilde | 09.05.05 - 6:37 pm | #

Will PETA be there? I love associating with such a mainstream institution.
America in Decline | 09.05.05 - 6:38 pm | #

sure got that Roberts nomination up and running in record time.

priorities, ya know.
the cake was the last straw | 09.05.05 - 6:38 pm | #

AOL poll here shows about 2/3's of respondants feel the Feds (FEMA, BUSH, etc.) are to blame for the NO BUSH made disaster.

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/ ...S00010000000001
AOL poll here shows about 2/3's of respondants feel the Feds (FEMA, BUSH, etc.) are to blame for the NO BUSH made disaster.

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/ ...S00010000000001
Hmmmmmm | 09.05.05 - 6:38 pm | #

Oscar: Condi has absolutely no shame, nor does anyone in Bushco. But people have noticed that at least Condi has gotten someone to do something better with her hair. Good. She can wear it that way in hell, which is where she's going.
David in Midwest | 09.05.05 - 6:39 pm | #

ABC Nightly News just now stated the commodity most missing in the NO disaster is leadership still.
Hmmmmmm | 09.05.05 - 6:39 pm | #

way way OT selfish question, I guess life goes on-
Anyone have some good travel advice for of town in the Hudson Valley of NY? My old friend who now lives overseas will be in NYC at the end of Sept and I can leave my kids w/family in New England so we can meet up. Looking for walkable downtown, with hotel easy access from train from NYC and Boston. Any genuises here have a suggestion? Thanks

plz email me- babystuff (at) email (dot) com
thisattractivemotherof3 | 09.05.05 - 6:42 pm | #

Lou Dobbs just called the Bush Administration's Department of Homeland Security a political sham.
So Cal Guy | 09.05.05 - 6:42 pm | #

Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead and George Bush is still an asshole.
tireiron chef | 09.05.05 - 6:44 pm | #

2 really good vids

"Hurricane Katrina"
http://www.peacetakescourage.com.../ hurricane.html

"Someone's Lie"
Very graphic extremely powerful
http://www.peacetakescourage.com...m/ someones.html

Thanks moxiegrrrl for turning me omto this site.
http://www.moxiegrrrl.com/
sans-culotte | 09.05.05 - 6:45 pm | #

youareyou - Michael commented about this yesterday. Since they all live and work in different areas, sometimes they all post at similar times. In order to give each post enough focus, they will sometimes remove posts and save them for later. Michael's vacation piece was one that was bumped, and due to the high volume of news they have not had a free moment to repost it.
MattR | 09.05.05 - 6:46 pm | #

Ben Morris, the mayor of Slidell, La. is ticked off with FEMA because they have hampered recovery efforts "by some of the most stupid, idiotic regulations by FEMA. They have turned away generators, we've heard that they've gone around seizing equipment from our contractors. If they do so, they'd better be armed because I'll be damned if I'm going to let them deprive our citizens. I'm pissed off, and tired of this horse$#@@."

So, didn't FEMA hold tons of drills for situations like this? That agency is an utter disgrace!
Chaotic Spelunker | 09.05.05 - 6:46 pm | #

I think one point we REALLY need to hammer home is Bush's ability to respond quickly, but failing to do so. The American public needs to be reminded how he was able to fly out in the middle of the night to sign legislation to keep a single woman alive, but drags his feet, eats cake, and plays guitar during this clusterfuck that he calls a rescue operation.

Watching all these people being "rescued" only to sit without food and water for days on freeway overpasses makes me sick to my stomach. We live in the greatest country in the world and we can't even get water to these people within 5 days.
Ryan | 09.05.05 - 6:48 pm | #

Can someone please explain this?:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution. (Introduced in House)

HJ 24 IH


109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 24
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 17, 2005
Mr. HOYER (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SABO, and Mr. PALLONE) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary



-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------


JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.


Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

`Article --

`The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is repealed.'.
Parallax | 09.05.05 - 6:48 pm | #

Youareyou, I haven't really noticed, but I guess there have been so many posts this last week that I'm not keeping up. I don't think posts usually disappear, though they do get archived and won't appear on the front page. You can find the archive links on the left side and at the bottom. You might also want to hit the "permanent link" option at the end of any posts you want to bookmark.
tireiron chef | 09.05.05 - 6:48 pm | #

I am offended as an American, especially a taxpaying American that the Vice President has not addressed the Hurricane Katrina disaster at all. Why has this gone unnoticed by the MSM. Did I miss something? I did leave the house to go to the store.
I don't like the Kool-Aid | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:49 pm | #

CBS Evening News pre-empted by some tennis match....
Patrick | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:49 pm | #

Cheney Watch: His oil trip to Alberta has been postponed.

http://www.borsa-italia.net/ arti...rticle5015.html
cadejo4 | 09.05.05 - 6:50 pm | #

Condi should be dropped in the yard at Gitmo on her way to hell.
green libertarian | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:51 pm | #

Parallax
got a link to that?
sans-culotte | 09.05.05 - 6:51 pm | #

Oh, and on a side note, the fucking NFL had made decisions after the hurricane before our own government could even figure out who was in charge. The NFL have changed game times and locations to account for this disaster, and our government can't even get these poor people some god damn sandwiches.
Ryan | 09.05.05 - 6:52 pm | #

Rove Watch: The slimeball has been caught cheating on his taxes.

Healy said Rove will forgo the exemption and tax cap on his Washington house — valued at more than $1.1 million — rather than give up his status as a Texas voter. But that raises new questions.

Rove sold his longtime home in Austin in 2003. He was getting a homestead exemption there, too. So, for three years, from 2001 until the sale, Rove was claiming homesteads in Texas and Washington, which is, technically, illegal.

"Strictly speaking, you can only have one homestead," said Art Cory, chief tax appraiser in Travis County, Texas.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/ new..._rove_0904.html
cadejo4 | 09.05.05 - 6:54 pm | #

Thanks moxiegrrrl.
dave i. | 09.05.05 - 6:54 pm | #

here ya go..

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/qu...:H.J.RES.24.IH:
Parallax | 09.05.05 - 6:54 pm | #

Lou Dobbs: Poll showing only 46% think president responsible...
LEN | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:55 pm | #

I dunno...mebbe I'z wrong, but I sho' do feeyul dat dey wuz lotsa black peepuh in dem photo-ops t'day.

How 'bout y'all??

Eben de Bush daddy wuz bein' 'down wit de black peepuh.
Steve | 09.05.05 - 6:58 pm | #

I've heard other people wondering where Cheney has been. Still no word. Wasn't Wyoming where "Close Encounters of the Third King" took place?
Chaotic Spelunker | 09.05.05 - 7:00 pm | #

Why is the Chimp still tolerated? Bottom line, most Americans are pretty happy with their lives, so they don't bother thinking about anything outside their own lives. That happiness has been bought with debt, though. When the housing bubble bursts, the debtor class and the creditor class will suddenly be competing with each other rather than cooperating. We'll go from a nation of repubs to a nation of democrats overnight.

That's the gentle scenario. If, on the other hand, the flu pandemic hits anytime soon, it could make a depression seem like heaven. All bets are off, economically and politically, if you get a 70% lethal virus infecting half the world population. (Do some research, if you think I'm exaggerating.)
Bystander | 09.05.05 - 7:02 pm | #

Howdy folks-
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I feel like I should speak up about the march on 24 September. Perhaps I can clear up some misunderstanding here: there are two groups who have gotten permits to march on the 24th of September near the White House: A.N.S.W.E.R. (who, I gather, advocate politics objectionable to the proprietor of this fine blog) and United for Peace and Justice. That's two permits, two marches.

The UfPJ permit begins at 10am on the grounds around the Washington Monument.

See here.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. march begins at 11:30 on the Ellipse (south side of the White House).

See here.

I am going to march on 24 September, and I hope you will too.

UfPJ is the group who is hosting Cindy Sheehan at their march. I think that even the proprietor of this weblog will find UfPJ's politics sufficiently focused upon the Iraq war and issues of social justice of concern to us all.

Me, personally, I am going to the party, and I don't care who blows up the balloons, y'know? If a million people show up and 200 of them are stalinists, who cares? I say "Thanks for getting the permits so we don't all go to jail, and good luck with that Stalin thing...weirdo...."

If you stay home, it's your choice, but don't complain when nothing changes. Staying home is the best way to insure that.

I had some thoughts on the issues of ideological purity and demonstrations back before the election. I hope you will take a look at them and share your thoughts. It's an old entry, so if your comments don't show up immediately, it's because I have to approve all connections on entries over two weeks old. I hope no one considers this to be unnecessary blog whoring. I think it's a discussion we need to have.

Folks, we're all angry about the same stuff, I think. Let's go hang out in the park and stand up to be counted.
patrick | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 7:02 pm | #

are Jerk-off and Brown-nose STILL giving press conferences, looking all neat and shiny and clean? someone should count how many in studio press conferences these two assholes have given since the hurricane struck. can't they do their job instead of constantly getting tv face time?

the only "live" channels i get are the weather channel and CSPAN and rarely is the time i watch CSPAN when callers call in but this morning it was disgraceful. if you think this disaster has turned america around to see exactly who they voted for and what they got from it, think again. the callers were racist, wholly conservative, and basically kept saying the victims got what they deserved.

they repeatedly defended bush, call after call. i was sickened and turned the tv off.

if this disaster can't point out the obvious about bushco, then nothing will.

i think we're fucking doomed.

--------------
Hope - me too | 09.05.05 - 7:04 pm | #

Condi spends THOUSANDS of dollars for a PAIR of shoes? :o( Makes my $80 Nikes look positively shabby! (I spend a lot of time walking on my job, btw) Maybe she can pack a few hundred Nikes in those care packages!
doug r | 09.05.05 - 7:05 pm | #

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/ new...1765121,00.html

Cardinal accused of inciting prejudice over gay adoption
By Angus Macleod, Scottish Political Editor
THE head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland was accused of inciting prejudice against homosexuals yesterday after he described plans to allow gay couples to adopt as gravely immoral.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien gave warning in a newspaper article that the proposal — which could be contained in the Scottish Executive’s legislative programme tomorrow — amounted to children “becoming guinea pigs in some distorted social experiment”.

At present in Scotland only one member of an unmarried couple can adopt and the other partner receives separate rights to live in the same house as the child. The proposal to extend full rights to gay and unmarried couples would bring the law on adoption in Scotland into line with that in England.

Cardinal O’Brien cited research which he said showed that children adopted by same-sex couples exhibited low self-esteem, confusion over their sexual identity, increased mental illness, drug use, promiscuity and homosexual behaviour. He added: “Children need a male and a female role model in a permanent relationship.”

His comments are the most outspoken attack on homosexuality since his predecessor, Cardinal Thomas Winning, led an unsuccessful campaign against the repeal of Section 28, which banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools. Cardinal O’Brien’s views reinforce those of the Rev David Lacy, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, who has called for more policies promoting heterosexual marriage.

Ben Summerskill of Stonewall said he was saddened that a senior cleric was “exhuming 19th-century prejudices rather than recognising the realities of life in the 21st century. We are also saddened that he should be inciting prejudice against gay people.”
AHiddenSaint | 09.05.05 - 7:05 pm | #

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/ ...0105nolaGay.htm

Katrina Delivers Second Blow To Gay Families

Louisiana has a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and prevents the state from recognizing any legal status for common-law relationships, domestic partnerships or civil unions. Mississippi and Alabama both have defense of marriage acts which also deny rights to gay and lesbian couples.

The Federal Defense of Marriage Act prevents FEMA from providing any relief in the form of family benefits to same-sex couples.

The laws also will directly impact gay and lesbian families where one partner has died as a result of the hurricane.

Federal DOMA bars Social Security survivor benefits. State benefits would also be denied.

If the deceased partner were the birth or adoptive parent of the couple's children those children could be removed from the care of the other parent and placed in foster care.

Should the family home be in the name of the deceased partner the survivor would have no rights. Any insurance payouts could go to the estate of the deceased and if there is no will would go to the closest blood relative.

In cases where one partner is hospitalized the other partner would not be guaranteed visitation rights or any say in medical care.

Surviving same-sex partners even could be denied any say in funeral or burial decisions.

Even in those cases where couples had legal documents such as living wills, powers of attorney or other agreements that could be valid in the states in which they were prepared and notarized there is no guarantee they would be honored in states where survivors were relocated.

"It underscores all of the inequities same-sex couples face," Lambda Legal attorney Ken Upton told 365Gay.com.
AHiddenSaint | 09.05.05 - 7:07 pm | #

Patrick -

I read your entry and I read this bit:

"Man, you guys need to brush up on your dissident qualifications... Just because you don't dig the fact that folks are showing up in something other than khakis and haircuts like the guys on 'Friends' ... "

Well, howdy hoo.

Here's a message for you pardner. Before getting on your high horse, perhaps you should consider that a lot of us hate Friends and don't wear Khakis and we don't agree with demonstrations.

For the record, I hate Friends and I don't wear Khakis and if you want to reach out to anyone except yourself, you had better put a lid on your disingenous bullshit.

I don't suggest you link to your own blog anymore.
America in Decline | 09.05.05 - 7:07 pm | #

I've never been a fan of NBC's Brian Williams, but he really seems to get it:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9216...9216831/ #050905

Let's hope he sticks to his word to continue covering this appalling chapter in our nation's history. But I'm assuming that a lot of American is soon going to want to start turning their heads away and stick them in the sand.
David in Midwest | 09.05.05 - 7:10 pm | #

This is very off-topic...
But I'm making tshirts to bash the NeoCons..

What do you think?

http://www.cafepress.com/butchcjg/785123
butchcjg | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 7:11 pm | #

You can hear an interview with John Aravosis from today, September 5, archived at: www.wgdr.org/cgi-bin/archive.pl

Type in Sept 5 - 15:00 - Sept 5 - 16:40

Also, regarding the Sept 24th demo....this is what I think:

I don't care who is organizing it. I don't care how many issues are represented. I don't care who takes credit for it. I hope that a huge number of people come to DC prepared to make a huge amount of noise until the incompetent boobs sitting in the White House leave because it has gotten too loud for them.

How 'bout:

"George Bush, whaddya say?
How Many Kids Did you Kill Today?"

In 1991 there was the Beat Around the Bush Demo in August, 48 hours of drumming in Lafayette Park. How 'bout that for an idea? Beat Around the Bush II: The Sequel.

Something's got to give.
Stephanie | 09.05.05 - 7:11 pm | #

WTF???!!!???
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/qu...:H.J.RES.24.IH:

Why have I never heard about this before?


Mr. HOYER (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SABO, and Mr. PALLONE) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary


JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:

`Article --

`The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is repealed.'.



U.S. Constitution: Twenty-Second Amendment
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/da...on/amendment22/
Amendment Text | Annotations
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President,...
sans-culotte | 09.05.05 - 7:11 pm | #

Interesting commentary in the L.A. Times

September 5, 2005 latimes.com : Business E-mail story Print Most E-mailed Change text size
Michael Hiltzik:
Golden State
Bush's Hurricane Response a Disaster
Nearly five years ago, the Bush administration rode into office bearing its cynicism about government high, like a banner.

It promoted a massive tax cut as a way of "starving the beast" of federal government. President Bush traveled the country telling us that we were overdependent on the government for help with healthcare and retirement. To those wondering what resources might see them into old age, he advised: "a conservative mix of stocks and bonds."

ADVERTISEMENT







New Orleans is, or should be, the graveyard of the conservative ideology that government is useless. An American city is reduced to Third World desperation as people who own nothing scrounge for necessities in a sea of waste and federal officials offer lame excuses about how their disaster plans would have worked fine had there not been, you know, a disaster. The president, at the head of a global power that can't get its own troops or supplies off their bases to reach the needful, whines, "The private sector needs to do its part."

This deplorable performance has deep roots. Joe M. Allbaugh, a Bush campaign hack without any crisis management experience who was named director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, disparaged federal disaster assistance as "an oversized entitlement program" before Congress in 2001. The public's expectations of government in a disaster situation, he said, "may have ballooned beyond what is an appropriate level." He advised stricken communities to rely for help on "faith-based organizations … like the Salvation Army and the Mennonite Disaster Service."

If Allbaugh were not an amateur, he would have known that communities, "faith-based organizations" and the private sector become overwhelmed by disasters more modest than this one. In a crisis the federal government should be the first responder, not the last, to take charge, not wait to be asked.

Cynicism on such a scale is self-perpetuating. Determined to portray government as little but an intrusion into people's lives, this gang made it irrelevant to hundreds of thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina — thus giving them, and us, good reason to be cynical after all.

The federal officials assigned to New Orleans have displayed an appalling combination of arrogance and ignorance. Thursday evening on NPR, I heard Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who oversees FEMA, dismiss reports of thousands of refugees trapped at the New Orleans convention center for days without sustenance. He called the reports, in so many words, "rumors and anecdotes."

Informed that an NPR reporter had been on the scene, he sniffed, "I can't argue with you about what your reporter tells you." Later, his staff called back to say that he had "received a report confirming the situation" and that he was now "working tirelessly" to get food to the location.

At a news conference that day, FEMA Director Michael Brown, Allbaugh's successor and college chum, attributed the death toll in New Orleans "to people who did not heed evacuation warnings." Insensitive to the truth that many of the stranded had no way of responding to the warnings — no money, no transport out of the city and nowhere to go — he blamed them for having failed to prepare any better than, well, the federal government.

He also described security in the city, where snipers were firing on rescue boats and a mob beat back police trying to impose order at the convention center, as "pretty darn good." The image of lawlessness, he said, was fomented by those willing to "stick a camera" in front of "bad people."

The Bush administration is not alone in having ignored pleas to improve the hurricane and flood defenses of New Orleans. But it bears sole responsibility for a crisis response that has been fairly labeled a national disgrace. FEMA drafted an action plan for a New Orleans flood: pre-position food, supplies and hospital ships for immediate deployment in the aftermath. Brown and Chertoff failed to implement it adequately, pleading that no one could have anticipated a disaster that had in fact been anticipated by engineers, geographers and political leaders for decades. As I write, the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort remains moored in Baltimore, not to arrive off New Orleans until the end of this week.

President Bush will surely feel the consequences of his dereliction. Every policy of his administration will be viewed through the prism of the debacle of New Orleans. The pursuit of a personal vendetta against Saddam Hussein, supported by manipulated intelligence, has sucked billions out of the treasury and removed more than 30% of Louisiana and Mississippi National Guard members from their homes, so they must watch the disaster unfold from half a world away instead of assisting their own communities. Tax cuts for the wealthy have been financed by budget cuts

for disaster preparedness and other crucial programs. Four years of anti-terrorism planning have failed to produce a competent system for mitigating a metropolitan cataclysm — one that, on the ground, is indistinguishable from the effects of the terrorist attack we've supposedly been girding for since 9/11.

Then there's Bush's sustained assault on social insurance programs such as Social Security, safety nets that are to be replaced by the slogan "You're on your own."

New Orleans is not a local calamity; it belongs to us all, not least because it signals what to expect from this administration. If a major earthquake strikes Los Angeles or San Francisco, will President Bush wait to respond until he can conclude his vacation, as he did last week? Will his appointees express surprise at an eventuality that "no one could have predicted"?

Probably. George W. Bush is known for never admitting his mistakes. Consequently, he never learns from his mistakes. The chances are dismal that he will learn from this one. We're on our own.

*


-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Golden State appears every Monday and Thursday. You can reach Michael Hiltzik at golden.state@latimes.com and read his previous columns at latimes.com/hiltzik
Maleko | 09.05.05 - 7:12 pm | #

If just -one- failed levee could do this much damage and it takes this long to get relief rolling...

...imagine what a dozen, well-placed shaped charges with NO WARNING could have done?

"Homeland Security" my ASS - the politicization of FEMA is the most dangerous thing that's ever been done - and needs to be UNDONE -now-, before the next disaster.
M. Douglas Wray | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 7:12 pm | #

Back to Iraq: From WaPo

Insurgents Seize Key Town in Iraq
Al Qaeda in Iraq's Black Banner Flying From Rooftops

By Ellen Knickmeyer
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, September 5, 2005; 6:51 PM

BAGHDAD, Sept. 5 -- Abu Musab Zarqawi's foreign-led Al Qaeda in Iraq took open control of a key western town at the Syrian border, deploying its guerrilla fighters in the streets and flying Zarqawi's black banner from rooftops, tribal leaders and other residents in the city and surrounding villages said.
LEN | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 7:18 pm | #

Bush II - dictator for life.
Liz | 09.05.05 - 7:19 pm | #

And finally, MUST reads:

Paul Klugman &
Bob Herbert

both articles posted on

http://www.truthout.com/
LEN | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 7:23 pm | #

BUSH II ... deposed dictator of life
? | 09.05.05 - 7:30 pm | #

Here's a message for you pardner. Before getting on your high horse, perhaps you should consider that a lot of us hate Friends and don't wear Khakis and we don't agree with demonstrations.

For the record, I hate Friends and I don't wear Khakis and if you want to reach out to anyone except yourself, you had better put a lid on your disingenous bullshit.

Dude. Easy there. All of this was offered for perusal in good faith, and if you've got a problem with that, sorry about that.

If you don't agree with demonstrations, DON'T GO. Geez.

Don't go lashing out at me about it.

Just keep doing what you're doing, whatever that it.

It's worked so well so far.

I don't suggest you link to your own blog anymore.

Um, are you threatening me?

LOL.

It's the first time I have done it here, and if it bothers you that much, we'll see about making it the last.

Have you thought about giving up caffeine?
patrick | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 7:30 pm | #

Couple things I saw on MSNBC just now:

1. Evacuees coming off of a truck with at least 4 cops (not National Guard) pointing drawn guns at them. This woman was being patted down and her hands were trembling. This other guy had inhalers in his pockets. They were of course black and scared shitless. They looked hungry. Can you imagine the humiliation of being treated this way, as a US citizen?

2. Poppy Bush responding to Kathleen Blanco's "I'll punch him" comment by saying words to the effect of "if someone wants to criticise my son they can talk to my wife but they better bring a flak jacket". WTF does that mean? Barbara's packin heat and will shoot any critics? These people are from some Shakespearian tragedy set in Kennebunkport and Crawford, TX as adapted by Mel Brooks.
shystee | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 7:30 pm | #

Open thread! Open thread!

If you are a gay intellectual that can string together quite the exegesis, then you must visit

http://gaypatriot.org/

just to see how nasty, vitriolic gay republicans deport themselves.

It's like poking toads.

I think plenty of the liberal gays here posting there is just what's needed to wish Gay Patriot a happy first blogger birthday.
Chandler in Hollywood | 09.05.05 - 7:35 pm | #

I've had it! The Bush administration is going to try to blame the disaster in the South on local officials. If the Democratic Party, including it's most notable members like Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, etc., fails to stand up AGAINST this crap, they are going to lose my support.
Michael S | 09.05.05 - 7:41 pm | #

ABC evening news took a shot at Brown, pointing out his experience including the Arabian horse affiliation and his ousting. They also mentioned the Roberts nomination and that Bush would be electing him amid controversy over the slow federal response.
XD | 09.05.05 - 7:55 pm | #

THIS JUST IN:

GENERALISSIMO JORGE BOOSH IS VALIENTLY HOLDING ON IN HIS FIGHT TO DESTROY THE COUNTRY.

FREEPERS FLOOD C-SPAN LINES TO HEIL DER FUHER.

BUSH DADDY ADMITS IT'S BABS WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY.

Oh, and the 22nd Ammendent repeal thing is a hoax.
green libertarian | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 7:58 pm | #

I don't want any replies, and hate to take this topic down to the practical realities; however, I am near Houston and have heard the impassioned requests for help. I have spent the weekend calling the published numbers to donate- thus, I have totaled up to 25 phone calls: to shelter a family in my home, to donate blood (the really rare kind), furnishings, kids' clothes, underwear, etc. All calls have come to naught, 'cause the systems have been unable to direct me to where/how to accomplish these things. Even if they got the initial piece right, if this is how they run the aftermath, how are folks to get what they need? Piss poor disaster management- I spent 10 years in EMS so I have some basis for judgement....
disillusioned in Texas | 09.05.05 - 7:59 pm | #

"Why have I never heard about this before?"

It's been around for awhile--partly with support from people who just think the 22nd amendment was a bad idea, partly from people who want to re-elected Bush, partly from people who want to re-elect Clinton....take hart, though, I doubt it can get through in 2 years, before the 2008 campaign official starts. I also doubt anyone would want to re-elect Bush by that point, but you never know these days.

.
appalled | 09.05.05 - 8:00 pm | #

patrick --

Your blog looks just fine to me.

I don't understand what goes on here sometimes. Every so often its like poking a hornet's nest with a stick here, you make one tolerant "let's all get along" comment and posters we've never heard of before come out of the woodwork to trash everyone to shreds. (Or, as I suspect, one poster with different aliases.)

Anyhow, don't give it a second thought. Thanks for going and doing what you can. And link to your site anytime, as far as I'm concerned.
Anon | 09.05.05 - 8:14 pm | #

Didn't the 22nd amendment repeal the 19th amendment, or someting like that? Prohibition would come back if the 22nd was repealed because then the 19th would be back in effect. That could be fun. Men wore great hats in those days, long before penacillin. Speak-easies were the smart place to be seen, Europe was not only stylish but affordable. Mariuhuana was legal and often recommended as a treatment for complaints centering on melancholia as well as women's maladies.
Indigo | 09.05.05 - 8:24 pm | #

Google my name, bitch, then google yours, then talk to me about who's does more activism and who just types shit.

Example of John's infalable wisdom that anyone would be proud to be associated with. Right?

-------------------------------------

Hold their noses? Sorry, I don't plan protests with wingnuts. And anyone who thinks this protest is about US imperialism in Cuba and Haiti (Haiti? We fucking saved Haiti) is a wingnut in my book. And worse, anyone who would join forces with ANSWER to do this protest is simply nuts. I'm not marching with the Che brigade, sorry - it's time we grew up as a party, we need to get rid of those with no backbone, but we also need to stop letting the kooks run our protests.

Get mad at me, fine, but that ain't my politics.
John Aravosis | 09.04.05 - 3:35 pm | #

-------------------------------------

And, this is a protest Answer happens to be coming to, it's THEIR protest. They and United for blah blah blah have organized it jointly, according to what was posted above. I don't need to give the right more ammunition to prove we're nuts. If these groups stop inviting the Che brigade to be their partners, I'll start helping them. But this is frigging nuts, and yeah, if you post posters about "US imperialism" you're a kook - it's kind of like writing comments to a blog in all caps. It's a tell-tale sign of kookery, whether or not you have a point. This thing smacks of wingnuttery, and you all know what exactly what I'm talking about. Ten foot papier-mache puppets, goofy anarchist kids, and all the rest. Let them come if they must, but don't invite them to co-run the whole damn thing.
John Aravosis | 09.04.05 - 3:49 pm | #

-------------------------------------

John...

If you are tired of these "generic left" protest events and want to lead a more "mainstream issue" protest action group... GREAT. Where do I sign up?

Most of us know that the part of the progressive community that is focused on taking action is broken right now. There is nobody even remotely close to a "leadership" position in the mainstream progressive community that would touch protest action with a 10 foot pole. Somebody's got to step forward.

NOTE FROM JOHN: I'VE BEEN LEADING THEM FOR YEARS. WE HAD PROTESTS IN 34 CITIES IN THE US AND CANADA FOR STOPDRLAURA, AND MUMIA JAMAL WAS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN, AND WE DID IT ALL FOR BASICALLY FREE

Edited By Siteowner
afs | 09.04.05 - 3:51 pm | #

-------------------------------------

This is silly. If being associated with "dirty leftist hippies" scares you more than redneck fuckwits who will tie you to a fencepost and beat the fuck out of you and leave you for dead, perhaps you should just stay home with your orchids.

NOTE FROM JOHN: NO, IT'S IGNORANT DIRTY LEFTIST HIPPIES I DON'T LIKE. BE A LEFTIST, BE A HIPPIE, COOL. BE A MORON, AND SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU CALL YOURSELF A LEFTIST AND A HIPPIE IS NOT A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD.

Edited By Siteowner
please rethink that | 09.04.05 - 3:57 pm | #

-------------------------------------

I'm actually quite stunned to find myself reading about the possibility of John discouraging people from going to this hopefully mass protest.I thought it would be a day that we would send the Bush Administration and the rest of the world a message that there are some Americans who care. Really, I'm stunned and I guess naive. Why don't you assholes just stay home. With Ann Coulter.

NOTE FROM JOHN: SINCE WHEN DID I ENDORSE ANY NUTJOB ON THE LEFT SO LONG AS HE'S A LEFTY? I THINK WE'VE BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT ON THIS BLOG ABOUT WHAT KIND OF LEFTY IS NEEDED IN AMERICA TODAY. AND INVITING THE MUMIA JAMAL CROWD TO BE THE TOP COSPONSOR OF THE EVENT IS STUPID, AND NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME A GOOD RESPONSE TO THAT CRITICISM OTHER THAN TO PRETEND THAT ANSWER IS SIMPLY ATTENDING AND NOT 'THE' CHIEF COSPONSOR

Edited By Siteowner
fgh | 09.04.05 - 4:03 pm | #

(John is to busy being popular to keep up with anything anymore... A.N.S.W.E.R. STARTED this whole thing MONTHS AGO)
-------------------------------------

Gee John, really hate that you feel this way.

I guess you don't know that some of the wingnuts who show up to these events in DC are for gay rights.

I'll come back when this is a progressive website again.

NOTE FROM JOHN: I DON'T WANT THE MUMIA FOLKS AT MY GAY RIGHTS RALLY EITHER, WAVING THEIR STUPID SIGNS. AND I DON'T WAVE 'PASS ENDA' SIGNS AT MUMIA RALLIES, IT'S STUPID. AS FOR VISITING THE SITE, TAKE YOUR THREATS ELSEWHERE.

Edited By Siteowner
Hadenuf | 09.04.05 - 4:11 pm | #

(Have you ever seen such intolerance from a GAY PROGRESSIVE? Oh yea, Log Cabin.

-------------------------------------

No, and this is the last I'll have to say about this because I wanted to get a discussion going about this, and I got one

What some of you don't realize is that you don't own the left and you don't own liberalism. The party is in the state it's in because the conservative democrats are all republicans, and the liberal democrats are all too often cumbaya kooks. Not all of them, but far too many. We need to start supporting liberals who get it, who know how to fight back, and who know how to fight for the right causes in the right way. Being a cumbaya democrat isn't going to cut it any more. That doesn't mean we veer to the right, it means we support lefties who aren't kooks. These guys are kooks and they're the same idiots who ruin every march.
John Aravosis | 09.04.05 - 4:13 pm | #

(A.N.S.W.E.R. was the only one to get up and be active... but John owns liberalism.)
-------------------------------------

NOTE FROM JOHN: I DONT SUPPORT IDIOTS. WHAT TOO MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS THAT IT'S NOT A CHOICE BETWEEN SUPPORTING IDIOT SNA DOING NOTHING. YOU HAVE A CHOICE, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, I THINK/HOPE WE'VE PROVEN THAT ON THIS BLOG. THE OPTIONS ARE NOT SUPPORT THE IDIOTS OR DO NOTHING. YOU NEED TO LEARN THAT FACT

Edited By Siteowner
butters | 09.04.05 - 4:16 pm | #

(he loves calling a large portion of his readers idiots...)

-------------------------------------

I wonder if those who were protesting the Vietnam war in the 60s thought that civil rights activists engaging in civil disobedience and showing up at their protests were hijacking their cause?

Just wondering...

NOTE FROM JOHN: AND I'M JUST WONDERING IF THE KLAN THINKS THE JEWS ARE BAD IN THE SAME WAY THE JEWS THINK THE KLAN IS BAD. WHY, YES THEY DO BOTH THINK THE SAME THING ABOUT EACH OTHER, YET ONE IS RIGHT AND ONE IS WRONG. FORTUNATELY, THAT'S WHAT SEPARATES US FROM APES, WE CAN DISCERN NUANCE.

Edited By Siteowner
kali | 09.04.05 - 4:19 pm | #

-------------------------------------

NOTE FROM JOHN: SINCE WHEN DID I ENDORSE ANY NUTJOB ON THE LEFT SO LONG AS HE'S A LEFTY? I THINK WE'VE BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT ON THIS BLOG ABOUT WHAT KIND OF LEFTY IS NEEDED IN AMERICA TODAY (and john is the only one who knows this.. such power). AND INVITING THE MUMIA JAMAL CROWD TO BE THE TOP COSPONSOR OF THE EVENT IS STUPID, AND NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME A GOOD RESPONSE TO THAT CRITICISM OTHER THAN TO PRETEND THAT ANSWER IS SIMPLY ATTENDING AND NOT 'THE' CHIEF COSPONSOR


Why does it matter who sponsors it? What matters is who shows up. Guess that won't be you. Too bad. I thought you wanted a change of leadership in this country. And I thought you'd be willing to help others who do.
Dildo II | 09.04.05 - 4:25 pm | #

-------------------------------------

That's pathetic, John.
Did you skip the anti-war rallies before the war because of ANSWER?
Please reconsider, we don't need this fractious attitude.

NOTE FROM JOHN: YES I DID. I PURPOSELY AVOIDED RALLIED ORGANIZED BY FRINGE GROUPS, ABSOLUTELY. AND A LOT OF MY FRIENDS DID TOO. YOU DO YOUR CAUSE, OUR CAUSE, A GREAT DISSERVICE BY THINKING PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT YOU WHEN YOU HANG WITH KOOKS. IT'S INCREDIBLY DAMAGING FOR THE CAUSE, AND MAKES THE RALLY LOOK STUPID. SO IN END, WHAT'S GAINED? FEELS GOOD?

Edited By Siteowner
M Grace | 09.04.05 - 4:45 pm | #

-------------------------------------

People need to understand that large protest rallies have always included many issues.

The main point is the mass amount of people getting out the big message and that has a powerful effect.

Do you remember the mass demo at the republican convention, lots of issue but damn the impact of that many people made the main message be seen.

NOTE FROM JOHN: THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE. SOME FRING GUY CAN BRING A SIGN ABOUT ALIENS IF HE WANTS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU APPOINT HIM COCHAIR OF THE RALLY. I'VE BEEN IN LOTS OF RALLIES THAT HAVE BEEN DEVOTED TO ONE CAUSE, BE THEY GAY OR CHILDREN'S ISSUES, AND THE GROUPS WHO SIGN ON HAVE TO SIGN ON TO THAT AGENDA, PERIOD. I'VE ALSO SEEN OTHER RALLIES HIJACKED BY THE FRINGE. BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE TAHT WAY, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE WITH THE ANGER OUT THERE AGAINST BUSH THAT THERE IS NOW, THAT ONE HAS TO APPOINT A FRINGE GROUP AS RALLY COCHAIR TO GET BODIES. PEOPLE ARE FURIOUS.

Edited By Siteowner
blueeyedpupil | Homepage | 09.04.05 - 4:54 pm | #

-------------------------------------

Okay, I really am going now, I have got to write a RADAR article. As I said, I wanted to get a discussion going about this, and I got one Thanks all. And thank you, Howard. I didn't mean to be so nasty to you, that was nice of you to say.
John Aravosis | 09.04.05 - 5:00 pm | #

-------------------------------------

NOTE FROM JOHN: Where was I? Google my name, bitch, then google yours, then talk to me about who's does more activism and who just types shit.

Edited By Siteowner

-------------------------------------

Nigel Elliott | Homepage | 09.04.05 - 5:01 pm | #

Grace, last time I try to explain this, then you're on your own. I don't mean to be rude, but read what I wrote, then reply to me about WHAT I wro
DavidDeLaFringe | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 8:25 pm | #

Really good story:

Meet Deamonte Love, Age 6 and the Children He Saved


The LA Times:

In the chaos that was Causeway Boulevard, this group of refugees stood out: a 6-year-old boy walking down the road, holding a 5-month-old, surrounded by five toddlers who followed him around as if he were their leader.

They were holding hands. Three of the children were about 2 years old, and one was wearing only diapers. A 3-year-old girl, who wore colorful barrettes on the ends of her braids, had her 14-month-old brother in tow. The 6-year-old spoke for all of them, and he told rescuers his name was Deamonte Love.

...Deamonte volunteered his vital statistics. He said his father was tall and his mother was short. He gave his address, his phone number and the name of his elementary school.

He said that the 5-month-old was his brother, Darynael, and that two others were his cousins, Tyreek and Zoria. The other three lived in his apartment building. The children were clean and healthy — downright plump in the case of the infant, said Joyce Miller, a nurse who examined them. It was clear, she said, that "time had been taken with those kids." The baby was "fat and happy."

Later, more details emerged:

Deamonte began to give more details to Derrick Robertson, a 27-year-old Big Buddy mentor: How he saw his mother cry when he was loaded onto the helicopter. How he promised her he'd take care of his little brother.

Thankfully, the mothers have now been found and they've all been reunited:
LEN | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 8:25 pm | #

Bush's non-response to the crisis has a precedent. This isn't the first time he's pulled this go-AWOL-and-put-it-all-on-the-locals shit.
Rana | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 8:30 pm | #

Bush's non-response to the crisis has a precedent. This isn't the first time he's pulled this go-AWOL-and-put-it-all-on-the-locals shit.
Rana | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 8:30 pm | #

Indigo: no, the 22nd amendment is the one that limits presidents to 2 terms.

The 18th amendment was the prohibition one, and the 21st repealed it.

(I've had the constitution and other documents out all day, trying to find something we can hang dubya for.)
Anon | 09.05.05 - 8:38 pm | #

"Louisiana is a city that is largely under water." Homeland Security head, Michael Chertoff, said Saturday.
Michael S | 09.05.05 - 8:46 pm | #

Did any of you catch Keith Olbermann's editorial about the Katrina disaster? Nailed Bushco. to the wall, asked "where's Dick Cheney?", hung Bushco.'s campaign promise to protect us out to dry. I hope someone posts a transcript so everyone can have a look. Marvelous, just marvelous.

I expect he will be out of job shortly.
Lady Bug | 09.05.05 - 9:18 pm | #

Anyone know where I can get a good $6,000 shoe horn?
High-Fashion Condi | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 6:27 pm | #

-------------------------------------------------- ------------

I'm sorry, but do you need one for the right foot or the left foot?
clueless | 09.05.05 - 10:38 pm | #

Wow!
Just got back home, checked back in and look what I missed. All kinds of fireworks.
Damn! I'm not familiar with A.N.S.W.E.R. but from their website I just don't see what the problem is with them.
Their website doesn't seem to make them to be so bad.
I'll be marching with Cindy though.
sans-culotte | 09.05.05 - 11:12 pm | #

dear anon-

I don't understand what goes on here sometimes.

apparently I don't either.

Every so often its like poking a hornet's nest with a stick here

I might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but THAT is starting to sink in.

Anyhow, don't give it a second thought.

I shan't. Thank you.

And link to your site anytime, as far as I'm concerned.

If I think I've written something good enough and important enough, I will certainly consider it.

-p
patrick | Homepage | 09.06.05 - 12:00 am | #

Sorry for any confusion and for hijacking this thread ... is that what it's called? ...

I did post as 'David', 'John in Bush' and then as 'DavidDeLaFringe' in the above mention comments from yesterdays STRAIGHT ANSWER blog started by 'John in DC'.

I really wasn't trying to play hide and seek games. At first I wanted to be anonymous, but changed my mind and then changed my signature.

I usually don't speak out in these forumns (I have rarely spoken out for myself on my own sites) but I've been pushed to the limit by the global happenings of the last few weeks.

I don't think we have time to wait two or three or even ONE YEAR down the road to make those slow outdated "from within the system" changes. Not that they don't need to be done also.

The current administration is working outside the constitution and could care less about the law.

We all have our own unique talents and ways to act. There IS ROOM FOR EVERYBODY.

I know a lot of you simply will not like me because of your loyalty to John, without really knowing a thing about me. That's OK.

It's time to STOP doing politics (especially in a broken system) and start thinking PEOPLE again. IMO.

I am not a "troll" and I'm not a "bad guy". I'm not a comment on a blog. I am a human being, a person for diversity and uniqueness and this will be the last post that I make here.

My new favorite quote:

"If I can't dance, then I don't want to be a part of your revolution." - Emma Goldman

Good luck to ALL... EVERYONE.

PEACE OUT!
DavidDeLaFringe | Homepage | 09.06.05 - 12:53 am | #