Sunday, August 5 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

MYTH: This is merely a "terrorist surveillance program."
REALITY: When there is evidence a person may be a terrorist, both the criminal code and intelligence laws already authorize eavesdropping. This illegal program, however, allows electronic monitoring without any showing to a court that the person being spied upon in this country is a suspected terrorist.

MYTH: The program is legal.
REALITY: The program violates the Fourth Amendment and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and will chill free speech.

 

Monday, July 30 2007   -   9/11 Consequences


by Harvey Wasserman & Bob Fitrakis
July 30, 2007

It is time to think about the "unthinkable."

The Bush Administration has both the inclination and the power to cancel the 2008 election.

The GOP strategy for another electoral theft in 2008 has taken clear shape, though we must assume there is much more we don't know.

But we must also assume that if it appears to Team Bush/Cheney/Rove that the GOP will lose the 2008 election anyway (as it lost in Ohio 2006) we cannot ignore the possibility that they would simply cancel the election. Those who think this crew will quietly walk away from power are simply not paying attention.

The real question is not how or when they might do it. It's how, realistically, we can stop them.

 

Friday, July 20 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

Thom Hartmann began his program on Thursday by reading from a new Executive Order (Ed. Full text at end)which allows the government to seize the assets of anyone who interferes with its Iraq policies.

He then introduced old-line conservative Paul Craig Roberts -- a former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Reagan who has recently become known for his strong opposition to the Bush administration and the Iraq War -- by quoting the "strong words" which open Roberts' latest column: "Unless Congress immediately impeaches Bush and Cheney, a year from now the US could be a dictatorial police state at war with Iran." (Ed. Posted here previously)

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"The administration figures themselves and prominent Republican propagandists ... are preparing us for another 9/11 event or series of events," Roberts continued. "Chertoff has predicted them. ... The National Intelligence Estimate is saying that al Qaeda has regrouped. ... You have to count on the fact that if al Qaeda's not going to do it, it's going to be orchestrated. ... The Republicans are praying for another 9/11."

 

Sunday, July 15 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

By Deb McKee
The Tribune-Star

WEST TERRE HAUTE — Two men walking across the nation to protest the Iraq war say police officers in West Terre Haute violated their constitutional rights last week when one of the men was arrested for failing to produce identification.

Police say the request for identification was legitimate, and the arrest lawful.

For nearly four months, Raymond Schwab, 32, of Loveland, Colo., and Elliott Nesch, 22, of Fort Collins, Colo. — Brother Raymond and Brother Elliott, to their followers — have been walking from Denver on their way to Washington, D.C., sharing their religious and pacifist beliefs.

 

Friday, July 13 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

Tonight on PBS: Tough Talk on Impeachment

July 13, 2007

UPDATE 7/14: If you missed this, you can watch it online at http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/images/profile_options_01.gif. Very, very worthwhile hour of your time! (Janice)

A public opinion poll from the American Research Group recently reported that more than four in ten Americans — 45% — favor impeachment hearings for President Bush and more than half — 54% — favored impeachment for Vice President Cheney.

Unhappiness about the war in Iraq isn't the only cause of the unsettled feelings of the electorate. Recent events like President Bush's pardoning of Scooter Libby, the refusal of Vice President Cheney's office to surrender emails under subpoena to Congress and the President's prohibition of testimony of former White House counsel Harriet E. Miers in front of the House Judiciary Committee have caused unease over claims of "executive privilege." In addition, many of the White House anti-terror initiatives and procedures — from the status of "enemy combatants" in Guantanamo to warrantless wiretapping — have come under legal scrutiny in Congress and the courts.

 

Sunday, July 8 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

RELATED STORY UPDATE: Many of you will recall the rather impassioned little piece Janice posted at the site last week, re. the State of Kansas, through their corporate foster care evildoers, having taken Raymond's six year old son from his family . . . Great, great news!! Last night, Deven was returned to his mother's loving arms!! Hallelujah! Thanks to everyone who made those calls. Now--let's continue to keep an eye on the corporate and state bodies who have quietly taken this level of power through our own negligence. We're grateful Deven is home, but there are many, many other children, such as those of loving immigrant families, who are being taken without merit. We must work for all of the children! --Janice

Sunday, July 8, 2007
by Michael Wolsey
NOTE: Time sensitive: Hearing to be held tomorrow morning.

UPDATE 7/9 2:15 CDT: This email message just in:

Once again I hope people see that what we are doing is not illegal. This morning the County Attorney dismissed all charges against Elliott because the Police actions were unconstitutional. as the neo-cons would say as they enslave and destroy Iraq, freedom isn't free and if we desire to have liberty in this country it is only through people being willing to suffer for the truth. Thank you for your prayers. Shalom, Brother Raymond

Today, Sunday, July 8, 2007 Brother Elliott of Beit Shalom Ministries, (currently walking from Denver to DC for truth, an end to the war, as a call especially to Christians), was arrested and detained by West Terre Haute Police officers in the state of Indiana for “Failure to Identify” because he refused to show identification to Indiana law enforcement officials. I have phoned the Vigo County Jail where Brother Elliott was taken and I was told:

* Brother Elliot is currently being detained at the Vigo County Jail charged with the crime of “Failure to Identify” a Class C Misdemeanor.
* Brother Elliott was arrested by the West Terre Haute Police department and transported to the Vigo County Jail.
* Brother Raymond was left on the side of the road in dangerous conditions and was not asked for id.
* Brother Elliott’s car has been impounded saying it was abandoned. It was later discovered that the car had been ransacked by West Terre Haute police.
* Brother Elliott has to appear in court Monday morning.
* I was also told by the jail staff that if Brother Elliott were to produce an ID, they would release him, but he still has to go to court on Monday to face the charges against him.

 

Thursday, July 5 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

Police at G8 Protest in Georgia. Photo by Ben Dangl

On October 17, 2006, when George W. Bush signed the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2007—a $538 billion military spending bill—he enacted into law a section called “Use of the Armed Forces in Major Public Emergencies.” In the view of many, this Act substantially changed fundamental laws of the United States, giving Bush—and all future U.S. presidents—new and sweeping powers to use the U.S. military anywhere in the United States, virtually as he sees fit—for disaster relief, crowd control, suppression of public disorder, or any “other condition” that might arise.

News coverage of these significant changes in the law has been virtually nonexistent. At nearly every stage when it might have received coverage, the news media have completely ignored the story: When the NDAA was debated, when it was passed in the House on September 29 and in the Senate on Sept. 30, 2006, when it was signed into law on October 17, and even when Senate Judiciary chair Patrick Leahy (D.-Vt.) introduced his own bill on February 7, 2007 to overturn the Oct. 17 measures, mainstream media have provided no news coverage. Only on April 24, 2007, when the first hearings were held on Leahy’s bill, did a handful of mainstream media reports appear.

What could happen under the new law? As just one example, let’s say hundreds of demonstrators in Boston engaged in civil disobedience, sitting-in on the Boston Common to protest the country’s policies in Iraq, and traffic ground to a halt. Under the new law, the president could order in the Massachusetts National Guard to clear out the protesters even if the Massachusetts governor opposed this.

 

Wednesday, June 27 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

By Prof. Michel Chossudovsky

Global Research, June 24, 2007

"Another [9/11 type terrorist] attack could create both a justification and an opportunity that is lacking today to retaliate against some known targets" (Statement by Pentagon official, leaked to the Washington Post, 23 April 2006)

 

Monday, June 25 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

WASHINGTON - Ex-EPA chief Christie Whitman was bombarded by boos and a host of accusations Monday at a hearing into her assurances that it had been safe to breathe the air around the fallen World Trade Center.

The confrontation between the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency and her critics grew heated at times. Some members of the audience shouted in anger, only to be gaveled down by Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., who chaired the hearing.

 

Wednesday, June 20 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

The Good News:

Last week, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs voted to approve S.274 and send it to the Senate floor for debate. S.274 is the Senate companion to the House bill H.R. 985. This legislation, if passed, would constitute an important and hard fought victory for Federal employees.

S.274 has thus far drawn significant bi-partisan support, and should it reach the Senate floor, is almost certain to pass with a veto-proof majority.

 

Tuesday, June 5 2007   -   9/11 Consequences

...Like jailed inmates accused of crimes, Daniels is subjected to intrusive strip searches and he is unable to receive any visits from family and friends. He isn’t permitted to exercise or walk outside, and has no access to social or recreational activities like the Internet. He has been outside only once in the past nine months, and was shackled hand and foot. The lights in his cell are required to be kept on at night, and video cameras record his every move. He can’t see through the frosted windows in his room and wasn’t able to shower or call anyone until a few weeks ago.