Justice Needs Our Effort!

AfternDowningStreet.org must have been reading my mind. I've been looking for some direction to continue the necessary work of redeeming at least two aspects of our American heretage and national imperative: respect for the rule of law and maintaining equality in the eyes of the law. At there site you will find lots of reports to inspire you and hopefully move you to action. Go to this link for specific Obama reports, including one about getting Robert Gates OUT of the administration (and into the docks at the Hague?): http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/obama

PEACE IN OUR TIME
There are major signs of real change and discouraging signs of the same old militarism emerging from the Obama transition team. We're tracking this news online:
http://afterdowningstreet.org/obama
United for Peace and Justice and other peace and justice groups will soon be urging local groups and coalitions and newly forming collections of citizens to schedule meetings between now and January to meet at length with our newly elected or reelected U.S. representatives and senators. Not only do we need to communicate the public demand to FULLY end the occupation [my bold] of Iraq AND the occupation of Afghanistan, but there is an opening right now for us to advocate a shift of resources from killing to living. Find out what your representative wants to fund, build a coalition with labor, environmental, and other domestic groups, and talk about how much money is going into wars and wasteful militarism. Ask your Senators to insist that Bush not negotiate a treaty in Iraq without the Constitutionally required approval of the U.S. Senate. Watch for details on this and other actions at:
http://afterdowningstreet.org/activism
IMPEACHMENT AND PROSECUTION
President Elect Obama has committed to abandoning the practice of rewriting laws with signing statements, to ending warrantless spying, to working with Congress to rewrite the PATRIOT Act, and to asking his Attorney General to investigate the crimes of Bush and Cheney. It will take everything we have to hold him to those commitments, but that will not be enough.
The coming year is our opening to begin shifting power back from the White House to where the Constitution put it: in the hands of our representatives in Congress. If we do not accomplish this under a relatively law-abiding president, we cannot expect to do so under the next outlaw. In this regard it is frightening to see committee chairs behaving as if no oversight will be required in the coming years, and as if all the outstanding subpoenas and contempt citations of the past two years were just campaign gimmicks. We must demand that Congress reissue all outstanding subpoenas in January or, better yet, enforce them itself. Work with us on this at:
http://afterdowningstreet.org/congress
We also need to build resistance in the country and in Congress to the possibility of Bush pardoning his subordinates for crimes he authorized. Impeachment is possible, and has been done before, during the final months in office, as well as after the offenders are out of office. And prosecution is now finally possible at the local, state, federal, foreign, and international levels. Improved policies are well worth celebrating and pushing forward, but if the penalty for Bush and Cheney's crimes is merely that Obama and Biden cease committing some of them, we will be guaranteeing ourselves another Bush and Cheney, or worse, down the road. This newly released book includes Congressman Dennis Kucinich's 35 articles of impeachment, a list from Elizabeth de la Vega of crimes committed, and an essay by David Swanson on how we can prosecute the crimes:
http://tinyurl.com/3kkwpy
Please get involved in the many aspects of the campaign for accountability at:
http://convictbushcheney.org
TAKE ACTION NOVEMBER 10th
The National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR) is planning a protest at the U.S. Justice Department on November 10th. Its members are willing to risk going to jail to urge the indictment of Bush and Cheney for war crimes. Let's all of us contact the Justice Department urge Attorney General Mukasey to meet with NCNR.
In September organizers from NCNR sent a letter to Mukasey urging the indictment of Bush and Cheney and requesting a meeting to discuss the matter. Mukasey has not responded. Please sign this petition, which will send an email to Mukasey asking him to meet with NCNR.
Then mark November 10, 2008, on your calendar and plan to either phone the Department of Justice or join us at the protest there at noon. The phone numbers are 202-514-2000 and 202-353-1555. Stay involved in the campaign to convict Bush and Cheney.
SIGN THE PETITION
http://democrats.com/mukasey-indict-bush-cheney
CHANGE THE MEDIA: NO MORE CROOKS AND LIARS

On November 4, 2008, the American people demanded change in Washington DC. One of the most important changes must be removing criminals and proven liars from serious national policy debates, including our commercial airwaves and and opinion pages. Sign this petition:
http://democrats.com/change-the-media-no-more-crooks-and-liars

Tonight's Debate--Email Action!!!

I'd like to add a little something to the mix. Mr. McCain endured "brainwashing" during his time at the Hanoi Hilton, during which time he "sided" with the Vietnamese who were defending their nation. This condition seems to have been repeated throughout his career, as Mr. McCain continues to change position based upon whom ever he thinks is in control. Since he was "brainwashed" into supporting the Vietnamese cause, how does Mr. McCain know he isn't brainwashed today?
McCain Tonight
By David Swanson, Fri, 2008-09-26
Prior to tonight's debate and each time during it that John McCain brags about his torture victimhood (or Jim Lehrer does it for him) or any of the participants touch on the topic of torture in any way without mentioning the facts below, please send Mr. Lehrer a note at onlineda@newshour.org along these lines.
Dear Jim Lehrer,
Are you aware of the following history?
In February 2008, John McCain voted against a bill that would supposedly have banned torture, and then applauded Bush for vetoing the bill.
In 2006 McCain voted in favor of the Military Commissions Act which supposedly left torture decisions up to the president.
In 2005 John McCain championed the McCain Detainee Amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill for 2005, which passed the Congress and was signed into law by Bush, adding one more redundant ban on torture to existing U.S. law, despite Vice President Cheney having lobbied hard against it. But McCain allowed a major loophole for the CIA and then kept quiet when Bush threw out the whole thing with a "signing statement." Bush and Cheney's administration continued to torture without any apparent slow-down or alteration in actual policy whatsoever.
Some Background:
On February 7, 2002, President George W. Bush signed a directive purporting to authorize torture.
In 1994 the United States ratified the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), requiring that the United States work to prevent all forms of torture.
In 1992 the United States ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), banning torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
In 1968 John McCain was tortured.
In 1949 the United States ratified the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, banning violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture, as well as outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment.
In 1948 the United States ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights banning torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
In 1791 the United States ratified the Bill of Rights, banning cruel and unusual punishment. [my bold]
In 1788 the United states ratified the Constitution, ordaining that all treaties made under the authority of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land.
So, why, Mr. Lehrer, could you not ask Senator McCain this question:
If you will reverse yourself on torture, why should anyone believe there is anything you would not reverse yourself on? In other words, why should we listen to a word you say?
And, why, Mr. Lehrer, could you not ask Senator Obama whether he too believes the United States can toss out international law and authorize war crimes if it sees fit? And if not, why does he believe those crimes should not be prosecuted? [my emphasis]
Sincerely,
We the People
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/36336

Pelosi To Hold Bush Accountable?!!!

May it be true! (Click on the picture to expand)


Via David Swanson, AfterDowningStreet.org

The Peoples' Peace Plan, March 15, 2008

Demonstration and Nonviolent Civil Disobedience

March 2008 -- Washington, DC
Iraq Occupation 5th Anniversary

http://www.year5.org/
Join us on Saturday, March 15th for a massive demonstration in Washington, D.C., at which we will exercise our rights to assemble and speak on behalf of the majority of Americans, the majority of Iraqis, the majority of U.S. troops, and the majority of people around the world who all say: U.S. Out of Iraq! This gathering will support the Iraq Veterans Against The War Winter Soldier Testimonial.
Organizations participating are listed below (Initial list)

In Solidarity for Peace and Justice,
> Gold Star Families for Peace > Camp Casey Peace Institute > ANSWER Coalition > CODEPINK Women For Peace > AfterDowningStreet.org > Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation > Common Ground Collective New Orleans > Hip Hop Caucus > World Can’t Wait – Drive Out The Bush Regime! > ImpeachBush.org > Cindy Sheehan and Cindy for Congress > National Council of Arab Americans > Grassroots America > Democracy Rising > Voters for Peace

SIGN ON & SUPPORT THIS CALL: http://www.year5.org/

Three Days of Solidarity In Italia!

Terrific coverage of this demo, including background info and news of the spread of activism to Germany, the Czech Republic and other places in Europe that are occupied by our military. I emphasis text in bold:
Italians Block Construction
of U.S. Base
By David Swanson
The people of the northern Italian city of Vicenza, with help from activists around Italy, the rest of Europe, and even in the United States, are continuing to block the proposed construction of a new U.S. military base on their soil. When a company laid underground fiber-optic cables at the site of the proposed base, activists fill a junction box with cement. When another company tried to begin the work of removing World War II era U.S. bombs from the site, activists camped out in the cold for three days and nights while allies in Florence and a small town near Naples conducted simultaneous protests in front of the company's offices. The company backed off and has suspended the work. And a small town outside Vicenza has now refused to allow the United States to construct a residential village for troops.
[…] Saturday, December 15th, 2007, was predicted to be the coldest day Vicenza had seen. It snowed lightly in the morning.... But as the march proceeded ... it became clear that, without any advertising, and with negative or nonexistent media coverage, over 80,000 people had turned out in this conservative city with no university and no protest tradition. And there was no counter-protest whatsoever.
At the end of the march, the crowd poured into a piazza to hear speeches from playwright Dario Fo, Catholic priest Don Gallo, event organizer Cinzia Bottene, American Code Pink activist Desiree Fairooz (famous around the globe for holding blood-colored hands up to Condoleezza Rice) and others. Desiree was wonderful despite being moved to tears by the thought of whose fault it was that Italians and others around the world must hold these protests.
[…] citizens maintain a 24-7 presence on the edge of the site in their "permanent" fort, consisting of large white tents and trailers. The tents have heat, electricity, light, a sound system, a kitchen, and a store selling every possible article with the anti-base label "No Dal Molin." A trailer has a radio station. There are not, however, places for large numbers of activists from out of town to sleep. So, in addition to hosting guests in homes, the No Dal Molin movement, in preparation for Saturday's march seized an abandoned Italian military barracks. Activists then contacted the police offering to pay the utility bills for three days and give the place a major cleaning. The police left them alone.
[…] Citizens of the Czech Republic learned that a base was being planned in their area. The absurd U.S. line is that this base is needed to protect against attacks from North Korea and Iran. But, in a public vote, 99 percent of residents of the area opposed the construction of a base. A group of town mayors in the area formed an alliance to speak out against the base. It has not been built.
[…] When I asked Cinzia what she would do if they chose to build the base in Romania, she replied "We'll go train the Romanians."
[…] ONE THING YOU CAN DO:
One of the biggest local backers and profiteers of the proposed base at Dal Molin also profits when anyone buys a bottle of wine with the name Zonin on it. Don't buy any! You can find a list of brands not to buy at http://www.nodalmolin.it/
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/29388

The Time Is NOW!

Dennis Kucinich has been working on impeaching Cheney for years and I really can't imagine what ELSE the citizens of our country need to learn about the Vice Sociopath to get him out of office. Put the pressure on your reps and get this murderer out of our White House. NOTHING will change until that happens. Kucinich is leading and we MUST support him. Please?
Impeach Cheney Now!
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2006-05-08 14:22.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich, whose bill to impeach Cheney has 22 sponsors, will introduce a resolution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6. Another congress member will move to table (kill) the resolution. The vote will come on the 6th, 7th, or 8th. We need you to ask your representative to vote No on tabling, Yes on giving impeachment a chance. Those who vote Yes to table cannot use the excuse that "We don't have the votes," since others will at that same instant with exactly the same exertion be voting No.
Please scroll down to contact Congress and the media right away!
Spread the word with these flyers.
There Will Be a News Conference Following the Introduction of the Resolution on Nov. 6th at 3 p.m. in 2456 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Read "It's Time to Impeach Cheney" by Dennis Kucinich."
Watch Dennis in a short video, and another one.
Read this report from Congressman Kucinich stating he will move to impeach Bush after
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/cheney
Here’s the Congressman’s Press release:
Kucinich Will Introduce Privileged Resolution To Force Up Or Down Vote On Cheney Impeachment
Submitted by davidswanson on Fri, 2007-11-02 14:30
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/28328
Currently H Res 333 sits in the Constitution Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, where Chairman Jerrold Nadler has done nothing with it for months.
Maybe we should contack Congressman Nadler? C'mon, Nieu Yoourkers, waddeya say!

Waist Deep in Our Big Muddy

What kind of a nation have we become? In the past week we've seen more coverage around civil society issues, such as the tasered student and a reverend trying to get back into court get tackled, thrown to the ground and beaten, IN THE COURT HALL! (See, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiradcejA6o) The details of what happened in Jena, LA just makes it obvious we are being dragged deeper into the slag heap of moral decay. (See, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/us/21jena.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1190348677-kG+Shl91rQvz46yhB5eYHQ
Republicans blocked a measure restoring habeas corpus for detainees, making us the land of the disappeared, see http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/washington/20detain.html and the Euro is now at $1.40, so we will have a harder time finding bargains with those European bitches grabbing them out of OUR stores. (see http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/business/worldbusiness/21dollar.html?hp.)

But Carlos Arredondo deserved to be treated like a man, not attacked by bullies. This story is just tragic.

The People Who Assaulted a Gold Star Father
on September 15th

Here are photos of members of "Gathering of Eagles" who assaulted gold star father Carlos Arredondo in broad daylight in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2007, throwing him to the ground and kicking him.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/carlos