Featuring first-person accounts and footage from more than forty cameras on the streets, 'Terrorizing Dissent' focuses on the story of dissent suppressed. People charged with "conspiracy to riot in furtherance of terrorism" speak out against the government's campaign to manipulate media coverage and label civil disobedience and community organizing as terrorism.
John McCain was responsible for the deaths of countless civilians in Vietnam. That is a fact that must not be “disappeared.” Information Clearinghouse presents this report and I urge you to visit their site and if possible, give financial support to this independent news service. McCain and Rolling Thunder War Hero or War Criminal? By Robert Richter October 16, 2008 "Information Clearinghouse" As character assassination attacks on Sen. Barack Obama have now taken over Sen. John McCain's campaign, and because McCain cites his military experience as of prime importance, now is the time to focus closer attention on a facet of the Arizona Senator's own character. This is related to his 23 combat missions for Operation Rolling Thunder - the Pentagon's name for U.S. bombing of North Vietnam. I will never forget how stunned I was when Gen. Telford Taylor, a chief U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials after World War Two, told me that he strongly supported the idea of trying the U.S. pilots captured in North Vietnam as war criminals - and that he would be proud to lead in their prosecution. An ardent opponent of the Vietnam conflict, Taylor spoke with me in the fall of 1966 when I was looking into producing a documentary on this controversy for CBS News, where I was their National Political Editor. While he did not mention any pilot's name, then U.S. Navy Lieut. Commander John McCain who was captured a year later, would have been among the group Taylor wanted to prosecute. Why would anyone have wanted to prosecute McCain and the other captured pilots? Taylor's argument was that their actions were in violation of the Geneva conventions that specifically forbid indiscriminate bombing that could cause incidental loss of civilian life or damage to civilian objects. Adding to the Geneva code, he noted, was the decision at the Nuremberg trials after World War Two: military personnel cannot defend themselves against such a charge with a claim that they were simply following orders. There were questions raised about whether the Geneva conventions applied to the pilots, since there had been no formal declaration of war by the U.S. against the Hanoi regime - and the Geneva rules presumably are only in force in a “declared” war. Anti-war critics at the time claimed that despite the Pentagon's assertion that only military targets were bombed, U.S. pilots also had bombed hospitals and other civilian targets, a charge that turned out to be correct and was confirmed by the New York Times' chief foreign correspondent, Harrison Salisbury. In late 1966 Salisbury described the widespread devastation of civilian neighborhoods around Hanoi by American bombs: "Bomb damage...extends over an area of probably a mile or so on both sides of the highway...small villages and hamlets along the route [were] almost obliterated." U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara conceded some years later that more than a million deaths and injuries occurred in northern Vietnam each year from 1965 to 1968, as a result of the 800 tons of bombs a day dropped by our pilots. [The deaths and other problems continue in Vietnam and with our soldiers due to the poison, Agent Orange. Please visit my blog post of October 9, 2008, The Continuing Devestation of Agent Orange or click on the tag below for all posts on that subject.] In one of his autobiographies McCain wrote that he was going to bomb a power station in “a heavily populated part of Hanoi” when he was shot down. If Gen. Taylor tried McCain, would he have defended himself as “just following orders” despite the Geneva conventions barring that kind of bombing and the Nuremberg principles negating “just following orders?“ The targets McCain and his fellow pilots actually bombed in Vietnam and his justification then or now for the actions that led to his capture, are no longer simply old news. They are part of what must be taken into account today, as voters weigh support for him or Obama to be the next President of the United States. This is not about the hugely unpopular war in Vietnam. It is about the character of a man who seeks to be U.S. President, who perhaps was not simply a brave warrior, but a warrior who by his own admission, bombed and was ready to bomb targets in violation of the Geneva conventions and Nuremberg principles. When I passed along Gen. Taylor's comments to my network superiors the program was scrapped: too hot to handle. Instead Air War Over the North was telecast, about “precision bombing” North Vietnam military targets by U.S. pilots. A few years after that broadcast, a Pentagon public information executive gleefully told Roger Mudd in The Selling of the Pentagon that he, the Pentagon official, not only had persuaded CBS to produce Air War Over the North, he even chose those to be interviewed and coached them about what they should say. This unethical collaboration and intercession by the Pentagon in the news media is sadly all too familiar a tactic repeated in the Bush-Cheney years. Robert Richter was political director for CBS News from 1965 to 1968. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21028.htm
Manchurian Candidate McCain Loses It As I've stated before, how does McCain know he isn't brainwashed now? I like this clip because of the audience shots, but there are others at YouTube.com:
Back to Alaska! The smartest move the McCain campaign could make right now would be to cut Sarah Palin out of the race. I’d even bet Mitt Romney would be ready to step up, and it would bring relief to the repuglicans as predictably as a titty to a hungry baby. Watching white, working class Americans act like reptilian humanoids salivating over the bait being thrown by both Ms. Palin and, with more finesse by Mr. McCain was an awful, horrific experience for this privileged white person. It would have been so easy for these ignorant people to be pushed over the edge to the next step and have themselves a lynchin’. This McCain campaign phenomenon of making Americans insane with anger and fear by false associations of an American Senator as a "terrorist," "Muslim" or, perish the thought, an "ARAB" must not be allowed to grow outside the rallys and spill over into our communities. Tonight’s surprise release of the Troopergate Report is the icing on Palin’s retirement cake. It stated clearly and completely without equivocation that Ms. Palin abused her power. She acted exactly like a greedy, self-inflated politician who used her office for personal vengeance. She is more of the same, not change. Combine her eagerness to fan the flames of racism with the concrete evidence of Palins lying and manipulating the trust of her constituents, Palin has become major damaged goods. While questioning Newsweek’s Michael Issicoff about the Troopergate news, Rachel Maddow asked: “Is this an impeachable charge?” Seems to me this opens the door for McCain to dump Palin, pronto. Who could argue with the maverick standing up for values and country first, even if it costs his career? Of course, it won’t. Good republicans will see it as redeeming McCain from any association with corruption and hate speech. The reptilian humanoids will just turn in the direction their pointed towards. I'd like to believe most Americans have a good spirit and know it is better to respect your neighbors. That way they'll be there for you just as you'd be there for them in times of trouble. And we've got plenty of trouble here in America. The third act will commence after a brief intermission.
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
In another time and place, this guy was a Maverick, too.
I like this brief essay, but also must add that we consider the needs of the innocent people in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and any other country we are bombing and/or intimidating into submission to full spectrum dominance. Our Troops Don't Get a Time-Out for the Financial Crisis Jon Soltz Posted September 24, 2008 05:56 PM (EST) So, because there's a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take 90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world, including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and possibly die. Wow. Troops would sure love that luxury. Unfortunately, though, insurgents in Iraq don't stop shooting at us, or setting IEDs, because our Commander in Chief needs a breather to figure out Wall Street. Al Qaeda in the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region don't send our troops notes that read, "Hey, I hear you guys are tied up with Wall Street. Your President needs to concentrate on other things, so we'll give you a break. So, to make things easier on you, here's our coordinates." Nor do our troops get a few days to figure out how to hold onto an area we've secured, if there's an unexpected attack. Sometimes we need to deal with multiple flare-ups at once in any warzone. We'd sure love a time-out, but sadly, the world isn't such a nice place that it gives us that kind of pity. When you're Commander in Chief, I don't think there'd be a worse signal to send to our troops in harm's way than to say, "Hey, hold on guys. I know you're getting killed over there, but I have to get a time-out here to deal with Wall Street." If troops need to multi-task without a break, is it so wrong that we demand that a potential President-in-waiting prove that he can manage a financial crisis, and still address crises around the world for 90 minutes? And, if a potential President-to-be can't manage that, is it wrong to think that maybe he ought not just suspend a debate and the campaign, but move aside and get out of the race? Just something to think about. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/our-troops-dont-get-a-tim_b_129055.html
Reading these reports makes it clear the people of Clairmont were willing to take risks to present Mr. Rove with the legacy of his Bush years. May he realize the damage he's done and do something useful. Bravo, citizens!
Rove speech greeted with protests, bomb threat, claims of pepper spray
Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Article Created: 09/16/2008 12:32:27 AM PDT
CLAREMONT - Karl Rove, the former Deputy Chief of Staff and senior advisor to President George W. Bush, discussed presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama and gave his take on the legacy of the current president.
But hundreds of protesters greeted Rove before, during and after his speech.
When Rove tried to leave the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum, at least two people and possibly a third claimed they were pepper sprayed while campus officials said they were not.
A bomb threat was also determined to be unfounded, campus officials added.
Rove's speech took place from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday inside the Claremont McKenna College Athenaeum at 385 8th St.
One of the most important resources is time," Rove said about the 2008 presidential election.
Rove said Obama had not seized the narrowing election days to "advance his case."
For instance, Obama linked the country's economic problems to Bush and McCain instead of showing "he's up to the job" with a specific proposal.
Rove said he felt Bush was a "successful" president but they had "done a lousy job of explaining" why he was.
Rove listed the million dollar AIDS relief fund for Africa, the accountability of the No Child Left Behind performance program, large amounts of money invested in alternative energy and privatizing social security.
After the speech, Todd Logan, 21, of Pomona College, said he saw two people get hit by pepper spray when Rove was led out by security while other students reported three.
Some students said they were hit by the vehicle Rove was drove off campus in but officials denied their claims.
Henry Watkins, consultant for Claremont McKenna College, said no students were hit with pepper spray or hit by a vehicle.
A bomb was reported at 7:31 p.m. inside of nearby Collins dining hall but was later found to not be true, Watkins said.
You can go to LA IndyMedia’s coverage [link below] for all the photos, but here’s a couple along with excerpts:
Karl Rove detained for crimes against humanity in Claremont by Rockero Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2008 at 3:10 AM rockero420@yahoo.com
16 September 2008
CLAREMONT - Over 300 justice activists detained Republican mastermind Karl Rove for over an hour yesterday in Claremont, demanding he be brought to justice for crimes against humanity, democracy, and general moral sensibility. Despite fervent efforts, they were unsuccessful in executing a citizen's arrest.
[...]The drums were beating and the chants were flowing. Someone or a group of someones had spiked the fountain outside the Claremont McKenna College's venerable Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum so that the waters ran as red as the blood that flows in the streets of Iraq. Participants, some of them masked, carried signs reading "Karl Rove I Want You [with a picture of Uncle Sam] Tried for War Crimes," "KKKarl Rove
[...]One of the most beautiful actions of the night was a song, inspired by Bush's reference to Rove as the "architect" of his 2004 "re-election"1 springing seemingly spontaneously from the crowd:
"Architect of terror
architect of hate
throw the man in jail
lock his ass away" [...]We realized our only chance for action was at Rove's egress, so we decided to cover every exit, ostensibly to issue a citizen's arrest. A large crowd gathered in front of a limo parked in back of the Athenaeum just beside the rear exit. A small group kept its eyes on a small side entrance guarded by two nervous security guards. The largest remained outside the north entrance, although for some reason, most of us remained within the confines of our partial plastic-chain enclosure of a "free speech zone." There we used a combination of approaches, from reaching out to heckling, on the shameless fascists exiting the event. These tie-choked, starched-collar, spiked hair white fraternity boys foamed at the mouth to see such an energetic group daring to peacably assemble and demand redress of greivances. Perhaps they felt they were protecting their rich parents and Claremont's conservative elite when they yelled at us, calling us "hippies" Most of the demonstrators yelled "Arrest Karl Rove!," but some near the front had more interesting messages for the [... error in original text] Then, a large group mobilized toward the south entrance of the building. It seemed that they had been attracted by a police mobilization and the fact that cars had pulled up at a small roundabout there. Lines formed, and police brought out their riot gear. I saw them pull out a large, red-colored weapon. Some of the protestors said it was used for pepper spray. A confrontation seemed imminent. I saw one cop pushing one protestor away from a car. But nothing really happened.
At various times, organizers requested that people cover one exit or another when it appeared (based on cop activity) that Rove may be leaving. How do we know, I wondered, that the cops aren't going to take advantage of this to smuggle this guy out?
Which is what happened. A rumor circulated that Rove had made to another (yet somehow connected) building and was attempting to escape from a distant side door. Nonetheless, people went running. The paper today claimed that a bomb threat caused the shift in manpower that distracted a number of protesters. But we knew the real reason the cops claimed there was a bomb.
People who refused to be tricked stuck to where they knew Rove was. There, some of them were maced, which allowed Rove's driver to exit, plowing through the few remaining activists without regard for their safety in the midst of the confusion.[...]
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2008/09/220462.php
