November surprise? AlterNet.org Posted by Evan on July 2, 2004 A Bush appointee to the newly created "Election Assistance Commission" is concerned that there are no guidelines for canceling OR rescheduling elections in the event of a terrorist attack (emphasis added). Come again? Or rescheduling? That ought to put fear into the hearts of, well, those who value Democracy. The chairman of the commission, DeForest B. Soaries, has written to Condi and Tom Ridge but neither has yet to respond. As it happens this scenario is perfectly illustrative of the Bush administration whose relentless, criminal maneuvering is topped only by its staggering incompetence. ***** White House Insider: Bush Could Launch Nuke Attack on Iran, N Korea to Swing Election TBRNews.org July 7 2004 This is going to be the most vicious Presidential election campaign on record and potentially the most dangerous. Bush’s actions have politically polarized the American electorate and Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 documentary has made a bad situation for Bush far worse. We can see why the Mickey Mouse boys were terrified to touch this. They are very vulnerable and an infuriated Bush gang would take out their revenge on them for such a film. The danger lies in what probable actions Bush might take to swing the election that now is moving strongly against him. He is appealing to far right Christian groups, something that is sure to outrage more centrists and moderate religious groups. When these groups get the bit in their teeth, they become very vocal and often very vicious. More important, however, is the distinct possibility that Bush will start another military adventure, just before the election. Rumor at high levels has it that he will declare a state of emergency, based on faked reports, that North Korea and/or Iran are about to launch nuclear strikes against the American homeland and that he has ordered counterstrikes to defend this country. There are a significant number of Americans who would go for this. Hell, there are many Americans that believe Hussein controlled Al Quaeda, that the WTC was blown up by CIA missiles or plasmoid clouds or that Bush has helped the American economy instead of absolutely destroying its future growth. Unfortunately, both of these countries do have the Bomb and both are capable of retaliation or, worse, preemptive strikes against our troops in South Korea, Iraq or even Japan. Between Israel beating the drums for a US attack on Iran and Syria and Bush’s toppling pole numbers, most of us are now seriously afraid of some Godawful adventure on the part of the ‘Mission Accomplished’ lad. ***** Letterman's Top Ten List: Top Ten George W. Bush Complaints About "Fahrenheit 9/11": 10. That actor who played the President was totally unconvincing 9. It oversimplified the way I stole the election 8. Too many of them fancy college-boy words 7. If Michael Moore had waited a few months, he could have included the part where I get him deported 6. Didn't have one of them hilarious monkeys who smoke cigarettes and gives people the finger 5. Of all Michael Moore's accusations, only 97% are true 4. Not sure - - I passed out after a piece of popcorn lodged in my windpipe 3. Where the hell was Spider-man? 2. Couldn't hear most of the movie over Cheney's foul mouth 1. I thought this was supposed to be about dodgeball ***** Declare Economic Independence By Jim Hightower, AlterNet July 3, 2004 One of the greatest music joints in my town of Austin, Texas - or anywhere else - was Liberty Lunch, which regularly featured up-and-coming local musicians, as well as such national talents as Taj Mahal. This bar, cafe, and music yard was inexpensive, adventuresome, laid-back, unique, and...well, it was Austin. I say "was," because it's gone. A few years ago, our mayor gave taxpayer subsidies to lure something called CSC Corporation to town, giving it the spot of city-owned land that Liberty Lunch had rented for years. So now we have a cold, six-story building housing a high-tech military contractor that has no roots in Austin, is not in character with our city, and offers nothing to our way of life. What we do not have are the good eats, good sounds, and good spirit that emanated every night from that spot, drawing thousands of enthusiastic customers and helping define Austin for people everywhere. Austin is hardly alone in suffering a steady erosion of our homegrown businesses to impersonal corporate giants, big-box stores and cookie-cutter chains. It's probably happening where you live, too. No one voted for this, but these giants get public subsidies, wield massive advertising budgets and have deep-pocket financing and the political clout to bully their way in, remaking our communities in their own bland, self-serving image. But you and I don't have to support them. Let's assert our own grassroots buying power to proclaim a new economic independence. A group called AMIBA - American Independent Business Alliance - has organized the "Indie Challenge," urging We the People to rediscover the local businesses that make our towns special - from coffee shops to restaurants, book stores to hardware stores, pharmacies to farmers' markets. We have the power! Ask your friends and families, clubs and churches, unions and local governments to join you in using their dollars for community self-determination. For help, contact AMIBA. ***** The Reincarnation of Saddam Hussein By Marjorie Cohn t r u t h o u t | Perspective Sunday 04 July 2004 "I am Saddam Hussein, president of the Republic of Iraq." So began the surreal public appearance of Saddam Hussein, his first since being dragged out of a spider hole by the "coalition forces" six months ago. The proud, defiant Saddam who ruled Iraq with an iron hand for nearly 25 years was back with a vengeance. Describing himself as always in the third person, he said Saddam "respected the will of the people that decided to choose Saddam Hussein as the leader of the revolution. Therefore, when I say president of the Republic of Iraq, it’s not a formality or a holding fast to a position, but rather to reiterate to the Iraqi people that I respect its will." Reminiscent of the staged assassination followed by an immediate swearing in of Woody Allen as the new president of a mythical Latin American country in "Bananas," we were missing only Howard Cosell to narrate the charade. According to the Los Angeles Times, "U.S. and Iraqi authorities took pains to make the court proceedings appear to be solely an Iraqi undertaking." In spite of the Statute of the Iraqi Special Tribunal’s mandate of public hearings, no one save the two dozen or so people present in the courtroom were supposed to hear Saddam’s words. But an audiotape of the proceedings was smuggled out to the media and listeners throughout the world. A team of U.S. military officers censored the media coverage of the proceeding. They destroyed the videotapes of Saddam in chains and deleted the legal record of the statements of the 11 senior members of Saddam’s regime who appeared at the same hearing. One journalist present in the courtroom revealed: "We learned later that the judge didn't order us to turn off our sound. The Americans lied - it was they who wanted no sound. The judge wanted sound and pictures." The 26-minute colloquy gave us a roadmap of how Saddam will defend himself. Showing utter contempt for the judge whom he identified as a tool of the occupiers, Saddam sneered: "So you are an Iraqi representing the coalition forces?" Indeed, the judge was appointed by Saddam’s successor, L. Paul Bremer. Saddam added: "You know that this is all a theater by Bush the criminal, to help him win his election." He was adamant that he had the right to invade Kuwait. Saddam declared that he "defended Iraq’s honor and revived its historical rights over those dogs," whom, he claimed, "said it will reduce Iraqi women to 10-dinar prostitutes." The sight of Saddam standing up to his accusers played well throughout Iraq. Even many who had endured atrocities under Saddam’s regime saw him as the embodiment of their Arab land, shattered by bombs and occupied by Western infidels. Yes, they suffered under Saddam. But Operation "Iraqi Freedom" has brought mostly misery to the people of Iraq. Tens of thousands of them have died in this illegal war. Almost 20 million of Iraq’s 26 million people have less available electricity than before the war began, according to the General Accounting Office. The Iraqi security forces are suffering from mass desertion. And the judicial system is more clogged than before the war; assassination attempts against judges are rampant. The timing of Thursday’s court appearance corroborates Saddam’s assertion that the whole thing was theater. The ink was hardly dry on the "sovereignty" transfer papers when Saddam was rushed into a televised court appearance to create the illusion that Iraqis are running the show. Truthfully, however, American fingerprints are all over these proceedings. Bremer was responsible for drafting The Statute of the Iraqi Special Tribunal before which Saddam appeared. This "neutral" tribunal is financed by the United States. The FBI is leading the investigation. Also on the team are the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Department of Justice. And although Iraqis have been given legal custody of Saddam, he remains in the physical custody of the Americans. Emmanuel Ludot, one of 22 lawyers designated by Saddam’s wife to defend him, told the French newspaper Liberation: "All our effort will consist of paralyzing the operation of the Iraqi special tribunal, the legality of which we contest. This tribunal has no basis in law, since Iraq has no National Assembly today to create a special jurisdiction." He called the trial preparations "a masquerade of justice." Ludot said: "The tribunal being put in place by the Americans is a disguised execution squad ... These judges are still under the shock of emotion and pain." Saddam, he warned, "will either be judged in fear or in vengeance." "The first thing Saddam will say is that he is and remains the Iraqi President," according to Ludot. "Two countries, the United States and Great Britain, have invaded Iraq without a mandate and in violation of international law. Legally, that’s an aggression and everything that has happened since this invasion is tinged with irregularity." Asked where Saddam should be tried if this court is not competent, Ludot answered: "Since the United States did not want the International Criminal Court, there is a complete legal vacuum." But not one of Saddam’s 22 lawyers was with him in court Thursday. The tribunal’s statute provides for the right to counsel. The judge told Saddam: "I’m investigating, interrogating you." Saddam asked for his lawyer before he signed the document the judge instructed him to sign. But when Saddam refused, the judge signed it for him. Ludot said: "Clearly, we are not welcome in Iraq. The new authorities would prefer Iraqi lawyers easy to intimidate and a quick trial." British attorney Tim Hughes said he and his colleagues were "kept in the dark" about the proceedings. Another member of the legal defense team received threats from someone claiming to be from the Iraqi Justice Ministry. Anyone who tried to defend Saddam, the caller said, would be "chopped to pieces." Many Iraqis sympathize with Saddam. "It’s a humiliation, not just for Iraqis but for all Arab peoples," Aamer Eliisa, a Shiite, told the Los Angeles Times. Eliisa said Saddam has become "a symbol for all Iraqis." Saddam’s harsh words about Kuwait hit a chord with Iraqis. Akram Adil said: "He’s right. Kuwait is a part of Iraq. He was defending our national rights ... Kuwait was stealing oil from Iraq and trying to destroy our national economy." Kuwaitis have earned a reputation for "arrogant, drunken, lecherous and vulgar behavior," according to the Los Angeles Times. And they have been implicated in the looting of the Iraqi National Museum that followed the march of the foreign forces into Baghdad last April. Former president of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic has defended himself against the same heinous charges Saddam will face. Like Milosevic, who was removed from his presidency by U.S.-led forces engaged in illegal regime change, Saddam will put America on trial. This will be interesting in light of the support the United States furnished to Saddam in the 1980s, including the provision of chemical weapons. That support is embodied in the photograph of Donald Rumsfeld’s warm handshake with Saddam even with the knowledge that Saddam was gassing the Kurds. Marjorie Cohn, is a contributing editor to t r u t h o u t, a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, executive vice president of the National Lawyers Guild, and the U.S. representative to the executive committee of the American Association of Jurists. ***** New Yorkers pay to nap in city that never sleeps Thu Jul 8, 2004 By Georgina Cooper NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York is called the city that never sleeps, but one small company wants that to change. High above the bustling streets, honking taxicabs and crowded sidewalks, on the 24th floor of the landmark Empire State Building, is MetroNaps, a month-old company offering New York's version of the Spanish siesta: a 20-minute nap. Stressed-out customers arrive in a quiet, darkened room filled with futuristic chairs, or "napping pods," where they can pay $14 (7.50 pounds) for their snooze. "MetroNaps is a place where busy New Yorkers get power nap in New York City," says co-founder Arshad Chowdhury. White noise machines block out whispered conversation at the front desk. Sleepers stretch out in the reclining seats, which resemble plush dentists' chairs, with blankets covering their legs and music piped into headphones. After 20 minutes, the sleeping pod wakes up the customer with a combination of vibrations and light. Chowdhury said nappers are encouraged to sleep just 20 minutes because a longer session tends to leave them more groggy than refreshed. Abdul Latif, a Broadway singer and dancer who likes to rest between an audition and a performance, said it was better to pay for a nap than to sit at a coffee shop. "It's the closest thing to your bed," he said. "It's either this, or the top of a table with your head down." Another MetroNaps customer, writer and researcher Ben Stiller, said he needs that daily nap. "This is what energises me, this is what keeps me going," he said. ***** LesbianStudies.com Hillary's Lovers --SEE I TOLD YOU SO-- For years I have been warning the public about Hillary Clinton's penchant for lesbian proclivities; a precursor to her sadistic megalomaniac behaviors. Now, after many years of public apprehension the controversy has been confirmed by insider sources and will soon be revealed to the public. According to a published article in the March 28 issue of a prominent magazine the "GLOBE," "reliable sources will soon release a shocking list of Hillary's lesbian lovers from the past and including the present." According to reliable sources the list includes: A beauty in her early 30s who often travels with Hillary. A popular TV and movie star. The daughter of a top government official. A stunning model who got a career boost after sleeping with Hillary. President Clinton's former lover, Gennifer Flowers writes in her book "Passion & Betrayal" of Bill confessing to her that Hillary sleeps with more woman than he does. The famous commentator Jack Wheeler writes: "My sources indicate that Hillary is bisexual and fools around more than her husband." He also credits Hillary for being the force behind the "White House's homosexual agenda." According to the insiders report, Hillary had sex with women during her college days at Wellesly College. SO NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY President Clinton's former mistress Gennifer Flowers claims Bill told her Hillary was a lesbian. Rumors have swirled about Hillary's relationship with cabinet member Donna Shalala and New York Lawyer Susan Thomases. A show of hands: Hillary signals her support of gay rights at a rally in New York. 'My sources indicate Hillary is bisexual and fools around much more than her husband' -Political Commentator Jack Wheeler --FOCUS-- When trying to dissertate the imposing lesbian threat to our culture, the most frustrating conundrum I face is persuading heterosexuals not to-do not focus one's attention and displeasure with their sex acts. Surprising as it may seem, this one short-fall is the Trojan-horse for the lesbian takeover. This is exactly their weasel: To keep the heterosexual mind in shock about their sex acts and all the while slithering their way into high government positions, court systems, universities and large private corporations. (stealing billions along the way) For this very reason, I urge the reader to not fall into their "smoke and mirror" trap; but, concentrate on how Hillary's lesbian addiction propels her mental psychoses into rage and hatred against the American people and even herself. A factor of grave concern, making Hillary and Janet Reno the two most dangerous persons on the face of this earth. No...You don't know the rest of the story, but stay tuned on how her "evil empire" intends to overthrow America... However, foremost and above all , start asking questions, it's your duty to God. Steve Lashuk ***** Iraqi Group Threatens to Kill Al-Zarqawi July 6, 2004 By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, Associated Press Writer BAGHDAD, Iraq - A group of armed, masked Iraqi men threatened Tuesday to kill Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi if he did not immediately leave the country, accusing him of murdering innocent Iraqis and defiling the Muslim religion. The threats revealed the deep anger many Iraqis, including insurgent groups, feel toward foreign fighters, whom many consider as illegitimate a presence here as the 160,000 U.S. and other coalition troops. In a videotape sent to the al-Arabiya television station, a group calling itself the "Salvation Movement," questioned how al-Zarqawi could use Islam to justify the killing of innocent civilians, the targeting of government officials and the kidnapping and beheading of foreigners. "He must leave Iraq immediately, he and his followers and everyone who gives shelter to him and his criminal actions," said a man on the video. The video marked the first time that an Iraqi group made such a public threat against al-Zarqawi. It was issued a day after U.S.-led coalition forces, who have been targeting al-Zarqawi, launched an air strike in the restive city of Fallujah on a suspected safe house used by his followers. The attack killed 15 people, witnesses said. In the video, three men, their faces covered with Arab headscarves, were flanked by rocket propelled grenades and an Iraqi flag. The man speaking had a clear Iraqi accent. "We swear to Allah that we have started preparing ... to capture him and his allies or kill them and present them as gift to our people." the man said. "This is the last warning. If you don't stop, we will do to you what the coalition forces have failed to do." Al-Zarqawi, said to be connected to al-Qaida, is believed to be behind a series of coordinated attacks on police and security forces that killed 100 people only days before U.S. forces handed over power to an Iraqi interim government. His followers have also claimed responsibility for the beheading of American businessman Nicholas Berg and South Korean translator Kim Sun-il. The attacks have led to fears that religious fanatics and Saddam loyalists may be joining forces to fight both the multinational force and the new Iraqi government, increasing violence that has wracked the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) 14 months ago. The military announced Tuesday that three U.S. Marines assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force were killed while on duty in Western Iraq. Two died in action Monday in Anbar province, while a third died of his wounds later Monday. In the town of Latifiya, 25 miles south of Baghdad, two police officers were seriously injured Tuesday when gunmen opened fire on their patrol car before fleeing, said police Lt. Hazim Abdul-Kadhim. In the town of Yayieji, about 20 miles southwest of the northern city of Kirkuk, a roadside bomb exploded, just missing an Iraqi police car, but severely injuring a bystander, according to Col. Sarhat Qadir from the Kirkuk police force. Four explosions were heard outside Fallujah on Tuesday, but the nature of the blasts was not known. In Baghdad, the U.S. military said Tuesday that troops had fired on a car that failed to heed warnings to stop at a checkpoint, killing one child and wounding a second. NATO officials met Tuesday with Iraqi Defense Minister Hazem Shaalan as part of a fact-finding mission to carve out a possible future role for the alliance in the country. "The purpose of this visit is to find out what needs to be done and present that in a report, and the political decision has to be taken in Brussels," said U.S. Adm. Greg Johnson, head of the delegation that included British and Italian military officials. The interim government of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has been trying to find a way to stem violence. On Monday, U.S forces dropped two tons of bombs on a purported militant safe house in Fallujah, killing 15 members of one family, according to witnesses, and turning the building into a 30-foot-deep pit of sand and rubble. The Fallujah attack was the fifth airstrike in the past two weeks in the area where the U.S. military says al-Zarqawi's network has safe houses. Rescue workers in Fallujah picked up body parts after the U.S. airstrike, witnesses said. Video from Associated Press Television News showed the explosion had thrown bricks blocks away. Blood was splashed on a nearby wall. Men gathered at the pit where the house had been and pulled out clothes, including a young child's shirt, from the rubble. "Is this acceptable to the Iraqi government?" asked an angry man at the scene, who declined to identify himself. "Where are human rights?" Yasser Abed, 17, said 15 members of his family, including 12 children, were killed in the air strike. Abed, his father and a brother were out of the house at the time of the attack, he said. Hospital officials said at least 10 people were killed. Previous U.S. air strikes in Fallujah have killed dozens. The military said it had dropped four 500-pound bombs and two 1,000-pound bombs. The attack used guided weapons and underscored the resolve of coalition and Iraqi forces "to jointly destroy terrorist networks within Iraq," the military said. Allawi issued an unprecedented statement saying his government provided intelligence for the location of the al-Zarqawi safe house so the strike could "terminate those terrorists, whose booby-trapped cars and explosive belts have harvested the souls of innocent Iraqis without discrimination, destroying Iraqi schools, hospitals and police stations." Allawi appealed to all Iraqis to report the activities of insurgents. "The sovereign Iraqi people and our international partners are adamant that we will put an end to terrorism and chase those corrupt terrorists and will uproot them one by one," he said in the statement.