An Important Essay from Scott Ritter

A new essay from former weapons inspector, Scott Ritter, advances the public discourse in important ways. I am currently finishing my reading of the article and will have more to say at a later time.



For now, I am reminded of the illegitimacy which attends the current Executive in Washington. Numerous esteemed writers have written books and articles about the infamous Supreme Court decision of December 12, 2000, which allowed G. W. Bush to move into the White House. What the most-valuable Ritter essay makes clear is this could not have happened without a docile and acquiescent American populace. And there could not have been an acquiescent citizenry without an ignorant citizenry, one woefully ignorant of Constitutional law and precedent.



One of the authors writing of the raping of our Constitution on that infamous day is Vincent Bugliosi, the lead prosecutor in the Charles Manson case. In The Betrayal of America, based on an article published in The Nation on February 5, 2001, entitled None Dare Call it Treason, Mr. Bugliosi makes clear the tortured logic of the Supreme Court majority. He also makes clear the crime which was committed against the American people. (Without making less of the previous assertion, it may be noted at this point that the Constitution does, in fact, give to the state Legislatures the power to regulate the electors. There are some caveats to this, which I would have to bone up on before relating them on this blog.)



It becomes clear, then, that the Bush administration is and has always been illegitimate. (And this includes the so-called election of 2004, the legitimacy of which has been successfully challenged by Greg Palast, Bob Fitrakis, Harvey Wasserman, and Rep. John Conyers among others.) That the American people have allowed this travesty is remarkable. Yet, from my studies I can say it is understandable, for this is indeed a culture which has come to value security over freedom and responsibility.



It is time to change these priorities. It can be done! Education is the key!



Check back here for more later.





http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/053107F.shtml

First Anniversary

Today marks the first anniversary of this web log of information about politics, music, and my life. I am proud to continue bringing you news and features which may be over-looked by the major corporate media. I am grateful to Blogspot for this opportunity.

I am considering improvements and expansions to my efforts here. Nothing has been decided yet. My desire is to keep what is useful in the blog while being open to changes which will make it more effective. Your comments are welcome.

American Fascists

Currently, I am reading the new book by author and reporter Chris Hedges entitled American Fascists (Free Press, 2006). This is one of the most important books to be published within the past year and I highly recommend it. Although I obviously cannot give a full review until I have finished the book, what I have read so far is invaluable for an understanding of what is happening in the United States now. The only caveat I would give is that at least Congress has come under the control of the Democrats and there is at least token opposition to the fascists in the government. But the dangers of an irrational movement are still clearly with us.



As Mr. Hedges makes clear, the main institutions of our society have failed us: academia, the mainline church, and the Democratic Party. It is up to us, the citizens, to stand up for the principles of fair play, justice and true democracy, now so much under attack. (Many, many details are given in the book.) And as Hedges further makes clear the intolerance of these (often-willfully) ignorant ideologues must be proscribed if a truly free society is to be maintained. This is a national emergency. The opposition to the intolerant, the bigoted, the supercilious must become organized -- and quickly. The alternative is a protracted battle for the control of the body politic in America. Such a battle is not in the interests of this country as it would further divide and weaken us.



I urge you to secure a copy from your library or your favorite retailer. A review may be found at the link below.





http://www.amazon.com/American-Fascists-Christian-Right-America/dp/0743284437

An American Fascist Youth Movement

As I have said here before, I have begun fairly serious research into the subject of fascism. I am currently reading two books from my public library and have already completed one. I have one more to go. One of the books I am now reading is American Fascists by Chris Hedges, formerly of The New York Times and a seminary graduate.



My study is proving to be quite fascinating. It is also, I believe, an important one for these times. Although the far right has suffered some electoral defeats recently, there are movements in operation which are quite frightening and must be watched. One such movement I have only just become aware of is called BattleCry. You can read about this youth movement at the URL below. The article begins this way: If you’ve been waiting to get alarmed until the Christian fascist movement started filling stadiums with young people and hyping them up to do battle in “God’s army,” wait no longer. In reading about these events and the heavily militaristic content of the songs performed, everyone of sane mind should be alarmed. And the various attorneys general of these states should, likewise, be watchful.



http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20060511_battle_cry_theocracy/

The Corporation

I am currently watching the film The Corporation, a film the Seattle Times called "one of the must-see documentaries of the new century." I will have more to say after seeing the entire film, but I have already garnered new information about the reach of corporate power. Perhaps the most stunning piece of information -- something I knew but had forgotten -- is that the Supreme Court has ruled that corporations may patent living organisms. The government has further ruled that corporations may patent or license genes. Thus, any living thing except a birthed human being, but including the genes of a human being, may be privately owned! This is sick and outrageous! It violates all ethical, moral, and religious standards regarding the sanctity of life. Where is the vaunted Roman Catholic Church on this issue? Where is the National Council of Churches? Where is the Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church?

At least we have certain organizations and persons who do care about this issue. As for the religious institutions I mention above, I await further information and will be glad to publish anything I find.

In the meantime, if you have not already seen it, find The Corporation right away. You will be glad you did.

A Cool, Fresh Breeze From Alaska

Several weeks ago I learned that former Senator Mike Gravel was running for President. As a follow-up to the recent post here about alternative candidates for President I am pleased to list a few links which may be of use. Included is a link to the You Tube video of Mr. Gravel in the recent MSNBC debate in South Carolina.

I certainly cannot say I agree with every detail of Sen. Gravel's program for America, but at least he has a well-thought-out series of proposals which would help get our country back on track again. And for this, I am pleased and grateful.

Incidentally, it seems to me possible to examine candidates of Sen. Gravel's caliber without plunging into Presidential politics at this point. At the same time, it does seem quite possible that enthusiasm for his candidacy is building.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMlHv2lDqA

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/051507S.shtml

http://www.gravel2008.us/issues#fair_tax

The Field of Candidates May Be Richer Than You Think

As the ridiculously premature 2008 election campaign drones on, the American public already has many more choices than the approximately twenty people who have been featured in the media. At the link below you will see a fairly lengthy list of persons who have already announced and others who are potential candidates. I am aware of several other parties who have run candidates in the past who are not represented in this list, however. I will continue to research the matter and see whether I can come up with any other candidates.

The impossibility of knowing all the needs of the American people eighteen months in the future already makes the current campaign suspect. And the needs which are known are scarcely being mentioned. These include the need for: 1) full employment at a living wage, 2) universal health insurance, 3) a repeal of the egregious violations of civil rights in the U.S.A.P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act, and 4) repeal of NAFTA and other such agreements which facilitate a race to the bottom for American wage-earners.

Just why is it that only candidates from two parties are allowed access to the air-waves? (And here I hasten to say that it was an ill-advised third-party campaign by the egoistic Ralph Nader which greatly aided a G. W. Bush entrance into the White House. Thus one's actual vote, though never to be simply handed to any party or candidate, should be considered carefully.)

It is high time to express our disapproval of this dangerously inadequate and premature campaign. We can do this by refusing to participate in any kind of polling, by refusing to donate money to any candidate who is not addressing the issues listed above, and by working hard on line and in other ways to non-violently disrupt the campaign. So, my friend, are you on board?



http://www.vote-smart.org/election_president_search.php?type=alpha

The Plot to Seize the White House

The Shocking TRUE Story of the Conspiracy to Overthrow FDR

Here we have the title and subtitle of the newly-republished book by Jules Archer detailing the almost-unbelievable plot to subvert the Constitution, install an acting President, and leave Franklin Roosevelt as merely a ceremonial head of state. I have just begun reading the book and find it to be fascinating indeed. When the book is finished I will have more to say about its contents.

For the time being, I can say that the allegations of such a plot were thoroughly examined and confirmed by a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

What is equally amazing to me is that I had never heard of this plot. We were all taught about Benedict Arnold and Aaron Burr. But we were never told of a planned military coup against Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930's.

I look forward very much to finishing the book and sharing some of the details with you at a later date.

The Moyers Contribution

Of all the programs on broadcast television, few if any rival the new Bill Moyers Journal for timely news items, researched and trenchantly presented. I highly recommend the program for all who wish to keep their sanity in these times of lying by those in the government and media.

Tonight's program featured an interview with a true scholar, Marilyn B. Young, historian and co-editor of IRAQ AND THE LESSONS OF VIETNAM: OR, HOW NOT TO LEARN FROM THE PAST. Rebutting the assertions of Condelezza Rice and others in the Bush Administration, Ms. Young firmly shows the link between the current Iraq War and the Viet-Nam War. She accurately depicts the psychological and cultural state of people in the United States as our country proceeds apace with a deeply unpopular war.

There are other segments of interest as well, although none, save the one containing images from Iraq, were as powerful as the interview with Ms. Young.

At a time when the government-media team wishes to keep the truth of the Iraq situation fuzzy, the Moyers program is the closest thing to being indispensible as any regular television program I know of. For more, follow the link below.


http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/index-flash.html

The French Election

The French Election: A Poem


There was an election in France.
Many people got very excited and came out to vote.
This was even after the pundits in America said, It is a foregone conclusion.
The fascist will win.
After the election there was more emotion -- vast and exuberant cheering and --
Sorrow and disgust.
After the election the very nice man on NPR said
Now that France and Germany have rulers with similar views
It is hoped the economy of Europe will get moving again.
This is what the very nice man on NPR said.
This was in spite of the new French ruler's declaration
That people must work harder now, and maybe for less money
And have shorter vacations
And less job security.
This he said was patriotism.
And, oh, by the way,
Enough of the silly criticism of American fascism.
Now that we are fascist, too, what does it matter?
We are ever so alike now.
But, it seems, again, there is disquietude.
The important and smooth have declared victory.
But the people know better.
Deeply they know better.
They will see.
And they will have regret.
In the fullness of time, as the prophet said.
The world is for this seeing,
A seeing which will be ever so useful,
Humbly yet glowingly radiant.
In the fullness of time, the fullness of time.


-- Your Musical Patriot

Sinclair Lewis on Tyranny

Under a tyranny, most friends are a liability. One quarter of them turn "reasonable" and become your enemies, one quarter are afraid to stop and speak and one quarter are killed and you die with them. But the blessed final quarter keep you alive.


So writes the eminent author, Sinclair Lewis, in his important novel It Can't Happen Here. In this work, which I have already referenced on this log, Lewis writes a story about the coming to be of a fascist regime in the United States. The telling of the tale is insightful and frightening in its ringing, albeit fictional, accuracy.

Sadly, I have found Lewis to be three-quarters correct. I am glad to say that none of my friends has yet been "taken out" by the current powers that be. However, the suffering of persons, both spoken and unspoken has been significant.

As I have said before I highly recommend this book. I will keep you posted regarding my progress with this exciting novel.