By Anthony Wade
Sometimes the news comes at us rapid fire and the best we can do is summarize and reinforce to make sure no one missed anything important, or mildly amusing. In between writing longer pieces, I constantly file away the interesting, poignant, ironic or just plain goofy. Here are the stories over the past month that caught my eye, with some commentary.
Ridiculous News Story of the month: Laura Bush commenting on the media: "I think that a lot of times the media sensationalize or magnify things that aren't _that really shouldn't be," she said. "I do think there's a big move away from actual reporting, trying to report facts," the first lady said. "It's in newspapers and everything you read -- that a lot more is opinion." When her interviewer suggested that journalists were out of sync with most of the country, she said with a laugh: "You just gave me a really great idea. Maybe it is the media that has us divided."
Two points which makes this ridiculous. One, it is your husband Laura that has divided us. You see most Americans do not like blowing up third world countries for no reason, killing 1000 soldiers and not bothering to attend one funeral. Most people get upset about that, ok? Good, now go back to being the enabler we all know you can be. Secondly, this interview was conducted by Bill O'Reilly. Yes, that Bill O'Reilly. And I thought this interview couldn't have had any less credibility. Imagine my surprise.
The Iraqi Democracy Update Section: Lots to talk about here:
Iraq's interim government has closed the Baghdad office of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television network for one month, citing national security concerns. George W. Bush has got to be proud. One month and the Iraqi puppet government is already using "National Security" like a grizzled veteran. Makes you get all misty.
Iraq re-imposes the death penalty. Uhm, not for nothing, wasn't this one of the things we didn't like about Hussein?US occupation forces in Iraq have arrested Dr Muthana Harith al-Dhari the editor of al-Basaer newspaper (Insight) and media officer for the influential Association of Muslim Scholars. Early indications are that occupation forces did not like an opinion given by the Dr., in a recent interview.
Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi personally executed six suspected insurgents in a Baghdad police station. This has to be the hottest story everywhere, but in America, where our media plays the yes Bush game. Keep in mind that this is all since we handed "sovereignty" over to the Iraqis. Cover-ups, media control, Patriot Act-like arrests; yep I would say they are adapting pretty quick to the Bush version of democracy.
The American Democracy Update Section: From the "what the hell are you kidding me file" comes this story from Florida. A democratic Congressman had a court challenge thrown out on a technicality. The issue? It is the lack of a paper trail for the new computer touch screen voting machines. Here are the salient points:
The prominent companies which produce the new voting machines are run by individuals who are decidedly pro-Bush, one of which is a Bush "Ranger". Rangers are noted for their ability to bundle at least $200,000 for the Bush campaign. One such company has already publicly stated that they are "determined to deliver Ohio's electoral votes for George W. Bush". The "codes" which make up the internal workings of the computer systems have already been hacked and proven to be error-prone. Without a paper trail, we will never be able to do a recount, thus having to "trust" the official count, administered by partisan officials in a system that has been designed by republican backing companies. Democrats back the simple concept of having a paper trail, meaning for every vote cast, there would be a paper copy of that vote. This is a manageable request. Republicans have said" no.
I must ask, and demand that all who support democracy ask, why the hell not? What possible reason could you have for supporting the concept of NOT having a paper trail for all votes? Another blockbuster story, being ignored by mainstream media. Considering how badly the 2000 election was screwed up, you would think logically that all election systems should have a paper trail. Ahh, but when your friends companies make the machines and your republican compatriots are in control of the count, why bother with a little thing such as democracy.
Flip Flop, Flip Flop: No, not Kerry, it's GW again. You see it depends on where he is that determines how the war on terror is going. When he is in the heartland, on the stump, he is hammering the message home that we are safer. Conversely, whenever he is speaking to the undecided, or in press releases, he is saying America is not safe and we need to elect him to make us safe. Which is it George? Are we safe now, due to your fantastic leadership on the war on terror? If we are then we don't need you anymore since you don't have a domestic agenda outside of Iraq. Or is it that we are not safe, meaning you have done a miserable job on the only issue you have. You only get one answer though, contrary to your recent rhetoric. By the way, have you noticed that the red states never get the terror alert raised for them? Oh, that's right Bush already has those states locked up, so there is no reason to "go magenta" on them and scare em (for a definition of "go magenta", please see my previous article on the election year terror chart here: http://www.opednews.com/wade_071904_warning.htm).
Torture Update: A startling update on the torture story I just did last week (found here: http://www.opednews.com/wade_080704_silence_torture.htm). Do you know what your government has done this week to one of the corporations (CACI International) that provided one of the interrogators that has been cited for involvement in the sexual humiliation of Iraqi captives? They have awarded them another 23 million dollar contract to continue providing private interrogators to gather intelligence in Iraq. The investigator who was implicated from CACI has not been fired, and the company has been rewarded with another 23 million dollar contract! The government said they were "satisfied" with CACI's performance. Our government has taken 23 million more of our tax dollars and rewarded a corporation who has been implicated in this scandal. There can be only one conclusion. Our government not only condones this torture, but they reward it. While we can still choose to vote these policies out this November, there is still one question that begs answering. Where is our media?
Additionally today comes a story from a national guardsman told to walk away, when trying to help battered and beaten prisoners after the handover of "sovereignty". Please review it here.
Is this what our freedom means?
Obvious Contradictory Shill of the Month: The award goes to Tom Ridge, who in nearly the same breath said the following two oppositional statements:
"We don't do politics at the Department of Homeland Security."
"We must understand that the kind of information available to us today is the result of the president's leadership in the war against terror."
Hmm, me smelleth a lying politician.
Terror Alert of the Week: Homeland Security has announced this week credible intelligence and chatter that has confirmed that the Japanese may be targeting Hawaii for a sneak attack. Tom Ridge has concurred that the information is a smidge old but reminds us that the Hirohito often plans covert military operations and waits 65 years to carry out the attacks. Ridge had no comment when informed that Emperor Hirohito died in 1989. When pressed for an explanation, Ridge raised the terror alert to light beige.
Sad NY Baseball Moment: I pause momentarily to note the passing of the voice of the NY Mets, Bob Murphy, who died this week of lung cancer. Murph always made you feel like you were at the game, which unfortunately for Met fans such as myself, you often wished you weren't. Going to miss you, and your "happy recap".
GW Bush, What Hath Thou Wrought, Soldier of the Month: We have had some fun in this article and discussed some important issues. This final story however, is one of thousands in this country that never get heard. Our soldiers are good enough for Mr. Bush when he needs them on the front lines while he screams "bring em on!" They unfortunately are not important enough for Mr. Bush to actually go to one funeral or to allow the returning dead to be viewed by the media, and thus the country. Recently I had reason to research this policy. Prior to Bush Sr., it had not been in existence, the returning dead were there as a sobering reminder that war has a cost. Bush Sr. however, changed the policy at the Pentagon. Under Clinton, the policy lapsed, but upon "selection", GW reinstated this policy. It is time we tell our Commander in Chief to honor the kids he sees so fit to send into harms way for one stated reason and then state "so what's the difference" when he is called on the lies that started this war. It is time for him to go to a funeral and face the parents. It is time for him to allow the media to see the flag draped coffins, so that we can never casually and callously say, "so what's the difference". It is time for him to put a human face on this war. If he won't then I will.
That human face is Jeffrey Lucey from anytown USA. He was a citizen with hopes and dreams that he will never get to realize. He leaves behind a grieving family searching for answers. I do not pretend to wax philosophically about his story. I read it, and wept. All I ask you to do is read it, and realize how horribly this country, and all of us have let down Jeffrey Lucey. His story is here:
http://www.dailyhampshiregazette.com/cspstory.cfm?id_no=8040048
This is what happens when we send our kids to war for bogus reasons. This is what happens when our leaders fail morally. Jeffrey was our neighbor, our friend, and our son. His blood remains on the hands of a nation that continues to wage war for all the wrong reasons. Iraq had nothing to do with 911. Saddam had no connection to al Qaeda. There are no weapons of mass destruction. If you think there ever was, you need to try and tell that story to these parents who now know the true cost of war, which Mr. Bush does not want to acknowledge. May God keep Jeffrey Lucey.
Anthony Wade is co-administrator of a website devoted to educating the populace to the ongoing lies of President George W. Bush and seeking his removal from office. He is a 36-year-old independent writer from New York with political commentary articles seen on multiple websites. A Christian progressive, and professional counselor, Mr. Wade believes that you can have faith and hold elected officials accountable for lies and excess.
Anthony Wade's Archive: http://www.opednews.com/archiveswadeanthony.htm
Email Anthony: takebacktheus@gmail.com
