PART I: 2000 TROOPS NOW DEAD IN VAIN: IRAQ IS NEITHER LIBERATED NOR FREE

2000+ TROOPS NOW DEAD IN VAIN: IRAQ IS NEITHER LIBERATED NOR FREE
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1022-28.htm
HOW MANY MORE MUST DIE UNTIL WE BRING THE TROOPS HOME?

HOW MANY MORE MUST DIE UNTIL YOU BEGIN TO PROTEST THE WAR?
3000? 5000? 10,000? 58,0000? HOW MANY UNTIL YOU BRING THEM HOME?

THE OCCUPATION IS THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION AND THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS IS TO PROTEST THE WAR WHICH WILL HELP ULTIMATELY SAVE THEIR LVES BY BRINGING THEM HOME!!!**
http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1021-03.htm

ARE YOU READY TO DO SOME READING??? YOU BETTER BE BECAUSE I HAVE ANOTHER LONG, FAT-DADDY HERE FOR YA!! READ, THINK, ENJOY!!!
**(Sometimes when I use upper-case font I am yelling but sometimes I am whispering secrets gently in your ear…..it is up to you to figure out when I am yelling and when I am whispering) Pay attention and read, read, read. I alone define what upper-case font means because I reclaim the right to define. RECLAIM!!! And just for the record, I publish my real name at the end of every posting not because I want to be famous, because I am actually a rather private, stoic person and often a home-slice (where I read, think and write among other fabulous activities). I publish my real name openly to demonstrate courage. (note: I just recently, this past week, created a dorky blog and since I am not web-page savvy, the formatting, like the margins, is still a little rough and seems squeezed so muddle through this one if you can and I will try to make it easier to read in the future. It is also published in two parts on Indymedia to make it easier to read.
In the future, I will try to make the hyperlinks into part of the actual text for you, reader.
My weblog:
http://honeste--djoftruth.blogspot.com
My weblog via XML or Newsreader:
http://honeste--djoftruth.blogspot.com/atom.xml (hyperlinks will not function here)
This posting:
http://honeste--djoftruth.blogspot.com/2005/10/2000-troops-now-lie-dead-in-vain-iraq_23.html

Understand when I write an article, I don’t do introduction, body and conclusion, my writing is episodically dynamic and very broad because I discuss many topics not just a single topic. Liberty, freedom & free thought means you write any damn way you want!
And if modern journalists don’t like the way I write, no-one is forcing them to read it.

JUST SAY NO TO CORPORATE MEDIA, TURN DECADENCE OFF!!!.
HERE IS REAL NEWS YOU CAN USE
http://honeste--djoftruth.blogspot.com/2005/10/websites-to-help-you-stay-informed_19.html

http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1187

If you didn’t catch my last piece that I posted on October 2 because I did not publish it as widely due to a recent and excruciatingly painful tooth abscess then here it is, it is long but one of the best I have ever written, read it from start to finish: Today’s posting is damn good too, another, long fat-daddy. I’m on a roll. Anyway, below is my last posting http://sf.indymedia.org/print.php?id=1720420.

Beware of those who call themselves Progressives but fail to offer bold alternatives.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1012-26.htm:
Or those who speak about Big Cajones but demonstrate the actions a Big Wuss:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1021-22.htm

HERE IS YOUR WAR; HERE IS THE COST OF YOUR WAR AMERICA
TO THOSE WHO SUPPORT THIS WAR, I SAY, YOU BETRAY OUR TROOPS!!!!!
http://theunitedamerican.blogs.com/Movies/2000A/2000.html
turn up the volume

WANT TO SEE REAL LEADERSHIP IN ACTION?
WATCH SENATOR RUSSELL FEINGOLD, FOR THIS MAN IS A TRUE LEADER http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1008-20.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1020-30.htm
http://feingold.senate.gov/
THIS IS A MUST READ:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101005J.shtml
To his credit he alone voted against the Patriot Act and to his credit he leads us out of Iraq now. I SALUTE YOU SIR!!!!! LEAD ME AND I SHALL FOLLOW YOU!!!
In my opinion, he is the best qualified to be the next President of the United States. I like Chuck Hagel too but I am a Democrat and that means something when they represent.
If you need me, Senator, call on me and I shall serve you, follow you and defend you.
When politicians lead, as rare as that is, it is sight for sore eyes indeed!! I love you Russ!
Furthermore, I accept his decision to vote for John Roberts, I respect his independent judgment; besides I think he is right. We’re going to get a conservative judge on the Supreme Court either way, this was decided in the last election, the goal is get one closest
to the center. KUDOS TO DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CARL LEVIN! IT’S A START! http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051010/pl_afp/usiraqpullout
Paul Hackett:
http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2005/10/hackett.html
http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/petition/iraqpledge/
http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/2005/10/firing_back.html
Dick Gephardt finally shows some courage. I forgive him. Now keep speaking out, sir.
http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2005/10/gephardt_on_ira.html http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/petition.cfm?itemid=19754&ms=n03txt.
ATTENTION DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND MEMBERS OF THE DLC:
If you’re not reading things like this, you must not be reading anything worthwhile at all:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1012-23.htm, http://www.princeton.edu/%7ebartels/kansas.pdf
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1014-02.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1014-23.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1014-25.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1014-25.htm http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101705C.shtml
Per this next article by Eric Alterman, let’s return the favor and name some names, those pundits who use all kinds of nasty language about those who speak truth are nothing more than blowhard, shitbags who care nothing about reality and everything about their small-minded ideology that benefits the ruling class as they firmly wrap their lips around the ding-dong of the man, the system, the ruling class. Charles Krauthammer is loony, Fred Barnes is nutty, Ann Coulter is racist, homophobic bitch, David Horowitz, especially with his support of torture shares the unusual title of neo-fascist despite his heritage, Christopher Hitchens and Andrew Sullivan are just smooth-talking bottom feeders, and Rick Santorum is a homophobic, whiny little princess. Tom Friedman just keeps working that corner like a two-bit Ho for the man, yo-daddy, ruling system. I’ve changed my mind, Tom, I’d only pay you $5 for a good service.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1022-26.htm
Who hates American values, Ms. Coulter? I think it’s you.
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001942.htm
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051107/alterman
Now I don’t despise every member of the DLC, for example, although I did not support him in his election, I have come full circle and I am now 100% behind Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco. Bold leadership impresses me. So while I rail against some moronic strategies put forth by the DLC, not everything they propose is stupid, they do make some good points…..just because you don’t agree with someone does not mean you should not listen to them, in fact, I have long believed that we benefit greatly by knowing our enemy and never by underestimating them (I don’t think the DLC is our enemy per se but simply an organization that I, for one, have little respect for; they lack boldness, vision, principle).
Molly Ivins makes some good points but there is nothing wrong with reclaiming patriotism, it is just how it is done that is important. I emphasize patriotism because I am proud to be an American, I am proud to be for peace, I am proud to be a human being and I am proud to be a principled patriot. If my pride in these things hideously offends some people, screw them. I am what I am. And I am what I am becoming. We are always becoming; in flux. Only death is static. When you find an author who likes to blame the whole party, not individual politicians, that’s a pretty good indicator they are rigid, small-minded and inflexible. Ignore that rigidity but still listen, don’t ignore everything they say because of their rigid thesis. With reference to offering simple solutions to complex problems, sometimes, though not often, it works. But when someone offers a solution that has potential, it is others’ responsibility to add to that idea, reform it, strengthen it, enable it to deal with complexity and build upon it. One person plants a seed and others nourish, cultivate it and grow it into a bountiful harvest. Farm it.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/102005E.shtml


What we need is a Democratic Contract with America: http://www.ourfuture.org/onmessage/borosage/20051024_boro_cwa.cfm
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101305E.shtml

WHAT WE DON’T NEED IS THE DLC PLAN IN PLACE TO LOSE ELECTIONS http://tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=28519
My idea is to purge some members of the DLC democratically. I suggest running candidates against them in their districts who are perhaps Veterans for Peace on the Green Party ticket. Since most people are against the war anyway and displeased with DLC democrats’ weak, cowardly stance of appeasing the war-hawks, it should serve to adequately divide the Left and put a Republican in office (yes, that’s the painful part but it would only be for a single term) but it is better that than to have a Democrat only in name (a Republican in DLC sheep’s clothing) in office who refuses to represent. Remember, when a Democrat acts like a Republican, just vote for the real thing.
The “center” is not a static condition; it is something you first reclaim then re-define.
The “center” is most often a product of effective activist leadership over the long-term.

On Iraq:
The Occupation is the cause of the ongoing chaos and civil war:
http://www.antiwar.com/paul/?articleid=7559
We will achieve victory, al-Qaeda a loss, and Iraq a chance to rebuild only after we withdraw. If we stay, we lose, Iraqi’s lose, and OSAMA wins, that is the price for http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1013-21.htm staying a course long ago doomed to fail. Our best option is withdrawal but Bush is an idiot. And because Bush
is an idiot and greedy, a lying, betraying piece of human trash who cares nothing about America, her future or her security, only about power, good troops die in vain. "The Americans took the bait and fell into our trap." ---Seif al-Adal, Al-Qaeda terrorist co-leader (this will be the only time I ever quote you, you terrorist piece of shit who has made my country prone to fascism, I hope they send a Hellfire up your ass!)
http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news2/onath00.html
A MUST READ:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer121.html
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1015-29.htm
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101505C.shtml
http://www.lewrockwell.com/higgs/higgs37.html
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/afdb7b0c-40f3-11da-b3f9-00000e2511c8.html
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101905M.shtml
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.bush07oct07,1,8138.story?coll=bal-opinion-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1009-22.htm
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/26460
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-12/112883614689160.xml&storylist=orlocal
http://www.antiwar.com/roberts/?articleid=7572
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051107/editors
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1020-03.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1022-02.htm
They really have no visible strategy, but let it be known that in cases where war is only a last resort, in those very rare cases, that I am a very firm believer in the Powell Doctrine.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1017/p03s01-usfp.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powell_Doctrine#External_Link
(Scroll to External link to see my edits)

WHAT DO IRAQI PEOPLE WANT? POLL UPON POLL: END THE OCCUPATION For Iraq to be liberated for real, it requires not deBaathification, but deAmericafication.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1012-24.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1013-29.htm!
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/world/12905327.htm
http://telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=EHKTKXOYLVOOVQFIQMFCNAGAVCBQYJVC?xml=/news/2005/10/23/wirq23.xml&sSheet=/portal/2005/10/23/ixportaltop.html

The War on Iraq is the worst strategic disaster to befall the United States. Its effects will be felt for decades to come and that is how harshly history shall remember George Bush
as the man and the President who soiled America and destroyed her noble reputation.
If you want to continue to lash yourself to the mast http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news2/long-iraq.html
Mr. Bush, then you and America will pay the price for it as you take a lot down with you on this rapidly sinking ship ablaze.

THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL MUST READ:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1009-20.htm:
Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zbigniew_Brzezinski
(that other countries are openly critical of U.S. policy is not a cue to shut-up because they should be openly critical of such an egregious policy, rather such criticism is a cue to change the policy. Q:Why is the First Amendment first? A:It is the most important of all)
Besides, at this point with 64% of Americans against the war and with the politicians still refusing to represent, the best of bad options is to deconstruct the Empire and protect the Republic. Hopefully foreign nations will continue to form regional partnerships similar to the Non-Aligned Movement and isolate the United States thus deconstructing Empire.
If the United States cannot lead responsibly and democratically, then it cannot lead at all.
Attention global community: CONTAINMENT WORKS; ISOLATE AND CONTAIN!!!
YOUR FUTURE SURVIVAL MAY DEPEND ON YOUR ABILITY TO CONTAIN!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Containment
http://acuf.org/issues/issue45/051006news.asp
http://amconmag.com/2005/2005_10_24/article1.html
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=5133
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1022-27.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1011-01.htm
http://www.counterpunch.org/werther10132005.html
http://www.antiwar.com/reese/?articleid=7640
A round of applause for the U.N. and Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1021-28.htm
Diplomatic, not military, engagement with Iran is the best solution, quit saber-rattling:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101105L.shtml
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1204048&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101105I.shtml
PUNT THE NEO-CONS!!
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1022-06.htm

Do you really want to know what Iraq is like today?????????
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101705D.shtml
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/iz.html

Can Amnesty International please respond to the charges of legitimizing the Occupation?
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/100905B.shtml
Then again, they do good work too.
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1018-15.htm

THE OCCUPATION IS THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION AND THOSE WHO SAY WE CANNOT JUST LEAVE BECAUSE TO DO SO WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE ARE, WHETHER THEY REALIZE IT OR NOT, ENABLERS OF OPPRESSION, TORTURE, MASS MURDER THUS CAUSING THE PROBLEM.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101005I.shtml
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1014-30.htm
Good article but remember: ALL GOVERNMENTS LIE, ours is no exception.
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2005/10/iraq_time_to_ge.html
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1022-04.htm
In two years time they have produced 1 Iraqi battalion capable of defending itself. By that standard and estimating that they will need 500,000 troops to stabilize the country, there should be enough Iraqi troops to allow us to pull out in 1,428 years, almost 1500 years from now. END THIS STUPID, UNJUST, MURDEROUS OCCUPATION NOW!

BE IT KNOWN:
TO THOSE WHO SAY WE CANNOT LEAVE, I SAY, RIVERS OF BLOOD DRIP FOR YOUR MURDEROUS HANDS EVEN IF YOU WERE AGAINST THE WAR!!!!
http://www.antiwar.com/whitehurst/?articleid=7693

THE MOST MORAL, RESPONSIBLE COURSE OF ACTION IS TO WITHDRAW ALL TROOPS IMMEDIATELY AND LET IRAQI’S SOLVE THIS ON THEIR OWN.
It is the best of bad choices. Get it through your head, folks, there are no good options or happy endings in this tale. That is why it is the greatest strategic disaster in U.S. foreign policy history. No matter what we do, many Iraqi men, women and children are going to die horrible deaths and all troops who died, died for nothing, that is the truth in a nutshell.
FOR GOD’S SAKE, END THE MADNESS AND BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!!!!!
IT IS THE BEST OF BAD CHOICES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.bringthemhomenow.org
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/12939792.htm
Patrick Dougherty does not agree. He assumes our forces bring order or the potential for order. He assumes Iraq is not already in a state of civil war. I think he is mistaken. And I will go a step further, I think the ongoing civil war is largely the result of the Occupation.
That said, we should remain open to listening to opposing points of view.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20051020/next_steps_in_iraq.php
A brilliant piece of writing, indeed:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1010-24.htm
The majority of Americans are against the war:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/10/opinion/polls/main930772_page2.shtml
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/9346
Ramp up campus protests against the war:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051031/protest_and_pushback_on_campus
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101005S.shtml
I CARE.

“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official...”
---Theodore Roosevelt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt

GO CINDY GO!!!!!! NEVER GIVE UP!!!NEVER QUIT!!!NEVER SURRENDER!!!!!
Hound him until the troops are brought home alive!!!!!!!!!! Great job, I salute you!!!!!
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1009-08.htm
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101305Y.shtml
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1017-30.htm
http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/10/1775324.php
http://www.alternet.org/story/26869/
YOU GO, GIRL!!!!!
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1020-10.htm
If they try to silence you in any way, find a way around it or break the law but be heard!!!
To be heard against all odds is our STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE. (S.O.P.)
SPEAK OUT!!!!!!!!!! SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER!!!!!!!! FEAR NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!
WAGE PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1015-20.htm
http://www.lewrockwell.com/tofte/tofte10.html
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1021-29.htm

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
---Nelson Mandela

On Cindy Sheehan, Thich Nhat Hanh, and my own philosophy on waging peace:
Cindy is impressed with Thich Nhat Hanh and he is definitely a good peace leader, however, because I think independently, I think for myself, I allow myself to disagree with people known as “great” people. I think most of what Thich Nhat Hanh says is right and think much of what Gandhi said is right except on the issues of language usage which I feel both are wrong, it is my right to independently choose to believe differently; I believe to be effective, language must accurately reflect the culture in which it is spoken.
There is no single, right way to wage peace but many ways, my philosophy is unique.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1010-21.htm
You are free to agree with them or with me or develop your own thoughts. Don’t take “great persons” words as fact because there is a great person in all of us. What is the difference between Cindy Sheehan, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Thich Nhat Hanh, or me, Eric E. Johansson or you? We each have different names and different ideas. That is the only difference. There really are no “great” people because each of us has great potential. I put myself and you on the same level as all these “great” people. EMPOWER PEOPLE!!!! [hint: I just whispered a secret gently in your ear]

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that
we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most
frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not
serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't
feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
---Nelson Mandela

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/10/09/MNGFDF4U671.DTL
Excerpt from the article and my comments:
“Thich Nhat Hanh explained from an open stage: "We don't think shouting in anger can help. If you make people angry and fearful, then you cannot reduce violence and fear.”
Well, folks, that’s an opinion and NOT one I share, it is very idealistic, perfect for the Utopian Universe but an opinion unlikely to apply in America in any effective way. It may have worked in India under British colonial rule, but it would have never worked in Nazi Germany. Had Gandhi lived in Nazi Germany during the early 1940’s and begun preaching non-violent resistance, he would have been immediately recognized as a huge threat, arrested and deported to Auschwitz, summarily murdered and no-one in the world would have ever heard of Gandhi. How do I know? History. Six-million Jews who had not the benefit of history, as we do, and could not see the savagery that was to befall them also practiced non-violence and became victims of genocide during the Holocaust.

There are limits to non-violence because sometimes the choices that people face are not between peace and war, not between good and bad choices, but between bad and worse choices, for example, sometimes the choices people face are between war, resistance, death or collaboration as they were during that era and you must choose one. I know what I would have chosen during that era, I would joined the French Resistance and gone on to bomb and shoot Nazi’s because that would have been the most moral option of them all and exponentially better than suicidal non-violence in the death camps. (however, I say that because I have the benefit of history, if I didn’t, I might have died)
Also, contrary to popular thought, try to remember that history rarely, if ever, repeats itself, however, there does seem to be a cycle of similarities between situations of the past and situations of the present even though the circumstances, situations and contexts are always uniquely different in each episode of the linear course of historical development.

Fortunately, in a democratic society as we are in America now, non-violence is the best, most moral and only effective means to produce change. I could never in good moral conscience say that non-violence is ALWAYS the best choice, it is clearly not, (if you think it is, then are you saying that genocide is better than resistance? If you are, that is very dangerous and I would say highly immoral). Non-violence is, however, the best way MOST of the time. What Gandhi did, what Thich Nhat Hanh does is a way of waging peace specific to a particular realm of time and space. Can it work here effectively? Perhaps, but I’m not convinced of that. But I should let you know that I am more committed to telling the truth as I see it than peace but I very committed to peace too, but not absolutely. I do not generally do absolutes. I’m not sure there are any absolutes.
I believe in nuance. Time and space defines almost everything, at least in our limited dimensional understanding of the universe and our limited conceptions of metaphysics.

We must ask, “Is our goal to sound noble, warm and fuzzy, or is our goal to be effective and is it possible to be both at the same time?” My answer to this question is that while sometimes it is possible to both sound noble-warm-and-fuzzy and be effective at the same time, most of the time it just sounds downright kooky and kooky turns a lot of mainstream people off so I am less concerned about what sounds noble and more concerned about what is effective. Kissing ass or being kooky gets movements nowhere in politics, which requires elements of conviction and ruthlessness yet simultaneously consensus and flexibility. Politics is a game of wearing many hats at once. That is one reason why activism is more effective at bringing change than politics. Per the following article, it should be noted that I do not employ the Golden Rule in politics either because in my experience, if all you do is kiss-ass you’ll find that all you get is shit-on. Politics can be a nasty business but being simultaneously ruthless and flexible is the key to bringing change via that channel. I prefer moral led activism which is far more effective. http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1019-22.htm
However we phrase words, one thing is sure, it will always turn someone off so you really have to go with being most effective if you hope to change anything. You have to determine for yourself, as I have, what that is. I have discovered my way; I will continue using my methodology for waging peace, I make no apology for it, and I could write a whole book about this topic alone but let me sum it up this way: Anger is far, far, far, far, far more often a bi-product of love, than it is of hate. Love and anger are closely intertwined. What works, what produces results, what accomplishes the mission is what most concerns me. I have found in my experience that Benjamin Franklin’s words apply more to the American realm than the words of Gandhi which seem more limited to the Hindu-Indian realm. Waging peace is stylistic, there is no one right way, for example, I don’t agree with Gandhi or Thich Nhat Hanh on issues surrounding usage of language. But the short end of it is that I have my way of waging peace, you have your way of waging peace, that’s fine, go do it. I will wage peace my own way and I find that my way is very effective, again I believe more in Benjamin Franklin than in Gandhi when Franklin said, “Be at war with your voices, at peace with your neighbors and let every new year find you better person.” Indeed, I do shout in anger sometimes because I am outraged at how my brothers-in-arms are treated, sent to Iraq without proper armor for their vehicles while my friends die and are maimed—your damn right I’M PISSED, THIS WAR IS BULLSHIT, my shouting in anger is morally justified, it is a product of the love I have for my men, it is effective and I do it unapologetically. I don’t care if some people are offended that it isn’t warm, fuzzy, idealistic and noble-sounding. Those are my friends over there getting their asses shot off and I have every right to be angry. So get over it!!! It is because I love them that I get angry at the ways they are mistreated. I am outraged! Until they come home, I speak out!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_franklin

Thich Nhat Hanh goes on to say "When you speak to people, you should speak to them in a language they can understand. By doing that, we can turn our enemies into our friends." That’s very true but understand we live in a militaristic society that uses militaristic language. America is a militaristic, aggressive culture layered and fused with many passions, hatreds, loves and angers, a melting-pot culture that uses aggressive language. The critical question before us is can we use militaristic language in a way to effectively wage peace? I say yes, we must. Is that ideal? No, but it is real. The ideal, like ideology, that which we want to hear is not what serves us best. What serves us best is the harsh reality known as truth, that which we may not want to hear but that is real. Is it effective? Yes, because you speak to people in a language they understand, the language of the culture. Else it sounds kooky. Kooky does not build movements, kooky marginalizes. Mainstream language, mainstream imagery, mainstream symbols and speaking in the terms of the wider culture are all building blocks of major movements. Periodic paradoxes and/or contradictions that present themselves are just simply a part of life and of complex thought. Just do it very carefully. You may disagree. You wage peace your way, I will wage peace my way, because there are many ways to wage peace.
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=19724
http://timesheraldonline.com/ci_3101532
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101005M.shtml
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v27/n20/liev01_.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Nhat_Hanh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King%2C_Jr.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_sheehan
Aren’t paradoxes fun?
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1017-20.htm

“Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.”
---Malcolm X
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_x


“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
----Nelson Mandela
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela


"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."
---Thomas Jefferson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_jefferson


“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
----Nelson Mandela


“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
---Mahatma Gandhi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhi



http://civillibertarian.blogspot.com/2005/10/we-cant-let-it-happen-here.html
Bring fascism to my country, FEDS, and I convert to resistance-oriented freedom fighter.
“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
----Patrick Henry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Henry
Let this be a warning to those who aspire to American fascism. A shot across your bow.
http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/henry-liberty.html
http://www.counterpunch.com/roberts10102005.html
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1018-01.htm
On fascism, its true definition, fascism is an ideology of the Right not the Left:
http://dneiwert.blogspot.com/2005/10/fascism-two-hoary-myths.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_of_Fascism
On the Patriot Act: Allow me to re-iterate: IT IS UNWORTHY OF OBEDIENCE
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1022-25.htm
VIOLATE IT, REFUSE TO OBEY IT, IGNORE IT, IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
I frequently and continue to violate it in my writings. What do you think about that Congress? Do you enjoy it when I thumb my nose at you? How do you feel about that?

Keep military separate from law enforcement if you hope to keep your democracy:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1012-29.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1014-28.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1008-02.htm
It’s not the FEMA doesn’t work, it’s that the Bush administration didn’t want it to work:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/102105J.shtml
And now a word or a cartoon from a fellow Colorado College alum, Mark Fiore:
http://www.workingforchange.com/comic.cfm?itemid=19771
A MUST READ:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1020-20.htm
Wiretapping the Internet: It’s just bad for business
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,69277-2,00.html?tw=wn_story_page_next1



On the bogus “war” on terrorism as defined by Mr. Bush:
Mr. Bush would have you believe all terrorists are united by a common ideology and goal, to screw the U.S., but that is just not true. Juan Cole gives a pretty good analysis:
THIS IS A MUST READ:
http://www.juancole.com/2005/10/arguing-with-bush-and-gwot-bush.html
As does Norman Solomon, another ESSENTIAL MUST READ, it’s so true and funny:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1010-22.htm
Our military is adept at challenging a single enemy on the field of battle as in the invasion of Iraq, but with the terrorists, what we face is not a single enemy on a single field of battle but a rag-tag unbound collection of varying groups who share neither purpose, ideology nor even often common language, religion, history, custom or tradition. They are dispersed all over the world and most groups have little to no connections with other groups, thus, in defeating or helping curtail the activities of terrorists that are represented across the spectrum in a very multi-dimensional and multi-faceted way, it begs for an information-based and law enforcement action-oriented solution whereby information is collected and analyzed by intelligence personnel and when necessary targeted for surgical removal by special operations forces. (Quit using a sledge-hammer on the patient for we are going to get sued for medical malpractice and thus lose our license to lead the world). But each terrorist group should be approached differently, treated differently and different solutions proposed for each based upon what is driving them to their cause. No single terrorist group is like another terrorist group; each are different, not so much in their tactics as in their motivations to do what they do. And it is by recognizing this fact, this nuance, that will enable us to “win” the global struggle against terrorism or more accurately, curtail terrorism, by dealing with reality as opposed to dealing with the world in an ideologically comfortable way that serves only to enrich our friends. The security of Americans must precede securing more money for the rich because by putting the fat-oinkers before the people is how Bush betrays America and Americans. The longer we stay in Iraq the greater harm will be done to the Empire. The Empire is already in very serious decline. In the linear history of empires as they ebb and flow, China bats next. (Unless we begin shifting our resources away from the military-industrial-complex)
http://amconmag.com/2005/2005_10_24/cover.html
http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20051024&s=klare
Ignore what the idiots in Congress say, pay close attention to what they do
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/102005Q.shtml

You see the problem with our elected establishment is that they are all rich, and thus they have no learned inclination to represent the middle-class or the poor, they just represent the wealthy class and there is a reason for that…..it takes a lot of money to get elected, but it was not always this way so what has changed? The advent of television as a tool to get elected, more specifically advertising dollars limits one’s ability to get elected based upon their financial worth. Democracy is proving dysfunctional by such a “stacking of the deck.” How can we renew this critical feature of democracy? I propose that television advertisers either volunteer, or if not, then Congress legislate, to offer competing political candidates equal air-time during the campaign, at 1% the cost of a typical 30-second commercial and that those spots be limited to a given number, while, ensuring that neither candidate can obtain more time than their opponent so, for example, if one candidate reaches the limit and produces no more commercials, the other candidate is denied buying more air-time at full cost. Thus they are limited to equal air-time provided by advertisers at 1% cost of a typical 30-second spot. Pitch it to advertisers as doing their part for God and country, ensuring American democracy while acquiring a few token dollars as profit. Just imagine the immense PR value of being able to tell your consumers how you did your part to improve the quality of American democracy.
My, oh my!!!! How respectful? Words backed by action. I bet that would put a few long-term pennies in your moral bank, and thus ultimately your real bank. Imagine the brand loyalty that would create with everyone who waves a flag both from the economic Right and to the progressive Left and all in between. Think big. This will exponentially reduce the amount of money it takes to get elected thus opening the door to members of the middle-class to run for Congress, which in my view, will reduce the number of people who make politics a lifelong career thereby severing the electoral umbilical cord between corporate cash and corrupt politician while opening the door to people who can run on principle alone. Open the political class to the middle-class. Demonstrate democracy.
I think it is great, morally sound and potentially profitable when corporations do right:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1020-27.htm
http://www.antiwar.com/orig/ashbeck.php?articleid=7710

Good article, but the German education system could do more to illuminate the Holocaust and the suffering of Jews and the inactions of German citizens during that era instead of seemingly over-emphasizing the suffering of Germans after allied bombings.
http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1189&POSTNUKESID=8ede6e237df712781598ea2b9e8c7a93
An arms race with China is our national suicide. Leave the sleeping giant alone.
Cool ideas, yayyyy!!!!
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1018-05.htm

Do what is right. Analyze the problem for what it is, deal with it, and cope with it.
Cut the bullshit, already, we don’t buy it. Iraq has nothing to do with terrorism.
If Iraq is the central front then the “war on terrorism” is a load of bullshit.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20051011/bushs_fantasy_foreign_policy.php
The reality is that terrorism has been with humanity since the beginning of time and terrorism will be with humanity until the end of time, we can help curtail it, but we can never stop all of it. The important point to remember, then, is that almost nothing has changed and we should certainly not be sacrificing our democratic institutions for a world that simply has not fundamentally changed. The only thing different is we were struck hard on 9-11-01. In the wider scope of history, 9-11 is the day in which almost nothing changed except in how we view ourselves in the world and the ways we respond to long-standing scourges that have plagued humanity from the beginning and will continue to plague humanity until the end. So we will work hard to curtail terrorism understanding that it can never be totally eradicated because it is not an enemy nor an ideology but a tactic and a method, that’s it. There is no “war” on terrorism except in the cheap rhetoric of politicians. It is bullshit. Terrorism is nothing new, therefore our struggle to curtail it is NOT a new kind of war. Our effort to curtail terrorism, IS NOT A WAR AT ALL. If spreading democracy around the world is our stated intention the best way to do it is to LEAD BY EXAMPLE. To lead, demonstrate to the world American democracy at home.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101305H.shtml
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article320005.ece
http://www.antiwar.com/pat/?articleid=7674


On American democracy:
The critical importance of voting systems with paper trails and American democracy:
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001903.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1018-22.htm
http://www.motherjones.com/news/qa/2005/10/andrew_gumbel.html
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1021-06.htm
Transparency in government is also very important, this Executive Order must be overturned at some point in the future, obviously under a different president:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1010-20.htm
Here is a great idea out of Colorado…..activists are leaders so it makes more sense to have an online activist hub for political organizing as opposed to a political party hub since politicians are mere followers most of the time. Don’t let them define the issues and frame the arguments, do that part yourself by creating the ideas and persevering. Replicate this technological creation in every state and think about replicating this idea on the local level too to enable and empower local activists to focus on local issues:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/08/AR2005100801129.html

Given the magnitude of the disaster our government has created in Iraq, the vastly increased threats to our national security as a result and the ongoing violence, mass killing and torture that are the product of the American Occupation of Iraq, our best option is to withdraw immediately. If we do so, al-Qaeda would have no reason to be in Iraq except to try to influence the creation of an Islamic Republic and which the U.S. by staying is already helping Osama do. But by leaving the greatest chance of a return to secularism will prevail because the Sunni’s will be given a fair shake in the future of the country despite the vacuum of power that will be the result, a future the U.S. government currently denies them via a bogus constitution that is becoming instead a recipe for civil war. It is not a good political solution. It will make the war worse, not better, as will
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1008-03.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1009-02.htm
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101605X.shtml
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/102105M.shtml
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/102105H.shtml
continued Occupation. The best thing the U.S. can do to help Iraq, help itself, and to hurt al-Qaeda is to leave Iraq. End recruitment for Osama. The occupation is the problem not the solution. Democracy must arise from within, it cannot imposed from the outside via Occupation. So long as the Occupation continues and Sunni’s are barred from power, democracy has no chance in Iraq. http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=27274
http://antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=7597
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osama_bin_laden
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1020-31.htm
Thank you Mr. Bush for bringing to Iraq what you inquire about in the article above and for making sure that Iraq suffers and al-Qaeda strengthens by staying this doomed course.
YOU ARE A TRAITOR, SIR!!!!!! Bringing greater oppression not freedom to Iraq is not a course at all, sir, it is only you and Cheney burying your heads in the sand: The problem with burying your head in the sand is you usually get your ass shot clean off.
http://www.counterpunch.com/smith10052005.html

You have shamed America, Mr. Bush:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid%3D16223364%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D94762%26headline%3Dis-this-the-death-of-america--name_page.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051007/ap_on_re_eu/france_iraq
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1008-32.htm

SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR AMERICA BY PROTESTING THE WAR!!!!!
DISSENT IS DEMOCRACY!!!!!!
SUPPORT THE TROOPS FOR REAL:
PROTEST TO BRING THEM HOME ALIVE NOW!!

“An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.”
---Thomas Paine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine

AN EXIT TO VICTORY: LEAVING IRAQ IS THE TRUE COURSE TO VICTORY
As in poker, the winner is not defined by whomever is the last man standing for he might stand in serious debt, the winner is defined by whoever produces more cash, goods or services exiting from the game than from when upon entering the game. The same can be said for the situation in Iraq. The victor will be the one who either wins more or, conversely speaking, loses less. It is time to leave Iraq before we already lost too much. We have already lost too much like our men in uniform, our credibility, our noble position in the world. So I urge you to become an activist and a leader for America. It is so true what Kenny Rogers sings in his song, The Gambler, “You have to know when to hold ‘em; know when to fold ‘em; know when to walk away and know when to run!” Although I rarely gamble for money anymore, (I lost my shirt one too many times), I find that all of life is a gamble at some level. In my experience, I have found that the greater the risk, the greater the rush, the greater the joy of life. Taking high risks often makes life worth living. Is it foolish to jump from a perfectly good airplane with a parachute? Damn skippy it is!!!!! It is not quite as dumb as jumping without a parachute but it’s not without foolishness or high risk either. Yet the thrill, rush and euphoria it helps manifest is rivaled by few other experiences in life. Such foolhardy-but-not-totally-stupid risk taking is what, in my opinion, makes life grand. I reckon it might be easier, maybe smarter, and definitely safer to stay at home, tape myself inside with plastic sheeting and duct tape, never emerge from my hole and stay quiet but such a course of action is, to me, the equivalent of committing suicide without actually committing suicide. Its net effect is essentially the same, that life is not worth living, and that is not what I feel at all. Life is unnecessary risk, life is a gamble, life is exciting and life is nobly foolish. Be alive first and foremost; be safe only if essentially, boringly required. Certainly wear a parachute, but definitely jump. Life is out the door. Stand up; hook up; shuffle to the door and GO!! Take that risk by becoming an activist to make change happen. Pioneer something bold!!!
http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news3/latimes142v.htm
http://www.alternet.org/story/26763/


To go to and read Part II of this posting click the following link:
http://www.indybay.org/print.php?id=1776995