Slate offers us the Romney commercial he hopes you never see.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Backbone Campaign Protest The War And Bad Government With A Sense of Humor
Maybe I like them because the roots of the organization were planted on Vashon Island. But in any case their Bonzo for Congress 08 Campaign "rubber stamps, spineless wimps, we'd do better with a bunch of chimps"and Pledge for Peace Initiative are great. Check out the video.
Although they mission is deadly serious, I continue to admire the people at the Backbone Campaign because they rarely make the mistake of taking themselves too seriously like me and most of the rest of anti-war movement. It appears that the "boners" see that humor can be a bridge to get a serious message out to those who normally would turn a deaf ear to the same old over used and unoriginal anti war drone of, lets say, the Code Pink folks or even Cindy Sheehan. Their sense of comedy and understanding of theater comes through.
Although they mission is deadly serious, I continue to admire the people at the Backbone Campaign because they rarely make the mistake of taking themselves too seriously like me and most of the rest of anti-war movement. It appears that the "boners" see that humor can be a bridge to get a serious message out to those who normally would turn a deaf ear to the same old over used and unoriginal anti war drone of, lets say, the Code Pink folks or even Cindy Sheehan. Their sense of comedy and understanding of theater comes through.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Congress 22 Most Corrupt Members Named Includes WA 4th Doc Hastings
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its third annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress entitled Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch). This encyclopedic report on corruption in the 110th Congress documents the egregious, unethical and possibly illegal activities of the most tainted members of Congress. CREW has compiled the members’ transgressions and analyzed them in light of federal laws and congressional rules.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Time Catches Up With Fascist Progeny In Spain
THESE are difficult days for the heirs of General Francisco Franco. One of the dictator’s grandsons has been arrested for allegedly beating his girlfriend and a granddaughter was ridiculed for taking part in Spain’s equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing.
More worrying, however, were demands in parliament last week for the Franco clan, reputed to be one of the wealthiest in Spain, to vacate some of its sumptuous properties on the grounds that they had been expropriated by the former leader.
The battle began some months ago when the regional government of Galicia announced that the Pazo de Meiras, the family’s summer residence, was part of Spain’s cultural heritage and should be opened to the public.
Supposedly given to the generalisimo by the people “to congratulate” him on victory in the 1936-39 civil war, this historic three-turreted mansion was in need of renovation after a fire in 1978, the authorities argued. The family ignored an offer of financial help to repair it and on August 30, when a delegation of architects, historians and archeologists arrived to do a survey, they were not allowed in.
The government has since gone to court, threatening the Francos with a fine of £45,000 if they refuse to cooperate.
There were also demands last week that the Francos return other houses “given” to the dictator. Among them are a 2,000-square-metre palace outside Madrid and the 18th-century palace of Cornilde in Corunna. Francis, one of Franco’s seven grandchildren, has been building 4,000 homes on a plot of land confiscated by the dictator in Madrid in 1960.
The Francos’ wealth is matched by flamboyant lifestyles: scarcely a day seems to pass when Carmen Martinez Bordiu, the 56-year-old granddaughter of the late fascist leader, is not seen in a celebrity magazine.
Last month Jaime Martinez Bordiu, her brother, was held by Marbella police and accused of beating his girlfriend.
After the death of Franco in 1975, the government judged it better to encourage forgiveness than to stir antagonisms that could engulf the fledgling democracy. “Recovering goods held by the Franco family at that time was considered unthinkable without provoking riots,” said Jesus Andreu, a professor of political science.
The public mood has altered, however, and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Socialist prime minister and grandson of a republican executed by Franco’s soldiers, has cut off funding for the Franco foundation run by Carmen Franco Polo, 81, the daughter of the dictator.
Zapatero has said he wants to heal the wounds of the war and one initiative is payment of reparation to victims on both sides. It is unlikely the Francos will qualify for any more funds.
What Global Warming Looks Like Sodo District Starbucks Headquarters Safeco Field Sleep With The Fishes
Architecture 2030, in a partnership with Google Maps, determined how American coastal cities would be affected by predicted sea level rise.
Monday, September 10, 2007
MoveOn.org F**ks Up By Not Realizing the Future Battle Is For The Swing Voter if America Is To End Iraq War
A full-page ad run by MoveOn.org today in The New York Times attempting to discredit General David Petraeus is unfortunate and inappropriate. In the long run it could alienate moderate voters and delay the end of the Iraq War that MoveOn sincerely wishes to bring about.
These moderate and swing voters are the key to the future make-up of the Congress and White House. These voters are the key to the 60 vote plurality the Democrats seek in the Senate. Most were probably alienated by this ad thought up and paid for by a special interest group like MoveOn. I consider myself liberal and I found the ad distasteful, a personal attack, and completely off target. MoveOn and other “eat your young” attack and destroy liberal organizations need to stop acting like the people they supposedly detest the most, the character assassinating right wing nut bars . Personally attacking anyone, even their supporters, who don't tow the MoveOn party line. MoveOn can only marginalize itself with such actions and public relations blunders like this ad.
Patraeus is not the problem here. The ad shows a photo of Petraeus in front of a bank of microphones with the headline: General Petraeus or General Betray us?
This man is perceived by most of the public as a competent general officer who is trying to implement an impossible policy in Iraq to the best of his ability. If you watched his testimony as I did today before the congress you see he is not the one who created the mess here but a soldier who, I believe, is trying to rule over an impossible war and the foreign policy mistakes brought about by incompetent politicians on both sides of the idle. Of course the White House and Frat Boy Bush are the major culprits. But many democrats also voted to open the Iraqi Pandora's box that we now are asking soldiers like Petraeus to get closed again. This attack on Petraeus can be easily leveraged as political fodder by the right. It is seen as an attack on a brave general and by association, god forbid, our troops in the field.
Liberals and organizations like MoveOn need to realize that they are not just preaching to the choir when they run controversial and misleading ads in the New York Times. They need to moderate their tone to attract the voter in the middle, who in the end will elect candidates in the coming elections who can change the course of the war and bring about its conclusion in a way that best serves the peoples interests.
These moderate and swing voters are the key to the future make-up of the Congress and White House. These voters are the key to the 60 vote plurality the Democrats seek in the Senate. Most were probably alienated by this ad thought up and paid for by a special interest group like MoveOn. I consider myself liberal and I found the ad distasteful, a personal attack, and completely off target. MoveOn and other “eat your young” attack and destroy liberal organizations need to stop acting like the people they supposedly detest the most, the character assassinating right wing nut bars . Personally attacking anyone, even their supporters, who don't tow the MoveOn party line. MoveOn can only marginalize itself with such actions and public relations blunders like this ad.
Patraeus is not the problem here. The ad shows a photo of Petraeus in front of a bank of microphones with the headline: General Petraeus or General Betray us?
This man is perceived by most of the public as a competent general officer who is trying to implement an impossible policy in Iraq to the best of his ability. If you watched his testimony as I did today before the congress you see he is not the one who created the mess here but a soldier who, I believe, is trying to rule over an impossible war and the foreign policy mistakes brought about by incompetent politicians on both sides of the idle. Of course the White House and Frat Boy Bush are the major culprits. But many democrats also voted to open the Iraqi Pandora's box that we now are asking soldiers like Petraeus to get closed again. This attack on Petraeus can be easily leveraged as political fodder by the right. It is seen as an attack on a brave general and by association, god forbid, our troops in the field.
Liberals and organizations like MoveOn need to realize that they are not just preaching to the choir when they run controversial and misleading ads in the New York Times. They need to moderate their tone to attract the voter in the middle, who in the end will elect candidates in the coming elections who can change the course of the war and bring about its conclusion in a way that best serves the peoples interests.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Republicans Hit Bottom Air America's Rachel Maddow Muses About Fred Thompson Trophy Wife Plus Other Character Anomolies
Just who is Fred Bottom of the Barrel Thompson? This Rachel Maddow video post gives us a pretty good look at the man who conservatives see as their savior.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Zogby Poll Indicates 30% Of Americans Seek Immediate Impeachment Of Dumb Shit President Frat Boy And More Of Same Old Crap VP
Zogby Poll: 51% of Americans Want Congress to Probe Bush/Cheney Regarding 9/11 Attacks. Over 30% Seek Immediate Impeachment. 67% also fault 9/11 Commission for not investigating the anomalous collapse of World Trade Center 7.
Old Fogey Politicians On Rise Apparently Have No New Ideas
Who shall rid us of these troublesome old fogies from both parties?
Recent video proves that new agent of change Fred Thompson offers same old not well thought out bull crap political rhetorical drivel that seems to permeate the American political landscape today. This banality continues because the political experts out there apparently think it still sells to all us shallow unwashed peons out here in main street America.
Does ANYONE really have any original ideas anymore? Attention everyone the old bull shit isn't working anymore. Maybe it time for NEW ideas. Thompson is believed to be marketing himself as the new Ronald Reagan. Because their both actors I guess.
After 8 years of Bush I rather walk across broken glass and then eat each piece than consider potentially listening to Thompson expound about anything political. What exactly does Fred offer to the process that isn't tried old or already politically debunked by now. The video should serve as exhibit A in an "I don't really know shit about the world" contest.
Recent video proves that new agent of change Fred Thompson offers same old not well thought out bull crap political rhetorical drivel that seems to permeate the American political landscape today. This banality continues because the political experts out there apparently think it still sells to all us shallow unwashed peons out here in main street America.
Does ANYONE really have any original ideas anymore? Attention everyone the old bull shit isn't working anymore. Maybe it time for NEW ideas. Thompson is believed to be marketing himself as the new Ronald Reagan. Because their both actors I guess.
After 8 years of Bush I rather walk across broken glass and then eat each piece than consider potentially listening to Thompson expound about anything political. What exactly does Fred offer to the process that isn't tried old or already politically debunked by now. The video should serve as exhibit A in an "I don't really know shit about the world" contest.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Apparently many men who engage in anonymous sex with other men don't consider themselves to be gay or bisexual
Show it to me. I don't need to know your name. You wanna do me? Hurry up. Thanks, buddy. See ya 'round. Larry Craig's scandal really involves questions about hypocrisy, delusion, phoniness and the boomeranging effect that can be caused by a shit load of the sexual reppression. Thank you Jesus.Maybe that why (R) Senator Larry Craig claims "I'm not gay, I never have been gay". Maybe this claim is difficult to swallow (sorry) for some of us out here living only in heterosexual world. But, according to an article at the HIV/AIDS resource website The Body often it is just about having this type of SEX.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Blasphemous Balls Allah Gets Kick Around In US Soccer Ball Air Drop Controversy
US Forces in Afghanistan have apparently run amok of Muslim fundamentalist again by air dropping soccer balls that have Saudi Arabian flag with includes Allah's name. Okay then what's on the short list that isn't blasphemy to a fundamentalist Muslim? I think I going to become a atheist now.
The Paris Hilton Factor...Are We A Nation of Retards ? Ask Miss Teen South Carolina!
Recently I read an article about how Americans don't read books anymore. We also hear lots of whining from students and their parents about requirements to pass certain tests that measure educational standards in our schools. We lag behind other secular Western nations in math, science and foreign language skills. Our president is a idiot. Most Americans are apparently idiots too. Miss Teen South Carolina gives us hope though when she answers a question about why she thinks most teens can't locate the US on a world map.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Italian Soccer Player Reveals Insult That Triggered Zidane Head Butt During World Cup Final
MILAN, Italy -- Italy defender Marco Materazzi finally disclosed what he said to Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final that provoked the French star to retaliate with a head-butt.
"I prefer the whore that is your sister," Materazzi said during an interview in next week's edition of Italian magazine TV Sorrisi E Canzoni, according to Italian news reports Saturday. He previously acknowledged he had insulted Zidane's sister.
Zidane head-butted Materazzi in the chest with 10 minutes left in last year's final. He was sent off for violent conduct, ending his stellar career with a red card.
Italy went on to win the game in a penalty-kick shootout after the score was 1-1 after extra time.
Materazzi, who received a two-game ban for incitement, has since apologized to Zidane.
France coach Raymond Domenech this month lauded Materazzi's strategy for getting Zidane sent off.
"I say 'bravo' to him," the coach said.
"I prefer the whore that is your sister," Materazzi said during an interview in next week's edition of Italian magazine TV Sorrisi E Canzoni, according to Italian news reports Saturday. He previously acknowledged he had insulted Zidane's sister.
Zidane head-butted Materazzi in the chest with 10 minutes left in last year's final. He was sent off for violent conduct, ending his stellar career with a red card.
Italy went on to win the game in a penalty-kick shootout after the score was 1-1 after extra time.
Materazzi, who received a two-game ban for incitement, has since apologized to Zidane.
France coach Raymond Domenech this month lauded Materazzi's strategy for getting Zidane sent off.
"I say 'bravo' to him," the coach said.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Olbermann Turns Spotlight On Bush Mine Safety Recess Appointee's Mining Safety Record
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Gasworks Party Or How Petty, Provincial, Unsophisticated and Grumpy Busy Body Seattleites Can Be!
The word is finally out about the big super secret party at Gasworks Park Saturday night. It turns out it was to celebrate the marriage of Clearwire director Stuart Sloan with family and friends.
I was there working as a entertainer. The “employees” staging the event were more or less told not to talk about it with anyone. The main reason, we were told, was that the groom wanted to make it a surprise for his bride and their family and for the 300 or so invited guests who apparently didn’t know exactly what was happen either.
In the lead up to this event many of us working the party read the wild speculation that resounded in the blogs and in the local MSM. Much of it not true it turns out or based on any facts. This led to much laughable or negative public speculation. Bill Gates was throwing a birthday party for Warren Buffet. Paul Allen was celebrating his daughter Graduation. It was some sort of Republican Party political event (with contempt dripping from the keyboard that such a thing could happen in our neighborhood added in for good measure). The people working the party were all scab labor etc., was one of the really particularly stupid posts I read.
I can say here, that I was paid well for performing at the party. More money then when I perform usually for the cheapskate arts organizations and impresarios I work for over the years locally. The staff and producers of the show were beyond professional in the way they conducted and interacted and treated us performers and in what they expected us to provide in exchange. Every detail was attended to and nothing seemed to be left to chance. From the inside this was the amazing thing that stood out about the event. The host of this party got ever permit needed. Paid the require fees took every precaution to provide for all contingencies and even informed the neighborhood in advance to expect and/or enjoy the fireworks.
My point being...
I grew up in Seattle. I lived on the South slope of Queen Anne Hill. So I’m no Johnny come lately like most of the people I suspect were so up in arms about this party. My mother didn’t try to stop Bumbershoot from happening just because once a year she had to fight for parking for a few days in front of the house or put up with “noise”. It was just people having some summer fun. Join the party, or if weren’t invited or don’t care we were taught be nice and mind your own damn business.
The main complainers here seem to be the same people who managed to stop the One Real Summer Nights program at Gasworks. Somehow this emboldens them to think that this park is THEIR private reserve now, and for god’s sake don’t have any fun anybody! I’m the fun Police and Park Nazi rolled into one. Unless of course you think the way they do. Frisbee toss or kite flying anyone?
This is a public park for EVERYONE, not just this small neighborhood cult.
I’m not a Republican, Democrat or rich. I'm and working man who likes to think for myself lets say. Nor do I choose to be a member of any other one dimensional political groupings. But it is beyond rude to try to stop a party because you THINK the people there are not of your particular political persuasion or progressive enough or not for your unsophisticated taste buds. Think Hempfest here.
This is what eats at me about the reaction to this party. You see it in the politics and culture of this city all too often. I don’t think it really existed in the old days. They had a Worlds Fair here in 1962 that ended up changing an entire neighborhood. But the legacy was the much-loved Seattle Center. I doubt you could do such a thing today with the provincial crowd that now permeates and runs Seattle.
Can you remember “The Commons”. Probably would have been a great urban open space but no, not happening in uptight Seattle. The Seattle Supersonic who needs them? Not the non-pro sports crowd even though it adds a very important aspect to the culture of the city. Tear down the viaduct and create a real waterfront. Not happening here. Host the Olympic games like a real world city. Too much noise to many people spending money I guess. Build a real rapid transit system. All talk and blog babblers here. Salt lake city had a winter Olympics and the federal government provided much of the money for the rapid transit system that's in place today. It’s part of the “Seattle process” trying to low balling it, small time it, talking the issues to death or being a busybody obstructionist.
Seattle your on the verge of turning into a ugly, rude, backwater town lacking in any big ideas. Where the so-called natives are most interested in everybody else’s business especially if it doesn’t suit their dull personalities, small personal ideas, or their politics.
I was there working as a entertainer. The “employees” staging the event were more or less told not to talk about it with anyone. The main reason, we were told, was that the groom wanted to make it a surprise for his bride and their family and for the 300 or so invited guests who apparently didn’t know exactly what was happen either.
In the lead up to this event many of us working the party read the wild speculation that resounded in the blogs and in the local MSM. Much of it not true it turns out or based on any facts. This led to much laughable or negative public speculation. Bill Gates was throwing a birthday party for Warren Buffet. Paul Allen was celebrating his daughter Graduation. It was some sort of Republican Party political event (with contempt dripping from the keyboard that such a thing could happen in our neighborhood added in for good measure). The people working the party were all scab labor etc., was one of the really particularly stupid posts I read.
I can say here, that I was paid well for performing at the party. More money then when I perform usually for the cheapskate arts organizations and impresarios I work for over the years locally. The staff and producers of the show were beyond professional in the way they conducted and interacted and treated us performers and in what they expected us to provide in exchange. Every detail was attended to and nothing seemed to be left to chance. From the inside this was the amazing thing that stood out about the event. The host of this party got ever permit needed. Paid the require fees took every precaution to provide for all contingencies and even informed the neighborhood in advance to expect and/or enjoy the fireworks.
My point being...
I grew up in Seattle. I lived on the South slope of Queen Anne Hill. So I’m no Johnny come lately like most of the people I suspect were so up in arms about this party. My mother didn’t try to stop Bumbershoot from happening just because once a year she had to fight for parking for a few days in front of the house or put up with “noise”. It was just people having some summer fun. Join the party, or if weren’t invited or don’t care we were taught be nice and mind your own damn business.
The main complainers here seem to be the same people who managed to stop the One Real Summer Nights program at Gasworks. Somehow this emboldens them to think that this park is THEIR private reserve now, and for god’s sake don’t have any fun anybody! I’m the fun Police and Park Nazi rolled into one. Unless of course you think the way they do. Frisbee toss or kite flying anyone?
This is a public park for EVERYONE, not just this small neighborhood cult.
I’m not a Republican, Democrat or rich. I'm and working man who likes to think for myself lets say. Nor do I choose to be a member of any other one dimensional political groupings. But it is beyond rude to try to stop a party because you THINK the people there are not of your particular political persuasion or progressive enough or not for your unsophisticated taste buds. Think Hempfest here.
This is what eats at me about the reaction to this party. You see it in the politics and culture of this city all too often. I don’t think it really existed in the old days. They had a Worlds Fair here in 1962 that ended up changing an entire neighborhood. But the legacy was the much-loved Seattle Center. I doubt you could do such a thing today with the provincial crowd that now permeates and runs Seattle.
Can you remember “The Commons”. Probably would have been a great urban open space but no, not happening in uptight Seattle. The Seattle Supersonic who needs them? Not the non-pro sports crowd even though it adds a very important aspect to the culture of the city. Tear down the viaduct and create a real waterfront. Not happening here. Host the Olympic games like a real world city. Too much noise to many people spending money I guess. Build a real rapid transit system. All talk and blog babblers here. Salt lake city had a winter Olympics and the federal government provided much of the money for the rapid transit system that's in place today. It’s part of the “Seattle process” trying to low balling it, small time it, talking the issues to death or being a busybody obstructionist.
Seattle your on the verge of turning into a ugly, rude, backwater town lacking in any big ideas. Where the so-called natives are most interested in everybody else’s business especially if it doesn’t suit their dull personalities, small personal ideas, or their politics.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Ron Paul Let's Loose About Iraq During Republican Debate
Ron Paul, the Libertarian playing a Republican presidential candidate, continues to challenge his fellow candidates rhetoric for "Iraq stay the course, holy war in reverse because our god is better then your god" BS.
Go Ron Go!
Go Ron Go!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Conservative warns of Police State in US
by: Muriel Kane (The Raw Story)
Thom Hartmann began his program on Thursday by reading from a new Executive Order which allows the government to seize the assets of anyone who interferes with its Iraq policies.
He then introduced old-line conservative Paul Craig Roberts -- a former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Reagan who has recently become known for his strong opposition to the Bush administration and the Iraq War -- by quoting the "strong words" which open Roberts' latest column: "Unless Congress immediately impeaches Bush and Cheney, a year from now the US could be a dictatorial police state at war with Iran."
"I don't actually think they're very strong," said Roberts of his words. "I get a lot of flak that they're understated and the situation is worse than I say. ... When Bush exercises this authority [under the new Executive Order] ... there's no check to it. It doesn't have to be ratified by Congress. The people who bear the brunt of these dictatorial police state actions have no recourse to the judiciary. So it really is a form of total, absolute, one-man rule. ... The American people don't really understand the danger that they face."
Roberts said that because of Bush's unpopularity, the Republicans face a total wipeout in 2008, and this may be why "the Democrats have not brought a halt to Bush's follies or the war, because they expect his unpopular policies to provide them with a landslide victory in next year's election."
However, Roberts emphasized, "the problem with this reasoning is that it assumes that Cheney and Rove and the Republicans are ignorant of these facts, or it assumes that they are content for the Republican Party to be destroyed after Bush has his fling." Roberts believes instead that Cheney and Rove intend to use a renewal of the War on Terror to rally the American people around the Republican Party. "Something's in the works," he said, adding that the Executive Orders need to create a police state are already in place.
"The administration figures themselves and prominent Republican propagandists ... are preparing us for another 9/11 event or series of events," Roberts continued. "Chertoff has predicted them. ... The National Intelligence Estimate is saying that al Qaeda has regrouped. ... You have to count on the fact that if al Qaeda's not going to do it, it's going to be orchestrated. ... The Republicans are praying for another 9/11."
Hartmann asked what we as the people can do if impeachment isn't about to happen. "If enough people were suspicious and alert, it would be harder for the administration to get away with it," Roberts replied. However, he added, "I don't think these wake-up calls are likely to be effective," pointing out the dominance of the mainstream media.
"Americans think their danger is terrorists," said Roberts. "They don't understand the terrorists cannot take away habeas corpus, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution. ... The terrorists are not anything like the threat that we face to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution from our own government in the name of fighting terrorism. Americans just aren't able to perceive that."
Roberts pointed out that it's old-line Republicans like himself, former Reagan associate deputy attorney general Bruce Fein, and Pat Buchanan who are the diehards in warning of the danger. "It's so obvious to people like us who have long been associated in the corridors of power," he said. "There's no belief in the people or anything like that. They have agendas. The people are in the way. The Constitution is in the way. ... Americans need to comprehend and look at how ruthless Cheney is. ... A person like that would do anything."
Roberts final suggestion was that, in the absence of a massive popular outcry, "the only constraints on what's going to happen will come from the federal bureaucracy and perhaps the military. They may have had enough. They may not go along with it."
Thom Hartmann began his program on Thursday by reading from a new Executive Order which allows the government to seize the assets of anyone who interferes with its Iraq policies.
He then introduced old-line conservative Paul Craig Roberts -- a former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Reagan who has recently become known for his strong opposition to the Bush administration and the Iraq War -- by quoting the "strong words" which open Roberts' latest column: "Unless Congress immediately impeaches Bush and Cheney, a year from now the US could be a dictatorial police state at war with Iran."
"I don't actually think they're very strong," said Roberts of his words. "I get a lot of flak that they're understated and the situation is worse than I say. ... When Bush exercises this authority [under the new Executive Order] ... there's no check to it. It doesn't have to be ratified by Congress. The people who bear the brunt of these dictatorial police state actions have no recourse to the judiciary. So it really is a form of total, absolute, one-man rule. ... The American people don't really understand the danger that they face."
Roberts said that because of Bush's unpopularity, the Republicans face a total wipeout in 2008, and this may be why "the Democrats have not brought a halt to Bush's follies or the war, because they expect his unpopular policies to provide them with a landslide victory in next year's election."
However, Roberts emphasized, "the problem with this reasoning is that it assumes that Cheney and Rove and the Republicans are ignorant of these facts, or it assumes that they are content for the Republican Party to be destroyed after Bush has his fling." Roberts believes instead that Cheney and Rove intend to use a renewal of the War on Terror to rally the American people around the Republican Party. "Something's in the works," he said, adding that the Executive Orders need to create a police state are already in place.
"The administration figures themselves and prominent Republican propagandists ... are preparing us for another 9/11 event or series of events," Roberts continued. "Chertoff has predicted them. ... The National Intelligence Estimate is saying that al Qaeda has regrouped. ... You have to count on the fact that if al Qaeda's not going to do it, it's going to be orchestrated. ... The Republicans are praying for another 9/11."
Hartmann asked what we as the people can do if impeachment isn't about to happen. "If enough people were suspicious and alert, it would be harder for the administration to get away with it," Roberts replied. However, he added, "I don't think these wake-up calls are likely to be effective," pointing out the dominance of the mainstream media.
"Americans think their danger is terrorists," said Roberts. "They don't understand the terrorists cannot take away habeas corpus, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution. ... The terrorists are not anything like the threat that we face to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution from our own government in the name of fighting terrorism. Americans just aren't able to perceive that."
Roberts pointed out that it's old-line Republicans like himself, former Reagan associate deputy attorney general Bruce Fein, and Pat Buchanan who are the diehards in warning of the danger. "It's so obvious to people like us who have long been associated in the corridors of power," he said. "There's no belief in the people or anything like that. They have agendas. The people are in the way. The Constitution is in the way. ... Americans need to comprehend and look at how ruthless Cheney is. ... A person like that would do anything."
Roberts final suggestion was that, in the absence of a massive popular outcry, "the only constraints on what's going to happen will come from the federal bureaucracy and perhaps the military. They may have had enough. They may not go along with it."
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