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Friday, May 14, 2004
Subject: Police Union Rejects Bush, Backs Kerry
Time: 2:07:51 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Happy
Presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry on Friday collected the endorsement of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, a police union that backed President Bush in the 2000 election.
"After three and a half years of disappointing leadership under George Bush, we need to change course in November and elect a president with a real record of supporting police officers and a lifetime of standing with law enforcement," IBPO President David Holway said in a statement provided by the Kerry campaign.
The union endorsed Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996. Kerry scheduled a round-table discussion with members of the group on Friday to talk about law enforcement issues.
In a statement provided by the Bush campaign, a former New York City police commissioner said Bush has provided unprecedented support for first responders, including $13 billion to state and local governments to prepare for terrorism.
"The president has given law enforcement the tools to do their job in the Patriot Act, while John Kerry attacks the law on the campaign trail," former commissioner Bernard Kerik said.
Earlier Friday, Kerry laid two wreaths at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which honors 16,666 officers killed in the line of duty. One of the wreaths was for the national memorial but the other, in a Massachusetts section, honored a Middlesex County officer killed on this date in 1961. Kerry, a former Middlesex County prosecutor, chatted with officers and family members during the 15-minute visit.
In an unexpected visit Thursday night to the Capitol, Kerry viewed photographs depicting abuse of Iraqi prisoners in U.S. custody. He made a last-minute decision to travel to the Senate and then spent 45 minutes viewing the photographs in a secure location, spokesman David Wade said.
Lawmakers who saw the photographs earlier in the day reacted with revulsion. Wade said Kerry had no comment.
Kerry said in a television interview Thursday he welcomed Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's trip to Baghdad but had not changed his view that Rumsfeld should resign.
"I'm glad the secretary of defense went there. The troop morale needs, I think, that kind of visit," Kerry said on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes." "I don't think it changes the dynamics of what America still needs to do to get to the bottom of this."
The Massachusetts senator has warned that the reports of abuse in the Iraqi prison threaten to undermine the effort to combat terrorism in the Middle East by infuriating Arabs suspicious about U.S. intentions in the region.
Republicans have accused Kerry of politicizing the war on terrorism. Viewing the photos was an effort to gather all the facts before weighing in on the issue any further, Wade said.
Kerry planned to fly to his home in Boston for a day off on Saturday. He resumes his campaign on Sunday with a trip to Las Vegas before visiting Kansas to mark the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision ending segregated schools.
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Sunday, May 9, 2004
Subject: When You Wish Upon A Star... by Michael Moore
Time: 8:33:19 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Worried
Friends,
Thank you for all the incredible letters of support as my film crew and I once again slog our way through the corporate media madhouse. Does it ever end? Are we ever going to get control of our "free press" again? Can you wish upon a star?
The Disney spin machine has been working overtime dealing with this censorship debacle of theirs. I don't think they thought they would ever be outed. After all, they know that all of us are supposed to adhere to the unwritten Hollywood Code: Never tell the public how business is done here, never let them have a peek at the man behind the curtain.
Disney has been hoping for nearly a year that they could keep this thing quiet. As I promised on Wednesday, here are the details behind my sordid adventure with the Magic Kingdom:
In April of 2003, I signed a deal with Miramax, a division of the Walt Disney Co., to finance and distribute my next movie, Fahrenheit 9/11. (The original financier had backed out; I will tell that story at a later date.) In my contract it is stated that Miramax will distribute my film in the U.S. through Disney's distribution arm, Buena Vista Distribution. It also gives Miramax the rights to distribute and sell the movie around the world.
A month later, after shooting started, Michael Eisner insisted on meeting with my agent, Ari Emanuel. Eisner was furious that Miramax signed this deal with me. According to Mr. Emanuel, Eisner said he would never let my film be distributed through Disney even though Mr. Eisner had not seen any footage or even read the outline of the film. Eisner told my agent that he did not want to anger Jeb Bush, the governor of Florida. The movie, he believed, would complicate an already complicated situation with current and future Disney projects in Florida, and that many millions of dollars of tax breaks and incentives were at stake.
But Michael Eisner did not call Miramax and tell them to stop my film. Not only that, for the next year, SIX MILLION dollars of DISNEY money continued to flow into the production of making my movie. Miramax assured me that there were no distribution problems with my film.
But then, a few weeks ago when Fahrenheit 9/11 was selected to be in the Cannes Film Festival, Disney sent a low-level production executive to New York to watch the film (to this day, Michael Eisner has not seen the film). This exec was enthusiastic throughout the viewing. He laughed, he cried and at the end he thanked us. "This film is explosive," he exclaimed, and we took that as a positive sign. But "explosive" for these guys is only a good word when it comes to blowing up things in movies. OUR kind of "explosive" is what they want to run from as fast as they can.
Miramax did their best to convince Disney to go ahead as planned with our film. Disney contractually can only stop Miramax from releasing a film if it has received an NC-17 rating (ours will be rated PG-13 or R).
According to yesterday's New York Times, the issue of whether to release Fahrenheit 9/11 was discussed at Disney's board meeting last week. It was decided that Disney should not distribute our movie.
Earlier this week we got the final, official call: Disney will not put out Fahrenheit 9/11. When the story broke in the New York Times, Disney, instead of telling the truth, turned into Pinocchio.
Here are my favorite nuggets that have come out of the mouths of their spinmeisters (roughly quoted):
"Michael Moore has known for a year that we will not distribute this movie, so this is not news." Yes, that is what I thought, too, except Disney kept sending us all that money to make the movie. Miramax said there was no problem. I got the idea that everything was fine.
"It is not in the best interests of our company to distribute a partisan political film that may offend some of our customers." Hmmm. Disney doesn't distribute work that has partisan politics? Disney distributes and syndicates the Sean Hannity radio show every day? I get to listen to Rush Limbaugh every day on Disney-owned WABC. I also seem to remember that Disney distributed a very partisan political movie during a Congressional election year, 1998a film called The Big One... by, um... ME!
"Fahrenheit 9/11 is not the Disney brand; we put out family oriented films." So true. That's why the #1 Disney film in theaters right now is a film called, KILL BILL, VOL. 2. This excellent Miramax film, along with other classics like Pulp Fiction, have all been distributed by Disney. That's why Miramax exists -- to provide an ALTERNATIVE to the usual Disney fare. And, unless they were NC-17, Disney has distributed them.
"Mr. Moore is doing this as a publicity stunt." Michael Eisner reportedly said this the other day while he was at a publicity stunt cutting the ribbon for the new "Tower of Terror" ride (what a pleasant name considering what the country has gone through recently) at Disney's California Adventure Park. Let me tell you something: NO filmmaker wants to go through this kind of controversy. It does NOT sell tickets (I can cite many examples of movies who have had to change distributors at the last minute and all have failed). I made this movie so people could see it as soon as possible. This is a huge and unwanted distraction. I want people discussing the issues raised in my film, not some inside Hollywood fracas surrounding who is going to ship the prints to the theaters. Plus, I think it is fairly safe to say that Fahrenheit 9/11 has a good chance of doing just fine, considering that my last movie set a box office record and the subject matter (Bush, the War on Terror, the War in Iraq) is at the forefront of most people's minds.
So what will happen to my movie? I still don't know. What I do know is that I will make sure all of you see it by hook or crook. We are Americans. There are a lot of screwed up things about us right now, but one thing that most of us have in common is that we don't like someone telling us we can't see something. We despise censors, and the worst censors are those who would dare to limit thoughts and ideas and silence dissent. THAT is un-American. If I have to travel across the country and show it in city parks (or, as one person offered yesterday, to show it on the side of his house for the neighborhood to see), that is what I will do.
More to come, stay tuned.
Yours,
Michael Moore
http://www.michaelmoore.com
mmflint@aol.com
P.S. Be sure to check out yesterday's New York Times Editorial, "Disney's Craven Behavior"
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/opinion/06THU4.html?ex=1084420800&en=dd695e1433b69ff3&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
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Saturday, May 8, 2004
Subject: Disney's Craven Behavior
Time: 4:18:21 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Angry
Friends,
Below you will find today's New York Times Editorial. Please pass it around.
Thanks for all of your letters of support. No news to report today, hopefully tomorrow.
Yours,
Michael Moore
www.michaelmoore.com
May 6, 2004 Editorial, New York Times
Disney's Craven Behavior
Give the Walt Disney Company a gold medal for cowardice for blocking its Miramax division from distributing a film that criticizes President Bush and his family. A company that ought to be championing free expression has instead chosen to censor a documentary that clearly falls within the bounds of acceptable political commentary.
The documentary was prepared by Michael Moore, a controversial filmmaker who likes to skewer the rich and powerful. As described by Jim Rutenberg yesterday in The Times, the film, "Fahrenheit 9/11," links the Bush family with prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden. It describes financial ties that go back three decades and explores the role of the government in evacuating relatives of Mr. bin Laden from the United States shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The film was financed by Miramax and was expected to be released this summer.
Mr. Moore's agent said that Michael Eisner, Disney's chief executive, had expressed concern that the film might jeopardize tax breaks granted to Disney for its theme park, hotels and other ventures in Florida, where Jeb Bush is governor. If that is the reason for Disney's move, it would underscore the dangers of allowing huge conglomerates to gobble up diverse media companies.
On the other hand, a senior Disney executive says the real reason is that Disney caters to families of all political stripes and that many of them might be alienated by the film. Those families, of course, would not have to watch the documentary.
It is hard to say which rationale for blocking distribution is more depressing. But it is clear that Disney loves its bottom line more than the freedom of political discourse.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/opinion/06THU4.html?ex=1084420800&en=dd695e1433b69ff3&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
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Subject: Kerry Ties Bush on State-By-State Race
Time: 3:05:48 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Happy
President Bush and Democratic rival John Kerry are virtually tied in their race for state electoral votes as a crush of political problems has prevented either candidate from breaking open the contest.
Six months before Election Day, Bush controls or has an edge in 24 states that account for 205 electoral votes, 65 shy of the 270 needed to win the wide-open race. The Democratic challenger has the advantage in 14 states plus the District of Columbia for 205 electoral votes.
State-by-State Breakdown
AP Graphic
In the dozen remaining states (128 electoral votes), the contest is either tied or there's no adequate polling, according to an Associated Press review of public and private surveys as well as interviews with analysts in key states.
''The country is so polarized. The president has done nothing to sway Democrats and moderates to his point of view,'' said independent pollster Ed Sarpolus of Michigan. ''Kerry has to be pleased that it's still close, despite the fact that the president started out with such an advantage.''
The electoral picture has changed little since Kerry secured the Democratic nomination two months ago. While the Democrat appears to have made gains in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin - three ''tossup'' states with 37 electoral votes - Bush has countered with leads in West Virginia (5 votes) and Arizona (10 votes).
All five states are still in play and will likely remain fluid
In addition, one state considered solidly Democratic two months ago - New Jersey (15 votes) - appears to be closer than expected. Two states thought to be firmly GOP - Colorado (nine votes) and Louisiana (nine votes) - are in play because Kerry is airing ads there.
However, even most Republicans believe New Jersey is still a long shot for Bush, while many Democrats feel the same about the South for Kerry.
''I don't think a Massachusetts liberal is going to carry Louisiana,'' said Jim Duffy, a Democratic strategist from Washington.
An AP-Ipsos poll suggests the race is tied nationwide, with Bush's support at 46 percent, Kerry at 43 percent and independent Ralph Nader at 7 percent. Nader tilts the race toward Bush in at least a half dozen states, according to separate polling.
Kerry also is being hurt by Bush's television ads and a steady stream of GOP criticism designed to cast the Democrat as a flip-flopping elitist. Kerry has been slow to organize his grass-roots team and find a general election message.
After a long delay - due in part to internal divisions - Kerry finally unveiled the biographical ad blitz demanded by fellow Democrats earlier this week.
He may have a hard time persuading voters it's time to change leaders. ''If I had to vote today, I would probably go with the devil I know,'' said 33-year-old independent voter George Hillyer of Buffalo, N.Y.
Despite encouraging economic news - nearly 900,000 jobs have been created this year - support for Bush's handling of the economy was at 43 percent, the lowest number since Ipsos began tracking that question at the start of 2002.
Support for Bush's handling of foreign policy and terrorism, usually his strongest area, was at 50 percent, down from 55 percent a month ago. He has even lost backing among Southerners and Republican women, two key constituencies.
Carl Adams, a 66-year-old retiree from Louin, Miss., said news about prisoner abuse in Iraq made him ''very much stronger against Bush and against the war.''
In state after state, a strong majority of voters told pollsters that the country was headed in the wrong direction yet still split their vote between Bush and Kerry.
''If you had come down from Mars and were told about all of Bush's problems, you would pronounce him D.O.A., A.S.A.P,'' Duffy said. ''But the other guy isn't catching fire.''
Bush has missed a golden opportunity, too. The incumbent had hoped to open a lead over Kerry by now, and perhaps take a few states off the table.
Kerry started at a disadvantage. The 21 states plus the District of Columbia won by Al Gore lost seven electoral votes - from 267 to 260 - since 2000 because of population shifts. That means Kerry must retain Gore's states and find 10 more electoral votes. The possibilities include:
- Florida (27 votes), narrowly loss by Gore but trending slightly Republican.
- Ohio, which Gore lost by just 3 percentage points even after abandoning the state. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost in Ohio (20 electoral votes) since Bush took office.
- Arizona (10 electoral votes), which has a growing Hispanic population.
- Any combination of smaller states, starting with New Hampshire (four votes), which shares a busy border with Kerry's home state of Massachusetts. Nevada (five votes) and Colorado are possibilities.
''I think Colorado is a test,'' said independent pollster Floyd Ceruli of Denver. ''It's a smart thing to do - you're out their probing the opposition's lines to see if there are any soft spots.''
Along those lines, Kerry advisers have checked the cost of air time in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. They insist that the Vietnam veteran and hunter could overcome the cultural hurdles that tripped up Gore in the South.
Elliot Stonecipher, an independent political consultant in Louisiana, said the state is growing more Democratic every year but perhaps not quickly enough for Kerry.
Even if he can't win, Kerry must play in the South. Any money Bush is forced to spend defensively in the region can't be spent in Ohio, Florida and northern battlegrounds.
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Friday, May 7, 2004
Subject: My wife, Christine, Birthday
Time: 8:39:50 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Happy
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Subject: The first Epistle of the Elders to the dead Letter Writers
Time: 3:15:40 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Silly
CHAPTER ONE
1. In the beginning was the mailbox and the mailbox was void of letters.
2. And the missionaries said, Let the mailbox be filled and the box was not filled.
3. And the missionaries beheld the continuing void and were not pleased.
4. And lo, it was the first day of the week and there was no mail delivered, but this was good.
5. But on the second day mail was delivered, yet the mailbox remained empty.
6. Yea, even from the second day unto the seventh was the mail delivered.
7. Even so the box retained its' void.
8. And yea, great mists of darkness spread forth from the void and enshrouded the Missionaries. Yea and did bring much sadness to their otherwise cheery days.
9. Even the long hours of fruitless tracting, being chased by the fowls of the air, and being pursued by the beast of the field were not as disheartening as the lack of sacred objects known as letters.
10. Yet they persisted.
CHAPTER TWO
1. And, lo, on the second day of the second week the mists still encircled the sacred mailbox.
2. And on the third day, from within the depths of the void was a single postcard.
3. And this postcard put forth a single ray of light which did pierce the darkness and did overcome the mists.
4. And the Missionaries were well pleased and there was much rejoicing.
5. But, alas, their joy was not to last. For the mailbeast had made a mistake and the postcard was for someone else.
6. But if their joy was so exceedingly great over someone else's mail, how great would be their joy at partaking of their own mail.
CHAPTER THREE
1. And we give unto you the parable of the Two Letter Writers.
2. At the hour of noon a certain scribe sat down to write a letter.
3. And the scribe did think of many things to write, but, he spent so much time thinking that he did not write.
4. Nevertheless he felt good because he had great intentions.
5. At that same hour a publican sat down and wrote a few words as he ate.
6. Yet he felt guilty at not writing enough.
7. And, lo, the 24 months passed and the Missionary returned home and passed by the scribes' house.
8. Yea, he went even unto the house of the publican and did visit the publican.
9. Verily a letter is like unto a prize in a Cheerios box; the which if a man knows it is in there he selleth all that he has that he may buy a case of Cheerios that he may obtain it.
CHAPTER FOUR
1. Even more blessed than the Missionary receiving mail is a friend or relative writing letters.
2. And if you should spend 5 minutes writing on letter how great shall be your joy.
3. And if your joy be great with one letter, how great shall it be with many letters in the mailbox of a missionary.
4. Else why do they build Post Offices if letters are written not at all; why then do they build Post Offices.
5. Yea, though I speak with the tongue of men and angels, and write not letters, I am nothing.
6. Letters never faileth; But if there be good thoughts they shall fail; whether there be unsent mail it shall vanish.
7. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child.
8. Even as I have put away my childish things, ye must replace them with unchildish mail.
9. And now abideth thoughts, intentions, mail; These three. But the greatest of these is mail.
10. Yea, if thou lovest me, write me letters.
CHAPTER FIVE
1. But some will say, a letter, a letter. We have already written a letter. We have no need to write anymore letters.
2. Know ye not that there are more days than one. And more events than one in a day. Why think ye that these events need not to be reported.
3. Yea, and ye need not worry that your letter will go unanswered.
4. But you should say, I will go and write the letter that a missionary requests. For I know he giveth no request except he be prepared to respond.
5. And we give unto you the Parable of the self addressed envelopes.
6. When the missionary departed into the far off land he gave a certain number of self-addressed stamped envelopes to his friends.
7. Unto one he gave 5, unto another he gave 2, and unto the third he gave 1.
8. And while he was gone he that was given the 5 envelopes wrote 5 letters then in his zeal wrote 5 letters more.
9. The same with him that had 2 envelopes; he wrote 2 letters and then 2 letters more.
10. He that was given the self addressed envelope became slothful and careless. And he lost the envelope, even that which he was given.
11. When the missionary came home he went unto his friends. And he that had written 10 letters was warmly greeted.
12. The same with him that had written 4.
13. But he that had written none at all was given nothing more than a Fishy-Whimp like handshake.
CHAPTER SIX
1. And it has been said; Blessed are the letter writers for they shall receive mail in return.
2. Blessed are they that keep in touch with a missionary for they shall know all that happens to him.
3. Ye and your letters are the light of a missionaries' day.
4. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
5. Neither do men write letters and put them in a desk but in an envelope that it giveth light unto all that are around the missionary.
6. Let your letters so be read by missionaries that they may see your good works and show an increased love to you.
7. And we give unto you the Parable of the Prodigal Letter Writer.
8. A missionary had two friends while he was laboring in the field.
9. One was faithful and wrote every week to the missionary.
10. Meanwhile, the other friend spent his stamp money on riotous living and wrote no letters.
11. But after 231/2 months he felt deep sorrow and did write a letter unto the missionary.
12. Who when he received it did go and kill the fatted Macaroni and Cheese box and did feast and was merry.
13. For it was meet that he should make merry for the letter writer which was lost was now found.
CHAPTER SEVEN
1. Unto you is given some stationary, and some paper, and some envelopes, and some pens and pencils.
2. For the writing of the letters, for the cheering up of the missionary, for the improving of your English skills.
3. Till the missionary return home, till we all come to be together again in the bond of friendship.
4. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose.
5. A time to contemplate writing and a time to write.
6. A time to put letters in the envelopes and a time to stamp the envelopes.
7. A time to mail the letters and a time to start the whole process over again.
8. Now we beseech you brethren concerning the coming home of our missionary and our gathering together to meet him.
9. That you be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled neither by word nor by any letter from us that the return missionary is at hand.
10. Let no one deceive you by any means for that day shall not come unless there first be an abundance of letters; and the man of mail be revealed, a true friend.
CHAPTER EIGHT
1. And the missionary said unto his friend, Lovest thou me?
2. And the friend said, of course I love thee.
3. He saith a second time, friend, Lovest thou me? and the friend said, Thou knowest that I love thee. He then said, Feed my mailbox.
4. He then spake a third time saying, Lovest thou me? and the friend said, Thou knowest all things, thou knowest I love thee.
5. Then the missionary said, Stuffest my mailbox.
6. And the vision is become unto all as the words of a letter which is sealed in the envelope that the men deliver to one who is not serving a mission saying, read this, I pray thee; and he saith I cannot for it is not mine.
7. And the letter is delivered to him that is serving a mission saying, read this I pray thee; and he saith, why sure.
8. Therefore you should proceed to do a marvelous work among a missionary, even a marvelous work and a wonder by writing a letter.
CHAPTER NINE
1. And the word of the Missionary came unto his friend saying,
2. Moreover, thou friend of mine, take thee one piece of paper and write it for a Missionary and for the House of the Mexico City North Mission, his companions; and then take an envelope and write upon it for a missionary and for the House of the Mexico City North Mission, his companions.
3. And join them one to another into a letter and they shall become one in the hand of the mailman.
4. For what doth it profit a man if he say he hath thought, but write no letter? Can thoughts save him?
5. If a brother or sister have a birthday,
6. And you say unto him, Happy Birthday, notwithstanding you give them not a cake with candles upon it. What doth it profit?
7. Even so, thoughts without letters are dead, being alone.
8. But if we say we have no thoughts, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9. Therefore, since ye have thoughts, write ye letters.
CHAPTER TEN
1. And now we wish to tell you the story of the Anti-letter-writer.
2. And there dwelt in the land at the time a certain Anti-letter-writer who went about convincing the people that there was no need to write letters.
3. Indeed so persuasive were his arguments that many people did cease to write letters to Missionaries.
4. Then a returned missionary did confront the Anti-letter-writer and didst dispute his arguments.
5. Then it came to pass that the Anti-letter-writer did ask for a sign that letters should be sent, then would he believe.
6. Then the returned missionary said, just as assuredly as letters are to be sent so wilt thou be struck down.
7. And at that moment the Anti-letter-writer was run over by a mail truck and was dragged even unto the Post Office, where he was subsequently mailed to Zimbabwe.
8. Now when the general public saw this they were pricked in their hearts and said, Men and brethren what shall we do?
9. Then the Returned Missionary said. Repent, every one of you and write ten letters unto each Missionary that he may forgive thee of thy thoughtlessness.
10. So now we leave you. Be of good cheer, and remember this last vision.
11. For I saw the dead, small and great stand before the judgment bar, and another book was opened which was the book of letters; and the dead were judged by the letters (or lack thereof) that they had written to the Missionaries.
12. So now we ask, What manner of men ought ye to be? Ye ought to be LETTER WRITERS !!!!!
by Diane
All About Mormons
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Subject: Calling for Donald Rumsfeld to Resign or be fired
Time: 1:07:38 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Quiet
 
Dear Friend,
The images of abuse in a U.S. run Iraqi prison couldn't be more disturbing. Disturbing too is that Donald Rumsfeld and the Department of Defense knew about this and didn't take immediate action and didn't even inform the leaders in Congress. John Kerry is calling for Donald Rumsfeld to resign because he's lost control of Iraq -- and John Kerry is also asking us to show support for his decision by endorsing his statement here:
http://johnkerry.com/petition/rumsfeld.php
I did -- and you should too
TIMELINE: What was known, and when.
Fall 2003 Bremer repeatedly raises issue of prison conditions with Rumsfeld and the President's inner circle according to LA Times: "Bremer repeatedly raised the issue of prison conditions as early as last fall -- both in one-on-one meetings with Rumsfeld and other administration leaders, and in group meetings with the president's inner circle on national security. Officials described Bremer as 'kicking and screaming' about the need to release thousands of uncharged prisoners and improve conditions for those who remained." (Washington Post, Graham, 5/7/04)
November 5, 2003 Maj. Gen. Donald J. Ryder files report concluding that there were potential human rights, training, and manpower issues -- system wide -- that needed immediate attention. Discussed serious concerns about tension between missions of the military police assigned to guard prisoners and intelligence teams who interrogate them. (New Yorker Magazine, Hersh, 5/5/04
January 2004 Rumsfeld learns of photographs showing prisoner abuse according to the Washington Post: "...Rumsfeld has known of the photographs since January, when they came to the attention of U.S. commanders in Iraq,hehad not seen them, and he was not aware that CBS was about to air them until just hours before they were broadcast last week." (Washington Post, Graham, 5/7/04)
Mid-January, 2004 Bush told about the photo of abuse according to the Washington Post: "Marine Gen. Peter Pace...said Wednesday on CBS's "Early Show" that beginning in mid-January, everyone "up the chain of command . . . was kept apprised orally of the ongoing investigation." Asked if Bush "was well aware of the situation," Pace replied: "Yes."" (Washington Post, Allen, 5/7/04)
Late February 2004 Major General Antonio M. Taguba issues 53-page report concluding that between October and December 2003 there were numerous instances of "sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses" at Abu Ghraib. Report was not meant for public release. (New York, Hersh, 5/5/04 and LA Times, McDonnell, 5/3/04)
March 2004 Six enlisted personnel charged with prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. One is court marshaled. (AP, Burns, 5/3/04)
Mid-April, 2004 Military learns CBS has pictures of prisoner abuse in Iraq. General Abizaid and General Myers ask CBS to post-pone broadcast of the photos. (NY Times, Schmitt, 5/4/04)
April 28, 2004
- Graphic photos of abuse of Iraqi prisoners are shown on CBS 60 Minutes 2. (AP, Crary, 4/28/04)
- Rumsfeld provides classified briefing to Congressional leaders on situation in Iraq, fails to mention that photos of Iraqi abuse victims will be aired that evening on television. (Senate Armed Services Committee Testimony, Levin, 5/7/04)
- May 3, 2004 Spokesman McClellan says that Bush still hasn't seen or been briefed on the Taguba report. (WH Briefing, McClellan, 5/3/04).
May 4, 2004
- Rumsfeld says he disagrees with critics who have said the Pentagon moved too slowly. Defense Department officials have moved correctly and efficiently, he said. "The system works," he said. "The system works." Admitted he had not read the whole Taguba report or seen the photos. (DoD Briefing, Rumsfeld, 5/4/04)
- Military discloses Army has conducted 30 criminal investigations into misconduct by American captors in Iraq andAfghanistan, including 10 cases of suspicious death, 10 cases of abuse, and two deaths of Iraqis already determined to have been criminal homicides. (NY Times, Neilan, 5/5/04)
- General George Casey, Army's Vice-Chief of Staff, refers to a "complete breakdown in discipline." (NY Times, Reuters wire, 5/5/04)
. To contact John Kerry for President, please click here
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Thursday, May 6, 2004
Subject: Who Are Those Young Men In White Shirts?
Time: 10:22:14 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Chillin'
Ever see two young men in their late teens or early twenties walking along the road in white shirts and ties, dark slacks, and carrying a backpack or two? Did you ever wonder who they are? Those young men are paying for the privilege of coming to your town, sharing a message with you, doing public service, and spending two years of their lives working for the benefit of others. These are Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) missionaries.
The phenomenon of the missionary service is unique in any culture in the world. Aside from mandatory military service in some countries, no other volunteer group serves at their own expense with such stamina, dedication, and obedience to leadership as the Mormon missionaries.
Referred to as "Elders" reflecting their position in the church hierarchy, the young men are assigned by church headquarters in Salt Lake City to the mission were they will serve, and the 12 million member church fields some 60,000 missionaries in 120 nations around the world.
The Church is unique in its self funded missions. In most missionary religions, adults serve as missionaries much as a minister serves a church, with a salary, parsonage and expenses paid. The only contribution the church makes to LDS missionaries is transportation costs to and from the mission field, and use of a vehicle if available in their area.
Gordon B. Hinckley, Presidentof the LDS Church says; "We are being recognized for the tremendous virtues of our programs and the vast good which they do. A California newspaper recently commented: "The white shirts, backpacks and bicycles give them away, even before you spot the Book of Mormon. They're stereotyped, for good reason."
Hinckley went on to say "These armies of young men-missionaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-are strictly regimented while serving missions around the globe. For two years, they spend 60 hours a week doing ecclesiastical work, praying, studying, and telling others about the Gospel that drove them to leave families, friends and the comfort of home behind.
Contact with their loved ones is limited to letters and two calls a year. They live frugally, in private homes and apartments with companion missionaries, rising at 6 a.m. to study and pray for guidance in the work they will do until long after the sun sets.
Quoting a newspaper writer he adds "This life, they say, is a sacrifice and the most 'fun' they can imagine" (Priscilla Nordyke Roden, "Answering the Call," San Bernardino County Sun, 26 Aug. 2003, p. B1).
Hinckley concluded on the thought "I recently met with a group of missionaries who were to be released the next day to return home. They were from various nations across the earth, from Mongolia to Madagascar. They were clean and bright and enthusiastic. They bespoke love for the Church, for their mission president, for their companions. What a marvelous thing is this unique and tremendous program of the Church."
Male missionaries typically serve between ages 19-21, young women 21-23. All missionaries spend a few weeks at the Missionary Training Center at Brigham Young University. Their they learn teaching techniques, get into the life style and schedule of mission life, and if assigned to a foreign location have an intensive immersion language school.
While missionaries travel far and near, we have many right here in Southern Oregon. For example, serving in Central Point are Elder Howe and Elder Nielson. Elder Howe from Plano, Texas, is the District Leader, meaning that he supervises several pairs of Elders or Sisters (young women also serve missions) as well as conducting his own missionary service. Elder Nielson was transferred to the Oregon Eugene Mission from Haiti, where he had been originally called to serve after political unrest there necessitated withdrawing missionaries for their safety. Both display a mature exuberance about their callings, and in talking with them a real dedication to their beliefs and the "rightness" of what they are doing.
While costs depend on the local of the mission, in Southern Oregon, the missionaries (or their families) typically pay about $350. per month, which covers their housing, phone, use of an auto (if they are in an auto area-many walk or ride bicycles) and a minimal allowance for food. Local church members provide meals nearly daily for the missionaries, helping ease the budget crunch.
Missionaries live by rather strict rules during the time they are serving. Their day begins at 6:30 in the morning. They have time to get ready, and then an hour is spent studying scriptures with their companion, and another hour is devoted to solitary study. Elders report that studying scriptures is something that they love to do. The missionaries are supposed to leave the house by 9:30, and spend the next twelve hours out doing service or proselyting. They eat whenever they have time. They are supposed to be back in the house by 9:30, and in bed by 10:30.
Mondays and Sundays are a different schedule. Sundays, of course, they attend church, but for the most part it is a regular day of meeting with people. Mondays are preparation days, during which they do laundry, do the shopping for the week, play some sports, write letters, and catch up on sleep.
They are not allowed to leave the mission boundary, unless for an emergency. They are always with their companions, for safety reasons and for the reason that two witnesses are more reliable than just one. Keith Stone, former Ward (congregation) Mission Leader mentioned that Christ sent out his apostles two by two, because it took more than one witness to establish truth.
The only contact they have with friends and family is through phone calls home twice a year, and letters. The idea behind these rules is to keep the missionaries focused on their work. They do not watch television, read magazines or newspapers, or anything like that. They can read the scriptures, a few other related books, and a church magazine. They are supposed to take a Book of Mormon with them everywhere they go.
The missionaries must follow a dress code that is outlined in a guide published by the church. All missionaries wear nametags that say "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" and their title, elder or sister, with their last name.
So, the next time you see the white shirts, ties, and back packs, you will know who they are. Give them a wave, or a toot of the horn, and if you get a chance to talk you will meet some admirable young men or women who really understand the meaning of giving of themselves to serve others.
By Raymond Smith
www.SouthernOregonNews.com
Written by desertwolflv
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Subject: Boycott Disney!
Time: 10:05:11 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Angry
To: Disney CEO Michael Eisner
We are outraged that you would block the distribution of Michael Moore's film Fahrenheit 911 because it criticizes George W. Bush and could lead to his defeat (again) in November.
We understand your right-wing Republican bias: your local AM talk radio stations broadcast Republican propaganda all day long.
We also understand your corrupt motive: you are afraid Gov. Jeb Bush will cancel the lucrative tax breaks Disney gets in Florida.
You are censoring one of the most important filmmakers in America. This is unacceptable in a democracy.
As consumers, we are not powerless. We will protest with our wallets - by boycotting these Disney products until you agree to distribute Fahrenheit 911:
-
Disney films
-
Disney theme parks
-
Disney toys
-
Disney TV networks
Click here to sign the petition!
Written by desertwolflv
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Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Subject: Computer Expert Criticizes Electronic Voting Security
Time: 6:03:11 PM PDT
Author: desertwolflv
Mood: Worried
A state election official on Wednesday cautioned against a last-minute rush to back up electronic voting with paper receipts, telling a federal commission that a change before the November election would create unnecessary confusion for voters and poll workers.
However, another expert testifying before the U.S. Election Assistance Commission warned that such voting devices are vulnerable and flawed and called an additional paper system the only short-term solution for avoiding another disputed presidential election.
Since switching to electronic voting in 2002, voters in Georgia have overwhelmingly supported the system with few complaints, said Kathy Rogers, director of election administration in Georgia's secretary of state office.
''We would be negligent in our duty if we foisted an untested and untried experiment upon the voters,'' Rogers told the commission
If 1 percent of Georgia precincts had problems because of demands of new, complicated equipment under a backup paper system, Rogers said, that would comprise ''a situation that no doubt would be portrayed by the media and perceived by the public as a catastrophic failure.''
Republican chairman DeForest B. Soaries Jr. responded later that he didn't expect the commission to issue requirements on electronic voting, saying the panel intended to issue ''best practice'' guidelines for state and local officials.
''We will not decide on what machines people will buy,'' Soaries said at the commission's first public hearing.
Aviel D. Rubin, a computer science professor at Johns Hopkins University, said electronic voting systems are terrible and advocated an additional paper system. ''Not only have the vendors not implemented security safeguards that are possible, they have not even correctly implemented the ones that are easy,'' Rubin said
Many states are considering legislation to require a paper record of every vote cast because of technology some experts consider potentially faulty or vulnerable to attack. Others contend electronic voting offers advantages over paper balloting, including increasing access to the blind and people who do not speak English, and warn that backing up electronic systems with paper ballots could be costly.
About 50 million Americans this fall are expected to use the ATM-like voting machines, which states rushed to get to replace paper ballots after Florida's hanging-chad fiasco in 2000.
Phil Singer, a spokesman for the presidential campaign of Democrat John Kerry, said Wednesday, ''After what happened in Florida in 2000, making sure that there is a reliable paper trail in place to account for every vote is just common sense.''
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told reporters no printers for making receipts have been manufactured for the electronic voting machines in his state, but he suggested he is not concerned about using the machines in November.
''I'm afraid a lot of the concerns about this are really to try to create a cloud of controversy during the election to motivate people to vote and there's got to be a better way to do that,'' Bush said. ''You can talk about issues and ideas, maybe, instead of scaring people.''
To help prevent mishaps, the four-member bipartisan panel is expected to issue recommendations to state and local officials, such as urging poll workers to keep a stack of paper ballots available in case electronic machines fail to operate.
During the March 2 presidential primary, machines that determine which ballots voters receive malfunctioned in about a third of precincts in California's San Diego County, and officials there say a lack of paper ballots may have disenfranchised some voters.
Congress created the commission under the 2002 Help America Vote Act, which began distributing $3.9 billion to states to upgrade voting systems after the disputed 2000 election. The panel is charged with ensuring the voting process is sound, although it lacks the power to enforce any standards it sets.
The commission has said it is woefully underfunded, with only $1.2 million of its $10 million budget appropriated, prompting the commission to caution it might not have the resources to immediately forestall widespread voting problems.
Soaries, a former New Jersey secretary of state named to the commission by President Bush in December, has said the panel will need $2 million more this year and the full $10 million in 2005 to fulfill its mission of restoring public faith in electronic voting.
Written by desertwolflv
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