Shock Doctrine - "Economic Shock Treatment"

Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist, syndicated columnist and author of the New York Times and international bestseller, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.

The basic concept is that an individual, or society, after receiving a "shock" to the system is more open to suggestion and far more likely to comply than just before receiving the shock.

Such shocks, or disasters, come in the form of 9/11, Katrina and the tsunami in India. A terrorist attack or a natural disaster, puts us all into a state of shock, making us all susceptible to suggestion and direction. The idea is to prevent the individual, or society, from relaxing and recovering from the shock.

Milton Freedman, the most famous economist during the Reagan era, understood this concept and implemented it since he and his disciples were unable to implement his profit agenda democratically.




At the most chaotic juncture in Iraq's civil war, a new law is unveiled that would allow Shell and BP to claim the country's vast oil reserves. Immediately following September 11, the Bush Administration quietly out-sources the running of the "War on Terror" to Halliburton and Blackwater. After a powerful tsunami devastates the coasts of Southeast Asia, the pristine beaches are auctioned off to tourist resorts. New Orleans's residents, still scattered from Hurricane Katrina, discover that their public housing, hospitals and schools will never be reopened.

The concept of "Beware the Military Industrial Complex" is no longer applicable. The new concept that has surpassed Ike's message is the "Disaster Capitalism Complex." This platform works. It works towards the profiting of global corporations at the expense of the masses.

Pick up the book and read it.

Naomi Klein speaks on the Shock Doctrine – Part I


Shock Doctrine – Part 2


Shock Doctrine – Part 3



Shock Doctrine – Part 4


Shock Doctrine – Part 5


Shock Doctrine – Part 6

Is Ron Paul crazy?

Is he crazy?

"I'd like to get rid of the IRS, I'd like to get rid of the Income Tax... abolish it."

Many republicans hate "big government"... (really they just hate government and regulation and accountability of any sort) but how often to we get to really see what would happen if we took good ol' Uncle Sam away?

Taxation, for the sake of taxation, is not good. Nor is spending for the sake of spending. What is considered prudent is a justifiable taxation to cover the appropriate spending in the country that will lead to maximized well-being of the economy. Jobs need to be created and inflation needs to be kept to a minimum.

Do people like Ron Paul have the answer? Here he is on Meet The Press with Tim Russert.

• Tim Russert: "What would happen to all those lost revenues? How would we fund our government?"
• Ron Paul: "We have to cut spending. We can't get rid of the Income Tax if we don't get rid of some spending. ... if we got rid of the Income Tax today, we'd have about as much revenue as had ton years ago, and the size of government wasn't all that bad ten years ago. And there's sources of revenue other than the income tax. You have tariff, excise taxes, highway fees, user fees, there's still a lot of money [coming in] but the real problem is spending. But, we lived a long time in this country without an income tax, up until 1913 we didn't have it."
• Russert: "But if you eliminate the Income Tax, do you know how much lost revenue that would be?"
• Ron Paul: "... um, a lot.. but uhh..."
• Russert: "Over a trillion dollars."
• Ron Paul: "... um, uh, that's good, I mean, but, we could save hundreds of millions of dollars if we had a sensible foreign policy. If you're going to be the Policeman of the World, you need that. "

Ron Paul has some good points, but he, along with many other Conservatives, seem to forget that Government has some responsibilities towards the people of the United States.

Let us ask, “What are the responsibilities of government?”

We can answer this question by first looking at the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution to determine the obligations of government.

The Declaration of Independence in 1776 provided the following foundation for the right of government to exist:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed....

The Declaration of Independence goes on to say that the new government would lay its foundation:

…on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

From this document it is clear that the Founding Fathers of our country saw government as an essential vehicle for citizens to

• achieve justice,
• obtain security,
• and to pursue happiness.

After winning the War of Independence our Founding Fathers gathered again in 1787 to write the Constitution for our new government. Their philosophy and role of this new government is stated in the first paragraph, i.e. the preamble, of the Constitution of the United States :

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The specific responsibilities of the government of the United States are important enough, and misunderstood enough, to warrant repeating:

• Form a more perfect union.
• Establish justice.
• Insure domestic tranquility.
• Provide for the common defense.
• Promote the general welfare.
• Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

In determining if government is functioning in a responsible manner, we need merely compare current actions with those ideals and standards stated in these two historic documents.

An excerpt from the body of the Constitution might also be of assistance in determining whether government is acting is a responsible manner in specific situations.

Article I Section 8 states:

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes…to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States … (and)
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States…

From both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution it is clear that the federal government has an obligation to do what it can to promote the general welfare of citizens, and to assure that future generations will inherit a nation that provides justice, liberty, and the protection of the general welfare. It is clear that Congress can levy taxes and regulate interstate commerce in order to fulfill these obligations.

Is government, our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution something that can be dismissed so flippantly that we are to consider putting an extremist into the White House?

Oregon Soldiers That Died In Iraq ... So Far

Total Dead US Soldiers: 3195

Total Oregon Soldiers Killed: 64

Some say the Surge is working. What they leave out is that it is only working in comparison to the recent months. Why don’t you decide? See for yourself. Notice where the last 2 months are with respect to the immediate preceding months, some would say that’s successful. Then compare the last two months to the last couple years. Is this success? Is this what we, as the mighty American military, (yes I served… as an Airborne Ranger) seek to accomplish? Is this the best we got?

As our troopies die, our politicians lie. While the right lies, the left waffles and fumbles. History, obviously, shows that we need to loose another 1,000 soldiers before the public stops turning a numb ear and eye to what is happening. 1,000 more soldiers have to die in order for the heat to be turned up before our politicians start acting in accordance with civility and honesty. 1,000 more will have to die before we really ever pull out.

Close to 60,000 U.S. soldiers died in Vietnam before we pulled out. As long as the public continues to stay ignorant we will continue to be on the receiving end of Blowback.

The right will never admit that the U.S. had anything to do with 9/11. They will never mention that we propped up the Mujadeen during the Soviet-Afghan war, that we supplied bin Laden with arms. That we were the one's who left Afghanistan in complete shambles after the Soviets pulled out in 1991.

The right will never mention that the U.S.'s "washing our hands" as we left pissed off bin Laden and the Freedom Fighters, otherwise known as "insurgents" who were fighting a hostile invading army. The right will never tell you what bin Laden's explanation was for 9/11. No, to do so points the finger back at us. There is no excuse for what happened, but if you are ignorant to history and our "enemy's" perception, then we are truly an empirical hubris society based on ethnocentrism.

Read your history people. Why did 9/11 happen? Do you really believe what the neo-conservatives tell you? That the fanatical Muslims hate us because we’re “Christians,” that they hate our “freedom.”

Enough of the Kool-Aide. Enough of the killing. Enough of the conservatives and their deficit spending for foreign policies that result in more Americans dying.

Oregon Total Killed In Action 64. Listed by city.

Astoria
Browning, Brian A.
Private 1st Class
06-Feb-2007

Beaverton
Nettles, Marcques J.
Petty Officer 3rd Class
02-Apr-2006

Bend
Newman, Randy Lee
Lance Corporal
20-Aug-2006

Brownsville
Moothart, Travis A.
Sergeant
27-Jan-2004

Clackamas
Jensen, Drew N.
Captain
07-Sep-2007

Coos Bay
Stacy, Steven A.
Lance Corporal
05-Jul-2007

Corvallis
Fennerty, Sean P.
Sergeant
20-Jan-2007

Corvallis
Blickenstaff, Joseph M.
Specialist
08-Dec-2003

Corvallis
McKinley, Eric S.
Specialist
13-Jun-2004

Corvallis
McMahon, Graham M.
Corporal
19-Sep-2007

Elgin
Zyla, Michael S.
Staff Sergeant
13-Dec-2005

Estacada
Loveless, Jeremy M.
Corporal
29-May-2006

Eugene
Thornton, Steven W.
Major
18-Apr-2005

Eugene
Whitman, Chase R.
Specialist
08-May-2004

Grants Pass
Schill, Juan M. Garcia
Lance Corporal
01-Jul-2007

Gresham
Rogers, Philip G.
Specialist
04-Apr-2004

Gresham
Plumondore, Adam J.
Sergeant
16-Feb-2005

Hammond
Mitts, David A.
Sergeant
04-Dec-2004

Hillsboro
Walton, Brett Andre
Private 1st Class
09-Apr-2007

Hood River/Ashland
Simpson, Jacob M.
Sergeant
16-May-2005

Hood River/Ashland
Lee, Marc A.
Petty Officer 2nd Class
02-Aug-2006

Independence
Kesterson, Erik C.
Chief Warrant Officer
15-Nov-2003

Independence
Wiens, Kory D.
Corporal
06-Jul-2007

Keizer
Hill, Ryan J.
Private 1st Class
20-Jan-2007

Klamath Falls
Van Leuven, Gary F.
Lance Corporal
17-Apr-2004

Klamath Falls
Kelly, Bryan P.
Lance Corporal
16-Jul-2004

Klamath Falls
Rodriguez, Dominic N.
Specialist
22-Jun-2007

La Grande
Warren, Mark C.
Sergeant 1st Class
31-Jan-2005

Lebanon
Davis, Kevin Dewayne
Staff Sergeant
08-Apr-2005

Madras
Tucker, Thomas Lowell
Private 1st Class
16-Jun-2006

Medford
Leckel, Daniel A.
Specialist
25-Jul-2007

Milwaukee
Jones, Robert L.
Specialist
17-Jun-2006

Multnomah County
Bradachnall, Travis J.
Corporal
02-Jul-2003

Newport
Wessel, Kevin S. K.
Private 1st Class
19-Apr-2005

Newport
Roberts, Bob W.
Lance Corporal
17-May-2004

Newport
Lightner, Nicholas J.
Sergeant
21-Mar-2007

North Bend
Elizalde, Adrian M.
Sergeant 1st Class
23-Aug-2007

Otis
Vaughan, Michael L.
Sergeant
23-Apr-2007

Pendleton
Stever, Robert Anthony
Staff Sergeant
08-Apr-2003

Portland
McCrae, Erik S.
1st Lieutenant
04-Jun-2004

Portland
Linden, Justin W.
Specialist
04-Jun-2004

Portland
Ramirez, William C.
Private 1st Class
11-Feb-2004

Portland
Wesley, Christopher Jude Rivera
Specialist
08-Dec-2003

Portland
Johnson, David W.
Sergeant
25-Sep-2004

Portland
Kent, Aaron A.
Seaman
23-Apr-2005

Portland
Tobler, Brandon Scott
Specialist
22-Mar-2003

Portland
Weisenburg, David J.
Staff Sergeant
13-Sep-2004

Portland
Henkes II, Richard J.
Sergeant 1st Class
03-Sep-2006

Portland
Haag, Chase A.
Corporal
01-Oct-2006

Redmond
Peterson, Dale G.
Lance Corporal
23-Apr-2007

Roseburg
Moore, James Lee
Corporal
26-Jan-2005

Roseburg
Bright, Dean
Private 1st Class
04-Oct-2006

Salem
Eyerly, Justin L.
Sergeant
04-Jun-2004

Salem
Jones, Derek W.
Lance Corporal
08-Oct-2006

Scappoose
Windsor, Nathanial Dain
Lance Corporal
11-Mar-2007

Sheridan
Isenberg, Benjamin W.
Sergeant
13-Sep-2004

Sherwood
Contreras, Aaron Joseph
Captain
30-Mar-2003

Stayton
Walker, Ryan D.
Specialist
05-Jan-2006

Tangent
Troyer, Tyler J.
Lance Corporal
19-Nov-2005

Tualatin
Gibson, Brennan C.
Sergeant
10-Dec-2006

Umatilla
Huston Jr., James B.
Lance Corporal
02-Jul-2004

Veneta
Kenny, Joseph P.
Specialist
23-Jun-2007

Warrenton/Cornelius
Leisten, Ken W.
Private 1st Class
28-Jul-2004

Winston
Rockholt Jr., Ricky W.
Specialist
28-Apr-2005

Charlie Wilson's War

A movie is coming out Friday called Charlie Wilson's War. Charlie's a Congressman who helps in the U.S. funding of the Afghan Mujahideen Freedom Fighters who are fighting the invading Soviets. Think of Mr. Smith goes to Ho Chi Minh to help fight Imperialist Americans, but with mustaches and Vodka.

Slate's review on the movie Staring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

You can read up on Charlie here.

For those of you who don't know about the U.S.'s connection and propping up of bin Laden, it might help for you to read some history.

• 1979 – US supplies Stinger missiles and tons of ammunition to fight the Russians, 6 months before the Russians invade.


• 1979 - USSR goes to war with Afghanistan after US manages to get the damn thing rolling. Those in Afghanistan are known as Islamic fundamentalist Mujahideen insurgents. (note key word… “insurgents”)


• 1989 February – Russians withdrawl.


• 1991 – The Soviet Afghan war leads to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Over 1 million Afghans were killed. Among the Afghans killed there were also 3 million Afghans maimed or wounded who were mostly citizens. There were also 1.2 million Afghans disabled consisting of Mujahideen as well as citizens.

Irrigation systems, crucial to an arid country like Afghanistan had been destroyed by aerial bombing and strafing. In the worst year of the war, 1985, according to a survey conducted by Swedish relief experts, well over half of all the farmers who remained in Afghanistan had their fields bombed, and over a 1/4 had their irrigation systems destroyed and their livestock shot by Soviet or Afghan Communist troops.

The population of Afghanistan's second largest city, Kandahar, had been reduced from 200,000 before the war to no more than 25,000 inhabitants, following a months-long campaign carpet bombing and bulldozing by the Soviets in 1987.

Land mines had killed 25,000 Afghans during the war and another 10-15 million land mines, most planted by Soviets and the Afghan government sources, were left scattered throughout the countryside to kill and maim.

The US decided not to help with reconstruction of the country and instead the US handed over the interests of the country to its allies: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Pakistan quickly took advantage of their new charitable opportunity and forged relations with warlords and later the Taliban to secure trade interests and routes.

A more little history of the war

Bush signs bill to increase fuel efficiency

He thanks congressional Democrats for higher vehicle mileage standards, other measures. Future agreement on further energy-saving policies will be elusive.

President Bush on Wednesday signed an energy bill designed to cut U.S. dependence on overseas oil by imposing the biggest increase in fuel-efficiency standards in 32 years and mandating a fivefold increase in the use of home-grown biofuels.

"Today we make a major step toward reducing our dependence on oil, confronting global climate change, expanding the production of renewable fuels and giving future generations of our country a nation that is stronger, cleaner and more secure," Bush said in a ceremony at the Department of Energy.

People want fuel efficient vehicles that are good for the environment, good for the world and cheaper on our pocketbook.

This emphasis on biofuels and ethanol has raised the price of corn from $2.40/bushel to $4.00/bushel, helping out corn farmers. The ethanol industry helps out with the bottom line for farmers, allowing them to continue making a living.

But as we have all discussed, biofuels that are based on corn, a food source for biped mammals, is not an efficient fuel source. It puts us in a position to choose fuel over food. Not a good idea. Much better to have a fuel source that does not compete with the production of baby food. Corn is simply not the most efficient way to make ethanol. Switchgrass has consistently been referred to as a more efficient and viable source of biofuel.

On the surface, this is a move in the right direction. It's not often that we can see our government doing the right thing.

Unfortunately this will contribute to a lull or stall in the dependence of wind energy. A more productive energy bill would be all encompassing, including wind, solar and cow farts.

You can read about Bush's fuel efficiency bill here

ANd read what AlJazeera has to say about Bush

Bill Moyers Journal and Keith Olbermann

The Bill Moyers Journal.

Is Keith Olbermann doing the same Ad Hominem attacks that the right does? You betchya, he fesses up and explains why.

"I'm only going to report the Dodger scores when they win." Here is an awesome interview between Bill and Keith Olbermann. Left Right or Middle, you gotta see what he has to say.

Can you say "Scandal Fatigue?"

Part I


Part II

Sicko... a must see

As Fox News said... "Filmmaker Michael Moore's brilliant and uplifting new documentary, "Sicko," deals with the failings of the U.S. healthcare system, "

#1 - Michael Moore has put on a tremendous amount of weight. He has a perpetual frown on his face, as if Bill O'Reilly is in the room... permanently and just doesn't represent the U.S. all that well. Well, now that I think about it, since over 30% of our country is a bunch of fatties, I guess he does represent us.

#2 If you haven't seen this video yet, I highly suggest renting it. Although my experience, at Kaiser, has been nothing short of excellent, Moore shines a light on the many problems that are inherent in our health care industry. Primarily insurance companies who must decide between profit and helping people. They are the proverbial middleman that should be put to rest.

Not only is it about those without any health insurance, it's also about those with insurance who find out that they are ultimately not covered. The insurance companies are running a racket and they are more focused on maximizing profits for their shareholders, "the only way they can do that is by screwing their [memebers]."

Sicko presents, a simple “compare-and-contrast” exercise where he shows “our way, the American way”, and “another way,” i.e. Canada, France, Britain and even Cuba. The difference is that, in those countries, where much of the second half of “Sicko” takes place, the state provides free medical care.

Unfortunately, neo-conservatives of all walks of life blather on about buzz words such as "Socialized Medicine" almost as much as they do about Clinton's penis.

"Squaaak. Clinton's Penis, Clinton's Penis. Squaaak."

Moore draws a beautiful picture of the direct connection between politicians, yes he drags in the democrats too, and big money from insurance. The self serving acts of our politicians is so systemic it's enough to make one want to move to Canada, or even Cuba... I hear it's warmer there. Viva Che!

As Moore points out, our government seems to run the police, fire department, postal service and schools rather well, why not Universal Healthcare? Canada, England, France and even Cuba for Christ's sake all have Universal FREE Health Care, why not the U.S.? But for some reason, neo-conservatives continue to be in bed with big insurance companies because of their love (greed) of big money.

There is yet a candidate or politician that has the balls and conviction to stand up for the common man, to put an end to exploitive practices from organizations that choose profit over doing the right thing such as actually helping people.

The one thing that anti-government neo-conservatives fail to realize is a little tiny thing learned in econ 101 called Market Failure. It just so happens that nobody really likes to talk about the government's role in market failure, which is to actually step in for the betterment of everyone's welfare. The free market does not work for the betterment of society when our health care is based on the choice of profit over health.

As Rolling Stone put it: “First, Moore shows us how France, England, Canada and – yikes! – Cuba actually help sick people instead of letting them wither and die for lack of health insurance. Then he instructs us to loot those places for ideas. Anti-American? Hell, no. Moore argues that if another country builds a better car, we buy it. If it crafts a better wine, we drink it. Why not free universal health care?”

See 'SiCKO' for Free:
December 29th at 2:00 PM in Bonham, Texas

January 5th, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

Sicko Movie Trailer

NO HOSPITAL BILLS. IT'S FREE


Moore on Bill Mahar!

Mike Huckabee Denies Evolution on Bill Maher

"Bill... I believe God created the heavens and the Earth. Now, how he did it, I don't know. I thought the question was utterly silly to be asked in a presidential debate. None of us are running in order to be an 8th grade science teacher. We're running to be president. It's really not a proper yes or no question. ..."

Bill is just AWESOME.



Huckabee, an ordaned minister, running for president, doesn't believe in evolution.


Republicans and evolution.

Right Wing Agenda O'Reilly and Fox

O'Reilly does a beautiful job of restraining any attempt of his viewers to take advantage of history and it's lessons.



But Phil is no Jeremy Glick.

Ron Paul and O'Reilly Factor Duke It Out

"... our policy is doing everything conceivable to enhance Iran. The invasion of Iraq has helped Iran. … you’re concerned about the wrong country right now because more than half of the Al Qaeda that are committing suicide in Iraq right now are Saudis. …

“.. the Al Qaeda is growing because of our national policy. Our national security is threatened because of our [foreign] policy. … We’ve been fighting the Iranians since 1953, we overthrew their government through the CIA in 1953, we were allies with Saddam Hussien in the 1980s and we encouraged him to invade Iran…”

“ . They [Iran] don’t have a weapon, they’re not likely to get one in 10 years and that’s according to our CIA… It’s our policy of pre-emptive, deliberate invasions of other countries that has jeopardized our country.”

Does Ron Paul Have A Point?

. "The [Republican] party has lost it's way because the conservative wing of the Republican party always advocated a noninterventionist foreign policy. No Nation Building, No Policing of the world. Republicans were elected to end the Korean War, Republicans were elected to end the Vietnam War [Nixon]. There's a strong tradition of being anti war in the Republican party, it's the Constitutional position, it is the advice of the founders to follow a noninterventionist foreign policy, stay out of entangling alliances, be friends with countries, negotiate and talk with them and trade with them."

"... our foreign policy has what the CIA calls Blowback, it has unintended consequences. You can go back to 1953 when we put the Shah into power, supporting Osama bin Laden and radicalizing the Islamics to go after the Soviets, and that comes back as blowback….”
“… Peace is a powerful message. Especially after the war has been going on and people wake up and realize how many people die and how much it costs. Logic tells us that you can make a better world in a much easier way than war.”

Ron Paul

Bill Maher on Jesus Camp

A wonderful discussion on Christianity in Bill Maher's camp.



Remember Reverend Haggard, buying meth from gay prostitute?


Ouch! Another Reverend lies and snorts and lies some more... right after having gay sex with a prostitute... not that there's anything wrong with it.

Mormons are even weird by other religious standards

Yes, the American Indians ARE the lost tribe of Israel. ... if you believe in DNA testing.

American Indians are Jews

What? You don't think so? Well it says it right there in THE BOOK OF MORMON.


And be sure to check out what these guys are up to ExposingMormonism.blogspot.com/

The Mormon Cartoon... Yes, You Too Can Be A God

For a brief run down on Mormonism and magic rocks click here. With an open mind, I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusion that most non Mormons have come to.



Remember what was buried in Joseph Smith's back yard? Let's see, it was a sword, a compass-like, a breastplate and two stones that Joseph Smith referred to as the Urim and Thummim. These were buried in a hill near his home. Now, posession of the Urim and Thummim, or... magic stones/glasses were to help Smith (or anyone) translate THE BOOK OF MORMON, which was written in Reformed Egyption, into English.


Who is David Whitmer? He's the one who said that Smith would, "Put the Seer Stone into a hat.. " in order to read THE BOOK OF MORMON. It's a chocolate colored egg shaped stone and suddenly... magic happens.

Don't you just love religion?

House passes ban on waterboarding - Congressman Jerrold Nadler speaks

In a nutshell... no more waterboarding. Looks like neoconservatives will have to find a new hobby.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler who represents New York’s Eighth Congressional district speaks on Waterboarding.

“This bill extends the interrogations standards in the U.S. Army field manual to all interrogations conducted in the custody or effective control of any element in the intelligence community.”



From the Congressman's own blog -- “On Wednesday, the House adopted H.R. 4156, the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act. By passing this bill, we declared that the time has come for our troops to redeploy out of Iraq, and, just as important, we affirmed America's values and our respect for the rule of law. This measure includes language drawn from legislation authored by myself and Rep. Delahunt that would ensure a single, uniform, baseline standard for all interrogations conducted on persons in the custody or effective control of the U.S. Government.

Our bill, H.R. 4114, the American Anti-Torture Act of 2007, would extend the first part of the McCain Amendment, which requires the Department of Defense to comply with the interrogation standards set forth in the Army Field Manual, to all government agencies. This would include the CIA -- the agency reportedly responsible for carrying out the Administration's "enhanced" or "alternate" interrogation program and for operating secret overseas prisons. Simply put, this language says once and for all no more torture and no more waterboarding. No more clever wordplay, no more evasive answers, and no more uncertainty with regard to what is allowed and what is not.

We do not need torture as an available instrument of interrogation. At a recent hearing in my Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, expert interrogator Steve Kleinman, Col., US Air Force Reserve, testified that torture yields unreliable information and that the Army Field Manual provides sufficient guidance for effective interrogation. Other military experts, including General David Petraeus, similarly have spoken out against torture and in favor of the Army Field Manual's standards of conduct.

Torture, including practices like waterboarding, violates the legal and moral standards of all civilized nations. While the notion that torture works has been glorified in television shows and movies, the simple truth is this: torture has never been an effective interrogation method. The language we adopted last night helps restore the honor of the United States, and forces the Administration to act in a manner consistent with the Constitution. Torture fails to make us safe, but it certainly makes us less free.”

Congressman Nadler is the Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Mike Huckabee: Women's Role In Marriage... Submit To Their Husbands

On Dec. 10th, the Daily Kos reported: "In August of 1998, Huckabee was one of 131 signatories to a full page USA Today Ad which declared: "I affirm the statement on the family issued by the 1998 Southern Baptist Convention." What was in the family statement from the SBC? "A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ." "

Another Republican for justice. Another Republican religious wingnut for a staunch patriarchy.

Republican Huckabee Called for Quarantining Aids patients

"Isolating the carrier?" Does Huckabee dance around what he said or is everyone just trying to pin him against the wall?

Back in 1985 the center for disease control said that AIDs could not get aids by casual contact, yet he wanted to “barbwire” the dirty aids people and he even opposed federal funding to find a cure for aids. He also said gays were a sinful lifestyle.

Imagine that. I never thought a republican Baptist would ever say such a thing.

What ever happened to the ideals of Reagan?

Brave, Moral and Just Presidential candidates understand what it's like to nuke civilians.

Mr. 9/11 man

Thank God for Tom Tomorrow!