Saturday, October 06, 2007
My Grandmother On Hermaphrodites
"I don't won't half of nothing! If I can't get the whole thing, just leave it off."
Friday, October 05, 2007
Anti-Patriarchy Work
While I speak of castration and think that some people should be castrated, I think that it should be stressed as well that the penis , as bell hooks stated, is not an enemy. It is a symbol and a tool of power for some, but it is our job, as progressives to deconstruct this mythology--while at the same time cutting the pricks of of pricks(both literally and figuratively) and to re-introduce the male sexual organ as a nonthreatening entity and as something beautiful and pleasurable.
CodePink Refused Entry Into Canada
Women Barred: Canada Refuses Entry to CODEPINK Cofounder Medea Benjamin and Retired Colonel Ann Wright
Code Pink, October 3rd, 2007
Two well-respected US peace activists, CODEPINK and Global Exchange cofounder Medea Benjamin and retired Colonel and diplomat Ann Wright, were denied entry into Canada today (Wednesday, October 3). The two women were headed to Toronto to discuss peace and security issues at the invitation of the Toronto Stop the War Coalition. At the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Bridge they were detained, questioned and denied entry. They will hold a press conference on Thursday afternoon in front of the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC to ask the Canadian government to reverse its policy of barring peaceful protesters.
The women were questioned at Canadian customs about their participation in anti-war efforts and informed that they had an FBI file indicating they had been arrested in acts of non-violent civil disobedience.
WHEN: Thursday, October 4th at 1pm
WHERE: Canadian Embassy, 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC
"In my case, the border guard pulled up a file showing that I had been arrested at the US Mission to the UN where, on International Women's Day, a group of us had tried to deliver a peace petition signed by 152,000 women around the world," says Benjamin. "For this, the Canadians labeled me a criminal and refused to allow me in the country."
"The FBI's placing of peace activists on an international criminal database is blatant political intimidation of US citizens opposed to Bush administration policies," says Colonel Wright, who was also Deputy US Ambassador in four countries. "The Canadian government should certainly not accept this FBI database as the criteria for entering the country."
Both Wright and Benjamin plan to request their files from the FBI through the Freedom of Information Act and demand that arrests for peaceful, non-violent actions be expunged from international records.
"It's outrageous that Canada is turning away peacemakers protesting a war that does not have the support of either US or Canadian citizens," says Benjamin. "In the past, Canada has always welcomed peace activists with open arms. This new policy, obviously a creature of the Bush administration, is shocking and we in the US and Canada must insist that it be overturned.
Four members of the Canadian Parliament--Peggy Nash, Libby Davies, Paul Dewar and Peter Julian-- expressed outrage that the peace activists were barred from Canada and vow to change this policy.
Code Pink, October 3rd, 2007
Two well-respected US peace activists, CODEPINK and Global Exchange cofounder Medea Benjamin and retired Colonel and diplomat Ann Wright, were denied entry into Canada today (Wednesday, October 3). The two women were headed to Toronto to discuss peace and security issues at the invitation of the Toronto Stop the War Coalition. At the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Bridge they were detained, questioned and denied entry. They will hold a press conference on Thursday afternoon in front of the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC to ask the Canadian government to reverse its policy of barring peaceful protesters.
The women were questioned at Canadian customs about their participation in anti-war efforts and informed that they had an FBI file indicating they had been arrested in acts of non-violent civil disobedience.
WHEN: Thursday, October 4th at 1pm
WHERE: Canadian Embassy, 501 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC
"In my case, the border guard pulled up a file showing that I had been arrested at the US Mission to the UN where, on International Women's Day, a group of us had tried to deliver a peace petition signed by 152,000 women around the world," says Benjamin. "For this, the Canadians labeled me a criminal and refused to allow me in the country."
"The FBI's placing of peace activists on an international criminal database is blatant political intimidation of US citizens opposed to Bush administration policies," says Colonel Wright, who was also Deputy US Ambassador in four countries. "The Canadian government should certainly not accept this FBI database as the criteria for entering the country."
Both Wright and Benjamin plan to request their files from the FBI through the Freedom of Information Act and demand that arrests for peaceful, non-violent actions be expunged from international records.
"It's outrageous that Canada is turning away peacemakers protesting a war that does not have the support of either US or Canadian citizens," says Benjamin. "In the past, Canada has always welcomed peace activists with open arms. This new policy, obviously a creature of the Bush administration, is shocking and we in the US and Canada must insist that it be overturned.
Four members of the Canadian Parliament--Peggy Nash, Libby Davies, Paul Dewar and Peter Julian-- expressed outrage that the peace activists were barred from Canada and vow to change this policy.
Troy Anthony Davis Day at American University
I heard on Democracy Now that American University Law School has declared October 4th, 2007 Troy Anthony Davis Day. He has been granted a hearing for a new trial by the Georgia Supreme Court. Everyone should be watching his case.
Amnesty International Calls for End to Lethal Injections, Calls The Practice Unethical
Amnesty International has called for a boycott of lethal injections, calling on medical professionals to refuse to participate in lethal injection cases. Call your state representatives and state officials and tell them to end the death penalty in your state. Call the American Medical Association and pressure them to end their participation.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
I would like to start or get involved with a letter writing campaign, writing letters to soldiers-totally stemming from a progressive political point of view. Letters that will comfort,console, and give them something progresive to keep with them. I would love to know if there are others doing this or interested in doing this.
Radical Wiki
SDS has a great wiki site. We need a more complete wiki site dedicated to the radical left.
white house Ok's Torture
I'm sure if someone twisted George Bush's penis off-no Cheney's penis off- they wouldnt be trying to carry out methods of torture.
Interesting Things Happening in Korea
There looks to be a new peace coming into existence between North and South Korea. Perhaps they are planning to get the Americans out of there. I hope their new friendliness is fruitful. We need a new Bandung Conference.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Tyler Perry and Why Did I Get Married On Oprah
I think Tyler Perry is so gay. Also, to comment on something he said on Oprah today, money and fame and sucess are not the dream. Community, integrity, and dignity are the dreams that Dr. King worked for and what the struggle is about. bell hooks warned that we, Black people as well as others living in america, are confusing capitalism and wealth with equality--a confusion which is all too intended by the white male power structure who kidnapped Dr. King's dream and turned into a tool for capitalism.
Eric PrinceFrom Portside
> Leading Americans Ask U.S. Military to Refuse Orders to
> Attack Iran
>
> DontAttackIran.org
>
> Contact: Marcy Winograd 310-795-2322, Tim Carpenter
> 413-320-2015, David Swanson 202-329-7847
> david@davidswanson.org
>
> For immediate release: October 2, 2007
>
> Country music legend Willie Nelson, literary icon Gore
> Vidal, Gold Star Mother Cindy Sheehan, Pentagon Papers
> whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, retired U.S. Army
> Colonel Ann Wright, former Congresswoman Cynthia
> McKinney, former federal prosecutor Elizabeth de la
> Vega, author and radio host Thom Hartmann, Rabbi
> Michael Lerner, Rabbi Steven Jacobs, and dozens of
> other prominent Americans have signed a letter asking
> the Joint Chiefs of Staff and all U.S. military
> personnel to refuse orders to launch an aggressive war
> on Iran.
>
> The letter has been posted as a petition for others to
> sign at http://www.dontattackiran.org
>
> The text of the letter follows:
>
> ATTENTION: Joint Chiefs of Staff and all U.S. Military
> Personnel:
>
> Do not attack Iran. Any preemptive U.S. attack on Iran
> would be illegal. Any preemptive U.S. attack on Iran
> would be criminal.
>
> We, the citizens of the United States, respectfully
> urge you, courageous men and women of our military, to
> refuse any order to preemptively attack Iran, a nation
> that represents no serious or immediate threat to the
> United States. To attack Iran, a sovereign nation of
> 70-million people, would be a crime of the highest
> magnitude.
>
> Legal basis for our Request - Do not attack Iran:
>
> The Nuremberg Principles, which are part of US law,
> provide that all military personnel have the obligation
> not to obey illegal orders. The Army Field Manual
> 27-10, sec. 609 and UCMJ, art. 92, incorporate this
> principle. Article 92 says: "A general order or
> regulation is lawful unless it is contrary to the
> Constitution, the law of the United States..."
>
> Any provision of an international treaty ratified by
> the United States becomes the law of the United States.
> The United States is a party and signatory to the
> United Nations Charter, of which Article II, Section 4
> states, "All members shall refrain in their
> international relations from the threat or use of force
> against the territorial integrity or political
> independence of any state..." As Iran has not attacked
> the United States, and as the U.S. is a party and
> signatory to the Charter, any attack on Iran by the
> U.S. would be illegal under not only international law
> but under the U.S. Constitution which recognizes our
> treaties as the Supreme Law of the Land. When you
> joined the military, you took an oath to defend our
> Constitution.
>
> Following the orders of your government or superior
> does not relieve you from responsibility under
> international law. Under the Principles of
> International Law recognized in the Charter of the
> Nuremberg Tribunal, complicity in the commission of war
> crime is a crime under international law.
>
> Background:
>
> The Bush Administration's charges against Iran have not
> been proven. Neither the development of nuclear
> weapons, nor providing assistance to Iraq would, if
> proven, constitute justification for an illegal war.
>
> An attack on Iran might prompt the formidable Iranian
> military to attack U.S. troops stationed in Iraq.
> Thousands of our soldiers might be killed or captured
> as prisoners of war. A U.S. attack against Iranian
> nuclear facilities could also mean the deaths, from
> radiation poisoning, of tens of thousands of innocent
> Iranian civilians. The people of Iran have little
> control over their government, yet would suffer
> tremendously should the U.S. attack. Bombing raids
> would amount to collective punishment, a violation of
> the Geneva Convention, and would surely sow the seeds
> of hatred for generations to come. Children make up a
> quarter of Iran's population.
>
> Above all, we ask you to look at the record of our
> actions in Iraq, which U.S. intelligence admits is "a
> cause celebre for jihadists" - a situation that did not
> exist before we attacked. We must face the fact that
> our rash use of military solutions has created more
> enemies, and made American families less safe.
> Diplomacy, not war, is the answer.
>
> Know the Risks Involved in Refusing an Illegal Order or
> Signing This Statement:
>
> We knowingly and willingly make this plea, aware of the
> risk that, in violation of our First Amendment rights,
> we could be charged under remaining sections of the
> unconstitutional Espionage Act or other
> unconstitutional statute, and that we could be fined,
> imprisoned, or barred from government employment.
>
> We make this plea, also aware that you have no easy
> options. If you obey an illegal order to participate in
> an aggressive attack on Iran, you could potentially be
> charged with war crimes. If you heed our call and
> disobey an illegal order you could be falsely charged
> with crimes including treason. You could be falsely
> court martialed. You could be imprisoned. (To talk to a
> lawyer or to learn more about possible consequences,
> contact The Central Committee for Conscientious
> Objectors, Courage to Resist, Center on Conscience and
> War, Military Law Task Force of the National Lawyers
> Guild 415-566-3732, or the GI Rights Hotline at
> 877-447-4487.) **
>
> Final request:
>
> Our leaders often say that military force should be a
> last resort. We beg you to make that policy a reality,
> and refuse illegal orders to attack Iran. We promise to
> support you for protecting the American public and
> innocent civilians abroad.
>
> Our future, the future of our children and their
> children, rests in your hands.
>
> You know the horrors of war. You can stop the next one.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Daniel Ellsberg, Thom Hartmann, Rabbi Michael Lerner,
> Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Cynthia McKinney, Willie Nelson,
> Cindy Sheehan, Norman Solomon, Elizabeth de la Vega,
> Gore Vidal, Ann Wright,
>
> [full initial list follows]
> * James Abourezk, former U.S. Senator, (D) South Dakota
> * Stacy Bannerman, Author, "When the War Came Home",
> Military Families Speak Out Charter Board member
> * John Bonifaz, constitutional attorney and author of
> "Warrior-King: The Case for Impeaching George W. Bush."
> * Amy Branham, Gold Star Mother of Sgt. Jeremy R.
> Smith, US Army Reserves, Nov. 1981 - Feb. 2004
> * Blase Bonpane, Ph.d, Director OFFICE OF THE AMERICAS
> * David Clennon, Actor/activist
> * Tim Carpenter, Executive Director, Progressive
> Democrats of America
> * Daniel Ellsberg, author of "Secrets: A Memoir of
> Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers."
> * David Cobb, 2004 Green Party Presidential Candidate
> * Jeff Cohen, author/media critic
> * Elizabeth de la Vega, former federal prosecutor and
> author of U.S. v. George W. Bush
> * Karen Dolan, Director, Cities for Progress/Cities for
> Peace
> * Anne Feeney, activist/folksinger. Local 1000, AFM
> * Mike Ferner, Navy corpsman; Secretary, Veterans for
> Peace
> * Bob Fertik, President Democrats.com
> * Laura Flanders, Radio Host on Air America
> * Bruce K. Gagnon, Coordinator Global Network Against
> Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
> * Lila Garrett, KPFK Host of "Connect the Dots"
> * Liberty Godshall, writer, Defenders of Wildlife,
> Natural Resources Defense Council
> * Hon. Jackie Goldberg, California Assembly Member (AD
> 45), retired.
> * Kevin Alexander Gray, writer, and organizer with the
> Harriet Tubman Freedom House Project
> * Representative Betty Hall, Hillsborough District 5,
> New Hampshire General Court
> * David L. Harris, MD
> * Tom Hayden
> * Thom Hartmann, author and Air America radio host
> * Valerie Heinonen, o.s.u., Ursulines of Tildonk for
> Justice and Peace
> * Jenny Heinz , member of CodePink, member of Granny
> Peace Brigade
> * Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Los Angeles
> * Michael Jay, Steering Committee, Progressive
> Democrats of Los Angeles
> * Charles Jenks, co-founder and editor of
> traprockpeace.org
> * Justice Through Music
> * Antonia Juhasz, author, The Bush Agenda: Invading the
> World, One Economy at a Time
> * Jerry Kass, playwright and professor at Columbia
> University
> * Dr, Nazir Khaja ,Chairman, Islamic Information
> Service, Los Angeles, CA.
> * Mimi Kennedy, National Chair, Progressive Democrats
> of America
> * Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor, Tikkun and Chair, the
> Network of Spiritual Progressives
> * Summer Lipford, Gold Star Mother,NC 28677
> * David Lindorff, Author, The Case for Impeachment
> * Alice Lynn, Delegate, California Democratic Party
> (41st AD)
> * Ben Manski, Executive Director, Liberty Tree
> * Ray McGovern, Army infantry/intelligence officer,
> 1962-64; CIA analyst 1964-90.
> * Cynthia McKinney, former Congresswoman
> * Barbara Mills-Bria, Be The Change-USA
> * Bill Moyer, Executive Director, Backbone Campaign
> * Annie Nelson, Sustainable Biodiesel/Peace Activist
> * Willie Nelson, Entertainer, Peace Activist
> * Honorable Eric Oemig - Washington State Senator
> * Geov Parrish, Executive Director Peace Action of
> Washington
> * Jacob Park, Founder, A28.
> * Brad Parker, Officer of the Progressive Caucus of the
> California Democratic Party
> * Bill Perry, Director, Delaware Valley Veterans For
> America
> * Gareth Porter, investigative journalist and historian
> * Marcus Raskin, member of National Security Council
> Staff under President Kennedy
> * Dorothy Reik, President, Progressive Democrats of the
> Santa Monica Mountains
> * Coleen Rowley, retired FBI Agent and former Chief
> Division Counsel of Minneapolis Division of the FBI
> * Bill Scheurer, Editor, PeaceMajority Report
> * Randi Scheurer, IL-Dist. 8, Congressional Candidate
> * Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace
> * Alice Slater, Abolition 2000 New York
> * Norman Solomon, Author and syndicated columnist
> * David Swanson, Afterdowningstreet.org
> * John Stauber, Co-author, "Weapons of Mass Deception:
> The Uses of Propaganda in Bush's War on Iraq"
> * Jonathan Tasini, PDA NY
> * Ethel Tobach, Ph. D., member of Psychologists for
> Social Responsibility
> * Tina Richards CEO Grassroots Americaredith, Gold Star
> Mother, Proud Mom of Lt Ken Ballard- KIA 5.30.04
> * Gore Vidal, Author
> * Marcy Winograd, President, Progressive Democrats of
> Los Angeles
> * Ann Wright, US Army Colonel (Retired) and US diplomat
> who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the Iraq
> war.
> * Kevin Zeese on behalf of Voters for Peace and
> Democracy Rising
> * Velvet Revolution
>
> ** These resources are publicly available, and our
> offering them does not indicate that these
> organizations support this petition.
>
> _____________________________________________
>
> Portside aims to provide material of interest
> to people on the left that will help them to
> interpret the world and to change it.
>
> Submit via email: moderator@portside.org
> Submit via the Web: portside.org/submit
> Frequently asked questions: portside.org/faq
> Subscribe: portside.org/subscribe
> Unsubscribe: portside.org/unsubscribe
> Account assistance: portside.org/contact
> Search the archives: portside.org/archive
> Attack Iran
>
> DontAttackIran.org
>
> Contact: Marcy Winograd 310-795-2322, Tim Carpenter
> 413-320-2015, David Swanson 202-329-7847
> david@davidswanson.org
>
> For immediate release: October 2, 2007
>
> Country music legend Willie Nelson, literary icon Gore
> Vidal, Gold Star Mother Cindy Sheehan, Pentagon Papers
> whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, retired U.S. Army
> Colonel Ann Wright, former Congresswoman Cynthia
> McKinney, former federal prosecutor Elizabeth de la
> Vega, author and radio host Thom Hartmann, Rabbi
> Michael Lerner, Rabbi Steven Jacobs, and dozens of
> other prominent Americans have signed a letter asking
> the Joint Chiefs of Staff and all U.S. military
> personnel to refuse orders to launch an aggressive war
> on Iran.
>
> The letter has been posted as a petition for others to
> sign at http://www.dontattackiran.org
>
> The text of the letter follows:
>
> ATTENTION: Joint Chiefs of Staff and all U.S. Military
> Personnel:
>
> Do not attack Iran. Any preemptive U.S. attack on Iran
> would be illegal. Any preemptive U.S. attack on Iran
> would be criminal.
>
> We, the citizens of the United States, respectfully
> urge you, courageous men and women of our military, to
> refuse any order to preemptively attack Iran, a nation
> that represents no serious or immediate threat to the
> United States. To attack Iran, a sovereign nation of
> 70-million people, would be a crime of the highest
> magnitude.
>
> Legal basis for our Request - Do not attack Iran:
>
> The Nuremberg Principles, which are part of US law,
> provide that all military personnel have the obligation
> not to obey illegal orders. The Army Field Manual
> 27-10, sec. 609 and UCMJ, art. 92, incorporate this
> principle. Article 92 says: "A general order or
> regulation is lawful unless it is contrary to the
> Constitution, the law of the United States..."
>
> Any provision of an international treaty ratified by
> the United States becomes the law of the United States.
> The United States is a party and signatory to the
> United Nations Charter, of which Article II, Section 4
> states, "All members shall refrain in their
> international relations from the threat or use of force
> against the territorial integrity or political
> independence of any state..." As Iran has not attacked
> the United States, and as the U.S. is a party and
> signatory to the Charter, any attack on Iran by the
> U.S. would be illegal under not only international law
> but under the U.S. Constitution which recognizes our
> treaties as the Supreme Law of the Land. When you
> joined the military, you took an oath to defend our
> Constitution.
>
> Following the orders of your government or superior
> does not relieve you from responsibility under
> international law. Under the Principles of
> International Law recognized in the Charter of the
> Nuremberg Tribunal, complicity in the commission of war
> crime is a crime under international law.
>
> Background:
>
> The Bush Administration's charges against Iran have not
> been proven. Neither the development of nuclear
> weapons, nor providing assistance to Iraq would, if
> proven, constitute justification for an illegal war.
>
> An attack on Iran might prompt the formidable Iranian
> military to attack U.S. troops stationed in Iraq.
> Thousands of our soldiers might be killed or captured
> as prisoners of war. A U.S. attack against Iranian
> nuclear facilities could also mean the deaths, from
> radiation poisoning, of tens of thousands of innocent
> Iranian civilians. The people of Iran have little
> control over their government, yet would suffer
> tremendously should the U.S. attack. Bombing raids
> would amount to collective punishment, a violation of
> the Geneva Convention, and would surely sow the seeds
> of hatred for generations to come. Children make up a
> quarter of Iran's population.
>
> Above all, we ask you to look at the record of our
> actions in Iraq, which U.S. intelligence admits is "a
> cause celebre for jihadists" - a situation that did not
> exist before we attacked. We must face the fact that
> our rash use of military solutions has created more
> enemies, and made American families less safe.
> Diplomacy, not war, is the answer.
>
> Know the Risks Involved in Refusing an Illegal Order or
> Signing This Statement:
>
> We knowingly and willingly make this plea, aware of the
> risk that, in violation of our First Amendment rights,
> we could be charged under remaining sections of the
> unconstitutional Espionage Act or other
> unconstitutional statute, and that we could be fined,
> imprisoned, or barred from government employment.
>
> We make this plea, also aware that you have no easy
> options. If you obey an illegal order to participate in
> an aggressive attack on Iran, you could potentially be
> charged with war crimes. If you heed our call and
> disobey an illegal order you could be falsely charged
> with crimes including treason. You could be falsely
> court martialed. You could be imprisoned. (To talk to a
> lawyer or to learn more about possible consequences,
> contact The Central Committee for Conscientious
> Objectors, Courage to Resist, Center on Conscience and
> War, Military Law Task Force of the National Lawyers
> Guild 415-566-3732, or the GI Rights Hotline at
> 877-447-4487.) **
>
> Final request:
>
> Our leaders often say that military force should be a
> last resort. We beg you to make that policy a reality,
> and refuse illegal orders to attack Iran. We promise to
> support you for protecting the American public and
> innocent civilians abroad.
>
> Our future, the future of our children and their
> children, rests in your hands.
>
> You know the horrors of war. You can stop the next one.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Daniel Ellsberg, Thom Hartmann, Rabbi Michael Lerner,
> Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Cynthia McKinney, Willie Nelson,
> Cindy Sheehan, Norman Solomon, Elizabeth de la Vega,
> Gore Vidal, Ann Wright,
>
> [full initial list follows]
> * James Abourezk, former U.S. Senator, (D) South Dakota
> * Stacy Bannerman, Author, "When the War Came Home",
> Military Families Speak Out Charter Board member
> * John Bonifaz, constitutional attorney and author of
> "Warrior-King: The Case for Impeaching George W. Bush."
> * Amy Branham, Gold Star Mother of Sgt. Jeremy R.
> Smith, US Army Reserves, Nov. 1981 - Feb. 2004
> * Blase Bonpane, Ph.d, Director OFFICE OF THE AMERICAS
> * David Clennon, Actor/activist
> * Tim Carpenter, Executive Director, Progressive
> Democrats of America
> * Daniel Ellsberg, author of "Secrets: A Memoir of
> Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers."
> * David Cobb, 2004 Green Party Presidential Candidate
> * Jeff Cohen, author/media critic
> * Elizabeth de la Vega, former federal prosecutor and
> author of U.S. v. George W. Bush
> * Karen Dolan, Director, Cities for Progress/Cities for
> Peace
> * Anne Feeney, activist/folksinger. Local 1000, AFM
> * Mike Ferner, Navy corpsman; Secretary, Veterans for
> Peace
> * Bob Fertik, President Democrats.com
> * Laura Flanders, Radio Host on Air America
> * Bruce K. Gagnon, Coordinator Global Network Against
> Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
> * Lila Garrett, KPFK Host of "Connect the Dots"
> * Liberty Godshall, writer, Defenders of Wildlife,
> Natural Resources Defense Council
> * Hon. Jackie Goldberg, California Assembly Member (AD
> 45), retired.
> * Kevin Alexander Gray, writer, and organizer with the
> Harriet Tubman Freedom House Project
> * Representative Betty Hall, Hillsborough District 5,
> New Hampshire General Court
> * David L. Harris, MD
> * Tom Hayden
> * Thom Hartmann, author and Air America radio host
> * Valerie Heinonen, o.s.u., Ursulines of Tildonk for
> Justice and Peace
> * Jenny Heinz , member of CodePink, member of Granny
> Peace Brigade
> * Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Los Angeles
> * Michael Jay, Steering Committee, Progressive
> Democrats of Los Angeles
> * Charles Jenks, co-founder and editor of
> traprockpeace.org
> * Justice Through Music
> * Antonia Juhasz, author, The Bush Agenda: Invading the
> World, One Economy at a Time
> * Jerry Kass, playwright and professor at Columbia
> University
> * Dr, Nazir Khaja ,Chairman, Islamic Information
> Service, Los Angeles, CA.
> * Mimi Kennedy, National Chair, Progressive Democrats
> of America
> * Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor, Tikkun and Chair, the
> Network of Spiritual Progressives
> * Summer Lipford, Gold Star Mother,NC 28677
> * David Lindorff, Author, The Case for Impeachment
> * Alice Lynn, Delegate, California Democratic Party
> (41st AD)
> * Ben Manski, Executive Director, Liberty Tree
> * Ray McGovern, Army infantry/intelligence officer,
> 1962-64; CIA analyst 1964-90.
> * Cynthia McKinney, former Congresswoman
> * Barbara Mills-Bria, Be The Change-USA
> * Bill Moyer, Executive Director, Backbone Campaign
> * Annie Nelson, Sustainable Biodiesel/Peace Activist
> * Willie Nelson, Entertainer, Peace Activist
> * Honorable Eric Oemig - Washington State Senator
> * Geov Parrish, Executive Director Peace Action of
> Washington
> * Jacob Park, Founder, A28.
> * Brad Parker, Officer of the Progressive Caucus of the
> California Democratic Party
> * Bill Perry, Director, Delaware Valley Veterans For
> America
> * Gareth Porter, investigative journalist and historian
> * Marcus Raskin, member of National Security Council
> Staff under President Kennedy
> * Dorothy Reik, President, Progressive Democrats of the
> Santa Monica Mountains
> * Coleen Rowley, retired FBI Agent and former Chief
> Division Counsel of Minneapolis Division of the FBI
> * Bill Scheurer, Editor, PeaceMajority Report
> * Randi Scheurer, IL-Dist. 8, Congressional Candidate
> * Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace
> * Alice Slater, Abolition 2000 New York
> * Norman Solomon, Author and syndicated columnist
> * David Swanson, Afterdowningstreet.org
> * John Stauber, Co-author, "Weapons of Mass Deception:
> The Uses of Propaganda in Bush's War on Iraq"
> * Jonathan Tasini, PDA NY
> * Ethel Tobach, Ph. D., member of Psychologists for
> Social Responsibility
> * Tina Richards CEO Grassroots Americaredith, Gold Star
> Mother, Proud Mom of Lt Ken Ballard- KIA 5.30.04
> * Gore Vidal, Author
> * Marcy Winograd, President, Progressive Democrats of
> Los Angeles
> * Ann Wright, US Army Colonel (Retired) and US diplomat
> who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the Iraq
> war.
> * Kevin Zeese on behalf of Voters for Peace and
> Democracy Rising
> * Velvet Revolution
>
> ** These resources are publicly available, and our
> offering them does not indicate that these
> organizations support this petition.
>
> _____________________________________________
>
> Portside aims to provide material of interest
> to people on the left that will help them to
> interpret the world and to change it.
>
> Submit via email: moderator@portside.org
> Submit via the Web: portside.org/submit
> Frequently asked questions: portside.org/faq
> Subscribe: portside.org/subscribe
> Unsubscribe: portside.org/unsubscribe
> Account assistance: portside.org/contact
> Search the archives: portside.org/archive
War With Iran
Those in the know say that Bush is planning to have war with Iran within the next year. We must stop him.
Thoughts on Israel and the Middle East
Great Britain and the United States have manipulated an entire nation of people who are suffering from PTSD, using the state of Israel as its satellite.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
I Know Where I've Been
Queen Latifah
There's a light
In the darkness
Though the night
Is black as my skin
There's a light
Burning bright
Showing me the way
But i know where i've been
There's a cry
In the distance
It's a voice
That comes from deep within
There's a cry
Asking why
I pray the answer's up ahead
'Cause i know where i've been
There's a road
We've been travelin'
Lost so many on the way
But the riches
Will be plenty
Worth the price we
Had to pay
There's a dream
In the future
There's a struggle
We have yet to win
And there's pride
In my heart
'Cause i know
Where i'm going
And i know where i've been
There's a road
We must travel
There's a promise
We must make
'Cause the riches
Will be plenty
Worth the risk
And chances that we take
There's a dream
In the future
There's a struggle
We have yet to win
Use that pride
In our hearts
To lift us up
To tomorrow
'Cause just to sit still
Would be a sin
I know it, i know it
I know where i'm going
And lord knows i know..
Where i've been
Oh! When we win,
I'll give thanks to my god
'Cause i know where i've been
There's a light
In the darkness
Though the night
Is black as my skin
There's a light
Burning bright
Showing me the way
But i know where i've been
There's a cry
In the distance
It's a voice
That comes from deep within
There's a cry
Asking why
I pray the answer's up ahead
'Cause i know where i've been
There's a road
We've been travelin'
Lost so many on the way
But the riches
Will be plenty
Worth the price we
Had to pay
There's a dream
In the future
There's a struggle
We have yet to win
And there's pride
In my heart
'Cause i know
Where i'm going
And i know where i've been
There's a road
We must travel
There's a promise
We must make
'Cause the riches
Will be plenty
Worth the risk
And chances that we take
There's a dream
In the future
There's a struggle
We have yet to win
Use that pride
In our hearts
To lift us up
To tomorrow
'Cause just to sit still
Would be a sin
I know it, i know it
I know where i'm going
And lord knows i know..
Where i've been
Oh! When we win,
I'll give thanks to my god
'Cause i know where i've been
I'm Not In Love
Queen Latifah
Im not in love
So dont forget it
Its just a silly phase Im going through
And just because
I call you up
Dont get me wrong, dont think youve got it made
Im not in love, no no, its because....
I like to see you
But then again
That doesnt mean you mean that much to me
So if I call you dont make a fuss
Dont tell you friends about the two of us
Im not in love, no no, its because....
I keep your picture
Upon the wall
It hides a nasty stain thats lying there
So dont you ask me
To give it back
I know you know it doesnt mean that much to me
Im not in love, no no, its because....
Ooh youll wait a long time for me
Ooh youll wait a long time
Ooh youll wait a long time for me
Ooh youll wait a long time
Im not in love
So dont forget it
Its just a silly phase Im going through
And just because I call you up
Dont get me wrong, dont think youve got it made
Im not in love
Im not in love
Im not in love
So dont forget it
Its just a silly phase Im going through
And just because
I call you up
Dont get me wrong, dont think youve got it made
Im not in love, no no, its because....
I like to see you
But then again
That doesnt mean you mean that much to me
So if I call you dont make a fuss
Dont tell you friends about the two of us
Im not in love, no no, its because....
I keep your picture
Upon the wall
It hides a nasty stain thats lying there
So dont you ask me
To give it back
I know you know it doesnt mean that much to me
Im not in love, no no, its because....
Ooh youll wait a long time for me
Ooh youll wait a long time
Ooh youll wait a long time for me
Ooh youll wait a long time
Im not in love
So dont forget it
Its just a silly phase Im going through
And just because I call you up
Dont get me wrong, dont think youve got it made
Im not in love
Im not in love
An Afterthought
Oh yes, this morning, while listening to the TJMS, we heard several ads for recruitment into the CIA. On a Black radio station? Ha! Come on now.
Review of Queen Latifah's Trav'lin Light
With Trav'lin Light, Queen Latifah offers up some delicious renditions of some classic ballads, starting out with an awesome rendition of Roberta Flack's "Poetry Man." In this song, the Queen not only matches the magnificence of Flack's classic rendition, but in some respects, surpasses it in terms of the sultriness and soft beauty she expresses in the song. With the mellow strings and Queen Latifah's sultry voice, this is a powerful recording and will become, in it's own right, a classic. Her interpretation of Georgia Rose summons up the best of Ella, Dinah, Sarah, and Nancy. The combination of her light, airy phrasing,an alluring base, and Stevie Wonder's magnetic harmonica(that man and his harmonica!) really carries this number off into the stratosphere. She gives the song a powerful punch with the line," don't be blue cause you're Black." what a beautiful message.
Look out Astrud Gilberto, because Queen Latifah tackles "Quiet Night of Quiet Stars," with the effect of linebacker and with all of the finesse of the original, with the help of Antonio Jobim himself. Swinging into Country/Western mode, Latifah takes on "Don't Cry Baby," and delivers with all of the heat and seductiveness of 1950s and 60s wailers and moaners: look out Tina Turner and look out Ruth Brown. Turning to Big Band jazz, " I Love Being Here," is sensational. They should revive the supper clubs and the other great rooms like the Savoy Ballroom or the Coconut Grove for the sole purpose of having Queen Latifah perform in them. With this album, Latifah is making her case to be the next Ella Fitzgerald-and is effective in the effort. Nothing shows this better than her "I'm Gonna Live til I Die." This song belongs in a place like to Copa.
The title piece, "Trav'lin Light," is so hot, it's electric. Queen Latifah takes Billie Holiday's number, packs it up in her valise, and moves with an elegance and ease that places her into the realm of the greats like Billie and Ella. The piano on this number is haunting. She does a swell job with Nina Simone's "I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl." Sweet, sultry, and very kittenish, this number works. What a great tribute to Nina. The best line: "I ain't talkin' about Special K."
"I'm Not in Love" really does powerfully ressurect this R&B number of long ago. In much of this album, Latifah truly does steal the thunder out from under previous recordings of the songs she sings. Her handling of Mary Wells' "What Love Has Joined Together" I think would really make Mary Wells proud. Modern, upbeat, this is a good song.
I'm sorry, but I just can't hear "How Log(Betcha Gotta Chick On the Side) and not thing of Millie Jackson. However, what a nice tribute to the Pointer Sisters Latifah does with this song. She sounds eerily like Aretha Franklin on this number, and recalls both Aretha and Patti to make the skin-tingling R&B number that is ""How Long."
"Gone Away" is a powerful melody. The opening of the song just pulls at you and throughout the song Latifah takes this number to a higher level, tugging at your heartstrings and delivering a soulful ballad that is absolutely worthy of Donnie Hathaway and Roberta Flack. The electric chords are a nice touch and Latifah's voice is guttural and full of power. Kudos to Latifah for this one.
"I Know Where I've Been," is a magnificent end to this album. This song is a call to Black people, people of color everywhere, and anyone suffering in oppression to continue with determination, to not give up. Latifah brilliantly carries this one over with her incredible voice and the backup choir. That last note, where she holds the "O" in know in the phrase "I know where I've been" is raw power. Thank you Queen for this number. With this album, Queen Latifah gives definition to the modern classic sound. In "Trav'lin Light," Queen Latifah makes a powerful offering and proves that sometimes reinvention is the best there is. Everyone should buy this album.
Look out Astrud Gilberto, because Queen Latifah tackles "Quiet Night of Quiet Stars," with the effect of linebacker and with all of the finesse of the original, with the help of Antonio Jobim himself. Swinging into Country/Western mode, Latifah takes on "Don't Cry Baby," and delivers with all of the heat and seductiveness of 1950s and 60s wailers and moaners: look out Tina Turner and look out Ruth Brown. Turning to Big Band jazz, " I Love Being Here," is sensational. They should revive the supper clubs and the other great rooms like the Savoy Ballroom or the Coconut Grove for the sole purpose of having Queen Latifah perform in them. With this album, Latifah is making her case to be the next Ella Fitzgerald-and is effective in the effort. Nothing shows this better than her "I'm Gonna Live til I Die." This song belongs in a place like to Copa.
The title piece, "Trav'lin Light," is so hot, it's electric. Queen Latifah takes Billie Holiday's number, packs it up in her valise, and moves with an elegance and ease that places her into the realm of the greats like Billie and Ella. The piano on this number is haunting. She does a swell job with Nina Simone's "I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl." Sweet, sultry, and very kittenish, this number works. What a great tribute to Nina. The best line: "I ain't talkin' about Special K."
"I'm Not in Love" really does powerfully ressurect this R&B number of long ago. In much of this album, Latifah truly does steal the thunder out from under previous recordings of the songs she sings. Her handling of Mary Wells' "What Love Has Joined Together" I think would really make Mary Wells proud. Modern, upbeat, this is a good song.
I'm sorry, but I just can't hear "How Log(Betcha Gotta Chick On the Side) and not thing of Millie Jackson. However, what a nice tribute to the Pointer Sisters Latifah does with this song. She sounds eerily like Aretha Franklin on this number, and recalls both Aretha and Patti to make the skin-tingling R&B number that is ""How Long."
"Gone Away" is a powerful melody. The opening of the song just pulls at you and throughout the song Latifah takes this number to a higher level, tugging at your heartstrings and delivering a soulful ballad that is absolutely worthy of Donnie Hathaway and Roberta Flack. The electric chords are a nice touch and Latifah's voice is guttural and full of power. Kudos to Latifah for this one.
"I Know Where I've Been," is a magnificent end to this album. This song is a call to Black people, people of color everywhere, and anyone suffering in oppression to continue with determination, to not give up. Latifah brilliantly carries this one over with her incredible voice and the backup choir. That last note, where she holds the "O" in know in the phrase "I know where I've been" is raw power. Thank you Queen for this number. With this album, Queen Latifah gives definition to the modern classic sound. In "Trav'lin Light," Queen Latifah makes a powerful offering and proves that sometimes reinvention is the best there is. Everyone should buy this album.
This morning I was thinking about corporations, peoplehood, the 14th Amendment, and the concept of the cyborg. I only got interested in the concept of the cyborg a few years ago after hearing someone give a talk on it at Purdue and speaking of it in terms of our individual rights as citizens of the United States and the rule of corporations. In 1886, the Supreme Court ruled in Santa Clara County vs. Southern Pacific Railroad that corporations share the same protection as individuals do under the 14th Amendment, effectively making corporations people under the law. This has been the foundation of some of the most aggregious acts done by the military industrial complex and corporate structures in this country and around the globe. Now, it plays ouot, take for instance the company Blackwater, that these "people" who were granted U.S. Citizenship, don't have to obey American laws, ignore internation laws, and really are just superhuman entities trampling the world. You can read here and here some commentary on these issues. Also, dealing with the Harriet Myers nomination, The Nation published ten questions which should be asked of her, including a question about the rights of corporations as people. You can read that here. I am going to ponder this further and perhaps write some more about it as well.
This morning on the Tom Joyner Morning Show Tavis Smiley discussed Clarence Thomas' new ook and his appearance Sunday on 60 Minutes which I did not see. Apparently, Clarence Thomas has a grudge against light-skinned Blacks-who rejected him because he was dark as he was growing up. Some real insights into this man and the construction of a Black Conservative. His disavowal of Blacks leads to his stand against affirmative action(which he used to get where he is). Interesting the psychology.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Just One Lifetime
Barbra
At last my heart is ready.
This time I can believe
That love has truly found me.
How sweetly love surrounds me.
You're like a glimpse of heaven,
A blessing I've received.
I'll give you my tomorrows.
But even now I can see...
Just one lifetime
Won't be enough time for us.
We need more
For all this love.
Just one lifetime
Can't be enough time for us.
We need more
For all this love.
What you have given to me
Is better but a dream.
There's no need for pretending
You're my happy ending.
So I will hold you closer
With all the love in me
And wish we had forever
For even now I can see...
Just one lifetime
Won't be enough time for us.
We need more
For all this love.
Just one lifetime
Can never be enough time.
We need more
For all this love.
I prayed my heart would lead me
To find a love somewhere.
It's taken me a lifetime
To find you waiting for me there.
Just one lifetime
Won't be enough time for us.
We need more
For all this love.
Just one lifetime
And all that's waiting for us
We want more
For all...
For all this love.
At last my heart is ready.
This time I can believe
That love has truly found me.
How sweetly love surrounds me.
You're like a glimpse of heaven,
A blessing I've received.
I'll give you my tomorrows.
But even now I can see...
Just one lifetime
Won't be enough time for us.
We need more
For all this love.
Just one lifetime
Can't be enough time for us.
We need more
For all this love.
What you have given to me
Is better but a dream.
There's no need for pretending
You're my happy ending.
So I will hold you closer
With all the love in me
And wish we had forever
For even now I can see...
Just one lifetime
Won't be enough time for us.
We need more
For all this love.
Just one lifetime
Can never be enough time.
We need more
For all this love.
I prayed my heart would lead me
To find a love somewhere.
It's taken me a lifetime
To find you waiting for me there.
Just one lifetime
Won't be enough time for us.
We need more
For all this love.
Just one lifetime
And all that's waiting for us
We want more
For all...
For all this love.
I was listening to Master P and Michelle Martin on Michelle Martin's program on NPR this morning discussing the problems of mysogyny and other horrid things in the world of hip hop. They at one point began discussing the gangster image. Something that should be pointed out and made crystal clear is that the image of the thug and the image of the gangster is nothing but an inverted cowboy, nothing but black males trying to emulate their great white fathers. The gangster is literally Ronald Reagan on his horse.....
A Rise in Violence in the United States
It has been all over the news lately that violent crimes have increased dramatically. Every pundit on tv has been pondering why. It amuses me and phases me at the same time that people can't see the connections between war and violence in all forms....They are killing millions of people around the globe and especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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