Biking coming to a town near you! Ditch the car, stop paying the man for gas & insurance
ENSURING BICYCLING IS INTEGRATED INTO NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION, CLIMATE, ENERGY AND HEALTH POLICY INITIATIVES - US Conference of Mayors adopts pro-biking resolutions... now it's time to implement! Let's see some 100% bike-only routes in and out of urban areas.
Posted: 08.11.2008
By: The U.S. Conference of Mayors
Source: USMayors.org
http://www.usmayors.org/resolutions/76th_conference/chhs_04.asp
Published: 06.24.2008
The U.S. Conference of Mayors
76th Annual Meeting
June 20-24, 2008
Miami
2008 ADOPTED RESOLUTIONS
ENSURING BICYCLING IS INTEGRATED INTO NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION, CLIMATE, ENERGY AND HEALTH POLICY INITIATIVES
WHEREAS, bicycling can provide multiple and cross-cutting benefits in U.S. policy initiatives that seek to address transportation needs, limit climate change and energy consumption and improve public health; and
WHEREAS, we now live in a nation with 300 million people, and that number is expected to grow to 365 million by 2030 and to 420 million by 2050 with the vast majority of that growth occurring in congested urban areas where there are significant limitations on accommodating increased motor vehicle travel; and
WHEREAS, since 1980, the number of miles Americans drive has grown three times faster than the U.S. population; and
WHEREAS, a national transportation system that invests in and is conducive to bicycling reduces traffic congestion in our most heavily congested urban areas while promoting an overall improved quality of life that is valuable for the Nation; As example: More than 200 cities throughout the U.S., representing more than 35 million people have committed to implementing bicycle friendly action plans to make their communities more bicycle friendly; and
WHEREAS, the greatest potential for increased bicycle usage is in our major urban areas where 40 percent of trips are two miles or less and 28 percent are less than one mile; and
WHEREAS, surveys show that a majority of people want to ride more but are dissuaded by concern over traffic danger and other barriers, and case studies have shown that when those barriers to bicycling are removed, people start riding; and
WHEREAS, a national network of interconnected urban and rural bikeways can provide valuable community benefits, including low or no-cost recreation and alternative transportation options for people of all ages and abilities; and
WHEREAS, the transportation sector contributes one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and passenger automobiles and light trucks alone contribute 21 percent; and
WHEREAS, Ten percent of global oil production goes solely toward fueling America’s cars and trucks and the U.S. could save 462 millions of gallons of gasoline a year by increasing cycling from one percent to one and a half percent of all trips; and
WHEREAS, bicycle commuters annually save on average $1, 825 in auto-related costs, reduce their carbon emissions by 128 pounds, conserve 145 gallons of gasoline, and avoid 50 hours of grid locked traffic; and
WHEREAS, over 800 of our Nation’s Mayors have signed onto the Climate Protection Agreement of the United States Conference of Mayors urging the Federal Government to enact policies and programs to meet or exceed a greenhouse gas emission reduction target of a seven percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2012;and
WHEREAS, two years ago the Conference of Mayors unanimously endorsed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, whereby a key component is to implement climate-friendly land-use policies and invest in public transportation and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control estimates that if all physically inactive Americans became active, we would save $77 billion in annual medical costs; and
WHEREAS, the United States is challenged by an obesity epidemic in which 65 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese, and 13 percent of children and adolescents are overweight, due in large part to a lack of regular activity; and
WHEREAS, the percentage of U.S. children who walk or bike to school has dropped by 70 percent since 1969 such that only 15 percent of students were walking or biking to school in 2001 while the rate of childhood obesity has tripled in recent years;and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors believes that achieving increased levels of bicycling is in the national interest; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages the development and implementation of a coordinated national bicycling strategy aimed to increase safe bicycle use as a mode of transportation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages the development of federal transportation, environmental and public health policies that recognize increased and safe bicycle usage for transportation is in the national interest and that we further urge Congress in the next federal transportation reauthorization to establish policies and funding mechanisms that will aim to Reduce the number of motor vehicle miles traveled (VMT); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages improving safety conditions for bicyclists and Collect transportation and safety data needed to monitor progress; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages providing incentives for state and local governments to adopt and implement Complete Street policies designed to accommodate all users; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that even absent federal incentives, Governors and state-level leadership should embrace Complete Streets policies that acknowledge the contributions of bicycles as a means to reduce vehicle miles by integrating bicycle use into standard street design; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on all Mayors that sign onto the Climate Protection Agreement to develop and implement action plans to incorporate bicycling programs and policies as a key component in reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages every mayor to strive to make their city a Bicycle Friendly Community.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
No excuses now: Huge solar power breakthrough
Solar Power Breakthrough Stores Energy for Later Use
Daniel Nocera has developed a simple method to split water molecules and produce oxygen gas, a discovery that paves the way for large-scale use of solar power.
Posted: 08.06.2008
Daniel Nocera has developed a simple method to split water molecules and produce oxygen gas, a discovery that paves the way for large-scale use of solar power.
Posted: 08.06.2008
Solar Power Breakthrough Stores Energy for Later Use
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, August 2, 2008 (ENS) – Within 10 years, homeowners could power their homes in daylight with solar photovoltaic cells, while using excess solar energy to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water to power a household fuel cell. If the new process developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology finds acceptance in the marketplace, electricity-by-wire from a central source could be a thing of the past.
“This is the nirvana of what we’ve been talking about for years,” said MIT’s Daniel Nocera, senior author of a paper describing the simple, inexpensive, and efficient process for storing solar energy in the July 31 issue of the journal “Science.”
“Solar power has always been a limited, far-off solution. Now we can seriously think about solar power as unlimited and soon,” Nocera said.
Until now, solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is expensive and inefficient. But Nocera and his team of researchers have hit upon an elegant solution.
Daniel Nocera has developed a simple method to split water molecules and produce oxygen gas, a discovery that paves the way for large-scale use of solar power. (Photo by Donna Coveney courtesy MIT)
(continued at source)
Article continues here:
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-02-01.asp
Big Oil's best quarter... Cheney's energy "task force" Mission Accomplished! (?)
Odd, how Big Oil has done so well, actually, record-setting, call-Guiness Book of Records, well, when the rest of us seem to be working harder for less. Hmmm, wonder if there's any connection with Dick Cheney's super-secret energy "task force" meetings that were the top, #1 priority of the Bush-Cheney admin in May 2001, before they saw opportunity in the 9/11 events. Mission accomplished! (?) Posted: 08.02.2008
Here’s the “Top Stories” from Yahoo Finance. What’s wrong with this picture?
Top Stories
- Stocks pull back after another decline in jobs- AP
- Wall Street retreated again Friday after readings on jobs and manufacturing – the first reports for the third quarter - indicated that businesses and workers still face a tough economy.
- GM posts $15.5B 2Q loss, 3rd-worst in its history- AP
- US auto sales slump to 16-year low in July- AP
- Jobless rate climbs as 51,000 jobs vanish- AP
- Big Oil’s biggest quarter ever: $51.5B in all- AP
So, how’s your bottom line?
" In the late spring of 2001, Vice President Cheney held a series of top secret meetings with the representatives of Exxon-Mobil, Conoco, Shell and BP America for what was later called the Energy Task-force. Their job, ostensibly, was to map out America’s Energy future. Since late 2001 several public interest groups, including the very conservative Judicial Watch, sued to have the proceedings of those meetings opened to public scrutiny. In March 2002, the Commerce Department turned over a few documents from the Task-force meetings to Judicial Watch, among which was the map of Iraq’s Oil Fields, dated March 2001 (above) and a list of the existing “Foreign Suitors” for Iraq Oil. " (continues)
source for above quote:
http://jtaplin.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/its-all-about-oil-alan-greenspan/
More info on the Cheney agenda for boosting big oil’s bottom line (including maps of divying up Iraq) can be found here:
http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/taskforce/tfinx.asp
http://www.judicialwatch.org/printer_iraqi-oilfield-pr.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Task_Force
http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/about_hal/energytf.html
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20040702.html
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/oil/2003/0718taskforce.htm
Obama caves in to big business - yet again, gee, what a surprise!
Obama wants some of Exxon's record-setting profits, caves on off-shore drilling
Obama edges farther right, right next to McCain - trying to entice McCain for VP?! Bi-partisan sellout to corporate big oil interests. So much for sustainability, environmental consciousness. It's all about the votes and donations with Sen. Obama - he's more interested in his own future, than America's.
Posted: 08.02.2008
Obama Signals Support for Wider Offshore Drilling
Oil Search Would Be Part of ‘Comprehensive Energy Policy’ Aimed at Lower Gas Prices
By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 2, 2008; A04
Obama edges farther right, right next to McCain - trying to entice McCain for VP?! Bi-partisan sellout to corporate big oil interests. So much for sustainability, environmental consciousness. It's all about the votes and donations with Sen. Obama - he's more interested in his own future, than America's.
Posted: 08.02.2008
Obama Signals Support for Wider Offshore Drilling
Oil Search Would Be Part of ‘Comprehensive Energy Policy’ Aimed at Lower Gas Prices
By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 2, 2008; A04
ORLANDO, Aug. 1—Sen. Barack Obama suggested on Friday that he could accept an expansion of offshore oil drilling as long as it was part of a broader package of measures that would free the logjam of energy bills in Congress.
Read full article here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103199_pf.html
Pssst, Sen. Obama, here's a sure-fire strategy to WIN BIG
Pssst, Sen. Obama, here's a sure-fire strategy to WIN BIG
Onion-esque, truth is stranger than fiction. McCain and Obama swear bi-partisan blood oaths to appoint the other as his VP. They're both so desperate for votes, this is their win-win solution. Added bonus: Wall Street gets its much needed boost of confidence. Just like George, you too can have your very own Mission Accomplished!!
Posted: 07.28.2008
Specifically, here’s a sure-fire, win-win strategy, so you AND Sen. McCain can continue your illustrious political careers forever, at taxpayer expense, of course.
Each of you, that is Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain, should execute a mutually binding, bi-partisan of course, agreement to appoint the other (ie the “loser”) to be VP.
SO, hypothetically, the Democrats and Republicans would work together, another bi-partisan hallmark, besting even the Patriot Act, the Patriot Act ver.2, the funding of Iraq again and again, and giving AT&T, Verizon and countless others a “get out jail free” card.
I imagine your respective strategists and campaign managers would have no trouble working up a really nice, soft-shoe ad campaign. And there’d be the fluffy slogans about “delivering a better life” complete with sound-bites. They would be promoting to American voters the same choice they have now, but better: between the Obama-McCain ticket, OR, the McCain-Obama ticket…. hmmm, can’t wait to see who the great nation of “free-thinking” Americans picks.
That way, you both win, Wall Street can get that much-needed boost of confidence to avoid the withdrawal tremors and night sweats, and Americans can return to watching American Idol or any other flavor of distraction that may be on their TiVo, and sleep well, knowing the status quo will, assuredely, be maintained for another four years.
We can pull out that Mission Accomplished banner yet again, and salute corporate America, for its investment into the American political system. Maintaining a steady hand at the control of the US government is no cheap endeavor – and it’s a 24-7-365 job that employs thousands!
And don’t you worry about it, between following their favorite sports teams, keeping up with longer and greater demands and work, and their dedication to American Idol (yeah!), the vast majority of “civilians” won’t think twice about the conflicts that are presented. Anyway, you guys are pretty close on most issues, right?
Onion-esque, truth is stranger than fiction. McCain and Obama swear bi-partisan blood oaths to appoint the other as his VP. They're both so desperate for votes, this is their win-win solution. Added bonus: Wall Street gets its much needed boost of confidence. Just like George, you too can have your very own Mission Accomplished!!
Posted: 07.28.2008
Dear Sen. Obama:
Specifically, here’s a sure-fire, win-win strategy, so you AND Sen. McCain can continue your illustrious political careers forever, at taxpayer expense, of course.
Each of you, that is Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain, should execute a mutually binding, bi-partisan of course, agreement to appoint the other (ie the “loser”) to be VP.
SO, hypothetically, the Democrats and Republicans would work together, another bi-partisan hallmark, besting even the Patriot Act, the Patriot Act ver.2, the funding of Iraq again and again, and giving AT&T, Verizon and countless others a “get out jail free” card.
I imagine your respective strategists and campaign managers would have no trouble working up a really nice, soft-shoe ad campaign. And there’d be the fluffy slogans about “delivering a better life” complete with sound-bites. They would be promoting to American voters the same choice they have now, but better: between the Obama-McCain ticket, OR, the McCain-Obama ticket…. hmmm, can’t wait to see who the great nation of “free-thinking” Americans picks.
That way, you both win, Wall Street can get that much-needed boost of confidence to avoid the withdrawal tremors and night sweats, and Americans can return to watching American Idol or any other flavor of distraction that may be on their TiVo, and sleep well, knowing the status quo will, assuredely, be maintained for another four years.
We can pull out that Mission Accomplished banner yet again, and salute corporate America, for its investment into the American political system. Maintaining a steady hand at the control of the US government is no cheap endeavor – and it’s a 24-7-365 job that employs thousands!
And don’t you worry about it, between following their favorite sports teams, keeping up with longer and greater demands and work, and their dedication to American Idol (yeah!), the vast majority of “civilians” won’t think twice about the conflicts that are presented. Anyway, you guys are pretty close on most issues, right?
Your truly,
just another unrepresented commonner
Buying of the Presidency, one convention at a time
Buying of the Presidency, one convention at a time
Posted on Jul 23, 2008
By Amy Goodman
The election season is heating up, with back-to-back conventions approaching—the Democrats in Denver followed by the Republicans in St. Paul, Minn. The conventions have become elaborate, expensive marketing events, where the party’s “presumptive” nominee has a coronation with much fanfare, confetti and wall-to-wall media coverage. What people don’t know is the extent to which major corporations fund the conventions, pouring tens of millions of dollars into a little-known loophole in the campaign-finance system.
Stephen Weissman of the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute explains the unconventional funding:
“It’s totally prohibited to give unlimited contributions to political parties. It’s totally prohibited for a corporation or a union to just go right into its treasury and give money to political parties. Yet, under an exemption that was created by the Federal Election Commission, which essentially is made up of representatives of the two major parties, all of this money can be given if it’s given through a host committee under the pretense that it’s merely to promote the convention city.”
According to CFI’s new report, “Analysis of Convention Donors,” since the last presidential election, the corporations funding the conventions have spent more than $1.1 billion lobbying the federal government. Add to it the millions they pour into the conventions. Says Weissman: “In return for this money, the parties, through the host committees, offer access to top politicians, to the president, the future president, vice president, cabinet officials, senators, congressmen. They promise these companies who are giving that they will be able to not only get close to these people by hosting receptions, by access to VIP areas, but they’ll actually have meetings with them.”
Who’s Paying for the Dem-o-Repub Conventions? It's business as usual in both camps. Major corporations buy favors by funding the Dem&Repub conventions, pouring tens of millions of dollars into a little-known loophole in the campaign-finance system. AND the reason why they exclude third party candidates from the debates, and carefully guide the topics to shallow waters, for nice fluffy discussions. Posted: 07.24.2008
Posted on Jul 23, 2008
By Amy Goodman
The election season is heating up, with back-to-back conventions approaching—the Democrats in Denver followed by the Republicans in St. Paul, Minn. The conventions have become elaborate, expensive marketing events, where the party’s “presumptive” nominee has a coronation with much fanfare, confetti and wall-to-wall media coverage. What people don’t know is the extent to which major corporations fund the conventions, pouring tens of millions of dollars into a little-known loophole in the campaign-finance system.
Stephen Weissman of the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute explains the unconventional funding:
“It’s totally prohibited to give unlimited contributions to political parties. It’s totally prohibited for a corporation or a union to just go right into its treasury and give money to political parties. Yet, under an exemption that was created by the Federal Election Commission, which essentially is made up of representatives of the two major parties, all of this money can be given if it’s given through a host committee under the pretense that it’s merely to promote the convention city.”
According to CFI’s new report, “Analysis of Convention Donors,” since the last presidential election, the corporations funding the conventions have spent more than $1.1 billion lobbying the federal government. Add to it the millions they pour into the conventions. Says Weissman: “In return for this money, the parties, through the host committees, offer access to top politicians, to the president, the future president, vice president, cabinet officials, senators, congressmen. They promise these companies who are giving that they will be able to not only get close to these people by hosting receptions, by access to VIP areas, but they’ll actually have meetings with them.”
Disclosure of what corporations are giving is not required until 60 days after each convention, which is essentially Election Day, so there is no time to challenge a candidate on particular corporate donors. Weissman reports that most of the corporations that are giving to the convention “host committees” also have serious business before the federal government. Take AT&T, for example. Glenn Greenwald of Salon.com recently pointed out that the Democratic conventioneers and registered media in attendance will receive a tote bag prominently emblazoned with the AT&T logo. It’s a perfect metaphor for a much larger gift, the one Democrats and Republicans just gave AT&T and other telecoms: retroactive immunity for spying on U.S. citizens. While Sens. Russ Feingold and Chris Dodd fought the bill, Sen. Barack Obama, until recently a staunch opponent of telecom immunity, reversed his position and supported it, reneging on a pledge to filibuster. Perfect timing.
(continued)
Continues at source:
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080723_whos_paying_for_the_conventions/
Job Opportunity: Americans searching for Robin Hood
Job Opportunity: Americans searching for Robin Hood
American people are in need of a Robin Hood (and some merry men and women), to oppose and break the king's and corporations' stranglehold on Americans' lives and livelihoods. All applicants with integrity, noble heart and Green ideals welcome. No application necessary, just step up and start doing the job.
Posted: 07.22.2008
Op/Ed: Was Robin Hood the first Green? He’s depicted wearing green. He represents the people – by the people, for the people – against the king. He has integrity and honor. He takes from the rich (who stole for the poor) and returns it to the poor. He helps those who are oppressed and disadvantaged.
The sudden “grassroots” support for Obama, although misplaced, to me confirms that Americans know there are some real, serious and dire problems with their country and leadership. Americans are looking for a Robin Hood, to break the stranglehold that government and Wall Street have over their lives.
However, their trust in Obama is misplaced. Look at his track record – he said he would oppose FISA legislation that included retroactive immunity, and then (a) closes debate and (b) votes in favor of legislation that contains retroactive immunity. He voted in favor of the Patriot Act, twice, and the Intel Act. He also funded time and again invasion and occupation of Iraq.
So, will the real Robin Hood please step forward?
Perhaps, just maybe, a patriotic American can step up and be America’s Robin Hood, saving the otherwise unrepresented, taxed and over-legislated people, the second class “civilians” as we’re referred to often, from oppression of the government, abusive law enforcement, America’s King George, predatory, heartless Wall Street, and it's soon to be champion, the ex-junior senator from Illinois, hizzoner Pres. Obama.
American people are in need of a Robin Hood (and some merry men and women), to oppose and break the king's and corporations' stranglehold on Americans' lives and livelihoods. All applicants with integrity, noble heart and Green ideals welcome. No application necessary, just step up and start doing the job.
Posted: 07.22.2008
Op/Ed: Was Robin Hood the first Green? He’s depicted wearing green. He represents the people – by the people, for the people – against the king. He has integrity and honor. He takes from the rich (who stole for the poor) and returns it to the poor. He helps those who are oppressed and disadvantaged.
The sudden “grassroots” support for Obama, although misplaced, to me confirms that Americans know there are some real, serious and dire problems with their country and leadership. Americans are looking for a Robin Hood, to break the stranglehold that government and Wall Street have over their lives.
However, their trust in Obama is misplaced. Look at his track record – he said he would oppose FISA legislation that included retroactive immunity, and then (a) closes debate and (b) votes in favor of legislation that contains retroactive immunity. He voted in favor of the Patriot Act, twice, and the Intel Act. He also funded time and again invasion and occupation of Iraq.
So, will the real Robin Hood please step forward?
Perhaps, just maybe, a patriotic American can step up and be America’s Robin Hood, saving the otherwise unrepresented, taxed and over-legislated people, the second class “civilians” as we’re referred to often, from oppression of the government, abusive law enforcement, America’s King George, predatory, heartless Wall Street, and it's soon to be champion, the ex-junior senator from Illinois, hizzoner Pres. Obama.
Holding my breath...
Alternative Energy is the ONLY option for the world
Alternative energy will save the world and solve the supposed "terrorist" problem
By investing in American alternative energy research, development and manufacturing, America can regain its leadership role in the world, save its own economy and eliminate middle east "terrorist" concerns.
Posted: 07.15.2008
Op/Ed
The “terrorist” problem (largely created, hyped, and used by the Bush-Cheney regime to scare Americans into docile compliance) can still be solved by investing heavily in America’s alternative energy sector, including research, development and manufacturing. It will re-establish America’s leadership role in the world, create licensing and manufacturing income for American businesses, and lead the world in the area of sustainability. We may even discover new, as-yet undiscovered energy sources. Sure there are extremists in the US and abroad that are intent on destroying democracy and instituting their preferred flavor of a religiously based totalitarian regime, but they're few in number and fortunately far in between.
History confirms that new technology and innovation can be developed and implemented within decades, rather than the current administration’s century and beyond goals. Take for example electricity, telephones and automobiles, on the consumer front, and the tremendous strides in manufacturing in the early 1900’s. Or take a look at oil-tycoon T. Boone Pickens’ recent 10 year initative. Though it's an inspired and still oil-based, it shows that there's possibility even for the entrenched oil-tycoons.
I have confidence in American resourcefulness and ingenuity to reach major goals, including a new sustainable energy platform. However, this will require a strong desire and unity am Americans, and a leadership dedicated to energy independence and sustainability, long before the G8’s pathetic 50 year “goal.”
Of equal importance is the realization that when alternative energy replaces oil, the middle east will become irrelevant. Foreign control, investment and occupation will dry up, leaving the monopolistic, anti-competitive OPEC and those in the middle east (Marvin "unofficial King of Dubai” Bush) to their own devices – as the extremist/fundamentalist element there has been advocating all along. Give them what they wish – maybe it will even bring some social and human rights reform to Saudi Arabia. Or better yet, depose the king and establish some real democracy?!
I do not agree with the currently overused and abused use of the “terrorist” label being thrown about by the government, and interjected zealously by local law enforcement, at any and every chance. It’s obvious that the government and law enforcement are trying to scare people into believing them – it’s greed motivating for self-perpetuation of a broken and abusive system.
The current administration’s and law enforcement’s motives are plainly obvious – use fear mongering to scare Americans into complacency and obedience – and present a fundamental conflict of interest. They are more concerned about their control, their funding, and getting lots of new and improved gear and “toys” (i.e., methods of killing, torturing and controlling people).
Although violence committed by those who seek to send a message is completely, 100% wrong and unacceptable, it is a sign of reaching a point of human desperation. A desperation from being pushed so far, that people feel they have no options, and resort to using their most primitive thought process: the caveman violence approach. Nonetheless, when foreign occupiers are removed, the “terrorist” problem will be solved.
Obviously, the current administration, and even the current Dem-o-publican presidential candidates are more concerned about pleasing Wall Street and the Pentagon, in order to maintain the status quo, than they are about making the hard and necessary decisions. They are beholden to corporate interests, and supporting the “buggy-whip manufacturers,” because they have been their biggest donors, and unable and unwilling to make a turn and change directions dramatically, before America stays the Bush-Cheney course over the edge.
We need new direction, and hard decisions have to be made. It will be difficult for many established businesses that are unable or unwilling to change directions. The Wall Street oil speculators will lose lots of money. Oh well, that’s what happened to the buggy whip manufacturers when cars came about.
But alternative energy and sustainability is the only viable future – for the world, for the middle east, and for America’s long-term survival. We need candidates and a representative government that will take the necessary steps, and dramatically change the status quo. I do not see such candidates among either the democrats or the republicans.
By investing in American alternative energy research, development and manufacturing, America can regain its leadership role in the world, save its own economy and eliminate middle east "terrorist" concerns.
Posted: 07.15.2008
Op/Ed
The “terrorist” problem (largely created, hyped, and used by the Bush-Cheney regime to scare Americans into docile compliance) can still be solved by investing heavily in America’s alternative energy sector, including research, development and manufacturing. It will re-establish America’s leadership role in the world, create licensing and manufacturing income for American businesses, and lead the world in the area of sustainability. We may even discover new, as-yet undiscovered energy sources. Sure there are extremists in the US and abroad that are intent on destroying democracy and instituting their preferred flavor of a religiously based totalitarian regime, but they're few in number and fortunately far in between.
History confirms that new technology and innovation can be developed and implemented within decades, rather than the current administration’s century and beyond goals. Take for example electricity, telephones and automobiles, on the consumer front, and the tremendous strides in manufacturing in the early 1900’s. Or take a look at oil-tycoon T. Boone Pickens’ recent 10 year initative. Though it's an inspired and still oil-based, it shows that there's possibility even for the entrenched oil-tycoons.
I have confidence in American resourcefulness and ingenuity to reach major goals, including a new sustainable energy platform. However, this will require a strong desire and unity am Americans, and a leadership dedicated to energy independence and sustainability, long before the G8’s pathetic 50 year “goal.”
Of equal importance is the realization that when alternative energy replaces oil, the middle east will become irrelevant. Foreign control, investment and occupation will dry up, leaving the monopolistic, anti-competitive OPEC and those in the middle east (Marvin "unofficial King of Dubai” Bush) to their own devices – as the extremist/fundamentalist element there has been advocating all along. Give them what they wish – maybe it will even bring some social and human rights reform to Saudi Arabia. Or better yet, depose the king and establish some real democracy?!
I do not agree with the currently overused and abused use of the “terrorist” label being thrown about by the government, and interjected zealously by local law enforcement, at any and every chance. It’s obvious that the government and law enforcement are trying to scare people into believing them – it’s greed motivating for self-perpetuation of a broken and abusive system.
The current administration’s and law enforcement’s motives are plainly obvious – use fear mongering to scare Americans into complacency and obedience – and present a fundamental conflict of interest. They are more concerned about their control, their funding, and getting lots of new and improved gear and “toys” (i.e., methods of killing, torturing and controlling people).
Although violence committed by those who seek to send a message is completely, 100% wrong and unacceptable, it is a sign of reaching a point of human desperation. A desperation from being pushed so far, that people feel they have no options, and resort to using their most primitive thought process: the caveman violence approach. Nonetheless, when foreign occupiers are removed, the “terrorist” problem will be solved.
Obviously, the current administration, and even the current Dem-o-publican presidential candidates are more concerned about pleasing Wall Street and the Pentagon, in order to maintain the status quo, than they are about making the hard and necessary decisions. They are beholden to corporate interests, and supporting the “buggy-whip manufacturers,” because they have been their biggest donors, and unable and unwilling to make a turn and change directions dramatically, before America stays the Bush-Cheney course over the edge.
We need new direction, and hard decisions have to be made. It will be difficult for many established businesses that are unable or unwilling to change directions. The Wall Street oil speculators will lose lots of money. Oh well, that’s what happened to the buggy whip manufacturers when cars came about.
But alternative energy and sustainability is the only viable future – for the world, for the middle east, and for America’s long-term survival. We need candidates and a representative government that will take the necessary steps, and dramatically change the status quo. I do not see such candidates among either the democrats or the republicans.
The TSA Scam - they are their own proof of 100% failure
The TSA scam
The fact that we are still at the "orange" threat level means TSA has been a complete failure. If it was successful, the threat level should have been reduced, and Constitutional rights restored
Posted: 06.10.2008
Fool me once, shame on me. Fool us for seven plus years, we’re all still fools.
Accountability, benchmarks, results – we all have to meet them in our daily lives. But that is not the case at the US government, and definitely not for Mr. Chertoff and his DHS. On the contrary, despite companies downsizing and families cutting expenses, the government is growing larger than ever and spending more than ever.
And it’s almost seven years since 9/11 that the Bush Administration starting riding the Homeland Security bandwagon and spending spree. Scaring Americans with creative conspiracy theories, while spending billions to monitor, search and harass Americans through its Constitution side-stepping DHS/TSA.
Ironically, the supposed “threat advisory level” is still orange: threat of immediate terrorist attack. Airports routinely remind us that “The threat advisory level has been raised to ORANGE…” Why is it still being “raised?” And why is it still orange in America.
We’ve been at the third most serious level since 2001, almost consistently. However, despite the fact that the Constitution is a non-negotiable restriction on government, we have lost significant Constitutional rights. Legislation such as the infamous (and incorrectly named) Patriot Act, was steamrolled through at the behest of the President and law enforcement – rather than American citizens – and billions of dollars spent creating ever-more invasive means of spying, tracking and harassing American citizens. And recently, under the auspices of this supposed threat level, Mr. Chertoff boldly and plainly announced in broad daylight, a new domestic spying program, targeted specifically at Americans.
Despite the dramatic loss of Constitutional rights and billions of dollars wasted, are we really more secure? Maybe slightly, but hardly in proportion to the cost or lost civil rights? Or, are grandmas and amputees just more embarrassed than ever before, while millions just waste more time than ever, without any rights or recourse, waiting and being searched at airports?
If the DHS/TSA was successful, theoretically, we would be “safer” here in America. If so, the threat advisory should have been lowered by now.
However, in seven years the supposed “threat advisory level” has never been lowered (and is currently being “raised” to orange on a regular basis at airports around America). Why doesn’t anyone (hint: elected officials) ask – after all the money wasted and civil rights arbitrarily taken away – are we at the SAME risk level?!
We’ve been cooked, like a frog placed in cold water, with the heat slowly turned up. It’s time for a change from business as usual, and return America to a true representative government, where American citizens are represented.
The usual suspects and “career” politicians from both major parties have made a mess of America. The Green Party www.gp.org is the only solution – representing people. One person at a time, we can return America to a Constitution-respecting, truly representative democracy once again.
The fact that we are still at the "orange" threat level means TSA has been a complete failure. If it was successful, the threat level should have been reduced, and Constitutional rights restored
Posted: 06.10.2008
Fool me once, shame on me. Fool us for seven plus years, we’re all still fools.
Accountability, benchmarks, results – we all have to meet them in our daily lives. But that is not the case at the US government, and definitely not for Mr. Chertoff and his DHS. On the contrary, despite companies downsizing and families cutting expenses, the government is growing larger than ever and spending more than ever.
And it’s almost seven years since 9/11 that the Bush Administration starting riding the Homeland Security bandwagon and spending spree. Scaring Americans with creative conspiracy theories, while spending billions to monitor, search and harass Americans through its Constitution side-stepping DHS/TSA.
Ironically, the supposed “threat advisory level” is still orange: threat of immediate terrorist attack. Airports routinely remind us that “The threat advisory level has been raised to ORANGE…” Why is it still being “raised?” And why is it still orange in America.
We’ve been at the third most serious level since 2001, almost consistently. However, despite the fact that the Constitution is a non-negotiable restriction on government, we have lost significant Constitutional rights. Legislation such as the infamous (and incorrectly named) Patriot Act, was steamrolled through at the behest of the President and law enforcement – rather than American citizens – and billions of dollars spent creating ever-more invasive means of spying, tracking and harassing American citizens. And recently, under the auspices of this supposed threat level, Mr. Chertoff boldly and plainly announced in broad daylight, a new domestic spying program, targeted specifically at Americans.
Despite the dramatic loss of Constitutional rights and billions of dollars wasted, are we really more secure? Maybe slightly, but hardly in proportion to the cost or lost civil rights? Or, are grandmas and amputees just more embarrassed than ever before, while millions just waste more time than ever, without any rights or recourse, waiting and being searched at airports?
If the DHS/TSA was successful, theoretically, we would be “safer” here in America. If so, the threat advisory should have been lowered by now.
However, in seven years the supposed “threat advisory level” has never been lowered (and is currently being “raised” to orange on a regular basis at airports around America). Why doesn’t anyone (hint: elected officials) ask – after all the money wasted and civil rights arbitrarily taken away – are we at the SAME risk level?!
We’ve been cooked, like a frog placed in cold water, with the heat slowly turned up. It’s time for a change from business as usual, and return America to a true representative government, where American citizens are represented.
The usual suspects and “career” politicians from both major parties have made a mess of America. The Green Party www.gp.org is the only solution – representing people. One person at a time, we can return America to a Constitution-respecting, truly representative democracy once again.
New standard for all state/fed legislation: Presumption of Abuse
Presumption of Abuse standard for legislation
The standard for legislation needs to be reversed - and all legislation should be held to a presumption of abuse standard.
Posted: 07.06.2008
Op/Ed – Presumption of Abuse? You betcha, count on it, it’s just governmental nature.
What do I mean? When boundaries are set and limits imposed, there are always those that must test and push and expand those boundaries. Well, if the government can push, expand or take advantage of its authority, history confirms that it will do so.
Hence, the US Constitution, was created to limit and restrict the government, and prevent a tyranical King George from taking over.
However, when the boundaries are actually laws enacted by State or Federal Congresses, those who cross those boundaries (i.e. those who break the law), are labeled criminals and forced to pay back their “debts to society,” which are becoming more and more severe in recent years.
So too it should be with law enforcement and other governmental agencies, when they cross boundaries, and break the law, or even overstep the default boundary: the US Constitution.
Despite Constitutional restrictions, currently, courts will uphold legislations if they can hypothetically create some permissible interpretation, even if it is remot or only theoretical. This is the wrong approach given the lack of integrity and respect for the Constitution among law enforcement.
I am writing about this topic after reading about the ACLU’s tireless efforts to defend the Constitution and the recent report from the Inspector General’s identifying widespread, illegal and unconstitutional actions by the FBI, despite extremely loose “boundaries” by virtue of the incappropriately named PATRIOT Act. This is only one of a long series of such boundary crossings by agencies of the current, and past, administrations.
Therefore, I propose to change the standard of review that all legislation has to pass, before it can be enacted. The new standard should be the “Presumption of Abuse” standard. That is, all legislation should be reviewed, and hypothetically and rigorously “tested” for different scenarios, with a PRESUMPTION that law enforcement and other governmental agencies will abuse the legislation.
Then, the legislation should be drafted in such a way that anticipates and prevents such abuses (with payment of a severe debt to society). The government’s track record confirms widespread and rampant abuses of powers at all levels, particularly with law enforcement agencies that see themselves above the law and consistently and predictably push their authority, despite the most lenient of restrictions (i.e. FISA court’s minimal threshold).
Federal and state police accountability agencies (comprised of non-police affiliate citizens from the ACLU, Amnesty International, or other human rights organizations) would be a good corrollary to this new standard, to enforce violations.
Without the often-unrecognized heroes in the ACLU and Amnesty International, the Constitution would in fact be just a piece of paper under the Bush-Cheney reign, with only historic significance, as it is close to becoming. Thank you, ACLU for defending my (remaining) Constitutional Rights.
The standard for legislation needs to be reversed - and all legislation should be held to a presumption of abuse standard.
Posted: 07.06.2008
Op/Ed – Presumption of Abuse? You betcha, count on it, it’s just governmental nature.
What do I mean? When boundaries are set and limits imposed, there are always those that must test and push and expand those boundaries. Well, if the government can push, expand or take advantage of its authority, history confirms that it will do so.
Hence, the US Constitution, was created to limit and restrict the government, and prevent a tyranical King George from taking over.
However, when the boundaries are actually laws enacted by State or Federal Congresses, those who cross those boundaries (i.e. those who break the law), are labeled criminals and forced to pay back their “debts to society,” which are becoming more and more severe in recent years.
So too it should be with law enforcement and other governmental agencies, when they cross boundaries, and break the law, or even overstep the default boundary: the US Constitution.
Despite Constitutional restrictions, currently, courts will uphold legislations if they can hypothetically create some permissible interpretation, even if it is remot or only theoretical. This is the wrong approach given the lack of integrity and respect for the Constitution among law enforcement.
I am writing about this topic after reading about the ACLU’s tireless efforts to defend the Constitution and the recent report from the Inspector General’s identifying widespread, illegal and unconstitutional actions by the FBI, despite extremely loose “boundaries” by virtue of the incappropriately named PATRIOT Act. This is only one of a long series of such boundary crossings by agencies of the current, and past, administrations.
Therefore, I propose to change the standard of review that all legislation has to pass, before it can be enacted. The new standard should be the “Presumption of Abuse” standard. That is, all legislation should be reviewed, and hypothetically and rigorously “tested” for different scenarios, with a PRESUMPTION that law enforcement and other governmental agencies will abuse the legislation.
Then, the legislation should be drafted in such a way that anticipates and prevents such abuses (with payment of a severe debt to society). The government’s track record confirms widespread and rampant abuses of powers at all levels, particularly with law enforcement agencies that see themselves above the law and consistently and predictably push their authority, despite the most lenient of restrictions (i.e. FISA court’s minimal threshold).
Federal and state police accountability agencies (comprised of non-police affiliate citizens from the ACLU, Amnesty International, or other human rights organizations) would be a good corrollary to this new standard, to enforce violations.
Without the often-unrecognized heroes in the ACLU and Amnesty International, the Constitution would in fact be just a piece of paper under the Bush-Cheney reign, with only historic significance, as it is close to becoming. Thank you, ACLU for defending my (remaining) Constitutional Rights.
Letter to My Dear Congressman/woman:
My Dear Congressman/woman,
Why ever would anyone donate or support any of the usual suspects in Congress? Democrat or Republican, there's no difference, and even the supposedly Democrat controlled Congress is still rubber-stamping the White House's demands.
Posted: 07.09.2008
WHY ever would I contribute to a Congress that represents only only about 9% of Americans – you’re approval rating has reached an all-time low, and so it appears that your supporters are dwindling in number.
It’s not rocket science to figure it out, either – Congress does whatever the GOP/Bush-Cheney regime demands, and goes along with smiles. For example, the incorrectly named Patriot Act, then again, a second time around for the still incorrectly named Patriot Act, then the sell-out Intel Act, now immunity for big telecoms for admittedly and blatant unconstitutional conduct. There’s also the socialized and charitable contributions to the military industrial complex, bestowed with yet another well-funded year (burning through $720 million per day with no end in sight), then there’s the ongoing welfare to big oil, when Congress refused to repeal the “royalty relief” that has allowed Exxon to continuously set new larger than ever profits for three plus years straight. Mission Accomplished!! for Dick Cheney’s super-secret energy task for meetings, at the expense of America and its citizens.
Where’s the accountability, and why has Nancy Pelosi become so spineless all of sudden? Like Cynthia McKinney aptly pointed out, instead of changing Congress, Congress has changed Nancy Pelosi. She has become just another political hack, more concerned about her own well-being and career in political office.
How about doing what’s right, doing what you know is in the best interests of American citizens, instead of selling out to big business, Wall Street (oh, that’s another charity/welfare project in the works “insuring,” at taxpayer expense, the businesses that gambled on sub-prime mortgages), big oil, and Bush-Cheney loyalists in the Pentagon, Halliburton/KBR, Blackwater, McDonnell-Douglas, et al.
No way am I supporting such wanton disregard for Americans’ interests. No way am I supporting such gross neglect, recklessness and misdirection that is staying America’s course to ruin, guided by the delusional president and his puppetmaster, Cheney. No way, enough is enough already. Americans have had enough of the business as usual, by the usual suspects in Congress.
The Democrats and Republicans are just different sides of the same coin – although heads and tails look different, they’re both just the same wooden nickel – and as these parties are inextricably joined at their backs, so is the do-nothing, Bush-supporting Congress. Not only is it pathetic that Congress, and specifically the “change” talking Democrats, are going along with it all, but it is also pathetic to see how many Americans have lost their voice in government, and are neither rich enough to be Republicans, nor rich enough to hire a lobbyist to have a voice.
It is clear that Congress is beholden to Wall Street and big business, and has long ago turned a deaf ear to American citizens. It is a tragedy of monumental proportions, that has been taking place inch by inch for the last century. Perhaps soon, Americans will realize the dire straits they face, with a runaway government intent on taxing, spending and growing bigger than ever.
How about downsizing government and supersizing the Constitution for a change.
How about doing something real, for a change, instead of just talking about it and then back-dooring a watered down, worthless piece of legislation that helps only those in power at the expense of hard working Americans.
The Democrats have failed to take action, and instead just give lip service, double-speak and mumbo jumbo to appease future voters. The Democrats have failed to make the hard decisions, take the road less traveled, and stand up for American citizens, and against corporations that have lost their integrity, honor and consciences many decades ago. Until then, not a dime from me, and everyone I talk to. Actions speak louder than words, and even you, Sen. Obama, are all talk, no action.
It’s time for the change in Congress, and getting rid of the career politicians more concerned about self-preservation and the next election. It’s time to elect people who are sincerely interested in representing Americans, of giving voice to their constituents, and doing their duty to their country.
It’s time to vote Green and elect Green Party candidates to Congress!
Why ever would anyone donate or support any of the usual suspects in Congress? Democrat or Republican, there's no difference, and even the supposedly Democrat controlled Congress is still rubber-stamping the White House's demands.
Posted: 07.09.2008
WHY ever would I contribute to a Congress that represents only only about 9% of Americans – you’re approval rating has reached an all-time low, and so it appears that your supporters are dwindling in number.
It’s not rocket science to figure it out, either – Congress does whatever the GOP/Bush-Cheney regime demands, and goes along with smiles. For example, the incorrectly named Patriot Act, then again, a second time around for the still incorrectly named Patriot Act, then the sell-out Intel Act, now immunity for big telecoms for admittedly and blatant unconstitutional conduct. There’s also the socialized and charitable contributions to the military industrial complex, bestowed with yet another well-funded year (burning through $720 million per day with no end in sight), then there’s the ongoing welfare to big oil, when Congress refused to repeal the “royalty relief” that has allowed Exxon to continuously set new larger than ever profits for three plus years straight. Mission Accomplished!! for Dick Cheney’s super-secret energy task for meetings, at the expense of America and its citizens.
Where’s the accountability, and why has Nancy Pelosi become so spineless all of sudden? Like Cynthia McKinney aptly pointed out, instead of changing Congress, Congress has changed Nancy Pelosi. She has become just another political hack, more concerned about her own well-being and career in political office.
How about doing what’s right, doing what you know is in the best interests of American citizens, instead of selling out to big business, Wall Street (oh, that’s another charity/welfare project in the works “insuring,” at taxpayer expense, the businesses that gambled on sub-prime mortgages), big oil, and Bush-Cheney loyalists in the Pentagon, Halliburton/KBR, Blackwater, McDonnell-Douglas, et al.
No way am I supporting such wanton disregard for Americans’ interests. No way am I supporting such gross neglect, recklessness and misdirection that is staying America’s course to ruin, guided by the delusional president and his puppetmaster, Cheney. No way, enough is enough already. Americans have had enough of the business as usual, by the usual suspects in Congress.
The Democrats and Republicans are just different sides of the same coin – although heads and tails look different, they’re both just the same wooden nickel – and as these parties are inextricably joined at their backs, so is the do-nothing, Bush-supporting Congress. Not only is it pathetic that Congress, and specifically the “change” talking Democrats, are going along with it all, but it is also pathetic to see how many Americans have lost their voice in government, and are neither rich enough to be Republicans, nor rich enough to hire a lobbyist to have a voice.
It is clear that Congress is beholden to Wall Street and big business, and has long ago turned a deaf ear to American citizens. It is a tragedy of monumental proportions, that has been taking place inch by inch for the last century. Perhaps soon, Americans will realize the dire straits they face, with a runaway government intent on taxing, spending and growing bigger than ever.
How about downsizing government and supersizing the Constitution for a change.
How about doing something real, for a change, instead of just talking about it and then back-dooring a watered down, worthless piece of legislation that helps only those in power at the expense of hard working Americans.
The Democrats have failed to take action, and instead just give lip service, double-speak and mumbo jumbo to appease future voters. The Democrats have failed to make the hard decisions, take the road less traveled, and stand up for American citizens, and against corporations that have lost their integrity, honor and consciences many decades ago. Until then, not a dime from me, and everyone I talk to. Actions speak louder than words, and even you, Sen. Obama, are all talk, no action.
It’s time for the change in Congress, and getting rid of the career politicians more concerned about self-preservation and the next election. It’s time to elect people who are sincerely interested in representing Americans, of giving voice to their constituents, and doing their duty to their country.
It’s time to vote Green and elect Green Party candidates to Congress!
Bush Tours Damage Caused by Presidency
Bush Tours Damage Caused by Presidency
Truth is stranger than fiction, in this video from The Onion.
Posted: 07.13.2008
From The Nation:
Nine trillion dollars worth of debt. Intractable military occupations abroad. Millions without healthcare at home. A disaster has hit America and The Onion News Network’s crack team of investigative journalists are on the front lines, tracking George W. Bush’s long-overdue tour of the fifty-state disaster zone created by his Presidency.
-Will Di Novi
Truth is stranger than fiction, in this video from The Onion.
Posted: 07.13.2008
From The Nation:
Nine trillion dollars worth of debt. Intractable military occupations abroad. Millions without healthcare at home. A disaster has hit America and The Onion News Network’s crack team of investigative journalists are on the front lines, tracking George W. Bush’s long-overdue tour of the fifty-state disaster zone created by his Presidency.
-Will Di Novi
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080721/bushtour_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aEURwsrUSQ
Police Accountability Desparately Needed, Nationwide
Police Accountability Desparately Needed
Posted: 07.09.2008
All regular “ordinary” Americans (labeled “civilians” to those above the law) are held accountable, to ever stricter and often zero tolerance standards. It’s time to hold law enforcement accountable to the same, zero tolerance standard – zero tolerance for Constitutional violations and human rights abuses.
The fact that the Fraternal Order of Police and its close-knit “brotherhood” are so strongly and vigorously opposing independent review can only mean that they are neither honest nor law abiding, and are knowingly and intentionally violating the Constitution and peoples’ human and civil rights – stuff that they know would get them in trouble if it ever got out to the general public. They are a secretive brotherhood, covering up for their fellow brothers – or they wouldn’t be so afraid of a little light being shed on what they do.
Unfortunately, the trend started by the United States’ two-term, runaway unitary Executive Branch, has trickled down to all levels of law enforcement, that are abusing people with more vigor and impunity then ever. They have been emboldened by the incorrectly named Patriot Act, the loosely thrown about “terrorist” designation, and automatic, rubber-stamp support all the way up the chain of command.
This is not the America that our Founding Fathers envisioned, and not the near-totalitarian America that we should have to put up with today. It’s time to change the status quo, and rein in all levels of the executive, including local law enforcement.
A prime example demonstrating the dire need for police accountability is the City of Chicago. With its Olympic bid, this concern is even more pressing. History has shown that police act with even greater impunity at and during Olympics, such as Mexico City, Los Angeles and Atlanta, where human and civil rights abuses were rampant and freely dispensed by local law enforcement. All Chicagoans and Americans should be concerned, particularly about the fraternal order of Chicago police.
Despite well-documented evidence of ongoing and pernicious human rights abuses, deviant police officers are neither identified by internal review procedures, nor disciplined. Such conduct cannot be justified or tolerated. The Chicago Police Department (“CPD”) has to move into the 21st century – from zero accountability to zero tolerance for human rights abuses. The only viable solution is an empowered, independent civilian review board. Accountability is the hallmark of an organization’s integrity, and without accountability there can be no meaningful change at the CPD.
The CPD has been evaluated by various organizations, and each has reached the same conclusion: the CPD’s internal review and discipline systems do not protect residents of Chicago from abusive police officers. Rather, the CPD has a policy of failing to supervise or discipline its police officers. This problem is compounded by a lack of transparency, the “blue wall of silence” when police officers refuse to testify against fellow officers and refuse to cooperate with investigations of colleagues, and zero accountability.
The CPD’s own data is difficult to believe when compared to other large cities, as revealed in the federal civil rights lawsuit, Diane Bond vs. Utreras. http://www.colorlines.com/article.php?I... During the years 2002-2004, 10,149 abuse complaints were filed, but only 124 were sustained. And in total, only 19 complaints resulted in meaningful discipline – a rate of less than 2 per 1,000 complaints. To put this in perspective, the US DOJ reported that the national sustained rate for excessive force complaints in large cities in 2002 was 8%.
In a study of data from May 2001 to May 2006, most police officers had fewer than four complaints each. However, there was a glaring problem with 662 police officers (the “repeater beaters”), that each had over 10 complaints and during this time generated 10,733 complaints. Of these 10,733 complaints against the repeater beaters, only 22 resulted in meaningful discipline, and 75% of the repeater beaters have never been subject to any discipline whatsoever.
Oddly, 86% of the repeater beaters were not identified by the CPD’s supposed “early warning system” as needing intervention. There were even officers on the force with over 50 complaints each in this five year period, yet they were never disciplined or identified by the CPD’s “early warning system.” In addition, between 2001-2005 the City of Chicago paid out over $100 millions to settle 864 lawsuits. For some odd reason, the City of Chicago is hiding and protecting these 662 repeater beaters, and preventing anyone from finding out their names. http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php...
Amnesty International’s 2005 “Stonewalled” report also confirmed that due to the lack of trust in police oversight, combined with fear of retaliation, many people simply do not make complaints about police abuse and misconduct. LGBT individuals, youth and homeless people are frequently abused, yet are among those least likely to file complaints – meaning that the data from the CPD represents only a small percentage of actual abuse by the CPD, since most is not even reported. http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?...
Long-observed patterns of abuse continue unabated, and the lack of accountability within police structures has lead to widespread distrust of the justice system, particularly in minority and LGBT communities. The infamous torture by Commander Jon Burge and his officers between 1973-1991 is now well-known. However, there have been numerous other scandals during the last fifteen years, including Miedzianowski, Auburn-Gresham, Englewood, Special Operations Section (featured on CBS’ 60-Minutes on 6/1/2008), and the Skullcap Crew that terrorized Diane Utreras, as well as the recent videotaped bar beatings by off-duty Chicago police. After each scandal, Mayor Daley and various Superintendents have responded the same way – with a public statement denouncing the “bad cops” and promising vigorous investigations. However, when public attention waned, the status quo was restored, without any meaningful reform being instituted.
As Joseph Stine, former Executive Officer of Police Training Bureau for the City of Philadelphia, said “if the Chicago Police Department investigated street crime the way that it investigate police abuse, it would never solve a case.” The CPD’s procedure for investigating abuse complaints violates every canon of professional investigation, and confirms that self-policing does not work. Impunity is allowed to prevail at the CPD, as the CPD, the Cook County State’s Attorney, and the US Attorney’s office have failed to implement a system of legal accountability despite decades of well-documented and ongoing human rights violations.
Act now, speak up and voice your support for independent civilian review panels – for large cities like Chicago, and for each state to oversee all municipal law enforcement departments.
It’s a win-win situation that only the guilty and repeater beaters would oppose. Honest police officers would have nothing to fear, nothing to be guilty about, and no reason to oppose an oversight and accountability panel.
It is time for Americans to stand up and demand independent civilian review boards for all law enforcement, particularly and most importantly in light of the expanded and unconstitutional powers granted by the Bush-Cheney administration. The boards would ideally be comprised of citizens from civil rights organizations, such as the ACLU, Amnesty International, National Lawyers Guild, American Friends Service Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, et al. They would have power and authority to issue enforceable decisions, to make sure the police stop abusing their position of authority.
It’s time to stand up and demand zero tolerance for human and civil rights abuses by law enforcement. Enough is enough.
Additional resources
http://www.law.uchicago.edu/mandel/police/websites.html#account
A2D - Unite and support the Green Party
A2D -Unite and support the Green Party
Take the pledge! Agree to Disagree on specific strategy and support the majority vote. Unify your local or state organization for greater strength and a stronger voice.
A2D – Agree to Disagree. This is the only way to fight corporate money and power. United we stand, divided we are irrelevant. OK, this may sound a bit non-local or non-grassroots, but it’s just a temporary solution. For too long, those in power have been dividing people in America, creating false disputes, kind of like sports team rivalries, completely irrelevant issues that divide Americans.
However, there seem to be as many ways of implementing the Ten Key Values as there are people in the Green Party.
As a party, it would be useful at this juncture to unify as one strong force and support the majority vote on whatever strategy is at issue, no matter what issue, or how much we disagree with the specific approach.
Remember, we’re all on the same side and have similar hopes for a better US of A. As I see it, this is the only way to garner enough support for the Green Party to gain some prominance. (Unless of course, we reach a tipping point and there’s an inlux of hundreds of thousands of members.)
We can temporarily – just for a little while – agree to disagree on the precise method of addressing an issue, until the Green Party is an established party in every state and has a presence in the US Congress. Then and only then, we can reconsider whether it’s okay to start pulling the party into different directions with different strategies and see what happens.
Take the pledge, and A2D, for the benefit of the Green Party
==> A2D PLEDGE:
1. I am a member of the Green Party and fully support the Ten Key Values.
2. I will fully participate in all debates and present all information and strategy available to me on any particular issue.
3. Until the Green Party has representation in the US Congress or the White House, I pleadge and agree to fully support the majority vote decision on any candidate, strategy or position.
4. If in good conscience, I am unable or unwilling to actively, financially or vocally support the majority decision, I will remain supportively silent; however, I will still assist and provide guidance directly to organizational officers via email or written correspondence, advising them of the reasons for my supportive silence and providing constructive assistance.
5. United we stand, by the people, for the people.
Obama's double-speak early in the game
Obama's double-speak
Obama's use of buzzwords to please everyone, yet his actions confirm that he caved on illegal warrantless wiretaps and that he supports the status quo.
Op/Ed: The Democrats and Republicans are two sides of the same coin – from one side the coin may look like heads, and from the other tails. However different it may look depending on which side you see, it’s still the same quarter, nothing more. These parties are inextricably linked at their backs, so would never doing anything to pull the other too far away from center.
Obama is just one of the usual suspects. His actions confirm that he is just another political hack-deal-maker, that is more concerned about pleasing his friends in Congress and big donors, rather than representing American citizens and the Constitution.
Here’s a letter I received from my good senator that confirms he continues to admirably represent ATT’s, Verizon’s, big-telecoms’ and the Bush-Cheney regime’s interests (including Operation Iraqi Liberation). The letter also reveals A LOT about how he would continue King George’s unitary executive approach when elected (and continue the gov’s corny use of acronyms for PR purposes).
Obviously, we cannot trust what he says – we need to watch what he does, to know the real Sen. Obama.
Unfortunately, his own political aspirations are guiding him, and he has long forgotten about his constituents and the Constitution.
Letter from Sen. Obama (below)
~~~~~~~
Dear __:
Thank you for contacting me concerning the President’s domestic surveillance program. I appreciate hearing from you.
Providing any President with the flexibility necessary to fight terrorism without compromising our constitutional rights can be a delicate balance. I agree that technological advances and changes in the nature of the threat our nation faces may require that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), enacted in 1978, be updated to reflect the reality of the post 9/11 world. But that does not absolve the President of the responsibility to fully brief Congress on the new security challenge and to work cooperatively with Congress to address it.
As you know, Congress has been considering the issue of domestic surveillance since last year. Just before the August recess in 2007, Congress passed hastily crafted legislation to expand the authority of the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence to conduct surveillance of suspected foreign terrorists without a warrant or real oversight, even if the targets are communicating with someone in the United States. This legislation was signed into law by the President on August 5, 2007.
As you are aware, Congress has been working on reforms to FISA. On November 15, 2007, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3773, the “Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective Act of 2007” (RESTORE Act) by a vote of 227-189. The House bill did not provide retroactive immunity for private companies that may have participated in the illegal collection of personal information, nor does it provide immunity for Administration officials who may have acted illegally.
On February 12, 2008, the Senate passed S. 2248, making its own reforms to FISA. During consideration of this bill, I was proud to cosponsor several amendments, including the Dodd-Feingold amendment to strike the immunity provision, which would have enhanced privacy protections while maintaining the tools to fight terrorism. However, with the defeat of this amendment, the bill did not provide for a mechanism that would allow the American people to learn exactly what the Bush Administration did with its warrantless wiretapping program and provided for no accountability.
The House and Senate worked out a compromise, reconciling ifferences between the two versions of the bill before it can be signed into law. While I recognize that this compromise is imperfect, I will support this legislation, which provides an important tool to fight the war on terrorism and provides for an Inspectors General report so that we can finally get to the bottom of the warrantless wiretapping program and how it undermined our civil liberties. However, I am disappointed that this bill, if signed into law, will grant an unprecedented level of immunity for telecommunications companies that cooperated with the President’s warrantless wiretapping program, and I will work with my colleagues to remove this provision.
The American people understand that new threats require flexible responses to keep them safe, and that our intelligence gathering capability needs to be improved. What they do not want is for the President or the Congress to use these imperatives as a pretext for promoting policies that not only go further than necessary to meet a real threat, but also violate some of the most basic tenets of our democracy. Like most members of Congress, I continue to believe that the essential objective of conducting effective domestic surveillance in the War on Terror can be achieved without discarding our constitutionally protected civil liberties.
Thank you again for writing. Please stay in touch as this debate continues.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator
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