Mos Def uses the First Amendment

Tell it brother:



-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

HOPE LIVES.

Damn any and all discouragement. Make it better. Get better.

-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

Jim Hightower Videos

Jim Hightower is right on target, as always. Watch his video about the Bush Administration's failed middle-east Policy

HERE

-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

Technorati Link (Uh..)

Technorati Profile

-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

The Un-Regulated Market Pipe-Dream

http://www.longviewinstitute.org/projects/moral/sorcerersapprentice

"
...
Market Fundamentalism’s central flaw lies in its claim that encouraging acquisitiveness automatically produces good results. This claim conflicts with what actually happens in market situations and with the tenets of all of the world’s great religions that warn of the dangers to society and the individual soul that come from selfishness and materialism. Market Fundamentalism ultimately rests on a fairy tale in which each person’s pursuit of his or her self-interest automatically serves the common good.
...
The reality is that market exchange can serve the common good, but only when individuals obey moral injunctions and legal rules. When people cheat their customers, sabotage their competitors, avoid paying taxes, and ignore environmental rules, there is no Invisible Hand that blesses these transactions. Market Fundamentalism hides the fundamental reality that actual markets work because of a structure of legal and moral constraints that people have constructed over the decades to avert the disasters produced by excessive greed. Market Fundamentalism is so dangerous because it strips away all of the mechanisms and moral understandings that protect us from runaway and unregulated markets.
...

"
http://www.longviewinstitute.org/projects/moral/sorcerersapprentice

-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

Bush and Cheney Implicated in Libby Plame Case

I urge the press to do the right thing, stop their snow-job of the American public, and cover this. It is crucial:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/19416
"
Waxman Asks Fitzgerald to Testify Before Congress

Congressman Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said Thursday he wants Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald to testify before his committee about his investigation into the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame-Wilson's identity. Plame-Wilson, Waxman's office said, has agreed to testify before Congress on March 16.
...
"
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/19416


-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

WARMONGERS hide SHAMEFUL ACTS on Saturday

While much of the country is looking the other way, dirty deeds are done Saturday:

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0219-09.htm

"
Last week, the House passed a nonbinding resolution opposing Bush's plans to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq to bolster security in Baghdad and Anbar province. Senate Republicans used procedural maneuvers on Saturday to block the measure from being debated, but the Democratic motion fell four votes short of the 60 needed to pass.
"
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0219-09.htm

-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

NEW MEXICO CAN IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/nm
"
Senate Joint Resolution 5 (resolving to petition the U.S. House to impeach Bush and Cheney) was introduced on Jan. 23, 2007, by eight Senators. It was approved by the Senate Rules Committee on February 16th.
...
This is a state following a procedure that is laid out in the Jefferson Manual of rules for the U.S. Congress, a procedure that has been used successfully in the past to remove judges and other officials from office.
"
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/nm

There are those who believe that we cannot both stop this evil war and remove criminals from office at the same time. I venture that good conscience requires we do both.

-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

Citizens Demonstrate Nationwide March 17, 2007

We Citizens of the United States of America will be demonstrating our refusal to endorse the mean-spirited and stupid policies of the sold-out oligarchs in our foundering government(s), on March 17th, 2007. Many will be going to the Pentagon. Colonialism and perpetual war will benefit a few rich crooks, at the expense of all the rest of us and our environment. We Oppose it!

World Can't Wait
http://www.worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3870&Itemid=223

ANSWER Coalition
(focusing on the march on the Pentagon)
http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=8107

United for Peace and Justice
(focusing on the local events)
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3436

IndyMedia
http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/137771/index.php


-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

WARMONGERS are PREPOSTEROUS

We have a would-be king alleging that Iran is supplying weapons in Iraq. We don't have to fight Iran. The forces of evil want to get us stuck there in order to ensure their continued profiteering. NY TIMES brought us Judith Miller who helped sell the Iraq war too. These foul souls didn't mention that what they really want is to murder countless innocent women and children, and destroy the economy of yet another ancient country. These unimaginative fools don't realize that war is not the way to jump-start our economy. A peacetime initiative here at home to convert our infrastructure to one using clean energy sources would employ a lot of us.

Stupidity Kills. Knock it Off.

-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

Hartmann Smashes Limbaugh

Things had to get so bad in this country, the people so misled, the resources so severely squandered, that finally enough pressure accumulated for some progressive information to reach America's ears through our public airwaves. It has been extremely difficult for any useful information to get through since Ronald Reagan enabled blowhard shills for the oligarchy to rant without opposition all afternoon, after the Fairness Doctrine was snipped. Air America Radio has provided us a vehicle, however, and some sense is beginning to come through. Thom Hartmann is a true American Patriot and he’s going to be on the air daily, as a sensible alternative for anyone who has grown tired of the Goebbels-wet-dream known as Rush Limbaugh.

If Hartmann ever debates Limbaugh in a widely-aired forum, it will mark the complete end of the right-wing crap that has filled AM radio for the past 20 years. We can only hope it's not too late.

People Before Profits. Go Left.

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/01/29/daily2.html?from_rss=1

"

Thom Hartmann, Portland-based host of "The Thom Hartmann Program" on Air America's syndication channel, will move into "The Al Franken Show" timeslot next month.

"

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/01/29/daily2.html?from_rss=1


-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

Hope Trumps Cynicism

"Corruption is how we win..." -- from the movie, "Syriana"

Look. We can run our community by pooling our creative energies, and come up with the best possible solutions, or we can "Join 'em for lack of Beating 'em" and resign ourselves to a negative world where those who lie, cheat and steal get ahead and nice guys finish last.

I say, let those who believe that thinking is a waste of time, and that we should operate in accordance with the laws of the jungle, .. let them be managed .. let them be prevented from doing harm to the good that the rest of us are working to create. I say, let those who believe that hatred and fear are the best one can expect in humanity, be marginalized and recognized as the hazards to society that they actually are. Just because a corrupt system tries to sell you on the idea that killing, raping and pillaging are okay and sanctioned by "the system" doesn't absolve you of your moral responsibility to actively oppose and challenge such lies, and to work to bring these criminals to trial.

We can begin with Impeachment and trials for the acting President, Vice President and their cabinet.

We can continue by bringing our troops safely HOME and healing diplomatic ties with the rest of the world.

We can then break up the media monopolies.

I am hopeful that we will. It will make things better for all of us.

-- Mark Frankenberg

HEAR the MUSIC
get a FREE "Just Say NO to Fascism" Bumper Sticker
http://www.AmericanWisdom.org

New Mexico Senate Considers Impeachment for Bush, Cheney

Here's New Mexico's Impeachment Bill:
"

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PETITIONING CONGRESS TO COMMENCE THE INVESTIGATION OF AND IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD B. CHENEY.

WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney conspired with others to defraud the United States of America by intentionally misleading congress and the public regarding the threat from Iraq in order to justify a war in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 371; and

WHEREAS, George W. Bush has admitted to ordering the national security agency to conduct electronic surveillance of American civilians without seeking warrants from the foreign intelligence surveillance court of review, duly constituted by congress in 1978, in violation of Title 50 United States Code, Section 1805; and

WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney conspired to commit the torture of prisoners in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Chapter 113C, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Geneva Conventions, which under Article VI of the United States constitution are part of the "supreme Law of the Land"; and

WHEREAS, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney acted to strip American citizens of their constitutional rights by ordering indefinite detention without access to legal counsel, without charge and without the opportunity to appear before a civil judicial officer to challenge the detention, based solely on the discretionary designation by the president of a United States citizen as an "enemy combatant", all in subversion of
law; and

WHEREAS, in all of this, George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney have acted in a manner contrary to their trust as president and vice president, subverting constitutional government to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of New Mexico and of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, petitions from the country at large may be presented by the speaker of the United States house of representatives, according to Clause 3 of House Rule XII; and

WHEREAS, Section 603 of Thomas Jefferson's Manual on Parliamentary Practice and of the Rules of the United States House of Representatives states that impeachment may be set in motion by charges transmitted from the legislature of a state;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney, by such conduct, warrant impeachment and trial and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to cause to be instituted in the congress of the United States proper proceedings for the investigation of the activities of George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney, to the end that they may be impeached and removed from their offices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of state be instructed to certify and transmit to the speaker of the United States house of representatives and the clerk of the United States house of representatives, under the great seal of the state of New Mexico, a copy of this resolution and its adoption by the legislature of the state of New Mexico. The copies shall be marked with the word "Petition" at the top of the document and contain the original authorizing signature of the
secretary of state.

"
More on this bill HERE

FEAR: WarMongers' Choice Tool for Oppression

Bush/Rove uses an old playbook. Don't buy it.

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."

-- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials

Raiding BushVilles is NOT avocating Public Safety

In the "Blame the Poor" culture fostered by the worst of any plutocratic oligarchies, the unfortunates in society are subjected to harassment and random violence. Recently, police and firemen in St. Petersburg, Florida, under the direction of mayor Rick Baker, destroyed the shelters of homeless people who were clustered together for safety after the brutal murders of two of their own.

We don't like seeing failed policy that is producing these BushVille tent-cities. We don't like seeing evidence that this American Dream is falling apart due to the selling out of our republic by a bunch of rich crooks. It's bad enough that our corrupt representatives were complicit over the past generation in degrading our proud economy into this incipient squalor.

Once, there was a homeless peace-activist in the Middle East. His name was Jesus. He said,

"Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me." (Matt 25:40 for you professed followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ)

I would urge those who are entrusted by the public to effectively mitigate the problems in our society, to act in the spirit of that homeless peace-activist of ancient times, and channel some of that "faith-based" money we give you in the form of taxes, to build and equip adequate public shelters for those who find themselves on the street without a home, in our communities.

To those in public office who would sell their influence to would-be corporate feudal-lords at the expense of the rest of us, Knock it Off.

Some of our homeless are from out of town. We should get some federal aid in building our new shelters.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2007/01/city_raids_two_.html

"
January 19, 2007
City raids two homeless camps
ST. PETERSBURG — City officials raided two homeless camps Friday afternoon, seizing more than 20 tents and further rattling a community still shaken from the murders of two of its own.
Those who refused to get out of their tents or remove their belongings watched as two dozen police and fire officials sliced the tops of the tents away from their base, tossed them into a truck and drove off. Some said they didn’t have enough time to get out before the officials, using scissors, box cutters and other blades, began to cut.
“I was in the tent when they started cutting,” said Ken Argo, 54, who said he was asleep when the police arrived. “It was very reckless of them.”
The whole operation took less than 10 minutes.
The raid was the city’s latest attempt to deal with the highly visible tent camps that have sprung up in recent weeks and a homeless population that is becoming increasingly organized and close knit.
Last week the city shut down a tent city on Fourth Avenue N after it said it helped about 100 of its residents get social services, including rent vouchers and bus tickets to cities where relatives or friends could help.
Those who didn’t get or refused services soon set up their tents at one of two locations, Fifth Avenue N at 15th Street or Fifth Avenue N at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street.
But fire department officials soon observed a host of fire code violations at the two satellite tent cities, said Lt. Rick Feinberg, a spokesman for the city fire and rescue department. People were smoking and cooking in their tents, he said. The tents were too close together, too close to public thoroughfares, and they didn’t have fire extinguishers, he said.
Feinberg said the homeless also failed to get the required permits for their tents, which were set up on the public right of way.
“They were all in violation of codes,” Feinberg said. “No one submitted plans for preparations for these two tent cities.”
It’s not clear if all the fire codes the city cited indeed apply to the situation. The code requiring a permit specifies tents greater than 120 square feet, which is larger than the tents used by most of the homeless. And a state fire statute initially cited by the city doesn’t deal with tents, said a spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal.
Still, city officials said their job is to protect and that there were significant safety concerns at the two locations, including danger from heavy traffic. City officials also said the homeless were given the chance to remove their belongings from the tents and were offered a mat at a nearby shelter.
Rather than arrest or get in a physical altercation with those who refused, the officers cut the tents, said Deputy Mayor Dave Metz.
“The tents were retained for evidence,” Metz said.
The city’s action outraged the homeless community, which said the police officers should have been searching for the people who killed two homeless men early Wednesday morning instead of taking away tents.
“And now they’re putting all these people in jeopardy again,” said Rev. Bruce Wright of Refuge Ministries. The reason the homeless cluster in tents is for safety, Wright said.
Metz acknowledged the criticism but said the city did what it had to do. “I think you always have those implications, but our primary concern was safety.”
Wright said that advocates for the homeless, who met Friday with the city to discuss things like getting fire extinguishers, plan to sue the city over the destruction of the tents and will seek an injunction to prevent another raid.
“We’re getting more tents,” Wright said.
“We’re bringing down the big guns now. We’re gonna sue 'em.”
-- Abhi Raghunathan and Alisa Ulferts, Times staff writers

"

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2007/01/city_raids_two_.html

MySpace Blocks Media Ownership Reform

MySpace is owned by Newscorp (the "Faux News" people). Since they are opposed to a free press, which is incidentally essential to the effective function of a true democratic republic, they refused to air a Common Cause ad recently that encouraged people to contact the FCC regarding Media Ownership policy.

Story Here:
http://www.commonblog.com/story/2007/1/10/103219/774

I recommend "Thomas Paine and the Promise of America" by Harvey J. Kaye

I highly recommend the book, "Thomas Paine and the Promise of America" by Harvey J. Kaye. Read this and read "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn, and you will be cleansed of the filthy lies which have been foisted on us by the oligarchy since before our country was even born.

"Thomas Paine and the Promise of America" covers U.S. history from before the American Revolution until the present, leaving nothing out. Want to know about Eugene Debs? The Pullman Strike? The SDS? What was the McCarthy Era really about? Read this book. I don't write reviews for books generally, but this book, "Thomas Paine and the Promise of America" by Harvey J. Kaye is ESSENTIAL. Do you want to get America back on track? Learn what the track is and learn about the man who virtually, single-handedly conceived and initiated the idea known today as "America". In a time when this idea is dangerously close to collapse, "Thomas Paine and the Promise of America" should be on the bookshelf of any and every activist in the country. READ IT!

-- Mark Frankenberg

Speaking of Moral Values..

I wrote "Cruelty is Cowardice" and you can download the MP3 at:
http://markfrankenberg.com/mymusic.htm

Enjoy!

A Democratic Republic needs a Free Press

http://www.freepress.net/conference/

"
The National Conference for Media Reform is for anyone who is concerned about the state of our media and committed to working for change. This energizing weekend will present ideas and strategies for winning the fight for better media and connect you with thousands of media reformers from across the nation.
"
Event is January 12-14, 2007, Memphis, TN.

http://www.freepress.net/conference/

Tampa Protest, Sunday 10 Dec 2006

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/ADS/event/distributedEvent.jsp?event_KEY=19440
"
Tampa Bay Human Rights Day Rally For Impeachment

Sponsored by CodePink Tampa Bay, 911 Truth Tampa Bay, StPete for Peace, StPete Food Not Bombs, World Can't Wait Tampa Bay,and Pinellas Progressive Democrats. Rally, March and Demonstration to spread the message on Human Rights Day, that in order to defend, preserve and honor the rights of all human beings on this planet, we must start by demanding the IMPEACHMENT of George W Bush, Richard Cheney, and those Congress Men/Women who have been complicit in the crimes of this government, and that they all be brought to justice for their crimes against humanity for their role in the illegal wars, their role in the murder of 3000 and counting...citizens on 9/11/01, all those first responders who continue to die in the aftermath, as they are ignored and denied help, and ALL those who lost their lives in the aftermath of Katrina due to the intentional actions and inactions of the federal government, led by George W Bush and Michael Chertoff, the state and local governments. Removing the corporate lobbyists from Washington, bringing our Troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and repealing every piece of unconsitutional, inhumane, and harmful piece of legislation that has been passed since 9/11/2001. We will have speakers, and some music while we catch the postgame crowd from the Bucs/Dallas footbal game as they sit in traffic to go home, and end the evening with a candlelight vigil. Bring your signs, banners, chairs, coolers, snacks, drums, noisemakers, bullhorns, chants, etc...and a smile. Let's let everyone know that just because the election is over, that our work as responsible citizens is not done, and it's up to us to demand justice for all those who have died at the hands of this government, and to take the control of our country back from the Corpora-terrorist Elite, and put it into the hands of the people!!

December 10, 2006
From: 03:00 PM until 07:00 PM
Address
Dale Mabry Shopping Center 2905 N Dale Mabry HWY
Directions
Corner of Columbus Ave and Dale Mabry Highway, one city block south of Raymond James Stadium.
"
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/ADS/event/distributedEvent.jsp?event_KEY=19440