Wednesday, August 20, 2008.  Choas and violence continue, another US service member is dead, Richard A. Oppel Jr.'s reporting has the UN and US in damage control, Bully Boy lies to the VFW, lies surround yesterday's assaults in Diyala Province, and more.   Starting with war resistance. US war resister Tim Richard could not take part in the illegal war in Iraq for legal and ethical reasons so he went to Canada.  At the London War Resisters Support Campaign, he notes J.M. Branum's response to the ridiculous Rondi Adams. James Branum, a member of the National Lawyers Guild and co-chair of their Military Law Task Force, is representing US war resister Robin Long expected to face a court-martial shortly after being extradited from Canada last month.    Courage to Resist offers the followings to support Robin:         1. Donate to Robin's legal defense         Online: http://couragetoresist.org/robinlong         By mail: Make checks out to "Courage to Resist / IHC" and note "Robin Long" in the memo field. Mail to:    Courage to Resist       484 Lake Park Ave #41     Oakland CA 94610  Courage to Resist is committed to covering Robin's legal and related defense expenses. Thank you for helping make that possible.      Also: You are also welcome to contribute directly to Robin's legal expenses via his civilian lawyer James Branum. Visit girightslawyer.com, select "Pay Online via PayPal" (lower left), and in the comments field note "Robin Long". Note that this type of donation is not tax-deductible.     2. Send letters of support to Robin      Robin Long, CJC        2739 East Las Vegas            Colorado Springs, CO 80906        Robin's pre-trial confinement has been outsourced by Fort Carson  military authorities to the local county jail.         Robin is allowed to receive hand-written or typed letters only. Do NOT include postage stamps, drawings, stickers, copied photos or print articles. Robin cannot receive packages of any type (with the book exception as described below).        3. Send Robin a money order for commissary items          Anything Robin gets (postage stamps, toothbrush, shirts, paper, snacks, supplements, etc.) must be ordered through the commissary. Each inmate has an account to which friends may make deposits. To do so, a money order in U.S. funds must be sent to the address above made out to "Robin Long, EPSO". The sender's name must be written on the money order.       4. Send Robin a book           Robin is allowed to receive books which are ordered online and sent directly to him at the county jail from Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. These two companies know the procedure to follow for delivering books for inmates.   Robin Long was extradited.  It was done under the cloak of deportation because Judge Anne Mactavish knew that if she openly instituted extradition proceedings, there would be higher checks on her actions which could have prevented Robin from being forced out of Canada.  It is not a minor point and it's one that's all the important as US war resister Jeremy Hinzman has been informed he has until September 23rd to leave Canada.  In Robin's case, Mactavish was willing to ignore the law as well as guidelines covering refugees and immigrants (most obvious in her decision to extradite Robin and break up a family -- Robin is the father of a Canadian child) and willing to oversee the handover of Robin Long to US authorities (that's what makes it extradition and not deportation).  Hopefully, Jeremy's expulsion from Canada will be stopped.  But people need to pay attention to what happens if it is not.  Robin was locked away for weeks and kept from contact with those who could have advised and offered support.  He went from a Canadian jail to being handed over to US authorities.  Judge Mactavish argued that Robin had to be imprisoned because he was a "flight risk."  A "flight risk"?  If someone you are debating expelling is a "flight risk," you don't lock them away.  You hope they decide to leave on their own to avoid your government paying the costs of a hearing.  Mactavish got a way with a lot.  If Jeremy is expelled, all eyes should be watching to ensure that laws are not broken.  Jeremy is being highly pro-active and has already taped a video, which you can find at the  War Resisters Support Campaign, where he speaks directly to Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada:   Jeremy Hinzman: Hello, Mr. Harper.  This is my family Nga, Liam and Meghan.  We've been in Canada for the last four and a 1/2 years.  I was a specialist in the 82nd Air borne division of the United States Army and served honorably in Afghanistan.  In 2004, my family and I came to Canada because we would not participate in the Iraqi War, a war which Canada also refused to participate in because it was condemned by the international community.  One of your predecessors, Pierre Trudeau, once said that Canada should be have from militarism and we took him at this word.  On June 3, 2008, the Canadian Parliament passed a motion saying that United States war resisters should be able to remain in Canada.  We're asking you to abide by this motion and allow us to stay in Canada.  Thank you.   Title Card: On September 23rd, the Harper government plans to deport the Hinzman family back to the United States.   Title Card: Hinzman faces a court martial and up to 5 years in military prison for opposing the Iraq war and coming to Canada.   Title Card: War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada): www.resisters.ca     Courage to Resist alerts, "Supporters are calling on Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, to intervene. Phone 613.996.4974 or email finley.d@parl.gc.ca,"Iraq Veterans Against the War also encourages people to take action, "To support Jeremy, call or email Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and ask her to intervene in this case. Phone: 613.996.4974 email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca." In addition to that, Canada's War Resisters Support Campaign is staging an emergency meeting this week (August 20th, Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil St.) and planning a day of action (September 13th) where "[a]ctions, demonstrations and pickets will take place in cities and towns all across Canada."     There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes Yovany Rivero, William Shearer, Michael Thurman, Andrei Hurancyk, Megan Bean, Chris Bean, Matthis Chiroux, Richard Droste, Michael Barnes, Matt Mishler, Josh Randall, Robby Keller, Justiniano Rodrigues, Chuck Wiley, James Stepp, Rodney Watson, Michael Espinal, Matthew Lowell, Derek Hess, Diedra Cobb, Brad McCall, Justin Cliburn, Timothy Richard, Robert Weiss, Phil McDowell, Steve Yoczik, Ross Spears, Peter Brown, Bethany "Skylar" James, Zamesha Dominique, Chrisopther Scott Magaoay, Jared Hood, James Burmeister, Jose Vasquez, Eli Israel, Joshua Key, Ehren Watada, Terri Johnson, Clara Gomez, Luke Kamunen, Leif Kamunen, Leo Kamunen, Camilo Mejia, Kimberly Rivera, Dean Walcott, Linjamin Mull, Agustin Aguayo, Justin Colby, Marc Train, Abdullah Webster, Robert Zabala, Darrell Anderson, Kyle Snyder, Corey Glass, Jeremy Hinzman, Kevin Lee, Daniel Baker, Mark Wilkerson, Patrick Hart, Ricky Clousing, Ivan Brobeck, Aidan Delgado, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, Blake LeMoine, Clifton Hicks, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Logan Laituri, Jason Marek, Clifford Cornell, Joshua Despain, Joshua Casteel, Katherine Jashinski, Dale Bartell, Chris Teske, Matt Lowell, Jimmy Massey, Chris Capps, Tim Richard, Hart Viges, Michael Blake, Christopher Mogwai, Christian Kjar, Kyle Huwer, Wilfredo Torres, Michael Sudbury, Ghanim Khalil, Vincent La Volpa, DeShawn Reed and Kevin Benderman. In total, at least fifty US war resisters in Canada have applied for asylum. Information on war resistance within the military can be found at The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline [(877) 447-4487], Iraq Veterans Against the War and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. In addition, VETWOW is an organization that assists those suffering from MST (Military Sexual Trauma).     Turning to Iraq where Leila Fadel (McClatchy Newspapers) reports, "A key pillar of the U.S. strategy to pacify Iraq is in danger of collapsing" and she's referring to the counter-insurgency 'strategy' of putting thugs on the US payroll so that they will, as US Ambassador to Iraq outlined to Congress repeatedly in April, stop attacking Americans (the 'strategy' is: Fork over your lunch money and you'll be safe on the playground).  Call them "Awakening" Council or "Sons of Iraq" or whatever, they're thugs paid to play nice.  Fadel notes that the Shi'ite dominated government of puppet Nouri al-Maliki refuses to bring these Sunni militias into the government and quotes "one senior Iraqi commander in Baghdad" explaining, "We cannot stand them, and we detained many of them recently."  That part is no surprise.  The next part of the quote?  "Many of them were part of al Qaida despite the fact that many of them are helping us to fight al Qaida" can be seen as the cover explanation that will be offered (and has been offered) for not bringing them in.  One group of thugs in power doesn't want to share with another.  The US installed one group and then, "counter-insurgency" (brought to Iraq by such 'great' minds as Sarah Sewall and Monty McFate) decided paying off the other dominant (in the population) group of thugs was just the thing to . . . throw the whole country off balance.  Which it has.  Let's hear it for the quackery of Sidewalk Social Scientists.  Fadel quotes one thug leader of the "Awakening" Council, Mullah Shahab al Aafi, declaring, "If they disband us now, I will tell you that history will show we will go bacck to zero.  I will not give up my weapons.  I will never give them up, and I will carry my weapon again.  If it is useless to talk to the government, I will be forced to carry my weapons and my pistol."    As Fadel notes the White House has repeatedly sold the "Awakening" Councils as a success story.  So let's drop back to April for some basics.  From April 8th, when US Amassador Crocker and US General David Petraeus brought their variety show to Congress:   How much lunch money is the US forking over?  Members of the "Awakening" Council are paid, by the US, a minimum of $300 a month (US dollars).  By Petraeus' figures that mean the US is paying $27,300,000 a month.  $27 million a month is going to the "Awakening" Councils who, Petraeus brags, have led to "savings in vehicles not lost".  Again, in this morning's hearings, the top commander in Iraq explained that the US strategy is forking over the lunch money to school yard bullies.  [. . .] Crocker's entire testimony can be boiled down to a statement he made in his opening statements, "What has been achieved is substantial, but it is also reversible."  Which would translate in the real world as nothing has really changed.  During questioning from Senator Jack Reed, Crocker would rush to shore up the "Awakening" Council members as well.  He would say there were about 90,000 of them and, pay attention, the transitioning of them is delayed due to "illliteracy and physical disabilities."    That afternon, the Senate Foreign Affairs committe chair would outline the three reasons violence was "down" (but had not ceased), Joe Biden: "First, the Sunni Awakening, which preceded the surge.  Second, the Sadr cease-fire.  Third, sectarian cleansing that left much of Baghdad segregated, with fewer targets to shoot or bomb.  These tactical gains are relative.  Violence is now where it was in 2005 and spiking up again.  Iraq is still incredibly dangerous and, despite what the President says, very far from normal.  And these gains are fragile.  Awakening members frustrated at the government's refusal to integrate them into the national security forces could turn their guns back on us."  What if the "Awakening" Council members turned their guns?  It's not pie-in-the-sky, it's a question that should have been answered back in April.  The frustrations are boiling over as al-Maliki continues to refuse to fold them into the government forces.  Back to that snapshot and focusing on Senator Barbara Boxer's time:   She then turned to the issue of monies and the militias, "You are asking us for millions more to pay off the militias and, by the way, I have an article here that says Maliki recently told a London paper that he was concerned about half of them" and wouldn't put them into the forces because he doubts their loyalty.  She noted that $182 million a year was being paid, $18 million a month, to these "Awakening" Council members and "why don't you ask the Iraqis to pay the entire cost of that progam" because as Senator Lugar pointed out, "It could be an opportunity" for the Iraqi government "to turn it into something more long term."  This is a point, she declared, that she intends to bring up when it's time to vote on the next spending supplamental. Crocker tried to split hairs.   Boxer: I asked you why they couldn't pay for it. . . . I don't want to argue a point. . . I'm just asking you why we would object to asking them to pay for that entire program giving all that we are giving them in blood and everything else?   Crocker declared that he'd take that point back to Iraq when he returned.    Now we're flipping over to the April 10th snapshot and bringing in the topic of the treaties:   Senator Joe Biden: We will hear today about the two agreements that the Administration is negotiating with Iraq which were anticipated in the November Declaration. On Tuesday, Ambassador Crocker told us that these agreements would set forth the "vision" -- his phrase -- of our bilateral relationship with Iraq.  One agreement is a "strategic framework agreement" that will include the economic, political and security issues outlined in the Declaration of Principles. The document might be better titled "What the United States will do for Iraq," because it consists mostly of a series of promises that flow in one direction -- promises by the United States to a sectarian government that has thus far failed to reach the political compromises necessary to have a stable country.  We're told that the reason why we're not continuing under the UN umbrella is because the Iraqis say they have a sovereign country. But they don't want a Status of Forces Agreement because that flows two ways. The Administration tells us it's not binding, but the Iraqi parliament is going to think it is. The second agreement is what Administration officials call a "standard" Status of Forces Agreement, which will govern the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq, including their entry into the country and the immunities to be granted to them under Iraqi law. Unlike most SOFAs, however, it would permit U.S. forces -- for the purposes of Iraqi law -- to engage in combat operations and detain insurgents. In other words, to detain people that we think are bad guys. I don't know any of the other nearly 90 Status of Forces Agreements that would allow a U.S. commander to arrest anyone he believes is a bad guy.   The treaties are back in the news but before we get to them, April 10th, Biden was calling out the "internal threat" aspect and explaining that it required the US "to support the Iraqi government in its battle with all 'outlaw groups' -- that's a pretty expansive commitment," and one that requires the US "to take sides in Iraq's civil war" when "there is no Iraqi government that we know of that will be in place a year from now -- half the government has walked out. . . . We want to normalize a government that really doesn't exist."  Senator Russ Feingold would add, "Given the fact that the Maliki government doesn't represent a true coalition, won't this agreement [make it appear] we are taking sides in the civil war especially when most Iraqi Parliamentarians have called for a withdrawal of troops?"  All of the issues raised in today's news cycle were not only known some time ago, they were raised by the US Congress repeatedly in April (and brushed aside by those sent before them to offer talking points).  AP reports that US sources are saying the treaties (both of them) have been worked out and will soon be formalized.  Yesterday, US White House spokesperson Gordon Johndroe confirmed that the White House had been sent a draft.   On December 31st of this year, the United Nations authorization for the occupation of Iraq (there was never any authorization for the illegal war itself) expires.  Nouri al-Maliki has already angered the Iraqi Parliament by twice ignoring it and renewing the mandate.  But nothing is preventing the UN from offering a stop-gap measure of some form to briefly cover the occupation while the US presidency switches hand (Bully Boy has had his two terms and on his way out the door).  Even better, no extension -- even a brief one -- would end the illegal war because foreign forces would have to leave Iraq.  Instated, the White House is pushing long-term treaties that they attempt to call by other names to avoid the US Constitutional requirement that requires Senate authorization of all treaties.  (al-Maliki has stated that, on Iraq's ends, the Iraqi Parliament will follow their own Constitution to some degree and the Parliament will have some form of approval.)   The United Nations raised Iraq yesterday in their daily press briefing where a spokesperson (Farhan Haq) spoke for Ban Ki-moon and asserted "that, over the past five years, the United Nations has continued to help the people of Iraq -- and others throughout the world -- who suffer from violence, disease and want."  It is the fourth anniversary of the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad (22 UN staffers died) and the spokesperson declared, "This work is often dangerous, but it must go on.  Those who died on August 18th, 2003 would have it no other way."  When you're arguing for continued actions on the backs of the dead, you're arguing from a position of weakness and "position of weakness" describes the UN's role throughout the Iraq War. Naturally Bloody War Hawk Samantha Power (taking time out from praising counter-insurgency) took to the New York Times yesterday to satisfy her blood lust with a column.  Despite providing a cloak for the ongoing illegal war, the anniversary of the UN bombing yesterday resulted in no 'shout out' from the White House with Gordon Johndroe not even acknowledging it in his press briefing.   Today in Florida, the Bully Boy of the United States addressed the VFW.  Gordon Johndroe had explained in yesterday's White House press briefing that the speech would be "a look-back on significant moments in the war on terror," and indeed Bully Boy attempted to use the 'war on terror' to justify everything but daughter Jenna's wedding expenses.  If he could fold it into the so-called war on terror, he obviously would have.  On Iraq he referenced Saddam Hussein as "a brutal dictator who murdered his own people" leaving out the fact that he was installed by the US and took most of his actions with US approval.  "Because we acted, the dicator is gone," he declared striving really hard to sound like a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, "and 25 million Iraqis are free."  Bully Boy is wrong, approximately 2 million Iraqis are 'free' -- the external refugees who face new tragedies in other countries.  No one in Iraq is 'free.'  Not checking out the news cycle, Bully Boy complained that Iraq's suitation was once criticized and that some "were willing to give up on the mission."  Bully Boy made clear he would never apologize for the illegal war he started. He did make time to lie about "political and economic progress . . . taking place".  Lying is all the rage in front of the VFW this month.  Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama lied this week.  He hailed presumptive Republican candidate John McCain's ("served this nation honorably") and then used his speech to attack McCain claiming that he (Barack) had always been consistent in his opposition to the illegal war.  A lie.  Another was hailing Nouri al-Maliki as "democratically-elected."  al-Maliki wasn't even the first choice of the US in the spring of 2006 (nor was he the first choice of the Iraqi parliament).  al-Maliki was installed.  It's that kind of lie -- one that comes so easily to Barack -- which goes a long, long way towards explaining how he's not vested in ending the illegal war.  Attempting to dispell his 'stranger' quality to the VFW, he ignored speaking of his father and his many wives and instead emphasized the American side of his family.  He also claimed wife Michelle had been speaking to veterans knowing no one would check into that (she's not sought out veterans) and knowing few would dare point out that Barack's refused a request for debate by, yes, veterans.  He repeatedly went nasty on McCain (including on the GI Rights Bill) knowing that as the darling of the press corps he can continue to attack and only McCain's attacks on him will ever be noted.  The only improvement for Barack is that someone has tutored him enough that he now no longer speaks of "the bomb" dropped on Pearl Harbor and appears aware that it was multiple bombs.  Yes, he truly is that stupid.   Yesterday's snapshot noted Richard A. Oppel Jr.'s "Kurdish Control of City Creates Political Powderkeg in North Iraq" (New York Times) on what Kurds are boasting as their takeover of oil-rich Kirkuk.  Missy Ryan (Reuters) reports today that US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker is insisting that Iraqi MPs must not be "bitter" over events in Kirkuk and that It's important that the elections law focus on elections, not on attempting to use this legislation to solve a difficult and much more complicated problem." Had the US government wanted to stop it, Kirkuk's fate would not appear sealed today.  Crocker sanctimonously added, "It is important to remember what brings you together, not only the differences."  Economically, one difference is that Kirkuk is oil-rich and it's not as simple as Crocker wants to portray it.  Peter Graff (Reuters) reports that the UN's Staffan de Mistura declared at a press conference today that the UN was working on a "grand deal" to be revealed in September or October that would hopefully "resolve a looming row without fresh bloodshed" and, regarding Kirkuk, the UN would not advocate a referendrum but would instead attempt "to negotiate a broad political deal which could then be put to a 'confirmatory referendum', backed by all sides."   Yesterday, Iraqi security forces raided Sunni politicians, killed and arrested.  Nicholas Spangler and Laith Hammoudi (McClatchy Newspapers) report four police officers were wounded in the Diyala actions, the governor's secretary was shot dead, Hussein al Zubaidi ("provincial council member and head of security committee") was arrested, computers were seized and "Taha Dria, a Shiite lawmaker from Diyala who was not in the government compound during the raid, said the armed forces were from Iraq's Emergency Response Unit, an American-trained unit similar to U.S. Special Forces" quoting him explaining that, "They were wearing khaki. Their weapons were American. The Humvees they used looked American. They didn't have any ranks on their shoulders. They didn't talk."  They also report eye witnesses saw two US helicopters and that the helicopters fired on the Iraqi people.  The US military issued a denial on accusations yesterday and maintained that one helicopter was in the area but for other reasons and it was not involved in actions. Ned Parker and Usama Redha (Los Angeles Times) note the US military's denial and also explain that "a prominet Sunni university dean" was also arrested, that the Iraqi forces involved "reports to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's counter-terrorism office" but al-Maliki claims he was unaware and his office insists, "These special forces work with the Americans. They are not associated with the Ministry of Defense. They have goals, and they didn't inform anyone else."  Nichoals Spangler (McClatchy Newspapers) reports that the US continues to deny any involvement in yesterday's lawless activities with US Big Gen James Boozer insisting, "It was what appears to be a rogue operations."  If true, it would reflect poorly on Bully Boy's declarations today, wouldn't it?  Spangler notes, "Both men arrested are Sunni Muslims, and the Iraqi Islamic Party, the largest Sunni party in the country, immediately condemned the raids as part of a sectarian campaign by the largely Shiite Muslim security forces."  So busy spinning, M-NF apparently was too busy to announce a death which is how the death toll for the month thus far reached 18 US service members with no one noticing (4145 since the start of the illegal war). Turning to some of today's reported violence . . .   Bombings?   Mohammed Al Dulaimy (McClatchy Newspapers) reports a Baghdad roadside bombing that left two people wounded. Reuters notes four were wounded in that bombing   Shootings?   Mohammed Al Dulaimy (McClatchy Newspapers) reports two Iraqi soldiers were wounded in a Baghdad shooting and a Nozad Sirwan ("engineer") was shot dead in Kirkuk. Reuters notes 1 person shot dead and two more wounded in Tuzkhurmato, 1 person shot dead by the US military in Abu Alapa, .   Corpses?   Reuters notes 3 corpses discovered in Baghdad and 2 corpses were discovered in Hilla.   Turning to the US presidential race.  Cynthia McKinney, Green Party presidential nominee, continues her campaign stops in Tennessee.  Tomorrow she starts the day in Dickson and moves on to Nashville where she will hold a press converence at Legislative Plaza (11:00 a.m., open to the public) and then  and she has upcoming appearances this week (tomorrow and Thursday) followed by a public Q&A.   Indpendent presidential candidate Ralph Nader continues his campaign for ballot access.  Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez' independent presidential bid has set the goal of appearing on 45 states' ballots and Ryan J. Foley (AP) reports that the Nader campaign in Wisconsin is 100 signatures away from the required number of signatures to gain access to the state's ballot and that they expect to more than exceed the required number by the September 2nd deadline.  In other news, Team Nader notes:   As late as yesterday, we didn't think we had a chance. For the first time in this campaign, we were at serious risk of missing a self-imposed financial goal. Then, yesterday, you came through. And now, we're back in it. Now, we're just shy of $42,000. And we have a chance to hit our goal of $50,000 by 11:59 pm tonight. But we're going to have to bust a gut to get there. All out. All day. All night. So, we are calling on 900 of you -- our most loyal supporters -- to donate $10 each now to push us over the top. (900 times $10 equals $9,000, right?) And for every $10 contribution you donate today, we will give free admission to a needy student who wants to come to hear Ralph Nader at our Open the Debates Super Rally at the University of Denver's Magness Arena. ($10 in advance, $12 at the door.) Ralph will be joined by his running mate Matt Gonzalez. And -- breaking news -- a star studded line-up will join Ralph and Matt in a call to open up the Presidential debates. Featuring -- Val Kilmer, Cindy Sheehan and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, Nellie McKay, and Ike Reilly. So, please -- give a student a chance to attend this historic event. Donate $10 now -- or whatever you can afford -- and send a student to raise the banner in Denver -- Open the Presidential Debates, More Voices, More Choices. Keep an eye on our widget throughout the day. Watch your name go up in lights. And see if we blast through our goal. Donate now. And let's get it done. Together, we will not be denied. Onward.      iraq tim richard jeremy hinzman robin long jim branum leila fadel laith hammoudi nicholas spangler usama redha the los angeles times ned parker saif hameed  the new york times richard a. oppel jr.

Monday's snapshot noted Justice Robert Barnes' July 4th ruling in Joshua Key's case. Which resulted in X repeatedly e-mailing the public account. X explains repeatedly that he hasn't read the decision which is probably what should stop him before he feels the need to e-mail again. It's a 23-page decision. If you can't read a 23-page decision, you really have no right to disagree. You've got no standing to disagree. But X thinks that "military deserters and evaders" (Barnes) is "no big thing and just something written in passing." Yeah, that makes sense.

Of course Barnes was just writing in passing. He didn't mean for his ruling to matter, he didn't take it all seriously, and, no doubt, cobbled it together with little thought, intent or perspective.

If that's what you believe the only reason for believing that is you haven't read the decision.

Barnes is not practicing Anais Nin's symphonic writing (or Hannah Arendt's in her longer pieces -- not an insult to either writer) where the words twist and turn inward and outward so that the pace itself and the rhythm becomes as important as any thought expressed. He chooses his words very precisely. He is not going for symphonic writing nor is he redundant. It's a meticulous, carefully considered ruling.

"Military deserters and evaders" is not a classification he invented for that ruling. Those terms have been in use for a long time and, for present day purposes, they cover both a Joshua Key (who served in Iraq, "military deserter") and a Jeremy Hinzman (who did not serve in Iraq, "military evader").

Judge Barnes took the case before him very seriously. His ruling is rooted in Canadian law, in international law and contains careful citations. To dismiss his use of the phrase "military deserters and evaders" is to assume otherwise or to convince yourself, "Well, he was tired there and just rushing to finish writing it."

The Cliff Notes version is that Barnes explained why the 'board's' ruling in Key's case was too narrow. But the full decision explains why the rulings by the 'board' have been too narrow. That's why he bring in international law and non-governmental bodies (such as the International Red Cross). The entire ruling is an argument against the simplistic findings that the 'board' has repeatedly reached. (Canada's Refugee and Immigration Board does not make the decision, one member does. That's why I say 'board.') Joshua Key's case was the one before him. He was not required to mention Jeremy Hinzman by name; however, he does mention Jeremy by name. There's a reason for that.

To assume otherwise is to assume that Barnes' decision wasn't carefully considered. The only way you can reach that conclusion is to avoid reading the actual decision. Barnes' decision is a present day landmark. When you have a landmark decision, it gets built on. Barnes isn't an idiot, he full well knew that. He knew his decision would get attention and he knew it would come under scrutiny. So he sourced it throughout. There's not one section that's based on conjecture. It is a solid legal ruling in which every section is backed up and grounded in the law.

To insist that Jeremy Hinzman is just tossed out in passing and that Barnes didn't know what he was doing by mentioning Hinzman or that he was being redundant with the phrase "military deserters and evaders" is to argue something that the ruling (in it's 23 pages) does not back up.

X copies and pastes coverage from a daily paper when news of the ruling broke. Few journalists have any legal background or understanding. Even those who do have the constraints of deadlines. There is nothing in the article that suggests the reporter read the decision (in part or in full), let alone grasped it. There is no quote from the decision and the 'analysis' comes from quoting others. In the US (which is where X is from), when a government report is released and is covered, it's covered immediately. It may be over 100 pages. The reporters covering it out of the gate have not read the full report. And that's true, even in the next day's papers. Linda Greenhouse has left the New York Times and is now a college professor so it will be interesting to watch out how the New York Times' coverage of Supreme Court rulings is in the future. Greenhouse had a gift but she also had tremendous skill and training. The reporter highlighted by X covers a number of 'beats' and the legal beat is not usually one of them.

If we had a functioning press, Big or Small, Barnes' legal ruling would have been explored at length in magazines. (The daily press, by its nature, is about highlights.) We don't and Small Media has no real interest in war resisters period. (In These Times being the exception.) Before Katrina vanden Heuvel put her 'mark' on The Nation (which will come out with a little club soda), many lawyers did appear in the magazine. (Don't throw out Professor Patti inventing mythical French boys who tell her John Kerry's life story or combing through issues of People magazine to offer the racist and offensive comparison of African-American to black dogs. That's not a trained legal mind working, that's someone suffering from severe pop cultural damage.) That said, a number of attorneys have websites where they blog and there ws nothing preventing any of them from combing through the decision and writing about it. If you know one who did, by all means e-mail.

I don't know why you would go to the trouble of getting a law degree, starting a website and then deciding your 'contribution' would be to gas bag over election talking points. Which brings up another e-mail. James Branum is an attorney and he has a website. This entry is dictated around what I put in earlier this morning. I forgot to put in a link to the National Lawyers Guild and the person I'm dictating too is unfamiliar with links. So no link in this for the National Lawyers Guild for that reason. But a visitor suggested we link to Branum on the permalinks to the left. We'll highlight Branum in entries (with links in entries). We won't link to him on the permalinks.

That's nothing against him but has to do with a stunt someone pulled which enraged the community. When that happened, all the NLG links were pulled. There's an entry (probably a Thursday night "I Hate The War" entry) where it's written about. I support the NLG but I know the community and when the community turns it's a waste of their time and my time to try to 'override' that. A NLG person did a STUPID thing. Surprising because the person is so smart. But at a time when emotions were already charged across the country, the person decided to wade into electoral issues (no reason at all for that) and wrote an embarrassing column ("embarrassing" is my call). It destroyed support for the NLG in this community.

When people are in a position where they are the face of the organization, they need to think about how to build the organization and how to build recognition and support for it in the larger world. Political candidates? That's not really worth their commenting on and it kind of cheapens the organizations when they do. There was no reason nor need for that column and its opinions expressed were uninformed. I heard about the column from a friend and dreaded going into the e-mails because I knew there would be a severe backlash to the NLG. And there was a severe backlash from the community. As there should have been.

A lawyer knows the term "charged language" and that column was nothing but "charged language." I have no idea what was in it for ____ personally but I doubt the fallout was worth it. In the position ____ holds, the column clearly became in the eyes of many an endorsement of a candidate (and a screed against another). That's not why office holders of an organization are elected. The column's subtext was all 'decent' people support Barack and all 'indecent' people support Hillary. That would not be reflected in a polling of NLG's own membership which includes a number who do not believe in party politics, a number who are not impressed with Barack, a number who belong to a third party (including an increasingly vocal segment that's asking why the hell some in leadership of the NLG -- an independent body -- is working overtime to prop up the Democratic Party to begin with) and some that, yes, supported Hillary.

It was a stupid decision to write that column. It was extreme stupidity to post it.

It has caused more fallout -- not just within this community -- than was ever expected. And it is exactly the reason that the NLG should stay out of party politics.

Katrina vanden Heuvel has destroyed The Nation magazine to the point that unless you're addicted to the text version of the cable chat & chews, the fact-free, water cooler gas bagging, you no longer have use for that periodical. That same easy, immature mindset has now taken hold at The Progressive as well. It is among the reasons that we can't get discussions of war resisters, let alone of other real issues. Everything must be filtered through so that it does not have a negative impact on Barack.

I have no idea why so many people want to prostitute themselves for any candidate -- regardless of whom he or she is. But the facile musings being offered do not challenge, do not inform and do not help the left. That was obvious long before ____ wrote the column attacking Hillary. There was no reason for the column and all it did was cause fallout.

For that reason, all of the NLG links were pulled from the permalinks.

My guess is that had the same person championed a candidate in a third party or an independent candidate (regardless of right or left), it would have been viewed differently. But the idea that the NLG is attacking Hillary, distorting her, to promote a corporate candidate offended just as many non-Hillary supporters as it did Hillary-supporters.

And when you hold the office ___ does in the NLG and you are insisting that Hillary was calling for someone to be murdered, you are seen as writing for the NLG. That's a serious charge and, as an attorney (one highly placed in the NLG), you give that impression.

A whiner attorney e-mailed to complain we didn't note his (non NLG) event. In Los Angeles, at the same time people were going to town on Hillary and accusing her of murderous desires for noting the fact that Robert Kennedy was assassinated, a symposium was being held on the RFK assassination. Hillary mentioning historical fact is calling/hoping for murder? Noting history is that? But this organization can stage their event without any fallout?

The organization's website featured a column -- while they were holding their conspiracy convention -- saying that Hillary noting RFK's assassination was a 'threat' to Barack. If they honestly felt that way, then maybe the organization should have cancelled their convention? If Hillary mentioning history is a 'threat' to Barack, then surely a conspiracy convention is a great deal more.

It was always insane to argue Hillary was suggesting or rooting for something to happen to Barack but it was never as insane as coming from the organization that was holding their kook convention which no one fretted over, no one called out. But the kooks could call out Hillary?

No, we didn't promote that organization's event. I never said we would. (A reply went out noting that Ruth probably would and that, they assumed, I might.) When there was all the high drama over Hillary's remarks, the promotion of that event became iffy. When I visited their website and saw that they were declaring Hillary's mentioning of previous candidates who were in campaigns for months was seen as a threat, there was no way we were going to note the convention.

Referencing history is a threat? But a bunch of kooks getting together to jerk off over conspiracy theories was fine and dandy?

I don't usually call people 'kooks' or toss around 'conspiracy' as a pejorative; however, if your organization wants to offer theories that are counter to the accepted history for days and days at a public convention and you also want to attack Hillary for mentioning historical facts, you're a kook. You're a crazy. You're a nut job.

Due to the climate that the left created over Hillary's remarks, the convention being noted here was always going to be 'iffy' but what got them blocked out was that they joined that climate with the story on the front page of their website. If you think Hillary noting an assassination in a sentence is a threat to Barack, then your multi-day convention covering the same assassination (IN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR! as the idiots loved to scream at Hillary) shouldn't have been scheduled for an election year and should have been called off by your own reasoning.
You can't apply a standard to her brief comments and act as if your multi-day event is somehow immune to the same (false) charges.

That makes you a kook and a nut job.

We don't have time for crazy. We're focused on the Iraq War. (And that illegal war is enough insanity and then some.)

The presidential election will come and go. Unless the election results in Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney or Ralph Nader (alphabetical order -- and no links because I didn't plan to mention them in this) taking office, there's not going to be an end to the Iraq War because of whomever is installed in the White House. I'm not really sure how much power the gas bags have (individually they have none, collectively they may have some) but they will have wasted perceived or real power by making an election their focus. It's not a topic that isn't already gas bagged over by a multitude. There is no gas bag shortage I'm aware of. It's a damn shame so many who actually have an education of value or experiences of value (or both) elected not to use their strengths and write about topics that could have increased understanding because they instead wanted to pretend they'd been invited on Meet The Press. You sort of picture all of them, at the end of the day, sitting on their sofas by themselves, taking part in imaginary roundtables where, no doubt, Tim Russert is still the moderator.

2004 saw the destruction of the peace movement in the United States. That happened because ending the illegal war took a back seat and John Kerry called "shotgun!" Suddenly, the peace movement was supposed to exist to drive a candidate (one who was not promising an end to the illegal war -- anymore than Barack is today) to victory. Picking up the pieces after Kerry lost (yes, gas bags, sometimes even with you all acting as a cheering section, your candidate will lose) was beyond difficult. You had MoveOn . . . moving on from the illegal war and they were far from alone. You had left 'voices' floating that the Iraq War wasn't such a bad thing (Tom Hayden -- in an increasingly rare, brave moment -- called one such 'voice' out). Cindy Sheehan single handedly brought the peace movement back to life. She can't do that again. (And she also got infected with election madness -- I'm not referring to her own campaign, I'm referring to her comments left on articles at Common Dremas.) And no mother similar to Cindy can. The press attitude will be, "Oh, we've reported that already."

So what does The Cult of Barack really think is going to happen after the November election? Their candidate may win the White House. If so, he's not promised an end to the illegal war. He refused to promise that all troops would be out of Iraq, if he was elected, by 2012. His 'promise' was that he would withdraw 'combat' troops in 16 months. That's not all troops and we've long noted here how the phrase 'combat' can be manipulated. And Samantha Power revealed to the BBC and Barack himself revealed to CNN that his 'promise' wasn't binding and he'd decide what to do about Iraq if he got elected. So what does The Cult plan to do after? I wouldn't recommend a mass suicide but haven't they already committed 'voice' suicide by repeatedly prostituting themselves out to pretend he's promising the end of the illegal war? Equally true is that Barack may lose. Kerry did. (Had he fought the Ohio count, he likely would have won. But he didn't fight by his own choice so he lost.) The peace movement does what then?

"Nothing" to those who pay attention to Tom Hayden's increasingly ridiculous writings. According to Hayden, if Barack doesn't win, it's over. (Yes, he did write that. He's become that foolish. Again.) For those who remember 2004, the template seems to suggest that for months and months, the peace movement 'leaders' will be inactive and 'voices' will suggest that we can learn to love the illegal war. And, at some point, if we're really lucky, a genuine leader will emerge to respark the peace movement and we can start all over rebuilding what we tore down for a War Hawk candidate.

In either scenario the illegal war continues. Foreign fighters (including US service members) continuing dying in an illegal war as do Iraqis. Iraqis continue being refugees within and outside their own country. So where's the big pay-off?

The Cult gets to say, "We got Barack into office!" Is that supposed to lessen the death of an Iraqi child's parents? Is that supposed to allow an illegal war to go down the throat a little easier?

In 2004, The Nation couldn't stop hyping the election to the point that they declared it the 'Torture election,' decreed it was a referendum on torture. They made that declaration so, by their own 'logic,' 2004 was the year that Americans embraced torture. By their 'logic,' the electorate (they're never concerned with the people, just the electorate), torture is now embraced by the people and has been since November 2004.

The November election will come and go. Some people will be happy with the results, some people won't be. That's how it's always been and how it always will be barring some mutation in humanity. The same Cult that couldn't persuade Barack to stick to an actual promise (FISA) won't be in any stronger position if he's elected. They've never demanded anything of him, they've never held him accountable. They've excused him and begged from him. He's not royalty. You make demands on politicians. You hold them accountable. They work for you.

2008 has been so-called 'alternative' media acting like some stereotypical slutty wallflower, so desperate to land the quarterback (even for one night), that s/he will do anything. Well, Panhandle Media 'put out' and I'm not seeing a damn thing they have to show for it. Not even a preganancy scare/AIDS test, so let's all assume that, if nothing else, they practiced safe sex.

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader is holding Super Rallies to put issues on the table and to call for opening the debates. If the debates are not opened, no issue will be on the table. We might get 'musings' by this year's John Edwards and John Kerry of whether or not Dick Cheney loves his gay daughter. (Tricky Dick loved both of his daughters, there's no reason to have ever doubted that Dick Cheney loved his children. But somehow that passed for an 'issue.' By two candidates -- Kerry and Edwards -- who didn't have the guts to come out in support of same-sex marriage.) That's the sort of thing that will pass for 'issues' and for an 'informed discourse' if the debates again invite only two candidates. The debates need to be opened to all candidates. August 27th is the Super Rally in Denver and the html on this is just going to be pasted in (again, the person I'm dictating this too is not familiar with linking):

http://www.votenader.org/blog/2008/08/20/kilmer-sheehan-morello-with-nader-in-denver/

Home
Nader 2008 Blog
Kilmer, Sheehan, Morello with Nader in Denver
Posted by The Nader Team on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 02:43:00 AM
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As late as yesterday, we didn't think we had a chance.
For the first time in this campaign, we were at serious risk of missing a self-imposed financial goal.
Then, yesterday, you came through.
And now, we're back in it.
Now, we're just shy of $42,000.
And we have a chance to hit our goal of $50,000 by 11:59 pm tonight.
But we're going to have to bust a gut to get there.
All out.
All day.
All night.
So, we are calling on 900 of you -- our most loyal supporters -- to donate $10 each now to push us over the top.
(900 times $10 equals $9,000, right?)
And for every $10 contribution you donate today, we will give free admission to a needy student who wants to come to hear Ralph Nader at our Open the Debates Super Rally at the University of Denver's Magness Arena. ($10 in advance, $12 at the door.)
Ralph will be joined by his running mate Matt Gonzalez.
And -- breaking news -- a star studded line-up will join Ralph and Matt in a call to open up the Presidential debates.
Featuring -- Val Kilmer, Cindy Sheehan and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, Nellie McKay, and Ike Reilly.
So, please -- give a student a chance to attend this historic event.
Donate $10 now -- or whatever you can afford -- and send a student to raise the banner in Denver -- Open the Presidential Debates, More Voices, More Choices.

Keep an eye on our widget throughout the day.
Watch your name go up in lights.
And see if we blast through our goal.
Donate now.
And let's get it done.
Together, we will not be denied.
Onward.
The Nader Team.
PS: Last chance to get our two DVD Sicko/Awake from Your Slumber package. If you donate $100 or more by tomorrow night, we will send you the best argument yet made for single payer Medicare for all health insurance -- the DVD Sicko. Plus, we'll send Awake from Your Slumber -- the DVD starring Ralph Nader and Patti Smith -- autographed by Ralph.
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Micah wants a video highlighted and that can't happen today. Embedding the code can be a problem for even those who are familiar with links. We'll note that Nader campaign video tomorrow morning.

The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.


iraq
jeremy hinzman
joshua key
jim branum
val kilmer
tom morello
cindy sheehan

Iraqi forces raided the provincial government compound in Diyala early Tuesday morning, killing the governor's secretary and confiscating computers and cars before local police engaged them in a two-hour gun battle, police and local officials said.
Four policemen were wounded, according to a police source.
Forces arrested Hussein al Zubaidi, provincial council member and head of the security committee. A nearby raid conducted almost simultaneously by unidentified armed forces arrested the president of Diyala University.
Taha Dria, a Shiite lawmaker from Diyala who was not in the government compound during the raid, said the armed forces were from Iraq's Emergency Response Unit, an American-trained unit similar to U.S. Special Forces.
"They were wearing khaki. Their weapons were American. The Humvees they used looked American," said the governor's surviving secretary, Abbas Adnan, who was in the government compound when it was raided. "They didn’t have any ranks on their shoulders. They didn't talk."

The above is from Nicholas Spangler and Laith Hammoudi's "Iraqi army raid in Diyala leaves provincial official dead" (McClatchy Newspapers) which also includes eye witnesses stating that two American helicopters were present and that the helicopters fired on Iraqis. The US military, for those who have forgotten, issued a denial yesterday that the one helicopter they claimed was present was in any way involved. Already that denial begins crumbling as the US military admits that there were two -- and not one -- helicopters present.

Ned Parker and Usama Redha's "Raid on governor's office in Iraq's Diyala province sparks outrage" (Los Angeles Times) offers:

Another raid led to the arrest of a prominent Sunni university dean.Questions swirled around who deployed the troops. The special forces unit, referred to by detractors as the dirty squad, reports to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's counter-terrorism office. Spokesmen for Maliki, a Shiite Muslim, and the Defense Ministry said the prime minister had not ordered the raids.
"These special forces work with the Americans. They are not associated with the Ministry of Defense," ministry spokesman Mohammed Askari said. "They have goals, and they didn't inform anyone else."
The unit, long considered Iraq's most effective, generally operates with U.S. military advisors and has been sent on missions targeting the insurgent group Al Qaeda in Iraq as well as the Mahdi Army, a Shiite militia. The U.S. military denied involvement in the operation.

Meanwhile the New York Times dummies up on yesterday's events and instead offers Campbell Robertson's "Iraq Poised To Revive Oil Contract With China" (A12) which offers little information but continues to suggest (by their own focus) that the illegal war was about oil.

Turning to US politics, the independent presidential campaign of Ralph Nader and his running mate Matt Gonzalez has created a page at their website entitled Ralph's Daily Audio. Here is yesterday's "The Bloated Defense Budget:"

This is Ralph Nader. Remember reading or hearing the farewell address of President Dwight Eisenhower? 1960, when he warned Americans about what he called "the military industrial complex." Well, just a few words about where we are in the military budget.
It's now 1/2 of the entire federal government's operating expenditures. It's way over $700 billion and that's not counting the money for helping our veterans.
Both Obama and McCain want to increase the military budget. The Government Accountability Office yearly describes the gigantic Pentagon contracting budget unaduitable. Just imagine, half of what the federal government spends in operating expenditures can't even be audited. For example, people inside the Defense Department think that the F-22 should never have been contract for, built wasn't necessary. The Osprey helicopter -- defective, killed quite a few marines in test flights, shouldn't have been built in their judgment.
Hundreds of billions of dollars are in the pipeline for weapons systems that were designed for the Soviet Union-era of hostility. They no longer have any strategic value and many of them are redundant. We've got to cut the waste out of the huge military budget and put that money back into repairing America's public works and cities, towns and rural areas all over the country.
If we cut out the expenditures of keeping our soldiers out of Japan and Western Europe -- 60-plus years after WWII -- a portion of that money could give free education to all students in public universities in the United States. Think about it.
Think about who stands for a lean defense -- not a wasteful defense; who stands for respecting your tax payer dollar and returning it to you to improve the public facilities, schools and clinics, libraries, drinking water systems, sewage stream and plant upgrades among some of the deferred maintenance that's reducing the facilities that are necessary for a thriving community.


The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.

iraq
laith hammoudi
nicholas spangler
usama redha
the los angeles times
ned parker
saif hameed
the new york times
campbell robertson

Tuesday, August 19, 2008.  Chaos and violence continue, the US military announces another death, Iraqi forces raid the office of the governor of Diyala Province and shoot dead his secretary but no one knows how?, the issue of the oil-rich Kirkuk may have already been 'settled,' and more.   Starting with war resistance.  US war resister  Jeremy Hinzman has been told he has until September 23rd to leave Canada.  John Mackay (WSWS) explains, "Hinzman joined the US Army in early 2001, partly out of a sense of patriotism and adventure.  However, he was primarily attracted by the promise of financial support for a university education.  He says that more than a year after joining, he realized that he could not become a killer.  He felt he could not dehumanize the people he was supposed to shoot.  He applied for conscientious objector (CO) status in August 2002, but his command threw his application away.  Hinzman subsequently reapplied while serving in Afghanistan, only to have his application turned down.  In Afghanistan, while his CO application was being processed, Hinzman played a non-combatant role as an assistant to Haliburton employees serving meals to soldiers.  Upon denial of his application for CO status, Hinzman was ordered to return to active duty.  When his unit returned to the US with the understanding that they would soon be sent to Iraq, Hinzman deserted, crossing the Canadian border in January 2004 with his wife and young son and claiming refugee status."  Nga Nguyen, Jeremy's wife, just gave birth to a daughter (Meghan) in July.  We'll note again that the four are in a video at the  War Resisters Support Campaign where Jeremy speaks to Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada:   Jeremy Hinzman: Hello, Mr. Harper.  This is my family Nga, Liam and Meghan.  We've been in Canada for the last four and a 1/2 years.  I was a specialist in the 82nd Air borne division of the United States Army and served honorably in Afghanistan.  In 2004, my family and I came to Canada because we would not participate in the Iraqi War, a war which Canada also refused to participate in because it was condemned by the international community.  One of your predecessors, Pierre Trudeau, once said that Canada should be have from militarism and we took him at this word.  On June 3, 2008, the Canadian Parliament passed a motion saying that United States war resisters should be able to remain in Canada.  We're asking you to abide by this motion and allow us to stay in Canada.  Thank you.   Title Card: On September 23rd, the Harper government plans to deport the Hinzman family back to the United States.   Title Card: Hinzman faces a court martial and up to 5 years in military prison for opposing the Iraq war and coming to Canada.   Title Card: War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada): www.resisters.ca     Courage to Resist alerts, "Supporters are calling on Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, to intervene. Phone 613.996.4974 or email finley.d@parl.gc.ca,"Iraq Veterans Against the War also encourages people to take action, "To support Jeremy, call or email Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and ask her to intervene in this case. Phone: 613.996.4974 email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca." In addition to that, Canada's War Resisters Support Campaign is staging an emergency meeting this week (August 20th, Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil St.) and planning a day of action (September 13th) where "[a]ctions, demonstrations and pickets will take place in cities and towns all across Canada."   A new documentary, The Path of Most Resistance, addresses war resistance. Directed by Gareth Keogh, the film traces two US service members attempts to receive CO status.  One receives it, one doesn't.  Susannah Tarbush (Saudi Gazette) reports on the film noting that Daniel Baker and Robert Weiss are the two CO applicants.  Anyone paying attention knows who was successful and who wasn't:   Daniel Baker joined the US Navy in 2004, but soon after being deployed in Qatar as a communications officer in 2006 he made a successful application for CO status. He now works for the Catholic Peace Fellowship, one of the organizations that advise CO applicants.   In contrast, soldier Robert Weiss's application for CO status was turned down in December 2007. He said: "I feel that at this point I have no legal avenue for pursuing recognition of my beliefs, so therefore I have no choice but to leave the military rather than do something I feel is immoral." On December 22 he was due to fly back to Iraq, but saw no alternative but to go absent without leave (AWOL) for 30 days, the minimum time necessary to be classified as a deserter. He would then turn himself in and face the inevitable court martial and imprisonment.   During his period of being AWOL, he was given refuge by a family with pacifist sympathies. In February he turned himself in, and on May 13 was court martialled. He is serving a seven-month sentence in a military prison in Mannheim, Germany.  .     There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes Yovany Rivero, William Shearer, Michael Thurman, Andrei Hurancyk, Megan Bean, Chris Bean, Matthis Chiroux, Richard Droste, Michael Barnes, Matt Mishler, Josh Randall, Robby Keller, Justiniano Rodrigues, Chuck Wiley, James Stepp, Rodney Watson, Michael Espinal, Matthew Lowell, Derek Hess, Diedra Cobb, Brad McCall, Justin Cliburn, Timothy Richard, Robert Weiss, Phil McDowell, Steve Yoczik, Ross Spears, Peter Brown, Bethany "Skylar" James, Zamesha Dominique, Chrisopther Scott Magaoay, Jared Hood, James Burmeister, Jose Vasquez, Eli Israel, Joshua Key, Ehren Watada, Terri Johnson, Clara Gomez, Luke Kamunen, Leif Kamunen, Leo Kamunen, Camilo Mejia, Kimberly Rivera, Dean Walcott, Linjamin Mull, Agustin Aguayo, Justin Colby, Marc Train, Abdullah Webster, Robert Zabala, Darrell Anderson, Kyle Snyder, Corey Glass, Jeremy Hinzman, Kevin Lee, Daniel Baker, Mark Wilkerson, Patrick Hart, Ricky Clousing, Ivan Brobeck, Aidan Delgado, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, Blake LeMoine, Clifton Hicks, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Logan Laituri, Jason Marek, Clifford Cornell, Joshua Despain, Joshua Casteel, Katherine Jashinski, Dale Bartell, Chris Teske, Matt Lowell, Jimmy Massey, Chris Capps, Tim Richard, Hart Viges, Michael Blake, Christopher Mogwai, Christian Kjar, Kyle Huwer, Wilfredo Torres, Michael Sudbury, Ghanim Khalil, Vincent La Volpa, DeShawn Reed and Kevin Benderman. In total, at least fifty US war resisters in Canada have applied for asylum. Information on war resistance within the military can be found at The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline [(877) 447-4487], Iraq Veterans Against the War and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. In addition, VETWOW is an organization that assists those suffering from MST (Military Sexual Trauma).   Turning to Iraq, Richard A. Oppel Jr. (New York Times) sketches out how oil-rich Kirkuk's fate already appears determined and how that took place because the central government (puppet) in Baghdad didn't do anything to mediate between Arabs, Kurds and Turkomans. Oppel writes, "Kurdish authority is visible everywhere in the city. In addition to the provincial government and command of the police, the Kurds control the Asaish, the feared undercover security service that works with the American military and, according to Asaish commanders, United States intelligence agencies." Oppel doesn't pursue that aspect which is a shame because the puppet government was controlled by the White House so the stand-down on Kirkuk was no acident. And US Col David Paschal can brag about how he made the call last month (as Turkmen and Kurds battled) not to send in the Iraqi forces but that call came from higher up. Mohammed Khalil ("leader of the Arab bloc on the provincial council") explains, "There is much fear. The Asaish are saying they will annex Kirkuk by force and that is terrifying people."  For more realities on Kirkuk, see Stephen Farrell's "As Iraqis Vie for Kirkuk's Oil, Refugee Kurds Becomes Pawns" (December 9, 2007).  Meanwhile the United Nation's IRIN advises today of how volatile the situation in Kirkuk remains and sites Baghdad University's Amer Hassan al-Fayadh explaining, "I do believe the best solution for Kirkk is that it be run as a separate region -- after resolving all pending issues between its segments, conducting a census and then letting its population determine its fate through a referendum, instead of one party imposing a solution."  IRIN notes that the Iraqi Parliament attempts to impose a solution (in regular session last July and in special session early this month) have resulted "in daily demonstrations in favour of, or against, the new legislation."   Meanwhile the Associated Press has an article all over the place today (here at Los Angeles Times, here at Washington Post, etc.) that is just rah-rah-rah about the US taking in Iraqi refugees and how the State Dept might meet their announced quota ("for the first time" is left unstated by Samantha Henry). But at Inside Iraq (McClatchy Newspapers) Sahar Issa explains, "For the second time now in one month Iraqi newspapers have published articles stating the U.S will not accept any more Iraqi refugees." And before some idiot says, "Well it's the 2008 quota and it's been met!" Fiscal year. Which ends September 30th. Meaning October 1st starts the next (fiscal) year.  Zaineb Naji (Baghdad Life, Wall St. Journal) examines the changing policies on Iraqi refugees for surrounding countries:   Last year, Syria announced new rules for Iraqis coming to Syria and for the first time, required us to get visas. But only academics, merchants, and taxi and truck drivers would qualify for visas. You can also get permission to travel to Syria if you are going there for medical treatment. [. . .] This time as we went through customs, two Iraqi soldiers came up to us and used a scanning device to check us. Then American soldiers took our biometrics information, including an eye scan. The people who passed got an "OK" written on their right hand with a black marker. "Just like sheep" a young woman said to the American soldier when she got the "OK" mark on her hand. The soldier said "sorry" several times and explained that this was the procedure.    Two hours later, we were on the Syrian side of the border and again we had to line up to get our passports checked. In the arrival hall, people were shouting and pushing each other to reach the immigration desk. I was told to step aside by one of the customs officers, who said I was blocking his view of the television set.        In the hall, there was an extra "fee" for each kind of visa. Merchants were asked to pay $10, while for the sick, the price was $5. For our transit visas, the fee was $4 each. Everyone got a stamp that allowed them to stay in Syria for one month and then we were on the bus again.      At the end of the trip, I realized that Iraqis are always suffering, whether it's inside their country or outside of it.     Bombings?   Sahar Issa (McClatchy Newspapers) reports a Nineveh Province car bombing that left five people wounded.   Shootings?   Sahar Issa (McClatchy Newspapers) reports a Baghdad attack in which 1 police officer was shot dead and three were left wounded and, in Kirkuk, a police shooting is under examination as a result of the deaths of a man and his father.  Reuters notes a raid conducted by "Iraqi security forces" in Baquba on "the office of the governor of Diyala province" which resulted in the death of "his secetary".  Reuters notes the name of the dead is Abbas Ali Hmoud and that Raad Rasheed Mulla Jawad (the governor of the province) has stated, "The body of the martyr [Abbas Ali Hmoud] will stay in the building until the iillers are captured." Though the US military admits at least 1 US helicopter was present they deny that the US military had any knowledge or participation in the raid.  Maybe they were just jumping the gun on the August 22nd National Airborne Day?  Also playing dumb is the puppet government in Baghdad which is ordering an investigation.  AFP reports that Nouri al-Maliki, puppet of the occupation, "ordered the formation of a committee to find out how Iraqi forces came to fight each other in Baquba" and notes that, in addition to the secretary being murdered, a bodyguard was also shot dead.  CNN notes, "Hussein al-Zubaidi, a provincial council member, and Nazar al-Khafaji, the Diyala University dean, were arrested during the raid, the official said."   Corpses? Sahar Issa (McClatchy Newspapers) reports 20 corpses were discovered in Diyala Province.    Today the US military announced: "A Multi-National Division - Center Soldier was killed as a result of a rocket attack on a forward operating base near Amarah Aug. 19."  ICCC's count is 4144 for the total number of US service members killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war and 17 for the month.    Turning to the US presidential race.  The Democratic Party holds its convention in Denver shortly.  AP notes, "Independent Ralph Nader planned to attend a rally at Denver University on Aug. 27, the night before Obama accepts his party's nomination. And Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney was scheduled to address supporters after an anti-war march through downtown Denver on Sunday, the day before the convention opens." Christopher Keating (Hartford Courant) notes that independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader's campaign was set to turn in petitions today in New York and Alabama making them the 31st and 32nd states the Ralph Nader - Matt Gonzalez ticket will be on the ballots of.  Foon Rhee (Boston Globe) adds that the Nader campaign is set to submit their signatures to be on the Massachusetts ballot.  The Nader campaign states it has around 17,000 signatures gathered, that Massachusetts would be the 34th state they'd be on the ballot of and that "Michael Richardson, Massachusetts Nader/Gonzalez 2008 Coordinator, will hold a Weds. Aug. 20, 10 a.m. news conference at the Elections Division office, McCormack Bulding, Room 1705, One Ashburton Place, Boston, Mass. 02108"..   From Ralph's Daily Audio, this is "The Difference Between The Two Parties:"   This is Ralph Nader. Just how different are the two major parties?  Well I've often said that the towering similarities between the two parties are far greater than the dwindling differences they're really willing to fight over.  It's clear that the Democrats are better than Republicans on Social Security, civil justice, the right to go to court if you're wrongfully injured, civil rights and a number of other issues. But consider the similarities.  As I've said when it comes to the overriding issue of the corporate takeover of our federal government department by department, agency by agency, the two parties differ in the velocity with which their knees hit the floor when corporations pound on their door.  The two parties are pretty similar on foreign and military policy.  In recent weeks the leading foreign affairs reporters for the Washington Post and the New York Times said that Obama would be similar in his foreign and military policy to the second term of George W. Bush.  They're both pushing for more military budget.  They haven't singled out a single weapons system that they think is obsolete, redundant or not needed.   They both are not doing anything about cracking down on corporate crimes commensurate with the violations of health and safety laws by the corporations in the looting and draining of trillions of dollars of mutual fund savings and pension funds they both are furthering the perforation of the tax code  corporate loopholes and offshore havens. They both have put the regulatory agencies under anesthesia.  They both are in  a race to get more and more private special interest money into elections corrupting our election process.  You ever hear them mention in any specifics what they're going to do about consumer protection or what they're going to do about repealing anti-worker, anti-union laws like Taft-Hartley? No way.  Similarly silent.     The Democrats took over the Congress in January 2007, they haven't rolled back any of the legislation or even made a major college try to roll back the bad legislation that Bush and his Congressional Republicans have passed So we can go and on but just think about it, how necessary it is to have somewhere else on the ballot line to cast your vote.  Nader-Gonzalez.  Thank you.   Team Nader notes:   We are in a sprint to the finish line. That would be November 4. And we're not about to let up. But for the first time since we started this campaign, we are in danger of not meeting one of our financial goals. We set a goal of $50,000 by tomorrow night 11:59 p.m. As of now, we are just under $30,000. So, we need to ramp it up. Big time. And now. We need 2,000 of you -- our loyal supporters -- to drop $10 each. That simple. So hit that there contribute button. And drop a ten spot on Nader/Gonzalez. Time to get it done. By the way, did you hear some of the big names that are coming to our Super Rallies in Denver and Minneapolis? Not just our own caped crusader. But also -- Batman? Huey Long? The Anti-Pelosi? Stay tuned. Here's one person who will be there for sure. Ashley Sanders. Ashley who? Ashley Sanders. Ashley gave one of the most eloquent and thought provoking endorsements of the Nader/Gonzalez candidacy this year. Check out Ashley here -- introducing Ralph in Utah last month.  But first things first. Let's not miss this deadline. Kick it in so we can push it over the top. Onward to November.   Cynthia McKinney is the Green Party presidential nominee and she has upcoming appearances this week (tomorrow and Thursday): Wednesday, August 20th McKinney will make 3 stops in Memphis. That evening she will be in Jackson, Tennessee for a fundraiser hosted by the Madison County Green Party. Thursday, August 21st McKinney's first stop is in Dickson to meet with representatives of the community who have been affected by the dumping of toxic waste in their community. Then to Nashville for an 11:00 AM Press Conference in Room 31, Legislative Plaza speaking to the press about her campaign. This event is open to the public. Following the press conference Ms McKinney will speak directly to the public and take questions. This will also be in Legislative Plaza, Room 31. That morning Greens will turn in their nominating petitions to secure her position on the general election ballot in Tennessee. "Due to Tennessee's oppressive election access laws Ms McKinney will be listed on the ballot as an independent candidate which we can achieve with 275 valid signatures. It would take over 45,000 valid signatures to get her listed with the "Green" affiliation. The Green Party is currently a litigant against the state seeking ballot access laws that are fair", said John Miglietta a delegate to the Green Party of the US and a Green Candidate for US House District 5. Following the Press Conference she is scheduled to visit Tennessee State University, Fisk University and Carver Food Park where Sizwe Herring of EarthMatters Tennessee teaches children and community members about the value of composting and principles of ecology. Those appearances start tomorrow and the Geen Party website still has nothing up.   iraq jeremy hinzman john mackay daniel baker robert weiss susannah tarbush christopher keating the new york times richard a. oppel jr. stephen farrell leila fadel mcclatchy newspapers

The front page of this morning's New York Times features Richard A. Oppel Jr.'s "Kurdish Control of City Creates Political Powderkeg in North Iraq" which, along with Stephen Farrell's "As Iraqis Vie for Kirkuk's Oil, Refugee Kurds Becomes Pawns" (December 9, 2007) stands as the best domestic coverage of Kirkuk by any US outlet. Oppel sketches out how Kirkuk's fate already appears determined and how that took place because the central government (puppet) in Baghdad didn't do anything. Oppel writes, "Kurdish authority is visible everywhere in the city. In addition to the provincial government and command of the police, the Kurds control the Asaish, the feared undercover security service that works with the American military and, according to Asaish commanders, United States intelligence agencies." Oppel doesn't pursue that aspect which is a shame because the puppet government was controlled by the White House so the stand-down on Kirkuk was no acident. And US Col David Paschal can brag about how he made the call last month (as Turkmen and Kurds battled) not to send in the Iraqi forces but that call came from higher up. Mohammed Khalil ("leader of the Arab bloc on the provincial council") explains, "There is much fear. The Asaish are saying they will annex Kirkuk by force and that is terrifying people."


Leila Fadel's "He Paid the Price" (Bagdad Observer, McClatchy Newspapers) covers the death of "Awakening" Council member Farouk Abd al Sattar al Obeidi who died in Sunday's Baghdad bombing:

I could see that Al Obeidi was proud of the small office the group rented in a strip mall in Adhamiyah. He sat behind a large desk and pulled out the pictures of the men they had helped catch. He helped pay for the uniforms his men wore, military uniforms although they were not in the army. On the floor green and red lights danced from a light projector attached to the wall to jazz up the drab room.
But he also lamented that the government was sectarian and would not take in the young men who fought for the neighborhood into their forces. They had no respect for the movement, he said. This was a movement that brought down violence in Iraq when U.S. forces and the Iraqi government could not, he said.
"We are an oppressed people," he said. "Our leaders are oppressors."
Personally he had no interest in joining the security forces. He rolled up his pant leg to show me why. He had a scarred pink whole in his leg. It was a reminder of the day he'd survived a grenade attack, he said. He'd helped a Shiite man leave the neighborhood of Adhamiyah after he was threatened by Sunni extremists in the once insurgent-dominated neighborhood.
He took the man out of Sunni Adhamiyah and returned home, he knew what it was to be displaced. He'd been displaced by Shiite militants.

AP has an article all over the place (here at Los Angeles Times, here at Washington Post, etc.) just rah-rah-rah about the US taking in Iraqi refugees and how the State Dept might meet their announced quota ("for the first time" is left unstated by Samantha Henry). Now go to Inside Iraq (McClatchy Newspapers) where you'll find an Iraqi journalist, "For the second time now in one month Iraqi newspapers have published articles stating the U.S will not accept any more Iraqi refugees." And before some idiot says, "Well it's the 2008 quota and it's been met!" Fiscal year. Which ends September 30th. Meaning October 1st starts the next (fiscal) year.

Amanda notes this from Team Nader:

Busting it in Denver, Shooting for November

Thousands of you have already donated very generously to Nader/Gonzalez.

Thank you.

But tens of thousands of you have not.

So, today is your day.

Our Nader/Gonzalez team in Denver (pictured here) needs your help.

If you haven't given to Nader/Gonzalez yet, please donate $5 now.

We are a grassroots campaign in need of some serious grassroots support.

And we are busting it in Denver preparing for our first Super Rally -- August 27 at the Magness Arena at the University of Denver.

We have a lineup of national figures on board to stand with us and demand open debates during the DNC in Denver (watch for speaker/performer announcement this week).

This will be a powerful start to our Open the Debates campaign and will mark the end of our drive for ballot access.

After spending over 90 days and 90 nights on the road collecting signatures to get Ralph on the ballot in New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and California, a dedicated road tripper, Junue Millan, is in Colorado helping prepare for Ralph's first Super Rally of the season.

He worked with a road trip team that collected more than 30,000 signatures in 10 states, and after doing a couple of back of the napkin calculations, we figure that means our team has spoken with over 300,000 people about Ralph Nader and his candidacy.

Multiply those by the number of dedicated road tripping teams across the country, and our supporters have spoken to nearly 3 million people across the country.

Talk about a grassroots campaign!

Without the help of those of you who can’t be on the road but who are in a position to provide us with much needed resources, this would have been impossible.

Thank you so much for your support during the last five months.

Although we have talked to our first three million people, we still have 297 million people to still reach before the election on November 4th.

We all know that mainstream media isn't helping our cause, so we have decided to take matters into our own hands.

We have printed 7,000 tickets, 100,000 flyers, secured an office, have a strong volunteer movement, and we are ready to appeal directly to people really ready for some change.

Many dedicated volunteers are putting in 70 hour weeks to make this event an awesome kick-off to the campaign season.

But we need you!

Any contribution helps!

We need to print more fliers to get the word out from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs, from Denver to Boulder, and all over Colorado.

We need tape for the posters, we need office supplies to keep things running smoothly, gas money to get around Colorado. We need lighting equipment, sound equipment, and so much more to get this Super Rally together.

We have amazing volunteers dedicating every hour of their weekend spreading the word.

We just finished handing out fliers at the New West Fest in Ft. Collins and at the Farmer's Markets in Boulder and Littleton.

We'll put in the hours and the miles - but we need your contributions to help fuel this rally effort.

Thank you for your generous support.

Onward to November.

Emily and Ben, and the whole Colorado Nader Team

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The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.

iraq
the new york times
richard a. oppel jr.
stephen farrell
leila fadel
mcclatchy newspapers

Monday, August 18, 2008.  Chaos and violence continue, Jeffry House still doesn't grasp what Justice Robert Barnes wrote in his ruling, Blackwater mercenaries are made to sweat, Ralph Nader fights for democracy and open debates and Cynthia McKinney makes it clear that she will not be intimidated by some 'supporters' who wanted her to cancel an appearance.   Starting with war resistance. Last Wednesday, US war resister Jeremy Hinzman was informed he had to leave Canada by September 32rd.  He and his family (wife Nga Nguyen, son Liam and daughter Meghan) have taped a video at the  War Resisters Support Campaign where Jeremy speaks to Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada:   Jeremy Hinzman: Hello, Mr. Harper.  This is my family Nga, Liam and Meghan.  We've been in Canada for the last four and a 1/2 years.  I was a specialist in the 82nd Air borne division of the United States Army and served honorably in Afghanistan.  In 2004, my family and I came to Canada because we would not participate in the Iraqi War, a war which Canada also refused to participate in because it was condemned by the international community.  One of your predecessors, Pierre Trudeau, once said that Canada should be have from militarism and we took him at this word.  On June 3, 2008, the Canadian Parliament passed a motion saying that United States war resisters should be able to remain in Canada.  We're asking you to abide by this motion and allow us to stay in Canada.  Thank you.   Title Card: On September 23rd, the Harper government plans to deport the Hinzman family back to the United States.   Title Card: Hinzman faces a court martial and up to 5 years in military prison for opposing the Iraq war and coming to Canada.   Title Card: War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada): www.resisters.ca   In These Times has an article by Peter Kavanagh and I'm going to take huge exception with a viewpoint offered by Jeffry House who really needs to start getting to know the facts.  Facts are your friend, Jeffry.  House represents Joshua Key (and many others) and maybe he thinks making ridiculous statements about the Barnes decision is to Josh's benefit?  I don't know.  But he was wrong when the decision was released and he's STILL wrong.  He tells Kavanagh, "The Key decision is of use to soldiers who have their boots on the ground and are ordered to commit acts [that] violate their consciences, and also violate international norms."  House is wrong.  Alyssa makes similar statements and I let it slide.  I cringe but let it slide.  She didn't live through the time period, House did.  Judge Barnes, PAY ATTENTION, found the Board to be in error by proclaiming "that refugee protection for military deserters and evaders is only available where the conduct objected to amounts to a war crime, a crime against peace or a crime against humanity."   Let me explain what NOT noting that is akin to: Finding out that your dream house has a closet painted the wrong color and saying, "Oh, forget it."  That sentence -- which escapes Allyson, shouldn't escape House.  Key words: MILITARY DESERTERS AND EVADERS.  Same words from Vietnam. Barnes is using those terms today.  Who's what?  Deserters are those who served in Iraq and then checked out.  Evaders would be those ordered to go to Iraq who checked out before deploying.  Barnes knows his terminology and he knows his history.  His decision is a very carefully constructed finding. By mentioning the category of military evaders he means who?  Jeremy Hinzman, Brandon Hughey and all others who checked out instead of deploying to Iraq.  Kyle Snyder, Joshua Key, Patrick Hart, etc would qualify as military deserters in the eyes of the court.   This isn't the first time Jeffry House has made public statements that have missed the boat (and, worse, damaged the cases of others).  I'm not going to sit here and smile and pretend it didn't just happen again.  He is WRONG.  Justice Robert Barnes' decision is a long one.  House was commenting on it without even reading it earlier.  It was obvious from the press that he hadn't even bothered to read it.  He may have read a summary but he didn't read the 23 pages.  Barnes is careful, considered and meticulous in his ruling.  He is specifically addressing Joshua Key's case but what he ruled provides openings for many war resisters -- regardless of whether they fall into the category of "military deserter" or "military evader."  The latter term, during Vietnam, was used to described those who were evading the draft.  The "evader" has always been the one who has not been on the battlefield.  Barnes is using that term today and Jeffry House should have caught that and should have understood its significance.  It's been over a month since that ruling was issued.  There's no longer an excuse for not being familiar with it.  We'll try to note Kavanagh's article again later in the week -- really note it -- but this is exactly the nonsense (House's -- I'm not referring to Kavanagh) that keeps hurting war resistance.  It is exactly why Mactavish was able to dismiss concerns as "speculation."  (And, hello, we pointed the dangers of that 'strategy' out here at the start of July.  Long before Mactavish offered that ruling.  And noted it would be dismissed as "speculation."  As it was.)  I'm sure House and others are overworked but there are too many basic points of law that are repeatedly being missed.  The ruling is 23 pages long.  All representing war resisters in Canada need to read over the ruling (read it again if they already have).  Don't take House's summary as gospel because this is the second time he's spoken of it publicly and been wrong.  Not only do you need to read it for what it says (such as "military deserters and evaders"), you need to read it while thinking how it directly effects your client's case and how YOU CAN TRY TO EXPAND IT to do so.  That is building on the ruling.  And, one more thing, Barnes mentions Jeremy Hinzman in his ruling.  He didn't have to.  The fact that Hinzman is mentioned in the ruling makes the ruling especially significant to Jeremy's case.  More so than any other war resister except Josh.  Equally true, Barnes' statement that, "Officially condoned military misconduct falling well short of a war crime may a support a claim to refugee protection" is a statement that applies to all, not just those who had their boots on the ground.  If only those whose boots were on the ground could make that assessment, Barnes couldn't make it himself.  He's dependent upon testimony and findings (including the International Red Cross).  The same testimony and findings he depended upon to make his ruling may have had impact on the decision of a US war resister currently in Canada who did not go to Iraq.   Irwin Loy (24 Hours Vancouver) reported over the weekend on Michael Beyers who is running for the Canadian Parliament and declared, "I believe in a Canada that grants asylum to principled young Americans that said no to an illegal war."  Byers is an NDP candidate and the NDP has a long history of supporting war resisters.  Just as Oliva Chow is among those leading the charge today, NDP-ers like Ed Broadbent led it during Vietnam.  Back then, Broadbent was regularly pointing out Canada's long history as a place for sanctuary such as when he noted, "Our tradition of welcoming those who are essentially political refugees goes back to the United Empire Loyalists."  Broadbent would go on to take the NDP to new heights in the immediate post-Vietnam period.  There is no political fallout for Canadian office holders on this issue.  [Click here for CBC coverage of Broadbent.]  This is the press release issued by Oliva Chow's office on the decision to deport Jeremy:   The August 13 decision by Harper's Conservative government to deport war resister Jeremy Hinzman is mean-spirited and anti-democratic.   "Harper's mean-spirited decision to allow this deportation is sad," said NDP Citizenship and Immigration Critic MP Olivia Chow.  "Jeremy has called Canada his home for the past five years and has just recently celebrated the birth of his second child.  If there was ever a case to grant refugee status on compassionate and humanitarian grounds, this is it."   With today's negative ruling on Jeremy Hinzman's Pre-removal Risk Assessment and Humanitarian and Compassionate consideration, there is an urgent need for the people of Canada to express their outrage against the Conservative government's refusal to act on the will of Parliament.    On June 3rd, Olivia Chow saw her motion to halt all deporations against US Iraq war resisters passed by Parliament by a vote of 137-110.   "Ordinary Canadians have already said 'yes' to Jeremy Hinzman and to his family," said Chow.  "They have spoken through their Parliament, they want to let Mr. Hinzman and other U.S. Iraq War Resisters stay in Canada."   Jeremy Hinzman is schedule to be deported on Tuesday, September 23.  Hinzman is the first war resister who filed a refugee claim to stay in Canada.   Courage to Resist alerts, "Supporters are calling on Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, to intervene. Phone 613.996.4974 or email finley.d@parl.gc.ca,"Iraq Veterans Against the War also encourages people to take action, "To support Jeremy, call or email Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and ask her to intervene in this case. Phone: 613.996.4974 email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca." In addition to that, Canada's War Resisters Support Campaign is staging an emergency meeting this week (August 20th, Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil St.) and planning a day of action (September 13th) where "[a]ctions, demonstrations and pickets will take place in cities and towns all across Canada."   There is a growing movement of resistance within the US military which includes Yovany Rivero, William Shearer, Michael Thurman, Andrei Hurancyk, Megan Bean, Chris Bean, Matthis Chiroux, Richard Droste, Michael Barnes, Matt Mishler, Josh Randall, Robby Keller, Justiniano Rodrigues, Chuck Wiley, James Stepp, Rodney Watson, Michael Espinal, Matthew Lowell, Derek Hess, Diedra Cobb, Brad McCall, Justin Cliburn, Timothy Richard, Robert Weiss, Phil McDowell, Steve Yoczik, Ross Spears, Peter Brown, Bethany "Skylar" James, Zamesha Dominique, Chrisopther Scott Magaoay, Jared Hood, James Burmeister, Jose Vasquez, Eli Israel, Joshua Key, Ehren Watada, Terri Johnson, Clara Gomez, Luke Kamunen, Leif Kamunen, Leo Kamunen, Camilo Mejia, Kimberly Rivera, Dean Walcott, Linjamin Mull, Agustin Aguayo, Justin Colby, Marc Train, Abdullah Webster, Robert Zabala, Darrell Anderson, Kyle Snyder, Corey Glass, Jeremy Hinzman, Kevin Lee, Mark Wilkerson, Patrick Hart, Ricky Clousing, Ivan Brobeck, Aidan Delgado, Pablo Paredes, Carl Webb, Stephen Funk, Blake LeMoine, Clifton Hicks, David Sanders, Dan Felushko, Brandon Hughey, Logan Laituri, Jason Marek, Clifford Cornell, Joshua Despain, Joshua Casteel, Katherine Jashinski, Dale Bartell, Chris Teske, Matt Lowell, Jimmy Massey, Chris Capps, Tim Richard, Hart Viges, Michael Blake, Christopher Mogwai, Christian Kjar, Kyle Huwer, Wilfredo Torres, Michael Sudbury, Ghanim Khalil, Vincent La Volpa, DeShawn Reed and Kevin Benderman. In total, at least fifty US war resisters in Canada have applied for asylum. Information on war resistance within the military can be found at The Objector, The G.I. Rights Hotline [(877) 447-4487], Iraq Veterans Against the War and the War Resisters Support Campaign. Courage to Resist offers information on all public war resisters. In addition, VETWOW is an organization that assists those suffering from MST (Military Sexual Trauma).   Turning to Iraq where Shi'ite pilgrims became the focus of attacks last week and it continued over the weekend.  AFP reports that from Thursday through Saturday "at least 36" lost their lives (and notes that Thursday's Iskandariyah attack claimed 22 lives with seventy-three injured). Sunday, Stephen Farrell (New York Times) reported on the 6 deaths of pilgrims in a bombing and that, "Three hours after the early-morning blast, shopkeepers, residents and survivors were still pulling charred goods and debris from damaged roadside stores, and sweeping ashes and wreckage into the gutter."  [Friday's bombing attack on pilgrims claimed 9 lives.] Yesterday Hussein Kadhim (McCatchy Newspapers) reports a Sunday  Baghdad bomber on bicylce that claimed his/her own life as well as 5 other people (thirteen wounded).  As the death toll increased, Sudarsan Raghavan (Washington Post) reported that 7 were dead from the "suicide bomber on a bicycle" with thirteen injured.  Erica Goode and Ali Hameed (New York Times) report the bombing took place "in front of Baghdad's famous Abu Hanifa mosque," claimed 15 lives (twenty-nine injured) and: "Witnesses said that the bomber, a man, may have been riding a motorcycle that was parked about 65 feet from a traffic light on the street."  Ned Parker and Saif Hameed (Los Angeles Times) explain, "There were contradictory accounts of the incident. One police officer said the bomber was disguised as a woman and arrived on foot; another said the attacker was not disguised and arrived on a bike."  The US military maintains it was a man and that he walked up to "an SOI control check point near the Abu Hamifa Mosque wearing a personal borne improvised-explosive device and self-detonated."  "SOI" is "Sons of Iraq" aka "Awakening" Councils (or Sahwa).  AP disagrees on the gender of the bomber (they say it was a woman) but do agree that 6 "bodyguards of Farooq al-Obeidi, deputy leader of the 'awakening council' in Baghdad's Azamiyah district, also died in the blast, which occurred as they were seated on chairs near a checkpoint near the Abu Hanifa mosque".    Sunday Del Quentin Wilber and Karen DeYoung (Washington Post) reported that six mercenaries working for Blackwater who had been in Iraq "working as security contractors for the State Department, assigned to protect U.S. diplomats and other non-military officials in Iraq" that they are targets in a criminal investigation.  If it seems familiar you may be remembering the real-time article by Sabrina Tavernise and James Glanz ("Security Firm Faces Criminal Charges in Iraq," New York Times). Dropping back to the September 17th snapshot:   Turning to the issue of violence, Sahar Issa (McClatchy Newspapers) reported Sunday [Sept. 16th] that  a Baghdad shooting (by private contractors) killed 9 Iraqi civilians and left fifteen more wounded. Later on Sunday, CNN reported, "In the Baghdad gun battle, which was between security forces and unidentified gunmen, eight people were killed and 14 wounded, most of them civilians, an Interior Ministry official said. Details were sketchy, but the official said witnesses told police that the security forces involved appeared to be Westerners driving sport utility vehicles, which are usually used by Western companies. The clash occurred near Nisoor square, in western Baghdad.  CBS and AP report that Abdul-Karim Khalaf, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, announced "it was pulling the license of an American security firm allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of civilians during an attack on a U.S. State Department motorcade in Baghdad," that "it would prosecute any foreign contractors found to have used excessive force" in the slaughter (eight dead, 13 wounded) and they "have canceled the liscense of Blcakwater and prevented them from working all over Iraqi territory."    The number killed continued to mount.  James Bone (Times of London) notes today that 17 Iraqi civilians were slaughtered in that incident and reminds that, "In negotiations on a new bilateral security agreement, the Iraqi government has pressed for all foreign personnel to be subject to Iraqi law."  Meanwhile, the US military has good news yesterday! "Attacks down except roadside bombs, rigged houses"! So attacks are down . . . if you eliminate some of the attacks. The opening sentence: "The numbers of houses rigged with explosives and roadside bombs have increased since the beginning of the Iraqi offensive in Diyala, while other attack trends have been decreasing." Guess this wave of Operation Happy Talk should be dubbed "win some, lose some." M-NF also announced 37 women "attended the first day of a four-week course at the Kirkuk Police Academy outside of Kirkuk city" Saturday. Reuters reported the Turkish military says they bombed northern Iraq on Sunday ("no details of casualties"). And that "police fired on demonstrators" Sunday in Arbil killing one.   In news of today's reported violence . . .   Bombings?   Laith Hammoudi (McClatchy Newspapers) reports a Baghdad roadside bombing that left five people wounded, while another Baghdad roadside bombing left three people wounded and a Baghdad IED bombing left nine people wounded. Reuters notes a Ramadi car bombing that claimed the lives of  5 police officers dead (seven wounded) and a Mosul roadside bombing that resulted in three being injured.   Shootings?   Laith Hammoudi (McClatchy Newspapers) reports that Faris Jabir Thair ("a member in Shaheed al Mihrab organization") was shot dead (machine gunned while in his car) in a Baghdad attack that left his wife wounded, while 2 people were shot dead in Basra ("director of an election center and his deputy") with another wounded and "Awakening" Council leader Raheem Thyab al Bayati was shot dead in Kirkuk.  On the Basra shooting of election officials, Reuters notes Ma'ath Wahab was the name of the director who was shot dead (the other killed and the one wounded are not named).     Turning to the US presidential race.  Last Monday, independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader was in Toronto.  Hentry Martinuk (Rabble News) reports today that Ralph attracted a crowd of 200 and: "There are several other issues where Nader differs from Obama and McCain: impeachment of Bush and Cheney; withdrawal from Iraq; restoring civil liberties; repealing anti-union laws; supporting industrial hemp; and cutting the wasteful military budget. According to Nader, Obama and McCain 'never met a weapons system they didn't like'."  Third Party Watch notes, "Zogby International reports that more than half of likely voters nationwide -- 55% -- want Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr to participate in the presidential debates this fall, while nearly half -- 46% -- also said they think Ralph Nader should be allowed into the debates."  Which is a good time to note, from Ralph's Daily Audio, "Join Our Super Rallies for Open Debates:"   Good morning, this is Ralph Nader. As you know, Nader/Gonzalez is being blocked from the presidential debates. The corporate controlled so-called Commission on Presidential Debates will not let any independent candidate in unless they show 15% in a series of polls in September. That's no surprise. What is surprising is the failure of other debates to fill the vacuum. Part of this is due to Senator Obama's reluctance to engage his opponents.    On May 4th, Obama told Tim Russert on Meet The Press that he was willing to debate with "any of my opponents about what this country means, what makes it great." But earlier this month, Obama's campaign manager backed off, saying that Obama would debate only Senator McCain and only in the three rigged debates that's sponsored by the two parties and paid for by corporations.   Senator Obama's also refused to participate in a number of other debates including the Google debate in New Orleans, the Texas Ft. Hood debate that is being organized by veterans groups and the series of ten townhall meetings proposed by Senator McCain. Senator Obama's refusal to participate is a mistake and is costing him in the polls. Just yesterday, the Gallup tracking polls put McCain and Obama tied at 44% each. If Obama doesn't agree to more debates he could end up at the end of a sentence that starts out "Mondale, Dukakis, Gore and Kerry. With only McCain and Obama on the stage , there will be no debate of key issues and redirections important to the American people . Just go down the partial list. Single-payer Medicare for all healthcare, supported by the majority of the American people, the majority of doctors and nurses, and just recently, unanimously, by the US conference of mayors? Obama says "no," McCain says "no." Reversing US policy in the Middle East? Obama says "no," McCain says "no." Cut the bloated, wasteful, redundant military budget? Obama says "no," McCain says "no." They want a bigger military budget. Empty the prisons of drug possessors and fill 'em up with corporate criminals? Obama says "no," McCain says "no." Nader-Gonzalez says "yes" to each.  The only way to change this systemic exclusion is for millions of Americans to become engaged now. If you can, please join with us at our two Super Rallies-- on August 27th in Denver at the University of Denver Magness Arena or September 4th in Minneapolis at Orchestra Hall. And help us raise the banner for all to see: "OPEN THE DEBATES."  If you are not able to attend, please go to VoteNader.org and donate now whatever you can up to the legal maximum of $4,600 to help fund our Open The Debates Campaign. Our goal is to raise $50,000 by Wednesday night. Last night, we were close to $14,000 in less than three days, but we have a ways to go. So join with us in Denver and Minneapolis if you can. We're planning to have some prominent activists and musicians with us. Stay tuned for more information on that. And we have some surprise, giant, inflatable visuals that should be a lot of fun, that will travel with us as we move from Denver to Minneapolis and then, hopefully, will bring attention to our Super Rallies from the press.   Thank you for your ongoing and considered support to our campaign. Together we are making a difference. Onward to November. I'm Ralph Nader.     Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney and Ralph Nader are presidential candidates.  There is no need for "presumptive" to be used as a preface.  They are presidential candidates.  They get very little coverage.  The debates need to be opened and click here for Third addressing that yesterday and this was left out in the rush to type (Jim added it this morning -- thank you to community member Lynda), wo we'll include that section in full here:   The campaign is keeping issues on the table. Thursday, Jess spoke with Junue Millan at the newly opened Nader-Gonzalez Denver Headquarters.    The headquarters intends to be open not just business hours Monday through Friday, but from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. That's due to the fact that not only are they a campaign headquarters with all that entails, they're also gearing up for the Denver Super Rally August 27th. They are expecting between 5,000 and 7,000 people at the University of Denver's Magness Arena.    And they need volunteers. If you're in the Denver area and interested in helping, you can e-mail Junue Millan at junue@votenader.org as well as call the office (303) 832-2509 or walk in.    The Denver Super Rally will feature Ralph and running mate Matt Gonzalez as well as many guest speakers such as artist, activist and rocker Jello Biafra. Junue Millan described the mood to Jess as very up and noted that five outlets (including Univision) had sent reporters Thursday to cover the opening of the Denver headquarters. Millan was able to quickly -- without pausing -- tick off the issues that the Nader-Gonzalez campaign were raising and intended to keep on the table. None of that, "Check Saint Barack's website for issues, I am just here to talk about how groovy Barack is and how, when he cries, the heavens rain. I first came to Barack . . . a street junkie who had run away from home and was turning tricks on the side, selling a little blow and scamming this old lady at the homeless shelter, but Saint Barack has changed my life and cured my irritable bowel syndrome. Praise be, St. Barack." Instead, Millan was informed and a total pro which says a great deal the Nader-Gonzalez campaign.   Steven Argue (Dissident Voice) reports that Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney (and running mate Rosa Clemente) will be participating in Recreate '68 in Denver in spite of the fact that "the Green Party of Colorado has issued false statements to the press and all over the internet claiming that Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia MiKinney will not be participating in the Recreate '68 events."  We don't have room in the snapshot for Cynthia's statement in full (it'll go in one of tomorrow's morning entries) but here is the opening (and for space, paragraphs are going to run together):   As the United States activated Navy ships and the Air Force to begin an airlift of non-specified goods into the former Soviet state of Georgia, and military exercises began in the Persian Gulf near Iran, I received communications from certain individuals among the Colorado Greens who were organizing campaign support events there, suggesting that I not participate in an anti-war program being organized by other individuals in Colorado.  Perplexed, I began to do my research to understand the nature of the fissure that I seemed to be placing myself in the middle of.  The communications to me about not participating in one of the scheduled events became more and more shrill.  The events ran through August 26th.  When the lineup of speakers, including Rosa and me, was announced for the events in question, I received multiple communications stating in various ways that the sender from the Green Party of Colorado, was on the verge of desperation over the latter.   At this point Cynthia states that some Colorado Greens threatened her with stopping the ballot access efforts in Wyoming if she didn't agree not to appear and she was told, basically, 'We supported Elaine Brown and not you anyway, nah-nah-nah.' She then lists some of the people participating who have stood up regularly for what was needed before concluding:   Rosa and I have not been given any rational, ideological, or strategically-acceptable reason by the Green Party of Colorado to dissociate ourselves from the movement that this country so desperately needs and that these individuals and organizations participating represent, as we all attempt to hold the Democratic Party accountable for its complicity in all of the crimes of the Bush Administration.  Therefore Rosa and I will keep our appointments in Denver and we hope that the members of the Green Party of Colorado will attend our sessions and listen to what we have to say.  I have faith that by taking principled stands against war and occupation, human rights abuse, the prison-industrial complex, and in support of freedom for political prisoners, the Green Party will emerge stronger.   Finally, from Ralph's Daily Audio, here's today's "The Bloated Defense Budget:"   This is Ralph Nader.  Remember reading or hearing the farewell address of President Dwight Eisenhower? 1960, when he warned Americans about what he called "the military industrial complex."  Well, just a few words about where we are in the military budget.  It's now 1/2 of the entire federal government's operating expenditures.  It's way over $700 billion and that's not counting the money for helping our veterans.  Both Obama and McCain want to increase the military budget.  The Government Accountability Office yearly describes the gigantic Pentagon contracting budget unaduitable.  Just imagine, half of what the federal government spends in operating expenditures can't even be audited.  For example, people inside the Defense Department think that the F-22 should never have been contract for, built wasn't necessary. The Osprey helicopter -- defective, killed quite a few marines in test flights, shouldn't have been built in their judgment. Hundreds of billions of dollars are in the pipeline for weapons systems that were designed for the Soviet Union-era of hostility. They no longer have any strategic value and many of them are redundant.  We've got to cut the waste out of the huge military budget and put that money back into repairing America's public works and cities, towns and rural areas all over the country.  If we cut out the expenditures of keeping our soldiers out of Japan and Western Europe -- 60-plus years after WWII -- a portion of that money could give free education to all students in public universities in the United States. Think about it.  Think about who stands for a lean defense -- not a wasteful defense; who stands for respecting your tax payer dollar and returning it to you to improve the public facilities, schools and clinics, libraries, drinking water systems, sewage stream and plant upgrades among some of the deferred maintenance that's reducing the facilities that are necessary for a thriving community.     iraq jeremy hinzman erica goode the new york times ali hameed the washington post sudarsan raghavan the los angeles times ned parker saif hameed mcclatchy newspapers irwin loy stephen farrell sabrina tavernise karen deyoung

The above is a video from the War Resisters Support Campaign and it is Jeremy Hinzman, with his wife Nga Nguyen and their children Liam and Meghan, delivering a request to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Last Wednesday, US war resister Jeremy Hinzman was informed he had to leave Canada by September 32rd. Courage to Resist alerts, "Supporters are calling on Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, to intervene. Phone 613.996.4974 or email finley.d@parl.gc.ca,"Iraq Veterans Against the War also encourages people to take action, "To support Jeremy, call or email Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and ask her to intervene in this case. Phone: 613.996.4974 email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca." In addition to that, Canada's War Resisters Support Campaign is staging an emergency meeting this week (August 20th, Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil St.) and planning a day of action (September 13th) where "[a]ctions, demonstrations and pickets will take place in cities and towns all across Canada."

In Iraq today, violence is already registering. Reuters notes a Baghdad roadside bombing which left four people (three are police officers) wounded, a Baghdad roadside bombing that left five people injured (three are police officers), a third Baghdad roadside bomb that left nine injured, a Mosul roadside bomb that left injured "three prison guards," 2 people shot dead outside Abul Khasib, 3 "militants" killed by Iraqi forces in Baghdad, and 1 Shi'ite cleric shot dead in Baghdad (his wife was left injured in the shooting).

Lynda e-mailed to note Ralph's Daily Audio, one that went up Saturday.



Good morning, this is Ralph Nader. As you know, Nader/Gonzalez is being blocked from the presidential debates. The corporate controlled so-called Commission on Presidential Debates will not let any independent candidate in unless they show 15% in a series of polls in September. That's no surprise. What is surprising is the failure of other debates to fill the vacuum. Part of this is due to Senator Obama's reluctance to engage his opponents.
On May 4th, Obama told Tim Russert on Meet The Press that he was willing to debate with "any of my opponents about what this country means, what makes it great." But earlier this month, Obama's campaign manager backed off, saying that Obama would debate only Senator McCain and only in the three rigged debates that's sponsored by the two parties and paid for by corporations.
Senator Obama's also refused to participate in a number of other debates including the Google debate in New Orleans, the Texas Ft. Hood debate that is being organized by veterans groups and the series of ten townhall meetings proposed by Senator McCain. Senator Obama's refusal to participate is a mistake and is costing him in the polls. Just yesterday, the Gallup tracking polls put McCain and Obama tied at 44% each. If Obama doesn't agree to more debates he could end up at the end of a sentence that starts out "Mondale, Dukakis, Gore and Kerry.
With only McCain and Obama on the stage , there will be no debate of key issues and redirections important to the American people . Just go down the partial list. Single-payer Medicare for all healthcare, supported by the majority of the American people, the majority of doctors and nurses, and just recently, unanimously, by the US conference of mayors? Obama says "no," McCain says "no." Reversing US policy in the Middle East? Obama says "no," McCain says "no." Cut the bloated, wasteful, redundant military budget? Obama says "no," McCain says "no." They want a bigger military budget. Empty the prisons of drug possessors and fill 'em up with corporate criminals? Obama says "no," McCain says "no." Nader-Gonzalez says "yes" to each.
The only way to change this systemic exclusion is for millions of Americans to become engaged now. If you can, please join with us at our two Super Rallies-- on August 27th in Denver at the University of Denver Magness Arena or September 4th in Minneapolis at Orchestra Hall. And help us raise the banner for all to see: "OPEN THE DEBATES."
If you are not able to attend, please go to VoteNader.org and donate now whatever you can up to the legal maximum of $4,600 to help fund our Open The Debates Campaign. Our goal is to raise $50,000 by Wednesday night. Last night, we were close to $14,000 in less than three days, but we have a ways to go. So join with us in Denver and Minneapolis if you can. We're planning to have some prominent activists and musicians with us. Stay tuned for more information on that. And we have some surprise, giant, inflatable visuals that should be a lot of fun, that will travel with us as we move from Denver to Minneapolis and then, hopefully, will bring attention to our Super Rallies from the press.
Thank you for your ongoing and considered support to our campaign. Together we are making a difference. Onward to November. I'm Ralph Nader.

Lynda had a few questions and they're good ones so let me answer quickly. 1) What's covered each week at Third and in Hilda's Mix in terms of the daily audio? In both, I will do transcripts through Friday and Friday only. Anything after, I'm happy to grab the following week. And anyone else can transcribe it (members without sites or members with websites) and it can go up on the weekend. Saturday's flying back home and then comes the nightmare writing edition for Third. For me, Friday's the cut-off date. 2) Jess spoke with Nader's Denver campaign office and nothing on that went up at Third? News to me. (Lynda's right.) That was included in every draft. I don't know who typed it up and don't need to because I know no one objected to that section. What most likely happened is that whomever got stuck typing that was tired and missed that section. I'll see if Jim can take a look at it, find that passage and add it today. [How tired was everyone? When I was doing "And the war drags on" last night and going through the e-mails, I saw Jonah's suggesting I "take a look at 'Truest statement of the Week I' and 'Truest statement of the Week II'" and I saw why he suggested that: they were the same statement. We'd posted John Walsh twice and not even noticed.] 3) Lynda thought it was strange we didn't include Ralph's commentary above in "Open Up The Debates!" yesterday. I don't know that anyone saw it/heard it. Ava, Kat, Wally and I hadn't. "Open Up The Debates!" is three features cobbled together (which may explain why Jess' section got dropped). The first is about John Edwards' 'advanced' views. Marcia especially wanted that as an article. The second was about opening the debates. The third was Ralph's audio commentaries. Everyone was tired and the three were forced together from various drafts. Opening the debates contained several paragraphs and I believe that's where the section on what Jess learned from calling the Denver headquarters was. The thing on Edwards' 'advanced' and 'evolving' views just wasn't working. Marcia worked like crazy (she wasn't the only one but she was the only one with the persistence to rally everyone for another try). Dona's the one who said, "_____ is the strongest point in this and it's about the debates, so how about we pair it with the open the debates feature." Everyone was fine with that and then Ty suggested we bring the week's audio commentaries in so that they were part of that article and not a stand-alone. Again, I'll let Jim know that the section on the Denver headquarters isn't in the article and he'll try to locate those paragraphs. Thank you, Lynda. (And thank you, Jonah.)

Friday morning, this was noted: "Kimberly Wilder encourages people to check out this video of Asa Gordon 'explaining his electoral college lawsuits' which is about 'proportional apportionment of presidential electors'." Fridays until Monday morning, we avoid videos here because it takes the site longer to load for many (who aren't checking in on work computers the way they do during the week). If you saw the link and were interested Friday but forgot to check it out, the video is below.



And the following press release is from July. Jenny noted it and wondered if it was too late to note it here? Probably but it's from Jason Wallace's campaign. He's the Green candidate for the US Congress out of Illinois' 11th district and he's also an IVAW member.

Veterans issues personal for Wallace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Contacts:
Tanya Austin, Campaign Manager, 309-532-3446, tanya.austin@electwallace.us

Brandon Punke, Media Relations Coordinator, 309-826-6605, media@electwallace.us

Normal, IL - Veterans issues are of key importance to 11^th Congressional district Green Party candidate Jason Wallace. Wallace, the only veteran in the race, is calling for several key changes in the government's approach to caring for those who have served in the United States military. These include changes in funding and coverage as well as his support for the idea of replacing Silver Cross in Joliet with a VA hospital.

Jason Wallace personally recognizes the frustrations that can be encountered by veterans when trying to obtain benefits. As a member of the Air National Guard, Jason was activated twice to serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for a total of seventeen months. While serving in Kuwait, Jason volunteered for the base Honor Guard and earned the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Wallace feels that his personal experience in the military gives him an advantage over his opponents in understanding the problems veterans encounter. Wallace commented that "while I appreciate the service of Debbie Halvorson's stepson in the armed forces, my own military career of six years has allowed me to personally experience the realities of the VA."

Wallace calls for complete, mandatory funding for the VA. This is an idea that is supported by voters in the district. According to a question posed on the February 5^th 2008 primary ballot in 23 counties, 1.14 million people voted yes when asked if the federal government should fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide care to those who were honorably discharged. Over ninety percent of voters in Lasalle and Grundy counties approved the referendum. Wallace added, "I will provide all of our veterans with free health care so that they can seek the medical care they need anywhere in the district, state, or country. Furthermore, while I support the idea of turning Silver Cross into a VA hospital, it would be useless if the system continues to be chronically under funded."

For more information on Jason Wallace, please visit http://www.electwallace.com/

I'll repeat my opinion (for however little that's worth), Jason Wallace should be supported and elected. Congress would be improved with his service and the 11th district would have a representative who truly wanted to work for and with them.

The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.

iraq
asa gordon
kimberly wilder
sickofitradlz
the daily jot
kats korner
the third estate sunday review
jason wallace

Last Wednesday, US war resister Jeremy Hinzman was informed he had to leave Canada by September 32rd. Careful readers of Jay Price's "Deserter may fare worse because of flight" (News Observer) will grasp why we ignored the bulk of Price's Iraqi 'reporting' when he was there. Those not paying attention will think Price did his job. They'll probably the include the visitors who used whine over and over that we're not this or that by Price. He knows how to take dictation (especially from the US military -- check out the last section but it's true of the entire article) very well. He just doesn't care about the details. (Does the name Agustin Aguayo mean anything? Not to Price. Which is how you get such a useless article.) Courage to Resist alerts, "Supporters are calling on Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, to intervene. Phone 613.996.4974 or email finley.d@parl.gc.ca,"Iraq Veterans Against the War also encourages people to take action, "To support Jeremy, call or email Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and ask her to intervene in this case. Phone: 613.996.4974 email: finley.d@parl.gc.ca." In addition to that, Canada's War Resisters Support Campaign is staging an emergency meeting this week (August 20th, Wednesday, 7:00 pm, Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil St.) and planning a day of action (September 13th) where "[a]ctions, demonstrations and pickets will take place in cities and towns all across Canada." Irwin Loy (24 Hours Vancouver) reports:

An outspoken university professor who hopes to flip years in academia into a career in politics says he will push to protect deserting U.S. soldiers in Canada if elected with the left-of-centre NDP.
“I believe in a Canada that grants asylum to principled young Americans that said no to an illegal war,” UBC political science professor Michael Byers said yesterday after being acclaimed as the federal NDP candidate in the Vancouver-Centre riding.
U.S. soldier Jeremy Hinzman is believed to be the first Iraq war deserter to have sought sanctuary in Canada. He was ordered to leave the country last week after three years of court battles appealing an unsuccessful refugee claim.

Michael Byers has created a blog, click here.

They're just there to try and make the people free,
But the way that they're doing it, it don't seem like that to me.
Just more blood-letting and misery and tears
That this poor country's known for the last twenty years,
And the war drags on.
-- words and lyrics by Mick Softly (available on Donovan's Fairytale)

Last Sunday, ICCC's number of US troops killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war hit the 4,138 mark. And tonight? ICCC reads: "Site Under Maintenance." I'm seeing no announcements by M-NF at their site, there were no annoucments yesterday so we will assume the death toll is what it was after Friday's announcements, 4143 since the start of the illegal war (16 for the month). Just Foreign Policy's counter estimates the number of Iraqis killed since the start of the illegal war to be 1,252,595 . . . the same number they were using last week. No, they haven't updated. Yes, they are apparently off today as well.

Meanwhile today at Aging Socialite's Cat Litter Box, Greg Mitchell types, "When the U.S. military death toll in Iraq dropped to 13 last month it received wide attention. But now, midway through August, the toll this month has already topped the July rate." Thanks Greggy, welcome to the room, Sara. From Wednesday's "Iraq snapshot:"

Wednesday, August 13, 2008. Chaos and violence continue, Miss Iraq calls out the sex trade, Jeremy Hinzman is told he's leaving, the US military announces another death leading August's death toll so far to surpass July's, and more.
[. . .]
Today the US military announced: "A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier and an Iraqi interpreter were killed when the vehicle they were riding in was struck by an improvised-explosive device in northwest Baghdad at approximately 10:10 a.m. Aug. 13." With that announced death, the month of August (not even half over) has already passed the month of July for most US fatalities. The monthly toll thus far is 14 with 4141 the number killed since the start of the illegal war.

From Thursday morning's "14 US service members dead in Iraq so far this month:"

As July wound down and August began, you couldn't get away from the waves of Operation Happy Talk: Only 13 US service members killed in Iraq! August isn't at the half-way point. It is now August 14th and, not only have 14 US service members been announced dead thus far, it has now surpassed July's death toll. But no one's got time to cover that or to notice it apparently. It's really embarrassing and pathetic. So is the absence of coverage on Iraq in today's papers.


Not everyone is on some unnannounced vacation. Turning to some of the reported violence . . .

Bombings?

Hussein Kadhim (McCatchy Newspapers) reports a Baghdad grenade attack on a TV crew that wounded "[a] reporter, cameraman and driver," a Baghdad bomber on bicylce that claimed his/her own life as well as 5 other people (thirteen wounded) and a Salahuddin Province roadside bombing that left six people wounded. Saturday Mohammed Al Dulaimy (McClatchy) reported a Baghdad car bombing that claimed 6 lives and left ten people wounded and a Baghdad roadside bombing that wounded five people.

Shootings?

Hussein Kadhim (McClatchy Newspapers) reports 1 man shot dead in Basra.

Corpses?

Hussein Kadhim (McClatchy Newspapers) reports 1 corpse discovered in Baghdad.


A10 of today's New York Times is where Stephen Farrell's "6 Die in Bombing in Iraq, Third in 3 Days on Shiites" on Saturday. Farrell notes:

Three hours after the early-morning blast, shopkeepers, resident and survivors were still pulling charred goods and debris from damaged roadside stores, and sweeping ashes and wreckage into the gutter.
The attack followed a suicide bombing by a woman in Iskandariya on Thursday in which at least 18 were killed, and a car bombing that killed pilgrims at a bus garage in the northern city of Balad on Friday.


If you can find that online, great. I can't and I've looked around the site forever. It's 15 paragraphs long and Marko Georgiev's photo runs with it ("People tried to salvage goods from a store that was destroyed Saturday by a bombing in the Shaab neighborhood of Baghdad.") They do have an article by Erica Goode and Ali Hameed ("Suicide Bomber Kills 15 at a Sunni Mosque in Baghdad") on violence that's not covered elsewhere -- violence today unless the motor cyclist they describe is the bicyclist described by McClatchy. In which case the death count has risen from 6 to 15 (with 29 more wounded).

But the US military has good news! "Attacks down except roadside bombs, rigged houses"! So attacks are down . . . if you eliminate some of the attacks. The opening sentence: "The numbers of houses rigged with explosives and roadside bombs have increased since the beginning of the Iraqi offensive in Diyala, while other attack trends have been decreasing." Guess this wave of Operation Happy Talk should be dubbed "win some, lose some." M-NF also announces 37 women "attended the first day of a four-week course at the Kirkuk Police Academy outside of Kirkuk city" Saturday. Reuters reports the Turkish military says they bombed northern Iraq on Sunday ("no details of casualties"). Reuters also notes that six Blackwater mercenaries have been informed that their actions are under investigation. And that "police fired on demonstrators" today in Arbil killing one.

New content at Third:

Truest statement of the Week I
Truest statement of the Week II
A note to our readers
Editorial: Withdrawal can be done in 100 days
TV: Transformations
Jeremy Hinzman ordered to leave Canada
Open Up The Debates!
What If Feminists Were Swing Voters?
The race card, what's not feminism, and more
Catching on to the Peace Resister
Roundtable
Highlights
Where it stands

Isaiah had today off and Kat hoped to finish her CD review (just needs editing, she finished writing it on the plane Saturday) but Third took forever. The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.

iraq
and the war drags on
donovan
jeremy hinzman
irwin loy
the new york timesstephen farrell
jay price
mcclatchy newspapers
the third estate sunday review
iraq