I first encountered Charlton Heston on the Planet of the Apes.  Then I came to know him as something more.

He has spoken out against the arbitrary and extra-constitutional nature of the military tribunals that the Bush administration is conducting.

He said the U.S. government has taken the position that "due process does not even apply in these proceedings. I find that very offensive."

(This is an updated version of a diary that scrolled off quickly last night)

He said the U.S. government has taken the position that "due process does not even apply in these proceedings. I find that very offensive."

My third grader daughter came home from school crying yesterday.  The substitute teacher had asked the class where they were born.  She raised her hand and said "I was born in the USA."

Immediately the chorus came from boys in her class:  "Shoot her!  Shoot her!  Shoot her!"

(more below the fold)

Update [2005-9-14 14:35:45 by Gearhead]: Through many posts and comments from others I must agree that there is no "absolution" for this behaviour, except to say that the children should remain blameless. Yes, parents are responsible for a child's violent behaviour, yes, the school is also responsible to keep such behaviour in check, and yes, mocking an individual for his or her background is abhorrent.

I am not an appologist for what has happened, I am pointing out with this diary that the actions of children are symptomatic of larger forces at play.

"New Orleans is Sinking" by Jim Wilson

The fact that New Orleans has not already sunk is a matter of luck. If slightly different paths had been followed by Hurricanes Camille, which struck in August 1969, Andrew in August 1992 or George in September 1998, today we might need scuba gear to tour the French Quarter.

While many diaries, articles and news reports have refuted Mr. Bush's statement that nobody could have predicted such a catastrophe, this one struck me as particularly eeire since it was published on September 11, 2001.

I wish to state clearly and emphatically that I apologize for any offensive material that you have viewed in a recent post of mine.

I originally posted what I considered to be a humorous picture, but it appears that the image tag  that I used, the URL of the original image was either changed, or the file name on the originating server was changed to something vile.

I regret that many of you have been exposed to indecent material, my original intent was to repeat an image that I had recently seen in Jon Stewart's book "America."

We need to put the "US" back in USA.  That is, we need to be a part of how things happen, not apart from what is happening.

All this "Red State" - "Blue State" dichotomy removes "us" from the entirety of what this country ought to be:  a place where we make proposals, engage in honest and frank debate, compromise, and then act.  By removing ourselves from the equation (throwing up our hands saying "they won't listen") we cause harm to ourselves, our principles and the country overall.

From the CBC:  Iraqi militants wanted Bush re-elected: French hostage

Where does that leave the States?  You guessed it...

Despite spending billions upon billions of dollars.  Despite scrapping the ABM treaty at the risk of a renewed nuclear arms race.  Despite the label "operational," and despite FEERLESS LEADER's lies, Missile defense (BMD) has failed in yet another test.

(Sources, and quotes below)

US Customs & Christmas

Today, there is an update.  I got a call from UPS...

Fighting Bush and his agenda starts at home.  Rather than being "led" by a person or a party, we must take this initiative ourselves.  My personal way is by reducing our household "footprint" on the environment.  What will you do?

Here's some pre-vote info:

The Mercury News

This used to be quite the thing for the town.  It used to be the first place to post election results, but as CNN points out, with early voting happening across the country, perhaps it's not so special anymore.

Still, I anxiously await the results tonight. I still think there's something about it ...

Update [2004-11-2 0:22:1 by Gearhead]::

Kerry:15
Bush:15
Nader:1

I SMELL A LANDSLIDE!

Update [2004-11-2 0:46:52 by Gearhead]::

Kerry:7
Bush:19


In Hart's Location, NH
Kerry:15
Bush:15

Okay, I smell burnt toast right now: Misinformation and innacurate reporting. Hrumph!

Here's a link:MSNBC

We cannot let this meme/policy survive.  We must demand an end to the so-called WOT (SCWOT).  We need this and the world needs this.

If there are ways other than war to PREVENT attacks, we should use them (for example, providing for aid, education, clean water, women's rights, etc.).  All those good things that $225 billion might have paid for.  Instead we have WOT - death distruction, ill will and more fear, more mistrust and distrust.

Moreover, when we use the term and do not use quotation marks, or the disclaimer "so-called," we capitulate to the neocon world-view.  This is THEIR term, not ours.

Stop, people.  Tell the Kerry Administration that the so-called "War on Terror" must END:

We don't want SCWOT.  No more SCWOT.  No more War.

Religious Leaders Ahead in Iraq Poll

According to a US funded poll of Iraqis, it seems that the coming election will likely disappoint BushCo:

Could it be that democracy is actually what the people want, and not what Bush and his neocon minions want to impose?

'Daily Show' book too racy for Wal-Mart

Sounds like a reason to buy the book.

Go to an independent bookstore and buy it.  Support Jon who stood up to Carlson and his bowtie and support the few independent store owners that are left in this country.