The Little Brown Reader

The Bush Doctrine by Harry Browne

This is a punchy and effective article by Harry Browne, the Libertarian party presidnetial candidate in 1996 and 2000.

The Bush Doctrine by Harry Browne

Excerpts:

For almost 60 years, American Presidents have been pushing the world around. But they've been doing it pretty much in secret.

For example, when Hitler had been in power for three years, he hadn't invaded a single country. George Bush has already invaded two.

AOL, You've Been Sued!

Hartford Advocate: You've Been Sued!

by Dan Levine - December 25, 2003

Without a judge's signature, a warrant is nothing more than a neato-toledo looking legal paper, with no power to compel anyone to do anything.

...

Aaron Russo makes NY Post's Page Six

New York Post Online Edition: gossip

WE HEAR...

THAT Aaron Russo, the guy who discovered Bette Midler and produced such hits as "The Rose" and "Trading Places," is emerging as the leading candidate for the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party.

Aaron Russo Running for President to stop the impending Military Draft

This is a not-great press release announcing Aaron Russo's presidential campaign.

Aaron Russo Running for President to stop the impending Military Draft, Seeks the Libertarian nomination, by Max Hirschman

Amazon donors put Nolan second only to Kerry

Who is Gary Nolan? Amazon donors put him second only to Kerry

Failed Nevada gubernatorial candidate seeks presidency

The LV Review-Journal put a harsh headline on this story.

reviewjournal.com -- News: Failed Nevada gubernatorial candidate seeks presidency

Russo would pull troops out of Iraq, abolish Patriot Act

WND -- Aaron Russo intent on 'Trading Places' with Bush

WorldNetDaily: Producer intent on 'Trading Places' with Bush

Hollywood award-winner wants to 'bring freedom back to America'

The Hollywood community has been anything but silent during the Bush administration, but an award-winning movie producer plans to back up his words with a run for the presidency.

Aaron Russo – producer of popular films such as "Trading Places," starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, and Bette Midler's "The Rose" – told WorldNetDaily he will officially throw his hat in the ring tomorrow as an independent candidate.

SPT Goal 5: Do Something

Goal 5: Do Something

Part 5 of 27 of a discourse on the Libertarian Party Strategic Plan (SPT). by Sean Haugh

Gary Nolan in Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Gary Nolan

Tucille: Libertarians for the Dingbat

Libertarians for the Dingbat by Jerome Tuccille

ABC's Stossel Rips Network for Hostility to Conservatives

In a layered irony, I saw this story reported on on Countdown with Keith Olberman, and he called Stossel a "self-described 'conservative'".

ABC's Stossel Rips Network for Hostility to Conservatives -- 01/28/2004

"Where I live in Manhattan and where I work at ABC, people say conservative the way people say child molester," he said. "[Conservative] is the worst thing for a reporter to be called. And I'm a little puzzled why they call me a conservative."

Aaron Russo on the Issues

Aaron Russo on the Issues

Aaron Russo is a candidate for the Libertarian Party Presidential nomination.

America's in crisis and we're facing great danger from our own government. I've identified twelve points every American should be alarmed about. Let's examine what they are, and see what our government is doing:

Full release

Dean Campaign: New Man at Top Is Something of an Old Hand

Turnover: New Man at Top Is Something of an Old Hand

Trippi Couldn't Be Persuaded to Stay On

Los Angeles Times: Trippi Couldn't Be Persuaded to Stay On

Salon.com | Dean goes bust

Salon.com News | Dean goes bust

Arianna: Judy Dean And The Politics Of Authenticity

January 28, 2004 - Judy Dean And The Politics Of Authenticity

USA Weekend interview with Clint Eastwood

In this recent interview, Clint re-asserts his libertarian political philosophy.

USA WEEKEND Magazine interview with Clint Eastwood

Federal Judge Rules Part of Patriot Act Unconstitutional

Federal Judge Rules Part of Patriot Act Unconstitutional (washingtonpost.com)

(TruthOut permacopy)

Bush, Deserter? Moore

This "Mike's Message" includes a list of alleged facts behind the theory that Bush is a deserter. I don't say "alleged" so as to imply they aren't really facts. I haven't checked up on them, and I don't know if they are facts or not.

You Say Deserter, I Say More Dessert... by Michael Moore

U.S. Congress members make historic visit to Libya, praise recent reforms by Gadhafi

U.S. Congress members make historic visit to Libya, praise recent reforms by Gadhafi

...

Some have suggested that Libya didn't want to face the kind of war that drove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq last year. But diplomats say Libya appears to have made a firm decision to remake itself in 2002, before the United States launched its war on Iraq.

...

WRP: Dennis Kucinich and the Question

t r u t h o u t - William Rivers Pitt | Dennis Kucinich and the Question

Zakaria: The One-Note Superpower

MSNBC - The One-Note Superpower

A funny thing has happened. While the war on terrorism has dominated headlines, the great engine of globalization has kept moving

By Fareed Zakaria
Newsweek

(TruthOut permacopy)

2 Ministers Say Sharon Will Have to Resign if Indicted

2 Ministers Say Sharon Will Have to Resign if Indicted

(TruthOut permacopy)

Iraqi civil war looms, CIA warns Bush, aides

News-Leader.com | True Ozarks | Iraqi civil war looms, CIA warns Bush, aides

Mixed Reviews On Bush's Plan

Newsday.com - Mixed Reviews On Bush's Plan
(TruthOut permacopy)

Knapp: Booting Boortz redux:

Booting Boortz redux:
The Life of the Party, part 14

by Thomas L. Knapp

Last month, this column called to its readers' attention the unfortunate matter of the Libertarian Party's ill-considered decision to schedule radio shock jock Neal Boortz as a speaker at the LP's 2004 national convention. A good deal of water has passed under the bridge since then; it's time for an update, and it's time to address some questions that the effort to avoid this train wreck has raised.

...

Wired: How the Internet Invented Howard Dean

Wired 12.01: How the Internet Invented Howard Dean

Vanguard: The War on Poverty Turns 40

Vanguard: The War on Poverty Turns 40
by Rod D. Martin

Farah: Ethnic Cleansing, Palestinian Style

Ethnic Cleansing, Palestinian Style

Jewish Press - By Joseph Farah

'Bloggers' Chronicle Presidential Campaign

FOXNews.com - You Decide 2004 - 'Bloggers' Chronicle Presidential Campaign

Eminem's Mother Carjacked on Eight Mile Road

FOXNews.com - Foxlife - Eminem's Mother Carjacked on Eight Mile Road

Scarborough pranked by Dan Savage of "Savage Love" fame

Scarborough pranked by Dan Savage of "Savage Love" fame

NBC Pulls 'Friends' 'Best Comedy Ever' Ad

FOXNews.com - Foxlife - NBC Pulls 'Friends' 'Best Comedy Ever' Ad

Doug Ireland: Iowa's Lessons

TOMPAINE.com - Iowa's Lessons

Cheney's grim vision: decades of war

Cheney's grim vision: decades of war / Vice president says Bush policy aimed at long-term world threat

(TruthOut permacopy)

Past Defeat and Personal Quest Shape Long-Shot Kucinich Bid

Challenging Bush: Past Defeat and Personal Quest Shape Long-Shot Kucinich Bid

(TruthOut permacopy)

Seneca Indian Nation Sues Over Tobacco Ban

Seneca Indian Nation Sues Over Tobacco Ban

2003 Year in Review from BORDC

2003 Year in Review

In 2003, millions of U.S. citizens and noncitizens turned to the Bill of Rights and exercised its protections to restore and uphold essential rights and freedoms that help define our country. Congress and the Justice Department noticed.

As we look forward to 2004, BORDC reviews some highlights of the past year.

Grassroots news

• The number of Civil Liberties Safe Zones increased more than tenfold, from 22 communities in 2002 to 230 cities, towns, and counties and three states by the end of 2003. The number of people protected by Civil Liberties Safe Zones grew to over 30 million (more than 10 percent of the United States population!).

  • March 4: highest number of resolutions passed in one day, twelve, including the first ballot initiative (Montpelier, VT).
  • April 2: first ordinance passed (Arcata, CA).

  • April 25: first state resolution passed (Hawai'i).

• The distribution of civil liberties resolutions across 37 of the 50 states should surprise former Justice Department spokesperson Barbara Comstock, who claimed that “about 45 percent of them, almost half, are either in cities in Vermont, very small populations, or in sort of college towns in California.”

• Attention to the Patriot Act also increased among campuses, labor unions, religious bodies, and other types of organizations.

• On June 5, Attorney General Ashcroft mentioned the "Bill of Rights defense movement" twice in his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.

• In August and September, the Attorney General embarked on a month-long 30-city tour to defend the Patriot Act. Thousands of protestors showed up at his campaign stops and held signs outside his closed-door meetings before hand-picked audiences of uniformed law enforcement. During the tour, 27 cities passed resolutions against the Patriot Act, and tens of thousands of Americans looked into the Patriot Act.

• In October, more than 200 people from 27 states met for the first time at the first annual Grassroots America Defends the Bill of Rights conference. Participants look forward to more regional and national conference and ongoing communication via a listserve.

Legislation

• On February 7, the Center for Public Integrity posted the leaked Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003 on its website. The public outcry over the bill dubbed "Patriot II" has prevented its subsequent introduction in Congress. However, a section of the bill, which expands the FBI's authority to issue national security letters by changing the definition of "financial institutions," was inserted into the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, which President Bush signed into law in December. Other Patriot II sections may be introduced piecemeal in 2004.

• Last March, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the first piece of legislation aimed at rolling back the powers granted by the USA Patriot Act, the Freedom to Read Protection Act (HR 1157). The bill enjoys bi-partisan support with 144 co-sponsors. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced the companion Library, Bookseller, and Personal Records Privacy Act (S.1507). The SAFE Act and the Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act are among more than a dozen other bills to restore liberties and rights already introduced. The CLEAR Act and other legislation to strengthen the Patriot Act have also been introduced.

• On July 23, by a vote of 309-118, the House approved a bipartisan amendment offered by Congressmen C.L. "Butch" Otter (R-ID), Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) and Ron Paul (R-TX) to withhold funding for "sneak-and-peek" searches under the USA PATRIOT Act. The nearly 3-1 vote marks the first time either chamber of Congress has acted to roll back any provision of the law. Despite the amendment's overwhelming House support, the conferees who worked out differences between the House and Senate versions of the Intelligence Authorization Act dropped the amendment from the final bill.

• On September 25 Congress de-funded the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)'s controversial Terrorism Information Awareness (formerly the Total Information Awareness) program. A month earlier, John Poindexter resigned as head of the Office of Information Awareness. DARPA has transferred some TIA research and tools to other agencies.

Reports and Court Decisions: Special Registration, Detentions, and Enemy Combatants

• In June, Justice Department Inspector General Glenn Fine released a report concluding that the Justice Department had detained hundreds of Arab and Muslim men who had no ties to the September 11 attacks or to terrorism for several months without charges or access to attorneys. In December, Fine released another report finding that dozens of detainees held in a federal detention center in Brooklyn were physically and verbally abused by prison guards.

• In November, the Supreme Court agreed to test the constitutionality of powers that the Bush Administration has claimed since September 11, 2001: in Rasul v. Bush and Odah v. United States, it will decide whether the non-U.S. citizens being held in prison at Guantanamo Bay should be given access to U.S. courts. In early January the Supreme Court also agreed to hear Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, to decide whether the government can hold Yaser Esam Hamdi, a U.S. citizen captured in Afghanistan, indefinitely without charges filed and without access to an attorney.

• On December 18, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, based in New York, ruled that it is unlawful for the U.S. government to detain a U.S. citizen captured on U.S. soil as an enemy combatant. The court ordered the government to either release Jose Padilla (the only person whom the ruling affects) or transfer him to civilian custody within 30 days.

• On the same day, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco, ruled that the cases of some 600 detainees at Guantanamo have to be open to judicial scrutiny, and that the Bush administration is violating international law and the U.S. Constitution by holding detainees on a U.S. Navy base without legal protections.

• Nearly 85,000 men from North Korea and 24 Muslim countries reported to INS facilities for NSEERS "special registration." The expensive program did not turn up any terrorists, but 13,000 of the men who voluntarily reported are in deportation proceedings. Rumors that the program has ended are untrue: Beginning December 2, 2003, men from 25 countries who have already registered do not need to reregister annually. Point of entry follow-up interviews are also suspended. However, several parts of the Special Registration program remain. Read AILA's summary of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Special Registration program.

• In December 2003, the NSEERS program was supplemented by US-VISIT, a program that takes biometric measurements of people including fingerprints and face scans from certain countries. For more information, see the Center for American Progress's analysis of the new program.

Silencing Dissent

• The Secret Service shelters President Bush from peaceful protesters. The Administration also demanded that areas of the U.K. and Australia be "scrubbed" of protesters during the president's visits.

• In October, police stifled dissent at the FTAA protests.

• An FBI memo dated October 15 asks local law enforcement to report antiwar protests and other activities protected by the First Amendment which they consider "suspicious" to the FBI's counterterrorism units.

Polls: Any Democrat Beats Bush 45% to 41%; Dean New Hampshire Lead Gone

t r u t h o u t - Polls: Any Democrat Beats Bush 45% to 41%; Dean New Hampshire Lead Gone

Gephardt quits presidential race

He didn't quit-- he got fired.

MSNBC - Gephardt quits presidential race

...

The survey showed that just 23 percent of caucus-goers were from union households — and Gephardt trailed Kerry in winning their support.

MSNBC - Howard Dean on the Edge

MSNBC - Howard Dean on the Edge

Excerpt:

Like Gephardt in Iowa, Dean is now
fighting next door to his home state, where he once held a commanding lead in the polls. In political terms, he cannot afford another poor result next week, no matter how hard he comes out swinging.

Michael Moore to Dean Supporters: Don 't Give Up

Michael Moore.com : Mike's Message

Campaign Ramble on Iowa night

I'll say this about John Kerry-- he seems to be the smoothest and warmest in close quarters. He's the only one who doesn't seem to be brimming with nervous energy, like Gephardt, Clark, Dean, and (to a lesser extent) Edwards seem to be. Maybe that explains Kerry and Edwards' strong finishes in close-quarters Iowa.

Also, Dean seemed pretty wild in his post-results "speech"-- at least the segment I saw. I have not seen the whole thing.

Kerry's speech was pretty good for the occasion. He made a lot of smart phrasings and comments. As an outsider observer who won't be voting Democrat, I'm mildly impressed by Kerry for the time being. Anyone who can unsettle the Dean Machine has to be given at least a little credit.

New Hampshire is going to be a major showdown between Kerry and Dean. Both from neighboring New England states, and Kerry on the rise with Dean hitting some bumps (his false claim that Jimmy Carter invited him to Georgia this past Sunday not being the least). Very interesting.

In the end, this is George Bush's election to lose. Most of the main Democrats would suffice to beat him if things go bad in Bushland. The possible exceptions would be Dean, who is volatile, and John Edwards, who is young and inexperienced. (And possibly Lieberman, but he won't be a factor for long. He'll be lucky (and wasting his time) if he's still in the race when his state's primary comes up in March. He lost this race the day Al Gore endorsed Dean-- if not earlier.)

Either Bush (and the facts and reality on the ground, here and in Iraq and Afghanistan) is going to undo himself, or he's not. The best Democrat to beat him would be simply a credible alternative. That leaves Kerry and Clark, strictly speaking. Even if Edwards' youth can be cleared as a hurdle (and I think it can), his inexperience will be a potential achilles heel. And Dean will be a bumpy ride. He'd make a great independent or third-party candidate, but the two-party race doesn't have as much mercy on someone who's volatile. See: John McCain, except ratchet up the heat by a factor of ten.

If Bush blows it (or continues to blow it), then either Kerry or Clark will be able to beat him. With Dean there's a maybe factor, because he's developing an image, and if the image doesn't work for mainstream America, then he'll get whupped. (See: Ralph Nader) Of course, if he makes it that far he will reshape his image as needed (See: Bill Clinton), but he might then lose the base that's into him doing the extreme screaming thing. He's a wild card, to put it simply. And the Bush campaign is going to use anything they're given that might help them win. So far, Dean has given them the most to work with. Clark the second most (all his quotes praising Bush and Cheney are definitely going to be used if it's Clark v Bush). Edwards third. I don't think that to date John Kerry has given them anything to work with in terms of tearing him down.

Kerry now has a Republican guy whose life he saved in Vietnam appearing with him and supporting his campaign. That's pretty powerful. His wife is also a strong campaigner, it seems. And he's on his game, verbally-- very confident and likeable, despite his sort of weird face. (If Jon Stewart can call it "cadaver-like", I feel safe saying "weird".)

Make no mistake-- I expect that I would disagree with and oppose most everything that a John Kerry adminstration would do if he was elected-- and I won't be voting for him, any other Democrat, or Bush. I'm just calling the race as I see it. I'll be voting Libertarian, assuming one of the four current main contenders becomes the nominee. (There's a vague possibility that a Libertarian who supported the war in Iraq could be nominated, which is the only reason I hedge. None of the four main contenders support the war, as far as I know.)

I thought Clark looked to be the strongest solid competitor against Bush, but I'm inclined to think that maybe it's Kerry. I'm surprised to find myself thinking that. If he wins New Hampshire next week, then I'd think about pencilling him in as the possible Democratic Party nominee. And-- and again, it feels weird to say this-- I think that might work OK. John Kerry can appeal relentlessly on his heroism in actual battle, and relate that to the war and decisions regarding war, and essentially shame Bush for his cavalier misuse of the men and women of the military. Other than that, he'll play a centrist, sane, experienced guy who cares, but who can be tough.

All this is contingent on no major skeletons coming out of closets. I can't guess if there are any of those to come. And it's contingent on no powerful third-party or independent candidate showing up. And on Dean sticking with his promise to support the Dem. nominee even if it's not him (rather than breaking away and running as an independent, as some have theorized).

CNN.com - Kerry wins Iowa; Gephardt's exit expected - Jan. 20, 2004

Gephardt concedes Iowa, plans to exit race

CNN.com - Gephardt concedes Iowa, plans to exit race - Jan. 20, 2004

Nevada County's Narcotics Task Force arrest Correctional Technician for Marijuana Garden

Nevada County's Narcotics Task Force arrest Correctional Technician for Marijuana Garden

Misleading headline: Carter Backs Dean on Eve of Iowa Caucus

This headline is less than true, in my opinion. The excerpt below shows the portion of the article that tells of Carter's comments about Dean. No "backing" was reported.

Yahoo! News - Carter Backs Dean on Eve of Iowa Caucus

...

Dean skipped a precious 24 hours on the ground in Iowa to attend Carter's church in Georgia, where the 39th president offered kind words but no endorsement.

"I made an announcement in advance that I'm not going to endorse any particular candidate, but I have been particularly grateful at the courageous and outspoken posture and position that Governor Dean has taken from the very beginning," Carter said during their eight-minute appearance together after the Sunday services.

...

Dean's Wife Joins Him on Iowa Campaign

Yahoo! News - Dean's Wife Joins Him on Iowa Campaign

Voters to be asked about registering for the draft

Voters to be asked about registering for the draft

Enough signatures have been collected so that voters in April will be asked whether Anchorage men should be excused from registering for the military draft.

...

Blast in Baghdad Kills at Least 20 Outside U.S. Post

Blast in Baghdad Kills at Least 20 Outside U.S. Post

(TruthOut permacopy)

Petition drive opposes military draft

WorldNetDaily: Petition drive opposes military draft

A Libertarian candidate for president is spearheading a petition drive on his website to put a stop to legislation that would re-institute the draft in the U.S. – for both men and women.

...

Presidential Campaign Fever - Too Much "Vision" Without Hearing

This ends up being about Ralph Nader in the end. And it ends up being correct. (Saying he shouldn't run in 2004, and that those who can influence him toward that should.)

t r u t h o u t - Norman Solomon | Presidential Campaign Fever - Too Much "Vision" Without Hearing

Newsweek-- Refereeing in Hell

MSNBC - Refereeing in Hell
TruthOut permalink

GIs are dying. Rival factions are turning on each other. After freeing Iraq, can we keep it from coming apart?

An Interview with Sabine Herold on Politics, France, and Freedom

TheAtlasphere.com: An Interview with Sabine Herold on Politics, France, and Freedom

Sabine Herold is the editor and spokeswoman for Liberté j'écris ton nom (Liberty, I Write Your Name), a think tank and activist organization at the forefront of a new and growing pro-liberty movement in France.

For this Atlasphere interview, Herold spoke with editor Andrew Schwartz about politics, French culture, her thoughts about the United States, and the goals of Liberté j'écris ton nom.

Aaron Russo is seeking LP's presidential nomination

This is cause for some celebration. The possibility of the LP having a charismatic presidential candidate is very cool.

LP News Online: February 2004: Aaron Russo is seeking LP's presidential nomination

Russo for President website

President Bush has the best plan for our country's future

I can't even get started in pointing out how much is wrong with this op-ed. Describing Bush as a "penny pincher" is particularly perverse. The author describing himself as a libertarian is a knee-slapper too.

[Triangle Ed-Op] President Bush has the best plan for our country's future

by James Mack Jr.

Bob DeBrosse is named Ohio's first LP mayor

It's getting harder these days to joke about Libertarians only being elected to dog catcher and such. The joke doesn't ring quite as strong with "mayor" or "city councilperson".

LP News Online: February 2004: Bob DeBrosse is named Ohio's first LP mayor

PayPal Scam Spreads Mimail Worm

PCWorld.com - PayPal Scam Spreads Mimail Worm
Virus writers are using spam and a Trojan horse program to deliver new worm.

Karl Rove's Nightmare

Karl Rove's Nightmare (washingtonpost.com)
(TruthOut permacopy)

By Richard Cohen

DALLAS -- Karl Rove had a bad moment here the other night. It came as Wesley Clark was speaking to a packed hotel ballroom, when the retired general derided the president of the United States for what was supposed to be his supreme, cinematic moment: landing on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln. "I don't think it's patriotic to dress up in a flight suit and prance around," Clark bellowed. The men had been separated from the boys.

Braun Quits White House Race, Endorses Dean

t r u t h o u t - Braun Quits White House Race, Endorses Dean

Supreme Court Backs Police Random Roadblocks

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said the ruling "will allow law enforcement in Illinois and across the nation to seek voluntary assistance from citizens in their efforts to solve crime."

Right, voluntary forced assistance. It will allow them to use force to get voluntary assistance.

FOXNews.com - Top Stories - Supreme Court Backs Police Random Roadblocks

Montel, M.S., and medical marijuana

At the end of the transcript, he talks about using medical marijuana.

Hannity & Colmes - Interview - Montel Williams' Battle With M.S.

The "War on Poverty" Turns 40

The "War on Poverty" Turns 40

by Dick Armey

Online addicts abandon real world

Online addicts abandon real world

Poll: Alternative News Gaining Influence

Poll: Alternative News Gaining Influence

(TruthOut permacopy)

Goyette: How to Lose Your Job in Talk Radio

How to Lose Your Job in Talk Radio

Clear Channel gags an antiwar conservative.

By Charles Goyette

“Imagine these startling headlines with the nation at war in the Pacific six months after Dec. 7, 1941: “No Signs of Japanese Involvement in Pearl Harbor Attack! Faulty Intelligence Cited; Wolfowitz: Mistakes Were Made.”

It seems to me that when there is reason to go to war, it should be self-evident. The Secretary of State should not need to convince a skeptical world with satellite photos of a couple of Toyota pickups and a dumpster. And faced with a legitimate casus belli, it should not be hard to muster an actual constitutional declaration of war. Now in the absence of a meaningful Iraqi role in the 9/11 attack and the mysterious disappearance of those fearsome Weapons of Mass Destruction, there might be some psychic satisfaction to be had in saying, “I told you so!” But it sure isn’t doing my career as a talk-show host any good.
...

Dem candidate doesn't make ballot in Baker recall vote

Dem candidate doesn't make ballot in Baker recall vote

The Democratic candidate, Kathleen Conway, failed to collect enough signatures to get her name on the ballot. Only a Republican, Nancy Doty, and a Libertarian, Travis Nicks, will face off for clerk and recorder if voters decide to oust Baker.

Tale of the tape on Howard Dean

MSNBC - Tale of the tape on Howard Dean

WASHINGTON - Aired in Canada and PBS stations in the United States, “The Editors” is a public affairs TV show that most Americans probably haven’t seen. It features a roundtable panel of politicians, journalists, and policy wonks who discuss American and Canadian politics, foreign affairs, and social issues.

But old episodes of the “The Editors” might soon become must-see TV for followers of the 2004 presidential race. While governor of Vermont, Howard Dean was a regular guest on the show, and the NBC News Investigative Unit has now obtained the videotapes of 90 of his appearances from 1996 to 2002.

...

Detained in America

This is an awesome story about the very many people who have been detained in contravention with the Bill of Rights since 9/11.

Detained in America: A Guest Column by Bruce Jackson

The Desaparecidos of George W. Bush

Gary Nolan's responses to CUIP's CHIP survey

Gary Nolan's responses to the Campaign for a Unified Independent Party's "Choosing an Independent President 2004" survey: http://www.cuip.org/chip/nolan.pdf

Yaser Hamdi case headed to Supreme Court

Supreme Court Expands Review of "Enemy Combatant" Cases
(TruthOut permacopy)

t r u t h o u t - Will George Bush Lose the New Hampshire Primary?

t r u t h o u t - Will George Bush Lose the New Hampshire Primary?

By Jane Stillwater

CBS News | Saddam Ouster Planned Early '01?

CBS News | Saddam Ouster Planned Early '01?

(TruthOut permacopy)

Still No Vetoes From President Bush

This is not a healthy thing.

FOXNews.com - Politics - Still No Vetoes From President Bush

Carroll: But George McGovern Was Right

But George McGovern was right

By James Carroll
The Boston Globe
(TruthOut permacopy)

Excerpts:

The Democrats see a hobgoblin under the bed, and his name is George McGovern. Low-grade panic is beginning to set in as pundits forecast a repeat of 1972: "As Massachusetts goes, so goes the District of Columbia." The prospect of "another McGovern" whets the appetite of Bush partisans while generating gloom and shame among Democrats. Howard Dean, for one, flees the association, while other candidates tar him with it.

George W. Bush obscenely exploits war for his own purposes. He sponsors a paranoid assessment of what threatens America now and draws political advantage from the resulting fear. The news media propagate that fear. Pundits continue the false opposition between "realist" and "idealist" visions, marginalizing anyone who dares question Garrison America. Meanwhile, the unnecessary Bush war rages, and not even the steady death toll of young GIs makes much news anymore. If a Democrat running for president dares to speak the truth about these things, it is the furthest thing from shame. And before feeling gloom about next November, ask what it means if the Democrat, to win, must do what Nixon did.

Marc Ash | That Pesky Bush-Hitler Thing

t r u t h o u t - Marc Ash | That Pesky Bush-Hitler Thing

The Top 10 Libertarian Stories of 2003

LP News Online: February 2004: The Top 10 Libertarian Stories of 2003

Obscure 1872 law cited in case against Greenpeace

Protesters wary of new tactic by feds /
Obscure 1872 law cited in case against Greenpeace
(TruthOut permacopy)

Presidential Powers: A Court Pushes Back

MSNBC -
How do you solve a problem like Padilla?

By Michael Isikoff
Newsweek

Krugman: Who's Nader Now?

This article has very little to do with Ralph Nader.

Paul Krugman: Who's Nader Now?
TruthOut permacopy

Excerpt:

The irony is that by seeking to undermine the election prospects of a man who may well be their party's nominee, Mr. Lieberman and Mr. Kerry have reminded us of why their once-promising campaigns imploded. Most Democrats feel, with justification, that we're facing a national crisis — that the right, ruthlessly exploiting 9/11, is making a grab for total political dominance. The party's rank and file want a candidate who is running, as the Dean slogan puts it, to take our country back. This is no time for a candidate who is running just because he thinks he deserves to be president.

Jesse Ventura's America: Should marijuana be legalized? (Transcript)

Jesse's awesome. He's a luttle nuts sometimes, but I think most awesome people are that way. And he kicks butt against the drug war in this episode of his show. He delivers any number of verbal smackdowns to Tom Riley, the director of public affairs for the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Jesse Ventura's America: Should marijuana be legalized?

Judges beginning to balk in war on terror

KRT Wire | 12/28/2003 | Judges beginning to balk in war on terror

A Year in the Strategic Plan: Part 3 of 27

Sean Haugh is the Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina, and is involved in the national Strategic Planning Thingie* (SPT).

*It's not really "Thingie", but I can't recall what the T stands for (Team, maybe?)...and you get the idea anyway-- it's a long-view planning process that is going on at the national level of the LP. I also don't mean to denigrate the team, or the process, or whatever the thingie is. It's all good, as Sean says.

(BTW, "It's all good" is one of my favorite sayings. It's like the ultimate positivity phrase.)

Goal 3: It's All Good

A Year in the Strategic Plan: Part 3 of 27
by Sean Haugh

Jose Padilla: A Constitutional Challenge for Us All

The Independent Institute | Jose Padilla: A Constitutional Challenge for Us All, by Brigid O'Neil

Excerpt:

Obviously, the repercussions of this case extend far beyond the rights and livelihood of a man who’s turned his back against authority for much of his life. The horror is this story could happen to anyone -- citizen or non-citizen. The actions of the Administration in this case defy the fundamental role of our constitutional rights: protecting the rights of the minority against the tyranny of the state. If all of us can’t find something to get riled up about in the case of Jose Padilla, then the Constitution will have lost its last line of defense against tyrannical rule -- an informed and active populace.

Sullum on the tightening of the Commerce Clause loophole

Pot Luck
A victory for federalism
by Jacob Sullum, Reason

Excerpt:

This is the third case this year in which the 9th Circuit has tried to define the boundaries of the Commerce Clause. Each decision has been narrow: The first involved child pornography that never crossed state lines and was not intended for distribution; the second dealt with homemade machine guns that met the same criteria; and the most recent one is limited to "the intrastate, noncommercial cultivation and possession of cannabis for personal medical purposes as recommended by a patient's physician pursuant to valid California state law."

But taken together, these rulings help revive the idea that the Commerce Clause is not a blank check.

Third parties say their time is now

Stevens Point Journal - Third parties say their time is now

Dante Chinni: The unknown Hussein factor in the 2004 election

The unknown Hussein factor in the 2004 election | csmonitor.com

Congress Expands FBI Spying Power

Wired News: Congress Expands FBI Spying Power

(Also archived at Civil Liberties Watch)

Dana Milbank: Under Bush, Expanding Secrecy

Under Bush, Expanding Secrecy (washingtonpost.com)

Edmonds: How To Persuade Others To Abolish Government

How To Persuade Others To Abolish Government by Brad Edmonds

IRS to Step Up Audits and Collections

The Heartland Institute - IRS to Step Up Audits and Collections - by Daniel J. Pilla

Anderson: Internet must extend its influence in election process

DodgeGlobe.com:Anderson: Internet must extend its influence in election process 12/12/03