When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Thursday, May 20, 2004
It has been reported that high level officials in the Bush Administration and Bush himself signed off on a secret policy that led directly to the abuse and torture of prisoners under American guard in Iraq. They deny it of course. If they were proud of it, the policy wouldn't have been secret, even though such a policy is illegal, contravening the Geneva Conventions of treatment of prisoners.
Reagan for example, at first denied but later boasted of funneling funds illegally (with the express disapproval of Congress)to the rebels he chose to call 'freedom-fighters' in Nicaragua. That was illegal too, but he bragged and no one seemed to mind much. (We've been leading up to this administration's outrageous behavior and lies for some time now.)
The newsletter The Daily Mislead, which documents Bush's frequent contradictions says today:
Let it be noted that when Bush says "personal responsibility" he really means we shall no longer take care of the poor and the downtrodden. Dying cities? Too bad. Teen age crack addicts raising babies? Too bad. Children going hungry? Too bad. All the good American jobs going overseas? Toooo baaad. Not our problem.
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
Era of Personal Responsibility
It has been reported that high level officials in the Bush Administration and Bush himself signed off on a secret policy that led directly to the abuse and torture of prisoners under American guard in Iraq. They deny it of course. If they were proud of it, the policy wouldn't have been secret, even though such a policy is illegal, contravening the Geneva Conventions of treatment of prisoners.
Reagan for example, at first denied but later boasted of funneling funds illegally (with the express disapproval of Congress)to the rebels he chose to call 'freedom-fighters' in Nicaragua. That was illegal too, but he bragged and no one seemed to mind much. (We've been leading up to this administration's outrageous behavior and lies for some time now.)
The newsletter The Daily Mislead, which documents Bush's frequent contradictions says today:
A new investigation by Newsweek shows that President Bush, along with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Attorney General John Ashcroft signed off on a secret system of detention and interrogation that opened the door to such methods of abuse and torture as documented at Abu Ghraib (2). The secret orders were designed to sidestep the historical safeguards of the Geneva Conventions, which protect the rights of detainees and prisoners of war. In doing so, they overrode the objections of Secretary of State Colin Powell and America's top military lawyers.
The President has repeatedly said he wants to usher in an era of personal responsibility(3). Yet, despite these revelations, the White House has yet to admit any culpability.
(2)"The Roots of Torture", Newsweek, 05/24/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1224082&l=36189.
(3)President Bush Discusses Progress in Education in St. Louis, 01/05/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1224082&l=36190
Let it be noted that when Bush says "personal responsibility" he really means we shall no longer take care of the poor and the downtrodden. Dying cities? Too bad. Teen age crack addicts raising babies? Too bad. Children going hungry? Too bad. All the good American jobs going overseas? Toooo baaad. Not our problem.
Palema
5:54 AM
Comments:
Hi, I just followed you here after commenting on my blog. I'm trying to decide if I should write on politics. I'd like to, but fear that I'd be hit by a sniper in my neighborhood. I'm so happy to meet anyone aware enough to stand up, though. I didn't catch where you far from, but I'm guessing that you might be in a city. I'm also afraid (or am I not?) that I will loose my family and friends because of my dwelling on the abstract and intellect. I think I should go ahead and write what is important to me and, will I find friends interested in the abstract? After all, I had the phantom of the opera visit me for a few days and quote from Pope's poetry! I loved it. I'm sure you know about airamerica, it so much helps me keep sane, if indeed I am! Nice meeting you, I'm so determined to fire Bush that I bought a "fire bush" tee shirt... another reason to be hit by a sniper here in the boondocks!
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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