The party of organized money
Thud goes hope. Whatever the causes of “voter dissatisfaction” and voter despair that gave the party of destruction so much power back, I sit in dread the next morning not so much of the results as of the phenomenon of openly purchased elections.
“The midterms have shattered spending records for a nonpresidential contest, providing a likely blueprint for the frenzy to come when the White House is up for grabs in two years.”
So the Washington Post informed us on Tuesday. The exaggerated influence of corporate money in politics and government has always been a problem, but last January the Supreme Court threw open the floodgates, overturning all restrictions on corporate spending to influence election results. Its 5-4 ruling in the closely watched Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case advanced the spooky cause of “corporate personhood,” giving Wall Street and the military-industrial complex the same free-speech rights as actual people, which means moneyed interests have a new way to game the system.
“The midterms have shattered spending records for a nonpresidential contest, providing a likely blueprint for the frenzy to come when the White House is up for grabs in two years.”
So the Washington Post informed us on Tuesday. The exaggerated influence of corporate money in politics and government has always been a problem, but last January the Supreme Court threw open the floodgates, overturning all restrictions on corporate spending to influence election results. Its 5-4 ruling in the closely watched Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case advanced the spooky cause of “corporate personhood,” giving Wall Street and the military-industrial complex the same free-speech rights as actual people, which means moneyed interests have a new way to game the system.
Vermont's great green election day victory
Vermont has elected a governor pledged to make the state truly green by shutting its decrepit, leaking nuclear plant. And the town closest to that reactor has voted to take it by eminent domain if necessary, a step unprecedented in world history.
In reaction, the nuke’s owner (Entergy) has turned tail and put the plant up for sale. (So far, no bidders).
In direct opposition, this post-election week has been marked by radioactive crowing from a dark age industry demanding massive government loan guarantees from “free market” Congressional Republicans. Armed with oceans of unaccountable corporate/billionaire cash, Karl Rove’s new nuclear GOP wants to dump Adam Smith and pump public billions into a failed industry that cannot compete.
They industry continually points to France’s industry as a model. But it’s mute to the fact that France’s leaky, error-prone nukes are owned, operated and regulated (sortof) by the French government. A national socialist prototype, the EDF/Areva edifice---like its counterpart in Japan---would melt and die in an open market.
In reaction, the nuke’s owner (Entergy) has turned tail and put the plant up for sale. (So far, no bidders).
In direct opposition, this post-election week has been marked by radioactive crowing from a dark age industry demanding massive government loan guarantees from “free market” Congressional Republicans. Armed with oceans of unaccountable corporate/billionaire cash, Karl Rove’s new nuclear GOP wants to dump Adam Smith and pump public billions into a failed industry that cannot compete.
They industry continually points to France’s industry as a model. But it’s mute to the fact that France’s leaky, error-prone nukes are owned, operated and regulated (sortof) by the French government. A national socialist prototype, the EDF/Areva edifice---like its counterpart in Japan---would melt and die in an open market.
Persecution of gays and pot smokers
Now that California’s Prop. 15 has been defeated, the bottom line remains, in the words of author/activist Harvey Wasserman: “The simple truth about America's marijuana prohibition: Any law that allows the easy incarceration of any citizen any time those in power want to do it is the ultimate enemy of democracy. With 800,000 annual arrests over an herb used by tens of millions of Americans, it is the cornerstone of a police state.”
A few weeks before the midterm election, I blogged an open letter to Barack Obama, and a journalist friend faxed a copy directly to the president. Excerpt: “It seems that the theme emanating from the White House is ‘Eat, Pray, Be Disappointed.’ And yet, whenever I do feel disappointed, I always realize that the alternative was John McCain, with Sarah Palin just one Halloween ‘Boo!’ away from the presidency, and then I always feel a sense of relief. But you promised to end the raids on medical marijuana dispensaries. They haven’t stopped…
A few weeks before the midterm election, I blogged an open letter to Barack Obama, and a journalist friend faxed a copy directly to the president. Excerpt: “It seems that the theme emanating from the White House is ‘Eat, Pray, Be Disappointed.’ And yet, whenever I do feel disappointed, I always realize that the alternative was John McCain, with Sarah Palin just one Halloween ‘Boo!’ away from the presidency, and then I always feel a sense of relief. But you promised to end the raids on medical marijuana dispensaries. They haven’t stopped…
Legal Marijuana or Bust!!!
The simple truth about America's marijuana prohibition: any law that allows the easy incarceration of any citizen any time those in power want to do it is the ultimate enemy of democracy. With 800,000 annual arrests over an herb used by tens of millions of Americans, it is the cornerstone of a police state.
The newly energized movement to end prohibition in California—home to more than 10% of the nation—is one of the few healthy developments in this otherwise horrific election.
To help pass Proposition 19, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxr0Pu6SoNk and sign up to make phone calls in these last crucial hours.
Part of the battle has already been won. By all accounts the California campaign has thrust the issue to a new level. The terms of repeal are not perfect. But the acceptance of marijuana use has taken a giant leap forward. When joints are openly lit and smoked on national television, it's clear that sooner rather than later, this travesty will fall.
The newly energized movement to end prohibition in California—home to more than 10% of the nation—is one of the few healthy developments in this otherwise horrific election.
To help pass Proposition 19, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxr0Pu6SoNk and sign up to make phone calls in these last crucial hours.
Part of the battle has already been won. By all accounts the California campaign has thrust the issue to a new level. The terms of repeal are not perfect. But the acceptance of marijuana use has taken a giant leap forward. When joints are openly lit and smoked on national television, it's clear that sooner rather than later, this travesty will fall.
The Republican war on reality
Everett Dirksen is one of my heroes. The Senate Republican leader from 1959 to 1969, he pushed strongly for Vietnam escalation and took conservative stands that I'd have strongly disagreed with on economic issues. But he joined Lyndon Johnson in going to the mat to pass the Civil Rights and Voting Rights bills, and for that I admire him immensely.
Today's Republicans are far from Everett Dirksen, and that’s a shame. Beyond political differences with Obama and the Democrats, they've been making war on reality itself, which should be a major issue of the campaign’s final days. Consider these examples:
Today's Republicans are far from Everett Dirksen, and that’s a shame. Beyond political differences with Obama and the Democrats, they've been making war on reality itself, which should be a major issue of the campaign’s final days. Consider these examples:
George Washington ORDERS all Californians to legalize pot
Hello All Californians.
Sadly, I was never able to your beautiful state in my Earthly lifetime, to my great regret. But you may recall I wrote the book---"Common Sense---that sparked the Revolution that made you free.
And I authored the "Age of Reason," which had some things to say about the ability of human beings to make rational decisions about their fate.
In that spirit, I have been contacted by my old friend George Washington. Among other things George asked me to write "Winter Soldier," which helped inspire our troops to continue the fight against the King.
As you all know, we won that one. Big Time.
Now it's time you exercise the freedom we won you.
George wants me to transcribe our most recent conversation about the Proposition 19 referendum on legalizing smoking hemp, or what you now call "marijuana."
I must tell you that George, Ben, Tom, Jaimy Madison---all of us!---have greeted with disbelief that news that this crop is somehow illegal. I did all my best writing on paper made from hemp, often while under the influence of the vapors I derived from smoking it.
Sadly, I was never able to your beautiful state in my Earthly lifetime, to my great regret. But you may recall I wrote the book---"Common Sense---that sparked the Revolution that made you free.
And I authored the "Age of Reason," which had some things to say about the ability of human beings to make rational decisions about their fate.
In that spirit, I have been contacted by my old friend George Washington. Among other things George asked me to write "Winter Soldier," which helped inspire our troops to continue the fight against the King.
As you all know, we won that one. Big Time.
Now it's time you exercise the freedom we won you.
George wants me to transcribe our most recent conversation about the Proposition 19 referendum on legalizing smoking hemp, or what you now call "marijuana."
I must tell you that George, Ben, Tom, Jaimy Madison---all of us!---have greeted with disbelief that news that this crop is somehow illegal. I did all my best writing on paper made from hemp, often while under the influence of the vapors I derived from smoking it.
How & why we have filed racketeering charges against Karl Rove's election operations
Ohio election attorney Cliff Arnebeck has filed a two-count complaint against The Partnership for Ohio's Future, an affiliate of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Arnebeck charges that the Partnership is "...not truly independent, but rather has been coordinated with the Republican candidates, their agents, committees, parties and their de facto coordinated national campaign being directed by Karl Rove."
He also charges that when the Partnership claims in its advertising that it's "not authorized by a candidate or a candidate's committee" that they are making an illegal "false statement."
Arnebeck is lead attorney in the on-going King-Lincoln-Bronzeville class action lawsuit stemming from the theft of the 2004 presidential election in Ohio. We are co-counsel and plaintiff in this lawsuit. On Sunday, October 24, Rove was served with a subpoena agreed to by Ohio's Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner, in conjunction with that lawsuit.
The new complaint was filed at the Ohio Election Commission in downtown Columbus on Thursday, October 28.
Arnebeck charges that the Partnership is "...not truly independent, but rather has been coordinated with the Republican candidates, their agents, committees, parties and their de facto coordinated national campaign being directed by Karl Rove."
He also charges that when the Partnership claims in its advertising that it's "not authorized by a candidate or a candidate's committee" that they are making an illegal "false statement."
Arnebeck is lead attorney in the on-going King-Lincoln-Bronzeville class action lawsuit stemming from the theft of the 2004 presidential election in Ohio. We are co-counsel and plaintiff in this lawsuit. On Sunday, October 24, Rove was served with a subpoena agreed to by Ohio's Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner, in conjunction with that lawsuit.
The new complaint was filed at the Ohio Election Commission in downtown Columbus on Thursday, October 28.