Flowchart to help war supporters understand whats been happening!

What Would George W. Bush Do? Check it out


Via Boing Boing

Group Sues US Government Over Medical Marijuana Claims

Armed with a new study showing the drug can ease pain in some HIV patients, Americans for Safe Access has sued the federal government Wednesday over its claim that pot has no accepted medical uses.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court by Americans for Safe Access, accuses the government of arbitrarily preventing "sick and dying persons from seeking to obtain medicine that could provide them needed and often lifesaving relief." Read [Yahoo News]

Iraq: The Hidden Story [video]

For everyone who agrees that the occupation of Iraq is good, I think you should watch this. I think everyone should watch this video, including those sheltered from the realities that others face day to day, because of the U.S., it's imperialistic ways, and Bush's lies.

As Nicole Belle says, "The Beltway media and politicians are insulated and isolated. It's going to take a huge tidal wave from outside the Beltway for them to wake up."

PBS Frontline's 'News War' exposes Bush’s media manipulation

In a great new 4-part series titled News War, PBS Frontline examines the battle between the White House & the national media and how they both fight to set the national agenda. In the first part that aired on Tuesday, Lowell Bergman investigates the Plame affair and breaks down how the Bush administration manipulated the media, which, in turn, manipulated and exaggerated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. Clip below...

The entire 'News War - Part 1' can be streamed here

Sign the petition for Congress to guarantee permanent funding for PBS and NPR!

Via Crooks & Liars

At least $10 billlion wasted due to private war companies

"About $10 billion has been squandered by the U.S. government on Iraq reconstruction aid because of contractor overcharges and unsupported expenses, and federal investigators warned Thursday that significantly more taxpayer money is at risk."

Federal Investigators, "Urged the Pentagon to reconsider its growing reliance on outside contractors in wars and reconstruction efforts. Layers of subcontractors, poor documentation and lack of strong contract management are rampant and promote waste even after the GAO first warned of problems 15 years ago."

See more about War Profiteering

Of the $10 billion in overpriced contracts or undocumented costs, more than $2.7 billion were charged by Halliburton Co., the oil-field services company once headed by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Noting that auditors still have $300 billion of Iraq spending to review, Waxman said the total amount of waste, fraud and abuse "could be astronomical." Read [AP]

IOM Report: 1 million Iraqis may flee in 2007

Due to the non-stop USA violence-fest and insecurity in Iraq, as many as 1 million Iraqis could flee their homes this year alone.

"The numbers of people that are being displaced are increasing every day," said Jemini Pandaya, spokeswoman for the International Organization for Migration. "The security situation is not improving. It's not changing." Read [Yahoo News]

UNICEF study: Britain, U.S. Worst Places for Children (Seriously.)

A Unicef study found there was no consistent relationship between a country's wealth, as measured in gross domestic product per capita, and a child's quality of life. The Czech Republic, for example, achieved a higher ranking than economically wealthier France, which was mired in the bottom third along with Britain and the United States.

Children's happiness was rated highest in northern Europe, with the Netherlands (with weed being legal? Wow!), Sweden and Denmark leading the list (hey and all those just mentioned have minimal to no involvement in war). Canada received a 12th overall ranking in the study...

http://www.unicef-icdc.org/publications

U.S. House tells Bush 'No More Troops'

From Yahoo News: "The Democratic-controlled House issued a symbolic rejection of President Bush's decision to deploy more troops to Iraq on Friday, opening an epic confrontation between Congress and commander in chief over an unpopular war that has taken the lives of more than 3,100 U.S. troops."

The vote on the nonbinding measure was 246-182, and within minutes, Democrats said their next move would be to challenge Bush's request for $93 billion in new funds for the Pentagon.

Apparently, "Bush made no comment on the developments in the House, and his spokesman said the president was too busy to watch the proceedings on television."

BUT, the the Pentagon added another 1,000 troops to the surge, despite House disapproval.

Why not ban certain video games? Clue: Start using the age ratings!

Ban violent games? It's not the games people play that motivate them to kill, kill, kill. The problem the parents AND/OR the environment the child is subjected to throughout life, or the early stages at the very least.

It's not difficult to keep young children away from violent games, they're labeled as violent. SO if you think your kids may become violent, don't let them play it. IT's not sensible to ban a game entirely that others could enjoy, while not committing violence. Plus, action games can improve your vision!

More from Technophile Monkey

N. Korea agrees to ditch nukes, Bolton wins Asshole of the Year

Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the lead American official at the talks, said the United States will give an unspecified amount of energy assistance to North Korea in exchange for North Korea freezing its production of plutonium.

Everything seems to be going great. Right? Until.... John Bolton (militant fuckhead imperialistic piece of shit) makes these remarks, calling the whole thing "a very bad deal."

From CNN: It makes the Bush administration "look very weak, at a time in Iraq and dealing with Iran that it needs to look strong," Bolton told CNN's Wolf Blitzer Monday.

"I'm hoping that the president has not been fully briefed on it and still has time to reject it," he said.

What the hell is wrong with this idiot? Hey, John Bolton, go continue to fuck yourself.

Congress pushing for ISP data retention: Will use porn to try and get bill passed

Geez. Still goin' at it. According to The Register, "The data retention requirements sit within the so-called Safety Act introduced by Representative Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, as part of the "Law and Order Agenda" that he and other Republicans have begun pushing in the House."

A large part of this bill is about labeling requirements for porn sites. Bringing tougher restrictions to online porn, etc. However, THIS is part they'll use to gain a nice chunk o' support from many people. As they'll try keep the mass data retention part of this bill somewhat quiet (ha!). They do this all the time with all types of bills, hiding their agendas under a cover which they believe the masses will support.

The Register says "the Safety Act would require the [Attorney General] to order the retention of, at a minimum, the name and address of every subscriber or user corresponding to an assigned IP address or user identification."

While the ISPs aren't going to have this 'data retention bullshit' (and they'll fight against it) it's still a danger to everyone in this country, just the fact that people support this sort of Big Brother nonsense.

Addicted to War: Why the U.S. Can't Kick Militarism

Addicted to War by Joel Andreas is a compelling comic book showing the history of U.S. foreign policy and its effects on our society. It offers insight into the alternative, the things kids aren't taught in school. Until now. Yes, the book is going to be used in some San Francisco public schools.

Frank Dorrel, Publisher of "Addicted to War": "We're really glad that the San Francisco School District, which is apparently against the war in Iraq, well not apparently, obviously is, has chosen to do this."

According to ABC 7, "Frank Dorrel is now helping to supply the San Francisco Unified School District with 4,000 copies of the book for use in high school social studies and history classes. The books are being donated by a local anti-war activist."

From the 'Addicted to War' site: "With 77, hard-hitting, carefully documented pages, including 161 reference notes, this book reveals why the U.S. has been involved in more wars in recent years than any other country.

Packed with historical photographs and quotes from people in the military, the government, and big buisness, Addicted to War explains who benefits from these military adventures, who pays and who dies.

Addicted to War is being used as a history textbook in hundreds of high schools and colleges."