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Noam Chomsky applauds Senator Gravel's past and present accomplishments
A statement, purportedly from the great Noam Chomsky himself, was recently issued on the front page of Former Alaskan Senator and current Presidential candidate Mike Gravel's official campaign website. The statement applauds Gravel's accomplishments, and it reads as such:"Alone among members of Congress, Senator Mike Gravel had the courage to take a stand that not only helped bring the atrocious Indochina wars to an end, but also made a great contribution to breaking the wall of secrecy that governments erect to protect themselves from their own citizens. I am of course referring to his release of the Pentagon Papers, properly called "the Gravel edition," which provided the public with a unique opportunity to become educated about affairs of state.
In the years since, Gravel has continued to show the same moral integrity and courage, particularly with regard to war and aggression, the severe threat of nuclear war, the destructive impact of the military-industrial complex on American democracy, and the programs of aggressive militarism that have led even Europeans to rank the US as the greatest threat to world peace, far above Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, or other states assigned this role in the US doctrinal system. It may be that these consistent and honorable commitments are responsible for his being largely excluded from the media, even from presidential debates. And the same integrity and courage should be an inspiration for people who care about their country, the fate of its people, and its role in the world.
Noam Chomsky"
End of statement. It is likely that Chomsky did issue, personally, this statement about Gravel and his campaign. I say this because Chomsky edited and annotated the "Gravel Edition Pentagon Papers", and so he probably knows Gravel well and is aware of his accomplishments. But what is the importance of this statement, and what are its implications? Chomsky is an important figure in America and around the world. Will this praise from Chomsky help Senator Gravel in his campaign for the Presidency, and help him get votes in the New Hampshire Primary?
You support Gravel? Let me be the first to shake your hand! Integrity lives.
Sitka, what the heck are you doing? You do not rule this blog and you are becoming another oler.
Other peoples opinions are just as important as yours.
I happen to like Edwards myself. Hillary is the dlc person. Obama is the candidate de jour.
Edwards has passion and feellings for the average person.
So you don't like him, so what?
And Linda and others, don't let a negative person ruin your day and this blog.
Someday, the 2008 election cycle will be known as the "Alice in Wonderland" campaign.
Exhibit A: A statement from Chomsky on the eve of the end of the campaign for the Democratic nomination.
For the record: Bergen Grassroots recently conducted a computerized presidential endorsement poll and--alone among the eight candidates for the Democratic nomination--former Senator Gravel did not receive one first-place vote.
Gravel needs to run for Ted Stevems' senate seat.
Hillary Clinton continues to plagerize Obama.
Besides the 'Hope" and "Change" words she stole, today her words were, "We can do this!" These are words Obama has spoken at many of his rallies.
Hillary needs to get a speech writer, though probably much too late.
Hey Sitka, I wrote a check out to him at DemFest in June and I also sent him some money around Thanksgiving.
Anyone that filibustered to end the draft in the 70's is OK in my book. He admits his mistakes (like voting to fund VN in the first place) and then actually does something about it.
He's also for legalizing marijuana and the other day, he actually told the public that it's much less harmful than alcohol - which it is.
He's very liberal and we had a good time with him in Manchester.
Some were turned off by him, too.
I think there is a pic of me with him somewhere that mainefem might have (don't post it mainefem or I'll come kick your scrawny butt...LOL)
xoxo
Chomsky was one of those thinkers that led me "astray" so as to making Nixon's list; and Chris Dodd's finest hour was taking on the dirty wars in Central America that Noam laid out in the open, now that the subvertion of the Constitution has gone so far as to "disappear" people right here in America it is a wonder he hasn't been one that disappeared.
I think Hampshiriowa has been one event and the nomination process has just begun, but I doubt Gravel will be the nominee anyway.lol
Sitka, what the heck are you doing?
Stating my opinions about candidates rather than personally attacking other bloggers. How about you?
You do not rule this blog and you are becoming another oler.
Unlike what you seem to be doing, I've told no one to shut up.
<>I happen to like Edwards myself. Hillary is the dlc person. Obama is the candidate de jour. Edwards has passion and feellings for the average person. So you don't like him, so what?
So you like him, so what? Stick a fork in him. He's done.
But feel free to join me in criticizing the others.
(Ya gotta love it when people get bent out of shape because their fave gets criticized and then see them turn around and do it to the others.)
And Linda and others, don't let a negative person ruin your day and this blog.
She's already left, so you can't ruin her day.
Has anyone noticed among all the clamor of the last few weeks that the DOW has been tanking.
Todays loss of 238 lands it back at 12,589.
GWB says we need to make his tax cuts permanent to help the economy.
7.
I may vote for Gravel yet -- if my daughter decides not to use my ballot to vote for her favorite (currently Obama) as I've promised her she can.
GWB says we need to make his tax cuts permanent to help the economy.
The economy is being dragged into the crapper by Putz's tax cuts (benefitting the very wealthy) and his ruinous wars.
I don't expect Obama or the congressional cowards to do anything meaningful to fix the situation--scared of being labelled "tax and spend".
So we'll continue to hemorrhage worthless dollars as inflation eats most of us alive, and the super-rich continue to get richer
if my daughter decides not to use my ballot to vote for her favorite (currently Obama) as I've promised her she can.
Indulgent daddy--isn't that illegal?
GWB says we need to make his tax cuts permanent to help the economy.
Ordinarily I'd say who cares what a 25% lame duck wants. But then I remember we're talking about DCDems who are always eager to collaborate with him (after a brief period of mock resistance).
Indulgent daddy--isn't that illegal?
I don't see teaching my daughter to participate in democracy as indulgent. And it's my ballot -- not the state's -- to use for toilet paper or any other pupose I choose. But let them put me in jail if it's illegal.
10. Re: Dow Tanking--Jim Kunstler's 2008 prediction for the Dow
http://www.kunstler.com/Mags_Forecast2008.html
Okay, my final comment. After being chastised endlessly about mis-calling the DOW in 2006, I have learned my lesson about making numerical predictions for the stock markets. So let's just say there is no fucking way that the DOW, the NASDAQ, and the S & P will not end the year 2008 absolutely on their asses. The charade of permanent prosperity based on getting something for nothing is over. That sound you hear out there is reality knocking on the door. It has been standing out in the cold for a long time and it is not happy with us.
Jim Kunstler's 2008 prediction for the Dow
When you predict a crash every year you're bound to be right eventually. But even though the losses are negligable as an overall percentage at this point, the next prez will probably have an awful mess to clean up.
No way anyone here can run me off! I ran off to do some business and deep breathe and now I'm listening to how BO is going to win.
Alice in Wonderland LOL
BO is a good man; it's just that I doubt he can do the job. Taking corporate money for his campaign unnerves me, for starters. Plus my truth is that I think the country needs a fighter, like Dean would have been.
JE is NOT my first choice. He's my 6th or 7th choice. Damm right I'm mad that I'm not part of the nominating process. Nor am I angry at BO supporters. It's their right.
I will not walk on eggs to placate people. I will continue to post about the egregiousness of AIPAC, the plight of the Palestinians, my dislike of Putz and Olmert....the fanatical fundis (ffs) desire to shove their 4th century beliefs onto this country. I will rail against organized religion, which I've believed all my life is counter-productive to true human spiritual growth and hides behind its *god* to go make war and crush intellectual growth.
Right now Huckabee is on....He's a force to contend with. He sounds very very good, very people-oriented, very middle of the road repug. And he looks so mild, so sweet.
My prediction: McCain/Huckabee beat Hillary or Obama and quite possibly JE. Gore would have wiped the floor with 'em all.
Soon the alert level will have to be raised again...and the little harrassment that mprov says is nothing (and I trust his opinion) is being blown up. Putzie needs to get that war going ASAP. Pakistan is waiting in the wings.
It's an Alice in Wonderlessland tragedy.
I want to be wrong, very wrong.
If all is set before I get to vote, I mark Gravel or Dodd.
just received this...
Dear friends,
The reviews are in on our Iowa caucus coverage:
Hannah: "REVOLUTIONARY!"
Jim Tobias: "GREATEST THING EVER!"
Zoewe: "I've been here all afternoon, and am very impressed with your coverage! I'll be back next Tuesday."
Peemer: "I sent 50 people the link to this page today, but next week, I'll send it out to a couple hundred. YOU ROCK!!!"
Mari Silbey: "This is the way election coverage should be done."
Over 15,000 people stopped by, and, of course, today is New Hampshire. Will Obama roar to another victory? Will Romney suffer another crushing defeat, this time to John McCain? Cenk Uygur from the Young Turks radio show will be back checking in with bloggers and progressive leaders throughout the night starting at 7pm ET, and I'm liveblogging all day long.
http://bravenewfilms.org/election?utm_so...
Why is our coverage unique? Everyone gets to participate in real time. Send me tips, articles, rumors and questions on the liveblog, and together we can create the most exciting and timely coverage around.. without any corporate media crap.
WHEN: TONIGHT AT 7PM ET
HOSTS: Cenk Uygur and Wes Clark, Jr.
WHERE: http://bravenewfilms.org/election?utm_so...
SCHEDULE:
7:10: Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films
7:40: Matthew Yglesias, The Atlantic
7:50: Robin Abcarian, L.A. Times
8:00: Billy Wimsatt, League of Young Voters
8:10: Rachel Sklar, The Huffington Post
8:20: Jane Hamsher, Firedoglake
8:30: Jim Dean, Democracy For America
8:40: Steve Clemons, The Note
9:00: Lane Hudson, News for the Left
9:10: Isaiah Poole, TomPaine.com
9:40: James Rucker, Color of Change
10:00: Liza Sabater, Culture Kitchen
10:10: Eric Boehlert, Media Matters
...and more still being added...
ALEXANDER COCKBURN ON THE PREDICTABLE 08 CAMPAIGN
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/linkframe.php?linkid=49073
It's time to take stock of the landscape. The American political system, as conditioned by corporate cash, the corporate press and legal obstructions to independent candidacies, is designed to eliminate any threat to business as usual. In the case of the Democrats, the winnowing process is working well. Mike Gravel, by far the most vivacious and radical of the party's candidates on substantive matters of war and empire, was swiftly marginalized. I've seen very few Gravel buttons.
Dennis Kucinich seems to have a lock on those Democrats prepared to stay true to a hopeless outsider. I don't understand this loyalty to the Ohio Congressman. The point of hopeless outsiders is to give us hope. It's a dialectical thing. They convince us that their cause is not hopeless, is worth fighting for. Kucinich gives me no hope. He has barely shouldered his way into single digits. His signs and buttons and stickers already look as though they're collectibles on eBay.
Bye bye, Putzie poo. I think it's now 30,000 people detailed to guard him. LOL Wouldn't it be cheaper to just put him in a suit of armor? I'll bet periwinkle blue chain mail would be smashing.
Interesting timing, his trip.
Phil, are you referring to Chris or Noam when you talk about disappearing?
Dodd was disappeared. He's no longer in the running. There are many ways to disappear people. Had the corporate media been fair, he could have raised more money and been viable...
Corporations don't like the Constitution.
This is my inbox. Good news for the whales!
**********************
Fantastic news! A federal court in California has just imposed
the strongest-ever protections for whales against an onslaught
of military sonar.
The new controls are the result of an NRDC lawsuit that demanded
the Navy rein in its deadly sonar before beginning two years of
maneuvers near the Channel Islands -- one of the world's most
sensitive environments and home to five endangered species of
whales.
The Navy itself estimates that the booming sonar would harass or
harm marine mammals some 170,000 times -- and cause permanent
injury in more than 400 cases.
U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper said the Navy's
existing plan for protecting marine mammals was "grossly
inadequate." And she has ordered the Navy to put a series of
precautionary measures in place -- many of them recommended by
NRDC -- that will go a long way toward protecting whales from
needless injury and death.
For starters, the Navy will not be permitted to use its
dangerous mid-frequency sonar within 12 miles of the California
coast, a zone that is heavily used by migrating whales and
dolphins. Sonar will also be banned in the Catalina Basin, an
underwater canyon with a high density of whales.
The Navy will also have to monitor for marine mammals -- from
the ship and from the air -- both before and during its sonar
exercises. If any marine mammals are spotted within 2200 yards
of the ship, the Navy will have to shut down its sonar.
These safeguards represent a giant leap forward in our
decade-long campaign to make sure that whales don't have to die
for the sake of military practice.
Needless to say, this fight is far from over and many more court
battles lay ahead.
But case by case, we are accomplishing what many thought
impossible: forcing the Navy to obey our environmental laws and
stop its needless killing of whales -- and all without
compromising military readiness.
Thank you for standing with NRDC in defense of the world's
marine mammals.
Sincerely,
Frances Beinecke
President
NRDC
P.S. On a related front, we still need your help to stop the
Navy's plan to put a sonar training range next to a key
migratory route of the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
Please read the latest call to action from NRDC Trustee James
Taylor and send your own electronic message to the Navy from the
NRDC Action Fund website:
http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/james-taylor-letter.html
I may vote for Gravel yet -- if my daughter decides not to use my ballot to vote for her favorite (currently Obama) as I've promised her she can.
I wonder what she learns from that lesson.
That you can trade your vote?
If Clinton decides to stay and fight every state will count from now til the allocation of a majority of convention delegates and mathematically it can't happen before Wisconsin if Obama runs the table in the early states
it may still matter whether Michigan and Florida delegates get seated. watch Clinton go for those.
Phil, you're so knowledgeable about political workings. Do you think HC can still win if she loses NH?
17.
Sitka...there's always a big mess to clean up after the elephants...pick any shovel available.
Going to watch the returns with the wife...nite all.
If Clinton decides to stay and fight
More important is whether her bankers will decide to stay and fight. They tend to not like throwing good money after bad.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/010808R.shtml
Writing for Truthout, John Cory says, "On September 21, 2007, Sgt. Gerald Cassidy died - alone and forgotten in all the body counts and statistics of war, political polls and campaign strategies.... He died in America, at a new medical unit in Fort Knox - in America - where we support the troops, according to every single lapel-flag-pin-wearing politician and pundit on the airwaves, and yet, Sgt. Gerald Cassidy died neglected and unnoticed. Shame on us."
Do you think HC can still win if she loses NH?
The talk is that she'll abandon the field to Obama and retreat all the way to Super Tuesday. If she does that, she's definitely toast.
I wonder what she learns from that lesson.
That you can trade your vote?
What a foolish thing to say. Nobody's trading anything. She'll learn the joy of voting.
new thread
http://blogforamerica.com/view/23477#com...
New Hampshire? Nobody in the DC area cares.
Joe Gibbs Retired! (If you need to ask, you're not from the DC area)
the Skins could have won that game rich
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By Denise in San Mateo County on Jan 8, 2008 5:22 PM ESTHoward is first and as a Gravel supporter I'm happy to see this thread!