Category Archives: Main Page

Behind The Scenes in New York

Posted on August 30, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Behind The Scenes in New York A Message from ACT The Republican National Convention kicked off in New York City just a few hours ago.  As President Clinton said yesterday, “It's time for the Republicans to put on their compassionate … Continue reading →

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September 2nd Parties: You’re Invited!

Posted on August 30, 2004 by bfialindathieman

September 2nd Parties: You’re Invited! Iowa City Party More Bush & Grassley? Fuhgeddabout it! Does the idea of another round of Republican “leadership” make you want to scream? Then join us for the Art Small Meet & Greet and Great … Continue reading →

Posted in Candidates, Dean News, Local Events, Main Page, Meet Up Central - Iowa | Comments Off on September 2nd Parties: You’re Invited!

Greet Bush in Des Moines Tomorrow (New Time!)

Posted on August 30, 2004 by bfialindathieman

“Greet” Bush in Des Moines Tomorrow (New Time!) George W. Bush will be flying into Des Moines on Tuesday (tomorrow) to attend the Farm Progress show.  We're assembling a giant welcoming committee of several hundred people to show him that … Continue reading →

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Connie Wilson: The Fog of War, Part 3

Posted on August 30, 2004 by bfialindathieman

The Fog of War, Part 3

by Connie Corcoran Wilson

Where we left off:  We hear LBJ saying, “We’re not getting out, but we’re trying to hold on to what we have,” and, later, “This is a nasty little war that has turned into a nasty middle-sized war. But America wins the wars she declares. Make no mistake about that!”

McNamara tellingly declares (after Lesson #8, “Be prepared to re-examine your reasoning,” appears onscreen), “What makes us omniscient? Do we have a record of omniscience? None of our allies supported us. If we can’t persuade nations with comparable values of the rightness of our cause, we had better re-examine our reasons.” In Robert Dallek’s extensive biography of JFK (An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963.), on page 685, Dallek notes, “Briefings of McNamara tended to be sessions where people tried to fool him, and he tried to convince them they cannot.”  In the film, McNamara also relates how Tommy Thompson, former Ambassador to Russia, stood up to the President during a meeting, telling him that he (JFK) was wrong about whether Russia would accept the intended blockade of Cuba. “We must try to put ourselves inside their skins,” said Thompson, echoing McNamara’s Rule #1. Were it not for cautionary voices like Thompson’s, war might have erupted with the Soviet Union during three crises that occurred on JFK’s and McNamara’s watch. But, during the Kennedy years, open debate was the name of the game. Intelligent dissent was encouraged, not discouraged. The lack of healthy debate in the current administration is a point made most tellingly in Paul O’Neill’s book “The Price of Loyalty.” Dissent is not encouraged and nobody dares stand up to the President. One is “assigned” to speak.  In fact, Cabinet members are not even encouraged to speak in their areas of expertise, such as Christie Whitman (former Governor of New Jersey) of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on topics that one would think should be their bailiwick, such as the issue of global warming and what the US position on the Kyoto Protocol should be. There is no debate in the George W. Bush White House; it is filled with ideologues who have already made their conservative Christian minds up, and who follow few, if any, of McNamara’s “eleven lessons.” They most certainly do not attempt to apply Lesson 6 (Get the data), as we now know from the 9/11 Commission report, nor Lesson 7 (Belief and seeing are both often wrong), nor Lesson 8 (Be prepared to re-examine your reasoning.).
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THE CASE AGAINST GEORGE W. BUSH by Ron Reagan

Posted on August 29, 2004 by bfialindathieman

THE CASE AGAINST GEORGE W. BUSH by Ron Reagan Esquire How The Media Let Bush Get Away With Lie After Lie …There is a surreal quality to all this: Occupation is liberation; Iraq is sovereign, but we're in control; Saddam … Continue reading →

Posted in GOP, Main Page, National News | 3 Comments

Zogby Says Junta Is On The Ropes

Posted on August 29, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Zogby Says Junta Is On The Ropes by Linda Thieman Q: How many journalists does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: None. They wait for a Republican mouthpiece to tell them it's in, and then they repeat … Continue reading →

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Call to Action: Emergency Relief for State Medicaid

Posted on August 29, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Call to Action: Emergency Relief for State Medicaid Write Your U.S. Senators People living with HIV/AIDS face many challenges.  Paying for their medical care shouldn't be one of them. Because of recent cuts to state Medicaid funds, many people may … Continue reading →

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Deserter’s Delight: An Open Letter from Michael Moore to George W. Bush

Posted on August 29, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Deserter's Delight: An Open Letter from Michael Moore to George W. Bush AlterNet.org Dear Mr. Bush: It takes real courage to desert your post and then attack a wounded vet. Dear Mr. Bush, I know you and I have had … Continue reading →

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Can “Fahrenheit 9/11” Change The World?

Posted on August 28, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Can “Fahrenheit 9/11” Change The World? By Linda Thieman “My own motivation [in making “Fahrenheit 9/11” was the thought that] we can't leave this up to the Democrats. It's too serious now. I mean, this is a party that can't … Continue reading →

Posted in GOP, Guest Posts, Main Page, Progressive Community | 1 Comment

Nader Gets On Iowa Ballot

Posted on August 28, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Nader Gets On Iowa Ballot Quad-City Times DES MOINES — Ralph Nader’s slot on the Nov. 2 Iowa election ballot was assured Thursday after state officials ruled that the independent presidential hopeful’s nomination petition is valid. A three-member panel, including … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa in the News, Main Page, Progressive Community | 1 Comment