-
make tv pods
- upload your video
- one of many ways to get on tv
-
-
Anti-Bush Out of Business
- Making fun of George W. has meant big business for some companies. But what's going to happen when he leaves... more info
-
- $$$ PAID ASSIGNMENT
- VIDEO SUBMISSIONS ONLY
- ENDS: 10/31/2008 09:00 PM
-
-
-
De-regulation and Choice
By Jayne Lyn Stahl
There is one more element in the equation that goes into the effort to roll back legal abortion in test cases like South Dakota, and that is how strange it is that an administration that prides itself on a "free market" economy, and daily pollutes the environment by deregulating greenhouse gas emissions, and allowing gross polluting trucks, under NAFTA, to pour toxic waste into California's air, now wants to regulate decisions a woman makes in the privacy of her own home, and in consultation with her physician.
In fact, these "free market" folks want to transform licensed physicians into government pitch men who function as FDA warning labels on a pack of cigarettes.
A country that has infrastructure in place to deprive women of pay equity, and equal opportunity while, simultaneously, peddling "welfare to work" programs only succeeds in creating a faux caste system from which only the most indigent suffer, and these are the women they want to deprive of choice when choice is the only thing they have.
Moreover, should Roe v. Wade be overturned, or turned over to the states to decide, there won't be fewer abortions, only fewer poor women having abortions, so this is not about ideology, after all, but about privilege.
Governmental interference in a woman's personal decision to terminate her pregnancy is no different from governmental intervention in the bedroom. It's the same principle really.
After the National Security Agency scandal, and revelations of telecom eavesdropping, any illusions we had, as citizens, to privacy have been quickly dispelled. The "war on terror" is really a war on privacy, after all, is it not?
Leave regulation for the oil companies, military contractors, banks, and credit card companies that are gouging consumers, and keep them the hell out of our private lives. By Jayne Lyn Stahl ... more -
January 18, 1963
What follows is an excerpt from President John F. Kennedy's January 18, 1963 State of the Union Address; one that is instructive to those in power today who push for the military option, an attack on Iran:
"Threats of massive retaliation may not deter piecemeal aggression--and a line of destroyers in a quarantine, or a division of well-equipped men on a border, may be more useful to our real security than the multiplication of awesome weapons beyond all rational need.
But our commitment to national safety is not a commitment to expand our military establishment indefinitely. We do not dismiss disarmament as merely an idle dream. For we believe that, in the end, it is the only way to assure the security of all without impairing the interests of any. Nor do we mistake honorable negotiation for appeasement.
While we shall never weary in the defense of freedom, neither shall we ever abandon the pursuit of peace. In this quest, the United Nations requires our full and continued support. Its value in serving the cause of peace has been shown anew in its role in the West New Guinea settlement, in its use as a forum for the Cuban crisis, and in its task of unification in the Congo.
Today the United Nations is primarily the protector of the small and the weak, and a safety valve for the strong. Tomorrow it can form the framework for a world of law--a world in which no nation dictates the destiny of another, and in which the vast resources now devoted to destructive means will serve constructive ends.
In short, let our adversaries choose. If they choose peaceful competition, they shall have it. If they come to realize that their ambitions cannot succeed--if they see their "wars of liberation" and subversion will ultimately fail--if they recognize that there is more security in accepting inspection than in permitting new nations to master the black arts of nuclear war--and if they are willing to turn their energies, as we are, to the great unfinished tasks of our own peoples--then, surely, the areas of agreement can be very wide indeed: a clear understanding about Berlin, stability in Southeast Asia, an end to nuclear testing, new checks on surprise or accidental attack, and, ultimately, general and complete disarmament." ... more -
The Freedom to Offend
By Jayne Lyn Stahl
Thinking about the fracas surrounding The New Yorker cover reminds me of other political cartoons like, for instance, the cariacature of the Prophet Muhammad, in violation of Islamic law, which drew the wrath of the Muslim world.
I'm reminded, too, of a speech made by a young congressman, before the House of Representatives, on February 18, 1947; Richard Nixon:"Mr. Speaker, on February 6, when the Committee on Un-American Activities opened its session at 10 o'clock, it had by previous investigation, tied together the loose end of one chapter of a foreign-directed conspiracy whose aim and purpose was to undermine and destroy the government of the United States...It is essential as Members of this House that we defend vigilantly the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. But we must bear in mind that the rights of free speech and free press do not carry with them the right to advocate the destruction of the very government which protects the freedom of an individual to express his views."
And, here we are, more than 60 years later, in the same ballpark, with another pitcher, and dealing with the same mindset, as reflected by President George W. Bush who observes that: "Every nation in every region now has a decison to make--either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." All we need do is substitute the word "Communist" for "terrorist," et voila! But, can we sit back, and let the First Amendment be sodomized by those who understand control better than consciousness, and allow artists to be called over the coals for what amounts to a dumb joke?
The New Yorker is a magazine, founded in the 1920's, which has been around longer than the administrations of either Presidents Nixon or Bush. Notably, too, in the 1920's, the greatest novel of the English language, James Joyce's "Ulysses," was banned by the Tariff Act , and confiscated at American borders, on grounds of obscenity. This was right around the time that an organization of writers, PEN, was formed to protect artists from the arbitrary stroke of the censor's hand.
Who can forget the memorable words of another president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, about a decade after the launching of a magazine whose name has become synonymous with quality, humor, satire, poetry, political commentary, and first-rate cartoons: "We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way. The third is freedom from want...The fourth is freedom from fear."
Arguably, humor is optional with the vehicle, and it is subjective. One person may feast on what another finds tasteless. While there may be some who find a political cartoon disturbing, the ramifications of self-censorship, as well as societal pressure to redact that which offends, must be resisted as an outrage to all who view dissent as a vital ingredient for democratic, and higher order, thinking.
Whether we think the Obama cartoon was satire, flawed or otherwise, or simply over-the-top, we must agree with author, and past president of PEN American Center, Salman Rushdie, when he asks: "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." When public opinion dictates what is acceptable, there can be no art, and without art, there can be no diversity. By Jayne Lyn Stahl ... more -
Barack Obama at Annual NCLR Conference
This past Saturday Barack Obama spoke at the annual NCLR (The National Council of La Raza) Conference
-
General Petraeus' new role approved by US Senate
The US senate has given the go ahead to the appointment of Gen. David Petraeus as the head of US central command: He will be responsible for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as dealing with "situations" in Iran and Pakistan.
The 55-year-old will not leave Iraq immediately, to ensure there is sufficient time for a "proper handover" to his successor in the role of Commanding General of the Multi-National Force in the country. The US senate has given the go ahead to the appointment of Gen. David Petraeus as the head of US central command: He will be responsib... more -
The Rapture Party
"The way things have been shaping up, over the last couple of weeks, it looks like we no longer have a Republican party, or a Democratic party, we now have a Rapture party. And, the way things are going, instead of pledging allegiance to a flag, we may soon be pledging allegiance to a cross instead..."
As the article suggests, the only thing that corrupts more absolutely than power is
the promise of power.
"The way things have been shaping up, over the last couple of weeks, it looks like we no longer have a Republican party, or a Democrat... more -
Just A Start?
By Jayne Lyn Stahl
A jubiliant, and optimistic bunch, after the high court’s decision to strike down D.C.’s handgun ban, the National Rifle Association used what they say was a “very encouraging” ruling to suggest, in the words of the group’s lawyer,C.D. Michel, that “it was just a start.”
Proving that they don’t let any grass grow under their feet, on Thursday, the NRA sued the city of Chicago over its handgun ban and, on Friday, continued by legally challenging San Francisco’s ban on handguns in its public housing.
If you think the California wildfires have been intense, stay tuned as the Second Amendment posse works to strike down, and undo, every piece of gun control legislation, and as many restrictions, rightful or otherwise, on handguns, and firearms, as they can, with support from John McCain.
But, not everybody is going to take the Supreme Court decision lying down. And, not everyone is going to cower in fear of the gun lobby. San Francisco’s Mayor, Gavin Newsom, vows to “vigorously fight the NRA,” implying that no rational person could possibly think that making possession of handguns legal again, in city housing projects, is a responsible, and sane, thing to do in a city where one can’t even watch five minutes of local news without hearing about another victim of gunfire, which accounts for 80% of all homicides.
Bravo to Mayor Newsom!
San Francisco has a long, and distinguished, history as a trend-setter, dating back to the 1950’s, when poet, and publisher, Lawrence Ferlinghetti stood up to censors who wanted to prevent the publishing of Allen Ginsberg’s landmark poem “Howl.”
It would be refreshing to hear the Supreme Court defend newspapers, and media, by ruling that the government ’s attempts to review, and censor, a “Sixty Minutes” interview with Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich in which he discusses his role in the massacre at Haditha is unconstitutional insofar as it violates the First Amendment separation of press and state. But, the case would have to go before the court first, and the newspaper, and mainstream media, lobby isn’t as strong as the weapons lobby. If it were, an Australian mogul, Rupert Murdoch, wouldn’t be able to come to town, and buy everything that isn’t nailed down.
Good for the mayor for reminding us that San Francisco isn’t just a city that wears its reputation for being liberal like a faux badge, has Nader as its middle name, and is just about cable cars, and gay marriage, but one that will return to its dissenter roots and fight this ludicrous, and dangerous, court decision whose impact will be felt by the most disenfranchised, and least vocal, among us.
We look to Chicago’s mayor to follow in Newsom’s footsteps, and Senator Obama to keep the momentum going.
But, having said that, you may recall that President Clinton who, while in office responded to the shooting of an inner city sixth grader by one of her friends, by supporting some of the most stringent gun control legislation enacted in a generation. Well, while campaigning for Hillary, he intimated that, when he was a candidate, he was told that if he tried to take on the health care industry, he’d never get elected.
One can only hope that Sen. Obama hasn’t been presented with the same warning and that, should he become our 44th president, he will be mindful, and consistent, in his approach to legislation that will provide regulation, and much-needed limits, on the Second Amendment frights, and not bow to the NRA the way others before him have succumbed to the weight of health care lobbyists By Jayne Lyn Stahl ... more -
Fun With War Crimes #3 - A Throbbing Surge
The press rolls over like a good dog and everything is "America's" fault -- huh?? Impeach Bush as soon as you can! Category: Comedy
-
Nuke of Earl
By Jayne Lyn Stahl
To John McCain, the future is nuclear. Should he win election, in November, the Arizona senator has another vision, for America , besides keeping U.S. forces in Iraq for the next hundred years. McCain plans to increase existing domestic nuclear reactors by 50%, or add another 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030.
What is the Republican presidential nominee’s rationale for such a radical expansion of our nuclear waistline? He claims to be striving for energy independence. Surely, there are other options beside one that is so riddled with hazard. What about solar power? What about exploring more cost-effective use of electricity, or other planet-friendly natural resources that don’t come with the baggage of nuclear exposure.
Apart from the obvious risk of expanding nuclear power, a threat that both Bush and McCain see in Iran, and North Korea, this proposal raises some serious questions about the soundness of John McCain’s environmentally-friendly stance. Just ask the folks who live on Yucca Mountain, less than a two hour drive from Las Vegas , how they feel about becoming a national nuclear waste dump.
Consider, too, the irony of this proposal to increase the number of domestic nuclear reactors from about 100 to 145 given that it comes from then candidate McCain who, just months ago, told Foreign Affairs Magazine that the idea that “nuclear technology can spread without nuclear weapons” is a “mistaken assumption” that works counter to nonproliferation treaties.
By Jayne Lyn Stahl ... more -
"Real Issues" -- An Open Letter...
to the South Florida Sun Sentinel:
Dear Editor:
Your June 12th editorial, in which you chastise Rep. Wexler for co-sponsoring 35 articles of impeachment, sent shock waves down my spine.
While it's true, six months, or a year, ago, I might have agreed with your argument that the rising price of gas, credit crunch, and foreclosures render impeachment of a lame duck president an "ivory tower debate," in light of increasing revelations about top down manipulations of the definition of torture, redactions of testimony, and/or handwritten notes, by interrogators of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, and the torture industrial complex evolving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan and, more importantly, Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain's assertion that he abjures the Supreme Court's decision, this week, to allow detainees to seek remedy in civilian courts, how can any editorial board of any major newspaper in America consider the inauguration of impeachment proceedings against this president as anything less than essential?
Yes, Mr. Bush is on his way out, but unless Congress takes a strong stand against his policies like NSA warrantless surveillance on ordinary citizens in violation of FISA laws, as well as his contempt for checks and balances, we will see more of these policies in his next incarnation in the form of Senator John McCain who counts, among his campaign staff, those major telecoms that are working for immunity from prosecution which is shorthand for saying that Senator McCain will continue warrantless spying, waterboarding, allowing interrogator's notes to mysteriously disappear from evidence, as well as those meat and potatoes tax policies set in place by what history will remember as the most corrupt political administration in our nation's history.
You owe Robert Wexler an apology, as well as Dennis Kucinich, and all those in Congress who have decided to take a stand against a regime that has brought infamy, and shame, upon this country, as well as international condemnation. Kudos to the congressman from Delray Beach for having the courage to support articles of impeachment.
This election is not about red states versus blue states. This election is about those who want to continue down the road of preemptive war, illegal wiretapping, molesting our environment in favor of NAFTA, and the interests of big business, seeing to it that the rich continue to get richer while the rest of us get front row seats, and returning us to the days when a college education, and a car, were only for the privileged. Those of us who want to watch John McCain run don't need a flat screen T.V., but only a rear view mirror.
Those of us who believe that accountabiliy, from the executive branch, is not a matter of political convenience, those of us who think that no presidential staffer, or appointee, has the right to defy a congressional subpoena, indeed, anyone who still believe in the Constitution, and recognizes the threat of this unitary executive's abuse of power must also acknowledge the need to send a signal to the world, and all future presidents, that we won't sit back and watch our democracy stolen by a bunch a crooks in Gucci cowboy boots.
We're going to take our country back--one article of impeachment at a time.
to the South Florida Sun Sentinel: Dear Editor: ... more -
FunWithWarCrimes.com - Ep. 2 - Clip 3
Wanna convict Dubya?
-
FunWithWarCrimes.com - Ep. 2 - Clip 4
Bush on trial... the saga continues...
-
FunWithWarCrimes.com - Ep. 2 - Clip 2
Bush on trial!
-
FunWithWarCrimes.com - Ep. 2 - Clip 1
The saga continues of Bush and his admin on trial...
-
A Genius Outside the Academy
The Hip Hop Caucus tour featuring Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. Yearwood is a minister, community activist, military chaplain, and one of the most influential people in Hip Hop. A powerful and fiery orator. The Hip Hop Caucus tour featuring Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. Yearwood is a minister, community activist, military chaplain, and one of ... more
-
And Another Blogger Makes The News
I love hearing stories about people who failed at something, only to succeed once they turn to something they are truly passionate about. Meanwhile, they make her sound like some small town blogger, but c'mon, she blogs for the Huffington Post....
"Mayhill Fowler says she never planned to ask Bill Clinton the question that unleashed a decidedly unpresidential tirade.
But in the crush of the crowd in South Dakota last Monday, when she raised the topic of "that hatchet job" on him in Vanity Fair, the former president called the article's author "slimy," "sleazy" and a "scumbag," tightly gripping Fowler's hand the whole time. "I'm sure he had no idea who I was," the 61-year-old Tennessee native says." I love hearing stories about people who failed at something, only to succeed once they turn to something they are truly passionate ab... more -
Deja Vu-doo
By Jayne Lyn Stahl
Everybody's putting in their two cents about former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's new memoir, and what he has to say about the president who has become the country's favorite voodoo doll, George W. Bush.
McClellan's argument that, while the Bush administration lacked the necessary coordination to prevent 9/11, ironically enough, their greatest legacy will be just how well they micromanaged the mainstream media in the lead-up to the war in Iraq is implausible. Is it fair to say now that Scott McClellan is spinning about spinning, and what's behind it?
By Jayne Lyn Stahl ... more -
Cyrstal Balls
by Jayne Lyn Stahl
So, as we all know by now, Rupert Murdoch came within inches of an outright endorsement of Barack Obama yesterday at the All Things Digital conference.
Murdoch, the media tycoon, owner of Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, among others, and poster boy for media consolidation, expresses concern about his "old friend," John McCain's flagrant lack of expertise in economics. How unfortunate for Sen. McCain that his old pal Rupey no longer wants to buy him an election.
The only difference between the pundit-in-chief, George W. Bush, who made some election prognostications of his own, a few months ago, and Rupert Murdoch is that the crystal balls Murdoch owns are Lenox crystal. But, is it the role of the media to just lay there when they're getting screwed?
One important element that can't be overemphasized, while it may not be as sexy or as headline grabbing as the Fox chief backing Barack Obama, is Murdoch's nonchalant acknowledgment that he might even go so far as to try and influence the New York Post's election coverage to lean towards Obama.
It doesn't matter who, or what, the chief executive officer of a newspaper, or network, endorses---it is egregious, and flat out unacceptable for Mr. Murdoch to tilt the direction of his editorial board in any presidential candidate's favor---whether it be John McCain or Barack Obama. The arrogance of his admission is beyond belief. The only thing more incredible is the lack of media coverage of this outright confession to use our "free press" to mitigate the outcome of an election.
It would be in Senator Obama's best interest to distance himself, as fast as possible, from this media shark's grip. Obama must join those of us who care about the First Amendment autonomy of the press, and the media, in expressing outrage at the mere suggestion that the publisher of a major metropolitan newspaper would openly admit to considering strongarming his editors and writers by micromanaging content of news stories. This is what we feared most about Murdoch. Now that we have the smoking gun, even the media appears loathe to use it.
While Obama would appear to be a more enlightened candidate than McCain, no newspaper publisher has the right to peddle his own personal influence without being accused of propagandizing.
After all, there is little difference between tweaking the evidence in the lead-up to war, editing reports by "military analysts" about the progress in Iraq, and buying a newspaper as a way to control the outcome of an election. Murdoch's endorsement, and admission that he is willing to throw his weight behind any candidate for president of the United States must be recognized for what it is--an insult to what the framers had in mind by the phrase "free press." by Jayne Lyn Stahl ... more -
Fun With War Crimes - Episode #2 - "9/11 Changed Everything"
Episode 2-Bush gets a stern talking to from Abe Lincoln & there's a surprise visit in the courtroom. COMMENT QUESTION: If you could ask Bush 1 question, what would it be? Tell us in "comments"! Thanks! Episode 2-Bush gets a stern talking to from Abe Lincoln & there's a surprise visit in the courtroom. COMMENT QUESTION: If you ... more
-
Of mice and straw men
Now that we've figured out, six years into it, that the war in Iraq wasn't about fighting Al Qaeda, but straw men, it's time to turn our attention to the Senate who singlehandedly showed their horsepower this week by adding protections for veterans, and the jobless, onto the the Iraq war funding bill. Notably, the bill passed the Senate by a wide, bipartisan margin...
Now that we've figured out, six years into it, that the war in Iraq wasn't about fighting Al Qaeda, but straw men, it's time to turn o... more
-
related topics
American Politics
Contributors (641)
American Politics
