Attn: American news media--this is NOT acceptable!

I watched the news this weekend. I read the NY Times on Sunday. I scan the Oregonian (I'd read it if the writing were above a fourth grade level...)

So why did I learn about THIS on Air America this afternoon, and still had to go to Reuters to get any news about it at all? (BBC also had a decent article, not as long as Reuters but still decent. As did the Chinese newspapers, the Irish newspapers, the PAKISTANI newspapers, and I stopped looking at that point because it was all too depressing.)

Protesters call for end to Iraq war

Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:04pm EDT

By Chris Michaud

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Anti-war demonstrators marched in a dozen U.S.cities on Saturday to call for an immediate end to the war in Iraq and a cut-off of funding by Congress.

The "national day of action," sponsored by the United for Peace and Justice coalition, attracted throngs of protesters in cities from Boston and New Orleans to Chicago and Los Angeles on the fifth anniversary of the U.S. Senate's vote authorizing the invasion of Iraq.

Wet weather dampened the turnout in New York, but thousands braved the rain for the anti-war event in Manhattan, where protesters carried signs reading "End the war now," demanding a cutoff of its funding;"Healthcare, not warfare;" and calling for the impeachment of President Bush for "war crimes."

One contingent began its trek in New Jersey, marching across the George Washington Bridge en route to a rally in Manhattan's Union Square, where speakers included anti-war veterans and families of servicemen in Iraq.

Leslie Kielsen, a local UPAJ organizer, said the "half a trillion"dollars spent on the war was money that could have been used for education, housing and to feed the hungry.

The demonstrators, who included labor unions activists, also spoke out on issues including nuclear weapons and what some see as the increasing likelihood of U.S. military intervention in Iran over its escalating nuclear program.

They then marched peacefully to Foley Square near some of New York's largest courthouses and federal office buildings for another rally. En route, they observed a two minute period of silence to honor the war dead.

In Chicago, an estimated 10,000 people gathered at Union Park for the march to Federal Plaza. Democratic Reps. Danny Davis and Rep. Jan Schakowsky both told a rally before the march they would oppose any further funding for the war in Iraq without a formal withdrawal date.

"Do not let the political leaders divide us," Veterans for Peace National Executive Director Michael McPherson, a Gulf War veteran, told the crowd.

"Figure out ways to work together even though we might have some differences. We must stand together on these issues."

Mike Carano, 53, the Ohio co-coordinator for the Progressive Democrats of America, said "This isn't just a thing where a number of people come to (Washington) D.C.

"This is across-the-country sentiment about ending the occupation,redirecting funds for needs in this country, our attempt to get Congress to stand up and have its prerogative to cut funding, to take charge. That's our hope."

A second rally was slated to follow the march, while a group of mothers of active U.S. soldiers planned to hold a counter-demonstration, local media reported.

Organizers said demonstrators in San Francisco were expected to number as many as 100,000.

Protests were also slated for Seattle, Salt Lake City, Orlando,Philadelphia and even Jonesborough, Tennessee, home to a company that is the largest producer of weapons that use depleted uranium.

(Additional reporting by Benjamin Klayman in Chicago)

I suppose it's all my fault for not watching BBC news over the weekend.

There ARE protests going on. But the media won't cover them. This has GOT to stop! The media has to report NEWS, not the pablum the Administration approves of. Protests this size are not the stuff of indymedia reports only. They're news. You don't have to agree with the protester's aims to know news when you see it, do you?

If the fucking corporate media whores are going to avoid this kind of thing because they don't consider it news, then I demand they stop covering anything the lunatic religious right does.

Not only is Edward R. Murrow spinning in his grave, but so is Ben Bradlee. And he's not even dead.

Joe McCarthy, on the other hand, is apparently digging himself out of his grave with his bare hands, the better to celebrate his posthumous victory over the US Constitution.

I'm going to drown my sorrows in lentil stew now.

If you read nothing else I've ever linked to, read this!

I realize I have a miniscule readership. But there are some folks out there reading my occasional rants and/or silliness.

This is neither. Ian resigned from the military with only three years to go before he could retire with full benefits. It would take quite a lot to make someone with that many years invested in his service just drop it. Ian was pushed too far. And while he's not alone, he's got a wife who won't allow him to punish himself and push himself too far. So he's resigned. Others don't have that kind of support to allow them to. Read what he has to say about all this.

This is dedicated to the SOB in the SUV who cut me off at high speed yesterday

I can forgive. See? It's a funny song!

My baby cousin has some good things to contribute to the conversation

Revealing the Total Guiliani
By Andrew Kirtzman
Sunday, March 18, 2007

After first misreading his intentions andthen underestimating his strength, waves of pundits are continuing to view Rudy Giuliani's lead in Republican presidential polls as some kind of giant misunderstanding.

But the fact is that the former New York mayor is the front-runner in the race and a huge new force in American politics. The time has come to stop wondering whether he's for real and start asking a far more important question: What kind of president would he be?

(Cont'd at link above.)

I'd stopped paying much attention to Andrew after the flurry of comments about his front page of the society section of the NY Times wedding announcement. (I do regret that the photo is missing in the Times' archive because, while Andrew does bear a remarkable resemblance to Stephen Colbert, the stand out item for me was that he was marrying a particularly good looking guy.) So last night I decided to search on his name again, just to get caught up on what the baby of the family is up to. I'm really glad I did.

Andrew has great qualifications for commenting on Giuliani. Read the article whether you support Giuliani's candidacy or not because as the Repig front-runner, his information needs to be known by everyone likely to be affected by him as candidate, if not as President.

I really need to give Donnie Deutsch another chance.

Ann the Man Coulter was the Bronze winner in Olbermann's "Worst Person" last night. I really wanted to hear her say what my secret lover Keith (whom I have to share with so many women, not the least of which is Stephanie Miller) discussed.





I never gave Donnie Deutsch a second thought. I think I'll pay more attention to him in the future. I may or may not like him but anyone who can go up against Mr. Coulter and emerge with neither blood nor spittle on the set deserves a second look, IMNSHO.

BTW, Ann the Man apparently felt the need to demonstrate her gender to Deutsch way back when. This one is mostly soundless and in slow motion. Don't say I didn't warn you.