Saturday, August 31, 2013

"No Boots on the Ground" by Cindy Sheehan

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"No Boots on the Ground"
Cindy Sheehan

The President of the USA, aka, Able Servant of Empire, claims that his planned assault on Syria will be “limited” and he won’t order any “boots on the ground” as if he is angling for praise from the almost non-existent antiwar movement and/or to prove that he really earned that Noble Peace Prize!

Besides the fact that the US now has troops on the ground in 35 African countries; destroyed Libya for regime change; is bombing “al Qaeda” in Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; AND is already arming and training “al Qaeda” in Syria, the Able Servant of Empire is chomping at the bit of more mass murder to launch a Tomahawk missile attack on Syria.

My friend Ann Wright, who is a retired Colonel, US Army and a former diplomat who resigned when the US invaded Iraq in 2003, wrote in this piece about what could be the possible consequences of Obama’s “limited” assault on Syria:

Syrian anti-aircraft batteries will fire their rockets at incoming U.S. missiles.

Many Syrians on the ground will die and both the U.S. and Syrian governments will say the deaths are the fault of the other.

The U.S. Embassy in Damascus will be attacked and burned, as may other U.S. Embassies and businesses in the Middle East.

Syria might also launch rockets toward the U.S. ally in the region—Israel.

Israel would launch bombing missions on Syria as it has three times in the past two years and perhaps take the opportunity to launch an attack on Syria’s strongest ally in the region Iran.

Iran, a country with a population of 80 million and has the largest military in the region untouched by war in the past 25 years, might retaliate with missiles aimed toward Israel and toward nearby U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, Turkey, Bahrain and Qatar.

Iran could block the Straits of Hormuz and impede the transport of oil out of the Persian Gulf.

These likely outcomes don’t even take into account that the nuclear powers of  Russia and China are also very opposed to further intervention in Syria from the Empire.

Besides the fact that there is no evidence that the Syrian regime gassed its “own people,” what gives The Able Servant of Empire the right to bomb Syrians with Tomahawk missiles? (At 300 million dollars, each: CHA-CHING, War Machine!)

Today (August 31) the Able Servant of Empire gave a speech in the Rose Garden of the White House and among other things, he said something that was at once chilling and revealing at the same time: “We cannot raise our children in a world where we will not follow through on the things we say, the accords we sign, the values that define us.”

What are those “values that define us?” I wonder? I have a strong suspicion that my values and Obama's values (a person can have rotten values) are diametrically opposed. Among the values that "define me" are unconditional peace for all the children in the world. I am afraid the values that define the Empire are the quest for profits over peace and power instead of protecting the lives, homes, and planet where the children live. The Able Servant of Empire has already ordered the murders of thousands of children and if there was a god, Obama would choke on his obvious and repetitive lies taken right out of the Empire's Playbook for World Domination.

How dare the Empire embark on another horrendous war to "save" people by killing them? I always think of my son killed for lies of the previous Able Servant and my surviving children and four grandbabies.

“No boots on the ground” in Syria? I look at the container my daughter has at the front door that holds various sizes and types of shoes for her family and I think of the doomed innocents in Syria.

Maybe there won’t be US boots on the ground there, but there are already sandals, bare feet, sneakers, dress shoes, and most importantly of all, baby shoes. Their lives are so precious and they have not done anything to harm, or even threaten the war criminal Obama or America.

The innocents in Syria do not deserve the fate that some dude in an expensive suit and tie thousands of miles away will deal out to them for the benefit of the war profiteers.

No more US intervention in Syria.
Protest in Sydney, Australia

Peace in Palestine.

US Troops out of everywhere.

For the babies.






Friday, August 30, 2013

Cindy Sheehan for Reichwing Dummies




Now that the War Party with its leader, Barack Obama, is ratcheting up the rhetoric for another war, the predictable Reichwing attacks against me begin.

Whether written by moronic bloggers, or emailed to me directly, the subject line is always something like this:

"Where are you now?"

I thought to save myself some time, I would write this fact sheet for those Dummies. It always amuses me that they can come to my blog, find the "CONTACT" link, then write me with misinformed accusations like those below. The Reichwingers can take the time to find my email, but they don't look down the page a little to see that I actually do the opposite of what they want to accuse me of?




"What? You only opposed war when Bush was in office? What a hypocrite!"


I oppose every war of the past and in the present. I oppose every war of the future.

War is a tool of barbarism and it is the opposite of sane and healthy for states to force its young to kill other people in some kind of geo-political game of serial madness and murder.

I don't care what war you want to throw at me, I oppose it and it was/is/will be wrong. People can sit across from one another and solve problems without resorting to murder, plain and simple. Any solution that involves troops, bombing, torture, etc, is evil and fraught with sorrow and destruction. Think about it...please...if you think about it with a rational mind, you will see yourself how demented war really is.

I can't remember a war that was waged to solve any geo-political problems that weren't created so the war profiteers can get more blood soaked money. The sane solution would be to dismantle the war machine and mantle a healthy economy based on peace and environmental sustainability. Again, if you take the red, white, and blue cloud out of your brain, I know you will know that I am correct.

Just the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost over three-trillion dollars. Where did all that money go? Into the pockets of multi-national corporations from oil companies, to tank builders, to drone manufacturers and even Burger King and AT&T. 

The planned misadventure in Syria will shoot off Tomahawk missiles at 300 million/per missile. Right off the top of my head, I could probably think of 300 ways that money could be spent to contribute to a healthy and sane society and not one that goes around the world killing people to save them from being killed by their own leaders? Again, if that doesn't cause some kind of incongruity in your Limbaugh-esque addelpation, then I am afraid there is very little hope for you.

War is only good for the global elite, and the rest of the billions of us should reject being harmed for the good of the elite.

Again, I can't say this strongly enough...Reichwing Dummies who call me a "hypocrite" should look at their own "values." If you supported Bush and his immoral wars of aggression, then you should support Obama and his. If you opposed Bush and his immoral wars of aggression, then you should oppose Obama and his.

It's just common sense, but when the two violent branches of the War Party come together, we lose our reasonableness and turn into stone cold killers, or the enablers of stone cold killers, ourselves.

 

"What else can I expect from a Democrat."

I left the Democratic Party in 2007--the irony here is that I probably loathe the DP more than you do, because Democrats not only support Empire, but their mission is to demobilize true opposition to the policies of Empire. At the moment, I belong to the Peace and Freedom Party and would NEVER return, or support, the War Party.

"You crawl up the ass of every Democrat out there."

This one is laughable and so easy to fact check. 

I ran against Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in 2008 for Congress.

I ran against Barack Obama (D-MORDER) in 2012 as VP candidate for the Peace & Freedom Party. I have NEVER supported Barack Obama and voted for Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party in 2008 and also supported Ralph Nader (I). I made a vow at Camp Casey in 2005 to NEVER support any politician, or party that supported war--so that excludes most Democrats and almost every Republican.

Right now, I am challenging Governor Jerry Brown (D) here in California for Governor. 

I don't see how anyone with two seconds to devote to a google search can make that claim with a straight face. I am afraid all of you must really be Dummies, though.



"I haven't seen you crying on the TV every time I turn it on since Obama has been president."

I listed a few things above that I have done electorally, but other than that, I have held three protest camps near Obama: one in Martha's Vineyard and two in Washington, DC--I have been to every antiwar protest (as small as they are) locally and the ones I can get to nationally--I have been arrested several times protesting wars, nukes, drones, and the CIA/NSA---and I just completed a 90 day bike ride across the country trying to gauge the antiwar sentiment of people who should be opposing Obama's wars.

We send out press notifications and we have press events, but NO press ever shows. I haven't been invited on any of the "progressive shows," either, except for once on Mike Malloy and once on Democracy, Now for about 80 seconds in 2010. This lack of coverage doesn't discourage me, obviously, but the idiot box is apparently making idiots out of the Reichwing Dummies.

However, dear Reichwing Dummy, don't make the mistake of thinking that things only happen if they are happening on your magic TV box.

There is a thing called "life" and why don't you turn off your Dummy Box and set up camp in Washington, DC or Martha's Vineyard if you hate Obama so much?

Where are your large marches and rallies? Why don't I see you crying on TV about Obama being a Muslim or Commie (LOL)? I put my money where my mouth is and devote considerable time, energy and resources to what I believe in, now get off the computer and do the same.

But, Reichwing Dummy, maybe you should quit whining at me and get busy supporting Obama, since he is just carrying on the policies of your heroes, Bush and Cheney.








Thursday, August 29, 2013

HANDS OFF SYRIA--TAKE ACTION AGAINST US INTERVENTION!

Hands Off Syria - Take action against U.S. intervention!

Call to Action for actions the day of/after U.S. military action begins

August 27, 2013
The Iraq war took far over 1 million Iraqi lives. Now the U.S. government is using essentially the same rationale to attack Syria.
Washington is on the march toward yet another war of aggression in the Middle East, this time targeting Syria. In the event of U.S. military strikes against Syria, the ANSWER Coalition is calling on organizations and individuals to take to the streets in opposition to what would be a destructive and criminal war by the U.S. government.
Make plans now to hold a demonstration in your city on the day of or the day after U.S. military action begins. See a list of demonstrations around the country and fill out our Event Listing form so we can help spread the word!
Despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of the American people are clearly opposed to U.S. intervention, the signs all point to war. In a recent Reuters poll, only 9 percent favored direct U.S. military intervention, and 89 percent opposed arming the Syrian opposition. But the tiny elite clique who really run the country are completely discounting the will of the people, making a mockery of their so-called “democracy.”
The U.S. 6th Fleet has deployed war ships to the eastern Mediterranean and is threatening to launch missile and air strikes against Syria. Not only are the White House and Pentagon openly threatening direct intervention, they are also moving to further arm the Syrian opposition. A U.S./NATO attack on Syria could well lead to a wider, regional war with grave and unpredictable consequences.
A staged provocation: a pretext for war
The pretext for attacking Syria is the allegation that the Syrian government used chemical weapons last week in the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, just after a UN team had arrived in the country to investigate an earlier alleged use of chemical weapons. President Obama declared over a year ago that the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government would cross a “red line,” triggering U.S. military action.
The idea that the Syrian government would launch a chemical weapons attack exactly at the moment when the UN team was in the country investigating chemical weapons defies all logic.
In a sign of their total disregard for the truth, the United States government has declared, in advance of any actual investigation, that the Syrian government is guilty of using chemical weapons. U.S. officials have stated that the United Nations weapons inspection team, which is today at the site near Damascus where hundreds of people died last week, is “too late.” In other words, the United States, along with Britain and France – the former colonizers of the region – have decided to use chemical weapons as an excuse to go to war.
We must remember the Iraq War in 2003, where “overwhelming evidence of weapons of mass destruction” was used as the pretext for a war that killed hundreds of thousands and tore Iraq apart. No such weapons were ever found.
If in fact chemical weapons were used in Syria last week, the far greater likelihood is that it was a staged provocation by the opposition to invite U.S./NATO intervention in order to save their weakening military position in the conflict. We have no reason to trust the U.S. government’s version of what happened. This is the same government that has routinely lied and deceived the American people on many issues, as was recently revealed by Edward Snowden’s leaks related to NSA spying.
U.S. foreign policy is not one of benign humanitarian concern, but one of Empire. Washington’s goal is control of the entire oil-rich and strategic Middle East region. To achieve this aim, U.S. leaders – Democrats and Republicans alike – have worked to destroy independent governments and popular movements in the region for more than six decades.
For the people of the United States, fighting against a U.S. intervention in Syria is of paramount importance to prevent the spread of war and destruction. The ANSWER Coalition is calling on all those opposed to this brutal war drive to take action against any U.S. attack on Syria! A broad coalition of organizations worked together in June and July 2013 for days of action opposing the U.S. role in Syria. We expect that the actions in the coming days and weeks will be of a similar unified character.
Plan a demonstration in your city on the day of or the day after U.S. military action begins. Fill out our Event Listing form so we can help spread the word!
Initial list of actions:
ALABAMA
Huntsville, AL
Saturday, August 31
Corner of Whitesburg Drive and Airport Road
Initiated by Occupy Huntsville
Contact: annnonm@gmail.com
CALIFORNIA
Costa Mesa, CA
Day of
Gather from 5:00PM - 7:00PM
at 3300 Bristol
Initiated by Orange County Peace & Freedom Party
Contact: 714-956-5037
Los Angeles, CA
Day of
Gather at 5:30PM
at LA City Hall (West Steps): 200 N. Spring St.
Contact ANSWER in LA at 323-394-3611 or answerla@answerla.org
Sacramento, CA
Day after
Gather at 5:30PM
in front of the Sacramento Federal Building
at the corner of 5th and I Sts. in downtown
Contact ANSWER in Sacramento at sac@answercoalition.org
San Francisco, CA
Day of or day after depending on the time
Gather at 5:00PM (weekday) or 12:00PM (weekend)
at Powell & Market Sts.
Contact ANSWER in SF at 415-821-6545 or answer@answersf.org
San Francisco, CA
Thursday, August 29
Gather at 5:00PM
at Powell & Market Sts.
Contact ANSWER in SF at 415-821-6545 or answer@answersf.org
Santa Cruz, CA
Saturday, August 31
Gather at 11:00AM
at Ocean and Water Streets
Initiated by Peace and Freedom Party Santa Cruz, ANSWER Coaliton, and others.
Contact 831-688-8692 or 831-334-3368
COLORADO

Colorado Springs, CO
Sunday, September 1
Gather at 6:00PM
at Acacia Park, 201 N. Tejon St.
Initiated by Occupy Colorado Springs
Contact 719-243-5238 or 719-460-2836
CONNECTICUT

New Haven, CT
Day of - if before 12 noon / Day after - if after 12 noon
Gather at 5:30PM
at 141 Church St.
Contact ANSWER in New Haven at 203-903-4480 or ct@answercoalition.org
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, August 29
Gather at 6:30PM
at the White House
Initiated by the ANSWER Coalition
Contact ANSWER in DC at 202-265-1948 or dc@answercoalition.org
FLORIDA
Miami, FLThursday, August 29
Gather at 6:00PM
at Torch of Friendship
Biscayne Blvd. between N.E. 3rd & 4th streets
Initiated by POWIR, Veterans for Peace
Join the Facebook event

Saint Petersburg/Tampa, FL
Saturday, August 31
Gather at 6:00PM
at Gandy Blvd. and Dale Mabry Hwy.
Near MacDill AFB (CENTCOM), Tampa, FL
Initiated by St. Pete for Peace
Contact http://stpeteforpeace.org
Join the Facebook event

Tallahassee, FL
Thursday, August 28
Gather at 4:00PM
in front of the Old Capitol, 400 S Monroe St
Initiated by Tallahassee ANSWER Coalition and Tallahassee Veterans for Peace
Contact tallahassee@answercoalition.org
ILLINOIS
Chicago, IL
Day of if before 12 noon / Day after if after 12 noon
Gather at 5:00PM
at Federal Plaza
The ANSWER Coalition is initiating this action with partners, including the Anti-war Committee - Chicago and the Albany Park, North Park, Mayfair Neighbors for Peace and Justice
Contact ANSWER in Chicago at 773-463-0311 or answer@chicagoanswer.net
Chicago, IL
Thursday, August 29
Gather at 5:00PM
at Federal Plaza
The ANSWER Coalition is participating in this action.
Contact ANSWER in Chicago at 773-463-0311 or answer@chicagoanswer.net
INDIANA
Indianapolis, IN
Friday, August 30
Gather at 7:00PM
at High steps of Monument Circle
Initiated by Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center
Contact carlrisingmoore@gmail.com
LOUISIANA

New Orleans, LA
Saturday, August 31
Gather at 2:00PM
at Washington Square, 500 Elysian Fields Avenue
Contact aiglefort@hotmail.com
MASSACHUSETTS

Boston, MA
Saturday, August 31
Rally at 1:00 PM
Park St. T station Entrance - Park & Tremont Streets
Initiated by United for Justice with Peace and supported by ANSWER Boston
Contact ANSWER in Boston at 857-334-5084 or boston@answercoalition.org

Boston, MA
Day of - if before 12 noon / Day after - if after 12 noon
Gather at 5:00 PM
Park St. T station Entrance - Park & Tremont Streets
Initiated by United for Justice with Peace and supported by ANSWER Boston
Contact ANSWER in Boston at 857-334-5084 or boston@answercoalition.org
OHIO
Columbus, OH
Sunday, September 1
Gather at 5:00PM
at 15th and High Streets at the Main Entrance of the OSU Columbus Campus
Initiated by Sunday Night Peace Action Group
Contact markstansbery@gmail.com or cmhammond11@att.net
NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque, NM
Day of
Gather at 5:00 PM
at UNM Bookstore (Central & Cornell)
Initiated by the ANSWER Coalition
Contact ANSWER in Albuquerque at 505-268-2488 or abq@answercoalition.org
NEW YORK
New York City, NY
Thursday, Aug. 29
Gather at 6:00PM
at Times Square, 43rd Street and 7th Ave
Contact ANSWER in NYC at 212-694-8720 or nyc@answercoalition.org
Rochester, NY
Thursday, August 29
Gather at 7:00PM
at the Liberty Pole, corner of Main St and East Ave
Contact 585-943-8148
Syracuse, NY
Friday, August 30
Gather at 12:30PM
at Syracuse University main quad
Initiated by Youth and Student ANSWER Coalition - SU chapter
Contact syracuse@answercoalition.org
NORTH CAROLINA
Asheville, NC
Thursday, September 12
Gather at 4:00PM
at Vance monument
Contact asheville@defendwomensrights.org
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia, PA
Day after
Gather at 4:30PM
on the Northwest corner of 15th and Market Sts.
Co-sponsored by the ANSWER Coalition and Philly Against War
Contact ANSWER in Philly at 267-281-3859 or philly@answercoalition.org
SOUTH CAROLINA
Hilton Head, SC
Day after
Gather at 4:00 PM
at Rt. 278 & Beach City Rd. (park in HH Library lot)
Initiated by Hilton Head for Peace
Contact fintaylor@hargray.com
TENNESSEE

Nashville, TN
Friday, August 30
Gather at 4:00PM
at 3322 West End Avenue
Initiated by Nashville Veterans for Peace and Nashville Peace Coalition
Join the Facebook event
TEXAS

Austin, TX
Thursday, August 29
Gather at 5:00PM
at West side of the state Capitol building emptying into Congress Avenue at 11th Street
Initiated by Occupy Austin
Contact 504-239-2764
VERMONT

Burlington, VT
Day of or day after depending on the time
Gather at 6:00PM
at top of Church St. by Unitarian Church
Initiated by Ad Hoc Committee Against US War in Middle East
Contact ronj1955@gmail.com
VIRGINIA

Richmond, VA
Day of
Gather at 5:00PM
at Richmond Federal Courthouse
Initiated by the Defenders For Justice and Equality
Join the Facebook event
WASHINGTON
Seattle, WA
Day after attack
Gather at 5:00PM
at Westlake and Pine
Initiated by the ANSWER Coalition
Contact 206-568-1661 to confirm
WISCONSIN

Jefferson, WI
Thursday, August 29
Gather at 6:00PM
at State Street side of the Capitol
(Lady Forward at corner of State Street and Mifflin Street)
Initiated by the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice and others.
Contact 608-250-9240 or diane@wnpj.org
Join the Facebook event

Milwaukee, WI
Saturday, August 31
Gather at 12:00PM
at the intersection of Water Street and Wisconsin Ave
Initiated by Peace Action Wisconsin
Contact 414-964-5158 or website@peaceactionwi.org
What you can do

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Cindy for Governor, 2014 Launched Today!

Cindy Sheehan on the steps of the California State Capitol
(From the Sacramento Bee)


Andy (CampMan) Conn, Cindy, Lanette Davis and Supporter

 Today, I launched my bid for Governor of California.

NOTE: We didn't get a permit because I reject the restriction placed on my first amendment rights. 

Read the text (minus a few adlibs) of my announcement here
(VIDEO OF MY ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW).
 

VIDEO OF MY ANNOUNCEMENT
AUGUST 26


JERRY BROWN ACCEPTS $27, 200 FROM 
OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM
HE IS THE GOVERNOR FOR THE 1% AND 
CORPORATIONS.

CINDY FOR GOVERNOR WANTS 27, 200
PEOPLE TO CONTRIBUTE $1 EACH.

CINDY WILL BE THE GOVERNOR OF AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

  CLICK TO DONATE $1 (OR MORE) TO 
CINDY SHEEHAN'S EPIC CAMPAIGN

The Power of Love....(Special Soapbox Podcast)

The Power of Love by Joe Bravo
The Power of Love turns mild mannered mothers into Super Moms; loving cousins into Fighters of "Crime Fighters;" and uncles into one man Justice Leagues. One thing that I know since my own son Casey was killed in Iraq for the lies of Empire, is that we have this secret weapon that the war mongers and police statesmen don't know very much about: LOVE.

One thing I often wonder about is what if George Bush had a loving mother instead of Mrs. IceWoman Sarcasticon? 

What if George Bush had a father that adored him and encouraged his healthy growth instead of assassinating people and starting wars? Well, for one, George Bush would have grown up to be a different man, and my son would probably still be alive. 

George Bush grew up to follow in the horrendous footsteps of his father as a liar and murderer. No one could, or would (Thanks, Plastic Woman Pelosi) hold George Bush accountable, except a Gold Star mother from Vacaville, California. Can you guess why I was able to drop everything and set up Camp Casey in Crawford, TX and sacrifice everything to confront the Empire that kills, maims, or impoverishes millions? Something George didn't count on, LOVE. 

I don't hate George Bush, I don't squander powerful emotions on trash---but I love my son with all my heart, still, and I love all the people put in harm's way because of George and all the war mongering police statesmen. 

My guests for this very special, powerful and important Soapbox are four people whose lives were changed forever when their loved ones were murdered by out of control killer cops and they fight a system that refuses to hold the murderers accountable, or just slaps the killer cop on the wrist.

Learn about their stories, the stories of their loved ones and the inspiring heart-connection they have made to do something that I know is not easy.

None of us asked for "this," let's hear stories that are so difficult to hear, but harder to tell. 

BIOS AND RELEVANT LINKS

Christina Arechiga – Sacramento, CA– Prison right activist for over 15 years then changed focus to police brutality when her first cousin Ernest Duenez Jr was murdered by John Moody of the Manteca PD. Now works full time as a private investigator and in the CA Statewide Coalition Against Police Brutality for all families who have been victims of law enforcement corruption and working on changing procedures and laws allowing such corruption.

Rosemary Duenez – Lathrop, CA – a mother and grandmother whose son Ernest Duenez Jr. was murdered by John Moody of the Manteca PD on June 8, 2011 – Ernest 34 yrs old was a father of an 11 month old son at the time, the Duenez family maintains weekly Sunday protests at the Manteca PD and is actively working with the CA Statewide Coalition Against Police Brutality. They fought to have the dash cam video released to them and they in turn released to the public in their fight for justice. Their civil case is currently in the federal courts in Sacramento, Ca and trial will begin in early 2014. The officer was cleared by the DA’s office but the family maintains an ongoing investigation and continues to put pressure on law enforcement to be accountable and file murder charges.

You can view the video here: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhnY17F_eiQ

 Denika Chatman – Vallejo, Ca – mother of Kenneth Harding 19 years of age was murdered on July 16, 2011 by San Francisco Police and then left to bleed out while medical personal was not allowed through police barricade – she moved her family back to California from Seattle to fight for justice for her son and holds monthly feeds for the homeless in the spot that still is stained with the blood of her son. Aka the Kenny Feeds held by the Kenneth Harding Foundation – they have recently been blessed with a new location in a church to continue their work. She is currently in a civil trial.


You can view the video here: 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K9RS34WG7M


Cephus Johnson aka “uncle bobby”– uncle of Oscar Grant murdered by Johannes Mehserle on a BART platform in Oakland, works nationally to organize and unite families who have been affected by the injustice system, their story is on screens nationwide in the film FRUITVALE STATION – you can read reviews here: 
https://www.facebook.com/FruitvaleStationMovie 


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
 ABOUT THE 

CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN TO 
END POLICE BRUTALITY 





Monday, August 26, 2013

Cindy Sheehan to formally announce EPIC campaign for California State Governor, 2014



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
for Tuesday/August 27, 2013
Contact: Cres Vellucci, Campaign Press Office, 916/996 9170 Press@cindy2014.org            


Peace Mom Cindy Sheehan Formally Launches Campaign
for Governor Tuesday at State Capitol; Calls for EPIC
(End Poverty in California) Reforms Statewide

SACRAMENTO – Cindy Sheehan will formally announce her campaign for Governor of California at a news conference Tuesday/August 27 at 10:15 a.m. at the State Capitol.

Ms. Sheehan said she plans to unseat incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown, and to bring California  "peace, economic equality and environmental sustainability," and reforms through an EPIC (End Poverty in California) campaign.


Ms. Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq and has devoted her life since then to fighting for peace and social justice, is a former Vice-Presidential candidate and Congressional candidate. She outpolled the Republican candidate in her 2008 run against Rep. Nancy Pelosi, finishing second in a race with 7 candidates.

More details will be provided Tuesday.  More information at www.Cindy2014.org

CINDY AND TEAM WILL CYCLE
FROM YOLO FRUIT STAND
46710 County Road 32B  Davis, CA 95618
BEGINNING AT 8:45am 

and 

ENDING AT THE STATE CAPITOL

 USTREAM LINK TO WATCH LIVE
IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT.
(RIDE AND ANNOUNCEMENT)



 TEXT OF CINDY'S OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
 

TEXT OF CINDY'S ANNOUNCEMENT FOR EPIC GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN




I am here on the steps of the capitol building to announce that I am running for governor of California in 2014 with the Peace and Freedom Party. One of the goals of this campaign is to break the stranglehold on this state’s politics by the two parties of, by and for, the corporations and the 1% because I am devoted to improving the lives of the working and poor classes and protecting our precious and compromised environment.

Why am I running now?

First of all, I believe that politics are local and that change should come from the grassroots and a state executive should be more accessible and responsive to his/her employees than a federal official.

Secondly, and more importantly, I am exhausted with the struggle of living in a state that puts the bottom-line of corporations above the needs of its citizens; that puts prisons over education; that puts balancing the budget off the backs of senior citizens, students, and the physically and mentally ill over healthy job creation and bigger social safety nets.

The people of this state need education, jobs and healthcare, not more empty promises and pandering to the wealthy from Sacramento.

I don’t own a car and I rode my bike here from Davis because I know that it’s past time that the practice of ruining our environment by fracking and other disastrous forms of energy extraction be ended. The sitting Governor has received the maximum campaign contribution of over $27,000 from his buddies at Occidental Oil. I would rather have 27,000 individuals send me one dollar each because I will work for them, not big oil. 

As if we needed more proof, Fukushima has terrifyingly demonstrated to us that nuclear power has the potential of ending life on this planet, and the nuclear plants in our state are super-vulnerable to be destroyed by earthquake and/or fire.  They must be shut down!

This state is in urgent need of expanding the use of clean, renewable, and sustainable energy production and also to invest in protected bike and pedestrian lanes and better, cheaper, and more comprehensive public transportation. We have the resources to do it.

During the Great Depression, California Socialist, author and intellectual, Upton Sinclair, ran for state governor on the platform of END POVERTY IN CALIFORNIA (EPIC) and Cindy Sheehan for Governor will go forward with our EPIC campaign to do the same and to also ESTABLISH PEACE IN CALIFORNIA, END THE PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX and EMPOWER PEOPLE INSTEAD of CORPORATIONS.

Cindy Sheehan for Governor will also put the restoration of our indigenous cultures at the forefront of our administration. This state has an appalling record regarding our first people and, as descendants of the colonizers, we need to recognize this fact and empower our first peoples to take a leadership role in the recovery of our state.

The state that I was born in and love has never had a female governor and the time is here that we tried our EPIC recovery with woman-driven people power and I think the most challenging thing we face in this campaign is to convince the people of this state that I am not just another b.s.ing politician and that I mean it when I say I will strive, with the people, co-create peace, ecological health, and economic equality and vibrancy, in this state.

I have been doing peace and social justice activism almost non-stop since my son, Casey, was killed in Iraq in 2004. I live here, I struggle with the people here, and I am dedicated to working for a better life for my surviving children and my beloved grandchildren.

I am not asking for the voters of California to support me; I am asking the voters to support themselves, their families, their communities and this state by voting for true change and putting our hopes in each other.

CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:
www.Cindy2014.org

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Reform or Revolution? (SOAPBOX PODCAST August 25, 2013)


August 25, 2013
GUEST: JONATHAN SIMON
TOPIC: VOTING MACHINES
JONATHAN'S WEBSITE:
JONATHAN'S BIO:
Jonathan Simon, author of CODE RED: Computerized Election Theft And The New American Century, is a co-founder and currently Executive Director of Election Defense Alliance (www.ElectionDefenseAlliance.org), a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 to restore observable vote counting and electoral integrity as the foundation of American democracy. His expertise in polling and statistical analysis derives from his former employment as a political survey research analyst in Washington, DC. Dr. Simon has also authored, both individually and in collaboration, numerous papers related to various aspects of election integrity. He has been active in election integrity efforts since 2001, appearing in several election integrity-related films, as an interviewee on several dozen live programs, and tweeting @JonathanSimon14. Dr. Simon is a graduate of Harvard College (’78), New York University School of Law (’86), and New York Chiropractic College (’90). He is admitted to the Bar of Massachusetts and since 1993 has directed an interdisciplinary healthcare facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

OR LISTEN AT 2PM PACIFIC ON SUNDAYS AT
COMMUNITY PROGRESSIVE RADIO 
   
  

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Manning Verdict: The Implication of Placation by guest blogger Diane Gee

Bradley Manning was sentenced to 35 of the possible 136 years they could have given him today. Eligible for a parole hearing in 10, it will likely come up in 7 with "time served." The MSM tried to frame as "accidental" the civilian murders on the released war-porn video, one of many such images and videos Manning witnessed, despite the soundtrack showing the unadulterated blood-lust and glee at the hit. Even the judge could not find "damage-done" though at one point, Manning did the smart thing and offered a general apologia prior to sentencing. Lets face it.  People we are bombing know we double-tap.  Thats why they hate us, beyond the general "invade my country and kill my family and take all my resources" general hate.  We kill civilians with GLEE.
Manning's statement today was profound.
"Our nation has had similar dark moments for the virtues of democracy-the Trail of Tears, the Dred Scott decision, McCarthyism, the Japanese-American internment camps-to name a few. I am confident that many of our actions since 9/11 will one day be viewed in a similar light. As the late Howard Zinn once said, 'There is not a flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.'"
So, as the unexpectedly soft sentence came?  My though process was as follows...
While it is a travesty of justice, I am mildly astonished that the sentence was that light in this toxic political climate. He will be eligible for parole in 7 yrs (with time served) and there is a move on the table to lessen or commute his sentence. I have to think it was not mercy, more likely fear of making people rally against harshness that influenced this. They fear us.
I would like to expand on that thought process.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Manning did no damage, and they know it.  His barbaric torture prior to the trial was nothing but a warning to other whistleblowers, by an administration that has gone after more whistleblowers than all other Presidencies in out History combined.  "Here be Monsters!," was their warning.  "Be afraid," was their cry, while they made Manning an example to us all.
Had Snowden not come along?  Manning would be doing life.

They fear us so much, that now they are playing a game of manipulation to stave rebellion as the Empire falls like a clumsily built house of cards, on a gusty August afternoon, in the Autumn of Global Climate Change.  You know, because he who is hung last and has the most hoarded might have half a fucking chance when the feces hit the proverbial fan.

But as more unfolds on Snowden? They may have to throw us a bone with Manning, to show they are "fair." The thing is? Manning did no real damage, except in the US's view of themselves, while Snowden could bring down the whole house of cards.

Snowden is danger.  Snowden can do real damage.  The fear and loathing doesn't drip, its being mainlined faster than a junkie slamming the plunger into his DTing veins.  Our allies are at our bequest, treating Glenn Greenwald's family like terrorists.  They are smashing hard drives like a 2nd grader who thinks if they tear up the test they failed, it won't count.  I mean really, in exposing the mining of the cloud you are actively doing, you don't understand the information is already in the cloud?  You might just be too stupid to live.  But they do understand it.  They are grasping at intimidation straws thinking as they slip over the waterfall they can scare the water into not flowing.  
Ok, enough bad mixing of metaphors, but it is hard not to become personally invested and animated by what is happening.

So, when Snowden is assassinated?  Mysteriously dies?  Is found naked and high and in some compromising position with more questions than answers?  We will have reasonable doubt they would "go that far" because "Manning got a fair shake."  

They will have more credibility by giving us the sacrificial "thief" in the crowd than the actual "savior."  In other words?  They can afford leniency with Manning - they already broke him, and took 3 years to so do.  By giving us him?  When they go after Snowden by any means necessary, they can use Manning as proof that they are not monsters.  And Monsters with a capital M they are.  Manning is expendable to them - a PR gift to us without appearing weak, while Snowden?  He is public enemy numero uno, biotches.

I would not be entirely surprised if Obama commuted his sentence, which of course would feed the plan of the Democratic demise in the next POTUS round, in the name of SECURITY and evil "socialism."  Obama was a perfect tool to bring a Police State with little resistance.  But now that so many cats are exiting said sacks?  They need a Daddy-figure badass to bring it into full fruition.  

It is, in fact, 12 fucking dimensional chess. Just not the game you thought.  Black you lose, white they win, baby.  Its the Uniparty.

"Don't make them rise up over the one we already broke, who didn't harm the Elites at all, or we will never get away with flaying the man who really can hurt us.  Never give suffering people a martyr.  Give them hope, and doubt."

Sometimes I wonder why I am the only one who is sick enough to think like they do. I feel like a profiler who is too deep in the criminals' minds....

I can see this playing out, and people's outrage, which will be so very short lived since its not hundreds of years.  I can see something happening to Greenwald and Snowden, and mainstream Americans having "reasonable doubt" that we had "!anything!" to do with it... since it happened in one of those countries we see as savage and alien in our ignorance.  Especially now that Manning got a surprisingly fair shake from a Government we all have been seeing more and more as totalitarian.

Its so easy to confuse us.

But?  If you had everything?  How would you play it?  Placate, obfuscate, eliminate.  

I would play it exactly like this.  Mark my words, so will they.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Big Pharm and Bigger Harm (SOAPBOX PODCAST 8.18.13)



Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox
August 18, 2013

First Guest:
Kellia Ramares-Watson
Topic: 
Eating Poison

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT KELLIA'S BOOK
Second Guest:Mike Whitney
 Topic:
Obama put private "Capital" at center of housing plan 

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE

CLICK PHOTO TO DOWNLOAD SHOW

 

Friday, August 9, 2013

Fukushima Fubar: Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox with guest, Dr. Michio Kaku (PODCAST: AUGUST 10, 2013)


CINDY SHEEHAN'S SOAPBOX
AUGUST 10, 2013

With the continuing bad news and bad radioactivity pouring

from Fukushima Dai'ichi, 

Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox 

replays a show from

August 2011 with

famed physicist, Dr. Michio Kaku.

Dr. Kaku talks about the nuclear disaster and nukes, in general.

Please CLICK HERE to download the show
(2pm Sunday, August 10)




Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Silenced Again, this time in Richmond, Ca by Cindy Sheehan

Silenced Again
by Cindy Sheehan

You know what is sad? 

Since Obama was elected in 2008, I have been dis-invited from speaking in more than a few places; I have been rejected from speaking in more places; I am no longer asked to "sign onto" most "progressive" causes; and, of course, the "liberal press" has almost totally blacked out my message of peace, (no matter who's president) and justice out. What's really sad, is that's not the sad thing.

The sad thing is that I have gotten used to it and I am not even insulted or angry any longer when this happens. I get up and charge ahead with all steam possible despite all of the obstacles, and I really appreciate the people who are still with me in the principled struggle.

However, another "not interested" not-invite occurred this past weekend when 350.org (admittedly an Obama-loving organization) held a protest in Richmond, CA to oppose Chevron. My friend and campaign manager, Andy Conn, bugged the organizers for weeks to get me a few minutes on the speaker's platform. Denied--no reason, except for the questionable reason that there was "no room."

Excuse me, among other things, I spoke for worker control of energy on Labor Day last year in Richmond right after the last disastrous Chevron fire; my son was killed for big oil and its pursuit of complete ownership of ALL the world's fossil fuel supply; I just rode my bike 3500 miles to highlight this issue AND if I were still a Democrat, I am sure that I would have been welcomed with open arms.

Anyway, below is a video of what I said last year, and what I would have said this past weekend, if I were allowed to speak: 


UPDATE I: I would like to amend this article, to instead of accusing 350.org of being "Obama lovers," I would like to accuse it of being "Capitalism lovers," and I am an unapologetic Socialist.

http://www.countercurrents.org/mickeyz270211.htm

http://www.swans.com/library/art18/berger02.html 

http://www.systemiccapital.com/deep-green-resistance-an-interview-with-derrick-jensen-and-rachel-ivey/ 

How Not to Stop a Pipeline by Ralph Nader 

Inconvenient Truths: 350.org gets funding from BIG OIL


10 Million Reasons to Vote for Me by Cindy Sheehan



Yes, I am forming an exploratory committee to run for governor of the state of California: the state of my birth and life. The state where I gave birth to four in the next generation of native Californians, and where I buried my first child who was killed in another war based on lies and for profit of the Empire.

According to a recent piece in the Sacramento Bee, my gubernatorial prospects are "long" because incumbent Jerry Brown (D) has already raised over "10 million" for his re-election campaign.

It is sad that in a state that was in the forefront of progressive election reform, instituting the initiative and referendum process over 100 years ago, has degenerated to cash-based "democracy."

Just recently, the "liberal" state of California shot down same sex marriage and legalization of marijuana. In 2012, Prop 37, which would have just required food to be labeled if it contained GMO's was defeated because the "No" side (Monsanto and other food conglomerates) out raised and outspent the correct side about six to one. Now, the Bee has already denigrated my chances because apparently money equals votes. I am relying on my fellow Californians to reject this corrupt paradigm and recognize that ideas, energy, passion and compassion are more important.

It's true that Brown has already out raised my campaign by 10 million to zero, but he is also mired in the greed and stigma of the "1%" and long ago lost sight of the struggles and challenges of the rest of us (if he ever saw us at all). Even though, many years ago I voted several times for Brown, I think my state, my family, my community and my brothers and sisters in the struggle need a fresh break from the old way with my campaign and potential for leadership that will hopefully inspire that new way forward.

I didn't vote for Brown in 2010, I voted for the Green Party candidate, Laura Wells. However, in 2011, with the state budget deficit hovering around 25 billion, the seed for the idea of running against Brown in 2014 was planted when I heard him say that it was "unfortunate" but the budget would have to be "balanced" off of the backs of we Californians that were "already vulnerable."

Brown is in the back pockets of big oil and the Prison Industrial Complex, to name a few, and he is decimating and destroying education in this state as we hover near the bottom of the entire country. I grew up in a California where the public school system was at the top and I'll be damned if my grandchildren will attend schools that are sub-par and barely beat out Mississippi in almost all measurable standards.

There are so many issues facing our state and as the campaign unfolds and I cycle around the state meeting with as many people as is humanly possible, Cindy Sheehan for Governor will become more specific with people based solutions. I am intimate with the struggles, but the solutions have to be proposed and worked toward by all of us. This will be the third time I have run for public office, but I am NOT a politician and I never say anything that I don't mean: I do NOT want one Californian to support me--I want you to support yourself, your family, your community and your state by voting for me and helping me drag this state to the forefront of peace, economic equality, educational superiority and environmental sustainability. We used to be there, we can do it again!

What can a governor of California realistically do? Really listen to the people, inspire their confidence, and work to fulfill the agenda of the 99%.

It's time for a new way, the 1% have had their way with us for too long.

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