Secretary Paulson Appoints Fox to Guard Hen House

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 7, 2008) -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today spoke out against Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s decision to name Neel Kashkari as interim assistant secretary for financial stability who will head up the bailout program within the Treasury.

“Poached from Goldman Sachs, Mr. Kashkari has less than one year of experience working for the Treasury Department. While everything I have read indicates that Mr. Kashkari is a hard working, intelligent man, his experience is in protecting stockholders. He has less than one year experience working on behalf of the public. His appointment seems like appointing a fox to protect the hen house,” stated Kucinich.

By David Swanson

Last March, veterans of the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan gathered to talk about what they'd seen and done and survived. The event was called "Winter Soldier" and the soldiers' testimony is recorded in a powerful new book: "Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations," by Iraq Veterans Against the War and Aaron Glantz.

The book reveals two worlds that are little known to producers employed by the corporate media cartel, people who believe in threats from third-world nations, wars for democracy, surges, war against terrorism, trickle-down economics, and the justifiability of torture.

The first new world revealed is that of the crimes these young men and women committed, witnessed, and understood as part of the official policies they were ordered to carry out. Here are some excerpts from the statements of those who lived to tell about it:

Country Needs to Save Homes and Jobs, No More Bailouts

Washington D.C. (October 6, 2008) -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich, (D-OH), who is one of the leaders challenging the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street, said that in light of the continued decline of the stock market, the lack of meaningful protections for homeowners and the likely collapse of additional mortgage backed securities such as Alt-A loans, that Wall Street might seek additional bailout funds.

“Think about it. Congress passed a $700 billion bailout and the market is continuing to plunge! At 3 p.m., the market was down close to 700 points. Already economists and the news media indicate that the $700 billion bailout passed on Friday is not enough,” stated Kucinich.

By David Swanson

Tonight, Monday, October 6, 2008, a group of citizens in Charlottesville, Va., organized by the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice, will attend the City Council's meeting to urge the Council to take up at its November meeting a resolution opposing a U.S. attack on the nation of Iran. Some members of the Council and of the public can be expected to respond with some well-intended but confused reasons to resist taking such a step. In hopes of clarifying the issue, let me suggest briefly three things: 1.-Why the United States should not attack Iran; 2.-Why there is a serious danger that the United States will attack Iran; 3.-Why Charlottesville City Council should pass a resolution opposing such an attack.

1.-Why the United States should not attack Iran.

By David Swanson

Michael Moore's new book is called "Mike's Election Guide 2008," and it's a nice combination of the comical and the useful. The comical comes first. Chapter One consists of Mike's answers to random election-related questions, and his answers are for the most part funny, insightful, informative, and sometimes brilliant.

The background Moore provides on John McCain's fits of temper is frightening, and includes this "statement from McCain, spoken loudly and freely while riding in 2000 with the press in his Straight Talk Express: 'I hated the gooks and will continue to hate them as long as I live,'" and this one made by McCain to his wife in response to a comment from her about his hair: "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt."

Moore also provides good answers to such key questions as "Is it true Democrats drink from a sippy cup and sleep with the light on?"

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
Seeing houses used to make me smile.
And I knew if I got a loan
That I could call some house my own
And, maybe, we’d be happy for a while.

But the predatory lies and fees
Left me shaking on my knees
Locked out on the doorstep;
I couldn’t take one more step.

I can’t remember if I cried
When we first had to sleep outside,
But something touched me deep inside
The day Hank Paulson lied.

So bye-bye, oh America why?
For jobs, health, and education,
All the wells have run dry.
And friends of Henry Paulson, not a tear in their eye
Singin’, "nothing kills as good as a lie.
Now watch this old democracy die."

SPACE WEEK ACTIONS EVERYWHERE
October 4 – 12, 2008
Keep Space for Peace Week: International Week of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space

No Weapons in Space! Stop U.S. First-Strike Star Wars Deployments in Poland and Czech Republic! Convert the Military Industrial Complex! Fund Human Needs!

* Adelaide, South Australia (Sept 24) Monthly vigil on steps of Parliament House with leafleting by Women in Black and South Australian branch of WILPF cpicone@westnet.com.au

* Adelaide, South Australia (Oct 11) Presentation and discussion at local Australian Section of WILPF cpicone@westnet.com.au

* Baltimore, Maryland (Oct 3) Peace vigil by Jonah House at the new Northrop Grumman weapons production plant in Linthicum Heights (1570 W. Nursery Rd) at 11:00 am disarmnow@verizon.net or (410) 233-6238

He's coming to Virginia next. Why not set up a tour in your state too?

Vincent Bugliosi in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Prosecutor of Charles Manson
Author of Bestsellers including "Helter Skelter" and his latest:
"The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder"

WHAT: Vincent Bugliosi to Speak and Take Questions from Audience

WHEN AND WHERE:

Richmond: Monday, October 13, 2008, 7:00 p.m., The Camel, 1621 Broad Street, Richmond, 804-347-7945, www.thecamel.org

Norfolk: Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 7:30 p.m., NARO Cinema, 1507 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, 757-625-6275, www.narocinema.com

Charlottesville: Thursday, October 16, 7:00 p.m., Albemarle Co. Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, 434-961-6278, www.charlottesvillepeace.org