By David Swanson

There are a million and one things that people can do to try to end the U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and to prevent new ones in Iran and elsewhere, as well as to close U.S. military bases in dozens of other nations around the world. Certain people are skilled at or interested in particular approaches, and nobody should be discouraged from contributing to the effort in their preferred ways. Far too often proposals to work for peace are needlessly framed as attacks on all strategies except one. But where new energy can be created or existing resources redirected, it is important that they go where most likely to succeed.

Video: Glynn Wilson questions House Judiciary investigtor on Karl Rove

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Elliot Mintzberg, chief counsel for oversight investigations of the House Judiciary Committee, answered direct questions from Glynn Wilson, Editor and Publisher of The Locust Fork News-Journal, last Friday at a press conference on corruption in the U.S. justice system. He refused to give a date for former Bush political aide Karl Rove’s interview, but he insisted it would be under oath, subject to perjury and transcribed for public release, and could possibly lead to public hearings — as we reported the other day in the news feature Political Justice Under the Spotlight in Washington.

By David Swanson

The book I just read is in the running, in my estimation, for second-best text on how to undo the imperial presidency. (Can't be first, of course.) It's called "Madison's Nightmare: How Executive Power Threatens American Democracy," by Peter M. Shane, and it's much more about what the problem is than how to solve it, but the two things are not really separable, and the analysis of the problem here is invaluable.

Eric Mann will host "Voices from the Frontlines" discussion of the Obama administration's direction thus far: Change that was promised or a presidency in trouble? Guests: Bill Fletcher Jr. and David Swanson. Monday, July 6th, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. PT (7:00 to 8:00 p.m. ET). Listen live at http://KPFK.org and later to the archived audio at http://www.thestrategycenter.org/radio

By David Swanson

Do they have a fourth of July in Italy? That's not a trick question. This July 4th, Italians plan to gather in Vicenza to take nonviolent action aimed at freeing Italy from U.S. occupation and opposing the proposed construction of an enormous new U.S. military base in a town already swarming with U.S. troops stationed at existing bases. For years now, a major campaign organized by local residents has resisted the construction of the new base. The history of this campaign is chronicled in English here and here. A local referendum voted 95 percent against the base. A leader of the opposition to the base has been elected to the local government. An Italian prime minister has been temporarily thrown out of power. Local activists and members of parliament have visited Washington to oppose the base, and testified before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs on April 23, 2009. The European media has been unable to avoid the story.

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 2009
The unanimous Declaration of the fifty united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with a gang of lawless thugs and insist on the appointment of a special prosecutor to enforce the laws of the land even against those until recently holding the reins of Power, a decent respect to the opinions of humankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Prosecution.

Good news! Sen. Byron Dorgan (ND), who chairs the Democratic Policy Committee (DPC) in the Senate, wants accountability from military contractors who eagerly take taxpayer dollars and then use them to carelessly kill or sicken our troops. Read his blog post below, visit his website, and get involved!

DPC TO CONTINUE DRIVE FOR OVERSIGHT, ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN CONTRACTORS
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, Chairman, Democratic Policy Committee

The Senate Democratic Policy Committee (DPC) has launched the  “Accountability Series,” which features video on congressional efforts to ensure accountability in government.

by Glynn Wilson
For the most complete analysis in the country of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman's latest motion in federal court asking for a new trial based on the emergence of new evidence uncovered since his conviction along with his co-defendant Richard Scrushy, see the Locust Fork News-Journal. According to the court document, available at the link, and after a full reading of the motion, these are the main points. Siegelman’s lawyers are accusing the federal prosecutors of blatant misconduct, including the manipulation of testimony from key witness Nick Bailey, improper contact with jurors and failure to disclose key documents to the defense, thus denying Siegelman and Scrushy a fair trial under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

By David Swanson

Senators Dick Durbin, Russ Feingold, and Patrick Leahy have introduced a bill in the United States Senate (S. 1346) that would allow the prosecution of George W. Bush and his subordinates for the invasion of Iraq. Before concluding that the Spirit of Justice has risen from the flames, a few caveats: First, none of these senators intends the bill for this purpose, and they would all vehemently and honestly deny that they had any such thing in mind. Second, the bill still has to pass both houses and be signed into law. Third, it has to be signed without a signing statement completely altering it. Fourth, the same Department of Justice that won't prosecute torturers would have to prosecute those who attacked Baghdad. Nonetheless, the possibilities are worth considering.

Listen at http://theurbanjournal.org

By David Swanson

Former governor of Alabama and political prisoner Don Siegelman has filed a motion (PDF) for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence.

Here are the highlights:

ISSUE I. THE GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO PRODUCE EXCULPATORY AND IMPEACHING INFORMATION IN ITS POSSESSION AS TO KEY WITNESSES AND CORRECT FALSE OR MISLEADING TESTIMONY DURING TRIAL VIOLATED SIEGELMAN’S RIGHTS UNDER THE DUE PROCESS CLAUSE OF THE FIFTH AMENDMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE JENCKS ACT.

The detailed allegations here are worse than the heading sounds. Siegelman accuses the government of shaping the testimony of a key witness.

Listen here to Lila Garrett's latest show, with David Swanson and other guests. From http://www.kpfk.org

By David Swanson

We've heard of John Yoo and Alberto Gonzales, and maybe even Jay Bybee. Some of us recall John Ashcroft, Michael Mukasey, and even David Addington. William Haynes, Stephen Bradbury, and Douglas Feith occasionally make the news. If I had any say about it all 40 of these facilitators of torture would be universally known -- plus the eight more that readers of this article will call to my attention and angrily accuse me of trying to cover for by only being aware of 40. I would also make universally known the fact that two of the worst now work for President Barack Obama.