Who Lost Iraq?
A toxic mix of ideological obsession and cronyism made the Iraqi occupation a case

MOORE LIGHT, MOORE HEAT
The Progress Report
Even before 'Fahrenheit 9/11' opened at theaters, the White
House and its right-wing allies tried to smear both the
messenger and the message. But the facts support the film.
http://www.alternet.org/movies/19062/

Go see this film!

Fahrenheit 9/11 - opens nationwide 6/25

Michael Moore in Fahrenheit 9/11 The movie you weren’t supposed to see. The year’s most controversial film. The winner of Best Picture at Cannes. From one of today’s most provocative filmmakers, Michael Moore, IFC Films brings you Fahrenheit 9/11. Watch the trailer here, and get the whole story in theaters this weekend.

Watch the trailer here

Learn about Fahrenheit 9/11 here MOVIE REVIEW | 'FAHRENHEIT 9/11' Unruly Scorn Leaves Room for Restraint, but Not a Lot By A. O. SCOTT While Michael Moore's documentary about the Bush administration has been likened to an op-ed column, it might more accurately be said to resemble an editorial cartoon.

The Paper Trail
by John Prados
     National security analyst John Prados spells out exactly how Bush built his false case for war and sold it to Congress and the American people. This one you'll want to print and save for future reference.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/the_paper_trail.php

 

Gore accuses Bush, Cheney of lying about link between al-Qaida and Iraq. Al, We Love You for Standing up for the Democracy! Or Should we Say, President Gore.

Bush Was Interviewed for 70 Minutes About Plame Leak by U.S. Prosecutor. Shouldn't This be a Mainstream Media Banner Headine, Guess Not.

Cheney Utters 'F-Word' in Senate - Aides: Desecrating Our Capitol 6/25

Al Gore: Democracy Itself is in Grave Danger. Tell It Like It Is, Al! 6/25

Talking with Bill Press, "Author of Bush Must Go: The Top Ten Reasons Why George Bush Doesn't Deserve a Second Term"

A message from Gov. Howard Dean:

A year ago today, over five thousand Americans stood in Burlington, Vermont and together declared that the time had come for real change in America. Together we changed the politics in this country and moved the Democratic Party in a new direction. I will always be grateful for your participation in that process.

What is next?

I still believe that every American, regardless of party, must come together in common purpose and for the common good to save and restore all that it means to be an American.

And today I ask you to renew your commitment to our mission to unite and empower people everywhere:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/contribute

Every day I will continue to take on George W. Bush's Washington: narrow-minded ideologues, divisive policies, and the Republican principle that "if you're rich you deserve it, and if you're poor you deserve it." I will continue to fight for health care for every American, investment in our children, equal rights under the law, fiscal responsibility, and a foreign policy consistent with American values.

Our new organization, Democracy for America, will allow us to continue to fight for these important issues. But more importantly, it will support candidates at every level and rebuild a sense of community that strengthens the voice of the people.

The beginning of our movement was financed not by millionaires called 'Rangers' and 'Pioneers' but by those who call ourselves, simply, Americans. And now we are building a political organization -- not one that wields the power of lobbyists and corporate interests, but the power of millions of people who seek change:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/contribute

Too many Americans have stopped participating, stopped voting, and stopped believing that they can change America. And too many in our party have become paralyzed by fear of being criticized by determined opponents and a compliant media. But you have the power to reclaim our nation's destiny -- to bring hope back, rid Washington of the politics of money and give Americans a reason to vote again.

Today I rededicate myself to the belief that together we have the power to pass down to our children the America we were taught to believe in.

Join thousands of other Americans by making a contribution today, the one year anniversary of the day we began our quest to return high moral purpose to the United States of America:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/contribute

Together we have already done so much. And together we have the power to do so much more. Thank you.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

THE DAILY MIS-LEAD
< http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2181381&l=40607 >
===============================

BUSH MISLEADS ON SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

President Bush said at a press conference yesterday, "I think it is
very
important for people who are serving to make sure there is a separation
of
church and state."[1] The comments, however, stand in stark contrast to
new
legislation that the White House is pushing that would give religious
institutions taxpayer funding and allow religious charities to become
directly involved in political campaigns.

Just this month the President renewed his call to use government money
to
subsidize religious organizations,[2] and he has ordered various
government
agencies to establish "faith based centers"[3] within their operations.
On
Capitol Hill, the President's conservative allies tried to pass a
proposal
that would have allowed clergy to endorse candidates for political
office
without endangering the tax-exempt status of their congregations.[4]
Opponents "called it a 'back-door' attempt to help reelect President
Bush,
whose campaign is focusing on churches."

Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that the Bush
campaign "is
trying to recruit supporters from 1,600 religious congregations in
Pennsylvania - a political push that critics said Wednesday could cost
churches their tax breaks"[5] unless Congress passes the new
legislation. An
e-mail from the Bush campaign's Pennsylvania office asked churchgoers
to
"serve as a coordinator in your place of worship.'' The message also
said
the campaign planned to "undertake activities" in places "accessible to
the
congregation." The Internal Revenue Service prohibits political
campaign
activity -- for or against any candidate -- from taking place at all
organizations that receive tax-exempt status under a section of the
federal
tax code.  This prohibition includes most churches and religious
groups.

Sources:

1. Presidential Remarks, WhiteHouse.gov, 6/15/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2181381&l=40608.
2. "Bush calls for funds for church projects", Houston Chronicle,
6/1/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2181381&l=40609.
3. "Bush Setting Up Faith-Based Centers", Kxan.com, 6/1/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2181381&l=40610.
4. "House Panel Drops 'Safe Harbor for Churches' Measure", Washington
Post,
6/16/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2181381&l=40611.
5. "Bush campaign recruiting church-goers in Pennsylvania", The
Register
Guard, 6/3/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2181381&l=40612.

Show Us the Proof
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have not only brushed aside the 9/11 panel's findings, but they are also trying to rewrite history.
Cheney REALLY Challenged for First Time by 9/11 Commission: They Tell Him To Put Up or Shut Up About Saddam-Al Qaeda Connection 6/19

When Confronted with the Facts, Bush Continues to Toss Lies on the Wall, Like a Spoiled Kid with a Plate of Spaghetti. Heaven Help Us All. This Guy is a Chronic, Serial Liar, And Yet Half the Nation Considers Him a Man of Integrity. Lunacy. 6/18

In five months, you and I will vote in one of the most important elections ever for pro-choice Americans. And until November, we at NARAL Pro-Choice America will be focused on one goal: getting rid of George W. Bush and electing a pro-choice president -- John Kerry.  Are you with us? Then we've got a place for you at Bush v. Choice, the new Web site where we're pulling out all the stops to defeat the man who has one of the worst records on women's rights in history. Visit www.BushvChoice.com right now and see how you can get busy defeating George Bush. Bookmark the site so you can keep coming back for more information and new ways to make a difference throughout the campaign. It's been a long four years, and we're ready to put them behind us. Are you? Best, Elizabeth Cavendish Interim President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

Sign our Open Letter to President Bush... This November, it's Bush v. Choice.  In one corner: the most anti-choice president in history.  In the other: you, me and millions of other pro-choice Americans who are ready to fight back against his hostile takeover of our rights. Stand up and sign on:   Dear President Bush: We are pro-choice Americans, and we have a confession to make. Maybe it was disbelief that anyone would actually try -- in this day and age -- to take away the right to choose, limit birth control options, or censor sex education. Whatever it was, in the beginning we admit it – some of us made the mistake of not taking you seriously enough. No more. Because in the last four years you’ve defied all expectations and gotten quite a lot done. You're setting records as the most anti-choice president ever. You've packed the courts with anti-choice judicial activists, tried to inspect our private medical records, drastically cut funding for family planning services at home and abroad, and done your darndest to eliminate safe-sex education from our schools -- and all with enough sly PR spin to keep many Americans from noticing. Congratulations, Mr. President – for your anti-choice overachieving, you’ve gotten our attention and strengthened our resolve. Pro-Choice America has awoken to the very real threat you pose. And we’re going to fight back with all the energy and dedication that such an adversary deserves..... Finish reading the letter, and ADD YOUR NAME! Any George but THIS George! Could there be a George worse than George W? Nope. We tried to come up with one. Now you can, too. Check out our first Bush v. Choice feature here. Paid for by NARAL Pro-Choice America, www.ProChoiceAmerica.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. ©2004 NARAL Pro-Choice America. NARAL Pro-Choice America is a non-profit organization. We do not sell e-mail addresses. All rights reserved.  If you would like to unsubscribe from NARAL Pro-Choice America's Choice Action Network or update your account settings, please click here.

POWELL ADMITS SCREWUP IN FALSE TERRORISM REPORT - A State Department
report that incorrectly showed a decline last year in terrorism worldwide
was a "big mistake," Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday. "Very
embarrassing. I am not a happy camper over this. We were wrong," the
secretary told NBC's "Meet the Press."
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_4688.shtml

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN? NEW FLORIDA VOTING MACHINES HAVE RECOUNT FLAW -
Touchscreen voting machines in 11 counties have a software flaw that
could make manual recounts impossible in November's presidential
election, state officials said.
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_4681.shtml

Support Independent Media Today! Get a copy of . . .

Reason: Why Liberals Will Win the Battle for America by Robert Reich

Get Your Copy Today:
http://www.buzzflash.com/premiums/04/06/pre04019.html

BuzzFlash Recommendation

In his timely book, Robert Reich calls the forces of darkness who have taken over America "Radcons." That's because the Bush breed of "conservatives" aren't conservatives in the traditional sense at all. They are radical ideologues who are committed to a Darwinian notion of the "reign of the rich" and unbridled corporate greed. Add a slathering of Victorian moral posturing, religious zealotry, and a view of rule by the divine and powerful elites.

True democracy is an obstacle to the goals of the Radcons. While pandering to the cultural wars to attract blue collar and church-going voters, the Radcons are deeply suspicious of democracy. Who needs democracy when you can rule by divine will and Supreme Court intervention?

Liberals will win the battle for democracy, Reich argues, if they get off their duffs and fight for it. In many ways, it is a commitment to the democratic process -- and the concept of one person, one vote -- that distinguishes liberals from Radcons, who would rather follow the Neo-Confederacy precedent of suppressing votes from non "Radcons."

CONT'D >>>

The 2004 Florida Minority Voter Purge Edition of the BuzzFlash GOP Hypocrite of the Week! Jeb Bush and the Theft of the Presidential Election, Again.

Impeaching Unstable Presidents

DemocraticTalkRadio.com hosts Stephen Crockett and Al Lawrence write:
"We believe that Bush and his people will be revealed in time to be far
more sinister than Nixon. We believe this is the most corrupt
Administration in the history of the nation. And Nixon did not have the
police-state tools of the falsely named Patriot Act to use against his
political enemies list. We have joined along with other talk show hosts (Andy
Johnson, Jerry Pippin, Guy James, Meria Heller, Peter Werbe and Radio
Left) and others (Dems Online.net, ChewintheFat.com, Buzzflash.com and
folksinger Yikes McGee) in endorsing the Democrats.com impeachment
petition at http://democrats.com/impeach... Republicans would be wise to
distance themselves from Bush and his policies as quickly as possible. Bush
has begun a political meltdown that will make the Nixon collapse look
mild in comparison. Both destroyed themselves for much the same
reasons."
http://www.democratictalkradio.com/demvoices-04-impeaching-unstable-presidents.html

Dubya, You're No Gipper by David Kusnet      What do campaigns to get Reagan's face on U.S. currency and Mount Rushmore have to do with President George W. Bush? More than meets the eye, says the former Clinton speechwriter. http://www.tompaine.com/articles/dubya_youre_no_gipper.php

A Fitting Tribute to Mr. Reagan
More than ever, Nancy Reagan's voice will be a critical one in the effort to eliminate federal restrictions on stem cell research.

The Great Taxer
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Unlike his self-proclaimed successor, Ronald Reagan knew when to roll back his tax cuts.

THE BUSH-CHENEY "BIG LIE" STRATEGY - The Bush-Cheney Big Lie Strategy
is based upon the time-tested notion that political journalists still do
not understand that political TV ads have all but replaced political
speeches as the dominant form of communicating to voters -- and thus,
must be covered with the same prominence and attention to accuracy as
speeches.
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_4628.shtml

FOX News is the nemesis of an informed democracy. It provides the deceptive claim of being "fair and balanced," while at the same time being driven by a right wing political agenda that is unfair and unbalanced.

HALLIBURTON
Cheney Lied

Vice President Dick Cheney, appearing last September on Meet the Press, told a national TV audience, "I have absolutely no influence of, involvement of, knowledge of in any way, shape or form of contracts led by the [Army] Corps of Engineers or anybody else in the Federal Government." But an internal Pentagon e-mail obtained by Time magazine reveals that Cheney's office had specific influence, involvement and knowledge of a multibillion-dollar Halliburton contract. The email, sent by an Army Corps of Engineers official, said the contract was approved contingent on informing the White House, but that the Corps "anticipate no issues since the action has been coordinated with the VP's [Vice President's] office." For more Cheney denials about Halliburton that have proven false, see this American Progress report.

CHENEY STILL HAS FINANCIAL TIES TO HALLIBURTON: Cheney has also repeatedly denied any financial connection to Halliburton. On 9/14/04 Cheney said, "I've severed all my ties with the company, gotten rid of all my financial interest. I have no financial interest in Halliburton of any kind and haven't had, now, for over three years." In fact, Cheney receives more than $150,000 in deferred compensation each year from Halliburton and holds 433,000 stock options, which increase in value when the company's stock rises. Time Magazine reports that Cheney's "recently filed 2003 financial-disclosure form reveals that Halliburton last year invoked an insurance policy to indemnify Cheney for what could be steep legal bills 'arising from his service' at the company."

Paul Krugman: The Bush Cartel and Class Warfare 6/1