Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Michael Ware on the 'Hidden Iraq War'

This guy knows from firsthand experience the carnage and death that has been wrought in Iraq; Investigative journalist Michael Ware talks about the 'sectarian bloodletting' that has engulfed Bhagdad since the occupation commenced. I have seen him on CNN before a few times, and I remember him distinctly saying once that a US pullout would lead to a "Massive Slaughter" of not only the Sunni (Al-Qaeda allied) minority, but the Kurds as well. The problem seems to be that US policy in the region has been set up to favor the majority Shia, who are closely allied with Iran and carrying out a 'Proxy war' on both Sunni groups and US forces. What a mess. Listen & consider, then please write to your congressman or senator and tell them to get to solving the problem before more US Troops have to die...

Kucinich joins Congressional Black Caucus/Fox debate

Re-posted from www.kucinich.us

Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich said Sunday he would definitely participate in a September debate sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus and scheduled to be broadcast on the Fox Television Network. Kucinich said for Sens. Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Barack Obama to skip the debate simply because it was to be broadcast on Fox was a snub of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“This is particularly troublesome because the concerns of African Americans should take precedent over what network is broadcasting the debate,” Kucinich said, “There are matters relating to employment, health care, education, jobs, rebuilding our cities, environment and civil rights that all presidential candidates have an obligation to address and debate. Those candidates planning to skip this debate clearly are trying to avoid a forum where there will be hard-hitting questions from people who may not agree with them. But taking questions from all sides is part of politics, and part of being President. I'm running to be President for all people in this country.”

“America needs a President with the ability and willingness to unite people of diverse political views,” Kucinich said, “Let us never forget that the symbol of our country, the American eagle, needs two wings to fly --a left wing and a right wing. I'm prepared to reach out to all Americans. We all deserve to be heard. and we all deserve to be represented.”

“Certainly many Fox viewers are not part of the traditional Democratic base,” Kucinich said, “but they have a right to hear from the Democratic candidates and we as candidates have an obligation to reach out to them. Families who view Fox News have lost loved ones in Iraq, lost their jobs to NAFTA, and lost their homes to medical bills, just as have the viewers of other networks.”

Kucinich said the refusal of the three senators to participate in the debate raises questions about whether or not they really have the ability to be President.

“First Sens. Clinton and Edwards were tricked by George Bush into voting for the war. Then they and Sen. Obama voted most of the time to support funding the war. All three have said all options are on the table with Iran, meaning they are ready to go to war against Iran. This raises questions about their judgment, about who they are they, who they represent? African-Americans -- and Fox viewers -- have a right to know.”

“I know some people object to Fox News,” Kucinich said, “and they take issue with Fox coverage, and the way Fox covers the news. I've taken issue with Fox on many occasions, but I don't hesitate to be questioned by Fox or any of its affiliates. I've also taken issue with the New York Times -- which, after all, was largely responsible for selling the Bush war plans to the American people. But this will be a live debate. The issue here is not what questions Fox broadcasters will ask, but how the candidates for President will answer them. The issue is not what the commentators will say after the debate is over, but what we as candidates say during the debate.”

“The questions asked by the Congressional Black Caucus will be just as important, and our answers just as telling, on Fox as on any other network,” Kucinich said.

The Ohio congressman, who is an avid baseball fan, also noted that “Fox broadcasts the World Series, too, but is it any less of a World Series because it's on Fox? Ask the fans in St. Louis, or Anaheim, or Boston.”

“Lets face it, the race for the presidency is the World Series of politics, and here you have three candidates for President who are admitting that not only can they not hit right-handed pitching, they're even afraid to step up to the plate and take a swing. Well, I'm one candidate for President who can hit any pitch anyone throws at me. And I'll be taking the field in Detroit this September with the Congressional Black Caucus.”

“When the Cleveland Indians get into the World Series, and Fox broadcasts the games, I assure you I'll be there,” Kucinich said, “and when Fox broadcasts a debate sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, I'll be there, too.”