Feeling tinfoil hatty today, and just wanted to point you to an interesting and relevant historical diary:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/27/112936/440

What Steven D neglects to make mention of, because they weren't part of this particular plot, is the fact that the Walkers and the Bushes were among these ruling families at the time; Prescott Bush's support of the Nazi regime, for example, has been well documented.

And it does have relevance for today. You know, for a while, I thought Bush was mad stoopid. But as his campaign in 2000 got into gear, I realized I was mistaken. He's lazy and uncurious, and possibly dyslexic, but he's not stupid; he's quite cunning in his own way. He's certainly not so daft as to say that running America sure would be "a lot easier if this were a dictatorship, and I was dictator," without any awareness whatsoever of his family's support of and alliances with various fascists, corporatists, and military juntas throughout history.

The courage of Rony Abovitz cannot be overstated.

The shock waves that have overwhelmed CNN started with a single blogger and reverberated worldwide. I agree with Rony Abovitz that there should be no joy in watching Eason Jordan's downfall. But there is certainly great, unadulterated satisfaction in seeing the collective efforts of the blogosphere--citizens and professional journalists among them--produce the one thing the MSM has for too long escaped in its walled-off world: accountability.

Cue the Carpenters music: We've Only Just Begun.

Dear Senator Boxer,

First, I'd like to thank you for your efforts to date in the U.S. Senate to advance democracy. Your recent vote against the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General of the United States of America, in direct defiance of the current Administration's affinity for violation of human rights, was proof positive that you are not only a thoughtful and intelligent Congressperson, but a magnificent human being, as well. You make me proud to be a Californian.

As you are no doubt aware, 1995 was a banner year for upsetting news: the cowardly attack on Oklahoma City by domestic terrorists, the tragic Kansai earthquake (which I myself had the misfortune of experiencing directly), and the massive volcanic eruption on the island nation of Montserrat, which forced thousands from their homes and livelihoods.

Almost 300 hundred Montserratian refugees landed on America's shores, and were awarded temporary protected status. For the past 10 years, they've made do as best as they can, finding jobs, paying taxes, and rebuilding their lives. During their stay, they have proven themselves a tribute to their people, and deserve whatever mercy and kindness our great nation can afford.

Unfortunately, on July 6, 2004, then-Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge terminated the temporary protected status for Montserratians as of February 27, 2005, by which date they must either leave or face deportation, despite the State Department's assessment that Montserrat continues to be uninhabitable. These good people have, in virtually every case, nothing and no one to return to; their homes remain buried under tons of ash and rock. The volcano continues to vent ash and dangerous gasses, and could erupt again.

It has come to my attention that pending legislation in Congress would offer permanent residency to the Montserratians. I beg you please to back this legislation, and enlist whatever help you can from your fellow Senators in seeing it passed. The 292 Montserratians currently living among us have suffered terribly enough as it is. We must not allow the DHS to further compound their misery.

Thank you so much for your time.

Regards,

[teh l4m3]

Because it is self-evident that all men are created equal, and war costs us much more than just those unfortunate soldiers who were killed by enemy combatants.

(via Raed)