To jobless, White House is Scrooge November 30, 2002 By MARIANNE MEANS WASHINGTON -- President Bush displayed no interest in having Congress, before it adjourned, extend unemployment benefits for more than 800,000 jobless workers whose essential federal lifeline will expire right after Christmas. And a Happy New Year to you, too, Master of the Universe. The White House and the incoming Republican-controlled Congress are gleefully making plans for many more tax giveaways to benefit rich individuals, and lavish loopholes to benefit corporations. But the victims of a wave of corporate collapses and employee downsizing in the shaky economy were stiffed by the GOP-controlled House of Representatives and the White House. The president ignored Democratic pleas to lean on his party's House leaders. The Republicans, flaunting their new political power, are practicing the Marie Antoinette school of economics. If the people are starving because they cannot pay the price of bread, let them eat cake. Concern for the unemployed did not regularly come up during the fall election campaign, when the GOP message was mostly upbeat about the economy and about preserving national security and fighting terrorism. Democrats, for their part, talked primarily about other domestic social policies, such as approving prescription-drug coverage and buttressing Medicare. Deserting the unemployed was easy because Congress was in a rush last week to leave town for the holidays, and the House in particular was in a triumphant, self-centered, selfish mood. The best that can be said for the president is that he was distracted by global issues. The way to get his attention, after all, is to contribute big sums to GOP causes and campaigns, and the unpaid jobless workers are not likely to have extra cash to donate. seattlepi.nwsource.co

LaRouche vs. the Sept.11 Coup and Clash of the Civilizations November 30, 2002 From the Citizen's Electoral Council's publication the: New Citizen February 2002 President "Bush's decision to bomb Afghanistan - instead of rooting out the problem within the U.S. military command structure : The World is presently gripped by the biggest, most deep-going, most deadly financial and monetary crisis since Europe of the middle to late 14th Century. We are in a period in which economic and related circumstances have made the idea of regular modern warfare a sick joke, in which regional and other 'little wars' terrorism, political assassinations, and other forms of destabilizations, are leading items on the agendas of many of the strategic planners. The financial and monetary crisis in its present advanced stage, drives desperate political forces, to the brink - desperate political forces who would rather drive civilization itself to the brink than tolerate the changes in financial and monetary institutions which the present crisis situation demands." He hammered home the reality that:

1. The operation could only have been run from inside the highest command of the U.S. military itself;
2. that its purpose was to initiate a "Global Clash of Civilizations" in the context of the ongoing world financial crash and:
3. that the Israeli Defense Forces directed Sharon government of Israel, was the key detonator of that clash of civilizations, beginning with its genocidal assault on the Palestinians. nex.net.au

"We were the first ones in the second tower after the plane struck. I was taking firefighters up in the elevator to the 24th floor to get in position to evacuate workers. On the last trip up a bomb went off. November 30, 2002 We think there was bombs set in the building. I had just asked another firefighter to stay with me, which was a good thing because we were trapped inside the elevator and he had the tools to get out." --Louie Cacchioli, 51, is a firefighter assigned to Engine 47 in Harlem ratical.org

Amnesty says two Chinese Internet users were executed US firms "colluding" in State clamp down claim November 30, 2002 By Mike Magee: Tuesday 26 November 2002, 19:05 HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION Amnesty International issued a warning today on its Web site that Internet users in mainland China could be killed by the State for expressing their opinion online. Thirty three people were named as "prisoners of conscience" today, for apparently doing little more than expressing their opinions online. Two "subversives" have already died in custody, it claimed. And the statement, which it released today, also warns that overseas companies were colluding in a crack down we first reported last August. The full report is here. One paragraph states: "Foreign companies, including Websense and Sun Microsystems, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks, Microsoft have reportedly provided important technology which helps the Chinese authorities censor the Internet. theinquirer.net

Disgraced Admiral Now a Super Spy November 30, 2002 by Joe Conason Those compassionate conservatives in the Bush White House feel quite strongly that a convicted felon deserves a second chance (unless, of course, he or she is unlucky enough to be executed). How else would they explain their decision to hire Iran-contra mastermind John Poindexter? They have employed him not as a clerk or a chauffeur—positions for which the retired admiral and Navy physicist would be overqualified—but to oversee one of the government’s most sensitive departments. Rehabilitation should be society’s hope for every nonviolent offender—even if, as in Dr. Poindexter’s case, said offender escaped a deserved jail sentence thanks to a technicality. (He had lied to Congress and shredded official documents to conceal the Reagan administration’s conspiracy to trade arms for hostages and then use the dirty money for covert operations.) We now know that under the ethical code of the Bush loyalists, lying can be permissible, even admirable, but only if the lies protect a politician from accountability for activities like dealing with a terrorist regime. Lying about the oral endearments of a lovestruck intern would obviously be dishonorable. As Ari Fleischer explained in his blandly sinister style last February, "Admiral Poindexter is somebody who this administration thinks is an outstanding American, an outstanding citizen, who has done a very good job in what he has done for our country, serving the military." observer.com

A Triumphant Call To Arms The Apocalyptic Agenda Of The Neo-Conservatives November 30, 2002 Ahmad Faruqui is an economist and a fellow at the American Institute of International Studies in California. He is author of Rethinking the National Security of Pakistan, to be published later this year by Ashgate Publishing in the UK.Neo-conservative writers have become increasingly vocal about an apocalyptic conflict involving the United States and Muslim world. Start with Norman Podhoretz, the former longtime editor of Commentary and now a Hudson Institute fellow. Podhoretz calls for en masse regime change in the Middle East, beginning with Iraq and Iran from the original "axis of evil" list, and extending it to Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, the Palestinian National Authority, Saudi Arabia and Syria. He wants the United States to unilaterally overthrow these regimes and replace them with democracies cast in the Jeffersonian mold. What neo-cons seek is not just a political transformation of the Muslim Middle East. Their end game, as Podhoretz says in Commentary, is to bring about "the long-overdue internal reform and modernization of Islam." Rather than being dismissed as fringe thinking, these pronouncements frame the hard-right boundary for debates in conservative political circles. tompaine.com

A year after the fall of Kabul Afghanistan mired in poverty, insecurity and despotic rule 30 November 2002 By Peter Symonds It is a year since the US drove the Taliban regime from power and installed Hamid Karzai as head of an interim administration. The whole process was sanctified at a UN conference of handpicked Afghan “representatives” convened in late November at the Petersberg Castle, a luxury hotel outside the German city of Bonn. There was no shortage of high-blown rhetoric at the time, proclaiming a new period of peace, prosperity and democracy in Afghanistan. Twelve months later, the promises have proven to be worthless. The economy is in tatters. Much of the international financial aid that was pledged has never materialised. Millions of Afghans live in dire circumstances, lacking adequate food, clean water, clothing, shelter and electricity, let alone access to proper schools and medical services. Most of the country is divided into a patchwork of fiefdoms controlled by competing warlords, militia commanders and tribal chieftains, each intent on expanding their own wealth and power at the expense of their rivals and the vast majority of the population. wsws.org

Kissinger, the latest Nazi to join the Bush regime gave secret green light to the slaughter of 200,000 newly-free Timorese November 29, 2002 - A Death Count Higher (Percentagewise) than the Nazi Holocaust In December of 1975, Henry Kissinger and Gerald Ford met with ruthless Indonesian dictator Suharto. The next day, their plane had barely cleared Indonesian airspace before Suharto ordered the invasion of East Timor, a nation that had just won its right to be an independent democratic state. In the ensuing slaughter, a higher percentage of the nation's civilians were killed than in Germany's holocaust. When the National Security Archives on the events were released, even with big sections blacked out, the Kissinger-Ford-Suharto memos reveal the collusion between these self-interested monsters (Kissinger's gold mine is in an area abutting East Timor - can't have democracy spreading to your feudal kingdom, can you?) icai-online.org

Henry's revenge November 29, 2002 This man is regarded by many outside the US as a war criminal. There are countries he can't travel to for fear of arrest. Why has George Bush just given him a major job? Julian Borger on the Phoenix-like rise of Henry Kissinger The vastly different reactions on each side of the Atlantic to Henry Kissinger's return to the political centre stage says a lot about the constantly widening gap in political perceptions between the US and Europe. Those Europeans who were aware that the old cold warrior was still alive could be forgiven for assuming he was in a cell somewhere awaiting war crimes charges, or living the life of a fugitive, never sleeping in the same bed twice lest human rights investigators track him down. guardian.co.uk

Bush giving loggers and polluters free rein, say greens 29 November 2002 By Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles New moves by the Bush administration to lift regulations on logging companies and big industrial polluters have been denounced by environmentalists, who say an unprecedented assault is being made on 30 years of legislation protecting America's forests, water, air and seashores. Two low-key announcements in the past week, appar-ently timed to minimise media coverage, have removed environment-friendly provisions from the Clean Air Act and from rules governing the management of specially designated national forests. The White House has also given tacit approval to the incursion of oil prospectors and mining companies in a number of national parks. Oil and gas drilling has already started in one previously protected area, the Padre Island National Seashore in south-west Texas, and is likely to be approved soon in other parks in Ohio, Texas and Louisiana. independent.co.uk

Bush picks Kissinger to head official probe: new stage in the September 11 coverup 28 November 2002 By the Editorial Board The nomination of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to head the official US commission into the September 11 terrorist attacks guarantees that the inquiry will be a whitewash, not an independent investigation. Bush’s selection of Kissinger is a statement of the administration’s contempt for the public and its implacable opposition to any serious investigation into the most deadly terrorist attack in the nation’s history. wsws.org

Bush has said he "likes Mexico and he likes the way things are done down there." Over 300 brutal murders of young women and girls right on our boarder and not a clue as to who did it. Yes, we should have such a system of justice here... Why just imagine the things one could hide.

Mexico's Women March for Justice November 27, 2002--More than 1,000 women marched through Mexico City on Monday evening to demand that those responsible for killing hundreds of women in the border town of Ciudad Juarez be brought to justice. More than 300 young girls and women have been killed in the town since 1993. The "Women in Black" procession was held to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The marchers, dressed in black and holding candles, were joined by families and friends of the victims as well as politicians and celebrities. The march aimed to symbolise the lost souls of the victims, wandering in search of justice and leaving a trail of blood behind them. thepeoplesvoice.org

Bush plans to boost logging in NW November 27, 2002 By Craig Welch The Bush administration wants to rewrite logging rules for Northwest forests to allow for short-term damage to salmon-bearing streams, claiming forest managers still could protect the overall health of watersheds. The stream and fish rules, created by the Clinton administration, were the foundation for a series of high-profile environmental lawsuits that have tied up hundreds of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) timber sales since 1999. The agencies' proposed rule change will go through a nine-month review process, but both supporters and opponents expect the proposal to wind up in court. seattletimes.nwsource.com

Spokesman sidesteps abortion query November 27, 2002 By Les Kinsolving Fleischer won't state Bush position on repealing Roe v. Wade
WND's first question to presidential press secretary Ari Fleischer at today's news briefing was about the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade:

WND: Ari, The Washington Post has recently reported that the president is opposed to partial-birth abortion, and in the same article it noted "many anti-abortion activists believe there are two key preliminary steps to overturning Roe v. Wade – establish that a fetus is a human being, and get more conservative judges appointed, particularly to the Supreme Court." And my question is, does the president support repeal of Roe v. Wade because he believes a fertilized egg is a human being and a citizen?

FLEISCHER: The president believes we need to welcome a culture of life into America that respects life and honors life. And on the two specific issues I want to point out that on both – you mentioned one specific, partial-birth abortion, as well as another issue that involved penalties for killing pregnant women. Both those measures passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. And the president supports that, as well.

WND: But does he support a repeal of Roe v. Wade?

FLEISCHER: The president believes we need to welcome a culture that – create a culture that welcomes life.

AP REPORTER: What about Roe?

FLEISCHER: I'm sorry?

AP REPORTER: What about Roe?

FLEISCHER: The president is pro-life, and that is his position, and it goes back to the campaign.

WorldNetDaily then turned to the issue of amnesty for illegal aliens:

WND: Page 1 of The Washington Times reports our new ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza, announcing in Mexico City that the Bush administration wants to give amnesty to thousands of illegal Mexican aliens who are now in the United States. And my question is, why does the president so encourage law-breaking by Mexicans – and Haitians, who have not received such amnesty that I'm aware of – as well as some of the 9-11 terrorists? And wouldn't it be a good idea to recruit, train and deputize the Citizens Border Patrol Militia of Arizona, the American Border Patrol of California, and the Texas Ranch Rescue? (Laughter.) There's three of them out there, Ari. And they still come across the border by the thousands.

FLEISCHER: OK, I think I have your question, Mr. Kinsolving. One, I don't think you've accurately characterized what Mr. Garza has said. But in terms of –

WND: I was just quoting.

FLEISCHER: But in terms of what the president has said, the president believes that immigrants enrich our culture and make America a better and stronger country.

WND: Illegal?

FLEISCHER: And he wants to make certain that immigration is done the right way, that it is done legally. And we look forward to continuing to work with Mexico on this important topic. worldnetdaily.com

Man Who Threatened Bush: (To Get 5 Years In Prison) November 27, 2002 By CARSON WALKER SIOUX FALLS -- A Portland, Ore., man who threatened President Bush told a federal judge Monday that South Dakota's drought will worsen if he doesn't get credit for mistakes in his criminal record. Richard Humphreys also told U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol that if he shows mercy in sentencing, God will show mercy to him. Humphreys, wearing a prison uniform and a scruffy beard, was scheduled to be sentenced Monday for remarking about a ŒŒburning Bush'' during the president's March 2001 trip to Sioux Falls. But after a two-hour hearing, Humphreys' lawyer was given until next week to argue why his client should get less time in prison and not more. Sentencing now is scheduled for Dec. 6. Humphreys could get up to five years in prison. He was arrested in Sioux Falls and indicted for threatening to kill or harm the president. pressanddakotan.com

Sept. 11 Families Spend Thanksgiving At White House; Demand End To War; November 27, 2002 -- Civilian Victims in Afghanistan, Iraq Remembered on Thanksgiving, Family members of September 11 victims from the Pentagon, World Trade Center and Flight 93 will spend their Thanksgiving holiday in front of the White House, demanding an end to war as a response to their personal and national tragedies. They will also recognize the continuing crisis facing Afghan families affected by the U.S.-led bombing campaign, as well as the countless Iraqi civilians who will die from the proposed military strikes against their country. Peaceful Tomorrows' Ryan Amundson, who lost his brother Craig at the Pentagon, said, "This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the compassion shown to my family, both from friends as well as strangers, following the death of my brother. I feel the best way to show my gratitude is to extend this compassion to victims' families in Afghanistan who have also suffered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks." The organization has also announced its opposition to planned military action in Iraq. "The Bush administration has repeatedly linked Iraq to the crimes of September 11, even though no link has been proven," said Peaceful Tomorrows' David Potorti, who lost his brother Jim at the World Trade Center. " We ask the administration to stop using the deaths of our family members as a reason to kill other innocent civilians already suffering under the regime of Saddam Hussein. As we gather this holiday to give thanks, let us behave like a great nation and choose a more practical and effective path." Members of Peaceful Tomorrows traveled to Afghanistan to meet with their civilian counterparts in January and June of 2002, and have lobbied Congress for the creation of an Afghan Victims Fund. In conjunction with Global Exchange, the group published "Afghan Portraits of Grief," a report on 824 civilian casualties, which is available at http://www.peacefultomorrows.org. / usnewswire.com

Another imperial presidency November 26, 2002 EVEN BEFORE Sept. 11, President George W. Bush had a strong preference for secrecy over openness. Since then, the inclination has deepened into a near obsession, making his administration the most secretive since the "imperial" presidency of Richard M. Nixon. Consider these developments: The new Homeland Security bill adds a broad exemption to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Attorney General John D. Ashcroft has refused to release the names of 1,200 immigrants locked up after Sept. 11. The White House has risked contempt of court by refusing to turn over records of Vice President Dick Cheney's energy task force. And Mr. Bush invoked executive privilege to block the release of papers from past presidencies. stltoday.com

Terrorism: Fascism's best, most loyal, helpmate in ending democracy November 26, 2002 By Tina Staik — Can a nation with a history of home grown terrorism, used even to "influence" elections, claim to be "pro-democracy"? No! Racism in the United States, like no other industrial nation, is rampant, and the "pro-democracy" mantle appears to be a mere strategic cover. The crime of 9/11, however, exposed our international policy to many who had not before seen it clearly for what it is: imperialism. And, another big piece of the mask fell off in the 2002 elections. onlinejournal.com

Fox News chief doubled as political adviser to Bush 25 November 2002 By David Walsh The revelation that Fox News Channel Chairman Roger Ailes sent a secret memo offering political advice to George W. Bush after last year’s terrorist attacks illustrates one of the fundamental facts of American political life: the utterly dishonest and politically incestuous relationship between the mass media and the government. wsws.org