Good evening. Let's start off with news from Democracy Now!
Non-Violent Anti-War Activists Face Conspiracy Charges
Here in this country, Four anti-war activists go on trial today in Binghamton New York on federal conspiracy charges for taking part in a non-violent act of civil disobedience protesting the Iraq war. The activists - known as the Saint Patrick's Day Four - face up to six years in prison, a period of probation and $275,000 in fines. It marks the first federal conspiracy trial of antiwar protesters since the Vietnam War. On March 17, 2003, two days before the Iraq invasion, Daniel Burns, Clare Grady, Teresa Grady and Peter De Mott, were arrested inside the Army recruiting station in Lansing New York after they had poured vials of blood on the walls, windows and American flags. They were originally charged in state court with criminal mischief but the judge declared a hung jury after 9 of the 12 jurors voted for acquittal. The federal government then upped the charges to conspiracy to impede an officer of the United States "by force, intimidation and threat" as well as three lesser charges. Law Professor Bill Quigley, who is advising the four protesters, said there is concern that this case will set a precedent for nonviolent protesters across the country to be charged with federal conspiracy. To coincide with the trial, activists in Binghamton are staging A Citizens' Tribunal on Iraq.
U.S. Death Toll in Iraq Tops 1900
Meanwhile the U.S. death toll since the invasion has now topped 1,900
Check out Elaine's site but I told her not to worry about writing on anything she put up from Democracy Now!
I really think I was being pushy. She didn't think so and told me I was being silly but I bet she has to wonder sometimes, "Why is this guy calling me and asking, 'What two stories do you want to do?'"
So here's what I think about the above. I think the 1900 should have been on the front page of every newspaper. The other story on the front page should have been about the trial. All those "This is about freedom!" types should be forced to look at what happens when people excercise their freedoms and are found innocent by a jury of their peers -- the government just decides to try them in a different court. It's digusting.
I am still trying to get permission from my girlfriend Nina to put her poem about my balls up here. Hopefully, she'll agree and stick with it. (She told me yes last week but got shy Sunday.)
Who's not shy?
Robert who e-mails that Zogby is full of it and "jerking off" with their "nonsense." Where are the questions on Hurrican Katrina is what Robert wants to know.
"It's not like," he writes, "you can't find polls about it online. For ever and a day since the first of September so how come Zogby can't ask the question everyone else can?"
Laura wonders if this was a "real poll or something some company asked them to poll on. What's with the Wal-Mart question? Are they asking that on every poll?"
Barry shares my buddy Tone's feelings, they both don't trust polls.
Barry writes, "Even if they did get everyone they called to take part, that's still no guarantee that the people are telling the truth."
That's some of the e-mails that came in.
How's everyone holding up in the heat? I keep waiting for a cold spell to come through and stay. It's almost the end of the month but it doesn't feel like fall is about to start.
I'm going to call it a post because I'm burning up. Hope everyone else is cool and happy.
