by Dee Newman
The International Commission of Jurists released yesterday the results of a three-year study of the policies adopted by the United States, Great Britain, and other nations to address terrorism after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
The Washington Post reported that Arthur Chaskalson, a member of the International Commission of Jurist and a former chief justice of South Africa at a press conference in Geneva yesterday told reporters, “We have been shocked by the damage done over the past seven years by excessive or abusive counter-terrorism measures in a wide range of countries around the world. Many governments, ignoring the lessons of history, have allowed themselves to be rushed into hasty responses to terrorism that have undermined cherished values and violated human rights.”
The entire report can be read at the Internation Commission of Jurists Website.
According to a USA Today Gallop Poll two-thirds of Americans now believe “there should be investigations into allegations that the Bush team used torture to interrogate terrorism suspects.”
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Another Good Ass-Kicking
Political Verseby Dee Newman
The Grand Old Party with help from The Press
Has fought hard to paint the stimulus bill
As a liberal orgy of excess
Spending, worse than F.D.R.’s New Deal
Which, according to them, was a hopeless
Failure. Claiming the stimulus plan will
Only cause further economic stress,
They attempted to sabotage the bill,
Calling it “generational theft.” Yes,
The same folks who managed to turn a real
Surplus into a huge deficit in less
Than six years, have the chutzpah and ill-will
To accuse the Democrats in Congress
Of “larding up” Obama’s stimulus bill
With a bunch of progressive, contentious
Pork projects, they claim, are non-essential.
Have they no shame? They created the mess!
They barrowed and spent and passed more pork filled
Legislation than any other Congress.
And now, they have the gall to squeal
Indignantly about the stimulus
Package and its content. That wheel and deal
Mentality of theirs that desires less
Stimulus spending and more failed fiscal
Policies of the Bush years is a callous,
Fist-clenched attempt to obstruct real
Significant economic progress,
For they know, if Obama succeeds, they’ll
Lose, and they will, once again, be licking
Their wounds after another good ass-kicking.
Friday, February 13, 2009
It is Now the People's Time
by Jonathan Kasper
First, I would like to thank you, Dee Newman, for your clear-minded, compassionate, and thought-provoking political commentary. There can never be too many intellectually honest bloggers like you who truly care about all of America, not just the "patriotic parts". I'm glad you're here and I hope to be along with you as a regular reader and participant for many years to come.
We all have to be actively involved in today’s politics if our country is to survive as a democracy. The era of cynicism and negativity is over. It's only a new, bold age of change and initiative that will turn things around. No longer can America afford to remain a country primarily for the rich and connected. Elitism of all stripes must be tempered, and all Americans must be brought into the political mainstream in order to widen our circle of compassion and hope.
President Obama's stimulus package isn't so much about wealthy special interests, but about helping the core working classes of America sustain their standard of living. The stimulus sends a clear message to the naysayers that America respects and honors those who work and produce for the good of our economy, but who have in recent years been mostly forgotten; the police forces, firefighters, teachers, the unemployed, poor and veterans who have seen there lives drastically and negatively impacted by the economic downturn, and who have stood up to say, it's our turn to be given a chance to continue to contribute for the betterment of our communities and nation.
Serious times call for serious and innovative action, and it seems to me that Barack Obama and all those who support him recognize the urgency of a direct infusion of cash into our terribly ailing economy. Those who believe that only market-driven solutions and tax cuts for the affluent will work need to study history more closely; since the days of America’s founding, government has collaborated with private interests to energize various sectors of our economy during economic depressions, war, as well as during times of prosperity. Examples abound, including during the 19th century: the construction of numerous infrastructure projects including the Erie Canal and the transcontinental railroad and the opening of the West, as well as the Homestead Act, and the Civil War, and during the 20th century: World War I, the New Deal, the Marshall Plan, the War on Poverty to name a few.
This is the dawn of the Age of Obama, and the hard right must finally bend if they don’t want to break. We are the only advanced, industrialized nation in the world that has such a large and powerful hard right that has done more to keep America behind the times in so far as progressive social policies are concerned. They’re time is up, and it is now the people’s time to move this country forward.
First, I would like to thank you, Dee Newman, for your clear-minded, compassionate, and thought-provoking political commentary. There can never be too many intellectually honest bloggers like you who truly care about all of America, not just the "patriotic parts". I'm glad you're here and I hope to be along with you as a regular reader and participant for many years to come.
We all have to be actively involved in today’s politics if our country is to survive as a democracy. The era of cynicism and negativity is over. It's only a new, bold age of change and initiative that will turn things around. No longer can America afford to remain a country primarily for the rich and connected. Elitism of all stripes must be tempered, and all Americans must be brought into the political mainstream in order to widen our circle of compassion and hope.
President Obama's stimulus package isn't so much about wealthy special interests, but about helping the core working classes of America sustain their standard of living. The stimulus sends a clear message to the naysayers that America respects and honors those who work and produce for the good of our economy, but who have in recent years been mostly forgotten; the police forces, firefighters, teachers, the unemployed, poor and veterans who have seen there lives drastically and negatively impacted by the economic downturn, and who have stood up to say, it's our turn to be given a chance to continue to contribute for the betterment of our communities and nation.
Serious times call for serious and innovative action, and it seems to me that Barack Obama and all those who support him recognize the urgency of a direct infusion of cash into our terribly ailing economy. Those who believe that only market-driven solutions and tax cuts for the affluent will work need to study history more closely; since the days of America’s founding, government has collaborated with private interests to energize various sectors of our economy during economic depressions, war, as well as during times of prosperity. Examples abound, including during the 19th century: the construction of numerous infrastructure projects including the Erie Canal and the transcontinental railroad and the opening of the West, as well as the Homestead Act, and the Civil War, and during the 20th century: World War I, the New Deal, the Marshall Plan, the War on Poverty to name a few.
This is the dawn of the Age of Obama, and the hard right must finally bend if they don’t want to break. We are the only advanced, industrialized nation in the world that has such a large and powerful hard right that has done more to keep America behind the times in so far as progressive social policies are concerned. They’re time is up, and it is now the people’s time to move this country forward.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Remembering Blossom Dearie
Forever beneath
My reflection whispering
Insinuations
Performing in 2004 at Danny’s Skylight Room, her regular spot for years.
Photo by Rahav Segev for The New York Times
See New York Times Tribute
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Conservative Misinformation
by Dee Newman
Conservative misinformation about the President's economic stimulus and recovery plan is dominating media coverage.
Rush Limbaugh is leading the conservative attack. He has said he does not want the President’s plan to succeed. Congressional republicans are following his lead.
Their opposition to the legislation is based on the belief that they have nothing to lose by opposing it, thus, their determination to weaken the bill.
They would have you believe that the bill will do nothing to stimulate the economy and that it is too large and should be cut in half.
They still believe that the only way to stimulate the economy is cutting taxes for the filthy-rich – “trickle-down economics.”
In truth, those parts of the bill that republicans have singled out for criticism amount to only a tiny fraction of the plan.
The President’s stimulus and economic recovery plan, if enacted, will create or save 3 to 4 million jobs in the next two years.
It will double funding for the Department of Education and prevent hundreds of thousands of teacher layoffs.
It will create a half million green jobs and more than double clean energy production in the United States.
It will immediately help the unemployed obtain affordable health insurance.
If the plan does not pass, all of us are in deep trouble. Last week alone, 100,000 people lost their jobs in the United States.
Even John McCain's economic adviser estimates that without the stimulus, unemployment will be over 11 percent within a year, the highest level since the Great Depression.
Many economists have argued that though the plan should be larger, it is still a good down payment and it should to be passed.
Nearly 200 economists, both conservative and liberal, recently wrote to Congress, saying: "We do not have the luxury of a lengthy debate over the best course of action. This legislation may not be enough to solve all the economy's problems, but it is urgently needed and an important step in the right direction."
Conservative misinformation about the President's economic stimulus and recovery plan is dominating media coverage.
Rush Limbaugh is leading the conservative attack. He has said he does not want the President’s plan to succeed. Congressional republicans are following his lead.
Their opposition to the legislation is based on the belief that they have nothing to lose by opposing it, thus, their determination to weaken the bill.
They would have you believe that the bill will do nothing to stimulate the economy and that it is too large and should be cut in half.
They still believe that the only way to stimulate the economy is cutting taxes for the filthy-rich – “trickle-down economics.”
In truth, those parts of the bill that republicans have singled out for criticism amount to only a tiny fraction of the plan.
The President’s stimulus and economic recovery plan, if enacted, will create or save 3 to 4 million jobs in the next two years.
It will double funding for the Department of Education and prevent hundreds of thousands of teacher layoffs.
It will create a half million green jobs and more than double clean energy production in the United States.
It will immediately help the unemployed obtain affordable health insurance.
If the plan does not pass, all of us are in deep trouble. Last week alone, 100,000 people lost their jobs in the United States.
Even John McCain's economic adviser estimates that without the stimulus, unemployment will be over 11 percent within a year, the highest level since the Great Depression.
Many economists have argued that though the plan should be larger, it is still a good down payment and it should to be passed.
Nearly 200 economists, both conservative and liberal, recently wrote to Congress, saying: "We do not have the luxury of a lengthy debate over the best course of action. This legislation may not be enough to solve all the economy's problems, but it is urgently needed and an important step in the right direction."
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
When Justice Isn't Blind
Political Verse
by Dee Newman
From “sources close to the investigation”
The Press published the lurid allegation.
With his reputation maligned
Spitzer apologized and resigned,
Sparking a victorious celebration
From the Bush and Cheney administration.
Though the shocking details were nearly the same,
Senator Vitter did not have his “good name”
Leak to the Press with purpose
By the Department of Justice,
Nor did he suffer the ridicule and shame
Of losing his Senate seat, honor and fame.
In order to remain impartial and fair
The Justice Department must always wear
The blindfold of indifference.
When one’s political preference
For a party is permitted to impair
And influence the scales of Justice – beware!
by Dee Newman
From “sources close to the investigation”
The Press published the lurid allegation.
With his reputation maligned
Spitzer apologized and resigned,
Sparking a victorious celebration
From the Bush and Cheney administration.
Though the shocking details were nearly the same,
Senator Vitter did not have his “good name”
Leak to the Press with purpose
By the Department of Justice,
Nor did he suffer the ridicule and shame
Of losing his Senate seat, honor and fame.
In order to remain impartial and fair
The Justice Department must always wear
The blindfold of indifference.
When one’s political preference
For a party is permitted to impair
And influence the scales of Justice – beware!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A Clarion Call For Transparency
Below is a letter from Amnesty International USA, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union written to President Obama, seeking complete access to the U.S. Detention Center at Guantánamo Bay.
Dear President Obama,
As heads of four prominent civil liberties and human rights organizations, we greatly appreciate your decisive action in restoring U.S. commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights by issuing executive orders to close Guantánamo, suspend the military commissions, prohibit CIA prisons, and enforce the ban on torture. We eagerly await your continued actions to renew American justice.
Today, we write to request full access to the Guantanamo Bay detention camps so that we may independently review and report on the conditions of confinement there and make concrete recommendations for change. In August 2004, our four organizations were granted observer status to observe the military commissions, but for years the Bush administration has denied our organizations' repeated requests for full access to the detention camps. We have only been offered the VIP tour to observe a model Guantanamo detention camp, which was far from adequate access.
Section 6 of your January 22, 2009 executive order, "Review and Disposition of Individuals Detained at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Closure of Detention Facilities," addresses the issue of conditions of confinement and orders Secretary of Defense Gates to "immediately undertake a review of the conditions of detention at Guantanamo to ensure full compliance with [Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions]."
Our presence can assist this effort. We will provide an outside assessment of current conditions and, as improvements are made, credibly, independently, and publicly report them to the world. Such access and reporting would further the objectives of the current Department of Defense (DoD) review and amplify the international benefits of improving conditions at the camps. Our presence itself will be welcomed as another break from the prior administration's policies on detainees, and set an example of transparency that will help advance human rights worldwide.
We ask you to reconsider our organizations' request for full access to the Guantanamo Bay detention camps and honor it in light of the current DoD review. According to your executive order, the DoD review "shall be completed within 30 days and any necessary corrections shall be implemented immediately thereafter." We ask that, if granted full access, our independent review should take place within the next few weeks, to allow time for us to finalize our report and recommendations before the completion of the DoD's review.
The Bush administration's past policy of secrecy regarding detention conditions at Guantanamo makes it critically important for your administration to open Guantanamo to independent review as part of a new government policy of transparency. Full and independent review of conditions of confinement by human rights organizations is urgently needed because of the secrecy regarding detention conditions at Guantanamo Bay as a whole. The ACLU and other organizations continue to struggle for production of materials requested pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding Guantanamo Bay. The Bush administration denied full access to several UN independent human rights experts who insisted on confidential interviews with the detainees as dictated by UN protocol for such visits.1
While the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has had access to Guantanamo detainees, its access has been restricted in the past and the extent of its current access is unclear to us. A leaked version of the Camp Delta Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) from March 2003 revealed that the ICRC was denied access to various groups of detainees at the camp, and a leaked version of the SOP manual from 2004 revealed continued restrictions on ICRC access.
Regardless of the ICRC's present level of access, its role is distinct from that of our organizations. While the ICRC plays an important role in visiting prisoners under the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC maintains full confidentiality in order to preserve the exclusively humanitarian nature of its work. The role of our human rights organizations in reviewing and reporting on conditions at Guantanamo would be distinct and equally important.
Granting human rights organizations full and unfettered access to a detention facility where torture and abuse have occurred will send a powerful message to the world regarding your administration's commitment to transparency and openness, consistent with your January 21, 2009 FOIA directive, which noted, "A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency." Opening Guantanamo to full review by human rights organizations would help to restore American legitimacy and standing in the world, and place pressure on other governments to open their detention centers for independent inspections.
Furthermore, independent review of conditions of confinement by human rights organizations will assist your administration in revising its policies and improving detention conditions in the camps. If granted full access, our independent human rights delegation would include experts on detention conditions and medical professionals, and would offer your administration concrete recommendations on how to improve conditions of confinement in order to comply with relevant national and international standards and guidelines on persons in detention.
We hope that you will act quickly on this matter in the interest of transparency and the protection of human rights.
Sincerely,
Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union
Larry Cox, Executive Director, Amnesty International USA
Elisa Massimino, Executive Director, Human Rights First
Kenneth Roth, Executive Director, Human Rights Watch
Let us all encourage President Obama to agree to this clarion call for transparency.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
