November 18, 2004

Balance of Power: Political Power
by Sunni Maravillosa

Now that the 2004 election is mostly over, it's a good time to take up my examination of power again, and address the concept of political power. Just as is the case with "power", "politics" has some negative connotations. It's also a concept muddled with confusing, sometimes contradictory meanings -- see the varied meanings of the terms "politic", "politics", and "political" (and, for extra irony, check out "police" for its etymology) in your dictionary. To be clear, I am focusing on "a concern with government" -- the first definition in my Webster's dictionary for "political".

Many people seem to think that elections are a manifestation of individuals' aggregate political power. Voting gives individuals a say in the government they live under. Electoral political power, in this view, is the primary vehicle by which individuals wield political power over the politicians they elect, and the legislative process the politicians then undertake. The clamor for elections in countries ruled by tyrannical leaders is a compelling demonstration of the enduring strength of these beliefs. The disappointment when elections are found -- or simply suspected -- to be tampered with reflects individuals' desires to exercise greater control over their lives. Thus, the outcries of Venezuelans or protests by Belarussians -- or even Americans' suspicions -- aren't surprising. They wuz robbed! Except that Ken Livingstone's famous quotation -- If voting changed anything, they'd abolish it -- is spot on. (Read the rest here)

Want Some Candy…Oops “ A Free Back Pack” Little Boy?
By Denise Bensusan

My neighbor’s son, who is 16 years old and is in the 11th grade, received a gorgeous, professionally done direct recruitment solicitation from the Marine Corps yesterday. We believe that this young man's name, address and phone number were released by his high school in response to the requirements of President Bush's "No Child Left Behind Act" (NCLBA). There is a provision within this act that requires public secondary schools to release private directory information (name, address, phone number etc.) to military recruiters or lose ALL federal funding.

The complexity and length of the NCLBA was deliberate on its creator’s part. The Bush Administration knew that if they bogged down an already burdened public school system with piles of required paperwork, and then directly threatened their federal funding, that complete and thorough directory lists would be supplied to them with little conflict. (Read the rest here)

Where Is His Mind?
By Nathan A. Barton © 2004

Congressman John Hostettler (who does NOT look like his more famous near-namesake on Hogan's Heroes, despite my mental image of him) is, by today's standards, a "successful congressman" - he brings home the bacon: the pork, the hams, the hocks, and even the chittlings. His hobby (like Tom Tancredo's hobby of illegal immigration) is extending an Interstate Highway from the shores Lake Michigan to the shores of the Rio Grande in Texas, and on to Monterrey. Besides reducing the travel time for drug importers to deliver their wares to Chicago and other Rust Belt cities, Congressman John sees it as the way to speed all those Bush guest workers from Mexico to factories in Gary and Indianapolis and elsewhere, and haul their products south to the booming markets of northern Mexico. And, of course, provide lots of jobs for the Heavy Highway Construction Chapter of the Indiana Contractors Association.

Unfortunately, Mr. Hostettler has gotten distracted from his fine work on behalf of 8th District. He is wasting his time introducing legislation to protect himself and the parents of Indiana (and the entire US) from teenage innuendo about the risqué name of the highway being extended: I-69. He says he's tired of getting snickers about his "I-69" lapel pin, and "it is the moral thing to do" to change the name. (Read the rest here)

Free Advice for Democrats
by Bob Wallace

I am not a fan of either the Republican or Democratic parties, so I find it a little amusing to see the latter self-destructing. Still, I will offer them some free advice on how to start winning Presidential and Congressional elections again. Of course, they will not listen. I'm nobody, unlike James "Gollumhead on a Stick" Carville, who gave speeches to roomfuls of Hollywood celebrities about how Kerry had the election sewed up, then turned out to be completely wrong. Unlike me, who correctly called it for Bush.

First, never nominate for President another New England Yankee. Not just another New England Yankee like John Kerry, but no other New England Yankee, period. For some bizarre reason these creeps cannot mind their own business, and seem to think the American people want such interference. (Read the rest here)

Libertarian Commentary on The Day's News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2004

Well, three days with two news digest to choose from, plus some contributions by friends. These are my comments and opinions, not necessarily anyone else’s, but your views are welcome here at TPoL too!

Dialing for Dollars - DHS Style Federal Communications Week
Homeland Security Department officials have awarded 105 college juniors and graduate students studying math, science and engineering full scholarships and stipends to support academic research and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The Science and Technology Directorate's Scholarship and Fellowship Program provides students entering their junior year full school tuition and fees, a $1,000 monthly stipend for nine months, and $500 weekly for a summer internship at a DHS-designated facility between their junior and senior years. Those recipients are also eligible to renew their awards for their senior year.

This sounds VERY much as if it is based on the long established ROTC program (Reserve Officer Training Corps) for the various military services, although the $1K is a lot better than the $100 (now $500/mo) paid “full” cadets in that program, and “summer internship” sounds much better than “Advanced Camp.” As Sunni Maravillosa points out, this is an excellent propaganda AND recruiting tool, just as it has been for the military services. With DHS, the implications of recruiting scientists and engineers specifically are more ominous, though. No question that with the rising cost of school there will be a lot of interest, especially since (unlike the ROTC programs) there appears to be no obligatory employment afterward. (Read the rest here)

ACTION NEEDED!
Tell Congress To "Just Say No!"
To Universal Psychiatric Screening And Drugging Children

Action now needed immediately in HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES in addition to Senate.

AAPS member of Congress makes another bid to stop mandatory psychiatric screening.

Urge your Representative to sign letter by FRIDAY Nov. 12.

Last September, AAPS lifetime member, Congressman Ron Paul, M.D. (R-TX) tried to stop this insidious plan by offering an amendment to the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Act for FY 2005. The amendment received 95 "yes" votes, but it failed to pass. So the House version of the bill passed.

However, Congressman Paul and several of his colleagues are not giving up.

· Please forward this message to everyone. (Read the rest here)

Non Custodial Parent's Action Planned for DECEMBER 17th, 2004

Non Custodial Parent's Action Planned for DECEMBER 17th, 2004 (in New Orleans, LA ); and your city?. Fathers 4 Justice will hold their Christmas Protest Action in London on Saturday December 18th. in typical F4J style ;o)

Whether you support Fathers 4 Justice or not; whether you agree or disagree with our methods, we have achieved world-wide media coverage with our actions. Please capitalise on what we have achieved raising our issue in
the public arena and get involved with the following action on Friday December 17th., either in support of Fathers 4 Justice, in support of your own group, as individuals but more importantly - in support of your children and their future!

Earlier this year a member of Fathers 4 Justice placed his sons toys on the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Fathers 4 Justice - Netherlands followed with a similar action outside the child welfare office. ( Images and video can be seen here) (Read the rest here)

The American Jury Hour with
Iloilo Marguerite Jones and guests

FICAA.com Presents: The American Jury Hour with Iloilo Marguerite Jones and guests. Heard on The American Voice Radio Network , Thursday Afternoons, Noon Pacific, 1PM Mountain. The weekend rebroadcast of this week's program is at Sunday at 9:00 PM. .

Heard on The American Voice Radio Network American Voice Radio Network can be heard on:

C-Band Satellite at Galaxy 11 (formerly G-7), Transponder 12, Audio 8.1 Internet Streaming Audio (MP3 16kbps) C-Band and Internet Audio feeds are free with no subscription fee or sign up required whatsoever. (Read the rest here)

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