Dubya's Police State Comes to Ohio

Dubya comes to New Albany, Ohio-shuts down entire village.

Dearest Readers,

Prissy has been really busy with the local and state races. She doesn't have to explain the problems to overcome here in Ohio-but we are overcoming them.

Look for the GOP dam to burst soon, they are silent because they have never been more afraid of the monster they know they have helped create. But the kool aid was so good...and now its all gone.

Last night Dubya came to town...in fact his visit literally shut down the village next to Prissy. With all the police and weaponry, you would have thought Manuel Noriega was in town.

Dubya was going for a $5,000 entry fee fund raiser for Congresswoman Debra Pryce and some for the ailing Ohio GOP coffers.

By the way, Debra didn't even bother to show up for sugar daddy Dubya...

Bet that GOP really misses Noe and Ambramoff during these fundraisers. (picture by Artist Stephen Pitt)

An African-American man said he was invited, as a neighbor of the hosts. He laughed and said "I know why they wanted me there-no way."

Pryce is a seven term incumbent fighting for her political life. A first for her...she refuses to understand her constituents anger. She won't meet with elderly opposing her Medicare plan, or soldiers opposing Iraq-no time for them.

Prissy cannot imagine why not- one would think a former public criminal defense attorney like Pryce should be good at understanding people- and what motivates them.

Considering the political platforms of the republican party are so damaging to women and children, it seems strange that any woman would willingly sign on. Unless of course it was the money factor.

Back to Dubya's visit. He doesn't come through Prissy's city much anymore. He used to, but that was before he blew the police budget for such events. Isn't wise to say you will fund "homeland security" and then take it away later.

But no matter, since the owner of "Limited Brand" clothing stores lives a small town away from the airport and has a helicopter landing pad-it's perfect for the freedom fry lovers fundraising efforts.

Every entrance into the village of 3,500 residents was barricaded and off limits-even to residents trying to cross the street by foot to pick up school kids from practice. New Albany's Land Area is a mere 9 square miles (village) 16.3 square miles (township)

These people couldn't get to the game at the high school stadium across the street. It was getting well into evening. That's one way to make new friends...

As some high school kids next to Prissy remarked, "All these woods, if someone was going to get him, they could and they might not get caught." It's true, blocking off the roads was really of little use. Prissy knows the area very well, having grown-up nearby, when New Albany was only one gas station, one pizza shop and a grain mill.

The residents, mostly republican, were still upset that Dubya's visit put them out. A cop stunned one "good republican" by yelling at him "don't cross the police line" and the officer didn't even call him sir. Yellow tape and police on motorcycles were everywhere.

A helicopter kept flying low and close overhead, like a gnat needing to be swatted. One man, saying he flew helicopters, said "they don't need to fly that low, security or not."

As they continued to hover overhead, Prissy took pictures and notes and even wrote one to them, look: (A harmless prank from Prissy-as they should not be invading privacy under the guise of "security")

The small group of protesters that got into the village earlier were ready and waiting for him. Prissy couldn't get to them, as they were stuck inside the village. Nobody was allowed to come in and nobody was going out until Dubya's motorcade and/or helicopter was gone...he was actually visiting some three miles away.

New Albany was like a police state, as checkpoints are not normal sight anywhere in the midwest. Not yet, anyway. Even the few republicans who wanted to "see the president" kept complaining. "I can't believe it is taking THIS long-I need to get over to the game, geez."

And now this president has been given all the authority of the US Senate, to torture, maim and degrade other human beings as he thinks deems necessary. Funny, he thinks we should "trust him" -yet he doesn't "trust us."

Betty and I left before Bush went by, as we were on the outside of the barricaded village. We didn't think he was worth it and left after about 45 minutes. The helicopter followed us to our car.

As we drove out past Prissy's childhood home, a short distance away, we passed a secluded freeway overpass amongst the cornfields. A cop was stationed there on his motorcycle, along with an automatic weapon.

It was so out of the ordinary for this part of the country and the sight took away the autumn beauty of the Midwest. However, Dubya never touches anything without tainting it...

Debbie Pryce Gold Digger Deb's not going over so well with her minority constuients these days either. Creative political ad, sure to be a classic in political campaign history.

Prissy told those republicans two years ago they would be looking at losing the election if they refused to change course. But what does she know?

Time Republican incumbent Deborah Pryce faces an uphill battle in her bellwether midwestern district

Hot Links

McPaper House approves warrantless wiretap law

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., that give legal status under certain conditions to Bush's warrantless wiretapping of calls and e-mails between people on U.S. soil making calls or sending e-mails and those in other countries.

Under the measure, the president would be authorized to conduct such wiretaps if he:

• Notifies the House and Senate intelligence committees and congressional leaders.

• Believes an attack is imminent and later explains the reason and names the individuals and groups involved.

• Renews his certification every 90 days.

The neorepublicans need this. Because when people find out how they have misused this, the outrage will go round the world.

Pipa Most Iraqis Want US Troops Out Within a Year Say US Presence Provoking More Conflict Than it is Preventing

WaPo via RAW Story Ashcroft Is Denied Immunity in Case

A federal judge in Idaho has ruled that former attorney general John D. Ashcroft can be held personally responsible for the wrongful detention of a U.S. citizen arrested as a "material witness" in a terrorism case.

U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge, in a ruling issued late Wednesday, dismissed claims by the Justice Department that Ashcroft and other officials should be granted immunity from claims by a former star college football player arrested at Dulles International Airport in 2003.

Attorneys for the plaintiff in the civil suit, Abdullah al-Kidd, said the decision raises the possibility that Ashcroft could be forced to testify or turn over records about the government's use of the material witness law, a cornerstone of its controversial legal strategy after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Justice Department officials did not respond to telephone messages yesterday seeking comment. A spokeswoman for Ashcroft also did not respond to requests for comment.

Uh, oh- the neorepublican dam just cracked.

CNN Oliver Stone: 'I'm ashamed for my country'

"If there had been a better sense of preparation, if we had a leadership that was more mature," he said. "We did not fight back in the same way that the British fought the IRA or the Spanish government fought the Basques here. Terrorism is a manageable action. It can be lived with," said Stone.

Stone rejected allegations that U.S. authorities may have known about the attacks in advance and said the real conspiracy came after.

"I think that conspiracy-mongering on 9/11 is a waste of time," he said. "The far greater conspiracy occurred after 9/11 when basically a neo-cabal inside our government hijacked policy and went to war. That was as broad a conspiracy as we can get and it was about 20, 30 people. That's all, they took over and all these books are coming out and they are pointing it out," said Stone.

"This war on Iraq is a disaster. I'm disgraced. I'm ashamed for my country," he said. "I'm also ashamed that America has attacked itself with its constitutional breakdowns. I'm deeply ashamed."

Kind of strange for the man who produced JFK to be put off by conspiracy...Prissy is more embarrassed than ashamed for them.

Al- Jazeera Russians face spy charges in Georgia

Four Russian military officers have been charged with spying in Georgia, and will be put on trial later in the day.

Espionage charges have been officially filed against the four men who were detained on Wednesday, said Shota Khizanishvili, spokesman for the interior minister.

Russia has recalled its ambassador from Tbilisi and started evacuating some officials after Georgia announced the arrests of four GRU (Russian army intelligence) officers and more than 10 Georgian citizens.

World Can't Wait Torture Law Prof. Yoo Confronted with Protest

Beginning outside Boalt Hall at 8 am, protestors clad in dark hoods and orange jumpsuits reenacted the shocking scenes of torture at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay against a backdrop of 10 large images depicting the torture occurring at Abu Ghraib. Meanwhile, Salvadoran torture victim Carlos Mauricio spoke boldly out against Yoo, the war and the scores of crimes committed against humanity by the Bush Regime. The students and professors passing in and out of the building where Yoo teaches were confronted with the fact "Your government is openly torturing people and justifying it", and that it is urgent to act now against it.

Later the demonstration moved inside Boalt Hall, in the vicinity of Yoo's class where it was in session, Students and teachers were encouraged to get involved with the World Can't Wait and speak out against a Regime that supports torture and other crimes against humanity.

Students demonstrate against Yoo and his torture memo...it takes a special mind to think of acceptable ways to torture other human beings.

Get involved in an Oct 5th World Can't Wait demonstration near you Drive Out the Bush Regime

On October 5, people everywhere will walk out of school, take off work, and come to the downtowns & townsquares and set out from there, going through the streets and calling on many more to join us - making a powerful statement: "NO! THIS REGIME DOES NOT REPRESENT US! AND WE WILL DRIVE IT OUT!"

What's happening in Ohio? World Can't Wait Ohio

This state org has a corrections officers, veterans and other tough guys involved who know what's going on and will peacefully demand change. Prissy stresses the "peaceful" label-unlike Dubya, they don't wish to lose their credibility...

Military.com AWOL Soldier Surrenders

Army Spec. Agustin Aguayo, 34, turned himself in around 6 p.m. at Fort Irwin, an Army base in the Mojave Desert northeast of Los Angeles, said Army spokesman Ken Drylie.

"It is the right thing to do," said Aguayo at a news conference in Los Angeles hours before going to the base. "I'm not a deserter or a coward."

Aguayo said he expected to face a court martial and some jail time.

"It's something I can live with," he said. "Something I can't live with is being a participant of war anymore."

Unfortunately, an Army Spec. doesn't have the legal standing to resist the illegal orders of a superior, even though Gen Peter Pace is on tape saying that all soldiers have that duty. Prissy wonders if he would say that in court. See below for an officer who took his oath to uphold the constitution and Geneva seriously.

Update on Lt. Watada, an officer who took a stand. If this war is put to the legal test, it cannot win. Thank You Lt. Watada Lt. Watada's father will be speaking at the World Can't Wait event.

Send a note to support the Lt. Mail to:

Commanding General

Fort Lewis and I Corps

Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik

Bldg 2025 Stop 1

Fort Lewis WA 98433

Lt. Gen. Dubik can be reached via his aide at 253-967-0022, and/or call the Ft. Lewis switchboard at 253-967-1110. We are aware that these numbers often refer "Lt. Watada's supporters" to the Fort Lewis Public Affairs Office at 206-967-7166.

When writing, please consider a handwritten letter on stationary (if available) posted via express or priority mail for additional impact and timely delivery. We expect that Lt. Gen. Dubik will soon issue his decision, but there is no required timeline. Do not delay and take action today. The contact address and phone numbers for Lt. Gen. Dubik may change over the course of this action alert, so check www.ThankYouLt.org for these and other updates.

Why Jack Brought down the House...ReutersAbramoff had more White House ties

The report by the House Government Reform Committee, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, said the panel found about 485 contacts between Abramoff and his associations and the White House, including 10 with Karl Rove, who is President George W. Bush's top political adviser.

The committee based its findings on 14,000 pages of e-mails and billing records spanning three years ending in 2003, the committee report said.

The White House challenged the credibility of the report, saying it was based on material originally generated by Abramoff. Abramoff and associates have pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and related crimes in an influence-peddling scandal that reached into the U.S. Congress.

"The billing records that are the basis for this report are widely regarded as fraudulent in how they misrepresent Abramoff's activities and level of access. There is no reason why they should suddenly be viewed as credible," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

The Australian Bush says critics swayed by propaganda

"Iraq is not the reason the terrorists are at war against us. They are at war against us because they hate everything America stands for,'' said the president.

A day after explicitly labelling Democrats "the party of cut and run", and saying they "offer nothing but criticism, obstruction and endless second-guessing", Mr Bush never referred to the opposition party by name.

Instead, he referred to anonymous naysayers he dubbed "the critics'' as he accused them of being wrong about the multinational effort to stabilise Afghanistan and rout the Taliban militia ousted by US-led forces in late 2001.

"From the beginning, American people have heard the critics say we're failing. But the reasons keep changing,'' he said.

That's right Dubya, you shafted any notion of just war as soon as you loaded the planes with lies. He meant the reasons he failed keep changing.

Secrecy News Bush Uses Signing Statements to Leverage Power from Congress, CRS Says

"The broad and persistent nature of the claims of executive authority forwarded by President Bush appear designed to inure [i.e., to accustom] Congress, as well as others, to the belief that the President in fact possesses expansive and exclusive powers upon which the other branches may not intrude," the CRS report stated.

It follows that "the appropriate focus of congressional concern should center not on the issuance of signing statements themselves, but on the broad assertions of presidential authority forwarded by Presidents and the substantive actions taken to establish that authority."

The CRS study, written by T.J. Halstead, provides abundant information on the history of presidential signing statements, describes their limited impact on the judicial process, critiques a recent American Bar Association report on the subject, and more.

Like other CRS products, this study has not been made directly available to the public by CRS. A copy was obtained by Secrecy News

Quotes of the Day

"Can you imagine what our enemies think of us right now?" "The deterrent value of what we've accomplished far overshadows the direct results."-- Douglas Feith, former Undersecretary of Defense, one of the "Architects" for the war in Iraq and oblivious to human suffering neocon

“The judge is condemned when the criminal is acquitted”--Publilius Syrus quotes (Roman author, 1st century B.C.)

“Who are beneficiaries of the Court's protection? Members of various minorities including criminals, atheists, homosexuals, flag burners, illegal immigrants (including terrorists), convicts, and pornographers”--Patrick Buchanan...he forgot to say "innocent people wrongly accused."

“If we cut up beasts simply because they cannot prevent us and because we are backing our own side in the struggle for existence, it is only logical to cut up imbeciles, criminals, enemies, or capitalists for the same reasons.”--C.S. Lewis quotes (British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963)

“To declare that in the administration of criminal law the end justifies the means to declare that the Government may commit crimes in order to secure conviction of a private criminal would bring terrible retribution.”--Louis D. Brandeis quotes (American Supreme Court Justice, 1856-1941)