Letters to the Editor
Nequals1
Published Letters: 296 Editor's Choice: 7
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@ Hongan re: Lee Camp's humor - the analogies posted by RMP this morning at 9:12
[Read the article: More on Michael Mukasey's false 9/11 and FISA claims]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I've been corresponding with Lee Camp today, and he sent this along with permission to crosspost his work:
"Thanks to everyone (on the Rogues and Scholars blog)who liked the post. I'll work on a YouTube version. It wouldn't be for awhile though. Of course the "Bush is a colorblind child…" analogy as well as "war is like masturbation" can both be viewed on this video clip of my stand-up comedy: http://youtube.com/watch?v=LJa0y1WZ0tU (The main page is http://www.YouTube.com/LeeCamp).
Thanks again everyone.
You can also find my other writing and videos at www.236.com and www.leecamp.net.
Watch me run for President on Comedy Central by
clicking here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7opCU_Kfkp8 "
~Lee
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The American Torture Memos
[Read the article: John Yoo: Spearhead or scapegoat?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]But discussion of things like the "Yoo Memos" has started to have the effect of obscuring the fact that those were really "Bush Memos" and, ultimately "American Memos."
We, the people know that impeachment is the remedy for tyranny. We see that the federal government has failed catastrophically in preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution. We observe that elected representatives' actions and votes no longer reflect the will of we, the people nor the protection, preservation and defense of the US Constitution.
Since the government has become uncoupled from the Constitution and from the people, are we bound by the restraint of the House being the designated body to bring forward articles of impeachment?
In my view, Nancy Pelosi and every other House member who is resisting impeachment are themselves guilty of committing treason, since the crimes against humanity, the war crimes and the crimes against the constitution have been freely admitted.
At what point is there public and formal acknowledgement of the silent coup d'etat and the constitutional dictatorship which now rules us?
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@ Glenn Greenwald: The Government And The People
[Read the article: John Yoo: Spearhead or scapegoat?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Who elected this government, twice - including once after much of these torture claims were known?
And who elected the Congress which enacted the Military Commissions Act?
Acting as though the government is somehow separate from the people is the only "logical trap" that I see here.
Respectfully, I think there is reasonable doubt about the veracity and legitimacy of both elections.
So much was hidden - and still remains hidden, that I don't think the voters had any unimpeded and accurate ability to foresee that Congress would abdicate its responsibility and approve such an abomination as the Military Commissions Act.
In writing this, I don't disagree that the people are responsible, only that the government has become uncoupled or untethered from acting in accordance with the will of we, the people.
My question is at what point is this going to be publicly and more formally acknowledged and by whom?
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@ LWM: There's always the microtome
[Read the article: John Yoo: Spearhead or scapegoat?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]it's so tiny I may need to go get my exacto knife.
(grin) Couldn't resist.
On a much more inspired note, Scott Horton blogged today about his translation of Forster's Recollections of Benjamin Franklin. To wit:
Benjamin Franklin! Noble shadow! Let your teachings move the peoples of the world, let them know your great, unforgettable example. I hear your voice, I hear your words, I will never forget them!:
“You, children of Europe! Honor the divine spark of Reason within you, and perfect it through its use. Freedom can be achieved by virtue alone. Virtue is possible only through reason. Anger and hatred will produce only blood; and with blood alone no man will ever purchase his freedom. No, you will buy yourself shame, regret, torment, you will murder your own happiness and your peace. This is why what man most desires cannot be acquired through blood. Set the spirit of reason free in yourself, and then the freedom of the external world will follow. Carry the consciousness of your own worth in your bosom, keep your jealousies and passions captive and obedient to reason. Children, I tell you, then you will not have believed, hoped, and waited patiently in vain, for God—honor and love Him—God is just! Hold together as is fitting of brothers, love and help one another; be quiet and serious in fortune, take measure in pleasures; be resolute and clear-thinking in misfortune; be industrious, moderate, abstentious, wise: — through this path humanity will achieve its goals; brute force and power will recede, you will be happy, and you will be free!”
–Georg Forster, Erinnerung aus dem Jahre 1790 (1793) in: Werke in vier Bänden, vol. 3, pp. 487-91 (G. Steiner ed. 1973)(S.H. transl.)
Link to the No Comment post at Harpers.com is at my name.
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@ hunthorse and Good Celery: Ode On A Goat
[Read the article: John Yoo: Spearhead or scapegoat?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Lovely frolicking nimble be
Piaffe, arabesque and passage
Thy gaits, so improvised
Thy miniature hooves, of such might
Thy raucuos raspberry mid-flight
Thy argument never compromised
Thy noggin always bent in quest of massage
A twirl, a whirl of chaotic joy-os-ity
(I used to have several goat companions at my former animal sanctuary. I sure do miss them - especially this time of year - kidding season. Thanks for the references and for calling up memories of unbounded chaos, messes, fun and joy.)