I call on the powers that be at dKos to remove the offensive ad hominem attack on John McCain. The Birth Certificate post does nothing to advance the cause of much needed change in this country.

It is a tasteless and agist attack on the man that does not further discussion of issues that matter in this election.

If age is indeed an issue, then it should be discussed in a more serious manner.

This bears repeating (it scrolled off last night) because it seems to be covered predominantly by Canadian news sources.  (Yes, it's a risk re-posting a diary, I know, but this ought to be NOTICED!)

The "trial" of child soldier Omar Khadr in Gitmo was thrown into chaos when it was announced via an e-mail that the judge, Colonel Peter Brownback, would no longer preside over the case:

From the Globe and Mail:

Mr. Khadr's U.S. military defence lawyer, Lieutenant Commander Bill Kuebler, said the sudden change of judge comes after a recent commission hearing in which Col. Brownback "threatened to suspend proceedings in the case of Omar Khadr if prosecutors continued to withhold key evidence from Omar's lawyers."

What's more (and see below) is that the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Canadian intelligence "interviews" of Khadr that were conducted at Gitmo violated the boy's human rights and confirmed Canada's complicity in this "unlawful imprisonment."

The "trial" of child soldier Omar Khadr in Gitmo was thrown into chaos when it was announced via an e-mail that the judge, Colonel Peter Brownback, would no longer preside over the case:

From the Globe and Mail:

Mr. Khadr's U.S. military defence lawyer, Lieutenant Commander Bill Kuebler, said the sudden change of judge comes after a recent commission hearing in which Col. Brownback "threatened to suspend proceedings in the case of Omar Khadr if prosecutors continued to withhold key evidence from Omar's lawyers."

I first encountered Charlton Heston on the Planet of the Apes.  Then I came to know him as something more.

There is now greater coverage in the Canadian press of the comments made yesterday by  Lt.-Col. Colby Vokey, the military lawyer assigned to defend Canadian Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr.

He has spoken out against the arbitrary and extra-constitutional nature of the military tribunals that the Bush administration is conducting.

He said the U.S. government has taken the position that "due process does not even apply in these proceedings. I find that very offensive."

(This is an updated version of a diary that scrolled off quickly last night)

Lt.-Col. Colby Vokey, the military lawyer assigned to defend Canadian Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr has spoken out against the arbitrary and extra-constitutional nature of the military tribunals that the Bush administration is conducting.

He said the U.S. government has taken the position that "due process does not even apply in these proceedings. I find that very offensive."

Generation of resentment:  When schoolyard taunts indicate what lies ahead.

My third grader daughter came home from school crying yesterday.  The substitute teacher had asked the class where they were born.  She raised her hand and said "I was born in the USA."

Immediately the chorus came from boys in her class:  "Shoot her!  Shoot her!  Shoot her!"

(more below the fold)

Update [2005-9-14 14:35:45 by Gearhead]: Through many posts and comments from others I must agree that there is no "absolution" for this behaviour, except to say that the children should remain blameless. Yes, parents are responsible for a child's violent behaviour, yes, the school is also responsible to keep such behaviour in check, and yes, mocking an individual for his or her background is abhorrent.

I am not an appologist for what has happened, I am pointing out with this diary that the actions of children are symptomatic of larger forces at play.

As I sought the lyrics to the Tragically Hip song "New Orleans is Sinking," I found an article from Popular Mechanics with the very same title.  It details exactly what has transpired in the past week and then discusses a storm surge early warning system that to date has not been fully implemented.

"New Orleans is Sinking" by Jim Wilson

The fact that New Orleans has not already sunk is a matter of luck. If slightly different paths had been followed by Hurricanes Camille, which struck in August 1969, Andrew in August 1992 or George in September 1998, today we might need scuba gear to tour the French Quarter.

While many diaries, articles and news reports have refuted Mr. Bush's statement that nobody could have predicted such a catastrophe, this one struck me as particularly eeire since it was published on September 11, 2001.

To all Kossacks:

I wish to state clearly and emphatically that I apologize for any offensive material that you have viewed in a recent post of mine.

I originally posted what I considered to be a humorous picture, but it appears that the image tag  that I used, the URL of the original image was either changed, or the file name on the originating server was changed to something vile.

I regret that many of you have been exposed to indecent material, my original intent was to repeat an image that I had recently seen in Jon Stewart's book "America."

All this talk about "Christ" in "Christmas" and other useless distractions (I am waiting for the satyrical "Let's put the 'New' back in 'New Year's Eve') is just that:  a distraction with what is fundamentally wrong with the progressive agenda.

We need to put the "US" back in USA.  That is, we need to be a part of how things happen, not apart from what is happening.

All this "Red State" - "Blue State" dichotomy removes "us" from the entirety of what this country ought to be:  a place where we make proposals, engage in honest and frank debate, compromise, and then act.  By removing ourselves from the equation (throwing up our hands saying "they won't listen") we cause harm to ourselves, our principles and the country overall.

Sounds provocative, but Iraqi insurgents wanted Bush to win so that US troops would remain in Iraq.

From the CBC:  Iraqi militants wanted Bush re-elected: French hostage

Yup, that's what visiting UK dignitaries have concluded.  The Independent reports that a group of MPs has concluded that the Brits will be there for ten to fifteen years.

Where does that leave the States?  You guessed it...

Yet again, the glorious pie in the sky dream of Reaganites has failed.

Despite spending billions upon billions of dollars.  Despite scrapping the ABM treaty at the risk of a renewed nuclear arms race.  Despite the label "operational," and despite FEERLESS LEADER's lies, Missile defense (BMD) has failed in yet another test.

(Sources, and quotes below)

Yesterday, I diarized about my experience shipping Christmas gifts to my family in the States (I live in Canada).  I noted that there were hoops to jump through that hadn't been there before and it led to some interesting discussion about traditions of gift sending and sweatshops.  It can be found here:

US Customs & Christmas

Today, there is an update.  I got a call from UPS...

"Byzantine"is the only word that can apply to what has become of sending Christmas presents to the US.  Not only are there several forms to fill out, but the information requested is utterly ridiculous.  It must be part of Homeland Security.

BushCo and those who have legitimized him this time around are digging us into a hole.  While it is important that we continue to document this fact and to spread the word that the hole is deeper and wider, we need to start buildint the ladders that will get us out.

Fighting Bush and his agenda starts at home.  Rather than being "led" by a person or a party, we must take this initiative ourselves.  My personal way is by reducing our household "footprint" on the environment.  What will you do?

The US seems to be "softening up" a certain city in Iraq:  US forces pound Falluja

I'm hoping this diary won't scroll off before I can update it with the results of the vote in Dixville Notch, NH.  This tiny town in northern New Hampshire will be in the spotlight pretty soon.  

Here's some pre-vote info:

The Mercury News

This used to be quite the thing for the town.  It used to be the first place to post election results, but as CNN points out, with early voting happening across the country, perhaps it's not so special anymore.

Still, I anxiously await the results tonight. I still think there's something about it ...

Update [2004-11-2 0:22:1 by Gearhead]::

Kerry:15
Bush:15
Nader:1

I SMELL A LANDSLIDE!

Update [2004-11-2 0:46:52 by Gearhead]::

Kerry:7
Bush:19


In Hart's Location, NH
Kerry:15
Bush:15

Okay, I smell burnt toast right now: Misinformation and innacurate reporting. Hrumph!

Here's a link:MSNBC