From the press release of Rep Mike McIntyre, DNC-7:

McIntyre To Vote For SCHIP Bill
Will Not Support Presidential Veto

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre announced today that he will vote to support the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and not support the presidential veto of this bill.

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Our grassroots peace group in Wilmington, NC is nearly 200 strong.  These numbers have allowed us to maintain a visible presence each Sunday at one of the major non-interstate intersections in town:

[Note two of our protesters right above
the word "Oleander" in a shot from
the DOT web cam last Sunday.  If you want to see us live, then click here
between 11AM and 1PM EDT on any given Sunday!]

Other KOS readers--such as possum--have written about similar activities.  This diary, however, takes a look at the nitty-gritty of bearing witness.  It also offers practical advice, if you read between the lines, for dealing with supporters of the presidential candidate you-love-to-hate, those supporters on this site who manage to consistently push your buttons.

Read on...

FIRST NOTICE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN KARBALA:

US soldiers killed in Karbala raid were kidnapped and executed
27/01/2007 08h10
US troops patrol Karbala during the night.
©AFP/File - Roslan Rahman

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Four of five US soldiers killed by insurgents in a raid in the southern shrine city of Karbala were kidnapped and executed by men wearing "American-looking uniforms," the military has revealed.

The January 20 attack had been "well rehearsed" by the insurgents, who got past Iraqi checkpoints in "a convoy consisting of at least five sport utility vehicles (SUVs)," a military statement said.
Source--AFP

I realize that it's the weekend, and all the official sources will be tuned into Superbowl Sunday as Iraq continues to bleed, but I am curious as to where this story is headed.  Or if it will simply dry up into dust and be blown to the winds.

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Here we go again...  Headlines from yesterday afternoon's AP headlines:

U.S.-Iran tensions could trigger war

In an article by By JIM KRANE and ROBERT H. REID that contains much speculation devoid of support, Americans are being softened up for the idea of going to war with Iran.

The speculation actually starts in the headline with the use of the word "could" and continues throughout the piece. Read an excerpt below.

         Last Sunday, some friends of mine—members of Wilmington Peace Meetup—and I stood at the corner of the busiest intersection in Wilmington: South College Road and Oleander Drive.  We were there around noon, trying to catch the church-goers as they returned home.  We carried signs protesting the Bush administration’s escalation of the war on Iraq.  Quite a few people honked and waved in support, flashing the peace sign or pumping their fists.  A few people were displeased, signifying so with their middle finger.

Words matter.  Let's call it what it is.  It will be an escalation, not a "surge."  "Surge" is a meaningless marketing term.

Please write to your newspaper today and start working on this meme before it takes root.  Here is what I just sent to the editors and news director of my local daily; read it below the fold:

Mettā, not Meta

In Buddhism, mettā is one of the sublime attitudes.  It is best described as unconditional and detached lovingkindness.  It is a state to be cultivated because it brings a sense of ease into the life of the practitioner.  People who cultivate mettā are easier to be around.

Is mettā compatible with contemporary politics?

Audio of Press Conference here: http://www.usip.org/...

http://www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/...

Mon Jul 17, 4:47 PM ET

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - US Ambassador John Bolton said there was no moral equivalence between the civilian casualties from the Israeli raids in Lebanon and those killed in
Israel from "malicious terrorist acts".

Asked to comment on the deaths in an Israeli air strike of eight Canadian citizens in southern Lebanon Sunday, he said: "it is a matter of great concern to us ...that these civilian deaths are occurring. It's a tragedy."

"I think it would be a mistake to ascribe moral equivalence to civilians who die as the direct result of malicious terrorist acts," he added, while defending as "self-defense" Israel's military action, which has had "the tragic and unfortunate consequence of civilian deaths".

Source--AFP on Yahoo: http://news.yahoo.com/...

AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
An amendment to prohibit any of the funds made available by the Act from being used to initiate military operations against Iran except in accordance with Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States.

What does Article I, Section 8 say?  (Continue beneath the fold.)

Several weeks  ago three events occurred within a day or two of each other, and they served to heighten my alarm about the increasing militarization of public schools.  The last week in April, a feeder elementary school five blocks from the school where I teach had "Military Week."  The Army National Guard spent an entire week in the school.   From our local paper: "A Black Hawk helicopter should be dropping down on Snipes Elementary School..." Read on...

Iran is in the crosshairs of the Bush administration, and the press is helping to pass the ammunition. The AP timeline of Iran's nuclear history  takes the words of the Iranian foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, and puts them in the mouth of the IAEA September 24, 2005 resolution that hints Iran may be referred to the UN Security Council. From the AP timeline:

"Sept. 24, 2005: IAEA passes resolution calling Iran's nuclear program "illegal and illogical" and puts Tehran one step away from Security Council action on sanctions."

Read an analysis below the fold and check the link for my letter to the AP, WaPo, and my local paper for the details. Granted, this is relatively small potatoes in the scheme of things. Yet, every incorrect and biased snippet like this adds to the lies that will support military action against Iran.

You may want to write a similar letter to your local paper if they carried the same timeline. There's more below.

Your help is requested in keeping this current.  Please note that the sponsor column is automatically updated by THOMAS, which may lag a day or two behind.  You can check here often to see if your Representative has signed on.

Here's the table of legislation...

Send corrections or updates to Steve Lee

The Honorable Mike McIntyre
2437 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman McIntyre,

I looked up the word "represent" the other day. It has numerous meanings, but the one that best applies to both you and I, from The Oxford English Dictionary, American Edition, is this: to fill the place of; be a substitute or deputy for; be entitled to act or speak for.

You speak for the people of the 7th Congressional District of North Carolina.

I speak for the 76 public members of Wilmington Peace Meetup and the hundreds of people who have asked to be on our e-mail list. I think I also speak for many of these people who have not yet found their public voice:

******************

To:  Mr. Griggs, Managing News Editor--Wilmington StarNews, Wilmington, NC
From:  Steve Lee

The StarNews is irresponsible.  To be responsible means to respond.  To
what?  To something that is calling out.  On Saturday, September 24,
Americans from all walks of life surrounded the White House and protested
the illegal and immoral war on Iraq.  Crowd-size reports ranged from 100,00
to 350,000; choose a number--either way, a newsworthy number of Americans
called out for an end to this war at the President's doorstep.

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