Month: August 2004

DOWN AND DIRTY

Some years ago, a bumper sticker became popular: “If you ate today, thank a farmer.” In a fashion similar to another common bumper billboard of the time, “If you can read this, thank a teacher” the message was designed to elicit support for a political position; in the farmer’s case, organized resistance to the gobbling up of family farms by Evil Agribusiness, a trend that threatened the bucolic way of life rural families had enjoyed for generations.

When I read an article about a bill to aid struggling tobacco farmers (The Wall Street Journal, August 31, 2004), I reacted the same way I had about those Family Farmers: why is this the business of the rest of us? What inherent rights should those who work the land have over those of us who worry that our jobs will go the way of the iceman? Forget about the point of the article, which was to expose the fact that wealthy citizens who do not even farm the land anymore could get $90,000 a year for ten years because they own an allotment handed down from their ancestors. My longstanding antipathy for farm subsidies applies to rich and poor alike: why should the occupation of farming garner more emotion and sympathy (and a bail-out by the government) than say, manufacturing?

To be specific, why should the manufacturing company I work for, not be eligible for the same kind of government assistance as farmers? Just a few feet from my air-conditioned office, labor a couple of dozen guys who have been forming and joining and punching and painting metal since they graduated from high school–some of them for the last forty years. Their families and perhaps their grandparents, once enjoyed a measure of job security because they had a skill–a skill that is no longer in such demand because America’s manufacturing sector is in decline. They sweat and get their hands dirty every day, and they are exposed to welding fumes and repetitive motion that can make them old before their time. And should they end up with an occupational-related chronic disease, any savings they may have accumulated on their once decent, but now meager wages, could vanish in the treatment of that disease. And every day, management here struggles, with not an iota of effort from Uncle Sam, to make certain the company will be around another fifty seven years.

Where are their protections? Is what they do somehow less noble than turning up dirt in which to plant seeds? Is their way of life not worth preserving? Are guarantees of a way of life only for those who had the good fortune of being around in the time of Thomas Jefferson, who waxed romantic about the yeoman farmer, while occupations borne of the Industrial Revolution are on their own? And why should a bunch of legislators add their names to a full page ad in the same newspaper, an ad placed by Philip Morris urging “relief” for tobacco farmers? And how can Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole be among these petitioners, herself a member of the party that claims to love the free market and hates government meddling?

And why aren’t they meddling on behalf of hard-working men and women in all the other occupations that are perched precariously on the edge of economic extinction? Apparently the welding lobby hasn’t coughed up enough do-re-mi to influence the influence peddlers.

HERCULES IN NEW YORK

I finally arrived here in 1968. I had empty pockets, but I was full of dreams. The presidential campaign was in full swing. I remember watching the Nixon and Humphrey presidential race on TV. A friend who spoke German and English, translated for me. I heard Humphrey saying things that sounded like socialism, which is what I had just left. But then I heard Nixon speak. He was talking about free enterprise, getting government off your back, lowering taxes and strengthening the military. Listening to Nixon speak sounded more like a breath of fresh air.

–Arnold Schwartzenegger at the RNC, September 1, 2004

Listening to Nixon speak may have been a “breath of fresh air” in 1968. But now it’s 2004, 30-years and 24 days after Tricky Dickey resigned in shame. You see Nixon said a lot of things–”I am not a crook” being the classic example–that just weren’t true. He was a liar, and a crook. He was paranoid, and grudge-bearing. And when it came to political pool, Nixon liked it Dirty. Indeed, Nixonian is an adjective to which we should all aspire.

Given the number of genuine scandals bubbling in and about the White House, and President Bush’s serious credibility problem one has to wonder if anyone actually read Schwartzenegger’s speech before he delivered it.

On the other hand, given Republican attacks on John Kerry’s post-service criticism of Vietnam, one can only assume that the long, costly, bloody, and pointless war in Southeast Asia was America’s proudest moment.

Hey Arnold, do you think you can insert a line about the good old days when you used to wear your daddy’s Nazi costume and obsessively listen to Hitler’s recordings into your next big stump thumper?

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PEDDLING PATRIOTISM

Memphian Bert Lyons detained, deprived rights the first mass arrest of RNC protesters

On Friday, August 27, 264 out of an estimated 5000 bicycle enthusiasts affiliated with a group called Critical Mass, were incarcerated in what CNN described as, “The first major clampdown on protesters before the Republican National Convention.” Those apprehended were held as “detainees,” at Pier 57, a chain-link and razor-wire holding pen built inside a transportation facility where the concrete floors are still coated with a layer of oil, grease, and grime. They were held without being charged, and without access to legal council for aproximately18-hours. Some were held longer, some–women primarily–were moved more quickly through the system. Those detained were denied access to a telephone, and were only provided with a Dixie cup of water and one single-serving box of breakfast cereal.

“This group is very diverse,” says Bert Lyons, who spent 18 hours in detention. An ex-pat Memphian Lyons moved to New York with his band Loggia.

“Kids who were detained couldn’t call their parents to tell them where they were, and parents who were detained couldn’t call their kids to tell them where they were,” Lyons says. “[Critical mass cyclists] range in age from 15 to 50. There are teachers, lawyers, musicians, everything you can imagine. There are whole families. We really represent a good cross section of New York.”

The “detainees” were stacked up 50 to a cell. The cells only contained three benches, and under the bright fluorescent lights which were never dimmed or turned off there was no hope of sleeping.

“It was like those images you see from Guantanimo Bay,” Lyons says.

The U.S.A. Patriot Act denies the traditional rights accorded to American citizens who have been “detained.” So long as the apprehending officers ask no questions access to legal council is denied until arraignment. Under the Patriot Act “detainees” have no right to place a phone call. They may also be held without being informed of the charges being brought against them.

Critical Mass takes to the streets on the last Friday of every month. For the past six months the group, who begin their ride at Union Square in Midtown and end it at St. Mark’s Church in the East Village, have even enjoyed friendly police escorts.

“This ride was peaceful and respectful as it always is,” Lyons says.

According to Lyons the massive bicycle brigade was unexpectedly split into two groups by police officers on scooters who blocked their intended path. The cyclists assumed the police had safety concerns and wanted to break the Critical convoy into two smaller, more manageable groups. Otherwise, everything proceeded as usual until the south-bound group was pushed back by a police riot force near Madison Square garden where preparations were being made for the RNC’s visit. They were funneled down 35th St where they encountered one police blockade after another. They were surrounded.

“That’s when the paddy wagons started coming in,” Lyons says. “That’s when we all knew we were going to be arrested.” Of course they weren’t arrested right away, they were “detained.” There is a big difference.

“Some of the people who were detained weren’t even a part of the ride,” Lyons says. “There was one guy who had been grocery shopping. The cops threw out his groceries and handcuffed him. There were people on their way home from work.”

After 18-hours of detention Lyons was finally taken Downtown for general booking. This lasted another 9-hours. He was charged with disorderly conduct and parading without a license.

“There were still people at Pier 57 when I left,” he says. “Some of the people who were still there were the ones who weren’t even officially a part of the ride.”

A group of attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild–a group devoted to making sure all detained RNC protesters receive adequate legal council–offered pro-bono services to the cyclists. Lyons was offered the NYC equivalent of “diversion.” If he is not arrested again in the next six months the charges will be removed from his record.

There were no court costs. After an ordeal lasting nearly 30-hours he was released.

Lyons does not believe that Critical Mass–expanded as it was–was guilty of disorderly conduct. It took two hours from the time the group was stopped until they were loaded onto the paddy wagons. According to Lyons senior officers, easily recognized because of their white shirts, were instructing junior officers in the finer points of conducting a mass arrest. It’s Lyon’s opinion that his group was an easy target, and the mass detention was a training exercise for junior officers preparing to handle the RNC protests.

“We do this every month,” he says re-emphasizing the fact that for the past half-year the group has always had police escorts.

Was it all a big training exercise? 9-11changed everything, and given the civil liberty defying Patriot Act, and the climate of secrecy among elected officials and law enforcement agencies, we may never know. But New Yorkers–the group most directly affected by 9-11–are overwhelmingly angry at how the Bush administration has exploited the tragedy for political ends. Ask any deli worker; ask the barrista at Starbucks; ask the trendy trendsetters in fashionable boutiques, and upscale bistros. The vast majority of these people, the very people who lived under a cloud of toxic smoke for months after the Twin Towers came down will tell you that they are angry that Bush’s war on terror has turned into a war on the civil liberties of American citizens.”

“I don’t know if I’ll ride my bike [with Critical Mass] again or not,” Lyons says. “I mean, I know I can control myself. I know I’m not going to act out. I know that if I ride my bike I’m going to be respectful of others. But I don’t want to go through all of that again. I’m so paranoid. I don’t need that. I don’t want it.

Bert Lyons works at the Alan Lomax Archives. His responsibilities include tracking down the heirs of the many folk musicians captured in Lomax’s famous field recordings, and making sure they receive appropriate financial compensation for sales and licensing of their ancestor’s music. (9-1-04)

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NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE

Upon arriving at his temporary digs in NYC, the Pesky Fly (on assignment covering the RNC) opened his luggage and discovered a polite epistle from the Transportation Security Administration:

To protect you and your fellow passengers the Transportation Security Administration is required by law to inspect all checked baggage. As part of this process, some bags are opened and physically inspected. Your bag was among those selected for physical inspection.

Fair enough. September 11th, as we are so often reminded, changed everything. Of course they could have inspected my bag at check in, when I was there to make sure nobody helped themselves to a stack of hundred dollar bills, or rifled through my private medical records, or put my underwear on their head while doing the forbidden dance of love. But that would too difficult now, wouldn’t it? The darling little note continued:

If the TSA screener was unable to open your bag because it was locked, the screener may have been forced to break the locks on your bag. The TSA sincerely regrets having to do this, however TSA is not liable for damage to your locks resulting from this necessary security precaution. .

Of course if they had conducted the inspection at check-in, I could have easily provided the inspectors with the heavy brass key to my nice, absurdly expensive suitcase which the well-intentioned TSA is apparently allowed to demolish with impunity. More importantly, I could have also told the inspectors that my sandals–potentially harmful things to be sure– needed to stay wrapped inside all three plastic freezer bags in order to keep their decidedly unpleasant odor out of my Downy fresh clothes.

The note ended with a bit of unintended irony:

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

The noxious fumes pouring out of my suitcase brought to mind a poster; the first thing I saw after getting off the plane at LaGuardia The poster featured the image of Daily Show host Jon Stewart. “Welcome to New York,” it said. “That smell? Freedom.” (8-31-04)

HONOR GOES A.W.O.L.

On Wednesday, August 25, Max Cleland the former Georgia senator and combat veteran who left three limbs in Vietnam, made a little pilgrimage to Crawford, TX where President Bush, a known vacation enthusiast, was putting up his blood-stained boots. Cleland, serving presidential hopeful John Kerry, played the role of messenger in a transparent, but no less effective bit of grand guignol. He carried a letter signed by nine U.S. Senators, urging the President to denounce advertisements by a moneyed, tenacious, and pathologically dishonest anti-Kerry group called the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Of course Bush, whose own dubious military record precludes any official attack on Kerry’s well-documented heroics, and who certainly can’t win the election on bread and butter issues, can’t take the high road. The Swiftboat ads, deceitful and disgraceful as they are, have hit their mark. The Kerry campaign is being rammed head on by the Swift Boat lies, and the Democratic boat is taking on water. So instead of inviting the one-armed, no-legged former Senator, and certifiable patriot in for a glass of lemonade and a slice of Laura’s pie (Not to mention one helluva good photo-op) Bush snubbed Cleland, sending in his place Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. Got that?

Patterson, one of the President’s old political allies has also received over $150,000 in campaign contributions from the Swiftboat Vets’ chief funder Bob Perry. Fancy that. The ethically conflicted Patterson met Cleland outside Bush’s ranch, and made the former Senator an offer: He would deliver Cleland’s the letter unto the great and powerful Bush only if Cleland would accept and deliver a letter addressed to John Kerry. Cleland refused the deal claiming he’d rather use the mail.

Here’s Patterson’s openly partisan letter.

“August 25, 2004

Senator John Kerry

304 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Kerry,

We are pleased to welcome your campaign representatives to Texas today. We honor all our veterans, all whom have worn the uniform and served our country. We also honor the military and National Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today. We are very proud of all of them and believe they deserve our full support.

That’s why so many veterans are troubled by your vote AGAINST funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, after you voted FOR sending them into battle. And that’s why we are so concerned about the comments you made AFTER you came home from Vietnam. You accused your fellow veterans of terrible atrocities — and, to this day, you have never apologized. Even last night, you claimed to be proud of your post-war condemnation of our actions.

We’re proud of our service in Vietnam. We served honorably in Vietnam and we were deeply hurt and offended by your comments when you came home.

You can’t have it both ways. You can’t build your convention and much of your campaign around your service in Vietnam, and then try to say that only those veterans who agree with you have a right to speak up. There is no double standard for our right to free speech. We all earned it.

You said in 1992 “we do not need to divide America over who served and how.” Yet you and your surrogates continue to criticize President Bush for his service as a fighter pilot in the National Guard.

We are veterans too — and proud to support President Bush. He’s been a strong leader, with a record of outstanding support for our veterans and for our troops in combat. He’s made sure that our troops in combat have the equipment and support they need to accomplish their mission.

He has increased the VA health care budget more than 40% since 2001 — in fact, during his four years in office, President Bush has increased veterans funding twice as much as the previous administration did in eight years ($22 billion over 4 years compared to $10 billion over 8.) And he’s praised the service of all who served our country, including your service in Vietnam.

We urge you to condemn the double standard that you and your campaign have enforced regarding a veteran’s right to openly express their feelings about your activities on return from Vietnam.

Sincerely,

Texas State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson

Rep. Duke Cunningham

Rep. Duncan Hunter

Rep. Sam Johnson

Lt. General David Palmer

Robert O’Malley, Medal of Honor Recipient

James Fleming, Medal of Honor Recipient

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Castle (Ret.)

The shorter Patterson & Co: “Payback’s a bitch, ain’t it Big John? We, the undersigned support the Swift Boat Vets first amendment right to lie for President Bush because he is the great giver of good-sounding things.” And it gets worse. According to Hoyle a pair of Medal of Honor recipiants beats three lost limbs every time.

On the same day that Bush snubs insults Max Cleland, Ben Ginsberg, chief council for Bush Ô04 resigns. Why? Because he’s also council for the Swiftboat Veterans, that’s why.

From Reuters:

Federal election rules bar organizations that take unrestricted donations from coordinating their activities with campaigns or political parties.

“I was at the nexus of making sure (coordination) didn’t happen. To suggest otherwise is flat wrong,” Ginsberg said.

WTF? Because Ginsberg was an official member of both the Bush team, and the Swiftboat vets he was the “nexus” insuring there were no official connections between the Bush campaign, and the Swift Boat Vets? Why am I reminded of the classic conundrum, “I am a Cretin, and all Cretins are liars.”

From Ben Ginsberg’s Letter of resignation from Bush ‘04::

“I have decided to resign as national counsel to [the Bush] campaign to ensure that the giving of legal advice to decorated military veterans [the Swift Boat Vets], which was entirely within the boundaries of the law, doesn’t distract from the real issues upon which you and the country should be focusing.”

In other words, Big Ben didn’t want his perfectly legal but highly unethical work for a group of known liars whose primary mission is to distract voters from the real campaign issues to, you know, distract voters from the real campaign issues. Amazing.

While all the high drama raged President Bush, a coward of some magnitude, remained at the ranch, happy to have a group of professional character assassins shooting Kerry in the back. Since he can’t win with honor he’s fully prepared to lose in the gutter. The folks behind the anti-Kerry ads are the same wingnuts who challenged the patriotism of Max Cleland, and even Republican Senator John McCain who was Bush’s strongest challenger in the 2000 primaries. Their lies are blatant, their credibility easily debunked. But, according to Patterson, who was certainly acting on the President’s behalf, the first amendment punishes the truth by protecting America’s liars. Well, at least it’s an interesting theory.

Of course Bush has, without specific mention of the Swift Boat Vets, condemned all, “soft money” political advertising. He told the press he thought he’d gotten rid of “all that” when he signed the McCain-Feingold act. Well thank goodness our President is an incurious, alliterate boob who doesn’t understand the bills he signs into law.. Eliminating all political advertising not generated for and financed by political campaigns would be a devastating blow to the convenient amendment Bush is currently hiding behind.

Let’s all have a moment of Reganesque silence for the tough-guy Cowboy image President Bush once enjoyed. These days he’s more than happy to engage in the kinds of lowdown, yellow-bellied, sissy-knickered antics that make John Wayne puke in his hawkish, certifiably Republican grave. After all, a dishonest man who can’t look his critics in the eye, isn’t much of a man, now is he?