Headlines for July.14.08

* Kucinich introduced the impeachment bill as one article on Thursday. Pelosi suggested that the House Judiciary Committee may hold some hearings on the resolution, more then they have done before.

* The Red Cross stated that the conditions at Gitmo are in fact torture.

This is important because the Red cross is the international standard for prison conditions - they inspect all of the international prisons and their judgment on what is and is not acceptable is the international baseline. If they say that we are torturing, it doesn't matter what screwed up logic that we make here at home, in the eyes of the world what we are doing is a War Crime, and it brings the possibility of charges and a tribunal.

* Karl Rove continues to ignore a subpoena from the Congress citing executive privileges. This was already turned down once during the Nixon Administration. - Executive power does not trump the Congress' role of oversight. Because the courts are packed with loyal appointees the only road for redress in this matter - the courts - are effectively blocked.

* Iran tested missiles. The United States wants to build a radar base in Prague as part of U.S. missile defense system in eastern Europe. If The Czech Republic allows this then Russia has threatened force.

* Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stocks have continued to slump, which is feeding speculation that the government will bail them out.

* Homeland security looking at a new measure for security: requiring everyone on planes to wear bracelets that will effectively taser you if activated.

* The Green Party convention was in Illinois.

* The Ron Paul Revolution march was this weekend in DC.

* Anti-gay Alabama Republican Attorney General was caught in bed by his wife with another man.

CODEPINK Blockades Rep. Ackerman

CODEPINK Press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- With whistles, banners, and megaphones, in kayaks and canoes, CODEPINK Women for Peace activists formed a symbolic peace blockade around Rep. Gary's Ackerman's houseboat at 7 a.m. today inside the Capital Yacht Club marina. They demanded an end to Ackerman's recently introduced resolution that would create more sanctions on the Iranian people and a potential blockade of Iranian ports.

Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I), who was sleeping inside the boat, emerged around 8 a.m. to the dock. With a glance down at the activists in their boats on the water, called the action "the most creative protest I've ever seen" and engaged the group in a lively discussion for 30 minutes.

Ackerman promised he would do whatever he could to prevent war with Iran and advocated direct talks Iranian officials, without preconditions.

"Let the talks begin," Ackerman said, on his way to a 10 a.m. Congressional hearing on Iran. He refused, however, to withdraw his H.Con. Resolution 362.

The unusual, vibrant action seemed particularly crucial this morning, when the Iranian government announced it had tested several missiles.

"Iran's missile tests give all the more reason to start direct talks right away," said Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK co-founder. "We are now on a dangerous path towards war. We must stop the next war now."

The activists called on Congressman Ackerman to drop his resolution, which calls for stricter sanctions and aggressive inspections of all ships. They worry the sanctions, as in the case of Iraq, will harm civilians rather than officials.

They also worry the resolution, in blocking the travel of Iranian officials, will cut off much-needed dialogue.

Code Pink called on Cong. Ackerman to commit to diplomacy. Americans agree: a May 19 Gallup Poll found 6 in 10 Americans (59%) consider it "a good idea" for the United States president to meet with the president of Iran for peace talks.

"Our peace blockade showed the Congressman how it feels to be blockaded in your own home," said Gael Murphy of Code Pink. "When we shouted 'talks, not sanctions or war' from our boats, he was definitely given a wake-up call."

The action received nearly 5 minutes of coverage on Fox News yesterday evening. It was one of their top videos online today. You can see the footage here.

While the spot on Fox provided great publicity for CODEPINK, it was very misleading about the issue itself. As usual, sanctions were framed as an alternative to war, rather than as another step down the path toward war. Asserting control over another country's borders is an aggressive move that will only increase tension in a region that is already very hostile to the United States.