OpEdNews » Is Amy Goodman a Terrorist?

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Tag(s): ACLU; Arrest; Brutality; Conspiracy; Democratic; Ideology; International; Laws; OpEdNews; Police; (more...) Protester; Republican; Rights; School; Strike; Torture; Weapons; Work (less...)
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September 8, 2008 at 22:55:02

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Promoted to Headline (H2) on 9/8/08:
Is Amy Goodman a Terrorist?

by chris rice Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Does the group 'Food not Bombs' strike you as a terrorist organization? Do journalists from DemocracyNow pose a clear and present danger to the Republican or Democratic conventions? Or what about the axe-wielding members of the band 'Rage Against the Machine' they seem like a dangerous bunch. Armed to the teeth with their musical instruments.

What has come to light with the RNC protests is incredibly disturbing. The arrests of journalists, the use of free speech zones, the mass false arrests and detentions, pop up police lines, and police rushing crowds of protesters even using vehicles as weapons to flank the crowds...these are clear violations of the First Amendment. In regards to journalists, it inhibits the rights of journalists to gather information as granted by the First Amendment. In regards to protesters, it severely limits, infringes upon, or otherwise stops, their right to protest. Police arresting people based on a perceived political ideology, is a clear violation of First Amendment rights.

Police conducting mass warrantless raids on organization, clearly because of political ideologies, or because of perceived or expected acts of protest, are clear violations of the fourth amendment. If it is politically motivated, as is easily seen by taking into account who was raided prior to the event, it is also a violation of First Amendment rights.

The use of "non-lethal" weapons such as tear gas, pepper spray, tasers, and projectiles (flash grenades and concussion "stun" grenades) against protesters, violates state and federal law. Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, once the US ratifies and signs itself into an international treaty, the laws outlined therein also become United States Law, which are binding on all levels of government. According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by the US in 1992, these acts are illegal by US law. Not to mention the fact, that the UN Human Rights Commission has condemned the use of such weapons against a countries citizenry as a violation of human rights.

What's also of grave concern, is that since September 11th, the protesters can now be have extra charges of terrorism attached to the original charges. This lengthens their sentencing by several years, and is far easier to convict in a court of law, due to the emotional fears that people have with regard to the word terrorism. This means, that laws that are used to convict acts committed by people who are intending to cause loss of human life on a large scale, for political or ideological motivation, are now used on people who are simply exercising their first amendment rights to protest. Even if, those people were planning on acts of civil disobedience, or planning acts of vandalism, the loss of property, is now equal, by these standards to loss of human life on a grand scale.

Not to mention, the charges of conspiracy that are added to the charges on almost all of these protesters, are easy to convict on, as they require very little evidence to prove. Say for instance, that a group of protesters, fearful and tired of acts of police brutality they had just experienced the day before, plan amongst each other, that should it happen again, they would fight back. The act of fighting back need not occur, it just needs to be proven that they said they would. Now they're charged with conspiracy, which carries extra sentencing.

Even more chilling is the historical perspective brought by Naomi Wolf "Once the state legalizes torture of people at the margins, inevitably it will begin to direct state abuse at people at the heart of civil society, and it 's always the same cast of characters: journalists, editors, opposition leaders. And when that starts to happen, society can close down in a heartbeat, because people start to censor themselves."

I am very happy to hear that the ACLU, Amnesty International, and the National Lawyers Guild are calling for, and investigating into what happened during the RNC protests. However, what I hadn't realized prior to these protests, was that ALL of these tactics, and some even worse (!) have been used before, in virtually every single large gathering or protest in the United States since September 11th.

But what can we do? Send a check to the ACLU, to OpEdNews, that would be a good start. But extra-ordinary times call for extra-ordinary measures. Some of the more courageous have dressed up like natives and thrown the tea into the harbor. We all have a chance to be heard by being silent. By not showing up for work, by not going to school, by not buying anything from September 11th through the 15th you can make history. Tell your leaders in no uncertain terms 'Enough is Enough'. We're as mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore!

For strike details visit http://www.votestrike.ning.com

(Specific constitutional infringements and information pertaining to the Supremacy Laws obtained from the National Lawyers Guild. Source: National Lawyers Guild - documents on Punishing Protest https://www.nationallawyersguild.org/NLG_Punishing ... (PDF) )

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11 comments

60 yr old mother of 2, grandma of 3.
I believe that all commodities should be nationalized. All of the oil that is pumped in the U.S. comes from public lands. Therefore, all profits from that oil should belong to the citizens and NOT to a few corporate CEO's. That should have never happened.
I firmly believe we need a single payer health care system. It makes NO sense AT ALL to pay insurance companies to deny health care to people in need instead of paying the doctors who provide the...

to see more of bio, click on member name
weslen160 yr old mother of 2, grandma of 3.
I believe that all commodities should be nationalized. All of the oil that is pumped in the U.S. comes from public lands. Therefore, all profits from that oil should belong to the citizens and NOT to a few corporate CEO's. That should have never happened.
I firmly believe we need a single payer health care system. It makes NO sense AT ALL to pay insurance companies to deny health care to people in need instead of paying the doctors who provide the...

to see more of bio, click on member name

When they came for me there was no one left.

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

It's just the beginning if McCain is elected and the Neo-con agenda is allowed to continue. As long a MSM continues to only report the same tired old talking points of the Parties, and ignoring the TRUTH there will be no ending other than the total destruction of America as we know it. We will continue to detereorate until there's nothing left. Republicans ONLY care about themselves, but they're good at spinning it in such a way to make at least 40 percent of the people BELIEVE it's good for THEM if corporate executives bank millions while THEY go broke putting food on the table. It's good for THEM when they can't get to their minimum wage job because the gas is too expensive while those who set those prices are flying around the world in their private JETS or sailing on their YACHTS, buying MANSIONS left and right while YOU are going to be HOMELESS next month, or next week.

But these people who still fall in step with those who would silence journalists and peace loving people will continue to visit their "MORALS" on the rest of us.

by weslen1 (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 52 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 2:34:17 AM

Tom Degan is a former Green Party candidate for New York State Senate. He writes on a blogsite called, The Rant by Tom Degan. He is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.....Okay, he didn't really receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But he did get a ribbon of sorts when he was in the Cub Scouts.
Tom DeganTom Degan is a former Green Party candidate for New York State Senate. He writes on a blogsite called, The Rant by Tom Degan. He is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.....Okay, he didn't really receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But he did get a ribbon of sorts when he was in the Cub Scouts.

Amy? MY AMY???

The title of this piece caught my eye: Is Amy Goodman a Terrorist?

Well, DUH! Of course she is! If you're a corrupt, bloviating right-wing politician (and they're all corrupt, that's a fact - Think about it) her very name should strike absolute terror in your heart. Do yourself a BIG favor; go out the book she wrote with her brother Marc called Static. Amy (and Mark) are armed to the teeth with state-of-the-art bullshit detectors.

If the American people ever catch up to her (wishful thinking, I know), the Republican party is finished.

www.tomdegan.blgspot.com

by Tom Degan (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 28 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 7:51:21 AM

I created a website www.votestrike.com for you, the voters, because, whichever party you belong to they have failed you.

The website has the ambitious goal of ending the two party system & the third party myth. Modeled after the fall of the Berlin wall, the Polish overthrow of the communist government, and the Phillipine removal of Marcos. All of this was accomplished without firing a shot.

About the author: I'm uneducated, my opinion means nothing but I know that I'm a...

to see more of bio, click on member name
chris riceI created a website www.votestrike.com for you, the voters, because, whichever party you belong to they have failed you.

The website has the ambitious goal of ending the two party system & the third party myth. Modeled after the fall of the Berlin wall, the Polish overthrow of the communist government, and the Phillipine removal of Marcos. All of this was accomplished without firing a shot.

About the author: I'm uneducated, my opinion means nothing but I know that I'm a...

to see more of bio, click on member name

You're A Terrorist

There are now over 1 million people listed on GWB Terrorism Watchlist including author Naomi Wolf, CNN reporters, JAG attorneys, Constitutionalist, and even YOU.

Welcome to the New World Order.....

by chris rice (88 articles, 80 quicklinks, 27 diaries, 222 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 8:26:46 AM

Artist, Activist, Wife, Mother, Human Being
Cheryl AbrahamArtist, Activist, Wife, Mother, Human Being

Well, Chris

Glad I'm in such good company!

Perhaps we should be suspicious of anyone NOT on the list! Though, actually, it's not very funny is it? It is a frightening precursor to complete fascism.

by Cheryl Abraham (13 articles, 2 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 206 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 11:38:45 AM

Student of history, religion, exoteric and esoteric, the Humanities in general and advocate for peace, justice and the unity of humankind, not through force, but through self-realization and mutual respect. I have also just come out with my first book, a combination of poetry, photography and essays entitled "Post Katrina Blues", my reflections on the Gulf Coast and New Orleans two years after Katrina struck. Go to the store at http://sanfranciscobaypress.com/ to purchase.
Mac McKinneyStudent of history, religion, exoteric and esoteric, the Humanities in general and advocate for peace, justice and the unity of humankind, not through force, but through self-realization and mutual respect. I have also just come out with my first book, a combination of poetry, photography and essays entitled "Post Katrina Blues", my reflections on the Gulf Coast and New Orleans two years after Katrina struck. Go to the store at http://sanfranciscobaypress.com/ to purchase.

A Terrorist Is

A terrorist is anyone who tells the truth about, speaks out against, or struggles against the Corporate Warfare State that has perverted America. So really, half the country is filled with terrorists in our elitists' eyes. That is why they are spying on the whole country, as they desperately try to cling to power, privilege and control of the world, just like the Mafia, for example, tries to maintain its power in New York, Miami, Sicily, Italy. The Universe will not long tolerate such an affront to creation though.

by Mac McKinney (49 articles, 83 quicklinks, 204 diaries, 1221 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 11:44:22 AM

Blackwater Operates in the US Now, Openly

The Constitution is in tatters. A storm is upon us, the clouds are all black. We can lose this country or we can TAKE IT BACK!!!

by chris rice (88 articles, 80 quicklinks, 27 diaries, 222 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 12:18:54 PM

This quote summarizes the nature of my concerns and the content of personal experiences which stir my activism:

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement on human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves". --Paul Revere, House of Commons
Kathryn SmithThis quote summarizes the nature of my concerns and the content of personal experiences which stir my activism:

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement on human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves". --Paul Revere, House of Commons

I think this will work against Republicans

IF we go on a publicity crusade far above and beyond here on Opednews. This wrong-doing of theirs could be their own undoing, coming back to bite them in the rear end.

I don't mean to sound partisan, because in fact I vote for anybody whose voting record proves their integrity and sincerity, of any partisanship. But it's a fact that the Repubs have a nasty record where civil liberties are concerned.

What happened at St Paul is like Tianenmen Square. NOthing less. To drive cars into groups is a violation of the FOURTH amendment:

"THe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects shall not be violated".....

No, the Constitution is not in shatters. Actually it's these unconstitutional post-911 laws. We still have the Constitution in place in order to overturn these bad laws which are currently our undoing. The hope is not lost yet!

by Kathryn Smith (105 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 479 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 9:00:11 PM

Free speech zones

are written into the Patriot Act. The ACLU's statistics are that pro-Bush people have been corralled to pens and areas far away from the media, whereas pro-Bush protestors have been allowed near the media and go undisturbed.

What enables the arrest of Food Not Bombs as "terrorists "and for them to be locked up under maximum seven-year sentences, is the Patriot Act's "over-broad" definition of "terrorism" (the term "over-broad" is echoed by the ACLU, Center for Constitutional Rights, GUn Owners of America, former FBI agent Ted Gunderson, and more than twelve conservative entities who have joined the ACLU's fight against the Patriot Act).

The "over-broad" definition includes activists---yes, that actual word---in the "Terrorist" Definition. Apologies but I no longer have the link to the legal authoritative source where I read that.

THat's why this is happening now in St Paul. And unfortunately, given these facts in the Patriot Act----not to mention the FBI's unilateral arrest and subpoena'ing powers based on "an authorized investigation" lacking any judge's review, but based solely on their own self-"authorized" discretion---the statistics of vocal people dubbed "Terrorists" will only increase.

IF we citizens DON"T go on a publicity campaign. We MUST write about this above and far beyond Opednews alone.

Dial in to radio talk shows.

Write letters to underground and local newspaper editors. (Frankly I have seen major papers print letters about such stuff too, FYI).

Send out chain emails.

Vote with your dollars: Sign up for Credo phone service and for Qwest phone/internet service: Both entities will not wiretap without court warrant. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT because the judges power to put a "check" on runaway government power is thus supported, by your choice of phone/internet carriers who refuse to cooperate with the warrantless program. THIS CAN STOP THE POLICE SPYING ON ACTIVISTS AND HENCE THE BREAK-INS TO THEIR HOMES AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL ARRESTS FROM THOSE HOMES!

Last but not least, join the ACLU and other entities, call Congress and do anything it takes to GET THE PATRIOT ACT OVERTURNED!

by Kathryn Smith (105 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 479 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 9:11:05 PM

Masters degree in social work. Activist 40 years worth. Favorite quote, "we had to destroy the city to save it" hobbies taxedermy,music,saving souls and respirating
robert braunsteinMasters degree in social work. Activist 40 years worth. Favorite quote, "we had to destroy the city to save it" hobbies taxedermy,music,saving souls and respirating

truth is terror

Anyone who seeks, speaks, the truth is a threat. They terrorize liars. Those who deal in fear and terror are "heroic" patriotic blowhards. Shine the light on these roaches and they retreat into the walls and floorboards. My sincerest appology to cockaroaches.

by robert braunstein (36 articles, 0 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 131 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 9:33:26 PM

A Massive Movement

We need to reach way beyond OpEdNews and reach the soccer moms,the average Joes. We need to set aside whatever differences we think that we have to destroy that which seeks to destroy us all.

I've brought truckers into the strike, active and retired military, teachers, lawyers, iron workers, etc. I've posted in right wing, left wing and no wing sites from here to France. We even have 4 other countries participating. Because Americas war on terror reaches all around the globe. And Blair/Brown have their own version of the Patriot Act.

Together we can end this nigtmare and restore the rule of law this September 11-15 with a General Strike. But it must be massive. We need to reach out, post in forums, blogs, emails, faxes, flyers, etc. Because we may not get another chance.

by chris rice (88 articles, 80 quicklinks, 27 diaries, 222 comments) on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 11:52:49 PM