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youmayberight wrote a new diary post: ‘Son of Sam’ to speak at Minnesota synagogue
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minnesota. June 11, 2012 — In a letter to its members, Beth El Synagogue announced today that it is excited about the appearance of David Berkowitz (“Son of Sam”) at an August 8, 2012, “important fundraiser for… synagogue.” The letter continues, “His appearance coincides with the 35th anniversary of Mr. Berkowitz’s arrest [...]
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youmayberight wrote a new diary post: A letter to my elected leaders on this 9th anniversary of the torture memos
Dear Senators Klobuchar and Franken, and Representative Ellison: Today is a sad day. It is the ninth anniversary of the John Yoo-Jay Bybee “torture memos,” which were eventually withdrawn after unsuccessfully attempting to define torture out of existence. But it’s our actions in the nine years since that time that truly sadden me. I [...]
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youmayberight commented on the diary post The Fraud of the Two Party System has been exposed. Can we stop playing along now? by debbierlus.
You’ve lost me. There are many, many kinds of “physical actions” other than demonstrations or marches. And they often do have a “force” to them. This is a digression from the main thrust of your remarks, but your inability to see your error may well detract from your other comments as well.
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youmayberight commented on the diary post The Fraud of the Two Party System has been exposed. Can we stop playing along now? by debbierlus.
Boo, unless you meant to quote a different portion of Eternal’s July 8 comment, I hardly think “the force of physical action” is a “call to violence.” If it is, I think Mahatma Gandhi would be surprised.
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youmayberight commented on the blog post Obama Ignored Advice of Top Legal Advisors, OLC in Waging War in Libya
1. Let’s assume that President Obama really got conflicting legal advice rather than seeking legal opinions until he got the one he wanted. If he genuinely got differing legal views, and if he believes in a system of checks and balances and shared powers between the branches of government, he should have erred on the side of supporting the sharing of power. Now he comes across as just another power-hungry Executive, who doesn’t really believe in our Constitutional system.
2. Before he joined the Obama administration, Professor of Law Harold Koh was a critic of the concept of expansive presidential powers. Now that he is the State Department legal adviser, he defends the concept. Is that what people mean by being Koh-opted?
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youmayberight commented on the diary post Congress Members Sue Obama to End War by David Swanson.
“War,” “hostilities,” “humanitarianism” — it’s all way above my head. But if, as President Obama argues, using drones to kill people in another country doesn’t constitute “hostilities,” is the word “murder” then applicable?
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youmayberight commented on the diary post Congress Members Sue Obama to End War by David Swanson.
Thanks, David. Irony of ironies: Today, June 15, is the anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta by King John of England. That document, of course, was an attempt by law to limit the arbitrary powers of the king.
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youmayberight wrote a new diary post: How not to communicate with a U.S. senator about torture
Having had little success in my previous communications to my U.S. senators about the importance of holding accountable the architects of our torture program, I decided to try a back door approach:
Subject: Request for advice Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 00:54:16 +0000 Dear Senator Klobuchar: I realize you are not involved in matters of [...] -
youmayberight commented on the diary post How not to communicate with a U.S. senator about torture by youmayberight.
I couldn’t even find it after I posted it. It was never listed in the “MyFDL Recent Diaries.” I’m only able to comment here now by going to my own diary page. Where did you see it?
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youmayberight wrote a new diary post: How not to communicate with a U.S. senator about torture
Having had little success in my previous communications to my U.S. senators about the importance of holding accountable the architects of our torture program, I decided to try a back door approach:
Subject: Request for advice Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 00:54:16 +0000 Dear Senator Klobuchar: I realize you are not involved in matters of justice at [...]
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youmayberight commented on the diary post While Texas Dismisses Torture Charges Against James Mitchell, Other Investigations Under Political Pressures by Jeff Kaye.
Some recent quotes: President Obama: “Gadhafi’s government has violated international norms…and must be held accountable.” U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice: The Security Council Resolution sent “a very powerful message to the leadership of Libya…that individuals will be held personally accountable.” Again, Susan Rice: “When atrocities are committed against innocents, the international community must speak with one [...]
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youmayberight commented on the diary post While Texas Dismisses Torture Charges Against James Mitchell, Other Investigations Under Political Pressures by Jeff Kaye.
Thank you for this post. But maybe our failures fall on us too. Maybe we reach too far in assuming that “he issue of U.S. or British torture is not really separable from issues of war abroad and domestic crackdown on civil liberties at home. Nor is it separable from the economic policies of the [...]
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youmayberight wrote a new diary post: Congressman Ellison: Do I Matter?
Dear Congressman Ellison: As-salamu-alaykum. I am a Canadian citizen, and I heard you speak today on “The Generosity of Inclusion: Everybody Counts, Everybody Matters.” I submitted a question, but it didn’t get asked. At one point I almost felt like I should jump up and ask it, but I have tremendous fear of your government. [...] -
youmayberight wrote a new diary post: Congressman Ellison: Do I Matter?
Dear Congressman Ellison: As-salamu-alaykum. My name is Maher Arar, and I heard you speak today on “The Generosity of Inclusion: Everybody Counts, Everybody Matters.” I submitted a question, but it didn’t get asked. At one point I almost felt like I should jump up and ask it, but I have tremendous fear of your government. [...] -
youmayberight commented on the blog post Look Forward, and Promote the Torturers
And here is a part of the statement Ronald Reagan made when he signed the Convention Against Torture in 1988: “The core provisions of the Convention establish a regime for international cooperation in the criminal prosecution of torturers relying on so-called ‘universal jurisdiction.’ Each State Party is required either to prosecute torturers who are found in its territory or to extradite them to other countries for prosecution.”
His statement at the signing — not a signing statement — is available here: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1079/is_n2137_v88/ai_6742034/.
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youmayberight commented on the diary post An Apology to My Government Officials Re: Torture by youmayberight.
Thank you, powwow, for keeping the light shined on these crimes that the Obama administration is trying to hide and most Americans are trying to hide from. We feel a special responsibility in Minneapolis because one of the authors of the Jan. 9, 2002, memo you refer to in a comment to your Jan. 11, [...]
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youmayberight wrote a new diary post: An Apology to My Government Officials Re: Torture
Dear President Obama, Attorney General Holder, Senators Klobuchar and Franken, and Congressman Ellison: I wish to apologize for all the emails I have been sending you on the issue of accountability for U.S.-committed torture. I did not realize that as government officials who took oaths to uphold the Constitution, you were protecting many more [...]
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youmayberight wrote a new diary post: Protest Assange’s Feb. 7 Extradition Hearing
Julian Assange’s extradition hearing to Sweden begins February 7 in London. His lawyers have argued that based on Sweden’s past practices, Assange’s eventual extradition to the United States — where he could face the death penalty – would be much more likely from Sweden. Actions in Assange’s support and opposing the extradition are being planned in several cities, [...]
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youmayberight wrote a new diary post: A Call for Accountability as Guantanamo Enters Its 10th Year
Dear United States Attorneys: Today is a somber and symbolic day. Nine years ago today, on January 11, 2002, the first prisoners were brought to Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp in our “war on terror.” The intent was clear. By placing prisoners in Guantanamo and in a global system of prisons, we were trying to avoid the [...]
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youmayberight commented on the diary post Be Wary of “Democracy Now” by youmayberight.
That’s cute, but you have totally misread my position. All I am saying is that we shouldn’t portray opponents as saying something they didn’t say. We lose all credibility that way.
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