Day of Mourning for the US Media
A revolution for truth
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Today is a day of mourning for the U.S. media. In case you missed its passing, columnist Roberto Rodriguez' article "Questions journalists never ask," serves as a memorial. Rodriquez' column also points out that it wasn't just the integrity of the U.S. media that died, but U.S. democracy, now on the fast track to Nazi-style dictatorship. The Bush administration and its team of multi-national corporate profiteers continue co-opting the U.S. Congress, military, police and commerce. So here's the Censored News challenge to U.S. journalists: Walk out for truth. Just get your personal items together, shut down the computer and walk out! It is as easy as that to bring about a revolution for truth.
Questions journalists never ask
More at: http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
August 4, 2008
Roberto Rodriguez: Questions journalists never ask
Columnist Rodriguez asks hard questions on Iraq, torture, impeachment, border xenophobia and US spyingCOLUMN OF THE AMERICAS
AUG. 4, 2008
QUESTIONS JOURNALISTS NEVER ASK
BY ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ
Having recently returned from a national journalism conference, I was reminded how most national mainstream journalists nowadays fail to ask the most basic of questions of powerful corporate executives or government officials. This is especially true in regards to issues of war and peace, where many journalists and commentators seemingly continue to act as government stenographers at best, and cheerleader sat worst.
Since 911 of 2001, many journalists have begun to fear that being watchdogs of freedom will brand them as disloyal and anti-American.
Here are some questions you will most likely not hear in the next few months from mainstream journalists.
(Here are excerpts from the column)
Questions for President Bush:
• If everything you warned about regarding Iraq was demonstrably false, why should you – or anyone who has supported your policies – be believed about anything regarding Iran or anything else for that matter?
• If the United States is the only nation ever to use nuclear weapons in wartime against civilian populations, where does this nation get its moral authority on this issue?...
Questions for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
• By taking impeachment hearings "off the table," did you not unilaterally disarm Congress in your effort to end the Iraq War and to hold the president accountable for starting an illegal, immoral and unnecessary war? ...
Questions for John McCain:
• You voted to prohibit U.S. military personnel from utilizing torture ("enhanced interrogation techniques"), yet you sided with the president to exempt the CIA from this prohibition. Doesn't this loophole render the prohibition meaningless? ...
Questions for Barack Obama:
• One of your steadfast positions in the primaries was your opposition to granting immunity to telecommunications companies that cooperated with the White House in spying on Americans without warrants. Why have you now changed positions?
• The president and vice president have amassed unprecedented executive power. Will you reverse this, including ceasing the practice of signing statements that thwart the intent of Congress?
• You appear to believe that the Afghan War is a "just war." How long are you prepared to stay there? How much money and how many lives are you prepared to lose?
Questions for CNN's Lou Dobbs & Other anti-Immigrants:
• You are always quick to point out that you have nothing against legal immigrants. However, on "the street," this disdain [and the accompanying hate crimes] is focused on brown peoples. How do you and the people you have stirred up, distinguish between "legal" and"illegal" immigrants without resorting to racial profiling?
• Every evening, you tie the notion of broken borders and illegal immigration to the future of this nation. Do you honestly believe that your nightly obsession is contributing to a more perfect union?
Read full column:
http://web.mac.com/columnoftheamericas/Site/ColumnoftheAmericas/Entries/2008/8/4_QUESTIONS_JOURNALISTS_NEVER_ASK.html
Rodriguez can be reached at XColumn@gmail.com or
Column of the Americas, PO BOX 85476 - Tucson, AZ 85754
International Day of Indigenous Peoples in Tucson August 10, 2008
Contact: Jose R. Matus (520) 979-2125
International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples Community Event & Fundraiser
Join Us on SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2008
IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN TUCSON AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA U.S.- MEXICO BORDER REGION!
ARMORY PARK SENIOR CENTER
205 SOUTH 5TH AVENUE
TUCSON, ARIZONA
6:00 pm
Tucson—The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras, in a joint community partnership with the Coalición de Derechos Humanos and the Borderlands Theaters –Indigenous Community Standing In Circle Group, invite the community to commemorate International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples on Sunday, August 10, 2008. The official day recognized by the United Nations is August 9, and was first celebrated in 1994 at the beginning of the International Decade of the World Indigenous Peoples.
The event will begin at 6:00pm at the Armory Park Center. A regional Indigenous speaker forum will feature Indigenous leaders from throughout the Southwest who will speak about various issues affecting Indigenous communities, and the importance of World Indigenous Peoples Day, which serves as an anchor event in furtherance of collective and individual interest on our long range social justice movement sustainability.
There will be food available, and music provided by local bands: Francisco Gonzalez Harocho Harp music and Francisco Gonzalez Jr. Classical music and a Tohono O’Odham Chicken Scratch Band will provide the dancing music. The event is free and open to the community.
The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras has celebrated and recognized International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples since 2004 as part of our commitment to promote respect for Indigenous individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language, and others. The Coalición de Derechos Humanos is a community organization that works to promote respect for human/civil rights and fights the militarization of the Southern Border region.
All proceeds will go to benefit the Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras and the Coalición de Derechos Humanos, for the enhancement and promotion of Southern Border and Social Justice Movement in the U.S.-México Border region.
International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples Community Event & Fundraiser
Join Us on SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2008
IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN TUCSON AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA U.S.- MEXICO BORDER REGION!
ARMORY PARK SENIOR CENTER
205 SOUTH 5TH AVENUE
TUCSON, ARIZONA
6:00 pm
Tucson—The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras, in a joint community partnership with the Coalición de Derechos Humanos and the Borderlands Theaters –Indigenous Community Standing In Circle Group, invite the community to commemorate International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples on Sunday, August 10, 2008. The official day recognized by the United Nations is August 9, and was first celebrated in 1994 at the beginning of the International Decade of the World Indigenous Peoples.
The event will begin at 6:00pm at the Armory Park Center. A regional Indigenous speaker forum will feature Indigenous leaders from throughout the Southwest who will speak about various issues affecting Indigenous communities, and the importance of World Indigenous Peoples Day, which serves as an anchor event in furtherance of collective and individual interest on our long range social justice movement sustainability.
There will be food available, and music provided by local bands: Francisco Gonzalez Harocho Harp music and Francisco Gonzalez Jr. Classical music and a Tohono O’Odham Chicken Scratch Band will provide the dancing music. The event is free and open to the community.
The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras has celebrated and recognized International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples since 2004 as part of our commitment to promote respect for Indigenous individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language, and others. The Coalición de Derechos Humanos is a community organization that works to promote respect for human/civil rights and fights the militarization of the Southern Border region.
All proceeds will go to benefit the Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras and the Coalición de Derechos Humanos, for the enhancement and promotion of Southern Border and Social Justice Movement in the U.S.-México Border region.
Mohawk women file demand for rule of law
MOHAWK WOMEN FILE DEMAND: CANADA MUST RESPECT THE 'RULE OF LAW'
Mohawk Nation News
Aug. 4, 2008. The following “Letter of Demand” was sent to the Attorney General of Canada. We are reminding them to fulfill their obligation to us as our historic allies to protect our rights. Canada Border Services Agents has illegally erected facilities in the midst of our community of Akwesasne and is illegally interfering with our right to live peacefully among our people. In particular, criminal assaults have been conducted against members of our community, including the assault against Kahentinetha and Katenies on June 14th 2008 at the “Cornwall Ontario” check point. According to the Canadian Constitution Canada is governed by the rule of law and everyone is equal before the law. This means that Canadian officials must obey the law, just like everyone else. When they commit an assault they should be charged with an assault under the Criminal Code just like anyone else who commits an assault. According to Federal Court of Canada rules, the Attorney General must answer this letter by August 22, 2008.
LETTER OF DEMAND
Date: July 23, 2008
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
TO: Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
613-941-6900 nicholson.r@parl.gc.ca
TAKE NOTICE THAT ON JUNE 14, 2008, KAHENTINETHA AND KATENIES, MEMBERS OF THE KANION’KE:HAKA/MOHAWK NATION, WERE ASSAULTED, BRUTALIZED, ARRESTED AND DETAINED ILLEGALLY AT THE CORNWALL BORDER.
The following are the facts giving rise to this incident.
1.On June 14, 2008 Sakowaiaks and Kahentinetha went to Akwesasne to pick up Katenies. Kahentinetha is a 68 year old grandmother. Katenies is 43 years old and also a grandmother.
2.At approximately 2:00 pm they were passing through the Canadian border control on the Cornwall portion. Akwesasne is a small community. The Canada-U.S. border has been placed in the middle of the Mohawk community. The people have to cross the border many times a day for groceries or to visit relatives.
3.Katenies, Kahentinetha and Sakowaiaks went through the border and were told to wait under the canopy. They sat there peacefully for an hour surrounded by guards. Some Mohawk elders showed up to witness. Several other vehicles were searched and released. Only Indigenous people were stopped. Eventually a platoon of about a dozen guards marched towards the car, all wearing leather gloves, flack jackets and all kinds of equipment hanging about their waist. One officer, Maurice Saucier [Badge #16121], was on the cell phone throughout directing operations during the attack on Kahentinetha and Katenies.
4.At approximately 3:00 pm Katenies was dragged violently from the back seat of the car by a gang of hefty young men and women. They knocked her down, pinned her to the ground, and forced their knees into her head and back. They handcuffed her and smashed and rubbed her face into the pavement. Sakowaiaks still remembers the sound of flesh hitting the pavement. She received bleeding scrapes and bruises on her face, shoulders, arms and legs. Katenies’ was taken into the customs building and later to Ottawa. She was not given any medical attention. She was not allowed to call her mother and her mother was not permitted to see her or speak to her. Katenies was held incommunicado for three days until she appeared in Cornwall court on June 17, 2008.
5.There were no warrants or charges out for Kahentinetha. Her ID and car keys had already been taken. Katenies’ has not been returned. Also missing are documents that were in the trunk and the shoes taken from Kahentinetha’s feet.
6.It was only after the assault on Katenies began that Kahentinetha was ordered to get out of the car. She saw what they were planning to do to her. Kahentinetha heard Maurice Saucier tell the other agents to “Take her out”. On June 14th 2008 she was afraid for her life if she got out of the car. She was right and continues to be afraid.
7.She was handcuffed, assaulted and imprisoned. Once in the cell, the attack continued. Some of the officers deliberately tightened the handcuffs she was wearing several times. This cut the circulation to her hands. The pain shot up her arms and she experienced flashes of light and pains in the middle of her chest and back. She cried for help. The guards ignored her and tightened the handcuffs more. They yelled threats at her and kept ordering her to bend down. A man stood behind her and had his hands on her pants. She received scrapes and bruises on her arms and legs.
8.Frank Horn, a Cornwall lawyer, and his son Kanatase, happened to be waiting in the line at the border. [613-935-8882]. They wouldn’t let him see his sister, Kahentinetha, until they took off the cuffs and gave her a chair to sit on. When he saw her, he immediately insisted on calling an ambulance. The Akwesasne Police stood and watched in silence. The ambulance took her to Cornwall Community Hospital and the Ottawa Ontario Heart Institute. She remained in hospital for 5 days in the trauma unit and intensive care unit. Since that time she had a relapse and was hospitalized at the Anna Laberge Hospital in Chateauguay Quebec.
9.The medical record confirms that despite excellent physical condition Kahentinetha had a trauma induced heart attack. Her recovery will take a long time. Part of her heart was killed. Her health will never be the same. Both women are now recuperating in the company of their children and grandchildren.
10.None of these women is associated with any kind of criminal activity.
11.The video footage of the assaults on Kahentinetha and Katenies on June 14th 2008 have been confiscated by Canada‘s Department of “National Defense”. We are informed the only way to obtain these videos is to “waive our rights”. .
12.Some of the CBSA officers had the following badge numbers: 17012; 16320; 16511; 16121; and 16275; Some of those involved and responsible for border issues are Alain Jolicoeur, President of CBSA 613-952-3200; Lance Markel, District Director CBSA 613-930-3234; Hon. Stockwell Day, Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness 613-995-1703 day.s@parl.gc.ca; Dave MacKenzie, Parliamentary Secretary, Public Safety, 613-995-4432 mackenzie.d@parl.gc.ca; Akwesasne Mohawk Police 613-575-2250 ext. 2400; and Louis Mitchell, Mohawk Security 613-932-5183, 613-575-2340;
13.We have reason to believe that the Canadian “state” conspired to kill us. These assaults appear to have been carried out by the Canada Border Security Agency, Canada Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services and Mohawk Security Officers, all agencies of the Canadian government. The courts of “Canada” are presently issuing false charges and attempting to serve warrants on Kahentinetha and Katenies.
Demand for Relief:
14. The individuals who assaulted the three women must be charged, tried and punished.15.Full and complete undoctored copies of the video footage of this event.16.Full disclosure of all files and official communications concerning the cases of Kahentinetha and Katenies.17.$10 million for physical, psychological and punitive damages and such other relief as this court may deem fit.
Deadline for settlement:
18.An order that all Canadian government agencies will respect the time delays set out in the rules of court.
From:
Kahentinetha, Bear Clan __________________
kahentinetha2@yahoo.comj
Katenies, Bear Clan ______________________
katenies20@yahoo.com
% Box 991, Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada J0L 1B0, 450-635-9345
Address for service: for the purposes of this proceeding only, service to be made % Julio Peris, 625 Rene-Levesque West, Suite 900, Montreal Quebec H3B 1R2 – 514-933-4656 Fax 514-933-9587.
PLEASE NOTE : As can be seen, it’s becoming critical for legal actions to be taken to protect our rights. We have no funds. Canada is hiring costly law firms to suppress our rights. If you can donate anything to our cause, it will be greatly appreciated. Donate to: PayPal, http://www.mohawknationnews.com/, or “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:en/Thank you very much.
Mohawk Nation News
Aug. 4, 2008. The following “Letter of Demand” was sent to the Attorney General of Canada. We are reminding them to fulfill their obligation to us as our historic allies to protect our rights. Canada Border Services Agents has illegally erected facilities in the midst of our community of Akwesasne and is illegally interfering with our right to live peacefully among our people. In particular, criminal assaults have been conducted against members of our community, including the assault against Kahentinetha and Katenies on June 14th 2008 at the “Cornwall Ontario” check point. According to the Canadian Constitution Canada is governed by the rule of law and everyone is equal before the law. This means that Canadian officials must obey the law, just like everyone else. When they commit an assault they should be charged with an assault under the Criminal Code just like anyone else who commits an assault. According to Federal Court of Canada rules, the Attorney General must answer this letter by August 22, 2008.
LETTER OF DEMAND
Date: July 23, 2008
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
TO: Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8
613-941-6900 nicholson.r@parl.gc.ca
TAKE NOTICE THAT ON JUNE 14, 2008, KAHENTINETHA AND KATENIES, MEMBERS OF THE KANION’KE:HAKA/MOHAWK NATION, WERE ASSAULTED, BRUTALIZED, ARRESTED AND DETAINED ILLEGALLY AT THE CORNWALL BORDER.
The following are the facts giving rise to this incident.
1.On June 14, 2008 Sakowaiaks and Kahentinetha went to Akwesasne to pick up Katenies. Kahentinetha is a 68 year old grandmother. Katenies is 43 years old and also a grandmother.
2.At approximately 2:00 pm they were passing through the Canadian border control on the Cornwall portion. Akwesasne is a small community. The Canada-U.S. border has been placed in the middle of the Mohawk community. The people have to cross the border many times a day for groceries or to visit relatives.
3.Katenies, Kahentinetha and Sakowaiaks went through the border and were told to wait under the canopy. They sat there peacefully for an hour surrounded by guards. Some Mohawk elders showed up to witness. Several other vehicles were searched and released. Only Indigenous people were stopped. Eventually a platoon of about a dozen guards marched towards the car, all wearing leather gloves, flack jackets and all kinds of equipment hanging about their waist. One officer, Maurice Saucier [Badge #16121], was on the cell phone throughout directing operations during the attack on Kahentinetha and Katenies.
4.At approximately 3:00 pm Katenies was dragged violently from the back seat of the car by a gang of hefty young men and women. They knocked her down, pinned her to the ground, and forced their knees into her head and back. They handcuffed her and smashed and rubbed her face into the pavement. Sakowaiaks still remembers the sound of flesh hitting the pavement. She received bleeding scrapes and bruises on her face, shoulders, arms and legs. Katenies’ was taken into the customs building and later to Ottawa. She was not given any medical attention. She was not allowed to call her mother and her mother was not permitted to see her or speak to her. Katenies was held incommunicado for three days until she appeared in Cornwall court on June 17, 2008.
5.There were no warrants or charges out for Kahentinetha. Her ID and car keys had already been taken. Katenies’ has not been returned. Also missing are documents that were in the trunk and the shoes taken from Kahentinetha’s feet.
6.It was only after the assault on Katenies began that Kahentinetha was ordered to get out of the car. She saw what they were planning to do to her. Kahentinetha heard Maurice Saucier tell the other agents to “Take her out”. On June 14th 2008 she was afraid for her life if she got out of the car. She was right and continues to be afraid.
7.She was handcuffed, assaulted and imprisoned. Once in the cell, the attack continued. Some of the officers deliberately tightened the handcuffs she was wearing several times. This cut the circulation to her hands. The pain shot up her arms and she experienced flashes of light and pains in the middle of her chest and back. She cried for help. The guards ignored her and tightened the handcuffs more. They yelled threats at her and kept ordering her to bend down. A man stood behind her and had his hands on her pants. She received scrapes and bruises on her arms and legs.
8.Frank Horn, a Cornwall lawyer, and his son Kanatase, happened to be waiting in the line at the border. [613-935-8882]. They wouldn’t let him see his sister, Kahentinetha, until they took off the cuffs and gave her a chair to sit on. When he saw her, he immediately insisted on calling an ambulance. The Akwesasne Police stood and watched in silence. The ambulance took her to Cornwall Community Hospital and the Ottawa Ontario Heart Institute. She remained in hospital for 5 days in the trauma unit and intensive care unit. Since that time she had a relapse and was hospitalized at the Anna Laberge Hospital in Chateauguay Quebec.
9.The medical record confirms that despite excellent physical condition Kahentinetha had a trauma induced heart attack. Her recovery will take a long time. Part of her heart was killed. Her health will never be the same. Both women are now recuperating in the company of their children and grandchildren.
10.None of these women is associated with any kind of criminal activity.
11.The video footage of the assaults on Kahentinetha and Katenies on June 14th 2008 have been confiscated by Canada‘s Department of “National Defense”. We are informed the only way to obtain these videos is to “waive our rights”. .
12.Some of the CBSA officers had the following badge numbers: 17012; 16320; 16511; 16121; and 16275; Some of those involved and responsible for border issues are Alain Jolicoeur, President of CBSA 613-952-3200; Lance Markel, District Director CBSA 613-930-3234; Hon. Stockwell Day, Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness 613-995-1703 day.s@parl.gc.ca; Dave MacKenzie, Parliamentary Secretary, Public Safety, 613-995-4432 mackenzie.d@parl.gc.ca; Akwesasne Mohawk Police 613-575-2250 ext. 2400; and Louis Mitchell, Mohawk Security 613-932-5183, 613-575-2340;
13.We have reason to believe that the Canadian “state” conspired to kill us. These assaults appear to have been carried out by the Canada Border Security Agency, Canada Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services and Mohawk Security Officers, all agencies of the Canadian government. The courts of “Canada” are presently issuing false charges and attempting to serve warrants on Kahentinetha and Katenies.
Demand for Relief:
14. The individuals who assaulted the three women must be charged, tried and punished.15.Full and complete undoctored copies of the video footage of this event.16.Full disclosure of all files and official communications concerning the cases of Kahentinetha and Katenies.17.$10 million for physical, psychological and punitive damages and such other relief as this court may deem fit.
Deadline for settlement:
18.An order that all Canadian government agencies will respect the time delays set out in the rules of court.
From:
Kahentinetha, Bear Clan __________________
kahentinetha2@yahoo.comj
Katenies, Bear Clan ______________________
katenies20@yahoo.com
% Box 991, Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada J0L 1B0, 450-635-9345
Address for service: for the purposes of this proceeding only, service to be made % Julio Peris, 625 Rene-Levesque West, Suite 900, Montreal Quebec H3B 1R2 – 514-933-4656 Fax 514-933-9587.
PLEASE NOTE : As can be seen, it’s becoming critical for legal actions to be taken to protect our rights. We have no funds. Canada is hiring costly law firms to suppress our rights. If you can donate anything to our cause, it will be greatly appreciated. Donate to: PayPal, http://www.mohawknationnews.com/, or “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:en/Thank you very much.
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