Trying to stay current and in communication since that seems to be a challenge these days with so many obstacles.

https://twitter.com/allanfisch/status/1266910694324101120?s=20

Don't hesitate to get in touch.

3234288689

Back to life...the blog at least....

Reactivating after a four-year hiatus...more later...

Marvin Fisch

Marvin Fisch

November 26, 1924-December 4, 2008

Posted in comments to Huffington Post today

I felt inspired and posted a comment under a story about Mike Huckabee's comments on The View this AM.

I don't like how this is being used as a wedge to drive between the black community and the LGBT. What about all the black LGBT people? Does discrimination have to be mutually exclusive? How many of us LGBT people "passed" out of fear and intimidation of being found out for who we truly are?

I was in the dept. store on saturday after the rally here in an AA neighborhood. While I was at the counter, a middle aged AA woman was just glaring at me, and my friend...I kept thinking to myself, what is going through her mind? I have no idea, But I had on a teeshirt that said "Stand up to H8"...Did she not agree?

Since the election , many times when I see an AA woman, I can't help thinking to myself" What have I ever done to you that you should vote against me?".>I know that is not a totally rational thought, but if i was to give in to my lower nature, you see where I"m going> Unfortunately, a lot of people too often give in to their lower natures. and that's the problem...The gays and the black community should be allies, not enemies...WE all suffer from oppression and it's not a contest. And for those that dare to compare(talk about slipperly slopes) I have been spit on, called names, beaten up, ostracized, ridiculed, denied employment advancement..shall I go on?

Liberals are...drum roll...Pacifists and JEWS!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/29/gop-congressman-democrats_n_139091.html


you mean, like JESUS?

Proposition 8

Here in California, they have decided to put civil rights on the ballot for the masses.

Here's a comparison of the attitudes:

First...the Yes



Now the No...

The poisoning of the minds of the young...

This was on BloggerInterrupted..Thanks to him for shining a light into the darkness.

Quick tour of National Parks of the Southwest

Preserving the world in Kodachrome(tm)

Since I got my Nikon f4, I have had a revival in my interest in phtotography. But since I started school, I haven't had a lot of time to take pictures. Coincidentally, I have been favoring using Kodachrome(tm) to shoot with, especially since it's no telling if and when Kodak might discontinue making this lovely film. So..Here are some of the first fruits of my labors. KC tends to scan rather densely, the actual slides are exposed perfectly.

My Friend Ted Hall

My friend Ted Hall, one of the most talented film/music sound mixer geniuses in the business, passed away on July 26th. Ted supervised and engineered dozens of feature film projects for me over the years and should get 99.9% of the credit for the way these projects, dvds, laserdiscs,etc turned out. He worked on almost all of my MGM projects, Paramount Paramount for me and others and for many more over the years. He will be sorely missed, not just professionally but personally and the world has lost an audio genius and amazing human being at too young an age. If you have a dvd of a movie and it sounds good at home, Ted gets a lot of the credit. He,under the tutelage of Bruce Botnick, was instrumental in changing how home video sounded.

Back to something that's good in the world.

FISA BILL

Senate just rubber stamped the house bill that guts the 4th amendment as well as give the telcos immunity. Don't let the congress think we have short memories.

By any other name...

Holiday Stroll

Oceana

Taken on the 4th of July in Santa Monica, CA. Thought it was an appropriate image to represent where things are going...

What's that smell?

It's your Constitution, being used as kindling...


House Passes Wiretap Bill Shielding Telecoms
House Passes Wiretap Bill Shielding Telecoms

Hidden Hiroshima

I won't post the pictures myself but i urge everyone to go to this site and view them as a reminder of what was wrought on our fellow humans..
These images were more or less hidden for the past sixty years.

http://faculty.ucmerced.edu/smalloy/atomic_tragedy/photos.html

The site has taken down the pictures as they are now not certain the even show was actually Hiroshima, instead, it may have been devestation from an earthquake nearly 30 years prior...

USC BOUND

or rather..RE-Bound!

Found out this week that I was accepted to the Masters' program I applied to at USC.

I say re because I started my academic life as a Trojan WAY back in 1983 at the tender age of 17.  For various complicated reasons I did not get my bachelor's degree from there and landed at NYU.

So in a way this is life coming full circle, and also finishing unfinished business...

Very happy about this. After about twelve years of not very good news, this is some really great news at last.

Onto the next phase of life...Farewell film business..Hello, Mr. Chips...

Classes start in June, a lot to do, not to mention that it now cost THREE times as much to go to USC as it did in 1983!($400/unit then, $1200 now)

Times sure have changed...I felt at times like the lone democrat amongst my friends during the height of the Reagan era on that campus. During the 1984 campaign, Walter Mondale appeared on campus and was heckled by the students. We made the Evening News(rememeber the Evening News?)...Then George Bush Sr. appeared with his wife George Washington to cheers of four more years.  The highlight of that appearance for me was seeing someone holding a sign that read "Jane Wyman was Right!"...

Support the Senate Hate Crimes Bill

Please call your US Senator and tell them to support and and any others you care to.> John McCain is trying to block a vote on this bill tomorrow. If it passes, President Bush has threatened a veto.

Here is the list., text of bill follows:


Thurs Sept. 26th Murkowski, Lisa- (R - AK) Class III
709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Web Form: murkowski.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Stevens, Ted- (R - AK) Class II
522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
Web Form: stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Em...

Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL) Class II
335 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4124
Web Form: sessions.senate.gov/email/contact.cfm

Shelby, Richard C.- (R - AL) Class III
110 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
E-mail: senator@shelby.senate.gov

Lincoln, Blanche L.- (D - AR) Class III
355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4843
Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html

Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR) Class II
255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2353
Web Form: pryor.senate.gov/contact/

Kyl, Jon- (R - AZ) Class I
730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

McCain, John- (R - AZ) Class III
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
Web Form: mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=Contact.Home

Boxer, Barbara- (D - CA) Class III
112 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3553
Web Form: boxer.senate.gov/contact

Feinstein, Dianne- (D - CA) Class I
331 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3841
Web Form: feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Allard, Wayne- (R - CO) Class II
521 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5941
Web Form: allard.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Salazar, Ken- (D - CO) Class III
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5852
Web Form: salazar.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Dodd, Christopher J.- (D - CT) Class III
448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2823
Web Form: dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3130

Lieberman, Joseph I.- (ID - CT) Class I
706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4041
Web Form: lieberman.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm?regarding=issue

Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE) Class II
201 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5042
Web Form: biden.senate.gov/contact/emailjoe.cfm

Carper, Thomas R.- (D - DE) Class I
513 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2441
Web Form: carper.senate.gov/aemail.htm

Martinez, Mel- (R - FL) Class III
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactIn...

Nelson, Bill- (D - FL) Class I
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
Web Form: billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA) Class II
416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3521
Web Form: chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Isakson, Johnny- (R - GA) Class III
120 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Web Form: isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Akaka, Daniel K.- (D - HI) Class I
141 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6361
Web Form: akaka.senate.gov/email.cfm

Inouye, Daniel K.- (D - HI) Class III
722 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3934
Web Form: inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html

Grassley, Chuck- (R - IA) Class III
135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: grassley.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Harkin, Tom- (D - IA) Class II
731 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3254
Web Form: harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID) Class II
520 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2752
Web Form: craig.senate.gov/email/

Crapo, Mike- (R - ID) Class III
239 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6142
Web Form: crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Durbin, Richard- (D - IL) Class II
309 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
Web Form: durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Obama, Barack- (D - IL) Class III
713 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Web Form: obama.senate.gov/contact/

Bayh, Evan- (D - IN) Class III
131 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5623
Web Form: bayh.senate.gov/WebMail1.htm

Lugar, Richard G.- (R - IN) Class I
306 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4814
E-mail: senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov

Brownback, Sam- (R - KS) Class III
303 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6521
Web Form: brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm

Roberts, Pat- (R - KS) Class II
109 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4774
Web Form: roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInf...

Bunning, Jim- (R - KY) Class III
316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: bunning.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY) Class II
361-A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2541
Web Form: mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA) Class II
724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5824
Web Form: landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Vitter, David- (R - LA) Class III
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4623
Web Form: vitter.senate.gov/?module=webformIQV1

Kennedy, Edward M.- (D - MA) Class I
317 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4543
Web Form: kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm

Kerry, John F.- (D - MA) Class II
304 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2742
Web Form: kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/email.html

Cardin, Benjamin L.- (D - MD) Class I
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4524
Web Form: cardin.senate.gov/contact/

Mikulski, Barbara A.- (D - MD) Class III
503 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4654
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/mailform.html

Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME) Class II
413 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Web Form: collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=Contact...

Snowe, Olympia J.- (R - ME) Class I
154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
Web Form: snowe.senate.gov/contact.htm

Levin, Carl- (D - MI) Class II
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
Web Form: levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Stabenow, Debbie- (D - MI) Class I
133 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
Web Form: stabenow.senate.gov/email.htm

Coleman, Norm- (R - MN) Class II
320 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5641
Web Form: coleman.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

Klobuchar, Amy- (D - MN) Class I
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3244
Web Form: klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm

Bond, Christopher S.- (R - MO) Class III
274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5721
Web Form: bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

McCaskill, Claire- (D - MO) Class I
717 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6154
Web Form: mccaskill.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Cochran, Thad- (R - MS) Class II
113 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5054
Web Form: cochran.senate.gov/contact.htm

Lott, Trent- (R - MS) Class I
487 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6253
Web Form: lott.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

Baucus, Max- (D - MT) Class II
511 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2651
Web Form: baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

Tester, Jon- (D - MT) Class I
204 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2644
Web Form: tester.senate.gov/Contact/

Burr, Richard- (R - NC) Class III
217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Web Form: burr.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC) Class II
555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6342
Web Form: dole.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.C...

Conrad, Kent- (D - ND) Class I
530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2043
Web Form: conrad.senate.gov/webform.html

Dorgan, Byron L.- (D - ND) Class III
322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2551
E-mail: senator@dorgan.senate.gov

Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE) Class II
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4224
Web Form: hagel.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Nelson, E. Benjamin- (D - NE) Class I
720 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6551
Web Form: bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Gregg, Judd- (R - NH) Class III
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324
Web Form: gregg.senate.gov/sitepages/contact.cfm

Sununu, John E.- (R - NH) Class II
111 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2841
Web Form: www.sununu.senate.gov/webform.html

Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ) Class II
324 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3224
Web Form: lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/

Menendez, Robert- (D - NJ) Class I
317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4744
Web Form: menendez.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Bingaman, Jeff- (D - NM) Class I
703 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5521
E-mail: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov

Domenici, Pete V.- (R - NM) Class II
328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6621
Web Form: domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm

Ensign, John- (R - NV) Class I
119 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6244
Web Form: ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm

Reid, Harry- (D - NV) Class III
528 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm

Clinton, Hillary Rodham- (D - NY) Class I
476 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4451
Web Form: clinton.senate.gov/contact

Schumer, Charles E.- (D - NY) Class III
313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm

Brown, Sherrod- (D - OH) Class I
455 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Web Form: brown.senate.gov/contact/

Voinovich, George V.- (R - OH) Class III
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Web Form: voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact....

Coburn, Tom- (R - OK) Class III
172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5754
Web Form: coburn.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK) Class II
453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4721
Web Form: inhofe.senate.gov/contactus.htm

Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR) Class II
404 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3753
Web Form: gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm

Wyden, Ron- (D - OR) Class III
230 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5244
Web Form: wyden.senate.gov/contact.html

Casey, Robert P., Jr.- (D - PA) Class I
383 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
Web Form: casey.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Specter, Arlen- (R - PA) Class III
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: specter.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo.Home

Reed, Jack- (D - RI) Class II
728 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4642
Web Form: reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm

Whitehouse, Sheldon- (D - RI) Class I
502 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2921
Web Form: whitehouse.senate.gov/contact.cfm

DeMint, Jim- (R - SC) Class III
340 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Web Form: demint.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC) Class II
290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5972
Web Form: lgraham.senate.gov/index.cfm?mode=contact

Johnson, Tim- (D - SD) Class II
136 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5842
Web Form: johnson.senate.gov/contact/

Thune, John- (R - SD) Class III
493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Web Form: thune.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN) Class II
455 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4944
Web Form: alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Corker, Bob- (R - TN) Class I
185 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3344
Web Form: corker.senate.gov/Contact/index.cfm

Cornyn, John- (R - TX) Class II
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Hutchison, Kay Bailey- (R - TX) Class I
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/contact.html

Bennett, Robert F.- (R - UT) Class III
431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
Web Form: bennett.senate.gov/contact/emailmain.html

Hatch, Orrin G.- (R - UT) Class I
104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5251
Web Form: hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Offices.Contact

Warner, John- (R - VA) Class II
225 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
Web Form: warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Webb, Jim- (D - VA) Class I
144 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
Web Form: webb.senate.gov/contact/

Leahy, Patrick J.- (D - VT) Class III
433 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4242
E-mail: senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov

Sanders, Bernard- (I - VT) Class I
332 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5141
Web Form: sanders.senate.gov/comments/

Cantwell, Maria- (D - WA) Class I
511 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3441
Web Form: cantwell.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Murray, Patty- (D - WA) Class III
173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2621
Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Feingold, Russell D.- (D - WI) Class III
506 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5323
Web Form: feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html

Kohl, Herb- (D - WI) Class I
330 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5653
Web Form: kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html

Byrd, Robert C.- (D - WV) Class I
311 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3954
Web Form: byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV) Class II
531 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6472
Web Form: rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm

Barrasso, John- (R - WY) Class I
307 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6441
Web Form: barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs...

Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY) Class II
379A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3424
Web Form: enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInform...

110th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1105
To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 12, 2007

Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. SMITH, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SPECTER, Ms. MIKULSKI, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. BROWN, Mr. KERRY, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. DODD, Mr. NELSON of Nebraska, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. BIDEN, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. BAYH, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. REED, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. OBAMA, Mrs. BOXER, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. AKAKA, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mrs. CLINTON, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. ROCKEFELLER, Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. CASEY, Mrs. MCCASKILL, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. SALAZAR, and Mr. JOHNSON) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The incidence of violence motivated by the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim poses a serious national problem.

(2) Such violence disrupts the tranquility and safety of communities and is deeply divisive.

(3) State and local authorities are now and will continue to be responsible for prosecuting the overwhelming majority of violent crimes in the United States, including violent crimes motivated by bias. These authorities can carry out their responsibilities more effectively with greater Federal assistance.

(4) Existing Federal law is inadequate to address this problem.

(5) A prominent characteristic of a violent crime motivated by bias is that it devastates not just the actual victim and the family and friends of the victim, but frequently savages the community sharing the traits that caused the victim to be selected.

(6) Such violence substantially affects interstate commerce in many ways, including the following:

(A) The movement of members of targeted groups is impeded, and members of such groups are forced to move across State lines to escape the incidence or risk of such violence.

(B) Members of targeted groups are prevented from purchasing goods and services, obtaining or sustaining employment, or participating in other commercial activity.

(C) Perpetrators cross State lines to commit such violence.

(D) Channels, facilities, and instrumentalities of interstate commerce are used to facilitate the commission of such violence.

(E) Such violence is committed using articles that have traveled in interstate commerce.

(7) For generations, the institutions of slavery and involuntary servitude were defined by the race, color, and ancestry of those held in bondage. Slavery and involuntary servitude were enforced, both prior to and after the adoption of the 13th amendment to the Constitution of the United States, through widespread public and private violence directed at persons because of their race, color, or ancestry, or perceived race, color, or ancestry. Accordingly, eliminating racially motivated violence is an important means of eliminating, to the extent possible, the badges, incidents, and relics of slavery and involuntary servitude.

(8) Both at the time when the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States were adopted, and continuing to date, members of certain religious and national origin groups were and are perceived to be distinct `races'. Thus, in order to eliminate, to the extent possible, the badges, incidents, and relics of slavery, it is necessary to prohibit assaults on the basis of real or perceived religions or national origins, at least to the extent such religions or national origins were regarded as races at the time of the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

(9) Federal jurisdiction over certain violent crimes motivated by bias enables Federal, State, and local authorities to work together as partners in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes.

(10) The problem of crimes motivated by bias is sufficiently serious, widespread, and interstate in nature as to warrant Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF HATE CRIME.

In this Act--

(1) the term `crime of violence' has the meaning given that term in section 16, title 18, United States Code;

(2) the term `hate crime' has the meaning given such term in section 280003(a) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (28 U.S.C. 994 note); and

(3) the term `local' means a county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State.

SEC. 4. SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS BY STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.

(a) Assistance Other Than Financial Assistance-

(1) IN GENERAL- At the request of State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agency, the Attorney General may provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or any other form of assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that--

(A) constitutes a crime of violence;

(B) constitutes a felony under the State, local, or Tribal laws; and

(C) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the State, local, or Tribal hate crime laws.

(2) PRIORITY- In providing assistance under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall give priority to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one State and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary expenses relating to the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

(b) Grants-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General may award grants to State, local, and Indian law enforcement agencies for extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.

(2) OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS- In implementing the grant program under this subsection, the Office of Justice Programs shall work closely with grantees to ensure that the concerns and needs of all affected parties, including community groups and schools, colleges, and universities, are addressed through the local infrastructure developed under the grants.

(3) APPLICATION-

(A) IN GENERAL- Each State, local, and Indian law enforcement agency that desires a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by or containing such information as the Attorney General shall reasonably require.

(B) DATE FOR SUBMISSION- Applications submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be submitted during the 60-day period beginning on a date that the Attorney General shall prescribe.

(C) REQUIREMENTS- A State, local, and Indian law enforcement agency applying for a grant under this subsection shall--

(i) describe the extraordinary purposes for which the grant is needed;

(ii) certify that the State, local government, or Indian tribe lacks the resources necessary to investigate or prosecute the hate crime;

(iii) demonstrate that, in developing a plan to implement the grant, the State, local, and Indian law enforcement agency has consulted and coordinated with nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs that have experience in providing services to victims of hate crimes; and

(iv) certify that any Federal funds received under this subsection will be used to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities funded under this subsection.

(4) DEADLINE- An application for a grant under this subsection shall be approved or denied by the Attorney General not later than 30 business days after the date on which the Attorney General receives the application.

(5) GRANT AMOUNT- A grant under this subsection shall not exceed $100,000 for any single jurisdiction in any 1-year period.

(6) REPORT- Not later than December 31, 2008, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report describing the applications submitted for grants under this subsection, the award of such grants, and the purposes for which the grant amounts were expended.

(7) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Authority to Award Grants- The Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice may award grants, in accordance with such regulations as the Attorney General may prescribe, to State, local, or Tribal programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles, including programs to train local law enforcement officers in identifying, investigating, prosecuting, and preventing hate crimes.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice, including the Community Relations Service, for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 such sums as are necessary to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of section 249 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 7 of this Act.

SEC. 7. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN HATE CRIME ACTS.

(a) In General- Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 249. Hate crime acts

`(a) In General-

`(1) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person--

`(A) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

`(B) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

`(i) death results from the offense; or

`(ii) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

`(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person--

`(i) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

`(ii) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

`(I) death results from the offense; or

`(II) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

`(B) CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED- For purposes of subparagraph (A), the circumstances described in this subparagraph are that--

`(i) the conduct described in subparagraph (A) occurs during the course of, or as the result of, the travel of the defendant or the victim--

`(I) across a State line or national border; or

`(II) using a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce;

`(ii) the defendant uses a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in connection with the conduct described in subparagraph (A);

`(iii) in connection with the conduct described in subparagraph (A), the defendant employs a firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or other weapon that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce; or

`(iv) the conduct described in subparagraph (A)--

`(I) interferes with commercial or other economic activity in which the victim is engaged at the time of the conduct; or

`(II) otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce.

`(b) Certification Requirement- No prosecution of any offense described in this subsection may be undertaken by the United States, except under the certification in writing of the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, the Associate Attorney General, or any Assistant Attorney General specially designated by the Attorney General that--

`(1) such certifying individual has reasonable cause to believe that the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person was a motivating factor underlying the alleged conduct of the defendant; and

`(2) such certifying individual has consulted with State or local law enforcement officials regarding the prosecution and determined that--

`(A) the State does not have jurisdiction or does not intend to exercise jurisdiction;

`(B) the State has requested that the Federal Government assume jurisdiction;

`(C) the State does not object to the Federal Government assuming jurisdiction; or

`(D) the verdict or sentence obtained pursuant to State charges left demonstratively unvindicated the Federal interest in eradicating bias-motivated violence.

`(c) Definitions- In this section--

`(1) the term `explosive or incendiary device' has the meaning given such term in section 232 of this title;

`(2) the term `firearm' has the meaning given such term in section 921(a) of this title; and

`(3) the term `gender identity' for the purposes of this chapter means actual or perceived gender-related characteristics.

`(d) Rule of Evidence- In a prosecution for an offense under this section, evidence of expression or associations of the defendant may not be introduced as substantive evidence at trial, unless the evidence specifically relates to that offense. However, nothing in this section affects the rules of evidence governing impeachment of a witness.'.

(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment- The analysis for chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`249. Hate crime acts.'.

SEC. 8. STATISTICS.

(a) In General- Subsection (b)(1) of the first section of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is amended by inserting `gender and gender identity,' after `race,'.

(b) Data- Subsection (b)(5) of the first section of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is amended by inserting `, including data about crimes committed by, and crimes directed against, juveniles' after `data acquired under this section'.

SEC. 9. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

Died in US Custody

Here is a letter I sent to my Senators(Boxer and Feinstein) and to Henry Waxman-US REP.


Dear Congressman Waxman,

RE: Victoria Arellano-Dies in US Custody in Immigration Prison in San
Pedro from AIDS after not receiving treatment.


I am certain by now you have heard of the very sad and tragic death of
Ms. Arellano in the hands of Federal Custody.

Here is an article that appeared in the LA Times.

Groups seek U.S. probe of inmate's death

Human Rights Watch and ACLU also want to know what happened to witnesses
to transgender detainee's treatment while in custody.
By Greg Krikorian and Francisco Vara-Orta, Los Angeles Times Staff
Writers
August 29, 2007
Two civil rights groups have urged the Department of Homeland Security to
investigate the death of a transgender inmate at a San Pedro immigration
detention center on grounds that the 23-year-old with AIDS was denied
vital medical treatment.

In a letter sent to the department's Office of Inspector General on
Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and New
York-based Human Rights Watch also called for an inquiry into the apparent
transfer to other immigration facilities of more than 20 detainees who saw
the events leading up to the death of Victor Arellano on July 20.

The transfers, according to the organizations, occurred less than 24
hours before a Human Rights Watch official went to the San Pedro facility
to interview some of the detainees.

Two of the witnesses were moved to an immigration facility in Texas, and
the whereabouts of the others are unknown, the organizations said.

"The transfer of those witnesses not only affects their ability to defend
themselves by disrupting access to family and legal counsel, but makes it
more difficult to interview them for an investigation into Arellano's
death," said Megan McLemore, the Human Rights Watch researcher.

She visited the facility on Aug. 22 and was one of the letter's authors.
McLemore said she visited the San Pedro facility to interview two other
HIV/AIDS patients and Arellano's cellmates as part of a report on medical
care for such patients in detention.

But upon her arrival, she said, she discovered that more than 20
witnesses, all of whom had signed a petition protesting Arellano's
treatment, had been transferred. Arellano's death has sparked an outcry
among immigration rights officials and organizations that monitor the
health of prisoners in federal and state facilities nationwide. About
30,000 illegal immigrants are in detention facilities throughout the
country.

Two other unrelated deaths of detainees earlier this year triggered an
investigation by the Office of the Inspector General into the quality of
medical care at federal detention centers, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep.
Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) confirmed Tuesday.

At the direction of the inspector general, the spokeswoman said, Waxman's
office earlier this month approached the Department of Homeland Security's
Office of Civil Rights to ask if Arellano's death could be probed.

The agency has yet to respond.

Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, said privacy laws prevented the agency from discussing
details of treatment.

But she said the agency spends more than $98 million annually on detainee
medical services. She said that all detainees in ICE custody undergo a
medical screening and that those with acute or chronic healthcare needs
are referred to a physician or nurse practitioner.

Those with infectious diseases are placed in healthcare facilities.

Even so, Kice said, "the public must realize that when individuals come
into ICE custody with severe health problems or terminal illnesses,
regardless of the treatment they receive, there is the potential they will
succumb to their condition."

When a detainee dies, whether from natural causes or other circumstances,
the matter is referred to the agency's Office of Professional
Responsibility to determine whether further investigation is warranted,
Kice said.

In their letter, Human Rights Watch and the local ACLU chapter said
witnesses alleged that the ICE staff at the San Pedro facility did not
respond in a timely fashion to "numerous and increasingly desperate
requests for urgent medical care" for Arellano, an undocumented immigrant
from Mexico.

"Detainees have alleged that despite being aware that Arellano was a
person with HIV who was in need of life-sustaining medication, [the San
Pedro facility's] medical care providers did not provide appropriate care,
causing Arellano needless suffering and ultimately leading to his tragic
and painful death," the letter said.

Arellano, who went by the name Victoria and was deported to Mexico in
2003, had been held in detention since mid-May pending an immigration
hearing to determine whether she should again be returned to Mexico.

Attorneys for the family have said that Arellano's condition deteriorated
to the point that fellow inmates pleaded with the medical staff at the
immigration facility to provide her care.


Mr.Waxman ,

I am outraged, horrified and especially saddened as Victoria used to work
at my local grocery store and was always such a kind soul. I knew she was
doing what she was able to do to improve her circumstances and this entire
thing just smells foul. Witnesses being transferred and hidden? Is the
Nazi Germany waiting for a visit from the Red Cross at a "settlement"
camp? What's going on here? Is this the US that I was born in? Educated
in? I know, we have to hold out hope that things will change in 08, but
somehow, so much has already been damaged, I"m afraid that it might be
beyond repair. Please help bring attention to this. I am also copying
Senator Feinstein as she is on the Judicary Commitee and Senator Boxer.

Regards,

Allan Fisch

Resume

allan.fisch@gmail.com


SUMMARY

Film Industry professional with strong background in feature film post production, film history and theory. Detail-oriented team player with extensive knowledge of current and historic film, video and soundtrack formats, film genealogy and technologies. Proven ability to manage large scale and complex projects. Excellent multi-tasker and trouble-shooter. Seventeen years experience working at Hollywood studios.


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA 2002-2006
Major Entertainment Corporation with unsurpassed brand recognition.

Research Administrator
Project Manager for feature asset research and management.
• Researched and selected film, video and audio feature elements for DVD Production Group. thus saving several hundred to several thousand of dollars per project.
• Coordinated large-scale foreign language soundtrack projects for library of over 600 animated shorts, television series and feature films.
• Coordinated with archive personnel to determine best quality element from worldwide inventory database of several million elements.
• Developed and maintained two database schedules used by several departments.
• Evaluated existing high-definition videotape masters and generated recommendations regarding suitability for emerging new technologies such as Blu-Ray DVD and internet delivery.


Cinram/POP DVD Center, Santa Monica, CA 1997-2001
Integrated DVD Compression, Authoring and Media Replication Facility.

Executive Producer
Project Manager for DVD titles.
• Team member at time of facility start-up.
• Managed DVD pre-mastering and production.
• Provided recommendations to clients as to asset selection and project design.
• Scheduled and tracked production tasks.
• Supervised facility originated Special Edition DVD projects.
• Billed clients.
.



Allan D. Fisch PAGE TWO

MGM Home Entertainment, Santa Monica, CA 1992-1997
Motion Picture, Television and Home Video Entertainment Company.

Executive Director
Department Head for technical home video mastering and quality control.
• Supervised technical aspect of DVD format launch.
• Supervised film to tape mastering of two hundred feature films including major restorations of the James Bond library and Fiddler on the Roof and THX certified award winning special edition of The Wizard of Oz.
• Coordinated high-profile director/DP approved projects including Raging Bull, 2001:A Space Odyssey, Yentl and The Manchurian Candidate.
• Produced director’s audio commentary and ancillary materials for special edition projects including Norman Jewison, Michael Mann, Martin Scorsese, John Frankenheimer, Barry Levinson, Mel Brooks and Barry Sonnenfeld.
• Supervised mixing and audio restoration of soundtracks for numerous classic and contemporary feature film projects including Rocky and Singin' in the Rain.
• Supervised staff of four.
• Reported to Sales and Marketing divisions.
• Studio representative to MPAA Anti-Piracy and DVD development committees.


Paramount Pictures Corporation, Los Angeles, CA 1990-1992
Major Motion Picture Studio with Feature Film, Television and Syndication Divisions.

Film Librarian
Project manager for home video technical work queue.
• Project Managed Domestic Home Video Production work queue.
• Supervised restoration projects including the major video and audio restorations for White Christmas and the special anniversary edition of The Ten Commandments.
• Motion Picture Editor’s Guild Local 700


MGM/UA Home Video Culver City, CA 1990
Home Video division of Major Motion Picture Studio.

Manager
• Supervised work queue for videocassette and laserdisc duplication.

The Voyager Company/Criterion Collection, Santa Monica, CA 1989-1990
Multi-Media Publishing Company

Office and Production Assistant
• Various office duties, progressing to assistant on laserdisc production tasks.


EDUCATION
BFA Film and Television
New York University, New York, NY
Tisch School of the Arts

AWARDS
Laserdisc Association Awards
Dr. Zhivago, The Ultimate Oz/The Wizard of Oz

Monday June 5, 2006

I just had to post my thoughts on two things that happened on Monday.

The world remembered or marked the 25th anniversary from when the first unnamed cases of AIDS were reported to the world. This disease have ravaged the world and in the US in particular, the gay community.

The president chose to mark this date by announcing his support, yet again, for an effective consititional ban on gay marriage.



And people wonder why we're angry...

i hope that we all wake up from this collective nightmare soon.

Update

Been away from here for a while and a lot has happened.

On August 19, my mother lost her life to squamous cell carcinoma. It was a very destructive illness and I'm truely sorry that she had to go through that particular illness. Her spirits tough carried her through to the end and I am grateful that I was able to spend a good deal of time with her in her final months.

On Oct 10 I turned 40. Certainly a milestone, but a sweet and sour drink this year in particular. But I certainly welcome this next phase of my life. My thirties were marred by illness-my sister's illness, then her death in 2001, and then this past year Mother's illness and death.

Been Away

I've been dealing with some family issues and have been away for a while. Here is something that I would like to share, in the spirit of the First Amendment:

Opening Statement of Arundhati Roy on behalf of the jury of conscience of the World Tribunal on Iraq.
The Most Cowardly War in History
Istanbul, Turkey
June 24th

This is the culminating session of the World Tribunal on Iraq. It is of particular significance that it is being held here in Turkey where the United States used Turkish air bases to launch numerous bombing missions to degrade Iraq's defenses before the March 2003 invasion and has sought and continues to seek political support from the Turkish government, which it regards as an ally. All this was done in the face of enormous popular opposition by the Turkish people. As a spokesperson for the jury of conscience, it would make me uneasy if I did not mention that the government of India is also, like the government of Turkey, positioning itself as a "allie" of the United States in its economic policies and the so-called War on Terror.

The testimonies at the previous sessions of the World Tribunal on Iraq in Brussels and New York have demonstrated that even those of us who have tried to follow the war in Iraq closely are not aware of a fraction of the horrors that have been unleashed in Iraq.

The Jury of Conscience at this tribunal is not here to deliver a simple verdict of guilty or not guilty against the United States and its allies. We are here to examine a vast spectrum of evidence about the motivations and consequences of the U.S. invasion and occupation, evidence that has been deliberately marginalized or suppressed. Every aspect of the war will be examined - its legality, the role of international institutions and major corporations in the occupation, the role of the media, the impact of weapons such as depleted uranium munitions, napalm, and cluster bombs, the use of and legitimation of torture, the ecological impacts of the war, the responsibility of Arab governments, the impact of Iraq�s occupation on Palestine, and the history of U.S. and British military interventions in Iraq. This tribunal is an attempt to correct the record. To document the history of the war not from the point of view of the victors but of the temporarily - and I repeat the word temporarily - vanquished.

Before the testimonies begin, I would like to briefly address as straightforwardly as I can a few questions that have been raised about this tribunal.

The first is that this tribunal is a Kangaroo Court. That it represents only one point of view. That it is a prosecution without a defense. That the verdict is a foregone conclusion.

Now this view seems to suggest a touching concern that in this harsh world, the views of the U.S. government and the so-called Coalition of the Willing headed by President George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair have somehow gone unrepresented. That the World Tribunal on Iraq isn�t aware of the arguments in support of the war and is unwilling to consider the point of view of the invaders. If in the era of the multinational corporate media and embedded journalism anybody can seriously hold this view, then we truly do live in the Age of Irony, in an age when satire has become meaningless because real life is more satirical than satire can ever be.

Let me say categorically that this tribunal is the defense. It is an act of resistance in itself. It is a defense mounted against one of the most cowardly wars ever fought in history, a war in which international institutions were used to force a country to disarm and then stood by while it was attacked with a greater array of weapons than has ever been used in the history of war.

Second, this tribunal is not in any way a defense of Saddam Hussein. His crimes against Iraqis, Kurds, Iranians, Kuwaitis, and others cannot be written off in the process of bringing to light Iraq�s more recent and still unfolding tragedy. However, we must not forget that when Saddam Hussein was committing his worst crimes, the U.S. government was supporting him politically and materially. When he was gassing Kurdish people, the U.S. government financed him, armed him, and stood by silently.

Saddam Hussein is being tried as a war criminal even as we speak. But what about those who helped to install him in power, who armed him, who supported him - and who are now setting up a tribunal to try him and absolve themselves completely? And what about other friends of the United States in the region that have suppressed Kurdish people�s and other people�s rights, including the government of Turkey?

There are remarkable people gathered here who in the face of this relentless and brutal aggression and propaganda have doggedly worked to compile a comprehensive spectrum of evidence and information that should serve as a weapon in the hands of those who wish to participate in the resistance against the occupation of Iraq. It should become a weapon in the hands of soldiers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, and elsewhere who do not wish to fight, who do not wish to lay down their lives - or to take the lives of others - for a pack of lies. It should become a weapon in the hands of journalists, writers, poets, singers, teachers, plumbers, taxi drivers, car mechanics, painters, lawyers - anybody who wishes to participate in the resistance.

The evidence collated in this tribunal should, for instance, be used by the International Criminal Court (whose jurisdiction the United States does not recognize) to try as war criminals George Bush, Tony Blair, John Howard, Silvio Berlusconi, and all those government officials, army generals, and corporate CEOs who participated in this war and now profit from it.

The assault on Iraq is an assault on all of us: on our dignity, our intelligence, and our future.

We recognize that the judgment of the World Tribunal on Iraq is not binding in international law. However, our ambitions far surpass that. The World Tribunal on Iraq places its faith in the consciences of millions of people across the world who do not wish to stand by and watch while the people of Iraq are being slaughtered, subjugated, and humiliated.

Arundhati Roy received the Booker Prize for literature in 1997.
Presently, one of the most eloquent voices for the global justice and
anti-war movement, she was also awarded, among many others, the Sydney Peace Prize in 2004, and the Lannan Cultural Freedom Prize in 2002

DROWNED OUT

Please watch this film..It may change your life and your view on the world.

Go to the filmmakers website for details: http://www.spannerfilms.com/?cc=1
you can watch it online.

If your videostore doesn't have it, tell them to buy a copy. Or your local library. It was recently run on LINK TV also and maybe they will show it again.

Allan

Rainy Days and Fridays

The rains have returned to southern California.
Off to NJ tonight for a few days to deal with a family situation. Taking mother to the CINJ on Monday for her appointements for her cancer. Just glad I'll be there to help her sort though all this.

Neo-Conservatism or Neo-Fascism

I've heard many people discussing this lately...Decide for yourself.

http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm

Day One

Well, here we go. Thought it was time for me to do one of these things, since I have so much to say on most everything.Mostly this is a place for me to vent on world events, my likes and dislikes and hear what you have to say.Mostly I'm about movies and politics, both of which constantly evolve. I find myself drifting further to the left, the more that the right exerts itself.