This whole past year+ has been both exhilarating and, at times, exhausting. Now, it feels a bit like that calm that you know isn't really calm at all. We're still in that First Hundred Days window. "Honeymoon". Yeah.
For me, this cause (not an "issue")... Justice against the torture that's been propagated in my name, nothing less than a groundswell will do. We have to make him do it.
I've created this place, this series, to be something of a landing zone for us, any of us in the progressive community who feel the grief, who wish to contribute in some way to this growing call for justice, and/or who want to stay tuned in to any ACTION activities that emerge around this cause. I will publish every week, on Thursday's. I invite you to share your thoughts.
This Diary Series will have mostly "Pick Of The Week" features which I encourage you to critique or embellish in the comments. You can also email me directly... and please do, I'd like you to contribute to this Diary Series in the coming weeks.... I welcome your participation.
"What does it matter to the dead, the orphan, and the homeless whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?" ~Mohandas K. Gandhi
By The Numbers
# Days since Executive Order signed to close Gitmo: 78
# Released since Obama's Executive Order: 2
Ayman Batarfi and Ethiopian-born, British resident Binyam Mohammed
NOTE: I fullysupport Obama's efforts and appreciate that he must be up against tremendous obstacles with this, so, understand this is not a "criticism"... just keepin' tabs. I will update weekly, of course.
Some Guantánamo numbers, as per Andy Worthington's comprehensive list and documentation.
or not. But I think you're right - team Obama has decided not to do the heavy lifting.
This is an administration that is telling us "make us do it".
The right response from the American people would be a grassroots organization aimed at just that. Where is the leadership on this in the progressive community?
Call your Congress people -- express your outrage at this effort to first, prevent the torture memos from being released and second, using two nominations "hostage."
Apparently the Republicans have threatened to filibuster Dawn Johnsen and Harold Koh over the torture memos. This is the greatest threat to Obama's transparency. Everyone needs to call every Republican Senator they can and let them know we will DEMAND accountability, we will not allow them to obstruct and that they MUST vote for Johnsen and Koh. WHO IS WITH ME?
In my opinion (and you might disagree, which is fine), the worst thing that G.W. Bush and his evil minions did was their attempt to get rid of Habeas Corpus. This principle, sometimes called "The Great Writ" dates back at least 800 years.
The short version of habeas is this: The King can't lock a person in a dungeon and throw away the key. Kings once did things like that. It's not fair. I'm sure most people would agree.
A slightly longer and more personal version is this: If a cop arrests you and sticks you in jail (or prison), you can ask a court for a writ of habeas corpus. Then the legal system has two choices: Either they charge you with a crime (and therefore take you to trial, where you'll be found guilty or not guilty) or not charge you with a crime (and therefore release you). If you're guilty, you can be jailed.
The Bushies tried to subvert and ignore this basic and fundamental right.
Human Rights Watch is one of the world's leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For 30 years, Human Rights Watch has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world.
Resource Spotlight
Patriot Daily (PDNC) has set up a Google Group listserve!
BLOGGERS AGAINST TORTURE
subscibe here or look for the cool Badge when it shows up! lol
*Participate and contribute in this diary:
email to me at ladylibertine22 {at} yahoo {dot} com
Send me your picks for the various Spotlights, Community Comments
Send me suggestions of Quotes, Websites, Rescues, Top Comments, and Action Alerts any time!!
Contribute a personal POV essay or Special Comment for publication in this diary
Offer to Guest Host the diary (write the essay part, tell us your story)
Use this landing zone for your voice to yell louder!
*ACTION Alerts, urgent
Several of the Rescued Diaries suggest LETTERS!
Then just keep yelling louder, see www.docudharma.com and http://buhdydharma.dailykos.com/
*ACTION any time choices, suggestions
Sign Petitions, write letters to politicians and media
http://mediamatters.org/action... Send Rachel a thank you! rachel@msnbc.com
Join the Facebook Group Facebook group members 3,185 as of 04/09/09 around 10AM.
Appoint a Special Prosecutor to Investigate Bush Administration War Crimes
Thanks for visiting LL's brain. See you in the comment.o.sphere!
March on Washington
