Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Congressional Democrats again bury impeachment legislation

Last Tuesday, the Democrats in Congress (and of course the Republicans) again attempted to bury impeachment legislation. Are we ready to say yet that most of them are as guilty as Bush, since they have not stopped the War, and Bush-Cheney's other criminal policies, but also do not support impeachment? I might consider something short of impeachment, but they have done little and I don't hear them loudly denoucing Bush-Cheney's crimes, and the media won't clearly say they are criminal. The original bill was H.R. 333, but the vote was on bill House Resolution 799.

The summary of actions, from thomas.loc.gov:

ALL ACTIONS:

11/6/2007 2:35pm:: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H12783-12786, H12786-12788 ; text of measure as introduced: CR H12783-12785)
11/6/2007 2:54pm:: Mr. Hoyer moved to table the measure.
11/6/2007 4:02pm:: On motion to table the measure Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 162 - 251 (Roll no. 1037). (consideration: CR H12785-12786)
11/6/2007 4:02pm:: Mr. Hoyer moved to refer to Judiciary.
11/6/2007 4:22pm:: The previous question on the motion was agreed to by recorded vote: 218 - 194 (Roll No. 1038). (consideration: CR H12787)
11/6/2007 4:31pm:: On motion to refer Agreed to by recorded vote: 218 - 194 (Roll no. 1039).
11/6/2007:: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

TITLE(S): (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)

***NONE***

COSPONSOR(S):

***NONE***

COMMITTEE(S):

Committee/Subcommittee:		Activity:
House Judiciary		Referral

To understand this, see this USA Today article, reprinted on www.commondreams.org. I am amazed that Price and other NC Democrats were against Hoyer's motion to prevent a vote on the bill, if I am understanding the procedures and votes correctly. Yet then Price voted to bury it in the Judiciary Committee, where chair Rep. Conyers has stopped advocating impeachment, now that the Democrats have Congress. As it says below, the bill is not dead, but I assume it is unlikely to come out again, barring something drastic like the occupation of the Capitol steps until they do.

Published on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 by USA Today

House Tied In Knots Over Resolution To Impeach Cheney

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, is trying to impeach Vice President Cheney for what he describes as "high crimes and misdemeanors" before the invasion of Iraq.

Right after the proposal was read on the House floor this afternoon, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer stepped forwarded and tried to convince lawmakers to table the bill.

"Impeachment is not on our agenda. We have some major priorities. We need to focus on those," Hoyer told Fox News.

Update at 3:39 p.m. ET: We thought that the vote to table was over — the clock said 0:00 — but lawmakers are still switching things around and Kucinich is within a few votes of getting his bill to come up for a vote.

Update at 3:43 p.m. ET: At least 149 Republicans have voted in favor of considering the impeachment resolution. Hoyer's motion, which would have blocked a vote, looks like its going to fail by at least 31 votes.

Update at 3:53 p.m. ET: The 15-minute vote began at 2:53 p.m. ET. It's been an hour, and they're still voting. The tally stands at 170-242 right now. Hoyer needed 218 votes to push the bill off the agenda. He's 72 votes short.

Update at 4:02 p.m. ET: Hoyer's motion failed 251-162. (Roll Call) The House is now voting on whether to vote on whether the resolution should be sent to the Judiciary Committee.

Update at 4:25 p.m. ET: The vote to decide to vote (yes, you read that correctly) just ended. By a 218-194 margin, the House has to vote on whether to send the resolution to the Judiciary Committee. That's happening right now.

Update at 4:30 p.m. ET: Perhaps we should pause to explain. When most Republicans unexpectedly — and on orders of GOP leadership, the AP is reporting — switched sides and voted against tabling the measure, they essentially forced Democrats to keep talking about it on the floor. Tabling the measure would have killed it.

Debate over Cheney's impeachment is in direct opposition to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's wishes. She has repeatedly said an impeachment of Cheney or President Bush is off the table. Thus, failing to table this measure is a essentially a jab in Pelosi's ribs.

"We're going to help them out, to explain themselves," Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, told the AP of the impeachment's supporters. "We're going to give them their day in court."

Update at 4:32 p.m. ET: The House just voted, 218-194, to send the resolution to the Judiciary Committee. That should end today's debate — but it does keep the resolution at least technically alive.

The text of the bill, laying out the charges against Cheney:

Resolved, That Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited to... (Introduced in House)

HRES 799 IH

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 799

Impeaching Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 6, 2007

Mr. KUCINICH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

RESOLUTION

Impeaching Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors.

Resolved

Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United States of America, against Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Article I

In his conduct while Vice President of the United States, Richard B. Cheney, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of Vice President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has purposely manipulated the intelligence process to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States by fabricating a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to justify the use of the United States Armed Forces against the nation of Iraq in a manner damaging to our national security interests, to wit:

(1) Despite all evidence to the contrary, the Vice President actively and systematically sought to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States about an alleged threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction:

(A) `We know they have biological and chemical weapons.' March 17, 2002, Press Conference by Vice President Dick Cheney and His Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain at Shaikh Hamad Palace.

(B) `. . . and we know they are pursuing nuclear weapons.' March 19, 2002, Press Briefing by Vice President Dick Cheney and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem.

(C) `And he is actively pursuing nuclear weapons at this time . . .' March 24, 2002, CNN Late Edition interview with Vice President Cheney.

(D) `We know he's got chemicals and biological and we know he's working on nuclear.' May 19, 2002, NBC Meet the Press interview with Vice President Cheney.

(E) `But we now know that Saddam has resumed his efforts to acquire nuclear weapons . . . Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt that he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us.' August 26, 2002, Speech of Vice President Cheney at VFW 103rd National Convention.

(F) `Based on intelligence that's becoming available, some of it has been made public, more of it hopefully will be, that he has indeed stepped up his capacity to produce and deliver biological weapons, that he has reconstituted his nuclear program to develop a nuclear weapon, that there are efforts under way inside Iraq to significantly expand his capability.' September 8, 2002, NBC Meet the Press interview with Vice President Cheney.

(G) `He is, in fact, actively and aggressively seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.' September 8, 2002, NBC Meet the Press interview with Vice President Cheney.

(H) `And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons.' March 16, 2003, NBC Meet the Press interview with Vice President Cheney.

(2) Preceding the March 2003 invasion of Iraq the Vice President was fully informed that no legitimate evidence existed of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The Vice President pressured the intelligence community to change their findings to enable the deception of the citizens and Congress of the United States.

(A) Vice President Cheney and his Chief of Staff, Lewis Libby, made multiple trips to the CIA in 2002 to question analysts studying Iraq's weapons programs and alleged links to al Qaeda, creating an environment in which analysts felt they were being pressured to make their assessments fit with the Bush administration's policy objectives accounts.

(B) Vice President Cheney sought out unverified and ultimately inaccurate raw intelligence to prove his preconceived beliefs. This strategy of cherry picking was employed to influence the interpretation of the intelligence.

(3) The Vice President's actions corrupted or attempted to corrupt the 2002 National Intelligence Estimate, an intelligence document issued on October 1, 2002, and carefully considered by Congress prior to the October 10, 2002, vote to authorize the use of force. The Vice President's actions prevented the necessary reconciliation of facts for the National Intelligence Estimate which resulted in a high number of dissenting opinions from technical experts in two Federal agencies.

(A) The State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research dissenting view in the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate stated `Lacking persuasive evidence that Baghdad has launched a coherent effort to reconstitute its nuclear weapons program INR is unwilling to speculate that such an effort began soon after the departure of UN inspectors or to project a timeline for the completion of activities it does not now see happening. As a result INR is unable to predict that Iraq could acquire a nuclear device or weapon.'.

(B) The State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research dissenting view in the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate also stated that `Finally, the claims of Iraqi pursuit of natural uranium in Africa are, in INR's assessment, highly dubious.'.

(C) The State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research dissenting view in the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate references a Department of Energy opinion by stating that `INR accepts the judgment of technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) who have concluded that the tubes Iraq seeks to acquire are poorly suited for use in gas centrifuges to be used for uranium enrichment and finds unpersuasive the arguments advanced by others to make the case that they are intended for that purpose.'.

The Vice President subverted the national security interests of the United States by setting the stage for the loss of more than 3,800 United States service members; the loss of more than 1 million innocent Iraqi citizens since the United States invasion; the loss of approximately $500 billion in war costs which has increased our Federal debt; the loss of military readiness within the United States Armed Services due to overextension, lack of training and lack of equipment; the loss of United States credibility in world affairs; and the decades of likely blowback created by the invasion of Iraq.

In all of this, Vice President Richard B. Cheney has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as Vice President, and subversive of constitutional government, to the prejudice of the cause of law and justice and the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Wherefore, Vice President Richard B. Cheney, by such conduct, is guilty of an impeachable offense warranting removal from office.

Article II

In his conduct while Vice President of the United States, Richard B. Cheney, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of Vice President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, purposely manipulated the intelligence process to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States about an alleged relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda in order to justify the use of the United States Armed Forces against the nation of Iraq in a manner damaging to our national security interests, to wit:

(1) Despite all evidence to the contrary, the Vice President actively and systematically sought to deceive the citizens and the Congress of the United States about an alleged relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda:

(A) `His regime has had high-level contacts with Al Qaeda going back a decade and has provided training to Al Qaeda terrorists.' December 2, 2002, Speech of Vice President Cheney at the Air National Guard Senior Leadership Conference.

(B) `His regime aids and protects terrorists, including members of Al Qaeda. He could decide secretly to provide weapons of mass destruction to terrorists for use against us.' January 30, 2003, Speech of Vice President Cheney to 30th Political Action Conference in Arlington, Virginia.

(C) `We know he's out trying once again to produce nuclear weapons and we know that he has a long-standing relationship with various terrorist groups, including the Al Qaeda organization.' March 16, 2003, NBC Meet the Press interview with Vice President Cheney.

(D) `We learned more and more that there was a relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda that stretched back through most of the decade of the '90s, that it involved training, for example, on biological weapons and chemical weapons . . .' September 14, 2003, NBC Meet the Press interview with Vice President Cheney.

(E) `Al Qaeda had a base of operation there up in Northeastern Iraq where they ran a large poisons factory for attacks against Europeans and U.S. forces.' October 3, 2003, Speech of Vice President Cheney at Bush-Cheney '04 Fundraiser in Iowa.

(F) `He also had an established relationship with Al Qaeda providing training to Al Qaeda members in areas of poisons, gases, and conventional bombs.' October 10, 2003, Speech of Vice President Cheney to the Heritage Foundation.

(G) `Al Qaeda and the Iraqi intelligence services have worked together on a number of occasions.' January 9, 2004, Rocky Mountain News interview with Vice President Cheney.

(H) `I think there's overwhelming evidence that there was a connection between Al Qaeda and the Iraqi Government.' January 22, 2004, NPR: Morning Edition interview with Vice President Cheney.

(I) `First of all, on the question of--of whether or not there was any kind of relationship, there clearly was a relationship. It's been testified to; the evidence is overwhelming.' June 17, 2004, CNBC: Capital Report interview with Vice President Cheney.

(2) Preceding the March 2003 invasion of Iraq the Vice President was fully informed that no credible evidence existed of a working relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda, a fact articulated in several official documents, including:

(A) A classified Presidential Daily Briefing ten days after the September 11, 2001, attacks indicating that the United States intelligence community had no evidence linking Saddam Hussein to the September 11th attacks and that there was `scant credible evidence that Iraq had any significant collaborative ties with Al Qaeda'.

(B) Defense Intelligence Terrorism Summary No. 044-02, issued in February 2002 by the United States Defense Intelligence Agency, which challenged the credibility of information gleaned from captured al Qaeda leader al-Libi. The DIA report also cast significant doubt on the possibility of a Saddam Hussein-al-Qaeda conspiracy: `Saddam's regime is intensely secular and is wary of Islamic revolutionary movements. Moreover, Baghdad is unlikely to provide assistance to a group it cannot control.'.

(C) A January 2003 British intelligence classified report on Iraq that concluded that `there are no current links between the Iraqi regime and the al-Qaeda network'.

Wherefore, Vice President Richard B. Cheney, by such conduct, is guilty of an impeachable offense warranting removal from office.

Article III

In his conduct while Vice President of the United States, Richard B. Cheney, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of Vice President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has openly threatened aggression against the Republic of Iran absent any real threat to the United States, and done so with the United States proven capability to carry out such threats, thus undermining the national security of the United States, to wit:

(1) Despite no evidence that Iran has the intention or the capability of attacking the United States and despite the turmoil created by United States invasion of Iraq, the Vice President has openly threatened aggression against Iran as evidenced by the following:

(A) `For our part, the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime. And we join other nations in sending that regime a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.' March 7, 2006, Speech of Vice President Cheney to American Israel Public Affairs Committee 2006 Policy Conference.

(B) `But we've also made it clear that all options are on the table.' January 24, 2007, CNN Situation Room interview with Vice President Cheney.

(C) `When we--as the President did, for example, recently--deploy another aircraft carrier task force to the Gulf, that sends a very strong signal to everybody in the region that the United States is here to stay, that we clearly have significant capabilities, and that we are working with friends and allies as well as the international organizations to deal with the Iranian threat.' January 29, 2007, Newsweek interview with Vice President Cheney.

(D) `But I've also made the point and the President has made the point that all options are still on the table.' February 24, 2007, Vice President Cheney at Press Briefing with Australian Prime Minister in Sydney, Australia.

(2) The Vice President, who repeatedly and falsely claimed to have had specific, detailed knowledge of Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction capabilities, is no doubt fully aware of evidence that demonstrates Iran poses no real threat to the United States as evidenced by the following:

(A) `I know that what we see in Iran right now is not the industrial capacity you can [use to develop a] bomb.' Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency, February 19, 2007.

(B) Iran indicated its `full readiness and willingness to negotiate on the modality for the resolution of the outstanding issues with the IAEA, subject to the assurances for dealing with the issues in the framework of the Agency, without the interference of the United Nations Security Council'. IAEA Board Report, February 22, 2007.

(C) `. . . so whatever they have, what we have seen today, is not the kind of capacity that would enable them to make bombs.' Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency, February 19, 2007.

(3) The Vice President is fully aware of the actions taken by the United States towards Iran that are further destabilizing the world as evidenced by the following:

(A) The United States has refused to engage in meaningful diplomatic relations with Iran since 2002, rebuffing both bilateral and multilateral offers to dialogue.

(B) The United States is currently engaged in a military buildup in the Middle East that includes the increased presence of the United States Navy in the waters near Iran, significant United States Armed Forces in two nations neighboring to Iran, and the installation of anti-missile technology in the region.

(C) News accounts have indicated that military planners have considered the B61-11, a tactical nuclear weapon, as one of the options to strike underground bunkers in Iran.

(D) The United States has been linked to anti-Iranian organizations that are attempting to destabilize the Iranian Government, in particular the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), even though the State Department has branded it a terrorist organization.

(E) News accounts indicate that United States troops have been ordered into Iran to collect data and establish contact with anti-government groups.

(4) In the last three years the Vice President has repeatedly threatened Iran. However, the Vice President is legally bound by the U.S. Constitution's adherence to international law that prohibits threats of use of force.

(A) Article VI of the United States Constitution states, `This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land.' Any provision of an international treaty ratified by the United States becomes the law of the United States.

(B) The United States is a signatory to the United Nations Charter, a treaty among the nations of the world. Article II, section 4 of the United Nations Charter states, `All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.' The threat of force is illegal.

(C) Article 51 lays out the only exception, `Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.' Iran has not attacked the United States; therefore any threat against Iran by the United States is illegal.

The Vice President's deception upon the citizens and Congress of the United States that enabled the failed United States invasion of Iraq forcibly altered the rules of diplomacy such that the Vice President's recent belligerent actions towards Iran are destabilizing and counterproductive to the national security of the United States.

Wherefore Richard B. Cheney, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.

Chicago Tribune

Published on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 by The Chicago Tribune

Cheney Impeachment Ready For A Vote: To Table It

by Matthew Hay Brown

It now looks as if Rep. Dennis Kucinich's effort to impeace Vice President Dick Cheney will finally come to a vote today - but not the vote for which supporters have been hoping.

With Democrats averse to opening an intramural debate on an issue that divides their base, party leaders are expected to nip the measure in the bud this afternoon. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters this morning that he would move to table the measure when Kucinich introduces it.

"[House Speaker Nancy Pelosi] and I have both said impeachment is not on our agenda," Hoyer told reporters. "That does not make a judgment on that issue."

Hoyer's motion appears likely to pass - an outcome that would further alienate an antiwar left already frustrated with a lack of progress by congressional Democrats on changing U.S. policy on Iraq.

"We are in a serious Constitutional crisis," Joseph A. Palermo, a professor of history at California State University, Sacramento, wrote this morning on the Huffington Post. "Democrats were elected to Congress to put the brakes on the Bush-Cheney juggernaut. … [Kucinich's bill] is a long overdue measure coming from a Democrat who has the guts to stand up for the United States Constitution."

Kucinich, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, has gathered 21 co-sponsors for the articles of impeachment that he first introduced in April. Seeing war with Iran on the horizon, the Ohio congressman now plans to reintroduce the measure this afternoon as a privileged resolution.

Kucinich alleges that Cheney misled Congress and the American public into the war in Iraq, and is trying now to mislead lawmakers and voters into a war with Iran.

"The Vice President is cherry-picking intelligence and selectively using facts in a manner that does not portray the complete picture," Kucinich said today in a statement. "The best option to prevent an unnecessary war with Iran is to impeach the Vice President, the lead cheerleader of the war."

Hoyer did not address the substance of the measure.

"This administration has approximately 12 months, 14 months to go," the Maryland Democrat said. "We have very important issues that we are focusing on: Change of policy in Iraq. Children's health care. Energy independence. Educational access. Investing in health care. Securing our borders and our ports. We have some major priorities. We believe that we need to pursue those policies, focusing on those policies."

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, whose panel has jurisdiction over impeachment proceedings, has described the impeachment effort as a potential disruption.

"If the speaker were to let this thing out of the box, considering the number of legislative issues we have pending," the Michigan Democrat told Fox News, "it could create a split that could affect our productivity for the rest of the Congress."

Of course this is a judgement on the issue, or will be taken that way (which the Republicans want, but I am not bothered by, because the Democratic Party got itself into the mess of betraying its base), and, while the Democrats have made some progress since last year's election, I don't see very much progress on Iraq, etc., and so we need impeachment. I await Price's explanation in response to an email I sent last week.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Anniversary of VM Molotov's death, Nov. 8. 1986

November 8th, besides being the anniversary of the Russia's October Socialist Revolution, is also the annivesary of Soviet leader Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov's death, in 1986. Molotov (whose assumed last name, replacing Scriabin, comes from the Russian word for hammer, molot, according to Wikipedia), was born March 9. 1890, in what is now Sovetsk, Kirov oblast, and joined the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party in 1906. He was a supporter of Stalin and held various posts, such as member of the Central Committee and later the Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, chair of the Council of People's Commissars (Sovnarkom), which became the Council of Ministers after WWII, making Molotov the Minister for Foreign Affairs, deputy chair of the State Council of Defense during the War, and Ambassador to Mongolia and later the USSR's representative in the International Atomic Energy Commission when Khrushchev removed him from the central leadership. He is best known in the US for negotiating a non-aggression agreement with Germany that allowed the partition of Poland and the setting up of spheres of influence around the Baltic Sea at the start of WWII. This temporarily helped Nazi Germany and was a zigzag in previous policy, but was a brilliant move that was made necessary by the refusal of other European countries to ally with the USSR against any German aggression and the apparent desire of the great powers to have Germany and the USSR destroy each other (for example, encouraging Germany to look east by the UK's betrayal of Czechoslovakia).

I think some communists believe Molotov was the logical leader to replace Stalin, while others think he was a collaborator with Khrushchev. A good book to consult is Molotov Remembers, a book of conversations between Molotov and Felix Chuev between 1969 and 1986 (Molotov was retired and removed from the CPSU by Khrushchev in 1962, but was allowed to rejoin the Party in 1984). The English translation actually contains less than half of the contents of the Russian version and is edited by an unsympathetic emeritus professor of history at Northern Illinois University, Albert Resis, and it is possible that Chuev himself selectively edited what Molotov actually said, so the book should not be considered definitive about what Molotov really thought. I read it a while ago, and from what I remember, Molotov sounds like a sincere revolutionary communist, who wanted to serve the Soviet working and peasant classes, and who would have continued many of Stalin's policies along those lines. There are things to disagree with that I remember, such as some cultural Russian-centeredness and support for a state of Israel, while acknowledging how bad Israel turned out, and preferring an "Arab-Israeli union," which is probably the most just solution left now.

County Commissioners meet tonight

Below is the agenda for tonight's BOCC meeting. It is supposed to be
a relatively short meeting, and most of the budget items would
probably mean more if I looked up the Board's work session notes or
were directly affected. There are proclamations on the need to hire
veterans and American Education Week, both of which are important
issues. The Durham County Department of Social Services is receiving
an award from a statewide association. I notice that one of the budget
consent items is to contract with The Wackenhut Corporation, which
provides security services and I think is similar to Blackwater, but
more focused domestically. I wonder if these positions are usually
contracted out, or if public workers are being replaced by Wackenhut.

County Commissioners' Chambers

200 East Main Street, Durham, North Carolina

AGENDA

"Public Charge"

The Board of Commissioners asks its members and citizens to conduct
themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the Board and
fellow citizens. At any time, should any member of the Board or any
citizen fail to observe this public charge, the Chairman will ask the
offending person to leave the meeting until that individual regains
personal control. Should decorum fail to be restored, the Chairman
will recess the meeting until such time that a genuine commitment to
the public charge is observed.

As a courtesy to others, please turn off cell phones during the meeting.

_________________________

7:00 P.M. Regular Session

1. Opening of Regular Session—Pledge of Allegiance
5 min.

2. Agenda Adjustments
5
min.

3. Announcements

5 min.

4. Left Blank Intentionally

5. Social Services Best Practices Awards

5 min.

Durham County Department of Social Services (DSS) has received two
Best Practices Awards from the North Carolina Association of County
Directors of Social Services.

The first award is for Innovations in Service to Customers given for
the agency's Long Term Care website. The website has information
concerning adult care homes including community advisory reports,
complaints, corrective actions, and negative sanctions as well as
answers to frequently asked questions.

The second award is for Profiles in Community Collaboration
recognizing the DSS Partnership Series: Investing in Human Capital.
The DSS Board established Investing in Human Capital as its theme for
2007. Human capital is the intangible and critical piece that people
bring to organizations, particularly their education, training,
health, and work habits. To engage the community, particularly our
partners, DSS has held a series of workshops to inform the community
about the range of services we provide, how to access them, and how to
partner with our agency. The DSS Partnership Series: Investing in
Human Capital was launched in March 2007. Each month a different set
of agency programs have been profiled. The series will culminate in
January 2008 with a community-wide Summit on Investing in Human
Capital.

The awards were presented to the agency at the Best Practices Awards
Luncheon at the 86th Annual Social Services Institute in Hickory, NC
on October 11, 2007.

Resource Person(s): Sammy R. Haithcock, Director; Chris Ivy,
Social Work Supervisor, Adult Services; and Sharon Hirsch, Assistant
Director, Communication, Development and Customer Information

County Manager's Recommendation: Recommend that staff be recognized
for receiving the two Best Practices Awards.

6. Proclamation Observing November as Hire-A-Veteran Month

5 min.

A proclamation has been prepared in observance of November as
"Hire-A-Veteran Month" in Durham County. Durham County is home to
more than 17,000 veterans and the goal of this observance is to honor
their service and to recognize their importance to our economic
future.

Linzie Atkins, Senior Veterans Employment Consultant for the North
Carolina Employment Security Commission, will receive the proclamation
and speak briefly about various events planned to honor veterans in
the community.

County Manager's Recommendation: Approve the proclamation and present to
Mr. Atkins.

7. Proclamation Observing November 12 - 16 as "American Education Week"

5 min.

A proclamation has been prepared in observance of November 12 - 16 as
"American Education Week" in Durham County. More than 33,000 students
are enrolled in schools in Durham County. This national observance
recognizes all the people – in schools, homes, and communities – who
work together to help children and young adults achieve.

Donald Barringer, President of the Durham Association of Educators,
will receive the proclamation and speak briefly about various events
planned during the week.

County Manager's Recommendation: Approve the proclamation and present to
Mr. Barringer.

8. Consent Agenda

20 min.

a. Contract Award for County Building Security Services to The
Wackenhut Corporation Inc. (RFP# 08-004) (authorize the Manager to
enter into a contract to provide security services for Durham County
buildings at the hourly rate of $17.20 for Custom Protection Officers
[CPO], $24.08 for Special Police Officers [SPO], and $26.81 per hour
for SPO-Site Supervisor, for an annual contract amount of
$699,162.64);

b. Declaration of Surplus Personal Property and Approval of
Resolution to Donate Basic Life Support Van Ambulance to Bear Pond
Volunteer Fire Department (declare the personal property as surplus,
authorize the donation of the personal property to Bear Pond Volunteer
Fire Department on the condition that said property be used for a
public purpose, and authorize the Manager to enter into an agreement;
a notice shall be published summarizing the resolution, and no
conveyance may be executed until at least 10 days after the day the
notice is published);

c. Request to Relocate Abandoned Cemetery (approve the Resolution
Authorizing the Relocation of the Shaw Family Cemetery);

d. Judicial Building and Judicial Annex Building Security Upgrade
(authorize the Manager to enter into a contract with T.A.C. Carolinas
in an amount not to exceed $63,685 to install requested card access
systems in the Judicial Building and the Judicial Annex and upgrade
the video surveillance systems at the Judicial Annex);

e. Amendment to County Parking Ordinance (approve the Ordinance
Amending Chapter 24 of the Durham County Code of Ordinances);

f. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000021—Sheriff's
Office—Recognize Revenue from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
(approve and authorize the Sheriff's Office to accept the award in the
amount of $14,659);

g. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000022—County Tax Service
Inc.—Contract Amendment (approve to recognize additional tax revenue
in the amount of $75,000 and authorize the Manager to amend the
contract);

h. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000023—Public
Health—Recognize Revenue in the Amount of $44,000 from the Department
of Environmental Health and Natural Resources for the Environmental
Health Division for the childhood lead poisoning prevention program);

i. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000024—Public
Health—Recognize Additional Revenue in the amount of $8,541 from the
Division of Public Health, N.C. Department of Health and Human
Services, to Support Community-Based Risk Reduction Activities;

j. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000025—Public
Health—Recognize $1,895 in One-Time Women's Health Service Funds and
$33,328 in One-Time Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)
Out-of-Wedlock Funds (grant revenue) from the N.C. Department of
Health and Human Services, Women's and Children's Health Section, to
Support Family Planning Services (clinical family planning services
and school and community-based pregnancy prevention activities for
low-income women not eligible for Medicaid);

k. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000026—Public
Health—Recognize One-Time Funding in the Amount of $15,000 from the
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public
Health, to Improve the Delivery of Essential Public Health Services by
creating earned media (TV, radio, magazine) on prevention/health
issues;

l. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000027—Public
Health—Recognize $2,000 in Grant Revenue from Project Direct, N.C.
Division of Public Health, to Support Diabetes Education;

m. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000028—Public Health—Recognize
$9,483 in Grant Revenue from the Physical Activity and Nutrition
Branch of the Division of Public Health, N.C. Department of Health and
Human Services, to Continue the Peace II Program in 12
African-American Churches in Durham;

n. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000029—Public
Health—Recognize Grant Revenue in the Amount of $66,667 from the N.C.
Department of Health and Human Services and Establish a New Full-Time
Health Educator I Position (1.0 FTE) for the New Non-Traditional
HIV/STD Testing, Counseling, and Referral Program in the Division of
Health Education;

o. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000030—Results Based
Accountability Program Grants to County Departments (recognize $25,450
for The Durham Center, Public Health, and Cooperative Extension);

p. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000031—Social
Services—Recognize Additional Revenue in the amount of $11,846 for the
Energy Neighbor Program (Progress Energy) ($2,051) and the Home and
Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) ($9,795);

q. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000032—Social
Services—Medicaid Cost Settlement Revenue (approve to appropriate
Medicaid Cost Settlement funds in the amount of $498,800 to the
Department of Social Services' budget);

r. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08000033—Cooperative
Extension—Recognize Continued Funding in the Amount of $50,000 from
the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Community Problem Solving Grant
for the Strengthening Families Coalition (SFC) to conduct Parent,
Family Advocacy and Support Training (PFAST);

s. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000034—Cooperative
Extension—Postage Allocation (appropriate $2,996 in federal funding
for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the mail management in
the Cooperative Extension Department);

t. Accept the Durham Board of Adjustment Annual Report for FY 06-07;

u. Approve the Sale of County Surplus Property—212 West Alton Street
to David Bell for $5,300; 900 Danbury Drive to Nathan Turbyfill for
$1,200; and 0 Old Oxford Road to Robert Perry for $575);

v. Execution of Architectural Design Service Contract with DTW
Architects and Planners Ltd. for the BOCC Chambers Technology
Upgrades—Project No.: DC089 (authorize the execution of the design
contract in the amount of $93,200 [basic and additional services],
plus reimbursable expenses estimated at $3,000, thus totaling
$96,200);

w. County Finance Policy (approve the current Policy with changes to
Fund Balance: 1.08; Debt Management: 5.05[f]; and Revenues and
Collections: 3.06);

x. Execution of the Construction Contract for the Renovation of the
Second Floor of the Judicial Building—Project No.: DC072-48, Bid No:
IFB 08-006 (authorize the execution of the construction contract with
LeChase Construction Services LLC in the amount $467,013 [base bid
only] and any other related contracts including change orders, if
necessary, not to exceed the available construction budget of
$513,713); and

y. Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 08BCC000035 and Capital Project Amendment
No. 08CPA000007—$115,000 Appropriation of Capital Financing Fund Fund
Balance for the County Animal Control Office Project (No.: DC088) and
the Execution of Construction Contract with Lee Street Construction
Company for the Project.

10. Revaluation Update

30 min.

The Tax Administrator requests to make a presentation to the Board of
County Commissioners on the revaluation.

Resource Person(s): Kenneth L. Joyner, RES, Tax Administrator

County Manager's Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board
of County Commissioners receive the presentation on the revaluation.

______

1 hr. 20 min.

Loose Change - the Final Cut screening Tuesday

The third, final, and "substantially different" version of Loose
Change, a documentary on why the official story of 9/11 is fatally
flawed and what may have happened in reality, will be shown at Duke
Tuesday evening, the date having been moved from tonight.

When: Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Time: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Duke Coffee House & online at LooseChange911.com
Street: Duke's East Campus, Crowell Building, behind Wilson and next to Epworth
City/Town: Durham, NC

Veterans' Day

Sunday was Veterans' Day, in theory a day to honor veterans, although
now it seems to be mostly a commercial day. I appreciate the
sacrifice soldiers make and many probably are at least partially
motivated by idealism (so thank you for that to any veterans or
soldiers who are reading). Despite this, I cannot get into the spirit
of the day. The idealism and dedication of soldiers today is usually
used for imperialism and oppression, aside from missions like disaster
relief. The American Revolution was a just war, and the war against
the Barbary Pirates and the War of 1812 might have been unavoidable
and defensive. The "Indian Wars" were mostly unjust, despite
atrocities against invading Americans. The Civil War was just,
because it liberated the brutalised slaves and to an extent overthrew
the planter capitalist class in the South, but it also involved brutal
aggression against the Southern states, for the industrial capitalists
of the North, not for the purpose of liberating anyone (after all,
Lincoln said he was willing to reunite the Union without ending
slavery if that had been possible, and the wage slavery and
sharecropping the slaves were liberated into is only one historical
step above full slavery). The Spanish-American War was probably the
first US war under monopoly capitalism and imperialism. This was
followed by our entry into the first major inter-imperialist war,
World War I, in which the rising powers of Germany and its allies
fought Britan, France, and the other Allied powers to redivide the
world. Veterans Day is currently on the anniversary of the truce that
ended WWI. In World War II fascism had to be defeated, but the great
powers entered it to see who would dominate the world, not to advance
the cause of freedom. There was a progressive element though, because
the intervention of the US, after receiving the Japanese attack that
the government appeared to want as a cause for war, aided a socialist
country, the USSR. It was a "good war," but not as good as many
Americans think (nor were we as pivotal in Europe as many think). It
should also be kept in mind that world wars result in victories for
the revolution, something those who want World War III (or IV,
according to some) should keep in mind now. After WWII the US has
been in numerous wars, still operating under an imperialist economic
and social system, to keep Korea divided (and the Republic of Korea
was not an innocent victim of aggression by the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea), to dominate Indochina, because France could no
longer hold it, to overthrow the government of a tiny island in the
Caribbean, Panama, Haiti, and now to nakedly dominate the Middle East,
because it can without the counterweight of the USSR and may have to
(as long as we are operating under capitalism, that is), to maintain
control as the US economy weakens. It is good that the US has a
tradition of civilian government, but soldiers should refuse illegal
orders and if enough refuse, what can the military do? Those who
refuse (like the many Israeli refuseniks who have refused to help
oppress the Occupied Territories) have the support of many Americans,
and the more soldiers who speak out, the more the public will
understand what is really going on. Most anti-war activists don't
hate the troops, and it is a myth that Vietnam vets were usually
mistreated by war opponents, but we do hate the unjust and illegal
missions, for which the government is mostly to blame, whether
Republican or Democratic.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Some Bill of Rights defense updates

Earlier tonight Frontline on PBS covered extraordinary rendition, and Democracy Now! covered torture today and yesterday. Democracy Now! is on Chapel Hill-Carrboro's cable access station, The Peoples Channel, weeday evenings at 7, and on 90.7 FM WNCU at 6:30 every weekday evening, after Free Speech Radio News and before News and Notes, all good sources of angles not highlighted by corporate TV and radio news. Incidentally, the station is also in the middle of a fund drive.

Now is the time to tell your representative to support House Resolution 3773, the Restore Act of 2007, restoring the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, preventing the government from listening to your electronic communications without a warrant. Hopefully this applies to the Echelon system too, but I think one point of that system is to allow participating countries to eavesdrop on their people while saying they received the information from another country's spy service.

This is the last week to see Rendition at local theatres - Crossroads in Cary, Carmike Park Place 16 in Morrisville, Six Forks Station in Raleigh, Southpoint here in Durham, and at Lumina in Chapel Hill's Southern Village.

Wednesday at 7pm the Orange County BORDC is going to Town Hall to hear and question a report on why two immigrants without felony records were detained by the police, despite Town policies to the contrary.

Wednesday evening is also the Socialist Forum 9/11 discussion at the Chapel Hill Public Library. November 12th the final edit of the 9/11 truth documentary, Loose Change, will be shown on Duke's East Campus. I've seen Loose Change II, and it is an interesting and well-done documentary. I think some of what they say is not as proven as they say, but they do a good job of showing some of the reasons the 9/11 Commission's account is flawed. I think they looked mainly at physical issues and the alleged perpetrators, not going into great detail about the historical background leading up to 9/11.

Community Dialogue Across Borders is the eveninng of November 9th in Pittsboro and November 10th in Fearington Village. For details, see:

http://www.hispanicliaison.org/content/view/75/115/

The Orange County BORDC is showing Ghosts of Abu Ghraib November 15th, at 7pm, at the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) meeting room at 400 Jones Ferry Rd. in Carrboro.

CMKP statement on emergency rule in Pakistan

Karachi: The following statement has been issued by
the Central Secretariat of the Communist Mazdoor
Kissan Party (Communist Workers-Peasants Party)
Pakistan on the state of emergency declared throughout
Pakistan to save a military dictator: -

" The Communist Mazdoor-Kissan Party (CMKP) Pakistan
first of all condemns the state of emergency imposed
in Pakistan, violating the cardinal democratic
principles, the underlined nefarious intention of
which is just to save military dictator General Pervez
Musharraf who had usurped power unconstitutionally by
overthrowing the elected Nawaz Sharif government in
October 1998. Gen. Musharraf has been ruling the
country in violation of the constitution and against
democratic practice. He takes himself as the bastion
of power and is not prepared to act in accordance with
the real spirit of the country's constitution.

"The present state of emergency proclaimed by him is
similar to another military takeovers as he failed to
address economic and political issues confronting the
country. This emergency is actually against his own
policy and against himself. Afraid of his political
eclipse in view of the legal battle and rising
political struggle against him, he has found to escape
the wrath of people by declaring state of emergency,
flaunting fundamental rights and independence of
judiciary as ensured by the 1973 constitution. Curbs
on freedom of speech, assembly and smooth function of
media, including the forced closer of domestic private
TV channels and foreign news TV channels are
indication to enslave the society with the ploy of
emergency for the rule of a dictator in military
uniform. Though not indispensable, Gen. Musharraf
thinks himself the only one to deliver goods. His
eight years of rule in military uniform belies his
self deception, proving once again that military is
not capable to handle the political issues rather it
helps worsen the situation what has been happening
after every military rule in Pakistan.

"Gen. Musharraf's controlled democracy what he had
brought into play after the 2002 manipulated general
elections to put himself into addle with military
backing has proved itself dysfunctional and his
emergency is testimony to it. All along he has been
ruling the country with the active support of US
imperialism. The present imposition of emergency has
tacit hidden wire pulling of the United States, which
speaks of democracy outwardly without substance.
Washington's anger and threat against emergency are
just to mislead the world public opinion.
Pro-imperialist military establishment has no will and
courage to defy imperialist dictation and cannot
withstand imperialist anger and threat. So, US or
other imperialist powers' outburst what we see against
state of emergency is just an eyewash. Pakistan's army
has been in league with imperialism since the mid
1950s, and it continues to serve imperialist cause
whether under the canopy of 'containing communism',
'Islamic Jihad' against Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
or US 'War on Islamic militancy and terror'.

"The pertinent question is why military interference
is regarded necessary by the rulers is civilian
matters and democratic issue. The situation conforms
to the reality that imperialist-dominated
feudal-tribal-military alliance has time and again
made its exercise to rule the country with iron hand
futile. The latest undemocratic measure further
testifies the contention. While taking up political
issue of Pakistan, this important element needs to be
brought into arena to remove the roadblock to
democracy. Democracy is, no doubt, a source of
political oxygen for a society, but democracy also
needs the total independence and real national
sovereignty. One of the reasons for the setback for
the democratic dispensation is that Pakistan is
totally subservient to imperialist manipulation and
domination. This is an obstacle to the attainment of
democratic goal. Without struggle against
feudal-tribal-military alliance backed by imperialism,
democracy would remain a far cry. Thus, it is
imperative for anti-imperialist and anti-feudal
democratic forces to ponder over the important issue.
The CMKP, however, is always ready to play its
political role through unified struggle of the
democratic forces against undemocratic machination
under different garbs. Gen. Musharraf's latest move to
prolong his rule is likely to be the last straw that
is to break the proverbial camel back."

Vote Tuesday!

Since I endorsed Farad Ali in the City Council primary, I feel I
should let readers know about a reason I might change my mind.
Unfortunately all I know currently is the charge. The Durham People's
Alliance PAC is claiming that Thomas Stith wants Ali to win, and since
Stith is a rightist, that is an anti-endorsement from my point of
view.

Tuesday is also when Kucinich's bill should be brought up in Congress,
and it will be voted on immediately or within 2 days.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Impeachment up for vote this week!

Below is a summary of Ohio Congressman (and Democratic presidential candidate) Dennis Kucinich's bill in the House of Representatives to begin an impeachment trial of Cheney. I have heard that Tuesday the House will either take the next step, or kill the bill, like the earlier proposals. Contact your representative and show your support for this bill if you agree that Cheney (and Bush) are criminals and cannot be allowed to continue to subvert the rule of law and the Constitution, not to mention possibly start a war with Iran before they leave office, and leave US soldiers to die for imperialist geopolitics and corporate greed in Iraq and elsewhere. The Progressive Democrats of America have a set of flyers about this bill, and there should be lots of updates at www.afterdowningstreet.org.

For those in the 4th Congressional District of NC, you can contact Rep. David Price online at price.house.gov and by phone and mail at:

Washington, D.C.
U.S. House of Representatives
2162 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202.225.1784
Fax: 202.225.2014

Chapel Hill
88 Vilcom Center
Suite 140
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 919.967.7924
Fax: 919.967.8324

Durham
411 W. Chapel Hill Street
NC Mutual Building, 6th Floor
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919.688.3004
Fax: 919.688.0940

Raleigh
5400 Trinity Road
Suite 205
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: 919.859.5999
Fax: 919.859.5998

In the last primary, I voted for pro-impeachment candidate Kent Kanoy instead of Price. At the moment I can't recall if I voted for someone other than Price in the election. Price is probably the most liberal congressman in North Carolina, for example authoring a bill to bring contractors under control in Iraq, but then he does anti-progressive things like defend Israel's aggression against Lebanon and not even support censuring Bush for his crimes, if I recall his vote correctly. I think I will say his vote on this bill is going to be very influential when I decide who to vote for the next time his seat is open. A few years ago I told John Edwards that he was a warmonger I could not and did not vote for, and I have doubts that he has changed enough that I could vote for him if he is the Democratic candidate for president in '08.

H.RES.333
Title: Impeaching Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] (introduced 4/24/2007) Cosponsors (21)
Latest Major Action: 5/4/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Jump to: Summary, Major Actions, All Actions, Titles, Cosponsors, Committees, Related Bill Details, Amendments

SUMMARY AS OF:
4/24/2007--Introduced.

Impeaches Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Sets forth articles of impeachment stating that Vice President Cheney: (1) has purposely manipulated the intelligence process to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States about a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, and about an alleged relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda, to justify the use of the U.S. Armed Forces against Iraq in a manner damaging to U.S. national security interests; and (2) has openly threatened aggression against Iran absent any real threat to the United States, and has done so with the U.S. proven capability to carry out such threats, thus undermining U.S. national security.

MAJOR ACTIONS:

***NONE***

ALL ACTIONS:

4/24/2007:

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

5/4/2007:: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

TITLE(S): (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)

***NONE***

COSPONSORS(21), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)

Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 8/1/2007	Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] - 7/24/2007
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 6/6/2007	Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 5/1/2007
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 8/4/2007	Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 6/28/2007
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 7/12/2007	Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 7/12/2007
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 8/4/2007	Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 6/28/2007
Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] - 9/7/2007	Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 6/7/2007
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 7/10/2007	Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 7/10/2007
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] - 8/1/2007	Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 5/1/2007
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 9/27/2007	Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] - 6/12/2007
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 10/16/2007	Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 6/7/2007
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] - 5/10/2007

COMMITTEE(S):

Committee/Subcommittee:		Activity:
House Judiciary		Referral, In Committee
	Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties	Referral

RELATED BILL DETAILS:

***NONE***

AMENDMENT(S):

***NONE***

Wednesday is the 90th anniversary of Russia's Socialist Revolution

[The title of this painting might be All Power to the Soviets!]

The 90th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution in Russia is this [Wednesday]. The first stage of the 1917 Russian Revolution overthrew Tsarist tyranny and created a bourgeois democratic republic, under Kerensky. That provisional government continued Russia's involvement in World War I, and held back the revolution in other ways, such as by opposing immediate redistribution of land to the peasants, if I remember correctly, and delaying a constitutent assembly to create a popular government. I think things soon got to the point where the Bolsheviks had to act or be repressed by the government, which had begun to reach out to counter-revolutionary forces. The second stage of the Russian revolution, starting on November 7th (and in October by an old calendar Russia was using), was for a democratic and socialist working class government. The revolution was led by the Bolsheviks, who formed the Communist Party of Soviet Union (Bolshevik) and the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, a more peasant-based party. The sickle-and-hammer represents the alliance of the Soviet working and peasant classes, under the leadership of the working class. For an eyewitness account, see Ten Days That Shook the World, by John Reed, an American journalist who I think was influential in the creation of the Communist Party of the USA. Reed and his work in Russia are the subject of the movie Reds , which is interesting and entertaining, but gives the story the obligatory downward trajectory.

The revolution was later betrayed by Khrushchev and his successors, and the pretense of socialism was being dropped by Gorbachev. He was overthrown by Yeltsin before he could follow to the full the Chinese model for liquidating what some would call a form of socialism and others would call state capitalism. Now Vladimir Putin uses Soviet and Great Russian nationalism (such as setting the new Russian national anthem to the music of the Hymn of the Soviet Union and appealing to Russians' memories of being a great power) as [props] to aid his authoritarian control.

The revolution ultimately was lost, but it is important because it was the first lasting working class and socialist revolution. The Paris Commune of 1871 was crushed by the Germans and the bourgeois government after a few months and other revolutions in 1905 and at the end of WWI also did not last. The Russian Revolution's lessons cannot be applied mechanically, but it provides ideas on how and how not to carry out a revolution and to create socialism. It was as far reaching as the British (though it was not called such), American, and French revolutions that gave capitalism its own form of government, and its call echoes now. Several countries claim to be following the Soviet revolution, Venezuela claims to be building socialism (possibly it will, but it looks more like Chavez building a more humane capitalism), Maoist guerillas and activists were part of the revolution that defeated royal dictatorship in Nepal, and there are influential parties and/or guerillas in many countries. A problem that threatens failure is lack of clarity about the lessons of the past, so people don't know what socialism is and are thus fooled by so-called communists who only want a different kind of capitalism, not its swift abolition. Therefore there is debate about when socialism ended in the USSR and whether countries like China, Cuba, and the DPRK (north Korea) have socialist economies or governments. I am still making up my mind, but Alliance's position (similar to the Albanian school of thought) is that the USSR became capitalist soon after Stalin's death, and these other countries were politically revisionist and never socialist to begin with.

City Council meeting Monday night

The the City Council is meeting Monday evening. There is a working session of the County Commissioners Monday morning, but the next regular meeting is on Monday the 12th.

On the Council agenda, there are several zoning cases. The Palladian Office Park is on the edge of New Hope Creek's floodplain, probably protected as part of Jordan Lake, just north of Highway 54 and it is also close to a City or County park. I haven't looked at the area since they started clearing for the first office building. The proposed development on Page Rd. is in the Neuse River's basin and would affect Stirrup Iron Creek, which flows into Crabtree Lake. The proposed development on Goodwin Rd. is in the Eno River's basin. The proposed CVS site on Highway 98 would affect Falls Lake (in the Neuse River's basin), through Lick or Little Little creeks, Obedience to the Word is in Little Lick Creek's basin, as is the Bungalo Avenue project.

City Council Agenda
November 05, 2007
Council Chambers, First Floor

The Mayor calls the meeting to order at 7:00 pm

Call To Order

Moment Of Silent Meditation

Pledge Of Allegiance

Roll Call

Ceremonial Items

Announcements By Council

Priority Items By The City Manager, City Attorney And City Clerk

[Consent Agenda]

1. Inventory Audit (June 30, 2007) - September, 2007

To receive and accept the Inventory Audit (June 30, 2007) as presented and approved at the September 24, 2007 Meeting of the Audit Services Oversight Committee.

(Resource Person: Kevin Neuman – 4213) (Attachment #1 - 14 pages) (PR# 4405)

2. Voluntary Annexation Petition Received by January 1, 2007

To adopt a resolution scheduling a public hearing for Monday, November 19, 2007 to hear citizen comments concerning a voluntary petition for the following property to be annexed with a recommended effective date of December 31, 2007:

a) FY2007-11 Northeast Creek Development

(Resource Persons: Julie Brenman and Robin Bibby – 4111) (Attachment #2 - 11 pages) (PR# 4416)

3. Passenger Vehicle for Hire Commission – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

To receive and accept applications for citizens to fill two (2) vacancies on the Passenger Vehicle For Hire Commission to represent "Law" and "Passenger" with the terms to expire on January 1, 2010.

(Due to a vacancy and the expired term of Barbara Payne)

(Resource Person: LaVerne V. Brooks – 4166) (Attachment #3 – 5 pages) (PR# 4415)

4. Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

To receive and accept an application for a citizen to fill one (1) vacancy on the Durham Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission with the term to expire on August 31, 2010.

(Due to the expired term of John W. Warman, III)

(Resource Person: LaVerne V. Brooks – 4166) (Attachment #4 – 3 pages) (PR# 4420)

5. Durham Open Space and Trails Commission – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

To receive and accept an application for a citizen to fill one (1) vacancy on the Durham Open Space & Trails Commission to represent Ward 2 with the term to expire on June 30, 2010.

(Due to the expired term of William Morrison)

(Resource Person: LaVerne V. Brooks – 4166) (Attachment #5 – 4 pages) (PR# 4421)

6. Capital Program Advisory Committee – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

To receive and accept an application for a citizen to fill one (1) vacancy on the Capital Program Advisory Committee to represent Project Management. The term will expire on March 31, 2008.

(Due to the resignation of Susan E. Shaw)

(Resource Person: LaVerne V. Brooks – 4166) (Attachment #6 - 3 pages) (PR# 4418)

7. Durham Cultural Master Plan Advisory Board – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

To receive and accept an application for a citizen to fill one (1) vacancy on the Durham Cultural Master Plan Advisory Board with the term to expire on June 30, 2008.

(Due to the resignation of E'Vonne Coleman)

(Resource Person: LaVerne V. Brooks – 4166) (Attachment #7 – 5 pages) (PR# 4422)

8. Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau Tourism Development Authority

To reappoint Brian Lawson representing Food Service to the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Development Authority as recommended by the DCVB Board of Directors - term expiring October 31, 2010.

(Resource Person: LaVerne V. Brooks – 4166) (Attachment #8 - 4 pages) (PR# 4426)

9. Piggyback Purchase - One (1) Fire and Rescue Pumper

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Sutphen Corporation, in the amount of $302,327.24 for providing the City with one (1) Fire & Rescue Pumper; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the contract before execution provided that modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the contract and the modifications are consistent with the general intent of the existing version of the contract.

(Resource Persons: Joseph W. Clark – 4132 and Paul Koch – 4101) (Attachment #9 - 5 pages) (PR# 4411)

10. Piggyback Purchase - One (1) 95 FT. Aerial Platform

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Sutphen Corporation, in the amount of $762,950.06 for providing the City with one (1) 95 ft. Aerial Platform; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the contract before execution provided that modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the contract and the modifications are consistent with the general intent of the existing version of the contract.

(Resource Persons: Joseph W. Clark – 4132 and Paul Koch – 4101) (Attachment #10 - 5 pages) (PR# 4410)

11. Major Site Plan and Preliminary Plat– Goodwin Crossing (D06-863)

To approve a major site plan and preliminary plat for "Goodwin Crossing," submitted by Bass, Nixon & Kennedy, Inc., on behalf of St. Lawrence Homes, Inc., for a 127 lot single-family residential development on 77.58 acres, zoned Planned Development Residential (PDR) 2.310 and Falls/Jordan Protected Area (F/J-B).

[The site is located on the northeast and southwest sides of Goodwin Road just north of Infinity Road. PIN 0835-04-52-1161, 0835-04-53-4274]

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP – 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #11 - 25 pages) (PR# 4425)

12. Major Site Plan – Palladian Office Park, Phases 1C, 1D and 2 (D06-962)

To approve a major site plan for "Palladian Office Park, Phase 1C, 1D and 2," submitted by Coulter, Jewell, Thames PA, on behalf of Park Ridge Corporate, LLC, for three office buildings: Building 1C is 90,000 square feet and three-stories; Building 1D is 90,000 square feet and four-stories; Phase 2 building is 145,000 square feet and five-stories in height on a 13.20 acre portion of a 42.15 acre site, zoned Office and Institutional with a Development Plan (OI(D)), Falls/Jordan Protected Area (F/J-B) and Major Transportation Corridor Overlay (MTC).

[The site is located east of I-40 and Leigh Farm Road and north of NC 54. The PINs for the site are 0708-02-58-5961; 0708-02-48-9929; 0708-02-59-3209, 4720; 0708-02-69-1063.]

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP – 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #12 - 20 pages) (PR# 4431)

13. Setting Public Hearing to Consider Ordering Improvement under Enabling Act Authority

To adopt a resolution setting a public hearing for November 19, 2007, to consider ordering Curb, Gutter and Paving and Water and Sewer Laterals on Harvard Avenue from S. Benjamine Street to Miami Boulevard.

(Resource Persons: R. Lee Murphy and Nathan L. McHenry – 4326) (Attachment #13 - 2 pages) (PR# 4399)

14. Setting Public Hearing to Consider Ordering Petitioned Improvement

To accept a Certificate of Sufficiency from the Manager of Engineering and Stormwater for the following petition; and

To adopt a resolution setting a public hearing for November 19, 2007, to consider ordering the following improvement:

Sidewalk on Monmouth Avenue (South Side) from N. Buchanan Boulevard to Watts Street.

(Resource Persons: R. Lee Murphy and Nathan L. McHenry – 4326) (Attachment #14 - 2 pages) (PR# 4400)

15. Carryover Budget Amendment FY06-07 to FY07-08

To adopt an Ordinance Amending the 2007-08 City of Durham Budget Ordinance, the same being Ordinance 13451; and

To adopt a resolution establishing FY 2007-08 financial plans for internal service funds, superseding resolution 9480.

(Resource Person: Julie Brenman – 4111 ext. 282) (Attachment #15 - 9 pages) (PR# 4412)

17. Amendment to 2007-2009 City of Durham Employment and Training Grant Project Ordinance Superseding Grant Project Ordinance #13480

To authorize the City Manager to accept the North Carolina Department of Commerce Regional Collaboration Grant by executing the grant documents; and

To adopt the 2007-2009 City of Durham, North Carolina and State of North Carolina Department of Commerce Grant Project Ordinance, superseding Grant Project Ordinance #13480, in the amount of $1,411,122.00. (Resource Person: Kevin Dick – 4965) (Attachment #17 - 4 pages) (PR# 4396)

18. North Carolina Department of Transportation Municipal Agreement for the Re-Inspection of Bridges on the Municipal Street System [F.A. Project BRZ-NBIS (15)]

To adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a municipal agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation for re-inspection of bridges on the Municipal Street System " F.A. Project BRZ-NBIS (15)"; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the agreement and other related documents before execution, provided that the modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the agreement and do not lessen the obligations of the contractor.

(Resource Person: Kathryn Kalb – 4326) (Attachment #18 - 8 pages) (PR# 4409)

19. Lease Agreement with Hanson Aggregates Southeast, Inc. at Teer Quarry

To authorize the City Manager to execute a lease agreement pursuant to a previously approved Purchase Contract with Hanson Aggregates Southeast, Inc. regarding the use of the sales yard that is located near the quarry; and

To authorize the City Manager to modify the lease before execution provided the modifications do not increase the dollar amount of the lease and are consistent with the general intent of the version of the lease approved by City Council.

(Resource Person: Nancy Newell – 4381) (Attachment #19 - 9 pages) (PR# 4413)

22 – 25. These items can be found on the General Business Agenda – Public Hearings.

[General Business Agenda – Public Hearings]

22. CVS Highway 98 Initial (Z07-13A)

To conduct a public hearing and receive public comments on the initial zoning map change for CVS Highway 98 Initial (Z07-13A);

To adopt an Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, the same being Chapter 24 of the Durham City Code, to establish Commercial Neighborhood (CN) and Commercial Center (CC); Falls/Jordan-B Watershed Protection Overlay (F/J-B) zoning for the property described in the attached staff report; and

To adopt as support for its action on the proposed zoning map change the determinations that the action is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and is reasonable and in the public interest given that this reflects the zoning of the property in the County and in light of information presented in the public hearing and in the accompanying agenda materials.

Staff Recommendation: Approval, based on annexation by the Council and the information contained in this report.

Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval, per the resolution adopted by the Commission on December 13, 2005 and attached to the staff report.

[The site is located at intersection of Wake Forest Highway and Patterson Road, across from Stallings Road. PIN 0861-03-10-5538]

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP – 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #22 – 8 pages) (PR# 4391)

23. The Worship Center Initial (Z07-06A)

To conduct a public hearing and receive public comments on the initial zoning map change for The Worship Center Initial (Z07-06A);

To adopt an Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, the same being Chapter 24 of the Durham City Code, to establish Residential Rural (RR) and Residential Suburban Multifamily (RS-M(D)) zoning for the property described in the attached staff report; and

To adopt as support for its action on the proposed zoning map change the determinations that, while the action is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, it is reasonable and in the public interest given that this reflects the zoning of the property in the County and in light of information presented in the public hearing and in the accompanying agenda materials.

Staff Recommendation: Approval, based on annexation by the Council and the information contained in this report.

Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval, per the resolution adopted by the Commission on December 13, 2005 and attached to the staff report.

[The site is located at the intersection of Lumley Road and Page Road, south side of Lumley Road, west side of Page Road. PIN 0759-04-51-0649]

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP – 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #23 – 9 pages) (PR# 4406)

24. Obedience to the Word Initial (Z07-16A)

To conduct a public hearing and receive public comments on the initial zoning map change for Obedience to the Word Initial (Z07-16A);

To adopt an Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, the same being Chapter 24 of the Durham City Code, to establish Rural Residential (RR) and Residential Suburban – 10 (RS-10); Falls/Jordan-B Watershed Protection Overlay (F/J-B) zoning for the property described in the attached staff report; and

To adopt as support for its action on the proposed zoning map change the determinations that, while the action is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, it is reasonable and in the public interest given that this reflects the zoning of the property in the County and in light of information presented in the public hearing and in the accompanying agenda materials.

Staff Recommendation: Approval, based on annexation by the Council and the information contained in this report.

Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval, per the resolution adopted by the Commission on December 13, 2005 and attached to the staff report.

[The site is located at the intersection of South Mineral Springs Road and Noah Drive, east of South Mineral Springs Road and south of Noah Drive. PIN 0851-01-20-1035

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP - 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #24 - 9 pages) (PR# 4407)

25. Bungalow Avenue Initial (Z07-04A)

To conduct a public hearing and receive public comments on the initial zoning map change for Bungalow Avenue Initial (Z07-04A);

To adopt an ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance, the same being Chapter 24 of the Durham City Code, to establish Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20); Falls/Jordan-B Watershed Protection Overlay (F/J-B) zoning for the property described in the attached staff report; and

To adopt as support for its action on the proposed zoning map change the determinations that the action is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and is reasonable and in the public interest given that this reflects the zoning of the property in the County and in light of information presented in the public hearing and in the accompanying agenda materials.

Staff Recommendation: Approval, based on annexation by the Council and the information contained in this report.

Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval, per the resolution adopted by the Commission on December 13, 2005 and attached to the staff report.

[The site is located on the east and west side of Bungalow Avenue, south of Laurel Drive and north of Featherglen Court. PINs 0840-04-52-9774, -62-0633, -1945, -1894, -2743, -3603]

(Resource Person: Steven L. Medlin, AICP – 4137 ext. 223) (Attachment #25 - 9 pages) (PR# 4408)

[Supplimental Agenda]

33. Resolution Memorializing Harry Edwin Rodenhizer, Jr.

To adopt a Resolution Memorializing Harry Edwin Rodenhizer, Jr.

(Resource Person: Mayor William V. "Bill" Bell – 4333) (Attachment #33 - 1 page) (PR# 4476)

[Adjournment]

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Support Kucinich in a DFA poll

I think progressives and the working class should drop the Democratic Party, but I will do what I can to encourage the Democratic left (as well as left third party candidates) until there is a progressive party that can defeat the Democrats. I agree with Alliance's 2004 position that it is not time to boycott elections. That is part of the reason I support Dennis Kucinich for president and I am posting this email from the campaign, about an influential online poll and good news from national polls.

On a related subject, we need to call our representatives and ask them to support Kucinich's House Resolution 333, for impeachment proceedings against Cheney, which will be sent forward, or buried, in Congress on Tuesday. Kucinich is also giving all Americans the chance to be in the official Congressional Record, by name, for impeachment. I suppose that gives the government the names of its numerous opponents, but it is a chance to go on record that this corrupt government does not represent us, and we resisted it (at least this much). We were not 'good Germans' (those who let the Nazis get away with their crimes).

A Message from Dennis Kucinich

Dear [ ],

I am emailing you to ask for your vote in the Democracy For America presidential straw poll. Winning this DFA poll will shock the pundits, create tremendous attention and will greatly increase volunteer support for our campaign.

The DFA community needs to know that there IS a candidate who:

organized 125 Democratic Congressmen to vote against the 2002 resolution to authorize force in Iraq,
that there IS a Democratic presidential candidate who voted against the Patriot Act,
that there IS a Democratic presidential candidate who supports withdrawing from NAFTA and the WTO,
that there IS a Democratic Presidential candidate who has called for impeachment of the Vice President AND the President.
And more importantly, there IS a Democratic candidate who stands for a NOT FOR PROFIT health care system, Medicare for All.

Please take the time now to cast your vote.
Here are three easy steps required to vote in this poll.

1) Please go to the following link:
http://DemocracyforAmerica.com/VoteKucinich

2) My picture will be added to box #1 automatically for you. Follow the Instructions and vote for 2 additional candidates by dragging and dropping the other candidates pictures into box #2 and #3. If you do not wish to vote for anyone else, simply drag and drop the picture labeled "Other ?" into box #2 and #3 and type in "Dennis Kucinich" in both boxes.

3) Once you have filled in all three of your choices a Registration box will appear below the 3 boxes. You will need to enter your Email Address, Zip Code, First and Last Name and then click on the submit button in order for your vote to be counted. That's it!

After you vote, please forward this e-mail to your friends and contacts.

A few days ago, our campaign moved into fourth place in New Hampshire with 7% according to Rasmussen Polling. This past month, two national polls, USA Today/Gallup and Zogby, have shown our campaign polling in fourth place.

The momentum is in our favor, together, we can win the Democracy for America poll.

Sincerely,

Dennis

877-41-DENNIS (877-413-3664 )

Paid for by Kucinich for President 2008

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Re: Discussion: Reconsidering 9/11

Here are some upcoming events by UNC Students for a Democratic Society, Student Action with Workers, and Triangle Socialist Forum.

I forgot two more things to say about the 27th in Smithfield. I heard the counter-protesters had at least one counter-counter-protester at the march, who was apparently not with the rest of the STN event. At the 3:30 event, we marched down to the gates in widely spaced rows of eight, with a calm chant that I can't remember at the moment. The Gathering of Eagles sang a 60's song as we started marching back, something like '...na nah nah nah na nah nah goodbye...' Before that it was pretty quiet, despite everyone being there on the road in front of the gate. I don't remember seeing the deputies, but they must have been there, and many must have been hidden, because they were many more cars and vans than officers that I could see.

UNC Student Action with Workers:

SAW meets on Tuesdays at 7pm in Alumni 313. The meeting is earlier this Tuesday and there will be a workshop, but I'm not sure if they want it widely publicized. The group has Facebook and I think United Students Against Sweatshops pages, and its website is www.uncsolidarity.org.

Students for a Democratic Society presents:

Iraq: Eyewitness to Occupation
with Jason Hurd of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW)
6pm Thursday November 1
Bingham 103, UNC-Chapel Hill

"[T]here is a direct correlation between the violence in Iraq and our presence there. ... I intend to do everything in my power to put an end to the massive suffering brought about by U.S. intervention in Iraq." - Jason Hurd, IVAW

Join us for an evening with Jason Hurd, president of the newly-formed Asheville chapter of IVAW. Jason served as an Army medic for 10 years – 4 years on active duty followed by 6 years in the Tennessee National Guard. He deployed to Iraq in November 2004, serving a year in central Baghdad with his unit from Bristol, Tennessee. Jason will share his experiences in occupied Iraq and explain why he is opposed to the war, what IVAW does, and how students can participate to help stop the occupation of Iraq. The presentation will be followed by questions and answers.

Donations are appreciated! Contact unc.sds at gmail dot com for more information.

Iraq Body Count
Thursday November 1 - All day
Polk Place, UNC-Chapel Hill

A large visual display to bring home the casualties of war. The display will be up in Polk Place all day on Thursday November 1. Please stop by for a few minutes to reflect on the realities of occupation and honor those who have died in the course of the U.S. war on Iraq. IVAW member Jason Hurd will speak at noon.

Students for a Democratic Society
unc.sds at gmail dot com | chapelhillsds.org

Triangle Socialist Forum for November:

Wednesday, November 7th, at 7pm, the Triangle
Socialist Forum is showing a lecture by David Ray Griffin
on the problems with the 9/11 Commission's explanation
for the terrorist attacks. Griffin is a leading
writer in the 9/11 truth movement (www.911truth.org), professor of
religion and theology, emeritus, at the Claremont
School of Theology and Claremont Graduate University
in California, and co-director of the Center for
Process Studies. 9/11 is a pivotal event to
understand and, whether you accept the official story
or not, Griffin raises interesting questions on the
background to 9/11 and the terrible events on that
day.

Monday, October 29, 2007

More on Smithfield

My blog post apparently drew some notice and I left out some things, and I am prompted to write after seeing what other participants are saying, so I will say more here before I write something up for Alliance!.

"Warning: Troop Hating, Anti-Patriot, Commie Traitors" (if that means I am against the current use of the US military, against wrapping imperialism and fascism in American patriotism, and a true communist, than thanks a lot; I'm certainly not a liberal, and STN is certainly not red)

Unfortunately I remember more about the counter-protesters than our speakers. I'll say more about the speakers in an article. The counter-protesters, apparently mostly with the Gathering of Eagles, posted an account at www.gatheringofeaglesnc.org/smithfield_102707a.html. Their perception that the protesters were afraid and impossible to reason with doesn't match reality. I am not afraid to say I did not relish walking up to this verbally abusive and possibly violent group at the end, but I did anyway, as did everyone else, from kids to silver haired people. They did have some children with them and were a relatively old group themselves. Two bitterly opposed groups confronting each other, with lots of police wagons around, is not a situation for complacency.

They took the prayer, etc. before the event for mustering of courage, but I'm sure they know about praying before important events and setting the tone before doing anything symbolic. According to the site, they think they "stalled" us there, but I believe it was planned to start that way. The writer calls this "the battle of October 27, 2007" on a day "the Home Insurgency planned attacks in multiple cities." To compare this explicitly non-violent action to the (I would say justified) armed resistance to US occupation overseas is to invite violence against Stop Torture Now. If one thinks STN is the same as the Iraqi Resistance, that means one would think of responding in the same way, and maybe someone would. Otherwise it is lying rhetoric, which I hope it is. They also think they "severely opposed" we "Moonbats." As I said, I expected worse. They calling hanging signs and trying to lower the flag at Aero at other demonstrations "vandalism." They seem to have missed that there was a US flag on a pole to the stage's right at the rally, if I am not mistaken, and I and possible others did have US flags (I had them as pins). If it will make them happy, STN might want to consider bringing more flags in the future. On the other side, Gathering of Eagles was trying to wrap itself in the flag, as if it belongs only to them. The right should consider what will happen if the flag ever does belong solely to them - then fascism and revolution won't be far behind.

Some other insults at the demonstration - apparently they tried to take the picture from the speaker I mentioned in my prior post and insulted the guy before he got it back, I think with the help of a deputy. They said we would run if a plane brought back terrorists to run free (the old RPG through the kitchen window scenario. Besides the small size of such group, I can tell you that communists, at least, should and would fight a real foreign invasion, and communists of various kinds have been fighting violent fundamentalists for more than a century. Most liberals would fight. Besides, why bring in Islamists when we have the violent wing of the Christian Right and paramilitary groups here already? If I am willing to oppose the might of the US, why should I fear foreign nationalists and criminal terrorists? Note my defense of the right to bear arms in a previous post. Not using violence is best, and I hope the Gathering of Eagles is serious about not using violence, despite their rhetoric. Before that, someone had a taunt like 'I'll let you put panties on my head, if I can saw your head off,' etc., to say that the US doesn't torture. Try saying that when you are a prisoner who is being mistreated and doesn't know if he will be killed, or rendered to a third country to be tortured severely or killed. Then you might be worried despite the realtively low level of torture the US uses. I imagine that goes through the mind of many US detainees.

Despite all of this, I am not very worried about what the Gathering of Eagles thinks about the 27th. Maybe I missed worse abuse at the march. At least they don't glorify Bush a lot and some of them seem reasonable. At least there was not violence. The patches on the jackets of the motorcycle group looked good, but maybe I shouldn't praise those after hearing that one had something like a "Moonbat Hunting Patrol" patch. It is good that the opposition veterans were willing to serve their country, but I am not going to praise the purpose of their service, such as serving imperialism in Vietnam. I don't think they had as much community support as they think, at least not explicitly so that I could hear or see it, and I expect the police are glad we are all out of there. The Gathering of Eagles group for the most part missed out on a chance to have real dialogue with the other side. On the other hand, the few discussions I heard afterward didn't seem as heated as some of the STN people seem to think, but I was only a bystander. I said hello to some people who might have been counterprotesters as I was going to the rally. For the most part we are all working people, and should not fight amongst ourselves.

I like the exuberance of some of the CodePink ladies and I like political pins and expression.

Apparently I greatly overestimated the size of the rally, and maybe the size of the counterprotest at the gates of Aero too. It was more equal than at Fayetteville, but the protest as always outnumbered the counterprotest. Most of us were locals, some or many from Johnston County. One counter said yankees go home. I didn't meet anyone but Southerners there.

STN will post pictures, and someone on our side posted many at www.stalberg.net/smithfield_oct272007. A rightwing blogger posted videos at katysconservativecorner.typepad.com (I think that is the address). Maybe that was one of the independent media I saw at the rally.

Finally, compare what happened at the rally to the national Gathering of Eagles mission statement. Looks a little like hypocrisy after what I heard.

1. Gathering of Eagles is non-partisan. While each member has his or her own political beliefs, our common love and respect for America and her heroes is what brings us together.

2. We are a non-violent, non-confrontational group. We look to defend, not attack. Our focus is guarding our memorials and their grounds.

3. We believe that the war memorials are sacred ground; as such, we will not allow them to be desecrated, used as props for political statements, or treated with anything less than the solemn and heartfelt respect they–and the heroes they honor–deserve.

4. We are wholly and forever committed to our brothers and sisters in uniform. As veterans, we understand their incredible and noble sacrifices, made of their own accord for a nation they love more than life itself. As family members, we stand by them, and as Americans, we thank God for them.

5. We believe in and would give our lives for the precious freedoms found in our Constitution. We believe that our freedom of speech is one of the greatest things our country espouses, and we absolutely hold that any American citizen has the right to express his or her approval or disapproval with any policy, law, or action of our nation and her government in a peaceful manner as afforded by the laws of our land.

6. However, we are adamantly opposed to the use of violence, vandalism, physical or verbal assaults on our veterans, and the destruction or desecration of our memorials. By defending and honoring these sacred places, we defend and honor those whose blood gave all of us the right to speak as freely as our minds think.

7. We vehemently oppose the notion that it is possible to "support the troops but not the war." We are opposed to those groups who would claim support for the troops yet engage in behavior that is demeaning and abusive to the men and women who wear our nation's uniform.

8. We believe in freedom at all costs, including our own lives. We served to protect the freedoms Americans enjoy, and we agree with Thomas Jefferson's assertion that "From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

9. We will accept nothing less than total, unqualified victory in the current conflict. Surrender is not an option, nor is defeat.

10. We stand to challenge any group that seeks the destruction of our nation, its founding precepts of liberty and freedom, or those who have given of themselves to secure those things for another generation. We will be silent no more.

Kit Lange @ February 15, 2007

I have new things to post soon, on the next Triangle Socialist Forum, Dennis Kucinich, and upcoming SDS events at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Signed by your local, proud "commie traitor" --

Sunday, October 28, 2007

October 27th in Smithfield

Stop Torture Now (www.ncstoptorturenow.net) organized three main events in Smithfield as part of the October 27th United For Peace and Justice (UFPJ) national day of action against the Iraq War www.oct27.org). In this case, the focus was anti-war, anti-rendition, and anti-torture. The schedule was for people to gather at 12:30, march 1-2 to the rally site in a small park beside the Neuse River and Business 70/Market Street, and meet again from 3 to 5 at Aero's hangar at the Johnston County Airport, a few miles away going west on 70. I heard that the march started late, at about 1:15. I was planning to arrive in time to at least see it, but I got there for the rally. There were a few counter-protesters with large flags at the first intersection as I came in to downtown Smithfield, and I slipped by a large group across Front St. from the rally. They were making some catcalls, but they were relatively quiet despite their numbers, and they left early, possibly half way through the rally, which went a little late. The roads were blocked off, but the police didn't mind me parking closer to the rally, and there was not a large police presence. I was told that for some reason (intimidation is the only explanation that comes to my mind, other than a kneejerk reaction), the police wanted the addresses of the tablers, so they could run background checks. The lawn was the only town property tablers could have damaged, so I don't see why the would target the tablers for legitimate reasons. The rally seemed to have several hundred to 1000 people. I didn't look carefully, but there seemed to be 50 or fewer counter-protesters, and fewer than 10 police at the site. I mainly remember the counter-protesters making childish insults, but they were politer than those in Fayetteville, although I assume that many of the same people were there too. I heard that a woman put her hands on a counter-protester's face, in a gesture for calm, but was accused of slapping him. I don't know if she was arrested.

Alliance ML had a table and people took half of the impeachment pamphlets and also some of the reprints of the summer 2006 articles on Aero and NC public worker organizing. GRIM, Peace Action, CodePink, the Socialist Workers Party, the Green Party, Peace !st (I think), Stop Torture Now, BORDC, and a few others were tabling. I talked to an SWP woman from Georgia, who said her group was also going to a Greensboro event that afternoon, and some other people. The SWP seems to emphasize Cuban socialism, and I think it is a long standing Trotskyist group. A local couple stopped by and I talked for a while with the woman, who was amn army veteran at the time of the Gulf War. She was probably feigning ignorance in asking what my sickle-and-hammer pin stood for and whether Russia was still communist (I thought only people like Rush had trouble telling the difference), yet seemed to know that China is very capitalist, but I can't be sure. She seemed sympathetic, despite apparently being a Hillary Clinton supporter (of course, some conservatives say she was/is a communist, which is an insult to us...). It could be better, but that was one of Alliance's most effective tablings here, and I see it as partially making up for our absence earlier this year at the Fayetteville event.

I went to the Aero Contractors event as it was starting. There were lots of cars parked across the street from Aero's driveway, which is named after a pilot from the Vietnam War period. There was an NC Council of Churches sign and a prayer and some remarks. I didn't know what the plan was, other than that we were not planning to do civil disobedience. Two counter-protesters started slowly walking from their group, at the gates of Aero, to us, maybe 150 feet away. The group had bullhorns and were talking about Daniel Pearl having his head sawed off (they didn't mention the connection to Pakistani military intelligence), the US methods aren't torture (there can be worse torture, but I still think it is torture and the people doing it could be charged for it someday), the jihadis are going to get us, etc. Three more marched down, and the first two were not as disruptive as they could have been, but yelled about us indoctrinating our kids (there were several there). We marched in rows of 8, at long intervals, carrying black posters with pictures of torture victims or the disappeared, from around the world. I did not envy the first row to go down, though the counter-protesters said they were non-violent and welcomed us to touch the fence and be arrested.

As my group came up the counter demonstration, I thought they were blocking us out, but actually that was the gate. Aero has a large, dull blue hanger (I thought it would be darker), surrounded by young pine forest on the right and towards the road, and brownish lawn to the left. We hung our signs on the fence, stayed a while, somewhat mingled with the now quieter counter-protesters, and then left. The counter-protesters had lots of flags, a few airhorns, a truck that periodically made bull sounds (?), and there were 12-15 motorcycles parked nearby. Most of their insults were childish, like offering tissue for us 'whiners' and they said FIST's sign was not worth being in college. I expected worse from them. I heard that they told the children of a woman who went down early that their mother had troubles, but the counter-protesters were fighting for the children's freedom, or something like that. There wasn't cursing though, and there were some actual discussions (theological?). There weren't any troubles, other than a protester dropping one of the proferred tissues and being accused of littering, and I think counter-protesters not letting an organizer retrieve the picture of a relative, I think tortured or killed by the Nazis. There could have been less than 50 in our group and less than 30 in theirs at the gates of Aero. The Stop Torture Now group was almost all white, but younger than what you would see at a Chapel Hill impeachment event. There seemed to be a few south Asians, people from the Middle East, or Latinos though. The counter-protesters were mostly men and middle-aged. There were only a few people from the Sheriff's department, yet there were three big vans and lots of patrol cars, and the officers were relatively heavily armed. I wondered if a few of the cars that went by were trying to disrupt us, but there weren't loud motorcycles like at Fayetteville.

Out at the main road there were a few conversations with counter-protesters that showed that they are human and seemingly reasonable people. They will be in our face, they said, but they won't be violent or threaten us at home, as one accused an anonymous CodePink member of doing. One said he would find eyewitnesses more compelling. Most of the counter-protesters stayed back at Aero. They think the US doesn't torture, so I guess they don't feel like they were protesting for torture, which seems odder to me than protesting for Bush's wars. This was more confrontational than I am use to, and I was wondering what the deputies might do, but it was not a very dangerous situation it seems.

I haven't looked for coverage, but it was briefly on WTVD (ABC). I'm not sure that even stated our purpose, I only saw a picture of a couple counter-protesters, and they had a view of Aero from a different road. I did not see any TV crews, and I assumed the few journalists I saw were from alternate media or small media. There should be a writeup in an upcoming issue of Alliance!, and it might be time for an article on new discoveries about Aero.

Note: GRIM is actually meeting for the month Sunday evening. I thought it met last Sunday.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

House Tied In Knots Over Resolution To Impeach Cheney

November 6, 2007

Article I

Article II

Article III

Cheney Impeachment Ready For A Vote: To Table It

Monday, November 12, 2007

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Sunday, November 04, 2007

City Council AgendaNovember 05, 2007Council Chambers, First Floor

Call To Order

Moment Of Silent Meditation

Pledge Of Allegiance

Roll Call

Ceremonial Items

Announcements By Council

Priority Items By The City Manager, City Attorney And City Clerk

[Consent Agenda]

1. Inventory Audit (June 30, 2007) - September, 2007

2. Voluntary Annexation Petition Received by January 1, 2007

3. Passenger Vehicle for Hire Commission – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

4. Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

5. Durham Open Space and Trails Commission – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

6. Capital Program Advisory Committee – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

7. Durham Cultural Master Plan Advisory Board – Receipt and Acceptance of an Application

8. Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau Tourism Development Authority

9. Piggyback Purchase - One (1) Fire and Rescue Pumper

10. Piggyback Purchase - One (1) 95 FT. Aerial Platform

11. Major Site Plan and Preliminary Plat– Goodwin Crossing (D06-863)

12. Major Site Plan – Palladian Office Park, Phases 1C, 1D and 2 (D06-962)

13. Setting Public Hearing to Consider Ordering Improvement under Enabling Act Authority

14. Setting Public Hearing to Consider Ordering Petitioned Improvement

15. Carryover Budget Amendment FY06-07 to FY07-08

17. Amendment to 2007-2009 City of Durham Employment and Training Grant Project Ordinance Superseding Grant Project Ordinance #13480

18. North Carolina Department of Transportation Municipal Agreement for the Re-Inspection of Bridges on the Municipal Street System [F.A. Project BRZ-NBIS (15)]

19. Lease Agreement with Hanson Aggregates Southeast, Inc. at Teer Quarry

22 – 25. These items can be found on the General Business Agenda – Public Hearings.

[General Business Agenda – Public Hearings]

22. CVS Highway 98 Initial (Z07-13A)

23. The Worship Center Initial (Z07-06A)

24. Obedience to the Word Initial (Z07-16A)

25. Bungalow Avenue Initial (Z07-04A)

[Supplimental Agenda]

33. Resolution Memorializing Harry Edwin Rodenhizer, Jr.

[Adjournment]

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Monday, October 29, 2007

Sunday, October 28, 2007

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City Council Agenda
November 05, 2007
Council Chambers, First Floor