We've known for a long time that the mainstream media cannot, by and large, be trusted to tell the public the whole, unadulterated truth. And yet, most of us still tune in to CNN as we drink our morning coffee, or allow the NBC evening news to trickle in as we sit down to dinner.

Enough already.

Just as the right has taken over the mainstream media, we have taken over the alternative media. As network owners and producers inch closer and closer to turning the nightly news into an endless propaganda mill in order to curry favor with whoever is in the White House, we have an increasing responsibility to use what we have built to tell the American people what is going on here and in the rest of the world.

Last week, Col. Janis Karpinski told a panel of judges at the Commission of Inquiry for Crimes against Humanity Committed by the Bush Administration in New York that several women had died of dehydration because they refused to drink liquids late in the day. They were afraid of being assaulted or even raped by male soldiers if they had to use the women's latrine after dark. Read the rest:Truthout.org, via Alternet

I have to use the same words Bob Fertik has been using in reference to comments like these. You will never win on ANYTHING if you won't VOTE FOR IT.

The DLC is using the same tired, used-up, pathetic old arguments. They came out and said they oppose Alito, but there's no use in fighting because he's just going to be confirmed anyway.

"For the same reason and others, we do not think Senate Democrats should try to filibuster this confirmation. A filibuster is certain to fail; indeed, the Senate is certain to respond to a filibuster by outlawing them permanently in judicial confirmations."

They also manage to throw a few insults our way, referring to the people of this country as "special interests" and calling our actions and hard work distractions.

I sincerely hope that a review/analysis can be taken on the split within the Democratic Party about this whole Alito Filibuster mess. Personally, I don't think it is just the Democratic Leadership in the Senate refusing to take the hardline because of the political calculus. There is also an underlining issue that certain section of Democratic population are now taking a different view than the Democratic activists who are urging on the Filibuster. When you are so devoted to your ideals and causes, sometimes it is easy to forget there are people in your camp that may choose to voice their opinions a little differently. Nevertheless, if I learn anything from this Filibuster saga, it is that if you want to achieve anything in politics, your side has to be united. Indeed, "A house divided against itself can not stand". Hopefully people on the Left can figure out a way to work together instead of constantly ceding power to the Right, eventually.

Everyone's comments here are certainly valid. However, we are dealing with a problem that goes far beyond the Alito nomination.

Democrats are not just split on this issue, they are split on all of the issues.

The sad truth is that it may be time to start think about branching off and creating a new Democratic party--a Progressive Democratic party.

We've all grown up in a culture that only validates a two-party system. It's time to change that. The American people no longer find the Democratic Party appealing because it doesn't stand for anything. The foot soldiers on the ground (i.e., us) are not on the same page as the party we have been faithful to. We have a responsibility to this country to give the people a party worth fighting for.

Why was he there? How was he there if he didn't work for a news organization (of any type)? And why does he appear not to be sporting the typical lanyard around his neck which would hold his press credentials, permanent or not?

I see this as further proof that this guy was a plant, and we need to find out who put him there, and why...

Any thoughts?

Katherine Brengle

Now that the mainstream media (and even Conan O'Brien, lol) have picked up the Jeff Gannon story, seems like we're out of a job, but I have still been tracking Gannon with the help of some emailed tips, and here are 2 more little tidbits you may or may not be aware of:

• Gannon/Guckert (name is apparently confirmed by the Washington Post), 5721 Kennett Pike, Greenville DE 19807, had a tax judgment filed against him in October of 1996, available for viewing here. Don't know if this effects the story, but some bloggers have claimed that another Gannon/Guckert related website, http://www.freespeechfoundation.org, is not on file with the IRS or as a non-profit, so this may have some bearing.
• Gannon/Guckert claimed to know nothing about GOPUSA, however he can be heard here working directly for GOPUSA, and I also found an article for Talon News co-authored by Gannon and Bobby Eberle, owner and CEO of GOPUSA (and Talon News, for that matter). The article, entitled "Whistleblower in Judicial Memo Scandal Resigns, Files Ethics Complaint," was written by the two men and posted on February 11, 2004, to the GOPUSA website, with a Talon News insignia beside the title/by-line.

That's all I have for today!

Katherine Brengle

An activist group I belong to, The Greater Fall River Committee for Peace and Justice, is looking for speakers/other groups to get involved in a local anti-war protest on March 19th, 2005.

We are located in Fall River, Massachusetts. We are in the midst of choosing a venue--I have one in mind, but have to swing it by the group.

If you are a resident of Southeastern Massachusetts, or Rhode Island, or don't mind driving a bit to get here, please let me know and let me know of any ideas you may have for the event. We are looking for local activists to speak at the rally, so if you know of anyone who lives in the area who might be willing and able to speak, please contact me at libgal81@aol.com and let me know so I can get in touch with them/you.

Katherine Brengle

After reviewing an exhausting (so far, lol) collection of information on Daily Kos and Media Matters, it seems there is much, much more to the Jeff Gannon case (cutely referred to as Gannongate by the Media Matters staff) than I thought.

I won't go into all of the detail here, since these things can be read over at Kos, but there are a few important nuggets to extract here so far: