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Thoughts for the Week .....

"As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains
 seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air - however slight -
lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness."
Justice William O. Douglas    

Visit Merle Allshouse's blog at My Agora Place

The Iraq Study Report

Check out the current issue of Foreign Affairs Magazine

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Why I Don't Wear a Lapel Flag Pin

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Bitterness ???

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Al Gore's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Speaking the Truth

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Observations from the Ground

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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It's Time to Resign

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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We Will Know We Have "Won" The War, When:

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Help Restore Sanity to our Democracy
 

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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A Week of Irony

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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A MUST DO List To Restore Democracy

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Can the Sword be Broken?

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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EROS and MARS

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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truth and TRUTH ?

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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A New Beginning

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Welcome to TIVOland

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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A Fitting Holiday

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Who Speaks for Them?

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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November 8th: The Morning After

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Facing the Facts

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Halloween Ghosts

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Paranoid or Perceptive?
 

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Don't Throw Me In That Briar Patch, Mr. President

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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A Transformative Thought

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Toward a Political Credo for 2008

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Banned Books Week marks 25th anniversary September 23-30

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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The Other Side of Patriotism

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Patriotism

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Two Days in September ...

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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What is Peace?

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Our Best Hope?

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Ancient Wisdom

Solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant.

(They make a wilderness and call it peace.)

---Tacitus, reporting the words of Calgalus

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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BEFORE the next July 4th !

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

Biofuels are the Latest Greenscam

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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The Idea(s) of Democracy

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Get this Message to Washington
A Guest Editorial by John David Maguire

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Energy Policy Draft for Unity08

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Toward a Draft Platform

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Mapping the Issues

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Nulla tenaci invia est via

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Laying New Tracks

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Leadership

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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A Community Vision: Principles of Creativity

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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Toward A Vision Borne of Optimism

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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How is Your Bread Sliced?

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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The Democracy Project

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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In Search of a Common Ground for Discussion About America’s Vision

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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An Ever Present Danger

Americans are becoming more alarmed (For example see: Francis Fukuyama’s new book, America at the Crossroads and Kevin Phillips’
recent American Theocracy) about the direction their political future. Democracies, under stress, can evolve into fascisms.  Lawrence Britt,
a political scientist, defined the 14 Characteristic of Fascism in the Spring 2003 issue of Free Inquiry magazine.

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
   Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen
   everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
    
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
   Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be
   ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary
   executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
    
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
   The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial,
   ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
    
4. Supremacy of the Military
   Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding,
   and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
    
5. Rampant Sexism
   The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender
   roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.
    
6. Controlled Mass Media
   Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by
   government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
    
7. Obsession with National Security
   Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
    
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
   Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion.
    Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are
   diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
    
9. Corporate Power is Protected
   The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power,
    creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
    
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
    Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government; labor unions are either eliminated
    entirely, or are severely suppressed.
     
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
    Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for
    professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments
    often refuse to fund the arts.
     
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
    Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook
    police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually
    unlimited power in fascist nations.
     
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
    Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government
    positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist
    regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
     
14. Fraudulent Elections
    Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against
    or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries,
    and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

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For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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On this Third Anniversary - A time to remember

On this third anniversary of our invasion of Iraq, it is important to recognize those civilians and combatants who have given their lives in this
tragic period of history.

For an up-to-date accounting of U.S. military, coalition, contractors, etc. killed, MIA, and wounded see http://icasualties.org/oif/  
For a current count on Iraqi civilian deaths go to http://www.iraqbodycount.net/background.htm  

For an interesting web site from inside Iraq go to: http://www.uruknet.info

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"Conservative"

Today’s posting, “Defining ‘Conservative’” is the sequel to “Defining ‘Liberal’” two weeks ago. This project is part of an effort to move beyond the polarities of “Liberal” and “Conservative” as they have paralyzed American life today. But before we seek a new form for our failing democracy, we need to define the boundaries of where we are today in terms of basic political values. The next step is to move beyond these restrictions and seek a fresh definition of our vision as a nation. So this has been a look backwards before we turn forward into a less defined world.

Again, these terms, “Liberal” and “Conservative” are NOT meant to be associated with specific political parties. Rather, they are a way of looking at the world. They reflect our deepest values and beliefs. It is out of some of these assumptions that the future will be forged, beyond our present Democratic and Republican parties.

“Conservative,” Webster defines as “tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions,” but it is much more, and these 11 points seek to define that conservative mind.

1.                  Human nature’s role in the larger ecological environment is to dominate and tame Nature.

2.                  Human nature represents the highest development of Nature. Man is substantially at the peak of the chain-of-being, the end of the process of development.

3.                  Institutions, like religion, are the creators of “civilization” and not the byproducts of civilization; thus protection of the institutional infrastructure of democracy is basic to the future of civilization.

4.                  Governments and voluntary associations depend upon the leadership of strong individuals and their values are “the individual writ large.”

5.                  Governments derive their powers and efficacy from individuals. In general, the best government is the least government.

6.                  There is a manifest destiny about human history. The special role of