Mr. Ellsberg's warnings should be taken seriously as we are indeed on our way to a fascist takeover. Scott Ritter and Daniel Ellsberg should run on a third party ticket defending the constitution and save us all from Hillary Clinton's new Reich.

Thank you, Mr. Ellsberg.

Indeed, we are in a crisis, and us ordinary folks in the hinterlands feel pretty helpless about it. It's a long time to the next elections, when we might be able to replace our useless Congressmembers, if we're lucky enough to have an election.

One thing we can do to prevent an attack on Iran would be to lay plans for an immediate shutdown of Federal buildings around the country if such an attack occurs. In Oregon, that means Portland and Eugene. Go there, fill the streets, sit down. We should not only lay plans to do that, but ask our City Councils to refuse, beforehand, the use of city police to clear the streets if that happens. Deputies, too: don't forget that sheriffs are elected, and so are county commissioners.

If it happens, a heavy weight falls on those who live near Washington, because that's where the action is and I, for one, will not be able to get there.

In the meantime, we can put some pressure on our so-called representatives by preparing campaigns against them next year. It's vital to do, but I'm not optimistic about changing their policies: the Democrats in Congress plainly have a plan to keep the war going and Bush in office for their own political advantage, and probably also because their corporate funders tell them to. They haven't finished looting the country yet.

It is time to discard the Democratic Party. Their corruption is exposed for all to see. If you consider yourself a progressive Democrat, please think long and hard whether you can really be both. The party has done its level best to discard and disrespect you, and you should return the favor.

And to bring this back on-topic: Daniel Ellsberg is a Green. I've heard him say so, in person and in public. He can correct me here if I'm wrong.

Thanks for the suggestion, countess. I'll write to them and ask them to run.

He might also have noted that the assault on universities and academic freedom is progressing quite nicely. For example:

"U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Californian who is also a longshot candidate (to be generous) for the Republican nomination for president, introduced legislation that would "prohibit federal grants to or contracts with Columbia University." The text of the legislation — which college officials called "unprecedented" — was not yet available on any government Web sites.

"Hunter, who was en route to Baltimore for a Republican presidential debate that lacked the four leading candidates, could not be reached for comment Thursday. But in a news release he issued Wednesday about the legislation, which he dubbed the "Restoring Patriotism to America's Campuses Act," the Congressman contrasted Columbia's willingness to play host to Ahmadinejad to its anti-military stance, as Hunter characterized it, regarding the Reserve Officer Training Corps and military recruiters."

Read the rest of this article at:

http://insidehighered.com/news/2007/09/28/hunter

Oregoncharles--As Ellsberg suggests, we must act BEFORE the bombs start to fall, but isolating a few federal buildings will do nothing. The state government MUST direct its congressional delegation to resign from congress and pass a law that separates Oregon from the federal government. Yes, Secession. The only real hope for non-violent change is for the several states to call the federal government illigitimate through the act of secession and impounding of all federal resources within the state. For any such course of action to occur, we MUST have citizens equal to the task.

The key word in the Impeachment clause is "SHALL" as in "are to be" or "will" which mean action MUST be taken by the Legislative branch to discipline the officer(s) committing the offense. There is no "taking impeachment off the table." To do so is to violate the constitution and one's oath of office.

This is of course just what's happened: The Executive is already illegitimate in every sense because of the gross crimes its committed, and the Legislative is now clearly illigitimate for failing to do its duty to remove the criminals from the Executive. That is our Constitutional Crisis in the middle of a war that both illigitimate branches of government seem to want to escalate as provided in recent votes and propaganda regarding Iran.

I think the stand is pretty cut-and-dried: Either you stand and defend the constitution or you stand with the war criminals and their enablers.

Too late. The war funds are coming Oct 1 2007.
- - -
WASHINGTON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - With the U.S. government fast approaching its current $8.965 trillion credit limit, the Senate on Thursday gave final congressional approval of an $850 billion increase in U.S. borrowing authority.

The Senate voted 53-42 to raise the debt ceiling to $9.815 trillion, the fifth increase in the U.S. credit limit since President George W. Bush took office in January 2001. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the higher debt limit earlier this year as part of the overall budget resolution and the legislation now goes to Bush for his signature.

"We have no choice but to approve it. If we fail to raise the debt ceiling soon, the U.S. Treasury will default for the first time in its history," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus.

"Plainly, especially in this credit crisis, we cannot let that happen," the Montana Democrat added.

The U.S. Treasury Department has been pressing Congress to pass the debt increase quickly. Last week Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the government would hit its current $8.965 trillion debt limit on Oct. 1.
- - -
OK, Double-take on that central statement.

*** WE HAVE NO CHOICE OR THE U.S. TREASURY WILL BE IN DEFAULT ***

Are you Americans mad enough to do something yet?!!!

THE BALANCE OF THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES TREASURY = $0!

TOTALLY DAMNED EMPTY!!! STOLEN!!! CLEANED OUT!!!

That would, I think, be the greatest heist in world history!

Karlof1: The carriers have been on station for months, the pilots practicing their bombing runs fro even longer, and th US is handing out Patriot missile batteries like friggin' PEZ to freindly regimes in the area.

Do you honestly think you will have time to stop Bushco?Tthis has been in the works from the beginning. Don't you remember the 'Axis of evil'? Iraq, Iran, North Korea?

Iraq is a smashed, smoking looted, cholera ridden slum now. North Korea toed the line. Two down, one to go...

Ah Galen, ever the optimist, do you really think there is only one to go? Maybe on that continent, but geez, there's like seven continents! That loud mouth down South in Venezuela is certainly going to be on the "hit" list before long and well, Castro is ailing so it might be time for the 51st state to be Cuba, after all, we already have a fine prison there. Space travel is sounding better and better...

Daniel Ellsberg is an American hero. Without his courage to speak the truth we might still be fighting in Vietnam, with ever changing justifications, like in Iraq, such as "saving the honor of our military". We need a new Ellsberg to rescue us from the evil-doers inside the beltway.

I add my urgent plea to ANYONE in this government who has PROOF that Bush & Cheney are determined to attack Iran, in VIOLATION of our CONSTITUTION, or ANY of the countless law violations by this gang of thieves....to bring this to the public's attention....NOW!!! Save this precious Liberty and Freedom we have!!

Kristina40: Um, hate to break it to ya love, but space travel is only gonna work on Star Trek. We have no where to go, no way to get there, and not enough resouces to spare for any effort that huge. Hell, the moon missions nearly bankrupted the US economy.

Bushco already had the CIA try to kidnap Chavez twice already. So a hit will be childs play for them. Especially with the right wingers who live in V. already waiting.

The criminal misappropriation of Federal Consolidated Revenue by this "Rogue Administration" [or the Bu$hCo regime] and with the negligent complicity of the craven Senate is the greatest scandal in American History. This makes Enron look like a felony holdup at the local drugstore....

Who would have thought within the space of 6 years this could have turned into such a nightmare. Then again, any knowledge of the long sordid history of the "Bu$h Crime Family" would have indicated disaster was America's destiny, concomitant to "Bu$h the inferior's" own disturbing and spurious resume....

Sort of like; would you expect any different if a Mafia Boss was elected to hold the office of "Mayor of New York"? Then be surprised, if over the term of office discover the Treasury Funds have been embezzled and the City coffers have been cleaned out and the Local Government Administration is now Bankrupt...

Dumb de dumb dumb dumb

And American's - stupid on booze, weed, sports, TV, hip hop, church, chasing the next paycheck, spinning in their private little self absorbed worlds - ignorantly think things are going to "stay the same."

We are "dumbed"

Have facists ever been voted out?

Democracy wasn't designed to deal with fascists.

Galen--As I'm sure you know, the PNAC mission is open-ended, and your Canada can easilly become a target, too. The only political entities strong enough to stop the federal government are the several states. The global warming coalition between east and west coast "blue" states in challenging BushCo is an example of what might be done. I belive I've succinctly distilled our Constitutional Crisis to its essence and the sides involved. The non-violent political options available are very limited in their effectiveness, with those used to-date being quite obviously ineffective. I've urged a tax-revolt, as I'm sure you know, and now this particular course of action that allows citizens to work within their own locale. The last option is what I call the Second Amendment Option, which is not non-violent, and which I am currently reluctant to engage in but making prudent preparations for. The states furthest along in the process I've described are Maine and Vermont. The situation today is quite the opposite of 1860-61 as it is the several states acting together that MUST save the Union from the federal government.

Karlof1: No need to overthrow our government. Stephen Harper will just hand over the keys as he assumes his natural position as Bush's boy toy.

Non-violence is fast becoming a disappearing option. Between Halliburton/KBR built 'detention facilities' and Blackwater mercs, the time may come (soon after Tehran becomes a smoking, glowing hole in the ground) that the next knock at your door is the battering ram breaking in your door...

Wow. I hope the genuine apathy and lack of outrage here is because all of the people with a spine have left their computers and marched out to lynch their congressman.

Treasury in default = no gold = no $$ = everyone holding t-bills has lost everything. It means your dollar is facing an imminent slide into total worthlessness. No buying power. No travel. No more imported anything.

You're all very, very screwed.

Hey Galen
"soon after Tehran becomes a smoking, glowing hole in the ground..."
You have such graphic way with words...But then again I totally agree with your sentiments....I mean what would expect if you politely asked a Mafia Boss would you kindly stop robbing my Business? I mean "Non-violence is fast becoming a disappearing option."

When ANY country in History in any civilization you care to investigate starts employing Mercenaries to enforce that countries political ideology... It ends in VIOLENT DISASTER both in the VICTIM Country [Iraq] and the PERPETRATORS Country [America]....

Not me STINGER, I exchanged all of my money for pennys, got ten tons of pennys in my basement. The price of copper has gone way up and I stand to make a fortune. I've also been hoarding one pound cans of black pepper, have over five thousand cans now and it cost me on averqage two bucks a can. So how about that? ____ I'm not stupid.

Just make sure you ask to be paid in Euros. :P

KEM: Axe? Check. Shovel? Check. Hoe? Check. Three tine cultivator? Check. Hand woodworking tools? Check. Seeds? Check. Cat(meow)? Check. Lady, her kid, Freind and her kids, all other freinds? Check. Books I'll need? Check.

Well, I'm ready to go...

Speaking of the moon, besides giving a few people on the space ships the thrill of their lives, planting the U.S. flag on it, and costing taxpayers hundreds of billions or trillions of dollars, what good is space travel doing? (Pssst, U.S. leaders, space can't be dominated or conquered.) Leaders of the USA can think of more ways to waste our money than anyone.

Congress is not merely useless, they're dangerous. They give the sociopaths Bush and Cheney a blank check every time. The U.S. is now broke. We are just about $10 TRILLION in debt. But the Party of War, the GOP and their complicit partners the Democrats, want even more war! I say dump them all in 2008. Vote for Kucinich, Gravel, Nader --- anyone but the military-industrial complex war criminals, big corporation and AIPAC shills.

I think the most surreal thing is that a news organization like Reuters can publish the Senate Finance Commitee Chairman saying 'the treasury will default' by October 1st (3 days) and there has been not a ripple anywhere that this is even newsworthy.

THE ENTIRE BALANCE OF THE FEDERAL TREASURY OF THE US OF FUCKING A IS GONE AND NOBODY'S THE LEAST BIT AWARE THAT THIS MEANS ANYTHING AT ALL!!!

I'm in pink marshmallow land where all of the 6 winged paisleybirds whistle yellow submarine while the green triangular suns do immelmans across the mustard yellow sky.

LA LA LA *sproing* oh, look! There went my brain onto the sidewalk to have a chat with the mice.

The GOP are a domestic enemy to the US constitution, and the democrats are their hapless "useful idiots"

Stinger: Oh. You took the red pill too, huh?

Galen--Thanks so much for your ringing endorsement.

For those with greater motivation who want to heed Ellsberg's call to action, http://www.freevermont.net/ is the website of those already putting in motion what I've suggested. And here's a link to an interview with one of the movement's leaders, http://carolynbaker.net/site/content/view/143/

Usually, the worthwhile things in life do NOT fall off a tree into one's lap; they need to be pursued with effort and conviction. Rolling back Empire and its globalization are the most important goals because they must take place before ANY meaningful progress can be made on the many other problems besetting humanity on our small planet. To throw up one's hands and make statements like Galen's is to be Defeatist.

I first logged onto this website after 9/11 to try and understand why it happened. From what I have read here and what I have gleamed from history, some citizens of these countries believe that USA has interfered in their domestic policies to the detriment of its citizens and decided to do something about it. It saddens me to see the result of their actions causing your once great, free, country to fall rapidly into self destruction.
When I look at the resume of George Bush - a not very bright failed businessman bailed out by his connections with his father, born again Christian - I can only assume that he is the wrong leader for this time for your country and yet he was elected through a democratic process.
I just hope our politicians in Australia are smart enough not to be dragged down into the same financial, and political quagmire that your country seems to be heading.

jjpeter said, 'And American's - stupid on booze, weed, sports, TV, hip hop, church, chasing the next paycheck, spinning in their private little self absorbed worlds - ignorantly think things are going to "stay the same." '

If anyone is ignorant here and talking out of his/her ass it's you jjpeter. Americans are no dumber or more self absorped than anyone else. We're all like that, us people.

And, "chasing the next paycheck" ? That's called survival. Not everyone can just sit around all day and type stuff on internet boards..here being mainly harsh criticisms of, and blasting the American people, while supposedly curing the ills of the world. I'm lucky enough to be able to earn a few bucks from home. Most can't do that.

jjpeter said, 'And American's - stupid on booze, weed, sports, TV, hip hop, church, chasing the next paycheck, spinning in their private little self absorbed worlds - ignorantly think things are going to "stay the same." '

If anyone is ignorant here and talking out of his/her ass it's you jjpeter. Americans are no dumber or more self absorbed than anyone else. We're all like that, us people.

And, "chasing the next paycheck" ? That's called survival. Not everyone can just sit around all day and type stuff on internet boards..here being mainly harsh criticisms of, and blasting the American people, while supposedly curing the ills of the world. I'm lucky enough to be able to earn a few bucks from home. Most can't do that.

PLEASE click on the following and listen to the voice of reason. AVOICE WE NEED IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!

http://rawstory.com//news/2007/Kucinich_seriously_thinking_about_forcing_vote_0928.html

Darryl: Bush was 'elected' in much the same way a brick fles thru the air under it's own power.

The sense of urgency is visibly growing along with the level of frustration. Of all the tactics that are available to 'we the people', I found one this morning that has restored real enthusiasm to my life in the face of this long abysmal past 7 years. I discovered the idea here at Common Dreams, on a blog by this same honorable and esteemed author, Mr. Ellsberg, entitles "This Coup and the Next One". His blog is prescient, and visceral, as would be expected, but one of the responses really negated my hapless sense of frustration; please go to, and read Mr. Ellsberg's other blog and then on through the responses. Please note a post by
"iyamwutiam September 27th, 2007 1:50 pm" , and consider it carefully, and then please come-on aboard. To me, it is THE weapon that 'we the people' have been looking for, to bring this government to it's senses.

I don't believe there's going to be any war with Iran because the consequences will be prohibitive and the outcome uncertain. That's, of course assuming everyone else in the U.S. is as demented as Bush and would allow him to do what Cheney and ziocons want. A regime change would be impossible because anyone installed to replace it would not even last a day. You cannot fight a revolution.

Given the U.S. can destroy Iran with conventional weapons, what then? The U.S. cannot occupy Iran like it did Iraq because U.S. casualties would soar if it tried to hold land. The U.S then may have to resort to nukes for which it will pay a very steep price. For one thing, it will forever lose its mantra and claim of democracy, freedom, and human rights. IT will also bring worldwide condemnation and shame to America and Americans for nuking a country which didn't have nuclear weapons.

On top of that, there are quite a few nasty things the Iranian can do to retaliate such as attacking the U.S. interests all over the Middle East. It's really unthinkable what other things may happen once the war starts. Even the Bush regime may change (by the people).

It's too bad, the liberels and the comunist were the people to stand up against Hitler Facist policy.Today the Jews are playing right into the Facist state again. When the war comes to Iran do you realy believe Israel will escape unharmed. What fools they are,this time I wont feel sorry for them and my father is not here to save them. Don"t worry be happy!

Celebrity: I think Mr. Kucinich had better start wearing a kevlar undershirt. And not accept any invitations to go hunting...

checksandbalances -

My comment was the truth, and I first hand observe and experience that reality on a daily basis. Chasing a pay check is where I, you, and everyone that isn't sitting at home waiting for the dividend checks to come in the mail - sink our time.

"If you want the take the revolution out of a revolutionary, give him a mortgate."

My point is; when the bottom falls out of this canoe, when oil goes to $200 a barrel, when all credit is dried up, we'll all be fighting over cat food at the local super market - the dumb and dumber ones, the dot connectors, the newly realized poor.

Then, we'll see just how thin of a "civil" veneer there is over this civilization, and the powers that be will have us just where they want us.

LOL Galen, sometimes my attempts at humor are quite dry, was being snarky...

"Blow up your TV, throw away your newspaper, move to the country, build you a home, plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches, and try to find Jesus on your own." John Prine

jjpeter, well why didn't you just say that to begin with? It sounds a lot more compassionate, and includes yourself. Before it sounded like you were pointing the finger at everyone else..at least, all other Americans.

"the powers that be will have us just where they want us." Couldn't agree more and we're mighty close to that right now. If we don't do something now it may be soon too late, or even harder.

jj and checks, I can see both your points but what angers me is the people that just don't give a damn about what is going on. If I between damn near a full time job, taking care of various stray animals, a husband an elderly uncle and house, bills, laundry, cleaning etc. can find the time to educate myself on these things why can't others? The answer? Because they just don't give a damn. I'll use my customers for an example, most have plenty of time to sit in a bar but if I mention the name of Kucinich they get a blank stare and say who? They can regurgitate every talking head point from Fox noise though and they voted for "Dubya" in the last two elections and they'll be voting for Fred Thompson or Rudy boy in this one. Probably not "that Romney guy" though cuz he's one of them mormons and of course the inbreds here are all Baptist, bible thumping droolers...They won't be voting for Obama cuz he's one of them sand niggers and Hillary? Perish the thought of letting any of the "wimenfolk" have any power (not that I would want anyone to vote for her but it's the mindset).

Stinger_28 "Wow. I hope the genuine apathy and lack of outrage here is because all of the people with a spine have left their computers and marched out to lynch their congressman."

LOL literally

Kristina, the people you are talking about represent a minute sampling of the American people. Most Americans want us out of Iraq and know that Bush is doing a terrible job. (Also, if the people you talked about are spending all their time in a bar, many of them are probably alcoholics.)

Think of this, too. I think it's like 40% of (voter eligible) Americans vote anymore. In 2000 our Supreme Court appointed-Bush probably did win about 1/2 the votes. Now that is 50% of 40%..which comes to 20%. So 20% of Americans voted for him the first time. There is powerful evidence that the votes were tampered with, with the electronic voting machines, in 2004.

Now, you may say, why didn't more Americans vote? Is it because they are apathetic morons? I don't think so. I did vote in that election and in the last one. Before that I hadn't voted in a presidential election since Nixon ran against McGovern..the lesser of two evils.

There's no one to vote for! Let's face it folks there is - n o - o n e - to vote for, and there hasn't been for a very long time. I believe many here know that by now. We, as a nation have given up. We're beaten and defeated. Our government and our way of life has been stolen from us.

I still think, that in all likelihood, the only way out of this mess is an all-out revolution. Take our country back. Get our constitution back. Down with all the neo-cons, those that admit it, and those that pretend to give a shit, but would sell us down the river in a heart beat. What are we waiting for? Start planning for the revolution and for what kind of government we want.

I personally want the kind of government we had when the Jeffersonians were running the show.

When the depression hits, we won't be sitting here typing smart, intelligent and stupid stuff. So if you aren't ready for it, ya better get ready, for time is running out. JJPETER is correct, no one will need cat food for cats, because the cats will be food. This isn't 1929, the stores will be empty in two days and the best shots with the most ammo will rule. That is a sad thing to say, and a damn shame, but it is how it will be.

SAILA, I do hope you are correct. It don't look like you are right now. ___ We'll see. If we have a war with Iran, we are screwed, if we have a depression, we are screwed.

So, ____ we're screwed. One way or the other.

The problem is much more severe today. As opposed to the Vietnam era, today our Congress is complicit rather than being deceived.

KP - stay away from my kitty cat, aka, couch snake!

She's not food, she's warmth! :)

PrestonDigitator--Unfortunately, there is a large flaw in the plan to paralyze the USA through what amounts to a run on the banks: the negative savings rate in the USA--the commonfolks have little or no money to withdraw from said banks. However, the initial thrust of the idea has merit and suggests two courses of action: The first, withholding taxes from the federal government, I've already suggested numerous times, while the second would be the refusal to pay debt, which would have a similar effect to that as a run on the banks. Such a "default" crisis would make the engineered, so-called sub-prime crisis pale in comparison. I would warn folks not to stop payment on something truely necessary, like their home or automobile or health insurance. But a year-long, longer if needed, creditcard payment moratorium would have some profound affects, but participants would need to be disciplined and not use the withheld monies to purchase more stuff.

The Constitution was nice while we had it. Most people deep down know that they have lost something. They don't feel it yet. Fear and fake patriotism are losing their appeal. Whatever takes it's place may even be worse.

When the cell phones and cable tv are lost maybe there will be some attention. OOPS gotta go pro wrestling is on!

What a delight Ellsworth is and how terrible it is that after more than 40 years he must try to warn us again about the deranged Texans we place in office. Its too late to save us from Lyndon or little Bush but perhaps we should consider a constitutional amendment to ban any future Texans from the presidency or vice presidency. And considering the quality of the Texans sent to the congress, the same admendment should disestablish Texas as a state, give it commonwealth status with one non- voting member of congress....or better still give it back to Mexico.

Royal Countess, sounds like you listen to Rush LimbHawHaw -- the Fascist regime is already in place, and if Hillary inherits the mess, we see there will be someone to blame her for it and call her the Fascist that Bush is.
US Involvement in Vietnam started when Eisenhower agreed to put military advisors there in 1954... it began as a covert Cold War, just like Nicaragua, and as an extension of the anti-China Korean War, covering China (an chronic obsession of the Republicans, who get tons of money from the old Kuomintang) from both east and south. The Vietnam mess was then dumped in Kennedy's lap when he became President, after which the war extended to neighboring Laos.
Then, with two Kennedys wiped out by the Republicans' CIA, then came Johnson, a Dixiecrat Demo-Republican hybrid whose home-state Texas is still one of the biggest financial beneficiaries of war due to a big Weapons Industry presence there along with our favorite OIL (another long-time war beneficiary).
Logical that Bush will try to escalate war (maybe along with some hollow diplomatic gestures) beyond undoing, for the very same reasons, making it hard to de-escalate by the time he leaves the Office he stole Twice.
Then Repubs and crypto-Repubs will be screaming at any Demo President which will take office in 2009, and blame them for all the problems dumped in their laps, which is standard Republican policy.
Before we talk Third Parties, we need to make sure they can win, and make sure they will not simply take votes away from Dems and give them to Repubs, as was the case with Wallace, Nader, and every other 'Third Party' candidate the Republicans backed in order to split Democratic voters and then win.