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Ari & I: September 19, 2002
Russell Mokhiber questions White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer
Sep 19, 2002
Russell Mokhiber: Ari, you said earlier that "Democracy is God-given." Didn't Thomas Jefferson have something to do with it?
Ari Fleischer: I cited the Declaration of Independence and the author of our inalienable rights.
Mokhiber: Who is the author of our inalienable rights?
Ari Fleischer: That's what I said -- it's Jefferson.
Mokhiber: Oh, I thought you said "Democracy is God-given"?
Ari Fleischer: Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independent rights that we hold these truths, these self-evident truths that these rights were created by, given by the creator. Our Declaration of Independence says that.
Mokhiber: Second question. Has the Bush Administration estimated how many American soldiers and Iraqi civilians will be killed in the event of an invasion?
Ari Fleischer: The question the President worries about -- and much of the world worries about -- is how many people will be killed if Saddam Hussein is allowed to develop nuclear weapons. And he has a history of showing that once he gets his hands on a weapon, he uses it.
Mokhiber: But has the estimate been made by the Administration of how many American soldiers and Iraqi civilians will be killed if we invade?
Ari Fleischer: I'm not aware of it, I don't know, I'm not aware.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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Russell Mokhiber
Russell Mokhiber is editor of the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Crime Reporter. He is also founder of singlepayeraction.org, and editor of the website Morgan County USA.
Russell Mokhiber: Ari, you said earlier that "Democracy is God-given." Didn't Thomas Jefferson have something to do with it?
Ari Fleischer: I cited the Declaration of Independence and the author of our inalienable rights.
Mokhiber: Who is the author of our inalienable rights?
Ari Fleischer: That's what I said -- it's Jefferson.
Mokhiber: Oh, I thought you said "Democracy is God-given"?
Ari Fleischer: Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independent rights that we hold these truths, these self-evident truths that these rights were created by, given by the creator. Our Declaration of Independence says that.
Mokhiber: Second question. Has the Bush Administration estimated how many American soldiers and Iraqi civilians will be killed in the event of an invasion?
Ari Fleischer: The question the President worries about -- and much of the world worries about -- is how many people will be killed if Saddam Hussein is allowed to develop nuclear weapons. And he has a history of showing that once he gets his hands on a weapon, he uses it.
Mokhiber: But has the estimate been made by the Administration of how many American soldiers and Iraqi civilians will be killed if we invade?
Ari Fleischer: I'm not aware of it, I don't know, I'm not aware.
Russell Mokhiber
Russell Mokhiber is editor of the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Crime Reporter. He is also founder of singlepayeraction.org, and editor of the website Morgan County USA.
Russell Mokhiber: Ari, you said earlier that "Democracy is God-given." Didn't Thomas Jefferson have something to do with it?
Ari Fleischer: I cited the Declaration of Independence and the author of our inalienable rights.
Mokhiber: Who is the author of our inalienable rights?
Ari Fleischer: That's what I said -- it's Jefferson.
Mokhiber: Oh, I thought you said "Democracy is God-given"?
Ari Fleischer: Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independent rights that we hold these truths, these self-evident truths that these rights were created by, given by the creator. Our Declaration of Independence says that.
Mokhiber: Second question. Has the Bush Administration estimated how many American soldiers and Iraqi civilians will be killed in the event of an invasion?
Ari Fleischer: The question the President worries about -- and much of the world worries about -- is how many people will be killed if Saddam Hussein is allowed to develop nuclear weapons. And he has a history of showing that once he gets his hands on a weapon, he uses it.
Mokhiber: But has the estimate been made by the Administration of how many American soldiers and Iraqi civilians will be killed if we invade?
Ari Fleischer: I'm not aware of it, I don't know, I'm not aware.
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