The Llano Ledger


Newsletter Text V126

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Publisher's Note: The Maxpages server was unexpectedly shut down November 12. The following message was posted November 16:

Max Pages' Disaster Alert

Max Pages was shut down by the Abuse Department at Interland.com Monday November 12 at 4:30PM EST because some of our member sites were sending spam emails. We are doing everything we can to get restarted. Please bear with us.

Bill MacLeod
President
Max Pages

Due to repeated problems with the Maxpages server, a new Ledger website has been created and is under construction. Programming is at the HTML level with far greater webspace, so a much better site will result after the learning curve is breached. The URL is http://www.stormpages.com/llanoledger. Both Maxpages websites, however, will continue to be maintained and updated for quite some time until the readership has been made aware of the new website.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger

*************November 26, 2001************

*****"Chief Executive" Consolidating Power*****

The people remain asleep as the "President" continues to consolidate power after his bloodless coup the day The Patriot Act was signed into law obliterating the Bill of Rights. Congress has gone along, caving into Mr. Bush's demand rights be trampled in the name of "security". The courts have certainly cooperated. Not one case has been adjudicated yet against the "President's" outrageous abuse of authority. Not one.

Equally disturbing, "The Tush" has ordered large cuts of nuclear arms, but did not put them in a treaty, avoiding the Senate ratification process. He's also proposing a reorganization of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, bypassing Congress. The judiciary has been avoided with an Executive Order authorizing military tribunals. ... Why bother sharing power with Congress and the courts if you don't have to?

In addition, Ole' George limited congressional intelligence briefings, grabbed new spending authority possibly in violation of the Constitution, and conveniently did away essentially with habeas corpus for terrorist "suspects". We now have a return to the Imperial Presidency. A single person, free of congressional restraint to declare war, is going to make the decision whether or not the fight is carried to Iraq. One person will also choose how much privacy citizens will retain. "Die Fuhrer" will decide all. -- A fascist appointed by a corrupt and abusive extremist Supreme Court.

The "Administration" refused to cooperate with the General Accounting Office investigation into Cheney's energy task force and asserted "executive privilege" in its refusal to turn over to Congress executive papers. Apparently, successfully. ... Haven't heard anything further, have you? "Die Fuhrer" is accountable to no one. ... Just as he wants things.

Countering the wishes of Congress, the "President" signed an Executive Order authorizing an incumbent president to block release of a predecessor's documents. Open meeting laws? No problem. "The Tush" broke up his Social Security commission into two groups so they could meet privately. Treaties requiring Senate approval? Why bother? Reject amendments to the Biological Convention so no legislative approval is needed. Right, George?

Attorney-client privilege? What for? The "President" has abolished it for terrorist "suspects". Even those uncharged and in the absence of a court order. Why bother with such inconveniences if you don't have to? Why tell the public how many people have been falsely incarcerated in the war against terrorism and on what charges? The government no longer does. Nazi Germany. According to the "Chief Executive" and his henchmen, the people don't have a right to know what goes on in government. ... It's alright, isn't it? After all, we're at "war", aren't we? Anything goes, doesn't it? Apparently, anything at all. Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin would have been proud.

*****Police Department From Hell*****

As reported in the last edition, only eight of over 70 corrupt and abusive officers of the Los Angeles Police Department will be charged in the most outrageous scandal to hit LAPD. Adding insult to injury, independent monitor Michael Cherkasky in a report released last week asserted a percentage of LA's officers still believe the Rodney King debacle over ten years ago was also handled "properly". Readers will recall King was savagely beaten by LA's "finest", -- videotaped in all its splendor and glory.

There is, additionally, stiff opposition to reforms by a percentage of officers. Some still think sections of the city are "enemy territory". Worse yet, there is a large backlog of investigations into misconduct complaints lodged against police. ... Who would 'a 'thunk' it, no? Then again, after September 11, our "officers" can do no wrong, right?

****Police Force Rebuffs FBI*****

Remember the Attorney General ordering the interview of some 5,000 Middle Eastern men in the United States? The Portland, Ore. Police Department has refused to cooperate. Acting Police Chief Andrew Kirkland asserted the questioning violates Oregon law. About time someone had the guts to stand up to Ashcroft. States and municipalities across the country have laws against police gathering intelligence for political purposes. Readers are reminded the Nazi in the "Justice" Department has ordered interviews of innocent people in this country who are not suspected of any crime.

Racial profiling? What the hell's that? Right, General? Ole' Johnny Boy is on a fishing expedition Adolph and Benito would have been proud of. Ashcroft's goons have even gone through the trouble of providing police departments with a list of questions to be asked. Frightening, isn't it? Then again, we're living in a country that's growing increasingly fascist. -- Courtesy of "Die Fuhrer" and his henchmen.

*****Ashcroft Defends Military Tribunals*****

Attorney General John Ashcroft has no understanding nor appreciation of the Bill of Rights. None. He hasn't a clue regarding the thinking of the Founders who despised abusive government and were determined to ensure its boot heel wouldn't be on the throats of the governed. Defending the fascist sitting in the Oval Office and his Executive Order authorizing military tribunals, Ole' Johnny disingenuously crowed: "Can you imagine the spectacle of capturing a soldier-terrorist in Afghanistan, bringing them back with a publicly paid, high profile, flamboyant defense lawyer on television, making it the Osama network, sending signals to the terrorist[s] around the country?...That's not really what our judicial system is about."

Hey, Johnny? American jurisprudence IS supposed to be about due process and rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Remember, General? Rights guaranteed to anyone accused in the American system, -- whether a citizen or alien, you jackass. What you are zealously proposing is not justice, sir. It is a kangaroo court akin to those in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Courts designed and mandated to convict. No matter the evidence or lack thereof.

Just because it was done earlier in this country, doesn't make it right, you jackass. Readers are reminded a secret military tribunal wrongfully convicted U.S. war hero George Johann Dasch in 1942. This man saved hundreds of American civilians during the war, but was betrayed by his own government. Late FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, a bona fide fascist himself, sat on information for years proving the innocence of this truly great American in an effort to protect the image of his tarnished agency.

Pointedly, General, Nazi courts were highly efficient, -- and corrupt. Exquisitely abusive. Extremely useful to government, though. Precisely why you propose a similar system for terrorists, no? When will you counsel the same for American citizens, sir? Only a matter of time no doubt. After all, can't have the likes of O.J. Simpson escaping the long arm of the law, right, Johnny? --Notwithstanding extremely shoddy police work and handling of evidence. A minor matter though, right, General? ... Proper handling of evidence? What the hell's that? Why bother? Police never make mistakes anyway. One should always believe them, right, sir?

While at it, why not get rid of Miranda? After all, you don't want the accused cognizant of rights, do you, Johnny? An enlightened public is a "dangerous" public. Certainly wouldn't accept corrupt and abusive government. More importantly, we all "know" the accused are guilty, no? Why even bother to have the charade of a "trial"? Why not just line 'em up against a wall and shoot 'em? Like your compadres did in Nazi Germany, right, sir?

*****Justice Department Building Renamed*****

"President" George "The Tush" Bush is certainly sensitive to criticism. The "Chief Executive" renamed the "Justice" Department's headquarters after the late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. When asked if the gesture was an attempt to gain Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's support of an education bill, Mr. Bush bristled and replied: "Well, I'm not quite that devious...I made the decision to name the Justice Department Building after Robert Kennedy because he is deserving...I'll get an education bill based on its merits, not based upon renaming a building for a great American."

... Hey, George? Indeed, you ARE devious, sir. Got The Patriot Act passed, didn't you, Mr. "President"? -- A law that decimated the Bill of Rights. Pathetically clever. Certainly hoodwinked the public, no? Then again, the people are stupid. ... Precisely what you counted on, right, George?

While the Kennedy family was indeed appreciative of the honor, the daughter of RFK was not. Kerry Kennedy Cuomo properly and courageously criticized the "President" for recently greatly expanding the power of police and prosecutors, -- allegedly in the name of national "security". Ms. Cuomo sharply remarked: "My daughter, Cara, is here today...Cara, if anyone tries to tell you this is the type of justice your grandpa would embrace, don't you believe it." Commenting further, she claimed her father "was determined to use the law to bring criminals who threatened our country to justice. But that eagerness was always tempered by his commitment to protecting civil liberties even when it meant letting the accused go free."

Sadly, her remarks did not exactly ring true. While Robert Kennedy was indeed concerned with justice and personal rights, as Attorney General, he presided over a "Justice" Department that aggressively went after members of the Mafia with little to no regard for constitutional rights. The late Attorney General would have done anything to incarcerate Mafia personnel, including a willingness to arrest them for extremely minor crimes, including spitting on the street if necessary.

Make no mistake, readers. This writer certainly believes Mafia criminals should be aggressively prosecuted within constitutional guidelines. Mr. Kennedy, however, went well beyond the reasonable. While it certainly seemed justifiable at the time considering the power of organized crime back then, one always has to remember the ends never justify the means, and, abuse of power done in the name of the greater good ALWAYS comes back to bite hard on the ass. Always. Perversely, indeed, Ashcroft is proof positive.

Moreover, the fascist now presiding over the "Justice Department" is now using Mr. Kennedy's example to justify the obliteration of the Bill of Rights by the recently-passed Patriot Act. Had Bobby been alive today, this writer strongly believes he would have condemned the "Administration" for its outrageous crapping on the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments. He also would have expressed regret over the abuse of prosecutorial power during his brother's Administration. ... We'll never know now, will we?

The Nazi currently heading the "Justice" Department has certainly outdone his predecessor of some forty years ago, however. His recent comments regarding Mr. Kennedy certainly exaggerated his predecessor's abuse of authority. In fact, Ashcroft has attempted to re-write history: "Forty years ago, another attorney general was confronted with a different enemy within our borders...Attorney General Kennedy made no apologies for using all of the available resources in the law to disrupt and dismantle organized crime networks. It has been and will be the policy of this Department of Justice to use the same aggressive arrest and detention tactics in the war on terror."

Sadly, General, The Patriot Act and other infringement of civil liberties committed by your "Administration" has nothing to do with terrorism, but everything to do with the imposition of fascism. This government has become as much the enemy as bin Laden. More so, considering the long-term implication of the obliteration of the Bill of Rights.

Your use of policies implemented during the Kennedy Administration as an excuse to justify your decimation of the Bill of Rights requires the virtual re-write of history and a severe distortion of reality. Again, General, you and the "President" have outrageously violated your oaths of office, -- while disingenuously and falsely claiming your actions are done in the best interest of the people and in the name of liberty.

Fascism isn't pretty, General. Then again, the people were well-aware of your extremist proclivities long before you were appointed to office. They simply didn't care, -- or, worse yet, approved. Too bad. When they finally wake up, it'll be too late. Right, Mr. Ashcroft? Part of the game plan, no doubt. All for "freedom", right, sir? Then again in the perverted world of the extremist, night is day, day is night, and 'shit don't stink'.

*****Corporate Welfare*****

Republicans with Democratic support stuck it to the poor some five years ago with welfare "reform". Promises were also made to address corporate welfare. Not to be, however, since the GOP maintained its hold on power. The party of Lincoln is without doubt the party of the rich, rich 'wannabes', and Big Business.

No longer is there any substantive difference between both major political parties, however. Democrats and Republicans are about to pass economic "stimulus" legislation wanted by Ole' George "The Tush". Not surprisingly, the bill is geared only to Corporate America. -- Depreciation write-offs amounting to $26 billion. Businesses will be handed some $4.5 billion to deduct current losses from taxes paid earlier.

Small business has not been forgotten with some $852 million earmarked for enhanced expensing deductions. The "haves" haven't been neglected either. The 27% bracket will be reduced by a point. Christmas is coming early. Courtesy of a "President" and legislators more interested in lining their pockets and those of business.

*****Propaganda*****

Although criticizing Hollywood for the content of films over the years, the Fascist Right isn't beyond tapping the resources of the entertainment industry to get its point across. The "President" wants film makers to cooperate in the war effort. Think "The Tush" will also encourage Hollywood to present the true intention of The Patriot Act, the obliteration of the Bill of Rights?

*****"President" Urges Charity*****

"The Tush" has asked the public to "dig a little deeper into their pockets" and take care of the needy. ... Hey, George? With the exception of September 11 charities, they're not. Not by a long shot, you jackass. Not for a long time either, well before welfare "reform". Food banks are hurting all over the country. People are going hungry. Many of them children. After all, the first priority of the "haves" is taking care of themselves.

Your exhortation of the public to increase charitable giving rings hollow, sir. Especially after you and your cronies supported the decimation of welfare and food stamp programs. The chickens are finally coming home to roost, Mr. "President". Enjoy. Worse yet, the children of welfare mothers forced into the workforce are beginning to pay the price, -- and so is society. There has been an increase in juvenile crime.

Medicaid is also experiencing serious difficulties as former welfare recipients are working at jobs paying little more than a minimum wage. With no health insurance. Then again, hospital emergency rooms are being overwhelmed with people presenting themselves in advanced states of disease. ... At a time and place most difficult and expensive to treat.

Both major political parties were able to sweep the welfare problem under the carpet. ... And pass the costs on to those of you who have insurance, -- or can afford to pay in cash. Yet, most of the public was too stupid to anticipate the ultimate cost of the obliteration of welfare and food stamps, foolishly thinking the problem would magically disappear. For the shamelessly Aryan arrogant out there among you still refusing to realize the truth, enjoy. The chickens are coming home to roost. Tough.

All this may cost the "President" at election time. Then again, George, the public is stupid and wouldn't know truth if it bit them hard on the ass. ... And it will, sir. Not too worry, though. Highly unlikely you'll ever be held responsible. After all, responsibility is reserved for the unwashed masses. ... Right, Mr. "President"?

*****"Tush" Pardons Turkey*****

That's right. Ole' George spared the life of an anxious 55-pound gobbler, patting him carefully on the head and snickering: "Here we are at the White House. All in a day's work " ... See the photo? Difficult to spot the turkey, no? All joking aside, the bird's name is Liberty. -- How 'bout 'dat'? ... Only in America.

Apparently, the bird wasn't a particularly happy camper. Nor was the "President", needless to say. He grabbed the 7-month-old gobbler by the scruff of the neck. Amusingly, Liberty would have none of it and snapped in protest. ... Go, bird, go. Ole' George must have thought he was back here in Texas, however, retorting "Down boy!" Hell, yeah, Mr. "President". Ride 'em, Cowboy! You tell him, sir.

... Before encouraging children to pet the bird, however, the "President" crowed: "Looks mean, but it's a sweet bird." Right on, George. ... Like this writer, no?

*****Unbridled Fear*****

As strongly asserted in the last 30 editions, gut-wrenching fear generated by the Narcotics Enforcement Team is quite impressive. After all, these Nazi stormtroopers not only outrageously intimidate defendants and their gutless attorneys, but even innocent third parties who have suffered at their corrupt and abusive hands.

Recently, a source came forward with allegations regarding the death of a loved one under exceptionally curious circumstances. Sadly, the survivor got cold feet.

Most pointedly and quite publicly, how in hell do you expect these abuses to end if you don't have the guts to stand up and expose them to the light of day?

Every time a source cowardly runs the other way, the corrupt and abusive sons of bitches win. Every g-ddamned time. Worse yet, another nail is driven into the coffin of liberty.

If you don't have the courage to stand up and do the right thing, why should this writer continue to place himself in physical and legal jeopardy trying to expose the outrageous corruption and abuse?

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger