Freedom of Speech Is Dead, Almost

Brilliant article! [The Narrowing Channels of Discourse, Oct. 25, 2007.] Llyd Wells expressed so well media's dumbing down that so conveniently meshes with the suppression of citizen confrontation of our leaders. Story after story tells of American citizens arrested and removed for wearing a t-shirt or carrying a sign that disagrees with the administration. Freedom of speech and the press is dead in America--except in small, under-funded papers like Eat the State!Keep up the good work! --Janice Van Cleve

Someone Besides ETS! Editors Appreciates Cockburn

Just read Tom Larsen's note in the [Nov. 8, 2007] issue and wanted to respond briefly: KEEP RUNNING ALEXANDER COCKBURN.

Seriously, he's like one of the last soldiers against those who are "intellectually dishonest". Though I find Cockburn to be rather intransigent and even fussy at times, still there is no discounting his priceless contribution. I ask you to please continue running his column! --Wayne Proctor, Seattle WA

Reader Implores: Do Not Hang Bush!

Although I agree with Robert Payne's "Why George Bush Should Be Hanged" [Oct. 25, 2007] about how Bush's regime has disrespected American and International laws and human rights, I am uncomfortable with the implication that he "should" be hanged.

It might be appropriate for someone who, while Texas Governor, set records for most executions, but rather than capital punishment I would prefer Bush (along with Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Gonzales) be tried for war crimes, then subjected to detainment under the same conditions as their regime's prisoners--with regular exposure to conditions they argue aren't torture--while experiencing techniques taught in the School of the Americas and used by the CIA and outsourced sources of permissible torture. --Tony Formo

Today's Lesson, Impeachment: Political Terminology 101

Even Democracy Now! which ought to know better, has tolerated the too-common understanding that impeachment of Cheney and Bush automatically means removal from office. It does not. But that's what we hear everywhere, mainstream and alternative media alike.

It was not that long ago that Wm. J. Clinton was impeached, but that didn't give us President Albert Gore. Impeachment of Bush and Cheney would not remove them but it would nationally and globally discredit them, diminishing their power to continue inflicting as much damage as they can before their regime ends.

Impeachment is merely about formally making a charge, an accusation, against an official. It's not enough. Bush and Cheney need to be impeached, prosecuted, removed from office, and jailed, not just impeached. --John Jonik