The New York Daily News, with its long tradition of lurid and stupid headlines, outdid itself in its special welcome for Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week, warning him: “If you even think of setting foot near Ground Zero, you can GO TO HELL!”

The accompanying editorial was one of the ripest specimens of yellow journalism I’ve seen in a while: “No. No. No. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can not be allowed to defile Ground Zero, must be stopped from exploiting this hallowed landmark, this tragic product of a fanaticism cousin to the demons in Ahmadinejad’s soul.”

Cousin? Is this what you call moral relativism?

I wonder how many frustrated racist-patriots out there, silenced by a disastrous war effort and hemmed in by the cruel strictures of political correctness, felt this bit of media jingoism resonate with a soul-satisfying, secret ka-ching-g-g?

The massive U.S. Capitol Building is situated to dominate Washington, D.C. from every angle.  Its brightly lit facade dominates the night skyline even more. 

Inside, a first time visitor is at least impressed if not overwhelmed, waiting to enter the House or Senate gallery.  A mural entirely dominating one stairwell titled, “Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way,” depicts heroic, windswept pioneer families cresting a mountain pass.  Dark, formal portraits of the icons of American history look down from within ornate, gold frames.  The illuminated words of founding fathers inscribed on marble walls fairly shout hosannas to liberty, freedom and democracy.  By the time a visitor approaches the final security checkpoint immediately outside the gallery itself, mere mortals about to view the workings of the gods are properly awed; particularly if they've read the back of their gallery pass which states:

Rules of the Gallery Nothing may be taken into the Galleries other than articles of clothing and handbags.
Guests must remain seated and refrain from reading, writing, smoking, eating, drinking, applauding or picture taking.

The Central Ohio Green Education Fund is reforming and reconfiguring the 2007 Citizens’ Grassroots Congress (2007CGC). We believe the progressive community of Columbus is growing, is more active than ever and is accomplishing great things. The 2007CGC is an event to bring together representatives of as many local community groups as possible to put together a “Grassroots Agenda” for Central Ohio. The date: Saturday, October 20, at the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism office, 1000 E. Main St., from 11am-5pm. We are inviting you to come to the 2007CGC representing your organization and be prepared to introduce a resolution to the Congress. At the end of the day, we hope to have a Grassroots Agenda of resolutions ready to type up, publish and present to our public officials, fall 2007 political candidates, the media and the public.

Four categories: Below is a list of areas of focus and some examples of proposals:

• Grassroots Democracy
Election and campaign finance reform
Alternative media/community radio
• Sustainability and the Environment
Public transportation
Recycling

Charles Mercieca, Ph.D. President, International Association of Educators for World Peace Dedicated to United Nations Goals of Peace Education, Environmental Protection, Human Rights & Disarmament Professor Emeritus, Alabama A&M University

The United States has been described by former US President John F. Kennedy as a “conglomeration of nations.” Needless to say, it may also be viewed as a “conglomeration of religions.” In fact, there is hardly a nation and religion which could not be found in this country. Quite a few millions still speak their native language of origin at their homes.

Nation of Great Diversity

Some of the leading languages most Americans speak to each other are Spanish, Chinese, German, Italian, Korean, Arabic, Russian, French and a variety of Indian languages, in addition to English which is the predominant language of the government and schools in general. Although the dominant religion seems to be Christianity, some of the leading ones may be viewed as Islam, Judaism, Hindu and Buddhist, besides a few others. Christianity is generally divided into Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox.

Washington – Free speech took a beating with another round of arrests September 18 in the nation’s capital.  It was administered by the police at a rally sponsored by the most unlikely-sounding group to be involved in such a thing: Veterans for Freedom.

U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman, John McCain and Lindsey Graham were among the featured speakers at the rally held in Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill.  About 150 people attended the rally to support the group’s pro-war position, as did about 30 people who were not in support.  Before the rally concluded, Leah Bolger, David Barrows, Christine Rainwater, Anne Kitridge, and Anne Katz were arrested by Capitol Police. 

Barrows said he had gone to the park because he heard Lieberman was going to speak. When the Senator was talking, Barrows spoke out, “I don’t want your 'bomb and run genocide' in Iran.”

As soon as I did, a plainclothes policeman came up to me and said, “You’re under arrest,” the 60 year-old D.C. resident continued.  But, Barrows said, instead of going with the officer immediately he moved another six feet closer to the stage, whereupon he was placed under arrest.