As Goes Arizona, So Goes the Nation by Todd Brendan Fahey

With the impending retirement of "moderate" Republican Congressman Jim Kolbe--a member of the world-government oriented Council on Foreign Relations and the only avowed GOP homosexual in Congress; another tilt at the Presidency by Senator John McCain (also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations), which, should he lose in 2008 will likely be his political swan song; and with Don Goldwater, a nephew of the state's favorite son, battling unpopular Democrat Governor Janet Napolitano, the state of Arizona stands as a microcosm of the general condition of the Republican party.

The strongest opponent to replace Kolbe is Randy Graf--who forged an impressive run in the 2004 GOP primary and lost in single-digits (43%) to Kolbe. Graf, a former club golf professional and member of the PGA, has been active at the local level of Arizona politics since his election to the Continental School District Governing Board in 1994 and as Board President in 1998. His endorsements for the 2006 Congressional bid include immigration foe Rep. Trent Franks (and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo), 19 sitting state representatives and six current state senators. The district leaned 53% for Bush in 2004, giving Graf a clear lead in his 2006 GOP bid.

The immigration-friendly GOP establishment has introduced Mike Hellon--a tax consultant and former Vietnam veteran--as its primary candidate. Hellon is unlikely to win the primary, but might be enticed into running as a 3rd-party "independent" spoiler to derail Graf in the general elections. Among his supporters are over a dozen "moderate" GOP state legislators. Said to have the backing of John McCain, Hellon states on his election page: "And, like Senator John McCain, I will fight to end Washington pork, by working to end abusive Congressional earmarks."

McCain, himself, has newly earned himself vocal criticism at the popular FreeRepublic.com discussion site. Founder/owner Jim Robinson came out on March 22 with a shot over the bow, declaring: John McCain, you treasonous bastard, I challenge you or any of your traitorous cohorts....

Robinson's screed attacked McCain largely on the issue of Campaign Finance Reform, which is feared by members of FreeRepublic.com to serve as a stifling effect on it, and similar politically-active, sites prior to primary and general elections.

When asked of President Bush's signage of "CFR," Robinson called the act, "indefensible."

McCain will be 75 years old upon another run at U.S. Senate. With the effects of illegal immigration depleting state coffers and entangling the state's health and medical services, the climate of the Arizona Republican party is changing rapidly. Congressmen Trent Franks and J.D. Hayworth attended and endorsed the civilian Minuteman Project, co-founded by Tombstone, Arizona publisher Chris Simcox. Jim Kolbe, a longtime immigration dove, may well be replaced with a genuine Old Right voice in Randy Graf.

All eyes should be on Arizona over the next two years. Its political makeup will serve as barometer of America's patience.

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
Columnist Guild News Bureau

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card resigns ~by Cliff Jones, Bureau Editor

The White House is reporting this morning that Chief of Staff Andrew Card has resigned. He is to be replaced by current Office of Management and Budget Director Joshua Bolten.

A White House plagued by low approval ratings and growing public resistance to it's policies has fielded increasing calls to shake up a stale staff and bring “new blood” into the administration. But appointing Bolten, a long time Bush insider, indicates the White House may be more interested in appearances than in bringing on new perspectives.

The move was not unanticipated, and it has even been suggested such would be used to distract the public from a lack of any fundamental shift in policy in it's wake. Commentator Fred Barnes recently recommended Card's and other's replacement, and is reported to have commented last week on Fox Television he saw Card's departure as imminent.

Card served in several capacities under the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and supported George W. Bush during the 2000 Republican National Convention. Upon Bush's election in 2000, Card left an executive position at General Motors to become White House Chief of Staff, where he had remained until today. Card's endurance has been unusually long for the office, exceeded only by Eisenhower Chief of Staff Sherman Adams' tenure.

Card has been known for his adept, deeply personal attention to a broader range of White House operations than most Chiefs of Staff. Noteably, he was instrumental in generating public perceptions, which he likened to rolling out “new products,” which paved the way for the war in Iraq. It is now known these public perceptions were predicated largely on fabrications.

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
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S.Africa's Ruling Party Power struggle triggered by CIA worsens by Jan Lamprecht

This week, former Vice President Jacob Zuma went back to court as his rape trial continued.

The troubles between President Mbeki faction and Zuma's faction are on the increase.

I explained in previous news releases as well as in the Straight Talk newsletter (see www.StraightTalk.co.za) that the CIA is most probably behind this schism because of ideological reasons.

I was chatting to a good friend of mine who spent much of his life in Military Intelligence here in S.Africa, and he said to me that there are analysts who now think that the troubles in the ANC/S.African Communist Party/COSATU alliance could eventually escalate into black on black violence.

It is becoming ever clearer that indeed, Jacob Zuma had many supporters and secretly, they tried to help him.

But the strangest incident of all was the firing of the head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) this week.

Officially, he is being fired due to a "breakdown in trust" between himself and President Mbeki. Also, officially, the head of NIA is being blamed for "faking emails" which were designed to "create dissension" within the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

But other aspects of the news reports point to another much more interesting possibility.

The NIA was going about its routine businesses monitoring political loyalty in the ruling party when it became aware of a possible conspiracy against Vice President Jacob Zuma. The head of the NIA then began to order the agency to spy on 13 other people either in, or linked to the ANC who might know of the conspiracy. It appears he was making quite a lot of headway gathering concrete information about a conspiracy inside the ANC aimed at destroying Vice President Zuma's career.

Then President Mbeki fired him.

It is important to understand that Mbeki and everyone else deny that there was any kind of conspiracy against Zuma. And that is probably why Mbeki had to fire the head of the NIA.

So now they seem to be in cover-up and damage-control mode, hence the latest "news" claiming that the emails were faked.

The head of the NIA is now thought to have had pro-Zuma sympathies.

During Jacob Zuma's rape trial, it was also shown that the investigating Police had pro-Zuma sympathies.

One of the unknown people in all this, is a white man, Ronnie Kasrils, who is the Minister of Intelligence and is a hard-core communist. Kasrils, in theory, should be on Jacob Zuma's side, because Zuma is idolised by the Communists and the Far Left. But Kasrils seems to be trusted by Mbeki. My personal suspicion is that Kasrils is playing a very subtle double-game. I think he may secretly be in the Zuma camp.

What remains to be seen is how the Zuma rape trial pans out, especially to Zuma's supporters. In the trial, the defence have raised questions about the rape charges themselves being the result of a political conspiracy. I think this is highly probable.

The weeks and months that lie ahead could be extremely interesting because the firing of Jacob Zuma seems to be creating an ever wider series of problems within the ANC and the Political Left.

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
Columnist Guild News Bureau

V for Vendetta - Visionary Vigilance by SARTRE

The power of ideas is the theme of a remarkable movie - V for Vendetta. No wonder that governmental Statists fear the message from this film. Shades of 1984 have been updated to the next century. The faces and circumstances have changed, but the lust for controlling society has remained constant.

Guy Fawkes lives in the V cap crusader unjustly tortured for being a threat to the ruling cabal. Hypocrisy and hubris by bureaucratic Creedy clones has not altered the goon stepping plan. Subjugation, suppression and silencing the public is still the official policy.

V identifies himself: “This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished, as the once vital voice of the verisimilitude now venerates what they once vilified. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-à-vis an introduction, and so it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.”

His outcry is not of an anarchist or a nihilist, but that of a seeker of justice and justifiable outrage. The portrayal of tyrannical chancellor as an elected conservative does not go unnoticed. His ranting is the antithesis of a Howard Beale. Mad as Hell has disappeared as the public sleeps. Only V won’t take it anymore. The totalitarianism regime uses fear and deceit to mange reality, while V uses rebellion to regain human dignity.

The message is clear - vendettas are personal but vigilance is eternal. V proves that repression of ideas is transient when the will of popular insurrection can be resurrected. Hope is timeless when the spirit of historic resistance molds and bands together. Masks in a crowd of anonymous marchers regain legitimate authority when they face down their oppressors.

The veiled analogy to 911 and the War of Terror is noteworthy and the compliance of mass media propaganda in shaping public opinion is obvious. Conduct of conscience as a means to combat tyranny possess great risks under this fictitious despotic government. Violence against the leadership means dead. Security for the country is actually defined as obedience to the State.

V’s quest for revenge pushes the limits of civil behavior. Vengeance is mine is always dangerous, even from maltreated antiheroes. In contrast retribution against oppressive governments comes forth from civil disobedience determination. The inspiration that manifests in deposing unjust governmental hacks is universal. Within each person resides the ability to achieve noble action.

The lesson of V is that dictatorships exist only when good citizens withdraw from the struggle. Allowing artificial perception to be sold as a phony actuality is systemic to modern society. V reminds that true power resides with the people. This reality is what most governments fear the most - an active citizenry willing to attain self-determination and hold government accountable.

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
Columnist Guild News Bureau

Is the CIA desperately trying to save the Liberal South African Dream? by Jan Lamprecht

There are two very serious court cases currently in South Africa which could change this country's future.

Last year the Government took a Muslim businessman by the name of Shabir Shaik to court over apparent irregularities in the country's biggest ever foreign arms purchase. Shaik was very cosy with the ruling African National Congress (ANC). He was especially close to the Vice President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma.

Early on in the trial it was quite apparent, that the Government had spent a lot of time investigating Shaik. But was it really necessary? During the trial Shaik's relationship with Zuma came into the open. Zuma's dirty laundry was aired. His financial problems, as well as his financial relationship with Shaik came under scrutiny.

During the trial, Shaik's defence openly stated their belief that Shaik was merely a pawn in a bigger game, and that ultimately, this was about frying a bigger fish: Zuma.

Never, at any time during this trial, was Zuma called in as a witness or questioned in any way. But immediately after Shaik had been found guilty, and after the judge had concluded that a "corrupt relationship existed between Shaik and Zuma", President Mbeki fired Zuma.

It sent shockwaves through South Africa. The Liberals in the official opposition were ecstatic. They said this was a victory for clean government. But inside the ANC, and its Tripartite Alliance with the S.African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), there were serious problems.

Both the SACP and COSATU were caught completely off guard. The ANC/SACP/COSATU alliance has a strict code of high-level "consultation" and interaction. These organisations function as one. It was extremely improper; indeed, completely unprecedented that President Mbeki should fire the Vice President without first consulting with the SACP and COSATU.

Zuma is a Zulu. The ANC is largely dominated by the Xhosa tribe. Zuma is extremely popular, and his presence in the ANC also resulted in large numbers of Zulus supporting the ANC. Zuma however still officially retained his position as the Deputy President of the ANC. He continued in that role after stepping down as Vice President. Being fired only made him more popular. Black people, and people on the far left of the political spectrum, rallied around him in a big way. Indeed, there was talk that Zuma could still stand for election as President of the ANC, and even President of South Africa in 2008.

The Government said it would put Zuma on trial over his relationship with Shaik. But none of this affected his rapidly growing popularity. Then suddenly, and most conveniently, Zuma was accused of raping a family friend. This time he stepped down from his position in the ANC, and now, finally, he was silenced and denied a public platform.

Earlier this year, a friend with an intelligence background, discovered a most interesting book and series of writings about CIA activities in Southern Africa, most especially in South Africa. When I began reading these writings, I was completely shocked by what I discovered. It detailed how the CIA ended up being dominated by Liberal Academics, and how they had influenced and helped to develop American foreign policy in Africa.

These Liberals had fought not only Apartheid, but also Communism. Their strategy, for South Africa, and indeed for all of Africa was to "moderate" it. Finally the penny dropped, and I began to realise that it was really the CIA which had kept Liberalism alive, and had made it such a powerful force in post-Apartheid South Africa.

I recently launched a newsletter called Straight Talk from Africa. The website for it is: www.StraightTalk.co.za. In the newsletter, I will reveal, in the first issues, the full story of CIA involvement in South Africa during the last 50 years.

It appears to me, that the US Government, through the CIA, might be trying to influence the ANC to try to prevent South Africa from becoming another Zimbabwe. Zuma is extremely far left, and has a lot of outright Communist support, as opposed to the softer Socialism of the ANC. Zuma would have succeeded Mbeki as the President of South Africa in 2008. Some people have hinted that Zuma could be our "Robert Mugabe in waiting", who will come to implement fully blown communism and try to finish off the Whites. It appears to me, the CIA does not want an outright far left victory, and they may have influenced Mbeki via payoffs and arm-twisting to get rid of Zuma.

But the Communists might not be as asleep as the CIA might think. As I write this, Zuma's rape trial is not going well for the State. If Zuma survives the rape trial, and if he survives the corruption trial, he might become so popular that he will be our next president. It could turn politics in this country on its head.

Both Zuma and the Communists seem amazingly calm. The way things are going, I would say that currently, in this match, the Communists seem to be ahead on points versus the CIA. If the CIA and Mbeki lose. then South Africa's Liberal Dream, may fall apart completely.

The future fate of South Africa could be decided in the next few months, and I will be watching it and following it with tremendous interest.

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
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NOT GUILTY! by Tim Bates

After 2 hours of deliberation, on Monday, January 30, 2006, the jury came in with a verdict of “Not Guilty” on all counts against Col. Dan Marvin, author and Kris Millegan, publisher. This vindicates Col. Marvin and his book. The jury weighed the overwhelming evidence and said, basically, the book “Expendable Elite” is non-fiction. This confirms what many of us who have read the book say; the men of camp A-424 in An Phu, Viet Nam are heroes and deserve a nation’s thanks for their service.

This trial, which lasted 5 days, has tested Col. Marvin and Kris Millegan to the very limits of endurance. It has put an unbelievable financial burden on them but they trusted in the Lord first of all, and the system to find the truth.

The jury listened to the material presented in court by both sides. The men that served under Col. Marvin’s command during the time of the book testified that none of the events in the book were true. To a man, they stated the statements they gave to Dan were “just stories” to spice up the book. But when the jury listened to the audiocassette tapes the men sent to Dan, at every instance, they spoke of their good memory of what happened with words like “I remember” and “I recall”. Many times they said to add things about the firefights, mortar attacks and heroism of the Hao Hoa people. Time and time again the words on the tapes spoke of the closeness of the men and their dedication to the mission. After the tapes were played the men would then swear under oath that all the statements on the tapes were fabrications. The most saddening moment was when John Strait denied that Col. Marvin saved his life. On the tapes, Mr. Strait spoke of how grateful he was that Col. Marvin “saved his a__”. Dan had pulled John Strait into a trench as a mortar round hit just a few feet away. Under oath he now denies it happened.

All through the trial Col. Marvin and Kris Millegan were dressed in suits and ties showing respect for the Federal Court. Dan always had on service pins showing his pride in his military career. All of the plaintiffs were dressed as though they were ready to go bowling. They never dressed to acknowledge the Court or the judge. Few of the plaintiffs wore anything that let you know these were career military men that had given most of their lives to protecting America. It was sad that they did not find pride in letting America know that they purchased the freedom we have with their time and dedication.

The many witnesses for the plaintiffs spoke of what was in the book. A Judge Advocate General for the Army that commanded many military lawyers said some of the things in the book might have been illegal as far as military justice and international law is concerned. On cross-examination by the defense attorney he admitted that independent missions sometimes work outside the law. He also admitted, under oath, that rarely would a soldier “following orders” on a mission be prosecuted. The JAG stated he knew of no soldier ever brought to trial in a case like this and because of the deniability of the orders, commanders would lie under oath and disavow any knowledge of the mission. Several other witnesses were called that had little or nothing to do with the case or were even in Viet Nam at the time.

It was very heartwarming to see a few loyal supporters stand by Dan and Kris throughout the entire ordeal. A Special Forces soldier from another state came to see the trial because he had read about it in the paper. He, too, had been on an independent mission in Southeast Asia. His small group of men paid a very heavy price as many of them did not come home. He has never spoken of the mission in almost 40 years and said he never would.

It is a fact that was brought out in court that the Special Forces Association financed the entire lawsuit against Col. Marvin and Mr. Millegan. One of the plaintiffs’ lawyers, Bobby Deaver, incorporated the Association. One can only wonder why this association would get involved in a personal legal battle that has nothing to do with a fraternal organization. I wonder how many members know how much of their dues went to fund this fight. The letters from the Special Forces Association to Kris Millegan stated they, SFA, had hard evidence to prove the book was nothing but lies. We can only imagine if the evidence presented in court was all they had. I also wonder if the members of the SFA agreed to the spending of their dues for this lawsuit that had to cost in excess of $100,000. With the truth coming out in court, maybe the association will get the truth and decide to go in a new direction with new leadership. I would hope Col. Marvin receives an apology in the SFA newsletter, “The Drop” but I won’t hold my breath.

There is one thing that must be said. The men that served in An Phu are heroes. The work that they did in befriending the local people was above and beyond the call of duty. The civic action that was performed was unbelievable. From building infirmaries and schools to health care and defending the area, every man did more than was thought possible. The battles they fought, when outnumbered, would cause most to run in fear. Anyone saying they would be that brave is speaking from inexperience. No one knows the courage they will have in a situation like these men faced. But then, to make a career in the Special Forces, knowing you are volunteering to do it again and again is more than I would be able to face. I salute the men of camp A-424 that served in An Phu. You are truly heroes. Our country thanks you. Be proud of what you have done and speak the truth.

Alabama (George Lindsey) Film Fest Hollywood Style by April Shenandoah

What is known as the Shoals area in and around Florence Alabama is an artist’s paradise. A plethora of authors, artists, actors, and musicians call this “Sweet Home Alabama.” Nashville and Memphis are a mere two hour drive away. Sam Phillips of Fame Recording Studios (Sun Records) and Elvis fame, and the majority of the rock & rollers of years past, budded and blossomed right here. California transplants, and there are many, feel right at home because of the varied artistic events and activities.

This year, was the 9th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival (2006) held March 2-5. It wasn’t Sundance, but it was wonderful! More than 100 films and events were held at the University of North Alabama and different locations around the city. The 106 films screened represented 10 countries and 34 states. The films were humorous, educational, entertaining, and a few were let’s say… not ready for prime time.

My two favorites (I didn’t see them all) were Gathering Remnants: A Cowboy Tribute (gatheringremnants.com), and Plagues and Pleasures of the Salton Sea (Professional Documentary Winner - saltonseadoc.com). I’m surprised that “Running Out of Time in Hollywood,” (the one I walked out on) was accepted by the festival board, let alone receive Honorable Mention. It was more disturbing than entertaining, and the vulgar language was over the top -- especially for the Bible belt. The concept was good – A 50-year old woman struggling against overwhelming odds to pursue an acting career.

The festival chair Dr. G. Garry Warren said, “Every year the festival has a different personality.” This year that personality was centered on the regional premiere of the Alabama produced film, “When I Find the Ocean,” written, directed and produced by the president of Cypress Moon Productions Tonya S. Holly (cypressmoonproduction.com). Her first full length feature film stars Lee Majors, Diane Ladd, Bernie Casey, Graham Greene, Richard Tyson, Amy Redford, David “Shark” Fralick, Pace Stoddard, Steve Viall, George Lindsey and introducing Lily Matland Holly. The story is beautiful, and the music composed by Flavio Motalla is exceptional!

Holly is a cancer survivor, a mother of two (Lily and Abby), and a cousin to Elvis. Her husband, Kelvin, is the lead guitar player for Little Richard. Recently she purchased the historic Muscle Shoals Sound building in Sheffield, AL. It is being refurbished for post production services, with sound stages, and a fully operating recording studio. [Muscle Shoals was the “recording capital of the world” in the 1970s. The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffet, and Percy Sledge recorded at the famous building.]

The star-studded-red-carpet gala held at the Marriott Shoals was done Hollywood style. A packed house for dinner and the film was just the shank of the evening with Holly receiving well deserved accolades, plus the city of Florence designating March 4th as Cypress Moon Day. Holly exclaimed that “When I Find the Ocean,” is a “Work of Heart.” and that she was “full, overwhelmed, and proud.” Daughter Lily said, “I’m speechless!” Los Angeles editors and journalists filled the press room – catching George Lindsey’s joke, “I was just happy to go there (the set) everyday – because we didn’t have much food at home.”

Little Richard in concert was a highlight of the evening. Delightful Diane Ladd, her husband, and I, were hanging out in the vestibule away from the deafening, to our delicate ears, music. The spectacular evening included a VIP party that continued on till the wee hours. Though Lindsey was a bit weary, he still hung in there flashing his “Goober” smile.

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
Columnist Guild News Bureau

Petitioners claim IRS harassment ~by Cliff Jones, Bureau Editor

Petitioners in a lawsuit arising in part from Internal Revenue Service failure to provide proof of any requirement to file and pay “income taxes” are claiming they are targets of stepped-up harassment from the agency.

The suit filed in July, 2004 by the We, The People Organization (WTP) was dismissed in August of last year and is currently on appeal.

WTP calls the action the “Right to Petition” suit, seeking whether the people have a right to hold government accountable and withhold their money until grievances are redressed, if government violates the constitution and refuses to respond to people’s petitions for redress.

WTP has long petitioned government officials regarding use of war powers, privacy and the USA-PATRIOT Act, lawfulness of the federal reserve system and IRS authority to lay and collect taxes upon wages of ordinary Americans.

In 2002 WTP delivered comprehensive petitions to every member of congress and certain of the executive, including Secretary of the Treasury and Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Apparently only one non-substantive reply was forthcoming, from a congressman.

In a decision in a separate suit, WTP founder and Chairman Bob Schulz garnered the stunning admission from U.S. Court of Appeals that people cannot be compelled to turn over property to IRS absent federal court order. IRS had delivered a “summons” to Schulz demanding he appear to produce books and records. The court dismissed Schulz v IRS using this admission. The suit sought to quash IRS “summons.”

Many of the petitioners in the ongoing suit have found themselves in receipt of similar IRS summons. But in the wake of Schulz v IRS, agents are now seeking the assistance of the court in compelling their appearance.

“This is harassment, plain and simple,” says one petitioner who wished to remain anonymous, “and lame,” she adds. “This is an order to show cause, they're making me drive hundreds of miles to show them why I 'think' I don't have to show them anything. But they're already over and done with us. They've cleaned us out for over $25,000, filed three notices of lien on our property, we can't use a bank account anymore... this proves they have no real authority. If they did, why aren't they seeking (the court's) assistance in further relieving us of our property? They've never had any court order for any of this.”

This is a valid point. The vast majority of takings on behalf of IRS are done without court order, one issue in WTP's petitions for redress, and apparently unlawful in light of Schulz v US.

IRS would only file such “order to show cause” in cases where response to their summons is not to their liking. It is likely WTP petitioners are aware of the implications of Schulz v US. But numbers of such summonses and to whom they are delivered, and thereafter whether they are followed up with a filing in court and in which cases, are not readily ascertained.

Several of the petitioners say they plan to respond to their suits by challenging IRS jurisdiction. Contacted for comment, WTP spokesman Mike Bodine stated “...we continue to assert in all our legal pleadings challenges to such jurisdiction and statutory authority. We, of course, do not believe they have any.”

Petitioners are using varying tactics in their challenges.

Says Bodine “If the courts did their job, IRS would be required to produce proof of such.” Something echoed by the petitioners. “We have been seeking precisely this answer for going on 6 years now.” says one.

But are these court filings targeted harassment? Absent comment from IRS on the matter this is difficult to ascertain. Given prior performance such comment is unlikely to be forthcoming.

But the petitioners have no doubt. “...yes a limited percentage of Plaintiffs have been contacted by IRS and believe they have suffered direct retaliation for being Plaintiffs,” says Bodine, adding “beyond that suffered to give them standing as a Plaintiff.”

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
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S.Africa's Collapsing Infrastructure by Jan Lamprecht

In the last few months I have been reporting on the slow but steady crumbling of S.Africa’s infrastructure.

In recent years Johannesburg’s electricity network has suffered from hundreds of blackouts. But these are on the increase. Johannesburg is of course the heart of S.Africa, and indeed of the entire African continent. Johannesburg is to Africa what New York is to America.

It is not just the electrical network which is suffering but also the telephone network which is in bad shape.

There have been outbreaks of diarrhoea and even typhoid in parts of S.Africa due to drinking water not being properly treated. Outbreaks of diarrhoea are now very common.

It should be remembered that under White rule, all of these things were functioning. So why are they collapsing now?

There are several causes. The main ones are:

Affirmative Action and the retrenching of skilled white workers and managers.
The redirecting of funds away from normal routine maintenance towards socialist projects for the blacks. The overloading of the current systems because the blacks do not pay for the electricity. Lack of management planning and forecasting.

This is the side of black rule which has always scared me. Simple things which used to work, without any problems for decades suddenly come to a grinding halt. Often, the Government’s attitude is to skimp on certain things like routine maintenance as much as possible and to later only react when things come to a grinding halt. They operate in “Management by Crisis” mode all the time.

By skimping on simple routine maintenance tasks, they are creating even bigger problems. To fix Johannesburg’s electricity supply problems properly will require approximately R2 billion. But they refuse to spend that money. So they instead asked the engineers what is the bare minimum required to patch the system. As a result they will only spend approximately R800 million on the infrastructure.

Would it not have cost a lot less if they had instead stuck to the routine maintenance plans?

Cape Town has been suffering from massive power outages for the last few weeks. It turned out that one of the generators at the Koeberg nuclear power station broke down.

On 1st March 2006, we had our Municipal/Local Govt elections. Just the night before, Alec Erwin, one of our Govt Ministers and an open communist held a press conference. He went on to suddenly blame the Koeberg problem on political sabotage! He claimed that the Govt had asked National Intelligence and the Police to investigate sabotage and the investigation was proceeding well! This was just another typical communist attempt at deflecting attention away from the real cause which is ANC mismanagement. The next day the opposition political parties decried this blatant lie.

Another major cause of our infrastructure problems come from ANC socialism which diverts funds away from formerly white suburbs and from the businesses to the blacks in the townships and shanty towns. The ANC has diverted countless billions of Rands to electrifying townships and squatter camps. They put up telephone lines as well.

In the days of Apartheid, the Govt had followed a more logical process of relocating these blacks in their squatter camps into more organised urban areas. Such relocation costs far less than building an entire infrastructure just to service people who have thrown together a few shacks. The world and the blacks hated it, but it was logical and it cost a lot less money.

Now the ANC is doing everything in the opposite way. But it will result in much more serious problems. By doing so they are overloading the systems. They are creating new infrastructure which will also have to be serviced while at the same time neglecting existing infrastructure (which also services the businesses).

And finally, the blacks do not want to pay for electricity or water. Billions of rand have had to be written off already.

Eleven years of ANC misrule is now resulting in the infrastructure collapsing. But the worst lies ahead.

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
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“Conspiracy theorists” vindicated ~by Cliff Jones, Bureau Editor

Federal plans for “concentration camps” in America, the takeover of local governments by federal “agencies” and “secret police” operating without any constitutional bounds have long been advanced by many informed Americans as being Washington's ultimate “end game.” For well over two decades such claims have been dismissed as “conspiracy theories.” But the recent announcement of Halliburton subsidiary KBR that it has been awarded $385 million to staff and run “detention facilities” on American soil now vindicates those who had advanced such “theories.”

Writing in the Pacific News Service, Peter Dale Scott reports KBR's contract is in fact part of an official program ominously named “Endgame.” Says Scott; “According to a 49-page Homeland Security document on the plan, Endgame expands "a mission first articulated in the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798." These acts were later struck down by the Jefferson administration as unconstitutional.

Activist-researcher Bernadine Smith has closely followed and diligently warned the public of numerous developments slowly paving the way toward Endgame, beginning with Oliver North's Reagan era “Rex 84” program and it's subsidiary operations “garden plot” and “cable splicer.”

These “conspiracy theories” have indeed long been facts available to the public. But the intent of such as Rex 84 and now Endgame have been and remain somewhat unclear. This may be in part due to a near blackout on coverage of such government plans in mainstream news venues.

But Nat Perry, writing for Alternet, perhaps fills in this blank, stating “Sen. Lindsey Graham suggested to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales a new target for the administration's domestic operations -- Fifth Columnists, supposedly disloyal Americans who sympathize and collaborate with the enemy.”

Senator Graham's sentiments are clearly in accordance with the stated Endgame mission; the reinstitution of the concept of “sedition” in America. Considering president George Bush's utterance that “you're either for us, or you're against us,” the legitimate question is raised as to what he means by “us.”

MELLOW MERLE MASTERFULLY MIXES PASSION, POETRY, & POLITICS by William Topel

The year 2005 brought us the latest Merle Haggard album, “Chicago Wind”. Long known as the poet balladeer of country music, Merle gave us his mellower side of his music in this album but did not forsake the meaningful lyrics for which he has been known for decades.

The opening song, “Chicago Wind” begins with a classical instrumental guitarwork, a la flamenco, before proceeding with the bluesy lyrics written by Merle, who wrote six of the eleven songs on this album. That opening song is just the prelude to what amounts to eleven musical performances befitting a finer concert hall setting or an evening at Austin City Limits, as Merle shows us that an older gentleman can sound like a younger folk artist, picking and strumming his guitar when needed, with the subdued country instrumentals in the background, & putting forth the melodic poetry from his experienced lips. Other songs written by Roger Miller and Dewayne Blackwell, two each, and one by Willie Nelson, complement Mr. Haggard’s solid authorship. The last song on the album, “Some of Us Fly”, is a duet with another solid contemporary songwriter, the famous Toby Keith, another Oklahoman.

The passion and poetry are supplemented by Merle’s social commentary, Via libertarian patriotism. The second song, “Where’s All The Freedom”, expresses the feelings that our liberties and social norms are being eroded during the time after 9/11:

“Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for
Is is still our creed from shore to shore
After a soldier fights, should we read him his new rights
There’s not that many to read anymore
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”

“Where’s all the freedom that we fought to save
It is gone for good with yesterday
Hey there ain’t no fun around
It’s the same in every town
Can’t show the Ten Commandments anymore
Where’s all the freedom that we fightin’ for.”

“My grandson done gone to battle
And I’m somewhere below Seattle
Can’t afford to take my car to the grocery store
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”

“My grandson done gone to battle
And I’m somewhere below Seattle
Countin’ the cars with police across the door
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”

“Where’s all the freedom that we’re prayin’ for
Are we a nation under God anymore
How long do we cower down
Is this really still our ground
Our country is like a prisoner of war
Where’s all the freedom that we’re fightin’ for.”
(Copyright 2005 Merle Haggard Music, Inc., BMI).
The eighth song, “America First”, continues with Merle’s traditional and contemporary political and philosophical statements:

“Why don’t we liberate these United States
We’re the ones who need it the worst
Let the rest of the world help us for a change
And let’s rebuild America first.”

“Our highways and bridges are falling apart
Who’s blessed and who has been cursed
There’s things to be done all over the world
But let’s rebuild America first.”

“Who’s on the hill and who’s watching the valley
Who’s in charge of it all
God bless the Army and God bless our liberty
Dadgum the rest of it all.”

“Yea, men in position but backing away
Freedom is stuck in reverse
Let’s get out of Iraq and get back on the track
And let’s rebuild America first.”

“Why don’t we liberate these United States
We’re the ones who need it the most
You think I’m blowing smoke
Boys it ain’t no joke
I make twenty trips a year from coast to coast.”
(Copyright 2005 Merle Haggard Music, Inc., BMI).
If you have never heard of Merle Haggard before this, or if you have a Stereotype impression of how country music sounds, you really need to listen to this magnificent album by one of country music’s finest living singer-songwriters. Merle’s smooth voice has not waivered over the decades, giving testament to this album’s melodic mellowness that will enable couples to cuddle up on the dance floor for the duration of this album. Merle’s lyrics & voice & subject matter are timeless. Like fine wine that gets better with time, Merle Haggard’s “Chicago Wind” album is this country crooner’s mellow masterpiece.

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Original Investigative Journalism from the
Columnist Guild News Bureau