The Geithner Exception

Had he been judged under the current code of political justice, Timothy Geithner would be home in New York, phoning old IMF friends for a job. Instead, the former tax scofflaw is U.S. Treasury Secretary. Call it the Geithner Exception. I'm for it. Before it fades from memory, Mr. Geithner's near-death experience deserves a closer look.

Working inside American politics is coming to resemble Stalinist Russia. In good standing one day, party loyalists or public officials can find themselves the next day taking a random bullet. How low the bar has fallen for summary execution became apparent during the presidential campaign.

In March, Obama foreign policy adviser Samantha Power was quoted by a newspaper in nearby Scotland calling Hillary Clinton a "monster." The Obama campaign immediately threw her out the window. Cowed and numbed, no one in politics raised an objecting peep at the absurd disproportion.

Next, Mrs. Clinton's chief strategist Mark Penn was put on a train to the gulag. Remember why? Time's up. For going to a meeting at the Colombia Embassy in his role as head of Burson-Marsteller. Under Washington rules, this was sufficient to decapitate the Clinton campaign.

More serious was the elimination of Paul Wolfowitz at the World Bank. After a media show trial that lasted several weeks, Mr. Wolfowitz lost his job running the Bank because apparatchiks inside concocted an ethics violation.

Judged by standards such as these, Tim Geithner -- a non-taxpaying Treasury Secretary -- should be toast.

Beyond these mockeries of useful standards lies Washington's double standard. Mr. Geithner is being waved through even as Rep. John Conyers and Sen. Carl Levin push their Orwellian "truth commissions" to put high Bush administration officials in the criminal dock. At this level of the game, an official doesn't just lose his job, comrade; he loses everything.

The just-issued Conyers report on "Reining in the Imperial Presidency" calls on the new Obama administration to "begin an independent criminal review (my emphasis) of activities of the outgoing administration, such as enhanced interrogation, extraordinary rendition, and domestic warrantless surveillance." As prelude, the House last February voted contempt of Congress against Bush White House officials Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers and referred them for prosecution.

Some may argue that a Tim Geithner or Eric Holder deserves no more quarter than the Democratic opposition has given former Justice Department official John Yoo or the other targets of the Democrats' calls for "criminal" prosecution of former government officials and CIA interrogators.

Others will say this is the normal rough and tumble of politics. It is not. It is more insidious than that. The system is on a downward spiral in which the notion that a sitting American government should be able to function is irrelevant.

Washington is falling to the level of a Web-based video game. Everyone is expendable. Treasury secretaries and presidential advisers are a dime a dozen. Put differently: The job-protected and gerrymandered lifers are driving out the competition. More often than not, Washington's worst people are destroying its better people.

In his report, Mr. Conyers cites a catalogue of good-government laws that flowed out of Richard Nixon's impeachment: the Federal Campaign Finance Act, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the Independent Counsel Act, the Ethics in Government Act, and the Presidential Records Act.

Whatever the original rationale for such laws, the rankest impulses in politics soon turned them into weapons to take down officials in a government one can't overthrow by other means. You could fill the whole House chamber with men and women who since Watergate have been driven out and bankrupted by them. Criminalizing policy differences has become the modern version of bills of attainder.

President Obama has to decide whether to pursue prosecutions of former Bush officials, especially the CIA's terror interrogators. He must realize that the exterminating angels, who come in two colors -- blue and red -- are ready to chase down him and his appointees.

Thus arrives the Geithner Exception. Getting to be Treasury secretary may be more than Mr. Geithner deserves. This is an opportunity, though, to admit that giving someone's government a chance to function, assuming that's any longer possible, is a greater public good than witch-burning. Amid an economic crisis, the new president said Mr. Geithner had his confidence. Now he has him. Let voters and the markets judge their performance, not the phony and ruinous moral outrage of the Beltway.


Write to henninger@wsj.com

Is it Shame_ Really?

After decades-lost to family ties, in my organically intuitive search to know love in this world_ I have finally reached a significant moment of liberation. Now comes the plea to that family left behind. A family I hope will not just continue to be at risk_ of remaining in chosen ignorance.

All past socially geeky, explosive expression aside_ I am breaking the codes of family silence. I am breaking the codes of family shame. I am walking away from the hold that terror has held in a lifelong mysterious domination on my life, because I have finally learned its name. I am relieved in the belief that I have very carefully finally learned, what you have always seemed to not want to know. I am relieved after doing much of the work to know that has always belonged to you to do_ for your own healing; for your own empowerment.

Consider: how might your life be from here?

That it is entirely likely that you are mentally ill and have always been, my whole life! Can you please stop hiding from this historically unnamed and possible truth now, and go explore it in open mindedness? In open "heartedness?"
In those experiences that are found in the empowerment of knowing_ wouldn't you want to get well? Explore to know!

Many years ago when I was in high school, the possibility of you being mentally ill was suggested by family members. I remember at that time, you more or less reactively asked for my validation that such a suggestion was ridiculous. As a daughter desperately wanting to be accepted by my mother at almost all costs, I agreed. Yet even at that time, my teenage gut held a twinge the possibility could have been otherwise. This twinge I recognize was my inner signal for the unnamed and terrorizing domination. Just as paradoxically it is that domination that has intuitively guided my entire life. Intuitively guided me to leave in order to survive. After decades now, slowly learning to finally name this mystery, I am at peace. I know I have finally learned, it is your mental illness that is and always was the reality we all tried to survive then, the best we each knew how. The not knowing years was a time in all our lives that was "every man for himself."

Now, the only veil between you and exploration of this potential, is the shame about being mentally ill and the habitualized support called family love that in its best intention, may actually prevent you from looking into this further for your own self. That shame is only ignorance! Ignorance that labels illness as shame!!! Ignorance does not know any better.
Mental illness CAN be cured. Check out this website, because mental illness is an illness! It is NOT shame!! It is an illness that is curable.

I am wishing you wellness because it is very possible for you. The explorative impact alone is also very beneficial for our family as a whole. Without an informed exploration, the continuing habits of reacting, labeling and negatively judging_ are only that.

I am also wishing you deep inner peace because I have always wanted to know who you really are. I am wishing that deep healing in you will be a reality for us to experience together in this lifetime, because nothing else can ever be otherwise between us.
This, albeit estranged lifelong searching, devoted to understanding what it would take to name a family member's illness and thus, begin to point to a family member's wellness_ is also what love really is. I truly feel I now know a significant piece in the "something is wrong here" that I feel strongly always has been... can you begin to explore letting this identity of not wanting to know_ go now? Can you find the strength and courage it will take, to know better?

I have no shame in you. Right now, I just cannot ever live near you as you are. I would however, be proud for you to know this very likely truth for your own self.

Who are we? What is this country?!!

Supplemental Protections Against Gender Discrimination

TITLE IX NEWS
In addition to reading the many announcements of the Senate vote passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act yesterday, please read the important details below about the unanimous Supreme Court Decision which supplements protections in Title IX by clearly allowing simultaneous use of the Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause.

Sue Klein
Education Equity Director
www.feminist.org/education

Supreme Court Protects Rights to Use Multiple Remedies Against Sex Discrimination in Education

Feminist Daily News Wire
January 22, 2009

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Wednesday that plaintiffs who experience gender discrimination can sue under both Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. The case, Fitzgerald v. Barnstable School Committee (see PDF), was summed up in an amicus brief signed by the Feminist Majority Foundation and filed by the Women's Rights Project of the ACLU and the National Women's Law Center: "The Supreme Court will decide whether a plaintiff who brings a Title IX claim to remedy sex discrimination by a school district receiving federal funds is precluded from bringing an equal protection claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the school district and the superintendent for unconstitutional sex discrimination." Section 1983 is the vehicle used to "provide for redress for persons who have been deprived of their federal constitutional and statutory rights by state and local officials."

The case began with the sexual harassment of kindergartner Jacqueline Fitzgerald on a school bus by a classmate in the 2000-2001 school year. The school refused to put a monitor on the bus and offered to place Jacqueline, but not the harasser, on a different bus. The Fitzgeralds' filed under Title IX, the Equal Protection Clause (under § 1983), and Massachusetts state law in federal district court. The Federal Courts in different circuits around the country have disagreed "as to whether claims can be asserted under both Title IX and § 1983, or only under Title IX," according to the National Women's Law Center.

Marcia Greenberger, co-president of the National Women's Law Center, said in a statement that with this ruling "The Supreme Court appropriately recognized that when Congress passed Title IX it intended to create a new statutory remedy that would supplement, not replace, Constitutional and other legal protections against sex discrimination. Effective enforcement of both Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution remains essential if sex discrimination in educational institutions is to be eliminated."

Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act!! Passes in the Senate...

The Senate tonight passed by a strong majority the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (S. 181) after defeating a series of Republican hostile amendments. The Senate floor debate for the Act was led by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Dean of the women Senators, for Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) after Majority Leader Senator Reid (D-NV) navigated the bill to the floor.

"President Obama and the Democratic Congress are keeping their pledge to women and all workers to reverse the Supreme Court decision that gutted the right of employees to fight wage discrimination," said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority. "We're on a roll to rebuilding women's rights and civil rights taken away during the Bush era."

The Senate Act, which has already passed the House in a version coupled with the Paycheck Fairness Act, will go back to the House as a single bill. The House is expected to pass the Senate bill on Tuesday. President Obama is expected to sign it into law shortly thereafter. In almost straight party line votes the Senate kept the pledge of President Obama to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act almost immediately after being sworn in.

Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson's killer amendment was defeated 55-40 in a nearly straight party vote with Democrats voting against it - only Republican Olympia (ME) voted with Democrats. Several other debilitating Republican amendments also went down to defeat.

The Ledbetter Act corrects the Roberts Supreme Court decision that gutted the ability of women workers to sue for wage discrimination. The Act passed helps not only women, but all workers who are victims of wage discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.

For Equality,

Eleanor Smeal Electronic Signature

Eleanor Smeal
President

1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 801, Arlington, VA 22209 | 703.522.2214 | femmaj@feminist.org

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Secretary of State

Indeed, as is being echoed across this land today: "Long live the Queen of Soul!"

Inauguration Celebration in Washington DC

Opening Performance for Obama Inauguration Celebration

BOO! on HBO for witholding their broadcast of the Obama Inauguration Celebration!
Thank-you!! European broadcasting for posting THEIR recording of this historic occasion to YouTube

***The young man singing with Pete and Bruce is Pete Seeger's grandson, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger!

Mental Illness Impact on Families

This video is part of a theme on Mental Illness for which I have discovered a voracious interest. The theme: "Mental Illness Impact on Families," is part of a series of resources with different focuses I am posting on all my blogs, for the empowerment of everyone who needs to hear this information and may want to tap into it! For example, check out this website for a wealth of knowledge and information!
I won't just focus on the impact on families_ I will also include resources (such as this video: "In Our Own Voices") for the individuals in our families and our communities who may be internally trapped by mental illness in one way or another.

I am doing this because I know that I am a family member impacted by a family member with mental illness, and I know how long it has taken me to uncover this deeply denied truth. A truth denied out of ignorance. A truth denied both by people once in charge who did not want to know and by those well-meaning care takers now in charge within the family who perhaps in the beginning unwittingly by virtue of historic patterns, nevertheless, still choose not to know. A truth denied out of a huge lack of socially accessible educational resources that belong more commonly available in all of our communities, throughout this entire country! Education that already does but still has room to inform many more Americans, about acceptance of the truth that mental illness is a disease that can be managed as so many diseases. We all need to learn more through education about, training in and contact to resources for this truth who's time is WAY overdue!

Susun Weed interview series, pt. 5 of 5

Susun Weed- Master herbalist, pt. 4 of 5

Susun Weed, pt. 3 of 5

This comment left on the pt. 3 YouTube video of Susun Weed, was too interesting to leave behind:
"Robert Hooke (English scientist 1635-1703) is recorded as the first person to build a compound microscope. Anton van Leeuwenhoek (Dutch cloth merchant1632-1723) made improvements to that microscope and was the first person to report living, single celled organisms. Sounds like Susun is referring to Leeuwenhoek. Once he discovered that there were microbes everywhere, he became obsessed with looking at everything he could get his hands on and describing with wonder and delight his observations."
_ originally posted by: mmp1888

Susun Weed, pt. 2 of 5

The Hour

THIS experience is NOT limited by GENDER!

Even though terror from our parents can infiltrate our Childhood.. we are still capable fo being POWERFUL

Chris Gardner, Pt. 2

One MAN who knows first hand, the devaluation women suffer in this country when our biology does its job!

The Pursuit of Happyness

This series of interviews with Chris Gardner about his life will also be interspersed here, due to recent posts that all of my blogs make CLEAR.

Now- Grandmother Herbalist- Susun Weed!

I will post this series recently found on YouTube; empowering information for those who choose to consciously partner with personal health! This is part 1.

One Night, One Voice. Help End Violence Against Women in Darfur.‏

What: A Night to End Violence Against Women in Darfur
Who: Women and Men Across the United States and Abroad
Where: Local Communities, Including Yours, United to Save Darfur!
When: February 11, 2009
How: Sign up to host a screening today!

On February 11, 2009, local communities like yours will come together in a night of advocacy to hear women's first-hand accounts of violence in Darfur and to take action. This advocacy night will begin with a screening of the new film Violence Against Women and the Darfur Genocide, followed by a live online discussion with a panel of experts.

Together on one night, with one voice, we will make a difference in the lives of Darfuri women.

Sign up now to host an advocacy night in your area. Save Darfur will provide you with materials, discussion guides and a copy of the film, which tells the personal stories of women who have survived attacks and sexual violence in Darfur.



Growing up in a small town in North Darfur, Niemat Ahmadi's eldest aunt was the decision maker in her family - above even her father. It was a position of utmost respect. But today's Darfuri women are under attack. In this much-changed landscape, Niemat carried a twelve-year-old Darfuri girl, bleeding from a sexual assault by seven men, to a hospital where her treatment was blocked by police officers.

Women have survived attacks of all kinds. Yet, bravely, they are speaking out. Together, we can raise the profile of this issue and, with one voice, fight the ongoing violence against women in Darfur.

For more information or to take part in this advocacy night, please sign up as an event host. We will provide a detailed events package to make your night a success, and together we will speak with one voice.

Regards,

Sarah Grundahl
Save Darfur Coalition

Number One With Special Prosecutor For Bush/Cheney Question On Obama Site

Voting STILL Open

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR QUESTION NUMBER ONE NOW ON THE OBAMA SITE

Thanks to your valiant participation, the question we told you about, asking about a special prosecutor for the gravest crimes of the Bush/Cheney administration is now NUMBER ONE on the official Obama site. And as of last check they are still open for voting. So if you have not voted already, the easiest way to find the question is:

1. Sign in at http://change.gov/openforquestions and remember you have to set up a login for yourself at that site to vote

2. Click on "Additional Issues" under "Pick a Topic" on the left

3. The special prosecutor question started by "Bob Fertik" should be the one leading the top of that section (and now leading all questions over all topics with 16,000 votes).

4. Look right for the checkbox, mouseover it so it goes from white to dark, then click to cast your vote

Please cast your vote as soon as possible, as the voting may close at any time. They may not work straight through holiday weekends, but we DO!

What this means is that Obama will now have to ANSWER this question on his official site, just as if he had accepted this question at a real press conference. And we're going to keep the heat on in every other possible way, just stay tuned.

THEN GET YOUR NEW CONVICT DICK & W CAP TO DEMONSTRATE WITH

As we in the White House accountability movement look forward, whether it's impeachment, federal prosecution, or state by state prosecutions as a last resort, the key word is "Convict". And that is why we have introduced a new cap to wear to continue to carry the ball with that says "CONVICT DICK & W" in red, white and blue. If you want to be one of the first to get one of these new caps please submit the page below.

New Convict Dick & W Cap: http://www.usalone.com/convict_cap.php

We are not setting a price for these. You can have one for a contribution of any amount. We just want to put as many out there as possible. And we will have much more news for you soon about planned actions to pressure prosecutors at all levels to step up to the plate and do their duty.

We are in this thing for the long haul, folks. The criminal dictators of the future can only be constrained by pursuing prosecution NOW of the criminal dictators of the present and past. In some cases it has taken many years of work by dedicated activists to bring criminal former heads of state to justice.

We the people will never forget the crimes of the Bush/Cheney administration. How can we? Their willful disasters will cripple our economy, our military, every aspect of our government and our own personal lives for many years to come. But if we just continue to speak out, someday soon enough there WILL be prosecutors at some level who will have the integrity, backbone and determination to do what Congress to their eternal shame did not.

Please take action NOW, so we can win all victories that are supposed to be ours, and forward this alert as widely as possible.

***The People's email network website with their mission statement can be located here.