So, in the midst of all of this media frenzy as of late (and your recent postings and mailings from USTV Media), I had to look up Julian Assange to remember that he is the WikiLeaks guy (not a French fashion designer), in the process finding on his Wikipedia page a little Wiki-montage of condemnations from the right-wing “opinion makers”. Wow! I was a little blown away. TERRORIST! KILL HIM! It’s like something out of V for Vendetta. I really wasn’t really expecting that. “Information terrorism”. Possibly the most amazing term ever coined in my lifetime. Thanks, Newt. I can’t wait for the next one.

Perhaps there should be more analysis put into following the reaction of right-wing pundits to WikiLeaks. I’ve only barely thought about it, but it feels like a potential gold mine for exposing true motivations of the monied interests. Aren’t the emperors of right-wing propaganda butt-ass naked on this one? Did they give any thought to overall message consistency before they came out so rabidly against Assange? Small govenment? Limited government power? Truth and justice? Democracy? Nope. Our stock portfolios are the only thing we actually care about. When the government is out there kicking ass in a way that benefits our stock portfolios, we’re all for it. We can’t let you expose the incompetence, waste, and deceit of our precious Strong Central Government, not in this case! Lies, secrecy, coercion, torture, raping and pillaging, you name it, we’re all for it as long as the gravy train keeps rolling, and we’ll f**king call for your DEATH if you get in the way. WOW!

Am I overreacting?

Here is the Wikipedia material:

A number of commentators, including current and former US government officials, have accused Assange of terrorism. Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has called Assange “a high-tech terrorist”,[140] and this view was mirrored by former US House speaker Newt Gingrich, who has been quoted as saying that “Information terrorism, which leads to people getting killed, is terrorism, and Julian Assange is engaged in terrorism. He should be treated as an enemy combatant.”[141] Within the media, an editorial in the Washington Times by Jeffrey T. Kuhner said Assange should be treated “the same way as other high-value terrorist targets”;[142][143] Fox News’ National Security Analyst and host “K.T.” McFarland has called Assange a terrorist, WikiLeaks “a terrorist organization” and has called for Bradley Manning’s execution if he is found guilty of making the leaks;[144] and former Nixon aide and talk radio host G. Gordon Liddy has reportedly suggested that Assange’s name be added to the “kill list” of terrorists who can be assassinated without a trial.[145]

Tom Flanagan, former campaign manager for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, commented in November 2010 that he thought Julian Assange should be assassinated. A complaint has been filed against Flanagan, which states that Flanagan “counselled and/or incited the assassination of Julian Assange contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada,” in his remarks on the CBC programme Power & Politics.[146] Flanagan has since apologised for the remarks made during the programme and claimed his intentions were never “to advocate or propose the assassination of Mr. Assange”.[147]

- Posted by Osideus

In regards to the national efforts to preserve access [such as via The CAP Act], here’s an idea:

“Go back to Public Access Roots” legally, and expose the FCC “sell out”.

How about using the very “tool” that is endangered by “producing a show” with the original concepts of “cable television.”

Originally “Cable (aka paid TV) was not and did not have ads. That was the selling point. The cable companies were using “public air space” which belongs to all the people.

Now there is equal time of programming as is ads. Also public access stations could not in any way ask for money.

There was competition from several cable companies to “win the franchise”. Now it is a monopoly on the airwaves.

(There should have been a protection of preventing local franchise governments selling out public access) Many local areas “sold out public access in order to “pocket the money cable companies had to give to support local public access by NOT REQUIRING the cable company to provide the: studio, training, equipment for public access; therefore endangering Public Access )

Now the media wants to put up Microwaves which may be unhealthy to the community, yet Public Access is endangered.

So perhaps what might be a talking point is “Cable TV can’t have ads” unless they supply a good public access in each community; that local governments many not receive any monies for a franchise in that area unless the station provides public access that is accessible to the public.

Revisit: Monopolies unlawful.

- A USTV Media Viewer/Reader

Andy, I remember when not only my radio show but the whole station went off the air when it was sold and the format changed. It was really sad for me to make that announcement. But then the letters came in about where were the listeners going to get this type of music and I further understood just how this change affected them, too.

So, from my side of the screen I am shocked and disappointed [regarding the announcement of the cessation of regular cablecasts of UnCommon Sense TV]. This is such a great program. When it comes to analyzing issues, you and Ed rank with the best nationally. I feel like a part of me will be gone because there is such superficial trash out there.

May you both have good fortune in the future.

- Grant Wadsworth

So Democracy Now! is a propaganda tool of the CIA in order to spread disinformation as part of their plan to institute a ‘communist regime’, being funded by a foundation established by one of the patron saints of American capitalism and a notorious anti-Semite, whose framed photo hung on the wall of Hitler’s office.

If Democracy Now! is ‘absolutely the opposite of what we need in this country’, I can only wonder what this individual would describe as being what exactly it *is* that this country needs.

Amy Goodman and Democracy Now get over a million dollars a year in grants and is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and The Ford Foundation, a cover operation for CIA sponsored projects-including disinformation. Why should we give her any of our money when she already gets far more than her share through our taxes.

This program you are trying so diligently to help is absolutely the opposite of what we need in this country. There was a time when I thought she was helpful to the cause of America, but she has either been bought or she was always part of the communist regime. And you know Andy after meeting you I have to say, I feel you may be part of the same team as Goodman and not on the side of a free and fair constitutional America any longer. It appears that you too have been bought or fooled.

There is more than enough evidence to suggest Democracy Now is not on the side of US of A or her people.

I would suggest strongly that you more carefully pick your allies.

If you are not going to take a serious and unbiased look into her actions then take me off of your mailing list and I will know precisely where you stand on what you have proclaimed to be your truth all these years.

Regarding any accusations about my being “fooled” or, more libelously, “bought”, anyone can read or view the extensive record documenting my perspectives and the wealth of information they are founded on throughout the USTV Media website.

Update: Amy Goodman receives recognition of a more positive form with this rather well-deserved award, known as the ‘Alternative Nobel’.

I think your program on Sunday is great. A political oasis of sorts given all the BS spewing forth from everywhere else on cable and mainstream media. I have urged everyone I know to go to your website and to watch your program. The “sheople” need to engage some critical thinking about what is happening before our very eyes…your program is an important part of making this happen…Thanks patriot…Kathy

Andy, Ed, and the UnCommon Sense TV Crew,

Thank you for your years of dedicated efforts towards the education of the citizenry and your perpetual agitation towards helping the nation to regain at least a portion of self-government from the dictates of the Neo-Con agenda. Events like the 2006 election results couldn’t have happened without your efforts and your many compatriots around the country. I was glad to see the recent Vanity Fair article (entitled “Neo Culpa”) — but, I think that it was a calculated decision on their part (the Neo-Cons) to distance themselves from the now obvious consequences of their “dictates”.

You and your contemporaries across the nation truly did a magnificent job and you should be proud of your accomplishments. I hope now that everyone can help do their part in insuring a meaningful outcome in the fight for “net neutrality” and support for public access.

Your Friend and Supporter,
RE

A viewer comments on a matter we have been contacted about before…

I was watching one of your shows online and I believe your American flag is being displayed incorrectly.

“When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.”

I understand you are trying to defend the constitution on your show, but it doesnt help when you display the flag incorrectly.

Dear [Viewer],

You are absolutely correct about the correct display of flags against a wall. However, although it may not be obvious on TV, the flags we display in the studio when we produce the show ARE on staffs, which are mounted on metal frame towers to either side of the stage set. They are not against a wall or a backdrop, but are in the middle of open space. We are well aware of the point you are making about correct display of the flag, and we once had a phone call from a viewer about this subject. Thank you for your concern about this. However, we have not forgotten the lessons that every child should know from elementary school about proper and respectful display of the flag.

We hope that you find the information and perspective we present on the show helpful. Our main concern is democracy, and defending the principles of a democratic republic. We are working to promote the restoration of constitutional government and the expansion of the democratic rights of people (as opposed to the legal fiction of transnational corporations being considered people).

Thanks for your concern, for taking the time to express it, and for being courteous about it.

- Ed Lacy, USTV Media

Doesn’t the Bible admonish against bearing false witness? I suppose that the viewer failed to notice that we were not criticizing Christianity per se, but pointing out that the United States was not founded on religion. The points we made in our programs on religion and the state were not against Christianity but against false claims about the founding of the nation by people who purport to be devout Christians. The whole point of our program was to defend the democratic structure of the nation in general and one of the key principles that, in particular, differentiate the United States from theocracies such as contemporary Iran or the interregnum (Cromwellian) England of the 17th Century.

- Ed Lacy, USTV Media

Thank you for your attacks on Christians and some of their silly leaders. We (Muslim) have been saying your points for years! Where have you been? You are helping us to gain much needed support. Thank you again. Soon you too will convert to Islam (I hope soon) as we represent the future of the world.

Our plans for those who do not convert are not so happy. But when it is all done you will be much more happy in your new world. Imagine no more war! Only praise to Allah! We are over 8 million strong here in this country (USA) and already have 50 million in Europe. The time grows near! PRAISE ALLAH!

One of our great leaders Moammar Gadhafi who leads the Libyan people to great things says:

“Some people believe that Mohammed is the prophet of the Arabs or Muslims alone. This is a mistake. Mohammed is the prophet of all people. He superseded all previous religions! If Jesus were alive when Mohammed was sent, he would have followed him. All people must be Muslims”.

Please hear his true words. If not then you must suffer the infidels fate! This is not good. I will send to you good people and your staff directions to web sites that will help you to the right way so thet you will not suffer as many infidels will.

Continue to condem christian beliefs. Your awards await you! DO NOT LET DOWN ALLAH!

I will direct my friends to this web site as it is good (as is Fatah) for all Muslims.

PRAISE ALLAH!

- HAMED

This person makes the attempt of being cute with his silly moniker of “Hamed.” I have to wonder about the distinct possibility of real psychological projection at work here, considering the familiarity and similarity of this rhetoric with powerful sects in American culture, most notably the Christian Dominionist and the rapture cultists. (For more on these ever-present entities we recommend the works of Chris Hedges, as well as www.theocracywatch.org).

So does this viewer really believe we are in a legitimately global ‘crusade’ against Islam itself? If so, which brand? Shia? Sunni? Maybe this will help explain to the viewer some of the differences. What is scary about this is the fact that important policy makers in Washington, those responsible for this ‘crusade’ and our Middle East war policy, clearly have no clue as to what the heck this is all about. Truly incompetent and irresponsible people. But then, that is the M.O. of the GOP ruling authorities.

Of particular curiosity is the implied dig at Islam for supposedly promising global peace only after they have “Islamitized” the entire planet and forced compulsion amongst all to worshipping the religion. How does that compare to the christianists who claim Jesus will only return after global armageddon, which will then usher in a 1,000 years of peace in a world of only believers?

And are we really opposing radical Islamic fundamentalism, or simply incorporating such types of intolerant hatred into our own culture? People like those who run Jesus Camp are not in opposition to radical muslim extremism as much as they are mirroring it.

Jesus Camp

“The children at the Kids on Fire summer camp are intent as they pray over a cardboard cutout of President George Bush. They raise their hands in the air and sway, eyes closed, as they join the chant for “righteous judges”. Tears stream down their faces as they are told that they are “phonies” and “hypocrites” and must wash their hands in bottled water to drive out the devil.

The documentary film Jesus Camp follows three children at the Kids on Fire Pentecostal summer camp in the small city of Devil’s Lake, North Dakota.

…At one point Pastor Fischer equates the preparation she is giving children with the training of terrorists in the Middle East. “I want to see young people who are as committed to the cause of Jesus Christ as the young people are to the cause of Islam,” she tells the camera. “I want to see them radically laying down their lives for the gospel, as they are over in Pakistan and Israel and Palestine.”

They cry, pray to Bush and wash out the devil - welcome to Jesus Camp

A Christian madrassa for the Jesus Jugend.

- Andy Valeri, USTV Media

Not sure to what to make of this, considering this was the entirety of the comment, with no identification, contact information or even explanation for the purpose of its being sent.

“What ever happened to the ‘might of the many used to help protect the rights of the one’?

It seems to be an attempt to suggest that collective actions that limit personal action are abuses against individuals. This is the common refrain of people who have forgotten that their rights to swing their arm ends where other people’s noses begin.

- Ed Lacy
USTV Media

I appreiciate very much your broadcasting the interview with Phil Donahue. Phil speaks the truth, I miss viewing his TV program, and daily stimuli.

He still has that elusive “IT,” and although starting to show his age, he still is very much with it. Oprah or Jon Stewart should employ, or subsidize/sponser a T.V. or radio program for him. Ralph Nader and Phil Donahue should partner in something…anything. They need to spank their agents, or get new ones, to stay in the limelight. Americans need to be re-awakened, the few that aren’t totally apathetic. I guess my political science instructor in high school was correct when he expressed to the class one day, “The Masses are Asses.”

I’ve placed your web site on my favorites list.

Thanks again,
Frank A.
Portland, Oregon