Volume 7 Issue 25…Dedicated to the Dialogue on Race…June 25, 2004

Ida Minerva Tarbell (1857-1944)

Born on November 5, 1857, in Erie County, Pennsylvania, Ida M. Tarbell is considered America's first great female journalist. Educated in the liberal arts at Allegheny College (Meadville, Pennsylvania), she was the only woman in the graduating class of 1880.

Tarbell's career in journalism began with the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (1883-91). In 1891, she went to Paris, where she studied at the Sorbonne and supported herself by writing for American magazines. S.S. McClure, founder of McClure's Magazine, hired her as a full-time writer in 1894.

Her most famous work, History of the Standard Oil Company (1904), detailed the illegal business practices employed by John D. Rockefeller to monopolize the oil industry. In 1906, the government filed a lawsuit against the Standard Oil Trust under the Sherman Antitrust Act, which Congress approved on July 2, 1890. Five years later (1911) the Supreme Court found trusts were monopolies guilty of violating the act.

Tarbell's reputation as a journalist grew. Her articles helped shape investigative reporting of the period. Theodore Roosevelt derisively labeled her brand of journalism muckraking, a moniker Tarbell rejected.

Tarbell wrote for American Magazine, which she co-owned with Lincoln Steffens, Ray Baker and several others, from 1906 until it was sold in 1915. She lectured, wrote and served on various governmental bodies concerned with issues such as defense, industry and unemployment. Her other works include Short Life of Napoleon Bonaparte (1895), Life of Abraham Lincoln (1900), The Nationalizing of Business, 1878-1898 (1936), and All in the Day's Work: An Autobiography (1939). She died on January 6, 1944.

On October 7, 2000, Tarbell was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. The United States Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating her and journalists Marguerite Higgins, Ethel Payne and Nellie Bly on September 14, 2002. (Sources: www.press.uillinois.edu and www.tarbell.alleg.edu)

By Carl Sandburg (1878-1967)

In the old wars drum of hoofs and the beat of shod feet.

In the new wars hum of motors and the tread of rubber tires.

In the wars to come silent wheels and whirr of rods

not yet dreamed out in the heads of men.

In the old wars clutches of short swords and jabs into faces with spears.

In the new wars long range guns and smashed walls, guns running a spit of metal and men falling in tens and twenties.

In the wars to come new silent deaths, new silent hurlers

not yet dreamed out in the heads of men.

In the old wars kings quarreling and thousands of men following.

In the new wars kings quarreling and millions of men following.

In the wars to come kings kicked under the dust and millions of men following

great causes not yet dreamed out in the heads of men.

About Me: Poet and biographer, Carl Sandburg quit school at age13. He fought in the Spanish-American War (1898). He won Pulitzer prizes for Abraham Lincoln: the War Years (1940) and Complete Poems (1951). His other well-know works include Chicago Poems (1916) and Smoke and Steel (1920). (Sources: www.americanpoems.com/)

By John Burl Smith

Considering legacy, one's reflections and decisions automatically turn to future generations. Immediate impact is evaluated by assessing whether and by how much future generations appreciate what was done. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln expressed this sentiment in his famous Gettysburg Address.

Lincoln sought the U.S. presidency expecting to approach issues as he imagined them on the campaign trail. Once in office and the Union at stake, Lincoln's thoughts turned to what was necessary to preserve the ship of state. Never intending to emancipate slaves as a candidate, but faced with Confederate victories and high casualties as president, freeing slaves addressed a manpower problem and satisfied some of his constituency by committing the nation to a future of greater freedom, justice and equality.

Election 2004 presents John Kerry with the same prospects for legacy as Lincoln in 1860. Choosing between George W. Bush and Kerry has voters unsure that either choice will substantially change America's current course. Since 9-11, war and deficits "as for as the eyes can see" dominate the future Bush promises. A growing body count in Iraq adds grim realities to Bush's preemption policy. A unilateralist, perceived threats are the same as overt action in Bush's "go it alone" world. His militaristic approach to international problems makes America's diplomatic legacy a prelude to war.

Any fair-minded individual will concede that upon entering the White House Lincoln was no different than Bush, in that, neither had any idea what the presidency would bring. However, unlike Lincoln, Bush's thoughts turned to gains in the "here and now." Heavenly rewards were not the desire of this "born-again compassionate conservative Christian." His decisions were aimed at making the world over in his image, so that he could profit from his marvelous handiwork. Bush's legacy for the future is a mountain of debt that grows unchecked like the Iraqi civilian body count.

Also reflective of 1860, implications of Election 2004 go far beyond the personalities on the ballot. Considering legacy, the decision for voters revolves around which candidate is most likely to be influenced by circumstances and which will ignore available information or obvious realities in order to pursue a predetermined course. On November 2, 2004, those who voted against Bush in 2000 will do so again, if they vote. Conversely, those who voted for Bush are in a real quandary, because they realize now to do so again means "four more years" of wars for oil and profits.

Americans, in particular rank and file Democrats, have stated clearly where they want the country to go. The question remains, does Kerry plan to take us there? Given that the hip-hop generation is searching for real direction, Kerry's challenge is to provide opportunities for hip-hoppers to help create a real American legacy of freedom, justice and equality reality. Kerry must decide whether to use young lives to build a future inclusive of all or sacrifice them on the altar of corporate greed. "Staying the course" or deviating slightly to the left makes Kerry "Bush-lite." As Iraq shows, "Bush-lite" neither removes the bad taste of Bush's legacy of soaring deficits, massive debt and bigger body counts to the palate, nor makes them easier to swallow.

Ethics Investigation of Tom DeLay

US Rep. Chris Bell of Houston filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee against Tom DeLay. Bell's complaint charged DeLay with improperly accepting campaign contributions from Kansas-based Westar Energy Corp. in exchange for help in securing a special exemption from federal regulation, funneling illegal corporate contributions through the Texans for a Republican Majority political action committee to GOP candidates for the Texas House and soliciting the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to track more than 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled from Austin to Ardmore, Oklahoma in 2003.

The Ethics committee has not launched a serious investigation in seven years. There has been an unofficial "truce" between the parties to look the other way. Yet, these are serious allegations that, if true, show a complete disregard for the rule of law. It is generally assumed that Delay, a.k.a. "The Hammer," will use his position as majority leader to kill any investigation.

If you believe the Ethics committee should investigate these serious charges, please sign the petition at www.drivedemocracy.org/petition/ethicsdelay/. It urges committee members to put their responsibilities to the Constitution ahead of their fear of Delay. You can also call or write your congressional representatives and urge them to take action on this matter. Copies of the petition will be delivered to the Ethics Committee.

Standard Oil Legacy: US Business Practices

Founded in 1872 by U.S. entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller, the Standard Oil Company used railroad-rate discrimination, espionage, bogus companies, bribes, and other ruthless practices to corner the oil market. A fierce proponent of market consolidation, Rockefeller hated the "wasteful conditions" created under perfect competition. He believed the era of individualism was over and monopoly was the way of the future.

Epitomizing U.S. enterprise, Rockefeller crushed competitors by gaining unfair advantage through special rates and secret rebates exacted from railroads. By manufacturing all commodities necessary to the oil business, he strengthened his position. In 1879, the process of consolidation and the suppression of competition were sped up with the formation of the Standard Oil Trust, which controlled the capital stock of 27 companies. Standard Oil's market dominance effectively ended competition and profits soared.

The Standard Oil Trust was broken up after the 1911 Supreme Court ruling against the monopoly. Its legacy of ruthless business practices continues as evidenced by the unethical and illegal methods used to facilitate the rise of fallen giants Enron and Worldcom.

Recent allegations of bribery and corruption by oil services giant Halliburton in a scandal surrounding a $6 billion gas-liquefaction factory in Nigeria reek Rockefeller. At the time the alleged bribe took place, Vice President Dick Cheney was Halliburton's CEO. The scandal investigation, which is headed by a French magistrate judge, could lead to Cheney's indictment.

Despite protestations to the contrary, Cheney has been implicated in securing no-bid government contracts for Halliburton, the largest contractor in war-torn Iraq. US House Democrats urged the appointment of a special counsel to determine if Cheney broke the law. Internal documents show Cheney "coordinated" the action that led to the award of a contract to Halliburton to rebuild Iraq's oil infrastructure. In addition, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) has urged Congress to examine waste, fraud and abuse allegations involving Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown & Root.

These examples show the unethical and illegal business practices that gave rise to the Standard Oil Trust lives on. Historically, wars have been profitable for big businesses that honor Standard's legacy.

Law Professors and Lawyers on Impeachment

In a June 14, 2004 letter, available at www.iraq-letter.com, a group of more than 450 professors of law, international relations and public policy called on Congress to hold accountable, through impeachment and removal, if appropriate, civilian officials from the top of the Executive Branch on down for policies developed at high levels that facilitated abuses at Abu Ghraib. The group argued "that the abuses practiced on detainees under American control are the consequence of policies developed at the highest levels in the months and years immediately preceding the scandal."

Similarly, under a "command responsibility" theory, the National Lawyers Guild has called for George W. Bush's prosecution under the War Crimes Act. Founded in 1937, the National Lawyers Guild has more than 6,000 members. Headquartered in New York, Guild members believe Bush's January 2003 State of the Union Address, which contained the statement: "All told, more than 3,000 suspected terrorists have been arrested in many countries, and many others have met a different fate." "Let's put it this way," he continued, "they are no longer a problem for the United States and our friends and allies," is an implicit admission that he sanctioned the willful killing, torture and/or inhuman treatment.

According to the Guild, "willful killing, torture and inhuman treatment constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Convention, which are considered war crimes under the War Crimes Act of 1996. The Constitution mandates the impeachment of a President for high crimes and misdemeanors. There is no higher crime than a war crime. Moreover, based on internal memos regarding the use of torture, there has been a blatant disregard for the Separation of Powers doctrine. Clearly, these memos and the policies advanced within them contradict the landmark ruling in the Korean War case, Youngstown Sheet & Tire Co. v. Sawyers. The Supreme Court in that case: "In the framework of our Constitution, the President's power to see that the laws are faithfully executed refutes the idea that he is to be a lawmaker."

The professors and lawyers rightfully argue that the prosecution of lower level personnel "while necessary, is clearly insufficient." They have asked Congress to assume its constitutional responsibility to review the interrogation policies and practices and take appropriate action. Inaction is not an option.

Disgruntled feels: Obfuscation! After George W. Bush declared, "This is not us; this is not our soul," the administration authorized a document dump of torture records. Ostensibly provided to answer questions about the treatment of war on terror detainees, the documents are a red herring. A similar ploy was effectively used to end questions about Bush's less than exemplary National Guard Service. But, this dump raised more questions than it answered. Such obvious obfuscation is getting old, if not for the press, then certainly with the public.

Disgruntled says: Recent developments in U.S. politics have made it easy to tell when the government has been caught in a blatant lie and wish to justify the prevarication. Blacks that will not broach the topic of black votes not counted appear in all kinds of media trying to explain inexplicable lies. Likewise, whenever an unscrupulous politician seeks redemption or is in trouble with the electorate, he/she invariably heads to the pulpit of a black church. Unfortunately, this sad legacy continues because, like other prostitutes, some black preachers cannot resist the call of the almighty dollar.

Disgruntled wants to know: A number of respected organizations have raised concerns about the direction of U.S. foreign and domestic policies. When the commission investigating the 9-11 attacks announced no credible evidence links Saddam Hussein to Al Qaeda, one more reason for the war against Iraq dissolved into thin air. There were no weapons of mass destruction; Iraq did not pose an imminent threat to U.S. security. Unlike Bill Clinton's lies about sex, Bush's lies led us into a war of choice that has resulted in untold death and destruction. Liberals, moderates and some conservatives are asking should George W. Bush be impeached and removed from office before greater damage is done?

Email afr_list@mailmanager.net President Bush spent the Memorial Day weekend thanking the nation's veterans for their service mere hours after his administration announced plans to slash veterans health care funding in 2005. The administration released a memo detailing a plan to cut $1 billion from the Veterans Administration in the first budget of its second term. The cut will mean the closure of veterans hospitals and the loss of existing prescription drug coverage for thousands of veterans. Bush has threatened to veto any bill that allows veterans to receive both the military pension and any disability compensation to which they are entitled.

Email causenet@commoncause.org Everyday, more information emerges about a disturbing trend in Iraq, private contractors enriching themselves at public expense. Stories about Halliburton include a report by auditors at the Pentagon that found serious problems with overcharging and waste on contracts presently worth over $4 billion. You CAN do something about it. Call your Senators and ask them to support the Leahy Amendment to deter war profiteering. Leahy's anti-war-profiteering amendment would subject contractors working abroad for Uncle Sam with stiff penalties - up to 20 years in jail and $1 million in fines - if they overcharge, cheat, or lie to the government. You can reach the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Email www.gregpalast.com In the 2000 presidential election, 1.9 million Americans cast ballots that no one counted. "Spoiled votes" is the technical term. Ballots left to rot have a distinctly dark hue: About 1 million of them -- half of the rejected ballots --- were African Americans although black voters make up only 12 percent of the electorate. How do you spoil 2 million ballots? Not by leaving them out of the fridge too long. A stray mark, a jammed machine, a punch card punched twice will do it. It's easy to lose your vote, especially when some politician wants your vote lost.

Email kcstrips@yahoo.com The CIA has decided that about one-third of a U.S. Senate report criticizing prewar intelligence on Iraq contains secret information that should not be released to the public. The report examines the intelligence on Iraq before the US-led invasion, including estimates that Baghdad had stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons. Bush justified his decision to go to war by citing a threat from Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. No stockpile of chemical or biological weapons has been found.

Email www.nytimes.com The leaders of the 9-11 Commission called on Vice President Dick Cheney to turn over any intelligence reports that would support the White House's insistence that there was a close relationship between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. The commission expressed an interest in seeing any additional information after Cheney, in a television interview, was asked whether he knew things about Iraq's links to terrorist that the commission did not know. "Probably," Mr. Cheney replied.

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