The Politics of Office

[nattyreb]

The Politics of Office
[col. writ. 5/16/09] (c) '09 Mumia Abu-Jamal


There are many things to be learned by the nation's most recent presidential election; some new; some old.

In some ways, this election marked a new page in history, and as such, has had impacts and influences that were quite unprecedented.

In other ways, this election is an exercise in continuity, as the administration, like the 2006 congressional elections before it, strove mightily to reassure the wealthy and well-to-do that nothing essential would change, and their interests would be protected.

And while President Barack H. Obama ran on the promise of change, he has adopted some of the same policies of the Bush administration.

He will not release photos of U.S. soldiers mistreating, abusing, torturing and/or humiliating foreign prisoners and detainees.

He will continue the military commissions begun under the Bush-Cheney regime, albeit with some procedural changes.

And several of the so-called 'black sites', secret prisons placed around the world and administered by the CIA, will keep right on humming.

And, of course, he will continue to prosecute the wars begun and waged under the previous administration; though it appears Afghanistan will garner the lion's share of White House attention.

Boy, what a difference an election makes.

Or, put quite another way, running for an office is worlds away from getting it.

The fact of the matter is the previous administration comprised perhaps the greatest collection of rogues, scoundrels and corporate criminals since the time of Herbert Hoover, but it matters not.

No matter what crimes were committed, no matter how badly the Constitution was shredded, no matter how many 'black sites' or Guantanamo's, they know that they are immune.

Their impeachment argument was 'off the table' : now, any real prosecutions are. Why? Because that's politics.

There's a French saying: "Plus ca change...." "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

--(c) '-9 Mumia Abu-Jamal

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Mumia Abu-Jamal's new book -- JAILHOUSE LAWYERS: PRISONERS DEFENDING PRISONERS V. THE USA, featuring an introduction by Angela Y. Davis -- has been released! It is available from City Lights Books: Jailhouse Lawyers, Prisoners Defending Prisoners v. the U.S.A.
If you are planning to organize an event or would like to order in bulk, you can also receive a 45% discount on any bulk orders of 20 copies or more. The book retails for $16.95, for orders of 20 copies or more the discounted price would be $9.32 per book, plus shipping and handling. Prepayment would be required and books are nonreturnable. If you or your organization would like to place a bulk order, please contact Stacey Lewis at 415.362.1901 or stacey@citylights.com

Let's use the opportunity of the publication of this brilliant, moving, vintage Mumia book to build the momentum for his case, to raise the money we desperately need in these challenging economic times, to get the word out – to produce literature, flyers, posters, videos, DVD's; to send organizers out to help build new chapters and strengthen old ones, TO GET THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREETS … all the work that we must do in order to FREE MUMIA as he faces LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE OR EXECUTION!
Please make a contribution to help free Mumia. Donations to the grassroots work will go to both INTERNATIONAL CONCERNED FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL and the FREE MUMIA ABU-JAMAL COALITION (NYC).

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition, NYC

Please mail donations/ checks to:
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