Free Speech Zones!

[Cyxeris]

[egw]

Creative people are by nature free-thinking and independent-minded.
We value our freedom of expression more than most people, and rightfully so. It is those with the natural urge to express themselves who are most often oppressed. And it is we who must stand up for these rights, because most people don't care all that much and will sacrifice them for what they believe is more "security". The politics of fear is very compelling.

Cyx, if you do study the constitution you will get the impression that you have certain rights. But in a time of "war" if you are a "suspected" enemy or terrorist, then apparently you have none, even if you are a US citizen. This blatant disregard for the fundamental principles of our society by the bush/cheney/ashcroft regime scares me even more than their hate, war, and fear mongering, their corruption and sellout to corporate interests, their destruction of our environment, and gross mismanagement of our economy.

Well I guess this post has enough keywords that the "Total Information Awareness" folks will flag me as a potential troublemaker!

[Michael Chocholak]

I know I just posted my tracks on another thread, however, I just listened to No Apologies To Kafka again and really think anyone on this thread would, umm, appreciate a listen too. It's here on my SoundClick page, seventh track down. 'Warning Will Robinson' - I don't recommend bouncing the little ones on your knee while listening. Enjoy!

[Cyxeris]

[elektro80]

Back to the precrime.. future crime thread?
You can be found guilty... and the vital part is not what what you have done or will do.. you are GUILTY..period.. of something.

I do not really think we have been tagged as rampant terrorists yet. But if there is a precrime bot stalking the web.. we are most probably already registered as potential followers of the soon to be reincarnated Mahatma Gandhi. This is probably not a cool thing, I imagine. On the other hand, the political climate can change. I do not believe that the US is a lost cause. Changes can come fast and changes can come peacefully. Noone has to suffer. Hmm.. well.. companies profiting from wars will probably have to go for the health care industry instead.

[Cyxeris]

[elektro80]

See, health care is the best way to wage a war.

[Cyxeris]

You know what characteristic I love so very much about people like us? Our inate ability to substantiate and quantify any and all potential horrors associated with great and positive developments, be they social, medical, economic, cultural, whatever. On one hand, concept assassains, on the other, potential prophets.

Cyx

[elektro80]

Art is what we do. This forum is where they keep us.

[Cyxeris]

[elektro80]

So.. instead of telling the parents of the dead soldiers that he sent them there on a lie... he does this:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2001858713_bush16.html

Bush courts Daytona 500 crowd, tries to hold on to 'NASCAR dads'

By Mike Allen and Liz Clarke
The Washington Post

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — President Bush cued the engines of the Daytona 500 yesterday afternoon and then settled in for a dizzying view of NASCAR's biggest race as he courted a rugged crowd the GOP considers its own.

The White House described Bush's overnight trip to Florida as nonpolitical, meaning that taxpayers — not Bush's re-election campaign — will pick up the tab.

But the election-year agenda was clear from the magnificent presidential photo shots and the red, white and blue touring bus the Republican National Committee deployed at the track for a voter-registration drive.

Although NASCAR officials insist their fans have steadily diversified, stock-car races remain a refuge from political correctness, with cigarettes and buckets of fried chicken welcome in the stands. Beer is sold in towering 16-ounce cans known as "tall boys." Bush's motorcade was greeted by several men waving Confederate flags from atop the roofs of their pickups.

Even in this conservative and largely adoring crowd, however, there were signs of trouble for Bush, whose job-approval ratings have dropped to the lowest of his presidency amid questions about the basis for war in Iraq.

Harry Meeks, 55, an owner of health clubs in Orlando, Fla., said he voted for Bush in 2000 but is considering the Democrats for the first time in his life.

"Let's face it, the economy isn't that great, and there was deceit about the war," Meeks said. "He needs to come clean on Iraq and come up with a real program for the economy that benefits people who don't make more than $200,000 a year."

But other fans gave the president a warm reception. "He's like me," said Thomas Hanner, 58, a self-employed contractor from Sarasota, Fla. "His swagger, his confidence — I can relate to his thinking."

Bush's appearance before 180,000 race fans in the grandstands and infield — and TV audience of perhaps 35 million — was the most visible sign so far of the parties' competition for a group of socially conservative but economically struggling white men in the South and Midwest that political consultants have taken to calling "NASCAR dads."
 








Years ago, these voters were known as "Reagan Democrats," and the Republican Party has mostly held on to them over the past two decades.

But some Democratic strategists think that job losses during Bush's term, which have been concentrated among the blue-collar communities that historically have provided most of the fans for stock-car racing, offer an opening to prevent the president from sweeping the South in November.

"Bush needs to protect his flank," said David "Mudcat" Saunders, a consultant in Roanoke, Va., who advised Virginia's Democratic Gov. Mark Warner. "These are people who say grace at the dinner table, but then they talk about all the jobs that we've lost, and how they're going to pay for their health care."

Analysts disagree over how definable a bloc is NASCAR, which claims 75 million fans and the second-largest sports audience after the National Football League. NASCAR distributes statistics showing that 40 percent of its fans are women, that 39 percent make at least $50,000 a year and that 19 percent are from the West and 20 percent from the Northeast.

The White House has aggressively reached out to NASCAR followers. The 2002 champion, Tony Stewart, got a visit to the Oval Office. Last year, champion Matt Kenseth was heralded on the White House South Lawn, where presidential aides lined up stock cars to help attract cameras.

Just last week, White House press secretary Scott McClellan took time in his televised briefing to laud the charitable and disaster-relief efforts of NASCAR drivers.

In the past decade, NASCAR's popularity has exploded, with gleaming superspeedways sprouting in Southern California, Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami; telegenic drivers like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.; and national TV exposure.

Fans are drawn by the sport's drivers, self-made men who kiss their wives in the victory lane. They root for the American-made cars. They cheer the military flybys. They doff their caps for the pre-race prayer.

They are also uncommonly brand-loyal — three times more likely to buy the brands of motor oil, laundry detergent, beer and cereal that sponsor racecars than other brands.

That loyalty is what Bush is courting this election year.

The 2002 champion, Stewart, of Rushville, Ind., admits he doesn't really follow politics but said he has made up his mind. "Bush is my guy, and that's the end of it," said Stewart, 33. "Even in politics, the politicians are smart enough to realize how big of a marketing tool that NASCAR is and the cars and drivers are."

[elektro80]

Killing Pain!

Goody's Headache Powder Renews its Status as the 'Official Pain Reliever of NASCAR' and Extends One of the Longest-Running Sponsorships in the Sport

January 28, 2004: 8:43 a.m. EST
http://money.cnn.com/services/tickerheadlines/prn/clw022.P1.01282004084308.15847.htm




PITTSBURGH (PRNewswire) - PITTSBURGH, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Goody's Headache Powder and NASCAR are pleased to announce the renewal of Goody's status as the "Official Pain Reliever of NASCAR" -- a title it has held for the past 27 years. Of NASCAR's current 2004 official sponsor roster, Goody's Headache Powder is the longest serving, non-automotive sponsor of NASCAR.

Darren Singer, Vice President of Marketing for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, maker of Goody's, said, "We're proud of our long-standing partnership with NASCAR. The action-packed sport with its emphasis on close competition and fast cars is a perfect fit for Goody's, a brand that is all about speed. And you would be hard-pressed to find a more loyal and passionate fan base. Goody's and NASCAR are a winning team."

"Goody's has been such a big part of our sport for so long, supporting drivers, teams and tracks," said Brett Yormark, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for NASCAR. "Their longevity in our sport is a testament to the success of their NASCAR program. We hope that our relationship continues another 27 years, and beyond."

In addition to maintaining its status as the "Official Pain Reliever of NASCAR," Goody's will continue its long-running sponsorship of the the Goody's "Extra Strength Award" presented to the highest-finishing eligible driver in the NASCAR Busch Series as well as the Goody's "Headache Award" presented during MRN race broadcasts to the driver/team who experiences the biggest "headache" as a result of the day's racing activities in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Because A Headache Can Really Be The Pits ...

Beginning this year, Goody's will also present the "Goody's Fast Relief Zone" at selected tracks on the NASCAR circuit, offering fans an interactive and engaging respite. The Goody's Fast Relief Zone will feature free Goody's samples, chilled water, portable misters on hot days, racing-themed activities, and games where fans can win prizes such as a chance to climb in a race car and drive around the track at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

"Since 1977, when Goody's became the Official Pain Reliever of NASCAR, we have distributed over two million free samples of the fast-acting pain powder to NASCAR fans," added Singer. "The Goody's Fast Relief Zone will be a place fans can refuel, tune up or just sit back and kick the tires."

The Goody's Relief Zone will be available at ten events this season at the following five venues: Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 13 & 14, October 30 & 31), Bristol Motor Speedway (March 27 & 28, August 27 & 2, Lowe's Motor Speedway (May 21 & 22, May 29 & 30, October 15 & 16), Texas Motor Speedway (April 3 & 4) and Richmond International Raceway (May 14 & 15, September 10 & 11).

Two For Two

In addition to its 27-year history with NASCAR, Goody's is also the official pain reliever of Petty Enterprises. Goody's announced in October 2003 that Richard Petty had signed on for another two years to continue as the brand's spokesperson. Richard Petty, who personally uses Goody's, has been the face of the product for nearly 25 years.

"With Petty and NASCAR, we found something that worked and stuck with it, just like the millions of folks who use Goody's," Singer said. "Very few brands have been associated with one spokesperson or one sponsorship for as long as we have."

Petty will once again appear in electronic and print advertising, point- of-sale and instore materials and direct mail pieces. He will also sign autographs in the Goody's Fast Relief Zone at selected events.

Goody's Doing Good

In 2004, Goody's will share title sponsorship with NASCAR for the "Fun Walk On Track for Charity" at three Speedway Motorsports tracks, Bristol, Texas and Lowes Motorspeedways. Proceeds from the events will benefit Speedway Children's Charities and the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C.

The Victory Junction Gang Camp, a racing-themed camp for seriously ill children, is scheduled to open in 2004 complete with a state-of-the-art onsite medical center made possible by a $1 million donation from Goody's in 2002. The Goody's Body Shop will allow the campers to receive all their necessary medical care -- from skinned knees to chemotherapy treatments -- without leaving the camp grounds. The camp was founded by Kyle and Patty Petty on land donated by Richard and Linda Petty. For more information on the camp, visit http://www.victoryjunction.org/ .

About Goody's

Goody's Headache Powder has been providing fast relief since 1932 when it was formulated by Winston-Salem, NC pharmacist Martin "Goody" Goodman. Today, it is one of the most popular analgesics in the southeastern United States providing fast and effective temporary relief from minor aches and pains due to headaches, arthritis, colds or flu, muscle strain, backache and menstrual discomfort.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over- the-counter healthcare products companies and ranks second globally in sales of oral care products. Its more than 30 well-known products include such medicine cabinet staples as Abreva(R), Aquafresh(R) toothpastes and toothbrushes, Goody's Headache Powder, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm (R) CQ, Oxy(R), Sensodyne(R) and Tums(R).

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

About NASCAR

NASCAR has a broad reach with 1,800 racing events in 36 states at more than 110 tracks. The sanctioning body for stock car racing is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in New York City (Corporate Marketing), Los Angeles (Broadcasting Media and Entertainment), Charlotte, N.C. (Licensing and Aftermarket), and Concord, N.C. (Research and Development Center). More Fortune 500 companies are involved in NASCAR than any other professional sport.



Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040128/CLW022AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN7PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

[paul e.]