This is a CSX freight train just before it enters the Ilchester Tunnel, near Ellicott City, Maryland, and heads to points West.

Tags: csx train trains railroad railroads ilchester tunnel

Activist Ron Kirk, standing in front of the White House, on Aug. 4, 2008, said: "Presidential elections are a farce!" He added there wasn't "any bit of difference" between the candidates Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain on the war. Mr. Kirk charged that they both have a "warmonger mentalitiy." He is a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, who also expressed his concerns about the harmful effects of "depleted uranium" on U.S. toops serving in Iraq.

Tags: Sen. Barack Obama John McCain Iraq War White House Protest Ron Kirk Depleted Uranium U.S. Troops William Hughes

Pentagon City, VA - On July 17, 2008, about 200 activists of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) rallied in front of Sen. John McCain's presidential h/q in this town, which is just south of Washington, DC. With songs, dancing and music, and under a banner entitled, "The Loophole King," the protesters staged a lively event. Their action was directed at McCain's connections to the "Buy-Out King Baron, Henry Kravis." The SEIU charged that Kravis is raising mega millions of dollars for McCain's campaign, while the Arizona Senator supports "protecting tax loopholes" which enrich Kravis and his fat cat cronies. Speaking at the event were SEIU activists Ms. Inger Skippings and Stephen Learner. For background, please see: http://www.seiu.org and http://behindthebuyouts.org and http://July17.org. July 17th is a global day of action on the issues raised by the SEIU at the Pentagon City-based action. Andy Stern is the International President of the SEIU.

Tags: Sen. John McCain SEIU Labor Henry Kravis AFL-CIO Presidential Election Buyout Baron tax loopholes congress corporations globalism Republicans Andy Stern William Hughes

On July 10, 2008, Bill Fletcher, Jr. was in Baltimore, MD to discuss his new book, which he co-authored with Fernando Gapasin. The book is entitled: "Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path Toward Social Justice." The event took place at St. John's Methodist Church and was sponsored by "2640" and Red Emma's. For background, see: http://redemmas.org/2640/ and http://www.redemmas.org/. Mr. Fletcher is an activist, author, columnist and labor organizer. He is presently the director of Field Services & Education Department of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO. His book is available on Amazon, at: http://www.amazon.com/Solidarity-Divided-Crisis-Organized-Justice/dp/0520255259. This video contains only excerpts of Mr. Fletcher's comments. His full remarks can be found on Google, at: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5459437892753154011&hl=en.

Tags: Labor Movement AFL-CIO Bill Fletcher Jr. Fernando Gapasin Solidarity Divided book history William Hughes

On July 10, 2008, a 2 PM press conference was called, on Capitol Hill, by Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH). At that time, he explained that later in the afternoon he intended to offer in the House of Representatives a single Resolution entitled, "An Article of Impeachment of President George W. Bush." Rep. Kucinich charged that President Bush had "fraudulently obtained" authority from the U.S. Congress "to commit U.S. troops to combat in Iraq." He detailed, for the media, some of the lies that led the country into that immoral and illegal conflict. Rep. Kucinich underscored: "I believe in the Constitution!"

Tags: Impeachment Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich President George W. Bush Iraq War U.S. Constitution Congress William Hughes

On July 8, 2008, in Annapolis, Maryland, the campaign for a Single-Payer Universal Health Care system took center stage--only a block from the State House. At a press conference on the southside of the Thomas Hunter Lowe House of Delegates' building, activists spoke out about the urgent need to change the current system. One of the featured speakers was Dr. Richard Humphrey of Physicians for Social Responsibility. He traced the history of health care in this country going back to the days of WWII. He said that the current system is "the most expensive, non-system in the world." He added that the "same forces" that took the nation "into Iraq," are opposing any changes to the present health care predicament. Dr. Humphrey supports "Rep. John Conyers' HR 676." For background, go to: http://www.mdsinglepayer.org/ and http://www.psr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Home and http://www.healthcare-now.org/june19.html and http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org. The remarks of the other seven speakers at the event, along with Dr. Humphrey, can be found on Google, at: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4145249394147787639&hl=en.

Tags: Single Payer Health Care System Dr. Richard Humphrey HR 676 Rep. John Conyers HMO uninsured William Hughes

On July 8, 2008, in Annapolis, Maryland, the campaign for a Single-Payer Universal Health Care system took center stage--only a block from the State House. At a press conference on the southside of the Thomas Hunter Lowe House of Delegates' building, activists spoke out about the urgent need to change the current system. One of the featured speakers was Dr. Margaret Flowers of HealthCare-Now! of Maryland. She said: "The lack of health care in this country has become unbearable." For background, go to: http://www.mdsinglepayer.org/ and http://www.psr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Home and http://www.healthcare-now.org/june19.html and http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org. The remarks of the other seven speakers at the event, along with Dr. Flowers, can be found on Google, at: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4145249394147787639&hl=en.

Tags: Single Payer Health Care System Dr. Margaret Flowers HR 676 Rep. John Conyers HMO uninsured William Hughes

On June 30, 2008, filmmaker Catherine Pancake discussed her riveting documentary, Black Diamonds: Mountaintop Removal and the Fight for Coalfield Justice. She indicated that federal legislation would be needed to end this insidious method of coal mining, which is laying waste to large areas of Appalachian mountain peaks in her native state of West Virginia. Ms. Pancake said that stopping mountaintop coal removal is a moral issue. For background, please see the following web sites:Black Diamonds: Mountaintop Removal and the Fight For Coalfield Justice; Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition; Mountain Top Removal Mining in West Virginia; Mountain Justice Summer; and, Coal River Mountain Watch.

Tags: Mountaintop Coal Removal Black Diamonds Catherine Pancake West Virginia Appalachia Bush-Cheney Gang William Hughes

The Democrats, during the 2006 Congressional elections, promised the American people that if they won control of the U.S. Congress that they would end the Iraq War. The voters trusted them. And, the Democrats did, in 2007, take control of the Congress. When, if ever, are the Democrats going to keep their word? As of June 27, 2008, 4,113 U.S. troops have died in the Iraq War. The cost of the conflict to the American taxpayers is estimated at $3 trillion.

Tags: speaker Nancy Pelosi Hillary Clinton Iraq War Democrats Barbara Mikulski Steny Hoyer John Conyers kbh congress Hughes

On June 19, 2008, I interviewed Derek Cooper at a protest action in Baltimore City relating to the ongoing health care crisis in this country. Mr. Cooper is 34 years old and suffers from a "chronic disease." He has no health insurance and his current medical debts exceed $36,000. Maryland's Health Insurance officials have "refused" to help him. Mr. Cooper says that they figure: "I should just die!" The governor of Maryland is Martin O'Malley. Mr. Cooper lives in Montgomery County. He added: "What these people [the insurance companies] are doing is criminal. It cost peoples' lives."

Tags: Single Payer Health Care System Derek Cooper Maryland Martin O'Malley HR 676 Rep. John Conyers HMO William Hughes

On June 19, 2008, a national protest was held in 19 cities across the country with regards to the health care crisis which impacts on millions of Americans' lives. Activists in Baltimore City participated in the action. They mounted a picket at the corners of Lombard and Charles St. in the downtown area, where Care First: Blue Cross, Blue Shield has an office. One of the activists I interviewed was Dr. Margaret Flowers. She supports a "Single Payer Health Care System." Advocates for change and genuine reform on the federal level are supporting H.R. 676, a/k/a the "U.S. National Health Insurance Act."

Tags: Single Payer Health Care System Dr. Margaret Flowers HR 676 Rep. John Conyers HMO William Hughes

On June 18, 2008, Larry Sinclair gave a press conference at the National Press Club, in Washington, D.C. He repeated his allegations against Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) concerning supposed drug and sex incidents that he said took place in Illinois, "in 1999." After reading a five page statement, he was questioned by the media, including an opening query from this reporter. This video contains excerpts from that Q&A session. Mr. Sinclair admitted that he is a "former recreational drug user and trafficker, a convicted felon for crimes of forgery, bad checks and theft of checks." And, that he has been "convicted and served time in prison," for various criminal offenses committed over the years between 1980 and 1986, "in Arizona, Florida and Colorado."

Tags: Larry Sinclair Sen. Barack Obama Sex Drugs Cocaine Illinois Felon Media Democratic Party NPC William Hughes

On Aug. 28, 2007, a Baltimore-based activist, Ms. Diane Wittner, at an antiwar rally, demanded the "impeachment of President George W. Bush." She underscored: "The crooks in the White House need to be held accountable." Her call for Congressional action, which is reprised here, rings out today with even more relevancy as President Bush is suspected, along with V.P. Dick Cheney, of plotting a U.S. led attack on Iran. A March 20, 2003 "Coffin for the Pentagon" rally is utilized in this video. Ms. Wittner is the director of the Chesapeake Citizens group.

Tags: Impeachment Torture President George W. Bush Iraq War U.S. Constitution Congress Diane Wittner William Hughes

On June 11, 2008, members of the Veterans for Peace (VFP) organization held a press conference, at 1 PM, on Capitol Hill, demanding the impeachment of President George W. Bush. The event took place in room 1629 of the Longworth House Office building. Later in the day, the activists planned to meet with House Judiciary Chairman, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), to personally deliver to him their "Petition for Impeachment" which, according to VFP's President, Elliott Adams, contains "over 22,000 signatures." Please check the VFP's web site, at: http://www.veteransforpeace.org for the result of that session and for future updates. The VFP was founded in 1985. It now has 120 chapters around the country. This video contains excerpts from the press conference. A long version of it can be found, at: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1221449832826556112&hl=en

Tags: Impeachment George W. Bush Veterans for Peace Adam Kokesh Elliott Adams Mike Ferner Iraq.Constitution William Hughes

On June 8, 2007, LCDR James Marquis Ennes, Jr., the author of the best selling book, "Assault on the Liberty," discussed the "deliberate" attack on the USS Liberty by Israeli Air and Naval forces forty years ago,on June 8, 1967. As a result of Israel's outrageous conduct, 34 brave Americans died and 174 others were seriously injured. A "40th Anniversary" Ceremony for the USS Liberty, was held at Arlington National Cemetery, see: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5667467454090399102&q=video+william+hughes+google+liberty&ei=kxRPSPuoGJmwrQLd-oDVDA&hl=en I spoke with LCDR Ennes at a luncheon which was held after that event. He was on the bridge of the Liberty when the Israeli attack began and he was badly wounded. A cover-up of what really happened on June 8, 1967, continues to this day--41 years later. The efforts of the men of the Liberty, and their supporters, to seek justice for their cause, and for the cause of the truth, has been persistently blocked. See, http://www.gtr5.com/. One of the politicos who has been complicit in that cover-up is Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), a favorite of AIPAC. For some background on his role in this matter, please check out: http://www.dissidentvoice.org/July2004/Hughes0712.htm. Question for Sen. McCain: "Isn't it time to end the USS Liberty cover-up?"

Tags: USS Liberty James M. Ennes Israel Six Day War AIPAC LBJ Peter Hounam Op Cynanide John McCain Cover-Up William Hughes

On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee, (AIPAC), the cutting edge of the powerful Israel Lobby, held its annual parley in Washington, D.C. Activists were outside the downtown Convention Center expressing their strong vocal opposition to the event. Some of the AIPAC participants, like the Neocon William Kristol, want the U.S. to attack Iran. Three activists: Malachy Kilbride, Eric Andersen and Ms. Keren Batiyov shared their views with me about the AIPAC protest action, while the hooting reaction to the conference went on in the background. For background, please see: http://www.ips.org/blog/jimlobe/?p=153 and http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JF03Ak01.html and http://www.irmep.org/Defaults.asp and http://ksgnotes1.harvard.edu/Research/wpaper.nsf/rwp/RWP06-011/%24File/rwp_06_011_walt.pdf and http://www.washington-report.org/ and http://www.cnionline.org/

Tags: AIPAC Israel Lobby Palestine Protest Human Rights Congress Zionism Zionists William Hughes

On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee, (AIPAC), the cutting edge of the powerful Israel Lobby, held its annual parley in Washington, D.C. Activists were outside the downtown Convention Center expressing their strong vocal opposition to the event. One of the protesters was Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss. He is associated with Neturei Karta International, an Orthodox Jewish organization, which is adamantly opposed to the political ideology of Zionism. Rabbi Weiss, a spokesman for Karta International, was sharply critical of AIPAC, the Zionists and Zionism in his remarks. He was also supportive of the cause of Palestine and of the Palestinian people. Rabbi Weiss ripped Zionist Israel for its occupation of Palestine and its harsh treatment of the Palestinian people. For background, please see: http://www.nkusa.org/.

Tags: Zionism Zionists AIPAC Israel Lobby Rabbi Y.D. Weiss Orthodox Jews Neturei Karta William Hughes

On Sunday, June 1, 2008, on the National Mall, in Washington, DC, a ceremony was held to commemorate--The Catastrophe--know as "Al Nakba." It represents the forceful expulsion, in 1948, of 750,000 Palestinians from their ancestral homeland to "make way for the state of Israel." Ms. Dina Shan'ak shared her views about "Al Nakba." She was raised in a UN refugee camp in Lebanon. Her family was expelled, via "ethnic cleansing," from their ancient village of Taytaba, in the District of Safad, in Palestine, in 1948, by the Israelis. Also speaking at the event was Human Rights activist, Brian Hennessey. Mr. Hennessey participated in the ceremony/play at the affair, performing the role of "Uncle Sam." For background, please see: http://vineeta.org/Nakba.htm and http://www.nakbah1948.org/ and http://www.marxists.de/middleast/schoenman/index.htm and http://www.pchrgaza.org/ and http://Palestineremembered.com and http://ifamericansknew.org.

Tags: Nakba Palestine Israel Ethnic Cleansing refugees UN the Catastrophe aipac William Hughes

On Friday, May 30, 2008, Ralph Nader, an announced presidential candidate in the '08 election, met with volunteers in his campaign at a Dundalk, MD restaurant. The purpose of the get together was to launch a statewide effort to officially place the "Independent Party" on the ballot for the November election. Ten thousands signatures, under state law, are required to secure that objective. After a luncheon, I asked Mr. Nader, the legendary advocate for the consumers and corporate gadfly, about his ballot initiative. He shared his views on that effort and related matters. Mr. Nader underscored: "If only the people knew that they have the power!" For background, please see: http://www.votenader.org.

Tags: Ralph Nader President election maryland independent party ballot Dundalk Matt Gonzales William Hughes

On May 29, 2008, on Capitol Hill, Professor John Mearsheimer shared his views, at a public forum, on the the powerful Israel Lobby, particularly its leading element, AIPAC; Christian Zionists; the late Rep. Tom Lantos; Rep. Henry Waxman; Rep. Howard Berman;and the U.S. Congress, among other matters. Bottom line for Professor Mearsheimer: "The Israel Lobby's undue influence...on our foreign policy...isn't good for the country...or for our democracy...Congress isn't doing its job...And, that the Founding Fathers would be appalled" at what is going on today with respect to the Israel Lobby and the Congress. The event was held in the Cannon Office Building. It was sponsored by the Council for the National Interest (CNI). For background, please see: http://www.cnionline.org/.

Tags: John Mearsheimer AIPAC Israel lobby Palestine America CNI Congress William Hughes