RPSTOVAL REVIEW Vol. II No. 1 January-February 1992 $1.50 ***************************************************************** The following is the statement to congress from Henry Gonzales; Texas Republican Congressman. This issue was brought up when the Iraqi crisis was still in its "Desert Shield" stages. Since the address below was obviously denied wide coverage, we thought it would be appropriate to include this before the upcoming elections. January 16, 1991 Mr Speaker, it is with great sadness, yet great conviction, that I introduce today a Resolution of Impeachment of President Bush. At a time when our nation is deeply divided over the question of war, we find ourselves on the brink of a world war of such magnitude that our minds cannot fully comprehend the destruction which is allowed to be leveled. The position we are in is a direct result of the actions of one man and the reaction to another. The Iraqi people are as opposed to war as are the American people, the difference is that the Iraqi people have no choice but to support their countries leader, but the American people not only have the right to oppose and speak out in disagreement with their President, but they have the responsibility to do so if our democracy is to be preserved. Today I exercise this constitutional right and responsibility to speak out in opposition to war in the Middle East and in support of removal of our nation's chief executive. When I took the oath of office earlier this month, as I had numerous times before, I swore to uphold The Constitution. The President's oath was the same - to uphold the Constitution of The United States. We did not pledge and oath of allegiance to the President, but to The Constitution which is the highest law of the land. The Constitution provides for removal of the President when he has committed high crimes and misdemeanors, including violations of the principles of The Constitution. President Bush has violated these principles. My resolution has five articles of impeachment. First, the President has violated the equal protection clause of The Constitution. Our soldiers in the Middle East are overwhelmingly poor white, black, and Mexican American. They may be volunteers technically, but their volunteerism is based on the coercion of a system that has denied violable economic opportunities to these classes of citizens. Under The Constitution all classes of citizens are guaranteed equal protection, and calling on the poor and minorities to fight a war for oil to preserve the lifestyles of the wealthy is a denial of the rights of these soldiers. Article II states that the President has violated the Constitution, federal law and the United Nations Charter by bribing, intimidating and threatening others, including the members of the United Nations Security Council, to support belligerent acts against Iraq. It is clear that the President paid off members of the U.N. Security Council in return for their votes in support of war against Iraq. The debt of Egypt was forgiven; a $140 million loan to China was agreed to; the Soviet Union was promise $7 billion in aid; Colombia was promised assistance to its armed forces; Zaire was promised military assistance and partial forgiveness of it's debt; Saudi Arabia was promised $12 billion in arms; Yemen was threatened with the termination of support; and the U.S. finally paid off $187 million of its debt to the United Nations after the vote the President sought was made. The vote was bought, and it will be paid for with the lives of black and Mexican-Americans. Article III states that the President has conspired to engage in a massive war against Iraq employing methods of mass destruction that will result in the killing of tens of thousands of civilians, many of whom will be children. No civilian lives have yet been lost, that we know of, but when we start using the weapons of mass destruction that are in place for this war, there is no doubt that thousands of innocent civilians will lose their lives. As killings occur, the principles laid down in the Nuremburg trial will be applicable. Their deaths will not only be a moral outrage, but they will constitute a violation of international law. Article IV states that the President has committed the United States to acts of war without congressional consent and contrary to the United Nations Charter and international law. From August, 1991, through January.1991, the President embarked on a course of action that systematically eliminated every option for peaceful resolution of the Persian Gulf crisis. Once the President approached Congress for a declaration of war, 500,000 American soldiers' lives were in jeopardy-rendering any substantive debate by Congress meaningless. The President has not received a declaration of war by Congress, and in contravention of the written word, the spirit, and the intent of the views of Constitution had declared that he will go to war regardless of the views of Congress and the American people. Congress abdicated its responsibility, but the President violated the Constitution. I am dismayed with the Congressional leadership, but I am frightened by the President's unwillingness to uphold his oath of office in protecting and preserving the Constitution. Article V states that the President had conspired to commit crimes against the peace by leading the United States into aggressive war against Iraq in violation of Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter, the Nuremberg Charter, other international instruments and treaties, and the Constitution of the United States. Again, there is a violation of law by a President who, believing he is king, decides for the country - unilaterally - that war is the answer. Mr. Speaker, it is sad day for our country, and it will be an even sadder day once the fighting begins. President Bush must be stopped - a divided Congress, reflecting a divided country, is no way to conduct a war. The preservation of lives is at stake, and the preservation of our country - our democracy - is at stake, as well. I urge my Colleagues to support this Resolution, and stand up to the President on behalf of the soldiers who will die, the civilians who will be massacred, and the Constitution that will be destroyed if this country goes to war in the Middle East. *** LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS NOW by Frater W.I.T. I, Frater W.I.T., firmly believe in the title of this article. While it is true that drugs destroy many people's lives, it is equally true that these are a small percentage of the total number of drug users. The vast majority of users are casual in their drug taking. Are we all to be victimized by our government because a few people have a problem? That seems to be the thinking of politicians in this ultra conservative era. Of course, it's perfectly fine for people to destroy their lives with alcohol and tobacco. I guess the political lobbies supported by these industries are more powerful than others such as the marijuana lobby. (Yes, there is one.) Why are drugs REALLY illegal? To protect the American public? Supporters of the use of drugs have been persecuted since Timothy Leary. Many drugs can produce profoundly spiritual states of mind without causing addiction, such as mescaline, have been outlawed out of hand. These can open up doors to true reality and forever destroy the narrow world view taught by our society. In the early 80's Nancy Reagan announced that Republican propaganda paean, The War on Drugs. For the past twelve years America has lived - and died - with this civil war. What else is a war on home soil called? Parents have turned in their children or kicked them out for using drugs. Children have reported their parents to the police for drug use. The excuse of "drug search" has given law enforcers free reign to persecute fringe elements of society. Also, people have been arrested for singing a song that a few felt was offensive and even for selling music. Is there a pattern emerging in all this? Where is The Constitutions? the Bill of Rights? our freedom of choice? It is not for a government to set standards of morals and behavior. In our precious historical political documents we the people of the United States of America are guaranteed certain unalienable rights to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Church is to be kept strictly separate from government. Laws that violate our rights are not supposed to be passed. Yet, it is everywhere apparent that our Politicians In Government have dissolved these barriers to cater to their own greed and ambition and satisfy the lowest common denominator of society. There are many who want to be told what to do, what to think, and what to believe in, by institutionalized authority - as if the people who run such organizations are greater than human - but not I or any of my friends. To live as a slave is to trade in human intelligence for animal stupidity. It's a betrayal to all of us. It is so very true that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. We Americans have not been vigilant and look at the result. The illegalization of drugs and its illegal sale by our government to support its shady dealings is just one symptom of the ever increasing totalitarianism sweeping this country. Each one of us can do something to help in the constant struggle for freedom. We can write letters to congresspeople, join and donate to political parties that really support freedom, and communicate ardent desire for freedom to continue by writing articles, newsletters, petition signing, etc. If we show our government that we are watching what's going on, and love freedom they will back down from tyranny. Power to the people! Legalize all drugs now! Further, legalize all other natural activities currently against the law because of "moral" reasons. (Who's morals? Certainly not mine.) Legalize prostitution and gambling. This will not only put an end to a vast amount of crime but allow police to concentrate on upholding laws that protect peoples freedoms such as murder, rape, theft, assault, and fraud. This will be a more pleasant, safer, freer, and more prosperous country but one with much less opportunity for con-men to manipulate their way to the top of the political and economic ladders. Do we really want such a country? Defend freedom; for the tyrants are at the door - your door! *** CHINA'S BEHAVIOR CONSISTENTLY INHUMANE by Secundus Kerub (1-07-92) Canadian legislators were kicked out of China after being kidnapped and interrogated for planning to lay flowers in honor of China's 1989 pro-democracy demonstrators. Svend Robinson, a New Democratic Party legislator from British Columbia said: "We were kidnapped and manhandled. It was the worst treatment of my life." Geoff Scott, a representative from Ontario and member of the Progressive Party was quoted as saying: "If this is the kind of human rights the Chinese demonstrate to legislators of the Canadian Parliament, then God help the people of China". It is becoming increasingly clear that Bush's motives to encourage trade with China is to relieve America's dependence of Japanese made products. Responsible Americans cannot allow the exploitation of slave labor at any cost. *** WORDS ARE INDICATORS OF SOCIAL ECONOMIC-CONDITION by Secundus Kerub I always thought a "FRIENDLY FIRE" was when you got together with your friends at camp fires, sang songs and told stories. There are other words which baffle the imagination: Do you recall when "SANITARY LANDFILLS" were simply called "dumps". What is so sanitary about a place we bury our garbage? How about: "ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS"? the term which described the condition of your house after a Friday night party. Remember when a "DRUG RAID" was the never ending quest for better Acid? and the "BATTERING RAM" was the thing your boy-friend kept in his pants, or the pet name for your favorite bong? Do you recall when the "DRUG CZAR" was the guy in your neighborhood who always had the best weed? or "JUST SAY NO" was advise given to teenage girls on their first date? How about "JOINT PAIN"? the phenomena associated with not being able to score? or "STRATEGIC BOMBING": which meant getting stoned with a purpose? How about "RECESSION"? the unfortunate predecessor to balding? Remember when "INCURABLE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE" was herpes? and AIDS was a weight loss plan? Boy...things sure have changed in the last 10 years! Imagine Rip Van Winkle waking up in a world where "GOD SQUAD" is a term given to a group of people instated by our government to decide whether or not an endagered species should be allowed to go extinct for economical reasons. *** ECOTIP COMPOSTING: The final chapter In order to conclude our ECOTIP series on COMPOSTING, we have included the following information illustrating the time frame needed to decompose certain materials, and hope that with this data in mind you may realize the importance of recycling. We thank our own Frater Alizar for his input, and for bringing this knowledge to our attention. Paper Containers..................................2-5 mos Orange Peels..................................up to 6 mos Wool Socks.......................................6-24 mos Plastic Coated Cartons............................5 years Cigarette Butts.................................10-12 yrs Plastic Bags....................................10-20 yrs Leather Shoes...................................25-40 yrs Plastic Containers..............................50-80 yrs Vibram Soles....................................50-80 yrs Aluminum.......................................80-100 yrs Styrofoam...........................................NEVER *** "DON'T SHOOT: I'M ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER" by Secundus Kerub (11-15-91) The US Department of Defense is planning a comprehensive program in order to educate military personnel in the proper method of identifying enemy and friendly vehicles. The program was instigated by the high number of troops killed by their own side. Twenty-five percent of American casualties in the Iraq war were caused by "friendly fire". One can't help but to think of the shark accidentally eaten by its fellow sharks in a feeding frenzy. *** THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE by Amare Obscuritas Jehovah still gets our first born, sometimes our second or our third. Times have changed since the Hebrew sacrifices; there are no ceremonies capable of lightening the obscenity of the crime. We dress them in green uniforms that symbolize our lust for money, and in our cowardice we send the into the slaughter, that some unknown enemy may kill the most important things in our lives. A small price to pay, a token to prove our loyalty, a gesture of thanks for the vulgar life we live. We create a void which will never go away. We are environmentally conscious now, haven't you heard? we bury them in neat recyclable aluminum boxes; a way to ensure they stay locked inside, unable to seek their deserved revenge. But their smiling faces will come back to haunt us every time we see another child, in more fortunate hands. Or sometimes we burn their bodies to ashes, where they mix with the filth in the air and their smoky gray fingers seem to tighten around our throats while their lifeless faces remind us of their unconditional love. He asked you: "Dad, do you want me to die?", you turned your back on him, to face a bloody flag and said: "Yes". *** THE CULINARY CORNER by Soror Alice COOKING WITH HEMP SEED Keeping in line with this months issue; I thought the following recipe would fit in rather well! A few notes on one of the ingredients found in this recipe is in order. Firstly, some nutrition facts; Hemp seed the second most complete vegetable protein on the planet. Soybeans have more protein, but hemp seed is utilized more efficiently by the body AND its less expensive to produce. Secondly, hemp seed contains more enzymes than any food. One pound of hemp seed contains almost 25% protein! Thirdly, irradiated hemp seed will NOT get you high and is legally available. This recipe contains hemp seed "meal". To prepare the meal, the seeds are dry roasted in the oven on a cookie sheet at 250-300 degrees for 20 to 30 min. or until crunching one between your teeth produces a pleasant roasted flavor. When they cool, put them into a blender VERY BRIEFLY to crack the hulls. Separate the meal from the hulls by using a coarse strainer. Put the meal into a grinder of some sort and grind through twice. And there you have your finished seed meal. HEMP ENRICHED SALAD DRESSING Put into a blender: 1/4 pound firm tofu 1 Tablespoon hemp seed meal 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 crushed clove 1 juiced lemon 1 cup chopped herbs (basil or dill, parsley & cilantro) 1/2 chopped onion (small) 1/2 chopped green pepper 1 Tablespoon tamari or soy sauce *1/2 teaspoon garam masala * (this is a mix of spices, including ground coriander,ground cumin, and ginger, available from Indian specialty shops; or you can make your own) Turn on blender and slowly add: 1 cup olive oil And there it is. I would personally like to thank Frater W.I.T. for his wonderful input on this subject. Enjoy! (The following are two sources for sterilized hemp seed: HAPPY BIRD SAMPLE PACK ($5.00) UNITED PACIFIC SEED Bach - PO Box 71093 201 South Cactus Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071-0093 Rialto, CA 92376 *** WHAT HAS BUSH BEEN SMOKING? by Secundus Kerub Well folks, here we are: 1992, a failing economy, no sign of a health care program worth mentioning, and no relief of heavy taxation in mind, and I have to ask just one question: How is the Bush administration using our millions of tax dollars to fight the "war on drugs"? While people everywhere are losing their jobs, homes, and pride, criminals are being bribed by the administration to testify against Manuel Noriega. Remember him? when we went into another country and invaded it to kidnap that country's leader? Floyd Carlton, airplane pilot/drug smuggler - received permission to bring his drug earnings in from Panama, and has been granted US citizenship for his wife, three children, and nanny. Ricardo Belonick - allowed to keep $3.9 million in drug money and the charges for tax evasion have been lifted. Ricardo Streidinger - the man the Justice Department referred to as "the number 1 drug man in the U.S." - granted immunity from prosecution and allowed to keep his planes and yachts in Key Biscayne. Steven Kalish, serving a life sentence plus 245 years - sentence reduced to 9 years (gets out in 1993) and has received $500,000 to pay his legal bills. All this to justify the Bush Administration's little multi- billion dollar invasion of Panama to get Manuel Noriega: not because he was involved in the drug trade, but because he was pals with a small time communist named Fidel Castro. It is obvious that the Bush administration is going to great lengths and expense to hide the lies and obscenities it has committed: at our expense and with our money. And to further insult our intelligence he has announced that he plans to increase the "war on drugs" funding to $12.7 billion dollars in 1992. In a speech to the National Religious Broadcasters, Bush said he intends to spend $500 million on a program called "weed and seed", which will enable local law enforcement agencies to work together with federal agents. Considering the under-handed dealings which continue in The White House, the drug money laundering, the weapons trafficking, the covert operations whereby CIA agents act as middle men for nations exchanging drugs for weapons, it seem's clear that what the Bush Administration really wants is a monopoly on drug dealing. It is simply doing away with the competition. *** BUSH ADMINISTRATION FAILS TO RECOGNIZE CHILDREN'S RIGHTS by Soror Alice After decades of debate the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 decided to recognize the Children's Bill of Rights. Since then the bill has been signed by 109 countries and to this date enacted by 40 of them. The bill states the following rights for children: The right to affection, love and understanding. The right to adequate nutrition and medical care. The right to full opportunity for play and recreation. The right to a name and nationality. The right to be among the first to receive relief in times of disaster. The right to learn to be a useful member of society and to develop individual abilities. The right to be brought up in a spirit of universal peace and brother/sisterhood. The right to enjoy these rights, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national or social origin. Since that time the United States has neither recognized nor signed this history making bill. President Bush is often photographed with school children touting his "education" status; but he falls short of his "goal" by failing to support this legislation. PLEASE write your local legislator(s) and most importantly write to the President and demand that he adopt this bill NOW! Remember: children ARE the future. REGISTER TO VOTE! *** THE AMERICAN VOTE - 1992 Style - by Frater Alizar Well, another election year is here, YAWN, YAWN, right. WRONG!! Even though we, as Americans, choose the person that occupies the highest elected office in the land every 4 years, every year is an election year and every election is important. America has set yet another record that the rest of the world will not soon beat. We have the ABSOLUTE WORST voter turnout of any democracy in the world. Elections are routinely decided by less than half of the eligible voting population. America has grown complacent! All around the world there are people fighting and dying for the right to vote and we, as Americans, take our right to vote for granted. You've heard it all before... Mine is just one vote, it doesn't really matter in the overall scheme of things, All the candidates are crooks, There is no one worth voting for, so I'm not going to vote, It doesn't matter who gets elected, Nothing is going to change regardless of who gets elected, All the politicians are out of touch with the common person, and on, and on, and on... Well folks I'm here to tell you that YOUR vote DOES matter, there are many elections that are decided by just a few votes and some by just ONE! Yes, that one vote could be yours! Now I am not here to tell you what issues to vote for or against, or which candidate to vote for or against; that is up to you! I hear you saying that it is too much of a hassle to register and then go and cast your ballot on election day. Well, here in America, you can go to the Post Office and ask for a voter registration form and register by mail, and you can call a phone number and get an absentee ballot and mail it in, no long lines to wait in on election day. Or you can just say 'the heck with it' and sit at home and watch TV on election day, but if the day should come that you lose the privilege of being able to vote freely, you'll only have yourself to blame. And if you didn't bother to cast a ballot; don't bother to complain about any decisions that were made by any of the people that were elected. Every man and woman in this country possesses a powerful Magick, that magick is a say in the direction of our collective destiny - the right to vote. You can be your own master or... "...the slaves shall serve." AL II:58 *******************************END*******************************