BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution

Subject: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: InOBU
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 09:53 PM

Here is a forward to you all, an obit for the 1st amendment in the USA... No more Viet Nam like protests? Sure, just declare a deeper color of alert and the constitution goes out the window...
Larry

From: Jen Geiger
Organization: Women's International League
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003
WILPF-US: Judge Denies March Permit, Feb 15 Protest Goes On

Dear Friend of United for Peace and Justice and WILPF:

To our great shock and outrage, Federal Judge Barbara Jones ruled
this morning that the City of New York can deny United for Peace
and Justice a permit to march on February 15. Citing "heightened
security concerns," she ruled that we may only hold a stationary
rally, for which we have been granted a permit for First Avenue
stretching north from 49th Street.

We are accepting the rally permit, and our massive demonstration
to stop the Iraq war will go forward no matter what. But we are
appalled by this attack on our basic First Amendment rights, and we
will continue to fight for the right to march. Our attorneys, the New
York Civil Liberties Union, have already filed an appeal, and we are
asking all of our supporters to protest passionately against this
attempt to stifle the growing opposition to Bush's war.

We will provide you with more information soon on this rapidly
evolving situation. For now, we encourage you to keep organizing
and mobilizing for February 15 -- we have a legal permit to rally, and
we cannot and will not let the NYPD and the Bush Administration
silence our cry for peace.

More than 300 cities around the globe will be holding protests this
weekend against the Iraq war: Let's make New York City's protest
the biggest, most passionate anti-war gathering of them all.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1) KEEP MOBILIZING FOR FEB. 15: The NYPD wants to discourage
people from coming to this protest -- we need to redouble our
efforts to make February 15 an enormous gathering for peace.
Please contact Fran Geteles asap
([e-mail] or 212-663-8048) if you are organizing buses or
trains. Check out our website at
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/feb15 -- we've added lots of new
information.

2) SPREAD THE WORD: Forward this message widely, post the
assembly location on your website, tell everyone you know that the
February 15 protest is indeed happening and that we have a permit
to rally at 49th Street and First Avenue.

3) SPEAK OUT: The denial of our right to march sets a very
dangerous precedent for free speech in this country -- we ask you
to raise the biggest ruckus you can about this attack on our rights.
Some suggestions:

>>Fax a statement from your organization to NYC Mayor Michael
Bloomberg insisting on our right to march on February 15.
Fax#: [phone]

>>Ask sympathetic elected officials, community leaders, and/or
celebrities to contact Mayor Bloomberg and demand that the City
issue a march permit.

>>Contact your local media, write letters to the editor, call in to
radio talk shows, get the word out about this outrageous denial of
our Constitutional rights.

>>Make phone calls of protest to these officials:
*NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg: 212-788-9600, 212-788-3010,
212-788-3040
*NYC Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly: 646-610-8526
*NYPD Chief of Department Joseph Esposito: 646-610-6710

>>Send emails protesting the denial of our march permit
*Mayor Bloomberg:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html
*Commissioner Kelly: [e-mail]
*Chief Esposito: [e-mail]

>>Sign this online petition supporting our right to march:
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?FEB15

If you're not already on our email list, you can receive future
updates like this one about the February 15 mobilization by visiting
http://unitedforpeace.org/email.php

Thanks for your support -- we can still prevent this war, and
together we will win the right to march.

Sincerely,
The February 15 organizing staff of
United for Peace and Justice

Subject: RE: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Bobert
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:27 PM

Thanks, Larry, for the update. Looks like it's *business-as-usual* under the Bush regime. They think they are going to shed the Bill of Rights *but* that ain't gonna happen. What they are going to see is "what democracy looks like" as millions take to streets to tell Bush that if he has a beef with Saddam, then get his cowardly butt on an airplane to Bagdad. Saddam will meet himat the airport and they can du7ke it out right there on the runway. Meanwhile, leave tyhe Iraqi kids and our kids out of the rumble, thank you...

BTW, Catters, this is *crunch time* so make sure your voice is heard. Don't post today on Mudact until you've sent either an email or a snail m ail to you rep telling your rep that there are other ways to solve differences.

Resist insanity.

Resist Bush.

Resist Cheney.

Resist Rumsfeld.

No blood for oil.

Bobert

Subject: RE: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:33 PM

The new Patriot Act 2 that Aschcroft is developing will strip you of your American citizenship for any crime or criticism of the govt. Free ride to the concentration camp, though.

Also, I heard an interesting analysis of the Bush family's destruction of the American economy. If you view the Constitution as a contract, then that contract is cancelled once one of the parties goes into bankruptcy. So the Bushes plan to drive the govt into bankruptcy, then declare the Constitution a contract that is null and void. And based on the secret work Ashcroft has done on Patriot Act 2, he'll have a new Constitution ready to go immediately.

Subject: RE: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: leprechaun
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:37 PM

1-800-Waaaaaa

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Bobert
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:43 PM

Hmmmmmm, GUEST? Purdy interesting. Yep, Bush, Cheney and Ascroft are definately the loopholer's of Jefferson's vision.

Screw democracy, it's cumbersome and just gets in the way!

Well, when it's time for those idiots to go, they *will* go and historians and psyclogists will have a century's worth of material to get sorted out.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 11:16 PM

Well Bobert...I hope you have some food and a water filter, etc. It'll take a while to root those buzzards out of their holes in the ground (mixed metaphor?). They're bunkered down and prepared. But yeah, I hope I'm there when the first door to the bunker system is cracked.

A year ago I read that Russia's old civil defense system was finally finished. Began it back in the Cold War and finally finished it, and they figured they could save half their population with a bit of advance warning. CD shelters, food supplies, etc.

I read at that same time that our govt (US) began on an equally big building project at the same time the Russians did...only OUR system never went public. I mean, 50 years with hydrogen weapons hanging over our heads, and those tacky little yellow and black Civil Defense signs on the walls of parking garages was the best our govt could do? I don't think so. And the article I read said the building of the US shelters went ahead on a scale equal to or surpassing the Russians', and now a labyrinth of shelters connected by tunnels exists beneath the U.S. Only, the 'elites' will be the ones with access to them. Can't have vermin like me in there.

I believed the article I read back then, but I don't know that I believe what I've read about the system since then...primarily that foreign troops are already in place in the U.S....underground. Seems a bit paranoid, but anything is possible. I DO believe our govt reps are more likely to take action when they feel personally threatened, so they probably built shelters after the Cuban missile crisis. If so, why am I not in one right now? I want to be in the War Room with Peter Sellers, not riding the bomb down like Slim Pickens.

That's all I'll post on this thread...just thought I'd add something to keep it prioritized to the top. InOBU has serious business begun here.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Lanfranc
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 05:09 AM

Spare a thought for us Limeys! Blair doesn't even have a Constitution to consider, and it looks as if when Bush jerks his string to go to war, he will press the button without consulting Parliament.

Democracy is under threat, and it is not Saddam who's doing the threatening!

Alan

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: InOBU
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 08:19 AM

HEY LEP!
I know that there is a difference from police force to police force, but, doesn't yours begin one's envolvment with an oath to protect the constitution - does that mean the constitution but with the first amendment missing? We have been having all sorts of events in New York during alerts, from the marathon to broadway theatre. The guage of citizenship is the point that you stand up for the other guy's rights.
Cheers
larry

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitu
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 09:41 AM

Just to point it out, the oath taken by EVERY member of the US Armed Forces is to the Constitution, NOT to an individual. Only country in the world to pledge to an idea, I understand.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 10:33 AM

I remember reading where Giulianni turned back taxis coming into New York from New Jersey one day in support of a trucker's or taxi strike. Fascist action heralded as the action of a 'great man'. I knew then the media could turn dung into gold, in most peoples' estimation.

The military takes the oath...wait...I have them stored... No, these are the political oaths...but the military oath is also to the Constitution. All people who take an oath to the Constitution and then work to deny the rights (the RIGHTS) the Constitution gurantee are traitors. Section 213 of the PATRIOT Act gives cops the authority to break into your house and take 'evidence' and never tell you they were there. But Amendment 4 to the Constitution gurantees your right to be safe and secure in your home, and it says search warrants must be issued before your home can be invaded. So, all legislators who voted for the PATRIOT Act, and the Executives who signed it are traitors. Don't worry, world...we'll sort this out.

President of the United States:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Senators and Members of the House of Representatives:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

Judges and Justices:
I do solemnly swear that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich; and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on me as ______, according to the best of my abilities and understanding agreeably to the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Kim C
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 10:57 AM

I thought that each city had specific rules about those sort of permits and such. I don't know what the rules are in New York. While the protesters may be willing to risk injury, the City may not be willing to do so. On the surface, it does sound unfair, but they judge may have good reasons for the decision. You are still getting to hold your protest, just not in the way you originally wanted.

Remember that a large protest could be a target for a terrorist attack.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 11:51 AM

So how many 'large' events have we had since Sept 11? Thousands? How many terrorist attacks? Sure the government will provoke to violence this time...they need reason to implement martial law. Millions of concentration camp beds are waiting to be filled up, too.

The phony Iraq war has achieved it's purpose...it has diverted attention from the Bush Company's plundering of America. No CEO from the hundred corporate scandals is in jail, 401K's are now arbitrarily administered so they don't gurantee retirements, WW2 and Korean veterans just had their VA medical benefits yanked, the stock market is being artificially supported by the government, otherwise it would have crashed by now, NASA had a boo boo and a hundred billion is thrown at it as the fix...the Bush family servants of the World Bank are destroying America internally while focusing attention on a phony war.

But the war has to be demonstrated against in order for the Bush junta to show it's fascistic hand. Wait 'til the trains start hauling off grandmothers to concentration camps.

Buy guns. Buy ammo.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 12:13 PM

You can buy all the guns you want, GUEST, and play right into the government's hands. But, don't expect me to be there by your side. We *will* tak back our country with the one weapon that Boss Hog has no defense: intellect, love and non-violence. Yeah, those are my weapons of choice.

But as for guns, GUEST, Boss Hog is well aware of just how armed the country is. There is one gun privately owned for every man, woman and child, with a few to spare...

KimC:

New York's Republican mayor and the US JUstice Department are behind NY's decison to ban the march. This is just a "scare tactic" to keep the numbers down. The assembly part is intact. I find it interesting that the US Justice Depratment has become involved! Very intersting. It's isn't difficult to see the motivation. As for a terrorists attack, it wouldn't make any different btween the permited "assembly" and the denied "march". Anyone who syas not is just doing the work of Bush's PR people in keeping the numbers down.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Kim C
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 12:26 PM

Okay.... but they haven't banned the protest.

March anyway. Would it qualify as civil disobedience?

A couple of years ago, the city of Pulaski, TN denied the KKK a permit. Naturally the KKK went to the news and made a big fuss about "nobody wants us to march." Well, of course nobody did - but what they failed to mention was that they had missed the filing deadline, and that was why they were denied the permit. Maybe they even did it on purpose, I don't know.

It's easy to rush to assume that no one in power wants this march to happen. Maybe it's true that they don't. And maybe they're trying to avoid a situation that might have the potential to turn violent. Even if the protesters are intent on being peaceful, the people around them may have different ideas.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 12:40 PM

The marches have to take place, Bobert, but there will possibly be a terrorist attack. For those of you going to NYC, I'd avoid the subways:

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/68717.htm

The CIA created al Qeada. And now the Justice Dept is lying about PATRIOT Act 2, which will qualify EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN for incarceration. Any time now, our government will launch another attack and then offer themselves up as the guys with the plan. Pitiful.

And decry the use of guns all you want (as you should), but gun ownership is MANDATED by the Constitution. In order to PREVENT abusive forms of government from arising in the U.S., all citizens are required to be part of the well-regulated militia. Unfortunately, interests contrary to those of American citizens have seized the governmental offices and passed confusing and repressive gun laws. The result is a dis-armed Chicago, Washington DC, etc.

So imagine a debate between non-gun owners and gun-owners. Gun owners go first, put a bullet in the heads of all the non-gun owners. End of debate.

1. The secretive tactics being used by the White House and Speaker Hastert to keep even the existence of this legislation secret would be more at home in Communist China than in the United States. The fact that Dick Cheney publicly managed the steamroller passage of the first Patriot Act, insuring that no one was allowed to read it and publicly threatening members of Congress that if they didn't vote in favor of it that they would be blamed for the next terrorist attack, is by the White House's own definition terrorism. The move to clandestinely craft and then bully passage of any legislation by the Executive Branch is clearly an impeachable offence.

http://www.infowars.com/print_patriotact2_analysis.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 09:49 PM

a stationary rally How stationary do you have to be? Stand to attention or you get busted ? A right to bear arms, but no right to move legs...

But why do they think that a crowd standing in one place is less likely to get out of hand than one shambling along in a parade? It could work the other way, with people getting more chance to get each other worked up.

Of course, that might be the idea. Remember, if anyone starts urging people to charge the cops and break through the cordon, the chances are they will actually be agents provocateurs.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: leprechaun
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 10:32 PM

I haven't seen your New York marches close up, but the ones we have in our little town nearly always degenerate into a traffic-snarling mess. The organizers here refuse to get a permit, because that insinuates government control. They try real hard to make their movements unpredictable, so as to disrupt traffic and commerce as much as possible. Even in these non-permitted events, the police are still there, scrambling to keep people from getting run over as marchers ignore traffic controls, block intersections and generally piss off everybody who isn't in lock-step with them.

I'm so shocked that you've extrapolated the Death Of The Constitution from a few reasonable controls designed to protect the protesters as much as anybody else, and maybe prevent a situation where the terrorists have a nice juicy target.

Sounds to me like you still get the right to peaceably assemble, and I haven't seen anybody's freedom of speech abridged. Don't believe me? Click back a few times and look up and down the page. You need to march to be able to speak freely? Hut hut hut.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 10:47 PM

Hey, GUEST, you are right about the Patriot Act. It's a bunch of SS stuff as far as I can see. And, yeah, I have no concern about the bin Laden's but the Bushes? That is a different story. I just want to go on record of saying that if I am killed in New York this weekend then Bush, not bin Ladenl, will be the one holding the "smoking gun".

As for Bush and his *henchmen*, we're gonna march! And you can take that to the bank.

Hey, Bush is not in control of *democracy*. WE ARE!

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: leprechaun
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 10:56 PM

I don't know why GUEST is all worked up about EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN being incarcerated. That could be a good thing. People will be employed to build enough prisons to hold EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN, and that's got to help the economy, right? Sounds like full empolyment to me. Now all we have to do is decide how to take turns switching back and forth between being the prison guards and being the prisoners so EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN can spend their share of time in Incarcerville.

Good idea, GUEST!

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: GUEST,The Hated Guest
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 11:01 PM

Yeah, folks...the NEW Patriot Act...the one Ashcroft just got busted lying about...said it didn't exist, they weren't working on it, etc...

*Any group Ashcroft names as a 'terrorist' group...if you belong to it, you lose your American citizenship. Concentration camp.

*Anyone who has a history of a crime must submit DNA to the Feds (speeding tickets, etc.)

etc., etc., etc.

And they just need another 'event' to enact it. The stage is set, the lights go down, and...BIN LADEN! appears. What crap. The bin Ladens and the Bushes are poised to make between 1.7 and 1.9 trillion in arms sales off the Iraqi war. They are partners in the Carlyle Group.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: leprechaun
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 11:07 PM

That's cool, GUEST! I'm going to invest in whatever company makes instant DNA tests for criminal speeders.

Woo Hoo! The money's gonna be rollin' in!

Think I can get some stock in that Carlyle Group?

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 11:18 PM

Yo, leprechaun:

I haven't laughed so hard in months! Thanks, I needed that.

Fir real...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: InOBU
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 11:23 PM

As it turns out, our new mayor has decreed that no political marches will take place below 59th street from now on... now that means local issues have to be protested out of context, part of the speach aspect of a protest is the marching. Wake up folks it is getting worce and you are still wearing the rose colored glasses... Larry

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: leprechaun
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 12:10 AM

No really, Larry. If you're marching, the sound of your boots (or your birkenstocks) will drown out the words.

So speak. Speak speak speak.

But really, good luck at your rally. Keep 'em peaceful, naked or not.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 12:47 AM

leprechaun... I am still giggling... You can be very funny! You've got quite a gift. Thanks!

Although the overreactions are ugly, and the archnegetive pseudo-seditious insinuations are far too forthcoming by guests, I *am* nervous about the apparent disregard for the constitutional freedoms that make this country great. Those plastic flags that line the highways are a poor subsitute for functional democracy... and, while it is true that capital and industry are major players in our quality of life, and technology has the potential to improve everyone's future days, we are being encouraged to head in the wrong direction. The hope I'm carrying with me says "if it changed for the worse this quickly, we can love our country's tradition of *democracy... use it or lose it* back into shape just as fast!"
ttr

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 08:47 AM

I'm preaching to the choir here but the planned legislation rivals the policies of the Soviet secret police. Like many proposals they ask for or try to force down the throat more than they expect to get.

Getting even half of the new laws Ashcroft is calling for will eliminate any due process.

This bill was was intended to be introduced ONLY AFTER WE ARE FIGHTING IN IRAQ. They expected it to slip under the media radar screen that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 08:57 AM

on the lighter side
http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/ashcrofti.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: InOBU
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 09:11 AM

Words Lorcan Otway Tune, for now, Mandella by Hannon?

Marching with King

I marched with King in Selma, so I'm getting on in years
But I still recall the hopes we had in spite of all our fears
I still can hear the barking dogs and often in the night
I recall how we gently marched when justified to fight

We marched for voting rights and so that others would be free
While some were kept from basic rights, who could live comfortably
We faced the southern sheriffs and the banal Ku Klux Klan
to carry the light of human right to each corner of the land

Then the Viet Nam war began and we were marching as before
While tens of thousand lives were lost we walk to end a war
And many vets marched with us and were welcomed home again
while the government who sent them off ignored their cries of pain

And now the government is marching us off again to war
and people they are gathering to march just as before
but Bloomberg and Judge Barbara Jones conspired in this night
To stop Americans marching and destroy this sacred right

General Nathan Bedford Forrest gave the world the Ku Klux Klan
Sheriff Clark and Governor Maddox would keep slave chains in this land
And now to this list of shame two more names must appear
Mayor Bloomberg and Judge Jones who've sold their nation out to fear

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 09:23 AM

Actual Ashcroft quotes

http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/repres1.jpg

graphic by that left wing radical don hakman

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 09:55 AM

I'm almost feeling glad we don't have a written Constitution here. They don't really seem too reliable a safeguard.

I believe the old Soviet Constitution introduced by Stalin was a pretty freedom-enhancing document too. On paper. Saddam's Constitution look pretty good for that matter. Here's a link to it in fact. For example:

Article 22 [Dignity, Personal Integrity, Arrest, Home]

(a) The dignity of man is safeguarded. It is inadmissible to cause any physical or psychological harm.
(b) It is inadmissible to arrest a person, to stop him, to imprison him or to search him, except in accordance with the rules of the law.
(c) Homes have their sanctity. It is inadmissible to enter or search them, except in accordance with the rules of the law.

Or:

Article 26 [Expression, Association]
The Constitution guarantees freedom of opinion, publication, meeting, demonstrations and formation of political parties, syndicates, and societies in accordance with the objectives of the Constitution and within the limits of the law.

At least without a document to lean on you know you can't let up on the bastards chipping away at your freedom.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Kim C
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 10:32 AM

As I said, March Anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Don Firth
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 12:56 PM

I'm a lot more worried about what our own "leaders" are doing to the United States than I am about Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden.

There are grounds for impeachment, but our best hope is regime change in 2004. Provided, of course, that the administration doesn't declare a national emergency and suspend elections for the duration--how ever long that might be.

It's been done before. Once again, I refer you to William L. Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, especially the early parts, where it all got started. Chilling, in the light of current events.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 01:40 PM

As I went walking, I saw a sign there;
On the sign it said NO TRESPASSING,
But on the other side it didn't say nothing--
That side was made for you and me!

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: US Alerts guard against the Constitution
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 11:57 PM

Well sung McGrath! I would venture to guess that the verse you posted is the least sung verse of that fine folk anthem...

BTW, did you know that the origional song was a little different? The verses were the same, but the last line was "God blessed America for me". Also, he wrote it as a satire of "God Bless America" by Irving Berlin...

As they stood there hungry
I stood there wonderin'
if God blessed America for me

ttr