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Politics : GOPwinger Lies/Distortions/Omissions/Perversions of Truth -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Doug R who wrote (892)	2/8/2004 1:48:26 PM
From: Skywatcher	Respond to of 173976

Fourth Catholic Worker summon to Fed Grand Jury in Des Moines Wendy Bobbit Vasquez became the fourth Des Moines peace activist to be summon by the Fed Attorney to appear before a Fed Grand Jury Tues. Feb. 10th. Wendy, a former member of the Community for Creative Nonviolence in Wash DC and former DMCW join Brian Terrell, Moly IA Catholic Worker, Patti McKee, former DMCW and Elton Davis DMCW as summon witness to a Fed Grand Jury in Des Moines IA. Below todays DM Register article... Stay tuned.... this story has legs. frank cordaro ---------------- Feb 6, 2004 Des Moines Register Web page <http://DesMoinesRegister.com/news/stories/c4788993/23463005.html> Crime & Courts Fourth activist in D.M. ordered to testify The federal probe also focuses on a November antiwar forum held at Drake University. By JEFF ECKHOFF and MARK SEIBERT 02/06/2004 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A federal investigation expanded Thursday as prosecutors subpoenaed a fourth peace activist to appear before a grand jury and secured a court order forbidding Drake University officials to discuss a demand for information about a November antiwar conference on campus. Federal authorities so far have refused to disclose what the investigation is about or what laws might have been broken. But an officer with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force served a subpoena to Wendy Vasquez of Des Moines on Thursday morning. Vasquez, an antiwar activist who visited Iraq in 2002, was surprised. "Just the whole idea that somebody would think I'm a terrorist is ludicrous," she said. Vasquez's summons was the latest grand jury subpoena issued as part of a federal investigation that includes three other antiwar activists, as well as records of an activist legal group at Drake. Vasquez was among dozens of activists who attended a Nov. 15 conference at Drake called "Stop the Occupation! Bring the Iowa Guard Home!" The conference was hosted by the Drake Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. The event was followed the next day by a demonstration at the Iowa National Guard Headquarters in Johnston where 12 protesters were arrested. On Wednesday, federal investigators subpoenaed three activists involved that weekend. Elton Davis, Patti McKee and Brian Terrell have been ordered to appear in Des Moines before a federal grand jury on Tuesday. Davis and Vasquez were arrested at the Nov. 16 demonstration, which Terrell also attended. McKee, who could not be reached for comment, is listed as an organizer of the conference. Federal prosecutors have refused to discuss the investigation or the purpose of the grand jury. But Thursday morning, at the request of the U.S. attorney's office in Des Moines, U.S. District Judge Ronald Longstaff issued an order under seal - meaning its contents are secret. Sources say the order prohibits Drake employees from commenting about a separate subpoena demanding university records. The Drake subpoena asks for all records relating to the Nov. 15 conference. It also demands information about leaders of the National Lawyers Guild, location of the guild's offices and any annual reports since 2002. Part of the subpoena asks for "all records of Drake University campus security reflecting any observations made of the November 15, 2003, meeting, including any records of persons in charge or control of the meeting, and any records of attendees of the meeting." The National Lawyers Guild is a New York-based organization that regularly involves itself in social activism and the defense of protesters. A guild official vowed that the group will fight the subpoena "with everything that we have." "It's a clear First Amendment violation and a clear attempt to intimidate lawful expression," said Heidi Boghosian, the guild's executive director. "We have no intention of turning anything over." Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Vanderschel said Thursday that he could "neither confirm nor deny the existence of any ongoing investigation." "I'm not able to provide any further comments," he said. Drake officials also declined to comment when asked about the existence of a gag order. Terrell, one of the activists who has been subpoenaed, was skeptical about the effort to silence Drake employees. "What they're doing is they're claiming it's to protect the privacy of students," he said.

To: Doug R who wrote (892)	2/8/2004 2:11:20 PM
From: bentway	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 173976

You're exactly right. The US invaded Iraq to secure the oil. The people behind the scenes don't care if Iraqis have democracy or live in slavery as long as WE secure the oil coming from there. Iraq has the second largest reserves in the world, and was politically much easier to justify invading than Saudi Arabia, which has the largest reserve, thanks to Saddam Insane. Still, with our troops permanently stationed in Iraq, we've got a staging point for any future take over of Saudi Arabia, if needed. Most international wars are fought over resources.