Daybreak

Too Much is an online weekly on excess and inequality. This week's edition features a review of David Swanson's "Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming A More Perfect Union." It begins:

These two new books, at any first glance, don’t have much in common. The first, Daybreak, comes from David Swanson, a journalist turned activist who spent the Bush years mobilizing Americans against unchecked executive branch power. He writes to help fashion — and inspire — real “citizen power.”

Paul Theobald, the author of the second, teaches at Buffalo State. In Education Now, this scholar takes us back to the 17th and 18th centuries and helps us understand how the ideas that took root in those years have evolved — for better and worse — to shape our democracy, our workplaces, and our schools.

Both these books, as intriguing as their subjects may be, wouldn’t normally be topics for Too Much review. But both authors come to a conclusion that, in the end, makes them absolutely appropriate candidates for Too Much attention.

The United States, both authors contend, will never move significantly beyond our various social, political, and economic imperfections so long as Americans let unlimited wealth and income concentrate in the hands of a precious few. Read more.

Check out this interview I did with Creative Loafing in preparation for coming to Florida.

Listen here and visit http://kpft.org

Go to Talk Nation Radio Blog.

Listen here: http://www.whus.org

Watch for podcast to be posted later today if you miss the original.

By Ron Stouffer and Rosie Skomitz, CommonSense2

We first encountered David Swanson, co-founder of AfterDowningStreet.org, when he broke the news of the ‘Downing Street Memo’, a document that many considered a smoking gun proving that George W. Bush lied to make a case for invading Iraq. The memo, from a 2002 British intelligence briefing, indicated that Bush was intent on invading Iraq despite his claims to the contrary. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair lied in order to promote the invasion, ostensibly to remove Saddam Hussein based on alleged links to terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Swanson told us that “the intelligence and the facts were being fixed around the policy.” We did not doubt Swanson’s claim then, and the accuracy of his assertion is even more evident in hindsight.

In his latest book, Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union, Swanson revisits the crimes and abuses of the Bush-Cheney administration, focuses on the spectrum of shared responsibility, offers suggestions and solutions for a more democratic future, and challenges us to become active citizens and agents of change for the better.

Though the sins of Bush-Cheney were not unique to their administration, they took abuse of power to a new level of brazenness and arrogance and in the process made a mockery of the Constitution. Either we are a nation of laws or we are not. Either we enforce the Constitution or we do not. Failure to hold leaders accountable makes it more likely that future presidents will continue illegal behavior. (Note that Pres. Obama continues the practice of missile strikes in foreign countries, detaining people without charge, renditions, signing statements.)

Listen here.

"Daybreak" Is Breaking Out

"Daybreak" is outselling all expectations and into its second printing in its first month.  It's even in the media, especially on the radio every day. 
See stories, audio, and video at http://davidswanson.org

The tour of 47 cities has made 12 stops so far with 35 to come. 
See http://davidswanson.org

The Black Commentator at http://www.blackcommentator.com is printing a series of three excerpts from the book as part of David Swanson's new regular column there.

Read all three:

1. You Have Only the Right to Remain Silent
2. A Second Bill of Rights
3. Part 3 will appear Oct. 8th

THE PENTAGON OF PEACE: “FIVE FOR TRUTH”
New Mexico Tour Presented by VETERANS FOR PEACE

Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque
OCTOBER 9, 10, 11

Detailed schedule here:
http://davidswanson.org/daybreak-10-9

And here:
http://www.patriotswatch.org

David Swanson will discuss his book "Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union.
Oct. 12, 13 Tampa / St. Petersburg, FL
Oct. 14 Miami, FL (with C-Span filming)
Oct. 15 Orlando, FL
Details here: http://davidswanson.org/book

http://www.theyoungturks.com

From Ventura up to Salinas, for you left coasters, catch my interview with host Guy Rathbun on http://kcbx.org tonight, and later tonight or tomorrow morning listen to the podcast on the NPR podcast page.

Listen to mp3.

Listen to mp3 here. Jump to the second half.

Introduction to FireDogLake Book Salon by Glenn Greenwald
original and two hours of discussion here

Over the last eight years, David Swanson has been one of the most tenacious and effective activists against the transgressions of the Bush presidency. As Press Secretary for Dennis Kucinich’s 2004 presidential campaign, Communications Coordinator for ACORN prior to that, a tireless anti-war activist for Democrats.com and, most notably of all, as the indefatigable spearhead behind the campaign to publicize the incriminating "Downing Street memos," Swanson has been a living, breathing illustration of what vibrant citizen activism and independent, adversarial investigative journalism should be.

On Sunday, September 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. ET, Glenn Greenwald will introduce and moderate an online discussion with David Swanson about his new book "Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union."

Please go to FireDogLake ahead of time and make sure you have a username and password so that you can ask questions: http://firedoglake.com

1. FireDogLake Book Salon: Swanson with Greenwald
2. Who Decides About War? Conference
3. Oppose Wars in D.C. on Oct. 5, Everywhere Oct. 17
4. New Mexico with Elliott Adams, Ray McGovern, Cindy Sheehan, David Swanson, Ann Wright
5. Daybreak in Florida with C-Span

1. FireDogLake Book Salon: Swanson with Greenwald

On Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 8:00 PM ET, go to TV News Lies.

This review captures what I have tried to do with this book.

Listen here.

Listen here.

David Swanson Daybreak OKC from Pam Paul on Vimeo.