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HEAR TAPE OF JULY 23, 2002, DOWNING STREET MEETING…
. . . or an amazing 9-minute recreation thereof that uses the exact words of the "Downing Street Memo."
This remarkable audio production conveys far more clearly than the written word what went on behind closed doors that day three years ago. The cast and credits for this production, are as follows.
Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee John Scarlett -- Anonymous
Sir Richard Dearlove, the Chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) – John Rafter Lee
Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, Chief of Defence Staff – Demian Martell
Then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon – Ed Asner
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw -- Anonymous
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith – Larry Pressman
Sir David Manning, a foreign policy advisor – Brian O'Connor
Prime Minister Tony Blair – Demian Martell
Narrator – Mimi Kennedy
Recording Engineered By Michael Jay
LINK TO AUDIO AVAILABLE FOR USE ON RADIO:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/recreation2.mp3
OR
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/recreation.m3u
Take it and air it!
LINK TO TRANSCRIPT:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/drama2.pdf
CONTACT FOR INTERVIEWS:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/478
OVER 250 EVENTS PLANNED FOR SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2005
On July 23, over 250 events around the United States will mark the three-year anniversary of the meeting at #10 Downing Street in London, England, that was recorded in the now infamous minutes known as the "Downing Street Memo." At least nine events will be hosted by or participated in by Members of Congress, including John Conyers in Detroit, Jim McDermott in Seattle, Barbara Lee in Oakland, Maxine Waters in Los Angeles, Maurice Hinchey in New York, and Tom Udall in New Mexico. Congressman Charles Rangel will host an electronic town-hall meeting, answering questions from his New York constituents on the internet, from noon to 1 p.m., July 22. Congressman Xavier Becerra will host an event in Los Angeles on July 30, and Congressman Barney Frank in Boston on July 31. Co-Founder of the After Downing Street Coalition, constitutional attorney John Bonifaz will speak at a town hall meeting on July 23rd in Northampton, Mass.
In over 250 towns and cities, prominent speakers and ordinary citizens will hold public forums, perform dramatic recreations of the Downing Street meeting, and host house parties and study circles. Ninety-two events and counting are listed online at AfterDowningStreet.org. For details on events in any part of the country, see this map: http://heh.pl/&tm . Another 18 events on surrounding days are also listed on the site. In addition, Congressman Conyers' office has organized over 150 house parties through their website. See http://johnconyers.com/.
AfterDowningStreet.org is a rapidly growing coalition of veterans' groups, peace groups, and political activist groups, which launched on May 26, 2005, a campaign to urge the U.S. Congress to begin a formal investigation into whether President Bush has committed impeachable offenses in connection with the Iraq war.
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Sorry guys I know this is off topic but wanted to know if you'd heard of this before as I hadn't.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45313
I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS GROUP. WHAT EXACTLY IS THEIR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE ? WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED? WHAT METHOD'S, OR STANDARDS OF COOBORATION DO THEY IMPOSE UPON THEMSELVE'S TOWARDS TRUTHFULLNESS WITH RESPECT TO THE ALLEDGED INFORMATION THEY TRANSMIT? MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT IS THEIR SOURCE OF INFORMATION, AND HOW DO THEY OBTAIN THEIR INFORMATION? THEIR CURRENT STORY RELATING TO BEN LADENS PLAN FOR A NUCLEAR ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES IS A CHILLING TALE INDEED. THIS ALLEDGED INFORMATION OFCOURSE SHOULDN'T BE TAKEN LIGHTLY AND IN VIEW OF THIS PRESIDENT'S CORRUPTION AND INCOMPETENCE COULD RESULT IN AN ATTACK OF THIS NATURE. MY INITIAL REACTION TO THIS STORY, LOGICALLY, WOULD BE TO WONDER IF THIS IS NOT JUST ANOTHER FRINGE GROUP WITH A SMALL FOLLOWING. IT'S REASONABLE TO ASK THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. **HUMPHREY**
Sorry guys I know this is off topic but wanted to know if you'd heard of this before as I hadn't.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45313
I was a little uneasy about the whole "dramatic reading" thing since I first saw the announcements about it with respect to the upcoming third anniversary events; it didn't seem necessary or valuable for anything other than the gratification of ourselves. I didn't say anything at the time because I didn't see the harm and we can all certainly use a little gratification in the midst of the nightmare that this administration and complicit media have created. But I think this is getting out of hand and we should reconsider.
Why the misleading teaser headline in ALL CAPS (unlike other ADS posts), followed by an accurate, though arguably still hyped (i.e. "amazing"), description of the post in the first line of the body? Why not just use the headline "Hear Dramatic Reading of July 23, 2002, Downing Street Meeting"? The post continues, "This remarkable audio production..." Remarkable? What's so remarkable about seasoned actor Ed Asner donning a fake British accent?
I can't thank everyone at ADS enough for your efforts to push the issue of the DSM into the spotlight where it belongs; you have provided a wealth of resources for all of us to inform ourselves and others and -- in the case of the anniversary events -- organize in our own communities. But stuff like this and the recent accusations directed at Comcast, in my opinion, really do not help our cause; it is fodder for all of those people who want to paint us as desperate, crazy, crybabies screaming for attention over a non-issue. That is something I am still reasonably confident that we are not, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Let's remember that the DSM is not a transcript but a summation, accurate as it may be and apparently is. At this point I suggest that you/we consider dropping this notion of the "dramatic readings" on the 23rd. I know people have invested time and energy in it but I think that time would be better spent by us discussing and engaging with each other (I will be at the Seattle meeting) rather than repeating words that we already know. If you really need to hear the words out loud, read it to yourself out loud with as campy a British accent as you can muster. In fact, that sounds like a good idea; I think I'll do that now. Then we can get back to the serious business at hand.
"But stuff like this and the recent accusations directed at Comcast, in my opinion, really do not help our cause; it is fodder for all of those people who want to paint us as desperate, crazy, crybabies screaming for attention over a non-issue."
Agreed. Please don't destroy your own credibility with such puerile nonsense. Your enemies have many faults, but they could teach you a thing or two about staying on message.
Care to elaborate? Exactly what message am I straying from?
You weren't. I was agreeing with your comments about the Comcast stuff and the theatrical performances.
I was confused about your (yes, you!) use of the word "your". :)
I agree with you on that one ben, your sentiments closely match mine on this subject. What can a so called "dramtic reading" of a memo do to futher the cause... not much that I can see... There is no new infomation brought to light by this. I suppose it could assit in reaching out to the blind and illiterate comunities... However, the headline most definately sensetionalizes this trivial addition. Trust me I love what this site stands for, I love the fact that I see people all over this country beginging to get people involved in the politics that directly affect thier lives, and the lives of thier family and friends. Our participation in the political system is not only what makes this country great, but it is also nessesary for the country to function as the "fore-fathers" intended. Lacadasical attitudes towards voting and participation are hurting our country just as much as anything else. Now look i've gone and ranted off on a tangent... But seeing that headline and then realizing what it was I had to shake my head in shame... If anyone has a bone to pick with me over this subject I would be more than happy to discuss it further with you at the july 23rd meeting in love park Philladelphia.
I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT STATEMENT CONCERNNING ACCUSATION DIRECTED AT COMCAST. AND ONLY THAT. THERE IS, PRESENTLY, SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE, OR BETTER, THE LACK THEREOF, CONCERNNING THE ALLEGATION FROM A VENDOR SERVING TO FILTER EMAILS FOR COMCAST THAT ALLEDGES AFTERDOWNINGSTREET.ORG HAD BEEN SPAMMING 46,000 PEOPLE OUT IN THE CYBER WORLD. DAVID SWANSON ASKED TO SEE AT LEAST TWO OF THESE ALLEDGED COMPLAINTS BUT WAS REFUSED. ABSENT ANY EVIDENCE TO COOROBORATE THE ALLEGATION, IT COULD BE REASONABLE ASSUMED THAT LAST WEEK, WHEN THE ORGANIZATION'S ABILITY TO SEND EMAILS WAS DISRUPTED, WITHOUT ANY (PRE)NOTIFICATION, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF INTERNAL TAMPERING BY SOMEONE WITH APPOSING POLITICAL VIEW'S TO DISRUPT THE ORGANIZATION'S ABILITY TO SEND COMMUNICATIONS TO SUPPORTER'S. THIS, WAS A DIRTY TRICK, IF INDEED IT WAS AN INTENTIONAL ACT, AND SHOULD BE SOMETHING OF GREAT CONCERN. SO THAT IS WHY IT MAY BE MENTIONED IN VARIOUS ARTICLE'S WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION'S SITE. IMAGINE IF THIS WAS THE RESULT OF SOMEONE WITHIN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION REQUESTING THAT THIS ACTION BE DONE BY A CONTACT WITHIN THE ISP TO DISRUPT THE GROUP'S EFFORTS.
**HUMPHREY**
"IT COULD BE REASONABLE [sic] ASSUMED THAT ... THIS MAY HAVE BEEN ..."
That's my point. It's just speculation at this point, and rather wild speculation in my opinion. Please see my comment on the Comcast/Symantec post. Whether it was accidental or malicious, blocks like this can be avoided if users take some responsibility and invest some effort into how their email is handled. I agree that this should be a cause for concern for customers of Comcast and Symantec but I think that means getting informed at least as much as getting outraged.
P.S. Please turn off your caps lock.
ok,
i dont know alot about politics,
probably cus i am only fourteen
but what i do know is that tony blair is a w*nker
i mean its almost like primary school,
and bush is the 'cool kid' that every one has to be freinds with
but in real life nobody really likes them cus there dum ass twats with no brains and are the BULLIES
they just want to be cool
bush is the cool kid
blair is that follower
blair is bush's little lapdog
we are not american and will never be!
we are bloody british and british we will always be
Blair needs to make choices that are going to benifit the uk
the only thing america has to do with the uk is that they share the same planet.
the f*cking people of the countries that we are helping are being bombed and hurt.
if we truely are 'helping them' then surely there are meant to be more smiles than before? less graves and less guns?
but no were bombing them great way of helping them!
the only reason that we are helping them is because they have oil
if we werent then surely we would be helping zimbabwe with mugabe and north korea? i dont f*cking care bout oil i dont drive and its bad for the environment or summit but i do care about the people because i have a heart and because i know people and am a person myself a human being
i have two words for you tony blair;
KEEP IT REAL
and for those who think that thats three
it is short for innit innit?
aaah i love us brits i just hope that we stay normal and in peace,
for fucks sake blair open your eyes
nobody wants a war
p.s you have to have seen ali g to get the keep it real thing
cheers...well done. Yank
This is the imminent downfall of this last North American cabal.
National Economic Security and Reformation ACT (NESARA)
www.nesara.us
It has become quite obvious that our government does not have the people's best interest at heart. It is time for truth. It is time for the Bush Administration to come clean about their errors of judgement, and actions regarding Iraq.
No more people should die at the hands of mismanagement and arrogance.
this is not "documentation."
A tape recreation is extremely silly and underminds the goal of embarassing Blair and Bush. I don't want to hear it at the meetings on the 23rd either. Blair's actions only make sense if he has on off shore bank account.
Our cause is real and noble, but this is goofy. The headline says, “HEAR TAPE OF JULY 23, 2002, DOWNING STREET MEETING,
I have to admit, when I saw the headline initially, the thought that came to my mind was that they actually found audio evidence of the Downing Street meeting three years ago, and that they had concrete evidence to impeach George W. Bush. Needless to say, I was disappointed to find out that it was audio of a recreation of the meeting. As much good as it is to see such recreations, an audiotape from the actual event would give a great boost to our cause, and play down almost any "vast liberal conspiracy" claims.
This reminds me of the "recreations" of the Michael Jackson trial produced and broadcast by the E!Network which amounted to a chicksh!t attempt to futher sensationalize the "sensation of the week".
If you want to be taken seriously, you have to do serious journalism, not imitating E!'s infotainment brand of journalism. We get enough of that from Limbaugh and O'Rielly. The inclusion of professional actors does not make it appear any less infantile.
If radio stations play this and promote the events and the issue, who the hell's going to care what headline the blog post had for godsake?
And if people listen to this and understand it who haven't before, isn't this good?
This isn't some 45 second PSA you can just slip in somewhere; It's eight and a half minutes long. Who's going to broadcast it? Air America? They've been covering the DSM since at least early June, probably earlier. NPR? Good luck. They already don't give a shit.
Sure, if this audio is out there informing someone, that's a good thing. I'm just not convinced that will happen for any measurable number of people. Nope, this is one's for the choir.
You are wiser than most adults.
" I apologize for all the life , that is being needlessly lost in Africa, Iraq, and Afghanistan" and other parts of the country due to people who claim to be intelligent but cannot even respectfully agree to disagree, without bringing out their guns and bombs.
Also, face it people, America too often is famous for going to war for the 'wrong reasons".
I can see no honor in attacking people who are not militarily able to defend their country.
I can see no honor is knowing children are dying from AID and other preventable diseases in Africa , and our not helping.
I can't even see common sense in spending billions of dollars to " help" a country after bombing and killing their men, women and children who did nothing to harm America and could not , even if they wanted to do so.
America is also famous for not sufficiently helping veterants who returned infjured mentally and physically.
Their families are often left to fend for themeselves due to the low wages received by great men and women who believe in and protect our country.
If anyone thinks my comments are wrong, in your replies.. tell me why we have spent 314 billion and will spend 700 billion dollars on a country called Iraq , the size of California, while People who really need and would appreciate the monetary help are again left to fend for themselves.
We spend less than 1% of our budget per year to help " AFRICA".
hmmmm
I love this Country called America, but face it, Africa is too " Black Skinned", to warrant our help.
Also, Black Americans could and should step up to the plate in helping the Mother Courntry Africa where all life began.
Simply agree not to buy one new outfit or pair of shoes, instead help began a foundation/trust to sent to Africa each year for a hand up not a hand out.
By the way.. how much did that African Garb suit you bought to show your pride in being African American?
Skp the outfit and send money to help builed wells with clean water or start a business to give poor africans jobs..
What is most disappointing to me , is American Hisory that taught me that we are against " invading" a " soverign nation" .
Don't count me as a Republican , Democrat or Independent.
I am simply someone who loves and cares about others human beings and their right to exist with their choise of how they spiritually believe, a decent education that helps put a roof over their head , feed their family and free access to medications when they can cannot afford to buy it.
This sounds more like the " America" I believe in.
I am puzzled as to why my fellow Americans would have it any other way? Do you think more of your " material things" or, Are you just plain SKURRRRRRED?
Comments welcome
As a Brit, I feel much the same about my own country, and I'm really happy to read such words of wisdom and compassion come from an American.
It's high time we in the west started to re-align our priorities. North American and European population total around 600 million people, and we control a vastly disproportionate amount of the world's wealth and resources, as well as using them up.
As the evidence becomes apparent, it would seem that the Iraq war came about because of the ideas of Neo-Cons such as Richard Perle, Douglas Feith and Paul Wolfowitz, and masterminded by Dick Cheney from the Pentagon/NESA Office of Special Plans; the US government's very own propaganda department; trying to prove the unprovable, that Iraq was linked to Al-Qaeda and had Weapons of Mass Destruction. This article helps illustrate the department's inner workings: http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2004/01/12_405.html.
It is clear that the motive for the War in Iraq was both money and ideology driven; to get the US Oligarchs a stready revenue stream for the next 20 years or so, and to advance the interests of Israel. A little research into the 'Project for a New American Century' shows a plethora of artciles written by powerful Neo-Cons, that make for horrfying reading to most Non-US citizens at least.
So why would they do all of this? The answer seems to be to maintain the consumption rates and lifestyle of Middle Class America. SUV's, cheap food and clothing, cheap (by European standards) energy, and most of all, the acquisition of cold hard cash. I can see that many progressive thinking Americans are doing their best to try and change things, but the corporate media machine is way too powerful to compete with directly. But here's the motivation; your government's actions to secure a 'New American Century' have made you the most un
popular and greedy country on earth, and you're killing us all!!!
Thanks to the advancement of medical science and the ready availability of food, we in the west have become complacent, and ignorant of the plight of others around the world, working in slavery to support our lifestyles. Naomi Klein's book 'No Logo' details the 'Export Processing Zones' found in the Far East and South America, created in sealed off areas of soveriegn countries to make tax free goods for western markets. The widely unreported AIDS pandemic in Africa is destroying the fabric of the entire continent; causing generations of orphans, and swathes of people to fall even deeper into the poverty trap, and all becuase EU and US drug companies are dragging their heels to provide generic versions of their anti-retroviral drugs.
But then, there is the graver threat to our lifestyles coming from the very organisations our respective nations helped to spawn. Manufacturing and service sector jobs are being outsourced to cheaper and cheaper contracts, frequently to places where there are no health and safety requirements, a lower-than-living wage, and no employee benefits. The impact on western soceity is HUGE; more and more jobs will cease to exist, and unemployment will steadily rise; as it already is in Germany, Spain and France.
The only real power we have is economic power. If nothing else, we can do our bit to help by using renewable energy suppliers, buying fair-trade goods and services, and avoiding companies that invest in the Bush Administration or arms.
But the most important thing we can do is to try and stop the hawks in power from destroying our world even more than they already have, so it is the responsibility of everyone who cares to spread the message that we have to respect our planet, and one another, else our species is doomed.
After this debate and all the glorious truth is revealed on the dark lies used to cover lie after lie after lie. The House of cards is tumbling,, and we see the Emporor Cheerleader still knows how to cheer, but is cheering for the wrong side. The people of America never did mean anything to the emporor. Only the peoples vote to make him look loved by them. A lying crook, no matter what class, race or religion, is a lying crook. Kerry said it in 2003 and I quote: "This is the most crooked bunch to ever hit the White House in all History." It was one of the reasons he stood up in the vietnam war and it is the reason he was ran for President to stop it. Unjfortunately for Kerry, (our brave decorated veteran from one era) he simply is not really comfortable around fake people like the press, who look for every inch of blood they can find on a candidate. He's doing what he should right now, gathering the evidence against the 'beasts' in the House. "You know the house, on the hill, filled with corruption, and tainted bills" Stop wasting time, the troops need our help because its against code to speak out against the "Compunker and Chief", who never saw a battle except in bancruptcy court. And his companies that were ran in the ground and rescued by Saudi Money and Bin Ladens. "It aint even live, ain't even live, It ain't nothin but a movie. It's 1984 and big brother's at your door, in your phone, recieving you, as you recieve them on tv. Wake up and take it back America. Our movements are not the corporate worlds business and we are not insects in a jar, to be observed and data gathered, until it is time to serve our purpose in the web of deception and multi-colored lies leading to the death of our loved ones in 2007.
I think this, what you are doing, is fabulous.
I live in North Wales and am disgusted truly with what has been done in our names ( here on the British Isles)
Have you members here in Wales?
mair jones
carer and peace activist