Who would you choose to "out" corruption in gov't in a BIG way?

[OneGrassRoot]

I often fantasize that SOMEONE comes forward to hold a press conference, laying out the crimes of this administration and the crises they have created in a clear, concise manner, waking up the masses from our nationwide apathetic stupor.

Here's the kicker. This person(s) needs to:

1. Be someone who could GET the media's attention.
2. Someone not seen as partisan or someone with an obvious axe to grind. A moderate Republican calling out his/her own would be delicious.
3. Someone the "average" person actually would pay attention to.



Tapping into #2,here are a few of my thoughts: Colin Powell (we're disgusted with him, but the average American would still pay attention to what he has to say); McCain (maybe four years ago this would have worked, but I no longer think anyone would pay attention since he has pandered so blatantly).

Bill Clinton sure could get the attention of everyone but there are too many reasons he couldn't realistically be the one to do this. Al Gore is basically doing it in an intelligent, powerful way but, sadly, it seems he is only preaching to the choir.

Maybe it would be most effective done by someone who is NOT a politician. While their names may not be recognizable to the populace, perhaps one of the media CEOs - if there are any with integrity - could step up and speak out and admit how they contributed to these crimes and these crises as they call out the specifics.

I think the former Watergate people speaking out are powerful witnesses to the current mess. Maybe as their voices grow, it will create the impact of waking up the masses to the seriousness of what's happening? KO is wonderful (LOVE him), and I realize his audience is growing....but I'm not sure the average person would take any cable news person seriously enough. There is so much "noise" with the 24-hour news channel (and I use the term "news" lightly) that people tune them out for the most part.

Who do you think could logically create the impact I speak of above? Not the person YOU admire the most or feel is powerful/influential, but sommeone who can get the media's attention (even for whorish if not admirable/professional reasons)....someone the "average" American would sit up and pay attention to....someone who has enough specifics and credibility to lay out these facts.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. How about a consortium of advocates, not just one?

Jimmy Carter, RFK Jr., Walter Cronkite, Colin Powell...

Wow, as I try to come up with a list, I begin to realize how bereft America is of universally respected statesmen & intellectual/moral giants. There are no Einsteins, no Spocks...

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Yes, yes....a "mixed bag" of advocates.

That would create even more impact and generate more buzz and credibility.

It is sad how few UNIVERSALLY respected statesmen we have available to us in these times.

Perhaps statesmen from other countries could join in as well, since this is indeed an international crisis B*shco has created. Other governments/corporations are to blame as well, so lifting the veil globally would be a beautiful thing. There would be chaos at first as the truth is finally revealed in a way that can't be denied, but then.....ah, well....I can imagine what a different world - in a wonderful way - we'd be living in.

Let's create a list of these advocates and generate a campaign to enlist their services. :toast:

[TheCentepedeShoes]

2. Who will be our

Smedley Butler?

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Smedley Butler...

I must admit I didn't know who Smedley Butler was. I've seen that name mentioned at DU in the last few days but didn't take the time to research until now. I think the name of his book, "War is a Racket" was more familiar to me than his name.

"Butler was known for his outspoken lectures against war profiteering and what he viewed as nascent fascism in the United States. During the 1930s, he gave many such speeches to pacifist groups. Between 1935 and 1937, he served as a spokesman for the American League Against War and Fascism (which some considered communist-dominated).<5>

In his 1935 book, War Is a Racket, Butler presented an exposé and trenchant condemnation of the profit motive behind warfare. His views on the subject are well summarized in the following passage from a 1935 issue of "the non-Marxist, socialist" magazine, Common Sense — one of Butler's most widely quoted statements:

'I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested.' "


Sadly, Congress did absolutely nothing even though they acknowledged the conspiracy.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Forgot Wes Clark!!!

You know, as I carry this fantasy further, how awesome would it be to have a press conference, with representatives from all sectors of gov't/business/media/military represented.

Maybe Larry Flynt, George Soros...any wealthy people....can offer rewards ($$ going directly to our troops/veterans, Katrina recovery, Iraqi refugees)for key people to come forward to expose the crimes this administration have committed.

Maybe a Brian Williams type representing MSM - better yet, someone from Faux admitting their direct involvement in furthering these crimes! (I know, I know...they're all complicit...I just don't know which media person would be most effective in gaining attention with a mea culpa)

Wes Clark, Colin Powell...

JFK, Jr.; Presidents Carter and Clinton; a Prime Minister or two from other countries (w/their military leaders).

A Halliburton exec whistleblower; whistleblower lobbyists from various industries. Sibel Edmonds story being told as part of this group's press conference.

John McCain as he withdraws as a candidate and tries to restore dignity, admitting he tried to play the corrupt game and it's taken its toll and wants to atone by telling what he knows.

We'd need a huge banner in the background listing the crimes to reinforce the various details being told by all these people.

[Octafish]

6. JFK, Jr. died when his plane plunged into the sea on approach to the airport.

Sort of like what happened to Paul Wellstone and his plane.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. I meant RFK, Jr. - not enough coffee yet n/t

[Octafish]

8. I'm sorry. Re-reading my post, I see it comes across the wrong way.

Your question goes to the root of our problem, as a Party and as a nation: Where are the leaders?

My response attempted to show that they are targeted by those who value property and power over people and progress.

The name that springs to my mind is Sen. James Webb, D-Virginia.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. Yes!!! He is another man who SEEMS to have integrity...

though I'm so cautious about putting my faith in anyone right now.

You're right, though. He has the qualities and credentials which fit the bill, so to speak.

We might be pleasantly surprised if others share in this thread to find we do have more potential leaders in our midst (not currently running for president) than we realized.

Thank you! :-)

[mmonk]

9. All involved in the Sibel Edmonds coverup.

[JitterbugPerfume]

11. Bill Moyers

[WritersBlock]

12. Lee Iacocca has already spoken out.

Wonder if this is what he got for his troubles...

http://www.slate.com/?id=2068448

Huge headline blaring:

"Blame Iacocca: How the former Chrysler CEO caused the corporate scandals."

If you were interested in finding a culprit for the deluge of bad news that has engulfed American business and brought the stock market crashing down, the name of Lee Iacocca would probably not be high on your list of suspects. But if it weren't for Iacocca, it is unlikely that we would be talking about Enron and WorldCom today.