In a stunning move of blatant disregard for the transparency of government, the Supremes issued their decision on Thursday about Cheney's energy panel. You guessed it, Court Won't Make Cheney Energy Papers Public (FindLaw, 6/24/04). The Administration had argued in Cheney's defense that Cheney should not have to reveal who was on his energy task force, nor what their suggestions had been. The reasoning was that "advice" to the President and Vice President should be confidential so advisors feel unencumbered to give "advice." The court concurred, and sent the case back to the appellate court. Writing for the majority, Justice Kennedy wrote:

""Special considerations applicable to the president and the vice president suggest that the courts should be sensitive to requests by the government,"."

What this means for the citizenry, is that the Supreme Court has supported the Bush regime's right to shield their activities behind a curtain of executive privilege.

Doing its best to nibble at the freedom of speech and shutting out voices from around the globe, a policy change occurred (very quietly) at the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The policy imposes conditions and penalties on publishers and editors.

"publishers and others who edit manuscripts from nations under U.S. trade embargoes -- including, at the moment, Iran, Libya, Sudan and Cuba -- may face criminal penalties, including fines of up to $500,000 and 10 years in prison, unless they are working under special licenses from the government." (Hands Off, Kraft, Hartford Advocate, 3/11/04)

The argument runs that while publishing per se is not illegal, that editing and adding things such as illustration, make materials more salable. Therefore, it counts as an "economic service" to an embargoed country. Doing business in violation of embargoes is a Cheney specialty. While serving as the CEO of Halliburton, Cheney crafted a continuing flow of business with Iraq (in excess of $24 million in contracts), Iran, Libya (Cheney Made Millions Off Oil Deals with Hussein, Lee, TruthOut, 11/13/2000; Documenting the Halliburton / Cheney Crimes and Controversies, Part II, Limburg, Independent Media TV, 2/14/04). The policy change particularly impacts international organizations and journals such as the American Chemical Society and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The policy is seen as shutting down the free flow of ideas and information.

Closer to home, Bush who has allegedly been getting erratic recently been recently (Capitol Hill Blue, 6/17/04), has launched a war on mental health. Excuse me, a war to protect mental health. Bush is issuing a wide ranging mental health initiative in July. (We may need it after the handover of control to the new Iraqi government.) True to double-speak form, the policy initiative comes from the findings of Bush's "New Freedom Commission on Mental Health" which he started in April of 2004. Since "freedom is one of those double entendre words for Bush, one piece of the plan aims to screen the entire population for mental illness,

"The president's commission found that "despite their prevalence, mental disorders often go undiagnosed" and recommended comprehensive mental health screening for "consumers of all ages," including preschool children. According to the commission, "Each year, young children are expelled from preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviours and emotional disorders." Schools, wrote the commission, are in a "key position" to screen the 52 million students and 6 million adults who work at the schools."

while the other part ties in big pharma to treating those of us diagnosed. (Yes, another perk for pharmaceutical companies who are still wetting their pants over the Medicare prescription drug plan).

"The commission also recommended "Linkage [of screening] with treatment and supports" including "state-of-the-art treatments" using "specific medications for specific conditions." The commission commended the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP) as a "model" medication treatment plan that "illustrates an evidence-based practice that results in better consumer outcomes.""

The visions of "thought police" dance in my head, with a populace drugged into zombie compliance. What if the "screening" shows you have an "undiagnosed" mental condition? The initiative plans to "link specific medication" to "specific illnesses." What if you choose to not be "treated?" Could you then be seen as a danger to your community and be forced to submit to treatment? Seem far fetched? Then you should be keeping your eye on the The Model State Health Emergency Powers Act, which allows for the forced treatment of individuals under certain national conditions. The Act is being used as a policy base for state by state legislation. (see the following sites: The Model State Emergency Health Powers Act: An Assault on Civil Liberties in the Name of Homeland Security; Emergency Powers Legislation from the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.)

Notes
The "New Freedom" initiative is related to the legislation discussed in UTJ on 6/19/04 - Our Rights in Jeapordy. To read the full article from the British Medical Journal - Bush plans to screen whole US population for mental illness, Lenzer, BMJ, 6/19/04)