cannabisnews.com: Soros' Projects Include Overthrowing a Government





Soros' Projects Include Overthrowing a Government
Posted by CN Staff on December 05, 2003 at 18:29:44 PT
News Story
Source: Zenit News Agency 
New York -- The recent overthrow of Georgia's President Eduard Shevardnadze put billionaire financier George Soros back in the headlines. Voices soon circulated that the Open Society Institute, the philanthropic foundation established by George Soros, was one of the major players in the power changeover in the former Soviet republic. In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa on Wednesday, Shevardnadze himself accused Soros of being behind his fall from power. 
Indeed, the Open Society Institute financed trips for Georgian political activists to learn from the experience of the Otpor movement that helped topple Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic. According to a Nov. 26 report in the Canadian daily The Globe and Mail, the young group Kmara! also received $500,000 from the foundation last April, and simultaneously began a poster-and-graffiti campaign attacking government corruption. Last summer, the foundation paid for trips to Georgia by Otpor activists, who ran courses teaching more than 1,000 students how to stage a peaceful revolution. Soros' foundation also funded a popular opposition television station that, according to the Globe and Mail, was crucial in mobilizing support for Shevardnadze's fall from power. And Soros himself, reported the article, "has a warm relationship" with Mikhail Saakashvili, a New York-educated lawyer who is a favorite for Georgia's presidential elections next Jan. 4. Soros also has his heart set on seeing another president out of office: George Bush. "It is the central focus of my life," Soros said in a Nov. 11 report in the Washington Post. The financier declared that seeing Bush defeated in the next presidential elections is "a matter of life and death." The article came just after Soros announced a $5 million donation to MoveOn.org, a liberal activist group. This brought to $15.5 million the total of his contributions to the organization so far. His interest in U.S. domestic politics is recent. According to the Post, Soros gave a mere $122,000, mostly to Democratic causes and candidates, in the 2000 elections.  Lavishing on the left The Open Society Institute is, in the words of its 2002 annual report, "the hub of the Soros foundations network, a group of autonomous foundations and organizations in more than 50 countries." According to the report, Soros founded the Open Society Institute in 1993 to support his foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. In more recent years the network has expanded its reach to Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Mongolia, Southeast Asia, Turkey and the United States. In the past, Soros' financing of radical social initiatives has raised eyebrows. The February and April issues of the Capital Research Center's bulletin, Foundation Watch, presented a roundup of this funding. According to the Washington, D.C.-based organization, the Open Society Institute "lavishes donations on liberal political advocacy groups and activists of the radical Left." Based on the foundation's annual reports, the Capital Research Center noted a number of particular grants. Many of them involve political groups and activists. But other areas of interest include contraception, abortion and feminism. From 1998 to 2003, the Open Society Institute gave no fewer than 150 grants, worth $31 million, to pro-abortion programs. Major recipients include Planned Parenthood, which received almost $1 million in 2001. The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, now called NARAL Pro-Choice America, received $700,000 for a television ad program. And the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy received $1.5 million. Another area of interest is legalization of drugs. Soros gave $4 million over a five-year period from 1994 to the Lindesmith Center, described by Foundation Watch as "a pro-marijuana legalization think tank." Three years ago the Lindesmith Center merged with another Soros-funded body, the Drug Policy Foundation, to form the Drug Policy Alliance. In 2000 the Open Society Institute gave about $3.5 million to the latter. In past years Soros financed marijuana legalization initiatives that failed in Arizona and California. And other groups active in relaxing laws on drug use, such as Drug Strategies and the American Civil Liberties Union, have received multimillion-dollar donations. Euthanasia is another Soros project. Starting in 1994 the Open Society Institute helped finance the activities of the Project on Death in America. In 2000 the foundation awarded the organization a three-year $15 million grant. According to the Capital Research Center, "Soros' goal is to transform American attitudes toward death by changing public attitudes about physician-assisted suicide." In 2000 the Soros foundation also funded the Death with Dignity National Center, to the tune of $100,000, and the Oregon Death with Dignity Legal Defense and Education Center, which received $75,000. This activism continued unabated in 2002, according to the foundation's annual report posted on its Web site. Overall, the Soros foundations network's expenditures totaled $474 million last year. Some of these funds were contributed by George Soros out of current income while other funds were derived from charitable entities established by the Soros family. Of this total, just over $90 million went to programs within the United States. In terms of its political activities overseas, the Open Society Institute in its annual report said it "engages in limited discreet activities in several of the most closed countries on earth." Information on what this may entail is not forthcoming. "We do not provide information about these activities because to do so would jeopardize the safety of individuals with whom we work," stated the report. Regarding the foundation's activity in Georgia in 2002, the report stated that its funding amounted to $5.3 million. Spending on reproductive health programs, in many cases involving the promotion of contraception and abortion, in the United States for 2002 amounted to $5.5 million. Activity in this area is also a priority in overseas countries, noted the report. The document lamented pro-life successes in countries such as Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. In reaction to this the report noted that "in 2002, funding was provided to strengthen local and regional advocacy capacity, especially in countries in the region where abortion rights are being undermined." A sea change The foundation's recent political activism is part of a major strategy change in the funding priorities of the Open Society Institute. An article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, published June 27, 2002, reported on a letter from Soros to charity leaders that outlined his plans to shift his giving toward advocacy and global issues. Excerpts from the letter published in the Chronicle of Philanthropy detailed the foundation's role in past years in helping with the transition period in the former Soviet Union. Now, said Soros, "our new goal is to foster a global open society." This means a change in how the foundation is organized. According to Soros: "It has to be global in scope and it has to be able to make an impact on how governments and international institutions conduct themselves." According to the Chronicle, Soros has given away more than $3.8 billion since 1982. He now plans to reduce current annual spending, from around $430 million to about $300 million, in order to prolong the foundation's life span. The change also reflects a decline in the foundation's funds due to the downturn in financial markets. Within the United States, foundation spending will be concentrated on one topic: justice. Programs in other areas funded up until now -- drug policy, death and dying, abortion and contraception -- will be gradually phased out. With its past record, observers will no doubt want to keep a keen eye on where Soros is sending his millions.Note: Financier's Radical Social Programs Aim at Changing SocietyComplete Title: Soros' Pet Projects Include Overthrowing a GovernmentSource: Zenit News Agency (Rome)Published: December 06, 2003Copyright: 2003 Innovative Media, Inc. Contact: infoenglish zenit.orgWebsite: http://www.zenit.org/Related Articles & Web Site:Soros Foundation Networkhttp://www.soros.orgSoros, Lewis Push Campaign Law Limits http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17682.shtmlSoros Criticizes US President Bush in Anti-War Adshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16952.shtmlSoros Takes UN To Task on Drugshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16167.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by jose melendez on December 07, 2003 at 10:40:01 PT
US soldiers becoming drug addicts in Afghanistan
If Soros overthrew a government, he did it with the equivalent of the pen, and without a shot. check this out, from: http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/12/05/51670.htmlPravda.RU:Russia:More in detail 19:22 2003-12-05 Russian Deputy Drug Czar: US soldiers becoming drug addicts in Afghanistan US soldiers are developing a drug addiction problem in Afghanistan, said Deputy State Drug Controller Alexander Mikhailov. He said that there have already been several occurrences of drug addiction among US soldiers in Afghanistan, but the US leadership is keeping it quiet. 'They don't have control of the situation. This should be a good example for our troops (snipped)
 
The state drug controller's office and the Russian Orthodox Church have decided to step up joint efforts against drug use, said Mikhailov. At the present time more than 90% of narcotics in Russia come from Afghanistan through Central Asia. Only 10% of narcotics are produced in Russia. 
 
© RosBalt 
 
graffiti poster
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on December 06, 2003 at 10:07:09 PT
afterburner
I never thought I'd live to be a million. I feel like I have these days! 
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Comment #4 posted by afterburner on December 06, 2003 at 09:50:56 PT:
''As New Life Must Come From Death, 
Love Will Come At Leisure. Love of love. love of life. And giving without measure gives in return a wondrous yearning for peace almost seen. Live hand in hand and together we'll stand on the threshold of a dream." -Moody Blues"a poster-and-graffiti campaign attacking government corruption" -- we do that daily on Cannabis News and many other stations in cyber space. It looks like it soon will be time again for "takin' it to the streets." Dennis would benefit. Bush would not. The graffiti part is dubious in the anti-terrorism atmosphere but posters can be quickly posted and re-posted as needed. It worked for finding the core constituency of pot smokers during the Canadian Summer of Legalization, and now look: the NDP (New Democratic Party) leader has endorsed personal and medical use of cannabis, "a wonderful substance!" to quote NDP leader Jack Layton. The same grass roots support without the public pot smoking can take Dennis Kucinich from the Presidential candidate to President-elect. What kind of a kind signal does that send to the children?ego transcendence, it's our destiny, ego destruction, it's our heritage, unfold your wings little butterfly and fly fly fly!
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Comment #3 posted by The GCW on December 06, 2003 at 06:40:03 PT
Kegan,
I will foward this resume in case someone is head hunting.
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Comment #2 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on December 06, 2003 at 05:43:25 PT
Rush on The Smoking Gun
DECEMBER 5--Rush Limbaugh illegally purchased hundreds of prescription pills a month and sought a quartet of doctors to fuel his drug addiction, according to search warrant applications unsealed yesterday in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.         
Investigators executing the searches, which took place November 25 at three offices used by Limbaugh's South Florida physicians, accused the radio personality of "doctor shopping," or improperly seeking out practitioners to supply him with an inordinate abundance of painkillers OxyContin, Lorcet, Norco, Hydrocodone and Kadian, the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, the cholesterol-lowering drug Niacin, and Clonodine, which treats high blood pressure. Under Florida law, doctor shopping is punishable by up to five years in prison. The affidavits, one of which you'll find below, indicate that authorities began investigating the talk-show host last December after meeting with Wilma Cline, Limbaugh's former maid, and her husband, who told them that they sold Limbaugh "large quantities" of pharmaceutical drugs "over the course of many years." (5 pages) (If it's no longer the Document of the Day, check the Archive link at the bottom of the page)
http://thesmokinggun.com/doc_o_day/doc_o_day.html
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Comment #1 posted by Kegan on December 06, 2003 at 03:12:41 PT
Re-Elect Bush
RESUMEGeorge W. Bush
The White House, USAEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE* LAW ENFORCEMENT: I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine in 1976 for
driving under the influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine,
and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving
record has been "lost" and is not available.* MILITARY: I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I
refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug 
use. By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat 
duty in Vietnam.* COLLEGE: I graduated from Yale University. I was a cheerleader.PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:* I ran for U.S. Congress and lost.* I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas in 1975.
I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas. The 
company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.* I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that 
took land using taxpayer money.* With the help of my father and our right-wing friends in the oil 
industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected Governor of Texas.ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR:* I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, 
making Texas the most polluted state in the Union.* During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-
ridden city in America.* I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of 
billions in borrowed money.* I set the record for the most executions by any Governor in 
American history.* With the help of my brother, the Governor of Florida, and my 
father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing 
by over 500,000 votes.ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:* I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over 
one billion dollars per week.* I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S. 
Treasury.* I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. 
history. * I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any
12-month period.* I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of 
the U.S. stock market.* I am the first president in U.S. history to enter office with a 
criminal record.* I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one year
period.* After taking-off the entire month of August, I presided over the 
worst security failure in U.S. history.* I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," 
a WMD.* In my State Of The Union Address, I lied about our reasons for 
attacking Iraq, then blamed the lies on our British friends.* I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S.
president.* In my first year in office over 2-million Americans lost their 
jobs and that trend continues every month.* I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month 
period.* I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any 
president in U.S. history.* I set the record for least amount of press conferences than any 
president since the advent of television.* I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and 
refused to intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.* I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.* I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut 
in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families-in war time.* I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to
simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people) 
shattering the record for protest against any person in the history of mankind.* I've broken more international treaties than any president in U.S.
history.* I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any
administration in U.S. history. My "poorest millionaire," Condoleezza Rice,
has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.* I am the first president in U.S. history to order an unprovoked,
pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign 
nation. I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of 
U.S.citizens, and the world community.* I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest 
bureaucracy in the history of the United States government.* I am the first president in U.S. history to have the United Nations
remove the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.* I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.* I refused to allow inspectors access to U.S. prisoners of war 
(detainees) and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.* I am the first president in history to refuse United Nations 
election inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. election).* I am the all-time U.S. and world record-holder for receiving the 
most corporate campaign donations.* My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best 
friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in 
U.S. history. My political party used the Enron private jets and corporate
attorneys to assure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my
election decision. I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest corporate rip-offs in history.* I garnered the most sympathy for the U.S. after the World Trade 
Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated 
country in the world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history.* I am first president in history to have a majority of Europeans 
(71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.* I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be 
awarded government contracts.* I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden 
and Saddam Hussein to justice.RECORDS AND REFERENCES:* All records of my tenure as Governor of Texas are now in my 
father's library, sealed, and unavailable for public view.* All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my 
bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.* All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President,
attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and
unavailable for public review.* Please consider my experience when voting in 2004 -Send this to every voter you know.
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