Scarecrow Securing the Homeland

© Ben Heine || Facebook || Twitter || www.benheine.com

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For more information about my art: info@benheine.com

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Note : This is a cartoon I made to illustrate a chapter ("Hood on the Scarecrow ") of Mike Palecek's book: "Iowa Terror", with a 9/11 theme. The book will be published in the Spring 2008 and offered to 9/11 Truth groups and peace groups at a discount rate.

 

Please, read more information on the book and Mike Palecek's biography below the short novel.

 

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Hood On The Scarecrow

 

By Mike Palecek (*)

 

(Chapter nine of Mike Palecek's book : "Iowa Terror")

 

The Digital Revolution

Oh my goodness gracious,

What you can buy off the Internet

In terms of overhead photography!

 

A trained ape can know an awful lot

Of what is going on in this world,

Just by punching on his mouse

For a relatively modest cost!

 

— Donald Rumsfeld, June 9, 2001, following European trip

 

 

Psssttt!

PSSSTTTT!

Over here!

Hey. How's it goin'?

Yes. I am the scarecrow. You didn't see me? Really?

Cool.

 

I am on Double Secret Terrorist Duty. Securing the Homeland.

Actually to secure my homeland I would have to split myself into fourths and go back to Europe.

 

I think this is somebody else's homeland. Oh, well, always willing to chip in and do my part. I'm also a member of Sertoma, Kiwanis and Noon Rotary. I love meetings. I'm a people person.

 

Anywho ... hot enough for ya? Well, what do you think? Is this the end of our American Fascism Period — or just the beginning?

 

You think we will have elections in 2008? You think Bush and Cheney will walk out voluntarily?

 

Or do you think like Wingnut Willie or Wacko Wanda, that they might do another 911 and put us on Super Secret Double Probation for our own good?

 

That's the question of the day, the week, the year, right?

I don't know. I am just here to do my duty. To protect and to serve and to eat pizza. That would be my motto, I have decided, if anyone ever asks what my motto is. I swear that's what it is.

 

I was in the Hospers post office yesterday. Rush Limbaugh is always on in there, loud. I wonder if anyone listens, or if it's just on for noise, like having Paul Harvey on over noon in the cafe so nobody has to really talk to each other.

 

I heard, though. Limbaugh was talking about illegals and how they were dangerous and they were terror-type individuals. That's why I'm wearing this white hood and sheet out here in the garden.

 

I want us to be free. I want it so bad. My dreams are all about baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. I swear they are. I want our kids to be free to grow up and join the National Guard and go kill who needs to be killed and then have the freedom to come back and worship in the church of their choice and work at Pizza World.

 

I'll stand here all day, or until my arms get pretty tired, to make sure that happens. I love the ol' Fatherland, Motherland, Disneyland, I really do.

 

Shhh. Here comes those g.d. aliens. They just stare. That bugs me. I think they know it does. They've got a round ship and blinking lights and I think I've seen 'em around here before. They all look about the same to me.

 

Shoo! Shoo! Go on .... scat! Git! Git! Okay, well. I might be here awhile. They don't seem to speak English. Like I'm surprised.

 

Go about your day.

I got this.

 

 

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(*) MIKE PALECEK : Former peace prisoner, served time in county jails and federal prisons for civil disobedience at Offutt Air Force Base during the 1980s.

 

During the 1990s was a reporter for small-town newspapers in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota. The small newspaper Ruth and I owned in southeast Minnesota was named the Newspaper of the Year for 1994 by the Minnesota Newspaper Association.

 

In 2000 was the Iowa Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives, Fifth District, receiving 67,500 votes [29%].

 

Lives in Sheldon, Iowa with wife, Ruth, and two children. Works at group home for disabled adults.

 

He was recently a guest on "Cover To Cover," on KPFA radio, Berkeley, with host Denny Smithson.

 

They talked about another recent novel by Mike Palecek : "The American Dream." You can listen to the interview here, if you wish: www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=21966

 

Also, see information for "Cost of Freedom," current non-fiction project: costoffreedombook.blogspot.com

 

For more information on Mike Palecek, visit his website : mikepalecek.com : www.mikepalecek.com.

 

 

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"IOWA TERROR" : These are short novels, with color illustrations (4 artists participated to this project). Sort of like children's books with adult themes.

 

Endorsement and blurbs for "Iowa Terror":

 

"Terse and funny and dry as a dead Iowa corn snake baking in the sun. Palecek delivers a quick, deadpan slap to reactionary, mindless post-9/11 America. The sting is delightful."

 

— Mark Morford, columnist, San Francisco Chronicle

 

 

"Mike Palecek writes in novel form about the fear and insanity created in the USA since the lies of 9/11/01. An inside job that benefitted the military industrial complex, and fell with a heavy hand on all Americans, creating fear and distrust of our neighbors. 9/11 happened and we were ALL convicted — Mexicans, Muslims and Americans alike."

— Meria Heller, Producer/Host, The Meria Show www.Meria.net

 

 

"Mike Palecek is the most dangerous writer alive, or at least the most dangerous at large in Iowa."

 

— Dana Larsen, editor Storm Lake [IA] Pilot-Tribune

 

 

"Michael Palecek makes me proud to be an Iowan!"

 

— Holly Hart, secretary Iowa Green Party

 

 

"These are hard times for political fiction writers. How to compete with the wierdness of the daily news? Any reader who thinks that Mike Palecek's imagination puts him 'over the top' will be challenged by the reality check quotes through out his book from former Secretary of War Donald Rumsfeld and made to wonder whose view of reality can be more trusted. Certainly, Palecek's is the better vision for the future of America."

 

— Brian Terrell, Executive Director, Catholic Peace Ministry, Des Moines, Iowa

 

 

"Mike Palecek pisses me off. Not because he's a freak of political nature. Not because he puffs up paranoia past its bursting point. Not because he's so far left he ends up somewhere ahead of the Right. No, it's because he's one of the most original storytellers I've read in a long, long time ... he's what I'd be if I just had the balls."

 

— Ron Franscell, Author of "The Darkest Night"

 

 

“The greatest gift a novelist can offer is provocation. To read Iowa Terror is to be provoked, to have foundation beliefs rocked. The witty, powerful, and unique voice of Mike Palecek challenges readers to reject passivity and to embrace the subversive pleasure of critical, independent thought.”

 

— Mickey Z.

Author of six books, most recently CPR for Dummies (Screaming Raw Dog Press)

 

 

"... a gripping and disturbing tale of small town America in the post September 11th world. Palecek skillfully weaves elements of the official lie of 9-11 into a dark story of murder, mystery, propaganda, and the American “homeland”. Iowa Terror is both entertaining and thought provoking; a must read. You won’t be able to put it down!"

 

— Michael Wolsey

Host, Visibility 9-11

 

 

"Iowa Terror is the antidote to watching the evening news, listening to yet another rightwing radio talk show host, or suffering through a mindless political debate. Required reading for those that do want to wake up."

 

— Loren Coleman, author, The Copycat Effect: How the Media and Popular Culture Trigger the Mayhem in Tomorrow's Headlines (Simon and Schuster, 2004)

 

 

"Mike Palecek, in addition to being a talented and gifted story, has an uncanny ability to survey the political and emotional landscape of this country. In doing so, he tells a tale rich in irony, dry humor, intolerance, conformity, and reaction. The sad thing about this tale is that, while it's certainly fictional, the premise is not at all out of the realm of possibility. Imagine what might happen if Steven King's "The Stand" discovered 9.11 and moved to Iowa, and you'll have a good idea of where this story will transport you."

 

— Jack Cluth, The People's Republic of Seabrook

intellectualize.org/index.html

 

 

"A mirror held to the future. A chilling commentary of things to come. A modern day "1984". A powerful, shocking and compelling read"

 

— Binu Mathew, Countercurrents Magazine

 

 

"Mike Palacek's Iowa Terror depicts in clear, breezy language that the seeds of revolution are sown among average American citizens who are astute, pissed off, and aware that the capitalist system is doing them in."

 

— Kim Petersen, Dissident Voice

 

 

"So, what's the difference between Mike Palececk, Weldon Kees and Ambrose Bierce? Bierce isn't from Nebraska and Palecek still has hope."

 

— Richard Flamer, Chiapas, Mexico

 

 

"Iowa Terror is a truly extraordinary book! Although it deals with such heavy subjects as war and peace, terrorism, democracy and freedom, it’s highly entertaining and fun to read."

 

— Ray Korona

Activist Songwriter & Musician

 

 

"Great stuff. Great irony and subtile humor. Lot like Garrison Keillor."

 

— Bob Maegerlein, Southeast Minnesota Peace Alliance

 

 

"The narrator and the people of Orange County sound just like my Iowa neighbors, most who seem oblivious to events that

happen in the larger world. Thanks, for saving us from

the terrorists."

 

— Judy Plank, Remsen, IA

 

 

"A deeply personal stream-of-consciousness tour through the new nihilism descending upon our troubled nation."

 

— Michael Rivero, What Really Happened

www.whatreallyhappened.com

 

 

"A fierce prose-poem from the inflammed heart of America’s Orange Revolution — orange for our alert status; orange for jumpsuits and vests and orange "Terror Tinfoil hats"; oranged water towers, manned by terrified oranged terrorizers; orange against immigrants and Indians; orange illuminated by the sunset glow of lyricized Rumsfeld texts. Palecek reporting here — to protect and serve."

 

— Marc Estrin, author, "The Lamentations of Julius Marantz"

 

 

"It keeps pulling me along, so much I can hardly stop to laugh."

 

— Phil Hey, Briar Cliff [IA] University

 

 

"Mike Palecek weaves the pressing issues of our day into an enchanting narrative with verve and wit. In haunting snippets from the mind of Donald Rumsfeld and in the well-informed ravings of the 'terrorist' about the spinelessness of the Democrats, the reader gets tantalizing glimpses of the new American reality behind the propagandistic sheen of post-9/11 Iowa. A highly enjoyable read."

 

— Christopher Pille

Founder, WeAreCHANGE Maryland

 

 

"I enjoyed the story, especially the 9/11 revelations from the mind of an enlightened character. It certainly captures the mood of many of us in the 911 truth movement."

 

— Greg Kramer

911 Truth - Cincinnati grassroots organizer

 

 

"Americans, such a fair folk, apple pie, statute of liberty, baseball’s home run, and Bill-O on channel 9 Fox news, It just makes you want to squeeze the ever living daylights out of them. Mike Palecek’s Iowa Terror shows us how we ought to restrain ourselves from choking one and love them as is, or at least for the entertainment value."

 

— Richard D. Brinkman, Edmonton , Alberta, Canada, 9/11 Truth activist, printer for the daily newspaper, The Edmonton Journal

 

 

"Brilliant, satirical manner of reflecting the fallacies within our current government, media, and social institutions."

 

— Geoff Melton, The MELTDOWN Radio Broadcast, Memphis, TN.

 

 

"You have an art with THE PEN.

I would endorse you anytime my friend."

 

— Frank Agamemnon, Philadelphia 911 Truth

 

 

"If you haven't read the work of Mike Palecek, imagine a politically aware David Sedaris ... Dry, unpretentious yet gently disturbing. A must read for Bob and Susie Clueless, but unfortunately they won't 'get it.' Will the truth set you free, make you mad, or get you imprisoned? I don't know. Go ask Iowa, Jesus. 'And on the third day, the comma was dropped.' Brilliant."

 

— Sherry Clark, Columbus, Ohio 911 Truth

 

 

"If you're somebody that's familiar with the surroundings of Iowa and it's laid back country living you would get a big kick out of this book. Many Americans are easily fooled by our media and our politicians so using satire in regards to terrorism is a great way to get these fooled Americans to think differently about what they're being told in regards to their security or safety.

 

— Matthew Naus, founder, Take A Stand For 9/11 Truth ts911t.org

Co-founder, Veterans For 9/11 Truth v911t.org

 

 

"Draws the reader in with its deadly matter-of-fact, darkly-dreamed whimsy, not to mention the incomparable found poetry of Donald Rumsfeld, who spoke so much truth in spite of himself. To those looking for heroes and villains, neither he nor the enigmatic Jesus Iowa offer any easy outs.

 

— Nicholas Levis, co-founder 911Truth.org

 

 

"Iowa Terror is as pithy, observant of the real world of the ominous New World Order as any of his stellar longer offerings, and as relevant to current American life. The scenes and the characters offer the reader essentially the same gritty version of hometown Iowa circa 2007 (not all apple pies and lemonade), producing an ominous inevitable conclusion that stands starkly as a warning. In truth, we are reminded, nothing is sacred in Bush Administration America, where common citizens' lives weigh in at near-zero, exchangeable for a strengthened grip on power, and even money is for naught but plunder, and only in the unreal denominations of billions and trillions. Let the message of Palecek's trenchant genre — absurd realism or realistic absurdity — go forth to reach and activate a more elemental audience on the move, lacking patience for the niceties of a longer, full novel-length read."

 

— James Hufferd 10/20/07, Central Iowa 911 Truth

 

 

"By weaving quick witted Bill Hicks quotes to lies by a truly evil Donald Rumsfeld, Mike Palecek's "Iowa Terror" presents a paranoid and horrific post-911 world gone mad. As if staying up late bullshitting with an old drinking buddy, Palecek's conversational writing style uniquely shows America as a distopian beast lumbering ever faster towards an apocalyptic inevitably. A fate fueled by citizens' increasing fears and paranoia and the shortsighted decisions they make that is sure to bring everything else down with it and run the earth into the ground."

 

— Steven Stothard, Boxcar Books, Indianapolis

 

 

"With his usual clear and concise prose, Michael Palecek's Iowa Terror is a no-holds-barred look through the glasses of rural culture at an America infected and affected with a post-9/11 fever dream. Mike remains a rare (or rarely used) voice of conscience in the heart of an American heartland that too often errs by equating patriotism with conformity and dissent with disloyalty."

 

— Tim Gebhart, "A Progressive on the Prairie," Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

Done