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First Quarter of 2006 January 2006 ... February 2006 ... March 2006
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01/07/06 You know the Bushwhacker said, "when the job is finished"
well, looks like the job must be getting pert near done in
Afghanistan because the US forces are going to be ceding
control to NATO forces in the "restive south". No matter
that they are not as well prepared for the task, that the
resistance is on the upsurge, and that they'll look at any
draw down as a sign of victory. So,
remind me again what was the reason we went into that
country? What job did we want to complete.
(010306l) Part
two (010306y) Oh, and the story was reported
in November by USA Today. A
spate of reports on a "renegade Syrian" who gives interviews
and wants a change in Syria. (010606e) In the saga another rumor surfaces, an aerial attack on
Iran, it's
been heard before (010306p) The
Jewish state has something to say about Iran, that is this:
"Bomb it". How succinct. (010306r)
The
Turks are up for a part of the action it seems
(010306r) The long slow burn continues, Iran says we'll do what we
want, the US says "don't you dare." Sounds like mature,
reasonable or rational leaders of nation states discussing a
disagreement doesn't it? No? Well
then kids about to scrap over some trifle.
(010306b) The
US reply (010306c) Lest we forget just how crappy a situation Iraq is,
thanks
to the undying efforts of the neo-cons and their chicken -
hawk allies and apologists, what I have to say to you all
is, wipe off this blood and then talk to me.
(010506e) And
another milestone is reached, we've a double digit death
day, 11 soldiers killed in one day. (010605a)
Resistance
claims a victory in Iraq (010606b) We have stories such as this one giving an indication
that sectarian
violence is more out in the open as the US continues
operations in Iraq. (010506a) Here is a story about an attack on a convoy of tanker
trucks, the salient point is the part where they talk about
how oil from most all of Iraq is not making it to market,
but rather that most all that is comes from "the south".
I
guess meaning Basra where the Brits currently are
mismanaging in their own way. (010306q) The rebuilding effort winds down, even though Iraq is
still something of a mess. The 18.4 billion allocated for
the cause was diverted in order to fund security for
projects. One
wonders that when the money runs out and the insurgents
still "work their magic" then what? (010206d) and
Part
two (010206e) and Part
three (010206f) Air Force personnel are doing Army duty, the "fly boys"
have their boots on the ground to back fill needs. Odd.
But
when there's a shortage of personnel what are you going to
do? (010206b) Iraqi oil was supposed to pay for the occupation and so
make the war "pay for itself" how many remember that well
argued point during the "run up to the war"? Such
exports are at a low ebb. (010206a) The commander of our forces in Iraq says the following:
"The Iraqi security forces have matured relatively quickly,
considering that we started at the zero point," regarding a
civil war "... I think we would see it coming and I don't
see it coming. ... I think we can work our way through 2006
in a way that has a good outcome for Iraq." and "There are a
lot of `buts' out there but I am optimistic it can happen.
And
I'm not cautiously optimistic.' I'm optimistic."
(010106f) I just want to put him on record. One can hope for
a "happy ending" anyway. This story, dovetailing with the next, has us see how
Iraq's
fault lines are showing more as well as more
deeply. (010106g) Some say civil war is already happening, in line with
recent historical examples, it seems that is what is
happening in Iraq, a insurgent vs. counter insurgent
guerilla
style conflict which ethnically cleanses neighborhoods small
towns, cities and larger areas. (010106c) He breaks the law, says he'll continue, does not stop and
all we hear are "calls for testimony" What is needed to wake
these people up? Where
are the Filibustering Dems willing to shut down the
government to make him stop, look and listen?
(010106a) Now, according to "sources" Bushwhacky says, in
effect, "I'll
follow the McCain law on torture, except when I don't want
to. (010606c) Speaking of breaking the law, Padilla's case has had its
twists and turns, the Supreme's give bushwhacky what he
wants, but
may review the whole arrest and detention without, trial -
that pesky constitutional thingy
(010406b) But the holy of holies, non-profits that just happen to
have, as their reason for being, causes which conservatives
find impossible to resist, are enmeshed in the Abramoff
thing, but
the press avoids pursuing such sacred cows.
(010506d) I just have to ask this, since, I mean, no one else is:
Just who is going to be the Republican presidential
candidate in 2008? Oh, and does it or will it matter?
Maybe
this matters: the pattern's Bushwhacky uses when "given a
hard time" and I don't mean with a dildo strapped onto a
cattle prod. Ariana tells it like it is
(010306n) Why
wiretap whistleblowers blew their whistles? The man who
broke the story speaks. (010306o) South America increasingly charts its own course with
nary a word from Bush or anyone else, I
guess, see nothing means do nothing, especially if you think
nothing. (010306d) Gas supplies from Russia are being manipulated, by them
the West says it's because of the Ukraine's pro-western
tendencies the
Russians say it's because the old pricing rate is obsolete.
A new wrinkle in the petroleum "cold war"?
(010106b) The update on that story? The
"Ruskies" back off when the EU says "whoa baby!"
(010206b) If China does decide to "loosen up" and diversify its
foreign exchange and do so significantly our
"debt funded" recovery would suffer for it, who will step in
to buy dollar debt? On the scale that China does?
(010606g) Let the dumping cash begin! Mighty repubs from the Prez
on down get rid of "Abramoff Money." I
guess ya wanna look your best BEFORE he begins naming names
and such like and so forth and so on. (010506b)
Well,
except for Bush will be keeping most of his Abramoff cash
because that portion of the cash is legitimate, though there
are annoying details, details and more details.
(010506c) A round up of stories: we replace soldiers with UAVs,
learn from wingnuts that the West is in deadly peril,
spinning torture and the mining disaster. Symptoms
of what is (010406e) Yup, many people reading this are baby boomers. Such as
we really start retiring in substantial numbers in 2011,
then, gradually, we'll begin to consume far more of the
budget than we put in and the result" An economic
tsunami. Part
one (010406c) Part
two (010406d) Another aspect of the tsunami is the conservative
propaganda machine telling everyone the economy is great,
but the figures quoted are incomplete, misleading and or
contradictory to other "ignored" facts. Nowhere
is there good open and sustained debate regarding the
housing bubble and the nature of our "economic recovery"
under Bush. (010606d) So when a law is passed the President signs it, not
Bushwhacky, he "goes the extra mile" he signs something else
along with the bill, a "signing statement" which is,
essentially, words to the effect that although he is signing
the bill he has caveats, concerns, makes notes of exceptions
and addendum's.
Here is a sampler, the signing statement that was created
for Senator McCain's anti-torture amendment to an
appropriations bill, it is brief but a good read
(010306m) More
on signing statements; it seems that Bushwhacky is a ground
breaker, a record setter and so forth.
(100606f) Voting systems are being debated, personally, I think
systems that cannot be double checked, which do no have a
clear paper trail have no place in our system, LA times:
Part
one (010306e) Part
two (010306f) Part
three (010306g) Part
four (010306x). Abramoff pleads guilty, probably several congress folk
have been shredding and deleting for months already so as to
make ready for this event. By
the time he really begins naming names it will only be those
so implicated and tied up that they cannot possibly escape,
as my mom used to say, "half a loaf is better than
none" (010306a) Misinformation from the US government? "Perish forbid..."
But canned tuna is far more serious a health threat than has
been believed. So who will be loosing their job over this
one? What companies will be held to account? Which news
media outlets will hound this story until a new law is
passed, regulations enforced, incompetents removed and fines
levied? Don't
hold your breath this is the New USA.
(010206c) The wire tapping scandal expands to other areas of the
government and defense department. Clearly this is not a
front page item, read on: Part
one (010106d) Part
two (010106e)
So what do WE the US get for our billions spent
on/in/for/by Israel? Let's
see, hmmm, ok, I give up what? (010906d) Using language he used in the "run up" to the Iraq war,
Bushwhacky
spoke of Iran as a "grave threat" in a move that surprised
aides and witnesses alike. (011406b) Here are three stories regarding Iran, oh, keep in mind
that this is an election year. Be sure that you keep that in
mind, an election year. Because, it being an election year,
makes some of this understandable, wag that
dog.....Condigirl
says, "options are on the table." (011306d)
And
then there is how we've "mismanaged" the "whole Iran thing"
but we may get a war out of it (011306e)
Meanwhile, the main argument for staying in Iraq,
according to Bushboy, is the danger of failing and thus his
calls to "stay the course" Here
is a look at what failure means (011306f) Well, this is the hoopla, everyone says, "We're going to
do something, now!" But
the sanctions that would "bite" Iran, an oil embargo, may
never come to be. (011306b) Looks like we'll see some "fireworks" on Thursday, Iran
proceeds to restart things, the
EU claims its been "slapped in the face" and no one seems
able to "talk Iran down." (011106a) Well
we shall see, now that negotiations are at "an
impasse" (011206j) Going nuclear? That is the issue even as Iran announces
it will re activate more "sealed" sites and get back up to
speed. Part
one (010806f) and Part
two (010806g) And
here is a quick overview of who stands where and why
regarding the whole issue (010806h) In the last century, the century of titanic wars, WW1,
WW2 and the largest of all, the so called "Cold War", Iran
played an important role, one might say, and the current
anti Israeli and anit-western voice of its president, has
precedent. Prior
stories about NAZI and Arabic alliances is given more light
here; Read on: (010806a) It is said to be "proof that Bush lied" regarding the
intel for the case against Iraq. I
say what does it matter that books are written proving his
lies, that he violates the constitution, ignores treaties,
and attacks nations at will and, apparently, whim. NO ONE
LISTENS. Time is short and little can be done except wait
for the inevitable. (011406e) We loose more helicopters than is generally let on,
we
have to replace the 100 lost in 2005, says the
Army. (011306g) If you can not imagine ANOTHER layer of chaos in Iraq,
don't
read this article (011206g) But
then there is this too, oh well, when it rains it
pours or
how to fuel resistance without even trying
(011206h) Uncovering an underreported aspect of the Iraq war: the
continuing role of air power - how
it's been "swept under the rug." (011106g)
But
it promises to increase, will we hear more then?
(011106h) Fun Recollections of what was "heard about" Iraq in 2005,
all the best ones are there and
some bonus ones as well (011006b) The "low end" figures for the death tally for which the
US can take credit, come on now, it's waaaay more than a
measly 30,000,
we have give credit where credit is due - we're up close
to a million if you count Clinton's kills. In fact Clinton
is still ahead of Georgie boy (010906i) Fallujah, once the stronghold of resistance, then
conquered, then hailed as the safest city in Iraq now is
called a "hotbed" of resistance. The
news has another double digit death day in Iraq. What is
going on? (010806c) Part
two (010806d) Part
three (010806e) A whole set of stories, mostly about the "war on terror"
and the salient facts are that the vast majority of the
cases have little or nothing to do with terrorism. Very
few convictions on that score but lots of immigration
violations and other such pap. (011406f) When one refuses to testify or answer a question for fear
of "self incrimination" one has to wonder, which is why
wondering is goin on when a Major
General did just that when questioned about prisoner abuse
in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, well, where there's fire,
there's, uh, fire (011206e) We may never know what really happened, but this is
the
latest blip on the "Eastern European/ CIA etc... 'black
sites'" (011106x) How Bushwhacky's secret renditions, torture and now
wiretapping will work against making us safer against
terrorism. Whant
to know the scoop? Read here: (010906f) Our President Select claims that the war on terror is his
strong suit, well, is it? According to this article we
are not doing all that well, for al the "umph" we are
shoveling into it. Part
one (010806l) Part
two (010806m) Guantanamo's hunger strikers continue to "soldier on" as
it were, Bushwhacky pulls the rug out from under their court
cases, international "pressure" is ignored and, as I have
said, any
death there will have repercussions in the Iraq and
Afghanistan theaters. (010806i) See the story titled: "Bush Strategy of Mixing Politics
and Terror" for
an overview of how "terror" alerts coincided with other
events, how odd the coincidence seems upon
reflection. (011406g) How do you "hide a gargantuan" budget deficit? Just
spin those numbers baby, read on
(011306a) Abramoff and Co. had hundreds of contacts with the
Bushies, but
they don't know him well at all. (010906g)
And
here is how a real preestitute handles the Abramoff
"thingy" (010906h) So how come this story is just about as buried as can be?
A known terrorist comes to the US and is protected from
those who would extradite him for his crimes. We
went to war with Afghanistan, toppled its government and
raised hell on this issue, but it seems if its "our
terrorist" well, then, uh, you see, it's uh, national
defense or something...(010806b) Conservative groups go global in their attempt to remake
the world in their image; Bushwhacky
gives the nod and the cash flow sprays in new
directions (011406a) Ukraine wants to make its own nuclear fuel, that is to
say master the nuclear cycle; they are a source of ore, but
they want to be independent of Russia. So
I ask, doesn't everyone want to get on the bandwagon? And,
incidentally, where is it going?
(011306c) Global climate change begins slowly, but the momentum is
tremendous, inertia being what it is. Frogs
in Central America the first casualties of an unlikely
series of events precipitated by climate change.
(011206f) Arctic ice is in retreat maybe it's past the tipping
point or just about - that is the range of debate. Stories
talk about the size of the cap setting record losses, but
more data lay beneath the pack, the fact that it is much
thinner as well. The further uncomfortable news is that no
one knows how quickly it will go, what it will mean for
global climate and so forth,
I mean the Arctic has not had real surface currents for
tens of thousands of years, longer. Upshot: "We don't know
what will happen to our climate save that it will
change. (011006c) 2006 could be the year where imbalances become balanced,
problem is that it could be a bit of a wild ride for those
who are "equity rich, yet debt burdened and cash poor."
Oh,
and did I say that China's decision to diversify its foreign
cash reserves may play a role? (011006a) WE don't like THEIR Kyoto Accord so we will make our own,
it's mostly all volunteer and the fixes are not yet ready,
but hey, we
can say WE did SIGN something, that'll be Dorkmeister in
Chiefs rubdown on it, no doubt (010906c) Record snowfall in Japan? Part of weather changing?
The
article doesn't say and one might wonder.
(010906b) We've carried stories about South America "going its own
way" well Bolivia's new leader meets with China's leader and
"makes happy talk", agreements to develop Bolivia's gas
reserves and other deals.
I cannot imagine such a deal taking place during the cold
war, not to mention even a few years ago. The US is being
out maneuvered and Bushwhacky is asleep at the
wheel. (010906a) If one were an arch conservative, and a staunch supporter
of the Republican party, this
would be the kind of story that would have you see that
Bushwhacky's mismanagement has lost us allies, cost us
influence in South America and leaves us weaker.
(011306h) Want the "cast of characters" for the Plame scandal?
Here
is the "A" list. (011106e) Alito: has espoused a theory of executive powers called
the "unitary executive theory" as it's name indicates it
holds that the executive branch has much, much wider ranging
powers and privileges than heretofore thought possible.
Alito
holds to this (011206a)
and Part two (011206b) and
here is a bit more on "Fudge Alito" sort of rolls off the
tongue does it not? (011206c) Also,
not to bead a dead horse, but get a load of who will testify
on behalf of Alito. (011206d) The question should have been asked, are you lying now or
were you lying then? Alito can't have it both ways,
but
no one fired that shot across his proverbial bow.
(011106b) Another
Alito "tale of innocence" (011106c) Some
one who tends to agree with Alito talks about why he's not
such a good candidate (011106d) A
glimpse of the pimples on Alito's butt, figuratively
speaking, of course. (010806n) Georgie boy
goes for taking in all three branches of the Fed:
More
on Mr. Alito, if you can stomach the bile
(010906e) Bushwhacky, you know I've got to find something more
pointed to call the jackanapes, but I can't think of one,
anyway, Bushwhacky is putting at risk just about 800 years
of Anglo-Saxon law and Western tradition, the Magna Charta
set forth one shining principal, that being: "no person is
above the law" But
our Dorkwad in Chief clearly thinks differently and there
are no riots in the streets, no stampeded of protest from
the National Dems. To paraphrase Perot, that flushing sound
you hear is the Constitution being flushed.
(010806k) One of the best "good news" stories I have read since I
began this record: "Wars are on the Wane Worldwide" and it
seems that this is the case. There
are a few main factors, the end of the US - Soviet proxy
wars, the end of the ripple effects when colonies tossed off
European rule, fought out their civil wars and established
themselves, and a increase in the number of democracies
world wide. (011206i)
Here we have a story giving some attention to
Afghanistan, suicide bombers make their appearance while
an uptick in violence coincides with US plans to draw down
its troop strength. (011706b) Syria supports Iran's right to peaceful nuclear power,
and the article continues with illuminating the conundrums
that the Israeli nukes present,
I mean Iran and others keep bringing it up, how come they
get to have them and we don't? Oh well...
(012006h) Want some Wall Street Journal Q and A regarding Iran?
Here
it is: (011706i) Will the west ever DO ANYTHING about Iran? That is the
tone of the western press, but
this story gives the details as to why it probably won't,
see also the next article referenced under this
one. (011606k) China's hand in Asia waxes for the time being. The US
seems to be outmaneuvered for the time being. Iran,
the issue that won't go away, is a part of the equation, as
is oil. (011606e) Let's go waaaaaaay back to the "yellow cake" story.
Yup,
here is an update on how ridiculous it really
was. (011806e) They shoot helicopters don't they? That is the happening
thing it seems, bodes
ill for our efforts there if this becomes TOO
common. (011706g) Here is the SCOOP JACKSON, if you want to know the
nitty-gritty of Iraq,
DON'T read Bremmers book, it doesn't help much says
Arianna, (011706d) Here,
for example is an interview reading this after Arianna's
piece is so enlightening. (011706e) Paul,
oh Paul, what happened to NINE BILLION DOLLARS on your
watch? I just had to ask since Tim did not.
(011706f) Here
is more on Iraqi money disappearing (011706h)
And
here is a bit where Bremmer is quoted to himself, on TV and
simply lies, straight out, lies. At least his book will do
well. (011806d) Great title for this article God, Blood and Oil, in Iraq.
The marketing agreements in place for Iraq's oil allow some
promise of "victory" as long as the oil flows, but we'll
have to keep troops around - hey, maybe on those permanent
bases we've been building? The
risk is the players in Iraqi power politics, it seems to me,
have their own agenda's which may or may not be helpful to
ours. (011606f) I love this: A story says we've killed 18 persons in an
attack inside Pakistan. While it is known the person
targeted was not anywhere in the town and it is not known if
any of the killed had terrorist ties, we have this: "Now,
it's a regrettable situation, but what else are we supposed
to do?" Sen. Evan Bayh, asked rhetorically. "It's like the
wild, wild west out there. The Pakistani border's a real
problem. Maybe
I can straighten Mr. Byah out - maybe we should target our
enemy and not kill civilians. Maybe we should get Pakistan
to get off the pot or shit! Maybe we should have a president
who knows what the hell he's doing and maybe we should
impeach his sorry ass anyway. (011605c) Our casualties in Iraq are down for a time. That's
the good news; the bad is that we're still there.
(011606b) Here
is a bit of Chomsky interviewed on Iraq and the "terror
war". (011806k) A new wrinkle in the war on terror, Al - Jazeera is suing
the English government to obtain transcripts of the
conversation that Mr. Blair and Mr. Bush had
in
which Mr. Bush brought up, or argued for, bombing the
aforementioned news network's headquarters in
Quatar. (011706a) I mean, Inquiring Minds Want To
Know! Gee
I am glad that we're being protected from the translators of
this world (011606a) Washington grows weary of Pakistan, its leader, and the
army that backs him up. Quiet moves are made to see if
change is possible. We've
said Pakistan is a key to the whole terrorist conundrum but
gambling with its future is a risky risk.
(011506c) Misplaced Pakistani ire over a US "misfire"? The
final count, according to this article was 18 civilians
dead, no sign of any targeted individual or mention that any
among the dead were "insurgents" protests,
threats against the government and Pakistan rails at the US
so as to show "it wasn't them" that were
involved...right (011806f) Luckily
for US citizens coverage of the story was quickly
buried (011806g) A raft of stories, "Presidential Zenith", "Baby Noor on
CNN", part of an Iraq war veteran's suicide letter,
and just
a bit more. (0121006a) Abramoff is "radioactive" that is the word. No
wonder the White House won't fess up about
anything. (011906e) Look at what is left of the media, Patricia
Goldsmith takes them to task, and how, Abramoff and
all. (011806h)
And here is a bit on Abramoff, who, according to federal
records, was a Republican man all the way!
(011805i) Abramoff's
"bi - partisan contributions" is "explained" read the blog
below though, its worth it. (012006k) Look at CNN's recent "hire" F.A.I.R. has it that they are
trying
to out fox FOX with some neo-con jerkdork, but only time
will tell. (011806c) Maybe if this
group was given coverage we'd have accountability in
Washington DC. (011806a) If we were to have reporting like this as our daily fare
we'd soon have accountability from/with Washington DC?
Bookmark this puppy and check it out.
Read Martin Luther King's piece and bring it up to date
by substituting "Iraq" for "Vietnam" it works too
well. (011806b) How Bushwhacky does it: He sort of gets all "aw shucks
folks" and says things like "when I was growing up..."
throws in a dash of, "If Al Qaida is talking to someone
we've go to ask why..." Well it works for the controlled
audiences he hand picks .. but
the reality of what he's asking us to believe is quite
different. (011806j) A "fever that lasts 100,000 years? That's
what this writer's book is about. (011606i)
In
another place the same "source" has us as being past the
tipping point and with little reason for hope.
(011606j) For the Dem's sake I hope Arianna is wrong, but she 's
probably right, Dems
have a severe case of "WTF'sUWT" in their choice of a
respondent to the Bushhumper's SOTU.
(012006l) A friend's blog spot, is a long but worthy read.
A wide
range of stories are included some duplicate what I have
here, others dovetail nicely and still others present new
data points. (012006j) Housing not quite making it's mark? Do we see deflation
of the bubble? Why
buy now, people ask, if prices are getting soft?
(012006g) The
market had a bad day too; let's hope it is an
aberration (012006i) Suing the Bushwhacker in Chief is like teaching a pig to
sing. By that I mean you just get frustrated and as for the
pig, well, it don't sing a note. Still
it is a record of what is happening.
(011706c) A war on terrorism, the most important casualty is the
Constitution, the separation of powers, the balancing of
those powers, civil rights and what appears to be
the
dawning of a "new kind of federalist" or an "old kind of
dictatorship" but then, what 's in a name?
(011605g) The cost of the war outweighs its "benefits" that is the
result of a new study, interesting
article, read on (011606d) If you are an economist then you'll understand this
article much better than I did. I archive it because it goes
into great detail concerning the money manipulations that
manage our markets, the debt that devours our promised
future
and how China and others play a role in our financial
security. (011506d) There may be reason to hope that by 2050 the Earth will
be a much better place, that
is the upshot, then come all the "ifs" "ands" and
"buts" (012006f) Honoring Dr. King is a good thing, ignoring an important
aspect of his message is not, looking at it is timely,
for
it shames us mightily to have such a lack of progress over
the nearly 40 years since his death.
(011606h)
Pakistan continues to, as the British used to put it,
"muddle through" but there are serious problems in the
border regions it shares with Afghanistan, Part
one (012206h), Part
two (012206i), Part
three (012206j) And "the beat goes on" The
"dance of Iran" seems to continue headlines look good but
"de debbil be in da details, yassuh, dey sho do, jes
dat." (012706f) A bombing in Iran, in a city at a time when their
leadership had been expected to be visiting. Iran
blames the "occupiers of Iraq." This is not the first such
event, one wonders (011506g) How do we get
what we want at the UN? We
twist arms, pardon the pun, but we'll alienate India in
order to get sanctions on Iran, sounds like good policy?????
(012506h) Details, details, give me a sound bite and a flashy
image. But getting beyond the neo con war drumming on Iran
we have the hardly heard voice of reason. We're hearing Iran
is near to getting the bomb so "something has to be done".
Before anything is, however,
it is best to look at the possible blow back. If neo cons
have learned anything, (have they?), it might be that, we
would hope. (012506e) Iran and Georgia strike a deal and this is amidst
rumors of an energy blockade on the part of
Russia. (012706b) We put
up bases in Africa, a stunning correlation between their
location and the location of oil.
(012606e) Sunni's are being told to "defend themselves" against the
police ... something
of a change (012606g) A thirty percent increase in the attacks in Iraq, over
last year - it's a good thing that this means we're doing
the right thing, read
how this "unfriendly fact" is spun dizzy.
(012406i) Meanwhile
anyone with brains, really, is leaving Iraq
(012406j) The Hamas victory puts the United States in a strange
position since it has always been a strong advocate for
spreading democracy
(012706c) in the Middle East as a way to stop terrorism.
President Bush tried to put a positive spin on the results
saying that "there was a peaceful process as people went to
the polls" but it does not change the fact that his
administration spent
(012706e) almost $500 million to help the Fatah party.
Bush called on Hamas to denounce terrorism
(012706d)and urged President Mahmoud Abbas, who is from
the Fatah party, to stay in office in order to continue with
the peace process. Take a leisurely tour through the history of the war on
terror II, that's right it is the second time around. What
might make the effort successful is adhering to our own
principals, the setting forth of clear definitions of what
we are fighting ...
I know, I know ... when hell freezes over, but it is a
good read (012596c) Europeans knew about the extraordinary rendition,
investigations continue, but one must remember that this is
only one theater in a world wide campaign. I
wonder what is happening elsewhere in the world, in Africa
or Asia for example. (012506b) The "misfire" in Pakistan still reverberates, Mr. M. must
be somewhat taken aback, abashed or embarrassed. Who
knows but his time is limited, one way or another and when
he goes, well, it could get real dicey, and
quick. (012406g) Bush once said "We'll smoke him out." Then he said words
to the effect that he doesn't think about Bin Laden much,
then, when Kerry quoted him as saying that in the debates,
he out and out lied, claiming he did not say any such thing.
Lucky us, our Homeland Security teams are on the look out
for elderly folks who go to protests, they're watching, rest
assured thousands of us, just in case (012406c)
Part one
(012406c), Part
two (012406d) and Part
three (012406e) This person says he is "OK with being monitored"
after reading what he has to say some others may feel
that way too! (012406a) Our current effort to keep Fatah in charge of Palestine's
is fraught with troubles we
"secretly pump in money" to help make them look
good,(012206g) despite
the fact that known terrorists are on its slate, but hey,
he's at least ours, sort of, well ...
(012206f) Day Traders using congressional connections to help them
make their decisions on buying and selling? That's what the
story is about, so why isn't it headline news?
Inquiring
minds want to know (012406b) They say "the party's over" and news
people are packing up and leaving Iraq.
(012606h) Domestic spying: Bush breaks the law, clearly,
however
this is now to become a rallying point for the Repuglican
party. (012406f) What if we could demonstrate the Bushies had early
warning on Katrina? What if this information were to appear
in a widely circulated news outlet? I'll
tell you: NOTHING. (012506f) I have mentioned "Peak Oil" before. Here is a good
"primer" on the subject. Bear in mind this was written early
in 2005 so none of its dire predictions have come true,
however, the "data points" that are laid out seem to be
accurate, what is described may happen or something like
them might, but
oil is not forever and as it is so integral to every aspect
of modern "energy intensive" living we will, no doubt, go
through "changes" when supply and demand spike the price of
oil to a point where it does begin to bite, and bite
hard. (012606i) This
is the think tank approach to the problem
(012606j) So
what about all the alternative fuels, the technological
fixes and so forth and so on? (012606k) 2005, the warmest year in the last 100? That is the
headline anyway, there
is some discussion, but there it is.
(012506i) Fourth Amendment, right? Does the phrase "probable cause"
come to mind? It should, but
this expert doesn't seem to understand that and he is a
former director of the National Security Agency.
(012506a) The Dems certainly don't have it, read this as to why
Hillary won't get this persons vote, I agree, to tell you
the truth. What
a sorry assed affair this is turning out to be.
(012506h) Oil prices climb back up to "Katrina" levels, just why
is, well, political. But note that the price doubled in a
year's time, overall. Just
shows ya' instability is a curse as far as oil production is
concerned. (012206e) After two reports, in as many weeks, from "Big Auto"
that tens of thousands of jobs will "go" there is more:
Here
is the Bush Recovery for you. NOT!
(012706a) Spying on Americans, how un-American, the controversy
continues with the Bush Administratio weighing in against
the Bush Administration regarding the arguments used in
favor of the warrantless surveillance, huh? That's
right, read it here. (012606c) Bush's health coverage plan is one of the three cases of
incompetence for which the Mr. Bush is to blame. Millions
are having trouble getting their meds, about half the states
are hemorrhaging money because of a system that was supposed
to have the opposite effect and despite the fact that this
was a national program the
people running it seem to have been unprepared to meet the
challenges of implementing it. (012606f) The state of our army, not overly good is what the
Pentagon is saying,
and they should know, you'd think.
(012606d) Hamas takes the election for the Palestinians, Washington
is probably not happy, oh well, Egypt
is saying, "We told you so!" (012606a)
And
this story has some quotes, unsettling though they must
be. (012606b) "Good -bye 'Rights of Man'" a famous has that quote at
the beginning, we may as well say it now. Read this for an
overview of what has silently vanished from our grasp. We
await only the next "spectacular event"
which will seal the fate of what was the leading hope of
the world. (012505d) What about reform? Here are some good ideas, which means
they are ideas what will hardly stand a chance,
read on and weep (012206b) And
here is more on that subject (012206c) In the debate over Roe V Wade, as it comes up when
talking about the confirmation of Alito, we find that most
women in the US do not have "official" access to abortion
clinics. Here
are the statistics (012206a) So the
argument is not so much whether to keep Roe V Wade but to
let it become the law of the land in practice. And
what does this have to do with "human rights"? That's what
inquiring minds want to know (012206d)
01/14/06
01/21/06
01/28/06
02/04/06 An
updated review of the Iran war (020306h) A survey of Iran's new leadership and how popular it is,
the
nuclear issue is one of the cornerstones causing public
support. (020306d) Does the world move closer to a more open confrontation
with Iran? Headlines would seem to say yes, the details are
murky. Sanctions
are the key problem as would be Iranian threats to jerk the
oil market around (020206c) Bush wants Iranians to have freedom. He wanted Iraqi's to
have freedom too, let's
hope that he has learned from his mistakes, oh
well. (013006e) US - India relations may get a bit "sticky" when it comes
to the issue of energy and a deal with Iran. Will the US
manage to mismanage the situation, again giving a boon to
Iran, as we did with Iraq and loose some of our good
relations with India to boot? Can
we goof it up badly? Why, sure we can! Bush, Bush he's our
man, if something needs to be fucked up, we'll bet he can.
Sorry, couldn't resist. (012806c) Here is what the energy war will be driven by, in part,
speculation
and rising prices. (013006h) Don't fool with Mother Nature:
Just
a local story: Oregon facing extreme weather,
(013006f) Blair,
whatever else one thinks of him, at least speaks out on the
topic (013006g) Something of a schism in Israel? It
may be that fault lines are forming ...
(020306c) Will Hamas give ground under the threat of loosing
western aid? I don't think that will happen,
someone
will fill the void and then we'll have no leverage what so
ever, nor good will for that matter, remember the world is
watching and, well, (013006d) Secular
government is challenged in the US, see below, but in
Palestine it seems to be a dream that has ended
(013106b) Part
two (013106c) and
part three (013106d) Oh, and did I say US and
Israeli policies probably had a hand in this development?
Yes, how wonderful. Another "Downing Street" has our prez conspiring to
"create an incident" to provide a pretext for an invasion
that would happen anyway. Does
it matter as a story? Is it a "high crime and misdemeanor"?
Does that matter? (020306c) And
here is a bit more on that meeting, with some
overlap. (020306d) 12 sets of numbers tallied just one year apart give a
statistical picture of Iraq that
is mostly not good. (020206b) Everyone wants us out of Iraq. This poll shows
Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Sunnis, Shias, Kurds
and so forth are in agreement. So
who disagrees? Good question, can you say "oil" and Military
Industrial Complex"? Sure you can. (020206a)
Don't forget wet-dreaming neo chickenhawk cons. Factionalism seems to be a plague on the forming
government of Iraq. How, or whether, they
solve this will determine the stability of the country in
this vital and formative stage. (012906b) Reverse integration, and you have segregation, Sunni and
Shia can't be neighbors. Was
this part of our plan for making Democracy work in
Iraq? (012806a) Imprison
the wives in an Islamic nation, certainly the way to "win
hearts and minds." (012806e) More
on the imprisoned wives and children (013006k)
Other articles state that such practicers violate
various international treaties and practices ... King
Bushwhacky blissfully meanders onward to a peculiar
rendezvous with destiny. Spies, Lies and Wiretaps, they trot out sick lies and
misinformation to
make an end run around the wiretap scandal.
(013006i) How
the story plays out, wiretapping, Bushwhacky makes his
excuses. (013006j) Hamas has "promises to keep" and vows to do so -
shaking
up the status quo in the "Arab world."
(012806d) At the time there were stories about Manhattan being
unsafe after 9/11, nonetheless
"authorities" said it was OK to go back. Here is the scoop
on that caper. (020306f) We lose our voice, our "media voice" that is as
the world begins to turn a deaf ear to us.
(020306e) Nor,
does it seem, the recent developments in the Plame case
warrant attention. (020306g) Old wrinkle, new wrinkle in the Plame
investigation,
seems there is a problem with getting WH emails,
(020306b) seems
there may have been plenty of time to see to just that, a
nice weekend of deleting and shredding perhaps? Or just a
cozy confab? Maybe we'll never know
(020306a) Maybe this story should get coverage, I mean Haiti is in
chaotic disarray, we're the main power broker, it seems, and
the republicans are involved with the mess - even to the
point of supporting an accused death squad leader who helped
armed rebels topple the country's government, oh well. a
longish series here but the background is detailed:
part
one (012906e) part
two (012906f) part
three (012906g) part
four (012906h) part
five (012906i) Part
six (012906j) part
seven (012906k) part
eight (012906l) part
nine (012906m) part
ten (012906n) and
part eleven (012906o) Warm weather, no make that some of the warmest weather,
is happening nationwide this January. It is temporary we are
told while Europe is cold. Weather
change, due to global warming will be presaged by "chaotic"
events as the global heating and cooling system adjusts to
our input. Anyone guess as to the nature of this years
hurricane season? (020306a) Don't give out to much information, that is the lesson to
be learned from a Dr. Hansen who says pressure is being
applied to NASA so as to prevent the disclosure of
information regarding global warming that the agency has
uncovered part
one (012906c) part
two (012906d) North Korea: incrementally we take steps, along with
them, in the wrong direction. We take actions, they make
noise. When
will this dance of ignorance end? Who knows.
(012806b) Employment and unemployment figures seem to be "played
with" by the big boys. The
current "sad" picture is actually rosy. Our "boom boom
recovery" isn't making it to the grass roots so what did we
used to call the "trickle down" theory? Wasn't it the "piss
on ..." (020306b) Another wave? The Christian Right: flooding the land with
"trained debaters" who'll
become lawyers, legislators and the like, or dislike as you
call it. (013006l) Then
there is this attack on the separation of church and state,
under the guise of "protecting health care
workers." (013106a) Why
are we 28th in environmental quality? (013006b)
or
what about press freedom? (013006c) An overview of the details and the broader scope go to
http://words-of-power.blogspot.com
(013006a) Abramoff lead investigator is offered a promotion just
after Abramoff "agrees to talk" but
it isn't a political act and has nothing to do with
anything, right. (012906r) Involuntary servitude, it's supposed to be illegal, but
the Army and the courts say differently. This is an issue
that will effect the cohesiveness of army units. One wonders
how much stress the system can bear before we see obvious
and painful evidence, I
mean that which shows up in the press, finally.
(012906p)
and the second part (012906q)
I inaugurate a new headline section, the "Great War" will
contain stories having to do with the new "East and West"
struggle. The Muddle East: Israel / Palestine: In page two of this story covering another "act of
infamy" in Iraq we have another example of how Lebanon is
caught up in events it has no influence over. Civil
war anyone? (022306g) and
page two (022306h) Palestine governed by Hamas gets support from Egypt and
Saudi Arabia, despite
appeals from CondiGirl (022306d) Syria decides to kick the "dollar habit" and go Euro -
in
case we try to yank them around by their money.
(021906g) Is Lebanon being pushed to the brink of civil chaos as
stronger neighbours and others push
and shove their influence on the struggling
country (022106a) The old saying goes push enough and you will get "push
back." There is a developing "axis of Islam" vague, not in
anyway official, yet Syria,
Iran, Hamas, Mr. Sadr, and others have been ... talking ...
(021906i) Israel mulls over what kind of policy will undo
the Hamas win in Palestine, not offend the US or "world
opinion." (021806a) And
they "go for " sanctions that have some real bite
(021906a) Meanwhile "Arab friends of Hamas" will,
continue
to send support to Palestine.
(021906d)
and part two (021906e) The Muddle East: Iraq: Following up on the article below, the disturbances
spread, militias
take to the streets and faith in the government is
shaken (022406a) Even
Sistani considers creating "another" militia, just what is
needed (022606b) read the comments below the
article, many worth the read One incident, many perspectives, many being blamed, and
everyone shouting about it has their own agenda. The
destruction of the Askariya mosque dome in Samarra has had a
divisive effect, a
sampler of how chaos is fed (022306c) Attacks have eased off now and again, the period from Oct
15 to Dec 15, was a recent example, insurgents wanted a
political process to have "room." Now
they want influence, to separate themselves from
"foreigners" and to see if they can get the US out using
political leverage. (021906b)
and part two (021906c) The Muddle East: Iran: How precient: , China
is an important customer of Iran, it also backs Sudan's
"government" and thus the atrocities there.
(021906h) Into this category go stories about Iran. This article
updates and illuminates the risks the US would run if it
decided to "take out Iran's nuke capacity." According to
rumour this would be done with "surgical" tactical and even
"mini - nuke" strikes. The
consequences are easy to guess at: chaos over a wider and
wider area, perhaps even some sort of show down with China
and Russia, in my humble opinion that is.
(021806i) Greater Islamic region: In Nigeria the death toll rises as sectarian violence
escalates. Is
this another front in the "Great War"? (022206b)
And here is more, a bit of recent history of Nigeria and
the
killing continues, sectarian? You betcha!
(022306b) The "cartoon riots" come to Africa after an ill advised
Italian official had the images printed on a shirt and wore
that s shirt on television. Lives
are being lost and, in this case, reports have it that
Christians are being killed. (021806b)
part
two (021806c) part
three (021806d) The skirmishes have been going on for a while in Nigeria,
now
they indigenous people are becoming more
assertive. (021806e) Bird flu stories from the worrying to the frightening.
A
major extension of Bird Flu's range (021906j)
Evidence
it is deadlier now? (021906l) "Two
Mutations Away from a deadly strain" (021906k),
They say, now, that the "rate at which the Earth is
warming" is 30 times faster than at one point in its history
when it did warm up by as much as five degrees. Such
data do not bode well for us. (021806h) Well, let's just call it the "Cheney Shot" and forget
it, no
chance of that, meanwhile HUGE stories are subsumed by those
headlines and everyone is "OK" with forgetting, at least for
a time. (021806j) Where is the outrage? Where is the solution to what I
would think is a record setting string of murders which
numbers in the hundreds at least, and possibly a few
thousand at most, over a span of 13 years? Juarez,
Mexico not a safe place for "the ordinary working
girl". (021806l) Interesting segue between this story and the next, should
"homicide"
be a "cause of death" among our "detainees"
(022306e) Blair makes excuses for Guantanamo, extraordinary
rendition flights through English airspace and for the US in
general, the buzz word? "9/11" buh
bee, buh bee, buh bee t-that's all folks!
(022306a) Action on the home front? Ohio
arrests make headlines. (022206c) 9/11
and Cheney's "shoot down" order, shouldn't he have checked
with the "commander and Chief" first? (022006d)
See the highlighted yellow title. Then
there is is this, maybe he was drunk and that explains much
of the secrecy, and the delay in anyone seeing anybody about
the "accident". (022606x) US
"secret flights" continue over Europe. (022006a)
And this article asks: If
kidnapping and torturing an innocent man is O.K., what's not
O.K.? (022006c) Sometimes the "scattershot" approach works: here
is an assortment of stories that portray the media, oh and
in a not so good light (022606g) So we have Halliburton's KBR subsidiary getting hundreds
of millions to build "detention centers" capable of
"holding" thousands, even tens of t thousands in the US.
"KBR would build the centers for the Homeland Security
Department for an unexpected influx of immigrants, to house
people in the event of a natural disaster or
for new programs that require additional detention
space." (022606d) Here
are some details (022606e) What does this war cost? No, not just the budget and the
additional supplementary requests on top of that, to spend
on one thing means cuts on another. Eventually there is a
tipping point, much like during the Vietnam conflict.
This
article talks about costs, tipping points and
more. (022606x) "Pressure" is what they call the growing concern over
"Gitmo." It seems that the US is increasingly isolated by
the situation there, as well as other items, but fiery
commentary from a church official in England says it
all.(021806g) This dovetails nicely with the article below: Seems there
is a better way to go Solar and the article touts the
success of a team from South Africa. This
kind of innovation should have come from the US, but, well,
it certainly did not. (022206a) The headline reminiscent of news form Iceland a year or
so ago. Sweden
plans on going "oil free" (021906f)
02/26/06
03/04//06 A quotes from : http://words-of-power.blogspot.com/
(021906m) The difference between what we do and what we are
capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's
problems. Mohandas Ghandi The whole history of these books [the
Gospels] is so defective and doubtful that it seems vain
to attempt minute inquiry into it: and such tricks have been
played with their text, and with the texts of other books
relating to them, that we have a right, from that cause, to
entertain much doubt what parts of them are genuine. In the
New Testament there is internal evidence that parts of it
have proceeded from an extraordinary man; and that other
parts are of the fabric of very inferior minds. It is as
easy to separate those parts, as to pick out diamonds from
dunghills.- Thomas Jefferson, letter to John
Adams, January 24, 1814 Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.
We know more about war than we know about peace, more about
killing than we know about living. Omar N.
Bradley Millions of innocent men, women and children, since
the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured,
fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch
towards uniformity.- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on
Virginia, 1782 Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the
common law.-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr.
Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814 In every country and in every age, the priest has
been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the
despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his
own.-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Horatio G.
Spafford, March 17, 1814 Some other quotes: "Many great and good men sufficiently qualified for any
task they should undertake, may ever be found, whose
ambition would inspire to nothing beyond a seat in Congress,
a gubernatorial or a presidential chair; but such belong not
to the family of the lion, or the tribe of the eagle. What!
Think you these places would satisfy an Alexander, a Caesar,
or a Napoleon? -- Never! Towering genius disdains a beaten
path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored. -- It sees no
distinction in adding story to story, upon the monuments of
fame, erected to the memory of others. It denies that it is
glory enough to serve under any chief. It scorns to tread in
the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It
thirsts and burns for distinction; and, if possible, it will
have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or
enslaving freemen. Is it unreasonable then to expect, that
some man possessed of the loftiest genius, coupled with
ambition sufficient to push it to its utmost stretch, will
at some time, spring up among us? And when such a one does,
it will require the people to be united with each other,
attached to the government and laws, and generally
intelligent, to successfully frustrate his designs."
Abraham Lincoln, 1838, at the Springfield, Illinois Boy's
Lyceum "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the
truth is putting on its shoes." - Mark Twain "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a
member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain
" Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or
ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any
hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the
survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge -
and more. To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual
origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends.
United, there is little we cannot do in a host of
cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do -
for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split
asunder." -Pres. John F. Kennedy, The Capitol,
Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 1961 (excerpted from his Inaugural
Speech)
Have a Laugh 1)
Here is a site with loads of humorous animations.
The
have great fun lampooning "Team Bush" 2) How
Republicans have changed: Garrison
Keeler gives them the yuck-yuck factor, big time.
(083004b), 3) This
Modern World: Tom Tomorrow This cartoon
appears in 150 papers, 4) Get your daily
Doonesbury and And if you can stand my strains:
Sing
Along with "Songs of Bush" And as for those
quotes I've included in this newsletter? Here's
where you can find them. Special note: the links
When I started a few years ago I only passed on links
through my newsletters. Recently I began archiving the web
pages themselves as HTML files as I sent out the newsletter.
More recently I began going back through all the newsletters
and archiving those pages that those links referred to. Links that are followed by a notations such as this:
(061303) mean the link is still good and that its page is
archived. Links followed by (new link) (061303) indicate
that when I went back to find the page it referenced, I ran
into the following situations: the story had a new URL,
because it had been archived by the site which created it,
that it was found in a new place, or a parallel story had to
be found. In the former case I made a (new link); in the
latter I searched for an equivalent story with a close by
date. If there is no parenthetical reference, that means I
could not find the story but decided to keep the link up in
case someone else can find it. Stories that do not have an
original link, yet sill sport a (new link) are those which
were originally passed on, but did not have an original link
at that time. The reference number indicates one of the following; the
date that I received the original link, the date of the
story, or the date I filed it. My methodology for making the
reference numbers has changed over time. Most
usually the reference is within a week or ten days of the
original story. If a link does not work and you want a
story I can email you the web page, if you include the
reference number. Thanks so much...read on!
I inaugurate a new headline section, the "Great War" will
contain stories having to do with the new "East and West"
struggle first: The Muddle East: Israel / Palestine: Shutting off the flow of cash to Hamas/Palestine will be
difficult but that doesn't matter to Israel or the US. Who
will Hamas turn to? Would
it be Iran? Who else? (022806b) Russia
sticks its ursine nose into it, again, so the isolation that
Israel wants is les and less likely.
(030306a) Iraq: There is a belief, on "the streets" that is that the US
and or our allies, were
involved in the bombing of the Golden Mosque, does this help
our cause? (030306c) You tell the truth to power and get ignored, or shot
down. Bushwhacky
"hears what he wants to hear and disregards the
rest" (030106a) We've had articles postulating this before: that "chaos
is the plan" if not from the start, at least now. As
long Iraq is in that state, we have an excuse to stay, US
corporations make money, we won't be asked to leave, the oil
is under our control and bordering nations have our military
at their doorstep (022806) but there are
risks.... And
someone is saying it: "things in Iraq just don't add up" and
that would be Robert Fisk. (030206b) And
then there is the "complacency tactic" which may serve as
well. (022806f) Death squads that go unmentioned, hundreds
die in Baghdad monthly (022706d) and
well, it's just plain "gone horribly wrong" as a famous
conservative has put it. (022706e) Sadr is the man of the hour, and although his "men" may
have mixed it up in the wake of the mosque bombing,
he also is garnering credit for "settling things down"
more power to him, less to others, one wonders if it is a
good thing. (022606g) I was sent this grand and in depth perspective, thanks
to Ray, who got this from Asia Times, I would guess:
Despite Iranian efforts to build up the capabilities of
Shi'ite irregulars inside Iraq, the capabilities of the
Sunni military caste remain formidable even after the
dissolution of the Saddam Hussein regime, and the outcome of
full-fledged civil war would be uncertain. Power within Iraq
now is balanced the way the British intended it to be when
they stitched together this Frankenstein monster of a
country after World War I. In fact, the worst outcome from the vantage point of
Washington's interest would be a stable constitutional
government in Iraq. Once Shi'ite elements controlled leading
ministries, Iran would have unlimited means to meddle in the
classic Middle Eastern style of infiltration, bribery and
intimidation. Middle Eastern governments, after all, are not
governments in the Western sense, but rather hotels in which
different factions rent rooms. With footholds inside the
Iraqi government, Iran could develop forces on the ground in
depth and at leisure. Full-scale civil war, however, would
make it difficult for Iran to stand by while Shi'ites were
slaughtered, yet open intervention in Iraq would give
Washington the opportunity to make a horrible example of the
Islamic Republic, with or without the issue of nuclear
weapons. Resistance to gradual Iranization comes from the Sunni
military caste, not from foreign infiltrators, whose numbers
and military capabilities both are overrated see: Will
Iraq survive the Iraqi resistance,
(022806g) The Sunnis already have shown themselves willing to
employ suicide attacks on a scale larger than Japan's World
War II kamikazes, and cannot be defeated except by bloody
attrition, see: Why
Sunnis blow themselves up, (022806h) But they cannot attain victory either. After a millennium
of martyr status, the Shi'ites are prepared to sacrifice
themselves in frightful numbers to achieve the potential of
their historic moment see The
blood is the life, Mr Rumsfeld, (022806i)
The Iraqi Kurds, meanwhile, have established a
quasi-independent province. They have all the benefits of
partition without the liabilities, such as fending off
outraged and humiliated Turks. America's military already has repositioned to the
periphery of cities; there will not be another siege of
Fallujah. Although the proximate cause of this redeployment
was reduction of US casualties, it has two other effects.
One is to allow both Sunni insurgents and Shi'ite militias
freedom to assemble military forces capable of inflicting
large-scale atrocities on each other. The second is to
prevent either side from massing sufficient forces to launch
a full-scale civil war. Iran: So a "significant escalation" in Iranian nuclear
production happens just ahead of another "big" meeting.
Oh
well, as if they are concerned. (022706a)
And
you wouldn't want to miss the ever so exciting second page!
(022706b) Syria: Then: The Greater Islamic region: A report from Saudi Arabia, lists details of an attack on
that nation's oil production infrastructure, multiple car
bombs and gunfights, maybe
this belongs in the energy war section, maybe not
(022806c) I guess Afghanistan falls into this category, This
article illuminates how the "opium war" not only has failed,
but works against all our other efforts. It exposes a level
of corruption and waste that is staggering and posits that
the primary function of our
presence in the country is strategic, that is to say, we're
there so that no one else can be there.
(022706c) What they say and what they do, are two different
animals. China
say it will be cutting back on the oil, but their own
numbers say "uh uh, not without some pain will come that
gain. (022606e) They say that no good deed goes unpunished. Well finally
someone goes after an oil company for antitrust violations,
no less, but who's he after? Citgo,
the Venezuelan company giving discounts to the
poor. (022606d) We've heard this before, that if nations
around the world started selling oil in currencies other
than the dollar there would be economic repercussions in the
United Snakes of Amerigo, so Norway's story belongs
here. (022606b) Sounds like Chainky or Rummy Dumdum, old Mr. "poop pants"
himself: "There
is no shortage of things to destroy" but it is the Nigerian
rebels, shall we call them, talking about the oil
companies. (022606c) Climate
change related to air flight, related to ocean temperatures
and draughts. (030106d) An argument over whether it is simply hundreds or more
than a thousand bodies "processed through" Baghdad's morgue
really misses the point, an
uptick is an uptick, a surge is a surge and many hasten to
add that this is not civil war. (030206a) The Iraq quagmire sucks ever harder on Bush's balls, yes
he's up to his balls in it. This article gives startling
poll numbers that show support
among the troops for the mission as described to them and
the public, has vaporized. (030106c) Bill Kristol, is what passes for a "media news resource"
great fun to read the comments responding to his claim that
the problem in Iraq is that "We
Have Not Had A Serious three-year Effort To Fight A War In
Iraq" (022706f) Be sure to scroll down for
the famous, now infamous, "Powell Doctrine." When Bushwhacky talks about "new energy" and
"technological breakthroughs" look for the numbers, the one
commentator in this article says, in sum, that
while there is some movement for support of alternate
technologies the "support" given to big oil and the "usual
technologies" buries them. (022606a) Lucky us, we KNOW all about the terror groups, even
though there is more of them, at least we know their
names (030306b) The reason the UAE managing our ports might be a bad idea
is that Bin
Laden seems to be on good terms with the rulers of that
country, having missed an "opportunity" to hand him to us on
a platter, and having been advised that their security has
been breached, makes one wonder.
(022806j) And
another thing, it is a place known for trafficking in all
sorts of things, nuclear weapons for instance,
Pakisatan's Mr. Khan would know.
(022806k) And
here is how the MONEY is talking on this one
(022806l) Ya gotta love Bushwhacky, regarding the Port Security
flap: the first thing that was said, was: it is a minor
deal, then it was that there was that he did not know
anything about it, then it was that 'everyone had said it is
a good idea" then
it became we'll let congress look into it... Coast Guard
says it's a big issue (022806a) The reason we may have reason to fear for our future is
the Bushwhacky in chief. I
saved the text of a recent interview; it is hard to read,
only because one tends to be amazed at what excrement he
vocalises. (030106b) The trade deficit, hurts American workers. Now that might
concern Bushwhacky and Chainkey Wanky, old dickwhacker
himself, if they gave a hoot about workers anyway. Learn
about "trades Grand Canyon". (022606f)
I inaugurate a new headline section, the "Great War" will
contain stories having to do with the new "East and West"
struggle first: The Muddle East: Israel / Palestine: This article shows why the Israeli side of the equation
will not move, we know why the Palestinian side won't move,
the time of negotiation is ending, it would seem. Now it is
only a matter of the Palestinians finding an effective way
of inflicting damage on Israel. I
feel that the door is opening for other parties to make
their influence felt. (030606h) Today, Israel and Palestine both take several tiny steps
in the wrong direction, if
the right direction is peace and understanding that is, or
living by the decisions or opinions the world's
organisations. (030606a) So what do we make of this, Hamas says Russia
is or will be helpful in the Muddle East, but in nearly the
same breath adds that Hamas has not changed its attitude
toward Israel one bit. (030406c) So what is up with this? An "attack" in Nazareth,
headlined around the world, was a set of firecrackers?
But
small though the story may be, the response was
"interesting" and in the back of everyone's mind is the
nagging, "What if ...?" (030406a) Dubai: They
want the port deal, and can "make noise" but will they?
(030906e) Even
though they are not really a "reform-minded"
government (030906f) according to other
accounts of this report, a number of our "allies" were on
this list; it can't have helped "our cause" in that area,
whatsoever at all. Iraq: A government with no military and no territory, that
is how Iraq is described at this point in time
(031006b) Everyone
wants what they each want, compromise is hard to come by the
government hasn't formed yet (031006c) How civil war "works" for the insurgency, and
some unpleasant totals (030306e) Tales
of ethnic cleansing, families being murdered and so
on (030806h) And
how much more "major progress" can the Iraqi's stand? The
answer is here (030906d) And the pullout of Iraq that is not a pull out of Iraq
the
best change is no change, I guess
(030606d) Sly helping hands work their magic in Iraq, but
it is our perceived pro Israeli bias and bungled policies,
in Syria say, that put the greater middle east at risk for
chaos. (030506j) If this story is true, it's not covered in US papers,
that the US and Brits will "be gone by spring 2007"
I
guess that means we know we'll achieve our objectives by
then. (030506c) Abizaid
says "expect more bombings" because the bombing of a shrine
last week was so successful in igniting violence.
(030506a) On the other hand Anbar
province has cooled off a bit (030506b) The Greater Muddle East Iran: We hear talk of a "harder edge" regarding Iran. The
expectations and tensions mount, but to what end? China
and Russia are not in favor of sanctions, while the US wants
more pressure (030906a) Dubai is just across the Straits of Hormuz from Iran. 40%
of the worlds daily fix, uh supply, of petroleum pass
through this narrows. Is war with Iran in "countdown mode?"
Is
there a connection between that and Dubai's involvement with
the US ports? Questions more than answers, yes, but
interesting reading (030706i) Do they or don't they? Can they or can't they? Make
atomic weapons that is, the article is somewhat informative
but ends with a punch, saying that US intelligence has
missed "signs" that several countries were going nuclear,
they are Russia, China, India and Pakistan, the
last went nukey in the 1990's and even though they were
allies, we still missed the boat.
(030506d) On the even of yet another "event" with Iran
the
current players have their "red lines" and such like, an
overview (030506e) And
the two, the US and Iran, toss threats about, I guess they
want attention, poor babies (030306i) The Greater Islamic regions: India, until a group takes "credit" we
won't know if this bombing was part of the "great war" but
it may be. (030806d) France, the culture war bubbles on Sikh's have to remove
turbans. I
wonder if it is allowable to wear a crucifix, say around
one's wrist, or neck? What is the point?
(030606c) Afghanistan, that war that "gets a pass" from even those
who are fit to be tied over Iraq, well,
the same dynamics play out there as in Iraq, albeit at a
slower and lower level (030506h) In Pakistan running battles with hundreds of
"militants" or whatever they are being called. Sound secure
to you? No, nor to me. Casualty figures don't matter,
what
does is the report that battles are being fought, whether or
not they are or no matter the real as opposed to reported
results. (030406b) Here is a bit on how the dollar became the
"petrodollar" and
what it means to challenge that status.
(030906g) Japan and China can't seem to see "eye to eye" on
a set of disputed oil and gas fields in waters between
them. (030806e) Nigeria's oil production has been effected by the
"rebels" and no
negotiations are planned. (030806b) And
here is a map (030806g) Water has been mentioned before but not by me, this
article illuminates one nations preparations for "water
wars" (030706e) India
has been highlighted as a nation with "water resource"
problems. (030906b) A nations listed "proven oil reserves" is a vital figure
for OPEC or such like nations, it seems Kuwait is having
problems with the numbers. It
is this kind of fudging we've seen mentioned before and it
will be this sort of "fudging" that could bring on the "Peak
Oil" phenomenon sooner than any one thinks if we really
don't know how much is left in the tank
(030706c) Yup, they want to be in the news again, so they fired off
a couple of missiles, lots
of opinions as to which way they went, why they were
launched, and what it all means (030806a) Another hint of "Global Warming" from Maine, the
lakes thaw faster now a days. (030806c)
Africa
headed for persistent droughts and famines? That is what the
article talks about (030806f) Until today the estimates this article now dismisses as
to conservative were the norm, that is to say global warming
would get us a 1 - 4 degree increase in temperature,
this
article reports that changes on the order of 11 degrees are
possible. (030706d) This story, about losses in the bee hive business, bee
hives succumbing to the varroa mite. They
use chemicals, of course, to control the pest, but will we
see another cycle of resistance? Then what?
(030606b) Another
report explains why Antarctic ice is being lost faster than
it is being replaced. (030506f) So Alaskan's want to see their election records, first
they are told the records belong to Diebold, then they get
told they can have them but Diebold and election officials
have to prepare them,
then releasing data becomes a "security risk". Sounds
perfectly reasonable to me. (030706f) And
don't forget Florida; how could we? With
only 100,000 reported voting machine errors in the 2004
election, everything, just luckily, turned out exactly
right, that's what they want you to believe
(030706g) Here is a good on, a video, says the story, showing
how
emphatically Bushwacky was warned about New Orleans and his
promises - then, when the vacationing "acting prez" has to
"handle the criticism" he says "no one knew" "I wasn't told"
and so on... (030706a) (here
is the link to the page with the video) The Buckeye state and the Bush "win" of 2004. Does
it matter that hundreds of thousands of voters were "removed
from the rolls" or other "irregularities"? I guess not.
(030506g) And here is another story detailing
how "voting
reform" has been stalled, sidelined, underfunded and we
still have questionable systems and debatable
results (030506i) Here is a story reporting how the UAE's ports have been
used to ship atomic research and development supplies,
illegally, and, not incidentally, the vehicle used for the
bomb that killed Hariri in Lebanon. And
Bushwhack want's such to take care of our ports?
(030706b) Halliburton
gets the port deal? (031006d) Kafka and Orwell have their chops but Bush beats their
band, hands down and cold. Torturous
torture regs and a "unitary executive" make nonsense of the
law (030606g) This is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. One of the
stories used to "sell the Iraq war" is proven to be a fake.
I
know, I know it is late, but since the truth is out, let it
all the way out. this should be the kind of story that
reporters hound, but I hear no rush to cover or uncover or
discover, oh well (030606f) Chile makes history with its new leader and her attempt
to form
a "parity government" one in which the proportion of gender
is balanced. (031006a) Murtha speaks some sense. I disagree with what he says
when answering "what to do about Iran" My answer would have
included, "not lumping them into an axis of evil", not
funding terrorist groups, as we define them, for action
against Iran, maybe not threatening war by using war on two
of its neighbours and in other ways. The
interview, otherwise is quite good
(030606e) Polls show Bush in a very poor light, but, as I have said
to my friends, what
does that matter, if reality itself doesn't matter why
should Bushwhacky care about public opinions?
(031006e) A snapshot of Cheney, whose surprising level of approval,
18%, is
surprising because it is still so high.
(030706h)
I inaugurate a new headline section, the "Great War" will
contain stories having to do with the new "East and West"
struggle first: The Muddle East: Syria: It seems an oppositional front has formed. It includes
the Muslim Brotherhood. This group is influential enough
that it has been feared as the likely benefactor of any US
supported regime change, allegedly
this factor was primary in dissuading the US from pressing
for serious regime change earlier. Where is the money in
this game? (031706b) Israel / Palestine: What exists now is not stable, the reason is simple
the
short article could be a warning, but no one is
listening. (031506h) When will we see the last of this lame brain idea, that
of Israel attacking Iran's nuclear facilities. The idea has
been debunked, it is stupid. However,
I'll put nothing past Bushwhacky. Can this help the Iran
situation, even floating this idea? (031406g)
and then there's this: U.S.
Ambassador to the U.N. John R. Bolton said Monday, "I don't
think we have anything to say to the Iranians."
(031406h) Palestinians kidnap foreigners in response to an Israeli
attack on one of their prisons.
Now that Hamas runs the government it may be that this is
a harbinger of stronger reactions to Israeli attacks.
(031406b) Iraq: Ordinary Iraqi's prepare for "problems" such as being
forced
to stay inside for weeks at a time, fleeing for their lives
or barricading their neighbourhood and buying weapons.
(031806d) And
how an Iraqi mayor decided to protect his town from the
attacking "suburbs" (031806e) How it is being fought, "Largest
Iraq Air Assault Since 03" (031806a) Then,
despite all the blather, there is no resistance found, nor
battles fought, but it is said
"We achieved tactical surprise." I'm not making this
up. (031806b) Vietnam is not Iraq, but this article shows the stages
that the two conflicts seem share. It
is not optimistic. (031506d) The problem is
that I don't believe there are any truly good options which
don't seem to stretch into the future as the promise greater
and greater costs. We want "permanent access" to Iraq, this means bases,
huge, sprawling complexes with 21st century, suburban US
style amenities. Are we leaving any time soon? If
you believe we are ask about the instant Iraqi battalions,
we've created a force of 100,000 in just six short months,
this is after we said we'd already done this by the way.
(031406d) Oil, the economic backbone, is more than just weak, it is
endangered, and
not just by saboteurs. (031406c) You
recall Mr. Sadr, well, here is an update on this once time
rebel and hunted criminal (031306e) What
will he do when faced with what may be reprisals for his
followers attacks on Shias? (031306d) Another major attack, as it is called, 250 casualties,
dead and wounded, altogether. Punch drunk, the nation heads
toward civil war, part
one (031206a) part
two (031206b) and
part three (031206c) The term "civil war" is being used more and more, it has
become the paramount threat, greater than the insurgency,
but,
and luckily, for the US, the Iraqi army will "take care of
it". (031106a) The Greater Muddle East Iran: I had to laugh when I saw this headline, "Iran
allocates 15M for Anti U.S. Budget" Now, first I thought
they were setting up a program to fund anti-US sentiment in
Americans, then I thought it was to create a "radio free
US", but
the real story is just as funny, but then I have a perverse
sense of humour. (031306) Another step toward crisis, by an administration that is
notoriously inept at crisis management. Arm
twisting by the US gets Russia to flip - flop on an issue.
Condigirl gives them cover, sort of, and time marches on
(031206d) But it is all for naught, China and
Russia don't want to be harsh ...
will there be a coalition of the willing?
(031406e) Yet, this article has me wondering if
we are considering "action" on Iran as quotes in the article
hint. But it is a different world now, what with Iraq and
all (031406f) Pakistan: Several problems are mentioned in this article, the
border regions, namely
Waziristan and Baluchistan. The Taliban seems to make gains
and suffer losses as does the US and Pakistan.
(031106d) The Greater Islamic regions: Water wars, may still be a thing of the future, but
water battles and struggles are here already.
(031706a) For
example this story sparks controversy between the US and
Mexico (031706c) Another war going on, another form of genocide, backed by
powerful world forces, Britain, the US and their
corporations, all making money off of West Papua's
resources, have been for decades.
This kind of rape is what fuels the "terror war" and we
wonder "why they don't like us?"
(031106h) Somehow this article made the news, again, it is from
2005 and
reports that 2004 was a record breaking year for the
increases in "greenhouse" gasses.
(031406a) Lap Dogs of the Press, that about sums this one up. It
has been argued that if the press had done "its job"
providing the public with fact checking and investigative
analysis we wouldn't have gone to war. I
agree with that. Here is the scoop Jackson
(031806c) Just how will the "information war" unfold in the US,
meaning propaganda, here
are the 12 principals that are being seen, as applied to
Iran. (031506e) Sandra Day O'Connor, not forgotten by you, I trust, dear
reader, has, reportedly,
talked about democracy failing in the US and being replaced
by dictatorship ... sorry no transcript only a report about
it. (031306g) A study has it that we see more "news time" but fewer
stories and those are covered in less depth. That is the
"skinny" from the study the story fronting it goes on to
present an impression that there are some improvements,
but
I think the few facts presented in the article depict " a
sea" of reality that allows disinformation or
"non-information" to become "the news as we know it"
(031306a) Why, in Gods holy name do we bother spying on our own
leafleters? Don't
we have bigger fuckin' fish to fry? and I'm not talking
about Mr. M. Below. (031506b) Mr Moussaoui, recall him? The
Gov wants to kill him, but fumbling, can't manage to
Kangaroo this court or its juge.
(031306c)\ A law is passed to prevent torture, however those being
tortured, since
they are outside the US, in Guantanamo, for example, cannot
avail themselves of the law, nice
(031106c) There is talk of a "unipolar" moment, here
is a bit on that (031506c) The trouble is
that Krauthammer is wrong. The world is already multi polar.
Can't he spell C-h-i-n-a? Does he not know how to spell
I-s-r-a-e-l? Just because the US cannot seem to be
challenged and is the only power with global reach does not
mean there are not other restive sources of power. Those
sources, all of them, are all the more so "free" because of
Bushwhacky's asinine, sort of dumbfuk in a mining disaster,
kind of blind, deaf and dumb policies. India and China go
their own way, Russia plays its own agenda. Yes, granted we
are all over the board, but everyone knows we can no longer
"be everywhere at once" We did have a unipolar world, once,
under Clinton, and no I did not vote for him, but that's
gone now. The worst part is the bill for the price we'll be
paying has not been added up yet, much less presented. What I want to know is how can this Jackass saying these
asinine things possibly help the situation in any
constructive way? With idiots like the Rev. Franklin Graham,
or Mr. Dorkwad himself, Pat Robertson, speaking from their
anuses like this? What
could possibly be their point? (031506a) This article has it that a big terrorist act is soon to
occur, or a real worrisome, serious, tangible warning
because Bushwhacky needs to wag the dog with its tail. I
have said as much before, but
I go a step further than the article (031506f)
I feel that a sizeable attack, to my mind at least a
dirty nuke, or a real one, would solve Bushwhacky's problem,
it would prove we're in danger, we could blame Iran, he'd
look "heroic" again, and there would be "proof" that 'fifth
columnists" were involved in the attack, thus sealing off
debate about that "constitution thing" Some
people think the Bushwhacky run is just about done, the
problem is that their problems won't go away with them.
(031506g) 400,000 lawyers agree, Bushwhacky has violated the
constitution and so forth. Their organisation has spoken.
But Mr. Bushwhacky doesn't listen, the lawyers don't get air
time on Fox or CNN and so I say, so what? I
don't think the creaking gears of social activism are going
to get rid of Bushwhacky in anything like a timely manner,
time is short, (031106e) Here
is the letter, a PDFfile (031106f) Here
is what they're talking about, a PDF file
(031106g) Trade deficit, the record breaking, mind numbing numbers
continue to be posted, how
long it can continue, how and when it will end is another
question as we "hollow out" our economy
(031106b) Senator Feingold prepares an attempt to censure
Bushwhacky. Is
this the last gasp or the touchdown that turns the
tide? (031306f)
I inaugurate a new headline section, the "Great War" will
contain stories having to do with the new "East and West"
struggle first: The Muddle East: Region wide there is a split concerning the issue of
nuclear weaponry in the middle east. Arab nations are
divided, Israel's nukes are figuring into the thinking,
and
fallout, both figurative and literal are real concerns of
the moment. (032206d) Israel / Palestine: Why does it take months for it to be reported that Israel
has severely limited the foodstuffs that are allowed into
Gaza? Food
is short, rationing is in effect and there is little or no
reserves. Such actions will amplify the difficulties that
Israel will face, world opinion for one thing, for another
further reducing the possibility of peace.
(032106x) Iraq: No government yet and dozens die daily, that is what it
seems like, sectarian
killing is acknowledged and common.
(032506c) We wind down our funding for reconstruction and shift
such costs on to the Iraqi's. Oil
exports, their main source of revenue is down, as is
electrical production and job training which is way, way way
down. (032406x) How corrupt was/is the Iraq reconstruction effort? It
gets bad marks from an insider who ran a good portion of it,
or tried to: part
one (032406b) part
two (032406c) part
three (032406d) and
part four (032406e) How do we know it is grim? Even worse than we know?
Because
we say so. (032306d) A shift in casualties, US
down and Iraqi up, way up. (032106d)
Then,
too, it is what is not obvious that is the unsettling part
of the puzzle. (032106e) And here's a bit on the prewar intelligence:
Part
one (032106f) and
part two (032106g) What do the bases we are building in Iraq look like? How
big is big? Here
are some features of our "non permanent" bases, part
one (032106b) and
part two (032106c) Iraq's neighbors and internal divisions provide a recipe
for "interesting times" this article outlines what
Iraq's neighbors have to fear, hope for, want , and details
some of their "interests" in either a failed or successful
Iraq. (032006d) The Dumbsfeldt says,"It won't look like the American
civil war."
Well, DUH! But I guess he gets info that we ordinary
mortals don't. (031906a) The Greater Muddle East Iran: Rumors persist regarding "nuclear options" in Iran. The
most "reasonable" of these consists of "bunker
busting nukes." The dangers of this idea are given some
coverage here. (031906c) But the word is that
we aren't going in before March 28th, anyway, or maybe
longer because the American people have to "get
ready" Lots of interesting quotes in this brief
article. (031906c) Bill O'Reilly, or should I say B.S. O'Fartmouth, wants to
"blow
Iran off the map" or some such. What a diplomat he'd make. I
wonder what his butt would taste like if it was fried
up? (031906b) Probably the like the shit he's
full of? How could he think that such a comment, made to
millions of Americans could possibly be helpful, even to
Bushwhacky? Pakistan: The Greater Islamic regions: Big, read multinational, water companies are withdrawing,
under fire, from poor countries. The reason is resistance
from local populations or national movements, such as in
Bolivia. The
world bank still thinks it's the way to go. It is a fight
for control of a vital resource.
(032106i) This article makes a case against Iran's oil bourse being
a threat to the dollar and or a cause for a US attack on
that country. While that may be a relief, it goes on to show
how financial
mismanagement is putting at risk the international system
which has made the US dollar the fiat currency for business,
government or trade (032006e) For details see
the "Spiraling Cost" article in the future of the US
section. A GREAT article, simple, easy to understand and it
explains several of the threads that have run through
articles on China, about the politics of "currency
maintenance", empire, resource wars, inflation and more.
A
seminal tying of the knot. I only have the page forwarded to
me, I do not have a link directly the the page on the web
(031906i) A bit of an update, "glacial quakes" those that are
caused when a glacier "gets a heat on" and moves faster than
usual. Such events are occurring more often in
Greenland and we may have a 4 to 8 degree warming curve
"goin on" . (032306a) In increasing detail, scope and depth we hear stories
from the far north. This
article gives all three as an update to the warming, which
up there is as much as seven degrees at this
time. (032206a) and
part two (032206b) Even
Evangelicals see the need to do something about global
warming. (032206c) Don't worry, the levels of radioactive material is not
that great, and besides it's being diluted in the nearby
river. I
guess that means a leak of nuclear material is OK. Well, I
am reassured, aren't you? (032106j) The most powerful cyclone in 30 years hits Australia.
Can
we say "weather changes?" (032006a) Humans
can take the credit, and do so in a variety of wonderful and
interesting ways, for the
extinction rate now at some 1,000 times the
"normal". (032006b) And
part two of the story (032006c) So, there is a vote against permanent bases in Iraq, it
succeeds, but
no one hears about it. (032506a) Neither
nation wants such bases. (032506b) Just a story here, one that is worth some attention,
anyone
know of the "Halliburton of the Abstinence
Movement? (032406a) What do do with an American "citizen" who makes bombs and
gets caught in a country suffering from terrorist bombs?
That's
right, send in the FBI, haul his sorry ass out of that
country and hide him over here. (032506d) When substance is trumped by spin, image and sound bite
then situations like what happened in Oakland, a bomb scare,
can provide a template for those who wou d disrupt our
society - and,
as I've said before, they wouldn't need a single bomb to do
it. (032106e) This is not the Central and South American of the 50's,
60's, 70's or 80's. The LLOL (Latin Left Laughing Out Loud)
trend continues, deepens and will have impact, especially if
Mexico joins in the trend. All
of this can be laid at Bush's feet, his incompetence in
general has allowed a loss of nearly a whole hemisphere of
friends and allies who, not so long ago, could be counted
upon to support US policies and back it up in the UN or
other bodies. (032106a) Long, long ago, a poet, I want to say e.e. cummings,
wrote about the 5th Avenue El, meaning elevated, meaning
elevated railway. How it was torn down and its metal
scrapped out. Much of this went to Japan. That
nation returned the metal, sort of, during WW2 when, in the
form of attacking ships and airplanes. Now, look at this
story about China. (031906e) and
part two (031906f) Our apocalyptic prezydink select, Bushwhacky, has a bit
of exposure here, more
than enough actually, considering,
(032306c) The estimate is that the war in Iraq will cost some
TRILLION dollars by the time it winds down in 2010,
that
is if it does and nothing else happens in the mean
time. (032306b) remember we were told it would be
maybe 50 billion and that Iraq's oil would pay for it all?
Remember how the term "cakewalk" was used? I guess you CAN call it "pension reform" when it puts the
future of millions at risk, more so than when the president
and congress set out to "fix" the system. Who
says this? The government does, but no one notices that
part, it doesn't make the headlines.
(031906g) Bush signs into law a bill that was not passed by
congress, even though he was told, even though it was a
small matter of a couple of billion dollars. It is the
principal that counts, oh, my bad, I
forgot that such doesn't matter to Herr
Bushvacky. (031806e)
To the Reader: If you
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want links to the archive of older newsletters:
Topple
Bush.
03/04//06
03/11//06
03/18//06
03/25//06