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First Quarter of 2008 January 2008 ... February 2008 ... March 2008
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01/05/08 How
the CIA "got it wrong", ironically enough, despite
intentions, on the "torture tapes"
(123007b) Again
we are forced to see how our government is horribly
mismanaged. Leading political figures and administration
members talked about the CIA tapes at various times and HAD
TO KNOW that their destruction would be
"problematical" to say the least. So how come we
don't know who knew what and when? Because corruption has
blinded everyone involved and no one is being held to
account. (010108h) It looks like the US intel community is finally having
its field day with the BushWhacked Royal Assed Dumbell in
Chief, yes
Bush the Dumber has never had congress "mess with him" in
any way so it fell the the Intel folks to baste his ass with
butter. The Iran NIE is so "yesterday" now it's "Torture
Gate" (010408d) However, as in Haiku, the best parts
are what is NOT said, for that, read the exquisite
article. Central Muddle Central Theater:
Gaza-Israel-Jordan - Lebanon-Palestine - Syria A
reasonable "to do" list for the US in the Muddle
East. Because it is reasonable I doubt that any
will be done, and so that leaves the consequences.
(010108i) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern
Theater: Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran-Kurdistan - Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia Mostly in this category
we
have information that leads me to think that Iran and tits
neighboring Arabian states are considering their options, to
say the least. After all Iran
could easily say, listen "friends" if the US takes us down
who will play counter puncher for you? The Russians?
Chinese? Do you WANT another Iraq? They are comfortable, at
least the ruling classes are, and so the real surprise now a
days, would be any American attack. (010408b)
This
and the following have become possible, mainly, by the US
debacles in the region
and its failing credibility, and the stated goals Bush
expresses as shown in this article. (010408c) All over the map for this one,
but
the point is who is seeing who, as the Palestinians reach
out to Saudis, not
surprising after all, and whose to say what is what
now? Afghanistan: The
mixed year: US casualties top out, insurgents revert to hit
and run after losses in 2006 but
drug production soars. Question: What is the plan?
(010108p) Iraq: The "poor" ruler of Iraq, time ticks away and the
things
that need to be done are not being done or can't be done. He
can't satisfy anyone, it seems. (010308f) But the problems are not just with the head of state or
the government, 2008
may see some of the gains gained in 2007 erode as "external
players" sideline the Baghdad government and so ensure
rifts, divisions and even violence.
(010308g) The
good news regarding a decline in violence is tempered with
the fragility of its status (010307b) Iran: Well
who IS running Iran, after reading this article the clear
answer is that it is anyone's
guess. Maybe this
"system" is stable and disallows any one of the many
"groups" in the ruling class from becoming top dog, it also
makes slower any process of change-an interesting read
nonetheless (123107c) Pakistan: This story mentions something that I've not covered, the
election rigging in Pakistan.
It seems that Bhutto became aware of the large scale plot
and was about to let the cat out of the bag on the same day
she was killed, probably just a convenient
coincidence (010308e) And, of course, the
unflattering portrait of Bhutto depicting her as one of the
elite not really a "person of the people" per se.
(010108f) Putting uncomfortable nails in a all to recent coffin,
we
see how the PPP has become a family heirloom, passed on in a
will when it is, in fact, a political party and not
"ownable" by one person. Problems will come
of this (010108g) Day
by day developments develop in this peaceful land
(123107a) How
"we" cover the "good and bad guy" version of Pakistan while
the reality is much more complex. Dial M for
Mushmouth, it seems (010108e) Al
Qaida takes credit for the Bhutto killing? That's
what this article mentions in connection with a change of
strategy which is to focus on destabilizing Pakistan and
putting Afghan efforts, one would guess, on a back burner.
(010108k) The
US has a "plan B" and that means Sharif-only time will tell
if he'll make it "all right with US backing
(010208b). Part two, who
benefits in this 'plan B" scenario, care to
guess? (010208c) Kenya: Another
US ally with a government that is determined to stay in
power a thwarted electoral effort has now led to violence,
even along tribal lines as one of Kenya's 40 or so tribes
attempts to hold on, that is the impression this
article weaves. The CIA fact book does not give any
indication that the conflict is related to an inequitable
distribution of any natural resource, however only time will
tell if "something is up for grabs, besides the ability to
mild a government or should I say bilk? (123107b) Violence
continues and escalates. One has to ask how bad will it get
and will the "world community" intervene to halt the
slaughter and mayhem before the death toll reaches into the
thousands or more? (010108d) Asia and the Greater Islamic Theater: - India -
Russia - China - South East Asia India: Not particularly related to Bush the Dumber's policies
but then again, here
is a story about wombs for rent. A "coming" business
opportunity in India as wealthier couples from wealthier
nations find "an answer to their needs"
(123007a) Just the lead page from an article on the
decline of Blue Fin tuna stocks with overfishing and global
warming being debated as the cause.
(010108l) In
an unheralded battlefield the Bush Administration has been
very successful and their "melody will linger on and on and
on…" The fight is now and has always been
furious but it may get "some sunshine" as the election forms
up and judiciary appointments become part of the "sound bite
mix" (010408e) The
mortgage crisis, another conservative failure
(123007c) Obama
makes real waves in Iowa and other "small change" Iowa
results. (010408a) Another read on this is
that the Republican field is as diverse and as uninspired as
it is because, effectively running in the Bush Republican
party is an unenviable and tortuous path to wend, besides
being all uphill. It's like trying to dock while the tide is
running out. I mean to say they can put a flag on their flag
on the pole but who will salute it. The
biggest Pork Barrel of all time and no one on the campaign
talks about it much nor does Mr. And Mrs. John Q.
Smith know much about how bit it really is…
(010308e) Why
2007 was the "year nothing happened"? Can you spell
filibuster? (010108o) Is it to early to hear stories about corruptible voting
machines? I think not. The
question is what role will these corruptible machines play
in the upcoming election? (010108b) But
it may not JUST be the machines; it could be the purging of
voter rolls and databases (010208) Here is a lovely article on the Housing
Mess.
One of its architects actually is quoted and the words he
uses are such BS. You have to read it to believe
it. (123107d) So here is the upshot, local and state governments
begin to suffer the cost of this corrupt capitalist
conniving. California's budgetary process, always an
immense struggle, will promise to be worse
than usual because of a projected 14 billion dollar
shortfall because of the Housing Mess. (123107e)
Other stories from other states, Ohio, Tennessee,
Florida are on the web CIA
stonewalling the Congress? Seems like it, but do we
get REAL coverage, REAL investigation, REAL news action?
Hah! (010308a) The
right wing's further infiltration into the media, as
if we need to see yet ANOTHER example (010108j) Of course this is
not making the news the presence of the White Rose and C.
Sheehan at the Rose Parade. Times are not that good
despite the appearance of progress, read a decline in the
death counts from Iraq and Palestine. (010108m) What
is a "pocket veto" and why Bush the Dumber and crew are
simply full of it. (010308c) Here is how
politics, federal policy, ecology, forestry all play out in
a single Oregon town. It is sad but true
(010108a) Taiwan, the perennial conundrum of US/China foreign
policy. Are
they just rattling their cage? Seems so to me.
(010108c) Here
is the "final" argument against nuclear power. The
nature of nature itself, the humans ability to measure and
weigh, science itself and the limitations of entropy all
conspire to show us that nuclear power is a "phase". There
seems to be something of a "uranium peak" (120408f) So,
these are the good news events from 2007 and yes they are
refreshing to read. I only wish the list were
longer and that the last entry was already done.
(010108n) Not
really hope, actually, more of a fervent wish, but this is a
link to a place where you can sign an online petition to
impeach Cheney, I know, I know, but Cheney first
he'll probably take down the Global Village Idiot with him.
(not archived)
Blackwater
gasses US troops and others. An incident a couple of
years back still makes waves, but read the comments, lots of
details there. (011108a) The Surge: it has
coincided with a reduction of violence and can take a
measure of the credit, but
the original purpose has been forgotten, apparently and when
it is recalled we can see that The Surge has not done what
it is supposed to do (011008c) Here is our
Great Hole in Chief putting forth one of the larger lies of
his AGAIN, and NO, no one noticed or protested in the
press or otherwhere. (010808a) This story covering some of what Sibel
Edmonds wants to expose and an airing to, the US complicity
in the spreading of nuclear secrets which involved very high
ranking administration officials and congressional members
of all stripes. (010708b) So it's no surprise
no one wants to hear, investigate or probe. Here is some
more on that, some details, some updates.
In sum our nuclear arsenal has been compromised and the fact
that no one is responding to the alarm bell is, well,
alarming. (010708c) More
on the Sibel Edwards blowout story, who else may have
compromised US nuclear security, a good question.
(010908c) Do YOU want another 100 years in Iraq?
That's what McCain has said but with caveats, to be sure,
but still, a century? (010708f) Muddle East: Central Theater:
Gaza-Israel-Jordan - Lebanon-Palestine - Syria Israel: The
front line Israeli city of Sderot, what it is like to live
there (010908b) A
longer range rocket from the Palestinians seems to be
noteworthy, one wonders if the upcoming visit by our
Great Hole will "inspire" some "rocket's red glare" or
"bombs bursting in air"? (010508d) Lebanon: Maybe
now we'll get some progress toward a stable government? Time
will tell. (010508a) Muddle East: Western Theater: Egypt - Kurdistan
- Turkey Turkey: A
car bomb kills five and injures dozens. This
only makes the Turks more heated (010508e) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern
Theater: Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran-Kurdistan - Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia Iraq: A recent report has it that 151,000 Iraqi's died,
much lower than the previous Lancet study, however,
hidden
in this report are the lives of over a half million dead, so
even here the truth wills out. (011008f) A
truly major operation is underway in Iraq, totaling some
170,000 US and Iraqi personnel. (011008b)
Foreign fighters in Iraq? Yup there
ARE some but captured information illuminates the unpleasant
reality that our allies are the sources for these
volunteers. (010708e) The advantage of the
surge is that "more can be done" but
a large operation misses out on the targeted personnel, who
skipped out days in advance; US forces close the noose on
very little (010908a) An
Iraqi soldier kills two American ones and wounds four
others-one hopes that this is not going to become "a
problem" (010508c) Apparently there
is more to the story. As the official story shifts so do
reports come forth as to what may have
transpired. (010708d) Subsequent stories from
US sources report a completely different location and set of
circumstances. Iran: The
"naval incident" made the news, rippled the price of oil,
but seems to be a "one of a kind" sort of thing.
Nothing to worry about, unless a pattern forms.
(010708a) Another
wrinkle in the "affair" has it that the threat may not have
come from the boats, so what does that leave us
with? (011008a) Subsequent stories reported that a known
prankster may have been responsible for the radio voice
while others report a retraction concerning how close the
Americans came to firing on the boats. Pakistan: Some
hints that Pakistan may be "rethinking" its "approach" to
the tribal areas that area "wild" zones. The US and Al
Qaida, ironically, agree that peace talks are no good.
(011108c) So
who are the Pakistani officials dealing with? Check out "the
man" (011108d) What DO the Pakistani people think? Well,
they don't like the US presence in the area and feel that it
is either the greatest threat to their security or one of
the greatest threats to their security and for a
variety of reasons. The poll was taken before the Bhutto
killing and before the rumors of US military forces being
allowed to act on Pakistani soil. (010808b) And here is a consequence of such an idea even reaching
Pakistan, the
assassination of 8 tribal leaders scheduled to meet with the
government. (010608b) Asia and the Greater Islamic Theater: - India -
Russia - China - South East Asia Russia, Iran, the US, and everyone in the greater
middle east: this
article outlines what may be preying on everyone's minds:
the "oops" moment, as it were, may already have passed or
may yet. (011108e) Part two,
the core issue is how we "get Russia on board" as a
cooperative ally on world issues … when the US,
under Bush especially, has acted in ways that discouraged
such an event. (011108f) Georgia: What?
Another US protégé having problems with
democracy? The election in Georgia seems to be
problematical, another point of US Russian
disagreement and the people are in the streets, so far so
calm, but time will tell, again. (010608a) Inhuman
treatment is OK as long as the people being treated that way
are not "people", as it were. So says the US court
system in a case regarding the lawsuits of 4 Britons who
were released from Guantanamo (011208b) Ok, I happened across this, an article detailing
a
poll by a Des Moines paper which seemed to predict the Iowa
Caucus results pretty well. The parts I like the best were
the responses leading candidates and or their
representatives had to the numbers. For that reason
it is a fun read. (010508f) Economics,
why the "old way" of measuring an economy's success are
failing to report the reality: of many people, in
fact most, we are in a recession and have "bad times"
(011008d)
What
cost victory? I guess we'll know when we have one, but until
then I wonder if the casualty count from Iraq should include
the killings that returned veterans have done? That,
according to this NYT article, would add, perhaps a few
hundred to the total. (011208c) A
bit of coverage on Bin Laden's newest news release.
AQ's basic strategy, the situation in Iraq as
related to that which occurred in Afghanistan after the
Soviets were driven out and so forth and so on. (011308e)
Is the Saudi regime going to be placed in the cross
hairs? "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza - Israel -
Jordan - Lebanon - Palestine - Syria We
see "final talks" on the Israel-Palestine situation? That is
what the headline reads. Well we shall see what we
shall see. Bush began by ignoring the place for a few yeas
only to try and do what might take 50 years in less than
one. (011308b) Israel: More
crap from this country, I mean the standard crap really,
which runs like this: "we don't want Iran to get
nukes all while we may or may not have our own and won't
sign any damned treaty nor will we EVER give investigators
free reign to figure out WHO helped us get ours, and, oh
yes, we reserve the right to preemptively attack their
facilities and engage in acts of war to that end." This from
the only avowed faith based, "racist" nation on earth. Oh
well. (011408b) Lebanon: Al
Qaeda in Lebanon? Some think so, is this good news? No,
probably not (011608d) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Just what we need: more nukes in the middle east.
Sarkozy,
America's newest lapdog, follows Bush the dumber and wants
to spread the nukes. (011808h) Progress
or consolidation of power for Al Qaida seems to be "going
on" while the US and its allies ply the "awakening"
strategy in Pakistan and Afghanistan to, apparently, mixed
reviews. (011908b) Afghanistan: Power
supply in Kabul is sketchy, part of the reason is US policy
in the region has alienated neighboring states,
which could help supply what is needed. (011308a) Iraq: The
ever changing figures concerning when we will
leave. (011808d) Read
this, because it sounds SO good. (011808e)
Then
read this, what would be called the
"counterpoint" (011808f) An
"optimistic" article about the "awakening" as its called.
Essentially we pay and reward Sunni groups to side with us.
We provide what the Shia dominated government does
not. What this situation portends has been discussed but the
basic idea is: what do such groups owe a government that has
given them nothing? What will they do if that continues and
the US forces draw down? Well, what? (011808b) Chaos
whether coalition or insurgency causes problems, an example
(011808c) "If it doesn't embrace it,
you could have the different Sunni Awakenings coming
together as a Sunni army that tries to overthrow the
government, pushing the country into civil war," the
aide said. "It's possible." Lovely quote, don't you think?
(011408d) Here
is a story reporting on how the Great Dumbell has reversed
course and now wants to admit Baathists back into the
government. We pushed them out and into the
resistance and now we want them back in an attempt to
reverse that. (011308d) Iran: Intel
can say what it wants to, but Bush the Dumber can ignore or
dismiss at will and does so (011608b)
More on this,
a look at his language and what it seems to mean
(011608c) Bush in the middle east, an idiot elephant in the china
shop, right? Well,
he again takes the opportunity to rake Iran which responds
in kind, sort of. (011308c) and here
is the latest on the "Straight of Hormuz" flap, blame it on
"the Filipino Monkey" as it were
(011408a) Pakistan: A
brief overview of Pakistan's history relative to the Bhutto
assassination. Nice tidbits of the past are
illuminated. C'est la vie" (011808g) In
Kenya protests and strategies continue. An exercise
in how to protest a flawed election. Would that Americans
had as much gumption. We would not have been saddled with
the Jackass of the century for seven very long Years
(011908a) Well,
well well, it looks as though Antarctica is getting a case
of "the melts" too. Part one states that there is a
net loss of ice now, previously it had been reported that
this was not the case and that the melt water is on the
scale of what Greenland is producing now, but the process is
accelerating. This is another story reporting how research
is being overtaken by events on the ground as glaciers world
wide "steal a march" on an inattentive world.
(011408e) This spells out that some
parts are melting much faster than others so it is something
of a mixed bag. The kicker is that there may have
been ice loss occurring, on some scale, for 40 years.
(011408f) Greg palest at his most simple covers the debt recycling
for us. So
I ask the musical question: where has all our money gone,
long time lending, where has all our money gone, loan's gone
astray, where has all our money gone to China, Sauds and
South America, when will we ever earn? When will we
eeeeeeeever earn? (011608a) This is for economists and business
persons,
the article talks about what I call the "debt balloon" which
is not just a US phenomenon, it is global. Trouble
is my sense of the article has it that, at some time, the
debt's "force" will impact the value of currencies and then,
soon after, the value of goods and services. I guess that
would be more than a recession. (011308f) Part
two: a
blizzard of facts showing down ticks and more
(011308g) Part three: more
facts and figures, easier to understand but all pointing in
the same direction (011308h) Part four
the
Dollar declines the Euro advances and people see value in
things not cash (011308i) Part five
the slumps, inflation
roundup and the lessons from Japan's crunch of the
90's (011308j) Weak
economic figures portend a "slow 2008"
(011608f) This home page from Reuters
dated: Tuesday, January 15th 2008, has a good deal of hints
and clues to "what is going on at this moment in
time. Gold way up, the dollar down, global slowdown
in economics, and much much more… (011408c) So why isn't there a "storm" over this?
The missing emails related to the Plame case have been
erased. Well, accidents DO happen
(011608e)
A general comment: When asked why I select stories, the
answer is generally that each of these represent some result
of the current administrations policy errors. Each is, in
that sense, a reason for criticizing the Great Dumbell
himself. That
maintaining the threat of a nuclear first strike, it is
said, NATO would be capable of making defense of Western
Civilization more secure. While that may or may not
be true the notion of a first strike only rattles cages best
left unrattled, but then again, maybe it is to late.
(012108c) Is this what China and Russia need to
hear? Bush
pardon's himself … yup that's right this YouTube video
reports out on a story that I believe was covered in
this archive, but I could be wrong. I cannot download and
archive the video, but the link will be good for a while It
talks about a law passed before the Democraps took "control"
of congress and the law, in part, provides Bush and his
minions with immunity back dated to 9/11. What a miracle
this country is. (no file number) Ailing
GI's deployed to War Zones … do we send our best or
what? (012008g) Europe: Just
what Europe needs a newly contentious and feisty Russia
meddling around in Serbia's elections, well, that's
how the West might view it anyway. (012008i) Regarding the article below concerning the "run up" to
the war in the US we
have a report from England that they are looking into that
as well, though there is resistance
(012408d) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza - Israel -
Jordan - Lebanon - Palestine - Syria Gaza: Hamas
and Gaza loose energy supplies as Israel demands they cease
rocketry attacks, would that BOTH sides would cease
fire, fat chance of that though. So some kind
of change to the status quo may be forced, but who knows
that that will be. (012008c) Palestinians
break out of the Gaza Siege, cross into Egypt and buy
everything in sight. (012308a) The openings stay open for a third day.
Egypt is caught one way or another while Israel's blockade,
meant to collectively punish Gaza for the Hamas
"government's" allowing rocket attacks to continue, has been
breached. How long this situation will continue is
anyone's guess, meanwhile thousands, even tens of thousands
buy whatever can be bought from Egyptians willing to sell
from improvised stands on the street. (012608a) Israel: Sderot
continues to live with the strain of the barrage of home
made Palestinian rockets. (012008b) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Iraq: Emblematic
of the condition of Iraq is the brouhaha over the "new"
albeit temporary flag. When read the headline
I thought they were talking about the one proposed a while
back which was mainly blue and white, but no, this is
another one, and it too has "problems" (012608b) Regarding an upcoming agreement on a wide range of issues
between Iraq and the US, immunity of US forces both
government and private, oil, sovereignty, the length of the
occupation and so forth, Mr.
Zebari says that he has no doubt that the new agreement
would be denounced as a sellout in Iraq, but it was
necessary for Americans and Iraqis to end uncertainty about
their future relations (012508a) More
of the "details" involved, just wonderful, yes?
No! (012408c) The
day to day complaints, no water, no power, no kerosene for
heat may undo the "work" of the surge, at
least there are threats to that effect, even at the highest
level of the Iraqi government (012008a) It seems the Awakening movement, a touted success of
US policy making noteworthy progress, is
now under attack both from within and without. Many players
have their agendas and it is serious
(012408a) The Greater Islamic Theater:
India - Russia - China - South East Asia The
BioFuels industry grows and people are "feeling good" about
green fuel, but the problem, illustrated in another article
some time ago, is evidenced here. With biofuels, at
least the kind used NOW, what goes into the gas tank, comes
out of the food basket. (012008d) That said there are
nonfood plant sources that are far easier to raise, can be
grown on marginal land and thus would not impact food crops.
That said the basic physics for corn being turned into fuel
has it that it is a net energy looser. Oh well. By
chance another story covering this issue with some
interesting factoids (012008e) Global
warming effects the extent of droughts, nuclear plants are
effected by the availability of cooling water-each plant
needs some 30 million gallons a day. In the US some
plants face powering or even shut downs.
(012508d) Will
Tuesday, January 22nd be one of those benchmark days that go
down in history as the losses in the sub prime market make
the rounds over the past weekend and come home to
roost in NYC's famed stock exchange? Are we seeing
the first cracks in the financial foundations that support
the dollar and the US economy? (012108b) The
word is the Fed's move stemmed the tide. Is that all there
is? (012308d) The nasty "back end" of nuclear power: what
do you do with the "thousands of tons of waste each plant
produces every year? That is the ten million dollar
question, isn't it? (012008b) 150 billion is the "aid package" being touted and
criticized. This is needed mainly because of the economic
ripple effects of the sub prime mess.
Over the past month or so a rough tally of the money
"dumped" into capital markets has been more than 1.5
trillion dollars. And now, today, there are stories about
the middle eastern banks getting set to report their "write
downs" as well. (012608d) What is the double whammy? First, in other places
it has been reported
that the sub prime mess has lowered property values and thus
lowered the income of cities and states with about 25 of the
latter reporting large budget deficits that is the one hand,
on the other the building booms in India and China have
forced the cost of construction way, way up, as this graphic
amply illustrates… yield: problems for a wide,
wide range of infrastructure projects all over the nation
and at all levels of government. (012608c) In
a democracy isn't the government supposed to enact the will
of the people when that will is expressed and within legal
bounds? Well here is another example when it
is not. (012508b) How about that sub prime mess? Well,
Georgia, and some unnamed other states, tried to prevent the
current disaster some years ago, only to be waylaid by the
Feds who sided with the rapacious banks, which provide its
funding. (012508c) sounds like the system
works except when the "human factor" tosses monkey wrenches
and sabots into the gears. What
IS the fastest growing corporate crime in America?
I'll bet you can't guess, so you'll have to read about it
here (012508h) Race
horse journalism and why it is the way that it is and the
mindless media (012508f) If
you know Bill Kristol of the NYT, then you'll love the way
this writer pillories him. (012508g) It is interesting to have a memory. The trouble with
memory is that, well, you remember and that happens to be
its advantage too. Mr.
William "the brain dead" Kristol seems to have forgotten his
own hype as he declares, quite recently, that, "real
success" in Iraq. I know that is exciting
news but to a man with no memory it, such as Mr. William
"the fly up his father's ass" Kristol must be enjoying an
oxy-contin moment. (012008f) How to protest in the Singapore Fashion. Quietly
and efficiently organizers create protests that circumvent
the usual means of repression. The
internet and text messaging allow coordinated efforts of
thousands, even tens of thousands to protest on issues of
common concern (012608e) Maybe this belongs in the hope category. When
banks begin to "see the bottom line of global warming versus
going green" one wonders how long it will be for others,
namely the Great Dumb Bell Bush the lesser.
(012108a) There is always hope. Increasingly it may not seem
that way. However, I believe, despite appearances, that the
truth will out, justice will prevail, and that we are on the
way to a better world. I have faith that this will be a good
year. I choose to harbor hope.
01/12/08
01/19//08
01/26//08
02/02//08 Europe et al False
democracies fare well, even if they are not democratic at
all (020108d) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza - Israel -
Jordan - Lebanon - Palestine - Syria Gaza: The Gaza border breaches Israel's blockade are
monitored by Hamas and Egypt. They've
agreed to keep two open. Fatah wants to control
the crossings and the EU is willing to help but talks are
not underway yet. (012808a) point is that if Israel's
blockade is breached what will happen to its "policy"
regarding Gaza? The
"Gaza Tea Party" The lifting, even if temporary, of
restrictions between Gaza and Egypt augur poorly for the US
strategy in the region. Bush is left with
leaving his three most important opponents still active and
gaining strength, even as his lame duck term withers on the
vine (012708d) How
long will the wall stay down? What effects will this have?
What consequences? You can bet Israeli's are
working all those details out and probably finding that,
well, they've no reason to think they will benefit from this
change. (012608h) Israel: Last year's Israeli invasion of Lebanon was a failure.
Israel's own Winograd Commission puts it bluntly.
But this article considers how Bush the Dumber and his
neo-clowns may have been pulling strings nonetheless.
(020108f) Lebanon: And
now the musical question, "When is a civil war, a civil
war?" (012908d) "Muddle East" Western Theater: Egypt -
Kurdistan - Turkey Do
we need more nukes in the middle east France and Egypt think
so. (012608f) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Afghanistan: Not winning in Afghanistan. The same facts being
touted, a
stalemate, at best as ground is lost along with "hearts and
minds." (013108b) As if Afghanistan does not have enough problems,
Karzai
asserts himself, playing to the street for approval, but
remains, really, a weak link (012808b) Part two:
Karzai
and Mr. Muahmouth both want US support, need it, but want
also to build their own power base while others, looking on,
try to have some influence. (012808c) Iraq: Backsliding from the Surge? Hints and portents
gather and there
is the potential for another violent front to open up this
summer when Kikurk is "given away" to the highest bidder, so
to speak. (020108c) The
awakening movement getting a little rough around the
edges. (013108a) So,
what happened to all the money Iraq's neighbors and other US
"allies" promised a few years back, before all this
destruction and mayhem? Well mostly it was "hot air"
(013008d) Many
people may recall a promise, or whatever Bush the Jackasser
might call it, that we don't want permanent bases in
Iraq, well his signature says different. Also
committing US troops without congressional approval makes an
end run around that "constitution thing" Welcome to Empire
(013008c) Iran: Interesting
article speculating on a possible deal allowing China to
create a military/naval base on the Iranian
coast, on one of its islands in the gulf or
maybe an air base, who knows. One wonders what kind of blow
back this would entail. (012808d) Pakistan: An
editorial which claims that there is a possibility that
Pakistan could break up into three smaller states each of
which would be ethnically unitary. There are
preventative steps that are postulated but, of course, they
are unlikely. Leaving one to think that a break up will be
increasingly possible over time. Then too, Al Qaida has
decided to make Pakistan its target. Then too, there have
been stories detailing the different struggles going on in
Pakistan such as the ISI et al and a struggle for Kashmir,
the restiveness in Balochistan, the insurgency of Afghan
border areas and the various parties interested in removing
Mr. Mushmouth from power. (020108h) This story from 2006
gives an overview of some of the complaints, issues and
meddling outsiders who may be part of the mix
(020108i) And
a portrait of the current, pre-election conditions which are
not particularly hopeful (020108) The Greater Islamic Southern Theater: -
Ethiopia - The " horn of Africa" Somalia - Sudan Chad: Oil
politics and post colonial chaos are the legacies being
played out in Chad. Another rebel attack on the
capital and the issue is in doubt. (020208b) Kenya: In depth on Kenya: Current crisis, the two leaders and
historical influences. This look at the Kenyan election shows why
the "ripple effect" of British colonialism is at the root of
the current crisis. (020108e) You know, the violence in Kenya, over a "disagreed"
upon electoral result in an election marked with corruption
has me wonder. Considering its geopolitical proximity to
several wars, those in Sudan, Zaire, Somalia and Ethiopia, I
wonder whether or not there may be players on the field. The
Ethiopians certainly would want to have a reliable ally to
the south, the Sudanese and their partner would want one as
well, if only to "lock in" the west's vassal state". Somalia
too could use a foreign and friendly power to support its
causes against its occupier. So round and round go the
considerations and maybe, simply, Kenya's northern border
marks a convergence point of two separate and large-scale
conflicts. In any of these I believe it would likely side
with the west as its Christian population would have you
assume at this point. But what kind of war is this to
begin with? Ethnic
strife diving the nation along the rift valley, how ironic,
but the inside scoop may be that the Europeans have a hold
and the "Ruskies" are busting a move? So
the US wants to "integrate" Kenya (013108f)
While
the EU is a big partner (013108g) The
current "leader" has an English education
(013108h) The
"blocked" "man of the people" has a more "central European
perspective" and East German connections, meaning
that another hand is at play. (013108i) So
the violence in Kenya's Rift Valley being described as
"clear ethnic cleansing" aimed at chasing out
members of the Kikuyu tribe who are not only loyal to
President Kibaki but these people were the "chosen" during
the British colonial heyday. So Then the opposition leader's
tribal history is interesting as well, they were culturally
colonized but left alone mostly and then tended to support
independence (013108j) Krazy
Mukasy on water boarding, says, essentially, that he can't
really talk about it because we don't do it
(013008a) And
regarding torture, well "reasonable people can
disagree" I'm sure such democratic and exemplary
nations such a Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, China, and NAZI
Germany would agree. (013008b) Arming
nearly everyone in sight while lying about how the US policy
is to support democratic reform in the region. I
guess money talks and SH - - walks. (012808e) The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia -
China - South East Asia Russia: An
article about a popular figure, member of parliament and
probable murderer illuminates part of what a "resurgent
Russia" is these days. If there were hope
that Russia would counterbalance an "wigged out USA" well,
those hopes are put to rest. (012708b) Previous stories have it as more confirmed while this one
admits only rumors
regarding Bush the dumber's purchase of a vast track of
Paraguay. (020108a) Deforestation a problem for decades
has now the added complexity of contributing to global
warming, it is the second leading cause of carbon
emissions after the burning of fossil fuels.
(020208a) The US dollar, Asian currencies, banking, losses and
how
one trader in France brought new stress to the global
financial crunch, which has yet to "cool down" into
calmness. (012708c) What
is happening to the structure of American society's middle
class (020108b) And in a related story, the newest wrinkle in the
housing mess: good
people with good credit and the ability to afford their
house payments decide, instead, to walk away from the
"loosing investment" which leaves banks, lenders and
fancy financiers holding the bag, as it were.
(020108g) How
the "debates" shape up in the primaries, the "inspiring
field" and their orders of battle.
(013108d) Katie
"Colic" must be forgiven for pandering to the religious
right when assuming that every presidential candidate would
have a copy of the bible as one of his or her essential
books. Maybe she doesn't KNOW about the separation
of church and state. (013008e) The
Great Flaming Hole in Chief "boots another one" but
good. (012908b) Go for the throat, Democraps get the rap in this
article because they don't have any balls to speaker of,
literally. So what is a body to do? This
article implies congress is not the venue to be used in
solving the essential issue in this nation and that issue is
that the Bush Administration is completely complicit in a
raft of crimes and needs to be removed. So what
does this article say, if not congress who? If not legally,
how? Strong words for a wordsmith. (012608i) Resegregation
is the latest trend in schooling? An accelerating
trend in some parts of the country and the beat goes on.
(012608g) Some
times all you have to do is "say it" and then, magically, it
becomes so, at least in the papers. Meanwhile, reality,
being much sloppier, is well disagreeing with the NYT.
(012908a) How the Legacy of Lead Lingers on: mental
functions are affected decades after exposure and this may
be only one of many such pollutants that people world wide
have been exposed to. The question then becomes, what
is "normal" aging? (012708a)
So,
a little search'll do ya, Here is an alphabetical list of
the current conflicts in the world.
(020708g) And I love this because it says,
essentially, regarding water-boarding, that the DOJ cannot
probe the use of water-boarding, primarily because the
practice was, uh, authorized by the DOJ. And
while the UN recently called it torture and we've heard our
government deny that it was done-only to change that story,
well. Not much makes sense does it? (020808g) Then you see this headline, go to the story only to
find that it is impossible to check the facts because no
names are named, the word "experts" and "diplomats" are
used but the essential question cannot be answered: who is
saying this and how does anyone know that they know what
they're talking about? (020708c) Nonetheless,
this is the food our "Global Village Idiot" feeds
upon. He also feeds upon information such as this,
US
sees attacks by Iranian backed groups up in Iraq.
(020708d) As has been bandied about before, the
US intel-services have had it in for Bush and now, as he
winds down they wind up. They seem to be taking charge and
no one notices what may wall pass for a coup, at
least as far as foreign affairs is concerned.
(020608e) Here
are some specifics on that, for example.
(020608f) Europe et al Well this could go elsewhere as well, but I want to
emphasize the European connection to a nuclear proliferation
story. These
guys, a German and a Swiss, both actually moved nuclear
material and supplies involved with Pakistan's Khan.
The idea being that Germany was the ultimate source of
Khan's knowledge of nuclear science and well, seems to be on
the move again. (020508d) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza - Israel -
Jordan - Lebanon - Palestine - Syria I don't know where to put this, it could be placed
under the previous heading. But seriously, aid to Israel
comes in all forms. The Vatican's hand, under dominion,
offers aid, after a fashion, and so strengthens the ties
that bind. With that in mind the changing of a prayer is as
good as ten divisions in the right place at the right time.
My thinking has it that this is another shift in the
east west polarity where the
now the Vatican is explicitly brought in to line as it makes
political and military "kindred with 'that' "culture"" and
so it too is on the front line. Though Israel still
seems to be left dangling, as it were, holding the bag, to
be sure. Read on brother … read on.
(020408a) Gaza: The
Egyptian-Gaza border breaches have been closed. What happens
next is anyone's guess, rumors circulate, meetings
are held-and? (020308a) Israel: The front-line is Sdrot. The
wall is not but a signature failure on the part of
civilization. War always is. Here we see the new norm, the
rockets and the deaths. (020508b) Lebanon: Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Much
of this article's information has appeared before but it is
convenient to have it in one place. (020408h)
A nice overview of conditions, and some history. This story has a few facts, statistics actually, which
support the headline that
the Afghan and Pakistani resistance is doing their own
"surge" save theirs is working better than ours
is. (020308c) Afghanistan: What I call the "Lost War" is given background
along with a
snapshot of the dynamics and, finally, a few apropos lines
from Kipling. (020208d) Amid bleak signs, official bleak signs, there
is a "weakening of the resolve" amid US "allies" to manage
whatever it is they are doing in this sad, sad
land. (020408g) Iraq: From Fallujah … in the past reports of success
here have been, well, "optimistic"
however now that there IS good news and evident progress
the success has allowed "old and waiting grudges" the
opportunity effect the perception of peace and the near
future. (020908a) What
have we here, ANOTHER evidence of concern, the possibility
of even more casualties and measures of chaos? I
think, imagine the whole middle east a nature preserve being
restored to its state before being altered by humankind
(020808h) Al
Sistani, a potent and far reaching religious leader of Iraq
is aging and has a heart condition. Has been soft
spoken but very influential, peaceful but powerful. The gist
of this article is, what happens when he passes on?
(020708b) A week in Iraq shows what Bush the Dumber's success
really looks like.
Yes, violence is down but it is still god awful.
The US forces have made deals and pay off gunmen but one
wonders how long this "lull" will last.
(020408d) In a more upbeat and overview picture we see the
distinction between the
"three wars that Iraq is" The article talks about the
success against Al Qaida, but this group, by US estimates,
represented only about 5% of the resistance. The
second war is with Sunni's who have been bought off and the
third, against the Shia has been reduced by Sadr and
company. So, what progress is there REALLY?
(020408e) The suicide bombers that US and other media claimed
had Down's Syndrome. Seems
like the headline / rumor, ran away with the story. No
matter the word was accepted and no one gainsaying it will
get coverage. The problem with the story is this:
within a matter of minutes the diagnosis of Down's was made
at the scene but no one knows by whom. Apparently one of the
heads was misshapen-I guess no one thinks that a bomb
strapped to your body would could have that kind of effect?
(020408f) Iran: Nuke's
non-news from Iran (020508c) The Greater Islamic Southern Theater: -
Ethiopia - The " horn of Africa" Somalia - Sudan Algeria: The one sentence says it all:
"Authorities in Algeria have been fighting the remnants of
an Islamic insurgency that broke out in the early 1990s,
when the army canceled the second round of multiparty
elections to prevent the expected victory of an Islamic
fundamentalist party. As many as 200,000 people have died in
the ensuing violence" (020808b) Chad: Says
here that the Chadian prez is surrounded in his palace by
rebels (020308e) Part two,
it seems that the rebels would be supportive of Sudan's
government and so make difficulties for aid reaching Darfur.
Then too Sudan' ally and trade partner, China, is
probably looking on with glee (020308f) Ethiopia/Eritrea: Let's see, massing armies on both sides of a disputed
border, the UN mandated peace keeping force running out of
fuel and Eritrea being obdurate, sounds a lot like success
to me. Isn't Ethiopia one of the US staunchest allies in the
region? Don't we have input? What is our great Global
Village Idiot doing? (020708f) Kenya: Not
only how but where the election in Kenya was
stolen. (020208e) Sudan: Zaire: Recently established calm is welcome, but here is a
look at the past ... going
back in time … we see some form of hope
(020708i) Here
is a bit of history of this nation and …
(020708k) going
back ten years we can see the US involvement waaaay back
then, so one wonders what is happening now
(020708j) The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia -
China - South East Asia This is only tangentially related to the main theme of
this newsletter that of the ever compounding errors of our
great and wonderful Global Village Idiot, Bush the
dumber.
Here is a story about a "kidney ring" broken up amid
horrifying tales of greed and damage.
(020708h) "Many
of these tipping points could be closer than we
thought," lead author Timothy Lenton, of England,
says apparently there are many tipping points to be
considered. (020408) The
ice sheets are responding faster to climate change than
(anyone) anticipated. (020608a) In
Democratic presidential debate last night, CNN once again
failed to ask any questions about global warming.
Perhaps not surprisingly, last night's debate was sponsored
by the coal front group Americans for Balanced Energy
Choices (ABEC). (020608b) The
cost of global warming is borne by those who are poor,
underdeveloped nations while the causes originate in
the wealthier areas of the world. (020608c) By
2030 there will be a new holocaust as eight million die
annually due to tobacco induced diseases. Millions
die annually already. But big tobacco is not concerned.
(020708a) A
related tale connects the iniquities of war with the
inequities of health care in the US.
(020308h) The
Repuglicans have a lot to do to patch up the shreds of their
creds on fiscal responsibility. Yes our great and
wonderful Global Village Idiot has ANOTHER legacy to be
proud of. (020808d) and they "heart
of the party" does not trust their leading contender,
McBane, uh, McPain, uh, McStain, uh, McCain.
(020808e) And
to be fair, McCain the flip-flopper of all
flip-floppers. See him champion his own bills and
then defeat them. See him hanging his hat on Iraq and The
Surge. One wonders about all the candidates but this piece
has lots of details about his "myths" and recent Iraqi
history (020408) It
seems that Obama wanted to pass a nuke regulation regarding
releases but then backed off, it seems as he became
the industries friend. I write this only because, well,
"they all do that" as some one said. (020408b) Here is the
death knell for Mitt, the snit, Romney. Projected match ups
have him come out a looser against either of the Danmocrap's
leading contenders-if these facts bear out on
Tuesday then the "drama' will become the Obama-Clinton
duality vs a McCain who will be busy mending fences and
proving how conservative he is. (020308b) A follow up on the previous article about
the struggle of the middle class outlines how their coping
mechanisms are ceasing to work all that well. The
to pro-business policies of the Bush years certainly but
other prior ones as well, made the mess the way it is.
(020208) Here is an example of the old maxim: "the
bigger the lie, the easier it is for a people to be
convinced of it" "Hillary" is caught out telling a lie Bush
the Dumber often uses, but no one calls him out on
it, so why call her out? (020308d)
I guess a war crimes tribunal will have its field day
with this interview where
our current "leader", the great and wonderful Global Village
Idiot, defends torture as a means of defense.
(021508d) In Iraq and Afghanistan the "air war" is heating up,
has been for some time. So
it is interesting, no more than that, vital that we have an
understanding of how well the airs war is run.
Surprise, surprise, it is not run all that well. In some
cases we've been 0 for 50 in hitting our targets while 50
for 0 in creating "collateral damage (021508a) Air
War, a brief disturbing history is unveiled in this
article from the first to what is now current.
(021408e) What
is in a word or phrase: is it torture or simply an enhanced
interrogation technique? (021408a) There is an old song, from a comedy album, "Bringing
the War Back Home" and
the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2007 can do just that by giving a
very vague, tenebrous definition of what sorts of ideas are
threat to the US. (021408d) The
problem with drones (021408e) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza - Israel -
Jordan - Lebanon - Palestine - Syria Gaza: Lebanon: A speech, a small step but it was by an
important person and the step, though heartfelt and honest,
maybe increases the likelihood of a real breakdown in this
country (021008f) Syria: Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Something of a
budding power play between the US and Iran is going on in
Azerbaijan. Why? Oil, transport and location,
location location. (021008g) Afghanistan: The
unheralded refugee problem in this nation
(021308e) Iraq: So, what happens if you 're on both sides of a civil
war? We
may yet get a chance to find out according to this research
on the current situation in
Iraq.(012208g) The math of it all.
Internal and external refugees from Iraq, the number of dead
and no one mentions the number of crippled by wounds
and then compare that the population of non Kurdish Iraq and
you slowly see that perhaps 1/2 of Iraqis have been severely
impacted, one way or another by the Great and glorious
Global Village Idiot's war of choice. (021108d) This
article details the different waves of refugees and how they
were "motivated. The large picture is that the Sunni Anbar Awakening was a
US idea and successful in the sense that attacks are down
and AQ is troubled. That
said, the purpose of the surge was to get the Iraqi
government to reconcile and become inclusive. It has done
neither. Sunnis think that Shia's are attacking them
and that the new laws do NOT help them … so time may be
short. (021108c) Some
Awakening Councils have withdrawn support for US forces and
the Iraq government in Diyala Province. It may be
temporary but is disturbing nonetheless. (021008e)
We've
more reports of Awakening groups taking the law into their
own hands; this is one example of that
(021108a) One
leader threatens to take up arms against another in Anbar;
presumably they are both "awake"
(021108b) A day, or a few days, rather in the life of Iraq.
Some
of these stories and, indeed, some of the headlines in the
US focus on Al Qaida being on the run, being attacked, and
so forth. What makes me wonder is that at no time
did US intelligence see AQ as being anything more than 5% of
the insurgency, at most. However, the narrative of choice,
which the fight is against AQ, continues.
(021008d) Iran: So
reading this story one wonders about Russia's "intent"
toward Iran and the west. (021308b) Then
there is this, regarding a few outstanding issues, missiles
and nukes (021308c) Pakistan: The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia -
China - South East Asia Russia: It seems there has been other headlines reading much
as this one does, "new
cold war" and the relationship Russia has with the rest of
the world has changed under Putin, that's
part of his "charm"(021008a) Bat
die offs puzzle scientists just as the bee die offs
do. Other die offs are still in the news but barely
the frogs, salamanders and other small fauna.
(021408g) A
footprint that lasts forever? That is the message, from
scientists who want to name our epoch the "Anthropocene" or
man made age. Reason being that geologists and or
archeologists centuries or millennia hence will be able to
"find" the onset of the industrial age and certainly find
the "soil disturbances" of our current time. (021008b) Here's
an article which shows how measuring C02 can be "tricky"
especially in calibrating the input from a
particular source, in this case the titanic vessels plying
the mighty oceans of this beautiful world.
(021208b) Those
of the American southwest know of Lake's Meade and Powell.
These lakes are undergoing changes due to increased demand
and global warming. What is surprising is the
sprinkling of facts in the article and the timeline for the
lakes falling "uselessly" low, it could be in less than ten
years-then California, Arizona and Nevada will have to
"scrap" over what is left and figure out how to generate
electricity. (021208a) Hmmm,
just what we need ANOTHER arms race, this one almost slips
under the radar. (021508f) WHAT'S
THIS? Another wrinkle in the financial world, from
another source no one's ever heard of? Read on
(021508e) The
war in Iraq is now getting far less coverage in the campaign
than the economy. Why is that so when they two are
meshed? (021508b) The nuclear surge of our Global Village Idiot continues
and then we hear another
unfortunate quote from John, the Jackass, McPain: "it's
naive to say that we will never use nuclear
weapons."(021408c) This
article is general and talks about the "gathering of a
'super' data base" by the FBI. What this article
misses is the "chipping" phenomena, which is just getting
underway. That sort of surveillance coupled with the
proposed FBI files would truly have horrific potential.
There would be way of tracking anyone in real time and
monitoring his or her every move, or recording it for later
use. (021408b) The unsavory portion of the American political process
which, essentially,
disenfranchise the primary voters by the millions when you
consider how "the will of the people" can be subverted at
the state and national levels in a variety of ways.
Some call them "super delegates" others call them "bought
and sold" (021108e) Can
McPain spell "Flip-Flop" I bet you he can!
(021308e) He
doesn't like torture, suffered it and fought against it, now
that he has a chance to cut it out-he boots it. I
guess he'll explain himself better someday than he does in
this article. (021408i) Which
is more important than Iraq: the Superbowl, Bush's 2008
budget, tornadoes, a shooting at a council meeting in
Missouri or Natalee Holloway disappearing? If you
said Iraq you'd be wrong judging by the percentage of
coverage it got during a recent survey. (021208d)
Iraq comes in at about 1% for the week of February 4th
through 10th. Well, I can't say that I'm surprised that congress STILL
goes along to get along with the Dimwad in Chief.
It looks like spying powers increase, responsibility
decreases, and insecurity is up as rights are down. Lovely
no? TeleCom privacy is a thing of the past for now.
(021208c) So
here is Rice defending what she calls her
integrity. (021408j) And
then what appears to be her own contradictions to that
protest. (021408k) And
one more set of quotes, just for the heck of it.
(021408l) You know sometimes the hospital care does kill you, but
then so can the meds that you are given. Bayer
is inline for large-scale class action suits just as soon as
someone organizes it. (021408h)
The Aussies have the right idea.
They've decided to leave Iraq and go home because they have
declared that they've achieved their objective.
(021809c) Interesting notion that the people in the US do have
an idea of where they want the US' foreign policy to go and
what they want the US to do I the world but
the policy makers and politicians don't seem to be
listening-and yet they get reelected time after time, what
gives with that? (021808b) Europe: The Africom headquarters is to remain in Europe, for
now. Another
indication of German American accord?
(021908a) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza - Israel -
Jordan - Lebanon - Palestine - Syria The
"news blockade" preventing the "murdocracies" from hearing
anything but the echo chamber they're most
comfortable with leaves a world of news to the void
(021808c) Lebanon: Advisories posted by Saudi Arabia highlight fears that
Lebanon's
unstable present may become a more unstable, even violent
near term future. (022008a) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Afghanistan: A blast kills or wounds about 150 in Khandahar while the
target was an anti Taliban leader of some long standing.
Suicide
bombing attacks were up in 2007 and 2008 promises, so far,
to continue the rise. (021708b) Iraq: Sadr
and his truce, we find out Saturday if it continues or not.
Who is to say? (022008b) Following up on previous stories, to paraphrase a recent
movie: "our list of allies grows thin …"
our Awakening buddies begin to "leave off" after deadly
incidents make their working with the US forces,
deadly. (021808a) Iran: The
US continues to foment and connive but to what effect?
What IS the plan? (022008g) An
Iranian rocket reaches orbit and transmits data.
This raises the "concern" among several nations, the
usual suspects, that Iran plans to develop nuclear weapons
and a strategic delivery system. Not only wouldn't I doubt
that, despite Iran's protests, but I'd understand it, given
our Great Village Idiot's statements and policies hearkening
back to his "Axis of Evil" speech some years back.
(021708c) The
drumbeat for war with Iran gets a new drummer and picks up
the pace. For those who thought the NIE of Dec. 2007
took the wind out of the neo-con's sails, guess again.
(021708g) In
another related news story we see an oil Bourse being set up
by Iran. Back before the Iraq war it was alleged
that Saddam wanted to do the same thing and sell oil, but
not in dollars-it was this that was one of the reasons for
war, it was alleged. (021708h) Pakistan: An
attack kills government soldiers in Baluchistan, they want
independence or more of a share in the regions
wealth. (021708c) From
this it would seem that one way or another a new day dawns
in Pakistan. I guess the election will tell us what is what.
But I put this in because our dearly beloved
Jackass in Chief has put Mushmouth in this untenable
position and well the chickens are coming home to roost or
roast as the case may be. (021708k) Mushmouth goes down but what will replace him? Already
our Great and Global Village Idiot has worries, or would if
he was any kind of thinker. (022008c)
And
here are the annoying but interesting details
(022008e) The Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Ethiopia
- The " horn of Africa" - Somalia-Sudan Sudan: It seems chaos has an opportunity to spread. A great
unraveling in Africa in and about the region of the lower
Nile is underway.
The strains of international intrigue make for ugly side
effects in many of the nations of east and central Africa.
There's oil, water and other resources to
fight over, religion, tribe or race-what more could you ask
for? It all makes for a combustive combination when combined
with poverty, poor governance, corruption and
disenfranchisement (021908b) The
Future: What began with the sub-prime housing market mess has
rippled over the world.
The succeeding stories all report that larger and larger
amounts of money are involved. This story talks about 500
trillion dollars being "involved" with the global
derivatives market and that the "house of cards"
built over the last decade is tumbling. The article explains
it well enough that you understand it as you read it.
(022008f) You know most people don't have a concept of what a
million is, much less a billion, but trillions throw even
the best for a loop. So
this story talks about a financial market, with a current
value of 45 trillion dollars. This market is showing signs
of being troubled by the housing market downturn. 45
trillion dollars is roughly twice the size of the entire US
stock market and more than ten times the size of our current
budget. The worry is that this market may see losses
and who will print the paper to cover that and what will
that paper then be worth? (021708e) This is a story about the Russian protest of Kosovar
independence. Not that I support their view or can say
that the Kosovar position is correct, but
the Ruskies do have a point and not that they aren't making
it for self-serving reasons-snd that is this:: they express
"concern" that the independence of Kosovo will encourage
other groups toward similar aims. To this I say I
wonder what a "post-nationalist world would look like. Right
now we have about 260 political entities which, for all
intents and purposes, resemble nation,, they each have lags,
currency, borders taxes and the like. What if that number
were to triple or quadruple? What would a "fractured world"
look like, more importantly would it be more peaceful or
less, more prone to corruption or less and would freedom
advance or retreat? Those are the questions to ask and I
don't think the Ruskies would have satisfactory answers to
them, not that I think the US would either and both of them
would be subject to numerous break away movements were such
to be openly allowed and or encouraged. (021708a) Obama
on war, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.
(022008c) The
first serious "hit piece" I've seen concerning Obama.
Apparently the article posits that his economic
plan would "gas up" another speculative bubble while looting
ramps up on a national level-while I cannot speak for the
story, I archive it for future reference. I include it here
because it is related to the Bush presidency. I feel that
had Bush not been so damned bad the Democraps wouldn't be
able to run a woman or an African American
(021708f)
02/09//08
02/16//08
02/23//08
03/01//08 Turning
Guantanamo's system on its ear is the former
military prosecutor deciding to defend an inmate in an
upcoming trial-amazing to most, me as well.
(022808b) What is congressional oversight?
Shouldn't we, the people, know about what happened in the
Straight of Hormuz? Especially if it almost
triggered a war, or that's what the current administration
said. (022308h) A humorous segue from Bob Dylan to the current
election and from there spring boarding to the newest
thing, an array of permanent bases in and about the
muddle east meant to allow
us "full spectrum" operations in 27 nations-none of the
leading candidates are tackling this one, nor is the
media-it gets a pass (022508d) And then there is the question of which war to fight?
We
have Iraq, Afghanistan and AfPak, the area between the
latter two nations (022508e) Commenting
on the "legality" involved with the secession and or
independence. (022508g) Europe: From England we see what is called
"publication
bias" which is a factor in how bad news can get buried,
once understood for what it is one can only imagine
how this factor effects the US news and media.
(022808d) The say "the sun never sets on English friendship"
and
I wonder, now that we've seemed to use them up and France
is the lead dog what will happen as the truth comes out and
the empire's ugly underbelly is exposed.
(022608d) as is extraordinary rendition and the sins of
Diego Garcia Serbia,
Kosovo, Russia and the UN or NATO or … "the west" have
some difficulties to resolve, hopefully before
this spark catches (022408a) Some
violence continues and it may be that some kind of stand off
is shaping up with NATO on the one side facing
Serbia and Russia on the other-this conflict is just small
enough to allow big words and strutting about
(022508c) And
the EU view of Kosovo from someone not so pleased with it,
what the repercussions might be for the near and
long term (022508f) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza - Israel -
Jordan - Lebanon - Palestine - Syria Gaza: Better
rockets, more casualties, an incursion and harsh words make
for a volatile mix. Codependent major powers each
contribute to the "stew" and everyone anxiously awaits the
signal to "fall to", as it were (030108c) Further, I
wonder what will happen as Israeli casualties approach what
they were before their "great wall" was built. Drawing
the noose tighter, now clean water becomes more and more
scarce. (022708d) Israel: This
article leads one to believe another major incursion into
Gaza is in the offing. There are some Jews
who speak of a holocaust to come. Another war-and so soon,
well, isn't that something? (022908f) "Muddle East" Western Theater: Egypt -
Kurdistan - Turkey Kurdistan: The
"Kikurk" issue will not go away. It is
described as a ticking time bomb for some time, so is
June the date? (022908d) But
what do the ordinary people want, guess what, the
answer is not surprising (022908e) Turkey: The
incursion is over. The US was instrumental in some way and
the PKK claim victory. Turkey claims its
objectives have been met. Odd, one would think they'd have
to wait and see if there is a real decline in PKK activity
over the next few weeks or even months. (022908c) Some
friction between incurring Turkish forces and the Peshmerga
of Kurdish Iraq as the former enter Iraq to pursue
PKK. (022508a) Here
is a hint, I guess the Turks are being asked to leave off by
the Kurds … one wonders (022508h) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Afghanistan: I
think it would be hard to present any more stark an
assessment than this one is, if battle is not
engaged by summer - we should know why or what
(022608a) What is the fighting like in
Afghanistan? Well, at it's worst its pretty bad.
Read
the tale, though be warned it is a bit rough.
(022608b) Iraq: Whose your daddy? Who do you love? Read
hear to see Bush's words, yup the reason the economy is bad
is because not many houses are being built, not because of
the hundreds of billions bound for Iraq … see
the list of profiteers! (022908b) What
we have to look forward to in Iraq, what fun!
(022908a) You spell it Q-u-a-g … Related
to that is the uptick in killings in February. With
months to be before an election here in the US, it is
probably McPain who may look at this report and wonder m
(030108a) A
glimpse into the daily hardships of the "ordinary" "fairly
well-off" Iraqi (022808f) The
awakening movement may be really waking up and smelling the
coffee. Their frustration with the Iraqi Govt. and US forces
weaken their effectiveness, though the article
speedily asserts that they are still effective-but hundreds
if not some thousands are more than stand offish, they've
stood down. (022808e) What
do you call it when a "great step forward" is trashed?
Well, you'll have to ask Bush the dumber but he
doesn't seem to have made a comment on the Iraqi
government's decision to undo its progress.
(022808c) Turkish
forces are "condemned" by the Iraqi government. Well THAT
should take care of it, then. (022708c) Is
this nation visibly falling apart?
(022708b) The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China
- South East Asia Although I could put this story under the Iranian
heading, I think it is more instructive to place it here.
The US must be proud of these fruits of its foreign policy
blunders. (022608c) The Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Ethiopia
- The " horn of Africa" - Somalia-Sudan Kenya: A matter of integrating the US military with that of
Canada. Don't
you think congress should have to approve such an agreement,
it IS a treaty with another nation and DOES involved our
military. (022708a) Here, in this section, it may seem that I am making a
segue from the original purpose of this newsletter by
including the current election. While I may continue on
after Bush the dumber's replacement assumes office, I have
to add that the current circumstances of this election, are
a direct result of our Whispering and Fluttering Anus' and
his administration's existence. I don't think that if the
Repuglicans had not failed the country so abysmally under
Bush that the Dems would dare field a woman or an African
American-nor would some one like McPain look good to
conservatives. The bar has been set very, very low. So even
though I am tired and may "retire" from this, I may not. Oh
well. If you want a candidate who is in favor of reducing
the size of the US military none of the three leading
candidates is your person, if you want to keep them
about the same, well none want that. All
of them want to go larger-is bigger better?
(022708f) Nader says Obama is too pro-Israeli, even as he
touts what is an impossible dream. But
it does go to show that people DO change their minds over
time, what ever happened to the Obama that supported the
Palestinians? That's what Nader asks, really
(022608f) OK
ok, so here is most of what he said, just the answers not
the questions, oddly enough. (022608g) What my question is now is why isn't Obama considered
the presumptive president? When
in the fairly recent polls matching up these two McPain hits
the skids and the US makes history. What will Obama
do to redress the vast grievances which divide this nation
and torture its soul? More importantly will his election
come in time, will he "make it" into office and then be
effective in moving this nation forward? I have to admit
that even right now it seems like a long shot, but it is
beautiful. (022608a) As
if anyone cares the top flip flops of the two Dem leaders
(022508i) Part two, Don't
forget Hillary's either (022508j) They argue over the cost of the war, but harkening back
to the "original" cost estimate the current Dumbell in Chief
made talk of, 2
billion dollars, we can see that the war may well be, oh,
about three trillion, nice over run what say?
(022808g) Don't reporters care?
Is the question, more importantly don't the owners of the
media empires care? More accurately and to the point, what
DO they care about? A look at TV is a clue,
but the issues ARE serious. (022608e) How do the magicians do it? The
key is having the right assistant. And who is the assistant
for the magicians which have made Iraq occupation,
"successful" as it is disappear? Why the
compliant, boot lick media … just wonderful
(022308i)
Last letters, those written for the kin of soldiers who
died in combat.
Read it and weep. (030808a) Torture is OK.
Even our own definitions of it are changed to make it all
OkeyDokey (030708a) The
military testing of "dust" and "other substances" on
unknowing populations continues to this day. Except
the people being exposed to the tests are not told, indeed,
many are not ever aware of their participation in "an
experiment" (030608m) This
article talks about "bringing the war back home" but not in
the way we might think. It is a "what if … "
kind of thing, but "the price of liberty … "
(030608l) How to make millions, hundreds of millions while
avoiding
tax burdens, KBR goes over seas to the magical Cayman
Islands and does very, very well, thank you.
(030608k) If Fallon stands in the way of another war of choice,
this time with Iran, he
might just be shit canned to make way for someone who will
be pliable and willing. (030608i) One
of the "proofs" of the Iranian nuclear program goes
"poof" when the source, data and documents on a lost
laptop are seen as fraudulent and planted, as it were
(030308g) Europe: Kosovo
has its own area wanting its own homeland? The
Serbs in northern Kosovo are agitating in that direction and
Russia is "understanding" all things considered.
(030408b) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza - Israel -
Jordan - Lebanon - Palestine - Syria What's this? A report on the burbling up of
change, a
patchwork of grassroots organizers and groups that give the
author of the piece reason for hope.
(030408e) And if that was the point, then this is the
counterpoint, unfortunately I
agree with this joyless assessment.
(030408g) Gaza: Gaza's
situation is the worst in 40 years! That is the
word, (030608h) Israel: Casualties from attacks inside Israel are rare,
but it
is still possible for one person to effect the national
discourse by making such an attack. There must be a
way to peace, but I do not think anyone sees it at this
time. (030808b) Peace
talks are back on, one wonders to what purpose, when
neither side had held to the "roadmap" so far and that IS
the first step. (030608d) Lebanon: Only time will tell if the
positioning of one naval ship off the coast of Lebanon
signals anything more than the ordinary as the
article presupposes, however, the place IS volatile.
(030408d) Palestine: Details
from the recent incursion into Gaza; Gazans tell their
story. (030608g) Palestinians
call off talks while fighting continues. The
Israelis talk of a large ground operation (030308d) Part
two, what
people say, what is happening on the street
(030308e) Part three, what
the US says, as if you can't guess, what Israel
Likud say, again, as if you cannot guess.
(030308f) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Iraq: Another perspective on the surge,
it seems, if we pay everyone off, enough, long enough
they'll all be guards guarding other guards who are guarding
the guards at checkpoints. (030708d) Iran's leader visits Iraq and all sorts of thoughts come
to mind.
Iranian influence is waxing and Iran is viewed as something
far less negatively than is the US.
(030308c) And
it seems that the outflow of refugees
continues-notwithstanding the touted reports to the
contrary. (030308d) Iran: Here
is a good overview how the US overthrew the Iranian
government in the 50's. I've covered this before but
this version has some good details concerning cause and
effect. The object lesson is that all the effects cannot be
seen, apropos for today when we are STILL thinking of
attacking Iran. (030308b) Pakistan: A
string of attacks over 5 days, has some wondering
WTF? (030608b) Meanwhile
the government has yet to form and or deal with
disagreements. (030608c) Violence with
a purpose plagues
some portions of this country and present a challenge to the
new government. It may be something of a race
against time. (030308i) The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China
- South East Asia Bangladesh: As if this tiny and poor nation did not have troubles
enough.
It seems another tin pot dictator has been in place for a
while and the people are sick of it.
(030208c) India: The
run up to Iran begins here as well as in other places, but
the intent is clear (030708c) Russia: The
new man is in! I guess the best change is no change at all!
(030308h) Some headlines proclaim the "trouble" in South America is
"over with a handshake" I did not read the article or
archive it, it will prove itself out or not. Meanwhile
regarding the uranium and 300 million dollars,
the planted story suited Bush and his media
minions, but was far from the truth. (030708b) This
article says "tension grow" between the three nations
Ecuador, Venezuela and Columbia.
(030608f) I guess a hearty and loud, "whoa baby" is the most
appropriate comment here, military
forces on the move and "war" is in the air? What
gives? (030208a) This
lead page provides some clues, accusations fly as military
forces are on the move, but the kicker is that the
FARC are accused of marketing uranium, 50 kilos of the stuff
and that, if true, should be a red flag for someone
(030308a) But
the "word" is that war is not an expected outcome.
Everyone has to much to loose and, well, is it worth it?
(030608e) A
follow up the next day has it that the FARC are buying and
selling uranium. But if they want to make a dirty
bomb why would they be doing both? Anyway, point is, nukes
are loose and dirty bombs are relatively easy to make,
compared with a real NUKE. (030408a) And
here is more on that. (030408c) The
end of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 is here? Thanks to Bush
the dumber's policies. Bush can argue facts and
figures all he wants but this whole region has shifted, and
dramatically, away from the US and its influence. Bone
headed repuglicanism and BushPride are at fault here.
(030208b) This story belongs here, hypocrisy fits anywhere, really,
but here is our Global Village Idiot saying he won't talk to
Cuba or Fidel's brother because he is a tyrant and yadda,
yadda yadda.
When asked about his visits to Saudi Arabia and an upcoming
visit to China, well, you see, uh, those incidents are, well
different. Those dictatorships and evil
systems are different. Enough said. (030108d) Then
too, there is more hypocrisy of a similar sort, except this
one is very bipartisan, with Bill Clinton raking it in big
time and Hillary having to excuse his "behavior"
again, but ironically using Dick, the liquor, Cheney
as cover. How ironic is that? (030108e) Clinton
does "a Rove" by letting out a long lie that makes it around
the world while the truth, ever so slowly becomes known only
AFTER the primary in Ohio. "Liar, liar panties on
fire sell your soul through the telecom wire"
(030608n) Then the commentary from the readers is
extraordinarily good and there are some nice informational
nuggets, like the Texas primary winding up in Obama's
column-most likely. Hillary
STILL does not have a good chance unless, well, she "makes"
it happen. She is the long shot, but has the moxy
and who knows what else, to pull "something" out of the hat.
(030608a) With
Nader running again it is worthwhile to look at this
article, but it is the comments after it that are the real
interesting reading. Nader is what he is, did what
he did and the result is what is now. If you like the way
things turned out in 2000 and the way they are now then you
like how Nader ran, if you don't well then you don't. He did
make a difference (030108f) Obama on the Afghan occupation or war. He
believes that getting out of Iraq would allow us to pour
resources into Afghanistan and "take the fight"
there. Essentially doing what "should have been
done" originally. Well, there are problems with that,
especially for the antiwar persons who are supporting him.
(030108g)
We
have our dearly beloved FBI using the GWOT excuse for
increased spying on US citizens. What's the matter?
Can't they find enough trouble with foreigners?
(031408b) No prewar link between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaida
according to the pentagon. This
WAS known at the time but, well, George the dumber HAD heard
that VOICE of GOD in his head and the rest is
history. (031308d) Chuck
Norris has joined the fight in Iraq. He supports
the men and their mission wholeheartedly, so much so that he
is a cult figure complete with shrines. (031108d) In the "UH OH" category or just a simple fluff of
change?
Only time will tell as the man who has been in command of
CentCom and known for voicing opposition to Bush's "Iran
policy" so called. (031308a) Here is
more on that story, some details concerning how the
"disagreement" was expressed and what happened after
that. (031208a) And yet
another take on this story, showing that the man was a man
and a president's man for all that
(031208e) Well here we have it a high profile case with the then
attorney general directly involved and talking it up in the
media, now it has collapsed into a wasted mess,
but one man is still fighting for release with everything
he has, meaning his body. (030808i) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Afghanistan: Why are we having such trouble in Afghanistan?
Could it be all the help our "allies" the Pakistani military
and others are giving them? What happens to
all those billions of dollars we gave Mr. Mushmouth seems
like it gets transformed and changes hands.
(031008h) Iraq: One of the dimmer of the dimbulbs that shoveled shit
out of his mouth supporting this war just
shoveled another load claiming that ethnic cleansing was
a myth in Iraq when the proof of same had already been
published. Read on. (031208d) The surge of attacks is not a trend, so says the US
military. Well,
all I have to say is we'll see what's what.
(030908a) An uptick in violence yesterday and today.
Two
data points don't make a trend, however one cannot help but
wonder what six weeks or six months may bring.
We've still a long way to go before the Great Dumbell
himself is ousted from office. (031108c) Iran: How are Iran and the US alike? Both
have governments considerably under the influence of
conservative religious figures.
(031408d) War with Iran? Here
are six signs that may be indications that "something is
afoot" however each item may have its own reason …
we'll see (031408g) Pakistan Stepping back from the brink?
Pakistan is ready to form a new government, dump Mr.
Mushmouth and proceed on with undoing some of his
"work". It is good news I prefer to believe.
(031008c) The Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Ethiopia
- The " horn of Africa" - Somalia-Sudan Sudan: China's
hand and that of the Khartoum "government" in the Darfur
slaughter is revealed by the Janjaweed itself but
action?, well, hmmm, seems slow. Only the "Olympic
Factor" may really make a difference. (031508b) Sudan
and Chad's leaders make another peace deal. Maybe THIS one
will last (031508c) The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China
- South East Asia Bangladesh: China Protests by Tibetan monks are occurring and word is
leaking out, much to the chagrin of China's government.
The
Olympics provide a motive for "publicity actions" which put
the authorities in something of a bind.
(031408a) Russia: Russia being courted by the west for help with
Afghanistan. One
wonders what the deal will really consist of. I imagine
Russia wants things and they'll bargain hard for
them. (031508d) In
another typical idiot decision by our Global Village Idiot,
pollution standards are being conveniently lowered by the
EPA in direct contradiction with known science and
the whole Clean Air Act is up for gutting (031308e)
A
brief look at the Bush Legacy, well, of course it's short!
(031008d) It keeps going and going and going …
the sub prime mess still gets headlines and this one talks
about hundreds of billions of dollars being called.
This is Bush the dumber's "policy" at its
best. Previous articles detailed the fact that the Fed took
action against Georgia and other states when they tried to
head off the sub prime mess at least a year or two ago.
(030808c) Here is more on those billions of dollars:
hundreds
of billions of dollars are essentially exchanged for
"housing backed securities" meaning debt, I think, I mean
… well you check it out. But what I want to
know is where is all this money simply coming from? And who
is holding the tab waving it in front of our collective
noses? (031108b) How
the housing/dollar/inflation/credit/ problem is being
exported to Japan, who, according to this article,
did not dabble in the "financial vehicles" associated with
the housing crash. Still they get "marked"
(031408h) In
SoCal house prices are taking a steep dive, 20% in less than
a year in some places. The rate of decline
and its pervasiveness indicate that the bottom is no where
near us. Some say declines of 30 or 40 % may be in order.
One wonders … (031408g) And here is another
picture of the mess, thought
there are some positive indications, there is a large
problem looming and it is not clear how it will all play
out. (031008b) And
here is the seamy underside of that, a man who tried to
fight the Bush bankers greed fest of predatory consuming of
consumers is busted on the very same day that the bail out
goes through and you thought there was no
rest for the wicked! There is no justice it seems, that's
for sure. (031408e) And if you want the radical viewpoint regarding the
financial future,
read this, buy gold and CD's certificates of
deposit.(031008g) Recession, that is the word. The
Global Village Idiot won't use the word, in fact much of the
media won't but the word is circulating and if it quacks
like a duck … (030808d) I'll say it again: the field of candidates in this
election is only possible for the absolutely rock bottom
"standard" that George the Jackass has set. McCain wouldn't
be more than a speed bump hindering the campaign of any
"real" Republican. Hillary would be laughed off the stage in
the face of someone like either Kerry or Gore. Obama is
possible because the nation has been so badly mismanaged
that its people are vitally desperate for a clear, bright,
articulate and intelligent candidate and they don't care a
whit what he looks like. If Obama is elected it will be, in
no small part, because of the vast sea of errors that George
the Dumber has made and the consequent opportunities such
provided for a new voice. Recent
polls show a trend more people believe Obama is a Muslim now
than a few weeks ago. The Dems seem to be
determined to shoot themselves in the foot on this score and
are participating in the process of bringing race and
religion into public discourse, albeit in a bigoted and
racist way. (031408f) I thought that was the far
right's duty? All that
said, this poll says it all, far better than I could about
why Obama is where he is. (031308h Case
in point the "spiritual advisor" that McStain has associated
himself with is an absolute idiot who believes
fighting a war against Islam to destroy it is "the way to
go.' (031308f) Congress person King's
Bigotry and Obama and the Muslims a silly politician making
no sense and demonstrating racism for all to see.
(031008d) In Ohio primary the "Repuglican" choice for many voters
was … Hillary!
Rush, Oxycontin" Limbaugh got the idea into his fat head and
decided that breaking the law was OK since the Hillasaurus
Rex is supposed to be easier to beat than Obama.
Well he may be right but did this, plus the rumors of other
voting "problems" give the Hill O'Beans a win? One wonders
(031008a) McPain, the flip flopper, strikes again, and
no
one notices that now instead of "being happy if we stay in
Iraq for 1,000 years" he wants us out as soon as
possible, if he's elected. Maybe he IS getting ready
for the general campaign, eh? (030808j) What
if they gave an election or wanted to and someone canceled
it? Some think that the set up is underway. Why do
we need large detention camps in the event of : "an
emergency influx of immigrants into the U.S., or to support
the rapid development of new programs." (030808g) Many can recall the promises of the Great Dumbell when
he finally showed up in New Orleans. Well
some few years later about half of those hoping for help,
are still waiting and waiting and waiting …
(030808f) How
our government "works" hmmm seems odd to me, what's your
opinion of this? (031208c) A
good example of the "priorities" of the media moguls and
what passes for "news" (031208b) It can't be better said than this Tucker
Carlson and Tim Russert, assert, essentially that you have
to have good relations with the powerful or they won't talk
with you and that is the standard to which our "journalists"
have fallen. (030808h) An
excerpt from a book by Nicholson Baker regarding the
beginnings of WW2. This makes for fascinating
reading if you know anything of those times at all. A short
read but a worthwhile (031308c) A
look at McPain when he was much younger, in Hanoi, and being
"interviewed by a Cuban psychologist - a trip down
memory lane? (031108e) Part two, a
bit of 20th century history as a backdrop for the interview
with McPain (031108f) Part three,
some details and the snapper at the end.
(031108g) Some
measure of hope is seen in a portion of Africa. Several
nations have held a sequence of peaceable elections and seem
to do well by them. (031308a) Part two
how
it works in Ghana anyway. (031308b)
So, what is the cost of the war? What
would the money we are throwing away buy if we we spent it
correctly. What would happen if that money were
earmarked for job creation? (031808c) The
main result of this "great" war has been a loss for the US.
It has lost prestige, the role of being the sole
superpower managing a unipolar world, its economic clout
influence and there are a host of challengers that wax even
as we fail to. It's not all about Iraq but my take is that
it IS all about the Global Village Idiot and his
lame-brained, corrupt monkey-wrenching sabotage of the US.
(031608d) Civilian
oversight is knocked back back by Bush in another round
where truth, justice and the American Way are
body slammed (031508n) In a related story, this is
WHY
some oversight is needed, the FBI gave wrong names to other
agencies and, well, mistakes happened.
(031808b) Europe: Serb
separatists in Montenegro battle UN forces in a melee of
chaos and this is what gets headlines.
Upshot, the problem is not over until it's over.
(031708d) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza-Israel -
Jordan-Lebanon-Palestine-Syria This is the headline
page from "The Jerusalem Post" website for 03/22/08.
A glance of the main stories indicate little has
changed despite the "fuss and bother". Granted there is no
rash of attacks and violence is, for the moment, down-but
we've seen that before. (032208c) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Iraq: An
overview of the attempts to measure the death count in Iraq
(031908d) A
reprise of the lies part one (031908b) And
Part two, the
last few years (031908c) Well, surprise me with a bat, 70%
of polled Iraqi's want the US out and 80% say they're own
area is much safer. While very high percentages of people,
45% in Baghdad have had a relative murdered.
(031808e) A
quick overview of the humanitarian crisis that ordinary
Iraqi's face. (031708j) Iraq
is a country no more, that is the word here
(031708i) Another
suicide bomber, a woman, apparently. Is there or is there
not an uptick? (031708c) Part one,
what
is it like entering Baghdad these days
(031708f) Part two, don't
speak English, to anyone, not even on the phone
(031708g) Part three, the
grisly story, the truth that only the willfully ignorant can
assert that Iraq is better off today than it was prior to
the war. (031708h) The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China
- South East Asia China The
status quo returns to Taiwan; no rocking of the boat for
now. (032208a) China's
head honcho is hot under the collar regarding Tibet's recent
activism. (031708a) Could
it be that global awareness of the "Tibet Problem" may not
go away, may in fact grow and then?
(031708b) Apparently
unrest, riot and protest has spread to different areas of
Tibet. This could be an embarrassment for China if it
continues and escalates. I foresee another "weapon"
the protesters could use. That which was used in Vietnam,
self-immolation. How likely would it be that the Olympics
will go on as planned if the monks and others use this "take
off" of a suicide "bombing"? I would be surprised if the US
does not have a "hand in" these protests, however secret or
"unofficial". Only time will tell how many will be
sacrificed on the altar of hope. (031608a) Meanwhile the "blogosphere" in China gives evidence
of the paternalistic and condescending attitude "ordinary"
Chinese have toward the Tibetans and their quest for
freedom. (031608c) Here
is a report on how Chinese businesses are giving the world
"the business" as Eddie used to say.
(031608b) Tibet: A
review of some of the happenings during the first week or so
of protests. (032108a) Acknowledgment
that the unrest had become far more widespread was evidenced
today in announcements from the Chinese government
and the actions of its military forces. (032008a) Unrest
and repression spread. Some sporadic accounts of
shootings and even heavy weapon's report.
(031908a) Unrest
finds a voice and organizations begin to coalesce. All
that's needed is a spark, a leader with a voice who will
speak. For that a platform will be needed, as I've
said before dramatic personal sacrifice, such as the self
-immolation during the Vietnam imbroglio, which drew world
attention to a desperate but little appreciated theater of
the absurd. (031808f) The
ecological problems facing humanity can be viewed as a
"market failure" and so read on (031508e) How
do stocks of ocean fish replenish and how global warming is
a threat to that process. (031508f) The
size of the deforestation problem is daunting yet there are
some good stats too (031508h) How
the Supreme Court became as it is and why it may well
continue on blundering away in its own
antique fashion (031807g) I guess "money talks and
Justice walks" This article gives an
overview of what happened on "the street" today, huge,
enormous, no mountainous towering banks are in trouble and
the solution is to "print more money if we have to"
It shows the financial system is, perhaps more than
ever before, a faith based operation. Now, however, faith is
running out and how many "major rescues" can be managed? Or
do we just start printing money like there is no tomorrow?
(031808d) The
housing, dollar, stock, banking, credit, government
corruption, "non-scandal continues and here are its
effects on the manufacturing section (031708e) How
the credit crunch is flattening businesses of all kinds,
recall the crunch was prompted by the housing mess
that keeps going and going and going (031708m) A
cycle that will worsen the US dollar's standing in the world
and thus our economy? That is more than a
possibility as the Fed makes cuts in rates that are supposed
to help. (031708l) Meet
the "disposable soldier" this article details how
the treatment of veterans has changed during the current
Jackass Administration and for the worse as his coterie of
corrupt con artists bamboozle their way to millions
(031608e) And
then there is the "what if" graph on this page that shows
what one city's share of the war cost could have
bought - class warfare, indeed. 031608g) This
references a speech by Obama. which has been the "buzz of
the week" this week. (032008b) This
is an article contrasting McCain's pastor with Obama's
preacher and provides the impression that McCain's is
better. While that may be so, the article does not
mention is the "man of the cloth" also close to McCain who
is vocally in favor of a war to eliminate the Muslim faith
by war I guess that slipped everyone's mind.
(032208b) Then too there is that pesky constitution
and the separation of church and state, so I wonder why
their respective pastors are even being brought up … I
mean does McStain get a pass on the issue? When
told that two-thirds of Americans say the war is not worth
it, Cheney says "So." (032008c) Part one, Don
Siegelman, Alabama Governor, set up for a slam dunk and
delivered to do the "perp walk" (031508j)
Part two, Here
is the deal, the "Rovian" heart of the matter.
(031508k) Part three, rehearsing
a criminal for his "testimony" proves harder than it would
seem, as to the truth, well it is shunted aside.
(031508l) Part four, the
crime that wasn't a crime is punished as one and a Rovian
fantasy is fulfilled. (031508l) Well, not exactly presstitutes in this case,
it
is a television station that "edited" a program that it did
not care to have its viewers see.
(031508i) Finally
a "plan" to resolve the raft of problems Bush has foisted
upon a previously unsuspecting world. I've read only
the overview, but it sounds like a laundry list that could,
if the complete work is true to the brief, and IF it ever is
used, could be the recipe for recovery. (032008d)
Tales of torture, the Geneva Convention, Iraq and
the
conscience of a person who cared, cares and will care,
despite the cost (032708b) Meanwhile
the CIA is taking some heat for destroying evidence in a
cover up. (032808c) When
asked, essentially, about the sacrifices being made by
American military men and women, Cheney, essentially,
responds by emphasizing that they volunteered. Uh,
thanks to the big fat putzing jackass (032508h) Fight for country and cause and when you get back bent
or broken, you
have the joys of hunting for health care.
(032408a) President Bush said Thursday that Iran has declared
that it wants to be a nuclear power with a weapon to
"destroy people,"
Bush lies again. No really, again, big time
and well, the lie is repeated and repeated and repeated, as
if it were not a lie. (032308h) Hanging in there? Those
supporting a ware against Iran have some problems to work
out, but it is still very much on the table.
(032308c) We
don't learn, that IS the lesson. Why, why are we
involved in the Muddle East region anyway?
(032308e) Europe: England
and France enter a new nuclear age? The Brits want
to renew, reinvest and build more and the French, well,
they've got theirs (032508i) "Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza-Israel -
Jordan-Lebanon-Palestine-Syria Israel: The
Jewish State wants to try out their own version of
apartheid, but of course, they HAVE to change the
name, so it is called: "the two tiered system"
(032808b) Lebanon: The
stalemate continues to continue as both sides blame
the other … we must simply wait until something or some
one gives (032508g) The
headline says it all, the harbingers of war descend upon
Lebanon. (032508j) Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: -
Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia Afghanistan: How
we help our Afghan allies: with 40 year old munitions that
are illegally purchased by a company that is inexperienced
in the business but not in corruption, sounds good
to the shareholders, no? (032708a) Oh, and yes, this
article also highlights the fact that a respected Iraqi Lt.
General had his advice ignored and has seen his predictions
come true. Some day, some one will have experts that they'll
listen to. Iraq: Bush
says the Iraqi government is asserting itself and taking on
the resistance, when US forces are seen taking the
lead and offering a wide variety of support and
logistics. So it is not as it seems, and the target IS
Sadr's forces. (032808o) After you read the following stories you have to wonder
what
Bushwhackoff means when he says that "normalcy is returning
to Iraq" What planet DOES he live on? (032808h)
Meanwhile
here is the "spinless" versions of what people think is
happening. (032808j) The
Iraqi's call it "Blackwater Fever" it is a new plague for
the country, wonderful, (032808g) The
Brits are "standing by" near Basra and are not
interested, so it seems, in reentering the city and
participating in the party. (032808f) The
surge in insurgent battling continues and the Iraqi
government's statement puts "everything" on the line, saying
it's a "fight to the end" (032808d) But, you
know, I thought that "major combat operations" were over
years ago, or did I hear that wrong? The
Battle for Basra "is on" (032708c) Says here that Sadr is ramping up his "involvement" in
the "political" process.
The ceasefire may wall disappear and then what? A spike in
violence? It is not as if the Iraqi resistance does not
follow news events. McStain has founded his campaign
on "stay the course" and now, well, what if the course
becomes choppy and sloppy? Does this mean that the Iraqi
resistance will trash his campaign and so allow a Damnocrap
into the offal orifice? (032508a) And
here is McStain, the farting mouthed fool, "delivering" his
opine in words so fine (032508b) And here we have
the opening skirmishes in the "battle of Basra" is the Surge
still working? I guess we'll know soon enough.
(032508e) Now
the violence is being called battles
(0325608a) How
to destroy a city? Just read the book being written
every day on the streets of Baghdad, amazing.
(032408g) Anbar
province, home of the awakening is experiencing some
disappointment with the Iraqi government, it seems
that tempers simmer as plans and projects are put on hold.
(032408f) Then we have This
story mentions a surge in or escalation of violence in Iraq,
marking the anniversary of the invasion. McStain
must feel the pain since he has hitched his campaign wagon
to the millstone that the morass of Iraq has become.
(032408e) In
this war the ration of killed to wounded far exceeds Korea
or Vietnam. In those two conflicts the ration was
about 1 to 3, in Iraq it is about 1 to 15. Which means, do
the math not children, that with 4,000 dead we have 60,000
wounded for a grand total of 64,000 casualties and about
five times that many seeking treatment for PSTD and other
'soft" problems, according to other articles previously
archived. (032408d) Behind
the scenes before the Iraq war, the deal that was
denied so that the war went on (032308d) Other
behind the scene "activities" that occurred in the "run up"
to the war included bullying by the US
(032308g) A
safer Iraq, that is what these marines report. Their
watch is quiet and their trucks roll. (032308a)
On
the other hand some parts of Iraq and Baghdad are still
dangerous enough. (032308b) The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China
- South East Asia Although this story is set in Greece, it
relates a protest at the lighting of the Olympic torch draws
disruption and protest. (032508c) The Koreas; Some
speculation regarding the recent missile tests, is it just
same-o, same o? Or do we have "possibilities" that
more is in store, a look at what is being thought.
(032808l) Russia: Russia
bustin' many moves on the Muddle East and with the Islamic
world as a whole, and the US is caught
pussyfooting around (032807m) Part two,
yadda yadda yadda … (032808m) Another
ice shelf has "trouble" with a capital W-for
warming (032508f) The
dollar has its woes and such like, this story is
archived for its historic value only in the general scheme
of things. (032808b) Bear Stearns and its housing mess bail
out by the Fed and JP Morgan. Just break all the damn rules,
what the hell, it is the Fed after all! Big money
talks and back room deals that stink to high heaven.
(032508k) The
housing market's decline in value accelerates as this year
wears on. The word free fall is not in use, yet. But
this year is on track to see losses totaling three trillion
dollars or so, no wonder there are economic crunches
cropping up all over. (032808k) There
is eleven trillion dollars of mortgage backed securities in
circulation. No one can really say how much they are REALLY
worth. When the bill comes due and the time is close
according to this article, perhaps only a few months away,
summer say, then what? Current thinking is to export the
problem to the world and gamble that the dollar, being so
integral to the world economic order, will be rescued.
(032308i) Says
here that the state GOP organizations are hard up for
cast. I think some of the credit for their cash
crunch can be laid at our Global Village Idiot's feet, yet
another legacy however laudable it might be.
(032408i) Voting
problems in New Jersey, ho hum (032408b) Which
of the leading candidates are taking on the "financial
monster" that the housing mess has become. Yup, you
guessed it, we're 0 for 3 on that one. (032408c) Now
that the fat lady has sung in the trial and the man is "out
of office" the press exposes what should have been splashed
across the front pages of the papers BEFORE or DURING the
trial. Oh well. Spitzer, target of choice, was hit
dead on and taken out. (032508d) Spitzer
is released and called to congress to testify concerning not
only his railroading but that of others.
(032808a) How
war criminals become statesmen and visa versa and back
again. (032408k) 1968, I was alive then, but only 16 years old.
It
was a year of many changes and transformations. Who recalls
this? What happened to that spirit?
(032408h) Eisenhower,
the man who spoke of the "military industrial complex" and
of its dangers had more to say on that subject, in fact had
much to say regarding nuclear weapons, their use
and under what conditions the US would find itself after
a nuclear war (032308f) As the federal government shows its incompetence more and
more it is left to
local governments such as the cities described in this
article to improve the lives of their citizens and establish
good relations with the world. (032408j)
03/08//08
03/15//08
03/22//08
03/29//08
