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Third Quarter of 2006 July 2006 ... August 2006 ... September 2006
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07/01//06 The Muddle East: Palestine/Israel: How we cover the Israeli/Palestinian conflict determines
our attitude, and answers the question: who
is human and who is not? (070106z3) An example of how Israel's actions effect the region,
Turks
don't like what they see on TV. (063006b)
Nor
do Egyptians (063006c) And
here is a "number crunch" on the fate of the children and
people (070106) If you want dismal, no grim statistics on what is
happening in Palestine, read this, the
children suffer 99 percent have trauma, experienced military
attack, death and relocation, horrible (061606c)
and
here is more on that in the context of a longer column on
the region and its problems. (061606d) Suitcase
cash is not enough for Palestine to survive
(061506c) Hamas
is "convinced" to stop the rocket attacks
(06156d) how does one spell collapse and what
will it mean if the Hamas government "gives up"? The opening salvos in a renewed struggle between Hamas
and Israel. The
referendum which was viewed as "hopeful" may be in
jeopardy (061106c) And
a rising "symbol" makes appearances, becoming an icon of the
suffering Palestinians (061406h) The Greater Muddle East Iraq: How did intel get so darned skewed? Congressman
Wilkerson, agreeing that some people had more influence than
others, said this was because of "the vice
president" (070106u) Reducing troop levels will be a political decisions
motivated by the election cycles. That
is the word by someone who knows or says he does
(070106q) As
well as rumors of deals and such like, to be taken with a
grain of salt (070106t) Maybe we'll take a look at what that old dumbbell Tony
Blair is doing in Iraq, declare
progress has been made, walk away and keep casualties low
while Iraqis "sort it all out" Not quite the "cut and run"
option but if it walks like a skunk and smells like a skunk
... (070106n) Civilian
death count is hard to pin down, but it seems even this
articles guess is low (070106p) Hundreds
of thousands displaced inside Iraq, the rate is on the
increase. (070106x) Scamming the energy business is not new, BP
seems to have taken a lesson from good o'l Kenny
Boy. (070106a) The "crisis" over a North Korean missile. The problems
with the nature of the crisis are that they do have the
right to launch a missile, even to test them. Just as the US
and many nations do. Also,
the deals meant to obviate the agreement to suspend such
testing have not been adhered to by the US.
(070106v) Censorship
in China, nothing new I guess. (070106f) So roving Roverites have ambitions that we all know, but
do they stop their "good works" at the frontier? Perish
forbid! Our
rabid Roverites are putting their electoral expertise to use
in Mexico. (070106h) So here are a few notes on the "Bird Flu" situation:
The
UN sees a high risk of mutation (070106b)
The
many nations with human cases and what the fight looks
like (070106c) A
human to human set of transmissions did not go beyond one
family (070106d) How is the WOT (War on Terror) going? Here
is a depressing and thankfully quick overview
(070106m) Here is a sample of how we fight he war on terror. We
have the CIA, they get sent into Iraq with the invasion
force, but
when they report "negative" results they are systematically
replaced until the reports are "positive"
(070106k) And speaking of things back asswards
what
ever happened to John Asscraft? (070106l) Here is the impeachment discussion, about half way down.
What
I get from this whole thing is that things are so screwed up
that taking the Dorkwad in Chief to task for what he's done
is not the best course per Senator Feingold, resolving Iraq
is not possible for a similar reason, great
(070106o) A one party system? How do they do it? Aside from
criminally subverting the voting process and mountains of
money, they
keep tabs on everything that might effect votes and "do what
it takes to make their side happy,
(070106r) The
Constitution and the Jerkoff in Chief's penchant for signing
statements. Seems like the dumbbell is in violation of our
founding document. (070106y) Meanwhile,
in Ohio, Blackwell runs for governor and will be in charge
of counting the votes, in his own election, nice work if you
can corrupt it. (010706z3) I guess another report about how vulnerable the US voting
system is, is old hat? If
not read on (070106w) I have been taking bets that the Repuglicans will win in
November. First, they have the media, the money, and the
muscle, meaning the power to count votes their way. Second
they can always create another emergency, either by starting
up another conflict or finding "terrorists" enough to prop
up their propaganda. This
story has another take: (070106i) The "showdown" between the Supreme Court and the jackass
in the oval office. I
am betting on the Jackass, not that I favor him in any way,
it's just that, well, he's had his way and I personally
don't think the Supremes can "get over" (063006a)
I mean it is "his court" after all or should I say
Daddy's? Another "Swift Boat" kind of group, this one supports
Bushwhackoff's War's and attack dogs anyone opposing any
rational alternative, but
Repuglicans like having "Veterans for Freedom" do the
scutwork of getting their views into the news
(070106z2) Hurricane coast, 10 months later, while many who were
supposed to have gotten help with housing have not, in fact,
not
a single dollar of federal housing repair or home
reconstruction money has made it to New Orleans yet
There are many other problems as well (070106z)
but
the excuse has (070106z1) What is "competitive sourcing" and how does it impact the
implementation of US policy in Iraq, our response to Katrina
et al and
why is it like a "cancer eating away"?
(070106j) Just in case you forget Dan Rather, and the manner in
which he was dumped, here
is a reprise (070106g) Maybe if they are attacked enough they will fight back,
if only because they have to. The
New York Times speaks of public interest trumping His Royal
Jackassness' impenetrable secrecy invasions of privacy
because of the war. (063006d) Here
area some pointed points on this point (070106e)
It's OK for the "Dorkwad in Chief" to talk about
financial tracking or the Secretary of the Treasury, or to
have it as a part of the war on terror since its inception,
but let the NYT print an article and well, disclosing such
vital information is "traitorous" Who won a California election? We have heard who "won"
but if voting regulations were clearly violated will the
Democrats step up to the plate and knock a god damned ball
out of the fuckin' park for once, fer crissakes? San Diego,
home of the "take
a voting machine home for 'security'" kind of public service
that just plain stinks. (061706g)
The Muddle East: Palestine/Israel: Palestinian rocketry has taken a technological step
making a buffer zone prudent in the Israeli view; an
attack into Gaza is imminent, (070506a) So
the
attack begins, rocket attacks continue, asymmetrical warfare
is exemplified. (070806b) part
two (070806c) part
three (070806d) The
current flap over an Israeli soldier's capture continues
with Israeli threats to Syria's ruler, the passing of a
"deadline" and more tanks being sent to/into
Gaza. (070406b) and
part two (070406c) The Greater Muddle East Iraq: Few
good options in Iraq (070806i) and
how this war just keeps on giving
(070806j) We don't need another Abu Ghraib - but it looks like
that's
exactly what we have gotten in a "celebrated" rape
case (070506i) Nor do we need Iraqi mass
media to be
sectarian and possibly make matters worse, which is STILL
possible, amazingly enough (070706b) The premier of Iraq's new governmental effort to bring
peace to Basra has not worked. What
is next? One wonders (070506b) One thing the US did not and does not want is the Shia
majority in Iraq taking up arms against it, well it may be
that such
an eventuality is coming to pass, only time will tell at
this point, but they've introduced themselves and somewhat
nicely. (070306i) Iran: Politics, international relations, trade, China, Russia,
the US, Iran, oil, gas, geography and new alliances as well
as new alignments make for interesting reading, an
overview, several points of which have been mentioned
before, makes this a good read (070506c) With all the pressure on Iran what is up with their
"pussyfooting" around.? Well
internal stress "democratization" and pressure for freedom
and the external stress "the nuke issue" effect each other,
for now it is a delicate balance.
(070306) The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: Rumors of Bin Laden's ill health and a new alliance of
those who oppose the US,
even a bit of news about Russia trying to direct
militants against the US in Afghanistan, interesting if
true. (070806f) The song might be rewritten: "Every time it rains it
rains poppies of heaven ..." This
year may yield the biggest harvest ever! Oh, wait that's not
good news - for us anyway (0780306m) On the fourth of July the Koreans put on a fireworks
show, the only problem is that their "most dangerous
missile" failed. Nonetheless
their ability to tweak the US nose is
undiminished. (070406e) Here is a brief
outline of the recent historical events making up the Korean
missile crisis. Left
out are points which show US policies which contributed to
the escalation; they have been covered in a previous
newsletter. (070406d) Russia
and China still "soft" on North Korea.
(070606e) Big news about this new train track. My take is that if
Tibetans were allowed any say in this project it wouldn't
have happened. Democracy
has a long way to go in China, perhaps a long way to get
started. (070306) It has been mentioned before, China's
role in Sudan and the Darfur crisis. (070306d)
Here are specifics and details, China gets oil, Sudan
gets guns, tanks and planes - a "Muslim" government which
lost legitimacy in a lost election years ago, still lingers
on as a pariah state, part
one (070306e) part
two (070306f) and
part three (070306g) South
America's trade group Mercosur, expands to include
Venezuela (070406f) My take on the Bolivian election where Morales was "set
back a notch" is that democracy is alive and well, still.
That
is all for the good (070306j) Calderon's view of the election results and why there
should not be a full recount (070706l)
Lopez
vows to challenge (070706m) Despite the exit polls which clearly favor a "leftist
presidential candidate" the election is "too close to call"
and there is evidence for US activity with data bases and
voter rolls. It is also clear that the US does not want that
"leftist" to win ... stay
tuned folks (070306a) Here
are the details that the "other candidates own exit polls
show he's lost out" (070306b) All
is not easy in the country either (070306)
And
it's not as if there isn't a history of large scale fraud
and strife (070506e) And
the recount begins (070506f) Well about 10% of the cast ballots seem to be missing in
Mexico's election and the "decision" is a matter of about
1%. So
there is plenty of room for doubt especially in view of the
exit polls. (070406a) and a story about many
ex-pat voters from the US being turned away for lack of
ballots VICTORY? Calderon is lauded as victor however
Obrador
vows to fight on and hints of "not accepting" a falsified
result. However the US is happy/. (070606a)
part
two (070606b) and
part three (070606c) So,
is the "leftist" tide ebbing? (070606d) Wildfires being more widespread and more frequent a
pattern at least partially
explained by figuring in global warming
(070706a) Global warming's effect on the chemistry of
the ocean may effect the food chain in large scale but
unknown ways - primarily
via the oceans absorption of C02 which acidifies the water
ultimately. (070506j) Here
is a more general warning (070506k) Ecuador's
water supply, sourced from glacial "reserves" is threatened
by global warming, this, in turn threatens power supply and
agriculture (070306h) The "tunnel terror attack" planned for New York City
shows that we can foil plots in their infancy - a good thing
even if it wasn't past the talking phase. Could they have
waited to see how the would terrorists would go about
getting materials, financing and make contact with others?
In
other words it was a good job that could have been done
better? (070806e) Guantanamo
prisoners plotted to have more suicides, efforts are
under way to prevent them, I would guess
(070806a) What is the destabilization game? Here
is the word (070706i) Privatizing
the border security at a rate of 4 million dollars a mile,
what I want to know is: is that the low ball bid?
(070706n) Maybe
this won't be a hard sell if we "bash the immigrants" enough
during the campaign (070706o) So the "Liberty City Seven" the FBI agents suggest a plot
to these folks and then arrest them for talking about it,
that
seems to be the whole of the case so far.
(070706d) Dumbsfeld
gets a subpoena regarding a whistle blower and Abu Ghraib,
will he show? (070506g) Oh,
and we call off our team specializing in the "Osama
Man" (070506h) An instructive article on the French Republic and how it
failed, some
parallels are interesting (070806h) I've had articles about Russian power and it is known
that "democratic reform" has, at best, stalled. Here we see
another "gift" from the Circle Jerk King - in - Chief:
Russia
does not seem to heading toward integration with the west,
in fact, it has its own plans (070306p)
Thanks Georgie Boy, thanks. If the US is viewed as being
riven by class and racism, crime-ridden, obsessed with money
and led by an incompetent hypocrite, I
guess that means our PR team covering England has some work
to do (070306n) What is the extent of the problem, could a few thousand
"rotten apples" in the US military be a "problem"? Neo
NAZIs in our military? Part
one (070706j)
and part two (070706k) Right wing, high tech,
web based terrorism and all home grown too! Leave
it to those clever Americans to "bring the war back
home" (070706f) Grover Norquist speaks about
the means Repuglicans
have used to keep a united party despite a plethora of
divisive issues (070506d) The man the US says has taken Zarqawi's place, who has a
5 million dollar price on his head is not in Iraq, in fact
he is in
an Egyptian prison and has been for years. AlJazeera
released the story on July 6th 2006, one wonders if the US
will investigate and verify. (070706c) MAS, Maker Assisted Selection, a cutting edge technique
for hybridizing plants is
touted as an alternative to GM plants.
(070806g)
The Muddle East: Palestine/Israel: Hezbollah uses a drone or plane to attack an Israeli
warship. A
new weapon enters the war. It is a war. (071406o)
Or
maybe it was an Iranian weapon? (071506b)
And
fires on Tiberias for the first time, a look at things to
come (071506d) Israel and the NeoCons - do they want to so alter the
reality on the ground that
"they can have their way, whatever that is?
(071406e) Meanwhile
Israel wants the focus on their "axis of evil"
(071406f) all the better to ignore anything the
Palestinians might say
A representative of Hizbollah speaks and some
updates (071406) A
summary of stories escalation is one of the topics
(071406i) Palestinians
raid an Egyptian border crossing to "let their people free"
hundreds were able to come home (071406d)
Some
details of the attacks, the damage and the
numbers. (071306p) Another
day another dozen deaths. (071406b) Shades of the old cold war! With the recent upsurge, see
below, the US
and Russia setting up shop along opposing lines.
(071306f) part
two (071306g) part
three (071306h) and
part four (071306i) What passes for a spectacular raid opens a second front
on Israel, Lebanon
is now targeted as the war spreads. (071206a)
another
jump in Palestinian rocketry range, 30 miles. Where would
they get Russian made Katyushas? (071306a)
and
the Israeli response may widen the war further
(071306b) and
part two of the story (071306c) and
I love the rhetoric, where the US condemns the unprovoked
attacks by Hamas etc. (071206d) Maybe what is happening is the plan. If there is no
viable Palestinian Government, and all moderate leaders are
given "failures to communicate" then the emergency
continues, the wall continues, the war continues, land grabs
continue and there is no one to take effective action in all
of Palestine against the Israeli action. Mark
my words, this will change probably sooner and more
dramatically that one might imagine.
(071106l) The Greater Muddle East Iraq: "... all restraint has vanished in an orgy of ethnic
cleansing "That
is the word from Baghdad (071406j)
part two (071406j1)
part three (071406j2) I would like to know if a 14 year old is a woman or not.
That is how old the raped and killed girl was, what
a mess, but she's a woman in our press (071206i)
ID's
are used to figure out who to kill, this article says at
least car bombs were indiscriminate (071206j)
But
luckily we have a "resolution plan" from our Bushhumpher in
Chief (071206k) And like most places, watch
the money and you'll see our policy "evolve" as it is now in
Iraq (071206l) No Light At The End Of The Tunnel, that
is the assessment of the article , read it and you'll
agree. (071106j) But you know, according
to PBS, the real cause for all that violence in Iraq is the
Iranians. (071106k) The one reason it "isn't civil war" in Iraq is because
our media portray it that way so our
Dingleberry in Chief doesn't have to face facts and he can
say "things are getting better" NOT (071006c)
Oops
... Murtha and Powell let the "Civil War" cat out of the
bag, luckily the press isn't printing it ... whew
(071006d) The "problems" with the Iraqi police and other law
enforcement agencies are severe and rampant, according to a
news
story summarizing some 400 cases and or
investigations. (070906d) and
part two if you really want to hear it.
(070906e) Few
good options in Iraq (070806i) and
how this war just keeps on giving
(070806j) Iran: We know what the US advantages are vis a vis Iran,
what
are Iran's advantages? (071406n) One wonders now, what will happen if
the current Israeli offensive against Hamas spreads to
Syria, will Iran act? (071306o)The
headlines may make it look like "something is going to
happen" but NOT. (071206e) The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: It may be that indications are that now the war in this
country is just starting. A
nationwide network for resistance has formed and even the
Pashtuns, some 40 million strong may be playing along - that
cannot be a good thing. (071006g) A new pipeline for Caspian basin oil comes on line
exporting through Turkey, Russia
is not happy but the US and Euros are
(071306d) Bush's swagger has come a'cropper. A
quick insightful look and the policy of our Jackass in Chief
(071306x) The dance goes on. China and Russia won't go for what
Japan and the US want - so
why bother trying for resolutions that would allow "work"
for everyone? That's a good question (071206b)
So,
the upshot: North Korea walks from the talks
(071306j) part
two (071306k) and
part three (071306l) With147 dead. The Kashmiri militants are prime suspects,
but
one wonders who really is behind it.
(071106e) Venezuela prepares for what? That's what people want to
know. Chavez
believes some sort of attack is pending (071206c)
But
then there is some reason to feel "pressured by the
US" (071205f) Instability in Mexico continues as the
election debacle begins to make its effect known.
(071506a) The big news is still the election in Mexico, rumors
of it being "Floridized" have people questioning its
validity (071006j) and
part two (071006k) Here
is what this weekend will bring: a "count the vote rally"
hints are it may happen (071406a) "Oh honey! Don't forget to take your mercury this
morning!" "It's
OK dear, I have a tuna sandwich." (071106f)
and,
so far, warmest year in the US since records have been kept,
by 3.5 degrees. (071406c) A flurry of bird flu stories: first it is
spreading
in Africa and Indonesia despite being "fought off" in Europe
and South East Asia. (071106a) Will
Australia be ground zero? They are preparing for it
(071106b) As
a school teacher I wonder what would schools do? What are
the plans? (071106c) Teachers won't be
surprised to learn they'll handle it on their own. Ha!
Meanwhile
in Illinois they are telling people how to get ready,what to
have on hand, nice (071106d) A small story is illustrative of a larger trend Geckos
finding a new home, in Kansas (071006b) What of Haiti? Aristide is still popular as is the
resistance to a government getting very mixed reviews.
Another
destabilized government thanks to US intrusion?
(071506e) "First there is a mountain then there is not mountain
then there is" great Donovan lyric, apply it to The
Gutless Wonder in Chief who now claims he is not being
contradictory when saying that Guantanamo detainees have
their Geneva Convention rights. (071106g)
and
just in time to abuse was/is getting just to darned much
coverage. (071106h) And look who Ballsless in Chief wants for
the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Whoah babeeeeee (071106i) Just as the war with Bin Laden really heats up in Iraq
and Afghanistan we
pull the plug on a group that has studied the man for 10
years or more, make sense to you? I hope it does to
someone (071006f) How well protected are our airports? Well, they could be
better, waaaaaay better, read
this to find out just why whistle blowing so darned
dangerous. (070906a) Israel and the US are now involved in asymmetrical wars.
There
are dangers with this kind of thing as we've seen in Iraq.
This is what they are (071406l) Just think back, six million Jews and millions of others
were killed by Nazi's in their camps. The result was that
the perpetrators were hunted down, tried and executed. Big
Tobacco is on track to kill a billion or so during this
century alone, outcry
anyone? Illegalizing it anyone? Prosecution anyone? Doesn't
look like it, to much money is being made
(071006a) And other reports I've seen have this as a low
figure. Just so odd a juxtaposition,
India launches, successfully, a long range missile and,
well, who cares? I guess a nuclear power taking a
step up the ladder toward superpowerdom - oh, and would it
matter that the Russian's assistance in this project has
been vital to its success? (070906c) Laying the groundwork for their next electoral victory
the
Repuglicans "Scheherazade Strategy" is gearing up and
promises success (071406m) So a "secret" court will review the US government's
"covert" "illegal" spying. I
guess I feel that everything is above board and hunky
dory (071306q) But there is good news!
Alren Spector has a "compromise
in mind" the executive can do what it wants and congress
just shuts up about it. (071406k) How do they do it? It is called lying. Follow the
bouncing budget numbers and see how well Bush
Humper in Chief's fiscal savvy has proved out, hey a few
billion here a few there and pretty soon you're talking real
money (071206g) and
as the Bush Base comes home - a divided nation is uncovered.
(071206h) The
GAO says we need to get our sh - - together in Iraq, or
words to that effect (071306n) The Dildo in Chief sends his attack weenies to deal with
the press the
NYT is just the most prominent case (071006h)
and
page two (071006i) Interview with Rod Nordland talking about how difficult
it is to cover the Iraq story and why
we don't know "how bad it is" (071006e) How
secrecy led to Nixon's downfall and an argument for freedom
of the press, especially relevant now a days with
Herr Bushwhackoffinchief running around like a dorkwad with
out a clue. (070906b) How
to get the word out to thousands of persons for under a
dollar.
The Muddle East: What would a "sane" Us policy in the muddle east be like
now? Why might Israel have "gone overboard" speculations
found here (072006e) We tried pushing democracy in the region but that didn't
get us what we wanted, now we play for support of the
governments but just because leaders might criticize
Hezbollah doesn't mean the "street" is any different.
The
upshot may be that these governments may be even more
alienated from the people democracy was supposed to
benefit. (071906i) And there is more than
meets the eye in the conflict with Israel now,
points
are being made, illusions being shattered and preemption may
be the real agenda now (071906j) Palestine/Israel/Lebanon Israel
preps an invasion into Lebanon (072106a)
Rocket
attacks continue (072106c) Who
blew up a UN base? (072106d) So
what is a medium or long term view of the coming
invasion? (072106e) What are diplomats, presidents, CondiGirl and so forth
DOING? It
looks like they are taking a wait and see
attitude. (072006i) Some
have seen an analogous situation that which existed in the
summer of 1914; I hope we don't go there
(072006j) At
least the citizens our military rescues will not have to pay
for their rescue, can you believe it?
(071906f)Oh,
by the way, violations of the law by Israel's use of US
weaponry? Who will act? (071906e) And
I guess a milk factory, a food processing facility and a
convoy of food are all legitimate military
targets? (071906l) Then the rumors and
indication of some kind of new
weapon that burns the inside of a body. (071906q)
Sounds like the weapons used in Iraq which make use of
various kinds of wave forms, microwave, radio, sound and so
forth. How
the Lebanon's president calls on the world for intercession,
a cease fire, aid, recompense, justice, food, water,
medicine and it is as if the other end of the line is
dead (071906n)
and part two (071906o) We've a few more weeks of this struggle, at least
according to Israel, wunnerful, an attack on Lebanese
military kills 11, that can't be good (071806e)
However
the US may have set a deadline for Israel's actions
(071906d) Nice
Israeli girls sign their names onto shells before they're
fired, mom stands by and smiles (071906c) A snapshot of Lebanese and their reaction or rather
resignation to being "stuck
in the middle again" (071706e) However
the Arab World is not unified in its opinion.
(071806c) 06.17.06, it's morning in SF, but half a world away the
developments consist
of a veiled concession by Israel, Iranian's speaking on
behalf of Hezbollah, continued fighting, and mutually
exclusive conditions for ending the conflict.
(071706d) This article wonders if Israel has taken a "stupid pill"
Both the US
and Israel have "war leaders" who have never been to war,
great huh? (071606g) Mutually
assured destruction is the future? (071606i)
Unless GW Jackass in Chief wakes up ... oh right, what
am I saying. Even
calling for a cease fire, the US and the Brits can't seem to
"say the words" (071506f) And
this is all the world says: "Oh, please stop it" or words to
that effect (071606b) Stats
released by both sides, and the attitudes implied, yup, it's
a war (071606c) A shred of hope that cooler heads will prevail, but
perhaps it is only a matter of time. Another
day, more destruction, the rhetoric of war and the threat of
it spreading wider. (071606a) and
part two (071605b) A
two parter with 7-15/s events no action from the UN,
violence escalates it's another war (071506g)
and
part two (071506h) The Greater Muddle East The Horn of Africa: Another war brewing? Somalia
and Ethiopia have "issues" (072106g) but
Somalia
calling upon its once and long time nemesis makes for
strange bedfellows (072106f) Iraq: WHEN, when when? When will someone finally, loudly,
clearly, and repeatedly say: It
is civil war, there is no good news, chaos is rampant and we
have lost the war. Read on this article
(071906b) How about a trip down memory lane? What
they said BEFORE the war and what they are saying NOW
(071706g) Cutting funds for democratization
projects just in time for
... for ... what? What is the plan?
(071706f) Massive kidnappings seem to "happen" in broad daylight,
this time it
was the nations Olympic committee and a slew of others who
happened to be on the scene (071606d) Turkey: Warnings that all is not well in Turkey, frustrations
build, disagreements begin to simmer, do we need another
conflict in the region? No.
Well what is being done to prevent it?
(072006a) How could this be good? Turkey getting antsy about the
uptick in attacks by Kurds. They hint they are considering
entering Northern Iraq to quell cross border raids - well
that will just make things all the more hot. The
US wouldn't want that so what will happen?
(071806d) Iran: The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: A much touted "offensive" of allied forces in the south
has found, um, well, not much. There
is a lull going on now, but by this time next month it will
be over and a renewal of "rebel" operations will be in full
swing. (072006f) Pakistan: So little is being reported about this nation. It has
four conflicts ongoing, Baluchistan, Kashmir, Al Qaida on
the Afghan border, and groups dedicated to overthrowing the
government. Here
is a bit about the "Jihadi option"(071606h)
Global issues cannot be addressed with out consideration
of the population boom. Instability for a variety of reasons
being a result is self evident, what
is not is the effect of attempts to increase the standard of
living for more and more people (072006c) 80% of humanity's energy comes from fossil fuels, this
not only effects global warming but eco systems and
sustainability even
though renewables are getting a boost, they are still a
small part of the picture. (072006d) Global warming seems to hold the potential for effecting
the climate, that we all know, but what is not so widely
known is that some areas of the world will be effected more
than others. Africa, for example may not suffer, in terms of
climate, any more than some other parts of the world,
but
the effects will be disproportionate given the problems
already present. (072006b) Is Russia "fitin' to bust a move on"? It shows in the
G8 summit that they
are becoming confident and capable of making their wishes
known and achieving their ends. (071906k) Protests effectively close tourist attractions, reports
of protests and the voting decision still is not
decided (072106b) Mexico, the challenge
continues to its democracy, but
what is the challenge really, is it the election, fraud or
is it the stratified society? (071706h)
Recount
or resistance. (071706i) Pesticides come home with the workers so that the family
can share in the result North
Carolina has the story, but it is a national
problem (071806a) And as for "California Sun"
a whole generation, or two, were raised on the "healthy
beach" idea -
now beaches are "sick" (071806b) It isn't as if it is bad enough that the US is "going
backwards" but now
Russia says it's keeping its test site ready
(071906a)The risk of a "dirty bomb" being made from
poorly stored nuclear material seems to be a present enough
danger and although
progress has been made much is vulnerable still
(071606e) What a struggle for ensuring real voting reform, or at
least
preserving the Voting Rights Act may entail and why today is
NOT the 60's (072006g) How our electrical grid and systems became second rate -
even as rates climbed and profits soared: The
Ghost of Ken Lay (071906p) Just a note
regarding our Kegger in Chief, how his
"Aw shucks, mam." deportment and demeanor just "don't work"
in the world (071906m) Just a bit of voter fraud for Cynthia McKinney, voters
watched their votes for her change to the other candidate
before their eyes. (071906h) What
is the cost of an executive gone wild? Will Congress and the
Supreme Court reassert themselves, not yet
(071606f) Our
news gives Israeli views ... no surprise there - even
today (072006h) So the first whistle blower lawsuit regarding the voting
machine fraud is filed. Is this getting coverage? Where
was the press in 2000, 2002, 2004 and where will they be in
2006? Hmmmm? (071706a) At
least a California election with "massive fraud" is getting
some play (071706b)
The Muddle East: Political intrigue, who is "with" whom, why the timing of
the "initializing attack" and
the reason for the response and more (072606j)
A
lot is at stake, the war could spread, easily enough, far to
easily (072906h) Can this be good whatsoever at all? Iran allowing,
publicly mind you, volunteers to organized themselves and
make their way to Lebanon may make a bizarre situation even
more so. As these volunteers make their presence known,
and
if they become significant, what will Israel do about it? I
mean really and pragmatically speaking? (072606e)
Also
Israel accuses Syria of aiding and abetting the resistance
(072606g) part
two (072606h) part
three. (072606i) Appearances can be deceiving, Israel
has problems in its current military action. This article
argues that defeat is at hand and illuminates the
reasons (072506z1), the article does not
mention my notion, that is to say, if Israel expands the
war, to bring in Syria then it can have a "real policy" and
a distinct objective. Not to mention more chaos and less
oversight, as if there is any now. And
grumblings from the puppets, fearing mainly the public
opinion of their nation and being out of synch with it
(072506z2) Most of the "troubled" areas of the region have radicals
in control, however the masters could each " call their dogs
off." They
won't because there is money and poll results which "forbid
it" (072506w) The alcoholic version of US
policy in the region, what we don't get will fail us, and we
don't "get" a lot, why
Rice's trip will be mostly spin (072506g) Palestine/Israel/Lebanon Hurray! Bush and Blair have a peace plan, Hezbollah gives
up weapons, disarms, goes away, Lebanon gets lots of aid,
somebody trains their army and guards the border while
Israel is given a full partnership in the
whole deal, sounds good!, (072906a) and
part two (072906b) oh, and yes, Syria
promises to be a good neighbor. Done deal! Meanwhile
a peace offer is rejected, fighting continues
(072906c) and
part two (072906d) Israel
begins to call up the "citizen army" as many as 30,000
(072806p) Support for Hizbollah increases among Lebanese and
plunges
with regard to the US. A trend thought to be
extensive. (072806e) and
it can be asked if Israel is losing this war
already. (072806g) Israel thinks the UN is not up to the job of securing or
helping to secure the border areas with Lebanon,
so
who will volunteer? (072806b) And
Hezbollah gets "new" rockets with longer range and bigger
payload. (072806c) and
part two (072806d) A battle for a city once inhabited by some 30K is in its
fourth day casualties
mount (072606a) and
part two (072606b) a
days details in three parts (072606e)
two
(072606f) three
(072606g) A large scale detention center is being constructed,
some
say because so many prisoners will be coming, which means
the struggle may be measured in months, and that some kind
of incursion is immanent. (072506o) Olmert
says "they can do a long fight" but
if they do "invade" and Syria makes good on a recent threat
to "become involved" if Israel does invade ... well one
wonders. (072506t) Meanwhile
little battles take on bigger meanings (072506u)
and
part two (072506v) Village
by village fighting (072506d) The general
impression is that things are not being accomplished
easily, this
may drag on for weeks, no one is saying "months" yet. I
would think no one wants another Iraq. (072506e)
Or
Vietnam, Hezbollah has taken lessons from the VC
(072506g) Hizbollah
has respect in the "Arab Street" (072506h)
part
two (072506i) and
part three (072506j) I wonder exactly what CondiGirl's has as a goal for her
upcoming "tour" of the disaster that Lebanon and its
adjacent region is? It may be a while , but someday,
certainly it seems so now, the
"pressure cooker" of public sentiment, running strongly
against the US now, and its allies and allied regimes will
boil over and create a "real problem in the
region." (072306e) Rocket attacks continued, other reports say somewhat
diminished, this
story just a days summary (072306a) Do the
math, another article says about 90 rockets are fired each
day, for
ten or so days that is roughly 900. They've caused 17
deaths, so about 50 rockets to a death. (072306b)
A
sampler of the "tough going" (072306c) Battlefield success is what Israel enjoys today, but what
of tomorrow? If Israel pushes back the opposition the 20 or
so miles it wants, what happens after? Will Hezbollah stop
its attacks against whatever defense it placed there?
Will
Iran and others cease support for Hezbollah? Who wins in
this scenario? (072206g) Israel targets Lebanon's broadcast media, but cannot
shut down the Hezbolla's broadcasts - truly odd
that. (072206a) And
the ground war begins - one village at a time
(072206c) and
part two (072206d) The Lebanese army's commander has said he'd fight to
protect his country it it is invaded - experts say it won't
happen.
How could they keep themselves separated from the cause
of Hezbollah or possibly resist Israel's army?
(072106o) The invasion has begun, Israeli's make progress, fewer
rockets fell, body counts add up. Perhaps weeks more are
hinted at. One
wonders, if Israel is successful, what success will look
like on the ground? (072106m) The "Arab world" seems to be divided over what is
happening in Lebanon, but the division is mainly between the
"street" and the government houses, the street seems
supportive, but the governments must play a balancing act,
not wanting to alienate their people, be seen as weak on
Israel, non- supportive of another Arab nation being
attacked or of appearing indecisive - quite an act -
the
solution? Blame Iran! (072106h) and
part two (072106i) Jordan: In
the news for torture, how wunnerful, just another dependable
ally (072506k) The Greater Muddle East Iraq: After reading this story I'd guess that Iraq is the place
to do some REAL bank robbing! I mean if
you can jack up an Mazda you can clear a cool million. The
banking system is in chaos (072906f)
and
part two (072906g) Torture here, torture there, it may
be getting out of hand (072506l) A
bit of a larger story (072506m) More patrols,
control the violence which seems to rise, stats show to new
levels, sometimes
on a weekly basis (072506n) Baghdad being
kept under wraps? Curfew is in effect, despair is the
unofficial by word, while,
officially, plans move forward. (072106j)
part
two (072106k) and
part three (072106l) Iran: Did
we have planners for an Iran war even before Iraq?
(072806i) part
two (072806j) part
three (072806k) part
four (072806l) part
five (072806m)
and part six (072806n) The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: It has been a bad year in this country, some
days there are as many attacks here as in Iraq
(072806h) A
small story, people caught in the middle of a viscous war
(072506y) Another
place, it is noted, the resistance mounts attacks with
hundreds of participants. (072506z) Experts say that our opposition in this country are on
the "come back track" and one
wonders if we have the staying power to stay and what the
consequences of leaving will be? (072506q)
And
yet this following story depicts a situation that looks at a
poor future (072506r) And the good news, no
this isn't good news, how do you turn on and off a greedy,
corrupt warlord? Ask
Karzai, he's had practice, lots of times - talk about chaos
from the top on down, (072506s) Do women have the freedom that we boasted they 'd have,
I'd
like to ask Laura Bush, it looks like the fashion police are
going to be back in style. (072506p) The
bigwigs say one thing but a military commander says
something else, who're you going to believe? The
country is close to anarchy (072106m) Pakistan: Pakistan gets a new nuclear reactor, how cool is that?
Are we actively concerned? Does not seem so. But,
hey, what's another arms race (072506x) Global warming has many effects but few
would have expected it to effect the rotational orientation
of the earth itself, read on: (072806a) I have heard of this before, the magnetic poles moving;
apparently they are on the move now, in previous stories I
may have mentioned it. This
one reports on the movements and adds a bit of what I call
"Sci-Fi flair" (072306i) I don't know how accurate the report is, but the
suggestion is that the lower than usual rainfall in the
Amazon is a threat. It works like this, drought will cause
the big trees to die first, the ground is exposed to more
sunlight; it dries out, fires become rampant and more carbon
is released into the atmosphere - increasing
global warming and accelerating the cycle, another tipping
point region (072306h) Another
story on this (072506a) More
on what is called the "Carbon Bomb"
(072506b) But
here is the real problem, Senator Inhofe thinks global
warming is "crap" (072506c) Changing water temperatures in the ocean will effect the
food chain systems ocean ecology depends upon. Evidence
accrues locally, in San Francisco, where bird
populations on the Farallones is suffering, because of a
lack of fish, because of a lack of krill, because of an
increase in the water's temperature of between three to five
degrees. (072206e) Because we've studied global warming for so long and have
analyzed it scientifically and made it part of our nations
policy .... NOT. Well,
here is speculation on what our "breadbasket" may have to
deal with (072106n) Somalia: The war in this country now gets under way US
backed Ethiopia enters Somalia, Bin Laden backs the Islamist
groups who took over the capital Mogadishu
recently (072306g) North Korea makes it into the news but who listens to
them anyway, I mean, as far as the US media is concerned,
they can say whatever
they want and we don't have to listen. This only makes
them amp it all up, but we don't seem to be alarmed about
them. (072606f) Mexico's presidency is still contended and Obrador
vows "vigorous, radical" action" to ensure a full recount
(072806o) Venezuela and Russia cut arms deals, right under out
noses ... shades
of the cold war being replayed, except that this time, time
is not on our side, nor are trends
(072606c)and
part two (072606d) Cuts in aid to nations who won't sign onto exempting US
forces from prosecution under international regulations
have
hurt our efforts and allowed China more operational freedom
in Africa (072306d) An assortment of brief articles from Mother Jones,
jellyfish
shut down a nuclear reactor, invade new areas annoying
fishermen, Iraqi politicians thinking the "jig is up",
poverty increasing, cutting aid to them and more
(072306f) A good phrase: "imperial
impotence" as it applies to US foreign policy
(072806f) NASA no longer has to worry about
the home planet, it is no longer in its mission guide.
So
we focus on Mars.... right! (072206h) The
Congo heads for democracy! (072206b)
despite
its long and involved history with makes this all the more
remarkable (072206f)
07/08//06
07/15//06
07/21//06
07/29//06
08/05//06 The Muddle East: America is "the kiss of death" for an increasing number
of Arab people and governments Lebanon
radicalizes many (080406k) And
the Litani River, could this be another reason for Israel's
over reaction (080406l) I would hope not Israeli's say Hizbollah has antitank weapons that come
from Syria and or Iran and say that Iran has agreed to be a
supplier for such. The war expands, of course, who thought
it would not? Iranian weapons most likely have to pass
through Syria and so the stage is set for their involvement,
it is only a matter of time, I think. When Syria becomes
involved so will Iran, one way or the
other and then the US will have reason to "deal with them
both ." Maybe Israel takes on Syria while we deal with Iran?
Who knows, stay tuned (080406i) So, 2006 is to be the year "to deal with Iran's nukes"
and 2007 is the year to "set" Israel's borders. Good plan
guys, but you forgot just about a million things, or maybe
it's 30 million - I
don't know the population of the region, after
all (080206m) What
was Rabin saying when he was shot? It makes interesting
reading (080106x) Israel and the US "diverge"
on policy, Rice has a plan which would play well in a stand
up comic club, if
she weren't so seriously ugly, have you seen those recent
pics? Darth Vader stand aside! (080106i) Have
we created a "Frankenstien" monster of our own
making? (073106p) More hints of the current war spreading to Syria, even
Iran. Thinblebrain in Chief might be pumping Rice in the
Oval Orifice but
it may be that they think they can pull their dicks out of
the fire by doubling down, going for a wider war, and trying
to make a clean sweep of it all. (073106n)
But
this is not the only source for has me thinking that
CondiGirl wants a war named after her too.
(073106o) The incapable trying to do the impossible, CondiGirl
returns to the region (073006b) A
brief "who's who" of the "non-state" across
(073006d) Then
national leaders, Syria's Assad
(073006e)
Hezbollah's Nasrallah (073006f)
America's "leader" (073006g) Lebanon's
leader, called "unlikely here (073006i)
And
Iran's leader Ahmadinejad (073006k) Then
a "so called" primer on the current conflict, it begins with
a fundamental error, but put that aside
(073006h) Despite
evidence our Punditocracy plods onward, slouching as it were
toward its own Gotterdamerung (073006j) Palestine/Israel/Lebanon So what is up with the Israeli bombing if Beruit?
It
seems there is a plan but Hezbollah has not "fallen for it"
it is an interesting thought (080406m) And here Iran admits to sending missiles to Hezbollah,
but
doesn't want them used but Israel claims to have destroyed
them (080506a) Battles rage the 4th day of
August, a synopsis of the
carnage and damage,(080406e) part
two (080406d) part
three (080406e part
four (080406f) The
"umbilical cord" is cut, bombed out bridges paralyze relief
efforts (080406g) Cluster
bombs and white phosphorus, (080306i) I mean
we caught some flack for using that stuff in Iraq but Israel
gets a pass despite the possible violation of international
law ... oh right .. what AM I thinking. If you look at what the different sides are saying are
their conditions for "settling the war" from the US, to
France, the UN, Israel, Iran, Hezbollah and dear old Lebanon
you will see that no
solution is in sight, no one is on the same page, yet.
fighting continues (080306b) and
part two (080306c) 8000 Israeli troops enter Lebanon, rocket fire into
Israel is back up, diplomacy
seems stalled (080206a) and
part two (080206b) There
are perhaps as many as 18,000 inside and this could triple
(080206k) and
part two (080206l) This article hints that Israel may destroy vehicles
entering Lebanon from Syria if
they think they are weapons bearing,
(08106z1) Most everyone notes the pause in
missile attacks by Hezbollah, this interviewer hears that
"everyone"
believes the war will escalate (080106y) Great quote: "proudly
how he relieved the army of restrictions on harming civilian
population that lives alongside Hezbollah
operatives." (080106v) Current Israeli ground
operations include at least 6000
troops on various missions (080106f)
part
two (080106g) and
part three (080106h) Israel gives the green light for a large scale land
offensive to advance into Lebanon and draw up along the
Litani River. I
ask, what of Syria, missile attacks, Iran and others
(073106t) and
part two (073106u) We'll
soon find out the ground offensive has begun,
(073106x) part
two (073106y) part
three (073106z) and
part four (073106z1) Finally a story from Gaza, it's all bad of course,
casualty rates a quarter of what has gone down in Lebanon,
still, a hardly functioning nation has been reduced to
grasping at straws. The
ordinary people are the ones suffering in this madman
calculus. (073106m) Hezbollah takes its victories where it can, an
Israeli withdrawal from a contested town fills the bill
(073106i) Why
does Israel go for the "shock and awe" program that was so
"successful" in Iraq? Beats the hell out of me!
(073106k) An Israeli attack gone horribly wrong seems to give both
sides pause. Whether
or not this is the pause that refreshes some semblance of a
peace initiative is anyone's guess at the moment, but it
shows hope is eternal (073106a) and
part two (073106b) Syria: Meanwhile
Israeli actions lead to Syrian actions leading to more build
up and call ups. (080106j) Pardon me but it
looks like two naughty boys playing with flint and steel,
trying to get a spark going - how unfortunate. And a rumor
that the US
is pushing for some kind of ACTION
(080106k) The Greater Muddle East Iraq: A
huge rally in Baghdad supports Hizbollah and vilifies you
know who and who else. (080406h) Why DID Saddam have to "go" ? There is the official
reason(s), terrorism, WMD, bad guy dictator, threat and so
forth. Many think it was so we could get the oil or get a
new set of bases in the "oil rich region". Apparently that
is not completely the truth, apparently Saddam
had a penchant for yanking around the price of oil, even on
a day by day basis, as someone says, "its not control of the
oil, but control of its price that matters"
(080306a) And
in case you forget that war is hell, it is, and here is a
snapshot (080306e) Protests in Baghdad by
Shia's demonstrate, ironically, the
government's failure to control the city.
(080206c) part
two (080206d)
and part three (080206e) Turkey: Turkey selects a "hard liner" for its military chief.
Maybe they are feeling their oats and want to "deal more
stringently" with Kurdish separatists, the EU's application
negotiations and the country's own "conservative religious
block" This
all sounds like there'll be more peace in the region,
yes? (073106w) Iran: Iran's fortunes and that of Hezbollah are linked -
what
happens in one place effects the other and the sharp knife
of reality cuts both ways (080106x) Iran says it will produce atomic fuel, regardless
of the recent decision/action by the world body at the UN
Security Council (080106a)
and part two (080106b) The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: The handing over of "authority" to NATO is official, but
there is a resurgent enemy and doubts about the
future,
confidence is part to the public's view point - they've seen
us come and go before. (073106r) Casualties
predicted have begun to occur (080306d) One
wonders if the Taliban consider the US leaving "their
victory"? Darfur/ Sudan: The horror continues while Sudan demurs about letting a
UN force enter the nation and the grim
reaper continues the harvest. (080406a)
Aid
work being killed does not help matters at all
either (080406b) Urchin
die off in California, the small picture,
(080306g) however the following is the large picture:
the ocean devolves? Evolution run backwards? The
rise of slime? (080106l)
part two (080106m) part
three (080106n) part
five (080106o) part
six (080106p)
part seven (080106q) and
part eight (080106r) This article asks if the recent heat waves, globally, are
a clue to global warming while the only cited evidence says
it is. I
guess it's good they are at least asking the question
(073006a) The Koreas watch what is happening in Lebanon too, they
draw their own lessons and as far as their concerned
the
US is "isolated" as much as the us feels North Korea
is (080106z) Our presstitutes say that North Korea want attention and
yanks the US around by pulling stunts, is
shooting over the border the next step in the
escalation? (073106x) It appears that China is giving some "flack" to North
Korea, possibly signaling a change of heart or course.
Usually they've been the ones to keep some form of
communication alive, what this move portends is anyone's
guess; I believe that China has its reasons for doing
what
it has done and that any consideration of the US or Japanese
concerns are not particularly pertinent
(073006c) Rolling back one of the "color" revolutions so soon?
A
Ukranian government favorable to Russia takes
power. (080406j) Sri Lanka and the Tamil Rebels fighting again.
It makes me wonder where has all the peace
gone? (080306f) A hub of money laundering, narcotics, lax or non
existent border control, weapons, cash, and, we believe,
terrorists is the
tri-border area of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina
(080406n) and we've at least one friendly
counter among them Paraguay, we
cut deals smugglers only dream of and work on "securing the
area" (080406o) I guess, for the moment that Cuba stories can go here ,
Castro's brother is sald to take the old leader's place, but
he is more radical, does
this bode well for US - Cuba relations?
(073106v) Not everyone is happy about the protests in the capital,
but
the supporters vow to stay on
(080206f)
part two (080206g)
and part three (080206h) The "election"
battle continues as the
opposition prepare to shut down the capital.
(073106c) and
part two (073106d) and
three (073106e) Remember 9/11? It seems the military lied to the
commission investigating the affair. This
story is the smallest portion of the tip of the iceberg, but
one doubts that anything will come of this.
(080206j) Why a NATO led force in Lebanon will have difficulty
a)
they'll be viewed as defending Israel and b) they may be
composed of Turks and that may not be the best plan
(080106u) The
US and its "allies" begin to diverge on the "happening" in
Lebanon. (080106w) Blah Blah Blair, says Syria
and Iran confrontation if they don't change their
ways. (080106c)
part two (080106d) and
part three (080106e) Blair
doesn't even listen, to anyone, save, it seems, our own
Dorkwad in Chief (080206i) I think people just don't get it, this guy seems to be a
"know it all" and predicts, as do others, that the Damn Dems
are set for a come back. My argument against that is this:
The Repuglicans will cheat, the voting is rigged and fixed,
the Repuglicans have the money and the media as well. So the
DamDems will simply not gain control of either part of
congress. And
don't forget our Dickhead in Chief can fire up another war
faster than you can spell date rape
(080206n) What
is "Crackpot Realism"? Maybe you don't want to
know (080106t) The
long list of illegal weapons being sent to Israel has a long
history as well. (073106j) The Jackass in
Chief's signing statements violate the constitution,
and
should be, IMHOP, impeachable offenses (073006l)
And
here is some more on that topic (073006m) and
what of the
"Great Divide" the nation is split over Iraq more so than it
was over Vietnam. (073106g) and
part two (073106h) Our media's presstitutes
inaction: Where have I read an article like this before? Hmmm.
"It
looks like two different wars, that seen in the US and that
seen in England... how could that be ... hmmm let's
see (080306h) Let the coverage slip away, that is the stats on the
matter, Maybe the thinking is that if you're not looking,
you cannot see, and then, well, anything can "happen"
but
do you have plausible deniability?
(073106q) A poor little rich boy needs help fast. Well our
Fudgepacker in Chief grabs the cow by the udder with one
hand and yanking off with the other, it is a touching story
really, but
when an Astor is down whaddayagunnado?
(073106x) This would be a great story to trumpet but it gets muted
coverage at best. The report promised months ago, that was
"just about done" months ago is still not down and won't be
until after the election in November.
Of course it has to do with the odd manner that pre war
intel was used, a heavy issue that, so it is best to keep it
on ice, as it were (073106f)
The Muddle East: Current thoughts on the conflict summarized here, the
western perspective that is, my thought, how odd that
the US and France are behaving as if they have common
interest, freedom fries anyone? (081006m) How is this for sending religious signals into a region
that is now highly sensitive to such?
Olmert praying with the 700 club's Pat Robertson for
Israel's victory (081006h) How about ratcheting up the current conflict into a full
blown 4 front war by including Syria, even Iran? That
may be the thinking current in the administration of our
PuntingDork in Chief (081006e) Of course it's
no surprise that Israel's
attack on Lebanon is being viewed as a war on the Arab world
by the West. (080906i) US diplomatic efforts to resolve the Lebanese/Israeli
conflict are hampered by our inexperience at "dialogue"
and
by the fact that at least two major players are not being
invited to the table (080806d) Why
do Europe and the US have differences regarding the Lebanon
Crisis or the middle east in general (080506h)
One wonders what would happen if a drone, loaded with
explosives, controlled by Hizbolla had hit a target.
I
didn't know they had that kind of stuff, but both Israel and
Iran do/did (080706a) Palestine/Israel/Lebanon Lots
of support around the world for the UN deal, troops being
offered (081206c) Is this the "big offensive"? Is this the "breaking
point"? No
one knows for sure, propaganda flies as do accusations, a
day's events Friday 08/11/06 (081106a)
and
part two (081106b) By
Saturday the Israeli forces have tripled, despite a UN
resolution (081206a) I hear Lebanon Israel
and Hizbollah have agreed to a cease fire with Monday as the
day when it takes effect, does
one dare have hope? (081206e) part
two (081206f) and
part three (081206g) It seems to be a new war in Lebanon, Hizbollah's
weaponry, while not state of the art, is effective against
Israeli armored vehicles. It is a tough go. We
shall see if Israel escalates as planned, tomorrow the UN is
supposed to have a possible deal, but frankly I don't think
it will come about (082006x) Tourists
in Jerusalem are targets? Wouldn't this be another "front"
and cause economic damage? (081006g)
Cluster
bombs being used, though denied in other news sources
(081006x) Huge
numbers of hungry and homeless flood Beirut, Tyre is cut
off, and food runs low, dark days indeed
(080906j) One wonders why Israel is choosing to bomb the
water infrastructure transporting the vital liquid from the
Litani river to thousands of acres of farm land? Are
these targets a terrorist threat?
(081006i) Some days ago it was reported that volunteers were
leaving Iran for Lebanon, well,
now some are showing up there - as casualties and
dead (080906f) Wednesday
the 9th, Israeli casualties mount, no hint of Hizbolla dead,
but then the article is short. (080906a)
This
event occurs even as Israel approves a wider ranging "more
involved" offensive and puts a new commander in charge of
the northern front. (080906c) and
part two (080906d) Who
is the new general? Is he really a "teddy bear?"
(080906e)
Israel puts the "big offensive" on hold, awaiting diplomatic
efforts (080906q) Today's
and recent events from the UN to the battlefield
(080806i) Lebanon's army is girding to take on a role
AFTER there is a settlement, so that means Hizbollah and
Israel have to stop their shenanigans, maybe
they will? (080806a) Hizbollah has drones? I
didn't know that, but the Israeli's do and so do the
Iranians and, I would guess, the Syrians. Expanded
war anyone? (080706a) A deadly strike and rejection of the UN agreement and
indications that the
war will go on for a few weeks at least no matter what
happens (080606a) and
part two (080606b) Hizbollah garners support
and the destructive swath its forces are creating is risky -
on
the one hand they will have to have something to show for
all this effort, while on the other Hizbollah simply has to
survive and play the spoiler, if nothing else.
(080506g) A slow rate of Israeli progress has observers guessing
that another month may be needed before the area south of
the Litani River is "in
hand" meanwhile the article describes the current state of
affairs. (080506b) part
two (080506c) part
three (080506d) part
four (080506e) How the goals or statements change this story alone
cites
several "goals" one wonders what the "real" military
objective is (080506f) The Greater Muddle East Iraq: Depleted
Uranium, a cause for an Iraq war vet's problems?
(081206d) A simple story of a Iraqi man who is a refugee
in Syria, simple but
it says a lot in its few paragraphs.
(080606f) When is a Civil War not a Civil War? When we say so
that's when. The problem with any acknowledgment of this is
that it is impolitic, Bushwhackoff
doesn't want to hear it, and it would spell failure for the
US armed forces. (080506j) Turkey: So, do we see Turkey becoming less interested in the West
than heretofore? Their leader tours the Arab/Islamic world
and invites those leaders to tour Turkey itself and has
condemned Israel's attack on Lebanon. This
shift bodes ill for US interests in the region, imagine our
cold war ally Turkey leaving the fold. Bush doesn't have a
clue (080906b) The
arguments for a boycott of Israel, and suggestions as to how
to do it. (080606g) Are
you ready for The Rapture? See the index for the day and
what it means, these people are serious (080906k)
And
it's not just a bunch of kooknuts either
(080906m) And
there are a bunch of voices clamoring for a WWIII that will
be a replay of WWII, where the world over hails us as the
good guys who saved the day (080906l) The Wall Street Journal seems to have its own view of
global warming, and that is that it is not happening
here
is a critique of a recent WSJ editorial on the
subject. (081106e) Regarding
the Greenland ice, this article ends with letters that talk
about another effect, the dimming of the sun primarily due
to pollution, which has a cooling effect,
overall. (081106f) A report analyzes the threat that global warming poses
for the economy based
on data from Europe (080606c) A
scientist has "an emergency plan" to deal with Global
Warming, since conservation efforts are essentially not
happening. (060860f) And
that is good news because this story talks about it already
being here (080806h) The
"Dead Zones" off the gulf coast of the US will have a
"banner year" expanding (080606e) Here
is a particular (081206b) Afghanistan has energy resources? That is the word. It
seems this "discovery" impacts the competition for pipeline
plans which impact the balance of power between Russia and
the central Asian states and with China and with the US. The
US prefers the TAP line, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan to
Pakistan, while Russia prefers the IPI, Iran, Pakistan to
India. For the US the war in Afghanistan is a deal breaker
and the other route goes through Iran, another deal breaker
for us anyway. With
Afghanistan "suddenly" being a resource it upsets many apple
carts (080606d) Here we go again: Africa, and yellow cake, and smuggling
and terrorism, but
wait, this is not Iraq, this is Iran - or so the "tale"
goes. (080806e) Lots
of people still believe Saddam had WMD's
(080806b) Could
it be that Faux News had a hand in shaping that
opinion? (080806c) Lamont versus Lieberman, there is no real difference
between them,
as far as Lebanon goes anyway (080906h)
Lamont is as in favor of war as the next Demo Hawk, his
gripe is that Iraq is slowing things up, meaning Syria and
Iran have to wait. Liberman's shows his colors, or rather his "new
supporters"
do, Neo Cons are on his side. (080706c)
Even
Newt is on his side (080706d) Speaking of
elections, Cynthia
McKinney's is interesting because her name is not appearing
on all the ballots and that's for starters
(080806f) Cynthia
gets defeated (080906g) Gangs get training in the US armed forces? Youbetcha!
(080506l) Thousands of deserters, those who will not
fight are not in the news. The military says there are not
many of them but the organizations
which help them beg to differ. (080506k) Mexican
people show how to protest a faulty election
(081006b) and
they continue (081006d)
this has economic impacts (081006c) as we've
all heard a partial recount is ordered ... we shall see what
portends Chavez is securely in power for now, despite
US preferences (081006k) Don't expect a quick
change in Cuba even if the Castro Brothers opt out of
running the show. Compared
to the rest of the Caribbean peoples they have it
good (080506i) I hear Mexico City and other areas
have had "actions" but so far no outright conflict or
clashes. The War on Terror:
Dovetailing tales: the
biggest plot since 9/11 (081106c) and
warnings to India - an uptick in attempts?
(081106d) This began with 9/11, but the victims families are not at
peace with the commission's report, they
are after the truth of the matter and are not satisfied with
what was said. Little or no coverage on this story as is
usual (081006f) England
faces a "sustained threat" (080906p) One
wonders about the "process" which led to the
decision to reduce the number and kinds of things for which
interrogators can expect consequences, why now? I mean
really (080906n) And
here are some more details regarding this
(080906o) China's
"global plan" to "deal with" Taiwan takes another step
forward.
(080706b)Some difficulties are existent with China's
efforts in Pakistan,
security issues are near the top of the list for a port
and/or energy hub in the Baluchisani region.
(080806j) Hope: Here is one persons list of what would be a foundation
for articles
of impeachment against our Liar in Chief
(081006a) Here
is the Conyers document detailing the details in detail,
careful this is a 5MB document in web form at
least. (081006 - documents file) Ordinarily I'd place this story here. It is about a "tide
of 'anti-incumbancy' in this election" It cites cases and
such like. I will state again my belief that the Repuglicans
will maintain control over congress. It is as simple as that
- oh there might be some "close calls" and "excitement" and
all the bells and whistles of a "real election" but it will,
ultimately, be meaningless. The
fix is in, war is in the air, and jackasses rule the roost.
All that said, I hope I am completely wrong.
(080806g)
The Muddle East: Post partem problems plague Palestinian pundits:
an
analysis of the near term possibilities for Israel and its
neighbors. (081806i) So the UN wants Euro troops in Lebanon, time is a-wastin'
I
wonder what the hold up is (081806a)
part
two (081806b) part
three (0811806c) part
four (081806d) France
ponies up only 200 troops so far? (081806e)
Then
there is gunfire in the area (081806f)
a
few more details here (081806g) Israel adds
that they will be "the decider" as to how the "ceasefire"
will be enforced and that the such
attacks may be repeated, Europe is hesitant
(081906a) Apparently the Lebanon thing was worked out in advance
and provocations, as if any were needed, were "set up"
Bush
wanted Israel to take on Syria, but cooler heads prevailed -
and still seem to at the moment. (081306o)
Palestine/Israel/Lebanon We
did not seem to win the hearts and minds of the Lebanese, it
seems. (081506g) Maybe
France will as they seem to be the major western power
agreeable to involvement. Lebanese troops move south
- all seems win, win (081606a) Well, perhaps I spoke
to soon. Hezbollah
balks at withdrawing and the UN notes the Israeli's aren't
making haste either,
(081606b) and who would want a second
round? The ceasefire holds in Lebanon, here is a bit of a
debrief on the
reason Israel's effort was rather less then
successful (081506a) But
the last sentence in the second part of the story speaks
volumes. (081506) Here
is a bit more on how it looks on the ground
(081506f) What
does/should "failure" mean to Israel?
(081406e) The relationship between the Lebanon campaign
and the possible campaign against Iran, the
preparations the US made with Israel to set up the war,
Rummy's Role, CondiGirl's character and bumbling Bush
(081406c) Lebanese
return to damage and trauma, but the cease fire holds
(081406b) Well, a ceasefire, what a miracle!
I harbored ideas that this would happen, figuring that
each side would hold to it for their own reasons and to make
a public display of their willingness for "giving peace a
chance." (081406a) If things don't go right after the cease fire, this
report has it that an additional 40,000 soldiers await
orders to invade Lebanon as well. Is this the hour? Would
this be cause for any overt help from Syria? Iran? One can
always hope for peace, but
given what is written below, one wonders seriously tonight
what will next week be like "over there"
(081306m) As the clock winds down on the month long war between
Israel and Hizbollah the fighting intensifies.
I don't think it will just stop when the cease fire "takes
effect" do you? (081306a) part
two (081306b)
and part three(081306c) Both sides say that
they will continue operations, the Israeli's say defensive
operations will continue, it is important to note that this
whole operation has been defined as "defensive" while
Hizbollah says they'll continue operations as long as
Israeli's occupy Lebanon and or until a cease fire takes
effect. The
Lebanese government has reservations about the plan and
problems with deploying its forces in the south, and both
sides agree to continue fighting more or
less.(081306d) Syria: Boasting
Bashir "gives it his best shot" (081506d)
though one wonders where his money was after his mouth
promised to respond to an Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The Greater Muddle East Iraq: How
crazy is it that Iraq doubles its funding for importing
various oil products? (081706a) The
insurgency is worse than ever, that's the summary of the
stat's of the matter (081606i) and
part two (081606j) But the quote that stands
out is this one "Senior administration officials have
acknowledged to me that they are considering alternatives
other than democracy" A
snapshot of a spate of gun battles in Karbala
(081506c) and
the general picture is not bright, the stats we give do not
lie, and please note the figures are meant to be
optimistic. (081506i) Of the many turning points that have been pointedly
pointed out and then ignored, when there was nothing to see,
the much touted and vaunted "security plan for Baghdad" is
supposed to be the means of establishing control of Baghdad
by the Iraqi government. A few thousand US troops have been
assigned there as have Iraqi military and police forces from
other areas. The
assessment is not promising however for there are at least
some problems at the top (081306e) What
a shortage of troops mean for the "progress of
Iraq" (081306f) Iran: The other "named Hizbollah allies" boasting
after the fact and from well out of harm's way to Israel
regarding their recent adventure
(081506e) A
review of the risks that a US attack on Iranian nuclear
facilities has for our troops in Iraq now that
Lebanon has provided some "food for thought" (081406f)
Does
Israeli failure in Lebanon make armed conflict with Iran
more likely? (081406d) The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: The US is "open" to being involved in the strife Nigeria
is dealing with vis a vis its oil output and " insurgents"
who want a bigger share of the pie for the people
(081306k) Wondering
about the BP oil pipeline shutdown, here are a few unsavory
details (081306h) But
"Pig Oil is doing just fine thank you very much
(081306i) A nice detailed 4 part article which lets you know why I
think the Repuglicans will win in November, even if nothing
else happens, like another war, a big terrorist action, an
economic upheaval, and did I say another war?
The
Repugs have been busy creating barriers to voting in the
"Sinful Six" states (081606d) part
two (081606e) part
three (081606f) and
part four (081606g) To counter balance that
grim piece, here is one saying that polls show the Damn Dems
ahead, in generic polls by double digits. I
tell you it won't happen! I'll be happy if it does, more or
less, but I won't have to worry - I'll win my
bets (081606h) Just live the article " We Don't Need No Stinkin'
Recount" it is worth the read - you'll know what the fuss is
about and
if things in Mexico "go south" why then you'll know why
(081306j) And in case you wonder why South Americans distrust and
or dislike ch all you need to is look at one of our
"staunchest allies "Alfredo
Stroessner of Paraguay. (081606k) part
two (081606l) and
part three, even more fun and games
(081606m) How
reassuring it is to know that we really cannot detect all
the various kinds of explosives that may be used to destroy
an airliner. (081306g) Don't you just hate
those nagging doubts? Those annoying instances when
things just don't seem to add up?
(081506h) Another Bushwhackoff flip flop, re: Osama, first
he is so threatening, then he isn't now he is, Donovan would
be proud of our Jackass in Chief
(081306n) The court says the eavesdropping is illegal and
that it should stop. Bush
is in a bind, if that decision stands he is guilty of many
violations (081806h)
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to
have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the
vote." - Benjamin Franklin THE AMERICAN'S CREED "I believe in the United States of America as a
Government of the people, by the people, for the people;
whose just powers are derived from the consent of the
governed; a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of
many sovereign States; a perfect Union one and inseparable;
established upon those principles of freedom, equality,
justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed
their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love
it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to
respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies." -
William Tyler Page April 13, 1918 "There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you
don't care who gets the credit." - Ronald Reagan,
president of the United States "I have a dream that my four children will one day live
in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of
their skin but by the content of their character." - Dr.
Martin Luther King
Have a Laugh 1)
Here is a site with loads of humorous animations.
They
have great fun lampooning "Team Bush" 2) How
Republicans have changed: Garrison
Keeler gives them the yuck-yuck factor, big time.
(083004b), 3) This
Modern World: Tom Tomorrow This cartoon
appears in 150 papers, 4) Get your daily
Doonesbury and And if you can stand my strains:
Sing
Along with "Songs of Bush" And as for those
quotes I've included in this newsletter? Here's
where you can find them. Special note: the links
When I started a few years ago I only passed on links
through my newsletters. Recently I began archiving the web
pages themselves as HTML files as I sent out the newsletter.
More recently I began going back through all the newsletters
and archiving those pages that those links referred to. Links that are followed by a notations such as this:
(061303) mean the link is still good and that its page is
archived. Links followed by (new link) (061303) indicate
that when I went back to find the page it referenced, I ran
into the following situations: the story had a new URL,
because it had been archived by the site which created it,
that it was found in a new place, or a parallel story had to
be found. In the former case I made a (new link); in the
latter I searched for an equivalent story with a close by
date. If there is no parenthetical reference, that means I
could not find the story but decided to keep the link up in
case someone else can find it. Stories that do not have an
original link, yet sill sport a (new link) are those which
were originally passed on, but did not have an original link
at that time. The reference number indicates one of the following; the
date that I received the original link, the date of the
story, or the date I filed it. My methodology for making the
reference numbers has changed over time. Most
usually the reference is within a week or ten days of the
original story. If a link does not work and you want a story I can
email you the web page, if you include the reference number.
Thanks so much...read on!
The Muddle East: CondiGirl spoke of "birth pangs", an interesting metaphor
from a vacant wombed ice queen, but
the region is being "reborn" it's just not what the US might
like (082306c) Palestine/Israel/Lebanon Nuclear capable submarines, Israel buys them from Germany
- the
deterrent effect for Iran (082406a) And
some in Israel think about going it alone to take out Iran's
nukes. (082406d) France decides to up the
ante, but Syria is voicing "concern" regarding any
patrolling of the Syria-Lebanon border.
One wonders, after prior blustering, if there is anything to
what they say. I'd bet most would say their bark is worse
than their bite. (082406b) Actions
in Palestine and Gaza continue (082206b)
Meanwhile
discussions continue and a "vacuum continues to exist" while
the Israeli blockade is questioned by Lebanon
(082206c) and
part two (082206d) Israeli's
fire upon Hizbullah or what they took as being such
(082106f) And
a bit of a story about Hizbullah's operations, training and
recruiting (082106k) Here is more on the Israeli raid into Lebanon;
this
article outlines the problems the raid has caused and hints
that the cease fire may not hold for long. Threats are being
issued and, well, a bit of chaos is afoot.
(081906g) And
here is the perspective of the man on the street, of the
village as it were (082006b) Another story
details how the "story
line" from Israel "evolved" to what it became and the "real"
purpose of the raid, or - uh - defensive maneuver
(082106l) Still
though things are proceeding proceeding nicely the Lebanese
army is proceeding south, stern warnings are being issued
and that raid (082006b) There
are signs of sectarian stress appearing.
(082006c) Syria: Is Syria serious about fomenting resistance to UN troops
on the Lebanese border with them? We
shall see if this is a spoiler's move or it there are some
teeth to it. (082506e) The Greater Muddle East Iraq: A new battle for Baghdad is on, as usual there's good and
bad news but
at least it IS MIXED! (082306d) The evidence of poor planning just keep on coming,
now
we have "involuntary" call ups for marines, sweet
(082206j) Why
we can't seem to "nail down" Iraq with the "Ink Blot"
strategy, the sweep strategy, the play all sides against
each other strategy and whatever else (082106i)
Speculation
on the "spill over effect" of an Iraqi civil war
(082106j) For
Baghdad the river is the line separating "one side from the
other" (082006h) and
a bit more if you can stomach it
(082006i) Iran: Headlines given for Iran's latest step on the nuclear
development route comes days before possible UN action.
The
first page says it all (082606) Jackass Repuglicans have a field day with their fantasy
world where reality,
of course, doesn't matter as much as rhetoric regarding
Iran's nukes (082506c) But here is a more
detailed assessment, indicating that they could produce HEU
in a relatively short period - there
are more than one way to do this,
apparently.(082506d) The Brits have it that US policy in the greater middle
east has benefited Iran. Nothing
new in that, but a reminder that, ironically, comes from an
ally of ours (082306b) And just how are we
doing with negotiations with Iran regarding its nukes?
Well,
if you know that we don't want them to succeed on anything
but our own terms, then they are going quite well, thank
you. (082306f) And
here is a review of the options that each side in the
equation could resort to (082306g) I would think that today's rejection of the west's offers
marks the start of a countdown sequence - to sanctions? to
some kind of "action" Who
knows, but don't bet on anything happening before the
November elections in the US - unless it is something that
Iran would be blamed for (082206i) Iranians seize a Romanian oil rig in the gulf - one
wonders about the timing of this event relative to "other
discussions" taking place (082204d) Set the
stage for confrontation Iran's leader and lesser officials
say they
will continue atomic programs in order to "continue its path
powerfully ... and it will receive the sweet fruits of its
efforts," (082106b) part
two (082106c) part
three (082106d) The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: A resurgent Taliban adapts it's approach to manage
expansion, poppy
production is OK, this garners support as NATO is against
such things, Kandahar is now a "changed city" the allies
have problems (082206k) Somalia: Dangerous times the article warns and explains how US
presidential leadership of the first magnitude has been
lacking
and what that lack has cost or threatens to cost - our
Vacationer in Chief is going for the long ...
putt (082406x) Demographics of the "walking dead" several nations suffer
from a population decline either actual or projected. Russia
and Europe have this problem as does Iran. The US need not
worry for the moment. But this dynamic plays into the "field
day" which
may come about when the US and Iran begin to close with
knives drawn and intent. (082106x) Ecological
damage from pollution's acid rain effects large portions of
China (082606d) Exceptional
typhoons make 15 million Chinese homeless. Such
events are a known "side effect" of global warming, but here
is another thought will anyone compare how they handle their
disaster and rebuild with what we've done with Katrina?
(082506a) Maybe that would count as two storm
seasons? Another hint of global warming, this time in Euro - Land
where algae
and jelly fish close fun in the sun beaches have been
closed, just the first page (082106e) Climate change, this article asserts, of even 3 degrees
can be catastrophic. In the light of that statement it is
interesting to note that the US has had a warming trend
yielding just
that amount and a bit more, 3.5 degrees during the last
three months.(081906e) One effect beginning
to be felt is the changing
precipitation , rainfall, patterns which our "breadbasket"
is beginning to feel (082206h) part
two (082206f) and
part three (082206g) That old movie "North to Alaska" had a theme song which
mentioned "the rush is on..." They were talking about gold,
now it's oil. The
arctic may hold 25% of the reserves, well, the neighborhood
is being carved up - let's hope they play nice.
(082106n) It's been mentioned before but water wars may also be a
part of our future unless measures are taken now. Given the
"robust" response to the global problems of hunger and
warming I doubt that the global community will be "up to"
making
a conscientious and proactive plan for ameliorating the
problem which could be come a crisis. (081906b)
A
few other facts on the matter (081906c)
A
sampler from Tibet and China (081906d) This is what I like this article talks about how the
intel community is fixing up the "practices"
which
led to the "poor estimate" of Iraq's capabilities. When it
was the administration which made the "estimate" what it
was. Simply wonderful. (082406c) The rest is
just so much crap, but that was priceless. I wonder if this would count as on of the biggest
flip-flops in US history? The
Dunghead - in - Chef's administration is calling for swifter
UN action. I thought Bonehead Bolted On thought the UN was
useless, (08`2106g) and dorkdaddy had no use
for them, waaasssuwiddatdaddyOh? Voting system problems exist in Ohio, I know I am
surprised, but this study is exacting and
indicates problems through the system, even the paper
ballots. (082606c) What does it mean when an "accident" removes a branch of
science from research funding.evolution
takes a hit, even if temporary. (082406e)
What does a successful African American candidate look
like, at least in potential? Meet
Mr. Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee
(082306e) Lieberman the Repuglicans kind of Democrap, Reagan the
"Cut and Run Kid", ABA has it that our Dorkwad
in Chief has violated Constitutional design and intent with
his use of signing statements - a nice assortment of article
summaries. (081906h) Venezuela says US diplomats were bringing in "supplies
for the Venezuelan military" What??? I
know exactly my point. (082406i) Airlines
an easy target? (082306a) Imagine,
after reading this article, how terrorists could wreak
economic havoc by duplicating some or all of these
events (082606b) We
are the only country that lets its enemy know when we are
relaxing our guard and where our vitals are,
really. (082206a) Just one page on this one.
A bomb goes off in a Moscow market killing 10. If
this is a start of a trend there is "trouble in River City"
Time will tell (082106a) In
Vietnam US military officials knew about serious prisoner
abuse but when milder versions were reported by
whistleblowers, well, "kill the messenger" was the word
(082006d) The more things stay the same the
more they don't change, aint that just life? And
we can go back to W.W.II where "unique" interrogation
methods were used (082006e) part
two (082006f) and
part three (082006g) Four reasons why the US will have a very
difficult time winning the War on Terror.
(081906f) Looks
like Cheney is calling Reagan a "Cut and Run Democrap" of
all things (081906i) A rumor of a first nuclear test in North Korea?
Military exercises combining US and South Korean forces?
Sounds
like a tea party to me (082106h) It may not be a first, but it sure seems that way, China
engaging in military exercises with one of the "stans"
I
tell you the "china hand" is something our Jerkwad in Chief
has ignored and one more thing on the long list of errors he
is guilty of (082606e) Maoists in India? That is the word and it is news to me.
One would have thought the word would have "gotten out" of
India before now. But with Naxalites operating in nearly
half the country, I
guess it's about time to call in the military hire some
radical gunmen and put the peasants between a rock and a
hard place. (082106p) Air conditioning a practice that exacerbates global
warming, but
it does not have to be that way. (082406f)
Tentative stirrings of "Global
Warming" protests so far so little, but it IS something of a
start (082406g)
08/12//06
08/19//06
A quotes from : http://words-of-power.blogspot.com/
(021906m)
To the Reader: If you
want to be taken off this mailing list let me know. If you
want links to the archive of older newsletters:
Topple
Bush.
08/27//06
09/02//06 The Muddle East: Cultural factors, similarly lead the US and Islamic
nations to avoid resolving issues that "pay them" dividends.
If
the fire continues in the middle east so much the
better. (090206c) Iran, Hezbollah, Al Qaida,
Jihadi's, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine - how Iran has
benefited and becomes, more and more, a
center point of the resistance to US moves in the
region. (082906j) And
then there is Russia's hand in the region
(082906m) Palestine/Israel/Lebanon Gaza,
forgotten but still being starved, attacked and strangled
(083006h) Here it is argued that Hezbollah's
"victory" signals a new relationship between Israel and its
neighbors and presents interesting arguments,
but
I say they won't change a wit. I am a decided pessimist and
will only be happy when I am PROVEN wrong.
(083106b) Syria: The
headline has it that Syria is going to cooperate with an
arms embargo regarding Hezbollah, (090106a) but
reading the story one sees that Syria is agreeing to settle
and patrol the border with Lebanese forces and that UN
forces on the border are not in the cards. Iraq: A gloomy report is delivered by the US military to the US
government, if
this is what they are willing to admit, I wonder what is
hidden (090106e) And
Kurdistan lowers the Iraqi flag to raise its own
(090106f) And
Kurdistan is the place of refuge for Iraqis who cannot flee
elsewhere (090106g) If
militia on militia incidents do not spell civil war, a
definition once touted, that what does? (083006e)
As far as the US election goes Democraps are being
called appeasers if they oppose what passes for US policy in
Iraq, when
history has the architects of this disaster appeaser in the
first class and their actions led to the current shit bath
that is our operations in Iraq (083106x) Insurgents/Rebels claim victory over the English in their
sector. English
commitment is in flux, perhaps and history haunts them in
Iraq (082906) A
spike in violence? A city is " lost" to the Mahdi
Army (082906f) At some point, something will
have to give, just what that will be or when it will happen
is a matter of conjecture - time
is of the essence. Carnage continues in Iraq - what a mess
(082806c) From the figures about 100 people are killed daily and
that most of this bloodshed is sectarian. If
such activity does not meet some "text book" definition of
civil war; it certainly is just as deadly, just as extensive
and still out of control. (082706k) Turkey: The
Iran mess begins to spill over into this country;
(090206f) it seems the rebels are learning a thing or
two from the Iraqi resistance and Hezbollah Iran: Odd thing is Khatami, Iran's last president, coming to
visit the US but not so odd is the right wing hullabaloo
that this prospect has engendered. The
Neo Cons area "all over it, like a fat cop on a jelly
doughnut. (090106b) Following that we have an
interview with a
leading Iranian dissident, telling us that a war with Iran
or other harsh measures will only slow the process of
democratization in that country (090106c) Somewhat unexpected is the news that our staunchest ally
in Asia, Japan,
may have been exporting items useful to Iran and its nuclear
program, one wonders what will come of this
(083806e) Hoekstra the Hoaxer, claims that Iraq did have
WMD's, and that we've got to get the intel right on the
"Iran thing" as it were. They
guy is whacked and twisted, but he also can hold up his head
in congress, when they aren't laughing at him, and publish a
report insisting that Iran is a threat
(082706l) The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: Bumper crops make news, unfortunately the crop is used to
produce more heroin than the world usually consumes;
I
wonder if the cost will drop? (090206a) The
mostly uncovered war continues to devolve, albeit slowly
and
here are three reasons why (082906e) Then,
there is this, Pakistan
makes nice with the "tribals" and they, in turn, having
nothing better to do, go over the Durant Line to give the US
and its allies grief in Afghanistan. (090206e)
Here is more on that; the key in this article is the
agreement is described as saying, in essence:
you
leave government forces alone and they'll leave you
alone. (090206g) Pakistan: The opposition parties enact a strategic reorganization,
similar to that of Hezbollah, as the US and its allies plot
and plan. The
stage is set for a renewal of bloodshed on a larger scale.
(090206b) This is the country to watch, I
could be wrong, but my feeling is that it is, for it is
the
most unstable nuclear power, which would have a radical
anit-west leadership were democracy to take hold.
(082706n) Well, we've something besides the Bird Flu to worry
about, a
particularly virulent form of Tuberculosis in South
Africa. (090106d) A report on the drought in the Midwest region of the US.
Some say it is a once in 50 year sort of thing that hearkens
back to the "dust bowl days" of the depression era.
This
article does not emphasize any possibility of weather
changes related to global warming (082906i)
and
page two (082906j) Bird flu has been developing new strains. There is
the
concern that a truly human borne and bred strain will
develop. (082706i) The media will do the administration's hatchet job,
tarring
those questioning the failed Iraq "policy" as supporters of
terrorism, (083006g) as they "innocently"
quote Rummydummy et al What's in a name? Everything it seems. The latest
buzzword inside the beltway is "Islamofacism"
it is the workhorse used to drub any who oppose the failed
policies of that self styled jackass on crack, our own
President Derelict, the "Chimp - in - Chief" Bushwhackoff
himself. (090206x) Greg Palast scores another direct hit on the
Jackass-ocracy we seem to be running under. A
New Orleans man got threats when he blew the whistle on New
Orleans poor plans and the company that was "in charge" of
planning. (082806d) Gore speaks out on media concentration and "tighter
political and economic control of the media " is
a major problem in the US, notice that he is speaking in
Scotland. (082806b) "Fool me once shame on me, fool me twice shame on you"
Bush bungled that quote some time ago, but the press seems
not to have learned the lesson. Is
the US press again going to be the cheerleaders for another
war, this time with Iran? (082706a) As
Katrina has its first anniversary we
find waste and fraud sticking to our Dungheap - in Chief but
no one pays attention (082706b) And
for those who want to see a Katrina timeline here it is
(082706c) Then there is the Plame investigation, with things
getting quiet and suspicion that Rove
may be "helping" with testimony regarding VP Cheney - we
shall see, or will we? (082706h) FAIR's home page has a set of stories which illuminate
that which is wrong with US media, not that it will change
soon (082706j) Now, introducing the "Capitalism Industrial Complex"
already in health
care and FEMA promising much less for much more
(082906b) To
see how well things have been handled, look at the
statistics (072906c) and
a bit of local color (082906d) Voting
machines can be "fixed", errors happen, also cheating
happens. (082706e) and a way to fix them, for
good! And
here is a sample of the kind of problem faced
(082706f) Nicaragua
has an election coming, but we don't want Daniel Ortega to
win it. (090106j) Venezuela's Chavez talks nice nice with Syria's Boastful
Bashar, another
challenging chat for the US to news to "report"
(0829066s) Racism in Mexico, the elite, the people who are the color
of the earth, the
election, protests and potential for discomfiture, at least
(090106h) and
Obrador "won't go away - calling for a parallel
government (090106i) Mexico deploys tanks to protect its congressional
building from protesters. The
first scuffle has been had (082706d)
Huge
rally's in support of a full recount (082706g)
The
"decision is made" everything is fine but Obrador uses the
word "revolution" in his response to the ruling.
(082906h) "They've come a long way baby" that is the old
song, sort of. In China a
form of decadence the communists certainly wouldn't have
allowed under "the Chairman." (083006b) It must be a slow news day, I have had a chance to take a
glance at this continent, the
word "dire" is in the headline. (083006a) This
story has lots of background and has been vastly under
reported, I think. Well hush my mouth, but the "dark
continent" has suitors, or at least interested parties,
will
it be the next play pen? (083006c) And
part two (083006d) The news keeps percolating up that the Democraps have an
advantage going into this election. I have bets out that the
Repuglicans will hold on, and, even, gain a bit here or
there. The reason is simple, they will cheat, the machines
are loaded. Then, there is the one quote in the story that
says the Democraps
should make it, unless " some big national or international
event before the election can change that." Holy Hannah, is
the cat out of the damned bag? (082806a) Here
is a more recent story detailing how Repuglicans
are "weakening" their ties to the Chump m Chief and Iraq
policy, but not quite saying what else is
possible (082906g) Resistance comes from the court system, or rather those
parts that still seem to work
well enough to challenge Bush, one directly accuses him of
what might be called "high crimes" (082706m)
Bush
and the request for information (083006i)
The Muddle East: Israel/Lebanon/Paliestine/Gaza Gaza's condition worsens. No one helps them
out. Starvation
and widespread death are threatening (090806h)
Hexbollah wastes no time being innovative in treating the
aftermath of destruction
as a product of US and Israeli aggression - and there are
lots of takers for that perspective.
(090306f) Israel has had an object lesson with its Lebanon
misadventure, and so
its priorities and perspective have refocused on Syria and
Iran (090306e) Iraq: So, a report that purports to compare Bushwhackoff's
public statements during the "run up" to the Iraq war with
the intel available at the time is to come out, - after
the November elections ... how convenient
(090706h) Disturbing details in the recent Pentagon report. The
interesting items is that the Iraqi army is set up so that
commanders and those they command are of the same sect.
On
the one hand it makes sense on the other what better way to
build sectarian armies. (090796f) Sistani is getting frustrated as he is being ignored, he
wants a US withdrawal time table, for the Iraqi government
to provide security. I
wonder what will happen (090606e) Everyone
remembers the "Domino Theory" used to shore up support for
the Vietnam War, well
it's baaaaaaaaaaak for a reprise in Iraq
(090506f) Just for the record here is yet another "turning point"
because
headlines scream Al Qaida been dealt a death blow
(090306d) and then there is the story of
the
progress that wasn't made during the Battle of Baghdad
(090806i) Kurds use the "secession" word, defending their use of
their own flag on their own ground. Maybe
it is a mountain being made of a molehill but the mountain
is "a building" and who's to say what will happen if they
"keep on keepin' on" (090306a) Turkey: The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: This article reports that the Taliban are advancing along
a wide front and "hold" half the country.
It must be that NATO forces just don't "have it" unlike
the US forces which do. (090706i) And here is
a bit of expansion on that, my
favorite part is where Pakistan complains that Afghanistan
doesn't secure its borders (090806g) The NATO commander wants to boost troop levels currently
at a total of 20,000. We are told this is going to be a
turning point, but that the did not expect the "struggle"
would be so difficult. Will
this be another illusive period where a decision is made?
(090706a) We goofed up in this place, they
manner in which we did so was simple and the
blame
needs to be placed on Bushwhackoff, not that he'll accept
the blame or do anything about it.
(090506g) Sudan: The crisis continues, it just doesn't get news coverage
except
when a western reporter is rescued (090806b)
The
invasion is not covered, nor is indiscriminate bombing,
pillaging and rape. (090806a) And
the UN has a chance to do something here
(090806c) But
China is playing its hand here too (090806c)
Oil
is part of the reason China protects Sudan through the UN
security council (090806d) part
two (090806e) and
part three (090806f) Pakistan: Still a key to many ongoing situations, those of Kashmir,
Afghanistan, the War on Terror all
while its home grown problems in Baluchostan continue. An
interesting mix, volatile and everyone is waiting to see
(090606d) The
"deal" Islamabad made with those who run Waziristan is given
some illumination here (090906c) A new strain of TB? Identified in South Africa has killed
52 of the 53 persons infected with it.
Oh, and it is "very resistant to treatment"
(090706b) What
global warming looks like up close and personal in Greenland
(090506e) where the growing season has
extended and there is talk of bringing in cattle and
cabbages! The next wave is coming online: That is this: forget
about halting Global Warming, it's time to adapt to it!
That
is the new word anyway (090506c) Drought
in Australia is serious enough that most people are aware of
it, (090506a) Global Warming is not mentioned
in the article however one wonders about that
Drought
conditions in Texas are more than inconvenient
(090306g) Here
are some details on the "cattle industry"
(090306h) CondiGirl
to the rescue, she takes the cake, yes she does
(090506f) just when you thought no one could
be more dumbfoundedly dumb than Dumbsfelt or more bumbling
than Bushwhackoff, Bin
Laden to the rescue, another tape and "just in time
too" (090806j) Canada, they think the whole WOT/911 thing is
our stupidity coming back to bite us in the ass
(090706d) Also
they harbor doubts about how the Afghan campaign is being
run. (090706e) Probably someone is saying "oops" with a capital OOPS.
High ranking Pakistani military official has stated that
Osama Bin Laden would be welcome in Pakistan and not subject
to arrest as long as he behaved himself. This
from our "staunch ally in the war on terror" other Pakistan
officials have tried to say it wasn't so but the general was
quite clear about it. (090606c) Here are two stories, the first shows we were lied to
about secret
interrogation sites overseas (090606a) and
from the second we
see that we no longer are allowed to do things we said we
were not doing (090606b) The
overview of the Bushwhackoff speech: more misdirection's,
lies for want of a better term, and, of course he serves
himself (090706c) Dumbsfelt is busy trying to stuff the other foot in his
mouth read the interpretation of his recent speech
conflating those resisting a dysfunctional beast of a
Jacassocracy and its failed war in Iraq with those who
appeased Hitler. When
he himself shook hands with, well, who he himself has called
"Hitler" (090406c) Greg Palast's Labor Day column is worth a read: Today's
Pig IS tomorrow's bacon (090406b) Voting problems persist, that's one reason I think
congress won't change hands in November, here
are 11 places that are harder to vote in
(090306c) and
get set for the " ... most negative midterm elections in
memory ... " (090406a) Here
are some samples of what will be the "debate points" so
called (090706g) Chavez
still manages to get in the US news and with China yet
already! (090506b) Amazing, does our Jackass
in Chef have any "countermeasures" to offer? Norway invests in its people and has developed a
"consciousness" concerning its portfolio, something
other nations might consider (090506d) Stories continue to tout an upcoming Democrap win. I
simply don't believe it. Yes
there may be polls and Repuglicans who say they are worried.
But there are two more months to go. (090306b)
I've bets out on this one folks and I'll happily pay off
if congress, the house and senate, change hands, but I doubt
it - I surely dee do.
England: Blair and the Brits, Blair own supporters give him the
boot, in a manner of speaking while the British
forces in Afghanistan realize they've been had, by the US,
the resurgent Taliban and ordinary farmers
(091506f) Could it help to have the Pope say things like: "Show
me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you
will find things only evil and
inhuman."(091506i) The Muddle East: Israel/Lebanon/Palestine/Gaza I hear that Lebanese are allowed to go fishing and ports
have opened. It seems everyone is talking. Yet
the war continues to take its toll with the litter of live
ammo (091306e) Israel
lets Palestinian leaders go (091306f)
and
the "new" Palestinian government may cause a rift between
the US and Europe, I said may (091306g) Iraq: In case you have given up on watching infotainment which
is disguised as news these days, you wouldn't be aware of
how
silly our Chimp in Chief sounds or, Dickless Chainey for
that matter (091405c) Ok children time to check the teacher's math: Iraq
produces about 1.7
million barrels a day. (091206m) Multiply
that by the current price of oil: 70 dollars a barrel as of
9/12/06. That's about 120,000,000 a day - now multiply that
by 365 and you get ...43,800,,000,000 hardly enough to write
home about is it? Doesn't exactly pay for the war does it?
But then who cares the money is being made back home with
friendly industries who donate to causes, believe the right
way and no one is the wiser. Have we lost Anbar province in Iraq? I
guess it depends on what you mean by "lost"
(091206a) part
two (091206b) part
three (091206c) And for the connoisseurs I have
the grim pdf. (091206j) So what would happen if the Iraqi government decided to
split up the country, that is what is being discussed in
Baghdad. If each part goes their own way - maybe we get some
peace? Maybe
we get some more chaos? (091106i) Turkey: The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: The lost cause. US troops are drawing down while NATO
forces replace them the
assessment of the field is not optimistic and the errors
that caused this failure are not being addressed - how
wunnerful (091506g) How
the allied "win" in the first phase of the War on Terror
failed (091106a) because
they did not plan for the contingency of their plan not
working (091106b) Wouldn't it be nice if we
had some military news that was good? Here
is a British officer who has quit because the "war plan" is
all screwed up (091106j) A
good man is killed, putting another province at risk - our
list of allies grow thin (091106k) Iran: Seems like we have something of a reprise in the prewar
US behavior with Iraq being played out again with Iran,
the
IAEA protests distortions and errors in a US report using
data from the IAEA (091406a) Somalia: The
war here continues with success being granted
"Islamists" (091306c) Yemen: Kidnapping of foreigners happens here. If this has
nothing to do with "the west" and its wars, it
may be an object lesson to those who might consider this
another weapon. (091006a) Another data point for the loss of ice cover in the
Arctic. The figures seem to be convincing to those that
know, but the real effects, those on ocean currents, food
supply, weather patterns and migrations are yet to be
problematical - but
then its only a matter of time (091306d)
This
similar article has a few more details
(091406g) A decline in the number of Aspen
trees in the US.
No one knows why but they are trying to find out why the
roots are dying. (091306a) First that prickly ol' Powell commissions a study but
when
it uncovered uncomfortable facts he tried a cover up
(091506h) The crisis in Darfur is about to get worse, many are
speaking out while
our Jackass - in - Chief sits there with his thumbs up his
ass (091506a) and
here are the ten vital mistakes George W. Dickhead has made
(091506b) The "Plaming idiots" do it again, say one thing only
to have the truth of the matter yank up their shorts for a
burning wedgies (091406) You know with all the crap going on one wonders what ever
happened to the "Anthrax
Attack Investigation"? (091106f) and here is
an example of just how the media fails us, miserably
- here's old Dick "short link" Cheney pulling a real slow
long one over on Tim Russert (091106h) ABC's "Path to 9/11" a self inflicted wound that
burns ABC's reputation, so called (091106c)
as
the falsehoods included seem to be numbing in numbers
(091106d) and
here is more on that (091106e) CondiGirl said failed states are a threat, so what will
she say when she learns that there are more of them today
than three years ago? Is
that progress or what? (091506e) Osama on the move again, Al Qaida reorganized, with safe
havens and Mr. Laden's health improved, speculation
is that the recent attack in Syria on a US embassy could be
the opening shot in a new surge of actions.
(091406b) And
the Big Dick's flip flop on the whole "war on terror focus
thing" Bin Laden is not or is a main focus of the WOT?
(091306e) Does anyone even have a clue about Mr. Bin Laden?
No,
it seems we are clueless (091106g) So
here is the "enemy" plan, what they began with, how they
began, their misadventures along the way and what they see
as the stages of their development
(091206f) The
war against Al Qaida five years on a short article in which
Al Qaida's fine goals are evaluated. (091006e)
Another viewpoint has it that, five years on, the
world has changed and the list of "winners" and "losers"
each hold surpises (091006f) As in prior note made here, China is making headway in
Africa, Says Obama: "One
of the striking things about traveling through Africa is
everybody says that the United States' absence is as
noticeable and prominent as the Chinese's
presence." (091306h) Debating the "Rule of Law"? That is what it comes to in
the upcoming weeks. Will
Pretzel Dick-in-Chief get his fart mouthed way? We shall
see (091506c) Oddly
enough it is Repuglicans who are leading at least some
resistance to the Big Dick, but some Democraps are in on it
too (091506d) Well, we do have a military but it is having a hard
time doing the job Mr. Dickless "I have a boil on my butt"
Cheney always talks about (091406d) So anyone can
get in and they do! Last April there was an assessment
done of the war effort. I found the article and include it
now because of all the nice factoids it contains. Also the
prediction that the military will have "serious" problems in
six to nine months. Well,
we are still "hanging fire" but the article is a worthy
read. (091306b) Mixing politics, 9d the Iraq War all together, the
Dumbell in Chief speaks to the US. (091206d)
Secret
Armies and false flags (091206e) The
price of oil and therefore gasoline is dropping, just in
time for the "Fall Funnies"
(091406f)This
is the first "noteworthy" commercial out of the "box" so to
speak supporting the Republicraps. (091206k) And
this is one of their "men" (091206l).
Nuclear Proliferation: Shouldn't that still be a
"top concern" for the US? Then
why is a US Russian agreement set to expire?
(091906l) and
is North Korea planning to build even more weapons?
(092306i) The Pope's comment what it was, what it means and
why it was as important as it was, no
matter that he finally relented and expressed "regret" or
that more is being asked for by the Muslim world
(091806h)
Is this a Neo-Con kind of pope? What is the poop on the
pope? (092006e) Darfur: get a load of the person that our humphead -
in - chief has sent, Andrew
Natsios (091906c), a person who makes
"shockingly
racist remarks" (091906c)
Meanwhile the African force has decided to remain while the
UN or NATO discuss helping (092106a) The Muddle East: Israel/Lebanon/Palestine/Gaza Hezbollah holds a giant rally their leader appears and
claims
to have 20,000 rockets (092306j) Which
makes Israel worry that they and the Palestinians may be
"getting it together" as they used to say
(092306k) The headline is not misleading, but then it is, Abbas
promises to form a unity government that will recognize
Israel and renounce violence, only Hamas has not agreed to
that yet.
So why the headline? (092106d) So China becomes more of a presence in Lebanon's peace
keeping force aid
also flows. (091806a) Hezbollah,
meanwhile plans a rally, a big rally
(092106b) The border between Lebanon and Syria, is an interesting
place, slowly Lebanon's military is taking control. Syria
wants no UN troops on that line and Hezbollah is growling
about such a possibility and yet bragging that they have
enough weapons. Israel makes what might be the usual
threats, but news has it that things are calm, for the most
part - and negotiations are underway for the captured
Israeli soldiers. Only
time will tell if optimism plays out
optimistically (091706f) Iraq: Why the Iraqi government does not work all that well
an
effect which exists from the top on down
(092006a) Record
number of civilian deaths in Iraq
(092106c) Meanwhile over in the US we have the schizophrenia:
Saddam working with Al Qaida or not, depends on which
part of our government you listen to. Here
is one side (092006c)
and here is another (092006d) Some more details about how the US selected candidates
for work with the CPA: they had to pass this test: Did
you vote for Bush? Simple huh? (091906f) To get an idea of what it takes to "report" from Iraq,
read the requirements, first, of course is lots
of money, for hired guns, armored cars blast
walls (091806d) Sectarian
violence now accounts for the largest share of the killings,
or so it seems (091806e) US
casualties down in Baghdad, mainly because Iraqi's are
fighting each other (091806f) Why
people are left to die on Baghdad's streets
(092006b) Iraqi forces are standing up, but reading this article
indicates that a few years may pass before we can truly
stand down, time
will tell if this is really what is happening or just
another "happy talk" news blurb (091806b)
Hey, the "Whacker - in - Chief has decided to get some other
opinions and James Baker is the one to find them along with
a crew - but we won't hear much until after the elections,
how sweet. No
use reminding anyone that there is a war going on
(091706i) Here is another reason why things in Iraq went to hell in
a hand basket so damned fast. Could it have been the manner
in which persons for were hired for positions within the
Coalition Provisional Authority? Experienced
nation builders need not apply, nor Arabic speakers for that
matter but if you overturned the Florida recount you were
"in like Flynn" (091706h) More talk, discussion and debate about partitioning Iraq
- it has so many advantages, first it allows US forces to
leave without really leaving ... at
least that what it sounds like to me (091606g)
and
the battle for Baghdad continues
(091606i) Turkey: The Greater Islamic regions: Afghanistan: A listing of the unpleasant facts regarding the
"progress" in this country, which
is to say the losses and reverses (091906h)
The
stats are in, Afghanistan is a "serious conflict" and as
dangerous or more so than Iraq for some
(091906i) Iran: Still the slow dance at the UN, not that I believe they
will "do" anything before the
US makes up its mind to "handle the situation" its own
way (091906k) And
here is some background on the US Iran
relationship (092106g) This tracks back to
the Iran - Contra scandal, and our Dorkwad - in - Chief's
dad Dumbell. So guess who can stop the "run up to the war
with Iran? I don't
think you want the answer (092106h) Some one who has reason to know says we are already
engaged militarily with Iran and have naval units alerted
for deployment. There
is not much in print but this link has a video
clip (091906a) So
here is the transcript (091906b) Meanwhile
DorkBoy Bush
makes monkey faces at the UN - won't someone throw him a
banana? (091906e) Pakistan: Flip-Flop on Bushwhackoff, will we "go into Pakistan to
get OBL or not, a
simple question with two answers: yes and no
(092106f) Here is more on that and the
now shaky relationship between the US and Pakistan, I have
said that this is the nation to keep an eye on perhaps now
more than ever as plans for Iran are being
drawn and or implemented (092206a) Taking a good deep cut at the EPA budget to "streamline"
it sounds good, but these days can
we trust our government to have our best interests at heart?
I mean really? (091606e) More evidence that the media in this country is F - - - -
- d up? You
betcha, right here (091906g) Look at this crap! John "the farting mouth, fly up his
father's ass, knucklehead Yoo, lays out pro "Dorkwad - in -
Chief" arguments, you
have to read them to believe them
(091706j) The last time a nations nuclear ability was suspected
there wasn't this much of a brouhaha, that was Iraq, this is
Iran - the point is who knows the truth of the matter, the
point is who cares and has the ability to sway our congress
-
is anyone betting on the UN, IAEA, scientists and a
handful of democraps? Thought so.
(091606f) Just
how many are in our "terrorist prison system"?
(091706c) part
two (091706d)
and part three (091706e) And then there is
the "revolt of Repuglicans" against a horrible antiterrorism
bill the president is backing,
the revolters want only a slightly less obnoxious bill
however and so it is a loose loose situation as far as how
the US will be viewed for passing either.
(091806c) And then a "compromise" is reached, which gets
headlines, only it's not a compromise, the
"resisters" cave completely and go for the Humphead - in -
Chief's idiocy (092106e) It seems that the border fence is on its way to becoming
reality - it is this nations attempt at building a security
wall. As
I have said before walls do not work; they fail
(091606h) Here are a set of stories
that bear on current issues ranging from Russian
oil, its navy and South America's activist
leader. (092306l) Venezuela and Bolivia, two stories make the news, first
Venezuela
builds military bases in a part of Bolivia that is "restive"
(092006f) and then we hear that the
deadline for Bolivia to nationalize gas and oil is nigh on
to happening (092006g) A brief on the "new region" that Central and South
America have become, no longer is the US the "center" of
their world, in
fact they are mostly going their own way
(091806g) An "alternative" government is to be formed by Obrador.
Is this another step toward a chaotic Mexico? I
don't expect things to spiral out of control however even
though, to me, it is "terra incognito". (091706a)
But
then Obrador gets some support from Venezuela
(091706b) The
alternate swearing in will take place days before the other
one (092306a) An article in seven sections regarding the
upcoming election and voting fraud: (092306b)
part
two (092306c) part
three (092306d) part
four (092306e) part
five (092306f) part
six (092306g) part
seven (092306h) Another story purporting a trend for the Democraps. I'll
say it again, I am a pessimist. The bastards in power now
will not release it and so the election will change little
if anything and the
Repuglicans will remain in control.
(091906j) What's this I hear, trouble at the polls? During an
election? In the United States? No!
Say it ain't so! It seems to be however
(091706g)The interesting statistic in the article is the
idea that up to 80% of voters will be using electronic
voting machines. This story purports to show that the Bush/Rove methods
and means may not be "working" anymore. For this reason it
is implied that there is hope. One wonders. If B and W are
finding it hart slogging might they not then up the
ante?
Might not their puppeteers yank their chain, uh strings,
to let even more shit hit the fan? As if we need more, but
there IS more out there - in spades!
(091606j)
A quotes from : http://words-of-power.blogspot.com/
(021906m) "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to
have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the
vote." - Benjamin Franklin THE AMERICAN'S CREED "I believe in the United States of America as a
Government of the people, by the people, for the people;
whose just powers are derived from the consent of the
governed; a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of
many sovereign States; a perfect Union one and inseparable;
established upon those principles of freedom, equality,
justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed
their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love
it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to
respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies." -
William Tyler Page April 13, 1918 "There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you
don't care who gets the credit." - Ronald Reagan,
president of the United States "I have a dream that my four children will one day live
in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of
their skin but by the content of their character." - Dr.
Martin Luther King
Have a Laugh 1)
Here is a site with loads of humorous animations.
They
have great fun lampooning "Team Bush" 2) How
Republicans have changed: Garrison
Keeler gives them the yuck-yuck factor, big time.
(083004b), 3) This
Modern World: Tom Tomorrow This cartoon
appears in 150 papers, 4) Get your daily
Doonesbury and And if you can stand my strains:
Sing
Along with "Songs of Bush" And as for those
quotes I've included in this newsletter? Here's
where you can find them. Special note: the links
When I started a few years ago I only passed on links
through my newsletters. Recently I began archiving the web
pages themselves as HTML files as I sent out the newsletter.
More recently I began going back through all the newsletters
and archiving those pages that those links referred to. Links that are followed by a notations such as this:
(061303) mean the link is still good and that its page is
archived. Links followed by (new link) (061303) indicate
that when I went back to find the page it referenced, I ran
into the following situations: the story had a new URL,
because it had been archived by the site which created it,
that it was found in a new place, or a parallel story had to
be found. In the former case I made a (new link); in the
latter I searched for an equivalent story with a close by
date. If there is no parenthetical reference, that means I
could not find the story but decided to keep the link up in
case someone else can find it. Stories that do not have an
original link, yet sill sport a (new link) are those which
were originally passed on, but did not have an original link
at that time. The reference number indicates one of the following; the
date that I received the original link, the date of the
story, or the date I filed it. My methodology for making the
reference numbers has changed over time. Most
usually the reference is within a week or ten days of the
original story. If a link does not work and you want a story I can
email you the web page, if you include the reference number.
Thanks so much...read on!
Maybe it is too soon for the playing of taps. That
happens after something dies. When
the November elections roll around and the Repuglicans
retain control, that will be good enough for me
(093006b) The Muddle East: Israel/Lebanon/Palestine/Gaza After nearly a million supporters rallied for Hezbollah
some
tens of thousands rallied to "a different
drummer" (092406c) Iraq: One might find it hard to believe that certain of Saddam
Hussain's laws have been resurrected, verbatim, for use in
"modern day" Iraq. These laws are being used to prosecute
reporters who report on the corruption of public
officials. See,
I told you, you wouldn't believe it.
(092906d) The Israelis started it, the US went for it and
now
Saudi Arabia wants to build a fence against Iraq, how
cool (092706a) An ex military commander of the Iraq
occupation/liberation/whatever forces lambastes
the Bush administration for what amounts to
incompetence (092606d) and
the new police academy the US was having built, will it is a
monument, but not as intended (092906c) On paper Sadr City is run by the Iraqi forces controlled
by the government, in
reality its namesake does; is this progress?
(092506a) This
may be the reason we are increasing our troop
levels (092506d) And
what its like in the rest of the city (092506f)
Meanwhile
a much ballyhooed operation in Baghdad uses Iraqi troops
that don't seem to make the grade (092506g)
and
it seems most Iraqi's want us to get the hell out and
NOW (092706f) and
they just plain don't like us and or believe us
(092706g) Iraq is "just a comma" that is what BumbleDork in
Chief has said, here
is what he may have meant to say (092706i) and
thanks Gracie Carving up Iraq, or letting factions "go their own way"
is on the back burner for
now it was to divisive (092406d) part
two (092406e) and
part three (092406f) Even the Iraqi
government is talking, nay planning,
on a means of dividing the country
(092506k) The Greater Islamic regions: Turkey: Well, the Kurds are in the way, this time
blowing
up a natural gas pipeline running between Iran and
Turkey (092906a) Afghanistan: A
ten year timeline for successful conclusion to this
conflict? (092606e) Here
is a bit more on the current "dust up" in the country and
what is "being done" (092606i) Iran: Orders must be orders. Some few weeks ago there was a
report that an aircraft carrier group was being sent to
Iran.
It was then thought that they'd be in place by now but it
seems sooner or later they will be, in a matter of weeks,
now. (093006e) If Iran goes nuclear it may be because they
studied how Israel managed it almost 40 years ago
(092706c) part
two (092706d) and
part three (092706e) Pakistan: The "blame game" gets a boost from Mr. M who runs this
country, telling Afghanistan that they can't blame the
uncontrolled border areas, where Al Qaida and the Taliban
and renown for hiding out, as an cause
for the upsurge in rebel activity in Afghanistan
(092606b) More
on the influence of China in Africa, it is becoming an
issue (092506l) and
page two (092506m) Water crisis in Australia, if they just cut "waste" then
all would be well, well? What
of that? (093006c) And
in parts of India as well (093006d) though
it's not only a shortage, it's distribution and sewage that
compound the problem. It is warmer these days, in some parts of the pacific it
is the warmest it has been in a
million years and this may effect the El Nino
(092506b) and
part two (092506c) Coral Reefs in the
Caribbean may have another difficult year because of rising
sea temperatures, though the article is quick to point out
that only
"some scientists speculate that global warming" is the cause
(092606c) Cutting PBS and NPR sounds like a great way to keep
everyone disinformed, that's just what happened - no
matter the nonsense of it all (092606a) It is remarkable that the headline in this story says one
thing,. but when you read it a
distinct and nearly opposite impression can be
gleaned (091406d) And then there is Newsweek,
the
foreign issues have a front cover "Loosing Afghanistan"
while the US edition has a title, "My life in pictures"
clearly a heavy hitting piece perhaps about the woes of fame
and fortune (092606f) Rushing
off a cliff, it seems that is what the end justice system
portends Oh well... (092806b) But
here are some juicy details about the bill in
question (092806d) Well
the bill passed and here is an nice overview of the rights
which have now been suspended. (092906b) Here
is why some vow to challenge this law (092906g)
part
two (092906h) Hearkening back to 9/11 we find that the air quality was
not "OK" and that the government was saying that it was, one
person is quoted as saying words to this effect that
the
EPA may wind up killing more persons than the terrorists
did. (092706k) Recent stories suggest that
CondiGirl had a hand in saying the air was OK. The story is
not available yet ... maybe later? And do you want a top 40?
Here
it is the top 40 reasons for doubting the "official
9/11" story (093006a) And this article talks about avoiding WWIII, but the
hitch is a republican defeat in the polls this
November
... so you know what that means ...
(092806a) Here is one of the reasons why the Democraps can't make
headway - they
can't even using the administration's own damning evidence
of failure in this war to good effect, amazing
(092506e) Extra
ordinary rendition, what it means to two men who endured it,
without cause as it turn out. (092406a)
and
the relationship of such cases to the "torture legislation"
being debated or bandied about becomes clear
(092406b) and the "compromise" on the anti-terror bill
has a section which allows the arrest of anyone who "has
engaged in hostilities or who has purposefully and
materially supported hostilities against the United States"
or its military allies" This inclusion of "supports"
makes the package vague and since such a person could be
deprived of a trial by jury or representation, well,
it
opens quite a big bag of tricks for our suckhead prezydick,
doesn't it? (092606h) Here
is an excellent take on the torture issue, now if only the
Democraps would take note of it (092706j) No,
no, stop laughing it COULD happen, well maybe ... How strained is the army? Just look at the figures.
Unusual
times breed unusual protests (092506h)
Does
fact checking matter when no none listens? Still it is fun
to poke fun at CondiGirl et al. (092606g) Another nation falls by the wayside thanks to Bush's
dumbass ways. Apparently the lead candidate in their
presidential race feels that calling Bushwhackoff the devil,
insults the devil - you see the devil is, at least,
intelligent. (092906e) And
here is more proof that our Jackass in Chief is not devil
(092906f) Now
it's the UN saying that the Iraq war has made terrorism
stronger, oh well (092706b) Don't be surprised at headlines declaring that Bin Laden
has died. He
does this every so often, usually near election time
(092506i) Diebold
just doesn't want anyone to test their machines, or hear
about anyone who has (092506j) 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.
09/09//06
09/16//06
09/23//06
"Regime Change Begins At Home"
09/23//06
To the Reader: If you
want to be taken off this mailing list let me know. If you
want links to the archive of older newsletters:
Topple
Bush.
09/30//06