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Third Quarter of 2007 July 2007 ... August 2007 ... September 2007
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07/14/07 Something of a hint of a rift between the US and England?
Like
I say a hint but if this trend broadens and strengthens our
"Dear Leader" will be responsible for the long term
consequences. (071407c) Parallel
stories the mosque in Islamabad and this camp in Lebanon. A
new wrinkle in "The Great War"? (071407d) How interested WAS the US in finding Iraqi WMDs?
Find
out the surprising answer in this three-part article from
October 2005! (070207k) Part
two,
some ironic details (070207l) Part
three, where
the "mystery man lives now a days
(070207m) The
world's number one nuclear proliferator has been "punished"
according to our "dear leader" but has he been?
(070207j) All I can say is that I WISH I was treated
to "harshly" A private army?
Blackwater has had some coverage and this article peeks at
it and illuminates the motivation of its creator another
"would be royal" with jacasstic tendencies
(070107e) A quick look at Mr. Tim Spicer, the "Mercenary
King" of Iraq. Just how DID HE get a quarter billion
dollar contract, considering his record, with the US
military? Inquiring
minds want to know (070207e) The Greater Islamic Regions: Western
Theater: Saudi Arabia ... Iraq ... Iran ...
Pakistan ... Afghanistan Afghanistan: Read this extract from the article carefully: " But
NATO has 'never killed and will never intentionally kill
innocent civilians', its secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop
Scheffer, told a conference in Macedonia on Friday. 'The
majority of civilian casualties in Afghanistan have been
caused by Taliban suicide bombs and roadside bombs"
Doesn't
it imply that a minority of deaths are caused by non Taliban
sources, ie the NATO forces? (070107d) Iraq: About
two weeks worth of observations from the Baghdad
Observer, (070407x) my favorite was the map
covered with green dots which "proved" Baghdad was
safe-loved it, really "The coalition of the billing?"
The number of "private guns" now outnumber the number of
US military operating in Iraq (070407c)
And
they take casualties, over 1000 dead and 13,000
wounded (070407d) Time
is running out in Iraq? The question is rhetorical, because
it is-(070207h) A quickly readable outline of three days in Iraq news
"events" this is sick beyond sicko, but it is the war we
are fighting and as much hell as it is, it may
be that some of the idiots running things in this country
have a point, it would only be worse if we "up and
left" (070107a) Iran: More allegations that Iran is "messing with us" in
Iraq. Not that I doubt it, but this IS something we
DID bring on ourselves, oh well,
at least we have someone to point a finger at and maybe
even bomb the shit out of (070207d) Pakistan: A battle in Islamabad, not far from the government
office is not over and, like many incidents, could
prove to be the one that sparks a bigger problem.
(070407b) Reportedly
there ARE wider implications for this battle and its
repercussions may echo wide and loud before this is
"over" (070407i) More
on the stand off in Islamabad, women and children as
shields? (070507c) Guns and bombs are set
for use. This story says "security forces" present. Last
night it was a government backed group that amounted to a
mob of thugs. Part two,
some details (070507c) Part three, what
"started it all" (070507e) A
stepped up war against militants and blowback resulting from
the assault on a mosque in Islamabad
(071407b) Asia and the Greater Islamic Eastern
Theater: India ... Russia ... China ... South East Asia ...
Korea China: China representative says many things about the
weapons it sells to Sudan-there have been "strict"
guidelines. However my favorite line is this:
"We
will do our best to prevent the weapons from finding their
way into the wrong hands and from doing the wrong
things:", (070507a) I guess ground attack
aircraft is really meant to do survey work and assault
rifles are really meant for .. uh … what? Says here that
Australia and the US are "concerned" about Chinas burgeoning
role in the Pacific. (070507b) They both see
Japan as a useful ally in this effort. I guess the immediate
again supersedes the rational or the logical. And, of
course, as always, money talks. Korea: Gee, surprise, surprise there is a "delay" in shutting
down the North Korean reactor. Did ANYONE thing THAT
would happen, No not me, no one I know speculated that they
were AGAIN yanking our chain.
I guess they figure they've some sort of upper hand, which
we gave them, let us not forget.
(070207b) Russia: I guess we can say that our "Dear Leader" has another
fish to fry, Old "pouting
Putin" talks about pulling out of another treaty. This is
another step backwards to the world we had though we'd left
off. Our Jackass in Chief scores another point.
(071407e) Part two, could
it be "internal politics being externalized?
(071407f) Part three,
some interesting details and issues
(071407g) Shades
of the old "cold war" a missile build up on the Russian EU
border? (070407a) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater:
Sudan, ... Ethiopia ... Somalia, etc.: Somalia: Fighting
continues in Somalia, chaos looms (070107b)
Other fighting, between clans goes on as well. Remember
this devolution was instigated at the behest of the US
whose client, Ethiopia, "assisted" the "government" of
Somalia to oust those who not only happened to be
restoring order but were inimical, meaning, in this
case,
a little to "Moslem" for US tastes
(070107c) Europeans
feel that the US and G. Bush are viewed as dangerous, how
wonderful, no? (070407k) Bush
rhetoric versus reality, no surprises here, unless you know
better (070202i) In case future persons want to know just
how dumb our dumbbell in chief is read his "explanation"
concerning Libby's liberation (070407e)
But
wait this article covers the "insanity" in greater detail,
unbelievable, really and truly, save for the fact that its
true (070407f) And then there is this, the
supremes decision, in
a case similar to Libby the Liar's, in which a 25 year
veteran was NOT given a break-sounds like constancy to me
(070407j) Some of the details regarding Libby, what "the
deciders" decision means, in terms of longer term issues
regarding the
real issue that the Libby case involves, that is to say,
war. (070407l) How likely is it that we'll have
a "media feeding frenzy" if there is truly a "Constitutional
smackdown" over oversight and subpoenas and the like?
(070407g) The story behind the story is the story of the man
who is quoted as representing the US military, which he
does, but
then his background makes his statements, concerning Iran's
involvement in Iraq, suspect-to say the least
(070407h)
BushOff's
blame game is ready to go, others have been treated to this
"coverage" and here is why Petraeus will not be any
different (071907i) And
then, guess what, "more time will be needed to assess the
progress of the surge" Where have I heard that before?
(072007k) BushOff says we're more safe. But
at the Ol' Rio Grand Iraqi's and other middle-eastern
personages can get into the US by paying 20 to 25 thousand
dollars. The money seems to be there as are the
coyotes (071907e) What would happen? Questions
asked and war games are played out to find the answers-Iraq
splits up is likely as are other odds and ends.
(071707j) Then segue to this The
size of the "contracted army" may be larger than the US army
in Iraq at this point (071807k)-however hard
figures are hard to come by and that's the truth I like this article, it gives the standard Bushwhackoff
line that the surge is working. You'll
notice the lack of any specific data being used to support
that assertion. (071707b) Cheney
may get his way with Iran and you should know that what that
means. (071507j) OMG is all I can say. This article argues that the upside of the downside of
just pulling out of Iraq is that they will still need
to sell the oil-and to who? Even the Iranians sell theirs on
the world market-so
what's the fuss? about getting out? (071407t)
The Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Israel ...
Palestine ... Gaza .... Lebanon Gaza/Palestine: Everyone in the ME has a reason to keep things the way
they are and that's too bad for Gaza and the
Palestinians, isn't it? Well,
at least everyone else is "doing fine.'
(071907j) Lebanon: Short term Lebanon has a problem with tempers and
grudges, long term it needs to find a way to govern itself.
The fear is that sectarianism may already have taken root
and that a spark will set off a raging blaze.
(071607d) No surprise that foreign interests have played
a role in this mess, our Whackhead in Chief as well. The Greater Islamic Regions: Western
Theater: Saudi Arabia ... Iraq ... Iran ...
Pakistan ... Afghanistan Afghanistan: The
mission in Afghanistan is at risk. (071807a)
Nice headline, but the facts outlined in the article are
clear and just as clear is that the US set it up that way by
the Bushwad's dumbbell war of choice in Iraq Iraq: For disgusting or horrifying you can't beat
this
story about the every day vultures making hay off the
dead. (072007i) Battle lines are being drawn. There is a movement that
has various
opposition groups beginning to plan and cooperate to
frustrate and then remove the US and allied forces from Iraq
(072007h) Moktada al-Sadr has his lessons from Hamas and
using them to good effect,
to do what the government cannot do
(071907b) Part one, Iraq has not met its benchmarks
and the surge seems to be a "passing fancy" not doing what
it was supposed to (071807d) Part two, ten of
the benchmarks is a new election,
however the likely result of that would benefit those
hostile to the US, yet the election is what we want …
hmmm … you go figure that one out
(071807e) but the blame game is already targeting the
"American People" Part three what
is to become of it all? (071807f) Iraq
not going as planned, well, blame the general
(071707g) The
Brits want out and think it is high time, will Brown, the
new PM heed the call? Time will tell
(071707h) 19,000 Iraqis held by the US? Seems
they area there indefinitely for the most part.
(071707e) Yet
only 135 of them are foreigners and half of them are from
our ally Saudi Arabia. So much for the "durned
foreigners stirring up trouble" theory (071707f) Risky
alliances with former enemy combatants in Iraq who say they
are tired of the violence? How risky is risky?
(071607i) Part two,
some of the details, more than in the other article
referenced some days or weeks ago. (071607j) Part
three, some
other tales and details, the pros and cons
(071607k) What happens at a roadblock? What happens if you are a
doctor? What
happens if you are a correspondent known for working with an
western news service, any guess?
(071507h) The
air war in Iraq has its surge "goin' on" here are
details (071507c) Not exactly achieving what is wanted, extra
ordinary violence against civilians cannot be helping the
lost cause that is Iraq (071407p) vets speak on
the topic. Iraq,
having failed "benchmarks" s (071407q) should
have the resident of the White House trying to create a
"plan B" Nearly one million Iraqi's dead, possibly three
times that wounded and a couple million more refugees
-
that would be about one in five. (071407v)
The
self sustaining nature of the Iraqi chaos has passed the
tipping point (071407w)-Georgie Boy what's
next? Iran: Pakistan: Musharraf's
moment of truth? An overview of the situation in
his country and speculation regarding solutions.
(071907c) It also does not help that the US says it is willing
and capable of mounting attacks in the borderlands, time
to s - - - or
get off the pot, so to speak (071907d) Blowback
in Pakistan has some worried that much more is to come
(0717007m) Pakistan's
blowback continues, one wonders (071807b) Pakistan's capital gets a season of protests. On
one day there were three of them going on and, well, each
had their own reasons and none were very interested in the
other's agenda (071707c) Gen. Musharraf...tells American presidents that if
you don't support me, "the
next person will be the 'bearded ones'."
(071407z) It's like I've been saying, this IS the place to
watch-has been. Korea: Will the Bumbler in Chief actually get some bragging
rights now that North Korea has shut down a reactor?
(071507d)
I thought he said he'd never negotiate with them, after all
they were part of the Axis of Evil, remember? So,
miracle of miracles, we are now, FINALLY, back at square one
- chalk one up for the Dumbwad. Russia: "A
New Cold War" could have been the headline
(071607a) but it would have been inflammatory or hyperbolic
perhaps, perhaps not. Part two,
there are words exchanged apparently (071607b)
Part three, some
"interesting" details (071607c) Several stories on this front page of the St.
Petersburg Times. Some
tension between Belarus and the US, tensions in the EU
regarding an oil pipeline, some military musings and more,
dated 07/17/07 (071607e) China's
involvement in Africa is not all lupines and roses
(071807i) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater:
Sudan, ... Ethiopia ... Somalia, etc.: Somalia: Somalia
seems to be having real trouble getting any peaceful
solutions. (071507i) Of course our Rear End
in Chief created the most recent chapter of chaos and is mum
on this place and its problems. Uganda: Uganda discovers more oil. Then
the people in the area of the discovery argue about who owns
the land. (071807h) How will they resolve the
differences and what role will the "outside" interests play?
Hmmmm? The "black sites" in Europe were a secret but it
seems our
own CIA blew the whistle and stirred up, well, s - -
t! (071907g) Are the Euros trying to
"distance themselves" from the US with this issue? Are
US weapons systems loosing their appeal?
(071607f) Part two some
of the reasons why this is so (071607g) What's up with the DOJ? A lot of horrible things
and
even when the "kids get caught with their hands in the
cookie jar" they are let go and seem to be none the worse
for there being caught out (071407h)
Alberto
"the mealymouth" Gonzales lied about the FBI that
spied (071407o)
A sample of how the FBI "did its thing"
(071407s) A new executive order, oh boy, allowing the
decider or his minions to decide who is a threat and
then take everything they've got (072007c) The detail
that is annoying is the
phrase "undermining efforts" which can mean lots of things
to lots of folks, you think he planned it
thataway? (072007d What
will not happen is what the Democraps should do
(071907f) hahahahahahah
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah, but I HAD to
include this, really. So BushOff goes for more executive
privilege,
tells congress to "forget it" when it comes to contempt of
Congress. (072007a) This
article clears up the debate and the issue is simpler to
understand (072007b) Interesting report on the housing market.
Here
is evidence for its woes becoming widespread and
uncomfortable, it seems (071707a) Message
over matter, Bush and his government clearly believes this
is the road to victory (071407y) Yet
another example of politics over policy and religion over
reality so the former Surgeon General says.
(071407r) Larry
Flint goes hunting after bagging one hypocrite, sweaty palms
anyone? (071407u) Here is another take on the bee die off. The
official word is that no one knows what is causing the
deaths. (071507k) Talk
about honeybees and you'll find that they've already gone.
(071507e) Part two: and
here are some details, a mix of optimism and not
(071507f) A modernizing region of Russia
tries to "Potempkin" its way out of its irradiated
past (071407n) with tours and bright smiles
and nice chicken lunches. Op-Ed and Op-Lie, tracing
a single story denying global warming the sources
quoted (071407m) in the article trace back to
certain unsavory characters, companies, or groups. To those who doubt the fact of global warming read
this article about the potential "disagreements" hinted at
concerning the use of the newly opening Arctic Ocean.
Open
to shipping, oil exploration and the need for military
forces to be present, the question is whose? The
American or Canadian? (071407x) Interesting story this, Americans used to be taller
than other peoples in the world, now this is reversed. The
mystery is why this is so? It is not insignificant, a
matter of a two inch average. One
would think that our advantages would create the healthy
bodies that would grow well, well? It's not! Why?
(071507a) I loved this letter. It will never get the kind of
exposure it warrants,
nor will its author be given the chance to debate its points
with the PunditIdiots that support the Great Ass and his
vision (071807g) Bush's
full tilt fib factory is gushing (071507m)
BushOff
offers Hillary as the scapegoat for Iraq, at least one
commentator shoots back (072007e) A hallmark of the Asshole Administration is lack of
oversight and
here is another ripe example of this a few hundred cases
are ignored for 5.5 years and that's the way it
is/was. (071507g) Profile
in Cowardice, a nice portrait of Dumbell Bush
(071407j) How the air sorties are being
covered, or not, is revealing. A trip back to My Lai
is instructive. The
use of air power is likely to increase for a while and more
so if and when draw down's do occur. The
scenario is not a pleasant one, if we still want to "win" by
then. (071407k) The
New York Times calls for pulling out of Iraq?
(071407l) It's a good headline though perhaps too little
and too late. The
Plame case continues despite a setback.
(072007f) So the House, Conyers, wants to talk to Miers but she
doesn't want to talk to him, especially about the US
attorney firings. When
will congress get royally pissed off? Your guess is as good
as mine (071507l) and she might get fined 1,000 dollars and
be pardoned-man that is harsh! (071807n)
Arms
for the Saudis' and other Sunni Allies in the
region, (072807d) arms for Israel and
everyone is going to be happy because Iran is the threat,
right? There is more to this than meets the eye
But
my question remains: how can we remain fair and neutral
(072807e) (hahahahahahahah) when we arm both
sides in Iraq and in the region as well? So what
do the Saudis give us in return for the arms deal and saving
their butts from Saddam? (072807f) Some
interference in Iraq, it seems, but then this story IS from
the NYT, oh well. Lots
of political camouflage as well as smoke and
mirrors (072807g) but it all adds up to one
thing: everyone seems to be "going for it" what ever "it" is
in their minds, pity the Iraqi's Iran and the US talk over Iraq,
our puzzling policy reaps mixed results, of course
(072607l) and speaking of that what is the course we
are trying to steer? A
bit about the embroilment of Kurdistan, Iraq, Turkey, the US
and other nations, need I mention Iran?
(072507d)
A handy map of Kurdistan. (072507e) Aren't you glad that the prezydink himself says
that from now on the interrogations done by the CIA will
be done properly and in accord with the Geneva
Convention-but
no one is allowed to see what methods are still "in" and
which are "out" good enough for me, howzabout
you? (072107d) A small but tragic story in the GWOT. A
man is captured in Afghanistan in 2001, tossed into
Guantanamo for a few years only to be released. He goes
right back to "doing his thing". (072407b)
Not that I like Guantanamo, but why was this guy
released? The Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Israel: In an uproar this week, some quotes from an
interview,
an Israeli author takes his nation to task comparing them to
German fascists, (072407f) laments the
occupation for its end and calls Zionism "over" Of course it
could be the guy just wants to sell his damned book, too.
Some
of the essential points made in the interview
(072407g) Palestine: A
call for early elections in Palestine is given,
(072107a) but my question is, besides the
debate on its legality, what happens if Hamas wins again?
Part two,
can the prez issue decrees that change the basic
law? (072107b) Part three,
some details (0702107c) Lebanon: The
battle in a Lebanese Palestinian camp is not over but it may
be soon. (072507f) Part two,
what passed for discussions and offers
(072507g) An
opinion, a French one at that, has it that Lebanon faces a
crisis, (072807b) (Oh, that's news is it?) but
seriously, the outline of the difficulty is clarifying
nonetheless. What
is feared is this (072807c) The Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater:
Saudi Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan
... Afghanistan: The
controversy: civilian deaths from bombing raids.
From here all I can say is that both sides disagree
and that the predominance of belief is what matters and,
since that is true, it would mean that the NATO forces will
loose further support. (072707b) How
are Afghan suicide bombers different than those in other
nations? (072607o) Part two, Their
"stats" are interesting and point to a "profile" that is
revealing (072607n) Kidnapping
in Afghanistan is a new weapon. (072307j) Part
two, putting
pressure on Kabul? (072307k) After seeing the mess we've made in Afghanistan,
I
read that the one time king of that nation has died. He
ruled the place for 40 years and had been in exile for 30
before returning to Afghanistan in 2002. One
wonders why the allies did not find a way to bring him into
the fold and form a government around him, a constitutional
monarchy say, but I'm just talking (072407a) Iraq: More
on the arming of neighborhood groups, this new approach is
given positive coverage. I wonder, however, how we
can expect that the guns we hand out are used in a way that
we'd like, and how is that anyway? (072807h)We
tell them to "go after the bad guys" but later on in
the article it states that we know that some of the persons
we deal with have been in the resistance.
(072807i) Sunnis
get a bit pissed with their government, so they threaten to
leave the government. (072507b) We are "in the dark" as much as Baghdad residents are.
Now
we track how much electricity is generated, not how much is
delivered for use. (072707e) A snapshot of a recent car bombing. A
"model" of who is in control and what the people think of
all of the pretenders (072407i) The
Surge, well there are some numbers in, the average number of
daily attacks is near its all time high.
(072307a) The Surge, how long should it last, a few
months a couple of years,
when WILL we know when its DEFINITELY working/
(072307b) Sunni
leaders, friendly to the US, are killed in a bomb attack
while protected by US forces. (072207b) A
summary of a single day in Iraq.
Murder, mayhem chaos and the threat of another flare up of
fighting between Turkish forces and the rebel Kurds.
(072207c) The Iraqi Oil Law still not passed and unions
against it, threaten strikes (072307c) And
here are
some details regarding the "uphill battle" the law faces
(072307d) Pakistan: Musharaff
looses one, a big one, and causes some to wonder about how
long he'll remain in power (072107e)
The
US is warned off making attacks into Pakistan.
Shall they heed those warnings or ignore them?
(072307e) Musharaff
and Bhutto have a tête-à-tête but no deal
is in the making, (072807a) all while Mr. M. is
"having problems" to say the least Pakistan
has tested a nuclear capable cruise missile, how stabilizing
is that? (072607b) Guess who's saying "Bring 'em on" now? Those
wily Pakistani Militants, they'd like us to try to take a
whack at them, why it's just what they want,
Musharaff is in the wings on this one, trust me.
(072607k) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater:
Sudan, ... Ethiopia ... Somalia, etc.: Ethiopia: Our ally
Ethiopia has a rebel problem of its own and has decided
to starve everyone in that portion of the country
(072207a) Niger: Niger, in the news, something of an
old story, a resource rich area populated by poor people
"of the land" is given a hard time and a rebellion breaks
out. Uranium, oil, and tourism dollars are
at stake (072507c) Somalia/Eritrea: Eritrea and Somalia have had problems in the past and
now reports are that, surprise
surprise, there are weapons being sent around and this is
followed by denials (072607c) Mentioned in a previous story,
the price of food rising worldwide is attributed to farmers
growing corn for ethanol production. (072807j)
This article shows its effect on a noodle shop in China
How
they cope with a "planned economy"
(072807k) An
example of what is called an extreme weather event EWE, this
one is from Merry Old England (072707d) This story underscores the problems
with nuclear power plants. You can plan as well as you might
like but nature and human error cannot be completely
accounted for and thus problems emerge.
(072507j) of course they could have planned
NOT to build the plant on an fault line, that might have
helped matters-you think? Global
warming's effects are already being seen in the
changes becoming apparent in rainfall patters.
(072507h) Here is a specific example of
what
has already happened and what may happen
(072507i) Another
data point in the global warming debate from Nevada
(072607a) Climate change means shifts in ecological niches.
This
story is an example of that-jumbo squid may give California
fishermen a bit of a squeeze (072507a) Are
we in a bit of a food crisis as prices rise?
(072307g) Part two, here
are programs that address this problem (072307h)
Part three, some
evidence for a "mixed situation"
(072307i) Another cost of the Iraq war is that we
are not paying attention to the rest of the world,
(0724207h) a point I've illuminated before and
this story is yet another data point supporting that
contention. How far are things out of kilter?
A "serious" presidential contender counts as important
bringing in the "rapture vote". Lieberman .
(072707i) grasps at straws and is still considered
"serious". Unlike those irrational candidates Mike Gavel
and Ron Paul who question the US presence in Iraq The
Senate wants to investigate Gonzales, do they HAVE
balls? (072607e) And
Leahy wants to "talk with" Rove. Hmmmmm???
(072607f) Contempt
charges being issued? Is this the congress getting some
BALLS? (0702607j) A
brief on the housing and oil markets, connections and
concerns (072707g) Housing
market woes from one company (072407c)
The
housing market effects the dollar's value
(072407d) this effects lots of other things,
how we finance the US government with deficit for example
The housing "industry" has its effect on the national
economy, yup
that means Wall Street. (072407e) A nice and clear story on the housing
market crisis, why it's important, why it is spreading and
hints at what it could mean. (072607h) Part
two,
some details (072607i) The
US sinks a North Korean vessel, bound for Iran, with a cargo
that was, at least in part, radioactive. Headline
news? I guess not. No one wanted to "broadcast" the event
for obvious reasons. (072707c) A tiny sample of what
passes for "news commentary" these days, a so called human,
with an Irish surname for god sakes, O'Reilly, just
misleads, lies if you will, and makes hay while the world
goes to hell around him, what a jackass.
(072707h) Who
is making all that money: KBR and Halliburton for
example (072407k) Great title for this: "operation Iraqi betrayal"
talks about how the
"blame game" is being manipulated to insulate our dumbbell
in chief and the neo con jackasses from taking
responsibility. (072607g)
07/21/07
07/28/07
08/11//07 A five part article on the "hired guns" starts out
with some basic facts: an
unregulated industry with companies that come and go with
employees that are questionable often enough
(073007g) Part two, A bit about some
"lost
men" and the low ball approach to security
(073007h) Part three, Regarding the attack, it
seems there
is plenty of "blame go round" being played.
(073007i) and fast cash Part four, Shortages
of supplies, stolen weapons, forged security badges and more
money. Sloppiness being denied, did I mention that?
(073007j) Part five, How the attack went,
connivance,
corruption and a belated rescue by US forces, which ran off
the attackers. (073007k) Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Lebanon: Another democratic election in Lebanon and another
example of
people voting in accord with what they want and snubbing
the US Interests or candidates (090807u) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Afghanistan: A
light overview of the Afghan mess
(080907o) Iraq: Black
market weapons being purchased by the million dollar
lots by Iraqi officials without US or their own
government's knowledge all while weapons flood the region
and other nations begin to complain about just that.
(081207a) Corruption
in a "cash economy" amounts to a "second
insurgency" that is crippling the Iraqi
government (090807r) Speaking of the insurgency,
when
30% of the weaponry that the US has distributed to "friends"
is unaccounted for, one wonders what the hell is going
on? And not for the first time either
(090807s.) So
the US builds a project in Iraq and then what
happens? (072907b) Well most of the time it is not
"accepted" and so although it is finished being constructed
no one comes to use or maintain it. Billions go down the
proverbial drain this way. Why the reporting from Iraq is the way it is,
example
John McCain's shopping trip in Baghdad, he did get his lies
in the news and that was worth it, after all
(080907p) With water
and electrical power failing in much of Iraq we
finally know who to blame, Saddam of course. If it were
not for him everything would be just as fine as could be
(090807q) Iran: Russia
playing games with Iranian nuke hopes? (072907c)
Maybe this is a deal made in the USA or elsewhere, but
the Russian honeymoon with Iran may be over. Maybe the US
won't have to go in and bomb now. Pakistan: An
overview of recent events and speculation concerning a
direct, unilateral, US strike inside its borders.
(073007d) No
easy options it seems, for anyone. (073007e) What
will be the result of this is anyone's guess. And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia India: Nonproliferation takes a back seat to something, what
it is inquiring minds want to know. The
nuke deal with India, don't you think it would be nice to
know what the deal is about? (072907a) Russia: A
claims race for the North Polar region. Oil is the reason
and sea lanes as well. (080907a) Buy
a banana and a bullet at the same time? Why not?
(080907f) The
"new" way forward for US military operations in
Paraguay (080907g) Soon you WILL be able to buy the Brooklyn Bridge.
How
privatizing of public assets is not in the public interest
but certainly make money for some corporations.
(090807m) America's
deteriorating infrastructure and I-35's wake up
call (080907n) A
brief enlightening outline of "fascist thought" its
characteristics and properties. (080907j) Just the lead page: 323 billion dollars are pumped
into the world's banking system in a single day.
This
to prop up a system in dire need of "fluidity" meaning
cash-has a real crisis been avoided? (080907c)
Part two how
widespread is the "damage"? (080907d) Part
three dollars being sold overseas and the
threat is the world economy "collapsing like a house of
cards" (080907e) The
"housing problem" and market "problem" is explained
here( (081007a) And
some Q and A regarding the same issue here
(081007b) A
portrait of how it all came to be and what is being done
about it, of course our President is way out
front in claiming that all is well. (081007c) Here it is again, from a slightly different
perspective, how
the money does not "go round" with an infinite number of
Peters paying an infinite number of Pauls in a financial
environment which has easy credit being given for loans on
securities that always seem to be heading upwards, until now
that is. (081007d) Part two, figures show that
the amount of "liquidity" meaning cash may be more, much
much more than the system can handle. (081007e) Neo Con heaven? A
controversial judge gets nominated for "higher office" what
a mess (080907h) New
rulings, new courts and new processes for surveillance of US
citizens-no outcry? Well, we'll see. (090807i)
How
the Democraps do cave on command, it seems
(090807t) Patent
lies pass, if Bush utters them, shame shame
shame! (090807v) Corruption
and nepotism: H.W.Bush's god son, William R. Steiger, blocks
a report, public information mind, because it hadn't been
"politicized" yet another example of the "fox
in the hen house syndrome" that stains the current
administration each time incompetents are put in charge of
government offices however good they are at collecting pay
and following directives. (073007f) Katrina,
we did get offers of help from 145 nations and much of them
were rejected, for some we did not even say
"thanks but no thanks". Amazing! (080907k) Here
is the PDF file that organizes all the offers: Bush, still doesn't get it, but for
the "big easy" he does have something to say, and that is
"good luck" (080907l) Hope
in the form of local farmers and businesses getting together
to bring better food to the restaurant's plates?
(073007a) Part two, some
details on a particular place (073007b)
How
a particular individual is taking part and finding both
challenges and success. (073007c) 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.
Blame Iran for the Taliban's weapons. Ironically
it may be true, in my opinion, I mean why wouldn't they?
However,
it is an all to convenient way to excuse the poor results in
Afghanistan. (081407b) An air force general is running around talking
about how we could best go about bombing Iran
(081407p) Here
is an overview of the context of that man's
raving (081407q) And in case you had any hope of peace, there is this:
"Security
experts around the country believe that the world will soon
face an era of "persistent conflict," or drawn-out
confrontations between state, non-state and individual
actors, Gen. Casey said. (081507a) The much touted "September Report on Iraq" which
anyone who has read about it over the moths would assume
would be a report by the commander "over there" Petraeus,
now it seems that this
report will be written in Washington by parties in the
executive branch. Gee, I wonder what NEW and
EXCITING aspects of the great progress in Iraq will get the
most coverage! I'm so excited I could shit my pants.
(081507b) Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Palestine and Gaza A "morale gap" exists between
Hamas, on the upswing, and Fatah on the down slope.
Why this is so is not explored but Hamas
seems to have popular optimism on its side, at least in Gaza
where their defacto state may be making some progress while
Fatah falters in the West Bank. (081307o) Part two,
Hamas
has "some source" of funding and this, no doubt, helps them
in their cause. (081307p) Hamas and tunneling, seems to be the "way to go"
for importers and exporters alike, profitable and
problematical depending upon who you talk to. Thing is it's
more than just an underground economy, it's the
kind of thing that gives success and pride to a people who
have little chance at success given their circumstances
(081407m) Lebanon: Lebanon, STILL, fighting that battle for a refugee camp.
The US has, surprise surprise, a conflict of interest and so
our "allied government" in that nation cannot get the
military supplies wanted. Lebanese
say they'll go shopping, in Russia of all places, to get
what they want … nice Mr. Bush-head, smooth
move exlax (081407n) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Afghanistan: Afghanistan,
Billions wasted and only one man seems to be counting the
facts (081907e) Why is the US and its allies having a hard time in
Afghanistan,
could it be stories such as this where lies cover up
massacres even after evidence piles up, but then
counting Afghan bodies is not the same as counting allied
bodies. (081507e) Iraq: A
reformed government in Baghdad, can you spot the Sunnis?
No? That's because they aren't there. Is a problem,
no? Yes! (081707e) Here is more on the "grand
overview" however this stresses that the only solutions that
"non Iraqi's" see are those which influential parties both
inside and outside of Iraq have already rejected.
Upshot
a failed state for some time to come
(081707f) An
update on an earlier story, some details with a dash of
horror. (081507i) The
day in Iraq as well as some speculations, none
good, I mean really (081707h) The
daily events from Iraq. (081307j) A
selection of headlines and briefs. Where is the progress
we've been hearing about? (081507c) A
spectacular attack and the Iraqi grind goes on.
Simply no end in sight and that which is seen does NOT look
like the light at the end of a tunnel because we're still in
the dark, big time. (081407o) A
story touting stats which are used to show "the surge" is
working. The "Al Qaida" style attacks are in
decline. (081307a) Who
controls the neighborhoods? Not the US that is
for sure and not the "government" of Iraq (081907a) This is followed by
this article which details another strategy the
insurgents are beginning to use. (081307b)
Could the enemy be switching tactics again? And then
this, "Escalation
by the numbers" as set of stats from Iraq which put the idea
"of the surge working" to rest. Oh well, my hope
WAS doubtful (081307m) Cost
over runs? The US paying out millions of extra
dollars? (081307g) If I were in Iraq being
protected would be vital Iran: We have heard that BumbleBush has declared some portion
of Iran's military as a terrorist organization. That is one
thing,
but the other is the reason that this is being done-to
provide an excuse for some military action on
Iran. (081507d) Another link in the "blame
Iran" game. This
time it is slanted statistics that are employed to "prove"
the case. (081507g) Is
the Whackhead in Chief "clearing the way" for an attack on
Iran? (081907m) The noise about labeling
the IRGC a terrorist group
hides the fact that we've worked with them over the
years. (081907n) Pakistan: Maybe a moment of "truth" in Pakistan with the leader of
that nation admitting
what others have been saying for some time now, militants in
Pakistan are helping launch attacks in
Afghanistan (081307c) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia It would seem that Asia may be waking up to the
US.
Is a veiled threat a signal or a sign of a geopolitical
shift? (081607e) The
far east markets take a
beating….(081607c) India: Here
is an article on the nuclear deal being worked out with
India. (081307n) Seems like it is
making progress. Russia: Russian
air force is "acting up" more than usual
(081407e)Part two,
reading between the lines, what do YOU think it really says?
(081407f) More
on Russia's reach and the flexing of its air
force, note the condescension in Sean McCormack's
quotation. (081707a) A train derailed in Russia, terrorism is suspected.
What
made this story interesting is that it mentions a "spike" in
bombings and Chechnya is the suspected source.
(081407a) Typical of a "great power" Russia
sees the reality of global warming in terms of what it can
gain. Sure ecology is changing and unpredictably
so, but there is a new open sea to exploit and resources to
clam. (081407j) A
bit more on the Russians extending their grasp.
(081607d) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Somalia: Mini
Baghdad, Mogadishu, flares into the news, more
violence (081407g) Just
the first page of a story that portrays the lack of "secure"
borders with Mexico. (081907j) Some examples
of the havoc and the allure of fighters in the drug
wars have (081907k) The
unsung tragedies that result (081907l) Brazil
"sees the light" and makes some talk about global warming
and its consequences, motivation comes in the form
of a drought in the Amazon Basin (081407i) Global
warming is having its effects felt in Australia, where a
decade long draught has forced changes (081307s)
China
sees the effects of Global Warming, GW, as well
(081407k) A
bit of a scramble for making claims to the Arctic.
(081307l) It is not quite a free for all, or a melee
but the starting gun has been fired and the race is on.
The
US "officially" enters the "Arctic race".
(081407d) The
"big picture" concerning "water availability" seems to
indicate that global cooperation is a prerequisite for
getting clean water to people and resolving GW
issues that make matters worse (081407l) Subpoena
Showdown? Well, what will come next?
(081407r) Play
taps for the 4th Amendment? (081307d)
A
summary of the steps taken along the way
(081307e) To explain and exemplify the bumbling stupidity of the
"bumbledork's" "vision thing" and how it effects every
day life for the American people, see
an egregious example of experts being employed but ignored
while asinine jackasses are given big dollars to do that
which they know not of-putting you and I at risk
(081907f) How the "damned Dems" did it yet again, this time
the claim is that they
were to busy to re ad the law they passed giving more
constitutional guarantees away WTF is up with
this shit anyway? (081907i) Crossing the line, US
spy satellites to be used to give Americans a look see,
there ARE constitutional issues here and, well,
they're being over ridden. (081607f) The Democraps all sort-of, kind-of, more or less,
hem and haw about
how and when we might leave Iraq if they are elected,
sounds like REAL progress? No, not to me either.
(081307i) A
"big picture view" of the "housing thing" it
seems that discipline is good for the rube who bought their
dream house with "magic money" but not at all good for the
financiers and billionaire bankers who set up the system,
made mountains of moolah and now want protection because
they are "to big to fall" (081307k) Effects
of the "housing problem" persist and exchanges take losses.
(081407c) Yes our market rallied after the
feds kicked down billions, Japan still suffers despite
the billions being kicked down. Seems like we're not
out of the woods yet (081907b) Here
is the proof for that in Asia. (081907c) The
overview of the US economy, its place in the world, the
dangers it faces and suggestions. (081707b)
How
the poor get trapped in the credit crunch. If
anyone is listening, as the writer says, they could take
this issue alone and ride it to the White House.
(081907g) The
housing bubble has become the housing ripple, the
splash after the crash, as it were (081507h) Although there was a recovery later in the day,
the
problem persists as remedies find little effect, stock
declines? Oops (081607b) And you wonder where the hell all the money
goes?
Well, two 17 cent washers, having priority for a "combat
zone" delivery cost nearly on million dollars. Got
that? (081907d) But there is this story and the
Cheney
connection, he was all over the war contracts like a hungry
whore on a sweaty boner (081907g) Peak Oil, may still be controversial, the numbers
are huge, complex and changing all the time, however,
"Tough
Oil" is easier to spot, examine and, since it is happening
now-we can see the effects. (081707g) I love just the first page of this article. The
NSA wire tapped some lawyers. How did the lawyers know? The
NSA provided them with the top secret wire tapping
logs. (081307q) Part two,
the manner in which the government contorts its position or
explains itself is amusing to read
(081307r) A
brief look at how "shiny objects" can distract our "might
media mavens" and give us fluff instead of stuff.
Especially dangerous when lives, like those lost in a recent
mine cave in, are at stake. Question is over 300 violations
a lot or not? (081507f) How those publicists, who were WRONG about Iraq
but did not think so when it was "just getting
started"
have strange ways of making amends
(081307f) Padilla is found guilty, there is, ironically, some good
news buried in this conviction, but
more importantly are the questions that have been raised and
then ignored by the corporatist, neo con press
(081707d) Psychologists
protest Bush? Sounds crazy but it's true
(081707c) An
NGO in India shows how power can be made available to the
poorest of folks (081407h)
When it comes to violence and threats to security
the
"classic" organized crime factor is one to be considered
(082107a) The Great Dumbbell compares
Vietnam to Iraq and is dumb enough to think that what he is
saying is logical. He is, simply speaking, a
jackass with bowel breath. (082207d) The "imploding Bushoff" described here is the shambles
the oval office finds itself in. The trouble is that
there
is over 500 days left for this titanic trauma in short
pants-and he is still, one would bet, hearing voices that
direct him to, among other things, attack nations.
(082407d) As the foreign wars fail and people
poll as being discontent and disagreeing with the mess, why
do we only hear from corporate news hogs praising it?
(082207h) Here
are some specifics on that (082207i) What does George "the jackass" mean?
Here is one example of how to little knowledge goes nowhere
at all. (082307b) Here
he is, essentially, being called an idiot by an Aussie
(082307c) Greater" Muddle Eastern Theater: Turkey - Syria
- Jordan - Egypt Jordan: Jordan has given refuge to one of Saddam's daughters.
Iraq wants her returned for trial, Jordan refuses,
the
story exemplifies the complications in all the relations in
the region. (082007a) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Iraq: The "benchmark" Hydrocarbons Framework, also known as
the "Oil Law" is unpopular with just about every group in
Iraq surveyed. The
structure of the law is very different from the ways most
oil rich nations manage their oil. It could be a uniting
factor, against US interests, interestingly enough
(082507b) The
Iraqi government, pressed and under threat, still has not
passed the law, apparently, evidence exists for
its being the final straw in the Iraqi government.
(082507c) Surge working? Deadliest
attack ever in Iraq, 500 die and many wounded. That
is the update of the recent bombing of a Yazidi town.
(082207a) Another
day in Iraq, what a mess (082207m) "The Surge" IS having a definite effect:
the number of Iraq's internal refugees has doubled since it
began and no one wants to go home again.
(082407c) The
"organization" set up to "deal with" IEDs is in chaotic
disarray, (082207e) Meanwhile
the deadly weapons are on track to garner their highest
level of casualties this year. (082207f) How to get out of Iraq without admitting a defeat?
Blame
the Iraqi's and or their government. Maybe THAT'S the magic
bullet we've all been waiting for?
(082307a) New vocabulary for new phenomenon: "to
chew up" is the translation, find out what it means in Iraq.
(082407b) Iran: Iran and the US make arguments and public dispute
regarding Iran's intentions; we're
all waiting for the other shoe to drop.
(082107b) The idea that Iran is in the sights and that sooner
rather than later we'll see another use of "shuck and
craw". What
makes this article is its reporting Rumsfeld, Snowe and Rove
lost battle with madman Cheney who wants to go where "real
men" go, and that is Iran (082207n) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Sudan: China
Darfur and the problems that such a partnership has created
for the oppressed. (082507d) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia The competitors gather strength and the
last remaining super power has perhaps had its day, so soon
… so soon (082207l) The SCO, waxes these days and may
become exactly that which Nixon and Kissinger connived
against. (082407e) a new cold war? There
is a sense that the group is "jelling" as it were
(082407f) The
stats are showing a resurgent Russia while the US harbors
hopes that India will be "on its side" in this
contest, however their fear of China has them, perhaps,
calling on us. (082407g) And, surprise surprise, there is a
"difference
of opinion" over the role of the US in the central Asian
region, notably Afghanistan. Could be something
of a sticky wicket, eh? (082407h) And
some short time ago, Iran was courted by the SCO.
To me this would be the "coup de grace". An event which
would create a combine that could be a counterweight to the
US, NATO, India and Japan. (082407i) Russia: Russians
and others "play at war". Georgia is the current "hot" spot
as it were and since no one is really pushing
matters it may just bubble along like so many other
conflicts in the world which are maintained by interested
parties as long as there is value being extracted somewhere
along the line. (082207j) Part two, upshot:
more stress and "disagreement" in the area
(082207k) Today a record was broken, today the
northern
ice cap is the smallest ever. (082507e)-oh
and the rate of melt is exceeding the most recent computer
models. From Africa the pace of climate
change poses a raft of problems, not the least of which is
the spread of newer diseases among animals and the
possibility that something may come humanity's way.
(082507f) With all that is going on one would think that simple
solutions which would have large scale impacts would be
welcome and moving forward, but
then this IS the US and that's not the way things are done,
I mean the bottom line IS the bottom line, after all.
(082507g) "The Last Superpower" sounds like a good title for
a book,
but it is the reality as this article evidences, the "straws
in the wind" are telling the tales.
(082007f) A
report that blames the CIA by listing its failings in the
pre 9/11 world. Granted there were failures
but the administration also had blinders on and did
intervene in ongoing investigations and stalled all FISA
warrant requests during that time. It's not JUST the CIA
that royally goofed up on this one. (082207b) One slowly wonders what the next step is in the "process"
of accountability.
After Congress is held in contempt, what do they do-pack up
and go home? (082007h) The
financial difficulties and the solutions are two sets of
phenomena that do not overlap. The Fed can help
banks but banks are not where the financial problems lay.
(082007b) The
Army is reaching its limit and thus they may be breaking
promises and commitments "everything is on the
table" (082007d) If the media reflects reality (hah!) then
we've
become more interested in the election than Iraq and Iraq is
being framed, more and more, as an election
issue-easier than covering the war itself, no?
(082007c0 The way to win the Iraqi war is to have some
of our
very own "Brainless Wonders" go there and report back that
everything is going well, so much so that we "just might win
this thing." (082207o) If the press would only ask
the real or right questions on Iran maybe the answers would
let some of the "light shine in." (082207g) Faux
News has done many things
now it is running a similar program to the one run to
support the invasion of Iraq only this time Iran is the
target. (082307d) Can't get your crappy lie into the news? No problem
create
a Jackass organization, "Freedom's Watch" and then post your
irrational buffoonery where everyone can see it.
(082407a) Iranian EFP's in Iraq the
New York Times is taken to task for its coverage of the
story and well, more is in the telling read it
(082007e) Rove,
baby, say it ain't so! Seems like they be tellin' on yo'
ass, boy. (082007g) John Edwards makes a speech. I felt a bit of hope.
Only
time will tell if anything will come of what he spoke of.
Time, I fear, is short (082507a) Another story related to others of over a year ago.
Having to do with religious groups coming to the
conclusion that protecting the ecological well being of
their environment is part of their values. This movement
is in the US, as other stories indicated,
but seems to be putting down roots in central and south
America. (082207c)
08/18//07
08/25//07
09/01//07 British
Basra comes to an end. A US general calls it a
defeat. By the way, who are they going to hand over
the second largest city in Iraq too? (083107h) Other
views of the "Great Hole's" Iran comments
(083107i) Well France is finally getting on board with the Iran
program. It
seems that while Blair was Bush's poodle "Sarkozy the First"
is to be the lap dog. (083107f) Again a sad trail of Iraqi tears is on display. Even the
one success, sort of, Fallujah I'm speaking of. There
is mention that the attacks against the US forces are now
just about split with 50% each coming from Sunni's and
Shia's. I recall being told that if the Shias become
resisters that it would be a disaster. I recall that, really
I do. (082807h) Those
players surrounding Iraq, surprise, surprise, are "playing"
in the "big game" (082807i) This goes back to 9/11 and the
FBI confiscating the recordings from a gas station's
security camera with a nice view of the pentagon,
and where it was struck. (082707n) Part two:
why
did they take it, where is it, why can't anyone see it? Why
was the US public told there was no video of the plane?
(082707o) A bit of a hint of what
Abu Ghraib was and why this eye witness is not being called
on to testify and why an honest general is no longer in the
service of our country. What is wrong with this
picture? (082807d) Oops,
the "Great Hole" goofs again, this time when he, and
his supporters, dimwads all, support his statements of
profound ignorance. (082707j) When it comes to violence and threats to security
the
"classic" organized crime factor is one to be considered
(082107a) The Great Dumbbell compares
Vietnam to Iraq and is dumb enough to think that what he is
saying is logical. He is, simply speaking, a
jackass with bowel breath. (082207d) The "imploding Bushoff" described here is the shambles
the oval office finds itself in. The trouble is that
there
is over 500 days left for this titanic trauma in short
pants-and he is still, one would bet, hearing voices that
direct him to, among other things, attack nations.
(082407d) As the foreign wars fail and people
poll as being discontent and disagreeing with the mess, why
do we only hear from corporate news hogs praising it?
(082207h) Here
are some specifics on that (082207i) What does George "the jackass" mean?
Here is one example of how to little knowledge goes nowhere
at all. (082307b) Here
he is, essentially, being called an idiot by an Aussie
(082307c) Greater" Muddle Eastern Theater: Turkey - Syria
- Jordan - Egypt Jordan: Jordan has given refuge to one of Saddam's daughters.
Iraq wants her returned for trial, Jordan refuses,
the
story exemplifies the complications in all the relations in
the region. (082007a) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Afghanistan: Battles in Afghanistan continue. Casualty counts
are given but verification is usually not possible.
The
upshot: violence builds and there is no real ending in
sight. This is the "Great Hole's"
legacy.(082807a) Another
record breaking year of poppy production.
Afghanistan is not all "gone to dope" but enough is to keep
this illicit production high. (082707g) There
was a time when attacks in Kabul were very rare,
not this is not so, maybe the "mayor" is loosing touch or
control? (082707h) Iraq: Basic
facts on the ground make our "toilet mouth in chief" sillier
than ever. (083107a) Despite this there
are
those who write about a "season of hope" in the US
media (083107b) Despite
articles like this explaining what amounts to complete
corruption in many portions of the government
(083107c) So,
how do they manage to be so corrupt, one tool is Article
136B. (083107d) Hints
as what the Petraeus report will be are already being given,
clearly (082907e) The "benchmark" Hydrocarbons Framework, also known as
the "Oil Law" is unpopular with just about every group in
Iraq surveyed. The
structure of the law is very different from the ways most
oil rich nations manage their oil. It could be a uniting
factor, against US interests, interestingly enough
(082507b) The
Iraqi government, pressed and under threat, still has not
passed the law, apparently, evidence exists for
its being the final straw in the Iraqi government.
(082507c) Some year and a half ago it was reported that a schisms
between rival Shia factions could be a problem;
today
a gun battle between the two "leading" Shia groups left
dozens dead, more wounded and the Iraqi government,
apparently, helpless to manage it.
(082607c) The surge and its effects are at best "measured"
that
is a problem for SOMEONE who hyped this as "a way
forward" (082707e) Move
the goal posts and change definitions, that is
the way the "Great Hole" makes progress appear in the Iraqi
disaster (082707f) Surge working? Deadliest
attack ever in Iraq, 500 die and many wounded. That
is the update of the recent bombing of a Yazidi town.
(082207a) Another
day in Iraq, what a mess (082207m) Who are we fighting in Iraq? Al
Qaida is there but clocks in at a considerable minority of
7% of those captured who self identify as
such. There is doubts about that figure.
(082707d) "The Surge" IS having a definite effect:
the number of Iraq's internal refugees has doubled since it
began and no one wants to go home again.
(082407c) The
"organization" set up to "deal with" IEDs is in chaotic
disarray, (082207e) Meanwhile
the deadly weapons are on track to garner their highest
level of casualties this year. (082207f) How to get out of Iraq without admitting a defeat?
Blame
the Iraqi's and or their government. Maybe THAT'S the magic
bullet we've all been waiting for?
(082307a) New vocabulary for new phenomenon: "to
chew up" is the translation, find out what it means in Iraq.
(082407b) Iran: The "Great Hole's" farting mouth exudes the
filth
only its perverted mind can muster. Iran is the target of
its ire (082907b) Apparently
we are ready to attack, "good to go" as it were,
and at a madman's notice according to current analysis
from overseas sources, of course. (082907c) The countdown for "action
in Iran" is quite close at hand. Probably T minus 12
days according to this article. "What hath
man wrought?" (083107e) Apparently
our "Great Hole" was told, in no uncertain terms, that
attacking Iraq was the "wrong way to go" and that
Iran was the real enemy, waaaay back in 2001, before the
Iraq war was a dribble on Rumsfeld's dick. (082907d) Iran and the US make arguments and public dispute
regarding Iran's intentions; we're
all waiting for the other shoe to drop.
(082107b) "There
will be an attack on Iran" is the salient quotation
from this article in Time's on line edition. It is an
unattributed quotation, of course, a favored tactic in the
world of "news". If the US does "go for it" then many,
many bets will be off. We'll be in another new world and in
for a long, long series of conflicts, wars and enemies to
the seventh generation. (082507x) Iran
gets something of a pass from the IAEA. Will this
matter to the US and its friends who want to attack?
(082707b) The idea that Iran is in the sights and that sooner
rather than later we'll see another use of "shuck and
craw". What
makes this article is its reporting Rumsfeld, Snowe and Rove
lost battle with madman Cheney who wants to go where "real
men" go, and that is Iran (082207n) Pakistan: I'll call it good news.
Pakistan's government is about to undergo a change
and Mister M will have limits placed upon him and a
partner, Bhutto. (082907f) Sinking
together? Bhutto and Musharraf sitting in a tree
K-i-s-s-i-n-g. (083107g) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Sudan: China
Darfur and the problems that such a partnership has created
for the oppressed. (082507d) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia The competitors gather strength and the
last remaining super power has perhaps had its day, so soon
… so soon (082207l) The SCO, waxes these days and may
become exactly that which Nixon and Kissinger connived
against. (082407e) a new cold war? There
is a sense that the group is "jelling" as it were
(082407f) The
stats are showing a resurgent Russia while the US harbors
hopes that India will be "on its side" in this
contest, however their fear of China has them, perhaps,
calling on us. (082407g) And, surprise surprise, there is a
"difference
of opinion" over the role of the US in the central Asian
region, notably Afghanistan. Could be something
of a sticky wicket, eh? (082407h) And
some short time ago, Iran was courted by the SCO.
To me this would be the "coup de grace". An event which
would create a combine that could be a counterweight to the
US, NATO, India and Japan. (082407i) Russia: Russians
and others "play at war". Georgia is the current "hot" spot
as it were and since no one is really pushing
matters it may just bubble along like so many other
conflicts in the world which are maintained by interested
parties as long as there is value being extracted somewhere
along the line. (082207j) Part two, upshot:
more stress and "disagreement" in the area
(082207k) A rice story:
the attack of the monster rice is told and, hard
though it is to believe, I believe it. (082707m) Coral
reefs decline due to global climate conditions. The
process is faster and more widespread than thought (082707k)
Also Greenland
and Antarctica also have glacial movement that are exceeding
recent predictions and models. (082707l) it is as if
the accelerator pedal is being pushed, all over the
world. Today a record was broken, today the
northern
ice cap is the smallest ever. (082507e)-oh
and the rate of melt is exceeding the most recent computer
models. From Africa the pace of climate
change poses a raft of problems, not the least of which is
the spread of newer diseases among animals and the
possibility that something may come humanity's way.
(082507f) With all that is going on one would think that simple
solutions which would have large scale impacts would be
welcome and moving forward, but
then this IS the US and that's not the way things are done,
I mean the bottom line IS the bottom line, after all.
(082507g) A sign of things to come. The
ray guns being developed for use against people.
(082907a) "The Last Superpower" sounds like a good title for
a book,
but it is the reality as this article evidences, the "straws
in the wind" are telling the tales.
(082007f) Here is an advertisement that may be worth archiving.
It show how "you too can become rich of off the coming Peak
Oil crisis" (082807j) A
report that blames the CIA by listing its failings in the
pre 9/11 world. Granted there were failures
but the administration also had blinders on and did
intervene in ongoing investigations and stalled all FISA
warrant requests during that time. It's not JUST the CIA
that royally goofed up on this one. (082207b) Keeping
the "poor niggers" out of the Big Easy That's what the man
says. (083107j) Some couple of years ago there were predictions made
about the coming tide of disabled, well, its seems to be
here A rainstorm begins with the first drop of rain.
A
toxic work environment is evidenced by the first person to
die because of it. We have had that death and
others, what is being done? (082707i) One slowly wonders what the next step is in the "process"
of accountability.
After Congress is held in contempt, what do they do-pack up
and go home? (082007h) The
first page of this story is enough, Gonzales
resigns. Yet another step in the record breaking
administration of the "Great Hole". (082707a) The
financial difficulties and the solutions are two sets of
phenomena that do not overlap. The Fed can help
banks but banks are not where the financial problems lay.
(082007b) The
housing market keeps on giving us news and
repercussions. Not to long ago it was touted that
the housing market's problems were containable-I guess not.
(082707c) Housing
dumps on the DOW, still (082807b) The first page of this story is enough, it shows
the
housing market in decline and breaking records. What this
portends is anyone's guess, After over half a
trillion dollars were funneled into the banking system to
prop it up-have we seen "managed care" for the economy?
(082507a) The
Army is reaching its limit and thus they may be breaking
promises and commitments "everything is on the
table" (082007d) The Damned Dems got Gonzales, sort of, will they
pursue it? The
illegalities he perpetrated and fix the system he corrupted?
Then, the exciting part, will they go for the "Great Whore
Himself" the, so called, "decider" the "Chief Chimp?
They could, but then that WOULD require something called
backbone as well as a heart. (082807) Where has our media gone? Look
at what passes for "influential and powerful in the "web
world". Matt Drudge (082807g) If the media reflects reality (hah!) then
we've
become more interested in the election than Iraq and Iraq is
being framed, more and more, as an election
issue-easier than covering the war itself, no?
(082007c0 The way to win the Iraqi war is to have some
of our
very own "Brainless Wonders" go there and report back that
everything is going well, so much so that we "just might win
this thing." (082207o) The "Great Hole" in Chief has recently
compared the occupation of Japan and its development into a
democratic society to what is he'd like to happen in Iraq,
but this essay, written BEFORE the invasion of Iraq,
spells out why such a comparison only highlights that
jackass's monumental ignorance and idiocy. (082807e) Here
is
something of a reprise of that article but
couched in its concluding paragraphs are warnings to the US
as it is now. (082807f) If the press would only ask
the real or right questions on Iran maybe the answers would
let some of the "light shine in." (082207g) Faux
News has done many things
now it is running a similar program to the one run to
support the invasion of Iraq only this time Iran is the
target. (082307d) Can't get your crappy lie into the news? No problem
create
a Jackass organization, "Freedom's Watch" and then post your
irrational buffoonery where everyone can see it.
(082407a) Iranian EFP's in Iraq the
New York Times is taken to task for its coverage of the
story and well, more is in the telling read it
(082007e) Rove,
baby, say it ain't so! Seems like they be tellin' on yo'
ass, boy. (082007g) John Edwards makes a speech. I felt a bit of hope.
Only
time will tell if anything will come of what he spoke of.
Time, I fear, is short (082507a) Another story related to others of over a year ago.
Having to do with religious groups coming to the
conclusion that protecting the ecological well being of
their environment is part of their values. This movement
is in the US, as other stories indicated,
but seems to be putting down roots in central and south
America. (082207c)
Bin
Laden is back on video. Who will call him "Black
Beard"? (090707g) An update on a story of some weeks back. A convoy
of trucks is attacked and now
that law suits and other "complaints" are being aired we get
to see "inside" operations and find, well, problems.
(090307e) How
was one of the worst decisions of the Iraqi war made?
It is not clear, really. Our "Decider in
Chief" couldn't say really. (090407a) And
a bit more on that, Bremmer, saying the "Great Hole"
misspoke (090407b) What
the "Great Hole" knew about the WMDs in Iraq. That
there weren't any to speak of, for one thing. But he chose
to ignore, yet the idiotocracy of dumbbells exemplified by
the noted jackass and imbecile Ron Christie can't seem to
shut up or quit misrepresenting. (090607c) Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Israel: I may not agree with all of what this
person says about the Jewish settlements in what may become
a Palestinian state or how he judges the right of return
but I like the guys chutzpah, really. (090207j)
a special place in hell? Maybe. Lebanon: Lebanon, who
is who and where does the money come from, seems
like everyone has their own answers to these questions
making solving the country's problems all the harder
(090107a) Lebanese
forces retake a refugee camp, finally, but questions
and problems remain, so it would seem (090307a) Greater" Muddle Eastern Theater: Turkey - Syria
- Jordan - Egypt Syria: The
Muddle East does not need incidents and while it may
be true that Israeli plane(s) were inside Syria when they
were fired upon-it is being downplayed-at the moment
(090607e) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Afghanistan: The
resurgent insurgents take back territory and change tactics.
The optimists believe that a major insurgent
offensive was disrupted and that next year we'll see some
real progress, the word turning point was not used.
(090207b) Part two: portrait
of what seems to be a stalemate (090207c) Iraq: How
money rapists have screwed us all over Iraq.
(090807b) Part two, handing the keys to the car
to a moron's moron and dingbats with absolutely
no knowledge of what the hell they were being hired
for. (090807c) Part three, how millions, no
billions
vanished because no one knew where or how it was
spent. (090807c) Part four: the champion of fraud
KBR just has an
AMAZING trail of ripping off everyone in sight.
(090807d) Part five: The
case of one veteran illustrates how private
contractors, which outnumber the troops on
the ground, are treated, well, mistreated or rather
abused and severely so. (090807e) A follow up on the "missing billions" shipped to Iraq.
No one really seems to care much, odd that.
(090607b) Riverbend
has survived her trip out of Iraq. Here is her accounting of
her arrival in Syria. (090607a) The IMF makes its moves on Iraq, or has been
making them and making
progress in "getting what it wants" (090207l)
Something
similar but with other details on the issue
(090207m) Ethnic
cleansing has continued all along and it is nearly complete
in Baghdad 090407c) One reason there may be an
appearance of progress in Baghdad is that the ethnic
cleansing is nearly complete. This is why attacks are
down and the dead body count in the city may be
declining. The
battle of Baghdad is over. (090407d) Iraqi
government, near collapse, is dysfunctional at
best. (090607d) Reports earlier portrayed a rough start to the "go local"
approach to pacifying Iraq but it seems to be enjoying
some successes. There are some concerns with, by and for the
"national" government in Baghdad however
(090407e) Here
is more on that, some details of the "Great Hole's" visit to
Anbar Province (090407f) More
details of "how well" The Surge is working.
(090407g) Iran: Going
back a few months, what was being said about an attack on
Iran? (090707h) Going
back a little further (090707i) And
in recent weeks this is the thinking on that
(090707j) Nukes for Iran? A
story concerning nuclear weapons being handled improperly.
It is all a mistake says the Air Force and they are
reprimanding and Investigating to demonstrate that this is
exactly the case (090607f) But there is a little more
to it than that, there
is an Iran connection and "the someone" who leaked the
information to a news outlet and thus the brouhaha
ensued-one wonders what is going on.
(090607g) The
"sparring" between the US and Iran precedes the much touted
"Iraq Report" which, unedited and truthful,
would show that the war is not "working". (090207d) Part
two, another
round of question and answer, will this be the
last? (090207e) More
on the "Iran war rumor" hints, words, evidence and concerns
(090207k) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Sudan & Darfur: Chaos in the Darfur region of Sudan? An alphabet
soup of acrimonious acronyms seen to be fighting
over what they've taken from the original inhabitants even
as the original conflict wanes (090307c)
Part two:
the details of suffering and internecine conflict
(090307d) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia The "Great Game" of central Asia is "heating up" anew.
Tajikistan is the current focus of the "courtship" efforts
of the US, Russia and China. All
have a stake in winning the hand of this beauty.
(090407h) It is a single bridge build where once
Alexander the Great had to float has
complex reasons for being built and plenty of repercussions
for the geopolitical status of central Asia and
its major players. (090407i) Russia: More
Russian activity, long range strategic bombers head for the
Arctic. (090307b) An
article on global warming as it effects the arctic.
However the comments that are attached to the
article make for an interesting read in and of
themselves. (090807a) As
goes Greenland so goes the Earth? Maybe, maybe not,
but the melting of ice continues to increase its pace and
changes will come (090207i) The
rainiest years are with us now, just as the hottest years
are. (090807f) The crises keep on coming.
If the population of the planet not only increases but
demands more, per capita, then math shows there will be
problems, especially as farmland is degraded.
(090807g) North
Korea got its one on one talks with the US and progress is
being made on the "nuclear issue" The "Great Hole" will tout
this, no doubt. Maybe this and Libya's similar move
will be his foreign policy "successes" (090207h) Polls
show that the EU and the US diverge when it comes to Iran
and Iraq. Afghanistan is another story, but still
they're not quite eye to eye. (090707a) And
speaking of Iraq, most people think we should get out of
there (090707b) A
glorious overview of many of the "problems" the US faces
today. A review of the North Korean and Iranian
situations, overviews of the past "incidents" of US backed,
state sponsored terrorism along with portraits of greed and
the US pot calling the Chinese kettle black.
(090707c) Consumer
protection is safely in the hands of the industries that
they regulate. Feel safer now? No, nor do I, but
then, that's our "Great Hole" in chief for you. Is there
anything he DOESN'T go down on? (090207a) For me the article is arcane. Acronyms and "tech talk"
tell the story, it is true, but it seems that
the world's banking system may be seeing problems that
perhaps originated in the sub-prime housing mess, but they
have now "grown" beyond it. (090707f) Even
coverage of the housing market mess is biased and has to be
refuted as this article does (020907f) Part two,
the focus on Countrywide show the
seamy, scummy, scabrous, oozing underbelly of the companies
tactics in "lending" (090207g) I guess this is just
a historical perspective provided by examples of governments
that experimented with human subjects, military
personnel, using poison gases and other chemical agents.
(090107c) I was talking with friends and repeated an oft stated
belief that most peoples or nations of the world have had
their "day in the sun" when they went a conquering. I ticked
of some unlikely examples, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden,
Norway, Mali, and so forth. There was doubt cast upon that
when someone mentioned Armenia and how it suffered under the
Turks. I couldn't recall an Armenian Empire, however, others do, but first a
brief history of the genocide perpetrated by Turkey against
Armenians (090307f) then, a map of the time
when
Armenia "had its day" as a conquering nation,
(090307g) and finally, one of what
current thinking is among some Armenians regarding the
territories they think their country should consist
of (090307h) The point may well be this: go back far enough in history
and many, many peoples were, at one time or another the
"conquering overlords". I was asked if the fact that the Armenians had had their
day justified what the Turks did. I said no it did not. But
still, annoying and bothersome as it may be, my point was
exemplified: lots of peoples and nations have waged
aggressive, empire building, wars. Few, if any, people are
innocent. A
portion of the USA Patriot Act is struck down.
(090707d) The White House, er I mean the
preszydick is being sued regarding "lost" emails, millions
of them (090707e)
Myths and
falsehoods regarding the surge and its working or
not-guess what , it does not seem to be and here are the
facts to demonstrate that (091007g) Bin
Laden is back on video. Who will call him "Black
Beard"? (090707g) Mixed
reviews for Bin Laden's latest video are portrayed in the
western press. (090907r) An update on a story of some weeks back. A convoy
of trucks is attacked and now
that law suits and other "complaints" are being aired we get
to see "inside" operations and find, well, problems.
(090307e) AQ
is reconstituted and the US and it allies are not getting
the leadership (0909707l) Part two, a
deadly strike at what was supposed to be a "leaders meeting"
killed only villagers despite a long period of
denial and, well, lies. (090907m) Part three,
for not knowing where they are we
seem to know a good deal about who is who, who has what job
and so forth. (090907n) Part four, impressive
media output for an "on the run" gang.
(090907o) How
was one of the worst decisions of the Iraqi war made?
It is not clear, really. Our "Decider in
Chief" couldn't say really. (090407a) And
a bit more on that, Bremmer, saying the "Great Hole"
misspoke (090407b) What
the "Great Hole" knew about the WMDs in Iraq. That
there weren't any to speak of, for one thing. But he chose
to ignore, yet the idiotocracy of dumbbells exemplified by
the noted jackass and imbecile Ron Christie can't seem to
shut up or quit misrepresenting. (090607c) Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Palestine: A Palestinian rocket attack occurs. Some group
claims credit. The
loose lose situation continues. (091007b) Israel: I may not agree with all of what this
person says about the Jewish settlements in what may become
a Palestinian state or how he judges the right of return
but I like the guys chutzpah, really. (090207j)
a special place in hell? Maybe. Lebanon: Lebanon, who
is who and where does the money come from, seems
like everyone has their own answers to these questions
making solving the country's problems all the harder
(090107a) Lebanese
forces retake a refugee camp, finally, but questions
and problems remain, so it would seem (090307a) Greater" Muddle Eastern Theater: Turkey - Syria
- Jordan - Egypt Syria: The
Muddle East does not need incidents and while it may
be true that Israeli plane(s) were inside Syria when they
were fired upon-it is being downplayed-at the moment
(090607e) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Afghanistan: Afghanistan's
troubles suicide attacks on police. Passers by are
killed (091007n) The
news of the day from Iraq and some bits from
Afghanistan (091007o) The
resurgent insurgents take back territory and change tactics.
The optimists believe that a major insurgent
offensive was disrupted and that next year we'll see some
real progress, the word turning point was not used.
(090207b) Part two: portrait
of what seems to be a stalemate (090207c) Iraq: Millions
of Iraqi's are internally displaced (091007d)
And, as far as the surge goes, there is
one
barometer of success, better than all the rest, that has
consistently demonstrated its failure
(091007e) A detailed article
portraying Baghdad at "ground level" on the good
side the article portrays a mixed result, and that is also
the bad news. (090907a) Part two, to some good
extent
the decline in violence in Baghdad and the turnaround which
has many seeking US troops for help is an indicator of how
fearful the two major sects are of each other
(090907b) Part three, individual accounts of how
neighborhoods "work" (090907c) Part four,
what
the areas where progress has been noted look like and why
they are working as they do. (090907d) Part five,
meanwhile
in another part of the city a civil war rages
(090907e) Part six,
the conclusion has an illustrative anecdote that sums
up the nature of the situation and the problems
faced by all sides, trust. (090907f) In
another report, we have the "DC" perspective, it
is an easier read, thought telling in its own right
(090907g) Part two, the
success in Anbar was really one that took the US be
surprise and it is not clear why Sunnis there
decided to "awaken" (090907h) Part three, The
"Great Hole" calls Iraq on a biweekly basis to talk to
Maliki. (090907i) Part four, politics and reality
meeting and arguing while
a new DC spinmaster disseminates the talking points and
generals give tours. (090907j) How
money rapists have screwed us all over Iraq.
(090807b) Part two, handing the keys to the car
to a moron's moron and dingbats with absolutely
no knowledge of what the hell they were being hired
for. (090807c) Part three, how millions, no
billions
vanished because no one knew where or how it was
spent. (090807c) Part four: the champion of fraud
KBR just has an
AMAZING trail of ripping off everyone in sight.
(090807d) Part five: The
case of one veteran illustrates how private
contractors, which outnumber the troops on
the ground, are treated, well, mistreated or rather
abused and severely so. (090807e) A follow up on the "missing billions" shipped to Iraq.
No one really seems to care much, odd that.
(090607b) Riverbend
has survived her trip out of Iraq. Here is her accounting of
her arrival in Syria. (090607a) The IMF makes its moves on Iraq, or has been
making them and making
progress in "getting what it wants" (090207l)
Something
similar but with other details on the issue
(090207m) Ethnic
cleansing has continued all along and it is nearly complete
in Baghdad 090407c) One reason there may be an
appearance of progress in Baghdad is that the ethnic
cleansing is nearly complete. This is why attacks are
down and the dead body count in the city may be
declining. The
battle of Baghdad is over. (090407d) Iraqi
government, near collapse, is dysfunctional at
best. (090607d) Reports earlier portrayed a rough start to the "go local"
approach to pacifying Iraq but it seems to be enjoying
some successes. There are some concerns with, by and for the
"national" government in Baghdad however
(090407e) Here
is more on that, some details of the "Great Hole's" visit to
Anbar Province (090407f) More
details of "how well" The Surge is working.
(090407g) Iran: With speculative arguments the pros and cons are
weighed regarding the
likelihood of an attack on Iran by the US.
desperation bred by failure and long shot thinking
akin to the hope of a gambler used to winning but who is now
loosing their stake. (091007h) Iranians
say that if Iraq cannot control its borders they may engage
in military action. (091007i) Meanwhile the US,
interested in the border areas itself, wants to build a fort
there to stem the flow of Iranian weaponry into Iraq.
(091007j) Going
back a few months, what was being said about an attack on
Iran? (090707h) Going
back a little further (090707i) And
in recent weeks this is the thinking on that
(090707j) Nukes for Iran? A
story concerning nuclear weapons being handled improperly.
It is all a mistake says the Air Force and they are
reprimanding and Investigating to demonstrate that this is
exactly the case (090607f) But there is a little more
to it than that, there
is an Iran connection and "the someone" who leaked the
information to a news outlet and thus the brouhaha
ensued-one wonders what is going on.
(090607g) The
"sparring" between the US and Iran precedes the much touted
"Iraq Report" which, unedited and truthful,
would show that the war is not "working". (090207d) Part
two, another
round of question and answer, will this be the
last? (090207e) More
on the "Iran war rumor" hints, words, evidence and concerns
(090207k) Pakistan: As soon as the guy lands he is "detained"
such
is the life of a possible presidential challenger in
Pakistan (091007m) Later stories report him being
deported. And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Sudan & Darfur: Chaos in the Darfur region of Sudan? An alphabet
soup of acrimonious acronyms seen to be fighting
over what they've taken from the original inhabitants even
as the original conflict wanes (090307c)
Part two:
the details of suffering and internecine conflict
(090307d) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia The "Great Game" of central Asia is "heating up" anew.
Tajikistan is the current focus of the "courtship" efforts
of the US, Russia and China. All
have a stake in winning the hand of this beauty.
(090407h) It is a single bridge build where once
Alexander the Great had to float has
complex reasons for being built and plenty of repercussions
for the geopolitical status of central Asia and
its major players. (090407i) Russia: More
Russian activity, long range strategic bombers head for the
Arctic. (090307b) It
has been a LONG time since we've heard of any dissent in
Mexico. I don't know if the "dual" government still
exists, but we now hear that there are some rebels who claim
to be fighting against the "anti-people" government and they
apparently have learned how to disrupt oil and natural gas
production. (091007a) May
we never need this "Noah's Ark" being built in an island off
Norway. (090907q) An
article on global warming as it effects the arctic.
However the comments that are attached to the
article make for an interesting read in and of
themselves. (090807a) As
goes Greenland so goes the Earth? Maybe, maybe not,
but the melting of ice continues to increase its pace and
changes will come (090207i) The
rainiest years are with us now, just as the hottest years
are. (090807f) The crises keep on coming.
If the population of the planet not only increases but
demands more, per capita, then math shows there will be
problems, especially as farmland is degraded.
(090807g) The
"Shock Doctrine" has long gone global. Its eulogized
creator Milton Friedman would be smiling at the
manner in which New Orleans is being "managed" now.
(090907p) North
Korea got its one on one talks with the US and progress is
being made on the "nuclear issue" The "Great Hole" will tout
this, no doubt. Maybe this and Libya's similar move
will be his foreign policy "successes" (090207h) Polls
show that the EU and the US diverge when it comes to Iran
and Iraq. Afghanistan is another story, but still
they're not quite eye to eye. (090707a) And
speaking of Iraq, most people think we should get out of
there (090707b) One of the effects of our dearly beloved "Great Hole"
in Chief, or as he is sometimes called "President
Magoo" is the "economic picture" with the dollar at a 15
year low one wonders "what is the plan?"
(091007c) A
glorious overview of many of the "problems" the US faces
today. A review of the North Korean and Iranian
situations, overviews of the past "incidents" of US backed,
state sponsored terrorism along with portraits of greed and
the US pot calling the Chinese kettle black.
(090707c) Consumer
protection is safely in the hands of the industries that
they regulate. Feel safer now? No, nor do I, but
then, that's our "Great Hole" in chief for you. Is there
anything he DOESN'T go down on? (090207a) For me the article is arcane. Acronyms and "tech talk"
tell the story, it is true, but it seems that
the world's banking system may be seeing problems that
perhaps originated in the sub-prime housing mess, but they
have now "grown" beyond it. (090707f) Even
coverage of the housing market mess is biased and has to be
refuted as this article does (020907f) Part two,
the focus on Countrywide show the
seamy, scummy, scabrous, oozing underbelly of the companies
tactics in "lending" (090207g) Snooping
FBI bloopers have them caught out.
(091007k) Another
example of folks just making shit up and calling it
news (091007f) And of course the
daily toll and "news" from Iraq-including a critique of the
Couric visit recently touted as "real"
(090907k) I guess this is just
a historical perspective provided by examples of governments
that experimented with human subjects, military
personnel, using poison gases and other chemical agents.
(090107c) I was talking with friends and repeated an oft stated
belief that most peoples or nations of the world have had
their "day in the sun" when they went a conquering. I ticked
of some unlikely examples, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden,
Norway, Mali, and so forth. There was doubt cast upon that
when someone mentioned Armenia and how it suffered under the
Turks. I couldn't recall an Armenian Empire, however, others do, but first a
brief history of the genocide perpetrated by Turkey against
Armenians (090307f) then, a map of the time
when
Armenia "had its day" as a conquering nation,
(090307g) and finally, one of what
current thinking is among some Armenians regarding the
territories they think their country should consist
of (090307h) The point may well be this: go back far enough in history
and many, many peoples were, at one time or another the
"conquering overlords". I was asked if the fact that the Armenians had had their
day justified what the Turks did. I said no it did not. But
still, annoying and bothersome as it may be, my point was
exemplified: lots of peoples and nations have waged
aggressive, empire building, wars. Few, if any, people are
innocent. A
portion of the USA Patriot Act is struck down.
(090707d) The White House, er I mean the
preszydick is being sued regarding "lost" emails, millions
of them (090707e)
Iraq
war was about oil, after all. Greenspan says as much in his
new book. (091507c) Later stories "make up" about
it, but still the headline cannot help but hurt US efforts
in the region, whatever their reasons. A
great overview of the manner in which our "Great Hole" in
Chief has blundered so disastrously in Iraq,
patently inane disconnects between what he says he wants and
how he undercuts efforts to do just that. How the US
has strengthened our touted enemy Iran-however the
historical aspects cannot be overlooked.
(091907b) The CIA was told to "back off Saudis" by the "Great
Hole In Chief" this was before 9/11. However soon
thereafter well, that was a different story and in one case
there was a
raid on a charitable organization that was known to have
connections, as a front, to Bin Laden. Well the boys in blue
swarmed that place three years after any trace of BL's
connection evaporated. Now that's footwork.
(091707b) Just
a snide bit of Cheney's "humor" and some facts,
which make it not so funny after all, if it ever was
(091807f) Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Israel: The interesting thing about the Israeli strike into
Syria is the allegation that the attack targeted and
destroyed some kind of nuclear facility and that there
was North Korean involvement in that
project.
Such a thing doesn't make much sense for North Korea nor, in
my opinion, for Syria. Israel profits from this
mysterious attack as does the US, in the sense that they are
more justified in keeping pressure on both those nations
(092107d) Lebanon: Political
assassination in Lebanon, part of the wider middle-east
muddle, being made worse by our "Dimbulb in Chief",
is another fine mess that can be laid at the feet of US
cowboy/jackass diplomacy and policy, where is Super
CondiGirl when you need her? (091907c) Greater" Muddle Eastern Theater: Turkey - Syria
- Jordan - Egypt - Saudi Arabia The Arms Fair is described the Saudis
did buy the airplanes and everyone contributed to a record
breaking blowout. Iran is cited as the reason.
(091707d) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Iraq: Another,
very tell tale way, to tell the surge isn't working as well
as that of the whole plan for Iraq, whatever it was,
has failed-well, I mean the one that was given to the public
for whatever reason. Smart money is on breakup
(091507j) The sheik that wasn't, the surge and why
"they" killed the man bush shook hands with only days
later. What a mess (091709a) Is it a surge or a
purge? The
number of internally displaced persons soars during the
surge, as does death counts and emigration,
but the focus here is the ever increasing numbers of
displaced (091907d) The progress in Anbar, signing up tribes has been
transferred to Diyala. The idea is to deprive Al Qaida of
sanctuary, support and connections to Iran.
The article reads like progress, but the problem is that Al
Qaida represents only about 5% to 7 % of the resistance
while the rest is Iraqi on Iraqi with everyone taking shots
at US forces. It LOOKS like progress, but only time
will tell if we aren't setting ourselves up for being drawn
into tribal rivalries. (092107c) Iran: Another
article and slightly differing details on the Iran US
war. (091507i) The
"financial war" against Iran picks up pace,
France is its latest star but others go along for the ride.
(092007a) The "drift
toward war" is what Mohamed ElBaradei is working
against: someday soon we'll know if he had an
effect or not. (091807d) And
here are the details, but the interesting part
are the comments that follow, ranging from the "dimbulb" to
first class. (091807e) Something of a reassuring article which sheds light on
the "Bush Whitehouse" and how it has been thinking about
Iran, the upshot is that
a war with Iran may not be in the immediate offing and may
not, therefore, be in the cards at all.
(091907a) France
talking about war with Iran? Note the man,
the founder of Doctors with out borders-a change of heart or
what? (091707c) Later there was some backpedaling but no
real repudiation Syria: More
on the Israeli raid into Syria, a nuke thread neutralized?
Or is this just some more US BS? (091507f)
and does that matter anyway? And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Why is this happening?
Slaughter and dispossession by government troops in the
Central African Republic goes on. Anyone want to
bet on oil or some other natural resource that makes the
effort "profitable"? (091507g) Horning
in on the horn of Africa has us at odds with success,
Somalia, Eritrea and more. (092107e) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia If distrust and enmity can be measured by "spying" by
our
"competitors then those aspects of our relationships with
China and Russia art also at a new high.
(091807a) Russia: Russian
plans again in the news. (091407d) It seems
the Russians
are OK with Iran getting nuclear fuel for its reactor.
The key to this story is that there is a six-month
window before the reactor is "on line". (091607a) Thailand: Bangkok, politicized
monks rouse the public, a government crackdown and a
dash of violence. This is the good news. (091407a)Part
two, the
economic factors play out here fueling public
discontent with the junta. (091407b) Europe a sampler of the headline stories
they've been reading for a time now has some
further
details about the US war on Iran
(091507a) How
"game changers" are the in thing to discuss and a
look at ten of the "most promising" scenarios
(092007b) The AARP wants you to join up and pay … it is not
bargain and presidential
contender Kucinich is in their sights because he challenges
them on their health care and insurance
"connections" (092007c) Repercussions of the Home Loan fiasco still
disrupt things and who
knows if there is more to come. (091407e) The financial "crunch" that may well come has been
foreshadowed by events at the periphery of US
influence,
now the middle east is "second guessing" the value of the
dollar and the worth of keeping so much of them, that bodes
ill for our economy, the housing market and
the sliding power of the dollar (092007d) Greenspan's
recent comment and the question, why,
if he knew, did he do nothing about the housing
bubble? (092007e) Related stories: to our home loan fiasco, it is
asked, "What
does a run on a bank look like?" England knows
(091507b) The
Chinese hold on the dollar is the proverbial pig in a poke.
(091507d) Part two,
just a few figures to mull over (091507e) While it isn't an assault on the dollar, it
seems
the dollar is weakening due to various factors, some of
which are beyond management. (092107a) A house
of cards? Our
economy and the dollar at risk in Saudi hands?
How long WOULD a dollar "crash" take? (092107b) A
flap over an ad criticizing Petraeus' appearances recently,
after the "big report" What a mess (091807b)
And a
follow up on that story, with some coverage of the jackass
mind that is the right wing punditocracy in one of
its "wrongest" moments, no mean feat that, surely.
(091807c) Our Great Hole in Chief has spoken and the
narrative changes but the plot meanders on. The unseen
surge-of words-helps the "real one" work
(092107f) And
why will the show go on for another year, at
least? (092107g) The
world is afflicted with an addiction to death as a
punishment for "being wrong" Everyone is in on the
game and it is very, very sad. (091507h) A
good, healthy read of the Declaration on the rights of
Indigenous Peoples. Guess which nations voted
against it, well, no surprise that the US did is it, but
my, my, my-the company we keep: Australia, New Zealand,
Canada I guess these places have the most to loose when
considering any sort of right of return or booting out of
looters.(091407c),
Germany
and France both speak up in harmony with the US regarding
Iran. Now all we need are the other two "old colonizers" of
the world, England and Spain, to sign on-and we'll
have another chance for a "good old fashioned war
(092607h) While the US backs EU sanctions for Iran
both
seem to be doing business with Iran; Germany says it is
hypocrisy but wants the business too.
(092707d) Why was Petraeus the front man for the report? Why
wasn't he sworn in before making his presentation? How has
the "Great Hole" changed commanders and described how well
we're doing? (092507d) Greenspan
said the Iraq war was about oil. Then he is
trashed in the media, then he backpedals the comment
written in his book. Then we have the other evidence
that what he said was exactly the truth, but which our media
doesn't want to hear or carry to the public
(092607c) Bush's speech to the UN. Oddly
enough he talks as if he supports human rights. You'll
notice he doesn't mention Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, the "Black
Sites" in Europe, Iraq, Afghanistan, the manipulations in
Somalia, our support of the most repressive regimes such as
Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and others.
(0902607e) Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Lebanon: Deadlock in Lebanon's selection of a president.
Threats
and hugs abound in this wild ride-the next date to watch is
10/23/07, when they try again. (092507a) Greater" Muddle Eastern Theater: Turkey - Syria
- Jordan - Egypt - Saudi Arabia Syria: The
Syrian side of the recent Israeli "attack" "raid" whatever
it was. (092207b) In
another article the attack was described as successful, that
satellite photos show a wrecked site of some kind
and the speculation is that Syria is part of a
new "axis of evil" as far as Israel is concerned.
(092207c) The Israeli raid on Syria, even more discussion
and this one seems to make the most sense, however
the "nuclear story" is bigger news and fits the agenda of
some (092407a) The
Israeli raid into Syria, another take on the situation and
some new speculations (092507e) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Iraq: IMHO it seems that the Iraqi
resistance may be taking a lesson from those in
Lebanon, which is to say making a point of
killing legislators who do not share their perspectives.
(092607g) OK, you do the math. According
to this and much earlier statements we've already killed or
captured all the insurgents, a couple of times.
(092707e) The recent Blackwater incident has gotten coverage
but
the military fears that the ripple effect will be worse than
Abu Ghraib-will there be some oversight of these
hired guns or what? (092607b) Iran: Iran is off, Iran is on. If
stupidity is the deciding factor then "hold on to your
collective hats And so: Even
good Old Sy Hersh, he seems to think Iran is on.
(092407f)War
with Iran in the Spring of 08? Maybe sooner? Maybe …
maybe what? (092907b) The
decision in Iran is delayed, at least the one by the
Security Council. No one knows that the
"Gutless Wonder" in Chief will be doing during the
upcoming weeks. (092907a) Some
think the Senate in this action has opened the door to the
possibility of attacking Iran. By declaring portions
of its military terrorist organizations it could allow
attacks on those forces, most of which just happen to be
inside Iran. (092607a) Ahmadinejad's visit to the UN and disallowed visit to
Ground Zero is just the sort of red meat the war
party wants. The
facts don't matter, nor does history or our own fouled up
deeds … read on (092407b) We, the
US
and its rulers, give him the platform to speak to millions
beyond Iran's borders and they listen to him and
like what they hear. (092407g) Ahmadinejad's
trip to Columbia, an impression of the circus, I
mean event. (092507b) Iranians don't understand why we pay so much mind to him,
when
he, in fact, does not wield the same power as the presidents
of other nations. (092407h) Pakistan Pakistan
puts down opposition to some good extent. Mr. M. seems
miffed. (092507f) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Somalia: The
condition of the people in Somalia deteriorates.
Starvation is rampant and this whole scenario is a
direct result of our Jackass in Chief's idiotic fascination
with the delusion of being capable (092607f) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia India: The US/ India nuke deal has some "blowback" for
India's prime minister.
It seems the US wants to make money of the deal, no surprise
there, but also wants to play the "India Democracy" card
against China's growing influence in the
region. (092907c) Myanmar: Monks
get to see San Suu Kyi, the woman who has taken
the lead in opposing her governments idiocy
(092207d) The
US west may have seen its "best" rainfall rates.
With climate change taking a prominent position on
the economic horizon, it behooves us to say "Go east young
farmer, go east" (092307g) This story was spotted before, but this has, at least,
some details. A
"North American Union" NAU is being formed and in so doing
at least challenging if not ending US
sovereignty? (092307h) More
on the plan for a North American Union,
Community, or whatever to supplant the
sovereignty of the US. (092507c) The follow up coup to complete the last
one,
loosing 700 years of human rights and speculation that the
dangers to this nation only grow if an attack on Iran
proceeds no matter its result. (092607d) Dated by a few days, at this writing,
this story outlines the "bubble economy" we've been enjoying
for a few decades, how it came to be, what
its problems are and who is to blame. (092407i)
The
housing market's weakness continues with sales and prices
falling. I read in another article that more of
the same may becoming. (092707a) Maybe
the story will be called "RatherGate"
(092707b) Our
"Great Hole"in chief gets caught out in a lie to the
American people, how about that. Read it here
(092707c) A
sampler of how the politicized media is micromanaged
to the point that an interviewer seems to be reading from a
"Bushist" script. (092407d) More, much more, on the Greenspan
flap about oil being the reason for the Iraq war and
the toppling of Saddam (092307e) Part
two,
So, it IS NEWS, yes? (092307f) Pappy
Bush, li'l Bush, Harriet Meirs, the Vietnam "excuse" and Dan
Rather's case-what a mess. (092207e) The Dan
Rather "Tased and Confused"story. How
he ruined himself, his nation and by extension the world,
ruined a confidential source and walked away with millions
as did another shady character… but Georgie
boy got out of Nam and that's all that counts, isn't it?
(092407j) Here
are the basics six nuclear weapons were loaded onto B'52s
and flown from North Dakota's Minot AFB to Barksdale AFB in
Louisiana. (092307a) part two, the
work life and a question, "why the mix up?"
(092307b) Part three, an
uneventful flight and then "let's go to lunch"
(092307c) Part four, the
blame is passed around and I hope that all is
well. I had wondered, when the story broke,
whether or not covert movement of nuclear weapons were part
of a preparation for "dealing" with Iran.
(092307d) A blink into the past. Back in the 80's the "holy
warriors" fought Soviet aggression in Afghanistan. But
that was not really the case, completely anyway. Hear
Zbigniew Brzezinski say it in a nutshell
(092407c)
09/08//07
09/15//07
09/22//07
09/29//07