Friday, April 30, 2004
"there are no longer torture chambers or mass graves or rape rooms in Iraq,” (warning graphic) the Resident said.
US military police stacked Iraqi prisoners in a human pyramid, and attached wires to one detainee to convince him he might be electrocuted...
BAGHDAD, Iraq - It wasn't being handcuffed to an outdoor pole during five sun-scorched days and five frigid nights that bothered him most, Sadik Hamid al-Marsumi said.
Or being beaten and forced to stay on his hands and knees for two hours while his guard used his back as a chess table.
Or having to transfer sewage with a tablespoon from a full barrel to an empty one.
What really got to the Baghdad construction worker was that the captors inflicting this punishment weren't minions of former leader Saddam Hussein.
Rather, he said, they were U.S. soldiers.
US military police stacked Iraqi prisoners in a human pyramid, and attached wires to one detainee to convince him he might be electrocuted...
BAGHDAD, Iraq - It wasn't being handcuffed to an outdoor pole during five sun-scorched days and five frigid nights that bothered him most, Sadik Hamid al-Marsumi said.
Or being beaten and forced to stay on his hands and knees for two hours while his guard used his back as a chess table.
Or having to transfer sewage with a tablespoon from a full barrel to an empty one.
What really got to the Baghdad construction worker was that the captors inflicting this punishment weren't minions of former leader Saddam Hussein.
Rather, he said, they were U.S. soldiers.
These are the 'insurgents'...a Mother napping with her child...
I was in my house,” Israa’s husband said. It was around three on Saturday April 24th. His friend came to visit, so he was sitting with him in the visitors’ room, Nuredin and Huda, the older two children, playing in the same room while Israa lay down with the youngest child, Abdullah.
“I went to ask her if she would make tea for us but she said she was too tired, so I went back to my friend. After a wile I heard a horrible explosion. My friend went out to see what had happened. I thought our house was OK because nothing happened to the room I was in. My friend said don’t come out, stay in the house. I pushed past him. I tried to go out but there were people coming up the stairs towards me saying the explosion is in your apartment.
“I opened the door to the bedroom and saw light coming in through the ceiling but it was full of smoke and dust. I couldn’t see anything. I was trying to feel my way, to touch something, calling Israa, Israa. I found her body with her belly open and her bowels outside. I went out of the room and told my friend she was not there.
“Two of my friends went in and took the little one from her arms. She was still cuddling him.
The other explosion that Israa’s sisters heard was around the corner, a mortar hitting the pavement outside the front of another residential house, killing a grandfather and a little girl, an hour or so after the explosion in the Chicken Market which killed twelve, maybe fourteen people and injured at least 35 more. The stories, the individual families, the overall numbers are important in themselves, as a record of what is happening to ordinary Iraqis now...
“All we know is it was a US mortar,” Faisal said. “It had the markings on the shell pieces. We don’t know which direction it came from. It was calm and quiet that day. They bombed to try to provoke us so then they can kill us. There are no foreign fighters here. We don’t accept strangers here. They raid houses saying they’re looking for foreign fighters.
“All this trouble is because they closed a newspaper, because it exposed the truth about Bremer.
I was in my house,” Israa’s husband said. It was around three on Saturday April 24th. His friend came to visit, so he was sitting with him in the visitors’ room, Nuredin and Huda, the older two children, playing in the same room while Israa lay down with the youngest child, Abdullah.
“I went to ask her if she would make tea for us but she said she was too tired, so I went back to my friend. After a wile I heard a horrible explosion. My friend went out to see what had happened. I thought our house was OK because nothing happened to the room I was in. My friend said don’t come out, stay in the house. I pushed past him. I tried to go out but there were people coming up the stairs towards me saying the explosion is in your apartment.
“I opened the door to the bedroom and saw light coming in through the ceiling but it was full of smoke and dust. I couldn’t see anything. I was trying to feel my way, to touch something, calling Israa, Israa. I found her body with her belly open and her bowels outside. I went out of the room and told my friend she was not there.
“Two of my friends went in and took the little one from her arms. She was still cuddling him.
The other explosion that Israa’s sisters heard was around the corner, a mortar hitting the pavement outside the front of another residential house, killing a grandfather and a little girl, an hour or so after the explosion in the Chicken Market which killed twelve, maybe fourteen people and injured at least 35 more. The stories, the individual families, the overall numbers are important in themselves, as a record of what is happening to ordinary Iraqis now...
“All we know is it was a US mortar,” Faisal said. “It had the markings on the shell pieces. We don’t know which direction it came from. It was calm and quiet that day. They bombed to try to provoke us so then they can kill us. There are no foreign fighters here. We don’t accept strangers here. They raid houses saying they’re looking for foreign fighters.
“All this trouble is because they closed a newspaper, because it exposed the truth about Bremer.
Mr. Bush has enmeshed us in a war that we can't win and that we don't know how to end. Each loss of a life in this tragic exercise is a reminder of lessons never learned from history. And the most fundamental of those lessons is that fantasy must always genuflect before reality.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, has pulled the plug on the Nightline tribute to our nation's fallen.
Sinclair's contributions to Republicans: $64,125.32
to Democrats: $1,308.68
Sinclair's contributions to Republicans: $64,125.32
to Democrats: $1,308.68
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Fluff & Stuff
or: Flailing to Avoid the Real Issues
The Republicans have subjected Kerry's time in Vietnam to the kind of going-over normally accorded war criminals. Did he really deserve that third Purple Heart? How big, exactly, was that piece of shrapnel that had to be removed from his left arm?
We could, I suppose, ask an equivalent question of Bush, but only if they awarded Purple Hearts for paper cuts incurred in the campaign headquarters of the Republican Senate candidate for whom Bush worked during the year he was supposed to be serving with the Air National Guard in Alabama.
___________________________
George W. Bush did in fact disappear from his Guard post after the government spent nearly a million dollars training him. He did not, in fact, produce anything near conclusive proof that he fulfilled his obligations to our government and the Texas Air National Guard. He only escaped closer scrutiny over the issue because he rope-a-doped the media until they were tired of asking questions to which no answers would ever be forthcoming, and he topped it off by doing a document dump - which included such utter detritus as a receipt for a dental appointment and a hernia operation when he was a teenager - on a Friday afternoon and then had his surrogates declare the matter closed.
In short, he put out the mother of all smokescreens, and the media fell for it.
or: Flailing to Avoid the Real Issues
The Republicans have subjected Kerry's time in Vietnam to the kind of going-over normally accorded war criminals. Did he really deserve that third Purple Heart? How big, exactly, was that piece of shrapnel that had to be removed from his left arm?
We could, I suppose, ask an equivalent question of Bush, but only if they awarded Purple Hearts for paper cuts incurred in the campaign headquarters of the Republican Senate candidate for whom Bush worked during the year he was supposed to be serving with the Air National Guard in Alabama.
___________________________
George W. Bush did in fact disappear from his Guard post after the government spent nearly a million dollars training him. He did not, in fact, produce anything near conclusive proof that he fulfilled his obligations to our government and the Texas Air National Guard. He only escaped closer scrutiny over the issue because he rope-a-doped the media until they were tired of asking questions to which no answers would ever be forthcoming, and he topped it off by doing a document dump - which included such utter detritus as a receipt for a dental appointment and a hernia operation when he was a teenager - on a Friday afternoon and then had his surrogates declare the matter closed.
In short, he put out the mother of all smokescreens, and the media fell for it.
Osama Worm
There's a virus going around being spread under an e-mail with the subject "Osama Bin Laden Captured!" If you get the e-mail, don't open it.
via Bark Bark Woof Woof
There's a virus going around being spread under an e-mail with the subject "Osama Bin Laden Captured!" If you get the e-mail, don't open it.
via Bark Bark Woof Woof
"Society neither hears nor sees the great changes going on. Either man is obsolete or war is. War is the ultimate tool of politics. Political leaders look out only for their own side. Politicians are always realistically maneuvering for the next election. They are obsolete as fundamental problem-solvers."
Buckminster Fuller
Buckminster Fuller
"Sometimes a guy will go down, and I'll let him scream a bit to destroy the morale of his buddies," said the Marine corporal. "Then I'll use a second shot...."
While official policy discourages Marines from keeping a personal count of people they have killed, the custom continues. In nearly two weeks of conflict here, the corporal from a Midwestern city has emerged as the top sniper, with 24 confirmed kills. By comparison, the top Marine Corps sniper in Vietnam killed 103 people in 16 months.
"As a sniper, your goal is to completely demoralize the enemy," said the corporal, who played football and ran track in high school and dreams of becoming a high school coach. "I couldn't have asked to be in a better place. I just got lucky: to be here at the right time and with the right training."
Coach? Should this man even be around kids?
While official policy discourages Marines from keeping a personal count of people they have killed, the custom continues. In nearly two weeks of conflict here, the corporal from a Midwestern city has emerged as the top sniper, with 24 confirmed kills. By comparison, the top Marine Corps sniper in Vietnam killed 103 people in 16 months.
"As a sniper, your goal is to completely demoralize the enemy," said the corporal, who played football and ran track in high school and dreams of becoming a high school coach. "I couldn't have asked to be in a better place. I just got lucky: to be here at the right time and with the right training."
Coach? Should this man even be around kids?
While the American media talks of the great restraint and “pinpoint precision” of the American attack, over 700 people, at least half of them civilians, have been killed in Fallujah. And, according to the Ministry of Health, in the last two weeks, at least 290 were killed in other cities, over 30 of them children. Many of those who died because of the hospital closures will never be added in to the final tally of the “liberation.”
Last week, Secret Service agents paid a visit to Prosser to try to answer an unusual question: Was the high-school freshman who turned in a drawing of President Bush with his head on a stake a threat?
IN the post-September 11 world, threats to US President George W. Bush can lurk anywhere.
Even on the sketch pad of a 15-year-old high school student from a sleepy rural town in central Washington state. The Secret Service flew to Prosser last Saturday, Australian time, to interview the unnamed boy after he drew for an art assignment "violent" sketches critical of Mr Bush and the war in Iraq, which school officials found disturbing.
The school called police who, in turn, faxed the drawings to the Secret Service.
One of the sketches showed a man in Middle Eastern dress with an AK-47 rifle holding a stick skewering Mr Bush's head. The caption called for an end to the war in Iraq. Another sketch showed Mr Bush dressed as a devil, firing a missile. A third urged people to vote for Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader.
School principal Kevin Lusk yesterday defended the decision to alert police, which civil rights critics have decried as an infringement of the constitutional right to freedom of speech, telling Reuters the sketches "weren't following the expectations of the teacher".
IN the post-September 11 world, threats to US President George W. Bush can lurk anywhere.
Even on the sketch pad of a 15-year-old high school student from a sleepy rural town in central Washington state. The Secret Service flew to Prosser last Saturday, Australian time, to interview the unnamed boy after he drew for an art assignment "violent" sketches critical of Mr Bush and the war in Iraq, which school officials found disturbing.
The school called police who, in turn, faxed the drawings to the Secret Service.
One of the sketches showed a man in Middle Eastern dress with an AK-47 rifle holding a stick skewering Mr Bush's head. The caption called for an end to the war in Iraq. Another sketch showed Mr Bush dressed as a devil, firing a missile. A third urged people to vote for Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader.
School principal Kevin Lusk yesterday defended the decision to alert police, which civil rights critics have decried as an infringement of the constitutional right to freedom of speech, telling Reuters the sketches "weren't following the expectations of the teacher".
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
-- Dr. Seuss
-- Dr. Seuss
So far in April, more than 900 soldiers and Marines have been wounded in Iraq, more than twice the number wounded in October, the previous high. With the tally still climbing, this month's injuries account for about a quarter of the 3,864 U.S. servicemen and women listed as wounded in action since the March 2003 invasion.
Sovereign adj. {ME. soveraine OFr. VL *superanus L. super above, OVER} 1. above or superior to all others; chief; greatest; supreme 2. supreme in power, rank, or authority 3. of or holding the position of ruler; royal; reigning 4. independent of all others [a sovereign state] 5. excellent; outstanding 6. very effectual, as a cure or remedy --n. 1. a person who possesses sovereign authority or power; specif., a monarch or ruler 2. a group of persons or a state that possesses sovereign authority 3. a British gold coin valued at 20 shillings or one pound sterling, no longer minted for circulation
sovereignty n., pl, -ties [ME. soverainete Anglo-Fr. sovereynete`, OFr., souverainete`] 1. the state or quality of being sovereign 2. the status, dominion, rule, or power of a sovereign 3. supreme and independent political authority 4. a sovereign state or governmental unit
The latest confirmation of how everything has become unstuck is the much-heralded handover of sovereignty to the Iraqis on June 30.
This was always something of a con because it would have involved only nominal sovereignty.
Now it has become the worst kind of con ? a glaringly visible one.
The word from Washington is now that while sovereignty will still be handed over to some form of caretaker government, this administration will have only partial control over its own armed forces and no power to enact any new laws.
The new Iraqi government, thus, would be as much a puppet as the existing, and widely despised, American-appointed Governing Council.
An argument can certainly be made that Iraq is now so chaotic that the American-led coalition will still have to run the place until elections due to be held early next year.
In political and diplomatic terms, though, this is an abject admission of failure. And it means the Americans will remain, visibly, as occupiers until well into next year, at a minimum.
Jack Straw: My message to the terrorists is clear. We will not allow you to derail the process of transition to a sovereign and democratic Iraq.
"We're still here. We'll be paying a lot of attention and we'll have a lot of influence," a top U.S. official said on condition of anonymity. "We're going to have the world's largest diplomatic mission with a significant amount of political weight."
The Bush administration's plans for a new caretaker government in Iraq would place severe limits on its sovereignty, including only partial command over its armed forces and no authority to enact new laws, administration officials said Thursday.
"I hope they will understand that in order for this government to get up and running - to be effective - some of its sovereignty will have to be given back, if I can put it that way, or limited by them," Mr Powell said.
"It's sovereignty but [some] of that sovereignty they are going to allow us to exercise on their behalf and with their permission."
One of the hardest jobs in the world has to be "Pentagon spokesperson," the
fellow who gets stuck explaining that up is down and black is white.
sovereignty n., pl, -ties [ME. soverainete Anglo-Fr. sovereynete`, OFr., souverainete`] 1. the state or quality of being sovereign 2. the status, dominion, rule, or power of a sovereign 3. supreme and independent political authority 4. a sovereign state or governmental unit
The latest confirmation of how everything has become unstuck is the much-heralded handover of sovereignty to the Iraqis on June 30.
This was always something of a con because it would have involved only nominal sovereignty.
Now it has become the worst kind of con ? a glaringly visible one.
The word from Washington is now that while sovereignty will still be handed over to some form of caretaker government, this administration will have only partial control over its own armed forces and no power to enact any new laws.
The new Iraqi government, thus, would be as much a puppet as the existing, and widely despised, American-appointed Governing Council.
An argument can certainly be made that Iraq is now so chaotic that the American-led coalition will still have to run the place until elections due to be held early next year.
In political and diplomatic terms, though, this is an abject admission of failure. And it means the Americans will remain, visibly, as occupiers until well into next year, at a minimum.
Jack Straw: My message to the terrorists is clear. We will not allow you to derail the process of transition to a sovereign and democratic Iraq.
"We're still here. We'll be paying a lot of attention and we'll have a lot of influence," a top U.S. official said on condition of anonymity. "We're going to have the world's largest diplomatic mission with a significant amount of political weight."
The Bush administration's plans for a new caretaker government in Iraq would place severe limits on its sovereignty, including only partial command over its armed forces and no authority to enact new laws, administration officials said Thursday.
"I hope they will understand that in order for this government to get up and running - to be effective - some of its sovereignty will have to be given back, if I can put it that way, or limited by them," Mr Powell said.
"It's sovereignty but [some] of that sovereignty they are going to allow us to exercise on their behalf and with their permission."
One of the hardest jobs in the world has to be "Pentagon spokesperson," the
fellow who gets stuck explaining that up is down and black is white.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
TBR News has an interesting follow-up to the memo about Bush's seizures.
Note: We listed a number of observed and pubic actions of the President, sent them to a major hospital in the New York area to the attention of the Department of Neurology. In this communication, we indicated that the symptoms belonged to a relative who was at the head of an important American business entity. This is the reply from the head neurologist at the hospital complex. Needless to say, we have redacted his name but anyone else can get an identical response from a neurologist in their own area.
The hypothesis is that Bush may be suffering from Alzheimer's.
This got me to thinking about the incumbent's past alcohol and drug use, and a quick search leads me to believe that this is probably what the problem is.
Korsakoff syndrome, or Korsakoff psychosis, involves impairment of memory out of proportion to other cognitive functions. The most distinguishing symptom is confabulation (fabrication) where the person makes up detailed, believable (or not) stories about experiences or situations to cover the gaps in the memory. Korsakoff psychosis involves damage to areas of the brain involved with memory.
Symptoms:
Vision changes
Double vision
Eye movements abnormalities
Eyelid drooping
Loss of muscle coordination
Unsteady, uncoordinated walking (Letterman has quite a few clips that demonstrate this)
Loss of memory, can be profound
Inability to form new memories
Confabulation
Warning Signs
This list of warning signs of possible dementia are published on the Alzheimer's Outreach web site:
Personality changes
Frustration, Anger, and Irritability
Emotional Lability, Unstable moods
Paranoia, Suspicion, and Jealously
Insensitivity to Others
Flat Emotional Responses
Loss of Inhibitions
Fear of Being Alone
Loss of problem-solving skills
Inability to do Familiar Tasks
Inability to Make Connections
Inability to Make Decisions
Inability to Initiate or Complete a Project
Communication problems
Problems Finding Words
Inability to Follow a Conversation
Repeating the Question
Disorientation
Loss of a Sense of Time
Getting Lost in Familiar Areas
Not Recognizing People
New and unfamiliar behaviors
Neglect of Self or Property
Hoarding
______________________________________
Taking cocaine could cause irreversible brain damage, scientists from Edinburgh University have warned.
Tests on genetically modified mice showed that cocaine inhibited the brainby destroying a key protein responsible for learning and memory.
Dry Drunk: 'Bush's rigid, judgmental outlook comes across in virtually all his speeches. To fight evil, Bush is ready to take on the world, in almost a biblical sense. . . . Bush possesses the characteristics of the `dry drunk' in terms of his incoherence while speaking away from the script; his irritability with anyone (for example, Germany's Gerhard Schreoder) who dares disagree with him; and his dangerous obsessing about only one thing (Iraq). . . .
Brain shrinking is especially extensive in the cortex of the frontal lobe - the location of higher cognitive faculties.
The vulnerability to this frontal lobe shrinkage increases with age. After 40 some of the changes my be irreversible.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
Note: We listed a number of observed and pubic actions of the President, sent them to a major hospital in the New York area to the attention of the Department of Neurology. In this communication, we indicated that the symptoms belonged to a relative who was at the head of an important American business entity. This is the reply from the head neurologist at the hospital complex. Needless to say, we have redacted his name but anyone else can get an identical response from a neurologist in their own area.
The hypothesis is that Bush may be suffering from Alzheimer's.
This got me to thinking about the incumbent's past alcohol and drug use, and a quick search leads me to believe that this is probably what the problem is.
Korsakoff syndrome, or Korsakoff psychosis, involves impairment of memory out of proportion to other cognitive functions. The most distinguishing symptom is confabulation (fabrication) where the person makes up detailed, believable (or not) stories about experiences or situations to cover the gaps in the memory. Korsakoff psychosis involves damage to areas of the brain involved with memory.
Symptoms:
Vision changes
Double vision
Eye movements abnormalities
Eyelid drooping
Loss of muscle coordination
Unsteady, uncoordinated walking (Letterman has quite a few clips that demonstrate this)
Loss of memory, can be profound
Inability to form new memories
Confabulation
Warning Signs
This list of warning signs of possible dementia are published on the Alzheimer's Outreach web site:
Personality changes
Frustration, Anger, and Irritability
Emotional Lability, Unstable moods
Paranoia, Suspicion, and Jealously
Insensitivity to Others
Flat Emotional Responses
Loss of Inhibitions
Fear of Being Alone
Loss of problem-solving skills
Inability to do Familiar Tasks
Inability to Make Connections
Inability to Make Decisions
Inability to Initiate or Complete a Project
Communication problems
Problems Finding Words
Inability to Follow a Conversation
Repeating the Question
Disorientation
Loss of a Sense of Time
Getting Lost in Familiar Areas
Not Recognizing People
New and unfamiliar behaviors
Neglect of Self or Property
Hoarding
______________________________________
Taking cocaine could cause irreversible brain damage, scientists from Edinburgh University have warned.
Tests on genetically modified mice showed that cocaine inhibited the brainby destroying a key protein responsible for learning and memory.
Dry Drunk: 'Bush's rigid, judgmental outlook comes across in virtually all his speeches. To fight evil, Bush is ready to take on the world, in almost a biblical sense. . . . Bush possesses the characteristics of the `dry drunk' in terms of his incoherence while speaking away from the script; his irritability with anyone (for example, Germany's Gerhard Schreoder) who dares disagree with him; and his dangerous obsessing about only one thing (Iraq). . . .
Brain shrinking is especially extensive in the cortex of the frontal lobe - the location of higher cognitive faculties.
The vulnerability to this frontal lobe shrinkage increases with age. After 40 some of the changes my be irreversible.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
Monday, April 26, 2004
Once elected, Bush held secret meetings with the state's dirtiest industries, concocted a "voluntary pollution permitting program" that barely curbed emissions—a program that let Occidental's chemical plants keep spewing a million pounds of poisons into Texas skies annually. Maybe it was as a "thank you," that retired Occidental Chemical Division CEO J. Roger Hirl raised $100,000 for Bush's 2000 presidential bid.
Vanunu is in a position to expose the close partnership with the United States in the development of Israel's nuclear armaments.
US snipers in Falluja shoot unarmed man in the back, old woman with white flag, children fleeing their homes and the ambulance that we were going in to fetch a woman in premature labour.
Go listen to Dana Lyons.
I had a chance to hear him, and he's great! He sang 'Ride the Lawn' from his new CD.
He's progressive, funny, political, and has a good voice. He sang a song he wrote for Jane Goodall, that he'll be singing in New York on U.N. World Peace Day on September 21st.
I had a chance to hear him, and he's great! He sang 'Ride the Lawn' from his new CD.
He's progressive, funny, political, and has a good voice. He sang a song he wrote for Jane Goodall, that he'll be singing in New York on U.N. World Peace Day on September 21st.
Friday, April 23, 2004
Controlling the News Part 38 In-House Memos on Television And Print Media News Presentations
Note: The following material is from a reporter with access to the White House and Presidential press briefings. Some of this material has surfaced before but only in small segments. If any of this is true and not the product of an unhappy person, we are all in serious trouble. Ed.
"In the current White House, attendance at daily Christian Evangelical prayer meetings is mandatory."
"Vice President Cheney is the de facto President of the United States. When he arrives at the White House for one of his "briefings" of the President, all employees are cleared from the West Wing and especially from the Presidential office suites. Cheney arrives in an escorted armored limousine surrounded by his own personal, heavily armed bodyguard and is always shown directly into the President's office. It is reliably reported by [redacted] that Bush has a thick pad of lined, yellow note paper on his desk, placed there by [redacted] just before the Vice President arrives."
"After Cheney's departure, the notes taken by the President are transcribed by [redacted] and prepared as talking points for the President..."
"At some time in the past, according to both [redacted] and [redacted] the President suffered what one of his aides called "a very minor seizure" and as a result of this, the President has a very difficult time following any unscripted conversations. For this reason, his staff carefully and aggressively protect the President from "unexpected" questions that he is not capable of answering." More.
via TBRNews
Note: The following material is from a reporter with access to the White House and Presidential press briefings. Some of this material has surfaced before but only in small segments. If any of this is true and not the product of an unhappy person, we are all in serious trouble. Ed.
"In the current White House, attendance at daily Christian Evangelical prayer meetings is mandatory."
"Vice President Cheney is the de facto President of the United States. When he arrives at the White House for one of his "briefings" of the President, all employees are cleared from the West Wing and especially from the Presidential office suites. Cheney arrives in an escorted armored limousine surrounded by his own personal, heavily armed bodyguard and is always shown directly into the President's office. It is reliably reported by [redacted] that Bush has a thick pad of lined, yellow note paper on his desk, placed there by [redacted] just before the Vice President arrives."
"After Cheney's departure, the notes taken by the President are transcribed by [redacted] and prepared as talking points for the President..."
"At some time in the past, according to both [redacted] and [redacted] the President suffered what one of his aides called "a very minor seizure" and as a result of this, the President has a very difficult time following any unscripted conversations. For this reason, his staff carefully and aggressively protect the President from "unexpected" questions that he is not capable of answering." More.
via TBRNews
The Defense Department has announced that Selective Service is making preparations for another draft, "in case one is needed."
"God loves you, and I love you. And you can count on both of us as a powerful message that people who wonder about their future can hear." George W. Bush, Los Angeles, Calif., March 3, 2004
A woman was recently declared not guilty by reason of insanity for stoning her children to death after 'God ordered her' to do so.
Thousands have died in a war that George W. Bush said God told him to direct.
What's the difference? What makes her 'insane' amd Bush not? Money?
A key tenet of the end times, very popular within the Bush administration, is you never know when the moment to convert or die will occur. Heck, it could be right in the middle of a drunken stupor, or when you are choking on a pretzel! One must always be ready for the
unexpected.
Their preachers are telling them that Bush has been chosen by God to lead America into the Rapture. Bush encourages this with his religiosity, which is obviously hypocritical, since he violates the most important teaching, "love your neighbor" every day.
'I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it.'
I believe God has called us into action
God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East. If you help me I will act, and if not, the elections will come and I will have to focus on them."
Bush believes he was called by God to lead the nation at this time, says Commerce Secretary Don Evans, a close friend who talks with Bush every day.
The statement by Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush that "Christ" is the political philosopher with whom he identifies most is renewing questions over whether his worldview is as inclusive as he suggests.
(he has said this recently, too; when asked which political figure he most identifies with, he smugly replied, "Christ!")
Close friends say that after 9/11 Bush found "his mission in life." The self-help Methodist slowly became a messianic Calvinist promoting America's mission to "rid the world of evil."
"I believe God wants me to be president." After Sept. 11, Michael Duffy wrote in Time magazine, the president spoke of "being chosen by the grace of God to lead at that moment."
Be the first one on your block, to have your boy come home in a box.
A woman was recently declared not guilty by reason of insanity for stoning her children to death after 'God ordered her' to do so.
Thousands have died in a war that George W. Bush said God told him to direct.
What's the difference? What makes her 'insane' amd Bush not? Money?
A key tenet of the end times, very popular within the Bush administration, is you never know when the moment to convert or die will occur. Heck, it could be right in the middle of a drunken stupor, or when you are choking on a pretzel! One must always be ready for the
unexpected.
Their preachers are telling them that Bush has been chosen by God to lead America into the Rapture. Bush encourages this with his religiosity, which is obviously hypocritical, since he violates the most important teaching, "love your neighbor" every day.
'I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it.'
I believe God has called us into action
God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East. If you help me I will act, and if not, the elections will come and I will have to focus on them."
Bush believes he was called by God to lead the nation at this time, says Commerce Secretary Don Evans, a close friend who talks with Bush every day.
The statement by Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush that "Christ" is the political philosopher with whom he identifies most is renewing questions over whether his worldview is as inclusive as he suggests.
(he has said this recently, too; when asked which political figure he most identifies with, he smugly replied, "Christ!")
Close friends say that after 9/11 Bush found "his mission in life." The self-help Methodist slowly became a messianic Calvinist promoting America's mission to "rid the world of evil."
"I believe God wants me to be president." After Sept. 11, Michael Duffy wrote in Time magazine, the president spoke of "being chosen by the grace of God to lead at that moment."
Be the first one on your block, to have your boy come home in a box.
Mosey on over to The Raw Story, "which culls and composes progressive news, arts and business reporting from around the world." Says John Byrne, proprietor.
“And, Don, you know, if I tried to fine-tune my messages based upon polls, I think I'd be pretty ineffective. I know I would be disappointed in myself.”
One adviser said the White House had examined polling and focus group studies in determining that it would be a mistake for Mr. Bush to appear to yield…. In addition, they said, any suggestion of error might undercut Mr. Bush’s standing with his most fervent supporters and thus complicate his efforts to challenge Mr. Kerry on this issue.
“It would really damage him tremendously with his base,” said one Republican close to the White House.”
via The Gadflyer
One adviser said the White House had examined polling and focus group studies in determining that it would be a mistake for Mr. Bush to appear to yield…. In addition, they said, any suggestion of error might undercut Mr. Bush’s standing with his most fervent supporters and thus complicate his efforts to challenge Mr. Kerry on this issue.
“It would really damage him tremendously with his base,” said one Republican close to the White House.”
via The Gadflyer
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Did you know that your hard earned tax dollars are being spent on the Bush campaign?
via Talking Points
via Talking Points
Congressman Jay Inslee hosted the Apollo Energy Forum last week, and other than paying $18.00 to park, it was a worthwhile trip.
Our reliance on the Middle East for oil is estimated to be 120 million barrels in the next 25 years, up from a current import of 80 million. The implications of this are staggering in terms of global warming, our economy, and future international conflict.
Gai Luft, of the Institute for the Analysis of Energy Security, brought into focus the consequences of this rising dependency for the U.S. and China, predicting that if we don’t make some changes now, “We will meet in the Middle East and the world will tremble.” Underlining the importance of making renewable energy a major issue, he stated, “We don’t have time to wait for perfect world solutions,”
Philip Mote, from the University of Washington discussed the impacts of global warming on the Northwest. “How much further are we willing to let it go?” He asked.
CO2 emissions are up by 32% from 1860, with global average temperatures rising 1.1%. We are losing the snow pack in the Cascades; glaciers are receding, causing faster warming in the spring, less rain in summer. With reduced summer flow in rivers, we will face more wind storms, dry spells and coastal fog.
Professor Daniel Kammen, of UCLA, spoke about the economic benefits of New Energy.
The United States pays $113 billion for imported oil, with use of oil and gas at record high levels. Our energy policy has been shaped by the Arab oil embargo, the Iranian Revolution, the Iran/Iraq War, the First Gulf War, and the current War in Iraq. We rely on the Middle East for 6% of our oil and gas.
The United States trails Europe and Asia in terms of developing alternate energy sources. Germany, Spain, and Denmark lead in development of utilizing wind, Japan and German in the use of solar energy. By adopting even a reasonable energy policy, Kammen states that we would see one to three million new jobs over the next fourteen years. “”We’re making ourselves more dependant than we were at the height of the OPEC crisis.” He stated, adding that “We need to make changes now and move forward. Renewable sources will create 29% more jobs.” The global market for fossil fuels would be non-existent, and as more renewable energy sources are built, the cost of that energy goes down.”
K. C. Golden, of Climate Solutions, pointed out that in 1961 it wasn’t possible to send someone to the moon, but through the leadership of John F. Kennedy, it was made possible. He envisions the Northwest as the “Cape Canaveral of the Clean Energy Launch”. We need to be ‘energy independent’, he said, citing volatile prices of fossil fuels and the resulting climate disruption; “Clean energy is coming of age.”
Golden notes that we are suffering from ‘Arrested Technology Development’, but that ‘We can choose a brighter future”, pointing out that “the Stone Age didn’t end because they ran out of stones.”
Why begin the Apollo program in the Northwest, he asks? The mountains contain one of the largest renewable energy supplies; there is an existing infrastructure of private and public sector leaders, and information technology leadership already in place, which could serve as the basis for a ‘Smart Energy’ program. “Build a new electric grid that operates less like a mainframe and more like a web.” He insisted that we need the same kind of determination as JFK, quoting: “That challenge is one we are willing to accept, one that we are unwilling to postpone and one which we intend to win.”
“We are lacking the political will to change.” Braken Hendricks, of the Apollo Alliance said. “Take the false choice of jobs. We can’t afford to sacrifice putting food on the table or the health of the future.”
Braken outlined a 10 point plan for energy independency by 2015 that includes advances in technology and hybrid cars. Over three million jobs would be created over a ten year progression, improving the efficiency of our economy by 20%. Money that would have been spent on fuel would be reinvested in capital investments, resulting in better jobs. He stated that utilizing a renewable energy would result in four times the mega watts produced than from conventional sources.
Braken sees wind, sun, bio-fuels, and geothermal energy, as a way to pioneer a new economy, a ‘bright light’ that can save three times what Seattle currently uses, stating that it would amount to an annual savings of $500 million. He calls upon the West coast government to make a pact to reduce greenhouse gasses. “This is the time. This is the place. We are the people.”
Our reliance on the Middle East for oil is estimated to be 120 million barrels in the next 25 years, up from a current import of 80 million. The implications of this are staggering in terms of global warming, our economy, and future international conflict.
Gai Luft, of the Institute for the Analysis of Energy Security, brought into focus the consequences of this rising dependency for the U.S. and China, predicting that if we don’t make some changes now, “We will meet in the Middle East and the world will tremble.” Underlining the importance of making renewable energy a major issue, he stated, “We don’t have time to wait for perfect world solutions,”
Philip Mote, from the University of Washington discussed the impacts of global warming on the Northwest. “How much further are we willing to let it go?” He asked.
CO2 emissions are up by 32% from 1860, with global average temperatures rising 1.1%. We are losing the snow pack in the Cascades; glaciers are receding, causing faster warming in the spring, less rain in summer. With reduced summer flow in rivers, we will face more wind storms, dry spells and coastal fog.
Professor Daniel Kammen, of UCLA, spoke about the economic benefits of New Energy.
The United States pays $113 billion for imported oil, with use of oil and gas at record high levels. Our energy policy has been shaped by the Arab oil embargo, the Iranian Revolution, the Iran/Iraq War, the First Gulf War, and the current War in Iraq. We rely on the Middle East for 6% of our oil and gas.
The United States trails Europe and Asia in terms of developing alternate energy sources. Germany, Spain, and Denmark lead in development of utilizing wind, Japan and German in the use of solar energy. By adopting even a reasonable energy policy, Kammen states that we would see one to three million new jobs over the next fourteen years. “”We’re making ourselves more dependant than we were at the height of the OPEC crisis.” He stated, adding that “We need to make changes now and move forward. Renewable sources will create 29% more jobs.” The global market for fossil fuels would be non-existent, and as more renewable energy sources are built, the cost of that energy goes down.”
K. C. Golden, of Climate Solutions, pointed out that in 1961 it wasn’t possible to send someone to the moon, but through the leadership of John F. Kennedy, it was made possible. He envisions the Northwest as the “Cape Canaveral of the Clean Energy Launch”. We need to be ‘energy independent’, he said, citing volatile prices of fossil fuels and the resulting climate disruption; “Clean energy is coming of age.”
Golden notes that we are suffering from ‘Arrested Technology Development’, but that ‘We can choose a brighter future”, pointing out that “the Stone Age didn’t end because they ran out of stones.”
Why begin the Apollo program in the Northwest, he asks? The mountains contain one of the largest renewable energy supplies; there is an existing infrastructure of private and public sector leaders, and information technology leadership already in place, which could serve as the basis for a ‘Smart Energy’ program. “Build a new electric grid that operates less like a mainframe and more like a web.” He insisted that we need the same kind of determination as JFK, quoting: “That challenge is one we are willing to accept, one that we are unwilling to postpone and one which we intend to win.”
“We are lacking the political will to change.” Braken Hendricks, of the Apollo Alliance said. “Take the false choice of jobs. We can’t afford to sacrifice putting food on the table or the health of the future.”
Braken outlined a 10 point plan for energy independency by 2015 that includes advances in technology and hybrid cars. Over three million jobs would be created over a ten year progression, improving the efficiency of our economy by 20%. Money that would have been spent on fuel would be reinvested in capital investments, resulting in better jobs. He stated that utilizing a renewable energy would result in four times the mega watts produced than from conventional sources.
Braken sees wind, sun, bio-fuels, and geothermal energy, as a way to pioneer a new economy, a ‘bright light’ that can save three times what Seattle currently uses, stating that it would amount to an annual savings of $500 million. He calls upon the West coast government to make a pact to reduce greenhouse gasses. “This is the time. This is the place. We are the people.”
Monday, April 19, 2004
Cluster bombs are again being used in Iraq.
Another doctor at Noman Hospital, who asked to remain anonymous, stated that he saw the U.S. military dropping cluster bombs on the Al-Dora area last December, "I've seen it all with my own eyes. The U.S. later removed the unexploded bombs by soldiers picking up the bomblets and putting them in their helmets."
He also believes that cluster bombs are currently being used in Falluja, based on reports from field doctors presently working there, as well as statements taken from wounded civilians of Falluja.
He also claimed that many of the Falluja victims he had treated had been shot with ‘dum-dum bullets', which are hollow point bullets that are designed to inflict maximum internal damage. These are also referred to as ‘expanding bullets.'
Another doctor at Noman Hospital, who asked to remain anonymous, stated that he saw the U.S. military dropping cluster bombs on the Al-Dora area last December, "I've seen it all with my own eyes. The U.S. later removed the unexploded bombs by soldiers picking up the bomblets and putting them in their helmets."
He also believes that cluster bombs are currently being used in Falluja, based on reports from field doctors presently working there, as well as statements taken from wounded civilians of Falluja.
He also claimed that many of the Falluja victims he had treated had been shot with ‘dum-dum bullets', which are hollow point bullets that are designed to inflict maximum internal damage. These are also referred to as ‘expanding bullets.'
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Attention all terrorists who may be reading this blog!!! (you know who you are)
Despite all our fancy technology and huge budgets for things like Defense, Intelligence, and Homeland Security we are unable to stop you unless you specifically tell us who you are, when you are going to attack, what your target is, and what you are attacking us with.
Pretend you are playing Clue with us, but that we are really dumb. We need to know for example, that you, Col. Mustard, you will be in the lounge, and that you will use the pipe (bomb).... there's more...
Despite all our fancy technology and huge budgets for things like Defense, Intelligence, and Homeland Security we are unable to stop you unless you specifically tell us who you are, when you are going to attack, what your target is, and what you are attacking us with.
Pretend you are playing Clue with us, but that we are really dumb. We need to know for example, that you, Col. Mustard, you will be in the lounge, and that you will use the pipe (bomb).... there's more...
Americans Slaughtering Civilians in Falluja
As I was there, an endless stream of women and children who'd been sniped by the Americans were being raced into the dirty clinic, the cars speeding over the curb out front as their wailing family members carried them in.
One woman and small child had been shot through the neck -- the woman was making breathy gurgling noises as the doctors frantically worked on her amongst her muffled moaning.
The small child, his eyes glazed and staring into space, continually vomited as the doctors raced to save his life.
After 30 minutes, it appeared as though neither of them would survive.
One victim of American aggression after another was brought into the clinic, nearly all of them women and children.
Are these the people comprising the 'small remnants' of Saddam's supporters, 'Islamic militants and insurgents'?
As I was there, an endless stream of women and children who'd been sniped by the Americans were being raced into the dirty clinic, the cars speeding over the curb out front as their wailing family members carried them in.
One woman and small child had been shot through the neck -- the woman was making breathy gurgling noises as the doctors frantically worked on her amongst her muffled moaning.
The small child, his eyes glazed and staring into space, continually vomited as the doctors raced to save his life.
After 30 minutes, it appeared as though neither of them would survive.
One victim of American aggression after another was brought into the clinic, nearly all of them women and children.
Are these the people comprising the 'small remnants' of Saddam's supporters, 'Islamic militants and insurgents'?
Controlling the News Part 37
(April 8, 2004} The Bush people including their troops in Congress, Justice Scalia, the warlords of the right, the Pentagon and Rupert Murdoch, the Washington Times and the National Review have all decided that we must have a draft as quickly as possible. Rove has said that even to broach this seriously before November would be suicide so it is now being set up in detail, predicated on a Bush victory. And on that subject, the Beltway rumors mills have it that the election “is in the bag.” Vote rigging is often spoken of with happiness and there is always the strong probability of an “October Surprise” to propel the tardy of support into backing Bush, our “wartime” president. Congress has the draft packages, the SS is now officially activated and the FBI has been ordered to prepare “preventive action” against potential draft dodgers and anti war activists. Scalia, somewhat to the right of Attila the Hun, has voiced his opinion that draft dodgers can be put in Federal jails without further let or hindrance under new “emergency” acts being drawn up. A National Identity Card is being considered as a means of preventing draft dodging. How will the press handle this? Do we want to end up in a concentration camp undergoing a “patriotic rebirth?” This whole plan, which exists now on paper, is called “Operation Lexington.” Copies are marked “TOP SECRET- COSMIC” which is really a level of accession. Interesting times ahead as the Bush Blackshirts oil up their golden swastikas and try out their new black leather top boots.
(April 8, 2004} The Bush people including their troops in Congress, Justice Scalia, the warlords of the right, the Pentagon and Rupert Murdoch, the Washington Times and the National Review have all decided that we must have a draft as quickly as possible. Rove has said that even to broach this seriously before November would be suicide so it is now being set up in detail, predicated on a Bush victory. And on that subject, the Beltway rumors mills have it that the election “is in the bag.” Vote rigging is often spoken of with happiness and there is always the strong probability of an “October Surprise” to propel the tardy of support into backing Bush, our “wartime” president. Congress has the draft packages, the SS is now officially activated and the FBI has been ordered to prepare “preventive action” against potential draft dodgers and anti war activists. Scalia, somewhat to the right of Attila the Hun, has voiced his opinion that draft dodgers can be put in Federal jails without further let or hindrance under new “emergency” acts being drawn up. A National Identity Card is being considered as a means of preventing draft dodging. How will the press handle this? Do we want to end up in a concentration camp undergoing a “patriotic rebirth?” This whole plan, which exists now on paper, is called “Operation Lexington.” Copies are marked “TOP SECRET- COSMIC” which is really a level of accession. Interesting times ahead as the Bush Blackshirts oil up their golden swastikas and try out their new black leather top boots.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
I knew I had read it somewhere, and it's taken days to find it. I haven't seen this anywhere else, and Google searches bring up nothing, but apparently wasn't using the right words.
Over the past few days, in the wake of the bombings in Karbala and the ideological disputes that delayed the signing of Iraq's interim constitution, there have been reports that U.S. forces have unloaded a large cargo of parts for constructing long-range missiles and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the southern ports of Iraq.
Andante, over at Collective Sigh, predicts that WMD will be found before the election.
According to Mehr's source, the parts are old ones, just the kind the U.S. gave to Saddam Hussein in the 1980s. Once they are "discovered," they would be the smoking gun that George W. needs to get re-elected.
Common Dreams
Over the past few days, in the wake of the bombings in Karbala and the ideological disputes that delayed the signing of Iraq's interim constitution, there have been reports that U.S. forces have unloaded a large cargo of parts for constructing long-range missiles and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the southern ports of Iraq.
Andante, over at Collective Sigh, predicts that WMD will be found before the election.
According to Mehr's source, the parts are old ones, just the kind the U.S. gave to Saddam Hussein in the 1980s. Once they are "discovered," they would be the smoking gun that George W. needs to get re-elected.
Common Dreams
Memo
We have not been able to corroborate some of the more sensational threat reporting, such as that from a xxxxxxxxxx service in 1998 saying that Bin Ladin wanted to hijack a US aircraft to gain the release of "Blind Shaykh" 'Umar 'Abd al-Rahman and other US-held extremists.
Nevertheless, FBI information since that time indicates patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings or other types of attacks, including recent surveillance of federal buildings in New York.
Bush said the document contained "nothing about an attack on America."
via AHNC
We have not been able to corroborate some of the more sensational threat reporting, such as that from a xxxxxxxxxx service in 1998 saying that Bin Ladin wanted to hijack a US aircraft to gain the release of "Blind Shaykh" 'Umar 'Abd al-Rahman and other US-held extremists.
Nevertheless, FBI information since that time indicates patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings or other types of attacks, including recent surveillance of federal buildings in New York.
Bush said the document contained "nothing about an attack on America."
via AHNC
Friday, April 09, 2004
This summer, the human race will pass a sinister milestone. It will come quietly, creeping like a thief in the night -- a starless night, the sky blanked by a minatory shadow.
For while the world's attention will be turned this July toward the bloody carnage erupting in Iraq after the illusory turnover of "sovereignty" by the still-entrenched occupation force, and riveted by the flood of sewage pouring from the White House as the presidential campaign reaches critical mass, the United States will break a long-held taboo and launch the first weapon into the global commons of outer space...
And the boys in Space Command are just getting warmed up. They wowed the salivating Bushist faithful in Congress with highly detailed plans for a whizbang space arsenal led by the "Rods From God" -- bundles of tungsten rods fired from orbiting platforms, hurtling toward earth at 3,700 meters per second, accurate within a range of 8 meters and able to destroy even the most hardened targets, the Center for Defense Information reports. They could be launched at only a few minutes' notice at any target on the planet.
"God's Rods" will be accompanied by orbiting lasers, "hunter-killer" satellites, and space bombers that needn't bother with silly-billy legal worries about "overflight rights" from other countries, but can descend out of the ether to swoop down on any uppity nation that displeases the world-Caesar in Washington.
For while the world's attention will be turned this July toward the bloody carnage erupting in Iraq after the illusory turnover of "sovereignty" by the still-entrenched occupation force, and riveted by the flood of sewage pouring from the White House as the presidential campaign reaches critical mass, the United States will break a long-held taboo and launch the first weapon into the global commons of outer space...
And the boys in Space Command are just getting warmed up. They wowed the salivating Bushist faithful in Congress with highly detailed plans for a whizbang space arsenal led by the "Rods From God" -- bundles of tungsten rods fired from orbiting platforms, hurtling toward earth at 3,700 meters per second, accurate within a range of 8 meters and able to destroy even the most hardened targets, the Center for Defense Information reports. They could be launched at only a few minutes' notice at any target on the planet.
"God's Rods" will be accompanied by orbiting lasers, "hunter-killer" satellites, and space bombers that needn't bother with silly-billy legal worries about "overflight rights" from other countries, but can descend out of the ether to swoop down on any uppity nation that displeases the world-Caesar in Washington.
The Department of Agriculture refused yesterday to allow a Kansas beef producer to test all of its cattle for mad cow disease...The producer, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, wanted to use recently approved rapid tests so it could resume selling its fat-marbled black Angus beef to Japan, which banned American beef after a cow slaughtered in Washington State last December tested positive for mad cow. The company has complained that the ban is costing it $40,000 a day and forced it to lay off 50 employees. Seems like he should be able to test if he wants to.
Over 300 are dead in Falloojeh and they have taken to burying the dead in the town football field because they aren't allowed near the cemetery. The bodies are decomposing in the heat and the people are struggling to bury them as quickly as they arrive. The football field that once supported running, youthful feet and cheering fans has turned into a mass grave holding men, women and children... Read the rest.
The newspaper bins stood in a line, all bulleted with the same catch phrases of hegemony, save one: Memo warning of al-Quaida strike revealed
Compare 
Fallujah
Contrast
Crawford
Service members who have died in Iraq-related military operations since March 2003:
United States642 692 706 718 (105 of these this month)
Great Britain 58
Italy 17
Spain 8
Bulgaria 5
Ukraine 5
Thailand 2
Estonia 1
El Salvador 1
Denmark 1
Poland 1
U.S. service members injured in Iraq-related operations:
From hostile action 2,988
Estimated minimum number of Iraqi civilians reported killed since March 2003: 8,865
Sources: Department of Defense, The Associated Press, Iraqbodycount (link fixed) and Lunaville
Fallujah
Contrast
Crawford
Service members who have died in Iraq-related military operations since March 2003:
United States
Great Britain 58
Italy 17
Spain 8
Bulgaria 5
Ukraine 5
Thailand 2
Estonia 1
El Salvador 1
Denmark 1
Poland 1
U.S. service members injured in Iraq-related operations:
From hostile action 2,988
Estimated minimum number of Iraqi civilians reported killed since March 2003: 8,865
Sources: Department of Defense, The Associated Press, Iraqbodycount (link fixed) and Lunaville
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Oh, those 'holier than thou' Israeli's.
Fortunately, there are people like these in that strife-torn country.
Fortunately, there are people like these in that strife-torn country.
Blackwater, founded by two Navy SEAL veterans, owns a 6,000-acre compound in northeastern North Carolina, where both private mercenaries and US military personnel receive specialized training in counter-insurgency techniques. Blackwater signed a $35.7 million contract to train US Navy personnel in 2002. It is currently training Chilean commandos who served under the fascist dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet for service in Iraq.
The CPA has also confirmed that after June 30, the $18.4bn that the US government is spending on reconstruction will be administered by its embassy in Iraq. The money will be spent over five years and will fundamentally redesign Iraq's most basic infrastructure, including its electricity, water, oil and communications sectors, as well as its courts and police. Iraq's future governments will have no say in the construction of these core sectors of Iraqi society...
This is crazy. This is supposed to be punishment for violence but it's only going to result in more bloodshed on both sides… people are outraged everywhere- Sunnis and Shi'a alike. This constant bombing is only going to make things worse for everyone. Why do Americans think that people in Baghdad or the south or north aren’t going care what happens in Falloojeh or Ramadi or Nassriyah or Najaf? Would Americans in New York disregard bombing and killing in California?...Over the last three days, over 150 Iraqis have been killed by troops all over Iraq and it's maddening. At times I feel like a caged animal- there's so much frustration and anger. The only people still raving about 'liberation' are the Iraqis affiliated with the Governing Council and the Puppets, and even they are getting impatient with the mess. via Baghdad Burning
Condoleezza Rice begs the question.
For the first time the local news stations are airing the hearings, with a split screen; the trailer running at the bottom of the screen, says over 280 Iraqi's have been killed in Operation Vigilant Revenge.
For the first time the local news stations are airing the hearings, with a split screen; the trailer running at the bottom of the screen, says over 280 Iraqi's have been killed in Operation Vigilant Revenge.
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Silverware banned to prevent clinking while president was speaking
So, he doesn't want to get his feet dirty, and people that pay $2000 a plate for dinner have to eat with their fingers...
His facade goes so far as to have applause piped in to offset the boos...the team was so concerned about Bush being booed that they piped in fake applause when he strode out to the mound...
via Atrios
So, he doesn't want to get his feet dirty, and people that pay $2000 a plate for dinner have to eat with their fingers...
His facade goes so far as to have applause piped in to offset the boos...the team was so concerned about Bush being booed that they piped in fake applause when he strode out to the mound...
via Atrios
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
300,000 jobs were created last month. Unfortunately, what didn't get enough attention is that the unemployment rate actually went up . The higher unemployment rate doesn't count the 1.7 million people who are so discouraged they have stopped looking for work, or the 4.7 million workers who are have part-time jobs, but want full-time work and can't get it. Moreover, the number of long-term unemployed remains at an all-time high. The fact is that our economy is still lagging, and too many people still can't find work. Cantwell Memo
The killing fields are gone, the mass graves are not having new bodies piled up day after day, as happened under Saddam Hussein," Rumsfeld said.
"The prisons have been changed, and they are no longer torturing and killing people there."
"The prisons have been changed, and they are no longer torturing and killing people there."
Leave no child behind?
Selling plasma seems to be the new trend in fundraising for desperate communities.
Selling plasma seems to be the new trend in fundraising for desperate communities.
Run, Soldier, Run!
"I do not want to be a pawn in the government's war for oil, and have told my superiors that I want out of the military. They are not willing to chapter me out and tell me that I have no choice but to pack my bags and get ready to go to Iraq. This has led me to feel hopeless and I have thought about suicide several times."
Apparently the draft has been tabled until after the election, except for special services. And if you think you're 'safe' at age 25, think again: The agency already has in place a special system to register and draft health care personnel ages 20 to 44 in more than 60 specialties if necessary... If Bush gets reunelected, look for a full fledged draft to be one of the first items on the agenda.
"I do not want to be a pawn in the government's war for oil, and have told my superiors that I want out of the military. They are not willing to chapter me out and tell me that I have no choice but to pack my bags and get ready to go to Iraq. This has led me to feel hopeless and I have thought about suicide several times."
Apparently the draft has been tabled until after the election, except for special services. And if you think you're 'safe' at age 25, think again: The agency already has in place a special system to register and draft health care personnel ages 20 to 44 in more than 60 specialties if necessary... If Bush gets reunelected, look for a full fledged draft to be one of the first items on the agenda.
"The deadline remains firm. Terrorists can't stand freedom. We're still being challenged in Iraq and the reason why is a free Iraq will be a major defeat in the cause of freedom." Resident Bush
Friday, April 02, 2004
This is sad and just plain wrong. Is it any wonder that there is animosity toward us, as we add insult to injury?
On a cold night in November, M., her mother, and four brothers had been sleeping when their door suddenly came crashing down during the early hours of the morning. The scene that followed was one of chaos and confusion… screaming, shouting, cursing, pushing and pulling followed. The family were all gathered into the living room and the four sons- one of them only 15- were dragged away with bags over their heads. The mother and daughter were questioned- who was the man in the picture hanging on the wall? He was M.'s father who had died 6 years ago of a stroke. You're lying, they were told- wasn't he a part of some secret underground resistance cell? M.'s mother was hysterical by then- he was her dead husband and why were they taking away her sons? What had they done? They were supporting the resistance, came the answer through the interpreter.
How were they supporting the resistance, their mother wanted to know? "You are contributing large sums of money to terrorists." The interpreter explained. The troops had received an anonymous tip that M.'s family were giving funds to support attacks on the troops.
It was useless trying to explain that the family didn't have any 'funds'- ever since two of her sons lost their jobs at a factory that had closed down after the war, the family had been living off of the little money they got from a 'kushuk' or little shop that sold cigarettes, biscuits and candy to people in the neighborhood. They barely made enough to cover the cost of food! Nothing mattered. The mother and daughter were also taken away, with bags over their heads.
On a cold night in November, M., her mother, and four brothers had been sleeping when their door suddenly came crashing down during the early hours of the morning. The scene that followed was one of chaos and confusion… screaming, shouting, cursing, pushing and pulling followed. The family were all gathered into the living room and the four sons- one of them only 15- were dragged away with bags over their heads. The mother and daughter were questioned- who was the man in the picture hanging on the wall? He was M.'s father who had died 6 years ago of a stroke. You're lying, they were told- wasn't he a part of some secret underground resistance cell? M.'s mother was hysterical by then- he was her dead husband and why were they taking away her sons? What had they done? They were supporting the resistance, came the answer through the interpreter.
How were they supporting the resistance, their mother wanted to know? "You are contributing large sums of money to terrorists." The interpreter explained. The troops had received an anonymous tip that M.'s family were giving funds to support attacks on the troops.
It was useless trying to explain that the family didn't have any 'funds'- ever since two of her sons lost their jobs at a factory that had closed down after the war, the family had been living off of the little money they got from a 'kushuk' or little shop that sold cigarettes, biscuits and candy to people in the neighborhood. They barely made enough to cover the cost of food! Nothing mattered. The mother and daughter were also taken away, with bags over their heads.
