04/05//08

What is the greatest mistake our dearly beloved "jackanapes in chief" made regarding Bin Laden? Well read the article and you'll see, have a laugh anyway. (040308c)

When a Great Power goes insane: PBS "covers the Iraq war" and by covers I mean covers up the central issue, the wars illegality and its "Nuremburg" aspect (033008k)

Kipling created the phrase "the great game" back in his day Britain and Russia were "engaged" in Asia over oil supplies, now new players are afoot, the game is played on a much larger "board" and the stakes are higher than ever. (033008i) and this time around it is not just oil, but water as well.

Hazy minded and "pickle up his but" lazy MuCrazy lets a real whopper loose. Either he is flagrantly lying, or the Bush admin KNEW of pre 9/11 calls being made to the US that, according to his teary statement, led to the acts of that infamous date. Read what he says and you have to ask, is he lying or did Team Bush know but then NOT act? (033008g)

"Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza &endash; Israel - Jordan &endash; Lebanon &endash; Palestine &endash; Syria

Gaza:

Here we see Bush the dumber, acting well, dumber than usual, as he foments a civil war in Gaza after pushing Fatah to stage elections they knew they were not ready to win. So when they lost and Hamas came to power, out came the knives. (040308k)

Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: - Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Kurdistan - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia

Some say there are hints that Saudi Arabia is getting ready for possible nuclear fallout from a preemptive US attack on Iran (033008m)

Here are some of the facts concerning "earth penetrating nuclear weapons" the kind that could be used against Iranian nuclear facilities (033008o)

Here is more on what is called "Global Strike." The US nuclear bomber force is on constant alert, how reassuring is that (033008n) Here are a few more disturbing thoughts on the preparations for Iran, hmmm (033008n)

Iraq:

A day in the life of Iraq, here again, is the news (040508b)

So how did Iraqi forces fight during the recent fight? A mixed bag. (040308j)

What was the battle of Basra all about? Well, opinions vary, but the result is Iranian influence grows, Sadr crows and the plans of "fat boy Cheney" for sucking Iraqi oil have been put on indefinite hold. No port &endash; no export, plain and simple (040308e)

Another loss, due to that in Basra, is that any US claim of success of the surge is now looked at critically, it simply does not stand any examination (040308f) Also McStain, Mr. "100 years in Iraq" must have liked the crow Iran served him, or then again, maybe not.

Sadr is "lookin' good" right about now, proving that "he is the man" and can "deliver the goods" (033108f) or receive them.

Maliki declares that his plan worked, well, NOT. Sadr calls his boys off the street and the deadliest month since last August was over. (040208a)

The upshot is that Maliki, but putting everything on the line and then not winning, looses (040108b)

Western press now plays the "blame Maliki" for the battle gone bad, but it wasn't just him, the US was in on it and knew, or should have known, what was going on. (040108b)

So what is it like in Baghdad during this time of unrest? A very sorry state of affairs to say the least (033108d)

So here is a reasonable approach to leaving Iraq (033008j)

The opinion of an observer has it that Maliki is a "nowhere man" (033008h) Basra has not been "taken control of" and fighting continues elsewhere, maybe this is something of a lull (033008d)

Sadr calls for a bit of a break, perhaps he feels his point has been made, perhaps some real talking is going on and deals are being cut, who knows. (033008a) And this article gives some of that information up (033008b) Here is the background for Sadr's decision, Iran was involved and so was Maliki's own party members who went around his authority … how embarrassing. (033108a)

Battling spreads around the country, the Green Zone receives pot shots and Basra is the "big one" for Maliki and his "government" (032908c)

Iran:

A financial declaration of war, a type of pressure used on North Korea, looks like its being tried out on Iran, (033108i) Part two, what it can do, a lot! (033108j)

So then why the willingness on the part of Bush to "talk to the Iranians in ways he's not done before, meaning with something like reason and calm" (033108j)

Iran and the nuclear issue: see the long detailed accounting of what is known. Makes what Bush the Dumber look even more "jackassic" than ever before. (033008p)

Kurdistan

An update on Kikurk and now Mosul, where the Kurds are in the "way". Not really but they are going their own way as they travel to the beat of a different drummer. (040308a) Kurds and Arabs fight over Mosul and Kikurk. At some point there will be more open struggles as push comes to shove. (040508d)

The Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Ethiopia - The " horn of Africa" - Somalia &endash; Sudan

Somalia:

The fighting continues (033108g)

The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China - South East Asia

Tibet:

Violence continues in Tibet. Two monks have committed suicide. The method of suicide was not detailed in this article. However, when, in the west, they burn themselves alive, getting the coverage they cannot in China we shall see an end to Chinese rule in Tibet.(040508a)

Do you win using the "body count" method? In the war against the FARC this has been an increasingly difficult part of the equation (033008f)

We now have two states "battling" over a border dispute, Georgia claims that its border with Tennessee is "off a bit" and wants to redraw it so that Atlanta can harvest the Tennessee River. (040408a)

This is not about ecology, but rather about the danger of cell phone use. Essentially there are dangers with their use, the research was done and a cover up ensued. (033008l) The use of cell phones, there are some three billion in use globally, may be dangerous, that has been the suspicion among a minority of researchers, however, now there is more than just a suspicion and it may be that cell phones will be the 21st century's "cigarette" problem. (033008q)

What could be the effect? Well, many more brain tumors, for one. The problem is that the declarations of safety are not based on studies of persons who've used the cell phones for 10 years or more. Cancers can take that long to develop, so the article says. If true then we may see a "wave" of such cancers. (033008r)

The "concern" over the Arctic ramps up, slowly but surely, and we have a "claims race" if not an "arms race" to go with it. (040508e)

A primer on "peak oil" and why it hasn't gone "mainstream" in the news that is (040308i)

A perfect storm of hunger, is the title, various factors, the weak dollar, biofuels, "real" shortages in production, meaning bad harvests, politics and, I would bet, global warming, all have their effect and food riots make the news for the first time in a long, long time. (040108e)

The current "plan" to deal with financial melt downs of banks and other Wall Street players is challenged for what it does not do, and that is to say, really solve the cause of the current problem, I mean besides throwing money at it. (033008e)

This article talks about the "big plan" to rescue the financial system, but one quote stood out like a sore thumb,, and that was this: "But Paulson leaves it to states to enforce federal regulations on independent mortgage brokers - the same states that failed to rein them in during the housing boom." In fact the federal government sued states that tried to regulate the housing crunch long before it became a problem. So maybe there is a shred of hope in this approach. (033108c)

According to this article the plan is a "wild pitch" and not close to the "strike zone" (040108c)

This story gives evidence of two trends, the price of gold going up, as it does in times of uncertainty, the dollar's dropping and the housing market boom and bust cycle, all happening in the same state: Nevada. (033008c)

Recession? That is the word in this article, not one that Bush the dumber cares to hear, but still a record loss of jobs, housing, the dollar crisis, and banking, well, it IS a mess Georgie boy and that ain't no dick! (040508c)

McStain cannot keep his lies or whatever straight. Maybe it doesn't matter as long as he gets the good drugs and they are cheap (040308c)

Some other's thoughts on the unthinking and error prone flip-flopper McStain (040308h)

And yet ANOTHER way that the Federal government can "screw" localities, especially liberal leaning ones: the census figures. (033108e)

The economic downturn is evidenced by the surge in Food Stamp applications. Also many states are facing big budget cuts. This year will end on a whimper (033108b)

When is a treaty not a treaty, apparently when the president decides the US does not have to abide by it Yoo's memo on torture makes just such an assertion, and many others apparently. (040308b)

A timeline for Palestine, from 1915 anyway. (033108h)

4 out of 5 Americans say" "We're going in the wrong direction" but Cheney the royal dipwad doesn't care what citizens think according to other articles. (040308a)

Previously reported upon, this reviews the dichotomy between the alliances that the governments of Islamic nations engage in, as well as policies, and how these contrast sharply with the unexpressed or non-enacted, "will of their peoples" (041208b)

To be honest I don't know where to put this story, it should be with any incompetence story, could go under corruption, how about high crimes? Torture approved of at the "highest levels of the US government" even Asscraft was a gassed! (041008a) So the Jordanian portion of this group's agreed upon policy (041008b) And a particulate example of the "programs" created in the good old USA (041008c)

This archival page from PrisonPlanet has links to a wide ranging set of articles on the web, any one of which challenges the "story as it has been set" regarding 9/11 and more. (040608h) And here, from the same source, are some interesting "factoids" about the incidents on that day of infamy. (040608i)

KBR, a military supplier for the US in Iraq does not handle rape very well. In fact it treats victims horribly. (040508f)

Some soon to be infamous quotations from our Fatwad, buffalo butt VP and our dumber than dirt P: read on (040508g)

Europe:

It seems the US is not alone when it comes to a housing mess pouring grit on the "gears of their economic engine" (041308f)

China finds itself criticizes on the Left Bank, as it were as protesters stop the torch (040708b)

"Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza &endash; Israel - Jordan &endash; Lebanon &endash; Palestine &endash; Syria

Nothing to write home about the "more than usual" rumors of war in and around Israel (041008d)

Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: - Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Kurdistan - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia

Petraeus' has his day "explaining" things and finger points to Iran as being the cause of hundreds of US soldiers. The upshot is that we are ALREADY fighting Iran. (041108a) And here is the "talking heads" version of that story (041108b) And so with all that "goin on" we hear of the "official" meeting in DC regarding the current situation in Iraq (041108c)

Afghanistan:

The resistance in Afghanistan gets a booster and NATO gets a promise of a more intense period of fighting. (040608g) The stats show that attacks are on trend to spike this year, nice (041108e)

Iraq:

The week has proven deadly for US forces, a loss for the Iraqi government, overall, and the chaotic fighting persists belying any success claimed for the surge or its effectiveness (041208a)

Here is a story, reported on earlier, that shows it was Maliki who sought the cease fire and Sadr who accepted the offer. McStain has been quoted as saying it was the reverse, what a "Jackasso" as my mom would call him. (040608a)

Later on, the violence moves to Baghdad and Maliki ups the ante, declaring that Sadr has to disband his Mahdi Army &endash; let us say the disagree (040708a) Sadr's counterpoint is to say he can lift his ceasefire … and then what? (040808b) So, the upshot, the fighting escalates as "talks" in the US proceed at a glacial pace (040908a)

Fighting continues and the speculation as to the outcome is open as violence spreads and spikes. (041108d)

Iran:

What would be rational? What is likely? As far as US policy regarding Iran the most likely surprise is no surprise at all. The only "odd" worry is that the US will "target terrorist camps inside Iran and or nuclear facilities. (041308c) and yes that is very much on the table despite a recent call, by the US, for a meeting on Iraq.

What do we make of them getting some 8000 centrifuges going? They say that some 54,000 are needed for full scale production. Does it matter what the truth is if you cannot find it out or if image and sound bite have replaced substance? (040808a)

Pakistan:

A flash point on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan &endash; in the fabled Khyber pass, is the transit station between those two nations. (041308d)

The Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Ethiopia - The " horn of Africa" - Somalia &endash; Sudan

Blood on your cell phone, symbolically? It is possible, just read on about the rape in this war zone. (040808c)

The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China - South East Asia

Apropos of selecting an oddment, here is a snapshot of the sex industry in Bangkok. (041308d)

Korea:

Are things heating up? The rhetoric is, to be sure, but what of it? Is time short? In my humble opinion, NK may well want to leave Bush the dumber with some kind of "farewell affair" but who knows (040608f)

The housing-dollar-credit-corruption-problem has reached Switzerland and the normally cool and reserved Swiss are hot and rather explicit to their financial bank UBS (040608c)

McStain and the "100 years in Iraq" flap. Yes, it's been somewhat taken out of context, but there are far more serious quotes that the Damnocraps could be using and they don't. I thought Obama had balls? (040608b)

There is talk in DC, even proposals, even some sweat on the brows of some who are working to prevent a financial collapse. Millions of home loans are delinquent and millions more will become so if circumstances are not altered. But no one plan is gaining unobstructed approval. Time is a'wastin' as they say. (040608d)

Gee, let's see how long it takes you to find evidence of bias in the news/media while reading this story. A few thousand people get far more coverage than millions upon millions. Gee, I wonder why? (041008e)

Doesn't Congress have to approve agreements made with foreign governments if those agreements involve the use of US military? Oh, right, it's that pesky Constitution thingy (040908b)

And we DON'T have any permanent bases over there, just "enduring" or "Temporary" ones (040908c)

US lawmakers have a stake in Iraq, and many have investments too, see the who's who (0408908c)

A brief on DC's history of the riots of 68 and what happened in the aftermath, promises and a real long wait for the development that came at the cost of who it was supposed to help: the residents who suffered and waited and waited and waited (040608e)

Well, if we have not eliminated the AQ threat, and do not have a plan in place to deal with one should it occur and we know they are plotting an attack (041808c) doesn't that mean we are something like a sitting god damned duck? And here are some details on that (041808d)

Some insight as to why western antiterrorism strategies are not working as well as they might like. Read the letters, there is one about proportionate death rates, fascinating. (041708c)

If you have not heard of the PNAC, Project for a New American Century, then you should read this brief description and history in a nutshell. It may be that the disaster in Iraq is just what the doctor ordered, after all money is being made, by the billions thank you, and the people making it are very supportive of "the program" which is to transform the Middle East. (041408a)

Dumber and dumbererest, the Great Dimwad in Chief says he signed off on torture, and after all his friends said he wasn't in on it too. (041408c)

"Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza &endash; Israel - Jordan &endash; Lebanon &endash; Palestine &endash; Syria

Lebanon:

Are Hizbullah and Israel gearing up for a grudge match? (041608c)

Seems like at least one side is getting ready, at the least (041608d)

Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: - Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Kurdistan - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia

Afghanistan:

What is "fort Kabul" and what does it look like today? (041608e)

Iraq:

Iraq: a major war or a major debacle, but it's two &endash; two disasters in one! (041808b)

The first page of this article "illuminates" the manner in which the three remaining major candidates would "deal with" Iraq. (041708a) Meanwhile something of a surge is going on, among the insurgents that is (041708b)

Is this the "new battle for Baghdad"? Seems like (041408e)

A peek inside Sadr's City, in Baghdad (041408f)

This is for reference only, our military leader in Iraq details the progress. The high point for me is the description of Fallujah as being one of the safest cities in Iraq. (041508b)

And the "safety" comes at a steep price. (041508c)

Sadr's power base expands taking advantage of situations beyond his control, provided by the US ironically enough. (041608a) Apparently they are taking their lessons from Hamas and have learned how to "give away the goodies" and supply social services. (041608b)

Iran:

Border troubles, it seems are still with Iran who suspect the US and or its allies of pimping the violent incursions (041508d)

Related to the problem in Tibet and Darfur the forces of protest targeting China as it hosts the Olympics is engaging the world (041608f)

The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China - South East Asia

Tibet:

Shangri-La it was not, apparently, pre-communist Tibet was something of a feudal society with most everything owned by big landowners or big monasteries and the boss' word was law (041908a)

The EPA has been compromised, essentially, by the WH itself and G.W.Dumbass Inc. (041508a)

The complex of reasons why staple food prices are rising world wide. (041308g) The prospect of hunger is now on the horizon as food riots are reported in the news. The nutshell: greed, global warming, biofuels, carnivorous humans as well as simple corruption and mismanagement. Here are three brief stories illuminating and detailing some of the facts in this increasingly important issue. (041308a)

Perhaps a couple of years ago, or a bit more, there were stories predicting that we'd have a "surge" in "veterans with problems" that would be quite serious, well, it now numbers some 300,000 who require some kind of assistance or whatnot. (041808a)

The housing/dollar/credit/fraud/incompetence/cash flow problem has a new wrinkle as credit companies freeze Home Equity Credit Lines. (041408b)

Did I say the housing market is a "global phenomenon? It is! It is! (041408d)

What saps our will to regain our "greatness"? This article outlines some items. I will add the following, unhindered greed, a lack of accountability, corruption that is both widespread and deeply entrenched in the systems which manage our society and the political machinery. However, I also believe that this kind of problem has been a long time coming. (041308b)

What have we learned from the past? Why do we have so poor an understanding of the century that we've so recently left behind? (041808e)

And why the lessons that Europe learned from the previous century are so different from those learned by the US. (041808f)

How do large corporations get away with murder? Well, they can, as did Merck, simply lie, cheat and commit fraud that has, most likely, resulted in deaths. (041608g)

Years back, what's his name, a serious third party candidate was famously quoted as saying words to this effect, we have the solutions, they are all documented and the research is done, all we need to do is apply them. This story is a case in point, but here they've gone a step further, the ideas ARE being tried out, millions are being saved and a carbon footprint has been seriously trimmed. (041308h)

The personal cost of one soldier who died in Iraq (042608d)

This should be headline news, but it isn't, Bush achieved the status of a record breaker today, his polling is now the absolute lowest of any president in the last 70 years &endash; he has a 69 percent disapproval rate, no wonder he shows up on game shows now. (042208f)

A set of briefs, one talks about how men, who would previously been eliminated from any enlistment aren't OK to join, nowadays. Then too the level of suicides and the fact that they take place while the veteran is under VA care &endash; raises questions. (042208e)

But the military's problems does not end with recruiting, the suicide rate is alarming, Some 12,000 attempt suicide annually. Previously, the Pentagon's figures were at about 800 per year, quite a difference, must have been a typo, someone misspoke (042608a)

CondiGirl goofs again, no surprise that, but she may have incited the enemy and thus cause a spike in attacks and deaths of US troops. Is she THAT irresponsible? Seems so (042108g)

Lest any one of them be forgotten, this is a tale of one homecoming. (042008h)

" … a recurring problem for the White House: that the place where the terrorist threat is most acute is the place where American forces are most restricted from acting …" Sound familiar? Recall Vietnam and other places where politics prevents military sense, in this case however it is the result of the Great Hole in Chief and his empty headed echo chamber (042008b)

"Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza &endash; Israel - Jordan &endash; Lebanon &endash; Palestine &endash; Syria

Syria:

The Israeli bombing of a site in Syria last year is back in the news. It seems, though, that questions remain rather than clarity. (042508e)

But looking at the article more closely you see that there is very little real data, it seems that Mr. or Ms. Anonymous are the sources for this "piece". (042508f)

Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: - Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Kurdistan - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia

Afghanistan:

A lifeline for the US and its allies in Afghanistan is in the hands of one man, and no it is not the ruler of Pakistan, nor is it anyone any one seems to have control over, he may well be his own man (042608b) Then there is this related posting, the battle for the Khyber Pass may be over to the Taliban/AQ's loss. (042608e) Money DOES talk.

More "Allied" troops are needed, and although some are coming, more were promised and some are leaving &endash; doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement to me. (042108h)

Iraq:

Answers to the 12 most unasked questions regarding Iraq &endash; and why ARE they the most unasked? I ask you! (042108b)

Those with memories will recall how the American citizens were told that Iraqi oil will pay for the war, occupation and reconstruction &endash; well the "facts" on the ground clearly indicate "NOT". Even now when there is some debate over what WE should have THEM do with THEIR profits … the margin is very, very slim (042008g) And, by the way, aggressor nations have NO rights over an occupied nation, that is what the US said when Iraq invaded Kuwait, remember?

The reports of Basra being "held" by Sadr is not obsolete. His forces fought the Iraqi governmental forces to a stand still and then they vanished. Iran has a role in this affair to say the least, but what IS going on? (042008c)

Then too, perhaps Sadr will change his mind about the reported "fight only to cut and run" strategy, which has served. Only time will tell (042008f) And Fighting intensifies in Baghdad? (042108e)

Iran:

Someone who knows the regions says that he is increasingly frightened that the Bush Team is "going to go for it" Iran style (042208a)

Iran gets the blame for many of the attacks in Baghdad, 70% of them in fact. (042408e)

"I have reserve capability, particularly in our Navy and our Air Force," Mullen said. "So it would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capability." (042608c) Sounds like a warning to me … how about you?

This story has a focus in Africa regarding as it does the metal Tantalum, which melts at about 5400 degrees and is used in many electronic devices it is said of it "Kids in Congo are being sent down into mines to die so that kids in Europe and America can kill imaginary aliens in their living rooms." (042008k)

Zimbabwe:

Maybe this won't be as bad as Kenya, maybe it will. A one time hero fights to hold onto power? (042108i) Maybe there is some hope, neighbors help out a nation in need. (042208d)

Somalia:

In the continuing saga of a Bush policy gone bad, Mogadishu sees a surge in fighting over the weekend that is as bad as it has ever been with dozens killed. (042008e)

Ecuador gets set to remove a US base from its territory. The country's military leadership is shaken as well, interesting. (042108d)

Paraguay makes a left turn and so the trend continues, generally speaking. A one time Bush Ally is down for the count. (042108c)

The "leaders" of the US, Canada and Mexico meet up with the North American Competitiveness Council to plan how they'll "harmonize" regulations of various industries and companies. The company leaders will be there, but no one else will &endash; on the agenda how to move cheap Chinese goods into the USA via Mexico to avoid all those "nasty" regulatory restrictions that might apply. Oh, and yes, boodles of money to be made &endash; forget about the idea that congress needs to approve treaties with other nations (042108a)

The housing crunch moves south! Lowering the positive rewards for a behavior while simultaneously increasing the negative consequences for engaging in it and you usually get a decrease in the behavior. Illegal immigrants are no different. Read on: (042008d)

A brief story that relates to the following: global warming, corruption, rising demand for beef, ecologicalmismanagement and lack of law enforcement. (042008e)

Science and politics usually don't mix that well, and now we see why, scientists at the EPA say they're being pressured to "toe the line" (042408b)

Even as reports continue that large scale changes are underway, more "Global Warming" gasses are being detected. (042408c)

An invisible force putting many, many lives at risk, called the "silent Tsunami" the rising cost of food is yielding painful results. (042208c)

A far to short an article, mainly because it brushes over one aspect of slavery, that of the imagination where people have "a mind whose confines are defined and imposed by others" Though it does include the nature of slavery today, what Passover means and other salient commentary in the letters (042008i)

How Haiti Got Hungry, the role of the US Govt. and others, such as the IMF (042408s) Here is a bit more on that the "global view" as it were, is summarized here (042508a)

Just another illumination of how broken the system is regarding any "real" action on Iraq. What a mess! (042508d)

Recall Eisenhower's warning regarding the military industrial complex? Well read a brief which will "capture the essence of today's omnipresent, all-encompassing, cleverly hidden system of systems that invades all our lives; this new military-industrial-technological-entertainment-academic-scientific- media-intelligence-homeland security-surveillance-national security-corporate complex that has truly taken hold of America." (042508c)

Are we running out of fuel for our poorest? Utility shut offs take off and set records. (042508b)

We've heard about Obama's religious life and mentor, but have we heard about Clinton's? No? Well read on, my friends, read on (042108j)

When you read this article alone you think that people are leaving other parties in order to vote in the Democratic primary and support Obama. However it is known that there is a "plan" going on supported by Rush, "the fat one" Limbaugh wherein conservatives switch parties in order to vote for Clinton, the weaker candidate. (042208b)

If you hide the dead from view are they still as controversial? Still as dead? (042408d)

So, it's not just Iraq where "retired military officials" feed Pentagon BS to an all to willing media and thence form the opinions of an all to gullible public &endash; it is an established practice (042108f) How the Pentagon has "objective" military analysts "spread the talking points" read bullshit from the Offal Orafice to the American consumers who consume it with or without relish (042008a)

When wondering what has happened to the quality of public discourse, social debate and what used to be called "open minded ness" or liberalism with a SMALL "l" one should read this article that details how, in my mind, everyone can have their own echo chamber and reality checks are few and far between. (042008j) as a result: "A vast public laziness feeds the media's predilection today to distill news through polemicists of one stripe or another and to condense complex information into meaningless sound bites" sound familiar?

05/03//08

Are the hawks "getting their groove together"? Some evidence points just that way, but, of course, only time will tell. (042808e)

So, does all this privatization of the military, such as Blackwater, really save money? Do you think that after some five years we'd have some solid evidence one way or another? Do you think that we'd have some way of comparing public versus private funding? The answer is no we do not. So, do we go back to the drawing board? No. (042808b)

"Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza &endash; Israel - Jordan &endash; Lebanon &endash; Palestine &endash; Syria

Syria:

One wonders when this story will finally clarify itself, the Bombing in Syria what was the building. This story talks about the pictures and how they "don't add up" (050108c)

You know outside of the fact that the structure destroyed by Israel was/is unknown it is amazing that so much "detail" is available, even pictures which seem to be shot from inside. So here is the take I've taken. They say that the reactor was a year away from really producing any fissile material and it was bombed into dust. Now Iran is also at that very same stage, so is it OK to bomb its reactor into dust? No matter that the basic logic is that if Israel can have nukes why can't its neighbors? (042808a)

Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: - Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Kurdistan - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia

Cheney dances to the beat of a different drummer, war drums that is and he is all over the tom &endash; toms like a fat evangelical on a stack of porno rags. (042908a)

Afghanistan:

The Taliban suffer setbacks but are still contenders &endash; is the end near? (050308g)

A "nationwide trend of rising violence" as the insurgency moves northward and strikes in Kabul itself making a try for Karzai (042908c)

Iraq:

Walling is big business in and around the country … can you spell success? (042908g)

Forgive me but this does not SEEM like the capital is pacified very well, does it? (042908b)

It seems that the attacks on the Green Zone continue when conditions are favorable for example when a sandstorm occludes (042708a)

Are we seeing the long slow end to the "surge effect"? (050108f)

Iran:

What is the view from an Iranian perspective? Are they under the gun? Do the act like it? (050308e)

Our CIA director makes direct accusations regarding Iranian involvement in Iraq saying that the Iranian government is fully aware and approving of their surrogates attacks on US forces (050108c)

Well, the Iranians don't think they'll be attacked anytime soon. I wonder if they are right. (042808c)

And while it seems Iran does send stuff over the border, what is being sent, how much is sent and to whom are something of open questions. (042808d)

The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China - South East Asia

Azerbaijan:

Seems like supplies for Iran's reactor being shipped from Russia have run into a road block. One wonders just how that came to be (042708b)

Korea:

So what is up with the Korea problem? It seems like they feel they can go tit to tat with us, if not quite toe to toe, and, it seems, the US under Bush has made matters measurably worse. (050308f)

The closing of west coast salmon fisheries because of a decline in stocks. This is at least partly due to climate change researchers say. (040308b)

Poles apart the arctic and Antarctic react to the human induced planetary climate change in nearly opposite fashions. (050308a)

The greedy bastards play pinochle while poisons percolate. The EPA offs one its own because DOW was having a hard time keeping everyone's head buried in the stinking sand or whatever. (050208b)

Frabjous Day Calloo Kallay, but do we chortle in our joy? No. A new strain of stem rust is making its debut in the breadbaskets of Asia &endash; it can only worsen an already difficult situation with food supplies (042908e)

In this follow up story the salient is that the fungus is evolving, of course, and the recent strain is more virulent. Not good news, eh? (050108a)

So even Texas realizes that ethanol fueled increases in the price of corn is "bad" in more ways than one. (042708c)

Stealth foods? That's right additives that do not add flavor, rather they turn your tongue off! (050108a)

Part one, the nature of what is called a food crisis is misleading, there is no shortage of food, what there is, is mismanagement, corruption, ethanol production, global warming and fakery. Not that the deprivation or starvation is not real, it is. (042708d) Wall Street has a role. Part two, how the price inflation is felt in a few selected sites around the world. (042708e) And Part three, the article wraps up with a discussion of the role ethanol and that of governments. (042708f)

This assessment has it that the oceans are stressed out, over fished &endash; but it is the "wild west" out on the open sea (042808g)

Even a place that tries harder than most still has to face the effects of global warming. (042808h)

Can you live off debt if the debt is not redeemable? That has been the experiment now coming to call on the US and the financial structure of the world. (050308h)

And the debt keeps going up and on and on and on (050308i)

The spike in food prices world wide is alarming as are the number of nations experiencing food crises and placing restrictions on exports (042808d)

In an unguarded moment McStain, touting HIS energy plan, says something to the effect that his plan will prevent our soldiers from fighting for oil again. Which means we ARE fighting for oil? (050308d)

While Obama has to answer questions the Bushes don't have to say a work about their connections to Moon and his "moonies" or millions (050208a)

Already one million people who wanted to vote couldn't. The primaries seems to be skewed. Maybe the one thing the royal jackass and his minions learned from 2006 was that all their "fixes" were still not enough, so more are in the making. (042908i)

Voter ID laws are controversial, not that I disagree with the idealized intent: that only voters should vote (042908d) More on that decision and its effect on the upcoming primaries and the November election as well. (042908g)

And then there are the humorous ideas here and the serious ones as well, if voter fraud is the problem why focus on whether or not individual voters have their ID? Where there is little evidence of danger when you COULD focus on the voting machines where there is lots and lots of evidence of fraud, corruption or manipulation. Where is the law suit for that? (042908h)

Broad trends show that as money tightens up so do people's spending but it's not that they are not spending, but they ARE changing how they spend and their priorities. (042708g) Maybe all these job losses can be a contributing factor? (050308c)

Empty houses are more and more common and so they become a law enforcement concern when criminals use them for various purposes. (042708h) Why doesn't someone start a house sitter service and send teams around to mow lawns, clean up appearances and inspect the inside of the empties every once in a while? Part two, the empty houses correlate with a rise in crime (042708i)

Is 12 to one fair? I ask you, is it? But what if big papers say that it is! What then? (050108e)

As long ago as 1958 the battle for keeping real, award winning, "in your face" news on the air was being fought. Legendary Edward R. Murrow, when cast off, spoke of it in words as relevant today as they were back when he spoke them. (042708j)

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.

So do we let ANYONE into the military service or ship them off to where ever? (050808h) In what could be a first of dubious distinction, it may be that the suicides by US troops could trump the deaths from combat. Truly odd if it proves to be. (050608d)

Hundreds of thousands of veterans are impacted by the wars. This was predicted years ago. Why hasn't the problem been proactively been addressed? Oh, yes, we have a jackass running things down the toilet. (050908c)

A bit more thinking on the McStain statement seen to evidence that the Iraq war WAS about oil and the commentary has a letter from Cindy Sheehan. (050408g)

The Bushists may be the current elite mismanaging things but they are not alone, nor are such new to the US, however they are more than usually incompetent and determined to sacrifice everyone else with all they own in order to reap a real windfall - global control. (050508g)

The press, liars, self-serving Dimwads and witless wonders promote a war with Iran; their man is McStain. Israelis are "on board" with this claiming that Iran will have a bomb by next year. Onward and downward (050808i)

"Muddle East" Central Theater: Gaza &endash; Israel - Jordan &endash; Lebanon &endash; Palestine &endash; Syria

Gaza:

Sketchy as this story is, it does portray some of the suffering that Gazan's are undergoing. There is no hope that the situation will improve any time soon &endash; the war will go on. (050408b)

Call it "Flow Back" as raw sewage travels to Israeli beaches after being dumped into the Med off of Gaza because of a lack of power for treatment plants due to Israeli decisions and policy (050508f)

Lebanon:

Yesterday there was news of both sides in the "conflict" calling for general strikes. Today the news is that fighting has broken out in the capital. (050908a) The fighting spreads, according to reports, and seems sectarian &endash; no surprise there. (050908g) After the government, on the advise of the military, reversed the policies that stirred the resistance the fighters left Beirut's streets, thought fighting was sporadic elsewhere. (051008a)

Earlier: An IDF defense drill has some repercussions in Lebanon. (050408j)

Greater Islamic Region: Eastern Theater: - Afghanistan - Iraq - Iran - Kurdistan - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia

Iran breaks off talks with the US. Does it matter? Is it a portent? (050608c)

And the "Dolt On" says that he thinks attacking Iran is "responsible" and likely to happen under Bush the Dumberass' administration (050808d)

Afghanistan:

Just when you thought "surging" was over, the US is planning to "surge" in Afghanistan to the tune of an additional 7000 troops for next year. (050408l)

Iraq:

Iraq won't play along with US blaming Iran for its troubles. Whose? Everyone's, but no matter that. The point is that the US was trying to get them to go along but they won't. What is the use of having a puppet that pulls its own strings or has others fingers on the strings? (050508b)

Building a wall to isolate a section of Sadr City proves complex. Now there is a call for the people to evacuate by the government. Some 800,000 people live in the affected area. This brings up several questions: how will the incompetent government manage that? Will the area become something like a "free fire zone"? What will they do if the people just don't go? (050908b) Here is the answer to that last question, if patterns were to be followed (050908e) Oh, well, all's well that ends well, a cease-fire which leaves the Mahdi Army standing but promising not to display weapons. One wonders … (051008c)

A portrait of an endless war. Madness " .. the ever widening gyre .." (050508j) What does a street battle in Sadr City look like? Well, read on. (050408a)

The contractors in Iraq really know how to make a job worthwhile, theft is a good option so is running a prostitution ring using military vehicles, but wait there is more, if you become a whistle-blower you get in trouble, transferred or fired. (050408k)

A real odd ball story, I didn't know there was a golf course inside the Green Zone in Baghdad, did you? Built by the Brits don't you know, jolly good. (050608a)

Iran:

The same old, same old … Iran's "red line" remains where it is and the division among the worlds current nuclear states provides enough wiggle room for the Iranian nuke program to proceed, whatever it is. (051008f) So there is more talk, more BS, more of the same really &endash; neither side has any real "log jam breaking' type of options &endash; even if "everything is on the table" as it were (050508e)

Some more of the surfacing back chat regarding the "Fallon thing" and some rumors of war, wonderful (050508h) Here is more on that, this may be the "reason" stated for attacking Iran, well not Iran, just some bases inside Iran used by, well, Iranians to, well, attack US or allied forces in Iraq. The match for a short fuse to war? (050508i)

The Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Ethiopia - The " horn of Africa" - Somalia &endash; Sudan

Sudan:

Rebels attack the capital, Khartoum, for the first time, a promise of more chaos in a chaotic region, wunnerful, that's all I have to say. (051008b)

Zimbabwe:

A illegitimate government goes about its business and the people stand by. Another democracy done gone? (050408d) Violence spirals, albeit slowly at the moment, but the party in power does not seem to want to give it up. (050808g)

The Greater Islamic Theater: - India - Russia - China - South East Asia

Contrast other US administrations with the Bush plan for aiding Burma. What you haven't heard? Well no one else has either! (050808f)

China:

A new nuclear submarine base has India and the US looking and reviewing matters concerning security but the article lists a number of military programs in several nations and it seems the arms business is doing quite well, thank you. (051008g)

Korea:

Food, politics, starvation and hard lines all conspire to keep the harvests and aid supplies low. Problems mount but it is not as if the N. Korean Govt. seems to want to tackle these issues successfully. (050408c)

Bolivia:

A secessionist state in this country wants to defend itself. They are mainly white, rich, do not deny the history of slaughtering natives and keep some of them, here and there, in their place. (050508k) Of course there is money and land and it smells like a civil war may brew if Santa Cruz "goes for it" (050508l)

And the trigger for the civil resistance is outlined here. The peasantry of the "rich" is only referenced indirectly in this story. (050508m)

When the Berlin Wall fell and the USSR broke up it clearly signaled the end of an era, however, the US dependence upon foreign energy resources has it in similar straits, not that we'll disappear from the map, but we are not the "super power" we once were. Russia has seen to that. (050908h)

Another food riot, this time in Mogadishu, where tens of thousands riot, literally, all over town. (050508d)

What's 500 billion in additional losses? This article says there is an upside to all that and it may be true, after all they ARE the experts. The same ones that saw what was happening and laughed all the way to the bank. (050908d)

Just a read of this article gives a sense of what is happening in the world. It is a sign of the times that McStain is now trailing Damnocrap candidates mainly because of his jackass nature and how he is associated with the failed Bushist economics.

Apparently some liars are saying that Obama has gotten endorsements from unsavory characters (050808b) Hamas to be specific, but whereas this is a rumor, the number two man in Al Qaida happens to be a McStain man because he'd like to someone to "bomb, bomb, bomb &endash; bomb bomb Iran." But then so would lots of people, really neighbors can be such assholes.

Then too McPain's record stinks for itself. (050808c)

"Hairy Fungus or Cosmic Muffin?" that was once a tongue in cheek expression used in a spoof, but that this article portrays is the media bias, now, momentarily being seen Clinton bashing but goes on to portend how the target will later on be whoever is the Demnocrap candidate. (050808a)

Social Security may be troubled but that is fixable, what's not is the retirement system in the US which leaves many "out in the cold" (050608b)

Some brouhaha over the crossover voting and Limbaughs "plan" to deal the democraps a blow, which would, ostensibly, be of their own making (050408m) This gives the Limbaugh plan boot and illuminate deeper worries for the Repuglicans.

Or could it be that Repuglicans just can't sell themselves, except if they go VERY short these days, here another special election in R territory goes to a D, prescient or no? (050508c)

More on the Obama preacher thing, McStain as do others get a pass, it seems if the radical words and fiery rhetoric come from a white preacher, whither the race card then? (050408h)

If you must judge one candidate by the preachers they associate with why not give EVERYONE equal treatment. McStain has a lot to answer for, especially for the Great Whore of Mr. Hagee. (050508a)

Sometimes looking backward IS looking forward. To get a hint as to the GOP's election play book we can go back to those thrilling days of yesteryear, 1988 to see how a distrusted, incompetent and corruption ridden Jackass, George the first, became electable and then elected (050408f)

Clinton and Obama have a "gas tax flap" goin' on … what would "clear thinking" pundits or the public make of it, were they clear thinking and logical? (050408e)

The title: "We're in a war &endash; Where are the Media?" says it all. (050408i)

Greed seems to be the new "bottom line" as companies flock to the Caymans to avoid taxes and responsibilities even as they snag huge contracts. (050908f.)

I don't know if this belongs here but the innovation of this idea, a home based machine that is a "brewer" for ethanol. One wonders how helpful it will be ultimately (051008d)