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Third Quarter of 2006 July 2007 ... August 2007 ... September 2007
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07/14/07 Something of a hint of a rift between the US and England?
Like
I say a hint but if this trend broadens and strengthens our
"Dear Leader" will be responsible for the long term
consequences. (071407c) Parallel
stories the mosque in Islamabad and this camp in Lebanon. A
new wrinkle in "The Great War"? (071407d) How interested WAS the US in finding Iraqi WMDs?
Find
out the surprising answer in this three-part article from
October 2005! (070207k) Part
two,
some ironic details (070207l) Part
three, where
the "mystery man lives now a days
(070207m) The
world's number one nuclear proliferator has been "punished"
according to our "dear leader" but has he been?
(070207j) All I can say is that I WISH I was treated
to "harshly" A private army?
Blackwater has had some coverage and this article peeks at
it and illuminates the motivation of its creator another
"would be royal" with jacasstic tendencies
(070107e) A quick look at Mr. Tim Spicer, the "Mercenary
King" of Iraq. Just how DID HE get a quarter billion
dollar contract, considering his record, with the US
military? Inquiring
minds want to know (070207e) The Greater Islamic Regions: Western
Theater: Saudi Arabia ... Iraq ... Iran ...
Pakistan ... Afghanistan Afghanistan: Read this extract from the article carefully: " But
NATO has 'never killed and will never intentionally kill
innocent civilians', its secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop
Scheffer, told a conference in Macedonia on Friday. 'The
majority of civilian casualties in Afghanistan have been
caused by Taliban suicide bombs and roadside bombs"
Doesn't
it imply that a minority of deaths are caused by non Taliban
sources, ie the NATO forces? (070107d) Iraq: About
two weeks worth of observations from the Baghdad
Observer, (070407x) my favorite was the map
covered with green dots which "proved" Baghdad was safe
&endash; loved it, really "The coalition of the billing?"
The number of "private guns" now outnumber the number of
US military operating in Iraq (070407c)
And
they take casualties, over 1000 dead and 13,000
wounded (070407d) Time
is running out in Iraq? The question is rhetorical, because
it is &endash; (070207h) A quickly readable outline of three days in Iraq news
"events" this is sick beyond sicko, but it is the war we
are fighting and as much hell as it is, it may
be that some of the idiots running things in this country
have a point, it would only be worse if we "up and
left" (070107a) Iran: More allegations that Iran is "messing with us" in
Iraq. Not that I doubt it, but this IS something we
DID bring on ourselves, oh well,
at least we have someone to point a finger at and maybe
even bomb the shit out of (070207d) Pakistan: A battle in Islamabad, not far from the government
office is not over and, like many incidents, could
prove to be the one that sparks a bigger problem.
(070407b) Reportedly
there ARE wider implications for this battle and its
repercussions may echo wide and loud before this is
"over" (070407i) More
on the stand off in Islamabad, women and children as
shields? (070507c) Guns and bombs are set
for use. This story says "security forces" present. Last
night it was a government backed group that amounted to a
mob of thugs. Part two,
some details (070507c) Part three, what
"started it all" (070507e) A
stepped up war against militants and blowback resulting from
the assault on a mosque in Islamabad
(071407b) Asia and the Greater Islamic Eastern
Theater: India ... Russia ... China ... South East Asia ...
Korea China: China representative says many things about the
weapons it sells to Sudan &endash; there have been
"strict" guidelines. However my favorite line is this:
"We
will do our best to prevent the weapons from finding their
way into the wrong hands and from doing the wrong
things:", (070507a) I guess ground attack
aircraft is really meant to do survey work and assault
rifles are really meant for .. uh … what? Says here that
Australia and the US are "concerned" about Chinas burgeoning
role in the Pacific. (070507b) They both see
Japan as a useful ally in this effort. I guess the immediate
again supersedes the rational or the logical. And, of
course, as always, money talks. Korea: Gee, surprise, surprise there is a "delay" in shutting
down the North Korean reactor. Did ANYONE thing THAT
would happen, No not me, no one I know speculated that they
were AGAIN yanking our chain.
I guess they figure they've some sort of upper hand, which
we gave them, let us not forget.
(070207b) Russia: I guess we can say that our "Dear Leader" has another
fish to fry, Old "pouting
Putin" talks about pulling out of another treaty. This is
another step backwards to the world we had though we'd left
off. Our Jackass in Chief scores another point.
(071407e) Part two, could
it be "internal politics being externalized?
(071407f) Part three,
some interesting details and issues
(071407g) Shades
of the old "cold war" a missile build up on the Russian EU
border? (070407a) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater:
Sudan, ... Ethiopia ... Somalia, etc.: Somalia: Fighting
continues in Somalia, chaos looms (070107b)
Other fighting, between clans goes on as well. Remember
this devolution was instigated at the behest of the US
whose client, Ethiopia, "assisted" the "government" of
Somalia to oust those who not only happened to be
restoring order but were inimical, meaning, in this
case,
a little to "Moslem" for US tastes
(070107c) Europeans
feel that the US and G. Bush are viewed as dangerous, how
wonderful, no? (070407k) Bush
rhetoric versus reality, no surprises here, unless you know
better (070202i) In case future persons want to know just
how dumb our dumbbell in chief is read his "explanation"
concerning Libby's liberation (070407e)
But
wait this article covers the "insanity" in greater detail,
unbelievable, really and truly, save for the fact that its
true (070407f) And then there is this, the
supremes decision, in
a case similar to Libby the Liar's, in which a 25 year
veteran was NOT given a break &endash; sounds like constancy
to me (070407j) Some of the details regarding Libby, what "the
deciders" decision means, in terms of longer term issues
regarding the
real issue that the Libby case involves, that is to say,
war. (070407l) How likely is it that we'll have
a "media feeding frenzy" if there is truly a "Constitutional
smackdown" over oversight and subpoenas and the like?
(070407g) The story behind the story is the story of the man
who is quoted as representing the US military, which he
does, but
then his background makes his statements, concerning Iran's
involvement in Iraq, suspect &endash; to say the least
(070407h)
BushOff's
blame game is ready to go, others have been treated to this
"coverage" and here is why Petraeus will not be any
different (071907i) And
then, guess what, "more time will be needed to assess the
progress of the surge" Where have I heard that before?
(072007k) BushOff says we're more safe. But
at the Ol' Rio Grand Iraqi's and other middle-eastern
personages can get into the US by paying 20 to 25 thousand
dollars. The money seems to be there as are the
coyotes (071907e) What would happen? Questions
asked and war games are played out to find the answers
&endash; Iraq splits up is likely as are other odds and
ends. (071707j) Then segue to this The
size of the "contracted army" may be larger than the US army
in Iraq at this point (071807k) &endash; however
hard figures are hard to come by and that's the
truth I like this article, it gives the standard Bushwhackoff
line that the surge is working. You'll
notice the lack of any specific data being used to support
that assertion. (071707b) Cheney
may get his way with Iran and you should know that what that
means. (071507j) OMG is all I can say. This article argues that the upside of the downside of
just pulling out of Iraq is that they will still need
to sell the oil &endash; and to who? Even the Iranians sell
theirs on the world market &endash; so
what's the fuss? about getting out? (071407t)
The Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Israel ...
Palestine ... Gaza .... Lebanon Gaza/Palestine: Everyone in the ME has a reason to keep things the way
they are and that's too bad for Gaza and the
Palestinians, isn't it? Well,
at least everyone else is "doing fine.'
(071907j) Lebanon: Short term Lebanon has a problem with tempers and
grudges, long term it needs to find a way to govern itself.
The fear is that sectarianism may already have taken root
and that a spark will set off a raging blaze.
(071607d) No surprise that foreign interests have played
a role in this mess, our Whackhead in Chief as well. The Greater Islamic Regions: Western
Theater: Saudi Arabia ... Iraq ... Iran ...
Pakistan ... Afghanistan Afghanistan: The
mission in Afghanistan is at risk. (071807a)
Nice headline, but the facts outlined in the article are
clear and just as clear is that the US set it up that way by
the Bushwad's dumbbell war of choice in Iraq Iraq: For disgusting or horrifying you can't beat
this
story about the every day vultures making hay off the
dead. (072007i) Battle lines are being drawn. There is a movement that
has various
opposition groups beginning to plan and cooperate to
frustrate and then remove the US and allied forces from Iraq
(072007h) Moktada al-Sadr has his lessons from Hamas and
using them to good effect,
to do what the government cannot do
(071907b) Part one, Iraq has not met its benchmarks
and the surge seems to be a "passing fancy" not doing what
it was supposed to (071807d) Part two, ten of
the benchmarks is a new election,
however the likely result of that would benefit those
hostile to the US, yet the election is what we want …
hmmm … you go figure that one out
(071807e) but the blame game is already targeting the
"American People" Part three what
is to become of it all? (071807f) Iraq
not going as planned, well, blame the general
(071707g) The
Brits want out and think it is high time, will Brown, the
new PM heed the call? Time will tell
(071707h) 19,000 Iraqis held by the US? Seems
they area there indefinitely for the most part.
(071707e) Yet
only 135 of them are foreigners and half of them are from
our ally Saudi Arabia. So much for the "durned
foreigners stirring up trouble" theory (071707f) Risky
alliances with former enemy combatants in Iraq who say they
are tired of the violence? How risky is risky?
(071607i) Part two,
some of the details, more than in the other article
referenced some days or weeks ago. (071607j) Part
three, some
other tales and details, the pros and cons
(071607k) What happens at a roadblock? What happens if you are a
doctor? What
happens if you are a correspondent known for working with an
western news service, any guess?
(071507h) The
air war in Iraq has its surge "goin' on" here are
details (071507c) Not exactly achieving what is wanted, extra
ordinary violence against civilians cannot be helping the
lost cause that is Iraq (071407p) vets speak on
the topic. Iraq,
having failed "benchmarks" s (071407q) should
have the resident of the White House trying to create a
"plan B" Nearly one million Iraqi's dead, possibly three
times that wounded and a couple million more refugees
-
that would be about one in five. (071407v)
The
self sustaining nature of the Iraqi chaos has passed the
tipping point (071407w) &endash; Georgie Boy
what's next? Iran: Pakistan: Musharraf's
moment of truth? An overview of the situation in
his country and speculation regarding solutions.
(071907c) It also does not help that the US says it is willing
and capable of mounting attacks in the borderlands, time
to s - - - or
get off the pot, so to speak (071907d) Blowback
in Pakistan has some worried that much more is to come
(0717007m) Pakistan's
blowback continues, one wonders (071807b) Pakistan's capital gets a season of protests. On
one day there were three of them going on and, well, each
had their own reasons and none were very interested in the
other's agenda (071707c) Gen. Musharraf...tells American presidents that if
you don't support me, "the
next person will be the 'bearded ones'."
(071407z) It's like I've been saying, this IS the place to
watch &endash; has been. Korea: Will the Bumbler in Chief actually get some bragging
rights now that North Korea has shut down a reactor?
(071507d)
I thought he said he'd never negotiate with them, after all
they were part of the Axis of Evil, remember? So,
miracle of miracles, we are now, FINALLY, back at square one
- chalk one up for the Dumbwad. Russia: "A
New Cold War" could have been the headline
(071607a) but it would have been inflammatory or hyperbolic
perhaps, perhaps not. Part two,
there are words exchanged apparently (071607b)
Part three, some
"interesting" details (071607c) Several stories on this front page of the St.
Petersburg Times. Some
tension between Belarus and the US, tensions in the EU
regarding an oil pipeline, some military musings and more,
dated 07/17/07 (071607e) China's
involvement in Africa is not all lupines and roses
(071807i) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater:
Sudan, ... Ethiopia ... Somalia, etc.: Somalia: Somalia
seems to be having real trouble getting any peaceful
solutions. (071507i) Of course our Rear End
in Chief created the most recent chapter of chaos and is mum
on this place and its problems. Uganda: Uganda discovers more oil. Then
the people in the area of the discovery argue about who owns
the land. (071807h) How will they resolve the
differences and what role will the "outside" interests play?
Hmmmm? The "black sites" in Europe were a secret but it
seems our
own CIA blew the whistle and stirred up, well, s - -
t! (071907g) Are the Euros trying to
"distance themselves" from the US with this issue? Are
US weapons systems loosing their appeal?
(071607f) Part two some
of the reasons why this is so (071607g) What's up with the DOJ? A lot of horrible things
and
even when the "kids get caught with their hands in the
cookie jar" they are let go and seem to be none the worse
for there being caught out (071407h)
Alberto
"the mealymouth" Gonzales lied about the FBI that
spied (071407o)
A sample of how the FBI "did its thing"
(071407s) A new executive order, oh boy, allowing the
decider or his minions to decide who is a threat and
then take everything they've got (072007c) The detail
that is annoying is the
phrase "undermining efforts" which can mean lots of things
to lots of folks, you think he planned it
thataway? (072007d What
will not happen is what the Democraps should do
(071907f) hahahahahahah
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah, but I HAD to
include this, really. So BushOff goes for more executive
privilege,
tells congress to "forget it" when it comes to contempt of
Congress. (072007a) This
article clears up the debate and the issue is simpler to
understand (072007b) Interesting report on the housing market.
Here
is evidence for its woes becoming widespread and
uncomfortable, it seems (071707a) Message
over matter, Bush and his government clearly believes this
is the road to victory (071407y) Yet
another example of politics over policy and religion over
reality so the former Surgeon General says.
(071407r) Larry
Flint goes hunting after bagging one hypocrite, sweaty palms
anyone? (071407u) Here is another take on the bee die off. The
official word is that no one knows what is causing the
deaths. (071507k) Talk
about honeybees and you'll find that they've already gone.
(071507e) Part two: and
here are some details, a mix of optimism and not
(071507f) A modernizing region of Russia
tries to "Potempkin" its way out of its irradiated
past (071407n) with tours and bright smiles
and nice chicken lunches. Op-Ed and Op-Lie, tracing
a single story denying global warming the sources
quoted (071407m) in the article trace back to
certain unsavory characters, companies, or groups. To those who doubt the fact of global warming read
this article about the potential "disagreements" hinted at
concerning the use of the newly opening Arctic Ocean.
Open
to shipping, oil exploration and the need for military
forces to be present, the question is whose? The
American or Canadian? (071407x) Interesting story this, Americans used to be taller
than other peoples in the world, now this is reversed. The
mystery is why this is so? It is not insignificant, a
matter of a two inch average. One
would think that our advantages would create the healthy
bodies that would grow well, well? It's not! Why?
(071507a) I loved this letter. It will never get the kind of
exposure it warrants,
nor will its author be given the chance to debate its points
with the PunditIdiots that support the Great Ass and his
vision (071807g) Bush's
full tilt fib factory is gushing (071507m)
BushOff
offers Hillary as the scapegoat for Iraq, at least one
commentator shoots back (072007e) A hallmark of the Asshole Administration is lack of
oversight and
here is another ripe example of this a few hundred cases
are ignored for 5.5 years and that's the way it
is/was. (071507g) Profile
in Cowardice, a nice portrait of Dumbell Bush
(071407j) How the air sorties are being
covered, or not, is revealing. A trip back to My Lai
is instructive. The
use of air power is likely to increase for a while and more
so if and when draw down's do occur. The
scenario is not a pleasant one, if we still want to "win" by
then. (071407k) The
New York Times calls for pulling out of Iraq?
(071407l) It's a good headline though perhaps too little
and too late. The
Plame case continues despite a setback.
(072007f) So the House, Conyers, wants to talk to Miers but she
doesn't want to talk to him, especially about the US
attorney firings. When
will congress get royally pissed off? Your guess is as good
as mine (071507l) and she might get fined 1,000 dollars and
be pardoned &endash; man that is harsh!
(071807n)
Arms
for the Saudis' and other Sunni Allies in the
region, (072807d) arms for Israel and
everyone is going to be happy because Iran is the threat,
right? There is more to this than meets the eye
But
my question remains: how can we remain fair and neutral
(072807e) (hahahahahahahah) when we arm both
sides in Iraq and in the region as well? So what
do the Saudis give us in return for the arms deal and saving
their butts from Saddam? (072807f) Some
interference in Iraq, it seems, but then this story IS from
the NYT, oh well. Lots
of political camouflage as well as smoke and
mirrors (072807g) but it all adds up to one
thing: everyone seems to be "going for it" what ever "it" is
in their minds, pity the Iraqi's Iran and the US talk over Iraq,
our puzzling policy reaps mixed results, of course
(072607l) and speaking of that what is the course we
are trying to steer? A
bit about the embroilment of Kurdistan, Iraq, Turkey, the US
and other nations, need I mention Iran?
(072507d)
A handy map of Kurdistan. (072507e) Aren't you glad that the prezydink himself says
that from now on the interrogations done by the CIA will
be done properly and in accord with the Geneva Convention
&endash; but
no one is allowed to see what methods are still "in" and
which are "out" good enough for me, howzabout
you? (072107d) A small but tragic story in the GWOT. A
man is captured in Afghanistan in 2001, tossed into
Guantanamo for a few years only to be released. He goes
right back to "doing his thing". (072407b)
Not that I like Guantanamo, but why was this guy
released? The Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Israel: In an uproar this week, some quotes from an
interview,
an Israeli author takes his nation to task comparing them to
German fascists, (072407f) laments the
occupation for its end and calls Zionism "over" Of course it
could be the guy just wants to sell his damned book, too.
Some
of the essential points made in the interview
(072407g) Palestine: A
call for early elections in Palestine is given,
(072107a) but my question is, besides the
debate on its legality, what happens if Hamas wins again?
Part two,
can the prez issue decrees that change the basic
law? (072107b) Part three,
some details (0702107c) Lebanon: The
battle in a Lebanese Palestinian camp is not over but it may
be soon. (072507f) Part two,
what passed for discussions and offers
(072507g) An
opinion, a French one at that, has it that Lebanon faces a
crisis, (072807b) (Oh, that's news is it?) but
seriously, the outline of the difficulty is clarifying
nonetheless. What
is feared is this (072807c) The Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater:
Saudi Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan
... Afghanistan: The
controversy: civilian deaths from bombing raids.
From here all I can say is that both sides disagree
and that the predominance of belief is what matters and,
since that is true, it would mean that the NATO forces will
loose further support. (072707b) How
are Afghan suicide bombers different than those in other
nations? (072607o) Part two, Their
"stats" are interesting and point to a "profile" that is
revealing (072607n) Kidnapping
in Afghanistan is a new weapon. (072307j) Part
two, putting
pressure on Kabul? (072307k) After seeing the mess we've made in Afghanistan,
I
read that the one time king of that nation has died. He
ruled the place for 40 years and had been in exile for 30
before returning to Afghanistan in 2002. One
wonders why the allies did not find a way to bring him into
the fold and form a government around him, a constitutional
monarchy say, but I'm just talking (072407a) Iraq: More
on the arming of neighborhood groups, this new approach is
given positive coverage. I wonder, however, how we
can expect that the guns we hand out are used in a way that
we'd like, and how is that anyway? (072807h)We
tell them to "go after the bad guys" but later on in
the article it states that we know that some of the persons
we deal with have been in the resistance.
(072807i) Sunnis
get a bit pissed with their government, so they threaten to
leave the government. (072507b) We are "in the dark" as much as Baghdad residents are.
Now
we track how much electricity is generated, not how much is
delivered for use. (072707e) A snapshot of a recent car bombing. A
"model" of who is in control and what the people think of
all of the pretenders (072407i) The
Surge, well there are some numbers in, the average number of
daily attacks is near its all time high.
(072307a) The Surge, how long should it last, a few
months a couple of years,
when WILL we know when its DEFINITELY working/
(072307b) Sunni
leaders, friendly to the US, are killed in a bomb attack
while protected by US forces. (072207b) A
summary of a single day in Iraq.
Murder, mayhem chaos and the threat of another flare up of
fighting between Turkish forces and the rebel Kurds.
(072207c) The Iraqi Oil Law still not passed and unions
against it, threaten strikes (072307c) And
here are
some details regarding the "uphill battle" the law faces
(072307d) Pakistan: Musharaff
looses one, a big one, and causes some to wonder about how
long he'll remain in power (072107e)
The
US is warned off making attacks into Pakistan.
Shall they heed those warnings or ignore them?
(072307e) Musharaff
and Bhutto have a tête-à-tête but no deal
is in the making, (072807a) all while Mr. M. is
"having problems" to say the least Pakistan
has tested a nuclear capable cruise missile, how stabilizing
is that? (072607b) Guess who's saying "Bring 'em on" now? Those
wily Pakistani Militants, they'd like us to try to take a
whack at them, why it's just what they want,
Musharaff is in the wings on this one, trust me.
(072607k) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater:
Sudan, ... Ethiopia ... Somalia, etc.: Ethiopia: Our ally
Ethiopia has a rebel problem of its own and has decided
to starve everyone in that portion of the country
(072207a) Niger: Niger, in the news, something of an
old story, a resource rich area populated by poor people
"of the land" is given a hard time and a rebellion breaks
out. Uranium, oil, and tourism dollars are
at stake (072507c) Somalia/Eritrea: Eritrea and Somalia have had problems in the past and
now reports are that, surprise
surprise, there are weapons being sent around and this is
followed by denials (072607c) Mentioned in a previous story,
the price of food rising worldwide is attributed to farmers
growing corn for ethanol production. (072807j)
This article shows its effect on a noodle shop in China
How
they cope with a "planned economy"
(072807k) An
example of what is called an extreme weather event EWE, this
one is from Merry Old England (072707d) This story underscores the problems
with nuclear power plants. You can plan as well as you might
like but nature and human error cannot be completely
accounted for and thus problems emerge.
(072507j) of course they could have planned
NOT to build the plant on an fault line, that might have
helped matters &endash; you think? Global
warming's effects are already being seen in the
changes becoming apparent in rainfall patters.
(072507h) Here is a specific example of
what
has already happened and what may happen
(072507i) Another
data point in the global warming debate from Nevada
(072607a) Climate change means shifts in ecological niches.
This
story is an example of that &endash; jumbo squid may give
California fishermen a bit of a squeeze
(072507a) Are
we in a bit of a food crisis as prices rise?
(072307g) Part two, here
are programs that address this problem (072307h)
Part three, some
evidence for a "mixed situation"
(072307i) Another cost of the Iraq war is that we
are not paying attention to the rest of the world,
(0724207h) a point I've illuminated before and
this story is yet another data point supporting that
contention. How far are things out of kilter?
A "serious" presidential contender counts as important
bringing in the "rapture vote". Lieberman .
(072707i) grasps at straws and is still considered
"serious". Unlike those irrational candidates Mike Gavel
and Ron Paul who question the US presence in Iraq The
Senate wants to investigate Gonzales, do they HAVE
balls? (072607e) And
Leahy wants to "talk with" Rove. Hmmmmm???
(072607f) Contempt
charges being issued? Is this the congress getting some
BALLS? (0702607j) A
brief on the housing and oil markets, connections and
concerns (072707g) Housing
market woes from one company (072407c)
The
housing market effects the dollar's value
(072407d) this effects lots of other things,
how we finance the US government with deficit for example
The housing "industry" has its effect on the national
economy, yup
that means Wall Street. (072407e) A nice and clear story on the housing
market crisis, why it's important, why it is spreading and
hints at what it could mean. (072607h) Part
two,
some details (072607i) The
US sinks a North Korean vessel, bound for Iran, with a cargo
that was, at least in part, radioactive. Headline
news? I guess not. No one wanted to "broadcast" the event
for obvious reasons. (072707c) A tiny sample of what
passes for "news commentary" these days, a so called human,
with an Irish surname for god sakes, O'Reilly, just
misleads, lies if you will, and makes hay while the world
goes to hell around him, what a jackass.
(072707h) Who
is making all that money: KBR and Halliburton for
example (072407k) Great title for this: "operation Iraqi betrayal"
talks about how the
"blame game" is being manipulated to insulate our dumbbell
in chief and the neo con jackasses from taking
responsibility. (072607g)
07/21/07
07/28/07
08/11//07 A five part article on the "hired guns" starts out
with some basic facts: an
unregulated industry with companies that come and go with
employees that are questionable often enough
(073007g) Part two, A bit about some
"lost
men" and the low ball approach to security
(073007h) Part three, Regarding the attack, it
seems there
is plenty of "blame go round" being played.
(073007i) and fast cash Part four, Shortages
of supplies, stolen weapons, forged security badges and more
money. Sloppiness being denied, did I mention that?
(073007j) Part five, How the attack went,
connivance,
corruption and a belated rescue by US forces, which ran off
the attackers. (073007k) Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Lebanon: Another democratic election in Lebanon and another
example of
people voting in accord with what they want and snubbing
the US Interests or candidates (090807u) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Afghanistan: A
light overview of the Afghan mess
(080907o) Iraq: Black
market weapons being purchased by the million dollar
lots by Iraqi officials without US or their own
government's knowledge all while weapons flood the region
and other nations begin to complain about just that.
(081207a) Corruption
in a "cash economy" amounts to a "second
insurgency" that is crippling the Iraqi
government (090807r) Speaking of the insurgency,
when
30% of the weaponry that the US has distributed to "friends"
is unaccounted for, one wonders what the hell is going
on? And not for the first time either
(090807s.) So
the US builds a project in Iraq and then what
happens? (072907b) Well most of the time it is not
"accepted" and so although it is finished being constructed
no one comes to use or maintain it. Billions go down the
proverbial drain this way. Why the reporting from Iraq is the way it is,
example
John McCain's shopping trip in Baghdad, he did get his lies
in the news and that was worth it, after all
(080907p) With water
and electrical power failing in much of Iraq we
finally know who to blame, Saddam of course. If it were
not for him everything would be just as fine as could be
(090807q) Iran: Russia
playing games with Iranian nuke hopes? (072907c)
Maybe this is a deal made in the USA or elsewhere, but
the Russian honeymoon with Iran may be over. Maybe the US
won't have to go in and bomb now. Pakistan: An
overview of recent events and speculation concerning a
direct, unilateral, US strike inside its borders.
(073007d) No
easy options it seems, for anyone. (073007e) What
will be the result of this is anyone's guess. And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia India: Nonproliferation takes a back seat to something, what
it is inquiring minds want to know. The
nuke deal with India, don't you think it would be nice to
know what the deal is about? (072907a) Russia: A
claims race for the North Polar region. Oil is the reason
and sea lanes as well. (080907a) Buy
a banana and a bullet at the same time? Why not?
(080907f) The
"new" way forward for US military operations in
Paraguay (080907g) Soon you WILL be able to buy the Brooklyn Bridge.
How
privatizing of public assets is not in the public interest
but certainly make money for some corporations.
(090807m) America's
deteriorating infrastructure and I-35's wake up
call (080907n) A
brief enlightening outline of "fascist thought" its
characteristics and properties. (080907j) Just the lead page: 323 billion dollars are pumped
into the world's banking system in a single day.
This
to prop up a system in dire need of "fluidity" meaning cash
&endash; has a real crisis been avoided?
(080907c) Part two how
widespread is the "damage"? (080907d) Part
three dollars being sold overseas and the
threat is the world economy "collapsing like a house of
cards" (080907e) The
"housing problem" and market "problem" is explained
here( (081007a) And
some Q and A regarding the same issue here
(081007b) A
portrait of how it all came to be and what is being done
about it, of course our President is way out
front in claiming that all is well. (081007c) Here it is again, from a slightly different
perspective, how
the money does not "go round" with an infinite number of
Peters paying an infinite number of Pauls in a financial
environment which has easy credit being given for loans on
securities that always seem to be heading upwards, until now
that is. (081007d) Part two, figures show that
the amount of "liquidity" meaning cash may be more, much
much more than the system can handle. (081007e) Neo Con heaven? A
controversial judge gets nominated for "higher office" what
a mess (080907h) New
rulings, new courts and new processes for surveillance of US
citizens &endash; no outcry? Well, we'll see.
(090807i) How
the Democraps do cave on command, it seems
(090807t) Patent
lies pass, if Bush utters them, shame shame
shame! (090807v) Corruption
and nepotism: H.W.Bush's god son, William R. Steiger, blocks
a report, public information mind, because it hadn't been
"politicized" yet another example of the "fox
in the hen house syndrome" that stains the current
administration each time incompetents are put in charge of
government offices however good they are at collecting pay
and following directives. (073007f) Katrina,
we did get offers of help from 145 nations and much of them
were rejected, for some we did not even say
"thanks but no thanks". Amazing! (080907k) Here
is the PDF file that organizes all the offers: Bush, still doesn't get it, but for
the "big easy" he does have something to say, and that is
"good luck" (080907l) Hope
in the form of local farmers and businesses getting together
to bring better food to the restaurant's plates?
(073007a) Part two, some
details on a particular place (073007b)
How
a particular individual is taking part and finding both
challenges and success. (073007c) There is always hope. Increasingly it may not seem
that way. However, I believe, despite appearances, that the
truth will out, justice will prevail, and that we are on the
way to a better world. I have faith that this will be a good
year. I choose to harbor hope.
Blame Iran for the Taliban's weapons. Ironically
it may be true, in my opinion, I mean why wouldn't they?
However,
it is an all to convenient way to excuse the poor results in
Afghanistan. (081407b) An air force general is running around talking
about how we could best go about bombing Iran
(081407p) Here
is an overview of the context of that man's
raving (081407q) And in case you had any hope of peace, there is this:
"Security
experts around the country believe that the world will soon
face an era of "persistent conflict," or drawn-out
confrontations between state, non-state and individual
actors, Gen. Casey said. (081507a) The much touted "September Report on Iraq" which
anyone who has read about it over the moths would assume
would be a report by the commander "over there" Petraeus,
now it seems that this
report will be written in Washington by parties in the
executive branch. Gee, I wonder what NEW and
EXCITING aspects of the great progress in Iraq will get the
most coverage! I'm so excited I could shit my pants.
(081507b) Central Muddle Eastern Theater: Lebanon -
Israel - Palestine - Gaza Palestine and Gaza A "morale gap" exists between
Hamas, on the upswing, and Fatah on the down slope.
Why this is so is not explored but Hamas
seems to have popular optimism on its side, at least in Gaza
where their defacto state may be making some progress while
Fatah falters in the West Bank. (081307o) Part two,
Hamas
has "some source" of funding and this, no doubt, helps them
in their cause. (081307p) Hamas and tunneling, seems to be the "way to go"
for importers and exporters alike, profitable and
problematical depending upon who you talk to. Thing is it's
more than just an underground economy, it's the
kind of thing that gives success and pride to a people who
have little chance at success given their circumstances
(081407m) Lebanon: Lebanon, STILL, fighting that battle for a refugee camp.
The US has, surprise surprise, a conflict of interest and so
our "allied government" in that nation cannot get the
military supplies wanted. Lebanese
say they'll go shopping, in Russia of all places, to get
what they want … nice Mr. Bush-head, smooth
move exlax (081407n) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Afghanistan: Afghanistan,
Billions wasted and only one man seems to be counting the
facts (081907e) Why is the US and its allies having a hard time in
Afghanistan,
could it be stories such as this where lies cover up
massacres even after evidence piles up, but then
counting Afghan bodies is not the same as counting allied
bodies. (081507e) Iraq: A
reformed government in Baghdad, can you spot the Sunnis?
No? That's because they aren't there. Is a problem,
no? Yes! (081707e) Here is more on the "grand
overview" however this stresses that the only solutions that
"non Iraqi's" see are those which influential parties both
inside and outside of Iraq have already rejected.
Upshot
a failed state for some time to come
(081707f) An
update on an earlier story, some details with a dash of
horror. (081507i) The
day in Iraq as well as some speculations, none
good, I mean really (081707h) The
daily events from Iraq. (081307j) A
selection of headlines and briefs. Where is the progress
we've been hearing about? (081507c) A
spectacular attack and the Iraqi grind goes on.
Simply no end in sight and that which is seen does NOT look
like the light at the end of a tunnel because we're still in
the dark, big time. (081407o) A
story touting stats which are used to show "the surge" is
working. The "Al Qaida" style attacks are in
decline. (081307a) Who
controls the neighborhoods? Not the US that is
for sure and not the "government" of Iraq (081907a) This is followed by
this article which details another strategy the
insurgents are beginning to use. (081307b)
Could the enemy be switching tactics again? And then
this, "Escalation
by the numbers" as set of stats from Iraq which put the idea
"of the surge working" to rest. Oh well, my hope
WAS doubtful (081307m) Cost
over runs? The US paying out millions of extra
dollars? (081307g) If I were in Iraq being
protected would be vital Iran: We have heard that BumbleBush has declared some portion
of Iran's military as a terrorist organization. That is one
thing,
but the other is the reason that this is being done &endash;
to provide an excuse for some military action on
Iran. (081507d) Another link in the "blame
Iran" game. This
time it is slanted statistics that are employed to "prove"
the case. (081507g) Is
the Whackhead in Chief "clearing the way" for an attack on
Iran? (081907m) The noise about labeling
the IRGC a terrorist group
hides the fact that we've worked with them over the
years. (081907n) Pakistan: Maybe a moment of "truth" in Pakistan with the leader of
that nation admitting
what others have been saying for some time now, militants in
Pakistan are helping launch attacks in
Afghanistan (081307c) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia It would seem that Asia may be waking up to the
US.
Is a veiled threat a signal or a sign of a geopolitical
shift? (081607e) The
far east markets take a
beating….(081607c) India: Here
is an article on the nuclear deal being worked out with
India. (081307n) Seems like it is
making progress. Russia: Russian
air force is "acting up" more than usual
(081407e)Part two,
reading between the lines, what do YOU think it really says?
(081407f) More
on Russia's reach and the flexing of its air
force, note the condescension in Sean McCormack's
quotation. (081707a) A train derailed in Russia, terrorism is suspected.
What
made this story interesting is that it mentions a "spike" in
bombings and Chechnya is the suspected source.
(081407a) Typical of a "great power" Russia
sees the reality of global warming in terms of what it can
gain. Sure ecology is changing and unpredictably
so, but there is a new open sea to exploit and resources to
clam. (081407j) A
bit more on the Russians extending their grasp.
(081607d) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Somalia: Mini
Baghdad, Mogadishu, flares into the news, more
violence (081407g) Just
the first page of a story that portrays the lack of "secure"
borders with Mexico. (081907j) Some examples
of the havoc and the allure of fighters in the drug
wars have (081907k) The
unsung tragedies that result (081907l) Brazil
"sees the light" and makes some talk about global warming
and its consequences, motivation comes in the form
of a drought in the Amazon Basin (081407i) Global
warming is having its effects felt in Australia, where a
decade long draught has forced changes (081307s)
China
sees the effects of Global Warming, GW, as well
(081407k) A
bit of a scramble for making claims to the Arctic.
(081307l) It is not quite a free for all, or a melee
but the starting gun has been fired and the race is on.
The
US "officially" enters the "Arctic race".
(081407d) The
"big picture" concerning "water availability" seems to
indicate that global cooperation is a prerequisite for
getting clean water to people and resolving GW
issues that make matters worse (081407l) Subpoena
Showdown? Well, what will come next?
(081407r) Play
taps for the 4th Amendment? (081307d)
A
summary of the steps taken along the way
(081307e) To explain and exemplify the bumbling stupidity of the
"bumbledork's" "vision thing" and how it effects every
day life for the American people, see
an egregious example of experts being employed but ignored
while asinine jackasses are given big dollars to do that
which they know not of &endash; putting you and I at
risk (081907f) How the "damned Dems" did it yet again, this time
the claim is that they
were to busy to re ad the law they passed giving more
constitutional guarantees away WTF is up with
this shit anyway? (081907i) Crossing the line, US
spy satellites to be used to give Americans a look see,
there ARE constitutional issues here and, well,
they're being over ridden. (081607f) The Democraps all sort-of, kind-of, more or less,
hem and haw about
how and when we might leave Iraq if they are elected,
sounds like REAL progress? No, not to me either.
(081307i) A
"big picture view" of the "housing thing" it
seems that discipline is good for the rube who bought their
dream house with "magic money" but not at all good for the
financiers and billionaire bankers who set up the system,
made mountains of moolah and now want protection because
they are "to big to fall" (081307k) Effects
of the "housing problem" persist and exchanges take losses.
(081407c) Yes our market rallied after the
feds kicked down billions, Japan still suffers despite
the billions being kicked down. Seems like we're not
out of the woods yet (081907b) Here
is the proof for that in Asia. (081907c) The
overview of the US economy, its place in the world, the
dangers it faces and suggestions. (081707b)
How
the poor get trapped in the credit crunch. If
anyone is listening, as the writer says, they could take
this issue alone and ride it to the White House.
(081907g) The
housing bubble has become the housing ripple, the
splash after the crash, as it were (081507h) Although there was a recovery later in the day,
the
problem persists as remedies find little effect, stock
declines? Oops (081607b) And you wonder where the hell all the money
goes?
Well, two 17 cent washers, having priority for a "combat
zone" delivery cost nearly on million dollars. Got
that? (081907d) But there is this story and the
Cheney
connection, he was all over the war contracts like a hungry
whore on a sweaty boner (081907g) Peak Oil, may still be controversial, the numbers
are huge, complex and changing all the time, however,
"Tough
Oil" is easier to spot, examine and, since it is happening
now &endash; we can see the effects.
(081707g) I love just the first page of this article. The
NSA wire tapped some lawyers. How did the lawyers know? The
NSA provided them with the top secret wire tapping
logs. (081307q) Part two,
the manner in which the government contorts its position or
explains itself is amusing to read
(081307r) A
brief look at how "shiny objects" can distract our "might
media mavens" and give us fluff instead of stuff.
Especially dangerous when lives, like those lost in a recent
mine cave in, are at stake. Question is over 300 violations
a lot or not? (081507f) How those publicists, who were WRONG about Iraq
but did not think so when it was "just getting
started"
have strange ways of making amends
(081307f) Padilla is found guilty, there is, ironically, some good
news buried in this conviction, but
more importantly are the questions that have been raised and
then ignored by the corporatist, neo con press
(081707d) Psychologists
protest Bush? Sounds crazy but it's true
(081707c) An
NGO in India shows how power can be made available to the
poorest of folks (081407h)
When it comes to violence and threats to security
the
"classic" organized crime factor is one to be considered
(082107a) The Great Dumbbell compares
Vietnam to Iraq and is dumb enough to think that what he is
saying is logical. He is, simply speaking, a
jackass with bowel breath. (082207d) The "imploding Bushoff" described here is the shambles
the oval office finds itself in. The trouble is that
there
is over 500 days left for this titanic trauma in short pants
&endash; and he is still, one would bet, hearing voices that
direct him to, among other things, attack nations.
(082407d) As the foreign wars fail and people
poll as being discontent and disagreeing with the mess, why
do we only hear from corporate news hogs praising it?
(082207h) Here
are some specifics on that (082207i) What does George "the jackass" mean?
Here is one example of how to little knowledge goes nowhere
at all. (082307b) Here
he is, essentially, being called an idiot by an Aussie
(082307c) Greater" Muddle Eastern Theater: Turkey - Syria
- Jordan - Egypt Jordan: Jordan has given refuge to one of Saddam's daughters.
Iraq wants her returned for trial, Jordan refuses,
the
story exemplifies the complications in all the relations in
the region. (082007a) Greater Islamic Region: Western Theater: Saudi
Arabia - Iraq - Iran - Pakistan - Afghanistan Iraq: The "benchmark" Hydrocarbons Framework, also known as
the "Oil Law" is unpopular with just about every group in
Iraq surveyed. The
structure of the law is very different from the ways most
oil rich nations manage their oil. It could be a uniting
factor, against US interests, interestingly enough
(082507b) The
Iraqi government, pressed and under threat, still has not
passed the law, apparently, evidence exists for
its being the final straw in the Iraqi government.
(082507c) Surge working? Deadliest
attack ever in Iraq, 500 die and many wounded. That
is the update of the recent bombing of a Yazidi town.
(082207a) Another
day in Iraq, what a mess (082207m) "The Surge" IS having a definite effect:
the number of Iraq's internal refugees has doubled since it
began and no one wants to go home again.
(082407c) The
"organization" set up to "deal with" IEDs is in chaotic
disarray, (082207e) Meanwhile
the deadly weapons are on track to garner their highest
level of casualties this year. (082207f) How to get out of Iraq without admitting a defeat?
Blame
the Iraqi's and or their government. Maybe THAT'S the magic
bullet we've all been waiting for?
(082307a) New vocabulary for new phenomenon: "to
chew up" is the translation, find out what it means in Iraq.
(082407b) Iran: Iran and the US make arguments and public dispute
regarding Iran's intentions; we're
all waiting for the other shoe to drop.
(082107b) The idea that Iran is in the sights and that sooner
rather than later we'll see another use of "shuck and
craw". What
makes this article is its reporting Rumsfeld, Snowe and Rove
lost battle with madman Cheney who wants to go where "real
men" go, and that is Iran (082207n) And the Greater Islamic Southern Theater: Sudan
- Ethiopia - Somalia, etc.: Sudan: China
Darfur and the problems that such a partnership has created
for the oppressed. (082507d) And the Greater Islamic Eastern Theater: -
India - Russia - China - South East Asia The competitors gather strength and the
last remaining super power has perhaps had its day, so soon
… so soon (082207l) The SCO, waxes these days and may
become exactly that which Nixon and Kissinger connived
against. (082407e) a new cold war? There
is a sense that the group is "jelling" as it were
(082407f) The
stats are showing a resurgent Russia while the US harbors
hopes that India will be "on its side" in this
contest, however their fear of China has them, perhaps,
calling on us. (082407g) And, surprise surprise, there is a
"difference
of opinion" over the role of the US in the central Asian
region, notably Afghanistan. Could be something
of a sticky wicket, eh? (082407h) And
some short time ago, Iran was courted by the SCO.
To me this would be the "coup de grace". An event which
would create a combine that could be a counterweight to the
US, NATO, India and Japan. (082407i) Russia: Russians
and others "play at war". Georgia is the current "hot" spot
as it were and since no one is really pushing
matters it may just bubble along like so many other
conflicts in the world which are maintained by interested
parties as long as there is value being extracted somewhere
along the line. (082207j) Part two, upshot:
more stress and "disagreement" in the area
(082207k) Today a record was broken, today the
northern
ice cap is the smallest ever. (082507e)
&endash; oh and the rate of melt is exceeding the most
recent computer models. From Africa the pace of climate
change poses a raft of problems, not the least of which is
the spread of newer diseases among animals and the
possibility that something may come humanity's way.
(082507f) With all that is going on one would think that simple
solutions which would have large scale impacts would be
welcome and moving forward, but
then this IS the US and that's not the way things are done,
I mean the bottom line IS the bottom line, after all.
(082507g) "The Last Superpower" sounds like a good title for
a book,
but it is the reality as this article evidences, the "straws
in the wind" are telling the tales.
(082007f) A
report that blames the CIA by listing its failings in the
pre 9/11 world. Granted there were failures
but the administration also had blinders on and did
intervene in ongoing investigations and stalled all FISA
warrant requests during that time. It's not JUST the CIA
that royally goofed up on this one. (082207b) One slowly wonders what the next step is in the "process"
of accountability.
After Congress is held in contempt, what do they do &endash;
pack up and go home? (082007h) The
financial difficulties and the solutions are two sets of
phenomena that do not overlap. The Fed can help
banks but banks are not where the financial problems lay.
(082007b) The
Army is reaching its limit and thus they may be breaking
promises and commitments "everything is on the
table" (082007d) If the media reflects reality (hah!) then
we've
become more interested in the election than Iraq and Iraq is
being framed, more and more, as an election issue
&endash; easier than covering the war itself, no?
(082007c0 The way to win the Iraqi war is to have some
of our
very own "Brainless Wonders" go there and report back that
everything is going well, so much so that we "just might win
this thing." (082207o) If the press would only ask
the real or right questions on Iran maybe the answers would
let some of the "light shine in." (082207g) Faux
News has done many things
now it is running a similar program to the one run to
support the invasion of Iraq only this time Iran is the
target. (082307d) Can't get your crappy lie into the news? No problem
create
a Jackass organization, "Freedom's Watch" and then post your
irrational buffoonery where everyone can see it.
(082407a) Iranian EFP's in Iraq the
New York Times is taken to task for its coverage of the
story and well, more is in the telling read it
(082007e) Rove,
baby, say it ain't so! Seems like they be tellin' on yo'
ass, boy. (082007g) John Edwards makes a speech. I felt a bit of hope.
Only
time will tell if anything will come of what he spoke of.
Time, I fear, is short (082507a) Another story related to others of over a year ago.
Having to do with religious groups coming to the
conclusion that protecting the ecological well being of
their environment is part of their values. This movement
is in the US, as other stories indicated,
but seems to be putting down roots in central and south
America. (082207c)
08/18//07
08/25//07