May 31, 2006
"OLDE EUROPE:" DID THEY KNOW THEN WHAT WE KNOW NOW?
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Iraq is such a cockup, so ill conceived, so poorly implemented, so internationally ill received, so inflaming and offering such dismal short term prospects.
I think back to the Spring of 2003, to this illustration of the hubris and myopic capitalist intentions of our rush-to-war leaders.
George Bush, in a meeting with Gerhard Schroeder and Jacques Chirac, lays the down-and-dirty on the line. He says, "Look guys, if you don't join me in this war you're not getting any of the post-war goodies. No oil field contracts, no reconstruction contracts, nothing, we'll keep it all for ourselves."
Jacques and Gerhard huddle with their aides for a moment and then smilingly respond. "Our loss is your gain, big buddy, we're going to pass."
Iraq is such a cockup, so ill conceived, so poorly implemented, so internationally ill received, so inflaming and offering such dismal short term prospects.
I think back to the Spring of 2003, to this illustration of the hubris and myopic capitalist intentions of our rush-to-war leaders.
George Bush, in a meeting with Gerhard Schroeder and Jacques Chirac, lays the down-and-dirty on the line. He says, "Look guys, if you don't join me in this war you're not getting any of the post-war goodies. No oil field contracts, no reconstruction contracts, nothing, we'll keep it all for ourselves."
Jacques and Gerhard huddle with their aides for a moment and then smilingly respond. "Our loss is your gain, big buddy, we're going to pass."
Labels: Bush Admin
REP. KING (R-IA) CITES STATS - IRAQ IS SAFER THAN D.C.
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I didn't know that D.C. Police only leave their stations in squads, heavily armed and in armored vehicles. I didn't know that they had to regularly call in air strikes to outgun their enemy and exit battle zones safely. Nor did I know that they had to establish safe perimeters around their living enclaves where they still receive sporadic mortar fire.
Twenty thousand dead or violently injured G.I.s and a knuckleheaded politician ( King ) tricks out some non representational statistics to say, "Hey folks, it's really not so bad in Iraq."
How many dead G.I.s per 100,000 population do you need, Mr. King?
I say. Sir, you go tell the parents of the dead and injured American troops that it's not really so bad in Iraq. I'm sure that they will immensely enjoy your statistical nonsense and no doubt equally praise your warped sense of respect and patriotism.
I didn't know that D.C. Police only leave their stations in squads, heavily armed and in armored vehicles. I didn't know that they had to regularly call in air strikes to outgun their enemy and exit battle zones safely. Nor did I know that they had to establish safe perimeters around their living enclaves where they still receive sporadic mortar fire.
Twenty thousand dead or violently injured G.I.s and a knuckleheaded politician ( King ) tricks out some non representational statistics to say, "Hey folks, it's really not so bad in Iraq."
How many dead G.I.s per 100,000 population do you need, Mr. King?
I say. Sir, you go tell the parents of the dead and injured American troops that it's not really so bad in Iraq. I'm sure that they will immensely enjoy your statistical nonsense and no doubt equally praise your warped sense of respect and patriotism.
May 27, 2006
"PEACE IN IRAQ ISN'T IN U.S. INTEREST"
(repost of 2004/Sept., Cape Cod Times Letters to Editor)
It is now wholly obvious we will never pacify, integrate and/or achieve anything remotely near peaceful democracy in Iraq. If history is kind, future writings will say the democracy goal was sincere, not just a cover to set up a puppet government to control Iraq's plus or minus 3 million barrels a day.
If the Iraq Mission drags out forever, we will control Iraq's enormous oil reserves, forever. An unqualified success in Iraq would cost the United States it's control over the only available oil resources with which to guarantee U.S. self sufficiency.
Winning integrated peace in Iraq is not in our best interest.The Sunni's and Shiite's are not going to set aside 1300 years of differences and dance with flowers in their hair. Men and boys, native and foreign, will blow us up as occupiers a la Northern Ireland, Palestine and Revolutionary America ad infinitum and not remotely because they hate freedom, which is patently absurd.
Our men from Texas have brought home the big one, the multi-billion barrel reserve.
We're going to have inflamed terrorists talking about our “mission" till the stars dim in some distant millennia, but rightly or wrongly, for good or for evil, right now, "We got oil."
Published Cape Cod Times September 30, 04' Original Title "WMD'S AND SUV'S" posted by cognitorex.blogpot @ 9/15/2004
It is now wholly obvious we will never pacify, integrate and/or achieve anything remotely near peaceful democracy in Iraq. If history is kind, future writings will say the democracy goal was sincere, not just a cover to set up a puppet government to control Iraq's plus or minus 3 million barrels a day.
If the Iraq Mission drags out forever, we will control Iraq's enormous oil reserves, forever. An unqualified success in Iraq would cost the United States it's control over the only available oil resources with which to guarantee U.S. self sufficiency.
Winning integrated peace in Iraq is not in our best interest.The Sunni's and Shiite's are not going to set aside 1300 years of differences and dance with flowers in their hair. Men and boys, native and foreign, will blow us up as occupiers a la Northern Ireland, Palestine and Revolutionary America ad infinitum and not remotely because they hate freedom, which is patently absurd.
Our men from Texas have brought home the big one, the multi-billion barrel reserve.
We're going to have inflamed terrorists talking about our “mission" till the stars dim in some distant millennia, but rightly or wrongly, for good or for evil, right now, "We got oil."
Published Cape Cod Times September 30, 04' Original Title "WMD'S AND SUV'S" posted by cognitorex.blogpot @ 9/15/2004
Labels: Bush Admin
May 26, 2006
"HASTERT EXCLUSION" - POLICE STATE ROADBUMP ?
The Republican Speaker of the House has now drawn a line in the sand.
Although he did not specifically mention all of the Bush Administrations' assaults on democracy, civil rights and the Separation of Powers he made it clear that the Executive Branch overstepped its bounds by meddling in ' Rule of Law' enforcement issues relative to the nation's highest elected officials.
Close friends speculated that W's self claimed rights to indefinitely suspend habeas corpus regardless of the size or description of said corpus, and to rend and torture were particularly troubling to the Speaker.
The Speaker forcefully admonished the President for sending his police, secret or not, into Congress' domain. That the "Hastert Exclusion to Executive Power" is bipartisan was duly noted.
Although he did not specifically mention all of the Bush Administrations' assaults on democracy, civil rights and the Separation of Powers he made it clear that the Executive Branch overstepped its bounds by meddling in ' Rule of Law' enforcement issues relative to the nation's highest elected officials.
Close friends speculated that W's self claimed rights to indefinitely suspend habeas corpus regardless of the size or description of said corpus, and to rend and torture were particularly troubling to the Speaker.
The Speaker forcefully admonished the President for sending his police, secret or not, into Congress' domain. That the "Hastert Exclusion to Executive Power" is bipartisan was duly noted.
May 25, 2006
ARIANNA Re: HILLARY IRAQ MURTHA WHERE IS "OVER THE HORIZON?"
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Bonus question for the day. When the U.S. briefed the Saudis prior to invading Iraq which of the following did they say, “We will soon be removing our troops from your soil” or “ With your permission we would like to democratize your neighbor.”?
WMDs and the 'Mushroom Cloud' have always been extraneous elements in regard to the central question, which is, "Do we maintain a presence in the Middle East and if so where."
No less than Ted Kennedy is on record as saying that the Straight of Hormuz is an area of U.S. national interest. It is of course an area of global national interest. If Osama can blow up the Cole and the across-the-globeTowers then the majority of gaming scenarios vis a vis keeping the Saudis, Kuwaitis et al safe and the world's oil flowing indicate a physical presence in the region is mandated. Invading Iraq was never legal or ethical but it achieved a presence. Sadaam invaded an oil rich country, destroyed/burned a billion barrels of oil on exiting, practiced genocide and sired U-day and Q-say, two future leaders that not even "South Park" could love.
Post 911, a military presence was required other than in Saudi Arabia: Iraq won the lottery.
If Afghanistan had a border with Saudi Arabia life would have been so much easier. Oh well.
When Hillary refuses to say that she is against the Iraq mission she accepts the reality that ships, i.e. Warships alone, are inadequate to the military presence needed. Jack Murtha's "Withdraw over the horizon" plan to amend our Iraq mission and Hillary's position are not contradictory.
You call it Arianna: It may be a tad late to be searching for legal, ethical alternatives to Iraq but: Where is “Over the Horizon?”
Bonus question for the day. When the U.S. briefed the Saudis prior to invading Iraq which of the following did they say, “We will soon be removing our troops from your soil” or “ With your permission we would like to democratize your neighbor.”?
WMDs and the 'Mushroom Cloud' have always been extraneous elements in regard to the central question, which is, "Do we maintain a presence in the Middle East and if so where."
No less than Ted Kennedy is on record as saying that the Straight of Hormuz is an area of U.S. national interest. It is of course an area of global national interest. If Osama can blow up the Cole and the across-the-globeTowers then the majority of gaming scenarios vis a vis keeping the Saudis, Kuwaitis et al safe and the world's oil flowing indicate a physical presence in the region is mandated. Invading Iraq was never legal or ethical but it achieved a presence. Sadaam invaded an oil rich country, destroyed/burned a billion barrels of oil on exiting, practiced genocide and sired U-day and Q-say, two future leaders that not even "South Park" could love.
Post 911, a military presence was required other than in Saudi Arabia: Iraq won the lottery.
If Afghanistan had a border with Saudi Arabia life would have been so much easier. Oh well.
When Hillary refuses to say that she is against the Iraq mission she accepts the reality that ships, i.e. Warships alone, are inadequate to the military presence needed. Jack Murtha's "Withdraw over the horizon" plan to amend our Iraq mission and Hillary's position are not contradictory.
You call it Arianna: It may be a tad late to be searching for legal, ethical alternatives to Iraq but: Where is “Over the Horizon?”
May 24, 2006
CONDI to RUSSERT: FEWER TROOPS WAS BEST
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Condi (paraphrased) said, "there were those who argued for a larger footprint which would have left nothing to be done by the Iraqis."
She is boldfaced arguing that fewer troops was a reasoned decision to allow the Iraqis autonomy to construct the new Iraq. I have never heard such a purposely deceitful philosophical argument in my entire life.
If you deconstruct this argument she argues that looting, twenty thousand dead or injured GIs, 100,000 dead Iraqis and establishing a training ground for thousands of Jihadis is not only acceptable but preferable to having secured the peace with more troops.
She is a brilliant woman but she is ill served to argue that horseshit does not stink.
Condi (paraphrased) said, "there were those who argued for a larger footprint which would have left nothing to be done by the Iraqis."
She is boldfaced arguing that fewer troops was a reasoned decision to allow the Iraqis autonomy to construct the new Iraq. I have never heard such a purposely deceitful philosophical argument in my entire life.
If you deconstruct this argument she argues that looting, twenty thousand dead or injured GIs, 100,000 dead Iraqis and establishing a training ground for thousands of Jihadis is not only acceptable but preferable to having secured the peace with more troops.
She is a brilliant woman but she is ill served to argue that horseshit does not stink.
Labels: Bush Admin
SANTORUM K STREET WELL GREASED PALMS
$$$GOP$$$$$$$GOP$$$$$$$GOP$$$$$$$
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Whatever did you think the GOP meant when they said that they were the ""Values"" voters??
...Money..money..money..money...
Money makes the world go round !!
It's a Republican town !!
It's a Republican town !!
Money makes the votes go down
and that you can't deny...
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Whatever did you think the GOP meant when they said that they were the ""Values"" voters??
...Money..money..money..money...
Money makes the world go round !!
It's a Republican town !!
It's a Republican town !!
Money makes the votes go down
and that you can't deny...
Labels: Bush Admin
May 23, 2006
WHEN DO U.S. FORCES BECOME MERCENARIES ?
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If the United States fails to conceive and implement a national energy policy to materially reduce our dependence on foreign oil we will most likely have to engage in future military actions.
If so, our troops then will, in actuality, be the equivalent of mercenaries being paid to rescue us from congessional failure to enact energy legislation that insures our continuing national security.
Posted by: cognitorex at April 23, 2006 : excerpt from “BRING OUR TROOPS HOME” (Feb.06) Published Letter to Editor Cape Cod Times. (Koppel snarkily ny times)
If the United States fails to conceive and implement a national energy policy to materially reduce our dependence on foreign oil we will most likely have to engage in future military actions.
If so, our troops then will, in actuality, be the equivalent of mercenaries being paid to rescue us from congessional failure to enact energy legislation that insures our continuing national security.
Posted by: cognitorex at April 23, 2006 : excerpt from “BRING OUR TROOPS HOME” (Feb.06) Published Letter to Editor Cape Cod Times. (Koppel snarkily ny times)
Labels: Bush Admin, mercenaries, Published Letters
May 22, 2006
CONDI to RUSSERT: FEWER TROOPS WAS BEST
.
Condi (paraphrased) said, "there were those who argued for a larger footprint which would have left nothing to be done by the Iraqis."
She is boldfaced arguing that fewer troops was a reasoned decision to allow the Iraqis autonomy to construct the new Iraq.
I have never heard such a purposely deceitful philosophical argument in my entire life.
If you deconstruct this argument she argues that looting, twenty thousand dead or injured GIs, 100,000 dead Iraqis and establishing a training ground for thousands of Jihadis is not only acceptable but preferrable to having secured the peace with more troops.
She is a brilliant woman but she is ill served to argue that horseshit does not stink.
Condi (paraphrased) said, "there were those who argued for a larger footprint which would have left nothing to be done by the Iraqis."
She is boldfaced arguing that fewer troops was a reasoned decision to allow the Iraqis autonomy to construct the new Iraq.
I have never heard such a purposely deceitful philosophical argument in my entire life.
If you deconstruct this argument she argues that looting, twenty thousand dead or injured GIs, 100,000 dead Iraqis and establishing a training ground for thousands of Jihadis is not only acceptable but preferrable to having secured the peace with more troops.
She is a brilliant woman but she is ill served to argue that horseshit does not stink.
May 20, 2006
FOREIGN LAW SUPREME COURT POCAHONTAS
Justice Scalia is to be commended for telling conservative legislators to cease and desist their legislative endeavors to exclude foreign law consideration from Supreme Court deliberations.
Contrary to the best thinking of these xenophobe pandering Congressmen our cherished 230 years young founding documents were not found under Pocahontas's skirt.
The Declaration of Independence is essentially a French document. I repeat. Our declaration of Independence is essentially a French document.
Kudos to Jean-Jaques Rousseau and Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu.
Societies change and laws change with them. Jumping up and down with hands clasped about one's ears to shut out philosophical deliberations contrary to one's pre-set opinion is at best infantile.
Contrary to the best thinking of these xenophobe pandering Congressmen our cherished 230 years young founding documents were not found under Pocahontas's skirt.
The Declaration of Independence is essentially a French document. I repeat. Our declaration of Independence is essentially a French document.
Kudos to Jean-Jaques Rousseau and Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu.
Societies change and laws change with them. Jumping up and down with hands clasped about one's ears to shut out philosophical deliberations contrary to one's pre-set opinion is at best infantile.
Labels: Social Issues
FAILURE TO REIN IN BUSH ET AL IS APPEASEMENT
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The NSA charter is for foreign intelligence gathering, quite specifically, foreign activities only. Debating minutia, such as, what, why and upon whom the NSA domestically eavesdropped or collected call records is legally irrelevant.
Each time Congress allows a Hayden, a George W et al insider, to break another law it is an act of appeasement. Appeasement emboldens this lawless junta and only serves to invite further corruption of thought and deed.
Consider Iran. If Congress and the Judiciary continue to collaborate by appeasing this geo-politically deficient and renegade cabal then we may well see that ominously forewarned nuclear “Mushroom Cloud,“ preemptively, dropped by us.
If so, no amount of wailing and mea culpas will atone for the millennia of misery and hate that will be this Congress's legacy to untold generations.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are serious times. Rise. Your moment of accountability is here.
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The NSA charter is for foreign intelligence gathering, quite specifically, foreign activities only. Debating minutia, such as, what, why and upon whom the NSA domestically eavesdropped or collected call records is legally irrelevant.
Each time Congress allows a Hayden, a George W et al insider, to break another law it is an act of appeasement. Appeasement emboldens this lawless junta and only serves to invite further corruption of thought and deed.
Consider Iran. If Congress and the Judiciary continue to collaborate by appeasing this geo-politically deficient and renegade cabal then we may well see that ominously forewarned nuclear “Mushroom Cloud,“ preemptively, dropped by us.
If so, no amount of wailing and mea culpas will atone for the millennia of misery and hate that will be this Congress's legacy to untold generations.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are serious times. Rise. Your moment of accountability is here.
.
Labels: Bush Admin
May 11, 2006
HAYDEN EAVESDROPPING TYRANNY SELF-COUP
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A self-coup is a form of coup d'état that occurs when a country's leader dissolves (disembowels or eviscerates) the national legislature and assumes extraordinary powers.
Warrantless eavesdropping by the NSA and/or others constitutes the establishment of Secret Police. Feingold is right to demand this self coup nonsense stops right here.
It augurs well for democracy and Constitutional adherence that the recently retired Generals are both restless and of the opinion that governmental policy should recive an open hearing, not be decided by a cabal of George, Dick, Rummy and god's will.
A self-coup is a form of coup d'état that occurs when a country's leader dissolves (disembowels or eviscerates) the national legislature and assumes extraordinary powers.
Warrantless eavesdropping by the NSA and/or others constitutes the establishment of Secret Police. Feingold is right to demand this self coup nonsense stops right here.
It augurs well for democracy and Constitutional adherence that the recently retired Generals are both restless and of the opinion that governmental policy should recive an open hearing, not be decided by a cabal of George, Dick, Rummy and god's will.
Labels: Bush Admin
May 02, 2006
COLBERT THE EGO-HEAD: FAUX OR NO?
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The Press Dinner is traditionally a bipartisan oasis.
Metaphorically speaking, the President did his part by artistically displaying a humorous, self deprecating graffiti appropriate to the evening.
Colbert threw fecal matter on the wall.
Either he did not understand the historical context of his assignment or his ego drove him to make the evening about himself: in which case he morphed into his own faux ego-head character.
I have the "Daily Show" on my T.V. speed dial and would gladly stand in line to cast a vote to impeach this administration but I found Colbert to be "boorish."
The Press Dinner is traditionally a bipartisan oasis.
Metaphorically speaking, the President did his part by artistically displaying a humorous, self deprecating graffiti appropriate to the evening.
Colbert threw fecal matter on the wall.
Either he did not understand the historical context of his assignment or his ego drove him to make the evening about himself: in which case he morphed into his own faux ego-head character.
I have the "Daily Show" on my T.V. speed dial and would gladly stand in line to cast a vote to impeach this administration but I found Colbert to be "boorish."
