Tuesday Open Thread
What's on your mind?
Comments (246) «
The worst "way forward" in Iraq
At least the Decider is consistent. From the start, his administration's approach to this botched war has been to sort through all the tactical alternatives and pick the most counterproductive — send too few troops, disband the Iraqi army, stand by while looters destroy critical infrastructure and the social order, allow sectarian militias to fill the power vacuum, make reconstruction an afterthought and put know-nothings in charge of it.
Globalization is not free trade!
The class politics of this new world economic order is obscured by the confused language that filters the globalization debate from talk radio to Congressional hearings to university seminars. On the one hand, we are told that the flow of money and goods across borders is making nation-states obsolete. On the other, global economic competition is almost always defined as conflict among national interests. Thus, for example, the US press warns us of a dire economic threat from China. Yet much of the "Chinese" menace is a business partnership between China's commissars, who supply the cheap labor, and America's (and Japan's and Europe's) capitalists, who supply the technology and capital. "World poverty" is likewise framed as an issue of the distribution of wealth between rich and poor countries, ignoring the existence of rich people in poor countries and poor people in rich countries.The conventional wisdom makes globalization synonymous with "free trade" among autonomous nations. Yet as Renato Ruggiero, the first director-general of the World Trade Organization, noted in a rare moment of candor, "We are no longer writing the rules of interaction among separate national economies. We are writing the constitution of a single global economy." (Emphasis added.)
DLC folks are a bunch of con artists.
I didn't realize that whites were a minority.
To begin with, and to place things in some perspective before getting into a larger philosophical discourse about race-based scholarships on principle, a few things should be noted. First, although white students often think that so-called minority scholarships are a substantial drain on financial aid resources that would otherwise be available to them, nothing could be further from the truth. According to a national study by the General Accounting Office, less than four percent of scholarship money in the U.S. is represented by awards that consider race as a factor at all, while only 0.25 percent (that's one quarter of one percent for the math challenged) of all undergrad scholarship dollars come from awards that are restricted to persons of color alone (1). In other words, whites are fully capable of competing for and receiving any of the other monies--roughly 99.75 percent of all the bucks out there for college. But apparently, that's just not good enough for the likes of the BU Republicans. One quarter of one percent of all scholarship money, and yet that is the "worst form of bigotry confronting America today." The suggestion would be laughable were it not so sad; so indicative of a fundamental break with the ability to think critically and logically about the world.
THOSE DARN FACTS AGAIN!
As Disney forgot which side of the War on Christmas they are suppose to be on? I'm sure O'Lielly will be calling for a ban very soon. ;)
Santa Look-a-Like Gets In Trouble At Disney
I posted this on the other thread "Healthcare Challenges in Rural America" that Tracy had on the front page. This issue is up-close and personal to me because my partner of 11 years is Poz.
My partner has been Poz for 24 years, full-blown for most of that. When we lived in Florida, he was getting stellar care. He was fit and healthy, able to do most anything. His doctor was also Poz and together, they worked out regimes that kept them both in good physical condition, from meds, to foods and workout routines.
I got a job in NC and we had to move back to my home state. The lack of funding and the complete ignorance about HIV treatments of the doctors here was (and still is) a rude shock to the system. Since we've been here, one doctor withheld his medication and admitted to having put my partner in a control-group to see how long it would take persons without meds to sicken and die.
We only found that out AFTER my partner confronted the doctor about not having renewed the necessary prescriptions after months of requests and visits. Gee thanks, Dr Mengele :-\
Another doctor (a practitioner, not a real doctor -- but the ONLY recourse in that rural area) has misprescribed numerous times. Over twenty of her patients (whom we knew) have died from neglect or misprescribing. In NC, one has NO legal recourse for this sort of incompetence.
Well, the doctor my partner had after the aforementioned witch-doctor landed him in the emergency room, said that one possibly could go after an incompetent doctor, but it required a note from another doctor. When my partner asked for such a note, the doctor said (and I quote) "no doctor will." It was the truth. A known patient-killer is still allowed to practice medicine (and still as badly). The prevailing attitude is one of "who cares if we kill off a few queers and n----rs".
That's beyond disgusting -- it's outright repulsive. The ones who like to wrap themselves in Christian camouflage are exactly the same ones who tried to burn a cross on my partner's front yard long ago. The only difference we perceive is the lack of kerosene in later-day encounters with these vicious and willfully-ignorant arseholes.
At UNC-CH, my partner's doctors dispensed Leviticus instead of care, as if that was supposed to keep him alive. He informed them that he was perfectly able to pray by himself (and often does), but sometimes the proper recourse is correct diagnoses and treatments.
At NC Baptist, the doctors "forget" to return phone calls for scrip renewals, often for weeks at a time. When my partner had a heart attack this last February, he did get exceptional care at the Cone CICU. I and his attending doctors called Baptist multiple times a day to obtain the records his attending needed. The cardiologist called several times a day and I called at least once daily. Quite often, my partner has done without vital medications for weeks at a time.
The only way to stay ahead of HIV and its attendant OI's is to stay on medication and take it faithfully.
Not one single phone call was returned during that time. A couple of months back, my partner called ahead to make sure that his prescriptions didn't run out during the holidays. After a month of daily calls, he's STILL waiting for about half of them.
You see, it's not just a matter of funding. There is an HUGE amount of education that needs to be done. Quoting Leviticus at persons living with HIV provides no care and tends only to piss off everyone involved. That attitude only differs from any other bigotry by the thickness of a sheet.
Republican fearmongering and disinformation have been particularly effective at creating divisions and tensions in southern rural states. They have made an art-form out of promoting every vile form of discrimination. No amount of funding will ever fix that. Funding for HIV treatment will be welcomed, most certainly, but until we have quality, educated physicians instead of Leviticus-spouting witch-doctors, the problems faced by PWA's will never improve, nor will we ever see any letup in the pandemic.
Globalization is not free trade!
Many electronic products are routinely, and often illegally, shipped from Europe, Japan and the US to China. Dumping them there is cheaper than taking proper care of them at home.Because our mobile phones, computers and other electronic products are made using toxic ingredients, workers at yards such as in Guiyu, China, risk exposure when they break the products apart by hand, under appalling conditions. Guiyu is where this boy is sitting. This is what "free trade" looks like.
If this were truly "globalization", those workers would not be exposed to those toxic ingredients.
PamB...Thx for your help on the prior thread..I don't know what is going on...the numbers I Posted were right off the ss letter I got yesterfay...I did not know how to post that link correctly, so "the boss" posted it for me at 6:19AM on the prior thread. I just tried to post it here butI screwed it up.It's hard to teach an "old Dawg" new tricks. Sorry about that..
HW, medical care in general is slipping. Even has a healthy person you get 30 minutes of waiting for 5 minutes of the Doctor's time. I'm always shocked to hear that there are scientists 20+ years later that still refuse to understand HIV and it's treatments. Even more shocked that they set themselves up as judge, jury and essentially executioner based on their zealot beliefs.
HillWilliam...I was going to ask you how the real estate transaction is going, but after reading what your partner is going through, I don't know what to say. I have not got the words to express my thoughts in this....we had some good posts yesterday on health care, I don't know if you saw them. I have been fighting the system...but nothing like what you are going through...those people who are quoting the Bible to your partner have forgottrn part of it...something about "Judge Not, lest ye be judged"...Jesus was about love, acceptance and he did not descrimiate and was not judgemental of the poor, the naked, the sick...He was judgemental of those in authority who abused the common folk...
The constitutional amendment banning affirmative action based on race and gender in public education, public employment and public contracting goes into effect this week.
Below average black folks are good enough to play on their football teams, but above average black folks aren't good enough to step foot on campus. ELITIST BASTARDS!
Sheesh! I push the post button mindlessly!! For the minimum security link scroll to bottom of page these cartoons are not listed in archive page yet (no separate links). Sorry for additional post.
Globalization is not free trade!
New ‘maquiladora’ plants near the U.S. border hired about 500,000 workers, but over 1.4 million jobs were lost as tens of thousands of businesses closed between 1994 and 1998. What’s more, the new maquiladoras so not pay workers a living wage. The cost of living in Mexico is now triple what it was in 1994, but wages are 27% lower than their 1994 level. The number of Mexicans living in poverty has increased by almost 20%, and the minimum wage in Mexico has lost nearly half of its purchasing power. Mexico’s small farmers have been particularly hurt under NAFTA’s provisions
If this were truly "globalization", illegal employees would have jobs and benefits that would look a lot like ours- in their homeland!
Marine...Sorry I missed you this AM...Posted back to you last night at 11:37 but you were allrady gpne..I have to go now...Ill try to catch you later...
Pee-Wee,
Globalization is not free trade!!
One of the reasons the Al Quaeda (Osama bin Laden) hit the World Trade Center was to raise awarenesss to the issue you raise here with this link. Poverty and third world gouging in the name of prosperity, and ultimateloy free trade. Think for a minute, that's really all you need, of Afghanistan in 2001 when our warplanes were dropping mega ton bombs on people that did not even have running water. Then you can understand the outrage that these Islamic countries feel for anything "West".
The most insane thing is that our President thinks we can still win this war. That is complete nonsense.
goodfoe,
hmmm, I wonder why your SS paperwork shows over $100 for Medicare, while my husband's shows $88.50?
Strange.
The Republican That Regressives Love To Hate
News of the Bell tragedy quickly opened up old wounds within the African-American community and raised ghosts of previous shooting incidents in which unarmed Black men ended up on the wrong side of the law’s gun. Sharpton and Bloomberg’s spirit of cooperation and goodwill may have helped keep those tensions at bay so far but the New York Police Department is doing little to help ensure this delicate balance. Recent police raids tied to the shooting are starting to test the patience of Black leaders who have been preaching calm to their constituents until a full investigation is completed.
Yet, my friends seem to think that European-Americans are the real victims.
The most insane thing is that our President thinks we can still win this war. That is complete nonsense.
Posted by davidual on December 19, 2006 at 11:00 AM
the problem is, this was a Lost Cause the moment that bush decided to make this illegal invasion and occupation! This is no war, never was! This was a preemptive strike on an impotent country, that they full well knew had no WMDs, nor terrorists. They used 9/11 as an excuse to get a foot hole in the Middle East where the neo cons had been dying to get into!
And in the meantime, our boys are like fish in a tank, getting picked off at the rate of 100+ per month, for this Lie !
In 1987 we witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union. It pains me to say this, but if we stay the course, and even increase our resources in this war, then 2007 we will witness the fall of the United States. We cannot continue to ignore our infrastructure needs to enable increased expenditure for junior's, and the media's war.
Posted by davidual on December 19, 2006 at 11:15 AM
Oh davidual, didn't you know that the great REagan himself brought down the USSR? Silly goose! :)
BlueinIdaho on December 19, 2006 at 11:19 AM,
Blue,
I wish I still had that shore front property in Arizona. I'd offer to sell it to you, but it's an old line, very much over used, you know, kind of like the line about Reagan bringing down the Soviet Union; ha. Single handedly, too!! Uphill both ways... Jesus...and people believed that crap, and still do!!
Globalization is not free trade!
The World Bank's own auditing arm has confirmed what many anti-poverty campaigners have long been saying: the Bank's projects did not adequately reduce poverty levels in borrowing nations over the past five years.
This is not "globalization". This is economic exploitation.
Blue,
Here is my favorite interpretation of the Reagan years, brought to you youtube and one of my favorite rock bands -- Genesis!!
pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 11:34 AM,
That is what we've been saying here for the past year, and anybody that did not see this five, ten, fifteen, even thirty years ago is more than likely too wrapped up in their own "success". Or, is that excess?
Well, I have to go out for a while. To any who think the work is over because democrats took control of the house and senate, all I can say is, the work has yet to begin!! But, hey, celebrate, be happy, have a good Christmas and a Happy New Years celebration, for 2007 and 2008 will be very arduous years.
See you, some time later.
To any who think the work is over because democrats took control of the house and senate, all I can say is, the work has yet to begin!!
david, I plan on keeping these ball-less Democrat's feet to the flame, same as we did to the Republicans!
Last night's Scarborough, they were laughing at 'timid Reid', too afraid to go against Bush and say that sending in more troops is a huge mistake, when all the Generals and 85% of the American public are all saying it!
PamB,
I have to go, but in response to 'Scarborough', this is the new republican tactic. Bush will promote bad policy and legislation time and again as a way of obstucting the democratic congress, and if the democrats get to loud about it they will be cast as the obstructionist'. I thinking, hoping actually, that Reid knows this and that is why he came out with the statement that he did.
He must know that sending in more troops is not the answer. How the democrats respond to the outrageous neo-conservatives still in the press will help them make legislative progress.
See ya!!
The new Secretary of Defense Gates (who apparently is a Bush clone) says that if we withdraw from Iraq now that "our reputation will be harmed" -- I believe that has already happened. And that if we pull out the action will be a "calamity that will haunt the US for years" -- but so will staying, so his party-line (oops, Bush-line) arguments won't hold water.
It seems to me that having an incompetent, mentally challenged, morally depleted, and mindless administration in charge of "saving" another country while ours goes down in flames is not the best idea.
I have an idea! Let's all send Bush bills for the "war" -- let's see: $2 billion a week. Maybe he could, oh, pay a couple of million a week to keep it going, since he wants to so bad. And, to show that he really supports the "war", I believe his two daughters could enlist in one of the armed forces. Now that would really show that he's sincere in his wanting to save our country from terrorism.
Goodfoe, I saw that comment on civilian vs. military leadership and wanted to point something out. Prior to the invasion of Iraq the family members of a very large group of Marines petitioned the United States Government on behalf of their Marines. These Marines believed that the invasion of Iraq would become what it has become, though to tell you the truth I don't think that we expected it to be this bad still.
Military leaders also drafted a plan for the invasion of Iraq in 1998 entitled "Dessert Crossing" in which 400,000 troops were called for and we were warned that even then the situation may deteriorate. In 1990, military leaders spoke up and prevented an invasion of Iraq, mainly because Bush Sr. and others understood how bad things could get if we invaded.
There have always been 'yes men' and honest men. Our military leaders often fall into these categories just as everyone else does. Look for those who offer an explaination based on sound reasoning. Those are the honest men who will tell it like it is because they want the United States to be successful. Beware those who merely repeat anothers call, 'yes men'.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) -- Forget Hillary vs. Obama. There's another question in the Democratic presidential race: Does what happens in Vegas really stay there, or can Sin City set the course for the nation?
Nevada has a new prominence in deciding the party's next nominee. It will hold an early caucus January 19, 2008, sandwiched between Iowa and New Hampshire.
The prized position is an attempt to bring more diverse voices into determining the Democratic candidate beyond the two overwhelmingly white, rural states that have traditionally dominated the process.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/18/nevada.presidency.ap/index.html
Gunfire was reported on Tuesday near the Canadian position in the Panjwaii district of Afghanistan, the first sign Canadians were engaged in a NATO operation against Taliban insurgents. Full Story:
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/12/19/canada-panjiwaii-tuesday.html
Iraq attacks reach record levels
Attacks on US and Iraqi troops and civilians reached their highest level since Iraqi sovereignty was restored in June 2004, a Pentagon report has said.
Read more >
Iraq was terrible mistake, thinktank says
By: Mark Tran
I see we have a new chairman for the DCCC,it's Congressman Chris Van Hollen from Maryland.
They want to keep blacks in their place.
Four men pleaded not guilty today to hate crime charges in connection with the stabbing of a black man at a Claremont shopping center hours before attending a white supremacist rally.Ryan Christopher White, 28, of Joshua Tree; Chad Timothy Milson, 20, of Yucca Valley; Anthony Scott Allen, 23, of Big Bear City; and Joseph Dale McCool, 20, of Yucca Valley, are charged with attempted murder and assault.
The attack is being prosecuted as a hate crime, which could add several years to the defendants' sentences if they are convicted, according to the complaint filed by Deputy District Attorney George Castello.
Shhh. Keep it quiet.
Remember: European Americans are the real victims.
Gunfire was reported on Tuesday near the Canadian position in the Panjwaii district of Afghanistan, the first sign Canadians were engaged in a NATO operation against Taliban insurgents.
This is not true Democrat. Canadian forces have been engaged in NATO operations against Taliban forces since October 8, 2001. Here's a timeline of Canadian involvement in operations ongoing in Afghanistan.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20050804/afghanistan_timeline_050804/20060807/
You may also be interested in knowing that Canadian forces have assisted in the training of Iraqi security personnel as well.
You're not supposed to know about the Canadians who assisted with the training of Iraqi security personnel. So keep it on the down low.
On Democracynow.org a useful conversation about "democracy".
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/19/1433244
Tuesday, December 19th, 2006
From Bolivia to Baghdad: Noam Chomsky on Creating Another World in a Time of War, Empire and Devastation
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World-renowned scholar and linguist Noam Chomsky spoke this weekend at an event titled, "What's Next? Creating Another World in a Time of War, Empire and Devastation." Chomsky spoke about the Iraq Study Group report, recent elections in Latin America, the current situation with Iran and much more.
(AP) - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado-A pastor who worked with young adults at New Life Church has admitted sexual misconduct and resigned just weeks after former church leader Ted Haggard stepped down over sexual immorality.
Christopher Beard, who headed the "twentyfourseven" ministry that taught leadership skills to young adults, resigned Friday, said Rob Brendle, an associate pastor at the 14,000-member church.
...
Beard was reprimanded by the church in 2002, when police broke up a twentyfourseven training exercise he led in a church parking lot involving fake assault rifles.
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/o/51/12-19-2006/7e3c000c089d4c60.html
Nothing says Kristian like Guns and Sex!
Goodfoe - thanks for the kind words. Nobody should have to go through the rigmarole and raindances you and my partner have had to put up with. The Pug fed wants your tax money, but when you need something from them in return, they find every excuse not to do for the citizen. We've got a long, LONG way to go to take back our government and put America back on its feet.
Blue -- that's the third one, now. What in aitch were these boys thinking, you have to wonder.
Toldja'll it was all about easy money from fools who are willing to part with it. P T Barnum was right.
Posted by HillWilliam on December 19, 2006 at 01:16 PM
You know it would all be rather comical if it weren't such a personal issue for me. Dammit, I want these intolerant criminals to stop representing Christianity! The whole lot of them can rot in a dark hole somewhere---maybe they will get there after their last day on earth...
Globalization is not free trade!
At first glance, it seems strange that President Bush threatened to use the first veto of his presidency to defend the right of the United Arab Emirates to manage six major U.S. ports.It was certainly an extraordinary move. Bush, who bills himself as “tough” on terrorism, went to bat for the United Arab Emirates against the wishes of his own security experts and his own Republican colleagues in Congress, who noted that the Emirates has known ties to the Sept. 11 terrorists and Osama bin Laden. Why?
As an explanation, Bush publicly pointed to the merits of foreign investment. Foreign investment, of course, can be positive when it fuels the domestic economy but when it comes to America’s ports, the extra security precaution of mandating American ownership and control far outweigh the economic benefits of foreign investment by a country such as the United Arab Emirates.
A sovereign nation has a right to secure itself physically and economically.
Marine...I'm glad you saw that comment...I was going to ask you to review it....I can only say that there is alot of difference between Gen.Zinney and the Desert Crossing Report as compared to Gen Read(sp) who was "representing" Bush on T.V. on Sun morning. If you saw the guy then you probably needed a barf bag..He is a loser! I think that we are basically in agreement
--maybe they will get there after their last day on earth...
Posted by BlueinIdaho on December 19, 2006 at 01:26 PM
Not to worry, Dear One. There's no question in my mind that's exactly how the liars and purveyors of hatred will wind up. Even the entire Bush Crime Family and their Cheneyburton cronies and their terrorist-financing Saudi buddies will get theirs when the Trump sounds. G'd's takin' notes right now ;-)
It is easy to stop programs designed to assist women and minorities when you label them as racial preferences. The real issue is inclusion. Affirmative Action is just one mode of transportation to full inclusion. The goal is to explore matters through every possible lens to achieve full inclusion. In practice, it means you have to have contributors who possess a variety of lenses. Affirmative Action is just one way to obtain those contributors. Anything short of these efforts will result in vision impairment. Impaired vision impedes the progress of business. Equal Opportunity, affirmative action and diversity are everyday business issues - much like economy and quality. You are not going to be successful if you do not make them a priority.
I wonder how many European-Americans will rise in protest when the standard is switched from race to zip code. Will they screw their own just to justify their false sense of victimhood?
Marine...We have had a number of military men who have been rather good presidents,Washington, Truman, JFK to name just a few who come to mind quickly....Unfortunatly, George Bush does not qualify in this area.. Avoiding combat by getting his daddy to get him into the Air National Guard does not qualify in my opinion...Later
Hill Will-
Things are tough all over. It now can take months for an appointment at SF General, weeks for the Dr to respond to pharmacy requests for insurance papers (while I still go without meds) Ryan White funding dried up, Hospital staff cuts and all that crap. While I am glad that you and Rob may benefit from the infusion of AIDS resources money in your area (it's comming to rural areas near you this next year-You will be suprised at how different your Care Givers will be when those funds hit the books) we in the City are discouraged at our losses in funding.
The government doesn't give a rat's ass about any of us, and that means the government as a whole Dems included. Could you picture the reaction if Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid had to wait 4 hours for their scheduled appointment? Things would surely change if any of our "officials" had to actually go outside their set-up to get care, or actually saw the situation first hand without warning the Hospital that they were going to "visit").
Kristen-
I'd gladly trade places with you in regards to your wait time at the Doctors office. I currently wait anywhere from 1 hour to 5 hours to see my Doctor, and that's when I have a scheduled appointment (the irony is I have an appointment time and if i am more than 15 minutes late they will not see me, but they make me wait for hours). Would hate to tell you what the wait is when you have no appointment.
Anyhooo.
Glad to see you are all still here. Bill, I am glad for your new home, J actually confessed that he doesn't really want a house of our own, and I'm adjusting. You don't shoot squatters, do you? LOL.
PEACE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS (Or Happy Holidays if you prefer)
Hey Goodfoe,
We're in "wait" mode. We have a closing date, inspection is 9am sharp tomorrow morning. The only thing left is the VA appraisal. Y'know how that is... G'd and the VA move in their own time and their own mysterious ways. It'll be worth the wait though.
I don't suppose I could talk Esmeralda outta borrowing her carpenter for a few days. We're gonna need steps and a deck right soon. We couldn't pay much, but will feed and house the two of them :-) I'm too busy and too useless at carpentry to trust myself to try to build a deck... I know what I do best: programming and gardening.
{{{{R}}}}
You and J are welcome ANY time. We wish y'all would come see us when we get settled. It's peaceful there, acres of trees and a creek, very quiet, unless you count the occasional cow-bellow. We've seen deer and wild turkey and not a few bunnies in the yard. That's what I'm talkin' about...
I agree with you in regards to Bush. I would also add to that list Rumsfeld and McCain who both served but had no experience in the area of ground combat.
Flight training is very specific and requires the full attention of pilots. Due to the highly technical nature of this field pilots are not cross-trained as foot soldiers, let alone leaders of ground combat operations.
This has been the problem since the Bush administration came to office. The individuals running the show are basically salesmen. They put forth men and women who on the surface would appear to have suitable credentials. Even the smallest bit of scrutiny reveals their overwhelming lack of experience, which is why all forms of investigative questioning is pommelled from the word go.
Corporate America buys the United States Marine Corps' Warfighting Manual and uses it to train their people. I guess at some point along the way these people began to believe that they were prepared to actually command military operations as a result. Our government has most certainly been run like a part of Corporate America since 2000.
What these fellas failed to understand is that the Marine Corps' Warfighting Manual does not constitute a complete and total plan for success. What it does offer is a good starting point, from which point lessons in reality require adaptation. There is no such thing as a complete and final plan for success, that's why we Marines believe more in adaptation than stringent guidelines.
By the way, the Joint Chiefs of Staff appose a surge of forces inside Iraq.
Posted by Marine on December 19, 2006 at 02:55 PM
Aw, whadda-they-know???! It is people with the highly intellectual know how like Prince George and Darth Cheney that have the skills to "win" in the middle east. If we listened to the Joint Chiefs of Staff it is likely that we wouldn't have gone in the first place, and THEN where would we be. ;)
Ah yes, I forgot George Bush proved his military prowess in Texas during Vietnam and Cheney working the utility companies at the time.
Good afternoon, all.
MSNBC just reported that Scooter Libby's lawyers are going to call Cheney as a witness. Boy, would I love to get him under oath. I wonder what Fitzgerald will ask him? A one minute snippet announcement and no followed up by even Tucker.
This annoucement was followed by a 20 minute news conference by Donald Trump about some drunken beauty queen. They are still talking about it.
Cheney outs a CIA agent and puts our Iranian nuclear intel at risk and it gets a token mention. Another drunken white blonde/hometown bimbo does cocaine and we get special coverage/exclusive reports...for hours.
Yes, it's scandalous....scandalous that this is the feature st while she's in rehab?
Where is the Hardball superstars talking about Cheney? Where is Cheney? What and why is he hiding?
I don't suppose I could talk Esmeralda outta borrowing her carpenter for a few days. We're gonna need steps and a deck right soon. We couldn't pay much, but will feed and house the two of them :-) I'm too busy and too useless at carpentry to trust myself to try to build a deck... I know what I do best: programming and gardening.
Posted by HillWilliam on December 19, 2006 at 02:32 PM
{{{Bill}}}
The carpenter is a MASTER carpenter. For a city boy, he sure knows how to use power tools! The man can build anything! He's a perfectionist to boot. (but he doesn't over think it, it's natural!) When I told him I posted about his building my deck, he “reprimanded” me…it is 14 x 52 (it goes the length of the whole house) It has different levels and the decking is on a diagonal, not just back & forth. He’ll do the railing and steps in the spring…he wants to design his own rails. He designed one area to accommodate the hot tub, which will be a step down into unit. I can’t wait! Woo-hoo! Fenced in back yard and plenty of living area. We also took the stone curbs that were buried in the front yard and built 2 love seats.
While talking to him on lunch, I asked what he was doing today. He said making drywall look like it came in one piece. I’ll stick to being his helper when he’s at home and do elections as my day job.
He already took 1 ½ weeks off work for deer hunting, so I don’t know if he can take off more time soon. ;(
Iraq Executes 13 Prisoners in Baghdad
By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA
This is not true Democrat. Canadian forces have been engaged in NATO operations against Taliban forces since October 8, 2001. Here's a timeline of Canadian involvement in operations ongoing in Afghanistan.
You may also be interested in knowing that Canadian forces have assisted in the training of Iraqi security personnel as well.
Posted by Marine on December 19, 2006 at 12:45 PM
****************************************
That's true Marine, thanks for pointing that out. I must have overlooked the mistake in the news article.
There is no such thing as a complete and final plan for success, that's why we Marines believe more in adaptation than stringent guidelines.
Posted by Marine on December 19, 2006 at 02:53 PM
Which means properly-trained Marines would never make it in the corporate world. I suggest all retiring personnel start their own businesses and screw the corporate bean counters by beating them at their own game.
There must be a way for the military to get even with these privatizers. This might be it. Train their forces to attack the enemy within.
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) -- Sen. Sam Brownback, who wants to champion social conservatives in the presidential race, said Tuesday he wants a Senate panel to re-question a judicial nominee who attended a same-sex union ceremony.
Brownback, a Kansas Republican, said he wants Michigan state judge Janet Neff to testify about her role in the 2002 Massachusetts ceremony, her legal views on same-sex unions and her ability to be impartial if called upon to rule on such cases.
Neff's nomination to a federal district court is among a dozen or so now stalled in the Senate, a logjam in part due to Brownback's questions about Neff's attendance at a lesbian commitment ceremony. The Senate Judiciary Committee has already approved her nomination.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/19/brownback.judge.ap/index.html
If he is anything like the other intolerant "conservatives" in America, he will soon be exposed as a hypocrite.
Posted by Esmeralda on December 19, 2006 at 03:14 PM
LOL, luv, so maybe I can count on seeing you two NEXT deer season? If my little patch o' ground isn't big enough for him, there a few thousand acres of public hunting land less about a half-mile away. (Toldja I got the hot setup!)
I spoke to my cousin on Sunday. She said she'd send her grandson down (who apparently also does a perfectionist's job) and I wouldn't have to pay him hourly. She said the way the boy can eat, it's already gonna be expensive LOL.
Torture Is Now Part of the American SoulBy George Monbiot, The Guardian.
Posted December 18, 2006.You might have imagined that every possible means of inflicting pain had already been devised. But never underestimate the human capacity for invention. United States interrogators have found a new way of destroying a human being.
After thousands of years of practice, you might have imagined that every possible means of inflicting pain had already been devised. But you should never underestimate the human capacity for invention. United States interrogators, we now discover, have found a new way of destroying a human being.
In early December, defense lawyers acting for Jose Padilla, a US citizen detained as an "enemy combatant," released a video showing a mission fraught with deadly risk -- taking him to the prison dentist. A group of masked guards in riot gear shackled his legs and hands, blindfolded him with black-out goggles and shut off his hearing with headphones, then marched him down the prison corridor.
Is Padilla really that dangerous? Far from it: his warders describe him as so docile and inactive that he could be mistaken for "a piece of furniture." The purpose of these measures appeared to be to sustain the regime under which he had lived for over three years: total sensory deprivation...
No emotion. No drama like the drunken beauty queen story, but it does make you wonder what the Republicans have done to our national identity and the condition of our souls. Is this how civilization dies? One bimbo, one mentally-tortured prisoner at a time?
Globalization is not free trade!
But when lecturing on trade, Sanderson’s tone is noticeably different. His agenda and ideology are more up front, such that the classes felt for the first time almost—almost—like propaganda. And during these lectures, something incredible happens. The class rebels. Whereas for the duration of the quarter Sanderson had made the students feel as if he was their guide in seeing through the Matrix, suddenly Sanderson morphs from being Laurence Fishburne to the FBI agent in a suit. The class prods and pushes back as if they are being fed spin. As Sanderson talks about the importance of nations specializing in whatever they have a comparative advantage in, a student raises his hand: “Isn’t there a problem if you put all your eggs into one basket, and then if there’s a problem with that sector you’re in trouble?”That ends that day’s class, but it continues in the next. Sanderson argues that liberalized trade creates more jobs than it destroys. “Free trade creates winners and it also creates losers. It turns out that winners are quantitatively larger than the losers.” A student asks, flat out, “Why are we to believe that?” Sanderson restates his point, but the student holds his ground, saying he’s read that there simply doesn’t exist an accurate measure to figure out how many jobs are being created and destroyed. Sanderson concedes that this is true, but insists it “must” be a net positive.
I see. "Free" trade doesn't bring the world closer together- it "creates winners and it also creates losers."
Desperation in the White House
The power brokers in Washington spent the week carefully arranging fig leaves and tasteful screens to cover the emperor's nakedness while he was busy pretending to listen hard to everyone with an opinion about Iraq while hearing nothing.
Sometime early in the new year, President Bush will go on national television to tell a disgruntled American public what he has decided should be done to salvage ''victory'' from the jaws of certain defeat in the war he started.
Posted by pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 03:41 PM
How do you guarantee that you end up being a winner if you aren't part of the group making all the decisions? Why does a select few think they can set up a Rapture scenario when they are mere mortals?
I didn't realize that whites were a minority.
To begin with, and to place things in some perspective before getting into a larger philosophical discourse about race-based scholarships on principle, a few things should be noted. First, although white students often think that so-called minority scholarships are a substantial drain on financial aid resources that would otherwise be available to them, nothing could be further from the truth. According to a national study by the General Accounting Office, less than four percent of scholarship money in the U.S. is represented by awards that consider race as a factor at all, while only 0.25 percent (that's one quarter of one percent for the math challenged) of all undergrad scholarship dollars come from awards that are restricted to persons of color alone (1). In other words, whites are fully capable of competing for and receiving any of the other monies--roughly 99.75 percent of all the bucks out there for college. But apparently, that's just not good enough for the likes of the BU Republicans. One quarter of one percent of all scholarship money, and yet that is the "worst form of bigotry confronting America today." The suggestion would be laughable were it not so sad; so indicative of a fundamental break with the ability to think critically and logically about the world.
THOSE DARN FACTS AGAIN!
Posted by pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 09:51 AM
The bigots and racists of the world use the philosophy of Malcolm X which was "by any means necessary". They don't give a damn how, where or when they discriminate.
Malcolm X - a black man who had enough intelligence to know that racism in this country is actually institutionalized into the very fabric of this society.
Is this how civilization dies? One bimbo, one mentally-tortured prisoner at a time?
Posted by SandyH on December 19, 2006 at 03:40 PM
She got a second chance.
That is the question Sandy.
I say that the people in government work for we the people. The vote
gives power to those without power. As long as this form of power remains
we the people control the future.
I also say that markets can not exist without rules. It is up to we the people (based on our standards, values, etc.) to determine what those rules are.
Nothing says Kristian like Guns and Sex!
BlueinIdaho on December 19, 2006 at 12:58 PM,
Not Guns -n- Roses? Depending on the context, I guess!!;)
Question to all:
A repug office manager steals money (over $300) from a subordinate's (democratic clerk) purse and admits being guilty of the crime. The democratic clerk is not going to press charges.
The democratic office manager recommends that the repug who stole should be reprimanded...suggesting taking away earned vacation time rather than docking pay. (which would cause more thievery)
The overseeing board of 2 dems & 2 repugs, who are the repug managers bosses, should do what?
Conservatives fear tax-increase deal
The Bush administration has sent signals since last month's elections that the president is prepared to accept some tax increases on upper-income families, worrying congressional Republicans and fiscal conservative watchdogs who say he will compromise with Democrats to win a legacy accomplishment.
These moves come even as Democrats have pledged to rein in earmarks, winning praise from the same conservative groups that are criticizing Mr. Bush.
I do hope some of you reply to answer my to my question. You'll be surprised at the answer.
Good Lord! Do I need bubbles!
BBL
That last post should give you a clue as to how f*ed up it is.
haha
Esmeralda on December 19, 2006 at 05:11 PM,
Aside from the political franchisement, we have a theft, which involves a victim and a criminal. The criminal needs to repay the debt, personally, out of his pocket. Just as the money was taken out of the victim's pocket(book). If this involves floating a loan, okay. Whatever legal means the criminal takes to make restitution to the criminal is justified.
Then, the victim, et al., need to watch the wallets around this obviously ethically challenged individual.
Help Al Gore Send a Message to Congress
Hi,
Al Gore is ready to build on the success of "An Inconvenient Truth" and start organizing to solve the climate crisis. He's working to get hundreds of thousands of messages to Congress demanding real action to stop global warming. And he's asking for our help.
Can you help out by signing the petition at the link below? If you do, Al Gore will personally deliver our comments to Congress. I just did it myself and it only takes a second.
http://pol.moveon.org/climatecrisis
Thanks!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
In resolving the question of whether “we are our own worst enemy,” we should reflect that for over three hundred years white people openly discussed African people as a problem (1600 - 1900). Today they still discuss us as a problem but the language is coded differently. As Dr. Anderson Thompson has written on the discussions that white people have had on what they have historically called “the Negro Problem,” “There is a duality in the story of western white man and his culture, which, paradoxically, is thrown into sharp relief wherever the Black man appears (or is dropped) on the scene.” Dr. Thompson says, “Whenever or wherever the white man exists in proximity to the Blacks the Negro Question appears.” The idea of the “Negro Question” is discussed further when Dr. Thompson writes, “The Negro Question in Western society has been a perennial subject of endless international debates, actions, decisions, wars, riots, lynchings—all of which flow out a recurring western dialogue: a conversation (for Europeans only) which for a long time took place between white men over what should be done with, about or to the Blacks they found in their captured territories.”
I think Dr. Worrill is onto something. European-Americans don't want African-Americans to be heard let alone seen at their institutions of work and education. Anything to the contrary would victimize European-Americans.
Posted by davidual on December 19, 2006 at 05:39 PM
Logical, but sorry, not the answer.
(Someone emailed this to me and I thought I would share it with everyone. I'm not really familiar with this website at all)
***********************
A Young Marine Speaks Out
by Philip Martin
Uniformed bank robbers stage heist in Baghdad
Gunmen wearing military attire steal $709,000; 2nd big theft in a week.
Full Story:
Evening Dems.
Email Harry Reid and tell him that more troops in Iraq is not the answer. Dems must live up to their promise of pushing for redeployment starting in 2007:
More info. on Give Em Hell Harry:
Please take a moment out of your busy holiday schedule to call, email or FAX Harry Reid and tell him this just isn't acceptable.
Call: 202-224-2158 -- Democratic Leadership Office in DC
(If that doesn’t work call his scheduler: 202-224-7003)
Email: Susan_McCue@reid.senate.gov (chief of staff)
Fax: 202-224-7327 -- DC Office
We all should be giving Reid hell for saying such a stupid thing on This Week.
Posted by Esmeralda on December 19, 2006 at 05:11 PM
Call the police immediately. Whether charges are made or not, this person is a threat to the rest of the community. I don't care what the political affiliation is of any of the people involved.
Said clerk needs a reality check. A face-to-face with the police will do a lot more toward getting this person back on track than taking away any vacation time.
Sorry if I'm not being sympathetic of the political situation, but I see this as criminal activity. What if said person was offering candy to the minor children of other employees and chatting them up about their sexual experience on line?
I know this doesn't help, but I couldn't work with someone who steals and then manipulates others to cover it up. He/she needs a slap in the face not a slap on the wrist.
Sandy
The county sheriff knows. The whole courthouse/administration building knows for that matter.
No charges have been, nor will be filed, by the victim.
Esmeralda....I agree 100% with SandyH...crime is crime and needs to be delt with as such..
Sometime early in the new year, President Bush will go on national television to tell a disgruntled American public what he has decided should be done to salvage ''victory'' from the jaws of certain defeat in the war he started.
****
I can tell you what's coming. He'll ask for perhaps as many as 40,000 more troops. It's the LBJ syndrome all over again. He knows it's hopeless but to save face there must be this last useless show of force. Where will they get the troops? Almost certainly not a draft because then there would be millions in the streets protesting this garbage. Instead, I suspect it will be a combination of:
1) Send more national guard - Corzine's statements provide that clue.
2) Keep troops in the rotation longer and send some back sooner.
In short, even more national guard are about to be screwed as well as the troops that are already there and those that have been there 3-4 times already. I wonder when will the mutiny occur?
Esme,
Correct, with no charges filed, by the victim, then there is no legal recourse. Excepting the expectation that the stolen money is returned, or repaid; restitution, and the possibility of sanctions imposed by the criminal's employer, whatever they might be. Sanctions must include more than,"I'm sorry I took the money and I won't do it again", blanket statement.
Globalization is not free trade!
BILL MOYERS: What do you mean by globalization?DR. VANDANA SHIVA: It is rules written into the World Trade Organization. It is rules that say you cannot decide the agriculture policy. You cannot decide your tariff structures. You cannot decide to make sure your people have food. You cannot decide that people in your country have jobs. The market will decide it and the market will be favored on the basis of unfair asymmetric rules of trade.
BILL MOYERS: Who writes those rules?
DR. VANDANA SHIVA: Unfortunately, it wasn't governments even though they're the members of the WTO. The rules of WTO were written by corporations. There were four new areas brought into trade that never belonged to trade: agriculture, intellectual property, services and investment. Now, each of these four areas had a treaty in the general agreement on trade and tariffs in the Uruguay Round.
Every one of those treaties was driven by a particular group of companies. The agricultural agreement driven by Agri-Business. The TRIPS agreement, the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights agreement driven by the pharmaceutical industry, the biotech industry and the entertainment industry. The services agreement driven by the financial interests, the banks. And now increasingly driven by the water companies which want to treat trade in water as a trade in services.
When I was in Tehri last week... Tehri is a town, it is the capital of our region. And it's been dammed on the Ganges to supply water now through Suez to Delhi
That is not globalization, Dr. Shiva. That is unregulated (free) trade.
BILL MOYERS: I know that you don't believe everything in the West is repulsive because you came to a Canadian university. That's where you did your graduate work, isn't it? Was the...DR. VANDANA SHIVA: I've never talked about the West being repulsive. I've talked about the colonizing West trying to present itself as the liberator being a bit of a falsehood. I have never been against interaction. I've never been against internationalism. I talk about Earth's democracy, about all of us being citizens on the planet.
And we need a globalization that is based on countries making their decisions, communities making their decisions. The current globalization is trying to build a roof by eating out the foundations. And there is panic because it's a false building. It's a building that's going to crumble. It is already crumbling.
And there is no reason to not have international trade. There's no reason not to have international interaction. There's no reason not to have international democracy. But an international democracy is a genuinely democratic only if national democracies are in tact and local democracies are vibrant.
That's more like it, Dr. Shiva. There is nothing wrong with internationalism (globalization) as long as each individual nation maintains it's sovereignty.
THE WTO SHOULD BE DESTROYED!
Posted by Pee Wee on December 19, 2006 at 5:45 PM
Pee Wee:
I agree with you that some (but not all), white Americans don't want black Americans in their workplaces or in their colleges.
I also agree with earlier posts by you where you stated that:
1. It is ironic that white Americans think that it is okay for below average black Americans to play on their sports teams in college, but that they don't think that above average black Americans should be allowed to step foot on their college campuses by way of Affirmative Action scholarships.
2. You were right to say that only a few of these minoriy scholarships are awarded each year anyway. I always knew that only a few of these were awarded, but I didn't know how few until now. You said that only 0.25 of these are awarded each year. That is less than one percent. So, either a lot of the white people who complain about minority scholarships don't know that, or are just trying everything to try to keep blacks at bay.
3. You were also right to say that police abuse of blacks, (especially in these larger cities) are a real problem. I was listening to the account of what happened to the young black man (I think from New York), that was shot down by the police after leaving his bachelor's party. According to the accounts, there was some disturbance at the bachelor party (but this young man and his friends were not involved), and after they left the party to go home, a police officer approached their vehicle with a weapon drawn, and when they got scared of that and drove away, (because they did not know that he was a police officer, and thought that the man was someone trying to rob them) the police officer shot them. Some of the other people in the vehicle were wounded, but this young man was killed (on his wedding day). They suspect young black men just because they are out on the streets, or getting into cars, or driving nice cars, etc. This problem needs more addressing!
Surging To Defeat In Iraq
W. Patrick Lang and Ray McGovern
December 18, 2006
W. Patrick Lang is a retired Army colonel who served with Special Forces in Vietnam, as an instructor at West Point, and as Defense Intelligence Officer for the Middle East. Ray McGovern was also an Army infantry/intelligence officer before his 27-year career as a CIA analyst. Both are with Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).
As Robert Gates takes the helm at the Pentagon today, he is probably already aware that Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush are resolute in their decision to stay the course in Iraq (without using those words) for the next two years. What he probably does not realize is that the U.S. military is about to commit hara-kiri.
The media are abuzz with trial balloons with official leaks that President George W. Bush is about to approve a “surge” in U.S. troop strength in Iraq by tens of thousands. At the same time, surge advocate Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., just back from a brief visit to the Green Zone with fellow surgers John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., has warned that “the amount of troops will make no difference” if Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki avoids taking “bold” moves. The three pretend to be unaware that the most important move for which they pressed—breaking with radical Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr—would amount to political suicide for Maliki.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/12/18/surging_to_defeat_in_iraq.php
We must all protest this. Bush is going to get 1000's of troops killed and in process kill 10,000's of Iraqi's - possibly destroy entire cities.
I think it's it's time to stop playing around. Bush is out of control ... cut off the money for Iraq. Start real investigations into Bush/Cheney asap and impeach them both if the smoking guns are there.
Es,
I'm shocked she wasn't fired on the spot, charges or no. A thief will lie and a liar will steal; I can't abide either. Party affiliation has (should have) nothing to do with the situation.
THE WTO SHOULD BE DESTROYED!
****
pee-wee, I am with you on this one! If it were up to me, I would throw out every one of these theses global trade organizations and start all over again with people based rules.
It is too bad that Laura Bush did not have to go to some of the HMO's that we have to go to. I have skin cancer and can not afford to have it treated..It's small wonder I hate these people...Better yet, send her to HillWilliam's partner's doctors!
Lavonia
HYPERBOLE and HUMOR
I have to get ready, because Ward Connerly is probably coming to Ohio next. The wording of his amendments are dishonest and deceitful.
It is too bad that Laura Bush did not have to go to some of the HMO's that we have to go to.
****
40 cents out of every tax dollar goes to warfare in this insane country. If that money was put into health care, there would no need for HMO's or even high deductible plans with HSA's. I spoke with a friend whose company just forced them all into that sort of plan. A family gets to spend 1000 dollars and then you are on your own for the next 3000 dollars and then it's 80/20 from there. Of yeah, you still pay a premium of around 200 per month for this garbage. The HSA does not even earn interest - it's just a way to lower your tax base. This is what the Puggies tell us is the future of health care - way worst than HMO's!
Sen. Clinton opposes troop surge in Iraq.
****
Well, that's good at least. We really need to hammer Harry Reid. He was way out of line saying that he would support a 2-3 month troop surge. How about meeting with his caucus first?
Great Gift Idea: Cookbook By Progressive Bloggers To Benefit Doctors Without Borders
A Blogger Cookbook Fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders Compiled and edited by Ginger Mayerson and Kathy Flake Illustrations by Carol Colin and Robin Riggs Cover Graphics by Tild~ From the introduction:Last year on October 8 an earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, hit Kashmir, the northern part of Pakistan. Being a native Californian, I know that’s no small cheese. Unfortunately, by October 8, 2005, I was tapped out from Katrina giving and could not give to my favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders, also known as Les Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). There was no doubt in my mind that MSF would be on the spot, doctoring in Kashmir, then and even now, and around the world wherever they are needed, as usual.
And so, partly out of guilt, but mostly out of admiration, the plan for this cookbook fundraiser was born. Now, I don’t cook very much and my basic culinary philosophy is “Shake it out of the box and eat it.” However, I very much admire people who make an art of cooking and even make it look fun. I also read a lot of blogs, all kinds of blogs from all over the world: political, art, culture, whatever, and I noticed many of these bloggers posting recipes. Sometimes I’d print them out and put them in my very neatly organized, but seldom consulted three-ring Recipes binder. Every now and then I’d think how nice it would be to have all those online recipes in a book format… And an idea began to take shape..
– Editor Ginger Mayerson
rj...Agreed, cut off the funds,,give them enough money to get the troops home as safely as possible and stop the insanity!
I just saw a snip of Mr Bush on local TV saying he wanted to send more troops to Iraq. Gen. Pace was standing off to the side and slightly behind Bush. Gen. Pace was looking at Bush like he thought Bush is crazy. I wonder how soon Cen Pace will retire.
Posted by davidual on December 19, 2006 at 06:55 PM
Nope, no "I'm sorry", only "I took it." No comment of paying back either. But she is buying a christmas tree tonight. ;\
Posted by HillWilliam on December 19, 2006 at 07:08 PM
If I would have been the thief, I would have been fired on the spot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry to unload this "problem." Thanks for the caring.
The answer to the question is:
When the democratic director recommends some kind of reprimand be administered from the board to the republican deputy director, the repug chairman points his finger & states that she, the dem, is being vindictive. No action taken, case closed. The repug is singing & dancing around the office, scott free. Happy Holidays, everyone.
There are so many injustices in the world, this is but a tiny goldfish in the ocean. I need to go do some pouring out my heart talking. I need forgiveness for my thoughts & attitude.
Enjoy the evening, everyone.
I just saw a snip of Mr Bush on local TV saying he wanted to send more troops to Iraq.
****
Yep, this is Bush's response to the ISG and 2006 elections - send even more troops into the Iraq meatgrinder. Typical Rovian in your face crap.
Bush booed on "Monday Night Raw"
I was watching "Monday Night Raw" with my son today - we recorded it from last night. They announced that George W. Bush was coming on the show.
Two black wrestlers mockingly said that rumours that Bush hates black people were absolutely false. They made references to his "Homey" Colin Powell, and his "Bitch" Condi Rice.
As "Hail to the Chief" played, "secret servicemen" in dark sunglasses came out. Bush followed shortly and was pretty loudly booed.
Much to the crowds delight, the wrestlers went on to steal Bush's wallet, and send him on his way.
goodfoe on December 19, 2006 at 07:28 PM,
Cutting off the funds will not work, as it will leave our troops high and dry right in the middle of chaos. Freeze the funds at current levels, which will ultimately rule out additional troops because that would mean additional funds. Then begin the process of redeploying the troops with the intent being to relieve from duty 10% of the troops quarterly, which would also decrease spending and have all of the troops home in a year and half.
I know, it's fuzzy math, but when the troop level drops below 50% of what they are now we wouldn't want to leave too few a number for fear of an easy retributive assault.
I have to get ready, because Ward Connerly is probably coming to Ohio next. The wording of his amendments are dishonest and deceitful.
Posted by pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 07:19 PM
This man is lethal and an abomination to anyone that has an ethnic heritage. Ward Connerly is a pathetic black man of mixed ancestry who wants to be Caucasian at any cost. He will run around this nation doing everthing in his power with segregationist/conservative money behind him to to erase all checks and balances that guarantee that diversity is adhered to in public facets of life.
Doesn't even term himself as black or African-American (another Tiger Woods here?). States he is of "mixed heritage".
Oh yeah, his wording of amendments isn't deceitful. It's just outright lies.
Great comment posted on Give Em Hell Harry Reid's web site:
Please do NOT give the Republicans cover for adding troops to the debacle in Iraq.
Less than 15% of all Americans believe that more troops would be helpful; Colin Powell and the military don't want to do it; the military is strained beyond its capacity.
Please DO NOT BE FOOLED into being 'more aggressive than the Republicans.' It won't work.
If Democrats demand more troops, then the Republicans will be able to say that we want to stay in Iraq and we are responsible for this terrible, fruitless invasion.
Our job is to GET ALL THE TROOPS OUT of Iraq. Not to put more boys and girls in harm's way. Nobody's son or daughter deserves to die or be hideously injured for Bush's War.
Yet another comment:
I don't know how you can read the election any other way--we did not vote to send more troops to Iraq. Advisors, adschmisors--by any modest estimate it would take 10 years to train the Iraqi 'security' forces to a professional level by American standards, and by any moral compass the way we voted is to get out. Get out of the bases that the oil companies insisted we build so that there would be a permanent U.S. presence in Iraq for 'stability' in the region--which means 'protect the oil and give it to us'....IT'S OVER, HARRY. GET US OUT. ALL THE WAY OUT. Not one more American life on Iraqi soil for the sorry purpose of American companies to profit from controlling and maintaining an outpost in the rich fields of the Middle East. NOT ONE MORE AMERICAN LIFE.
Cutting off the funds will not work, as it will leave our troops high and dry right in the middle of chaos. Freeze the funds at current levels, which will ultimately rule out additional troops because that would mean additional funds.
***
david, when I say cut off the funds I don't mean leave the troops high and dry. We need enough funds to allow a phased redeployment to take place. I won't accept any other strategy. Iraq was a failure the day we went to war based on lies. There is no making it right. All we can do is make it worst.
es,
What a crock of shit!! I'm sorry for the outcome. All I can say, and it won't help now, is time will have it's recourse on the filthy pug thief. It's never a question of being fair, because all pugs know the world isn't fair, it's a question of being right, and the conservative right have exposed their willingness to wrong whomever they desire. Really sorry!!
THANKS BUSH FOR GIVING US THE WHITEHOUSE IN 2008 NOW THAT YOU WANT TO SEND MORE TROOPS TO IRAQ
by Djneedle83
Tue Dec 19, 2006 at 03:39:15 PM PST
I don't think my blog entry today has to be long because I strongly believe you can't put George W. Bush's idiotic/mornoic actions into words comprising of the english language.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/19/181531/59
My only comment is that we must not give Bush cover by going along with this plan.
bbl. son's homework time. snacktime. and probably bedtime storytime after that.
I really think the 10% per quarter withdrawal strategy would work, and that wold leave us out of Iraq by the summer of 2008. The last withdrawal would be roughly the remainder 40 - 50% per cent of the troops that are there now.
bbl
a pathetic black man of mixed ancestry who wants to be Caucasian at any cost. Posted by J
You know something J, I've been wondering for sometime now if that's why Obama makes such a big deal about there "only" being ONE America and not any more than that. He's sounds kinda like Condi when he says things like there's no Black America and White America, no liberal America or conservative America. You think it has anything to do with his mixed race heritage? I know he was raised in the White world, but that kind of talk doesn't help those that weren't. It's kinda like if we all just pretend there's no racism in America, it will just go away. A lot of people like to visualize Obama as V.P. with their favorite candidate. I can just see John Edwards and Obama on the campaign tail together arguing about whether there's one America or two Americas. Here's part of his speech that everyone loves so much. Sometimes I get the feeling the reason they love it as much as they do is because it absolves them of any guilt about what's going on these days. BTW, I myself believe there's two Americas.
There's not a liberal America and a conservative America—there's the United States of America.There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there’s the United States of America.
We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
Renewing his calls for a complete troop withdrawal from Iraq, Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, told CNN Tuesday he believes America has lost in the region "militarily."
"Militarily we have lost -- there is no question about it, we cannot win this militarily." Murtha told Wolf Blitzer on the "Situation Room."
There is no way the United States can solve this problem," Murtha said. "We have gotten so far out and we have missed our opportunity, if we ever had an opportunity early on, to stabilize Iraq. Since we didn't do it then, it cannot be done now."
Murtha also sharply criticized the recommendation of sending more troops to Iraq. "They don't have an achievable mission -- a defined mission which they can point to," he said. "What's the point in sending another 40,000 troops?"
Labor As A Commodity
In resolving the question of whether “we are our own worst enemy,” we should reflect that for over three hundred years white people openly discussed African people as a problem (1600 - 1900). Today they still discuss us as a problem but the language is coded differently. As Dr. Anderson Thompson has written on the discussions that white people have had on what they have historically called “the Negro Problem,” “There is a duality in the story of western white man and his culture, which, paradoxically, is thrown into sharp relief wherever the Black man appears (or is dropped) on the scene.” Dr. Thompson says, “Whenever or wherever the white man exists in proximity to the Blacks the Negro Question appears.” The idea of the “Negro Question” is discussed further when Dr. Thompson writes, “The Negro Question in Western society has been a perennial subject of endless international debates, actions, decisions, wars, riots, lynchings—all of which flow out a recurring western dialogue: a conversation (for Europeans only) which for a long time took place between white men over what should be done with, about or to the Blacks they found in their captured territories.”
I think Dr. Worrill is onto something. European-Americans don't want African-Americans to be heard let alone seen at their institutions of work and education. Anything to the contrary would victimize European-Amer