We cannot let up one single bit, Dems. We must keep up this fight for the next 313 days ! Do not let your guard down for one second ! (And remember, the Center is NOT the place to be)

"Here's a thought for progressives: Bush isn't the problem. And the next president should not try to be the anti-Bush.

No, I haven't lost my mind. I'm not saying that we should look kindly on the Worst President Ever; we'll all breathe a sigh of relief when he leaves office 405 days, 2 hours, and 46 minutes from now. (Yes, a friend gave me one of those Bush countdown clocks.) Nor am I suggesting that we should forgive and forget; I very much hope that the next president will open the records and let the full story of the Bush era's outrages be told.

But Bush will soon be gone. What progressives should be focused on now is taking on the political movement that brought Bush to power. In short, what we need right now isn't Bush bashing—what we need is partisanship.

And here's the thing: Progressives have an opportunity, because American public opinion has become a lot more liberal.

Not everyone understands that. In fact, the reaction of the news media to the first clear electoral manifestation of America's new liberalism—the Democratic sweep in last year's congressional elections—was almost comical in its denial.

Thus, in 1994, Time celebrated the Republican victory in the midterm elections by putting a herd of charging elephants on its cover. But its response to the Democratic victory of 2006—a victory in which House Democrats achieved a larger majority, both in seats and in the popular vote, than the Republicans ever did in their 12-year reign—was a pair of overlapping red and blue circles, with the headline "The center is the place to be."

Oh, and the guests on Meet the Press the Sunday after the Democratic sweep were, you guessed it, Joe Lieberman and John McCain.

http://www.slate.com/id/2180178

Good talking with you again Pam...I have to get ready for a meeting....I hope you had a good Christmas...I think we are in agreement on most issues....I'll chat with you again another time....have a great day!!

I LOVE this ! "NONE of the above" still the Republican of choice. Betcha there will be lots of Repugs not even showing up this year for Primary nor General, and those that do may pull a Democratic Lever, just to take their party back from the Insanes who have taken it over!

With primaries looming, uncertainty reigns over GOP slate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dig beneath the surface of the raucous Republican presidential race and you will find even deeper turmoil: Four in 10 GOP voters have switched candidates in the past month alone, and nearly two-thirds say they may change their minds again.

None of the GOP candidates has reason to feel secure, according to an ongoing national survey conducted for The Associated Press and Yahoo! News.

http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-picking-a-candidate

...I think we are in agreement on most issues....I'll chat with you again another time....have a great day!!
Posted by goodfoe on December 27, 2007 at 09:08 AM

Oh, we are definetly in agreement on most, JohnBoy. You have a great day too.

I will bbl, also.

Bhutto is dead.

Good morning ... oh my, there's going to be major trouble in Pakistan. What you do figure the odds are that Musharraf had her assassinated:

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Thursday in a suicide attack that also killed at least 20 others at the end of a campaign rally, aides said.

"The surgeons confirmed that she has been martyred," Bhutto's lawyer Babar Awan said.

A party security adviser said Bhutto was shot in neck and chest as she got into her vehicle to leave the rally in Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad. A gunman then blew himself up.

"At 6:16 p.m. she expired," said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital where she was taken after the attack.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071227/pakistan/

================================================

Chimpy has made this area of the world into a
cauldron of violence. Chimpy and Cheney should be impeached now.

Her supporters at the hospital began chanting "Dog, Musharraf, dog," referring to Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf.

Some smashed the glass door at the main entrance of the emergency unit, others burst into tears. One man with a flag of Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party tied around his head was beating his chest.

In Washington, the State Department said it was seeking confirmation of Bhutto's condition.

"Certainly, we condemn the attack on this rally," deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. "It demonstrates that there are still those in Pakistan who want to subvert reconciliation and efforts to advance democracy."

=================================================

Bullcrap! The murderous Bushitas were probably in on the plot. The Bushitas have no interest in democracy. If they do, get the hell out of Iraq already.

Home price decline sets new record
by Chris in Paris · 12/27/2007 04:19:00 AM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: Comments (41) · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

The last time the housing market suffered such a decline was April 1991 during Bush I. A real bunch of economic experts we have in the GOP. If the Democrats have any backbone at all (I know, I know) they will ram this down the throats of the GOP and remind voters of the disastrous economic performances during Republican administrations.

Home prices in the United States fell in October for the 10th consecutive month, declining a record 6.7 percent compared with a year ago, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index.

“No matter how you look at these data, it is obvious that the current state of the single-family housing market remains grim,” said Robert Shiller, who helped create the index, in a statement Wednesday.
=================================================

This is Chimpy's crap economy and trash trickle down policies at work. The obnoxious Chimp even has the gall to suggest there should be more tax cuts ... what the upper 1% still aren't making enough money? Get rid of these conservative GOP Chimps.

I would bet that she was assasinated. And civil war seems possible. A caldron of violence and our leaders did their best to stir it up. Yes, they should be impeached, but I doubt that will happen.

Cheney’s ‘remarkabe’ fourth-branch argument
By: Steve Benen @ 5:28 AM - PST

There was a great scandal over the summer, with a bizarre fight between the White House and the National Archives’ Information Security Oversight Office, a fairly obscure federal office responsible for supervising the handling of classified information. After having complied with the rules in 2001 and 2002, Dick Cheney decided he no longer wanted to cooperate, and exempted himself from ISOO oversight.

When the VP refused to even acknowledge the agency’s requests for information, the ISOO went to the Attorney General’s office, asking if Cheney’s office had the legal authority to exempt itself from the executive branch. Alberto Gonzales not only ignored the questions, Cheney and his team responded by trying to eliminate the Information Security Oversight Office from existence.

J. William Leonard, head of the ISOO for 34 years, is stepping down now, and chatted with Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff about the ordeal. (via Spencer Ackerman)

So how did matters escalate?
The challenge arose last year when the Chicago Tribune was looking at [ISOO’s annual report] and saw the asterisk [reporting that it contained no information from OVP] and decided to follow up. And that’s when the spokesperson from the OVP made public this idea that because they have both legislative and executive functions, that requirement doesn’t apply to them…. They were saying the basic rules didn’t apply to them. I thought that was a rather remarkable position. So I wrote my letter to the Attorney General [asking for a ruling that Cheney’s office had to comply.] Then it was shortly after that there were [email] recommendations [from OVP to a National Security Council task force] to change the executive order that would effectively abolish [my] office.

Who wrote the emails?
It was David Addington.

No explanation was offered?
No. It was strike this, strike that. Anyplace you saw the words, “the director of ISOO” or “ISOO” it was struck.

What was your reaction?
I was disappointed that rather than engage on the substance of an issue, some people would resort to that…

You mean, Dick Cheney would rather destroy a government oversight office than “engage on the substance of an issue”? You don’t say.
=================================================

Chimp Cheney should be impeached now.

Good morning, all.

Pam,

This issue needs to be addressed in the campaign in a big way.

Instead of worrying about cheap foreign labor and social security "reform", we need to talk about this new exploitive gimmick which puts sick old people to work...for life...and laying off their grandchildren.

Plan Would Let Seniors Work to Pay Taxes Dec 25 By JIM FITZGERALD

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) - Audrey Davison lives alone, gets a $620 Social Security check each month and worries about the sharply rising taxes on her four-bedroom house. Davison, 76, raised her family there and after 43 years, she really doesn't want to leave Greenburgh.

Greenburgh doesn't want her to leave, either.

The town is pushing a program that would let seniors work part-time, for $7 an hour, to help pay off some of their property taxes.

"People shouldn't have to sell their house, move away to a place with less taxes, leave behind their family and friends," said Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.

He envisions retired doctors mentoring schoolchildren, retired accountants helping with the town's finances, retired lawyers offering their services for a discount. But there are plenty of less-skilled jobs that need doing, he said.

"It's not like we're going to see grandma running the snowplow," he said. "There are lots of things people can do for the town and it wouldn't cost us that much to pay them."

The proposal has caused a stir in Greenburgh, a town of 90,000 in Westchester County, which has the nation's third-highest homeowner property taxes. The plan would be unusual if not unique in New York, but similar programs are considered successes in Colorado, Massachusetts, South Carolina and elsewhere.

Davison, who suffers from arthritis and sciatica and needs a walker to get around on her bad days, said she pays about $12,000 a year in property taxes - perhaps $2,000 to the town - and has already taken out a reverse mortgage to pay her bills...

(Bold mine.)

Would "let" seniors work off their taxes? It sounds more like forced labor to me...AND elder abuse and torture. What is this country coming, too? The rich get tax breaks, and this old arthritic woman gets 9 to 5.

So this is the way the GOP plans to keep seniors out of long-care facilities...make them staff them taking care of rich old folks? Unbelievable.

Katrina was the tip of the Republicans' compassionate Christian iceberg.

I would bet that she was assasinated. And civil war seems possible. A caldron of violence and our leaders did their best to stir it up. Yes, they should be impeached, but I doubt that will happen.

Posted by Cate on December 27, 2007 at 09:32 AM
====================================================

Cate, the odds are very high that "Mush" planned it. He's a thug from way back. I just get disgusted anytime I hear the Bush Chimps talk about democracy. They don't know the meaning of the word. If we had any sense of democracy, we would have left Iraq years ago. Instead, we just want to dominate and run the country for the benefit of oil companies.

He envisions retired doctors mentoring schoolchildren, retired accountants helping with the town's finances, retired lawyers offering their services for a discount. But there are plenty of less-skilled jobs that need doing, he said.

"It's not like we're going to see grandma running the snowplow," he said. "There are lots of things people can do for the town and it wouldn't cost us that much to pay them."
==================================================

Sandy,

What a cruel heartless country we have become. It's getting almost as bad as the days of the Great Depression. We need to put these libertarian conservative SOB's back in the dark holes they emerged from. There is no way in the world that any person over 65 should be forced back to work. How about freezing property taxes for the elderly and raising them on people that can afford them? The elderly no longer use the school system, which is generally 80-90 percent of the property taxes, so why should they pay full taxes? Alot of states already make such adjustments.

Sandy, yeah, compassionate conservatives. What an effing joke.Did you see the ruling about reducing benefits for folks over 65? It was in the NY Times and on Raw story.

Katrina was the tip of the Republicans' compassionate Christian iceberg.

Posted by SandyH on December 27, 2007 at 09:36 AM
===================================================

Sand, it's to call conservatism what it is - crap! Cold-hearted, cruel crap. It's time to put the heartless liberatarian POS's back in the stink holes they emerged from. They have done immense damage to this country. They have to go now.

Sandy, yeah, compassionate conservatives.
===================================================

Okay, I vote for us stop using that phrase even as a punch line. Conservatism and compassion do not belong together in the same sentence. Let's call the conservatives what they - money grubbing greedy heartless SOB's.

Blame, blame, blame

DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND ! COVER UP, COVER UP, COVER UP ! LOOK THE OTHER WAY! PRETEND THIS IDIOT IN CHIEF IS ALRIGHT ! YOU, MY MISGUIDED, UNINFORMED, GULLIBLE, FOOL, ARE THE F***KING IDIOT !!!

Did you see the ruling about reducing benefits for folks over 65? It was in the NY Times and on Raw story.

Posted by Cate on December 27, 2007 at 09:44 AM
====================================================

Cate, I read it and couldn't believe my eyes. It's a clear cut violation of EEO. But with these Bush louses in office, they will go along with it. Of course, bizness is just elated. Now, they can choose to cut off retiree benefits for anyone who is eligible for Medicare. It's just a matter of time before they figure out how to screw over everyone on their pensions (not that there are many pensions left in this country). As I said before, we have devolved almost back to the time before the New Deal. That's how rotten the country has become under conservatism.

Washington State Democrats renew Bush impeachment effort
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-12-27 12:39. Impeachment

By Brad Shannon, Olympian

The prime backer of a state resolution urging Congress to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney plans to return to the state Capitol in January with a slightly revised proposal.
Click here to find out more!

Meanwhile, a South Sound group calling itself Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney is gearing up for an "impeachment party" Friday in Olympia.

State Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, said Wednesday he is amending his Senate Joint Memorial 8016 to make its intent clearer.

Democratic Sen. Darlene Fairley, who chairs the Senate committee that will hear the bill, expects to give it a hearing and bring it up for a vote in the legislative session that begins Jan. 14.

Oemig, who got a hearing but nothing more on a similar measure this year, is in Olympia on Friday to speak briefly at the party sponsored by Thurston County activists committed to the impeachment effort. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Woman's Club of Olympia, 1002 Washington Ave. S.E., co-organizer Glen Anderson said. It offers food, music and games, such as an "impeachment haiku" contest.

Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, is scheduled to speak. Fraser was one of eight Senate Democrats who signed as co-sponsors of Oemig's original bill.

Fraser said at the time her complaints go beyond the Iraq War to her belief that Bush has acted to undermine civil rights, suspend habeas corpus, use torture, and ruin the nation's reputation and relationships abroad.

Republicans generally have condemned or ridiculed the impeachment talk. But Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla said this year that state impeachment efforts can help his Senate caucus get back into power in 2008.

Anderson said the goal of Friday's party is to bring together people favoring impeachment that can actually lead to action. He said organizers hope to draw 150 people or more.

Posted by Harpo*Harpo on December 27, 2007 at 09:35 AM

You have that right, buster.

Bush sent that woman out of exile back into Pakistan to put pressure on Musharuff and now she's dead.

Your hero has so much blood on his hands these days, it must be hard for him to work the waterboarding.

We never see Bubble Boy taking any chances with his health and welfare. He's assembled an army of 330 plus Secret Service agents for his retirement with those signing statements. Bet he thinks twice about that proposed year-long, "good will" tour of the world now.

Let Bush work as an orderly at a nut house when he retires since that's who he relates to the most. And it would be a good way for him and all his rich friends to finance his Long War while paying back their "welfare for the wealthy" which none of them ever needed...but stole from the likes of arthitic old ladies.

What a cowardly hero. I believe giving credit where credit is due.

Here's the Isikoff article on Cheney's latest shenigans:

Challenging Cheney
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-12-27 04:55. Evidence

A National Archives official reveals what the veep wanted to keep classified--and how he tried to challenge the rules
By Michael Isikoff, Newsweek

J. William Leonard learned the hard way the perils of questioning Vice President Dick Cheney. The veteran National Archives official challenged claims by the Office of Vice President (OVP) to be exempt from federal rules governing classified information. His efforts touched off a firestorm—and a counter-strike by Cheney's chief of staff, David Addington, who tried to wipe out Leonard's job. (Addington did not respond to requests for comment on the subject.)

Now, Leonard is quitting as director of the Archives' Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO)—the unit that monitors the handling of government secrets. He tells NEWSWEEK that his fight with Cheney's office was a "contributing" factor in his decision to retire after 34 years of government service.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/29579

You may want to check this out. Homeland Security at it's best:

Innocent Icelandic Woman Chained, Held, Tortured by "Homeland Security" at U.S. Airport
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-12-26 22:22. Evidence

Welcome tourists of the world!

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/29576

"Pakistan is considered a vital U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaida and other Islamic extremists including the Taliban. Osama bin Laden and his inner circle are believed to be hiding in lawless northwest Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071227/ap_on_re_as/pakistan

Some ally they turned out to be ! Billions of dollars meant for War against terrorists spent on other things. Billions of dollars of our money gave them nukes, weapons, etc. The Taliban is stronger than it ever was ! The Poppy Crop the largest and most profitable. Bin Laden snickering his head off at the USA!

With friends like Mushareff and Pakistan, who needs anymore enemies???

'Awakening' Forces Arouse New Conflicts
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-12-26 17:38. Media

By Ali al-Fadhily and Dahr Jamail, Inter Press Service

FALLUJAH, Dec 26 (IPS) - The controversial move of the U.S. military to back Sunni "Awakening" forces has created another wedge between Sunni and Shia political groups.

Following disputes between the tribal groups assembled into Awakening forces and the Iraqi government, the creation of these forces has become also a political issue.

U.S.-backed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who heads a Shia political bloc, has adamantly opposed the U.S.-military policy of backing tribal groups and former resistance fighters.

To date, the U.S. military has paid more than 17 million dollars to these fighters, whose groups it calls "Concerned Local Citizens" and "Awakening Forces." Each member receives around 300 dollars monthly. Many are former resistance fighters who used to attack occupation forces.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/29570
=================================================

Nice huh? It won't hold up because Maliki is already nervous about the growing strength of these groups and promised to break them up.

The surge is a bunch of crap. Petraeus is full of it. All we did was trade in one set of problems for another. There is nothing near a reconciliation in Iraq. All the DSOB conservatives can talk about is staying in Iraq permanently as if that's some sort of great victory (or are the liars calling it a "success"?). It's no success/victory spending 12 billion per month on tax payer money and troops are still getting killed / wounded (one was killed on Xmas day).

Posted by Cate on December 27, 2007 at 09:44 AM

Cate,

I'm surprised the Republicans haven't come up with a plan that makes poor sick people clean up the surgery rooms when they are strong enough to push a mop after their operations.

If they can't "reform" social security, they'll destroy every private pension plan. The disconnect between the Middle Class and the GOP is finally so out in the open that even the stupidiest of Reagan Democrats can't ignore it.

Gotta run. Later.

Posted by PamB on December 27, 2007 at 10:00 AM

Pam,

And Bush this week decries $10 billion in earmarks...a year...that will at least build bridges to nowhere in this country? Yet he loses track of that much money every frickin' week in Iraq and Parkistan.

His lose; Halliburton and Blackwater's gain?

Osama bin Laden and his inner circle are believed to be hiding in lawless northwest Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan.
===================================================

Hi PamB,

Absolutely right and "Mush" knows it. That brings me to another point. While the obnoxious disgusting imbecile Chimp was "surging" in Iraq, Afghanistan has become a total shambles. That probably aggravated the situation along the border with Pakistan. The Taliban have actually made a comeback. Congrats to Chimpy!

And Bush this week decries $10 billion in earmarks...a year...that will at least build bridges to nowhere in this country? Yet he loses track of that much money every frickin' week in Iraq and Parkistan.
===================================================

Sandy, Bush is a piece of trash. He can spent 12 billion just in one month to protect the oil in Iraq. But, the piece of dirt complains about these minor costs. By the way, I seem to recall GOP Senators going wild with earmarks when they controlled the Senate. Where was Chimpy's outrage then?

To date, the U.S. military has paid more than 17 million dollars to these fighters, whose groups it calls "Concerned Local Citizens" and "Awakening Forces." Each member receives around 300 dollars monthly. Many are former resistance fighters who used to attack occupation forces.

rjsnj,

And how much a month are the Republicans willing to pay "Concerned Local Citizens" in this country to make sure voter supression has a chance to blossom? They can't even do their own dirty work any longer. They have to pay people with their tax cut money to keep the gravy train going.

Later ...

Harpo's 9:35 Since I am the dullest pencil out here I thought I'd mention to you that when you are calling someone an idiot it would make sense to use the contraction of "you are" instead of the possesive "your".
Of course, you are right, I should have been clear that I thought she was assasinated by Mushareff, and not just another suicide bomber. T

cate, cast not your pearls before swine.

Actually, I think it would be fun to drive a snowplow.
A lot more fun than some demeaning crap job that the town of Greensburg would give the elderly, like cleaning toilets or shuffling papers.
I drove large trucks and operated some types of heavy equipment in the military, given a choice this grandma would choose a snowplow.
Back in Iowa, when I was a kid people got what was know as Homestead Exemptions, which meant that you got a tax discount on your home that you lived in. I suppose that the good citizens of whatever county in NY that Greensburg is in, never considered that.
I think that Homestead exemptions would be a great idea in places where you have a superabundance of the rich and greedy sucking up land and building trophy homes they only live in about 3 months a year.
The real residents could get a tax break, and the rich and greedy can pay closer to their fair share of taxes, since they refuse to pay state income tax to pay for the government services and infrastructure that they demand.

That's an odd thing to say seeing how it was her decision alone to return from her self-imposed exile in London.

Do you live in Cinderalla's Castle? She was sent on a Mission from the Godless in the Oval Office and The Bunker...with promises of silver slippers if she could move Pakistan back into line.

Her decision? Grow up. The world doesn't work that way. You can't blame this one on any Islamic bogeymen. It was Bush's spurned Pakistani lover fending off the advances of Spunky's new suitor that ended this love triangle.

Bush is right in the middle of this mess...just like he always is. If a situation can become worse, Bush finds a way to make it so.

Bhutto blamed people inside Musharraf's govt (1+ / 0-)

Recommended by:
ZappoDave

for the attempt to assassinate her back in October: Times (of London): Benazir Bhutto blames enemies within the Government for suicide bombing:

Benazir Bhutto said last night that she had sent President Musharraf the names of three people whom she suspected of planning the attempt to kill her, as she vowed to keep campaigning for elections due in January.

Ms Bhutto, who escaped unhurt from the twin blasts that killed 140 people, blamed officials inside President Musharraf’s Government as well as militants for trying to kill her and derail her struggle to bring back democracy after eight years of military rule.

==================================================

So, what's the odds that it was a plot from inside Musharraf's government? I sure hope we had nothing to do with it. That's all I am saying about that.

There is little this will create even more violence in Pakistan and that will most likely drift into Afghanistan. It's a mess.

Bhutto assassinated 12 days before elections. Was "shot at close range"
by Joe Sudbay (DC) · 12/27/2007 09:44:00 AM ET · Link
Discuss this post here: Comments (16) · reddit · FARK ·· Digg It!

Details continue to emerge from the Bhutto assassination. From the Washington Post:

Bhutto, 54, was shot at close range as she was leaving the rally in this garrison city south of Islamabad, aides said. Immediately after the shooting, a suicide bomber detonated explosives near Bhutto's car, killing at least 15 other people.

Bhutto was rushed to a hospital with extensive wounds to her torso, her supporters said. Shortly after she arrived at the hospital, an official came out of the building and told a crowd of supporters Bhutto was dead.

Analysis of the impact of the assassination is also starting. I'm no foreign policy expert, but let's just say, it's pretty clear this isn't good for Pakistan's future:

Bhutto's death is a devastating development, coming 12 days before Pakistanis are set to vote in national parliamentary elections already marked by enormous political turmoil. President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in November -- a move which he said was to combat terrorism, but which was widely perceived as an effort to stave off legal challenges to his authority. U.S. military officials said last week that the terrorist group al-Qaeda increasingly is focusing its efforts in Pakistan.

Keep in mind, Pakistan is allegedly our stalwart ally in the war against terror and the fight for democracy.

all of the candidates on both sides will be trying to make hay of this assassination. pretty disgusting all in all.

and harpo aren't you supposed to be shoving sally's mother back into her bat cave at this hour?

I suppose that the good citizens of whatever county in NY that Greensburg is in, never considered that.
====================================================

Butte, it's Westchester, NY. NY state does have some sort of rebate program. I don't know if Westchester has anything to help elderly cope with their high taxes.

The bet that the rebate is a drop in the bucket once the taxes get up to ten thousand or more. Some states have retirement areas where property taxes are controlled ... in return, no children can live in such an area. I think that's just given that elderly people no longer have children in the public schools and education makes up the bulk of property taxes.

Other states such as Florida have Homestead laws that keep the taxes down.

"It is almost impossible to imagine how much turmoil this is going to cause within Pakistan"
by John Aravosis (DC)
Sky News:

The Russian foreign ministry said it feared the country could descend into terrorism or civil war....

British political campaigner Mohammed Shafiq said: "This has destroyed any chance of election in Pakistan. It will cause more friction and more problems."

Sky's Asia correspondent Alex Crawford said: "It is almost impossible to imagine how much turmoil this is going to cause within Pakistan. There is going to be team of people who will want to avenge her death. There will be team of people who want to capitalise on the turbulence after her death."

http://www.americablog.com/2007/12/it-is-almost-impossible-to-imagine-how.html

Mitt Romney's rush to comment on events in Pakistan and automatically link those events to terrorism -- before the State Department was even able to confirm the death -- show why Mitt would be dangerous for national security if elected President.

Is the assassination a terrorist attack or an attack by those loyal to Pakistan's government -- the fact are not in - but this did not stop Mitt from opening his mouth in the international press.

Mitt has proven he does not have what it takes to be America's President.

Is the assassination a terrorist attack or an attack by those loyal to Pakistan's government -- the fact are not in - but this did not stop Mitt from opening his mouth in the international press.

Mitt has proven he does not have what it takes to be America's President.

Posted by Roxie on December 27, 2007 at 11:02 AM
=================================================

The facts are NOT in. In a previous attempt, Bhutto blamed a group within the Pakistan government. All I am saying is there are odds that Musharraf has something to do with it.

I also suspect that with Musharraf in control we will never learn the truth. He is basically a dictator.

At this point, the Presidental candidates should express their sympathies and acknowledge that Pakistan is a real mess. It's likely to be a source for increased violence in the years ahead and it directly impacts what goes on in Afghanistan.

oh gee harpo i forgot you're all about bright statements....hahahahaha

Watching CNN ... looks like violence has already broken out in several Pakistan cities.

The Badme Spark – America’s Next Iraq

Badme , a small town with a population of 1563 on the horn of Africa, may seem an unlikely place to be the spark of a gigantic showdown in the war on terrorism, but it may well be the spark that draws the US into a long-term war against terrorism.

Read more here: http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/roxiehoward/CrVs

It is sad that violence has broken out, it is a tragedy upon a tragedy.

You celebrate the victories of our enemies. Why would you want anything else?

You stupid idiot ! What PART of my statement reflected my celebrating any victories of enemies???

Better put the bottle down, Thom-ass, you're blabbering again !

And do you not understand that about 85% of REAL Republicans now deplore this Neo Con government of our's? That they understand that Bush and Cheney have destroyed their Real party and they are pissed? WHY would you choose to stay in the minority and defend these men? Is it because you are just hate filled , period, and do not give a damn what happened to the GOP party? You are a sick sick man. Steve is mentally unbalanced due to living like the unibomber, but you are just plain mentally Sick.

It is sad that violence has broken out, it is a tragedy upon a tragedy.

Posted by Roxie on December 27, 2007 at 11:27 AM
=================================================

Indeed it is. This really throws doubt into the ability of Pakistan to transform itself into a more Democratic society. Personally, I am dubious that Musharraf is committed to Democracy. Of course, the Islamic extremists aren't committed to that either. Bhutto was a champion of Democracy.

I don't know who did it. But, I find it curious that all of the pundits are ignoring Bhutto's own words. She suspected that the previous assassination attempt originated within Musharraf's government. That's why I brought it up as a probability and wondered if others are thinking the same.

I stand by my statement that Chimpy has contributed to the mess in Pakistan. He took the focus off of Afghanistan and allowed Bin Laden to settle in Pakistan. He then said Bin Laden didn't matter. So, is it a surprise that the Taliban have made a comeback in Afghanistan? Chimpy is to blame because of the ridiculous, wasteful, illegal and simply wrong Iraq debacle. He will never live that down. His legacy is permanently shot.

One pundit just said:

That's not to suggest Mush is behind the assassination ... Why not suggest it? He's not above eliminating political rivals. He's a product of a military coup. So, why assume he may not be involved especially when Bhutto suspected him in the previous attempt.

That's what I hate about our media. They shouldn't be drawing any conclusions at this point. But all they are doing is repeating the official lines.

We shall see what we shall see.

"Indeed it is. This really throws doubt into the ability of Pakistan to transform itself into a more Democratic society. Personally, I am dubious that Musharraf is committed to Democracy."

This event could trigger the circumstances where the legacy of President Bush's war on terrorism, is that his ally, Pakistan, transforms into an Islamic Republic giving Islamic extremists a nation with nuclear weapons.

My heart goes out to the family of PM Bhutto this day. :-(( Her 3 kids knew nothing of wretched politics only that they have lost their MOTHER this day! I am very sad for Pakistan and those that seek Democracy there. I am so sorry for their loss.

Peace to Pakistan
Peace to America
Peace to the PLANET in PERIL!

bbl :-(

Interesting web site:

http://www.dawn.com/2007/12/27/benazirbhutto.htm

==================================================

They are broadcasting live from Pakistan with an English translation. A bit choppy ... there's some good articles on there concerning this situation.

Posted by rjsnj on December 27, 2007 at 12:20 PM

Hey that's my name! LOL
hmmm, how bizarre.

Good afternoon fellow Democrats.

Benazir supporters take anger to the streets ISLAMABAD, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Angry supporters of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto took to the streets of Pakistani cities on Thursday, from the Himalayas to the southern coast. The unrest was predictably fiercest in Bhutto's native Sindh province and its capital, Karachi. “Police in Sindh have been put on red alert,” said a senior police official. “We have increased deployment and are patrolling in all the towns and cities, as there is trouble almost everywhere,” he said. Reports said security was deteriorating in Karachi, where thousands poured on to the streets to protest. At least three banks, a government office and a post office were set on fire, a witness said. Tyres were set on fire on many roads, and shooting and stone-throwing was reported in many places. Most shops and markets in the city shut down. At least 20 vehicles were torched in Sindh’s second biggest town of Hyderabad. There were also small protests in Rawalpindi and the nearby capital, Islamabad. Protesters blocked roads with burning tyres and chanted anti-Musharraf slogans in Muzaffarabad, capital of Azad Kashmir. Police said they had been ordered to block the main road between Punjab province and Sindh province, apparently to stop the movement of protesters. Disturbances were also reported in the southeastern city of Multan, although details were sketchy. In Lahore, capital of Punjab province, Bhutto party workers burnt three buses and damaged several other vehicles, police said. (Posted @ 22:38 PST)

Court, banks ablaze in caretaker PM's hometown JACOBABAD, Pakistan, Dec 27 (AFP) The main court, banks and other buildings were set on fire in Jacobabad, hometown of Pakistan's caretaker prime minister Mohammedmian Soomro after Benazir Bhutto's assassination Thursday, an AFP reporter said. Mobs also torched several shops, including some belonging to relatives of Mr. Soomro, said residents of the city, in the Sindh province. Portraits of Soomro were also set on fire while demonstrators took to the streets, blocking roads and a railway track. (Posted @ 21:46 PST)

Hey that's my name! LOL
hmmm, how bizarre.

Posted by Ladydawn on December 27, 2007 at 12:30 PM
====================================================
Dawn, LOL. I noticed that. Someone tipped me off to this web site. It seems like an Internet reporting site. The streaming broadcast is very interesting though choppy.

Hola BobVA

Oil Rises on Inventory Shortfalls Thursday December 27, 12:12 pm ET By John Wilen, AP Business Writer Oil Prices Jump After Government Reports Crude and Heating Oil Supplies Fell Last Week

NEW YORK (AP) -- Oil futures rose above $97 a barrel Thursday after the government reported larger-than-expected declines in crude and heating oil inventories.
In its weekly inventory report, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration said oil inventories fell by 3.3 million barrels last week, more than double the 1.3 million barrel decline analysts expected. Inventories of distillates, which include heating oil and diesel fuel, fell by 2.8 million barrels, much more than the expected 800,000 barrel decline...

Oil prices also rose on news of the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, which raised concerns about geopolitical stability. That news came on the heels of attacks by Turkish forces on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq earlier in the week, which boosted oil prices by raising concerns about Iraqi oil supplies.

"I think the market got about as much bullish news as it can over the last couple days," said James Cordier, president of Liberty Trading Group in Tampa, Fla...

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071227/oil_prices.html?.v=18

More fallout from the Bhutto assassination. As we all know, this is a rather dangerous situation. The next few days will be critical in restoring order in Pakistan.

Good afternoon fellow Democrats.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 27, 2007 at 12:33 PM
===================================================

Hi Bob from VA,

Sad day for the world and more trouble in an already troubled Middle East.

Posted by Ladydawn on December 27, 2007 at 12:53 PM

Hola Dawn, que pasa? Como esta?

The next few days will be critical in restoring order in Pakistan.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 27, 2007 at 12:54 PM
==================================================

I hope so Bob. There are many who say that even before Bhutto's return from exile, Pakistan was a powerkeg. We all know that Bin Laden and the Taliban are making trouble in Western Pakistan. That trouble appeared to be spreading east into the large cities of Karachi and Islamabad.

Posted by rjsnj on December 27, 2007 at 12:57 PM

Indeed it is, RJ. Pakistan in a state of emergency, the Taliban is making gains in Afghanistan, Putin is trying to turn Russia back into the Soviet Union, Syria is working with N. Korea on nuclear technology, no improvements have been made to the Israeli-Palestinian situation, Saudi Arabia is still privately funding terrorism with our oil money, Egypt may be smuggling weapons to the Palestinians, Lebanon, as always, is on the verge of collapse, and our State Department is AWOL.

So ia ask my fellow citizens in the loyal opposition, "What the hell are we still doing in Iraq when the rest of world is going to hell in a handbasket?" The time has come to put an end to Iraq, one way or the other.

We've seen a modest success from the surge. Six months ago, I was saying to either put in 300K to 500K troops for 12-18 months to stabilize Iraq and run out Al-Qaeda or bring them all home. I stand by that. One way or the other, I fear, we'll be needing those troops relatively soon in other places. Either we give up our role as the world's policeman or we do it properly. The world is too dangerous to waffle on this issue.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 27, 2007 at 01:17 PM

Thank you Bob, I am well today and I agree about Iraq - we need to start moving troops out immediately upon taking back the (not so) White House! (or before but I don't hold my breath for that one)

I am confident THIS woman will bring them home.

“I think we can bring home one to two combat brigades a month,” she said. “I think we can bring nearly everybody home, you know, certainly within a year if we keep at it and do it very steadily.”

Either we give up our role as the world's policeman or we do it properly. The world is too dangerous to waffle on this issue.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 27, 2007 at 01:17 PM
===================================================

Bob, we should definitely get out if Iraq. The price tag is just too high. Let the oil companies hire Blackwater themselves to protect their assets in Iraq. They make enough money from a barrel of oil.

I would not be disappointed if we were less of policeman overseas and we minded what goes on in our country more.

I do agree though that the world is a powerkeg. It's going to require some soul searching and diplomacy to change our relationship to the rest of the world. We are going to have to be very careful about using "force" for now on.

Russia is a fine example of where we went wrong. There is no way that Putin becomes as aggressive as he has become if it were not for the Chimpenfurher's foolish "missile defense system" (another multi-billion boondangle).

Good Afternoon, ALL!

From Talking Points Memo:

12.27.07 -- 8:58AM // link Bhutto Dead

Obviously, the big news of the day is the assassination, in Pakistan, of former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto. The early reports suggest that an assassin shot Bhutto twice at close range and then blew himself up. On first blush, that sounds like the killers -- if in fact they're the same people -- learned a lesson from the first attack when the blast pattern left Bhutto more or less uninjured. Also important to watch, there was a sniper attack on supporters of rival former PM Nawaz Sharif earlier in the day. We're not clear yet whether he was present at that earlier incident or not, though earlier reports suggest he was not.

We'll be following the story closely today, bringing you the latest and trying to find the context to help explain what it means. Watch our news section to the right for the latest.

--Josh Marshall

(bold mine)

I don't know what to make of this, but a few assassination attempts right before the election seems to be an odd way to run a Democracy.

But there is more to come, Pakistan is just one drop in the bucket of hot-spots that can flame up. I posted earlier today about Badme, another very dangerous spot where the U.S. has alredy been involved.

If military action alone solved Islamic terrorism wouldn't Palestine be the most peaceful place on earth?

How many Palestines can exist before world war emerges?

“I think we can bring home one to two combat brigades a month,” she said. “I think we can bring nearly everybody home, you know, certainly within a year if we keep at it and do it very steadily.”

Posted by Ladydawn on December 27, 2007 at 01:25 PM
====================================================
Dawn, it's a atsrt. Unlike some who were upset that none of the candidates, with the exception of Kucinich, would commit to bring all the troops home, I am happy with bringing home most within a year. I acknowledge there may be a need to keep a small contingent there for awhile. But, I don't want them guarding private industries assets. Let the bizness people hire Blackwater mercs to do their security.

What democracy? Pakistan? Pakistan is only a seed of democracy and whether or not see will grow is still a very open question. Many in the region would rather see an Islamic state.

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 01:34 PM

Pakistan is no more of a democracy than President Bush's vision of America. Pakistan is the most dangerous place on Earth.

If that Badme link didn't work, try this one.

Also important to watch, there was a sniper attack on supporters of rival former PM Nawaz Sharif earlier in the day. We're not clear yet whether he was present at that earlier incident or not, though earlier reports suggest he was not.
====================================================
Sharif is okay. I heard an interview with him about an hour ago. My understanding is that he can't run for office ... some sort of legal hassle.

This is a nice surprise!

Rep. Woolsey backs Clinton
By Mike Soraghan | Posted: 12/27/07 10:58 AM [ET]
December 27, 2007
Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) got a potential boost to her anti-war credentials this week when she won the endorsement of Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), a co-founder of the Out-of-Iraq caucus and one of the vehement anti-war voices in Congress.

Clinton has been criticized for her 2002 vote in favor of the resolution that authorized the use of force in Iraq. Unlike the other Democratic presidential contenders, she has not openly regretted that decision.

Woolsey told the Marin Independent Journal Wednesday that Clinton “is the one who can take what she says and turn it into reality once she's elected president.”

Woolsey and her fellow Out-of-Iraq caucus leaders have campaigned in the key early presidential states to raise awareness of the anti-war position.

Pakistan is the most dangerous place on Earth.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden2008 on December 27, 2007 at 01:39 PM
====================================================

Very dangerous. Let's not forget that Bin Laden, Zawahiri and leaders of the Taliban are still there in Western Pakistan. You know, the people Chimpy said don't matter anymore as he started up the illegal and stupid Iraq war.

I know it's not a Democracy; the Chimp thinks it is even though it's really a Military Dictatorship. These elections are all for show anyway, however, his henchman did agree to take off his uniform and pretend to be running a legitimate government. (Just like Chimpy).

Woolsey and her fellow Out-of-Iraq caucus leaders have campaigned in the key early presidential states to raise awareness of the anti-war position.

Posted by Ladydawn on December 27, 2007 at 01:43 PM
===================================================

I have to admit that's a nice endorsement. I have alot of respect for Lynn Woolsey. She's spoken her mind throughout the dreadful reign of the Chimpenfurher.

Posted by rjsnj on December 27, 2007 at 01:26 PM

...definitely get out if Iraq. The price tag is just too high. Let the oil companies hire Blackwater themselves to protect their assets in Iraq. They make enough money from a barrel of oil.

We totally agree on this. Let the mercs guard the private installations and let the Iraqis guard the public ones.

Russia is a fine example of where we went wrong. There is no way that Putin becomes as aggressive as he has become if it were not for the Chimpenfurher's foolish "missile defense system"

I have no problem with the implementation of a missile defense system. I think President Reagan's Star Wars plan was a good idea, in principle. But why would we need missile defense against Russia? That's like building a defense system to ward off the Canadians or the Mexicans. The Russians offered us some space in one of their satellite countries, I forget which one now, to put up our defense system which was much closer to the Middle East and Iran, namely.

Instead, the POTUS wants to put in Poland. Poland?! This is not 1958, Mr. President. President Reagan won the Cold War and your daddy tied up the loose ends.

Which brings up the same question AGAIN..."Where is Condi and why is she collecting a paycheck?"

This seems to be a regular thing with her. When something happens that merits a clear statement from the USA she is never anywhere to be found.

In the meantime, Chmpy had this to say:

Bush Statement On Bhutto Assassination

That's the whole of it. No questions taken.

time to fly

bbl
Peace

As far as world politics you are thick as a brick.

and you, Thom-ass, are in the MINORITY of your beliefs. What part of that have you missed?

The only way you feel like a man, is trying to talk tough and condemning other leaders who did not hate this country of mine, until Bush/Cheney took over !!

What a pathetic excuse of a man you are !

Pam, it's typical of their cult like devotion to the Chimp that they equate HIM with "America". All I have to say about that bizzare mental disorder is America ain't a piece of shit, Chimpy IS.

2 Mutually Exclusive things.

Chimpy = BAD!

America = GOOD!

The Russians offered us some space in one of their satellite countries, I forget which one now, to put up our defense system which was much closer to the Middle East and Iran, namely.
==================================================

Bob,

It was Kazakhstan. Putin proved what a phony Bush really is by doing that. Putting a missile defense system on Russia's border is as inflammatory as the Russians putting missiles into Cuba. But, the Bushies don't know about the Cuban missile crisis. That dumb press secretary Perino never even heard of it. I still think it's an expense we can do without and a system that has not proved itself despite spending billions on it.

Later ...

Why is it that right wingers just love dictators? You can't tell me that they didn't just love the Shah to pieces when he was dictator of Iran. And didn't that ahole Raygun just love Pinochet and the rest of the Latin American death squad thugs? They had no problem with Hussein as long as he was fighting Iran (oh yeah after the thug Shah was thrown out). So please give me a break right wing hypocrites. I know you are fond of saying there is nothing wrong with supporting a bad guy as long as he is OUR bad guy ... how many times has that one backfired ...

Later ...

rj and doo bee

the trouble with the trolls and neo cons is, they think with their little head, not their big one !! Swaggering, little cock of the walks, all mouth, no action themselves !

bbl,

Posted by rjsnj on December 27, 2007 at 02:29 PM

Which is why the Bush administration darn neared repeated the missile crisis of October of 1962. I can appreciate your misgivings about investing in new technology of this nature. I wish we could spend that money on education and infrastructure. But, we both know the world of the 21st century is dangerous and that danger has been exponentially increased by the incompetence of the Bush administration's foregin policy, or lack thereof.

The time to build "Fortress America" is now. It begins with smart border security, rebuilding the infrastructure, and a "Apollo" style project to return this great nation of ours to a state of complete self-sufficiency for all aspects of our daily lives with emphasis on the essentials; food, shelter, and clothing. Hopefully, we can begin to deconstruct that vision around mid-century but probably not until the end of the century or into the next, IMHO. Until then, we must be prepared for anything at any time.

ABM's in Kazakhstan does not help us achieve those objectives. The Russians, and everyone else for that matter, knows that as well. And we agree on one other issue as well. Why the hell is Sec. Rice still drawing a paycheck other than she serves at the pleasure of the POTUS?

Good afternoon, everyone.

Something on the lighter side.

"The List" 2008
electionline.org Staff

Once again, as a public service we present our fifth annual list of what's "in and out" for 2008:

OUT: electionline.org, "a project of the University of Richmond funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts"
IN: electionline.org, "a project of the Pew Charitable Trusts' Center on the States"

OUT: Evidence of voter fraud
IN: Allegations of voter fraud

OUT: Concerns about whether poll workers will show up for duty
IN: Concerns about (winter) weather keeping poll workers from showing up

OUT: Decertified machines
IN: Decertifying machines

OUT: Profits for Vendors
IN: Pressures on Vendors

OUT: Retiring Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder Conny McCormack
IN: Some poor soul who has no idea what (s)he's in for

OUT: Legislation being passed
IN: Legislation being debated

OUT: Electronic and Internet voting in the United States
IN: Electronic and Internet voting worldwide

OUT: Arguing voter ID in lower courts
IN: Arguing voter ID in the U.S. Supreme Court

OUT: Voting at the polls in some North Dakota counties
IN: Vote-by-mail in some North Dakota counties

OUT: New York "stalling"
IN: New York "learning"

OUT: Forgetting to ask the national parties about moving up a primary
IN: Forgetting to educate voters about moved up primaries

OUT: Diebold critics
IN: Premier critics

OUT: Security concerns over DRE machines
IN: Security concerns over optical-scan machines

OUT: Paper trails
IN: Paper ballots

OUT: Sharing voter data among state agencies
IN: Sharing voter data among states

OUT: Super Tuesday
IN: Super Duper Tuesday

OUT: 2007 EAC Chair Donetta Davidson
IN: 2008 EAC Chair Rosemary Rodriguez

OUT: Thinking about how to bring voters to the polls
IN: Thinking about how to bring the polls to the voters

OUT: Epicenters of presidential election controversies - Florida 2000, Ohio 2004
IN: Fifty states and the District in 2008 desperately hoping "not me . not me . not me ."

**********

Jeepers, this troll can't keep his mind out of the gutter.

Cock of The Walk The Male Red Cardinal Featured Oct 30th 2007

It's a noisy little pest with a pointy head and a tiny brain who just struts around like it's a big shot. Prideful and basically useless. Also destructive.

Harpo you nazi fascist pig, go back to your rathole with all the other racist homophobe ilk.

David Axelrod needs to keep his mouth shut. He tried linking Hillary to the assination of Bhutto by her vote to support the war in Iraq. If that was the case so would John Edwards and most of the democratic candidates. Of coarse, now there backing out of his statement.
This campaigning of personal destruction needs to stop. IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW!!! I will never vote for Obama because he has used the same crap against his rivals as the likes of limbaugh, newt, and the rest of the pukes that should be paying the Clintons and this country big money for the slander that they performed on the Clintons and this country. I only wish we could put the whole lot of them in jail because thats where they belong!!!!

dan5 your a facist go back to home for the mentely derange

I'm not sure why some people wish to engage in personal degrading of other people instead of discussing issues. Can't trolls support their message with intelligent discussion? If not, then perhaps their message is the stuff of mad babblings that should not be given a second look.
LINK

hi roxie

The pundits are now saying that ghouliani, mccain will benefit from this terrible news of Bhutto's murder.
They also believe that Hillary will benefit.
I certainly hope the American people will not in anyway believe the pukes have put forth any candidate that could actually help this situation.
The pukes lied to the Senate and the House about weapons of mass destruction. They lied to the American people about Whitewater, Hillary's healthcare, Vince Foster's death, Hillary throwing a lamp at her husband and many other lies about the Clintons. This party is the most corrupt group of people in this century to be in charge of this country. How can the American people be dumb enough to think we need these Bas*****!! to handle the events in Pakistan.
Give me a F***ing Break!!!!
I certainly believe that Hillary is the best person to handle the presidency because she had carnal knowledge of the deciet, corruption, and mob tactics that will be thrown at the democratic president. Its naive to think these people have seen the error of their ways and are ready to play nice. Come On, PEOPLE!!!

roxie dan 5 is the worst trool pam it member not trool

Middle East expert Professor Juan Cole does an excellent summation (as usual) of what happened and what we can expect to see coming out of Pakistan, putting it in the historical context of events happening over the last few years. Digby has excerpts and links to the original.

With Benazir's assassination, the Rice Plan is in tatters and Bush administration policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan is tottering.

The problem is exacerbated by a dramatic drop-off in U.S. expertise on Pakistan. Retired American officials say that, for the first time in U.S. history, nobody with serious Pakistan experience is working in the South Asia bureau of the State Department, on State's policy planning staff, on the National Security Council staff or even in Vice President Cheney's office. Anne W. Patterson, the new U.S. ambassador to Islamabad, is an expert on Latin American "drugs and thugs"; Richard A. Boucher, the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, is a former department spokesman who served three tours in Hong Kong and China but never was posted in South Asia. "They know nothing of Pakistan," a former senior U.S. diplomat said.

(bold in original link)

Pakistan Crisis For Dummies

Heck of a job, Chimpy.

Good afternoon, all.

I don't know what to make of this, but a few assassination attempts right before the election seems to be an odd way to run a Democracy.

Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on December 27, 2007 at 01:34 PM

Don't give The Shooter any ideas.

where is shooter after the fire

We need Senator Biden, He will be a great secretary of state. Where's Condi, was a stupid ass secretary of state. I know one thing we don't need John McCain. The way the pukes are trying to capitize on her death, sure sounds suspicious.

More from that Juan Cole piece linked in the 4:15 post:

The NYT reported that US Secretary of State Condi Rice tried to fix Musharraf's subsequent dwindling legitimacy by arranging for Benazir to return to Pakistan to run for prime minister, with Musharraf agreeing to resign from the military and become a civilian president. When the supreme court seemed likely to interfere with his remaining president, he arrested the justices, dismissed them, and replaced them with more pliant jurists. This move threatened to scuttle the Rice Plan, since Benazir now faced the prospect of serving a dictator as his grand vizier, rather than being a proper prime minister.

Well, he did "resign" from the Military. He even had to buy some new suits.

But, we both know the world of the 21st century is dangerous and that danger has been exponentially increased by the incompetence of the Bush administration's foregin policy, or lack thereof.
====================================================
Bob, actually it's sorta of old technology they are throwing money at. It's the old idea of an anti-ballistic missile. Highly unlikely to do anything other than shoot down one missile. I don't see it as much protection from the nuclear powers and none at all from someone with a "dirty bomb". In short, I think missile defense is a waste of money.

Ahhh, that Georgie Bush. Making the world a safer place??? LOL !

Funny you never hear the trolls bitch about $10 Billion dollars spent on Pakistan---wasted on Taliban grown larger. Musharref spent it on other things. War Lords and Drug Kings have largest poppy crop in history. HOW COME with their little tiny greedy wallets, we don't hear about this crapola???

Assassination Poses Dilemma for US
By Matthew Lee
The Associated Press

Washington - The Bush administration scrambled Thursday with the implications of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination after investing significant diplomatic capital in promoting reconciliation between her and President Pervez Musharraf.

Bhutto's return to the country after years in exile and the ability of her party to contest free and fair elections had been a cornerstone of Bush's policy in Pakistan, where U.S. officials had watched Musharraf's growing authoritarianism with increasing unease.

Those concerns were compounded by the rising threat from al-Qaida and Taliban extremists, particularly in Pakistan's largely ungoverned tribal areas bordering Afghanistan despite the fact that Washington had pumped nearly $10 billion in aid into the country since Musharraf became an indispensible counter-terrorism ally after Sept. 11, 2001.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/122707A.shtml