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When Words Get In The Way
[Today's thread header was guest-written by our Australian correspondent Wendy Lohse.]
During the 2004 leadup to the American presidential election I tuned into our Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) every afternoon here in Oz, to watch the candidates campaign.
I was convinced that the world was about to see an enormous shift. When the voting irregularities began to appear, and continued so blatantly until everyone wanted it all to stop - the rape - I gave up. I was so angry. You, the American voters were raped! Doesn't get much more violating than that does it?
During the campaign I found John Kerry was impressive but he did enter into the same spin of words that had been put out by the Bush machine. This war on words has gone on ever since. It's destructive. It's stupid. It has to stop.
Words I'd eliminate from conversation, blogs, Iraq Study Group Reports, media, campaigns and all other places that will come to me whenever I read, or hear one of these words used to prove something:
Liberation - when it refers to people - tell the truth or don't use the word - and you can't liberate oil
Stay the Course - when it implies the kind of total courage only Americans could have (so pay attention allies - you bunch of wusses)
Cut and Run - which is the term used by bullies to describe the actions of the bullied (the terrified)
Win - Win what? The war on terror? You will be as likely to win a war on paedophilia. It ain't gonna happen.
Lose - Every single participant in a war - except for the slimy cowards who cringe in the safety of their 5-star bunkers whilst dishing out orders - every participant is a loser. When we all accept that, we'll have no need for the word. Nor will we ever have the wish to inflict this on others.
Success - what success? Success at eliminating all terrorists from the face of the earth? Success at locating one terrorist we've been searching for until we're too tired to look longer? Success at inflicting our democracy on nations that really aren't interested. Success means absolutely nothing in Iraq right now. What is success to me, is the greatest outrage to my dearest friends and neighbours. Meaningless.
Failure - what did we go there for in the first place? Oh, that's right - all those WMDs in Iraq that would impact badly on our health and happiness. Like that terrorist we can't find, referred to above. Perhaps he has all of Iraq's WMDs in his pocket. We failed, I guess.
These are words. Bandied around as they are with one clear definition for each, they're irrelevant. They are words that have been defined by our current governments and bombarded onto the populous by the media. Give the words a miss or redefine them as many times as they need to be redefined.
To your American leaders who are traveling to the Middle East this month - you have shown the world that it is a very valuable thing to reach out a hand in friendship to people whose lifestyles we reject for ourselves. We can reach out that hand in the sound knowledge that they do not envy our lifestyle.
You've shown us that it's important to know the differences amongst us, as well as our similarities. Learning. What a novel idea that would be to your President. He knows everything there is to know about terrorists - except where one of them is hiding.
Bush's words: "They want our freedom!" No, they don't. Let's enjoy and respect each other's differences and learn from them.
You are so right. Those are all irrelevant words, part of ideological propaganda. They're a big part of why I don't watch television. Anyone who spouts them is suspect. They've lost all meaning, in this context, and are misleading and dangerous. I'm seeing more signs on cars and so forth where people make the connection about how the government "lied" and people "died." Now that part is true.
Hell yeah Woz.
And we can do away with 'pre911 mindset' too.
And while we are at it 'War on Terror' is a nonstarter and should be done away with.
You can not declare war on an emotion or tactical plan.
As a poet I am sick of what they are doing to my lovely language.
For a delightful and completely off the beaten track story, check out this one from the NY Times:
Please Let It Be Whale Vomit, Not Just Sea Junk
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/18/nyregion/18whale.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
And back on topic, nice thread header, Woz. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out.
Cue The Monkees ...
Words that never were true.
Spoken to help nobody but you.
Words with lies inside,
But small enough to hide
'til your playin was through.... ah!
Hush hush
Keep it down now
Voices carry
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/18/AR2006121801477.html
White House, Joint Chiefs At Odds on Adding Troops
The Bush administration is split over the idea of a surge in troops to Iraq, with White House officials aggressively promoting the concept over the unanimous disagreement of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to U.S. officials familiar with the intense debate.
{{{More on link. My interpretation: Lose-Lose situation. Not discussed in the article who the winners would be: oil corporations, and Halliburton and other war profiteers of their ilk. For all the wasted words spewed by the administration and Lamestream Media spinmeisters spinning the troops to death and us to infinite boredom from hearing repetitive phrases, the common denominator of the code of silence is the list of who profits from Georgie's little war adventure - and we know it's not us.... The administration and their mouthpieces will talk us to death with inanities and more vague propagandistic jingoism... but the real story is in the silences regarding who profits from the illegal, unethical, immoral, unconstitutional, dishonorable and unjustified war in Iraq.}}}
Since my other comp melted I not only do not have email I have no freaking spell check.
Man this sucks.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/premature-prognostication_b_36566.html
Premature Prognostication: Presidential Polls Come Two Years Too Soon
Is there anything more ridiculous than speculative polls offering head-to-head match-ups between potential presidential candidates done two years before the next election?
~~~~~
But that didn't stop the LA Times from treating the poll results with the same reverence the Romans used to give to the reading of chicken entrails.
~~~~~
But that won't stop newspapers and cable shows from continuing to put these worthless exercises front and center. Dissecting the latest poll is so much easier than actually, y'know, digging for information or coming up with a real news story.
{{{Click link for more. I wonder if all this talk of potential candidates LONG before some have even declared their intention to run, will just make voters totallly apathetic by election day '08...? I like Huffington's comparison of polls at this stage to prognostication based on chicken entrails - and it's just about as accurate...!}}}
U.S. plans naval buildup in Gulf to counter Iran
CENTCOM plans to use 'gunboat diplomacy,' officials tell NBC News
NBC News and news services
Updated: 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Central Command is aggressively planning a naval buildup in the Persian Gulf, including the addition of a second aircraft carrier, in response to a series of aggressive actions by Iran, U.S. military officials told NBC News on Tuesday.
The officials pointed to Iran's interference in Iraq — including its support for Shiite militants and shipments of improvised explosive devices into the country — recent military naval exercises in the Gulf, and its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
The attempt at "gunboat diplomacy" is in its final planning stages. Although it has not been approved yet, it appears likely the increase in U.S. warships into the Gulf could come as early as January, the officials said.
more ons...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16281057/
http://www.harpers.org/jrm-centrist-democrats-3402838.html
‘Centrist’ Democrats Want It Both Ways
{{{Another word to be wary of: "centrist." How on earth can anyone be "centrist" about an illegal, immoral, unethical, unjustified, dishonorable, and unconstitutional war based on lies...??? The false 'centrist' concept just turns my brain to jel-lo....}}}
Prosecutors Drop ACLU Subpoena in Document Fight
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906N.shtml
Judge Rakoff campared the government's subpoena of the ACLU to the Nixon administration's effort to stop the New York Times and the Washington Post from publishing a secret history of the Vietnam War. "There seems to be a huge difference," Judge Rakoff said, "between investigating a wrongful leak of a classified document and demanding back all copies of it, and I'm old enough to remember a case called the Pentagon Papers." Mr. Romero, the ACLU's executive director, said the case would have a lasting impact. "It certainly helps the press and whistle-blowers to resist the strong-arm efforts of the government."
{{{Attempting to retrieve a document already "out there" smacks of more Orwellian revisionist history...}}}
White House Accused of Censorship
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906K.shtml
Flynt Leverett, former senior director for Middle East affairs at the National Security Council and a former CIA analyst, said the White House ordered a CIA censor board to excise parts of the 1,000-word op-ed article on US policy toward Iran that he had offered to the New York Times.
James Brooks | Talking Surge
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906L.shtml
James Brooks writes: "The sober lesson to be drawn is that, in the eyes of US policymakers, any amount of pointless suffering and death is preferable to an admission of defeat. Even the symbolic defeat involved in bringing the troops home before their mission is complete is deemed unacceptable - as a political risk, as a return on investment, and as a matter of imperial strategy, especially at this moment of perceived weakness."
Bush's words: "They want our freedom!"
Posted by Rick Albertson at December 19, 2006 08:09 AM
Why would they want OUR brand of "freedom," when we are so busy destroying what's left of it?
As a poet I am sick of what they are doing to my lovely language.
Posted by: Christy at December 19, 2006 09:16 AM
Thank you.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/12/18/newsweeks-got-a-problem-omits-own-poll-that-has-hillary-beating-mccain/
Newsweek’s got a problem: Omits own poll that has Hillary beating McCain
{{{Polls as accurate as predictions based on chicken guts....}}}
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/romi-lassally/smith-huffpost-contest_b_36356.html
Six words to live by - contest on HuffPo
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Objections_to_Bush_library_mount_at_1218.html
Objections to Bush library mount at Texas university
Pentagon: Militia more dangerous than al Qaeda in Iraq
December 19, 2006
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army has replaced al Qaeda in Iraq as "the most dangerous accelerant" of the sectarian violence plaguing Iraq for nearly a year, according to a Pentagon report.
Attacks by Iraqi insurgents and sectarian militias jumped 22 percent from mid-August to mid-November, and Iraqi civilians suffered the bulk of casualties, according to the quarterly report released on Monday.
The average number of attacks reported each week jumped during that period from nearly 800 to almost 1,000, the report said.
more...
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/19/iraq.main/index.html
We're gonna create em over there so they can attack us everywhere.
Ally:
As Wendy pointed out in the thread header... they don't.
2nd Colo. pastor quits over ‘sexual misconduct’
Minister at New Life Church resigns weeks after church leader steps down
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - 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.
Brendle said Beard told church officials about “a series of decisions displaying poor judgment, including one incident of sexual misconduct several years ago.”
woops, there it is...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16281616/
Wow. I'll never be able to think of "suffer the little children to come unto me" in quite the same way again.
CNN: Vice President Cheney will be called as witness in CIA leak case, attorney for his former chief of staff, "Scooter" Libby says, according to The Associated Press.
Goaf Uck Y'self
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16284994/
Cheney to be witness in Libby CIA leak trial
Would be first sitting vice president called to testify in court
WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney will be called as a defense witness in the CIA leak case, an attorney for Cheney's former chief of staff told a federal judge Tuesday.
"We're calling the vice president," attorney Ted Wells said in court. Wells represents defendant I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, who is charged with perjury and obstruction.
Early last week, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said he did not expect the White House to resist if Cheney or other administration officials are called to testify in Libby's trial, expected to begin in January.
{More on link. Ah... let's see... to divert attention away from a troop buildup and DimWit's "decision" regarding the advice he will not be taking from ISG (and others on his "listening" trip), the trial has to be talked about. Or else, to divert attention away from the trial, the troop buildup in Iraq and/or the ISG "decision" will need to be the accent on the infotainment snooze in Lamestream Media.... All things that make me go "Hmmmm........." Jeez, talk about 'words getting in the way...'.}}}
Posted by: monkey at December 19, 2006 12:44 PM
Another hypocrite bites the dust....
Didja notice the indiscretion was with another 'unmarried adult' and he has since married? 'Unmarried adult' - could that mean a homosexual or a heterosexual...? There are a lot of unmarried adults out there having affairs, so that wouldn't be anything to write home about, so to speak. Last time I checked, no one gives a fig if two consenting heterosexual adults have an affair, whether they're connected to a church or not. It only becomes "news" if the affair is between two adults of the same sex....
The last paragraph of that article was interesting, too: "Haggard and his wife, Gayle Haggard, are undergoing three weeks of counseling at an undisclosed center in Arizona."
Ah, well. The never-ending soap opera "As the Maggot Turns..."
Cheney has to go to court?
http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2006/12/19/545128.html&cvqh=itn_cheney
Blair had to go to court.
What I want to see is more perp walks.
Then this story:
Pentagon: Militia more dangerous than al Qaeda in Iraq
Ludicrous! This means they'll be fighting Shiites, the majority of the Iraqi people, the poor who turn to fanatical religion, yet fighting Sunni in Anbar province. We will be fighting the Civil War - on BOTH SIDES - and arming both sides.
MOnkey, NonnyO
Even if it's 2 consenting heterosexuals, it would be sin in the eyes of the fundies. Even if they're married, & they're doing it for fun not procreation, it would be sin in the eyes of the fundies. That's how Puritanism is.
Posted by: DiAnne at December 19, 2006 03:51 PM
Fundies, practicin' what they preach?
Sins when?
Monkey
I think most of them need alot of practice.
I can't even imagine how they'd generate a good fantasy, unless about something forbidden.
Posted by: DiAnne at December 19, 2006 04:05 PM
Yes, but how is it that they can generate good fantasy while serving in church?
Adam had 'em.
Elizabeth de la Vega | Who Will Speak for the Victims?
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906A.shtml
Elizabeth de la Vega writes: "Democrats routed the Republicans in an election that was a virtual clarion call for accountability and an end to this war. But now we have our new House leader Nancy Pelosi saying impeachment is 'off the table' and Senator Harry Reid considering whether to send more troops to Iraq."
Joseph L. Galloway | Desperation in the White House
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906D.shtml
Joseph L Galloway writes: "The White House hopes that their much-trumpeted reshuffling of a failed strategy and flawed tactics will buy time for their bad luck to change miraculously. That this time will be bought and paid for with the lives and futures of our soldiers and Marines - and their families - apparently means little to these wise men, who've never heard a shot fired in anger."
Eugene Robinson | A "Surge" in Wasted Sacrifice
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906C.shtml
Eugene Robinson writes: "Here's an idea: Let's send more US troops to Iraq. The generals say it's way too late to even think about resurrecting Colin Powell's 'overwhelming force' doctrine, so let's send over a modest 'surge' in troop strength that has almost no chance of making any difference - except in the casualty count. Oh, and let's not give these soldiers and Marines any sort of well-defined mission. Let's just send them out into the bloody chaos of Baghdad and the deadly badlands of Anbar province with orders not to come back until they 'get the job done.'"
France Is Withdrawing Its Special Forces From Afghanistan
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906G.shtml
French defense minister Michele Alliot-Marie has announced a redeployment of French troops in Afghanistan and a change of methods in the struggle against the Taliban.
Posted by: DiAnne at December 19, 2006 03:49 PM
I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of war.
At this point, I'm for destroying all weapons of war from all countries and forcing the "leaders" to actually talk WITH each other - not "leaders" talking AT each other via Lamestream Media pundits who 'reinterpret' idiotic nonsense....
Ah, I have such pretty daydreams of peace....
Female Troubles for Wildlife Raise Human Worries
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/121906HB.shtml
Across the US, female animals exposed to toxic chemicals are suffering from a flurry of health problems. As scientists examine the impact of environmental pollution, some are pondering what the results may mean to female humans.
US Plans Military Buildup to Warn Iran
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906T.shtml
The Pentagon is planning to bolster its presence in the Persian Gulf as a warning to Iran's continuously defiant government.
{{{So, just out of curiosity.... IF DimWit succeeds in coercing the Dems in Congress to go along with his harebrained scheme to "temporarily" increase troop numbers in Iraq in the next few months (I'm assuming he'll increase the troop strength with or without Congressional approval anyway), don't you suppose that if things die down in Iraq that the extra troops will "conveniently" be nearby so that they could invade Iran next... even though Iran currently poses no threat to the US (even if its leader is a numbskull, just as Iraq's leader was a numbskull but still did not originally pose any threat to the US)...??? Hmmmm....? Or do I need to make a new tin foil hat?}}}
Sean Penn:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-penn/on-receiving-the-2006-chr_b_36659.html
Is the dollar doomed?
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/larry_elliott/2006/12/dollar_crisis.html
Particularly enjoyed the comments
Clinton opposes troop surge in Iraq
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/12/18/ap3262947.html
I would hope so! Thankful now for all who oppose the madness, now that the public is on their side and they control the House and Senate, however precariously. Would that more had spoken out (a la Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd) before we got into this mess.
Clinton opposes troop surge in Iraq
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/12/18/ap3262947.html
Posted by: DiAnne at December 19, 2006 07:22 PM
Excerpt from the article:
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday she would not support a short-term increase in American troop presence in Iraq unless it was part of a more comprehensive plan to stabilize the country.
"I am not in favor of doing that unless it's part of a larger plan," Clinton said. "I am not in favor of sending more troops to continue what our men and women have been told to do with the government of Iraq pulling the rug out from under them when they actually go after some of the bad guys."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Er... that headline is misleading. I've read a more full quote somewhere else (just don't remember where), and the headline makes it seem like a blanket statement by her, but it's not. It's one of those "conditional" things, like Harry Reid's statement to the effect that 'if it was temporary' and et cetera, and so on.
Hillary would support a temporary troop increase on certain conditions, in other words. It's not a flat-out refusal of support like Ted Kennedy.
Bush plans to increase size of U.S. military
Acknowledges troops stretched thin; generals doubt ‘surge’ plan for Iraq
Updated: 25 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - President Bush said Tuesday he plans to increase the overall size of the U.S. military, which has been stretched by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, so it can fight a long-term battle against terrorism.
Bush said he has asked his new defense chief, Robert Gates, to report back to him with a plan to increase ground forces. The president did not say how many troops might be added, but he said he agreed with officials in the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill that the military is stretched too thin to deal with demands of fighting terrorism.
“I’m inclined to believe that we do need to increase our troops — the Army, the Marines,” Bush told The Washington Post in an Oval Office interview. “And I talked about this to Secretary Gates and he is going to spend some time talking to the folks in the building, come back with a recommendation to me about how to proceed forward on this idea.”
The White House said Bush’s decision about expanding the size of the military was separate from his search for a new approach to the war in Iraq. “This is necessary for the long term obligations in the war on terror,” presidential spokesman Tony Snow said.
more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16287392/
“This is necessary for the long term obligations in the war on terror,” presidential spokesman Tony Snow said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16287392/
Posted by: monkey at December 19, 2006 09:00 PM
"Long term obligations".... Hmmm... sounds like a Freudian Thlip with accidental truth to me, Tony Bony.... (BTW, Tony-Bony, didn't anyone inform the Cretin-in-Chief yet that there is no authentic 'war on fear'...? Bwakakakakak....)
Totally off any topic, other than the musical bent we seem to enjoy here:
www.pandora.com
You enter an artist or song, and it basically creates a radio station for you with similar artists/genre music. Commercial free, and you can rate the songs to help inform their choices. It's a great way to hear artists you might not otherwise know about.
A little something to listen to while you blog!
The signing statement returns:
Bush signing statement on US-India nuclear deal erases Congressional restrictions
Michael Roston
Published: Tuesday December 19, 2006
Hours after signing an agreement yesterday on cooperation with India on civilian nuclear technology, President George W. Bush issued a "signing statement" insisting that the executive branch was not bound by terms of the agreement approved by the House of Representatives and Senate, RAW STORY has learned.
The "Henry Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act" was signed following a year of difficult negotiations with the Congress over the terms of the agreement. The agreement between the US and India itself took years to achieve.
-snip-
To make these improvements in the bilateral relationship possible, President Bush pledged that "As part of the agreement, the United States and India have committed to take a series of steps to make nuclear cooperation a reality, and we're going to fulfill these commitments. The bill I sign today is one of the most important steps, and it's going to help clear the way for us to move forward with this process."
However, a reading of the presidential signing statement which came later in the day made unclear the strength of some of those commitments, especially those made to Congress. In all, President Bush took exception to nine full sections of the bill approved by Congress.
full story here:
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Bush_signing_statement_seeks_to_erase_1219.html
What an ego.
Abramoff Opts for Self-Defense in Latest Suits
http://www.rawstory.com/showoutarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.law.com%2Fjsp%2Farticle.jsp%3Fid%3D1166448998521
Listened to Noam Chomsky at http://www.democracynow.org
Curious what anyone else thinks who listens. Have kind of followed him for years both for linguistics and policy analysis. He made the point that elections in this country have more to do with image than policy. It's so true.
Over on the Kerry blog it says the JK will be on the Today Show tomorrow morning at 7:05 from Damascus, Syria, talking about his current trip to the middle east.
With signing statements by El Dictator, of what use is Congress?!
Posted by: Carol at December 19, 2006 09:47 PM
The Indian nuclear deal - a ploy to turn the Indian-American community into the next Little Havana and Koreatown. That's how I see it.
Posted by: DiAnne at December 19, 2006 10:08 PM
No use whatsoever. Congress Critters are just the rubber stampers who put the official seal of approval on anything el dictator says/does; it gives the sheeple the pristine delusion that the Constitution and Amendments and Geneva Conventions and US law have not been tossed on the dung heap as of Oct. 17, 2006.... And, of course, with Fux Snooze talking heads telling the sheeple all's right with the administration and their role in this world, then it must be so, yes?
Meanwhile, back in the Real World, yet another signing statement is just another reason to IMPEACH the bam dastards....
Dropping in to read up whilst grading papers--don't ask.
I cannot even get to outrage anymore; I am in a state of ongoing disgust with the so-called leaders of this country. Hedging, fudging, back-pedaling, play-it-safe, play-it-stupid, deniers of truth--that's what we see and hear every day.
It's just unbearable. Every night this Chanukah I need to light the lights against STUPIDITY.
Meanwhile, I am grateful to all of you for keeping me in the reality-based community. In this town, it is so easy to float off into la-la land...
For Karen, from Peter Paul and Mary:
Light one candle for the maccabee children
With thanks that their light didnt die
Light one candle for the pain they endured
When their right to exist was denied
Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice
Justice and freedom demand
But light one candle for the wisdom to know
When the peacemakers time is at hand
Chorus:
Dont let the light go out!
Its lasted for so many years!
Dont let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears.
Light one candle for the strength that we need
To never become our own foe
And light one candle for those who are suffering
Pain we learned so long ago
Light one candle for all we believe in
That anger not tear us apart
And light one candle to find us together
With peace as the song in our hearts
Dont let the light go out!
Its lasted for so many years!
Dont let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears.
What is the memory thats valued so highly
That we keep it alive in that flame?
Whats the commitment to those who have died
That we cry out theyve not died in vain?
We have come this far always believing
That justice would somehow prevail
This is the burden, this is the promise
This is why we will not fail!
Dont let the light go out!
Its lasted for so many years!
Dont let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears.
Dont let the light go out!
Dont let the light go out!
Dont let the light go out!
Elizabeth de la Vega | Who Will Speak for the Victims?
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121906A.shtml
Elizabeth de la Vega writes: "Democrats routed the Republicans in an election that was a virtual clarion call for accountability and an end to this war. But now we have our new House leader Nancy Pelosi saying impeachment is 'off the table' and Senator Harry Reid considering whether to send more troops to Iraq."
Posted by: NonnyO at December 19, 2006 05:29 PM
I'm old enough to have experience of voters changing allegiance only to find that the subjects of their new allegiance are identical to the old. Whoever runs for president on the Democrats side in 2008, he or she will have an almost impossible battle. This betrayal of voter trust will be very fresh in the memories so voters will restore their preference for the familiar - and contemptible.
And Republicans will not disappoint. They will bring the troops home to fanfare and declarations of victory. The hundreds of thousands of lives lost over the years will be overlooked and forgiven. Victory. Remember who gets to define the terms. Remember who gets to be brainwashed by the definitions.
The joy of the masses will translate at election booths. The democrats really need to do something startling between now and then. They need to show the world that they are a force to be reckoned with. Right now I'm not seeing anything other than the same-old-same.
AND, as another example of the importance of words having a range of contexts, I have just received my copy of The Canary in the Coalmine. I'm afraid to start it because I anticipate the levels of emotions that I have in store. Anger. Rage. Distress. Despair. Et Al. But above all, I know that I'm about to meet a woman whose courage and determination will convince me that there are good people who can make the changes we need. We just have to find them. Without having read the book, I do believe that this world needs Jesselyn Radack to be restored to her vital position in the upper echelons of the most powerful government in the world. I'll say more once I've read the book.
Woz
Excellent analysis. If the Democratic Congress and Senate are do-nothings during the rest of the Lame Duck's term, and his Admin is perceived as some sort of strong-on-defense victors, the 2008 election will be a fiasco. They need to move and fast, on minimum wage and other issues of concern to voters. As for the Admin's military plans, the "surge" is a big gamble, and if they're going to increase the size of the military over the long term there will have to be a tax increase - something the conservatives always say they won't do.
rrrrrrrrr... adding 39 billion to the deficit to subsidize oil drilling in the Gulf by throwing some money at the damage to the environment immediate area. Signed into law yesterday
Great thread header Wendy. Most certainly words do have multiple layers of meaning and how we chose to use or not use them makes a difference.
I have to admit that I'm not so sure that there won't be an impeachment. I believe as the investigations move forward, then impeachment will become on the table because the facts will warrent it and people will demand it.
Yet, the picture of a quasi-victory in Iraq with Republicans taking credit for a 'victory' scares me to death. I have hope that Webb, Feingold, Kerry, Boxer, Conyers, etc will prove to the rest of the world that the party deserves favor for their 'populist' ideas.
Bush Can't Kick Habit of Military Might
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/12/20/EDGOULJ69J1.DTL
Dear Woz,
Try not to let your fear of the emotions the book (available at patriotictruthteller.net) sparks prevent you from reading it. I have already experienced all those emotions (fear, anger, hopelessness, etc.) and there's no need for another human being waste his or her precious energy in such a way. Instead, use the emotions it generates to spread the word that this book is one of the few first-hand accounts (from the receiving end) of an Administration gone horribly awry. These lessons need to be learned (an endeavor hindered by the campaign of secrecy that surrounds their more dasterdly deeds), and not forgotten. No one should have to go through what I went through. And if someone like me (white, educated, U.S. citizen, etc.) is experiencing this, then you can only imagine the plight of those in post-9/11 America who are immigrants, don't speak English, etc.
--Jess
With media claiming Guiliani is "tough" for wanting to send in troops, and beloved Lou Dobbs (for being a champion of voting rights before the lection, but not since) using graphics of do-nothing Dems (or maybe CNN policy of pro-GOP taking over), I see 2008 positioning, setting their narrative, trumping facts, before we even begin our taking over.
Harry Reid may think he's getting something by giving a little to getting an end date to their sending troops, believing them that this is the last, but now we have Gates touting success, not failing, as the same old unwillingness to face reality. Not admitting this is an unwarranted occupation, and not a war. Certainly not on terror.
Maybe I'm being played by the media saying we Dems are doing nothing, maybe I'm anxious, and maybe I'm not being fair to those not yet in power.
We need to be unequivocal and splashy about wanting change. I hope our cool in a crisis Senator, over in the mid-east, comes back and makes another tour of the airwaves strongly saying just what we need to do.
Video up of John Kerry at the Today show.
http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=a49627f7-2d81-4570-9cf9-20b542f7052e&f=34&fg=rss
More force can't really stop terrorism - it'll just chase it around a bit, at taxpayer expense. The military is getting to be a giant welfare system designed to perpetuate killing. I'd like to know where they're going to get a steady stream of recruits for the expanded military. It may have the opposite effect of decreasing terrorism.
Posted by: not my president at December 20, 2006 10:59 AM
And, besides which, where will Herr Boosh and his evil minions find the money to pay military salaries if/when the loans to float the sinking ship of state are cut off - unless they reinstate the taxes for the very wealthy and the bandit corporations...???
Seriously. The reality factor with this installed administration (and certain Congress Critters who are so good with those rubber stamps and ability to mimic DimWit's empty rhetoric) is just so totally absent, I have to wonder what they're smokin' or drinkin' or takin' in pill form to come up with some of their delusions. If they existed in the real world, some friend or relative would be advising them to seek counseling for their faulty mentality....
US Inquiry Falters on Civilians Accused of Abusing Detainees
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/122006M.shtml
A Justice Department team responsible for investigating accusations that civilian government employees had abused detainees has decided against prosecution in most of the nearly 20 cases referred in the last two years by the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency.
W. Patrick Lang and Ray McGovern | It Can't Be Won Militarily; So, Send More Troops?
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/122006L.shtml
W. Patrick Lang and Ray McGovern write: "As Robert Gates takes the helm at the Pentagon this week, he can be in no doubt that Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush remain determined to stay the course in Iraq (without using those words) for the next two years. What Gates probably does not realize is that the US military is about to commit hara-kiri."
NonnyO
From the SF Gate article:
Even as government statistics now show marijuana is America's No. 1 cash crop, it is important to remember that militarism is the most dangerous drug threatening our sanity. Yet even formerly sober folks -- first Colin Powell and now new Secretary of Defense Robert Gates -- get a contact high from cozying up to the walking hallucinogen that is our president.
You Killed My Buzz
by The Iguanas
Having a good time with my friends
Laughing and crying till the end
You walked in and you saw me first
That’s when I started feeling worse
You killed my buzz
You killed my buzz
You killed my buzz
I didn’t know where I was
Till you killed my buzz
Flying around in your big hair-do
Lying and cheatin’ like swingers do
Well the bad time crushed me like a flea
Then my buzz started running to the sea
You killed my buzz
You killed my buzz
You killed my buzz
I didn’t know where I was
Till you killed my buzz
Murder A B C and D
You hurt me in the first degree
I didn’t know where I was
Until you killed my buzz
Just like clockwork I went off
Shocked me to my head
I jumped up and I ran away
I found you waiting there
You killed my buzz
You killed my buzz
You killed my buzz
I didn’t know where I was
Till you killed my buzz
I didn’t know where I was
Until, you killed, my buzz
Dear Mr. Bush: "Double Down" is just another way of losing twice as much.
Anybody who's ever wrestled with a gambling addiction, or who's ever cared about somebody with a gambling addiction, knows all too well the name of this particular tune.
Mr. Bush, throwing good money after bad never made you rich, no matter how hard you tried. Throwing good whiskey after bad never made you sober. Throwing good lies after bad never made you honest.
And throwing good troops after bad won't make you a winner, either. All it will do is make you even more of a pathetic, sociopathic, what-me-responsible? loser than you already are.
The real problem with that is that this time you're not gambling with your daddy's money or rolling the dice with your few remaining brain cells.
This time you're gambling with the lives of our friends and neighbors and kids and spouses -- and the friends and neighbors and kids and spouses of tens of thousands of Middle Eastern citizens who never lifted a finger against this country or, goddess forbid, against your precious hubris.
Read my lips, junior: "No. New. Deployments."
CNN poll in need of padding:
http://www.cnn.com/
Do you agree with Bush that we should increase troop levels in Iraq?
Most of the way down on the right side.
Most of the way down on the right side.
Posted by: Carol at December 20, 2006 03:20 PM
Indeed, the right side is pretty low down.
Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights make a left.
Statement of Sen. Kerry and Sen. Chris Dodd on Today’s Meeting with Syrian President Assad
Damascus -- Earlier today Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA), both senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus for over two hours. The following is their statement:
“As part of our fact finding trip to Syria, earlier today we met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The conversation was open and direct and covered all the major issues confronting the region. As senior Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee, we felt it was important to make clear that while we believe in resuming dialogue, our message is no different: Syria can and should play a more constructive role in the region.
“We conveyed our strong belief that only concrete and verifiable actions by the Syrian government would help convince Americans that Syria is willing to change course.
“Specifically, we told President Assad that in our view, key issues include:
Controlling Syria’s borders with Iraq, verifiably and concretely working to stop the flow of funds, insurgents, and weapons into Iraq.
Ending the supply of weapons and funds to Hezbollah, Hamas, and other extremist organizations, using its influence to press for the release of Israeli soldiers currently being held by Hezbollah and Hamas, and working to elicit a commitment by Hamas to accept Israel’s right to exist.
Respecting Lebanon’s territorial and political sovereignty and independence, complying with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and member of Parliament Pierre Gemayel.
“President Assad indicated that he was willing to seek common ground and explore issues of mutual interest.
“We concluded our meeting by urging President Assad to consider taking concrete and verifiable actions that will validate his expressed view that Syria supports a stable and sovereign Iraq, a two state solution to the Arab Israeli conflict, and a stable Lebanon.
“We concluded that our conversation was worthwhile, and that the Baker Hamilton Commission’s recommendation of resuming direct dialogue with Syria should be pursued. We intend to debrief the Administration in hopes that they will see the merit of this approach.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061220/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_tax_trade_bill
Bush signs massive tax and trade bill
WASHINGTON - President Bush on Wednesday revived some 20 tax breaks, extended trade benefits for developing countries and protected doctors from a big cut in Medicare payments by signing sweeping tax and trade legislation.
{Click link for more..... What... no signing statement...?}
With full attribution to the original source, at:
http://gefilte.blogspot.com/2006/10/george-bush-reads-george-bush-so.html
---------------
George Bush so enjoyed "The Pet Goat" that he has taken to reading, and writing children's books. The following is his rendition of Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham:
You do not like to tell the truth?
I do not like it Dr. Seuss
I do not like to tell the truth
I could not would not, in Iraq
I will not ever take it back
I will not with Korea's bomb
I won't admit that I was wrong
Not with Delay, Not with Foley
Nor Abramoff! You let me be!
We did not tell with Enron's stocks
We don't need to cause we have FOX
I will not tell with Diebold's tricks
I will not tell with deficits
I will not tell cause things are fine
I will not tell it anytime!
I do not like to tell the truth
I do not like it, Dr. Seuss
---------------
pay no attention to that cat behind the hat,
Otter
o_O
Driving home, just heard NPR's story on shrub's press conference today. Not prepared for the most obvious questions. No longer funny-- just sad. Maybe I'll play back the whole enchilada on the CSPAN site...
I really don't appreciate that for part of my labor today I'm paying for illegal bioterror weapons. (see article at TruthOut site - can't post it right now)
Horrifying.
Monstrous.
"Robo-calls" reach 2 out of 3 US voters: study
Reuters link: http://tinyurl.com/yny9ek
Nearly two out of three US voters received the much-despised prerecorded "robo-calls" from political candidates during the past election, according to a survey released on Wednesday.
The Pew Internet and American Life Project found that the automated messages trailed only direct mail among "get out the vote" techniques used by political candidates in the November elections...
Full video of Shrubya's 'end of year news conference' is up on http://c-span.org/ now -- just scroll a little way down the page to 'video/audio --> recent programs' ... but be prepared to be either angered, saddened, or frightened. Or [d] all of the above.
This is a guy who is operating on his very last remaining synapse, people. Be afraid, be very afraid.
and he'll have fun fun fun 'til daddy takes the launch codes away,
Otter
During his final press conference of the year, President Bush backed further away from his statement last month that the United States was "absolutely winning" the war in Iraq.
In an interview with the Washington Post on Tuesday, Bush for the first time changed course to admit that the war was not being won by the United States, but wouldn't go so far as to say that it was being lost.
"We're not winning, we're not losing," Bush told The Washington Post.
When presented with his October 24th statement ("Absolutely, we're winning"), Bush said "that was an indication of my belief we're going to win."
During today's press conference, Bush was again asked to explain why he seemingly backtracked from his earlier assessments of the situation in Iraq.
The president said his earlier comments were based more on his "belief."
"I believe that we're going to win, I believe that," Bush said. "My comments yesterday reflected the fact that we're not succeeding nearly as fast as I had wanted."
more on...
http://tinyurl.com/vt2w6
'Nuff said, monkey:
---------------
I'm not Lisa, my name is Julie
Lisa left you years ago
My eyes are not blue
But mine won't leave you
'Til the sunlight has touched your face
She was your morning light
Her smile told of no night
Your love for her grew
With each rising sun
And then one winter day
His hand led hers away
She left you here drowning in your tears, here
Where you've stayed for years
Crying Lisa, Lisa
I'm not Lisa, my name is Julie
Lisa left you years ago
My eyes are not blue
But mine won't leave you
'Til the sunlight shines through your face
I'm not Lisa
---------------
thanks for the use of the song jessi,
Otter
Bush "Developing Illegal Bioterror Weapons"
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/122006R.shtml
In violation of the US Code and international law, the Bush administration is spending more money (in inflation-adjusted dollars) to develop illegal, offensive germ warfare than the $2 billion spent in World War II on the Manhattan Project to make the atomic bomb. So says Francis Boyle, the professor of international law who drafted the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 enacted by Congress. He states the Pentagon "is now gearing up to fight and 'win' biological warfare" pursuant to two Bush national strategy directives adopted "without public knowledge and review" in 2002.
{{{Okay. I'll ask. WHY do we need weapons for biological warfare...? WHO would Resident NutJob use them on...? Developing new killing methods (biological, guns, bombs, whatever) is not the way to 'peace on earth' - it's the road to perpetual war. This makes no sense whatsoever, and it's a total waste of money (not to mention, of course, that we're already drowning in debt). Puh-leeze, can we IMPEACH the bam dastards SOON...?!?}}}
I do not have spell check but I will paste it anyway.
Are You There World? It's Me, Christy.
No, we have not really met. My name is Christy and I live in the deep south of the United States of America. I live in the very belly of a nation that has come to haunt all of you upon this earth.
It suddenly occurred to me recently that when those in other nations 'hear' something from this country, they are actually in fact listening to the politicians and not We The People. You hear tales from our soldiers, our tourists, our CIA, our talking head pundants. What you are hearing is seperate and different from what is even now playing out in our streets and homes.
What you 'hear' has not been the true voice of this nation. It has not been for a long time now.
As with most countries, the elite powerbrokers here are not of, for, or by the People. Yet what you see from outside here is almost exclusively their plots and deeds. For far too long now, these men have made a mockery of a nation that truly was once a great place to live.
We are now diluged with cheap propaganda, and are basically cut off from news from outside of here. A deliberate campaign of constant propaganda has confused and numbed this populace so quickly and completely it is hard to believe it, even though I have been watching it all unfold in front of me with my very own eyes. The confusion almost immediately gave way to our deepest fears. Our most basic functions of governing are grinding to a halt, as the unmitigated looting of our treasury ensured they would.
We have now been reduced to fear mongering and terrified policy that makes no sense and has alienated almost all of you. We have become a hostile presence in the world you share with us, and from the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry for what has been done in my name.
I am ashamed and humiliated that my own children will inheirit such lies. I would like to say I am so sorry for all the harm that was justified using my children. My very freedom was used as the excuse and it was wrong. In so many sick and twisted ways it was wrong.
If it is any comfort, no, I did not vote for George W. Bush and neither did most of my country. He had to steal both elections because he never, ever could have survived a true vote of my countrymen. He stole it because he HAD TOO.
And he had much help. Traitors from inside my own country have actively and openly justified and excused this mans lawbreaking. They have helped him undermine our very Constitution at every point and have viciously supported his insane and murderous policies at every popportunity.
We call them the Busheviks, and they have systematically repressed all who tell on them or stand up to them. They are our neighbors, teachers, preachers, fathers and even our own brothers and sisters.
The Busheviks would say I am a coward for writing out an apology for anything. They would say I am weak and call me the traitor.
But the truth is that if you can measure the character of a person by the enemies they make, I would rather beg apologies from you, who are strangers to me. I am proud to stand against George W. Bush, the man who calls himself my 'president'. He does not speak for me or anyone I have ever known.
He does not speak for the United States of America.
Many could argue my motive, but there is no reason too, because I will explain it as clearly as I can. One day soon my voice, and the voices of all true patriots may again be completely kept from your ears. Once again all you will hear is the slavemakers, money masters, and war mongers who have taken over here and are using their own voices to supplant those of a mighty empire.
But before they can ensure that silence, I will use this great freedom I was born with one last time to tell you I am so sorry for what has happened here. And ask for your prayers.
To the mothers of Iraq and Afghanistan, I am begging you to forgive my nation. I can not live with the shame of what I have let happen to you. To our old and steadfast friends who we have hurt, and gotten into our troubles, I am still your friend and I ask for your pardon.
I am begging you to forgive us this one last and final time, but if you can not, it is our fault, not yours. We have done things that can not be rectified or rebuilt.
I am asking you to do this one final time because never again shall We meet. The terrifying sound of our bombs falling in lands distant to this place is only rivaled by the great ripping sound that is working its' way outward from the souls of every day US citizens. A dangerous and deadly ripping that has left none here uneffected.
Whatever it is that is happening now will wash away all that We are as surely as Katrina buckled New Orleans. A great and drastic change is surging through our population and it is changing everything.
A silent scream is winding through our streets and every day Americans are outraged, and horrified and yes, afraid. All that We have ever known and loved is ripping into pieces right at our feet. It is what George W. Bush and his Busheviks have intended all along. They ensured it with every act of treason and repression.
As a citizen who still believes in our laws, I wish I could tell you that George W. Bush will soon be arrested and delivered to the Hague for trial on war crimes. I wish I could tell you that.
What I can tell you though is this, nothing you see or hear now, or in the near future will matter. As certainly as we are being kept from you, you are being fed false images of what is actually happening here.
If you can find it in your hearts to forgive us, I am honored and grateful. But even if you can not I am begging you to offer a prayer for peace.
One way or another, with or without your forgiveness, this will be set right by those of us you may never knew existed. We will set it right because we can no longer bear your sorrow. We will do it because we can not tolerate the loss of you to us. We are horrified by your pain.
George W. Bush will be held accountable or this nation will literally die trying to bring him to justice. Those who have died already will not be forgotten. They haunt all of the halls of power on this earth. It is those spirits that are screaming that silent scream that has wakened us from a long sleep. We have awakened to a strange and disturbing nightmare where our very shame is creating conflicting images.
Those of my countrymen you never hear from, the majority of us, will do the right thing and stand for the laws that once made us mighty and just. The propaganda is no longer working on us anymore. By far and large we desire peace. Whenever you 'hear' different, you are hearing long worn lies.
If ever we do meet, it will be at The Hague. And you will be greeting a whole new America. The one you knew before greed and arrogance turned into such folly.
If we do not make it to the Hague, then that means our empire has truly fallen.
And we will need every prayer for peace we can get.
Vio Con Dios Amigos.
Until we meet again.
Love, Christy.
Nice article on John Lennon and FBI
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2091874.ece
he "harbored left wing sympathies" ..
Nice Christy
I suggest if you have time, go to http://www.democracynow.org and listen to Noam Chomsky. He talks about the shocking disconnect between policy and public image and how our elections are not even really elections but more like beauty contests. He contrasts with what's happening lately in certain places in South America. Well worth a listen.
he "harbored left wing sympathies"
Posted by: Otter at December 20, 2006 07:02 PM
Posted by: monkey at December 20, 2006 07:04 PM
NPR has a nice photo to go with these posts:
http://www.npr.org/
Cheney & others still are advocating military action vs Iran according to Kenneth Pollack & Flynt Leverett, 2 former CIA agents on Diane Rehm show today. Also Leverett states that BushCo interfered with CIA review of his article, blocking publication of parts that are already in the public domain-- BushCo is claiming national security grounds & saying the material is classified.
this page has audio replay links: http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/
11:00 Iran Policy
The policy debate and politics of the US engaging Iran
--Jess
Posted by: Jesselyn Radack at December 20, 2006 09:41 AM
Thanks Jess. Wow! I didn't expect a personal response from the victim-author. No, I'm not afraid of the emotions - I go through those every day when I watch world news and PBS Newshour and then watch the local and national grovelling to our snivelling PM and his cronies.
We are very lucky to have you recognise that those emotions are only valuable when you take them on and use them to make things right. Your messages will be passed on - I've been working on this since the first day I was directed to your website. I guess you're not getting a lot of response from Oz. Yours is such an important story that I will persevere in my attempts to get it read by MANY.
*Little brainwave - I'm off to schools and Universities next. Politicians are useless. I couldn't think of better material to be studied by our students in law - all the faculties actually.
The Canary in the Coal Mine - there in the Epilogue is my favourite line from my favourite Robert Frost poem .......
"I took the road less travelled by
And that has made all the difference."
If not, I'd never have heard your story, Jesselyn.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
G'day Woz.
If anyone sees my Aussi girlfriend Rossi can you please tell her my comp melted and I have no messenger email or even spellcheck.
I'm on my kids starter comp and now I remember why I gave it to the kids.
"I took the road less travelled by
And that has made all the difference."
I had that under the glass on my dresser top when I was 17.
Why the United States Need to Stay Out of Iran - and Not Make Itself the Issue
December 21, 2006
Iran President Facing Revival of Students’ Ire
By NAZILA FATHI
TEHRAN, Dec. 20 — As protests broke out last week at a prestigious university here, cutting short a speech by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Babak Zamanian could only watch from afar. He was on crutches, having been clubbed by supporters of the president and had his foot run over by a motorcycle during a less publicized student demonstration a few days earlier.
But the significance of the confrontation was easy to grasp, even from a distance, said Mr. Zamanian, a leader of a student political group.
The student movement, which planned the 1979 seizure of the American Embassy from the same university, Amir Kabir, is reawakening from its recent slumber and may even be spearheading a widespread resistance against Mr. Ahmadinejad. This time the catalysts were academic and personal freedom.
“It is not that simple to break up a president’s speech,” said Alireza Siassirad, a former student political organizer, explaining that an event of that magnitude takes meticulous planning. “I think what happened at Amir Kabir is a very important and a dangerous sign. Students are definitely becoming active again.”
The protest, punctuated by shouts of “Death to the dictator,” was the first widely publicized outcry against Mr. Ahmadinejad, one that was reflected Friday in local elections, where voters turned out in droves to vote for his opponents.
The students’ complaints largely mirrored public frustrations over the president’s crackdown on civil liberties, his blundering economic policies and his harsh oratory against the West, which they fear will isolate the country.
But the students had an additional and potent source of outrage: the president’s campaign to purge the universities of all vestiges of the reform movement of his predecessor, Mohammad Khatami.
- more -
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/21/world/middleeast/21iran.html
The students’ complaints largely mirrored public frustrations over the president’s crackdown on civil liberties, his blundering economic policies and his harsh oratory against the West, which they fear will isolate the country.
Posted by: Matthew Carnicelli at December 21, 2006 08:28 AM
Man, subsitute West with Middle East, and you have a mirror image of the Shrubmeister General.
Dead Precedents
Excerpted From Melinda Henneberger's Blog:
I like dreamers, so I was really trying to follow what Bill Kristol had to say on the Daily Show last night...
..., Kristol is a big fan of the "surge'' of new troops the president is considering sending to Iraq -- just so we can take one last best shot at not losing. But the whole pro-surge argument reminds me of that country song by Vince Gill, "Give Me Just One More Last Chance,'' about this drunk who's begging his girl for his umpteenth undeserved reprieve. Because just like in the song, you know all one more last chance in Iraq would get us: One more plea for one more last chance.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com has the rest
I wonder if the soldiers at this breakfast were selected as randomly as the crowds attending shrub's speeches...
~~~~~~~~~~
US soldiers in Iraq urge Gates to send more troops
Reuters link: http://tinyurl.com/ylhltb
U.S. soldiers in Iraq urged their new boss on Thursday to send reinforcements, after their generals told Defense Secretary Robert Gates they were concerned a surge might delay the time when Iraqis take control.
Stung by defeat at mid-term elections last month, President Bush is expected to announce a new strategy in January for the unpopular war, which has so far killed nearly 3,000 U.S. soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis.
Bush said on Wednesday one option under review was a short- term increase in U.S. troop levels but that he had not yet made up his mind...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hmmmm--
Bush had not yet made up his mind... Where have we heard that line before?
Record number of bodies turns up in Baghdad
The toll, 76, is the highest yet for a 24-hour period. Two U.S. soldiers are killed in roadside bombings.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq21dec21,0,5876665.story?track=tothtml
from link @ December 21, 2006 10:20 AM:
All of the victims were men between the ages of 20 and 50. Although they died violently, all shot with automatic weapons, the men were not slain execution-style — no handcuffs or blindfolds, morgue staff members said. Only a few showed signs of torture.
~snip~
There were victims of drive-by shootings, assassinations and bombings, police said. The corpses included that of a Yarmouk Hospital morgue worker who usually receives the dead. In all, an additional 26 Iraqis were killed around the country, most of them in Baghdad.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com has the rest
Posted by: DiAnne at December 21, 2006 09:13 AM
One more surge so "someone" out there can say they gave it "all they had"?
I saw last night they have upped the enlistment age to late forties, and are offering upwards to $40,000.00 bonuses for enlistees. Do they take illegal immigrants? They might go for the deal, because $40,000.00 to them might sound like a really big deal. Talk about hiring mercenaries!
Nothing against the ii's, just that they might go for it.
Called my kids after I heard that and told them once again to not do it and to head yonder if they call a draft. They both said, "Don't worry, Mom, we know the drill."
I think if Bush believes we should stay there more bloody years for his legacy that they should up the draft to 90. Then Poppy, Babs, Junior and his Mrs. and the Twins can lead the nation in being fine examples of enlistees and serve in a real war. None of this flying around in a big jet with umpteen bodyguards, eating the best, living in posh surroundings, and partying in Rio.
How about a little rations? Fallujah, everyone!
The marines like to do push-ups and crawl under barbed wire and camp in a pit. Don't worry about sand fleas, they won't kill ya. You'll get to change your underwear every few days. Once a week for sure.
And Babs, don't worry about bothering your beautiful mind thinking about all the people being killed. You can dull that ugliness and bring beauty back to your mind with drugs and alcohol once you are back in the States, if you survive Iraq.
(Don't worry about the holidays. We'll let you say hi to your loved ones at home and play the tape on tv. No crying on t.v. any of you, because this is a noble cause, if you don't believe it, just ask Junior.)
P.S. Don't forget to draft the Cheneys, Rumsfelds, and Roves.
HOOO AHHH.
I really think the only way we are ever going to get out of Iraq is for the people to get their butts out on the street en masse. Here.
TSV,
Call me an optimist (dreaded creature! lol) but I think the people did get off their butts and onto the street on November 7, 2006. I also think they're hanging on by their fingers with (deserved or not) hope for the actions of the new Congress in January, 2007. I give that new Congress about a one month honeymoon (even though many have written it off already, which is just a bit premature I think, has they don't have control of anything until then).
One month to present a POA that involves a comprehensive exit for our troops from Iraq, an end date for stop loss, and a decision about Afghanistan. A couple of domestic issues as well, as BB calls them, the "low-hanging" fruits issues like increase in minimum wage.
We need a plan. It isn't going to be perfect because what's happening in Iraq has no perfect solution.
Go ahead and shoot the optimist. @;-) (Although TSV, my life's dream is to run into Babs and throw that "beautiful mind" quote in her face. Seriously. Instant blood pressure reading of 300/150).
Good holidays to everyone here!
Wendy,
Almost forgot, great blog! :-)
You live in Australia and I don't know if you get "The Colbert Report" there. If not, check out the videos of Colbert's "The Word." Right on target with your blog, I think.
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/videos/the_word/index.jhtml
I swear that son of a b*tch better be arrested soon or I am going to need a very big prescription for valium.
The only viable alternative involves a pitchfork.
KJ,
Oooo, I hope I didn't sound too pessimistic.
Don't get me wrong. I am VERY EXCITED that the Dems won back Congress. I just think politics gets in the way, and everyone wants to cover their derriers, so a last ditch effort will be made and blah blah blah, because, after all, another big election is coming in less than two years.
Certain Dems in my very own humble personal subjective opinion would very much like to up the troop level, go in and kick some serious butt, and then get out. I've received letters from others of them (my own Dem Senator) who said he just "doesn't want to leave Iraq in such a mess, and feels we owe the Iraqi people more than that." That letter was a year ago, though, so maybe he's changed his mind.
I know they haven't even taken control yet. I just want us out of there before any more lives are lost.
Great legacy, Junior. We should have never have gone in.
I too, like DiAnne, was sent a Zogby poll, and one of the questions was whether I thought Iraq would ever be a Democracy, or if in ten years I thought a dictator like Saddam would be back in power. Wasn't a hard answer.
I want them out, and I want them out now. I know I am concerned that politicians will string this thing out to cover their nethersides, and I hate all this killing.