Conflicting interests

Scientist: White House Restricting Info On Climate

There's a significant departure of thought when someone mentions the word: "environment.."

Why??

Because it's become a political tug-of-war and most Americans have become numb to that fact.. There was a barrage of statements for global warning, against global warning and nothing really made much sense.. In fact, it's gotten so incredibly political - both sides of our political parties have continually tried to spin the reports to whatever policy they are trying to administer..

And that's where I have a problem..

...moreover, I'll definitely concede that it's not just a Bush problem - because Clinton apparently tried to get the leading expert in global warming to sign off on reports that made the issue of global warming "worse than it was.." Jack Hansen is that authority who refused to sign off on Clinton's version of the report.. Conversely, Rick Piltz co-wrote a report telling of the dangers of global warming and found his draft to be severely watered down and less threatening..

Officially, this administration is "looking into it.."

Officially, this administration pulled out of the Kyoto agreement which would have significantly slashed the emissions of gases into the atmosphere that is a contributor to global warming.. I say contributor because honestly - I do not know what is valid and invalid when it comes to figuring out if the whole "global warming" thing is a bunch of hooey or not.. I do know this though: it's serious enough for me to go: "maybe we should be taking a serious, candid look at this problem..."

But that's not happening..

In fact, it's 180 degrees differently because the man James Hansen reports to is Phil Cooney, the Chief of Staff of the Counsel on Environmental Quality.. Cooney, ironically: "He's a lawyer. He was a lobbyist for the American Petroleum Institute, before going into the White House,"

Read that again: he's a lobbyist at the head of the Counsel of Environmental Quality..

That's like putting a wolf in charge of security at a hen house....

Which raises the issue of politics getting involved in certain issues to begin with.. I don't approve of the cavalier attitude that this administration bestows in most of their decisions: intelligent design, unilaterally invoking privileges and other policies that are unconstitutional, re-writing laws and imposing their own moral beliefs on Americans when we should have the freedom of expression, the freedom of choice and the freedom of saying what we want to believe in...

Because this administration wants the media to show the "flowery" news - there is an under-reported story of a large ice shelf in Antarctica that is about to collapse sending world-wide water levels to exceed a depth of 1 meter.. That doesn't sound like a lot, but what Jack Hansen and his colleagues are reporting is that we're approaching critical periods in the process that will make it virtually impossible to fix later on.. It's not as though we're going to be able to "re-freeze the caps" and bring things back the way they were.. No.. We're incapable of doing that.. But we can slow that process and let nature make adjustments as she sees necessary..

I realize the counter-argument: that this would happen as it is.. Basically saying: nature is going to do it - regardless if we're driving our SUV's and sending greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.. Even if that's a valid position, the argument refuses to acknowledge that man has made a considerable contribution to the depletion of our atmosphere.. The political stance in this argument is to assure people that "we're not damaging the environment which is why we don't need standards to control emissions and cleaning the air and water around us.." There's a great deal of corporations that back this initiative because it they had to install controls that limit the emissions they can release -- then that cuts into their profit margin..

Profit versus habitation..

And this is why politics should have no place in "big picture" decisions like global warming.. It's a world concern, a world problem and it's going to take a world solution.. We rely on our scientists to give complete and verifiable conclusions on the world around us.. Whether it's medicine, food, water or the environment.. We need to make scientists to be able to exist without the boundaries of political ramifications or juxtaposed by the environmental or oil-industry lobbyists..

Hansen seems like he knows what he's talking about.. He's not swayed by public opinion or the politics that try to steer his report in one way or the other.. That seems to me - to be the most reliable source of information because he carries no bias.. When he can give his professional opinion, realizing it will be met with scorn and no support - I admire that.. Because he's trying to tell the truth - and we're all not listening because .... you guessed it, politics also has a way to control what we hear, what we read, and what we see.. Corporations now run our news programs, our radio stations and our print media.. And they have a vested interest too ... and if they start reporting things that do not follow along certain lines, then they no longer have jobs, they no longer can report, because they have been fired from their positions..

The good..

The bad..

The ugly..

We shouldn't be afraid to tell the truth - which means we should have the required safeguards to insure that people can report truthful, relevant, exact information to the populace.. Everything can't be seen through rose-colored glasses, nor should we always focus on the "happy news" like Bush wants us to see..

Sometimes we have to see the darkness so that we can make better choices to see the light..

Looking beyond life...

I just can't do it..

President Bush recently asked Americans to "look beyond the bloodshed" for the greater good of the people of Iraq..

I'm sorry - I can't look beyond the 2,319 sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers that have died as a result of an error..

Look beyond the bloodshed??

I can't look beyond the 100k Iraqi men, women and children that have lost their lives in this conflict so far..

Look beyond the bloodshed??

How can I do that?? How am I supposed to do that?? Am I supposed to believe that the Iraqi people are better off now - than what they were going through under Saddam's rule?? What if they aren't better off?? What if they don't have electricity, running water, jobs, schools, and security in knowing that they will not be blown up tomorrow or the next day??

How is it that I'm supposed to look beyond the bloodshed towards the future, Mr. President?? What am I looking beyond towards?? A civil war?? Further American hostilities?? Another 9/11-type attack?? More privacy laws stripped so the government can know what I'm doing watching COPS on TV or by monitoring the movies that appear in my Netflix queue??

How is it that I'm supposed to be looking towards a future that has been completely been diverted by someone who honestly, truly believes that he can tell me how to think, what to believe, and what to say?? This is a better alternative to looking at the bloodshed that continues and will continue thanks in part to President Bush's comment that "some other President will be responsible for getting the troops out of Iraq..."

His actual quote: "That, of course, is objective, and will be decided by future presidents and future governments of Iraq."

He's going to let other generations deal with the mess he started.. He's basically bowing out of it which confirms what a lot of other people have said that President Bush has had no exit strategy from Iraq.. He's washing his hands of it, and saying "someone else can deal with it.." And if we have a President who has thrown in the towel for the last 3 years of his presidency and absolves his responsibilities so "the next guy can take care of it??" What kind of president sends our troops in harms way without an exit strategy?? What kind of president leaves the responsibility of having an exit strategy for the next President who is elected into office?? What kind of president doesn't take the world as a whole and doesn't try to fix the error that he did??

Even after confessing that he had made a mistake by going into Iraq, he remains adamant that we need to remain in Iraq.. On this issue, I do agree in part - but we should not be there alone.. Our troops deserve the best support possible to remedy this conflict as quickly as possible.. We're losing life over there - and I cannot be one of those sheep that wantonly follows this President off the cliff..

I'm sorry Mr. President, I will not look beyond the bloodshed..

I will not look beyond your error that has attributed to the death of 2,319 American lives and tens of thousands of Iraqi people..

I will not look beyond the civil war that was initiated as a direct result of "Operation Iraqi Freedom"

I will not look beyond the intelligence debacle and the endless pursuit to instill your values upon the American people in the name of fear, in the name of values, and in the name of righteousness..

I will not look beyond the isolationism that you continue to employ by not having a multi-national involvement in the building and security of Iraq..

Your policy is flawed..

Your intent may have been admirable at one point in our history, but you lack the resolve to consider any and all options on the table..

Start by getting the support and guidance of the UN..

Start by getting more nations involved in the rebuilding process..

Start by finding Bin Laden like you promised and make him responsible for what happened to the 2,986 lives that were lost on 9/11..

Start by removing the supposed Constitution that was drafted by OUR think tanks and let the Iraqi people draft one to THEIR liking..

Start by not making this an American effort, but a global effort..

Start by convening world leaders to a Terrorism Conference so *really* address the issues of terrorism instead of making it a "you follow us, we'll lead the way" kind of approach..

Start by holding your word that any country that was found to have any dealings with 9/11 that they will be held accountable. If it's just rhetoric then come out and say it's so - disavow the comment and keep to telling the truth..

Start by putting the safeguards and security at our borders, our chemical and nuclear plants, critical areas of our infrastructure..

Start by dismantling Homeland Security and then completely redesign it to accomplish actual security instead of being a vehicle to spy on Americans and an incompetent responder when there is a crisis..

Start by taking responsibility and firing those people who have contributed to the debacle of the Ports deal, the Plame leak, the India nuclear policy just to name a few...

Start by leaving God to being a personal, spiritual journey instead of a politically motivated platform.. All of us can be moral without needing to make it a law that we adhere to the standards of one religion over another.. Let's not become religiously intolerant..

Finally - let's fix what has been broken.. There's so many things that this administration has done - and a lot of people don't understand what has been at play the last couple of years.. The Republicans have lauded themselves as "fixing" what happened from the previous administration.. With what I've seen thus far, I'm completely unimpressed with their performance so far.. They move the scales and adjust the figures so that it covers the downward sloping numbers on the economy, on unemployment, on Medicare and on the budget..

I'm not sold on supporting a Republican, but I am completely sold on getting this current Republican out of office and trying to right the wrongs..

No one will forget 9/11 or the 2,983 lives that were lost that day..

No one will forget the 2,319 American lives or the thousands that are lost currently in Iraq..

No one will forget the reasons we were told we went to war and no one will forget the coverups and silenced media that have been threatened to straighten up their reporting, or be incarcerated..

This is the President we're supporting and I still believe there are better options.. We need a strong country that can tell the difference between errant intelligence and solid intelligence.. We need a strong country that has very strong diplomatic ties and a country running less on the "cowboy attitude.."

Let's fix it..

Let's fix it now..

The hidden truth of "political capital..."

I first heard President Bush laud his "political capital" after an apparent interview he did on CNN:

"And it's one of the wonderful -- it's like earning capital. You asked, do I feel free. Let me put it to you this way: I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style. That's what happened in the -- after the 2000 election, I earned some capital. I've earned capital in this election -- and I'm going to spend it for what I told the people I'd spend it on, which is -- you've heard the agenda: Social Security and tax reform, moving this economy forward, education, fighting and winning the war on terror."

I intend to spend it..

Wikipedia defines it as: "Political capital is the quality of public figure's favorable image among the populace. Also, his current standing among other important personalities (who are usually in government) is important. It is thought of as a commodity which must be spent wisely in pushing for an issue which may not be as popular unless advocated by someone popular."

Bush had every opportunity to unite this country and make solid decisions about its future.. Instead, he remained "tried and true" to his own course - believing that he had every republican in his hip pocket -- until the Dubai fiasco -- until the India nuclear pact -- until the squandering funds for Katrina...

I intend to spend it..

Now people are waking up.. Even politicians who once believed to be sleeping in the bed of the oval - are now waking up.. People are, for the first time, seeing exactly what this President has done to our country, to shaking the stability of the world and putting our nation further at risk..

I intend to spend it..

When you map out several, if not most of the decisions laid forth by this administration, and you see those that benefited the most: the close friends, the businesses that have close ties to this administration, everything.. He spent political capital like you would give a child $1000, walk them into a toy store and tell them to "use your money wisely...."

The advice to spend political capital wisely has been forgotten by this administration and as a result - everyone believes that not only is he a lame duck President, but he's taking the country in a precarious direction.. FINALLY people are taking notice and it's showing in his poll numbers, in his ties and relations to senators and representatives.. People are FINALLY waking up for the slumber that has kept most of us up constantly for the last 6 years..

"We're in trouble, Captain.. The iceberg is *still* directly ahead of us.."

Any political capital that this President has ever had - has run completely empty due to his inept decision making and a spin machine that has run out of cycles.. His staff is very very exhausted - and if you had to do this much spinning and contorting - I would be very tired myself...

Worried about the message??

Bush is coming out saying that he's worried about the message the port deal sends to the rest of the world??

He has his Treasury Secretary saying that we don't want the US to be isolationists??

And his nephew is speaking out that opposition to the port deal is "ignorant and offensive??"

Wow..

This is blissfully ignorant - agreed young Bushie!! Your uncle, the man you claim has such heralded values - *IS* ignorant my little feeble-minded friend.. If we're so worried about the precedent this sets, if we're trying to avoid being isolationists and if we need to be less ignorant and offensive - then your uncle needs to leave the White House.. Because he has burned every European bridge that we have had since the last World War - and further more, by keeping every contract at home "where it belongs" -- guess what, Mr. Snow -- it's the policies of this administration that has ALREADY made us isolationists...

And what about Bush's continued pledge to protect our country from "the war on terror??" Let's not forget that it was *this* President, this *man* who set forth the irretractable statement on the heels of 9/11:

In his November 11th radio address: "Any government that tries to pick and choose its terrorist friends will be regarded by us as a supporter of terrorism."

He targeted Saddam Hussein..

"Bush admits Saddam did not play a role in 9/11.."

and we're worried about the message??

He recently made an unprecedented, highly irresponsible act by securing a nuclear arms agreement with India.. Why is this of any consequence?? Because India has been held in check without the nuclear option for the last 40 years when they attempted to secretly manufacture nuclear weapons and was punished as a result.. Yes, India has had the bomb for quite sometime now -- but now it's legitimized, accepted by Bush as "welcome to the party - please, have a martini.." A nuclear bomb in that region sends a very CLEAR message to the surrounding nations: that the United States believes that the nuclear non-proliferation agreement is subject to whoever wants to play.. Without any enforcement, eh - who gives a crap.. The UN is trying to piece together some sort of stance on Iran - and Bush's unilateral, irresponsible decision has basically gutted any enforcement option.. He pushed the hand instead of being patient..

Bush never consulted with the world-wide nuclear committees that oversee nations that seek to develop nuclear technology..

Bush never consulted with members of Congress about what the ramifications are for allowing India to do this..

Bush never got anything in return from India.. He never asked for anything.. No assurances.. No agreements.. No moderation, nothing.. He unilaterally recognized India as a valid nuclear partner in the world.. Considering that India has drastically benefited from the outsourcing of American jobs within the last 6 years -- maybe this was the final stake to "insure" that America has an ally in the region.. Because he's done nothing but totally screw up the middle east - and once Iran starts moving forward with their plans -- then the precedent Bush makes with India paves the way for Iran to continue to build their bomb..

For those keeping score - the world just got a LOT more dangerous..

What about that message, George?? Why is Bush peeling back all of the peace accords that Ronald Reagan worked so hard to keep?? Reagan held the peace - Bush is selling it at the highest bidder..

Bush has no foundation to question how the Dubai port fiasco sends whatever message around the world.. His actions since 9/11 is of a maverick cowboy who has no understanding of truth or basis of fact.. He's arrogant.. He's a detriment to the safety and security of the United States because UAE had a strong, a very strong connection to the hijackers of 9/11.. We reward this country by giving them access to our vital ports?? What happened to the line in the sand?? What happened to punishing those nations who had a hand in 9/11?? What happened to all of that -- rhetoric??

Snow has no foundation to presume that the port deal will make us isolationists.. Bush successfully made us completely isolated when he invaded Iraq by shunning all of the major players that *do* have significant parts to play in the role of terrorism.. We shunned France.. We snubbed Germany.. We gave the finger to the Russians and even disavowed ourselves from NATO, the UN and any other organization that was preaching: patience.... Message to Snow: "Don't talk about isolationism when your boss already has isolated us...."

To the little Bushie: take a page from your other relatives and stay out of politics.. Want to talk about "ignorant and offensive.." Think Abu Ghrab, think of ignoring the warnings of the planes hitting the targets, think of not finding WMD, think of giving your uncle some of your classtime so that he can learn how international cooperation *actually* works, think of the best way it is to protect our country and punish those who had significant dealings with the attack of our country on September 11th.. But my biggest advice to nephew Bush: aspire to be better than your Uncle because if you're looking to him to be your role-model, then I'm looking forward to nuclear winter when you're running the country..

It must be so incredibly comfortable living in ignorance and contrived facts...

Do they still wonder why nobody trusts them??

PORT SECURITY DEBACLE:

Secret agreements over port security..

The President clueless about the agreement until it was announced..

Condoleeza Rice: "The UAE is a good partner in the war on terrorism. It has been a stalwart partner and we believe that this is a port deal that serves the interests of the United States,"

The connection between 9/11 and UAE..


IRAQI FREEDOM:

Bush's 2006 State of the Union: "we are writing a new chapter in the story of self-government, with women lining up to vote in Afghanistan, and millions of Iraqis marking their liberty with purple ink"

Reality: Iraq on the brink of civil war..

Shiite Shrine bombed

For those that don't know, the Shiites have been a divisive wedge in the stability of the Iraqi restoration process.. But it's an issue that no one really seems to grasp: the population of Iraq is deeply divided.. Trying to install a template based on an American political foundation is going to fall flat on the face of the Iraqi people and ultimately on the United States..


VICE-PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY'S QUAIL-SHOOT:

Cheney's version of events are consistent.. Well of course they would be consistent considering he had almost 22 hours before having to TALK to anyone about it....

But what gets me is the person who was shot, Harry Whittington *apologized* to Vice President Cheney for any stress this may have caused him or his family...

...excuse me - what was that??

The victim of a gun shot wound apologized to the person who shot him if the event left him traumatized.....

I had sympathy for Whittington until I heard this - because it really goes to show that this administration has a certain degree of principles that turn water into wine.. Is there another Supreme Court opening happening in the future that we don't know about??

Oh wait - that would implicate this administration in another form of cronyism....


BOTTOM LINE:

Even the Republicans have serious doubts over this administration's policies and decisions.. And when the people in your boat start questioning the captain, then it's time for someone to grab the wheel and avoid hitting the iceberg....

What else is there to say??

All I can say is...

... I think we're safer that Cheney *isn't* in the military ...

Careful what you wish for....

In Bush's universe, anyone could see this one coming: Iran is being defiant, flaunting the fact they have nuclear options and the rest of the world is now very very afraid.....

Where's all of this intel now, George?? It's practically advertised the same way North Korea strutted itself....

Protecting America?? How about not running to war on knowingly faulty intelligence??
Or better yet - how about going to war with those that have a little credence in their capability like Iran or North Korea.. It stands to logic that Iran and Iraq both would've supported Al Qaeda without any problems..

But this administration remained in denial about Saddam's diminished capability despite reports that say he was briefed.. As it would seem, the sanctions worked and there was no WMD centres anywhere in Iraq..

It's a disheartening legacy to leave -- because every soul that risks their life in this mission deserves to fight an enemy that is *actually* a threat to America and the world..

Let's not forget that the war on terror is not in Iraq.....

...or did someone on Pennsylvania Ave. forget that little nugget of info??

Dangerous Roads

Just some of several dangerous roads in the weeks/months to come:

+ A Utah Theater cancels it's showings of "Brokeback Mountain.." Now.. I know that "Fahrenheit 9/11" was not shown in some theaters.. Much for the same reason that Brokeback Mountain isn't: selected theater owners believe that they have the right to show (or not show) whatever content that they choose to..

Okay - for a minute, I'll agree with that notion.. That as a business owner, you can ultimately decide what you do with your business.. Seems fair enough -- except when the theater owner has a contract with the distributor who is putting out the movie.. Make a business decision should be the right of every small business.. Going back on your agreement, litigate it in court.. But to deny showing a movie solely based on your personally held beliefs is morally reprehensible..

I haven't seen the movie..

I have a general idea of what it's about..

And I'm disappointed that the theater owner is so prejudiced that he can't seem to work beyond his personal flaws.. I can say that in my life I was placed in the same position as he was -- making a controversial decision in almost an identical fashion.. I had a flood of pressure that in turn - forced me to make a decision.. I chose to show a movie that several tried to convince me that was inappropriate.. Good, bad or indifferent - I let the audience make its own informed decision about the movie.. Regardless of the outcome, I felt I made the right choice - and that was all I was concerned about.. I didn't let my personal feelings affect the responsible decision I made about letting the populace decide what was, or wasn't right..

The point is: the movie is released with the seal from the Motion Picture industry attached.. It's deemed appropriate and affixed a proper rating shield on it.. The public deserves to make the choice for themselves.. I sincerely doubt this owner chided away from King Kong on the basis that it's about a fake ape and hence, was unrealistic......

+ Iran, Sharon & Israel.. I hope that Prime Minister Sharon has a full recovery.. Afterall, he has played an integral, unpopular position in the Middle East peace process.. Something of which I hope the Palestinians leadership realizes so that there aren't any rash decisions in Sharon's absence.. While I continue to have grave concerns about the peace process, Sharon really did go out on a limb by the pullout of Gaza.. He's hated by Israel and by the Palestinians.. But he's making peace in a world that has a really hard time making peace..

But I laud Iran's lead guy's position that the Holocaust didn't happen.. Wow.. That's pretty bold considering he just built up a nuclear weapons program under Bush's watch without so much of a nugget of pressure from the White House.. Weapons of Mass Destruction, George?? Remember??

+ Alito's hearings are set to begin -- and it's one of those situations where I just shrug and move on.. I have no doubt that he will be confirmed and we'll have swung a very large pendulum too far in the other direction.. While I read about the detractors that continually reveal that Alito will set the nation back 40 years - I simply do not know if I agree.. Obviously it would've been better to have a swing vote like O'Connor, but admittedly Sandra Day was not well liked by the Republicans..

So to preserve "their way" of thinking, they want someone he exceeds well and beyond Scalia..... And Alito seems to fit that bill.. All of a sudden, Bush's first pick didn't seem that bad now, did it?? Remember what I said then, Democrats: "be careful what you wish for....." And viola'.......

Congratulations - we now have tipped this country on its ear......

*shrugs* Life goes on.....

Delusions

President Bush called 2005 "a good year for the American people,"

Schivo
2,100 American lives lost overseas
Katrina
Rita
Plamegate
the Downing Street Memos
Spying on Americans
John Bolton
Alberto Gonzales
Karl Rove
Scooter Libby
Tom DeLay
Bin Laden remains free
International support over Iraq falters
Nations decry Saddam's trial
Privacy is reversed: we no longer belong to ourselves
Torture prisons

... and this is a good year??

Like I trust you NOW....

Trust..

It's one of those things that when it's violated - it doesn't grow back the same way again.. We believed Bush and that was our mistake..

Most recently Alberto Gonzales defended Bush's "right" to spy on Americans with the following limitations:

-"He said Bush's authorization requires that at least one of the parties be outside the country and linked to al-Qaida or an affiliated organization." Whoa Nelly.. This administration has come out to say that SADDAM is linked to al-Qaida when in fact there has been no link found between the ousted leader and the terrorist organization and 9/11.. So, Alberto, I have a real hard time believing that anyone contained in your little circle of friends can adequately IDENTIFY someone linked to al-Qaida or not... Especially when you put 8-month old children on a no-fly list because they are suspected terrorists.....

No, I refuse to believe that they have the capability to satisfy their self-imposed condition...

-"But he refused to say how many Americans had been targeted and insisted the eavesdropping was "very limited, targeted" electronic surveillance. "This is not a situation of domestic spying," he said. " Not so fast.. 60 minutes did a piece back in 2000 -- 5 YEARS ago about the Echelon program; detailing exactly how our intelligence agency has monitored virtually ANY electronic signal from cell phones, cordless phones to baby monitors.. Anything - everything - is recorded and stored.. So the very notion that Gonzales, with a straight face, can argue that domestic surveillance does not exist -- is a bold face lie..

Sorry Alberto, you're 0-2 so far.. You better step aside and let someone else take over..

-Let's bring in Republican Senator Cornyn of Texas who proclaimed that the New York Times has endangered America by exposing the domestic spy plot for purposes of selling an upcoming book release.. Oh wow.. Let's back up here a bit Johnny boy.. First of all let's not forget that it was this administration who ousted a undercover operative -- exposing an intelligence stream which may have put countless American lives at stake -- and could have averted future attacks and impeded the capture of those *KNOWN* terrorists that we keep talking about.. That very small insignificant tidbit aside.....

Secondly, the Patriot Act renewal contains greater authority to surveil virtually anyone, anytime without so much of a judicial oversight.. It's a manifested plot to circumvent the governmental process by eliminating the whole checks and balances routine that our founding fathers fought to secure.. Remember, if any one branch of the government has more control over the other, then we risk the balance of our governing capability - usurp the authority as WRITTEN that approval should be sought before wiretaps and any other surveillance is conducted is PARAMOUNT to sustain a balance within the government.. Government 101 here, John -- better take that class over I'm thinking..

However, *if* the argument is being made that we are in a time of WAR - then let's not selectively pick which points that happen to favor your agenda.. Remember, America in WAR-time meant that you couldn't profit because it would be detrimental to the economy of our country.. So, if you want to put the New York Times out on a stake, then let's address those other profiteers that seem to have gone by unscathed: gas price gouging, Haliburton's monopoly on virtually every recovery effort here and abroad not to mention every politican (not just Senator DeLay) who has profited from creative campaigning tactics that are illegal..

Now if it was a ploy for the New York Times to further their publicity for a book that's coming out, then I'd like to remind you that this administration has gone to some pretty elaborate lengths to capitalize on the press too ... Schiavo immediately comes to mind.. So unfortunately Johnny, you're going to have to face up to the fact that you and your party are guilty of doing the exact same thing that you're trying to condemn..

If we're a nation at WAR - then Johnny, you better start acting like it..

This on the heels of the Iraqi propaganda machine churning out "favorable" stories about the United States, and the constant slant companies like Fox puts out .... all of this begs the question of why do we believe these people at all.. I'm lumping everyone in this one because Democrats are notorious for exaggerating or under/over reporting their facts too..

Back in the day, if you lied and held an elected position - it was political suicide.. If you lie today, eh - you're elected for another term.. It reflects a societal change which started well beyond Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter... I can trace back to as early as Nixon when if you lied - that's bad, but we'll forgive you.. Anymore - you can flat out lie without any support or facts and it just rolls into the next news cycle.. Accountability is non-existent and yet we're setting a record for commissions, investigations and other fact-finding missions into the exploits of our elected few..

Business as usual, I suppose..

Defending Decisions

Bush recently defended his decision to go forward with spying on American people - all the while pushing to re-up the Patriot Act with some modifications....

There's a lot of things that are missing out of this puzzle.. Namely - if Bush wants to set forth and say that he was doing this out of protection for the American people, then I'd like to know exactly how many, out of the 30 times he has personally authorized this action - how many time this elicit spying actually worked to apprehend known terrorists who were plotting to attack our country..

I'm thinking if there was any success in these 30 opportunities to invade our privacy, that he would've made mention of it.. Because it would certainly bolster his argument that it was necessary for the security of this country.. Except I'm not really buying into this completely.. Not when the FBI was exposed by the ACLU that they were actively spying on peaceful members of the anti-war movement.. Even though the anti-war activists were peaceful and not a threat to national security, they were still monitored and spied on..

But how much of this is really necessary?? How much of this could've been averted had we merely listened correctly to the intelligence that was happening in normal surveillance and other information collection schemes?? Think back when the investigators into 9/11 uncovered a series, a flurry of intelligence that "something big is going to happen..." Moreover, when it's stacked against the pieces of the puzzle - then things add up.. Granted, they add up now and not at the time because I cannot believe that anyone in America would wantonly allow something like 9/11 to happen without some sort of horn or siren.. For Christ sake, even Paul Revere rode a pony......

What disappoints me more than this is the fact that this President has the audacity to blame those for leaking the story to begin with: "As a result, our enemies have learned information they should not have, and the unauthorized disclosure of this effort damages our national security and puts our citizens at risk," Bush said. "Revealing classified information is illegal, alerts our enemies, and endangers our country." And this is not the first time either:

1.) the Downing Street Memos: journalists were jailed and accused of treason (although I don't think formally charged) for leaking information that the US Administration had trumped up the facts to fit the justification for the war in Iraq.. (RESULT: No official investigation, yet a promise that the 2nd prong of the 9/11 Commission would begin looking into the Administration's role into 9/11 and beyond. Widely held in the media that this "is no surprise" which is why it's not being reported..)

2.) the Abu Ghraib jail scandal and subsequent abuses: deniability in disproportionate amounts.. Didn't happen, it must be a fabrication, we don't authorize that type of behavior.. (RESULT: Numerous soldiers were indicted, found or pled guilty to their role in the Abu Ghraib scandal)

3.) Torture Prison scandal: the US and British governments critically scorned and sought to punish those who leaked the story that the US was operating Torture Prisons in other countries.. Bush himself looked straight into the camera and said "WE DO NOT TORTURE..." But wait - an independent investigation by someone OUTSIDE of the country found that there is STRONG evidence that support the presence of Torture Prisons throughout Europe and now in northern Africa.. (RESULT: We're now running the prisons out of Morroco..)

4.) The infamous CIA-Plame leak story: "I don't know of anybody in my administration who leaked classified information. If somebody did leak classified information, I'd like to know it, and we'll take the appropriate action." Only to hear Bob Novak say: "I'm confident the president knows who the source is ... I'd be amazed if he doesn't." (RESULT: Libby - indicted, Rove - remains under investigation, others are still being investigated. Bush remains unknowingly oblivious during the whole affair.)

And yet, we're supposed to believe him that he's looking out for our security when he's spying on anti-war activists?? Not only does he NOT acknowledge that he made a mistake, he's DEFENDING the decision - saying that it's been CONSULTED to lawyers and Congressional leadership...

Oh boy - that makes me feel better...

But it's not good when members of your own party do not agree with the provisions for renewing the Patriot Act citing privacy concerns.. Not withstanding the latest rumor that Karl Rove is going to be indicted for hiding or destroying evidence linking him to the Plame-CIA leak.. This is a flagrant misuse of information - to attempt to extort to gain political capital on those that disagree with your policy.. Handing our privacy to this administration on a silver platter is flat out wrong..

Not when we continue to have hundreds of thousands men and women in harms way..

Not when we REMAIN under threat of attack when we have not done all that we can to secure the peace and security..

Not when we ISOLATE ourselves from the rest of the international community because we want the treasure trove of a country we've just conquered..

Not when this administration TALKS about morality without PRACTICING it..

Not when this administration FLOUNDERS when it comes to the leak investigation and the administration within the White House..

Not when this President is reactive instead of proactive..

Not when we rely on the think tank that perfectly executed a war into Iraq, but had no CLUE what to do afterwards..

Not when this President galavants across this country to sign a bill for a single brain-dead woman, but he remains on vacation when tens of thousands were affected by the Hurricanes of 2005..

Not when this President recommends his friends for positions in the government when they are neither qualified or responsible enough to execute their various offices..

Not when this President flagrantly disregards his responsibility to the American people by unilaterally initiating a spying policy on Americans or by imprisoning journalists because they were doing their job of exposing the corruption and decadence that this Administration employs..

Yet we live in a culture of blindness..

We live in a culture of deafness..

Those that continue to support this administration when we remain in CLEAR and PRESENT DANGER - do not understand the scope of what's happening.. This is not a President getting it on with an intern.. Lives are being lost.. Families are being ruined.. And soon, we will become a police state.. Hitler and Stalin immediately come to mind because as they sought for the good of their nations - they employed the same spying policy on their citizenry..

If this is okay with those that support this administration - then I'm not sure what to say about that..

Speaking in volumes

"Former 9/11 Commissioners: U.S. at risk.."

This article speaks volumes for a number of reasons:
1.) This administration has no clear idea of what the war on terrorism actually is
2.) This administration remains dedicated to the pursuit of Iraq no matter the cost
3.) The administration and Congress have neglected to heed the warnings of the 9/11 commission that set forth an important line of security precautions that reveal several flaws in our infrastructure and our intelligence..
4.) We're further isolated, fragmented and otherwise spread from one end of the globe to the other..

Even if this was not the terrorist's intent from the onset, all the needs to happen is to wait -- wait until we're isolated -- wait until we're vulnerable -- wait for the right time all the while keeping a consistent pressure on the peace in Iraq..

Saddam's trial will likely be a puppet show..

Iraq's ex-Prime Minister claims he was the target of an assassination attempt.. But if you read the story - you should be able to hear what the people are saying: they are fed up, they are frustrated, they are angry.. We're not talking about an uncivilized country, we're talking about an anger fueled by resentment..

All the meanwhile, we seem to have lost track of a chemist who is passionate about the "terrorist cause" and is currently developing chemical warfare to use against the Aghan/US forces.. Yeah - that's a problem..

So I have a really bad time believing Bush, the administration or any Senator or Congressman at this point who believes there are promising, good things happening right now.. It's not that I don't want bad things to happen to the Iraqi people, but no one seems to be listening to the Iraqi people.. Especially after we learn that the military has taken the liberty for planting news stories that favor the American military over there.. This is particularly disturbing because no matter how much we try to hold the country together, it's going to be completely unraveled just as fast as we're putting it together..

I said it once, I'll say it again: we're very presumptuous whenever we say "They want to be just like us..." No, Mr. Bush - they don't..

The country doesn't seem concerned anymore.. We just mosey along with our days - waiting for the next attack to happen.. *shrugs*

I guess all we can do is wait..

Losing Face...

Bush is losing his political standing regarding the Iraq war..

As if this is suddenly *astonishing* news, but it's not..

Democratic Congressman John Murtha's statements have sent a rippling effect through both parties which has stirred up the controversy surrounding the course and action for the Iraq war.. While I may or may not agree with some of his assertions, it was another blow to Bush's attempt to keep his Iraqi project afloat..

But then Bush did something earlier in the week that was just astounding.. He gave a 35 page account for his strategy to win the Iraq war.. I haven't seen this document - I have better things to do with my time, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, 2 years later, two thousand military lives lost, tens of thousands of Iraq people, a fragile government -- and our President, the one who sold the American people that Saddam had WMD and was harboring terrorists and the incontrovertible link between Iraq and Al Qaeda -- the President that has admitted failures in his abilities to handle this war and respond to disasters .... contrived the equivalent of a thesis paper on exactly what it would take to win the war in Iraq..

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE the idea that our President is actually formulating a plan - but two years after the fact does not seem to be an entirely good way to govern a country, or to run a company..

Apparently others are equally concerned:

"Two of America's allies in Iraq are withdrawing forces this month and a half-dozen others are debating possible pullouts or reductions, increasing pressure on Washington as calls mount to bring home U.S. troops."

The story continues to report that Bulgaria and the Ukraine will begin to pull out their troops by mid-December.. Australia, Britain, Italy, Japan, Poland and South Korea are all looking into plans of their own that would scale back their involvement in the region.. All of this is announced on the heels of Bush's 35-page plan where he calls upon Americans to be "patient.."

Patience..

Amazing how we didn't exercise this so called patience when attempting to determine Iraq's involvement, or (the lack therein) with the events of 9/11, the link to terrorism or even Saddam had possessed WMD.. It comes to find out, if we had been focused and patient 3 years ago - we would not be in the situation we're in today..

Patience..

Saddam's trial is being delayed again - as Saddam himself is saying that there is no jurisdiction over presiding over his alleged crimes.. He disavows the government and maintains that he's still the President of Iraq.. Reports have been circulating that in the likelihood that Saddam is found innocent - the American advisors overseeing the trial are going to make sure Saddam is charged with everything down to jaywalking.... Wow.. "How's that democracy working in Iraq, Dubya??"

Patience..

The Military has admitted to paying off news stories printed in Iraq to give coalition forces a much better slant with the people of Iraq.. We have the same phenomenon happening over here as well - people just don't recognize it because it's called Fox News.. I applaud the military for at least admitting that they are deliberately trying to slant the news -- because they are courageous enough to admit it.. Do we think Murdoch will ever do anything like this?? Eh, not so much..

Patience..

Then there are two stories which have been particularly unnerving: our government has vehemently denied the deliberate bombing of Al Jazzera -- yet, arrests have been made against those that leaked the story because the information was contained in classified material.. Wait.. Arrests were made because someone leaked information contained in classified files - that would make it true, wouldn't it??

The slippery slopes continue with the allegations of torture prisons in Europe.. As the investigations mount, our President is steadfast to say: "we don't torture.." Abu Ghraib is merely a resort in comparison from the other torture prisons that have been circulating in various news rooms.. If in fact the allegations are true - and our prisoners have been sent to these prisons -- then we have yet another lie from this President.. The nerve has been sliced with Condoleeza Rice's warning to our European allies: back off..

The battle cry is slipping, George..

Nations are not rushing to your aid, George..

Allies are backing away, George..


If anything, Bin Laden is probably smiling right now.. America is now very isolated from our allies, several of which that have spanned several decades.. Friendships and cooperation has been fractured by this administration.. With a cavalier approach to politics, foreign relations and this "war on terrorism" George Bush is simply losing ground -- quickly.. Even though we continue to sink deeper and deeper into this abyss this administration is quite comfortable and content to allow it to happen..

We're exposing ourselves to a greater threat - an invisible threat which this administration is blind to: leadership.. He can't effectively govern a country or a war like he's a Monday morning quarterback.. It's ineffective, it's negligent and it's very scary..

The United States of America needs leadership and we need it now..

Wow - we've JUST got a strategy now!!

I woke up yesterday morning to the following headlines:

"Bush Maps Out New Iraq War Strategy..."

Within the next hour it was replaced with: "Bush Maps Out Iraq War Strategy..." The exact same story, just a different tag line... hmmm...

Think about this - Bush decided two years and over 2k fatalities later that it was a pretty good time to "map out" an Iraq War Strategy...

Shouldn't we have done this before we went into Iraq??

Impeach!! Impeach!! Impeach what??

I came across a website this morning that called for the impeachment of President Bush.. Well - all of this is fine and dandy until we start looking at the chain of command here: Impeach Bush we get Cheney... Not exactly the best #2 position one would hope for -- but even if we removed the top two ... then we get into the Republican leadership..

So - let's not get too saucy with the whole impeachment movement because it would take several cycles before finding someone both sides would be agreeable towards....

Therefore, I can't agree that Bush needs to be impeached -- why not??

Because if you're really serious about changing the leadership of this country, you have to move the barometer -- which is a lot harder than merely replacing the guy who's HOLDING the barometer.. Just like the weather: the constant shift of barometric pressure happens over a span of time, measured in microsteps, thousand's of an inch -- and this is how we can effectively shift the public's opinion about how this administration is guiding us..

Having said this, the Republicans are doing a fine job imploding on their own without any real help here.. So while the radio heads at Air America and other shows continually apply pressure on their listeners to be angry about it - I'm erring on the side of caution on this one.. Because we're still a deeply divided country and that carries a substantial problem when you're trying to sway public opinion..

I read a flurry of posts regarding something that was said in a forum awhile back -- that illustrates the wanton blindness that the Republican followers have when confronted toe-to-toe with a Democrat ranter.. It's scary and it accomplishes nothing.. The Blindman continues to push blindly into the thorny bush while the Ranter yells and screams at him..

It ... accomplishes ... nothing ...

And here's where I get off the Democrat train - because up until now there hasn't been any sort of push to further any sort of tangible agenda that people could latch on to.. The Democrats are so involved with attack, attack attack -- it's really no question when they don't garner any support..

So another lesson for the Democratic Party: if you're going to scream, then don't expect to win a lot of support from the other side.. You've got to assume that there's very little middle ground here and you've got to start winning the public image war.. This is where the Republicans beat you in 2000 and in 2004..

Improve the image.. Hammer the message and quit the yak yak attacks.. Persuade with intelligent, sound opinions.. The Republicans will continue to implode because they have nothing else better to do.. Their time has come and it's happening now..

The Democrats are missing out on an opportunity - and that's why I don't always sign on to what they are doing because they don't get it.. But until someone steps forward and says: "hey, we gotta change" then the Dems are always going to be in the child seat in the car.....

Drop the impeachment talk - and let's start giving the American people a logical argument for the real life problems that are happening today....

Bush Knew

A powerful and seemingly accurate portrayal of a President in crisis:

http://www.takebackthemedia.com/true911.html

Posturing...

The mud continues to sling from both sides..

It's amazing..

The majority of Americans question our motives in Iraq.. Democrats are calling for a timetable.. Bush said basically: we'll leave when we leave..

*sighs*

Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania reiterated a logical resolve when he said that the removal of US forces sends a strong signal to the Iraqi people that we have no interest in occupying their country.. Bush's assertion that we needed to stay until the Iraqi security was able protect themselves from the insurgents..

Okay - Murtha's comments make a lot of sense really..

Because as the Iraqi people are made aware that we are not looking to occupy their country -- then maybe there will be enough incentive to stand up for themselves..

See?? That makes sense..

But for Bush to agree with that - it would mean that his "ace in the hole" is gone.. Because without the war on terror - this President has NO clue how to govern without the war on terror; because this President knows ONLY how to govern with a war on terror in the background..

That's one thing that I wanted to mention..

Then there's Bush's reaction to the comments that Murtha is just like Michael "Fahrenheit 9/11" Moore.. Most notably was this quote:

"People should feel comfortable expressing their opinions about Iraq,"

Whoa -- wait a second..

We *CAN* have differing opinions about Iraq without feeling as though we are anti-American?? Wow.. Times really have changed..

Let's not forget that it wasn't that long ago that this administration came out and claimed that Democrats were wanting to re-write history.. Wow..

We'll see how long this lasts..

Re-writing history??

George Bush is now slamming the critics of the war saying that it's an attempt to re-write history...

Well George, it would've been helpful if the truth came out so history didn't have to be re-written.....

We're moving to Pennsylvania

Finally..

The people of Dover, Pennsylvania used their common sense, rather than succumbing to the pundits who believe in "Intelligent Design.."

For those that think that term sounds familiar, but they don't know why - it's the belief that the universe is so complex, we're unable to figure it out - hence, God must've done it....

Now let's think about that just a little closer..

Pat Robertson wants Intelligent Design to be taught in schools to basically offer that when it can't be explained, God must've done it.. But hold on Pat.. All of the physicists that explored the concept of the electron actually benefited you directly because, without this exploration there would be no power, no television and hence, no 700 Club..

So let's consider that there are some things that we can't explain.. I'm cool with that.. Scientists are cool with that.. Because there is the commonly held belief that our understanding evolves with time, with education, with experience.. When we consider that everyone in the world believed the earth was flat -- it took the courage of Aristotle to say: "no, I believe the earth is round.." This is compelling because by holding onto the belief so tightly -- it restricts our ability to explore and the better understand our own existence..

Which I guess is the key considering that Pat Robertson and others like him have no desire for science to better explain where we came from and why.. That's why "Intelligent Design" seem to be a popular one for those that believe that we should not explain everything in the universe because it would dramatically affect the biblical writings which is supposed to be the "end all" of everything..

Unfortunately, no amount of praying would have helped the flood victims in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.. Unfortunately for "Intelligent Design" - science eventually has to intervene so that we can institute as many preventive measures as possible to secure the safety and well being of our society.. This is key because of the necessity of science in our lives to help combat drought conditions, social-economic planning, building and infrastructure -- not to mention seeking new alternative fuels, invention and inspiration.. On a global scale, science seeks answers that may someday help alleviate or lessen the effect of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes - not to mention epidemics like that continually evolve..

So..

If we stop exploring..

If we stop dreaming..

If we stop trying to find answers..

We will succumb..

And it will be then that Pat Robertson's prophesy will finally come true: "I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God. You just rejected him from your city."

Spoken from someone who has ordained that feminism encourages women to "kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."

Guess what Pat - sometimes the letter of the book is not as important as the spirit in which it was written.. So far, your Intelligent Design agenda isn't looking very smart right now..

Kudos to the folks in Dover, Pennsylvania for making a stand and by doing the smart thing..

Wait - what - hold on...

A recent study shows that there is more sex on TV than there was in 1998..

Now hold on a second..

Think this through..

We have a group of people, a family foundation, who actually sits with a bean counter to chart how much sex is on TV..

Now how screwed up is that??

Oh - wait - a little under-reported factoid I learned this week that there are conflicting studies suggesting that video-game violence is actually going *down* even with all of these video games out there.. So if violence is actually going down - contrary to the pundits who believe that video-game violence promotes the youth of today from committing crime..

Oh - wait - that goes against the sterilization of America that groups like the Kaiser Family Foundation because we need to think alike, be alike, and live alike..

So what does sex have to do with it?? Because if kids see it, they will want to do it... But wait - kids don't have to see it on Desperate Housewives in order to do it... They are going to do it regardless if Teri Hatcher is doing it - so I'm thinking "what's the big diff??" It's not as though there has been a pregnancy BOOM since 1998..

Look, kids are going to get pregnant if they have unprotected sex.. End of story..

And if adults are offended by the content -- guess what -- it's called "change the channel.." A novel concept invigorated in the 1950's when the advent of the television spread across the U.S.. The little clicker works much the same way -- and if the Kaiser Family Foundation can't figure out how to run the little clicker - then they have no right to conduct a study on the merits and demerits of the programming that is coming out..

Because it still comes down to a right to choose.. And that's what gets lost in the study.. Because if the FAMILY Foundation can't teach the FAMILY on the merits of making good programming choices for their FAMILY to watch, then I really don't care that there is an increase in sex scenes, because I CAN make that choice myself... More importantly, I AM responsible enough to make that choice so that I live a nice moral life - without the blessing of the Family Foundation and it's idiotic study..

It always amazes me that groups like this make it a societal problem when it's an individual's responsibility in the upbringing on one's family.. Moreover, it wants to intercede in the lives of everyone to make their message: "Kids who have repeated exposure to sexual content become sexually active at an earlier age." Wow, my first-immediate-knee-jerk reaction was: "in all of this talk about values and family, where are the parents and why did this go undetected on their radar screens??" Oh wait - it's not the PARENT's fault, it's ABC, NBC and Fox's fault....

But what this report fails to mention is that SEX - IS - EVERYWHERE.. There's sex in the music that your children purchase from WalMart, there's depictions of sex in most famous art works, there's sex in movies, in videos, on DVD's.. Sex is mentioned in video games, it's being taught in schools, sex is even being discussed in church on Sundays.. It's online, in magazines, in our newspapers, on the radio, on our billboards, in our advertisements and in almost every aspect of our day to day activities.. Where are those bean counters when they walk to get their latte from Starbucks??

So my point is: why aren't they attacking Cosmo?? Why aren't they going after the church for the Christmas services?? Why aren't they trying to re-write the school's curriculums, blowing up libraries, ripping text books, banning CD's, burning DVD's and breaking art pieces.. Why not make a law prohibiting sex at all??

Because if I can't screw like the Kaiser Family Foundation wants me to, then I should be sent to jail because of it.. Because the Kaiser Family Foundation obviously knows the life I should lead better than I do...