Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Bush the Crusader

I have long contended that George W. Bush is a radical evangelical and his presidency is driven by his religious beliefs.

Seymour Hersh who may be the greatest living investigative reporter, has written an ominous article in the current NEW YORKER magazine concerning Bush, the war in Iraq, and the direction it may take between now and the 2006 election.

It's understandable why a vast number of Islamic people believe, rightly or wrongly, that we are engaged in a religious war against Islam, much as the Crusaders were pursuing 1000 years ago

The link is to the full article. Read it and weep.

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/051205fa_fact

Monday, November 28, 2005

Another example of Republican corruption

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California Republican Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court on Monday to conspiracy and tax evasion for taking money from a defense contractor in exchange for supporting its efforts to secure Defense Department contracts.

Cunningham, 63, an eight term Congressman and decorated Vietnam War veteran, has been under federal investigation for his ties to Washington-based defense contractor MZM Inc. since the summer.

He has said he will not seek re-election in 2006. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 27.

© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

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The Republican Party, so called "conservative", self styled "religious", and all round pretenders to the moral highground, have allowed power, arrogance and hubris to corrupt them and send their moral compass spinning out of control. 

There is only one answer for this, send the scoundrels packing.  Imprison those such as Delay and Cunningham and cause them to suffer as they have caused our country to suffer.

Enough is enough!

Update.

Cunningham has done one honorable act . He resigned from Congress. If he was an honorable samurai, there would be one more act involving a white robe, a poem and a very sharp sword.


 

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Bush doing fireside chats? Spare me!

From AOL news: GOP Senator Calls for Bush to Broadcast Iraq Updates WASHINGTON (Nov. 27) - The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Sunday suggested that President Bush use an FDR-style presentation to update people on progress in the war in Iraq.

Sen. John Warner, R-Va., recalled that during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt often went on the radio in "fireside chats'' to explain to the nation in detail the conduct of the war in Europe and Asia.

"I think it would be to Bush's advantage,'' said Warner, who served in the Navy during the war.

"It would bring him closer to the people, dispel some of this concern that understandably our people have, about the loss of life and limb, the enormous cost of this war to the American public,'' he said.

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I can see it now. Bush is wired, and Karl Rove is feeding him lines from backstage.

What can Warner be thinking? Bush has lost so much credibility that he may as well make a guest appearance on the "Simpsons" spouting platitudes and drivel. The idea that Bush could emulate FDR is rediculous. I remember FDR. Bush is no FDR.

Our young people are dying in a vain cause, our standing in the world community has never been lower, and we are sinking into a morass of debt and economic malaise.

"When will they ever learn"?

 

Friday, November 25, 2005

Chutzpah of the Year Award-------

-----------(drumroll please)------------------ goes to former FEMA Director Michael Brown, who is starting a disaster preparedness consulting firm.

Only some poor fool who has been living on another planet would hire this example of gross incompetance.

Can you believe it? Those that can, DO. Those that can't, become consultants.

(All you legitimate consultants out there, no offense intended)

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day

The link below is to a column in the San Francisco Chronicle of November 24th by Joan Ryan. It concerns her father, a lifelong Republican who, like Saul of Tarsus, has had a vision of the error of his ways and will no longer vote Republican. A good read!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/11/24/BAGBNFTM7H1.DTL

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Will General Motors go bankrupt?

The automobile industry in the United States, once pre-eminent in the world, is sinking, and showing signs of being diminished to a shadow of what it once was. No doubt there are many reasons for this, some economic, and some due to mis-management and poor product lines that fail to meet market needs.

I heard part of an interview with Senator Biden today. Regarding the plight of General Motors, he made a telling statement. His contention is that GM operates at a 14% disadvantage to the foreign competition because of health care costs in the U.S.

Here is an example of rightwing ideology as relates to the role of government in the management of healthcare in this country that's putting our essential industries at risk, and putting the welfare of workers and their families at risk. And, at the same time impacts the well-being of the economy in general.

Several years age, Hillary Clinton tried to start a dialog in this country concerning healthcare, and was viciously savaged by  rightwing zealots.

Will we sacrifice our industry on the alter of ideology, or start taking a more pragmatic view of the necessary partnership between government, business, and workers? Nothing less than our survival as a major world power may depend on the answer to this question.

China is gaining fast.

11/23/05 follow up. The link will give an example of healthcare cost and inefficiency.

Click here: Paperwork is 21% of health costs / $ each year in state 26 billion goes to administration

11/24/05 Another nail in the coffin.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051124/BIZ/511240312

Monday, November 21, 2005

Bush-Cheney making nice

Do you suppose that Karl Rove told his "bosses" that the Attack Doggy Dogg tactics they have been using for years are wearing thin with the voters? All of a sudden the rhetoric has toned down and criticism is ok. Well, maybe a little bit ok.

Don't be fooled folks. This is a trojan horse if I ever saw one. We have, as Pogo said, met the enemy and he is us, and if we don't keep our guard up, these guys will con us into believing more of their strange stories.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Troop withdrawal from Iraq

Regarding a "troop withdrawal plan", I'm sure there isn't one, nor was there ever intended to be one. If the real reason for invading Iraq was, as some believe, to gain a military base in the Middle East flanking Iran and Syria, then withdrawal was never intended. Also, there's the oil, maybe the largest reserve outside of Saudi Arabia. If we were to gain control, why would we give it up?

For the Bush family, already well connected in Saudi Arabia to become major players in world oil, there would be no incentive to pull out.

Friday, November 18, 2005

The attack on Congressman Jack Murtha

Following is the text of an email to my congressman concerning the attacks on Jack Murtha.

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Dear Congressman Lantos                                                            

If the Republicans are allowed to get away with a Swift Boat type of attack on Jack Murtha, the Congress will be in a state of deep disgrace. I sincerely hope that you and all your fellow congress members will take swift and severe action against these people. No more of the shame and  the evil perpetrated on Kerry, McCain and Cleland. Nothing less than the fate of civility and democracy rests on your shoulders.  

 

Patriot (?) Act

All those that back the renewal of the so-called "Patriot Act" should ponder the words of a great American patriot from the past.

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
 
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Power corrupts

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/11/18/MNG10FQFP91.DTL&hw=Robert+Stein&sn=001&sc=1000

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History may view the Bush-Cheney administration as one of the most corrupt in United States History.

One shudders to think what corrupt and desperate men may do when their backs are to the wall.

 

 

Lord Acton's epic warning that "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely"

     Historian Lord Acton (1834-1902) issued epic warnings that political power is the most serious threat to liberty.


    

Thursday, November 17, 2005

The Military-Industrial Complex

In 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower made his farewell speech as he prepared to leave office. A section of that speech was remarkable. As a former career military officer, General Eisenhower warned the country about giving too much power to, as he called it, the "military-industrial" complex.

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Ike's words:

"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."

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Ike was a wise man and a prophet. We are now in the grip of those we were warned against.

In the political climate we find ourselves in today, Bush and Cheney would brand President Eisenhower as "irresponsible".

 

Hawks flying toward the sunset

Hawkish Democrat Calls for Immediate Iraq Pullout Murtha, a Vietnam Veteran, Voted for War By LIZ SIDOTI, APWASHINGTON (Nov. 17) -- An influential House Democrat who voted for the Iraq war called Thursday for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, another sign of growing unease in Congress about the conflict.

(from AOL news)

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The hawks are starting to fly away from the stench of the battlefield. Do they fear another Vietnam with 50,000 dead and nothing to show for it but stories of political stupidity filling the pages of history books for generations to read and wonder how could this have happened? I find it noteworthy that many of those that are questioning the war are veterans of war. Those who have lead us into war seem to be mainly those who were able to avoid service in the past. Vietnam for instance. Bush got a cushy National Guard slot because he had a powerful and wealthy family. Cheney conveniently impregnated his wife in time to avoid the draft. If they had served and seen the horror and futility, how would they have reacted in this situation? A line from a popular song from the 'Nam era. "When will they ever learn?"

"When--        --will they                       --ever learn? " 

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

WMD was a crock

The "nattering nabobs" are still noodling on about weapons of mass destruction as the reason to invade Iraq. What a crock!

The planning to invade Iraq began around 1998, well before Bush and the Supreme Court stole the 2000 election. The gang of neo-cons in the Pentagon, Wolfewitz and company wanted to invade Iraq to create a military base flanking Iran and Syria, and to gain control over a vast oil reserve. This is not just my theory. The well credentialed conservative, Pat Buchanan has been heard to say the same thing on "Hardball".

It would have been difficult to make a case to the voters based on this scenerio. The tragic events of 9-11 gave Bush and company the perfect excuse to invade. Note I said "excuse", not "reason".

No doubt it was Karl Rove who concocted the WMD story to scare the citizens and politicians into supporting this misadventure. Bush has raved on and on about Saddam and terrorism and made the suckers believe that Saddam was connected to 9-11. Lest we not forget, the vast majority of 9-11 perpetrators were from Saudi Arabia. Their leader was Osama bin Laden, a member of a powerful and well connected Saudi family. Their connections extend to the Bush family. Can there be any connection between this and the fact that bin Laden escaped from Afghanistan and whose whereabouts is still unknown.

Now thousands are dead, no good has come from it, and probably never will.

Very tragic.

Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke

It would appear that Ben Bernanke is on course for easy confirmation as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, replacing Alan Greenspan.

There can be no doubt of Dr.Bernanke's academic qualifications. However, his political and economic background as viewed in light of his time in the White House raises questions in my mind. As economic advisor to Bush, he was deeply involved in the ruinous economic and tax policy  decisions that have diminished the middle class, created economic malaise, wiped out the surplus left by the previous administration and ballooned the National Debt.

In the best of all worlds, the job would be strictly non-partisan, and maybe the most qualified person would rise to the top. Many think, including me, that Robert Rubin would be the logical choice. Rubin was former head of Goldman-Sachs, and a consummate Wall Street professional. His economic and monetary qualifications are without question. Many commentators have said that Rubin was the best Secretary of the Treasury since Alexander Hamilton.

If Dr. Bernanke is unable to rise above his White House days, we may be in for serious trouble.

The link is to the National Debt clock. You should worry about this.  http://www.worldnewsstand.net/history/your_debt.htm

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

The Ship of State is sinking. Will the rats desert?

"WASHINGTON (Nov. 15) - The GOP-controlled Senate rejected a Democratic call Tuesday for a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq but urged President Bush to outline his plan for "the successful completion of the mission" in a bill reflecting a growing bipartisan unease with his Iraq policies." (from AOL news)

There will be an election in '06, with many Republican Senators forced to run for re-election in an atmosphere of growing voter unease and distrust of the current administration and their disasterous policies. The Republican Senators are happy to wave the flag and spout patriotic slogans as long as the President's poll numbers are high. Now that his  numbers are in the tank, the White House is stumbling over scandal, and the war is in trouble, all of a sudden they aren't so happy to be allied with Bush. How many of them do you think will want Bush to visit their states during campaign time? They'll be avoiding him like the plague. Bush is getting so unpopular that he's forced to give most of his speeches at military bases where he has a captive audience.

How the mighty have fallen. Ignorance, arrogance and hubris have taken their toll.

 

Is privacy and freedom of speech in danger?

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/11/13/Columns/National_security_let.shtml

Monday, November 14, 2005

  I feel quite certain that Pres. Bush and his neo-con cohorts will ignore their culpability and responsibility in the horrific events in Jordan. Maybe they are incapable of understanding that the war in Iraq has created a terrorist state that will further destabilize the Middle East and increase the likelihood of more terrorist attacks on our shores. Saddam is gone, but a greater evil will take his place and we will rue the day.    

The followers of Islam throughout the world number in the billions. I expect that a large majority of them view our presence in Iraq not as liberators, but as "crusaders". They see it as a war between Christianity and Islam that started with the Crusades 1000 years ago, continued through European colonialism in the 18th-20th centuries, and continues on conducted by the radical evangelicals, Bush and Rice.

This war is unwinnable. There will be no victors. No flag waving parades and glorious hymns. Only death, destruction, and a diminution of our power and resources. The British learned this early in the last century. How ironic that they are our allies in this doomed undertaking.

Bush

  Bush calls critics of the Iraq war "irresponsible". I'll tell you what's irresponsible.  Starting a war under false pretenses, faulty intelligence, and outright lies, now that irresponsible. Did I say "irresponsible"? It's far worse than that. Thousands are dead. A country is slowly being destroyed. Physically, it's Iraq, and morally it's the United States. What are supposed to be policies, tactics, and strategies  to ameliorate terrorism have in fact served to exacerbate it, and there is no end in sight. We are making more enemies than friends, and no good will ever come from that. Saul of Tarsus saw the error of his ways. Is there any hope for George of Texas?