The Dreaded M Word

Such much news..so little time! There is so much that I would like to be writing about now but unfortunately I am in the process of packing and moving. Moving is perhaps one of the most unpleasant and frustrating experiences that we all encounter at one time or another. The shit that accumulates is incredible. I just finished one of the 'junk drawers' in the kitchen that had among other things grocery store receipts from ages ago, old bread ties never used, camera film with pictures of who knows what and so much more. Packing, in itself, is stressful but packing and not being sure how you are going to finance the move is, well...almost instant ulcer material!

If all goes well and I can get back on my feet, I plan a few changes for this blog. Overall, the blog will be much expanded and offer my readers a much greater interactive experience. Besides increasing the frequency of updates, I plan to offer a much more in-depth look at some of the most important political and financial news stories of the day. I also have many other new ideas that I think will greatly enhance this blog.

Although I have only been at this for a very short time, I have enjoyed every minute of it. Blogging is a learning experience in itself and a chance to met people along the way. If all of my plans work out (I am keeping my fingers crossed!), I should be back in about four weeks. I really appreciate those of you who come and the many wonderful people I have met. Talk to you soon!

Jet Set Lifestyle of Iraq Ambassador to U.N.

I'm speechless...

"IRAQ'S ambassador to the United Nations, Hamid al Bayati, likes the high life. Bayati, who's been on the job for just over a year, is said to be living in a $22,000-a-month apartment at Trump World Tower on First Avenue. He's renting while the Iraqi U.N. Mission and official ambassador's residence on East 79th Street undergo a $40 million renovation. Where did the Iraqis get the cash? Newsmax.com reports the U.N. Security Council is paying with funds it once used to finance the now-terminated U.N. Iraq arms inspectors. When asked about the lavish use of the cash, Bayati refused comment. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Zalmay Khalilzad shrugged off the Iraqis' lush lifestyle by telling reporters, "$40 million is not a lot of money." According to U.N. documents, the U.S. delegation approved the transfer of the cash from the Security Council to Iraq. All of this comes as the federal Government Accounting Office reported the war in Iraq is costing American taxpayers $12 billion monthly."

Bill Moyers Journal

A great look at the impeachment issue.

What's Up With Leash Girl- Lynndie England?

Remember her? The infamous ex- Abu Ghraib guard known for her love of leashes and asspiles? She's got a new life and a new job! As the Guardian explains:

"KEYSER, W.Va. (AP) Lynndie England, one of the most recognizable figures of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in Iraq, has a new role as a volunteer member of this Eastern Panhandle city's recreation board.

England, 24, contributed her knowledge of computers, electronics and graphics for Keyser's Strawberry Festival, which helped her land the unpaid position, said Roy Hardy, the England family's attorney.

``When (council members) saw how hard she worked for the festival, they didn't hesitate to put her on the board,'' said Hardy, who is also a board member. ``If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have been able to pull off (the Strawberry Festival). She was an absolute asset.''

England, who now works in Hardy's law firm as a legal assistant, was released in March from a military prison in San Diego after serving half her 36-month sentence. She was convicted of six counts involving prisoner mistreatment. Eleven U.S. soldiers have been convicted of crimes at the prison near Baghdad.

England was in several images taken in late 2003 by U.S. guards at Abu Ghraib. One shows her holding a naked prisoner on a leash, while in others she posed with a pyramid of naked detainees and pointed at the genitals of a prisoner while a cigarette hung from the corner of her mouth.

The photos were among several that sparked outrage and severely damaged America's image in the Muslim world.

England blamed the abuse on reputed ringleader Pvt. Charles Graner Jr., whom she said took advantage of her love and trust while deployed in Iraq. Graner received the harshest sentence, a 10-year prison term.

England and Graner were members of the 372nd Military Police Company based in western Maryland. She is from Fort Ashby, near Keyser."

I have so many issues with this story. First, how can a 'woman' who essentially helped destroy America's image abroad serve just 18 months in jail? That is an outrage. Second, she's working as a legal assistant? What! And finally, in her new role on the city's recreation board, what kind of 'games' do you think good ol' Lynndie will come up with?

Strawberries, anyone? Sometimes truth is indeed stranger than fiction!

It's August- Time For A Vacation!

On the heels of the interim report which gave the Iraqi government failing marks in showing progress, the Iraqi Parliament proceeds with plans to take a vacation the whole month of August. A whole month! Predictably, there is silence from the White House on this issue.

Add to this the recent Webb Amendment, shot down by Senate Republicans, which would have given our own soldiers much needed rest in between deployments and you don't have to be a genius to realize that all this talk of 'Support The Troops' is utter garbage (unless there is a nice photo-op, of course!). Our men and women in uniform, sent into the meatgrinder that is Iraq, have been neglected, and deserve this country's support.

Bob Schieffer of CBS News wrote a great column entitled "Baghdad Is Too Hot For Its Leaders?' offering a great perspective on this issue. He writes:

"I am still not sure that I believe it: The Iraqi parliament is going on vacation during the month of August.

The White House offers the lame excuse that, after all, Baghdad is hot in August – sometimes 130 degrees.

May I ask a follow-up?

How much hotter do you suppose it is if you are a wearing a helmet, full body armor, carrying ammunition and walking foot patrols through Baghdad?

The last I heard, that is how American troops are spending their August in Iraq.

For me, this does it.

God help the Iraqi people because there is not much America can do to help a government that leaves Americans dying in the streets while the parliament escapes to cooler climes.

Does this mean we should pull out immediately?

No. A sudden withdrawal could set the entire region aflame. The truth is there are no good options left. But from here on, we need to put aside the dream of building a democracy in Iraq and focus solely on what is in our national interest.

It won't be pretty, but for all our good intentions, about all we can do now is try to contain this mess, pull our troops back from the middle of this civil war, and concentrate instead on the terrorist threat that this country faces around the world.

As for what kind of government Iraq needs, let their parliament figure it out. They can get right on it when the Baghdad weather turns cooler."

Take a look at the response from Tony Snow on this issue- it's pathetic!

Friday Night Disco Series

Amii Stewart- Knock on Wood
This video is timeless...

The Politics of Fear

Appearing on the Hugh Hewitt radio show, Rick Santorum, the former Republican Senator speaks of "unfortunate events" that will occur in the United States within a year and will alter Americans perception of the current war. In this interview, he stated "Between now and November, a lot of things are going to happen, and I believe that by this time next year, the American public’s going to have a very different view of this war, and it will be because, I think, of some unfortunate events, that like we’re seeing unfold in the UK. But I think the American public’s going to have a very different view".

Unfortunately, this tactic has become quite commonplace today. It was just last month that the new head of the Arkansas Republican Party, Dennis Milligan, had this to say:

"At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on Sept. 11, 2001. And the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country."

I often think back to the days when our leaders, both former and current, spoke of America's great strength and determination in fighting its' enemies. Hope, strength and courage were hallmarks of the American way. Now, politicians have turned the tables and use the tactics of fear and terror to push their political agendas. Don't like my policies- face a terror attack. It's about as simple as that.

Think fear mongering politics aren't successful? Take a look at where we are today- Afghanistan the forgotten war, the disaster that is Iraq is getting worse by the day, America's reputation is in tatters and now the clouds of war are brewing on the horizon with Iran. War, War, and more War. That seems to be the order of the day.

After the billions spent in this 'War on Terror', there is not much to show for it. Recent reports show Al-Qaeda stronger than ever. Terrorists attacks and bombings have become everyday events and more and more innocent civilians caught up in this violence are killed. The military is broken and the troops that politicians so bravely hid behind are just pawns in this global chess game. Yet, we are told that we must 'stay the course', 'remain resolute' or whatever the catch phrase of the day happens to be.

So when is enough really enough? What is it going to take to make people realize that we are the car speeding along soon to go off the cliff ahead? Oh hell- let's tell them we must go a little faster because, you know, we could be attacked...

“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”
FDR’s First Inaugural Address