Posted by depressing_gerbil
(receiving his orders from on high)
Posted by broadcastdave
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Images of our Prez from Fark.com...
Posted by depressing_gerbil
(receiving his orders from on high)
Posted by broadcastdave
Friday, November 16, 2007
Barry Bonds... the truth we all knew...
The San Francisco Chronicle reported today that "slugger" Barry Bonds is under indictment for four counts of perjury and obstruction of justice. This is, of course, due to his lying about being on steroids during his climb to the top of the home run list.
As the record stands now, Bonds is the home run king with 762 home runs, a number that, due to the indictments, is liable to be as far as he goes. It is unlikely he'll play again, and even if he does, he'll be greeted with even more boos and giant syringes that he has in the past.
And that's as it should be, because Barry Bonds (and others, to be sure) has tainted an entire generation of baseball statistics, first with using the steroids to bulk up to freakish size, and second, simply by lying about it and arrogantly refusing to acknowledge what everyone could see was as plain as the muscles on his arms, so to speak.
Arrogance is no crime, and the history of baseball is full of unsavory characters, starting even before the Sultan of Swat himself. So, as offensive as Bonds is personally, that doesn't disqualify him for the Hall. Cheating, which is precisely what the use of steroids is, IS grounds for disqualification.
Meanwhile, in what I deem a bigger tragedy, Pete Rose, whose reputation for hustle and his lifetime hit total of 4256 inspired a generation, perhaps including Bonds, remains ineligible for the Hall of Fame. Sure, Rose bet on baseball, but the question is now as it has always been, did he bet against his team? If so, he doesn't deserve to be in the Hall.
The difference in Rose and Bonds is clear, though. You just KNOW Pete Rose never bet against the Reds (or his other teams) with the same certainly that you KNOW Bonds used steroids.
This is what baseball is about...
Not this...
As the record stands now, Bonds is the home run king with 762 home runs, a number that, due to the indictments, is liable to be as far as he goes. It is unlikely he'll play again, and even if he does, he'll be greeted with even more boos and giant syringes that he has in the past.
And that's as it should be, because Barry Bonds (and others, to be sure) has tainted an entire generation of baseball statistics, first with using the steroids to bulk up to freakish size, and second, simply by lying about it and arrogantly refusing to acknowledge what everyone could see was as plain as the muscles on his arms, so to speak.
Arrogance is no crime, and the history of baseball is full of unsavory characters, starting even before the Sultan of Swat himself. So, as offensive as Bonds is personally, that doesn't disqualify him for the Hall. Cheating, which is precisely what the use of steroids is, IS grounds for disqualification.
Meanwhile, in what I deem a bigger tragedy, Pete Rose, whose reputation for hustle and his lifetime hit total of 4256 inspired a generation, perhaps including Bonds, remains ineligible for the Hall of Fame. Sure, Rose bet on baseball, but the question is now as it has always been, did he bet against his team? If so, he doesn't deserve to be in the Hall.
The difference in Rose and Bonds is clear, though. You just KNOW Pete Rose never bet against the Reds (or his other teams) with the same certainly that you KNOW Bonds used steroids.
This is what baseball is about...
Not this...
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
First the Dixie Chicks... now bridge players???
The New York Times reported today that a team of bridge players face a year long ban from competition for voicing their opposition to President Bush. In a free speech issue reminiscent of the Dixie Chicks' problem in 2003, the team held up a sign saying "We did not vote for Bush" at an awards dinner.
Jan Martel, president of the US Bridge Federation said, "This is not a free speech issue. There isn't any question that private organizations can control the speech of people who represent them."
The team's non-playing captain, Gail Greenburg, said the team was stunned by what they consider an act done in a "moment of levity." The proposed sanctions have the potential of hurting some of the team members financially, as they some or make part of their living by playing bridge in high-level tournaments.
Professional bridge player, teacher and columnist Danny Kleinman took issue with the USBF, saying via email, "If the U.S.B.F. wants to impose conditions of membership that involve curtailment of free speech, then it cannot claim to represent our country in international competition.”
Well said. Any organization that represents the United States simply must endorse the principles of the United States, which, the last time I checked, include free speech.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Remember this... just in case...
The New York Times reported today that the US will send a special envoy to Pakistan to inform President Musharraf that the US will not be satisfied with his plan to hold elections in January unless he ends martial law first.
I only post this in the event the Bush administration finds some trumped-up reason to postpone the 2008 elections...
“The president thinks we need to lift the emergency rule in order to have free and fair elections,” said Dana Perino, the White House spokeswoman. A senior administration official said that it remained an open question whether free elections could be held that reflected the true wishes of the Pakistani people if General Musharraf continued to jail or otherwise detain the opposition.
I only post this in the event the Bush administration finds some trumped-up reason to postpone the 2008 elections...
Monday, November 12, 2007
How alarming are these times?
Professors are being denied tenure for voicing political views.
Companies are spying on American people at the behest of the government.
Habeas Corpus, an important instrument for the safeguarding of individual freedom against arbitrary state action, has been abrogated.
This administration is THE most secretive in American history, their secrecy paling against even the Nixon administration’s crimes.
Control of the airwaves, which by law belong to the American people, is being consolidated into fewer voices than ever.
Our government is performing torture, and Congress has refused to do anything about it.
Our government is planning yet another war, while being engaged in one war that has never been completed and another that has been a fiasco from the start. Neither of the wars, and one suspects the third as well, were authorized by the Congress, which has the sole responsibility to do so, as per the Constitution.
Dissent, an essential characteristic of American democracy, and which, many would argue, is the essence of patriotism, has been stifled by the media and ridiculed by the government.
The facts of global warming have been censured and/or denigrated by government officials.
Fear is an essential tool of control used by this administration.
Separation of church and state is swiftly becoming a thing of the past.
America has more people imprisoned per capita than most, if not all, “First World” countries.
Our government is an open ally of countries who act against the interests of the American people.
This administration has regularly rewarded officials for job performance that can only be called abysmal, and continues to operate with cronies with no other qualifications than loyalty.
The American people are so distrustful of the veracity of election results that they are voting in numbers that can only be called embarrassing.
The times are so alarming that, despite this blog being possibly the least-read blog on the internet, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next knock on mydoor turned out to be the prelude to my disappearance.
I don’t WANT to be a martyr, mind you, but if saving America for Americans takes my disappearance for such relatively mundane ramblings... well, in the words of our Mis-Leader-in-Chief, “Bring 'em on!”
Companies are spying on American people at the behest of the government.
Habeas Corpus, an important instrument for the safeguarding of individual freedom against arbitrary state action, has been abrogated.
This administration is THE most secretive in American history, their secrecy paling against even the Nixon administration’s crimes.
Control of the airwaves, which by law belong to the American people, is being consolidated into fewer voices than ever.
Our government is performing torture, and Congress has refused to do anything about it.
Our government is planning yet another war, while being engaged in one war that has never been completed and another that has been a fiasco from the start. Neither of the wars, and one suspects the third as well, were authorized by the Congress, which has the sole responsibility to do so, as per the Constitution.
Dissent, an essential characteristic of American democracy, and which, many would argue, is the essence of patriotism, has been stifled by the media and ridiculed by the government.
The facts of global warming have been censured and/or denigrated by government officials.
Fear is an essential tool of control used by this administration.
Separation of church and state is swiftly becoming a thing of the past.
America has more people imprisoned per capita than most, if not all, “First World” countries.
Our government is an open ally of countries who act against the interests of the American people.
This administration has regularly rewarded officials for job performance that can only be called abysmal, and continues to operate with cronies with no other qualifications than loyalty.
The American people are so distrustful of the veracity of election results that they are voting in numbers that can only be called embarrassing.
The times are so alarming that, despite this blog being possibly the least-read blog on the internet, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next knock on mydoor turned out to be the prelude to my disappearance.
I don’t WANT to be a martyr, mind you, but if saving America for Americans takes my disappearance for such relatively mundane ramblings... well, in the words of our Mis-Leader-in-Chief, “Bring 'em on!”
Bhutto to be detained... and you're next.
The New York Times reported today from Islamabad, Pakistan that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto will be detained at her home if she tries to lead a planned protest march next Friday.
This is an important development, not only for the people of Pakistan, who President Bush should be rallying behind in their bid for true democracy, IF he means what he says about fighting for freedom and democracy, but also for the American people, who should keep a close watch on this situation lest it be one we have to deal with ourselves.
I don't WANT to be an alarmist, but these are in fact alarming times.
That being said, here's a scenario which I feel is plausible given the attitude of the present administration.
Come November 2008, and despite the best efforts of the Republican smear machine, John Edwards, Barack Obama or (Lord forbid) Hillary Clinton wins the presidency. A national crisis of some sort causes (they'll say "forces") the Bush administration to declare martial law. The President-in-waiting issues the expected complaint at the top of his/her lungs, calling for the American people to rally to the defense of (what else) democracy. George "the Puppet" Bush, at the backstage command of Lord Cheney, calls for the Army, or even the National Guard, which astute readers will remember is now under the direct control of the Department of Homeland Security (read: the President), to prevent the next President from leading or speaking at a demonstration.
Why do I bring up such an admittedly unlikely scenario? Because, if we've learned nothing else in the past seven years, it is that this administration has NO respect for the Constitution or the wishes of the American people. Therefore, it behooves us to be aware of ANY possibility of shenanigans from these fascists-in-masquerade.
After all,
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. -- Wendell Phillips, (1811-1884), abolitionist, orator and columnist for The Liberator, in a speech before the Massachusetts Antislavery Society in 1852.
And with that I add a new reference website to my list on the side of this blog: Freedom Keys.
This is an important development, not only for the people of Pakistan, who President Bush should be rallying behind in their bid for true democracy, IF he means what he says about fighting for freedom and democracy, but also for the American people, who should keep a close watch on this situation lest it be one we have to deal with ourselves.
I don't WANT to be an alarmist, but these are in fact alarming times.
That being said, here's a scenario which I feel is plausible given the attitude of the present administration.
Come November 2008, and despite the best efforts of the Republican smear machine, John Edwards, Barack Obama or (Lord forbid) Hillary Clinton wins the presidency. A national crisis of some sort causes (they'll say "forces") the Bush administration to declare martial law. The President-in-waiting issues the expected complaint at the top of his/her lungs, calling for the American people to rally to the defense of (what else) democracy. George "the Puppet" Bush, at the backstage command of Lord Cheney, calls for the Army, or even the National Guard, which astute readers will remember is now under the direct control of the Department of Homeland Security (read: the President), to prevent the next President from leading or speaking at a demonstration.
Why do I bring up such an admittedly unlikely scenario? Because, if we've learned nothing else in the past seven years, it is that this administration has NO respect for the Constitution or the wishes of the American people. Therefore, it behooves us to be aware of ANY possibility of shenanigans from these fascists-in-masquerade.
After all,
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. -- Wendell Phillips, (1811-1884), abolitionist, orator and columnist for The Liberator, in a speech before the Massachusetts Antislavery Society in 1852.
And with that I add a new reference website to my list on the side of this blog: Freedom Keys.
Continue to watch what you're thinking there, comrade...
Just when I thought we were free of Ari Fleischer and his admonition that "all Americans... need to watch what they say, watch what they do", along comes Donald Kerr, the principal deputy director of national intelligence.
His take on American civil rights is that Americans can no longer
expect anonymity, and instead should expect that government and
businesses will "properly watch over" America's private communications
and financial information.
The sheer cheek of the man is unbelievable in context of what we've seen lately with the acknowledgement that AT&T was and is helping the government by dredging up billions of emails and private conversations. Add to that the fact that the administration now wants to retroactively forgive those companies that previously infringed on American's rights by handing over information without due course.
This is just more evidence that this administration is corrupt to the core and does not have the interests of the American people at heart, but is instead totally focused on maintaining the power of government and the power of business.
Lest we forget... Lord Acton in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887 said,
These people must be stopped, and if they can't be stopped by the next election, it will be time and past time for the American people to take to the streets and take back their government, just as we did in America in the sixties and just as the Pakistani people are attempting to do now.
His take on American civil rights is that Americans can no longer
expect anonymity, and instead should expect that government and
businesses will "properly watch over" America's private communications
and financial information.
The sheer cheek of the man is unbelievable in context of what we've seen lately with the acknowledgement that AT&T was and is helping the government by dredging up billions of emails and private conversations. Add to that the fact that the administration now wants to retroactively forgive those companies that previously infringed on American's rights by handing over information without due course.
This is just more evidence that this administration is corrupt to the core and does not have the interests of the American people at heart, but is instead totally focused on maintaining the power of government and the power of business.
Lest we forget... Lord Acton in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887 said,
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.
These people must be stopped, and if they can't be stopped by the next election, it will be time and past time for the American people to take to the streets and take back their government, just as we did in America in the sixties and just as the Pakistani people are attempting to do now.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Let's masticate conspicuously.....
DISCLAIMER: Monday I went to Houston’s venerable Last Concert Café, where I feasted on Mama’s Little Dinner. After the usual complimentary corn tortillas and what I consider the best salsa in the city, it starts with a beef taco and a delicious ensalada tipica, which is made with corn and black beans. The salad is followed by enchiladas (I splurged a buck for the beef) smothered in chili gravy, and refrieds and Mexican-style rice. I also splurged for a side of their fine guacamole. Along with a bottomless glass of ice tea, the total cost was $18, including a generous tip, and I left feeling like a combination of Fat Elvis and the King of Texas. Take THAT, rich people...
Here's a pic of the place... if you live in Houston, you owe it to your palate to visit... and for that matter you owe it to your ears to visit in the evening...
And now, to the silliness...
I'm bored with Bling H2O. At $24 a bottle it just doesn't speak to my need to consume the best of the best.
So for breakfast tomorrow I'm having the "Zillion Dollar Frittata" at Le Parker Meridien. This delight is a mixture of eggs, lobster and 10 ounces of sevruga caviar. On the side I'll have a bagel topped with white truffle cream cheese and goji berry infused Riesling jelly with golden leaves from chef Frank Tujague of The Westin New York hotel at Times Square. Breakast, without juice and coffee, is $2000.
Well, heck, now it's almost lunchtime.
I'm torn... should I go for a Philly Cheeseteak from Philadelphia steakhouse Barclay Prime? It's Kobe beef with butter poached lobster and shaved French black truffles. The cheese is melted Taleggio imported from Italy, a far cry from the standard provolone. The sandwich is served on a homemade brioche bun finished with house-made mustard, along with a small bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne. A steal at $100.
Or would I be happier with a burger from Celebrity chef Daniel Bouloud? His burger is stuffed with red wine-braised short ribs (off the bone), foie gras, a mix of root vegetables and preserved black truffle. Hold the ketchup though, the pièce de résistance is a double helping of fresh black truffles on top. This humble gnosh is served on a homemade toasted parmesan and poppy seed bun with a touch of fresh horseradish, oven roasted tomato confit, fresh tomato, red onions and frisée lettuce.
Foodies should note that the Royale, as it's called, is only served at DB Bistro Moderne in New York City and at the Daniel Boulud Brasserie in Las Vegas during the black truffle season, which usually runs from late December through the end of March. And it's a tad more expensive than the cheesesteak at $120.
Either way, hold the fries because I'm going with the macaroni and cheese at LA's Mélisse restaurant. Chef Josiah Citrin spares no expense grating a hefty portion of white truffles over his fresh tagliatelle, smothered in parmesan cheese and brown butter truffle froth. It's $95.
Fortunately, as you are NO DOUBT aware, white truffle season overlaps black truffle season in December.
I haven't made my dinner choices yet, but for dessert I definitely want a slice of $1.65 million Diamond Fruit cake. It boasts 223 diamonds. I'm not sure what's IN it, but it MUST be good... right???
I'll wash it down with a glass of Domaine Romanee Conti (DRC) Romanee Conti Red Burgundy, France (Pinot Noir). The 2002 Vintage is currently fetching upwards of $6,000 USD per bottle. The 2005 vintage is expected to top that, so if the 2005 is available, do have the somellier fetch it.
And a stogie... preferably a 5 1/2 inch, 42 ring gauge La Corona made in 1937. Each cigar will set me back $1,000, but the purveyor throws in a bottle of Prohibition-era whiskey (labeled "For Medicinal Purposes Only.") Sorry, no photo is available...
Ahhh, now I feel better. Take that, poor people...
Here's a pic of the place... if you live in Houston, you owe it to your palate to visit... and for that matter you owe it to your ears to visit in the evening...
And now, to the silliness...
I'm bored with Bling H2O. At $24 a bottle it just doesn't speak to my need to consume the best of the best.
So for breakfast tomorrow I'm having the "Zillion Dollar Frittata" at Le Parker Meridien. This delight is a mixture of eggs, lobster and 10 ounces of sevruga caviar. On the side I'll have a bagel topped with white truffle cream cheese and goji berry infused Riesling jelly with golden leaves from chef Frank Tujague of The Westin New York hotel at Times Square. Breakast, without juice and coffee, is $2000.
Well, heck, now it's almost lunchtime.
I'm torn... should I go for a Philly Cheeseteak from Philadelphia steakhouse Barclay Prime? It's Kobe beef with butter poached lobster and shaved French black truffles. The cheese is melted Taleggio imported from Italy, a far cry from the standard provolone. The sandwich is served on a homemade brioche bun finished with house-made mustard, along with a small bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne. A steal at $100.
Or would I be happier with a burger from Celebrity chef Daniel Bouloud? His burger is stuffed with red wine-braised short ribs (off the bone), foie gras, a mix of root vegetables and preserved black truffle. Hold the ketchup though, the pièce de résistance is a double helping of fresh black truffles on top. This humble gnosh is served on a homemade toasted parmesan and poppy seed bun with a touch of fresh horseradish, oven roasted tomato confit, fresh tomato, red onions and frisée lettuce.
Foodies should note that the Royale, as it's called, is only served at DB Bistro Moderne in New York City and at the Daniel Boulud Brasserie in Las Vegas during the black truffle season, which usually runs from late December through the end of March. And it's a tad more expensive than the cheesesteak at $120.
Either way, hold the fries because I'm going with the macaroni and cheese at LA's Mélisse restaurant. Chef Josiah Citrin spares no expense grating a hefty portion of white truffles over his fresh tagliatelle, smothered in parmesan cheese and brown butter truffle froth. It's $95.
Fortunately, as you are NO DOUBT aware, white truffle season overlaps black truffle season in December.
I haven't made my dinner choices yet, but for dessert I definitely want a slice of $1.65 million Diamond Fruit cake. It boasts 223 diamonds. I'm not sure what's IN it, but it MUST be good... right???
I'll wash it down with a glass of Domaine Romanee Conti (DRC) Romanee Conti Red Burgundy, France (Pinot Noir). The 2002 Vintage is currently fetching upwards of $6,000 USD per bottle. The 2005 vintage is expected to top that, so if the 2005 is available, do have the somellier fetch it.
And a stogie... preferably a 5 1/2 inch, 42 ring gauge La Corona made in 1937. Each cigar will set me back $1,000, but the purveyor throws in a bottle of Prohibition-era whiskey (labeled "For Medicinal Purposes Only.") Sorry, no photo is available...
Ahhh, now I feel better. Take that, poor people...
GAO speaks... will Bush listen?
The Houston Chronicle reported today that government inspectors guarding the nation's ports are understaffed, fatigued from overtime, poorly trained and "frequently fail to question visitors entering the country".
While I applaud the GAO in getting to the bottom of the problem, so to speak, it is a case of stating the obvious. Since 9/11/2001, next to nothing has been done by this administration to secure what surely must be one of the most porous borders in the world.
And EVERYONE, including God knows how many terrorists, knows it.
According to Wikipedia, the Port of Houston handled over 215 million tons of cargo in 2005, second in the United States only to the port in south Louisiana. It is the 10th busiest port in the world.
At the risk of belaboring a point, how easy would it be to smuggle, say, a nuclear or chemical weapon through the Port?
How long will it take before the government cracks down on the Port? What will it take for the Bush administration to secure the borders of the country?
This is something that should have been taken care of beginning the morning of 9/12/2001. The Bushies are very fond of pointing out, in defense of their policies, that there hasn't been an attack on the US since 9/11, but their actions contradict their words. Chemical and nuclear facilities, along with the ports, are KNOWN to be lax in inspections and security.
The GAO report is not news; it is common knowledge.
If it wasn't just so hard to believe, I would think the administration WANTS another attack on the US. This blank-eyed image of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States of America on the morning of 9/11 comes to mind. The time stamp is significant in that the first plane hit the World Trade Center at 9:00, an event HE VIEWED on a television set outside the classroom..
Less than ONE MINUTE LATER Andrew Card informs the President that a second plane has hit the World Trade Center, an event that was witnessed live by millions, a cataclysm that appeared not to concern the "Defender of Freedom".
It was obvious to many, if not all, observers that this was no accident. But Bush SAT THERE for another 10 minutes. He later explained his actions by saying he did not want to alarm the children. How hard would it have actually been for him to say, "Children, it is not easy being the President and sometimes I get called away at a moment's notice to take care of important business. Thank you for having me here today. Goodbye."
In the vernacular of the day, I call "shenanigans". In my heart of hearts, I call it complicity and treason.
So, will Bush listen to and act on the GAO report?
Not bloody likely.
Monday, November 5, 2007
A bold yet doomed move...
The Washington Post reported today that Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich has introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney. Read the full transcript of his announcement here, in which, interestingly enough, he began by quoting one of my favorite, and one of the most powerful statements, in the Declaration of Independence:
One thing I think we can count on, much like his friend in crime, Donald Rumsfeld, Cheney may well find it difficult to travel in Europe when his term is up. Rumsfeld reportedly "fled" France after being faced with possible arrest over American policies regarding torture and Abu Ghraib prison.
Here's hoping he gives international travel a shot and the France does what America lacks the fortitude to do, lock up the wretched scumbag. I'm pretty sure I can collect enough for a nice trip to Paris for him... and if Bush will accompany him, hell, I'll consider mortgaging my house to pay for the trip. The French will apparently pick up their room and board...
In a poignant statement, activist Tanguy Richard said:
We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that, among these, are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the government; and, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.As much as I'd like to see Dick Cheney slapped in irons and given a room with some of his partners in fiendishness, namely serial murderers, I don't see anything coming from Kucinich's article of impeachment. There are few in Congress with the guts to stand up to Cheney's incredible disregard for the Constitution.
One thing I think we can count on, much like his friend in crime, Donald Rumsfeld, Cheney may well find it difficult to travel in Europe when his term is up. Rumsfeld reportedly "fled" France after being faced with possible arrest over American policies regarding torture and Abu Ghraib prison.
Here's hoping he gives international travel a shot and the France does what America lacks the fortitude to do, lock up the wretched scumbag. I'm pretty sure I can collect enough for a nice trip to Paris for him... and if Bush will accompany him, hell, I'll consider mortgaging my house to pay for the trip. The French will apparently pick up their room and board...
In a poignant statement, activist Tanguy Richard said:
Rumsfeld must be feeling how Saddam Hussein felt when US forces were hunting him down. He may never end up being hanged like his old friend, but he must learn that in the civilized world, war crime doesn’t pay.A toast of the bubbly to activist Richard... Here's a link to his blog "Why Travel to France?"
A harbinger in Pakistan...
Thank Pakistan for giving us a small taste of what we can possibly expect from the Bush/Cheney junta in the next year.
As a reaction to the arrival and popularity of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the attacks on her caravan leaving 158 dead and hundreds maimed, President Musharaff has clamped down on civil demonstrations, declared martial law, suspending the "Constitution" and refusing help from the FBI and Scotland Yard to investigate the bombing.
Remember, Musharraf is the chosen "friend" of the Bush administration, who originally seized power in a coup in 1999. It was Musharraf first in line to receive bribes, excuse me, aid payments when Bush cobbled together his coalition of the killing to fight terrorism. And how much help has Musharraf been? Well, for one thing, Osama bin Laden is still reportedly hiding out in the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan...
One has to wonder why Bush feels his "hands are tied" in dealing with Pakistan. Could it be because in his dark twisted heart of hearts he knows he may have to resort to some of the same tactics Musharaff is using?
As I've asked before in this space, is it really to much to believe that, in the event of political or social unrest, the Bush administration would suspend the next election and declare martial law?
In an invited commentary on CNN.com Bhutto raised several issues of a nature we may find ourselves dealing with in the months to come. The issues have to do with peaceful assembly, free political expression. I encourage my readers to check out the entire article, but here is an interesting excerpt:
Note that fraudulent elections, which we have certainly had a taste of in the United States, are one of the 14 Points of Fascism.
As a reaction to the arrival and popularity of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the attacks on her caravan leaving 158 dead and hundreds maimed, President Musharaff has clamped down on civil demonstrations, declared martial law, suspending the "Constitution" and refusing help from the FBI and Scotland Yard to investigate the bombing.
Remember, Musharraf is the chosen "friend" of the Bush administration, who originally seized power in a coup in 1999. It was Musharraf first in line to receive bribes, excuse me, aid payments when Bush cobbled together his coalition of the killing to fight terrorism. And how much help has Musharraf been? Well, for one thing, Osama bin Laden is still reportedly hiding out in the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan...
One has to wonder why Bush feels his "hands are tied" in dealing with Pakistan. Could it be because in his dark twisted heart of hearts he knows he may have to resort to some of the same tactics Musharaff is using?
As I've asked before in this space, is it really to much to believe that, in the event of political or social unrest, the Bush administration would suspend the next election and declare martial law?
In an invited commentary on CNN.com Bhutto raised several issues of a nature we may find ourselves dealing with in the months to come. The issues have to do with peaceful assembly, free political expression. I encourage my readers to check out the entire article, but here is an interesting excerpt:
On my return to Pakistan last month, throngs of people turned out to welcome me back home. The demand to ban grassroots political activity is a suspicious prelude to what could be an overt attempt to rig the upcoming elections. All people who believe in the process of democracy should reject this attempt to undermine public participation in the campaign and set the table for what I believe would simply be a fraudulent election.
Note that fraudulent elections, which we have certainly had a taste of in the United States, are one of the 14 Points of Fascism.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
The Cheney lips move, and having moved, lie on...
Vice President Dick Cheney spoke Friday at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/ Fort Worth on the possibility of America attacking Iran:
Well, based on his track record, what on God's green earth could convince me that he is doing anything BUT chomping at the bit to attack Iran?
The man has proven time and again that he just cannot be trusted, and that his stated objectives are hardly, if ever, his real objectives. As he is (thankfully and finally) a lame duck it makes little sense for WE THE PEOPLE to allow him to set an even more destructive course for the US than he has already set us on.
Ooooga Boooooga!!!
Nobody wants to resolve this in any means other than peacefully, if it's at all possible. But in the final analysis, the worse outcome would be a situation in which Iran is sort of let loose, if you will, in that part of the world with an inventory of nuclear weapons prepared to be used against other nations in that region or to dominate that part of the globe and to threaten not only the United States, but many of our friends and allies out there as well.
Well, based on his track record, what on God's green earth could convince me that he is doing anything BUT chomping at the bit to attack Iran?
The man has proven time and again that he just cannot be trusted, and that his stated objectives are hardly, if ever, his real objectives. As he is (thankfully and finally) a lame duck it makes little sense for WE THE PEOPLE to allow him to set an even more destructive course for the US than he has already set us on.
Ooooga Boooooga!!!
Hillary gets the big head... again...
Responding to complaints her opponents were piling on her because she is a woman, Hillary Clinton said:
She's right, of course. I have no dispute with her assessment, or her ability to handle "the heat." I do have a problem with her in general. Her attitude, especially at this early point of the race, is just too smug for me.
And the last thing the country needs after eight years of "yer either fer us or agin us"
is an attitude that says "I am the winner, so deal with it," because it's just one step from there to what we already have, a sense of American world entitlement.
Don't misunderstand me. I do feel that America is "the greatest country on earth," but that doesn't mean it is the right way to behave. It reminds me a bit of the valedictorian of my high school graduating class. Bob B. was smart as a whip but so stuck on himself that no one wanted to deal with him. At our ten year reunion, you'd have thought he was holding court, and I realized that as much as I admired his intelligence and accomplishments I disliked him for his arrogance.
And that is not the sort of person I want representing the United States going froward.
Hillary may be electable, but is this what we really want, Argentinian style dynastic leadership?
Politics as usual got us into the mess we are now in and it's time for politics as unusual to get us out of it.
I don't think they're piling on me because I'm a woman. I think they were piling on me because I'm winning... I anticipate it's going to get even hotter, and if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. I'm very much at home in the kitchen.
She's right, of course. I have no dispute with her assessment, or her ability to handle "the heat." I do have a problem with her in general. Her attitude, especially at this early point of the race, is just too smug for me.
And the last thing the country needs after eight years of "yer either fer us or agin us"
is an attitude that says "I am the winner, so deal with it," because it's just one step from there to what we already have, a sense of American world entitlement.
Don't misunderstand me. I do feel that America is "the greatest country on earth," but that doesn't mean it is the right way to behave. It reminds me a bit of the valedictorian of my high school graduating class. Bob B. was smart as a whip but so stuck on himself that no one wanted to deal with him. At our ten year reunion, you'd have thought he was holding court, and I realized that as much as I admired his intelligence and accomplishments I disliked him for his arrogance.
And that is not the sort of person I want representing the United States going froward.
Hillary may be electable, but is this what we really want, Argentinian style dynastic leadership?
Politics as usual got us into the mess we are now in and it's time for politics as unusual to get us out of it.
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