Out of Iraq

1000

I don't agree with the enthusiasm of Andy in Amman. The country has had it's trouble from Iraq when four Iraqis traveled there and set off bombs that killed people at a wedding.

Prime Minister Maliki was right in skipping a session with Bush. He has a lot on the line, including his own life. When discontent is verbalized in Iraq regardless the benign intent as a protest as with the Shi'ite Cleric al Sadr and innate right to say it, there is always someone who is willing to carry out statements to a degree of violence that was never intended.

Prime Minister Maliki has my sympathies. He is in a very difficult position and was absolutely correct in not meeting Bush's demands to be seen with him, as a defiance by the Iraqi people that feel otherwise; with his own protest. I admire him more today than yesterday. Giving into the demands of a USA President does not show strength so much as weakness and the Iraqi people needs leaders that are strong and determined to carry out their will. I admire him for that today.

As per usual, The New York Times is on the cutting edge of information regarding the war processes in Iraq. It's not an easy position for them to be in, but, it is admirable and will be liberating to them in time. I belive they are already finding their way out of the propaganda maze that has dominated DC ever since the elections of 2000.

Iraq Panel to Recommend Pullback of Combat Troops

By DAVID E. SANGER and DAVID S. CLOUD
Published: November 30, 2006
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 — The bipartisan Iraq Study Group reached a consensus on Wednesday on a final report that will call for a gradual pullback of the 15 American combat brigades now in Iraq but stop short of setting a firm timetable for their withdrawal, according to people familiar with the panel’s deliberations.
]
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/world/middleeast/30policy.html?hp&ex=1164949200&en=b95eba287d888001&ei=5094&partner=homepage

I also believe Iraq's neighbors are stepping up to be counted and that can only serve to be a stabilizing force in the region, regardless of it's controversy. There is a lot happening all over the region and I have the upmost hope with the visit by Pope Benedict VI that the region is seeking solutions to long standing problems.

The ever sought after electricity grid.

Iran, Syria to connect power networks via Turkey

LONDON, November 30 (IranMania) - Iran and Syria reached an agreement to connect their electricity networks via Turkey and Iraq, Iran Energy Minister said, MNA reported.
“Ministers from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey will also hold talks in Damascus in future to bring together their electricity networks,” Parviz Fattah told reporters after a meeting with Syrian Energy Minister Ahmed Khaled al-Ali who is currently on a visit to Iran.
Fattah noted that transmission power lines have previously been posted at Iran-Iraq and Syria-Iraq borders. “Iraq has implicitly announced its agreement on a multilateral connection, but further negotiations are needed to reach an overall accord,” the minister added.
The official also stated, “We agreed to operate two units of Syrian Banias power plant during a next trip to this country. The units are currently being renovated by Iran’s Azarab Company of Arak.”

http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=47655&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs

Perhaps now everyone can begin to understand Iran's demand for ample nuclear energy. I still see Russia as a good source of enriched uranium, but, if Iran can prove to be a benevolent power to the region in supplying reliable energy to the people there, the quality of life will increase immeasurably as it is something the USA has never been able to supply to those people, and in time Iran's status will change. I welcome the success of such projects.

I don't believe the people of Iran are interested in anything hostile. Call it what you want but in a presentation by Ted Kopple it was very obvious to me, the Iranian people feel betrayed by the International Community in it's equity under the UN Nonproliferation Treaty. At some point in time, the world has to realize Iran, as Iraq's neighbor did everything any other country would do with an aggressive Superpower just over the border.

The USA acted out of character with the Iraq invasion and this country is paying for it.


Syria, Turkey to launch free trade zone next year

Syria and Turkey agreed Wednesday to put into force a free trade zone agreement between the two countries at the beginning of next year, the official SANA news agency reported.
Syrian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah al- Dardari discussed the issue with his visiting counterpart Abdullatif Sener during a meeting.
Both sides discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation, particularly in the customs field to develop border posts between the two neighbors.
"To build a genuine partnership and establish different investments we should activate the role of our industrial and trade chambers, businessmen and investors," Dardari noted.
For his part, Sener, also Turkish Minister of State, said that agreements between the two countries would definitely meet the demands of both friendly peoples.
Upon arrival Tuesday evening in Damascus, Sener, who is on a four-day official visit, expressed the hope to increase the volume of trade exchange to one billion U.S. dollars from the current 850 million dollars, SANA said.

http://english.people.com.cn/200611/30/eng20061130_326673.html

The Pope's visit to Turkey could not be a better indication to the region's hope for tomorrow and a peace that will be sustainable through economic development and stable quality of life for people there. We all know where there are people prospering al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and all the others cannot survive. When people find the life they are looking for with a promise for their children they will stop siding with radical murderers such as al Qaeda.

Unfortunately, the old world rhetoric still lives on CNN:

COOPER: No, no, I was just going to -- I was just going to say, I mean, Jeff raises a very good point, which is, is the U.S. really even in control at this point, or really have much influence over events on the ground in Iraq?

GERGEN: I -- that -- that is very fundamental to this, and whether -- and that was raised by the Hadley memo as well, whether Maliki has control over events on the ground. It seems to me almost impossible now for the president to come out of a meeting with Mr. Maliki in the next few hours and say with a straight face, we're now planning to do these three things to help this government, when the government itself seems to be in a shambles, and the man who heads the government has just snubbed him. I just don't know how you persuade the American people, or anyone else, that this is a reliable partner for the United States in the coming months. I don't know how Jeff feels about it, but it just seems -- I think this whole series of events have put into very grave question whether this administration can now work with the Maliki government in a way that persuades others that this is a safe, reasonable and thoughtful way to proceed.

COOPER: We're going to have to leave it there. David -- David Gergen, appreciate it, Jeff Greenfield, as well.

WITH friends like this who needs enemies in Iraq? I mean these bozos don't even give out the latest raw data:

Since the war began, 2,834 military personnel have died. Another 21,921 service members have been wounded. According to one report, up to 54,226 -- 54,226 Iraqi civilians may have been killed -- widely divergent numbers there.

Anderson Cooper 360 won't accept the fact the IRAQI GOVERNMENT has accounted for 150,000 dead CIVILIANS, Anderson ! The Iraqi government is discounted as an authority of the suffering of it's own people. What kind of a moron would insist on Bush propaganda? Oh, wait. One that considers it 'okay' for 54 thousand to be dead and not shaken by that number. One dead Iraqi child is enough for me, okay? It should never have happened and for this we get inaccurate data and pandering to Bush.

Iraqi lawmakers and cabinet ministers allied with Shiite cleric and militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr, a bloc that was pivotal in bringing Maliki to power in May, launched a boycott Wednesday of their governmental duties to protest Maliki's decision to meet with Bush. At the same time, relations between the U.S. and Iraqi governments were complicated by the leak of a confidential White House memo suggesting the Bush administration was close to losing confidence in Maliki's ability to deliver results.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/29/AR2006112900324.html

The facts are far clearer than this rhetoric. In an article in The New York Times only a week or so ago, it was clear Cleric al Sadr had the ear of the Shi'ite majority in Iraq and he did not have the attention of the splintering militias. In fact in the article it reflected the fact that Cleric al Sadr had become far more politically involved and had lost touch with the armed camps in Iraq that still protect their towns and hamlets. So, this is soem of the worst rhetoric I've heard today.

I don't know what everyone thinks they are doing by back peddling into lies, but, I am not surprised this move against Maliki was a political move rather than random bombings.

Isn't this what we were hoping for? A power structure whereby people could be heard and register protests without killing masses of people? This is democracy at it's best.

What are you joking?

Because Bush has been shunned it's a tragedy? Not hardly.

They should be rejoicing in Iraq that Maliki has completely embarrassed Bush right there in Jordan as a protest carried out in the Shi'ites name. This is big deal. Maliki literally told Bush in no uncertain terms, he is the man of his people and not the puppet of the USA.

I think it's great and I feel Prime Minister Maliki has earned his stripes for the first time in awhile. First he removed the American troops from plundering Sadr City and now this. There is progress in that the people of Iraq are being empowered as a force to heard over the occupation of the USA. They have been building a shadow government for a long time now, it's time it came to the forefront of authority and power. It's a good thing.

THE REST OF THE NEWS hour is nothing but hatred, bigotry and war mongering. The program has absolutely nothing positive to offer and things are actually looking up when one finally sees 'the truth' rather than 'the lies of Bush.' Did I hear the bonds for Iraq and Iran are still listed as "B" by Mooney's?

Hm.

I heard someone make the observation in that handing Iraq over to Iran and Syria is like handing Poland over to Hitler. I don't think so. The Kurds need protecting and the USA needs to regroup and repair. A good solid presence in Kurdistan will serve the people there as a security until the rest of Iraq either splits or settles into life anew. This is not history repeating itself. It was very sad to hear the analogy. Saddam is gone. Maliki is not Saddam. The Shi'ites have had enough of death. This is not Pre-WW II Poland.

I don't like rest of the program, it's nothing but an attempt to build greater and more powerful hate against Iraqis. We don't need it and we don't need Anderson Cooper or John Roberts or Mr. Gergen or Jeff Greenfield either !!!!

enough

Resolving discontent

1000 pm

Turkey has a USA military base in Ancara. Extremists are already known to American intelligence and I am confident the Turkey government as well. Besides, an orthodox Muslim would place a woman behind a screen when doing businesss. They segregate women and men when in worship. I am not saying it's right, but, it is a proven course of events that when women win rights and freedom it is because they have fought for it, even in the USA; it's never granted to them.

As a matter of fact in the USA, when the Woman's Sufferage Movement was underway, they were supporters of Black Americans as well. When the 14th Amendment was passed it originally excluded women of any ethnic group, but, granted Black Men the same voting rights as White Men. It's so very apropos that after 100 years of Civil Rights, it's the Black population that was targeted in Florida. It wasn't part of the 13 original colonies (click on) maybe that is part of the problem in enforcing rights of all citizens across the board in Florida.

At any rate, shortly after September 11th, the USA precense there was increased (click on), oddly though and wondering what is the priority of Iraq long about now, the port at ISKENDERUN BAY (click on) that handles jet fuel for the USA military is being viewed as superfluous to the needs there by Europe as Turkey joins the EU. Hm. Interesting. The global community is really eliminating USA influence since Bush's illegal invasion.

U.S. Leaving Jet Fuel Port Site near Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
Yumurtalik Sea Terminal used to offload jet fuel from ships
07 July 2006
Washington -- The U.S. military plans to cease operations at the Yumurtalik Sea Terminal, an aviation fuel-handling site on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast near Incirlik Air Base and the endpoint of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.
“Due to U.S. European Command force-structure realignment and transformation, the Yumurtalik Sea Terminal’s jet-fuel receipt point facility has been identified as excess to U.S. Air Forces Europe’s needs,” the Defense Department announced July 5. The facilities will be returned to the host nation.
Yumurtalik is a port on Iskenderun Bay that has been the terminus of an oil pipeline from the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk and is the terminus of the new BTC pipeline bringing oil from the Caspian Sea. For decades, the Yumurtalik Sea Terminal has been the site where the U.S. Air Force has offloaded jet fuel from ships for use at nearby Incirlik Air Base.
In 2004, the Yumurtalik Sea Terminal facility was valued at $34.4 million and consists of five buildings on 57 hectares of land, according to the Department of Defense Base Structure Report. The site provides employment for one active-duty American service member and two host-nation employees.

http://ankara.usembassy.gov/news_07072006a.html

It looks as though Bush is going to have a helping hand in Iraq.

Ahmadinejad says will do all it can to help Iraq


Tehran: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday Iran would do whatever it could to help provide security to Iraq amid warnings the country was on the brink of civil war.
The White House, acknowledging violence in Iraq was in a "new phase", said the issue of talking to Iran and Syria about Iraq was likely to be raised at a meeting this week between President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.
The United States is facing calls to engage Tehran to help end the bloodshed, which UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said had pushed Iraq closer to civil war.

http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iraq/10085759.html

Espionage

It is a dangerous game to begin with but when spies play both sides of the street the danger increases. In the case of Alexander Litvinenko, a top Russian spy, fled to England in 2000 and became both a valuable informant to British foreign intelligence; he didn't bother keeping a low profile either.

Mr. Litvineko involved himself in affaris outsize of his capacity in Chechnya as well but writing books and seeking the influence of the United Nations in that troubled region. That was a direct assault on two countries, Chechnya and Russia. Neither of these countries actively sought outside intervention.

It is my opinion it would be difficult for the United Nations to intervene. Chechnya has many terrorists and to place a Peacekeeper force in that region would be putting them in harms way before any reasonable 'safety zone' were established. The Chechen terrorists would most assuredly be better armed and more covert than any UN Peacekeepers, placing the peacekeepers at a distinct disadvantage.

15/04/2004 CHECHNYA: COLONEL ALEXANDER LITVINENKO SIGNED THE APPEAL FOR AN INTERIM UN ADMINISTRATION IN CHECHNYA

http://coranet.radicalparty.org/pressreleases/press_release.php?func=detail&par=6932#

The circumstances of Chechnya are completely hideous. There are terrorists from the entire region engaged in killing. There is no doubt the war there is hugely sad in that 100,000 people on both sides of the conflict are dead. Not only that, reports about Russian soldiers and their conduct in the towns are not completely pleasant. The Russian army has an issue with 'Dedovshchina' which is a form of discimination of younger members of the armed forces placing severe moral' issues in play and hence they tend to carry out self righteous acts in their roles with Chechnya.

The terrorist issue in Chechnya is not a small one. At the time of Beslan (click on) Russia did extensive forensics on those involved. They included some high profiles individuals of other ethnicities leading to Uzbecks. The name al Qaeda was thrown around, but, these days when isn't it? That was an indication there was no simple solution in Chechnya.

Additionally, Chechens are involved in the two nearly simultaneous plane crashes of Russia aircraft in 2004. Russians were questioned regarding that conspiracy as well. If I am not mistaken there was also a bus exploded in Moscow that same day which lead to still another Chechen involvement.

Double Plane Crash Over Russia Officially Classified as Terrorism

http://www.mosnews.com/news/2004/09/15/planes.shtml

We all know about theater seige where about 100 people were killed and those were Chechen terrorists as well.

Dubrovka Theater Siege

http://www.mosnews.com/mn-files/dubrovka.shtml

For a spy to leave Russia seeking to plead with Britain willing to give them information while backing the people that killed Russians within their own borders is down right foolish. Some of the issue also involves the high handed and wealthy oligarchs. It may be when the oligarchs justify the 'cause' of Chechnya by backing those that seek retribution against innocent Russian citizens, they are more a threat then the terrorists whom without them may only rely on funding through illegal poppy sales under Bush in Afghanistan where Ubeck warlords enjoy the profits reaped from such crops.

The point is the oligarchs, including Boris Berezovsky, enjoyed their wealth so much that they would rather see the sovereign country of Russia destroyed. They would not mind 'creating' a cause such as Chechnya to engage other nations through sympathy and greed (Don't tell me the oil barrons of Texas and Wyoming don't have designs on Russia oil either.) as an imputus to taking down Russia in one way or another.

Russia through history has proven itself a profound ally to freedom. Even if Russia is a communist nation, historically it has stood strong with The West in all world wars. If it weren't for Russia both world wars probably would have been lost. That understood, there is a lot to balance when entering into a theater of conflict such as Chechnya. It would rattle the roots of global stability at the Superpower level and with great cost to any civilized country.

When the world seeks to stop Russian authorities from protecting their citizens from terrorists as has been proven by the Chechen resistance it better have an whole lot better idea.

Now, as to the dead folks that have been moving the Chechen issue forward in the press and in activism such as Litvinenko, it would behoove everyone to seek information and stop the murders. At the same time what needs to accompany these Russian activisits 'claims' to justice through democracy and freedom is complete reassurance that there is an answer. So far there are no alternatives being offered so much as simple accusation against Putin. Additionally, that answer has to include active diplomatic initiative that empower Russia to a better outcome as well. I don't see a direct assault on Russia trying to topple still another USSR.

I still don't discount there are people at work on all these fronts that would love to build a case for The West to confront Russia and particularly Putin. I am not convinced there are Russian forces acting here and certainly not convinced through lack of evidence there isn't sole efforts at work to embarass President Putin considering how 'openness' has been rolled back in Russia to protect an aggressive and militarized USA with absolutely no shame in coveting sovereign oil assets in other countries and taking it without a second thought to the outcome to world stability.

I don't approve of the deaths involved that allow Russia's Putin to fall repeatedly under empty accusations. It would be better from all points of view for REALISTIC editorials about such matters to bring forth the best of all worlds and hopefully sovereign resolve for the best outcomes of the people of Russia and Chechnya. I don't approve of the ambitions of oligarchs when they are free wheeling outside the cooperation with government directives. The oligarchs are wealthy and have capacity they should not as citizens. They aren't to be allowed to create their own nations and in that their own military initiative either.

enough

Unholy Alliance or just a survival alliance against the only Superpower on Earth?

There are just somethings that can't be stopped in this world and an alliance between Syria, Iran and Iraq is one of them. Iraq under Saddam was a nation that had no intention of being a good neighbor, that should be completely obvious from the first Gulf invasion when Saddam attempted to overthrow the sovereign government of Kuwait. To our credit there are some that still see the USA as benevolent at least to that measure and is why the illegal invasion into Iraq have been such a tragedy when one realizes the inbalance that has resulted, the Iraqi lives lost and the ostracizing of the USA from the influence it sacrificed so dearly for in the past.

I don't consider the alliance between these three countries unholy. What is of concern is the backlash of Sunni terrorist organization such as Hezbollah and their need to control outcomes that are adverse to stability. Hezbollah's hatred of Israel is a common ground to round up sympathetic jihadists and oddly to bridge the culture gap, the Iranian president has chosen the same anti-semitic propaganda as a basis of his authority.

The Jim Jones Cult

It probably did start with good intentions and then took on 'rules of conduct' that maintained a line of loyalty. With every dime they can in life invested into the cult, members had little recourse to leave and simply became captives to the power structure. When Congressman Ryan got involved it was right to do so. Jim Jones was establishing a community out of the USA to avoid 'the law.' It's just that simple. The mass poisoning/suicide was to stop the movement that was coming under government ridicule and review. Jones may have truly cared for his followers enough to believe if anything happened to the cult they would have meaningless lives and no way of functioning in society. He was wrong about that. I don't believe America would have been that 'cold shouldered' toward any citizen that needed to be rescued from brainwashing and financial devastation. During this time in America there was a move to 'deprogram' family members who entered cults. The only people that had a reason to fear retribution was Jones and those within the power structure that abused their members. I am sure the film will be very powerful.

Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tixSYS/2006/filmguide/event_np_summary.php?EventNumber=1832

AND the trailer

http://www.firelightmedia.org/flash/mainflash2.html

continued ...

General Abuzaid is correct in his approach and I think that is the best he can do actually

Jamie McIntyre gave an accurate assessment of the circumstances surrounding the good General's plight. (In my words) Iraq is a disaster, at least as far as USA goals are concerned. I think the lack of post war planning was the end of any chance of stemming what is occuring now. In other words, Bush/Cheney lost the war from the day they entered Baghdad.

The invasion went exceptionally well, with little resistance, however, when chaos broke out and anarchy became the 'status' of the day there was no turning back because there was no security in Iraq. The desert bunkers provided to be an abundance of very sophisticated weaponry that is still in play today. The new government lost it's credibility when it could not stand up to Bush when he was attacking anyone that moved. Literally, no clear plan for this war, just military tactics and fun and games. In the meantime, Cheney was able to instill his cronies and especially Halliburton to get his old stockholders off his back. That was in essence Cheney's Mission Accomplished.

Over three years there has been leadership by Holy Men securing their hamlets throughout Iraq. According to General Abuzaid there are what could be called border skirmishes between Shia and Sunni. That divides the territories/provinces and the authorities that have clout in those areas. For the USA to take a confrontation approach to Iraqis at this late stage is simply hideous. There is no way General Abuzaid or any of the troops can understand where the justice in the country lies and where it doesn't. We don't know who is attacking who and why. So to take one part or the other is counter productive. The only 'moral' role in Iraq for USA forces is to train national military and police. The actual security of the country and Baghdad has to come from them. To date we still don't know the outcome of the kidnapped from last week, an astounding show of force and loyalty in the Iraqi capital.

This type of raid is getting the USA nowhere.

U.S., Iraqis seize seven in Baghdad raid

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4352399.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. and Iraqi forces backed by helicopters swept into Baghdad's Sadr City Shiite slum in a dark-of-night raid Tuesday that netted seven militiamen, including one believed to know the whereabouts of an American soldier kidnapped nearly a month ago.

Angry Shiites denounced the raid and a lawmaker from the district stood outside the Imam Ali hospital, holding the body of a boy killed in the attack and vowing he would not return to parliament until all American forces were out of Iraq.

Police said three Iraqis, including the boy, were killed and 15 wounded. No soldiers were hurt, the military said.

The raid came just weeks after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, had taken on the role of protector of the sprawling Sadr City district by ordering the U.S. military to lift a blockade of the slum.

A child dead and a lot of angry Shi'ites who now see their government as lacking the control over their country by having raids by USA soldiers again. That is not providing a belief in the over all federalization of security forces. It will serve to undermine the authority of the 'unity government' and there will be more attacks on recruits and their training facilities where there are going to be more USA troops.

ROBERTS: And, Michael -- and, Michael, what about that report we just heard that the Pentagon is considering a plan that, in the short term, would boost the number of U.S. troops by about 20,000 to help in training up the Iraqi forces, then cut the combat presence, in favor of expanding those training efforts? Is that a viable plan there?

WARE: Well, John, I mean, it's certainly one idea.

And, I mean, it depends upon whom you talk to here on the ground among U.S. commanders as to just what kind of a force strength it would take to really do this job properly. But, by and large, the assessment is, an additional 20,000 troops is really barely enough. It will only make a dent in certain areas.

I mean, look at Ramadi alone, where there's 5,000 U.S. troops in that city. Privately, U.S. commanders say they need as up -- as many as 15,000 troops, just for that city alone -- John.

ROBERTS: All right. Michael Ware, in Baghdad, good to see you again, mate. Thanks very much.

The American Commanders are not the people that should be seeking more military personnel in any areas because it will cause carnage by these people. I would never risk that type of presence in a country that has a form of internal security that is established by the people of the particular towns. If the USA tries to take back control at this point they will all see it as a renewed war front. Training forces in Iraq is the only solution and I have to agree with Abuzaid in that it has to be done in large number and quickly to provide for a stable force that feels confident in number and mission. Short of that, there is no sense to the USA being there.

GORDON: ... perhaps six months, because the American military is limited in its size. Another would be a diplomatic opening to Iran and to Syria, as Kissinger and the Baker commission is expected to propose. That might have some benefits in perhaps reducing the amount of external interference in Iraq. But there has to be a combination of efforts that, all put together, seek to change, in a positive direction, what is really kind of a downward situation in Iraq today.

How about this? Mr. Gates is so cozy with the politics of Iran and arms in the Middle East that he will be welcome as a friend and that is why we are seeing movement toward favoring the acceptance of Syria and Iran into the dynamics of Iraq right now. Indeed, if Mr. Gates can sweeten the deal with these three countries allowing American business interests to dominate the picture then perhaps the security of the country will actually fall in line when these other sovereignties have so much on the line and they already have significant influence within Iraq.

Gates consistently testified that he first heard on October 1, 1986, from the national intelligence officer who was closest to the Iran initiative, Charles E. Allen, that proceeds from the Iran arms sales may have been diverted to support the contras.2 Other evidence proves, however, that Gates received a report on the diversion during the summer of 1986 from DDI Richard Kerr. The issue was whether Independent Counsel could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Gates was deliberately not telling the truth when he later claimed not to have remembered any reference to the diversion before meeting with Allen in October.

http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/walsh/chap_16.htm

Not to say anything will be uncorrupt or above board but Gates has a track record with Iran and one the Iranians will probably respect.

Charles Rangel is way out of line. Bush as Commander and Chief can't even run a competent military now and we are supposed to give him more troops. No. Perhaps it would have been better to engage in a discussion about the Postal Service.

Postal Labor Negotiations Must Not Undermine Agency

Federal TimesNov 10, 2006
At midnight on November 20, all four U.S. Postal Service labor contracts are set to expire. Don't panic. Postal workers, as federal employees, are not permitted to strike. So your advertisements, credit-card solicitations and catalogues will still be delivered.
But while unionized postal workers can't strike, they can collectively bargain for increased wages and benefits. Union leaders know full well that USPS is not a private company. It's a government agency, and Uncle Sam is not going to let the Postal Service "go under." So unions push for deals that would sink a publicly-traded firm.

http://lexingtoninstitute.org/1015.shtml

OR

The Modularity, The Littoral Combat Ship coveted by The Lexington Institute as the quinessential battleship.

http://lexingtoninstitute.org/docs/lcs_final.pdf

Let's get down to it, CNN, your guest speakers aren't interested in peace, they are interested in war, including it would seem Charles Rangel. So, you actually think any credible person is going to actually listen to a biased discussion about draft induction into a military engaged in an illegal war? We did that once before, it was called The Vietnam War.

ROBERTS: Congressman Rangel, thanks very much for being with us. Appreciate it.
RANGEL: Have a good Thanksgiving.
ROBERTS: You, too.

Elbow deep in good will and why not, it's only a show and that is what counts not the well being of our democracy, young people, balanced budget and generational deficit. Who said we can afford to continue this charade in Iraq, anyway?

OMAR NASIRI, AUTHOR, "INSIDE THE JIHAD":

Not a bad idea to put it in print. Now the 911 families that continue to advocate for National Security and those still involved in lawsuits have still another witness of incompetence to draw on.

Poor Kramer threatened by age and instability from people that might actually not like him and could derail any 'act' he has going for himself right now. There is a history of 'comics' that have 'gone over/lost' their edge. There is a solemn side to a career in show business of any kind, it is hard to keep laughing all the time when a hint of failure might be around the corner. I do believe Mr. Richards has an inappropriate anger with race and needs to realize 'it ain't funny.' The community leaders, especially people within the business, can bring insight to Mr. Richards and hopefully find a way to help him resolve the issues that surrounded his outburst. It was a little scary.

enough

Defeat seems to be the word for tonight's broadcast

I doubt sincerely Ms. Pelosi feels defeated. It would have been nice for Representative Murtha to win House majority leader, but, I am confident we'll all be hearing from him anyway.

The defeat of humanity by Human Induced Global Warming has never been more evident. For all it's sophistication, weaponry, wealth and supposedly morality, human beings in First World societies never were able to reach beyond their own creature comforts to save themselves from the ravages of Human Induced Global Warming. I think the word today in the lead editorial of the New York Times regarding Bush appointees was SOP. That is the method of living under this administration. The USA government should have been on the forefront for some time now, the Blue Ribbion Panels and elitist monies to combat the ravages the average citizen has no defense from. So, the carnage goes on while adding to the thousands of dead and displaced by Katrina this season seems mild until it happens to you.

Survivors go through N.C. tornado rubble
By ESTES THOMPSONASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER


Ashley Brown describes what happened as a tornado ripped through her home early Thursday morning, Nov. 16, 2006 in Riegelwood, N.C. A tornado flipped cars, shredded trees and ripped mobile homes to pieces in this little riverside community early Thursday, killing at least eight people, authorities said. (AP Photo/Willis Glassgow)
RIEGELWOOD, N.C. -- Survivors picked through the rubble of their flattened homes Friday and divers planned to search a nearby pond after a tornado killed eight people in this riverside town, the area hardest hit by a devastating storm system that swept into the Northeast overnight.
Gov. Mike Easley said Friday that four of the 20 people injured when the tornado struck Riegelwood remained in "very, very critical condition." Several of the injured were children.
The deadly storms left a three-day path of destruction from Louisiana to Maine, killing 12 people, knocking out power and flooding streets.
Hundreds of people in New York and dozens in Maryland had to be rescued Thursday from homes and cars caught in flash flooding. Most of Maine was still under a flood watch Friday.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Eastern_Storms.html

It is November 17th and Hurricane Sergio is now a Cat 2 in the East Pacific. Hurricane season officially ends November 30th but rarely is there any kind of activity this late. There have been a few years that have wandered into post season as well, but, that is a rarity. August through October is the 'normal' time frame for the most part with 98% of major storms (Cat 3 or higher) occuring there. It will be interesting to see the velocity of Sergio, the last storm to reach hurricane strength this season was in October and a Cat 2, the name was Paul, previous to that it was Lane a 3, Krity a l and a Cat 4 strom with the name of John which caused some deaths in Mexico at the end of August - first week of September.

Simply being able to live harmoniously with the conditions that limit human activity due to Earth's fagility is too much for people to accomplish. That's amazing. You know, when I wrote my testimony to the EPA years ago there was a PhD that stated although he admired my attempt at 'turning things around' there was a very good chance people would never rise to the challenge and simply live in blind ignorance of their own shortcomings. I felt was wrong. Now, I don't.

Storms Cut Access to Oregon Ski Resort

PORTLAND, Ore. — At 11,239 feet and draped with early snow, Mount Hood beckons skiers from across the West.
If only they could get there.
The storms that brought snow to the top of the mountain washed out a road that leads to Mount Hood's largest ski area, damaging a Columbia Gorge tourist industry that depends in the winter on people playing in the snow.
Mount Hood Meadows Ski Resort, Oregon's second-busiest ski area, didn't open for skiers and boarders Thursday because the state highway that leads to it was hammered by sodden earth and rock sliding off the volcano last week during a rainstorm.
A 22-mile stretch of Oregon 35 is closed. The state has hired a contractor on a rush basis to get it passable.
The state highway department hasn't said when it expects to get the road reopened.
"I would be surprised if the ski area was not open by Christmas," said David Riley, president of Mount Hood Meadows, in a blog posting. He said the ski area had enough snow to open Thursday _ it reported a snow base of 22 inches.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4342975.html

And the defeat of the USA military in Iraq

Kidnappings and beheadings. Somehow it really doesn't matter if USA troops are there it goes on anyway. When the American troops are attacking Sunnis, they inturn attack Shi'ites that attack them back and when the USA attacks the Shi'ites for attacking the Sunnis which they were attacking in the first place, the Shi'ites attack National Recruits and their training facilities.

Hello?

It's working.

COOPER: And -- and, just briefly, are they still beheading people? Or does that seem to have sort of lessened?

WARE: No, that still takes place. And, principally, that's been labeled as a signature of some of the more extreme Sunni groups, whereas some of the more extreme Shia groups, in their sectarian- motivated killings, generally seem to have a pattern of torture, one of the most prominent features being the use of drills to drill joints and into the body, and execution by gunfire -- Anderson.

COOPER: Unbelievable.

Well, there you go Cooper, unbelievable. That's a bit of a better word. Say is with some CIA enthusiasm as if you didn't really know and we might even have a reason for an intelligence investigation.

The rest of the show is simply PATHETIC !

BORING !

Save me Crowley brought up Reagan. That desperate, huh?

See, Bill Schneider has an interesting perspective. Don't pretend it was your's Cooper, we all know better than that. You're so narcisstic and such a 'copy-catter' that something as original as this could never be your idea, if it truly was you would have your face all over the camera.

So we thought we'd try a different approach. Instead of asking voters which candidate they might prefer, CNN's Bill Schneider asked the campaign professionals which opponent they most fear. Here's what he discovered.

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Who are Republicans and Democrats most afraid of? We know Republicans don't like Hillary Clinton. They hold a four to one negative opinion of the New York Senator, even though she's made a serious effort to reach out to Republicans.

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: But you know, we can come together and try to solve a real problem for America.

SCHNEIDER: Republicans reassure themselves Senator Clinton can't be elected president. Can she? Polls show her highly competitive, especially if the voters are as eager for change in 2008 as they were this year. We hear some Republicans say, we hope she does run. She'd be easy to beat. The candidates Republicans fear is Barack Obama. He's attractive, articulate, multicultural and inspirational.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), ILLINOS: That is the true genius of America. A faith -- a faith in simple dreams. An insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night and know that they're fed and clothed and safe from harm.

SCHNEIDER: Obama doesn't have Senator Clinton's political baggage. Republicans have a neutral view of the Illinois Senator. A candidate people don't know too much about? Uh-oh. The Republican Democrats fear is Rudy Giuliani. They like him. They really like him, by nearly two to one. Democrats reassure themselves the Republicans would never nominate Giuliani. Would they?

MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI, POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm in favor of gun control. I'm pro-choice.

SCHNEIDER: That was seven years ago. Maybe he'll change his mind. Oops, flip-flop. Or maybe Republican primary voters will be so thrilled by Giuliani's heroic 9/11 image, they won't care. Here's another Republican Democrats liked. Since 2000, John McCain has shown an ability to appeal to voters across party lines. But many Democrats say, wait 'til voters hear what McCain has been saying about the war in Iraq.

MCCAIN: But I would say roughly you need another 20,000 troops in Iraq.

SCHNEIDER: Which candidate should each party fear? Maybe Democrats should fear Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. He's telegenic and he has a big issue, health care.

GOVERNMENT. MITT ROMNEY (R), MASSACHUSETTS: Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, all to come together and say, you know what, getting everyone health insurance is so important.

SCHNEIDER: Maybe Republicans should fear John Edwards. His economic populism proved very popular with voters this year.

JOHN EDWARDS (D), FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT NOMINEE: We need to get this economy back in line with our values, the things you and I grew up believing in -- hard work, responsibility, integrity, fairness. These are things that George Bush just does not understand.

SCHNEIDER: Since 1960, three Democrats have been elected president. All southerners. L.B.J., Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Carter and Clinton were obscure southern governors, nothing to fear, Republicans said. In 2008, if you face an opponent who's unknown and inexperienced, be afraid, be very afraid. Bill Schneider, CNN, Los Angeles.

See, I really didn't know Hillary was that feared by the Republicans. That's interesting. It is why she is always a part of the disarming of the attacks on her. She rarely ignores things like when Rove kept beating her up before these elections. I thought it was silly, because the Republican opponent didn't have a chance, he ran a very negative campaign, but, this isn't about qualifications, it is about getting out 'the base' to vote. That's amazing Hillary has that capacity. She handles it well. The Republicans rarely get away with it. The Democratic Party needs a counter-Hillary strategy when they do that. If Hillary runs for President it will be like an authomatic 'Red Flag to Red Voters.' It needs to be dealt with pre-announcement of her candidacy so that it can be counter balanced with something. She should not shy away from running for that reason either. Thank, Bill.

The defeat of innocense in Iraq. It would be nice to think that passengers in taxi cabs aren't automatically considered terrorists when in the trunk of that cab are devices to make bombs. There is a better than average chance that if the passengers have American passports and are filming documentaries that they are more than 95% innocent. That man almost died because some taxi driver was supplying rebels with bomb components. All he was trying to do was get the truth to people. That is supposed to bring light to the subject and help bring resolve. He and his camerman risked their lives to be captured and nearly killed by the people they came to bring insight. I guess he has many stories to tell and document and not just one.

The rest of the 'show' is all frills.

enough

Define sectarian violence, because Anderson Cooper thinks it's limited to ethnic groups ...

... and excludes the USA military.

Regarding redeployment of American troops out of Iraq:

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: What do you believe, General, would be the effect on the sectarian violence in Iraq?

ABIZAID: I believe it would increase.

In this definition, somehow the sectarian violence is limited to clashes between Sunnis and Shi'ites. General Abuzaid sees any conflict of USA troops outside the rhelm of sectarian confrontation, yet, when his assignments to troops includes invading places in An Albar he is killing Sunnis and possibly some al Qaeda.

Does that lessen sectarian violence?

No. It only serves to make it worse increasing attacks against Shi'ites and their Mosques.

When he deploys troops into Southern Iraq to destroy ORGANIZED police and military well armed for the fight because they no longer are a part of the Iraqi nationally recognized police and military then they are killing Shi'ites engaged in protecting their cities and hamlets because the USA military does not have that capacity.

Does that lessen sectaraian violence?

No. It only serves to make it worse with attacks in Baghdad on the central authority including recruitments and their training facilities.

But, yet, to the amazement of me General Abuzaid sees nothing "W"rong with the USA fighting an unjustified war and killing Iraqis of any ethnicity because they don't consider equity in killing ethnic cleaning. However, General Abuzaid will call border scurmishes between Shi'ites and Sunnis ethnic cleansing because the Shi'ites in those towns are seeking to kill people that are killing Shi'ites and destroying their Mosques.

Michael Gordon only makes mud out of issues here:

GORDON: It's not a question of numbers.

At the Pentagon, they trot out all these figures. There are 115,000 troops, with all their equipment. But the problem is, a lot of them, these forces, were developed locally. Some of -- a number of battalions refused to deploy to Baghdad when ordered to do so. They have gone AWOL. They're not necessarily politically reliable.

We had a reporter with a unit north of Baghdad, who their commander was essentially signaling out Sunnis and arrested them as part of a Shiite kind of ethnic cleansing campaign.

The problem is the political reliability of the Iraqi forces and their -- their loyalty to the new Iraqi government.

COOPER: But, Michael, you know, there are a lot of folks who say, and -- and a lot of Democrats who are saying right now, look, everything we have done so far doesn't seem to be working.

Why not tell the Iraqis, look, we're going to be withdrawing in six months, or phasing down, or -- or -- or, you know, redeploying troops, and force them to stand up, force them to do something that -- that they're not doing. In your opinion, from what -- the people you have talked to, is there something the Iraqi -- Iraqis politically, the government of Maliki, could be doing that they're not doing?

GORDON: Well, there's a lot they could be doing.

First of all, they have to overhaul their security forces. They could be engaging in reconstruction projects in Baghdad, which they're not adequately doing. They could be engaging in political reconciliation. That's well-known.

But this notion that the United States can pressure the Iraqi government into doing these things by threatening to withdraw or by beginning to withdraw, as Senator Levin has proposed, I think, would not work.

And that's because there are a significant number of players in Baghdad today who don't mind if the Americans withdraw. These are the militia leaders. They would be happy if the United States withdrew, because, then, they can go and carry out their ethnic cleansing campaign against the Sunnis.

I think General Abizaid laid out a course. He wants to kind of give it one last real try -- and he didn't put it that way, but that's kind of what it comes down to -- to really improve the Iraqi security forces, with a stepped-up training and advising effort.

COOPER: But, you know, to a lot of people -- and I think it was Senator McCain who said it today -- that just sounds like status quo, whether -- whether you call it status quo on steroids, as -- as some have, but it -- it sounds like stay the course.

GORDON: Well, I think General Abizaid is in a little bit of a difficult position.

I mean, the White House is reviewing policy. Baker and -- and Lee Hamilton are reviewing policy. It seems like everybody in Washington is reviewing policy and trying to develop a plan B. So, he's not really in position to come up with a -- a very different strategy this month. That's going to be determined by the White House.

But I think what he's trying to do is work with what he has. There are not a lot of American forces to deploy in Iraq. Our -- our military is simply too small for that. And, so, that's not a big option. Withdrawing is not a good option.

What does he have left? Improving the Iraqi security forces -- so, that's what he's going with.

IF I MAY:

THE FACT that General Abuzaid is in a difficult position brings to reality the fact much of what he is faced with is keeping his troops alive to keep his troop size in Iraq at a level they can cause their presence to be known. If the American troop numbers fall the vulnerability of the American troops increase, if that happens then the vulnerability of Baghdad increases, hence, no central authority.

Now, General Abuzaid did not comment on the kidnappings in Baghdad, in broad daylight that indicate even the Iraqi military/police in Baghdad are not politically reliable. In ignoring that fact that there maybe an opposition troop build up inside The Green Zone and the good General is underestimating the fact, there could be a major battle within the Green Zone between those not politically reliable and the American forces WHILE the central authority stands by to see what the outcome is.

The majority of authority in Baghdad is Shi'ite. If there was a major front within Baghdad by al Qaeda or the Sunnis or the Shi'ites OR a comination of those forces what is the plan for USA forces. So far, the American forces have had the upper hand. What if these Iraqi forces without political loyalty find it amoung themselves and seek the expertise of al Qeada. What if all of a sudden an assault on the USA forces whom find it simply a matter of strategy to assault individual cities and hamlets seeking out these local forces that are AWOL from what the USA military considers it's 'central authority Iraq force' are attacked en masse? Then what?

Yesterday Maliki stated:

"What happened was not terrorism, rather it was due to dispute and conflict between militias from one side or another," he said in televised remarks. He later said the government's response had been strong and vowed to catch those responsible.

... the government's response had been strong and vowed to catch those responsible.

The Iraqi government is strong?

Not without the USA military, because their forces are going home after USA training to take care of their own cities.

The Iraqi government will catch those responsible?

How? Who amoung the Iraqi government is going to catch those responsible? If those people responsible for the kidnappings are from within their own forces, who will catch them? This is not a game. There was a demonstration of power yesterday in Baghdad. In broad daylight. Those responsible are 'sending a message.' Does anyone 'get it?'

I stated yesterday:

"I disagree that it is to embrass the Iraqi government. Not at all. It is to embarass the USA Military and let them know who the bosses really are. The Shi'ite nation already has it's own forces. They are just waiting for everyone to wake up to that fact. Obviously, the words of Mr. Maliki reveal same. What do you think Mr. Ware? Hm? Three years is a long time and hundreds of thousands of unregistered weapons and high quality explosives from the formerly secured UN Bunkers makes a fairly substantial military wouldn't you say, Mr. Ware?"

Michael Gordan stated today:

At the Pentagon, they trot out all these figures. There are 115,000 troops, with all their equipment. But the problem is, a lot of them, these forces, were developed locally. Some of -- a number of battalions refused to deploy to Baghdad when ordered to do so. They have gone AWOL. They're not necessarily politically reliable.

We had a reporter with a unit north of Baghdad, who their commander was essentially signaling out Sunnis and arrested them as part of a Shiite kind of ethnic cleansing campaign.

The problem is the political reliability of the Iraqi forces and their -- their loyalty to the new Iraqi government.

In the Sunday edition of the New York Times there was an article that stated the message from Baghdad via an Iraqi commander was to arrest Sunnis that the USA considered friendly to 'the unity government process.'

It seems very clear to me that the USA is running a different priority from the White House than the agenda in Baghdad. Where does everyone think this is leading?

Bush, not Maliki, Bush has no loyality to his directives by the Iraqi people. On the other hand, Maliki, is looking at the ever increasing violence and realizing that Baghdad needs protection that the USA cannot provide. He is no longer calling the people that carry out such attacks in Baghdad terrorists. He doesn't even call them insurgents. He is looking at the kidnapping while realizing Abuzaid is fighting a losing battle and knows full well HIS PEOPLE are taking control IF he can't. He is siding with the Iraqis when he makes statements like, "...rather it was due to dispute and conflict between militias from one side or another." He is making an open statement for a reason and it is like saying 'May the best man win." After he had his ears bobbed by someone of USA authority he later made the statement about how strong the government is and the resolve to find the culprits. Yeah, right.

COOPER: Well, difficult days ahead, no matter what the plan is.Michael, appreciate it. Appreciate your writing. Thank you very much, Michael Gordon, from "The New York Times."

Is that all you have to say, Anderson? You wear a badge of honor that you have been there and embedded and know first hand what is going on, but, all you have to say is 'there are difficult days ahead?'

We need to leave Iraq. There is no clear mission for our troops there. They are not accomplishing their original orders and while that goal was admirable, it is not desired by the people we are supposed to protect. The Iraqi people now have professionally trained forces protecting their cities, their central authority is setting up a provincial level 'allowance' within the Iraqi Constitution. If the people of Iraq ever show the will to be one country then I am sure it will be so, but, if not we have no purpose there except for what Bush wants to secure the American presence there. We are causing sectarian violence, not ending it.

There are nearly 3000 American soldiers dead and over 20,000 significantly injured. There is no 'back up' to the American presence in Iraq. We have troops in Afghanistan under NATO which serve more of a purpose to removing terrorists from the Middle East than any other front. It is where Osama and his leaders are and where we need to place our emphasis. Afghanistan should have received the benefits of the deployment Iraq did as well as the reconstruction monies. Now, all that has been placed on a back burner while Bush dives into the funds for Iraq rebuilding to support USA troops and their longevity there. It's all wrong.

This failure of the American forces is simply an extension of the very poor invasion strategy which never put trust or security in the hands of Americans. To repeat the disaster as McCain wants will only escalate the battle and bring together the forces within Iraq against the USA military and there will be carnage.

Bush lost this war three years ago. What the Iraqi Holy Men have done is to inspire bravery in their men to take training and return home to protect their cities and hamlets while praying their loyality to Allah. The Shi'ites have suffered enough from a Sunni government under Saddam. I wish them well and I wish their central government success in healing those wounds. Wounds the American military no longer has to inflict, nor has the right to inflict.

Staying in Iraq has absolutely nothing to do with will, it has to do with reality.

Democratic Majority

Granted Represntative Murtha wanted to be the Majority Whip and many of us wanted it for him, but, if the Demcracts see Representative Hoyer as someone who can get the job done then just as well. Sometimes the Prom King is the least one expected.

DEMOCRATS REGAIN HOUSE MAJORITY!!!

'We Will Take America in a New Direction,' Says Democratic Whip Hoyer

http://www.hoyer.house.gov/

The one person who had the assessment right was (drum roll) :

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: (INAUDIBLE) a majority. But remember one thing. And this is the dirtiest part of all. This is a secret ballot. Nobody knows how anybody is going to vote. They -- both Hoyer and Murtha both claim they have the votes. Nobody knows. There's been plenty of instances in the past of people going in, absolutely certainly they had a majority, and then they come out feeling betrayed.

I like Bill Schneider. He mostly has very good commentary on everything. Realistic without any junky spin like you Anderson.

I'll say this much, Trent Lott knew EXACTLY the votes he had. It's supposed to be secret, huh? What did Lott do, ask Bush to spy on everyone? It shows you who is honesty and who is corrupt, doesn't it?

I DON'T CARE ABOUT OJ SIMPSON.

FRED GOLDMAN, RON GOLDMAN'S FATHER: Originally, some weeks ago when there was a story that "The Enquirer" had about a book, didn't know if it was true or not. But then just yesterday it all came to fruition. We found out that this, in fact, was a book. And in fact, FOX was going to air a two-hour interview with this murderer.

GOLDMAN: Well, there's no doubt about it. It's always there, and this just adds insult to injury. This is a guy who viciously, brutally murdered two people. And now 12 years later, he writes a book. As far as I'm concerned, he writes a book to tell us all how he did it. And it's going to add a little information to suggest that if he did it, he might have changed a few things so maybe he wouldn't have gotten caught.

THERE IS nothing else I need to know.

al Qaeda

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): For five years, Osama bin Laden has been on the run from international forces. Yet now, a group of U.S. researchers says his ideological influence also appears to be running out.

A new study from the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point suggests bin Laden and his top deputy are growing less and less important to radical Muslims, calling for worldwide jihad, or holy war against non-Muslims. It says bluntly, "They have little or no influence on Jihadi thinkers."

The study says the new philosophers for the Jihadist movement are Islamic clerics in Jordan, Egypt, England and Saudi Arabia, who use the Internet to spread their message of violent struggle against non- believers.

They are saying al Qaeda is not the threat anymore, but the Holy Men are, huh? Well. You could fool me, I thought NATO was waging a war in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and al Qaeda. We aren't? Then what are we doing there? All the Holy Men in the world won't but weapons in the hands of their flock without an organization that provides it.

There maybe some truth in the fact religious teaching provide permission for a Jihad, and that might be misguided, but, in the case of Iraq the USA put weapons and training in the hands of men whom abandoned their post for another one closer to home. The clerics did that? They didn't do that, the neglegence and the incompetency of Bush did that. Those weapons were supposed to be registered. No different than overpayments to USA contractors like Halliburton, they were never supposed to be an issue either. It difficult to run a war without hardware and difficult to strategize against a Superpower without insight. Osama had plenty of insight regarding the plot that lead to a successful 911 attack. Holy men of any regligion can grant permission for self preservation but they can't and haven't armed the resistance that can pull it off. Speaking hate is against the law in many countries. Having children attend Madras schools where hate is taught is outlawed more and more in Islamic nations. It's necessary for Islam to recapture it's religious truth and perspective in 2006, I'll grant you that much, but Holy Men alone don't run wars. That is simply propaganda.

Nothing else interested me.

Michael Ware Unplugged

1000

It is about time Michael spoke up. So things aren't as they seem, now are they, Michael? They are violent and far more under the control of the Shi'ite underground than anyone else.

Iraq govt split over hostages, militia threat
Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:35 PM EST

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-11-15T183550Z_01_IBO132069_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-IRAQ-COL.XML&archived=False

...Briefing senators in Washington, the U.S. commander for the Middle East said Maliki was determined to tackle the militias and was optimistic Iraq could be stabilized as U.S. forces trained and equipped their Iraqi counterparts.

BODY COUNT

Another 55 unidentified bodies, most of them tortured and shot, were found in Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said.

More than 40 other deaths were reported, including those of six U.S. soldiers and 12 people killed by a car bomb in Baghdad.

Maliki played down the mass kidnap. He has said militia groups nominally loyal to fellow Shi'ites in government can be dealt with through negotiation in good time.

"What happened was not terrorism, rather it was due to dispute and conflict between militias from one side or another," he said in televised remarks. He later said the government's response had been strong and vowed to catch those responsible.

The language is finally clearing up, Michael. Wouldn't you say, Mr. Ware? It's not terrorism. These are not terrorists. Mr. Maliki doesn't even call them insurgents. Why is it General Abuzaid is telling Mr. Maliki he'll have to wait until the Democratic leadership takes their place to know how to quantifiy any reduction in troop numbers? The good General made some interesting statements including setting Senator McCain straight, how an increase in troop numbers would be a MISTAKE. A mistake, Mr. Ware. He said the Iraqis would have to stand up and be counted and take control of their government. I don't know, Mr. Ware, how about this 'idea;' the Iraqis already have control of their government and can enter the middle of Baghdad and dance to the tune of loyalty on all fronts as if ghosts. What does Michael Ware think about that theory? Even your talking head generals...

BRIGADIER GENERAL DAVID GRANGE (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Well, they could very well, in fact, be a part of the security force, or they could just buy uniforms off the street, which is very easy to do.

But it's obviously a result of detailed reconnaissance, casing the target, planning the ingress and egress routes where they're in cahoots with security forces that manning the -- the checkpoints. These are -- this is secured by an Iraq -- by Iraqi organization. And it's really kind of done to discredit and embarrass the Iraqi government.

... seem to think it's an inside job. I disagree that it is to embrass the Iraqi government. Not at all. It is to embarass the USA Military and let them know who the bosses really are. The Shi'ite nation already has it's own forces. They are just waiting for everyone to wake up to that fact. Obviously, the words of Mr. Maliki reveal same. What do you think Mr. Ware? Hm? Three years is a long time and hundreds of thousands of unregistered weapons and high quality explosives from the formerly secured UN Bunkers makes a fairly substantial military wouldn't you say, Mr. Ware?

Spiderman Marks is wasting his time and energy:

MARKS: Excuse me -- that there are a number of Iraqi security forces that make up the aggregate total.

But you really need to get into the -- into the top leadership and say: Look, actions like this are unacceptable. You know it. You control the streets.

And, as David indicated, clearly, these folks could have been Iraqi security forces, or they could have been guys that came in off the street. But, most importantly, you need to get down to the noncommissioned-officer level, those that actually execute the tasks on the ground, and make sure you can identify those -- those individuals, as best you can, that are with you and those that aren't with you, because the key challenge right now is corruption within the Iraqi security forces, and, I would argue, even more broadly, within the government.

OOOoooohhhh, my, my, my, aggregate total. Such big words. It must something important to say? You'll excuse Mr. Marks, but, your aggregate total is a fantasy. The forces that kidnapped those people knew exactly what they were doing and they had the permission of those surrounding them to do it. Aggregate, my eye. Are you trying to fantasize the ability of a 'strick force' so small that it could pull off any mission in broad daylight? A Shi'ite strick force, highly trained like a Swat Team. I wonder where the Shi'ites got the training, from watching "The A Team" on reruns or from the USA Training Missions there.

Give.

Me.

A.

Break.

DAMON: They were not. Instead, insurgents wearing Iraqi uniforms were conducting an operation of their own.

Posing as a member of Iraq's security forces is easier than you would think. Just head to Baghdad's so-called thieves market. And, as long as you have $23, you can walk into the market dressed as a civilian, and walk out dressed like a member of Iraq's security force. The tailors here once made uniforms for Saddam Hussein's regime.

Nice little slight of hand. I doubt sincerely the uniform makes the man. These uniforms for all we know are legitimately going to Iraqi forces or those they approve of. Showing a show of men making uniforms is meaningless to me. Putting on an Iraqi forces uniform is too simply an answer. The people involved in Baghdad that can come and go as they please are doing so with permission. A uniformed person would have to have munitions and training. Did I hear of any extraordinary 'free lancing' training camps in Iraq? No. These people are being trained in the country and sometimes in places like Jordan, Germany and sent back to serve. What is so incredible is that when they are trained abroad they are sent back to Iraq across An Albar Province without weapons en masse to be killed along the way. It's moronic. The entire set of
circumstances are moronic. You want to try this one again, I don't buy it !

FEMA

Another crony adventure. The modular homes were purchased without a care as to whether they were ever going to be used or not. It was simply a purchase BECAUSE they could not because they should. This is no surprise. What, something like $8 million wasted? That's small potatoes for Bush.

IRAN

Bush is outsourcing his responsiblity on Iran and North Korea. Of course the USA has to meet one on one with both these nations as well as in multiple party talks with allies of the USA. Just because that hasn't happened doesn't mean it's right or a manner in which the USA should conduct itself.

IAEA report 'does not prove Iran building N-weapon'

http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iran/10082917.html

Dubai: The confidential International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report is inconclusive and not proof that Iran is building a nuclear weapon, though there are concerns over an increase in uranium enrichment, according to leading British think-tanks.

"The fact remains that Iran is doing nothing illegal under its Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations," Frank Barnaby, a nuclear issues consultant for the Oxford Research Group told Gulf News.

"Under article four of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty it is entitled to develop peaceful nuclear energy, actually other signatories are meant to be helping it. This is a lot of fuss about very little. We cannot say if Iran is building a nuclear weapon, which even if it was, would still be years away."

The IAEA report on Tuesday indicated that uranium enrichment levels seemed to be under five per cent nowhere near the 90 per cent needed for nuclear weapons production.

We should also be meeting regularly with Palestinian authorities and Israel in joint talks, not just for Prime Minister Olmert to come here so Bush can say, it's Israel that is the reason for the war. That is basically what he wanted the people watching his moves to believe. He is running out of excuses to be in Iraq and to support a war that has no direction and no results. So, in last ditch efforts he is showcasing the Prime Minister to say, "Hey, did you all forget?" No one forgot. But, most of us don't see it Bush's way. We believe Bush's wars and gross lack of diplomacy while frittering away American resources and even arming the oppositon forces only serves to make matters worse.

Israel vows to hit back after Sderot rocket death

http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Middle_East/10083018.html

Sderot, Israel/Cairo: An Israeli woman was killed by Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza yesterday, sparking warnings by the Jewish state it would expand its lethal four-month offensive in the coastal strip.

Fatima Slutsker, a 57-year-old mother of two, died of wounds sustained when a rocket fell in a street in the town of Sderot, five km north of Gaza, police and medics said.

A 24-year-old man was seriously wounded in the strike, one of six rockets to fall on Sderot in the morning hours, one of them not far from the house of Defense Minister Amir Peretz who lives in the town.

In a statement, the defence minister vowed that the Jewish state would strike against those behind the rocket fire.

"These organisations will pay a heavy price," he said.

After meeting with security officials, Peretz "ordered the army to continue its offensive operations in line with government policy," his office said, without elaborating.

THIS IS the result of patience and persistence. I am hoping the Palestinian Unity government is not a faux attempt and the end is reaching a conclusion.

Abbas: Middle East peace begins with Palestine

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?storyid=2006-11-15T203957Z_01_L15554877_RTRUKOC_0_UK-MIDEAST.xml&type=worldNews&WTmodLoc=World-C3-More-6

By Wafa Amr

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - The creation of a Palestinian state through negotiations with Israel is the key to achieving a wider peace in the Middle East, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday.

The moderate leader, who has been trying to cobble together a coalition with governing Hamas Islamists that might prompt Western power-brokers to ease an aid blockade on his people, called on Israel to enter comprehensive regional peace talks.

"This is the hour of truth, because peace in this region will not be achieved except by Israel's full withdrawal from the Arab and Palestinian territories that were occupied in (the Middle East war of) 1967," Abbas said in a speech.

"I appeal to the Israelis: Do not waste this chance for peace. Enough with the shedding of the blood of our sons and yours," he said.

Ah, see Glen Beck and exclusive from the Middle East called "Get mad as hell they are teaching children to hate and become suicide bombers."

Hm.

Well, that is nothing new. Israel has known about that for decades. I've seen the cartoons and the children blowing up. There is little nothing we can do about that. It is upto the nations allowing this kind of propaganda to exist that is the issue. I doubt much anti-semitism would be tolerated in the USA for long, it's considered a hate crime.

Mosaic is sometimes a good source of news from the Middle East:

http://www.linktv.org/mosaic/streamsArchive/index.php4

But, even the 'special' series; "Insight into the Middle East, Parts 1, 2 and 3" are narrated by white guys. Credentialed white guys, but, you don't hear someone like the anchors from al Jezeera headlining here.

http://www.linktv.org/mosaic/streamsArchive/streamPop.php4?caller=http://www.archive.org/download&prefix=mosaicspecial_20060720&name=mosaicspecial_20060720&filetype=mov

So one is really left to speculate what this mess is over there. The Madris Schools are mostly closed in Saudi Arabia and they are being scrutinized elsewhere.

Zawahiri Was Target in U.S. Attack on Religious School in Pakistan

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/10/zawahiri_was_ta.html

Ayman al Zawahiri was the target of a Predator missile attack this morning on a religious school in Pakistan, according to Pakistani intelligence sources.
ABC News has learned the raid was launched after U.S. intelligence received tips and examined Predator reconnaissance indicating that al Qaeda's No. 2 man may have been staying at the school, which is located in the Bajaur region near the village that is thought to be al Qaeda's winter headquarters.
Despite earlier reports that the missiles had been launched by Pakistani military helicopters, Pakistani intelligence sources now tell ABC News that the missiles were fired from a U.S. Predator drone plane.

SO, ALL IN ALL, I doubt if I'd be interested in a lot of post election stuff that educates people in this country about what people in other countries are being exposed to. It's like saying "Look you election Jerks who voted for Democrats, I have a darn good look at how you got it "W"rong." We didn't get it wrong and so far as all the 'hate mail' from the Middle East, it is upto sovereign authorities to handle that which should have been a focus of the Rice State Department, but, of course it wasn't. It was saved up for Mr. Beck to scare the public back into their 'Culture of Fear' chairs along with Paula's burning furniture.

Giuliani

He should run. He is probably the only Republican with half a chance of winning the national election. At least he wasn't there for all the corruption.

LAPD

Another use of force that terrifies the public. Right or wrong it will go on and on.

Rumsfeld

KING: So consider this, outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, his reputation already bruised, is facing a new threat tonight. Some of his critics are pressing to put him on trial for alleged war crimes. They say they have new evidence linking Mr. Rumsfeld to torture programs at Abu Ghraib prison and Guantanamo Bay. And they want to take their case to Germany, of all places. Here's CNN's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not content with his political demise, some of Donald Rumsfeld's antagonists want him to pay a legal price.

PLAINLY. He served at the president's pleasure. Everyone can decide if Rumsfeld alone was the fault of American policy in Iraq and Afghanistan. I say not. As much as Rumsfeld had a say in the events with our military he also did not have a say:

‘Cheney cabal hijacked US foreign policy’
By Edward Alden in Washington
Published: October 20 2005 00:00 Last updated: October 20 2005 00:19

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/afdb7b0c-40f3-11da-b3f9-00000e2511c8.html

In a scathing attack on the record of President George W. Bush, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, chief of staff to Mr Powell until last January, said: “What I saw was a cabal between the vice-president of the United States, Richard Cheney, and the secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, on critical issues that made decisions that the bureaucracy did not know were being made.

RUMSFELD is an interesting character, however, there are far bigger fish to fry.

Voting Irregularities

It's interesting you want to talk about this now, because then Democrats talk about it they are called complainers and 'conspiracy theorists.' I tell you what I could not believe, the way after elections on Tuesday the eleven undecided seats in the House were dropped like hot potatoes. They were never scrutinized to the extent they should have been as to why those seats took so long for results. But, the attention fell to the Senate and we all know the outcomes there. I don't believe their is a reason for computer balloting in the USA. Eventually, the plan will include voting from your home computer with a justification that the nation will be able to vote and increase 'the base.' I don't see how that will ever work without a polling place and there is so much possiblity for misuse and corruption it's out of the question. We need a paper ballot system and that is all we need.

Veterans returning to the job market

To begin the job market isn't really overloaded with opportunity. In the past when veterans were hurting for jobs the federal government would give tax credits that meant something so employers would have not just an incentive to hire veterans but would be aware of the need. The problem this time is that a lot of the returning veterans will be National Guard troops. They left well paying jobs because their country called. Most of those jobs have been filled and possibly under Bush's policies outsourced. So, it's going to be a challenge to get these veterans back into the job market but not impossible.

enough