1000
STEPHEN BIDDLE, SENIOR FELLOW IN DEFENSE POLICY, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: I think it's unsound, and likely to -- to lead both to an increase in sectarian violence and, downstream, to an increase in U.S. casualties.
That is defamation of character of some of the finest minds this country has trusted to lead and not to follow. I am impressed with the dedication of all the members of the Iraq Study Group and if there is one member whom stands out as a consistent insightful influence it is Lee Hamilton. He was a member of the 911 Commission which meet with great resistance until Former Governor Kean made it perfectly clear there was no rejecting the results of that commission. I have a feeling the Iraq Study Group needs to 'tour' the country to promote insight to their views. It is a small enough book to read and every American interested in the best outcome of our soldiers needs to read it. The brevity is all too clear, especially when Lee Hamilton is stating 'weeks or days.'
There is no rejecting this. It exists. It has brevity and it matters. Diplomacy is a must and the incorporation of the regions' countries to bring about a peaceful measure for all Iraqis whether a Unity Government stands or not is vital.
Protest against U.S. Iraq Study Group report held in Iraq
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/12/africa/ME_GEN_Iraq_Protests.php
KIRKUK, Iraq: About 1,500 people marched through Kirkuk on Tuesday to protest a recommendation by the U.S. Iraq Study Group that a referendum on the future of this oil-rich city be delayed.
The commission, headed by former U.S. Republican secretary of state James A. Baker III and former Democratic congressman Lee Hamilton said: "Given the very dangerous situation in Kirkuk, international arbitration is necessary to avert communal violence. A referendum on the future of Kirkuk would be explosive and should be delayed."
The protesters carried placards with slogans such as "No, no for Baker" in three different languages: Arabic, Kurdish and Turkoman.
Iraq's constitution stipulates that the fate of the northern, oil-rich city of Kirkuk be decided in a regional referendum by the end of next year.
The city is claimed by the Kurds, who want to annex it to their self-rule region. But Kirkuk's Arab and Turkomen residents reject that claim, and the city has been plagued by sectarian violence and insurgent attacks since 2003.
Kirkuk is an important city to many, but, it has always been a Kurdish stronghold. I don't see that changing. Now that the country is dividing up assets, Kirkuk should not be about assets but about peace. The people there, under their current provincial authority needs to have a referendum to decide the sovereignty of the city. This is silly. Kirkuk has always been a Kurdish city.
Iran: Israel 'will end like USSR'
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has told a conference in Tehran questioning the Holocaust that Israel's days are numbered.
"Just as the USSR disappeared, soon the Zionist regime will disappear," he said to the applause of the participants.
The two-day conference provoked widespread international outrage.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6173941.stm
President Putin should pay attention, the world's moronic President from Iran is still shouting about destroying Israel. There was a court order today stating Israel could be held responsible for damages. Iran always gets carried away with such news. He thinks it will allow the world to remove Israel because of bad behavior. It hasn't removed Iran yet, has it? Evidently, President Ahmadinejad sees Russia as an unstable pushover by that comment. I would ask for an explanation if I were Putin. It is President Ahmadinejad's intention to assault Russia as well? This guy is off the wall. He needs a course in Diplomacy 101. But, I like the idea of cutting back oil production. That's a great idea. There are Democrats in DC now, we can really dig into alternatives.
Iran urges OPEC for further oil production cut
http://english.people.com.cn/200612/12/eng20061212_331604.html
Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh said on Tuesday that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) still needs to cut the current oil output to boost the global crude price, the Shana news agency reported.
Hamaneh was quoted as saying that "Iran also considers oil price lower than 60 U.S. dollars per barrel inappropriate, just like most of OPEC member countries."
"Given the considerable oil oversupply, we will try to have a output cut," he said, two days before an OPEC meeting in Nigeria.
Several days ago, OPEC President and Nigerian Oil Minister Edmund Daukoru said that the estimated oversupply on the current oil market was about 1 million barrels per day and the organization's ministers would review the situation and make appropriate decisions.
OPEC countries last month made a decision to cut the current crude oil output by 1.2 million bpd to 26.3 million bpd in order to boost the oil price.
Iran, the second largest producer in OPEC, also decided to reduce its output by 176,000 barrels per day after the OPEC decision.
Olmert condemns Iran's Holocaust denial
Agencies
Berlin: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud OImert condemned Tehran’s public denial of the holocaust on Tuesday and criticised a conference in which prominent Holocaust-deniers from around the world will meet.
Prior to talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Horst Koehler, Olmert visited a memorial at Berlin’s Gruenewald train station, the departure point for thousands of the city's Jews to concentration camps during the Holocaust.
In an address, Olmert criticised Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s denial of the holocaust in which six million Jews were killed by the Nazis during World War II.
http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iran/10088854.html
Calls for Olmert to resign after nuclear gaffe
Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, was today trying to fend off accusations of ineptitude and calls for his resignation after he accidentally acknowledged for the first time that Israel had nuclear weapons.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1970616,00.html
POL-UN-COUNCIL-MIDEAST
Annan presents frank vision on how to solve Mideast conflict
UNITED NATION, Dec 12 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the Security Council on Tuesday that The Middle East today faces "grim prospects," is in profound crisis and the situation is more complex, more fragile and more dangerous than it has been for a very long time, warning at the same time that if no solution in found in the near future, extremism will flourish."
Tensions in the Middle East region are near the breaking point. Extremism and populism are leaving less political space for moderates, including those states that have reached peace agreements with Israel. The opportunity for negotiating a two-state solution will last for only so long."
Should we fail to seize it the people who most directly bear the brunt of this calamity will be consigned to new depths of suffering and grief, other conflicts and problems will become that much harder to resolve, and extremists the world over would enjoy a boost to their recruiting efforts," Annan said in a statement to a council Ministerial meeting called for by Qatar and chaired by its Foreign Minister Shiekh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani.Annan's speech, the bluntest ever, is his last before leaving office later this month.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=933549
Karzai Says Pakistani Collusion Threatens Region
“Afghanistan either has to be fixed and be peaceful or the whole region will run into hell with us,” Mr. Karzai told a small group of journalists during a visit to this southern city, his hometown, which has been reeling from almost daily suicide bombings in the last 10 days. “It’s not going to be like the past, that only we suffer. Those who cause us to suffer will burn in hell with us. And I hope NATO recognizes this.” Mr. Karzai charged that elements of the Pakistani government were still supporting Islamic militants, as they had in the past, and that if such sources of terrorism were not defeated today, Afghans and international soldiers would continue to die.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/world/asia/12cnd-afghan.html?hp&ex=1165986000&en=be73086634d7d4d8&ei=5094&partner=homepage
IT'S unpopular thing to say, but, Pakistan is a coupe government. Musharraf is causing trouble. He is confrontational with all his neighbors.
India unhappy with Pakistan short-circuiting Safta
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=148756
NEW DELHI, DEC 12 : Voicing concern over Pakistan’s non-implementation of South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta), the government on Tuesday said Islamabad’s Safta notification on July 1, this year, was limited to tariff concessions for India on items in the positive list.
During the Dhaka SAARC council of ministers’ meeting in August this year, India had “very forcefully raised concerns regarding non-implementation of Safta by Pakistan, pointing out that this was a negation of Safta and jeopardised its implementation,” commerce minister Kamal Nath said in the Lok Sabha.
Taliban mini-state on Pakistan border
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20919331-2703,00.html
PAKISTAN'S appeasement of Islamic tribal militants in remote areas bordering Afghanistan has created a virtual Taliban mini-state where insurgents operating against the NATO-led forces are free to recruit, train and equip themselves, an international think tank reported yesterday.
In a sharp rebuke for the military-led Government in Islamabad, the International Crisis Group report lends weight to accounts that Pakistan's army in the tribal areas has effectively retreated to barracks, ceding control to the militants.
The report is critical of Pakistan's peace accords with the Taliban-linked militants in north and south Waziristan, and will intensify pressure on President Pervez Musharraf to rethink his approach to the remote region.
Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, are both believed to be in the area with hundreds of followers, and most analysts agree the al-Qa'ida leaders have benefited from Islamabad's peace deals with the militants in the region.
I AM SORRY, but, the area is unstable because Iraq has become a training ground for terrorists that then practice their skills in places like Afghanistan where NATO and the Brits are faced with regular bombings now. The USA has to leave Iraq and secure any issues though diplomatic channels with Iraq's neighbors that include countries like Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Staying in Iraq is out of the question. The entire region is escalating and it is due to the USA presence in Iraq.
FRUM: The status quo isn't acceptable. The ISG is not acceptable. So, there has to be some other way. There has to be something better that the president has to find. That's the job of the president, to go out and listen to people.
That is a hideous statement. The President's job is to serve and protect this country without corruption. He is the Executive Branch to the legislature, the will of the people of this nation. Bush hasn't listened to ANYONE to date and his 'attitude' of 'Stay the Course' has been a political directive for elections in the USA, NOT, a solution for Iraq. I would think Mr. Frum would at least have respect for Mr. Baker. I find Mr. Baker's input rather compelling actually. He and Mr. Hamilton make an interesting 'front' for change in Iraq. THEY are interested in listening, but, they are also interested in talking and NOT just political jargon to look intelligent or political rhetoric to justify crony policy.
Get over it.
PEREZ: One thing -- that's a gotcha game that Washington is playing right now, and the stakes are far too high for those kinds of games.
One thing I noticed that Frank -- and I greatly respect him. I read him all the time. But nobody ever talks about the consequences of our leaving. If you are going to recommend a policy, I think it's incumbent upon those who recommend that we leave Iraq immediately or in ten months, 15 months, 18 months, to give us your best guess of what those consequences would be.
THERE WON'T be any consequences than already exist. These people are suffering and have for years now under an American occupation. The USA has blinders on to believe the surrounding countries aren't already involved in some way or another. I believe ir was Saudi Arabia that recently promised funds.
Saudis 'funnelling' funds to Iraq rebels
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/Navariednews.asp?dismode=article&artid=2066843581
CAIRO: Private Saudi citizens are giving millions of dollars to Sunni insurgents in Iraq and much of the money is used to buy weapons, including shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles, according to key Iraqi officials and others familiar with the flow of cash. Saudi government officials deny that any money from their country is being sent to Iraqis fighting the government and the US-led coalition. But the US Iraq Study Group report released Wednesday said Saudis are a source of funding for Sunni Arab insurgents. Several truck drivers interviewed by AP described carrying boxes of cash from Saudi Arabia into Iraq, money they said was headed for insurgents.
You can believe it or not believe it but one thing is sure the resistence in Iraq is robbing armored trucks and why? To pass the time of day? Where does anyone believe the money is going? Probably to underground networks for munitions to the rebellion. So, is this a surprise. No. I am sure this has been going on for some time. There is no end in sight for the violence so long as this continues. The Iraqi borders are porous. If officially Saudi Arabia is saying they are concerned about the outcome of a USA withdrawal, they should first look at their own citizens and realize they are as much the trouble as any terrorist organization.
HERE YOU GO !
PEREZ: Let's remember that this is a region that even King Abdullah today was quoted in the "New York Times" as saying it's a tinderbox waiting for a spark to ignite it. That in Iraq, brothers are killing brothers. Now that's a fairly significant statement from the king of Saudi Arabia.
PEREZ: I think one of the ramifications of leaving is that we will probably be -- end up back there in 18 months or 18, 10 months after we leave, because right now the situation is so volatile, as King Abdullah says, a tinderbox, that, yes, I think we need to figure out a way to get it done.
It would seem the good King has his own tinderbox to contend with and needs to bring a resolve within Saudi Arabia to do what is best for Iraq and stop abandoning it to chronic war. The USA does not belong in Iraq. Evidently, Mr. Bush has no intention of offending his oil buddies to save American lives. This is a slap in the face to the USA military efforts in that country and for the Saudi King to stand in judgement of all our sacrifices while his own people support a Sunni rebellion only indicates he has no room to speak. We need to leave Iraq and tell the Saudi King to come up with a policy for his neighbor that works well for them both.
PEREZ: If it were as simple as that, that may be a policy we could consider. But it's nowhere near as simple as that, because it's just not Shia versus Sunni. It's Shia; it's Kurds; it's Shiites. But there's also the hole in the wall effect, which means that if we leave, and it becomes -- and Iraq become as failed state, next stop is, remember the Hole in the Wall gang?
More stupid war mongering jargon. "Hole in the Wall?" Please grow up, sometime before your die. If Perez had read the Iraq Study Group report and listened to Mr. Baker speak it was completely clear there is nothing going on but Civil War/Sectarian Violence. There is nothing else to 'fill in the hole' JERK ! There is an element of al Qaeda, but, show me a country in the Middle East that doesn't. I dare you. That is nothing. That is not a reason to stay in Iraq for the USA. The men who attacked the USA are reported to be in Pakistan and Afghanistan. You have the "W"rong war Perez. Need a map? Or. Maybe just THE TRUTH.
THIS IS nothing but war mongering Neocon hopefuls to try to bowl over Democrats and their current support base. It's stupid, Perez. Completely. Get the feeling you are nobody.
PEREZ: I think there's almost always benefits to engagement. Almost always. I can think of very few examples. And I'm no historian. I can think of very few examples where there wasn't. But in this case you have to ask yourself, do Syria and Iran, is it really in their interest to have a peaceful Iraq? Or are they in the business of chaos, of fomenting chaos, of supporting chaos? You can have example after example where the latter is true.
THIS IS a description of Bush and Bush's policies. Syria and Iran did not run an illegal invasion into that country. Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney did. Fomenting chaos? Who? Iran? Syria? I think it was Bush that rolled his military coalition into southern Iraq in March of 2003 and there has been nothing but chaos. Hello? Anything between those ears besides corruptable air?
enough
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Saturday, December 9, 2006
According to what standard.
For over a half decade now Bush and his cronies have been changing all the rules. They even let Tom DeLay stay on post indictment. The point here is that NOW, this program is willing to 'LET THOSE STANDARDS' become the measure by which we decide ethical rights or wrongs. I am not !
"Well, tonight, we have answers. According to the long-awaited report of the House Ethics Committee, no rules were broken, so no one gets so much as a reprimand."
WILLFUL IGNORANCE. You mean it was fraud in dealing with indescretions of a House member to retain their majority. Fraud. Not willful ignorance.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The committee found willful ignorance among Republican lawmakers and aides. It said, the weight of evidence shows, House Speaker Dennis Hastert was informed last spring about inappropriate Foley e-mails, rejecting Hastert's contention that he didn't remember being told.
But House investigators concluded, no one knew about sexually explicit instant messages, like this, where Foley asked a former page, "Do I make you horny?"
The incoming House speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, slammed the bipartisan report because it punishes no one, saying, "Members of Congress have a responsibility to protect their employees, especially young pages."
GOP Pushes Rule Change to Protect DeLay's Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54572-2004Nov16.html
The proposed rule change, which several leaders predicted would win approval at a closed meeting today, comes as House Republicans return to Washington feeling indebted to DeLay for the slightly enhanced majority they won in this month's elections. DeLay led an aggressive redistricting effort in Texas last year that resulted in five Democratic House members retiring or losing reelection. It also triggered a grand jury inquiry into fundraising efforts related to the state legislature's redistricting actions.
INDEBTEDNESS to a house member and not the people that elected them. They have become self effacing. They think only of their own priorities and n0t the best interest of the country. How are we supposed to recapture our nation, it's dignity and strength if there is such corruption that is allowed to propagate. What needs to take place with this incoming session of Congress is a policing of the changes that have occurred in the "Culture of Corruption" of Bush. It has demoralized our laws and to allow those laws to continue to exist is outrageous and a danger to our democracy.
The story of James Kim is truly tragic. Never walk into a forest. Always when seeking help go back along the road one drove down. Mrs. Kim was incredible with her personal commitment to those children. She was a survivor and I hope she continues to be in the face of the loss of her spous. Do I understand this search and rescue mission was paid for by the family? You mean there were no government response units? Why?
enough
"Well, tonight, we have answers. According to the long-awaited report of the House Ethics Committee, no rules were broken, so no one gets so much as a reprimand."
WILLFUL IGNORANCE. You mean it was fraud in dealing with indescretions of a House member to retain their majority. Fraud. Not willful ignorance.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The committee found willful ignorance among Republican lawmakers and aides. It said, the weight of evidence shows, House Speaker Dennis Hastert was informed last spring about inappropriate Foley e-mails, rejecting Hastert's contention that he didn't remember being told.
But House investigators concluded, no one knew about sexually explicit instant messages, like this, where Foley asked a former page, "Do I make you horny?"
The incoming House speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, slammed the bipartisan report because it punishes no one, saying, "Members of Congress have a responsibility to protect their employees, especially young pages."
GOP Pushes Rule Change to Protect DeLay's Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54572-2004Nov16.html
The proposed rule change, which several leaders predicted would win approval at a closed meeting today, comes as House Republicans return to Washington feeling indebted to DeLay for the slightly enhanced majority they won in this month's elections. DeLay led an aggressive redistricting effort in Texas last year that resulted in five Democratic House members retiring or losing reelection. It also triggered a grand jury inquiry into fundraising efforts related to the state legislature's redistricting actions.
INDEBTEDNESS to a house member and not the people that elected them. They have become self effacing. They think only of their own priorities and n0t the best interest of the country. How are we supposed to recapture our nation, it's dignity and strength if there is such corruption that is allowed to propagate. What needs to take place with this incoming session of Congress is a policing of the changes that have occurred in the "Culture of Corruption" of Bush. It has demoralized our laws and to allow those laws to continue to exist is outrageous and a danger to our democracy.
The story of James Kim is truly tragic. Never walk into a forest. Always when seeking help go back along the road one drove down. Mrs. Kim was incredible with her personal commitment to those children. She was a survivor and I hope she continues to be in the face of the loss of her spous. Do I understand this search and rescue mission was paid for by the family? You mean there were no government response units? Why?
enough
Thursday, December 7, 2006
The Propaganda Spin Machine
I was just waiting for Anderson to return to his old haunts of pre-recorded ? news ? segments before I commented any further and true to form, this night he not only returned to a completely pre-recorded and safe propaganda initative he justified it with an emmy for the underground sales of fertility drugs.
That Anderson is an expose' and NOT the news. So, get it right.
Sanchez had an interesting survival segment on this Thursday.
The rest of the show was a rerun of the segment on fertility issues. The expose' was to do more than expose people to the reality of the 'underground' but it was to illustrate the high cost of overcoming infertility and the extent people will go to have a baby of their own.
On Wednesday, an admirable segment on Mary Cheney and her pregnancy and the fact there is deep seated hatred of variance of sexual identity by the Religious Right, an extremist element in the American Landscape. No there were no words as graphic as that during this segment, we all know how a poorly accepted WORD will come to rule the entire point of view regardless the merit. But, there was a very important focus that was revealed:
COOPER: Well, as Mary Snow pointed out, conservatives and gay rights advocates are already weighing in on Mary Cheney's pregnancy. Up next, the possible political ramifications. We'll hear from two more sides to the debate. And a tragic end to the search for a missing father in Oregon. What happened to James Kim? When this special edition of 360 continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: A live picture from our nation's capitol. As we told you before the break, Mary Cheney, the openly gay daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, is expecting her first child. Joining me now for reaction on the announcement from Seattle is Dan Savage, syndicated columnist. And from Washington, Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LeHay Institute, the think tank for Concerned Women for America. Appreciate both of you being on.Janice, let me start with you. You described this pregnancy as wrong and even unconscionable. Why?
JANICE CROUSE, SENIOR FELLOW, BEVERLY LEHAY INSTITUTE: Well, it's not really about Mary Cheney. It's about the baby that's going to be born without a father. We have in this country right now a real tragedy that one third and more of our children are being born without a father in the family. This has ramifications that are disastrous for those children. You know, so many people talk about doing this, that or the other for the children of this country. Well, the best thing you can do for a child today is to marry the father and have a family.
COOPER: But isn't this...
CROUSE: That would be the best arrangement for that child to grow up with, the best environment.
COOPER: Others would say, look, the most important thing is for a baby to be brought up in a loving home with two parents and sets of grandparents and that's what this baby will have.
CROUSE: That flies in the face of all the experts who say from the left and the right, Anderson, they agree totally on this that the best family for a child is a married couple, mother and father.
COOPER: Let me bring in Dan. Dan, what do you think?
DAN SAVAGE, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: The studies that she's citing, many of which have been debunked show that the best case, the best thing for a child, is to have two parents in the home. A lot of the studies have shown the negative impact of there being a single parent family are children who have experienced divorce where usually the father who's gone. So the studies measure the impact of the missing parent, which is typically in our culture the father. But what we're really measuring in the studies is the impact of having just one parent. All the studies of gay and lesbian families, families headed by gay and lesbian couples, have shown that children are just as healthy, just as well cared for, just as likely to identify as heterosexuals, or lesbian and gay, when they grow up. And just the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association, the American Academy of Child-Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, all these groups and more, who are primarily concerned with the welfare of children, have signed off and approved of and endorsed the rights of gay and lesbian couples to start their own families.
CROUSE: Anderson, those are...
SAVAGE: Because we are good parents, and our families are fit.
COOPER: Janice?
CROUSE: Anderson, those are political statements. What you have are scientific studies by the Urban Institute, which is the most liberal organization here in Washington, D.C. And they have said unequivocally that if you compare household arrangements, any arrangement you want to look at, the married couple, mother and father family, is the very best, not just the good, but the very best way to raise children.
COOPER: But Janice, there's huge divorce rates in this country. There's so many different kinds of families in this country. You seem to be holding up this one set, you know, the mother and the father. Most people agree, OK, yes, it would be great for a lot of people. But short of that, I mean, many people grow up in a single family home. They grow up without grandparents. They group up, you know, in broken homes. This child will have two parents. This child will have grandparents. The child will have access to a great education.
SAVAGE: We have -- we have to acknowledge...
CROUSE: This child will be...
SAVAGE: This child is going to be in better shape than Britney Spears' and Kevin Federline's children. Having heterosexual, opposite sex parents is not some sort of magic ticket to the kind of love and support and commitment and responsibility that a child needs from their parents.
CROUSE: The research says very differently. You know, you look at the -- any other household arrangement, you're going to find those kids are very vulnerable to all sorts of negative outcomes. They're going to drop out of school more. They're going to get into drugs more. They're going to start drinking earlier. All those things...
SAVAGE: With all due respect, that's simply not true. That's simply not true, with all due respect.
CROUSE: I'm sorry, but the research shows differently.
SAVAGE: Those studies have been debunked. Go on Google and debunk everything she's saying in five seconds.
COOPER: Dan...
SAVAGE: What the studies show is that single parents...
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: Let Dan finish.
SAVAGE: All the studies show it's preferable to have two loving, committed parents. And this idea there is an ideal, well, what are we going to do about that ideal? Like ultimately, this is not my business, it's not the doctor's business, it's not Anderson's business. This is between Mary Cheney, Heather Poe and their sperm donor, whoever he is. For all we know, this child will have a father in his life. With my adopted child -- I have an adopted child. His mother is a part of his life. We adopted through open adoption, my partner and I. So we don't know where this is going yet for Mary Cheney's child. It's very presumptuous to even have this conversation.
COOPER: Janice -- Janice, isn't there is a sad irony to this that Virginia, where Mary Cheney and her partner lives, is one of 27 states with a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage? Heather, Mary Cheney's partner, will have no legal rights to this child. It's kind of a sad irony.
CROUSE: No, it's not about Heather. It's not about any of those instances, but it's about what is best for children. And in this country, when you have so many children who are born without a father in the family, we're looking at terrific ramifications. It is a matter of the whole culture, because these kinds of incidents change the culture. And what we have is a situation where our schools and our communities are going to be very affected by children who are angry children and...
SAVAGE: So then what do you propose to do?
COOPER: Let me give Dan -- I've got to give Dan the final thought. Dan...
SAVAGE: Does she propose to take this child away from Mary Cheney and Heather Poe and maybe give it to Britney Spears or Andrea Yates? Heterosexual parents are not the magic ticket to a stable home life and a stable home environment for a child. There's so much evidence out there that that's just not the case.
CROUSE: The magic ticket is a mother and father.
SAVAGE: There have been 500,000 children in foster care, waiting to be adopted, who have been abused, neglected and abandoned by their heterosexual parents.
CROUSE: Which has nothing to do with the situation with Mary Cheney.
SAVAGE: ... they're adopted by gay and lesbian couples.
COOPER: We're going to have -- we're going to have to leave it there. Dan Savage, appreciate you joining us. Janice Crouse, as well. Appreciate both of you for joining us. Thanks very much, guys. Straight ahead, more on the Iraq report from the man who co- chaired the committee, James Baker, and Lee Hamilton on Iraq, dealing with Iran and more. Also, is this the end of what some have called cowboy diplomacy from the Bush administration or the last two years bring more of the same? And the final chapter to a story everyone hoped would have a better ending, the discovery of the missing dad in Oregon, how he was found and how close he came to getting help for the rest of his family. You're watching 360.
What JANICE CROUSE, SENIOR FELLOW, BEVERLY LEHAY INSTITUTE is all about is pure unadulterated bigoty. This woman will stand in the face of happy and achieving children and state without a father you are not whole.
Buloney.
I was a wife of a man that was a pillar of the church when I was first married at twenty years of age. He was twenty one. We were farmers, he was a manager at an agricultural farmer wholesale market after having a four year college at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, which I helped pay for. I would spend Sunday mornings in the nursery with the children of people in attendence so the children could be exposed to their Christian time at play as well as their parents. Uninterrupted and fulfilling.
DON'T TELL ME ABOUT SINGLE PARENTS OR SINGLE MOTHERS. I know about being a single parent and about being a single mother.
I had our first child, a son, within the bounds of matrimony at the age of 23. When I was pregnant, AT HIS INSISTENCE, with our second child my husband decided it was time to play and embarked on a life of substance abuse and adultery. Methamphetamines. Hash. Marijuana. All wrapped up with people that were perfect strangers to me that shared each other's bedrooms for frolic and rest.
DON'T TALK TO ME. DON'T TALK TO ME.
When the adultery happened I discovered it by myself within a week and told him it was over. Just that simple. I had already acquired a vaginal infection that week that I didn't understand and neither did my obstetrician except for the concerned look that told me what I already expected.
I went on to give birth to our second son although according to my then still spouse it was okay if I decided to get an abortion. A pillar of the church, my eye.
I went on to raise my sons into adulthood mostly alone and under very difficult circumstances. Expect for the farm and a high diploma in College Prep I had no skills.
Today, my youngest son, the one that wasn't supposed to be born if upto his father has an independant taxi business and an infant son of his own. He's lived a good life. Never broke the law, never had issues with alcohol or drugs or sexually transmitted diseases. He is a high school graduate and for a young man with some learning disabilities that I am convinced were due to a traumatic pregnancy, he could not have done better in life.
My oldest son is a university graduate in Business Administartion with a minor in International Finance. His first job out of the university was as an auditor for a well known bank in the Southeast. He has a very nice life and there is every indication his 'live-in' will someday be his wife.
These young men and I have seen it all. Homelessness and living out of a Chevy Nova to a very comfortable lifestyle due to an income that came to be expectionally comfortable due to a career track I chose shortly after getting into housing when the boys were age 5 and age 3. I put up with plenty for years before all that happened, but, I always put the boys first in caring for their emotional needs as well as their physical well being.
I raised those two young men to lives of success and happiness. There father was absent for most of it and completely out of the picture until I was completeing a degree that would take me into a comfortable lifestyle. He wanted to 'come back.' We were divorced by then for over 2 years after 4 years of separation where he was mostly untraceable as a Dead Beat Dad.
DON'T TALK TO ME !
I have been through it all.
Witnessed it all.
The ONLY thing that brings children into an adulthood of decency and success is the love of ONE parent of any gender. If they have the love and devotion of more than one of any gender then they have more than mine did and it just can't be bad.
enough
That Anderson is an expose' and NOT the news. So, get it right.
Sanchez had an interesting survival segment on this Thursday.
The rest of the show was a rerun of the segment on fertility issues. The expose' was to do more than expose people to the reality of the 'underground' but it was to illustrate the high cost of overcoming infertility and the extent people will go to have a baby of their own.
On Wednesday, an admirable segment on Mary Cheney and her pregnancy and the fact there is deep seated hatred of variance of sexual identity by the Religious Right, an extremist element in the American Landscape. No there were no words as graphic as that during this segment, we all know how a poorly accepted WORD will come to rule the entire point of view regardless the merit. But, there was a very important focus that was revealed:
COOPER: Well, as Mary Snow pointed out, conservatives and gay rights advocates are already weighing in on Mary Cheney's pregnancy. Up next, the possible political ramifications. We'll hear from two more sides to the debate. And a tragic end to the search for a missing father in Oregon. What happened to James Kim? When this special edition of 360 continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: A live picture from our nation's capitol. As we told you before the break, Mary Cheney, the openly gay daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, is expecting her first child. Joining me now for reaction on the announcement from Seattle is Dan Savage, syndicated columnist. And from Washington, Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LeHay Institute, the think tank for Concerned Women for America. Appreciate both of you being on.Janice, let me start with you. You described this pregnancy as wrong and even unconscionable. Why?
JANICE CROUSE, SENIOR FELLOW, BEVERLY LEHAY INSTITUTE: Well, it's not really about Mary Cheney. It's about the baby that's going to be born without a father. We have in this country right now a real tragedy that one third and more of our children are being born without a father in the family. This has ramifications that are disastrous for those children. You know, so many people talk about doing this, that or the other for the children of this country. Well, the best thing you can do for a child today is to marry the father and have a family.
COOPER: But isn't this...
CROUSE: That would be the best arrangement for that child to grow up with, the best environment.
COOPER: Others would say, look, the most important thing is for a baby to be brought up in a loving home with two parents and sets of grandparents and that's what this baby will have.
CROUSE: That flies in the face of all the experts who say from the left and the right, Anderson, they agree totally on this that the best family for a child is a married couple, mother and father.
COOPER: Let me bring in Dan. Dan, what do you think?
DAN SAVAGE, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: The studies that she's citing, many of which have been debunked show that the best case, the best thing for a child, is to have two parents in the home. A lot of the studies have shown the negative impact of there being a single parent family are children who have experienced divorce where usually the father who's gone. So the studies measure the impact of the missing parent, which is typically in our culture the father. But what we're really measuring in the studies is the impact of having just one parent. All the studies of gay and lesbian families, families headed by gay and lesbian couples, have shown that children are just as healthy, just as well cared for, just as likely to identify as heterosexuals, or lesbian and gay, when they grow up. And just the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association, the American Academy of Child-Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, all these groups and more, who are primarily concerned with the welfare of children, have signed off and approved of and endorsed the rights of gay and lesbian couples to start their own families.
CROUSE: Anderson, those are...
SAVAGE: Because we are good parents, and our families are fit.
COOPER: Janice?
CROUSE: Anderson, those are political statements. What you have are scientific studies by the Urban Institute, which is the most liberal organization here in Washington, D.C. And they have said unequivocally that if you compare household arrangements, any arrangement you want to look at, the married couple, mother and father family, is the very best, not just the good, but the very best way to raise children.
COOPER: But Janice, there's huge divorce rates in this country. There's so many different kinds of families in this country. You seem to be holding up this one set, you know, the mother and the father. Most people agree, OK, yes, it would be great for a lot of people. But short of that, I mean, many people grow up in a single family home. They grow up without grandparents. They group up, you know, in broken homes. This child will have two parents. This child will have grandparents. The child will have access to a great education.
SAVAGE: We have -- we have to acknowledge...
CROUSE: This child will be...
SAVAGE: This child is going to be in better shape than Britney Spears' and Kevin Federline's children. Having heterosexual, opposite sex parents is not some sort of magic ticket to the kind of love and support and commitment and responsibility that a child needs from their parents.
CROUSE: The research says very differently. You know, you look at the -- any other household arrangement, you're going to find those kids are very vulnerable to all sorts of negative outcomes. They're going to drop out of school more. They're going to get into drugs more. They're going to start drinking earlier. All those things...
SAVAGE: With all due respect, that's simply not true. That's simply not true, with all due respect.
CROUSE: I'm sorry, but the research shows differently.
SAVAGE: Those studies have been debunked. Go on Google and debunk everything she's saying in five seconds.
COOPER: Dan...
SAVAGE: What the studies show is that single parents...
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: Let Dan finish.
SAVAGE: All the studies show it's preferable to have two loving, committed parents. And this idea there is an ideal, well, what are we going to do about that ideal? Like ultimately, this is not my business, it's not the doctor's business, it's not Anderson's business. This is between Mary Cheney, Heather Poe and their sperm donor, whoever he is. For all we know, this child will have a father in his life. With my adopted child -- I have an adopted child. His mother is a part of his life. We adopted through open adoption, my partner and I. So we don't know where this is going yet for Mary Cheney's child. It's very presumptuous to even have this conversation.
COOPER: Janice -- Janice, isn't there is a sad irony to this that Virginia, where Mary Cheney and her partner lives, is one of 27 states with a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage? Heather, Mary Cheney's partner, will have no legal rights to this child. It's kind of a sad irony.
CROUSE: No, it's not about Heather. It's not about any of those instances, but it's about what is best for children. And in this country, when you have so many children who are born without a father in the family, we're looking at terrific ramifications. It is a matter of the whole culture, because these kinds of incidents change the culture. And what we have is a situation where our schools and our communities are going to be very affected by children who are angry children and...
SAVAGE: So then what do you propose to do?
COOPER: Let me give Dan -- I've got to give Dan the final thought. Dan...
SAVAGE: Does she propose to take this child away from Mary Cheney and Heather Poe and maybe give it to Britney Spears or Andrea Yates? Heterosexual parents are not the magic ticket to a stable home life and a stable home environment for a child. There's so much evidence out there that that's just not the case.
CROUSE: The magic ticket is a mother and father.
SAVAGE: There have been 500,000 children in foster care, waiting to be adopted, who have been abused, neglected and abandoned by their heterosexual parents.
CROUSE: Which has nothing to do with the situation with Mary Cheney.
SAVAGE: ... they're adopted by gay and lesbian couples.
COOPER: We're going to have -- we're going to have to leave it there. Dan Savage, appreciate you joining us. Janice Crouse, as well. Appreciate both of you for joining us. Thanks very much, guys. Straight ahead, more on the Iraq report from the man who co- chaired the committee, James Baker, and Lee Hamilton on Iraq, dealing with Iran and more. Also, is this the end of what some have called cowboy diplomacy from the Bush administration or the last two years bring more of the same? And the final chapter to a story everyone hoped would have a better ending, the discovery of the missing dad in Oregon, how he was found and how close he came to getting help for the rest of his family. You're watching 360.
What JANICE CROUSE, SENIOR FELLOW, BEVERLY LEHAY INSTITUTE is all about is pure unadulterated bigoty. This woman will stand in the face of happy and achieving children and state without a father you are not whole.
Buloney.
I was a wife of a man that was a pillar of the church when I was first married at twenty years of age. He was twenty one. We were farmers, he was a manager at an agricultural farmer wholesale market after having a four year college at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, which I helped pay for. I would spend Sunday mornings in the nursery with the children of people in attendence so the children could be exposed to their Christian time at play as well as their parents. Uninterrupted and fulfilling.
DON'T TELL ME ABOUT SINGLE PARENTS OR SINGLE MOTHERS. I know about being a single parent and about being a single mother.
I had our first child, a son, within the bounds of matrimony at the age of 23. When I was pregnant, AT HIS INSISTENCE, with our second child my husband decided it was time to play and embarked on a life of substance abuse and adultery. Methamphetamines. Hash. Marijuana. All wrapped up with people that were perfect strangers to me that shared each other's bedrooms for frolic and rest.
DON'T TALK TO ME. DON'T TALK TO ME.
When the adultery happened I discovered it by myself within a week and told him it was over. Just that simple. I had already acquired a vaginal infection that week that I didn't understand and neither did my obstetrician except for the concerned look that told me what I already expected.
I went on to give birth to our second son although according to my then still spouse it was okay if I decided to get an abortion. A pillar of the church, my eye.
I went on to raise my sons into adulthood mostly alone and under very difficult circumstances. Expect for the farm and a high diploma in College Prep I had no skills.
Today, my youngest son, the one that wasn't supposed to be born if upto his father has an independant taxi business and an infant son of his own. He's lived a good life. Never broke the law, never had issues with alcohol or drugs or sexually transmitted diseases. He is a high school graduate and for a young man with some learning disabilities that I am convinced were due to a traumatic pregnancy, he could not have done better in life.
My oldest son is a university graduate in Business Administartion with a minor in International Finance. His first job out of the university was as an auditor for a well known bank in the Southeast. He has a very nice life and there is every indication his 'live-in' will someday be his wife.
These young men and I have seen it all. Homelessness and living out of a Chevy Nova to a very comfortable lifestyle due to an income that came to be expectionally comfortable due to a career track I chose shortly after getting into housing when the boys were age 5 and age 3. I put up with plenty for years before all that happened, but, I always put the boys first in caring for their emotional needs as well as their physical well being.
I raised those two young men to lives of success and happiness. There father was absent for most of it and completely out of the picture until I was completeing a degree that would take me into a comfortable lifestyle. He wanted to 'come back.' We were divorced by then for over 2 years after 4 years of separation where he was mostly untraceable as a Dead Beat Dad.
DON'T TALK TO ME !
I have been through it all.
Witnessed it all.
The ONLY thing that brings children into an adulthood of decency and success is the love of ONE parent of any gender. If they have the love and devotion of more than one of any gender then they have more than mine did and it just can't be bad.
enough
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Pump it up !
1000
At the end of the show came the big exclusive. I was waiting for maybe the criminal proof that implicates the Russian oligarch that killed the loose lipped Russian spy. But. Alas. It was a leak exclusively to CNN's Andy at Work in that the Iraq Study Group reveals no timeline.
How about that, huh?
That's right Anderson, when one leaves a country it requires no timeline.
The Study Group according to MSNBC is requiring the current government to prove it is worthy of sustained American involvement. Won't happen. The country is breaking into three distinct ethnic areas where only one is seen as American friendly and that is the Kurds.
That was an exclusive all right. All Anderson wanted to talk about after that was the tenacity of the American people to 'Stay the Course' without a timeline. Got it "W"rong again 360 ! This news group is completely limited in their scope and possibilities, in that it only seeks to support Bush when it is a completely losing strategy.
enough
At the end of the show came the big exclusive. I was waiting for maybe the criminal proof that implicates the Russian oligarch that killed the loose lipped Russian spy. But. Alas. It was a leak exclusively to CNN's Andy at Work in that the Iraq Study Group reveals no timeline.
How about that, huh?
That's right Anderson, when one leaves a country it requires no timeline.
The Study Group according to MSNBC is requiring the current government to prove it is worthy of sustained American involvement. Won't happen. The country is breaking into three distinct ethnic areas where only one is seen as American friendly and that is the Kurds.
That was an exclusive all right. All Anderson wanted to talk about after that was the tenacity of the American people to 'Stay the Course' without a timeline. Got it "W"rong again 360 ! This news group is completely limited in their scope and possibilities, in that it only seeks to support Bush when it is a completely losing strategy.
enough
Anderson Cooper is behind the curve
1000
The entire show was tape recorded except perhaps for the host, but, that has to be in question as well. Due to the taping every subject delivered as timely new was not.
Aaron Brown never had these issues while David Bohrman was producer. The show was 99.99 percent live and there were featured journalists for every subject with up to the minute information.
AC 360 has lost the integrity of good journalism and only reports was is a perspective that is biased to say the least.
Representative Murtha
On "The Today Show," Congressman Murtha told NBC's Matt Lauer he felt vindicated. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE TODAY SHOW") REP. JOHN MURTHA (D), PENNSYLVANIA: Well, that's exactly what I said a year ago. And I said, we couldn't win it militarily. And I said, they -- they have been mischaracterizing and misstating this war for the last two years.
Murtha was not only correct but when one realizes it was this time over the last year when the escalation of tensions that lead to the current violence took place, Representative Murtha could not be more correct. There has been increases in deaths across the board during this time and we are still in Iraq and not taking the advise of a veteran who obviously has a perspective that cannot be disputed. How many of his own constituents lost loved ones over the past year in the face of Representative Murtha's insistance the USA deploy out? What did the people of his constituency vote back into office? A man that knows what to do and not guesss. That is why he has been in his leadership in the House for so long. He is someone we can trust. Did Cooper bring that up during his news cast? No. Why? Becuase it would not only vindicate Representative Murtha but put Bush in the perspective he belonged as an incompetent Commander and Chief with no answers and only causing problem after problem.
The Iraqi Survey
I did appreciate the news about the Iraqi Survey taken after the November elections presented by Nic Robertson.
A new survey conducted by Iraqi pollsters shows, the daily violence is escalating Iraqi demands that U.S. troops leave. More than half the 2,000 Iraqis surveyed said they want all U.S. troops out now. And almost half the remainder want a withdrawal to begin immediately.
Did Cooper do a compare and contrast with the events of the day? No. Why? Because it completely conflicts with the Bush White House.
Shiite leader Hakim: We Have Asked for the American Forces to Stay in Iraq
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=41473
If the leadership of Iraq were in touch with the people of their country they would be advocating for withdrawal and sanctioning help from the region which would be viewed as benevolent to the Iraqi people. That isn't being done and as a consequence the USA is viewed as an occupier rather than an ally.
Abdul Aziz Hakim, the Shiite leader of the largest bloc in Iraq's parliament, met with US President George W. Bush and Secretary of US State Condoleezza Rice.
Hakim, after what he called a "very clear" meeting earlier with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, told reporters in Arabic that "we have asked for the American forces to stay in Iraq" to enable Iraqi security to deal with terrorists.
This is just exactly the problem and just more of the same. The Iraqi forces must show loyality to a sovereign Iraq. They haven't. They are all too afraid of the power another leadership could bring them that does not reflect their ethnicity. The Shi'ites and Kurds were the most victimized under the Saddam government, they were the ones that came forward to take control of a government they want to benevolent to them. Even the Shi'ite majority in this so called Unity Government has not protected them from violence that is currently escalating. The USA forces are not succeeding in protecting the innocent.
And I'll say it again, as a result the trained Iraqis that attend training by USA military return home to do the job they decided they were trained for and that is protecting their own families and not someone else's family. They are not going to show alligence to a power of central authority while they are being killed right in their own homes and market places.
Additionally, the central authority in Iraq has been draconian in their power as they have not provided alternatives or reacted to their crisis. There is no viable economy except local market places and even there people are attacked with car bombs.
The USA forces need to leave and for the National Guard troops sent home, for the regular military a deployment to Kurdistan for whatever number it takes to secure their borders until Baghdad settles down and the Kurds are able to handle their country themselves.
We are not servents of Mr. Hakem. If he is unable to find leadership without the security blanket of the USA then he has no sovereign authority except for what the USA military affords him. We are out of there. Iraqis need to decide their futures and we have no right or authority to do it for them. We are the problem and the Iraqi people see a respite away from the USA occupation as a reason to be peaceful among them. The killing has to stop. To continue as McCain and Bush want this to continue and even escalate the circumstances by killing all those that oppose Bush's agenda for Iraq is insane.
Michael Gordon needs to get out of his own way. He is backing the politics of Bush while reporting on a need for chance in ? strategy ? while people are dropping like flies. Take a stand Mr. Gordon, I would think that fence post you are sitting on is getting plenty uncomfortable. We have just passed an election in the USA where Iraq was a deciding factor. Either you agree with the majority of Americans who believe this war is not our issue and we need to leave, and you agree with Representative Murtha on the fact he was right the entire time, or you sit in defiance of any majority and believe Bush is not as incompetent as he obviously is. If that is the case then what the heck are you talking about? And while your at it, explain that to the families of the dead including Iraqis who only want to be safe and have their children safe with a future. What exactly is it about Bush that is going to give them that? What is a USA occupation going to do to provide that to them, because Mr. Gordon, Iraq is of absolutely no consequence to the national security of the USA. So, you tell me, Mr. Gordon, what exactly is a continued presence in that country going to do to stop the killing of innocent people? What, Mr. Gordon? I haven't heard 'word one' of that for over three long years !!!!!
The Spy Who Had a Cold
For years, criminals in Russia have used mafia-style contract hits to settle scores. But recently, there's been an epidemic. Officials say more than 5,000 every year. Some of the victims, high profile establishment figures like Andrei Kozlov, the deputy chairman of Russia's central bank, shot after a football match earlier this year.
In the Russian Far East, the popular mayoral candidate was also gunned down during an election runoff. Police say the assassin used an assault rifle with a silencer.
As for Anna Politkovskaya, she was a determined investigative reporter, especially critical of Russia's president Vladimir Putin. She often traveled to the rebellious Russian Public of Chechnya to document the excesses of Russian forces there.
In London, Alexander Litvinenko was convinced his friend's murder was officially sanctioned. Before he was poisoned, he (UNINTELLIGIBLE) evidence implicating the Kremlin in her death.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I can directly answer you, it is Mr. Putin, the president of the Russian federation, who has killed her.
CHANCE: The Kremlin denies involvement in either the shooting or the poisoning. But the journalist, like the former secret agent, had a long history of antagonizing Moscow, and their deaths deliver a chilling message to others who might dare criticize.
Matthew Chance, CNN, London.
Go chance an Oligarch rather than a Russian President and you might even find an exclusive, better yet you might find the killer and a reward. Now, that would be progress. I guess you can't get credentials in Russia. Well, I doubt Cooper could either as a former CIA agent, so the rumor goes.
The entire show was tape recorded except perhaps for the host, but, that has to be in question as well. Due to the taping every subject delivered as timely new was not.
Aaron Brown never had these issues while David Bohrman was producer. The show was 99.99 percent live and there were featured journalists for every subject with up to the minute information.
AC 360 has lost the integrity of good journalism and only reports was is a perspective that is biased to say the least.
Representative Murtha
On "The Today Show," Congressman Murtha told NBC's Matt Lauer he felt vindicated. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE TODAY SHOW") REP. JOHN MURTHA (D), PENNSYLVANIA: Well, that's exactly what I said a year ago. And I said, we couldn't win it militarily. And I said, they -- they have been mischaracterizing and misstating this war for the last two years.
Murtha was not only correct but when one realizes it was this time over the last year when the escalation of tensions that lead to the current violence took place, Representative Murtha could not be more correct. There has been increases in deaths across the board during this time and we are still in Iraq and not taking the advise of a veteran who obviously has a perspective that cannot be disputed. How many of his own constituents lost loved ones over the past year in the face of Representative Murtha's insistance the USA deploy out? What did the people of his constituency vote back into office? A man that knows what to do and not guesss. That is why he has been in his leadership in the House for so long. He is someone we can trust. Did Cooper bring that up during his news cast? No. Why? Becuase it would not only vindicate Representative Murtha but put Bush in the perspective he belonged as an incompetent Commander and Chief with no answers and only causing problem after problem.
The Iraqi Survey
I did appreciate the news about the Iraqi Survey taken after the November elections presented by Nic Robertson.
A new survey conducted by Iraqi pollsters shows, the daily violence is escalating Iraqi demands that U.S. troops leave. More than half the 2,000 Iraqis surveyed said they want all U.S. troops out now. And almost half the remainder want a withdrawal to begin immediately.
Did Cooper do a compare and contrast with the events of the day? No. Why? Because it completely conflicts with the Bush White House.
Shiite leader Hakim: We Have Asked for the American Forces to Stay in Iraq
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=41473
If the leadership of Iraq were in touch with the people of their country they would be advocating for withdrawal and sanctioning help from the region which would be viewed as benevolent to the Iraqi people. That isn't being done and as a consequence the USA is viewed as an occupier rather than an ally.
Abdul Aziz Hakim, the Shiite leader of the largest bloc in Iraq's parliament, met with US President George W. Bush and Secretary of US State Condoleezza Rice.
Hakim, after what he called a "very clear" meeting earlier with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, told reporters in Arabic that "we have asked for the American forces to stay in Iraq" to enable Iraqi security to deal with terrorists.
This is just exactly the problem and just more of the same. The Iraqi forces must show loyality to a sovereign Iraq. They haven't. They are all too afraid of the power another leadership could bring them that does not reflect their ethnicity. The Shi'ites and Kurds were the most victimized under the Saddam government, they were the ones that came forward to take control of a government they want to benevolent to them. Even the Shi'ite majority in this so called Unity Government has not protected them from violence that is currently escalating. The USA forces are not succeeding in protecting the innocent.
And I'll say it again, as a result the trained Iraqis that attend training by USA military return home to do the job they decided they were trained for and that is protecting their own families and not someone else's family. They are not going to show alligence to a power of central authority while they are being killed right in their own homes and market places.
Additionally, the central authority in Iraq has been draconian in their power as they have not provided alternatives or reacted to their crisis. There is no viable economy except local market places and even there people are attacked with car bombs.
The USA forces need to leave and for the National Guard troops sent home, for the regular military a deployment to Kurdistan for whatever number it takes to secure their borders until Baghdad settles down and the Kurds are able to handle their country themselves.
We are not servents of Mr. Hakem. If he is unable to find leadership without the security blanket of the USA then he has no sovereign authority except for what the USA military affords him. We are out of there. Iraqis need to decide their futures and we have no right or authority to do it for them. We are the problem and the Iraqi people see a respite away from the USA occupation as a reason to be peaceful among them. The killing has to stop. To continue as McCain and Bush want this to continue and even escalate the circumstances by killing all those that oppose Bush's agenda for Iraq is insane.
I believe the Unity Government is being viewed as an enemy to the people there and while those in the central government would like to blame it on terrorists, it is their own people in Civil War that is the issue.
To admit Iraq is in the throes of Civil War was give rise to the possibility of the decline of the Unity Government authority and the rise a dissolution of authority to three provincial authorities, each with it's own ruling body of ethnic preference.
The Kurds are already there and the Shi'ites are hoping to maintain their authority, but, in the streets they are more than likely looking to their Holy Men to find organization to lead without the benefit of a central government, there has been a shadow government there for years already. The Sunnis have just completely withdraw from the concept of a central authority and it is they that are attempting to secure Baghdad away from all others for the sparseness of resources in An Albar.
GORDON: Well, he -- he has sort of two categories, what he calls above the line, which are the options he thinks merit serious consideration, and below the line, that he doesn't like so much.And the below-the-line options include more troops. But it's clear that he's talking about consolidating bases, withdrawing forces, maybe moving them to different parts of Iraq. There's a lot of similarity, ironically, between some of his ideas and some of the ideas that, for example, Senator Levin, the Democrat from Michigan, have proposed.Michael Gordon needs to get out of his own way. He is backing the politics of Bush while reporting on a need for chance in ? strategy ? while people are dropping like flies. Take a stand Mr. Gordon, I would think that fence post you are sitting on is getting plenty uncomfortable. We have just passed an election in the USA where Iraq was a deciding factor. Either you agree with the majority of Americans who believe this war is not our issue and we need to leave, and you agree with Representative Murtha on the fact he was right the entire time, or you sit in defiance of any majority and believe Bush is not as incompetent as he obviously is. If that is the case then what the heck are you talking about? And while your at it, explain that to the families of the dead including Iraqis who only want to be safe and have their children safe with a future. What exactly is it about Bush that is going to give them that? What is a USA occupation going to do to provide that to them, because Mr. Gordon, Iraq is of absolutely no consequence to the national security of the USA. So, you tell me, Mr. Gordon, what exactly is a continued presence in that country going to do to stop the killing of innocent people? What, Mr. Gordon? I haven't heard 'word one' of that for over three long years !!!!!
The Spy Who Had a Cold
The entire story about Alexander Litvinenko is DESIGNED to inflame negative feelings regarding Russia. The time sequence Mattingly put together is backwards and is made to depict a paranoid country out to kill people. Do you honestly believe Russia was so out of touch with it's lose that the security structure Mr. Litvinenko was familiar with actually is still standing. As soon as a man like that left Russia for GREENER OBLIGARCH pastures the Russian Security forces changed their model. The information Alexander Litvinenko has was obsolete the day he defected. So, what exactly do you think a President of Russia has to be afraid of? A former spy? No way. Anderson Coooper displayed a one sided war mongering venture into information handled to portray a stereotype of Russia and Putin. He did not even explore any possibility and to realize this was all on video tape was to realize the information was as outdated as the information a dead spy had for his benefactors and friends. That is if you could call them friends. Anderson Cooper can never be accused of offering points of view that might be controversial.
Matthew Chance had half a chance to bring justice to the one sidedness but failed to do so:For years, criminals in Russia have used mafia-style contract hits to settle scores. But recently, there's been an epidemic. Officials say more than 5,000 every year. Some of the victims, high profile establishment figures like Andrei Kozlov, the deputy chairman of Russia's central bank, shot after a football match earlier this year.
In the Russian Far East, the popular mayoral candidate was also gunned down during an election runoff. Police say the assassin used an assault rifle with a silencer.
As for Anna Politkovskaya, she was a determined investigative reporter, especially critical of Russia's president Vladimir Putin. She often traveled to the rebellious Russian Public of Chechnya to document the excesses of Russian forces there.
In London, Alexander Litvinenko was convinced his friend's murder was officially sanctioned. Before he was poisoned, he (UNINTELLIGIBLE) evidence implicating the Kremlin in her death.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I can directly answer you, it is Mr. Putin, the president of the Russian federation, who has killed her.
CHANCE: The Kremlin denies involvement in either the shooting or the poisoning. But the journalist, like the former secret agent, had a long history of antagonizing Moscow, and their deaths deliver a chilling message to others who might dare criticize.
Matthew Chance, CNN, London.
Go chance an Oligarch rather than a Russian President and you might even find an exclusive, better yet you might find the killer and a reward. Now, that would be progress. I guess you can't get credentials in Russia. Well, I doubt Cooper could either as a former CIA agent, so the rumor goes.
enough
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Life is getting easier all the time
Others are complaining about Cooper as much as me (click on). Do you think Klein will ever get the hint? I was watching CBS yesterday evening. It's fascinating to watch a first rate news team with the same style of journalist involvement as Aaron Brown and David Bohrman once had. There must be something about collegues that people seem to believe is better presentation than a sole anchor making himself the center of atttention.
As this, the most even-handed of news programs begins, the announcer's voice gives us a tease of one of tonight's stories, this one about a house where Mary (yeah, that Mary) is said to have lived her last days. The location is a popular place of prayer for Christians and Muslims alike. The voice caps off the tease by labeling it "a true miracle."
What?? A miracle? Is he referring to "an event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God"? This is a "true miracle"? Is that supposed to be funny? Someone should have reminded the announcer to put a little whimsy, or at least some sarcasm in his voice, because he sounds completely serious to me.
Bad, bad Anderson Cooper. He's the managing editor of the show, as I understand it. I blame him. This was a stupid thing to say for numerous reasons. Is it really their intention to tell us that it's so unusual for Christians and Muslims to agree on something that it should be called a miracle? Jesus is honored as a prophet in Islam, so it doesn't surprise me that his mom would get a decent amount of respect too. Even if we drop the "true" in "true miracle" and allow that maybe "miracle" was just a cute turn of phrase for a show that was going to deal with religion, I think it's just wrong to imply that one should consider it weird that members of these two religious groups could agree on anything.
As this, the most even-handed of news programs begins, the announcer's voice gives us a tease of one of tonight's stories, this one about a house where Mary (yeah, that Mary) is said to have lived her last days. The location is a popular place of prayer for Christians and Muslims alike. The voice caps off the tease by labeling it "a true miracle."
What?? A miracle? Is he referring to "an event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God"? This is a "true miracle"? Is that supposed to be funny? Someone should have reminded the announcer to put a little whimsy, or at least some sarcasm in his voice, because he sounds completely serious to me.
Bad, bad Anderson Cooper. He's the managing editor of the show, as I understand it. I blame him. This was a stupid thing to say for numerous reasons. Is it really their intention to tell us that it's so unusual for Christians and Muslims to agree on something that it should be called a miracle? Jesus is honored as a prophet in Islam, so it doesn't surprise me that his mom would get a decent amount of respect too. Even if we drop the "true" in "true miracle" and allow that maybe "miracle" was just a cute turn of phrase for a show that was going to deal with religion, I think it's just wrong to imply that one should consider it weird that members of these two religious groups could agree on anything.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
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.
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
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
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.
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
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
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 ...
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
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
Friday, November 17, 2006
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 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
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