Afghans Fed Up With Government, US

""This is our land. We are afraid to send our sons out the door for
fear the American troops will pick them up," says Mohammed, who was
chosen by the others to represent them. "Daily we have headaches from
the troops. We are fed up. Our government is weak and corrupt and the
American Soldiers have learned nothing."

A strong sense of frustration echoed through dozens of interviews by
The Associated Press with Afghan villagers, police, government
officials, tribal elders and Taliban who left and rejoined the
religious movement. The interviews ranged from the capital, Kabul, to
the rural regions near the border with Pakistan."

Afghans Fed Up With Government, US - Military.com

Kremlin-watchers warn of direct U.S.-Russia clash

"MOSCOW_ In the aftermath of last month's war between Russia and
U.S.-backed Georgia, Kremlin-watchers in Moscow are worried that Russia
and America are closer to direct confrontation than at any point since
the end of the Cold War."

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 09/05/2008 | Kremlin-watchers warn of direct U.S.-Russia clash

Fannie and Freddie Mac Commit Fraud, We Pay The Bill

"Then, last week, advisers from Morgan Stanley
hired by the Treasury Department to scrutinize the companies came to a
troubling conclusion: Freddie Mac’s capital position was worse than
initially imagined, according to people briefed on those findings. The
company had made decisions that, while not necessarily in violation of
accounting rules, had the effect of overstating the companies’s capital
resources and financial stability.

Indeed, one person briefed on
the company’s finances said Freddie Mac had made accounting decisions
that pushed losses into the future and postponed a capital shortfall
until the fourth quarter of this year, which would not need to be
disclosed until early 2009. Fannie Mae has used similar methods, but to
a lesser degree, according to other people who have been briefed."

...

"These two gigantic hedge funds intentionally
manipulated their accounting to show a capital position that was
stronger than reality, by pushing forward losses instead of recognizing
them as they occurred.

While not illegal, it had the effect of lying to the markets, which put both firms at risk of all-on collapse.

Now the government proposes to bail them out at your expense and risk the collapse of the government's funding,
instead of indicting the executives of these firms and placing them
into rundown, forcing the losses to be taken by the people who profited
from the gains during the "salad years.""

The Market Ticker

Aren't you glad we have a "free market capitalist" system, while those bad, evil Commies manipulate their economy? Well, OK, so the U.S. government intervenes here and there, but it's for the best. Why is it for the best, you ask? Well, that's because I assume the government is omniscient and incorruptible, and therefore smarter than the market.

Modern Day Iwo Jima

Why Russia’s response to Georgia was right

"Let me be absolutely clear. This is not a conflict of Russia’s making;
this is not a conflict of Russia’s choosing. There are no winners from
this conflict. Hours before the Georgian invasion, Russia had been
working to secure a United Nations Security Council statement calling
for a renunciation of force by both Georgia and South Ossetians. The
statement that could have averted bloodshed was blocked by western
countries."

FT.com / Comment & analysis / Comment - Why Russia’s response to Georgia was right

Putin's war enablers: Bush and Cheney

"Russia's escalating war on Georgia reveals the consequences of the Bush
administration's long assault on the international rule of law."

Putin's war enablers: Bush and Cheney | Salon

9/11

RNC Assign 'Black Hats' To Each of the 250 Ron Paul Delegate

"Fearing demonstrations from Ron Paul delegates here at the
Republican National Convention, the party has created a "black-hat"
squad to track the Paulites and other potential troublemakers to make
sure they don't cause a scene on the convention floor.

Identified by their black baseball caps emblazoned with a white
star, squad members keep an eye on delegates they fear might cause a
scene. The squad is empowered by the convention managers to take
delegates' credentials and kick them off the convention floor -- a step
one convention official said would be unprecedented."

Washington Times - 'Black hats' keep lookout for troublemakers

Aren't you proud of your party?

Russia's government declares its superiority over the West, claims America is on weak ground militarily and morally due to Iraq

"The U.S. and other Western nations may not like what Russia is doing,
but officials in Moscow believe those countries lack the leverage,
strength or unity to intervene, analysts say."

Russia sees Georgia outcome as proof of its dominance - Los Angeles Times

One of the reasons the supporters of this war used to justify staying, was that if we didn't, we'd look weak to our enemies. Well, they were wrong. We look weak by staying, and we look weak to Russia and China, actual countries with missiles, not just some guys in caves. What the Neo-Cons and their supporters don't realize is that the use of our guns don't make us look strong, it's how and when we use them. If you don't behave morally, it doesn't matter how big your show of strength.

Chalabi aide arrested on suspicion of Baghdad bombings

"BAGHDAD — U.S. forces have arrested a deputy of Ahmad Chalabi, who was
once the Bush administration's favorite Iraqi politician, and
implicated him in bombings that killed Americans and Iraqis, Chalabi
and Iraqi government officials said Thursday."

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 08/29/2008 | Chalabi aide arrested on suspicion of Baghdad bombings

So, should the U.S. bomb itself for aiding the "terrorists?"

The Police State, St. Paul, MN

Negotiating with Terrorists, and Cowardly Setting Timetables

US, Iraq close in on deal for pullout of US troops

When people suggested talking with Iran, Neocons, Bush-supporters, Bush, Cheney, FOX News and others called them appeasers. They said, "What?! You can't negotiate with terrorists." Then Bush did it. He sent diplomats.

When people suggested setting timetables for withdrawal, that group said, "What?! That's like giving Al Qaeda the date they can take over. They'll just wait 'til we leave, then take over!" Now, Rice is over there, doing exactly that....setting timetables.

The end result is lack of credibility on the Right, and wasted time, money, and lives.

Justice Department plan would "allow the F.B.I. to open an investigation of an American, conduct surveillance, pry into private records and take other investigative steps 'without any basis for suspicion.'"

New Guidelines Would Give F.B.I. Broader Powers - NYTimes.com

"A Justice Department plan would loosen restrictions on the Federal Bureau of Investigation
to allow agents to open a national security or criminal investigation
against someone without any clear basis for suspicion, Democratic
lawmakers briefed on the details said Wednesday."


This isn't what America is about, people. Come on, this is getting out of control.

Russia Says Some NATO Cooperation Frozen

Russia says some NATO cooperation frozen | Reuters

"A senior Russian military official confirmed on Friday that Russia's
Defence Ministry had frozen some cooperation with the NATO military
alliance and queried the merits of a U.S. Navy operation in the Black
Sea."


Don't worry folks, Bush "looked into Putin's eyes."

How Politics Destroys Harmony and Creates Conflict

Classically Liberal: How politics destroys harmony and creates conflict.

The Lovely Benefits of the Iraq War, Nicely Summed Up By Russia's Response to Georgia Withdrawal

Russia, on Georgia withdrawal: "If I would ask
you in response to the same question how fast the American forces can
leave Iraq, for example, the answer would be as soon as we have
guarantees for peace and security there"

Lawmaker hints at long stay in Georgia, despite cease-fire - CNN.com

Pakistani Democracy Trumps U.S. Support of Military Dictator, as They Reelect President Deposed by Musharraf's Coup

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Pakistan's Musharraf steps down

More results of tough-guy diplomacy. As we focus a trillion dollars of our blood and treasure on some random guys living in caves, a nuclear power just went to a country which hates us, due to our support of a military dictator....the mind reels.

Bush Failures May Force McCain, Obama to Make Like FDR in 2009

"The next White House occupant will inherit the deepest housing recession in a generation, growing fears of bank failures, a sinking dollar, $4 gasoline and an economy bleeding jobs. He'll confront wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, mounting tensions with Iran and the U.S.'s flagging international reputation.

Historians say the economic and foreign policy crises in Bush's wake will present either Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain with the biggest challenges to a new president since Herbert Hoover left office during the Great Depression." LINK

Chavez Goes Weapons Shopping in Russia Amid Arms Race

"Past Venezuelan arms purchases from Russia have strengthened ties with Moscow as its rivalry with the U.S. intensifies over President George W. Bush's plans for an Eastern Europe missile defense system..." Link


Fill 'er up, America! You're funding (and arming) our enemies! This war, and $140 oil, is great for us!

At $140/barrel, Saudi Arabia and Iran can buy all of U.S.

How much oil it'd take to buy the US? At the recent price of $140 a barrel, it turns out to be a mere 400 billion barrels, or just about the combined reserves of Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Keep supporting the $3 trillion wars to keep us on oil, boys. You're making everyone but us rich. What a strategy!

Russia says will use military means if U.S. deploys shield

Link

Bush's Dollar Drop Maps Loss of U.S. Clout at Final G-8 Summit

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aH0_cYGS8Avc&refer=home

Guantanamo Bay interrogation techniques copied from Chinese who used them to get false confessions from Americans during Korean war

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2236257/Guantanamo-Bay-interrogations-based-on-faulty-Chinese-communist-methods.html

Handy List of McCain Flip Flops

Link

Coalition troop deaths in Afghanistan surpass Iraq

Link

Fox News Alters Photos of Journalists They Don't Like

http://mediamatters.org/items/200807020002

Inspector General finds Bush Admin. guilty of politicizing the Justice Dept through illegal hiring practices and is sending out grand jury requests

WashingtonPost.com

White House Does Not Want Haliburton Oversight

WASHINGTON (AP) — "The Army's march to overhaul its tarnished contracting system has been slowed by an unlikely foe: the White House.

The Office of Management and Budget, President Bush's administrative arm, has shot down a service plan to add five active-duty generals who would oversee purchasing and monitor contractor performance.

The boost in brass was a key recommendation from a blue-ribbon panel that last fall criticized the Army for contracting failures that undermined the war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan, wasted U.S. tax dollars, and sparked dozens of procurement fraud investigations.

As the Army's contracting budget ballooned — from $46 billion in 2002 to $112 billion in 2007 — it had too few experienced people negotiating and buying equipment and supplies, according to the panel. Worse still, there wasn't a single Army general in a job with contracting responsibilities. That meant the profession had little clout at a critical time." Link

US faces prison ship allegations

BBC NEWS | Americas | US faces prison ship allegations: "The comments come five days after the UN accused the US of stalling on their requests to visit Guantanamo Bay."

I definitely prefer being the pristine accuser, rather than the guilty accused.

Amnesty Bill Covers Torturers, Too; To Be Bundled With War Supplmental

CRIMES AND CORRUPTIONS OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER NEWS - Amnesty Bill Covers Torturers, Too; To Be Bundled With War Supplmental

'Persons immune from lawsuits include "Anyone" who "provid[ed] assistance to an element of the intelligence community . . . in connection with intelligence activity involving communications that was (i) authorized by the President during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on January 17, 2007 and (ii) designed to prevent or detect a terrorist attack, or activities in preparation of a terrorist attack, against the United States and (B) the subject of a written request or directive . . . indicating that the activity was (i) authorized by the President; and (ii) determined to be lawful."'

Legalization would end drug war in Mexico, world

Legalization would end drug war in Mexico, world

Legalize All Drugs - By John Stossel

Townhall.com::Legalize All Drugs::By John Stossel

Habeas Corpus: The Bulwark of Our Liberties

Habeas Corpus: The Bulwark of Our Liberties

The following is an excerpt from the majority opinion in yesterday’s Supreme Court decision in Boumediene v. Bush. Citations to books and articles have been removed to facilitate reading.

First Public Interview with "Curveball," the Guy with the 'Intelligence" the Bush Admin Based an Invasion of Another Country On

'Curveball' speaks, and a reputation as a disinformation agent remains intact - Los Angeles Times

McCain's Offshore Drilling Position A Flip From Three Weeks Ago

McCain's Offshore Drilling Position A Flip From Three Weeks Ago - Politics on The Huffington Post: "It is hardly a secret that when it comes to offshore drilling, Sen. John McCain was against the idea before he was for it. On Monday, the Arizona Republican told a crowd in Texas that he was abandoning his long-time support for a federal moratorium on drilling along the nation's coastlines in favor of allowing states to decide for themselves."

Ex-State Dept. official: Hundreds of detainees died in U.S. custody, at least 25 murdered

Think Progress » Ex-State Dept. official: Hundreds of detainees died in U.S. custody, at least 25 murdered.: ""

Documents confirm U.S. hid detainees from Red Cross

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 06/18/2008 | Documents confirm U.S. hid detainees from Red Cross: "WASHINGTON — The U.S. military hid the locations of suspected terrorist detainees and concealed harsh treatment to avoid the scrutiny of the International Committee of the Red Cross, according to documents that a Senate committee released Tuesday."

General Who Probed Abu Ghraib: Bush Officials Committed 'War Crimes'

General Who Probed Abu Ghraib: Bush Officials Committed 'War Crimes' - Politics on The Huffington Post: "The remarks by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, who's now retired, came in a new report that found that U.S. personnel tortured and abused detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, using beatings, electrical shocks, sexual humiliation and other cruel practices."

Legal Drugs Kill Far More Than Illegal, Florida Says

Legal Drugs Kill Far More Than Illegal, Florida Says - NYTimes.com: "An analysis of autopsies in 2007 released this week by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission found that the rate of deaths caused by prescription drugs was three times the rate of deaths caused by all illicit drugs combined."

Good thing the gov't is protecting us from those evil drugs! Thank you DEA!

America's prison for terrorists often held the wrong men

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 06/15/2008 | America's prison for terrorists often held the wrong men

Former Army Secretary: A Third Of The Prisoners Don't Belong In Guantanamo. U.S. has wrongfully imprisoned "perhaps hundreds" of men "in Afghanistan, Cuba and elsewhere on the basis of flimsy or fabricated evidence, old personal scores or bounty payments."