Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Dissent in the Ranks
Today, Republican Senator Arlen Specter (PA) stated Bush does not have the lone authority to be "the decider" about the troop surge in Iraq. This is a very bold statement by the senator. I believe it will be these types of messages, from within the GOP, that derails Bush's unilateral decision to move an additional 21,000 troops into Iraq.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Hillary's Conversation with America
After watching, last week, Hillary Rodham Clinton's town hall chats, I was very much taken by the fact she cares about the direction our country is headed. She is passionate about healthcare for all Americans, believing in opportunities for all Americans, despite their socioeconomic situation, and she wants to find a solution to the war in Iraq.
I am delighted to watch as her campaign continues to unfold. She will certainly be formidable.
I am delighted to watch as her campaign continues to unfold. She will certainly be formidable.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Hillary: "I'm in"
Today, Hillary Rodham Clinton announced her candidacy for the presidency of the United States. For the first time in the history of our country, there is a woman who may actually win. Most all, there is an opportunity for change in our countries political future.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com
As always...
http://www.hillaryclinton.com
As always...
Hillary2008
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Bush v. Iran
Today, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley reported President Bush is not preparing a pre-emptive strike against Iran, but he refused to rule out the possibility may come in the future.
Bush is apparently delusional. He really believes he can take on the Iranians when he is having such a poor time controlling the situation in Iraq. Hopefully we will not see Bush make another blunder by attacking Iran; considering, such a move would greatly work to isolate us as a nation and completely destroy our military, which is already over-worked and under-paid.
The Iran issue must be worked out through the United Nations, not the United States. We can only hope that this issue will not escalate for our nation before Bush leaves office in two years.
Bush is apparently delusional. He really believes he can take on the Iranians when he is having such a poor time controlling the situation in Iraq. Hopefully we will not see Bush make another blunder by attacking Iran; considering, such a move would greatly work to isolate us as a nation and completely destroy our military, which is already over-worked and under-paid.
The Iran issue must be worked out through the United Nations, not the United States. We can only hope that this issue will not escalate for our nation before Bush leaves office in two years.
Bush wants it his way
Bush announced that he will push forward with the deployment of 21,000 American troops to Iraq, despite congressional and American citizen objections.
I guess Bush is really alone. How sad for him.
I guess Bush is really alone. How sad for him.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The New Congress' Agenda
Today, began the first 100 hours of Democratic control of Congress. What things does the new 110th House of Representatives want to accomplish?
I found it on the Speaker's website. Here are some of the things on the House's agenda for the next 100 hours.
"We will start by cleaning up Congress, breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation and commit to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending."
"We will make our nation safer and we will begin by implementing the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission."
"We will make our economy fairer, and we will begin by raising the minimum wage. We will not pass a pay raise for Congress until there is an increase in the minimum wage."
"We will make health care more affordable for all Americans, and we will begin by fixing the Medicare prescription drug program, putting seniors first by negotiating lower drug prices."
"We will also promote stem cell research to offer real hope to the millions of American families who suffer from devastating diseases. "
"We will broaden college opportunity, and we will begin by cutting interest rates for student loans in half."
"We will energize America by achieving energy independence, and we will begin by rolling back the multi-billion dollar subsidies for Big Oil."
"We will guarantee a dignified retirement, and we will begin by fighting any attempt to privatize Social Security."
I found it on the Speaker's website. Here are some of the things on the House's agenda for the next 100 hours.
"We will start by cleaning up Congress, breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation and commit to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending."
"We will make our nation safer and we will begin by implementing the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission."
"We will make our economy fairer, and we will begin by raising the minimum wage. We will not pass a pay raise for Congress until there is an increase in the minimum wage."
"We will make health care more affordable for all Americans, and we will begin by fixing the Medicare prescription drug program, putting seniors first by negotiating lower drug prices."
"We will also promote stem cell research to offer real hope to the millions of American families who suffer from devastating diseases. "
"We will broaden college opportunity, and we will begin by cutting interest rates for student loans in half."
"We will energize America by achieving energy independence, and we will begin by rolling back the multi-billion dollar subsidies for Big Oil."
"We will guarantee a dignified retirement, and we will begin by fighting any attempt to privatize Social Security."
Africa, the New Iraq?
With only a little more than twenty four hours left before George Bush changes the course of war in Iraq, the United States is engaging targets of interest in Somolia.
First, I was surprised Bush knew where Somolia was even located. Second, I was not surprised to learn the US military was now destroying alleged al-Qaeda targets there.
Why?
The war in Iraq is going badly. Basically, it has failed and there is no chance of redeeming it for the Iraqi people. Bush is going to send 20,000 additional troops, which will only lead to more American casualties. I have said all along, if the Iraqi people want a stable, democratic country, then they must be willing to stand up against the extemists within their own country and demand nothing less. Otherwise, the United States is only prolonging the collapse of the current Iraqi government, which will lead to a clone of the Iranian government, based on Shi'a (Islamic) law.
Bush's new agenda will seek to expand the conflict, possibly to Africa. He will return the focus of the war from Saddam, and weapons of mass destruction (WMD), back to al-Qaeda. Wasn't that the original focus of the war on terrorism from the start?
What will the new Congress have to say about this?
The United States Senate, through Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), has already introduced a bill that will limit the troops Bush can send to Iraq. This would curtail Bush's plan to vamp up the number of soldiers by twenty thousand. In addition, Congress will begin to look at ways to decrease Iraq's reliance on American troops for maintaining law and order (or lack thereof) in their country.
As for Africa, Bush might as well suck-it-up and accept defeat. The war on terrorism was lost from day one. Bush had no idea how to fight this war. Simply, he embraced flawed intelligence and as a consequence we are still paying for his mistake.
First, I was surprised Bush knew where Somolia was even located. Second, I was not surprised to learn the US military was now destroying alleged al-Qaeda targets there.
Why?
The war in Iraq is going badly. Basically, it has failed and there is no chance of redeeming it for the Iraqi people. Bush is going to send 20,000 additional troops, which will only lead to more American casualties. I have said all along, if the Iraqi people want a stable, democratic country, then they must be willing to stand up against the extemists within their own country and demand nothing less. Otherwise, the United States is only prolonging the collapse of the current Iraqi government, which will lead to a clone of the Iranian government, based on Shi'a (Islamic) law.
Bush's new agenda will seek to expand the conflict, possibly to Africa. He will return the focus of the war from Saddam, and weapons of mass destruction (WMD), back to al-Qaeda. Wasn't that the original focus of the war on terrorism from the start?
What will the new Congress have to say about this?
The United States Senate, through Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), has already introduced a bill that will limit the troops Bush can send to Iraq. This would curtail Bush's plan to vamp up the number of soldiers by twenty thousand. In addition, Congress will begin to look at ways to decrease Iraq's reliance on American troops for maintaining law and order (or lack thereof) in their country.
As for Africa, Bush might as well suck-it-up and accept defeat. The war on terrorism was lost from day one. Bush had no idea how to fight this war. Simply, he embraced flawed intelligence and as a consequence we are still paying for his mistake.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
100 Hours
In the first one-hundred hours of a Democrat-controlled Congress, there is a vow to pass important legislation to reform America.
I read this morning that George W. Bush is getting ready to veto basically anything the Congress passes over this period of time. Since becoming president in 2001, George Bush has only had to veto ONE single piece of legislation. This tells America something; it tells us that Bush has gotten everything he has ever twisted the former Congress' arm to provide him. Of course, with Republican sycophants in charge, he had to do little coercing.
What will Bush's vetoes mean? They mean that he is out-of-step with mainstream America. In November 2006, the people of America voted overwhelmingly to change the course of our country. Instead of Bush heading this great outcry, he is going to use his Constitutional authority to railroad the democratic process by saying, "I don't care what you want America. I am going to do what I want until 12:01PM on January 20, 2009."
At least Bush's policies will be railroaded over the course of the next years as he will be marginalized as a "lame duck" president--finally!
I read this morning that George W. Bush is getting ready to veto basically anything the Congress passes over this period of time. Since becoming president in 2001, George Bush has only had to veto ONE single piece of legislation. This tells America something; it tells us that Bush has gotten everything he has ever twisted the former Congress' arm to provide him. Of course, with Republican sycophants in charge, he had to do little coercing.
What will Bush's vetoes mean? They mean that he is out-of-step with mainstream America. In November 2006, the people of America voted overwhelmingly to change the course of our country. Instead of Bush heading this great outcry, he is going to use his Constitutional authority to railroad the democratic process by saying, "I don't care what you want America. I am going to do what I want until 12:01PM on January 20, 2009."
At least Bush's policies will be railroaded over the course of the next years as he will be marginalized as a "lame duck" president--finally!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
New Congress
Today, the United States finally got its long-awaited reprieve from the autocratic Bush rule, with the swearing in of a Democrat-controlled Congress. The nation's first since 1994. It is long over-due.
Also, in over 220 years of Congress, the United States got its first woman as Speaker of House, with the election of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Where do we go from here? Honestly, we only have one direction to go, and that is up, after almost six years of Bush's regime.
Also, in over 220 years of Congress, the United States got its first woman as Speaker of House, with the election of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Where do we go from here? Honestly, we only have one direction to go, and that is up, after almost six years of Bush's regime.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Saddam's Lynching
For anyone who hasn't watched the unedited version of Saddam's so-called execution, with sound, you should.
Apparently, the US government wanted to delay Hussein's hanging until after the eid holiday for Muslims, but the Iraqi government wanted to press the issue forward and not wait. As you watch the unedited video, you get a sense of what is going on is not exactly proper. Compared to the mob that is around Saddam, it would seem he is the most sane person there. They directly taunted him just seconds before he dies.
What are the consequences of his death? I think it is clear that Iraq has a new face of fanaticism. A people who have no allegiance to a centralized government, but rather to clan leaders.
Apparently, the US government wanted to delay Hussein's hanging until after the eid holiday for Muslims, but the Iraqi government wanted to press the issue forward and not wait. As you watch the unedited video, you get a sense of what is going on is not exactly proper. Compared to the mob that is around Saddam, it would seem he is the most sane person there. They directly taunted him just seconds before he dies.
What are the consequences of his death? I think it is clear that Iraq has a new face of fanaticism. A people who have no allegiance to a centralized government, but rather to clan leaders.
Thus Spake the Mockingbird
The mockingbird says, Hallelujah, coreopsis, I make the day
bright, I wake the night-blooming jasmine. I am
the duodecimo of desperate love, the hocus-pocus passion
flower of delirious retribution. You never saw such a bird,
such a triage of blood and feathers, tongues and bone. O the world
is a sad address, bitterness melting the tongues of babies,
breasts full of accidental milk, but I can teach the flowers to grow,
take their tight buds, unfurl them like flags in the morning heat,
fat banners of scent, flat platters of riot on the emerald scene.
I am the green god of pine trees, conducting the music
of rustling needle through a harp of wind. I am the heart of men,
the wild bird that drives their sex, forges their engines,
jimmies their shattered locks in the dark flare where midnight slinks.
I am the careless minx in the skirts of women, the bright moon
caressing their hair, the sharp words pouring from their beautiful mouths
in board rooms, on bar stools, in big city laundrettes. I am
Lester Young's sidewinding sax, sending that Pony Express
message out west in the Marconi tube hidden in every torso
tied tight in the corset of do and don't, high and low, yes and no. I am
the radio, first god of the twentieth century, broadcasting
the news, the blues, the death counts, the mothers wailing
when everyone's gone home. I am sweeping
through the Eustachian tube of the great plains, transmitting
through every ear of corn, shimmying down the spine
of every Bible-thumping banker and bureaucrat, relaying the anointed
word of the shimmering world. Every dirty foot that walks
the broken streets moves on my wings. I speak from the golden
screens. Hear the roar of my discord murdering the trees,
screaming its furious rag. The fuselage of my revival-tent brag. Open
your windows, slip on your castanets. I am the flamenco
in the heel of desire. I am the dancer. I am the choir. Hear my wild
throat crowd the exploding sky. O I can make a noise.
-Barbara Hamby
bright, I wake the night-blooming jasmine. I am
the duodecimo of desperate love, the hocus-pocus passion
flower of delirious retribution. You never saw such a bird,
such a triage of blood and feathers, tongues and bone. O the world
is a sad address, bitterness melting the tongues of babies,
breasts full of accidental milk, but I can teach the flowers to grow,
take their tight buds, unfurl them like flags in the morning heat,
fat banners of scent, flat platters of riot on the emerald scene.
I am the green god of pine trees, conducting the music
of rustling needle through a harp of wind. I am the heart of men,
the wild bird that drives their sex, forges their engines,
jimmies their shattered locks in the dark flare where midnight slinks.
I am the careless minx in the skirts of women, the bright moon
caressing their hair, the sharp words pouring from their beautiful mouths
in board rooms, on bar stools, in big city laundrettes. I am
Lester Young's sidewinding sax, sending that Pony Express
message out west in the Marconi tube hidden in every torso
tied tight in the corset of do and don't, high and low, yes and no. I am
the radio, first god of the twentieth century, broadcasting
the news, the blues, the death counts, the mothers wailing
when everyone's gone home. I am sweeping
through the Eustachian tube of the great plains, transmitting
through every ear of corn, shimmying down the spine
of every Bible-thumping banker and bureaucrat, relaying the anointed
word of the shimmering world. Every dirty foot that walks
the broken streets moves on my wings. I speak from the golden
screens. Hear the roar of my discord murdering the trees,
screaming its furious rag. The fuselage of my revival-tent brag. Open
your windows, slip on your castanets. I am the flamenco
in the heel of desire. I am the dancer. I am the choir. Hear my wild
throat crowd the exploding sky. O I can make a noise.
-Barbara Hamby
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