Never before have I felt that this day is so unlike Christmas.
...Better that we profess our evil, as do governments like those of Korea and China, and govern and rule honestly as despots, than that we hide under the guise of Christianity and democracy.
Elaine is a D.C. attorney and professor of law at Concord University School of Law. She also teaches graduate courses in law and psychology at Marymount University.
Read her entire post here.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Having a grand old time in Iraq
British soldiers are getting as big a kick over there as are some of the American troops I've reported about.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Why do they hate us?
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Why do they hate us?
Bush Still Eating Beef Despite Scare, Aide Says
Which may give some people hope.
That was mean, wasn't it?
What do you want to bet the source of his steaks is not the local grocery?
Maybe he has a food taster - perhaps the mice.
article
And a second herd is quarantined.
Hey, the price of beef should be coming down. I hope CC's prime filet dinners get below $25.
That was mean, wasn't it?
What do you want to bet the source of his steaks is not the local grocery?
Maybe he has a food taster - perhaps the mice.
article
And a second herd is quarantined.
Hey, the price of beef should be coming down. I hope CC's prime filet dinners get below $25.
Surprise, surprise - records missing
That Tiger Force information coming out of Viet Nam, when you are supposed to be supporting your troops who are currently doing some pretty nasty stuff in Iraq, hit a little snag.
Hundreds of records of the group known as Tiger Force are missing from the National Archives in suburban Washington, and the Army crime records center at Fort Belvoir, Va.
Officials can't explain why the reports aren't available.
"At this time, we don't know what happened [to the records]," said Chris Grey, a spokesman for the Army's Criminal Investigation Command.
A Blade series in October, "Buried Secrets, Brutal Truths," which was also published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, revealed the 45-man platoon killed and mutilated scores of unarmed villagers refusing to leave their homes.
Some were executed as they pleaded for their lives -- in some cases their ears and scalps severed for souvenirs -- and others were blown up in underground bunkers.
The missing records include the first formal complaint filed against the platoon in 1969 and sworn witness statements by more than 100 soldiers in 1970 and 1971, according to National Archives indexes.
The newspaper's findings showed the Army secretly investigated Tiger Force three decades ago, substantiating 20 atrocities involving 18 soldiers. But the case was quietly closed in 1975 without charges filed. article
Maybe a good time to revisit that open letter to GIs from a former soldier who served in Viet Nam and has a son in service now, Stan Goff.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Hundreds of records of the group known as Tiger Force are missing from the National Archives in suburban Washington, and the Army crime records center at Fort Belvoir, Va.
Officials can't explain why the reports aren't available.
"At this time, we don't know what happened [to the records]," said Chris Grey, a spokesman for the Army's Criminal Investigation Command.
A Blade series in October, "Buried Secrets, Brutal Truths," which was also published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, revealed the 45-man platoon killed and mutilated scores of unarmed villagers refusing to leave their homes.
Some were executed as they pleaded for their lives -- in some cases their ears and scalps severed for souvenirs -- and others were blown up in underground bunkers.
The missing records include the first formal complaint filed against the platoon in 1969 and sworn witness statements by more than 100 soldiers in 1970 and 1971, according to National Archives indexes.
The newspaper's findings showed the Army secretly investigated Tiger Force three decades ago, substantiating 20 atrocities involving 18 soldiers. But the case was quietly closed in 1975 without charges filed. article
Maybe a good time to revisit that open letter to GIs from a former soldier who served in Viet Nam and has a son in service now, Stan Goff.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Screw Poland, we don't need "friends"
We own the world. Get used to it, suckers.
While the Polish government cited moral and political reasons for its support of the United States, economic motives were never far from the surface. Polish officials freely acknowledged that they hoped that backing a friend in a time of need would translate into more profitable economic ties.
To many here, winning contracts in Iraq is one way to judge whether that bet paid off. Some see it as an ominous sign that Poland has so far netted just one project, a $7 million telecommunications contract.
"We keep hearing this is such an important alliance, but we've seen little value from it," said Marek Ostrowski, a leading foreign affairs commentator. "We're starting to feel this is a one-way street
...The United States, once the biggest foreign investor in Poland, has fallen to third place, after France and Germany, as American firms build their auto assembly plants and semiconductor factories elsewhere.
Underscoring the one-way nature of its ties with the United States, the Polish government agreed late last year to buy 48 American F-16 fighter jets for about $3 billion. The contract, which Poland awarded to Lockheed Martin over two European manufacturers, is starting to stir frustration here because of the time it is taking Lockheed to fulfill its promise to steer American investments to Poland to offset the purchase. article
Hey, serves you right, Poland. What were you thinking? France and Germany may not appreciate your giving the business to Lockheed either, which could translate into less investment from them.
Ooops. Oh well.
....do what you want....you will anyway.
(Poland may be rethinking its deployment of troops in Iraq if they don't get some payback, as Saturday one of their units was attacked; four soldiers were killed and 25 wounded.)
While the Polish government cited moral and political reasons for its support of the United States, economic motives were never far from the surface. Polish officials freely acknowledged that they hoped that backing a friend in a time of need would translate into more profitable economic ties.
To many here, winning contracts in Iraq is one way to judge whether that bet paid off. Some see it as an ominous sign that Poland has so far netted just one project, a $7 million telecommunications contract.
"We keep hearing this is such an important alliance, but we've seen little value from it," said Marek Ostrowski, a leading foreign affairs commentator. "We're starting to feel this is a one-way street
...The United States, once the biggest foreign investor in Poland, has fallen to third place, after France and Germany, as American firms build their auto assembly plants and semiconductor factories elsewhere.
Underscoring the one-way nature of its ties with the United States, the Polish government agreed late last year to buy 48 American F-16 fighter jets for about $3 billion. The contract, which Poland awarded to Lockheed Martin over two European manufacturers, is starting to stir frustration here because of the time it is taking Lockheed to fulfill its promise to steer American investments to Poland to offset the purchase. article
Hey, serves you right, Poland. What were you thinking? France and Germany may not appreciate your giving the business to Lockheed either, which could translate into less investment from them.
Ooops. Oh well.
....do what you want....you will anyway.
(Poland may be rethinking its deployment of troops in Iraq if they don't get some payback, as Saturday one of their units was attacked; four soldiers were killed and 25 wounded.)
Hey, Australia's our b!tch, too.
Face it world, we own you.
AUSTRALIAN aircraft have reportedly followed US military orders to spy on Iran without first getting approval from Defence Minister Robert Hill.
...Senator Hill was angered by the RAAF's agreement to fly the mission against Iran without clearing it with him first, according to the newspaper's sources in Canberra. article
....but hey, do what we want....you will anyway.
AUSTRALIAN aircraft have reportedly followed US military orders to spy on Iran without first getting approval from Defence Minister Robert Hill.
...Senator Hill was angered by the RAAF's agreement to fly the mission against Iran without clearing it with him first, according to the newspaper's sources in Canberra. article
....but hey, do what we want....you will anyway.
Qadafi's warning
Asked if he had a message for other leaders, especially the heads of Syria, Iran and North Korea, [Qadafi] replied: "They should follow the steps of Libya, or take an example from Libya, so that they prevent any tragedy being inflicted upon their own peoples." article
Was there a threat in that nine months of secret negotiations Bush and Blair were in with Muammar, now that he's been sanctioned into a weak spot, you think? A winning combination of tactics there - weaken to incapacitate through a decade or so of sanctions and then threaten to blast what remains of them. Hit 'em while they're down, I always say.
Go team!
US oil companies were leading players in the Libyan oil industry until 1986, when they were ordered out of the country by President Ronald Reagan. Marathon, Amerada Hess and ConocoPhillips jointly hold permits to develop the huge Waha field.
Most of those permits expire in 2005, raising fears among US oil executives that their rights could be transferred to European firms.
Okay, well, there's that. I guess we couldn't afford to wait any longer to level the blasting to hell threat. Plus, it's a nice little package of timing with the "capture" of Saddam.
There's more to this Libyan thing, though. Don't know what it is. And there may not have been a blasting to hell threat, although that seems the most likely at this point with the evidence we can see. But there's something else - and it involves that "capture" - and arms that just recently ended up in Libya from Yemen.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Conspiracy nut. Like a stupid bulldog, huh?
Some day my suspicions shall be vindicated, but I'm not holding my breath.
....but hey, you do what you want....you will anyway.
And the fact that the administration can always promise anything in terms of the big factor - mula - because they can always get Congress to approve spending by hook or by crook now with the terror hammer - has got to be a good bargaining chip with dealing with any country. Too bad it doesn't always follow through, huh Africans waiting for AIDS money? Huh, Poland?
Was there a threat in that nine months of secret negotiations Bush and Blair were in with Muammar, now that he's been sanctioned into a weak spot, you think? A winning combination of tactics there - weaken to incapacitate through a decade or so of sanctions and then threaten to blast what remains of them. Hit 'em while they're down, I always say.
Go team!
US oil companies were leading players in the Libyan oil industry until 1986, when they were ordered out of the country by President Ronald Reagan. Marathon, Amerada Hess and ConocoPhillips jointly hold permits to develop the huge Waha field.
Most of those permits expire in 2005, raising fears among US oil executives that their rights could be transferred to European firms.
Okay, well, there's that. I guess we couldn't afford to wait any longer to level the blasting to hell threat. Plus, it's a nice little package of timing with the "capture" of Saddam.
There's more to this Libyan thing, though. Don't know what it is. And there may not have been a blasting to hell threat, although that seems the most likely at this point with the evidence we can see. But there's something else - and it involves that "capture" - and arms that just recently ended up in Libya from Yemen.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Conspiracy nut. Like a stupid bulldog, huh?
Some day my suspicions shall be vindicated, but I'm not holding my breath.
....but hey, you do what you want....you will anyway.
And the fact that the administration can always promise anything in terms of the big factor - mula - because they can always get Congress to approve spending by hook or by crook now with the terror hammer - has got to be a good bargaining chip with dealing with any country. Too bad it doesn't always follow through, huh Africans waiting for AIDS money? Huh, Poland?
Saddam threatens?
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, now being grilled by American investigators, has reportedly warned US authorities that he will expose Washington’s “political games” and its behind-the-scene role in the occupation of Kuwait.
“Saddam threatened that if they continue to pressure him he will reveal startling facts — about America’s political games with his country — that would shock the whole world,” Al-Watan Arabic daily quoted a high-level European source as saying. article
I wish it weren't so that everything reported is suspect. But, c'est la vie.
The article says the "source" of this information also said that Saddam still insists any chemical or nuclear programs were for civilian purposes only, that he "would ask the International Court of Justice in The Hague to try the United States for its crimes against the Iraqi people for allegedly using internationally prohibited weapons against the Iraqis during the last two wars against his country", and that he isn't praying or reading the Koran.
Okay. Whatever.
It can't have been a surprise to anyone that he might have stories to tell. And how on earth can we have any credible information of what he's saying when he's hidden somewhere being interrogated by the CIA? Who is providing the European source here with information?
Anyway, if it's true that he would "reveal startling facts - about America's political games with his country", it won't shock the whole world.
Whatever.
....do what you want....you will anyway.
“Saddam threatened that if they continue to pressure him he will reveal startling facts — about America’s political games with his country — that would shock the whole world,” Al-Watan Arabic daily quoted a high-level European source as saying. article
I wish it weren't so that everything reported is suspect. But, c'est la vie.
The article says the "source" of this information also said that Saddam still insists any chemical or nuclear programs were for civilian purposes only, that he "would ask the International Court of Justice in The Hague to try the United States for its crimes against the Iraqi people for allegedly using internationally prohibited weapons against the Iraqis during the last two wars against his country", and that he isn't praying or reading the Koran.
Okay. Whatever.
It can't have been a surprise to anyone that he might have stories to tell. And how on earth can we have any credible information of what he's saying when he's hidden somewhere being interrogated by the CIA? Who is providing the European source here with information?
Anyway, if it's true that he would "reveal startling facts - about America's political games with his country", it won't shock the whole world.
Whatever.
....do what you want....you will anyway.
Mars
With the arrival of Europe's first interplanetary probe at Mars and two more U.S. spacecraft on the way, the red planet will be under intense scrutiny for months as scientists attempt to figure out why a world flecked with evidence of an Earth-like past appears dead and dry. article
Maybe because we used to be there.
Next!
Maybe because we used to be there.
Next!
And so begins the backlash....
I'm eliminating the name of the responder, but as a follow up to my response to the "all the good that has happened since the end of major combat operations" email (see the original posting, which I sent out to all the recipients of the original email), I'll post whatever comes in.
Here's the first, precisely as received:
Who ever you are and what ever your thought processes are may be beyond the normal comprehension of logical thinking individuals who attempt to remain knowledgeable about politics, spin and agendas of news agencies and or governments. To think that we as thinking adults believe every stinking word that comes across cyber space or in news print is gospel truth is naieve at best and self righteous at second best. But your attempt at bringing light on a very complex situation is total demgogery and self defeating at its end. Ask yourself: What was the intent of the US Goverment in going into Iraq? Well I must say that even though it was not articulated well the intent was to remove a dictator from power, stabilize world oil reserves and interdict terrorism beyond the borders of the US. All the other benies are coming with it such as Lybia's recent desire to eliminate WMD. Syria and Iran's fear that they may be next! Saudi Arabia left without US support and dollars. Other Muslim/Islamic countries wanting to develop market economies (Qatar, UAE, Turkey, etc). Time will heal what problems we have in Iraq. Its only a matter of, Do we have the patience to endure.
This is not fucking rocket science folks. Bottom line is that Muslim nations do not have market driven economies. They are beg borrow and steal economies that have existed for centuries and it will take more time to achieve the successes needed to stabilize the region.
So do all the research you want! I didn't believe the whole email as is and I don't believe all of your responses either. Who is writing the history on this and what is the real truth? Fuck, who knows! Fuck, who cares! We as citizens of the US care because we a footing the bill for this endeavor and are still looked own on as an evil entity. But we must drive on and not stop until Iraq can survive without our troops in place. To that end I dedicate myself. Once our troops have left "God save the Queen" "God save Iraq" and God bless America (not necessarily in that order but blessings are important).
And another thing! We are not done in that region even after Iraq is stabilized. We have a long road ahead.............
Bob XXXXX
Just another government worker voicing frustration over BS
I can't believe I even responded to this!!!!!!!
I can believe it. People get very angry when motives are questioned and deceits are exposed.
Just as stated, the intent in Iraq was "not articulated well". It's nice that this person has decided what it was anyway. I have a little different opinion.
The responder has a very good point that the information we get here is all slanted from the perspective of whoever is sending it. On the other hand, even if this person and I were both standing in Baghdad, I can virtually guarantee you we would see the situation differently.
Certainly I have the patience to endure. Certainly this "government worker" does as well. And of course, His Slowliness and his pack of Neo-convicts do. We're not there.
So, there you have it. I will continue to research. Whatever I turn up, it at least gives me another angle on the view, which is always more informative than just one view.
God and royalty. That's pretty much how we get where we go.
Thanks for writing, and...
Blessings, government worker.
Here's the first, precisely as received:
Who ever you are and what ever your thought processes are may be beyond the normal comprehension of logical thinking individuals who attempt to remain knowledgeable about politics, spin and agendas of news agencies and or governments. To think that we as thinking adults believe every stinking word that comes across cyber space or in news print is gospel truth is naieve at best and self righteous at second best. But your attempt at bringing light on a very complex situation is total demgogery and self defeating at its end. Ask yourself: What was the intent of the US Goverment in going into Iraq? Well I must say that even though it was not articulated well the intent was to remove a dictator from power, stabilize world oil reserves and interdict terrorism beyond the borders of the US. All the other benies are coming with it such as Lybia's recent desire to eliminate WMD. Syria and Iran's fear that they may be next! Saudi Arabia left without US support and dollars. Other Muslim/Islamic countries wanting to develop market economies (Qatar, UAE, Turkey, etc). Time will heal what problems we have in Iraq. Its only a matter of, Do we have the patience to endure.
This is not fucking rocket science folks. Bottom line is that Muslim nations do not have market driven economies. They are beg borrow and steal economies that have existed for centuries and it will take more time to achieve the successes needed to stabilize the region.
So do all the research you want! I didn't believe the whole email as is and I don't believe all of your responses either. Who is writing the history on this and what is the real truth? Fuck, who knows! Fuck, who cares! We as citizens of the US care because we a footing the bill for this endeavor and are still looked own on as an evil entity. But we must drive on and not stop until Iraq can survive without our troops in place. To that end I dedicate myself. Once our troops have left "God save the Queen" "God save Iraq" and God bless America (not necessarily in that order but blessings are important).
And another thing! We are not done in that region even after Iraq is stabilized. We have a long road ahead.............
Bob XXXXX
Just another government worker voicing frustration over BS
I can't believe I even responded to this!!!!!!!
I can believe it. People get very angry when motives are questioned and deceits are exposed.
Just as stated, the intent in Iraq was "not articulated well". It's nice that this person has decided what it was anyway. I have a little different opinion.
The responder has a very good point that the information we get here is all slanted from the perspective of whoever is sending it. On the other hand, even if this person and I were both standing in Baghdad, I can virtually guarantee you we would see the situation differently.
Certainly I have the patience to endure. Certainly this "government worker" does as well. And of course, His Slowliness and his pack of Neo-convicts do. We're not there.
So, there you have it. I will continue to research. Whatever I turn up, it at least gives me another angle on the view, which is always more informative than just one view.
God and royalty. That's pretty much how we get where we go.
Thanks for writing, and...
Blessings, government worker.
Friday, December 26, 2003
Another honest admission - the Plame affair follow up
White House officials profess to be unconcerned about the outcome of the investigation. Some administration officials said they believe charges will eventually result, although it could be as long from now as 2005. A Republican legal source who has had detailed conversations about the matter with White House officials said he "doesn't get any sense at all that they're worried or concerned, or that they're covering up."
Still, the White House is eager for the findings to emerge soon, or wait until after the November election. "The only fear I've heard expressed is that the investigation will be too slow or too fast and will kick into a visible mode in a way that is poorly timed for the election," the Republican said. "If they prosecuted someone tomorrow, I don't think the White House would care. And they can do it in December 2004. They just don't want it to become an issue in the election." article
And that, friends, is the Bush White House in a nutshell.
For background on the Plame affair, click here.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Still, the White House is eager for the findings to emerge soon, or wait until after the November election. "The only fear I've heard expressed is that the investigation will be too slow or too fast and will kick into a visible mode in a way that is poorly timed for the election," the Republican said. "If they prosecuted someone tomorrow, I don't think the White House would care. And they can do it in December 2004. They just don't want it to become an issue in the election." article
And that, friends, is the Bush White House in a nutshell.
For background on the Plame affair, click here.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
Just can't figure out why they hate us
"A lot of them just hate us because of collateral damage we cause while going after a legitimate target," said Captain Alex Williams, the brigade's S-2, or intelligence officer. "We try to limit follow-on attacks by giving on-the-spot `I'm sorry' payments." article
Captain Williams, let me try to explain something to you.
1) These people are not likely to see themselves as "collateral damage". Get a freaking grip on human reality. Has the military jammed your head so far up your behind you can't figure that one out? Or was it already there?
2) Try to take this into the realm of humanity if you can. A "legitimate target" to you is a human being and family member to someone else.
3) "I'm sorry payments"? "I'm sorry payments"? Think about that just for one tiny fraction of a moment, Captain.
At this point, I think the phrase is, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." If I can get there. But right now, I'm still at, "You idiot son-of-a-bitch. Could you be any more disgusting if you tried? Perhaps some day your father or daughter or wife or brother will be either a legitimate target or simply collateral damage."
Abbas is one of dozens of men arrested by mistake during a series of nighttime raids in Samarra over the last week.
His detention and awkward repatriation illustrate the challenges faced by US soldiers trying to process dozens of informant tips, interrogate hundreds of detainees, and track several hundred more suspected guerrillas.
"Sometimes we get bad information," shrugged Captain Todd Brown.
...That was the purpose of the visit to the Abbas home on Monday. After questioning, Williams determined that Abbas was not, in fact, a fighter with the Fedayeen Saddam
But American officers believe that Abbas, like many well-connected Samarrans, knows who the insurgents are and could provide valuable information.
"We just want to turn him into a friend," Williams said. "If everyone in the town hates us, they'll continue to attack coalition forces, and they'll never help us."
So Brown's entire company of 120 soldiers pulled into a quiet Samarra neighborhood in their Bradley fighting vehicles and he duly sat down for tea in Abbas's living room.
..."It's the tea with terrorists program," Lieutenant Andy Sinden joked outside.
Real funny.
I don't know why they hate us.
Even Samarrans who are not actively involved in the resistance will not turn in known guerrilla fighters, [Sahib Noaman, chief of staff to Samarra's mayor] said. Each time American soldiers detain a local, he added, that man's family members join the resistance out of tribal loyalty.
And I just cannot imagine why.
At another house, Brown handed $300 to a man whose front door was blown up during a nighttime raid that netted no arrests.
Suspicion, however, still lingered on his mind. Just because military officials couldn't prove the man was a Fedayeen fighter, he said, circumstantial evidence suggested he was.
Looking at the released suspect, who was clutching a handful of $20 bills, Brown said: "He probably is the guy. He's going to take this money and buy 100 RPGs with it."
And now I am willing to say, that would serve as justice.
What has happened to America's humanity?
So proud to be an American. Support our troops.
Captain Williams, let me try to explain something to you.
1) These people are not likely to see themselves as "collateral damage". Get a freaking grip on human reality. Has the military jammed your head so far up your behind you can't figure that one out? Or was it already there?
2) Try to take this into the realm of humanity if you can. A "legitimate target" to you is a human being and family member to someone else.
3) "I'm sorry payments"? "I'm sorry payments"? Think about that just for one tiny fraction of a moment, Captain.
At this point, I think the phrase is, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." If I can get there. But right now, I'm still at, "You idiot son-of-a-bitch. Could you be any more disgusting if you tried? Perhaps some day your father or daughter or wife or brother will be either a legitimate target or simply collateral damage."
Abbas is one of dozens of men arrested by mistake during a series of nighttime raids in Samarra over the last week.
His detention and awkward repatriation illustrate the challenges faced by US soldiers trying to process dozens of informant tips, interrogate hundreds of detainees, and track several hundred more suspected guerrillas.
"Sometimes we get bad information," shrugged Captain Todd Brown.
...That was the purpose of the visit to the Abbas home on Monday. After questioning, Williams determined that Abbas was not, in fact, a fighter with the Fedayeen Saddam
But American officers believe that Abbas, like many well-connected Samarrans, knows who the insurgents are and could provide valuable information.
"We just want to turn him into a friend," Williams said. "If everyone in the town hates us, they'll continue to attack coalition forces, and they'll never help us."
So Brown's entire company of 120 soldiers pulled into a quiet Samarra neighborhood in their Bradley fighting vehicles and he duly sat down for tea in Abbas's living room.
..."It's the tea with terrorists program," Lieutenant Andy Sinden joked outside.
Real funny.
I don't know why they hate us.
Even Samarrans who are not actively involved in the resistance will not turn in known guerrilla fighters, [Sahib Noaman, chief of staff to Samarra's mayor] said. Each time American soldiers detain a local, he added, that man's family members join the resistance out of tribal loyalty.
And I just cannot imagine why.
At another house, Brown handed $300 to a man whose front door was blown up during a nighttime raid that netted no arrests.
Suspicion, however, still lingered on his mind. Just because military officials couldn't prove the man was a Fedayeen fighter, he said, circumstantial evidence suggested he was.
Looking at the released suspect, who was clutching a handful of $20 bills, Brown said: "He probably is the guy. He's going to take this money and buy 100 RPGs with it."
And now I am willing to say, that would serve as justice.
What has happened to America's humanity?
So proud to be an American. Support our troops.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
