Friday, December 31, 2004
Democracy on the March
It seems that the march towards democracy has hit yet another bump in the road. Aljazeera reports that, "The entire staff of Iraq's Independent Electoral Commission in the northern city of Mosul, amounting to about 700 emplo-yees, have resigned amid growing violence in the country." So with international obsevers staying in Jordan to "observe" the elections and no staff in Mosul it is unclear what kind of elections will be held and what kind of legitmacy any government arising from them will have. The same Aljazeera story that reports on the resignations in Mosul also contains a laundry list of attacks across Iraq. January is shaping up to be a very grim month indeed.
It seems that the march towards democracy has hit yet another bump in the road. Aljazeera reports that, "The entire staff of Iraq's Independent Electoral Commission in the northern city of Mosul, amounting to about 700 emplo-yees, have resigned amid growing violence in the country." So with international obsevers staying in Jordan to "observe" the elections and no staff in Mosul it is unclear what kind of elections will be held and what kind of legitmacy any government arising from them will have. The same Aljazeera story that reports on the resignations in Mosul also contains a laundry list of attacks across Iraq. January is shaping up to be a very grim month indeed.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Hmmm....
Now...didn't Georgie & Dick run on some sort of "strong defense" platform? And haven't Georgie & the Radical Republicans been running around mouthing something about giving the troops everything they need? And didn't Uncle Karl run all those ads highlighting all the times John Kerry voted for cuts in defense spending? Well, anywaythe New York Timesreports that,
Now...didn't Georgie & Dick run on some sort of "strong defense" platform? And haven't Georgie & the Radical Republicans been running around mouthing something about giving the troops everything they need? And didn't Uncle Karl run all those ads highlighting all the times John Kerry voted for cuts in defense spending? Well, anywaythe New York Timesreports that,
The Pentagon plans to retire one of the Navy's 12 aircraft carriers, buy fewer amphibious landing ships for the Marine Corps and delay the development of a costly Army automated combat system as part of $60 billion in proposed cuts over the next six years, Congressional and military officials said Wednesday.Now if the Pentagon has to give up one of its aircarft carriers and buy less "toys" in the comming years, imagine what programs like Head Start, or Perkins Grants, or Section Eight housing, etc. will have to cut to pay for Georgie's "tax cuts."
The proposed reductions, the details of which are still being fine-tuned and which would require Congressional approval, result from White House orders to all federal agencies to cut their spending requests for the 2006 fiscal year budgets, which will be submitted to lawmakers early next year.
Friday, December 24, 2004
The Ownership Society
I really wish I could find some good news to report this holiday season, but with Georgie & Co. in charge it's hard if not down right impossible. As part of the Radical Republicans' "Ownership Society" plan the New York Times reports,
Or maybe that warm fuzzy feeling is really anxiety and the realization that it will be a long, long time before they actually own anything. Or maybe that warm fuzzy feeling is just the effect of working twelve hour shifts at Wal-mart, with four of those hours "off the clock." Or maybe it comes from figuring out how you're going to send you kid to college, eat, pay rent, etc. on $15,000 a year. Or maybe it's just all that eggnog you've been drinking this holiday season. Happy Festivus.
I really wish I could find some good news to report this holiday season, but with Georgie & Co. in charge it's hard if not down right impossible. As part of the Radical Republicans' "Ownership Society" plan the New York Times reports,
College students in virtually every state will be required to shoulder more of the cost of their education under new federal rules that govern most of the nation's financial aid.I vaguely remember Georgie mouthing some lie or another about how he increased Pell Grants during his residency and how he would continue to support access to education for low-income people. I also vaguely remember Big Daddy Cheney pounding on the table at some debate or something about how the "solution" to unemployment and poverty was to be found by improving access to education.
Because of the changes, which take effect next fall and are expected to save the government $300 million in the 2005-6 academic year, at least 1.3 million students will receive smaller Pell Grants, the nation's primary scholarship for those of low income, according to two analyses of the new rules.
In addition, 89,000 students or so who would otherwise be getting some Pell Grant money will get none, the analyses found.
this year the administration found support from Congressional leaders seeking to constrain the cost of Pell Grants, an expense that has steadily increased as more low-income students go to college [. . .]. Parents who earn at least $15,000 will be negatively affected in every state except New Jersey and Connecticut.I guess our "steadfast" leaders had a change of heart. But at least college graduates get to enjoy that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with "owning" something. I mean if you really work for something and pay your own money for it you really own it and really appreciate it. I mean there must be some study out there that shows students working two or even three jobs get better grades and make more money once they graduate. If not, maybe Rove's friends down on K Street can whip one up real quick once they finish with those Social Security is broke reports they're working on.
Or maybe that warm fuzzy feeling is really anxiety and the realization that it will be a long, long time before they actually own anything. Or maybe that warm fuzzy feeling is just the effect of working twelve hour shifts at Wal-mart, with four of those hours "off the clock." Or maybe it comes from figuring out how you're going to send you kid to college, eat, pay rent, etc. on $15,000 a year. Or maybe it's just all that eggnog you've been drinking this holiday season. Happy Festivus.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Dollar Falls, Again
The BBC reports, "The dollar has fallen to a new record low against the euro after data fuelled new concerns about the US economy." The dollar traded $1.3502 against the euro. Just in time for some holiday cheer. It appears that the world currency markets aren't buying Georgie's new "strong" dollar rhetoric. This marks the third straight year in which the dollar has lost value against the euro. Next year doesn't promise any improvement in sight, what with Georgie's plan to borrow trillions of dollars we don't have to "fix" Social Security. Can OPEC pricing oil in euros be too far in the distance? Of course, maybe just maybe, Georgie & Co. have some trick up their sleeves to use the stong euro to force some sort of concession out of the Europeans? After all, according to David Brooks's recent Op-Ed in the NYT the sudden outbreak of "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians is the result of some grand master plan on the part of Georgie & his friends. I mean, if you can't trust Brooks's insightful commentary on the state of the world, who's can you trust? Then again, maybe Georgie & Co. are just Mayberry Hillbillies?
The BBC reports, "The dollar has fallen to a new record low against the euro after data fuelled new concerns about the US economy." The dollar traded $1.3502 against the euro. Just in time for some holiday cheer. It appears that the world currency markets aren't buying Georgie's new "strong" dollar rhetoric. This marks the third straight year in which the dollar has lost value against the euro. Next year doesn't promise any improvement in sight, what with Georgie's plan to borrow trillions of dollars we don't have to "fix" Social Security. Can OPEC pricing oil in euros be too far in the distance? Of course, maybe just maybe, Georgie & Co. have some trick up their sleeves to use the stong euro to force some sort of concession out of the Europeans? After all, according to David Brooks's recent Op-Ed in the NYT the sudden outbreak of "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians is the result of some grand master plan on the part of Georgie & his friends. I mean, if you can't trust Brooks's insightful commentary on the state of the world, who's can you trust? Then again, maybe Georgie & Co. are just Mayberry Hillbillies?
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Not this Right
Despite Nicholas Kristof's Op-Ed in the NYT proclaiming that the Christian Right holds the moral high ground on many traditonal liberal-like human rights issues,the New York Times reports that,
Despite Nicholas Kristof's Op-Ed in the NYT proclaiming that the Christian Right holds the moral high ground on many traditonal liberal-like human rights issues,the New York Times reports that,
"the Bush administration has reduced its contributions to global food aid programs aimed at helping millions of people climb out of poverty.'Cause you know there's a tax gap and it's hard to be a compassionate conservative when you've given tax breaks to fat cats who are due. So we're not going to be helping people to feed themselves, but instead only provide emergency food-aid. Sounds a lot like that welfare-type thing that Radical Republicans like to bash so much.
With the budget deficit growing and President Bush promising to reduce spending, the administration has told representatives of several charities that it was unable to honor some earlier promises and would have money to pay for food only in emergency crises like that in Darfur, in western Sudan. The cutbacks, estimated by some charities at up to $100 million, come at a time when the number of hungry in the world is rising for the first time in years and all food programs are being stretched."
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Proud to Be an American
The News Just Gets Better and Better. From the NYT:
The News Just Gets Better and Better. From the NYT:
"F.B.I. memorandums portray abuse of prisoners by American military personnel in Iraq that included detainees' being beaten and choked and having lit cigarettes placed in their ears, according to newly released government documents.Just remember, the man Georgie tapped to be AG helped make all of this possible.
The documents, released Monday in connection with a lawsuit accusing the government of being complicit in torture, also include accounts by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents who said they had seen detainees in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, being chained in uncomfortable positions for up to 24 hours and left to urinate and defecate on themselves. An agent wrote that in one case a detainee who was nearly unconscious had pulled out much of his hair during the night."
Friday, December 17, 2004
Ohio's Unemployment Rises Again
Ohio's Unemployment rate of 6.5% is the highest since 1993. Ohio Public Radio puts it nicely, "There’s more dismal news on Ohio’s unemployment front. The official jobless rate for November is 6.5 per cent, up from October’s rate of 6.4." That means 382,000 Ohioans are out of work. I guess none of 112,000 jobs created nationwide by the Radical Republican tax cuts of 2003 came to Ohio. By the way, that 112,000 jobs created is 194,000 short of what the Radical Republicans and George Bush predicted when they passed the tax "cuts" in 2003. Ohio isn't the only place where things are looking grim. As the Economic Policy Institute notes,
Ohio's Unemployment rate of 6.5% is the highest since 1993. Ohio Public Radio puts it nicely, "There’s more dismal news on Ohio’s unemployment front. The official jobless rate for November is 6.5 per cent, up from October’s rate of 6.4." That means 382,000 Ohioans are out of work. I guess none of 112,000 jobs created nationwide by the Radical Republican tax cuts of 2003 came to Ohio. By the way, that 112,000 jobs created is 194,000 short of what the Radical Republicans and George Bush predicted when they passed the tax "cuts" in 2003. Ohio isn't the only place where things are looking grim. As the Economic Policy Institute notes,
Both the median and average spells of unemployment increased last month, with the average up to 19.9 weeks, the highest level since June. More than a fifth (21.7%) of the unemployed have been jobless for at least half-a-year—this indicator has been above 20% since October 1992, the longest such spell on record.I wonder how many of those 382,000 out of work Ohioans are re-thinking their vote in November?
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Idiot in Charge
The AP reports. Responding to reporters' questions about the falling dollar and the ever growing trade deficit, "Bush told reporters that the trade deficit was 'easy to resolve. People can buy more United States products if they're worried about the trade deficit.'" This is the same guy who proposes to "fix" Social Security by borrowing trillions of dollars, making his tax cut permanent, and other silliness and yet can say with a straight face that his "administration's efforts to support the dollar by reducing government borrowing levels would address the unfunded liabilities in the government's huge entitlement programs, Social Security and Medicare." So it looks like we have self-imposed IMF shock therapy headed our way. Don't worry about the poor, the uneducated, the sick...the faith-based groups will take care of them just like they did in the 1930's.
The AP reports. Responding to reporters' questions about the falling dollar and the ever growing trade deficit, "Bush told reporters that the trade deficit was 'easy to resolve. People can buy more United States products if they're worried about the trade deficit.'" This is the same guy who proposes to "fix" Social Security by borrowing trillions of dollars, making his tax cut permanent, and other silliness and yet can say with a straight face that his "administration's efforts to support the dollar by reducing government borrowing levels would address the unfunded liabilities in the government's huge entitlement programs, Social Security and Medicare." So it looks like we have self-imposed IMF shock therapy headed our way. Don't worry about the poor, the uneducated, the sick...the faith-based groups will take care of them just like they did in the 1930's.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Is the Room Spinning?
A Second Report Shows Charter School Students Not Performing as Well as Other Students. Now make sure you're sitting down for this one because once you read the spin the Radical Republicans put on this you'll be dizzy. According to the NYT, the Education Dept. released another report,
A Second Report Shows Charter School Students Not Performing as Well as Other Students. Now make sure you're sitting down for this one because once you read the spin the Radical Republicans put on this you'll be dizzy. According to the NYT, the Education Dept. released another report,
"show[ing] that children in charter schools generally did not perform as well on exams as those in regular public schools. The analysis, released Wednesday, largely confirms an earlier report on the same statistics by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)."So despite this and other findings that found in
results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress test for fourth graders, [. . .] charter students scoring significantly lower than regular public school students in math, even when the results are broken down by income, sex or location.[. . .] when students in special education were excluded, charter students scored significantly lower than those in regular public schools. The results held when comparisons were made by poverty and by sex.the Radical Republicans deputy education secretary, Eugene W. Hickok found the results "encouraging." He did so because he and the rest of the Radical Republicans "are big supporters of charter schools." Which means for Hickok, no matter the results, charter schools are doing a better job than public schools. Hickok "points out that in many ways charter students are holding their own." So this is the new definition of success, "holding their own." We should dismantle public schools because charter schools that often have little public oversight are "holding their own?" Hickok isn't the only Radical Republican who attempted to spin the report.
When broken down by race, the results show charter students generally lagging behind those in regular public schools in reading and math,
"Representative John A. Boehner, Republican of Ohio and chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, described the new report as a refutation of the teachers' union [AFT] report, although the results were largely the same. He highlighted findings showing that in comparing students of the same race, charter students were not doing significantly worse than students in regular schools."So now we should pull money away from public schools because the pet project of the Radical Republicans produces results "not [. . .] significantly worse than" the existing government run program? Please, someone get me a chair I'm getting dizzy.
An $85 Million Failure
The New York Times reports the latest test of "Star Wars" resulted in "an $85 million failure." Remember this is the system Georgie has already started to deploy and thinks will "be operational by the end of 2004." I hate to break it to Georgie, but it is the end of 2004 and if the system you're deploying works only if you rig the tests, it isn't really a system. It's a boondoggle. Or a scam. Or pick your favorite adjective. So, can anyone remind me why we can afford to fund [insert your favorite social program here]? If we can blow billions on a system that doesn't work and really isn't protecting us from anything we can afford to "blow" a couple millions on providing health care to millions of Americans, or maybe funding education, or . . ..
The New York Times reports the latest test of "Star Wars" resulted in "an $85 million failure." Remember this is the system Georgie has already started to deploy and thinks will "be operational by the end of 2004." I hate to break it to Georgie, but it is the end of 2004 and if the system you're deploying works only if you rig the tests, it isn't really a system. It's a boondoggle. Or a scam. Or pick your favorite adjective. So, can anyone remind me why we can afford to fund [insert your favorite social program here]? If we can blow billions on a system that doesn't work and really isn't protecting us from anything we can afford to "blow" a couple millions on providing health care to millions of Americans, or maybe funding education, or . . ..
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Health Secretary Nominee May Cut Programs
The New York Times' AP feed reports that Bush's HHS Nominee May Cut Programs"Michael Leavitt, President Bush's choice to be secretary of Health and Human Services, may have to cut billions of dollars from the government's mammoth health programs for the elderly, poor and disabled to pare the budget deficit.
The Medicare and Medicaid programs, consuming nearly $500 billion a year and growing quickly, could be vulnerable in the context of last year's $413 billion budget deficit, the ongoing war in Iraq, costly domestic security commitments and administration plans to revamp Social Security without raising taxes." Buried in the article is this nice little statement from an unnamed Radical Republican congressional aide, "If Congress undertakes serious budget cutting next year, Medicare and Medicaid would be unlikely to escape." The Radical Republican strategy of starving the poor and needy is starting to unfold.
The New York Times' AP feed reports that Bush's HHS Nominee May Cut Programs
The Medicare and Medicaid programs, consuming nearly $500 billion a year and growing quickly, could be vulnerable in the context of last year's $413 billion budget deficit, the ongoing war in Iraq, costly domestic security commitments and administration plans to revamp Social Security without raising taxes." Buried in the article is this nice little statement from an unnamed Radical Republican congressional aide, "If Congress undertakes serious budget cutting next year, Medicare and Medicaid would be unlikely to escape." The Radical Republican strategy of starving the poor and needy is starting to unfold.
Making Friends and Influencing People
New York's Newsday reports the latest in Radical Republican stupidity. According to the report,
New York's Newsday reports the latest in Radical Republican stupidity. According to the report,
"Under a provision in a sweeping spending law signed Wednesday by President George W. Bush, Washington will freeze aid to nations that don't sign pacts with Washington exempting U.S. nationals from prosecution before the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.So either you're with us or against us. If you're unwilling to look the other way while the US flouts international law, commits war crimes in the name of fighing terrorism, and violates human rights at home and abroad then we don't really care if you have the resources to fight drug trafficking and terrorism. In the event that your country does become a narco-terrorist base camp, we'll just bomb you and start shipping randomly selected people to Guantanamo Bay for questioning. After all, the rules are for the little guys and everyone knows that the US would never engage in torture, random killings of civilians, destruction of property, intimidation of journalists, or anything else that might resemble a war crime.
Between eight and 50 nations will be disqualified from receiving money under the U.S. government's Economic Support Fund, which helps U.S. allies promote democracy and combat terrorism, drug trafficking and internal conflicts."
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Falluja and Mosul Bombed Amid More Violence
Despite Georgie and Rummy claiming "mission accomplished" in Falluja and pounding their chests it appears that this latest victory claim was a bit premature.Aljazeera reports,
Despite Georgie and Rummy claiming "mission accomplished" in Falluja and pounding their chests it appears that this latest victory claim was a bit premature.Aljazeera reports,
"US forces have bombed Falluja as well as the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, where eight US soldiers have been wounded in clashes with Iraqi fighters.Gee, do you think this is why the attack on Falluja didn't start until after the Nov. U.S. elections? Yet another example of how we can't believe anything Bush & Co. say. Don't forget that "free and fair" elections are supposed to take place in Iraq in less than two months time.
The bombing of Falluja on Sunday took place following skirmishes between US forces and fighters in the eastern parts of the town.
An Iraqi journalist, Fadil al-Badrani, described the clashes as the fiercest in two weeks."
Proud to be an American, Part III
Army Duns Maimed GI. The LA Times reports, "Spc. Robert Loria of Middletown, N.Y., lost his arm in Iraq, but instead of a farewell paycheck from the Army he got a bill for nearly $1,800." There have been enough reports of such incidents that they can't be mere oversights.
Army Duns Maimed GI. The LA Times reports, "Spc. Robert Loria of Middletown, N.Y., lost his arm in Iraq, but instead of a farewell paycheck from the Army he got a bill for nearly $1,800." There have been enough reports of such incidents that they can't be mere oversights.
Loria was wounded in February. But as he was about to leave the Army this month, officials told him he had been overpaid for his time as a patient at a military hospital in the Washington area. They said he still owed money for travel between the hospital and Ft. Hood, as well as $310 for items not found in his returned equipment.The story has a happy ending, only because Sens. Hillary Clinton, Charles Schumer, and Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey stepped in and helped. According to Sen. Clinton's office there are at least nineteen, that's right nineteen, other soliders facing similar problems. Funny how the Radical Republicans aren't holding hearings on such "oversights." Well, remember to put that "Suppport" Our Troops sticker on the back of your SUV.
Instead of receiving a check for nearly $4,500, Loria was told he had to pay nearly $1,800.
Proud to be an American, Part II
ABC News: Girl, 10, Cuffed for Scissors in School
ABC News: Girl, 10, Cuffed for Scissors in School
"A 10-year-old girl was placed in handcuffs and taken to a police station because she took a pair of scissors to her elementary school.Sigh...so much for the land of the free, liberty, and justice for all.
School district officials said the fourth-grade student did not threaten anyone with the 8-inch shears, but violated a rule that considers scissors to be potential weapons.
Administrators said they were following state law when they called police Thursday, and police said they were following department rules when they handcuffed Porsche Brown and took her away in a patrol wagon. [. . .] new policies give administrators the power to expel students for infractions as minor as violating the dress code, chronic tardiness or habitual swearing."
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Makes You Proud to be an American
Two stories in the papers today just puff up with pride at being an American these days. The NYT reports on the firing of Aliakbar and Shahla Afshari from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health after having "failed" a security check. Problem is, the Afshari's can't get information or documents about exactly what it is they did "wrong." So now jobless, they may have to move after spending years in the U.S. and rearing three children here all because they may have, might have gone to a conference and/or maybe associated on social level with the wrong person or persons--but they'll never know because they can't get access to anything or anyone invovled in the decision. It's not like the Afshari's research anything remotely related to national security, as the NYT's reports,
The LA Times is running a story, "Guilty of 'Flying While Muslim?," in which Salam Al-Marayati recounts his family's dention upon returing to LAX from a Thanksgiving holiday in Mexico. Salam Al-Marayati is the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council and has worked
As Al-Marayati's twelve year old son asked while the family was detained, "What about the Pledge of Allegiance, where it says liberty and justice is for all. Don't they have to believe in it, too?"
Two stories in the papers today just puff up with pride at being an American these days. The NYT reports on the firing of Aliakbar and Shahla Afshari from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health after having "failed" a security check. Problem is, the Afshari's can't get information or documents about exactly what it is they did "wrong." So now jobless, they may have to move after spending years in the U.S. and rearing three children here all because they may have, might have gone to a conference and/or maybe associated on social level with the wrong person or persons--but they'll never know because they can't get access to anything or anyone invovled in the decision. It's not like the Afshari's research anything remotely related to national security, as the NYT's reports,
Neither had access to classified documents or worked with banned biological or chemical toxins.The family is now getting by on their savings and by using their credit cards.
Moreover, none of their research was secret, much of it having been published in scholarly journals or presented at academic conferences.
Mr. Afshari, 52, who has a doctorate in industrial engineering, built equipment to study the health effects of things like asphalt fumes, human saliva and dust particles. One of his inventions helped analyze the sound of the human cough. He also worked with commercially available lasers and ultrasound equipment.
Mrs. Afshari, 43, who has a master's degree in occupational health and safety, worked in a laboratory that researched allergic reactions to common items like latex gloves and hand cleansers.
The LA Times is running a story, "Guilty of 'Flying While Muslim?," in which Salam Al-Marayati recounts his family's dention upon returing to LAX from a Thanksgiving holiday in Mexico. Salam Al-Marayati is the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council and has worked
"with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice [. . .]. In my role as the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, I had even worked with the Treasury Department to promote legitimate charitable activities of American Muslim institutions.No explanation was given as to why the Al-Marayati family was detained. It appears that just being Muslim is enough for the Homeland Security thugs to lock you in a windowless room.
As Al-Marayati's twelve year old son asked while the family was detained, "What about the Pledge of Allegiance, where it says liberty and justice is for all. Don't they have to believe in it, too?"
Army Moving to Speed Up Armor Production
From ABC: "The Army entered negotiations with an armor manufacturer Friday in an effort to accelerate production of armored versions of the Humvee to get them to the troops more quickly, Army and company officials said." Gee that was fast. Imagine how much faster it would have happened if the Bush twins were deployed to Iraq or even if a few more children of members of Congress were deployed in Iraq or even in the armed services, but as long as it is only the children of great unwashed.... But of course the Bush twins and their set have other priorities...
From ABC: "The Army entered negotiations with an armor manufacturer Friday in an effort to accelerate production of armored versions of the Humvee to get them to the troops more quickly, Army and company officials said." Gee that was fast. Imagine how much faster it would have happened if the Bush twins were deployed to Iraq or even if a few more children of members of Congress were deployed in Iraq or even in the armed services, but as long as it is only the children of great unwashed.... But of course the Bush twins and their set have other priorities...
Friday, December 10, 2004
Armor Scarce for Big Trucks Transporting Cargo in Iraq
Armor Scarce for Big Trucks Transporting Cargo in Iraq. This from the NYT,
So remember, put that sticker on the back of your car saying you "support" our troops...especially if you voted for Georgie and the Radical Republicans.
Armor Scarce for Big Trucks Transporting Cargo in Iraq. This from the NYT,
"Congress released statistics Thursday documenting stark shortages in armor for the military transport trucks that ferry food, fuel and ammunition along dangerous routes in Iraq, while President Bush and his defense secretary both spoke out to defuse public criticism."So despite reports that the question to Rumsfeld about the lack of armor being "planted," concerns about the lack of armor are very real.
The committee said more than three-quarters of the 19,854 Humvees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait carry protective armor, which can vary in quality. The most secure are factory-armored Humvees, and the Pentagon has received only 5,910 of the 8,105 that commanders say they need. But only 10 percent of the 4,814 medium-weight transport trucks have armor, and only 15 percent of the 4,314 heavy transport vehicles.The NYT's report notes that "Among troops in Iraq, i.e.d., for improvised explosive device, is shorthand for the roadside bombs that have killed about two-thirds of Americans who have died in combat." So while Rummy and Georgie claim that "you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want," one has to wonder given the lack of WMD what exactly was the rush if we didn't have the equipment ready? Was it because Big Daddy & Georgie knew that if they gave the UN inspectors more time they would discover no WMD? And without the bogus claim of WMD and fighting terrorism that Georgie would be getting ready to move back to his ranch to drown his sorrows in whiskey?
So remember, put that sticker on the back of your car saying you "support" our troops...especially if you voted for Georgie and the Radical Republicans.
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Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Paper Tiger, Here We Come.
The NYT reports that the dollar slips to new low v. euro. "The euro reached a new high of around $1.3470." And if that isn't bad enough, the article includes this nice little tidbit: "Analysts said a report in the Wall Street Journal Europe questioning the U.S. government's triple-A bond rating also hurt the greenback." This is the latest article in the past week highlighting the growing concern among the world's central bankers about the dollar and the path the Radical Republicans are taking the US. I could say more but I'm still a bit dizzy from watching Newt talk about the intelligence bill.
The NYT reports that the dollar slips to new low v. euro. "The euro reached a new high of around $1.3470." And if that isn't bad enough, the article includes this nice little tidbit: "Analysts said a report in the Wall Street Journal Europe questioning the U.S. government's triple-A bond rating also hurt the greenback." This is the latest article in the past week highlighting the growing concern among the world's central bankers about the dollar and the path the Radical Republicans are taking the US. I could say more but I'm still a bit dizzy from watching Newt talk about the intelligence bill.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Things You Won't Read in the USA Today (part III)
Oh, for a feisty press. Yet another example of what is fast becoming a regular CRANKed feature, "Things You Won't Read About in US Today" or any other US press outlet. The Guardian's Naomi Klein responds to US Ambassador David T Johnson's demand for an apology and/or proof of her accusation that the US targets doctors and journalists in Iraq in an attempt to keep evidence of civilian deaths from being reported. Klein connects the dots by noting that the US military specifically targeted doctors and other medical professionals in the assaults on Falluja and Mosul. As Klein notes,
This raises the question of why would the US military act this way. Klein provides an answer when she reminds us that the during the first assault on Falluja in April 2004 the US was forced to withdraw because of public outrage over the number of civilian deaths. Klein notes:
Klein goes on to recount similar activities by the US military to suppress the independent media, going as far as targeting Al-Jazeera's offices during the invasion of Iraq and arresting journalists trying to cover the recent assault on Falluja. Religious leaders were also arrested for expressing opposition to the US attack on Falluja:
Oh, for a feisty press. Yet another example of what is fast becoming a regular CRANKed feature, "Things You Won't Read About in US Today" or any other US press outlet. The Guardian's Naomi Klein responds to US Ambassador David T Johnson's demand for an apology and/or proof of her accusation that the US targets doctors and journalists in Iraq in an attempt to keep evidence of civilian deaths from being reported. Klein connects the dots by noting that the US military specifically targeted doctors and other medical professionals in the assaults on Falluja and Mosul. As Klein notes,
The first major operation by US marines and Iraqi soldiers was to storm Falluja general hospital, arresting doctors and placing the facility under military control. The New York Times reported that "the hospital was selected as an early target because the American military believed that it was the source of rumours about heavy casual ties", noting that "this time around, the American military intends to fight its own information war, countering or squelching what has been one of the insurgents' most potent weapons". The Los Angeles Times quoted a doctor as saying that the soldiers "stole the mobile phones" at the hospital - preventing doctors from communicating with the outside world.Klein goes on to note that "When fighting moved to Mosul, a similar tactic was used: on entering the city, US and Iraqi forces immediately seized control of the al-Zaharawi hospital."
This raises the question of why would the US military act this way. Klein provides an answer when she reminds us that the during the first assault on Falluja in April 2004 the US was forced to withdraw because of public outrage over the number of civilian deaths. Klein notes:
The reason for the withdrawal was that the siege had sparked uprisings across the country, triggered by reports that hundreds of civilians had been killed. This information came from three main sources: 1) Doctors. USA Today reported on April 11 that 'Statistics and names of the dead were gathered from four main clinics around the city and from Falluja general hospital.'Suddenly it becomes clear why the US military wanted to control the hospital in Falluja: to keep a lid on any reports of civilian deaths and injuries
Klein goes on to recount similar activities by the US military to suppress the independent media, going as far as targeting Al-Jazeera's offices during the invasion of Iraq and arresting journalists trying to cover the recent assault on Falluja. Religious leaders were also arrested for expressing opposition to the US attack on Falluja:
On November 19, AP reported that US and Iraqi forces stormed a prominent Sunni mosque, the Abu Hanifa, in Aadhamiya, killing three people and arresting 40, including the chief cleric - another opponent of the Falluja siege. On the same day, Fox News reported that "US troops also raided a Sunni mosque in Qaim, near the Syrian border". The report described the arrests as "retaliation for opposing the Falluja offensive". Two Shia clerics associated with Moqtada al-Sadr have also been arrested in recent weeks; according to AP, "both had spoken out against the Falluja attack."Klein ends with this nice observation:
"We don't do body counts," said General Tommy Franks of US Central Command. The question is: what happens to the people who insist on counting the bodies - the doctors who must pronounce their patients dead, the journalists who document these losses, the clerics who denounce them? In Iraq, evidence is mounting that these voices are being systematically silenced through a variety of means, from mass arrests, to raids on hospitals, media bans, and overt and unexplained physical attacks.
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Thursday, December 02, 2004
Your Tax Dollars at Work
CNN cites Rep. Henry Waxman's new report (pdf) detailing how federally funded education programs that teach abstinence (a favorite of the Radical Republicans in Congress and the White House) contain factual errors and such enlightened states like this from the the Why KNOw program, "Women gauge their happiness and judge their success by their relationships. Men's happiness and success hinge on their accomplishments."
Telling young women and girls that their only hope for happiness in life is based on the success of their relationships seems to be a sure fire way to ensure unprotected, dangerous, coercive, and degrading sexual activity and ensuring that these same young women and girls will be more likely to enter into and stay in emotionally and physically abusive relationships. And subjecting young men and boys to such messages is a sure fire way to ensure that they see relationships with women (or anyone for that matter) as trivial and thus become more likely to abuse and hurt their partners. I just hope the Radical Republicans plan on increasing funding for rape centers and women's shelters.
If recent precedent is any guide, ads made by NOW or the Girl Scouts suggesting that gender equality is a good thing or focusing on the "accomplishments" of women wouldn't be run by CBS and UPN on the grounds that said ads are too controversial.
CNN cites Rep. Henry Waxman's new report (pdf) detailing how federally funded education programs that teach abstinence (a favorite of the Radical Republicans in Congress and the White House) contain factual errors and such enlightened states like this from the the Why KNOw program, "Women gauge their happiness and judge their success by their relationships. Men's happiness and success hinge on their accomplishments."
Telling young women and girls that their only hope for happiness in life is based on the success of their relationships seems to be a sure fire way to ensure unprotected, dangerous, coercive, and degrading sexual activity and ensuring that these same young women and girls will be more likely to enter into and stay in emotionally and physically abusive relationships. And subjecting young men and boys to such messages is a sure fire way to ensure that they see relationships with women (or anyone for that matter) as trivial and thus become more likely to abuse and hurt their partners. I just hope the Radical Republicans plan on increasing funding for rape centers and women's shelters.
If recent precedent is any guide, ads made by NOW or the Girl Scouts suggesting that gender equality is a good thing or focusing on the "accomplishments" of women wouldn't be run by CBS and UPN on the grounds that said ads are too controversial.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Now That the Election is Safely Behind Us
U.S. to Increase Troop Strength in Iraq by 12,000. So let's see, now that the election is over Georgie and the Radical Republicans have chosen to raise the debt ceiling, squabble over intelligence reform, and now to increase the number of US troops in Iraq. As the NYT reports, "American forces in Iraq will be expanded by about 12,000 troops to provide better security as the Jan. 30 elections approach, military officials said today."
Now you can call me skeptical, but didn't we know that we'd need more troops in Iraq to provide security before the US election? If anything the situation in Iraq has gotten worse since the US election. Of course, we did, but just like with the debt ceiling and the squabbles over the intelligence bill the Radical Republicans purposefully delayed announcing until after the US elections the specifics of exactly how many troops we'd need to even have a chance of conducting secure elections in Iraq. Just think, if all of these "developments" had been announced before the Nov. elections it is highly unlikely that Georgie would have been elected in the first place. It just goes to show you the advantages that come with controlling both the White House and the Congress as well the extent to which the Radical Republicans will go to keep their slimy gripes on the levers of power.
CRANKed will be taking nominations for the next non-surprise surprise to be announced by the Radical Republicans. Prize for the winning suggestion to be announced at some unspecified future date.
U.S. to Increase Troop Strength in Iraq by 12,000. So let's see, now that the election is over Georgie and the Radical Republicans have chosen to raise the debt ceiling, squabble over intelligence reform, and now to increase the number of US troops in Iraq. As the NYT reports, "American forces in Iraq will be expanded by about 12,000 troops to provide better security as the Jan. 30 elections approach, military officials said today."
Now you can call me skeptical, but didn't we know that we'd need more troops in Iraq to provide security before the US election? If anything the situation in Iraq has gotten worse since the US election. Of course, we did, but just like with the debt ceiling and the squabbles over the intelligence bill the Radical Republicans purposefully delayed announcing until after the US elections the specifics of exactly how many troops we'd need to even have a chance of conducting secure elections in Iraq. Just think, if all of these "developments" had been announced before the Nov. elections it is highly unlikely that Georgie would have been elected in the first place. It just goes to show you the advantages that come with controlling both the White House and the Congress as well the extent to which the Radical Republicans will go to keep their slimy gripes on the levers of power.
CRANKed will be taking nominations for the next non-surprise surprise to be announced by the Radical Republicans. Prize for the winning suggestion to be announced at some unspecified future date.
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