pbs Poll

Given the allegations by Sy Hersh - and it reads like a rather iron-clad case - will Bush ask for Rumsfeld's resignation? If Rummy quits, that counts as a resignation as well.

Discuss in comments.

Abu Ghraib Opened Up

Sy Hersh opens up the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuses - Surprise: The methodology was rubber-stamped by Rumsfeld.

Sure I'm skeptical. I have to be. But Sy Hersh doesn't make very many mistakes. in the latest New Yorker online piece, Hersh meticulously crafts a piece worthy of his esteemed reputation. Here's a bit:

The solution, endorsed by Rumsfeld and carried out by Stephen Cambone, was to get tough with those Iraqis in the Army prison system who were suspected of being insurgents. A key player was Major General Geoffrey Miller, the commander of the detention and interrogation center at Guantánamo, who had been summoned to Baghdad in late August to review prison interrogation procedures. The internal Army report on the abuse charges, written by Major General Antonio Taguba in February, revealed that Miller urged that the commanders in Baghdad change policy and place military intelligence in charge of the prison. The report quoted Miller as recommending that "detention operations must act as an enabler for interrogation."

Miller’s concept, as it emerged in recent Senate hearings, was to "Gitmoize" the prison system in Iraq—to make it more focussed on interrogation. He also briefed military commanders in Iraq on the interrogation methods used in Cuba—methods that could, with special approval, include sleep deprivation, exposure to extremes of cold and heat, and placing prisoners in "stress positions" for agonizing lengths of time. (The Bush Administration had unilaterally declared Al Qaeda and other captured members of international terrorist networks to be illegal combatants, and not eligible for the protection of the Geneva Conventions.)

Rumsfeld and Cambone went a step further, however: they expanded the scope of the sap[Special Access Program], bringing its unconventional methods to Abu Ghraib. The commandos were to operate in Iraq as they had in Afghanistan. The male prisoners could be treated roughly, and exposed to sexual humiliation.

"They weren't getting anything substantive from the detainees in Iraq," the former intelligence official told me. "No names. Nothing that they could hang their hat on. Cambone says, I’ve got to crack this thing and I’m tired of working through the normal chain of command. I’ve got this apparatus set up—the black special-access program—and I’m going in hot. So he pulls the switch, and the electricity begins flowing last summer. And it’s working. We’re getting a picture of the insurgency in Iraq and the intelligence is flowing into the white world. We’re getting good stuff. But we’ve got more targets" — prisoners in Iraqi jails — "than people who can handle them."

Of course 'plausible deniability' can still be maintained. This is certain to garner a full, exhaustive investigation into prisoner abuses at all U.S. military retention facilities.

The article is Hersh's second 'My Lai' if it holds up. I have every confidence that it will. The question is: Do we have the courage to find out?

Read it. Download it. Give a copy to everyone you know...okay, a link will suffice.

I Can't Satirize Bush

You can't make this stuff up. The Independent is reporting that Bush will host next month's G8 summit at Georgia's Sea Island to showcase his record of "environmental stewardship."

But there are two glaring problems. The first is that Bush has been the most environmentally reckless president of the last - okay, the worst EVER. (please don't ask me to quantify that statement. I can say that Bush has the worst environmental protection record since the mid 1960s. That I can quantify)

The second is the site itself. I used to go to Glynn County - the summit site - several times per year. It is an environmental disaster.

According to The Independent, there are no less than 16 hazardous waste sites within 10 miles of Sea Island.

Read the article. See where the money to host the rich guys is being spent.

You know the drill. G8 = globalization fears = protesters = more $$$ for security. The wildlife gets..Trampled.

Somehow, I think the irony is lost on Bush.

Scissors Cut Paper

Powell's boss(scissors) says U.S. troops to remain in Iraq after 'handoff of sovereignty.' I like that. A stupid sports metaphor seems apt given the shell game being played by our politicos over Iraq and pretty much everything else.

For Powell's(paper) words, see the post directly below this one.

Even with a program, it's difficult to place the players.

Powell: He's Flipped

I know that his deputy, Richard Armitage said recently that Powell's UN WMD presentation has left him with a source of great distress, but it is being reported that Powell has said that the U.S. will pull ALL foreign(U.S, British, etc.) out of Iraq after 'sovereignty' is turned over to the Iraqis on June 30.

Of course, it ain't that simple, Colin.

Since WaPo has done much of the lifting on the issue, I'll cede the floor:

His statement[Powell's], which was echoed by the foreign ministers of Britain, Italy and Japan, and by the U.S. administrator in Iraq, came one day after conflicting testimony on Capitol Hill by administration officials on the issue. Testifying before the House International Relations Committee on Thursday, Undersecretary of State Marc Grossman appeared to say that the interim government could order the departure of foreign troops, only to be contradicted by Lt. Gen. Walter Sharp, sitting at his side, who asserted that only an elected government could do so. Iraqi elections are scheduled for January.

U.S. officials emphasized that they could not imagine the new government requesting the departure of almost 170,000 troops when the security situation in the country is so dire. But the new government's ability to assert its authority after the occupation authority dissolves on June 30 has been a central question in the international consultations over the shape of the incoming government, with the United States under pressure to transfer as much political power as possible to the Iraqi people.

"The Iraqi government has to be in a position to govern, and that's why I mean that it has to be a break with the past, " French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said at a news conference in Washington after a preparatory meeting for next month's Group of Eight summit in Sea Island, Ga.

Barnier had been harshly critical of U.S. actions in Iraq before he arrived in Washington, seeming to equate U.S. and Israeli actions in an interview with Le Monde published on Thursday. "What strikes me is the spiral of horror, of blood, of inhumanity that one is seeing on all fronts, from Fallujah to Gaza and in the terrible images of the assassination of the unfortunate American hostage," he told the newspaper. "It all gives the impression of a total loss of direction."

French, Russian and Italian officials pressed yesterday for the new government to be given the authority to halt military actions by U.S. forces. Powell rejected that, saying the forces will remain under the command of an American who "has to be free to take whatever decisions he believes are appropriate to accomplish his mission."

Why do I see another blunder in the offing? Conditioning? Yes. That's it.

Lots more at the WaPo link.

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There was an ill-researched AP article that was picked up by my local paper today. Interestingly, Google only shows one hit for it. The headline and text are identical in both this online document. "After scandal, has U.S. lost its moral authority?"

What? The U.S. has some sort of moral authority?

Sorry. If you really read history, rather than fall victim to 'the doctrine of change of course,' and various propagandist disinformation, you have to come to the conclusion that far from being a benevolent power in the world, the U.S. could more correctly be called the largest sponsor of state militarism.

This isn't really in dispute. The facts are what they are. Both Democratic and Republican administrations have had their share of unwarranted military aggressions done in the name of this doctrine or that pretext.

Of course it goes much further back than the 20-21st centuries.

Think, don't react. Why does the U.S. spend as much its military as the rest of the world combined? It's just called the 'defense industry.' It's a tool that has, save for a few instances, been used for naked offense.

The Shi'ite Hits the Fan

This cannot be good.

I can't believe that after all that has happened over the past two weeks that the U.S. military is doing this. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should.

According to all 'official' reports, al-Sadr's support is on the wane. It is baffling as to why the U.S. has stepped up it's military campaign against Sadr's Mehdi army - unless the official reports have been lacking in veracity. Nah. Couldn't be.

I think with the incursion into Najaf's holy "Valley of Peace" cemetery in addition to today's report of Imam Ali's shrine being hit - with four large holes in the shrine's golden dome being reported - the U.S. is likely to bring fresh anger to the Shia majority.

For some additional color as to what the shrine and cemetery mean to the Shi'tes, listen here.

I know that this is already another 'he said, she said' situation, but that does nothing to address the fact that the U.S. is in Iraq illegally. Right, Mr. Perle?

May we gain the wisdom to use force more discriminately.

It's weird. If we brainstormed to develop policies to foment al-Qaeda recruitment, I don't think we could do any better.

Is that what we are really trying to do? I'm no conspiracy 'theorist,' but if I was...

Fact Check Time

This is embarrassing. Now that campaigning for the general election has begun in earnest, the distortions and lies in the Kerry and Bush camps is reaching sickening levels.

Today's culprit: Kerry and The Media Fund - a group headed by Clinton aide(Bill, not Hillary) Harold Ickes.

I'll let Annenberg take it from here:

Summary

The latest ad from the Media Fund -- the group headed by former Clinton White House aide Harold Ickes -- shows the White House lawn being given over to corporate logos and a neon sign saying "Corporate Headquarters."

There's no question Bush is pro-business, but this ad goes far over the line on several counts. It implies Bush hasn't acted to protect pensions, fight corporate corruption or provide a "real" prescription drug benefit for retirees, all of which are false. It also implies he personally awarded a contract to Halliburton, which is also false.

There is much more at link.

This stuff is used because it works. In a country where some 60% of polled adults still believe that Saddam was both involved with 9-11 and that illegal weapons have been found in Iraq.....This is too easy.

I think that the only thing Americans are more certain of than Saddam being a real threat to the U.S., is that W is owned by corporations. Slam dunk for the Dems. Too bad it's a lie.

Vote Bush. Laura Bush.

Let's not fall victim to propaganda and other obfuscations.

Bush has finally delivered a viable, reasonable reason to vote for Bush in 2004. Not GW Bush, Laura.

In his own words:

"The best reason for four more years is to make sure that Laura is the first lady for four more years. I'm really proud of Laura. She is a great role model. She is steady, a calming influence when the nation needs calm."

I'll bet that Laura is a fine person.

It's a shame that we never got to know you, Laura.

When the "best reason" to vote for a candidate is because of their significant other, it gives one little(no?) reason to vote for the individual running. If Laura was running, who knows?

I didn't make this up.

Here's a link. The RNC/Rabid Right script being played is that Teresa Heinz Kerry is the anti-Laura. You know, an uppity feminist type. Wealthy and opinionated. A woman who speaks her mind. Tough.

I do feel some sympathy for Laura. She hitched her wagon to a fauxboy. I like that. I'll use it.

Rummy goes to Iraq

Or, actual reality intrudes on Rummy's psycho-reality.

WaPo is reporting that Rumsfeld got an earful from the troops during his 'visit' to Iraq.

He reportedly said he was clueless on the matter of arming Defense Department civilians.

Clueless? I'm shocked.

Here are some of the topics that Rummy had to field:

• When will the troops get better body armor?



• When will Humvees get any armor?



• Is it true that the military will not pay their entire airfare to get home?



• Why won't my military medical coverage wouldn't handle physical therapy for my handicapped child?



• When, if ever, would the United Nations send some troops and where would they come from?

A reported exchange:

Questioner: "Sir, there are many DOD civilians who are here in the theater, and many of us are unarmed. And many times we're placed in harm's way in convoys and we have no means to protect ourselves. And I know there's been many memos and letters I've seen floating around saying it's the policy to arm civilians if they need to be armed, if they're in harm's way. But there seems to be a resistance . . . to actually provide arms to us. I was wondering what the current policy is on that."

Rumsfeld: "Well, I could do several things at this point. I could admit I don't know what the current policy is here, or I could turn around and ask General Rick Sanchez to come over here. Then he'll say he doesn't know."

Rumsfeld then called on Sanchez for an answer. He didn't know.

"We'll be able to get the definitive answer," said Sanchez. "But right now, we have been working to try to get the authorities to arm the civilians here. That has been an issue for some time. And you're right, we're working that and we have been for some time. And we'll get -- I'll get a specific status for you. Okay?"

The entire article.

I think it's great that our troops have no issue asking Rumsfeld tough questions that our corporatist press corps cannot.

By the way, here is a USA Today article concerning Humvee armor

Select quote: "We can procure [Humvee armor] as fast as we have the money to do so." - Maj. Gary Tallman

Essentially, the Bush administration supports the troops as long as it doesn't cost any money.

(yeah, that's shrill. Sorry)

Two Quickies

First up...Your Humble blogger just got hired as a senior engineer by a semiconductor firm that specializes in semis for medical and RF devices. Woohoo!!

I'll drink to that.

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Next, and lastly for the moment, in today's episode of Democracy Now!, Amy Goodman interviews Ambassador Joseph Wilson. You know, Valerie Plame's husband.

I haven't read Wilson's book, The Politics of Truth: Inside the Lies that Led to War and Betrayed My Wife's CIA Identity: A Diplomat's Memoir, but now I feel that I must. Wilson was a loyal and trusted servant for a reason. It's a real shame that the White House allegely leaked his wife's name. The two of them deserved to be esteemed not villified.

In honor of Wilson's and Plame's decades of service to their country, I'll add the book to my links, and the book itself to my library. I have a date with Borders :)

Wolfowitz Levels with U.S.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz finally steps up to the truth bar and takes a drink.

Breaking with White House budget chief Joshua Bolten, who earlier this year said that next year's spending would probably be $50 billion, Wolfy claimed today that the neocons' excellent Permawar ideology will likely cost closer to $75 billion next year.

Your tax dollars at work.

Kerry and Bush Pt. 759

Reuters is reporting that John Kerry railed against Bush's lack of concern..think VA health benefits.

I admit it. I don't know if Bush has a newer proposal than the last round of egregious cuts to veterans benefits.

I can't find the line items in that omnibus monster we call the U.S. Budget. In looking at the 'highlights' of Bush's fiscal year 2005 budget. It calls for an "over 40% larger than when he took office." No figures are given, and that makes the skeptic in me, well skeptical.

Kerry cites a lot of numbers. But as we've seen from both parties, this isn't 'hard math.' lots of cherrypicked data, and glaring ommissions of things that don't support a campaigner's message. This is true of both sides.

I can recommend looking into the Kerry article. There are some fun quotes by a number of vets, and of course Bush has done the unthinkable against our troops. He sent them off to fight, kill and die in a war based on lies.

Here is the article.

Kerry just needs to stop from imploding at this point in order to make this at least a close race.

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Annenberg Fact Check

Bush on the fire.

At issue is a Bush ad claiming 'dramatic results' from his Texas school 'reforms'(that word again...who's picking my pocket?). Bush paints a bright picture but fails to mention that the Texas efficacy claims were plagued by 'educational book-cooking' in order to make the grade. Pun intended.

It is far from clear whether Bush's Texas reforms - on which the National No Child Left Behind Act is based - did anything positive whatever for Texas schools.

Rummy: Time to Go

In testimony on Tuesday, Donald Rumsfeld said some pretty odd things. I can't find a transcript of what I found to be an egregious statement..pretty much classic Rumsfeld. I have an audio clip of an exchange that took place between an obviously upset Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Rummy(it's only 53 secs. worth of audio. Only 424KB).

Download and listen. Rumsfeld always seems delusional, but Leahy really zings him. Good show from the Senator from Vermont.

By the way, did you know that Leahy is a longtime champion of human rights and speaks eloquently on the topic? I only did because he's almost a neighbor.

The entire segment of a news report by FSRN's Mitch Jeserich adds far more color(2MB..just D/L it!). Included are a short statement by Bill "Serial Feline Killer" Frist(R-Self-Aggrandizer), as well as some wise words from attorney Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, who filed for release of the latest round of photos under the Freedom of Information Act with the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency. Rummy, that cold war relic's statement referenced above is also included.

One more article. Maybe two. This is a segment of an article by Sumana Chatterjee writing for Knight-Ridder:

The pointed, skeptical and sometimes hostile questions [about U.S foreign policies] signaled a new determination by lawmakers of both parties to assert stricter oversight of the Bush administration's policies on Iraq. Republicans have been reluctant to question President Bush, but now lawmakers wonder if they've been quiet for too long.

One of the most heated exchanges came as Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., questioned the hand-over of sovereignty to Iraqis, scheduled for June 30. Domenici said he was worried that neither the Iraqis nor the U.S.-led coalition is prepared for the difficult task.

WHAT ARE THE PLANS?

"I can envision that this situation will not work and that we won't have an organizational structure that will do anything other than have Americans fighting and us supplying those fighters with more and more money," Domenici said. What, he asked, are the U.S. plans? Is the American taxpayer going to pay for Iraq's new infrastructure?

Rumsfeld offered few new details, outlining instead the plan for United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to work with Iraqis to appoint a president, several vice presidents and a Cabinet of ministers. He said he hopes the Iraqis will finance their own reconstruction. While his answers were sketchy, Domenici said after the hearing: "It's the best we've ever gotten."

That comment reflects widely held resentment on Capitol Hill of Rumsfeld's habit of treating Congress as an afterthought undeserving of much information. That's no longer acceptable to lawmakers in light of the growing U.S. death toll, the scandal over U.S. abuse of Iraqi prisoners, revelations that the administration used information from dubious sources to persuade Congress to support the war and doubts about how to return Iraq to Iraqis.

The bad news is moving lawmakers to exert stronger oversight over every dimension of U.S. policy on Iraq, said Sen. John Warner, R-Va., the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Wednesday's session came before the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, which oversees the Pentagon's budget.

Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., challenged Rumsfeld for permitting abusive interrogation techniques of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison and said the practices violated international rules set by the Geneva Conventions.

While decrying the abuses, Rumsfeld said Pentagon lawyers had approved harsh interrogation techniques such as sleep deprivation, dietary manipulation and forcing prisoners to assume stressful positions.

Much more at link above.

Rummy's always been a huge liability. In a fully functioning democracy, he'd be toast. He's still insisting that the Geneva Conventions were abided by in the growing Iraqi/Afghanistan/Guantanamo Bay prisoner/detainee torture scandal...Gimme a freakin' break.

Now there are allegedly photos of detainees being forced to have homosexual sex and a host of other depraved acts. The linked article is quite good. It provides quotes from across the political spectrum concerning the nature of the photos as yet unseen by the public.

This is a shameful episode in a long series of shameful episodes by the American Imperialism Machine.

I wonder, as many others have, just where does the buck stop?

Bush publicly supports Rumsfeld? This man needs a cerebral transplant.

Sorry. This is turning into more of a rant than I imagined. I meant to just provide you with some audio and links to articles.

I am also equally appalled by the execution of Nicholas Berg.

Our dear leader reportedly said this yesterday about Berg's execution:

"Their intention is to shake our will. Their intention is to shake our confidence. Yet by their actions they remind us of how desperately parts of the world need free societies. ... We will complete our mission, we will complete our mission."

We've been hearing this tired line for a year now, and things in occupied Iraq have grown dramatically worse. Where's our Commander-in-Chief? Absent without leave. Again.

Bush's ad: "Steady Leadership in Times of Change" WTH? This guy puts his 'stay the course' monolithic bs above the safety of our troops, the Afghanis, and the Iraqis..which by the way, the International Committee of the Red Cross has repeatedly stated that 70% - 90% of all Iraqi prisoners were/are being "held in error." They were arrested "by mistake" in military sweep operations aimed at getting bad guys.

The excellent CS Monitor has all the links you need. A Clear...System Failure.

I just found a transcript of an interview that Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman had with Cliff Kindy, a member of the Christian Peacemaker Team who spent much time in Iraq. There is new stuff here that hasn't been reported elsewhere. Without further ado:

AMY GOODMAN: We're joined on the phone by Cliff Kindy, a member of the Christian Peacemaker Team who has spent extensive time in Iraq over the past two years, before the current prisoner abuse scandal became a major story. The Christian Peacemaker Team documented these types of human rights violations by US Forces. In January, the group released a report called, "Report and Recommendations on Iraqi Detainees". Kindy has had substantial contact with Iraqi detainees and their families and US Soldiers and higher-ups. We welcome you to Democracy Now!

CLIFF KINDY: Thank you, Amy.

AMY GOODMAN: What did you know and when did you know it?

(this is the way underreported stuff..Democracy Now!, and now pure bs, are the only two sources I know of for this info.)

CLIFF KINDY: I'm going to say a few things that might be helpful. We met with Ambassador Richard Jones, who was brought in to solve the detainee problem. He said - we met with him the 23rd of January - I think it was, he said at that point, "We were overwhelmed by the detainee problem." We met with Colonel Fishburn, Major Chrinsy, some of the officers in the field. We met with them at the Iraq Assistance Center on the 22nd of December. They said, "The problems we are facing now" and they affirmed the study in our report. They had seen our report. They said, "This goes beyond the Iraq Theater." They said, "Things need to change. People need to develop policies that take into account long-term security interests as well as short-term security interests." We were involved in the incidents in Al-Jazeera village where four US Soldiers were killed by friendly fire. In their frustration, they executed three of their prisoners and then opened fire on people leaving a mosque after prayer and five neighbors were killed by tank fire. That report didn't hit the press. We visited a village, a razor wire community about 50 kilometers north of Baghdad. A commander from a nearby base said they had instituted collective punishment. They razor wired the city and instituted a curfew from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 in the morning. That was in place five months ago and may still be. Now, those are detainees in one sense. We were in another village, a village along the Tigris River. One person was wanted. He was on officer in the BaÂ?ath party. 83 men and boys were swept up in that village. There were two males left in that village after the sweep. It seems practices are much broader than just inside Abu Ghraib prison. It seems that there are, well, as Fishers and Clinesy said there are no policies in place. Policies need to be developed that are accountable. Those things haven't been happening.

AMY GOODMAN: What What did US Military and those in the US Occupying Forces say to you as you were raising these issues?

CLIFF KINDY: They affirmed our findings. They said, "Yes, we have found these kinds of stories and worse." That was with Ambassador Richard Jones in the January meeting. They said, "Yes, we have a bureaucracy, and a bureaucracy moves slowly. We have suggestions on things that will help to improve this." They tried to institute those, but I think it is true, bureaucracy moves slowly. We're seeing the results of that.

Our government, and your tax dollars at work.

This entry was more than a bit over the top. Sorry. I'm angry. Now you know.

Congrats to the Trade Deficit!

Why?

Why setting a new record in March, that's why. The U.S. trade deficit widened 9.1 percent in March to a record $46.0 billion, the Commerce Department reported today.

The U.S. Commerce Dept. has the goods.

Record trade and governmental deficits simultaneously. Most excellent. For you Keynesian types, a round of drinks.

While we're on the subject of deficits 'aren't necessarily bad,'(a nod to Keynesians) I think it prudent to point out that bolstered by fresh tax revenue, the Congressional Budget Office took in 17.6 billion more than it spent in April - a traditionally strong month due to tax revenues. The CBO had estimated a surplus of $15 billion earlier this month. If you didn't look at the year over year comparisons, you'd think that this was pretty good.

In April of 2003, the Treasury Department reported a $51.1 billion surplus.

This April's performance is the weakest since 1994. Not so good.

I'll leave the Bush taxation transferal system(alternativley known as the 'cut services program') alone, as I think the numbers are sufficient commentary.

One more thought about the economy.

Greenspan, himself a Keynesian by deed, and a likely Wicksellian by self-reflection, warned last week that, "our fiscal prospects are, in my judgment, a significant obstacle to long-term stability because the budget deficit is not readily subject to correction by market forces."

This is certainly a truism. Politicos hold the national checkbook. What we've seen to this point isn't encouraging on governmental budgeting.

Abu Ghraib Backlash

Damned shame.

But all too predictable.

Let The Iraqis Lead

In another show of a major policy shift toward Iraq in the offing, Maj. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey - the guy in charge of fighting Muktada al-Sadr's al-Mahdi militia - announced today that he would consider accepting "al-Sadr's top militia deputies and other fighters in a new security force he is forming to patrol the holy Shiite city of Najaf."

I think this is 'applied pragmatism.' It could save the lives on all sides, and while I feel relatively certain that some concessions will be made by both sides, that the General is taking this onboard is a very positive development in what has been a pretty ugly situation.

Before the recent brouhaha over al-Sadr's paper being shut down, the Mahdi did provide some much needed "security in Baghdad's Shi'a slums and distributed food and other aid." That according to many reports, but I pulled that from Radio Free Europe.

This illustrates that the Mahdi militia can assist in their communities'. I hope that the Mahdi aid was done in the best humanitarian spirit. However, I am ever skeptical of newly formed - or well established - groups motives.

At the very least, this policy adjustment, should it come to fruition, will provide the U.S. with some much needed positive PR.

I know that these guys aren't likely to give anyone - me included - a warm and fuzzy feeling, but it's good that the U.S. command on the ground is publicly acknowledging the difficulties on the ground, and are beginning to take the tack that they'll give the Iraqis a chance to prove themselves.

Applied pragmatism..A pure bs exclusive. Heh. :) No doubt it'll remain so :)

I wish all involved success in their endeavours.

Peace.

Secular or Holy?

George Packer, writing for The New Yorker has a great piece up about whether Iraqis will ultimately choose a 'democratic' or a 'radical Islamist' form of government. These aren't the only choices, but in writing a catchy title, this seems to be the question de jour.

Packer follows a young Iraqi physician, Dr. Bashir Shaker, and the story is full of human drama. The article touches on a number of issues, related to which form of goverance the Iraqis may choose and not. I found these ancillary issues to be far more compelling a read than the main thrust of the article.

An extremely good read. Go ahead.

Don't Quote Me

I remember reading in some applied economics text that for every penny in the rise of the cost of a gallon of gasoline the greater economy loses roughly a billion USD.

Since the beginning of 2002, gasoline prices have risen by an average of 80 cents a gallon - effectively negating more than one-quarter of the $316 billion in 'stimulus' that was provided by the three federal tax cuts. Let's call a spade a spade here. We're adults. Right? :) The 'tax cuts' were really a tax-shift from the federal to the state and local. Either that, or your services have been sharply curtailed.

Just a bit of economic trivia provided by your humble author.

And no, don't quote me on the gasoline price impact figures. They may be somewhat out of date. A year or two at most.

C-Span

Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, author of the 53 page report Sy Hersh references in his explosive New Yorker article is testifying right now before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Yes. Right now!

Why Do They Hate Us?

Female Iraqi prisoners face shame and or death once out of prison because of the rape and torture they endured while in prison.

We are ignorant, arrogant, occupying and terrorizing a population because of a series of grand lies.

I am ashamed to be an American. Very.

Rummy v Marshall

Let's look at quotes..It's fun.

"If man does find the solution for world peace it will be the most revolutionary reversal of his record we have ever known." - George C. Marshall

This is real. You can fact check me....Please do.

"Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance." - Donald Rumsfeld

This next one is more fun, and much better known.

"Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know." - Donald 'pretzel logic' Rumsfeld.

The BBC has Donald "Strangelove" Rumsfeld on audio.

Oh, I almost forgot. My favorite quote by another person about Rummmy is this:

"He's the most ruthless man I ever met. And I mean that as a compliment." - Henry Kissinger

One more. Rummy on Rummy.

"If in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, do what's right." - Donald Rumsfeld

Can Rummy possibly believe what he said? I suppose it depends on what definition of 'right' one uses.

Todd No Blog

Bad, Todd.

Sorry about the lack of updates this week and last. I have been rather ill. I'm on the mend, but blogging will remain light until this weekend at the least.

I have been following the Abu Ghraib situation somewhat closely. One thing that seems to have escaped all commentators is this: Just what did the prison personnel do in order to get these prisoners to engage in these atrocious acts?

I can't imagine the imprisoned Iraqis committing acts prohibited by Islam by simply asking them to....I can only imagine the sordid types of things our prison personnel did, and or told these men and women to coerce them into acts regarded as anathema to their culture and religion.

It's also heartening to hear Bush and Cheney singing the praises of the woefully inept Donny Rumsfeld.

Cheney calling Rummy the best Defense Secretary ever is odd given that Cheney once held the post. Rummy's held "the position" twice..The first time under Ford.

Cheney will do or say anything. Dick is the worst Veep in memory.

Rummy's a miserable failure as Sec. of Defense, and that's bound to pull a few votes from Bush in November. Everything he has had his hands in has turned out very poorly indeed.

Rummy's a better Sec. of Defense than George Marshall? GTF outa here! No contest.

I'll be back to posting regularly next week. I'm on the mend, but still a bit weak.