Showing posts with label President Bush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label President Bush. Show all posts
6/24/2008
Does the U.S. Constitution Matter?
The President continues to think he's the king. Right now, there is a new FISA law to indemnify the telecom companies for the cooperation they extended to the Administration for the wireless eavesdropping program. The President has justified it because he wants us to be "safe". From what Senator Feingold of Wisconsin just said, it appears that this far reaching law will basically let the Government intrude upon all our conversations. The Constitution continues to be undermined every day by this Administration. The Administration has continued to get away by trumping the fear card. The President tells us that we have to trust him. Why??
5/15/2008
Joe Biden...
Today, Joe Biden said it like it is. He blasted the President for comparing those who advocate negotations to dealing with the Nazis. Joe Biden was right when he said that the President's policy has weakened us in every aspect. The President seems to be in a different world and continue his "us vs. them" mentality. He does not seem to want to even try at diplomacy and keeps throwing out wild accusations without any proof. Of course, after Iraq, who would believe....
5/06/2008
Al Jazeera
I have been listening to Al Jazeera. I can't stop listening to it...the information is straightforward, refreshing and frankly, reliable. My hat's off to the Emir of Qatar for what he's done in building such a wonderful jem for us all. The United States Government, though, is at it to tell the "truth". The various organs of the government are working to launch websites to tell the "truth" as they see it. I wonder if the President of the United States heard the plea of the 8-Year Old Boy in Baghdad when he talked about his Father who died. I can't understand the decision and really can't justify the rationale. Now, of course, Senator Clinton wanting to annihilate Iran upon a Iranian Nuclear attack on Israel is just beyond belief. Our political leaders just want to be tough. We have had eight years of a "tough" guy in the White House..and look at where we are. When will we wake up and deal with the real challenges? Just in case anyone forgot, oil hit $ 120/Barrel Monday...that's the real problem, not the side issues that deflects attention from the real challenges real people face.BTW, the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehut Olmert, is facing another investigation into corruption.
4/26/2008
John McCain in New Orleans
CNN (http://www.cnn.com) and other news outlets reported on the John McCain Visit to New Orleans this past week. During that tour of the lower ninth ward in New Orleans, Senator McCain noted that he would have landed Air Force One at the nearest Air Force Base and gone right to work. Yet, a funny thing happend. DemocracyNow's Friday edition (http://www.democracynow.org) reported that while Katrina had landed, President Bush and Senator McCain were together at the President's Crawford, Texas Ranch. The President had apparently presented Senator McCain a cake for the Senator's 69th Birthday. They hypcrocacy of it all just blows me away. I have noted before that Senator McCain's service to the country is not in question--and should never be questioned. What I have noted (and at least both Democractic Candidates seem to agree) is that we will have Bush III if Senator McCain wins. That worries me greatly. There lies the challenge.
:-)
Mike
:-)
Mike
4/12/2008
The Iraq Drama
Whenever I read Juan Cole's Blog, I get sick to my stomach. The daily summary of violence he reports on continues to be one voice (among many) who is telling the truth as the President, Senator McCain and the rest of the right-wing in the U.S. continue the happy talk on Iraq. I was a bit surprised when Juan Cole heaped praise on General Petraues. But, the military can only do so much. There lies the problem.
As the debate in the U.S. has continued, Iraq continues to sink further into the abyss. The latest target is the Sadr Movement. Moqtada-Al-Sadr's Brother-in-Law was assassinated. Nir Rosen is right when he says there is no Iraqi Government. Why we believe the fiction in this country is beyond me. Maybe I am not supposed to understand.
As the debate in the U.S. has continued, Iraq continues to sink further into the abyss. The latest target is the Sadr Movement. Moqtada-Al-Sadr's Brother-in-Law was assassinated. Nir Rosen is right when he says there is no Iraqi Government. Why we believe the fiction in this country is beyond me. Maybe I am not supposed to understand.
1/01/2008
Reflections on 2007.....Hopes for 2008
Before I talk about 2008, the year we just finished was quite interesting, to say the least. The year, for me, was defined by Iraq and all that was going on. It was defined by the "surge" and how President Bush decided to send more troops. There were over 16,000 people who lost their lives in 2007, according to the BBC. Yet, the Adminstration claimed that the "surge" had in fact worked because there were less people dying. The yardstick of progress is frankly laughable. It reminds me when Joe Lieberman said that Iraqis had a lot of mobile phones, which led him to believe that there was progress. What bothered me the most was that we were lied to. Unfortuantely, no one was held to account.
The year also saw Pakistan also getting closer to the Abyss. Pervez Musharaf finally retired as Chief of Army Staff, but his policies (with the support of the Bush Adminstration), radicalized Pakistan even further. What the Bush Adminstration tried to do in pushing Benzair Bhutto to co-habitat with President Musharaff blew up in their face. Ms. Bhutto was assassinated and those plans were thrown into disarray. Ms. Bhutto's son was named as Chair of her Party. But, Pakistan has become increasingly radicalized. Whether the Bhutto clan that has apparently stolen over 1.5 Billion Dollars over the last twelve years has the crediblity to lead the country remains to be seen. I am certain that Tariq Ali's comments on Democracy Now last week (http://www.democracynow.org) was based on documented proof. At least the Pakistani Armed Forces will insure the country will remain united. In all these games (including Nawaz Sharif positioning himself as a future leader), the average Pakistani seems to be lost.
I can't help but reflect upon the current forgotten war: Afghanistan. It was a year that saw the lies of Pat Tillman (which I talked about),it saw the Taliban roaring back stronger than ever and Afghanistan becoming the biggest poppy producer in the world. Yet, Hamid Karzai went on the BBC and at the White House announced that everything was great. When Karzai was asked about the poppy production, he claimed that poppy was actually decreasing. Karzai also invited the "good" Taliban to join him. Why the Taliban want to join a corrupt, discredited government is beyond me. Karzai also has no credibility. Tariq Ali, the Pakistani/British Commentator, told of Karzai's younger brother running the Heroin ring and also running a weapon smuggling operation. I am just amazed as to the nerve of this man standing besides President Bush and going off telling us how things are great. But, I guess an ordinary face in the crowd like me is not supposed to understand and question, just believe what he's being fed.
The year 2007 also saw the rich getting richer around the world. Some of the wealth controlled by folks like Carlos Slim, Roman Abravomich, Prince Alwaeed of Saudi Arabia and others is beyond imagination. Such extravaggance allows folks like Prince Alwaeed to pay almost 400 million dollars for a Airbus 380. Carlos Slim controls a staggering percentage of the Borsa in Mexico and is a dominant player throughout the Americas.
The year 2007 also saw Vladimir Putin continue his dominance of Russian Politics and engineered a "managed democratic" transition. It also saw a Russia that became a leading international player by virtue of its' new found wealth because of high oil prices. This led him to be named Time Person of the year for 2007. Tsar Putin is clearly the man in charge--although he agreed to serve as Prime Minister under his chosen successor. In addition, Iran continued its' "my way or the highway" approach to International Relations. Iran continued its' nuclear program, Ahmadinjead continued his speeches while the ordinary folks in Iran continued suffering from economic difficulties. Of course, Ahmadinejad's visit to New York and his appearance at Columbia University was also a comical act. Not withstanding Columbia President Lee Bollinger's Speech, Ahmadinejad did not help himself by the rather odd and off the wall comments that he made. 2008 continues to be a challenging one for Iran. It is especially so because the U.S. and the rest of the world is out for blood due to the Iranian Nuclear Program.
As for the United States, we are to have our first caucus. Iowa is scheduled to hold its' caucus on January 3rd. An interesting note on tonight's CBS News stated that the two leading Democractic Candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, raised over $ 100 Million Each during 2007. It is a sad testimony that such is an absolute requirement to get to the Presidency and the average individual gets lost in the shuffle. The Economy will be of immense concern. The housing crisis will have a chilling effect on the economy for quite some time. Everyone within housing is facing challenges. It is scary and I see it getting worst before it getting better.
On the technology front, this year was the year of the iphone. It is a slick device. Yet, for some reason, I was not impressed. For a clumsy guy like me who drops his phone and uses his phone to death, I am not sure if a iphone is the phone to have. Many folks have it. I would imagine I may end up owning a second or third generation iphone. What is of huge interest to me is Google's Android Initiative. It is a Ten Million Dollar prize Google has put out to come up with the best mobile platform. In the December 31, 2007 edition of the Financial Times, there was a forecast that Google's stock will hit $ 1000. It also talked about Google's reach becoming ever more. They're going to go after the latest spectrum auction by the FCC and they're going to get it. It also was the year that the $ 100 laptop (actually $ 200) shipping. The idea was to bring the digital age to the dispossessed. And they seem to have succeed despite the odds.
As I embrace 2008, I remain hopeful. Someone once said that using the word "hope" reflects an element of uncertainity. I remain hopeful because we have an election coming up in the United States, Technology will continue to help drive the future, there is more of an awarness to tend to our planet and there will continue to be a move towards common sense. As residents of spaceship Earth, we have to step up and be responsible, help the dispossessed and live our lives in the most honorable and just way possible. I do get worried when the Financial Times tells us that corporations will move away from Corporate Social Responsiblity and will again turn inward to deal with profits at all costs. It seems to me that being social responsible and green is right and good for business.
As I go forward to 2008, I remind myself of what Sparky Anderson once said: "...People who live in the past generally are afraid to compete in the present. I've got my faults, but living in the past is not one of them. There's no future in it.... ..." (courtesy of http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sparky_Anderson, retrieved January 1, 2008). As such, I will be marching along while embracing the challenges and the opportunities. The best is yet to come!!!
The year also saw Pakistan also getting closer to the Abyss. Pervez Musharaf finally retired as Chief of Army Staff, but his policies (with the support of the Bush Adminstration), radicalized Pakistan even further. What the Bush Adminstration tried to do in pushing Benzair Bhutto to co-habitat with President Musharaff blew up in their face. Ms. Bhutto was assassinated and those plans were thrown into disarray. Ms. Bhutto's son was named as Chair of her Party. But, Pakistan has become increasingly radicalized. Whether the Bhutto clan that has apparently stolen over 1.5 Billion Dollars over the last twelve years has the crediblity to lead the country remains to be seen. I am certain that Tariq Ali's comments on Democracy Now last week (http://www.democracynow.org) was based on documented proof. At least the Pakistani Armed Forces will insure the country will remain united. In all these games (including Nawaz Sharif positioning himself as a future leader), the average Pakistani seems to be lost.
I can't help but reflect upon the current forgotten war: Afghanistan. It was a year that saw the lies of Pat Tillman (which I talked about),it saw the Taliban roaring back stronger than ever and Afghanistan becoming the biggest poppy producer in the world. Yet, Hamid Karzai went on the BBC and at the White House announced that everything was great. When Karzai was asked about the poppy production, he claimed that poppy was actually decreasing. Karzai also invited the "good" Taliban to join him. Why the Taliban want to join a corrupt, discredited government is beyond me. Karzai also has no credibility. Tariq Ali, the Pakistani/British Commentator, told of Karzai's younger brother running the Heroin ring and also running a weapon smuggling operation. I am just amazed as to the nerve of this man standing besides President Bush and going off telling us how things are great. But, I guess an ordinary face in the crowd like me is not supposed to understand and question, just believe what he's being fed.
The year 2007 also saw the rich getting richer around the world. Some of the wealth controlled by folks like Carlos Slim, Roman Abravomich, Prince Alwaeed of Saudi Arabia and others is beyond imagination. Such extravaggance allows folks like Prince Alwaeed to pay almost 400 million dollars for a Airbus 380. Carlos Slim controls a staggering percentage of the Borsa in Mexico and is a dominant player throughout the Americas.
The year 2007 also saw Vladimir Putin continue his dominance of Russian Politics and engineered a "managed democratic" transition. It also saw a Russia that became a leading international player by virtue of its' new found wealth because of high oil prices. This led him to be named Time Person of the year for 2007. Tsar Putin is clearly the man in charge--although he agreed to serve as Prime Minister under his chosen successor. In addition, Iran continued its' "my way or the highway" approach to International Relations. Iran continued its' nuclear program, Ahmadinjead continued his speeches while the ordinary folks in Iran continued suffering from economic difficulties. Of course, Ahmadinejad's visit to New York and his appearance at Columbia University was also a comical act. Not withstanding Columbia President Lee Bollinger's Speech, Ahmadinejad did not help himself by the rather odd and off the wall comments that he made. 2008 continues to be a challenging one for Iran. It is especially so because the U.S. and the rest of the world is out for blood due to the Iranian Nuclear Program.
As for the United States, we are to have our first caucus. Iowa is scheduled to hold its' caucus on January 3rd. An interesting note on tonight's CBS News stated that the two leading Democractic Candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, raised over $ 100 Million Each during 2007. It is a sad testimony that such is an absolute requirement to get to the Presidency and the average individual gets lost in the shuffle. The Economy will be of immense concern. The housing crisis will have a chilling effect on the economy for quite some time. Everyone within housing is facing challenges. It is scary and I see it getting worst before it getting better.
On the technology front, this year was the year of the iphone. It is a slick device. Yet, for some reason, I was not impressed. For a clumsy guy like me who drops his phone and uses his phone to death, I am not sure if a iphone is the phone to have. Many folks have it. I would imagine I may end up owning a second or third generation iphone. What is of huge interest to me is Google's Android Initiative. It is a Ten Million Dollar prize Google has put out to come up with the best mobile platform. In the December 31, 2007 edition of the Financial Times, there was a forecast that Google's stock will hit $ 1000. It also talked about Google's reach becoming ever more. They're going to go after the latest spectrum auction by the FCC and they're going to get it. It also was the year that the $ 100 laptop (actually $ 200) shipping. The idea was to bring the digital age to the dispossessed. And they seem to have succeed despite the odds.
As I embrace 2008, I remain hopeful. Someone once said that using the word "hope" reflects an element of uncertainity. I remain hopeful because we have an election coming up in the United States, Technology will continue to help drive the future, there is more of an awarness to tend to our planet and there will continue to be a move towards common sense. As residents of spaceship Earth, we have to step up and be responsible, help the dispossessed and live our lives in the most honorable and just way possible. I do get worried when the Financial Times tells us that corporations will move away from Corporate Social Responsiblity and will again turn inward to deal with profits at all costs. It seems to me that being social responsible and green is right and good for business.
As I go forward to 2008, I remind myself of what Sparky Anderson once said: "...People who live in the past generally are afraid to compete in the present. I've got my faults, but living in the past is not one of them. There's no future in it.... ..." (courtesy of http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sparky_Anderson, retrieved January 1, 2008). As such, I will be marching along while embracing the challenges and the opportunities. The best is yet to come!!!
12/04/2007
The Latest NIE On Iran
The latest NIE was just published by the US Intelligence Community. In a way, it vindicates Iran. It appears, though, that the response of the world community has been guarded at best. However, the President of the United States still told the world that he thinks Iran is a threat. The Government in Iran is not the issue here at all. Many around the world know and understand that Iran deserves a lot better than what it is getting today from its' government. It has a ruling clergy who is dominating Iran and is lining up its' own pockets. It has a President who is a fanatic and does not believe in fundemental economics. Yet, Iran is a country with immense potential. It is blessed with abundant natural resources, a smart, resourceful and young populace with great potential. We have to engage Iran to encourage and facilitate change in a way that would benefit the 60% of Iranians who are under the age of 30. Yet, Mr. Bush has chosen the path of confortation yet again.
Mr. Bush will be President for another 13 months. I am counting each and every day until the next Adminstration. Mr. Bush's last year will promise to be one of the tougher years in recent memory both domestically and internationally. Mr. Bush wants to bring peace to the Middle East. If his definition of peace is what has been done to Iraq, the disaster being faced in Afghanistan AND the continued challenges in Pakistan, he has done more than enough!!!
:-(
Mr. Bush will be President for another 13 months. I am counting each and every day until the next Adminstration. Mr. Bush's last year will promise to be one of the tougher years in recent memory both domestically and internationally. Mr. Bush wants to bring peace to the Middle East. If his definition of peace is what has been done to Iraq, the disaster being faced in Afghanistan AND the continued challenges in Pakistan, he has done more than enough!!!
:-(
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