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Books about the Iraq War
January 31, 2003
From Baghdad to School Boards
If we can survive the next few months by not getting nuked, gassed or smallpoxed to death by terrorist retaliation after Bush stomps on Iraq, we should turn around and start solving our own problems. Let's start with our schools.
January 30, 2003
Still not convinced?
If you've been reading the posts and links in this blog and you still are not convinced that we should stop this whole go-to-war attitude by Bush, then I'd really like to hear from you with your reasons. Please click the "e-mail me" link to the left and let me know. Hey, and if you've been coming back to this site (whether or not you agree with my views) I'd like to know if I'm reaching anyone at all, so let me know! Thanks! ( Gwen's mom: Thank you for checking in.)
Thumbs Down By General Schwarzkopf
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, who comandeered the U.S. forces in Gulf War I, doesn't support Bush's war plans either.
Not Yet Worried Enough? Take One Dose of This
In case you aren't vexed enough about the impending retaliation against our invasion of Iraq, here's one scenario that should hit home: "The worst-case scenario ... would cut off virtually every Internet and phone user, cripple financial systems and overwhelm emergency services. Public water systems could shut down and security at nuclear power plants could be compromised." This is according to security experts and government officials. Here's another opinion from the NY Times on the cost of going to war, in terms of money, lives and retaliation (you'll need to do a one-time registration to access the NYTimes online site - it's worth it).
Ah, The Good Old Days: Massive Budget Deficits Are Returning
Current estimates place the annual federal budget deficit anywhere from 199 Billion to over 300 Billion. This is not even factoring in the cost of the upcoming Gulf II war which will range anywhere from 100 Billion to over 200 Billion, depending on how many resources we commit to rebuilding Iraq after we destroy it. Just for a point of reference: "In 2001, the government ran a $127 billion surplus, its fourth consecutive year in the black." HERE and HERE are the standard Democratic responses to the whole issue.
January 29, 2003
"Afghan Massacre: The Convoy of Death"
The title of this post is actually the title of a documentary film soon to be released in the United States within the next month or two. In essence it shows how President Bush systematically murdered more than 3,000 captured Taliban soldiers in November 2001. If any portion of this is true, then the American public is going to be all over this, unless Bush is coy enough to start the Iraq invasion beforehand, to distract the public's attention (which unfortunately is darn easy). HERE and HERE and HERE are some links to the story. On a related note, unless you have a strong stomach, you don't want to watch this film. It clearly shows American servicemen massacring probable Afghanis from afar. This makes me brutally embarrassed at being an American, and totally understanding of why much of the world hates us. Note: the file is a large download (20 MB).
SOTU
In his State of the Union speech last night, President-select Bush said that the average American will see about a $1,000 reduction in income taxes with his new tax plan. This is a blatant lie. In fact, most of the speech, other than the part about his intention of attacking Iraq, was a potpourri of falsehoods as explained HERE. The Democrat's official response, though typically anemic, does make a few good points. Just one reminder, as you ponder Bush's claim in his SOTU that Iraq is coddling Al Qaeda, why we don't want to go to war against Iraq: "Just a few months ago, the C.I.A. told Congress that Iraq was striving to develop weapons of mass destruction but was unlikely to orchestrate terrorist attacks in the United States unless Washington struck Iraq first. The C.I.A. has never amended that public assessment." And HERE and HERE are a point-by-point assessments of the speech.
Cell Phone Killers
HERE is a good reason to run off the road anyone you see driving weird and talking on their cell phone with their music blasting. Might as well shove them out of traffic before they kill some innocent motorists. While we're at it, let's start shoving SUV's off too; besides being driven by some of the rudest people I've ever had cut me off, they waste gas and block our view. Prius forever!
January 28, 2003
Hybrids Are Here To Stay
Hybrid cars are finally catching on, as summarized by this article in the NY TImes (you'll need to do a one-time registration to access the NYTimes online site - it's worth it). As an owner of a Toyota Prius, I can assure you that it is the greatest invention since indoor plumbing. If you are seriously considering the purchase of one then check out this and this and this and finally this.
Remember Tonkin
When Bush releases evidence of weapons concealment next week as proof to justify his pursuit of war, remember the Gulf of Tonkin incident that led to the escalation of the Vietnam War. The latter was a fabrication, made by President Johnson to justify his war-mongering actions, of an attack by North Vietman against the U.S. Navy. Also, here are 40 people who don't want war.
Status of the SOTU Promises
Bush's hits and misses of the promises he made in his last (2002) State of the Union speech. And regarding tonights SOTU, here's what Americans would like Bush to really discuss.
January 27, 2003
Taxes
Need help in understanding the "real" tax burden on each of us? Then check out this review (you'll need to do a one-time registration to access the NYTimes online site - it's worth it).
Bush Wants 10-25% of Your Income
The way the American people have been jerked around the past two years, I wouldn't put it past the President-select to pull something like THIS.
Today's Republican Gaffe
Latest Gaffe by the Republians: New York Times Book Review of Susan McDougal's new book regarding the Whitewater scandal. HERE is the review (you'll need to do a one-time registration to access the NYTimes online site - it's worth it).
January 26, 2003
Nuke the Iraqis
U.S. military is making plans to use nuclear weapons in Iraq war. So, with inspectors roaming all over Iraq, and the Hussein regime effectively contained, what's the purpose now of going to war? Rep. Cynthia McKinney explains.
Headless and Flies
And after you read the previous post, read this one and get disgusted. Then, refresh your memory with the facts about Dick Cheney making part of his fortune selling equipment and services to Saddam Hussein while head of Halliburton; and now he wants to destroy his former customer?
January 25, 2003
Edward Said
A call to YOU, the Silent Majority, by Edward Said. Read it and get angry.
Clinton for President; Homeland Security Without the $upport
Clinton is the hands-down choice for Democratic nominee for President for 2004. Hillary, that is. HERE is her speech on Homeland Security and how Bush has yet to give a dime to any states to assist in the task of enhancing response, to terrorists, by Firefighters, Police, etc.
More Oil
In case your "Info on Iraq" dipstick doesn't show "full" yet, here's another article on War in Iraq for Oil.
January 24, 2003
Health Insurance for Everyone = 1/2 the Cost of Bush's Tax Cuts
THIS article gives an overview of a couple of proposals ( HERE and HERE) for insuring every American's health, brought to the forefront by President Clinton's speech yesterday ( full text), and why Bush's plan won't work (unless you're rich, of course).
The Plan
Okay, so we've invaded Iraq and ousted Saddam. Now what? THIS is your government's current plan.
More on S.F. Rally
HERE is a short recount by one of the marchers last Saturday. Also see below for my earlier post about the march/rally.
Pretzel Administration
Robert Kuttner justifies his contention that the Bush administration has changed its policies toward North Korea so many times that it has twisted itself into a pretzel. Just add salt.
January 23, 2003
Don't Like It? Then You Fix It.
France and Germany are raising their voices this week against Bush's Iraq intentions. Problem: they offer no solutions of their own. Also, a concise editorial in USA Today on why we need to give the inspectors more time.
International Youth Service: Peace Corps for the graduate?
Ted Rall's latest column proposes an International Youth Service that sounds like the best idea in decades.
Two more Bush Gaffes
The S.E.C. is once again caving in to the powerful accounting industry; the implementation of the law passed by Congress last year delineating the separation between consulting and auditing is apparently on hold once again. Bush has appointed an anti-gay, who has characterized AIDS as the 'gay Plague", to the Presidential Advisory Commission on HIV and AIDS. UPDATE: The appointee, Jerry Thacker, has since withdrawn his name from consideration.
January 22, 2003
War Essay
HERE is an intelligent review on why we are going to war against Iraq. If you read only one reference on this site, I recommend this one.
January 21, 2003
About that Alien in the Next Cubicle...
Time for some humor. Here's Ten Ways to Tell if Your Co-Worker Is an Extraterrestrial.
Anti-War TV Ad
Here is an anti-war TV ad that started airing last week. See upper left corner of page. For you folks old enough to remember, yes, "the original "Daisy" TV ad was produced by Lyndon Johnson's presidential campaign against Barry Goldwater in 1964. The ad implied that if Goldwater were elected he might take the United States into nuclear war. It ran only once." Speaking of nuclear war, THIS is scary.
$50 Pizza
The Washington Post discusses the new move last week by the Republican Congress that significantly relaxed ethics rules for themselves and staff (see also HERE). What happened to Bush's pledge to bring ethics and morals back into the federal government?
January 20, 2003
The People Will Bypass the Democratic Party
As the public gears up to confront Bush and his policies, Bush's approval rating continues its skid. And as long as the Democratic Party in Washington continues with its relentless subservience to (and the pursuit of non-confrontation of) Bush, the people will continue to take it to the streets. But Bush is not letting up, as seen in his recent action to overturn racial preference-based admissions at the University of Michigan. And just to add salt to the wound, he does this on the weekend celebrating the anti-racist Martin Luther King Jr. HERE is an intelligent discussion of the need for affirmative action programs. Also check out the related posts above it.
Let's Remember the Confederacy
Let's not ignore Georgia's current attempt at resurrecting the symbol of the era of human bondage, the Confederate flag. And this article gives three reasons why "southerners should junk Confederate symbolism in their official emblems".
200,000 at S.F. Peace March and Rally
As a participant in the San Francisco peace march and rally last Saturday (1/18/03) I must tell you that the size of the crowd was grossly underestimated by the major media (who claimed "10's of thousands"). I have never seen in person so many people in one location and I have to agree with the independent estimates and calculations HERE. The issue of crowd size is important, especially when sending a message to government. Two hundred thousand people (best estimate) is something to which Bush better start paying attention. HERE are some photos; check out the photo of Market Street to get a feel for the sea of humanity that came - the street from the waterfront to the Civic Center was solid marchers - just incredible, considering the dearth of pre-march media coverage. "Even as protesters filled the Civic Center, thousands more hadn't even left the waterfront." HERE is a summary of the day's events. In another point-of-view, HERE's a review of A.N.S.W.E.R.'s job of organizing these rallies.
Thanks for Visiting
I started this blog exactly one month ago. Although only a few handfuls of people read it, I'm hoping the site is useful enough to encourage those people to spread the word about it and to use the links that I have posted, both the permanent ones to the left (no pun intended) and those highlighted within the posts. The "blogosphere", as this form of internet media is called, is a new grassroots vehicle which should have a significant effect on current and future events in the world; it already was primarily responsible for bringing to light the information about the Trent Lott speech which ultimately led to his political downfall. I would appreciate feedback from any readers, specifically regarding what they like or don't like on this site, plus any subjects that they think I should be mentioning. You can even just e-mail me and say "hi", so that I know someone is actually reading this. The "e-mail me" link is on the left side. I intend for this site to be not about my opinions, but rather a place for free-thinking individuals to periodically visit while surfing and learn some background info on current events. Thanks.
January 19, 2003
I could not have said this any better (nor nearly as well, actually). And check out the father-daughter conversation at the bottom.
January 18, 2003
Peacekeeper Force
What would happen if we threw away our $660 billion per year military budget and replaced it with a $10 billion peacekeeper force of 10,000 troups?
January 17, 2003
This is all Bush's fault. He and Cheney screwed California during the energy "shortage" two summers ago and has yet to offer any aid to the state.
Media and My First Recommendation
The news media have already started their competition for the news blitz of Gulf War II. Most of the info that is and will be available on these networks will consist mostly of highly sanitized output from the military press corps, just like during every other military action of the past 50 years. And now, it's time for... MIKE RECOMMENDS Yes, this is the first of my incessantly demanded and highly anticipated recommendations. Instead of switching to the Eleven O'Clock Eyewitness Pseudo News each evening, how about The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In spite of the overlying scathing humor, you will get more real info on world events in one evening of watching this show that in an entire month of watching your local affiliate's news program. Plus, as my wife will attest, the theme music is kick-ass.
January 16, 2003
Sign Here
If you want to add your name to MoveOn.org's 200,000 signature petition (to let the inspectors do their job) intended for Bush, Secretary of State Powell and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, then go to this site and add your name and address. Thanks, Lisa, for this info. And, don't forget the rally this weekend in San Francisco - again here's the info you'll need. Representatives from over 50 Unions will also be marching.
Invade Iraq to Stop North Korea
This "news report" ALMOST sounds real.
Internment; Remember King; Racial Profiling
Distinguished journalist David Neiwert describes the pitfalls and fallacies of Muslim-American registration and internment using Japanese internment as an example. Follow the first link you encounter to read a more lively discussion of registration and internment of legal immigrants. In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., here is a speech he gave 36 years ago about our involvement in Vietnam. Nearly everything he said applies to today's situation with Iraq. The evidence for racial profiling continues to grow (in spite of eloquent attemps at denial), as evidenced here and here.
January 15, 2003
The Arrowhead President
Bush's approval rating is finally coming down to earth. The scary thing is he may go ahead and allow another 9-11 type of event in order to prop up his numbers for another year or two. (Notice the shape of the graph.)
Cheney Report Card
When Bush attained his office the saying was that Cheney would end up being the "real" President. How has he fared the past two years? Joshua Marshall give an insightful summary.
The Prius-Conservative Connection
Well, I never figured I'd agree with a staunch Conservative (Grover Norquist) about anything, but here we have his Americans for Tax Reform commending manufacturers of hybrid cars. Of course, ATR's reason for their support (easing of CAFÉ standards), and my reasons for recently purchasing one (a Toyota Prius - need I say more?) are totally different. Plus their assertions that hybrid cars are more expensive and less safe are unfounded.
January 14, 2003
Parenti Explains
Michael Parenti gives a good, easy-to understand explanation, with historical background, of why we ended up where we are today: on the verge of committing one of the largest and most dangerous atrocities in history. Jason, thanks for the link.
Nonviolence
David McReynolds' extensive essay on The Philosophy of Nonviolence, although a few years old, has nothing in it that doesn't apply to today's impending catastrophe in Iraq. Here is an exerpt: "There is always about nonviolence the need to see ourselves in those we hate. In 1951 I took my first trip to Europe, to a pacifist conference in Denmark. I traveled through Germany to get there and saw the destruction left by the war. In Hamburg whole blocks in the center of the city had been leveled, the gravel neatly swept so no trace of buildings remained. ( I thought "how strange that in the center of such old cities there are vacant lots" - and then I realized they had once been filled with buildings). At first all my views were traditional - that this destruction had been caused by the righteous struggle between the Nazis and the West. Then, in Bremen, the damage was more overwhelming, not yet tidy. A church, broken by bombs, its roof gone, a tree growing in its very center among what had been the pews. I remembered in High School my intense interest in current events. The headlines have never left my mind: ONE THOUSAND BOMBERS MAKE HAMBURGER OF HAMBURG and SIX HUNDRED BOMBERS BLAST BREMEN (in the Bremen attack 60 bombers were lost to anti-aircraft fire). I had rejoiced reading those headlines, sitting in High School, my father in the Army Air Force in India.
"And now I was here, in Bremen, in the ruins which so recently I had rejoiced to read of. In one of two genuine religious experiences in my life I suddenly realized that I was a bomber of Bremen, that nothing the civilians there had done justified the horror of the fire and blast so randomly scattered on their homes . . . that their killing of the Jews could not be undone or made right by our killing of the Germans. It is when we realize that we can will the act of murder, that we at last can begin to choose the alternative. So long as we think we are exempt, that we could never have been a death camp guard, we have not yet begun our journey." The entire essay is here. And here is an exerpt from a sample letter recommended by the RMPJC. It is simple and straightforward: "Over the last 40 years, the United States has bombed Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Grenada, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, and Yugoslavia. We have killed literally millions of human beings in small impoverished third world countries who were no threat to us. Not one of those people ever came over here and bombed us. If we want terrorism to stop, we must stop practicing terrorism ourselves."
January 13, 2003
San Francisco, January 18, 2003
Here is the information you need if you are considering joining the massive peace rally in San Francisco next Weekend (January 18, 2003). I'll be there with my wife and youngest child. Hope to see you there!
Just One
I don't know how many people read this blog. I'll be amazed if it reaches double digits any time soon. However, if I can get even one person to be affected enough to start thinking and asking questions about the current state of affairs, then I will consider all this work worth it.
White Flag and Humor
For those of you who are hoping that Saddam will just step out and wave a white flag as soon as the first US troop sets foot in Iraq, you might want to read this. And here's some bitter humor to tide you over until the next batch of bad news arrives.
January 12, 2003
Media Wake-up
Here's hoping that the peace rally and march yesterday in Los Angeles is the one that finally gets the anti-war movement rolling in the press. There was significant coverage on the usually oblivious local 11:00 news and front-page coverage in the local papers. Has the media reached the breaking point, realizing that Bush is totally out of control and endangering the lives of millions of Americans (with his domestic policy gaffes) and tens of millions of Mideast civilians (through intimidation)?
January 11, 2003
Santa's Bones
Don't let the children find out that Santa Claus is dead and buried in Italy.
January 10, 2003
RAHOWA - RAcists HOpe WAshington (continues its white race policies)
Jake Sexton may have been too shy to link to this web site, but I guess I'm not as modest. Although this end of the opinion spectrum is revolting, nauseating and more disgusting than the smelliest pile of excrement, it is still fascinating that we live in a society that, by nature, tolerates such extreme sentiments. Plus, we should at least be aware of what's out there.
Oil Be Seeing You Shortly
So you still don't think that oil is Bush's only reason for invading and pillaging Iraq? Check this out.
Standardized Testing Revisited
I previously commented briefly on standardized testing in schools, and included this insightful opinion with additional comments here. One of my children will be taking such tests in just a few weeks, the results of which will have a profound impact on his future via his qualifications for admission into a highly reputable high school that bases its admission requirements SOLELY on test results. The National Center for Fair & Open Testing thoroughly examines the value, validity and consequences of standardized tests and their information should be required reading of any parent of a school-aged kid. Judge for yourself.
Iraqic Dreams
A previously confidential United Nations document detailing the likely humanitarian scenarios following Bush's invasion of Iraq is sobering enough that it should be mandatory bedtime reading for all Republican war-mongers. One would hope it would give them nightmares, but, you never know, it may make them horny.
Forget 9-11 --- We Must Invade Aspirin Producers!
Sometimes it helps to put things in perspective. Each year ( as Worldwatch points out) more than twice the number of Americans die from taking "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin" than died in the 9-11 attack. I imagine that the aspirin industry gave more in campaign contributions to the Republicans than did the al Qaeda, thus Bush's reluctance to put certain pharmaceutical CEO's into Cuban detention camps.
January 9, 2003
No Cuts, No Butts, No Coconuts
It's really as simple as breathing: To stimulate the economy we need to create more jobs, not cut taxes. But I like Professor Bosch's idea the best. Okay, if you insist on cutting taxes, cut them for poor people who will take the savings and immediately spend it on necessities, thus stimulating the economy. The wealthy just squirrel away any additional income anyway, since they've already bought everything they want.
January 7, 2003
More $ for Those With Most of the $
Bush continues to steamroll over the poor and middle classes with his latest tax cut proposal for the wealthy Americans. William Saletan explains in Slate that, although this latest tax cut would eliminate taxes on corporate dividends (thus helping elderly people who rely on stock dividends to supplement their retirement income, as touted by Bush et al), what the Republicans fail to point out (of course) is that "Nearly three-quarters of the benefits that would go to the elderly would flow to the 19 percent of elderly with incomes above $75,000". Also, the top 20% income group (average income of $103,000 and above) will receive 77.3% of the tax savings from this tax plan. Although David Mayer blindly feels that the rich are all so deserving of any tax cuts, I do agree with his proposal of replacing income tax with consumption tax (as long as we don't tax essentials: food, shelter, education, etc.).
Free Money - Really!
If you've purchased at least 3 CD's between 1995 and 2000, claim your (up to) $20. I'm going to donate mine to Save Farscape.
January 6, 2003
No News is Good(?) News
The Bush Administration is no longer going to report the monthly stats on mass layoffs. The reports were reinstated during the Clinton Administration after they were stopped during the previous recession of the first Bush Administration.
Get a Grope
Jillette Penn (of Penn & Teller fame) gives a frank and entertaining account of being groped by federal security at the airport and the response when he called the local cops. Will the local police really stand up to the feds under such circumstances? Have others had similar experiences?
Well the weight of the world is FALLING
And on my back I've been CRAWLING
The state of affairs is APPALLING
And the 6 o'clock news keeps CALLING
Well I've been trying to see the world through their eyes
Where black is white and day is night
Left is Right
Left is Right
Left is Right, For me
Well negotiations keep STALLING
The United Nations keeps CALLING
The Skeletons you're HAULING
Won't hold when you're FALLING
Put your head in the sand and you'll never know
What's waiting for you in the depths below (below)
Don't believe everything that you read
Take what you want and keep what you need
TWISTED NIXON
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CHICK HEARN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE MEMORIES.
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