I've been TRYING to practice brevity in my articles, knowing that most of us lead busy lives and may tend toward a short attention span -- and who's to say that longer is better anyway? Listing all the letters that begin, shall we say with the letter "Z", is not perhaps as easy as it sounds or looks at first glance and can be rather fun.
I personally love to digress a bit, as in brain storm -- or just noodle -- or play the contrarian, and don't mind if others do the same. A tangent or two here and there is not unlike "the road less traveled" and very often much more interesting.
So what am I getting to here? Well, I flipped on the news and there was Mr. Bush saying that the most recent war spending bill, which sets certain time limits, is basically "an invitation for the terrorists to mark their calendars." His visage tended toward the classic, uniquely Bushesque, smirkish, piqued side. Perhaps there was just a slight twitch that enhanced that certain not quite describable special look with which we have become familiar, at least if you are a fan of Jon Stewart's which I am, though not slavishly so. I try to branch out and make myself watch Bill O'Reilly or that sweety pie, Glen Beck, once in awhile, because on some level it must be good for me.
Following the president's remarks [with a hand over one eye] I watched Tony Blair's equally Blairesque pronouncements and listened to the leading Candidates' responses, which you will see and hear quite enough of should you watch the news at all -- and if you don't, your imagination and common sense will probably suffice just as well. House Speaker Pelosi says, "calm down with the threats -- there's a different congress now" which doesn't make me feel particularly better.
What do you think? ARE THE TERRORISTS MARKING THEIR CALENDARS, and should we be marking ours as to how long before troubled waters in Iran and Iraq are sufficiently heated up to come to a full boil?
NOTE TO READERS: I do not feel in the least compelled to be "fair and balanced" or unbiased since I do not work or write for Fox, CNN, the Washington Post, or any other media outlet; nor do I write for points at 'gather.' As those who know me at all--know--I can be quite opinionated. So, have your say!
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 50
We all know those terrorists in Iraq are just waiting patiently, biding their time until the US withdraws, and then they're really gonna start some trouble. It's very peaceful over there right now, and if we pull out, all hell is gonna break loose.
Who does he think he's kidding?!
[Thanks, I knew that you and Budi, would come up with some 'Zzzz's and SPEAK OUT -- nice to hear from you]. I agree that a terrorist attack of some kind or another is probably inevitable; the question is will we be more or less prepared [better than Katrina, say]; and hopefully all will calm down and keep waters calm in the gulf. The last part of your last sentence says it all: " as long as we sit on our ass and expect someone else to speak up."
Becca, Thanks for commenting. Don't know you well enough to know the subtones, and I very often get myself in trouble for making assumtions, but I'll go with "how peaceful it is over there" -- NOT. CNN's Baghdad reporter says that McCain's take on how well things are going is not true. [And you now how the media tend to like to soup or hype it up if at all possible.]
I don't want to stay forever -- I'd like to get out as soon as practicably possible and let the chips fall, probably to Iran, and work diplomatically--and diligently--on getting practical agreements in place about nuclear enrichment -- and not just with Iran.
But I'm pretty sure some in the Pentagon, and those who have visions of empire forever, would like to be there forever.
Each and everyone of them had a deadline tied to making things happen or getting things done...and believe me, many many times someone would always say - it ain't gonna work...you need more time or more people or more funds....or,or, or,...
My approach to this is: The people who can't seem to make a decision, can't get the troops over there trained faster, or just plain leadership knows, that with a deadline the freedom is either gonna be there or its not......they have got to and will need to take over and take charge and they had better move fast...
I do not see this as the "terrorists will mark their calendars"....because of the mess Mr. Bush and his cronies have gotten us into, they will ALWAYS be there now...a concern we will ALWAYS have to deal with and will not go away....no matter what the date....
And then when they get back have a show and tell for us ... That would be start of getting us to trust them ... show us !
I am pretty sure that if they can gather a large enough group of "like thinkers" together for the trip that within a short amount of time the real problem in this will be solved.
I will even chip in for travel expenses (one way of course) for some I know of to entice their participation. Have a nice trip. :-)
Thanks for the dose of reality -- yes terrorism can happen anywhere and certain conditions allow it to flourish. Preserving our own liberty and living conditions are a deterrent to terrorism. We need to get real, get a real foreign policy, and clean up our own mess here at home. Let's talk education, since No Child Left Behind is way behind.
If the Iranians want to take over and reconstruct what is left [after Halliburton sets up shop in Dubai] let them have it and let Halliburton pay for it with all the tax dollars they fraudulently took from us. Preferably they all go to jail, but probably small chance of that.
That was indeed sarcasm - I know it doesn't really translate well to the computer screen.
And yes - there is no reason why he has been in office a second term now and the No Child Left Behind - is another lie he sold us.....and one other thing is certain...we have joined the ranks of other countries who deal with terrorism on a daily basis...it is now a way of life for us.....so we might as well accept it and move on.
One way trip. That's good, and we could even let them write it off without having to grovel and sneak around with guys like Abramof, or other crooks. Glen Beck gets to be head cheer leader, as in out front, for saying in a twisted way that was supposed to be funny that we really need another 9/11 to wake people up! [I'll bet tourists will just flock there.]
I'll definitely contribute to the travel kitty.
This is an aside, but it's on my CSPAN channel right now -- didn't TiVO it earlier in the day. The following got a standing ovation:
"We need a president who will be bold and practical and we need a president who really believes in building America and who will invest the resources and capital to make that happen again. We're going to end this administration's practice of harrassing and beauracriticizing labor organizations, amaking them run and jump through endless hoops. . .I am sponsoring legislation to make contractor payroll records available so we'll know who's [skirting] the laws and we'll give the laws teeth.
We need immigration reform that includes harsh penalties for emloyers who skirt our laws and employ undocumented workers [think Katrina here and David Bacon.] We absolutely cannot accept any new guest worker programs without strongest possible labor protection and no exceptions whatsoever and it's also past time that we take a strong stance on misclassifying workers as independent workers, another way employers exploit undocumented workers.
Global Warming [can be a win win -- we need 21lst century jobs for the 21st century, so need bold leadership. The "Dubai" word got a big response -- boo's.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
It all sounds good, but how will things "really" change -- how will the strings from the insurance companies, the new big oil, new big auto, pharmaceuticals and other special interests be MANAGED or at least rearranged.
It's my earnest conviction that the unions are interested in a bigger slice of the existing pie -- rather than having objections or reservations or questions about WHAT KIND OF PIE are we all so lobsidedly sharing.
Good point. We have to be strong and prepared within in ourselves, whether the threat is another Katrina or a terrorist attack or the dire effects of poor education and the poverty and social deterioration that goes with that.
We don't have to roll over for the military and a screwed up government whose priorities are everywhere but here, in order to have jobs and lead productive and meaningful lives. We can do it and spread it around too, without guns.
Tony Blair insists that the 15 sailors and marines were in IRAQI waters. But Iran insists that the readings they took from GSP devices that were actually on the boats show they were in IRANIAN waters. World oil prices spiked. Condi says we'll go with what the British say.
Maybe Tony should shut his mouth and get used to the fact that they don't own the Gulf. We've reaped enough tragedy from his political dalliance with George.
I bet they 'wish' too. One can hope that BushCo are having to face some facts. I think that troop surge was to mark time until the oil deals are done, then get out and say 'we won' and in spite of the dems. It is all such an evil waste. Nor, will I forget that John Boehner said that a vote for a democrat is a vote for a terrorist. Methinks that a lot of independents are just waiting to flex their muscle.
Nice to hear from you. I'll return the call -- been stuck in a rut -- and doing a lot of reading.
A politician lives by the calendar and evening News. A smart Republican would call for the Impeachment of Bush, to Purge the Bad from the Republican Party before the 2008 election, thus saving many years of gathering lost confidence from the American people, who see the Republican Corporation as stink on a stick.
The terrorist will be in Iraq whether we stay 1 more day or 10 more years in Iraq. Defining the terrorist? An asset to some politicians, especially those that sell fear.
The Iraq people that have not fled the country will have to deal with the terrorist their country right? Of course if we stay 10 more years, we'll guarantee the oil comes our way. And keep the Saudis and their oil safe, too. What do we fight for? Lots of things are on the calendar, depends on who's calendar? Good article, thanks.
When you seem to glean all of the "informaton" you require from perceived facial tics and distortions, I find little wonder in the fact you refuse to engage in the charade of "fair and balanced."
*chortle*
Thanks. Will wonders never cease. Tics are everything. You'll like my next article, although it's not as fun as some of the others -- were.
Good points. Also, we funded and trained the 'freedom fighters' [bin laden, et al] to get the Russians out of Afghanistan, now we're upset because they turned into 'terrorists' in Iraq. Such an evil chess game.
What is the mission in Iraq? Is it to kill every last insurgent?
No. It is to facilitate a political compromise so that the Iraqi's can take charge of and secure their own country.
What is the stated purpose of the "surge"? Isn't it to create a more secure situation so that the Iraqi's can do whatever is necessary to reconclile and take responsibility? In order to do so, they need the violence to cease for a length of time.
Now -- what is the rhetorical line of Sean Hannity and co.? That "the enemy" will "lay back and wait us out".
So.... what's the problem? If they "lay back" and "wait us out," then that means the Iraqi's can use that time to do whatever they need to in order for us to get the hell out!
And guess what? While they're "laying back" and "waiting us out," OUR TROOPS WON'T BE GETTING SHOT AT!!!
Also, a benchmarks would hopefully put a fire under the ass of the Iraqi politicians to get the ball rolling if they actually want us to stay.
But of course, I don't really think that Bush is concerned with helping Iraq become independent. He clearly intends to keep permanent military bases in Iraq. As long as there is instability in Iraq, Iraq's oil stay's largely off the market, thus gas prices stay up where Bush's Big Oil cronies want them. And instability in Iraq translates into uncertainty in the region, which will ultimately facilitate the ultimate goal -- US led "regime change" in Iran.
Buckle up, folks. Things are going to get real ugly once the bombs and cruise missiles start falling in Tehran. And judging by the manner in which the Fox Noise Channel is pushing the agenda, I would say it's near definite at this point.
Here we go. Deja Vu, all over again.
And I predict gas goes to $6/gal before our lovely congress can say 2008! In the meantime, we'll have lots of nice investigations and get to watch the lions eat the christians and vice versa on the House and Senate floor.
I've been writing my new article -- not quite done yet. Gather Wars Blowback. It'll blow you socks of and give you something to think about, for a Sunday. Tell me what you think when it pops up: GATHER WARS BLOWBACK.
Check once in every so often, as I don't always announce it when I feature them.
I am glad to see your writing opinionated articles again. I would be extremely dissapointed if you didn't. I give you a big 10 - Now that the procedural matter is out of the way. I recently saw a show last friday on Comedy central called - 'Axis of Evil' this is a show by 2nd generation middle eastern comics from Palestine, Iran and a Jordan. It was hillarious and I could not contain myself laughing at all the irony.
Bush is a lame duck so is his poodle Tony Blair. It is really funny to see these guys with puffed chest trying to influence the matter anymore. The middle east will be a caotic mess until the end of times.
Yes, we really must get over our provincialism, or at the very least aspire to not be so ignorant -- and proud of it! I notice that Blair is huffing and puffing about 'negotiations' now; though ABC is still concocting centrifuge clouds. Do you suppose that while Nancy Pelosi was in the neighborhood she may have slapped Olmert upside the head, gently scolded him, or gave him some more of our tax dollars, or all three. Actually Olmert's ratings are even worse than Bush's and a sudden flash of "peace" might look pretty good to him right now -- speaking of legacies and lame ducks. I think of the three of them, Olmert may actually 'care' about leaving a sane rational legacy behind him, though it's probably too late for him personally.
I woke up this morning thinking of all the women and children and innocent men and men caught between a rock and a hard place who have died because of their theiving and murderous buffoonery.
While we're being ignorant and adoring of our dear leaders there are more than a few out there plotting revenge -- and when it comes, the ignorant, thieving, murdering, calculating buffoons will blame it on the lefty liberals and the invading immigrants and anyone at all who happens to see through their calculated lies.
Btw, I always thought that Blair was the fox, not the poodle. What does a fox do but get the other guy to go 'vroooom vrooom.' Tony Blair will probably manage to create a legacy for himself as the consumate statesmanlike, forward thinking, leader who allowed himself to go off an a slight tangent with GWB. Think also Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. Who put a neocon version of social security in place [which turned into a disaster] which Reagan and GWB slobber over? Thatcher. Who perfected the art of surveillance and rendition and 'certain methods of interrogation' and open-ended stays in places like GITMO -- the Brits [think Ireland and other places].
Thank you Bush, Blair and your cronies in the middle east for creating the great Sunni-Shia divide where there really wasn't one. It's a 'convenient' divide for mainting control.
Some of this to me looks like a big fight within a large family that got stoked by some other evil relatives. Our soldiers have no business being in the cross fire over there. My heart aches for them to come back. With this war on terror Bush and gang may have started a whole generation of hatred that will feed on the misery it creates.
You may be right about Blair. The Brits are a survailance society and Blair may have had a hand in GWB creating the Homeland security department. The news is too depressing to watch - it makes me get all stressed out.
No, we should't be there. I have to 'make' myself watch the news -- seen one chanel you've seen it all -- but I browse through.
You're right -- it's time to go fly some kites [though I don't do that anymore; mysteries or other light reading helps.] Or, gardening!
No, but I'd do it here if I had to [been there and done that on other fronts]. Maybe you can fix your medical condition and go to Africa? Africomm! All new and shiny with secret prisons -- torture and everything -- for all the al Q they're hunting down [and while they're at it: terrorists, extremists, anyone who gets in the way]. Talk about conspiracy. Why are you neoliberal righties so blood thirsty?
Douglas Smith,
You forgot the "extreme secularists" -- I think that's the word they used for the sunni insurgents we hoped would win the election -- remember all those purple fingers. Poor things, those civilians, went and voted like the shiite clerics told them to do, expected democracy [who knows what they thought that meant] and got caught in civil war cross fire instead. Wonder how many of them and how many on the other side[s] got out -- or just didn't make it and are gone now. How many of them are plotting revenge?
Mr. Bush used the term "extreme secularists" in one of his speeches. I think we would all be quite shocked if we knew how many groups there are and how involved we are with them. War is hell, but covert war is even more hellish and especially for those who might get caught in the middle. We have a long history in that regard.
I think the American general is correct. The Shia had a long time to contemplate what it would be like if they ever got out from under. I agree, we should let them have at it; they will anyway. All the security sweeps in Baghdad are just displacing the violence to other areas; isn't that what happened in Falluja? Cleaned it up partly, left and then they all came back. Lessons never seem to get learned. But, what do we stupid civilians know -- we just pay the taxes. Well, some of us do.