You suppose the price of oil is high so that the Saudi's can bring it low again just prior to elections?
Posted by gtash at October 19, 2007 08:30 AMgtash why would you have a thought like that?
Posted by JohnT at October 19, 2007 08:36 AM"the San Jose police department would never, ever condone it". That, Paradox, is precisely what Blackwater is for. A private army now being trained in Iraq to "handle" civilian unrest and uprisings under the command of civilian governmental departments. And don't think for a minute that isn't swirling around some peoples head. I don't see it, but then I never thought I'd see the Geneva conventions tossed aside by the American government, either. As a matter of fact, I never thought I'd see virtually any of the things the Bush Admin has done.
Posted by T2 at October 19, 2007 08:40 AMThank you, Jeff, I appreciate it.
Posted by paradox at October 19, 2007 08:47 AMWow! Another very sobering and on-the-mark assessment of where we are right now in this country. Huge swaths of the country, though, still don't realize how far down the road we have gone and how close we are to a major catastrophe here. So much of the country has been so inured to the insanity that they cannot comprehend that this situation is so out of hand.
That is what scares me. I don't have to stretch my imagination very far to visualize the cheering and endorsement of shooting and beating people in the streets and the firebombing of their homes. And the reason is that all we lack are the actual events. The cheerleading is going on every day right now on right-wing radio and television, and also in the heart of those areas which make up the core of Bush's 24% approval.
It is very hard not to be discouraged at what the future holds, especially for those of us who are, in their eyes, "un-American".
Posted by Mike at October 19, 2007 09:16 AMBlackwater drew arms against our own soldiers - not a word anywhere in the MSM. When I mention some of the things I read on more liberal websites, people look at me as though I'm just dreaming it up. If it's not on cable news, it just never happened. How can the news shows, who always profess to support the troops, not cover something so outrageous?
Posted by Dianne at October 19, 2007 09:18 AMDianne, what if I were to tell you that the news shows are run by Corporations vested in keeping the truth from us and spreading disinformation or no information at all that would alert the general population on the real situation our country faces? Would you think I'm dreaming it up?
Posted by T2 at October 19, 2007 09:30 AMHere, Diane, is why people look at you like you just dreamed it up.
"We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality--judiciously, as you will--we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors...and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."
For those who didn't like it, another Bush adviser explained, "Let me clue you in. We don't care. You see, you're outnumbered two to one by folks in the big, wide middle of America, busy working people who don't read the New York Times or Washington Post or the LA Times."
They are shameless and know that the people are easily fooled.
Posted by Mike at October 19, 2007 09:45 AMMike: "They are shameless and know that the people are easily fooled."
Easily fooled by the korporate media who have propped Bush up since well before the 2000 election. So I totally agree with T2. Don't expect the truth from the korporate media.
Posted by Gay Veteran at October 19, 2007 09:57 AM"The US arms industry is backing Hillary Clinton for President and has all but abandoned its traditional allies in the Republican party. Mrs Clinton has also emerged as Wall Street's favourite. Investment bankers have opened their wallets in unprecedented numbers for the New York senator over the past three months and, in the process, dumped their earlier favourite, Barack Obama."
"An analysis of campaign contributions shows senior defence industry employees are pouring money into her war chest in the belief that their generosity will be repaid many times over with future defence contracts."
Clinton bucks the trend and rakes in cash from the US weapons industry
by Leonard Doyle in Washington, The Independent, 19 Oct 2007
Clinton bucks the trend and rakes in cash from the US weapons industry
Israel lobby? Check.
Arms industry? Check.
Investment banking? Check.
Trust Clinton to end business as usual and restore honor and integrity to the Oval Office.
All options on the table? Check.
Lt. Chelsea? Uh...uh...uh..
para, nobody nails it in your uniquely succinct, appalled, and infuriated way. thank you for continually expressing so well exactly how I feel.
Posted by Sharkbabe at October 19, 2007 11:19 AMThe corporate NYTimes prints your MoveOn page then loses 24% in value. It does your bidding and loses value. Tell you anything about your point of view. Prop it up, buy NYTimes stock, there's a lot out there right now. Then you can determine it's editorial stances. It would be money poorly spent, but, feel free to go for it. You've blown your hard earned money on so many other losers.
Dan Rather "suit", what a has been. Great reporter for an awfully long time, admirable until he launched this POS against CBS. Worked four years on the story and he's only the news reader. They forced him to do the story.
Attack and bully, seems that's all you do around here. Y'all are not naive here. Democrats as victims and enablers, come on you're smarter than that. You call our president the 'chimp in chief' or other disparaging terms. You question his smarts, his education. He has this lowly 24% approval right now, yet he continues to be relivant. Dumb people aren't this capable. Your bullying techniques have seemingly backfired.
There were over 122 million people casting their votes in the 2004 election. 62 million people freely cast their informed vote for this president. Seems you're the bullies when you don't get your way. The 2006 vote(51.5 million) put more Democrats than Republicans in office and swung the leadership over the Democrats. Y'all thought it meant one thing when it really meant another. No mandate for Iraq, just for ridding DC of corruption. Many of our were sent packing, maybe a few more will go next year. Where are y'alls corrupt Congressman, still there.
Unemployement rate of 4.7%, yet there's still jobs going wanting. Jobs are available, people aren't willing. That reform President Clinton signed for welfare did wonders, still too many people are looking to government when jobs are there to be had. We've come a long way with healthcare. In 1960, fewer than 25% of Americans had health care coverage, now we're over 75% insured. Still not the best, but we've come a long way.
Poverty at $16,000 to $23,000 incomes, wow what a high number in incomes. Many today have that colored TV, maybe two. Washer and dryer, dishwasher, some VCR's or DVD players today. AC and central heat, another nice progress. How far we've come. Still the one place many in the world wish to copy. The destination place for so many families, America. People are coming here in greater numbers than the 60's. They're willing to come here undocumented, this place is so desired.
Paradox, you're a great person, a great American, your heart is in the right place. Your vision needs to come over to the positive side of life. Maybe it's a California thing. What did Oprah council on yesterday's show, move out of California and save 10% on your cost of living immediately. Life is worth living, living in America is a blessing. We're so fortunate to be able to share our lifestyles with so many. And we do share it. Even Republicans.
What did Bill Gates say yesterday...
"At the forum in Seattle, Melinda and I called on the U.S. presidential candidates to commit to expand the President’s Malaria Initiative, a great program started by President Bush. I hope you will join us in asking all of the candidates to make this pledge and keep the fight against malaria on the national agenda.
I am confident that together, we can produce the energy, compassion, and commitment needed to win the fight against malaria."
HIV/Aids money's going to Africa for the first time. Stem cell research being funded by the federal government for the first time.
We've got a lot of work to do still. Together, we can do it. Together, Democrats and Republicans can do it. We, Americans together can win the fight.
Peter, you are so ignorant, it's almost funny. If you think that the Shrub has anything to do with decisions made by Cheney, you really need help. Actually, reading your bile on a more or less daily basis, there is no question that you need help. Wake up, Cheney runs the nightmare, the Shrub is simply a puppet. Pickles gets more respect.
Posted by tempus at October 19, 2007 03:11 PMT2,
The USG has already used Blackwater against its own citizens. They had Blackwater in the streets of New Orleans post Katrina. Remember that?
Posted by Melanie at October 19, 2007 03:53 PMparadox,
Step away from the ledge. Everything will be ok.
Posted by Bagley at October 19, 2007 04:14 PMBags, you might as well fuck off too, although you and your fellow trolls don't seem to understand what that means.
Posted by tempus at October 19, 2007 05:59 PMExcellent analysis, Paradox. We are moving down the slippery slope and it's sometimes hard to see how we don't end up in a hard, nasty crash.
Posted by Mary at October 19, 2007 08:03 PMpoor pants-pissing peter and bagless bagley (assuming they're not the same troll): things are going sooooooo great that the overwhelming majority of Americans think the country is on the WRONG track. The American people have MOVED ON from right-wing corruption and incompetence.
Posted by gay veteran at October 20, 2007 09:33 AM