Politics

Politics

The Federal Government, Katrina, and Citizens

I blog hopped today reading blogs that mentioned Katrina. Here is my take:

  • The United States Government – Zero help just follow the money stuff. No help really just excuses and bull.
  • Organized Religious Groups – Numerous groups helping where help is needed. Yah!
  • Other Organized Groups – Lot’s of folks out there still donating money and supplies, clearing up rubbish, and most important letting folks know that they are not forgotten or in it alone.

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Many of the sites and blogs refer to the New Orleans area. A few mention Mississippi. Still trying

to figure out why that is. I did notice while there that many of the groups were concentrating their efforts in New Orleans areas. The hardest hit area we hear. Well, could have fooled me, I saw lots of damage in Mississippi. Neighboors were out helping each other but there did not (at least that I might notice) seem to be near as much help from outside.thumb

I have an idea why this is but until I have statistical proof or proof otherwise I will keep my opinions to myself.

I would like to hear from those of you who read this blog on your politcal take on this. Why is the area still a mess and why are many of the working people still going it alone while trying to gather their homes back from piles of rubbish?

Scrutinizing the Source

While perusing the web this morning, I came across an article that puts forth the premise that the present administration’s goal in Iraq has been met. That Bush and Chenney wanted less of Iraq’s oil not more.

And what did the USA want Iraq to do with Iraq’s oil? The answer will surprise many of you: and it is uglier, more twisted, devilish and devious than anything imagined by the most conspiracy-addicted blogger. The answer can be found in a 323-page plan for Iraq’s oil secretly drafted by the State Department. Our team got a hold of a copy; how, doesn’t matter. The key thing is what’s inside this thick Bush diktat: a directive to Iraqis to maintain a state oil company that will “enhance its relationship with OPEC.”

Enhance its relationship with OPEC??? How strange: the government of the United States ordering Iraq to support the very OPEC oil cartel which is strangling our nation with outrageously high prices for crude.

Specifically, the system ordered up by the Bush cabal would keep a lid on Iraq’s oil production — limiting Iraq’s oil pumping to the tight quota set by Saudi Arabia and the OPEC cartel.

There you have it. Yes, Bush went in for the oil — not to get more of Iraq’s oil, but to prevent Iraq producing too much of it.BUSH DIDN’T BUNGLE IRAQ, YOU FOOLS
THE MISSION WAS INDEED ACCCOMPLISHED
The Guardian
Monday, March 20, 2006
by Greg Palast

It is not that this is a great revelation or a new idea but the mention of a 323 page plan supposedly drafted by the State Department drew my attention. It annoys me when authors put forth their opinions and use unsubstantiated statements and mysterious reports that cannot be confirmed to support these opinions.

Palast is totally reaching with this “invade Iraq to raise the price of crude and enhance relations with OPEC” angle. His lack proper references and supporting documents stand out as a good example of why not to believe everything you read. It will be interesting to see if this unsupported opinion hits the blogoshere and is used as support for another bloggers article.

If I came across this article on a personal blog I probably would not bother with mentioning it’s obvious failings but this is an author that is described as

“The most important investigative reporter of our time” [Tribune Magazine] in Britain, where his first reports appeared on BBC television and in the Guardian newspapers.”

in the about section of his web site along with numerous quotes from other major publications.

Know thy source. An opinion is just that an opinion but when secret and mysterious sources are used to support an opinion I tend to believe that the opinion can not stand alone on it’s own merits.

Three Years Of War In Iraq – Where do You Stand?

Three years have gone by – and where exactly does this leave us. I am fine. I sit here and type away – 99% sure a bomb will not go off over-head, armed groups of foreign troops will not come down my street, and there will not be a deadly battle raged in my city.

Is there a Civil War in Iraq? Donald Rumsfeld says – NO, Cheney says – not a chance . . .the former Iraqi Prime Minister says YES.

Meanwhile our military, loved sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers to someone are over there.

When Eagles Soar Together

“It is a gloomy day, overcast, dark with drizzling rain. The perfect day for my mood. Today, for the second time I had to say goodbye to my wife, my soldier as she boarded a plane that would take her back to her other life. Yes, on this St. Patrick’s Day, Grey Eagle is in route back to Iraq.

I cherished each and every moment I had spent with her. For a short time, the world stood still and there only existed me and my wife. I never remember being so happy. ..”

Look at this well put together timeline of the last three years of the conflict in Iraq. Reference links to the information are given in the timeline and it definitely will jog your memories – well it least it did mine.

Think Progress » TIMELINE: Three Years Of War In Iraq

Today marks the three-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. ThinkProgress has created a timeline that tells the story of the Iraq war over the past 36 months.
The timeline catalogues the key events, quotes and pictures of the war. Check it out and spread the word. And make sure to tell us what we missed in the comments section.

If you are an American Soldier – thankyou.

If you are sitting at your computer like I am typing safe and sound about this, please consider the question seriously: It’s the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Where do we stand?

Operation Swarmer Begins – Iraqi Parliament Seated – Reconciliation Act

Timing is everything

I started reading The National Security Strategy of The United States of American 03/06. The very first line, really the first line of before the table of contents:

My Fellow Americans,
American is at war. This is a wartime national security strategy required by the grave challenge we face. …

As I have stated before, we are not at war,
To be considered “wartime” a declared state of war would have to exist.
The Constitution gives only Congress the authority to declare war.
Congress has declared no war (a resolution to use force is not a declaration of war).

Then we have this jewel:

Administration Oversight

President May Have Known of Constitutional Defect Before Bill Signing
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 — Rep. Waxman asks the White House to respond to information that the Speaker of the House called President Bush to alert him that the version of the Reconciliation Act he was about to sign differed from the version that passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Waxman writes: “If the President signed the Reconciliation Act knowing its constitutional infirmity, he would in effect be placing himself above the Constitution.”

Experts Agree: Budget Bill Not Valid Law (pdf)
Letter to the White House (pdf)

It appears that once again our President has decided the Constitution does not apply to him.

“The Presentment Clause of the U.S. Constitution states that before a bill can become law, it must be passed by both Houses of Congress. When the President took the oath of office, he swore to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,” which includes the Presentment Clause. .”

-excerpt from letter

If the President was informed by Hastert that he was signing an incorrect version of the bill and Bush unconstitutionally signed it anyway it is just one more stike against the separations of powers. Bush, once again ignoring the Constitution. Article I, Section 7

I now ask why ” Operation Swarmer” — aimed to clear ”a suspected insurgent operating area” was launched now.

“The name Swarmer was derived from the name given to the largest peacetime airborne maneuvers ever conducted, in spring 1950 in North Carolina. Soon after this exercise, the 187th Infantry was selected to deploy to Korea as an Airborne Regimental Combat Team to provide General MacArthur with an airborne capability.”

COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER BAGHDAD , Iraq
 703.270.0320 / 0299
March 16, 2006
Release A060316c
Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition launch Operation Swarmer

Point to ponder:
The launch of Operation Swarms timing with:

  • the announcement of the new security strategy that reaffirms the pre-emptive strike policy
  • the first session of Iraq’s new Parliament

As the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq nears I wait for the next chapter.