I felt a new terror on Basra's streets
Must Read - A quote...."Islamic militias are waging a brutal campaign for control in Iraq’s second city as British troops give way to local forces - There are two photographs in every police file. One is a long shot of a woman’s discarded body, the other a close-up of her last expression. - All the women fell foul of the unwritten rules of the new Basra – they dressed wrongly, they left the home to work, or perhaps they were merely rumoured to have a boyfriend."

Can Liberty be Bought and Sold? - A People's Penny for the Magna Carta
A quote...."Magna Carta is up for sale next week at Sotheby's and this last week it was up for grabs in the U.S. Supreme Court."

U.S. boosts presence along Iranian border
War Update - A quote...."PATROL BASE SHOCKER, Iraq — Behind a maze of concrete blast walls rising from a desolate desert landscape that was once the scene of pitched battles between the armies of Iran and Iraq, a new American base is springing to life."

The US is getting ready to go after Iran's oil fields two to three years from now per Robert Gates' Slow Play Option.  A plan which has the full support of this country's elites including the leading contenders for President. - mpg
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Strangling Gaza
A quote...."It could, rightfully, be a cause of shame to the world. But the world, besieged by violence and injustice, hardly notices it. The people of Gaza, 1.4 million of them, are slowly and purposely being deprived of basic foods and medicines by the so called civilized countries in the West and there is hardly a protest. And all this happens because the people in Gaza want to be free and independent. Never mind that in the process children and innocent civilians are killed or families dispossessed."

IAEA in full control of Iran's nuclear program - foreign ministry
A quote...."MOSCOW, December 15 (RIA Novosti) - UN nuclear watchdog is fully controlling Iran's controversial nuclear program, a Russian deputy foreign minister said Saturday."

Pervez Musharraf lifts state of emergency in Pakistan
A quote...."ISLAMABAD, December 15 (RIA Novosti) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has lifted the state of emergency in the country and restored the Constitution in full, local television said Saturday."

Hamas rally draws tens of thousands
A quote...."Hamas has marked 20 years since it was founded with a huge rally in Gaza City, attended by what was estimated to be a crowd of between 150,000 and 300,000 supporters."

Indian Foreign Secretary begins Iran visit to mend fences
A quote...." New Delhi, Dec 15 - Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon Saturday began his two-day visit to Iran, during which he will try to bridge the drift in ties with special emphasis on ramping up energy ties. - Menon, who left for Tehran in the morning, is likely to call on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and discuss with them a wide array of bilateral, regional and global issues."

Rumble in the Jungle: The AFRICOM Boondoggle
Special Note - A quote..."The government's assaults on our common sense, our wallets, and our dignity are becoming so numerous that one is hard pressed to keep up. The media pivot like a herd of wildebeests from one scandal to the other – from illegal wiretapping, to torture, to mercenaries, to saber rattling in the Persian Gulf, to $4 billion lost at Homeland Security, to $9 billion stolen in Iraq."

To everyone reading this blog who cares about Africa.  The US is now going to "help" Africa, and by now we ALL know what that means.  Everyone should give a prayer for what will in the next ten years, be the world's biggest charnel house.  It'll make the Middle East look like a peaceful oasis by comparison.- mpg
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The War Against Ourselves
A quote..."We often think, when we dare to do so, of the Iraq War as a war over there, against 'those'  people - folks other than Us.  --  Depending on our political perspective, it is either a good war, or an evil war.  But, no matter our political, ideological perspective, time will determine whether it isn't a war against us all, as well.  --  That's because for those tens of thousands  who survive, who are neither killed nor maimed, they will return to the U.S., with their minds twisted by an orgy of violence that will not easily be left 'over there.'"

Former US interrogator recounts torture cases in Afghanistan and Iraq
Related article - A quote...."The USG Open Source Center translates an interview in the Spanish newspaper El Mundo with Damien Corsetti, a former private in the US army who served as an interrogator and was charged with crimes. He says he witnessed torture but did not commit it himself. He also says that most of the individuals he interrogated had nothing to do with al-Qaeda or the Taliban. Many of the practices Corsetti says he witnessed are already illegal."
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Cleric Scorns US Allegations about Human Rights
A quote...." TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Tehran's interim Friday Prayers leader Ahmad Khatami blasted the US for removing proofs and evidence on interrogation and torture of Guantanamo inmates, describing the move as a big scandal for an administration which claims to be the forerunner of human rights. Americans themselves issue orders for making the arrests and then they torture the inmates and film the scenes, and when all the people are informed of these catastrophes, they issue an order for the destruction of the proofs and removal of all traces of the crime and yet they claim that they are defenders of human rights," Ayatollah Khatami said during his address to a large congregation of worshippers on Tehran University Campus here today. "

Russia warns of US missile shield retaliation
A quote...."THE planned deployment of US interceptor missiles in Poland could trigger a missile strike by Russia if those missiles are ever used, the Russian army's chief of staff has warned."

 Argentina and Chile working on the Trans-Andean Railway
A quote...."The governments of Argentina and Chile received this week the economic offers from the parties interested in building the Trans-Andean Railway, a project that will require an investment of 3 billion US dollars."

Venezuela and Brazil link trade
A quote...."Brazil and Venezuela have pledged closer trade and energy ties, including building a new oil refinery in Brazil."
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Surprise! Mukasey Covers Up Torture
Special Note: - A quote...."Last month, Democratic Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California joined Republicans to ensure Michael Mukasey’s confirmation as Attorney General, even though he refused to acknowledge that the simulated drowning of waterboarding was torture."

Bush to judiciary: Fu*k off - posted at BuzzFlash
A quote...."This should be interesting.  I actually find myself optimistic about how the federal courts will respond to a Bush, Inc. outrage.  As regular café visitors know, I almost never feel that way.  The federal judiciary isn’t just stuffed to the bursting point with right wing ideologues: it’s stuffed to the bursting point with right wing ideologues who think like political operatives.  --  Yet, in the case of the Bush Administration’s wrongdoing in ignoring the orders of at least two federal courts to not destroy evidence of “enhanced” interrogation techniques (a.k.a. torture), I find myself surprisingly hopeful.  Contrary to my usual skepticism, I doubt the courts will buy into the administration’s disingenuous loophole that, “hey, these guys weren’t even covered by the courts’ orders because they weren’t in Cuba, we had them hidden somewhere else.”   Why do I feel that way?"

Bush Secret Shredding Soars - posted at BuzzFlash
Bush's shreeding spree shown as a nifty little bar chart. - mpg

Harry Reid's FISA games
A quote...."The Senate is going to take up debate today on the new FISA bill -- including the provisions for telecom amnesty and presidential surveillance powers -- and Harry Reid is apparently bringing the bill to the floor (a) in precisely the way designed to help the administration's goal of ensuring there is telecom amnesty and fewer surveillance oversight protections and (b) contrary to the way his office has been assuring everyone concerned that it would be done."

Activists see Senate Dems backing down to Bush, ready to give immunity to phone companies
A quote...."As lawmakers hurry to clear their legislative plates before rushing home for Christmas dinner, it appears all-but-certain that Congress will not finish work to update a foreign spy law before the new year."

Who to Despise More - Bush or the Cowardly Democratic Congress
A quote..."It is hard to decide anymore. Who to despise more, a President and his people that are hell-bent on remaking the United States of America into a plutocratic Nazi-like fascist State, sans the Jews in the ovens, or the feckless and pathetic Democrats in Congress? It has truly become impossible to choose between the two."

Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales no longer ABA 'Lawyer of the Year'
A quote...."On Friday, Editor and Publisher of the American Bar Association Journal Edward Adams released a statement saying that fallen Bush Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, previously named "Lawyer of the Year," will now be known as "Newsmaker of the Year."

Actually it should be "______________ of the year".  This website editor leaves it up to the reader to fill in the blank.
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AMERICA IS IRONY DEFICIENT
A quote...."December 15, 2007 -- While a few die-hard ostriches (the new symbol of the Republican Party) mumble with mouths full of sand how well things are going, the rest of the nation knows we’ve lost quite a bit since George W. Bush lost the presidential election in 2000."

30,000 People Join Congressman Wexler's Call for Hearings in Just 24 Hours
A quote...."Blockbuster First Day for WexlerWantsHearings.com (WASHINGTON, DC) December 15th, 2007. In only the first 24 hours, more than 30,000 people have signed up online to join Congressman Robert Wexler's (D-FL) call for impeachment hearings for Vice President Richard Cheney. On Friday, December 14, Wexler launched

Democratic Debate; "Unbelievable" is the Operative Word:
A quote...."Watching the Democratic debate yesterday answered a question that I have long pondered; is it possible for the mentally incompetent to run for president? The answer is; no question about it."

The Weak, Spineless, Hapless, Gutless Ones
A quote...."The Democrats have been in control of Congress for almost year. Yet, I cannot think of one thing they’ve done that makes me happy they gained control in the midterm elections in November. I am not even willing to subscribe to the idea that Republicans would be worse because I do not believe that to be true anymore. The illusion that they are better than Republicans on all counts is an illusion the Democratic Leadership and the DNC creates because it’s the only way they can get votes."

Report Says That the Rich Are Getting Richer Faster, Much Faster
Some quotes...."The total 2005 income of the three million individual Americans at the top was roughly equal to that of the bottom 166 million Americans, analysis of the report showed."  --  "Earlier reports, based on tax returns, showed that in 2005 the top 10 percent, top 1 percent and fractions of the top 1 percent enjoyed their greatest share of income since 1928 and 1929."  --  "On average, incomes for the top 1 percent of households rose by $465,700 each, or 42.6 percent after adjusting for inflation. The incomes of the poorest fifth rose by $200, or 1.3 percent, and the middle fifth increased by $2,400 or 4.3 percent."

Iran Oil Bourse to start work soon: official
War Update - A quote...."Mehdi Karbassian talking to PIN quoted Oil Minister Gholamhossein Nozari as saying that his talks with Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Davud Danesh-Ja’fari on the running of the Oil Bourse would be finalized soon. "

Russia may dump weakening US dollar in its energy deals
A quote...."It seems that the rejection of the US dollar has become a fashion trend in modern-day business relations. Several major oil and gas exporters have recently announced their plans to use a different currency in their deals with other countries. The heads of Iran, Venezuela and Ecuador expressed such an opinion at the OPEC summit in November. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad particularly stated that Iran needs to replace the dollar because of its ongoing setback. His Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, expanded on the idea and put forward a suggestion to change the dollar for the basket of currencies (apart from the dollar it includes the euro, the British pound, the Japanese yen, the Chinese yuan and the Venezuelan bolivar) to recalculated world prices on oil. Ahmadinejad continued with an idea to set up the OPEC Oil Exchange and the OPEC Bank. "

Double Digit Inflation is Here
Must read - A quote...."I won’t make you wait: it’s 3.2%.  For one month.  On an annualized basis, that is (without compounding) 38.4%.  It is the highest increase in 34 years, and if you remember the inflation that we endured in the mid 1970s, you know that this does not bode well for next year’s consumer prices."

Editor's note: This makes it much less likely that a war with Iran will be started immeadiatly. - mpg

For more on this see....Standard Disclaimer
See also....The Slow Play Option - 12-11-07 - mpg
See also....The Scourge of the Wealthy - Deflation / The Balm of the Wealthy - War 09-30-06 - mpg


What Is Probably in the Missing Tapes
Must Read - A quote...."What we are likely to see if the tapes documenting the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah and Abd Al-Rahim Al-Nashiri are ever recovered is that the “confessions” of the prisoners upon which the White House has built its entire case for subverting the Constitution and suspending civil liberties in this country was obtained through methods such as electrocution, beating to the point of organ failure, hanging prisoners from the wrists from a ceiling, suffocation, and threats against family members (”I am going to find your mother and I am going to f-ck her” is one direct quote from a US interrogator)."

All this talk about "water-boarding" that's been plastered across both the Web and the regular faux-mass-media for the last month has just been a cover-up for what really happened.  The interrogators did things that would make a Billy goat puke.  In a few cases they wrung false confessions from people to hide what really happened on 9/11.

They have committed murder….and worse.

We truly know only a tiny proportion of the hundreds of “black sites”, military bases and prisons scattered throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the rest of the world where these ghastly crimes took place.

What is detailed in the article above is just a miniscule fraction of what actually occurred, a few incidents which have only accidentally been exposed to the light of day.  Keep in mind there are things that were done which are much worse than what you have just read. Tens of thousands were tortured, many were murdered.  Thousands of US personnel participated.

What was done, and those who participated, are unrepentant evil.  They have committed abominations and unspeakable acts and they are now living among us….their crimes unseen and unknown….buried within them.

Those with a conscience will be slowly eaten alive by what they have done.  Those without will have no problems whatsoever….when they do it all over again.

Think about that America. - mpg
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Co-Chair of Cong. 9/11 Inquiry and Former Head of Sen. Intelligence Comm Confirms White House Cover Up
A quote...."The Co-Chair of the Congressional Inquiry into 9/11 and former Head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Bob Graham, revealed that the White House refused to let the 9/11 inquiry interview one of the most important witnesses imaginable:"

9/11 - NY Judge Rules Against 9-11 Widow - Lawyer says court’s decision designed to suppress Ellen Mariani’s quest for truth  --  A quote...."NEW YORK—Ellen Mariani is vowing to appeal a federal court order “preventing her from having a direct role in the 9-11 wrongful death action arising from her husband’s murder on United Airlines Flight 175,” her new attorney, Bruce Leichty of California, informed American Free Press."

Seven Senior Federal Engineers and Scientists Call for New 9/11 Investigation
A quote...."December 13, 2007 – Seven former senior engineers and scientists of the Federal government have severely criticized the official account of 9/11 and called for a new investigation. They are among a rapidly growing number of engineering, scientific, and architectural professionals challenging the government's story. "

New Attorney General stonewalls Senate over CIA tapes
A quote...."Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy said Friday he is disappointed at the Justice Department for its outright refusal to hand over any information about the interrogation videotapes destroyed by the CIA two years ago."

House Judiciary Trio Calls for Impeach Cheney Hearings
A quote...."Three senior members of the House Judiciary Committee have called for the immediate opening of impeachment hearings for Vice President Richard Cheney."

3 Million Uncounted Votes in 2006
A quote...."The federal Election Assistance Commission -- the agency created after the 2000 presidential debacle that is tasked with overseeing voting machine testing and serving as a clearinghouse for election administration information -- published a survey of the 2006 election today that reveals some interesting stats."

Miami: Collapse of Liberty City 7 case exposes fraud of “war on terror”
A quote...."The US government’s case against seven impoverished Miami residents for allegedly plotting to blow up Chicago’s Sears Tower and other buildings was dealt a major setback on Thursday. A jury acquitted one of the defendants on all charges and could not reach a decision on the other six."

Is Blackwater the Private Mercenary Army of the Oligarchy?
A quote...."In a democracy, or rather a corporate oligarchy, it does not matter what the people want, who they elect to office, or what they vote for in booths outfitted with Diebold election thievery devices."

California Town Rejects Blackwater, Fires Council Members Who Endorsed Them
Special Note - A quote...."POTRERO, Calif.-Residents balked at putting a Blackwater training camp near this sleepy mountain village, voting to recall five members of an advisory planning board that endorsed the global security firm's plan."

Hip Hip Hooray !!  The little guy wins against "Murder Inc." - mpg
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Embarrassed to Explain US Foreign Policy
A quote...."Americans know very little about the world. Their ignorance is almost charming. In one sense, it's good that most people are more interested in spending time with family and friends and in earning a living than in plotting a coup in some faraway land, waging a war against some emerging power, or issuing foreign ultimatums over random economic and political demands."

"Unfortunately, however, as a result Americans have essentially delegated the power to do all of those things to a Washington-centered elite. When things go wrong, Americans get angry. Then the politicos start blaming each other. Specific policies sometimes change, but Washington's interventionist enthusiasm always quickly returns."

"It's not a pretty spectacle."

This is the charitable version of why so many Americans "remain ignorant" about the world.  This website editor has a much less charitable version, it's called plausible deniability, a childish -  some would say pathological – others would say cowardly - pretense about what their government has done in their name ....and it's wearing mighty thin, in fact, after sixty long years of world wide murder and mayhem, it's practically non-existent. – mpg
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China leaves the US and India trailing
A quote...."The project involves US$4 billion in investment by China Metallurgical Group, which will be by far the biggest foreign investment in Afghanistan and is estimated to provide employment for 10,000 people. Significantly, the project includes the development of a railway system linking Afghanistan to China. (Nepal also has sought the extension of China's railway system from Lhasa to Kathmandu.) "

Russia's east warms to China
A quote...."Recently, a contributor to Zavtra, one of the best known of Russia's conservative publications, noted an interesting fact. He stated that not only are Russians from the Far Eastern border provinces of the Russian Federation engaged in active trade visits to China - a process initiated a long time ago and well covered by the press - but they are now buying houses there as well."

Russia, Belarus Downplay Merger Talk
A quote...."MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The leaders of Russia and Belarus pledged closer cooperation on military, economic and foreign policy but gave no indication Friday that the ex-Soviet neighbors were moving closer to a long-discussed full merger. - Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Belarus stoked speculation that he could press for the creation of a unified state and maintain power by taking a job that would place him above the two nations' presidents after he leaves Russia's presidency next year."

If Europe can do it why not some of the CIS states?  It would have to be done by a referendum of course and it’s unlikely that any country but Belarus would participate.  But economically and politically the move makes sense….if the process is fully transparent, democratic and voluntary. – mpg
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U.S. Failures bring Pakistan Close to Collapse
A quote...."Pakistan is the latest country affected by spreading instability because of the war on terrorism after 9/11. More than four years after the capture of Baghdad, the geopolitical outlook is bleak. The military impasse has been followed by diplomatic disasters. The terrorist threat is undiminished despite the declared objective of the United States. None of the conflicts – Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Somalia – has been resolved. There are 165,000 US troops in Iraq but prospects remain uncertain. Daily life for the civilian population is still hell. And there is trouble in the north, on the border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey, with the threat of a clash between two US allies."

Russia says no info exchange with NATO under arms treaty freeze
A quote...."VIENNA, December 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will not provide data on its Armed Forces stipulated under the CFE treaty at an annual information exchange meeting on Friday, a Russian diplomatic source said."

Bolivia tense amid autonomy push
A quote...."Security forces are on alert in Bolivia, ahead of rallies planned in four of the country's richest regions."

Bolivian states threaten autonomy
A quote...."Bolivia has put its military on alert after four states declared their intention to create independent regional governments."

Pelosi and Reid continue to defy America
A quote...."In a very short time, Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, and Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, have proven that they are not up to the job and are completely out of step with the desires of the American people. They came into power boastfully promising swift and sure change but, in a very short time, it became quite apparent that they had a completely different agenda than the specific mandate given them by the electorate. And by their inaction and lack of courage they have completely failed America."

Democratic Process: Another Day, Another Capitulation
A quote...."The Democratic "opposition" in Congress – you know, the party that represents the common people, good working folk and the most vulnerable in our society: the sick, the old, the poor, the children – have just effected yet another capitulation to Money Power, gutting an energy bill that would have required Big Oil – now reaping the most gargantuan profit margins in the entire history of human enterprise – to pay a pittance in new taxes. The original bill would have also required utility companies to eventually produce a whopping 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources."

Democratic Debate; "Unbelievable" is the Operative Word:
A quote...."Watching the Democratic debate yesterday answered a question that I have long pondered; is it possible for the mentally incompetent to run for president? The answer is; no question about it."

Ron Paul is now the G.O.P. frontrunner
A quote...."There was an interesting article written the day before lift-off of the Ron Paul Blimp by Michael Duffy titled "The GOP Race: None of the Above" on Time.com (in partnership with CNN) you might have missed."

Kucinich Fumes Over Exclusion From Today's [Democratic] Debate
A quote...."Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, who routinely refuses to debate challengers in his Cleveland-area congressional races, is fuming over his exclusion from this afternoon's debate for Democratic presidential candidates in Iowa."

Hillary Clinton on Military Policy
A quote...."While much attention has been given to Senator Hillary Clinton’s support for the U.S. invasion of Iraq, her foreign policy record regarding other international conflicts and her apparent eagerness to accept the use of force appears to indicate that her fateful vote authorizing the invasion and her subsequent support for the occupation and counter-insurgency war was no aberration."

For more on this see....You Can STILL Vote to Stop the Madness 10-07-07 - mpg
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Apology Overdue
A quote...."The one thing Greenspan cannot comprehend is that he, more than any other single person, is responsible not only for the collapse of the housing bubble and the home-loan industry, but for the greater collapse, which is bearing down upon us as the rich become bloated with wealth and the poor only get poorer. It does not matter how much money there is circulating in the world if that money does not create a better life for all its inhabitants.  Greenspan sees everything through the eyes of the corporate bosses while remaining blissfully ignorant of any effect of his decisions upon the insignificant human beings who are forced to live with the consequences."

After the Money’s Gone
Must Read - A quote...."On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve announced plans to lend $40 billion to banks. By my count, it’s the fourth high-profile attempt to rescue the financial system since things started falling apart about five months ago. Maybe this one will do the trick, but I wouldn’t count on it."

Citigroup Rescues SIVs With $58 Billion Debt Bailout (Update5)
A quote...."Dec. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Citigroup Inc. will take over seven troubled investment funds and assume $58 billion of debt to avoid forced asset sales that would further erode confidence in capital markets. Moody's Investors Service lowered the bank's credit ratings."

Countrywide reports doubling of foreclosures
A quote...."The bulk of the decline was attributable to an almost total shutdown in the lender's subprime business and a sharp fall in adjustable-rate mortgagelending. - Shares in the lender fell 5.1 per cent to $9.99 by mid-afternoon in New York when it revealed that foreclosures in its loan servicing business, measured as a percentage of unpaid principal, rose to 1.3 per cent from 0.6 per cent a year earlier."


Ties on Iran's nuclear program loosen
A quote...."It's a tough pill for Washington and its European allies to swallow, yet the fact that the new US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) warrants a considerable revision of Western strategy toward Iran's nuclear program is inescapable and, already, new cracks in the previously rigid US stance on Iran can be discerned."

Muqtada Hits the Books; Said to aim at one day being Ayatollah
A quote...."I should explain some things about how the system works. The study toward becoming a mujtahid or jurisprudent is not the same as becoming an ayatollah. An independent jurisprudent has the degrees ("permissions" from his teachers to teach the books he mastered with them). He can engage in independent legal thinking and is forbidden to blindly follow any other cleric-- unlike the laity without a formal training in Shiite law, who are commanded to 'emulate' or obey implicitly the rulings of a trained religious jurisprudent."

Saudi King Invites Ahmadinejad For Haj - Media
A quote...."TEHRAN (Reuters) - The king of U.S.-allied Saudi Arabia has invited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to attend this year's haj in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Iranian media reported on Wednesday. - It would be the first time an Iranian president was officially invited to take part in the annual pilgrimage, starting later this month, the official IRNA news agency said."

The Great War Funding Conspiracy - Blank Check Democrats
A quote...."Okay. I'm going to state the obvious here. After all, somebody needs to say it. In fact, everybody who sees it needs to say it. Are you ready? Then here goes. The men and women calling themselves Democrats and sitting in Congress are the biggest bunch of liars this country has ever seen. "
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Sources: Destroyed CIA Videotapes Were Hundreds of Hours; No Transcripts Made
A quote...."WASHINGTON —  The destroyed CIA videotapes at the center of a growing investigation recorded roughly a "couple hundred hours" with two terror suspects, a small portion of which showed interrogators using "enhanced" interrogation methods that might have included waterboarding."

Pelosi and Harman Were Part of 9/11 Coverup
A quote...."House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi is blocking efforts to impeach Bush and Cheney, or to take any other real steps to save America. One of the grounds for impeachment is that the government made knowingly false claims about 9/11."
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9/11 - From The History File...Able Danger" & 9/11 Foreknowledge - 911Truth
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Why Should S. 1959 aka the "Thought Crime" Bill Be Exempt from FACA?
A quote...."Why should the FAC Act not apply? The recommendations of the Commission proposed by this bill may have grave effects on 1st and 4th Amendment protected Rights, and this process should certainly have maximum public scrutiny, input and accountability."

Obama Supports Homegrown Terrorism Bill
A quote...."Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama says that he will support the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act (S. 1959)."

"Bombs Away O-Bomb-a" is a closet Neocon freak. - mpg
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Doing What Bush and Republicans Do Best: Dropping the Iran NIE Down the Memory Hole
A quote...."The White House, its propaganda surrogates on AM radio and at FOX News, and the Congressional Republicans have all busied themselves with trying to undermine the validity of the NIE. They have decided that the agencies, all headed by and infected with Loyal Bushie appointees and agents, are pulling a political hit job on Dear Leader. They are insisting that the intelligence agencies cannot be trusted. The message is clear: Don't trust the lifelong-dedicated and highly professional government agents ... put ALL faith in "Honest" George W. and his Minister of Truth, Dick Cheney."

US should act in tribal areas if needed: Gates
A quote...."THE US Defence Secretary has said that even though Washington was working with Pakistan to combat Al-Qaeda in its border areas, American forces should be ready to act ‘unilaterally’ to take out terror targets, reports Indian media." - bold/italics by website author.
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Wikileaks busts Gitmo propaganda team
A quote...."WASHINGTON--The US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay has been caught conducting covert propaganda attacks on the internet."

Neocons Revise WMD Entry on Wikipedia Propaganda Portal
A quote...."It would be easy to shrug off the Wikipedia propaganda portal if not for the fact the online “encyclopedia” gets preferential treatment for the mega-search engine, Google."

See also....Wikipedia and the Intelligence Services
See also.... See Who's Editing Wikipedia - Diebold, the CIA, a Campaign
See also....CIA, FBI computers used for Wikipedia edits
See also....FBI, CIA Scriveners Edit Wikipedia Entries
See also....Credibility Of Wikipedia Takes a Dive After Wired Exposé
See also....Accessories After the Fact - mpg  - 08-14-07
See also....From LeMonde: The Organizations behind the Anonymous Modifications of Wikipedia
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Carter slams US rights practices
A quote...."We know that prisoners are incarcerated now under the control of the United States without any charges made against them for years and years. The administration and Congress have become immune to the tragedy of human rights violations under the aegis of security." - "We say in order for us rich folks to be secure, we can deprive others of their civil rights" Carter added, stressing the importance of reviewing the history of past human rights abuses."

Mobile Labs to Target Iraqis for Death - posted at Consortium News
A quote...."U.S. forces in Iraq soon will be equipped with high-tech equipment that will let them process an Iraqi’s biometric data in minutes and help American soldiers decide whether they should execute the person or not, according to its inventor."

Ecuador to Evict U.S., Offer Air Base to China
A quote...."When the U.S. Air Force Southern Command's 10-year usage rights for Ecuador's Manta air base expire in 2009, it can expect to be evicted in favor of China."

A note to all the other countries out there.  Evicting the US military is fine considering the US's murderous history throughout Central and South America but just a hint to the wise.  DON'T say you're giving the basing rights to China or Russia or somebody like that BEFORE the US has left....it tends to get them overly excited, like they might decide to stay....permanently.  Just FYI. – mpg
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Africans United In Rejecting - European Arrogance
A quote...."The recent summit between African heads of states and the EU has shown that some Europe has failed to move beyond their colonial-era past-times of economic and political bullying. The African delegates gave Europe an unmistakable cold shoulder on the two big issues of the conference: trade, especially the European proposed Economic Partnership Agreements, and European political interference in African affairs, centered on British arrogance towards Zimbabwe."

With the Lisbon Treaty EU prepares for active global role
A quote...."European Union leaders have signed a treaty in Portugal’s capital that is expected to greatly alter the way the 27-nation body operates. The treaty creates an EU president and a more powerful foreign policy chief."

"The treaty creates an EU president and a more powerful foreign policy chief." Sounds like a recipe for more foreign adventures....i.e. wars. - mpg
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Illegal Venezuelan agents” attempting to intimidate a witness
&  Cristina Kirchner faces first full attack on her presidency
A quote...."Facing the first allegation within days after becoming the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner strongly denied U.S. charges that Venezuela tried to illegally influence her election campaign. - Terming the charges by U.S. prosecutors as part of a “trashing operation,” Mrs. Kirchner said, “Trying to operate in regional politics will not be successful,” an apparent reference to Washington."

If being "Charged with failing to register with the US as an agent of a foreign power" gets you ten years in a US federal prison and a 250.000 US dollars fine, what does supporting dozens of coups leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people throughout South and Central America get US "diplomatic" personnel, US "business" travelers and US "NGO's" (although many of them aren't).

This editor thinks the US Government just shot itself in both of its big fat feet.  Dumb.....really, really DUMB - mpg
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Russia, Iran agree on nuclear power plant construction schedule
A quote..."MOSCOW, November 13 (Itar-Tass) - Russia and Iran have agreed about a time of completing the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, the director general of the Russian company Atomstroieksport, Sergei Shmatko, said on Thursday."

China starts work on vital power plant in south [Iraq]
A quote...."China’s Shanghai Heavy Industry has started work on a giant power plant in Kut, the capital of the southern province of Wasit."

Italy to help Iraq modernize museums
A quote...."Italy has promised to modernize the country’s museums which were looted and vandalized in the aftermath of the 2003-U.S. invasion."

Pakistan tests nuclear-capable cruise missile
A quote...."MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Goncharov) - Pakistan has announced that it successfully tested a cruise missile with a range of 700 km (435 miles) on Tuesday."

CIA Torture Jet wrecks with 4 Tons of COCAINE
A quote...."This Florida based Gulfstream II jet aircraft # N987SA  crash landed on September 24, 2007 after it ran out of fuel over Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula it had a cargo of several tons of Cocaine on board now documents have turned up on both sides of the Atlantic that link this Cocaine Smuggling Gulfstream II jet aircraft # N987SA that crashed in Mexico to the CIA who used it on at least 3 rendition flights from Europe and the USA to Guantanamo's infamous torture chambers between 2003 to 2005."

Billionaire Bailout: Central Bank Socialism and America's True Values
A quote...."The socialist solidarity shown by the politburo of high finance in the face of the credit crisis was announced on the same day that George W. Bush vetoed legislation that would have extended medical insurance coverage for the children of working families – and on the same day that House Democrats announced their abject surrender to the much-despised popinjay in the White House, giving up their transparently bogus bid for more domestic spending while giving Bush billions more for the never-ending war crime in Iraq."

Lawmakers vote to hold Bush aides in contempt
A quote...."WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Thursday to hold two men who have been top aides to President George W. Bush in contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas in its probe of the firing of federal prosecutors."

Imagine a Campaign that Called for Slashing Military Spending by 75%
A quote...."While the Democratic and Republican candidates for president blather on about non-issues like who will be meaner to immigrants, who will use the most water on torture victims, who wanted to be president at the youngest age, who’s the best Christian and other such nonsense, and while Congress and the president dance their meaningless dance of pretend conflict, let’s for a moment ponder something more momentous."
    
Sino silence in subprime swamp
A quote...."This article is motivated by two questions. The first regards the eerie silence from China about the subprime mortgage and US asset-backed securities meltdown. Second, how much risk lurks in the China portfolio of US debt? How much risk is acceptable? China has emerged as one of the principle buyers and owners of long term US debt over the past decade and only very recently bumped the UK from its spot as the second-largest foreign owner of US securities."

WHAT’S NEW ON CORPWATCH 11/12/07
Just gives you an idea about all the stuff you can find on CorpWatch - mpg

Greenspan: Odds Rising for a Recession
A quote...."WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says the odds the U.S. will fall into a recession are "clearly rising" and he believes economic growth is "getting close to stall speed."

Falling Dollar Rejected For Euros
A quote...."MOSCOW — Russians increasingly favor euros over dollars when exchanging money or withdrawing foreign currency from bank accounts, the central bank said."

Top 11 Warmest Years On Record Have All Been In Last 13 Years
A quote...."ScienceDaily (Dec. 13, 2007) — The decade of 1998-2007 is the warmest on record, according to data sources obtained by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The global mean surface temperature for 2007 is currently estimated at 0.41°C/0.74°F above the 1961-1990 annual average of 14.00°C/57.20°F."

A Muslim saves a Jew from a gang of "Christians"...
A quote...."This story is upsetting, but has a happy ending. Basically, a bunch of Ann Coulter readers - and fellow "Christians" decided that it was Jew bashing season:"


The Iraq war trial
A quote...."As an independent, I have often thought that it would be more fun to attend a Democratic party, rather than one thrown by Republicans. I believed Democrats were more "progressive," creative, more willing to act out, but I’m no longer so sure."

Resistance and Hope
A quote...." 12/12/07 "ICH" -- -- If we Americans are nothing more than hopelessly addicted consumers who think of ourselves as an exceptional people with special entitlements; if we see ourselves as god’s morally superior chosen people; if we are selfish and greedy beyond redemption—then we are complicit in all of the horrible crimes that government commits in our name."

The hidden holocaust -- our civilizational crisis
Part 1: The holocaust in history
Part 2: Exporting democracy
A quote from part 2:...."In part 1, we reviewed the emergence of the modern world system through a process of systematic genocidal violence conducted across disparate continents, killing in total thousands of millions of indigenous peoples in Africa, Asia and America. - But this “hidden holocaust” didn’t end with the demise of colonization: Because colonization never underwent a genuine demise. Rather, it underwent a fundamental re-configuration, prompted by rising demands for freedom and independence from around the world."

Are the Wheels Coming Off the Government's 9/11 Story?
A quote...." Given that the Commission could not even speak with the interrogators about what the alleged detainees said, let alone the detainees themselves, it is not surprising that even the Commissioners did not have confidence in the veracity of the interrogation reports. - Now that the CIA has revealed that it did film videos of the interrogations, but lied to the Commission about the existence of videotapes, and that it destroyed the tapes, even the co-chairs of the Commission, Keane and Hamilton, now admit that the whole thing was a farce, and that the government obstructed justice."

It was all just a fantasy, Leo Strauss's noble lie, and the American sheeple bought it all, hook, line and sinker. - mpg
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The Stonewall Continues - posted at BuzzFlash
Related article - A quote...."The White House continues to dodge important questions about its involvement in the destruction of videotapes documenting the CIA's torture of terror suspects. - The evidence is mounting that the White House role in the decision to destroy the tapes may have been significant. But no details are forthcoming from White House aides. Rather than come clean with the public, they are once again hiding behind a familiar but transparent dodge, saying that ongoing investigations preclude them from speaking."

Court orders Bush administration to preserve possible evidence of torture
Too little too late. - mpg

CIA Destroyed Torture Tapes Despite Court Orders
Ah Hah!  But it appears this one wasn't....and the CIA violated the Judge's order, which as we all know is a very bad thing indeed. - mpg

Iran invasion cancelled by Bilderberger? audio
A quote...."A wonderful interview on KPFA with Daniel Estulin in which he reveals that the Iran invasion was cancelled at the recent Bilderberger meeting in Ottawa, much to the displeasure of the American attendees. Daniel's 'reliability credentials' are quite in order for this kind of reporting. He even explains in the interview how he goes about gathering his intelligence on Bilderberger meetings."  --  Submitted by Laudyms

Patrick Cockburn: Only one thing unites Iraq: hatred of the US
A quote...."As British forces come to the end of their role in Iraq, what sort of country do they leave behind? Has the United States turned the tide in Baghdad? Does the fall in violence mean that the country is stabilising after more than four years of war? Or are we seeing only a temporary pause in the fighting?"

Good article.  One disagreement with the author however, much, if not most of the sectarian bloodshed in Iraq caused by the Shi'a community has been committed by government forces under the leadership of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki;  the Ministry of the Interior, SCIRI and the Badr Brigade. All of them supported, encouraged and financed by the US military and the Bush administration.

It is an oddity of the US's occupation of Iraq that Iran also supports the Maliki government.

The US government continues to encourage its Saudi allies to provide support to al-Qaeda in Iraq and they are busy blowing up car bombs in markets killing hundreds of Shi'as, they have almost never launched attacks against US forces, almost all the attacks against US forces are mounted by ex-Bathists, Sunni guerillas, and Iraqi nationalists. What are normally termed "the insurgents."

This deliberate US policy of "divide and conquer" has literally dissolved the original Iraq state and has shattered any attempt at national unity, particular any attempt at national opposition to the US's occupation.

This was not an accident, nor is it the first time such policies have been carried out by the US. - mpg

For more on this see....False Flag Ops - Al-Askari Mosque Bombing
See also....US support Death Sqds
See also....US Sponsored Civil Wars
See also....The US's New Map of the Middle East
See also....US Support of Terror
See also....The Method - 05-07-07 -mpg
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China outwits the EU in Africa
A quote...."During the past several years, an increasing number of differences have arisen in the strategic partnership forged between China and the European Union. Among the many critical issues clouding the mutual agenda are differing policy approaches towards Africa."

Beijing snubs Washington over oil deal
A quote...."BEIJING: China swiped aside US complaints about a major oil deal with Iran yesterday, saying the agreement was no other government's business. - Sinopec, China's biggest oil refiner and petrochemicals producer, signed a deal over the weekend to invest $2 billion in Iran's Yadavaran oil field."

Top general assassinated in crisis-hit Lebanon
A quote...."BEIRUT (AFP) - A top Lebanese army officer and his bodyguard were killed on Wednesday in a powerful car bomb that further destabilised the country as it grapples with a presidential vacuum."

There's A Press Blackout on S 1959, the Thought Crime Prevention Bill; Why?
A quote...."As odd as it sounds, it’s true. The Mainstream News Media appears to be in a total news blackout in regard S 1959. At first, I believed it was merely the reluctance of the MSM to discuss this Bill, however, the answer may be much more sinister than that!"

More on Jane "the bimbo from Rand Corp." Harman's Neo-Roman Dictat. - mpg

See also....The U.S. Congress Legislates Genocide Of The Mind
See also....The Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act: A Tutorial in Orwellian Newspeak
See also....Civil Libertarians Warn of 'Patriot Act Lite'
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MSNBC: 'How Bush became a government unto himself'
A quote...."President Bush doesn't like to veto laws," Abrams began. "He doesn't have to. Since he took office, he's been attaching conditions to laws already passed by Congress, allowing him to essentially disobey the will of Congress and dramatically expand his own power." - Bush has issued 1100 signing statements -- almost twice as many as all previous presidents put together -- often completely reversing the intended effect of legislation. For example, when Congress voted overwhelmingly to ban torture, Bush announced that this would "make it clear to the world that this government does not torture." Two weeks later, he added a signing statement to the bill that allowed him to ignore it."

Democrats Need To Admit They Have A Problem: They Are Addicted to Backing Down
The Demo's should all go choose an acting career and get out of "governing", because they've done so well in this comedic farce, this grand kabuki play. – mpg
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Kucinich booted from Iowa debate
A quote...."Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) is being excluded from this week’s Iowa presidential debate because he has not rented office space in the Hawkeye State, his campaign said Wednesday."

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Ron Paul "Obliterates Field" In National Presidential Caucus
A quote...."Texas Congressman the outright winner in collation of 19 caucuses throughout US"

Trade gap widens in October on high oil prices
A quote...."WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. trade deficit widened in October, suggesting the trade sector might not be as strong a boost as expected to economic growth in the fourth quarter."

China says falling US dollar is a concern
A quote...."XIANGHE, China (AFP) — China said Wednesday that a weakening US dollar was a bigger global economic concern than the value of its own currency, as it rejected calls for the yuan to be allowed to rise very quickly"

Banks raise loss estimates
A quote...."NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Some of the nation's largest banks on Wednesday warned of higher losses in the fourth quarter as the turmoil in the credit and mortgage markets continues to weigh on the financials sector."

Import prices rise 2.7%, the most in 17 years
Special Alert - A quote...."WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Driven by a weaker dollar and much higher prices for petroleum and natural gas, import prices surged 2.7% in November, the largest monthly increase in 17 years, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. -  Even excluding fuels, import prices rose 0.5%. - Import prices have now risen 11.4% in the past year, the largest gain in the 25-year history of the import price index. Import prices increased a downwardly revised 1.4% in October." - bold/italics by website author.

Central banks coordinate actions amid fears of a global financial breakdown
Special Alert - A quote...."In a series of coordinated and parallel actions, the US Federal Reserve Board, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, the Swiss National Bank and the Bank of Canada on Wednesday moved to inject tens of billions of dollars into near-frozen credit markets."

"The Financial Times of London characterized the central banks’ announcements as “unprecedented and coordinated moves to prevent a meltdown in the world’s banking system.” No similar joint action has occurred since the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington shook global markets, and Wednesday’s measures go considerably beyond those taken six years ago." - bold/italics by webiste author
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Decoupling dies as half the globe hits crunch
Must Read - War Warning - A quote...."The rising economies of Asia are too small and deformed to rescue world growth as America, Britain, Australia, and Club Med face their day of debt reckoning. China may make matters worse, not better."

If the other countries in the world cannot decouple themselves from the US economy, what will be a bad recession in the US could turn into a world wide depression. - mpg

Why is this a war warning?  See....Standard Disclaimer
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Ominous Arctic Melt Worries Experts
A quote...."An already relentless melting of the Arctic greatly accelerated this summer, a warning sign that some scientists worry could mean global warming has passed an ominous tipping point. One even speculated that summer sea ice would be gone in five years."