You Lost What? Where?

Public Radio ran a report that the US has lost hundreds of thousands of weapons in Iraq--weapons purchased for the Iraqi government security forces- pistols, machine guns, grenade launchers-- maybe as many as 300,000 weapons... . Now I have been forgetful in my life-- and at times even careless with my property-- but MR. RUMSFELD this is the MOTHER OF ALL SENIOR MOMENTS-- you lost 300,000 weapons in a war zone--full of terrorists, insurgents, self-appointed freedom fighters, zealots -- and this was part of your efforts to quell the violence--and don't forget as you have said so often --we are at war. So what happens if those weapons wind up in the hands of the people who are causing the violence in Iraq-- Donald...Rummy ... Baby... I know you have lots of toys and you won't miss these but --you've just got to be more careful with your things!
Now if this report were true, it would seem clear that we really have management problems in this administration--the war is their high priority, it's their main thing-- with turning the government against citizens and in favor of big business a close second-- This war, and how we got there, is what Bush will be remembered for...yes?
Well, I'm going to wait for part two of this story--there must be more--the weapons will be found in a room or a bunker somewhere and this time you guys will keep better track of where they are--you guys just couldn't be that bad.
Now with the election coming up and so many newspapers convincing themselves the the Dems will win something for a change- the Republicans are saying- ain't gonna happen-- why so confident--do they know something that we don't know-- will their folks will show up in record numbers ? Maybe, maybe not. The confidence is spooky to some but encouraging to others and that is the point-- bu-u-u-t there is still that lunatic fringe out there the ballot conspiracy people, they think the election counts are rigged in key states like Bush winning the job loss capital - Ohio- in 2004 --and of course ever since 2000 -- that 500 vote win in Bush's brother's state, in which the ballots could not be recounted according to the Supreme Court guys appointed by Bush's father and confirmed by Secretary -Congresswoman-Senator? Harris-- now that's what the lunatic fringe calls a conspiracy no- that would be a perfect storm of conspiracies but that is a whole 'nother thing!

Faith and Choice

The story of Christ in the Bible is so amazing it has endured for more than 2,000 years--love and forgiveness- so today in US politics- Christian voters are being challenged to be like Christ- and to forgive the Republicans and stay with them on election day. I don't think it is an easy choice.
Love and forgiveness are simple concepts but just try to live by them. Some mornings I wake up feeling full of the spirit and by the time I get in my car and stop at the first stoplight--I lose my faith - some son-of-a-horn blower starts honking at me to move even BEFORE THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN- -- I'm sittin' there wishing my red tail light was a Star Trek phaser set on STUN! Man!
So that's when I re-a-a-a-ally admire Jesus and the people who can actually follow what he preached--they are stronger people than I am-- I still find a relief in cursing out the guy with the car horn that is "denied unto prayer" ( line stolen from Mark Twain )--
The world's most unpopular bumper sticker would remind us that many of us cannot talk on a cell phone and drive safely at the same time--but it is so cool to be cruisin down the street yakkin' it up --and weavin' all over the road- unconsciously speedin' up and slowin down to match the guy next to you--who is trying to change lanes for cryin out loud!!
In politics the Christians are sort of like the guy drivin' and talkin' on the cell phone- you know he's cool --after all he's at least got a car that runs and a cellphone bill that somebody has paid- but you know he's not all there- his attention is divided and he's not seeing everything he should be seeing-- in politics the Christians just aren't seeing the whole road these days. For the sake of banning gay marriage they have signed on with a brutal and unpopular war; for the sake of promoting Christian values they have aligned themslves with people who only count votes not values(politicians of both parties)-- and the point is Faith and the power of faith are so much more powerful and enduring than politics--Politics is sometimes called the' eternal sea' but to the Christians they remember that it was the Spirit of God that moved upon the face of the waters... and there was Light.
Faith can accomplish so much more Light than politics especially in the values business and people will teach their children the values of their faith...but for Christians the job is really difficult --LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSION- you've got a tough role model to follow.

This Is Not a Test...

its an investment in a nuclear future for a nation and government left wanting by years of self imposed economic isolation--no not a nuclear energy future nor even a nuclear weapon future - but a trade, banking, and credit concession filled future due to the threat of nuclear weapons development. The world stage is somewhat bare- the major actors ( U.S., Britain) bogged down in a civil war in Iraq; France, Germany, and most of the EU bogged down in economic competition with the ravenous Chinese economy- this leaves an opening for North Korea to gain concessions it has been unable to gain by diplomacy or other forms of military threats. Japan and China will be in the queue with the major western powers to ante up a price big enough to forestall more development. On the surface it may appear as multilateral negotiations with a strong regional flavor but underneath it all is the newly weakened U.S.--weakened by the enormous strain and expense of Iraq so that adventurous governments everywhere realize that we will be most reluctant to open a new front anywhere. Venezuela, Cuba, various forces in Africa and the middle east will be emboldened by the success of North Korea-- the costs of Iraq are beginning to come back to bother the West-- the Bush Doctrine- the set of policies and circumstances that justified the invasion of Iraq in self defense: to eliminate a threat from weapons of mass destruction and terrorist collaboration. The Bush Doctrine has seen it's second application: the invasion of Iraq was the first; the nuclear arming of North Korea is the second; it appears that more can expected.

Breaking Up Iraq...

It appears that there are forces in Iraq determined to break up the nation into areas controlled by religious sects-three or four religion or ethnic based governments instead of the current US occupation sponsored government. It may lack the smooth and easy transition hoped for before the invasion but it may be the path chosen by the Iraqi people in post invasion Iraq. Only the Iraqi people have the power to end the bloodshed there- we do not --we could suppress it by putting a soldier on every corner in Baghdad but that would be done only to impress voters in the US. For western oil consumers stability in the supply is the main concern and if Dubai is any example, oil money can certainly reshape the physical environment and culture of an oil rich nation. A recent factor is that the terrorists elements that have largely come into Iraq in response to the presence of western ( non Muslim) armies will attempt to take over the vast wealth of Iraq and turn it into a powerful enemy for Israel, Europe, and the U.S.- this is certainly possible and the primary deterrent is the wealth of the country- that a broad class of rich and upper middle class people will exert a political control over the nation(s) that come after the invasion forces begin to withdraw. Still the dominant model for pro-western middle east governments will be non democratic governments such as Saudi Arabia(monarchy), Kuwait(Monarchy) Dubai( limited monarchy), Iran ( theocracy). A divided Iraq might offer significant opportunities for democracy but whether the US would be any more at ease with the eventual choices that might be made through democracy remains to be seen- due to oil and strategic politics, democracy is not the exclusive US interest in Iraq or the middle east generally.

A November to Remember....

President Bush went to Pakistan and congratulated the people of Pakistan on winning so many outsourced U.S. jobs-he said (and I am paraphrasing from memory) that the world can learn a lesson to be more competitive- presumably that meant us as in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio where many thousands of jobs have been lost. How does that square with campaign ads that hold Democrats responsible for losing those same jobs...hmmm.. apparently the problem is the American workers aren't competitive. The Bush speech in Pakistan reminded me of the movie hustle and flow and it's hip hop MOVIE THEME it might have been LIKE THIS:

IT'S HARD OUT HERE FO' A PRESIDENT

MAKIN JOBS FO' THE NON-RESIDENT

The war in Iraq got started because of an imminent threat of attack with weapons of mass destruction. Turned out the weapons and the threat were non-existent. Vice President Chaney in particular asserted that Saddam was in league with the terrorists and the 9/11 attacks--turns out Saddam was harder on terrorists in Iraq than we have been-- there pretty much weren't any -- Saddam apparently didn't allow competition. Sad part is that the people would certainly have followed their President in the wake of 9/11-- why in the world would one need to resort to possibly misleading statements-- a recent Times Poll shows that 52% feel we were deliberately misled-- is it possible to exceed an unlimited budget and misuse unconditional trust? So in October,

I wonder, if folks will remember

these little things come November...