ThinkFast: November 26, 2007
ThinkFast: November 26, 2007
Seven years into President Bush’s term, the administration is today hosting a Middle East conference. Bush has never visited Israel as president, and has made just four visits to the region — three times to Iraq. In contrast, President Clinton “traveled to the Middle East seven times, all but one visit focused on the peace process in one form or another.”
Leading military officials say they hope that “the next major assessment [of the Iraq war] early next year would not place as much emphasis on the views of Gen. David H. Petraeus,” in an attempt to avoid “relentless focus on the opinion of a single commander.”
“Under intense pressure to show results after months of political stalemate,” the Iraqi government is publicizing “figures that exaggerate the movement” of displaced Iraqis back to Baghdad. One way the numbers are inflated is by counting “all Iraqis crossing the border, not just returnees.”
Former Treasury secretary Larry Summers today warns in a Financial Times op-ed that even if “necessary changes in policy are implemented, the odds now favour a US recession that slows growth significantly on a global basis.” There is also the potential that “adverse impacts will be felt for the rest of this decade and beyond.”
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and others “are working on legislation that would direct federal judges to review the president’s state secrets claims,” instead of just accepting them outright and “dismissing cases on the government’s word.”
Demonstrating how private security companies “operate in a lawless void in Iraq,” the Washington Post has revealed that “guards employed by Unity Resources Group” were involved in a “previously undisclosed” shooting in Baghdad in June.
“The Northern Hemisphere is the warmest this year since record-keeping started 127 years ago, according to the National Climatic Data Center.”
“Saudi Arabia’s Justice Ministry said a girl who it sentenced to jail time and flogging after being gang raped by seven men was an adulteress who invited the attack because at the time she was partially dressed in a parked car with her lover.” The Bush administration has refused to condemn the Saudi court’s ruling.
And finally: Last week was Black Friday, but it’s doubtful that most Americans bought their true loves the gifts in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It would now cost “$78,100 to buy the 364 items, from a single partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, repeatedly on each day as the song suggests.” The price “is up 4 percent from $75,122 last year.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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GOOD MORNING CAMPERS!
November 26th, 2007 at 9:03 amSen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and others “are working on legislation that would direct federal judges to review the president’s state secrets claims,†instead of just accepting them outright and “dismissing cases on the government’s word.â€
yawn
November 26th, 2007 at 9:06 am“Saudi Arabia’s Justice Ministry said a girl who it sentenced to jail time and flogging after being gang raped by seven men was an adulteress who invited the attack because at the time she was partially dressed in a parked car with her lover.†The Bush administration has refused to condemn the Saudi court’s ruling.
Keep in mind, “partially dressed” for a woman in Saudia Arabia could mean her shoes are off. These are our allies?
November 26th, 2007 at 9:09 amSeven years into President Bush’s term, the administration is today hosting a Middle East conference.
Oh, how sweet of him. If he was really interested in brokering peace in the region he would not be invading countries on trumped up charges. All he is interested in doing in the region is to kiss the ass of whomever is most likely to go along with his imperialist plans for the region.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:11 amI hope everyone got to spend time with families and friends over the Holiday weekend. I know I have many reasons to thankful.
Bush, the biggest Turkey in American history, lost his buddy J. Howard over the weekend. Good on ‘ya, Aussies!
Will Trent Lott make it under the wire to avoid the new 2 yr. time limit on becoming a lobbyist? Of course he will. The Repugs seem to be placing ‘Self’ over Party lately; what’s up with that?
November 26th, 2007 at 9:11 amBush has never visited Israel as president
It wrecks the illusion if the puppet is seen with the man pulling the strings.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:12 amLeading military officials say they hope that “the next major assessment [of the Iraq war] early next year would not place as much emphasis on the views of Gen. David H. Petraeus…
Betrayus didn’t work out as well as they hoped. So who will be the next talking head they will send out there to root for endless war?
November 26th, 2007 at 9:12 am“Under intense pressure to show results after months of political stalemate,†the Iraqi government is publicizing “figures that exaggerate the movement†of displaced Iraqis back to Baghdad.
Well, it looks like the Iraqi government has learned well from the Bush Administration. They are masters at manipulating numbers and now the Iraqi’s are adopting their strategies.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:13 amFormer Treasury secretary Larry Summers today warns in a Financial Times op-ed that even if “necessary changes in policy are implemented, the odds now favour a US recession…
If you are anyone other than the very rich, you are already in the recession. I know that my dollars don’t go nearly as far as they did under Clinton and I haven’t seen a raise in four years. I don’t think that I am out of the norm here, either.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:17 amBush has never visited Israel as president, and has made just four visits to the region — three times to Iraq. In contrast, President Clinton “traveled to the Middle East seven times, all but one visit focused on the peace process in one form or another
If you’re focused on Peace, you make all your efforts to broker the peace process whenever you can.
If you’re focused on War……
November 26th, 2007 at 9:17 amDemonstrating how private security companies “operate in a lawless void in Iraq,†the Washington Post has revealed that “guards employed by Unity Resources Group†were involved in a “previously undisclosed†shooting in Baghdad in June.
Some day, probably after the Democrats take office, we will see a true accounting of all the crimes these “contractors” have committed, and it ain’t gonna be pretty. I don’t see how the Bush Crime Family could think that having an untouchable private army in Iraq would end up being a good thing. But, then, we all know that Bush doesn’t “think” in the first place.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:19 amI’m not sure how representatives from other countries can stand
November 26th, 2007 at 9:23 amto be in the same room with junior, let alone talk to him.
They must down a bottle of pepto before-hand.
“Saudi Arabia’s Justice Ministry said a girl who it sentenced to jail time and flogging after being gang raped by seven men was an adulteress who invited the attack because at the time she was partially dressed in a parked car with her lover.†The Bush administration has refused to condemn the Saudi court’s ruling.
And if you believe what they are saying about this poor girl, you are rather gullible. Here’s something else the article said:
The girl was initially sentenced to prison and 90 lashes for being alone with a man not related to her. When her lawyer, Abdul Rahman al-Lahem, appealed the sentence, he was removed from the case, his license was suspended and the penalty was doubled to 200 lashes.
Why did they need to suspend the license of the attorney defending her if this girl was actually an “adulteress” who was caught with a man while undressed. The government’s story changed considerably once they started getting criticism from the world about their actions. If what they are saying now is true, they would have said it in the first place.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:25 amAnd so with a year left to impress the world with some sort of accomplishment, bush calls a conference on the middle east. A subject he knows nothing about and that is bound to failure.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:27 amNow he is trying to be a Clinton, or a Carter, something he can never be.
Bush’s only accomplishment in life has been his ability to lie and deceive.
Mission bound to implode.
“Saudi Arabia’s Justice Ministry said a girl who it sentenced to jail time and flogging after being gang raped by seven men was an adulteress who invited the attack because at the time she was partially dressed in a parked car with her lover.†The Bush administration has refused to condemn the Saudi court’s ruling.
#
Can you imagine the reaction from the MSM and the right-wing if this was news from Iran?
November 26th, 2007 at 9:31 amAnd so with a year left to impress the world with some sort of accomplishment, bush calls a conference on the middle east. A subject he knows nothing about and that is bound to failure.
Comment by theswan — November 26, 2007 @ 9:27 am
It’s not supposed to accomplish anything. The Christian Zionist base that got Bush appointed President would never allow a peaceful settlement. Conflict in Palestine/Israel is just what they want - they think it’ll make all their Left Behind wet dreams come true.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:32 am“Saudi Arabia’s Justice Ministry said a girl who it sentenced to jail time and flogging after being gang raped by seven men was an adulteress who invited the attack because at the time she was partially dressed in a parked car with her lover.†The Bush administration has refused to condemn the Saudi court’s ruling.
————————————————
Lemme get this straight. We invaded Iraq (complete with “shock and awe”) because we needed to “liberate” the people from a ruler who committed acts of cruelty and torture against the people and violated their human rights. Yet Saudi Arabia’s idea of justice in the case of this rape victim also goes against our culture’s standards and not only do we not depose the country’s ruler, we don’t even say a word against it.
And there are still Americans who believe that our foreign policy is motivated by benevolence. Hogwash.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:32 amBush administration has refused to condemn the Saudi court’s ruling.
well he might as well shut his mouth from now on about other cases worldwide
November 26th, 2007 at 9:34 amThe “Middle East conference” is a half-day, the Syrians refuse to attend and the Saudis refuse to pose for photos shaking (or holding) hands with Israelis. Way to go, George!! Heckuva job!
November 26th, 2007 at 9:34 amTroops UN mandate in Iraq to expire 31st Dec 07
The Iraqi vice president has said that the presence of the multinational forces in the country would expire by the end of this year.
The government will discuss the issue of extending the UN mandate on the presence in the country of the multinational forces with a view to ending their presence and gaining full sovereignty, the Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi said at a press
“The final decision on the extension of the multinational forces in Iraq will be taken in accordance with the agreements guaranteeing Iraq’s full control over its affairs and resources,” the vice president said.
He added the Iraqi government has no intention of keeping the foreign forces on its territory or establishing permanent military bases for them in the country.
http://www.presstv.ir/ detail.aspx?id=32632§ionid=351020201
November 26th, 2007 at 9:36 amInteresting that the peace conference does not include Hamas, the elected represtatives of the Palestinian people.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:37 amGood luck with that shit, morons.
Lemme get this straight. We invaded Iraq (complete with “shock and aweâ€) because we needed to “liberate†the people from a ruler who committed acts of cruelty and torture against the people and violated their human rights. Yet Saudi Arabia’s idea of justice in the case of this rape victim also goes against our culture’s standards and not only do we not depose the country’s ruler, we don’t even say a word against it.
Comment by missmolly — November 26, 2007 @ 9:32 am
And yet these same Saudis have never even sent us a thank-you card after we invaded Iraq for them and took care of the pesky ruler who was messing with their oil prices. Ingrates!!
November 26th, 2007 at 9:40 amBush’s Middle East Unravels Further
As of this weekend, Lebanon does not have a president and the country’s stability is in doubt. The Palestinian Authority is divided and is a mess, with the elected government having been overthrown by a US-backed coup. And opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has returned to Pakistan, possibly derailing the Benazir option but also provoking a crisis in the political elite about what they should do.
I don’t think this is going well.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:40 amThe poor Iraqi sucker they interviewed on the news piece I saw returned because his savings had run out and he didn’t want to prostitute his wife an daughters.
Yeah, things are going swimmingly well.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:40 am“The final decision on the extension of the multinational forces in Iraq will be taken in accordance with the agreements guaranteeing Iraq’s full control over its affairs and resources,†the vice president said.
Good luck with that. If Iraq thinks that Bush is going to allow them to take their country back, they have another thought coming. Our current government thinks they own Iraq, lock, stock and barrels of oil.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:44 amThe poor Iraqi sucker they interviewed on the news piece I saw returned because his savings had run out and he didn’t want to prostitute his wife an daughters.
That seems to be the same reason most Iraqi’s are returning to Iraq. They are out of money and they are denied permanent residency in the countries where they have been staying. Most of the people who fled Iraq were wealthy. So now they are no longer wealthy and have to return to Iraq. Good job Bush, you have totally bankrupted an entire country.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:45 amOops, my mistake. According to my morning paper, the Syrians are coming, the Syrians are coming!
I take it back, George: a brilliant success! Peace at last!
Ha
November 26th, 2007 at 9:46 amMost of the people who fled Iraq were wealthy. So now they are no longer wealthy and have to return to Iraq. Good job Bush, you have totally bankrupted an entire country.
Comment by bilbobaggins — November 26, 2007 @ 9:45 am
Mission Accomplished.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:47 amgummitch ~ notable absent from the fanfare and hooplah?
November 26th, 2007 at 9:48 amCondi Rice… Hmm…
Good luck to Rice-a-Roni-Bushie-Crony on trying to make any headway with the so called “peace conference.” Whatever happened to the 2002 Road Map for Peace. It’s legacy panic-time in the White House.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:51 amFormer Treasury secretary Larry Summers today warns in a Financial Times op-ed that even if “necessary changes in policy are implemented, the odds now favour a US recession that slows growth significantly on a global basis.â€
From Raw Story:
As the world’s largest private employer, Wal-Mart is used to being greeted by large numbers of applicants almost every time it opens a new store.
But the 6,000-plus people who applied for jobs at the new Supercenter in Cleveland’s Steelyard Commons took everyone, even Wal-Mart, by surprise.
“We had to recount [the applications] three times,” said Mia Masten, Wal-Mart’s director of corporate affairs, Midwest division. [. . .]
November 26th, 2007 at 9:52 amRegarding the Saudi rape victim — where was this “lover”/”unrelated man” during all this? Whatever happened to him? Was he ever penalized for being with this woman? Did he do anything to defend this woman against her rapists?
November 26th, 2007 at 9:55 amMissMolly, according to the article I saw, he was sodomized by the same gang, and got a fairly serious sentence as well.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:56 amAnd what did Clinton accomplish?
Comment by Manslagt — November 26, 2007 @ 9:50 am
Let’s see - the Oslo Accords, the handshake, The Oslo II interim agreement, the Hebron Agreement, the Wye Agreement, the Sharm ash-Shaikh memorandum, the Camp David summit of 2000 - did I miss any?
November 26th, 2007 at 9:58 amComment by barfly — November 26, 2007 @ 9:52 am
Times are tough if you have that many people willing to work for near minimum wage, and for an employer whose idea of health benefits is recommending you apply for Medicaid.
And I bet it ain’t just Cleveland — this scene must be playing out all over the country.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:59 amKeep in mind, “partially dressed†for a woman in Saudia Arabia could mean her shoes are off. These are our allies?
Comment by Menehune — November 26, 2007 @ 9:09 am
Fox News guest Marc Rudov:
‘”We live in an era when men have to rely on the sanity and the mood of a woman rather than the U.S. Constitution for his protection,” he told the host of Fox’s Your World. “Between the EEOC rules and the Violence Against Women Act, the workplace has become a dangerous place for men.”
Rudov says that when men look at women “showing their thighs” at the workplace, “they can lose their job.”
When asked what exactly he was afraid of, Rudov was hesitant to respond. But he did come up with a solution, although slightly draconian in nature. “For every inch of skin you reveal at work,” he suggests, “you give up a right.”‘
http://rawstory.com/ news/ 2007/ Fox_guest_Take_rights_from_women_1124.html
November 26th, 2007 at 10:01 amWhen asked what exactly he was afraid of, Rudov was hesitant to respond. But he did come up with a solution, although slightly draconian in nature. “For every inch of skin you reveal at work,†he suggests, “you give up a right.â€â€˜
Comment by mary — November 26, 2007 @ 10:01 am
Our First Amendment protections on ogling coworkers are UNDER ATTACK!
November 26th, 2007 at 10:03 amComment by missmolly
Actually, I think Walmart now offers a more generous benefits package - after the bad publicity over working conditions, low pay, and the government hand-out health-care policy. But I still won’t shop there.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:04 amThe financial news is increasingly gloomy and foreboding. Anyone who isn’t already feeling the need to cut back is probably in the upper 10% of society. But a recession will hit them as well, given enough time.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:06 amYet Saudi Arabia’s idea of justice in the case of this rape victim also goes against our culture’s standards and not only do we not depose the country’s ruler, we don’t even say a word against it.
Comment by missmolly
Well, that’s why foreign policy is a matter of convenience, not principles. In every country, of course.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:08 amWhen asked what exactly he was afraid of, Rudov was hesitant to respond. But he did come up with a solution, although slightly draconian in nature. “For every inch of skin you reveal at work,†he suggests, “you give up a right.â€
Wouldn’t that mandate the wearing of wigs by older, bald gents? Or are forced hair transplants on the horizon?
November 26th, 2007 at 10:08 ambarfly:
It’s still a race for the bottom in terms of wages and benefits and I don’t see either party working on that issue in any meaningful way.
The Second Gilded Age in here. The robber barons of the last century would be proud.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:09 amThe financial news is increasingly gloomy and foreboding. Anyone who isn’t already feeling the need to cut back is probably in the upper 10% of society. But a recession will hit them as well, given enough time.
Comment by Marie — November 26, 2007 @ 10:06 am
And if retail sales are up in the U.S., it’s mainly due to Canadians and Europeans taking advantage of the weak dollar.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:09 amWouldn’t that mandate the wearing of wigs by older, bald gents? Or are forced hair transplants on the horizon?
Comment by barfly — November 26, 2007 @ 10:08 am
And it discriminates against the obese, who have more inches of skin to cover.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:11 amActually, I think Walmart now offers a more generous benefits package - after the bad publicity over working conditions, low pay, and the government hand-out health-care policy. But I still won’t shop there.
Comment by barfly
They still forbid Unions. That’s against the law: free association.
I remember some 10 years ago I worked for 2 months in a local Blockbuster. They didn’t let you in if you had a relative that was a lawyer. They were afraid of lawsuites.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:12 amg’morning all…
just wanted to say that i am mightily impressed with the comments
over at the post/911 thread… not a hint of craziness…
however, i read that some comments had been deleted…
still, for faiz to have put that thread up, that was courageous!
many many good and informative comments there…
i’d only gotten as far as 150 though, last night… i notice there are
over 300 there now… a quick glance at the latest (10:06 - a doozy!), indicates that the troolls have hit the place this morning…
just want to say thanks to faiz for putting that up…
November 26th, 2007 at 10:13 amand to the commenters for being so civil and informative…
…
Wouldn’t that mandate the wearing of wigs by older, bald gents? Or are forced hair transplants on the horizon?
Comment by barfly — November 26, 2007 @ 10:08 am
Mmmm, yes, because many women find bald men very sexy! (it’s true)
November 26th, 2007 at 10:14 amVery distracting!
And I bet it ain’t just Cleveland — this scene must be playing out all over the country.
Comment by missmolly
I think the whole plan is working. Crush the middle class while feeding them with shock news and what moviestar do what with his/her personal life all the time to keep them out from reliable sources of news. Meanwhile , the flow of money is going up.
Just evaluate how much percentage of your wage ENDS in the hands of big corporations.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:15 amJust evaluate how much percentage of your wage ENDS in the hands of big corporations.
Comment by Juan C. — November 26, 2007 @ 10:15 am
November 26th, 2007 at 10:21 amToaster, link, please… or that was something of yours? :)
November 26th, 2007 at 10:24 amToaster, link, please… or that was something of yours? :)
Comment by Juan C. — November 26, 2007 @ 10:24 am
It’s from Network - a movie that was very much ahead of its time: http://imdb.com/title/tt0074958/quotes
November 26th, 2007 at 10:26 amIn contrast, President Clinton “traveled to the Middle East seven times, all but one visit focused on the peace process in one form or another.â€
There wouldnt be a need for Bush to try and mediate an ME peace process today if any of those seven Clinton visits had fostered success.
Perhaps if Bill had tried an eighth time?
November 26th, 2007 at 10:31 amPerhaps if Bill had tried an eighth time?
Comment by Minotaur — November 26, 2007 @ 10:31 am
Perhaps if Bush had tried AT ALL…
November 26th, 2007 at 10:33 amListen to this, folks…
There wouldn’t be a need for Bush to try and mediate an ME peace process today if any of those seven Clinton visits had fostered success.
Perhaps if Bill had tried an eighth time? -Comment by Minotaur
SEVEN YEARS into his faux Presidency, a Bushlicker is still trying to blame Clinton for Bush’s lack of interest in diplomacy.
Not only is this pathetic, it makes one wonder how many excuses a Bushlicker can create for that loser. You can polish a legacy, but you can’t polish 7 years of phucking up the World.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:36 amThere wouldnt be a need for Bush to try and mediate an ME peace process today if any of those seven Clinton visits had fostered success.
Perhaps if Bill had tried an eighth time?
Comment by Minotaur — November 26, 2007 @ 10:31 am
This is perhaps the most pathetic “blame Clinton” attempt I’ve seen on this site. This is lame even by your already low standards. Please try harder next time.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:37 amPerhaps if Bush had tried AT ALL…
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — November 26, 2007 @ 10:33 am
He shouldnt have to if any of the previous seven tries by Bill had worked, which they obviously didnt since…well…since Bush is trying it again.
But hey, liberals dont want to be judged on results, they want to be judged on intent so no big deal about those seven failed attempts.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:37 amPerhaps if Bill had tried an eighth time?
Comment by Minotaur
What were the problems at the time that stopped President Bush 1 from invading and occupying Iraq? Did those change after Clinton took office? How? You cannot condemn Clinton without tacitly indicting Bush 1 for not finishing the job he started. Just like his son is about to do, again.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:40 amComment by toasterhead — November 26, 2007 @ 10:37 am
I know I know, no problem that the TP headline blames Bush for only trying now while Clinton continually tried and obviously failed.
Like I said, if only Bill had tried an eighth time it might have worked.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:40 amYou can polish a legacy, but you can’t polish 7 years of phucking up the World.
Comment by Zimzone — November 26, 2007 @ 10:36 am
No, but as Minotaur is proving this morning, you can polish a knob endlessly.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:40 amIf the State Secrets were made more commonsense and not just used to cover up crime, corruption, or just plain incompetence, Sibel Edmonds would have long ago been able to tell what she knows and the clean up would have begun.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:41 amLike I said, if only Bill had tried an eighth time it might have worked.
Comment by Minotaur — November 26, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Perhaps he would have, if the GOOP hadn’t wasted all that time on Whitewater and Monica.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:42 amthe odds now favour a US recession …. for the rest of this decade……
The Shrub M.O. on the economy, Iraq, Global Warming, etc. Make a mess and leave it for the next president who is likely to be a democrat.
Meanwhile, 7 years into his reign of terror, hold a mideast peace conference to try to salvage some appearance of statesmanship.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:42 amI mean, poor George has only had 7 years to try. That’s not nearly enough time. Let’s wait until he attacks yet another ME country.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:43 amComment by barfly — November 26, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Im not condemning Clinton, Im putting an obviously partisan-hack statement about Bush and the Palestinian/Israeli issue into context.
Harping that Bush is only now trying to get the factions together while touting Clinton’s seven visits to the region is hackery. If Clinton couldnt arrange a peace in seven tries over eight years, how can a ‘complete dolt like Bush’ (ht: almost every lib here) hope to accomplish anything?
November 26th, 2007 at 10:46 amPerhaps he would have, if the GOOP hadn’t wasted all that time on Whitewater and Monica.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — November 26, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Did his presidential power to hop on a plane and get the two sides together in a room somewhere get rescinded? It was all lies, Bill should have ignored it and pressed ahead with the really important issues.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:48 amNo, but as Minotaur is proving this morning, you can polish a knob endlessly.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — November 26, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Quit trying to brown nose me, I dont suffer such behavior well.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:50 amA report just released. http://www.makingopportunityaffordable.org/adding-it-up/
Basically, we are falling behind the world in the number of people with Associates, Bachelors, and more advanced degrees. as the URL implies, this group places an emphasis on the fact that college is no longer affordable to most folks. (although we also are behind the world in high school completion also.).
It gives a state by state breakdown. But to whet your appetite:
Adults ages 25-64 with College Degrees
Current US 37.4%, Projected 2025 USA 45.9%, Percentage needed to reach best performing nationst 55%.
So, does the Shrub economy influence education ?
November 26th, 2007 at 10:51 amBut hey, liberals dont want to be judged on results, they want to be judged on intent so no big deal about those seven failed attempts.
Comment by Minotaur — November 26, 2007 @ 10:37 am
Under Clinton the peace process made massive progress, following on developments under Carter and Bush 41. No, a comprehensive solution was not reached, but considerable progress was made towards a solution, which was unfortunately spiked by internal Israeli and Palestinian politics.
Under Bush 43 the situation for Palestinians has grown markedly worse, which is just fine for the Christian Zionists who put him in power.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:51 amHow does the Bush peace process work when the elected representatives of the Palestinian people not get invited?
November 26th, 2007 at 10:53 amHow does the Bush peace process work when the elected representatives of the Palestinian people not get invited?
Comment by RUCerious
Hahahaha. Wonderful observation.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:56 amThe US administration has never been part of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; In contrary, they are part of the problem and one of the main reasons why this conflict still exist today.
How could W. Bush have any moral authority to broker peace in the Middle-east? After years of favorising Israel plea for a secure state whilst refusing the same right to the Palestinians, I don’t believe in this administration fairness and objectivity, let alone moral authority.
UN troops should have been sent a long time ago with an international mandate and an occupying force in Israel and the occupied territories in order to broker a peace deal. Israel and the Palestinian chair should be treated as equals in their demands and only then, peace will be possible and accepted by both sides.
The fact that Hamas, democratrically elected by the Palestinians to govern, isn’t represented at this summit is a joke. The fact that Abbas, from Fatah and without a clear democratic mandate, is at the summit is a farce.
This is nothing more than a political stunt directed at the American public. Once again, the Palestinian and Israeli civilians will be the big losers.
For a peace to this conflict, the US administration needs to be taken out of the equation so that the process isn’t so unbalanced in supporting only Israel. As long as the US administration is involved, there will be no peace.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:01 amSo, does the Shrub economy influence education ?
Comment by MapleStreet — November 26, 2007 @ 10:51 am
“As people do better, they start voting like Republicans - unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing.”
November 26th, 2007 at 11:03 am- Karl Rove
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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http://www.alertnet.org/ thenews/ newsdesk/ L22313068.htm
LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. military has stepped up chartering of tankers and requests for extra fuel in the U.S. Central Command area, which includes the Gulf, shipping and oil industry sources say.
A Gulf oil industry source said the charters suggested there would be high naval activity, possibly including a demonstration to Iran that the U.S. Navy will protect the Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route during tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) has tendered for four tankers in November to move at least one million barrels of jet and ship fuel between Gulf ports, from Asia to the Gulf and to the Diego Garcia base, tenders seen by Reuters show.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:03 amAs long as the US administration is involved, there will be no peace.
Comment by Bush Cover Ups
That’s correct. Imagine peace between Israel and Arab nations.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:09 amWhy would you sell weaponry to those countries if there is nothing to fight for?
French President Visits China, Signs Multi-Billion Dollar Deals
November 26th, 2007 at 11:14 amVoice of America - 1 hour ago
By Heda Bayron China and France have signed multi-billion dollar nuclear and aviation deals as Nicolas Sarkozy makes his first visit to China as France’s leader.
China inks major orders from French companies International Herald Tribune
France opposes Taiwan referendum: Sarkozy Reuters
…
news.google.com
Good Morning all, great post’s…I will take a tiny item and leave it for you to comment on or not…Regarding the rape victom in Saudi Arabia….Picture in your head bush and the saudi prince holding hand’s and walking through the crawford ranch garden…Now remember 9/11 along with the 15 bomber’s supported by the saudi prince and his wife…That’s right it has been proven and written about that the prince and his wife funded the 15 or 16 bomber’s and they passed it off as they didn’t know who they were sending all those ton’s of doller’s to.Yah right…..What on earth would bull shit bush do about a rape victom.? Absolutely nothing when one consider’s he did nothing but reward the very people that financed the most recent tragedy in our time…There is no leap here…The saudis are not our friend’s yet they get the treatment of king’s even though they are responsible…..Iraq was not responsible, yet they get the bomb’s droped on them…Iran isn’t at fault and they may be next….The worst president and administration in our history…..What the hell are we going to do about it?…I’m going to back a candidate and work like hell to get him in office to end all this insanety……Blessings
November 26th, 2007 at 11:26 amIraq to seek long-term US presence
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD - Iraq’s government, seeking protection against foreign threats and internal coups, will offer the U.S. a long-term troop presence in Iraq in return for U.S. security guarantees as part of a strategic partnership, two Iraqi officials said Monday.
The proposal, described to The Associated Press by two senior Iraqi officials familiar with the issue, is one of the first indications that the United States and Iraq are beginning to explore what their relationship might look like once the U.S. significantly draws down its troop presence.
http://tinyurl.com/2z2ndb
And this one:
Iraq parliament hears draft law on former Baathists
By Mariam Karouny
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A bill that would ease curbs on former members of Saddam Hussein’s Baath party joining Iraq’s civil service and military was read in parliament on Sunday, but was rejected by a powerful Shi’ite faction.
It marked the first time parliament has taken up any of several bills that the United States says are vital to helping reconcile majority Shi’ites and minority Sunni Arabs.
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ nm/ 20071125/ ts_nm/ iraq_dc_13
~~~~~~~~
Taken together, those two news articles tell an interesting story, don’t they?
November 26th, 2007 at 11:33 amPakistani President General Pervez Musharraf will be sworn in a civilian President of the country for next five years on Thursday,
ha ha ha so much for democracy in Pakistan
November 26th, 2007 at 11:38 amGreat post, Sharon.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:38 amTaken together, those two news articles tell an interesting story, don’t they?
Comment by Leftside Annie — November 26, 2007 @ 11:33 am
Yes - that Iraq is trying to undo at least some of the horrible mistakes made by Jerry Bremer.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:39 amThank you, Juan C….Good to read you here….How is every thing in your corner of the world.?..Blessings
November 26th, 2007 at 11:47 amTaken together, they tell me that the Shiite have recognized that the central government doesn’t have to move toward reconciliation, and that the Amerikans will be OK with that.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:55 amAfter all, the Amerikans are funding and financing the regional and tribal Sunni militias, trying to have it both ways.
“Bush has never visited Israel as president”
Has he ever visited?
November 26th, 2007 at 12:11 pm83 - RU - got it in one.
November 26th, 2007 at 12:16 pmfound this:
governor bush visits israel in 1998
November 26th, 2007 at 12:18 pmComment by missmolly — November 26, 2007 @ 9:55 am
Also, regarding the Saudi rapes (of both the woman and man), the woman’s lawyer has had his law license revoked and “has been ordered to attend a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Justice next month”.
“Al-Lahim (her lawyer) said he is appealing the decision to bar him from representing the victim and has a meeting with Justice Minister Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh on Monday.” That would be today.
http://edition.cnn.com/ 2007/ WORLD/ meast/ 11/ 17/ saudi.rape.victim/
November 26th, 2007 at 12:19 pmhttp://edition.cnn.com/ 2007/ WORLD/ meast/ 11/ 19/ saudi.rape.victim/ index.html
http://www.cnn.com/ 2007/ WORLD/ meast/ 11/ 24/ saudi.rape/ index.html
snow-moon - I read your link (as painful as it was) and saw the comments on the Golan Heights. My understanding is that Syria agreed to attend the Annapolis ME conference because they were told that they could bring up the Golan Heights issue. Your link indicates that they may be wasting their time.
November 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pm“the odds now favour a US recession” we have been in a recession for some time now, thank dipsh!t GW666 for that with his propaganda about Iran, and his illegal war and occupation of Iraq.
After 911 - My pay was cut 25%, have not had a raise since. Now at 51 my wife has to work just to make ends meet.
Gas in Seattle, 3.45, tomatoes 1.65 each, you do the math.
I hate you GW666, you are a criminal and should be taken out of office.
Bush/Cheney
Hague Trials ‘09
Buck Fush
November 26th, 2007 at 12:49 pm#86 (timeline tidbits)
According to the Texas State Archives: “After winning reelection in 1998, Bush began his bid for the presidency.”
His reelection was in November 1998, his Governors trip to Israel was in December of that year- fundraising for the presidency officially began three months later in March 1999.
(Karen Hughes- of the governor’s press office- probably edited and personalized the trip report; who wrote the first draft- is anybody’s guess. Netanyahu? Sharansky?)
November 26th, 2007 at 1:00 pmSwimmingly, Sharon. ;)
November 26th, 2007 at 1:24 pmJUST MORE PHOTO OP, MORE BLAH BLAH BLAH, WHILE ISRAEL AND THE USA CONTINUE TO IGNORE DEMOCRACY AND CONTINUE THE GENOCIDE OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. USA/ISRAEL=WAR CRIMINALS
November 26th, 2007 at 1:27 pmAll ya got is Clinton’s BJ?
November 26th, 2007 at 2:08 pmDubya can’t even spell peace. Let alone get any.
#94 RUCerious, Another priceless post…..Blessings
November 26th, 2007 at 2:15 pmYes, and ole Willy was on the phone with Arafat talking policy one day when a 19 year old intern was giving him a hummer. †Hey Arafat, hold on buddy, I think I need a kleenex. That’a a pretty blue dress Monica.â€
Comment by Southern Man — November 26, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Why all of the animosity? Because he was having sex with someone of the opposite gender? Well, for a closet case like you, I can see how you admire a president that prefers male prostitutes!!! “I need a Kleenex Mr. Gannon” ROTFL!!
November 26th, 2007 at 4:02 pmWhy do Republicans hate heterosexual sex…?
November 26th, 2007 at 6:15 pmWhy do Republicans hate heterosexual sex…?
Comment by Leftside Annie — November 26, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
Because they’re all gay and in self loathing denial?
November 26th, 2007 at 9:43 pm>Interesting that the peace conference does not include Hamas, the >elected represtatives of the Palestinian people.
Right, purple fingers and all.. sure would be a shame if the iraqi’s didnt democratically choose to have the type of government we like…
November 27th, 2007 at 7:50 am