Dubya planned on being Commander In Chief long before 911

Dubya was planning on being "Commander In Chief" long before 911, as reflected on The White House web site.
President Bush's weekly radio address


For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 10, 2001

There's an old military saying: Soldiers enlist, but families reenlist. We need to treat families well and encourage military careers. All our men and women in uniform, after all, are volunteers. We must make sure our military is a place where Americans are proud to serve, and proud to stay.

On Tuesday, I will be in Norfolk, Virginia for a tour of the Joint Forces Command and a glimpse of the next generation of military weapons. America has some big choices to make as we prepare for the challenges and dangers of modern warfare. Battles will no longer be won by size alone; stealth and speed will matter more. And we must make sure our country, itself, is protected from attack from ballistic missiles and high-tech terrorists.

At week's end, I will meet in Washington with Secretary of State Colin Powell and our diplomats at the State Department. I selected General Powell for that post, in part, because he brings a soldier's wisdom to the work of diplomacy. His charge is to help me pursue a clear, consistent and decisive foreign policy.

Whenever America acts in the world, our principles must be certain, our intentions beyond doubt, our strength be unchallenged. This is how conflicts are avoided. This is how problems are dealt with before they become crises.

Next week's trips signal the priority I place on our military. The highest honor and greatest duty of this office is to serve as Commander-in-Chief. I want every man and woman in the Armed Forces to know that I respect your service and appreciate your sacrifice.
_______________________________________

And....another radio address:

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
june 30, 2001

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. It's the 4th of July this coming week, a proud day for all Americans. Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. That document's bold words defined our nation and inspired the world.

And what we owe, we will pay. This past week, I announced an amended budget request for the Department of Defense in 2002 -- $32.6 billion more than in 2001 -- to improve the training, readiness and quality of life of our troops. This is the biggest defense increase since the Reagan buildup of the mid-1980s. For too many years, our strength has dwindled. Now, we are rebuilding once again, and our first priority is the well-being of men and women in uniform.

It's time for fresh thinking and rapid change in our national defense, to prepare for challenges that are changing just as quickly. One thing will never change, the quality and dedication of the men and women who wear America's uniform. They give their best, they are the best, and they deserve the best. There is no greater honor for a President than to serve as Commander-in-Chief. And my budget priorities reflect the pride I feel in the outstanding people who serve and protect us all.

I urge the Congress to promptly approve my defense requests, which will assure better pay, better housing and better health care for our armed forces. And I wish you and your family a happy and safe 4th of July.

__________________________________


According to Mickey Herkowitz, who was ghost writing for George W Bush's book, "A Charge To Keep", Dubya was planning on going to war with Iraq. long before he ever took office.

Exclusive: Bush Wanted To Invade Iraq If Elected in 2000

By Russ Baker Wed, 27 Oct 2004

Two years before 9/11, candidate Bush was already talking privately about attacking Iraq, according to his former ghost writer
Houston: Two years before the September 11 attacks, presidential candidate George W. Bush was already talking privately about the political benefits of attacking Iraq, according to his former ghost writer, who held many conversations with then-Texas Governor Bush in preparation for a planned autobiography.

“He was thinking about invading Iraq in 1999,” said author and journalist Mickey Herskowitz. “It was on his mind. He said to me: ‘One of the keys to being seen as a great leader is to be seen as a commander-in-chief.’ And he said, ‘My father had all this political capital built up when he drove the Iraqis out of Kuwait and he wasted it.’ He said, ‘If I have a chance to invade….if I had that much capital, I’m not going to waste it. I’m going to get everything passed that I want to get passed and I’m going to have a successful presidency.”

IMPEACH BUSH?

Israel also creates an environmental disaster in Lebanon

Lebanon oil slick 'worst environmental disaster' in Mediterrainian Sea

by Sammy Ketz
Sat Jul 29, 8:19 AM ET

BEIRUT (AFP) - The Mediterranean is threatened by its worst ever environmental disaster after Israel's bombing of a power plant in Lebanon sent thousands of tonnes of fuel gushing into the sea, the environment minister charged

What countries support a cease fire?

WHO SUPPORTS A CEASE FIRE?

Map courtesy of cloaknswagger

Putin puts Bush in the corner

Bush, Putin butt heads over democracy
By Joseph Curl
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
July 16, 2006

During yesterday's press conference, Mr. Putin also took a swipe at Mr. Bush, who repeatedly has lectured the Russian president for failing to press forward with democratic reforms.



Mr. Bush said he had talked with Mr. Putin during a two-hour private meeting "about my desire to promote institutional change in parts of the world like Iraq, where there's a free press and free religion, and I told him that a lot of people in our country would hope that Russia would do the same thing."
Mr. Putin, who opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and has criticized efforts to establish democracy there, quickly replied: "We certainly would not want to have the same kind of democracy as they have in Iraq, I can tell you quite honestly."
"Just wait," Mr. Bush said with a tight smile and reddening face after Mr. Putin's remarks were translated into English.
"We know for sure that we cannot strengthen our nation without developing democratic institutions. But, certainly, we will do this by ourselves," Mr. Putin added.
He also said that Russia would not take part "in any crusades, in any holy alliances" -- a remark that appeared to be intended to sooth Arab allies. Mr. Hadley said he did not understand the comment.
Despite the cool relationship between the leaders, each said they share the same philosophies and goals.
"We don't always agree with each other, but nevertheless, it's important for leaders to be able to share philosophy, whether it be the philosophy of government or the philosophy of governing," Mr. Bush said.
While they announced a series of agreements -- from more cooperation in fighting acts of nuclear terrorism and in storing spent nuclear waste to setting up a U.S.-Russia foundation to help modernize Russia's economy -- talks broke down on Russia's bid to gain U.S. support to join the World Trade Organization.
Mr. Bush said U.S. negotiators think Russia needed to offer more in trade concessions to satisfy Congress. He said both sides would continue talks, and a top negotiator said an agreement could be reached within three months.

Associated Press

Bush, Blair Back Multinational Force

By JENNIFER LOVEN , 07.28.2006, 01:11 PM

Bush said they envisioned a resolution providing "a framework for the cessation of hostilities on an urgent basis and mandating the multinational force."

"This is a moment of intense conflict in the Middle East," Bush said. "Yet our aim is to turn it into a moment of opportunity and a chance for broader change in the region."


G-8 Summit


Leaders Work Out Plan For End to Mideast Crisis

By Peter Baker and Peter Finn
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, July 17, 2006; Page A09

STRELNA, Russia, July 16 -- President Bush and other world leaders put aside their differences Sunday and crafted a plan to stop the fighting in the Middle East, calling on Islamic militias to halt their rocket attacks on Israel and on Israeli forces to end their military response.

The plan, hammered out after hours of intense negotiations at the Group of Eight summit, called for "an immediate end to the current violence" and raised the prospect of an international security force along the Israeli-Lebanese border to separate fighting forces, a potentially significant escalation of outside involvement in the historically volatile region

The statement by the leaders of the world's leading industrial nations placed blame for the intensifying crisis squarely on the "extremist forces" of Hamas and Hezbollah, just as Bush has done from the beginning. But it also went further than he had been willing to go in demanding that Israel "exercise utmost restraint" and "avoid casualties among innocent civilians" in its retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.

The leaders demanded that Hamas and Hezbollah return unharmed Israeli soldiers they have seized in recent weeks and stop shelling Israeli towns, while telling Israel to call off its military operations, withdraw forces quickly from Gaza, and release Palestinian ministers and legislators arrested since the latest wave of conflict began last month. U.S. officials said afterward that the plan envisioned Israel taking those actions only after Hamas and Hezbollah complied, but the statement did not set an order.

The day-long talks that led to the agreement overshadowed the G-8's scheduled agenda on energy, disease and education, demonstrating the deepening alarm over the rising violence in Israel and Lebanon. "We indeed are witnesses to a veritable explosion," said French President Jacques Chirac. "This is a situation of grave, grave concern to us, which occupies us here."

The leaders arrived at Konstantinovsky Palace with starkly different views of the crisis, and a Russian official predicted talks would last all night. But just before the leaders adjourned to a 9 p.m. dinner at the czarist seaside palace near St. Petersburg, they settled on language that emphasized areas of agreement, split the difference on disputes and allowed each side to interpret it as it chose.

Bush has steadfastly supported Israel, saying it has a right to defend itself after Hamas and Hezbollah guerrillas captured some Israeli soldiers and killed others, while firing hundreds of rockets into Israel. Chirac, on the other hand, has criticized Israel for what he sees as an excessive response that has included bombing airports, roads, bridges, electricity stations and other civilian targets in Lebanon, where Hezbollah operates free of government control.

During the discussion, Bush found support from British Prime Minister Tony Blair and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while Chirac's position was largely shared by Russan President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper rounded out the G-8 sessions.

But Bush aides said afterward that the leaders found common ground in their broad sense of the situation and did not bicker much over the differences. "There wasn't much of an argument at all, much of a discussion at all, about who is responsible," Undersecretary of State R. Nicholas Burns said. "But most of the focus was on trying to end the violence, end the fighting, restore calm."

"We achieved satisfactory compromise language that is extremely balanced," said Putin, who is chairing the summit. Putin also said Russia was working to persuade Hezbollah to release the Israelis. "We are using all channels to make efforts to free your soldiers -- all channels," he told an Israeli journalist.



Bush Curses Hezbollah During G8 Luncheon

During G8 luncheon, microphone picks up Bush using an expletive to describe Hezbollah attacks

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Jul. 17, 2006
By JEANNINE AVERSA AP Economics Writer (AP)

Bush expressed his frustration with the United Nations and his disgust with the militant Islamic group and its backers in Syria as he talked to British Prime Minister Tony Blair during the closing lunch at the Group of Eight summit.

"See the irony is that what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s--- and it's over," Bush told Blair as he chewed on a buttered roll.

He told Blair he felt like telling U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who visited the gathered leaders, to get on the phone with Syrian President Bashar Assad to "make something happen." He suggested Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice might visit the region soon.

The unscripted comments came during a photo opportunity at the lunch. The leaders clearly did not realize that a live microphone was picking up their discussion.

Bush also spoke to other leaders, and his unscripted comments ranged from the serious topic of escalating violence in the Mideast to light banter about his preference for Diet Coke and a gift he received from another leader.

Blair, whose remarks were not as clearly heard, appeared to be pressing Bush about the importance of getting international peacekeepers into the region.

As he chats with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bush expresses amazement that it will take Putin and an unidentified leader just as long to fly home to Moscow as it will take him to fly back to Washington. Putin's reply could not be heard.

"You eight hours? Me too. Russia's a big country and you're a big country. Takes him eight hours to fly home. Not Coke, diet Coke. ... Russia's big and so is China. Yo Blair, what're you doing? Are you leaving," Bush said.

Bush thanked Blair for a gift of a sweater and joked that he knew Blair had picked it out personally. "Absolutely," Blair responded, with a laugh.

Bush, a stickler for keeping to his schedule, could also be heard saying, "We have to keep this thing moving. I have to leave at 2:15. They want me out of here to free up their security forces."

Bush also remarked that some of the speakers at the meeting had the tendency to talk too long.

?Are Depleted Uranium Warheads A Necessity?

From Battlefields in the Middle East: Depleted Uranium Measured in British AtmosphereThe Queen's Death Star
by Leuren Moret March 2, 2006 GlobalResearch.ca
The Sunday Times Online, February 19, 2006, reported on a shocking scientific study authored by British scientists Dr. Chris Busby and Saoirse Morgan: "Did the use of Uranium weapons in Gulf War 2 result in contamination of Europe? Evidence from the measurements of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK".

******************

HOW DEPLETED URANIUM WEAPONS ARE KILLING OUR TROOPS

Posted By: ChristopherBollyn
Date: Friday, 31 December 2004, 12:00 a.m.

The following document by Marion Fulk, a nuclear physical chemist, and Leuren Moret, a geo-scientist, provides a concise and essential explanation of the biological response to depleted uranium (DU) particulate internal exposure.

******************


http://www.mindfully.org/Nucs/2004/DU-Trojan-Horse1jul04.htm

The Trojan Horse of Nuclear War

Depleted Uranium:
The Trojan Horse of Nuclear War
LEUREN MORET / World Affairs – The Journal of International

Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

The use of depleted uranium weaponry by the United States, defying all international treaties, will slowly annihilate all species on earth including the human species, and yet this country continues to do so with full knowledge of its destructive potential.

LEUREN MORET

Since 1991, the United States has staged four wars using depleted uranium weaponry, illegal under all international treaties, conventions and agreements, as well as under the US military law. The continued use of this illegal radioactive weaponry, which has already contaminated vast regions with low level radiation and will contaminate other parts of the world over time, is indeed a world affair and an international issue. The deeper purpose is revealed by comparing regions now contaminated with depleted uranium — from Egypt, the Middle East, Central Asia and the northern half of India — to the US geostrategic imperatives described in Zbigniew Brzezinski’s 1997 book The Grand Chessboard.

*****************

A special feature by the Lone Star Iconoclast, a little newspaper in Crawford Texas, George W Bush's home town.
February 28, 2006 7:19 PM

HAVE DU WILL TRAVEL

By W. Leon Smith
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

When The Iconoclast learned of a study conducted by Chris Busby and Saoirse Morgan that suggests that depleted uranium radiation had traveled from Iraq to Great Britain during “shock and awe,” we knew it was time to more fully explore the implications.

We decided to “lay it all on the table,” as best we could by interviewing noted scientists and people in the know about radiation, those who have become medical casualties, those who have gone through the military system, and those who possess an upper tier knowledge of radiation in general.

The Faux News and The Real News

Faux News
Tuesday, July 25, 2006

NABATIYEH, Lebanon — The United States has given Israeli forces between 10 and 14 days to finish dealing Hezbollah "a strategic blow," a senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official told FOX News, as both Israeli forces and Hezbollah guerrillas continued to volley rockets across the Lebanon-Israel border.

While admitting that the Israeli Defense Forces is working at a "slow pace," the official insisted the plan was constructed out of concern for human life.

"We could do it much faster if we would be willing to inflict high civilian casualties," the official said. "The decision was made to move in a methodical, slow way."

Real News

Introducing the Electronic Intifada

EI has received favorable reviews in such respected publications as the Washington Post, Financial Times, The Nation, Utne Reader, and the Jerusalem Post. EI’s founders are regularly contacted by the mainstream electronic media, such as the BBC, CBC, CNN and dozens of radio stations around the world, to provide commentary and analysis on events in the Middle East.



Who condemns the victimizer?

Maarten Jan Hijmans and Fadi Hirzalla, The Electronic Intifada, 25 July 2006

"Every neighborhood has one, a loudmouth bully who shouldn't be provoked into anger.
He's insulted? He'll pull out a knife. Someone spat in his face? He'll draw a gun. Hit? He'll pull out a machine gun. Not that the bully's not right -- someone did harm him. But the reaction, what a reaction! It's not that he's not feared, but nobody really appreciates him. The real appreciation is for the strong who don't immediately use their strength. Regrettably, the Israel Defense Forces once again looks like the neighborhood bully. (...) One and only one language is spoken by Israel, the language of force."

Thus says Gideon Levy in his column for the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz (16 July 2006) on Israel's aggressive policy towards Gaza and Lebanon. He indicates that Israel's current bully-like behavior has become, as it were, an Israeli trademark.

George "The Decider" Bush gets tough on Israel

Faux News
Tuesday, July 25, 2006

NABATIYEH, Lebanon — The United States has given Israeli forces between 10 and 14 days to finish dealing Hezbollah "a strategic blow," a senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official told FOX News, as both Israeli forces and Hezbollah guerrillas continued to volley rockets across the Lebanon-Israel border.

While admitting that the Israeli Defense Forces is working at a "slow pace," the official insisted the plan was constructed out of concern for human life.

"We could do it much faster if we would be willing to inflict high civilian casualties," the official said. "The decision was made to move in a methodical, slow way."

Dr. Rice Delivers A Neoconservative Package

Rice`s package, conveyed to Berri for transmission to Hezbollah, included an offer of a cease-fire, the return of some 700,000 Lebanese refugees to their villages and towns, deployment of the Lebanese army to the south of the country and boosting international troops to back-up the Lebanese armed forces in the south. It also called for the removal of Hezbollah fighters from the border area, rebasing the north of the Litani River, and finding a solution to the issue of the Shebaa Farms

"Nobody wants to see when innocent civilians are harmed,' said Rice."

Yet on both sides of the border it is largely civilians who are paying the highest price in this latest Middle East war that came out of nowhere and is catching residents and tourists unaware.
**************************************

By Claude Salhani Jul 25, 2006, 14:02 GMT

Analysis: Analysis: Add Rice and bring to boil

"'Every peace has to be based on enduring principles," said the American secretary of state.During her whistle-stop tour in the Lebanese capital, sources close to Berri, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Rice offered Lebanon a 'non divisible package' -- a take it or leave it deal.

"Ultimately, a Middle East that is peaceful and democratic will be a place where peace is sustainable",said Condoleezza Rice.
But in the meantime, Lebanon, one of the rare democracies in the Middle East, is being bombed back into the past century by the other only democracy in the Middle East.
On second thoughts, the region has one more democracy ... Iraq.

"Study Group on a New Israeli Strategy Toward 2000"

CLEAN BREAK OR DIRTY WAR

Israel’s Foreign Policy Directive to the United States
Securing the Realm: Background
“A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm"
(ACB) contains six pages of policy recommendations for Benjamin Netanyahu. In 1996 Israel’s newly elected Prime Minister relied upon opinion makers, thinkers and researchers to craft the paper. This Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies’ "Study Group on a New Israeli Strategy Toward 2000" included Richard Perle, James Colbert, Charles Fairbanks, Douglas Feith, Robert Loewenberg, David Wurmser, and Meyrav Wurmser.

1st, Signed Edition of George W Bush's book sells for $356

Hmm...I wonder how many copies he signed. Should be a pretty good futures collectible, if there is one.
This boring but highly edifying description of Dubya was written by non other than his own communications director, Karen Hughes.

Should I try to buy a copy of this hot collectible, or invest a little more and purchase the 16" bronze statue of Dubya in his flight suit.


George W. Bush, A Charge To Keep, 1st/1st Signed

Winning bid: US $356.00

Ended: Jul-18-06 14:17:08 PDT
Shipping costs: FREE
US Postal Service Media MailTM (more services)
Ships to: Worldwide
Item location: On The Border of Mexico, United States
History: 19 bids
Winning bidder: User ID kept private






Egads Huramph! Look at this, I can buy a first edition unsigned for $2 + $3.50 shipping on Abebooks.com. His signature means nothing to me anyways... Any more than his words, that are parroted by the corporate media. I believe that this is the best investment, but will try to keep my mind open for now...


Abebooks

Charge to Keep (ISBN: 0688174418)
Bush, George W.
Bookseller: JP's Books and Beyond
(Houston, TX, U.S.A.) Price: US$ 2.00
[Convert Currency] Shipping within U.S.A.:
US$ 3.50
[Rates & Speeds]
Book Description: William Morrow & Co, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., 1999. Hard Cover. Book Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Stated 1st Edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Measures: 6-1/4" x 9-1/4". Clean, tight copy with no writing or markings. Not an Ex-Library Book or a Book Club Edition. Includes numerous glossy photographs, foreword, 16 chapters, index, and a photograph a brief biography of the author. Colorfully illustrated dust jacket. Brief Gift Inscription on First Page. 253 Pages. Bookseller Inventory # 22328

The original ghost writer for this so called autobiography was Mickey Herskowitz, but the Neoconservatives didn't like many of the details of Dubyas life, and promptly replaced him with Karen Hughes.

Herskowitz
—a longtime Houston newspaper columnist—has ghostwritten or co-authored autobiographies of a broad spectrum of famous people, including Reagan adviser Michael Deaver, Mickey Mantle, Dan Rather and Nixon cabinet secretary John B. Connally. Bush's 1999 comments to Herskowitz were made over the course of as many as 20 sessions together. Eventually, campaign staffers—expressing concern about things Bush had told the author that were included in the manuscript—pulled the project, and Bush campaign officials came to Herskowitz's house and took his original tapes and notes. Bush communications director Karen Hughes then assumed responsibility for the project, which was published in highly sanitized form as A Charge to Keep.

BOLTON TO BE REINSTATED AS US EMBASSADOR TO THE UN?

White House Pushes Jewish Groups to Embrace John Bolton Confirmation

Steve Clemons
Fri Jul 21, 7:43 PM ET

It's hard to imagine something more cynical than the White House exploiting Middle East convulsions -- in which many innocents on all sides are dying in real time -- to divide Americans at home in order to try and squeeze through the Senate confirmation of the pugnacious radicalizer and international de-stabilizer, John Bolton.

For those who have not yet heard, Bolton's nomination is being resurrected by the White House. Bolton will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next Thursday morning at 9:30 on the subject of confirming his appointment and ending his "recess appointment status" as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

______________________________________________________


AN INTERESTING REPORT FROM LEBANON BEFORE THE INVASION











Clayton with Palestinian refugee kids in Shatila Refugee Camp, Lebanon, 4th July 2006.


Just Returned from Lebanon: TARFU
Clayton Swisher writing from Washington, DC, Live from Lebanon, 13 July 2006

12 July 2006 — Even before the Lebanese-based Hezbollah took two Israeli prisoners of war today, I ended my trip to Beirut last week with the feeling that, beneath the beautiful, vibrant country there remained serious political tectonic plates waiting for any excuse to slip. I had conversations and visits over a two week period with Lebanese people of all stripes — from the pro-democracy/anti-Syrian political elite, to Hamas, to the downtrodden Palestinian refugees, to the average Mohammad — and I left with the unmistakable impression that American interests are screwed.

Israel's invasion today into South Lebanon and the ongoing air strikes against Lebanon's infrastructure exceeded my worst predictions. Whether you agree or not, three points below explain the context of what is happening now in Lebanon and why the US-Israeli response is bound to cast America deeper into the Mideast abyss, further undermining the (albeit badly) damaged image of US forces while crippling our efforts to sway the global recruits from the growing appeal of Bin Laden.

Clayton E. Swisher, a former Marine reservist and federal criminal investigator, was educated as the University of Pittsburgh, Georgetown University, and is director of programs at the nonprofit Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. Swisher is the author of "The Truth about Camp David" (Nation Books, 2004). This article first appeared in The Daily Kos on 12 July 2006 and is reprinted with the author's permission.

ISRAEL HAS FULL US SUPPORT IN LEBANON

House overwhelmingly backs Israel in vote
By ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer
Thu Jul 20, 2:42 PM ET

WASHINGTON - The House, displaying a foreign affairs solidarity lacking on issues like Iraq, voted overwhelmingly Thursday to support Israel in its confrontation with Hezbollah guerrillas.

The resolution, which was passed on a 410-8 vote, also condemns enemies of the Jewish state.

Israel Prepares for Ground Offensive in Lebanon

BEIRUT, July 21

Israel today called up reserve troops as it appeared to prepare for a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, warning residents to evacuate the border zone, as its jets continued their relentless pounding of the country from the air in the face of growing international condemnation over civilian casualties.

Why does the US endorse Israels destruction of Lebanon?

This article appears in the February 25, 2005 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

Lebanon's Hariri Killed
To Make a `Clean Break'

by Muriel Mirak-Weissbach

The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, in Beirut on Feb. 14, 2005, was a carefully planned and executed act, geared to trigger a chain reaction of events in the region, that would conform with the long-standing policy of the neo-conservative junta running Washington.

To understand the why of the assassination—although the material perpetrator, the who, remains unclear—one must look back at the 1996 policy paper prepared under the supervision of now-Vice President Dick Cheney, and his neo-con task force of Richard Perle, Doug Feith, David and Meyrav Wurmser, et al. Entitled "Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm," this paper outlined a scenario whereby the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would be torn to shreds, and, first Iraq, then Syria, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Iran, would be targetted for military assault and political destabilization.


Word from Lebanon

A communication from Raida Hatoum in Beirut. Date: Sat, 15 Jul 2006
Raida a is a founding member of Lebanon's IndyMedia organization in Beirut (imc-beirut); volunteer active with the Palestinian Solidarity networks working at the Shatila refugee camp and with the Najdeh Association; member of the group which publishes the Lebanese paper Al-Yasari.

A Stategic Development

In the month of June, Israeli forces killed more than 50 Palestinians - this was during a time of "peaceful operations". In the two weeks of July since Israel began its invasion of Gaza, more than 80 Palestinians have been killed, many of them civilian non-combattants and children.

Something incredible happened when the Lebanese Hezbollah attacked a military position on Israel's north killing a few soldiers and taking two prisoners. The entire war shifted.

The Zionist Government of Israel launched an unprecedented wave of destruction on Lebanon, and even though the entire world community, including many prominent countries' Governments voiced its opposition and horror at this move, the Israeli leadership continues unabated, and promises that it will not stop.

At the same time, Israel has been receiving a tremendous amount of military and financial aid from the United States, and to top it all, the United States used its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to prevent a resolution that would have told Israel to pull out of Gaza.

Lebanon and the ongoing conflict with Israel

I've been on vacation and computor free for about a week. I really don't know what to talk about, and completely flubbergusted by the goin-ons in the Middle East. What in the clear blue world is Israel doing to the people of Lebanon? Again? One thing for sure...It isn't about the kidnapping of two Israli soldiers.

Lebanon is an international country of Phoenician heritage. They were in ancient history the merchants and traders of that part of the world. They are still merchants and traders, and Beirut is a tax-free port. I spent some time in Beirut in 1965, and enjoyed the international flavor of the city. There was an Arab sector, a French sector, an English sector, etc. The French Onion soup was incredible, and the stuffed pocket bread from the street venders was really good, along with fresh squeezed orange juice. The mile square market place was still there at that time, and we spent days walking through the narrow streets and alleys. Being an American was a good thing at that time, and the only problem I ever had was being mistaken for an Englishman. We were being detained at a road block, untill the driver of the cab that I was in explained that I was an American. I had just read the book called "The Ugly American", so felt relieved, and kinda proud to be one.

I guess that what I want to talk about is some of the history of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanon still lays claim to a six-mile-wide area called Shebaa Farms. Israel said it captured it in 1967 from Syria, not Lebanon and Israel still maintains military posts there. While never demarcated, detailed maps showing the border were produced by the French in 1933 and again in 1945, "Beyrouth" 1:200,000 sheet NI36-XII available in the U.S. Library of Congress and French archives. They clearly showed the region in Syria, but the commission responsible for demarcating the border in the decades after the French mandate ended in 1946 did not act decisively nor delimit or demarcate this area. Border disputes had arisen frequently, leading to the formation of a joint Lebanese-Syrian border demarcation commission. That commission never made a ruling on the Shebaa Farms area, and no official demarcation of the border actually occurred. The older maps showing the Shebaa Farms in Syria continued to be used and new detailed ones were produced in the 1960's by Lebanon showing the area to be entirely within Syria. However, many local residents continued to regard themselves as Lebanese; the Lebanese government showed little interest. The Syrian government imposed itself on the region, at one point forcibly replacing the villagers' Lebanese identity cards with Syrian ones. On the eve of the 1967 war, the region was under effective Syrian control. Lebanese officials point to land deeds, stamped by the Lebanese government, that were held by a number of residents in the area in the 1940s and 1950s.

There has been a lot going on before and after the following interview, and todays news is beyond comprehension. Anyway...I think this might be informative as to Lebanon's concerns about the Israeli attacks on their country.

PBS Online NewsHour

LEBANON'S RAFIQ HARIRI April 16, 2002

MARGARET WARNER: So the fact that the U.N. even has certified this line and has said that Israel has fully complied and that the status of Shebaa Farms should be settled when Israel negotiates with Syria, that just has no meaning as far as you're concerned?

PRIME MINISTER HARIRI: Well, you know, this is a Lebanese territory. And the Syrians are saying it is Lebanese. The Israelis are saying it is not Israeli. So it is a matter of our land or Syrian land. But one thing is sure -- that it is not an Israeli land and it is occupied by Israel.

Dubya's Flawless 4th. of July Speech

There is a copy of George W Bush's radio address for the 4th. of July, on his White House web site, so out of curiosity, I listened to it. The strangest thing I've ever heard. It was absolutely flawless, without the usual pauses that are allways in his speeches. He didn't make any of the usual mistakes, or use any of the nonsensecal Bushisms that accompany his speech. So...Whats up, has he been drunk or drugged in his former speeches, and what I hear now is what he's like when he is sober? Or is it some really weird kinda scifi operation by the puppet masters, like Voice Cloning.

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 1, 2006

President's Radio Address

Lieberman to run as Independent Democrat?

This wishy washy excuse for a Democrat nominee makes me feel like I'm going to lose my groceries. He is a classic example of everything that I dislike about politicians in general, and exactly what is meant about politicians making strange bedfellows... yuck

HEADLINES: July 3, 2006, 12:52 PM EDT

SENATE-LIEBERMAN

HARTFORD _ U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic primary challenge and sagging poll numbers because of his support of the Iraq war, was to announce Monday whether he will begin gathering signatures for a possible independent run this November, a campaign spokeswoman said.

"If you want the party's support, don't leave the party"

Merle Haggard Says "Lets Rebuild America First"

This old geezer is still performing, and speaking his mind. He is an all time country music icon, and wrote allmost all of his own songs.
He speaks for himself, and has allways said what he thinks. He has performed in the White House, and is admired, not for his political beliefs, but for his humanitarian views, and being a spokesman for the working man..."Working Man Blues". My favorite is "Turn Me Loose Set Me Free", the social security song. He's about the same age as me, and I grew up listening to him on the radio, as he sang songs about common folks and the American way. He is still doing what he has allways done so well, and is still admired for being his own man.

Merle Haggard Sounds Off

Scolds Media For Focusing On Stories Less Important Than Iraq War



"Yea, men in position but backing away
Freedom is stuck in reverse
Let's get out of Iraq and get back on the track
And let's rebuild America first."

"Are we a nation under God anymore/How long do we cower down/Is this really still our ground/Our country is like a prisoner of war/Where's all the freedom that we're fightin' for."

"Suddenly it's over, the war is finally done/Soldiers in the desert sand still clinging to a gun/No one is the winner and everyone must lose/Suddenly the war's over, that's the news."

Court ruling raises new legal questions over Bush's domestic spying program

By PETE YOST
Jul 1, 2006, 07:55
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A Supreme Court ruling striking down military commissions seriously weakens the foundation of the Bush administration's domestic surveillance program, critics said Friday.
A congressional resolution President Bush relied on in creating commissions is a key rationale for the National Security Agency to listen in on phone calls without first obtaining a judge's permission.

The War On Energy

The answer to our prayers is right here.
And my answer to the Energy Crises is.....
UP YOURS!

Organisms are just abstract molecules