Aim For The Top

Well, It looks like Dick Cheney better have some new batteries for the pacemaker....and a good lawyer.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has prosecuted mobsters, terrorists and even journalists. He has investigated and charged state and city officials in this notoriously crooked state with pit bull tenacity.
And always, he has methodically, inexorably pursued his investigations to target the man at the top of the organizational pyramid........Before coming to Chicago, Mr. Fitzgerald was an assistant federal prosecutor in New York City. There, he indicted Osama bin Laden in 1998 for the bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa, and won convictions against defendants in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, including Sheikh Omar Abdal Rahman. He also put Mafia boss John Gambino behind bars.

The investigation in the Plame case should end in October. Get ready for the indictments...and the mandatory smearing of Mr. Fitzgerald.

Health Care

Could we have a system that more evenly spread the costs and benefits. I think so. I wish they wouldn't have turned this into a partisan issue in this article but I think a great many of the points are valid. Here

Protection

Here's the answer to the purple band aids.

Osama Injured?

Apparently our attackers are STILL in Afganistan. The training ground in Iraq has apparently made the instigator unnecessary to spread the movement. Wouldn't it be odd if , after all the smearing of Spain for pulling out, they end up being the ones who get the one who organized the attack on us.

Kabul, 24 August (AKI) - Osama bin Laden has been wounded in Afghanistan, according to two different reports carried by various Islamic websites. Referring to the al-Qaeda leader as Abu Abdullah, the second message, which appeared on Wednesday, said: "Mullah Ahmadi, military leader of the Badr brigades, which form part of the al-Qaeda organisation in Afghanistan, has confirmed that Sheikh Abu Abdullah has been injured in his left leg." It follows a previous message on several Islamic websites saying the fugitive terrorist leader was injured while taking part in an attack on a Spanish military base in Afghanistan.

Coffee Table

Various and sundry comments welcome here!

The "Good News" From Iraq

Something that comes up often lately is "what about the good things happening in Iraq?" Before I comment you might want to check out this story. There is more biodiversity in Chernobyl than ever before! Of course it will be eons before humans can live there. So does this mean it was good they had a nuclear meltdown? How about a few more them.
Ok, now back to Iraq. Certainly positive developments have occurred. No doubt about it. My question is at what cost. Schools rebuilt in Iraq, Sewer systems rebuilt in Iraq. Kids get toenail clippers etc.
What is the cost of all this. Was (is) it worth the sidetracking the war on terror and Americas' priorities at home, America losing respect around the world and becoming known as a preemptive attacker. 300 billion dollars not spent on rebuilding AMERICA or used for homeland security..or the real war on terror. At least tens of thousands dead and many more than that maimed for life. Aiding terrorists in their recruiting and training. And the list goes on and on.
Certainly there was a better way to fight terrorism than this. Saddam was contained and we had the world behind us and a chance to focus on those that had harmed us and are still harming people around the world. Saddams time could have waited.
We've done all we can. Saddam is gone and they have a government. The civil war is happening wheather we are there or not. They are now in control and they are going to have to settle it among themselves. No doubt good things have happened..I still dream of how much more good might have been done with a different strategy. I blame the Pnac'ers for the fumble. There's lots of work to do elsewhere if we are going to defeat terror. Let's turn our focus there.
Here's a question that perplexes me. For years I have heard the right wing screech monkeys blather about how the government was bumbling idiots who couldn't do anything right. Name me one thing the government has done well they say. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Now suddenly we can build an entire foreign country and transform an entire culture. Is it this or can they not run the school down the street?

Bring In The Water Truck, We Need More Mud

Senator Hagel faces the reality based world. No doubt he will soon see the slime machine. Funny how the majority who have been to war don't like this war and those that haven't think its "noble".

My sentiments on this are accurately reflected by others in the comments below the story:

Chuck Hagel is by far the most realistic and truthful Republican out there, and that includes John McCain, who was "swiftboated" himself by the slimy Bush political machine led by Rove and company in the 2000 primaries. Russ Feingold, a Democrat from Wisconsin, also showed some guts by breaking from the ranks of "scared" deems, by actually putting a time line on withdrawal from Iraq. By the way, Feingold voted against the war from the beginning. I only hope that more Senators will follow suit and finally show some guts and conviction about the proper course of action in Iraq.

American badly needs a progressive new political party. Russ Feingold and Barack Obama would make a good presidential ticket. The Democratic Party is led by people who are scared to death to put principle ahead of their own re-election prospects.Time for a change or the Republicans will run the government indefinitely.
Actually I'd like to see Wesley Clark as VP..my choice in the past election.

As those of you that listen to the radio show know Russ is my choice for president and has been since the election(surely the kiss of death for the neocons who come here:-). He was on Meet The Press. What he said here. Russ pointed out the civil rights violations in the so called patriot act BEFORE the vote and was the only senator with the balls to vote against it. Yep, he actually READ it . He gives back the Senate pay raise to the treasury. He was one of 23 who voted against the war and stands with the average man and woman..You da man Russ!

Case Closed?

Is the OKC bombing case over....or not?

Keeping America Strong

Here is a little food for thought on the state of the America.
Let's talk about it. I am a registered Democrat so I can vote in the primary and have some influence but I am actually a Liberal Populist(populist here: http://www.davidsirota.com/) with a tad of Libertarian thrown in. As a populist I believe the people should run the country and the individual citizens should benefit by the treasury and actions of the government before anyone else. I oppose the power of the giant corporations over the people and believe that small business should be advantaged over them if we are to build a sustained and vital country. Short story, I'm for the little guy. It worked that way for many years and only badly goes askew when the "robber barons" get the power. Let me tell you what I see from my planet.:-)
Domestically, cuz we've done the foreign thing to death. The corporations run this country. Many legislators have admitted that the lobbists(moneyed interests) now even write the bills! They love it when we have more workers than jobs. That way(supply and demand) they don't have to pay much. Jobs going overseas and more people coming into this country to work all works right into their plan to make us wage slaves.
Health care is a giant issue. We can't have lazzie faire health care where the unable to afford it die and the wealthy live. I know many likely consider one payer health care "socialism". So be it. It is bankrupting companies and individuals alike. Over 50% of personal bankruptcies are from health care issues. People that can't afford to pay go to the emergency room and those with insurance end up paying for it with higher premiums. Wouldn't it make more sense if everyone paid in at least something? But taxes, taxes, taxes! Consider your monthly premium as a "tax" and tell me how much you are paying right now. We have the most expensive health care in the world and without the best results.
Alternative energy should be our #1 national priority. Mostly because it will help us avoid a war over oil and being at the will of others for energy which will no doubt become an increasing drain on our economy. Some other reasons include profitability of patents for Americans instead of other countries. New good paying jobs in new technologies, an improvement for our environment and an issue that can UNITE Americans instead of divide us. These are the BIG issues for America that are being ignored by the peoples representatives on both sides.
Little is made in America anymore. Look at where the goods you buy in the store come from. We are not energy independent. We are dependent on other countries for nearly everything. If China shut us out Walmart is out of business! Not good for the "lead" country in the world. While the moneyed interests pull the wool over our eyes we slip further into the abyss. Time to get up, get loud and get proud America. Let's do something positive for once!