Provoking Spin

This makes my head spin...

Excerpt from the NY Times regarding a recently released memo from Tony Blair's office:

The memo indicates "that the president and the prime minister acknowledged that no unconventional weapons had been found inside Iraq. Faced with the possibility of not finding any before the planned invasion, Mr. Bush talked about several ways to provoke a confrontation, including a proposal to paint a United States surveillance plane in the colors of the United Nations in hopes of drawing fire, or assassinating Mr. Hussein."

The United States as Rodeo Clown? We're in the attack provoking business, Yee haw.

News Flash

Mr. President - The Press is not responsible for how this war is turning out and that excuse for your incompetency just won't work this time. Remember, these are the same people you used when the Mission was Accomplished and purple fingers were all the rage. It was convenient to have them around then, but now...not so much.

If I were the press, I'd feel a little...used, right now. I mean, you guys were so close, for YEARS. And they were kind to you, would do anything to please you. How can you be so fickle after all they've done?

You cad.

Tune In: CSPAN2, at 4pm EST

Senator Russ Feingold will introduce his Censure Resolution today in the Senate at 4pm broadcast on C-SPAN2.
I'll be giving him a standing ovation in my living room. This man is a Patriot.

Could it be that we really do live in the Home of the Brave?

Democracy NOW!

From their Website:

Democracy Now!'s War and Peace Report provides our audience with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S.corporate-sponsored media, including independent and international journalists, ordinary people from around the world who are directly affected by U.S. foreign policy, grassroots leaders and peace activists, artists, academics and independent analysts. In addition, the War and Peace Report hosts real debates - debates between people who substantially disagree, such as between the White House or the Pentagon spokespeopleon the one hand, and grassroots activists on the other.

For true democracy to work, people need easy access to independent, diverse sources of news and information.

But the last two decades have seen unprecedented corporate media consolidation. The U.S. media was already fairly homogenous in the early 80s: some fifty media conglomerates dominated all media outlets, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, music, publishing and film. In the year 2000, just six corporations dominated the U.S. media.

In addition, corporate media outlets in the U.S. are legally responsible to their shareholders to maximize profits.

And U.S. “public” media outlets accept funding from major corporations, as well as from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Every Corporation for Public Broadcasting board member is appointed by the White House and confirmed by the Senate.

Democracy Now! is funded entirely through contributions from listeners, viewers, and foundations. We do not accept advertisers, donations from corporations, or donations from governments. This allows us to maintain our independence.

P=MI

Power=Money(Influence)

The religious ferocity of Bush supporters predisposes them for his style of leadership: Do not question, just believe.

There will be a time to reexamine our government's funding for these right-wing religious organizations. Restoring funding to pre-2000 levels, when they were nearly bankrupt, is a good place to start.

Bush Didn't Know about the Dubai Ports Deal

The excuse that Bush "didn't know" about the sale might help him form his defense after terrorists blow up a few ports, but for now, his statement shows how disconnected and derelict he is in his duties as President. It is irresponsible to not know that American ports are scheduled to be operated by a country with ties to al Queda.

Yet he is able to ascertain in a matter of days that the deal poses no threat to national security. And he's so confident, he'll veto any legislation that blocks this sale. Now that is scary.

It's also unnerving that the White House agencies' "extensive" review process for this sale lasted approximately 30 days, over two weeks short of the 45 day review period that is required when a company is owned by a foreign government. This mandate also comes into play when the sale "could result in control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the U.S. that could affect the national security of the U.S."

Bush claims that he consulted with those who report to him, asked their opinion about the transaction and was satisfied with their answers. He then draws a line in the sand: "I want those who are questioning it to step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company." A two minute Google search could help you figure that one out on your own. But alas, poor George, you can't help yourself. You were born with a silver thumb up your butt.

The Sell Out

This is interesting: We've just sold the operations of port facilities in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Baltimore and Miami to the United Arab Emeritus.

This is a bit strange, no? It really does sound like the beginnings of some Crazed-Karl Rove plan. Think about it. We all know that this administration and its supporters want more power. What better way to do this than scare Americans into submission.

Let's connect the dots...
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The United Arab Emeritus provided significant money and support to al Queda, including the terrorists responsible for 9-11.
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The United Arab Emeritus owns Dubai Ports World.
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John Snow, Chairman of a CSX rail firm, sells his company's international port operations to Dubai Ports World for $1.15 billion in 2004.
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George W. Bush appoints John Snow as Secretary of The Department of the Treasury.
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In 2006, Secretary John Snow approves the deal to sell OUR port operations to Dubai Ports World for $6.8 billion.
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David Sanborn runs Dubai Ports World's European and Latin American operations.
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George W. Bush appoints David Sanborn as head of the U.S. Maritime Administration.
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Hmm. The players seem to be in place.
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So when our ports are blown up:

...Americans will fear for their lives (particularly those who live in the blue states.)
...Port access will be cut off because of security issues.
...Military and private security contractors will be called on to patrol our streets and coastlines for our own protection.
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Mission Accomplished