After years of a criminal administration and Congressional enabling inaction and subterfuge news made all the more uninformative by its spin through a distorting blahblahblah talkinghead machine, we’re suddenly in a whirlwind of reality. Along the way we have learned to partially compensate with foreign news sources and bloggers, like faithful tenders in a weedy garden, have been putting truth to lie before roots can take firm hold. Since the November elections and particularly since the 110th was seated in January, it has taken determination to stay on top of the barrage of new information. We could use another five hours in our day to sort through it all. I’d like to give you a solid summary, but that’s beyond my capabilities. However, here are a few recent items that have grabbed my attention:
Foremost is the successful Iraq war vote. It passed the Dem-controlled House in a 218-212 vote. Info of the vote here, here, here. The provisions of this resolution are here. Bush has vowed a veto of it, but to do so will give major ‘he doesn’t support the troops’ ammunition to Democrats. This fight is on!
Tracking down scattered Iraq news is a challenge. One good source is Daily War News at uruknet. The #1 story there and around the world today is the capture by Iran of 8 sailors and 7 marines attached to the British Royal Navy. Iran’s contention is that their small boats were in Iranian waters; Britain insists they were in Iraqi waters. This incident adds to our worries of a US-British attack on Iran and fuels our suspicions of provocation.
Beyond the obvious, evidence of a profound Iraqi health crisis mounts. BBC reporter John Leyne writes of Iraqi doctors fleeing their country. Iraqi psychiatrist Dr. Haidr al-Makiki writes of observations in his practice. Globalresearch.ca gives this broader analysis, Four years into the occupation: No health for Iraq.
Commentor Clif aka Professor brought us this story from the Toronto Star, Lebanon War Was A Mistake, Peres Says, and gives his thoughts about its importance:
Peres statement destroys the Israeli justification for the war at all. They originally said they went to war to get their soldiers back, but since Peres says that is never a good idea, the Israeli’s have little justification left(sort of just like Bush in Iraq)
Given that, and Olmert’s admission the Israeli’s had a plan to attack a foreign country, to wit Lebanon at the first provocation, it totally undercuts their “victim†status as always being the second to fire, in this case they fired first and planned it that way.
Essentially if you follow Peres logic combined with Olmert’s admission, Israel launched a war of aggression to kill against a sovereign state for political NOT security reasons which is a violation of the UN charter. It essentially makes the government of Israel a rouge regime, which has violated both the Geneva Convention and UN Charter.
Were you surprised that Rush Limbaugh thinks the news conference of John and Elizabeth Edwards was a publicity stunt? To save you from reading all of Mr. OxyToxic’s verbal vomit, scroll down to the 3rd paragraph from the bottom to read this latest spew.
Frank’s ETR co-host Traci, also of WashingtonWoman, has this to say about Bush’s urgings for patience with his Iraq catastrophe: We Just Need A Little Patience. Here’s what prompted her post.
TomCat gave us a shoutout at his fine blog.
Christopher posts Bush, Cheney, Gonzo Blocked Closing GITMO
Conan has inside info about the cast for a made-for-tv movie about the Bush administration.
And finally, because I’m getting all dizzy and stuff, here’s Knut.
Baby Knut was abandoned by his mother and adopted by a worker at the Berlin Zoo. Animal rights activist argued that Knut should be euthanized to save him the embarassment of being treated as a pet. Instead, he is bottle-fed, washed and cuddled by his adopted father who sleeps near the bear’s crate and plays Knut Elvis songs on the guitar. Here’s video of Knut’s public debut.
:jittery_tb:
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:26 pm
In posts, mostly I steer clear of what a zillion other blogs are covering and try to find info that may have slipped under your radar. Today is an exception because of the awesomeness of the Iraq vote in the House and the scariness of the British captures. This is the ONLY time I’ll pass on anything from Limbaugh (and NEVER expect anything about Coulter or Malkin from me). On these threads I welcome any important news you are finding that needs to be told…and I may now and then grab it for a post…and ditto links to good blogs that deserve a spotlight.
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
WOW! Mirthyone. That’s a LOT of punch in one confined space. Have you listened to todays show yet? (Duh, I just finished the link) There’s a surprise for you toward the end.
BTW, thanks for addressing the oxi-rush “issue”, I know you NEVER touch it. I always double-glove before I write anything about ANY of them. Honest I WAS gonna write a post about it, I even bought enough hand sanitizer to bathe in afterward. Anyone wanna buy twenty gallons of hand sanitizer?
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Nice round up mirth. It is good to see some accountability finally coming to D.C. Unfortunately the bill that passed the house is unlikely to pass the Senate. Perhaps some kind of compromise bill can be reached and sent to bushy’s desk. He will pretty much have to sign it or be painted as the one who is abandoning the troops out of stubborness. I saw Traitor Joe (lieberman) appearing with mr. LostHisSpine McCain to admonish democrats in the house for passing the bill. There is nothing worse than a traitor and Jo(k)e lieberman is a double traitor. Not just to his party, but his country as well.
We need Knut to take his place! He’ll do a better job.
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:47 pm
lol Mr Frank, and thatnks for the compliment.
A few sentences into the post creation I had a computer crash and lost all the links I intended to use and I could only find a few of them when I came back, so this one is a shortened version.
We have many great small bloggers (Yea! for us Little Guys. That’s where the action is!) visiting ETR and the work they do keeps me charged and informed. Sharing our readers benefits everyone.
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Hey DMan!
The McCain/Liberman show is a disgrace! The provisions of the Iraq resolution appeal even to those (such as me) who want an immediate withdrawl. Only those without souls or stuffing their pockets with AIPAC $ are opposed to it.
March 23rd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Frank, Fridays are too packed for me to catch the show live, but a listen on Saturdays is working out great. Along with knowing your guest was the wife of Maj Morissette, now you have me intrigued more than I usually am. Hopefully you didn’t say something like “There’s this ditz I’m humoring at my blog.”
:lol_tb:
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I just finished listening to your show Frank. You’re right, mirth is a ditz.
I Keed I Keed!
Very nice shout out to the GreatOne that graces your blog.
Three cheers for mirth!
Hip-hip Hooray!
Hip-hip Hooray!
Hip-hip Hooray!
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I guess I’ll have to listen to the show tonight instead of writing mails….
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:29 pm
:tongue1_tb:
I’m such a kidder…..
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Bush and his lapdog Blair will probably use the supposed capturing of British soldiers to start the war they have been longing for.
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Ok the show is downloaded (15 secs) for tomorrow, but I skipped ahead to see what the heck you said about me….
Awwwwwwwww, thank you FrankMan and Traci and Audrey.
♥
A few of our commenters get a mention too…but they’ll have to listen to hear their names.
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Right you are, Larry.
Just like I doubt the story that Iraqis are killing their children to lure US soldiers, I suspect the British soldiers were provoking Iran.
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:44 pm
The way our government works, there may not have been any British soldiers captured.
How would the public know different. They are all liars.
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:53 pm
True, Larry.
“They captured our soldier” worked for the Israelis.
March 23rd, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Iranian President Cancels U.N. Appearance.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8O23V580&show_article=1
March 23rd, 2007 at 8:38 pm
First off. This is in response to things I keep reading. I am not on the anti-Israeli bandwagon for many reasons which I don’t have the time to deal with now.
I disagree with and dislike/hate the current crop of “elected” officials in Israel but I also feel the same about our current administration .. but I don’t hate the USA or it’s people.
Limpball can bite my ass!
I think this congress is doing more good, with so much BAD to wade through, then any congress I have ever known! Pelosi ROCKS!
Traci is a wonderful writer with a heart of gold. She truly believes and lives her convictions.
These are just some of my ramblings for the day.
Kevin
Washington Woman
Stop Iran War
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:33 pm
kevin22262
So there are no misunderstandings, here is a comment of mine from the AIPAC thread below:
The American public is waking about AIPAC’s control of our country and many noble Jewish voices are helping this to happen. They as well as us have been seized by gov’t actions which are the opposite of our supposed values. Olmert’s polls are in the gutter along with Bush’s. American Jews have stood with Liberals throughout our modern history in the fight for justice and equality. The Civil Rights movement alone would not have advanced without dedicated support by American Jews. Our individal societies have been seized by just what you see taking place in the AIPAC conference. It is our duty and responsibility to expose this corruption.
I become very tense with the necessity of having to repeat these beliefs every time a discussion about the Israeli GOV’T policies are brought into the open. Until one proves themselves anti-semitic, this should not be necessary.
In Israel as in American, a percentage of the population supports the policies of their respective governments. The majority of us do not. For years these discussions have been verboten. They only barely are now. But discuss them I will. Only with the light of truth can we uncover evil lurking in darkness, both in our country and in other countries.
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:44 pm
kevin22262, I meant to add…
I agree with you about Traci of WashingtonWoman, which is why I included a link to her post. She is a very good writer and everything I know about her goodness is reflected in her writing. I admire her tremendously.
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:57 pm
My last comment did not show up, even tho it said it would.
I am black listed! How Dare You.. Oh My God is this a democracy? For Shame For Shame!!!
hi…
March 23rd, 2007 at 10:00 pm
OK.. it just took a bit to show.
Everyone move along now.. nothing to see here.
March 23rd, 2007 at 10:31 pm
The spam filter caught you for some reason. It might hold you again, but someone will fish it out for you. Give it a couple of days while the filter learns.
March 23rd, 2007 at 11:00 pm
We have picture! Top right of the front page! Yippee!
March 23rd, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Kevin, sorry about that, David is DEATH on spam and sometimes it’ll catch ya. I’m surprised it hasn’t caught ME yet. BTW, I have a “Frank” admission. I accidentally banned David last night. I’m surprised he is speaking to me. LOL!!
As you can see Mirth,I am surrounded by beautiful women every Friday. Ahhh such a life.
March 24th, 2007 at 12:11 am
The picture of that polar bear cub is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. ANYone who would even THINK about harming him should be tied to the bow of a Greenpeace ship in rough seas.
March 24th, 2007 at 12:13 am
I agree with Keven on this. It seems that people want to hate Israel, but it isn’t Israel, it is their leadership you have problems with.
I don’t hate America, but I do have some serious problems with our leadership also. And it is becoming more and more evident that the majority of people world-wide have the same problems that I do. It doesn’t mean that they hate America, it only means that they don’t like its policies promulgated by our errant leadership.
AIPAC is NOT representative of the people of Isreal, it is an American lobbyist group, made up of Neocons. They are about as representative of Israel as the CATO Institute is of the US.
We tend to mistake leaders of a country with the country in general. Hugo Chavez doesn’t like Bush, but he doesn’t have a problem with Americans. Iranians don’t hate the US, they just dislike our policies — again, something the leadership of this country is doing. Even the fuckweasle Osama been Forgotten has said he doesn’t hate Americans, he just had a problem with… wait for it… our policies.
The Israeli people just want peace and security. It is their leadership and the factions who support them who are causing much of the roadblocks to obtaining that peace and security.
March 24th, 2007 at 1:34 am
I will just gently remind that the AIPAC post did not mention any negatives about the Israeli people. Instead, it spoke about AIPAC’s influence in our government.
March 24th, 2007 at 3:35 am
Mirth, Thanks for including my thread post. About Knut, well who is more adorable than this little guy? He makes my heart dance whenever I see him. To the so-called animal rights person(s) who said Knut should’ve been left to die as in nature, screw them and take a hike.
March 24th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Hello Mirthy-One and Frank.
Just a quick drive by.
As usual, great post Mirth. If I ever make my own blog, I’ll have great teachers like you, Kay, Frank, Ox, Rocky and others too numerous to mention.
I posted on Kay’s site that the Brit’s capture was a proxy provocation designed to stir up Bu$hcon’s 30%ers to fire up the war wagon. Just my theory. Everyone else says it’s a provocation as well. Until something comes up to disprove that claim, people are starting to doubt Bu$hcon.
Do you know about Kay being stalked by oil industry trolls? Scary stuff.
I have to admire her. She’s so brave and unafraid to speak truth to power. She’s in the bigtime for sure!
Knut’s cute. Are you guys gonna have Friday polar bear blogging?
Gotta go, the “bosses” are calling!
March 24th, 2007 at 9:21 am
While, the Iraq vote did not go far enough, it was what we can get, and I expect it to pay off in 2008, after the right blocks this very moderate compromise that met them more than half way.
On Rush, he won my Bush Sweetheart Award for the same reason.
Mirth, you’re welcome for your award and thanks for the shout out.
March 24th, 2007 at 11:39 am
I’m glad you find pleasing what I pass on to you in posts, and it’s so kind of you to say so.
I agree that the Iraq resolution is less than we hope for. An illegal invasion supported by lies and causing needless death and suffering is a heavy weight for all of us. However, overall it seems good. That it barely passed the House and will most likely be voted down in the Senate and if it should make it to Bush he has promised a veto, makes it a good example of the difficulties Dems face in Congress.
March 24th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Regards Israel, I am always amazed that we can discuss epic and destructive events such as the Holocaust, and a national mindset that allowed it to occur, without causing ‘You hate Germans,’ yet the same types of discussion about Israel’s crimes against humanity always causes, to one degree or another, ‘You hate Jews.’ Why is this? AIPAC…which takes it out of the realm of the minuscule-by-comparison Cato Institute. Further, distinguished and learned Jews such as Ilian Pappe and many others have poignantly written about the self-fabricated history of Israel, beginning with its inception in 1948, as taught to Israelis and their struggle to find truth. To continue the myth (and we’re talking about 60 years, right up to Israel’s current crimes in Gaza and the West Bank) of a docile, peaceful population limits positive change that can come with truth and re-evaluation and it limits the world in assisting the Palestinians. Why do we do this? AIPAC.
March 24th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
But don’t take my word for it.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0803-02.htm
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/03/16/isrlpa15506.htm
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19574&Cr=Leban&Cr1=
http://www.geocities.com/cahumanity/
http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/0707-02.htm
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2650
http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/51546/overview#1513878
Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it
March 24th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Subject change to Good News:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070324/ap_on_re_us/jeb_bush_degree_4
March 24th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Mirth, as someone who is 50% Jewish by blood, I don’t find your discussions of AIPAC or Israel at all offensive. In fact, you’ll find similar posts at my place. AIPAC has little to do with Israel. It’s a neocon/theocon US PAC that falsely claims to speak for Israeli interests. Saying that an Israeli policy is mistaken does not imply hatred for Jews. When I say a Bush policy is wrong, it implies love for the US.
March 24th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Thank you SO much, TomCat!
I have a profound love and admiration of the contributions of Jews around the world who have always worked tirelessly for the causes of truth and justice. The strongest voices now in opposition to how Zionism has been conducted, particularly in relation to the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland, are Jewish voices.
Until subjects surrounding Israel can be discussed openly and honestly, we will not be free of the grip AIPAC has on our country.
March 25th, 2007 at 10:21 am
I fully agree, Mirth. It’s sad that people who are subjected to severe abuse often become abusers themselves, because they falsely believe that that will give them some measure of control over their own lives. If that also applies to groups, perhaps it can give us a better understanding of, while not an excuse for,Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
March 25th, 2007 at 11:42 am
TomCat, I love your comment and agree with its premise.
I’ll add that a displaced population in turn displacing a population is…a conundrum. A very sad one.
March 25th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Dad, I missed your comment…sorry!
The Oil Boys have definitely targeted Kay. I witnessed more of their ‘reasonable commenter’ trolling at her house last night, then when you and Rocky and Clif flashed your Swords Of Truth they displayed their usual gutter language and sputterings which they ALWAYS fall back on.
March 26th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Thanks Mirth. It’s sad indeed. I’ve been trying to counter the BIG OIL spin over there with a bit of fact.