Speaking of oppression. Ever get the idea that Republicans are sincerely SCARED of democracy?

Walker Makes It Harder to Obtain Voter ID, Shuts DMV Offices in Dem. Areas (click title to entry - thank you)

by Mike Hall, Jul 26, 2011

In May, Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed a Voter ID bill that could disenfranchise tens of thousands of students, seniors, poor and minority Wisconsin voters who don’t have drivers’ licenses or state-issued photo IDs.

Now it appears as if the Walker administration is going a step further to keep voters who aren’t likely to be Walker supporters (see list below) away from the polls.  He’s closing 10 Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices where residents can obtain the photo IDs they will need before they are allowed to vote. Supposedly, the move is to free up DMV employees to staff offices that will have expanded hours to provide ID services.

But state Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D) says it appears the decisions were based on politics, with the department targeting offices for closure in Democratic areas and expanding hours for those in Republican districts. In an interview with The Associated Press, he asked:

What the heck is going on here?  Is politics at play here?

He probably also doesn’t believe the claims by Walker and his Republican cohorts in the legislature that the new law is necessary to stop voter fraud….

The information in the article speaks for itself.  The Wisconsin Republicans are afraid of democracy.  The way in which they are conducting the State governments it almost looks like they know the default is on its way.  Just a strange coincidence I guess.

MIKE IVEY

The Capital Times | mivey@madison.com

Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 5:20 pm

On Thursday, Gov. Scott Walker is scheduled to speak(click here)  at the 45th anniversary of a fast-growing Wisconsin company with a long history of helping the disabled.

But Walker's appearance at Fort Atkinson-based Opportunities Inc. has been overshadowed by a whistleblower's claims the company runs an "American version of a Chinese sweatshop" where workers make $7.50 an hour with no benefits, no vacation and little hope of a raise.

In a letter to the Daily Jefferson County Union, Robert Heussner, a three-year employee, says he's disappointed the firm has "embraced the type of work environment that Gov. Walker is bringing to Wisconsin."

Walker is visiting at the company’s invitation…. 

Wow. It all makes too much sense.

A group undergoes (click title to entry - thank you) computer training on July 12 at STRIVE, a program in Harlem, New York, designed to prepare the unemployed for new jobs. A new study has found that blacks and Hispanics have lost a greater share of their net worth compared to whites in recent years as a result of the troubled economy.

Ann Hermes / The Christian Science Monitor

Every member of the Black Community in the USA needs to come together over this one.  A special funding institution for minoity home ownership needs to be developed from private funds.  It needs strong and resolute leadership with intense oversight.  Community development has to be a part of it.  I think it should be called, "The Forty Acres and a Mule Foundation."  I know that is in poor taste, but, I think the message is clear.  


The housing bubble created by Bush to help buoy his economy failed the minority communities in the USA.  It failed them without any remorse.  When the investment banks were bailed out they ran to foreign markets to increase their wealth while victimizing the American people with a plummet of their economy.  


I know the Black Community is up to this and a prime example of its capacity is the noble Vernon Jordan.  


"A Conversation with Vernon Jordan."  (click here)  An interview with Charlie Rose in November of 2008.  A very proud time for this community.  Vernon Jordan is brilliant and knows the ins and outs of such a financial institution.  Don't let the government do this to minority Americans again.  

Urban League chief: Wealth gap a 'wake-up call' (click here)

RUSSELL CONTRERAS, Associated Press

Updated 02:27 p.m., Tuesday, July 26, 2011

BOSTON (AP) — The widening wealth gap between whites and minorities has wiped out gains made over the last 30 years and could foreshadow even more inequality if something isn't done to address it, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

Speaking a day before the National Urban League begins its annual convention, Morial said new census data analyzed by the Pew Research Center shows that blacks and Latinos have especially been hit hard by the economic meltdown. He said the report is a "wake-up call" that those communities need more investments for long-term job creation.

"A paramount issue for this nation for the 21st century is to ensure the narrowing and closing of the racial wealth gap," said Morial, a former mayor of New Orleans. "It has deep social implications. It has deep political implications."...

Heck, at this point, the miniority communities of the USA should consider themselves oppressed ethnics and seek shelter from the IMF if necessary.  If this doesn't prove it then I don't know what does.

The USA Debt Clock (click title to entry - thank you)

Let's see, $14,292,905,200,000 is a nice round figure.


If that number divides President Obama's offer to decrease the debt by $4,700,000,000,000.  What percentage is that of the total national debt?


Very roughly the percentage of President Obama's Debt Ceiling proposal, which Republicans claims doesn't exist, is 28 or more like nearly 29% of the National Debt as it stands right now.  There is no other proposal that even comes near that today.  


President Obama needs to write the Debt Ceiling Law and sign it with a note it is being invoked by the Executive Branch, with evidence as an attachment, under the 14th Amendment and take not nearly a third off the deficit, but, only 10%.  


Then Congress can wrestle all the want until the next Debt Ceiling increase which may come sooner than two years if the USA Treasury Revenues continue to be destroyed.  They can wrestle as to how they can reduce the national debt.  And instead of a Balanced Budget Amendment, President Obama needs to sign with the law he passes under the 14th Amendment, the provision that EVERY spending measure will be paid for without increasing the national debt.  Not the debt ceiling, but, THE CURRENT national debt as it is on the day the spending bill is passed.  I do believe the Democrats call it "Pay Go."

This story is one of the most precious tales about the operation of the USA Post Office I have ever heard. Thank you.

"Owney" is a great American.

There are all sorts of 'service dogs' in this country.  I find this particular service dog a real morale boost and important for people to find a devoted companion to make the work a little lighter.

There are police dogs, military dogs, rescue dogs and all kinds of dogs that visit nursing homes to make everyone's day better.  

It is a fascinating story and a real American treasure.  It is wonderful.  Love it.

It’s been more than 120 years (click title to entry - thank you)  since a little dog named Owney trotted into an Albany, New York post office and took up residence there, sleeping among the mail bags. For nine years, Owney, by then a beloved pet to the mail clerks, served as the unofficial mascot of the U.S. Railway Mail Service, riding the rails from state to state. After his death, his body was preserved and spent decades on display at the Smithsonian Institution. When Owney was transferred in 1993 to the Smithsonian’s new National Postal Museum, the scruffy Postal pub would became one of that museum’s most popular attractions. This summer, Owney is finally being honored with his own postage stamp, one with interactive features sure to endear him to new generations.

“It’s been in the works for a long, long, long time,” says Nancy Pope, historian and curator at the National Postal Museum, who recalls that there has been talk of an Owney stamp since the 1980s. “People would ask, ‘Shouldn’t there be a stamp with Owney on it,’ so it’s been one of those things that people bring up on a regular basis.”...

If the Republicans continue to destroy revenues the debt ceiling increase won't last for two years.

And the Wayward Republican House hits another foul ball.  


The House of Representatives DOES NOT HAVE A UNION VOTE.


The reauthorization of the FAA bill is unconstitutional.

(Reuters) - Airlines (click title to entry - thank you) should not "pocket" revenue from a passenger tax that has lapsed during a partial aviation shutdown, two U.S. Senate transportation leaders said in a letter sent to the industry association on Tuesday.

"Although this policy may increase your bottom line in the short term, we are afraid it will have long-term repercussions for the industry," wrote Sen. Jay Rockefeller, chair of the Transportation Committee, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, chair of the Aviation Subcommittee.

"We urge the nation's airlines to put all of the profits that they are making from the lapse of the aviation taxes into an escrow account so they can be transferred BCX-1777 Congress reinstates the taxes," they added in the letter to Richard Anderson, CEO of Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) and the chairman of the board of directors at the Air Transport Association....

I could not be more serious.  In order to facilitate such an order from a federal authority regarding unions it would have to be validated by the Federal Labor Board and it would go something like this:


"If union MEMBERS do not vote after 90 days full notice by certified mail and an opportunity to file an absentee ballot at any day following that notice by the very nature of the business of TRAVEL, the TIE  BREAKING votes can be No instead of None."


That is the best anyone is going to do if there is to be such a provision, but, even that isn't constitutional.  The House of Representatives ASSUME the Unions do not have rules to decide TIES in any ballot they take.  The House of Representatives do not pay union dues for the privilege to vote in any of their ballots.  Payment of dues obtained through 'an employees labor' is a special form of member dues.  The House of Representatives do not perform work that other union members perform therefore they do not have the same privilege simply because they 'labor' as a government official.


The entire 'idea' that the federal government could dictate union laws in regard to member voting privileges without proof of corruption and/or inequality is hideous.

Hatred and violence cannot be tolerated. The 'Insane' that fall under its influence is an excellent reason why it does not deserve tolerance.

Advocating hatred and intolerance IS violence !  In the USA there are such crimes as Hate Crimes.  They started out of an understanding of intolerance.  Why should a civilized society tolerate intolerance to the point where violence is an outcome.  There is no reason.


Norway has a high standard of living and quality of life, the intolerance of such acts has to end where it begins.  The is not Darfur, or an oppressive regime of war criminals, this is a civilized nation where violence is never experienced, especially in such tragic levels.  Murder is different than this.  This is an 'act of influence' that cannot be tolerated.


EDL leader Stephen Lennon denies claims Anders Behring Breivik attended EDL demonstrations.  (click title to entry - thank you)


Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Anti-racism campaigners believe they may have uncovered evidence thatAnders Behring Breivik, the man who carried out the mass killings in Norway, was in touch with activists from the English Defence League as recently as March.

Searchlight said the 32-year-old used the pseudonym of a 12th-century Norwegian king to communicate with people on the EDL forum before retreating to a remote farm to prepare for last week's attacks.

In one posting, on 9 March, the author called on rightwing activists in the UK to "keep up the good work".

"Hello. To you all good English men and women, just wanted to say that you're a blessing to all in Europe, in these dark times all of Europe are looking to you in such [sic] of inspiration, courage and even hope that we might turn this evil trend with islamisation all across our continent. Well, just wanted to say keep up the good work it's good to see others that care about their country and heritage. All the best to you all. Sigurd"

Breivik boasted about his links to the UK far-right group in his 1,500-page manifesto, written in English under his Anglicised name, Andrew Berwick.

In the document, he says he was given the codename "Sigurd (the Crusader)" at a meeting of a group called the Knights Templar Europe in London in 2002. There is no confirmation that the author is Breivik. Sigurd is a common name in Norway....


The United States of America is currently experiencing their portion of 'influential violence' which killed many and nearly killed a USA Congresswoman.  The gunman was insane, so they say, but  he received permission for violence from an understanding he held important in his life.  That came from somewhere.  On a personal level he is a problem to himself, but, on a social level he is a problem that needs to be addressed.  Insanity is no EXCUSE for a society to remedy the violence with an understanding the killer needs to be medicated until his death after sentencing so he understands what he did and why he is now going to die.  That is as insane as the act itself.

No excuse for killing. End of discussion.

These young people have a right to 'gather' to discuss anything they want.


They are sophisticated.


They make choices and they want to understand their political world and be its leaders.  There is nothing that should encumber that freedom.


Yes, this is a picture before the massacre.  A number of these wonder young people are now dead.


Becks statements are not original.  They were trumpeted in forums about the incident.  It is more important to understand the discourse and bring 'the tone' within a civilized range so the violence is not even thought about as a solution.  Much work to do to remove the polarization the Middle East brings to civilized dialogue.


There is dearly nothing anyone can do to facilitate peace between Hamas and Israel, the hope lies with Fatah's ability to unit the Palestinian people.  Recognizing Hamas is a form of 'solution finding' and it is common in nation's that find they are helpless to end hostilities between countries.


What I find more interesting than the 'idea' there is dialogue about Palestinians such as Hamas is the concern in the dialogue for the people and their ability to have a homeland.  Being 'tired' of Israel might be a reality, but, actually seeking to harm Israelis is not even in the dialogue.  Most 'peace-niks'' try to seek leverage of power over war.  That is an attempt to force peace not destruction.  Sad, the American Right Wing dialogue about this is so myopic in its insight.

…Beck said the camp "sounds a little like, (click here) you know, the Hitler Youth or whatever. Who does a camp for kids that's all about politics? Disturbing."

However, politically-oriented camps are being organized in several U.S. states by chapters of the "9/12 Project" -- an organization founded by Beck himself in 2009.

The Colorado 9/12 Project hosted a "Patriot Camp" for kids in grades 1-5 earlier this month, featuring programs on "our Constitution, the Founding Fathers, and the values and principles that are the cornerstones of our nation."…

Original dialogue about the Norwegian Youth Camp.  If one looks through the 'comments,' which are numerous, they primarily favor the 'healthy' dialogue of solution over any opinion tainted with negative opinion that Beck implies somehow the youth camp was asking for it.

...“I acknowledge (click title to entry - thank you) that economical boycott of Israel is a dramatic tool to use. But we are tired of Israel’s behavior. Large parts of the Word reacts towards Israel all the time, but Israel do not pay attention. Our advice to the Government of Norway is a signal, that we are tired of Israel” explains Pedersen....

To begin with that statement is not about hating Jewish people.  Currently, there are all kinds of boycotts to Gaza.  The recent experience of the Flotilla is an example.  So, Mr. Pedersen was expressing the wish for Israel to understand what they are doing to the people of Gaza which is comprised by their political content called Hamas.  There are a lot of 'emotions' when one begins discussing Hamas, but, to wish nations would place economic boycotts on Israel is not hating Israel, it is a desperate appeal for sanity.  Quite different than how Beck frames the topic.  It is why the USA has a State Department rather than Secretary of Descent and Propaganda, Secretary Rush Limbaugh and company.

Norway for both World Wars was neutral.  That means they did not fire upon the enemy or kill their soldiers or people.  Norway suffered during both those wars, but, would not enter them.  However, following WW II it was one of the founding members of NATO.  

Norway is also a democracy and constitutional monarchy.  I am sure the words of the Royalty means something.  It would be best to have the government and the monarchy address the nation in a meaningful way to allow open and free dialogue without entertaining the idea all cultures are important to a nation of peaceful and law abiding people.  They need to permit the Norwegian people to dialogue with their government to root out political extremism that embraces violence as an answer. Violence is not an answer and neither is hate.  The Norwegian government, monarchy and people are up to this challenge and they should secure their nation from such 'sub-cultures.'  It is vital to their peace, the peace of the region and global peace.  

The Debt Ceiling is an necessary to voice one's opinion, the economy requires that focus.

The problem as it exists today is that President Obama is addressing the Debt Ceiling in a manner that will facilitate growth of the economy while avoiding a profound economic tragedy.


He probably is not happy with his own plan for the debt ceiling, but, it is one crafted to support a weakly recovering economy without further contracture at any level.


Much to the novices in the Republican Party, the House has a plan.  That is more than we usually witness with Republicans.  The problem with the plan is that it is too extreme for the economic recovering of the USA and the sovereignty of the country.  If one recalls the US Military stated, we would be facing a debt that was a national security issue.  That was debt, not debt ceiling and as for the two topics they are different.\


The debt ceiling is a 'side effect' of the national debt, it isn't really the place or time for the debate about the national debt.  We have witnessed a commission address the necessary changes required for resolution of the national debt, so the debt ceiling could actually be reduced instead of increased.  Oh, yes, there is no reason why the debt ceiling could not be reduced over time as the national debt is reduced.  Given the American language has become comfortable with the words billions and trillions that seems like a distant hope.


October of 2008 witnessed a global banking collapse.  That was collapse, not simply default.  There were huge investment institutions who grossly mismanaged their funds and literally trashed the entire global economy as they did their own corporations.  To say that was irresponsible is one thing, but, to have it happen after the Republican administrations had overspent for eight years increasing the national debt by over $4 Trillion is still yet another perspective.


I do not believe there is another 'job' in the entire world where a newly elected President inherits a national debt out of control and an economy declining by the second with a global financial network that is unable to assist in their own dilemma.  President Obama has done a completely remarkable 'job' at stopping the economic decline in the USA while keeping spending to a bare minimum.  Yes, a bare minimum.  If one recalls the economists were calling for a recovery package twice the size passed in 2009, but, the President was keeping his eye on the ball knowing more debt was not the way to take the nation unless we were headed to the same place the financial institutions just came from.


The Debt Ceiling is not a matter of debate, it is a matter of payment.  It is the bill we have accumulated because the nation was in a false understanding of priorities during the election of 2004.  The country was still scared of terrorists in a manner that was driving the election process.  We are responsible for the problems we face today and we need to modify the spending of the nation, but, poor leadership for eight years does not mean we need to destroy our entitlements to reduce our spending.  There is just no need to do that.  The topics of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are all separate topics within the national debt and I am confident the USA Military does not view those entitlements as a problem knowing how they are the 'baseline' of our economy when times are difficult.  The entitlements supported the 'baseline' of the nation's economy after October 2008.  There is no way they should be diluted or destroyed for the sake of a Balance Budget Amendment.  


A Balanced Budget Amendment to the USA Constitution is not possible.  As the tax base is reduced more and more as witnessed from 2001 through 2009 the ability of the USA to honor those entitlements will be reduced and they will fail.  A Balanced Budget Amendment to the USA Constitution would destroy the entitlements that support not only our more vulnerable citizens, but, the economy itself.  It is not just a bad idea, it is an impossible goal for anyone to consider.


The novice Republicans are proposing cuts in the nation's spending that are TOO deep, they are proposing a cap to spending that is inappropriate at this time in our economy and they are proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment that would ultimately destroy our entitlements.  Their solution is not workable and it should be set aside as the President has the pulse of the country and what is possible through the analysis of his cabinet.

Has everyone found their best pen? The President asked up to contact our House and Senate Representatives.

Did everyone get that?  From the conversations in the media today I don't believe everyone got that.

Write Your Representative (click title to entry - thank you)

(CLICK HERE)

For those that feel they cannot compose well enough to write their Congress-person, do it anyway. 

For the illiterate who can't read this entry, please, everyone reach out to those citizens with an opinion and no way to express it and assist in their expression of NEED.  The illiterate can sign with an X.


The handicap, the elderly, the young all need assistance in expressing their need and opinion.  It doesn't matter whom they are in this great country we can find a way to understand their need and express it to Congress and the Senate.  President Obama asked we contact our representatives and let them know our opinion their this matter.  Kindly do all you can to assist in this manner. 


For those with a voice, but, unable to write and can find a phone, call your representative.  This applies to all Americans no matter your location on Earth.


Tips On Telephoning Your Elected Representatives (click here)

Thank you.

"I support President Obama's balanced approach to solving the debt ceiling debate."

Otherwise...

How much will the Washington Monument bring?


A few million?  4 or 5 maybe?


I would not pay delivery on it though.

And I think we have about a couple dozen Stealth Bombers.  They cost about $25 million without the bombs?  Right?  So, without the bombs so they can't be dropped on us, we could probably get about $10 to $12 million a piece.   That's what I figure.  That would be at least a quarter of a billion or so.

The CVN-77 - George H.W. Bush cost $4.6 billoin to build and we could get at least $2 or $3 billion if we remove the nuclear fuel.

All in all we could get rid of enough stuff at a sheriff's sale to make up for eight years of a buoyed economy under the Republicans in the last administration.

A draft resolution for elections in Syria.

• Nour Ali in Damascus
• guardian.co.uk
• Monday 25 July 2011 
• 18.06 BST

Syria's cabinet has backed a draft law to allow rival political parties (click title to entry - thank you)  to the ruling Ba'ath party of president Bashar al-Assad for the first time in decades, but the move has been largely dismissed by opposition groups as an empty gesture.

The draft law, which must be ratified by parliament, permits parties that commit to "principles of democracy" but prohibits those affiliated to organisations outside Syria and those based on religion, tribe, denomination or profession, the state media agency Sana reported. If implemented fully, it could end decades of monopoly by the Ba'ath party, which banned opposition groups in the country after coming to power in a military coup in 1963.

In 1972 Assad's father and former president Hafez allowed parties willing to form a coalition with the Ba'ath party under the National Progressive Front, for which 167 of 250 seats in the parliament are reserved, but the other parties are mainly window-dressing for Ba'athist rule.

Syrian officials have increasingly spoken of a transition to democracy, showing how far protesters have pushed regime discourse in more than four months of protests. But the move was met with widespread scepticism by activists and opposition figures, inside and outside the country who say words have not been followed by actions.

"Bashar al-Assad has made tremendous concessions – he lifted the state of emergency which was the top demand of the Syrian opposition of the last 40 years, but the security killed people the next day," said Radwan Ziadeh, a Syrian dissident and rights activist exiled in the US....

House Speaker John Boehner is intransigent, NOT President Obama.

...The Obama administration and Boehner's office (click title to entry - thank you) exchanged charges of intransigence in talks aimed at averting a U.S. default Aug. 2 and tackling the nation's $14.3 trillion debt....


I mean, this is a joke.


Intransigent.


Excuse me, but, when the debt ceiling became an issue with Republicans the President wasn't expecting any cuts from Congress.  He was expecting a simple Debt Ceiling increase from Congress to sign.


He has come more than half way, he has come three quarters of the way and STILL TODAY the MOST RECENT Republican proposal gives NOTHING to the President for his willingness to be involved with their family feud.  Even today, Boner needs Democrats to pass the bill.  


Intransigent is NOT what I would label the Democrats or the President.  They have been EXTREMELY accommodating to the hissy fit of the Tea Baggers in order to maintain the USA as a debt worthy nation.


If default happened the dollar would plummet all on its own and then additionally when The Fed start buying back bonds with newly printed currency.  The Republicans are 'late' to the game as they only entered the process in January with their Freshman.  It has been since then that the FUSS all began.  


Intransigent.  There are a group of Republicans and an indulgent Speaker that can carry that label.


WHERE  WERE  THESE 'PLANS' A YEAR AGO, TWO YEARS AGO.  This disaster started with January 2010, who is kidding who about being intransigent.  They enter the House and before they know what they are doing they are following the leadership of the Right Wing 'Puppeteer' Media.  The nation is being lead by the 'ring in the nose Republicans' as they cow to Murdoch and company.

"Morning Papers" - Its Origins

The Rooster
"Okeydoke"

"Good Night, Moon"

Sunday, July 24, 2011

11:15 PM EST

The waning crescent

23.9 day old moon

32.1 percent lit

2.1 days after last quarter 

A New York City School's Chancellor? What? Is this? A NY City School Chancellor is an educator at News Corp.

In this Nov. 9, 2010 file photo, outgoing Chancellor of New York City Public Schools Joel Klein listens during a news conference at City Hall in New York. When Klein left his post as head of New York City schools to join Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. last year, many observers expected his new gig as senior adviser would be lower-profile and better-paid. So far, it is definitely not the former. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)


Really?


I think that is weird.  What does a New York City School Chancellor have to offer professional journalists?


No one else finds that strange?


Oh, this was a new division of Murdoch's Madcap Media.  I see.    

Former NYC Schools Chancellor In Charge Of Cleaning Up News Corp Scandal (click title to entry - thank you)

By Christopher Robbins

News

July 24, 2011 4:45 PM 

When Joel “Numbnuts” Klein  left  his position  as New York City's school chancellor last fall to become a senior VP at News Corp's reeducation eduction division, he "seemed happier than ever before." According to the Times, Klein received $4.5 million in compensation this year, gets a monthly car allowance of $1,200, and Rupert Murdoch promised to spend up to $1 billion on the newly formed educational wing of News Corp to fund Klein's visions. But thanks to the phone hacking scandal that is tearing through Murdoch's media empire, Klein is charged with conducting an internal investigation of News Corp. "I am trying to get as far away from this as I can," he reportedly told a friend….

The recent news about the hanging of an 8 year old boy in Afghanistan by insurgents is not new, exactly.

Taliban 'hanged boy, 12, for spying for UK' (click here)

By Tom Coghlan in Kabul

12:01AM GMT 09 Dec 2007

...The gruesome murder, which occurred in Sangin, an area held by British forces since driving out the Taliban in April, sparked outrage among politicians, who accused the al-Qaeda-linked militant group of atrocities against villagers. It was the second execution of a child attributed to the Taliban in three months....


So.  The recent hanging of a six year old is what the Taliban call propaganda.  They don't believe in written or visual arts when it comes to propaganda, they rather hang a perfectly innocent child that might even admire soldiers to oppression the population.


When are Afghan citizens going to rise up against their oppressors?  Never?  They have soldiers at their side and they still won't stand up to this hideous treatment.  They don't believe in human rights?  Or.  Ahhhh...is this just a bad neighbor Afghan style?


How is NATO and Great Britain ever going to instill the sense of self-preservation in these people?  

Afghan insurgents hang 8-year-old boy  (click title to entry - thank you)

By RAHIM FAIEZ, Associated Press – 4 hours ago 

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Insurgents in southern Afghanistan hanged an 8-year-old boy six days after they abducted him, the Afghan government said Sunday.

The boy's captors had demanded that his father, a police officer, supply them with a police vehicle and he refused, said a statement from President Hamid Karzai's office. The militants hanged the boy Friday in Helmand province's Gereshk district.

"President Karzai both strongly condemns this act and rejects it as a brutal and cowardly crime that is not acceptable in any religion or culture," the statement said. It referred to the killers as "terrorists," but did not say if they belonged to the Taliban or another of the insurgent movements fighting foreign forces and their Afghan allies....

I just don't see it.  2007 was before President Obama took office and after the country was abandoned by "W," but, not by NATO and the 2007 incident was in a British held area.

?????????????????????

What are we doing there?