Post assassination, Pakistan's escalating violence prior to elections. Could it be an anarchy which is leading to nuclear concerns.

Lahore bomb carnage described - click at title to entry

People who witnessed the blast in Lahore give their accounts of what they experienced.
"I was on my way from Canal Road, when there was a massive sound and my car shook," said Tariq, a motorist who witnessed the blast in the Pakistani city of Lahore.
"I stopped the car immediately, and got out, close to GPO Chowk."
GPO (General Post Office) Chowk is an intersection in central Lahore.
It is adjacent to the Lahore high court building where Thursday's massive bombing took place.
"The first thing I recall afterwards is the smoke... it was everywhere," Tariq told the BBC...

If this isn't tragic enough the American Neocons need to be reined in before there is too much more speculation. Let's first remember the Brits are in Pakistan investigating Bhutto's assassination. I can't imagine the escalating violence is very new to Pakistan either. However, there is a report by the UN that is troubling and it needs to be noted by those sincerely interested in security of the region.

However, there is a report by Neocon Joe Lieberman, now Republican pundit and McCain Vice Presidential hopeful that is full of exaggerated 'clauses' without foundation of proof.

There is a lot of internal struggle for control insuring sovereignty and all too often facts are clouded by rhetorical gossip, especially in Pakistan where 'the word' is frequently a vehicle to assign emotion to what should be cool headed logic. Much of Islam operates on words rather than facts, which insures the violence over stability of government. Musharraf in recent dealings over Bhutto's death was noted to use 'that strategy' hoping emotional tensions would provide an allowance of an alternate reality, rather than the fact finding mission of experts.

To put it plainly, the word is greater than the sword in Pakistan, even if the words are lies. That is all too often the case with Neocons that jump to conclusion, such as Lieberman, when escalating fear will serve their political purpose. That is what occurred in the lead up to the illegal and immoral invasion into Iraq and that is what Neocons like Lieberman and the Murdock media services, including his newspapers are again attempting.

That stated, the article below spells out a fact about the existing administration in Pakistan. They are trying to hold onto control. Not necessarily of the country, but, of the propaganda that 'might' insure them to continue to control their power, even in the reality that to date they have done nothing to insure a lead up to peaceful elections such as insuring the protection of the very lives of the candidates. It would be helpful if the date for the election were set and candidates were insured security to allow a progression to those elections without further interruption. That just might quell the violence. Lies by Musharraf will only escalate it and manipulation by opportunists like Lieberman can only insure more media exploitation rather than facts.

A senior Pakistani security official elaborated for Asia Times Online (click here), "We have actually been thrown into a deep quagmire where we are not left with many options. The CIA's presence in Pakistan has made it impossible for Pakistan to handle the Taliban problem independently and through dialogue. On the other hand, there is no military solution on the horizon against the Taliban and another [Pakistani army] operation against militants would cause more than serious repercussions.

" The official, speaking on condition of anonymity as his job does not allow him to speak on the record, continued, "Now we are at a crossroad and we feel threatened that if this problem escalates it may give Western powers and their regional allies a chance to justify an attack on Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Therefore, we are walking a tightrope where, on the one hand our strategic ties with the West are at risk if we don't adhere to their demands, but on the other hand our own internal security is at risk.

The IAEA is more than correct to be concerned regarding the instability in Pakistan and a Paksitan government in denial of it's own reality is more dangerous than one that can ask for support to return stability and reduce the opportunity to extremists.

IAEA chief, el Baradei, voices concern over safety of Pakistani nukes news
10 January 2008
Beirut: The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN atomic watchdog, Mohamed el Baradei, has added his voice to mounting concerns over the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. In an interview to Arabic daily Al-Hayat on Tuesday, Baradei expressed his fear that it could fall into extremist hands.
"I fear that chaos... or an extremist regime could take root in that country which has 30 to 40 warheads," el Baradei was quoted as telling the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat .
He stressed that he was "worried that nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of an extremist group in Pakistan or in Afghanistan."

Concerns about the safety of the Pakistani nuclear arsenal mounted ever since president Musharraf imposed a state of emergency in the troubled country in November last year.

http://www.domain-b.com/defence/general/20080110_nukes.html

Perez Musharraf finally admits he perfers providing a haven for terrorists than allow allies into eliminate them.

Pakistan Warns US Not to Enter Northwest (click here)
1 hour ago
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — President Pervez Musharraf warned that U.S. troops would be regarded as invaders if they crossed into Pakistan's border region with Afghanistan in the hunt for al-Qaida or Taliban militants, according to an interview published Friday.
Musharraf, whose popularity has plummeted amid a surge in extremist attacks in recent months, also told Singapore's The Straits Times that he would resign if opposition parties tried to impeach him following next month's parliamentary elections.
Pakistan is under growing U.S. pressure to crack down on militants in its tribal regions close to the Afghan border.
The rugged area has long been considered a likely hiding place for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and his top deputy Ayman al-Zawahri, as well as an operating ground for Taliban militants planning attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.
The New York Times reported last week that Washington was considering expanding the authority of the Central Intelligence Agency and the military to peruse aggressive covert operations within the tribal regions.
Musharraf told the Straits Times that U.S. troops would "certainly" be considered invaders if they set foot in the tribal regions.
"If they come without our permission, that's against the sovereignty of Pakistan. I challenge anybody coming into our mountains," he said in the interview in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. "They would regret that day."
Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup eight years ago, is also under growing domestic pressure.
The party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and the other main opposition grouping are predicted to make gains in the Feb. 18 polls. They have vowed to oust Musharraf if they emerge as winners. Musharraf is seen as vulnerable to impeachment over his decision to fire Supreme Court judges and suspend the constitution last year.
"If that (impeachment) happens, let me assure that I'd be leaving office before they would do anything. If they won with this kind of majority and they formed a government that had the intention of doing this, I wouldn't like to stick around," he said. "I would like to quit the scene."

Same 'ole, same 'ole. The Quagmire Returns, AKA "Get out to save face" or fight a 100 year war with no USA Treasury

Patraeus to An Albar, "Okay, okay we'll do it your way, but, can the numbers look better before Osama makes another video tape !"

The Iraq War is already a victory for the extremists. The USA under Petraeus surrendered to the will of the Sunnis in order to stabilize An Albar. When the region became quasi-stabilized there was a cohesive initiative to the remaining Sunni Sheiks. That was 'coined' by the USA as a 'winning strategy.' It was, in fact, neither innovative or winning. The players never changed. What did change were the colors of the USA flag, it went from red, white and blue to white overnight when Petraeus was harnessed to correct a failing Bush/Cheney crony war.

In December 2007, Osama bin Laden aired a video to refocus al Qaeda back to defeat of the Sunni Sheiks allied to carry out a strategy that would provide autonomy to them in Iraq.

New Bin Laden tape warns Sunnis against working with US (click here)
Ed Pilkington in New York
Monday December 31, 2007
The Guardian
Osama bin Laden has directed the fury of al-Qaida against a new target: Sunni Arab leaders in Iraq who have turned against insurgents backed by the terror group and are working with US forces to end violence in key areas of the country.
In his fifth recorded message this year, Bin Laden released an audiotape on Saturday which warned Sunni Arabs who had joined local US-led security initiatives that they had "betrayed the nation and brought disgrace and shame to their people. They will suffer in life and the afterlife."
The al-Qaida chief's concentration on Sunni tribal leaders who dared to break ranks with the insurgency underlined the changing picture inside Iraq in recent weeks. The transformation is most defined in Anbar province in the west of the country where coalitions of Iraqis, supported with US money and expertise and now numbering up to 70,000 fighters, have sharply reduced violence in the area....

The move by Sunni Arabs in An Albar is viewed as a victory to the Republican Regime in the USA. When it fact it is neither a victory or an alliance. While the Sunnis are seeking autonomy in relation to the violent influence of al Qaeda, it is not forming a cooperative central government. As a matter of fact, the three 'provincial' authorities that comprise Iraq are further from any common goal than ever. THEREFORE, the "Benchmarks" aren't being met and therefore the USA withdrawal from Iraq insured. The Bush/Cheney strategy is still political, calling 'the surge' a victory when in fact it has caused a build up of arms and 'the armed' that are in opposition to each other; while distracting from the fact the 'Unity Government' of Iraq is in complete failure. All this while tensions continue to flair between Turkey, a supposed ally of the USA and Northern Iraq.

...Focusing on training and arming all sides in the conflict has been counterproductive (click here) in achieving the main goal of the "surge" - providing the space for political reconciliation. Provincial elections and the referendum on the status of Kirkuk were postponed in 2007. The Iraqi Parliament was stalemated for most of the year and when it was functioning much of its activities were in opposition to that of the Iraqi cabinet. And the period for amending the constitution in a fast-track manner, which was the carrot for the Sunnis to help pass the constitution, has been extended for the fourth time. Politically, 2008 appears to be the most difficult to date.
These political tensions will come to a head as Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki move forward in signing a formal agreement for the future US troop presence. This agreement, scheduled for completion by July 31, will likely coincide with the completion of the US Embassy. Both of these events will signal what Iraqis feared when the US invaded - that the occupation will become permanent, giving the US a dominant position with military bases, preferential access to oil and open access to Iraqi markets. With opponents in the parliament, the militias, the insurgency, and Maliki being in an extremely weak position, completion of this agreement could easily send the country into chaos....

Now the upside to all this, is that Iraq is ready to take care of itself. Only it isn't because it will remain a cohesive country but one that will divide into autonomous areas of self rule. The International Community that hold contracts and debt will state that is the worse thing that can happen to Iraq, but, the reality is 'the walls' are being built that separate Sunni from Shia and the forces are being trained and armed with the appearance of being a growing Iraqi miliary and police, when in fact they are 'sectored' into Sunni and Shia 'protectorates.' The 'surge' has little to do with providing stability for Iraq as a single country, but, it provided enough Americans to hold the violence in An Albar to a dull roar while a united Sunni force could be formed to defend itself.

Petraeus Says Iraqis Are Ready To Step Up (click here)
As The Surge Progresses, The Army Strives To Place Power In The Hands Of The Iraqi People
BAGHDAD, Jan. 5, 2008
(CBS) For David Petraeus, it's the beginning of year number two in the top job - and it's a year with one big question: what happens when the surge is over? By this July, the number of troops in Iraq, which peaked at 180,000, will shrink to 130,000. Defense Secretary Gates has said he'd like it to reach 100,000 by the end of 2008. CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor met with Petraeus before a briefing in Yousifiyah - a poor, rural region near Baghdad that used to be a hot spot for insurgents. "Al Qaeda has been pushed away and pushed around and killed, captured and so forth," said General Petraeus. "And that's what we have to continue to do." The challenge is doing that with a lot fewer troops....

If there is to be a Civil War in Iraq it will be to define the final borders of the three provincial authorities while Baghdad is abandoned as the country's capital and financial center. Baghdad will fall to the Shia. In time after the dust has settled, the land will once again be the holy lands of the Muslims and cooperation will build in economic cooperation to facilitate 'the commerce of the pilgrams.'



BAGHDAD, Jan. 5, 2008

January 9th, 2008 4:45 pm

9 US soldiers killed in Iraq in 2 days
Associated Press
BAGHDAD - Nine American soldiers were killed in the first two days of a new American drive to kill al-Qaida in Iraq fighters holed up in districts north of the capital, the U.S. military said Wednesday.
Six soldiers were killed and four were wounded Wednesday in a booby-trapped house in Diyala province, where joint U.S.-Iraqi forces were driving through a difficult web of lush palm and citrus groves, farmland and fertile river bottoms.
The military also announced that three U.S. soldiers were killed and two were wounded Tuesday in an attack in Salahuddin province. The operation began Tuesday.

We don't belong in Iraq !

We never did !

The Iranians did very well. The faux attack was well deployed. Look, it worked against the USS Cole.

This image released by the US Navy Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008, and shot Sunday, Jan. 6 from the bridge of the destroyer USS Hopper, shows a small blue boat, alleged to be Iranian, purportedly racing near the wake of U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf. The incident, which President George W. Bush denounced Tuesday as a "provocative act," was videotaped by a crew member on the bridge of the destroyer USS Hopper, one of the three ships that faced down five Iranian boats in a flare-up early Sunday. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

The propaganda to cover up a major USA vulnerability is interesting, isn't it? The USA Navy didn't 'face down' anything. The USA Navy blew their horn and made movies.

To begin, the small 'speed' boats obviously knew the USA Navy ships were there. That's not the issue, so blowing the horn was simply a matter of protocol that gave every appearance of 'being stupid.' It's a stupid protocol. There were five boats all headed in the one direction and you mean to tell me that blowing the horn on a USA warship was to make them aware of something they already knew existed? That is absolutely stupid.

Given the episode of the USS Cole, the first response by any USA warship 'should be' to fire on the approaching boats. Not necessarily fire exactly on them, but, fire to their perimeters with every increasing smaller radii until the boats are finally dead center and receiving fire directly. That can be accomplished with 'on board' guns. There is no need for missiles or explosives. It isn't that kind of episodic problem, unless, the boats continue to approach out of control of a driver and then a surface to surface, minor explosive would have to destroy the boat. But, those Iranian vessels came within 300 feet of a USA warship, that is simply unacceptable. The approach against the attack speed boats should have engaged long before the boats got that close.

The personnel of the USA Navy boats were unable to formulate a good response. Those small speed boats were not identified as military components because they were covert. They looked like a bunch of guys on a days outing. That is the way they were supposed to appear. There is obviously no control of pleasure boats in the Straits of Hormuz. As a result to 'avert' any International Incident with sincere civilian boats the USA needs to stay out of the strait.

This is where USA diplomacy has failed royally under this administration and is still another reason to impeach. The diplomatic corp of the USA should have established protocols of conduct of USA warships entering the Strait long before the ship personnel are supposed to call on their training to remain safe and fend off any attack. In other words, it should be plainly understood by all governments, even Iran, that when a USA warship enters the Strait of Hormuz it will defend itself and therefore the sovereign foreign governments need to 'handle' their civilian traffic in proximal distance to USA warships accordingly.

The Iranians were able to carry out war games successfully and gave the USA Navy a 'taste' of it's prowess.

The USA Navy needs to stay in the Gulf of Oman and away from provoking the defenses, no matter the method of Iran. This was a covert mission that had good intelligence, which they obtained from 'somewhere,' either their own observations of approaching ships from The Gulf of Oman or from other allied sources. My guess is that this was a 'self contained' Iranian maneuver and it was done very well. The personnel on board of the speed boats knew exactly how to handle those boats although there was one time when nearly two of them collided. And believe me, if they did collide and there were casualities it would have been coined as an act of war by the USA against Iran. Iran would have claimed the boats were fired on, caused an explosion and therefore begun the first battle of a war. It would have come down that way from Iran and all the more reason the USA needs to contain it's fuel needs and refitting of supplies to the Gulf of Oman. The potential for inflamming International relationships with Iran and its allies is too easily orchestrated to even risk the potential.

In all honesty, considering the location of such warships which carry significant weapons that could destroy a nuclear reactor, the Iranians acted appropriately in their intensions and the USA Navy provided a 'real time' opportunity for Iran to practice it's own protocols. This is what happens when the USA has a Neocon in the White House. There are 'brush burn' incidents that if go "W"rong are viewed as reasons to war by Bush and Cheney. There is insufficient diplomacy between Iran and the USA, as a result there are tensions to a tinder box ALL THE TIME.

THAT...

...is called incompetency and requires impeachment. For that reason alone, the UN needs to put the USA in its place and demand diplomatic relations be conducted between the USA and Iran in order to facilitate any further sanctions against Iran as we already know Iran is not capable of producing nuclear weapons.

Where does a country, that is supposed to be promoting peace such as the USA, simply sit outside of any diplomatic relations with any sovereign country while passing judgement stating it has a right to attack same country? Where? The reason diplomatic relations exist is to sort through details of such matters and seek the best solutions.

The morality of the USA is compromised without diplomacy and therefore it's legitimate right to attack other sovereign powers. End of discussion.

The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Ice Chime) is:

The corrupt administration of George Walker Bush and Richard Cheney continues to allow exploitation of the natural resources that belong to the people of the USA, while the nation's biotic nature deteriorates causing greater and faster climate change.

The moral issue is, how long does a people continue to allow corrupt government to exert it's power inappropriately while the USA's reputation internationally grows in greater and greater distain?

Elevation :: 33 ft / 10 m

Temperature :: 30 °F / -1 °C

Conditons :: Overcast

Humidity :: 86%

Dew Point :: 27 °F / -3 °C

Wind :: 4 mph / 6 km/h / 1.5 m/s from the NNW

Pressure :: 29.36 in / 994 hPa (Rising)

Windchill :: 27 °F / -3 °C

Visibility :: 8.0 miles / 12.9 kilometers

UV :: 0 out of 16
Clouds:
Mostly Cloudy 1000 ft / 304 m
Mostly Cloudy 2000 ft / 609 m
Overcast 6000 ft / 1828 m
(Above Ground Level)

The example of 'Bad and Evasive Government' is evident with the listing of Polar Bears to the Endangered Species List. This is more proof of the incompetency of the US Fish and Wildlife Service under this administration. This is a series of blunders 'allowed' by this administration to facilitate corruption in providing 'service' in favor of Big Oil. It's just that simple. This is without a doubt corrupt government at it's worse.

The Polar Bear classification has gone through standard process and still today there is no decision making. The administration in The White House needs to be impeached and this is STILL another reason why. They allow incompetency to disaffect 'The Public Trust' and provide vehicles of exploitive corruption.

Bush and Cheney are guilty of incompetent government under their administration and no one can deny it, although they'll try.

Oh, they'll definately try.

And while the public through activist groups such as these environmental organizations fight back against the 'pre-meditated incompetency;' the cronies of this administration are provided a window to exploit natural resources and cause greater damage to the environment and species.

Let's face it folks, once the damage is done and the profits taken the only avenue of 'justice' are fines and jail terms, but, even in the case of Abramoff there is such minimal sentences that the 'elite' just don't care. When companies can afford their crimes they will commit them anyway and then complain that government needs to provide better 'tort' reform to prevent them from being disaffected at all.

That is what the USA has in the White House. Slick politicians that do not lead but provide venues of exploitation for their cronies. Just that simple.

Conservationists condemn plans for Alaskan Arctic Ocean petroleum leases (click here)
6 days ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The federal Minerals Management Service gave final approval Wednesday for oil and natural gas development off Alaska's northwest shore, drawing condemnation from environmental groups worried about the area's wildlife, including polar bears.
The MMS said it would hold a lease sale Feb. 6 in Anchorage for bidding on almost 120,000 square kilometres of outer continental shelf lands in the Chukchi Sea, the part of the Arctic Ocean that begins north of the Bering Strait and stretches between northwest Alaska and the northern coast of the Russian Far East.
It would be the first federal OCS oil and gas lease sale in the Chukchi Sea since 1991. MMS Alaska spokeswoman Robin Cacy said the area contains an estimated 15 billion barrels of conventionally recoverable oil and 2.18 trillion cubic metres of conventionally recoverable natural gas.
The Chukchi Sea is home to one of two U.S. polar bear populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is days away from deciding whether polar bears should be declared threatened because of global warming and its effect on the animal's primary habitat, sea ice.
"The polar bear's existence is increasingly threatened by the impact of climate change-induced loss of sea ice," said Margaret Williams, managing director of World Wildlife Fund's Kamchatka and Bering Sea Program. "The chances for the continued survival of this icon of the Arctic will be greatly diminished if its last remaining critical habitat is turned into a vast oil and gas field."
Polar bears spend most of their lives on sea ice. They use sea ice for to hunt their primary prey, ringed seals. In Alaska, females use sea ice to den or to reach denning areas on land....


Fish and Wildlife Service postpones polar bear listing decision
DAN JOLING
Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday it will delay making a decision on listing polar bears as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The deadline is Wednesday and the agency announced that it hopes to provide a recommendation to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne for a decision within the next month.
Environmental groups that petitioned to protect polar bears said they would go court to ensure a timely decision.
"We certainly hope that the polar bear will be listed within the next month," said Kassie Siegel, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity and lead author of the listing petition.
She said environmental groups will begin legal action Wednesday with a formal notice to sue as required by the Endangered Species Act.
A petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defense Council more than two years ago claimed the polar bear's primary habitat, sea ice, is threatened because of global warming.
The summer of 2007 set a record low for sea ice in the Arctic with just 1.65 million square miles, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado, nearly 40 percent less ice than the long-term average between 1979 and 2000.

http://ap.juneauempire.com/pstories/state/ak/20080107/232313131.shtml

Let's not exaggerate - Clinton Narrowly Leads Obama in NH

...Also according to exit polls, only half as many New Hampshire voters under 30 turned out as in Iowa, depriving Obama of crucial support.

The under thirty vote has issues.

The War...

...a potential draft...

...what happens to their futures and SSI...

...Human Induced Global Warming...

...Climate Change...

...the Housing Market...

...the Job Market...

It's not over until it's over !!!!

Bush knew how important the young vote was because in 2004 he promised to never institute a draft.

Unseasonably high Human Induced Global Warming temperatures have caused deaths by tornado in the USA - Video report

Tornado Damage

Waking Up To Tornado Damage In Far NW Suburbs, SE Wis. (click here)
CHICAGO (CBS 2) ― The people of the Upper Midwest are usually concerned with snowstorms and frostbite at this time of year, but the weather this week that was more befitting of the month of May came with a price – a devastating round of tornadoes.
As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, the weather has turned the terminals at O'Hare International Airport into dormitories, with many travelers stranded due to flight cancellations.
But relatively speaking, they were lucky compared to many residents of north central Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
A number of damaging tornadoes touched down Monday evening in the tiny town of Poplar Grove, in Boone County, Ill.,; in Harvard, in McHenry County; and across the state line in Kenosha County, Wis.
"The lady told me the sirens were not a test – there were actually a sighting," said Wisconsin resident Scott Clanton.
In Kenosha County, one tornado took out much of a subdivision, making that area off-limits as crews worked to make sure everyone was safe.
"I've never seen devastation like that here in Kenosha County," said Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth. "I've never seen homes that have been destroyed like this, and not just one or two. I've seen at least 10 or 12 homes in one area that are just leveled. And we have several pockets, several subdivisions where homes are seriously damaged or destroyed....

January 8, 2008 - Tornado Website and Blog (click here)

Tornado in southwest Missouri leaves at least two dead (click here)
The Associated Press
MARSHFIELD, Mo. At least two people were killed Monday night by tornadoes that swept across southwest Missouri, bringing with them wave after wave of driving rain, heavy wind and hail.
An elderly woman was killed near Strafford in Greene County, officials confirmed, and a 53-year-old woman was killed in a rural area north of Marshfield in Webster County.
Jaci McReynolds, a Greene County Health Department spokeswoman who was helping with emergency operations in Webster County, said the woman killed near Marshfield was found by rescuers in a wooded area near her trailer, which was destroyed.
Marshfield Fire Chief Michael Taylor said several homes were damaged or destroyed and at least five mobile homes were wiped out along a line covering about seven miles west and north of Marshfield.
Emergency crews were out checking homes and assessing damage, he said.
While it appeared Webster County had received the most damage, tornado warnings were active in several counties as the storms moved northeastward.
Violent storms began sweeping through central Missouri on Monday afternoon, with several tornado warnings in effect as early as 4:15 p.m. They intensified throughout the evening, cutting a diagonal swath from the state’s southwest corner on a line through Springfield and toward St. Louis.
“It’s very unseasonable for this time of year,” said meteorologist Benjamin Sipprell at the National Weather Service office in St. Louis. “The atmosphere is just right.”

We don't belong in Iraq. We never did. Bush's surge killed more Iraqis and caused wide spread poverty with refugees in the millions.

Iraq War Carnage - When a country kills enough people in war, there is usually a weakening of will. The USA must leave Iraq.

Iraq death rate belies US claims of success (click here)
By Kim Sengupta
Published: 07 January 2008
The death rate in Iraq in the past 12 months has been the second highest in any year since the invasion, according to figures that appear to contradict American claims that the troop "surge" has dramatically reduced the level of violence across the country.
The research comes from Iraq Body Count (IBC), which has extensive experience of working in the country, and concludes that deaths outside Baghdad actually rose until September.
However, the group also concludes that the number of those killed in Baghdad, where the majority of American reinforcements for surge operations were deployed, has fallen significantly during the year.
IBC compiles its data from official sources, including the Pentagon, and found that between 22,586 and 24,159 civilian deaths were documented for 2007, with the vast majority of those killed between January and August.
The most lethal violence took place in Nineva, where the number of deaths rose by 143 per cent. Baghdad on the other hand saw a decline of around 39 per cent after a drastic fall in numbers of deaths in the last three months of the year.
The first eight months of 2007 also saw the highest number of car-bombings in the Iraq. The report claims that last year there were 20 explosive devices that killed more than 50 civilians, compared with 12 bombings in 2006.
The number of civilians killed during operations involving US forces in the past 12 months also rose, from between 544 and 623 in 2006 to between 868 and 1,326 in 2007. The report claims that most of these casualties were linked to air strikes, in which 88 children were reported to have died.
Around 900 US and 47 British troops have also been killed in the past year. General David Petraeus, the American commander in Iraq during the surge, insisted: " We are focusing our energy on building on what coalition and Iraqi troopers have accomplished in 2007. Success will not, however, be akin to flipping on a light switch." But John Sloboda, the co-founder of IBC, said the figures "show beyond any doubt that civil security in Iraq remains in a parlous state".
"For some 24,000 Iraqi civilians, and their families and friends, 2007 was a year of devastating and irreparable tragedy," he added.
Interesting? Click here to explore further

Why are they sending troops to Iraq? Longer occupation ?

Hawai'i Guard troops in the Christmas Day sortie were Sgt. Crisaron Voeuth, in copter doorway; Capt. Phoebe Inigo, third from left; and Sgt. Michelle Aina, in green gloves, waving a "shaka."
Hawai'i National Guard

And we are still sending National Guard Troops for lengthy deployments after occupying Iraq for nearly five years. Amazing. People actually voted for these men?

Jan 6, 2008
After 19th trip: Shays calls for 'reasonable' drawdown in Iraq
By Dave Natonski —Shays’ office
Congressman Christopher Shays, Republican of the Fourth District, who returned last week from his 19th trip to Iraq, said recently he believes the surge led by U.S. forces is working, but a withdrawal timeline is needed.
“The surge is working and better than expected. Support of tribal leaders has been a tremendous benefit to the ultimate success of our effort,” Mr. Shays said. “I believe many Iraqis are actually beginning to feel optimistic about their future. I believe, however, a timeline for U.S. troop drawdown is important to motivate the Iraq government to take bolder efforts to stabilize their country.”
Mr. Shays also renewed his recent recommendation that the Iraq Study Group “be re-engaged and have the opportunity to present its assessment and conclusions in conjunction with the report we will receive from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker next year.”
After his trip, Mr. Shays wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates in which he said “Iraq is a different place from my 15th visit 12 months ago,” because of the success of the surge. A year ago, according to Mr. Shays, Iraq was ruled by a weak government under Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the country was plagued by sectarian violence.
However since the surge, “attacks are declining, public markets are thriving, al Qaeda has been neutralized in al-Anbar, and major Shia militia groups have declared a tentative cease fire. Additionally, Iraqis complain less about past U.S. mistakes and make it clear they do not want us to leave precipitously,” Mr. Shays said.
As a result of the positive impact of the surge, a new opportunity exists “for the Iraqi people and their elected leaders to resolve political differences and set themselves on a course of economic and political recovery,” Mr. Shays said. “While I am optimistic about prospects for stability in Iraq, this country still has a long way to go.”
While calling for a timeline to “drawdown the bulk of our forces,” Mr. Shays urged a “safe and reasonable” approach. “Some Iraqis feel we will never leave while others believe we will leave too soon,” Mr. Shays said. “A responsible timeline will let both extremes know we will leave when Iraq is stable and able to maintain its own security.”
Mr. Shays made the following observations and recommendations to Mr. Gates:
• Observation: Some Iraqi refugees from Jordan and Syria are returning to Iraq. The impetus for this migration is based primarily on improvements in security. Lack of personal funds and visa restrictions are contributing factors for the influx. Return of Iraqis is a positive sign, however this relocation presents problems for some who find their homes occupied. Additionally, there is no plan to provide aid, shelter or other essential services to the large number of returning Iraqis.
• Recommendation: The Iraqi Government should request the assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Iraqi Government needs to establish a plan for receiving refugees, resolve differences concerning home ownership and provide needed aid.
• Observation: Our moral responsibility to the Iraqis who are at risk because they helped the United States is unquestionable. Having cooperated with the U.S. military, the United Nations or even with a nongovernmental organization can mean a death sentence. Many of the thousands of Iraqis, who worked as translators, drivers, even construction workers, live in fear of being targeted. Yet in April, the United States admitted only one refugee.
• Recommendation: We need to support House Resolution 2265, “Responsibility to Iraqi Refugees Act,” to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The bill creates a special program to admit to the United States Iraqis who are at risk.
• Observation: The Iraqi Army is becoming a combat force capable of independent operations. The training provided by the United States is enabling Iraqi forces to identify targets, clear areas and protect its citizens. There continues to be a major concern about their ability to care for the wounded, transport forces and supply the necessary equipment to units.
• Recommendation: The training the Iraqi Army has been receiving is outstanding and we should continue to do what we have been doing — teaching the skills necessary to fight their enemies and protect their citizens. We should more than double our efforts helping Iraqis develop logistical, medical and supply forces required to support their army. This will eventually allow Iraqi Security Forces to become self-sustaining and alleviate the United States of this responsibility.
• Observation: There has been a significant change for the better in performance of the local Iraqi police forces. They have been able to focus less on fighting terrorists and more on policing the streets, and fighting crime and corruption. This good news is offset by continued reports of corruption at the local level. Some police are receiving cash in exchange for protection. In many cases we have junior U.S. military personnel who do not have experience in law enforcement training Iraqi police recruits.
• Recommendation: Additional international police advisors need to be hired to train Iraqis and mentor them while they patrol neighborhoods. With this increase in trainers there will also be the need for additional interpreters to assist both U.S. and international trainers. While corruption will always be a problem, it can be minimized with professional training and monitoring police activity.
• Observation: Recently, Iraqi National Security Advisor Mowaffaq al-Rubaie said, ‘Permanent forces or bases in Iraq for any foreign forces are a red line that cannot be accepted by any nationalist Iraqi.’ In August, 2006 and again in August, 2007, I recommended, ‘The Iraqi Government announce it is beginning negotiations with the United States to define the U.S. military role in Iraq.’
• Recommendation: I again renew my recommendation of June 2007, that the U.S. Government begin negotiations over the status of American forces. We need to make it clear that our troop presence will be limited, similar to our role in Japan and South Korea.
• Observation: The number of violent acts throughout Iraq is declining. This decline is especially evident in the province of al-Anbar where there has been a 75% drop in attacks. The primary reasons for this positive development are: expanding cooperation from Sunni tribal sheikhs, increasing strength and professionalism of Iraqi Security Forces which is drawing, in part, their membership from local tribes; and the surge of U.S. forces.
• Recommendation: Now that the security situation in al-Anbar is becoming stable, the next and long overdue step is to stimulate economic activity. We need to capitalize on these developments in al-Anbar: encouraging the Iraqi Government to continue providing funds for infrastructure development; recommending private oil and gas exploration; and stimulating business development.
• Observation: Iran continues its attempts to influence events in Iraq by supporting a number of anti-Coalition groups. Some groups receiving Iranian support however, are now beginning to question Iran’s motives. Muqtada al-Sadr representatives from Sadr City told the Delegation, ‘We now call you [Americans] our brothers because we have uncovered the bad intentions of others.’
• Recommendation: I renew my Dec., 2006 recommendation to increase our dialogue with Iran. Iran needs to be convinced we will continue our support of a democratic Iraq, and that it is not in Iran’s interest to continue to be such a negative force in the region.
• Observation: Muqtada al-Sadr representatives have asked for help developing the Sadr City infrastructure, including a hospital to be built for the city and a partnership to be established between a college in Sadr City, and an American college.
• Recommendation: We should support the requests of Muqtada al-Sadr’s representatives by encouraging the Iraqi Government to provide additional funding for improving the infrastructure and building a hospital in Sadr City.
The U.S. Department of State should explore the idea of a college partnership between a United States college and a college in Sadr City — similar to those in Qatar and Jordan.
• Observation: Iraq is a viable country with a long history. It is the Fertile Crescent where two great rivers meet. While there is strong Sunni, Shia and Kurdish identity, there is intermarriage among sects, and many tribes include both Sunni and Shia.
• Recommendation: In order to maintain a viable country, American politicians must stop saying we should divide Iraq into parts. This is offensive to many Iraqis who feel the United States intention has always been to divide their country and take its oil. To help Iraq maintain its identity, the central government must be the primary source of revenue and ultimate arbiter concerning the distribution of funds to the provinces.
• Observation: Our delegation discussed the status of Southern Iraq with an international non-governmental agency (NGO) working in that area. Basra Province provided Baghdad nearly 90% of its budget this year from its oil revenues. There is a fight for control of this region between rival Shia militia groups and significant criminal activity. My first instinct is to encourage U.S. forces to become involved and help restore security in Southern Iraq, but I realize General Petraeus and his team are correct when they argue this is an Iraqi problem, not an American problem.
• Recommendation: Coalition forces should avoid being involved militarily in the dispute among Shia factions in the South. Our diplomats should continue to encourage the Iraqis to resolve their own differences among themselves and deal with the criminal activity.
• Observation: The U.S. Department of Defense Office of Business Transformation is helping reopen Iraqi industries shut down after the 2003 invasion. The benefit is well known; the more jobs for Iraqis, the fewer recruits available for insurgents.
• Recommendation: Because increasing employment within Iraq is among the best tools to prevent individuals turning to terrorism, we should increase funding for the DOD Office of Business Transformation to create sustainable jobs.
• Observation: Small projects managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) private sector partners, such as Mercy Corps and International Relief and Development, under the Community Action Program are very successful in achieving development and creating jobs for Iraqis.
• Recommendation: I renew my recommendation of Oct. 2006, for USAID to increase its funding of the Community Action Program.”

http://www.acorn-online.com/news/publish/wilton/27248.shtml

Major Fire Damages Iraq's Biggest Oil Refinery

BAIJI, Iraq—An explosion at a fuel storage tank caused a huge blaze at Iraq's largest refinery on Monday, inflicting burns on at least 36 workers and killing three before being brought under control, witnesses said.
An engineer at Baiji refinery, some 180 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, said the blast had destroyed the plant's liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) unit, where the fire had broken out, but other operations were unaffected.
A Reuters cameraman at the complex said he saw at least one dead body and had counted 36 others suffering from burns. Workers were evacuated as flames raged through the LPG unit.
A police official in Baiji said three people had been killed in the blaze—one engineer and two others whose bodies were charred beyond recognition.
Two hours after the blaze erupted, firefighters succeeded in bringing it under control, said the engineer, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity. He blamed the fire on an accident.
"There was no sabotage. It was caused by a technical fault," he said.
He said the LPG unit had been shut down for repairs and was coming back online on Monday when it was rocked by an explosion at 2.30 p.m. (1130 GMT) and then a second a few minutes later.
The initial explosion was at a storage tank containing 5 million litres of fuel.
Firefighters, Ambulances
"This is the biggest fire I have ever seen at Baiji refinery. We have not had a fire like this before," said the engineer, employed at the complex since 2003.
The engineer said he knew of one fatality and 24 injured. ...

Iraq bombs hit Sunni stronghold (click here)
Riyadh Samarrai's wife mourned by his coffin at a mosque A double bombing in Baghdad has killed at least 14 people, including the head of a US-backed armed group which fights al-Qaeda in Sunni Muslim areas.
Police say a suicide bomber struck at the entrance of the Sunni Endowment, or Waqf, office in Adhamiya district.
A second suicide attacker set off a car bomb a few metres away as people fled from the scene of the first explosion.
Riyadh Samarrai, leader of the Adhamiya Awakening group, also a Waqf employee, was killed along with his son.
The attacker is believed to be from among the more hardline Sunni insurgents who do not want reconciliation in Iraq, the BBC's Humphrey Hawksley reports.
Other bombs killed at least five people in Baghdad on Monday.
'Bomber's embrace'
One of Mr Samarrai's bodyguards told reporters the suicide bomber had walked up to the former police colonel and embraced him before detonating his explosives....

Fort Lewis soldier killed in Iraq; first death of 2008 (click here)
P-I STAFF
A Fort Lewis soldier was killed by a homemade bomb Saturday in Iraq -- the first death of 2008 in the war for a man or woman in uniform with links to Washington.
The Defense Department said Pfc. Jason F. Lemke, 30, of West Allis, Wis., was killed when the explosion struck his vehicle in Ibrahim Al Adham. He was with the 4th Stryker Brigade, which was sent to Iraq in April.
Fort Lewis said Lemke enlisted in the Army in 2004 and was sent to the Pierce County base in 2005.

This is a bit dated, but, is interesting to me from the realization of how right in prediction it was.

There is no 'creating' a difference in Middle East. It has to be by consensus and permission of those that hold the purse strings.

Persian Gulf time bomb: America's risky commitment
USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), May, 1997 by Barbara Conry
The bombing that killed 19 U.S. troops in Drahan, Saudi Arabia, was one consequence of the high-profile military presence in the region, and there is great potential for similar attacks in the future.
The 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait was a watershed in U.S. policy toward the Persian Gulf region. The American military response to that invasion was not a foregone conclusion--a fact that often is forgotten in light of the popularity of the Gulf War and the widespread support for follow-up operations against Saddam Hussein. There was intense debate about how the U.S. should respond. Richard Cheney, Secretary of Defense at the time of the invasion, has recalled that the Bush Administration "really needed some time to come to grips with this basic, fundamental question of our strategic assessment of what this meant. Did it matter that [Saddam Hussein had] taken Kuwait?"...


...Managing security in the volatile Persian Gulf region, however, is an expensive and high-risk strategy that is not justified by American interests. Current U.S. strategy is based on numerous flawed assumptions, is plagued by internal contradictions, and exhibits a potentially dangerous complacency about the risks associated with high-profile American involvement in the region. Moreover, the very tactics that are intended to safeguard U.S. interests may jeopardize those interests in the long run.
According to the May, 1995, United States Security Strategy for the Middle East, Washington has adopted a three-tiered approach to Gulf security. The first tier is strengthening national self-defense capabilities to allow each country to bear primary responsibility for its own defense. The second is promoting regional collective defense to enable states in the area to cooperate during periods of heightened regional tension. The third is enhancing the capabilities of the U.S. and, nominally, other states outside the region to repel major threats to the southern Gulf region.
In reality, though, Washington has made only modest, largely cosmetic, efforts to encourage the southern Gulf monarchies to develop national or regional self-defense consequences....

Do you know how many US Air Force Bases there are on the Persian Gulf? Too many.

Northrup Grumann Aircraft

There are about 24 US Air Force Bases alone on the Persian Gulf. Do you know the size of the Persian Gulf?

Ahmed Al Jaber AB KW

Ali Al Salem AB KW

Al Dhafra AB UAE

Dhahran AB SA

Doha IAP QA

Eskan Village SA

Fujairah IAP UAE

Jeddah AB SA

Khamis Mushayt AB SA

Khobar Towers SA

King Khalid Military City SA

Kuwait IAP KWMasirah OM

Al Musnana AB OM

Muharraq BH

Prince Sultan AB SA

Riyadh AB SA

Seeb AB OM

Shaheed Mwaffaq AB JO

Shaikh Isa AB BH

Thumrait AB OM

Tabuk AB SA

Taif AB SA

Al Udeid AB QA

The darnest thing is that several of them aren't even useful anymore.

The USA doesn't have a Northern or Southern No Fly Zone anymore and the Iraqi Air Force doesn't exist !!

Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base

28°56'05"N 47°47'31"E
Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait is a Kuwait air force installation with part designated for operations by the US Air Force and its allies. A camp sitting 75 miles south of the Iraqi border, Al Jaber's primary role is supporting Joint Task Force - Southwest Asia, which monitors a no-fly zone mission dubbed Operation Southern Watch. Active-duty, Guard and Reserve A-10 and F-16 fighter units, along with support individuals, rotate in and out, ensuring Iraqi aircraft don't fly below the 32nd parallel. At the Al Jaber AFB the 332 ELS Commander and 10 personnel are on a one-year tour; all others (1190 personnel) rotate every 90 days....

Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE

24°14'54" N 54°32'52"E
Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates is located about an hour outside of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The 763rd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron [formerly designated the 4413th Air Refueling Squadron (Provisional)] conducts in-flight refueling missions throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operation Southern Watch, a coalition force tasked to monitor United Nations Security Council resolutions restricting air and ground operations in Southern Iraq. The Air Force operates KC-10 refueling planes which are involved in sustaining US warplanes covering the southern no-flight zone over Iraq....

Muharraq Airfield, Bahrain
Bahrain is the hub logistics site in the NAVCENT AOR for distributing all passengers and cargo and mail originating in CONUS. It is served by AMC for cargo and CAT-B missions coming from the east coast via the Mediterranean. Full transient services are available to personnel arriving in Bahrain.
Muharraq Airfield, Bahrain is a military compound within civil airfield adjacent to Al Manamah, the principal city in Bahrain. Navy Patrol Squadrons operate P-3 Orion aircraft from permanent detachment sites in Manama, Bahrain; Masirah, Oman; Kadena, Okinawa and Diego Garcia. Three UC-12M are assigned to NSA Bahrain as the primary logistical asset for light cargo & passenger transport in FIFTHFLT AOR. The aircraft also provide VIP transportation in AOR....

Two Navy fighter jets crash in Persian Gulf, pilots eject safely

An F/A-18 Hornet taxies onto the catapult prior to launch during flight operations aboard the USS Harry S Truman.
Photo: AFP

Staff reporter
January 8, 2008 - 8:41AM
Two F/A-18 fighter aircraft from the US navy's fifth fleet have crashed in the Persian Gulf, further clouding the future of the Super Hornet's role in Australia's air strike force.
The crashes come as the Federal Government reviews all aspects of the program to update Australia's air force - including the contract to buy 24 Super Hornets as part of a $30 billion program to deliver air superiority in the region.
The US navy said that the fighters crashed "during operations" and three air crew were "in good physical condition" after ejecting from the fighters and being rescued by teams from the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman.
"The cause of the accident is under investigation," the navy said.
It said the aircraft were providing close air support from Iraq when they crashed....

Bush dismisses reports of Fifth Fleet relocation

This is the US Fifth Fleet. Bahrain wants them out of the area. I don't blame them. The entire Persian Gulf is dominated by USA warship traffic and I am confident it's over kill over there.

The USA has overstayed it's welcome.

By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief

Published: January 05, 2008, 23:09
Manama: President George W. Bush has dismissed reports that the US would shut down its military facility in Manama and pull the Fifth Fleet out of Bahrain as "untrue."
"Bahrain is a very hospitable place for our Navy and other Armed Forces, and that in itself should be a signal to people that we view Bahrain as a stable, strong country, which is all part of tracking investment," Bush yesterday told a group of Arab journalists at a roundtable meeting at the White House.
Bush, who will be in Bahrain next Saturday and Sunday for the first time as president, said that he would inform King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa about the US appreciation of his country's contributions.
Bahrain, a major non-Nato ally, has been the headquarters of US naval activity in the Gulf since 1947. However, a 2004 order by US Central Command to 650 US military dependents to leave Bahrain on grounds of possible terror attacks has sparked concerns that the base would be relocated.
Although Pentagon officials have often insisted that the mandatory departure was not an evacuation but rather a "temporary relocation", the non-return of the military dependents has perpetuated speculation about the possible closure of the base.
"It won't take long for me to allay concerns about pulling the Fifth Fleet out of Bahrain. As a matter of fact, I'm looking forward to not only dealing with the Bahraini officials and His Majesty, of course, but to talk to our troops there in Bahrain. I'm looking forward to thanking them for their service to the country," Bush said.
Bush's entourage said that he would visit US troops at Camp Arifjan, near Kuwait City, and the US Naval Facility in Juffair, in the Manama outskirts. Qatar, where the US has a major military base, is not included in the trip.
Describing his forthcoming trip to the Middle East as "substantive", Bush said that he would use it to "talk to friends and allies about the US strong commitment to regional security" and to confirm that "the United States is engaged and will remain engaged in the security of the region."
Non-official aspects of the Bush trip include delivering a speech in Abu Dhabi about "progress of freedom in the region, emerging economic progress, and how regional security is important for both continued economic growth and for the spread of freedom." He will also hold a roundtable discussion on democracy and development with Kuwaiti women.

Where is that White Russian I was sipping? Hm. I think the cat drank it.

The brand spanking new Iranian Stealth Submarine. I hear tell, it was sitting right underneath the entire Fifth fleet while the war games were being conducted at the Strait of Hormuz.

What happened today, was the Iranians

'pulled one off' on the USA in a measure

to show it's might in war games at the

Straits of Hormuz.

That is all that happened today.

Nothing else, but, Iranian war games.

The USA got caught with it's pants

down for the incompetency of it's

Commander and Chief. We could

have lost three significant war cruisers

had the Iranians actually have pulled

off this incident. If instead of 'faux'

explosive mechanisms, there were real

ones, they would have sunk three

battleships.

This exercise was important to Iran

because of the nature of the

battleships and Bush's CHRONIC ranting

about the nuclear facility which we

already know does not produce

weapons.

Have you figured it out yet, boys and girls? Huh? Click here for technical information

Do you know what happened in the Persian Gulf today?

Besides nothing significant.

Do you know what actually happened?

And why there will be no war with Iran?

hint : I gave you all the clues in the world.

Enter stage right :: Vice Admiral Kevin J. Cosgriff. The plot thickens.

Vice Admiral Kevin J. Cosgriff, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, Commander, Combined Maritime Forces

There is a USA Air Force Base at the Straits of Hormuz. Got that? A USA Airforce Base. That where the ships were under 'faux' seige.

I would fully expect a seaport near the Air Force Base considering it's THE PERSIAN GULF. Right? Water and all that.

Fujairah
25°07'N 56°20'E
Fujairah's prominence as a convenient 'bunker stop' was born out of the Iran/Iraq war in the mid 1980's. The only ship's entrance to the Gulf, through the Straits of Hormuz, was mined and tankers were also targeted by Iranian fire. Passage became restricted to US and Royal Navy protected convoys. Fujairah is in the outer Gulf, and as vessels queued up waiting to go through the strait in convoys, Fujairah came into its own with services aimed towards the waiting ships. After the Iran/Iraq war, Fujairah was well established as a popular anchorage for tankers waiting for employment in the Gulf.
The Fujairah to Jebel Ali land link is the Navy’s logistics pipeline to the Gulf should the Strait of Hormuz be closed.
The Fujairah bunker market incorporates the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ports of Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and the smaller and less known Kalba. Fujairah is situated between the two others, with Khor Fakkan to the north. These three ports, and more importantly their offshore sector in the Gulf of Oman, together constitute the Fujairah bunker market. The reason why three separate anchorages (Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Kalba) are effectively part of one and the same market, is that the vast majority of bunkers in this area are delivered offshore in the Gulf of Oman. Fujairah itself seems to have outgrown its capacity and has been known to be a bit overcrowded, which has helped the anchorages of Kalba and Khor Fakkan gain popularity....

This is a very colorful map of the Persian Gulf. I think someone that graduated from No Child Left Behind colored in the dots.

The incident occured at the Strait of Hormuz. Did I spell that right? Hormuz. It's a narrow water way. There is a very interesting aspect about American national defense that occurs at that strait.

See, the media will talk about the 'entertaining' aspect of all this. You know the 'inflammatory' attention getting stuff, but, they don't talk about reality. I'm going to talk about reality.

Hamas is right. Bush wants to expand war. Hamas: Bush visit to Mideast is about Iran, not peace process

USS Hopper (click here)

The USS Hopper travels with several other ships. They were with it today in the Persian Gulf. They were lucky they weren't destroyed. The USS Hopper is an Arleigh Burke Class Missile Destroyer. It carries Cruise Missiles and the like. They are there to see it that Bush has a full compliment of war machines while in the Persian Gulf. I don't know why else they were there. Certainly, Russia isn't going to mount an attack against Georgie while on a so called Peace Initiative.

They were in route to the Persian Gulf because Bush is vacationing there this week. Official White House statement calls it a Peace Mission. It's simply going through the motions of crony politics.

Briefly, Bush is an idiot. He could have lost three USA warships today in his arrogance and incompetence as Commander and Chief. Right now, Vladimir Putin is laughing his flying ass off over what happened today with Iran. I imagine he is laughing while sipping on a White Russian with his favorite general.

I'll explain.

It's Monday Night