The October Surprise

Ahmed Wali Karzai - Resume includes President's Brother (Jimmy Carter had one of those), CIA agent (Not to be confused with DEA agent.) and Opium Trade Merchant. Interesting. More than interesting.

My first reaction is, "Did Moscow know?" I can't believe Prime Minister Putin didn't know about this one. My second reaction is, "Did Hillary Clinton find out in time to react in Pakistan?" I don't think she got 'the word' yet.

You know, if Moscow knew about this guy,...,why then would they keep it a secret?

Then again? I do believe Prime Minister Putin probably let George W. Bush in on it when they went fishing. You know, as a courtsey to say, "Karzai's brother is killing your soldiers. Indirectly. He is assisting with the funding for al Qaeda. But, then you might already know that, huh?"

I mean after all, Moscow left Afghanistan when Iraq was invaded. Oddly interesting. When did Bush/Cheney know?

All 'interesting questions aside,' this is more than serious and I don't know if I really consent to the CIA funding an Opium Merchant. I mean what was his role in this, to find the best and safest trade routes that the Press couldn't figure out?

It was no surprise that Afghanistan was loaded with opium. The United Nations knows that and maybe the CIA should have read their report. The man needs to be arrested, at least for his own protection, unless of course the Taliban is counting on Karzai actually winning the election and his brother continuing in his capacity as 'back stabber' to Americans and NATO, along with other 'Coalition Partners.'

This is a game changer and probably the most profoundly involved in this is General McCrystal. I sincerely feel bad for him at this point. He has a lot at risk with soldiers in the field and a nation counting on an honest assessment of the battlefield and his potential to win the war and secure the region. He has made his assessment based upon a country that actually would cooperate with initiatives to secure Afghanistan AWAY from oppression and violence.

I believe the Karzai government has a lot to answer for if indeed they knew up front this was all transpiring. I also believe for 'the good' of Afghanistan he should consider stepping down as a candidate for the November election.

The really horrible reality is that he might not have had any choice in allowing all this mess to exist considering 'war,' whether it be in Iraq or Afghanistan was a political issue and not a national security issue for Bush's America. After all, Iraq's invasion had no purpose, except, to get Cheney out of indebtedness to Halliburton.

But this is a reality the USA cannot consent to on any front. One reassurance that General McCrystal has at this moment is that he is given a fresh start. I hope he can realize why the President, as Commander and Chief, has had his reservations about increasing troop numbers. There is nothing like the government infrastructure of the country one is trying to stabilize actually sabotaging that effort.

The 'reality' of the dynamics of Afghanistan and Pakistan are coming remarkably clear. It is no different than Rumsfeld not having an exit strategy for the USA in Iraq, not having a 'security strategy' post invasion and turning the military loose to run Iraq prisons without sincere guidance while they struggled to reach interrogation standards in Iraq that reflected those that were occurring in Gitmo.

THE NEGLIGENCE of the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld Cabal of the National Security of the USA by turning their backs on the profound problems that beset Afghanistan to run an oil war in Iraq is incredible. They had no intention of securing the region, yet alone Afghanistan. It was all too easy to leave the 'real war' following September 11, 2001 and allow complete anarchy while 'intelligence' was made available as to the 'real activity' within the Karzai government and its economy. It was all to easy for Rumsfeld to state, 'I don't think we will ever get control of the opium issue in Afghanistan.'

Well.

I guess not.

The 'status' of the Afghanistan initiative has ONE reality and that is Pakistan is doing a remarkable job in cleaning up its countryside. It is doing it with the support of the people. Can we secure Pakistan without security Afghanistan? The UN report was fairly clear that Afghanistan cannot be allowed to continue to have an illicit economy of opium trade. I do believe the Global Community would state the same and seek to modify their interactions with Afghanistan to bring a reasonable economy there.

The one fact cannot be abandoned and while al Qaeda has 'morphed' to other regions of the world the idea that 'this region' of the world can be abandoned and forgotten in hopes nothing will ever come of it again is somewhat naive. However, to believe the USA and NATO is capable of entering into a long and protracted war with the Taliban or otherwise, is to realize how exploitive this war has been of that TRUST relationship that is based in 'hopes' of achieving a stable state for the Afghan, Pakistan and Global Nations. I don't see NATO being committed WITHOUT strong modification in the devotion of the Afghan government to PROFOUND change.

It is becoming remarkably clear why Europe and Asia are finding solice in the election of President Obama. The Global Community might actually have a partner is achieving peace and stability.

...The information (click title to entry - thank you), published in the New York Times, first stated that the president's brother was, in effect, the southern sector's political boss, running the election, communicating with the Taliban for the U.S. government, informing the U.S. government of possible attacks, and overseeing several bridges vital to opium traffickers.

The U.N.'s report on the drug trade in Afghanistan, "Afghan Opium Survey 2009," released in Kabul by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) last month, said the drug lords and the government in Afghanistan had a "marriage of convenience," that the traffickers had built a stand-alone empire similar to South America's Colombian cartels, and that both the Taliban and the Afghan government extracted tariffs on their trade....

That report didn't happen and the information gathering didn't take place since February 2009. The organization of this crime network was happening in Afghanistan while NATO and the USA were losing troops and it was covered up. Plain. And. Simple. Karzai should have been networking with authorities elsewhere to rid the country of this level of corruption. There is no excuse for this. None. I find it hard to believe President Karzai, with NATO within reach could not find his way out of this. I guess it is too difficult to arrest a Brother when that Brother 'appears' to be doing good deeds for the USA.

At this point, Secretary Clinton has her work cut out for her while she is promoting good will and rebuilding Pakistan's economy with initiatives in energy infrastructure that would bring relief to the Pakistan people in a profound way. It may be difficult at this late date for the people (the electorate) of Afghanistan to react in time for the elections on November 7th. I hope President Karzai takes all that into consideration and acts in the best way possible for an extraordinarily good outcome for the people of Afghanistan. If indeed he was a besieged President and felt no recourse to his plight then he needs to act now to relieve the people of their burden to decide. Unless. He intends to maintain Afghanistan as a rouge state.

It is up to the President to get the Health Care Reform the nation needs.

There needs to caution with the current bills of the House and Senate. They aren't strong enough to protect Americans from exploitation. He can't just stand by and be a cheerleader although I am confident he was relieved the House finally combined the three House bills into one. That is a good step, however, there needs to be careful consideration by President Obama about accepting the Bill as the best the House can deliver.

I really think President Obama is the only one that sincerely cares to actually deliver legislation that will work for Americans. We'll have to trust his justment to bring home a bill that is effective for Americans. He need not rely on his Treasury Secretary to review it either. He hasn't delivered the USA from the ravages of Wall Street yet so why believe he is WILLING to do anything productive with health care.

...THE HOUSE BILL (click title to entry - thank you)
Who's covered: About 96 percent of residents under age 65 -- compared with 81 percent now. A large portion of the remaining uninsured would be illegal immigrants.
Cost: $894 billion over 10 years, Democrats say, which is under President Obama's $900 billion goal. That mostly covers the costs of expanding insurance coverage and leaves out certain changes to Medicare and other programs that push the price tag above $1 trillion.
How it's paid for: $460 billion over the next decade from new income taxes on single people making more than $500,000 a year and couples making $1 million. There's also about $500 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, a new $20 billion fee on medical device makers, $13 billion from limiting contributions to flexible spending accounts, sizable penalties paid by individuals and employers who don't obtain coverage and a mix of other corporate taxes and fees.
Requirements for individuals: Individuals must have insurance, enforced through a tax penalty of 2.5 percent of income. People can apply for hardship waivers if coverage is unaffordable....

The SOLE issue of requiring every American to have health insurance with a very stiff penalty of 2.5% if they don't; opens them up to exploitation by Private Health Insurance Companies. There is no doubt about it. Companies will be required to cover all those that ask for coverage and they will use that as an excuse to raise their premiums. They will have corporate strategies to do that and it will be exploitive.

Morally.

There should NOT be anyone making profits for insuring the well being of Americans. Americans and their health are not a commodity. The people of this nation and their RIGHT to wellness is not a commodity to be toyed with in some Board Room of wealth merchants. There cannot be exploitation of the people of this country anymore. I profoundly believe when the 'pool' of insured becomes larger and all Americans receive health coverage the premiums from any source should come down.

There is no reason to believe otherwise.

If our medical infrastructure cannot deliver a healthy nation with everyone insured that actually brings down the demands for medical treatment while stopping increases in chronic conditions such as childhood diabetes that leads to huge problems with costs, then there is something very awry with the USA and its ability to link human need with profitable corporations. Basically, I see this 'melding' of government interest with the private health care industry as THEIR last chance to 'get it right.'

If it can't be done, then it can't be done and the government will have to realize that and move beyond the pressure by Wall Street to keep the USA out of their Board Rooms when it comes to the well being of its citizens. I hate to say this, but, if legislators in the USA can't adequately address the right of every citizen to have health care that actually is reasonable and effective, then sooner or later someone has to call it a human rights violation that gives way to profit taking over human well being.

I do not believe in 'negotiations' with physicians, nurses, health care workers, hospitals or health care institutions. The 'best idea' of any legislation is to 'contain costs' and harness the ability of this industry to run inflation out of control. Health care is a 'soft target' for greed. Just that simple. If the USA allows providers, such as health care system CEOs, to DICTATE health care costs, there will an unending inflation rate that will stifle economic growth.

Let me make it clear that I see the 'market share' of our GDP in regard to providing health care when it comes to the USA economy as a repulsive idea. There is no way health care of Americans should be seen as a portion of our economy for exploitation for increased tax base either by running up revenues to companies. There cannot be a 'feedback' loop that exploits Americans health care that also aids the income of companies and government. Absolutely not. That will inhibit the growth of the USA economy. Health care will contribute to the USA economy in the way of wages to health care workers and taxes from health care corporations, but, not to be viewed as an entity to economic growth. The cost of health care has to be contained and that means putting a cap on the amounts anyone can charge. It will be a healthy move for the country.

The so called 'cuts' to those receiving Medicare isn't about cutting services or reducing the quality of care, it is about REMOVING exploitive programs such as Medicare Advantage from the private industry market. There is a lot of jargon being tossed around about these Bills that is being used to scare people. The nation needs this reform. It needs it desperately. It has to be responsible to all citizens.

To oppose those that see 'health care' as a luxury for Americans that can afford it, they FORGET quite conveniently that our nation's documents state, "...the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." One cannot have life or happiness without a healthy body enough to deliver it!

I have every intention to read the Senate Bill. I have demands on my time that will open up the opportunity to participate in the discussion 'that way' by next week and I apologize for any delay, but, life has its demands even to activists. My sincerest apologies to those that feel as though I was abandoning the idea and was counting on my participation. Please be patient. Thank you.

The American Pharmaceutical Association is too busy playing politics over the National Health Care Policies to attend to the needs of the nation.

When taking a look at the APhA website (click title to entry - thank you) there is a 'link' to the H1N1 virus, but, they primary focus is the Health Care Reform issue before the country. This is not the first time they have failed this country. It was not long ago, I believe it was last year, when vaccine was being received from Europe and the American Manufacturers 'opted out' because of the small profit margin.

They have a very poor track record of being helpful to the USA, but, they are very helpful to Wall Street.

Hello?


In August the CDC issued the warning that current sources of the H1N1 Vaccine might not be able to meet demands, (click here) but, no American Pharmaceutical Manufacturers ever came to the 'ready' even when the virus was known to be a Pandemic since June 11, 2009.

...However, the initial supply of these vaccines might not be enough to meet the demand for vaccine. For this reason, CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that certain groups at highest risk for infection or influenza-related complications should be the initial targets for vaccination. Highlights of these recommendations include 1) the identification of five initial target groups for vaccination efforts (pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6>...

The H1N1 Vaccine manufacturer is an Australian company that supplied that country's needs. It sorta makes sense. There is no reason to endanger the PRIMARY manufacturer of the only vaccine that is going to save lives.

CSL Limited is the Australian Company (click here).

People are really upset about this virus and LA County is feeling the pinch. The argument can be made that the virus could spread faster in the cities than rural America. There is probably a way of tracking that to be sure the most intense areas of infection are receiving the vaccine first.

From the sounds of the article there were many Private Patients treated at the Free Clinic.

L.A. County free H1N1 vaccine clinics overwhelmed
Immediately swamped by patients, they haven't been able to monitor whether those receiving the vaccines were at the top of the federal priority list.
By Molly Hennessy-Fiske
October 28, 2009
Los Angeles County's free H1N1 flu clinics opened last week amid public health officials' promises to aggressively vaccinate people at highest risk, especially the uninsured. Instead, overwhelmed clinic staff began vaccinating many people who were not supposed to be first in line for protection, officials said Tuesday.
"We thought it was important to get to as many people as quickly as possible," said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, the county's director of public health. "We were assuming that the private sector was going to be getting a lot more vaccine a lot faster than they did."
Fielding conceded that county officials failed to conserve vaccine supplies early on, unwilling to turn away those who had traveled and waited in line. By Tuesday, they faced a vaccine shortage, with only enough doses to stay open through Nov. 4 instead of the planned Nov. 8....