Everyone is wondering what the diplomatic mission sincerely is, re-engagement in Iraq?

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his wife, Jill, were met in Baghdad by Christopher R. Hill and Gen. Ray Odierno.

It is time to leave Iraq.  There is no productive relationship with the USA and the USA troops are unnecessary.  A security vacuum in Iraq is not really possible.  Iraq has no security and the Green Zone was never a place where 'Iraq consolidated as a country.  It was a barrier of security for USA presence and nothing more.


Biden supports three-part Iraq split



Plan maintains limited central government
By CRIS BARRISH
The News Journal
March 4, 2007
 
Les Gelb had eased into his seat on a jet from New York to Washington late in 2005 when U.S. Sen. Joe Biden unexpectedly plopped down next to him....



...Supporters of the Biden-Gelb plan include Richard Holbrooke, architect of the 1995 peace accords in the former Yugoslavia and later U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Last month, during hearings chaired by Biden, former U.S. secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright had kind words.



"I'm sympathetic to an outcome that permits large regional autonomy," Kissinger told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee....


...Biden pointed out that Iraq's constitution "allows for the creation of federal regions." The document was approved overwhelmingly in a vote of nearly 10 million citizens in 2005.



"Whether it's three regions or five regions or 15 regions, this is a technicality that will be left to Iraqis on the ground," Talabani said. "What we need is a system of governance such that a multi-ethnic, sectarian society can live with one another. The centralized government has failed since its inception."


Sharing billions of dollars in oil revenues could ease Sunni opposition, Talabani said.


"It's critical to this plan," he said. "We need checks and balances in place to ensure all regions will get their fair share."


Creating the regions -- perhaps even making Baghdad its own region -- could hasten the peace process, Talabani said....


http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20070304/NEWS/703040345/Biden-supports-three-part-Iraq-split
 
 
TODAY
 
..."The message that Biden conveyed is that the government should be formed by Iraqis without any regional interference," government spokesman Ali Dabbagh said on state television. (click title to entry - thank you)
Biden is worried about the delay in forming the government, Dabbagh said, because the U.S. administration does not want a security vacuum.
"America knows the limits of its interference," Dabbagh said. "Biden said, 'I'm here not to support any party or side,' " and did not give specific suggestions, he said....

Enter stage right - "The Army Field Manual" - COIN - Reading the Rolling Stone brought clairty to a continued blunder for me.

This manual is designed to fill a doctrinal gap. (click title to entry - thank you)  It has been 20 years since the Army published a field manual devoted exclusively to counterinsurgency operations. For the Marine Corps it has been 25 years. With our Soldiers and Marines fighting insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is essential that we give them a manual that provides principles and guidelines for counterinsurgency operations. Such guidance must be grounded in historical studies. However, it also must be informed by contemporary experiences....
 
The USA miltary has known for decades that they never were going to win the 'consent' of the people of the USA again for a war with conventional weapons that carried 'the theme' of Vietnam.  Napalm, helicopters, bombing runs, and nightly body counts. 
 
In the 'brilliance' of the USA military, provided with the opportunity that Bush brought in the gift of Iraq, the new and engaging 'Army Field Manual' was born.  It trimmed back the Cheney torture techniques, but, it also entered into a new strategy that was explained poorly to the people of the USA.  We were told there was a new strategy needed to fight 'urban warfare.' 
 
Urban warfare.  Somehow, that was a war which was unavoidable, but, needing a strategy for our country's national security. 
 
An unavoidable war. 
 
Hm.
 
The 'insurgency' in Iraq was never unjustified, it never presented a threat to the USA and yet we deployed a 'new strategy' as a 'last ditch effort' for the Republicans to save 'political face' in the Homeland.
 
I am not saying the USA miltary and its Joint Chiefs didn't need such a strategy, but, to deploy it when it was more than obvious the Iraqi insurgency was one of 'defending' its people in the face of an unncessary war was completely "W"rong. 
 
Now, the counter insurgency strategy deployed by General Petraeus in the new manual was serving a different purpose.  A new reason for USA war.  A war with 'Failed States.'

The Surge Group

...The president was in a weak and lonely position. (click title to entry - thank you) After Republicans lost the Senate and House in the midterm election on November 7, nearly 200 members of Congress had met with him at the White House, mostly to grouse about Iraq. Democrats urged him to begin withdrawing troops, in effect accepting defeat. Many of the Republicans were panicky and blamed Bush and the Iraq war for the Democratic landslide. They feared the 2008 election would bring worse losses. They wanted out of Iraq too....

The Failed Strategy of Geoge W. Bush in Iraq following the reality it was a wild goose chase for WMD; The Iraq Study Group stated to change strategy, or else.

Bush being frantic regarding the question of his authority as President of the USA, decided on COIN as a new strategy for the USA military in Iraq and 'The Surge' was born.

For all intents and purposes, there is no Osama bin Laden.

...Speaking of bin Laden, Panetta said "He is, as is obvious, in very deep hiding. He's in an area of the ... tribal areas in Pakistan that is very difficult. The terrain is probably the most difficult in the world ... That's all we know, that he's located in that vicinity. The terrain is very difficult. He obviously has tremendous security around him."...

The USA needs to stop chasing its tail on this guy.  He has no life.  He is an angry old man with nothing to contribute to any form of Muslim dialogue.  Over the last few years all that has been 'heard' from him are tape recordings out of al Jazeera.  His recordings are probably digitally produced and he may very well be dead.


Bin Laden's son reveals more details of recent divorce



Bin Laden said he had extended a hand of friendship to his ex-wife, Zaina Al Sabah, which she had declined.

Gulf News Report



Published: 00:35 July 5, 2010
Dubai: Omar Bin Laden, son of Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden, told Gulf News over the telephone from Qatar further details about his recent divorce with his second wife.
Bin Laden said he had extended a hand of friendship to his ex-wife, Zaina Al Sabah, which she had declined.
He said that he was disappointed that she had refused to remain friends. "I have maintained a very friendly relationship with my first wife, and had hoped to have the same sort of friendship with Zaina Al Sabah, but it was not to be."
Bin Laden said he wanted the world to know that he has held the same views for years, and that he had stood for peace since he was a teenager.
Omar Bin Laden also said that he would not say anything bad about his ex-wife.
"Zaina Al Sabah, my ex-wife, is no longer authorised to speak to the press on my behalf or any other members of the Bin Laden family," he said.


http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/qatar/bin-laden-s-son-reveals-more-details-of-recent-divorce-1.650335

It's Independence Night

"I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it

I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
And now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
Nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some


I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours


Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love
Listen to the music of the moment maybe sing with me
I love peaceful melody
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved


So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours


I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
My breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what i'ma saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue


I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours




Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find the sky is yours
Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
A lá one big family

It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love

 Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find the sky is yours
Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
A lá happy family

It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love




Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find the sky is yours
Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
A lá peaceful melody
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love




I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours


No please, don't complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours


No please, don't hesitate
No more, no more
It cannot wait
The sky is yours!

Of course, everyone is paying attention to the next set of hurricanes in the making, right?

July 4, 2010
1630z
UNYSIS Enhanced Infrared Satellite (click title for 12 hour loop - thank you)

The next hurricanes are currently in the Carribean where Alex was born, east of the Yucatan and the other is east of the Antilles where Alex' twin existed.  The turbulence east of Florida is interesting as well.

The reason Rolling Stone printed Hastings article is their own, but, due to the scandal the 'guts' of the article was lost.

I am sorry General McCrystal has retired, but, his career was not without its scandalous nature from its beginning.

His life is not my interest.  My country is my interest.  I wish him and his family well.  General McCrystal needs to continue to contribute to our country in whichever way he finds satisfying.  The USA Congress needs to pass the provision for General McCrystal to receive the retirement benefits of a Four Star General.  His service at all levels was valuable.

On the Fouth of July, I intend to address what I believe is the importance of the Hastings' article.  I believe the conversation is long over due.

Here is a quesiton for the movie critics no one ever hears from anymore.

When is there going to be any real adult entertainment that moves "Toy Story 3" off the top of the movie charts this summer?

I haven't seen Toy Story, yet alone go to see "3" out of pure desperation!

Tomorrow is another day.

The political discourse in the USA has become grossly dysfunctional.  It accomplishes nothing except to raise the 'hatred' level of anything that seems as though it deserves to be attacked for any reason.

The USA has real problems.  The Gulf Fisheries are in serious condition and yet there has been no real discussion about the condition and the capacity of the remaining healthy fisheries in the USA.

I don't 'buy it' that the Gulf Fisheries are healthy.  That to me is irresponsible.  "Lack of hydrocarbons must be a new measure of success."  What does that mean?  What ever happened to 'Lack of Chemical Dispersants?"  or "Lack of dead whale shark consumption?"  It's nonsense.

That is only an example of the lack of direction the country has taken. 

I'll do something tomorrow. 

Good night.

This has got to be as hideous as Americana comes. Texas is like Dubai; it has its own gravity and extravagance in demeanor.

Texas never makes sense, it just is.  Always obnoxious, boistrous and self centered.

How to choose a Bum Steer of the Year (click title to entry - thank you) in such a bummer of a year? We thought we had an answer in February, when U.S. marshals raided the Houston headquarters of Stanford Financial, the house-of-cards money-management firm of the knight from Mexia, Sir Allen Stanford. He spent two days holed up at a girlfriend’s house while we rubbed our hands together, imagining his pugnacious mug frowning out from our January cover. But then he surfaced, and as the story unfolded of his “massive ongoing fraud,” as the Securities and Exchange Commission put it (with gusto!), we began to worry. Ridiculous as his “outside wives,” gold helicopter, and fake British snobbery were, Stanford turned out to be more villain than clown. The sins were too serious. The victims too aggrieved. He didn’t make you want to laugh; he made you want to punch him in the face.
But not to worry. The year was young. Another candidate would come along. Sure enough, on tax day, with tea partiers making merry all around him, Governor Rick Perry obliged, hinting strongly—though erroneously—that if the federal government didn’t watch out, the State of Texas might just have to see about seceding from the union. Visions of the governor storming Washington immediately began to dance before our eyes. There would be pitchforks! There would be torches! Someone would be riding a mule! But this one wouldn’t stay funny either. Next thing we knew, Perry was tied up in a controversy about the possible execution of an innocent man. Not a lot of yuks there. Then he was proclaiming that the president was “hell-bent toward taking America towards a socialist country.” It didn’t make you want to laugh; it made you want to cry.
Meanwhile, a dark horse had entered the race. On September 21, before a television audience of 17.5 million viewers, former House majority leader Tom DeLay pranced into our plans as a contestant on season nine of Dancing With the Stars. Unlike our previous contenders, the Hammer got off to a slow start. The fact that he had made a calculated decision to appear on ABC’s hit reality show, weighing the probable humiliation against the probable goodwill it would generate, initially hindered his candidacy.
Needless to say, any doubts we had were completely obliterated by the first close-up shot of the DeLay buttocks awkwardly shaking from side to side like two elderly lap dogs fighting under a blanket. Over the next three episodes, the former majority leader showed a surprising passion for ass-shaking. Who knew? Who wanted to know? The response from the judges’ table and the morning talk shows suggested that it was not necessary for us to see any more rump, but DeLay carried on gamely, tossing that thing around whenever he had a chance, putting the bum back in Bum Steers. He also favored the knee slide. And his outfits! In an early Entertainment Tonight interview from the rehearsal studio he explained, “Most of my costumes are going to be really classy and tasteful and reflect the grandfather image rather than the extreme fighter image.” That made sense until he came flouncing onstage for his first cha-cha looking like an extra from Boogie Nights. Goodbye, Grandpa. Hello, Fabulous. When you were done cringing, you had to laugh, and in a year as unfunny as 2009, this was no small feat. Thanks, Tom. We needed that.


30 June 2010Why 2010 Elections Are So Important for Texas Democrats



BIG ISSUES CONFRONT 2011 TEXAS LEGISLATURE
In seven short months we will have worked our way through an election and have seated and convened the 2011 Texas legislature. That January 2011 session will begin to deal with many issues affecting Texas for decades to come:
Redistricting: The 2010 National Census presents an opportunity to redraw state and congressional electoral districts to reflect population changes. It could present Democrats an opportunity to undo the Tom Delay "gerrymandering" or the Republicans the chance to continue and entrench the process. And, it is likely that Texas will pick up one or more House seats. It will, without any doubt, be the most rancorous issue facing the new legislature and will very likely spawn its own set of legal challenges and lawsuits regardless which party is in control of the process. You can expect this to be one of the, if not the most, dominant issue before this legislature.
State Budget Shortfall & New Taxes: The 2011 legislature will be presented with a budget shortfall now estimated to be in the range of $18 billion. Putting aside all else, common sense (I know, I know) dictates that there are only a few options available; amend the state constitution to permit a continued budget deficit, reduce spending through budget and service cuts, austerity programs, accounting tricks and devices, tap the so-called "Rainy Day Fund", find new sources of state revenue i.e. casino gambling, or raise taxes. Even if we were to see some or all of these measures except "raise taxes", there still would be a shortfall....
Sunset Review/Environmental Issues: Twenty-eight state agencies are to come under "sunset reviews" this coming session. The process will determine which agencies will continue and how and if they should be "reformed". Businesses and and established interests will be ready to fight any attempts to increase or impose new regulations. If the Democrats are in control they will target many of those agencies, which under Republican control, have all but given businesses and special interest veritable wave throughs in the regulatory and review processes....
Voter ID/Immigration: We do not expect these hot-button, emotion laden issues to even come forth in a serious manner this session. Frankly, this legislature is going to be so busy with the issues itemized above that there will no doubt be one, or even several, special sessions next summer. There will be some posturing and blustering, but no significant action.
Health Care Reform: Most of the noise on this will simply be Republicans and Democrats getting "on the record" for the folks back home. However, look to decisions on how Texas is to implement new federal requirements to generate a lot of spleen as the legislature confronts whether to join the federal high-risk pool, and at what level to set Medicaid reimbursements....


Posted by Shane Fox at 9:23 AM
 
http://psst-progressivesavvyseniorstexas.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-2010-elections-are-so-important-for.html


...Records made available to the public make clear that Green Party leaders – particularly Executive Director kat swift and Party Co-Chair Christine Morshedi – knowingly conspired with Republican political operatives to use money from a secret donor funneled through a non-profit corporation to pay for the collection of ballot petition signatures. Green Party leaders have acknowledged publicly that they did not have the money or the organizational ability to collect the ballot signatures on their own (Source: Dallas Morning News, June 6, 2010)....

 http://bayareahouston.blogspot.com/2010/06/advice-for-green-party-dont-mess-with.html


Everyone knows who replaced DeLay, right? 

No? 

The 'Bone Man' himself.

...Just ask John Boehner, the tan man who serves as the House minority leader. Early in the week, in an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Boehner said President Obama's Wall Street reform plan amounts to "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."...

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/02/AR2010070202443.html





http://sex251.chi2.pl/?p=5239



Casino Jack and the United States of Money

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3267168025/


Follow the Money

The news out of Washington D.C. is filled with talk of "earmarks," "pork barrel-spending" and "goodies," but what do these expressions really mean, who is responsible for them and how do they affect the average citizen? The Social Action Campaign for CASINO JACK and the United States of Money highlights the corruptive role of money in politics with initiatives designed to educate citizens about their elected officials ties to special interest groups and provide tools to create a movement to bring real and meaningful campaign finance reform.

In Theaters May 7, 2010



Of course, the former Secretary of the Treasury had nothing to do with the mess we are in and of course, DeLay would know best.  Murdoch.
July 1, 2010, FOX, home of the great patriots.




Jack Abramoff's new job: Selling pizza, not influence

Convicted lobbyist hired to work in marketing for Reisterstown Road pizza shop.

June 22, 2010
By Jean Marbella, The Baltimore Sun
Convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, still serving a sentence for defrauding clients and conspiring to bribe public officials, has a new job: He's selling pizzas in Baltimore rather than influence in Washington.
Abramoff, recently released from a federal prison camp in Cumberland to a halfway house in Baltimore, began working Monday at Tov Pizza on Reisterstown Road.
"I think people get a second chance," said Ron Rosenbluth, owner of the shop, which boasts of the city's best kosher pizza — which means lots of veggie options but no meat. "If they do their time, they deserve a chance."
Abramoff's job, first reported by the Baltimore Jewish Times, will involve marketing, Rosenbluth said, "to get us more business."...


http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-06-22/news/bs-md-abramoff-pizza-20100622_1_jack-abramoff-home-detention-new-job

Sixty one children including orhpans and 36 women are among the 230 dead from an oil tanker explosion...

OIL  KILLS. 

Whether it is in wars or exploitaton of people, their land, their rights or nation's rights, oil kills for it !

For USA citizens to simply solve the Gulf of Mexico issues without completely looking at the global destruction by the petroleum industry is immoral. 

...Guardian reports, '"It's a terrible scene. There are lots of dead bodies on the streets. The population is in terrible shock – no one is crying or speaking,' said Jean-Claude Kibala, South Kivu's vice-governor. 'We are trying to see how we can co-ordinate [with the UN] to manage the situation.'"... (click title to entry - thank you)

AND they call it 'Western Civilization.'

I've had enough. Anderson, shut up. You don't even try to apply logic to THE RULES Admiral Allen has applied to the DANGER of RAW OIL.

There is going to be increased 'outings' in the area by eco-tourism that are concerned about getting 'the truth.'  See, Anderson, no one really believes the government is DOING NOTHING or that there is not an effort to stop the oil rupture.

Tansparency doesn't matter if people are hurt or killed.  Medical Units are requried to apply CONFIDENTIALITY to every patient it treats.

YOU KNOW THAT, ANDERSON !!!!

So, in realizing people are allowed confidentiality to insure their privacy and treatement, do you think there should be 'Carte Blanc Cameras' everywhere?

I can see it now, a person comes out of the examination room with some disturbing news and the first thing they meet is Anderson and a Camera; "So, tell me sir, are you going to live or die, our viewers want to know?"

Go to hell, Anderson !  And everyone that is as disgusted with this mess as I am should say the same thing !

Admiral Thad Allen is a valuied member of 'the team' that is trying to 'end this mess.'  I believe Presideent Obama needs to ask the scientists, engineers from both the government and BP to have an open news conference where they can ILLUSTRATE on 'White/Black Boards' the intricacies of the entire disaster and where this is all going.,

It would help end this 'media circus' that believes it has to be compeletey Anti-Government in order to acheive a goal for the public.  Whatever that goal is, is a good question because there is no satisfying them.

Give them millions upon millions of miles of boom to fight a hurricane and they cry for more when it was ruined in the first attemtps that should have never been tried.

I doubt a news conference would do any good either, but, what the hell.

We want booms, we want skimmers, we want dispersants, no, no, we want different dispersants, no, no, no we want no dispersants and just skimmers.  No, no, we want, we want and we want some more.

Well, the truth of the matter is that the circumstances are hopeless, they have been hopeless and every person that is an expert that I know has all their oars in the water trying to fight this disaster.

The only thing that is going to close that damn hole is a subterranian explosion and I have said that from the beginning, but, no one listens.

The RULES of what was to happen with such a disaster as this were 'set up' with complete disregard to the citizens of this country and their right to have a life and a 'way of life.'  The RULES were 'set up' a long time before the Obama administration came into the White House and I do believe the President is doing his level best at trying to end this mess.

No one will say it though.  All the USA media wants to do is create a circus for their ratings.  Capitalistic Media at its best.  Nearly worthless and crying like children that they can't have every opportunity to exploit a disaster that has cost the USA their Gulf Fisheries.

And I sincerely don't care if there are 'no hydrocarbons' in the fish.  There are more than hydrocarbons in the water.  There are chemicals in the water and no one is testing for that, are they?

The Untied States has budgetary issues.  While BP is 'footing the bill' in the Gulf, it still takes time and money to train recruits and develop strategies and plans to allow 'deep access' that will provide the citizens of the country the information they are looking for while keeping HUMAN BEINGS and BIOTIC content as safe as can be achieved. 

The Coast Guard is simply 'doing its job' and 'limiting the danger' to the public, including the media.

I realize there are people that have committed their lives to covering this event in US history to the end and Anderson is one of them.  He is a New Orleans resident and feels a deep commitment.  I admire commitment THAT MATTERS, but, to allow human injury or danger to exist among vessels that have never been achored this close together before in a SEA OF COMBUSTABLE material is insane.

There should be a PERIMETER where NO ONE has access except the USA military. 

END OF DISCUSSION.

Do I believe Admiral Allen is trying to HIDE something POLITICAL that benefits the PRESIDENT.

No !

I believe Admiral Allen has an impossible job and he is tired of having BP fail over and over and over again.  He has had to become a petroleum drilling expert in a very short period of time and he has done a remarkable job.  Absolutely remarkable and I don't give a damn who says otherwise !

The fact of the matter is FAILURE  HAPPENS  AT  MANY  LEVELS.  I also believe there has been really POOR coverage of 'anything' except 'adrenalin charged' moments so citizens continue to be aggitated enough to carry on until the elections in November. 

There have been no investigations by the media to the 'input' Louisiana Lawmakers had to implementing 'emergency measures' when such an emergency POTENTIAL existed.  NONE.  Everyone is Louisiana that is a lawmaker is PERFECT.  Absolutely perfect.  Do I hear Jindal apologizing for his LACK OF INSIGHT?  No.  Do I hear Parish Presidents' apologize for their insistance on 'greed' over 'livelihoods?'  No.  Do I hear anyone from Louisiana apologize to THE NATION for being focused on oil wealth over the best interest of the USA fisheries?  No.

What I do hear are a lot of whiney politicians that seem to ENJOY pointing to failure rather than success and how oil drilling is more important than the fisheries it destroys for generation after generation.  Not even a fisherman's death by his own hand when his value system was being destroyed day after day in the face of 'false hope' does it stop them.

Amazing and they call themselves moral men. 

I am demanding the US Coast Guard set up a 'protective layer' of distance from the oil rupture that will provide for citizens to witness the disaster in a way that satifies their 'need to know' while protecting their lives and well being.  If citizens are so concerned they will be 'viewing' the area to discern their own roll in this disaster then they have a reason to have their 'knowledge base DEFINED.'

Most biologists that work with complex issues have a clear understanding of how the public has a right to know what is transpiring.  The land, regardless of ownership, still belongs ultimately to the government.  The government oversees issues and protects the public no matter how much a private land owner believes they have 'rights' to its exclusive use and sale.  That is true with the leases of the land for mineral rights.  Ultimately, it is the USA that has domaine over all that occurs.  The USA is comprised of citizens that require their government to be honest and forthright in their dealings, otherwise, there are consequences.  Those consequences are being upheld under this President.  Thank goodness and finally.

The problem is the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is very complicated.  It has occured, with complications, by the indulgence of the petroleum industry in disgusting ways by past administrations.  That was pure unadulterated corruption and the current disaster is the RESULT.  That is not Admiral Allen's fault, but, gratefully he has consented to 'see this through' no different that Mr. Cooper has.  Admiral Allen is already sensitive to the needs of the public and how to best address them.  He is about as honest a man as the USA Coast Guard has and it would be a huge loss to the effort to resolve this disaster to have him leave now. 

Admiral Allen has to see his way through to stay and continue to oversee the Gulf Disaster and provide continutity to its resolve.  I don't see it any other way and if he says 'jump' everyone needs to ask 'how high.'  Just that simple.  If he says PRIVACY is paramount, then it is.  If he sees 85 feet or 65 feet or whateve that ridiculously small number is, is required for a SAFETY MARGIN, then it is. 

Enough. 

Let's hope the relief wells will stop this insanity. 

Until then. 

We keep on, keepin' on and BP gets to satisfy their conscience by paying the costs.

In the meantime, the 'experts' need to 'contribute' to the 'knowledge base' available to the citizens of the USA.  I thank them for their help in achieving a concern for the citizens as well as their roll in stopping and minimizing the damage to our fisheries.  We don't want, nor do we need offshore oil drilling anymore.  We are moving toward a 'greener' USA and that is the most moral way a citizen can see their roll in all this.

A rare honor for a Senator. As eveyone imaginable collected for his final service, he lay in State in the USA Senate.

At the title, is a photo collection by the Washington Post.  It is an amazing collection of the love the people of West Virginia had for their Senator. 

He was a feature of a 'memorial figurine' at a minor league game as one was given to all those that attended. 

That is amazing.

The Spaceship that came in from the cold.

I bird, a plane, no a spaceship.  Don't tell me the USA is again flexing its spy muscle and decided to let the Russians know exactly how much they are not in control of 'the cyber war.'



Spy Incident May Resurrect Cold War Between USA and Russia
01.07.2010
The arrest of 10 alleged Russian spies in the United States suggests that Washington and Moscow are predestined to be eternal adversaries in a Cold War without end, despite a slight respite. Kindnesses and courtesies seemed to give the world hope for achieving the long sought after social peace sought after among all the peoples of all mankind....

 http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/conflicts/01-07-2010/114097-spy_incident_may_resurrect_cold-0


I think it is time to end the Star Wars research as it is the bastion of Republican opposition to nuclear non-proliferation.  Time to cut any and all funding. 

In San Francisco, Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev greets California's first lady, Maria Shriver, with former secretary of State George Shultz in back.



 
By Mimi Hall, USA TODAY



WASHINGTON — As President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev focus on economic issues during their seventh meeting today, debate over the new nuclear arms treaty that is the cornerstone of improved U.S.-Russian relations will continue across town in the Senate.


That the Foreign Relations Committee will be holding two hearings on the pact to reduce each country's nuclear arsenal while the presidents talk about innovation at the White House and meet with business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows just how much the relationship between Russia and the United States has changed over the past year or so, White House aides say.
"This visit takes place at a new phase in U.S.-Russia relations," says National Security Council spokesman Ben Rhodes. "It comes after a period when we've made very substantial progress in resetting the U.S.-Russia relationship and making concrete progress on a number of very important and substantive issues."

The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as START, was signed by the presidents in April and now needs to win 67 votes in the Senate for ratification. Other signs of the improved relations cited by the White House: securing Russian support for United Nations sanctions against North Korea and Iran, gaining approval from Russia to allow troops and supplies to cross its borders on the way to Afghanistan, and Russia's participation in Obama's 50-nation Nuclear Security Summit in April.
On Thursday, the leaders will broaden their agenda to include economic issues....



....Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., however, says the treaty could jeopardize the nation's security by limiting both the impact of deterrence and the United States' right to build missile defense systems. "To put it bluntly, this treaty will have profound negative implications for U.S. national security," he says.
James Schlesinger, who served as Defense secretary under presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, disagrees. "It is obligatory for the United States to ratify," he told Kerry's committee. There is "nothing in the treaty that is problematic" with respect to missile defense....


http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-06-23-nuke-treaty_N.htm

The Democrats need to concentrate on their Voter Turnout in 2010. Don't let your backbone slip.

What is Generation Vote?  (click title to entry - thank you)



We are a coalition of teens from youth organizations in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti working together to get out the vote among 18-29 year-olds. Even though we can't vote, we can still have a voice in our democratic proccess!


Poll: GOP Has Sizable Enthusiasm and Turnout Advantage



More than in 1994, voters are ready for the election


By Paul Bedard






Posted: July 1, 2010


..."With four months to go before Election Day, voting intentions for the House remain closely divided, and neither party has gained or lost much ground over the course of 2010. However, Republicans are much more engaged in the coming election and more inclined to say they are certain to vote than are Democrats. This could translate into a sizable turnout advantage for the GOP in November that could transform an even race among registered voters into a solid victory for the Republicans....

http://politics.usnews.com/news/washington-whispers/articles/2010/07/01/poll-gop-has-sizable-enthusiasm-and-turnout-advantage.html

What are some ideas from ecological economics that might help with the kind of disaster?

CANE AND ABLE? Marsh plants like roseau cane hold the soil together and help keep Louisiana’s wetlands from vanishing into the Gulf of Mexico. But a rust-colored sheen from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill floats among the reeds, and a black stain is visible about two feet above the waterline.

 

Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Analysis from All Sides

Released: 7/1/2010 4:00 PM EDT

Source: University of Vermont
...Wetland loss is complicated: it's a matter of having channelized the river and controlled the flow of sediment that used to replenish the marshes naturally. It's also a function of oil and gas canals that were dug through the marshes to allow for oil exploration -- back when we didn't have to go miles off the coast! Now, with the BP disaster, the wetlands are threatened by oil washing up. This kills plants, and when plants die you don't have them there to stabilize the soil. Combine this with more hurricanes and we can foresee even bigger losses of coastal wetlands...

...Ecological economics takes a deep look at the proper roles of government and business -- where are the incentives for business to look out for the long-term future? They're really not there in the current economic model. The focus is quarterly profits. From a traditional business perspective, if you can cut some corners on safety or the environment and human health -- and make some more money -- that's seen as a good thing....
 
http://www.newswise.com/articles/gulf-coast-oil-spill-analysis-from-all-sides

The current business models for companies engaged in 'commerce' in the USA is AMORAL and UNETHICAL.  Just that simple.  There was a time in the USA when ethical business practices were a 'value' everyone admired.  That doesn't exist anymore.  What exists today are 'bonuses' and 'profit' at any cost.  The Republicans like to call it 'GROWTH,' when in fact it is EXPLOITATION and amoral business content.

"Excellant Customer Service" is the only 'value' citizens receive anymore and that is only to facilitate profits. 

In this UNISYS Enhanced Infrared Satellite of North America, Alex and its twin have morphed into a significant set of storm sytems. (click title for 12 hour loop)

July 1, 2010
21:30:13z

A Cat Two Hurricane is killing people in Mexico.  Wow.  What are they going to name it once it enters the Pacific?

Hurricane Alex pounds northern Mexico; at least 2 killed



The storm sends rivers overflowing and cuts power to thousands of homes in the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon.

By Ken Ellingwood, Los Angeles Times
July 1, 2010
2:00 p.m.

Reporting from Mexico City — Remnants of Hurricane Alex on Thursday raked northern Mexico with damaging winds and heavy rains, knocking out power to thousands of homes and causing floods that killed at least two people.
Alex, which roared in from the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane, weakened to a tropical storm as it crossed the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon into Mexico's northern interior.
But high winds and torrential rain left much of the region without electricity or working telephones, forced schools to close and sent rivers over their banks in Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo Leon and Mexico's most important industrial city....

Municipal officials stand next to the overflowing La Silla river in Monterrey, Mexico on Thursday. (Kristian Lopez / Reuters)

So, is there any leverage on Iran? Is that why spies that hadn't accomplished squat were arrested?

In this undated photo, Peruvian journalist Vicky Pelaez is seen on assignment in Lima, Peru. Pelaez and her husband Juan Lazaro were among 10 suspects arrested in a sweep in the United States on June 27 as part of an alleged Russian spy ring and charged with conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the U.S. Attorney General, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison upon conviction. (AP Photo/Diario La Republica) PERU OUT - NO PUBLICAR O USAR EN PERU


See, journalists really do have bad reputations even in the USA.

FBI says alleged Russian 'sleeper agent' Juan Lazaro admitted passing data  (click title to entry - thank you)
Jul 01, 2010
...Juan Lazaro also implicated his wife, Vicky Pelaez, a New York newspaper columnist, and acknowledged that his Yonkers home had been paid for by the Russian intelligence service. The admissions came in what the FBI said was a "lengthy'' statement following the arrest of Lazaro and Pelaez in New York on Sunday.
"Although he (Lazaro) loved his son, he would not violate his loyalty to the (Russian intelligence) service, even for his son,'' federal prosecutors alleged in documents filed to keep Lazaro, Pelaez and two suspects who had been living in New Jersey, Richard and Cynthia Murphy, in jail without bail because they might flee the country....

What kind of information, because, the charges against these people don't reflect any brevity to the crimes.  What was it a telephone number to Hardee's CEO or something?

I figured they were more 'corporate' spies than government spies.  There is more reason to spy on the Plutocracy than the USA government actually.