Al Qaeda Challenges Bush Again

January 23rd, 2007 - by: danny

SAVE THE DATE: STATE OF DISUNION JANUARY 23

Robert L. Borosage writes on TomPaine.com: “Don’t expect Bush to face up to an economy gone to flab and getting worse.”

http://ga3.org/ct/ypNLpbK1qRlB/

ABC BLAMES DEBT ON DEBTORS
THE UNITED STATES OF IRAQ
AIR AMERICA ON AUCTION BLOCK

I missed so much when I was away for a day. It’s hard to get the latest news on the mountaintop in Park City Utah. It does appear that when I was away, “my” old (8 years) show on ABC News, now presided over by that libertarian-contrarian in chief John Stossel, took on the Debt issue while I was in Salt Lake City showing my In Debt We Trust film to several hundred people. I had heard about their interest in the issue and had even sent a copy of my film over to an old friend who still works there, despite his many misgivings.

Thankfully, they didn’t use it although I am told they debunked it. Horrors. According to EF, a frequent correspondent, they tore my arguments to shreds in a show featuring ads by – surprise, surprise, credit card companies. And now you see why I fled the shows so long ago.

CRACK INVESTIGATORS—(ON CRACK?)

I just finished watching an hour long report by 20/20 on — yep — Debt.

Turns out it’s a big problem. The crack investigative team at 20/20 found the root of the problem was the American people who don’t pay their debts, driving up costs for the rest of us.

Sorry to break it to you, but it looks like you had it wrong.

Absolutely NO discussion of the role credit card companies play in helping encourage debt (well, maybe 10-15 seconds on how easy it was to get cards), but most of it was spent blaming consumers and showing that while there are some abuses, debt collectors aren’t that bad.

Before the show aired, ABC did one of those hard hitting “polls” which no real pollster puts any stock in:

On Friday, Jan. 19th, “20/20″ will look at the issue of debt in America. Most people are able to sign up for credit cards and loans, but not everyone is educated about borrowing or prepared to pay the debt back.

Do you think there should be stricter regulations for borrowing money?

Yes. People are not well-informed about the dangers of borrowing and bankruptcy.

No. If you can’t manage your money appropriately, you should suffer the consequences!

Maybe. Some people can manage their debt, but some can’t.

Typically, the show focused on some families who are in debt but take frequent vacations. Perfect casting. Deliberate? Of course.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2804927&page=1

The blogger Boston Gal tore into it:

What Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ the camera clearly showed – their 4,000 square foot home is looking a bit rough around the edges. Torn screens in the windows (no money to fix it). A scruffy looking lawn (they have three or four dogs) and I assume no money or energy to deal with it. The pool was algae green – they can’t swim in it. They can’t afford to maintain their largest asset.

http://bostongalsopenwallet.blogspot.com/2007/01/2020-debt-special.html

I am in touch so you’re in touch.

SURGE NOT SURGIN YET

The Bush Surge into Iraq may take MONTHS said John Burns of the NYT on CNN last night. He said the insurgents have new and deadlier tactics, and that the new Bushevik “security strategy” has many “challenges” for US troops working with Iraqi “partners.” He said that the Malicki government is being pressured to comply with Washington’s wishes BUT that the arrests of Sadr’s forces made recently may have taken place with the Shia Strongman’s consent because he is facing revolts in his ranks and may have wanted to get rid of people in his ranks who are challenging his authority. So once again, nothing is what it seems to be and the plot thickens on every level.

IS BUSH IN TOUCH?

Sid Blumenthal opines:
(http://www.salon.com/opinion/blumenthal/2007/01/23/state_of_parties/print.html)

THE UNITED STATES OF IRAQ

Stephen Soldz writes on ZNET

Not so many years ago, perhaps five, there was a country known as “Iraq.” That Iraq no longer exists. It has been replaced by two Iraqs. No, I am not referring here to the Kurdish Autonomous Region, nor to the nascent Shia statelet likely about to be created in the south, though either of these could be considered as break-up products of that former country.

I am, rather, referring to the two zones into which Iraq has become divided, the Green Zone and the Red Zone. The Green Zone, a.k.a. the “International Zone,” the “Ultimate Gated Community,” or more appropriately, the “United States of Iraq,” is the place where the various would-be rulers of Iraq have congregated since the March-April 2003 invasion. The colonial administration, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), set up its headquarters here. After the June 2004 handover of “sovereignty” but little power to an Iraqi Interim Government with its Prime Minister forced upon United Nations officials nominally in charge by the United States, this government made its home in the Green Zone. The current “elected,” but largely powerless, Shia-dominated government also “rules” from this zone.

For the Americans there, life in the Green Zone resembles life in the United States, with just enough of an exotic tinge to make it interesting. Nightclubs serve liquor, women jog in shorts and sports bras, and pool parties sometimes get wild. McDonalds and Burger King are available, though, just as in many modern American cities, kebabs served by real natives are available for the daringÃ¢â‚¬Â¦..

http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2007-01/22soldz.cfm

BRING IT ON

Al Qaeda No. 2 mocks new U.S. strategy for Iraq

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Al Qaeda’s deputy leader mocked U.S. Pres dent Bush’s plan to send 21,000 more troops to Iraq, challenging him to send “the entire army” and vowing insurgents will defeat them in a new videotape, a U.S. group that tracks al Qaeda messages said Monday.

The Washington-based SITE Institute) said it had intercepted the video from Ayman al-Zawahri, which had not yet been posted on Islamic militant Web sites, where his messages are usually posted. SITE did not elaborate on how it received the message.

Al-Zawahri said the U.S. strategy for Iraq, outlined by Bush in a January 9 speech, was doomed to fail.

“I ask him, why send 20,000 (troops) only — why not send 50 or 100 thousand? Aren’t you aware that the dogs of Iraq are pining for your troops’ dead bodies?” al-Zawahri said in an excerpt of the video
released by SITE.

“So send your entire army to be annihilated at the hands of the mujahedeen (holy warriors) to free the world from your evil,” he said, “because Iraq, land of the Caliphate and Jihad, is able to bury ten armies like yours, with Allah’s help and power.”

George, your turn! Oops, he will have one Wed night!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/22/qaeda.tape.ap/

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1075888

Al-Qaeda claims it shot down US helicopter in Iraq

AND IN AFGHANISTAN, WHERE WE ARE “WINNING”

The Taliban, known for attacking Afghan schools for years, said it would open its own schools. Analysts said it was an attempt to undermine the ruling government.

IRAN: Texan Poker Bluff and Persian Chess Moves

K Gajendra Singh writes:

Like Iraq , some fancy schemes are on the anvil in the Pentagon .To ward off the threats to the world economy if Tehran curtailed oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the US has reportedly made contingency plans for the indefinite takeover of Iranian territory in Chah Bahar, which would deny Tehran its strategic leverage with Hormuz.

http://www.ichblog.eu/content/view/66/1/

HILLARY IN “TO WIN”

Sam Smith comments:

major media likes to talk about Hillary Clinton being divisive. In fact she isn’t anywhere near as divisive, say, as George Bush doggedly pursing a war even some of his advisors and many of his former allies would like to get out of. Besides, since you never know where what she’s going to say on any given issue on any given day it, it’s hard to have a fierce argument about her positions. Even in her kickoff for the Democratic nomination the best she could come up with was:

“Let’s talk about how to bring the right end to the war in Iraq and to restore respect for America around the world. How to make us energy independent and free of foreign oil. How to end the deficits that threaten Social Security and Medicare. And let’s definitely talk about how every American can have quality affordable health care.”

Well, we actually have been talking about these things for some time; it’s just hard to get Clinton into the conversation. This is a classic piece of Clinton rhetoric. To the casual listener she is supporting an
end to the war, energy independence and universal healthcare. Far from it. She just wants us to talk about it. A neat semiotic slide, sort of like Barack Obama wanting us to come together. . . so he doesn’t have to choose between us.

Jayne Stahl Comments:

“What she lacks is credibility. Not only did Clinton vote in favor of the war, but she watered down her pro-choice statements, so they’d be more palatable to centrist Democrats and Republicans making one wonder just how far the Senator is prepared to bend with respect to Roe v. Wade, an important question in light of the current composition of the Supreme Court, and the tenuousness of a constitutional amendment that guarantees a woman’s right to choose. One would also like to hear Clinton speak out against the Military Commissions Act, the USA Patriot Act, the NSA electronic surveillance program, and challenges to a free pres instead of trying to look commander-in-chiefish’ during her Internet appearances.

FIRST NON-ENDORSEMENT – CINDY SHEEHAN

In 2005, I was dying to support Hillary for president: finally a bright woman with experience. However, she is a champion fence sitter and politically heartless.

I, again, affirm my commitment to peace. I don’t care if it is a man or a woman; Democrat or Republican; white or black; Christian, Jew or otherwise. I will only support a candidate who is courageously and uncompromisingly committed to peace.

Hillary Clinton is not that person. She never will be. History speaks louder than words.

LATEST PROPAGANDA LINE FROM ISRAEL LOBBY

New Poll Shows Americans Support Sanctions Against Iran Even if that Increases Gas Prices by 20 Percent Majority of Americans Say Solving Palestinian-Israel Conflict Will Not Solve Challenges in Iraq

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