Complicity in Murder

This would have been more topical awhile back, but considering 
Saddam Hussein's execution is still in very recent memory it is 
worth remembering that the United States government has long been aware of the crimes that Saddam committed, and to a certain
extent complicit.  A key quote from Barry Lando:

The US gave satellite information, more to the Iraqis, enabling them to target Iranian troop concentrations, even though the US knew that the Iraqis were using chemical weapons.

Follow the link for an enlightening interview with a former 60 Minutes producer.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

A quote from today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearings.

Specter: Now wait a minute, wait a minute. The Constitution says you can't take it away except in the case of invasion or rebellion. Doesn't that mean you have the right of habeas corpus?

Gonzales: I meant by that comment that the Constitution doesn't say that every individual in the United States or every citizen has or is assured the right of habeas corpus. It doesn't say that. It simply says that the right of habeas corpus shall not be suspended.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/18/15219/0788

Apparently our ATTORNEY GENERAL doesn't understand the fundamental premise of the Constitution, that ALL rights not EXPLICITLY given to the government are retained by the people.

United States Activities Inside Iran?

This morning, national security advisor Stephen Hadley spoke about US engagement of Iranians aiding insurgents in Iraq.

When asked whether U.S. forces would cross into Iran to pursue those aiding Iraqi insurgents, he said: He said the priority "is what's going on inside Iraq. ... That's where we're going to deal with his problem." and, "Anytime you have questions about crossing international borders there are legal issues. ... We intend to deal with it by interdicting and disrupting activities in Iraq sponsored by Iran."

This response raises several questions as to whether the U.S. IS currently operating inside Iran. This administration has had a pattern of operating outside of established legal precedent (NSA wiretapping case, abuse of prisoners, suspension of habeas corpus, extraordinary rendition, etc, etc.), then dealing with the consequences (or lack of), later. In my mind, these aren't questions, but rather indications, but there is the cynicism and pragmatism.

Don't get me wrong, if people are assisting insurgents in killing our troops, they should be taken care of. Yet military incursions into a sovereign country against citizens of that country is an act of war, and war must be declared by Congress. Hence the "legal issues" mentioned by Mr. Hadley. Regardless, it has been apparent for some time that the administration's mind and direction are already set.

Just last Thursday, U.S. forces captured and detained 5 Iranian officials of relatively high rank. It has become obvious, that Iran is supporting at least the Shia side of the insurgency, and is establishing a political and military toehold in the power vacuum of Iraq.

War with Iran has already started. With politics, and on a small scale (on our side), soldiers. The battleground just happens to be Iraq.

References:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/14/ap/politics/mainD8ML45IO0.shtml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/11/AR2007011100427.html
http://www.slate.com/id/2157489/fr/flyout

Election Day Followup

It is great to be a cynic and have fears proven to be false.

Election Day

This is perhaps the most important day in recent memory. The results of today's election will affect the course of this nation and by proxy the world. Actually...one can only hope.

It is unfortunate that an opaque and untrustworthy voting system negates the democracy of the process. There are reports from Texas and Florida (go figure) about electronic voting systems switching Democratic votes to Republican. That's one hell of a bug, especially one-way. Not to mention that exit polling is not being done in many areas.

They say never to attribute malice to incompetence or stupidity...but yet again, cynicism colors my perception. I think it quite unlikely that the Democrats will win overall this election. Not that I particularly like the Democratic party, but the Republican party has done more to destroy the liberty of the American people than any of the enemies it has sworn to protect us from.

Culpability

Many people are blaming President Bush for the bungled response to the Katrina disaster for really stupid reasons. Here is a real one: his appointment of Michael Brown as FEMA director, a man with absolutely no disaster management experience (he was formerly the "Judges and Stewards Commissioner" of the International Arabian Horse Assoc). Mr. Brown resigned today in the face of his incompetence.

One must ask oneself how concerned our President is with the security and well being of the American people when he appoints such incompetents to important posts. Obviously Bush relies completely on the suggestions of his advisors. The blantant corruption and pork-barreling of the Administration is sickening and should be frightening to everyone. As they say: "If You're Not Outraged, You're Not Paying Attention!"

The culpability of the President of the actions or inaction of his appointees needs to be addressed.

A few words on the political spectrum...

On one side lies the liberals, who want a federal government that cares for them, provides for them, and tells them no when they make fun of their friends, graciously relieves them of their dirty evil money to fund massive social programs, and has laws on the books for just about everything. The interests of individuals trump business, and the state always knows best regulating every last minuitae of business and private doings.

On the other side lies the conservatives, who want a government with few laws but those laws are enforced in a severely draconian fashion. This is a government with low taxes, but spends freely in overseas military and police action to impose the freedom of "Democracy." Business interest trumps individual, and in practice business runs the state.

Somewhere completely off on a tangent lies the libertarian who wants a very small government. One with minimal involvement, existing merely to facilitate the contruction of infrastructure and organize a militia to defend life, property, and borders. Taxes are negligible. In practice, business trumps all.


Of course this is theory and idealism. A more pragmatic point of view incorporates a little of all three.

Myself...I lean toward the latter.