***** Quote of the Day *****
********************************
"I am not blaming those who are resolved to rule,
only those who show an even greater readiness to submit..."
--Thucydides--
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Status Quo
there are no sinecure's in life
accomplishment to effort due.
we all contend with daily strife
each day, resolve we must renew...
something is lost by easy gain
the satisfaction is far less.
our health gains stature after pain
at near disaster, God will bless....
appreciation comes too late
we take for granted many boons.
our love will sometimes turn to hate
forever lasts but a few moons.
for man is never satisfied
he wants to change his status quo.
uneasy that he's been denied
but what he wants, he doesn't know...
accomplishment to effort due.
we all contend with daily strife
each day, resolve we must renew...
something is lost by easy gain
the satisfaction is far less.
our health gains stature after pain
at near disaster, God will bless....
appreciation comes too late
we take for granted many boons.
our love will sometimes turn to hate
forever lasts but a few moons.
for man is never satisfied
he wants to change his status quo.
uneasy that he's been denied
but what he wants, he doesn't know...
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
***** Sunni - Shia Alliance In the Making *****
*******************************************************
The Sunni Islamic Party and the followers of Ayatollah Muqtada al-Sadr are currently negotiationg a possible political alliance to form a unified bloc in Iraq's newly elected permanent parliament, an al-Sadr spokesman, Ala Makki said monday to Iraq's Nina news agency.
"there is much common ground on a number of national political topics between the two formations. this is why we are putting together an agreement to form a new alliance,"
said Ala Makki.
The initial results of Iraq's general election held on December 15th, show Muqtada al-Sadrs supporters winning 31 seats out of Iraq's 275-seat parliament. If the final tally confirms this substantial gain, the Sadr group will be the single largest group in Iraq's parliament.
Muqtada al-Sadr, has successfully transformed his followers into a political force to be reckoned with. This force could significantly re-shape the political landscape in Iraq's parliament.
Muqtada al-Sadr's group ran in the election as part of the United Iraqi Alliance Ticket. They also won an extra seat by running on the separate messengers ticket, according to the initial poll results.
Based on the strength of the initial results, the al-Sadr group has demanded a voice in choosing a prime minister and in other major ministerial positions. also, they are demanding that their militia be officially inducted into the government's security forces.
Reportedly, they have hinted of a possible break in ranks with the United Iraqi Alliance if their demands were not met, dashing hopes of a unified government.
*******************************************************
The Sunni Islamic Party and the followers of Ayatollah Muqtada al-Sadr are currently negotiationg a possible political alliance to form a unified bloc in Iraq's newly elected permanent parliament, an al-Sadr spokesman, Ala Makki said monday to Iraq's Nina news agency.
"there is much common ground on a number of national political topics between the two formations. this is why we are putting together an agreement to form a new alliance,"
said Ala Makki.
The initial results of Iraq's general election held on December 15th, show Muqtada al-Sadrs supporters winning 31 seats out of Iraq's 275-seat parliament. If the final tally confirms this substantial gain, the Sadr group will be the single largest group in Iraq's parliament.
Muqtada al-Sadr, has successfully transformed his followers into a political force to be reckoned with. This force could significantly re-shape the political landscape in Iraq's parliament.
Muqtada al-Sadr's group ran in the election as part of the United Iraqi Alliance Ticket. They also won an extra seat by running on the separate messengers ticket, according to the initial poll results.
Based on the strength of the initial results, the al-Sadr group has demanded a voice in choosing a prime minister and in other major ministerial positions. also, they are demanding that their militia be officially inducted into the government's security forces.
Reportedly, they have hinted of a possible break in ranks with the United Iraqi Alliance if their demands were not met, dashing hopes of a unified government.
***** The Billion Dollar Bunker *****
*******************************************
Exclusive: US plans Baghdad Embassy more secure than the Pentagon.
by-Chris Hughes, security correspondent.
3 January 2006
The Mirror (UK)
America is to spend $1 billion on an Embassy in Baghdad "more secure than the Pentagon." Plans for the hi-tech complex are being kept secret because of the terrorist threat in Iraq.
The exact location is not being released until this year, but it is likely to be built in the heavily fortified Green Zone area where the Iraqi government and US military command is based.
The Embassy will be guarded by 15ft blast walls and ground-to-air missiles and the main building will have bunkers for use during air offensives. The grounds will include as many as 300 houses for consular and military officials.
And a large-scale barracks will be built for Marines who will protect what will be Washington's biggest and most secure overseas building.
A US source in the Middle East said last night: "plans for the Embassy are being kept behind closed doors because of the terrorist threat."
"It will be more secure than the Pentagon, because it will be under constant threat from attack." The Green Zone is the safest part of Baghdad, surrounded by concrete blast walls and checkpoints.
The US also wants to build four massive superbases around Iraq's capital. The plans will fuel speculation they want to keep a firm foothold in Iraq for many years.
An Iraqi security source said last night: "the plans for the Embassy building will make it the largest and best protected diplomatic building overseas for the US."
"You may as well move the Pentagon to Iraq. It will be amazingly secure, but it also flies in the face of claims America is preparing to leave Iraq to be policed and governed by Iraqi's."
"Plans for four superbases across the country will only reinforce the view that the US is here to stay for the duration."
The move comes despite Donald Rumsfeld revealing last week that US troop numbers are to be reduced by 7,000 to 153,000. Tony Blair has also predicted British troops could start pulling out this May.
Backing among the American Public for President Bush's action in Iraq has fallen. Despite the opposition, a Kuwait-based construction company has already been handed 175 million pounds (300 million) of the building deal.
plans for four huge military bases placed strategically around Baghdad are also being drawn up. The superbases will be in central Iraq, close to the capital, and also to the north, west and east of Baghdad.
Several other Middle Eastern and American building firms are tendering for the remaining budget.
Funding will probably come from Iraqi oil revenues channelled into redeveloping the country.
America has a string of 'secret' military bases throughout the Gulf States, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
The huge desert complexes, including airports and aircraft hangars, are up to 20 miles square and are not featured on civilian maps. They started to appear after the First Gulf War 15 years ago.
Courtesy of
http://mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16541084%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=exclusive%2d%2dbillion%2dbunker%2d-name_page.html
*******************************************
Exclusive: US plans Baghdad Embassy more secure than the Pentagon.
by-Chris Hughes, security correspondent.
3 January 2006
The Mirror (UK)
America is to spend $1 billion on an Embassy in Baghdad "more secure than the Pentagon." Plans for the hi-tech complex are being kept secret because of the terrorist threat in Iraq.
The exact location is not being released until this year, but it is likely to be built in the heavily fortified Green Zone area where the Iraqi government and US military command is based.
The Embassy will be guarded by 15ft blast walls and ground-to-air missiles and the main building will have bunkers for use during air offensives. The grounds will include as many as 300 houses for consular and military officials.
And a large-scale barracks will be built for Marines who will protect what will be Washington's biggest and most secure overseas building.
A US source in the Middle East said last night: "plans for the Embassy are being kept behind closed doors because of the terrorist threat."
"It will be more secure than the Pentagon, because it will be under constant threat from attack." The Green Zone is the safest part of Baghdad, surrounded by concrete blast walls and checkpoints.
The US also wants to build four massive superbases around Iraq's capital. The plans will fuel speculation they want to keep a firm foothold in Iraq for many years.
An Iraqi security source said last night: "the plans for the Embassy building will make it the largest and best protected diplomatic building overseas for the US."
"You may as well move the Pentagon to Iraq. It will be amazingly secure, but it also flies in the face of claims America is preparing to leave Iraq to be policed and governed by Iraqi's."
"Plans for four superbases across the country will only reinforce the view that the US is here to stay for the duration."
The move comes despite Donald Rumsfeld revealing last week that US troop numbers are to be reduced by 7,000 to 153,000. Tony Blair has also predicted British troops could start pulling out this May.
Backing among the American Public for President Bush's action in Iraq has fallen. Despite the opposition, a Kuwait-based construction company has already been handed 175 million pounds (300 million) of the building deal.
plans for four huge military bases placed strategically around Baghdad are also being drawn up. The superbases will be in central Iraq, close to the capital, and also to the north, west and east of Baghdad.
Several other Middle Eastern and American building firms are tendering for the remaining budget.
Funding will probably come from Iraqi oil revenues channelled into redeveloping the country.
America has a string of 'secret' military bases throughout the Gulf States, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
The huge desert complexes, including airports and aircraft hangars, are up to 20 miles square and are not featured on civilian maps. They started to appear after the First Gulf War 15 years ago.
Courtesy of
http://mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16541084%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=exclusive%2d%2dbillion%2dbunker%2d-name_page.html
The Unworthy Dead
The "accidental" deaths of an entire Iraqi family (12 family members in all), from a United States air strike reminded me of the article I am posting.
Although the article was written June 21, 2004, the event that prompted the author to write this article is very much similar to todays event. It also demonstrates that our standard operating procedures and rules of engagement haven't changed for the better...
We still terminate people's lives based on questionable intelligence, and our "smart" weapons aren't as "smart" as they were made out to be...
and now for the article:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Unworthy Dead"
'for ours is the one true creed, they said and ours are the worthiest of the dead' --patriot games--
by-Michael Sky
6/21/04
This weekend's bombing of an alleged al Qaeda safe house in a poor residential neighborhood in Fallujah brings to mind last month's wedding massacre. In both cases, the US military had what it calls "actionable intelligence"--war speak for "there's decent odds we'll kill some evil-doers"--
In the aftermath of each bombing the military was quick to proclaim an important victory in the war on terror even as local Iraqi's protested the loss of innocent lives--especially in the wedding bombing--
When confronted with evidence that their intelligence was more questionable than actionable, given the women and children among the dead, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt answered efficiently:
"it is standard operating procedure to conduct a detailed collateral damage estimate prior to approval of this type of mission. The collateral damage estimate was within permissable limits, and this operation was within standing rules of engagement."
Translation before we bomb residential neighborhoods, we always try to guess how many women and children might get damaged. When we guess low enough numbers, it's bombs away.
By deciding in advance that some innocent deaths are permissable, the military shields itself from the complaints of survivors and meddling do-gooder groups.
"it's war," the Generals say, "and innocent people get killed in war,"
also "collateral damage, permissible limits."
Bottom line, we tell the world that the deaths of innocent Iraqi's do not count for as much as the deaths of innocent Americans. The slaughter of innocent Americans, after all, is reason enough to spend hundreds of billions, to start three wars, to kill tens of thousands.
The slaughter of innocent American's "changes everything."
Slaughtered Americans are the worthy dead, their passing matters in the most profound ways.
Slaughtered Iraqi's...do not matter as much. They are the unworthy dead, lives that don't matter, permissible deaths, within reasonable limits.
reduced to statistics on detailed collateral damage estimates.
total cost of mission: ten bombs, a full load of Jet fuel, 3 women, couple of kids, and a baby...well within permissible limits...
Although the article was written June 21, 2004, the event that prompted the author to write this article is very much similar to todays event. It also demonstrates that our standard operating procedures and rules of engagement haven't changed for the better...
We still terminate people's lives based on questionable intelligence, and our "smart" weapons aren't as "smart" as they were made out to be...
and now for the article:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Unworthy Dead"
'for ours is the one true creed, they said and ours are the worthiest of the dead' --patriot games--
by-Michael Sky
6/21/04
This weekend's bombing of an alleged al Qaeda safe house in a poor residential neighborhood in Fallujah brings to mind last month's wedding massacre. In both cases, the US military had what it calls "actionable intelligence"--war speak for "there's decent odds we'll kill some evil-doers"--
In the aftermath of each bombing the military was quick to proclaim an important victory in the war on terror even as local Iraqi's protested the loss of innocent lives--especially in the wedding bombing--
When confronted with evidence that their intelligence was more questionable than actionable, given the women and children among the dead, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt answered efficiently:
"it is standard operating procedure to conduct a detailed collateral damage estimate prior to approval of this type of mission. The collateral damage estimate was within permissable limits, and this operation was within standing rules of engagement."
Translation before we bomb residential neighborhoods, we always try to guess how many women and children might get damaged. When we guess low enough numbers, it's bombs away.
By deciding in advance that some innocent deaths are permissable, the military shields itself from the complaints of survivors and meddling do-gooder groups.
"it's war," the Generals say, "and innocent people get killed in war,"
also "collateral damage, permissible limits."
Bottom line, we tell the world that the deaths of innocent Iraqi's do not count for as much as the deaths of innocent Americans. The slaughter of innocent Americans, after all, is reason enough to spend hundreds of billions, to start three wars, to kill tens of thousands.
The slaughter of innocent American's "changes everything."
Slaughtered Americans are the worthy dead, their passing matters in the most profound ways.
Slaughtered Iraqi's...do not matter as much. They are the unworthy dead, lives that don't matter, permissible deaths, within reasonable limits.
reduced to statistics on detailed collateral damage estimates.
total cost of mission: ten bombs, a full load of Jet fuel, 3 women, couple of kids, and a baby...well within permissible limits...
Who Will Cry For The Little Boy?
It appeared in a movie starring Denzel Washington.
The poem captures the isolation and pain of an abused child:
who will cry for the little boy?
lost and all alone.
who will cry for the little boy?
abandoned without his own.
who will cry for the little boy?
he cried himself to sleep.
who will cry for the little boy?
he never had for keeps.
who will cry for the little boy?
he walked the burning sand
who will cry for the little boy?
the boy inside the man.
who will cry for the little boy?
who knows well hurt and pain.
who will cry for the little boy?
he died again and again.
who will cry for the little boy?
a good boy he tried to be.
who will cry for the little boy?
who cries inside of me.
Composed by Antwone Fisher,
The poem captures the isolation and pain of an abused child:
who will cry for the little boy?
lost and all alone.
who will cry for the little boy?
abandoned without his own.
who will cry for the little boy?
he cried himself to sleep.
who will cry for the little boy?
he never had for keeps.
who will cry for the little boy?
he walked the burning sand
who will cry for the little boy?
the boy inside the man.
who will cry for the little boy?
who knows well hurt and pain.
who will cry for the little boy?
he died again and again.
who will cry for the little boy?
a good boy he tried to be.
who will cry for the little boy?
who cries inside of me.
Composed by Antwone Fisher,
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Endymion
(John Keats)
a thing of beauty is a Joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
pass into nothingness; but still will keep
a bower of quiet for us, and a sleep
full of sweet dreams, and health and quiet breathing
therefore on every morrow, are we wreathing
a flowery band to bind us to the earth,
spite of despondence of the inhuman dearth
of noble natures, of gloomy days,
of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
made for our searching: yes in spite of all
some shape of beauty moves away the pall
from our dark spirits. such the sun, the moon,
trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
for simple sheep; and such are daffodils
with the green world they live in, and dear rills
that for themselves a cooling covert make
'gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake
rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
and such too is the grandeur of the dooms
we have imagined for the mighty dead
all lovely tales that we have heard or read-
an endless fountain of immortal drink,
pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.
a thing of beauty is a Joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
pass into nothingness; but still will keep
a bower of quiet for us, and a sleep
full of sweet dreams, and health and quiet breathing
therefore on every morrow, are we wreathing
a flowery band to bind us to the earth,
spite of despondence of the inhuman dearth
of noble natures, of gloomy days,
of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
made for our searching: yes in spite of all
some shape of beauty moves away the pall
from our dark spirits. such the sun, the moon,
trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
for simple sheep; and such are daffodils
with the green world they live in, and dear rills
that for themselves a cooling covert make
'gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake
rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
and such too is the grandeur of the dooms
we have imagined for the mighty dead
all lovely tales that we have heard or read-
an endless fountain of immortal drink,
pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
