Yesterday, the Washington Post wrote about how the Public has become less knowledgeable about the Iraqi war occupation as media coverage dissipates. That story was published on page A12.
Today, the Post has published this...on page A10:
Iraqi leaders have failed to take advantage of a reduction in violence to make adequate progress toward resolving their political differences, Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said Thursday.
In what only can be a pique of journalism that will irritate yet be ignored by both Fred Hiatt and myriad televised pundits it is also stated in the same article:
Petraeus came back to Iraq a year ago to implement a counterinsurgency strategy, backed up by a temporary increase of about 30,000 U.S. troops, intended to reduce violence so Iraqi leaders could pass laws and take other measures to ease the sectarian and political differences that threaten to break the country apart.
This certainly sounds like something nobody who is paid attention to could have predicted.
Bush has his reaction already planned:
Any counter -- effective counterinsurgency strategy will require more than just military action. George W. Bush, March 13, 2008
There is, after all, only one possible non-treasonous solution:
Spend more money, keep kids dying, and move these stories back until they're in the classifieds.
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Attaturk!
zed is dead
bonjour….
not….
and you were asking me if *I* ever sleep? heh.
Mornin’ all….
Morning pups.
Mr. cbl, Biodun, wigwam - I wish you all a good morning and day.
4k us troop dead… 30k wounded…1 million Iraqis dead…5 million homeless…1 million christian Iraqis refugees…Iran is knocking on the East door…Osama Bin Laden is still runnin around training terrorist in Pakistan…Bhutto was assasinated….the 5th fleet is in harms way…turkey will not cooperate…all data is mined searched for dem scandals with two dem govs gone…dem congress leaders are in bed with Bushco said we had one over four years ago…why are we still in Iraq…the war as it turns out was based on lies…why is Bush still in the White House?…why did Adniral Fallon who was appointed by Bushco resign? Just wondering…
Also “just wondering…” What got said in that *secret* House session last night?
well, since it isn’t morning for me, but just a late night, I’m gonna throw up another song, ’cause that’s what I’ve been doing for several hours now…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytHMQyJfVfg
ok - I’m through now…
bigbrother seems to be asking for cogent thoughts, and I don’t know that I have any left…
Hope this works. Just for you, jayt. Obscure but cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Also “just wondering…” What got said in that *secret* House session last night?
I don’t know that they had it. Watched CSpan until it cut away to something else entirely, which was around 10:00, iirc, and they were still arguing as to whether or not to even have the secret session.
My money is on - that it didn’t happen, and that the argument for same will re-commence today.
Most Dem’s are saying that they won’t even bother to attend - it’s an absolute Hail-Mary pass from a desperate Republican (and Steny Hoyer) party.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/244/story/30172.html
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Wednesday canceled plans for broad public release of a study that found no pre-Iraq war link between late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and the al Qaida terrorist network.
Rather than posting the report online and making officials available to discuss it, as had been planned, the U.S. Joint Forces Command said it would mail copies of the document to reporters — if they asked for it. The report won’t be posted on the Internet.
Per the cited WaPo article:
So, Petraeus “excepts” they are standing down awaiting “the day when the U.S. presence is diminished.” In the interim, the U.S. is spending $12,000,000,000 per month arming, training, and funding Iraq’s Shiite government and Sunni Awakening movement, thereby maximizing their lethality for the day when U.S. presence is diminished and they cease standing down. Good Idea!
thanks - I normally discount that band out of hand, but that was good.
War, dubya style.
Before that horrible front man.
Sorry for my 16. That was for jayt at 15.
In the interview, Petraeus conceded that some elements of both the Awakening movement and the Mahdi Army may be standing down in order to prepare for the day when the U.S. presence is diminished. “Some of them may be keeping their powder dry,” Petraeus said of Mahdi Army members. “Obviously you would expect some of that to happen.”
So some of John McCain’s speech-writers are working for Petraeus now?
Good morning, pups. It’s Bobo and Krugman today. Bobo typed something he called “The Rank-Link Imbalance,” and it’s rank all right. He says that those in the business of covering the great and the powerful know they have an almost limitless capacity for self-pity. I must admit that the term “horizontal relationships” in the third sentence struck me as particularly amusing. Perhaps he didn’t realize how snicker-inducing that turn of phrase might be, given his subject matter (as best I can make out what he’s gibbering about). Mr. Krugman’s column is titled “Betting the Bank,” and he says that monetary policy can have magical effects; but sometimes the magic doesn’t work. And this is one of those times.
http://mgpaquin.wordpress.com/
The coffee, tea and hot chocolate are all ready, and I’ve got waffles with real maple syrup today.
Interesting, that. Caught only a wee part of C-Span last night which consisted of Menendez? (D) speaking against it. Just briefly scanned news reports this a.m. and assumed it went forward. Did Reid still have the Senate in session at something like 2 a.m.?
from the Beeb:
The final graf from the Krugman piece:
Just another can being kicked down the road for the Democrats to take the blame for when the shit truly hits the fan.
I dunno. My teevee screen said “Live” but RevDeb suggested that it might have been a replay from earlier in the day.
And, fighting like heck against sleep-deprivation - I don’t know.
Might have been from earlier today, when I did catch a few hours.
ummm, please substitute “yesterday” for “today” in my #24 above.
Crap.
BREAKING–just in from NPR’s Marketplace:
We’re now officially in recession.…
oh, what the heck - it isn’t quite even 6:00 yet, so I’ll throw up another song:
Steve Earle and Emmylou (who still isn’t returning my calls or answering my letters - heh):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjTSRJLn15k
yo
Bio, how’s it hangin?
Mornin’ Raven
and btw - we good?
When you go to see yer doc today, get a sleepin pill too.
Aw hell yes!
sleep has become a memory - been here before though, and I thank you for your concern. Really.
Mornin Joe is all over Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
good - that makes me feel better; we were arguing about *something* the other night - don’t really remember what it was…
holy crow I just had an Epiphany
whenever any of his policies fail he uses that failure as his excuse to impose more of that very failure!
AND WE FALL FOR IT!
the more his tax gifts destroy the economy, that means the more of those taxes he must give to rich people SINCE the first tax gifts FAILED!
the more his policies failed in Iraq, the MORE we need to do WHAT CAUSES THAT FAILURE!
THIS IS BRILLIANT!
he NEVER has to backtrack, NO MATTER WHAT
man oh man, I don’t know WHO came up with that strategy but it is elegant genius
it’s hanging…feeling a little better now. We’ll see. If I don’t go into a decline at 11 AM CT or so, I’ll know I’m home free…(been battling viral infection since I came back from Paris….)
and how’re doing?
Yeah, he is “concerned” about the future of the party. What a piece of shit. And his bubbleheaded bleach blond is no better.
Have you looked at “Full Catastrophe Living”
Kabat-Zinn is founder and director of the stress reduction program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, and the “full catastrophe” of which he writes is the spectrum of stress in life. His program, in a word, is meditation, rescued from the mire of mysticism that made it trendy in the 1960s. The author focuses on the advantages of employing “practiced mindfulness” to control and calm our responses without blunting our feelings–and a more convincing introduction to the many modes and uses of meditation could hardly be imagined. In personable, enlightening prose, Kabat-Zinn first explains how to develop a meditation schedule, and in later chapters pragmatically applies his plan to the main sources of stress. An impressive middle section clearly marshals scientific and anecdotal evidence relating state of mind to state of health. And while emphasizing meditation’s healing potential, Kabat-Zinn makes no sweeping claims, suggesting that the discipline serve not as means but end. Illustrations not seen by PW. BOMC and QPB selection.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
I usually tune in Morning Joe around 5: 15 AM CT…
Buchanan, don’t mean nuthin.
I got it on the screen but I’m on Imus online
What I mean by that is that the argument don’t mean nuthin.
Now perris, you’re just “playing politics with the past”.
Story time:
Went to university with Emmylou and heard her as often as possible when she sang duo folk with a guy. Think she dropped out before graduating so lost track of her. Many years later, while taking a group of students to NYC, happened to hear a song called “Quarter Moon in a Ten-Cent Town” and thought, “Damn! That voice sounds familiar.” Bothered me so bad that I actually when in a music store and asked name of singer. Guess who? *G*
Mika is cool
gotta love think progress and they are back up before their overhaul but check out this lead
Aw, damn the “Sweetheart of the Rodeo”. We watched “Into the Wild” last night and I was explaining to mrs raven that Gram Parsons was buried in Joshua Tree. Some of the film is there and at “The Slabs”.
Now Imus is playing Dirty Laundry speakin of bubblehead
does this man have the mental capacity of a fourth grader?
never mind, I shouldn’t have asked, but for him to get in front of someone and actually say it, I mean cripes
Bush on wanting to go to Afghanistan:
“It must be exciting for you … in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You’re really making history, and thanks,” Bush said.
Cod piece wants to go to war. I have no comment…. I am lost.
Jeeze he has you talking to yourself…. me too
There’s no way anyone *could* comment b/c they’re too busy gagging. :-(
It’s a scam, he’s not stupid at all.
bush is setting the table for Iran and everyone better take notice because these signs are more prominent then when he went into Iraq
in his most recent speach he actually bragged about being engaged in war on two fronts, and he promised he would continue with that policie
and the only stop gap from attacking Iran was forced into retirement
scott ritter insists it is going to happen, we have an even stronger documentation then we had in the pnac, everyone should read the book about the gilderberger group, it is more alarming and more documented then anything we found out about his intentions in Iraq
we are going to war unless the democrats stop him, it IS going to happen
of course he is, he is just that stupid, he has failed at everything, don’t fall for that republican marketing scam saying he fakes it
he is a moron, a marionette and there is nothing Machiavellian about him
I missed the skull and bones meeting in the House last night. Have we heard anything about the “super secret secret”. Did the party of Secrecy reveal some of their blackmail information?
NO Raven he is not stupid that honour belongs to we the fucking people
The world’s best female high-harmony singer..
Male? - Timmy Schmidt from Poco - now attached to the (blergh) Eagles.
off to work, see all later
From the Beeb, on French college graduates not wanting/wanting to work:
I just thought it deserved it’s own space.
Speakin of Gram, Mika’s wearing heels with jeans:
When you walk in they all know what you’re after
And the higher that you get the more they’ll see
In a dark room filled with music, wine, and laughter
Your eyes keep searching for her constantly
Is it that one in the corner with her eyes filled with tears
Or is she the one who’s having fun drinking too much beer
Every night it’s the same sad old procedure
The doorman winks at you on your way out
‘Cause deep inside he knows just what you’re after
And he’s got something you can’t live without
There’s nothing new that can be said about dirt
And there’s nothing left inside your heart but the same old hurt
Of an old love’s fancy life that left you stranded in a dream
Ain’t you glad you’re a high fashion queen
Ain’t you glad you’re a high fashion queen
Gee, I disagree, how you like that?
Fourth graders all across our great nation are insulted. Sea slugs rarely read blogs and therefore won’t be insulted. He has the mental capacity of a sea slug.
So three wars are better than two. Why not attack Tortola and have four goddamn wars. Sheeit
Jeeze he has you talking to yourself…
I do it all the time - *and* answer.
I figure that as long as an argument doesn’t break out, I’m good….
Timothy B ain’t it? I really like Emmylou and Knopler.
raven, he failed at everything he’s done before or since president, if you can possibly walk away with anything but a moron blessed with the influence of his daddy, good on ya
While I agree with the ’scam’ part, let’s not get carried away!
Is that really the name of the guy? (It was back in the 60’s) Seems like he had kinda strawberry blond hair and was quite nice looking.
damn - Flying Burrito Brothers?
Is that really fair to break out in an argument? *g*
I think it’s a front and he knows exactly what he is doing.
He sings “I Can’t Tell You Why:.
yes, it is actually Timothy B. Schmidt.
I like Mika also. Now Willie Geist reminds too much of Tucker. I was quite surprised to find out that Willie is the son of Bill Geist who I have always enjoyed watching on cbs sunday morning. Bill also wrote “Little League Confidential” which was great reading when we were parents juggling game/practice schedules of 3 kids in sports & witnessing the childish behavior of coaches & other parents who thought it was all about them. I suppose Willie wouldn’t even be on Morning Joe if he didn’t play his assigned role there as he did on Tucker but I often wonder what his dad thinks about his son’s job.
After the Eagles broke up in 1980, he attempted a solo career and sang vocals and played bass for hire during studio sessions. His voice can be heard on other hits, including Crosby, Stills and Nash’s “Southern Cross,” where he sang harmony due to David Crosby’s drug overindulgence. He was also a background musician on two of Don Henley’s hit songs, “Dirty Laundry” and “You Don’t Know Me at All.” Schmit teamed with former Eagles bandmates Joe Walsh and Meisner to provide background vocals to the 1987 Richard Marx hit “Don’t Mean Nothing.” He also performed on the Toto 1983 hit single “I Won’t Hold You Back Now”, and the Jars Of Clay song “Everything In Between”
I vote for President Bush having teh stupid.
(since everyone was just dying to know my opinion on the matter)
.
The reason, after 20 years, I got out of public recreation administration!
But you’re all better now, right?
OK fuck it, you are all correct and I am wrong.
so failing at every endeaver is a front?,,,interesting strategy that
sorry raven, he is in a moron
that’s why they picked him, so they can pull the strings
well, this is ping pong and I am off to work
With all due respect, the above is probably more accurate.
Well, you did support that candidate….
…you know, that one with teh suck! /s
Jayt - ask if I’m better in January.
(CNN) — Protesters set fire to vehicles and shops in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa on Friday, as tear gas filled the streets and gunfire rang out, a witness told CNN.
Roughly 1,000 people hurled rocks and concrete at security forces, demolishing military trucks and pushing back riot police, the witness said, and Tibetans appeared to be targeting shops and vehicles owned by Han Chinese, the predominant ethnic group in China.
State-run Xinhua News Agency confirmed that shops had been set on fire and that owners of nearby businesses had shut their doors, according to The Associated Press.
The violence was under way near Barkhor Square, home to the revered Jokhang Temple. Some ethnic Tibetan shopkeepers hung Tibetan scarves outside their stores in an attempt to spare them from the protesters’ wrath.
The unrest follows days of protests in Tibet and neighboring India over Chinese rule in Tibet, an autonomous region of China that has long sought its independence.Video
But thanks to Bushco, the world is a much safer place today….
Iirc, still have an campus? paper article with picture about the two of them….but it’s at the other house. No one else had ever heard of them except the local town and gown. Will google the name and see if there’s an available photo. Would be neat if the both of them became nationally known…..knew I had good taste in singers. *g*
Wow you noticed it too…..
I’m not sayin a goddamn thing about what he has done I am saying it’s no fucking accident, shit [edited by mod] I’m walkin the dogs.
Tucker up on MSNBC now - talking about stuff he said when he used to be on the air.
Trying very hard right now to maintain a dignified personage - and not laugh out loud at the….
that’s ass!
I agree it’s no accident.
Now go walk the dog.
Raven:
Bill Geist did a good job of covering the parents & coaches who forgot to leave their egos out of their kid’s sports in his book. It’s a wonder that so many kids survive their parent’s interference & actually enjoy themselves without being scarred for life!
I, for one, cannot wait for the day when I see Tucker wearing a raincoat, trying to keep his hood up, and struggling to remain upright, while he describes the storm which is pummeling his ass..
I think bush follows directions very well from his leaders.
He’s a flasher? Holy shit! Does he wear a bow tie… like down there
Simply a wonderful notion, America’s economic vitality, “testicles” in the hands speculators at financial markets determining the price of a “commodity,” a barrel of oil. The Iraq Oil Plot thickens as “Executive Oil” inflicts pain and America suffers, Iraqis and Americans continue to die while the Iraq government has a budget surplus….. generated from oil revenues????
Meanwhile, money is borrowed from foreign interests and “distributed” to stimulate an infirm economy?
The “drunks” continues to drink while jaundice manifests!
Does he wear a bow tie… like down there…
I most sincerely hope that you will take my word that I have no idea as to the answer to that question… *g*
I, for one, was very glad to see Rachel Maddow call Pat on his rudeness. Pat is just another old fart of his generation & upbringing who has contempt for women that I have known all my life. My hackles were rising long before the shutup remark. You can smell the condenscension a mile away from those guys.
damn - how many times am I gonna have to stand up for Buchanan, who I don’t like and with whom I never agree?
Indeed your veracity is not in question. chimpy…. not so much
Sorry, darlin’, don’t think so. Been doin’ a little research….age is about right but bio mentions absolutely nothing about his crossing paths with Emmylou (which it surely? would, given her status). Per photo, *can’t* be, appearance-wise. Emmy’s partner was reallllllllly nice lookin’….Mr. Schmidt, not so much. *g*
Collectively, Americans have the attention span of a gnat. The MSM does it’s best to reinforce the trait. Bright shiny objects are the staple of the infotainment industry.
Well, we should have known:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....s-col-blog
(great piece by Dana Milbank of the WaPo)
Roy Blunt didn’t have a top secret piece of information. He’s just a right wing control freak. The End.
I hope the Democrats laughed when they saw this “evidence”.
on the Secret Seession
they spent less than an hour arguing in the secret session, Democrats said it was waste of time.
150-300 various guesses as to how many were there.
Tim Sparks, Congressional Quarterly. CSPAN
Maybe I said it wrong - never meant to say that they’d ever worked together…. just that she is the best high-harmony female in the business, and that he is the best high-harmony * guy* in the business…
oo thanks Kay
FISA votes scheduled prolly around 2 eastern today (Sparks)
Did they actually *have* the “secret” session?