Introduction

I lived in Звёздный Городок for about a year, so I think I can kinda understand where the Russians are coming from in their current political actions.

I am not agreeing with what they are doing, nor am I stating that I think they are following a good plan; rather, I am seeking to inform you what the Russians are likely thinking, why they are likely doing what they are doing, and what cultural misunderstandings between Russia and the US are occurring at the present.  To learn more, read across the jump.

Right now, on radios and televisions, websites and blogs across the land, the cry is going out: the province of Anbar is safe, thanks to the brave efforts of Coalition forces and their Iraqi partners. Iraqi security forces are ready and waiting to take over. This will free up American troops to rotate out of country and into the once again restive theater of conflict in Afghanistan.

In reality it's... not quite going down like that .

Let's check the news together below the break.

Casualties, financial costs, etc. Show your local neo-con these statistics when he starts saying it was worth it.

The War that has gone on for around half a decade has cost us much in blood and treasure, and popular opinion around the world. This war isn't just unjustifiable, it's fiscally irresponsible, morally wrong, and continually deepining the financial wounds in the American Economy, with a shower of salt upon them to add to the pain.

John McCain, has built a career on his war "story".  He is running this campaign based on his time spent in the military as a POW, using it as the reason, excuse, and rationale for every issue discussed during this election. He says he doesn't like war.  Maybe not, but the election campaign he is running certainly counters that claim.  This new ad shows a frightening view into the McCain mindset, even more bellicose than Bush.  

And we thought he was just kidding, making a tasteless joke, when he sang "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran.
(link: http://www.youtube.com/...)

Here is the John McCain's latest attempt to scare the hell out of us...

We REALLY need to bring down the Rethug presidential nominee John McNicotine.  The only way to fight back against his attacks on Obama is to attack his qualifications for the presidency.  Kerry should have done that against Bush.  Well, as long as the Rethugs insist on telling lies about our nominees, we need to spread the truth about theirs.

Let’s consider the following hypothetical.  Your grandfather likes to smoke in his bed.  He’s been told over and over again that it’s neither hygienic nor safe.  But grandpa tends not to listen to anyone and does what he wants regardless of the potential consequences to either himself or those around him ...  

It's up to progressives to pass along vital videos to all their friends, even the friends who might reply back in a less than receptive manner.

As I watched the 2008 Beijing Olympics these past two weeks, a concern that had long been in the back of my head started to manifest itself in a very bizarre way. Believe it or not, these Olympics have given China - despite all the protests leading up to the opening ceremonies – the opportunity to display to the world the power the country holds. With the host country spending between $45 and $80 billion on the event, what we are seeing is not simply a global contest of athleticism, but rather a presentation of amazing proportions. Through China's financial and cultural support, the mega-event that is this year's Olympics is beginning to make one thing certain: America's hegemonic grip on the world is fading fast.

There are very troubling noises coming out of Russia today regarding potential military strikes on US targets if the White House moves forward with placing the missile defense shield in Poland.

John McCain has boasted that he knows how to win wars.  Since he has chosen to make his military prowess a central part of his campaign, it can be exposed for the empty, dangerous bluster that it is with one simple slogan.

Here ye go.

I am here making public my previously private opinion that the 2008 John McCain is the most far right wing extremist (neoconservative) zealot that the Republican party has ever nominated for President.  

Now, I admit as a progressive democrat I was going to vote for the democratic presidential candidate in 2008, but did they have to go and nominate this guy who moved to the right even of George W Bush? My gut and current evident suggests he might be less honest than Bush, if that's possible.  

[math4barack's first diary since move!!!] I am shocking my old friends with my conversion to being a progressive democrat supporting Obama.  I am met with much opposition. However, probably most of my classmates will be supportive.

Nothing wins those "hearts and minds" like fucking up the friendlies...

President Karzai today accused Afghan and U.S.-led coalition forces of killing at least 89 civilians in an attack in the western province of Herat in what could be one of the worst cases of "collateral damage" in Afghanistan since 2001...

But an Afghan minister who visited the area put the civilian death toll at 90, a human rights group which also went to the scene estimated it at 78, and the Interior Ministry reported 76 non-combatants dead, including 50 children.

Link

BENEATH THE SPIN    • ERIC L. WATTREE

Is John McCain Really A Hero?

One of the primary reason that this nation finds itself in the dire condition that we currently face, is that we’re extremely sloppy and less than precise in our political rhetoric.  One example of that is how we fall all over ourselves in an attempt to honor John McCain as a military hero.

Back a few years ago I went Absolutely Livid, have many many.................... times from the first beat of the War Drums, this time while watching the CBS 'Face the Nation' sunday show. While the blood had rushed to my head I waited, impatiently, for the transcript to come up on their site. When it finally did, I quickly copied and pasted it to an e-mail and sent it out, but that didn't quell the Absolute Rage. I wanted more who hadn't seen it to get as Pissed as myself so I tried thinking of online News outlets, some just coming into being, to further trying to get this report out to as many eyes and minds as possible, one was a fairly new outlet, the Huffington Post. A few hours later, to my surprise, and still Royally Pissed at what was reported, I receive an E from the Huffington Post that they were going to run with it, saw very little that day and ensuing days from the MSM about this incident as told by Senator Biden to Bob Schieffer.

Huffington posted it on June 20, 2005 at 10:11 PM {you gotta love google, I didn't keep the story, but a quick search and there it was}

Ladies and gents, brace yourselves:  Pat Buchanan of all people has hit the nail on the head with verve and accuracy.  Here, a paint-peeling dose of well deserved venom for Scheunemann and his vile ilk:

None Dare Call It Treason

Have a read.  Forward it to your friends, your enemies, your pets.  This is how to write about this stuff.  

Yeah, I know this is 'how many houses' week. But once the smoke settles from McCain's multiple chimneys and the McMSM tires, says their yeah, but's, and returns to the CW of war mongering as an indispensable characteristic of a commander-in-chief, I just wanted to bring Georgia back up. This is my first. evar. diary. And, just to be sure I don't run afoul of the DMCA, I'll be cut & pasting from myself, from an article published in the Carolina Independent Weekly.

The US is now moving a massive armada into the Persian Gulf.  Kuwait is enacting its "emergency war plan".

There is talk of posting a blockade on Iran as a stick to motivate them to cease their nuclear program.  Iran produces oil, but has no real refining capacity - they import most of their gasoline.  A blockade would shut down their economy, and cause serious humanitarian problems.  It would be like Gitmo, but we'd be torturing an entire nation.