9/11

Remembering 10 years later

Above, one of the stunning AP photos of the site of terror attacks ten years ago. While we are remembering all those we have lost, and again being wow’d by all those who responded so magnificently, enjoy more of the new site at the Daily Mail.

Yesterday leaders gathered first at the Pentagon and, later, in Shanksville to honor those who lost their lives. If you missed the very moving speech by President Bush, you can see it below.

Barack Obama / Congress / Economy / Politics

S&P verdict… Tea Party found innocent, Obama and both Congressional parties guilty

Late yesterday, the judge (the S&P) issued a verdict on the status of the case involving the US economy, and exonerating the accused defendants (the Tea Party) of all charges leveled by the plaintiffs (the WH, both parties of Congress, and the media). Said accusations? That any repercussions of the debt ceilings debate – aka national credit ratings, general Armageddon, and all ensuing fallout – were primarily the responsibility … aka *blame*… of the grassroots, unorganized and unofficial movement referred to, generically, as the “Tea Party”. These accusations, without founding in any logical other than political demonization, were based on supposed influence on Congressional members, attempting to use the need for a debt ceiling increase, as the correct moment for also negotiating a path to fiscal responsibility.

Congress / Constitution / Economy

Taxpayers being played the fool by debt ceiling political farce and bank strong arm tactics

As the fury and venom flies over the debt ceiling, and now the GOP attempt to shove a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment thru as the price for their votes, it’s easy to see how the public is manipulated into mutual disdain and vicious ideological and class warfare by media and politicians. Dare I suggest that we – taxpayers of all political stripes and beliefs, no matter how far apart – are being played the fools big time? This should be abundantly clear by one simple and unavoidable fact… there is overwhelming bipartisan unity that if the debt ceiling is not raised, the US faces fiscal Armageddon.

Afghanistan / Barack Obama / Iran / Military / Pakistan

Afghanistan and Pakistan eye Obama’s cowardly retreat, and turn to Iran

To tag team my post on Friday about Obama’s cowardly and politically expedient Afghanistan withdrawal from Afghanistan, I now bring you another perspective from the Middle East. Most specifically, an “‘anti-terrorism conference in Tehran” [ain’t that an oxymoron in itself??] where Afghanistan’s Karzai and Pakistan’s Asif Ali “Mr. Bhutto, spouse of Taliban creator” Zardari of Pakistan discuss how to deal with the US turning tail and bugging out under Obama. From Robert Fisk, appearing in tomorrow’s UK Independent edition:

Afghanistan / Barack Obama / Military / NATO

Obama promises US “bugging out” amidst increasing violence

On the heels of Obama’s version of a “Mission Accomplished speech” just three days ago, apparently some militants in Afghanistan are registering their thumbs up by executing twin suicide bombings in the following days. On Friday, ten people were killed, 24 wounded, by a bicycle bomb detonated in a busy bazaar in Khad Abad district of the northern province of Kunduz. 24 hours later, a car bombing at a hospital in Logar province, just south of Kabul, killed 60, wounded 120. The hospital attack has been called “unprecedented” in the history of the near-decade-long Afghan war by officials.

President Karzai, criticizing Obama’s politically expedient announcement of the US “bug out”, issued a statement stating that that militancy was on the rise in both his country and the Middle East region.

Daily Distraction / Entertainment / Media

The cat’s officially out of the bag as Hollywood execs “out” their political bias on the record

What fun! I get to play gossip entertainment news columnist on the Internet! Heaven knows, since the media’s been great at blacking out real news, having more fun with the triple crown of sex scandals – Schwarzeneggar, Weinergate and John Edwards – instead, I can’t be too far out of the mainstream of what the public wants to read, right? I mean really… what possible value is there in covering the tanking US economy and growing dangers of the US foreign policy?

But hey, since we’re off in LaLa land for tabloid news, I might as well add my two cents worth. And in this case, it’s not much been a secret to anyone that Hollywood – and especially TV execs – are decidedly liberal. In fact, that may be the quintessential understatement of the century. But it does give one a grin when Hollywood finds themselves unwittingly on camera, spouting their various degrees of hatred for all things conservative. What’s more, they weren’t even tricked by underground, fledgling cyber journalists

History / military history / On This Day

Remembering D-Day

D-Day isn’t one of those dates most Americans remember easily. It’s not associated with bank holidays, BBQs, parades or other high profile celebrations. There’s no Hallmark cards and socially mandated gifts for spouses and lovers associated with the day. It’s not even a date in history that is marked with any specific, large scale memorials or tributes. Most occasions, it slips quietly by, virtually unnoticed, save for a few token stories…. like this one… and brief mentions in between the tabloid news we’re spoon fed and hyped up on these days.

But June 6, 1944 was not one of those days that would so quietly slip by. On this day, the Allied forces crossed the English channel to storm five beach heads along the French Normandy coast. The US forces landed at Utah and Omaha, while the Canadians and British attacked attacked Sword, Juno and Gold beaches. But it was not just the beaches that were a’buzz with allied activity.