Washington has big guns and planes. But Iran has 150,000 American hostages

[understandinglife]

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In the end, the may turn our era into one of energy chaos and ever more widespread terrorism.

Let me just put a tad of passing reality up against all these fantasies: George Bush's approval rating just hit 32%, the lowest of his presidency, in the latest CNN poll; 30% in New Hampshire (a state he won in 2004); and even white evangelicals are starting to peel away. The President has been losing on average a percentage point a month since January 2005. Call this the preponderance of polls.

Or consider the comment of , the pseudonymous young Sunni blogger in Baghdad, on possible American bombing plans for Iran:

"While I hate the Iranian government, the people don't deserve the chaos and damage of air strikes and war. I don't really worry about that though, because if you live in Iraq -- you know America's hands are tied. Just as soon as Washington makes a move against Tehran, American troops inside Iraq will come under attack. It's that simple -- Washington has big guns and planes… But Iran has 150,000 American hostages."

Hers is a glimpse of reality worth tens of billions of intelligence dollars, and it came to her in a building that lacks electricity most of the time. Then again, without electricity over three years after Baghdad fell to American troops (and Iraqi looters), she's not dazzled by American preponderance, that holy grail of global power, and every illusory perk that goes with it. Because our leaders still are, they may never learn -- to our shame and the future pain of many Iranians.

Tom Engelhardt's latest article, is worthy of more than a little pondering.

He also notes that Mark Danner's has just been released.


Never Forget: George W. Bush willfully violated National Security to cover-up his willful launch of a war of aggression and illegal occupation of Iraq.

[MSgt213]

1. Riverbend is so great. It makes me wonder how many other great Iraqi

voices we can't hear because of the crap we are causing over there.

[Terran1212]

2. Only "far left" media airs Iraqi voices

Only alternative, independent, and mostly left wing media will discuss them. The mainstream media would call all of these places "far left" because they have the nerve to interview the occupied.

[understandinglife]

3. Josh Marshall: "Brazen it out, burn off men and money, not admit ...

... there's any real problem and then pass it off on the next guy who will take the blame.

The president lacks the courage to change course. The whole country is paralyzed by his cowardice.

Comments made in response to George Packer's latest article in The New Yorker.

Link:http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/008361.php

And, Bush is itching to nuke Iran ... just to show he can.


Be The Bu$h Opposition - 24/7

[understandinglife]

5. "A whole lot of Mr. Smiths would go well with the political climate of ...

... the moment.

This nation needs its leaders to rise to the occasion and lead the way out of the wilderness in which we find ourselves at the moment.

Mr. Smith, it’s your turn. .

Carpe Diem to all those who comprise "We the People ...," most importantly.

It is for every American to lead our Nation back to the rule of law, the respect and defense of diversity, the realization of each person's inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.


Peace.

[onyourleft]

4. While Bush may be polling at 30% here,

he did not win New Hampshire in 2004:

www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/NH/

Full President
RACE STATUS CANDIDATE VOTE VOTE % PRECINCTS LOCAL EXIT POLLS
President: New Hampshire
(4 electoral votes)
Updated: 5:32 p.m. ET

Kerry
340,511 50% 100% of precincts reporting votes by county voter survey results

Bush
(Incumbent)
331,237 49%
Full NH
Nader
4,479 1%
More: Electoral Vote Scorecard