Open & Accountable Obama?

President Obama isn't nearly as transparent as he promises. Has anyone seen the list of sponsors or attendees at the DNC Energy reception? Did General James L. Jones attend? Besides being Obama's National Security Director, the General was a recent Chevron Board member and architect of a 21st Century Energy report for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Another opaque area was reported in Haaretz. The article stated:

Former U.S. Defense Secretary William J. Perry held a series of previously undisclosed meetings with a senior aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The report added that the meetings were "discussions, not negotiations" about Iran's nuclear program that aimed to clarify the two sides' positions.

It was not clear from the report whether Mr. Perry was acting at the behest of the Bush administration or others.

Time to clarify, Mr. Obama. We wouldn't want Mr. Perry charged with violating the Logan Act. It might impact his ability to serve on corporate boards or advise private equity underwriters. The blue team does an impressive imitation of the red. Didn't Ronald Reagan approach Iran before he was elected President?

WEF becomes War Equity Forum

The World Economic Forum is tackling more than global financial system reform. It hosted a panel on Israel-Gaza's impact on Middle East non-peace. Even that session was contentious. The Jerusalem Post reported the current middleman, Turkish Prime Minister, left the stage in a huff.

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he left not because of a dispute with Israeli President Shimon Peres, but because he was not given time to respond to the president's remarks. Erdogan also complained that Peres had 25 minutes while he was only given 12 minutes.

Peres's defense was prompted by harsh criticism leveled at Israel not only by Erdogan, but also by the two other panelists, Arab League head Amr Moussa and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Israel had a seven year window for peace with neighboring Arab countries. It chose war. The global power boys are happy to sell arms to Israel, much of that provided and paid for by American taxpayers.

The WEF tackles global change. Private equity and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds plan to keep their preferred, unregulated status. Israel and the U.S. continue to tamper with countries in the Near East. What will happen after this round of WEF professional wrestling in Davos? The big money, heavy handed, power boys remain in charge.

Bibi's Chutzpah at WEF

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. The crowd was likely thankful for a change in topic from the crippling, world-wide financial meltdown and how to rebuild in the midst of a firestorm. Mr. Netanyahu is running for Prime Minister in Israel. He offered his assessment of world priorities:

Likud Party Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons ranks above the economy in the challenges facing the leaders of the 21st century.

Apparently Israel is the center of the world.

"We have never had, since the dawn of the nuclear age, nuclear weapons in the hands of such a fanatical regime," said Netanyahu.

Really? Which nuclear state attacked its democratic neighbor to the north in 2006? Which nuclear armed country in the Middle East put Gaza under a two year siege, before unleashing a month long pummeling?

President Obama's description of an aggressive state in his inauguration speech fit Israel to a "T". Yet, Obama declared fealty to the U.S.-Israel blood brotherhood. That indicates more violent tampering in the region.

Unwrap America's New Diplomacy to Find Bush

President Barack Obama's oratory may move mountains, but White House rhetoric diverts citizens from our foreign policy chasm. Change means listening in the Israel-Palestine conflict and talking with Iran. Is it really change? The Jerusalem Post reported:

US Ambassador Susan Rice warned that Iran must meet UN Security Council demands to suspend uranium enrichment before any talks on its nuclear program.

That sounds strikingly Bushist. What about Gaza, where the President elect held his tongue for 25 days, while Israel pummeled Palestinians?

As George Mitchell was dispatched to the Middle East, US President Barack Obama said overnight Monday that his new envoy to the region would aim "to engage vigorously and consistently in order for us to achieve genuine progress. And when I say progress, not just photo ops, but progress that is concrete."

Quartet envoy Tony Blair tipped "genuine progress" on December 8. He said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chair Mahmoud Abbas reached a secret agreement. Tony told Haaretz on December 20 that Obama's incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and NSA Chief General James L. Jones agreed with a change in strategy on Gaza. Bombs, including cluster and phosphorous munitions, fell a week later.

Bush was a supremely bad actor. President Obama sells better, but the script remains the same. Now Change means No Change from W.

Lauder Not Blush on Iranian Nuclear Intentions

World Jewish Council President Ronald Lauder, the cosmetics heir, spoke emphatically on Iran's nuclear ambitions. The Jerusalem Post reported:

President of the New York-based World Jewish Congress said Monday that economic sanctions against Iran would not stop the Islamic Republic from seeking to attain nuclear weapons. Economic sanctions always help [but] the question is how strong they are and what effect they have. They cannot affect a country in the short-term."

In defiance of the UN Security Council and years of increasing economic sanctions, Iran continues to enrich uranium, which nuclear experts say is the hardest part of building a bomb. "We all know that the obfuscation and trickery of the mullahs in charge of that once great country have one clear goal - a nuclear bomb," Lauder said.

Short term-sanctions bad. President Obama's planned diplomacy has a three month time frame, i.e. short term. Lauder applied the foundation for violence. Look for the U.S. diplomatic team to make rogue Iran see rouge. That way, Israel and the U.S. can deliver laser guided lipstick shaped tubes. Watch the dramatic pair remake the Iranian landscape. They just teamed up to remove masked Gaza. Don't believe me? Ask Quartet envoy Tony Blair.

The honorable Mr. Blair said to Haaretz on December 20, Hillary Clinton and James L. Jones agreed with a change in strategy on Gaza. Bombs fell a week later. To date, Israel hasn't expressed the slightest inclination toward peace.

"O Bomb A" Hits Pakistani Tribal Areas

President Barack Obama's military struck targets in Pakistan on his fourth day in office. The Washington Post reported:

Two remote U.S. missile strikes that killed at least 20 people at suspected terrorist hideouts in northwestern Pakistan yesterday offered the first tangible sign of President Obama's commitment to sustained military pressure on the terrorist groups there, even though Pakistanis broadly oppose such unilateral U.S. actions.

It appears Pakistanis have the same trouble getting their will expressed as other global democracies. The citizens of Pakistan broadly oppose unilateral U.S. actions. How should their government respond?

Israel pioneered the use of summary execution in its various, unending wars. America picked up the practice, likely to our founding fathers chagrin. President Obama didn't wait long to pull the trigger. Now change means "No Change from W."

BBC Cowed into Not Running Ad for Gaza Aid

The BBC decided not to run an ad for aid for the people of Gaza, despite having aired similar ads for Congo and Myanmar. Several British leaders criticized the BBC as a result. The Jerusalem Post article stated:

The national broadcaster said it had rejected the ad because showing it might harm the BBC's reputation for impartiality and because it could not be sure humanitarian aid would reach the needy in the chaotic territory.

Britain's main private broadcasters also turned down the ad. Health Minister Ben Bradshaw called the BBC's decision inexplicable and accused the publicly funded broadcaster of being cowed by the Israeli government.

Impartiality? Israel killed Palestinians at a ratio of 100 to 1. Their U.S. supplied arms destroyed $2 billion in infrastructure in a huge ghetto. Israel banned the BBC from covering the war in Gaza. They easily did so, because Israel had Gaza in a two year lock down.

C'mon BBC, be honest. Are the people of Gaza inhuman and unworthy of aid? Or does Israel play the cruelest kind of hardball? Maybe, both?

President Obama's Pilgrimage and Fealty

For twenty three days of horrific war, President-elect Barack Obama stood silent. Israel killed 100 Palestinians for every Israeli lost. The IDF dropped cluster bombs, white phosphorous, and weapons hardened with depleted nuclear material. The Jewish state caused $2 billion in infrastructure damage, causing 50,000 people the loss of their homes. Water, sewage and electricity are impaired, in some cases severely.

MIT Professor Noam Chomsky spoke out against the murder of innocent people, effectively under siege in a huge Gaza prison camp. Some 1.5 million people suffer. Killing "two legged beasts" is the norm for Israel and its partner, the United States. Penning them in cantons, controlling supplies, harassing the population, capturing and holding prisoners without charges, these are longtime American/Israeli practices. They may continue.

President Obama's website offered this on Israel:

Ensure a Strong U.S.-Israel Partnership: Barack Obama and Joe Biden strongly support the U.S.-Israel relationship, and believe that our first and incontrovertible commitment in the Middle East must be to the security of Israel, America's strongest ally in the region. They support this closeness, and have stated that the United States will never distance itself from Israel.

Support Israel's Right to Self Defense: During the July 2006 Lebanon war, Barack Obama stood up strongly for Israel's right to defend itself from Hezbollah raids and rocket attacks, cosponsoring a Senate resolution against Iran and Syria's involvement in the war, and insisting that Israel should not be pressured into a ceasefire that did not deal with the threat of Hezbollah missiles. He and Joe Biden believe strongly in Israel's right to protect its citizens.

Support Foreign Assistance to Israel: Barack Obama and Joe Biden have consistently supported foreign assistance to Israel. They defend and support the annual foreign aid package that involves both military and economic assistance to Israel and have advocated increased foreign aid budgets to ensure that these funding priorities are met. They have called for continuing U.S. cooperation with Israel in the development of missile defense systems.

Now change means No Change from W.

Israeli Leaders Cheer President Obama

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres took the bright side of President Barack Obama's inauguration. Haaretz reported Olmert's words:

"We wish the incoming President success in his office and are certain that we will be full partners in advancing peace and stability in the Middle East," Olmert said in a statement.

"The greatest democracy in the world has again proven that it is a beacon and example for many countries," he said. "The entire State of Israel rejoices with the United States and welcomes President Obama."

"I am convinced that the United States' deep and abiding ties with Israel will strengthen further," he added. "The values of democracy, brotherhood and freedom that constitute the building blocks of American society are also shared by Israeli society, together with the faith in man's power and ability to change and influence his surroundings."

Both countries have a propensity to use violent force to change their surroundings. It's not very brotherly. President Peres added his endorsement:

"I am sure that Israel will be a good partner to President Obama. "They say Obama will be a good president to Israel, and I say Israel will be a good country for the President, because his goals are our goals, his hopes are our hopes, his source is our source."

President Obama offered words that should concern America and Israeli leaders.

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

Corruption? That's describes America and Israel's pay for play democracies. PM Olmert is under investigation for influence peddling. Silencing of dissent? PM Olmert alone barred media from Gaza. Two Arab political parties have been banned from upcoming Israeli elections. Deceit? Israel's ceaseless building of settlements might qualify.

Yet, President Obama will bear hug Israel instead. His record as an AIPAC supporter is clear. There will be more wars, my friend.

Gaza Humanitarian Aid Equates to 2.2 Pounds Per Day

Since Israel began pummeling an already besieged Gaza, the humanitarian crisis soared. Food, water and medical care became scarce commodities. The Jerusalem Post noted:

Since the beginning of the operation, 41,937 tons of humanitarian supplies and 2,263,351 liters of fuel have been transferred to the Strip.

Almost forty two thousand tons, it sounds like a huge amount until one does the math. It supports 1.5 million people for 25 days. That equates to 2.2 pounds per day, 17.6 ounces of food and an equal amount of water. The crisis continues.

Obama's One President at a Time on Foreign Policy

President-elect Barack Obama remained silent on Israel's pummeling of Gaza for 23 days. He cited the need for President Bush to manage foreign affairs. Yet on Gaza's Day 17, Obama met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon. On days 18 & 23, Barack spoke out against Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. The Washington Post reported:

In the 13-minute interview aired by Univision, Obama said Chávez had "been a force that has interrupted progress in the region."

"We need to be firm when we see this news, that Venezuela is exporting terrorist activities or supporting malicious entities like the FARC," Obama said. "This creates problems that are not acceptable."

What happened to Obama's excuse? It evaporated into thin air, like many of his progressive campaign promises. Now Change Means "No Change from W".

Israel's Blogger Army Targets Anti-Zionist Websites

Psyops are coming to a website near you, courtesy of Israel and its partner in violence, the United States. Who's helping Israel's Immigrant Adoption Ministry counter "anti-Zionist" information and opinion? Citizens fluent in more than one language. Volunteers contact the ministry for their assignment. Haaretz reported:

The Foreign Ministry's media department personnel will direct the volunteers to Web sites deemed "problematic."

Will Uncle Sam have a role in identifying bad publishers of web content? They have a Cray Black Widow scrubbing all electronic information for key words and phrases. Welcome to 2009, only 25 years after 1984. The Immigration Adoption Ministry? Eric Blair would be proud.

U.S. Intel to Produce Sticky Web of Information on Citizens

America's outgoing Intelligence Chief informed the public of his agency's move to collect and integrate data on terror threats. The Jerusalem Post reported:

McConnell announced that a new policy that will require sharing of all finished intelligence and much of the raw information that feeds it across the agencies will be signed in the next few days. "It's the policy to hope that we would never repeat 9/11," McConnell said.

"I believe we failed the nation at 9/11. There was sufficient information in the system that had it been properly recognized, shared and considered, we probably would have reacted in a different way," He said.

He was talking about poor judgment demonstrated by intelligence and other government agencies before the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States.

I've never read a policy that requires "hope". I thought they outlined operational aims and procedures. Hasn't the country undertaken numerous efforts to improve intelligence? What's special about this change?

Under the coming system, he said, analysts in one agency will be able to do quick searches of classified intelligence and turn up almost every bit of data or analysis any other intelligence office has compiled on it. The small percentage of information that could reveal the identity of spies or secret methods of collection may be blocked from view, but the director's office can intercede to reveal that as well if a compelling case is made for it, McConnell said.

The difference in the amount of information available to analysts will be staggering, he said, and they will have access to raw information that they can weigh for themselves.

A staggering amount of information? From where, on whom? Access to raw information staff can weigh for themselves? We've seen the results of past intelligence errors, robbing people of their liberty and subjecting them to torture. This revelation isn't the least bit comforting for a Jeffersonian democracy. The Cray Black Widow is a strong sting in our Founding Fathers' vision.

Son of Bin Laden's Iranian Ties

America's lead intelligence bureaucrat Mike McConnell said senior al Qaeda operative Saad bin Landen left Iran for the tribal areas of Pakistan. The younger bin Laden had been under house arrest in Iran.

Al Qaeda is fundamentalist Sunni Muslim, while Iran is heavily Shia. Generally, they don't cooperate.

America's heavy hand has driven enemies together for brief periods. Did Israel's U.S. aided pummeling of Gaza drive them together?

Son of Obama? It sounds like Son of Frankenstein or Son of Dracula. Does that mean more sequels in the Middle East?

U.S. Formally Joins Siege of Gaza

The United States officially joined Israel's blockade of Gaza with a signed agreement, shortly before President George W. Bush's reign of violence ends. The Jerusalem Post reported:

Among the understandings, he said, is a US commitment of "resources, wherewithal and technology necessary in order to fulfill our part of the bargain. The essential element of this is to inhibit the ability of Hamas to rearm."

Some US forces, as well as NATO and other regional countries, will work directly with Israel "in land and at sea" to combat weapons smuggling. The text calls for enhanced intelligence cooperation and US technical and logistical support for border monitors.

Recall this is the same America that can't keep Mexican drug lords from buying illegal weapons in our territory. The flow of illegal immigrants slowed to a trickle, more from lack of employment than physical or electronic measures. Should the military have more tricks than Homeland Security, what does that say about America's priorities?

And there will more lopsided wars, my friend. Israel killed 1.100 Palestinians, Hamas 13 Israelis. That's how a one sided cease fire can occur.

Moving American Public to War with Iran

CIA Director Michael Hayden gave the Obama team an assist with his statement "Iran appears to be nearing a decision on whether to build a nuclear warhead." Unpack his statement.

"Nearing a decision" portends the intense diplomatic engagement where the Obama team will make demands of Iran. Rep. Howard Berman indicated a 3 month timeframe. At the end, Iran will predictably say no. Their meaning? Iran has the right to enrich nuclear material as signatory of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Agreement, something Israel never signed as it secretly grew its nuclear arsenal to an estimated 200 bombs.

This "No" will be sold to the downtrodden American public as the rush to a nuclear weapon, one that will be aimed at Israel or the U.S., and likely delivered via shadowy terrorist groups.

Swift diplomacy could quickly turn into a swift hammer. President elect Obama said he would not tolerate a nuclear equipped Iran. His layup of an inauguration is assisted by Michael Hayden. Wink, wink and a fist bump...

Israel's Deal with Hamas Involves U.S. Intelligence

The peace agreement between Hamas and Israel goes through Washington. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is flying to the U.S. to sign a deal on preventing arms smuggling. Haaretz reported:

Foreign Ministry Director-General Aaron Abramovich had been in Washington for talks on the agreement, which would intensify intelligence cooperation in efforts to block smuggling routes before the weapons make it to tunnels linking the Sinai Peninsula to the Strip.

Clearly, America is on Israel's side. One could view the Jewish state as the rudder for U.S. foreign policy.

General Peter Pace Hanging in the Pentagon

During the solemn ceremony, General Peter Pace's had the opportunity to speak on his record. Did he accept responsibility for his sins, prior to the hanging? He stated:

Pace said in the 15 months since he retired he has had time to think about what went right and what didn’t.

“I certainly made some wrong estimates. And I certainly made some recommendations that if I could take them back and change them, I would, given the knowledge of today,” he said. “But I also know that given the exact same data, at the exact same time in history, I would give the exact same advice.”

Pace said that all involved in the weighty decisions on Iraq and Afghanistan learned, and that the learning led to better advice. “I’m immensely proud of what has not happened because of the dialogue that has gone on among our senior civilian leaders and our senior military leaders,” he said.

After lamenting the erroneous advice given by subordinates, the ceremony proceeded to its climax. They hung "stoic to the end" General Peter Pace's portrait on the wall. The background is blood red.

U.S. Grifters Go to Nigeria, Home of Scams

Did Karl Rove, Jeb Bush and Howard Dean fly to Nigeria to meet the Prince with the $10 million lottery ticket, needing only an American citizen's bank account to cash in? One could hope, but the official reason was education.

The three served on a panel discussing the impact of President Barack Obama on the African continent. Other speakers included AWOL on Katrina Andy Card, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, and former President/gladhander Bill Clinton.

Why Nigeria? It's the largest oil exporter in Africa. Newspaper ThisDay sponsored the confab. Most did the gig for a fee, but Clinton spoke in return for a "significant" donation to his foundation. Was it Prince sized?

Here's a hint Africa, have more than two political parties and watch their incestuous relations with large corporations.

Freedom to Ignore Theory

President elect Barack Obama's appointees consistent say they will lead pragmatic, non-ideological change. HHS Secretary Tom Daschle said it. Education Secretary Arne Duncan uttered those words. What's the problem with such statements?

Without theory, there is no knowledge.

"Vowing to do anything that works" is like driving using the rear view mirror. Works is an output or outcome.

What's the aim of the system? What incentives encourage suboptimization? What are leaders doing to kill people's intrinsic motivation to do good work or to take joy in learning?

What variation exists? Acting without an understanding of variation can make things worse, waste money.

When management acts, what's the theory? How is the impact assessed? With many strategies happening simultaneously interaction occurs. Is that understood? The most important things are not measurable.

Surely, President elect Barack Obama's Chief Performance Officer will help with these questions. I think not. Her past work shows Nancy Killefer a fan of accountability, aggregate performance measures (which hide critical variation information), and pay for performance.

Health care and education, prepare to be hammered with numbers and bribed to perform. The same management theory that caused Wall Street to produced investment junk will invade our hallowed halls of healing and learning.

Israel's Shining Democracy

The shining democratic star in the Middle East dimmed and not because it entered Day 18 of its pummeling of Gaza. Other news caused the Israeli star to wane.

IDF uses live ammo to break up West Bank protests

Palestinians and Israeli left-wing activists claim that in the wake of Operation Cast Lead, the Israel Defense Forces has reintroduced the use of a semiautomatic rifle that uses live ammunition to disperse crowds that was banned after the second Intifada.

Breaking up democratic protests with .22 caliber ammunition? That's Israel. What else?

Israel bans Arab parties from running in upcoming elections

The Central Elections Committee (CEC) yesterday banned the Arab parties United Arab List-Ta'al and Balad from running in next month's parliamentary elections amid accusations of racism from Arab MKs.

How many shots at free speech will Israel take? As for the racist charge, the State Department identified Israel as discriminating on housing and jobs against Arab citizens. It took a few years for George W. Bush to scrub this language from State Department reports.

Israel's democratic credentials are worthy of question. Bush said "Democracies don't war." Israel regularly takes up arms against its neighbors. The viable Arab League Peace Plan was offered in 2002. Israel apparently wants peace in a piecemeal, but violent way.

Anonymous Fatah Official Joins Israel in Denouncing Hamas

Israeli leader Ehud Olmert inked a secret deal with PA Chair Mahmoud Abbas, at least Quartet Middle East envoy said so in early December. Abbas is with Fatah, the rival to Hamas. Over two weeks into the Gaza pummeling, Israeli news reported:

Speaking to The Jerusalem Post on condition of anonymity, the Fatah official denounced Hamas as a "black and bloody militia" that was responsible for the "catastrophe" in the Gaza Strip. The official warned that failure to crush Hamas completely would undermine Fatah and pave the way for the collapse of moderate Arab regimes.

He said that Hamas was fighting on behalf of Iran and Syria - the only two countries that have been supplying the movement with weapons and money.

"The Iranians and Syrians are using Hamas to undermine the Palestinian Authority and other moderate Arab governments," the Fatah official told the Post. "Victory for Hamas in this war would mean victory for Iran, Syria and Hizbullah. This is something we need to prevent."

Psyops or truth? Beleaguered Palestinians might wonder why Fatah would stomp on them during their time of need. Carte blanche to wipe out Hamas is an invite to kill more innocent Palestinians. Such a story would further any imperialistic power using divide and conquer to achieve its aims. Palestinians are divided and Gaza is about to be conquered. Operations have been planned and executed by Israel and its best friend, the U.S. They aim to install Fatah over Gaza. Egypt and Jordan played their part in the kabuki dance, suggesting the two state solution in peril. With Hamas gone, the secret solution can be implemented. Will Mr. Blair leak that?

Psyops for Iran are on. Populations need to be herded to our next conflict in the region.

Political Goals for Gaza Operation

Israeli military leaders said they will extend Gaza operation to meet objectives set by the political echelon. What does the echelon want? A hint exists on a teaser block.

Poll: 76% oppose truce without Shalit / Ynet

War and Peace Index shows Jewish public supports Gaza operation, objects to ending it if kidnapped soldier is not released as part of agreement, even if rocket fire stops. Arab public conveys opposite views

Freeing Gilad Shalit is objective #1. The other hint came courtesy of Tony Blair in early December. The Quartet's Middle East Envoy said Israeli PM Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas reached a secret agreement. Hamas needs to go for that framework to be implemented. The NY Times reported:

Speaking during the regular Sunday cabinet meeting, Mr. Olmert gave no time frame for the conflict but said that Israel “must not miss out, at the last moment, on what has been achieved through an unprecedented national effort.”

Supplanting Hamas is objective #2. The Times article also noted Israel's ceaseless warnings to civilians, enduring a wartime siege:

In Gaza City as well, residents reported getting phone calls that said: “We are going to intensify the military strike against Hamas. Our intention is not to harm civilians. If you live near Hamas, evacuate.”

Leaflets were dropped addressed to “the residents of Gaza,” saying that the Israeli military had in recent days warned residents of the southern city of Fafah of “an imminent operation,” and asking them to evacuate their homes for their safety.

Terrorize Gazans is objective #3. Where do evacuees go? Israel bombed two sites harboring refugees, a home and a UN school. Limited access to food, water and medical care constrain Gazan's ability to move. Might it be an Israeli PsyOps strategy?

Red Cross workers said their telephones were flooded with calls from residents of the Beach refugee camp who had received large numbers of the calls and leaflets. The callers wanted to know if they should evacuate their homes, and if so, to where.

A Beach camp car mechanic named Hamdi Eki, 47, was asked why he did not leave after receiving such a call. “I have nine children,” he said. “Where can I go? I prefer to die at my own house.”

Some Beach camp residents did leave but ended up in other neighborhoods or camps that had received similar warnings.

Bottled up in a stinking charnel house? That's the Crusader history of the area, It's also the present and it's curse.

Torture vs. Deadly Force "Creep"

I thought torture redefinitions was bad, but deadly force is quickly closing. Peaceful demonstrators can be dispersed with 22 caliber firearms. At least Haaretz had it as headline.

IDF okays use of .22 ammo to break up demonstrations. They implemented it in the West Bank, a nonwar zone.

Condi Gets Albright Award

The unique award looked like a forearm. The bottom showed bone, muscle, tendons, veins and arteries. It tapered up toward the hand, frozen half open during rigor mortis. The priceless gem, a crystal heart, rested in the palm.

"This year's Madelline Albright Stone Cold Heart Award goes to Condoleezza Rice," said the announcer. A giddy Condoleezza Rice pranced up the steps to the stage. Her acceptance speech was short:

"Who knew I'd be in the same league with Madelline Albright? Only in my wildest dreams could a black child from Birmingham achieve her "500,000 dead Iraqi children as being worth the price." But I did it!

Yes, you did Condi. Relish your stone cold heart, as your words haunt you:

“It is very difficult in a circumstance like Gaza, which is a very densely populated area,” to protect civilians.

Freedom to Kill Innocents and Lie

Israeli Defense Force officers admitted no firing came from the United Nations school in Gaza. The IDF shelled the school, killing dozens of innocent Palestinians taking refuge from the fighting. To justify the killings, the military showed videotape from 2007. Now they say, the attack was an accident.

Israel also killed a United Nations human rights worker during the 3 hour hiatus in conflict to move aid. As a result, the UN is pulling out, making the Gaza situation more dire. Day 14 and the Messiah is quiet.

Plumber Trained Joe Goes Republican Reporting

What are the odds that a trained plumber would end up holding a microphone outside a war zone? I thought he'd be busy with his book tour. Yes, plumbing school includes literary analysis.

Citizens should not be surprised, Republicans have long history of talented plumbers. Richard Nixon used them to harass his opponents. It resulted in the Watergate scandal.

President Bush flushed key facts on Hurricane Katrina. The omission of Memorial Medical Center deaths 34 patient deaths from his Lessons Learned report benefited corporate friends.

What facts will Joe the Plumber distort in his war correspondence? He knows how to move fecal matter.

The Word According to George Bush & Ehud Olmert

"They shall beat their tractors into DIME bombs"-the word according to President George W. Bush & Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Prescient Zionist Congressman Berman

The Congressman drafting the U.S. resolution on Gaza is a proud Zionist. He said he became a Zionist before he became a Democrat. At least Howard Berman said that to a reporter last summer. Berman is also remarkably prescient. Consider his December 18th interview with the Jerusalem Post:

In an interview after addressing a conference at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, Berman also said the new US administration should not interfere if Israel felt it necessary to take military action in the Gaza Strip.

“The [rocket] strikes, the ongoing [arms] smuggling, the Hamas efforts to modernize their arsenal - all these things together pose a real threat to Israel, and an intolerable situation. There is obviously a big price to pay for deciding to take military action, but I think the US should support the Israeli decision on this,” he said.

He said he believed the Obama administration would be “very reluctant” to interfere with an Israeli “self-defense action.”

December 27th, Israel attacks Gaza. Barack Obama has been very reluctant to speak. However, his twelve days of silence speaks volumes. A Zionist's drafting America's Congressional resolution is patently absurd, unless we annexed a 51st state.

Zionist Drafting House Resolution on Gaza

It's summer 2008 and the Jerusalem Post interviews Congressman Howard Berman in his Capital Hill office. Howard jokes "he became a Zionist before he became a Democrat." Berman went on to say, ""Israel's security and the US-Israeli relationship is for me an issue that shapes my whole agenda [in] Congress, and guides it." The story also said:

As chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he's in a position to do more than wave flags and cheer. Howard Berman has the helm of one of the most powerful bodies shaping US foreign policy, and he says his decision to run for Congress and focus on international relations while in office was intimately connected to his Jewish background and ties to the Jewish state.

House Majority leader Steny Hoyer stated Berman's staffers are working hard on a resolution regarding the Gaza crisis. There's no need to guess it's content. Just as there is no reason to ponder Barack Obama's. One need only look at his comments on Israel's razing of Lebanon in summer 2006.

John Howard Free to Use 35 Bathrooms

Australia's former Prime Minister had his choice of rooms in the 70,000 square foot Blair House. If he switches potties every time, Howard may have a difficult time using all 35, unless, Mr. Howard plans on getting a colonoscopy while in the states. If so, he'll have an idea how most Americans feel after eight years of George W. Bush.

Make note, this is the reason President elect Barack Obama and his family are shored up in a hotel nearby. Now that's some ....

The Qwyet Boys Day #11

IDF tough Rahm Emanuel remains tight lipped, while President Elect Obama spoke on the dire economic emergency. Barack ignored Gaza for the 11th straight day. Cluster bombs, white phosphorous, DIME bombs, targeting schools and hospitals, it's like Lebanon in 2006. Only two years ago, innocent people could flee the war zone.

Blago Argues for Burris

"Hey, what the fuck? I made a legal fucking appointment. Who's trying to block it? I'll take their fucking ass out. Who the fuck does Harry Reid think he is? This appointment is fucking gold, but I can't cash the check if the deal isn't fucking consummated. Ha, ha, I made a fucking joke."

Sorry Governor, you are the joke.

Israel Threatens to Shell Hospitals

One never knows who's at the end of a cruel robocall. This time it was Israel calling a besieged hospital, something George W. Bush found difficult to do after Hurricane Katrina. News reports stated:

The Al-Wafa Hospital eastern Gaza Strip received warning that they would be shelled, but the hospital administration and staff refused to evacuate on account of the number of injured people being treated there. Some of the wounded have been injured so severely that they cannot be safely transferred.

Shelling hospitals? Bush told Israel to avoid civilian casualties (wink, wink) and Obama stands silent on Day 10. Sad...

Israel's Cruel Robocalls

The New York Times reported Palestinians received Israeli military calls and dropped leaflets. Some suggest they evacuate their high rise home, but to where? Gaza is under siege. How are innocents to know which parts are safe, i.e. not targeted by Israel?

More twisted psy ops, instructing the frightened to do something virtually impossible. If people had a way to leave, tens of thousands would've done so by now. Christiane Amanpour said this war was unusual. It lacked the streams of innocents fleeing the war zone.

Ten days of carnage and President Elect Barack Obama remains silent....

Obama Shrugs, Waves on Gaza

Obama's position is below:

Fox Gets New Brand

With all of Fox's inadvertent errors, the network has rebranded. Their new tagline? Not duly attentive.

Freedom to Be Vewy, Vewy Qwyet

Both President Elect Barack Obama and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel are avoiding the media. Obama is on his 9th day of "monitoring" the situation in Gaza, where Palestinians die at a ratio of 100 to 1 relative to their Israeli counterparts. Both men flee their ties to corrupt Governor Rod Blagojevich, but Rahm was the one caught on tape discussing the Senate seat.

Obama's Chief of Staff certainly has a favorite in the Israel-Palestinian violence. Civilian Rahm fixed Israeli military vehicles during the first Gulf War. But, he likes to sell himself as IDF tough. Count on Barack to speak very pro-Israel when his lips move. He did so in summer 2006 while the Jewish state pounded Lebanon.

President elect Obama has another steaming, scandal dump to gingerly avoid, that of Governor Bill Richardson's role in a possible pay to play scheme.

How many of America's leaders are violent and corrupt? Surely, they can't all be? Sad to see and foul to smell...

Freedom to Use Cluster Bombs

Haaretz reported Israel's use of cluster bombs for the second time, this time in Gaza. In 2006 the Jewish State finished off a month long Lebanese pummeling with scattering tens of thousands of cluster bombs in border towns. That warranted a U.S. wink and a nod.

The Bush administration will inform Congress on Monday that Israel may have violated agreements with the United States when it fired U.S.-supplied cluster munitions into southern Lebanon during its fight with Hezbollah last summer.

What forceful act will the U.S. take in light of the use of cluster bombs in the current conflict? Will George W. Bush pop a hot buttered roll in his mouth and encourage Ehud Olmert to "cut that shit out"? Doubtful. If Gaza is a Lebanon redux, BushCo helped plan the assault. How much violent, heavy handed, hyper-competitive leadership can people endure?

Lame Duck & Covers

President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are two mean lame ducks. While Palestinians died at a 100 to 1 ratio for every innocent Israeli, Bush laments the tragic loss of the few, turning a blind eye to the many.

The Israeli leader visited the White House for the last time in late November. Military action against Gaza began December 27th.

Two years ago, the pair agreed on a time frame for dealing with Iran. Ehud pleaded for action on Iran during his final soiree. George W. has 17 days left to deliver on his two year old promise.

While Gazans run for cover from U.S. supplied munitions, will Iranians soon flee Bush bombs? The heavy handed, corrupt, hyper-competitive pair have no popularity to lose.

Mike Conaway Stops in Bahrain

Representative Mike Conaway (R-TX) visited Bahrain and spent time with seamen on an U.S. Navy amphibious lander. This was days before Israel launched its latest war, this time on its western front. The IDF pummeled Gaza. Two years ago, the Jewish state took on Lebanon to its north.

America's former UN Ambassador John Bolton recommended President Bush attack Iran. Rep. Conaway visited U.S. military assets in the Persian Gulf. Was he stoking the spirit of our fighting men prior to our next preemptive war?

Democracies Don't War

The shining democracy in the Middle East started its second war in two years. Israel aims to put the finishing touches on Hamas as it razes Gaza. Lebanon and Hezbollah were the target in the summer of 2006.

Hamas came into power via U.S. encouraged elections. George W. Bush and Condi Rice were surprised that a corrupt Fatah lost the majority. In America's usual divide and conquer manner, Bush supported Fatah, approving money to arm and train Fatah so they could provide security, even retaking Gaza. But Palestinians don't like to fight Palestinians.

Israel kept Gaza under siege for the last few years. One has as good a chance of photographing Gaza as they do of shooting a U.S. military serviceman's casket. A picture says a thousand words and violent leaders don't want many words said.

Remember George W. Bush's pathetic words, "Democracies don't war." They war and war and war....

Update 4-5-24:  The world is horrified by the killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza. Jesse's Crossroads Cafe wrote:

Over 30,000 innocent civilians and 196 aid workers have been systematically targeted and murdered in Gaza in this ongoing act of ethnic cleansing. The aid workers and food convoys are being targeted to promote the starvation of a civilian population. Their lies and phony claims are disgraceful, and transparent to the rest of the world. Yesterday's strike that targeted seven Western aid workers has finally provoked a response. More misery and pain is being inflicted in the West Bank, in what can only be said as a 'grab for land' of other people.

The razing of Gaza is near complete.