You're Responsible for Your Own Violent Acts

U.S. Gives Head Fake on Iran

In a classic good cop, bad cop routine the United States and Israel continue to toy with Iran. Uncle Sam decided to bring the suspect the slightest bit of good news with its latest National Intelligence Estimate. "I sort of believe you," said the goateed man in the red, white and blue top hat. "But you'll have to give me more."

Once that small bit of more comes out, wham! The bad cop, Israel pounds the little bearded suspect's head against the wall. Israel officially discounted the U.S. estimate saying "even if the Islamic republic halted its programme in 2003, as said in a new US intelligence assessment, Israel believed it has since been relaunched."

Those focus groups helped American war mongers devise this strategy. Israel can take out Iran's nuclear facilities and our citizen's will say "that's their business." Then the U.S. can come to the aid of our ally when Iran rages in retaliation. We're all being set up at the moment. You can get excited about the apparent U.S. change of heart, Iran but don't be surprised when the bad cop comes wheeling around the corner throwing haymakers. Words won't stop missiles, yours or theirs.

Terror Attack Around 2008 Elections?

If Osama bin Laden is as shrewd and calculating as they make him out, he won't be the man behind any terror attacks prior to U.S. elections in 2008. The political tide of 70% of Americans wanting out of Iraq favors his aim of having no foreign troops in the Middle East. So why would he order an attack with success tantalizingly close?

What's more likely is the release of chatter that indicates a looming terror threat. Funny how every Christmas and New Year's Fran told us to "party on". One might think Islamic fundamentalists would love to strike a blow at Western decadence, but they never seem able. Now that an election looms, that could go the wrong way.... be very afraid!

Let's see, John Negroponte gets back from "counseling" Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who just declared martial law to save democracy and Fran talks about needing to secure the election. Consider her words in a CNN report:

“We know that Al Qaeda views these periods as being a particularly vulnerable period,” she said on CNN’s ‘American Morning.’ “We don't have any specific information, but given our experience and what we know, I believe we've got a real obligation to prepare for that transition between the election and the inauguration in a special way.” Townsend offered this warning as she prepares to leave her job counseling President Bush on homeland security matters.

Who's counseling who, Mrs. Townsend? And are you in need of a convenient diversion? What about your boss?

Freedom's Watch New Website Strives for Independence

Ever vigilant on the pursuit of freedom, Freedom's Watch announced their redesigned website. After checking the new media center, I found not a peep about the military crackdowns in Pakistan and Burma. Apparently it's not at all about freedom. That begs the question, what is Freedom's Watch really about? It's intended to perpetuate the permanent campaign. Gag! Will they not stop until virtually every American declares themselves an independent?

Hurry folks, drop your Republican and Democratic labels ASAP. Then maybe we can get our country back from the Freedom Watchers and the "bipartisan" Israel Project, two groups determined to mine the language of war. Democracies don't war? Let's see Israel attacked democratic Lebanon, the U.S. invaded Iraq based on false information and Turkey wants to pull an Israel with Iraq.

Smashing Fists

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. During a visit to Iran, he said "Here are two brother countries, united like a single fist." And here in America we have our own version of two manly entities in hand embrace. The first party is U.S. corporations, currently not in decline as they spread globally in search of new markets and ever expanding profits. The second is the U.S. government exemplified by our military, also with a worldwide presence and projected to grow in both size and capability.

America has a clear history of acting to reduce threats to switch oil trading from dollars. It has a clear history of taking out leaders who nationalize Western corporate interests. Mr. Chavez promotes both, while Mr. Ahmadinejad has a whole country trading without the benefits of U.S. products. The Bush administration wants both of these yahoo's gone. If they keep talking smack, my guess is that's what we'll hear. It will be the sound of Chavez's single fist hitting a depleted uranium shell, paid for with U.S. dollars. Boys, you may need to see a hand specialist!

Beware the Deputy

When was the last time a bald Deputy Secretary of State showed up in Pakistan armed with forceful words? The first time Richard Armitage threatened consequences if Pakistan didn't line up with the U.S. in the war on terror. John Negroponte's trip is clearly intended to get the dictator back in line with "freedom as the tonic to hopelessness that breeds terror."

Of course, it's important to note Pervez Musharraf's implied threat of loose nukes told to the BBC just before meeting with the current bald deputy. But I'm not worried about John as he's fully capable of delivering veiled threats of his own.

Negroponte Delivers Uniform Message to Dictator

Heavy handed Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte goes where ineffective Condoleeza Rice can't. He just arrived in Pakistan to tell the Pakistani dictator to change his dress, free up some press and schedule elections at the end of a gun barrel. Well, it sounds like the wild, wild West with George W. and John already rough riding in the region.

We'll see if Pervez decides to join and make it a threesome. He clearly blazed his own trail far off the road to democracy. But my guess is Musharraf still wants to play with some of those military toys, provided courtesy of Uncle Sam's largess. Right now he is four wheeling in a Hummer. So far, he hit the independent judiciary, ran over a god damned piece of paper, shut out the light of independent media and is doing doughnuts around his political opponents, stuck in place from fear.

What toys did Mr. Negroponte offer the Pakistani dictator for his compliance with U.S. wishes? Big carrots and big sticks, that's what George Bush is all about. The problem is Bush can't use his Hitler comparison on the Iranian President while Pervez dances around in uniform. Strange days? Indeed!