Palin As President

Click here and go poke around in the Oval Office with Sarah. Pass it along...

The Drift Toward Facism...

Here is Naomi Wolf talking about her new book, The End of America, and the U.S.'s drift toward fascism...

What do you think? Compelling or not?

The Palin Follies!

Seriously, whodathunk that an interview with Katie Couric would be so devastating against Palin?

Here she is, a journalism major in college, discussing the news sources she consults to maintain her world-view. "Most of 'em, any of 'em, all of 'em!"

Nice. Here Palin tried to back-pedal after mocking Biden over his age and years in the Senate, apparently forgetting that the guy at the top of her ticket is 72!

Or, here she is trying to bullshit about her "foreign policy" experience due to Alaska's proximity to Russia. The line about Putin's head is just weird and has been mocked up and down the internet.

On global warming, she says it doesn't matter what causes it. Isn't it kinda necessary to understand the causes if we are going to solve the problem?

Here is Palin on financial bailout. She cannot answer when asked to name an example of John McCain advocating for greater regulation of these industries.

And, Palin could not name one Supreme Court decision other than Roe v. Wade!

Here is Palin on dinosaurs (yes! dinosaurs!!) She is a creationist, too.

Here she claims to be an "everyday working person," even though she makes $250,000, owns 5 properties, 2 boats and 1 airplane.

And here she advocates against a woman's right to control her own body, even if she is raped:

Later, when pressed on a variety of cultural issues, Palin provided red meat for religious conservatives. But her answers seemed to fall on the far edge of mainstream political thought. She said she was "unapologetically" pro-life when asked if she opposed abortion even for a 15-year-old raped by her father.

"[I would] counsel that person to choose life despite the horrific, horrific circumstances," she said, before moderating her position a bit: "If you're asking, though, kind of foundationally here, should anyone end up in jail for having an ... abortion, absolutely not. That's nothing I would ever support."

On contraception:

Asked whether she believed that the morning after pill should be outlawed, Palin did not directly address the question, saying only: "Personally, and this isn't a McCain-Palin policy, I would not choose to participate in that kind of contraception."

And, lastly, on homosexuality:

And quizzed about her position on gay-rights, Palin cited a homosexual friend whom she is close with before noting that she "made a choice" about her sexuality.

"I have," she said, "one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years who happens to be gay and I love her dearly. And she is not my gay friend. She is one of my best friends who happens to have made a choice that isn't a choice that I would have made."

These positions may, in the long run, endear Palin even more to her conservative following. But combined with her failure to name a source of news she turns to, they are also bound to have people buzzing up through Thursday night's vice presidential debate.

Even stalwart conservatives, like George Will and several others, have voiced major concern about the Palin pick. At least one conservative commentator has written that Palin should step down.

And there is more, but I'll stop there. Remember, if McCain is elected, Sarah Palin will be one heartbeat away from the presidency. One 72-year old heartbeat away...

Op-Art: The Bailout

(click to enlarge)

Quote of the Day

This analysis of Sarah Palin comes from former Republican John Cole:

Sarah Palin is the distilled essence of wingnut. She has it all. She is dishonest. She is a religious nut. She is incurious. She is anti-science. She is inexperienced. She abuses her authority. She hides behind executive privilege. She is a big spender. She works from the gut and places a greater value on instinct than knowledge.

And most dangerous of all, she is supremely self-confident to the point of not recognizing how ill-equipped she is to lead the country.

As to why Cole thinks the Republican base loves Pailin so?

George Bush in a dress. The Palin interview should be a gut-check for Republicans and conservatives who think the last eight years has been a perversion of conservative principles. I am betting most of them will not even put down their pom-poms, though.

Question of the Day...

Which is more painful to watch:

A. Sarah Palin pretend she has a clue about foreign policy, even though she cannot even say what the Bush Doctrine is:

And as a bonus, click here to read her link 9/11 to Iraq recently while talking to troops. The link also completely debunks the idea. Completely. I mean, heck, even Bush & company don't go there anymore and have had to concede the point...

B. John McCain respond to a question about Palin's qualifications in foreign policy by ignoring the questions and repeatedly saying "energy":

Answer: both are BRUTAL. Seriously, if the fate of the nation and, to a large degree, the planet, did not lay in the balance, this might be funny, in a pathetic sort of way. But, it does, so this isn't. Spread the word...

Oh, and in case you aren't quite scared enough, how about this little ditty:

Gotta love Pat Buchanan, of all people, saying, "He [McCain] will make Cheney look like Gandhi"...

Quote of the Day

"It's not rocket science. It's $6 million and 53 employees."

-Sarah Palin, on being mayor of Wasilla, in a 1996 interview

RNC in 1-Minute

The Daily Show: "Small Town Values"

They really are "the best f*&%#@ing news team ever":

The Most Dangerous Place on Earth... is in Nebraska?

Listen up, particularly those of you living outside Nebraska who might have a tendency to look down your nose at those of us living in the heartland. Where is "the most dangerous place on earth"? Is it possible that it is outside Omaha, Nebraska?

Ok, ok. You are now saying to yourself, "What the hell is Freedom Road smoking?" Well, if you are not aware, Stratcom (Strategic Air Command) is located just outside of Omaha and it is surely a candidate for the most dangerous place on earth.

Still not following me? Read on...

On 9/11, President George W. Bush was rushed to U.S. Strategic Command’s underground headquarters outside Omaha, Nebraska for safekeeping. From that day forward, the legendary command that for over half a century had maintained America’s nuclear deterrent would never again be the same.

1. Within months of the terrorist attack of 9/11, StratCom began undergoing a drastic makeover at the hands of the Bush/Cheney Administration. From its previously ‘unthinkable’ mission of nuclear holocaust, StratCom was tasked with offensively waging the White House’s “War on Terror”. The command now fields eight missions — nuclear weapons; cyberwarfare; missile defense; global command and control; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance [ISR]; global strike; space; and combating weapons of mass destruction.

StratCom Commander Kevin Chilton: “In 2002 this command did not experience a sea-state change but a tsunami of change in the way it was organized and the missions that they were given to perform.” Former StratCom Commander James Cartwright: “When we got to 2002 we brought space. In 2003 we had a fire sale and picked up missile defense, ISR and global strike. In 2005 we picked up combating weapons of mass destruction. I’m hoping in 2008 we’ll get the world hunger piece.” [Laughter]. (www.stratcom.mil)

2. Although Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska remains the command headquarters, StratCom now boasts a network of hundreds of military bases distributed around the globe. The command’s broadened missions in computer warfare, signals intelligence and Homeland Security give it direct authority over the four services — Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force — and indirect authority over multiple agencies like the National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, CIA and FBI.

StratCom Commander Chilton: “Here in Omaha we are an operational headquarters working to enable the successful prosecution of our component commanders that are scattered throughout the country. We are called on to be the most, in my view, the most responsive combatant command in the U.S. arsenal.” (www.stratcom.mil) “The FBI and CIA are in our operations center 24/7.” Deputy Commander Jennifer Napper, StratCom’s Global Network Operations.

3. The next war the White House gets us into, be it against a so-called ‘rogue state’ like Iran or geo-political rival like China, will be planned, launched and executed from StratCom — utilizing either conventional or nuclear weapons.

Commander Chilton: “Responsible today for… time-sensitive planning to conduct global strike operations anywhere on the planet, we will remain as ready as ever in our nuclear deterrent role and global strike mission areas.” (www.stratcom.mil). Former CIA analyst Philip Giraldi: “Under instructions from Vice President Cheney’s office, STRATCOM is drawing up a contingency plan [for] a large-scale air assault on Iran employing both conventional and tactical nuclear weapons.” American Conservative, 8/01/05.

4. Under the Doctrine of Preemption and CONPLAN 8022-02 (Contingency Plan), StratCom is now authorized to attack anywhere on the face of the Earth within one hour on the mere perception of a threat to America’s national security — without first seeking congressional approval as required by the U.S. Constitution and the “War Powers Resolution.”

“StratCom established an interim global strike division to turn the new preemption policy into an operational reality. In December 2002, Adm. James O. Ellis Jr., then StratCom’s head, told an Omaha business group that his command had been charged with developing the capability to strike anywhere in the world within minutes of detecting a target.” William Arkin, Washington Post, (5/14/05)

5. StratCom, as an extension of the executive branch, has become an accessory in flouting both national and international law. It’s usurping Congress’s authority to declare war, conducting constitutionally suspect “warrantless wiretaps” on our citizens, developing new generations of nuclear weapons, pursuing ‘firststrike’ Star Wars missile defense systems and launching ‘vigilante-style’ preemptive attacks — like the one on Iraq.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan: “I hope we do not see another Iraq-type operation for a long time — without U.N. approval. ...I have indicated it was not in conformity with the U.N. charter from our point of view — from the charter point of view, it was illegal.” (9/15/04). Seventy percent of the weapons targeted on Iraq during the preemptive “Shock and Awe” air assault were precision-guided from space by StratCom assets.

6. StratCom’s fingerprints are everywhere nowadays, and we don’t even realize it… The threatened attack on Iran — that’s StratCom’s global strike... The proposed ‘Star Wars’ bases in Poland and the Czech Republic — that’s StratCom’s integrated missile defense… The NSA’s “warrantless wiretaps” on American citizens — that’s StratCom’s ISR mission… The current showdown with China over its space program — that’s StratCom’s space command… Developing new generations of nuclear weapons like the bunker buster ‘mininuke’ and Reliable Replacement Warhead — that’s StratCom’s strategic deterrence.

“In December 2001, the administration issued a provocative Nuclear Posture Review calling for the development of new, more usable nuclear weapons [which runs] completely counter to U.S. obligations under the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.” Union of Concerned Scientists, “Global Security.” U.N. World Court: “There exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotia-tions leading to nuclear disarmament in all aspects under strict and effective international control.” (7/8/96)

7. Under the goals outlined in the Bush/Cheney Administration’s revised “National Space Policy,” StratCom is actively seeking the total domination of space for the U.S. and a few approved allies… because whoever controls space controls the Earth.

“President Bush has signed a new National Space Policy that rejects future arms-control agreements that might limit U.S. flexibility in space and asserts a right to deny access to space to anyone ‘hostile to U.S. interests,’” Washington Post (10/17/06). “The United States was alone in voting against the [United Nations] resolution on prevention of an arms race in outer space… The PAROS resolution was adopted by a vote of 166 in favor, one against.” Nuclear Threat Initiative, March 2007 (www.nti.org)

8. StratCom is fast becoming the “Big Brother” that George Orwell warned of in his novel 1984. It’s spying on our citizens and infringing on our civil liberties. It’s generating round-the-clock spin about threats to our national security and the need for increased military strength. And it’s consuming an ever-greater share of the budget for national defense as it pursues a strategy of permanent war. For the 21st Century, it’s like Darth Vader in the service of the Empire.

“StratCom is a laboratory for the future of warfare.” Space Foundation President Robert Walker in his opening remarks at the “Strategic Space and Defense” conference in Omaha, Nebraska (10/11/06). Billed as “the definitive global security conference, where the senior leadership of U.S. Strategic Command, component and supported commands, and the executive leadership of the national security industrial base gather,” the event is annually co-sponsored by Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

9. The key elements of StratCom’s mission — such as global missile defense — will greatly exceed, in size and cost, many of the major military-industrial projects of the past. With the current Pentagon budget already totaling well over a half-trillion dollars annually, paying for the cost of such StratCom projects will necessarily translate into cuts in social spending and entitlements programs, like Medicare and Social Security.

“If the majority of top policymakers have longstanding ties to the companies that will benefit from the Bush Administration’s ‘war without end’ approach to foreign policy, the development of a missile defense ‘shield’ and a new generation of nuclear weapons, who will represent the public interest?” William Hartung, World Policy Institute. “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.” Dwight Eisenhower (1961).

10. In the wake of 9/11, StratCom has become the most dangerous place on the face of the Earth. But this transformation has happened so fast, hardly anybody knows it, and nobody’s talking about it. And it’s high time we do.


Here is an essay on this topic written by Tim Rinne, the State Coordinator for Nebraskans for Peace.

Here is another piece Tim Rinne wrote about StratCom's role on the University of Nebraska-Omaha campus.

Here is yet another article by Rinne on StratCom and world domination.

And one last essay on StratCom's preparations for war with Iran.

Scared yet?

Is John McCain Dr. Strangelove?

Judge for yourself:

Kaya "Phoenix" Jones

Well, it has been a dramatic few days around these parts. On Monday morning at 7:30am, Kaya Jones was hit by a car in front of our house. The story is too long to recount here, but it had something to do with screaming Catholic school girls, an elicit pile of poop, and my own fumbling hands. The end result was Kaya darting directly into the path of an on-coming Honda CRV. Fortunately, she was hit from the center of the car and thus avoided having a tire run over her. In addition, because the CRV sits a little higher than your average car and Kaya is still small, the bumper missed her, which probably saved her from having smashed bones. And, the driver slammed on his brakes as soon as she ran in front of him, so she did not travel all the way under the car and out the other end. In fact, she only made it a foot or two under the car. In essence, the car contorted Kaya and flipped her over and over as it skidded to a halt over her. She bounced right up and ran to our porch, where she left a small pool of blood, and then inside, up our stairs, into the bedroom and under our bed, leaving a disturbing trail of blood the whole way. I scooped her up and raced to the animal hospital where they immediately tranquilized her... daddy could have used a little of that, as well!

Kaya tore up her back left paw and leg quite badly. Her paw required a number of stitches to put it back together. Beyond that, though, we got extremely lucky: no broken bones, no internal damage, no head trauma, no rib displacement, etc. As someone who watched the calamity unfold, I am shocked she isn't much worse off.

Because Kaya appears to have escaped the clutches of death, we have re-christened her with a new middle name. She is now Kaya "Phoenix" Jones. Like the mythic bird, Kaya has risen from what very well might have been the ashes of death out there on J Street. Or, maybe she is just part cat and we are now on life #2... regardless, all are happy to have her home again and on the mend.

Kaya will not be conducting any interviews at this time. She has withdrawn from all upcoming doggy races and squirrel chases.

Here are the latest images... (click any image to enlarge)

OUCH!


Home again, home again...


We had to get her a bigger "cone collar." Question, do those things collect sound? If so, that has got to be kinda trippy.

Mommy likes to spoil the baby. Guess who had to sleep on the couch?

Blood-Sucker for President???!!??

Giuliani and Nosferatu, separated at birth? You make the call...