Do I believe in the demonic?

So long as Dick Cheney draws breath, I do.

Read Juan Cole's reflections / context / perspective on Dick the Dick's concerns about wasted sacrifice.

It starts like this:

Dick Cheney reacted to the cessation of unilateral US patrols of major cities in Iraq, saying that he had concerns that the "insurgents" might launch more attacks and that “I would not want to see the U.S. waste all the tremendous sacrifice that has gotten us to this point."

First of all, Cheney didn't make any sacrifices in Iraq. He deferred his own military service five times because he 'had other things to do.' The 'sacrifices' were caused because he purveyed falsehoods to the US public in order to get up that war, hinting around that Saddam was in bed with Usama Bin Laden and telling senators that Iraq was two years away from having a nuclear bomb. So the sacrifices were of other people's children, and his role was merely that of an Aztec high priest cutting the heart out of the victims.

For my money, Cole is too kind.

--the BB

Dick Cheney can die a happy man now

From the New York Times:

HOUSTON — Crude oil closed above $100 a barrel for the first time Tuesday, vaulting through a longstanding psychological barrier amid persistent concern about whether production can keep up with rising global demand.

I do not think the Iraq debacle was about any one thing but I believe evidence points to oil as a primary thing it was about. Saddam was threatening to trade oil in euros instead of dollars, reinforcing a movement away from the US Dollar and that was an economic threat far more real than the illusory WMD. Additionally, I do not think for a minute that the US intended to go into Iraq to provide a reliable supply of oil but rather to (1) enrich the coffers of firms like Halliburton who are involved in the energy infrastructure and (2) reduce the oil supply in order to keep prices high.

As legal scholars and mystery fans all know, the big question is "cui bono?" (who profits?)

Is it over-the-top cycnical to postulate that we would invade and occupy a country and sacrifice American lives and destroy the collective lives and lifestyle of a nation just to enrich American oil companies? Pffft. Consider with whom we deal: a President and Vice President who are "oil men" and whose buddies are oil men. A national energy policy brokered in secret by Dick the Dick himself--and to this day you are not allowed even to know who took part in the meetings!

Yes, I do believe they are that crass, that calculating, and that evil.

By Eghran, I believe Dick Cheney rejoiced to see crude oil hit $100+ a barrel.

It is alleged that Bush was shaken by the genocide memorial and mass graves in Rwanda. Maybe he should contemplate the dead and displaced in Iraq and the blood on his own hands instead of babbling about Darfur.

Yes, the nations of the world need to do something about Darfur. But George W. Bush needs to face his own horrors.

I know. Not. Gonna. Happen.

But it should.
--the BB

While thinking of our Armed Forces

And THANK YOU, all you who serve...

Let's remember why we call them to serve.

In the Preamble to the Constitution we find these words:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

[I figure I can't repeat them often enough.]

Not that Iraq's oil reserves have anything to do with our invasion and occupation....

Just sayin'.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! Bring them home. Don't send them on vague missions without concrete goals. Don't send them into battle except as a last resort. Don't send them inadequately armed and protected. Don't send them illegally. Don't take away their moral defense by promoting torture.

Bring them home. Be grateful for them. Take care of their health needs. Help them reintegrate with civilian society. AND GET THEM A NEW COMMANDER IN CHIEF. Stop troop abuse now. Stop the lies. Stop Cheney and Bush.



Posters courtesy of Old American Century
--the BB