Heh. I guess I underestimated how much this could escalate.

The Russians have decided to completely bypass Syria and park right in our back yard.

Don't worry the vpilf will take care of it. You can actually see Russia from Alaska.

What McPalin do during the campaign, and not what they want you to think they will do, is what they will do in office.

Flat out lies.

Harsh personal attacks on any opposition.

Sneering dismissal of any approach not applauded by the crazy hard right.

And direct provocation into larger, more threatening wars, along with the lunatic notion that some freakish in-sync chanting of 'counterinsurgency' but the actual paying off of insurgents 'fixed' Iraq and therefore is just a grand precedent for 'winning'.

People who want to comfort themselves that campaigns are different than how people will govern should look back on how Bush / Cheney / Rove conducted themselves in 2000, and how McCain / Palin / Rove are conducting themselves now.

Seeing Sarah McScary talk about war with Russia in that interview yesterday sent chills down my spine. She's more dangerous than Hurricane Ike.

She did not even know what the Bush Doctrine was. Or that it is unconstitutional.

Where is Ban Kimoon anyway?

I'm repeating myself but do not say we weren't warned.

China, Russia warn of world domination
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-07-01-russia-china_x.htm

Neocons of course do not understand the concept of blowback or don't care.

And the high stakes chess game begin in earnest.
Great...

And I mean, just WTF did they think was gonna happen?
We all know our illustrious administration has a hard-on to get the cold war goin again...but I don't think Russia is wantin to follow along...

My son called from college last night to tell me that a teacher called him part of the "uneducated public" for asking who Obama's running mate was. (He believes it doesn't really matter, as the 'shadow government' is more in charge (Carlyle Group, etc.) and he says it looks like the world is doomed anyway)... but it did piss him off. I gave him Biden's quote about how Hillary might have been a better choice and urged him to show that teacher what he's got.

For $20,000 a year, you'd think an institution of higher learning could produce a teacher that did not name-call for effect.

Drilling solves nothing (aka right wing hater) @ 11:

Wow....I was just watching Dr. Strangelove the other day....

Kissinger was profiled on Biography?

I looked into his (Putin's) eyes and saw his soul, (and it looked just like mine huh Bushy.) We have been warning the Manifest Destiny lovers. Mexico, Central America and South America, in general would love to have relations with the U.S. A united western hemisphere would be a fantastic deterrence to megalomaniacs like Putin. But, idiots like Dobbs, Buchanad and company try to stick out their chests and and berate brown people. Keep it up and see what happens. Hell, I may even go to the middle of Virginia just to find Dennis and show the tough guy. (U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, Petty Officer, 2nd Class!)

Now would be a good time for the adults to step in and call a time out........................any time now.........................uh,now would be great..
................hello!.......................could someone find the adults and tell them their presence is required...........................any adults?.........
.............anyone??

Ooooh...I think I feel a draft.

His school is in the buckle of the Bible Belt, but you would be surprised how many people are so war-weary they are fed up and believe me, they will have to count the votes on national television, hosted by Bob Barker, to make me believe Palin could ever get McCain elected. There are just not that many end-timers to push them over the top -- not even in the Deep South.

My son is voting with a vengeance. The youth vote will be critical. Polls mean nothing as they do not include cellphones -- how many 20-soomethings do you know with a land-line?

Wow! I didn't know Chavez was expelling our ambassador too!

"He has 72 hours, from this moment, the Yankee ambassador in Caracas, to leave Venezuela," Chavez told a crowd of supporters.

Someone last night posted it well... like most countries the world round, who expect national leaders to among the Country's best and brightest... Putinis smart... He is trying to figure out HOW to get McCain elected, and out of the way. Nothing makes him stronger than getting an unqualified and poorly educated American in charge of the US military.

Palin even admitted last night - she does feel it important to analyze and process data when making major decisions. Making decisions in the blink of an eye.

Well, at least America selects its leaders for the right reason... because they seem normal. McCain finishes in the 1 percentile of his class (actually lower) ... Palin's only degree is a BA after 6 schools in two states.

I long for the days of Presidents who have advanced degrees and focused on humanity - not money!

(And sorry - Bush's MBA is an embarrassment to those with MBAs)

Say, whatever happened to that guy who looked into Putin's eyes and claimed he had a good soul? I wonder what he'd do if he was in charge now.

Well Putin is no longer in charge (Officialy. The new russian president was quasi appointed by him).

It's quite clear that George Bush is A) no longer in charge of the country, b) completely batshit insane, c) drunk, d) on a crack induced hallucinogenic trip, e) completely batshit insane or f) taken a permanent vacation.

Liberal AND Proud @ 1:

Heh. I guess I underestimated how much this could escalate.

The Russians have decided to completely bypass Syria and park right in our back yard.

Did they drop off any relief supplies for Cuba on their way there?

liberalNmoderation @ 24:

casual_observer @ 14:

Call me crazy. With the timing of a drop in hostilities in Iraq and increased provocation by Russia one would think that not-so-friendly foreign forces are toying with the American political process. Ask your self why foreign powers would create an environment that could lend support to the election of another war mongering Republican administration. Surely it is not to bolster U.S. military will and determination. If I were Putin, I would want the Republicans in power in order to put the last nail in the economy coffin.

Hmmmmm....that's a very scary observation...and quite possible. Geeeezus!

Perhaps Putin also has stock in the Carlyle Group.

Old man and his pig @ 34:

According to Pat Buchannan (heard on bobblehead show) when conflict was first leaked Pat said Bush had encouraged Georgia to invade South Ossetia and supported Georgia militarily and McCain 'EVEN' had his lobbys in Georgia at the time of South Ossetia's invasion. Is this true? Where is the outrage of the 'Republican owned corporate media'? Whoa!what a dumb ass question.

Har, har har! Ha ha ha. Good one!

kablooie @ 15:

My son called from college last night to tell me that a teacher called him part of the "uneducated public" for asking who Obama's running mate was. (He believes it doesn't really matter, as the 'shadow government' is more in charge (Carlyle Group, etc.) and he says it looks like the world is doomed anyway)... but it did piss him off. I gave him Biden's quote about how Hillary might have been a better choice and urged him to show that teacher what he's got.

For $20,000 a year, you'd think an institution of higher learning could produce a teacher that did not name-call for effect.

My guess is that the professor used the term 'uninformed voter' rather than 'uneducated voter' and if so the shit fits. Still I'll take an uniformed voter choosing Obama any day. And for $20,000 a year I'll give the destitute professor the license to call a kid almost anything.

Who would have thought, eight years ago, that Bushco would engage in wars of passion, tank our economy, raid our treasury and bring us back the brink of nuclear (noo-clear) war? Ummm, oh yeah, me and a lot of other screaming loonies. Damn.

Radically Moderate @ 39:

liberalNmoderation @ 24:

casual_observer @ 14:

Call me crazy. With the timing of a drop in hostilities in Iraq and increased provocation by Russia one would think that not-so-friendly foreign forces are toying with the American political process. Ask your self why foreign powers would create an environment that could lend support to the election of another war mongering Republican administration. Surely it is not to bolster U.S. military will and determination. If I were Putin, I would want the Republicans in power in order to put the last nail in the economy coffin.

Hmmmmm....that's a very scary observation...and quite possible. Geeeezus!

Perhaps Putin also has stock in the Carlyle Group.

Of course, they already have the contracts to rebuild the infrastructure in America.

You're just collateral damage, my friend. Kinda like a roach in a 5 star hotel.

Does anyone but me wonder where Michelle Obama has been?...I'm suspecting it's about here BEING THERE as her daughters started back to school (having been a teacher for decades I appreciate that it is important for those beginning days to go smoothly)...McShame almost has a leash on Cindy (or the other way around) and I'm not surprised given what happened last time he wasn't WITH HER and VIGILANT...but no one seems to be wondering why she wasn't there in NYC or evident at other recent venues. Our SCARAH POSSESSED media is so focused on the REPUG VP nominee that they don't seem to be asking either. We're in a NATIONAL NIGHTMARE with the potential of this woman even getting NEAR the WH...

Attention folks : this stuff don't scary YOU! something is going on down south! and its for a bad reason.... Our army is all ready gone....

T-myers @ 49:

Attention folks : this stuff don't scary YOU! something is going on down south! and its for a bad reason.... Our army is all ready gone....

My apologies...calm down and try again...

Liberal AND Proud @ 46:

Wanna know something. I really don't give a fuck.

After last nite's Palin debacle, and no fall out...it's clear where all this is going.

When the Emergency Broadcast System appears on tvs all over America, Americans will finally realize that not only have they been hitting the snooze button too long...but that the bus left years ago.

The bint babbled and bungled and blundered around like that Miss S.Carolina fiasco a couple of months ago.

But this morning, NPR (remember you cannot spell R E P U B L I C A N without "NPR") treated her as if she were a real, live, serious candidate.

I could listen to only about 3 minutes of it, before I got so disgusted I had to turn the whole thing off...

Jeezus FUCKING Christ, people, we are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO fucked...

Mark from Hyde Park @ 43:

kablooie @ 15:

My son called from college last night to tell me that a teacher called him part of the "uneducated public" for asking who Obama's running mate was. (He believes it doesn't really matter, as the 'shadow government' is more in charge (Carlyle Group, etc.) and he says it looks like the world is doomed anyway)... but it did piss him off. I gave him Biden's quote about how Hillary might have been a better choice and urged him to show that teacher what he's got.

For $20,000 a year, you'd think an institution of higher learning could produce a teacher that did not name-call for effect.

My guess is that the professor used the term 'uninformed voter' rather than 'uneducated voter' and if so the shit fits. Still I'll take an uniformed voter choosing Obama any day. And for $20,000 a year I'll give the destitute professor the license to call a kid almost anything.

Who would have thought, eight years ago, that Bushco would engage in wars of passion, tank our economy, raid our treasury and bring us back the brink of nuclear (noo-clear) war? Ummm, oh yeah, me and a lot of other screaming loonies. Damn.

You are correct sir! I bought Molly Ivins' book, "Shrub" before the 2000 theft and watched, horrified, while that little turd wrecked the USA worse than he wrecked Texass.
Even before that, I thought of Bush as the man who mocked a condemned prisoner.

This last eight years has been like watching a recurrent nightmare coming true.

Scuttlebutt has it they're sending some ships to Cuba too.

Liberal AND Proud @ 35:

It's quite clear that George Bush is A) no longer in charge of the country, b) completely batshit insane, c) drunk, d) on a crack induced hallucinogenic trip, e) completely batshit insane or f) taken a permanent vacation.

g). All of the above and then some!

chavez has given the u.s. ambassador 72 hours to leave the country; he's also recalled his ambassador from washington. all in response to allegations the u.s. was coordinating with venezuelan military to overthrow chavez (allegations that you know are true, just based on bushco's earlier attempt at a coup).

linda @ 60:

chavez has given the u.s. ambassador 72 hours to leave the country; he's also recalled his ambassador from washington. all in response to allegations the u.s. was coordinating with venezuelan military to overthrow chavez (allegations that you know are true, just based on bushco's earlier attempt at a coup).

Such respect we command in the world. Thanks, Chimpy.

Ed, be a good GOP drone...enlist.

Wow! What a surprise! These other nations are fed up with being bullied about by the US and know full well that the current bunch of tools raging around the globe trying to cram "democracy" down everyone else's throat have only managed to bring us down to the status of a third-rate power. (Sorry, all you neo-con wannabes, that is the sad truth. Just check our overall military readiness and our foreign debt and our failed financial system).

Thanks, in large measure, the MSM again for helping to pull the wool over the public's eyes and not simply reporting the FACTS of our current condition and the lies that got us here.

Maybe this will be a wake up call and, for example, the absolute insanity of putting Sarah Palin in a position to possibly be President in times like this. Seriously, who gives a damn what sex she is or what church she goes to? She has nothing that even comes close to the qualifications for such a position. And she is so damn arrogant that she thinks she is "ready."

Enough of this crap. She is what she is: a nice, well-meaning hockey mom who found a way to become governor of a small and totally unrepresentative state. That's it! That is a risk to this country that is beyond defense. The neo-cons must hate America and anything standing in the way of their ongoing effort to loot it completely before it collapses to play such trite games with her selection.

These other countries have joined Bin Laden in shared laughter at our foolishness and will now do all they can to humble, embarrass and otherwise get a little even for the past 8 years of arrogant treatment they have been receiving from us.

So, if this dissolves into say... a world war. I can pretty much see N. Korea backing Russia too, and between the two of them. They've got a lot of nukes. Not to mention all those middle eastern countries that hate us, they will probably keep the European part of NATO busy. NATO would go with U.S. but the U.S. is pretty much the one with the majority nuclear weapons supply.

The only unknown is China. On one hand, they definitely get along with Russia better than the U.S., on the other hand, we owe them enough money that it may be economically bad for them. ...maybe... Does anyone here know exactly how much we owe the chinese at this point?

The Russian navy is not something to be scared of, they are bearly a blue water fleet with no aircraft carriers(they have a ship that can launch planes, it is not something I would catorigize as a carrier). The bombers are good, but not great and the range is limted by the fact that they dont have an inflight refeuling capicity worth a damn. Having said all that. the fact that they are doing this just shows how inept the Bush admin has been in global affairs. That the Russians have entered the western hemisphere again means that the new cold war is starting up and that the defense industry is gearing up for a BIG payday, like the future arms contract was not enough, now they will start building even more of the high ticket arms that take money away from things that need it(education, infrastructure, social security, and on and on).

Vi @ 68:

So, if this dissolves into say... a world war. I can pretty much see N. Korea backing Russia too, and between the two of them. They've got a lot of nukes. Not to mention all those middle eastern countries that hate us, they will probably keep the European part of NATO busy. NATO would go with U.S. but the U.S. is pretty much the one with the majority nuclear weapons supply.

The only unknown is China. On one hand, they definitely get along with Russia better than the U.S., on the other hand, we owe them enough money that it may be economically bad for them. ...maybe... Does anyone here know exactly how much we owe the chinese at this point?

Geez...don't worry so much. In 30 minutes you won't see anything.

Vi @ 68:

So, if this dissolves into say... a world war. I can pretty much see N. Korea backing Russia too, and between the two of them. They've got a lot of nukes. Not to mention all those middle eastern countries that hate us, they will probably keep the European part of NATO busy. NATO would go with U.S. but the U.S. is pretty much the one with the majority nuclear weapons supply.

The only unknown is China. On one hand, they definitely get along with Russia better than the U.S., on the other hand, we owe them enough money that it may be economically bad for them. ...maybe... Does anyone here know exactly how much we owe the chinese at this point?

We owe China our houses, industry, children and grandchildren. All sold to fatten the wallets of the neo-con army wallets.

Well done Russia. They seem to be only ones supporting the little guys at the moment.

68@
So, if this dissolves into say… a world war. I can pretty much see N. Korea backing Russia too, and between the two of them. They’ve got a lot of nukes.

Don't be an idiot. North Korea doesn't have any nukes.

On reading the Palin/Gibson transcript I was struck about her extremely nonchalant attitude towards the whole Russia/Georgia problem. She supported Georgian inclusion into NATO and when Gibson pointed out that this could lead to war with Russia, Palin just said, in effect, "yup"—like a shooting war with Russia was no big deal. The "adult" on the ticket is just as bad and really ought to know better but is out in front trying to throw gasoline on the whole South Ossetia fire.

During the many years of Cold War/nuclear standoff with the Soviet Union, I don't think there were any presidents anywhere near as likely to touch off armageddon as John McCain. A McCain presidency would usher us back into the age of backyard bomb shelters: oh boy!

bring it on!

Liberal AND Proud @ 79:

L.A. Confidential @ 75:

jeff @ 70:

The Russian navy is not something to be scared of, they are bearly a blue water fleet with no aircraft carriers(they have a ship that can launch planes, it is not something I would catorigize as a carrier).

Hahahaha you better get up to date thar fella'.

L.A. these right wing nutcases no nothing about geopolitics, no nothing about warfare, no nothing about strategy, diplomacy, or pretty much anything that deals in any reality.

They only know slogans, and take everything that is told to them by their masters as the truth.

You can't debate them or reason with them...I don't even waste my time anymore.

They don't care about reality. They have an ideology. Hail Victory!

Vi @ 68:

SDoes anyone here know exactly how much we owe the chinese at this point?

No one can count that high.

"The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me." - Republican senator Thad Cochran on Republican presidential candidate John McCain

Considering that even his own party thinks McCain is a loose cannon, it's obvious we can't trust him in a Cuban missile crisis-type situation.

Mick Piobr @ 84:

They don't care about reality. They have an ideology. Hail Victory!

We Americans need to be concerned with bailing out people who used their credit cards to buy a house that was impossible for them to afford first.

Bolivia is expelling the U.S. ambassador because Morales says they have been coordinating with right wing secessionist political movements who have been violently attacking political party members and ordinary Indians allied with Morales' MAS party.

Not unrealistic, since usually the U.S. Embassy is the seat of subversion and plots by the U.S. to overthrow Latin American nations.

Hugo Chavez is expelling the U.S. Ambassador not just in solidarity with Morales, but also because Venezuela just arrested 4 high level military and intelligence officers accused of literally plotting a coup and / or assassination against Chavez.

This too would not be unrealistic, since U.S. subversion of Latin governments often begins with subverting military & intelligence officers.

Although there is no evidence I've seen so far beyond Morales' and Chavez' announcements.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1mV_5-bRPo

L.A. Confidential @ 75:

jeff @ 70:

The Russian navy is not something to be scared of, they are bearly a blue water fleet with no aircraft carriers(they have a ship that can launch planes, it is not something I would catorigize as a carrier).

Hahahaha you better get up to date thar fella'.

I am up to date, they do not have a veryn good navy, never have, and just b/c you think they do, will not make it so. This is not an approval of what is going on, or our responce, but a dose of reality that the Russian navy is not that good. The Russian/Soviets put almost all of their eggs into the subs and not into the surface fleet and since the wall fell, most of the fleet, surface and subs, went into the toilet and only very recently have they spent any time and money on the navy. It is the fact that they are back in the western hemisphere that we should be watching.

Btw if you are going to ridicule someone, make sure that YOU know what yopu are talking about, otherwise you just look like McCain and the rest of the neocon pact.

Putin was only following Bush's lead. After 9/11 Russia herself used the "global war on islamic fascism" talking point to go into politically restless areas and put down dissention and any group that advocated a split with Russia. What could we say? Terrorism is bad , mmkay? So what the hell are we complaining about? As for Georgia, we make a big stink about invading a democratic nation, but the people is S.Ossetia (sic) want to be with Russia, isn't that the nature of democracy? If the two breakaway sections of Georgia had a vote they would vote to be with Russia, what is the problem then? Oh that's right we love democracy when they vote for capitalism and the status quo, but as soon as the electorate decide they want to move to a socialist model or break the status quo, it's bad bad bad. The double standards we apply are shameful.

Lets take Alaska for an example, if they had a vote and 99% of them said you know what? Thanks but no thanks on that statehood thing, we think we'd like to be on our own. Under the whole Democracy thing we should let them, and good riddance it's just another welfare state that receives more than it gives, whats the word for them? oh that's right Red states.

US policy, we want everyone to vote, but you can only vote our way, you can have a free country as long as it's free market, you can have nukes but only if you already have them. No wonder intelligent people around the world fear and hate us, we are a schizophrenic 800 pound gorilla will a huge arsenal of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons.

Rusty Shackleford @ 88:

"The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me." - Republican senator Thad Cochran on Republican presidential candidate John McCain

Considering that even his own party thinks McCain is a loose cannon, it's obvious we can't trust him in a Cuban missile crisis-type situation.

exactly! and why the dem ad campaign doesn't use this is beyond me. mccain probably has ptsd.

Don't gamble if you can't afford to lose.

McCain/Palin seem to be betting that Russia will look at NATO and back down.

This is the same kind of simplistic strategy that we took into Iraq. Depose Saddam, sprinkle some Magic Democracy Dust, and *presto* a free society will magically appear.

Mike@98
If the two breakaway sections of Georgia had a vote they would vote to be with Russia, what is the problem then? Oh that’s right we love democracy when they vote for capitalism and the status quo, but as soon as the electorate decide they want to move to a socialist model or break the status quo, it’s bad bad bad. The double standards we apply are shameful.

Exactly right! Russia, believe it or not, is standing up for the little guy here.

(Granted, not because it's the right thing to do or anything. They just happened to be on the right side of this conflict.)

Liberal AND Proud @ 93:

right on! @ 87:

Drilling solves nothing (aka right wing hater) @ 11:

Wow....I was just watching Dr. Strangelove the other day....

Me too! And the republicans and Bu$h will be whining: My plane's bigger than your plane. To which the Russians can say: Nyet! Our planes are as big or bigger than YOUR planes! And the US retort: Oh yeah?... Well my bomb's bigger than your bomb...

You get the rhetoric! Little kids solving nothing on the schoolyard. Where are the adults in all of this? Sure not in, or advising, the white house...

I can't make up my mind...is George Bush basically W.C. Fields or Rip Taylor?

In reality, I think he's more like PeeWee Herman!

In reality, I think he’s more like PeeWee Herman!

More like Clyde, in Any Which Way But Loose.

John @ 108:

In reality, I think he’s more like PeeWee Herman!

More like Clyde, in Any Which Way But Loose.

Hahahahahaha! excellent point!

El Cid @ 92:

Bolivia is expelling the U.S. ambassador because Morales says they have been coordinating with right wing secessionist political movements who have been violently attacking political party members and ordinary Indians allied with Morales' MAS party.

Not unrealistic, since usually the U.S. Embassy is the seat of subversion and plots by the U.S. to overthrow Latin American nations.

Hugo Chavez is expelling the U.S. Ambassador not just in solidarity with Morales, but also because Venezuela just arrested 4 high level military and intelligence officers accused of literally plotting a coup and / or assassination against Chavez.

This too would not be unrealistic, since U.S. subversion of Latin governments often begins with subverting military & intelligence officers.

Although there is no evidence I've seen so far beyond Morales' and Chavez' announcements.

This is called taking your eye off the ball.

This is our backyard, but GW Imbecile was too busy with his madcap adventures destabilizing the Middle East, the Far East, and alienating our allies in Western Europe...that he has lost control of our hemisphere.

We have no significant military presence in this hemisphere. Our troops are scattered all around the Middle East, as is a significant portion of our navy. Helllo....IMBECILE IN WASHINGTON...do you have ANY idea how long it would take a carrier group to get from the Straits of Hormuz to the Panama Canal. Here's a hint...it's more than a day...you SCHMUCK.

Most of our National Guard is on the other side of the planet too. Our military is overstretched.

Our only option is nuclear. Welcome to Bush foreign policy.

Maybe they'll send Condi to Venezuela to get a t-shirt.

ysbaddaden @ 105:

I stayed in a Paris Hilton

In Paris

Texas

Does that qualify for foreign policy experience?

In the GOP it does. Hell, by their standards you'd be overqualified.

Them Ruskies are tryin to put a daisy on a turd and sell to us twice ... well if I wasn't as pickled as a pig in the county crapper I'd grab them Ruskies by the scruff o' the neck and give 'em a good whippin! john McCain knows how to deal with Charlie though ... If my daddy wasn't Baal and my mamma Boss Hogg I'd already be shakin' up them Washington smarty pants and dealin with the Ruskies the way they should be.

El Cid @ 92:

Bolivia is expelling the U.S. ambassador because Morales says they have been coordinating with right wing secessionist political movements who have been violently attacking political party members and ordinary Indians allied with Morales' MAS party.

Not unrealistic, since usually the U.S. Embassy is the seat of subversion and plots by the U.S. to overthrow Latin American nations.

Hugo Chavez is expelling the U.S. Ambassador not just in solidarity with Morales, but also because Venezuela just arrested 4 high level military and intelligence officers accused of literally plotting a coup and / or assassination against Chavez.

This too would not be unrealistic, since U.S. subversion of Latin governments often begins with subverting military & intelligence officers.

Although there is no evidence I've seen so far beyond Morales' and Chavez' announcements.

Right on.

Seems as though nobody remembers 9-11-73. This is the date that the CIA brought about the coup in Chile which saw the asassination of Allende and the rise of Pinochet.

Could it be that our neighbors to the south have had enough of us?

Well, they can't hate us for our freedom anymore....

Evidently Chavez may be getting some company on the " not a US lackey? Get rid of him.Kill him" list according to Juan Cole this AM. Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki now possible/likely candidate for same "regime changing" that fell on Saddam. There is a lot of oil in Iraq just waiting to be exploited and sold off by big western petro and if PM Maliki will not "play ball and bend over as required" he may well get the chop from freedom /democracy lov'in Americans.

Why do they hate us?

Good for the Russians too. Americans have been in Central Asia now for a good ten years trying to poke sticks in Russia's eyes.

No doubt one of these coming days soon that old American canard about the "Monroe Doctrine" will get dusted off again.

Chavez is no saint. But we Yankees are not either. Add another half trillion to next two years "American hegemon defense and security" budgets. Oh hell...make that three quarters of a trillion! There is money to be made now from war/fear mongering!

This is all so 1980, makes me want to break out all my DK albums.. Remember "Kinky Sex Makes The World Go 'Round"?

Greetings:This is the Secretary of War at the State Department
of the United States
We have a problem.
The companies want something done about this sluggish
world economic situation
Profits have been running a little thin lately
and we need to stimulate some growth
Now we know
there's an alarmingly high number of young people roaming
around in your country with nothing to do but stir up trouble
for the police and damage private property.
It doesn't look like they'll ever get a job
It's about time we did something constructive with these people
We've got thousands of 'em here too. They're crawling all over
The companies think it's time we all sit down, have a serious get-together-
And start another war
The President?
He loves the idea! All those missiles streaming overhead to and fro
Napalm
People running down the road, skin on fire
The Soviets seem up for it:
The Kremlin's been itching for the real thing for years.
Hell, Afghanistan's no fun
So whadya say?
We don't even have to win this war.
We just want to cut down on some of this excess population
Now look. Just start up a draft; draft as many of those people as you can.
We'll call up every last youngster we can get our hands on,
hand 'em some speed, give 'em an hour or two to learn how to use
an automatic rifle and send 'em on their way
Libya? El Salvador? How 'bout Northern Ireland?
Or a "moderately repressive regime" in South America?
We'll just cook up a good Soviet threat story
in the Middle East-we need that oil
We had Libya all ready to go and Colonel Khadafy's hit squad
didn't even show up. I tell ya
That man is unreliable.
The Kremlin had their fingers on the button just like we did for that one
Now just think for a minute-We can make this war so big-so BIG
The more people we kill in this war, the more the economy will prosper
We can get rid of practically everybody on your dole queue if we plan this right.
Take every loafer on welfare right off our computer rolls
Now don't worry about demonstrations-just pump up your drug supply.
So many people have hooked themselves on heroin
and amphetamines since we took over, it's just like Vietnam.
We had everybody so busy with LSD they never got too strong.
Kept the war functioning just fine
It's easy.
We've got our college kids so interested in beer
they don't even care if we start manufacturing germ bombs again.
Put a nuclear stockpile in their back yard,
they wouldn't even know what it looked like
So how 'bout it? Look-War is money.
The arms manufacturers tell me unless
we get our bomb factories up to full production
the whole economy is going to collapse
The Soviets are in the same boat.
We all agree the time has come for the big one, so whadya say?!?
That's excellent. We knew you'd agree
The companies will be very pleased.

El Cid @ 117:

This is called taking your eye off the ball.

This is our backyard, but GW Imbecile was too busy with his madcap adventures destabilizing the Middle East, the Far East, and alienating our allies in Western Europe...that he has lost control of our hemisphere.

We have no significant military presence in this hemisphere. Our troops are scattered all around the Middle East, as is a significant portion of our navy. Helllo....IMBECILE IN WASHINGTON...do you have ANY idea how long it would take a carrier group to get from the Straits of Hormuz to the Panama Canal. Here's a hint...it's more than a day...you SCHMUCK.

Most of our National Guard is on the other side of the planet too. Our military is overstretched.

Our only option is nuclear. Welcome to Bush foreign policy.

Maybe they'll send Condi to Venezuela to get a t-shirt.

Sorry to disagree, but Latin America has done stunningly better since the U.S. took its "eye off the ball."

One of the best things that ever happened to Latin America & Latin Americans -- and indeed, allowed most of them to achieve real independence for the first time -- has been George W. Bush Jr's fixation with Iraq.

I'm sorry, "more" U.S. involvement with Latin America tends to mean more support for anti-democratic subversion and more arm-twisting for economic programs that destroy the basic strengths of their own population & economy.

So, no, I'm not calling for increased U.S. involvement in Latin America unless one day that means something worth having rather than worth fighting against.

It is a question of policy. Do I support dictators as a principle? No. But the facts are these...we are talking geopolitics here. I'm not going to be sucked into the "moral" debate with you. The fact that we've seen more democratic (what the right wing calls SOCIALISM) in Latin America because of our turning away from any kind of clear policy, doesn't mean that we don't need a policy.

We could have promoted democracy as part of our policy. We treated Latin America like backwards children for decades...and that was wrong. But, the fact is that the lack of any policy has now created a situation where we have no leverage at all.

That is bad politics and not in the interest of our nation.

Mick Piobr @ 118:

El Cid @ 92:

Bolivia is expelling the U.S. ambassador because Morales says they have been coordinating with right wing secessionist political movements who have been violently attacking political party members and ordinary Indians allied with Morales' MAS party.

Not unrealistic, since usually the U.S. Embassy is the seat of subversion and plots by the U.S. to overthrow Latin American nations.

Hugo Chavez is expelling the U.S. Ambassador not just in solidarity with Morales, but also because Venezuela just arrested 4 high level military and intelligence officers accused of literally plotting a coup and / or assassination against Chavez.

This too would not be unrealistic, since U.S. subversion of Latin governments often begins with subverting military & intelligence officers.

Although there is no evidence I've seen so far beyond Morales' and Chavez' announcements.

Right on.

Seems as though nobody remembers 9-11-73. This is the date that the CIA brought about the coup in Chile which saw the asassination of Allende and the rise of Pinochet.

Could it be that our neighbors to the south have had enough of us?

Well, they can't hate us for our freedom anymore....

El Cid and Mick, insightful on both of your parts and I agree with you that this is what's going on too. The world if fed up with the American foreign policy of the past, what 40+?, years and is taking action. Good for them. The U.S. has enough to focus on at home, for chrissakes! Quit policing the world, quit setting up subversives to overtake governments that can run things themselves, and rebuild the US economy...

Karen in CT @ 67:

Good thing we have Sarah Palin in the ticket!! That'll show 'em!! She knows ALL about Russia and National Security and Energy and the Economy and, and, and... Blackflies... and, and, and ...Giant Talking Salmon...

Don't forget Sasquatch...

A problem I imagine is that McCain/Palen get elected and then, when they do fucked up things, the American people go along for the ride -- because after all, we are a democracy, majority rule prevails.

VietVet8666 @ 130:

A problem I imagine is that McCain/Palen get elected and then, when they do fucked up things, the American people go along for the ride -- because after all, we are a democracy, majority rule prevails.

Maybe when the Arabs or Chinese come and start knocking on peoples doors and say, "GET OUT OF HERE! This is our property now we're collecting on debts DUE!!! You've five minutes to start packing!" . . people will snap out of it. (Maybe)

Unfortunately, Obama does NOT help the situation very much, should he win in November. On THE key issue, NATO expansion, there is NO difference between McInsane and Obama. They BOTH want to push for nuclear war at worst, new Cold War at best, by continuing to surround Russia with close-quarters American/NATO bases.

How is Obama's position that Georgia and Ukraine should become nuclear triggers by making them part of NATO better than McInsane's position that they should both become nuclear triggers by making them part of NATO?

L.A. Confidential @ 113:

jeff @ 96:

The Russian/Soviets put almost all of their eggs into the subs and not into the surface fleet and since the wall fell, most of the fleet, surface and subs, went into the toilet and only very recently have they spent any time and money on the navy. It is the fact that they are back in the western hemisphere that we should be watching.

LOL your nuts. They could annihilate our entire Fleets in the Gulf in less then 20 minutes. And no one would even know who or what hit them.

We're sitting ducks against the Sunburns, Onyx ship wreckers, and Moskits. Man oh man your out of "touch".

The range of the misswlea that you are talking about are in the range of 700miles so they would need a platform to launch them from to reach us in open ocean, aplatform that the Russian navy does not have a lot of, the airforce does not have the range from home bases to reach a firing point in wich to fire from. I assume that you are taliking about the Persian gulf, and yes they could destroy all of the ships there in 20 min with those missles, but that is not what I was talking about earlier, I was talking about deep ocean abilties, not near shore. Those missles also have never been used in combat, so we will have to wait to see if they are as a good as advertised, the Russians have shown before that the bark was worse than the bite, think Blackjack bombers. So once for clarity, the russian navy is not that good, that is why they went for the missle route instead of trying to outperform the US navy in ships. You are also assuming that the Russian navy will be able to track US ships, somethimg that they have shown in the past not to be to good at. Dont be afraid of the Russian navy in the fleet projection, the missles yes, subs maybe, but not in the ships, they just are not that good. Condecending little prick arent you, see if you can do a debate without resorting to namr calling sometime, and yes I get the irony of me saying that. Now can you name one ship in the Russian navy that could close to a deep ocean fleet to use those missles and no the Persian gulf is not deep ocean.

Don Rumsfeld hater @ 135:

Hey, I think it looks like Russia might attack the USA. Common sense says that the USA needs Palin as the next VP since she is an expert on Russia (since it's so close to Alaska). Now she'll certainly be the next VP.

Well she's not having sex how the hell is she going to get rid of all that excess testosterone?

jeff @ 136:

Condecending little prick arent you, see if you can do a debate without resorting to namr calling sometime, and yes I get the irony of me saying that. Now can you name one ship in the Russian navy that could close to a deep ocean fleet to use those missles and no the Persian gulf is not deep ocean.

LOL

See ya later kid.

OT--

New Obama ad to “mock McCain as computer illiterate”:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....l_pr/obama

Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about!…

Kilgore Trout @ 3:

Don't worry the vpilf will take care of it. You can actually see Russia from Alaska.

HAHAHA...WHAT MORE; can you say?

Thanks for my morning laugh, I believe the neighbor who is cutting grass outside with the lawnmower running heard me.

Vi @ 68:

So, if this dissolves into say... a world war. I can pretty much see N. Korea backing Russia too, and between the two of them. They've got a lot of nukes. Not to mention all those middle eastern countries that hate us, they will probably keep the European part of NATO busy. NATO would go with U.S. but the U.S. is pretty much the one with the majority nuclear weapons supply.

The only unknown is China. On one hand, they definitely get along with Russia better than the U.S., on the other hand, we owe them enough money that it may be economically bad for them. ...maybe... Does anyone here know exactly how much we owe the chinese at this point?

This does seem to be a very popular myth. No one knows exactly how big a pile the Chinese are sitting on but the estimates of the cash surplus range as high as 100 billion. If they chose to dump that on the market it would take all of three to four weeks for the markets to absorb it. The last time the Chinese made noises about diversifying their currency holdings the resultant drop in the dollar costs the Chinese an estimated 2-3 billion US. When you trade actual things for bits of paper or even more nebulous data streams the person accepting the paper is taking the risk. If the Chinese were to try to use their massive trade surplus as a weapon it would only blow up in their collective faces. Like they say in finance: if you owe the bank a little you're a debtor but if you owe the bank a lot you're a partner.