Posts Made By: Rod Kaufman

The variability and fragility of the economy was starkly represented in the monthly May report as per CNN: Planned job cuts by employers soared 42%. "If job cuts do not lesson in June, July and August which are historically the lowest job-cuts months of the year, then it might be time to be concerned about the economy's strength."
Job creation, while improving, "is still well below the pace of previous recoveries" according to the report.
Throw in the ever increasing deficits and the increasing costs of oil and the economy can take a nose-dive, big time. It's no wonder the LA Times has called Bush's handling of the economy as "disastrous stewardship".

CNN website is reporting the Brits concluded eight months prior to the invasion of Iraq that US military officials were not planning adequately for a postwar occupation. In particular the report stated,"As already made clear, the US miltary plans are virtually silent on this point". "Washington could look to us to share a disproportionate share of the burden."
The report was prepared ahead of the now controversial downing street meeting and minutes which have been construed as implicating a manipulation of intelligence facts to support the need for war in Iraq.
It's now obvious that the British fears of inadequate post-war planning by the Bush administration were(are)accurate and one has to suspect the implications of the downing street meeting may be accurate as well...

Walter Jones, the lawmaker from NC and famous for snubbing the French for refusing to support Bush's war in Iraq by renaming french fries "freedom fries" is now a major voice in calling for an Iraqi pullout plan. It appears he feels we've gone just about as far as we can go in Iraq and it time to devlop a plan to leave. I about fellout of my chair when I read this one.
Bush for his part, said to be worried about his dismal support in the polls in general and Iraq in particular, is planning another "stay the course" speech on the 28th, claiming all kinds of successes on the ground in Iraq. The latter appears to be yet another reality disconnect for Bush, as every recent account demonstrates an increasingly strong Iraqi insurgency.
Reports from Rumsfeld have stated "contacts" have begun between the new Iraqi government and the insurgents which are now deemed "necessary" whereas US policy has always been no negotiations with terrorists. And nevermind VP Dick's accounts of how the insurgency is in it's "last throes". If that were true, why try to compromise with them now? Why not "stay the course?" The Bush bull just doesn't add up...

McCain called on the Bush administration to stop telling Americans victory is around the corner in Iraq. "What I think we should do is wait until we achieve successes, then celebrate them, rather than predict them. Because too often the prediction is not proven to be true", says McCain on "Meet the Press".
In an interview on Larry King Live, Cheney claimed the insurgency is in it's "last throes." Asked if he agreed with it, McCain stated, "no".
I reported the comments from Cheney in a post entitled, "Bush/Cheney Slingin the bull" and now we have further confirmation of it from a ranking member of armed services committee.
Bush is going to give his Iraq speech on the 28th equating the need for war in Iraq with the fight against terrorism, ie the latest evolution of the justification of the war effort wherein Iraq attacked us via 9-11. I suppose it's just a coincidence that the terror level went back-up to yellow this week...

The material reminds me of the book of Bushisms: page after page of inane and insane statements quoted directly from GWB! He just gets better with time!
On the serious side, the assault on public broadcasting is significant and will likely remain under threat with the cons in office.

A new classified report by the CIA says, "Iraq could be an even more effective training ground for Islamic terrorists than Afghanistan under the Taliban."
The report discloses terrorists are "flocking to Iraq and gaining practical experience in urban combat techniques..." "Islamic terrorists are learing how to carry out assassinations, kidnappings, and car bombings."
Today on the morning commute, KNX news radio reported terrorists are utililzing more sophisticated improvised explosive devices similar to the one that blew an M1 tank 40 meters off a road last week.
All of this from an insurgency that Cheney say is "in it's last throes."

In a 5 to 4 vote, the supreme court ruled cities know best and can demolish homes to make room for commercial development such as hotels,offices, businesses, etc.
Homeowners who are about to have their houses demolished to make room for a hotel complex argued the scope of eminent domain was provided for public works projects such as roads and freeways but not private enterprise.
In the minority opinion, the dissenting judges noted wealthy developers will be able influence city planners (as they most certainly do)and thereby invoke eminent domain at their whim.
I hope the judges who passed this boner have a walmart planted in what used to be their backyards and let them enjoy the fruits of their "wisdom"...

A very eloquent response by John Kerry.
What we could have had and what we got...

Bush is set to deliver his rally the country around Iraq speech on June 28.
First, the venue: Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This is basically the land version of Bush's plane trip on an aircraft carrier where he was surrounded by applauding troops with a huge banner in the background proudly proclaiming,"Mission Accomplished!".
With his approval ratings and support of the war in Iraq dropping left and right in just about any poll you care to name, the proud president will press forth his message amid the background of the approving troops. The "support the troops" theme will be prominent even if he doesn't mention it, given his surroundings and will, of course, be used to his advantage.
Like any other carefully orchestrated speech Bush has given to the country, any audience present will have been picked on the presumption of their support for Bush and his policies. Don't expect to see any disobedience from the assembled troops...
Why view or listen to the speech when you know it's going to be "more of the same"? Do you really have to hear it to know what he's going to say?
This is just another Bush horse and pony show, pure and simple...
Enjoy the show...

Rumsfeld told America on national TV today the US can not win militarily in Iraq. He sees an "Iraqi-ization" of the war which will last "eight, ten or twelve years."
Like the "vietimization" of the war in Vietnam, the Iraqis are supposed to take over their own security in a process that will last a decade or more.
All of this for an insurgency described by the vice president of the United States as being in "it's last throes."
The Bush legacy: a decade or more of warfare in Iraq...