In search of...

Carl Weiser of the Enquirer is "in search of protestors" planning on protesting the RNC National Convention in New York.

Yes, all I can hear right now is Leonard Nimoy's choppy voice on a bad film projector in science class.

Bronson 'Drunk'?

Bronson must have been drunk when he quoted this:

He had three Purple Hearts and never lost time in a hospital. That's what we've been talking about. These guys know about Purple Hearts and they wonder if Kerry is lying.

Gee Peter Why don't you ask someone what they think about Bush's "honesty" about where he was during 1972? Or ask them why he failed to get a physical to keep on flying in the National Guard?

Peter, why don't you tell them that you supposedly agreed with Kerry about Vietnam and protested against it?

Peter's chicken hawk status looks big when he spews this gem:

Maybe Kerry should quit telling colorized war stories about Vietnam and tell us which Kerry is reporting for duty in the war on terrorism - hero or hippie?

Bronson, did you serve? I love how idiots today bitch about supporting the troops and value service, yet when someone who did his duty, was wounded in battle is then questioned about it only because he is running for office. The same people ignore their candidate's lack of honest about his "service" in the military where he saw no combat and at a minimum was given easy duty so he could work for a political campaign.

This is what makes me sick. People are this stupid to value this kind of crap, yet when the person has the values they want (combat experience) they deny it was real, but ignore that their guy never was even close to seeing combat.

Will Bronson go see Kerry speak now? I doubt it. Will the Enquirer provide a commentary about Kerry Speech as biased and pro-Kerry as Bronson's was? Hell No. Kerry will be luck to get a photo shoot like the Enquirer gave Bush's visit. At least they did give a little coverage to the Vets protesting. Best picture had a Vets for Kerry protestor holding up a sign saying "Mr. President, Here is my DD214, where is yours?"

Civil War?

Can there be anyone out there who does not think that Iraq is int he middle of a civil war? Now, it is not nearly as modern and unconventional as Bush's "War" on terrorism, but it is not your typical power struggle, which would mostly be caused by multiple ethnic factions plus an occupying military force in the mix.

What exist though are coordinated forces fighting the government and the US Military. That is a civil war if I every heard of one. People have been saying we have been facing the possibility of one for long time. I say it is true now, not just speculative. The Iraqi National Conference has nearly 100 members ready to boycott if the central government does not start negotiations again with people fighting against it. Seems kind of an odd request, but also one that signals a huge rift in the country.


I don't see the blood flow stopping anytime soon.

Shell Game

With Bush's election year exploitation of troop levels and world politics, I have to ask a simple question. Is is all just bullshit? Is is just a numbers game? Have we already pulled 70,000 troops out of Europe and Asia(Japan or Korea) and are now just adjusting the paperwork? I ask this with the understanding that we pulled at least one division out of German for Iraq. I assume now that that division, when its tour in Iraq is up, will go home to the USA, not to Germany. How much of similar occurrences will eat up the 70,000? I also wonder how much of this is includes the Navy, with reduction of the Persian Gulf fleet as another source for this number.

I also really wonder how smart this is? I guess that pulling troops from Asia means that North Korea and China are not a threat to anyone? What kind of policy do we have where we say the world is threatened by an axis of evil and then pull troops from the places where one of these axis members could strike? Is this some kind of concession to the North Koreans? I guess that would depend on how many of the 70,000 are actually from South Korea and Japan.

I also really don't think Bush is doing himself any good by holding big foreign policy speeches here in Cincinnati. Now, I grant this one is not in front of a crowd of local people, but it still just looks odd. I also pity downtown workers, don't bother trying to drive downtown while Bush is here.

Tainted Gift Horse or Dirty Money?

Say goodbye to 50K Hamilton County GOP. Now, if the local media really cared they would ask who got this money and whose election was tainted by dirty money. Getting elected with help from money collected from the proceeds of a bribe is something that should make for a scandal. We all know, however, that unless it has sex or murder, the TV news does not care. The conservative print press will report it, like link above shows, but hell they have no local angle yet. It was written from Columbus. Where's the comment from the local GOP officials??? You can go beyond Barrett and Kriss, why not fucking ask MIKE ALLEN?????????? You don’t think the Hamilton County Prosecutor and big GOP Leader would have a comment?

Family Fine After Hurricane

Well, if you did not know, my parents and my grandmother live in Charlotte County in Florida where Hurricane Charlie hit land. They are fine and the only damage they got was one small tree uprooted at my grandmother's place.

My family lives in the far northern part of the county so were lucky, the big damage was further south in Punta Gorta and Port Charlotte, which are only a 15-20 minute drive away.

From the reports I have heard and read the storm took a wicked turn and people only had maybe 45 minutes to an hour to evacuate from areas more inland from the coast. The storm coarse was predicted to hit Tampa Bay about a 2-hour drive north from where it hit.

My parents do not have power, but oddly my grandmother who lives maybe a mile away has power. They were all staying at my parent’s house, but are not at my grandmother's place.

I normally never worry about Hurricanes in Florida because where my parents live has not gotten hit like this for something like 80 years. Late yesterday afternoon when I heard the storm was turning, I was shitting bricks when I saw the eye heading towards my parents town. I am very thankful that not only are they are fine and have no significant damage to their property. I would say they were lucky.

Stuff, More Stuff and Whatnot

My time today is short so I will give a punchy post:

• Read Maggie Downs' Column
• Check out Wes Flinn's Picture at a Fingerhut event
• Read a Pipe Dream, but still follow the Olympics

Feel free to rant about what ever else is on your mind. I will surely be complaining tonight and this weekend about NBC's coverage of the Olympics and what I will guess will be the total lack of radio coverage of the events here in the states.

Enquirer Blah?

This comment was in the Enquirer's Editorial yesterday:

Take this debate to a level beyond rhetoric about swift boats and National Guard service.

I don't seem to read much or hear much about Bush's National Guard Service, or lack there of, in the media much. It appears that those desperate for a Bush win are slipping back into Clinton-Bashing mode, with the ranting and raving about a subject that is frankly total Bullshit. I mean at least Clinton was to some degree a womanizer, but the crap they are trying to pull on Kerry is just a sad example of grasping at straws.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."

Attention Phil Burress: live up to your own religion. You want truth or do you want the lies your group puts out about Article 12?

Phil and his theocratic friends violated the "9th commandment" when they fooled people into thinking any laws providing protection to people based on sexual orientation where "special" rights. They failed to worry about the "special" rights afford to people based on religion in the City Charter, but hey, religion is not a choice or anything. You are born thumping a bible or you the spawn of Satan.

Bronson on DeWine: K Street Special

Well, if you want biased journalism, Bronson can give you want you want. I mean, if I wanted to read this kind of puff piece I might have waited until the transcript of DeWine's next campaign video is released.

Enquirer Blogs from Athens

The Olympics bring out blogs from the Cincinnati Enquirer. This one is from some local Olympic athletes.

The initial post from Paul Daugherty's Athens blog leaves a lot to be desired, like most importantly complete sentences. He should be updating it today, but so far nothing. It is afternoon there now, so I think he could have sent something out by now. They also need to fix the link on their front page. This link comes from the front page of Cincinnati.com’s Olympic section.

I wonder how the logistics work for the blogs. Will each writer's post's update instantly or does it pass through an editor? Doc's post suggests the former.

Cold Shoulder For Winburn

Say it isn't so Peter. In your column on the Mayor's race you opine about whom the GOP could possibly having running and you don't mention Charlie Winburn. That is a snub and a half.

Kerry to Speak at VFW Convention Here in Cincinnati

John Kerry will be in town next week and address the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention. Bush may address the convention as well. Who will have a the bigger protest both inside and outside the convention? I am assuming Bush will come to the event. He is avoiding the military record comparison, but he can't afford to appear like he is dodging the comparison either.

Cranley For Mayor?

Where the hell did this come from? Cranley has long been Chaz's boy, but this seems like a desperation move. John does not want to be left out of the most competitive campaign for mayor in his lifetime. Cranley had a much better shot at running for county commissioner. I give Korte credit for bringing up this:

But he's also rankled some with his proposal to redevelop Main Street into a beacon for the "creative class," especially after his chosen developer made a comment about Chinese restaurants that some interpreted as a slur. And he's been unapologetically pro-development, even in places such as Oakley where leaders opposed it.

I would bet Nick Spencer noticed that comment too. Nick commented yesterday.

I think the Enquirer's declaration that the mayoral race is in minor turmoil now is a factual observation.

Olympics

Hey, you might not have heard, but the Olympics will be onNBC starting on Friday. I look forward to this every four years. (Every two years for the winter games) I hope this year that we get some radio coverage. I could not find any in 2002 from Salt Lake City. I mostly hope NBC does not make this a Dateline/Today Show Olympics. I want to watch sporting events, especially the obscure ones. I don't want to watch a profile about the dying third cousin of a swimmer. I feel bad for them, but that is not what I tune in for. I get that kind of touchy feely junk the rest of the year from the infotainment on NBC News. I hope NBC's big cable networks will cut out the junk, and show me some handball, water polo and rowing, among others.

Minor Turmoil?

The Enquirer's editorial today about Luken's exit from the mayor's race is framed as "minor turmoil." That I think over states things. Anyone who was observing things new that Luken was going to be challenged by other Democrats. Pepper and Reece were going to make a run. Now if anything the field with Mallory in will firm up. Those who want it, will jump in, and the also-rans will bail.

What will be turmoil is depending on how many sitting council members run for Mayor is who will replace them on council? If Pepper quits his seat early to run for mayor, who will the Dems put on council? That is where we will see confusion and commotion.

Horrors of War

I have to wonder if the students mentioned in this article from the Enquirer "War in Iraq made real" really have been given a true understanding of the war in Iraq. I have they seen foreign news coverage that shows the blood, guts, dead bodies censored from American Television? If they have not at least seen a little bit of that, then they will have no idea of what "real" war is like.

What's With the Dress Codes?

In Louisville they have established a dress code for an entertainment/mall area during certain time periods. They keep people who dress in cloths like sports jerseys or baggy pants. They have keep around 500 people from entering the place so far.

How many lawsuits would be filed if this were done here in Cincinnati? What if we closed of Main street on weekend nights to traffic and let people walk around with beer? Would we want a dress code? Could we enforce one? What would the usual suspects say about it?

Hillary Treatment?

Will Alan Keyes get the same kind of threatment many conservatives gave Hillary Clinton when she moved to New York to run for senate? You don't need to even bother holding your breath, because no he will not. He was picked because he was black. I guess the GOP think they can just run a black candidate against another black candidate and that will somehow make the black community happy. I think it instead will piss many Illinois blacks off, especially those who would have been voting for the GOP candidate. Why the GOP thinks that he will be able to connect with anyone in the state in three months time is beyond me. Why didn't they try and promote a local official who can run and keep his current office? That guy can at least set up a future run at a statewide level next election cycle. This is just a way to get a little attention with someone who knows how to get cameras on him. Keyes is too extreme to win any state outside of the south, and could not win there because he is black.

Keyes has no shot at winning. He will have to rely on the GOP's all ready weakened infrastructure in Illinois.

Revisionism and Propaganda

It should not shock anyone that when someone, like a columnist, wishes to defend a position he or she took on an issue in the past, her or she will try and revise and extend their remarks after the fact. Peter Bronson is trying just such a ploy. In his column today he writes about a visit from an Iraqi who he says is thanking the USA for freeing Iraq.

Now there are two issues on this column that I want to address. First I will talk about Bronson's revisionism. It seems odd to me that Peter would bring these women's stories to light and not expect a certain point to come back to bit him in the ass. Peter says that "America" was right to invade and take over Iraq because of the way Saddam oppressed his people. One of the women had family members killed by Saddam back in 1991 during the Kurdish uprising. This was the same uprising that the USA failed to support, beyond belatedly starting the now fly zones. Why would she look past that big fact? Why would she not acknowledge it? Maybe she did, but that is part of history that Bronson would sooner forget, after all, it was a Bush who did not act to say those hundreds of thousands of people then, but his son claims this as the reason now.

When Bronson writes "The two women told me about mass graves, 300,000 buried corpses.." I have to point out that the vast majority of those corpses, which no number in mass graves was ever determined, occurred in Southern Iraq in 1991 when the Shiite Muslims revolted against Saddam and were left out to dry by the USA.

These are reasons that justify the UN opposing, and if it became necessary, invading and removin Saddam from power. This is not why the USA started a pre-emptive war, or at least not the reason the people of USA were given. We were told that Iraq posed a real threat to the USA, not a long-term possible threat that could happen in ten years. We were told we could not wait for the UN to act, we had to act before it was too late, before we here on US soil were attacked with help from or direct by Iraq.

That was the bill of goods we were sold. That along with the reasonable tact that Iraq was in violation of UN sanctions, which ended up being rather limited in the end anyway. We now have a propaganda tour from two women, who I frankly never heard of, who are on a tour to spread "their" opinions of why we fought the war.

I agree with helping establishing Democracy anywhere in the world, but I don't want to be tricked into thing that what these women are say has full truth to it.

The second issue revolves around why they were in the USA. Here are their bio's from the event Peter attended where they spoke:

Surood Ahmed is a women's activist from Kirkurk, Iraq and Taghreed Al Qaragholi, women's activist from Baghdad. Surood Ahmed is a Kurd and studied Agronomy at the University of Mosul. Her family suffered under Saddam Hussein's regime. Her sister, aunt and stepmother were killed by Saddam's Republican guard during the 1991 uprising in Kirkuk and she was wounded trying to fee the city. Since the liberation of Iraq she moved back to Kirkuk and reunited with her family. Ms. Ahmed works to promote democracy in Iraq and plans to help train women to become involved in the political process.

Taghreed Al Qaragholi was born and raised in Baghdad and graduated from Al-Athar University College. Under the Baath regime she was denied a higher education because she refused to join the Baath Party. Her father refused to serve in Saddam Hussein's army and was forced to go into hiding. She now is the administrative director of the Iraqi Independent Democrats, where she typed the new Iraqi constitution. She is an active member of the Iraqi Independent Women's Group which includes one of the six female ministers in Iraq's new government, and a number of deputy ministers.

What I find puzzling is that they somehow got funding to go on tour of the Midwest, appearing in Columbus at a similar event.

It is even more interesting to read a far better column on their visit to Detroit, where the ‘purpose’ of their visit was covered, not the Pro-War propaganda that Bronson spewed.

How many people really could buy the claims Bronson quotes?

They urged our troops to stay in Iraq. "Ninety-five percent of the people in Iraq feel like us," Al Qaragholi said. "Only 5 percent are from Saddam's group."

She should know. She was invited by the World Affairs Council of Greater Cincinnati to speak Monday night because she worked on Iraq's constitution as administrative director of the Iraqi Independent Democrats. She also works for women's rights. For Iraq, that makes her part James Madison and part Susan B. Anthony - and all fed up by anti-war Americans who think we should feel guilty.

"Guilty about what? We are free now. Now I'm not afraid," she said. "I assure you, they will find the weapons of mass destruction. They already have. Saddam was a weapon of mass destruction."

These strong and successful Iraqi women are also WMDs to neighboring regimes such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, which use Islam to keep women veiled and powerless. "Ninety percent of Iraq is Islamic, but we refuse to have an Islamic state," Al-Qaragholi said. "That threatens their leaders and their regimes, and that's why they have made Iraq a battleground," she said of the terrorists and their Islamic-fundamentalist sponsors.

So either this women has poll numbers that are not known to anyone else, or her 95% claim is as I expect a fabrication. I laugh at Peter's Susan B. Anthony reference, which is often used by anti-feminists because of her contextual views on abortion. The WMD dismissal is right out of GOP Talking Points. I wonder where Surood Ahmed got those?

Now, the most serious issue that Ms. Ahmed is either in denial of or just ignorant about is the issue of people in Iraq wanting an Islamic State. She is so very wrong. Many Shiites want some type of Islamic State or one where Islamic law is practiced. That Islamic Law does conflict with women's basic human rights in most every Islamic country. Islamic rule or interference in Iraqi government is something that is a crux of the conflict between the three main power groups in Iraq. Kurdish autonomy is the other big sticking point, which not surprisingly was not addressed in Bronson's column. I don't know why it would be after all; propaganda can’t have bad news or skepticism and still be propaganda.