Thursday - a subject *free* day

"This is so wrong, unconstitutional, so un-American" senator Leahy commenting on the senate passage of the Detainee Interrogation Bill, 9/28/06

"Go fuck yourself!" vice-president Cheney to senator Leahy, 6/22/04

Just another day. New day--same old shit! In a short drive to the supermarket in a relative's car, I noted the radio was tuned to the local Air America station. I came in on the middle of the conversation that went something like, "Iraq is a good place to test unconventional weapons such as biological and dirty bombs."

I just assumed they were quoting one of the Pentagon's joint chiefs of staff, secretary of defense Don Rumsfeld or big Dick Cheney. So I just bit my lip and drove on, appreciating my freedom to make one more successful trip to the grocery store and return home without disappearing--maybe. (I hadn't made it back to the house yet.)

But upon my successful return home, I learned the call for testing of mass destructive weapons in Iraq came from an Iraqi al Qaeda leader, not one of our own. But was it so unreasonable to think the reporter hadn't been referring to an American leader? I think not. Read on.

As is being reported by Dave Lindorff, investigative reporter and columnist for "Counter Punch," contributor to "Businessweek," "The Nation," "Extra!," and "Salon," war with Iran may be sooner than later. As mentioned here last week in "The tactics of playground bullies" it appears the naval battle group led by the aircraft carrier Eisenhower may be departing for the shores of Iran this weekend. They could arrive as early as October 21. As is the case for respect of American institutions, their traditions, and their laws established over more than 200 years ago, this administration seems to be saying, "Go fuck yourself!"

George Bush doesn't need the approval of congress or the American people. And when in the hell has congress been anything but a rubber stamp for this president's policies despite brief charades to appear defiant, only to "cave"? And least of all, when in the hell has Bush given a damn about public opinion, so stuck is he in his own world of delusions?

According to Lindorff's article, in response to the navy's deployment to provoke a war with Iran, "several angry officers on the ships involved ... contacted antiwar critics like retired Air Force Col. Sam Gardiner and complained that they were being sent to attack Iran without any order from the Congress."

With two ongoing wars being lost, one in Iraq at a cost of $2 billion/wk. and the one in Afghanistan--being "won" on the cheap--at a mere $375 million per week (which we're really losing), what better idea than to start another fucking war with Iran (and Syria)?

Perhaps some of you may have watched boxing matches when one is being beaten silly. Bloodied and senseless, the referee steps in and does the merciful thing. He stops the fight. Well, right now the U.S. appears like that battered boxer. In a senseless stupor, he denies his total thrashing. He wants more! Well, welcome to what may be not just the final round, but the final match for the last heavyweight champion of the world. (Don't worry. If/when we fall--just as in boxing--someone will rise to assume the title.)

Finally, I'd like to thank senate democrats for lying down before the republican steam roller as some of the last vestiges of constitutional rights left us were flattened by allowing passage of the Detainee Interrogation Bill. Once more, not wanting to appear weak on terrorism, the "opposition party" his given in without so much as a filibuster to attempt its stoppage. I guess they're just anxious to wrap up the business of what they've become so wrong at, i.e., rights.

The need to become even more vigilant and careful has just become far more requisite with the passage of this new law. Those in power have again fortified their "rights" to interpret the law, bypass it, or violate the law. It comes at the expense of we who have lost our rights to know why we are being arrested and held without charge or trial for as long as they see fit. It's like we're being told to "Go fuck ourselves."

I guess it's time to be afraid. Very afraid. Not so much out of fear for the threats from abroad by those who hate us, which are indeed real and growing, thanks to our hubris. But fearful of the threats far more subtle, yet far more ominous. That's because they come from an elite group of Americans that threaten us all. They disguise themselves as our representatives and believe the best way to protect us is by elimination of our rights. And that terrorizes the hell out of me.

Gee, and that's only SOME of what I'd planned to talk about here. But I'm feeling way too preachy. The time for talking is over. Hence, I'm going to take a few days off. Who knows? I may learn to like it.