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Meet the mysterious 'official'

by Sherri B. Friday, August 15, 2008 PERMANENT LINK

Al Qaeda may attack during US election season: official

Excerpt: While intelligence officials are unaware of specific plans for attacks inside the US, they expect an increase in threats in the run-up to US elections, Ted Gistaro, the national intelligence officer for trans-national threats, has claimed in an assessment.

Now you know I emailed the site and asked who the hell this "official" is. I'll let you know the response.

Sherri B.

I don't know anything about Ted Gistaro, but IANS (the Indo-Asian News Service) is for real. This is what passes for 'real' news these days (sigh).

What's fake and annoying, of course, is a fear-mongering press release with no specifics, and this is routine under Bush -- it's their standard boogeyman policy. It ratchets up fear and accomplishes nothing else, which is all they ask.

Scared people are a lot less likely to stop and think, and if America ever stopped and thought Bush and Cheney would be in prison.

Helen & Harry

Ted Gistaro is wearing Bushboy's cologne. He's the man discussing the possible attack before the elections.

About Ted: http://www.dni.gov/odni_2.htm

NIO Gistaro describes current al-Qaeda threats in open briefing

Excerpt: On August 12, 2008, National Intelligence Officer (NIO) for Transnational Threats, Mr. Ted Gistaro, addressed The Washington Institute's Special Policy Forum. Mr. Gistaro was appointed NIO in November 2006 after nearly two decades of service with the Central Intelligence Agency.

Sherri B.

National Intelligence Officer for Transnational Threats... that's quite a job title. His press conference, of course, does nothing to reduce transnational threats, but I doubt transnational threats have anything to do with his actual responsibilities. "Undersecretary of Fear" seems a more accurate job title for Mr Gistaro.

Helen & Harry

Gary P. replies, Juniper R. replies

Long and large

by Chris M. Friday, August 15, 2008 PERMANENT LINK

Georgia -- A Blow to US Energy

Excerpt: The plans of the US and Western oil companies for expanded pipelines in the Caspian region may well be a casualty of Russia's attack.

Which is what they were actually aiming at.

Excerpt: If Russia clamps down on pipelines, oil from these platforms in Azerbaijan may not make it to the West. Long-term US efforts to access Caspian oil free of Russian influence may come to naught. The sudden war in the Caucasus brought Georgia to heel, reasserted Russia's claim as the dominant force in the region, and dealt a blow to US prestige. But in this part of the world, diplomacy and war are about oil and gas as much as they are about hegemony and the tragic loss of human life. Victory in Georgia now gives Russia the edge in the struggle over access to the Caspian's 35 billion barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of gas. The probable losers: the US and those Western oil companies that have bet heavily on the Caspian as one of the few regions where they could still operate with relative freedom.

The whole Bosnia/former Yugoslavia mess was about this also. With Russia now owning its former private oil companies and having eyes on the Caspian sea oil for quite sometime, this could be a long, large situation indeed.

Chris M.

Marie K. replies

An innocent in Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, Somalia, or anywhere

by MonkeyMan Friday, August 15, 2008 PERMANENT LINK

Re The illness of ignorance by Herb Ruhs, MD

If I understand correctly, I should accept the limits of my body, but allow my mind to bungee jump, right?

In her book Helen Thomas writes briefly, and demonstrates, the demonization of "liberals." I have also lived in places such as San Francisco, that are decidely more progressive. I live in the south because I love humidity, mosquitoes, leeches, and alligators. Oh! And I happen to get a decent job here so I am stuck for now.

You have perceptively seen through my ramblings to the crux of the matter. I am having a problem with tolerance. I am surrounded by conservatives, in a conservative department, in a conservative town, in a red state. I am intellectually and spiritually suffocating. By the time I sit on the edge of my bed at night and review my day, my spirit is rubbed raw by ignorance; ignorance of youth, repression, poor judgement, apathy, whatever.

What I have gained so far in my 40 years is the ability to put myself in another's place. I can see myself as an innocent in Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, Somalia, or anywhere. I can feel the human-ness of the people in the pictures. Soldiers and civilians, adults and children, these are real people dying while I sit on my butt, completely helpless. I wade through the unfortunate souls in the nursing home to visit my friend and I can't do anything for them. I don't want to patronize them with pity, but don't want to seem indifferent. There but for the Grace of God go I.

I don't know about wisdom or maturity, but I have become a more feeling individual. Ignorance is bliss and knowledge is exhausting. Thanks for your words. I'll try to make a habit of compassion.

MonkeyMan

Keep the Russians out

by SirJ Friday, August 15, 2008 PERMANENT LINK

Re Burp! by SirJ

Perhaps this will help. It explains how the oil companies wanted to put a SECOND pipeline through Georgia. Now that the vulnerability of ANY pipeline through Georgia is obvious, it likely won't happen.

The BBC believes this conflict will lesson the odds Georgia will be admitted to NATO. I think just the opposite! By sending Russian troops on foot into Georgian territory, Putin has overplayed his hand. He is now on the record as being the aggressive leader everyone suspected. Being in South Ossetia was reasonable. Being in Georgia was not.

From Wikipedia: The first NATO Secretary General Lord Ismay, famously stated the organization's goal was "to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down."

*** *** *** While Georgia burns, here in the US ...

Peter Pan, Snow White arrested at Disneyland

Excerpt: But Disney now wants to eliminate the free health plan for new hires and wants to create a new class of workers who put in less than 30 hours a week, said Briceno. Those part-time workers would receive no sick or vacation pay and not be given holidays, she said.

The company also wants to increase the number of hours full-time employees must work before qualifying for the health plan, she said.

And the next part of their plan will be for all workers to be part-time. No health care for anybody!

SirJ

And Disneyland policy, of course, will have anyone arrested in costume fired. And I'm sure it's illegal, but any employee quoted in the coverage is probably going to be fired too.

Helen & Harry

Paula A. replies, Marie K. replies, Brick Pillow replies, SirJ replies

Bush asleep

by Wig Friday, August 15, 2008 PERMANENT LINK

WWII spy agency documents released

Bush wants everything hidden. How did this slip by him?

Wig

Dialogue for
Friday, August 15, 2008

Meet the mysterious 'official' by Sherri B.
Long and large by Chris M.
An innocent in Iraq, Afghanistan,
Georgia, Somalia, or anywhere
by MonkeyMan
Keep the Russians out by SirJ
Bush asleep by Wig

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