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The Muddle East
Author: BobR
Date: 12/02/2011 13:40:28
Eight years, eight months, and 14 days ago, then President George W. Bush initiated a war against the soveriegn nation of Iraq. Ostensibly in the interest of preventing more terrorist attacks, it was more of a whim, rationalized via ginned up "evidence". Hundreds of billions of dollars later (not to mention thousands of lives), this dark chapter in our nation's history is coming to an end.
As of today, the U.S. has handed the "keys" to the presidential palace over to the Iraqis:
This is a huge step forward for those of us who marched against the war in 2005, and have been pushing for our exit since. It has been a huge black hole in terms of money and lives and our nation's psyche, made all the worse with the knowledge that the rationale was all lies. We can all exhale now, and focus on ensuring the vets of that conflict get the medical and mental care they need, and a hand-up as they return to civilian life.
The other conflict in the Middle East still drags on. With the al-Qaeda and Taliban soldiers fighting a guerilla war and using Pakistan as a hideout (in some cases - with the blessing of Pakistan), tensions have grown between Pakistan and the U.S. A recent NATO airstrike that unintentionally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers has heightened tensions further.
Pakistan is irate, and demanding the U.S. apologize, something the U.S. says it will not do:
The problem, it seems, is that Pakistan authorized the airstrike:
It's a huge mess when the border is so porous. This is the problem with Pakistan playing both sides. This can only get uglier. Perhaps the U.S. should hand off Afghanistan to Pakistan, since they seem so keen on maintaining the status quo with their neighbor. Maybe if they truly felt the weight of responsibility and the danger of dancing with the devil, they'd change their position.
As of today, the U.S. has handed the "keys" to the presidential palace over to the Iraqis:
The handover of Victory Base marks a major milestone in the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq as Washington consolidates its presence in Baghdad at its huge embassy on the Tigris River in the capital’s heavily fortified Green Zone.
Only 12,000 troops remain, down from a peak of about 170,000 at the height of the war. Almost all of the remaining forces are due to leave Iraq by the end of this year, except for a small contingent of under 200 attached to the U.S. embassy.
“The Victory Base Complex was officially signed over to the receivership of the Iraqi government this morning,” Colonel Barry Johnson, a U.S. military spokesman, said by email. “The base is no longer under U.S. control and is now under the full authority of the Government of Iraq.”
This is a huge step forward for those of us who marched against the war in 2005, and have been pushing for our exit since. It has been a huge black hole in terms of money and lives and our nation's psyche, made all the worse with the knowledge that the rationale was all lies. We can all exhale now, and focus on ensuring the vets of that conflict get the medical and mental care they need, and a hand-up as they return to civilian life.
The other conflict in the Middle East still drags on. With the al-Qaeda and Taliban soldiers fighting a guerilla war and using Pakistan as a hideout (in some cases - with the blessing of Pakistan), tensions have grown between Pakistan and the U.S. A recent NATO airstrike that unintentionally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers has heightened tensions further.
Pakistan is irate, and demanding the U.S. apologize, something the U.S. says it will not do:
The White House on Thursday dismissed the notion of offering an apology to Pakistan over the NATO air strikes that killed 24 soldiers, insisting an inquiry was still ongoing as to how the men died.
“I, speaking for the White House and the president, offered condolences on behalf of him, the administration, the American people, for the tragic loss of life,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters. “It was a tragedy.”
But he and other US officials have stopped short of offering any apology.
The problem, it seems, is that Pakistan authorized the airstrike:
Pakistan said the attack was unprovoked, with officials calling it an act of blatant aggression.
U.S. officials, quoted in the Wall Street Journal, said Pakistani officials cleared the air strike unaware they had troops in the area.
The U.S. officials, giving their first detailed explanation of the worst friendly-fire incident of the 10-year-old war, said an Afghan-led assault force that included U.S. commandos was hunting Taliban militants when it came under fire from an encampment along the border with Pakistan, the Journal said in an online report.
The commandos thought they were being fired on by militants but the attackers turned out to be Pakistani military personnel, they were quoted as saying.
It's a huge mess when the border is so porous. This is the problem with Pakistan playing both sides. This can only get uglier. Perhaps the U.S. should hand off Afghanistan to Pakistan, since they seem so keen on maintaining the status quo with their neighbor. Maybe if they truly felt the weight of responsibility and the danger of dancing with the devil, they'd change their position.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 12/02/2011 14:09:19
good morning!
Raine on 12/02/2011 14:09:19
good morning!
Comment by 
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 14:13:56
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 14:13:56
Morning 
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 14:26:21
Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 14:26:21
Morning mon peeps. Raine how is the pain behind your eye?
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 14:29:41
Raine on 12/02/2011 14:29:41
Good news:
Senators ultimately reached an agreement to amend the bill to make clear it's not the bill's intent to allow for the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens and others legally residing in the country.
"It would provide the assurance that we are not adversely affecting the rights of American citizens in this language," Levin said while expressing support for the compromise.
"It supports present law," Feinstein added.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 14:30:30
It's much, much better.
Thanks for asking! (Yes I Was a living PSA for a few days there.)
Raine on 12/02/2011 14:30:30
Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning mon peeps. Raine how is the pain behind your eye?
Thanks for asking! (Yes I Was a living PSA for a few days there.)
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 14:38:10
I woke up with a sinus thing myself this morning. Downed one of my meth precursors and that did the trick.
Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 14:38:10
Quote by Raine:It's much, much better.Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning mon peeps. Raine how is the pain behind your eye?
Thanks for asking! (Yes I Was a living PSA for a few days there.)
I woke up with a sinus thing myself this morning. Downed one of my meth precursors and that did the trick.
Comment by 
BobR on 12/02/2011 14:46:29
BobR on 12/02/2011 14:46:29
blog is posted. Sorry for the delay.
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2011 14:47:49
It's not a new phenomenon: Why Paint Cats?
UPDATE: Image Search Results
BobR on 12/02/2011 14:47:49
Quote by Raine:
I hate and love this at the same time.
It's not a new phenomenon: Why Paint Cats?
UPDATE: Image Search Results
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 14:52:38
Raine on 12/02/2011 14:52:38
Pakistan is a total mess.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 14:54:07
Raine on 12/02/2011 14:54:07
Ugh. Mala, this is not good news.... Sexy Liberal says:
As Stephanie announced this am- PHILADELPHIA 2/4/12- only area appearance in the 11-12 season! Get tickets now:
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2011 15:15:16
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 15:15:16
Hey don't laugh but I did ask when I liked a house if anyone had died in it or it there was anything kinda unexplained going on.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 15:15:31
Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 15:15:31
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2011 15:16:14
The only east coast appearance? why do they hate the east coast? /pout/
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 15:16:14
Quote by Raine:
Ugh. Mala, this is not good news.... Sexy Liberal says:As Stephanie announced this am- PHILADELPHIA 2/4/12- only area appearance in the 11-12 season! Get tickets now:
The only east coast appearance? why do they hate the east coast? /pout/
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 15:26:06
Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 15:26:06
"Feckless" is the word that comes to mind when I think of our "ally" Pakistan.
In other musings my favorite place name in in New York has to be Ronkonkoma. If it were a food, it would be very crunchy because of the the hard "r," "k," "n" and "m." Discuss if you want.
In other musings my favorite place name in in New York has to be Ronkonkoma. If it were a food, it would be very crunchy because of the the hard "r," "k," "n" and "m." Discuss if you want.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 15:47:46
I was always afraid to swim in Lake Ronkonkoma.
Raine on 12/02/2011 15:47:46
Quote by Mondobubba:
"Feckless" is the word that comes to mind when I think of our "ally" Pakistan.
In other musings my favorite place name in in New York has to be Ronkonkoma. If it were a food, it would be very crunchy because of the the hard "r," "k," "n" and "m." Discuss if you want.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:03:01
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:03:01
okay wait - Boenher isn't "impressed" by the lowering of the unemployment rate when they just voted to try and put federal workers out of jobs...really? why do I think the average new's viewer will not put 2 & 2 together on that
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:04:07
Not too racist there, Newt
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:04:07
“Really poor children, in really poor neighborhoods have no habits of working and have nobody around them who works so they have no habit of showing up on Monday,†he insisted. “They have no habit of staying all day, they have no habit of I do this and you give me cash, unless it is illegal.â€
Not too racist there, Newt
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:05:26
THAT the spin the GOP is taking???
You know, the numbers would have been a lot better if it weren't for the fact that so many STATES have laid off PUBLIC employees.
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:05:26
Quote by wickedpam:
okay wait - Boenher isn't "impressed" by the lowering of the unemployment rate when they just voted to try and put federal workers out of jobs...really? why do I think the average new's viewer will not put 2 & 2 together on that
You know, the numbers would have been a lot better if it weren't for the fact that so many STATES have laid off PUBLIC employees.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:08:33
just heard it on the news break on Green960
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:08:33
Quote by Raine:THAT the spin the GOP is taking???Quote by wickedpam:
okay wait - Boenher isn't "impressed" by the lowering of the unemployment rate when they just voted to try and put federal workers out of jobs...really? why do I think the average new's viewer will not put 2 & 2 together on that
You know, the numbers would have been a lot better if it weren't for the fact that so many STATES have laid off PUBLIC employees.
just heard it on the news break on Green960
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:18:07
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:18:07
Wow....
While Herman Cain weighs whether to stay in the race after being accused of carrying on a decade-plus affair, the campaign is looking to repair the damage his various alleged improprieties have caused with women supporters. His website just went live with a new “Women For Cain†section where female supporters can share their stories —and slam his accusers as “vindictive,†“jealous,†“unstable,†and “husbandless.â€
The initiative, the site says, is chaired by his wife, Gloria Cain, who has been virtually 100% absent from the campaign trail so far and only recently gave her first interview — and that was after canceling previous ones first.
“Mr. Cain has been a strong advocate for women throughout his lifetime, defending and promoting the issues of quality health care, family, education, equality in the workplace and many other concerns so important to American women,†the website reads.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:20:04
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:20:04
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2011 16:20:49
Not a lot of "sistahs" in that picture
BobR on 12/02/2011 16:20:49
Quote by Raine:
Not a lot of "sistahs" in that picture
Comment by 
Scoopster on 12/02/2011 16:25:29
Scoopster on 12/02/2011 16:25:29
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee..
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:25:32
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:25:32
Read the comments... I happened to click on one lady's pic. Sheesh!
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:29:05
Comment at the bottom:
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:29:05
Comment at the bottom: Warner Robins
WARNER ROBINS, GA
"testing"
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:32:25
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:32:25
DC Sexy Liberal rumour I just heard - DC in Oct 2012 Warner theater (personally I think that's kind small)
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 16:34:30
Is the lake full of icky?
Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 16:34:30
Quote by Raine:I was always afraid to swim in Lake Ronkonkoma.Quote by Mondobubba:
"Feckless" is the word that comes to mind when I think of our "ally" Pakistan.
In other musings my favorite place name in in New York has to be Ronkonkoma. If it were a food, it would be very crunchy because of the the hard "r," "k," "n" and "m." Discuss if you want.
Is the lake full of icky?
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2011 16:34:52
BobR on 12/02/2011 16:34:52
Quote by Raine:
Read the comments... I happened to click on one lady's pic. Sheesh!
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:39:10
The lake takes sacrifices.
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:39:10
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I was always afraid to swim in Lake Ronkonkoma.Quote by Mondobubba:
"Feckless" is the word that comes to mind when I think of our "ally" Pakistan.
In other musings my favorite place name in in New York has to be Ronkonkoma. If it were a food, it would be very crunchy because of the the hard "r," "k," "n" and "m." Discuss if you want.
Is the lake full of icky?
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:40:02
Click.
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:40:02
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
Read the comments... I happened to click on one lady's pic. Sheesh!
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:44:00
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:44:00
wow - selfish much?
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:44:48
wickedpam on 12/02/2011 16:44:48
loopholes ass, people who make more money get access to loopholes
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 16:47:25
Sounds charming.
Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 16:47:25
Quote by Raine:The lake takes sacrifices.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I was always afraid to swim in Lake Ronkonkoma.Quote by Mondobubba:
"Feckless" is the word that comes to mind when I think of our "ally" Pakistan.
In other musings my favorite place name in in New York has to be Ronkonkoma. If it were a food, it would be very crunchy because of the the hard "r," "k," "n" and "m." Discuss if you want.
Is the lake full of icky?
Sounds charming.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 16:49:42
Squuuuueeeeeeeeeeeee!
Mondobubba on 12/02/2011 16:49:42
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee..
Squuuuueeeeeeeeeeeee!
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:58:35
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:58:35
Lake Ronkonkoma
Lady of the Lake
A supposed Native American princess that committed suicide by drowning herself in the lake during the colonial era. There are several variations of the legend, most of which lead to the princess intentionally drowning herself. It is said that at least once a year, a virile and attractive male between the ages of 18 and 28 is "taken" by the lady to be her lover. Mysteriously, there is truth to the claims that at least one male within that age range drowns in the lake at regular intervals, but drownings are common in any lake that is open to the public. It is perhaps the accuracy that it is typically a male within that age range that makes the story more mysterious.
The most widely acknowledged interpretation of the legend is that a Native American Princess fell in love with a European settler. Forbidden to pursue such love, the princess was forced into an arranged marriage but their love persisted. One evening, she tried to swim across the lake to her lover, suffered fatigue and drowned. She returns every year to claim a man to be with her at the bottom of the lake. Other interpretations say that she rowed to the middle of the lake in a canoe to await the coming of her lover, but when he did not come for her she commit suicide by drowning herself. Another similar variation of the legend states that she rowed to the middle of the lake to await him, and as he swam out to her, he fatigued and drowned. Overwhelmed with grief, she drowned herself to join him. Another still states that the princess was so overwhelmed with grief and sadness that she was to be in an arranged marriage, she drowned herself in protest.
.............
The Bottomless Lake
Rumored to have no bottom, Lake Ronkonkoma has deep depressions that seem to go on forever. It is impossible for a human being to go all the way to the bottom unassisted as the depressions are well in excess of 50 feet (15 m). A diving expedition in the early half of the 20th century revealed just how deep these depressions go, but myths continue to persist of the "bottomless lake". Such rumors include the presence of a "whirlpool" in the dead center of the lake that drags people down into the bottomless hole where they drown and are never seen again. Similarly, it is said that the deepest depression forms an underground tunnel that empties out into Long Island Sound, and through this tunnel myriad creatures from the sea pour in. A popular rumor among wildly imaginative kids is that the depressions are gateways to Hell.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 16:59:19
indeed.
and he was a selfish ash.
Raine on 12/02/2011 16:59:19
Quote by wickedpam:
loopholes ass, people who make more money get access to loopholes
and he was a selfish ash.
Comment by 
TriSec on 12/02/2011 17:02:30
TriSec on 12/02/2011 17:02:30
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 17:02:47
Raine on 12/02/2011 17:02:47
Rev Sharpton just tweeted about Ali:
I just spoke to Mrs. Lanni Ali, wife of the champ Muhammed Ali. She even let me say hello to him. He is HOME and doing fine. No hospital.
Comment by 
clintster on 12/02/2011 17:13:02
Welllll, to be fair... I don't actually have a husband.
clintster on 12/02/2011 17:13:02
Quote by Raine:
Wow....While Herman Cain weighs whether to stay in the race after being accused of carrying on a decade-plus affair, the campaign is looking to repair the damage his various alleged improprieties have caused with women supporters. His website just went live with a new “Women For Cain†section where female supporters can share their stories —and slam his accusers as “vindictive,†“jealous,†“unstable,†and “husbandless.â€
The initiative, the site says, is chaired by his wife, Gloria Cain, who has been virtually 100% absent from the campaign trail so far and only recently gave her first interview — and that was after canceling previous ones first.
“Mr. Cain has been a strong advocate for women throughout his lifetime, defending and promoting the issues of quality health care, family, education, equality in the workplace and many other concerns so important to American women,†the website reads.
Welllll, to be fair... I don't actually have a husband.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 17:20:23
Hi Clint!
Raine on 12/02/2011 17:20:23
Quote by clintster:
Welllll, to be fair... I don't actually have a husband.
Hi Clint!
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 17:31:10
Raine on 12/02/2011 17:31:10
OK, this women for Cain site is killing me...
PLEASE don't give up. Speak up loud and clear that you are not giving up, and let Gloria speak out again. I'll admit that when I heard that you sent $ to a woman w/out your wife knowing, it gave me pause.. I wouldn't appreciate my hubby sending $ to another woman w/out my approval... but then I thought about and discussed it with everyone I know. We came to the conclusion that you're a good man worth the benefit of the doubt.
Comment by clintster on 12/02/2011 17:34:58
clintster on 12/02/2011 17:34:58
Comment by 
livingonli on 12/02/2011 17:38:59
livingonli on 12/02/2011 17:38:59
Good day folks. Somehow I don't think Gloria is behind that Cain site. I smell a Koch Brothers accolade who hasn't yet decided to throw him under the bus.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 17:46:10
Take a closer look.
Down at the bottom....
Club For Growth
Raine on 12/02/2011 17:46:10
Quote by livingonli:
Good day folks. Somehow I don't think Gloria is behind that Cain site. I smell a Koch Brothers accolade who hasn't yet decided to throw him under the bus.
Down at the bottom....
Club For Growth
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 17:50:57
Raine on 12/02/2011 17:50:57
Oh this is nice. Not too bigoted...
Seriously, Someone is letting people post this crap -- this one was under the encouragement section of the Cain site.
I will be praying for Mrs. Cain, so she can grow a thick skin for the future. Please bring her everywhere with you on your campaign from now on. She can only help you. I promise you, your sweet wife vs butch bully Michelle Obama as First Lady -- makes it an EASY CHOICE for Americans!! "
Seriously, Someone is letting people post this crap -- this one was under the encouragement section of the Cain site.
Comment by livingonli on 12/02/2011 17:51:47
Even better. I'm waiting for when Gloria is going to announce that she is divorcing his ass.
livingonli on 12/02/2011 17:51:47
Quote by Raine:Take a closer look.Quote by livingonli:
Good day folks. Somehow I don't think Gloria is behind that Cain site. I smell a Koch Brothers accolade who hasn't yet decided to throw him under the bus.
Down at the bottom....
Club For Growth
Even better. I'm waiting for when Gloria is going to announce that she is divorcing his ass.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2011 17:53:02
SAY WHAT????? (this was posted today. As a matter of fact --- it appears that EVERYTHING was posted today or yesterday)
Raine on 12/02/2011 17:53:02
"All I have to say is you must have really and truly scared a certain person in the White House! I for one did not believe the allegations against you from day one. Why? I prayed. What I heard was two simple words, "False accusers." Today Martin Luther King Jr's daughter was being interviewed and she made such great points about you. She believes in your candidacy and so do I. Keep your head up and know the truth shall prevail."
Comment by livingonli on 12/02/2011 17:54:34
livingonli on 12/02/2011 17:54:34
I wonder if the lack of East Coast gigs for Sexy Liberal may be tied to the lack of radio affiliates (especially since they lost a number of them). It looks like the only East Coast markets that Momma is in now are Boston, Buffalo, and Asheville. The show has disappeared from the New York, DC, Miami, Rochester, Binghamton, and I guess Burlington airwaves.