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Author: TriSec    Date: 03/04/2008 11:54:50

Good Morning.

Today is our 1,812th day in Iraq.

We'll start this morning as we always do, with the latest casualty figures courtesy of Antiwar.com:

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 3973
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 3834
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3512
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3115
Since Election (1/31/05): 2535

Today's Cost of War nearing a significant milestone as it passes through $ 499, 615, 000, 000.00



We arise this morning to new sanctions on Iran. UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The Security Council tightened UN sanctions on Iran Monday for refusing to halt nuclear fuel work as six major powers offered to resume talks with the Islamic Republic to end the standoff.

Fourteen of the council's 15 members voted in favor of Resolution 1803, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, which slapped a third set of economic and trade sanctions on Iran in 15 months.

Indonesia abstained during the vote which was presided over by Russia, the council chair for March.

But Libya, South Africa and Vietnam, which joined Indonesia in expressing reservations about the need for fresh sanctions at a time when Iran is cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), voted in favor in the end.

After the vote, the six powers trying to scale back Iran's nuclear ambitions issued a statement calling for new talks between EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iran's nuclear negotiator.

"We have asked Javier Solana to meet with Dr. Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council," British ambassador John Sawers said on behalf of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

The six reconfirmed and pledged to expand a 2006 offer of economic and trade incentives to Iran in exchange for a freeze of its uranium enrichment activities which the West fears is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said his government was "pleased to see the Security Council has recognized the continuing threat posed by Iran's nuclear program through this vote on additional sanctions."

Speaking ahead of the vote, Iran's UN Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee blasted what he called an "unjust and irrational decision" which he said "undermines the integrity and credibility" of the council.

Accusing the resolution's Western sponsors of pursuing "a politically motivated agenda," he said his country would not comply with demands it views as not "legitimate."

"Any irrational and unlawful act will not help resolve Iran's nuclear issue. It will complicate the dealings around this issue and it will become more difficult," said Iran's Atomic Energy Organization deputy head Mohammad Saeedi.

The Security Council vote came as IAEA chief Mohammed ElBaradei pressed Iran to clear up allegations that it was involved in covert nuclear weapons work.

"I urge Iran to be as active and as cooperative as possible in working with the agency to clarify this matter of serious concern," ElBaradei told the IAEA's 35-member board of governors in Vienna.

The resolution gives Iran three months to comply with UN and IAEA demands to suspend uranium enrichment and reprocessing to help restore international confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear program or face new sanctions.

It includes an outright ban on travel by officials involved in Tehran's nuclear and missile programs, and broadens a list of individuals and entities subject to an assets freeze.

It calls for inspections of shipments to and from Iran if there are suspicions of prohibited goods and urges states to "exercise vigilance" in entering into new commitments for public-provided financial support for trade with Iran, including the granting of export credits.

It also urges vigilance in dealing with "all banks domiciled in Iran, in particular Bank Melli and Bank Saderat and their branches and subsidiaries based abroad."

Sawers warned Iranian leaders not to "worsen still further their international isolation" and instead to "listen to what the international community is saying rather than misleading their people by misrepresenting our actions and the IAEA reports."
.

I'm sure they'll work wonders and bring Iran back in line with US expectations.


Our friends at IAVA have been quiet during the long winter, but late last week they did post a snippet....do you think veterans are having enough problems with finances, long separations from their families, stress, casualties, and everything else? Add the subprime mortgage crisis, too.
On Thursday, February 28, the House Committee on Veterans Affair’s Economic Opportunity Subcommittee held a hearing about the effect of the national subprime mortgage crisis on the veteran population. The committee Chairwoman, Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) said:

“Sixty four years after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt recognized the need to invest in our nation’s troops after their service to our country, we find ourselves needing to again address the needs of today’s service members, veterans and their dependents.

Today’s hearing provided the opportunity to assess how the current housing market affects our veterans and to determine if the VA’s home loan programs have a role to play in the foreclosures affecting our communities.”



I've had some computer problems this morning....so I'm going to stop here and hope this makes it through. I'll see you inside!

 

202 comments (Latest Comment: 03/05/2008 03:01:43 by livingonli)
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Comment by shelaghc on 03/04/2008 12:06:51
I'm just sayin'.....



http://pics.livejournal.com/shelaghc/pic/0008t3td/s320x240


Comment by TriSec on 03/04/2008 13:35:20
<-- TriSec, preparing to try to listen to at least part of Momma this morning...





Comment by shelaghc on 03/04/2008 14:14:09


Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 14:37:51
Quote by shelaghc:


You still got me!

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 14:37:58
Good morning everyone.



How is everyone this morning?

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:38:53
:yawn: good morning!

Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 14:39:56
Tri, Raine, Liv How are you guys?

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:41:51
Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:43:47
JohnMcCainisyourJalopy.com



Refresh often...

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:46:10
Quote by Grumpymann: Tri, Raine, Liv How are you guys?
heya There!

I am doin' ok this morning, still waking up... <-------- do your magic!





How are you...





Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 14:46:38
Quote by Raine: JohnMcCainisyourJalopy.com



Refresh often...


John McCain thinks you need a haircut, Hippy.

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:46:53
Quote by shelaghc: I'm just sayin'.....



http://pics.livejournal.com/shelaghc/pic/0008t3td/s320x240




Good Morning !



Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:49:08
Quote by livingonli: Good morning everyone.



How is everyone this morning?
Good mornin' Liv!



I am eagerly awaiting for the polls to CLOSE today.



Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:49:31
HEY!!!!

:clap:

Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 14:50:10
Quote by Raine: WTF?!?!?


you know if it were not for the fact that she was up against an inhuman rethug. I would not dream of her.



She is noxious.

Comment by TriSec on 03/04/2008 14:50:24
Well, so much for that idea.



Off to meetings now. Be back maybe for the last hour.



:kickcan:





Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:50:38
HEre is hoping that the weather holds up in Ohio today.

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:52:21
:clown: mentioned the johnmccainisyourjalopy.com

It is addicting, I tell you.



My fave so far? John McCain wears Velcro Sneakers...

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/04/2008 14:53:13
Morning.........? :yawn:



Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 14:57:39
Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 14:58:26
John McCain is not human!

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/04/2008 14:59:05
TriSec, I thought fer sure you'd mention this march (maybe you did last week, I'm not really awake and my brain is gone):



Winter Soldier



From March 13-16th, U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will testify to what is really happening day in and day out, on the ground in these occupations. To provide a preview, we've created this short film. The film features three members who will be testifying at Winter Soldier and includes videos and photographs of Iraq from their deployments. This video contains graphic content. We need your support to help make Winter Soldier a success.


Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 15:06:06
Poor Tri. The salt mine of meetings is the worst kind of salt.

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:06:53
Wikileaks is back online.



Now all we have to do is restore the rest of the First amendment.

Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 15:07:55
John McCain is trying to answer his wallet

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:07:59
A live blog?!?!



At Stephanie Miller.com? :(

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 15:08:30
They have their own blog. What about us?

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:08:45
Quote by Grumpymann: John McCain is trying to answer his wallet




Grump, are you crackin' out at the Jalopy? :D



Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 15:13:09




Poll: Republicans say Obama, Clinton smarter than McCain



..... Yeah......

Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 15:14:27
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Grumpymann: John McCain is trying to answer his wallet




Grump, are you crackin' out at the Jalopy? :D



Yes.....

I laughed till I pee Pee ed a little bit.....

Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 15:16:29
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Grumpymann: John McCain is trying to answer his wallet




Grump, are you crackin' out at the Jalopy? :D



This is my Fav.

"John McCain would remember where he put it if you would just shut up for a few minutes, Dolores"

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:18:03
Well, the blog is nice. No emoticons, or audicons. But it is nice.

Comment by BobR on 03/04/2008 15:19:09
Morning, folks... :coffee:

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:19:19
Quote by Grumpymann:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Grumpymann: John McCain is trying to answer his wallet




Grump, are you crackin' out at the Jalopy? :D



This is my Fav.

"John McCain would remember where he put it if you would just shut up for a few minutes, Dolores"




he really is a grumpy old great uncle!!!



Comment by BobR on 03/04/2008 15:19:46
Quote by Raine: Well, the blog is nice. No emoticons, or audicons. But it is nice.


StephanieMiller.com is blocked at work for me...

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 15:20:12
Morning BobR.



Blogs are more fun with emoticons and audiocons.

Comment by BobR on 03/04/2008 15:20:33
Quote by Raine: Well, the blog is nice. No emoticons, or audicons. But it is nice.


They should have asked me to design it! :D

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:21:35
Oh I see that the red names on the blog are those that have a website... :D







Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 15:21:41
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine: Well, the blog is nice. No emoticons, or audicons. But it is nice.


StephanieMiller.com is blocked at work for me...


That is good we need you here!

Comment by shelaghc on 03/04/2008 15:23:39
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine: Well, the blog is nice. No emoticons, or audicons. But it is nice.


They should have asked me to design it! :D




Yeah, but you have to go all the way to the bottom to get the new posts. I wish there was a way to reverse that.



Also, the colors are *so* in your face that it's harder for me to get away with it at the job.



At least 4F's colors are a bit more generic.



I can, however, understand why they'd put up their own blog. They have no content control here for one. I'm sure there are other legal issues as well.

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 15:25:11
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine: Well, the blog is nice. No emoticons, or audicons. But it is nice.


They should have asked me to design it! :D


That's for sure. It's quaint but needs to be a little more spiffy like this place.

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:26:31
Quote by shelaghc:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine: Well, the blog is nice. No emoticons, or audicons. But it is nice.


They should have asked me to design it! :D




Yeah, but you have to go all the way to the bottom to get the new posts. I wish there was a way to reverse that.



Also, the colors are *so* in your face that it's harder for me to get away with it at the job.



At least 4F's colors are a bit more generic.



I can, however, understand why they'd put up their own blog. They have no content control here for one. I'm sure there are other legal issues as well.
That is true, I can understand why as well.



The FAQ's say that they rarely will censor posts, we don't here either.







Comment by velveeta jones on 03/04/2008 15:28:47
Velveeta does NOT like the steph blog.......... its not Velveeta-friendly.*



*for dumb people.



:(

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 15:30:17
Quote by velveeta jones: Velveeta does NOT like the steph blog.......... its not Velveeta-friendly.*



*for dumb people.



:(


But you're not dumb. Dumb people couldn't write those Sunday blogs. :hug:



But it does need some more spiffy features.

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:33:37
Well My blogging just got more busy. *guh*







Comment by Grumpymann on 03/04/2008 15:34:06
Quote by velveeta jones: Velveeta does NOT like the steph blog.......... its not Velveeta-friendly.*



*for dumb people.



:(


Not at all Ms. Jones, there is no R after your name.

Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 15:34:40
Quote by Raine: Well My blogging just got more busy. *guh*







Now I have to three blog it.

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:35:25
well, please everyone, don't be afraid to put in FourFreedomsBlog.com into the website info...



Tis always nice to meet new friends. And maybe we could invite a few over for the Hartmann time of day and the flaven.

Comment by Raine on 03/04/2008 15:36:43
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by Raine: Well My blogging just got more busy. *guh*







Now I have to three blog it.
A blogier a Trois!



Comment by livingonli on 03/04/2008 15:38:04
Quote by Raine:
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by Raine: Well My blogging just got more busy. *guh*







Now I have to three blog it.
A blogier a Trois!



;)