Last Throes

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Insurgent attacks in the last six months have killed more than 8,000 Iraqi civilians, police and troops, according to Iraq's interior minister.

Meanwhile Thursday, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad said the Iraqi insurgency had probably reached its "high water mark" over the past 12 months.

In an interview with CNN, Iraqi Interior Minister Baqir Jabbur said "terrorists" had killed 8,175 people and wounded another 12,000 since January 2005.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, there have been 307 U.S. fatalities in combat during the same period.

Jabbur said he was optimistic about the recent strides made by Iraqi security forces and predicted victory in the war against insurgents.

"We have a plan, and I think we need some months and we can get results ... We are surrounding the insurgency," he said.

Unofficial estimates of Iraqi civilian deaths during the Iraq war range from about 22,000 -- according to the Web site iraqbodycount.net -- to about 100,000 -- from an independent survey reported in The Washington Post. The Pentagon does not give numbers for civilian deaths in Iraq.

Jabbur said he believed the U.S. has enough troops deployed in Iraq. He said Wednesday the focus needed to remain on the training of more Iraqi troops and police.

Jabbur said the Iraqi-led counterinsurgency operation dubbed "Operation Lightning" has so far yielded 1,500 arrests of suspected insurgents around Baghdad. Of those, 500 have been released, Interior Ministry officials said.

He said Iraqi and American troops were poised to start a second phase of the operation, extending the reach of the campaign to a 60-kilometer (38-mile) radius around Baghdad.

Jabbur's office is in charge of Iraq's police force, which he said now numbers about 67,000.

The ministry hopes to recruit a total of 200,000, but financial restraints are complicating efforts to outfit them with weapons and equipment, he said.

Show Me The Money

Raise the minimum wage? Nah...poor fuck's get no love.

Congress needs a few extra grand? Fuck yeah, let's give ourselves a raise.

Your Rep in Congress just game himself a $3,100 "cost of living" increase ( 3.1 pay increase), bringing his yearly pay up to a sweet $165,200.

Let's see, a minimum wage worker would have to flip a lot of burgers for many hours, days, months and years to make $165,200 since Congress has refused to raise the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour for nine years now.

Republicans reason that if you raise the minimum wage, companies won't be able to afford to pay them, so then they'll fire them.

What a crock of shit. The companies that employ minimum wage workers are billion-dollar corps who I think can't spare a penny or two, especially since prices for such goods continue to go up, up and away - out of the price rage of the minimum wage workers who produce such product.

I guess the cost of living only goes up for Congressmen!

Fuckers.

President's Speech...sound familiar?

Let's play a game, shall we. I'm going to post quotes from Bush's speech tonight and a speech by Bush over a year and a half ago. See if you can tell the difference.

WHAT DO TERRORIST DO?
THEN: This crime shows our enemy's intention to prevent Iraqi self-government, even if that means killing a lifelong Iraqi patriot and a faithful Muslim.
NOW: The terrorists know that the outcome will leave them emboldened or defeated. So they are waging a campaign of murder and destruction. And there is no limit to the innocent lives they are willing to take.

WHAT WE SEE
THEN: We've also seen images of a young American facing decapitation
NOW: Like most Americans, I see the images of violence and bloodshed. Every picture is horrifying, and the suffering is real.

WHERE
THEN: Iraq is now the central front in the war on terror.
NOW: Some wonder whether Iraq is a central front in the war on terror. Among the terrorists, there is no debate.

WHY
THEN: This will be a decisive blow to terrorism at the heart of its power, and a victory for the security of America and the civilized world.
NOW: And when the Middle East grows in democracy and prosperity and hope, the terrorists will lose their sponsors, lose their recruits and lose their hopes for turning that region into a base for attacks on America and our allies around the world.

LIFE IS HARD & SO IS IRAQ
THEN: Our work in Iraq has been hard.
NOW: Our progress has been uneven, but progress is being made.

TERRORIST...THEY'RE ALL THE SAME
THEN: They hope to wear out the patience of Americans, our coalition, and Iraqis before the arrival of effective self-government, and before Iraqis have the capability to defend their freedom.
NOW: They are trying to shake our will in Iraq, just as they tried to shake our will on September 11, 2001. They will fail.

IF YOU WAIVER, YOU'RE A PUSSY & BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU'RE A PUSSY
THEN: Terrorists are likely to become more active and more brutal. There are difficult days ahead, and the way forward may sometimes appear chaotic.
NOW: The only way our enemies can succeed is if we forget the lessons of September the 11th, if we abandon the Iraqi people to men like Zarqawi and if we yield the future of the Middle East to men like bin Laden.

ALRIGHT, OFFENSE! FUCK YEAH!
THEN: Yet our coalition is strong, our efforts are focused and unrelenting, and no power of the enemy will stop Iraq's progress.
NOW: The principal task of our military is to find and defeat the terrorists. And that is why we are on the offense.

THE SOCCOR MOM In KANSAS CAN RELAX, WE'RE SAFER...REALLY
THEN: And by removing a source of terrorist violence and instability in the Middle East, we also make our own country more secure.
NOW: The rise of freedom in this vital region will eliminate the conditions that feed radicalism and ideologies of murder and make our nation safer.

PASSING THE BUCK 101 - IT'S NOT MY FAULT
THEN: Our commanders had estimated that a troop level below 115,000 would be sufficient at this point in the conflict. If they need more troops, I will send them.
NOW: If our commanders on the ground say we need more troops, I will send them. But our commanders tell me they have the number of troops they need to do their job.

QUICK...YOU HAVEN'T SAID 9/11 IN FOUR SENTENCES
THEN: Americans have seen the flames of September the 11th
NOW: The war reached our shores on September 11, 2001.

NOW THROW IN A LAUNDRY LIST OF BAD THINGS THE BAD MEN HAVE DONE
THEN: We've seen killers at work on trains in Madrid, in a bank in Istanbul, at a synagogue in Tunis, and at a nightclub in Bali.
NOW: To achieve these aims, they have continued to kill: in Madrid, Istanbul, Jakarta, Casablanca, Riyadh, Bali and elsewhere.

DOESN'T THIS BEST DESCRIBE A FEW OF OUR ALLIES?
THEN: Terrorist enemies have a vision that guides and explains all their varied acts of murder. They seek to impose Taliban-like rule, country by country, across the greater Middle East.
NOW: The terrorists believe that free societies are essentially corrupt and decadent and, with a few hard blows, they can force us to retreat. They are mistaken.

WHAT DO THE TERRORIST WANT AGAIN? I FORGOT ALREADY
THEN: They commit dramatic acts of murder to shock, frighten and demoralize civilized nations, hoping we will retreat from the world and give them free rein
NOW: The terrorists who attacked us and the terrorists we face murder in the name of a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance and despises all dissent.

AND WHO ARE THEY AGAIN...ONE MORE TIME, I PROMISE
THEN: elements of Saddam's repressive regime and secret police have reorganized, rearmed, and adopted sophisticated terrorist tactics. They've linked up with foreign fighters and terrorists.
NOW: They are making common cause with criminal elements, Iraqi insurgents and remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime who want to restore the old order.

SO, WHO'S WINNING THIS DAMN THING?
THEN: America's armed forces are performing brilliantly, with all the skill and honor we expect of them
NOW: And in the past month, Iraqi forces have led a major anti- terrorist campaign in Baghdad called Operation Lightning, which has led to the capture of hundreds of suspected insurgents.

HAVEN'T WE BEEN TRAINING THESE GUYS FOREVER ALREADY?
THEN: A new team of senior military officers is now assessing every unit in Iraq's security forces. I've asked this team to oversee the training of a force of 260,000 Iraqi soldiers, police, and other security personnel.
NOW: Thousands of coalition troops are involved in the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces.

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE - THE PERSONAL, TOUCHING STORY ABOUT MEETING WITH THE LITTLE PEOPLE
THEN: This weekend, at a Fort Hood hospital, I presented a Purple Heart to some of our wounded, had the honor of thanking them on behalf of all Americans.
NOW: I've met with families grieving the loss of loved ones who were taken from us too soon. I've been inspired by their strength in the face of such great loss.

JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE TOTAL COUNT FOR KEYWORDS:
Terror/Terrorist/Terrorism: 25 Times
9/11: 6 Times
Bid Laden: 1 (But it was to quote him)
WMD: 0

It's almost sad to watch the American President these days. Unable to use the color-code freak show to scare Americans to support him, the president is forced to use the U.S. army as props to remind us all, if we're against him, then we must be for the terrorist. If you question the war or question his motives or plans, then the terrorist have won. If you speak out against the Administration's failures, you're then your risking the troops' lives. Of course he's the one that can't supply them with the proper armor for their bodies or their rides, but it's really Democrats fault they're dying, right Karl Rove?

But once again, all he manage to do was demostrate to all of us that his foots stuck in the mud in Iraq, and he's the only one to blame for it. Like Powell said, Bush broke it, he owns it. But let's give the President props on one thing. He's right, we're not going anywhere...we can't! Any person who wants to walk out of Iraq now is wrong. Sorry, no timetable...the funny part is, George Bush disagrees with himself on this one.

In 1999, George W. Bush criticized President Clinton for not setting a timetable for exiting Kosovo, and yet he refuses to apply the same standard to his war. George W. Bush, 4/9/99: “Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is.” And on the specific need for a timetable, here’s what Bush said then and what he says now: George W. Bush, 6/5/99 “I think it’s also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn.”

I've said it before, so please believe me now...we will have troops in Iraq for the next twenty years; maybe even thirty. The funny part is; I could have told you this before the war started; but your President, your vice-President and your Defense Secretary...they couldn't.

Big Bird is a Nazi

The great thing about conservatives is how good they are at picking an issue and attacking it from all side over and over and over again.

Recently, Republicans in Congress are going after National Public Television. In their small brains, they have decided that it's tooooo liberal to their liking...so they're trying to starve it to death by cutting their federal funded budget. Luckily for the rest of us sane people, its failing.

But it doesn't mean it won't keep trying. You remember the big uproar over Durbin using the Nazi reference. So strange since the fuckhead righties have no problem throwing it out.

This is a great example of why you should always check out the other side's thoughts.


This is one of the many great photos on The American Spector web site. If you don't have a weak stomach, you can check it out here. Read all about why Big Bird is a Nazi. Did you ever wonder why liberals are really socialist, then check it out. Do you want to buy a "ACLU are Commies" t-shirt. I know I do. And finally, they explain in full detail how Dick Durbin is morphing into Jane Fonda.
Fucking Awesome stuff!!

If you rather avoid their site, but you want to see all the crap, go to Catch.com!

Who said it?

"Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."

-Hermann Goering 4/18/46, when the gig was up

From Americablog.org

We went to Iraq - Reason #26

Michael Long, Chairman of the New York Conservataive Party (Yeah, I never knew there was one either), commenting on Senator Hillary Clinton's demand for an apologize from Karl Rove (who basically called all Liberals Pussy's) said, "If anyone should apologize to the people it should be Sen. Clinton for her failure to support a flag amendment when people died for our freedom protecting the flag."

Thank God, we finally learn the REAL reason why we are fighting in Iraq...to protect the flag.

Crooks are people too

You gotta love Gov. Vilsack...and not just because his name makes you think of ball sacks. Ha-Ha, he said ball sack. But he's actually a decent guy and good governor.

I've always said, which means I'm going to say it again...it makes no sense that a felon can't vote. Think about it? If you commit a crime, get busted, serve time (or community service), complete the whole rehabiliation process, then why can't you be able to vote? Right now they don't because a unfair majority of felones in this country are minority and who do minorities usually vote for? I'll give you a hint...it's not Republicans.

Critics of course say this will hurt "efforts to curb crime." Please, please, please explain that one to me. Do they really believe that some criminal about to rob a 7-11 is going to say, oh wait! I shouldn't do this because if I do, I run the risk of getting caught and losing the opportunity to vote ever again! Screw this shit. I'm gettin' a job.

Fuck those morons. Nice job Ballsack, I mean, Vilsack, great step in the right direction in Iowa.

Iowa Gov. to Restore Felons' Voting Rights

Gov. Tom Vilsack said Friday he will soon sign an order restoring the voting rights of convicted felons who have served their sentences.

Currently, felons can apply for the right to vote, but it must be approved by the state's parole board and the governor in a lengthy process.

Vilsack, a Democrat, said the current system is too time-consuming and unfairly affects minorities. His executive order would automatically restore felons' voting rights upon completion of their sentences.

"This action we take is not going to be a pardon," Vilsack said at a news conference surrounded by dozens of civil rights activists. "When you've paid your debt to society, you need to be reconnected to society."

Want more, go surg the AP!

That's What Friends Are For!

With friends like these, who needs Terrorist.

Uzbek Ministries in Crackdown Received U.S. Aid

MOSCOW, June 17 - Uzbek law enforcement and security ministries implicated by witnesses in the deadly crackdown in the city of Andijon last month have for years received training and equipment from counterterrorism programs run by the United States, according to American officials and Congressional records.

The security aid, provided by several United States agencies, has been intended in part to improve the abilities of soldiers and law enforcement officers from the Uzbek intelligence service, military and Ministry of Internal Affairs, the national law enforcement service. Besides equipment aid, at least hundreds of special forces soldiers and security officers, many of whom fight terrorism, have received training.

Witnesses and American officials say the Uzbek Army, law enforcement and intelligence service were all present at the crackdown. Among them was a special Internal Affairs counterterrorism unit known as Bars, which has two or three members who trained in a course sponsored by the State Department for crisis-response commanders in Louisiana in 2004, according to the State Department...keep reading at NY TIMES

Boycott Bitch!

If a boycott falls in the woods, would anyone here it?

The American Family Association has called off its nine year boycott of everything Disney because Disney was friendly to gays, claiming victory no less. Let's see, Disney is about to celebrate it's 15th annual Gay Day, they still over family benefits to gay employees and they own ABC which produces the hit show "Desperate Housewives" which features middle-aged woman bangin' the teenage garden boy...you have no love those unknown boycotts from Christian groups out of Mississippi that you've never heard of. In fact, I can't think of anything good that's come out of Mississippi...except the Mud Pie...Mmmmmm Mud Pie.

Christian group calls off Disney boycott

A major Christian conservative organization called off its nine-year boycott of the Walt Disney Co. on Monday, citing "positive signs" that the company had moved away from its "arrogance" and "embrace of the homosexual lifestyle."

"The boycott of Disney is now a matter of personal conviction, rather than a matter of [American Family Association] ministry emphasis," Tim Wildmon, AFA president, said in a statement posted on the group's Web site.

The move comes nearly one week before the 15th anniversary celebration of Gay Day at Disney World in Florida, set for June 1. The AFA cited the annual theme park party as one of the reasons for initiating the boycott in 1996, and the event remains a "troubling stain on the Mouse House," according to the AFA's site.

READ THE REST HERE!