Syria, eh?

From the Jerusalem Post:

The US is contemplating incursions into Syrian territory in an attempt to kill or capture Iraqi Ba'athists who, it believes, are directing at least part of the attacks against US targets in Iraq, a senior administration official told The Jerusalem Post.

The official said that fresh sanctions are likely to be implemented, but added that the US needs to be more "aggressive" after Tuesday's deadly attack on a US base in Mosul. The comment suggested that the US believes the attack on the mess tent, in which 22 people were killed, may have been coordinated from inside Syrian territory.

"I think the sanctions are one thing. But I think the other thing [the Syrians] have got to start worrying about is whether we would take cross-border military action in hot pursuit or something like that. In other words, nothing like full-scale military hostilities. But when you're being attacked from safe havens across the border – we've been through this a lot of times before – we're just not going to sit there.

[. . .]

Instead of going into Iraq with enough troops to seal the borders and keeping the bad guys from sneaking out, only to come back and fuck our asses later, we go 'with the Army we've got'. What in Hell are we gonna do (aside from bombing them back to the Stone Age) if the Syrians decide to fight back? Don't have the troops to handle the additional load, do we, Rummy? I'm waiting for my draft notice.

Could ya spare it?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Friday made Christmas Eve telephone calls to U.S. troops in Iraq to thank them for their sacrifice following a deadly suicide bombing at a U.S. base.

Bush called 10 troops, including six in Iraq, "to express his gratitude for their service and sacrifice and to wish them all a merry Christmas and happy holidays," White House spokesman Ken Lisaius said.

Bush made the calls from the Camp David presidential retreat.

[. . .]

Wow, ya called 10 guys while you're sittin' there, kickin' back at Camp David. Could ya' spare the time? Christmas is hard work. Did ya' break a sweat makin' those 10 phone calls, or did somebody actually dial the fucking phone for ya' too? What a miserable, incompetent fucking failure.

Nuke the whales

Or the equivalent:

The bones of beached whales show signs of decompression sickness - the "bends" suffered by deep-sea divers - which scientists believe could explain why some sea mammals are stranded en masse.

A study of the skeletons of sperm whales has found that many of them suffered from a type of bone damage normally associated with the bends, when bubbles of nitrogen form in the blood causing pain and distress.

The findings lend support to the theory that loud underwater noises produced during naval exercises using submarine sonar could startle whales and dolphins and cause them to surface more rapidly than they would normally.

[. . .]

Michael Moore and Greg Early, of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, found extensive damage, called osteonecrosis, to the bones of stranded sperm whales.

They suggest that this could support the idea that sea mammals in general are vulnerable to becoming stranded when they are startled into rising too soon from a deep dive.

[. . .]

I can't wait until the day we realize, the way the American Indians did thousands of years ago, that we are merely stewards of this planet, instead of the owners. We have the potential to do such great things in harmony with nature, instead of shitting it up. Thanks to 12thharmonic Blog for the link.

Saturday Cattle Dog Blogging

Attitude. Takes after her dad.

Christmas

Heading out in a little while to Mrs. F's brother's house. His wife is an Eye-talian and an outrageous cook (almost as good as Mrs. F), and on Christmas Eve she does the Fish-a-thon. From 6 until midnight, I'll do nothing but eat. And, as usual, Jews will outnumber every other religion around the table. Know what? It doesn't matter, because it's about goodwill to others. We'll be with people we love and care about. I think Jesus would have approved.

To all our readers and fellow bloggers, have a happy, healthy, safe, and most of all, a very Merry Christmas.

Note: I'll see you sometime tomorrow, when my hangover wears off

Bug the Krauts

Via RDF at Corrente:

. . . And call on the German Federal Prosecutor to INVESTIGATE RUMSFELD and other U.S. officials for war crimes at Abu Ghraib. See if that “big grin” is operative in a courtroom. . .

There's an email form letter you can electronically sign and it will be sent to the German Federal Prosecutor.

The Center for Constitutional Rights and four Iraqis who were tortured in U.S. custody filed a complaint on November 30 with the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office against high ranking United States civilian and military commanders over the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison and elsewhere in Iraq.

We are asking the German prosecutor to launch an investigation because the U.S. government is unwilling to open an independent investigation into the responsibility of these officials for war crimes and the U.S. has refused to join the International Criminal Court. CCR and the Iraqi victims brought this complaint to Germany as a court of last resort. Several of the defendants are stationed in Germany.

[. . .]

This might be the only way justice is served, being that the corrupt regime in the White House sure as hell won't do anything, and are probably just as culpable.

Christian values

What would Jesus say?

[. . .]

And we learned this week that in the last two months, the Bush administration has reduced its contributions to global food aid programs aimed at helping hungry nations become self-sufficient, and it has told charities like Save the Children and Catholic Relief Services that it won't honor earlier promises. Instead, administration officials said that most of the country's emergency food aid would go to places where there were immediate crises.

Something's not right here. The United States is the world's richest nation. Washington is quick to say that it contributes more money to foreign aid than any other country. But no one is impressed when a billionaire writes a $50 check for a needy family. The test is the percentage of national income we give to the poor, and on that basis this country is the stingiest in the Group of Seven industrialized nations.

The administration has cited the federal budget deficit as the reason for its cutback in donations to help the hungry feed themselves. In fact, the amount involved is a pittance within the federal budget when compared with our $412 billion deficit, which has been fueled by war and tax cuts. The administration can conjure up $87 billion for the fighting in Iraq, but can it really not come up with more than $15.6 billion - our overall spending on development assistance in 2002 - to help stop an 8-year-old AIDS orphan in Cameroon from drinking sewer water or to buy a mosquito net for an infant in Sierra Leone?

[. . .]

NYT via Melanie.

I thought the idea was 'putting Christ back in Christmas'? The way we neglect the poor and downtrodden is probably making Jesus' ass pucker.

Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve

You don't expect me to put up some sappy message for Christmas, do you? I'll leave that to others. As many of you know, I'm an animal lover (dogs especially). On this (supposedly) happiest of holidays, maybe we should remember the creatures who can't speak for themselves. David at 42 is of like mind:

Vulgarians

You know, rich stupid people have the right to spend their money however they want. But $50,000 to buy the First cloned cat sold in the U.S. is money that could have been used to foster and save the lives of hundreds of unwanted cats and dogs that other people mostly discard like used condoms. Maybe “Julie” isn’t stupid or mean-spirited or even rich and just wanted her old kitty back, but she’s got an unhealthy grip on reality.

Me, when Señor Toenails goes to kitty hell, I’ll probably go to the local shelter and let another one pick me out just like last time, or take a couple of the free kittens that idiots who don’t understand the words “spay” and “neuter” are always giving away.

Responsible pet ownership (I hate that word in this context) is something severely lacking in our consume and discard society. Pets are not toys or penis extensions, so don't buy your fucking kid a dog for Christmas. A cute puppy or kitten doesn't stay cute long if you're not prepared for it. If you're not ready to make a 12-15 year commitment, don't get one. And remember, between 2 and 3 million unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized every year. Don't add to the statistic, butthead.

Unser Amerikanischer Fűhrer

Our Dear Leader and his SS man. Scary, ain't it?

Pic thanks to Bob Harris.

Freedom

I've been delinquent for not visiting Patrick over at yelladog for the last couple days and I missed this:

[. . .]

Please allow me to drop back a bit to one of my favorite discussions that will also serve as a clarification of terms- Americans often confuse consumer choice with Liberty. Many of us think that we are "Free" because we can buy twenty different brands or styles of jeans for less than $20. (How many times have you heard an SUV apologist say "It's a free country, I can drive whatever I want!"? Both parts of that statement are true in varying degrees, though neither is a tautology and neither is completely false.)

[. . .]

Excellent post. Go read.

Something else

I've been bitching about forever and now people are beginning to take notice. I'm beginning to wonder if it's my writing and because I usually do it in a blind rage, stream of consciousness thing and people just think I'm a nut. Here's a far more articulate take on the situation:

[. . .]

We use oil because it is by far the cheapest and most convenient form of stored energy many times over... and production is peaking while consumption climbs. The consensus among those in the Petrology Community is that global oil production will peak within five years or so, maybe less, while world oil consumption, fueled largely by the insatiable US addiction and the burgeoning economies in Asia-India, continues to grow steadily. Production Vs consumption. Those lines will cross next year. What happens then?

What happens then is that the price of oil begins a sustained long term move to record levels, and where it will stop nobody knows. The surge in oil prices seen in the middle of this year was the first leg of that.

[. . .]

And think about this. How many nations would see the interruption of the flow of oil (or exorbitantly high prices) as a threat to national security? China? India? The oil, or the lack of it, could be the spark that ignites what has the potential to turn into a nasty, global conflict.

Get mad

From Wolcott:

I recognize that most elected Democrats, stunned by the election results and feeling the need to sound responsible on such a tragic occasion, feel compelled to adopt this more-in-sorrow-than-anger tone that was one of Tom Daschle's less attractive traits. But look what good it did Daschle shaking his head with weary regret over the latest Republican outrage--he was still vilified as some sort of rabid obstructionist.

Republicans belch fire all the time without suffering repercussions, yet Democrats behave like some meek choir.

Couldn't we have at least one irresponsible, intemperate off the reservation loose cannon willing to say he is "mad" at Bush, indeed is furious with the whole lying lot of them (Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, Rice, Wolfowitz...the list goes on and on)? Because this engulfing fiasco is their fault, and the fault of those unwilling to stand up to them in the first place.

[. . .]

Entire post.

Testicles, people. Note to the Dems: Grow some!!!! More from the dog:

[. . .]

You're going to be tarred for this shit anyway-- have the God damned balls to stand for something. You know what? I don't really like the idea of two men getting married-- but our laws have so many benefits applicable to married couples at this point, that its UNFAIR to deny a same sex couple similar benefits, and if gay marriage is the only way to do it... well, then God damn it, SO BE IT. And you know what? I AM going to raise your God damned taxes-- because I'm not going to put our economy into a cocked hat next year, or the year after that, or saddle our children and grandchildren with debt, because WE ARE IRRESPONSIBLE. AND TAXES AREN'T SOME GOD DAMNED FANTASY: THEY PAY FOR THE GOVERNMENT. You don't like it-- you tell me which spending I can cut, o.k.?

[. . .]

Don't let it hit ya in the ass

Lata, Bern, you miserable scumbag. Rudy kissed him off soon enough, didn't he? Thing is, the NY media has gotten a hold of this and they're looking into Rudy's dealings now, and why an incompetent thug like Kerik made it to the heights he did.

Clusterfuck

Via Melanie:

WASHINGTON — For the first time, a major U.S. contractor has dropped out of the multibillion-dollar effort to rebuild Iraq, raising new worries about the country's growing violence and its effect on reconstruction.

Contrack International Inc., the leader of a partnership that won one of 12 major reconstruction contracts awarded this year, cited skyrocketing security costs in reaching a decision with the U.S. government last month to terminate work in Iraq.

[. . .]

Story.


Does anybody besides me believe that the situation in Iraq will deteriorate to the level Afghanistan was after the Russians split?

Epiphanies

[. . .]

As for Bush, 49 percent of respondents said they approved of the job the president is doing. That number is down from his November approval rating of 55 percent. Bush is the first incumbent president to have an approval rating below 50 percent one month after winning re-election. The question had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

[. . .]

When asked how the United States has handled Iraq during the past year, 47 percent said things have gotten worse. Twenty percent said the situation has improved and 32 percent said it is about the same. The differences fell outside the question's margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

[. . .]

Story.

So what was the deal in November? The same shit was happening then. Hopefully, a few more moderate Repubs in Congress grow some balls and try to curtail some of Chimpy's crazy bullshit. Kudos to Chuck Hagel and Susan Collins who have.

Fannie

No, not the maid who . . . never mind. I'm talking Fannie Mae:

WASHINGTON Dec 22, 2004 — Fannie Mae, the nation's second largest financial institution, forced out two top executives as it struggles to deal with an accounting scandal which will likely force it to wipe out $9 billion in profits over the past four years.

Fannie Mae chief executive Franklin Raines and J. Timothy Howard, the company's chief financial officer, stepped down Tuesday after lengthy negotiations between the Fannie Mae board and the company's chief government regulator, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.

In a statement issued late Tuesday night, Raines said he had decided to leave to fulfill a pledge he made during congressional testimony in October that he would take the blame if serious accounting problems were found at the company.

"By my early retirement, I have held myself accountable," Raines said.

[. . .]

This is the culture that's been fostered under the Bush administration. The only reason this asshole is leaving is 'cause he opened his big mouth before Congress and his pledge is part of the public record. You can bet, if there was any room for him to weasel out of it, he would. Wonder if his pension or his severance was affected? Puh.

[. . .]

A review by the Securities and Exchange Commission determined last week that Fannie Mae must restate earnings back to 2001 because it violated accounting rules for derivatives financial instruments used to hedge against interest-rate swings and for some prepaid loans.

That restatement of earnings is likely to wipe out $9 billion or about one-third of Fannie Mae's profits since 2001.

[. . .]

The Enron/Bush mindset, cheat until you get caught, and then negotiate your way out. I wonder if there will be a country left when Bush's term is up. On many levels.

I'm just an idiot

See, when you're a mechanic, people think you're a moron. I said this a couple months ago:

Bush and his Cabinet should be turned over to The Hague to face war crimes charges. I know, Americans should deal with this, but if there's one way to regain our credibility and respect in the world, this is it. Hell with Bush's lies and ineptitude, he is a mass murderer, no better than Saddam, no better than Osama. Though it would never be done, Chimpy Inc. should be living in 8x8 cells somewhere in . . . France.

Now, Matt Yglesias and others are all over this Laura Rozen piece yesterday:

[. . .]

It is not at all inconceivable that some day not too many years off Rumsfeld and Bush will face arrest if they travel abroad for command responsibility for war crimes, like Pinochet. Update pertaining to comments at Matt's site on this issue. I am not saying there's moral equivalence between Pinochet's crimes and Rumsfeld's. I am saying, it seems likely to me that the lawsuit launched against Rumsfeld now in Germany and others potentially to follow against Rumsfeld and other US leaders are likely to take on a life of their own, and it's totally conceivable to me that Rumsfeld will not want to travel abroad at some point in the not-too-distant future without serious consultations with a lawyer, and maybe even then.

[. . .]

It would do a lot to restore our credibility in eyes of the world if we turned Bush & Co. over to The Hague for war crimes trials after he's out of office. An apology in front of the U.N. by the next President would help too. I told you so. Ha!

He gets letters

WHAT IF SANTA ANSWERED HIS LETTERS TRUTHFULLY?

Dear Santa

I wud like a kool toy space ranjur fer Xmas. Iv ben a gud boy all Yeer

yer Frend, BiLLy

Dear Billy,

Nice spelling. You're on your way to a career in lawn care. How about I send you a friggin' book so you can learn to read and write? I'm giving your older brother the space ranger. At least HE can spell!

Santa

. . .

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl all year, and the only thing I ask for is peace and joy in the world for everybody!

Love, Sarah

Dear Sarah,

Your parents smoked pot when they had you, didn't they?

Santa

. . .

Dear Santa,

I don't know if you can do this, but for Christmas, I'd like for my mommy and daddy to get back together. Please see what you can do?

Love, Teddy


Dear Teddy,

Look, your dad's banging the babysitter like a screen door in a hurricane. Do you think he's gonna give that up to come back to your frigid mom, who rides his ass constantly? It's time to give up that dream. Let me get you some nice Legos instead.

Santa

. . .

Dear Santa,

I left milk and cookies for you under the tree, and I left carrots for your reindeer outside the back door.

Love, Susan


Dear Susan,

Milk gives me the runs and carrots make the deer fart in my face when riding in the sleigh. You want to do me a favor? Leave me a bottle of scotch.

. . .

Dear Santa,

What do you do the other 364 days of the year? Are you busy making toys?

Your friend, Thomas


Dear Thomas,

All the toys are made in China. I have a condo in Vegas, where I spend most of my time making low-budget porno films. I unwind by drinking myself silly and squeezing the asses of cocktail waitresses while losing money at the craps table.

Hey, you wanted to know.

Santa

. . .

Dear Santa,

Do you see us when we're sleeping, do you really know when we're awake,
like in the song?

Love, Jessica


Dear Jessica,

Are you really that gullible or are you just a blonde? Good luck in whatever you do. I'm skipping your house.

Santa

. . .

Dear Santa,

I really really want a puppy this year. Please please please PLEASE =
PLEASE could I have one?

Timmy


Timmy,

That whiney begging shit may work with your folks, but that crapdoesn't work with me. You're getting a sweater again.

Santa

. . .

Dearest Santa,

We don't have a chimney in our house, how do you get into our home?

Love, Marky

Mark,

First, stop calling yourself "Marky", that's why you're getting your ass whipped at school. Second, you don't live in a house, you live in a low-rent apartment complex. Third, I get inside your pad just like theboogeyman does, through your bedroom window.

Sweet Dreams, Santa

God I love the holidays. Thanks to Mrs. Indian for the email.

My problem with Jesus freaks

Go here and read.

I give a shit if you worship some big hairy ass Yeti motherfucker, just don't force me to. If you want to convert folks, go to Africa and preach to them. Ain't that what the Europeans did? Do some good and feed 'em while you're there. I don't wanna hear it anymore.

Torture

From the ACLU via Bubba:

A document released for the first time today by the American Civil Liberties Union suggests that President Bush issued an Executive Order authorizing the use of inhumane interrogation methods against detainees in Iraq. Also released by the ACLU today are a slew of other records including a December 2003 FBI e-mail that characterizes methods used by the Defense Department as “torture” and a June 2004 “Urgent Report” to the Director of the FBI that raises concerns that abuse of detainees is being covered up.

[. . .]

Bush, Dick, & Rummy had an end in mind, and reverse engineered the legal system to justify it. This is criminal, ladies and gentlemen. This regime is criminal and so are their policies.