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POPSWhat is Blackwater Doing in Alaska? The Blackwater guards are nominally employed by Chenega, an Alaska Native corporation associated with the Alaskan coastal village of Chenega Bay, population 86. Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, architect of the “Bridge to Nowhere” and recently convicted of a seven-felony string of corruption charges, is one of the principal proponents of the anti-missile system and was also instrumental in writing laws which help secure government contracts for Alaska Native Corporations. Chenega gets contracts through the Small Business Administration, rakes off a percentage, then lets giant Blackwater provide the actual services. Since 2000 Chenega has received over $1.1 billion in sole-source or non-compete bids from the Army, Air Force and Department of Homeland Security. It's good to have friends in high places.
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POPSJuan Cole's "The Coming McCain Military Draft" McCain will need to institute a draft for young American men (and, given the times, maybe for women as well). McCain, just like the recent Bush Administration's hawkish rhetoric has been proven by the Russian/Georgian conflict to be nothing more than a bluff. Sure, there was a lot of tough talk and fist shaking at the Russians but no real actions were taken against them either by the Bush Administration. I wonder if those young McCain supporters realize what they are asking for? I doubt it. Though many of us already were seeing the writing on the wall, after many started serving in these theaters on second tours, than third, than forth, than for some fifth......................, the Military nor Country can sustain these misadventures let alone protect from the Blowback which will be from the Hatreds we've created!
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POPSWhy The Danish Bumblebee Can Fly "Tax rates... there is no evidence that these are adversely affecting the ability of these countries to compete effectively in world markets, or to deliver to their respective populations some of the highest standards of living in the world. World-class educational establishments, an extensive safety net, and a highly motivated and skilled labour force.”
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POPSMilitary Recruitment Center Vandalized
Smedley Darlington Butler (July 30, 1881 – June 21, 1940), nicknamed "The Fighting Quaker" and "Old Gimlet Eye", was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps and, at the time of his death, the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. In his 1935 book, War Is a Racket, Butler presented an exposé and trenchant condemnation of the profit motive behind warfare. His views on the subject are well summarized in the following passage from a 1935 issue of "the non-Marxist, socialist" magazine, Common Sense – one of Butler's most widely quoted statements: "I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the r
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POPSstoking the fury i like the closer in this article-the revelation that the palin family spent 13,000 of the tax payers money to go on religious retreats-then goes on to comment........no wonder she winks at us- hmmm i never had any doubt as to why
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POPSIs There A Skeleton In John McCain's POW closet? Excerpted From The Rolling Stone Magazine: In its broad strokes, McCain's life story is oddly similar to that of the current occupant of the White House. John Sidney McCain III and George Walker Bush both represent the third generation of American dynasties. Both were born into positions of privilege against which they rebelled into mediocrity. Both developed an uncanny social intelligence that allowed them to skate by with a minimum of mental exertion. Both struggled with booze and loutish behavior. At each step, with the aid of their fathers' powerful friends, both failed upward. And both shed their skins as Episcopalian members of the Washington elite to build political careers as self-styled, ranch-inhabiting Westerners who pray to Jesus in their wives' evangelical churches. Rolling Stone Link: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain Also On: http://www.thethinkingblue.com/MCPAIN.html
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POPSThings Taller Than John "Bush" McCain
An interesting comment from demogorgon : --- As an ex-air force officer (1962-1967) I'm glad it's finally coming out that this man is NO hero! He destroyed 5 airplanes, admitted that he was a "gambler" when he flew; went in alone on a Hanoi target when the bombing run was being called off; and then tried to "outrun" a SAM missile. Things got SO bad that none of his fellow officers wanted to fly with him and he was being re-evaluated for removal from flying status when he was shot down. Words like "reckless", "intemperate" and "lacks common sense" were part of the lexicon of John McCain, naval pilot. I don't mind the "confessions" while he was a POW, that was pretty much SOP, but what I DO mind is that his so-called "selflessness" when he "refused" to accept early release was anything but...he WAS offered early release because of his family connections, but was ORDERED not to accept it! And now, his never-ending use of his "heroism" as if he'd actually been one. MORE BELOW:
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POPSChalmers Johnson on the "Pentagon Bailout" "There has been much moaning, air-sucking, and outrage about the $700 billion that the U.S. government is thinking of throwing away on rich New York bankers who have been ripping us off for the past few years and then letting greed drive their businesses into a variety of ditches. In fact, we dole out similar amounts of money every year in the form of payoffs to the armed services, the military-industrial complex, and powerful senators and representatives allied with the Pentagon. "
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POPSThe Physicist Who Figured Out Ballet "To turn your body you must apply a torque, or twisting force, to it, and once you are in the air you have nothing to apply a torque with. If, on the other hand, you begin twisting from the ground up, clasping your legs together at the apex of your leap while raising your arms above your head, you will do a rapid 180-degree turn, which is the object of the exercise. “ :-)
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POPSNew U.S. Air Force Tanker Six Years Away? Via govexec.com. Story quotes another U.S. Air Force general, who says it's "unconscionable to ask people to fly in combat in 50-year-old airplanes." Note: as of 3:22pm, Northrop Grumman shares were down 2.5%. They've fallen 15% thus far in 2008.
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POPSCyber Crime Hall of Fame I found this interesting, one of the hackers was just 15 years old. The amount of damages , prison time, plus the FBI using the hacker for their own purposes. Issac Says: you forgot "dvd jon" the greatest hacker of all time...look him up on wikipedia...he reverse engineered the DRM on DVD'S when he was 15, at that time it was thought impossible by the government.
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POPSBush Wants $1 Billion to Georgia for Attacking South Ossetia The NYT finally admits that Georgia was the aggressor: "fighting that began on the night of Aug. 7 when Georgia tried to establish control over a breakaway region, South Ossetia, only to be driven back by Russian forces". And to put that $1 billion figure in perspective the articles says: The aid would dwarf the $63 million the United States provided to Georgia last year, roughly a third of it for training its soldiers, police officers and border guards. Excluding Iraq, the infusion would make Georgia one of the largest recipients of American foreign aid after Israel and Egypt. That Dick Cheney was "sent" by Bush is indicative of the neocon agenda. Georgia did not attack without US or Israeli knowledge, but with their full support. So in essence, the US is to pay $1billion to Georgia for a defeated military invasion and attempt to capture South Ossetia--i.e. for a proxy war.
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POPSSole Survivor Policy The complete Wikipedia article (it's a short article) on the Pentagon's policy regarding servicemen and draftees who have already lost an immediate family member in combat.
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POPSJill Biden, the L.A. Times & Me I used to work with Jill Biden at the Rockford Center many moons ago. The LA Times found out about it and contacted me. Jill Biden, Senator Joe Biden's wife, is one of the most authentic human beings I have ever had the pleasure to meet and, as is naturally attendant with authenticity, one of the kindest.
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POPSThousands of Georgians Demand Russian Troops Leave
U.S. Destroyer, Laden With Relief And Cruise Missiles, in Port On Sunday, a U.S. Navy warship carrying humanitarian aid for Georgia anchored in the southern Georgian port of Batumi. It was the first of five American ships scheduled to arrive this week with supplies. The McFaul is loaded with 72 pallets of humanitarian aid, and is also outfitted with an array of weaponry, including Tomahawk cruise missiles. U.S. Air Force flights that have brought in more than 1 million pounds of humanitarian relief. “There are very specific requirements for Russian withdrawal. Putting up permanent facilities and checkpoints are inconsistent with the agreement. We are in contact with the various parties to obtain clarification,” White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s office said he had pressed Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during a phone conversation Saturday to quickly remove Russian troops from an axis between the Georgian towns of Poti an
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POPSFed Chairman: Economy Bad, Worst "in Memory" It is not just gas prices. Bernanke talks about how inflation has not yet had its full effect , comparing it to a storm that has not yet fully hit the mainland: "Although we have seen some improved functioning in some markets, the financial storm that reached gale force'' around this time last year "has not yet subsided, and its effects on the broader economy are becoming apparent in the form of softening economic activity and rising unemployment,' Bush and McCain do not acknowledge this, and Obama's policies would never fix it. The role that both Bush and Congress have played in RUINING the economy through government overspending (on unjust wars), devaluing the dollar (which is a key factor in inflation), and causing a rise in oil prices, are not discussed. The Fed is not innocent and causes inflation too by printing more money for government overspending from thin air! The Fed Chairman is using this to try to obtain new powers for th
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POPSAir Force and Renewables This is a nice read on the role of government's involvement in energy tech. It's also interesting to see SunPower (nasdaq: SPWR) here. That stock is off 40% from a 52-week high but still sells for 5.6 times sales.
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POPSObama's "Lazy Boy" Cabin of his 757 For someone who couldn't actually 'win' his primary election, this guy surely does not have a problem being called 'President". Check out the third picture of 'President' Obama's throne. I for one am growing way tired of all the money being spent to buy this Presidency. I think it is time that 'We the people' actually think about taking back this country from all the millionaire special interest groups.
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