1
POPSTaliban Launches Large Coordinated Assaults The Taliban claimed responsibility for all three attacks in Khost. Their spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahed, reached by telephone at an unknown location, said that 15 suicide bombers, equipped with machine guns and vests packed with explosives, with 30 militants backing them up, attacked the base, one of the largest foreign military bases in Afghanistan. He claimed that some of the bombers had gotten inside the base and had killed a number of American soldiers and destroyed equipment and helicopters. This last claim was denied by General Azimi of the Afghan military.
1
POPSWhat are Political Philosophies? # Anarchism fails to minimize coercion because it favors liberty's theoretical inviolability over its practical protection. Anarchism fails to * Prevent coercion by strong persons and aggressive foreign states * Prevent aggressive use or pollution of unowned resources * Prevent unfair treatment of creditors by bankrupt debtors * Regulate natural monopolies * Prevent anti-competitive artificial monopolies * Provide aid and sustenance to the indigent * Prevent torture and extinction of organisms
0
POPSMcCain Doesn't Disagree that We Might Need a Draft
Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org said, "At least Senator McCain is being honest. A vote for him is a vote for the draft. Period. Unless Senator McCain radically changes his worldview, there would be a draft to implement his plans." Soltz added, "When you take into account his indefinite military commitment to Iraq, his desire to send more troops to Afghanistan, record lows in recruiting and retention, and possibly more wars he is looking to get into, like "Bomb Bomb Bomb" Iran, his numbers don't add up without a draft. Whether America likes it or not isn't relevant - a draft is the only way to do everything Senator McCain wants to do. I give him points for being honest and upfront, though, that we're going to need a draft if he is elected." This isn't the first time that Senator McCain has hinted at a reinstitution of the draft if he is elected. Asked on September 29, 2007 in New Hampshire about the draft, McCain said he would "consider it."
1
POPSWhat are they afraid of If you had any doubts as to Russian designs on Eastern Europe and the Caucasus erase them from your mind. Russia knows that this missile shield is designed to shield Europe from Middle Eastern attacks.
4
POPSHow to Start War with Russia--101 (Lesson from the Neoconservatives)
Bush Implements Neocon Lesson: Have Condi go to all the satellite states and sign missile placement deals about 100 miles from Russia, then sit back and watch Russia "invade or attack its neighbor" to disarm the threat. Meanwhile, this is precisely what the US was provoked by from Russia in the Cuban Missile Crisis! Purpose? This is part of the neoconservative plan for "global hegemony" which Bush is now implementing just prior to leaving office, ensuring sparked conflict into the next presidency (which would also help McCain, although Obama is a CFR shill too), setting a continuation of the neocon agenda for another four to eight years. Early in his pResidency Bush met with Putin in blue jeans at his Texas ranch. Now he will stab him in the back as he leaves office. This is normal if one reviews US foreign policy since the 20th century and sets the stage for WWIII based upon dangerous absolute Alliances, as Condi refers to with Poland "as much as if it was a US territory"
0
POPSGeorgians tell of ethnic cleansing But a dozen interviews with those who fled the fighting, and a trip through seven Georgian villages just south of the fighting, indicated the killing this month was not that systematic, nor on that scale — based on what is known so far.
3
POPSResurgent Taliban in Afghanistan Another result of "successful" troop surge in Iraq? As forces that could be used in Afghanistan continue to be diverted to Iraq the failure of the US/NATO Afghan war becomes even clearer.
0
POPSPolitical News It appears Obama's early lead has subsided now as McCain rides the mometum of his foreign policy experience
8
POPSWhy I Will Not Vote for John McCain
"I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have experienced first hand. Folks, quite honestly that is not the finger I want next to that red button." "It is also disappointing to see him take on and support Bush's war in Iraq, even stating we might be there for another 100 years. For me John represents the entrenched and bankrupt policies of Washington-as-usual. The past 7 years have proven to be disastrous for our country. And I believe John's views on war, foreign policy, economics, environment, health care, education, national infrastructure and other important areas are much the same as those of the Bush administration." "I'm disappointed to see John represent himself politically in ways that are not accurate. He is not a moderate Republican. On some issues he is a maverick. But his voting record is far to the right. I fear for his nominations to our Supreme Court, and the consequent continuing loss o
2
POPSThe Freedom Index To learn how any representative or senator voted on the key measures described herein, look him or her up in the vote charts. The scores are derived by dividing a congressman’s constitutional votes (pluses) by the total number he cast (pluses and minuses) and multiplying by 100.
6
POPSIs McCain another George W. Bush? "George Bush's record as a student, military man, businessman and leader of the free world is one of constant failure. And the part that troubles me most is he seems content with himself." "He will leave office with the country $10 trillion in debt, fighting two wars, our international reputation in shambles, our government cloaked in secrecy and suspicion that his entire presidency has been a litany of broken laws and promises, our citizens' faith in our own country ripped to shreds. Yet Bush goes bumbling along, grinning and spewing moronic one-liners, as though nobody understands what a colossal failure he has been." "I fear to the depth of my being that John McCain is just like him."
2
POPSEastern Europe gets jittery over Russia "Slowly, the Iron Curtain is being rebuilt," said Jacek Palasinski, veteran foreign affairs commentator for the Polish television network TVN24. "Europe will be divided again -- the lines are different, pushed farther east, but the division is the same. And dangerous." Ukraine and Moldova are worried that they could be Russia's next targets. The Czech Republic, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of a Soviet invasion that crushed the Prague Spring reform movement, is fretting about history repeating itself. Many Eastern European nations, Poland chief among them, are eager to find safe haven, and have turned to Washington for guidance and reassurance and partnerships.
2
POPSSpeculation focuses on Biden for VP Hmm. Widely admired by independents. Decades of hands-on foreign policy experience (and following Cheney, who is Republican evidence that Vice Presidents can loom large in foreign policy). A senior senator. A very tough guy, who'd gladly shred McCain's PR.
5
POPSChavez To Discuss Joint Banking Venture During Moscow Visit The socialist leader, an outspoken critic of Washington and opponent of neoliberalism, has focused his foreign policy on bolstering ties with countries outside the U.S. sphere of influence since coming to power nine years ago. Chavez said last week he expected to meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and discuss a number of industrial and technological projects as part of a visit aimed at boosting bilateral relations. PetroCaribe is a regional energy security alliance between Caribbean countries and Venezuela established in 2005. The alliance enables its 17 member countries to purchase Venezuelan oil under a flexible credit payment system.
4
POPS Obama Takes Experience Lead Over McCain -- Again - there’s only one serious candidate in the race. Sister Toldjah McCain is demonstrating that when it comes to criticial foreign policy issues, his near 30 years in the Senate dealing with foreign issues as well as domestic, along with his long career in the Navy...... Hot Air Now, the media has awakened to truly historical events in the Caucasus, and McCain has commanded their attention with his leadership — while Obama hides in Hawaii. Macsmind You would think with 300 advisers THE ONE would have some words of wisdom from his Mount Olympus. The silence is more than telling and quite possibly a view into how Obama would actually handle such events as President. Surfs Up Dude! The New Republic McCain has had a prominent and strong presence in the news while Obama has been fairly invisible. Obama deserved a vacation but the timing–I assume his team figured the Olympics would drown out any other story.
1
POPSWar and foreign policy [truly outstanding!] The best lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan are not about Bush failures, nor about a need to change the military, but rather about the nature of foreign policy; challenges the shibboleths of left and right. Andrew Bacevich, professor of history and international relations at Boston University, retired from the US Army with the rank of colonel. This piece is adapted from his new book, The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism.
0
POPSNew British Army Division?
Does this mean that the WWI tactics employed by HM Army are now sanctioned as viable? Observers tell of the lack of training through the lack of monies spent on live firing and field crafts. The deafeningly silent commentaries at some of the real documentaries presently filling TV around the country, says more for former soldiers wish not to put harm in the way of serving personnel, than it does for the politicians who send brave British youngsters to their deaths. There are commentators who eulogise over young people who, in three short years, gain a wealth of experience of service life fighting in foreign lands. France and America turn out sergeants within this period, and in some extreme case so do the British Army. On News bulletins currently facing the public, one look tell you the Soviet/Russian Bear has learned one factor for Britain. The majority of the soldiers occupying Georgia are trained and experienced veterans. It is the experience of 22 year sergeants that binds t
0
POPSSaving Money on Prescription Drugs http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/505_save.html An article on ways to save money on prescription drugs. One suggestion is communicating with your physician on what you can afford in terms of prescription drugs. Ask if a generic version of the drug is an option or ask for resources on financial assistance from the government and/or drug companies. Another option the article gives is drug samples.
0
POPSWhat counts as 'success' in Iraq? Cont.... This was widely predicted before the war was started, and it is now apparent. All of Iraq's leaders, including the president, a Kurd, are friendly with Iran and regard it as an important ally. In Bush circles, this new prominence for Iran is never linked to the war, as if occurring by itself.
0
POPSFight The Republican Whelp Operation The Republican Smear Campaign is in Full Swing trying to win the '08 election with fabrications, distortions, lies and nasty name calling... It's Yogi Bearer's déjà vu all over again. Why do people listen and believe this nonsense? This should have been left in grade school a long, long time ago. They say children can be mean... Well childhood has nothing on the Republican "YO MAMA WEARS COMBAT BOOTS" campaigning. Join the "Truth fights back" movement ... sign up today and let's stop the very old "REPUBLICAN WHELP" operation in their tracks. This will not heal America it will only weaken her more! Link here: http://www.truthfightsback.com/site/index WHELP n - any of the young of various carnivorous mammals and especially of the dog
7
POPSMcCain's Elitist Response to Military Donor Story But aside from the fact that the McCain campaign lied is confused, does anyone catch a whiff of elitism here? Is support from within the ranks somehow more credible if it comes in the form of a general officer or an admiral? If so, that would be strange. . .since flag officers aren't the ones fighting the insurgencies in Iraq or Afghanistan. This comes as no surprise--and it reinforces the message: It's clear that McCain values the opinions of flashier, high-ranking, inside-the-wire types over the views of the grunts, the medics, and the lieutenants who wade waist-deep through the muck and blood and shrapnel of insurgency, day in and day out. And while he may easily dismiss the actual combatants of these wars in a moment of political self-defense, those same troops will not so easily forget his bellicosity, his foreign policy ignorance, and his general lack of respect for them when it comes time to vote in November.