The Lowest Common Denominator (Part I)
Must Read - A quote...."Over ten years later, I still remember the lecture. My law professor had drawn two squares on the chalkboard and labeled them A and B." -- Yeah! They're called "Mad Dog McCain" and "Bombs Away O-Bomb-a" - mpg -- See also the article shown below....


Wake up America, Sign up America!
A quote...."A million signatures by Sept. 10 will send a powerful message to Congress that Americans want to reclaim the Constitution and hold the Administration accountable. September 10th, the day before the world changed, could be the day WE change the world! Rep. Kucinich writes:" -- For more ont this issue see....You Have a Choice - Democracy or Empire - 07-24-08 - mpg

Looking at America's Police State
A quote...."02/09/08 "ICH" -- - Here we are, all primed and pumped for the Republican Convention. This has given the Democrats lots to talk about and also an opportunity to skewer McCain and his new running mate. This doesn’t surprise me, nor does it anger me, every demeaning thing that is said about GOP has this writer’s endorsement, they couldn’t pick on a more deserving target. The only thing that bothers me is their total lack of objectivity when they criticize what the GOP stands for. It hardly influences the masses when they harp on McCain’s war drum beating skills when everyone can observe that Barack Obama’s own predilection for blasting out a great beat on his own set of drums with a talent that has greatly improved over the past few months. "

The Bush Regime's Imperial Affirmation: Endless War, Endless Conquest, Endless Repression
A quote...."While people around the world begin to celebrate George W. Bush's January 20, 2009 departure from the White House, senior administration officials are crafting legislation, rule changes and executive orders that will make permanent the worst excesses of this criminal regime."

The Bush Administration Is an Ongoing Criminal Conspiracy Under International Law and U.S. Domestic Law
A quote...."Planning for the Prosecution of High Level American War Criminals -- Since the impeachable installation of George W. Bush as President in January of 2001 by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Gang of Five, the peoples of the world have witnessed a government in the United States that has demonstrated little if any respect for fundamental considerations of international law, human rights, and the United States Constitution.

McCain Campaign Tries To Block Ron Paul From Convention Floor
Contains video - Some quotes...."The Washington Times reported today that the McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee have been “negotiating with Rep. Ron Paul to win his support...." -- "However, when CNN’s John King asked Paul this morning whether such reports were true, Paul laughed. “I wouldn’t put it in those words,” he said. In fact, he said the RNC seemed to be trying to keep him off the convention floor, even though as a congressman, he should be able to get floor passes without a problem. Watch it:”

Freedom of the Press... where?
A quote...."I have taken a couple of days of vacation only to return to total mayhem. How total? Well, let me just say that I don't even know where to begin. Let us then begin with the obvious and horrible:"

Twin Cities Police Thug-O-Thon - 5 articles - Tuesday - [ Day 3 ] =========  ========== =======

Another Bloody Nose for Our American Democracy
Must Read - Must View Video - A quote...."While I watched her measured and responcible interview about her release, and she unselfishly spoke mainly about her two producers who were also arrested, I couldn’t help but think back on the video of her arrest. I thought about how this woman, this skilled and vetted journalist (one of the few real journalists we still have in this country) kept calling the 20something year old punk who was arresting her, “sir”. What kind of country do we live in where someone like Amy Goodman has to call a storm-trooper “sir”? He grabbed her, roughly, and dragged her off, while the whole time she was calling him “sir” in order to try to appease this punks ego, I guess."

Update: Democracy Now!’s Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC -- Contains Video - A quote...."ST. PAUL--Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar have all been released from police custody in St. Paul following their illegal arrest by Minneapolis Police on Monday afternoon. -- All three were violently manhandled by law enforcement officers. Abdel Kouddous was slammed against a wall and the ground, leaving his arms scraped and bloodied. He sustained other injuries to his chest and back. Salazar’s violent arrest by baton-wielding officers, during which she was slammed to the ground while yelling, “I’m Press! Press!,” resulted in her nose bleeding, as well as causing facial pain. Goodman’s arm was violently yanked by police as she was arrested."

Scenes from St. Paul -- Democracy Now's Amy Goodman arrested
A quote...."Following up on this weekend's extreme raids on various homes, at least 250 people were arrested here today in St. Paul, Minnesota. Beginning last night, St. Paul was the most militarized I have ever seen an American city be, even more so than Manhattan in the week of 9/11 -- with troops of federal, state and local law enforcement agents marching around with riot gear, machine guns, and tear gas cannisters, shouting military chants and marching in military formations. Humvees and law enforcement officers with rifles were posted on various buildings and balconies. Numerous protesters and observers were tear gassed and injured. I'll have video of the day's events posted shortly."

Amy Goodman Manhandled, Arrested for Protesting Arrest of News Staff
A quote...."The thousands of protesters were almost all peaceful. I had US cable news on all day off and on, and never saw anything on it about the protests. Some teenager was pregnant, which is not their business or mine, but that was what they were talking about. Protesting the Republican Party's warmongering and lethal corruption for the past 8 years-- a record that has made it impolitick for George W. Bush to attend the conference of the party he still technically leads-- now that was unworthy of public comment."

Amy Goodman from Democracy Now! gets processed through the United Police State of America: Understanding Mussolini’s Fascism -- A quote...."Benito Mussolini once said that “democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy.” Unfortunately, this doctrine did not die with his summary execution at the end of World War II in 1945, but has manifested itself in present day United States. - Amy Goodman, the principle host of Democracy Now!, “a syndicated program of news, analysis, and opinion aired by more than 700 radio and television, satellite and cable TV networks in North America,” was arrested and processed by St. Paul police at the Republican National Convention."

End - Twin Cities Police Thug-O-Thon - 5 articles - Tuesday - [ Day 3 ] =========  ========== =======

Afghan family killed in house raid
A quote...."A family of four, including two children, have been killed in an overnight raid by international troops in Afghanistan, a police official and witnesses have said."

US-led forces alleged involved in Pakistan village attack, kills 15
A quote...." DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan - At least 15 people, including women and children, were killed in an attack involving US-led forces in a remote Pakistani village near the border with Afghanistan, intelligence officials and a witness said Wednesday."

'US troops are committing war crimes'
A quote...."AN AFGHAN human rights organisation has accused the United States army of committing war crimes in Afghanistan. - The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) said on Tuesday that, according to their own investigations, civilians are killed in most operations conducted by US forces."

U.S. Allies Angry at Anbar Handover
A quote...."Washington may be glad to hand over the formerly al-Qaeda infested area and the Shi'te dominated government in Baghdad happy to receive it. But not everyone is celebrating. A leader of the Awakening movement narrows his eyes and tightens his jaw at the idea of the U.S. hand-over. "We wanted it to be postponed but the decision had already been made by the government and we cannot change it," says Sheikh Mohammad Mahmood al Natah, the spokesperson for the Awakening Council."

US-Iraqi agreement: leaked (full text)
Special Note - A quote...."I read about a leaked copy of the US-Iraqi agreement a few days ago when a radio station in Iraq mentioned some of its details, then it was mentioned in some Arab newspapers like Al-Qabas and Al-Sharq Al-Awsat. A couple of days ago, one Iraqi website (linked to an Iraqi armed resistance group) published the leaked draft on their web page for less than a couple of days before their website went offline. (Thankfully, I downloaded the 21 pages agreement and saved them before their server went down)" -- Check out the article shown below, It conflicts with the one shown above. One of them is going to be right, the question is....which one? - mpg

POLITICS:  Why Its Iraqi "Client" Blocked U.S. Long-Term Presence
Related Article - A quote...."WASHINGTON, Sep 1 (IPS) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signaled last week that that all U.S. troops -- including those with non-combat functions -- must be out of the country by the end of 2011 under the agreement he is negotiating with the George W. Bush administration."

More on China in Iraq
A quote...."It turns out that the relationships that Chinese businesses have with various different sectors of the Iraqi economy is far more extensive than I-- or, I suppose, most other Americans-- had realized."

Palestinian Village Faces Army Reign Of Terror
Must Read - Special Note - A quote...."The window through which Salam Amira, 16, filmed the moment when an Israeli soldier shot from close range a handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainee has a large hole at its centre with cracks running in every direction." -- Also posted at AntiWar & The National & WIP & SOTT Net --  For more on this issue, see the video she took....Israeli soldier shoots unarmed prisoner - (YouTube - 1 min 5 sec - Added:  July 20, 2008) & Article

Obama's Zionist Wannabe Veep
A quote...."Considering the last eight years and the current (viable) options, I’ll admit to wanting Barak Obama in the White House in January. Undoubtedly, more people around the world will have a better chance of surviving the next four years with his finger on—or rather off—the button. However . . .   For all of Obama’s campaign promises of “change,” his choice of Joseph Biden as his running mate sends a clear signal to Israel’s lobby in Washington and its right-wing government in Jerusalem that for the next four years there will be no change in the United States’ unconditional support or its annual $6 billion in direct and indirect aid."

Russia and Uzbekistan agree hike in gas price
A quote...."Russia has agreed new gas prices with Uzbekistan and plans to build a pipeline in the central Asian country. The deals were reached at a meeting between Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Uzbek President Islam Karimov."

Medvedev assures Europe its gas supplies are safe
A quote...."SOCHI, September 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will meet all its commitments to supply natural gas to European Union member states, President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with the news channel Euronews."

Venezuela and South Africa make energy deal
A quote...." Chávez was received Tuesday morning by Mbeki, in Pretoria, at the beginning of an official visit described as "historic," to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries."

Venezuela Advances Economic Cooperation with Argentina and Ecuador
A quote...."Mérida, August 29, 208 (venezuelanalysis.com)-- Advocating South American integration, President Hugo Chávez oversaw the signing of contracts with Argentine firms to construct “Socialist Factories” in Venezuela on Thursday and inaugurated joint oil exploitation in the Orinoco River Belt with Ecuador on Friday."

INDIA/US:  Nuclear Deal Headed for Fiasco
A quote...."NEW DELHI, Aug 28 (IPS) - As the tortuous negotiations for the United States-India nuclear deal enters its final stage, it becomes clear that India seriously underestimated the discomfort and opposition the agreement would arouse in many countries because of the special privileges granted to India, largely on New Delhi's terms. "

NY Times does it again: More 'Judy Miller' tapdancing (Pt3)
A quote...."This is the third article in a multi-part series. This article will focus on the NY Times' appalling reliance on government-friendly sources, the lack of any actual investigative reporting, the lack of supporting evidence, and the absence of any dissenting views. (The first piece of the series focused on the players in the AQ Khan / BSA Tahir nuclear smuggling ring, the second article focused on the countries involved.)"

The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 11 articles - Tuesday - [ Day 26 ] =====  ==========

>>>  Georgia's Cluster Bombs  <<<

HRW's flawed 'Research' on Georgian cluster bombs
Must Read - (for the outrage) - Special Note -- A quote...."On August 15, Human Rights Watch issued a statement-- still published on their website without comment-- saying its researchers "have uncovered evidence that Russian aircraft dropped cluster bombs in populated areas in Georgia." -- "Bernhard of Moon of Alabama is just one of those who've been pointing out that the bomb remnants in the photos published by HRW in those two releases are very different from those of a Russian "RBK-250 cluster bomb", or its submunitions. Indeed, they're not items of Russian manufacture at all... but Israeli, as can easily by seen by comparing them with stock weapons-ID photos and charts."

Ain't that fantastic! Israel is still in the cluster-bomb dropping business, this time through their proxy in Georgia (probably brings back some fresh and painful memories for the Lebanese), than on top of that, the Georgians blame the Russians for dropping the bombs (it must have been a laugh riot over there in Tbilisi, only Karl Rove - a.k.a. "The Turd Blossom" could have come up with something like that), finally to top it all off our illustrious, bootlicking, sycophantic mass-infotainment press does it AGAIN and splatters this (expletive) all over the news sphere.  It's just disgusting.- mpg -- For more on this issue see article shown below.....


Georgia’s influence peddlers in Washington
Special Note - A quote...." Sep 2, 2008, 00:2 -- (WMR) -- A little-known Georgia lobbying network in Washington, DC, is working together with faux progressive guru George Soros and John McCain foreign policy adviser/Georgia uber-lobbyist Randy Scheunemann to prop up Georgia as a NATO client state and engineer a renewed Cold War with Russia, with U.S. defense contractors poised to rake in even more obscene profits." -- Also posted at BLN

PUTIN ~1/3 ~ CNN FULL (English subtitles) ~ Интервью Путина CNN
PUTIN ~2/3 ~ CNN FULL (English subtitles) ~ Интервью Путина CNN
PUTIN ~3/3 ~ CNN FULL (English subtitles) ~ Интервью Путина CNN
(YouTube - aprox. 10 min each - Added:  August 30, 2008)
Must View Videos - A quote...."August 30, 2008  --  His famous interview from 28.08.08, which has never been shown in full anywhere except Russia. Will CNN show it to americans?"

PUTIN ~ 1/3 ~ ARD FULL (English subtitles) ~ Интервью Путина ARD
PUTIN ~ 2/3 ~ ARD FULL (English subtitles) ~ Интервью Путина ARD
PUTIN ~ 3/3 ~ ARD FULL (English subtitles) ~ Интервью Путина ARD
(YouTube - aprox. 10 min each - Added:  August 30, 2008)
Must View Videos - A quote...."August 30, 2008  --  Putin's interview for ARD about Caucasian conflict"

The White House Stories
Special Note - A quote...." 08/27/08 -- Washington’s wish to “re-evaluate all relations with Russia,” which was voiced by Deputy Press Secretary of the United States Tony Fratto, has already produced a reaction around the world; however, this reaction was much different from what the White House was expecting. "

Russia sends humanitarian aid to Georgian border villages
A quote...."10:24 | 03/ 09/ 2008  --  TSKHINVALI, September 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry will send humanitarian aid on Wednesday to three Georgian villages near the border with South Ossetia, devastated by the recent conflict, a ministry spokesman said."

Putin's Ruthless Gambit - The Bush Administration Falters in a Geopolitical Chess Match
Must Read - A quote...."Posted September 02, 2008 11:12 am  --  Many Western analysts have chosen to interpret the recent fighting in the Caucasus as the onset of a new Cold War, with a small pro-Western democracy bravely resisting a brutal reincarnation of Stalin's jack-booted Soviet Union. Others have viewed it a throwback to the age-old ethnic politics of southeastern Europe, with assorted minorities using contemporary border disputes to settle ancient scores." -- Also posted at ICH & CommonDreams

Putin vows 'an answer' to NATO ships near Georgia
A quote...."AP foreign, Tuesday September 2 2008 - MOSCOW (AP) - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia will respond calmly to an increase in NATO ships in the Black Sea in the aftermath of the short war with Georgia, but promised that ``there will be an answer.''

‘South Ossetia to ask for more Russian troops’
A quote...."September 3, 2008, 1:05 -- Sources in South Ossetia suggest the republic is ready to sign a military agreement with Russia. It's reported that a deal may come as early as Tuesday, which would allow Russia to deploy more troops in the region."

'Saakashvili no longer Georgia leader': Medvedev
A quote...."Dmitry Medvedev calls Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili a "political corpse" and says he no longer considers him as Georgia's leader. - Speaking in an interview broadcast on Russian television, Russian president said that for Moscow the present Georgian “regime” has collapsed and Saakashvilli “no longer exists in our eyes”.

EU showed 'common sense' on Georgia crisis: Putin
A quote...."Sep 2 10:59 AM US/Eastern -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised what he called the "common sense" shown by the European Union in its mild response to Russia's conflict with ex-Soviet Georgia."

End - The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 11 articles - Tuesday - [ Day 26 ] =====  ==========

Factory sector weakens slightly in August ISM manufacturing index slips to 49.9%, first decline below 50% since May
A quote...."WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The nation's manufacturing firms cut back on activity just a bit in August, suggesting some caution as the outlook for demand darkens, according to a closely followed survey of top executives released Tuesday."

House price crash goes global
A quote...."The property crash that began in the US is spreading across the globe, according to international estate agents Knight Frank, which said today that steep declines are now taking place across Europe and into Asia. - The country recording the sharpest fall is Latvia, where house prices have plummeted 24.1% over the past year."

Pound at USD 1.785 and at record low against the Euro
A quote...."The British pound has fallen to two-and-half-year low against the US dollar and record low against the Euro amid fears about the health of the UK economy."

Cost of Living Index in Saudi Arabia Hit 117.3 Points; Inflation Soars
A quote...." JEDDAH - The cost of living index in Saudi Arabia hit 117.3 points on July 31, compared with 105.6 points a year earlier, according to the Central Department of Statistics."

Brazil curbs credit confirms tough line against inflation
A quote...."Brazil's Finance minister Guido Mantega said on Tuesday the government will not lower interest rates as long as inflation threatens to come in higher than the established target."


The Dutch Connection
Psyops Warning - Special Note - A quote...." 01/09/08 "ICH" --- The recent De Telegraaf article[i] ‘revealing’ the Dutch intelligence cooperation with the CIA is a propaganda piece aimed at undermining the credibility of United Nations, its specialized agency, the IAEA, and its chief Mohammad ElBaradei.  It also seeks to demoralize the Iranians and undermine their resolve in confronting outside enemies." -- The article was posted on this website 08-29-08 -- Oh and by the way NOTHING "De Telegraaf De Elite's Bullsh-t" produces will EVER appear on this website again. - mpg

The War Will Go On
A quote...."In the late summer of 2008, as the American political parties convene to produce a new president, it seems clear that Americans will continue to kill and die -- and suffer and inflict terrible injuries -- in the U.S. war in the Middle East, regardless of who is elected president, well into the next administration and beyond. - The war is not limited to Iraq. The Bush administration's invasion of Iraq, in March of 2003, was preceded by their invasion of Afghanistan, in October of 2001. In the spring and summer of 2008, more Americans have been killed each month in Afghanistan than in the on-going war in Iraq." -- Also posted at ICH

Curb Your Enthusiasm for Obama
A quote...."Barack Obama’s health care plan coddles the corporations that profit from the misery and illnesses of tens of millions of Americans. The plan is naive, at best, and probably disingenuous when it insists that we can coax these corporations, which are listed on the stock exchange and exist to maximize profit, to transform themselves into social service agencies that will provide adequate health care for all Americans. I wish we lived in such a rosy world. I know, and I suspect Obama knows, that we do not. " -- Also posted at ICH

Gobblers on Parade: Portrait of a Highly Successful System
Must Read - A quote...."Now let's talk turkey. Get down to brass tacks. Cut to the chase. Lay it on the line. Tell it like it is. In other words, let's talk money; viz., how our society has been deliberately and institutionally structured to employ money as a means of social and political ordering on behalf of the razor-thin sliver of the wealthy elite (and the many courtiers and sycophants who feed avidly on their crumbs)."

A Great Quest - in a Vast Country
Must Read  - A quote...."People in small villages in the United States don’t feel they’re a world power....They know exactly how unpopular the United States is in large parts of the world and they would like to reverse that development."

Thousands March Against War & McCain
A quote...."ST. PAUL -- "We are the troops!" chanted the Iraq War veterans.

"How do you support us? their comrades responded.
"Bring us home!" came the response.

So began Monday's massive anti-war demonstration, led by members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace that brought tens of thousands of demonstrator from Minnesota's state capitol to the Xcel Energy Center where Republicans will nominate pro-war Senator John McCain for president.

Five Deferments Kept Biden Out Of Vietnam
Isn't that just great, another "chicken-hawk" in the White House.- mpg -- A quote...."Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden received five student draft deferments during the Vietnam War, the same number of deferments received by Vice President Dick Cheney, and later was disqualified from service because of asthma as a teenager."

Twin Cities Police Thug-O-Thon - 7 articles - Monday - [ Day 2 ] =========  ========== =======

Thugs with Badges: Crackdown in Minneapolis
Contains Video - A quote...."This may be the first video release on the Twin Cities raids-against legitimate protest at the Republican National Convention.  Twin Cities author Jeremy Hubbell provides background info on this decade-long practice.  Included is a call to action, with an online petition, mayors' phone numbers, links and info on upcoming national actions.  OpEdNews has been covering the ongoing raids as reported by The Uptake, The Minnesota Independent, and others.  Our own Kathlyn Stone has been posting at the Twin Cities Daily Planet."

Police, National Guard, fire tear gas into protest group
Contains Video - A quote...."Local police and Minnesota National Guard units are using a combination of pepper spray, concussion grenades and tear gas on a group of breakaway protesters gathered on Kellogg Boulevard in downtown St. Paul. The group of about 150 protesters, many thought to be with the group "Funk the War," had been blocking traffic for much of the afternoon."

Amy Goodman Arrested at RNC - (YouTube - 49 sec - Added:  September 01, 2008)
Video - A quote...."Democracy Now's Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar were arrested by the Minneapolis Police Department. Charged with conspiracy to riot. Footage from Rick Rowley and Brandon Jourdan."

CRACKDOWN BEGINS: Food Not Bombs homes and offices raided.
A quote...."As the all volunteer movement Food Not Bombs prepares to respond to Hurricane Gustav the police and FBI raided several Food Not Bombs houses in Minneapolis and an office in Berkeley where police seized 13 computers."

Minnesota police raid ‘criminal’ RNC protesters
A quote...."News of Sarah Palin and Hurricane Gustav has eclipsed a series of police raids that took place in the Twin Cities over the weekend, in which FBI agents and local law enforcement detained six people on suspicion of conspiracy to riot at the Republican National Convention. The detainees have not been formally charged with any crime and their lawyers are in court today seeking their release. There were no such pre-emptive arrests of protesters at the Democratic Convention in Denver last week."

Activist group condemns ‘violent and illegal’ police raids; restraining order sought against police
A quote...."A national anti-war activist group, the Troops Out Now Coalition, has set up an online petition drive in the wake of this weekend’s police raids and arrests of Republican National Convention protesters. - The petition accuses authorities of using “fear and intimidation” tactics and acting under orders from the RNC to raid three Minneapolis homes and the RNC Welcoming Committee’s “Convergence Center” in downtown St. Paul."

Pre-RNC police raids: reporters’ notebook
A quote...."It’s been a long day for activists and citizen journalists as a series of police raids on the homes of anti-RNC activists has raised anxieties just 48 hours from the Republican National Convention. The following are late breaking bits and pieces: -- MinnPost has a copy of the search warrant for 2301 23rd Ave (PDF) as well as the reactions of council member Gary Schiff, in whose ward two houses were raided."

End - Twin Cities Police Thug-O-Thon - 7 articles - Monday - [ Day 2 ] =========  ========== =======
  
Integration of Sunni Awakening Councils a Challenge; Some Mahdi Army Fighters Reject Ceasefire; [And Other Issues]
A Juan Cole round-up -- A quote...."Al-Zaman reports in Arabic that hundreds of members of the Mahdi Army of Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr are rejecting his call for a long-term ceasefire with US troops and their transformation into a service organization. The militants say they cannot conceive of their mission in life as anything other than violently opposing the presence of US troops in their country....."

‘500 civilians killed, injured in Afghanistan’
A quote...."PESHAWAR: At least 500 civilians were killed or wounded during the five-day US-led troops` ground and air operation in the Sangin district of Helmand province, a member of Afghanistan`s parliament said on Sunday."

NATO Forces Kill Five Afghan Children, Sparking Further Protests
A quote...."Not long after NATO announced a joint probe into a US air strike in Herat which a UN report said killed 90 civilians, including 60 children, already tense relations with the Afghan government and populace stand to take another hit amid news that NATO forces have killed five more children in two separate incidents in Afghanistan today."

Reports of Civilian Deaths Inflame Tensions in Afghanistan
A quote...."KABUL - Foreign and Afghan forces killed five children in two separate incidents Monday, further inflaming tensions in the country over the killings of civilians by troops from the U.S.-led coalition."

NATO-led troops kill three Afghan children
A quote...."KABUL (AFP) — NATO-led troops accidentally killed three Afghan children in artillery fire in eastern Afghanistan Monday, the force said, the latest in a string of civilian casualties caused by foreign soldiers."

Palestinians reject partial peace accord
A quote...."Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected Israel's idea of an interim peace agreement at a Sunday summit, a Palestinian negotiator said, insisting on an all-or-nothing approach that virtually ruled out an accord by a January target date."

Morales meets Iranian president
A quote...."Evo Morales, Bolivia's president, has met his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran in an effort to boost relations between the two oil rich nations."

U.S. warship met by anti-NATO protests in Ukraine's Sevastopol
A quote...."SEVASTOPOL, September 1 (RIA Novosti) - The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas, which arrived on Monday morning at the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol where Russia has a naval base, has refused to go ashore amid anti-NATO protests, customs officers said. (U.S. Coastguard cutter Dallas enters Sevastopol Harbor - video)"

The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 6 articles - Monday - [ Day 25 ] =====  ==========

The 'Stupidest Guy on the Planet' Has Lots of Company
A quote...."September 1, 2008 -- During the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 the soldier selected to lead the campaign, Gen. Tommy Franks, called Pentagon number-three man Doug Feith "the stupidest f*cking guy on the face of the planet." What Feith did to be dubbed the world's greatest fool is unknown, but it is certain that Georgia's President Mikheil "Misha" Saakashvili's attack on Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia has earned him the global dunce's cap that heretofore rested on Doug Feith's brow."

Georgia admits dropping cluster bombs, says rights group
Special Note - A quote...."Monday September 01 2008 14:18 BST -- Georgia has admitted dropping cluster bombs during its attempt to regain control of its breakaway province of South Ossetia, a human rights group said today. - Human Rights Watch said it had received a letter from the Georgian defence ministry acknowledging the use of M85 cluster bombs near the Roki tunnel that connects South Ossetia with Russia." -- bold by website editor

German weekly: Georgia planned attack on sleeping civilians
A quote...."August 31, 2008, 12:51 -- Evidence of “numerous erroneous decisions of the Georgian leadership which led to the beginning of a crisis in the Caucasus” are accumulating in the OSCE headquarters, says the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel in an announcement of an article to be published on Monday."

Russia: U.S. may have sent arms to Georgia
A quote...."Sept. 1, 2008 08:32 AM -- BRUSSELS, Belgium - Russia warned the West on Monday against supporting Georgia's leadership, suggesting that the United States carried weapons as well as aid to the ex-Soviet republic and calling for an arms embargo until the Georgian government falls."

A light-hearted venture into Georgia war led to humiliation in South Ossetia
A quote...."Published: August 31, 2008 -- TBILISI, Georgia: Giorgi Monasalidze and Nika Kharadze wandered into war singing Georgian patriotic songs, their heads clouded by visions of military heroism. They ended up prisoners and were made to clean up the mess that the war had left behind."

Finnish PM says Georgia is no grounds to join Nato
A quote...."NDHF Net on: 01.09.2008 [12:38 ] -- Matti Vanhanen (centre), the Finnish prime minister, told the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) on Sunday that Russia's incursion into Georgia did not merit raising Finland's defence spending or taking full Nato membership into serious consideration."

End - The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 6 articles - Monday - [ Day 25 ] === ==========

Scramble for cash as central banks dry up
Special Note - a.k.a. "The Great Tightening", soon to be followed by the "Great Unwind" - mpg -- A quote..."British banks soon could be scrambling for short-term funding once more amid reports that supplies from Threadneedle Street and from Frankfurt may be drying up. - The Bank of England explicitly ruled out extending its Special Liquidity Scheme (SLS), while the European Central Bank is reportedly considering tightening its lending criteria."

Dubai Tower At Record Height
Full quote...."The developer of a Dubai skyscraper set to become the world's tallest building says the rising tower now stands at a "new record height" of 2,257 feet. - Emaar Properties says the skyscraper — known as Burj Dubai — now has "more than 160 stories." Its exterior is almost done and work has started on the interior. - The company's Monday statement gave no other details. The silvery steel-and-glass building's final height is a secret. - Last summer, the developer announced the building surpassed Taiwan's Taipei 101 which has dominated the global skyline at 1,667 feet since 2004. - In the four years of construction, Emaar twice postponed the skyscraper's finish, now slated for September 2009."

========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ====

Did Bush Comply With "Authorization to Use Military Force"?
A quote...."As hard as he tried, twice or more and failed, Bush could NOT get the United Nations Security Council to approve his invasion of Iraq. - The United Nations Charter "prohibits the use of military force against any member nation without the approval of the Security Council", but lacking the required authorization, Bush decided to attack Iraq asserting that Congress gave him the authorization to do so by approving House Joint Resolution 114, the "Authorization to Use Military Force".

Internet Traffic Begins to Bypass the U.S. - posted at BuzzFlash
Special Note -- A quote...."Andrew M. Odlyzko, a professor at the University of Minnesota who tracks the growth of the global Internet, added, “We discovered the Internet, but we couldn’t keep it a secret.” While the United States carried 70 percent of the world’s Internet traffic a decade ago, he estimates that portion has fallen to about 25 percent."

And why should people route their traffic through the US, who wants their conversations, investment arrangements, scientific inventions, new discoveries, medical history, their most intimate secrets, and everything else that's sent through the web monitored by one of the most corrupt governments in the world.  Would you? Would you want to compete with any US company that's had privileged access to your private communications?  Or your financial records?  Or your trade secrets? - mpg

For more on this issue see....Attempts to Control the Internet - NSA

The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 9 articles - Sunday - [ Day 24 ] =====  ==========

OSCE -- [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] observers fault Georgians in conflict
Special Note - A quote...."Aug 30, 2008, 9:52 GMT -- Hamburg - European observers have faulted Georgia in this month's Caucasus conflict, saying it made elaborate plans to seize South Ossetia, according to the German news magazine Der Spiegel on Saturday. -- In a report to appear in its Monday edition, it said officials of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) had said acts by the Georgian government had contributed to the outbreak of the crisis with Russia." - bold by website editor.

Matt McCarten: US spin on Georgia war shows how vital it is to have free media - posted at BuzzFlash
Special Note - A quote...."5:00AM Sunday August 17, 2008 -- In the United States, it seems the mainstream media fall in line frequently with their government's spin over international events. Most of the global news networks are owned and based in the US, and therefore tend to set the news agenda worldwide. -- What is disturbing is how jingoistic and partisan the US news coverage is over the Georgia conflict. It is clearer to me now how these US news agencies were able to stir up public support after 9/11 to invade Afghanistan and then Iraq. It's frightening how the agencies have, in many ways, become a mouthpiece for their government's policy." -- For more on the two articles shown above see....American Selective Attention Deficit Disorder (ASADD) - 08-16-08 - mpg

Putin accuses US of staging Georgia conflict
Video - Must View - A quote...."August 30, 2008 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the US of staging the Georgian conflict. His statements echo two articles pointing to Senator John McCain's foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, in which conservative politician Pat Buchanan calls Sheunemann " a dual loyalist, a foreign agent whose assignment is to get America committed to spilling the blood of her sons for client regimes who have made this moral mercenary a rich man." Gareth Porter also states that The US is going to use a double standard to condemn Russia."

Russia promises military aid to South Ossetia
A quote...."2 hours, 9 minutes ago as of 4:10 PST - Sunday August 31st 2008 -- MOSCOW - Russia's president said Sunday his country will give military aid to the two separatist regions at the center of the war with Georgia — signaling Moscow has no intention of backing down in the face of Western pressure."

Putin: U.S. military advisers in Georgia conflict
A quote...."29 Aug 2008 22:44:22 GMT -- A quote...."MOSCOW, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said U.S. military advisers had been involved in this month's conflict in Georgia and the White House could have planned it to help Republicans win the U.S. election."

Putin in fresh attack on US over Georgia
A quote...."2 day ago as of 4:10 PST - Sunday August 31st 2008 -- MOSCOW (AFP) — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made fresh accusations of US involvement in the Georgia conflict and rejected suggestions Moscow could target Ukraine next, in an interview aired Saturday."

Medvedev reveals foreign policy doctrine
A quote...."August 31, 2008, 22:26 -- Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev has outlined five principles guiding his foreign policy in the wake of the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. He said Russia recognises international law but won’t accept decisions ‘made by one country solely’."

Abkhazia to restore air links with Russia - (YouTube - 3 min 50 sec - Added:  August 31, 2008)
Video - A quote...."The Republic of Abkhazia is to restore regular flights between its capital Sukhum and Russia, the head of Sukhum airport told RIA Novosti news agency on Sunday. Last week Russia recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states following the Georgia-South Ossetia conflict."

Venezuela Recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia Independence
A quote...."The President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez, officially declared Saturday his country's support of Russia and of their decision to recognize South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence. - With their President's declaration Venezuela became the second country to officially recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia."

End - The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 9 articles - Sunday - [ Day 24 ] ===  ==========

Agreement on U.S. withdrawal from Iraq said to be in peril as Maliki ousts negotiators
A quote...."BAGHDAD -- At the "make-or-break" stage of talks with the U.S. on the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has swept aside his negotiating team and replaced it with three of his closest aides, a reshuffle that some Iraqi officials warn risks sabotaging the agreement."

Police & Expose them !
If you want to know just how ticked off some Iraqis are at what this nation has done to their country....read on. - mpg -- A quote...."I just love exposing the motherf-ckers. I tremendously enjoy cornering them in their own turf. - I relish shedding light on them...I thoroughly enjoy deconstructing them and skinning them and their arguments away....in the garbage bins , in the dustbins, into the rubbish that they are..."

China has head start over West for Iraq oil - More on the China/Iraq deal. - mpg
A quote...."DUBAI - China crossed the line first in the race for big oil contracts in post-Saddam Iraq and has gained a head start over Western oil majors in the competition for future energy deals. - China's biggest oil company, state-run CNPC, agreed a $3 billion service contract with Iraq on Wednesday."

As a Palestinian state recedes, Jordan contacts Hamas
A quote...."Jordan's move to thaw relations with the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) following nine years of estrangement has raised eyebrows as to the timing and the motives behind this tactic. Internal and external factors dictated the rapprochement amid growing Jordanian dismay at American and Israeli behavior - the kingdom's main strategic allies since the turn of the century. Hence, the timing bears significance considering the last months of President George W. Bush's tenure and Israel's political paralysis. On the other side, the Palestinian Authority (PA) led by Mahmoud Abbas looks headed toward failure in light of Hamas' pounding and US-Israeli indifference."

Lebanon deminers hang up their detectors as funds dry up
A quote...."TYRE, Lebanon (AFP) — Mohamed Balhas was on his tractor clearing a patch of land near his home in southern Lebanon last week when a cluster bomb exploded, shooting shrapnel into his chest and left leg." -- "Our productivity in clearing contaminated areas will be cut by 50 percent at the end of the month when the teams stop their work," Farran said, adding that the 2008 budget was short 4.7 million dollars."

So this is the end of August, that means their total yearly budget is roughly what.....fifteen to twenty million dollars to clean up Israel's three day four million cluster bomblet frenzy?  Yet this nation is spending half a million dollars a minute to kill people in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Sort of gives you an idea of the New Roman Empire's priorities doesn’t it.

By the way, think about this, Bush balked and refused for the longest time to provide more money to the 9/11 commission above and beyond their original budget.  A Whopping Whole three million dollars.  That's right folks, your fearless leader who is currently spending more than half a million of your tax dollars a minute killing people in your name using 9/11 as an excuse to do so, didn't want to spend even a measly, paltry, pitiful, three million dollars investigating how 9/11 occurred.  Must be another one of them there priority things, don't you think? – mpg

Abbas: All Palestinians should be given right to return home
A quote...."Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters in Lebanon on Thursday that all Palestinians should be given the right to return home. -- The highly contentious notion of a Palestinian "right of return" is one key issues in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians for peace agreement." -- So he says.... - mpg

Iran's attendance in SCO Summit shows its influence
A quote...."A member of Majlis presiding board said on Saturday that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's participation in the 8th Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan earlier this week demonstrated Iran's great power and position."

Dr David Kelly's closest female confidante on why he COULDN'T have killed himself
A quote...."A female confidante of Dr David Kelly raised disturbing new questions last night over how the Ministry of Defence weapons inspector was able to kill himself. - After his body was discovered in woods near his Oxfordshire home in July 2003, a Government inquiry led by Lord Hutton ruled that he committed suicide by slashing his left wrist with a knife and taking an overdose of co-proxamol, a painkiller commonly used for arthritis." -- You see in Russia they get shot while trying to escape, (see article below) - here in the enlightened Anglo-American coalition (N.R.E.) they get "suicided" or "accidented" -- For more on this sort of issue see....9/11 the Sequel - Return of the Jihadi - 08-23-08 - mpg

Ingush news website owner shot dead while held by interior ministry officials
Special Note - A quote...."Journalist Magomed Yevloyev, one of the creators of the Ingush news website Ingushetiya.ru (http://ingushetiya.ru), was shot dead today while held by interior ministry officials in Nazran (in the southern Russian republic of Ingushetia). He was arrested as he disembarked at Nazran airport from a flight which Ingush President Murat Zyazikov had also taken. He was admitted to a hospital an hour later with a gunshot wound to the head and died on the operating table." -- "We are outraged by the death of Yevloyev, who repeatedly demonstrated his courage and determination by reporting independent news in Ingushetia, although he and his family were harassed and threatened,” said Reporters Without Borders. “His death must not go unpunished. It is vital that the international community, especially the European Union, should demand to know what really happened and who was responsible. The explanations given by the Ingush authorities make no sense.” -- bold by website editor.

CIA memos reveal doubts over 'key' Lockerbie witness
A quote...."A Libyan "double agent" who was central to the CIA's investigation into the Lockerbie bombing exaggerated his importance in Tripoli's intelligence apparatus and gave little information of value, yet is still living at the US taxpayers' expense in a witness protection programme, according to previously unseen CIA cables."

Judges attack Home Secretary over Briton's claim of U.S. torture
A quote...." Judges yesterday criticised David Miliband for not treating seriously enough claims that a Briton was tortured in Guantanamo Bay. - The comments come after a legal wrangle over whether the Government will hand over secret documents relating to Binyam Mohamed, who is facing a U.S. military trial for terrorism."

British Gitmo detainee wins documents
A quote...." LONDON, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- British judges say Guantanamo Bay prisoner Binyam Mohamed will receive U.S. documents that may support his claim he was tortured into a false confession."

In UK 'secret war,' 3,500 'taken off the streets of Baghdad'
A quote...."Senior sources denied that the SAS was taking part in 'extra-judicial killings.' 31 Aug 2008 Hundreds of terrorists civilians have been killed by the SAS waging a "secret war" against al-Qaeda [al-CIAduh] in Iraq, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose. More than 3,500 insurgents have been "taken off the streets of Baghdad" by the elite British force in a series of audacious "Black Ops" over the past two years. It is understood that while the majority of the 'terrorists' were captured, several hundred, who were mainly members of the organisation known as "al-Qa'eda in Iraq" have been killed by the SAS. The SAS is part of a highly secretive unit called "Task Force Black" which also includes Delta Force, the US equivalent of the SAS." -- Paragraph quoted from CLG

Court: US can block mad cow testing
A quote...." WASHINGTON - The Bush administration can prohibit meat packers from testing their animals for mad cow disease, a federal appeals court said Friday. - The dispute pits the Agriculture Department, which tests about 1 percent of cows for the potentially deadly disease, against a Kansas meat packer that wants to test all its animals."

========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ====

They need about a half a trillion dollars in borrowing authority, and they need a vehicle to own these banks while we triage them and sell them." -- *Chris Whalen*, managing director of Institutional Risk Analytics