This is slightly edited from the previous version, and has much more commentary than the simple list it was before that... after some thought, I left in the bit about Kim Jong Il, even if it's possible the reader read about it here before. It bears repeating, and it's rather odd.
I thought I'd take the opportunity to list the news items that seemed significant to me but may not have been getting much play in the conventional media. I don't know, I've sort of been avoiding the newspapers and TV. Many of this week's interesting items were found at Publius Pundit.
Ukranian Government Sacked over Gas Deal. I haven't seen much more than that, It is important, however, that while everyone else is concerned about the US "doing things because of oil," whether it is or not, other oil producing countries are using their resources for political leverage as well as income. Another example of this. also from A.M. Mora y Leon, but at Babalu Blog:
Something Suspicious. In short, Venezuela allegedly won't be sending as much oil to Cuba as before; various reasons are discussed. Finally, regarding other strategic fluids, there's also this post from Publius Pundit:
Caracas Coffee Chaos. I thought the standoff with Polar (another producer of strategic resources in Venezuela) was bad enough; now attempted price controls on both the raw bean and the finished product are basically putting producers out of business. This brings to mind the daunting image of massive numbers of coffee-deprived Venezuelans flooding into the US, but personally, I think once they find out how bad Starbucks is they'll probably leave again. Of course, this isn't the only bad economic news there (and, therefore, here): there's also the bit about the viaduct. Why a Duck, you ask?
I'll tell you why a duck: Caracas Chronicles explains why a bridge failure between Caracas and La Guaira will probably negatively impact the economy there. Which probably means that the cost of goods we buy from Venezuela, like oil, will be increacing. I think this is part of the reason prices have gone up this past week, and when the impact really hits home, they'll probably go up more.
The more I read items like this, the more temporally disconnected I become. Remember all those Ripley's Believe It Or Not newsreels from the thirties and forties, about the quaint little customs of the quaint little tribes of headhunters on the margin of the British Empire, barely kept in check by the efforts of the local governor? Well, the Empire's gone, but the headhunters are still there, and they're reading about centrifugal separation of isotopes. (I may have said this before, but it seemed like a good time to repeat it).
Until next week... next month... next year? Who knows. OK, with any luck, the planet will still be here next week, and I'll try to post then. If the Raymond Scott afficiandos of Central Asia haven't set off their EMP device.
Posted by: Phil ||
01/14/2006 00:57 ||
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#1
The announced flatlining of oil exports to Cuba may simply be a lie. Since the bridge collapse Chavez has taken heat for spending Venezuela's newfound riches outside the country while its own infrastructure collapses. Public announcements of less foreign aid may sooth internal feelings. Can't really say whether its true or not.
Good morning, Madame Chancellor. Here you are, Germany's Angela Merkel, on your first trip to Washington, D.C., preparing for your meeting with President Bush. As you look out of your Blair House window over Lafayette Square toward the White House, consider the historicity of the era: the beginning of Mr. Bush's sixth year leading his country, and the beginning of your first year leading your country in the so-called war on terror. Or is that the war on Guantanamo Bay? I get them confused.
That's because in just about every account of your American trip -- biggish news in Europe -- it is prominently mentioned that Guantanamo Bay is prominently high on your list of, well, prominent concerns. Trouble spots. Global things you lose sleep over.
This is, with due respect, bizarre. Iran is going nuclear, Europe is going Islamic, Russia is going off the reservation, China is a fearsome thing, and your big concern is sending what is called a "clear message" to Mr. Bush about Guantanamo Bay, the tropical jail where the United States keeps jihadis on ice -- and keeps the rest of the world safer as a result. But that's not what you say. "An institution like Guantanamo can and should not exist in the longer term," you told the German news magazine Der Spiegel this week. "Different ways and means must be found for dealing with these prisoners."
I have a suggestion: How 'bout if we ship all these guys, unflushed Korans and all, to Germany? Maybe 72 Virgin Air would cut us a deal. Then you -- Germany -- can parole them to Lebanon.
More at the link...
Posted by: ed ||
01/14/2006 00:00 ||
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this is disappointing. But I am somewhat suspicious as the entire article reads like nasty blog entry. While the facts presented here are disheartening, I hope this is just an attempt to smear her with a narrow focus on specific events that don't reflect her overall direction.
I have a suggestion: How 'bout if we ship all these guys, unflushed Korans and all, to Germany?
I've got a better suggestion: How 'bout if we shoot all the illegal combatants at Gitmo and then just don't take any more illegal combatants as prisoners. Shoot them on the battlefield, as required by "international law."
I'm sure the Euros will be impressed by our following the Geneva Conventions to the letter.
And if is will make the Germans happier, we can ship the corpses to them and they can parole the corpses to Lebanon.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
01/14/2006 0:43 Comments ||
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#3
TGA has have ulcers by now over Merkel. I'm sorely disappointed that she's a twit - he must be crushed. Sigh. Wotta total fucking Schröderific moron she's turned out to be.
#4
Bush is a nice guy. Really. However, who do you think is going to be around when he's no longer President. Like maybe a few million Americans who's view of Ms. Merkel's country is not ever going to raise above the basement its now in. Just think happy thoughts Chancellor because the damage is structural and unlikely ever to be repaired. You're best bet is to play nice with the Poles and have them represent your interests for a generation.
#5
I think all the inmates at Guantanamo should be put in one big remote-controlled airliner, and flown directly to Frankfurt. On the way these same inmates should attempt to seize control of the aircraft and, all chanting "Allahu Akhbar!", fly it straight into the middle of the Atlantic with the loss of all on board. But then, what do I know?
#7
Good lord, another few years of an irrelevant Germany. She will be singing a different tune in three years when she is begging the CIA for help in solving her little Muzzie problem in Germany. I only hope that this was a propaganda effort to apease the left.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
01/14/2006 14:25 Comments ||
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#8
Darn, no politician in Europe has really balls. Even the symbolic ones. Like Iron Lady Margaret once upon a time. I did not like much her personality, but did not care about that, she had her head screwed on right.
"Multilateralism good; preemption and unilateralism bad.â
For four years we have heard these Orwellian commandments as if they were inscribed above the door of Farmer Jonesâs big barn. Now we will learn their real currency, since the Americans are doing everything imaginable â drawing in the Europeans, coaxing the Russians and Chinese to be helpful at the U.N., working with international monitoring agencies, restraining Israel, talking to the Arabs, keeping our jets in their hangars â to avoid precipitous steps against Iran.
Its theocracy poses a danger to civilization even greater than a nuclear North Korea for a variety of peculiar circumstances. Iran is free of a patron like China that might in theory exert moderate influence or even insist on occasional restraint. North Korea, for an increasingly wealthy and capitalist China, is as much a headache and an economic liability as a socialist comrade.
In contrast, Iran is a cash cow for Russia (and China) and apparently a source of opportunistic delight in its tweaking of the West. Iranian petro-wealth has probably already earned Tehran at least one, and probably two, favorable votes at the Security Council.
Continued on Page 49
#2
Caught between a rock and a hard place, and the devil and the deep blue sea.
Option 5 - decapitation: one JDAM on the Iranian parliment in session?
Posted by: Bobby ||
01/14/2006 9:03 Comments ||
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#3
VDH is always good.
I don't take it as a given that an Israeli strike is off the table. Isn't this the same old "they'll stir up the terrorist streets" argument? That argument in which the course of action is changed in order to keep radical Muslims calm? This is a fruitless people pleasing ploy. We learned a while ago that radicals will be radicals no matter what. The terrorists will try a dirty bomb on Israel with or without an Israeli strike on Iran.
We should always fight for Israel's existence, but we shouldn't be the sacrifical lamb in this conflict by taking on Iran alone. If military action is required, Israel and the US should share the burden. Europe should, too-firstmost-but they are busy washing their brains, hands and history books of their own complicity in Israel's fate.
IF we do not fix this, Israel will have no choice but defend themselves. The only choice for them is to do something either before they get nuked or after.
If its before, then you have VDH's scenario.
IF its after, then Israel will be sure to destroy and all acapaicty for strikes, terroristm and action coming from Iran. That means they will use probably over 100 nuclear weapons across Iran. Iran will see deaths numbering in the range of 25-30 million after all is said and done, and its major cities and modern infrastructure will be destroyed. Its "religious" sites will likely be destroyed as well, since thats where the leadership tends to stay. Starvation, radiation poisoning, and disease will run rampant. Iran will be destroyed as a culture in addition to being destroyed as a nation.
The west, in this scenario would be obligated to sieze and maintain the Iranian oilfields, to prevent even larger economic dislocations. The initial effects would be a huge increase in petroleum prices, gasoline well nort og $7 a gallon in the US, and spot shorateges fo all kinds of petroleum products world wide. It would open an opportunity for Chavez to launch an embargo onthe US that woudl require us to act against him for reasons of national security.
SO we sould end up maintaining Iraq with a horrible Islamist guerilla war, Iran (with the Europeans) in terrible circumstances and probable guerilla war, and Venezuela against jungle warfare.
THis leaves Kim Jong Il freedom to slip the leash, and he may take advantage of the disrutption to come over the border in an attempt to grab Seoul before we can react, then hold it hostage (think back to the rape of Nanking) or hope for the collapse of S. Koreas backbone.
In short, this one has stewed for WAY too long, and we damn well better fix it SOON, and that means the Europeans wil have to get off their asses and get their hands dirty.
If they dont help us, and keep up this stupid obstructianism form the French and Germans, then I thinkits time fo the US to say to hell with Europe, secure our borders, secure our oild supplies and trade routes with our frinds in the Pacific and Eastern Europe,, and let Germany, Fance, Belgium, et al rot under the threat of Iranian nukes.
Tell a nuclear armed Iran that if they strike Europe other than our friends in Poland, etc, we will not retaliate - we do not care enough to risk US casualties for European powers. But if they strike ANYONE else, we will utterly destroy their nation with over 300 high yeild nuclear weapons, and follow it with a continued conventional strike via bombers and cruise missles until there is no trace left of the evil regime and its supporters that brought nukes into the hands of madmen. This includes the oil fields and deliberately targeting of every population center or piece of modern infgrastructure (dams, bridges, etc). And make dman sure the Iranian people realize that the Mullahs have put the US pistol squarely on their temples.
Let the Euros deal with what their illicit dealings with Iran, their knee-jerk anti-US policies, and their refusal to help us in any meaningful way, have brought upon them. Let the Iranian people know that we will destroy them if thier Mullahs get the bomb and use it.
And start NOW in getting energy independence. Declare a national state of emergency, start building power dams, clean-technology coal fired plants and nuclear power plants across the nation. Buy the designs fromthe Japanese and French and start building NOW.
The real bottom line is we need to start immediately in getting us off petroleum and onto nukes. Then we can tell Europe to deal with it, we don't care.
#5
So we'd keep Saudi and Pak land under the nuclear umbrella but not Europe? Much as I detest Europe, I wouldn't go that far. But what we should be doing is leafletting Iran so that the civilians know that:
1) the MMs cannot protect them or control their own airspace
2) We are prepared to respond to the use of any radioactive weapon by terrorists or Iran with a direct attack on Iran
3) That the attack on Iran will be primarily on Persian cities, that Kurdish areas will be spared.
#7
Jules - you can bet your life that Israel has operatives on the ground in Iran - risking their lives to gather site info/weapons possibilities, air defenses, etc. Even an all USAF attack would have Israeli fingerprints and responsibilities for success/failure on it. We are not alone, nor should they be. VDH's PR campaign is on the money. We have to make it clear that we were drug into this against all wishes. Decap strikes and leave the population to rise up - I like the leafletting idea... the MM's would go even nuttier with paranoia and purges
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/14/2006 12:48 Comments ||
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#8
Old Spook, thanks for outlining the nightmare scenario in detail. Should be required reading in our political circles.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/14/2006 20:19 Comments ||
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Surprise Meter stuck on zero.
A court seat for privilege...
By Derrick Z. Jackson | January 14, 2006
AMAZING AMNESIA. How sweet the white privilege. Maybe I'm wrong, but doesn't this remark reek a wee bit of racism?
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ''Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." Right on time for the King holiday, America is elevating yet another man to lifetime power on the claim of sincere ignorance of his association with racism and sexism. Just like the smear job Uncle Teddy tried this week. Maybe it'll work, next time...
Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito was repeatedly asked in this week's hearings about his membership in the Concerned Alumni of Princeton. The group lasted from 1972, the year Alito graduated from Princeton, to the mid-1980s. The group whined in its writings that increased numbers of ''women and minorities will largely vitiate the alumni body of the future." And Derrick is part of an editorial staff that's been on the wrong side of many issues itself. The point is...?
In the dictionary, ''vitiate" means, ''1. To reduce the value or impair the quality; 2. To corrupt morally; 3. To make ineffective." Well, I'll give him props for doing at least this amount of 'research' for his article.
During the hearings, Alito said of the Concerned Alumni of Princeton: ''I don't remember this organization."
''I have wracked my memory about this issue, and I really have no specific recollection of that organization." None of this is of consequence in a nation where President Bush won reelection on the strength of his white vote. It was a vote that thrived on ignorant fears, fears that allowed Bush to get away with an agenda that resulted in such things as going to war over nonexistent weapons of mass destruction, the attack on affirmative action, even though white women have always been its chief beneficiaries, and the assault on gay marriage despite absolutely no proof that it damages the values of our society. Haven't, like, all Presidents won election or reelection because of the 'strength' (can't use 'majority', nope, too honest) of the white vote?
The agenda is now almost complete. (cue Monty Burns rubbing his hands together, whispering Exxxxxxcellent!)
On a Capitol Hill with Bush's Republican Party in charge, Alito will get his seat and the right wing will have its chance to reverse the gains of the King era, gains which were extended from black people to Latinos, to white women to gay and lesbian people, to the physically challenged. Alito will join the pantheon of modern white power brokers who continue to determine the laws of this country despite their flirtations with bigotry and romancing the segregated past. If this guy's saying Alito and Republicans in general are going to reverse the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, he's off his rocker. To further accuse both with charges of racism is reprehensible.
In his convenient amnesia and his vigorous support of Ronald Reagan's attempt to roll back rights, Alito mimics the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Rehnquist wrote in 1952 that the 1896 Supreme Court Plessy v. Ferguson decision upholding segregation was ''right and should be reaffirmed." He owned not one but two homes with restrictive covenants against selling them to black people or Jews as do certain Senators, IIRC. Yet he said in his 1986 confirmation hearings to be chief justice, ''I simply can't answer whether I read through the deed." How many of your home purchase documents have you read, Mr. Jackson? I've only read parts of the ones I had to sign. Ready for the next smear?
Alito's memory loss mirrors that of Trent Lott, who is still a powerful Mississippi senator despite three speeches to the post-Klan Council of Concerned Citizens and despite claiming ''no firsthand knowledge" of the group's racism. It echoes John Ashcroft, Bush's first attorney general, who praised Confederate leaders in the racist publication ''Southern Partisan" and then claimed in his confirmation hearings, ''I can't say that I knew very much about the magazine."
Memory is irrelevant in a nation that accepts a president who spoke during the 2000 presidential campaign at Bob Jones University despite its nationally known racial and anti-Catholic bigotry. Bush defended his appearance until pressure from Catholics forced him to apologize to the late Cardinal John O'Connor. ''On reflection I should have been more clear in disassociating myself from anti-Catholic sentiments and racial prejudice," Bush wrote. Not sure this adds to Jackson's argument, since Bush apologized for the appearance. Or is Jackson calling Bush a liar in his own little way?
Bush made it very clear what forces he wanted to associate with in 2003. The week before that King holiday, Bush threw the weight of the White House behind the white students who wanted to eliminate reverse discrimination destroy affirmative action at the University of Michigan. Bush will soon have a Supreme Court that can kill ... die... kill it in all programs, along with a woman's right to choose. No one can claim sincere ignorance about the vitiation of rights and the national division to follow. Just not like in France. Torching cars is soooo mid-80's Detroit...
#2
Mr. Jackson is appealing to left-liberals and guilt-riddled, gated-community dwelling liberals, both known as PASIWELS (Paternalistic Sick White Liberals).
PASIWELS hate America and are ashamed of the Western Euro-conquest of North and South America.
They have no practical solutions, for example, when they moan "We stole the land from the indigenousâ they offer a no answer to the suggestion that perhaps we should return it, starting first with their property.
They live their lives frozen in the 1950s and 1960s. PASIWELS are obsessed with a Rousseauian-inspired guilt. They decry the injustices of a segregated past while they ignore the more than monumental progress, not to mention the fact that American race-based civil rights legislation and action surpasses that of any two or three other democratic nationsâ efforts combined. Theyâre a hopeless lot.
#3
Derrick will never be happy - ignore the racist
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/14/2006 13:48 Comments ||
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#4
More of the same from the MSM clowns; read any Bob Herbert lately from the NYT? SSDD. This guy's got the same amount of veracity that the REV. AL has on Tawana Brawley. Yeah, there are plenty of racists in America, all right--problem is that far too many of them are brown or black and that those racists never get reprimanded for THEIR vicious, hate-filled outbursts.
Posted by: mac ||
01/14/2006 15:49 Comments ||
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#5
Notice how the lefties are obsessed with (a) race and (b) sex?
Think it's because they're (a) racist bigots and (b) not gettin' any?
Just askin', 's all.... :-D
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
01/14/2006 21:28 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Good morning, Madame Chancellor. Here you are, Germany's 
