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The Cowboy Against The Evil Empire*Robin Wright in the Post wrote about the ongoing efforts to halt Iran's nuclear program. "The second is what punitive action Iran's international critics could take if the country fails to comply. U.S. officials have been tight-lipped about the specifics of Rice's talks." Nothing new. It was,however, an item in The Guardian that made me gasp. The evil empire scenario with all its arrogant declarations. The surprise was that Saudi Arabia, a close ally (the rulers if not the people) of the Bush administration was a target! And Pakistan, despite its proven role in export of nuclear technology to the evil ones, is no longer so-- there can be no better example of "My enemy's enemy is my friend". The Empire Strikes Bush, Dan Froomkin's May 16th column in the Post is a good one to visit.One wonders if the scenario is part of the Born Again Christians' Rapture (Second Coming) thing. Maybe they are tired of waiting and want to resort to a catalyst. I'm being facetious but one can never tell what they are thinking of.

*A pleasure to read that Harold Pinter won the Nobel for literature. Peter Marks' article in The Post : "In its announcement, the Swedish Academy said it was recognizing a dramatist "who in his plays uncovers the precipice under the everyday prattle and forces entry into oppression's closed rooms." Well said.Harold Pinter was born in 1930 and is married to Lady Antonia Fraser, the renowned author of historical fiction. The home page of Harold Pinter.org contains the following:"Pinter's interest in politics is a very public one. Over the years he has spoken out forcefully about the abuse of state power around the world, ........................"

They deserve better*I read The Post article For Injured U.S. Troops, 'Financial Friendly Fire' with a sense of bewilderment. On top of the pain and, in some cases, physical limitations, injured soldiers are facing financial hardship due to arbitrary bureaucratic procedures. Excerpt from Donna St. George's report: "But nine months after Loria was wounded, the Army garnished his wages and then, as he prepared to leave the service, hit him with a $6,200 debt. That was just before last Christmas, and several lawmakers scrambled to help. This spring, a collection agency started calling. He owed another $646 for military housing."Where are the officials who sent them to Iraq? Do something.The Death TollAccording to icasualties.org, the total for U.S. soldiers is now at 1966."For me war has become a flat, black depression without highlights, a revulsion of the mind and an exhaustion of the spirit.---Ernie Pyle (1900-1945), American journalist who covered World War II.Ernie Pyle died from sniper's bullets in Ie Shima, Japan, 18th April 1945. Comments Lily — 2005-10-14 Have you seen "Beyond Treason"yet? Its terrible what we do to our vets, and the way we "love em then leave em" is disgraceful. I am going to link to this in my sections this week on Depleted Uranium - here We have to get the messages on this out there. Lily — 2005-10-16 Musafir, I started posting on DU issues and welcome your resources and feedback. (http://greenlilypad.blogspot.com/) I also added some of your quotes with link to you. We have to get this information out there. Its tragic. Speaking of tragic, I watched (again) "Hijacking Catastrophe". Have you seen it?

A Staged, orchestrated event*The deception continues. Deb Riechmann's report in The Washington Post stated: " It was billed as a conversation with U.S. troops, but the questions President Bush asked on a teleconference call Thursday were choreographed to match his goals for the war in Iraq and Saturday's vote on a new Iraqi constitution." No wonder. Watching the news clip on CBS' web site it felt as though El Jefe was wearing a prompting device (remember the mysterious bulge). In the absence of proof let us assume that he managed without such aid. However, there were reports that the event was "choreographed". Jim VandeHei wrote in the Post that: "Before the president spoke via a video link, his event planners handpicked 10 soldiers from the Army's 42nd Infantry and one Iraqi soldier, told them what topics the president would ask about, and watched them briefly rehearse their presentations before going live." " ISN SECURTIY WATCH (13/10/2005) - President George Bush in a carefully orchestrated event on Thursday was told by handpicked US troops in Iraq that Iraqis were eager to vote in Saturday's referendum on a draft constitution."Note: Originally published 4:35 PM Oct.13,2005, edited and republished 7:59 PM Oct.13,2005

This post deleted by author. Edited version under "President's Video Conference with Troops in Iraq"

Violent Pornography? Certainly not*Knut Ahnlund, a member of the Swedish Academy, resigned in protest over last year's award for literature to Elfriede Jelinek ! Luke Harding in The Guardian wrote: " It was not clear last night why Ahnlund waited a year before delivering his tirade against Jelinek, who failed to turn up to collect her prize at last year's ceremony. But there was suspicion that the academy member is also unhappy about the latest choice for the 2005 Nobel prize for literature, who will be named tomorrow." Note: British playwright Harold Pinter has been named the winner of this year's award.Knut Ahnlund described Ms Jelinek's works as "whingeing, unenjoyable, violent pornography". That there is an element of violence in pornography, enjoyable or otherwise, is indisputable but Ms Jelinek's works are not pornographic. I did not know of Elfriede Jelinek until I read about her about a year ago when she won the Nobel for 2004. I watched video of the film "The Piano Teacher", based on Jelinek's novel. Thought that it was great and I blogged about it on November 8, 2004. The books, however, were disappointing. I read "The Piano Teacher" translated by Joachim Neugroschel, and "Lust" , translated by Michael Hulse. Found them boring. It was like reading police reports. Michael Haneke, director, and Isabelle Huppert in the leading role made "The Piano Teacher" a fascinating movie. The book failed to come close. Perhaps it was the translation.I respect Elfriede Jelinek for speaking out about sexual violence against women and for her position on Bush's war. Her play "Bambiland" is a scathing indictment of the war against Iraq.

Become Republican "Light" ?*Not a "Deaniac" or adherent of "take no prisoners" policy, but the thought that Democrats can return to power only by adopting strategies that brought success to Republicans makes me feel like throwing up. David Broder in the Post wrote about the "Politics of Polarization", a study produced by, Elaine Karmack and Bill Galston, two former staff members of the Clinton White House. The 64-page report is full "polling data and political advice". The path recommended is the political center. So far so good. Then comes the argument for "moral values" and that raises a red flag. There is so much hypocrisy about what the Republicans and conservative Christians say and what they practice that one should think twice before taking that tack. It is a slippery slope.

Blinks, Wiggles, Shrugs and Shifts*Where are you Smirking Chimp ? The Post article by Dana Milbank cries out for your pithy comments. For a while it seemed as though we, Bush critics were pissing against the wind. The wind has shifted. More and more such items are beginning to appear in mainstream media. The NY Times can run with Judy Miller.

*Yuki Noguchi's article, "Blogs as Cyber-Catharsis" in the Post made me think of the people I know who have been using blogs to reveal their innermost thoughts and experiences. I, of course, do not have the data collected by Ms Noguchi. She has been writing about the blogosphere and related subjects for some time. Based on my personal experience of being a somewhat discriminating reader of blogs I am inclined to be on the side of those "who consider it a form of therapy" . Ms. Noguchi wrote that ".....although some psychologists question the use of the Internet for therapy, many now use it to chronicle intensely personal experiences, venting confessions in front of millions of strangers who can write back."Psychologists, even with good intentions, cannot be fair and impartial on this issue. While there is the risk of attracting weirdos--they are out there--one can easily prevent comments from readers in the blogs. The downside of that is it would block not only slimy people but those whose comments might actually have a positive effect....for both.While I myself have not posted intensely personal details in my blog, I admire those who do. It takes courage and confidence. If they find release and satisfaction from posting their thoughts, may the force be with them.

Photo Opportunities Are No Longer Fun*Good for a laugh. Dan Froomkin's White House Briefing in the Post (Photo Op Bites Back) described an exchange between El Jefe and Matt Lauer. How the situation has changed! This would have been unthinkable a year ago when most of the journalists covering the president did not dare challenge the strict management of news under the iron hands of the president's minions. Talk about control. They were the masters. That was then. Now the reporters no longer feel cowed by the president. They have found chinks in his armor. More power to them.