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March 31st, 2005 Terri Schiavo, dead at 41 -  Faulty intelligence
Were the intelligence agencies wrong or is it the politicians making a scapegoat out the intelligence agencies? After all intelligence agencies seldom come out and comment on any reports. The intelligence agencies could have had some things wrongs but if they were so off then we better worry about our security. Its hard to believe that they were so wrong. Even when politicians (Republicans) were rallying for war against Iraq, there were voices that were vocal about no imminent danger and that Saddam had no WMD's. Unfortunately no one was paying listening. At the end of the day its easy to blame poor intelligence. For some reason we believe if it was up to the intelligence agencies this war would never had happened. 3:38 pm

What will Terri's legacy be? Will she turn into a poster child against bulimia, or for mercy killing or euthanasia? Now that she is dead, will the media cover what is going on in the rest of the world. Terri was one life but what about the other lives around the world and even back home. Terri's death certainly puts an end to all legal challenges and wranglings.11:58 am

Terri Schiavo(1963-2005) finally succumbed to starvation and her soul took flight. Hope she is free and happy where she is now, and a liberated being in the realm of this cosmos. Her death while expected, by starvation will leave us with many issues to fight about. Her hospitalized life has left us to battle with lots of issues, including the role of politicians and courts on our individual rights, the power of the constitution on her right to live or die. The fall out is happening. One of the appeals court judges rebuked the White House for acting, "in a manner demonstrably at odds with our Founding Father's blueprint for the governance of a free people -- our constitution."

The month of March ends her fight for life after fourteen days of starvation. Lets see what Prez Bush has to say about Schiavo on her death. 10:25 am

What is Laura Bush doing in Afghanistan? Does she think that taking the media to a well orchestrated meeting with prepped Afghan women shows the success and the freedom of the Afghan women. The Afghan women still languish and have no human rights, they are being treated as second class citizens. Anyway kudos for the photo op for Laura. 2:20 am

March 27th, 2005
Seems a lot has been said about the Terri case, more then any other issue or what is happening in the world. Terri Schiavo's case has hijacked the media and most networks are covering her and probably that is what the Schindler family wanted. A reader from UK comments about one of the pictures that we had posted here about the Tsunami. This is the street and we post your comments along with with our stuff. 9:50 am

Dear Street Wisperers,
Although the picture on your website
http://streetwhispers.com/archives-jan-2005.htm looks
impressive, it would appear to be a fake: Gaging by the size of the appartment blocks, the
main wave would have to in excess of 60m (=200 feet!)
According to the earth observatory:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=12645,
the waves would have reached a maximum between 4 - 17m i.e. 1/4 of those in the picture. Hence, the waves are clearly superimposed on the boulevard. Nevertheless the damage and suffering has been horrendous of course...
Kind regards,
Ozzie (ozzie_a3@yahoo.co.uk) 5:01 am

March 26th, 2005
Did the congress promise false hope to the Schindler's? What is the congress role interfering in a court decision that was not acceptable to them? We hope that Terri's soul leaves her body expediently and she does not suffer and her suffering be over now. She has suffered already at the hands of mortals. 6:45 pm

Terri Schiavo's case has turned into a mess, for a couple of reasons. One the politicians should not have been involved in the first place. Not that we are blaming the Schindlers family, but they wanted the politicians to be involved and now it has turned into a full blown circus, where as the Judiciary is telling the politicians to keep there greasy fingers out of the judicial branch. God forbid that the politicians win in influencing the judges then we have lost the pillar on which this country was built. Even though the judges are republican appointed yet kudos to them for upholding and interpreting the law. Jeb is acting responsibly by not interfering. Now will Terri cost the Republican party the 2008 presidential elections in Florida--- possibly the same way Gonzalez cost the democrats Florida. Probably the Floridians senior citizens are scared out of their wits. Terri's husband no doubt is a cruel man by controlling access to Terri during her last moments. This  case is also the next step in our rights being meddled by the State. We first opened the door to it when we allowed people to be detained without any representation under the terrorism law. Probably if Terri were to be declared a terrorist and accused of having communicated with Saddam or Osama then the tubes may get reinserted and every effort will be placed to keep her alive to extract information out of her. The problem here is much bigger then Terri.

How does one define handicap or being kept alive by life support systems. Does that mean that Dick Cheney should not have a pace maker, because his heart will fail without it? How about the soldiers who are coming back, some of them in total vegetative states. Are they coming home to be euthanized? How about the the thousands of people who are in hospitals with tubes in them to keep them alive?

Medical technology allows us to live longer or to be kept alive with support, and if the Schindler's can afford to keep her alive should they be allowed to keep her alive? The other questions are, why were the Schindler's not so involved in the early years of Terri's mishap? Terri's situation has created more question and raised more issues then we have the answers for at the moment. Why is the Church silent on the issue? Why are other politicians keeping their lips sealed on the issue? The only people we hear speaking out are the bio-ethicists, the family and the people supporting either side of the issue. We predict this will be a big issue come 2008 elections. 10:22 am

A reader writes - I enjoy streetwhispers but the pics on the right are so gruesome.   I know they make a statement about free speech  but day after day i have to look at them!   Can you just lower them a little? Keep up the good work! (Maryland) - We would like those pictures to be a daily reminder of how important it is to speak out on issues, ideas and rights. SW thanks you for your feedback.

March 25th, 2005
A reader writes - "I am so saddened as each day goes by and Terri Schiavo clings to death.  I was always under the impression that a living will was to be documented to prove that this was the person's wishes.  I myself, have one to fill out, and will make sure all my family and husband receives a copy.  This whole case is being based on word of mouth by her husband.  And I don't consider him her husband, not when he is living with another woman and they have a child.  I think the emphasis should have been on if he were still eligible to be her decision maker.  This makes three times Terri has been removed from a feeding tube and forced to suffer while the family battles it out.  What a horrible scenario.  Now that it has gone on this long, I pray that God takes her tonight as she sleeps, so she won't suffer anymore.  For it isn't the end.  We all meet again and have to face our accusers.  God bless Terri." - (Pat - Portsmouth, VA ) 11:35pm

March 24th 2005 
A reader writes - A feeding tube is considered a form a life support.   If it were Terry's wishes not be on any form of life support, then the court has to comply to her wishes.  The problem is she did not have this in writing and we only have the word of her husband. 

To me it is inhumane to starve her  but if it were her wish, it should be respected. (Baltimore) 8:58 pm

Seems she has been condemned to die. In silence she must suffer for those who speak on behalf of her have been denied the right to intervene. Wonder what her epitaph would be ... ' my husband killed me, the system failed me or it was my unwritten will that was carried out' ... we shall never know what here thoughts are or were.  2:26 pm

Sad day for the voiceless daughter of the Schindlers. Who speaks for the voiceless? The poor girl is going into her seventh day, without food or water in her system?  11:43 am

Joseph Mengle's law - Terri Schiavo Last chance for Terri Schiavo, before she is starved to death. Guess that is what happens when politicians get involved. If she can breath on her own and most of her organs can function on their own, then she should be considered as a handicapped person. Does this mean this case lays precedent to the atrocities to come in the name of social medicine and care. Are we going to put all those people to sleep who are born with handicaps, are bedridden and cannot take care of themselves and are totally dependent on medicine and equipment, or are mentally damaged? This issue is so complex and wrought with so many moral, religious, social and individual rights twists and turns, it would had been better if the whole matter was left to the families and their own war of rights. Guess bring in politicians, clergy into any issue and swing it with the pendulum of law ... there would be bedlam. While her case has become a national issue. Terri has rights and is a shame that she should be allowed to die the way she is being starved. Seems Terris' case is being decided in Joseph Mengle's court, where swing of the thumb decides if she lives or dies. If the Schindler family is not asking for anything and willing to take on the responsibility for the care of Terri then, her mother should be the one to have the last word, and the husband should walk away. We spend more money for the rights of murderers and rapist and spend close to 40,000 dollars a year on each inmate, but are willing to deny the rights, for a person who is brain damaged. There are cases where doctors played God and said some person who is brain damaged will never be able to recover, yet those same condemned individuals snapped back and regained some of their mental capabilities. The upside of this is we shall be able to starve our old, and crippled and dependent ones, since laws will exist to provide us freedom from the responsibility of care. 12:01 am

March 23, 2005
All attention seems to have shifted to the Schiavo case. The world is a distant story! All media is focused on Terri. A good diversion from deficits, trade imbalance, immigration, inflation and unemployment... oh did we forget Social Security?. Is there a war going on too and is Iran still going on with its nuclear dream? < said with cynicism > 6:50 pm

Reaction from another reader ..."This Terri Schaivo case is another illustration.  The Republicans, from Bush, Inc. on down to Tom "No Ethics" Delay couldn't care less about this poor woman, but they are more than willing to shamelessly use this poor woman to bolster their case for radical right-wing Christian judges to be rammed through the appointment process by the U. S. Republican Senate.  They also try to continually demonize the Democrats and the whole Federal Judiciary as unchristian and to hell with our Constitution, which makes the Judiciary an EQUAL 3rd branch of Government. And Delay, who should be in prison not in Congress, is desperate to paint the investigation of his litany of crimes as political maneuvering by the godless Democrats so that old time religion will save him from political defeat and jail. It's beginning to look a lot like Nixon! Deja Vu all over again. ( ReasonShallWin@aol.com - Boca Raton, Florida)" 10:37 am

Terri Schiavo - The thought that the Government is so intricately involved in our private lives is scary. This a decision left to the family members and the courts to sort it out. God did not appoint anyone .... politicians, ministers, priests, rabbi, mullahs, pastors or presidents as His mouth piece. Religion is a very private individual matter and should remain that way.  Terri Schiavo's case has certainly allowed us to introspect the ramification of the laws that exist and are being created on our individual rights and existence. 12:01 am

March 22, 2005 Terri Schiavo
Could a living will have avoided this commotion as Terri's fate hangs. Clint Eastwood in his movie, "Million Dollar Baby" embraces a similar issue and we recommend it. It provides a perspective about Terri's situation. 10:10 pm

Guess Terri Schiavo case has stirred up a lot of emotion, feelings and opinions amongst our readers, and has become a important national issue too. We paste our readers comments as they were sent.. 6:00 pm

"I watched Larry King interview both Terri's "husband" and her parents.  If Terri's husband lives with another woman and has a child with her, isn't that abandonment, and how can he be allowed to call the shots?  Her custody should be given back to her parents and let them decide if she can be helped with the therapy and care she has been refused for so many years.  I think she has something to say, and he (her  husband) doesn't want it said.  For instance, that maybe he tried to kill her?  He is no longer, being in another relationship, the right person to be her guardian and the sooner it is given back to her parents, the better chance she will have.  He is a cold, uncaring person and I'm sure has something to gain by her death.  She is not brain dead, I have seen brain dead and it is not the same.  She is brain impaired, and is clearly able to express emotion with her eyes.  I think if Terri is allowed to starve to death, he better watch his back, because the majority of people out here know that he is just trying to commit murder.  And the Scott Peterson case is still in everyone's mind.  God help her parents.....what a nightmare for them.  (Pat - Portsmouth, VA )"  3:37 pm

Baltimore we have been closely watching the Schiavo case, and yes on a human level our hearts go out to Terri and her family, however the issues are not Terri Schiavo anymore. Sad to say no matter how pristine the waters, once the politicians jump into the fray everything turns into a mess. The larger issues is not Terri Schiavo, but should the State or Federal Government be involved in decision that are in the realm of family and doctors. We hope that whatever the outcome of this political wrangling,  Terrie does not get the brunt of the circus this this has turned into. 8:12am

A reader writes asking us ..." no comments on the Terry Schiavo case? At first I thought, let her rest in peace. But, then I realize she is only getting nourishment, food and water. To starve her to death seems inhumane. My heart goes out to her family. (Baltimore)" 12:35 am

March 19th, 2005 Saturday
Iraq War 2nd Anniversary -  1521 Americans dead in Iraq and for what?
Liberators or occupiers? Depends whom you ask? The overwhelming objective view is we are occupiers. After the occupation or conquering Iraq, our acts and arrogance on the Iraqi people have been so despicable that we stand no chance of winning this contrived war on a sovereign nation. We all know now, and the war architects knew then,

 that there were no WMD's. There was a placard at Union Square in NY that caught our eye, read, "Bring back the troops from Iraq or face mutiny". We hear there were similar rallies across the world, as the victims of our atrocities from Abu Garib relive their pain everyday, in the shadow of fear. The word Democracy rings so hollow when attributed to the Middle East. Do we want to bring Democracy to the region or install despots who provide lip service to democracy? Even in Afghanistan the much touted free second elections have been postponed. We are embracing Rashid Dostum, and blessing his new appointment as the Afghan Army chief. There are two types of Democracies that exist, one for us and one for them. 10:03 pm

Terri Schiavo
Terri Schiavo has stopped receiving nourishment through tubes and there are a large group of people on both sides of the issue, which includes politicians and moralists. Sometimes in the realm of our social consciousness we reach a point where we all grope and feel to be holding the high moral ground, and yet deep within us we feel to be in a daze, a foggy conundrum, where we realize we know the answer but the intricacies of the issues leaves us groping in the fog of our very existence. We grope with issue, like what is life, when does life end, who controls life, does life and soul intertwine or are they mutually exclusive. Is breathing connected with being alive, or is the heartbeat that tells us we are alive? Should we be allowed to die because we cannot swallow and communicate, while other organs of our body function fine? Who has the last say about our right to live in the absence of a living will? Is it the parents who raised the child or the spouse to whom one was married, or the law, the politicians or a band or group of activists that so strongly believe in their self righteousness that they make someone's life their  cause célèbre.? Well when you find out let us know. At Streetwhispers we hope that Terri is not the guinea pig of our conflicts and confusion. Is Terri Schiavo being starved to death by the legal system and if so how is it different from assisted suicide? 2:25 pm

Norooz - Persian New Year 2564
So much to celebrate around the world yet we still fight on and highlight our differences, rather than highlighting love and common interests. We argue about whose culture and system is better and superior. How to liberate the others for they are oppressed yet oppress those that are ours or us. President Bush sent a message of well wishes on this day. The origin of Norooz are not known but is said to go back several thousand years, predating the Achaemenian Dynasty. Norooz always begins with the first day of spring. Norooz,  ( noo rooz - noo=new rooz = day ). Hope Norooz brings new peace and calm to the region.
12:58 am

March 18th, 2005  Steroids - David Letterman baby Kidnapping
What a heinous plot to kidnap the 16 month old toddler son of David Letterman for a ransom of 5 million dollars. Kelly A. Frank, 43, the ex painter of David Letterman's home, should be charged to the fullest for plotting to kidnap. Why is Kelly being charged for the painting job, under the caption of Felony theft for allegedly overcharging? Is the Montana PD trying to build charges? Interesting charge and if there is such a thing in law then why is Halliburton walking around with impunity for having overcharged by the millions .. and it was tax payers money too? Could it be because of Dick.
Steroids and sports are synonymous and an evil that we all know exists but accept it till a tragedy hits home. For years we have looked away and its time that some one digs into this epidemic of using steroids in sports. If random drug tests can be conducted in any other competitive international sports then we should not practice the same standards at home and mandate it. Hats off to Senator McCain for bringing the use of steroids in the limelight at a higher level. Mark Mcquire was defiant along with other players. Why are we picking on baseball players only. The whole sports arena regardless of the sport reeks of steroid use. 12:01 am

March 17th, 2005     St. Patrick's Day
Irish Pride is flowing in pubs and bars as beer is served green by the pint. While getting buzzed there was lots of talk about the Steroid circus at the congressional hearing and the out right defiance by players to answer testy questions. We shall talk about steroids tomorrow in deference to St. Patrick's day. 10:55 pm

The parade started as planned. The green caps marched separately. Both sides of Fifth Avenue were full of well behaved, cheering crowds. Green beer was flowing freely at the Pubs. Non Irish were being more Irish then the Irish.

Doesn't the fire Department have bigger issues to deal with, without getting embroiled in telling the Fire Fighters that they can't wear green caps on this special day. Its like telling an Orthodox Jew that they cant wear the Yamuka, or a Sikh their Turban or a Muslim woman her hijab. More power to the Fire Fighters who will be wearing the Green cap. Let's all get into the spirit of the parade and drink green beer and get whacky blokes as we toast Sláinte chugat ( good health to you). HAPPY ST. PATRICK DAY TO ALL.  AT least this year the gay issue has not come up at the Parade with the same fervor, thought there were protestors.
Some Irish Phrases
Go raimh maith agat Thanks
Tá failte romhat You are welcome.
a ghrá mo chroí ... love of my heart
Cad é mar a tá tú ? How are you?
Sláinte Cheers.
Ta tu go halainn     You are beautiful

Here are a few Irish curses that shall tickle you.

May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

May the curse of Mary Malone and her nine blind illegitimate children chase you so far over the hills of Damnation that the Lord himself can't find you with a telescope.

May you be afflicted with the itch and have no nails to scratch with!

March 13th, 2005 Larry King - CNN - drudgery of Larry's show
Larry King of CNN should move in with Martha Stewart. Even marry her if she will. They could make a good couple. He is smitten by her, totally enamored by Martha. For Gods sake in how many different ways is Larry King going to give coverage to Martha Stewart. Today its, "Compilation of the best interviews; businesswoman Martha Stewart". Its like writing a 900 page book on how to cook a hot dog in 900 ways. Popularity of Martha is reflected in the way her stock plummeted after she came out of prison. Either Larry is Martha's wick or wants to be her .... who knows what. As a viewer Larry stop wasting viewers time. If you can't find anything interesting to report on ... retire. Maybe it is time for Larry to create a position for some young blood to take over, who can bring interesting coverage for the viewers. CNN seems to be turning into K-Marts and Martha Stewarts personal media. Lets give Paula Zahn her own show or give more time to Lou Dobbs, Aaron Brown, Anderson Cooper and we will not have to watch the droning drudgery of Larry Kings show.

March 12th, 2005 Chain of Command and torture
Chain of command travels from the top down. To blame it on a handful of soldiers is just smoke screens. We went into Afghanistan to win the hearts, minds and liberate them from the Taliban clutches  and not become the new torturers. The mere fact that a bill was passed before attacking Afghanistan, stipulating that if any American personnel was tried in the World Court for crimes, it would tantamount to declaration of war on USA. Passing of such a bill is evidence that torture was one of the war strategies, formulated way before the torture began and the soldiers had the blessings of the higher chain of command. Also for all those senior officers that falsified reports including medical professionals should be dealt in exemplary manner. The article in  The New York Times shows the callousness and total disregard for human life. NYT writes, "WASHINGTON, March 11 - Two Afghan prisoners who died in American custody in Afghanistan in December 2002 were chained to the ceiling, kicked and beaten by American soldiers in sustained assaults that caused their deaths, according to Army criminal investigative reports that have not yet been made public." Its unfair for us to bemoan, that we are not endeared in certain parts of the world, when we so craftily justify our heinous actions. 12:52 am

The Sharia court in Pakistan upheld the verdict in the case of the five rapist of Mukhtar Mai, but why has the death penalty not been give to them as per the Sharia law of Pakistan? Is the Sharia Law just a law of convenience? 12:01 am

March 11th, 2005 Fait Accompli - You are screwed
According the Sharia Law in Pakistan, the punishment for Rape if convicted is death. In the case of Mukhtar Mai, the 33 year old woman from Multan, who was gang raped ... why was the sentence of the five rapist commuted to life? According to the Sharia law the only person who can forgive the five rapist is the raped woman. Does it show the hold of  feudalism on Pakistani politics. Why are the courts systems acting without spine? All this is happening on General Pervaiz Musharaf's watch? Human rights groups are protesting about what is happening to this case, but is anyone listening? 11:22 am

The Bankruptcy bill is fait accompli and folks you are screwed. Did our elected representatives care about our right ... nah. The live and breathe in the air space of special interest groups. The poor class and the middle class is so screwed. Off course the Elephant and Donkey put up a good horse and pony show and we all watched in silence. Now don't don't go about blaming those greedy selfish politicians, how many of you wrote, emailed or called your senators/congress and told them what you wanted and also in clear language informed that if they voted against your wishes the politicians could kiss your vote good bye. We pay more attention and get more involved in some TV sport then the policies that will change the direction of our lives. Long live the boob tube for folks in financial trouble you are screwed. 12:01 am
March 10th, 2005 Unpatriotic
Any member of the house or Senate who votes for the Bankruptcy bill is unpatriotic, selfish and sticking it to their constituents and in the pockets of Credit Card companies. 5:09 am

March 9th, 2005  Bankruptcy Bill
If the bankruptcy bill is signed and passed by senate and house, it becomes clear how strong the hold of Corporate America is on our democratically elected politicians. Whose interest do they have at heart? Our court systems will turn into huge collection agencies. The already struggling middle class and the poor class will be pushed that much deeper into the economic morass of misery. Bankruptcy has allowed individuals with a new chance a new beginning. Historically people file for bankruptcy at the last vanishing flicker of hope. Unlike Corporations which file for bankruptcy and stiff their creditors without much fallout. Some corporation have perfected the art of bankruptcy. Its time to take stock of who has the interest of the poor and struggling Americans at heart. Should the struggling and financially strapped wait for the next messiah to imbue hope and guard the interests of the average person? Can democracy flourish in the absence of a middle class? 3:30 pm
Have we lost control in Afghanistan?
Has Hamid Karzai gone out of his mind, appointing a murderer, terrorist, rapist and sadist  like Rashid Dostum who has no value for human life or law as the new army chief? Hamid Karzai might as well put a revolver to his head and pull the trigger. Its a matter of time before Dostum over throws Hamid Karzai and takes control. More shocking is the praise and embrace by the US Ambassador to Afghanistan of Dostum on his new appointment. All Karzai has done is broadened Dostums territory over other warlords in Afghanistan. This man who has terrorized and abused people, is now the authorized military authority over the entire nation. Rashid Dostums crimes can be written under the same heading as those of Saddam Hussain. They could be called brothers. We overtook Afghanistan to bring freedom and Democracy to the people of Afghanistan, and chase the Taliban out of there. Yet we find ourselves making deals with warlords like Rashid Dostum. If we have to make deals with people like Rashid Dostum we should not have tried to oust Saddam Hussain. There is not much of a difference between the two. Seems we are dishonoring the sacrifices and valor of our dedicated soldiers who died in alien lands, by blessing Afghani war lords.

A prominent journalist, Ahmad Rashid who interviewed Dostum when he was fighting other war lords during the Taliban period, writes about Dostum, in his book 'Taliban'  ...  "The first time I arrived at the fort to meet Dostum there were bloodstains and pieces of flesh in the muddy courtyard. ­I innocently asked the guards if a goat had been slaughtered. They told me that an hour earlier Dostum had punished a soldier for stealing. The man had been tied to the tracks of a Russian-made tank, which then drove around the courtyard crushing his body into mincemeat, as the garrison and Dostum watched. The Uzbeks, the roughest and toughest of all the Central Asian nationalities, are noted for their love of marauding and pillaging — a hangover from their origins as part of Genghis Khan’s hordes and Dostum was an apt leader. Over six feet tall with bulging biceps, Dostum is a bear of a man with a gruff laugh, which, some Uzbeks swear, has on occasion frightened people to death."  Is he better then Saddam Hussain or worst?

Dostum has a history of betrayal, treachery and human rights violations. Is he the reincarnation of Saddam Hussain. To date he has betrayed everyone of his mentors. What makes Karzai different, and what is Dostum's love for the Americans? In March of 2003, Rashid Dostum defied Hamid Karzai by establishing a North Zone of Afghanistan. He was supported by the Russians, Iranians, and Uzebekistanians to manage the Pashtuns. Dostum may seem attractive to the U.S, for his opposition to the extremist fundamentalists. Its akin to appointing Al Capone as the Secretary of Defense. Dostum is a murderer, a drug trafficker, a rapist, and lot more. As we endeavor to bring Democracy to Afghanistan, Iraq and the rest of middle east, US needs to apply the same standards of democratic values that we use back home. Not too long ago Bernard Kerik had to withdraw his nomination, for the simple fact that he had failed to pay nanny taxes. Bernard Kerik raped or killed no one. Presidential candidates have withdrawn, or judges been refused appointments for some small infractions in their past. Yet we are embracing and lauding the appointment of Rashid Dostum.

In the days to come the future of Hamid Karzai will rest in the hands and good will of Rashid Dostum.  SW predicts that in the next year or so Karzai will be overthrown if not murdered by Dostum and once again Afghanistan will plunge into another struggle for power. Dostum is not accepted by the Pashtuns, Hazaras and others. What was Karzai thinking? Was he following orders from His Bosses who appointed Karzai. God have mercy on Afghanistan and its people who are the ultimate losers in this power struggle. To predict the future of Afghanistan one has to just read the history of Afghanistan after the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and one will notice that most if not all events are being repeated with a different cast of characters, with slightly different time lines.

Are we still committed to fighting the war on drugs, since last year was the best harvest of opium in the history of Afghanistan and Dostum has historically financed his fiefdoms through narcotic trade. Also are we forgetting Dostum's close links to Iran? 4:10 am < Print Blog > .

March 8th, 2005 Minimum wage raise --- Lebanon, Syria
We should pay more attention to us right here at home then, Syria or Lebanon. Do we elect and send crook to the hill. Inflation and cost of living has gone up year after year yet the minimum wage remains the same...why? Last time minimum wage was raised in 1996. Pundits who says it will take companies to raise prices .... to that we shall say, America can live with lesser profits and maybe there should be a limit set on CEO salaries. After all European CEO's make less. We need to focus our energies and resources right at home rather then in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon et al.

Who are the 500 thousand people carrying on pro Syria rallies in Lebanon? Could they be the Lebanese who have found peace under the aegis of Syria?

March 6th, 2005 Il Manifesto - La mia Verita by Giuliana Sgrena
My Truth
I'm still in the dark. Friday was the most dramatic day of my life. I had been in captivity for many days. I had just spoken with my captors. It had been days they were telling me I would be released. I was living in waiting for this moment. They were speaking about things that only later I would have understood the importance of. They were speaking about problems "related to transfers."

I learned to understand what was going on by the behavior of my two guards, the two guards that had me under custody every day. One in particular showed much attention to my desires. He was incredibly cheerful. To understand exactly what was going on I provocatively asked him if he was happy because I was going or because I was staying. I was shocked and happy when for the first time he said, "I only know that you will go, but I don't know when." To confirm the fact that something new was happening both of them came into my room and started comforting me and kidding: "Congratulations they said you are leaving for Rome." For Rome, that's exactly what they said.<CNN Read more>

Will the world ever hear the truth? What went on and whose orders were the shooters following. Normally when coalition troops shoot they go for the driver and not for the passengers. Seems in this shoot out the target were the passengers for the driver survived unscathed. If Berlusconi does not get to the bottom of this, he may kiss his political career good bye.

March 5th, 2005 Martha and her media coverage - still a witch?
Has the media failed in its reporting what is important over the frivolous? Today on CNN all you could hear was Martha Stewart mentioned ad nauseam. How she has changed, how she has humbled, her pictorial biography, who cares about Martha in the larger scheme of things, for she still is arrogant and all about herself. CNN is helping in Martha's campaign of self promotion and emotional branding and framing her as a kinder and gentler person reeks of nepotism in media reporting and is shameful. There is a lot more to report then Martha. We would had appreciated a in depth coverage of the  Giulana Sgrena story and the body guard who died saving her. Why was Giulana's car shot at? Some investigative reporting would had been refreshing. We think that Larry King should be retired, his great days are over. His scope of reporting and objectivity has become moribund. The topics Larry cover are petty and trivial. However kudos and more power to Lou Dobbs. He panders to no politician. Lou is not afraid to challenge the politician and powerful business icons alike. Lets not forget the fine work of Anderson Cooper, and Aaron Brown who boldly pursue a story line. Anderson Cooper needs to go deeper in the issues he covers and not be afraid to rock any boat in his pursuit.

March 4th, 2005 Martha Stewart out of the pokey - still arrogant
What the terrorists did not kill the coalition forces wounded by their indiscriminate firing. Journalist of Il Manifesto came under fire from coalition forces. Does this incident mean that the coalition forces are trigger happy? After all that is the contention of the Iraqis that coalition forces kill first and ask questions later. Aljazeera reports that it was the US troops that opened fire. "She was going in a car to the airport with three people from the Italian security forces. US forces opened fire on the car. She is fine but there are wounded," Il Manifesto's editorial director Francesco Paterno said.  Seems the Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena even though a hostage was safer in captivity then in freedom  3:01 pm

Martha Stewart seems to be still as tart as her lemons that she showed off to the cameras. Probably her return will be equally vicious, historically criminals leave penitentiaries hardened and heartless. 11:00 am

Martha Stewart made her well orchestrated media choreographed exit from the  Alderson prison. While CNN spent one plus hour of live coverage on the release of Martha. CNN commentators and guests on the show predicted that she has mellowed and become humble after her five months of incarceration, but her arrogance seemed to show, the way she boarded her plane. She could had walked up to her fans who braced the cold night at the airport to wish her well. All they got was a wave and duck into her private jet. So has Martha really changed after five months in prison? 1:30 am

March 3rd, 2005 U.S. death toll in Iraq passes 1,500
Was the war worth the death tool, not to mention the wounded and Americans maimed for life? Are we sick or what that tomorrow the media is going to cover live the release of Martha from Prison. Aren't there other issues that the media be covering, or has the media turned into cronyism where each monkey praises the other monkey and forget what else is going in the world and around us.

March 1st, 2005 Coming  soon to a theater near you.......

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YOUR FEEDBACK


Open your eyes

Speak out

Who wipes his tears?

Who hears her terror?

Trying to eliminate Saddam, extending the ground war into an occupation of Iraq... would have incurred incalculable human and political costs.

Had we gone the invasion route, the United states could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land

George H. W. Bush
World Transformed 1998

Cyfiawnder a Heddwch Bro Emlyn for peace and Justice