Full Speed Ahead?

[Photo coutesy U.S. Navy]

With Admiral Fallon (CENTCOM Commander) out of the way and off to retirement George Bush has, seemingly, an open field to go ahead with his desire to invade Iran. Certainly those he has chosen to surround him are unlikely to voice any opposition; 'Yes men' never do.

Admiral Fallon opposed invading Iran openly, stating it would "never happen on his watch". Voices of reason, and opposition, do not fair well with the Bush Regime. Apparently you are either with him or against him. Fully two-thirds of Americans (and the number is growing) are clearly against him when it comes to the war in Iraq; even more oppose the invasion of Iran. This, of course, matters very little to Emperor George. It's his way or his way, and that's all there is to it.

In recent speeches and press releases he has already equated Iran with the terrorists, sprinkled in a few spoonfuls of WMD's, and stated that Bin Laden's crew would get 'our oil' in Iraq. Fear tactics abound and promise to increase.

While the majority of Americans sigh a sigh of relief realizing that Georgie-boy will soon be out of office, it is a nervous sigh. There are still quite a few days between now and his departure and a great deal of damage can still be done.

Would Congress allow such an action? At their own peril I would suppose. Would Georgie-boy even ask their approval or (as he's done so many times already) would he 'assume more power and authority' and simply circumvent Congress and the Constitution?

For those of you who pray, I suggest you start. For those of you who don't, I suggest you learn.

[A sincere 'Thank you' to Admiral Fallon not only for his service, but for his courage and valor as well. Our Armed Forces and our Nation are sure to miss him.]

Eyes to see and ears to hear.

In 1953 Iran, then a free and democratic nation, was introduced to the ‘Shah’, courtesy of the United States and the CIA. Today, thanks to America’s failed and foolish intervention, Iran is what it is. The Iranian people suffered greatly under the American imposed and supported ‘Shah of Iran’, and for many years. When the people of Iran finally revolted (as people usually do when oppressed by rulers that hold no interest in their welfare) America had once again ‘created’ a new worst enemy.

A half a century later America is in the midst of repeating the same mistake and creating yet another new worst enemy. The government of Iraq, like their U.S. backers, has invested little toward the welfare of the Iraqi people; corruption abounds. Millions upon millions of dollars, and control of untold millions more, has most Iraqi officials at each others throats. Shiite officials now contend with other Shiite officials for control and governance of certain Iraqi assets, and positions of control and influence in certain Ministries. The battle for power (and its accompanying wealth) has permeated this U.S. governed government. Does something smell a little fishy here? No, not fishy, oily.

The bottom line is that the Iraqi people have been left to fend for themselves. With little help from either the U.S. or Iraqi governments, many Iraqi’s have fled to Syria. There, many woman have been forced into prostitution in order to feed their families. The exploitation of the displaced Iraqi’s by the Syrians has been atrocious, but even more atrocious is the complete and total lack of provisions and protections for the Iraqi’s by either their own government or the Coalition leaders.

Fast-forward a few years from now and wonder why the Iraqi people might not view America very favorably.

Are we forever doomed to repeat our failures and continue to create our own worst enemies? The myopic view our government has of the world will prove quite costly in the future, yet again.

Our so-called leaders have said 'they hate us because of our freedoms'. How sanctimonious, and stupid. We have a long history in the Middle East, and it's not a good history.

Go Navy!

As an Army Veteran this is the first time in my life to cheer Navy - but I have no choice.

This has nothing to do with Academy football or any other inter-service competition. It has to do with something far more important. It has to do with honor, integrity, and honesty.

Unlike his Army peers, Admiral Fallon, CENTCOM Commander, did not wait for retirement and pension approval to speak his mind. He voiced his opinion and encouraged others not to engage in wordplay such as threatening 'World War III' if Iran doesn't comply with U.S. wishes or demands - such as Georgie Bush did. He also encouraged diplomatic processes rather than threats and ultimatums. Wow. Now this is a Commander - a real Commander - not a suck up, brown nosing butt kisser.

So, again I say, 'Go Navy!' And a well deserved salute to the Admiral is thrown in as well.

Our armed services need more men like the Admiral. He truly is a man of valor. And God knows we could use more men of valor.