Month: August 2008

Dear Colin, You have said you regret the "blot" on your record caused by your parroting spurious intelligence at the U.N. to justify war on Iraq. On the chance you may not have noticed, I write to point out that you now have a unique opportunity to do some rehab on your reputation. If you … Continue reading “Out Damn Blot: A Letter to Powell”

Despite significant U.S. and Georgian culpability in the crisis in Georgia, most U.S. politicians and media painted Russia as the diabolical "evildoer." As if the Russian military incursions into Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia – the latter two are autonomous regions of the former that do not want to be part of that country – … Continue reading “Crisis in the Caucasus”

Addressing fellow Americans in Pennsylvania, John McCain, presumptive Republican candidate for the Presidency of the United States, said he had spoken by telephone earlier that day with President Mikheil Saakashvili, of Georgia, then still a member – along with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan, and the Russian Federation – of the Commonwealth … Continue reading “McCain Speaks for Every American?”

The success of the Bush Regime’s propaganda, lies, and deception with gullible and inattentive Americans since 9/11 has made it difficult for intelligent, aware people to be optimistic about the future of the United States. For almost 8 years the US media has served as Ministry of Propaganda for a war criminal regime. Americans incapable … Continue reading “This Time, the World Is Not Buying It”

Updated at 4:10 p.m. EDT, Aug. 15, 2008At least 22 Iraqis were killed and another 68 were wounded in the latest attacks. Two U.S. servicemembers were killed in separate events. In Tikrit, two foreign fighters were killed as well. Meanwhile, attacks against Shi’ite pilgrims heading towards Karbala for the Shabaniyah observance continue. A U.S. Marine … Continue reading “Friday: 2 GIs, 22 Iraqis Killed; 68 Iraqis Wounded”

As a new report forecasts that the 190,000 private contractors in Iraq and neighboring countries will cost U.S. taxpayers more than $100 billion by the end of 2008, an under-the-radar Florida court case suggests that U.S. President George W. Bush – a staunch contractor supporter – is preparing to throw security contractors such as Blackwater … Continue reading “One-Fifth of Iraq Funding Paid to Contractors”

BAQUBA – The surprise removal of the Diyala police chief has brought new hope of a more secure future. The decision by members of the ruling council of Diyala governorate to discharge provincial police chief Ghanim al-Quraishi brought celebrations in its wake. In Baquba, 25 mi. northeast of Baghdad and capital of Diyala province, Quraishi … Continue reading “‘Provincial Saddam’ Goes, Finally”

Mikheil Saakashvili’s decision to use the opening of the Olympic Games to cover Georgia’s invasion of its breakaway province of South Ossetia must rank in stupidity with Gamal Abdel-Nasser’s decision to close the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships. Nasser’s blunder cost him the Sinai in the Six-Day War. Saakashvili’s blunder probably means permanent loss … Continue reading “Blowback From Bear-Baiting”

Amid all the geopolitical analyses and ideological posturing on the occasion of the Three-Day War between Russia and Georgia, we are losing sight of the very real human costs of this conflict: thousands of civilians killed and grievously wounded, a city, Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, in ruins, and the hopes and dreams of … Continue reading “Mikheil Saakashvili:
War Criminal”

[Note for TomDispatch Readers: Andrew Bacevich will discuss his new book – and the limits of American power in the Bush era – for a full hour on Bill Moyers Journal, Friday, Aug. 15. Don’t miss it. If you’re watching the Olympics, TiVo it or look for a repeat.] To the problem of an overstretched, … Continue reading “The Lessons of Endless War”