Monday, February 10, 2003

Is this what that $20 billion after 9/11 was for – an advance for their cooperation in the war effort? It’s like a corporate scrap drive for the new millennium! More hijinks from that pesky Axis of Allies. "‘This is a most unfortunate decision,’ said U.S. ambassador to NATO Nicolas Burns. ‘Because of their actions, NATO is now facing a crisis of credibility.’" And exactly what would it say about their credibility if they simply allowed the U.S. to wage any war it desired for whatever reason it desired? Last week, Washington was saying that by opposing the war in Iraq, Germany, France, Russia, et al were putting themselves in league with rogues such as Cuba and Iran. Apparently, that list of "rogues" includes that King of all Rogues: the Vatican. More headlines today: "GOP Plays Down Massive Federal Deficits"; "Ridge: Alert Is Most Serious Since 9/11." Apparently, the "liberal media" is perfectly willing to play along with the White House’s Spin n’ Scare media public information strategy. Maybe the American public isn’t stupid enough to buy all this, but we’ll have to wait and see. Does that make me sound cynical? - Marcus-Marcus 10:01:27 AM    comment []

Who is planning to attack Turkey? That's the question of the day, based on that country's request for help in defensive planning under Article 4 of the NATO charter - the first time in the 53 year history of the organization that Article 4 has been invoked. The ploy is a transparent attempt to circumvent the United Nations and the democratic process by forcing NATO countries to help Turkey prepare for an invasion by Iraq - incidentally preparing NATO forces in Turkey (including 38,000 U.S. troops and an air base) to invade Iraq. Thank God for Germany, France, and Belgium, the three NATO members wise enough to block this disgusting power grab by the Bush Administration. And what the hell is Turkey thinking? They've been begging to be let into the European Union for years now - this is going to help their case? Of course, Turkey isn't threatened by anyone, not even by the Kurds upon who the Turkish state has waged a decades-long war of extermination. This is merely an admission by the Bush Administration that they can't get their war legally, so they're going to try to go in through the back door. Turkey Needs Protection from Martian Invaders - Consider Arms 9:59:56 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2003 Marc Hatfield. Last update: 02/28/2003; 9:38:48 AM.