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the turd blossom doctrine .....

the turd blossom doctrine .....

The overwhelming majority of the American people are not breaking any laws.

We cannot say that about the government.

It looks increasingly hypocritical when the government insists that it must break the law in order to save us. It's become the government's mantra that it cannot protect us unless it breaks the law at will, without oversight, and without our knowledge or consent. It's been openly stated that unless our basic rights are fully yielded to the government, further terrorist attacks will come, and because of our failure to yield what literally defines us, those attacks will be our own fault.

The implications of this illogic are chilling. Our reticence to allow the government to break the law at will makes us complicit with terrorists.

As revolting a notion as that is, and as obviously untrue as it is, nevertheless, Congress has systematically passed laws forcing us to lie down and take it, in the name of security.

The Stupidest People On Earth

Power play

From the Washington Post

DETECTING EMERGING ISSUES
9/16/2007 5:19:25 P.M.
As it tracks and analyzes thought and actions across the world, the Global Power Barometer (GPB) frequently catches sight of issues that will impact global politics. These are the issues that likely will move the icons in coming weeks. We'll share our peeks at the future as they pass certain momentum thresholds. In future days we'll categorize the "Emerging Issues" and provide snippets about the progress of significant trends. For now, here's what we're presently watching:

The Global Realignment: The end of a US-centric world?
      The media has recently caught on to the fact that US influence is in steep decline but still under the mainstream radar is the extent to which other players such as Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela are stepping into the vacuum. The US is still the military superpower but it's already sharing the global influence stage with emerging powers who can move global events as well or better.

The Coming Energy Wars
    * Supply and demand are easy to understand but these most traditional of influences over energy prices will be just part of the picture in late 2007 and 2008.

Latin America and the Rise of the Anti-American Left
    * In 1823, US President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine, naming all of the Western Hemisphere, and particularly Latin America under the United States' sphere of influence. Nearly 200 years later, the Monroe Doctrine looks like it could crumble

The Ascendant Tiger: China's journey to the top
    * Well-planned, innovative, quiet strategies on the diplomatic, economic, educational and military fronts are helping China build its power more quickly and effectively than any other global entity.
   
Armageddon Watch: The new arms race
    * Iran offers to share nuclear technology with its Gulf neighbors and Russia looks to assist Brazil and Argentina with nuclear development...plower plants not bombs but how far is the jump to weaponry?

The Next War?
    * A growing number of writers and analysts, as well as political leaders, are talking about a wider war (or wars) brewing in the Middle East.

wrong time wrong place

State Dept. Convoy Attacked in Baghdad, Sparking a ShootoutSecurity Guards Kill 9 Civilians, Iraqis Say

By Joshua Partlow

Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, September 17, 2007; Page A14

 

BAGHDAD, Sept. 17 -- A U.S. State Department motorcade came under attack in Baghdad on Sunday, prompting security contractors guarding the convoy to open fire in the streets. At least nine civilians were killed, according to Iraqi officials.