The "f" word

Finally, somebody (somewhat) responsible has uttered it, and backed it up with reasoned analysis. And for a frightening, compelling review of the traits of fascism, and how they translate into the actions of the Bush regime, check out this.

I gotta hand it to Bush and his advisors

They benefit no matter what happens in Iraq. If a pro-US government is formed, the US can keep its bases in Iraq and can suck up its oil, etc. If the present squabbling continues, the US can stay too, since no founded Iraqi administration will be formed to speak with a sufficiently authoritative voice to oust our military. Only if a passionately anti-US government prevails, and it can speak with one anti-US voice, will the US be compelled to leave--and that's not going to happen so long as the anti-US violence continues, which, in turn, is assured by the continued US presence. Like I say: Brilliant.

Greenspan's an idiot, a fascist, or worse.

A national sales tax? Oh, boy. Just what our out-of-whack economy needs, with the poor, who are growing poorer, and who'd be hit disproportionately with such a tax, bearing the burden of equalizing our federal income and outgo.
The man's got no clue about the need for government to be fair-minded and just in its efforts and impacts. He's a money-monger; he's the first one Christ cast from the temple. He does nothing but crunch numbers and mumble conservative platitudes, while Wall Street and Congress bow and scrape. His solution for fixing imbalances is never to tax the wealthy, but rather to do what comes naturally: tread on those who holler faintest.

Don't despair

I've not been posting, I know it. I'm distracted by a book I'm reading at the suggestion of Kyle. Toward the End of Time, by Updike. Magnificent writing, too good to put down. Posts will reappear later today, maybe.

Somebody do something, somebody say something

Now we're gonna lay antipersonnel mines in Iraq, to be triggered by laptop computer. Isn't there something we can do to stop this madness?

Pat Buchanan on Bush's interventionist foreign policy

How can someone who's completely full of shit on most issues be so right on about Bush's international policy of intervention to spread democracy?