Mike will have comments at his site Mikey Likes It! and, in fact, will probably have his posted before this goes up because I'm tired and would be getting into bed but I promised, in yesterday's entry, that I would post tonight. I didn't know that we'd be participating in a roundtable for the gina & krista round-robin (look for it to be e-mailed Monday morning and Mike's significant other Nina participated in the round-robin so that's a special treat).
Bush Meets Former Secretaries of Defense, State on Iraq (Democracy Now!):
Meanwhile, President Bush met with a group of former secretaries of state and defense to discuss his Iraq policy. The group included Bush’s first Secretary of State, Colin Powell, whose former aides have recently gone public with scathing criticism of the Bush administration. Powell reportedly stayed silent throughout the meeting.
The remedial president? Bully Boy needs to be tutored . . . on the war he started.
"Powell reportedly stayed silent . . ." Well why should he speak up now? It's not like he took a chance to make a stand when the war was being hatched and the lies being told.
"Powell reportedly stayed silent throughout the meeting" needs an editorial tag at the end "which was perfectly in keeping with his I-don't-make-waves approach that's been his hallmark."
That link takes you to in depth analysis of Colin Powell at Consortium News and that takes us to, finally, my noting "The Common Ills Year in Review 2005" because Robert Parry (of Consortium News) is cited a voice that speaks to the community. That entry was a nightmare for C.I. to pull together. Last year, various members noted voices and sites that spoke to them and there were some nice lists, but this year, members didn't just select a voice, they provided an excerpt to something that was said (or written) that spoke to them.
It provided a strong overview of the year and also a strong example of what made a voice stand out. Illustrating "The Common Ills Year in Review 2005" was Isaiah's "Bully Boy Exposed" which made the point, in a humorous manner, that 2005 was the year Bully Boy was exposed for what he is. I'll post that comic next week when I've got more time and talk about it then. Hopefully, you've already seen it. There was a focus on peace, on activism, on war, on Hurricane Katrina (and Wilma), on reproductive rights . . . It was just a strong review and one that The Third Estate Sunday Review was toying with reposting until they learned how much trouble it had been to do. If you haven't read the entry, please make a point to. But brew some tea or coffee or hot chocolate first because it is a long read.
Robertson, Ahmadinejad Suggest Sharon Deserves Ailment (Democracy Now!):
Sharon's ill health has drawn a mixed reaction, with well-wishes from leaders from around the world including the Palestinian Authority. In Iran, state media reported Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said: "Hopefully, the news that the criminal of Sabra and Chatilla has joined his ancestors is final" -- a reference to the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon where over 1,000 Palestinians were killed in 1982. An Israeli commission on inquiry concluded Sharon bore "personal responsibility" for the incident. Meanwhile, Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson indicated Sharon’s condition was a consequence of his decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson, on his program "The 700 Club" : "Ariel Sharon, who was again a very likeable person, a delightful person to be with. I prayed with him personally. But here he is at the point of death. He was dividing God's land, and I would say woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the EU, the United Nations or United States of America. God said, 'This land belongs to me, you better leave it alone.'"
The Guardian of London reported on Wednesday Robertson is heading a consortium in talks with the Israeli government over building a sprawling biblical theme park by the Sea of Galilee.
I've made it a point not to say anything about Sharon period. I don't care for him. I don't wish illness on anyone and I hope his health improves. That's my position until he gets better or doesn't. But it is interesting how Pat Robertson fancies himself God and rushes in with a judgement. I don't think God speaks to Pat Robertson. No, let me change that. I don't think Pat Robertson listens when God speaks to him. After 9-11, immediately after, he's blaming people for it. Not long ago he appeared to be calling for the death of Hugo Chavez. (I believe he was calling for that and I think most people would reach that conclusion as well.)
Let's deal with that for a moment. Let's say that Pat Robertson truly believes Hugo Chavez could do something awful. The way I understand it, he should be praying for God to reach to Hugo Chavez. I thought that was what salvation was about but apparently, for Pat Robertson, salvation comes via bullets. I am shocked that any of his followers could remain after he calls for the death of someone. He did a similar thing regarding the Supreme Court where he appeared to be imploring God to strike down sitting Justices.
I don't understand why he isn't called out on these remarks by his followers. The fact that he isn't leads me to believe that he's preached a perversion of the Gospels and, therefore, he's leading people astray.
Now Ruth's noted an important announcement from Pacifica:
Mon., Jan. 9 through Fri., Jan. 13
The Pacifica Radio Network is bringing you the Samuel Alito Senate Hearing for nomination to the United States Supreme Court live!
Verna Avery Brown teams with Mitch Jeserich from Free Speech Radio News and Pacifica National Affairs correspondent, Larry Bensky, to bring you the controversial nomination hearing of Samuel Alito for United States Supreme Court, live.
Anchors: Larry Bensky, KPFA; Verna Avery Brown, WPFW; Mitch Jesserich, FSRN.
The schedule of hearings includes a one hour pre-show on the opening day, and an half-hour wrap-up show each evening. Live analysts will join us in the booth and via telephone throughout the hearings.
You can listen to Pacifica online if there's not a Pacifica station that broadcasts over the airwaves in your area.
