Private military contractors are earning billions of dollars in Iraq — much of it from U.S. taxpayers. “Lucrative U.S. government contracts go to firms called on to provide security for projects and personnel — jobs that in previous conflicts have been done by the military” (and under military regulations). From Hunter at Daily Kos, on the Aegis contractor video (complete with Elvis soundtrack): And so the circle — or spiral — continues. For those with short memories, it was the…
Robert Newman History of Oil This is wonderful history via comedy. A Brit named Rob Newman elucidates the history of oil. Enjoy this historical comedy/commentary. Robert Newman gets to grips with the wars and politics of the last hundred years – but rather than adhering to the history we were fed at school, the places oil centre stage as the cause of all commotion. This innovative history programme is based around Robert Newman’s stand-up act and supported by resourceful archive…
The House will vote once again this week to hand the Arctic Refuge over to Big Oil. Tell your Representative to vote NO! (League of Conservation Voters) Say NO to Drilling in the Arctic Refuge Before It’s Too Late – The House Votes Tomorrow (Save Our Environment.org) Block Bush’s Radical-Right Judges (Act for Change) Act now to stop phone companies from abusing your privacy. Join in the nationwide demand that the FCC and state utility commissions investigate reports of unlawful…
Here’s a photo of House Speaker Dennis Hastert as he leaves a hydrogen-fueled car he used for the press conference photo-op. Note the SUV. He’d been discussing gas prices, and once away from the cameras (he thought) he got into his SUV to drive the few blocks back to the Capitol. Priceless.
That’s the number of laws that Bush has claimed authority to disobey. Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ”whistle-blower” protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research. Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush’s assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting…
The actions I post are those I support, at least for the present. Sometimes I change my mind when new information, evidence, or compelling argument convinces me to do so (but – note to trolls – rarely do I change my mind because of comments intended to provoke me, harass me, and drain my energy and time). There are so many things going on right now that I feel I need some sort of realignment with my larger priorities. I…