DarkStar Spouts Off

Spouting Off On: Obama's Nobel

This weekend, we went to an "Obama Wins the Nobel" party. I was asked what I thought and I told them that I thought the award was to be given for achievements not for HOPE for future achievements.

I was not the only person who thought that way until one person said the award had been given to people who had not achieved something, but who had laid the foundation for future achievements of other people. There was a good discussion at the "party" and I still think what I think.

But it is, still, also good to see people lose their minds over this, many of the same people who said, before this, the Nobel didn't mean anything, now really blowing arteries over this.

But the issue really bores me, if you really want to know.

Interesting Money Links

Here are two links concerning money that I came across today.

Study: Bernanke, Paulson misled public on bailouts

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and former Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. misled the public about the financial weakness of Bank of America and other early recipients of the government's $700 billion Wall Street bailout, creating "unrealistic expectations" about the companies and damaging the program's credibility, according to a report by the program's independent watchdog.

The federal government last October loaned Bank of America and eight other "healthy" financial institutions a total of $125 billion - the initial payout from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP - in an attempt to avoid a series of major bank collapses that would push the sputtering economy into a free fall or depression.

Well,.... DUH!!!!! Who DIDN'T think there were lies told about this mess?

The Demise of the Dollar

In the most profound financial change in recent Middle East history, Gulf Arabs are planning – along with China, Russia, Japan and France – to end dollar dealings for oil, moving instead to a basket of currencies including the Japanese yen and Chinese yuan, the euro, gold and a new, unified currency planned for nations in the Gulf Co-operation Council, including Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar.

Secret meetings have already been held by finance ministers and central bank governors in Russia, China, Japan and Brazil to work on the scheme, which will mean that oil will no longer be priced in dollars.

This has been discussed by people for years. The question is, will it happen?

Quickly, Giving Props

I'm not entirely comfortable with how Obama is handling world affairs although I realize there are only two real choices on Iran: talk smack and sanctions, which do nothing, or military action, with an already strained military.

I don't like that he seems to be hesitating on Afghanistan, just go in full bore and see what happens, call it Surge II.

But I think the domestic terrorism case coming to light is being handled well, so far.

Spouting Off On: Options With Iran

All of the blather about Iran and nuclear capabilities comes down to three options:

1. Do nothing and Iran develops a nuclear capability.
2. Jawbone and apply sanctions on Iran and Iran develops a nuclear capability.
3. Take military action against Iran to try to stop or retard their nuclear capability.

People making public comments about Obama's response know these are the only three options. If they don't admit it, their comments should be dismissed.

Just my point of view.

Obama Administration Foreign Policy

My thoughts these days are brief and to the point.

Missile Defense Shield

There are many critics of Obama's policy to scrap the Europe missile defense plan against long range missiles for a smaller plan to defend against medium range missiles. My initial thoughts were that it was a bad move and I wondered exactly what is on his mind. It really appeared to be caving into Russian interests.

But after thinking about the state of missile defense some, I wonder if it was a bad move. From what I've read over time, the state of missile defense is really not that good. Essentially, people are designing systems to "hit a bullet with a bullet" and the occasional news reports of the tests seem to indicate success until you read further and the indications are that the tests are rigged for a positive outcome. Of course, it could be set up that way so that we learn enough in the process to be able to increase accuracy, but it can also be a case of making sure there is a pre-determined successful outcome.

So, in the end, I'm neutral about the policy shift.

Afghanistan

They beat the Russians, with our help. More troops must enter or defeat is certain.

'nuff said.

There was one other item but I forgot. So, publish it is.

Awrite, I'm Gonna Put It Out There

There was A LOT of commentary put out about Muslims, who are Black, in the United States. This included comments about Black churches having "failed" because there are Blacks who have embraced Islam, Black Muslims being racist and hating America, etc.

I'm just wondering.

What do they say now?

Iran: I Don't Understand

I don't understand people's criticism of Obama for delaying comments about what is happening in Iran. Even if he said something almost immediately, the reaction of the leaders in Iran would still be the same. They really don't care what anyone in the U.S. says, and they know that our resources are taxed at this point, so there is not much we can do.

We have hot zones in Iraq and Afghanistan and our military on the DMZ between North and South Korea have to be protected and be given reinforcements given what N. Korea is doing. BTW, did President Bush do anything about N. Korea's nukes?

Yes, Iran is funding groups that are helping to keep things stirred up in Iraq, but so is Syria. I'd like to read the commentary about Syria causing a mess but the fact that they are backed by China may be the  reason the commentary against Syria is muted.

Oh yeah, who really rules Iran? Suppose the president of the country is tossed out, what happens then? I'd gather more chaos since the president of Iran, no matter how nutty, doesn't have the real power.

I've been critical of the Obama administration, but on this one, I'm not saying a damn thing because I don't see the alternatives being given as being viable. So, STHU!

Spouting Off On: Dick Cheney

Please consider this.

Vice President Dick Cheney continued to say that Iraq was involved in the 9-11 attacks on this country. This is AFTER President George W. Bush had stated Iraq was NOT INVOLVED in the 9-11 attacks. Now, Cheney is saying the harsh interrogation technique used against captured terrorists saved thousands of lives. Not only that, but he is challenging President Barack Obama to release the material to substantiate what Cheney has said. This is where I ask you to consider what is being said.

First, I have to assume Cheney lied about Iraq because the president was saying otherwise. Next, he knows that if the information obtained from the interrogation is highly classified, so asking Obama to release that information would place classified information into open domain, with the possibility of causing more damage to our national security. Next, if Obama did it, and other information affecting our security were release, he or most likely others, would say Obama damaged national security by releasing the information.

So, I'm forced to ask, is Cheney being honestly concerned about national security or is it politics?

Pictures: Think About This

I'm real busy getting "the new home" in order while getting the old house in better shape for putting on the housing market.

But I want you to really think about this: If the Obama administration is busy changing Bush policies and announcing to the world that the U.S. has not lived up to it's ideals in the hopes that the world, especially potential terrorists, will see us in a better light, what good does releasing photos of "enhanced interrogation" do?

Doesn't it become a tool to be used by al Qeada for recruiting?

Castro In Waiting?

Is Chavez a Castro in waiting?

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's elections chief says President Hugo Chavez has won a referendum to eliminate term limits, paving the way for him to run again in 2012.

National Electoral Council chief Tibisay Lucena says with 94 percent of the vote counted, 54 percent have backed the president's proposal. That trend is irreversible.

Firecrackers exploded as pro-Chavez caravans circled the city with horns blaring after the announcement Sunday night. Chavez appeared on the balcony of his presidential palace to sing the national anthem.

I think so.

Gitmo Query

Gitmo houses terrorists who are targeting Americans in their Jihad.

A number of people formerly held at Gitmo, have been recaptured on the battle field and/or killed on the battle field.

My question is, why were they released in the first place?

Thoughts On Gitmo

The core of the problem, as I see it, is that congress is full of pansies who don't want to define the dead zone area that exists.

If war is declared, the people caught on the battlefield are POWs.

If they are individuals inside of our borders, they get the rights our Constitution demands and are criminals.

Terrorists aren't fighting us because they are aligned with a country. They are fighting us because they are aligned with an ideal. In our borders, the Constitution gives them rights.

Outside our borders?

What defines a "battlefield"?

What is "terrorism"?

What defines a "war"? After all, Vietnam was not a war under our Constitution because Congress never declared it, but was a "military action." And the people captured were covered by the Geneva Convention.

This is a gray area that, if defined, the "LEGAL" problem would "go away."

Brand New World

Welcome to your world, Mr. President.

An al Qaeda affiliate in Algeria closed a base earlier this month after an experiment with unconventional weapons went awry, a senior U.S. intelligence official said Monday.

The official, who spoke on the condition he not be named because of the sensitive nature of the issue, said he could not confirm press reports that the accident killed at least 40 al Qaeda operatives, but he said the mishap led the militant group to shut down a base in the mountains of Tizi Ouzou province in eastern Algeria.

He said authorities in the first week of January intercepted an urgent communication between the leadership of al Qaeda in the Land of the Maghreb (AQIM) and al Qaeda's leadership in the tribal region of Pakistan on the border with Afghanistan. The communication suggested that an area sealed to prevent leakage of a biological or chemical substance had been breached, according to the official.

"We don't know if this is biological or chemical," the official said.

The story was first reported by the British tabloid the Sun, which said the al Qaeda operatives died after being infected with a strain of bubonic plague, the disease that killed a third of Europe's population in the 14th century. But the intelligence official dismissed that claim.

And the beat goes on...

Exhibit A Why Women Should Rule The World

This is Exhibit A on why women should rule the world.

The Afghan chieftain looked older than his 60-odd years, and his bearded face bore the creases of a man burdened with duties as tribal patriarch and husband to four younger women. His visitor, a CIA officer, saw an opportunity, and reached into his bag for a small gift.

Four blue pills. Viagra.

"Take one of these. You'll love it," the officer said. Compliments of Uncle Sam.

The enticement worked. The officer, who described the encounter, returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception. The grinning chief offered up a bonanza of information about Taliban movements and supply routes -- followed by a request for more pills.

Give the man the little blue pill, he acts like he's a teenager again, gives up the information and asks for more pills.

Men want it. Women have it. If they had it together, they would work it like they should and they would rule the world.

If True, WOW...

If this is true, WOW.

JERUSALEM – Hamas has received a letter from U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice thanking the terror group for its efforts in maintaining a cease fire in the Gaza Strip, a senior Hamas leader announced today.

If accurate, the alleged letter would be the first public communication between the Bush administration and Hamas, which Israel is seeking to isolate.

Mahmoud al-Zahar, chief of Hamas in Gaza, announced at a press conference in Syria today that Rice in recent days sent a letter to Hamas praising the terror group for its efforts in maintaining a cease fire in the Gaza Strip.

If Rice did this, is it because it may bolster Obama's willingness to meet with no pre-conditions? [ For those so impaired, that was sarcasm ].

Is The U.S. Ready?

Is the U.S. ready to fight a cyber-war with Russia considering what the Russian Mafia has done to Best Western?

The Best Western Hotel Group had more than bathroom towels ripped off over the past year. According to reports over 8 million guest records were nabbed by hackers and, according to authorities, many of the hotel patrons personal information, including home addresses, phone numbers, place of employment and credit card details, are now for sale by the Russian Mafia.

I'm just askin'...

What Did He See?

When G. W. Bush looked into Putin's eyes and saw his soul, did he see THIS?

[ UPDATE ]

Link fixed. Thanks.

Mugabe Is Gangsta

'nuff said.

HARARE, Zimbabwe, June 23 -- Heavily armed police officers on Monday raided the headquarters of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change party, dragging away about 60 people -- including children -- on a day when world leaders condemned violence by the Zimbabwean government in increasingly strong terms.

McCain Speaks: United Nations, New and Improved

I don't see how this isn't another version of the United Nations:

We should go further and start bringing democratic peoples and nations from around the world into one common organization, a worldwide League of Democracies. This would not be like the universal-membership and failed League of Nations' of Woodrow Wilson but much more like what Theodore Roosevelt envisioned: like-minded nations working together in the cause of peace. The new League of Democracies would form the core of an international order of peace based on freedom. It could act where the UN fails to act, to relieve human suffering in places like Darfur. It could join to fight the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa and fashion better policies to confront the crisis of our environment. It could provide unimpeded market access to t hose who share the values of economic and political freedom, an advantage no state-based system could attain. It could bring concerted pressure to bear on tyrants in Burma or Zimbabwe, with or without Moscow's and Beijing's approval. It could unite to impose sanctions on Iran and thwart its nuclear ambitions. It could provide support to struggling democracies in Ukraine and Serbia and help countries like Thailand back on the path to democracy.

"This League of Democracies would not supplant the United Nations or other international organizations. It would complement them. But it would be the one organization where the world's democracies could come together to discuss problems and solutions on the basis of shared principles and a common vision of the future. If I am elected president, I will call a summit of the world's democracies in my first year to seek the views of my democratic counterparts and begin exploring the practical steps necessary to realize this vision.

"Americans should lead this effort, as we did sixty years ago in founding NATO. But if we are to lead responsibly, our friends and allies must see us as responsible nation, concerned not only about our own well-being but about the health of the world's economy and the future of our planet.

I don't see how this "League of Democracies" would not become another toothless tiger, like the U.N., or another NATO which is basically the United States military in another uniform. And, frankly, that "another uniform" is a big problem in itself.

Dreams and ideals are nice, but the world is a real place and I think that it is demonstrated that world organizations, for the most part, are a huge money spending failure.

Have Ya'll Taken A Look A "The Other" America?

Ummm.... If you wonder why there is a spike in oil prices, I'm sure this doesn't help:

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela deployed tanks and air and sea forces toward the Colombian border on Wednesday in its first major military mobilization in a crisis that has raised fears for regional stability.

Venezuela's military said it started sending 10 tank battalions toward the border and activated its air force and navy. Military analysts estimates such a mobilization could include more than 200 tanks.

The action escalated tensions over Colombia's weekend raid to kill rebels inside another South American neighbor, Ecuador, which Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an ally of leftist Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, said could spark war.

While Ecuador and Venezuela have poured soldiers toward their borders with U.S.-backed Colombia in recent days, Wednesday's movements were the first signs of heavy firepower being mobilized.

Colombia said it would not deploy extra forces and governments worldwide urged the nations to defuse tensions as Venezuela and the United States blamed each other for the intensifying crisis.

Interesting...

You Figure This One Out

Can you help me figure this one out?

Bush and Raul Castro

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - Don't look for President Bush to be sitting down with the new president of Cuba anytime soon.

During his news conference, Bush defended his stance of not talking directly with leaders of adversaries such as Iran and Cuba without setting preconditions. In doing so, he offered some of his strongest criticism yet of Raul Castro, who assumed Cuba's presidency on Sunday after his ailing brother Fidel stepped aside.

Bush told reporters that "sitting down at the table, having your picture taken with a tyrant such as Raul Castro, for example, lends the status of the office and the status of our country to him."

Bush and the Beijing Olympics

President George W Bush has said that he will attend the Beijing Olympics amid a growing furore about China's support of the Sudanese regime.

Mr Bush said he viewed the Games as a "sporting event" and that China's close ties with Sudan would not affect his stance, despite what he has termed "genocide" in the Sudanese region of Darfur.

Am I wrong in wondering what's the difference here? How many political prisoners does China have now and how many have they had in the past? How many died in custody? And the difference between them and Cuba is?

Africa Is Of No Importance To The U.S.?

The next time some fool states that Africa is of no strategic importance to the U.S., point that fool to this:

Although there is no way of knowing how many of the total entrants the 606 recorded individuals represent, officials said Sinjar was a primary entrance point. Its importance increased as Iraq's Anbar province -- farther south and bordering Saudi Arabia and Jordan -- became more difficult for foreigners to cross.

"We also adjusted our analysis [to say that] more North Africans were foreign terrorists than previously assessed," said Col. Steven A. Boylan, spokesman for Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

Although Saudi Arabia was by far the most common country of origin of foreign fighters, with about 40 percent of the total, a surprising share -- 19 percent -- came from Libya. Overall, about 40 percent were North African.

Then stand back and watch that person's head spin with foam spewing out of the mouth.

You Won't Like This Idea

I read this and came up with an idea.

Stock markets around the world plummeted today, as a financial crisis that began in the market for U.S. home mortgages spread to almost all corners of the global economy.

U.S. markets were closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, but all of the world's other major economies experienced a sell-off. Stock prices fell 7 percent in France and Germany, 5 percent in China and Great Britain, and 4 percent in Japan. Stocks lost value in 42 of the 43 nations with widely followed markets; the only exception was Sri Lanka.

"It was all about blood on the wall," said Georges Ugeux, chairman of Galileo Global Advisors, who was visiting the Indian stock exchange, which fell 7.4 percent (the equivalent of a 900-point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average). "For them, this is a black Monday."

You won't like this idea at all, but I think it's the best thing for the U.S. economy. Instead of coming up with a "stimulus package" that, in reality, is nothing more than a wet band-aid, why don't we just let the markets do what the markets are going to do and suffer the ride?

Cutting rates, coming up with a stimulus package that gives people money to spend, pumping money into the economy, saving people from losing their homes, now, only to lose them later, etc, is just delaying the inevitable and making the real correction much harsher in the long term. Just, let it happen.

I Know It's Friday And I Should Post Something Happy

I know I should be posting something mindless and not post something that if you think about it, it could mess up your weekend, but it is not a good idea that Saudi Arabia and China are bailing out our major financial companies.

I wish I could remember the person and the exact quote, but a famous communist once stated they didn't have to do anything to make capitalism fall, because capitalism will sell and buy the rope to hang itself with.

Rudy And Terrorism

Can anyone tell me exactly how Rudy Ghouliani fought terrorism in New York City?