With all the talk about Biden, Palin, the DNC convention, the RNC convention, Obama, and McCain, neither the media nor Daily Kos has talked much about our failed occupations.
We are still occupying two countries at the moment.
Since combat has begun in Iraq is 2003, the official casualty count is 30,568 wounded. Estimatesare that number could be as high as 100,000+. 4150 servicemen are dead, 3373 died in combat.
President Bush is under no pressure from the media despite committing various crimes; conspiracy to defraud the United States, violation of the Geneva Conventions, war crimes both for his invasion of Iraq and for torturing detainees, spying on the American people in violation of the 4th Amendment, treason for outing a CIA officer--and I could actually list more crimes!
Despite this the media puts zero pressure on the man.
I saw a documentary about Helen Thomas today and it showed Nixon sweating under hot lights and being grilled by reporters during the water-gate crisis. Later in the program, it showed Clinton uneasily answering questions about Monica Lewinsky.
Why is George Bush, with an approval rating in the 20's for god's sake, receiving a pass from the media? Do they care so little about their duty to the public that they would rather cover Obama/McCain 24/7, or cover some missing girl story?
My strong opinion is that we can walk and chew bubblegum at the same time. We can both care and focus of the election and remember that we have a war criminal in the White House right now.
And lest you all think there is no harm done with allowing Bush to finish his term I lay out the following for the readers of the Daily Kos.
Poland has agreed to be the host of an American missile defense shield which aims to protect Europe from nuclear ICBMs. Russia, in a totally defensive move, has said (quoting Medvedev)
"These missiles are close to our borders and constitute a threat to us," Mr Medvedev told Al-Jazeera television.
"This will create additional tension and we will have to respond to it in some way, naturally using military means."
Of course they will. I do not believe this is some high stakes bluff by Medvedev. Once Poland installs the defense shield they will be attacked. It is as simple and easy to understand as saying that if I place my hand in water it will become wet.
Now, the Bush administration has made this nearly suicidal decision on behalf of the entire planet during the lame-duck portion of his presidency. More importantly, since Bush is both a liar and a war criminal, he should not be allowed to speak for the United States at all. Obviously the man's judgment is suspect. What is the reason for us to risk nuclear war right now?
The Bush administration also harps on attacking Iran. What is the immediate threat from either Iran or Russia that causes this hostile and aggressive stance from Washington. Frankly, we have a mad-man in office right now. He is not fit to be President of the United States. This needs to be harped upon constantly.
Please I implore you all to not become too distracted in the race. Remember and talk about this lest we forget. Lest we allow Bush to retain, as he does now, an aire of legitimacy. We are on the brink of war with Russia and any day could see either the United States or Israel bomb Iran.
If the media doesn't want to report about Iraq then we should. Let me ask you all a question; when was the last story you heard on either CNN, FOX, or MSNBC that went in depth into what's happening on the ground in Afghanistan? Do you know what diplomacy we are using with the several tribes in the country? Why not?
What about in Iraq? How many interviews do you hear with tribal leaders in Iraq, or with members of the Iraqi government? Doesn't happen. It could happen there is nothing that precludes it.
Although we are on the brink of war, the only recent story regarding Russia after the cease-fire was an interview with Putin. Did it address Poland and the missile-defense shield? Nope the headline was that Bush tried to influence the election! If it is about the election the CNN will spare no expense to cover that story.
Fellow Cossacks I implore you to keep an anti-Bush diary on the rec list. We must apply pressure upon this guy. He doesn't deserve to coast to the end of his term while Clinton suffered day and night through the end of his.