The Flashlight Feb. 24 - Mar 2, 2007
THE FLASHLIGHT, February 24 – March 2, 2007
Iraq
2-27 PBS. The Iraqi Government has invited Syria, Iran, and the US to a conference. This is in accord with the recommendation of the Iraqi Study Group.
Two aircraft carrier groups are now in the Persian Gulf. There is speculation that an air attack on Iran is in the offing. But perhaps not. (see below).
` 3-1. Guardian. In Baghdad a team of four expert military advisors to General Petraeus say that they have only six months to win the war in Iraq. If not, they face a full collapse of political and public support for the war that would force US military forces to hastily retreat. Their reasoning is as follows:
1. There will be a complete disintegration of the international coalition in Iraq [that already has started].
2. As the British leave southern Iraq, there were be increasing violence there.
3. As casualties rise, morale will decline.
4. If it is clear that Bush’s “new” policy is not working by Labor Day, Bush may be forced to start a phased withdrawal.
Truthdig.com. 3-1. According to Pentagon whistleblower Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski, ret., four permanent U.S. military bases have been completed secretly in Iraq by Halliburton. Any kind of plane can land in them. They can hold over 110,000 troops. The bases are built to last 20 to 30 years. The US will not turn them over to any Iraqis.
[Possibly, the aircraft carriers may be used to evacuate US Iraqi friends, as they did for our Vietnamese friends at the end of the Viet Nam War. Also, in the fall the US may move most of its troops to its four secure bases and wait for the Iraqis to fight things out among themselves.. If such plans are being circulated in Washington, that would explain the reluctance of many “moderate” Democrats and Republicans to support a phased withdrawal now.]
U.S. News
Veterans outpatient scandal
March 1-2. CNN. The general in charge of Walter Reed Hospital and the Secretary of the Army have been relieved of duties on account of the scandal in the negligent treatment of injured veterans, exposed by the Washington Post. There have been complaints since 2003 but the military officials in charge have not responded adequately. Sec.of Defence Gates says he is outraged.
US Politics
Giuliani now leads as the Republican candidate, McCain slips down. Obama now leads Hilary as the Democratic candidate, with Gore in third place. Gore won the Academy Award for his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, but has not indicated that he will run for President. He has both the money and name recognition that would be necessary.
US Health
3-2 NYTimes. According to CBS/NY Times poll, a majority of the American people put health care paid for by national health insurance at the top of their domestic agenda. They are willing to pay more taxes for it.
Iraq
2-27 PBS. The Iraqi Government has invited Syria, Iran, and the US to a conference. This is in accord with the recommendation of the Iraqi Study Group.
Two aircraft carrier groups are now in the Persian Gulf. There is speculation that an air attack on Iran is in the offing. But perhaps not. (see below).
` 3-1. Guardian. In Baghdad a team of four expert military advisors to General Petraeus say that they have only six months to win the war in Iraq. If not, they face a full collapse of political and public support for the war that would force US military forces to hastily retreat. Their reasoning is as follows:
1. There will be a complete disintegration of the international coalition in Iraq [that already has started].
2. As the British leave southern Iraq, there were be increasing violence there.
3. As casualties rise, morale will decline.
4. If it is clear that Bush’s “new” policy is not working by Labor Day, Bush may be forced to start a phased withdrawal.
Truthdig.com. 3-1. According to Pentagon whistleblower Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski, ret., four permanent U.S. military bases have been completed secretly in Iraq by Halliburton. Any kind of plane can land in them. They can hold over 110,000 troops. The bases are built to last 20 to 30 years. The US will not turn them over to any Iraqis.
[Possibly, the aircraft carriers may be used to evacuate US Iraqi friends, as they did for our Vietnamese friends at the end of the Viet Nam War. Also, in the fall the US may move most of its troops to its four secure bases and wait for the Iraqis to fight things out among themselves.. If such plans are being circulated in Washington, that would explain the reluctance of many “moderate” Democrats and Republicans to support a phased withdrawal now.]
U.S. News
Veterans outpatient scandal
March 1-2. CNN. The general in charge of Walter Reed Hospital and the Secretary of the Army have been relieved of duties on account of the scandal in the negligent treatment of injured veterans, exposed by the Washington Post. There have been complaints since 2003 but the military officials in charge have not responded adequately. Sec.of Defence Gates says he is outraged.
US Politics
Giuliani now leads as the Republican candidate, McCain slips down. Obama now leads Hilary as the Democratic candidate, with Gore in third place. Gore won the Academy Award for his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, but has not indicated that he will run for President. He has both the money and name recognition that would be necessary.
US Health
3-2 NYTimes. According to CBS/NY Times poll, a majority of the American people put health care paid for by national health insurance at the top of their domestic agenda. They are willing to pay more taxes for it.
posted by THE FLASHLIGHT at 2:57 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home