Notes from all over . . .

[flamin lib]

Unless you've been living in a cave you are aware that Britain, Pakistan and various other Middle Eastern countries have arrested terror suspects planning to blow up airliners. How were they found out?

England credits Scotland Yard and Pakistan refers only to “investigators”. Law enforcement agencies. No soldiers involved. I guess Kerry was right, fighting terror is a law enforcement issue. Bush has certainly proven that the military approach won't work.

In an almost startling admission Homeland (In)Security said they were aware that bombs could be assembled aboard planes and detonated using simple electronic devices. They just didn't want to take action because the equipment to screen for this stuff is expensive­ and it might take a bite out of the tax cuts for the rich. Besides, why worry about that when none of the cargo is checked for explosives? Pssst, hey terrorists! Use a simple stick of dynamite and a hand held GPS to do the job! The GPS can arm the bomb when the plane climbs to altitude and detonate it within a hundred feet of the runway. Just send it parcel post, nobody checks cargo on planes or ships.

Feeling safer yet?

In other news you weren't watching, the Administration has written amendments to the War Crimes Act that, if passed, would retroactively apply to themselves. Yep, that’s right, after the Supreme Court ruled that what they are doing in GITMO is against the Geneva Conventions and violate the War Crimes Act they just re-write the law and make it apply to stuff they did three years ago. I thought there was something in the Constitution about that. (Article 1 Section 9, p.3) Oh silly me! This is Bush I'm talking about! http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20060809-1711-warcrimes.html Amendments to war crimes act to be retroactive.

Governors across the country are in a bit of a tizzy over yet another power grab by the White House. Bush wants authority over the National Guard. They say that the response to Katrina proves that Homeland (In)Security needs the power to activate the NG without consulting Governors. Yeah, they did a great job of using FEMA so let’s give them the Guard too. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060805/ap_on_re_us/governors_guard Bush to take national guard from governors.

And now for something completely different: it seems that the old saw about tax cuts paying for themselves is . . . WRONG! Republicans keep telling us that the tax cuts are responsible for the strong (?) economy and that they generate enough tax revenue to pay for themselves. Not according to a study by the Treasury Department. It seems that the very best that can be hoped for is a recovery of 10% of the lost revenues. I thought the Reagan experience had shown that for the fallacy it is. Ya’ think we'd learn.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/25/AR2006072501543.html Tax cuts not paying for themselves
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060810/OPINION03/608100342/1110 Tax cuts not a stimulus for economy.

If you want effective government, vote Democrat in ’06. We stand for a strong secure America, safe stable families and the chance for prosperity for everyone. Guard the gates, diplomacy from strength and a fair and equitable economy.