IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 8/30/08
Americans Killed: 4150
Americans Wounded: 50,000
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 1,000,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
“…a small price…” Rep. John Boehner
----------------------------
Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. Jose E. Ulloa, 23, of New York, NY died Aug. 9 in Sadr City, Iraq.

*Sgt. Kenneth B. Gibson, 25, of Christiansburg, Va., died Aug. 10 in Tarmiyah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Michael H. Ferschke Jr., 22, of Maryville, TN died Aug. 10 in Salah ad Din province, Iraq.

*Cpl. James M. Hale, 23, of Naperville, IL died Aug. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Daniel A. C. McGuire, 19, of Mashpee, MA died Aug. 14 in Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pvt. Janelle F. King, 23, of Merced, CA died Aug. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Travis M. Stottlemyer, 20, of Hatfield, PA died Aug. 17 Manama, Bahrain.

*Sgt. Nickolas Lee Hopper, 27, of Montrose, IL died Sept. 8, 2007 from wounds received in Anbar province, Iraq, on June 20, 2005.

*Sgt. 1st Class George Stanciel, 40, of Greenwood, MS died Aug. 19 at Forward Operating Base Gary Owen, Iraq.

*Sgt. David K. Cooper, 25, of Williamsburg, KY died Aug. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Michael L. Gonzalez, 20, of Spotswood, NJ died Aug. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Truth and Hope Returns

Earlier this week I received an email from an old friend, Eugene Hedlund. Many from the Howard Dean campaign should remember that name. Back in 2004, Eugene founded “Truth and Hope dot org” as an independent media outlet to produce low cost radio spots that could be run in major radio markets in a short period of time. Well it seems that Eugene has revived the organization and is seeking help to air a TV ad just in time for the Republican convention. In part, here is what Eugene has to say:


” I'm incredibly excited about the ad & really feel that it hits the right message & strongly so with the images that play through the background as well. We're bringing it up to broadcast quality & cutting back a few seconds to factor in the disclaimer. The video was posted on Kos & has enjoyed a phenomenal reception, was even front paged in a link by Kos. On youtube it has 220,000+ hits & we've been receiving emails constantly as to when we will have it on the air. Initially it was just an example project of what would be a good idea for an ad, but with the reception being so strong there's no reason not to just get it done. Working with John Addis on this project, we've been putting together other concepts for follow up spots to carry on the theme, as well as a couple of other approaches. “

Here is the proposed ad in its original form:

If you would like to help be a part of a completely independent effort to reach voters via the media, please go to Eugene’s new website, TruthandHope.org and contribute a few dollars. I already have.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Shift Movie

With a special thanks to my wife for sharing this with me.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Uppity Iraqis

Welcome to the Rabbit Hole – jump right on in.

As the Bushtorians will tell you, it was shortly after the attacks on our homeland on nine eleven that the democratic country of Iraq asked us to liberate them from themselves. George W. Bush, being the benevolent ruler that he is, was quick to respond to this request.

So now here we some six years later. We have managed to remove any semblance of the pre-invasion Iraq; decimate the infrastructure, displace the population, create new ethnically cleansed neighborhoods and, as a consequence, afforded the new (and improved) hand-picked government the opportunity to create a whole new country modeled in our image. The cost has been relatively minor; somewhere around a million dead Iraqis and just over 4100 dead Americans. We have totally upgraded the Iraqi military and police forces – not only their equipment but also their methods of capture and interrogation. And yet today……..

Iraq, U.S. disagree on timetable for troop withdrawal

By Leila Fadel
McClatchy Newspapers

"BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Monday that all U.S. troops must be out of Iraq by 2011 and there would be no security agreement between the United States and Iraq without an unconditional timetable for withdrawal. This was a direct challenge to the Bush administration, which insists the timing for troop departure would be based on conditions on the ground.

"No pact or an agreement should be set without being based on full sovereignty, national common interests, and no foreign soldier should remain on Iraqi land, and there should be a specific deadline and it should not be open," Maliki told a meeting of tribal leaders in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.”

WTF??!!?? Who do these ungrateful people think they are? I mean, we will be the judges of when they have been fully liberated.

"But the White House disputed Maliki's statement and made clear the two countries are still at odds over the terms of a U.S. withdrawal.

"Any decisions on troops will be based on conditions on the ground in Iraq," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said in Crawford, Texas, where President Bush is vacationing. "That has always been our position. It continues to be our position."”

The next thing you know, these people are going to start thinking they are a sovereign nation or something.

How ridicules………

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

A Season for Hope

Courtesy MSNBC

And so, for Teddy, we must keep John McSame out of the Whitehouse......

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

In Case You May Have Forgotten....

Before there was this (From Politico.com):

"August 18, 2008
Categories: Pakistan

Musharraf's resignation

The candidates put out similar statements on the resignation of Pakisatni President Pervez Musharraf:

McCain:

The resignation of President Pervez Musharraf is a step toward moving Pakistan onto a more stable political footing. Pakistan is a critical theater in countering the threat of al Qaeda and violent Islamic extremism, and I look forward to the government increasing its future cooperation.

There are serious problems that must be addressed. The situation in Pakistan's frontier regions requires immediate and continued attention, and I hope that the elections for President Musharraf's successor will serve to reconcile the Pakistani people behind a leader who can solidify their government internally. It is critical that the United States continue to work in partnership with the Pakistani people and their democratically elected government to tackle the many challenges we both face.

Obama:

President Musharraf has made the right decision to step down as President of Pakistan. It is in the interests of his country and the Pakistani people to end the political crisis that has immobilized the coalition government for too long. I have long said that the central terrorist threat to the United States lies in northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan, and not Iraq. US policy must focus on assuring that all elements of Pakistan's government are resolute in shutting down the safe havens for al Qaeda and the Taliban. There can be no safehaven for terrorists who threaten the American people.

A year ago, I advocated that the US move from a 'Musharraf policy' to a 'Pakistan policy.' I hope all of Pakistan's friends will now seize the opportunity created by Musharraf's exit to focus on the urgent issues of today: confronting the threat of extremist violence, dealing with food and energy shortages, and helping the Pakistani people build a stable, secure, democratic future."

There was this:

Richardson Stands Apart Calling for Musharraf Ouster

December 28, 2007 1:18 PM

ABC's Sarah Amos reports: Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., continued his call for Pakistani President Prevez Musharraf to step down from power, a day after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Richardson's speech in Des Moines this morning continued to separate him from other democratic candidates, who have not called for Musharraf's resignation. Richardson also called on the Bush Administration to stand-up against Musharraf's government.
"Bush's foreign policy has failed…but not for lack of opportunity to make it better. When Musharraf declared marital law we could have stood up. But we did not. When he suspended the Constitution, we could have stood up. But we did not. Now after yesterday's terrible murder…the United States must stand up," Richardson told the cheering crowd.

Over 200 Iowans braved a snowy morning in Des Moines to come and listen as Richardson called out the other democratic candidates for not taking a stand against Musharraf.

"Some of my Democratic opponents have misplaced faith in Musharraf. Like the Bush Administration, they cling to the misguided notion that Musharraf can be trusted as an ally to fight terrorism," Richardson told the crowd. The Governor went on to question how many times the "Washington conventional wisdom" needs to be proven wrong before the nation is ready to take a new direction in the fight on terrorism."

Obama-Richardson anybody?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Saddleback - Amen

An addendum to the recent “Saddleback Forum”

"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."

(Article VI, Section II, United States Constitution)
*****************************************************

Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary.

ARTICLE 1.

There is a firm and perpetual Peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and subjects of Tripoli of Barbary, made by the free consent of both parties, and guaranteed by the most potent Bey & regency of Algiers.

ARTICLE 2.

If any goods belonging to any nation with which either of the parties is at war shall be loaded on board of vessels belonging to the other party they shall pass free, and no attempt shall be made to take or detain them.

ARTICLE 3.

If any citizens, subjects or effects belonging to either party shall be found on board a prize vessel taken from an enemy by the other party, such citizens or subjects shall be set at liberty, and the effects restored to the owners.

ARTICLE 4.

Proper passports are to be given to all vessels of both parties, by which they are to be known. And, considering the distance between the two countries, eighteen months from the date of this treaty shall be allowed for procuring such passports. During this interval the other papers belonging to such vessels shall be sufficient for their protection.

ARTICLE 5.

A citizen or subject of either party having bought a prize vessel condemned by the other party or by any other nation, the certificate of condemnation and bill of sale shall be a sufficient passport for such vessel for one year; this being a reasonable time for her to procure a proper passport.

ARTICLE 6.

Vessels of either party putting into the ports of the other and having need of provisions or other supplies, they shall be furnished at the market price. And if any such vessel shall so put in from a disaster at sea and have occasion to repair, she shall be at liberty to land and reembark her cargo without paying any duties. But in no case shall she be compelled to land her cargo.

ARTICLE 7.

Should a vessel of either party be cast on the shore of the other, all proper assistance shall be given to her and her people; no pillage shall be allowed; the property shall remain at the disposition of the owners, and the crew protected and succoured till they can be sent to their country.

ARTICLE 8.

If a vessel of either party should be attacked by an enemy within gun-shot of the forts of the other she shall be defended as much as possible. If she be in port she shall not be seized or attacked when it is in the power of the other party to protect her. And when she proceeds to sea no enemy shall be allowed to pursue her from the same port within twenty four hours after her departure.

ARTICLE 9.

The commerce between the United States and Tripoli, the protection to be given to merchants, masters of vessels and seamen,- the reciprocal right of establishing consuls in each country, and the privileges, immunities and jurisdictions to be enjoyed by such consuls, are declared to be on the same footing with those of the most favoured nations respectively.

ARTICLE 10.

The money and presents demanded by the Bey of Tripoli as a full and satisfactory consideration on his part and on the part of his subjects for this treaty of perpetual peace and friendship are acknowledged to have been recieved by him previous to his signing the same, according to a reciept which is hereto annexed, except such part as is promised on the part of the United States to be delivered and paid by them on the arrival of their Consul in Tripoly, of which part a note is likewise hereto annexed. And no presence of any periodical tribute or farther payment is ever to be made by either party.

ARTICLE 11.

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

ARTICLE 12.

In case of any dispute arising from a notation of any of the articles of this treaty no appeal shall be made to arms, nor shall war be declared on any pretext whatever. But if the (consul residing at the place where the dispute shall happen shall not be able to settle the same, an amicable reference shall be made to the mutual friend of the parties, the Bey of Algiers, the parties hereby engaging to abide by his decision. And he by virtue of his signature to this treaty engages for himself and successors to declare the justice of the case according to the true interpretation of the treaty, and to use all the means in his power to enforce the observance of the same.

Signed and sealed at Tripoli of Barbary the 3d day of Jumad in the year of the Higera 1211-corresponding with the 4th day of Novr 1796 by

Jussuf Bashaw Mahomet, BeySoliman, KayaMamet, TreasurerGalil, Genl of the TroopsAmet, Minister of MarineMahomet, Coml of the cityAmet, ChamberlainMamet, SecretaryAlly, Chief of the Divan

Signed and sealed at Algiers the 4th day of Argib 1211-corresponding with the 3d day of January 1797 by

Hassan Bashaw Deyand by the Agent plenipotentiary of the United States of America[Seal] Joel Barlow
***********************************************************

Saturday June 10, 1797

President John Adams signed the treaty into law on this date and issued the following proclamation:

Now be it known, That I John Adams, President of the United States of America, having seen and considered the said Treaty do, by and with the advice consent of the Senate, accept, ratify, and confirm the same, and every clause and article thereof. And to the End that the said Treaty may be observed and performed with good Faith on the part of the United States, I have ordered the premises to be made public; And I do hereby enjoin and require all persons bearing office civil or military within the United States, and all others citizens or inhabitants thereof, faithfully to observe and fulfil the said Treaty and every clause and article thereof.

The full treaty and the proclamation (above) was printed in at least two Philadelphia newspapers of the day and at least one New York Newspaper of the day.
***************************

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 8/11/08
Americans Killed: 4138
Americans Wounded: 40,000
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 1,000,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
“…a small price…” Rep. John Boehner
----------------------------
Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Staff Sgt. Danny P. Dupre, 28, of Lockport, LA died July 15 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. James A. McHale, 31, of Fairfield, MT died July 30 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD of wounds suffered July 22 in Diyala Province, Iraq.

*Spc. Andre D. Mitchell, 25, of Elmont, NY died July 31 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Spc. Kevin R. Dickson, 21, of Steelville, MO died Aug. 2 in Balad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Jennifer L. Cole, 34, of American Canyon, CA died Aug. 2 in Bayji, Iraq.

*Sgt. Brian K. Miller, 37, of Pendleton, IN died Aug. 2 in Abd Allah, Iraq.

*Spc. Ronald A. Schmidt, 18, of Newton, KS died Aug. 3 in Balad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Gary M. Henry, 34, of Indianapolis, IN died Aug. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Jonathan D. Menke, 22, of Madison, IN died Aug. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pvt. Timothy J. Hutton, 21, of Dillon, MT died Aug. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue