An Article by:

Ben Tanosborn
No big deal… the Dow Industrials lost over 500 points today; just a little taste of volatility in the markets, that’s all!  We have a government that guarantees capitalism is here to stay, no matter what, so worry not!  So what if risk has been understated all along throughout the financial markets, insurance companies and the rest.  Our good citizens, ignorant taxpayers that we all are, will pay.  Rest assured that it won’t be the elite that run this United States!

You’ve been living in a fantasy world, then finally wake up one Monday morning and act surprised that such paradise was but a wet dream brought about by reading that erotic textbook in Economics 101 published by your government.  Well, take a shower and clean up your bed, you fool… sooner or later it had to occur.  And this is just the start; the financial meltdown of irresponsible, predatory capitalism is soon to come.

Even the great guru, and master of gobbledygook, has made another appearance on the parade grounds to tell us that the Emperor might not be wearing a fancy, sequined robe but much more modest garb!  Well, well, well… what do you know! We need to ask Greenspan to stop his worthless palavering once and for all; stay retired, out of the masses’ sight, or he may end up hanging by his reptilian, forked tongue!  He’s been a great part of the problem, and there’s no saving face for him… best for him is to stay away and let the vultures and hyenas dispose of the carnage he helped create.

And just what is it that has been taking center stage in the media these days?

Government intervention and guarantees… but isn’t that us?  Are we in some type of idiotic stupor when we fail to recognize that the government is not a third party to the deal, but that we, the people, are?  There are trillions upon trillions of dollars that have been readily guaranteed through legislation passed by politicians ready to please, and also keep their jobs.  Not just in housing, or limited deposits in financial institutions (banks, S&L’s and credit unions), but in areas that cover every aspect of our lives.  Perhaps most critical among all guarantees, and one balloon soon to burst, has to do with the little talked-about size of “student loans.”  Unlike most industrialized nations, and even many of the developing ones, we have no access to free higher education… we just go ahead and, simply, let our young people charge it.  Little wonder that costs in higher education, just like those in health care, keeps inflation (unmitigated growth) going through the roof.  We, through our fiscally ignorant and/or irresponsible legislations promote this economic cancer and seem to care less.

It took a while but, finally, the merit of one-issue agendas in our elections is coming home to roost.  It won’t be long before evangelicals, blacks, women, homosexuals and myriad other groups start seeing that peace and a sound economy have priority above all, and that it need not be mutually exclusive with their legitimate claims.  America needs to renounce to its hegemony-quest and help promote peace in the world – non-confrontational dealings with Russia, China and other up-and-coming nations in the world… and a fair foreign policy agenda for the Middle East – and also overhaul predatory Reagan economics to the reality of a working, cohesive society, and not the two economic Americas we have today.

But with barely 49 days left to the presidential election, those two key issues are not up for discussion in our travestied, bi-cephalic politics.  So we’ll end up getting our just deserts!

In a timely manner, to squeeze the last few political drops from a dried-up lemon, John McCain just finished making an imbecilic statement by saying that his first priority as president of this nation will be to reform Wall Street.  Yeah… sure!  Take that to bank and deposit it with an FDIC guarantee; better still, take it to your favorite savings and loans.  Sen. McCain “knows” all about S&L institutions, doesn’t he?  Or, are our memories so short-termed we have forgotten the reprieve he was given two decades ago?  Yes, for being a Vietnam POW-hero… after his involvement in the S&L scandals; when many of us knew justice wasn’t being served by shielding the senator from disgrace, and maybe even a prison term (Keating Five fiasco).

Is a true Wall Street meltdown, a direct hit, coming to us from an approaching category 3 economic hurricane in the next few days?  Probably not; government and Corporate America are likely to find a way to bring the winds down to category 1 or even a tropical storm, by impoverishing the low-rung taxpayer to new depths.  However, the troubled, warming waters and moist air of this economy are waiting for the next hurricane, or the one after that; eventually, there will be one of cataclysmic proportions that no one will be able to stop, and we’ll have our much sought-after economic rapture, our economic Armageddon.

Tags: Ben Tanosborn, corporations, economics, government, national debt
Categories: Commentary, Economics, government, Corporations
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‘Mistakes’ or ‘plans’ in 9/11, Iraq invasion and occupation, War on Terror?

Authored by: Steve Hammons

Originally published in American Chronicle:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=11401

In recent years, much been written and discussed about alleged ‘mistakes’ made prior to the 9/11 attacks, the invasion of Iraq, the occupation of Iraq, the so-called ‘War on Terror,’ the attempted capture of Osama bin Laden and the dramatic increase in national spending and the national debt.While some have claimed that mistakes were made and that these mistakes led to problematic outcomes, others have suggested that the apparent failures or blunders were actually part of larger and hidden plans. Some combination of mistakes and planned outcomes might also be in play.

In examining important events and developments over the last five years, these differing views seem to emerge as something worth considering carefully, although some seem outlandish and little more than conspiracy theories.

However, the claims that mistakes could actually be part of well-thought-out planning can be explored by addressing the following topics which are typically used as the major examples of various ‘mistake theories’ and’ plan theories:’

- 9/11 attacks

- Invasion of Iraq

- Occupation of Iraq

- War on Terror

- Capture of Osama bin Laden

- Dramatically increased federal spending and national debt

It may be worth noting that in the cases of many of the current elected and appointed national leaders pulling the strings in Washington, D.C., and those behind the scenes, they have been accused of many things. But, for most of them, being stupid is not one of the accusations.

Below are just some of the theories that these recent developments were either based on mistakes or on plans. And, as mentioned, some combination of the two could be considered.

9/11 ATTACKS

Mistake theory:

Our intelligence and law enforcement services and those of our allies failed to understand, detect and prevent the 9/11 planning and attacks.

Plan theory:

The attacks were predicted by our own and allied intelligence and law enforcement services and were, at a minimum, allowed to happen. The motivation was to create ‘A New Pearl Harbor’ that would facilitate other agendas such as invading Iraq and establishing permanent bases there, boosting defense spending, protecting allies in the region and attaining domestic political advantage.

INVASION OF IRAQ

Mistake theory:

Our intelligence services believed that weapons of mass destruction existed in Iraq and reported it to political leaders who felt this was an unreasonable risk.

Plan theory:

There was ample evidence that there were no significant WMDs in Iraq that would pose a serious threat to the United States. The WMD threat was just a convenient way to make a case for invasion. The real reasons had more to do with securing Iraq’s oil supply, establishing permanent bases there, boosting defense spending, protecting allies in the region and political advantage.

OCCUPATION OF IRAQ

Mistake theory:

Despite recommendations by seasoned military leaders and others, U.S. troop levels were not sufficient for smooth occupation and establishment of peace and order in Iraq. Disbanding the Iraqi army, allowing chaos in the streets and other mistakes resulted in a significant ongoing insurgency, near-civil war and deaths and injuries to U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians.

Plan theory:

If the goal was actually to stay in Iraq indefinitely, it might have been counterproductive to establish order, a working government, some measure of social cohesion and peace. If all had gone smoothly in the post-invasion occupation, many would call for U.S. forces to leave Iraq, mission accomplished. The turmoil and violence there actually provide a rationale for U.S. troops to stay in Iraq indefinitely.

WAR ON TERROR

Mistake theory:

Dehumanizing torture at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, war crimes and atrocities allegedly committed by U.S. personnel, inadvertent ‘collateral damage’ of death and injury to Iraq civilians including women and children, and other factors have made more people worldwide hostile toward the U.S. This has created more potential terrorists and increased the resolve of terrorists and enemies.

Plan theory:

Creating a never-ending threat of terrorism, and amplifying and expanding the hostility to the U.S. create continued opportunity for increased defense spending, military intervention and political advantage.

CAPTURE OF OSAMA BIN LADEN

Mistake theory:

After the successful CIA and Army Special Forces-led invasion of Afghanistan, U.S. forces and leaders missed an opportunity to capture bin Laden in Tora Bora due to mistaken tactical decisions.

Plan theory:

U.S. leaders might not have wanted to capture bin Laden. His family is associated with powerful business interests and connections in the U.S. Keeping him at large might create a more vivid picture of an ongoing terror threat.

DRAMATICALLY INCREASED FEDERAL SPENDING AND NATIONAL DEBT

Mistake theory:

The billions of spending on the Iraq War, related expenditures and other unrelated spending has been a mistake by leaders that will cause future severe difficulties for the U.S.

Plan theory:

The billions spent on defense and war will enrich those who are politically connected. In addition, the tremendous overspending helps ‘Starve the Beast.’ The Starve the Beast view is that if U.S. social safety net programs like Social Security cannot be defeated politically, then by simply treating significant financial stresses on the U.S. Government in future years, these programs can be curtailed or eliminated due to future fiscal limitations.

CONSPIRACY THEORIES

There seem to be many ideas and viewpoints about the alleged mistakes, plans and secret agendas that may be in play. It is obviously difficult to come to a clear conclusion on many of these topics.

Only the most naïve will take events and government actions at face value, for there are often many agendas going on behind the scenes. Legitimate and not-so-legitimate factors exist on many levels.

As outlandish and far-fetched as some of the views seem, it may be worthwhile for us to consider all possibilities and to look beneath the surface for answers.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=11401

Tags: economics, economy, empire, foreign policy, Global, government, homeland security, Iraq, National, national debt, power, Terrorism, war
Categories: Commentary, National, Global, Economics, government, Power, War, Empire, Homeland Security, Terrorism, Foreign Policy
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