The Atlantic Online | After Iraq | Jeffrey Goldberg

Thanks to Reza, I can post this excellant article about strategy for a Middle East comprehension. Such thinking by the neocons could have prevented Bush's War. Most of my work in the ME for JFK makes me respect what Goldberg has written. MB
Posted by Michael Butler, Thursday, January 31, 2008

TAKE BACK the MEDIA – Online Petition

This is a first time to send a petition. Linda Sutton sent this on. The Media situation is a key to freeing press, etal from the contol of large conglomerates subservient to government influence. Let us not forget the agendas of all these groups is not the unbiased presentation of the news. Their mantra is the bottom line and fostering the radical right agenda. Since Nixon we have had a continung effort to harness media in America. This has been accomplished by dumbing down the public and outright lies about matters of national importance. The first step to Fascism is control of the media. Don't think for a moment that this is just a Republican maneuver. The Democrats have been just as responsible. The 60's scared the establishment so much they had to react. So they have had 40 years to prime the pump. MB
Posted by Michael Butler, Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Dandelion Salad (Blog): An Open Letter to Barack Obama

I thank Ian Alterman for posting this on MB Civic. I was going to send something else today however this just too good and needs a repeat. I knew the Reagans socially and really liked both a lot. Politically he was terrible for this country only to be surpassed in damage to us by BushII. MB
Posted by Michael Butler, Sunday, January 20, 2008

The Destabilization of Pakistan

Pakistan unquestionably poses the greatest threat to Asian/Middle Eastern security. The threats to our interests are obvious. However this gathering storm has been ignored by the media. Only recently has any attention been paid. It is very important that it is exposed as a blowback to our failed policy in that part of the world. The great tragedy is that Americans have been led for decades by interests of the MIC (Military Industrial Complex) and other Multi-National Corporations. The Oil industry has been a major player in the "Great Game". History shows that the British, Russians and Germans have all failed in this area. Terrorism, basically fostered by our own promotion, has allowed the neo-cons to postulate their actions in protection of our fears. Do not ignore the role of the CIA in the pursuit of profits in drugs. Cover has been given by the War on Drugs. For decades American have been led into foreign entanglement which our Founders warned us about. Minding our ownaffairs would have been/still is the best possible way for economic, intellectual and spiritual happiness. MB
Posted by Michael Butler, Wednesday, January 9, 2008

AlterNet: Lakota Tribes: Stop This Country, We Want to Get Off!

When I read this, also sent by Benjamin Quinto, I thought well it is about time. If there is any belief in human rights in this country we must be ashamed. If there is any belief in human dignity we must be ashamed. There is nothing which compares to our governments treatment of the Lakota Sioux and all Indian tribes. Blame the government? it is our government. We are responsible for the acts of our government. It is not only the actions against the Lakota Sioux but many other heinous acts were performed and are still being performed against the Native Americans. Some major cases are winding their tortuous ways through the courts pertaining to the Dept. of Interior and the BIA cheating various tribes. It is interesting to study what the so-called Western Powers, mostly of Caucasion peoples, have done to indigenous people all over the world. Currently look at the disgraceful Kurd problem where the Turks are bombing them with the support of America. The Kurds have existed for centuries in parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria being made subservient to all those countries. They are entitled to their own governance. When you study the situation in the Middle East it is apparent that the problems are a direct result of Arab betrayal by British, and French machinations supported by Americans. So, on and on we are party to various forms of genocide, direct or indirect against peoples who want their own governance and their own culture. We are evidence to many attacks on any form of tribal system. Commercial interests are not interested in tribes. They abhor tribes. Next will be attacks on the families. What is desired are individuals who are good customers and workers. When I read about the Lakota Sioux I thought, How can I do that? How can I be part of a tribe who believe as do I in social freedom and fiscal prudence. Currently in American a large percentage of the population, probably the majority, do not concur with the actions the US Government. How can we get off this train? My Years wish is how can I be part of a country where I trust the government? MB .
Posted by Michael Butler, Saturday, January 5, 2008