Radar Online Charles Kaiser re How the Bush Administration Created the Subprime Mortgage Crisis

Charles Kaiser, an observant friend with a good memory, does recall the whistle blowing by the late, un-lamented NY Governor Spitzer. The Governor wrote an OpeEd piece where he advised that he and dozens of states Attorney Generals moved to protect the public from the rapacious programs of the mortgage and banking communities. Their plans were squelched by the Bush administration. Of course, we the people, are paying for this fraud. So did Spitzer who, in a J.Edgar Hoover type sting, was caught in a sexual scandal. Timing could not have been better for the Bush DOJ. Let us not forget Greenspan's part in this whole inexcusable bubble. I didn't want to just pillory Bush & Co. This could not have happened if Clinton had not supervised the emasculation of the Glass-Steagall Act. This act had separated the banking and securities industries. It came from the excesses of the Great Depression in keeping the commercial banks out of securities thus protecting depositors and the financial markets. An interesting side was the culpability of Senator Gramm who is now prime economic adviser to McCain. My, all sides of the money taking, lobby subservient public servants were on the take. MB
Posted by Michael Butler, Friday, July 25, 2008

t r u t h o u t | The Long Life of the Frontier Mullah

"The Great Game", as it was/is called, pertained to the competition over the control of Central Asia. Primarily this diplomatic and military contest was fought by Britain and Russia. The Germans made a few forays into the fray but never really scored. They did have a very bizarre period during the Nazi Reich when Himmler (head of the SS) pursued the Tibetans and the Afghans to prove that the Aryans from that area were the ancestors of the Germans. The Americans came on the scene very late not until the end of the 1900's. They interposed the CIA into an area where they had little expertise nor historical knowledge. The other players had been at 'the game' for a couple of hundred years. Naturally we really messed up and have continued to do so until the messes we are in today. For those who are interested in this fascinating subject the attached article will give you some insight into the complex scene. Some interesting recent books are mentioned and slightly reviewed. My advice is get a copy of "Tournament of Shadow" reviewed on MB CIVIC some years back. This fascinating volume will give you a base for further exploration. It is important to understand something of this scene which is the world's most dangerous playground. MB
Posted by Michael Butler, Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Family’s Values: America’s Most Influential (and Secretive) Religious Organization | AlterNet

This book is not about a conspiracy. It is about an actual, ongoing movement to preempt to secular aspect of of our government with a theocracy. It also shows the details of many religious movements into the area of our foreign relations. Unmasked and not discussed this can only lead to more control of our lives by those whole feel they are morally superior to us. Fascism, under the cloak of Religion, is the ultimate method of dictating the conduct of our lives.MB
Posted by Michael Butler, Tuesday, July 8, 2008

t r u t h o u t | Plan Mexico

Now the 'War on Drugs' is moving into new territory. This new plan for Mexico will mirror the Columbian situation which goes from bad to worse. Of course it gives USA more control. It is very profitable for the MIC (Military Industrial Complex). It will help the prison business in both America and Mexico. The DEA will appreciate it's additional support for the narcs. We don't really know how beneficial it will be nowadays for the CIA. In the past that would be a consideration. Of course the drug lords will benefit. Everyone stands to make more money in pursuit of this hopeless objective. The erstwhile War on Drugs s even more hopeless than the occupation of Iraq. There is only one solution - decriminalize and spend the money on treatment. How may lives will be ruined through drugs, incarceration, and murder before our politicians wise up. Greed-simply too much money involved. It's not the source. It is the customer. MB
Posted by Michael Butler, Thursday, July 3, 2008