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	<title>Michael Butler's Blog</title>
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	<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler</link>
	<description>"if you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much room"</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:55:57 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>The Delusion Revolution: We&#8217;re on the Road to Extinction and in Denial</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/10/06/the-delusion-revolution-were-on-the-road-to-extinction-and-in-denial/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/10/06/the-delusion-revolution-were-on-the-road-to-extinction-and-in-denial/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:55:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
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		<category><![CDATA[Personal Comments]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/?p=312</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is an incredibly important article on the more extreme aspects of our world situation. It covers the consumption of the worlds resources while we ignore the clear road signs of where we are headed. In many way it posits that democracy, as we profess it, is not workable in such large national units. Predatory structures political, capitalistic, ecological, cultural and spiritual are predominate. As the poor so outnumber the wealthy terrorism becomes an easy way to try to equalize the frustrations of  being impotent. Why not? to the majority there is a feeling of no future. Cancerous growth in so many forms of nations, corporations and systems ignore the basic tribal structures which bring cohesion to clans and families. 
First step is peace not war. We have too many conflicts with our human problems to be fighting amongst ourselves. Make the current time of our lives worthwhile. MB]]></description>
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		<title>Op-Ed Columnist - McCain’s Suspension Bridge to Nowhere - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/10/02/op-ed-columnist-mccain%e2%80%99s-suspension-bridge-to-nowhere-op-ed-nytimescom/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/10/02/op-ed-columnist-mccain%e2%80%99s-suspension-bridge-to-nowhere-op-ed-nytimescom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:21:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/?p=306</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This article was posted in MB CIVIC. In deserves a second look. Reading this is really alarming in showing a very weird side of John MCain. I can think with a possibility of players such as John McCain and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in command we are in for a wild ride which could not be more perilous. And there some other wild people around. None as frightening as the aforementioned pair. MB]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/10/02/op-ed-columnist-mccain%e2%80%99s-suspension-bridge-to-nowhere-op-ed-nytimescom/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>AlterNet: Wall Street Is Licking Its Chops at the Bush Team&#8217;s Multi-Hundred Billion Dollar Giveaway Plan</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/26/alternet-wall-street-is-licking-its-chops-at-the-bush-teams-multi-hundred-billion-dollar-giveaway-plan/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/26/alternet-wall-street-is-licking-its-chops-at-the-bush-teams-multi-hundred-billion-dollar-giveaway-plan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:23:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Comments]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/?p=294</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/99660
]]></description>
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		<title>Is the Fourth Estate a Fifth Column?</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/14/is-the-fourth-estate-a-fifth-column/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/14/is-the-fourth-estate-a-fifth-column/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:58:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/14/is-the-fourth-estate-a-fifth-column/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is not hard for me to decide which is more important - the free press or eduction. As the media is the most obvious source of current information I would have vote for the free press. As America keeps being converted from democracy to state capitalism we need information - truthful information - to ward off the ever increasing fascism of corporatism. Which came first, acquisitions, censorship, short term profit. Acquisitions of most sources of media by corporate conglomerates has bee accelerated since the 60's when the establishment became threatened by the movement of peace and love. This attack against media independence was supported by all administrations whether Democrat or Republican. Nowadays you even have Murdoch acquiring MySpace and Microsoft after Yahoo so you have internet under siege. Sam Zell acquires the Tribune Company with its multiple papers and TV to improve its short term profitability. That is not just one outlet going down but several and in very important cities. Censorship, particularly in military matters, is practiced by the Pentagon. Not just in security items. When did you last see a picture of death or violence amongst our troops or even coffins arriving at Dover air base. Major media will not admit it was wrong in selling the war to us. How are we going to get the straight stories as to what is happening. How are we going to be given the truth. The Internet is our major hope. With that in mind remember that Moyers mentions SaveTheInternet.com. MB]]></description>
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		<title>“Super Imperialism” : Information Clearing House - ICH</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/09/%c2%a0%c2%a0%c2%a0-super-imperialism%c2%a0-information-clearing-house-ich/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/09/%c2%a0%c2%a0%c2%a0-super-imperialism%c2%a0-information-clearing-house-ich/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:40:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
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		<category><![CDATA[Personal Comments]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/09/%c2%a0%c2%a0%c2%a0-super-imperialism%c2%a0-information-clearing-house-ich/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ponzi had nothing on these guys - the present benefactors of our current financial system - Only bankers and financiers who concentrate on making money with money - not making things to make money. The acronym FIRE (Finance Insurance Real Estate) overcomes labor, production or consumption. In foreign affairs the promotion of 
kleptocracies to expand this US imperial system of dollar dominance in as many countries as possible. The bellwether was the emasculation of the Glass-Steagall Act by Clinton and Rubin. This should have signaled that the financiers buy-off of the politicos. Congress could have cared less as long as the cash kept coming in to their campaigns. Very cheap price for what the financiers got out of it. MB]]></description>
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		<title>AlterNet: The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/04/alternet-the-pornography-of-power-how-defense-hawks-hijacked-911-and-weakened-america/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/04/alternet-the-pornography-of-power-how-defense-hawks-hijacked-911-and-weakened-america/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:19:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Book Reviews]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Personal Comments]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/09/04/alternet-the-pornography-of-power-how-defense-hawks-hijacked-911-and-weakened-america/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA["Delusions of grandeur, insecurities and greed" are a summation, by Robert Scheer, of the drives behind our imperial hubris. This great book by a serious author of our political scene really emphasis our pornography. Scheer quotes Washington's and Eisenhower's final addresses. Both should have been taken seriously. Those remarks should be required reading. Two of our greatest military chieftains have sounded the same tocsin.The false premises upon which most of our imperial adventures have been based. Greed has been the mantra of our current administration. Wanting it all for us. The rest of the world go hang. A total waste of resources which are not infinite. Actions based on false premises sold to an unsuspecting and ill-informed public. Totally ignoring that peace and prosperity go hand-in-hand. We must get out of the empire business. If we do not I guarantee the sunset of the American dream. MB]]></description>
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		<title>Truthdig - The Real Legacy of the â€˜Reagan Revolutionâ€™</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/31/truthdig-the-real-legacy-of-the-%e2%80%98reagan-revolution%e2%80%99/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/31/truthdig-the-real-legacy-of-the-%e2%80%98reagan-revolution%e2%80%99/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:26:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
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		<category><![CDATA[Personal Comments]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/31/truthdig-the-real-legacy-of-the-%e2%80%98reagan-revolution%e2%80%99/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Robert Scheer covers a lot of ground in this article. I always liked the Reagan's socially and I continue to admire her. His politics were deplorable. Anyone who followed his governorship of California could attest to that. We were horrified when he was elected. More so when he gained the White House.
Now comes along Gramm who riding on Reagan's coats and Clinton's acquiescence emasculated the major act of protection from what my grandfather used to call, "those damn eastern bankers". Killing the Glass Act just allowed a return to the perils felt by the Great Depression. Look where we are today due to that protection ebing removed.
Further Scheer points to the Gramm/Enron connection. He goes beyond to point out the teaming of McCain and Gramm for economic consul. This is a setup which could make the Keating scandals of McCain a minor act. MB  ]]></description>
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		<title>AlterNet: How Do We Go from Empire to Earth Community?</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/21/alternet-how-do-we-go-from-empire-to-earth-community/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/21/alternet-how-do-we-go-from-empire-to-earth-community/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:42:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/21/alternet-how-do-we-go-from-empire-to-earth-community/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a rather extreme dissertation. However it is very hard to find fault with what he says. For sure the corporate dominion of world politics is a fact. It is a tragedy when current capitalism theory is paramount for short term, current results. Most sound business structures do better in the long term while the short term is counter to nature. Education is the only answer to help raise all boats. Media has done a horrible job of truly educating the public to issues of importance. To service the short term demands for profit entertainment helps the bottom line. Media takes the dumb down method of reporting. The middle class, the bed rock of sound policies, has been decimated and is under such pressure help will not come from them. If we don't slow this growth of empire in favor of saving the nature of our planet we will see our lifestyle truly endangered. Not matter what - forever changes. Get ready and don't give into fear, It could be, it will be exciting. MB]]></description>
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		<title>The Russian Empire Strikes Back &#8212; Printout &#8212; TIME</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/15/the-russian-empire-strikes-back-printout-time/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/15/the-russian-empire-strikes-back-printout-time/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:01:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/15/the-russian-empire-strikes-back-printout-time/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is one of the most realistic articles I have read about the Georgian conflict. Marylouise Sillman (who sent this piece from TIME) and I share a fascination for the Central Asian theatre. And theatre it is, with every possible point of view spanning centuries of struggle by outsiders to conquer, control or at least dominate the area. Alexander the Great, Ghengis Khan, Tamerlane, British, Russians, Germans have all had a crack at it. Some lesser characters have flitted in and out of the scene.  Pakistan has been very active trying to control Afghanistan and has made a real mess of it, possibly to its own security. One has always wondered when the Chinese would really start making some major plays besides Tibet. 
So into this incredible stew of conflicting histories and present interests comes the Bush Administration. Compared to the mess in Iraq the long range dangers in Central Asia are frightening. Bush, Cheney and Rice have proven more incompetent than one could imagine. They have assumed they could outsmart all the others who have preceded them. Pursuing short term results has been a serious mistake. To have armed the Afghans against the Russians was followed by the present administration ignoring the long term responsibilities we had incurred. We just walked away and left that part of the world in chaos. Then to really mess things up we have not done a good job of removing the Taliban. The priority should have been not Iraq but Afghanistan conquered and then properly helped to overcome decades of war. Not only good polcy for America but for the world against terrorism. We certainly had the sympathy and support of most of the world, including Russia.
It would have been a great opportunity to work together with Russia. To have common cause with Russia would have great benefits to both countries. Not so much the governments but the people of both countries would have great success working together. This world has too many serious challenges for us to ignore a chance to have a partner as substantial as Russia. MB  ]]></description>
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		<title>Putting the &#8220;Federal&#8221; Back in the Federal Reserve</title>
		<link>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/10/putting-the-federal-back-in-the-federal-reserve/</link>
		<comments>http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/10/putting-the-federal-back-in-the-federal-reserve/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:48:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Butler</dc:creator>
		
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michaelbutler.com/blog/mbutler/2008/08/10/putting-the-federal-back-in-the-federal-reserve/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Like many of us I have been besieged for years about the Federal Reserve. Always as a conspiracy and usually coupled with other conspiracy theories. Finally in this short article I have been clearly educated as the what is the background of the Federal Reserve. Knowing how important the 'Fed' is to our economic situation in today's tough times this article has clarified a lot. Make your own judgments. I will, now knowing a bit more in the clarity of this writing, recall my beloved grandfather saying, "those damn eastern bankers". MB]]></description>
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