OK this has been mentioned in the blogs but I wanted to lock it on to my blog too and make a fuss.
Here's a link to sources suggesting that Bush is planning an attack on Iran before he leaves office. We all knew he would probably have some nasty surprise up his sleeve - and that it might well involve Iran - but reading the background makes this a whole lot more sinister.
As extra background, a lot of people believe that the attacks on the WTC were in fact arranged by the US government in order to gain public support for attacking the Middle East.
Read this link.
http://www.itszone.co.uk/zone0/viewtopic.php?t=89840
Here's an excerpt:
The tape was of a December 2006 luncheon meeting between then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and a group of these “military analysts”—referred to by the Pentagon itself as “message force multipliers.” The mood at the meeting was clearly one of dismay and even anger over the results of the 2006 midterm election, in which a wave of popular antiwar sentiment delivered control of both houses of Congress to the Democrats. Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Michael Delong is heard noting to Rumsfeld that with the new political configuration on Capitol Hill, “you’re not going to have a lot of sympathetic ears up there until it [a terrorist attack] happens.” Rumsfeld agreed, responding: “We haven’t had an attack in five years. The perception of the threat is so low in this society that it’s not surprising that the behavior pattern reflects a low threat assessment ... The correction for that, I suppose, is an attack. And when that happens, then everyone gets energized for another [inaudible] and it’s a shame we don’t have the maturity to recognize the seriousness of the threats...the lethality, the carnage, that can be imposed on our society is so real and so present and so serious that you’d think we’d be able to understand it...” The “correction” for the failure of the American people to support the war in Iraq and the global eruption of American militarism under the mantle of the “war on terrorism” is, in Rumsfeld’s view, another “attack,” along the lines of September 11, 2001. Clearly, the conception is that another round of “lethality” and “carnage” would serve to stun the public and create conditions for the administration to impose its political will by extraordinary means. Certainly, one means of making such an attack all the more likely would be the launching of a military strike against Iran. The reports from Israel and the military buildup in the region raise an obvious question: With the approach of the 2008 elections, are elements within the Bush administration preparing an “October Surprise” in the form of an unprovoked attack on Iran?
This may be propraganda, it may not. But it's interesting all the same, and I tend to have a lot of faith in the research and reporting of the BBC.
Here's a guy who says that in fact McCain wasn't tortured - and that in fact they both used to have discussions about the war. It might explain why, whenever McCain has been photographed with Vietnamese, he hugs them - it's either the Stockholm syndrome - or he was lying.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7459946.stm
Usually it's not good when a number of candidates split the vote, but in this case the other candidates running offer an alternative to republicanism even if the voters are not yet convinced by Obama.
See this link from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7496678.stm
Looks like the idea is that votes going to either of the other two candidates will lower even further the votes for McCain and boost the overall support for Obama. Of course, what we want is for everyone to vote Obama, but this is the almost-post-Bush era and too many people are worn thin after eight (and more) years of the same old politics.
They'll come round. They will. Obama is the only one with judgment and sense, together with a huge respect for the people he aims to represent. And Obama is the only one fighting for inclusive politics which bring every American back into the limelight again.
Here's an online petition aimed at the racist and prejudiced coverage by FOX News of the Obamas, challenging the stereotypes and insults that should not be part of any news coverage. The public want news, not racism and bigotry.
Here's the petition:
http://foxattacks.com/michelle
where you'll also see the YouTube vid of the FOX news coverage that people are incensed by.
Sign and pass it on. Make it part of your campaign to challenge all media coverage to make sure that truth and balanced news coverage is what we see, not lies and one-sided attacks that let McCain go unchallenged.
Here's an interesting article setting out the campaign for Virginia and how & why Obama will take it. It will be exciting to see this change hands.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/140471/page/1
You are all absolutely amazing. You are inspiring the world. Every single one of you who makes phone calls, knocks on doors, brings people into the campaign to vote for real change: you change the face of America, and in the process you change the face of the world.
This video is about the grass roots stuff. The day to day sheer grit of making this happen, to get Barack Obama and true democracy into the White House. This is how it happens, because of people like you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asnz8-wHME0
This is what inspires the rest of the world to do likewise, to change the face of politics in our own countries and to give all ordinary people the courage and the hope to stand up and make their voices heard and to make their own governments accountable.
You all rock. You really do.
Here's the UK's Channel 4 response to Senator Clinton stepping down from the race. http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/clinton+endorses+obama/2276677
and here's the BBC response to the news, too:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7441941.stm
Here's a link to the BBC and some foreign correspondents reporting on the impact of either Obama or McSame (shudder) on countries like Russia, UK, China, India.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7435967.stm
A little late! but interesting. This is a clip from Channel 4 News with Jon Snow - he has a good reputation for running an excellent news programme with good quality interviewing and reporting. The headlines are first, and then there's some coverage of Senator Obama's win and some analysis of Senator Clinton's possible future role.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1529573111
Leaders should look to their laurels. The success of Senator Obama's campaign is going to inspire people around the world who are just as in need of change and they will look to their own political systems with thoughtful eyes. It's going to be hard to cling to the status quo when voters themselves shift the goalposts and put up candidates for election who challenge the old ways and offer true accountability and transparency.
Government for the people, by the people. That used to have such a hollow ring. Not any more.
What might appear to be a unilateral approach to the issue of Israel and Palestine I believe is going to turn out to be one half of a constructive plan for peace and reconciliation which will slot neatly together with the other half when he engages Palestine in talks. This man has a rare gift for bringing people together and I'm convinced that he will provide reassurance together with persuasive, logical steps to a solution.
He's tough, and focused. Like he says, it's not going to be easy, but given the huge amount of support among the American people for dialogue I get the impression he's far likelier to achieve success using diplomacy and tough talking than following the old Bush ways.
Greetings, American friends! I hope you won't mind my sitting in this nice little corner here. I promise to keep quiet and not cause a ruckus! I'm not American - I'm one of those people over in Europe transfixed by these momentous events unfolding in your beautiful country, and although I can't vote, or donate, I can keep an eye on the press over here and post links, if you think that might be useful.
I've watched this campaign build and build and, like all of you, was an emotional wreck when Senator Obama finally went over the top and secured his victory. Tears of joy, hope, excitement, relief - it's a wonder my laptop didn't short out with the flood! Wow. I stayed up all night and didn't go to bed until about 7 a.m. I was so fired up. Yes, the American elections are the business of the American people, but your hope and joy is infectious. It's sweeping Europe and far beyond. We can't help but be drawn towards your story. Senator Obama must win the General Election.
Thank you for your hospitality!
Suzanne XX
