Make Tea, Not Love

And now for something completely different!

Bush as Missionary of Democracy

There are two key words that you have to understand when Bush speaks about "Spreading Democracy". First, "democracy" means "pro-American". It does not mean letting the people rule, which is what the Greek word implies. It means setting up a government favorable to the US and pliable to the US will. Pakistan is a "democracy", but Venezuala is not. Another example: Batista's Cuba was a democracy, even though he overturned the election to stay in power. Castro is illegitimate, not because of the coup, but because he opposes America.

A prime example as Bush's reaction to the Palestinians electing Hamas. He immediately froze the Palestinians' assets and encouraged Israel to put more pressure on the people. He wanted them punished for daring to elect someone that would dare to oppose him. Better an unelected American toady than a legitimately elected government that shows a little backbone.

You also have to understand that "America" doesn't mean the entire US. It means America as viewed by Bush and the Neocons. Gays, blacks, liberals, the poor are just background figures in Bush's plutocratic vision of America.

Once you understand those two concepts, it is easier to understand what Bush means about "spreadind Democracy." It means establishing more foreign governments that enrich American corporations and cowtoe to Bush.

Yankee Go Home!

Geesh! I can't get away from this guy. I move from DC and Bush comes to Quebec.

Fortunately, Canadians have a lower opinion of Bush than US Democrats do.

Protestors Greet Bush in Quebec

Foxes Guarding the Henhouse

Bush loves to put industry hacks in positions to prevent government agencies from dampening the profits of those industries, even if it means sacrificing public health and safety. Whether it is the SEC, FDA or FCC, the government is riddled with industry moles whose primary goal is to prevent the Federal government from enforcing laws that would hamper profit-making in the name of public safety.

Today's example is the guy in charge of mines, who had a record as a mine owner and as head of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mines of lax safety standards and high death rates. Is it any wonder that the Utah mine collapse comes not long after the West Virginia mine collapse?

Arriana Huffington berates Bush for Mine Safety

US Satellites Now Spy on Americans

The large US spy satellite network once used to fight communism is now being used on American citizens. Combine this with the expansion of domestic phonetapping, and Americans are now completely under the scrutiny of their government. The Senate vote 2 weeks ago also removed any court oversight of these, so the President and his deputies can spy with impunity on anyone, anytime, no questions asked.

Of course, these are justified with fighting "terrorists" and "criminals", but who were the "terrorists" and "criminals" according to King George III's government? Maybe that's why those alleged criminals wrote the Bill of Rights in the first place.

Uncle Sam is Watching You

Revival

Sorry for the unexpected hiatus. My previous job warned us about having political blogs, so I decided to put it on ice.

I've since left that job, and even left the US for Canada. Whether this is a permament move or not remains to be seen, but after the Democrats sold us out on FISA, I'm not sure I want to live in a country where there is bipartisan cooperation in setting up an American KGB.

Anyway, expect more posts in the future, but not every day, unless I'm in a particularly petulant mood, and Canadians don't seem to get that worked up about things.

Useless Party Shows Its Lack of Spine

Last weekend, while you were at the beach, the party you elected to stand up to the Bush gave his Attorney General the power to legally spy on you without you ever knowing it. Court oversight is now a thing of the past. The only protection is that only "terrorists" will be spied on. Over course, Gonzales gets to decide if you are a terrorist or not.

Democrats want to impeach Gonzales, but trust him with KGB style powers. I guess they think Hillary should have these powers, too.

What's to stop Gonzales or his successors from spying on political opponents? The entire Watergate affair started because the Nixon tried to spy on the DNC. What is to stop Bush or Hillary from doing the same thing, only legally now?

Just goes back to our new two party system: The Evil Party and the Useless Party. The only reason to vote for Democrats is because they are not Republicans, but don't expect them to block anything significant that Republicans want, like a KGB or a long, drawn out, expensive, useless war.

Bush says, "Trust Me" and Democrats say, "When would he ever lie to us?"

Absolutely! Just keep it off my face

Going all out to prove that you are NOT gay:

Paul and Frank

Confession: I posted this because I think Paul is hot!