Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called on President Bush to persuade Palestinian leaders to do more to dismantle terrorist organizations. By Richard W. Stevenson. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]

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David Remer    --Political News & Analysis--

No WMD. No imminent threat. No nuclear weapons. All this President has left to justify the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers in Iraq and the loss of 100's of billions of dollars to the tax payers, is resolution to the Middle East conflict. If that happens before November, 2004, the President will justify the war in Iraq as prerequisite to the Palestinian-Israeli solution. He will argue that without invading Iraq, the fuel for continuing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict could not be extinguished.

I guess Sharon has his own agenda. Months ago I wrote here that Sharon would appear to move toward peace while, at crucial moments, throwing up obstacles to prevent it. Politically he has no choice. Peace will require revocation of too many Israeli's claims to land, and allowing Palestinians to share Israeli space for religious reasons. Sharon will not be reelected if such concessions are made.

President Bush is in trouble. (Unless of course, something untoward happens to Ariel Sharon).

6:47:05 AM  Google It!  

The president said that the disclosure of the deleted section, which centers on allegations about Saudi Arabia's role in financing the hijackings, "would help the enemy." By David Johnston and Douglas Jehl. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]

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Want to know what is in those pages? So do I. I can tell you though, what is probably in them. The President said yesterday that they contain information important to national security. That may be true if Bush considers his reelection an important national security issue, which I am sure he does.

Those pages outline ties of money from the Saudi government family to Al-Queda. Why would the President want to hide this? Simple. If it were made public, his own party would clamor for cutting off trading ties to Saudi Arabia. This would end 10% of America's import of oil. Yep, it has always been about OIL. If the U.S. were to lose 10% of its oil import, prices on gas and home heating oil this coming winter would spike. So, would the costs of manufacturing and shipping for companies and corporations. This would not be good news for the economy as the President trots down his campaign trail toward reelection in January.

Should we discontinue trade with Saudi Arabia if they supported Al-Queda? Would we be willing to suffer some financial hardship as a result? Would we reelect this President if the economy does not rebound?

Should we reelect this President if he does not reveal what is in that 9/11 investigative report, which, the people of America, by God, have a right to know about? Our intelligence community failed us. Will we now tolerate supporting the financiers of the 9/11 attacks?

David Remer    --Political News & Analysis--

6:37:08 AM  Google It!  

Enron used money from the World Bank and the United States government to pay millions in questionable payments to a group of Guatemalan businessmen. By Bloomberg News. [New York Times: Business]

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by David Remer    --Political News & Analysis--

Your American tax dollars hard at work! We bailed out Chrysler in 1979, that is, we, the tax payers. Then there were the international bail outs Mexico, Korea, Indonesia, Argentina…, more multi billions of dollars. Then the Savings & Loan Bail out, that cost us untold multi-billions of dollars. Then the airline bail out after 9/11 and I think were still adding to that in the billions, up to 18 billion, for settlements with the families who lost loved ones due to America's lack of vigilence and inept intelligence agencies. Now the taxpayers are finding they bailed out Enron with proceeds going to WHO? - Guatemalan businessmen?

Take the Airline bailout. Was it because of 9/11? That is what President Bush told us. However, it was not true. (No surprise there). Note this from Time:

Because make no mistake, the airline industry — saddled with high labor costs, low profit margins, and nose-deep in debt from a continuous price war over routes and market share — was in a tailspin long before the towers fell. Some carriers were already sliding into bankruptcy, and with the rest trying to buy the routes of the ones that were failing, consolidation was already coming as fast as regulators would let it.

This is free unfettered capitalism without its makeup on. Competition is the holy word spoken with reverence by Republicans as the cure all for whatever ails America. The airline industry is a perfect example of what competition can lead to without oversight and regulation.  So with Enron, WorldCom, Chrysler and so on, why do the American people continue to support this mantra about free unfettered capitalism which portends to eliminate public schools, social security, medicare and medicaid, individual bankruptcy, and corporate contributions to pension plans?

To add salt to the wound, Congress has pending a bankruptcy reform legilation that would strip individuals of their ability to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (elimination of debt) in favor of Chapter 13 (restructure the repayment of the debt).

While peddlers of bankruptcy reform often make the disingenuous claim that it's being driven by cries from middle America, it's really "Big Credit" behind the curtain pulling the levers. Credit card companies have poured money into campaign coffers, and now they're being richly rewarded.

...President and Congress are focused on a bill to make it harder for people hit by hard times to file for personal bankruptcy. This proposal is being pushed by credit card companies and other lenders that would benefit greatly under such a law. Some of these companies are the same ones that Congress has accused of helping Enron set up its shady deals.

While some say the Bankruptcy Reform bill will not make it out of Congress before the reelection (wonder why?), look for it to be reborn if the Republicans retain Congress and the Presidency after November, 2004. 

Since when did corporations and foreign nations take on more rights to American tax dollars than the American citizens?

Consumer's Union states:

"It is outrageous that Congress and the White House would even consider such a bill at a time like this, especially given all they have said today about corporate reform. With this bankruptcy bill, it's as if they are saying that it's okay for a company like WorldCom to file for bankruptcy after it overstates its earnings and misleads investors. But tough luck for the ordinary employees at WorldCom who lose their jobs and now may find it impossible to seek bankruptcy as a last resort.

6:20:05 AM  Google It!  

COCA COLA IS OUT, COLA TURKA IS IN
Everyone is drinking it, everyone is speaking of it - the new Cola Turka launched in the midst of Turkey's sizzling summer has been an overnight success. (Via Aardvark)
Turkish food and beverage manufacturer Ulker is cashing in on anti-U.S. sentiment in the wake of the Iraq war, with Cola Turka - just as Qibla Cola in Britain, "Mecca Cola" in France and Zam Zam Cola in Iran were marketed as political statements against what some perceive is exploitation of Muslims. And there is Cuba Cola in Sweden.
See also here. [Heli's Heaven and Hell Radio]

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Remember all that French wine Americans poured down the gutters to demonstrate their discontent for France's refusal to see things our way? (Actually, being clever Americans we poured a few bottles out and hid the rest for solitary consumption when the cameras weren't looking, since, the French wine industry has not been hurt).

Looks like America started a trend which the foreigners improved upon. There not just dumping American Cola's, their making their own and taking present, and very possibly, future market share away from American companies. And just in time to enhance the falling consumer confidence numbers in America and stick President Bush with an even more sluggish economy just when he needs it least. Looks like we are leaders and trend setters once again!

David Remer    --Political News & Analysis--

4:45:35 AM  Google It!