Revealed: Secret plan to keep Iraq under US control
Bush wants 50 military bases, control of Iraqi airspace and legal immunity for all American soldiers and contractors

By Patrick Cockburn
Thursday, 5 June 2008

A secret deal being negotiated in Baghdad would perpetuate the American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election in November.

The terms of the impending deal, details of which have been leaked to The Independent, are likely to have an explosive political effect in Iraq. Iraqi officials fear that the accord, under which US troops would occupy permanent bases, conduct military operations, arrest Iraqis and enjoy immunity from Iraqi law, will destabilise Iraq's position in the Middle East and lay the basis for unending conflict in their country. . . .

America currently has 151,000 troops in Iraq and, even after projected withdrawals next month, troop levels will stand at more than 142,000 – 10 000 more than when the military "surge" began in January 2007. Under the terms of the new treaty, the Americans would retain the long-term use of more than 50 bases in Iraq. American negotiators are also demanding immunity from Iraqi law for US troops and contractors, and a free hand to carry out arrests and conduct military activities in Iraq without consulting the Baghdad government. [emphasis added]

WHAT.

I HATE GEORGE W. BUSH SO MUCH. HE BELONGS IN JAIL. FOR LIFE. GAAAAHH.
*tears hair*
 

The Surge is Irrelevant: What W and the Pentagon don't want you to realize

Key quote: "It makes no difference whatsoever whether the surge is working or not, because the surge itself is irrelevant." Go read it. It makes for thought- (and indigestion-) provoking reading.

Our country is in such a mess, and our reps still aren't doing enough to fix it. Will someone who understands how real PR works please for the love of all that's decent go straighten out the Democratic Party? Because they have got to stop letting the right wing control the message.
 

( President Bush would not know integrity or honesty if they bit him on the ass )
 

(Or should I say "bugger you"? It would be so deliciously ironic.)

So I guess I've heard vaguely about this waste of oxygen named Fred Phelps who actually runs a website calls God Hates Fags. But he's really gone round the twist, as our friends across the Pond might say. He and his goons are now protesting at military funerals because, you know, God is making a special point of sending IEDs to blow up soldiers in Iraq because they're fighting for a country that supports gays.

Fred Phelps, you suck ass.

Well, a group of motorcyclists has decided to do something about it: they're riding around the country counterprotesting and shielding the families as best they can. Rock. Sometimes I have hope for this country after all.