The real story about jobs: There are fewer and fewer being created!

This from Chart of the Day today. The chart below illustrates the percent increase in the number of jobs for every decade since the 1940s (the data goes back to 1939). It is definitely a shock to see the chart and to contemplate what it means to Americans unemployed and those that worry about their current jobs. Today's chart illustrates that up until this millennium, the number of jobs at the end of a decade has always been at least 20% greater than 10 years prior. During the last decade, not only was that 20% plus growth not achieved, the decade actually ended with less jobs than when it began. This negative job growth is particularly noteworthy due to the fact that the US population had increased by 10% in addition to a significant increase in global wealth during the same time frame. With one year down in the current decade (see gray column), today's chart illustrates that job growth is positive albeit only slightly so. If job growth during the current decade were to increase at the same pace as what occurred during the first year of this decade, the decade would end with an 8.7% gain in jobs (see gray dot). This is certainly better than the decade just passed, however, it is well off the 20% plus pace of decades past.
Let's be clear here, these were the Bush/Cheney years for the most part. They ruined this country for a long time and will go down in history as the worst President and Vice President in the history of the U.S. I am really glad they are gone. But the effects of what they have done to us will last for decades.

Been waiting 8 very long years for today! VOTE!

This day hasn't come soon enough for me. Have you ever waited 8 years for anything, let alone replacing a President? These past 8 years have been an exhaustive and often demoralizing period of time in my life. In this country I love so much, I thought I would never see a President choose a war that was really an unnecessary misadventure, over a diplomatic solution. The costs alone were staggering and will be paid off in my children’s lifetime. That doesn't even come close to the cost to the families who lost a loved one unnecessarily or had a family member maimed for life.

Then there was the arrogance our President showed to everyone here and abroad. He didn’t need the world to support our invasion of Iraq basically alone. I am so tired of a cocky President and Vice President. Self-confidence is one thing, but arrogance is totally intolerable, especially for a President or Vice President.

The last straw for me was when President Bush and his inner circle decided on their own to redefine torture in such a way that they were then justified to do what they wanted to do with those in the grasp of their clutches. Sure we had some really bad, nasty guys. But we as a Country swore an oath to uphold the Geneva Convention, not because it was trying to appease others but rather it was agreed to, to help protect our troops if caught by an enemy, should they be captured. I was so angry when McCain, who was tortured, caved under pressure from President Bush and Vice President Cheney and went along with them and dropped his objection to legislation, which would provide cover to the both of them.

Yes, I have been waiting for a very long time to be able to listen to the TV and the words of a President I could once again respect, instead of muting the sound when they spoke. I have been waiting to hear words of honesty where I could once again believe what they said. I have been waiting a very long time to break the secretive nature of this Vice President and President and once again to obey and respect the Constitution, rather than looking for ways to go around it or suspend some of its protections for our rights hard fought.

Yes, it’s time for a change all right. The excesses of the past 8 –20 years have caused our economy and stock market to crash. Yes the Middle Class will be hurt a lot by more unemployment. But we will get through this and be a better people. We will watch over the weakest among us. We will provide charity to the needy as individuals because we know we are all in the same boat and those who have been blessed will step up to the plate. It’s a new day. It’s your new day if you choose it. Vote, as the well being of you, your family and your country need you to vote. This election is the most important election since the 1930's.

I know we will still have 2 1/2 months before the actual change of President and Vice President takes place on January 21st. But I have waited for 8 very long years, I can wait 2 1/2 more months, but today we take the first giant step.

There was one good thing that these past 8 years have initiated for me. It started me blogging as I was so frustrated I needed a way to release my feelings. Blogging helped me do that and find a new joy: writing!

What's really at stake in the November Presidential election? The direction of the Supreme Court and whether our Constitutional rights are protected!!

Yes, history is being made this year by who we chose as our next President. Some see the historical choices between whether we choose an African-American or our oldest President. But others see this election as a battle for the essence of our way of life: for the next President will most likely appoint at least one new Supreme Court Justice and possibly 2. This will determine many issues near and dear to the hearts of all Americans. Will the Court continue its right leaning direction where the right of habeas corpus was suspended? Will the Court eliminate the rights of people to determine what choices they are allowed to make regarding end of life decisions when those individuals can't decide for themselves, as was the case with the family of Terri Schiavo? Will a woman have dominion over her own body in deciding whether or not to continue an unwanted pregnancy? Will the Executive Branch have sole discretion as to renditions of foreign citizens off the streets of cities all over the world? Will the Executive Branch be allowed to determine when it wiretaps U.S. citizens without the approval of the FISA Court?

We are stuck with the likes of Anthony Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito for many years to come, as Supreme Court Justices serve for life. The next President will determine whether our Constitution is upheld or trashed, as has been the case these past 7 plus years under President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

Some decisions have been close as was the recent split decision of the Court regarding reinstating habeas corpus for detainees in Guantanamo. Sec. of Defense Robert Gates wants to shut down Guantanamo as he sees it as a stain on the reputation of the U.S. around the world. Both Barack Obama and John McCain also want to shut it down for similar reasons.

But here we have President Bush and Vice President Cheney who saw fit to bypass the law and put these prisoners there keeping them from our legal system and the scrutiny and fairness which our judicial system is known for throughout the world. They were allowed to do this by the Republican Congress and then supported defacto by the Democratic Congress, too afraid to challenge this President. The media was also complicit by not challenging this President often enough. It took regular lawyers trying to preserve the Constitution to take up the cause of these prisoners who don't really deserve it, to stand up and be willing to fight this battle, not for the prisoners but for our way of life. They believed the Constitution is important enough to fight for. Many on the right see them as unpatriotic. I see them as the most patriotic and I salute them all. We need all 3 branches of government functioning properly. We have had both the Congress and Executive Branch functioning terribly. We almost had the Judiciary branch doing the same if it were not for the 5 voting in favor of restoring habeas corpus and striking down 2 other times the Bush Administration's attempts of circumventing our Constitution.

So what is at stake in the election in November is enormous and will determine the kind of country we live in for the next generation. Get involved in this one as your life depends on it as does the very life of this blessed country. If you are not registered to vote make it a priority in your life.

McCain announces his Economic agenda for when he is President but there's one problem.

Senator John McCain today put some substance on his economic agenda today by offering suggestions as to what we will see when he is President. One area on his agenda is cutting spending by the government but cutting earmarks. Another idea he has is to cut gasoline taxes, another is to help homeowners facing foreclosure. The problem with all of these ideas as well as those of the Democrats is that we can't wait another year for any of these ideas coming into fruition. It will take President Bush getting out of office and a cleansing of his incompetent appointments from our government. If a new president takes office at the end of January 2009, it will take at least 3 months to fill all the necessary positions with new people, then another 3 months minimum to put forth new policy in the form of legislation. My friends we are deep in this mess with no hope of relief for at least a year, so brace yourself for continued frustration and more bad news all this during a Presidential election process. There will be some very angry voters in November. All of this brought to you by the incompetence of President Bush and Vice President Cheney and an Administration of incompetents! God help us all.

Politic of the past: Aren't you tired of it?

Barack seems to stay above the fray, while Hillary; well she's still Hillary. This has been the longest political season of my lifetime and we still have 7 plus months to go. Bill Clinton is promoting the continuation of a fight, as in his latest comments he stated if you don't want to get roughed up, don't enter the race. That should be enough to convince you not to support her, because we will have the same divisive politic if she were elected. She is even more polarizing than Vice President Cheney has been. I for one will be glad when this is all over and I hope that Barack shows us the way to become adults again. We haven't been treated like adults for decades, equally from both Republican and Democratic politicians.

Been on vacation with limited access to the internet (nice for a change) and should start posting more regularly again. Thanks for your patience and continued visits here.

Headline reads "Waterboarding should be prosecuted as torture: U.N."

That's right the Bush Presidency and Administration have now been put on notice by the U.N. Human Rights Chief that waterboarding qualifies as torture. The exact quote was, "I would have no problems with describing this practice as falling under the prohibition of torture," said the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, at a news conference in Mexico City yesterday.

I have been saying this for the past 2 years. I wrote on Nov. 26, 2005 the following with regards to Mccain's Bill to ban the use of torture and waterboarding:

"As I stated in an earlier posting, Cheney seems to be defying all logic with his attempt to stop the McCain Bill from becoming the law of the land. His lobbying efforts on this matter has shown his true colors. Maybe he is worried that eventually he will be brought up on War Crimes by the UN and he wants to prevent that by having a law that protects him. I doubt that he will ever leave this country again as a former VP, as he will be afraid they will arrest him, as well as Rumsfeld."

And yet today, we have a Senate and Congress that continue to give President Bush and especially VP Cheney, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, a pass on this. But the UN now has taken a stance with one broad brush that it is torture, so setting into motion the possibility of countries arresting any of these officials should they be so unwise to travel abroad. You see by the U.N. making a pronouncement on this it raises the stakes as a violation of the Geneva Convention and in that domain the World Court has jurisdiction.

It sets up several moral questions for our country and several issues needing full discussion by the American people. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are we willing, as a nation, to allow our leaders to be tried in the World Court when they violate International laws and treaties? If we say no, that we can't allow a World Court to have jurisdiction over our leaders, then we face the argument that why should other countries be subject to the World Court? You see our leaders have been most active in bringing others to the World Court under Crimes against Humanity.

Do we as a country have the only moral authority in the world to decide what is right and what is wrong? I don't think so.

Should we be asking our Presidential candidates questions on where they stand on the use of torture and waterboarding?

Where do they stand on whether the World Court should be the final authority on Crimes against Hiumanity for all countries?

You see it is my opinion that when we fail as individual citizens to stand up and be counted on issues like this, we lose part of our rights and freedoms, one drip at a time. All those before us who have given their lives to protect the ideals of this country and protect our freedom are turning in their graves because we haven't had the courage to do the right thing and say STOP. The Republicans, who were in charge and gave blanket permission to President Bush and Vice President Cheney to do anything they wanted under the umbrella of protecting America against terrorists, have taken away many freedoms we once had. Then when the Democrats got elected with a majority in 2006, they also didn't have the courage to STOP the Administration. They used the argument they didn't have the votes. They did. They could have shut down the entire government by not passing the bills that provided the funds for the government to continue the war. They could have started impeachment proceedings on many issues like the authorization to use torture or trying to redefine the use of torture, which would fall under High Crimes and Misdemeanors. They refused to take the risk.

Even Presidential candidate John McCain, who was a former Prisoner of war and understands torture must never be condoned, caved in to this Administration when he, and Sen. John Lindsey, were opposed to the language of the bill on torture was before the Senate. They caved in and allowed the changes in language that Bush wanted and they opposed, to pass the Senate. And this was from "a man of principle" John McCain. This hero didn't stand up then and hasn't stood up since, except in his rhetoric on the use of water-boarding as torture.

I have been waiting for this day for over 2 years and I am so pleased that the Human Rights commission of the U.N. has put a stake in the ground on this and raised awareness around the world. President Bush doesn't have to worry about being arrested in a foreign country today and he won't after he leaves office, as he never traveled out of the country before he was president and most likely won't after as he will be relegated to obscurity after he leaves office. I have never been so ashamed of a president in my life. But Vice president Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Alberto Gonzales should be worried, for they will not have peace of mind if they travel abroad again. And you know what, I'm thrilled!

About 6 months ago Rumsfeld had traveled quietly to France and when it was discovered he was in the country, some rushed to bringing papers to the Magistrate, to have him arrested while on France's soil on War Crimes? The papers were not issued and served in time and so he did not get arrested, but France's laws are quite clear and it was certainly possible he could have been arrested there.

I would be more proud if my own government had the courage to do the right thing here but they don't and won't, no matter who becomes President, and that is where we have decayed to in the past 8 years. This President and Vice President act as thjough they are above ALL laws. Sorry folks, these self proclaimed Emperors have no clothes!

To read the entire news story about the U.N. click here.

Mike McConnell, National Intelligence Director, take a bow!

Finally, one of the most senior people in the Bush Administration has had the courage to stand up and declare that "water boarding" is torture. The timing is terrific with President Bush in the Middle East. McConnell is quoted in an article today by the New Yorker magazine. Finally, there is someone within the Administration with some backbone. McConnell wouldn't classify whether the technique categorically should be considered torture but is quoted as saying, "If I had water draining down my nose, oh God, I just can't imagine how painful! Whether it's torture by anybody else's definition, for me it would be torture."

Mike McConnell, for anybody, it would be considered torture, and that is the absurdity of the dialogue surrounding this issue. You say the reason you wouldn't categorically define it as torture is for "legal reasons". Yes, we know what the legal concerns are. If it were categorically defined as torture both of your bosses, President Bush and Vice President Cheney, could be brought up to the World Court and would stand trial for War Crimes. Yes, we understand why you might be reluctant to define it for "legal reasons" as torture, but we all know the game that is being played here. It most certainly IS a violation of the Geneva Convention and defines one of the saddest moments in ther 200 years of our history.

We need to consider to elect a President who would be willing to turn over those 2 pretend leaders of our, country to a World Court, which would judge any other leader equally guilty of what these men have promoted and authorized in the name of protecting us. We can not, as a nation, be above the rule of law of the world and expect to be seen as fair and just as a society and of the stature we all want to have back as a nation. We want to be, once again, proud of who we are, in this experiment called “democracy,” which is still in its infancy. As much as I am ashamed of it, we as a country of citizens are not mature enough or conscious enough to be citizens of the world. Heck, many of us aren't even conscious enough to be citizens of this country in the spirit of its legacy. The Founding Fathers were so amazingly conscious of the implications of what they embarked upon. They are now turning in their graves, as to what we have allowed President Bush, Vice President Cheney and former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, to get away with in regards to not upholding the Constitution and the Treaties we have signed in good faith with most of the world.

Do you, as a person reading this post, have the courage and consciousness as a citizen, to ever consider turning over any of our leaders, who may have violated laws of the world, to a World Court? If not, when would you, and under what conditions would you? You see, we demand that every other country in the world comply with our wishes and turn over their leaders to the World Court, when offenses against humanity occur. Torture is an offense against humanity and if you think “water boarding” isn’t, maybe you should try it out on yourself. McConnell has thought about it and I say Bravo!

Where is this generation? Asleep at the switch!

Today's generation hasn't faced its responsibility to truly defend the Constitution or keep this country truly free as generations past have. They have grown up assuming freedom will always be there. But many of my generation has found these freedoms are sacred and every once in a while someone tries to take them away, a little at a time, so that no one really notices until it's too late. That's what has happened since 9/11/2001. It didn't happen by the al-Qaeda but rather by our own elected President and Vice President.

I wonder what it is going to take to wake them up. So far we know only of abuses on suspected terrorists but the day will come when we learn that there was spying done on ordinary Americans whose only crime was using their Constitutionally protected freedom of speech and say something that annoyed the powers to be so they could start to look deeper into their pasts. It happened in my generation, we protested Vietnam and brought the war to an end. We now know FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and the likes of politicians like Sen. Joseph McCarthy were scaring people with power for years. They spied on Dr. Martin Luther King for many a years because he was perceived as a threat to society and the common good. Now we learn today that Hoover wanted to gather up 12,000 Americans and suspend habeas corpus over 50 years ago according to NY Times reporting today. At that time we were lucky we didn't have President Bush and Vice President Cheney as they most certainly would have gone along with Hoover and arrested the 12,000 so called threats to society.

I don't know why the history lessons weren't mandatory over how Hitler gained power in Nazi Germany while using the laws of Germany and making minor changes until they had sweeping powers. The Germans were asleep at the switch then too, just like so many here are as well. And then one day it was too late.

In the spirit of Christmas on this eve of Christmas Eve, think about all the blessings we have had as a country and remember those who have died to save our freedom and way of life in past wars and this current Iraq and Afghanistan war. It is up to us who are home to be vigilant and speak out when the loss of our freedom is threatened. That time is now so wake up America.

Tomorrow marks 400 Days of potential mischief left for the Bush/Cheney team to instigate

What's so special about the number 400? Well, it's the number of days left of President Bush and Vice President Cheney in office. On January 20th at precisely Noon, our next President will take the oath of office. The thing that is most scary is that this is still a lot of time for this president to mess things up in the world beyond repair. This Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza, let's all pray that the damage is minimal, not for our sake, but for the world's sake. And may we as a society all take responsibility for the fact that as a Nation we elected this incompetent, arrogant and dishonest leader, who condones the use of torture in our fight against terrorism, authorizes illegal wiretaps on us and keeps people in Guantanamo without rights for 6 years in some cases, to hear their crimes and be represented by an attorney to hear the evidence against them. These so called leaders do not lead by example but rather by fear and tyranny. They have done more to violate the Constitution of these United States and the Geneva Convention than any other leader of this country, including Benedict Arnold, who actually was found guilty of treason.

May history be precise and unyielding when it is written about this President and his equally dishonest Vice President for generations of students to read about in their history classes.

The Musharraf distraction

Can you believe the world is focused on his clothing and not his actions? We insist he "take off" his Military uniform and put on something like an Armani or a Zegna suit. How about he take off, PERIOD!

There is nothing much dissimilar between Pakistan and the U.S. Pakistan is just further down the road to losing its democracy than we are but similar steps have been taken here, albeit chipping away at our Constitution a little slower than in one fell swoop. But it is happening just enough so that we don't wake up like the Pakistani's have, until it's too late. Oh one other difference, Pakistan Musharraf has been proud to wear his uniform and stay in the Military over the course of many years. President Bush couldn't wait to take his off when he was younger and in the Air National Guard and Vice President Cheney never wanted to wear the Military uniform, favoring Armani or more likely, Brooks Brothers suits instead.

Suggested reading: Naomi Wolf's latest book titled, "The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot"

US-Russian Missile Defense negotiations

OK, I had to say something else today, as to me, this is a very important issue. Because of President Bush, VP Cheney and the Administration's bellicose actions in Iraq over the past 6 years, we have lost our leverage with world leaders. Among them, Vladimir Putin, as he is in talks which may break down regarding Missile Defense systems the U.S. wants to deploy in Putin's backyard.

Instead of the U.S bargaining on issues like this from a position of strength, we are arguing from a position of weakness. We are pushing this on Putin at a time where his power has gained and ours diminished. And now we have a President who is on record as saying I can see into this man's soul and work with him. It is plain to see that he is playing you and, by proxy, us. How do you think we would feel if a Missile Defense system was placed close to our border, say in Cuba? Hmmmm, I remember exactly how we reacted as I watched President John Kennedy deal with exactly that situation, and even though we were told they were purely for defensive reasons, we could not allow them to be there.

One cannot negotiate with someone where the bridge of trust has not been built or has already been broken. That is what our side is doing now in these talks. We are hoping he will go along with it. In my view this needs to be put on hold for the next President to deal with, just like the Iraq war will be something for the next President to deal with. It's the worst of all timing right now, and these folks don't want to admit it. So much for Rice and Gates trying to add something, besides failures, to the Bush legacy.

The main story on this can be found in the NY Times by clicking here.

Supporting the Iraq War- The "Draft Politician's Children" movement

Dear Senator Mitch McConnell:

We are pleased to inform you, that we, representing the very Silent Majority of 72% of the American people opposed to this Iraq war, are proud to nominate your 3 daughters, Elly, Claire and Porter to serve their first 15 month tour of duty in Iraq. It is a patriotic thing to do for those supporting the war and we know the depths of your Patriotism. They will need to put their lives on hold, inform friends and family and employers that their return after the 15 months tour is not a guarantee but you being a willing supporter of the Bush strategy, will not object. We admire that you stand for your principles and are a man of high integrity.

Additional letters will be sent to the Republican Senators and Congressmen supporting the Iraq War and so it is indeed a patriotic group that will be serving together. These new members of the military will make it possible for some others to return home to join their families. We know you more than support this strategy and they will be in good company because the Bush twins, Jenna and Laura will be leading the group in battle. Vice President Cheney's daughter, Mary, will be exempt from serving, as she is a lesbian and a new mother. However, waiting in the wings to serve when their time comes, are the Vice President's 6 grandchildren. Elizabeth Cheney, his other daughter, who is straight, will be required to serve also. After all, the "plan" is to keep this war going for decades to come, so I know, given the war's projected length, you won't mind picking up the slack for the lower enlistments that are sure to follow. It is one small step that we appreciate you and your family taking.


We thank you for their service.

Signed,

We The People

Any additional members of the public wishing to add their support, may sign the comment list.

Whose mess is it to solve? Iraq, Infrastructure, Social Security

Given the current troop levels in Iraq, the extended tours of duty our troops have undergone this past year and comments from many generals that are retired and can freely speak their mind, we are more exposed than ever in defending America. Should there be a need to address our treaty obligations with other countries in the world, we are in peril of being defeated as a Nation, unthinkable just 7 years ago. But it is a real concern today.

No matter whether you are for continuing this war, whether you think we did the right thing going after Saddam, or whether you think we should never have gone into Iraq in the first place, our military resources are in a state of disarray, needing repair or replacement. The only war we could fight now is one where we only could use the Navy and Air Force.

What does this mean for the future of this country? It means that for the next decade, we will need to rebuild the military. That means that we will have increased Military budgets and no money left at a time when we can ill afford a recession. WE have painted ourselves into a corner that we will not be able to get out of. And we have done this while our own currency has dropped over 30% in real value as compared to the Euro, over the past 5 years. We have pressing problems to address such as rebuilding worn infrastructure in this country such as bridges and roads, funding and securing Social Security system, ensuring Medicare doesn't go bankrupt, addressing the countries needs in Education to ensure our competitiveness in the world, and finally addressing our own homeland security by securing our own borders from terrorists who wish to come here and destroy our way of life. This, at a time, when the influx of both legal and illegal immigrants are swelling our cities, putting strains on our healthcare system and causing deep divides between us. This is causing many to rethink our entire attitude of whether we are a place in the world that is still open to immigrants to come and partake in the great American dream or will we close our doors and become anti immigrant.

Many of these issues have been facing us for decades. But over the past 6-7 years President Bush, Vice President Cheney and the rest of this Administration has squandered our resources, decreased our ability to respond effectively to crisis here at home (i.e. Hurricane Katrina) by using our National Guard in Iraq, and have divided our country to such a degree that permanent damage may have been done in our ability to come together once again as a Nation and word together in a bipartisan way for the good of the country.

Is there a solution to this problem? I don't know. We will definitely have another chance and I pray to God that we have a leader that is truly someone who can work for the betterment of the people here and the country. But in this poisoned environment, it will not happen going down the same paths we choose daily to engage each other. It will take something to jar our conscience into rethinking our choices and raising the level of discourse so that we listen to the wise elders in our midst.

We had a chance back on September 11, 2001. We were united then, as was the world. Unfortunately it may take another tragedy to give us one more chance before our luck has run out. Will it be written by historians that as the last superpower standing after winning the Cold war, that we threw away our chance to be the Nation most admired, loved and praised in the world. The choice is in our hands to decide. The problem is that we have hitched our wagon on greed and the almighty dollar and on actions that divide us economically, socially and spiritually.

In the movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, staring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, one scene particularly stands out to me. The scene was when faced with choosing the cup used by Christ, when the greedy evil character chose the wrong cup, tasted the water from the fountain and since it was NOT the cup of Christ, melted and dissolved before our eyes, the Knight exclaimed, "He chose poorly!" Then Harrison Ford looked at all the cups on the table, picked the one he thought might have been the one from a poor carpenter, as was Christ, and dipped it into the fountain and drank from it, wondering if he too had chosen poorly was surprised that the water was fine. Then the Knight exclaimed, "You chose wisely!"

That is what we must do. Not just when we elect our candidates from each party for this election for their Primary. We must start now by getting involved as if this were really our country, our choice as to our future. It's time we stop blaming our elected officails, as WE voted, them into their office. WE must blame ourselves and do something about it. I know you don’t feel that the rest of the free world depended on you to make the right choices, but it does rely on each of us. I'm to blame as much as anyone else. Remember, we can't fix something unless WE own it. The first step of the 12 Step process is admitting we have been in Denial as individuals, that we have given away our power and choices to change things, especially when less than 50% of us actually vote in any election and that a mere 26% of us choose who will become our next President. We must admit that this is our problem to fix, NOT someone elses! Don't like the debates? Start providing better questions to them to ask. Write to your candidates or during this campaign season, go where they are and have the courage to ask your question to them.

U.S. Fatalities for the first 3 weeks of August

U.S. Fatalities for the first 3 weeks in August now total 63 with the latest tragedy of a Helicopter crash in Iraq, resulting in 14 deaths.

It seems now certain that the August numbers will have more U.S. fatalities than last year, and possibly all 3 other years. Here's the data for all of August for the past 3 years:

Aug. 2006 65
Aug. 2005 85
Aug. 2004 66

This war of choice brought to you by its authors, President George Bush. and Vice President Cheney. Bring the troops home now!

U.S. Fatalities in Iraq: UPDATE

So why did I make such a fuss about the numbers in my previous posting for July U.S. Fatalities. I'll answer that question. Because the number that was first reported was 78 and not the 81 from the revised reporting, it allowed the Bush Administration to say that JULY was the lowest month of the war this year. You see, the previous "lowest" month this year was both February and March, BOTH WITH 81 reported deaths. By not reporting the 3 in July that were added on August 2nd for the July period, it gave the Adminstration propaganda to mislead both the Congress and the American people. But some of us are watching and reporting the truth for all to see the sham. Shame, shame on President Bush/Cheney and their team of "yes" men. Did you listen to the Larry King interview of Vice President Cheney? Can you believe he could lie like that so easily? I do. He has no honor, nor does President Bush. We need to pursue charges against them AFTER they leave office, if you believe the excuse Congress has cited, "there is no time now left to impeach them."

U.S. Casualties- Let's revisit the numbers and the manipulation

Well, i-Casialties.com reports tonight that there are 3 additional deaths being attributed to last month’s data. It seems to me that DOD is playing some propaganda moves on us. Remember on August 1st, all the numbers were in and it showed 78 deaths for U.S. Fatalities. Now rechecking the numbers, they have added 3 more today on August 2nd. The propaganda promoted in the media has been that there was the lowest number of U.S. Fatalities in July than any other month in 2007. This is both true AND misleading. When you compare this July with past July's you decide. Here's the data:

July 2007 81
July 2006 43
July 2005 54
July 2004 54

When comparing data it is of course important to compare the same month. Some months are hotter than others and when the temps rise to 125 degrees even the enemy finds it too hot to do much activity even though they are more accustomed to the heat than our troops are.

When comparing the same periods to previous years the data continues to show the truth. I report it here for those who may have missed it, as these are our brave young men and women giving their lives for a war of choice by this President Bush and Vice President Cheney, who have never served in battle and actually did what they could to avoid it. Here's the real data again:

Aug. 2006-Jul. 2007 1078
Aug. 2005-Jul. 2006 779
Aug. 2004-Jul. 2005 883
Aug. 2003-Jul. 2004 662

Facts don't lie but people do manage to shape the truth. Getting back to why there are three more deaths added in July. I think it has been deliberately done to make August numbers when reported by DOD seem less than last year. I wrote about this also several months ago as the same shenanigans occurred. If they can show truly one month less than the number of deaths last year I might actually believe things may be turning. But without that kind of data, we are being manipulated and if we believe their lies, we are as bad as they are for not being more informed. We'll here's their benchmark for August below:

August 2006 65
August 2005 85
August 2004 66

As far as I am concerned the number of U.S. Fatalities is NOT as reported as 2, but 5.

We The People are way ahead of the politicians (Part 1 of 3)

And I might add on nearly every issue, but especially Iraq, the American people, voter and non-voter alike, are so far ahead of the politicians that it speaks to the significant flaws in redistricting legislation. We are not getting the politicians we need that know where we stand and can articulate and support difficult positions because the races have been neutered by both Parties.

Take Iraq for example, (no, please take Iraq!) :) 75% of the American people are against the surge, against the war and want the troops home. The best that the Senate can do is point fingers at each other as to which is to blame for not allowing debate on something as meaningless as a non-binding Resolution of the Senate. I think what it is going to take to change this dialogue is the same thing it took during the Vietnam War, Civil disobedience. It isn't until those that espouse getting out of Iraq with the same level of commitment, as our troops have, that things will change in the debate.

I ask myself, why is it that President Bush and Vice President Cheney are blatantly ignoring all the input from the Iraq Study Group, the former Generals and the Congress, Senate and the American people in overwhelming numbers. I have concluded that what they wish for the most is an unruly public, that takes to the streets in protest, causing much disruption and possible destruction, so that they could make the final move to secure their true purpose; to institute martial law and seize all government activities and throw away all laws in the guise of protecting the American people from anarchists and sympathizers of terrorists. God I hope it is not true and that this is all a reaction to the anger I feel at so called leaders impotence. That may be why Sen. Barack Obama is causing a stir as he provides some new politic. But America is ready and time is running out. The Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation Act, HR 770, will never get support by the Congress to pass. That is going to frustrate many. Remember the song, "The times, they are a changin!"

Even some States are ahead of this government when it comes to Healthcare. Massachusetts and California are changing the debate from what to do at the Federal level, to taking away all illusion that the Federal government is going to help at all. The same is true in the area of Global Warming, where California is taking a stand against carbon emissions. We The People are far ahead of the politicians and hopefully they are going to know it soon, too.

UPDATE: Nov. 5th, 2008

It looks like this post was prophetic as Barack Obama was elected President with a Landslide in the Electoral College votes winning 359 of the required 270 needed and also won the Popular votes. The times they are a changin!