According to today’s New York Times, there have been an average of 960 attacks against Americans and Iraqis per week, from early August to early November. This is not what we read in the papers. The enemy has been able to sustain a high level of attacks for months. This is not an occasional suicide bomber.  I can hardly accept such a high number. I can see why Bush wants more troops, but I also think that this is a determined enemy who will not stop attacking us. We need to leave. If we  choose not to take the battle to the enemy instead of continuing to fight a defensive war, we are doomed.

“Attacks In Iraq At Record High, Pentagon Says,” The New York Times, December 19, 2006, Page http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/world/middleeast/19military.html?hp&ex=1166590800&en=08f04a0664d01d71&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Iraq

bush is calling for an additional 15,000-30,000 soldiers to stabilize Baghdad, so much for listening to Baker, so many soldiers to defend a city. You think at least they could be better deployed. Fighting defensive wars just don’t work. I am getting angry again. It’s just insane. There’s a country to control not just a city. I’m not saying I agree with bush’s war, but there seems to lack some common sense in the strategy. Will the madness never end?

“Bush Can Deal McCain Harm With Iraq Move,” The New York Sun, DEcember 15, 2006, Page http://www.nysun.com/article/45245

China Policy Backlash

William Thompson Jr. is using the strength of New York City’s Pension fund to push companies like Yahoo and Google to not give into censorship in countries like China. I think this is wonderful because most of us can only become angry and frustrated without being able to take any effective action. We do have ideals in this country, though they are not actively followed by everyone, but here is one person who is striking with financial clout to try to force a change in commercial foreign policy, so these companies do not act solely through greed.

“Thompson Targets Google, Yahoo Over China Policy,” The New York Sun, December 14, 2006.

Next Stage

Making the house our own is the next step in our lives.  All the work trying to fit old furuniture with new furniture. Outfitting the kitchen with new cabinets, buying new appliances, trying for a new identity in the living room/dining room is all about moving beyond what my parents had accomplished with their living space and us trying to remake the house in our image. It goes beyond the physical. It’s how we live too. How we fill the hours with activities and friends.

One of the many disastrous consequences of President Bush’s botched policy in Iraq is that it has given the promotion of democracy a bad name.

 E.J. Donne

“It’s Bush’s Failure In Iraq,” Real Clear Politics, December 9, 2006, Page http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/12/bush_gives_democracy_promotion.html

The Oil Industry

The Democrats have plans hope to repeal several billion dollars in tax breaks for the oil industryand investigate other subsidies. This sounds good, but I fear that such measures will cost us at the pump. It does not matter that oil companies have made enormous profits by the increase in the price of gas. If the industry does not have access to this largess then they may try to compensate for the value lost, and one obvious method is to make us pay more at the pumps, so as rightous as the Democrats may be, I wish they would tread carefully with their investigations.

“Democrats Plan Oil Royalties Investigation, THe New York Times, December 9, 2006, Page  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/09/business/09royalty.html?hp&ex=1165726800&en=3250ba65c7ec11f8&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Gay Movie

I’m watching Brokeback Mountain and it’s not bothering me. I am surprised because the affection between the two men didn’t mean anything to me. I was against watching this movie because I thought it would be against my values. It did not phase me at all. I am conservative, but it’s not an issue.

Greeting Cards

I am having a rough time buying Hanukah and Christmas cards this year.  I went to three stores before I could find a nice Hanukah card, and I am having more trouble finding general boy or girl cards. Not every girl is a niece, sister or daughter, and the same goes for the boys. I don’t know why this is a difficult category this year. I still have to find a card for my niece’s younger daughter. 

Book

I read recently a good novel called Magic Time by Doug Marlette. The book is about a writer who has trouble in his relationships with women because of a former lover who died violently during the civil rights struggle in the South during the Sixties. Both stories the past and present are interwoven well. I felt the major characters were developed well too.

Eminent Domain Again

I protest the removal of the village of Gurna in Egypt so that archaeologists can dig beneath to tombs. I think it is heartless to take people’s homes away from them. I have always been against eminent domain. Maybe, there’s a better way. Maybe archaeologists can lease a property rather than forcing the removal of a village for digs that can continue for years.

 

Egypt Moves To Empty A Village Near The Tombs Of The Pharoahs, December 4, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/03/world/africa/03egypt.html Page