America loses jobs and we accept this as out of our control. We get pigeon-holed into supporting the failed Iraq war policy and we are told this was inevitable. We pay rising prices at the gas pumps and we are told there is nothing we can do. We have companies put back on us the high price of health care and we are told that is just the way it is.

Where are the rebels? Where are the individuals who stand up to society and question its morals, and values? Why do we just throw are arms up in submission so easily? It’s time we grow a backbone and question decisions made on our behalf, or that directly affect our lives. The hippies of the 70’s paved the way for the great society we live in now. Where are the individualistic individuals who will make our country great once again.

America needs to quit acquiescing to all of the cow-pies forced down their daily lives throat, the need to stand up to the authority and not go quietly to the grave. Stand up for the quality of life you once dreamed of, make a difference in the world.

American policy-makers spend all day wrangling fists at each other and throwing out bi-partisan rhetoric while really accomplishing nothing. Conversely, China decides what needs to be done and just does it. There policies may not always be the best, or most understandable. However, their ability to make a decision and push it through government is quite impressive. I may not always agree with the policies they enforce but their ability to bring their desires to fruition is almost amazing.

Their most recent endeavor is their quest to enforce a 5 percent consumption tax on both disposable wooden chopsticks and wooden floor panels. The Chinese government believes this policy will alleviate the marauding of timber resources in the mainland, it also helps efforts designed to protect the natural environment of the country.

Beginning April 1, China will undergo its most dramatic increase to consumption taxes in over 10 years, the new policy is supposed to help slash energy consumption and slow the environmental degradation of mainland China. One of the most significant changes will be adjustments to car taxes, taxes are expected to rise as high as 20 percent for highly polluting vehicles with larger engines. In America we have tried to combat this situation for years, China had the problem for one or two years and bam, there’s a solution.

China is also broadening the range of oil products subject to their proposed consumption tax; this will include fuel oil, jet fuel and various lubricants. I am not saying we should adopt the Chinese policies but I am saying we should ask, “How can they do it so swiftly and successfully as we fumble around for years?

China Acts Fast

It has been reported that at least fifty leaders of the Colombian rebel group FARC, are being indicted in America for allegedly exporting over 25 billion dollars worth of cocaine to the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Imagine how easy they must have gotten their drugs over the porous western borders if they were able to move this much product. How can the Bush Administration tell us we are safe billions of dollars of narcotics are being brought right into the country? If they can smuggle this then what can’t they smuggle in? Could the terrorists be actually forgetting about the planes, trains, and automobiles, believing rather they will just walk right in?

The indictment against the Columbians states that the charged FARC military leaders manipulated the price at which Colombian coca farmers could sell cocaine paste; they also allowed certain groups to prosper well hindering others. It was reported that growers who did not cooperate with the FARC’s cocaine policies were disciplined severely. Those who did not cooperate were usually murdered, mutilated, and discarded.

With activity like this going on right beneath our country how can anyone take for granted the security our southern borders need?

Bush needs to strengthen border security

So Iran has threatened the world once again, it has advised it will cut off part of its flow of black sugar to the world. Well whoop ti doo Iran, I think we can get along a lot better without your oil then you can without selling it to us. How dare this country take this type of stance in regards to such a valuable world supply. Imagine if the Bird Flu broke out in Iran and America had the vaccine, do you think we would refrain from sending it?

How can this country go from saying trust us to we are going to inflict major disaster, and then go on to say we should not be treated in such a manner as to have to justify our actions to the U.N.. Is anyone in Iran living in reality? I think from the President on down it appears the nuts are running the asylum. If you take the time to listen to even one translated Iranian speech you will think you have been transported into a 1980’s megalomaniac James Bond type movie. The rhetoric the Iranian Administration spits out is almost unbelievable, and now we have them openly throwing out world threats. This is an amazing situation, I cannot believe the dynamics I am witnessing involving this country and its stances.

Iran Threatens America And The World

The good news for Microsoft is that the new Origami gadget appears to use both a keyboard and a stylus; this is what most American businessmen want. The new technology has been heavily shrouded under the code name: Project Origami. However, Project Origami is not the only reason Microsoft has been in the news lately. In the news recently there has also been major discussion about Microsofts’ role in Chinese Government activities. Many fear that Microsoft has compromised its integrity by helping the Chinese government lock down information technology access it deems detrimental to its political goals. There are also accusations that Microsoft may have helped the Chinese Government censor unique web sites so that mainland China could not view the sites.

The news about the new Origami technology is very exciting but the news about Microsofts’ actions in China is just as equally disturbing. The news about the actions by Microsoft was reason enough for congress to have hearings on their actions. When congress discussed Microsoft they used terms such as “censorship brigade” and “shameful”, these statements, and many more just like them were issued by members of congress from both sides of the aisle.

Microsoft Origami Project

There have been numerous setbacks in America in regards to the Hurricane Katrina devastation. We have high unemployment, massive asset loss, higher gas costs, and a very upsetting immigration policy debate. However, all of this aside, America has shown what makes America great, its ability to absorb adversity and move on.

The celebration of Mardi Gras brings back thoughts of the positive images that makes us proud to be Americans, we hear so much about what the world thinks of us that we forget its our own opinion of ourselves that matters most to us, and the Mardi Gras celebration shows us, we have a lot to be proud of.

I congratulate all of the hard working Americans who displayed true American spirit in making sure he area was prepared to celebrate one of our biggest events of the year. Your pride, determination, and will, once again displays o the world that America is the greatest country in the world.

America And Mardi Gras Move Forward

In a strange twist, it is the Maritime Administration that overseas security for 70% of the world’s ports, it is their recommendation Presidetn Bush is Relying on. There is also the issue of terrorism, two of the 9-11 hi-jackers came through the united Arab Emirates, another had money transferred through the country, this raises suspicions. The UAE also has a very bad record when it comes to terrorism and their fight against it. Then we have politicians, how many people generally trust them? An if you did not know, the Dubai Ports World company hired Bob Dole as thei main lobbyist in Washington, talk about a politician selling out.

So what do we do? Bush says he did not even know the ports deal was up for sale, then a week later he says the company is 100% safe and secure, how much did he learn in 1 week to guarantee this? Then you have the politicians who never made a fuss about the deal until it became headlines, where were they when the deal was actually being discussed. Now throw in the fact that Bob Dole has been hired as a lobbyist for the company and it is a very tangled web indeed. There are also rumors of a very suspicious donation made by the company a few months ago.

This seems like a trivial deal but in all honesty it is major. We have seen how protected our boarders really are, we have heard how most of our shipments are not inspected as it is, now President Bush says trust him. I wish someone would tell all parties involved that trust is something you earn, it is not demanded, or bought, or stolen.

We can make up our minds ourselves, once we do its our responsibility to let our elected politicians know how we feel. If any one of the parties involved had our trust this whole deal could be resolved. However, until someone gains our trust this will just drag on. Who do you trust?

Bush Wants Our Trust On UAE, And Dubai Ports World Deal

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that sectarian hostility in Iraq has impaired the construction of a national unity government and she believes that foreign terrorists may try to stoke more of these clashes throughout the region.

What did the Bush Administration expect from the nations of Islam? These countries are run by religious leaders who in no way wish to relinquish their power in their regions. Regardless if you are a Sunni, or a Shiite, if you have the religious power you are basically the John Gotti of the area, and no Godfather wants to just give up his turf.

Condoleezza Rice stated, “I think it’s not surprising that people who don’t want the political process to go forward are going to try and find some way in the 11th hour to set Iraqis against themselves… this makes it harder today and perhaps tomorrow, but I’m confident that the Iraqis are devoted to, dedicated to, the formation of a national unity government and I think they will get back to that process very shortly.”

I think Condi has the ideals we all wish to share. However, reality is far from the pipe dream we have of unity, and the dream is growing further away by the minute. Is this just bad policy, or is it that we really just don’t have a real game plan for this war? It’s third and long President Bush and I hope you have a big play to get us back in the game.

President Bush says that Islam, and Muslims, throughout the Middle East are embracing their new found freedoms. However, we do not see these freedoms in Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, or even Saudi Arabia. So where exactly is the reported Islam who is embracing their free elections and new found rights? I think the only ones spouting off this rhetoric is the Middle Eastern individuals living right here in America, I sure don’t see it in the Middle East.

In Washington on Friday President Bush reiterated calls for unity and restraint in the aftermath of the holy site bombing. Calling the Golden Mosque attack “an affront to people of faith around the world,” he said, “The U.S. strongly condemns this cowardly act of terror and the subsequent attacks on other mosques and holy sites around Iraq.”
Does th President really think that anyone malicious enough to carry out these crimes cares about Americas position? If they had a big enough bombs they would have wanted to include us in the bombing as well, you can be assured of that.

Condoleezza Rice said she didn’t have enough information to say who was behind the bombing Wednesday of the Al-Askariya Golden Mosque in Samarra but suggested foreign terrorists, such as the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi network, likely launched the attack in an effort to provoke a civil war. She may not know exactly but I can assure her that it is not the freedom embracing Muslims supporting Islam who are doing this so that means it must not be any Muslim in the Middle East right? Because we all know they are embracing our policies.

I think we either need a new game plan or we need to get out, a failed policy is worse than a dragged out non-planned policy any day. Our soldiers will always be winners, it’s the politicians who failed to plan for the war we can brand as losers. Let’s do this right or not do it at all.

let our soldiers like those at arrrrgghhh know you support them, its the game plan provided by our leaders that appears to be problematic at the moment.

Bush Needs New Game Plan For Muslim Violence, And Islam

Numerous technology companies have been involved in secretive deals with the Chinese Government. The deals were made and were suppose to provide these unique technology companies with exclusive access to certain markets in the Chinese economy. However, a stipulation of the deal is that these companies will help attain information for China regarding political, and social, dissidents, living in China. The deal also has these technology companies helping China suppress freedom of speech and press inside of China.

How appalling is this? If these companies will stoop so low as to invade peoples civil rights, what won’t they do? What if China demands information on Americans, or Russians, or Britain’s? Do we think these companies will only cross certain moral lines and then say enough is enough? I think we both know the answer to this. They have crossed a line and they would most likely do it over and over again. Most killers say only the first time is bad, and then it gets easier. Is this the same thing we will experience with these technology companies? Will their actions only get worse, and worse?

What these companies did is very scary when you consider how vulnerable your life, and its personal information, are. Also reprehensible is their complacency in helping China suppress freedoms in their country, this is a terrible act which deserves much more notice.

| Logging Off On China

We have the violence perpetrated by Muslim extremists in support of Islam, they tell us the violence is caused by us not them, and they say their violence is in retaliation for western offenses. I think the time for them to mature and enter into the global society of responsibility has come, they not only should be held accountable for their terrible acts, they should be held responsible and punished to the fullest extent of international law.

Next we have the sectarian violence growing in the Middle East. This again is being blamed on President Bush, and Dick Cheney. The Muslims take no responsibility for the gutless attack or the irrational response, rather they blame it on the United States, President Bush, and Vice President Dick Cheney. They again wash their hands of any responsibility. I guess the devil made them do it, and no this is not to say the President, or the VP, is the devil.

Now we have violence creeping into Turkey, Pakistan, and Africa. This violence is now being blamed on America, and Christianity. How dare Christians, or Americans, try to bring aide, medicine, and supplies, to these areas. According to Muslims, these two groups have no reason to be in these areas. This is absurd and racist; I do not believe this is part of the core belief in Islam. I think there are many Muslims happy to receive the aide.

What I do think is that it is time for Muslims to quit blaming everyone around them and take a look at their selves. They cannot blame Bush forever, and when Bush goes so does Cheney. They an blame the Christians if they like but that will not deter them from their humanitarian efforts, and in reality the Christians have no interest in holding back, or supporting, any political moves involving Islamic interests. Lastly, you can blame America all you want but I think when you weigh the positives to the negatives, America is owed a great debt by most Middle Eastern countries.

So I believe it’s time Islam stands up and is held accountable for its actions, both positively, and negatively, its time for responsibility, no more excuses.

Linked To: Stuck On Stupid, Blue Star Chronicles, Third World County, TMH’s Bacon Bits, Rhymes With Right, Adam’s Blog, The Liberal Wrong - Wing, The Real Ugly American