Afghanistan

The US, preoccupied with Iraq, is asleep at the wheel in Afghanistan. Thus, the warlords (who never really went away) are firmly back in power, and are ignoring what the government and the US tells them.

Referring to the U.S.-led war that toppled the Taliban regime, Wilder said: “In the first six months after November 2001, the warlords wouldn’t have thumbed their noses. But now they know the United States has problems in Iraq and feel they don’t have to listen.”

This is just another example of ineptness and lack of foresight from the Bushies.

“The people who are being called warlords are the ones armed by the Americans to take on the Taliban,” he said. “We are getting rid of a bunch of military people who are ill-disciplined and replacing them with another.”

Here’s a clue, why not just stop invading countries instead? Then you don’t do brain-dead things like fund armies to overthrow armies who then turn out to not be loyal. Golly, a mercenary isn’t loyal, who would have thunk it… And this is the SECOND time the US has done this in Afghanistan; first in funding and training the mooj to fight against the Russians in the 80’s, now again against the spawn of the mooj, the Taliban. “Oh when will they ever learn, oh when will they ever learn.”

Meanwhile, in Iraq.

Iraq police stations hit in attacks

Insurgents blow up two buildings; car bomb outside U.S. base kills 9

U.S. soldier killed in mortar attack in Iraq

And the insurgency in Saudi Arabis continues

Two BBC men shot in Riyadh

The message is clear. No Anglo foreigner is safe.

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No crocodile tears

I would not wish Alzheimers on anyone; it’s ghastly for the victim as well as for all those around him.

Having said that, I agree with Greg Palast.

Killer, coward, conman. Ronald Reagan, good-bye and good riddance.

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Green strategy, “Negotiate,  don’t capitulate?”

David Marin (California Green Party County Council of Contra Costa) emailed PoliZeros with his Green plan for 2004. Negotiate with the Democrats and win concessions if the race looks close and the Dems need Green support.

Read about it here. It’s well thought out, and certainly doable - if consensus could be reached and a negotiator up to the task could be found. However, consensus on something this controversial would be, um, difficult to get from the notoriously decentralized and proud of it Green Party. But yes, Greens should be thinking about forcing concessions from the Dems, should the opportunity arise. But first they need a viable candidate.

Many such plans are being floated in advance of the Green Party National Convention later this month, where a candidate may or may not be chosen, or an endorsement may or may not be given. Got that? The choices are 1) nominate David Cobb, a nonentity who represents the right flank of the party and loathes Nader, 2) endorse Nader, nominate no one, 3) endorse no one, nominate no one.

The party is deeply split on these choices, and many see a bad moon rising. Unlike Democrats or Republicans who might have a bitter convention but then come together and unite for the candidate, no one thinks Greens will unite, regardless of what the final decision at the convention is.

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