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Last Day of Congress

Just a short note to post my lament to the last day of the 109th Congress. The worst in American history. It brought us scandal and corruption on a grand scale. It reminded us of the great historian’s words about the corrupting influence of power. It sat for a total of 218 days spread over two years, yet even though it took such a lazy path it managed to support the inept war in Iraq, vote to legalize torture, eliminate civil liberties like habeas corpus, support wire-tapping, run up a huge and growing budget, and ignore pressing issues like immigration. Well done ladies and gentlemen of the 109th! You gave us some good times. Good riddance.

And now on to the task of cleaning up the mess they left behind.

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Home Price Confusion

While you are all digesting the Iraq Study Group report [if you’re not you should be!], here’s a little local economic news to depress you even more. The New York Times has done a good job of tracking the news beneath the surface on real estate. Here’s a typical article: What Statistics on Home Sales Aren’t Saying

This confirms anecdotal data. Home prices are in a lot worse shape than the official statistics show. That’s due both to the way the official stats are compiled, and to what they don’t even seek to capture. The market is really much softer than the published figures seem to indicate.

That’s bad news all around since it implies a strong retrenchment of consumer spending in the next few months. Since consumer spending is two thirds of the total economy any kind of steep slowdown in that sector will almost certainly take the entire economy down with it.

That’s what the bond market is beginning to say too. Hold on for a rough 2007.

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Iraq Study Group

So the much anticipated Iraq Study Group (ISG) has issued its report. The latest can be found here at CNN:Iraq Study Group: Change Iraq strategy now or here at the BBC: Iraq Report is no magic formula

From a preliminary reading the report is a wholehearted condemnation of George Bush’s policy. It advocates three main lines of approach: 1] change the military mission to one of supporting the Iraqi army, rather than fighting the insurgency directly; 2] Urge the Iraqis to reconcile their sectarian based differences; and 3] Engage in diplomacy with Iraq’s neighbours especially Iran and Syria.

All three of these points have been leaked to the press for weeks so there is no surprise. But nevertheless they remain an indictment of Bush since he has rejected all three at least once over the past few years. Basically he is being told to start over, and to forget his old policy since it didn’t work.

What the ISG does not do is to present a withdrawal plan, or to offer any idea of hard and fast deadlines [other than to say that a staged withdrawal could begin in 2008 if everything went well].

Lee Hamliton, a member of the Group, says it best: “Our ship of state has hit rough waters – it must now chart a new way forward.” In other words: George was wrong.

The question is: will our Frat-Boy- in-Chief get the message, or will he prefer to let things muddle along in chaos so he can leave it to someone else to fix?

Let’s hope he finally “gets it”.

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Why Won’t God Heal Amputees?

Ok a little off topic but here is a website I want to advertise as heavily as possible:Why Won’t God Heal Amputees?

Why?

Precisely because of the pernicious effect of religion. People always are amazed when I say that I think religion is a scourge. I am amazed that they don’t see it my way! The point is that there can be no “polite debate” about religion: the facts are clear if you are willing to be objective. Religions are a fake. They are a monstrous way of brainwashing children into thinking a specific set of thoughts. [If you don’t think it’s brainwashing: just ask how many kids grow up with their parents religious views. Is this a coincidence? Or is it child abuse?] People should be free to decide about the efficacy of religion when they are adult; that is when they can resist the superstitious nonsense that permeates all the religions we have ever dreamt up.

And why is this important? Because of the damage that religion does. The philosopher Isaiah Berlin said that ideas are the deadliest weapons, and I would say that among all the ideas religions are the worst offenders. [Don’t agree? Then think Taliban. Think 9/11.]

Our society is a secular democracy whose wealth is built upon a scientific and technological foundation; and whose political foundation is rationally pragmatic. Those two things are the very antithesis of superstition or faith. People of faith either do not understand that or they are opposed to our society: reason and faith are opposites, they cannot peacefully coexist.

The recent rise of the religious right in American politics is a national security threat. The evangelical wing of Christianity actively seek the end of the world. How is that patriotic?

They are trying to alter American history by claiming that the country is “Christian” nation. They are seeking to keep our children ignorant by banning the teaching of evolution. They tolerate, or encourage, the murder of abortion doctors. And they resist helping Africa rid itself of AIDS because it would entail encouraging the use of condoms. Where is the “goodness” in that? Nowhere.

That’s all evil. Pure and simple. And to protect them because we should “respect” someone’s faith is an appalling surrender to blackmail. Why should I respect the opinions of someone whose core book of beliefs advocates slavery, wife beating, mass slaughter of children, and various other forms of demented anti-social behaviour? Tell me: why?

So go check this website out. Let’s start the long journey back to sanity.

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Gates Says U.S. Not Winning War in Iraq

Well duh! I suppose that along with all the recrimination being vented by the right wingers [see yesterday’s post about how we stabbed them in the back] must also come an effort to re-write the script. Robert Gates is attempting to do just that at his nomination hearings: At Hearing, Gates Says U.S. Not Winning War in Iraq

So we’re not winning the war in Iraq? Really? What about all those “stay the course” speeches we’ve been subjected to? Golly Gee, and I thought all that bloodshed was just the “last throes”. Guess not.

And now we are told that there weren’t enough troops up front? You are kidding! Does this mean Shineski can be re-hired?

What with all the leaks about what is being said by whom and to whom, and now Gates towing Papi Bush’s line, I get the feeling that young King George is a lonely boy. Daddy is slowly, but surely, surrounding him, taking away his toys before he hurts himself anymore. Poor little George … noithing to do but ride his bike. At least let’s hope so before he ruins America permanently.

I just wish the Democratic party had an idea about what to do!

Oh well can’t have everything. I’ll content myself with watching boy George squirm.

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