And so it starts

After another round of gigantic demonstrations today, the hated SLORC has imposed a curfew, declared Yangon and Mandalay off-limits and deployed troops in the main cities.

Here's the story (Reuters India): Myanmar government imposes dusk to dawn curfew

Today Bush took a strong stance against the Burmese Generals at the UN. The hypocrisy of the Bush administration is boundless: based on their logic and their bullshit "freedom agenda," they should have sent an expeditionary force to Myanmar a long time ago. They obviously didn't. Because of their catastrophic Middle Eastern adventures, they have lost all the moral authority they could brought to bear on the Myanmar government's patrons (China mostly). So now we're left with principled declarations that are as lofty as they're toothless. Bush, the guy who authorized torture, renditions and surveillance over Americans (all crimes under American law), is now giving lessons on democracy and human rights to the Burmese military autocrats. The thugs that make up the State Peace and Development Council, who've been at it for much longer (it being torture, surveillance and oppression), are shaking in their jackboots. They also know Bush will do like them eventually, and like every other retiring dictator, and have himself amnestied.

A friend noticed that Burma was renamed Myanmar by the SLORC back in 1989. I have no position on the best and most appropriate nomenclature. In the actual Burmese language, the difference between Burma/Barma/Bama/Myanmar is barely audible. The SLORC did it as a public relations/propaganda stunt directed at the West. It was corporate rebranding of the worst kind. A little like cancer peddlers Philip Morris magically turning into altruistic, elevated and very latin high-brow Altria... The wire services use Myanmar, while the BBC has stuck with Burma. So I don't know what to do. And I know that in a political struggle of that sort, semantics are fundamental. So I'll think about it.

I can't help but find some irony and poetic justice in the fact that George Orwell started his career in Burma.

the New York Times editorial board grows a brain and a conscience

Those geniuses are finally coming around to acknowledge the obvious.

"It is time for the United States to leave Iraq, without any more delay than the Pentagon needs to organize an orderly exit."

And that one:

"While Mr. Bush scorns deadlines, he kept promising breakthroughs — after elections, after a constitution, after sending in thousands more troops. But those milestones came and went without any progress toward a stable, democratic Iraq or a path for withdrawal. It is frighteningly clear that Mr. Bush’s plan is to stay the course as long as he is president and dump the mess on his successor. Whatever his cause was, it is lost."

Duh.

Could have told you all that 4 years ago, New York Times editorial board. And believe me, I am no genius myself. Besides the whole nebulous concept of the invasion and regime change, you only had to take one look at the crew - you know, the Nixon/Iran-Contra/Project for a New American Century/Halliburton gang to know it wasn't gonna work. These guys always loved to play big and tough while the best of them were merely delusional International Relations types (and everyone with a PhD knows that International Relations is where Political Science rejects park their asses.) The worst of them, Rumsfeld and the Vice are alpha male authoritarian bureaucrats - exactly the kind of people old-line corporate America rewards (you know, the real business, banking, defense and oil, not the fruity internet stuff).

As for Georgie boy, he wished it all could go away like it used to - you know, when daddy's buddies would swoop in to bail him out whenever he found himself in a jam... Only 19 months left, Georgie.

Technorati Tags:Iraq war, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld

Fred Thompson, not so pro-life

Check out this article in the LA Times, dealing with Fred Thompson's go-go years as a big time Washington lobbyist :
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-thompson7jul07,0,54260.story.

Hilarious. Sheds light on Fred's core principles - or lack thereof. This will not play out very well with the Christianists. I kind of like Thompson on some level - the guy is a complete opportunist, never met a client he wouldn't bill, loves a good, hearty meal (esp. when he doesn't have to pick up the tab), and well, plays older, tough guys in silly movies and TV shows. Not to mention that he initially thought Nixon was innocent. Oh yeah, and he used his PAC money to pay his son fat 'consulting fees.'

And that guy is the Republican Party's last, best hope for 2008?

Technorati Tags:Fred Thompson, election 2008, Christianists, Conservatism

the Prez digs alternative fuels

Read the article - it's pretty funny.
Plug it in, fire it up, Mr President.

Technorati tags: Bush, alternative fuels, funny

The Vice's undisclosed location

So funny... The Vice is hiding in the Bushes...

Technorati tags:Bush, Dick Cheney, politics, funny