Bush’s Fixation With Iraq Jeopardizes the Nation

The world-renown Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine, ran an editorial in the August 14, 2006 edition entitled Iran: The Ascendant Threat.

In the piece, the editors identify Iran as being responsible for the recent Hezbollah attacks on Israel that solicited Israel’s overwhelming response. The editors go on to characterize Hezbollah as a new military force armed with sophisticated modern weapons and tactics. Backed by the oil riches of Iran, Hezbollah is seen as a powerful Islamic force and Lebanon is the battle ground that Iran has chosen to confront the Israel and the U.S. The piece concludes that the recent conflict was “asymmetric warfare taken to a new level” by, among other factors, the religious fanaticism of Hezbollah as evidenced by the unexpected difficulty the Israeli’s had in defeating the Muslim fighters.

It seems to me that the U.S. military has been here before. Our forces in World War II in the South Pacific uncounted extremely stiff resistance from the Japanese due solely to the fanaticism of the individual Japanese soldier who was willing to fight to the death. We won every battle, but paid a very heavy price in American lives.

That being the case, the administration should look to Lebanon and the Hezbollah as the next conflict requiring American military intervention on the side of Israel, since the Israel’s army cannot, and should not, sustain high casualties over an extended period.

Currently, the U.S. has few troops to spare to send to Lebanon. They are bogged down in Iraq as a national police force attempting to keep the Shiites and Sunnis from killing each other. Which is ridiculous.

There is no war in Iraq. Our “war” with Iraq was over when we defeated and disbanded the Iraqi armed forces. Ever since we have fighting a losing battle of occupation. And it is long past time when we should quit and leave.

Since 9/11/2001 American has been at war with “terrorism.” In practical terms that means we are a war with militant Muslims. Well the Shiites and the Sunnis who are attempting to kill one another, are militant Muslims, and are, therefore, terrorists. Seems obvious, that if these two groups of terrorists want to kill each other, we should get out of line of fire and allow them to have at it. They’re doing our job for us.

There is no reason for us to stay in Iraq. Ayatollah Bush, as usual, takes a position that is based purely on protecting Republican the congressional majority in the coming elections. Every single one of his recent statements are simply bullshit, cynically designed solely to confuse the public as to the true situation which is: THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TOTALLY SCREWED UP FOREIGN POLICY

The United Nations forces now arriving in Southern Lebanon to keep the peace, will not be able to either disarm Hezbollah or stop them from being re-supplied by Iran through Syria.

So we have, at the most, perhaps three months before the cease fire in Lebanon breaks down when Hezbollah resumes launching rockets at Israel. Israel will, of course, re-invade Lebanon and attempt to push Hezbollah north to a point where their rockets can no longer reach Israel targets. The problem, of course, is that Iran will most likely provide Hezbollah with longer range missiles this time around. In the end, the Israel will have to occupy most of Lebanon. To do that, they are going to need the help of American ground forces.

So get ready. A ground war in Lebanon is very likely in our future.

How Humor Helped Cement My Marriage

During the golden days of the early 1970s when we lived on 25th Avenue of Venice Beach, Terry and I had only been married a few years, and we were still forging the relationship that has lasted a life time. Consequently, we argued quite a bit. During one heated argument, Terry, becoming exasperated with me, asked:

“How come your clients pay you all this money to solve their problems and with me you’re so damn stupid?”

Without thinking, I responded, “Well, maybe it’s because I’m only smart when I’m paid.”

We looked at one another, my words hanging in the air. Then we both broke out laughing, embraced, and moved on, our differences forgotten.

We Finally Get to Meet the Real Mel Gibson

As everyone over sixteen knows, when alcohol goes in, the truth comes out. If media reports are correct, Gibson turns out to be a little sexist Nazi who is so out of step with main stream American values (in spite of being born here) that he should be deported to his adopted Australia. He’s one immigrant we can do without.

Of course he will most likely be forgiven, since he is only another pretty-faced actor. Actors don’t need to possess either an intellect or an education. They need only good looks and to be able to repeat what they have read. And any good-looking fool can be taught to read, as Tom Cruise has amply proven.

I urge all Americans to turn their backs on Mr. Gibson and his work. Maybe then he will take his hatred elsewhere.