Contractor Deaths in Iraq Soar to Record - New York Times

Contractor Deaths in Iraq Soar to Record - New York Times:
At least 146 contract workers were killed in Iraq in the first three months of the year, by far the highest number for any quarter since the war began in March 2003, according to the Labor Department, which processes death and injury claims for those working as United States government contractors in Iraq.

2007 is the bloodiest, deadliest year yet in the occupation of Iraq. Is this the kind of "progress" Bush says we're making in Iraq? Our being there only makes things worse. Even the Iraqi government voted to have us leave. Isn't it way past time to get out?

Holy Cow!

WP: Scientists cast doubt on Kennedy bullet analysis - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com

U.S. Becoming Empire?

None of the current candidates, nor Congress, are offering any remedy to the trend. Some are encouraging it.

Not impeaching the current administration now is tantamount to collusion. The press has failed to present the big picture, has even participated in the effort.

And They Did

Clinton, Obama to Back Vote to Cut Off Funding for Troops in Iraq - washingtonpost.com

Of course, that wasn't enough to make it happen. Keep trying, and thank you.

Glenn Greenwald Sees Significance In Comey Testimony

Glenn Greenwald - Salon

Although the acting AG back in 2004 didn't come out and say it, both he and Ashcroft, who was hospitalized at the time, knew the surveillance program was illegal and refused to sign off on it until changes were made. That means that the President, the Vice President, and Gonzales, among others, knowingly broke the law and not just any law, the Fourth Amendment itself!

Now can we impeach them all? Please?!

Losing Two Wars In Afghanistan

Poppy Fields Are Now a Front Line in Afghanistan War - New York Times:

Poppy growing is endemic in the countryside, and Afghanistan now produces 92 percent of the world’s opium. But until recently, American officials acknowledge, fighting drugs was considered a distraction from fighting terrorists.

The State Department and Pentagon repeatedly clashed over drug policy, according to current and former officials who were interviewed. Pentagon leaders refused to bomb drug laboratories and often balked at helping other agencies and the Afghan government destroy poppy fields, disrupt opium shipments or capture major traffickers, the officials say.

[...]

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and military leaders also played down or dismissed growing signs that drug money was being funneled to the Taliban, the officials say.

And the C.I.A. and military turned a blind eye to drug-related activities by prominent warlords or political figures they had installed in power, Afghan and American officials say.

Not so long ago, Afghanistan was trumpeted as a success, a country freed from tyranny and Al Qaeda. But as the Taliban’s grip continues to tighten, threatening Afghanistan’s future and the fight against terrorism, Americans and Afghans are increasingly asking what went wrong. To that, some American officials say that failing to disrupt the drug trade was a critical strategic mistake.

So, you would think that the U.S. and Afghanistan officials would do something about all this. And you would be only somewhat correct.

But while new Afghan drug prosecutors are charging hundreds of messengers and truck drivers with drug offenses, major dealers, often with ties both to government officials and the Taliban, operate virtually at will.

An American counternarcotics official in Washington said a classified list late last year developed by several United States agencies identified more than 30 important Afghan drug suspects, including at least five government officials. But they are unlikely to be actively sought anytime soon, several American officials caution.

In part, that is because the Afghan drug prosecutors are eager, but their legal skills are weak. “You look at the indictments, and it looks like a sixth grader wrote it,” said Rob Lunnen, a Salt Lake City federal prosecutor assisting the Afghan drug task force.

Another American prosecutor said, “If we try to go after deputy ministerial or ministerial level corruption cases, then you are not going to have a system that can handle it, and they would just get released.”

You see, it's very difficult for a corrupt government to do much about corrupt government, and here we have two corrupt governments in a situation where they should do something about their corruption if they want to succeed in defeating their enemies. Unfortunately, their number two enemy is themselves.

Now That's Hubris!

Think Progress » Gonzales misses deadline to submit Rove emails.

Ignoring federal subpoenas should be a crime! Oh, wait....

Gonzo Throws McNulty Under Bus

My Way News - Gonzales: Deputy Was Pointman on Firings

He did it, not me! I only signed the papers; I didn't read them. It was McNulty, I tell you, he made me sign. He's so intimidating! I couldn't help myself! Honest! Take him! Not me! Take him!

Pakistan Is Heating Up

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Many killed in Pakistan bombing

And let's not forget that Pakistan is the one Islamic state with actual nuclear capability.

Losing the war in Afghanistan (because the administration was obsessed and distracted with Iraq) with the Taliban resurgent means possible spill-over/blowback into Pakistan, which set up the Taliban originally as a buffer between Iraq and Pakistan. Just as Al Qaeda is the illegitimate offspring of the Mujahadeen first trained, armed and financed by the CIA when Russia was occupying Afghanistan, the Taliban are the dogs of war released by the Pakistanis who may return to gnaw off the hands that fed them.

We're Watching You!

Democrats Under Scrutiny As They Shape Lobbying Bill - washingtonpost.com:

Democrats' promise to end the 'culture of corruption' they said developed in Washington under Republican rule helped propel the party into the majority in November elections. They quickly tightened the rules over travel, meals and gifts from lobbyists, and improved disclosure rules for earmarks -- the pet projects that lawmakers tuck into legislation.

But a task force appointed by Pelosi (D-Calif.) to look into creating an independent entity to investigate ethics charges against lawmakers has missed its May 1 deadline for issuing recommendations, amid foot-dragging by members opposed to the idea.

Don't let us down, Democrats; we can be very fickle. This is probably the most important single act of legislation you will get a chance to pass this year (other than impeaching the entire administration, which you have yet to move on). Make it good or face the consequences.