Bin Laden

Iraq War – 10 years later

Posted on: March 19th, 2013 by ecthompsonmd No Comments

 

I will not say anything new in this post. I will not say anything that is outrageous or over the top. The Iraq War was one of the many reasons that caused me to start writing a book and to start a blog.

I think that the Bush administration had four main reasons for going to war in Iraq. Yellowcake from Niger, aluminum tubes to concentrate uranium, mobile biological labs and the Al Qaeda (Mohamed Atta) - Saddam Hussein connection.  It is now clear that none of these lines of argument were based in fact. I will not go into any of the details of why the above claims were lies. It should be clear to everyone by now. I will point you to Hubris and 500 Days as two very good books that go into detail about what happened and why. Also check out James Risen's book State of War.

Cost of the War in Iraq

I guess the big question concerns what we gained from the Iraq War. Some will say nothing. Others will argue that we got rid of Saddam Hussein and that was worth it. I would argue that we squandered international good will. We fanned the flames of Muslim extremism. We played into the hands of Bin Laden by invading a country that was no threat to us or our allies. I would say that we turned a very backward nation into a battleground where there seems to always be war.

Ex-Navy Seal Crosses the Line

Posted on: September 3rd, 2012 by ecthompsonmd 2 Comments

 

So, there's a book coming out tomorrow that is an ex-Navy Seal's account of exactly what happened when we took out Osama bin Laden. Personally, I will not read this book. I figure that this book will be very similar to the extremely successful, famous and distorted book, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Remember, they published basically a pack of lies about John Kerry. This author, in my opinion, is clearly writing a partisan textbook that is designed not to illuminate what happened, but instead to attack the president. Let me make a few predictions – Rush Limbaugh will hail this book as some sort of thoughtful breakthrough. Karl Rove and Newt Gingrich will try to paint this guy as some hero (for writing this book) and somehow degrade or, better yet, denigrate President Obama's decision to go with the mission.

I found the following comment to be extremely illuminating:

This guy is a bum for using his uniform for political purposes. I served in a rapid deployment force under President Clinton. We had a dislike for him because democrats are "soft on military" and the "Don't ask Don't tell" but we never divided our ranks in front of the American People. You can't do that. Its an unwritten code that you respect rank and that includes The Commander In Chief, despite what your personal feelings are. The uniform must be greater than partisan politics. The American public can not see soldiers as 1/2 are democrats, 1/2 republican. It would destroy morale and what makes our troops the best in the world.

The guy writing this book, releasing it on 9/11 and keeping the profits, while betraying his chain of command is a scum bag. He is also a confirmed "birther", so that tells you about his intelligence. Just another attempt to "swiftboat" an opponent over politics. Its a shame because America needs to come together to solve big challenges.

Saturday Morning News Roundup (Update)

Posted on: March 17th, 2012 by ecthompsonmd

 

Upset Central

The ongoing struggle in Wisconsin politics has taken an unexpected turn. As you know, Wisconsin is currently in the midst of trying to recall their governor, Scott Walker. Several Senate legislators are also part of the recall effort. Pam Galloway, Republican, has resigned. The Republican control of the Senate has now been lost.

Osama bin Laden tried to focus on, attack and assassinate General David Petraeus and President Barack Obama. I guess this news is not really surprising. Yet, we found information in his stash of notes that he thought that this was extremely important.

The real reason oil prices are rising. Speculators. Wall Street.

There appears to be new information that Margaret Thatcher actually met with Rupert Murdoch back in 1981 to discuss Murdoch's purchase of the Times in the Sunday Times. Details here.

There are literally hundreds of questions surrounding Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. His name has just been released. He is the American soldier who allegedly killed 16 Afghanis. This is an enormous tragedy. There is no good outcome. The soldier's wife and kids have been moved onto a military base for their own protection.

A Rutgers University student used a web cam to spy on his roommate who was having sex with another man. Yesterday, the student was convicted of hate crimes.

This American Life is one of the best news and informational programs in the United States. For more than a decade I have enjoyed listening to Ira Glass discuss and explain various topics. Yesterday, This American Life retracted a report on Apple Computer's suppliers in China. It appears that the reporter, Mike Daisey, embellished and enhanced some of the aspects of the story.

Upset Central, Baby: (I hate all the commercials on ESPN.com.) Norfolk State (#15) defeated Missouri (#2). The much beloved and sometimes hated Duke Blue Devils went down to the Lehigh. And that's why they play the game. :-)

Update: Who's a freeloader? Currently, the GOP and the Tea Party have been focused on cutting out the freeloaders. Those are the folks who are sucking America dry. James Kwak does a wonderful job pointing out that Medicare and Social Security are insurance programs. For the most part, lower and middle income Americans who have to use Medicare or Social Security do not pay in enough money to pay for the services that they (we) are using. It is insurance.

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