Angry Joan

Oh tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree,
it's been 4 long years but not enough for me,
I really should be in prison
But my love is Dick Cheyney
A simple yellow ribbon's worth a billion for me
I wrote and told him please
He screwed up the war for me
I screw up the soldiers for free

I feel as if I made a difference. Although I have not kept up the blog, I have had lots of looks, probably half by accident, but I made no bones about how I feel about this administration and this war. I contacted my senators and representatives a couple of dozen times, I signed scores of petitions, I donated to the Democrats for God's sake. I donated to those who seek peace. I educated myself about this administration and this war. Every day that I can, I read the Phila Inquirer, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post. In addition, I read my favorite blogs (listed in my profile somewhere), which provide links to other news articles I may have missed. I made it my business to educate those who "don't have an opinion" or believe the president knows best, and promised my friends who have sons in the military that I am doing everything in my power to end this war.

Of course, the war drags on. Hundreds of Iraqis die every single day. Our deaths are multiplying - every month is higher. BUT people are paying attention to this administration and this war. Bush is at 66% disapproval rating and sinking. Just a matter of time, and fortunately for the majority of Americans we are not affected by this war. This war of choice, this war that was planned on the cheap, this war that has damaged America's morale and reputation. I urge you to do whatever you can to stop this war. If you want to educate yourself, below is a list of books I highly recommend. Pick one up. Your blood will boil. They are listed in order of reading. Latest is first. Haven't actually read Brainless yet, but put it in there just for laughs. If I had to pick favorites, they would be Fiasco, Greatest Story Ever Sold, Price of Loyalty, and Imperial Life in the Emerald City. I loved Bush world too. Hard to limit myself. Of course, I read The Iraq Study Group Report, which is coming back in style. (Apologies for the typefont below)

BRAINLESS THE LIES AND LUNACY OF ANN COULTER, MAGUIRE JOE

Blackwater : the rise of the world's most powerful mercenary army, Scahill, Jeremy.

Greatest Story Ever Sold, Rich, Frank

The looming tower : Al-Qaeda and the road to 9/11 Wright, Lawrence

Blood money : wasted billions, lost lives, and corporate greed in Iraq ,Miller, T. Christian.

Our endangered values : America's moral crisis, Carter, Jimmy

Imperial life in the Emerald City : inside Iraq's Green Zone Chandrasekaran, Rajiv.

Grand illusion : the untold story of Rudy Giuliani and 9/11 Barrett, Wayne

Fiasco : the American military adventure in Iraq Ricks, Thomas E.

The price of loyalty : George W. Bush, the White House, and the education of Paul O'Neill Suskind, Ron.

The one percent doctrine : deep inside America's pursuit of its enemies since 9/11 Suskind, Ron.

The last true story I'll ever tell [text (large print)] : an accidental soldier's account of the War in Iraq Crawford, John.

American theocracy : the peril and politics of radical religion, oil, and borrowed money in the 21st century Phillips, Kevin P.

Chain of command : the road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib Hersh, Seymour M.

Bushworld : enter at your own risk Dowd, Maureen.

The family : the real story of the Bush dynasty Kelley, Kitty.

Generation kill : Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the new face of American war Wright, Evan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/06/AR2007070601993.html?nav=rss_print/outlook
This is the kind of stuff that's been keeping me busy. I've been studying the Iraq War from 2 points of view: Defense Contractors, and The Green Zone.

It's only been in the last 9 months or so that any information at all has been available on our commercial brothers-in-arms, our defense contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have finally reached the point where there are more contractors than US military. 180,000 contractors to 150,000 US military. Halliburton has pretty much dropped out of the scene, only KBR, their wholly owned subsidiary is still there. Right now the Brits have taken over in contracts! Interesting how they decided to pull out their troops in Southern Iraq because "Mission Accomplished" and now they are going into full corporate mode. Let's see how that works out. Just fine I am betting. If the UK can get away with it, the time could be ripe for our own military withdrawal.

In the Green Zone -that damn embassy! People keep asking about the largest US Embassy in the world, and that is just so annoying to the Bush Administration. Not only has billions of dollars been sunk into this little oasis, but what an embarrassment it is turning into! Shoddy construction, almost daily insurgent attacks, the architectural plans on the internet, and it still is not finished after 4 years. The State Department is desperately trying to get Americans to work there, it may soon become mandatory for all employees. (one way to get those Young Republicans in the war.) Not sure how that will go over. Might have to increase those contractors.

*It's been so long since I posted that I forgot how to create a link in the title, and Blogspot was taken over by Google, all technical stuff that can be learned or relearned as the case may be. Curious minds have been asking me when I'm going to post again. Took 16 months to create some interest, and this time I hope you will respond to me. Otherwise I am going totally anonymous and that will be fine too. This post was almost delayed because I thought about footnoting all of the above facts. Promise to be a little more informative from now on :)