NameCafeMember [I want this on its own line] -

First para. I am determined to get my blogs and posts to be as easy to read, in term of format, as possible. [I want this as its own para, starting on a new line from MemberName]

This is second para and I want a blank line prior to this 2nd para. In preview I get a blank line.

This is third para with no blank line between number 2 and 3 paras.

      Fourth para where I "typed" 6 spaces on the line prior to "Fourth." On preview I get just 3 spaces prior to Fourth

Fifth para using Cafe easy editor block indent of the whole para again to make a quote or point easier to read.

              Sixth para. To get long indent I "typed" 6 spaces, then I copied those 6 spaces intending to get 12 spaces prior to "Sixth." On preview I get just 6 spaces.

1234567890123  Spaces ruler to check para indents.

Spelll chekc.  On preview get message "iespell not detected.  Click ok to go to download page" Will try to download and then add result on a blog edit.

Edit after posting - preview seems to have been accurate as to what submitted blog will look like. [blank line above edit message]

Edit 2nd time - while I intended to use this blog for my own use, in this new software it shows up on the top ( I guess chonologically) of Overheard on the Blogs. I didn't need this attention!

There is a growing "it's just not right." This includes Miers and goes beyond.  It came to me watching the Sunday AM shows.

Kate O'Bierne, National Review, said there is something that may tip the Miers balance because it resonates with Americans. She suggested that Americans don't follow the ins and outs of Washington. They don't know Miers' views. But, many see this President nominating a friend for something as important and worthy of respect as the Supreme Court.  Politicos call it cronyism.  Americans see something that's not right.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/30/102745/165
http://obama.senate.gov/blog/

If I am Michael Brown and the Bush Admistration we did not act in an honorable way when we did not "move heaven and earth" to help the people of the Gulf Coast, immediately. 

If I am a policy maker in Washinton or a military officer in Iraq we abandoned the military profession's definition of honor when detainees were continuously and systematically abused. 

Tom Delay is not an honorable man.

Michael Brown and compadres are not honorable men.

Everyone from Albeto Gonzales, Don Rumsfeld, the military command down to the troops did not act as honorable men.  There are some exceptions. Read Andrew Sullivan to follow the plight of an honorable officer who is being threatened and detained for acting with honor.  http://www.andrewsullivan.com/

When the floods came the world changed for Bush:

You put the trusted few in the most important jobs until God changed the game and now you have to rely on second team  domestic appointees.

You successfully dictated to Congress until God gave you the most difficult congressional problem, a need for massive new spending that will go to only 1 region.

You catered to your white evangelical corporate base to the exclusion of all others until God flooded a city with poor black folks who vote Democratic.

You issued decrees about "No Child Left Behind" and left the work to others until God gave you a problem that requires you do real work with concrete deliverables.

You did your best work in a controlled, orchestrated evironment until God forced you to leave the bubble and adapt.  

(Reference: text of Cosby Noah routine  http://www.jr.co.il/humor/noah4.txt  ) 

 

I expect they will ask for federal budget cuts in the amount of the Hurricane relief, which will amount to a permanent budget cut. If you take $200 billion out now, then in future years to put those programs back in will require a defense of why they need to be added.

I expect budget cuts to pay for the hurricane based on reading talking points for Bush talk to nation on Katrina:
"...winning the war on terror or funding aftermath of Katrina. We have to do both that means we’ll have to cut spending where else to make sure we are fiscally prudent with the taxpayer’s dollars."

In contrast, I have never heard that we had to cut anything to pay the cost of Iraq. We just moved the Iraq costs off-budget, cut no major federal spending and reduced tax revenue.

While it makes me angry, I can comprehend how this Administration's theories of government and incompetence led to inaction. 

Given the detached manner of this President, inaction is entirely possible.

What I cannot fathom is why Karl, Karen and Laura did not take the initiative to get the President to act as hero on the Gulf Coast?

The solution is not big, in fact it is about ownership. Provide the money and let the people who will "own" the societies rebuild them.

The Administration's rebuilding approach is outmoded and counterproductive. Scott McClellan
  "We need big ideas and big solutions to address these enormous challenges…. [President] wants people to think big so that we can solve these problems that are ahead."

What could be clearer that big centrally planned projects are a disaster than the US in the 60's and Iraq.  We are still trying to undo the damage to communities from the 60's development  approach.  The billions spent on Iraqi reconstruction have done nothing. 


 

Will the Admistration use the budget sleight-of-hand by putting Katrina aid off-budget?

With Iraq, the Administration started the funding off-budget and has kept it there in each subsequent year.  If they follow the same approach with Katrina then they can finesse proposed tax cuts and benefits cuts.

I use the phrase off-budget but is it better to use the label off-the-books? 


     

(I posted this @Washington Note but am so adamant I am reposting here to reach another audience.)

Why should I believe the simplistic subgrouping of Iraqis tell me much of value in understanding the complexity of Iraq?  If someone lives in the Kurdish area of Iraq, is a Muslim or was a Baath party member does that automatically translate into favoring a type of government or holding certain values?

If I tell you I live in Idaho (as I did) stereotypes paint a picture of my politics, values and musical preferences.

If I tell you I am an Ivy Leaguer (as I am) stereotypical labels suggest my politics, intelligence and economic status.

If I tell you I am a sports fan (as I am) the labels emphasize a lack of "deep thinking" and a preference for certain "adult beverages."

When it comes to Iraq I need more than simple labels that presuppose political leanings, cultural values and religious beliefs.  I expect depth and sophistication about the forces and peoples in Iraq. I am more than the labels attached to me and so are the Iraqis.  

The Bush Leaders and Politicos have strong-armed and/or ignored ranks of careerists who spend their lives serving the US. 
 - Military professionals
 - Military lawyers
 - Intelligence profesionals
 - Foreign policy professionals
 - Diplomatic professionals

Given their expertise, what if all these career professionals could  speak publically? 

Those who work with classified information/documents are already covered by more than the law about knowlingly disclosing... that Fizpatrick was hired to investigate.

We need some experts to come forward with the rules and penalties governing disclosure outside the appropriate bounds.  For the actions we are already aware of I am guessing the standard government employee/member of military would already be facing some repercussion.

Can those posting to internet blogs potentially find their entries part of a legal investigation?

We all benefit from input by military, foreign policy, other government officials who submit "anonymous"  entries.  Assuming they use non government computers, are they still vulnerable to being found out and then handled as wayward government employees?

How about the rest of us, are our entries part of a document trail that could be investigated by legal types?

How does Patriot Act treat internet blogging?

Just found a stunningly comprehensive timeline for US actions, decisions, policy and intelligence regarding decision to Iraq.  Using this you can find a treasure trove of information regarding Uranium claim.  Worth checking out!

The timeline has:
 Descriptions - actions/decisons
 Dates - actions/decisions
 Dates - public disclosure for actions/decisons + public sources
 Links - to source documents for information

Even more important, you can sort the timeline by various categories, most notable Africa-Uranium Allegation

Timelines main page
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timelines.jsp

Timeline - Inquiry into the decision to invade Iraq
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=complete
_timeline_of_the_2003_invasion_of_iraq

To sort for subset of items go down left side for Specific Cases and Issues and item labelled Africa-Uranium