Notes, Quotes
and Observations
by Phil Dobson
(WebToday, February 5, 2002)-- "There isn't any doubt in my mind that the porous border between Iran and Afghanistan has been used for al-Qaida and Taliban to move into Iran and find refuge." Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
I can't remember an administration with so many possible presidential talents. From Rumsfeld to Condoleezza Rice all seem worthy to be considered for higher office and I for one would back any of them. Granted, I've only been around for the past ten administrations and can really only remember the last five, but I am a student of history and I'd be hard pressed to find a better cabinet. President Bush has assembled the best of the best for the job at hand.
As the democrats furiously search for a chink in the armor of the republicans for this year's mid-term elections, they seem to be focusing on Enron and the economy. Good luck. Too many on both sides of the isle have taken Enron money and the economy is rebounding nicely.
The traditional definition of a recession is at least two consecutive quarters of negative real GDP growth, as measured by Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis, or BEA. This hasn't happened. So why is everyone, from the media to Wall Street to Congress, saying America is in a recession? "Because the people who make these decisions at the National Bureau of Economic Research base their decisions on different things," BEA economist Terry Weadock explained. "They look more at monthly indicators, such as industrial production and employment."
So we're not in a recession and if the republicans can get that message across the democrats will have little to argue. If they could only stymie the tax cuts and get this country in more trouble will they have a leg to stand on. Fat chance. Remember the immortal words of our President when asked about raising taxes, "Over my dead body."
Speaking of President Bush:
"I'm a baseball fan, I want a scorecard, and I understood that when you're fighting an enemy like al-Qaida, people - including me - didn't have a sense of whom we were fighting. And I actually got a chart." President George W. Bush
The thought that Al Gore could have been Commander and Chief is terribly freighting in these days following 9-11. Even before the terrorist attacks the thought is freighting. I could go on and on speculating on what actions he would have taken the past few months but I'll just let you use your own imagination.Shaking in your boots yet?
The war on terror continues: "I am delighted that the Americans are here (Philippines). Anyone that can help us fight these terrorists is welcome. These terrorists have to be beaten." Mr. Edwin Cabrera, father of two children.
As the Irish Times reported the other day: "A small group opposed to the arrival of the US military in Zamboanga gathered outside the US embassy in Manila for the third day in a row yesterday. But the protest virtually went unnoticed. The opposition to the US presence is not enough to cause much concern for the Philippine President, Ms Gloria Arroyo, and her administration. While she conceded there was some opposition to the troops, the latest survey showed 83 per cent of people approved the US presence."
The Abu Sayyaf has been put on notice and will go the way of al-Qaida. Or as I'd like to hear Bush put it, with his thumb in the air, "You're outa here!"
On to the Middle East and my good buddy and Nobel Peace Prizewinner Yasser Arafat. Let me take my tongue out of my check and continue.As reported by AFP today: "Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat blamed Israel for a blast which killed five militants in the southern Gaza Strip, dealing a blow to cease-fire hopes after raging violence had cooled off slightly."
Cease-fire hopes? What the heck is he talking about? This guy talks out of both sides of his, ah, head. In an opinion piece in the New York Times this weekend Afafat claims he condemns the recent terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. He also maintains his goal remains a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel as an equal and peaceful neighbor.
In a speech following the signing of the Oslo Accords, in which Arafat pledged to renounce violence against Israel and to promote mutual respect between the negotiating parties, he said, "I don't consider the agreement any more than the agreement which was signed by our prophet Muhammad and the Qurayish." (Mohammed signed a peace agreement with the Qurayish Jews who lived in Mecca, until his Islamic warriors were strong enough to conquer them.)
Hum, wonder what he means by that?
Another good buddy, Saddam Hussein, is in the news again as reported by AP: "U.S. and British planes patrolling a no-fly zone over northern Iraq bombed Iraqi air defense systems Monday in response to anti-aircraft fire. It was the first time U.S. and British planes had bombed Iraq's north since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks."
Hopefully, this is just the beginning.and you can quote me on that!
You may send comments to Phil at: dobson@madcrazy.com
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