desdemona

Aside from the cost of american life and innocent civilian life in Iraq, the destruction of sites that predate recorded history, and the possiblity that democracy might still not prevail, the cost seems astronomical. I keep thinking where this money could be going. Afghanistan seems to be a better candidate for reconstruction than iraq, those people seem to be emerging from the dark ages, iraq on the other hand is more advanced, in any case, there are government programs, agencies, and communities that are in need in the United States and the war is costing 5 billion a month, projected costs for next yr. add up to 75 billion, is anyone else amazed by this? Below is an article released today that reports the cost of the war in Iraq. War Cost Will Top $50 Billion, Pentagon Official Says By Alan Fram Associated Press Writer Published: May 13, 2004 WASHINGTON (AP) - Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will cost more than $50 billion next year, a top Defense Department official told Congress Thursday in the Bush administration's clearest description yet of the conflicts' price tags. The remarks by Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz's edged the administration toward critics' estimates that combat will cost closer to $75 billion in the budget year that starts Oct. 1. White House budget chief Joshua Bolten said earlier this year that $50 billion might be the "upper limit" on next year's war spending. read the entire article here: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA2CUJF7UD.html

Innovative Everyone Orchestra will bring unique act to Eugene Tonight's show benefitting The Pangaea Project will feature Julia Butterfly Hill and Phish's Jon Fishman By Natasha Chilingerian Pulse Reporter April 29, 2004 Bringing a diverse group of people together for a common cause is a popular way to promote unity among cultures. Some achieve this through forums or volunteer projects, but The Everyone Orchestra achieves it through music. The musical collaboration project will combine 11 musicians playing instruments ranging from guitars to mandolins tonight at the McDonald Theatre. Founded by Eugene resident Matt Butler, the group's stand-out feature is a different lineup of performers for every show, and tonight a big name will join the group: drummer Jon Fishman of the band Phish. The Everyone Orchestra also will complete its show with a bit of activism. In tonight's case, words from environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill will be included. read the article here: http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display....9/40915402be1ed

unfortunately the washington post is one of those sites that would object to their material being used, hence the link

Betrayed by Judas Priest, Ripper Keeps The Faith For Heavy-Metal Singer, Rock Life Is Still a Scream By Dave McKenna Special to The Washington Post Sunday, May 9, 2004; Page N01 Tim Owens recently applied for a family membership at a country club in his home town of Akron, Ohio. He warned his daughter that they might get rejected, because his piercings and tattoos could turn off club management. She told him not to worry. "They'll let you join, Dad," said his daughter. "You're a rock star!" The kid was right on the first count: The club accepted Owens, tats and body jewelry notwithstanding. Dad, however, would quibble with the latter. "I'm not a rock star," he says, sitting in the dining room at Jaxx in Springfield last Sunday afternoon, killing time before a sold-out show with his new band, Iced Earth. But Owens, now 36, is unquestionably the rock star: The 2001 feature film "Rock Star," starring Mark Wahlberg as Izzy, a kid from the Rust Belt who improbably becomes lead throat of a famed British heavy-metal act (the fictional Steel Dragon) is based on Owens's fantastical life story. Except that the filmmakers didn't know about the harsh chapter that lay ahead. read the article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...8-2004May7.html

I say we put them on life support and get the heck out of there.

but one more excerpt regarding the bush administration's treatment of workers rights. "Even one senseless death because of inadequate worker protections is too many," said CWA Executive Vice President Larry Cohen, who leads the union's safety and health efforts. He pointed out that, while Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act 34 years ago, saving hundreds of thousands of lives and preventing millions of workplace injuries, "Regrettably, the Bush administration has turned its back on workers and workplace safety." The administration has favored voluntary safety and health programs over enforcement of the law by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It also repealed the ergonomics standard and employer record-keeping requirements for ergonomic injuries, noted CWA OSH Director Dave LeGrande http://www.cwa-union.org/news/WhatsNew.asp?ID=445

oic, well they're excused then I guess, lol

so much for the ban on goods from Burma though koop, doesn't seem to be very affective.

It's a done deal for NBC, Universal U.S. TV network closes its deal to merge with movie studio, creating a new media powerhouse. May 12, 2004: 10:34 AM EDT PARIS (Reuters) - Vivendi Universal Entertainment and NBC have completed their merger to create NBC Universal, a media and entertainment giant with expected 2005 revenues of $15 billion, the companies said Wednesday. read the article here: http://money.cnn.com/2004/05/12/news/inter....reut/index.htm

here's a short article I picked up in a union newsletter at work, I belong to the CWA-IUE With the outsourcing of American jobs becoming a major political issue, the offical Bush-Cheney campaign merchandise includes clothing made in Burma - a country whose goods President Bush banned for sale in the U.S. because of systematic violations of human rights, according to Newsday. The newspaper ordered several items from the official Bush-Cheney mercahndise website and found a $49.95 fleece pullover embroidered with the Bush-Cheney 04 logo and bearing a label stating it was made in Burma. Last year, Bush signed legislation banning the import of Burmese products and declared, "The United States will not waver from its commitment to the cause of democracy and human rights in Burma." Official merchandise for Sen. John Kerry's campaign is manufactured in the United States by Union Worders, according to the firm that licenses and markets Kerry merchandise.

well I've come to the conclusion if it was Kerry that was president right now and this was his record, there are some republicans that still wouldn't vote for him. some people just refuse to look at the situation as non-partisan, I can honestly say I wish Bush was a great president, but he isn't and if Kerry isn't any better I'd vote him out too.

geez, can you imagine? he was THAT close to getting out of there, poor soul. It sounds like there is so much disorganization within the military ranks and intelligence community it's a disgrace.

good one CTC, lol I still before the original series to what followed, and Spock was my favorite character.

well I just know this, I've seen what bush can do, we've had him for 4 yrs now, we've seen his record, and I think he's failed. I think it's time to give someone else a chance.

seriously though, I think we should do a survey, I know he's the worst president in my lifetime, does anyone agree? the economy, the war, the patriot act, in the seventies when we had to wait in line for gas and the price was high it was because there wasn't any! this is just getting absurd now.

I can remember back in the 70's they gave us a copy of "the senuous woman" in health class, to educate us about sex, not to suggest oral sex as a preventative, there's plenty of preventive's out there I think that would work a whole lot better. lol But the trend has been lately in the states to have teenagers just entering their teens to take an abstency pledge. I know my daughter came home with one on a plastic card when she was in 8th grade. One thing it did do was stimulate alot of discussion, and hopefully she can evaluate the issue with more insight and thoughtfulness now. my thoughts are, if you put them on the pill before they're sexually active, they will become sexually active.

bush set the tone for this when he referred to Al Qaeda prisoners as not being covered by the geneva convention, you'll never be able to tell me he's not partially responsible, and as koop said, a leader always takes responsiblity for his men ( at least I think he said that) lol

don't we wish we all lived in a fairy tale

well to be honest I have no idea why any american would choose to go to Iraq right now, relief organizations don't even want to go there. but you're right joey, it's like a cycle, they commit barbaric acts and we retaliate, and a democracy is suppose to spring from all of this, I just don't see how. they sawed his head off while he was screaming and filmed it, then sent the video to the press, humanity is at a low right now. :(

Posted 5/11/2004 3:38 PM Mr. Spock embarks on journey into photography NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) — The women appear aglow; black and white images bathed in light. Some are nude, others are loosely covered with translucent robes or Jewish prayer shawls. One of an exhibit of photographs is shown at the R. Michelson Art Gallery in Northampton, Mass., by actor Leonard Nimoy. By Dennis Vandal, AP They are Leonard Nimoy's embodiment of Shekhina — the feminine presence of God. Best known as Mr. Spock in Star Trek, Nimoy left the screen to pursue other interests — most notably, photography. read the article here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-05-11-nimoy_x.htm

Posted 5/11/2004 Willie Nelson cancels concerts ERIE, Pa. (APOnline) — Willie Nelson has canceled concerts for the next two months to have surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, a promoter said. The 71-year-old country-western star, whose hits include Whiskey River and On the Road Again, was apparently in so much pain he couldn't finish a show Saturday in Las Vegas entire article here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/20...n-cancels_x.htm

the captors relate this act with the abuse of prisoners in abu ghraib Video shows beheading of American captive in Iraq Tuesday, May 11, 2004 Posted: 6:14 PM EDT (2214 BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An al Qaeda-linked Web site posted video Tuesday of a man who identified himself as an American and then was beheaded. His captors said the United States refused to exchange him for prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison. read the article here: http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/11/...main/index.html

I burned a blues compilation for a fellow co-worker dereck trucks band - to know you is to love you larry mccray - woman across the river eric burdon brian auger band - don't let me be misunderstood eric burdon brian auger band - bring it on home stevie ray vaughn - cold shot allman brothers band - stormy monday allman brothers band - one way out gary moore - pretty woman jj cale - after midnight sam cooke - a change is gonna come sam cooke - cry me a river susan tedeschi - baby you're right stan webb's chicken shack - I'd rather go blind canned heat - on the road again (hehehehe) george thorogood - one bourbon, one scotch, one beer robert cray - right next door

If bush is such a strong leader, why doesn't he take responsiblity for what happens on his watch? He is, in a manner of speaking, commander-in-chief,and I say that lightly, all I see is his defense of rumsfeld, ( which I think appears to be the old, he's the one responsible, not me) trick. How he can stand there and say rumsfeld is doing a superb job is beyond me. Talk about out of touch with reality! what more do the American people need to judge his performance than this mess in Iraq. if you want to add uncontrolled debt and rising health-care costs, inflation, just look at the price of gas and milk, I don't hear a word from the administration about any of those things that are making it hard for the average citizens, and add outsourcing, which their new economic advisor says is a GOOD thing. ok, we are on the same planet right? P.S. I was going to post a link to an article I posted awhile back that was from The New Yorker magazine on the prison in iraq Abu Ghraib, but I can't find it now, it relates to the original topic in this thread. This is e.g. of what I mean about threads getting lost. lol

Lawmakers to examine smoking in film Copyright-protection also to be studied Monday, May 10, 2004 Posted: 2:30 PM EDT (1830 G WASHINGTON (Hollywood Reporter) -- Hollywood lobbyists will be busy this week as lawmakers examine smoking on film and legislation that could undo some key portions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The hearings, one in the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday and one in the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday, make nice legislative bookends for the entertainment industry's current troubles in Washington as one focuses on content and the other on copyright. read the article here: http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/...reut/index.html