Just a short while ago, W (worst ever) kept talking about the axis of evil and the need to bring democracy to the middle east. Now it seems that bringing democracy to the middle east will have to take a back seat to diplomatic efforts with IRAN and Syria according to a draft report from the bi-partisan commission on Iraq War strategy. In just the past few days, Cheney visited with the Saudia Arabian princes and W (worst ever) is scheduled to visit Jordan this week and confer with Iraqi prime minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki.

The New York Times today discusses the draft commission report in an article about the current efforts to dis-entangle ourselves from the Iraq situation. A draft report on strategies for Iraq, which will be debated here by a bipartisan commission beginning Monday, urges an aggressive regional diplomatic initiative that includes direct talks with Iran and Syria but sets no timetables for a military withdrawal, according to officials who have seen all or parts of the document.

Kofi Annan, head of the United Nations, sees the U.S. as “trapped” in Iraq according to the BBC. Kofi Annan said the timing of a US withdrawal must be “optimal” so as not to create even greater chaos in Iraq. He also urged Syria and Iran to assist efforts to stabilise their neighbour.

In more news guaranteed to cheer up W (worst ever), Italy and Poland confirmed their complete withdrawal of troops in the next few months.  Britain, our great ally, announced it is reducing troop strenght down to 7,000 also in the next few months.  Seems as if the coalition is dieting this year.

One of the most frequently heard compaints about the current adminstration is it’s failure to investigate actions taken by the government which appear to have potenital for corruption. No bid contracts for billions of defense contracts have been awarded by W (worst ever) and Dick Cheney with no competition and no oversight. Congressional Budget Office and Inspector General accounts suggest massive corruption and waste of government money. Since Cheney is the former Chairman of Halliburton, there is a definite smell of criminal behavior.

On television this morning, Representative John Dingell (D-Michigan) and new Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has pledged to conduct congressional investigations on a whole “laundry list” of issues.

Among the investigations he said he wants the committee to undertake: The new Medicare drug benefit. “There are lots and lots and lots of scandals,” he said, without citing specifics.
Spending on government contractors in Spending on government contractors in Iraq, including Halliburton Co., the Texas-based oil services conglomerate once led by Vice President Dick Cheney. including Halliburton Co., the Texas-based oil services conglomerate once led by Vice President

An energy task force overseen by Cheney. It “was carefully cooked to provide only participation by oil companies and energy companies,” Dingell said. Click here to read more.

If true, Rumsfeld Should Face War Crimes Trial
Janis Karpinski, a disgraced former General and former Commander at Abu Graib, says that she was shown a memorandum personally signed by former Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfled.  The memorandum specially ordered the torture and abuse of detainees at Abu Graib.

Click here to see the story on BBC World Service.  Time Magazine says that criminal charges may be filed in Germany.  Click here to read reaction at Democracy Now!

The Pinal County Democrats hold their meetings at 7pm on the third Wednesday of each month in Florence. We generally gather for a dutch treat supper at about 5:30 pm at the A&M Pizza on Highway 287 west of Florence. This is great opportunity to meet and greet fellow Democrats in an informal setting. The meeting is held at the offices of the Pinal County Attorney at 31 N Pinal St. Carpooling is generally available from SaddleBrooke. Hope to see you there!

Army Gen. John Abizaid testified before the Armed Services Committee of the United States and told Senators that adding troops in Iraq would not solve problems. This reference can be taken to refer to John McCain’s call last week for troop increases. General Abizaid also argued against withdrawal timetables and found himself facing more critical questioning than he has experienced in previous appearances.

“I believe more American forces prevent the Iraqis from doing more, taking more responsibility for their future,” Abizaid told the Senate Armed Services Committee.”He admitted a new strategy was needed, but warned that if Congress imposed troop limits or withdrawal timelines, commanders would lose needed “flexibility.” Instead, commanders should focus the U.S. force they already have in Iraq on training Iraqi units, he said.

But both Republican and Democrat senators seized on Abizaid’s comments as evidence that war managers had not identified a new, effective plan. Click here to read the rest of the story.

The foreign affairs fur is flying.

I’m not talking about the catfight between two strong-willed, expensively dressed Democratic pols married to California gazillionaires, with Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi trying to yank Jane Harman from heading the House Intelligence Committee.

I’m talking about the catfight between the Idealists and the Realists.

After an election that spurned ideology, and the triumphant return of the Bush 41 pragmatists James Baker and Robert Gates, the self-proclaimed Idealists are reduced to hissing from the sidelines.

The Vulcans and neocons had grandiose plans to restore trumpets, morality and spine to foreign policy, to establish America as a hyperpower with a duty to export democracy — by force and on its own, if necessary. But now the grandiose experiment of Iraq is in a sulfurous shambles, and the Realpolitik crowd is back cleaning up.

Click here to see the rest of the article. 

A Reuters article today suggest that millions of Americans have not saved enough to retire and find themselves having to reenter the workforce after age 65.  Opportunities for seniors who want to work are limited with most jobs paying close to the minimum wage.

Millions of Americans are finding that they will have to continue working during their supposed retirement years, a new survey of baby boomers shows.

This realization is turning their worldview upside down — changing everything on where they might live, what they might do in their golden years and ultimately what is most important in life — according to a poll commissioned by financial firm Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

“The average 70-year old is probably pretty well situated now because they had pensions and will get social security,” Pamela Moret, executive vice president at Thrivent said in an interview on Tuesday.

“But the same does not hold true for baby boomers where roughly 25 percent say they have saved nothing for retirement,” she said. Baby boomers are the post-war generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964, which are just now starting to reach retirement age.

Our November meeting will be held Saturday, November 11th 2006.  Save the date and watch here for details.

Democrats have apparently completed a historic sweep of the mid-term elections. Few experts would have forecast such a result. Democrats have now taken 28 seats in the House of Representatives and 6 seats in the U.S. Senate. The results from Virginia have just been announced. Earlier today, Conrad Burns was defeated in Montana.  The Republicans have not been able to defeat even one Democratic representative or senator.

With the Democratic Party sweep, comes the responsibility to govern wisely and take our country forward.  There is much to be done and we, as the party now responsible for the actions of congress, must help fashion the real changes that need to be made.  Nancy Pelosi has mentioned some of the issues that need immediate consideration; the minimum wage, drug prices under the Medicare Prescription Benefit, energy independence, social security and immigration reform.  The Iraq war and indeed, the entire “War on Terror” need to be addressed; however, congress must work, in this issue, with a President who still want to win at all costs.  It remains to be seen if W (worst ever) has changed his stripes.

Arizona Legislature is Still “Veto Proof”

Arizona’s election was satisfactory to Democrats. Two new Democrats (Giffords and Mitchell) will go to Washington as freshmen House members. Jim Pederson and Ellen Simon both came up short in their campaigns.

Janet Napolitano and Terry Goddard were both elected with large majorities. However, the other Democratic challengers for state offices all came up short.

Democrats are still in the minority at the state house but Republicans lost ground overall. Democrats can firmly stop any attempts to over-ride Janet’s vetos. So they don’t get their way there.

Here in LD 26, ‘captain’ Melvin is being turned away in favor of Charlene Pesquiera in a very close race. Pete Hershberger and Lena Saradnik have easily defeated Jerkensen.

Also in the race for LD 23 which holds lots of interest for Pinal County Democrats, Rebecca Rios has defeated the turncoat, Cheryl Chase. Pete Rios and Barbara McGuire have defeated their two opponents.

Chris Vasquez has been elected Sheriff of Pinal County. Brenda Oldham has successfully defeated April Elliott.

Our own Mike Carran and Boyd Bosma have won places on the Oracle School Board to finsh off a suprisingly nasty campaign.

Here are some links to look up results. For statewide races you can go the the Secretary of State Website. Here is the link for Pinal County results.