Concern Over Country’s Direction at Highest Level Ever Recorded

NYT reports the findings of the latest poll--81% think the country is going in the wrong direction. Way to go Dubya.

Although the public mood has been darkening since the early days of the war in Iraq, it has taken a new turn for the worse in the last few months, as the economy has seemed to slip into recession. There is now nearly a national consensus that the country faces significant problems.

What clued you in America? The wasteful, horrific war? The loss of our civil rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution? Oh, it took getting hit in the pocketbook, of course. I notice BushCo seems to be doing jus'fine.

Soldier told to give bonus money back--after serious injury

Having just been in Pittsburgh, it seems appropriate I post on a 'Burgher.

PITTSBURGH - For one Pittsburgh-area soldier, the holiday season came with an almost unbelievable letter from the Pentagon, telling him to give back nearly $3,000 in bonus money for time not served.

A roadside bomb in Iraq injured Pfc. Jordan Fox. He suffered permanent damage to his right eye and was discharged, coming home to a hero’s welcome.

Cao's Blog has the story and here is some related content.

Will Blackwater Finally Be Banned?

The soul-sickening sound of Blackwater USA guns will hopefully end soon. Digby has another take on it and Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films made another fabulous documentary on Blackwater's "Shadow War" called Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers



The Blackwater/private contractor fiasco is a story that has barely cracked the headlines in the MSM, but is arguably one of the most important features of BushCo's strategy to undermine our democracy. The possibility exists that Blackwater is the private BushCo army created to keep us peaceniks in line. This is a chapter of American history I wish to soon be over.

South Mississippi Keeps On Post Katrina

The Gulf Coast of Mississippi received the full force of Katrina's wrath 2 years ago today and a paucity of the federal recovery monies and support. We relocated to Southern Mississippi recently. We live within walking distance of FEMA trailers.

My mom just finished a visit here. I told her about all the troubles folks on the Gulf Coast are still embroiled in and all that hasn't been provided by the federal government. We went for a drive down highway 90. I pointed out all the still-present damage and all the empty slabs next to storm twisted remnants of buildings. She was shocked and said,"I didn't realize the devastation, the only reports you hear are about New Orleans..."

The Sun Herald has an article today on the two year anniversary of Katrina detailing among other things, how the the money spent so far could have purchased two houses for each family still displaced by the storm. Someone explain that to the politicians. I hope they have to explain it to God.

Read the Sun Herald article then click onto Jim Yancy's site Jackson County Community Services Coalition and please give whatever you can spare, even if it's just a prayer and a thank you to Jim for all his hard work. One current project is "100 Homes in 100 Days" see how you can help.

Also checkout SouthernStudies.org's Blueprint for Gulf Renewal

Some people are doing A-OK after Katrina. From reader Op99:Gulf Coast Cronyism or "Thanks Haley Barbour!!"...(Daddy, Uncle Haley, etc.)

Purple Heart--"out of stock" UPDATE

Passed on from Pandabonium who does an excellent job on the topic of peak oil at Floating Down Denial, is the story of a Korean War Veteran who after 55 years finally gets his Purple Heart Medal approved only to find out that they are "out of stock". Read the story here.

UPDATE:At least someone in BushCo can be shamed into action. After opting to buy his awarded Purple Heart, John Cornyn (R-TX)endeavored to find a medal for Veteran Nyles Reed of Texas.

Better late than never, dipshit.

Dropping Out-Turning Off

I have commented to anyone who would listen that there is a concerted effort among conservatives ala Ronald Reagan, to dumb down the American public. Yesterday it was reported, the US quietly pulled out of an international math and science test which compares participants in other countries and lists the result. US scores have been dropping the last several years, and last year found the only students performing more poorly, in Cypress and South Africa. Nice to know the right-wing's plans are proceeding unopposed..

Soldier Stupidity, Cruelty

A shocking story from a soldier who insists, "I miss my war." Margaret Kimberley at The Smirking Chimp explains:

When I got up this morning I had never heard of Brian Mockenhaupt. I was better off that way. He is a pathetic loser and a sadistic SOB. He is also a stereotypical red blooded American man.