The Daily Jot: 2013-01-13

Friday, January 18, 2013

THIS JUST IN! MAKING BANK!

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE

PRINCESS BARRY O IS PLANNING HER OWN GANG OF SIX. AS SHE TOLD THESE REPORTERS IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AT CLUB TUSH, "SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND HOLLA' BACK, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?"

AS A RESULT, PRINCESS BARRY INTENDS TO TURN HER FAN CLUB INTO AN OFFICE 'FOR PROFIT FOR ME AND MY FRIENDS' NON-PROFIT "OTHERWISE YOU KNOW BOBBY GIBBS IS GOING TO BE DOING THE POCKET DANCE EVERY TIME WE GO TO I-HOP AFTER A NIGHT OF CLUB HOPPING. 'IS MY PRETEND WALLET IN THIS POCKET? NO. MAYBE IT'S IN MY COAT POCKET? LET ME CHECK.' HE'LL KEEP DIGGING AND DIGGING UNTIL SOMEONE FINALLY PICKS UP THE CHECK. BOY BE BROKE ASS. SO IF WE'RE GOING TO PARTY, WE NEED TO HAVE SOME DOUGH COMING IN, YOU FEEL ME?"

AND THAT'S WHY HIS NON-CHARITY FAN CLUB WILL NOW BE TAKING CORPORATE DOLLARS.

"PEOPLE WORRY THAT THIS WILL INFLUENCE ME OR CHANGE THE WAY I DO BUSINESS," PRINCESS BARRY SAID SIPPING ON A FUZZY NAVEL. "I TELL THEM, 'DO YOU EVEN KNOW ME A LITTLE? I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A WHORE FOR MONEY."

FROM THE TCI WIRE:

In yesterday's snapshot, we noted the development regarding burn pits. The Veterans Administration explains:

On Jan. 10, 2013, President Obama signed a new law (218 KB, PDF) requiring VA to establish a burn pits registry for Veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits in Iraq or Afghanistan.

VA will announce how to sign up once the registry is available.

The new registry will enhance VA's ability to monitor the effects of exposure and keep Veterans informed about studies and treatments.

Additionally, VA is conducting studies on possible health effects.

Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York is gearing up to host a symposium on the issue. This will be their second one, their 2nd Annual Scientific Symposium on Lung Health after Deployment to Iraq & Afghanistan. The symposium will take place March 4th which isn't that far away. If you'd like to register to attend, you can click here for the registration info if you're doing it by mail or by fax as well as a registration link if you'd like to register online.

Rosie Lopez-Torres is the executive director of BurnPits 360. Her husband is Iraq War veteran Captain Leroy Torres who left the US in strong health and had it destroyed by burn pits in Iraq. Burn Pit 360 (and the Torres family) have worked very hard on lobbying for a National Registry. In fact, it's their first listed goal.

To maintain a National Registry that will allow the individuals affected to self report their data online. To identify the need for a longitudinal study, to prove a medical, scientific, and legal correlation between the toxic chemicals detected and the individuals exposed.

To Establish an alliance of veteran service organizations, health care providers, legislators, and government organizations to allow for the strategic development of a quality specialized health care model specific to toxic environmental exposures that will provide a lifetime continuum of care.

To Facilitate resources to thousands of Reservists, Service Members, Veterans, and their Families through outreach initiatives encompassed around linking the services requested on the registry to services available within their community.

Burn Pit 360 is among the groups that can look with satisfaction at the Burn Pit Registry becoming a reality because they worked very hard to help matke that happen.

Yesterday's snapshot also applauded Senator Mark Udall of Colorado and had a press release from his office. I AM AN IDIOT. That was Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico. (The Senators Udall are cousins -- that does not excuse my mistake, but is offered in case anyone's wondering about two senators with the same last name.) My apologies for my very stupid error and we'll repost the press release from Senator Tom Udall's office:

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) announced that today President Obama signed their bill to establish a registry of service members and veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes from open-air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan into law.

"Today we celebrate the conclusion of our bipartisan effort to improve the health and well-being of our veterans," Udall said, "This is a victory for our men and women in uniform across the globe, and I am proud to say it was made possible by the strong advocacy of Master Sergeant Jessey and Maria Baca of New Mexico," Udall said. "Just as our veterans have answered the call of duty for our country, we have answered their call for better information and today brings us closer to insuring this special population receives the care and treatment they deserve."

Udall and Corker's Burn Pits Registry Act was included as part of a larger veterans package, S. 3202, the "Dignified Burial and Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012," which passed the Senate and House in late December 2012.

The bill will create a registry similar to the Agent Orange and Gulf War registries to help patients, doctors and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determine to what extent air pollution caused by open air burn pits has led to medical diseases among service members.

In 2011, Udall and Corker introduced S, 1798, the Burn Pits Registry Act, with cosponsors Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.).

All five members of New Mexico's congressional delegation also supported the measure in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Udall began work on this legislation after meeting MSgt Jessey Baca and his wife Maria of Albuquerque, who detailed Jessey's battle with cancer, chronic bronchiolitis, chemical induced asthma, brain lesions, TBI, PTSD and numerous other ailments believed to have been caused by exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

Earlier this year, Udall testified before a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the legislation and mentioned the work of the Bacas, who had traveled from New Mexico to attend the hearing. Video of the Senator Udall testifying before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee is available here and a photo of Udall with the Bacas here.

As early as 2002, U.S. military installations in Afghanistan and Iraq began to rely on open-air burn pits to dispose of waste materials. The U.S. Department of Defense and numerous contractors made frequent use of burn pits at a number of bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force and the American Lung Association have confirmed the dangers posed by burn pits, and veterans and their families have reached out to Congress for action.

Creating a burn pits registry was supported by numerous groups, including Burn Pits 360, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Association of the U.S. Navy, Retired Enlisted Association, the Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees and the National Military Family Association.

Summary of the Open Burn Pits Registry:

Establish and maintain an open burn pit registry for those individuals who may have been exposed during their military service;
Include information in this registry that the Secretary of the VA determines applicable to possible health effects of this exposure;
Develop a public information campaign to inform individuals about the registry; and
Periodically notify members of the registry of significant developments associated with burn pit exposure.

Timeline of the Open Burn Pits Registry:

November 3, 2011: Udall, Corker & six co-sponsors introduce S. 1798, the Open Burn Pits Registry Act.
June 13, 2012: Udall testifies before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee in support of the Act.
September 12, 2012: The Act is included in a larger veterans package, S. 3340, the Mental Health Access to Continued Care and Enhancement of Support Services bill, which the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee passes unanimously.
December 19, 2012: The Act is included in an alternative veterans package, S. 3202, the "Dignified Burial and Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012, which passes the full Senate unanimously.
December 30, 2012: The U.S. House of Representatives passes S. 3202 unanimously.
January 10, 2013: President Obama signs S. 3202, which includes the Open Burn Pits Registry Act language.

Again, Senator Tom Udall. That was my huge mistake. My apologies.

Iraq is yet again slammed with violence today in what has already been a very violent month. Iraq Body Count counts 165 people dead from violence in Iraq this month through Wednesday. 165 killed in 16 days which is a little over 10 deaths every day. Sameer N. Yacoub (AP) counts at least 26 dead while Press TV points out, "The latest wave of violence comes only a day after 40 people were killed and over 200 others wounded in a spate of terrorist attacks across the country." The Washington Post's Liz Sly offered this pespective in a Tweet.

View summary

BBC News notes 4 dead in a Hilla bombing. Alsumaria adds that seven were injured and they note the bombing as Babel. (It's the same area and dependent upon whether you're using the Babylon reference.) Following the bombing, Alsumaria reports, protesters gathered outside the police station and demanded the resignation of the police director. Ahlul Bayt News Agency notes a Karbala car bombing that claimed the lives of 4 Shi'ite pilgrims with another twelve injured. Lu Hui (Xinhua) reports that7 people are dead and over 25 injured as a result of 2 car bombings in al-Dujail (Salahuddin Province) with the first bomb allegedly being used to attract a crowd in the immediate aftermath and the second bomb going off after the crowd was present attempting to provide aid. AP notes that the death toll from those two car bombings has already risen to 11 and that the injured now stands at sixty. The UK Express reports a Qassim car bombing which claimed 5 lives and left twenty injured and a Baghdad roadside bombing which claimed 2 lives and left two people injured.

In addition, Alsumaria reports that a Baghdad truck driver was targeted with a sticky bombing attached to his truck which left him injured, that a Baquba car bombing has left more than one person injured, and Sahwa continues to be targeted with three homes sustaining damage in Kirkuk today (villages of Arafa Hawija, Alamadhorih and Akolh) from bombings. All Iraq News notes Col Khaled al-Hamdani, former Director General of Nineveh Province, has disclosed he survived an assassination attempt today when a bombing targeted his convoy as it went through Mosul. All Iraq News also reports a Mousl car bombing which left four people wounded.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

THIS JUST IN! HE WANTS YOU TO DO THE WORK!

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE

CELEBRITY PRINCESS BARRY O HAS DECIDED THE BEST WAY FOR HIM TO FIGHT IS TO WRITE A COLUMN ASKING FOR OTHERS TO DO THE WORK FOR HIM.

REACHED FOR COMMENT BY THESE REPORTERS, PRINCESS BARRY REVEALED HE WAS AT AN UNDISCLOSED HEALTH SPA, "HAVE YOU SEEN MY HAIR! I'VE LOST ALL COLOR! NO WANTS TO DO IT WITH OLD PEOPLE! AND MY SKIN IS ALL ASHEN! I HAVE CLEARLY BEEN WORKING TOO HARD. OH FOR THE DAYS WHEN MY BODY MAN REGGIE LOVE WOULD PROTECT ME."

ASKED IF HE HAD SEEN THE PRESS, PRINCESS BARRY BECAME EXPLOSIVE INSISTING MEGAN FOX WAS COPYING HIM, "I WORE IT FIRST! I WORE IT BEST!"

ONCE ASSURED THAT WE WEREN'T TALKING FASHION BUT FOREIGN POLITICS, PRINCESS BARRY CALMED DOWN LONG ENOUGH TO SAY, "I AM SO OVER ISRAEL. ISRAEL. ISRAEL KNOWS WHAT THEY DID AND THAT'S ALL I INTEND TO SAY ABOUT IT."

FROM THE TCI WIRE:

The failures just continue to pile up for Nouri al-Maliki. Security issues, protests, failed deals you name it.

The middle of the week finds Iraq slammed with violence. Margaret Griffis (Antiwar.com) counts 55 dead and 288 injured. KUNA reports "two booby-trapped cars in the northern cities of Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmato" leaving ten dead and over one hundred injured. The Voice of Russia notes that the Kirkuk bombing was a suicide car bombing "outside the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party" -- the KDP is the political party of KRG President Massoud Barzani. Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN) reports that police sources state 27 people have died in the Kirkuk bombing with another one hundred injured but health officials are saying the death toll is 50. Mustafa Mahmoud (Reuters) quotes Police Brigadier Sarhat Qadir stating, "A suicide bomber driving a truck packed with explosives detonated the vehicles outside the KDP headquarters. It's a crowded area, dozens were killed and wounded." BBC News offers this perspective:

The BBC's Rami Ruhayem in Baghdad says Wednesday's attack seems to send a political message.
Kirkuk is rich not just in oil, but in symbolic importance, and seen by Kurdish nationalists as a crucial part of any future Kurdish state, he says.
As always, the identity of the perpetrators remains unknown, and so too will any political aims behind the attack, leaving the doors wide open to speculation, our correspondent adds

In southern Kirkuk (Zab), Alsumaria notes, 1 police officer died attempting to defuse a bomb placed on the side of the road. On the Tuk Khourmatu bombing, The Voice of Russia notes a bombing "outside the branch of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan" -- the PUK is the political party of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Fars News Agency counts 2 dead and twenty injured in the Tuz Khurmato bombing. Alsumaria states it targeted the Peshmerga and that 2 are dead and thirty more injured according to a source who was present when ambulances began arriving but before the police cordoned off the area. EFE adds that "three policemen died and their vehice was set ablaze in an attack by armed men in the Shaab neighborhood of Northeast Baghdad." Dar Addustour reports a so-called 'honor' killing in Iraq. A pregnant woman and her husband were murdered by two of the young women's brothers because the family did not agree ot the marriage. According to what the brothers told police, the husband would not have been killed if he had 'stayed out of it,' that their plan was just to kill their sister.

AFP offers this possibility on today's violence, "No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Sunni militants often launch waves of violence in a bid to destabilise the government and push Iraq back towards the sectarian violence that blighted it from 2005 to 2008." By contrat, Prensa Latina offers, "So far it is unclear whether the attacks are linked to the PKK's decision to open negotiations with the Turkish government, announced by the leader of that organization, Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned in Turkey."

In addition, Press TV reports, "Elsewhere, a series of bomb attacks in the cities of Baiji and Tikrit, north of the capital, left two people killed and six others injured." Alsumaria notes a Mosul roadside bombing left two Iraqi soldiers injured. Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN) reports, "A mother and daughter were fatally shot when gunmen stormed their house in a Shiite neighborhood." All Iraq News adds that a Baghdad bombing left five police officers injured. The outlet also notes a Falluja roadside bombing targeted the funeral of Aifan al-Issawi left one person injured. Al Jazeera explains, "Essawi's coffin, covered in an Iraqi flag, was transported atop a 4WD vehicle that was part of a massive convoy of dozens of vehicles." Adam Schreck (AP) reports, "A bomb went off as mourners gathered to mark al-Issawi's death, wounding three of them, authorities said." From yesterday's snapshot:

Alsumaria also reports that Iraqiya MP Aifan al-Issawi was killed by a suicide bomber in Falluja.
A year ago, Aifan al-Issawi was describing the situation in Iraq to Sam Dagher (Wall St. Journal, January 16, 2012) as, "We are preoccupied with how we can finish each other off." Today he is dead. Along with being an MP for Iraqiya, al-Issawi was also a tribal chief and one of the founding members of the Sahwa. The Sahwa are Iraqis (largely Sunni -- but not just Sunni according to then-Gen David Petraeus' testimony to Congress in April 2008) who were paid to stop attacking the US military and their equipment. April 8, 2008, Senator Barbara Boxer noted they were being paid $182 million a year by US tax payers. All Iraq News notes the attack took place today on 40th Street in central Falluja. Kamal Maama (Independent Online) adds, "Posing as a worker, the attacker hugged Efan al-Esawi before detonating an explosive vest to kill the politician, who once campaigned against al Qaeda after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, police and local officials said."

Today Sam Dagher and Ali A. Nabhan (Wall St. Journal) report:

Mr. Issawi and other tribal leaders in Anbar rallied their followers starting in 2006 to join the U.S. campaign against al Qaeda that later became known as the Sahwa, or Awakening. Mr. Issawi's Albu-Issa clan had been among the Sunni tribes that welcomed and sheltered foreign jihadists who flocked to Iraq starting in 2003 to fight what was largely seen by Sunnis as an occupation by infidel Americans.
Sentiments shifted when many of the Iraqi tribesmen saw the fighters' brutal tactics firsthand. In interviews, Mr. Issawi had said his mother and several members of his extended family were killed in March 2007 when al Qaeda insurgents detonated a dump truck packed with explosives and chlorine gas canisters.
Men including Mr. Issawi received arms and cash from the U.S. military to join the battle against al Qaeda in Iraq. He forged ties with the Americans, eventually hosting U.S. military commanders and diplomats for poolside barbecues at his farm house near Fallujah. In one living room at the house, Mr. Issawi—who U.S. troops nicknamed "Dark" for his skin tone—exhibited accolades from the U.S. military and photographs showing him with U.S. officials, including a photo taken with then-President George W. Bush during his 2007 visit to Anbar.

The US Embassy in Baghdad issued the following statement:

The United States Embassy strongly condemns the murder of Iraqi parliamentarian Ifan Saadoun Al-Issawi and members of his security detail and the wounding of other Iraqis. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities of the victims and wish a full and speedy recovery to those injured.

All Iraq News notes the Embassy faxed the statement to news outlets today. They also note that the Turkish Foreign Ministry faxed their statement today in which they condemn the attack. And they note that the office of the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government issued a statement in which Massoud Barzani condemned the attack and and sees the attack as an attempt to sew distrust and sedition in Iraq. Alsumaira adds that Sahwa leader Abu Risha is accusing Iran of beig behind the attack and states that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard carries out many acts of violence in Iraq already.

"Democracy? Really?"

"From their political closets they hiss"

"The slow wake up"

"Stewart and Krugman"

"The issue that is not going away"
"Stoller has a really important piece"
"He longs to be . . . close to men"
"THIS JUST IN! HE EXPLAINS THE CABINET!"

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

THIS JUST IN! HE EXPLAINS THE CABINET!

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE

PRINCESS BARRY O SAYS THE GALS NEED TO PIPE DOWN AND LET HIM BE.

"I APPOINT BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS," HE TOLD THESE REPORTERS LAST NIGHT AT THE CLUB TUSH. "THE CHIEF QUALIFICATION BEING: 'DO YOU HAVE A PENIS?' IT'S NOT MY FAULT IF THE GIRLS CAN'T KEEP UP."

"I DON'T THINK THE GIRLS GET ME," PRINCESS BARRY CONTINUED. "I'M A MACHO MAN. LIKE SOMETIMES I GO NEARLY A WHOLE DAY BETWEEN MANICURES. SOMETIMES I FORGO CLEAR NAIL POLISH EVEN. AND UNLESS MY LIPS ARE A GHASTLY SHADE OF PURPLE, I DON'T ALWAYS WEAR LIPSTICK. I DON'T THINK THE GIRLS GET HOW MANLY I AM AND HOW I NEED TO BE WITH ANOTHER MEN, NEAR THEM, CLOSE TO THEM, IN THEIR MANLY ARMS."

FROM THE TCI WIRE:

While we're on the Sunday chat and chews, Iraq was briefly mentioned on Face The Nation (CBS News) when host Bob Schieffer spoke with Senator John McCain -- here for video, here for transcript.

SCHIEFFER: And, good morning, again. And we're going to begin with the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain. Senator, thanks for being with us this morning. Well, the president made it pretty clear on Friday, we're leaving Afghanistan, and perhaps sooner than some expected. And every report you hear from behind the scenes is, we're going to keep very, very few people there. What do you make of this? What's your take on all of this?

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Well, it's a one of a series of decisions the president has made basically overruling his military advisers. So whether it be in Iraq, which is now unraveling very significantly, or whether it be the decisions about a surge and how many and how soon they leave. There's a series of decisions, all of which the president and the vice president have overruled our military leaders and their advice and counsel, which is the president's right to do. But each time I believe that it has ensured the risk of failure. I think there's a very, very great risk now that with the president's announcement that they are basically going to be out, that the Afghans will not be able to effectively counter what still remains a significant Taliban and significantly discordant situation in both Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan. So I think you are probably going to see an unraveling gradually. I think you're going to be -- there's only one Iraq -- Afghan brigade that is capable of acting independently. These forces need air support, intelligence, all of the kinds of logistics and other support that is necessary to be effective. Fighting forces, they're not going to have that, and so I am much less than optimistic about this eventual outcome. But when you look at the Middle East, look at what has happened at Iraq, look at what has happened in Syria, the United States no longer leading from behind, waiting from behind. And then you look at the decisions concerning Afghanistan, you can understand why people throughout the region believe the United States is withdrawing, and that is not good for the region.

Iraq is falling apart. Making a list of predictions for the year last week, Kevin Coyne (Policy Mic) placed Iraq on top of his list of "The Doomed" countries -- at the top:

1) Iraq: Better known to most Americans these days as "NotOurProblemAnymoreistan," Iraq is in for one rough year – which is really saying something. The federal system set up following the U.S. invasion is splitting apart at the country's regional and sectarian seams, and upcoming provincial elections in the spring will only exacerbate tensions.
In recent weeks, a national protest movement against the ineffective Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has spread, but frustration with the status quo is about the only unifying element among the Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish elements taking part. In 2013, expect the rift between the cash-strapped government in Baghdad and the oil-rich autonomous Kurdish region in the North to reach a breaking point. Also, while much is said of the Sunni-Shia divide, keep an eye on rifts within the Shia majority, which may not only cast out Maliki, but also topple the regime and send everyone back to the streets to "re-negotiate" the political order…

As Iraq falls apart the White House -- out of guilt or stupidity -- doesn't even try to take part in the conversation. That's great. They'll allow John McCain to define the terms of the discussion. And they'll allow various other interested parties to define the terms.

One terms Iraqis are being exposed to these days is "division." That the US government wants (again wants) to divide Iraq into three parts. Saturday, the Ahlul Bayt News Agency reported:

According to this source, who spoke in condition of anonymity, the objective of the meetings was fulfillment of some Iraqi political figures, namely the declaration of a Sunny Autonomous Region in Iraq.

"Topics of the meeting between Iraqi political figures and US officials were declaration of independence in Al-Anbar, Mosul, Saladin, and Diyala provinces," he added.

Today the Iraq Times reports that the US wants to divide Iraq into three parts and sees that as the best answer to the country's ongoing crises. Those aren't the only articles covering this rumor. Many articles note Vice President Joe Biden once proposed a federation (three independent parts making up Iraq). You'd think someone at the White House would be in charge of following what's being said in the media and that they'd have some sort of response to it. You'd think that, maybe hope for it. But they just don't care.

Through Sunday, January 13th, Iraq Body Count counts 116 people killed in Iraq by violence for the month so far. That comes to almost nine deaths every day. The violence the Iraq War brought to the country continues. Alsumaria notes an attack on a Mosul polling station which left 1 security guard dead and another injured, the corpse of a 17-year-old girl was found tossed in the streets in Mosul, and a Mosul car bombing injured one member of the Dawa Party (Nouri al-Maliki's political party). In addition, they report a Mosul roadside bombing left one Iraqi soldier injured, a funeral 20 kilometers south of Tikrit was targeted with a bombing that left five people injured, a Mosul armed attack left 1 person shot dead and a Baquba car bombing left 3 people dead and four more injured. In addition, CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq Tweeted this incident of violence:

‏@mtawfeeqCNN

3 roadside bombs exploded in #Kadhimiya Shiite district in #Baghdad #Iraq and killed a bystander. Nine other people were wounded.

Expand

That's 7 dead and twenty injured and we're not done with today's violence.

It would appear the Ministry of Defense is attempting to distort the death. Nayla Razzouk and Kadhim Ajrash (Bloomberg News) notes the Ministry of Defense is stating the attack came "during an opposition demonstration." Everyone else reports that al-Essawi was on his way to a demonstration. It matters.

The Ministry of Defense has no minister. Nouri al-Maliki has never nominated anyone for the post. He's saying someone's an 'acting minister.' The Constitution recognizes no such position. To be a minister, you have to be nominated by the prime minister and you have to be confirmed by the Parliament. Once confirmed, to be removed, the Parliament has to vote you out. Nouri has tried to removed a deputy prime minister and a vice president in his second term. He had no luck getting the votes needed in Parliament. Creating 'acting' positions allows him to control ministries the Constitution does not put him in charge of. If you are 'acting minister,' you are someone Nouri gave the job to -- it would be interesting to find out what acting ministers are being paid since they have not been confirmed by Parliament. Nouri gave you the job and, the second you disagree with him, he can pull you from the job. You have no protection you have no power. Nouri was supposed to name a full Cabinet -- as the Constitution requires -- to move from prime minister-designate (November 2010) to prime minister (December 2010). However, the Erbil Agreement (a US government brokered contract) gave him a second term. The voters didn't, the Constiution didn't. So he wasn't apparently required to obey the Constitution and come up with a full Cabinet. Back in July, Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN) observed, "Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has struggled to forge a lasting power-sharing agreement and has yet to fill key Cabinet positions, including the ministers of defense, interior and national security, while his backers have also shown signs of wobbling support." Those positions still haven't been filled. So Nouri is the Minister of Interior currently.

Which is why, if the Ministry of Interior is attempting to say that the attack took place today at a demonstration, we need to stop a minute and ask what's going on? What may be going on is that Nouri may be attempting to use this attack to stop the protests, to declare them dangerous (he's called them that since the start) and to try to outlaw them as a result. This is not minor. Bloomberg News should have noted in their report that no one else is saying that the attack took place at a demonstration. Again, Nouri is repeatedly claiming that the protests are dangerous or that they will be the object of danger in his attempt to shut them down. For example, Abdulrahman al-Rashed (Al Arabiya) points out:

"The government [of Iraq] has obtained high-level intelligence information about plans to carry out terrorist attacks against protestors."
You have to be ignorant about geopolitics to believe the story of this alleged intelligence, made public by an anonymous government source to justify the closure of the border crossing with Jordan and the subsequent damage inflicted upon the residents of al-Anbar.
Had the Maliki government enjoyed any credibility, we would have never doubted its reasons for closing the vital crossing to Jordan, for terrorism is a painful reality that still threatens Iraq. But Maliki's government has decided to punish the people of al-Anbar, the province raging with anger against him and leading the popular opposition movement in Iraq.

MWC notes he was inspecting a new road being constructed in southern Falluja and quotes his chief of staff Sohaib Haqi stating, "The moment he stepped out of the car to check out this road between Fallujah and Amriyah, at this moment, there was a man. He came to him, hugged him, said Allahu Akbar, and blew himself up." Mohammed Tawfeeq (CNN) reports, "Lawmaker Ayfan Sadoon al-Essawi was visiting a construction site on a commercial street in central Falluja on Tuesday when the bomber, disguised as a laborer, approached him, authorities said." Qassim Abdul-Zahra (AP) reports, "According to police, the lawmaker was inspecting a roadwork project when his attacker, dressed as one of the construction workers, approached and pretended that he was trying to shake hands before blowing himself up." Again, why the (headless) Ministry of Defense is allowed to speak on this issue is beyond me. It's also true that al-Issawi and Nouri were political rivals and that he had criticized Nouri's decision (last week) to shut down the road and port connecting Iraq with Jordan and Syria.

Al Arabiya notes, "Before his death, Saadoun said that Maliki's closing of the Terabeel crossing to Jordan was wrong and can be described as an act of war against Anbar and the Sunni people in thie country." They quote him stating, "The closure of Teraibeel crossing is disastrous for us, and this is like impsoing sanctions against the people of Anbar. This is a declaration of war against the Sunnis and the province of Anbar. I urged the parliament to form an emergency session to discuss security and the closure of the crossing which I believe is a big mistake and shouldn't be happening."

All Iraq News also notes 2 bodyguards were killed in the attack, 2 bystanders were killed and five more bystanders were injured. IANS states three bodyguards were killed in the attack. AFP explains, "The killing of Ayfan Saadun Al Essawi comes just two days after the finance minister, Rafa Al Essawi, a fellow Sunni and a member of the same tribe and political bloc, escaped an apparent assassination attempt as his convoy passed near where yesterday's attack took place." The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq issued the following statement:

Baghdad, 15 January 2013 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq (SRSG), Martin Kobler, condemns in the strongest terms possible the heinous killing of Anbar Member of Parliament, 'Ifan Al-Issawi, in a terrorist attack in the middle of a demonstration in Fallujah, causing the death and injury of a number of other persons.

The SRSG reiterates that it is equally vital to peacefully demonstrate and to protect protestors from infiltration of terrorists.

"I call again on all political forces to foil any attempt at instigating strife and to demonstrate utmost restraint," the SRSG said, adding that political dialogue must be resumed without further delay to exit from the current situation.

The SRSG extends his sincere condolences to the families of Mr. Al-Issawi and of the other victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded.

In addition, APA reports, "Turkey strongly condemned a bombing attack that targeted and killed a Sunni lawmaker in western Iraq on Tuesday amidst the festering tension in the politically fragile country as protests against the central government in Baghdad still continue in various cities."

"Fringe e-mails and promo"
"Still in love with Chuckie"
"THIS JUST IN! HE LIKES THE SMELL OF HIM!"

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

THIS JUST IN! HE LIKES THE SMELL OF HIM!

BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE

PRINCESS BARRY JUST WANTS TO DANCE WITH THE BOYS HE EXPLAINED TO THESE REPORTERS LAST NIGHT AT CLUB TUSH, "GIRLS BE STINKING. THEY GOT THESE PERFUMES AND THESE SCRUBS AND THE THIS AND THE THAT AND THEY SMELL LIKE A DRUG STORE COUNTER. GIVE ME A MAN LIKE CHUCK HAGEL. HE DON'T EVEN SMELL LIKE A BAR OF SOAP!"

HAGEL, PRINCESS BARRY'S PROM PICK AND NOMINEE FOR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, EVEN APOLOGIZED TO JEWISH PEOPLE FOR INSULTING THEM

"OH, YEAH," BARRY SHOUTED OVER THE LOUD MUSIC. "HE'S LIKE TOTALLY CHANGED. LIKE LAST NIGHT, I WAS SAYING CHUCKIE YOU HAVE CHANGED. HE TOLD ME, 'SHUT YOUR MOUTH.' BUT HE DID AGREE HE HAD CHANGED. ONCE UPON A TIME HE WOULD HAVE JUST CHASED ME AROUND THE OVAL OFFICE WITH A TIRE IRON SCREAMING, 'GIRL, YOU GONNA GIVE IT UP!' SO, YEAH, HE'S CHANGED."

FROM THE TCI WIRE:

A bit of news was supposed to reassure the international community that Nouri al-Maliki was the thug the world suspected and cause them to say "Look what he's done!" instead. However, that bit of Happy Talk just got overshadowed by reality.

First for the wave of Happy Talk. Adam Schreck Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Sameer N. Yacoub (AP) report that some 'prisoners' were 'freed' today with some ("dozens') at a ceremony presided over by "one of the prime minister's most trusted political allies" Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al-Shahristani who distributed candy and Korans. Having a hard time seeing Nouri okaying candy for Sunnis? You're not alone. Though they're trying to spin this as prisoners being released to meet the protesters demands, they won't give details about the prisoners (including whether they are Sunni or not). Schreck notes that some of those 'freed' had already completed their sentences. That's really not 'freed,' that's sentence was completed and they were released. Suadad al-Salhy, Patrick Markey and Angus MacSwan (Reuters) also note the 'release' aspect, "Officials said a ministerial committee had freed 335 detainees whose jail terms had ended or whose cases had been dismissed for lack of evidence." In other words, people who should have never been held got released. And how many are women?

The western outlets -- except for AFP -- have ignored that aspect. Women are said to have been raped and tortured in the prisons. The protesters have demanded the women prisoners be released, it's not a minor point. The Arabic press grasps that. Alsumaria leads with the claim that 335 prisoners have been released over the last days and only four of these were women. Four. Alsumaria notes the mass demonstrations that have been taking place and that the demands have included demands about women prisoners. Via the BRussells Tribunal, let's note the basic demands of the protesters:

In this situation it is of utmost importance that the international community exposes the true nature of the al Maliki dictatorship and stands with this broad movement for human dignity and against repression and violations of human rights. It is therefore of vital importance that all peace-loving forces support what is taking place on the streets of Iraq.
The protesters are justly demanding:
1 – the immediate release of detained protesters and dissident prisoners.
2 – a stop to the death penalty.
3 – the approval of an amnesty law for innocent detainees.
4 – the abolition of anti-terrorism laws (especially Clause 4 used to target them).
5 – the repeal of unfair rulings against dissidents.
6 – fair opportunities for work based on professionalism.
7 – the end of the use of all military command based on geographic areas.
8 – the provision of essential services to all areas in Iraq neglected by the state.
9 – the holding of all members of governmental official, army or security units who have committed crimes against dissidents accountable, especially those who have violated the honour of women in prisons.
10 – a UN sponsored population count.
11 – an end to marginalization, and a stop to agitating divisions between ethnic and religious groups, and a stop the house raids without legal warrant based on the information of secret informers.
12 – a stop to financial, administrative and legal corruption.
13 – the combating of sectarianism in all its forms by returning Religious buildings and all religion properties to their rightful owners and the abolishment of law No. 19 of 2005.
The International Anti-Occupation Network (IAON) welcomes the spread of these non-sectarian protests and supports the efforts of the Iraqi people to regain their full independence and national sovereignty. 10 years of foreign occupation is enough! 10 years of massive human rights violations is enough! 10 years of corruption and depriving the whole population of basic services is enough!

Now for the news that punctured Nouri's claims that things were improving, Alsumaria reports that Mohammed Taher al-Rabbo Jubouri was shot dead in his Mosul home today. The tribal leader, part of the Jabour tribe, was one of the leaders of the protests. Unknown assailants carrying machine guns stormed his home today and shot him dead. Let's all pretend this has nothing to do with Nouri. And let's pretend to that it doesn't appear that the US government hasn't recently labeled the protesters terrorists. Throughout Iraq, things are happening. There's a label for the actions taken against the protesters: counter-terrroism measures. The US military remains in Iraq and the Memorandum of Understanding For Defense Cooperation Between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Iraq and the Department of Defense of the United States of America (signed December 6th. -- see the December 10th and December 11th snapshots) allows US troops to participate in counter-terrorism operations. Someone needs to ask the White House and the State Dept (a) who is targeting Iraqi protesters and (b) is the US military being used to suppress a peaceful and popular uprising in Iraq?

The US-backed Nouri is tearing Iraq apart. At Policy Mic, Kevin Coyne offers his predictions for 2013 which include "The Doomed" countries headed for deep trouble in 2013. Topping the list?

1) Iraq: Better known to most Americans these days as "NotOurProblemAnymoreistan," Iraq is in for one rough year – which is really saying something. The federal system set up following the U.S. invasion is splitting apart at the country's regional and sectarian seams, and upcoming provincial elections in the spring will only exacerbate tensions.
In recent weeks, a national protest movement against the ineffective Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has spread, but frustration with the status quo is about the only unifying element among the Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish elements taking part. In 2013, expect the rift between the cash-strapped government in Baghdad and the oil-rich autonomous Kurdish region in the North to reach a breaking point. Also, while much is said of the Sunni-Shia divide, keep an eye on rifts within the Shia majority, which may not only cast out Maliki, but also topple the regime and send everyone back to the streets to "re-negotiate" the political order…

Yesterday, Reuters noted that Minister of Finance Rafai al-Issawi was targeted with a bombing today which left two of his guards injured. Kitabat notes that al-Issawi's convoy had left Falluja and was headed for Abu Ghraib when the bomb went off. Al Mada explains he was in Falluja meeting with tribal leaders to discuss the demonstrations. World Bulletin reminds, "The Sunni Muslim minister is caught up in a crisis that has triggered protests in Sunni regions and is straining Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's power-sharing government." AFP notes protests began following "the December 20 arrest of at least nine of Essawi's guards. Essawi is a leading member of the Iraqiya bloc, which, while a member of Maliki's unity government, has called for him to quit." Al Jazeera adds, "Sunnis have also decried alleged misuse of anti-terror laws to hold members of the minority community, and claim Sunnis are being targeted. Former vice-president Tareq al-Hashemi, a Sunni, was handed down a death sentence in absentia on charges of running a death squad, a charge he denounced." Alsumaria notes that Iraqiya has condemned the attack on al-Issawi and has called on Nouri to ensures the protection and safety of Iraqi citizens.

Nouri might not have targeted the Minister of Finance is the Iraqi President had been in the country. Late on the evening of December 17th (see the December 18th snapshot), President Jalal Talibani had a stroke and was admitted to Baghdad's Medical Center Hospital. Thursday, December 20th, he was moved to Germany's Charite University Hospital. He remains in Germany currently. Al Mada reported last week that Fuad Masum of the Kurdistan Alliance states he visited with Jalal yesterday and that he is "steadily improving" that Jalal was able to shake hands, that he listened and spoke -- and spoke to those in the room in Kurdish, Arabic and English. Along with being president of Iraq, Jalal Talabani is also the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (political party) which notes that US President Barack Obama sent a message inquiring on Talabani's health and "described President Jalal Talabani as a great friend of the United States for many years and a vital leader of the new democratic Iraq. I extend to you my best wishes for full and speedy recovery, President Obama added." The PUK also notes, "The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, phoned Dr. Barham Ahmed Salih the Second Deputy Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to ask about the health of President Mam Jalal, where he expressed his happiness about the improvement in His Excellency's health."

All Iraq News notes that Moqtada al-Sadr issued a statement today calling on Nouri to listen to the protesters demands and also noting the need to resolve the issue of the presidency. Jatlal Talabani is seen as someone who is able to smooth things over and with him out of the country there's no one to fill that role. In addition, there is the role proper of president and concerns about how long Iraq can go without an acting president. Alsumaria adds that al-Sadr fears a dictatorship if the issue of the presidency isn't resolved soon. (President Jalal Talabani is in Germany recovering from a stroke.) Hurriyet quotes Moqtada stating, "If the problem of the presidency is not resolved, the dictatorship will spread to the presidency from the prime ministry, and this would make the situation worse and more problematic. Iraq is like a son without a father because it does not have its president who deals with problems and mediates." There's criticism from Parliament as well. Reuters notes, "Osama Al Nujaifi, parliament speaker and the most senior elected Sunni figure, said Al Maliki should pass a draft amnesty law to free detainees jailed on terrorism charges and modify laws that many Sunnis say are used to target them unfairly. Protesters also want to end a campaign against members of Saddam Hussain's outlawed Ba'ath party that Sunnis fear is used to harass their leaders and sideline them from politics." Sharif Nashashibi (Al Arabiya) takes issue with some in the media protraying the protests as sectarian:

However, events have developed in a way that has crossed the sectarian divide, although this has not been picked up by the media, which continues to irresponsibly and inaccurately portray the situation in purely sectarian terms.
Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has come out in support of the mainly Sunni demonstrations. While he has predicted an "Iraqi Spring," there have been references in the media to a "Sunni Spring" - similar to its much-loved but overused term "Shiite Crescent" - as if Iraqis, and Arabs in general, define themselves by sect above nationality.
Three days later, just before midday Friday prayers, Sadr visited one of Baghdad's most prominent Sunni mosques, and reiterated his backing for the protesters: "We support the demands of the people, but I urge them to safeguard Iraq's unity." Maliki's former ally was reportedly greeted by chants of "the unifier of Sunnis and Shiites" and "the patriot," while women ululated and showered him with candy.
Ayad Allawi, the Shiite former prime minister whose secular al-Iraqiyya coalition of Sunnis and Shiites defeated Maliki in the last parliamentary elections, has called for the prime minister's resignation. The Majlis al-A'yan (council of tribal sheikhs) in the predominantly Shiite province of Basra has also expressed solidarity with the protests.
Demonstrators, too, have chanted "no to sectarianism," and carried banners warning the government "not to draw the country into sectarian conflict." Leaders of the protest movement have made clear that they are not on the streets because Maliki is Shiite, or just because of policies they deem sectarian.

Alsumaria reports that Nouri has sent Iraqi forces into Samarra with the intent of stopping or 'stopping' the protest there -- 34 military vehicles arrived in Baghdad late Sunday night.

Political blocs are meeting to discuss the government's problems. Aswat al-Iraq reports, "Chairmen of National Alliance and Iraqiya Parliamentary Bloc stressed necessity to have a new political initiative to preserve Iraqi unity, calling to implement Iraqi protestors' demands and to expel all tensions between the parliament and the government. Ibraheem Jaffari of the National Alliance and Salman al-Jumaaily of Iraqiya bloc discussed Iraqi political scene and the demonstrations witnessed by Iraqi provinces." Even Nouri's sometime friend Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, is getting in on it. All Iraq News notes that al-Hakim called a meeting with the National Coalition and they agreed that the crises in Iraq needed to be resolved, that they should entertain proposals from Ahmed Chalabi's National Congress Party and they praised Moqtada al-Sadr while demanding Nouri's government start implementing the laws Parliament is passing.

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