Americans are feeling the effects of overindulgence right about now. Stomachs are upset; heads ache; wallets are empty as everything goes on sale. On a national level the scene is depressingly similar.
Mr. Obama's charm is wearing thin as substance is lacking in efforts aimed at curing the nation's post-holiday ills. Iraq is falling apart more quickly than even I anticipated as divisions among sunnis and shiites are exploited by "factions" seeking to dismantle that nation's faltering alleged democracy.
America's "alliance" with Pakistan cannot be salvaged by our expressions of "regret" as distinct from necessary apologies. Pakistan has told us to "get lost" in diplomatic double-talk. Consequently, we have reduced the amount of financial aid (bribes) to that nation's government.
Even America's so-called "puppets" are no longer nice to us. Perhaps nations with an ancient history do not think of themselves as U.S. "puppets." ("Time to End the Embargo Against Cuba" and "China Warns of U.S. Cybercrime and Hegemony.")
The shattered alliance with Pakistan damages our efforts in the region much more than it hurts Pakistan which is getting cozy with China and with the Taliban as well as related factions in the region -- factions which will be around long after we are gone and, unlike the Americans, tend to refrain from murdering Pakistanis with robot bombs.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, attacks in Afghanistan have made it abundantly clear -- to the world if not to the U.S. media -- that the war in that country is unwinnable. The struggle outside Afghanistan's borders (not just within Pakistan) against Taliban fighters, Al Qaeda and the Haqqani network included, is made impossible by the logistical support provided to the enemy by military intelligence agencies from SEVERAL other countries.
Several countries wish America to remain stagnated in an unwinnable and costly military conflict that weakens us, every day, as our economy prevents further commitments to renewal of military hardware. Under these circumstances, economic saber-rattling against China is absurd.
None of this complex international reality is discussed intelligently in our coopted and corporate media.
The Republican field of presidential candidates looks like a special education class in one of New Jersey's worst schools with a single smart hoodlum thrown in (Gingrich) to make trouble for the teacher (Obama).
One shudders to think of any of the Republican candidates as President of the United States of America. Another four to eight years of imbecility in the White House (Mr. Perry?) may finish us off for the century.
On a personal level, every glance in the direction of the state of New Jersey reveals a yet more failed jurisdiction: Corrupt and incompetent courts and government together with a sold out legal profession and bribed judiciary acting in their own interest at the expense of litigants as well as the general public. Mr. Christie's criticisms of Garden State judges are highly apt and all-too correct.
Schools in New Jersey where experienced teachers are fleeing and/or demoralized, at best, if they remain as gluttons for punishment are in need of assistance. Instead, there are cutbacks and theft on a massive scale everywhere in public expenditures as $3.7 BILLION is spent on a non-existent shopping mall in New Jersey. ("Senator Bob Loves Xanadu!")
New Jersey's legal ethics establishment is still in cover-up mode and stonewalling in response to my efforts to receive the torture files with the goal (I guess) of avoiding liability. The same entities, I believe, are responsible for public cybercrime and censorship aimed at silencing me in violation of the federal Constitution. ("What is it like to be censored in America?" and "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey.")
Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli are still walking the streets -- I am told that the latter "street-walker" has some legal troubles -- and more problems are on the way for both of those persons, rumors indicate. ("An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
The symbolic gesture of smearing Garden State courtrooms with feces, on more than one occasion -- whoever may be responsible for it -- is significant and apt. Perhaps New Jersey is on fire in more ways than one: Mr. Rabner may be the worst Chief Justice in the entire history of a much-soiled tribunal, followed closely by Deborah T. Poritz. (Compare "Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" with "Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" then "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "Jennifer Velez is a Dyke Magnet!")
Senator Bob is running for reelection on a "reliable corruption" platform. Richard J. Codey and Christopher Christie have promised to outdo one another in nasty commentary and indirect cooperation in nepotism and inefficiency in government. ("Is Menendez For Sale?")
This widespread corruption from his rivals makes Mr. Sweeney angry and envious: Why can't Sweeney be as evil as the other two Jersey Boys? Lack of opportunity and/or talent, perhaps. Sweeney makes up for it by being more of a thug than the other two -- and that's saying a lot. ("Is Stephen M. Sweeney, Esq. a Liar?" and "Is Christopher Christie, Esq. 'Mentally Deranged' and a 'Liar'?" then "Richard J. Codey, Esq. Immortalized on Canvas.")
Under the circumstances, what is one to do? My suggestion to one and all is to take a deep breath, keep your eyes on these blogs as new items focusing on New Jersey politics and law appear that make all previous criticisms seem like a dozen roses, struggle against the evil in Trenton, and never yield.
I plan to catch a movie some time this week, visit a museum, stroll through this lovely city, while thanking my lucky stars that I am not in New Jersey. Keep the illegal attacks coming from the OAE. Try not to get caught so easily. Do not throw bottles at me in public places where innocent persons may be injured, New Jersey. Shame on you, Mr. Rabner. Is there an attorney general in New Jersey? Mr. Chiesa? ("New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
Sources:
Jack Healy, "Clash On Regional Control Spurs Iraq's Sectarian Right," in The New York Times, December 24, 2011, at p. A1. ("Shiite leaders in Baghdad fight sunni push for greater power in the provinces." Various nations -- like Iran -- may wish to "assist" one side or the other.)
David D. Kirckpatrick, "March In Cairo Draws Women by Thousands," in The New York Times, December 21, 2011, at p. A1. (Anger at military over beating and humiliation of a woman undressed -- or stripped -- by soldiers before the eyes of the world. Television audiences witnessed the brutality, while so-called "virginity tests" for women are administered in private -- where no one can see them -- and these tactics have not helped the Egyptian military. Mr./Ms. Kirckpatrick, is this a real name or are you gesturing at Jeanne Kirckpatrick as a mentor? Does anyone at the Times use their real name anymore? How many of the people writing these articles are U.S. government officials or their minions? "Manohla Dargis"? No conflict of interest, Ms. Ros-Leghtinen?)
Michael Schmidt, & Tim Arango, "Vice President of Iraq Voices Sunnis' Anger as He Denies Ordering Killings," in The New York Times, December 21, 2011, at p. A14. (Tensions are quickly leading to a schism in Iraq.)
Robbie Brown, "Georgia Judge Accused of Misconduct Will Resign," in The New York Times, December 21, 2011, at p. A29. (Demented and violent, scurrilous and abusive as well as unethical judge will be forced to resign or move to New Jersey. Is it true that a similar fate awaits a notorious Cubanaza? Anne Rodgers, Esq.? Mr. Romankow?)
Eric Schmidt, "U.S. Report on Fatal Strike on Pakistani Soldiers Reveals Crucial NATO Delays," in The New York Times, December 27, 2011, at p. A4. (" ... a pivotal allied mistake was not warning Pakistan about the patrol ...")
Eric Schmidt, "U.S. Redraws Pakistani Ties With Limits," in The New York Times, December 26, 2011, at p. A1. (I doubt that the redrawing of "limits" upon a bilateral relationship will be unilateral. New agreements will affect security and logistics for all U.S. troops in the area.)
