Armagideon Times

The Associated Press ran a piece Nov. 4 all about how the European Union would like to know a little about those secret CIA jails “The Washington Post” first wrote about two days earlier.

You see, running secret jails would amount to a gross violation of human rights.

We’re supposed to be the country that sets the standard on such things (for the good).

Here’s some pure text from the piece by Constant Brand: “Human Rights Watch said it has evidence, based on flight logs, to show that the CIA transported suspects captured in Afghanistan to Poland and Romania.”

You know, what with its well-publicized feud against Cheney and his neo-con national security geeks, Valerie Plame and all that, it’s easy falling prey to a sentiment that the CIA is somehow okay because it didn’t agree with the Bush posse.

It’s not okay.

Some more from the article: “The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed strong interest in the claims, first reported Wednesday by “The Washington Post”, that the CIA has been hiding and interrogating some of its most important al-Qaeda captives at Soviet-era compounds.”

Beating the Soviets had to be good for something.

It’s a frightening idea. That of being arrested, perhaps through extra-legal means, shipped off somewhere cold and distant and anonymous without a chance to talk with anyone or no clue as to when, if ever, you will be released. And it’s a frightening idea being manufactured right here in the U.S. of A, but in the true spirit of globalization, being sent off shore.

Why abide by wage and hour minimums in the U.S. when you can pay a slave’s wage overseas?

Why deal with a cumbersome bill of rights in the U.S. when other countries don’t bother with such niceties?

Meanwhile, Sen. John Kerry’s running an electronic petition calling for a withdrawal of 20,000 troops from Iraq for the holidays, for good.

If you agree with that strategy, click here and sign up:

http://www.johnkerry.com/action/20000/index.php?source=8006

Blogger Kerry writes: “This critical first step should be a part of a specific timetable for transfer of political and security responsibility to Iraqis and realignment of our troop deployment. That timetable must be real and strict. The goal should be to withdraw the bulk of American combat forces by the end of 2006.”

We don’t run this here at highwayscribery because we think it a new and fantastic idea, rather a response to the canard Democrats have “no plan.” Of course, it’s not much different (if at all) from what Kerry was talking about during the campaign a year ago. What options are there really? Stay and try to kill all insurgent Iraqis or admit 2,000 dead guys and gals was more than we had ever really expected to sacrifice and pack it in.

So let’s pack it in. The national conceit that all hell would break loose in Iraq if we left overlooks the fact all hell broke loose when we got there.

And anyway, we need the money.

Next, these announcements from the California Governor’s office.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Daniel A. Tsue of Honolulu, HI:

“Sgt. Tsue stood proudly beside his fellow Marines and served with fortitude and bravery. At this incredibly difficult time, Maria and I want to send our heartfelt condolences to Daniel’s family. We are forever indebted to him for his service.”

Tsue, 27, died Nov. 1 when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Force Service Support Group, II MEF.

In honor of Tsue, Capital flags will be flown at half-staff.

****

Governor Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Tessar of Simi Valley:

“Sgt. Tessar committed himself to protecting our great nation and we must never forget the sacrifices he made for his country. His example reminds us that the men and women of our armed forces will continue to triumph over any obstacles that threaten our liberty. Maria and I send our prayers to Jonathan’s family and friends who mourn his loss.”

Tessar, 36, died Oct. 31 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during patrol operations in Al Mahmudiyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade CombatTeam, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY.

In honor of Tessar, Capitol flags will be flow at half staff.

And finally...

...in what’s left of the land of the living, the scribe’s alter ego will read from “Vedette or Conversations with the Flamenco Shadows” http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/margin/nonficSellmanVedette.html to the accompaniment of flamenco guitarist Omar Torrez http://www.omartorrez.com/ on Dec. 19, 8 p.m., at 33 1/3 Books & Gallery Collective, at the junction of Sunset Blvd. and Alvarado St. Los Angeles, Califas.