Iran and the Plane

Who is Covering Up Now?

I could write, as have others, many pieces about Trump and the U.S. and their role in all of this. None of it is good. I loved the quotes on CNN- verifiable - of DJT while Obama was POTUS predicting that Obama would play "The Iran Card" and start a war so he - Barack - could be re-elected. "Ironic" does not do it justice.

But let's look at the other side now. Some Islamic leaders have justified beheading and other horrific acts in the past as fighting the enemy - meaning any non-believers. Other more moderate leaders have said Islam is all about peace. We all hope so and know many peace loving Muslims.

But what do the leaders of Iran who also are the political leaders of their government in this non-secular country say about this murder of so many innocents? How is that justified? I understand an objective of removing American forces from your country and the Middle East. I can even understand the hatred of the idea that foreign governments think they have the right to force their ways and beliefs upon you.

But what role did those 176 passengers play? Why did you deny it and try to cover it up by cleaning up the site? The big question to me is why the perpetrator(s) would attack what is obviously a commercial jet taking off from Iran? Were they extremists trying to cause the Iranian regime massive problems at the passengers' expense?

One more point. What does Ukrainian President Zelensky whom Trump was so eager to "help" prior to his impeachment, think of his American friend now? Thankfully he probably has too much tact to try to make this tragedy any worse for the families of those lost. I wonder what DJT would do in similar circumstances? 

Oh good - I have just seen that Iran has apologized. Now what are they going to do about it?

The Brewster

Linda Ronstadt

The Sound of Her Voice Indeed!

I recently watched a well-advertised special on CNN about the rise of Linda Ronstadt. What a pleasant break from all the Trump dumping. This is one hell of a talented lady. The film shows her immense diversity and the album she did with Nelson Riddle drives home the point.

I always felt this but seeing her career in one continuum knocked me over. It was very well done containing a lot of personal dialogue with Linda herself. She always spoke her mind and did her own thing. This is an artist who knew exactly what she wanted song by song and had the guts to try literally anything in the music world. Good on her.

It was a sad thing to learn of her illness and how it stole her voice but she has an upbeat attitude or at least she is good at covering up any depression.

Too bad I wasn't playing tourist walking along the beach one day as she took a stroll. I am not an autograph seeker but sure would have asked for hers.

Good on you Linda. I have since dragged out the CDs and even cassettes I have of you.

The Brewster

The USA is Now Safer?

Swat a Hornet's Nest and See If You Feel Safer

The White House is saying after the attack and killing of Iranian and Iraqi military men on territory belonging to Iraq, that the USA is now safer. Do you - anywhere in the world - feel safer?

I don't:

• Anytime we are possibly about to see a major conflict grow into all out war with nuclear weapons a possibility. But hey, I am not DJT or his cronies
• Anytime a people who already hate all Americans and everthing they stand for swear they will strike back
• Anytime the USA says some hostile force is defeated and yet they really aren't
• Anytime a US President is desperate to be re-elected
• Anytime passionate religious fanatics are involved
• Anytime America loses a conflict and has to start another so as not to lose face

Those are probably enough reasons but there are lots more.

The Brewster

Iraq Smack

One of These Days - POW!

Those who remember Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners will recall him threatening his wife Alice with "POW" and hitting her so hard in the kisser she would go to the moon. Very incorrect these days!

However the same applies increasingly to America.

The U.S. has a history of violating other nations by launching attacks and military actions in their sovereign spaces with reckless abandon. Seldom is it purely for the sake of the poor oppressed or violated peoples of those countries. There is always an ulterior motive: protect or attain oil or other resources; secure or protect a military base; create a new strategic military position; and often simply to be the first to prevent others like The Soviet Union / Russia from beating them to it. Let's not forget the same few company executives getting filthy rich from the war machine.

Where were they when the Canadians were reporting on the slaughter in Rwanda?  Thousands of citizens including women and children had their arms and/or legs chopped off just for sport. There were appeals to the U.N. but it was seen as a humanitarian fight. There was nothing in it for America.

Even in the first and second world wars someone else had to convince the American Presidents it was in their best interests to get involved - now or later. (There was also of course in the 2nd case, a direct attack by Japan.)

There is no question I am glad, as are others, that America is there as a backup and often a disincentive to others with aggression or expansion in mind. However we hear daily declarations that the USA still has the mightiest military and weapons, years beyond what anybody else can develop. I am not so sure anymore. China in particular probably has many strategic weapons and technologies they keep to themselves.

Many of those other countries still bear a hatred for America. I don't think this is about to happen but let's say that China launched an all out attack against the USA. One or two others like Russia, Syria, North Korea, India, or Pakistan could side with the Chinese. Start ducking! The USA would have to bring out the nukes making results anybody's call.

I digress. My point today was about the latest killing by the United States in Iraq. Aside from the Twin Towers, there has never been a really big assault on mainland turf. More and more countries however could do so. They could also sink a ship; reach a major city with a missile; or target senior US military leaders in return. This would likely be to give America a taste of her own medicine. She would have to respond.

Does America really want to trigger this? Trump should make up his mind. Either get out of the business of nation building and bullying as he campaigned, or not. Many people agreed with him to let others fight their own battles unless the USA itself were in danger. What he is doing now is like throwing another spark into an almost defeated forest fire just to keep it going. As if we don't have enough forest fires to fight.

Is this to divert attention from impeachment or is it just another case of war being good for the economies of major participants? It is never good for the rest of us.

Mr. President if you keep playing with fire, one of these times you AND your great nation really will get burned.

The Brewster

Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell

Top 5 Pelosi / McConnell songs for 2020

As the standoff between these two continues into 2020, I thought it might be interesting to guess the tunes each might be singing right now. Here are some from the first few books I picked up!

Nancy

1. As Long as He Needs Me
2. Too Beautiful to Last
3. Anything Goes
4. We've Only Just Begun
5. Ain't Misbehavin'
6. Don't Stop Me Now
7. All the Way
8. It Was a Very Good Year
9. As Time Goes By
10. Just Between You and Me

Mitch

1. What Kind of Fool Am I?
2. Don't Fence Me In
3. Ain't She Sweet
4. Devil Woman
5. My Way
6. Release Me
7. At Last  
8. Quit Your Low Down Ways
9. Under Pressure
10. Helpless

There are lots of possibilities.

The Brewster