I became a little alarmed when I read an article from the San Francisco Chronicle (August 6, by Kathleen Pender)about jobs as a lagging indicator. History of the past two recessions--both occasioned by Iraq wars, had longer lag time than previous jobs recoveries. The first (March 1991 to June 1992) lasted 15 months and climbed to 7.8% at the highest. On Bush 43's shift, recession started in November 2001 and didn't end until June 2003, for a total of 19 months and 6.3% unempoyment rate. She goes on to factor in the circumstances in the current recession and doesn't avoid using "jobless recovery," despite the fact that the stock market shows new life.Â
On foreign policy (aka war) there seems to be some room for hope that chief operatives of Taliban in Pakistan were droned down. It would have had bigger coverage if it weren't that Bill Clinton was bringing back the journalists snagged in North Korea. And Iran seems to be settling down after their election was stamped with the seal of approval by them. As for the third leg of the afore-name Axis of Evil, it looks like a few American units will be withdrawn.Â
So we're back to stirring the kettle over healthcare. Still! I read somewhere that Democrats don't speak of "insurance" in town hall meetings. What those teabaggers use for words is beyond me. I'd like to tell them how ridiculous they are about "Kill Granny" talk. Do they know words like "hospice" and "geriatrics"? I doubt it, but I'm not into trying to "frame" their talk for them.Â
At last I have a good explanation at hand about single payer health care coverage. Stephen Lendman wrote a very understandable article last Wesdnesday concerning single payer and how it would work. He calls it Real Health Care Reform - Universal Single Payer. Thanks Stephen.Â
With a lot of chatter concerning Obama's future agenda, I still consider it important to think of legal issues. Even before the War on Terror became a password for tax and spend, and obfuscate, I have waited for where such vital issues as impeachment, torture, NSA warrantless wiretaps, and Attorneygate stood on the bench of legal skullduggery. Nice to have Justice Sotomayor sworn in, by the way.
For many years I have followed the writing of Jason Leopold--through electricity shortages in California by EnRon, to PlameGate, and now to all of what may or may not be happening at the Department of Justice.Â
Leopold is managing editor of The Public Record (click here
   "A federal court has ruled that the Obama administration must reveal portions of the evidence it has relied on to justify its continued gag order on an Internet service provider (ISP) that the FBI served with a national security letter (NSL) more than five years ago."
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