FDIC: Banking Industry 2Q Profits Plummet 86%

Associated Press

Federal regulators say U.S. banking industry profits plunged by 86% in the second quarter, as slumps in the housing and credit markets continued.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. data show federally-insured banks and savings institutions earned $5 billion in the April-June period, down from $36.8 billion a year earlier.

The roughly 8,500 banks and thrifts also set aside a record $50.2 billion to cover losses from soured mortgages and other loans in the second quarter.

The FDIC says 117 banks and thrifts were considered to be in trouble in the second quarter, up from 90 in the prior quarter and the biggest tally since mid-2003.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Says Another ‘Liberty’ Will Not Be Tolerated

U.S. WARNS ISRAEL

Joint Chiefs Chairman Says Another ‘Liberty’ Will Not Be Tolerated

By Mark Glenn

Recently appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen flew to Tel Aviv to warn Israel’s military establishment how “important” it was that “history not repeat itself ”—referring to Israel’s deliberate attack on the USS Liberty in June, 1967. The Establishment media blacked out the event (in which 34 American men were killed) for decades—and still does.

Given the fact that this brazen two-hour attack upon the United States has been hushed up for 41 years, the reason for Mullen’s meeting is obvious—someone within the intelligence or military apparatus of the United States has concluded that Israel is planning a “USS Liberty Part II,” meaning an attack on a U.S. ship, most likely in the Persian Gulf, leading to a massive loss of life to be blamed on Iran.

As was intended in 1967, when Israel attacked the Liberty, angry Americans would demand the “obliteration” of the guilty party, the false identity of which the Jewish media establishment in America would provide. And while all players involved have been tight-lipped about the particulars of this meeting, Mullen’s impromptu trip to Israel and subsequent discussion was in effect a stern warning to Israel to “Not even think about it.”

Some in Washington are beginning to realize that they’ve just put their foot into something nasty with regards to Israel’s dirty wars in the Middle East that will never be finished as long as it exists. With oil and virtually all consumer products skyrocketing in price simultaneous to the U.S. economy going down the drain, some now understand that by signing on as Israel’s pit bull in the Muslim world that America will wind up paying the ultimate price for her devotion to the Jewish state, meaning the complete destruction of her economy and her position as a world power.

America’s top general officer seems to be wary of widening the present debacle to include war with Iran that may bring into the fray nuclear-armed nations such as Russia and China. He has now joined with saner voices both inside and outside the Bush administration who are trying to prevent an otherwise apocalyptic end to America.

In discussing an attack on Iran, Mullen recently stated that opening a third front would be “extremely stressful” on the U.S. military and added that it would lead to consequences “difficult to predict,” adding that “There is need for better clarity, even dialogue.”

Is this making Israel jittery to the point she would contemplate pulling off another USS Liberty?

“Respectable” people have begun to openly voice such thoughts as well. In a recent provocative article entitled “If Iran is Attacking, It Might Really Be Israel,” ex-CIA officer Phillip Giraldi wrote:

Some intel types are beginning to express concerns that the Israelis might do something completely crazy to get the U.S. involved. There are a number of possible “false flag” scenarios in which the Israelis could stage an incident that they will make to look Iranian, either by employing Iranian weapons or by leaving a communications footprint that points to Teheran’s involvement. Those who argue Israel would never do such a thing should think again. Israel is willing to behave with complete ruthlessness towards the U.S. if they feel that the stakes are high enough. Witness the attack on the USS Liberty and the bombing of the U.S. Consulate in Alexandria in the 1950s. If they now believe that Iran is a threat that must be eliminated it is not implausible to assume they will stop at nothing to get the United States to do it for them, particularly as their air force is only able to damage the Iranian nuclear program, not destroy it. . . .

Joined alongside Giraldi is former long-time CIA analyst Ray McGovern who in a recent essay entitled “Israel Planning a September/October Surprise?” writes the following with regards to the U.S. pulling out of the Middle East and what Israel might do as a result:

My guess is the Israeli leaders are apoplectic. . . . This dramatic change—or even just the specter of it—greatly increases Israel’s incentive to ensure U.S. involvement in the area that would endure for several years. The Israelis need to create “facts on the ground”—something to guarantee Washington will stand by “our ally.” The legislation drafted by AIPAC calls for a blockade of Iran. That would be one way to entangle; there are many others. The point is that the growing danger the Israelis perceive will probably prompt them to find a way to get the U.S. involved in hostilities with Iran. All Israel has to do is to arrange to be attacked. Not a problem. There are endless possibilities among which Israel can choose to catalyze such a confrontation. Viewed from Tel Aviv it appears an increasingly threatening situation, with more urgent need to “embed” (so to speak) the United States even more deeply in the region—in a confrontation involving both countries with Iran. A perfect storm is brewing. . . . In sum, Israel is likely to be preparing a September/October surprise designed to keep the U.S. bogged down in Iraq and in the wider region by provoking hostilities with Iran. And don’t be surprised if it starts as early as August. . . .

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Joe "the Zionist" Biden

Like many politicians, Biden talks just to hear himself speak, he talks so damn much and uses such vague language that by the time he finishes his answer you forgot what the question was. In this clip the SOB claims to be a Zionist, think that is harmless? Watch the video 911 Missing Links.

New 911 Documentary "Missing Links"

http://www.911missinglinks.com/

Here is the DivX Torrent

This is a FANTASTIC documentary and I'm sure will only improve as donations come in and it becomes better funded. You may have seen Loose Change, and all the Alex Jones movies but this one goes SO much deeper into the truth. I learned a tremendous amount from this film. If and when this becomes available through Bittorrent I will update this post and supply the link. Until that time enjoy the show.

The US Government is a Corrupt Institution

by Charley Reese

What follows are a few of the basic premises on which I base my thinking. You might or might not agree with them, but may I suggest that you make a list of your own basic premises. It will help you clarify your thinking.

1. Government is inherently incompetent, and no matter what task it is assigned, it will do that task in the most expensive and inefficient way possible.
2. The American government is corrupt from top to bottom.
3. If you rely on the mass media to inform you about your community, state and nation, you will, with rare exceptions, be woefully ignorant of what is really going on.
4. The universal franchise is a bad idea. The notion that the destiny of the nation should be put in the hands of ignoramuses, parasites, boobs, party hacks and idiots is absurd on its face.
5. Public education in America is a failure and is so flawed it cannot be reformed.
6. Not much has changed in the past 5,000 years of human history.

All of that might sound cynical, but it really isn't. True conservatives have argued for years that government, even a benign one, is like a clumsy, retarded giant, and therefore you have to be careful to limit what tasks you assign it.

You can make a career out of just criticizing obvious bloopers committed by the various departments of government, because they all commit them. The Romans built roads that are still around, but states today continue to build roads that will pothole and crack within a year, sometimes sooner. Look at the federal airport-security people. They take nail trimmers away from grandmothers but allow real weapons to get through. And so on and so on.

As for the news media, since most media companies are now controlled by a handful of corporations whose sole interest is in maintaining a high profit margin, you are getting mostly fluff instead of hard news. Hard news is labor-intensive. It is cheaper to go with the fluff.

Thomas Jefferson's theoretical belief in a free press soon foundered on the reality, and he came to despise it. He advised one young man never to read newspapers, since it was better to be ignorant than misinformed.

As for government corruption, it's all around us. Sure, there are honest public officials, but the system itself is corrupt. It now requires so much money to run for office that the field is narrowed to bored millionaires and office-seekers willing to take as much money as they can from anywhere they can get it. That's why Congress pays no attention to the people. It pays attention to the suppliers of campaign funds – not to mention junkets, fancy vacations and off-the-radar business deals.

As for the universal franchise, the problem with that is obvious. People who wish to vote should at least be required to pass the same test given to immigrants who want to become citizens. A lot of voters are not even sure what state they live in – or what century, for that matter. How can people who are ignorant of history, economics and basic science make an intelligent choice for a national leader? They can't. They will go with the demagogue.

And, of course, it is public education that is mass-producing these ignoramuses. Imagine people completing 16 years of formal education and not knowing how to spell, punctuate or use their native language correctly. Imagine college graduates who know virtually nothing about their country's history or geography.

As for the final premise, it is simply a reminder to utopians: Human beings are selfish, flawed and fallible animals. They always have been, they are now, and they always will be. Therefore, any human institution, public or private, will reflect those flaws. If you want perfection, plant a rosebush.

Reckless Cops Taze Man Holding Newborn Baby

He wanted to leave the hospital after his wife felt mistreated and take his child home. However the government knows what is best and you do what they say. Fail to comply will result in torture.

Cop Tazers a Man For Refusing to Sign TIcket

I hope if this ever happens to me my passenger grabs my loaded and chambered Glock 21 and puts 14 rounds of .45 JHP in the bastard.

Cops Taze Man For Not Showing ID Fast Enough

Just your run of the mill cop on the loose.

Cops Beat Man Who Can't Breathe

They wonder why people "fight back" well it's instinct whenever you can't breathe. They will use any excuse to kick your ass.

Don't Be Naive Cops ARE Above the Law

Don't think for a second that EVERY LEO is subject to the same laws your are. They aren't they can lie, cheat and steal with full immunity. They are criminals that have a shield and nothing more. It is a corrupt system and it needs to be cleansed in any way possible! While you watch this short video pretend this is your daughter.

Typical Asshole State Trooper

This type of behavior is what I have come to expect from "law enforcement". Despite what people will say this is not the exception this is the rule.

Reckless NYPD Cops Nearly Kills Bicyclist

I hate cops to begin with, they lack respect for the citizens which they are supposed to serve and are far more dangerous than ANY criminal. However this video just gets my blood boiling. This Son of a Bitch should be beaten in public and thrown in jail for his actions. You might not think this is a big deal now but when do you draw the line? When it's your child or wife they are beating?

Reckless NYPD Cops Beat Black Man

If the cop doing the beating were white can you even imagine the uproar?

Police recruit volunteers to spy on Neighbors via CCTV

A very Orwellian story from Britian.

"The unpaid surveillance team are needed to help Dorset Police spot any troublemakers by watching the output from 26 CCTV cameras across North Dorset. The "community-minded volunteers" will be able to take control of cameras, point them in the direction of any incidents and liaise with police sent to the scene.

They will watch for any suspicious behaviour from their base at police station control rooms in Shaftesbury, Gillingham and Blandford.

Inspector Phil Cheverton, section commander for North Dorset, said: "Although crime is low within the North Dorset area, CCTV has made a difference in both prevention and detection of crime.

"Having the ability to monitor the cameras at peak periods will provide added value to policing, which helps us to maintain a very low crime level here."

But Gareth Crossman, director of policy at human rights group Liberty, said: "The police should remember that all CCTV operators need to be properly trained and accountable as footage is subject to data protection laws.

"CCTV has some limited crime detection use but doesn't stop offending.

"Studies show that the most effective way of curbing crime is regular, consistent police patrolling and good street lighting."

Volunteers are on duty for a maximum of four hours a week on a rota basis, including weekends."

Full Story Here

A New Decleration of Independance

By Daniel Taylor

The ebb and flow of history and time have brought the cycle of liberty to a full circle in the United States of America. From tyranny to revolution, from revolution to liberty, from liberty to decadence, and from decadence back into the chains of tyranny. We came out of bondage into a time of prosperity and freedom that our forefathers won at great sacrifice to themselves and their progeny. This milk and honey of liberty has led generations after our forefathers to lose the invaluable memory of the suffering and hardship that absolute tyranny brings to the human soul. Also forgotten is the hardship in breaking the bonds of this tyranny. We are now in a time of waning liberty and rising tyranny. It is here and now.

We have long tolerated - and have now begun to peacefully protest - legions of abuses and usurpations that now lead us down a path to absolute despotism. We no longer face one tyrant exercising arbitrary power from his throne 3,000 miles away as our forefathers did, but many tyrants here in our own country. We face an expression of tyranny that is unique to our time, yet wholly the same in its disregard for human dignity and freedom. We have voiced our grievances to this government time and time again only to be ignored, scorned, or rejected. As the iron grip of tyranny squeezes our fellow countrymen, our situation has become undeniable to all but those who wish to blind us from the truth.

The continuing abuses and usurpations that we the American people have endured have occurred at the direction and reign of both political parties. We now see that a long train of abuses at the behest of a legion of elites who hold no allegiance to this country or its founding documents evinces a design to reduce us to absolute despotism. We hold no pleasure in coming to this realization; It is with great pain that we present the crimes of the usurped United States government.

For trampling the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the United States of America with wanton disregard for the liberties they protect.

For pursuing a discernable objective of eroding the national sovereignty of the United States without the consent of the people.

For committing - and conspiring to commit - criminal acts, including the murder of our fellow countrymen, to deceive the people into supporting foreign entanglements and wars that have no benefit to our country nor our people, save a few elites.

For rendering our police into a paramilitary force that threatens to undermine our God-given rights by brute force.

For undermining, in many cases denying, the people's right to vote by means of electronic voting machines.

For violating the Posse Comitatus act of 1878 and engaging in domestic military law enforcement.

For illegal spying and surveillance of citizens with no apparent justification, nor a warrant to allow its lawful practice.

For the torture and illegal imprisonment of both citizens and non-citizens in the ongoing war on terror.

We, the free peoples of the United States, appealing to our creator and our final judge, declare ourselves free and independent states, and separate ourselves from the now usurped United States government in order to escape the perilous tyranny that we now face. We declare that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. In taking this bold step, we pledge as our forefathers pledged to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

US Troops in Georgia From Jul 15 - Aug 8 2008

US Troops in Georgia From Jul 15 - Aug 8 2008

Photos and descriptions of Joint exercises in the republic of Georgia, known as "Operation Immediate Response 2008".

http://gadod.net/archives/v/Vaziani/ Immediate Response 2008" at Vaziani Military Base
Soldiers and Marines from the United States, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Ukraine conduct joint training exercise "Immediate Response 2008" at Vaziani Military Base in the Republic of Georgia and the surrounding area. The state of Georgia is represented by the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, headquartered in Winder, as well as members of the 122nd Rear Operations Center from Glenville. "

This 'training exercise' took place at the Vaziani Military Base, and was to run for 3 weeks from July 15th, Until roughly August 8th, which is precisely when the fighting broke out.

And who happened to predict this 6 years ago? Dr. Ron Paul.

Amazing Pics from the Georgian War

Warning some of them are quite graphic.

Georgian War

McCain and Bush vs. The Public

Join The Digg Squad

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I think this is a great way to get a message across to the masses, not just from this website but mises.org, campaginforliberty.com etc. We need to unite though the Obama supporters do it and so do the anti capitalist global warming goons so why shouldn't we rally and get our message on the front page of digg for hundreds of thousands of people to see?

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Seccesion is our Duty

"Good Morning, Governor, how might we…"

"Mr. President, I realize you are a busy man so let’s get down to brass tacks…we are calling the ball and withdrawing our support of your Administration and the Federal government in DC. Effective immediately, we have coordinated to place all outgoing receipts to the IRS in a caged account here in Boise…"

"Governor, you can’t do that…"

"Please don’t interrupt while I am speaking as we are from this point onward peers in the family of nations. I hope you have reviewed the diplomatic instruments we sent by courier last night to Department of State which delineates the terms of our divorce."

"I did receive those and you have no earthly idea the can of whoop-…"

"Please, sir, maintain the decorum of these proceedings so we can move forward to an amicable separation. I give you my personal assurance on the safety and well-being of all Federal personnel we have detained for immediate repatriation to the remainder of these United States. Any non-law enforcement Federal personnel who wish to remain behind will be permitted to do so."

"I hope you have thought through the consequences of what you are embarking on."

"Mr. President, we have had over two hundred years to give the rulers on the Potomac a chance but that time has expired. Effective immediately, all so-called Federal lands now belong to the nation of Idaho and we will dispose of these lands at our leisure. In the interest of burying the hatchet, we will not seek compensation for the seizure, abuse and tenure of Federal practices on the aforementioned land and call the balance even."

"Those are my lands, Governor…"

"In actuality, they belong to neither of us, sir. On to other business, I have alerted my National Guard forces to establish checkpoints at all the main arterials in and out of Idaho. All National Guard forces deployed overseas will return home in the next 48 hours. I would also caution you on the use of military force to convince Idaho and its citizens to forcibly return to the yoke of the Union. Idaho has a well-deserved reputation as a rather well-equipped state in firearms possession and use. As Yamamoto said, you may find a rifle behind every blade of grass."

"Are you threatening the president of the United States?"

"No, sir, I am simply making an observation about the hazards of one country invading another."

"You are land-locked, Governor and wholly dependent on federal subsidy for a great deal of employment and infrastructure in Idaho."

"No longer, the tremendous tax burden across the spectrum formally imposed in our nation as a subject State in your country is now effectively terminated and we are going to unleash the free market to address all of our former shortcomings as a result of the overarching government supremacism practiced here before. In telephone conversations with my neighboring governors, we are on the verge of Confederation negotiations that will pave the way for Idaho embassies in British Columbia, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. We do intend on opening a consular office in DC as soon as we can ensure the diplomatic baggage containing sufficient weapons assures our safety in the greater DC metropolitan area for our diplomatic personnel."

"Governor, what Constitutional right do you have to secede from the US?"

"Mr. President, the behavior you have exhibited toward the Constitution has been at best characterized by active neglect and abhorrence for the restraint on governance in the Bill of Rights. I am rather surprised you would resort to assuming the document in any way has weight in Washington, DC. I would suggest my rights extend as far as our ability to throw off what has become a government of occupation instead of cooperation. We resign, sir and wish to go in peace."

"I will use every measure in my arsenal to force you back into the fold."

"Mr. President, thank you for the heads-up but we have taken certain precautions to ensure that any rash measures on your part have a disproportionate impact in the DC/Virginia corridor. Please don’t press us on the issue. I would like to offer one more rather moderate important proposal to our future business. These United States as administered by DC are now essentially bankrupt. War on the world, out of control spending and borrowing, debt and deficit, non-funded future liabilities in the tens of trillions and a banking infrastructure rotten at every level has pushed the US to an economic abyss from which it cannot shrink. We will provide you a demonstration project of tiny government, free banking and a formerly enslaved citizenry unleashed to realize their potential with no government interference. We simply wish to go our own way untethered from the Remora Nation DC came to symbolize."

"Governor, this conversation is over."

"Good day, Mr. President."

Official Army Document: Civilian Inmate Labor Program

http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r210_35.pdf

Fail to comply? Prepare to work!

CNN Works for the Drug Companies

Believe what you will about subliminal messages but if they didn't work why do companies use them?

Massive US Naval Armada Heads for Iran

Timothy Alexander – August 8, 2008

The build up of naval forces in the Gulf will be one of the largest multi-national naval armadas since the First and Second Gulf Wars. The intent is to create a US/EU naval blockade (which is an Act of War under international law) around Iran (with supporting air and land elements) to prevent the shipment of benzene and certain other refined oil products headed to Iranian ports. Iran has limited domestic oil refining capacity and imports 40% of its benzene. Cutting off benzene and other key products would cripple the Iranian economy.

Operation Brimstone ended only one week ago. This was the joint US/UK/French naval war games in the Atlantic Ocean preparing for a naval blockade of Iran and the likely resulting war in the Persian Gulf area. The massive war games included a US Navy supercarrier battle group, an US Navy expeditionary carrier battle group, a Royal Navy carrier battle group, a More.. French nuclear hunter-killer submarine plus a large number of US Navy cruisers, destroyers and frigates playing the "enemy force".

The lead American ship in these war games, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN71) and its Carrier Strike Group Two (CCSG-2) are now headed towards Iran along with the USS Ronald Reagon (CVN76) and its Carrier Strike Group Seven (CCSG-7) coming from Japan.

Northrop X47b UCAS's over the Operation Brimstone flotilla
They are joining two existing USN battle groups in the Gulf area: the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) with its Carrier Strike Group Nine (CCSG-9); and the USS Peleliu (LHA-5) with its expeditionary strike group.

Likely also under way towards the Persian Gulf is the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) and its expeditionary strike group, the UK Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal (R07) carrier battle group, assorted French naval assets including the nuclear hunter-killer submarine Amethyste and French Naval Rafale fighter jets on-board the USS Theodore Roosevelt. These ships took part in the just completed Operation Brimstone.

The build up of naval forces in the Gulf will be one of the largest multi-national naval armadas since the First and Second Gulf Wars. The intent is to create a US/EU naval blockade (which is an Act of War under international law) around Iran (with supporting air and land elements) to prevent the shipment of benzene and certain other refined oil products headed to Iranian ports. Iran has limited domestic oil refining capacity and imports 40% of its benzene. Cutting off benzene and other key products would cripple the Iranian economy. The neo-cons are counting on such a blockade launching a war with Iran.

The US Naval forces being assembled include the following:

Carrier Strike Group Nine
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) nuclear powered supercarrier
with its Carrier Air Wing Two
Destroyer Squadron Nine:
USS Mobile Bay (CG53) guided missile cruiser
USS Russell (DDG59) guided missile destroyer
USS Momsen (DDG92) guided missile destroyer
USS Shoup (DDG86) guided missile destroyer
USS Ford (FFG54) guided missile frigate
USS Ingraham (FFG61) guided missile frigate
USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG60) guided missile frigate
USS Curts (FFG38) guided missile frigate
Plus one or more nuclear hunter-killer submarines

Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group
USS Peleliu (LHA-5) a Tarawa-class amphibious assault carrier
USS Pearl Harbor (LSD52) assult ship
USS Dubuque (LPD8) assult ship/landing dock
USS Cape St. George (CG71) guided missile cruiser
USS Halsey (DDG97) guided missile destroyer
USS Benfold (DDG65) guided missile destroyer

Carrier Strike Group Two
USS Theodore Roosevelt (DVN71) nuclear powered supercarrier
with its Carrier Air Wing Eight
Destroyer Squadron 22
USS Monterey (CG61) guided missile cruiser
USS Mason (DDG87) guided missile destroyer
USS Nitze (DDG94) guided missile destroyer
USS Sullivans (DDG68) guided missile destroyer

USS Springfield (SSN761) nuclear powered hunter-killer submarine

IWO ESG ~ Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group
USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) amphibious assault carrier
with its Amphibious Squadron Four
and with its 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
USS San Antonio (LPD17) assault ship
USS Velia Gulf (CG72) guided missile cruiser
USS Ramage (DDG61) guided missile destroyer
USS Carter Hall (LSD50) assault ship
USS Roosevelt (DDG80) guided missile destroyer

USS Hartfore (SSN768) nuclear powered hunter-killer submarine

Carrier Strike Group Seven
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN76) nuclear powered supercarrier
with its Carrier Air Wing 14
Destroyer Squadron 7
USS Chancellorsville (CG62) guided missile cruiser
USS Howard (DDG83) guided missile destroyer
USS Gridley (DDG101) guided missile destroyer
USS Decatur (DDG73) guided missile destroyer
USS Thach (FFG43) guided missile frigate
USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7) fast combat support ship

Also likely to join the battle armada:

UK Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal Carrier Strike Group with assorted guided missile destroyers and frigates, nuclear hunter-killer submarines and support ships

French Navy nuclear powered hunter-killer submarines (likely the Amethyste and perhaps others), plus French Naval Rafale fighter jets operating off of the USS Theodore Roosevelt as the French Carrier Charles de Gaulle is in dry dock, and assorted surface warships

Various other US Navy warships and submarines and support ships. The following USN ships took part (as the "enemy" forces) in Operation Brimstone and several may join in:

USS San Jacinto (CG56) guided missile cruiser
USS Anzio (CG68) guided missile cruiser
USS Normandy (CG60) guided missile cruiser
USS Carney (DDG64) guided missile destroyer
USS Oscar Austin (DDG79) guided missile destroyer
USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG81) guided missile destroyer
USS Carr (FFG52) guided missile frigate

The USS Iwo Jima and USS Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Groups have USMC Harrier jump jets and an assortment of assault and attack helicopters. The Expeditionary Strike Groups have powerful USMC Expeditionary Units with amphibious armor and ground forces trained for operating in shallow waters and in seizures of land assets, such as Qeshm Island (a 50 mile long island off of Bandar Abbas in the Gulf of Hormuz and headquarters of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps).

The large and very advanced nature of the US Naval warships is not only directed at Iran. There is a great fear that Russia and China may oppose the naval and air/land blockade of Iran. If Russian and perhaps Chinese naval warships escort commercial tankers to Iran in violation of the blockade it could be the most dangerous at-sea confrontation since the Cuban Missile Crisis. The US and allied Navies, by front loading a Naval blockade force with very powerful guided missile warships and strike carriers is attempting to have a force so powerful that Russia and China will not be tempted to mess with. This is a most serious game of military brinkmanship with major nuclear armed powers that have profound objections to the neo-con grand strategy and to western control of all of the Middle East's oil supply.

The Russian Navy this spring sent a major battle fleet into the Mediterranean headed by the modern aircraft carrier the Admiral Kuznetsov and the flagship of its Black Sea Fleet, the Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser Moskva. This powerful fleet has at least 11 surface ships and unknown numbers of subs and can use the Russian naval facility at Syria's Tartous port for resupply. The Admiral Kuznetsov carries approximately 47 warplanes and 10 helicopters. The warplanes are mostly the powerful Su-33, a naval version (with mid-air refueling capability) of the Su-27 family. While the Su-33 is a very powerful warplane it lacks the power of the stealth USAF F-22. However, the Russians insist that they have developed a plasma based system that allows them to stealth any aircraft and a recent incident where Russian fighters were able to appear unannounced over a US Navy carrier battle group tends to confirm their claims. The Su-33 can be armed with the 3M82 Moskit sea-skimming missile (NATO code name SS-N-22 Sunburn) and the even more powerful P-800 Oniks (also named Yakhonts; NATO code name SS-N-26 Onyx). Both missiles are designed to kill US Navy supercarriers by getting past the cruiser/destroyer screen and the USN point-defense Phalanx system by using high supersonic speeds and violent end maneuvers. Russian subs currently use the underwater rocket VA-111 Shkval (Squall), which is fired from standard 533mm torpedo tubes and reaches a speed of 360kph (230mph) underwater. There is no effective countermeasures to this system and no western counterpart.

A strategic diversion has been created for Russia. The Republic of Georgia, with US backing, is actively preparing for war on South Ossetia. The South Ossetia capital has been shelled and a large Georgian tank force has been heading towards the border. Russia has stated that it will not sit by and allow the Georgians to attack South Ossetia. The Russians are great chess players and this game may not turn out so well for the neo-cons.

Kuwait has activated its "Emergency War Plan" as it and other Gulf nations prepare for the likelihood of a major regional war in the Middle East involving weapons of mass destruction.

The two-ton elephant in the living room of the neo-con strategy is the advanced biowar (ABW) that Iran, and to a lessor extent Syria, has. This places the motherlands of the major neo-con nations (America, France, the United Kingdom), as well as Israel, in grave danger. When the Soviet Union fell the Iranians hired as many out-of-work former Soviet advanced biowar experts as possible. In the last 15 or so years they have helped to develop a truly world class ABW program utilizing recombination DNA genetic engineering technology to create a large number of man made killer viruses. This form of weapon system does not require high tech military delivery systems. The viruses are sub-microscopic and once seeded in a population use the population itself as vectors. Seeding can be done without notice in shopping malls, churches, and other public places. The only real defense to an advanced global strategic biowar attack is to lock down the population as rapidly as possible and let those infected die off.

Unless the public gets it act together and forces the neo-cons to stop the march to yet another war in the Middle East we are apt to see a truly horrific nightmare unfold in OUR COUNTRIES.

I have ZERO respect for Mike Reagan!