Arithmetic and General Motors; Just Too Many Zeros

CEO Waggoner eagerly tells anyone who will listen (because that's where he wants relief) that the health-care obligation comes to about $1,550 per vehicle. The pension and retirement benefit numbers are not so easily found, but if they're similar (and recent employee-buyouts would push them in that direction) it doesn't take a wizard to see that $3,000 or so in non-manufacturing costs per vehicle are damned hard to hide in small-car prices.

Does the Tour de France Matter Anymore?

Does anyone really care? This most elegant and awe-inspiring contest of individual will and physical endurance has so sullied itself in drug abuse, both proven and accused, that it's falling apart under its own deficiencies.

An Open Letter To the Good People of the Middle East From the We're Not that Stupid Americans

The extreme literalists in Christianity, fundamentalists as we call them too, do not speak for the average Christian. And many Christians do not speak for the average American. They are the God haunted Christians who see every turn of events in the Middle East as a sure sign that Jesus return is just around the corner, again, and we are all going to be forced into unspeakable joy with them at the helm of the Jesus Kingdom on earth...I am being sarcastic, I hope you know!

Israel, Mexico, Arabia and the US; Is the Answer Staring Right at Us?

Hezbolla, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel and Mexico, could a move be a solution?

John Walsh Promotes Anal Implants

We don't want to question the facts many don't want to remember about the abduction of Adam Walsh. Two career criminals lured Adam from Sears. One guy was a serial killer. He was left unsupervised. In South Florida. And in the blink of an eye, he was gone... forever.

Ann Coulter, The Media, And Verbal Attacks On Women

Ann Coulter's recent book Godless was covered extensibly by the media. Or was it? This article critiques the media's attempt to ignore the majority of the book to focus solely on Coulter's comments about the 9/11 widows from New Jersey.

US Army Values Weapons Over Armor

US Army Values Weapons Over Armor August 2nd, 2006 3:29PM California Time In this first article, titled: 'Inside Source Says US Military Supplying Defective Protective Gear' we learned that the United States Army was at the time providing inadequate and defective bullet-proofing materials to our troops on the ground in Iraq. The status of the provisions for our troops cited therein came after an enormous outcry on a nationwide level, demanding that the military provide our forces with the best protection available. In the wake of the report regarding the materials obtained and utilized from Logistics Support Systems, my sources have informed me that the primary manufacturer of defense technology for US Aircraft (Helicopters specifically) has been replaced. I never received a response from Logistic Support Systems defending their product, or offering any sort of evidence to justify it's use in Iraq. Nor have I been able to independently verify that Logistics Support Systems was indeed the primary supplier of these defective and inadequate defense measures.

I Learned Something From A Tom Cruise Movie (Updated 3 Times)

I know, it's hard to believe, isn't it? I laughed at the title myself several times before finally acknowledging the truth of the matter. What I learned, specifically from Mission Impossible (The 1st film, released in 1996), was the fate of an exposed NOC. A 'NOC' is an employee of the United States Government, working in a Non-Official Cover status in the field of Espionage. The fate of a NOC upon being exposed, I learned in 'Mission Impossible' is an almost assured assassination. The crux of the entire film depended upon Ethan Hunt (A NOC played by Cruise)'s ability to keep a list of NOCs from being exposed. American espionage agents, both official and non, both fictional and non, have many enemies that would like to see them dead. 'Oh, it's just a movie!' You might say. But in fact, NOCs are real, and their identity is Classified by the United States Congress

Wars in Asia: War and Peace in Sri Lanka, the Chaos and Stumbling Blocks

If the Sri Lankans couldn't realise anything from their past observations at least at this juncture, then they all are going to observe pathetically, the sovereignty of the Island - Paradise is falling into the hands of some of the International Financial Institutions, International Judicial System and to the International Forces in the near future.

Hezbollah Won The War and Is Claiming Victory?

Pretty much everyone is claiming victory in the Hezbollah-Israel War. Even the United States is claiming a victory for Diplomacy, which is pretty much correct. Israel did not completely defeat Hezbollah and to do so they must address Iran and Syria, who both fund and support Hezbollah.

Mightier Than the Sword

With two strokes of a pen, the thinking citizens of the United States of America will: 1.) Earn the gratitude, respect and admiration of the civilized world. 2.) Reduce global violence to less than half its current level. 3.) Provide meaningful aid to the poorest among our global community -and much, much more.

Why We Can't Win The War Against Terrorism

Terrorist are special interest groups often supported by governments but not recognized by those same governments. In Washington we are expert in dealing with such groups. They have powerful attorneys that bully us and bribe us but we talk things out and resolve problems - perhaps too often in the favor of the special interest groups. Unless the terrorist gain some way to communicate with governments, other than by killing innocent people and themselves, this war will rage on forever.

Cuba Libre? Not so Fast

The transition of the Cuban presidency from Fidel Castro to his brother Raul will mean little to the Cuban people. Raul is a known hard-liner who is likely to crack down on dissent to preserve Communist rule.

Lebanon Post-Conflict Analysis

An examination of the immediate aftermath of the combat in Lebanon suggests that a return to the status quo ante is likely. Hezbollah will not be disarmed and it will continue to receive assistance from its Iranian and Syrian patrons. Moreover, the risk of regional instability has now increased with Israel’s doctrine of deterrence having been significantly eroded by the inconclusive outcome.

Our Dead Are Not Milestones

The main stream media focus too heavily on the number of casualties in Iraq. In so doing, they turn our war dead into cold statistics instead of human beings. The focus should instead be on the lives behind the numbers, and the selfless service of the men and women who volunteer in today's military.