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Microsoft: Vista follow-up likely in 2009

With Vista just out the door, Microsoft is now drawing up plans to deliver its follow-up client operating system by the end of 2009, according to the executive in charge of building the product’s core components.

If you can’t migrate to a non-Microsoft platform, you’re just not trying hard enough. If people shun Vista in large enough numbers starting now, MS would be discouraged from meeting the new 2009 goal. Then all would be right with the planet.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Escalating Our Military Involvement in Iraq Sends Precisely the Wrong Message Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Richard Durbin released the following statement tonight on President Bush’s address to the nation on the war in Iraq. 01/10/2007

There seems to be more conflict among people in this country as to an Iraq strategy than there is in Iraq. How’s that for helping out the other side? One of the drawbacks to freedom of speech is that people use it even when it is not in their best interest.

President Bush’s Administration is reminiscent of Lincoln and his difficulties with General McClellan in the Civil War. I will skip some obvious comparisons for the Demoratic party’s sentiments but can ask if anyone else was reminded of 1968.

It is unlikely that war plans have ever been completed without modification. Somewhere I heard someone say that after the first round is fired the battle plans go out the window. What politicians won’t give to us they expect from everyone else based on the words in the critiques. They claim they have the answer in their proposal. Leaving Iraq will solve the problem. They also claim the President’s current plan sends the wrong message. They think we’re doomed to fail. Have they ever considered their own actions may become a self-fulfilling prophecy? I have heard them say support the troops. Have they considered the positive effect of also supporting the mission? Slowly the Democrats opposition will convince me of the Dems suspected belief that utopia can be delivered if we all just talk and give each other a big hug. Let’s see ya try that with a terrorist who has repeatedly announced the fundamentalist mantra of killing all infidels. In case you’re not aware, that applies to anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe. And the way two distinct Muslim groups are killing each other in Iraq, that probably means everyone else.

Give the Bush Administration a chance to make something turn right about this wrongly initiated war. You might stop to think that some of us hold Congress partially to blame for failing to uncover the flaws as opposed to covering your political butts. And if the holier than thou minority of those voting against the war feel above reproach, forget about it. You were among the entire Congress, both houses, who failed to unearth the hoax. There is no “fool me once” loophole in matters of this importance. You all have a responsibility to see this thing through to a positive conclusion to right the wrongs and honor the sacrafice of others, Iraqis as well as Americans.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Another glance at a list of most popular news stories indicates the story of the two “abducted” boys has moved into first place since yesterday. In second place is a strange combo-looking thing featuring Hollywood divorces, Trump and Rosie and assorted other useless information. Third place has electronics standards and the BS electronics show hording space it doesn’t deserve. As a post of ours pointed out, the technology related industries in this country as well as others doles out tech advances in minuscule portions to maximize the profit ripoff of consumers. We have little sympathy for their perceived difficulties and absolutely no respect for their methods. Actually Beckham was in third place but who cares about soccer?

There are no other stories in the list worth mentioning with the possible exception of one on Secretary of State, Rice. The headline reads” Rice Encounters Skepticism in Mideast”. That is offered only for its comedic value. Maybe if the U.S. would put Israel in its place, show some compassion for the ordinary citizens of Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East and warn every nation in the region to make an effort at peace, we might have something. Show them you’re serious by completing what you started in Afghanistan and Iraq, quickly. Straighten out some of the messes you’ve gotten us into and start acting like world leaders and maybe some one will take you seriously. If you get that far you can tell Iran and North Korea or any one else spoiling for a fight to straighten up or their situation will change abruptly. Do what you need to provide a little lasting peace and prosperity in the region and then take a break and bring the troops home. It can be done so quit wasting time and get at it. Tell the morons back in the states to stop debating foreign policy and military strategy in the news and get to work also. This country could use some leadership. Let’s start with what we have and stop playing politics. For once, finish the job and stop looking like the idiots you probably are.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Blair makes one last push in Middle East with….

Guardian Unlimited, UK - 1 hour ago
Tony Blair yesterday proposed a controversial plan to bolster Mahmoud Abbas in his escalating battle against Hamas by funnelling millions of pounds in aid …

That’s the ticket, Tony. Go get those people some good old-fashioned money. That will win at least something for a while or longer.

…left-wing parties to present initiative to end Fatah …

People’s Daily Online, China - 1 hour ago
Palestinian leftist parties were preparing a national initiative to end the political crisis and unrest following the clashes between supporters of the …

The DFLP and PFLP would be wise to use intelligent methods to find solutions. For all the militants in the Middle East it would make sense if they realized how little benefit they get from the actions that don’t make sense. Blowing things up and shooting people or any of the many tragedies that take place, haven’t produced success even briefly.

Only an end to sanctions can halt …. crisis

Guardian Unlimited, UK - 1 hour ago
As Hamas and Fatah supporters took to the streets to protest at or support Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to call for early presidential elections, congratulatory …

No jobs, no money, no paycheck should be something everyone can understand as a problem. For many who have nothing to do with the idealogical or political strife, just getting paid would be an improvement. We sometimes forget that conflicts half way around the world also involve ordinary people just trying to survive.

Blair backs Abbas plan amid Gaza violence

Independent, UK - 1 hour ago
By Donald Macintyre in Ramallah. Tony Blair launched an effort yesterday to secure international backing for the Palestinian President’s …

Imagine that, Israel has owed Palestine $65MM per month and that is part of Blairs’ idea for making things right.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This is the third post and these items are from the 18th

US tentatively endorses Abbas call for new.. elections

International Herald Tribune, France - 2 hours ago
AP. WASHINGTON: The United States tentatively endorsed on Monday a call for early elections by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, a …

What a pickle to be in. The US would like Hamas to go away. So would the Israelis. Just from the standpoint of keeping your job, Abbas would probably like them to go away so he can make nice to deeper pockets. Probably help to get the sanctions removed and if someone working in Palestine ( like that happens much) can get paid some of the violence would subside. But that is not a subtle or tactful way to get rid of a recently elected groups of people. Maybe Al Gore and John Kerry should have tried that.

US endorses Abbas’ call for early elections

Jerusalem Post, Israel - 2 hours ago
By AP. The United States tentatively endorsed on Monday a call for early elections by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas …

After you test the water with the whimpy tentative endorsement, it is time to really approve of the tactic. It is getting so bad now that world political types don’t even try to appear subtle, honest or diplomatic. Maybe everyone is trying the cowboy George approach. They don’t realize the only reason GeeDubya uses that approach is his vocabulary is not a good fit for dip;omacy. Actually, Bush asking Congress for something is enough to make anything tentative, especially with a newly elected Democratic majority. Bush doesn’t realize they’ll do almost anything to avoid a fight.

US Backs Early Palestinian Elections

ABC News - 59 minutes ago
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen speaks during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the West Bank …

ABC doesn’t like the word tentative. That must be it because it reads a lot like the other news fodder. But removing the word tentative makes it sound better and we can follow with…….

……this
Oh ya, if we can get Tony Blair to go along with this it’s a done deal. No more waiting on the sidelines. Maybe Tony really started this and the US waited to see how they like Tony’s approach, not so much the cowboy, or cowgirl if Conde Rice is representing America.

Arab FMs may hold emergency meeting on …. crisis

People’s Daily Online, China - 1 hour ago
Arab foreign ministers may hold an emergency meeting to seek an end to the conflicting situation in the Palestinian territories, Egypt’s official MENA news …

Now you know it’s serious. If the Arab FM’s hold a meeting and it’s not about oil, there is real fear of things changing in a way that threatens the sheiks. Heads may roll and not in the symbolic sense. The laundry expense will increase this week. (a little update: they called it off after talking to Abbas…..hmmmm)

Gunfights shatter ceasefire…. Blair urges world to back …

Scotsman, United Kingdom - 1 hour ago
GUNBATTLES and kidnappings shook Gaza yesterday despite a ceasefire declaration by Hamas and Fatah, while Tony Blair called on the international community to …

Can’t have the US pay for everything…… or can they. More in the next post. All items from the 18th.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

A Counterproductive US Advice to Palestinians

Asian Tribune, Thailand - 4 hours ago
By Nicola Nasser. Regardless of good will or bad faith, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to go without national consensus …

The take on current Middle East politics from one Asian news account contends the Abbas early election plan simply conforms to a US-Israeli plan to push Hamas aside in Palestinian affairs. Wouldn’t Vegas call that long shot odds unless someone fixes the election. That’s what happens when you let people carry on about Bush stealing the election from Gore and Kerry. Right away, every time the US is near an election, people think it’s fixed. But, by their own account, they are not an organization but some kind of force for change in Asia. Whatever. Then how did they show up in a news search. That’s right, blogs are in the searches now too. Haven’t seen Blog @ MoreWhat.com there yet.

Abbas’ election call escalates tension with Hamas

Bangkok Post, Thailand - 4 hours ago
By DEAN YATES. Jerusalem _ President Mahmoud Abbas’ call for early elections may have scuppered any chance of compromise with the …

See, another Asian report and now they’re blaming increased tension on the call for an early election. They probably think the US and Israel will fix the election. As long as the Middle East has had conflict, they may be running out of excuses to continue fighting. So blame the US and Israel since everyone knows the Us will back Israel right or wrong.

Officials working to shore up tottering Gaza truce (Roundup)

Monsters and Critics.com, UK - 3 hours ago
Palestinian security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas take up position around their camps in Gaza City 18 December 2006. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER. …

This might more accurately read, some of the militants and other armed individuals could be trying to keep things from getting outta hand. A huge guess might be this is an empty gesture to minimize attaching blame to one group or another. This region has been flogging itself for so long they fight at the drop of a hat. When any attempt at peace appears to have a chance some moron straps on a bomb and explodes in a crowd. Maybe this dysfunctional behavior becomes the norm if allowed to continue long enough. Is this worse than Northern Ireland?

West may be too late to save weakened Abbas

International Herald Tribune, France - 3 hours ago
By Steven Erlanger. JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain dropped by Ramallah on Monday to show his support for the Palestinian …

It just wouldn’t be right without France chiming in. Next headline.

Abbas stands firm on vote plan amid shaky ceasefire

Gulf News, United Arab Emirates - 4 hours ago
Ramallah, West Bank: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday said he would press on with early elections as a truce between his security forces and the …

Sanctions, unemployment, poverty and political basketball may have given Abbas few options. The election strategy may be a little too transparent.

This is kind of a chronology, as best we can, given the order of news reports. Will pick up here, with a bit more on the election part of the story and to the other reports.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Walker’s World: EU-U.S. agree on Mideast

By MARTIN WALKER
UPI Editor Emeritus

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) — The striking feature of the UPI-Zogby poll on American attitudes toward the Israel- Palestine dispute is the similarity with views in Europe. This suggests that the transatlantic political support now exists for a concerted push for a new effort to reach a settlement, which is exactly what Britain’s Tony Blair and the Iraq Study Group have been urging on President George W. Bush this month.

This is an interesting article but the bottom line is most conflicts in the world continue for outrageous lengths of time. Does anyone really want to solve these problems? Conflict involving Israel have existed since 1948. Certainly they have existed since the 1967 war. Much hope was placed on efforts during the Carter Administration. It looked good until the assasination of Anwar Sadat. Again, does anyone really want to resolve these problems? Sixty years and counting and nothing has been settled. Everyone can share in the blame.

Iran has experienced many problems. Any anger remaining from the US support of the Shah of Iran is understandable. Additional anger over lopsided support of Israel by the US is equally understandable. However, the current leaders in Iran calling for the destruction of Israel is not real helpful either.

Other nations in the region and US involvement produce problems based on objectives that are basically selfish and have nothing to do with solving world problems and only add to the difficulties. Therefore an article claiming the EU and US agree on the Middle East is hardly useful.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Bush, Mexico’s Calderon to work on immigration
Reuters -
… W. Bush and Mexican President-elect Felipe Calderon
pledged on Thursday to work together for a comprehensive
solution to curb illegal immigration from Mexico …

If it was not a plot by both Houses of Congress to introduce
HR4437 knowing it would never get through the Senate, then
the fine new Senate of the 110th Congress should be able to
finish strong reform starting in January 2007. Similar to the
fact that Immigration Reform of 1986 was never enforced, in
their grand wisdom, politicians have improved on their deceit
by creating a better strategy. Work together just long enough
to satisfy mutual goals and fool the public in believing you really
give a damn. Like Democrats conceding Presidential 2004
elections by nominating John Kerry when John Edwards wsa a
much more viable candidate. Kerry was a sacrificial lamb and
the only one who did not know it was Kerry. He still doesn’t.

We hope all you smiling Democrats are enjoying your victories.
We hope all you Republicans are understanding your arrogance
that led to this. And we hope you both as well as all of America
is prepared for a continuation of porous borders, unrestricted
immigration and a complete breakdown of national security.

If you haven’t noticed, the resignation of Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld and previously mentioned items absolutely elated the
Muslim world. Al-Jazeera and the rest have been celebrating
since November 7th, 2006. Thank you one and all. NOT!

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Just another example of insanity in this country. And some are at
a loss to understand why people around the world have the opinion
that America is decadent, godless and without a moral code. Yes,
the “transgender” crowd will find this statement offensive and that
is good. It just proves the point. Too many people misuse freedom
and entirely disregard responsibility. In other words, just because
you can, doen’st mean you should.

A criticism of this post might be a lack of sensitivity toward being
different. Or a lack of understanding or willingness to accept those
who practice a lifestyle outside the norm. But that criticism would
miss the point. To project the responsibility for transgender persons
to the public at large rather than the transgender individual is fallacy.
Demanding special treatment for actions outside the majority norm
is contrary to the responsibility side of the freedoms available to all
citizens. Have the courage of your convictions and work within the
norms of society rather than the selfish demands of special treatment.

New York to Ease Rules So Transgender Residents

Can Update Birth Certificates

By David B. CarusoAssociated Press
Wednesday, November 8, 2006; Page A09

NEW YORK, Nov. 7 — The city wants to make it easier for
transgender New Yorkers to switch the sex listed on birth
certificates even without undergoing sex-change surgery,
putting the city at the forefront of efforts to redefine sexual
identity.

Maybe the article below points to the real motives behind such
demands attributed to gender but are really financial.

Transsexuals qualify for pension earlier
Manchester Evening News, UK - Nov 8, 2006
MORE than 120 male-to-female transsexuals are receiving their state
pensions up to five years early because they are classified as women,
it was revealed today …

Coming to a bleeding heart liberal country near you.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

There may have been a legitimate reason for refusing to sign
the Kyoto agreement. People seem to fall into one of two
categories on the issue of global warming. Either you deny
the possibility of global warming or you want to stop any use
of fossil fuels immediately. Either position is unrealistic. The
calm, reasoned approach may be more productive. Countries
like Britain and Germany have reduced their greenhouse gas
emissions by 17% and 14%, respectively. While the overall
world emissions have increased by 2.4% in the same period.
If the reductions in Britain and Germany were accomplished
with an acceptable economic impact and are accurate, would
it be that simple for other countries to achieve? Even if one
is skeptical of the necessity for this cure, if effective and also
economically feasible, what would be hte harm? Eliminating
the extreme reactions on either side of the debate would be a
good first step in either case. Let’s look at the data and try to
find a solution rather than wasting time with needless banter.
If Al Gore and those who support or oppose him can remove
politics from the discussion, his input may be useful. Britain
asking him to help out is a surprise.

Gore to Advise British on Global Warming
ABC News - 20 minutes ago
By THOMAS WAGNER. LONDON Oct 30, 2006 (AP)— Unchecked
global warming will devastate the world economy on the scale of the
world …

Of Unchecked Global Warming
Wall Street Journal (subscription), NY - 31 minutes ago
AP. LONDON — Unchecked global warming will devastate the world
economy on the scale of the world wars and the Great Depression, a …

Both articles above are credited to AP.

Another article implies a different take on the global warming
problem with an assertion that the EU involvement with Kyoto
is failing and the 15 countries in the union will not meet targets
for greenhouse gas emission levels by 2012. Could this be the
reason for the urgency of the British report? If global warming
is as critical as advertised, such an approach would be harmful.

Europe falling far short of targets
David Gow

Brussels: The European Union, self-styled global champion in the
battle against climate change, is falling woefully short of its targets
for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and will need to take
radical measures to achieve them, new projections have shown.

The European Commission said that, based on current measures
and policies, the emissions of the E.U.’s original 15 members will
be just 0.6 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010. The E.U.-15
countries are committed under the Kyoto protocol to an 8 per cent
cut on 1990 levels by 2012.

Again, it would be productive to remove extraneous arguments for
or against the existence of global warming and objectively work out
a solution. Dismissing the notion of global warming and placing our
collective head in the sand appears as absurd as abandoning the use
of current technology without further evidence of the problem.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Below is an example of just one more initiative simply created to
further the goals of one of the players on the international scene.
Day after day representatives of each country, regime, group,
organization or whatever make a statement in opposition to or in
favor of some grand plan or idea they claim is an effort to solve a
problem in the world. While this plays out and any one interested
weighs in on the idea’s relative merits or lack of same, people keep
dying or have their lives ruined or merely continue to suffer the
consequences of everyone else’s selfishness. No one is really trying
to find the right solution. They are simply working on a solution
that works for them. As long as that remains the strategy, no amount
of PR is going to change anything.

The major countries of the world have the tools necessary to solve
most of the world’s problems if they so desire. The problem is that
runs contrary to what they, the leaders of these countries, want. No
leaders have the courage to confront the other powers in their own
countries. The power behind the money in every country is not in
favor of what most of us would like; a peaceful world where every
person can pursue their dreams. Makes for a nice story but does not
work for the big money guys. It’s a bizarre global version of the old
joke, he who dies with the most toys wins.

This rant provided by C. Harris, with assistance from Stanford Matthews.

EXCLUSIVE- US starts plan to help Hamas opponents
Reuters AlertNet - Oct 13, 2006
By Adam Entous. JERUSALEM, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The United States
has quietly started a campaign projected to cost up to $42 million to
bolster Hamas’s political opponents ahead of possible early Palestinian
elections, say officials linked to the programme.

Russia says it’s 5-15 kilotons. Others offer the suggestion that it is one of three possibilities. The explosion was too small to be a nuke. Or it was an intentional low yield device to confuse. Or it was an oops and the damn thing didn’t work right. It was 4.2 on the boom scale. Then came the only reasonable response. We don’t know and won’t for a while. Alright then. Nobody knows. Isn’t the important issue that this craziness has gone on this long? Is it any wonder why ET won’t really land here and say “hi”? If we’re not alone in this universe, is it any wonder why know one would want to play with us?

Seriously, the original five in the nuke club are the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China. Based on old print media accounts, India and Pakistan joined around 1998. Currently everyone is mad at Iran and North Korea for wanting to join. After North Korea MAYBE set off a nuke, no one is making much of Bush’s India nuke agreement and/or philosophy or that having seven members already in the nuke club is at best bizarre. It is the simple matter that the human species has been killing or threatening to kill each other since we’ve been on the planet. If humans are so wonderful, why can’t we get beyond this? The likely answer would be that it is more complicated than that. We can’t simply stop killing each other. Oh, we would stop but they won’t. All the governments in the world, the U.N., and any other entity presently or previously in existence cannot or will not find a way to sit down, work out some details and at least try to stop the insanity.

Read the links if you haven’t already had enough.

Oct 9, 2006 4:31 pm US/Pacific

North Korea Nuke Test Draws Global Condemnation

Bush Urges U.N. To Act, Warns Regime Will Be Held ‘Fully Accountable’
CBS News Interactive: North Korea Threats

(CBS News) SEOUL, South Korea North Korea faced global condemnation and calls for harsh sanctions Monday after it announced that it had set off an atomic explosion underground, a test that thrusts the secretive communist state into the elite club of nuclear-armed nations.

World leaders condemn N. Korea nuke test
Staff and agencies
09 October, 2006

By THOMAS WAGNER, Associated Press Writer 12 minutes ago

LONDON - China, Russia, South Korea and Japan quickly joined the United States on Monday in condemning their reclusive communist neighbor for its reported test of a nuclear weapon.

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