Kingdom of the Blind – Springtime USA 2008

Despite the most sophisticated communication system in history; a world-wide national technical intelligence collection system using a heaven filled with satellites; and an over populated, over-paid media, the American people miss much important news when it occurs. Take for examples the issues of US top leadership holding a series of meetings in the White House of how to best torture captured terrorists. Or how about the fact the Iraqis have banked over 30 billion in US banks and even more in world banks as the US foots the bill in Iraq.

You have to ask why we have suddenly learned the US is, after the fact, plum in the middle of internecine Shiite warfare. What ever happened to Bomb Bomb McCain's medical records for public scrutiny – the man who would be Commander and Chief. Better yet, let us examine Bomb Bomb's collaboration with the North Vietnamese while a POW. No sense pretending these are the only issues that will fall into this category; expect more.


A secret torture ring in the White house was something to behold. Apparently, VEEP Cheney, Condoleezza, General Powell, Attorney General Ashcroft, and CIA Tenet met regularly to pass on what means of torture was to be applied to at least three top captured terrorists. Reports indicate the CIA demonstrated torture techniques to them in the White House. Lots of history in the White House, some disgusting, but this will rise to the creepy top. Can you imagine Condoleezza voting on whether electrodes to the genitals, immersing the captive's head into a bag of feces, and water boarding would prompt true confessions? If Ms. Rice ends up on the McCain ticket as VEEP, I am certain she will be asked what torture she preferred. Look for Republican fund raisers to solicit for erecting a statue of Torquemada on the White House lawn. Personally, the most insidious, most painful torture is to be forced to listen to Condoleezza robotically defend GW Bush's absurdities...

As far as the Iraqis exploiting the US occupation by not spending its oil revenues on reconstruction and payment to Iraqi militias, you have to marvel a their ability to invert the US imperialism to work to their advantage This situation is so corrupt and demonstrates the incapacity of US occupation force to control even the most basic accounting as it recklessly pumps three billion dollars a week of US tax payers money into Iraq – General Saveus Petraeus missed studying Corruption 101 in his pursuit of his doctors degree. Despite his pretensions, bring the General home permanently before he does more damage; he ain't McArthur by a long shot and contrary to the world view of his pal Bomb Bomb, Iraq is not Japan or Korea.

US categorical immersion recently into the battle between Shiite factions surfaced as US sponsored Maliki attacked Basra. When he fell flat on his face, Maliki just fired roughly 1300 of his troops, because they would not fight. The US galloped to his rescue and killed Shiites there. Further, the US is now up to its ears in Baghdad, Sadr City killing more Shiites ostensibly to stop indirect rocket and mortar fire into the green zone. It will not work as these weapons can be fired, pre-surveyed, from beds of open trucks. Major Shiite militias all have a strong connection with Iran; that also includes the Maliki government. No US military action will sever this relationship. Iran influences the Shiite tribes, some more than others; the US is being used and manipulated by the Iranians to help them discipline the factions. The US KIAs this week are the highest so far in 2008 – 19 troops killed in 7 days. If Bush bombs Iran, expect this grim figure to move to 19 US killed per DAY.


McCain as a POW for over five years was beaten, deprived of medical aid and lived under poor sanitary conditions. The fact he broke under duress is understandable, but not heroic; other POWs who suffered similarly e.g., the ranking POW, Admiral Stockdale, did not. McCain's signing of an enemy statement of admission to US air piracy under duress raises a question of providing aid and comfort to the enemy; it does not constitute this, however, whether he has tarnish on his blade is a subjective call that will be used by swift boaters against him in the general election. Given Bombs Bomb's narrative of deprivation and torture, and his age, the American people should view his medical records to assess for personality disorders or physical limitations that would inhibit his role as president. The liberal media opportunistically has given McCain a free ride; it used him as a cat's paw against GW Bush – even made him a straight-talking hero. Time has come to pay up as the media chokes on 100 more years of war and bomb bomb Iran.

Most issues discussed here apparently are not important to the average American. For fascination and titillation, there is a preference to fix on polygamous Mormon cult escapades. There is more national concern over when Britney Spears will have her next auto accident or who will be the next third-world baby Brad Pitt and Angela Jolie will adopt. We live in the Kingdom of the Blind and there is not even a one-eyed king to rescue us. Colonel Robert E. Bartos USA Ret