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grahamhgreen
grahamhgreen's Journal
grahamhgreen's Journal
September 11, 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/world/asia/philippine-bill-would-set-up-autonomous-region-in-muslim-dominated-south.html?_r=2
Philippine Bill Would Give Muslims Autonomy
The long-running conflict between the government and Muslim fighters in the south has killed thousands of people and displaced more than three million. It has also left Mindanao, the largest island in the southern Philippines, mired in poverty and lawlessness despite being rich in resources that include natural gas, gold and other valuable minerals.
The draft law that Mr. Aquino submitted to the Philippine Congress on Wednesday stems from an October 2012 peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest of the Muslim rebel groups. It would group Muslim-dominated southern areas into what would be called the Bangsamoro region, based on the traditional name of Filipino Muslims. To emphasize the importance of the law to his administration, Mr. Aquino personally presented the draft measure to leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives at a ceremony on Wednesday morning.
The Bangsamoro region would have local self-government, including locally recruited law enforcement officials — a critical demand by the rebels, given the allegations of human rights abuses in the region by the Philippine police and military, many of whom are Christians from the north. About four million people would live in the Bangsamoro region. Of the Philippines’ population of 107 million, about 5 percent are Muslim, most of them living in the south; about 80 percent are Roman Catholic.
The region would also retain most of the tax revenue generated from its natural resources. The central government would retain control over currency, foreign policy issues and national defense.
The draft law that Mr. Aquino submitted to the Philippine Congress on Wednesday stems from an October 2012 peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest of the Muslim rebel groups. It would group Muslim-dominated southern areas into what would be called the Bangsamoro region, based on the traditional name of Filipino Muslims. To emphasize the importance of the law to his administration, Mr. Aquino personally presented the draft measure to leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives at a ceremony on Wednesday morning.
The Bangsamoro region would have local self-government, including locally recruited law enforcement officials — a critical demand by the rebels, given the allegations of human rights abuses in the region by the Philippine police and military, many of whom are Christians from the north. About four million people would live in the Bangsamoro region. Of the Philippines’ population of 107 million, about 5 percent are Muslim, most of them living in the south; about 80 percent are Roman Catholic.
The region would also retain most of the tax revenue generated from its natural resources. The central government would retain control over currency, foreign policy issues and national defense.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/world/asia/philippine-bill-would-set-up-autonomous-region-in-muslim-dominated-south.html?_r=2
September 11, 2014
OK, So ISIL is al-Quaeda, which means....
Last night, our President said, "ISIL is certainly not a state. It was formerly al Qaeda’s affiliate in Iraq".
In my view this proves that all our years of force projection in Iraq has made us less safe, not more; which is directly contradictory to his statement, "Thanks to our military and counterterrorism professionals, America is safer."
Since al-qaeda in Iraq did not exist prior to our invasion, and is now an actual fighting force with tanks and shit, I would say that our policy of more war has proven one thing: the more we bomb, the more terrorists we create.
How many ISIL members were iraqi children when we first invaded? How many saw their parents and homes destroyed by US bombs? What would make anyone think that more bombs will create fewer combatants?
In my view, ISIL, if 'destroyed', will morph into something else, perhaps not a mobile force, perhaps one that focuses on terror attacks in the US.
I implore all war hawks to listen to reason next time we are asked to resort to violence in 3, or 5, or 10 years as the endless 1400 year old war rages on.
We're all still waiting for you guys to give peace a chance. At minimum, lets use opportunities like these to force the Iranians, Israelis, Syrians, and Saudis to come together to defend themselves against a common enemy.
Obviously, our war has proven itself to be one big giant FAIL since our invasion. I believe this one will have the same result.
Thank you for your time. That is my view.
September 11, 2014
His highest priority is the security of the Constitution, according to the Constitution. Bush used to pull this obfuscation all the time.
Obama got it wrong in his second sentence:
"My fellow Americans — tonight, I want to speak to you about what the United States will do with our friends and allies to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as ISIL. As Commander-in-Chief, my highest priority is the security of the American people."
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” - Oath of Office.
His highest priority is the security of the Constitution, according to the Constitution. Bush used to pull this obfuscation all the time.
September 11, 2014
Did you hear Obama say tonight that we would be taking out Assad? I believe I did.
"In the fight against ISIL, we cannot rely on an Assad regime that terrorizes its people; a regime that will never regain the legitimacy it has lost. Instead, we must strengthen the opposition as the best counterweight to extremists like ISIL, while pursuing the political solution necessary to solve Syria’s crisis once and for all." - Obama
September 11, 2014
Here we go again...
Kerry: US troops might deploy to Iraq if there are ‘very dramatic changes’
BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry raised the possibility Wednesday that U.S. troops might be committed to ground operations in Iraq in extreme circumstances, the first hedging by an administration official on President Barack Obama’s pledge that there will be no U.S. boots on the ground to battle the Islamic State.
Kerry made the comment during a news conference after a day of meeting with Iraqi officials, who he said hadn’t requested or shown any desire to have U.S. troops or forces from any nation in Iraq to confront the Islamic State, the extremist organization that’s now in control of more than a third of the country’s territory.
Kerry reiterated that Obama has said no U.S. combat troops would be deployed to fight the Islamic State in Iraq, before adding, “Unless, obviously, something very, very dramatic changes.”
That formulation hasn’t been used previously by administration officials in discussing the growing U.S. confrontation with the Islamic State, and it’s sure to feed concerns that the United States may be making a greater commitment to a new conflict in the Middle East than it first intended.
http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/kerry-us-troops-might-deploy-to-iraq-if-there-are-very-dramatic-changes-1.302369
Kerry made the comment during a news conference after a day of meeting with Iraqi officials, who he said hadn’t requested or shown any desire to have U.S. troops or forces from any nation in Iraq to confront the Islamic State, the extremist organization that’s now in control of more than a third of the country’s territory.
Kerry reiterated that Obama has said no U.S. combat troops would be deployed to fight the Islamic State in Iraq, before adding, “Unless, obviously, something very, very dramatic changes.”
That formulation hasn’t been used previously by administration officials in discussing the growing U.S. confrontation with the Islamic State, and it’s sure to feed concerns that the United States may be making a greater commitment to a new conflict in the Middle East than it first intended.
http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/kerry-us-troops-might-deploy-to-iraq-if-there-are-very-dramatic-changes-1.302369
Here we go again...
September 10, 2014
Anywhere public to watch the speech in Los Angeles tonight?
September 10, 2014
They say the Cold War is over, but Russia and the U.S. remain the leading supplier of weapons to countries around the world and are the two biggest military powers. Lately, tensions have been pretty high, too.
The U.S. supplies much of NATO and Middle Eastern allies like Turkey, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
Russia supplies other BRIC nations, as well as Iran, much of Southeast Asia, and North Africa.
We took numbers from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute for 2012-2013 to see whom the two rivals were supplying with weaponry. The U.S. dealt to 59 nations that Russia doesn't sell or send weaponry to, while Russia dealt to just 15 nations that don't receive U.S. arms.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/map-shows-us-russias-worldwide-140503590.html
Note that Syria is a Russian arms consumer.
This Map Of US And Russian Arms Sales Says It All
They say the Cold War is over, but Russia and the U.S. remain the leading supplier of weapons to countries around the world and are the two biggest military powers. Lately, tensions have been pretty high, too.
The U.S. supplies much of NATO and Middle Eastern allies like Turkey, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
Russia supplies other BRIC nations, as well as Iran, much of Southeast Asia, and North Africa.
We took numbers from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute for 2012-2013 to see whom the two rivals were supplying with weaponry. The U.S. dealt to 59 nations that Russia doesn't sell or send weaponry to, while Russia dealt to just 15 nations that don't receive U.S. arms.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/map-shows-us-russias-worldwide-140503590.html
Note that Syria is a Russian arms consumer.
September 10, 2014
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-09/obama-said-to-seek-billions-extra-for-islamic-state-fight.html
He needs to ask for a tax on the wealthiest to pay for this if he wants Dems to hold their own in NOV..
Remember, we just cut 8.7 billion from food stamps.....
Obama Said to Seek Billions Extra for Islamic State Fight
President Barack Obama is preparing to ask Congress to pay for a multibillion-dollar plan to expand the military campaign against Islamic State militants, according to an administration official.
While the proposal hasn’t been made final and the total amount is still being calculated, it will likely be in the billions of dollars, as Pentagon officials develop options for the president, according to the official, who asked for anonymity to discuss plans that aren’t yet public.
While the proposal hasn’t been made final and the total amount is still being calculated, it will likely be in the billions of dollars, as Pentagon officials develop options for the president, according to the official, who asked for anonymity to discuss plans that aren’t yet public.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-09/obama-said-to-seek-billions-extra-for-islamic-state-fight.html
He needs to ask for a tax on the wealthiest to pay for this if he wants Dems to hold their own in NOV..
Remember, we just cut 8.7 billion from food stamps.....
September 9, 2014
WIKI - Mark A. Driscoll (born October 11, 1970) is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, and preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church, a megachurch in Seattle, Washington. In 1996, Driscoll co-founded Mars Hill Church, which as of March 2014 had grown to 14,000 members in five states and fifteen locations.[1][2] He also founded The Resurgence, a theological cooperative, and co-founded several other parachurch organizations: Churches Helping Churches, the church planting Acts 29 Network,[3] and The Gospel Coalition.[4] He has written for the "Faith and Values" section of the Seattle Times,[5] OnFaith,[6] and the Fox News website.[7] Driscoll has also authored a number of popular Christian books. Described as "hip yet hard-line",[8] he is known for promoting "culturally relevant" yet theologically conservative Christianity. He favors "vintage" aesthetics and a "down to earth", yet at times "aggressive" preaching style.[9][10][11]
In 2011, Preaching magazine named Driscoll one of the 25 most influential [English-speaking] pastors of the past 25 years.[
Pastor Mark Driscoll Called Women ‘Penis Homes’
Things have been getting worse and worse for Mark Driscoll in recent weeks. But what I want to point out for a moment is one of Driscoll’s posts from 2001, when he was posting to a church message board under the name William Wallace II. I have rarely seen an evangelical man assert male superiority and prominence this directly.
Yes, really. Men’s penises are on loan from God, and women were created to be “homes” for men’s penises. So much for any claims of men and women being “equal before God.” No, men were created by God and loaned penises. Women were then created by God to be penis homes.
http://time.com/3304861/pastor-mark-driscoll-penis-homes/
The first thing to know about your penis is, that despite the way it may see, it is not your penis. Ultimately, God created you and it is his penis. You are simply borrowing it for a while.
While His penis is on loan you must admit that it is sort of just hanging out there very lonely as if it needed a home, sort of like a man wondering the streets looking for a house to live in. Knowing that His penis would need a home, God created a woman to be your wife and when you marry her and look down you will notice that your wife is shaped differently than you and makes a very nice home.
Yes, really. Men’s penises are on loan from God, and women were created to be “homes” for men’s penises. So much for any claims of men and women being “equal before God.” No, men were created by God and loaned penises. Women were then created by God to be penis homes.
http://time.com/3304861/pastor-mark-driscoll-penis-homes/
WIKI - Mark A. Driscoll (born October 11, 1970) is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, and preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church, a megachurch in Seattle, Washington. In 1996, Driscoll co-founded Mars Hill Church, which as of March 2014 had grown to 14,000 members in five states and fifteen locations.[1][2] He also founded The Resurgence, a theological cooperative, and co-founded several other parachurch organizations: Churches Helping Churches, the church planting Acts 29 Network,[3] and The Gospel Coalition.[4] He has written for the "Faith and Values" section of the Seattle Times,[5] OnFaith,[6] and the Fox News website.[7] Driscoll has also authored a number of popular Christian books. Described as "hip yet hard-line",[8] he is known for promoting "culturally relevant" yet theologically conservative Christianity. He favors "vintage" aesthetics and a "down to earth", yet at times "aggressive" preaching style.[9][10][11]
In 2011, Preaching magazine named Driscoll one of the 25 most influential [English-speaking] pastors of the past 25 years.[
September 9, 2014
Costly trade agreements.
China Expected To Pass The United States As The World's Top Economy By 2024 - See more at: http://ww
China’s consumer spending is expected to triple over the next decade from $3.5 to $10.5 trillion. Currently, China holds about 12% of the world’s GDP. If the country’s economy grows as expected, they will hold roughly 20% of the world’s GDP in 2024.
The United States economy is predicted to grow significantly over the next decade as well, but not fast enough to keep pace with China’s predicted boom. The United States current nominal GDP of $17 trillion is expected to grow to $27.32 trillion by 2024, which is a growth rate of about $1 trillion annually. China’s predicted increase from $10 to $28.25 trillion nominal GDP over the same time equals a growth rate of $1.8 trillion annually.
- See more at: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/china-expected-pass-united-states-worlds-top-economy-2024#sthash.oVZ2GOsx.dpuf
The United States economy is predicted to grow significantly over the next decade as well, but not fast enough to keep pace with China’s predicted boom. The United States current nominal GDP of $17 trillion is expected to grow to $27.32 trillion by 2024, which is a growth rate of about $1 trillion annually. China’s predicted increase from $10 to $28.25 trillion nominal GDP over the same time equals a growth rate of $1.8 trillion annually.
- See more at: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/china-expected-pass-united-states-worlds-top-economy-2024#sthash.oVZ2GOsx.dpuf
Costly trade agreements.
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