The Bush demagoguery

The Bush administration and our military have recognized that we are losing in Iraq and have taken the only action that could appear to be successfull. That action is to arm and support different tribes and militias throughout the country. What is happenng, in effect, is that we are separating the country into sectarian and religious conclaves. What is going on in Anbar Province is similar to what happened in Fallujah after the siege there failed. Our military was beaten badly. They couldn't take the city so they funded, armed and backed the militias in the city and left. As troop deaths decline they state that they have turned control to the Iraqis and the situation has improved. The reality is that in Anbar they have returned to funding and backing Sunni militias on a huge scale. The immediate impression of all this is that there is less conflict and death. But is reality it has destroyed the central, democratically elected, government and has set the stage for conflict among Suni, Shia and will magnify tribal conflict throughout the country.

Our "foreign" policy is foreign.

Assassinations and foreign policy

The assassination of Ms. Bhutto in Pakistan was to be expected. We supported her. And that very support was sufficient to insure her assassination. The action is also consistent with the mentality of religious extremists, or dictators. What concern me is the fact that our government continues to proceed with its foolhardy approach to foreign policy. It even fails to recognize the hypocrisy in its policy. We have, for decades, supported dictators throughout the world while at the same time preaching democracy. We continue to do so today.

Our foreign policy has only served to worsen radical or extreme behavior. We still support Muhammad (a dictator) with the false belief that he is helping us fight terrorism. He speaks with forked tongue. He obviously acquiesced or even may have participated in getting rid of a serious threat to him (Ms. Bhutto); yet we continue to fund him. Of course, we bribe the sectarian war lords in Iraq with the same objective. This policy will also fail as it has in Pakistan.

The only thing we are accomplishing with our foreign policy is the growth of hatred for America by the rest of the world, including our former allies in Europe. The third world countries will not change until we do.

Creationism, a science?

Texas higher education?... A doctorate in creationism science?

I would be embarrassed to be associated, in any way, with the individuals on a Texas education panel. A recent article in the NYT states in part: "HOUSTON - A Texas higher education panel has recommended allowing a Bible-based group called the Institute for Creation Research to offer online master's degrees in science education."

I find it difficult to believe that a "higher education" panel of any kind would, or could, come to such a recommendation. How on earth can any, supposedly educated, group place creationism in the same category as evolution and have the gall to consider creationism a science and offer a masters degree in science education? To teach a course in religion is appropriate but to consider it a science is incomprehensible. If approved, the logical next step would be to offer not only a masters degree in creationism science but a doctorate as well.