Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

WhooYou

I hope you two sell a billion of them.

maxtrue, na for murderousness, I'll stick with Christianity, and a nod to the Confucians.

Of course, Christianity had a 600 year head start on Islam, and even their early Theodosius II Crusades to off all the heretics, especially Mazdaists and Manicheans were pretty impressive. Add the incredibly murderous Crusade against the Bogomils/Cathars from So France to the Balkans in the 12th - 14th Centuries, their 11th - 17th Century Crusades against Islam and Judaism, in which they took no prisoners. The Inquisition and expulsions of Jews, beside the annual massacres of Jewih neighborhoods and villages across Europe from Britain and Iberia to Georgia and Armenia - excepting only Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

Add in the slaughter of Indians, and Jews in the New World, and the World wide interdenominational wars of extermination from the time of Jan Huss until the 1700s in the Russian Empire, and I think you have a harvest to dwarf the pile that Islam has amassed.

The periodic pogroms in China against Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Taoists, and Marxists have been exceptionally muderous, too. At least 20,000,000 in only one 'Crusade' in the 19th Century.

Best of luck with your new book. Now that Pakistan is going after the bad guys kinda big time seems it should make for catching them in the crossfire. Look for the US to definitely up the troop levels there now in an effort to keep them from retreating back into Afghanistan. Maybe it was a smart thing to wait until Pakistan was forced to take action.

Congrats, Craig!

Craig,

Nice to have Helen as a co-author in writing a book.....congrats to you both..

It looks as if you had a good sized crowd.. Congratulations on the kickoff.

XR,

"I can't sleep.

I think it is totally unfair that all you guys are sleeping, when I can't sleep.

I can hear Solar snoring 421 miles away, as the crow waddles, and it's not a very good tune. "

I hate it when someone won't round off their numbers....does it have to be 421? can't it be 420? I bet you write down in your check book that you have a balance of_______.99 cents...can't you guys from Minnosta relax once in a while? Oh and I sleep just fine...but your correct about me not carrying a tune......Ha.!

When is Reid going to realize that he has a majority

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/17/snowe-strikes-again-universal-underinsurance/

Tom Daschle..Harry Reid..When will we pick a leader with some guts and energy??

XR,

Sorry for the long delay ...this is the end to my research...about the real reassons that there won't be any peace in palatine....greed.!!

The average annual flow of the Litani River is estimated at 920 million cubic meters, of which an estimated 480 million cubic meters is measured at the Khardali Bridge near the westward bend of the stream. Before the river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, an estimated 125 million cubic meters of water is consumed in the Kasmieh irrigation project. Permanent occupation of southern Lebanon and continued access to the Litani could augment the annual water supply of Israel by up to 800 million cubic meters, or approximately 40 percent of its current annual water consumption. This volume is attainable only if Israel reoccupies the Karaoun Dam, as it did between 1982 and 1985, and if the zone's subterranean springs, aquifers, and the Wazzani water flow are included (Baalbaki and Mahfouth 1985; Al-Nahar 1986). The Karaoun reservoir has a storage capacity of 220 million cubic meters, which is used for irrigation, domestic and industrial water supply, and hydropower. Furthermore, the largest single withdrawal from the Litani is the diversion of 236 million cubic meters annually through the Markaba tunnel to the Awali River for hydroelectric generation to supply Beirut and other coastal areas. In fact, 35 percent of Lebanon's total production of electricity comes from the Litani waters directly or from the Markaba-Awali diversion.

XR,,,this is a huge factor,,,
Another attraction of the Litani River is the high quality of its water. The salinity level is only 20 parts per million, whereas that of the Sea of Galilee is 250 to 350 parts per million. Many aquifers in Israel are stressed, especially along the coast, and the water in them is increasingly brackish. The water of the Litani would lower the saline level of the Sea of Galilee, from which the National Water Carrier channels water to much of the country. "It is this purity that makes the Litani very attractive to the Israelis, who have developed their National Water Carrier System with a view towards potable (as opposed to irrigation quality) water" (Naff and Matson 1984, 65).

Water production by desalination is costly, and cloud seeding to induce precipitation is not always controllable. Turkey proposed a peace pipeline to meet the needs of numerous southern water-deficient countries, including Israel, but importation over hundreds of kilometers of unfriendly territory is seen in Israel as untenable and easily subverted, thus a threat to national security. It is therefore becoming increasingly evident that the only feasible solution, in terms of water quality, volume, and proximity of the resource, to Israel's growing water problem is to tap a nearby source, namely the Litani River.
No one can yet document categorically that the Litani waters are being diverted, because large tracts of land near the crucial westward bend of the river are cordoned off by Israeli troops, which prevents researchers, journalists, and United Nations observers from approaching the area (al-Bar-gouthi 1986; Al-Nahar 1990). Independent water analysts, however, have reported that Israel has been diverting some water from the Litani River into the Jordan River (Collelo 1989, 117) by tapping the massive underground water resources. Hence the measured flow of the Litani is not affected (Cooley 1984, 22-23).
The weak post-civil-war Lebanese government and Israel's continued occupation of the security zone make it difficult to prevent an Israeli role in the use of Litani waters. This could be accomplished either through a unilateral water-diversion scheme, which appears to be the solution now, or through bilateral negotiations, in which the security zone would be used as a bargaining pawn to reach a water-sharing agreement with Lebanon (Amery and Kubursi 1992a).

Im afraid that the new Israeli government that is now installed will take over the water ways,,and the hell with the rest of the people in the area,,,thanks

Do you figure that Democratic senators don't want a powerful someone in charge?

Flatus

That has occurred to me. It does provide a good excuse to not do something the people want done but that business interests who pay for elections do not.

A two faced dance, "See we tried, but they just wouldn't let us". The House agitates and looks as if it is noble with the best interests of the population at heart and the nasty ol' Senate shuts everything down. The problem with having 60 votes is that it is getting harder and harder to hide the deception.

I see Jamie finally figured it out. The puplic option was never really an option . Just a political gamepiece

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/national-archives-book.html#comment-266783
Jamie,
I realized a long time ago that both parties do very little for the people that elect them. It is all about the money because they think the people are lemmings and will follow them unquestioningly. I thought Obama was different, but same old manure.

Congress will pass a bill that requires eveyone to have insurance ,the federal government will pick up the tab for those who can't afford it, who wins again? The insurance companies '

California Rep. Woolsey Forms Leadership PAC

can you say oxymaroon

and yes she always votes correctly but sometimes that is not enough

mqw,

By Joe, I think they got it......the two party's are in cahoot, is all.....the good cop and the bad cop routine....is wearing thin...but itls to late...they raped us already......now they will just bide their time....and wait for the next opportunity...that is after we build up some cash for them to do it...

If the democrats really believe in thiier heart of hearts that universal health care, single payer , public option, or whatever you want to call it , is best for America why don't they vote for it? Damn the republicans, the insurance companies and the lobbyist' they have the votes ' why don't they vote thier convictions?

Congress had plenty of political will and convictions last year when it came to bailing out wall street with a trillion dollars of taxpayer money'. Oh in case you didn't hear it's going to be a very very merry Christmas on wall street. bonuses all around for everyone. With plenty left over for campaign contributions

mqw,

Ditto, to every thing that you said; also lets see how many independents are made from both parties, if they don't elect a lot of new indies,and i mean to the senate, and congress. Its just a big game for both of them, and they just like to be herded.

now saying that they are not satisfied with some of their own;is not enough; they have to get out and elected the ones that are hurting us by both party's-out of office. The only way that I can see this happening, is to elect more, and more independents no?

Mqw, solar

What you miss is that the Senate is designed for slow deliberation and stalling. It is not a conspiracy it is just the system. Any Senator who wants to hold up legislation can do so. It takes a strong leader to get change of any kind through the Senate. Even if Reid was a strong leader(and he ain't) he is not in a position to push through a health bill. It is not in his best political interest to be seen as pushing through Obama's agenda. He is up for reelection next year and none of this stuff is popular back home. Including Mr Reid himself.

Jack

Thanks Solar,

I am beginning to see. The article dates from the time in the '90s, when Israeli troops still occupied southern Lebanon. However, the area around the great bend in the Litani hasn't been occupied by the Israelis for years. So, to a great extent, the idea of a Litani pipeline is obsolete.

1. A pumping station and pipeline, carrying Litani water from any point close to Israel, over the mountains, and across the border, would still be too long to be secured without the approval of the Druze and Shi'ite who live in that in the area.

2. Such a pipeline would be not be cheap. Presumably, the Lebanese Government would want a lot of severance money for the water, and the savings over desalinization, water reuse, or undersea pipelines, might not pay for the project in decades. And, there is no way that a Litani pipeline could ever pay for itself if it is under attack daily.

3. It would probably be more practical and cheaper to pipe Litani water from the mouth, after it leaves Lebanon. Fresh water is more dense than salt and can be pumped out of the trough where the stream enters the Medierranean. It might even be cheaper to use water from the Damietta mouth of the Nile, or even the mouth of the Orontes off the coast of Turkey.

Israel will not invade to steal the Litani and South Lebanon, because it would cost way too much, buying or recycling would be far easier and cheaper in the long run.

Btw, Israel and Jordan have a water sharing agreement, so any plot to steal the Litani would have to include Jordan as a partner in the scheme.

Posted by: mqw | October 17, 2009 7:04 PM :
"If the democrats really believe in thiier heart of hearts that universal health care, single payer , public option, or whatever you want to call it , is best for America why don't they vote for it? Damn the republicans, the insurance companies and the lobbyist' they have the votes ' why don't they vote thier convictions?"

I entirely agree with mqw - another sign of the end times.

"When is Reid going to realize that he has a majority"

Jamie,
I ask myself that everyday...Damn, at least Pelosi seems to get it....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/national-archives-book.html#comment-266793

Jack

So Reid's self interest is more important that the welfare of the American people. So much for patriots.
He's not a crook, just a coward.

mqw is on fi-ya!

Posted by: xrepublican Author Profile Page | October 17, 2009 8:06 PM

...he/she makes sense a lot, if you ask me, which I realize you didn't.

Wow, it's very hip to be anti-Congress these days, huh? Too bad it hadn't caught on last election cycle, and will be out of vogue by the next one.

"Game-changer"!

"There's too much at stake in what could be the most important election in our lifetime"!

"We can't afford another 4 years of (insert anything here)"!

The History Channel is showing a documentary on the assassination of JFK right now.

"Wow, it's very hip to be anti-Congress these days"

Your Lordship
When did it go out of vogue?

Jack

Jamie
One man's political coward is another man's realist.

Reid is a Democrat in a red state. A state that is leading the nation in forclosures, and unemployment.
Why do you expect him to commit political suicide.

Jack

Jack,

While I do agree with you about the function that the Senate, and Congress is supposed to have; they do not...by any stretch of the imagination...do I believe that they conspire against us. Fn aye.!

Reid is like many, no most, politicians in my estimation.

Remaining in office if the most important thing to them.

Real leaders do what is right and put the public interest ahead of their own.

Bringing meaningful healthcare reform is more important than getting re-elected.

Plus, I think that Nevada is moving toward being more purple than red, with blue not far in the future.

Congratulations Craig! To you and Helen!
Beautiful pictures and looks like a great turnout.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/10/national-archives-book.html#comment-266806

Jack

I'm assuming a lot of those unemployed people losing their homes don't need medical bills on top of it. Yes I do expect him to commit political suicide if necessary. That's why the book was named "Profiles in Courage".

OMG SQUEE! @ these pics, Craig!

*burns some of that "super blessing money house incense" my superstitious buddy gave me last year when my stocks tanked*

*hey, I burned some two weeks ago and my stocks have come right back*

*no, seriously...I've made back all the money I lost*

*and that's a lot*

*so don't laugh*