"Stuff happens"

In the immortal words of our brain dead Secretary of Defense, when told that looting was out of control in Iraq, "stuff happens."

So, yes, stuff happens. And just as Rummy did in Iraq to prevent stuff from happening so it is that the Bush/Cheney Administration does stuff to keep things from happening - that is, nothing. So what stuff is happening at the moment?

First, the Senate passed a "Comprehensive Immigration Bill" that is so absurdly ridiculous I thought Lou Dobbs might have a heart attack right in the middle of his program. This is a bill obviously bought and paid for by the Corporations who want a continual supply of semi-slave labor. You might not realize this when you consider there are supposed penalties for those who hire illegal aliens. But it is a bill that contains provisions for amnesty (although they don't call it that), a guest worker program, and other provisions to help illegal aliens to become citizens. But you have to realize there is no funding provided for this, no way it can ever be enforced, and so ultimately it will ensure the status quo (which, of course, is what the Corporations and our President want). And oh, yes, I forgot, at the very last minute an amendment was added to the effect that the U.S. cannot build a wall without first consulting with Mexico! Now, before you conclude that our Senators are completely stupid (arguably) consider that they know full well this bill will never pass in the House of Representatives (who claim to be totally opposed to amnesty in any form). Does this mean the House and Senate will eventually agree on an immigration bill? Of course not.

Members of the House are just as much interested in their Corporate "nooky" as our Senators. They know that by taking an impossible position like insisting on closed borders first the whole project will fail. No bill will pass. The status quo will be preserved and House members can bask in all their patriotic glory (we tried, but the democrats and liberals just wouldn't give in). Corporate power will have won once again and illegal aliens will continue to stream across the border unfettered by any realistic opposition (just as they do now).

No one in either the House or the Senate is apparently giving any attention whatsoever to the impossible costs and virtual impossibility of doing anything about illegal immigration, they are paying no attention to the will of the American people, and they continue to shamelessly aid and abet Corporate fascism.

Other stuff happened today as well. After only four short years of trying, and millions of dollars spent, Skilling and Lay were convicted of fraud, basically on all counts (Skilling was acquitted of insider trading). Prosecutors were quick to point out that this does not mean anyone who lost their job or retirment will benefit - but it will prove that Corporate fraud will not go unpunished. With the deep pockets Skilling and Lay have from all the money they fraudulently obtained they can no doubt appeal this conviction endlessly. This means that in my lifetime (which is getting shorter day by day) they will probably never go to jail. I hope I am very wrong about this and that they do serve some time (like 25 or more years each).

Other stuff happened. At least two more American troops were killed in Iraq, bringing the total deaths now to 2,400. How many wounded is probably unknowable. Some 330 people have died in Afghanistan in the past few days, including women and children, mostly do to our indiscriminate bombing. But we no longer bother much with trivia like that. Iraq and Afghanistan have long since disappeared from the front pages of our major newspapers. But if it is any consolation consider that 94.3 million people voted last night on American Idol, more votes than any President has ever received in the history of the United States. I guess we know where our priorities are.

The Iraq government (such as it is) has requested a timetable for the withdrawal of American and British troops. Blair and Bush have refused, saying, as usual, it will depend upon conditions on the ground in Iraq. This means we have no intention of withdrawing troops from Iraq, have never had any such intentions, and quite likely never will (until perhaps there is no longer any oil to be had). Do not forget, we are building a billion dollar Embassy compound and at least four permanent bases in Iraq. Perhaps the Iraqis can turn them into kindergartens, if there are any children left in that unfortunate beneficiary of American benevolence.

WAR CRIMINALS BELONG IN JAIL, NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE!