iRaq

iRaq
Forkscrew Graphics, Silkscreen
2004, Los Angeles, California
The Center for the Study of Political Graphics presents:
SUBVERTISEMENTS–Using Ads & Logos for Protest

March 19– April 21, 2007
California State University
Northridge Art Galleries
18111 Nordhoff Street,
Northridge, CA
91330 – 8299
Gallery Phone: (818) 677-2156

New Study Says War on Terror Has ‘No Focus’

(REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

By David Morgan
Reuters

Five-and-a-half years after the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush’s war on terrorism has emerged as a wasteful, misguided exercise that poses its own threat to U.S. national security, experts say.

A growing number of analysts and former U.S. officials say the global war on terrorism has undermined U.S. influence abroad, … and unleashed a huge government spending spree that has often funded projects unrelated to national security. …

Congress has spent nearly $271.5 billion on homeland security since September 11, with money often going to projects that have nothing to do with security but that are important to politicians and their constituents, according to a survey by the conservative American Enterprise Institute.

“What’s clear is that there is no focus whatsoever in the way we are fighting terrorism,” said Veronique de Rugy, author of the AEI study.

Click here to read the full article…

Need Help? Go Somewhere Else.

I’m really disturbed that Circuit City is laying off almost 3,500 workers that the company is willing to hire back for less money. It’s the staff with the most experience and knowledge that’s getting canned.

The big box store experienced almost 11% in sales growth last year—keeping pace with the U.S. economy. Management doesn’t think that’s good enough. It’s tough being #2 (or #3) behind Wal-Mart. But, they should learn from Wal-Mart’s horrible public image, not try to emulate it. People deserve a living wage, and don’t deserve to be treated like trash. Or–better analogy– recycled to save a few cents on the dollar. However, if I was just fired from Circuit City, I’d take my expertise, and future business, elsewhere. I hear Home Depot is hiring–and they’re offering more money to attract knowlegeable personnel.

In the past, our household has purchased a desk top computer, answering machine, blank cds– the store is right down the street. But, I will NEVER set foot in there again.

You’ll Do It Because I Say So!

(Stephen Crowley-The New York Times)

Does that ever work? The Senate passed a bill yesterday that will link emergency funding for Iraq and Afghanistan to a withdrawal timetable (beginning 120 days from the bill becoming law, and final withdrawal by March 2008). What is buried past the headlines is that it is another NONBINDING RESOLUTION. But, Bush is vowing to veto it anyway.

Paper or Paper?

Forward-thinking San Francisco will soon prohibit non-biodegradable plastic bags in large grocery stores and pharmacies. The city’s Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to ban the bags. Most plastic bags are made from polyethylene, which is derived from oil. Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who authored the bill, said San Franciscans use nearly 200 million non-biodegradable plastic bags a year, which translates to 450,000 gallons of oil and 1,400 tons of landfill trash. Americans toss 100 million bags a year! Reuse! Recycle! Use canvas!

The (Oval) Office

Doing the Numbers

(AP Photo/Adil al-Khazali)

U.S. troops in Iraq as of March, 2007: 142,000
U.S. troops killed to date: 3,235
U.S. troops wounded in action, returned to duty within 72 hours: 13,415
U.S. troops wounded in action, and did not return to duty within 72 hours: 10,772
Iraqi Security Forces as of March, 2007: 329,700
Iraqi military and police killed, as of March, 2007: 6,294
Iraqi troops injured *
Iraqi Civilians Killed from May 3003 – October 2006: 70,100**

Number of Iraqi prisoners in U.S. Custody: 17,000

Pentagon estimate of civilians working for U.S.-based contractors: 100,000

Private (non-Iraqi) Military Contractors in Iraq: 20,000***

Private Contractors killed to date: 770

Sources for these numbers include the United Nations, the Pentagon, the National Security Council, and prominent independent monitors.

* There is no official estimate for this number; ** Numbers provided by the Brookings Institution’s Iraq Index http://www.brookings.edu/iraqindex; *** Peter W. Singer, “Outsourcing War,” Foreign Affairs, March 2005.

“Accountability” is the new “Failure”

(AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

Everyone in Congress is adopting the word “accountability” in order to avoid the word “failure” when it comes to the White House’s botched invasion of Iraq. Saying the mayhem in Iraq is the fault of the Iraqis is absurd. Even with a Democratically led Congress, lawmakers are repeating the “accountability” language of the Bush administration.

“What we’re trying to do in this legislation is force the Iraqis to fight their own war,” said Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) on Friday, who had helped write a bill to end funding for “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Fight their own war? There was no war until we got there.

Introducing… the New iRack

I wanted to start things off with a giggle and a gasp…