Strappado Wrack

Strappado Wrack
Provocative Political Archive Articles for Unlocking the Meaning of Current Affairs

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Blair Flair - Wins Big Among the Few

This big landslide you will hear about comes at the hands of the lowest turnout since 1918. With a population ravished by WW I, it is no wonder that voters fell. So what is the excuse for Brits being so apathetic now? The youth sees little relevance with politics and a clear difference is not offered among the three parties. At least, that's the attitude that has taken the focus off political choices. You have in Blair a would be Clinton clone, with all the triangulation schemes and strategies to co-opt the Tories and steal issues while offering a Third Wave version of the social welfare state.

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Monday, December 30, 2013

Age of Aquarius - Let the Sun Shine In

With the crazed taking over the senate, surely this will be the dawn of a new era! With the protégé of the infamous George Mitchell to become the fearless leader, we are in store for, as the song goes harmony and understanding . . . Peace and love will guide and steer the upper chamber. No more falsehoods or diversions, for the mystic revelation will liberate our minds. 

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Friday, December 27, 2013

Tax Cut Is But A Small Relief

The easing in our tax burden by the recent passage of the tax bill, still ignores the systemic basis of our dilemma. The casual manner by which it has been accepted by the public just goes to illustrate how deep and profound the distortion in public financing has become. All of us know people who don't object to the amount of taxes they are paying at all levels of government. Some even think that higher revenue should be extracted from the public. How did we get into this time warp that has shades of the Twilight Zone written all over it? 

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Thursday, December 26, 2013

Mr Senator, Man Without Honor

Politics at its best is the Art of Compromise, and at its worst a Banquet for Vultures. The decision of the 'unprecedented unprincipled', by Senator Jeffords demonstrates the nature of the feast that these trollops dine upon. This cross dresser in a cheap suit has shown the absence of class, that now marks, the most selected club in the world. If any doubts remained about the Rockefeller wing of the Republican Party, it is now smashed. 

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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Balance of Payments Deficits Caused by the Real Voodoo Economics

With the announcement of the all time record balance of payment deficit, the US is reaping the repercussion of decades of insane trade policies. The rush to establish Free Trade, with the absence of Fair Commerce is nothing short of a pathological sickness. Virtual agreement of acclaim for this new dogma of the Corporate/State seldom is challenged. Free Trade is the sacred cow that must be allowed to graze on every field, feed on any food, and consume all that passes in front of its plate. 

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Career Public Servants - Faith or Fraud!

The flap that has been reported about AG John Ashcroft's morning prayer gatherings is beyond the pale. For a society that wants to bill itself as a buffet of diversity, this smorgasbord of tolerance has turned into a demand for banning religion. Those courageous unnamed DoJ employees that are the source of this outrage, resemble the Pharisee culture that provided us with the ultimate condemnation of all time. 

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Friday, December 20, 2013

Judas Rides on an Ass

For those who remember fondly the populist traditions of William Jennings Bryan, Eugene McCarthy and Sam Ervin, the path that the Democratic Party has taken must be unsettling. For a party that purports to exist to protect the common man, we witness a betrayal that only the most despised could challenge. As an intellectual opponent of most of the solutions that the historic Democratic Party tradition offered, an authentic respect has always been granted for those that were true champions of civil liberty and improvement in individual advancement.

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

A Force That No Man Or Country, Can Resist

Reasons for the 'Political Correctness' in government, are many. Each contribute to the erosion of the body politik. Their sum total is that the culture and the direction in government intervention continue its unending march into a 'Brave New Land'. From all the factors that influence this metamorphosis, few recognize the most hideous of the lot. Is it the conflicts of race or ethnic differences? 

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS The Future for America Or Lilies for the Deceased

This week hordes of teachers will descend upon Western New York for the New York State United Teachers annual convention. Rochester, the 'Flower City' will be their rendezvous and they will celebrate the coming of spring with bouquets in hand. Their cheers will be for their favorite champions of government schools, both Bill And Hill. Both will attend, with the model for public decency receiving the Albert Shanker Award for Distinguished Service. 

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Tale of Two Men: Kerrey and McVeigh

Although only a generation separates these two men, the distance between them is vast. Both were trained in the art of combat, but shared little of the same sense of mission. Their view of the government that they fought for, could not be farther apart. One killed under orders, the other decided to do the same on his own. A hero's honor was bestowed for service on the first, while the ultimate penalty is the sanction for the other.

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Monday, December 16, 2013

One Big Family Gathering

"Our goal in Quebec is to build a hemisphere of liberty," Mr. Bush said before departing for the Summit of the Americas! And just what is the record that has been written, by the last twenty years? LIBERTY is the farthest result, at least for the public. If you want to define furthering options for the Corporate/State, then maybe THEY, and only them, have even less constraints on their designs.

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Friday, December 13, 2013

So What's The Problem With The Old Flag?

Few things in life draw as much emotion as the meaning behind a Flag. So the 'good people' of the great State of Mississippi, has registered an overwhelming voted to retain their State emblem. Just look at the proposed replacement. I don't need to explain between the two, which it is. Is there any doubt that the 'PC' version is more like a sanitized version of a UN banner? Certainly it could easily be flown in any part of the 'Third World'. 

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

When You Are Not Looking!

With all the media coverage on the Chinese situation, a very important illustration of our common dilemma has slipped under the radar screen. Have you hear all the moaning over the Bush budget? Well, for those who disagree with the methods stated in the last 'View' Essay, The 'BUREAUCRATIC SYNDROME'; you have a wake up call from Congress. 

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

A Win, Win Trade for our Hostages

With all the coverage and concern the last few days, it's it not time to solve this crisis with that 'strategic partner'? With all the talking heads running over and over the latest tidbits of new information, let's get down to business and 'move on' to the domestic debates. Maybe you haven't noticed but the grand guru is visiting his adopted land.

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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

I Spy and Free Trade

Well, here we go again . . . The noise from the cheerleaders and the critics of this administration are sounding out. Is he up to the task? This is a test that all are watching, will he pass? As usual, the spinsters are looking for a story, when they avoided the real questions for years. This in no Gulf of Tonkin threshold crisis. It will be viewed as an 'International Incident' when the dust settles. 

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Monday, December 9, 2013

Who's Got the Upper End?

For a most reluctant proponent of the RepubCANT'S, the first two months in power have been a pleasant surprise. The long view will tell the tale in the end, but the first report has a positive impression. Even if the notion of standing for 'Principle' is an allusion, it is a most refreshing change in appearance. 

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Friday, December 6, 2013

Gladiator or Tyrant?

Now that we know that Maximus has won the accolades, can we hope that the same will be earned by our current leader? Or will he fall under the spell of power; and abuse the trust of the Republic? To date, 'W' is no Commodus, but neither is he a Marcus Aurelius.

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Please show me the difference?

A constant argument from the political faithful, 'True Believers'; is that the current two party system allows for choice in policy. There is a difference between the Republicans and the Democrats. Their philosophy and tenants have opposing contrasts that seek to pursue distinct directions for government. Everyone knows that the Republicans are the party of business, while the Democrats are the party of the people . . . HELLO !!!!!! 

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The Drunk Never Knows When To Leave The Bar

The ABA is one of the most patrician interest groups to wheel power and influence. The nature of the this pressure group, is to bake their own cake and dish is out to their own. Like an inbred family where only first cousins marry each other, this group of charlatans scheme day and night to write, shape, mold and lobby the bills that will be placed into law.

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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Reform Elections?

Now that the Senate has turned their attention to debate campaign finance reform, does anyone really think that the obvious solutions will be adopted? This really is a very simple issue, and the resolution of the problem should be clear to any serious observer. So what needs to be done? 

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Monday, December 2, 2013

The Bull Gets Deneutered

When panic enters the recesses of the consciousness, it's too late for the 'so called' investor. We all have heard that you buy when blood is in the street. But when Lord Rothschild uttered this axiom, he had advance notice that Wellington had just defeated Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo.

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Friday, November 29, 2013

Genuine Bipartianship at Work

For those who doubt that the legislature speaks with but one voice, all you have to do is analysis the vote on the bankruptcy bill. When was the last time you heard of a bill with such sweeping consequences pass, in the dead of night, with the support from both parties, of all political persuasions?

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Market Crash and Reparations!

What do they have in common? The 'Herd Mentality' is the thread that runs under the surface of both. The Reality of the lost of value in the indexes that form the backbone on world markets is clear to even the most causal spectator. But the discussion that David Horowitz has attempted to bring center stage may escape the unobservant. 

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Where is the Foot and Mouth Disease?

With all the noise that have been going on in Europe for the last month, the attention is finally coming to the US. We have been told that there is no danger to humans from this disease. Only animals need to be destroyed. But is that really true? 

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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Barbarians and 'THE CITY'

Having frequently traveled to London for well over this last decade, the changes in conditions are much appreciated. A Cosmopolitan mixture of this great city has always been evident. Neighborhoods are distinct with ethnic groups seeking to reside in their own enclaves. Contrast this with 'The City' and you will find a most traditional British atmosphere within Westminster.

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Monday, November 25, 2013

Ronald Reagan - Man of the Century

On the celebration of a life worth lived, we have a hero who represented all that was good in an age of horror and suffering. Another figure in literature shares many of the same noble qualities, even though his fate is tragic. During another viewing today, of David Lean's masterwork, the central figure; Doctor Yurii Andreievich Zhivago, respects the splendor of life and has a profound devotion to justice. 

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Friday, November 22, 2013

Where Will the DemocRAT'S Party Turn?

All of DC is a buzz that its a done deal. Terry McAuliffe will be placed as head of the Party, next week. Klinton hasn't left the scene, but is placing his most visible money man in the top post. How happy most DemocRAT'S must be! The legacy is set and the next campaign is in full gear.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ronald Reagan - Man of the Century

On the celebration of a life worth lived, we have a hero who represented all that was good in an age of horror and suffering. Another figure in literature shares many of the same noble qualities, even though his fate is tragic. During another viewing today, of David Lean's masterwork, the central figure; Doctor Yurii Andreievich Zhivago, respects the splendor of life and has a profound devotion to justice. These traits run parallel to Reagan's eternal optimism and faith in the indomitable spirit of man and his will to banish those forces of depravity. 

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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Newsweek you will NOT Read

Drudge Reports: Late Wednesday top brass at NEWSWEEK made the call not to front a high-impact story crowning FOX NEWS the nation's cable news leader.

"The story will be running inside the magazine, not the cover," a top publishing source told the DRUDGE REPORT. "The decision was made at the highest levels of the corporation."

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