HYPOCRITES EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK

Columnist Maureen Dowd was mentioned by The Spectrum's editor, Todd Seifert, as a prospective balance to the unbalanced Charles Krauthammer's anticipated addition to the editorial page.

Not really. Dowd is already writing her let's-get-the-cold-war- warmed-up-again columns in national papers. She blames Russia for the fighting and crisis in Georgia without even mentioning how Georgia came in shooting and killing the Ossetians they claimed to love. Georgian forces also killed 10 Russian peacekeepers who worked in Ossetia under international auspices. Refugees fled into Russia for safety.

Ossetia has never been a part of Georgia, and they refuse demands that they join the nation. Ossetians have had close ties to Russians, who have demonstrated sympathy with them for more than 15 years.

The attack by the Russian military on Georgia's invading army was natural and normal.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Hang Gliding

Several friends and relatives have noticed the absence of radio talk hosts who express sentiments against war, big oil, lobbyists, tax cuts only for top earners, our carefree health care system, corporate welfare, bank bail-outs, empire building, and deficit spending.

What's the reason for the one-sided broadcasts? I had believed that the public was not interested in anything but conservative and neocon prattle. Now, I've discovered the ownership situations in the news outlets. Major corporations hire the Seans, Rushes, Glenns, and Ollies to say what the corporations want said.

Overheard at Slippery Slope Saloon

"Senator John McCain said he doesn't know how many houses he owns. No more for me, bartender. I'm feeling kind of weak."

FRESH COLUMNISTS AT THE WAR PAPER

Editor Todd Seifert writes that he's considering adding Charles Krauthammer (aka Dr. Strangelove) to the editorial page of The Spectrum. Shock & awe - mostly shock.

I've been futilely chiding the hometown paper to inform us on the sanctions, depleted uranium, Blackwater security operations, and the new oil law written by our state department for the Iraq government. If Krauthammer ever mentions those, chances are he'll be in favor of them.

Many readers are still reeling over Senator Orrin Hatch's visit to The Spectrum. The senator claims we went to war to protect Israel. NOW, he tells us, six years after he voted to let our president attack for other reasons. Did the editors scold Hatch? Can a shrimp whistle?

The column by Spectrum's world-affairs-expert-for-20-years writer glorifies war enough without bringing in the ultimate jingoist. The editor plans to balance out this unbalanced writer with another columnist - probably Maureen Dowd.

Not enough. Pray for peace.

It's all so simple.

RON PAUL / RALPH NADER. THAT'S THE TICKET.

They both oppose war and intend to reduce self-serving corporate influences. Both know what they believe, with conviction. Paul and Nader would reform national health care. Yes, the former would encourage more freedom and alternative solutions; the latter would nationalize it. Either way would be better than the mess we have now which is riddled with graft, injustice and falling care.

A Paul-Nader team in the White House would deliver peace, balanced budgets, economic integrity, and confidence in the American people.

Paul and Nader; Peace and Prosperity.

It's all so simple.

Thoughts While Watching Truth Slip Slide Away:

The beat goes on. The armed forces of the nation of Georgia attacked its breakaway provinces of S. Ossetia and Abkhazia, which border Russia. A similar operation was undertaken years ago, and resulted in Russia sending in a permanent peacekeeping force under the auspices of an international agreement.

The breakaway provinces, especially Ossetia, declared their own independent nationhood at the same time as Georgia, when the Soviet Union fell apart. Georgia would not recognize Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, and became violent about it. The two provinces turned to Russia for recognition, trade and support. While broiling for about a decade, the situation was calmed by the presence of Russian peacekeepers and the expressions of friendship from Russian leaders such as Putin.

It was the Georgians who started the fighting and shooting this week. Georgian attacks killed 10 Russian civilians, peacekeepers who were there to prevent violence. Russia moved in to deny Georgia's annexations and to rescue its own people.

Instead of starting Cold War II, we should dig into the motives of Georgia's strange actions. The Georgian army was trained by American and Israei advisers. Hmmm.

Meetings & Events

The Dixie Pessimists' Club invites the public to Frenchy's to hear this month's speaker reveal the truth about growth, crime, water shortages, traffic, and affordable housing - which all are beyond solving. Reservations are required so call today, if it's not already too late. Seven pm on Tuesday.