What Did Sarkozy Stand For, Other Than Election

Well, he stood up for the US/Israeli Axis on the foreign policy stage for one thing. But the rot set in in May 2007 at Fouquet’s restaurant when he celebrated winning the Presidential election. Sarkozy and his rich friends dined ostentatiously amidst the flashing of cameras, Rolexes and champagne glasses. He later spent a short holiday on the Paloma, the yacht of his friend Vincent Bolloré, one of the richest businessmen in France. Sarkozy had said in early 2007 that, if he won the presidency, he would spend some time meditating or gathering his thoughts, perhaps in a monastery. The desire to party instead put a curse on his presidency that he could not shake off throughout his five-year term. It remains to be seen if Carla Bruni will leave him this week and move in with Francois Hollande. So much for La Republique De Bling.

War Porn Insanity - Just the $14.6 Billion This Time

YRH-70 test, 2005
(click to view full)

The US Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) program aimed to replace around 375 Bell Textron OH-58D Kiowa Warriorhelicopters, after the $14.6 billion RAH-66 Comanche program, was canceled in 2004. Instead, the Army would buy a larger number of less expensive platforms, with reduced capabilities. Bell Helicopter Textron initially won the ARH competition with a militarized version of its highly successful 407 single-engine commercial helicopter, but despite significant private investment after Army funding stopped in March 2007, spiraling costs killed the ARH-70 in October 2008.

What hasn’t changed is the battlefield need for on-call, front-line aerial surveillance and fire support. With its existing OH-58D stock wither wearing down, or shot down, the Army needs to do something. But what? This will serve as DID’s FOCUS Article for the ARH program, and its potential successor the Armed Aerial Scout. It includes updated background, coverage of contracts and key events, and additional research materials.

Who Poisoned Lenin?

Vladimir Putin Sworn In

Mr Putin took the presidential oath at the Grand Kremlin Palace, in a hall that was once the throne room of the Russian tsars.
If he completes his six-year term, Mr Putin will be the longest serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin, our correspondent says.
However, Mr Putin faces many problems; the political system he created has been showing cracks, economic growth is forecast to slow, and violence in the volatile North Caucasus continues, he adds.
How he deals with the wave of opposition protests which broke out last December will also be a key test of his administration, correspondents say. More

'Veils' By Crybaby

Reactions En France A L'Election De Francois Hollande

Murdoch Legacy - I Give You Fox News

Fox actually believe they’re doing serious journalism. Keller goes on to say that Fox and two new biographies of Ailes demonstrate how the company aims to do the same things to “the story of the day: control it, spin it for his segmented audience of believers, and demonize anyone who sees things differently. MORE

Critical Election In Greece

‘Israel's gone way beyond apartheid’

‘Israel's gone way beyond apartheid’ -- New Internationalist:

Colin Powell is so sad he can't erase 'blot' on his reputation

Daily Kos: Colin Powell is so sad he can't erase 'blot' on his reputation:

Fancy Some False Pledges?

If you are in a mood for some self-deluding and palpably mendacious promises here is Obama's weekly address:

August, 1914

What in our lives is burnt
In the fire of this?
The heart’s dear granary?
The much we shall miss?

Three lives hath one life –
Iron, honey, gold.
The gold, the honey gone –
Left is the hard and cold.

Iron are our lives
Molten right through our youth.
A burnt space through ripe fields
A fair mouth’s broken tooth.

Isaac Rosenberg

Cameron Texted Rebekah Brooks "A Dozen" Times a Day

New Statesman - Cameron texted Rebekah Brooks "a dozen" times a day:

US-Russia Missile Negotiations Stall

Clip - US Political Satire

KBR Want To Run UK Police

The Texas-based Kellogg Brown & Root, which was sold off by the controversial Halliburton corporation in 2007, is part of a consortium which has made it to the final shortlist for a contract that will see large-scale involvement of the private sector in British policing for the first time.

When KBR was still part of Halliburton it won a large share of Pentagon contracts to build and manage US military bases in Iraq after the 2003 invasion. Its former chief executive, Dick Cheney, was US vice-president. MORE

Bayrou Votera Hollande

François Bayrou votera pour François Hollande by LCP

Sarkozy Now Desperate. Will Say Anything

There was more stunning news to come. On French television, Sarkozy categorically denied having said the words "real work". He denied the facts for 24 long hours. Then, on national radio, contrite and charming, he finally admitted to having said those words because "for a rally, they sounded really good". Asked to comment on Sarkozy's "temporary amnesia", as polite French journalists called the episode, his socialist rival François Hollande replied: "All I know is that he's the president of 'real unemployment'!" The pique proved too tempting. MORE

Twin Evils: Vietnam and Iraq

Twin Evils: Vietnam and Iraq « LewRockwell.com Blog:

Adieu, Sarkozy

Günter Grass and the Anti-Semitism Canard

Günter Grass and the Anti-Semitism Canard:

Murdoch:Hacking Scandal Highlights

The Ballad Of Sacco And Vanzetti

A working-class ballad from Woody Guthrie to mark May Day:

May Day In Havana

Not A Bad Turnout

Iraq Civilian Deaths Climb In April

REFILE-Iraq civilian deaths climb in April -govt figures - AlertNet:

Workers around the world mark May Day

Workers around the world mark May Day - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English:

Murdoch 'Not Fit To Run A Corporation'

Murdoch 'Not Fit To Run A Corporation':