Norma and Sandpiper, thanks for the input on the PNAC. I looked it up on the web and found all kinds of links, some praising it, some telling of the threat it poses.

For those who like me were uninformed on the subject there's an artcle dated 2/25/03 at:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article1665.htm

quote:
The fundamental essence of PNAC's ideology can be found in a White Paper
produced in September of 2000 entitled "Rebuilding America's Defenses:
Strategy, Forces and Resources for a New Century." In it, PNAC outlines
what is required of America to create the global empire they envision.
According to PNAC, America must:
* Reposition permanently based forces to Southern Europe, Southeast Asia
and the Middle East;
* Modernize U.S. forces, including enhancing our fighter aircraft,
submarine and surface fleet capabilities;
* Develop and deploy a global missile defense system, and develop a
strategic dominance of space;
* Control the "International Commons" of cyberspace;
* Increase defense spending to a minimum of 3.8 percent of gross domestic
product, up from the 3 percent currently spent.
Also see:

Bush planned Iraq 'regime change' before becoming President
http://www.sundayherald.com/27735

quote:
The blueprint, uncovered by the Sunday Herald, for the creation of a 'global Pax Americana' was drawn up for Dick Cheney (now vice- president), Donald Rumsfeld (defence secretary), Paul Wolfowitz (Rumsfeld's deputy), George W Bush's younger brother Jeb and Lewis Libby (Cheney's chief of staff). The document, entitled Rebuilding America's Defences: Strategies, Forces And Resources For A New Century, was written in September 2000 by the neo-conservative think-tank Project for the New American Century (PNAC).

The plan shows Bush's cabinet intended to take military control of the Gulf region whether or not Saddam Hussein was in power. It says: 'The United States has for decades sought to play a more permanent role in Gulf regional security. While the unresolved conflict with Iraq provides the immediate justification, the need for a substantial American force presence in the Gulf transcends the issue of the regime of Saddam Hussein.'

The PNAC document supports a 'blueprint for maintaining global US pre-eminence, precluding the rise of a great power rival, and shaping the international security order in line with American principles and interests'.

This 'American grand strategy' must be advanced for 'as far into the future as possible', the report says. It also calls for the US to 'fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theatre wars' as a 'core mission'.
There are tons of articles one can read and decide for themselves whether or not we and the world are in dire jeopardy because of the PNAC. I, for one, believe we are, and we need to be vigilant in letting our representatives know how we feel about this. It all fits right in with what Bush has admitted doing recently and his claim that he has the authority to do it, even though many legal scholars disagree with him.


Today's news is geared to the corruption in Washington, pointing mostly to republicans and the Abramoff, Delay, Ney triangle. I only found one article on Bush, NSA and civil liberties from MyYahoo - Associated Press, below.

From MyYahoo - Associated Press

Specter Wants AG's Testimony on Spying
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060108/ap_on_go_co/domestic_spying

Asked on CBS's "Face the Nation" if Gonzales had agreed to appear, Specter said, "Well, I didn't ask him if he had agreed. I told him we were holding the hearings and he didn't object. I don't think he has a whole lot of choice on testifying."

[ January 08, 2006, 08:41 PM: Message edited by: Vi ]