Tejek, RE: "All the reports I've read said that it was the Germans and Brits who warned......more the Germans rather than anyone else. France and Italy played small roles as well. I never read a thing about Israel. "
For some reason the media is suppressed about Israel govt's art student spying. I don't know why. Hopefully, it's only because Israel's govt was helping our govt step around the strict spying laws our country has. But it could be because Israel's govt crossed a line that the USA considered inappropriate by possibly double dipping into spying on military technology companies, and if so, aren't such things handled quietly between respective govts, rather than involving the public's outcry? Granted, at a minimum, the media should signal to hightech that the govt has a solid handle on whatever transpired.
In Israel, they require citizens to be a part of either the military or the Mossad. If an Israeli has worked for the Mossad when living in Israel, then quits Mossad, can that person come here legally? I mean, if everyone in Israel is either in the military or Mossad, how can an Israeli not be a former govt worker of sorts? If an American wants to have dual citizenship, doesn't that mean he or she has to be either in their military or Mossad, and if so, wouldn't that imply there are a lot of people in the USA that had previously worked for the Mossad?
RE: "That would be a huge accusation. Why?"
Because that's not what a partnering country would do.
The FBI was severely hampered in following up with alerts - they were forced to ignore investigating their own agent's warnings, in part due to our legislation that prevents adequate spying and in part due to a lack of hightech synchronized databases. I'd much rather have our laws permit our own govt to spy on our country, than have overly aggressive foreign agents do it for them. The foreign "art students" were spooky, especially the one that got aggressive and tried to barge past some of us to get to the back offices. Sufficiently spooky, that I'd prefer to drop the topic. The experience is enough for me to say we really need to change our laws to allow our own country's agents do the spying on us, rather than some overly aggressive foreign country's agents that are completely unrestricted.
RE: "Amy, I've seen no evidence to that effect."
Here's one: the FBI lady in Minneapolis was blocked from investigating the terrorist that's now in jail.
RE: "We need to reduce our dependency upon Middle East oil. It's unbelievable to me, we start a $300B war, but don't bother giving the auto industry (GM, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, Honda, etc.) huge RND refunds for bringing online alternative solutions. I agree about our oil dependency but why do you see a connection between that and our support of Israel? ted "
Because of the advisor to a former president's cabinet (or whatever they are called), that personally told me stability in the middle east is important due to our dependency on oil. You'll note that oil analysts say this too.
Just because you and I think there's a more constructive route (getting less dependent upon oil) doesn't mean that an Oil Industry Halliburton Republican would see it that way.
In a CNET article I just read, Barrett was talking about the importance of an alternative source of energy and the article said he has been talking about it for years. Thought Barrett was a Republican? Just goes to show you, some of them can be smart.
Kerry's platform is to really increase support for RND towards alternative sources of energy. I really hope Kerry gets into office to do this one item. Unlike the 70s inflationary period, this time around, the auto industry is keen on encouraging alternative sources of energy. Maybe more people would buy more cars, if the high price of gas wasn't the limiting factor.
Why look a gift horse in the mouth, unless you're an oil exec President that's more interested in pumping $300B into your favorite industries, traditional military and Pentagon, rather than pumping money into alternative sources of energy and a modern-day CIA geared up for the 21st century for protection. I've never understood why this country would start a $300B war, when there are people like John Walker (Walkner?) that met with bin Laden.
I think Democrats tend to put a higher value on Homeland Security, CIA and FBI than do Republicans who seem to prefer outdated geographical wars.
Regards,
Amy J |
