Thoughts and Musings

I keep stumbling across things that stand out for me and I wanted to pass them on.

First, information for Veterans. The military is using a hemophilia drug used to treat rare forms of leukemia on the troops. The drug is being used as a blood clotting agent, but Recombinant Activated Factor VII is known to increase risks of strokes and heart attacks in those who don't have the condition.

The Veteran's Disability Benefits Commission is doing a survey between November 2006 and April 2007. They are "randomly" contacting veterans and "survivors"asking about their "health status, life satisfaction, health care and employment." The purpose is to generate data for their report to Congress on service related issues. The report is to be delivered in October 2007.

Have you heard the news that the government of Lebanon is on the verge of toppling? Hezbollah's power is growing. One has to wonder if the plan of Israel was to destabilize Lebanon. Just as one has to wonder if instability is the ultimate US goal in the Middle East and Southern Asia.

Read it and scratch your head "Kissinger says U.S. victory in Iraq is impossible".

Finally, Robert Gates - formerly Assistant Deputy with the CIA is up for Secretary of Defense. Meanwhile General Haden is now in charge of the CIA. I had thought that Haden had retired upon assuming the top post at the CIA, but I was just watching CSPAN's coverage of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Haden was there testifying - in full dress uniform. Is there a pattern here? Is there a plan afoot to blend the military and the CIA? Further given that we now have the massive apparatus of Homeland Security and the "consolidation" of intelligence agencies under the DII, are we seeing the birth of one monolithic covert military agency?