U.S. removes 'yellowcake' from Iraq

[Clipper]

Has anyone ever read "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis? I read it several years ago, as I had a spell when I wanted to read any and all writings of Sinclair Lewis. I also have been through periods of reading every book ever written by John Steinbeck, and now I am reading everything written by John Grisham, and Jonathan Kellerman.

Anyways, back to the subject of "It Can't Happen Here". Sinclair Lewis wrote this fictional piece about Southern fascist politician that rose to fame in the days when FDR was in trouble, the country was in a depression, the New Deal was failing, and the Republican Party was basically on the rocks and in danger of falling apart.

This fascist president allowed big business to dictate policy, and was loading the supreme court with justices that served his fascist agenda, etc. etc. etc. It smacks of similarity to some of todays happenings and presidents continue to load the court with self serving selections even today.

While it is not as accurate in imitating the problems of today, as it was then, there are many similarities to the problems facing the nation today, and the decline of popularity to the Republican party under George Bush.

Sinclair Lewis also wrote "Main Street" and "Babbit" and other wonderful novels, with a message. Literature of the 30's and 40's is much more meaningful than what I read today, which seems to currently be mystery and crime novels, haha.

I love to study history, especially American History, and the history of local areas that I live in. I should pay more attention to history AS IT IS BEING MADE, LOL. I saw Obama books and McCain's books, both for sale on a book table at Kroger's supermarket the other day. I am not terribly interested in Obama, and have more or less already formed my opinion of him. I am however interested in the writings of John McCain, whom I find to be a great patriot. I am convinced that we need to elect John McCain for at least one term to insure our safety against terror. Economic issues can be addressed by a skilled cabinet, that could make up for McCains weak points. Obama is just too damned cocky and inexperienced, and wants us to believe that he has ALL the answers McCain is honest enough to admit that he doesn't have all the answers, but will seek the necessary solutions if elected. To me that is honesty and integrity.

For a good "read," grab a copy of "It Can't Happen Here" from your local library. I am considering grabbing a copy and re-reading it myself. It was a fine novel, by a wonderful author. It is a book that takes a couple of chapters to get into, but then you can't put it down. Sinclair Lewis was an extremely gifted writer, and all of his books will hold your interest.

[dgriffin]

Here's an interesting article about the purported visit by Iraqis to Niger regarding the yellowcake. There's good reason to believe the Niger caper did in fact take place.
www.slate.com/id/2146475/
The issue here is whether Saddam tried to get MORE yellowcake after his invasion of Kuwait. We knew he already had yellowcake from before the Kuwait invasion. It had been sealed by the IAEA during inspections immediately after that war.

And of course, this is all separate from whether Bush should have used the yellowcake as part of his WMD argument. See the July, 2004 FactCheck.org article at:
www.factcheck.org/bushs_16_words_on_iraq_uranium.html
It says he may have been wrong about his indirect reference to the Niger visit, but he wasn't lying. But there seems to be evidence that he was neither wrong nor lying.

[Clipper]

Hmmm. I guess I hijacked another thread. I opened the page his morning, and read what I wrote last night. I guess in thinking of the political scene, and the Bush bashing, my mind simply wandered to thoughts of the Sinclair Lewis book, and politics in general.

It is interesting that sometimes a fictional piece, becomes factual in at some time in the future. I have seen fiction become history many times over the years.

I apologize for the lapse, and wandering. I guess when you get older, and have read as much as I have, it is not hard to let your mind wander to things you have read in the past.

I am guilty of getting deep into thought while on-line, and my thoughts get off topic. Unfortunately, my fingers follow, LOL.

[Swimmy]

Don't be embarrassed about getting into deep thought while online and getting off topic. I do it all the time. Sometimes that is how new ideas are created and an understanding of one's viewpoint is reached. I encourage the behavior. It makes for better discussions and more informed debating.

It is interesting that the truth now comes out after all the political posturing has dissipated. The unforgiving truth that those who denied it now have to face.

[dgriffin]

Don't worry, Clipper. We don't need "no steeenking topic!" I'm constantly going off topic. However, I don't think your post was that far off. It isn't the yellowcake that's important. Saddam was years from making it useful to him, except as Corner pointed out, for dirty bombs. What's important is the tendency of the American public to not think or discuss these things, instead parroting what they hear on CNN or other networks. That's the danger, and "It could happen Here" speaks to that.
Matter of fact, we should discuss more books here. Anyone read "John Adams"?
Whoops, maybe on another thread/topic.
Maybe we should have a Books forum under General or News.
I think that would be unique among most of the news forums I've seen.

[Swimmy]

Yeah, like 1984. I read it in college, but I'm reading it again because let's face it. In college, I only half-assed it and used the movie as a fake substitute. Don't know what I was thinking then.

[dgriffin]

Ah, Koestler. my favorite of his was "Darkness at Noon."

And do you remember, Ray Bradbury's "Farenheit 451?" Book burning taken to the limit.

But for a 1984-style book, my favorite was "This Perfect Day," by Ira Levin, published in the late 1960's. I liked it even better than "1984."

An aside from Wiki:
"In November, 1960, Koestler participated in Timothy Leary's early experiments with psilocybin at Harvard. According to fellow participant Charles Olson, Koestler was distressed by the effects of the drug and isolated himself in an unfurnished bedroom in the Cambridge house Leary used for his project. In "Return Trip to Nirvana," published in the Sunday Telegraph in 1967, Koestler wrote about the drug culture and his own experiences with hallucinogens. The article also challenged the defence of drugs in Aldous Huxley's The Doors of Perception."

[Swimmy]

I remember Fahrenheit 451 quite well. To the point that it scares me how much of a reality it has become. Like the final chase scenes. "Someone has to pay and the public wants a quick resolution." (not a direct quote, but it's a summary of the theory being advanced).

[dgriffin]

Bradbury wasn't as deep as Koestler, but the story certainly was a classic. Just the idea of showing up and burning down your bookshelves is a kicker.
I think you'd really like "Darkness At Noon." Koestler wrote it as a sort of "Gulag" style novel.

Hey Clipper! If you're listening, we really need a BOOK Forum!

[rickolney]

Jul 8, 2008 6:25:03 GMT -5 corner said:

would make a hell of a lot of "dirty" bombs, maybe we did go after one of the right countries...saudi arabia should be next.

I agree.

I also agree with Frank's remarks re: "In 2001, I believed one of two things were true; either Saddam had weapons of mass destruction or he was going to get them. I'm astounded at the number of people today who claim that was not a valid position."

Let them eat cake! Hopefully Canada won't lose any of it.