Monday, December 29, 2008
2004 Rippon Vineyards Pinot Noir
**2004 Rippon Vineyards Pinot Noir (New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka)** The nose had cherry, rhubarb, earth, spice, and oak. The palate was soft, but a bit tannic, and had earth, spice, cherry, and a slight oak finish. (88 pts.)
2003 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova
**2003 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)** The nose had toasted chili pepper, raspberry, cherry, and leather. The palate was soft, and had chili, cherry, black currant, and a leather finish. (92 pts.)
Best of the Best - Flight Two
Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=6478) I tasted today:
* **2006 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja** The nose had coffee, spice, oak, raspberry, and pepper. The palate was very smooth, and had berry, coffee, and licorice. (93 pts.)
* **2003 Tommaso Bussola Valpolicella Classico Superiore Tb - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico Superiore** The nose had cherry, chocolate, figs, and spice. The palate had cherry, figs, spice, and a chocolate finish. (92 pts.)
* **2004 Château de Carles Haut-Carles - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac** The nose had stone, dirt, blueberry, and blackberry. The palate had blueberry, rocks, blackberry, and floral notes. (91 pts.)
* **2006 Seven Hills Vintage Red Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain** The nose had blackberry, black currant, spice, and a touch of oak. The palate was ripe, and had black currant, blackberry, and vanilla. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Veraison Black Bart Marsanne - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had peach, honey, citrus, and floral notes. The palate was creamy and rich, and had honey, citrus, and a finish that reminded me of glue. (88 pts.)
* **2006 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja** The nose had coffee, spice, oak, raspberry, and pepper. The palate was very smooth, and had berry, coffee, and licorice. (93 pts.)
* **2003 Tommaso Bussola Valpolicella Classico Superiore Tb - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico Superiore** The nose had cherry, chocolate, figs, and spice. The palate had cherry, figs, spice, and a chocolate finish. (92 pts.)
* **2004 Château de Carles Haut-Carles - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac** The nose had stone, dirt, blueberry, and blackberry. The palate had blueberry, rocks, blackberry, and floral notes. (91 pts.)
* **2006 Seven Hills Vintage Red Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain** The nose had blackberry, black currant, spice, and a touch of oak. The palate was ripe, and had black currant, blackberry, and vanilla. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Veraison Black Bart Marsanne - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had peach, honey, citrus, and floral notes. The palate was creamy and rich, and had honey, citrus, and a finish that reminded me of glue. (88 pts.)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Best of the Best - Flight One + Bonus
Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=6466) I tasted today:
* **2004 Fess Parker Syrah Rodney's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County** The nose had blackberry, pepper, raspberry, smoke, and earth. The palate was soft, rich, and chewy, and had smoke, earth, and blackberry. (91 pts.)
* **2005 Darioush Shiraz Caravan - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had coffee, pepper, orange, and blackberry. The palate was soft, and had espresso, black currant, and jam. (91 pts.)
* **2005 Atalayas de Golban Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero** The nose had plum, dried leaves, candied fruit, and vanilla. The palate was slightly tannic, and had plum jam, earth, spice, and a touch of oak. (90 pts.)
* **2007 Ecker Muskateller Gelber Muskateller - Austria, Niederösterreich, Donauland** The nose had floral notes, honey, and cinnamon. The palate had nutmeg, floral notes, spice, and a honey finish. (88 pts.)
* **2001 Gianni Paoletti Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had black currant, cherry, cedar, and vanilla. The palate was a bit thin, but had spice, black currant, and oak. (85 pts.)
* **2005 Australian Domaine Wines Shiraz Solitary Block - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley** The nose had earth, licorice, black currant, and raspberry. The palate was rich, and had earth, blackberry, raspberry, oak, and spice. (91 pts.)
* **N.V. Marc Hébrart Champagne Premier Cru "Cuvee de Reserve" - France, Champagne** The nose had apple, pear, yeast, and floral notes. The palate had apple, bread, pear, and stone. (89 pts.)
* **2004 Fess Parker Syrah Rodney's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County** The nose had blackberry, pepper, raspberry, smoke, and earth. The palate was soft, rich, and chewy, and had smoke, earth, and blackberry. (91 pts.)
* **2005 Darioush Shiraz Caravan - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had coffee, pepper, orange, and blackberry. The palate was soft, and had espresso, black currant, and jam. (91 pts.)
* **2005 Atalayas de Golban Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero** The nose had plum, dried leaves, candied fruit, and vanilla. The palate was slightly tannic, and had plum jam, earth, spice, and a touch of oak. (90 pts.)
* **2007 Ecker Muskateller Gelber Muskateller - Austria, Niederösterreich, Donauland** The nose had floral notes, honey, and cinnamon. The palate had nutmeg, floral notes, spice, and a honey finish. (88 pts.)
* **2001 Gianni Paoletti Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had black currant, cherry, cedar, and vanilla. The palate was a bit thin, but had spice, black currant, and oak. (85 pts.)
* **2005 Australian Domaine Wines Shiraz Solitary Block - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley** The nose had earth, licorice, black currant, and raspberry. The palate was rich, and had earth, blackberry, raspberry, oak, and spice. (91 pts.)
* **N.V. Marc Hébrart Champagne Premier Cru "Cuvee de Reserve" - France, Champagne** The nose had apple, pear, yeast, and floral notes. The palate had apple, bread, pear, and stone. (89 pts.)
Friday, December 26, 2008
2006 Blackstone Winery Merlot
**2006 Blackstone Winery Merlot (USA, California)** The nose had cherry and raspberry, some spice, and a vanilla finish. The palate was a bit tannic, but had raspberry, oak, and a spicy cherry finish. (81 pts.)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
2004 Luigi Bosca Gala 2
**2004 Luigi Bosca Gala 2 (Argentina, Mendoza)** The nose had black currant, chocolate, dirt, cherry, and vanilla. The palate was rich and juicy, and had black currant, earth, chocolate, cherry, and a nice pepper and oak finish. (90 pts.)
Military Dictatorship
The Pentagon is prepared to squash civil unrest at [home](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/pers-d23.shtml).
>In other words, a sharp intensification of the unfolding capitalist crisis accompanied by an eruption of class struggle and the threat of social revolution in the US itself could force the Pentagon to call back its expeditionary armies from Iraq and Afghanistan for use against American workers.
>In other words, a sharp intensification of the unfolding capitalist crisis accompanied by an eruption of class struggle and the threat of social revolution in the US itself could force the Pentagon to call back its expeditionary armies from Iraq and Afghanistan for use against American workers.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Are Unions Finished
It's sad that the UAW has become [a union in name only](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/pers-d22.shtml).
>What remains of the historical past of the UAW and the rest of the official unions as workers’ organizations is a purely terminological remnant. In the social role they play, they are organizations through which the demands of the government and the corporations are imposed on the workers. They in no way carry out even the elementary tasks historically associated with unions—mitigating the exploitation of the working class by improving wages and working conditions.
>What remains of the historical past of the UAW and the rest of the official unions as workers’ organizations is a purely terminological remnant. In the social role they play, they are organizations through which the demands of the government and the corporations are imposed on the workers. They in no way carry out even the elementary tasks historically associated with unions—mitigating the exploitation of the working class by improving wages and working conditions.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
2006 Sanford Chardonnay
**2006 Sanford Chardonnay (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)** The nose had apple, pear, melon, and vanilla. The palate was crisp and rich, and had pear, melon, spice, and a little butter on the finish. (85 pts.)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Merlot and Chardonnay
Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=6421) I tasted today:
* **2005 Stuhlmuller Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve, Estate Bottled - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley** The nose had candied fruit, stone, citrus, and tropical fruit. The palate was fat, and had butter, pear, apple, and citrus. (92 pts.)
* **2005 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley** The nose had blackberry, plum, raspberry, cherry, and vanilla. The palate had blackberry, raspberry, cherry, oak, and a mint finish. (90 pts.)
* **2006 Groth Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had apple, pineapple, spice, and a hint of vanilla. The palate was rich and creamy, and had toast, pineapple, and citrus. (88 pts.)
* **2006 Gemtree Vineyards Chardonnay Citrine - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had bread, pear, and citrus. The palate was very smoky, and had lime, bread, and pear. (88 pts.)
* **2003 MacRostie Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros** The nose had black currant, spice, and vanilla. The palate had black currant, blackberry, and spice. (87 pts.)
* **1999 Château La Couspade - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru** The nose had spice, earth, cherry, and a little oak. The palate was a bit thin, and had cherry, earth, and spice. (87 pts.)
* **2006 Summers Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had herbs, currant, toast, and plum. The palate had black currant, spice, and oak. (86 pts.)
* **2005 Rubicon Estate / Niebaum-Coppola Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had dirt, black currant, plum, cherry, and spice. The palate was soft, and had black currant, cherry, and spice. (91 pts.)
* **2006 Staglin Family Chardonnay Salus - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford** The nose had pear, apple, butter, spice, and stone. The palate had apple, nuts, butter, spice, and toast. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Stuhlmuller Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve, Estate Bottled - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley** The nose had candied fruit, stone, citrus, and tropical fruit. The palate was fat, and had butter, pear, apple, and citrus. (92 pts.)
* **2005 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley** The nose had blackberry, plum, raspberry, cherry, and vanilla. The palate had blackberry, raspberry, cherry, oak, and a mint finish. (90 pts.)
* **2006 Groth Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had apple, pineapple, spice, and a hint of vanilla. The palate was rich and creamy, and had toast, pineapple, and citrus. (88 pts.)
* **2006 Gemtree Vineyards Chardonnay Citrine - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had bread, pear, and citrus. The palate was very smoky, and had lime, bread, and pear. (88 pts.)
* **2003 MacRostie Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros** The nose had black currant, spice, and vanilla. The palate had black currant, blackberry, and spice. (87 pts.)
* **1999 Château La Couspade - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru** The nose had spice, earth, cherry, and a little oak. The palate was a bit thin, and had cherry, earth, and spice. (87 pts.)
* **2006 Summers Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had herbs, currant, toast, and plum. The palate had black currant, spice, and oak. (86 pts.)
* **2005 Rubicon Estate / Niebaum-Coppola Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had dirt, black currant, plum, cherry, and spice. The palate was soft, and had black currant, cherry, and spice. (91 pts.)
* **2006 Staglin Family Chardonnay Salus - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford** The nose had pear, apple, butter, spice, and stone. The palate had apple, nuts, butter, spice, and toast. (90 pts.)
Friday, December 19, 2008
I Bet They Are Scared Now
[Occupation at the New School](http://socialistworker.org/2008/12/19/occupation-at-the-new-school)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
A Slap In The Face
Why do politicians think they need to pander to the [religious right](http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/12/18-7)?
Day Of Reckoning?
If you're still not sure whether Bush and Co. should be investigated for [war crimes](http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/12/18-5), think about this quote from Thomas Paine in Common Sense:
>A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
>A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
Here They Go Again
If you read the following two articles, it becomes quite clear what is going on with auto bailout:
* [Why the UAW and the Democrats are pushing economic nationalism](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/pers-d18.shtml)
* [Bush administration stalls on bailout](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/auto-d18.shtml)
The ruling class is trying to keep the working class from banding together to fight them. And the best way to do that is to use race, religion, or nationality to divide us. It is time for us to stop failing for this trick. Our interests are not the same as the elite's. It time for us to start working with our working class brothers and sisters to fight these crooks.
* [Why the UAW and the Democrats are pushing economic nationalism](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/pers-d18.shtml)
* [Bush administration stalls on bailout](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/auto-d18.shtml)
The ruling class is trying to keep the working class from banding together to fight them. And the best way to do that is to use race, religion, or nationality to divide us. It is time for us to stop failing for this trick. Our interests are not the same as the elite's. It time for us to start working with our working class brothers and sisters to fight these crooks.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
2007 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard
**2007 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands)** The nose had lots of cherry cola, some forest floor, brown spice, and a hint of vanilla. The palate was rich, with good acidity, and had mushroom, cherry, spice, and a slight oak finish. (88 pts.)
Revisionist History
Scott Ritter has a good article about [Dick Cheney's Fantasy World](http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/12/17-3).
Obamanomics
Obama's economic team is made up of many of the people at the heart of the [current crisis](http://socialistworker.org/2008/12/16/intro-to-obamanomics).
>The key is how working people mobilize to make their demands felt on the political system. If there isn't pressure from below, the political establishment--under a President Obama, as under a President Bush--will try to put the interests of Corporate America first, whatever the exact tactics they decide to use.
>The key is how working people mobilize to make their demands felt on the political system. If there isn't pressure from below, the political establishment--under a President Obama, as under a President Bush--will try to put the interests of Corporate America first, whatever the exact tactics they decide to use.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Let The Trials Begin
Now that Cheney has [admitted to war crimes](http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/12/16-1), when will the impeachment hearings start?
>Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that he was directly involved in approving severe interrogation methods used by the CIA, and that the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should remain open indefinitely.
>Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that he was directly involved in approving severe interrogation methods used by the CIA, and that the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should remain open indefinitely.
US Belligerence Will Continue Under Obama
Obama campaign adviser Dennis Ross says the [Bush administration has been too lenient](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/gate-d16.shtml) with Iran.
>The threat of a new eruption of US militarism in the Middle East under the Obama administration demonstrates that the driving forces are not malevolent individuals but the fundamental economic and strategic interests of US imperialism.
>The threat of a new eruption of US militarism in the Middle East under the Obama administration demonstrates that the driving forces are not malevolent individuals but the fundamental economic and strategic interests of US imperialism.
Corruption Is The Name Of The Game
If you think corruption in politics is a rare occurrence, you might want to read [this](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/schu-d16.shtml).
>According to the Times: "Senator Schumer plays an unrivaled role in Washington as beneficiary, advocate and overseer of an industry that is his hometown's most important business"—i.e., the bankers who have plunged the US and world economy into the greatest crisis since the Great Depression.
>According to the Times: "Senator Schumer plays an unrivaled role in Washington as beneficiary, advocate and overseer of an industry that is his hometown's most important business"—i.e., the bankers who have plunged the US and world economy into the greatest crisis since the Great Depression.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie
Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=6387) I tasted today:
* **2006 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had blueberry, violets, cherry liqueur, spice, and coffee. The palate had blackberry, cherry, floral notes, spice, and a blueberry finish. (92 pts.)
* **2005 Blackbilly Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had smoke, blueberry, beef fat, and a touch of oak. The palate had black currant, blackberry, and a nice bacon finish. (90 pts.)
* **2006 Hewitson Shiraz Ned & Henry's - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley** The nose had black cherry, blackberry, meat, spice, and a bit of dirt. The palate had earth, blackberry, raspberry, spice, and a floral finish. (90 pts.)
* **2005 De Lisio Grenache - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had raspberry, black currant, cherry, and some perfume. The palate had sweet raspberry, black currant, spice, oak, and a floral finish. It was good, but a little hot. (90 pts.)
* **2006 Gemtree Vineyards Shiraz Uncut - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had raspberry, plum. oak, spice, and some cherry. The palate had spice, raspberry, plum, and a cherry finish. (89 pts.)
* **2006 Noon Eclipse - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had lots of perfume, earth, floral notes, cherry, licorice, and raspberry. The palate was rich, and had earth, lavender, licorice, raspberry, and cherry. (93 pts.)
* **2006 Shirvington Cabernet Sauvignon - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had toast, oak, spice, blackberry, cherry, and floral notes. The palate was a bit too light, but had black currant, toast, spice, and raspberry. (89 pts.)
* **2006 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had blueberry, violets, cherry liqueur, spice, and coffee. The palate had blackberry, cherry, floral notes, spice, and a blueberry finish. (92 pts.)
* **2005 Blackbilly Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had smoke, blueberry, beef fat, and a touch of oak. The palate had black currant, blackberry, and a nice bacon finish. (90 pts.)
* **2006 Hewitson Shiraz Ned & Henry's - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley** The nose had black cherry, blackberry, meat, spice, and a bit of dirt. The palate had earth, blackberry, raspberry, spice, and a floral finish. (90 pts.)
* **2005 De Lisio Grenache - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had raspberry, black currant, cherry, and some perfume. The palate had sweet raspberry, black currant, spice, oak, and a floral finish. It was good, but a little hot. (90 pts.)
* **2006 Gemtree Vineyards Shiraz Uncut - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had raspberry, plum. oak, spice, and some cherry. The palate had spice, raspberry, plum, and a cherry finish. (89 pts.)
* **2006 Noon Eclipse - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had lots of perfume, earth, floral notes, cherry, licorice, and raspberry. The palate was rich, and had earth, lavender, licorice, raspberry, and cherry. (93 pts.)
* **2006 Shirvington Cabernet Sauvignon - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale** The nose had toast, oak, spice, blackberry, cherry, and floral notes. The palate was a bit too light, but had black currant, toast, spice, and raspberry. (89 pts.)
Too Bad They Will Never Be Prosecuted
The Senate panel's report on the [Treatment of Detainees in US Custody](http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/supporting/2008/Detainees.121108.pdf) is available as a PDF. You can also [read](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/tort-d13.shtml) an analysis of the panels finding.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Real Crisis Of The US Auto Industry
The only thing they care about is keeping the working class as poor as possible without hurting their [profits](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/auto-d12.shtml)
>The ongoing debate over the auto bailout has demonstrated the conspiracy of the automakers, the two big business parties and the UAW against the autoworkers. All insist that workers must pay for a crisis that they did not cause, in order to restore the auto companies to profitability so they can once again be a lucrative source of income for corporate executives and big investors who are responsible for the financial catastrophe.
>The ongoing debate over the auto bailout has demonstrated the conspiracy of the automakers, the two big business parties and the UAW against the autoworkers. All insist that workers must pay for a crisis that they did not cause, in order to restore the auto companies to profitability so they can once again be a lucrative source of income for corporate executives and big investors who are responsible for the financial catastrophe.
They Won But They Lost
It's sad that workers had to take over a factory to get the benefits they were legally entitled to instead of using that energy to get what they really [needed](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/pers-d12.shtml).
>The quick settlement—coming after the workers received the verbal support of several Democratic Party politicians, including President-elect Barack Obama—reflected an attempt to get ahead of any broader struggle, to contain it before it got out of hand.
>The quick settlement—coming after the workers received the verbal support of several Democratic Party politicians, including President-elect Barack Obama—reflected an attempt to get ahead of any broader struggle, to contain it before it got out of hand.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
And He Said It With A Straight Face
After almost 8 years of failure, how can Bush be so [unrepentant](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/bush-d11.shtml).
>Given the events of the last eight years, the Bush Doctrine deserves to be thrown on the scrap heap of history together with the doctrines of aggressive war propagated by Nazi Germany 70 years ago. He and other leading figures in his administration deserve to be tried for war crimes as well as crimes against the US Constitution. What then is to explain his seeming confidence in claiming vindication for his appalling record? No doubt it is a well-founded conviction that under the incoming Obama administration, the Bush Doctrine—whatever tactical modifications may be made—will remain essentially intact as the foundation for US imperialist policy on a global scale.
>Given the events of the last eight years, the Bush Doctrine deserves to be thrown on the scrap heap of history together with the doctrines of aggressive war propagated by Nazi Germany 70 years ago. He and other leading figures in his administration deserve to be tried for war crimes as well as crimes against the US Constitution. What then is to explain his seeming confidence in claiming vindication for his appalling record? No doubt it is a well-founded conviction that under the incoming Obama administration, the Bush Doctrine—whatever tactical modifications may be made—will remain essentially intact as the foundation for US imperialist policy on a global scale.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
He's Reaching Too Far Across The Aisle
Why does Obama keeping picking all these [losers](http://www.gregpalast.com/obamas-way-to-go-brownie-moment/) for cabinet positions?
>We thought Obama would go a very different way. You'd think the studious Senator from Illinois would avoid repeating the Bush regime's horror show of unqualified appointments, of picking politicos over professionals.
I never thought that.
>We thought Obama would go a very different way. You'd think the studious Senator from Illinois would avoid repeating the Bush regime's horror show of unqualified appointments, of picking politicos over professionals.
I never thought that.
Who Are The Taliban?
Here is a nice [analysis](http://socialistworker.org/2008/12/09/who-are-the-taliban) of what is going on in Afghanistan.
Kangaroo Court
Is this the [example](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/guan-d10.shtml) we wish the rest of the world to imitate?
>They are being prosecuted for war crimes in what amounts to a drumhead military tribunal, set up under the Military Commissions Act passed by the US Congress in 2006. The legislation set up a kangaroo court system in which defendants can be prosecuted on secret evidence, as well as hearsay evidence and confessions extracted through torture. The defense attorneys and military officers appointed by the Pentagon are denied access to much of the evidence as well as to witnesses for the prosecution. A number of the officers assigned to the commissions have resigned in protest, denouncing the system as a travesty of justice designed to rubber stamp the prosecution’s indictments.
>They are being prosecuted for war crimes in what amounts to a drumhead military tribunal, set up under the Military Commissions Act passed by the US Congress in 2006. The legislation set up a kangaroo court system in which defendants can be prosecuted on secret evidence, as well as hearsay evidence and confessions extracted through torture. The defense attorneys and military officers appointed by the Pentagon are denied access to much of the evidence as well as to witnesses for the prosecution. A number of the officers assigned to the commissions have resigned in protest, denouncing the system as a travesty of justice designed to rubber stamp the prosecution’s indictments.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Who Is He Kidding?
[Obama calls for “shared burdens” in US economic crisis](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/obam-d08.shtml). If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that rich never share anything when it comes to their money during times like these.
>If one examines his language carefully, and thinks through the implications, Obama has spelled out a program that is tailored to serve the class interests of the US financial aristocracy at the expense of working people.
>If one examines his language carefully, and thinks through the implications, Obama has spelled out a program that is tailored to serve the class interests of the US financial aristocracy at the expense of working people.
Education Costs Are Going Up
The best way to control the working class is to keep them [ignorant](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/educ-d08.shtml).
>A chart in the study displays US household income, separated into quintiles, from lowest to highest. For each quintile, average college costs as a percentage of income are compared from 1999-2000 and 2007-2008. For the lowest income quintile, the percentage of household income represented by average college costs leaped from 39 percent in 1999-2000 to 55 percent in 2007-2008, essentially putting college education out of reach for these families. For the second lowest income quintile, the figure increased from 23 percent to 33 percent of household income. In the fourth and fifth quintiles, the percentage increase was only 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively. The latter figures underscore the tremendous growth of inequality over the last decade.
>A chart in the study displays US household income, separated into quintiles, from lowest to highest. For each quintile, average college costs as a percentage of income are compared from 1999-2000 and 2007-2008. For the lowest income quintile, the percentage of household income represented by average college costs leaped from 39 percent in 1999-2000 to 55 percent in 2007-2008, essentially putting college education out of reach for these families. For the second lowest income quintile, the figure increased from 23 percent to 33 percent of household income. In the fourth and fifth quintiles, the percentage increase was only 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively. The latter figures underscore the tremendous growth of inequality over the last decade.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
2002 Castell del Remei Costers del Segre Gotim Bru
**2002 Castell del Remei Costers del Segre Gotim Bru (Spain, Catalunya, Costers del Segre)** The nose had cherry and wet earth, a bit of spice, and oak at the end. The palate had lots of dirt mixed with some cherry, a little wood, and a spicy finish. (87 pts.)
Champagne and Cabernet
Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=6348) I tasted yesterday:
* **2005 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley** The nose had blackberry, pepper, black currant, tea, and floral notes. The palate had blackberry, tea, violets, pepper, and black currant. (94 pts.)
* **N.V. Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Cuvée St. Anne - France, Champagne** The nose had lots of fresh baked rye bread, some stone and honey, and a little citrus at the end. The palate was crisp and very dry, and had honey, rye bread, stone, and a finish of apple. (93 pts.)
* **N.V. Gaston Chiquet Champagne Cuvée de Réserve - France, Champagne** The nose had licorice, bread, citrus, and stone. The palate had bread and apple, a little lemon, and a mineral and honey finish. (93 pts.)
* **2005 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had blackberry, chocolate, black currant, spice, and oak. The palate had blackberry, cherry, spice, and oak. (90 pts.)
* **N.V. Paul Goerg Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut - France, Champagne** The nose was very floral, and had bread, honey, and apple. The palate was rich, and had yeast, apple, minerals, and a slightly sweet floral finish. (88 pts.)
* **2001 Vilmart Champagne Grand Cellier d'Or 1er Cru - France, Champagne** The nose had yeast, lemon, apple, vanilla, and floral notes. The palate had vanilla, coconut, lemon, apple, spice, and bread. (91 pts.)
* **2005 Oakville East Cabernet Sauvignon Exposure - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville** The nose had black currant, mocha, plum, cherry, and vanilla. The palate had plum, mocha, black currant, cherry, and oak. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley** The nose had blackberry, pepper, black currant, tea, and floral notes. The palate had blackberry, tea, violets, pepper, and black currant. (94 pts.)
* **N.V. Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Cuvée St. Anne - France, Champagne** The nose had lots of fresh baked rye bread, some stone and honey, and a little citrus at the end. The palate was crisp and very dry, and had honey, rye bread, stone, and a finish of apple. (93 pts.)
* **N.V. Gaston Chiquet Champagne Cuvée de Réserve - France, Champagne** The nose had licorice, bread, citrus, and stone. The palate had bread and apple, a little lemon, and a mineral and honey finish. (93 pts.)
* **2005 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had blackberry, chocolate, black currant, spice, and oak. The palate had blackberry, cherry, spice, and oak. (90 pts.)
* **N.V. Paul Goerg Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut - France, Champagne** The nose was very floral, and had bread, honey, and apple. The palate was rich, and had yeast, apple, minerals, and a slightly sweet floral finish. (88 pts.)
* **2001 Vilmart Champagne Grand Cellier d'Or 1er Cru - France, Champagne** The nose had yeast, lemon, apple, vanilla, and floral notes. The palate had vanilla, coconut, lemon, apple, spice, and bread. (91 pts.)
* **2005 Oakville East Cabernet Sauvignon Exposure - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville** The nose had black currant, mocha, plum, cherry, and vanilla. The palate had plum, mocha, black currant, cherry, and oak. (90 pts.)
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The Truth Is Coming Out
Even the New York Times says that [Obama’s campaign promises about the Iraq war](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/pers-d06.shtml) was a lie. Of course, the so called liberals aren't complaining at all.
>This is a rather delicate way of saying that Obama's anti-war rhetoric was from the outset deliberately misleading, designed to con the millions of Americans who went to the polls with the aim of voting to stop the war.
>This is a rather delicate way of saying that Obama's anti-war rhetoric was from the outset deliberately misleading, designed to con the millions of Americans who went to the polls with the aim of voting to stop the war.
Obama named “Marketer of the Year”
[Obama named “Marketer of the Year”](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/obad-d06.shtml)
I think this says it all.
I think this says it all.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Will Obama Listen To Them?
Veterans of the war on Afghanistan [speak out](http://socialistworker.org/2008/12/04/challenging-myths-good-war).
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Disillusionment Has Begun
This is a great example of how our political system [fails us](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/geor-d04.shtml), and how it will continue to do so unless we make some radical changes.
>It is likely, in fact, that Obama had little desire to achieve a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate, since the "threat" of a Republican filibuster serves as a built-in excuse for the Democratic administration to repudiate its campaign promises to end the war in Iraq, provide jobs and move towards universal access to health insurance
>It is likely, in fact, that Obama had little desire to achieve a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate, since the "threat" of a Republican filibuster serves as a built-in excuse for the Democratic administration to repudiate its campaign promises to end the war in Iraq, provide jobs and move towards universal access to health insurance
They Won't Be Able To Afford The Vehicles They Build
As usual, the [people responsible](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/auto-d04.shtml) will not be the ones paying the price.
>In a similar manner to the 1979-80 Chrysler bailout—but on a much larger scale—they are using the threat of mass unemployment to wrench concessions from auto workers and set a precedent for imposing the cost of the economic crisis on the backs of the entire working class.
>In a similar manner to the 1979-80 Chrysler bailout—but on a much larger scale—they are using the threat of mass unemployment to wrench concessions from auto workers and set a precedent for imposing the cost of the economic crisis on the backs of the entire working class.
Propping Up The “War On Terror”
Don't these guys ever get tired of [bullying](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/pers-d04.shtml) the world?
>If there is a connection between the Mumbai attacks and those of September 11 it is to be found in the American response. Seven months after the planes flew into the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Rice described those tragic events as "an enormous opportunity" to "create a new balance of power." Washington now sees a similar opportunity arising from the carnage in India to pursue its interests in South Asia.
>If there is a connection between the Mumbai attacks and those of September 11 it is to be found in the American response. Seven months after the planes flew into the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Rice described those tragic events as "an enormous opportunity" to "create a new balance of power." Washington now sees a similar opportunity arising from the carnage in India to pursue its interests in South Asia.
Was Leon Trotsky Right?
A nice analysis on the life and writings of [Leon Trotsky](http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/dec2008/aaas-d01.shtml)
>Social being does, in the final analysis, determine social consciousness. If, as seems very likely, the deepening crisis compels on the part of historians a reexamination of long-standing and discredited assumptions, and, with it, a more critical attitude toward the existing forms of society, then I suspect that we will soon be witnessing a renewal of intense scholarly interest in the life and work of Leon Trotsky.
>Social being does, in the final analysis, determine social consciousness. If, as seems very likely, the deepening crisis compels on the part of historians a reexamination of long-standing and discredited assumptions, and, with it, a more critical attitude toward the existing forms of society, then I suspect that we will soon be witnessing a renewal of intense scholarly interest in the life and work of Leon Trotsky.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
2004 Truchard Pinot Noir
**2004 Truchard Pinot Noir (USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros)** The nose had a lot of cherry and spice, a little cola in the middle, and some earth and vanilla at the end. The palate was very soft, with good acidity, and had cherry, forest floor, spice, and a pretty good cola and oak finish. (88 pts.)
Hungry Americans
Are we even aware of how many people [go hungry](http://socialistworker.org/2008/11/26/americas-hidden-hungry) in the U.S.?
>...the scale of America's hidden hunger crisis should make everyone ask how it is that a government that can find billions of dollars each week to spend on the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and hundreds of billions more on a bailout for Wall Street can't afford to feed its own citizens.
>...the scale of America's hidden hunger crisis should make everyone ask how it is that a government that can find billions of dollars each week to spend on the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and hundreds of billions more on a bailout for Wall Street can't afford to feed its own citizens.
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