On This Christmas Day..

War Slogan Memorial

War Is GREAT For Wall Street

Wall St. Bonuses: So Much Money, Too Few Ferraris

$1,000 discount coupons for charter plane service

“It’s your own private jet,” says Ms. Clark with a smile. “You can go wherever you like.”

In recent weeks, immense riches have been rained upon the top bankers and traders. After a year of record profits, investment houses like Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley are awarding bonuses as high as $60 million. And a select group of hedge fund managers and private equity executives may be taking home even more.

$250,000 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
Clients trying to spend $20 million on Manhattan properties
Buying $5 million apartments for their children

“We love hedge funds, they are our favorite people” Ms. Kleier said. “They don’t feel like the money is real and they don’t mind spending it — they don’t mind going up by $500,000 or $1 million increments.”

Private planes, or shares of them, are also on the rise

A typical price for a charter flight is $30,000.

The morning Goldman Sachs announced record fourth-quarter and 2006 earnings, Lloyd C. Blankfein, chairman and chief executive, implored his employees — many whom would directly benefit from the bountiful earnings — to avoid excess.
“As stewards of the firm’s reputation, I ask each of you to remember that our actions — inside and outside of the office — reflect on Goldman Sachs. Even a perception of arrogance hurts all of us,” he said in a voice mail sent to the entire firm.

Then, at 7:30 a.m., a black Mercedes pulled up, depositing Mr. Blankfein in front of Ms. Clark. The night before, he had been awarded a $53.4 million bonus.
She offered him a voucher. “How are you?” he said, smiling quickly but refusing the voucher.
“I guess he didn’t want it,” she lamented.

Guess he decided to let it ride for the Needy!

Christmas at War



Happy Christmas - war is over if you want it

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES

Happy Christmas (War is over if you want it)


6 U.S. Troops Die in Bloody Iraq Weekend

12,000 Iraqi Policemen Killed Since 2003, Official Says; 6 U.S. Soldiers Killed Over Weekend

How to Get More Boots on the Ground

In Some School Districts, More Teens Opt Out of the Military Recruiting Program

IRAQ:
Refugees Run From Violence to Deprivation

ARBIL, Dec. 24 (IPS) - Khanzad, 26, originally Kurdish, returned to Arbil with her family in mid-2004 after 16 years of living in Baghdad. Like many coming from the violence-stricken city, she has a harrowing story to tell.

Iraqi Hopes Dim Through Worst Year of Occupation

BAGHDAD, Dec 22 (IPS) - Despite promises from Iraqi and U.S. leaders that 2006 would bring improvement, Iraqis have suffered through the worst year in living memory, facing violence, fragmentation and a disintegrated economy.

Pentagon wants $99.7B more for wars

The Pentagon wants the White House to seek an additional $99.7 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iraqi Christians Celebrate Christmas

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Umm Salam draws her curtains across her windows, then settles into an armchair in a living room festooned with colored lights and a portrait of Jesus on the cross. Her Christmas tree glitters in the corner.

UK forces destroy police station in Basra

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - British forces killed seven gunmen and flattened the headquarters of the serious crimes unit in southern Basra on Monday after learning prisoners there were about to be executed, the British military said.

And While Wall Street Embrace They're Extreme New Wealth:

Homeless veterans move off the streets just in time for Christmas

SANTA CRUZ — Move over Santa Claus, this year's holiday do-gooders are the homebuilders who have been working double duty to move about a dozen homeless veterans into permanent housing in time for Christmas.

Group looks after homeless veterans

SAN FRANCISCO - A line of homeless war veterans waited along Howard Street on Wednesday afternoon, hoping to get in on an early Christmas present.

Initiative aims to keep returning vets off streets
Mayor and the V.A. team up in effort to provide services, permanent housing for those coming back from overseas

As the city braces for a new crop of military veterans who could struggle with emotional or substance abuse problems upon returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced yesterday a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to place homeless veterans into permanent housing and to swiftly serve those at risk of becoming homeless.

Homeless for the holidays

According to statistics provided by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, the VA estimates that there are about 200,000 homeless veterans; 45 percent are mentally ill and half suffer from substance abuse; and, Like Brown and Laney, the vast majority are single with little or no family support networks.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Failed Policies will Haught Us and the World for Decades!
"A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves." - Edward R. Murrow