First off, the Iraq War, the longest in U.S. history, rages on with death, destruction and debt.  The $10 billion a month for the Iraq War contributes mightily to the U.S. economic collapse.

Why did the U.S. build the world's largest embassy in Iraq, costing some claim $700 billion?  Could it be to gain a foothold in the Middle East?  For years, it was told to the American public that the reason we were in Iraq was to bring democracy to Iraq, which would spread to the entire Middle East.

Could it be the real reason we are in Iraq is largely about oil?  Isn't it strange nobody in the Bush administration challenged the statement made by Alan Greenspan in "Turbulent Times" that the Iraq War "is largely about oil."

Could that explain why the Pentagon policy during the Bush administration was refraining to show the coffins of the 4,321 dead U.S. service personnel coming home?

In the Seattle Times February 4, 2008 edition Carol D. Leonnig had a headlined story from the Washington Post:

"Alphonso Jackson, a longtime friend of President Bush, is under investigation by HUD's Inspector General and the Justice Department for ... alleged acts of favoritism and interference.  Jackson's office last week said he could not comment."

The article dealt with Bush's Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson demanding that the Philadelphia Housing Authority transfer a $2 million public property to a developer at a big discount.

In a lawsuit by Carl Greene, a court affidavit given by Greene revealed that Alphonso Jackson phoned the Mayor of Philadelphia in 2006, demanding the transfer of this property to a former soul music songwriter and personal friend, Kenny Gamble.  

By now, everyone is well aware of the actions taken by Bush Administration HUD Chief, Alphonso Jackson -- that he denied a government contract to a well-qualified contractor simply because the contractor personally disliked President Bush. He was then caught lying about the incident to the press, claiming that his comments were merely 'anecdotal remarks' -- complete fiction.

Seems this wasn't Mr. Jackson's first baffling lapse of integrity. According to the Washington Post:

"Housing and Urban Development chief Alphonso Jackson now says he made up that elaborately detailed story he told a business group about how he denied a federal contract to a bidder because the man admitted he didn't like President Bush." This "odd incident echoes another confusing episode involving Jackson in early 1993, when he was director of the Dallas Housing Authority." Dallas City Council member Paul Fielding "said Jackson assaulted him after a meeting in the mayor's office on Jan. 21. 'Mr. Jackson denied the incident to a reporter, even after being told that Mayor Steve Bartlett confirmed seeing [Jackson] shove Mr. Fielding, who hit a door.' He got a black eye and a loose tooth." After Jackson apologized for the incident a few days later, a reporter asked him about his claim that nothing had happened. "I misspoke," Jackson said."

A Bush Administration member lying -- can you imagine?

Mr. Jackson, It's time for you to go!

The AP reports:

"Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson apologized Wednesday for telling a Dallas business group that he had rejected a HUD contract because the contractor had criticized President Bush." Jackson, "seeking to avoid a political firestorm, said he made up the story." Jackson said, "I deeply regret the anecdotal remarks I made at a recent Texas small business forum and would like to reassure the public that all HUD contracts are awarded solely on a stringent merit-based process."

Jackson is a liar. No, no... a pathetic, transparent, un-American LIAR!

First, here are his original words: