This year's election in the US is the most anticipated in decades. A surprise McCain victory would have truly frightening foreign policy implications. An Obama victory would be in large part due to anti war sentiment in the US but he has outlined a foreign policy centred around escalation in Central Asia. He sounds positively hawkish on Afghanistan.

The NATO operation in Afghanistan is spilling over in to Pakistan with devastating results. On Wednesday this week a US air strike hit a Pakistani school in North Waziristan, killing eleven. Unbelievably the response from intelligence officials was that the school had links with the Taliban. The attack appears to have been the result of US frustration with the Pakistani government strategy of dealing with extremism which the US believes is too soft.

The occupation of Afghanistan is increasingly brutal.

Reports of civilian deaths are mounting as air bombardments become more intense. This week coalition bombers hit an Afghan army checkpoint in Khost killing at least nine soldiers.

The occupation is in crisis, but the main reaction from Whitehall and Washington seems to be to order an escalation of the aggression. A week ago it was announced the outspoken General Dannatt is resigning early as chief of the General Staff and be replaced by the hawk Sir David Richards who supports a surge in Afghanistan including sending 5,000 extra British troops.

In the US, Barack Obama's aides are outlining a foreign policy centred around escalation in Central Asia.

ONLY YOU CAN END THIS WAR. ONLY YOU CAN STOP FUNDING THE WAR. HERE'S HOW:

TAX PROTEST: Divest out of stocks and stock mutual funds, only fund 40lK up to the match your company gives you and only in cash reserves fund or tax free treasury fund, a ROTH is permanently tax free. Call your rep and tell them you refuse to get back in the market or participate in the economy until they repeal the bailout and Impeach. IMMEDIATELY increase your W2 Withholding to 3-4 so that you are not loaning this govt your money.

CONSUMER FAST: Only buy what you need. Always pay with cash. When Bush says to shop we must stop!

BANK BOYCOTT: Close all existing bank accounts and move to Credit Unions. Refinance loans through credit unions. (Or use small unknown banks.)

NOV. 2-5th No school, no work, no shopping.