Prime Minister Tony Blair apparently has spent over $3k in cosmetics and other visual enhancements during the last 6 years..
Which is an OBVIOUS sign that he and Bush were HIDING their TREU intentions on the War in Iraq.....
*snicker gigglesnort*
Monday, July 25, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Not surprised...
All I've been hearing about is how the Supreme Court is so incredibly liberal..
All of the fingers point squarely on Ruth Bader Ginsberg..
I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've heard all of the talk shows saying that Bush needs to appoint someone just like how Clinton appointed Ruth.. That for some reason, there needs to be balance in the highest court of the land..
Okay..
If this were true, then why did Orin Hatch, the Senate Republican and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee warned then President Clinton to avoid naming a nominee that would face a tough political battle?? Those names that Senator Hatch offered were none other than Ruth .... Bader .... Ginsberg..... (as well as Stephen Breyer...)
This afternoon on CNN Senator Hatch hailed the Democrats to effectively accept Bush's recommendation and set aside the political obstructions that we faced with the latest rounds of confirmations..
If this isn't a shining example of political double talk - then I don't know what it is..
I do know this though, it's not limited to one party or the other.. I know the democrats do this as well, I know the Conservative and Liberal talkshows all slant accordingly to satisfy their contingency..
I just don't like it..
I don't care for it..
I hate it..
Politics has been bastardized into one fallen hypocritical disaster after another.. Just as the Liberal talkshows are holding Bush's feet to the fire about Karl Rove, the Conservative talkshows were just as critical when Clinton had oral sex in the Oval Office.
Yup - cuts both ways..
What was also realized today was one of the radio hosts I listened to said that we (liberals) have to win back the house and senate.. Ironically it's the same speech that conservatives were waiving when the likes of Newt Gingrich were in office.. Politics hasn't really evolved much.. It remains today, just as it did long ago..
That alone bothers me plenty..
Let alone how the rest of the world thinks we're total fuck-ups..
When we venture to our voting precincts to cast our one vote towards the betterment of society, there is an expectation that most people that *can* vote, don't vote.. And who can really blame them?? When there's the double-speak, the hypocrisy, the irresponsible, and flagrant disregard for the law, rules and ethics --- how can anyone realistically expect a better than majority turnout at our elections when crap like this goes on daily??
If politicians were to ever try to apply for a job somewhere - there is a thing called integrity that most employers look for.. And for some really bizarre reason - most everyone in politics lacks this attribute..
*ughs* - I should post more, but I'm tired..
All of the fingers point squarely on Ruth Bader Ginsberg..
I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've heard all of the talk shows saying that Bush needs to appoint someone just like how Clinton appointed Ruth.. That for some reason, there needs to be balance in the highest court of the land..
Okay..
If this were true, then why did Orin Hatch, the Senate Republican and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee warned then President Clinton to avoid naming a nominee that would face a tough political battle?? Those names that Senator Hatch offered were none other than Ruth .... Bader .... Ginsberg..... (as well as Stephen Breyer...)
This afternoon on CNN Senator Hatch hailed the Democrats to effectively accept Bush's recommendation and set aside the political obstructions that we faced with the latest rounds of confirmations..
If this isn't a shining example of political double talk - then I don't know what it is..
I do know this though, it's not limited to one party or the other.. I know the democrats do this as well, I know the Conservative and Liberal talkshows all slant accordingly to satisfy their contingency..
I just don't like it..
I don't care for it..
I hate it..
Politics has been bastardized into one fallen hypocritical disaster after another.. Just as the Liberal talkshows are holding Bush's feet to the fire about Karl Rove, the Conservative talkshows were just as critical when Clinton had oral sex in the Oval Office.
Yup - cuts both ways..
What was also realized today was one of the radio hosts I listened to said that we (liberals) have to win back the house and senate.. Ironically it's the same speech that conservatives were waiving when the likes of Newt Gingrich were in office.. Politics hasn't really evolved much.. It remains today, just as it did long ago..
That alone bothers me plenty..
Let alone how the rest of the world thinks we're total fuck-ups..
When we venture to our voting precincts to cast our one vote towards the betterment of society, there is an expectation that most people that *can* vote, don't vote.. And who can really blame them?? When there's the double-speak, the hypocrisy, the irresponsible, and flagrant disregard for the law, rules and ethics --- how can anyone realistically expect a better than majority turnout at our elections when crap like this goes on daily??
If politicians were to ever try to apply for a job somewhere - there is a thing called integrity that most employers look for.. And for some really bizarre reason - most everyone in politics lacks this attribute..
*ughs* - I should post more, but I'm tired..
Monday, July 18, 2005
raising the bar ... again
Okay – as everyone is realizing … Bush is raising the bar…
I listened to AirAmerica throughout the day when they had Joseph Wilson on. Wow. All I can say is that the answers he offered made sense – unlike the answers offered by the talking heads of the right.
Now as everyone knows, Bush has revised his position stating that anyone who commits a CRIME will now be kicked out of the White House. It’s no longer at the “anyone who is involved” as it was earlier stated…
Even as all of the AirAmerica talkies were getting their panties in a wad – this is nothing new for this administration. It’s status quo. In fact, it’s come to be expected. Moreover, it goes along with the spirit of the Downing Street Memos – make the facts fit.
This administration has lost more credibility than people realize.
… or maybe it’s a matter of people just not caring.
I listened to AirAmerica throughout the day when they had Joseph Wilson on. Wow. All I can say is that the answers he offered made sense – unlike the answers offered by the talking heads of the right.
Now as everyone knows, Bush has revised his position stating that anyone who commits a CRIME will now be kicked out of the White House. It’s no longer at the “anyone who is involved” as it was earlier stated…
Even as all of the AirAmerica talkies were getting their panties in a wad – this is nothing new for this administration. It’s status quo. In fact, it’s come to be expected. Moreover, it goes along with the spirit of the Downing Street Memos – make the facts fit.
This administration has lost more credibility than people realize.
… or maybe it’s a matter of people just not caring.
One more rant - losing the faith
Another tell tale sign that we’ve failed the people of Iraq:
”Frustrated Iraqis Ready to take law into own hands”
As quoted in the article, the confidence of the police and security is almost non-existent. This comes on the heels of another 98 people who were killed in various bombings over the last few days.
What I hate the most is when this administration calls the Iraqi situation a success. It’s not Mr. Bush, Mr. Blair, Mr. Cheney. These attacks will continue so as long as our influence is anywhere in that region. Anyone who arbitrarily dismisses the loss of life and infrastructure as what is happening in Iraq right now – is running the Iraqi people through the ground.
Where is all of this international backing and support that we were supposed to be gaining after the G8 summit?? Where are the new levels of cooperation and backing for the stabilization of the country of Iraq?? Where is it all going??
We’re sending countless amounts of our friends, neighbors, relatives, wives, husbands and children overseas to fight in a conflict where the residing people have lost faith in our ability (as well as the newly formed Iraqi government) to protect them.
The Bush spin on this will say: “the Iraqi people are fighting back! This is a good thing!” The reality of it – is that the Iraqi people are sick of it, but when we made this “promise” to help the Iraqi people out – we’re failing miserably. Not when scores of people are dying each day on account that we’re not protecting them to the best of our ability – because we’re doing all that we can to protect OUR OWN TROOPS much less trying to protect someone else!!
To put this into perspective: 98 people died out of a country of roughly 26 million. We have ten times that amount living here in America. Imagine if you will, a terrorist attack in this country where almost 1000 Americans died – in one suicide bombing. Now imagine that transpiring on a fairly regular basis.
We’d lose faith in our government’s ability to protect our homeland too, wouldn’t you say??
”Frustrated Iraqis Ready to take law into own hands”
As quoted in the article, the confidence of the police and security is almost non-existent. This comes on the heels of another 98 people who were killed in various bombings over the last few days.
What I hate the most is when this administration calls the Iraqi situation a success. It’s not Mr. Bush, Mr. Blair, Mr. Cheney. These attacks will continue so as long as our influence is anywhere in that region. Anyone who arbitrarily dismisses the loss of life and infrastructure as what is happening in Iraq right now – is running the Iraqi people through the ground.
Where is all of this international backing and support that we were supposed to be gaining after the G8 summit?? Where are the new levels of cooperation and backing for the stabilization of the country of Iraq?? Where is it all going??
We’re sending countless amounts of our friends, neighbors, relatives, wives, husbands and children overseas to fight in a conflict where the residing people have lost faith in our ability (as well as the newly formed Iraqi government) to protect them.
The Bush spin on this will say: “the Iraqi people are fighting back! This is a good thing!” The reality of it – is that the Iraqi people are sick of it, but when we made this “promise” to help the Iraqi people out – we’re failing miserably. Not when scores of people are dying each day on account that we’re not protecting them to the best of our ability – because we’re doing all that we can to protect OUR OWN TROOPS much less trying to protect someone else!!
To put this into perspective: 98 people died out of a country of roughly 26 million. We have ten times that amount living here in America. Imagine if you will, a terrorist attack in this country where almost 1000 Americans died – in one suicide bombing. Now imagine that transpiring on a fairly regular basis.
We’d lose faith in our government’s ability to protect our homeland too, wouldn’t you say??
I think therefore ....
What’s amazing in the aftermath of London – is how people seem surprised that an attack like this happened.. Wrong.. Sorry.. How naive are these people?? I was a little more than appalled when I read the headline "Backing U.S. in Iraq put UK at risk, think tank says…"
You think??
Wow..
I think the Spaniards realized this when their trains blew up.
I’m pretty sure the Aussies realized this when their contractors were kidnapped and killed.
I’m also thinking the Japanese figured this out when their people were also taken captive.
Holy Hell, people!!
WE HAVE A THINK TANK THAT BELIEVES THE UK WAS VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR SUPPORT IN THE IRAQ SITUATION!?!?!?!?
THAT'S BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!
Holy Shit, why didn't *I* think of that?!?!?!?!?
What’s utterly remarkable, even impossible to conceptualize is the fact that THINK TANKS like this one are the ones responsible for rebuilding Iraq since we’ve gone in there. No WONDER we’re in the crap we’re in right now when we have THINK TANKS like these overstating the fucking obvious…
No wonder we have lapses of intelligence: we're dealing with people who run our country worse than a Grease Monkey......
You think??
Wow..
I think the Spaniards realized this when their trains blew up.
I’m pretty sure the Aussies realized this when their contractors were kidnapped and killed.
I’m also thinking the Japanese figured this out when their people were also taken captive.
Holy Hell, people!!
WE HAVE A THINK TANK THAT BELIEVES THE UK WAS VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR SUPPORT IN THE IRAQ SITUATION!?!?!?!?
THAT'S BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!
Holy Shit, why didn't *I* think of that?!?!?!?!?
What’s utterly remarkable, even impossible to conceptualize is the fact that THINK TANKS like this one are the ones responsible for rebuilding Iraq since we’ve gone in there. No WONDER we’re in the crap we’re in right now when we have THINK TANKS like these overstating the fucking obvious…
No wonder we have lapses of intelligence: we're dealing with people who run our country worse than a Grease Monkey......
Monday, July 11, 2005
Finding the right time....
Scott McClellan's press conference 07-11-05:
Q Do you stand by your statement from the fall of 2003 when you were asked specifically about Karl and Elliott Abrams and Scooter Libby, and you said, "I've gone to each of those gentlemen, and they have told me they are not involved in this" -- do you stand by that statement?
MR. McCLELLAN: And if you will recall, I said that as part of helping the investigators move forward on the investigation we're not going to get into commenting on it. That was something I stated back near that time, as well.
Q Scott, I mean, just -- I mean, this is ridiculous. The notion that you're going to stand before us after having commented with that level of detail and tell people watching this that somehow you decided not to talk. You've got a public record out there. Do you stand by your remarks from that podium, or not?
MR. McCLELLAN: And again, David, I'm well aware, like you, of what was previously said, and I will be glad to talk about it at the appropriate time. The appropriate time is when the investigation --
Q Why are you choosing when it's appropriate and when it's inappropriate?
MR. McCLELLAN: If you'll let me finish --
Q No, you're not finishing -- you're not saying anything. You stood at that podium and said that Karl Rove was not involved. And now we find out that he spoke out about Joseph Wilson's wife. So don't you owe the American public a fuller explanation? Was he involved, or was he not? Because, contrary to what you told the American people, he did, indeed, talk about his wife, didn't he?
MR. McCLELLAN: David, there will be a time to talk about this, but now is not the time to talk about it.
Q Do you stand by your statement from the fall of 2003 when you were asked specifically about Karl and Elliott Abrams and Scooter Libby, and you said, "I've gone to each of those gentlemen, and they have told me they are not involved in this" -- do you stand by that statement?
MR. McCLELLAN: And if you will recall, I said that as part of helping the investigators move forward on the investigation we're not going to get into commenting on it. That was something I stated back near that time, as well.
Q Scott, I mean, just -- I mean, this is ridiculous. The notion that you're going to stand before us after having commented with that level of detail and tell people watching this that somehow you decided not to talk. You've got a public record out there. Do you stand by your remarks from that podium, or not?
MR. McCLELLAN: And again, David, I'm well aware, like you, of what was previously said, and I will be glad to talk about it at the appropriate time. The appropriate time is when the investigation --
Q Why are you choosing when it's appropriate and when it's inappropriate?
MR. McCLELLAN: If you'll let me finish --
Q No, you're not finishing -- you're not saying anything. You stood at that podium and said that Karl Rove was not involved. And now we find out that he spoke out about Joseph Wilson's wife. So don't you owe the American public a fuller explanation? Was he involved, or was he not? Because, contrary to what you told the American people, he did, indeed, talk about his wife, didn't he?
MR. McCLELLAN: David, there will be a time to talk about this, but now is not the time to talk about it.
Red Rove-r.... red Rove-r......
Well, well, well....
After many months of speculation (by myself and anyone who can read a paper) Karl Rove has been implicated as being "one" of the secret sources that ultimately led to the revealing of the identity of an undercover CIA operative..
Hmmmm..
But the story even gets more twisted..
Plame's role, not her name - was revealed 3-days after Rove apparently met with Matthew Cooper - writer for Time Magazine.. So Rove's defense is simply: "I never revealed the name, just the role..."
Or did he??
From the Washington Post: "In the conversation, Rove gave Cooper a "big warning" that Wilson's assertions might not be entirely accurate and that it was not the director of the CIA or the vice president who sent Wilson on his trip. Rove apparently told Cooper that it was "Wilson's wife, who apparently works at the agency on [weapons of mass destruction] issues who authorized the trip," according to a story in Newsweek's July 18 issue."
Ohhhhhh, we're playing the "let's get specific game...." So Cooper already named Wilson, Rove merely said "Wilson's WIFE" as though "I didn't do anything wrong..."
Okay..
Remember not so long ago, right here in this galaxy when all of the talking heads and republicans were outraged when Clinton tried to wiggle about his definition of the word "sex??" Technically speaking?? Did Clinton have sex with Monica?? Hell yeah.. Was Bill looking for some wiggle room?? Of course - he's admitting he had an extra-marital affair!!
Oh - but we're supposed to sit blindly while RoveR decides he didn't do anything wrong by referring to Wilson's WIFE and pretend that he didn't offer up Plame's name...... *wiggle wiggle*
What RoveR decided to do was to cut the story before it was revealed.. Stealing the thunder, the growing mass of ick, before it became something much larger.. It's a way to lessen the impact of the story.. And by airing it out on the coattails of the bombing in London, Hurricane Dennis' soiree through Alabama and Florida - means that the story will get lost, buried under several news cycles.. As of this morning - only 97 google news hits on the story..
What will happen with it?? Probably nothing.. Remember the Downing Street memos?? Remember how the mainstream press basically ignored them on the basis that it's "old news, been there - done that, this was nothing new.." I predict the same thing will happen here.. (but I do hope I'm wrong..)
Why did it happen?? Considering how Plame's husband blamed the administration for outing his wife on account of his report that no evidence was found to an allegation that Iraq had bought stores of Uranium from Niger.. Joseph Wilson contends that the administration retaliated against him and his wife for the unfavorable report..
Of course - administration officials denied this..
They further denied any such leak.....
... until yesterday..
Even if Rove didn't say the name "Valerie Plame" in the 3-minute conversation with Cooper, he nevertheless actually *did* reveal her identity - even if in passing.. Did Cooper already have the name and was seeking further angles from the White House?? That's possible.. But if Cooper was trying to connect the dots - meaning that he had a pared list of which he needed confirmation before he ran the story - Rove graciously handed it to him..
Regardless, it's not exactly leaving me warm and fuzzy that Bush's chief advisor wantonly confirmed the operative's role.. That's almost as bad as someone leaking information about troop whereabouts at a time of war..
Remember how the press wasn't able to say their actual location because it could mean that it would endanger the troops of the company?? How is Rove's conduct any better than that?? The press during the war didn't name a name of a soldier, and they were restricted in terms of what they could report and what they couldn't..
Rove seems to have slipped up a bit..
Regardless - I'm convinced that the Teflon suit will prevail - only because we have a conservative-controlled government who will idly sit on their hands and do nothing..
hypocrisy galore..
If this were a democrat or some other liberal - I doubt the administration would be so silent....
After many months of speculation (by myself and anyone who can read a paper) Karl Rove has been implicated as being "one" of the secret sources that ultimately led to the revealing of the identity of an undercover CIA operative..
Hmmmm..
But the story even gets more twisted..
Plame's role, not her name - was revealed 3-days after Rove apparently met with Matthew Cooper - writer for Time Magazine.. So Rove's defense is simply: "I never revealed the name, just the role..."
Or did he??
From the Washington Post: "In the conversation, Rove gave Cooper a "big warning" that Wilson's assertions might not be entirely accurate and that it was not the director of the CIA or the vice president who sent Wilson on his trip. Rove apparently told Cooper that it was "Wilson's wife, who apparently works at the agency on [weapons of mass destruction] issues who authorized the trip," according to a story in Newsweek's July 18 issue."
Ohhhhhh, we're playing the "let's get specific game...." So Cooper already named Wilson, Rove merely said "Wilson's WIFE" as though "I didn't do anything wrong..."
Okay..
Remember not so long ago, right here in this galaxy when all of the talking heads and republicans were outraged when Clinton tried to wiggle about his definition of the word "sex??" Technically speaking?? Did Clinton have sex with Monica?? Hell yeah.. Was Bill looking for some wiggle room?? Of course - he's admitting he had an extra-marital affair!!
Oh - but we're supposed to sit blindly while RoveR decides he didn't do anything wrong by referring to Wilson's WIFE and pretend that he didn't offer up Plame's name...... *wiggle wiggle*
What RoveR decided to do was to cut the story before it was revealed.. Stealing the thunder, the growing mass of ick, before it became something much larger.. It's a way to lessen the impact of the story.. And by airing it out on the coattails of the bombing in London, Hurricane Dennis' soiree through Alabama and Florida - means that the story will get lost, buried under several news cycles.. As of this morning - only 97 google news hits on the story..
What will happen with it?? Probably nothing.. Remember the Downing Street memos?? Remember how the mainstream press basically ignored them on the basis that it's "old news, been there - done that, this was nothing new.." I predict the same thing will happen here.. (but I do hope I'm wrong..)
Why did it happen?? Considering how Plame's husband blamed the administration for outing his wife on account of his report that no evidence was found to an allegation that Iraq had bought stores of Uranium from Niger.. Joseph Wilson contends that the administration retaliated against him and his wife for the unfavorable report..
Of course - administration officials denied this..
They further denied any such leak.....
... until yesterday..
Even if Rove didn't say the name "Valerie Plame" in the 3-minute conversation with Cooper, he nevertheless actually *did* reveal her identity - even if in passing.. Did Cooper already have the name and was seeking further angles from the White House?? That's possible.. But if Cooper was trying to connect the dots - meaning that he had a pared list of which he needed confirmation before he ran the story - Rove graciously handed it to him..
Regardless, it's not exactly leaving me warm and fuzzy that Bush's chief advisor wantonly confirmed the operative's role.. That's almost as bad as someone leaking information about troop whereabouts at a time of war..
Remember how the press wasn't able to say their actual location because it could mean that it would endanger the troops of the company?? How is Rove's conduct any better than that?? The press during the war didn't name a name of a soldier, and they were restricted in terms of what they could report and what they couldn't..
Rove seems to have slipped up a bit..
Regardless - I'm convinced that the Teflon suit will prevail - only because we have a conservative-controlled government who will idly sit on their hands and do nothing..
hypocrisy galore..
If this were a democrat or some other liberal - I doubt the administration would be so silent....
Thursday, July 07, 2005
in the news...
I meant to comment on the Sandra Day O'Connor retirement announcement, but the news is riddled with the London bombings..
Early indications was that the British had prior knowledge or "intelligence" (assuming they know what the word means) of the bombings before it happened.. If the Brits care to say that they had no idea it was coming -- then they should have listened to the Israeli Finance Minister's intel....
From the pile of "I saw it coming"...
Iraq signs military pact with Iran...
No one has said one word about the fact that the people of Iraq elected someone who had close affiliations with the Iranian government.. Iraq doesn't have the means to draft a Constitution without weeks and months of haggling, but they can sign a military pact with Iran that fell completely under the radar screen .... or so it would seem..
Early indications was that the British had prior knowledge or "intelligence" (assuming they know what the word means) of the bombings before it happened.. If the Brits care to say that they had no idea it was coming -- then they should have listened to the Israeli Finance Minister's intel....
From the pile of "I saw it coming"...
Iraq signs military pact with Iran...
No one has said one word about the fact that the people of Iraq elected someone who had close affiliations with the Iranian government.. Iraq doesn't have the means to draft a Constitution without weeks and months of haggling, but they can sign a military pact with Iran that fell completely under the radar screen .... or so it would seem..
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Distortions?
There's irony when Bush and Blair are saying that the Downing Street memos are a distortion...
"don't let apples fall too far from the tree..."
"don't let apples fall too far from the tree..."
Friday, June 24, 2005
The P.C. Debacle...
Oh – now it’s time for being politically correct…
It appears when Dick Durbin makes a reference to Gitmo as some sort of gulag – it’s horrifying. Yet when Rove complains that Democrats want terrorists to get therapy – that’s somehow okay..
Several years ago (back in the ol’ college days) – I recall having a discussion over the ramifications of having a politically correct society.. In that discussion – it was revealed that no matter what was said or done, it was a certainty that it would royally piss off *someone* regardless of how mundane or unequivocal the comment was crafted..
I was reading a local story this morning – about some sort of negative reference to James Dobson and Focus on the Family.. The chief complaint was that some group drew parallels of Dobson and his group to an Americanized version of the Taliban.. The group issued an apology, there were repercussions and the damage was done..
Wow..
What on earth has changed our ability to have independent thoughts, disagreements and criticisms?? Contrary to what a lot of people think, this is *not* a republican or democrat issue.. It’s not a Christian versus Islamic versus Muslim.. It’s the basis of having the freedom to compare Bush to whomever anyone wants to.. It’s the basis of calling Clinton any given name in the book.. It’s the basis to say when you’re pissed off or when you agree with someone..
Inflammatory?? Absolutely.. It can be.. So when the Republicans call for Durbin to apologize, and the Democrats call for Rove to resign – it’s leading us back to a sandbox squabble between infants.. But it doesn’t stop with politicians, everyone is doing it.. (I’ll throw myself into that mix as well..)
This vicious cycle of tit for tat is excruciating.. The mud-slinging capabilities by both sides are obvious, apparent and increasing on an continual basis..
Let’s face it: we have a lot of fucking upset people in the world..
But what if the complaints actually founded on a basis of truth?? Despite the rhetoric or other substantive comments made to draw conclusions or illustrations from the incorrigibles throughout history, what if there is a basis of fact in the parallel or the comparison?? Are we so polarized that we cannot see the truth for what it is??
Absolutely..
Whenever something major happens, or when someone says something – don’t we almost always seek out to hear what others are saying about it?? I’ve listened to Rush.. I’ve listened to Air America.. O’Reily, Hannity, Savage, Franken, Garafallo.. Any given topic – they churn out a series of talking points.. Those little niblets which causes us to jump on the bandwagon or shake our pointed finger..
But what everyone does – and I don’t care if this is a personality, a movie star, a columnist or a politician – is that they take the nibblet that is important for their argument and they run with it.. The substantive nature of the issue becomes fragmented and further distorted..
So when Hannity says that liberals are scum, is he right?? No.. When Garafalo banters of whether conservatives are pigs, is she right?? No.. They are fanning the flames to get people riled up for the causes that matter to them, their constituents, their sponsors, their crowd.. How about when Durbin refers to Gitmo as a nazi camp??
Does it offend me personally?? No.. I studied history – I draw upon unpopular conclusions all the time.. And you know what – I don’t care.. True historians leave bias from their findings.. True historians allow readers to draw their own conclusions based on the findings of the evidence.. True historians consult multiple sources that can accurately paint a true and responsible picture of a given topic..
Does Gitmo really resemble a gulag?? I don’t know.. I certainly do not believe the people who have been reporting it so far.. I certainly do not trust the administration because they are constantly reversing, traversing, readjusting, realigning, ultimately distorting the facts of any given subject.. I don’t trust the Dems for that matter either.. I certainly do not trust the press because they have a marketability bias.. ”That which sells, is printed or aired..”
There’s no real understanding of an event unless you have the capability of seeing it first hand.. Unless there are multiple sources that can paint a wide-breadth of the incident in question – then there’s no way to juxtapose an appropriate perception of the event.. Finding trusting, reliable sources in this day and age is next to impossible..
We shouldn’t be afraid to draw unpopular, politically incorrect parallels to anyone or anything – regardless of how popular, how important or how right or wrong consensus believes.. I don’t care.. Yet despite the parallels me, or anyone might draw, will be scrutinized and cast in an unpopular light.. Sometimes the truth sucks.. Slavery sucked.. The Nazis sucked.. Bin Laden sucks..
But there are some mildly important lessons buried in these areas.. One cannot fathom just how long slavery and rights for all Americans have gone this long, this unabated throughout our history.. One can’t imagine how incredibly talented of a speaker Hitler was.. One can’t imagine what it took to mastermind the 9/11 hijackings, the dedication and the process it took to make it happen..
History sucks..
But we can learn..
And this is what the American people has to realize at some point..
We can learn that the oppression of people is wrong.. We can learn to watch for those people who can stir hatred into a carefully woven righteous blanket that appeals to a segment of people.. We can learn that people can be motivated to die for a cause they believe in – when we have it within our capability to thwart such behavior if we just listen..
But we live in a society where these lessons are buried under a blanket of security and politically correctness.. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be sensitive, but we can’t forgo these important lessons if we can’t say what they are, how they are and what they mean.. The truth has to be correct; regardless of who it offends..
It appears when Dick Durbin makes a reference to Gitmo as some sort of gulag – it’s horrifying. Yet when Rove complains that Democrats want terrorists to get therapy – that’s somehow okay..
Several years ago (back in the ol’ college days) – I recall having a discussion over the ramifications of having a politically correct society.. In that discussion – it was revealed that no matter what was said or done, it was a certainty that it would royally piss off *someone* regardless of how mundane or unequivocal the comment was crafted..
I was reading a local story this morning – about some sort of negative reference to James Dobson and Focus on the Family.. The chief complaint was that some group drew parallels of Dobson and his group to an Americanized version of the Taliban.. The group issued an apology, there were repercussions and the damage was done..
Wow..
What on earth has changed our ability to have independent thoughts, disagreements and criticisms?? Contrary to what a lot of people think, this is *not* a republican or democrat issue.. It’s not a Christian versus Islamic versus Muslim.. It’s the basis of having the freedom to compare Bush to whomever anyone wants to.. It’s the basis of calling Clinton any given name in the book.. It’s the basis to say when you’re pissed off or when you agree with someone..
Inflammatory?? Absolutely.. It can be.. So when the Republicans call for Durbin to apologize, and the Democrats call for Rove to resign – it’s leading us back to a sandbox squabble between infants.. But it doesn’t stop with politicians, everyone is doing it.. (I’ll throw myself into that mix as well..)
This vicious cycle of tit for tat is excruciating.. The mud-slinging capabilities by both sides are obvious, apparent and increasing on an continual basis..
Let’s face it: we have a lot of fucking upset people in the world..
But what if the complaints actually founded on a basis of truth?? Despite the rhetoric or other substantive comments made to draw conclusions or illustrations from the incorrigibles throughout history, what if there is a basis of fact in the parallel or the comparison?? Are we so polarized that we cannot see the truth for what it is??
Absolutely..
Whenever something major happens, or when someone says something – don’t we almost always seek out to hear what others are saying about it?? I’ve listened to Rush.. I’ve listened to Air America.. O’Reily, Hannity, Savage, Franken, Garafallo.. Any given topic – they churn out a series of talking points.. Those little niblets which causes us to jump on the bandwagon or shake our pointed finger..
But what everyone does – and I don’t care if this is a personality, a movie star, a columnist or a politician – is that they take the nibblet that is important for their argument and they run with it.. The substantive nature of the issue becomes fragmented and further distorted..
So when Hannity says that liberals are scum, is he right?? No.. When Garafalo banters of whether conservatives are pigs, is she right?? No.. They are fanning the flames to get people riled up for the causes that matter to them, their constituents, their sponsors, their crowd.. How about when Durbin refers to Gitmo as a nazi camp??
Does it offend me personally?? No.. I studied history – I draw upon unpopular conclusions all the time.. And you know what – I don’t care.. True historians leave bias from their findings.. True historians allow readers to draw their own conclusions based on the findings of the evidence.. True historians consult multiple sources that can accurately paint a true and responsible picture of a given topic..
Does Gitmo really resemble a gulag?? I don’t know.. I certainly do not believe the people who have been reporting it so far.. I certainly do not trust the administration because they are constantly reversing, traversing, readjusting, realigning, ultimately distorting the facts of any given subject.. I don’t trust the Dems for that matter either.. I certainly do not trust the press because they have a marketability bias.. ”That which sells, is printed or aired..”
There’s no real understanding of an event unless you have the capability of seeing it first hand.. Unless there are multiple sources that can paint a wide-breadth of the incident in question – then there’s no way to juxtapose an appropriate perception of the event.. Finding trusting, reliable sources in this day and age is next to impossible..
We shouldn’t be afraid to draw unpopular, politically incorrect parallels to anyone or anything – regardless of how popular, how important or how right or wrong consensus believes.. I don’t care.. Yet despite the parallels me, or anyone might draw, will be scrutinized and cast in an unpopular light.. Sometimes the truth sucks.. Slavery sucked.. The Nazis sucked.. Bin Laden sucks..
But there are some mildly important lessons buried in these areas.. One cannot fathom just how long slavery and rights for all Americans have gone this long, this unabated throughout our history.. One can’t imagine how incredibly talented of a speaker Hitler was.. One can’t imagine what it took to mastermind the 9/11 hijackings, the dedication and the process it took to make it happen..
History sucks..
But we can learn..
And this is what the American people has to realize at some point..
We can learn that the oppression of people is wrong.. We can learn to watch for those people who can stir hatred into a carefully woven righteous blanket that appeals to a segment of people.. We can learn that people can be motivated to die for a cause they believe in – when we have it within our capability to thwart such behavior if we just listen..
But we live in a society where these lessons are buried under a blanket of security and politically correctness.. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be sensitive, but we can’t forgo these important lessons if we can’t say what they are, how they are and what they mean.. The truth has to be correct; regardless of who it offends..
Monday, June 20, 2005
"and we want to be respected in the world..."
Let's consider this:
1.) Bush is threatening to use the July 4th recess to appoint John Bolton to the UN..
2.) Bush is pushing Bolton to make the UN more accountable..
3.) Yet, Bush is refusing to release information about Bolton's past -- to determine exactly *how* accountable Mr. Bolton is..
4.) Yet, this administration is refusing to be accountable on:
-The War
-The Economy
-Social Security
-Taxes
-Homeland Security
-Healthcare
-Forcing the morals of the church
-Encouraging the government involvement into the private affairs of Americans
But even Bolton is appointed - it's the beginning of something really bad.. Like has been stated over and over already: Bolton is a bully.. Even though he does fit the mold of this administration like a fine Italian-leather glove, his actions are going to further splinter our reputation and assistance in the world.. But this administration has a very interesting belief:
"When you don't get your way, just move things out of the way and make them happen.."
It's irresponsible..
It's wrong..
It's Bush..
There's a reason why there are multiple points of view.. There's a reason why there's debate.. There's a reason why there are compromises.. There's a reason why we don't have a singular party that rules the nation.. There's a reason why we need to have two voices..
What this administration simply cannot grasp is the fact that they have alienated our country in a time of war.. Allies are continually dropping like flies.. Britain is waking up.. If Bush is truly interested in winning the war on terrorism - manhandling the United Nations is *not* the answer..
The war will expand..
It's indicative of the blinders that this administration continues to run.. I really hope and pray that other conservatives see the issues for what they are and will split away and vote for what's right.. Unfortunately I don't feel we're going to get many conservatives that will vote for the country and not for the party..
Hang on -- the ice berg is just ahead.. Get a good spot on the life raft, it's going to get a little choppy....
1.) Bush is threatening to use the July 4th recess to appoint John Bolton to the UN..
2.) Bush is pushing Bolton to make the UN more accountable..
3.) Yet, Bush is refusing to release information about Bolton's past -- to determine exactly *how* accountable Mr. Bolton is..
4.) Yet, this administration is refusing to be accountable on:
-The War
-The Economy
-Social Security
-Taxes
-Homeland Security
-Healthcare
-Forcing the morals of the church
-Encouraging the government involvement into the private affairs of Americans
But even Bolton is appointed - it's the beginning of something really bad.. Like has been stated over and over already: Bolton is a bully.. Even though he does fit the mold of this administration like a fine Italian-leather glove, his actions are going to further splinter our reputation and assistance in the world.. But this administration has a very interesting belief:
"When you don't get your way, just move things out of the way and make them happen.."
It's irresponsible..
It's wrong..
It's Bush..
There's a reason why there are multiple points of view.. There's a reason why there's debate.. There's a reason why there are compromises.. There's a reason why we don't have a singular party that rules the nation.. There's a reason why we need to have two voices..
What this administration simply cannot grasp is the fact that they have alienated our country in a time of war.. Allies are continually dropping like flies.. Britain is waking up.. If Bush is truly interested in winning the war on terrorism - manhandling the United Nations is *not* the answer..
The war will expand..
It's indicative of the blinders that this administration continues to run.. I really hope and pray that other conservatives see the issues for what they are and will split away and vote for what's right.. Unfortunately I don't feel we're going to get many conservatives that will vote for the country and not for the party..
Hang on -- the ice berg is just ahead.. Get a good spot on the life raft, it's going to get a little choppy....
Friday, June 17, 2005
It's wrong to be right...
Newsweek got it right, but yet they are still considered "wrong" after the premature leakage of the Koran (or Quran - depending how you spell it) issues in Gitmo Bay.. After an abomination and public lashing from administration officials - guess what?? They actually got it right.. (hm, imagine that...)
But the more I start looking at other recent events, there's really a lot of things that this administration was wrong and yet they go after those that try to expose it for what it is.. Real - Right - Truth.. Concepts that I realize may seem foreign, but it's time to wake up..
The obvious "duh" event in this administration: Iraq.. While they may think in retrospect that they had all the right intentions, looking for all those mean WMD's, then claiming the freedom of all Iraqi people as almost an after thought once they realized that no weapons were ever going to be found.. Clearly Saddam wasn't the enemy he was hoping for, but at least Bush had his heart in the right place..
Schiavo ... come to find out the courts were right.. Moreover the doctors were also right.. Bush, Frist and the other pundits who batted for the family in Florida were all wrong.. Yet even as the press conference revealed the investigation into Teri Schiavo, this administration maintains that they did nothing wrong by "siding with life.." Problem with that argument is the fact that Bush and "life" simply do not belong in the same sentence (ala all those he's sent to death in Texas and beyond...) Right intentions - sure but guess what?? They were still wrong..
Patriot Act ... 9/11 ... Terror terror terror!! Run for the hills!! Laws that make it safer for Americans.. Um.. Not so fast.. Most recently - a report came out that said that we are no safer than we were on 9/10.. Ouch.. What happened?? (more on this in a bit...)
Social Security ... Now I have a conflict here.. I've long since believed that there's no way I'm going to see much of any relief from my contributions to Social Security.. It's not due to mis-management, but simply resolving the reality of a growing cost of living and a seemingly very slow paced payment for contributions to the kitty.. As one part of the chart is soaring off into oblivion, the other part looks like an overweight 747 that is trying to take off or something.... It's unreasonable to expect both lines to even come close much less become more parallel.. It's not happening..
Bolton & our role in the world ... I have no defense to offer for this administration's lack of credibility.. They are doing it to themselves in ways that we can't even begin to say on here.. Administration policy - wrong.. Anything come from a box of Lucky Charms would venture a better chance at world stabilization than what this administration has offered......
And the list goes on and on for what seems like forever.. Taxes.. Education.. Censorship.. It seems like everything anymore slips into the yin/yang debate.. What bothers me more than anything is that we have a President who has no regrets for doing any of them.. In fact, you could say that he's running downhill with blinders on ....
.... with a continually growing steaming heap of hypocrisy dragging on behind him.....
At a time when the President advocates that every American is to be responsible - he still claims no responsibility for any of his actions.. Even Clinton apologized.. C'mon!! Instead, there is an irresponsible persistence that simply cannot be explained..
Frankly, I'm still at a loss.. At least when one is denial - there are conditions which support the logical reason why the person simply doesn't acknowledge the error.. When it grows to this kind of level - there has to be something else going on..
*sighs*
Ask anyone who really likes Bush - "Why do you like him?" and you'll get the standard confounding answers: People feel more protected under his watch.. People felt they needed a cleansing shower after the Clinton administration because of what happened during "the scandal.." People feel desperation because the world is in some sort of moral decline and they are looking to Bush as being some sort of savior that will deliver the world from the toils and pain..
Wow.. And here I was at a loss before; imagine my disbelief now?!?!?!!?!!
Alright.. It's no mystery that The Rove Mystery Machine is working overtime trying to keep the dam from breaking.. But when they have fundamentally failed on nearly every attempt at governing - I'm really afraid to consider what would it would take to institute a wide-spread mis-information campaign in order to further govern the way they want..
The Downing Street memos are really interesting.. Even if they hold an eighth of truth in them.. It clearly shows how the conspiracy to manipulate facts and other information for whatever political gains they wanted..
But is this really unique in our history??
Remember how propaganda was spread in order to further the causes of whatever rhetoric or other issues that needed to gain public support for?? The war posters?? Songs?? Rallies?? War Bonds?? Rationing?? All in support of the war effort.. Sounds almost like your average, run of the mill Iraqi insurgency..
But instead of being reflective, we are accused of drawing insignificant parallels and only attempting to incite some sort of evil, un-American sentiment.. Wow.. We can't even go back in our history, cite that which our country has already gone through - because it's somehow un-American..
Well, I'm going to do it anyway..
I remember the day when we feared, hated, and otherwise were weary of the Soviet Union.. The portrayal in movies, the endless barrage of speeches and other opinions carefully churned the right mixture of information with propaganda.. Too sweet - and the public would see right through it.. Too sour and the message would be lost..
It became an artform..
It became a ballet of excruciating painful precise movements..
Things were controlled..
Until..
"Gore invented the internet.."
The spawn of truth mixed with fiction grew in proportions no one could control.. There was no containment.. No direction.. People could now say what they wanted without malice, without facts, without ethical standards and with considerable bias.. The message gets swarmed by an avalanche of conjecture, conspiracy and mis-information.. Blogging has taken this idea and expanded it in ways that we cannot underestimate..
In an act of desperation, the media has responded..
The media companies were bought, conglomerated, and merged into outlet giants that would remain under the tight reign and control of a chosen few.. These people would remain the shepherds serving at the will of the Empire.. Carefully doting and guiding flocks to dangerous cliffs, the *word* is manipulated into an unrecognizable form..
Any dissent.. Any disagreement.. Any hint of splitting from the ranks meant a mounted campaign to punish you or your company.. The slightest protest, satire, or thought is derided as being un-American or a threat to national security.. CBS, Dan Rather, Newsweek to mention those in recent memory....
Think about that..
When the message.. When the thought.. When the voice is muted.. When government silently controls the strings guiding our thoughts, information and beliefs -- what is that??
Control..
Governmental Control..
Look into the world history of the last century.. What did we call it in the 70's and 80's?? Communism.. What was it in the 30's and 40's?? Socialism..
When Russia and Germany sought control of what information was being conveyed.. When those governments, under the guise of being a "proper citizen" or for the protection of the country, use the purges and other remedies to remove dissent within the citizenry, their rights were profoundly discarded..
"Remain in line, or suffer the consequences.."
This week, the House of Representatives shot down new provisions to the Patriot Act that would've allowed agencies to wantonly investigate what books you read from the library, what videos you rent, or what content you're reading.. Under the guise of preventing the next 9/11 attack .... I re-raise my own personal doubts of the effectiveness of the Patriot Act..
Imagine this.. One of the searches that the government was interested in was whether anyone had done a search on Bin Laden's biography.. Now imagine a typical Social Studies teacher in high school that assigns a current events paper.. An innocent student checks out a book on Bin Laden so that they can prepare their report for class.. Now imagine that this innocent student will now show up on the radar screen of Homeland Security..
This is absolutely insane!!
I believe that the next coronation of the Patriot Act really means that our government has lost its effective capability of gathering relevant, concise and on point intelligence using the existing means at our disposal.. What I adamantly disagree with is this Administration using the "perceived threat" of more terroristic activities to bolster the effectiveness of the Patriot Act.. It's not a revelation that this Administration has perfected the ability to utilize threats in order to push whatever agenda they so choose..
But the Patriot Act really does not address the intelligence gathering capabilities outside the United States - and let's not forget that.. We've heard testimony within the last several months that say that we're no more protected than we were before 9/11.. Now how in the hell does that happen when we've already sacrificed a nice thick layer of governmental intrusions on our own soil??
Instead, the newly found Patriot Act addendums are going after our children's social studies book reports and lord knows what else.. Cookie recipes?? Reading up on Melville, Plato, or Ginsberg?? If anything, it's another tragic reminder of how our government has lost the intelligence wars on our home field.. Now we're left with the fact that our government can't track of those terrorists that are already walking among us..
Yet, they are making sure we're reading the "right" reading material that suits the policy....
.... just like the daily media buffet offerings..
It's scary contemplate that this administration wanted to install a new set of rules that alleviate the need for judicial oversight so that they can conduct surveillance of one's behaviors and habits without any level of judicial oversight.. Meaning - no one checks to see whether they have a valid cause to check out my library records.. The Patriot Act already has given law enforcement more powers without oversight -- and they wanted more....
.... this after being told that we are faring no better than we were 9/10..
Regardless of what an agency might think, I'm not an anarchist.. I am a very proud American who believes differently than this administration.. Whether that's an act of deviance, or simply exercising the right to have freedom of thought, freedom of expression - this defines an absolutely bitter divide and subsequent gray area..
I cannot say if we're no better off, but I can say that I'm still deeply concerned over the information flow of our government and what it means in the shortrun and in our future..
But the more I start looking at other recent events, there's really a lot of things that this administration was wrong and yet they go after those that try to expose it for what it is.. Real - Right - Truth.. Concepts that I realize may seem foreign, but it's time to wake up..
The obvious "duh" event in this administration: Iraq.. While they may think in retrospect that they had all the right intentions, looking for all those mean WMD's, then claiming the freedom of all Iraqi people as almost an after thought once they realized that no weapons were ever going to be found.. Clearly Saddam wasn't the enemy he was hoping for, but at least Bush had his heart in the right place..
Schiavo ... come to find out the courts were right.. Moreover the doctors were also right.. Bush, Frist and the other pundits who batted for the family in Florida were all wrong.. Yet even as the press conference revealed the investigation into Teri Schiavo, this administration maintains that they did nothing wrong by "siding with life.." Problem with that argument is the fact that Bush and "life" simply do not belong in the same sentence (ala all those he's sent to death in Texas and beyond...) Right intentions - sure but guess what?? They were still wrong..
Patriot Act ... 9/11 ... Terror terror terror!! Run for the hills!! Laws that make it safer for Americans.. Um.. Not so fast.. Most recently - a report came out that said that we are no safer than we were on 9/10.. Ouch.. What happened?? (more on this in a bit...)
Social Security ... Now I have a conflict here.. I've long since believed that there's no way I'm going to see much of any relief from my contributions to Social Security.. It's not due to mis-management, but simply resolving the reality of a growing cost of living and a seemingly very slow paced payment for contributions to the kitty.. As one part of the chart is soaring off into oblivion, the other part looks like an overweight 747 that is trying to take off or something.... It's unreasonable to expect both lines to even come close much less become more parallel.. It's not happening..
Bolton & our role in the world ... I have no defense to offer for this administration's lack of credibility.. They are doing it to themselves in ways that we can't even begin to say on here.. Administration policy - wrong.. Anything come from a box of Lucky Charms would venture a better chance at world stabilization than what this administration has offered......
And the list goes on and on for what seems like forever.. Taxes.. Education.. Censorship.. It seems like everything anymore slips into the yin/yang debate.. What bothers me more than anything is that we have a President who has no regrets for doing any of them.. In fact, you could say that he's running downhill with blinders on ....
.... with a continually growing steaming heap of hypocrisy dragging on behind him.....
At a time when the President advocates that every American is to be responsible - he still claims no responsibility for any of his actions.. Even Clinton apologized.. C'mon!! Instead, there is an irresponsible persistence that simply cannot be explained..
Frankly, I'm still at a loss.. At least when one is denial - there are conditions which support the logical reason why the person simply doesn't acknowledge the error.. When it grows to this kind of level - there has to be something else going on..
*sighs*
Ask anyone who really likes Bush - "Why do you like him?" and you'll get the standard confounding answers: People feel more protected under his watch.. People felt they needed a cleansing shower after the Clinton administration because of what happened during "the scandal.." People feel desperation because the world is in some sort of moral decline and they are looking to Bush as being some sort of savior that will deliver the world from the toils and pain..
Wow.. And here I was at a loss before; imagine my disbelief now?!?!?!!?!!
Alright.. It's no mystery that The Rove Mystery Machine is working overtime trying to keep the dam from breaking.. But when they have fundamentally failed on nearly every attempt at governing - I'm really afraid to consider what would it would take to institute a wide-spread mis-information campaign in order to further govern the way they want..
The Downing Street memos are really interesting.. Even if they hold an eighth of truth in them.. It clearly shows how the conspiracy to manipulate facts and other information for whatever political gains they wanted..
But is this really unique in our history??
Remember how propaganda was spread in order to further the causes of whatever rhetoric or other issues that needed to gain public support for?? The war posters?? Songs?? Rallies?? War Bonds?? Rationing?? All in support of the war effort.. Sounds almost like your average, run of the mill Iraqi insurgency..
But instead of being reflective, we are accused of drawing insignificant parallels and only attempting to incite some sort of evil, un-American sentiment.. Wow.. We can't even go back in our history, cite that which our country has already gone through - because it's somehow un-American..
Well, I'm going to do it anyway..
I remember the day when we feared, hated, and otherwise were weary of the Soviet Union.. The portrayal in movies, the endless barrage of speeches and other opinions carefully churned the right mixture of information with propaganda.. Too sweet - and the public would see right through it.. Too sour and the message would be lost..
It became an artform..
It became a ballet of excruciating painful precise movements..
Things were controlled..
Until..
"Gore invented the internet.."
The spawn of truth mixed with fiction grew in proportions no one could control.. There was no containment.. No direction.. People could now say what they wanted without malice, without facts, without ethical standards and with considerable bias.. The message gets swarmed by an avalanche of conjecture, conspiracy and mis-information.. Blogging has taken this idea and expanded it in ways that we cannot underestimate..
In an act of desperation, the media has responded..
The media companies were bought, conglomerated, and merged into outlet giants that would remain under the tight reign and control of a chosen few.. These people would remain the shepherds serving at the will of the Empire.. Carefully doting and guiding flocks to dangerous cliffs, the *word* is manipulated into an unrecognizable form..
Any dissent.. Any disagreement.. Any hint of splitting from the ranks meant a mounted campaign to punish you or your company.. The slightest protest, satire, or thought is derided as being un-American or a threat to national security.. CBS, Dan Rather, Newsweek to mention those in recent memory....
Think about that..
When the message.. When the thought.. When the voice is muted.. When government silently controls the strings guiding our thoughts, information and beliefs -- what is that??
Control..
Governmental Control..
Look into the world history of the last century.. What did we call it in the 70's and 80's?? Communism.. What was it in the 30's and 40's?? Socialism..
When Russia and Germany sought control of what information was being conveyed.. When those governments, under the guise of being a "proper citizen" or for the protection of the country, use the purges and other remedies to remove dissent within the citizenry, their rights were profoundly discarded..
"Remain in line, or suffer the consequences.."
This week, the House of Representatives shot down new provisions to the Patriot Act that would've allowed agencies to wantonly investigate what books you read from the library, what videos you rent, or what content you're reading.. Under the guise of preventing the next 9/11 attack .... I re-raise my own personal doubts of the effectiveness of the Patriot Act..
Imagine this.. One of the searches that the government was interested in was whether anyone had done a search on Bin Laden's biography.. Now imagine a typical Social Studies teacher in high school that assigns a current events paper.. An innocent student checks out a book on Bin Laden so that they can prepare their report for class.. Now imagine that this innocent student will now show up on the radar screen of Homeland Security..
This is absolutely insane!!
I believe that the next coronation of the Patriot Act really means that our government has lost its effective capability of gathering relevant, concise and on point intelligence using the existing means at our disposal.. What I adamantly disagree with is this Administration using the "perceived threat" of more terroristic activities to bolster the effectiveness of the Patriot Act.. It's not a revelation that this Administration has perfected the ability to utilize threats in order to push whatever agenda they so choose..
But the Patriot Act really does not address the intelligence gathering capabilities outside the United States - and let's not forget that.. We've heard testimony within the last several months that say that we're no more protected than we were before 9/11.. Now how in the hell does that happen when we've already sacrificed a nice thick layer of governmental intrusions on our own soil??
Instead, the newly found Patriot Act addendums are going after our children's social studies book reports and lord knows what else.. Cookie recipes?? Reading up on Melville, Plato, or Ginsberg?? If anything, it's another tragic reminder of how our government has lost the intelligence wars on our home field.. Now we're left with the fact that our government can't track of those terrorists that are already walking among us..
Yet, they are making sure we're reading the "right" reading material that suits the policy....
.... just like the daily media buffet offerings..
It's scary contemplate that this administration wanted to install a new set of rules that alleviate the need for judicial oversight so that they can conduct surveillance of one's behaviors and habits without any level of judicial oversight.. Meaning - no one checks to see whether they have a valid cause to check out my library records.. The Patriot Act already has given law enforcement more powers without oversight -- and they wanted more....
.... this after being told that we are faring no better than we were 9/10..
Regardless of what an agency might think, I'm not an anarchist.. I am a very proud American who believes differently than this administration.. Whether that's an act of deviance, or simply exercising the right to have freedom of thought, freedom of expression - this defines an absolutely bitter divide and subsequent gray area..
I cannot say if we're no better off, but I can say that I'm still deeply concerned over the information flow of our government and what it means in the shortrun and in our future..
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Who blinked?
On my way home last night – the Majority Report was covering the news conferences live that dealt with the apparent compromise between Democrats and Republicans over the use of filibusters and the “nuclear option..” So after I got settled in for the night, I watched both Reid and Frist give their viewpoints on what happened with the proposed settlement. At one point they basically contradicted each other; saying almost the opposite of the other: Reid said they would still filibuster if they wanted, Frist said they wouldn’t.
(Later it was identified that only two nominees would still have the filibuster in effect.)
Now I can’t really say that the news is all that surprising – but the muck of it is – I’m not sure anything was exactly solved. I like the fact that you had Senators that were telling the White House to back off – and to act a bit more responsibly with their nominees, yet I’m reminded exactly how irresponsible this Administration is and how fruitless it would be to shake a finger at them and tell them no.
Bush isn’t going to be intimidated by this, c’mon.
After hearing Reid speak last night – I really felt that the Democrats won – but after thinking about it a great deal, I really don’t think that happened. It gave way to the “up or down” votes that the Republicans wanted. Why do the Reds want that?? Because they know they have the votes to get their chosen ones confirmed.
Yet if you hear the Blues – they are saying that they still reserve the right to filibuster if they choose.
So the question I have is: ”Who blinked??”
Or rather: ”Who caved??”
Both sides are claiming defeat and victory – yet considering that the Republicans ultimately got what they wanted is (in my eyes) prize they wanted – and eventually got.
Was it the cots that were being brought in for the extended session??
Or was it seemingly innocuous, “unannounced” visit by Justice Rehnquist to the Senate that caused the spur to find resolve in this? Renquist’s health only highlights the battle for the Supreme Court that will surely happen during Bush’s tenure.
I’m not fond of the white flag mentality – yet if there was some deeper deal struck that caused the peace, it’s my hope that it is fair for everyone. I hope it’s responsible and conscionable. I’m sick of the pandering, I’m sick of the “gotta have it my way” approach that this administration is stuck on and I’m sick of this political stick and carrot that we live by.
Over 90% of Bush’s nominees were approved.
Meaning that over 90% of the names he put up for appointments and nominees were approved by the Democrats.
Still want to shove it in our face that the Democrats are being unfair during this process? Knowing a little bit about Parliamentary procedure – the Republicans should be eternally grateful that the Democrats have backed down. The President should be a bit more receptive when there are issues with the names he’s putting out there.
He should do the responsible thing, the “let’s get along” thing, and say – “I’ll meet you half way in the road, let’s work this out.”
Problem being: this just isn’t going to happen with this Administration.
So we’ll be going back to “business as usual” and I hope we all don’t get raped because of it.
Coming up:
- Scary provisions in the new Patriot act
- Clear Skies Act isn’t what it’s cracked up to be
- Stem Cell Research will be voted on – and subsequently vetoed by George Bush
(Later it was identified that only two nominees would still have the filibuster in effect.)
Now I can’t really say that the news is all that surprising – but the muck of it is – I’m not sure anything was exactly solved. I like the fact that you had Senators that were telling the White House to back off – and to act a bit more responsibly with their nominees, yet I’m reminded exactly how irresponsible this Administration is and how fruitless it would be to shake a finger at them and tell them no.
Bush isn’t going to be intimidated by this, c’mon.
After hearing Reid speak last night – I really felt that the Democrats won – but after thinking about it a great deal, I really don’t think that happened. It gave way to the “up or down” votes that the Republicans wanted. Why do the Reds want that?? Because they know they have the votes to get their chosen ones confirmed.
Yet if you hear the Blues – they are saying that they still reserve the right to filibuster if they choose.
So the question I have is: ”Who blinked??”
Or rather: ”Who caved??”
Both sides are claiming defeat and victory – yet considering that the Republicans ultimately got what they wanted is (in my eyes) prize they wanted – and eventually got.
Was it the cots that were being brought in for the extended session??
Or was it seemingly innocuous, “unannounced” visit by Justice Rehnquist to the Senate that caused the spur to find resolve in this? Renquist’s health only highlights the battle for the Supreme Court that will surely happen during Bush’s tenure.
I’m not fond of the white flag mentality – yet if there was some deeper deal struck that caused the peace, it’s my hope that it is fair for everyone. I hope it’s responsible and conscionable. I’m sick of the pandering, I’m sick of the “gotta have it my way” approach that this administration is stuck on and I’m sick of this political stick and carrot that we live by.
Over 90% of Bush’s nominees were approved.
Meaning that over 90% of the names he put up for appointments and nominees were approved by the Democrats.
Still want to shove it in our face that the Democrats are being unfair during this process? Knowing a little bit about Parliamentary procedure – the Republicans should be eternally grateful that the Democrats have backed down. The President should be a bit more receptive when there are issues with the names he’s putting out there.
He should do the responsible thing, the “let’s get along” thing, and say – “I’ll meet you half way in the road, let’s work this out.”
Problem being: this just isn’t going to happen with this Administration.
So we’ll be going back to “business as usual” and I hope we all don’t get raped because of it.
Coming up:
- Scary provisions in the new Patriot act
- Clear Skies Act isn’t what it’s cracked up to be
- Stem Cell Research will be voted on – and subsequently vetoed by George Bush
Sunday, May 22, 2005
The Newsweek Gaffe
This whole Newsweek issue has really made me laugh not because of what was alleged in the article – but the subsequent hypocrisy by OUR government by saying that it gives our country a bad reputation.
Holy Smokes, Batman – please say it’s not true!! America is getting a black eye from a story that was leaked to a major magazine alleging that members of our military have desecrated the Koran by flushing it down a toilet during an interrogation??
What about going to war under false pretenses??
What about LYING to the people of the United States about WMD??
What about LYING to the leaders of the WORLD about WMD??
What about removing a ruthless dictator because of what we perceived??
What about the countless other civil wars, ethnic cleansings, and other atrocities being committed in other nations, under other ruthless dictators??
Black eye syndrome??
Faulty intelligence??
If the Newsweek article was factually incorrect – then they should issue a correction.. But even as they retracted the story on the basis that they made a mistake – we have an administration that admitted that they too acted on faulty intelligence, flawed information when they sent countless thousands to their graves, and tipped the balance of power in an unstable region..
I’m tired of the Bush rhetoric that Saddam was an evil person who needed to be removed from power.. Yes, I get that.. But let’s not forget that in addition to those countries going under civil wars, we have two “axis of evil” partners that have slid unscathed under our intelligence radars, Mr. President..
North Korea and Iran have become legitimate power brokers under your watch.. Furthermore, let’s not forget that this administration has placed a time bomb in the Middle East in the form of Iraq.. Set aside the insurgents, set aside the security issues and other infra-structure related problems that remain today (some two years after our initial invasion); I’m referring to the elections that were held earlier in the year..
Once again, everyone seems to be forgetting about the winners of the Iraqi election and the purported connections to Iran..
It seems as though the whole “image” issue is the least of our worries….
So if anyone is TRULY interested in improving our image – let’s start at the top and work our way down.. Let’s consider that whenever someone important is captured, they are being interrogated in countries that permit torture – so we don’t have to..
How convenient..
Wash our hands – someone else did the torture, we gained the information.. Remarkable!!
It’s not going to be until everyone wakes up and realizes that the image of the US has been mortally wounded since the invasion of Iraq.. Were we freeing the oppressed people of Iraq, sure.. Were we hunting those pesky WMDs?? Absolutely.. Are the Iraqi people glad we’re still there?? Um, no.. Were any links to Iraq and WMD ever found?? Erm, no, sorry..
Talk about a stain to wear..
So..
Did Newsweek add fuel to the fire?? Perhaps.. Did they do something wrong?? If it was factually incorrect – yes.. If they were fed the information as a means to control what they right about – absolutely not.. I fear the latter is holding more water and truth these days..
When we live in a society where the Administration can pay off media to write to their advantage, we’re dealing with governmental propaganda.. Further, we’re no better off than the former Soviet Union or those that have endured the atrocities under Saddam Hussein.. Propaganda – any propaganda is wrong..
I don’t care if it’s democrat
I don’t care if it’s republican..
There, I said it..
When we diminish the available information into some sort of sick twisted monstrosity – yeah, I’m gonna get a little bent out of shape.. When it’s funded, fueled, and subsequently catered to a segment of the populous: this is when it should be made illegal..
I’m not against free speech..
I’m against distorted news reporting..
I’m for opinions, editorials, and independent thoughts carefully separated from the news stories I read, hear or watch.. If it’s factual, it should be reported without opinion, without bias, without slant, slander, or manipulation.. I don’t care if you’re Air America or Fox News..
It’s got to stop..
Then maybe we can finally make educated decisions of what is best for our place in the world and not be succumbed by the wishes of a selected few.. Again – I have no care if it’s a red or blue issue.. I care about integrity, I care about the truth, and I care about honesty.. Our founding fathers had no intention to somehow approve of such ostentatious behavior by any party..
It’s gotta start somewhere..
If Newsweek got it right – hang in there.. If they were lied to, so as to set them in a trap that would eventually dirty their news – then I really hope those that engineered that project gets what’s coming to them.. If Newsweek reported an outright lie – shut them down..
Fox News?? You’re next..
Fair and balanced really does need to be held to the same standards, don’t they??
Holy Smokes, Batman – please say it’s not true!! America is getting a black eye from a story that was leaked to a major magazine alleging that members of our military have desecrated the Koran by flushing it down a toilet during an interrogation??
What about going to war under false pretenses??
What about LYING to the people of the United States about WMD??
What about LYING to the leaders of the WORLD about WMD??
What about removing a ruthless dictator because of what we perceived??
What about the countless other civil wars, ethnic cleansings, and other atrocities being committed in other nations, under other ruthless dictators??
Black eye syndrome??
Faulty intelligence??
If the Newsweek article was factually incorrect – then they should issue a correction.. But even as they retracted the story on the basis that they made a mistake – we have an administration that admitted that they too acted on faulty intelligence, flawed information when they sent countless thousands to their graves, and tipped the balance of power in an unstable region..
I’m tired of the Bush rhetoric that Saddam was an evil person who needed to be removed from power.. Yes, I get that.. But let’s not forget that in addition to those countries going under civil wars, we have two “axis of evil” partners that have slid unscathed under our intelligence radars, Mr. President..
North Korea and Iran have become legitimate power brokers under your watch.. Furthermore, let’s not forget that this administration has placed a time bomb in the Middle East in the form of Iraq.. Set aside the insurgents, set aside the security issues and other infra-structure related problems that remain today (some two years after our initial invasion); I’m referring to the elections that were held earlier in the year..
Once again, everyone seems to be forgetting about the winners of the Iraqi election and the purported connections to Iran..
It seems as though the whole “image” issue is the least of our worries….
So if anyone is TRULY interested in improving our image – let’s start at the top and work our way down.. Let’s consider that whenever someone important is captured, they are being interrogated in countries that permit torture – so we don’t have to..
How convenient..
Wash our hands – someone else did the torture, we gained the information.. Remarkable!!
It’s not going to be until everyone wakes up and realizes that the image of the US has been mortally wounded since the invasion of Iraq.. Were we freeing the oppressed people of Iraq, sure.. Were we hunting those pesky WMDs?? Absolutely.. Are the Iraqi people glad we’re still there?? Um, no.. Were any links to Iraq and WMD ever found?? Erm, no, sorry..
Talk about a stain to wear..
So..
Did Newsweek add fuel to the fire?? Perhaps.. Did they do something wrong?? If it was factually incorrect – yes.. If they were fed the information as a means to control what they right about – absolutely not.. I fear the latter is holding more water and truth these days..
When we live in a society where the Administration can pay off media to write to their advantage, we’re dealing with governmental propaganda.. Further, we’re no better off than the former Soviet Union or those that have endured the atrocities under Saddam Hussein.. Propaganda – any propaganda is wrong..
I don’t care if it’s democrat
I don’t care if it’s republican..
There, I said it..
When we diminish the available information into some sort of sick twisted monstrosity – yeah, I’m gonna get a little bent out of shape.. When it’s funded, fueled, and subsequently catered to a segment of the populous: this is when it should be made illegal..
I’m not against free speech..
I’m against distorted news reporting..
I’m for opinions, editorials, and independent thoughts carefully separated from the news stories I read, hear or watch.. If it’s factual, it should be reported without opinion, without bias, without slant, slander, or manipulation.. I don’t care if you’re Air America or Fox News..
It’s got to stop..
Then maybe we can finally make educated decisions of what is best for our place in the world and not be succumbed by the wishes of a selected few.. Again – I have no care if it’s a red or blue issue.. I care about integrity, I care about the truth, and I care about honesty.. Our founding fathers had no intention to somehow approve of such ostentatious behavior by any party..
It’s gotta start somewhere..
If Newsweek got it right – hang in there.. If they were lied to, so as to set them in a trap that would eventually dirty their news – then I really hope those that engineered that project gets what’s coming to them.. If Newsweek reported an outright lie – shut them down..
Fox News?? You’re next..
Fair and balanced really does need to be held to the same standards, don’t they??
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Base closing coincidence??
There's a certain amount of irony in this story about how the base close list coincides with the 2004 Presidental Results....
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
The Legacy?
I may not be as jubilant as Bill Maher when it comes to the situation in Iraq.. Yes they had elections.. Yes they have representative government.. Yes it seems to be a much more favored way of existing in a land riddled with so many different points of view - it makes one's head spin..
The Iraqi Assembly appears to be sputtering because they can't really come to a consensus about much of anything.. Yes, I realize that sometimes a democracy takes a long time to develop.. But is this really a surprise?? It's not as though their melting pot is on a good bubble right now.. Things take time to change, to adapt, and more importantly - to grow..
I find it really no different than how our two parties can't seem to agree when it comes to Judicial Appointments and other hotly contested issues.. Can you actually imagine what it would be like if our entire governmental system was wiped clean and we were told: "start over.." We wouldn't have a system in place FOR YEARS, DECADES or longer!! We can't even agree if the right to filibuster should be a right?!?!?!!!!
More importantly -- look at our own history and overlay the fact that it took our founding fathers YEARS before we could have a government that we could employ ... and even then we had to have a CIVIL WAR in order to finalize the whole enchilada.....
Iraq is no different..
These are factions of people whose only commonality was the fact they were repressed under the Saddam regime.. They may or may not share the same religion.. They have different issues with the Kurds of the north and the Shiites of the South.. Different ideologies, different cultures and subsets.. The melting pot doesn't like partitions in the tray....
In fact, Iraq has been put in the microwave by the US - and said "please form a democracy in 30 seconds!!" Guess what - not going to happen.. The one fact that everyone seems to agree on is the fact that we need to finish what we started.. But I hope no one forgets that it was the antics of a select few that got us in this mess to begin with..
I digress..
The Iraq condundrum is going to be magnified in the coming years.. Some will say that it is a success - yet I caution not to bring out the champagne just yet.. If they are to follow our lead, there will be an outright Civil War on a scale that will probably make Saddam look like an ant-squasher.. Moreover, there's no way of knowing exactly what form the "final part" will look like.. There were the indications that this new government has substantial ties to Iran -- something that has gone unreported since the elections.. What will happen when some new leader emerges that happens to conflict with America's blueprint for the region?? Will we have to take him out of office too??
(Let's not forget that little nugget of history where we helped get Saddam in office to begin with..)
I find it amazing that we've instilled several of the attributes that democracies like the US are founded on.. Yet even today, some 200+ years in our own infancy, we are completely different than the charters that were originally brought to Massachusetts.. To mention again - the process took YEARS..
For example - women's rights..
I'm a big proponent of women's rights.. I think anytime a group of people has been exiled out of the process is a system wrought with problems.. To be a true democracy instills the intrinsic rights for all -- not just a select few.. But what has happened in Iraq, is something that only America could conceive.. Let's not forget our own past and how it was ludicrous to believe that a woman should have a right to cast a vote in a man's world.. This type of oppressive attitude is magnified on a very deep level over in Iraq -- mainly due to their belief structure that looks to keep women held down, out of sight and definitely not anywhere near any cabinet position..
Iraq has been liberated for just over a year..
The woman's suffrage movement started in 1850 and lasted 70 YEARS before a woman could vote for the first time in 1920.. The first woman ever elected to a position was 1887 when Susanna Madora Salter became mayor of Argonia, Kansas.. The first woman elected to Congress of the United States was 1918 -- Jeanette Rankin of Montana.. It's a process that started in 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention -- but was not taken seriously until 62 years later..
I am in no way suggesting that women should be excluded from the process.. I am saying that these women will become targets and those who are not ready to share their Assembly with a woman.. As much as the powers that be want to make Iraq in our image -- the country is not ready, the culture is not ready, the people are not ready.. Suggesting that all we have to do is draft a document, have an election, and call it a democracy ... is nothing short of an irresponsible policy at best..
It takes time to change one's belief structure.. Our own history has evidence of this..
Anyone who entertains the notion that all we had to do in Iraq, was to make them a bit more like us - and they will prosper is not saying very much for the process it takes to make such a system work.. In the short-term, at least long enough for Bush to see it - he will finally have his legacy.. He got rid of a tyrant.. But let's have history revisit Iraq and the region in 2105 before adding that second wing to the George W. Bush Presidential library..
In Iraq, we've accelerated the process in a region that is already volatile, already on the brink of some disastrous revolution, and have installed a government that is meant to appease our look in the mirror.. We have an administration that believes that we have a "winning formula" for the people of Iraq.. Yet I'm hesitant to believe that the same people who orchestrated the war with Iraq to begin with - has a winning formula when the equation isn't written in a text book..
The Iraqi Assembly appears to be sputtering because they can't really come to a consensus about much of anything.. Yes, I realize that sometimes a democracy takes a long time to develop.. But is this really a surprise?? It's not as though their melting pot is on a good bubble right now.. Things take time to change, to adapt, and more importantly - to grow..
I find it really no different than how our two parties can't seem to agree when it comes to Judicial Appointments and other hotly contested issues.. Can you actually imagine what it would be like if our entire governmental system was wiped clean and we were told: "start over.." We wouldn't have a system in place FOR YEARS, DECADES or longer!! We can't even agree if the right to filibuster should be a right?!?!?!!!!
More importantly -- look at our own history and overlay the fact that it took our founding fathers YEARS before we could have a government that we could employ ... and even then we had to have a CIVIL WAR in order to finalize the whole enchilada.....
Iraq is no different..
These are factions of people whose only commonality was the fact they were repressed under the Saddam regime.. They may or may not share the same religion.. They have different issues with the Kurds of the north and the Shiites of the South.. Different ideologies, different cultures and subsets.. The melting pot doesn't like partitions in the tray....
In fact, Iraq has been put in the microwave by the US - and said "please form a democracy in 30 seconds!!" Guess what - not going to happen.. The one fact that everyone seems to agree on is the fact that we need to finish what we started.. But I hope no one forgets that it was the antics of a select few that got us in this mess to begin with..
I digress..
The Iraq condundrum is going to be magnified in the coming years.. Some will say that it is a success - yet I caution not to bring out the champagne just yet.. If they are to follow our lead, there will be an outright Civil War on a scale that will probably make Saddam look like an ant-squasher.. Moreover, there's no way of knowing exactly what form the "final part" will look like.. There were the indications that this new government has substantial ties to Iran -- something that has gone unreported since the elections.. What will happen when some new leader emerges that happens to conflict with America's blueprint for the region?? Will we have to take him out of office too??
(Let's not forget that little nugget of history where we helped get Saddam in office to begin with..)
I find it amazing that we've instilled several of the attributes that democracies like the US are founded on.. Yet even today, some 200+ years in our own infancy, we are completely different than the charters that were originally brought to Massachusetts.. To mention again - the process took YEARS..
For example - women's rights..
I'm a big proponent of women's rights.. I think anytime a group of people has been exiled out of the process is a system wrought with problems.. To be a true democracy instills the intrinsic rights for all -- not just a select few.. But what has happened in Iraq, is something that only America could conceive.. Let's not forget our own past and how it was ludicrous to believe that a woman should have a right to cast a vote in a man's world.. This type of oppressive attitude is magnified on a very deep level over in Iraq -- mainly due to their belief structure that looks to keep women held down, out of sight and definitely not anywhere near any cabinet position..
Iraq has been liberated for just over a year..
The woman's suffrage movement started in 1850 and lasted 70 YEARS before a woman could vote for the first time in 1920.. The first woman ever elected to a position was 1887 when Susanna Madora Salter became mayor of Argonia, Kansas.. The first woman elected to Congress of the United States was 1918 -- Jeanette Rankin of Montana.. It's a process that started in 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention -- but was not taken seriously until 62 years later..
I am in no way suggesting that women should be excluded from the process.. I am saying that these women will become targets and those who are not ready to share their Assembly with a woman.. As much as the powers that be want to make Iraq in our image -- the country is not ready, the culture is not ready, the people are not ready.. Suggesting that all we have to do is draft a document, have an election, and call it a democracy ... is nothing short of an irresponsible policy at best..
It takes time to change one's belief structure.. Our own history has evidence of this..
Anyone who entertains the notion that all we had to do in Iraq, was to make them a bit more like us - and they will prosper is not saying very much for the process it takes to make such a system work.. In the short-term, at least long enough for Bush to see it - he will finally have his legacy.. He got rid of a tyrant.. But let's have history revisit Iraq and the region in 2105 before adding that second wing to the George W. Bush Presidential library..
In Iraq, we've accelerated the process in a region that is already volatile, already on the brink of some disastrous revolution, and have installed a government that is meant to appease our look in the mirror.. We have an administration that believes that we have a "winning formula" for the people of Iraq.. Yet I'm hesitant to believe that the same people who orchestrated the war with Iraq to begin with - has a winning formula when the equation isn't written in a text book..
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
News & Tidbits
No WMD connection to Syria
Hardly a shock really.. Seriously..
Iran?? Saudi Arabia perhaps??
Everyone is SO convinced that Saddam had WMD, if.... and this is again the fruitless attempt at TRYING to remain objective in this whole fucking mess...... *if* there were WMD, they aren't in Syria.. They aren't in Iran.. Anyone with a brain larger than a peanut (apologies to Jimmy Carter) realizes that those weapons are probably in some very distant nation, so far away from all eyes to see....
Which is a problem when you're dealing with such a myopic view of the world.......
Bolton facing issues
Anyone who isn't diplomatic, shouldn't be a diplomat... And if Colin Powell thinks you're going to be a fuck up -- damn, doesn't look good on your resume pal..
Social Security
War between the Dems and the Repubs starting up again.. *yawn* Wake me in 2006, will ya'??
Condi threatening Putin
Bush sent Condoleeza over to Russia to air concerns about how Putin and his party were alarming this administration into some sort of totalitarian regime??
Isn't that what DeLay and other conservatives are doing with their veiled threats about the Justices that need to be replaced and the subsequent threats about replacing the filibuster rules just to satisfy those that they want to seat ... well, we're sounding more communistic each day..
Freedom of Expression or Avoiding a potential conflict...
I heard an Air America story on the way home tonight about some people that were turned away at a Bush rally because they had signs that were not consistent with the majority: i.e. protestors.. The Majority Report was lambasting this administration and the Secret Service for intervening and removing these people who had signs of dissention about their respective point(s) of view.. (I have no idea what the signs said..)
Now..
I'm all in favor of Freedom of Expression, but I'm not in favor when that expression leads to a riot or altercation.. Differing opinions, fine.. Advertise them all you want.. Inciting, provoking or otherwise egging on a fight .... no.. When it may lead to arrests, damage or injury - at what point does Freedom of Expression become a threat to the security of the President?? Regardless if it's Clinton, Bush or someone else?? I think the Secret Service may act as they deem fit to insure a peaceful situation.. They are there to maintain order in whatever setting the President arrives.. That's their function.. I respect that because it's their lives on the line before Dubya's..
But what really got me thinking about the whole Freedom of Expression angle came from a newstory I saw today about how ABC is being threatened by Roger Murdoch and Fox for their portrayal of the smash hit: "American Idol".. Murdoch also owns the Fox News Channel - a seemingly conservative network destined to slant their biases as they see fit.....
Now that their credibility is being put to the fire - *yawns* - but seriously.. When we live at a time when there's the threat of potential lawsuits over the slanted bias of a slanted bias competition -- exactly what in the hell is going on?? I don't watch American Idol because I don't care who sings "My heart will go on" the prettiest.. A talent show; rather a slanted, biased talent show - will always be scandalous in nature..
It's the reality-show phenomenon that no one really understands..
It's the fact that networks are trying to score ratings.. To do so, they will put shows out there that will garner the best ratings for them.. Is it any wonder that there's so much grief after one of the finalists is "robbed" of their potential winnings??
Puh-leeeze....
What's really scary..
What really bothers me more than the "news story" of the "apparent threat from Fox" is the fact that American Idol is produced by the same folks that puts on Fox News.. Hannity and O'Reily all under the same umbrella.. What Murdoch has done with Fox is to be able to control programming - so as to continue to further his causes.. Fox News is the voice, American Idol would be the soul..
But when you look at the programming under Fox - there's a myriad of shows, all interwoven, cut from the same cookie cutter dough pattern that emerges.. It's a completely deceptive machine all controlled by the strings in the hierarchy of the Fox regime.. When that kind of bias is so prevalent, so under the radar, so seemingly invisible, it's remarkable, even a bit impressive that such manipulation was not only controlled, but planned to such a minute degree..
From it's news, it's programs, probably down to the products they endorse -- if it fits the agenda, it's rolled out for our consumption..
Scary isn't a word that doesn't penetrate the surface..
Horrifying..
Terrifying..
Unnerving..
Kinda reminds you of a certain administration's tactics, doesn't it??
Hardly a shock really.. Seriously..
Iran?? Saudi Arabia perhaps??
Everyone is SO convinced that Saddam had WMD, if.... and this is again the fruitless attempt at TRYING to remain objective in this whole fucking mess...... *if* there were WMD, they aren't in Syria.. They aren't in Iran.. Anyone with a brain larger than a peanut (apologies to Jimmy Carter) realizes that those weapons are probably in some very distant nation, so far away from all eyes to see....
Which is a problem when you're dealing with such a myopic view of the world.......
Bolton facing issues
Anyone who isn't diplomatic, shouldn't be a diplomat... And if Colin Powell thinks you're going to be a fuck up -- damn, doesn't look good on your resume pal..
Social Security
War between the Dems and the Repubs starting up again.. *yawn* Wake me in 2006, will ya'??
Condi threatening Putin
Bush sent Condoleeza over to Russia to air concerns about how Putin and his party were alarming this administration into some sort of totalitarian regime??
Isn't that what DeLay and other conservatives are doing with their veiled threats about the Justices that need to be replaced and the subsequent threats about replacing the filibuster rules just to satisfy those that they want to seat ... well, we're sounding more communistic each day..
Freedom of Expression or Avoiding a potential conflict...
I heard an Air America story on the way home tonight about some people that were turned away at a Bush rally because they had signs that were not consistent with the majority: i.e. protestors.. The Majority Report was lambasting this administration and the Secret Service for intervening and removing these people who had signs of dissention about their respective point(s) of view.. (I have no idea what the signs said..)
Now..
I'm all in favor of Freedom of Expression, but I'm not in favor when that expression leads to a riot or altercation.. Differing opinions, fine.. Advertise them all you want.. Inciting, provoking or otherwise egging on a fight .... no.. When it may lead to arrests, damage or injury - at what point does Freedom of Expression become a threat to the security of the President?? Regardless if it's Clinton, Bush or someone else?? I think the Secret Service may act as they deem fit to insure a peaceful situation.. They are there to maintain order in whatever setting the President arrives.. That's their function.. I respect that because it's their lives on the line before Dubya's..
But what really got me thinking about the whole Freedom of Expression angle came from a newstory I saw today about how ABC is being threatened by Roger Murdoch and Fox for their portrayal of the smash hit: "American Idol".. Murdoch also owns the Fox News Channel - a seemingly conservative network destined to slant their biases as they see fit.....
Now that their credibility is being put to the fire - *yawns* - but seriously.. When we live at a time when there's the threat of potential lawsuits over the slanted bias of a slanted bias competition -- exactly what in the hell is going on?? I don't watch American Idol because I don't care who sings "My heart will go on" the prettiest.. A talent show; rather a slanted, biased talent show - will always be scandalous in nature..
It's the reality-show phenomenon that no one really understands..
It's the fact that networks are trying to score ratings.. To do so, they will put shows out there that will garner the best ratings for them.. Is it any wonder that there's so much grief after one of the finalists is "robbed" of their potential winnings??
Puh-leeeze....
What's really scary..
What really bothers me more than the "news story" of the "apparent threat from Fox" is the fact that American Idol is produced by the same folks that puts on Fox News.. Hannity and O'Reily all under the same umbrella.. What Murdoch has done with Fox is to be able to control programming - so as to continue to further his causes.. Fox News is the voice, American Idol would be the soul..
But when you look at the programming under Fox - there's a myriad of shows, all interwoven, cut from the same cookie cutter dough pattern that emerges.. It's a completely deceptive machine all controlled by the strings in the hierarchy of the Fox regime.. When that kind of bias is so prevalent, so under the radar, so seemingly invisible, it's remarkable, even a bit impressive that such manipulation was not only controlled, but planned to such a minute degree..
From it's news, it's programs, probably down to the products they endorse -- if it fits the agenda, it's rolled out for our consumption..
Scary isn't a word that doesn't penetrate the surface..
Horrifying..
Terrifying..
Unnerving..
Kinda reminds you of a certain administration's tactics, doesn't it??
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
The DeLay mess / A Deficit Soars
He speaks, and everyone holds their breath..
No, I'm not talking about Bush or Michael Moore..
But whenever the PR machine doesn't go in favor of this administration or the republican party, Karl Rove usually appears at just the right time to quell any anxiety that is going on in the party..
And the press becomes enamored to the point of fear as a result of it..
The whole Tom DeLay thing is actually pretty comical.. He's nothing more than a political cartoon, a caricature of what really exists under the skin of some of the Republican regime.. He's the untamed animal in a zoo that, up until this point, was in clear control of their emotions..
The whole veiled threat things gets me..
Even tho the "talking heads" out there are basically saying that it was taken out of context.. So when Karl Rove emerges from the bunker - all is calm - all is quiet - all is well..
The Damage Control Specialist has spoken..
We can all put this behind us because it's trivial because it has no relevance of the man - even though he clearly violated the laws that govern the conduct of every senator and member of the House of Representatives..
Think of what we've "waived off" during this administration:
- the 9/11 commission findings
- rising gas costs (no investigation)
- the Terri Schiavo case (how this doesn't violate the Constitution is beyond me...)
- and the whole Tom DeLay affair/debacle
- the bankruptcy bill & rising deficits on an astronomical trend
With a soaring deficit, we should take solace that our Vice President has said: "Reagan taught us deficits don't matter."
Interesting viewpoint of someone who clearly benefits when we're fiscally irresponsible and let the deficits run free.. (ala Haliburton)
...but then again, I guess it's okay to tell everyone what they have to do, to be fiscally responsible, when they justify it in their minds that they don't have to..
No, I'm not talking about Bush or Michael Moore..
But whenever the PR machine doesn't go in favor of this administration or the republican party, Karl Rove usually appears at just the right time to quell any anxiety that is going on in the party..
And the press becomes enamored to the point of fear as a result of it..
The whole Tom DeLay thing is actually pretty comical.. He's nothing more than a political cartoon, a caricature of what really exists under the skin of some of the Republican regime.. He's the untamed animal in a zoo that, up until this point, was in clear control of their emotions..
The whole veiled threat things gets me..
Even tho the "talking heads" out there are basically saying that it was taken out of context.. So when Karl Rove emerges from the bunker - all is calm - all is quiet - all is well..
The Damage Control Specialist has spoken..
We can all put this behind us because it's trivial because it has no relevance of the man - even though he clearly violated the laws that govern the conduct of every senator and member of the House of Representatives..
Think of what we've "waived off" during this administration:
- the 9/11 commission findings
- rising gas costs (no investigation)
- the Terri Schiavo case (how this doesn't violate the Constitution is beyond me...)
- and the whole Tom DeLay affair/debacle
- the bankruptcy bill & rising deficits on an astronomical trend
With a soaring deficit, we should take solace that our Vice President has said: "Reagan taught us deficits don't matter."
Interesting viewpoint of someone who clearly benefits when we're fiscally irresponsible and let the deficits run free.. (ala Haliburton)
...but then again, I guess it's okay to tell everyone what they have to do, to be fiscally responsible, when they justify it in their minds that they don't have to..
Thursday, April 07, 2005
I found some irony over the past couple of days..
I noticed how many who voiced their opinions about what the next Pope should be like -- actually were speaking volumes even if they weren't really aware..
Most notably: the need for change..
Meaning, that many people *within* the Christian, Catholic religion -- believe that Pope John Paul II was a bit too conservative for the times.. Interesting..
So it proves that we can mindlessly follow someone who may be "out of touch" with our inner prohibitions - yet we're going to follow him off the cliff like some sort of lemming..
Secondly, was the need for the next Pope to be more in touch with the kids of today.. Again, very interesting considering this is the Pope that coordinated World Youth Day - for several years: a gathering of youth in a Catholic/Christian setting to find inner-spiritualism..
And to say that this Pope was out of touch.... Considering this Pope was doing something so unprecedented.... Considering others signalling a change in how the Papacy is considered....
It further proves that we may "go along" with those that we feel can lead us, but it doesn't necessarily mean we agree with them.....
Interesting....
I noticed how many who voiced their opinions about what the next Pope should be like -- actually were speaking volumes even if they weren't really aware..
Most notably: the need for change..
Meaning, that many people *within* the Christian, Catholic religion -- believe that Pope John Paul II was a bit too conservative for the times.. Interesting..
So it proves that we can mindlessly follow someone who may be "out of touch" with our inner prohibitions - yet we're going to follow him off the cliff like some sort of lemming..
Secondly, was the need for the next Pope to be more in touch with the kids of today.. Again, very interesting considering this is the Pope that coordinated World Youth Day - for several years: a gathering of youth in a Catholic/Christian setting to find inner-spiritualism..
And to say that this Pope was out of touch.... Considering this Pope was doing something so unprecedented.... Considering others signalling a change in how the Papacy is considered....
It further proves that we may "go along" with those that we feel can lead us, but it doesn't necessarily mean we agree with them.....
Interesting....
Monday, April 04, 2005
The Passing...
I remember back in 1993 all of the fuss about his arrival to Denver.. The preparations that went into the week-long conference were *intense*.. The security.. The venues.. The excitement.. The fear.. The energy..
I didn't go..
But I marveled in the seemingly gentle nature of a man that minded no clock, touched whoever's hand he wanted, and be as carefree and easy going as a gentle whisper of a breeze..
The poise.. The grandeur.. The careful nature of his being.. The vulnerability.. The sage.. The intensity of what he represented..
The leader of one of the largest religions today..
In reflecting on what to say in this entry -- I considered a number of avenues.. I see a man who almost single handedly guided mankind to the dedicated Path - true to the Bible.. I also see a man who was so heavily rooted in his beliefs that anything that created one inconsistent doctrine after another..
I respect the man who lived for the common good and did everything in his power to spread that common good.. Even if I disagreed with many of his views, I admire the man who endured several hardships, scandals and unpopular opinions that would be a divisive wedge in many communities and across the world..
I realize that many look to the Bible and to the Pope as centers of reason.. A moralistic compass in the chaos of the world.. He may have been that - but most of his followers are not.. As what was brought out during the Bill Maher show recently - I find it problematic that followers can "pick and choose" what they want, when it suits their purpose.. O'Reily's attachment of the Christian Dogmas only reinforced the problem with religion today - that we can arbitrarily pick and choose -- for the convenience of what will apply to our lives..
I believe the Pope did what he thought was right.. He stood by his convictions.. Relied upon his understanding of the religious tenets that guided him for the 84 years of his life..
Those who looked up to him as their spiritual leader - will feel his loss.. We'll discover in the coming years, exactly how well he threaded the various religious segments together as one continuous quilt..
I cannot jump on the bandwagon that points fingers at the Pope's political/social beliefs.. His job is an incredibly demanding one.. While it's my ultimate choice to subscribe to those beliefs, it shouldn't be reflective of the man who fought valiantly on the side of man.. He treated every soul as sacred.. He was adamant about the death penalty as much as he was impassioned about the right to life..
I may not subscribe to all of his beliefs or ways of thinking, but I can admire the morality this guy had inside -- and how articulate, how persuasive and how passionate he was about humanity..
Pope John Paul II will be missed..
I didn't go..
But I marveled in the seemingly gentle nature of a man that minded no clock, touched whoever's hand he wanted, and be as carefree and easy going as a gentle whisper of a breeze..
The poise.. The grandeur.. The careful nature of his being.. The vulnerability.. The sage.. The intensity of what he represented..
The leader of one of the largest religions today..
In reflecting on what to say in this entry -- I considered a number of avenues.. I see a man who almost single handedly guided mankind to the dedicated Path - true to the Bible.. I also see a man who was so heavily rooted in his beliefs that anything that created one inconsistent doctrine after another..
I respect the man who lived for the common good and did everything in his power to spread that common good.. Even if I disagreed with many of his views, I admire the man who endured several hardships, scandals and unpopular opinions that would be a divisive wedge in many communities and across the world..
I realize that many look to the Bible and to the Pope as centers of reason.. A moralistic compass in the chaos of the world.. He may have been that - but most of his followers are not.. As what was brought out during the Bill Maher show recently - I find it problematic that followers can "pick and choose" what they want, when it suits their purpose.. O'Reily's attachment of the Christian Dogmas only reinforced the problem with religion today - that we can arbitrarily pick and choose -- for the convenience of what will apply to our lives..
I believe the Pope did what he thought was right.. He stood by his convictions.. Relied upon his understanding of the religious tenets that guided him for the 84 years of his life..
Those who looked up to him as their spiritual leader - will feel his loss.. We'll discover in the coming years, exactly how well he threaded the various religious segments together as one continuous quilt..
I cannot jump on the bandwagon that points fingers at the Pope's political/social beliefs.. His job is an incredibly demanding one.. While it's my ultimate choice to subscribe to those beliefs, it shouldn't be reflective of the man who fought valiantly on the side of man.. He treated every soul as sacred.. He was adamant about the death penalty as much as he was impassioned about the right to life..
I may not subscribe to all of his beliefs or ways of thinking, but I can admire the morality this guy had inside -- and how articulate, how persuasive and how passionate he was about humanity..
Pope John Paul II will be missed..
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