Turning virgins into hellfire

There is a new product out there called Infidel's Revenge which is impressive in it's simplicity.

Devout Muslim suicide bombers believe that 72 virgins await them in heaven. However, devout Muslim suicide bombers also believe that a body defiled by pigs blood at the time of death faces eternal damnation.

So, Susblood labs devised a pen that will infuse pigs blood into the air if atomized in an explosion.

The idea is that if everyone carries them would-be suicide bombers will not strike their targets for fear of damning their souls to eternal torment.

Maybe airlines should pass these out free?

Infidel's Revenge

ADDENDUM: I have had feedback from a friend who says of this device,

"Bil Shahid kulu aswad" In the martyr - everything is white. If you fight for god all your blemishes are laundered. Every kid in he Arab world knows that.

But for westerners that do no understand any of that - it will sell by the ton.

How humbling.

Democracy's Garrison

Not so long ago people like Garrison Keillor embodied American values and ideals. Here's a man that came from nothing but through talent and hard work and imagination built up an audience for his old-time radio show called, "prairie Home Companion".

With the advent of president Bush and his devoted throngs of communist-style yes-men America is becoming something monstrous in the eyes of people like Garrison.

I thought of him doing his radio show and it struck me that his name is appropriate. He has built a garrison, a refuge, for the type of American values that have always defined us.

In this editorial Garrison seems to have reached the same level of disgust as myself with senators (it seems unworthy of capitalization anymore) that voted to grant president Bush the power to torture. This American values icon, this kind, hard-working, Beauty-appreciating man frets in a land where the love of Truth grows colder every day.


Congress's Shameful Retreat From American Values

Halliburton is building prisons on American soil.

The president now has the totalitarian power to disappear people.

Aren't we giving up too much to these machine men with machine hearts and machine minds?

Will Americans make a stand?

Still blaming Bill

John McCain and Condoleeza Rice are currently pushing the storyline that North Korean nukes are Bill Clinton's fault.

It is a charge that is easy to counter, and truth be told, nothing would make me happier than giving Bill Clinton another moment in the limelight.

For the moment, Bill Perry is doing an admirable job exhibiting the facts of the matter here:

Rhetoric and inaction

And Bennett Ramberg does not use velvet gloves here:

Now what?

The Bush administration does not seem to understand that when Americans compare GWB with WJC side-by-side it isn't very flattering to their policies.

They do seem to understand, though, how to keep the focus off Iraq in an election year.

Dear president Bush...

Dear president Bush,

When we were hungry for courage, you gave us nothing to eat. When we were thirsty for community, you gave us nothing to drink. When we felt isolated and attacked, you made us unwelcome in the world. When we needed strength, you gave us fear. When we needed food and clothes in New Orleans, you gave us excuses. When we needed ideas, you gave us ideology.

You don't have the courage our Constitution demands.
You don't have the intellect our challenges demand.
You don't have the integrity our allies expect.
You don't have the attention-span winning a war requires.

You are an embarrassment and if you are unashamed it can only be because your ignorance exceeds your incompetence.

Why don't you do humanity a favor and resign?

An American president should not be as partisan as you.
An American president should not be as desperate as you.
An American president should not be as power-hungry as you.

I am sick of your excuses, lies, and blame games. The accountability buck should stop on the president's desk.

Mr. Bush, it's time you left and took Mr. Cheney, Ms. Rice, and Mr. Rumsfeld with you.

Sincerely yours,

Moe Dubreuil

Continued reading...

Amen brother Olbermann

Keith Olbermann over at MSNBC news has been calling the president and his administration on their bull for a while. His manner has undergone a recent change, though, and he has started calling their lies "lies" and the people that tell them "liars".

When president Bush recently explained that a democrat that disagrees with his myriad of failed policies is with the terrorists, Keith Olbermann attacked the theory the way a Dobermann goes to his mark.


Bush Unfit for Office

Won't you take a bow, Mr. Olbermann?

Perhaps your candor will awaken the hearts and minds of enough Americans to vote republicans out of office and replace them with members of the opposition party. Nothing would be a bigger discomfort to president Bush.

Democracy isn't so much about electing great leaders as it is about having the power to discard or defy bad ones. The underlying premise is that when most of the country is against you then you are doing something wrong.

A leader, in other words, should have followers.

Mr. Hypocritical

"I have no problem with adult pornography. People are entitled to read it, watch it, see it in their homes or in public accommodations. Where I have to draw the line is using children for the excitement of those more mature people who should know the difference and know better."

Representative Mark Foley
Republican from Florida
2002 interview with National Public Radio

*****************************

"It's vile. It's more sad than anything else, to see someone with such potential throw it all down the drain because of a sexual addiction."

Representative Mark Foley,
Republican from Florida
speaking about Bill Clinton in 1998.

NOTE: Interestingly this quote regarding Clinton appears to have been scrubbed from Wikipedia recently.

Original (from Google cache): Unscrubbed edition

Current: Scrubbed edition

NOTE: According to a new note on the current page the site was recently vandalized.


*****************************


"We track library books better than we do sexual predators."

Representative Mark Foley
Republican from Florida

Source: Boston Globe

*****************************


Isn't it comforting to know Mr. Foley buttoned down our sexual predator laws just in time to face them himself?

I wonder what depths of denial will be plumbed by republican dead-enders in order to cling to the discredited notion that republicans are morality champions.

It seems difficult to make a man understand something when his pride depends upon him not understanding it.

Resistance

I feel that Ghandi's phrase "nonviolent resistance" has been reduced to "nonviolence" by the American left. People peacefully assemble in free-speech zones and pretend to be arrested by police pretending to arrest them.

Things might be changing.

Today (October 5th) is a day of mass protest. If you would like to participate here is more information:

Rocktober?

Is Fascism spreading in America?

A 30-year US special forces veteran discusses what he sees as growing fascism in America, and particularly within the ranks of the US armed forces.

This is a remarkably well-written article on the subject. Perhaps I feel that way because I agree about the warning signs.

In any case I recommend the article and expect detractors to respect the patriotism of Mr. Goff (unless of course they work for the Bush administration).

Sowing the Seeds of Fascism in America

The Nazi press wars

Why should citizens be wary when their government criticizes the press for what they report, as opposed to how they report?

In April of 1933 Edgar Ansel Mowrer (sounds like Edward R. Murrow doesn't it) published "Germany Puts the Clock Back". The German government did not like his book and started pulling strings to get him removed from his post.

Mr. Mowrer proclaimed, "My own stand is this: Freedom of correspondents must not be hampered by any kind of social or personal pressure provided they report the news on the basis of reliable information. To clarify this point I offer my resignation. Please decide for yourselves."

Mr. Mowrer's colleagues stood by him and had him reinstated. You can read all about it here thanks to the Google News Archive search:

That pesky Guardian

Find your own Nazi-era heroic defiance here:

Google News Archive

Senate defecates on Constitution

This recent "America Tortures" vote by the US Senate sets a new benchmark for my disgust.

What cowards. What hypocrites.


Vote of Infamy!


I have mentioned before that the torture techniques such as waterboarding were favorite tools of the Gestapo and also similar to Salem witch-hunting techniques.

Apparently these techniques were also favored by the Khymer Rouge. So, to review, America's moral company is Nazi Germany, Cambodian Communists, and superstitious mobs.

Nice.

Why don't they just spool the Constitution and the Bible onto a toilet-paper roll and have it installed in the white-house latrine?

Here is a Daily Show look at this issue:

Philosopher King

Condiliesalot

When Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently told the New York Post that, "We were not left a comprehensive strategy to fight al Qaeda.", she was lying and I think the mainstream press ought to say so.

It is as bald-faced a lie as you can tell in public, and it is exposed as such by these two publicly available facts:

Fact One
--------

The Clinton administration (under the direction of Richard A. Clarke) prepared a document for the Bush administration titled, "Strategy for Eliminating the Threat from the Jihadist Networks of al Qida: Status and Prospects."

It expresses a series of ideas, including actionable items, which ought to satisfy any reasonable person's definition of the word "plan".

Fact Two
--------

There is this memo from Richard A. Clarke to Condoleezza Rice with the subject, "Presidential Policy Initiative/Review -- The al Qida Network". In the memo Mr. Clarke seeks to get the Bush administration to pay urgent attention to the al Qida Network.

Let us examine a quote from this memo:

"Attached to the memo was the year-end 2000 strategy on al Qida developed to give to you [Ms. Rice]. Also attached is the 1998 strategy. Neither was a "covert action only" approach. Both incorporated diplomatic, economic, military, public diplomacy, and intelligence tools."


I would like to thank the folks at No Quarter for posting the links to these documents. Hopefully the mainstream press notices them in between Stingray attacks and Paris Hilton escapades.

A story worth hearing

Retired Marine Maj. Gen. Fred E. Haynes, 83, is a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. In this article he tells a story of a Japanese prisoner of war, and why humane treatment of prisoners is a tactical advantage.

I wish every American knew this story.


Soldiers speak out


My grandfather didn't fight the Nazis over there so we could act like them over here. I am glad he didn't live to see this president's legacy. He would have been greatly ashamed.

=======================================================

Your message was sent to:

Senator Olympia J. Snowe
Senator Susan M. Collins

I must express my opposition to the immoral practice of inhuman, degrading and brutal interrogation and indefinite detention of prisoners. Such practices do not serve the interest of U.S. security.

An array of well-respected members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, retired military leaders and former government officials, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, have expressed serious concern in response to the compromise. They rightly question the wisdom of following a policy that undermines U.S. credibility as a world leader and may very well place U.S. troops at risk of similar treatment.

It is a sad chapter in American history when Congress sanctions torture and indefinite detention. After all, "water-boarding" was a favorite technique of the Gestapo, and similar to techniques used during the Salem witch hunts. Embracing such techniques makes a mockery of your pledge to uphold the Constitution. It is also disgusting, evil, and counter-productive.

I strongly urge you to reject this compromise on torture.


=======================================================

If you would like to send a similar message to your senator, you can do so easily here:

Shame Shame Shame

Better hurry. The US House has already disgraced itself with their vote.

Bums rush

I don't like the phrase no-brainer, but it seems a no-brainer for democrats to filibuster this bill. With elections coming there's no better way to go into them than by letting Americans know that "democrats don't torture".

Wanna attract values voters?

Stand up for Justice.

A commercial idea

President Bush wants to "Stay the Course" in Iraq.

On our present course we have lost 2,705 US soldiers (Details here).

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If you are ready for a change in course, then vote for a change.

NIE Estimate

The latest National Intelligence Estimate asserts...

"The war in Iraq has become a primary recruitment vehicle for violent Islamic extremists, motivating a new generation of potential terrorists around the world whose numbers may be increasing faster than the United States and its allies can reduce the threat, U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded."

More details

That has a familiar ring to it, doesn't it?

Was that a warning that president Bush gave the nation when Bill Clinton started the war in Iraq?

I get so confused sometimes watching Fox News I forget which wise utterance from our dear leader came when.

Reflections

When you consider that...

The foreign policy that Republicans are pursuing is not clear-cut.

And that, the war in Iraq doesn't stand for anything.

And that, Republicans are focusing on what they don't like (i.e. Saddam), rather than what they propose to do better (like NOT torture, and UPHOLD laws, and FIGHT corruption).

And that, the Iraq-occupation debate is controlled by elitists that bully anybody that disagrees with them.

It is hard to escape the conclusion that Republicans are running the US government the way Democratic candidates run for office.

I sez, "No wonder the presidential poll numbers are lower than a hound-dog's nose in a horse pasture."

Hoods on, thumbs up

One facet of president Bush that I find troubling is his consistent commitment to inhumane treatment of prisoners of war.

What bothers me most is not his lack of a rational argument which could justify these Salem-witch-hunt practices, but that this Congress doesn't require one.

I am disappointed a great deal in John McCain who one minute railed against torture and in the next became complicit with it by agreeing to wink and nudge while the president continues to do so. It also appears that Congress will prevent prisoners from appealing this depravity to U.S. courts.

If this is how Mr. McCain intends to live up to his "maverick" status, then I prefer a traditional sell-out because they don't lift your spirits first.


Devil's advocate

How does America get it's moral compass back?

The smell of sulpher

I have a hard time knowing what to make of Hugo Chavez. Agents of change don't always herald a kinder, gentler national ambition.

Be that as it may, he is a man that expresses his displeasure of president Bush rather forcefully, here equating him with the devil.


Chavez Address to the United Nations

I don't believe in the Devil. I believe evil enters the world through Man. Consequently, I believe that it is only when Man can master his unethical conduct that the world will be a better place.

Gore Vidal: Reflections on 9/11

I am currently reading Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Idiot", which takes a very good hearted character and places him in the company of Russian upper-crusts. I confess it is not my favorite book as it is tedious and there is too much innuendo for me to keep up with, but every once in a while a chapter comes along which contains excellent societal insight.

One such chapter deals with the frustrations of people that are "wealthy, of good family, nice-looking, fairly intelligent, and even good-natured, and yet have no talents, so special faculty, no peculiarity even, not one idea of one's own."

These types of people Fyodor splits into two groups, those that have limited intelligence, and others much cleverer. He says the first group is happier because, "Nothing is easier for "ordinary" people of limited intelligence than to imagine themselves exceptional and original and to revel in that delusion without the slightest misgiving."

In the course of the discussion Fyodor talks about "the impudence of simplicity, this unhesitating confidence of the stupid man in himself and his talents, which is superbly depicted by Gogol in the wonderful character of Lieutenant Pirogov."

"The Idiot" turned out to be quite popular in post-Soviet Russia due to a TV adaptation which ran in 2003. I suppose that is because at heart it is about the decay of society.

In this article by Gore Vidal, he compares modern American society to Rome near the time of it's fall (which by the way was run by Christians post-Constantine). He also has a few choice words to say about stupid people.

Reflections on 9/11

Sam's Club

Sam Harris is a philosopher that has made a name for himself talking about how silly it is for human beings to believe religious fantasies.

He is having a particularly tough time of late, I think, because he sees religious cultural clashes shaping up and perhaps feels there are better ways to honor a creator than to destroy the creation of which he is a part.

Sam takes the view that the pope's (Pope's?) recent remarks which inflamed Muslims were intentionally inflammatory and asks readers if religious faith is the problem, rather than the solution.

Here is how he makes his case:

Swingin' Sam

He seems a little impolite for a philosopher (Philosopher?), particularly when he refers to the pope (Pope?) as a "silly old priest", but perhaps that is why I read his articles.

Defending the Pope

Muslims are demanding an apology from the Pope because he recently discussed a conversation from about 1391 in which Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus said the following, "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

Since it is a pet peeve of mine to read a story about a story, without getting context, I would like to provide a link to the entire text of the Pope's speech:

Papal flap

I sez the Pope has just given irate Muslims an opportunity to draw upon those new sections in the Koran which are not evil and inhuman, and prove to the world they are above masquerading blood lust as piety.

Should the Pope apologize?

I sez no. It is time to stop tolerating their intolerance. Besides, theological discussions do not approach the offensive potential of a suicide bomber and I don't hear anybody apologizing for them.

Another tree falls

There is an infestation of dissent in the Republican woods. The latest, once-proud, Republican to throw in the towel on the Bush II presidency is none other than Christopher Buckley.


Let's quit while we are behind

Republicans left standing which support their president are about as spirited as our crumbling coalition in Iraq.

I think I smell a Mr. Murtha moment.

The president's word

Trying to take the president at his word with regard to Iraq is tricky. One minute our top priority is finding WMDs, the next minute it is to hunt dictators, then we're fighting to defend ourselves in the central front in the war on terrah-ism, and finally we are establishing an oasis of freedom lovers in a land of evil doers.

Rather than attack the rhetoric/marketing/excuses of the Bush administration it is sometimes helpful to take him at his word and examine his performance.

For instance, take the "central front" claim as true. We're told we're fighting "them" there so we don't have to fight "them" here. Them is either Iraqis, agents of al Qaeda, Muslims, or Arabs, I'm not sure which.

Putting that aside, we move on and ask, "If this is an important operation, how are we doing?"

The answer to that question is, "Not good".

Either the president is correct and we are doing an abysmal job winning an important war on his watch, or he is wrong and we are doing an abysmal job winning a war of folly on his watch.

Sure the latter option is worse, because it highlights bad judgment and incompetence, as opposed to good judgment and incompetence, but perhaps democratic candidates ought to consider letting the president work for them while he travels around hyping the importance of the Iraq war.

While president Bush convinces Americans the war is vitally strategic, democratic candidates should highlight the president's incompetence when it comes to meeting the challenge.

911-5

Hopefully Americans will begin to retreat from the paranoia of the past half-decade and return to caring about making good widgets, cornering the market in soy-beans, and BBQ parties.

Too much was lost on September 11th that didn't have anything to do with Osama. We lost our mojo, our peace of mind, and our way of life. It's about time we start to reclaim it.

The Bush administration is ringing every alarm and working every two-bit newsroom trying to hustle up a climate of fear, but lately Americans seem to be weary from the effort of living in a heightened state of hysteria.

I hope so.

It takes courage to live free in a scary world.

Pentagon Lawyers Challenge Detainee Plan

President Bush wants Congress to establish a military kangaroo-court that he can use to execute terrah-ists without ever allowing them to see the evidence against them.

I think that is dishonorable.

In response Democratic lawmakers teamed up with fair-minded Republicans to craft a system that, according to John McCain, "...must provide enough guarantees of fairness that the nation would feel comfortable having its own troops tried under it."

I think that track is honorable. Moreover, I think Mr. McCain's statement is worthy of an American and it makes me proud.

Believe it or not America has been in war before. Believe it or not America has captured prisoners of war before. Believe it or not we already have an honorable system to process them.

Do you know why we should use it?

Because when you fight with honor you maintain morale.

Why should we use waterboarding, a favorite technique of the Salem witch-hunters?

Why should we use concentration camps to "forget" people in?

Why should we discourage the Red Cross, an organization recently headed by Elizabeth Dole, from insuring our prisoners are treated fairly?


Pentagon Lawyers Challenge Detainee Plan

We have the right to call ourselves American when we face challenges without losing track of our values.


ADDENDUM: Chris Mathews interviewed John Kerry on this story. Nothing says we elected the wrong guy like this conversation.

Kerry on POWs

Tony trouble

Strong allies of president Bush in the US are meeting with electoral trouble:

Bush coat-tails not effective

Strong allies of president Bush abroad seem to be having even more pronounced problems:

Labour wants Blair's resignation

Perhaps Republicans should follow the example being set by the British Labour party and demand president Bush's resignation. That would be unexpected.

Keith Olberman grills Bush

President Bush has a rather expedient devotion to democracy and lackluster love of freedom. He enjoys freedom of speech, but only when people agree with him. He enjoys freedom of assembly, as long as participants sign loyalty pledges and likely dissenters are caged outside earshot. He enjoys freedom of the press, as long as they parrot his talking points.

Keith Olberman over at MSNBC seems to have had enough of freedom talking juxtaposed against a record of widespread corruption and a tyrannical devotion to secrecy.

When president Bush recently tried to justify his ham-fisted incompetence by linking al Qaeda to Nazi Germany Keith decided to take Mr. Bush to the woodshed.


Our Murrow emerges?

Stay the course?

As democrats struggle to find a message which resonates with voters come November it occurs to me that to ride in a car with a drunk driver is not a gesture which reaches across the aisle to promote a healthy atmosphere for good governance.

That is, instead, dangerous self-defeating stupidity.

At a time when we have a president operating the country drunk on power and weaving all over the Constitutional landscape, should democrats argue with him whether it is wise to steer towards Iraq as opposed to Iran, or should democrats stop the car and drive themselves?

One wonders why they ever got in the same car in the first place?

Alaska's Ted Stevens

Alaska's Ted Stevens has always struck me as a small-pond-jerk more interested in extorting pork for Alaska than a healthy US budget. The famous bridge-to-nowhere which delayed 911 anti-terrorist measures comes particularly to mind.

His latest America-last gaming of the system places much-needed anti-corruption legislation on hold.


Who is that masked man?

Since 911 I have been waiting for the republican politicians in power to rise to the occasion and have been continually disappointed. I sez that America's global challenges cannot be met successfully with small-world, bilk-America thinking.

No wonder republicans are losing credibility faster than Paris Hilton at a virgin convention.

Are modern republicans racist enough?

Daily Show expert and "Senior Black Correspondent" Larry Wilmore charges today's republican party with "lazy racism".


Not your father's racism

Consider this

[*] A recent University of California, San Francisco, study estimates that the United States would save over $161 billion every year in paperwork alone if it switched to a single-payer system like Canada's.

[*] Research on 38 million adult patients in 26,000 U.S. hospitals revealed that death rates in for-profit hospitals are significantly higher than in nonprofit hospitals: for-profit patients have a 2 percent higher chance of dying in the hospital or within 30 days of discharge.

[*] In the United States, infant mortality rates are 7.1 per 1,000, the highest in the industrialized world -- higher than some of the poorer states in India, for example, which have public health systems in place (at least for mothers and infants).

[*] Among the inner-city poor in the United States, more than 8 percent of mothers receive no prenatal care at all before giving birth.

[*] The overall improvement in health in a society with tax-supported health care translates to better health even for the rich, the group assumed to be the main beneficiaries of the American-style private system.

Now go read this article if your eyes popped open:

Canadian care

Historians demote Bush to "Dwarf president"

Some saucy satire for Saturday:

The dwarf president

It's fun to stay at the YMCA

We're approaching an election and you know what that means, time for republicans to swift-boat democrats.

Karl Rove has been the chief architect of some of the worst tactics in US political history (belittling decorated veterans of both parties, including during a time of war).

I got to thinking that it seems unfair that he gets to slime, then sit safely in the background. So, I thought, why not get ahead of the game with a little Rove storyline...

Many people don't know this, but Karl Rove in his early days was a songwriter. He was considered a decent writer of blues songs and had a moderate success with "The Day is Dawning", when Jimmy Witherspoon included the song on his album "Jay's Blues".

But, success, such as it was, went to his head. He became ambitious and star-struck and decided to become somebody. Ahead of his time he refashioned himself as Commander Karl and wore brown suede shorts, a shirtless black leather vest, a captains hat, and flip-flops. Often he'd carry a riding crop and wear a bandana around his neck.

One day the young Karl was in Greenwich Village and he bumped into Jacques Morali who was auditioning new talent for a group he had in mind. Karl devoted himself to making the audition but on that fateful day he was turned down for being, "too gay". The blow might have been mild if the group, later known as "The Village People", hadn't gone on to fame and fortune.

Jaded, frustrated, furious, and dejected Karl swore off his musical career and decided to go where he wouldn't have to face rejection. He became a political consultant.

To this day on the anniversary of his rejection he dresses up as Commander Karl and shouts out his hatred of all things Village People. In a moment of recklessness uncharacteristic of him, he hired a gay prostitute named Jim Guckert/ Jeff Gannon, dressed him up as a construction worker, and hurled a mixture of homerotic and homophobic comments at him. After one such session Jim wandered into the white house press gaggle by mistake and on a whim asked a softball question of the president.



That was fun.

Bob Dylan in the garden

Earlier...

Fred McDauber
Fred again
Reuse
Windmills
Faith Temple
Naomi
Naomi too

And now...

Naomi studied Fred for a moment, staring directly into his eyes, then replying with, “Of course Jesus didn’t condone gossipers when one of the Ten Commandments forbid bearing false witness against a neighbor. But tell me”, she continued, “what is it that you believe in Fred? I’m interested. I’d like to know.”

Fred didn’t respond right away, he instead looked up at the ceiling, then rested his eyes on a photo on the wall. Then he began to respond, “Well. I believe that most of the world’s religions have things backwards. I don’t think that the Creator is a genocidal, jealous, vengeful, sinner-burner like he’s made out in the Christian Bible for instance. Or, if He is, then He isn’t worthy of anything but contempt. I think that the Creator would be more of a gardener/artist type, you know creative and nurturing of life. I think that He tries to influence our behavior in a few limited ways. First, I think that harmful lies are not allowed to escape the Truth. Second, I think He creates beautiful things and releases them into the world.”

Naomi interjected, “But, what about Satan?”

Fred chuckled and his eyes sparkled with mirth, he smiled and said, “Why on earth would he be necessary? Look at the damage that Men are doing to each other and to the planet which sustains their very lives. Look at the way they lie to each other and cheat each other and enslave each other. I don’t see how the cruelty of Man can be improved upon or blamed on a third party. So, I think the Creator is trying to reach us with Beauty and Hope and Truth, but as for the devil I think he is nothing more than a scapegoat.”

Naomi reflected for a time and sat still while she did so. She said, “So, you believe in a creator that is like Bob Dylan in a garden?”

“Well”, said Fred, “if the music Bob Dylan played could create matter and life directly then that’d be about right. He’d be out there in his garden watching over us and when we got too mean and ugly with each other he’d send us “Masters of War” or “Hard Rain” so that we could turn out better. In fact, people like Bob Dylan have always made me wonder. Didn’t he come out of nowhere at a young age and write songs far beyond his years which spoke directly to the current mood? Isn’t he like Martin Luther King in that respect, telling us the Truth in a way which resonates?

“What about after we die?”, questioned Naomi.

“I am in no hurry for a definitive answer to that question, but I expect it is exactly like the time before our birth.”

“The God you believe in doesn’t seem very powerful”, said Naomi.

“That’s right. The God I believe in has no power at all, except the power to create Good things. He only tries to influence us by the power of His example and through His creations. I believe that He isn’t interested in revenge and that He only wants us to take delight in his works. I believe that the garden of Eden which you believe in was such a work. I believe that when you look around you are looking at what Man, in his ignorance, has done to the masterwork of Heaven itself.”

“That seems too cynical for me to ever believe in”, responded Naomi.

“It’s not for everyone”, agreed Fred, “but that’s what I believe in. I guess it appeals to me to consider the comedy of Monty Python a gift from God to be enjoyed, or the music of Mozart, or John Steinbeck’s novels, and so on. Martin Luther King, for sure, had this power of influence over people that doesn’t make sense to me any other way. I think of the Jesus you believe in the same way. He was just another attempt by God to awaken the Love in our hearts for each other. Usually we respond by killing his creations and perverting their message.”

“That’s your view of religion isn’t it, a corruption of something beautiful?”, asked Naomi.

“Pretty much”, responded Fred, “but I try to judge people by their actions and not by their beliefs. I know that there are Paul Farmers in the world that make enormous sacrifices to help other people, and if I look critically at myself I do not measure up to a lot of religious believers.”

At that point Faith came bustling into the room with a plate full of cookies and three cups and saucers. She set the plate of cookies in the center of the coffee table, placed three cups in their saucers, and traveled back to the kitchen, returning with tea-bags and a kettle of hot water, sugar, and milk. She put the tea bags in the mugs, filled them with hot water, returned the kettle to the kitchen, then took up a seat by Naomi.

Looking at Naomi, Faith said, “I always like something sweet and a cup of tea in the afternoon. We have peanut-butter cookies and molasses there and Lipton tea so help yourself.”

With that, Fred and Faith began to eat a cookie, Fred grabbing molasses and Faith peanut butter. Naomi mumbled something beneath her breath, then reached for a peanut butter cookie. She bit into it and enjoyed the semi-soft, crumbly texture and sweetness. She reached for the teacup, extracted the bag, mixed in sugar and milk, and washed down the first bite of cookie. She smiled.

Fred complimented Faith on the cookies and ate his slowly, breaking off pieces with his hands, then chewing them thoughtfully. If for no other reason than these cookies, he thought his plan was working out well. He wondered if a pleasure so simple was the result of Mr. Dylan in his garden, or if People themselves sometimes brought good things into the world with their own hands.

Happy August 22nd

Will Sunni Muslims strike a mega-terrorist blow against Israel (specifically Jerusalem) on Tuesday, August 22nd?

Will the US and Israel respond with a joint strike against Iran?

Apocalyptic Plans

My suspicion is that neocons need better hobbies. Perhaps we should all take one bowling?

Where embarrassments take dream

"I made my position clear, about this war on terror. I a and by the way the enemy made their position clear yet again when they when ... when a when we're able stop em."

- President George W. Bush -

Video link

Our safety

Karl Rove perpetuates the myth that president Bush's decisive action protects us all from the evil doers.

But, when you think about it:

North Korea reconstituted nuclear weapons on Bush's watch.

Osama bin Laden killed 3,000 Americans and wasn't smoked out or brung in dead or alive.

Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons.


Russia just inked a deal to sell 3 billion dollars worth of weapons to Venezuela.

The roadmap to peace was in reality a roadmap to hostility.

The situation in Iraq is worsening.

The situation in Afghanistan is tenuous.

Does a turd blossom overpower the scent of its foundation?

Raging medievalists

What's a "raging medievalist"?

It's a phrase I like to use to describe these tablet-carrying wannabees that live in an age of genetic engineering, skylabs, polio vaccines, nuclear power, and automobiles, yet think society's ills can be cured with medieval religious practices like angry mobs of stone-wielders.

Herb Titus and Gary North fit the billing and you can read about them here:

Stone chuckers


Hate is not justified because it is Christian hate as opposed to Islamic hate. The Christian idol, Jesus, was categorically opposed to harming others and was fanatical enough about it to stop stonings.

Can he possibly be honored by digital-aged barbarians carrying grudges that defile his very legacy?

I'd wager their activity does more to drive people away from Christ's teachings than Boston-area child predators in vestments.

Iraq Report 109th Congress

If democrats take back the House of Representatives then John Conyers will likely lead the Judiciary Committee.

Could it be that this report is a prelude to what awaits the Bush administration should this scenario become reality?


Coverups in the Iraq War

Here is an excerpt from the summary:

We have found that there is substantial evidence the President, the Vice-President and other high ranking members of the Bush Administration misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq; misstated and manipulated intelligence information regarding the justification for such war; countenanced torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in Iraq; permitted inappropriate retaliation against critics of their Administration; and approved domestic surveillance that is both illegal and unconstitutional. As further detailed in the Report, there is evidence that these actions violate a number of federal laws, including:



[*] Making False Statements to Congress, for example, saying you have learned Iraq is attempting to buy uranium from Niger, when you have been warned by the CIA that this is not the case.

[*] The War Powers Resolution and Misuse of Government Funds, for example, redeploying troops and initiating bombing raids before receiving congressional authorization.

[*] Federal laws and international treaties prohibiting torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, for example, ordering detainees to be ghosted and removed, and tolerating and laying the legal ground work for their torture and mistreatment.

[*] Federal laws concerning retaliating against witnesses and other individuals, for example, demoting Bunnatine Greenhouse, the chief contracting officer at the Army Corps of Engineers, because she exposed contracting abuses involving Halliburton.

[*] Federal requirements concerning leaking and other misuse of intelligence, for example, failing to enforce the executive order requiring disciplining those who leak classified information, whether intentional or not.

[*] Federal regulations and ethical requirements governing conflicts of interest, for example, then Attorney General John Aschcroft’s being personally briefed on FBI interviews concerning possible misconduct by Karl Rove even though Mr. Rove had previously received nearly $750,000 in fees for political work on Mr. Ashcroft’s campaigns.

[*] Violating FISA and the Fourth Amendment, for example intercepting thousands of communications “to or from any person within the United States,” without obtaining a warrant.

[*] The Stored Communications Act of 1986 and the Communications Act of 1934, for example, obtaining millions of U.S. customer telephone records without obtaining a subpoena or warrant, without customer consent, and outside of any applicable “emergency exceptions.”

[*] The National Security Act, for example, failing to keep all Members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees “fully and currently informed” of intelligence activities, such as the warrantless surveillance programs.

This explains the evident desperation of the Bush administration's recent actions, particularly equating casting a vote for Ned Lamont with terrorist sympathy. They seem unable to admit Lieberman lost because he supported the president's agenda, which ought to translate into heavy Republican losses in November.

This could be a November to remember if Americans have finally had enough of George W. Bush.

Unification

An idea that struck me like a thunderclap:

Imagine the terror-fighting potential if Karl Rove was given the task of polarizing Islamic society, rather than American society!

It struck me as I was reading this piece and I learned of the Punjab.

Fantastic article on Islam

If anyone close to the president is reading this please pass this on. It is an idea that may have been divinely inspired.

I am still tingling.

Democratic plan

Republicans routinely and disingenously charge that democrats have no plan for fighting terrorism.

They are wrong but they keep repeating it because the media in the US lets them lie and calls it balance.

Next time a conservative blow-hard says that why doesn't an interviewer slap this document on the table?

Democratic American Security Plan


That would be balance, with the counter-weight being the Truth for once.

Supreme Sarcasm

I often post Daily Show clips but this one is special. If you wish to see sarcasm brought to new heights click below

Smiling daggers

Democrats Dilemma

I think that what democrats ought to do right away is start getting Mr. Murtha out talking about his plan for turning Iraq over to Iraqis.

Rather than wait for Republicans to define democrats as weak on defense and then react to that, they should get out now and remind voters that:

[*] Our policy in Iraq is a failure and getting worse by the day (i.e. 35 killed in a mosque today). The president has no plan and wants to leave the problems for the next administration.

[*] Exit strategy is victory.

[*] Mr. Lieberman didn't just support the war, he failed to see that it was being won once it started.

[*] Homeland security is not a pork-barrel project.

[*] People willing to trash veterans to win are people that deserve contempt not votes.

[*] Reagan Democrats put country before party and Republican moderates know they must do the same in November.

[*] Social Security will be on the chopping block again if Republicans win.

Victory in November requires a winning attitude as much as anything else. A team that wins doesn't get rattled by falling behind, nor does it get rattled by gaining the advantage. While the clock runs a winning team plays hard, adjusts to counter-attack, and gets up after being knocked down and looks their opponent in the eye and smiles.

I see that attitude in Mr. Murtha and Russ Feingold. I'm surprised to see it in Al Gore now. Howard Dean nearly has it. Harry Reid definitely has got game.

Fight Arjunas!

Lamont licks Lieberman

Ned Lamont defeated incumbent Joe Lieberman in the democratic Connecticut primary. Mr. Lieberman immediately proved he was a democrat in name only by announcing an independent bid.


Jilted Joe

Garnering a miniscule amount of votes in his presidential bid was not enough rejection for Joe.

Being defeated as an incumbent in his home state was not enough rejection for Joe.

Is he now willing to become a spoiler and be relegated to the Ralph Nader lecture circuit?

How low can Joe go?

Here is an analysis of what Joe's vanity candidacy means for the democratic party: Jumpin' Joe

ADDENDUM: Here is a good analysis of what made Joe Lieberman a loser: Head in Clouds

And my two additional cents are, "It's Ned Lamont. He's a good candidate. He ran a good campaign. He's disciplined and quick-witted. He's good on camera. People like him. Sure Joe helped him by being as out of touch as George HW Bush with grocery-store technology, but what sunk Joe was Ned. Ned is the reason Joe lost. It's Ned I tells ya. Ned."

Naomi too

Earlier...

Fred McDauber
Fred again
Reuse
Windmills
Faith Temple
Naomi

And now...

Fred examined Naomi carefully as he looked up. He looked at the area around her eyes and the way she nervously moved her fingers. He thought he would try to make the conversation a little more interesting and see if he could discover the makeup of his guest. He breathed in and said, “It seems to me that a large contributor to societal decay is a slavish devotion to capitalism, which I guess people call market fundamentalism, but I like to call greediness. Take a simple thing like coffee, for instance, which used to have names like Italian Roast, and French Roast, and Mocha Java, and Kenya AA and so on. You could order Italian Roast coffee in Portland, Maine or Portland, Oregon, or Portland, England and everybody knew what you meant. You could see it in the store and know what you were buying. These roasts were good enough for a long time but now market forces insist we have Buddy’s Bad Blend or Nuevo Nightshade. Now if I try to get a cup of coffee I don’t know what I’m ordering and if I figure it out after a few trips to the store the name will change or the brand will be replaced and I wind up feeling like I don’t know the world around me. As time goes on the pace gets faster and faster and I feel like I’m spinning sometimes when all I want is the toothpaste I bought last week.”

Naomi blinked at Fred and then countered with, “I suppose what you are saying is that you feel adrift in a changing world, well that’s where the good Lord’s guiding hand can give you something to hold onto. He’s my rock and my salvation.”

Naomi’s religious rhetoric didn’t impress Fred, but her ability to quickly take something new and unexpected and incorporate it politely without being shaken off did. She would be harder to derail than he thought, but that thought invigorated his interest.

At that moment Faith came in with two glasses of water and set one down in front of Fred and Naomi. She scolded Fred for not having the manners to offer Naomi something to drink on such a warm afternoon, then she told Naomi if Fred’s talking wore her out she could chase him off for her. Naomi smiled and thanked Faith for the water and said she always enjoyed discussing her faith. Faith felt somewhat cheated but returned to the kitchen without a word.

Fred took a sip of water, shifted in his chair and then asked Naomi why she took up religion. He thought he already knew but wanted to draw her out of her protective layer of official duty. She began telling her story, “It was about 10 years ago that I became a witness. I had an accident that put me in the hospital for quite a while. I was full of pain all over and didn’t have nobody to come see me and the pain and the loneliness combined were just awful. One day a man came in and asked me if I would like company. He told me he was spreading the word of God and I didn’t care what he was spreading if it meant a moment to take my mind off my aches and pains, so I invited him in. Well he asked me if I had accepted Jesus Christ and I told him that I hadn’t. When he asked me, “Why?” I told him because when I call he doesn’t come and when I look he isn’t there and when I pray he doesn’t help me. I told him I didn’t believe it was possible to love someone and then let them come to harm. Can you believe it? I said those things and may the good Lord forgive me.”

Fred scratched under his hat a moment and knew he was getting somewhere now. He took another sip of water and then said, “I’d have to say that your replies were pretty sensible, especially given the state you were in. I know that there is some force of creation because absolutely nothing can make itself. A seed needs a tree and a tree needs a seed. A chicken needs an egg and an egg needs a chicken. It is like this with everything. Everything. But, I’ve never seen any evidence that convinces me that Jesus is real.”

Naomi paused a moment and looked at the floor. She seemed to be studying her hands in her lap and as she did Fred noticed that while her hair was curly she possessed a small bald spot near the back of her head. Naomi slowly looked up and she seemed more relaxed, but at the same time more resolute. She said, “My faith isn’t based on anything I can share as evidence, but I can tell you what happened. Shortly after I left the hospital I started attending (mass? Church? Kingdom hall?) with an open mind. One Sunday I learned that faith was based upon a belief in Him and I thought about what that meant. I decided to simply force myself to believe God was watching me to see what effect it had on me. I started praying. After a while I felt as though I had a new friend at my side. You know how when someone is staring at you, you can actually feel it? It works that way for me. I can actually feel Jesus nearby even now. He doesn’t speak to me in a literal sense, and I’m not sure if he understands or hears my prayers, but since I started really believing in Him he has been with me every step of the way.”

Fred thought about that for a moment and as he did so he scratched up under his hat and drank a little water. His view was that Naomi had managed to create an imaginary friend for herself in the same way many children do. He didn’t see the merit in a debate in which nothing could be examined in the light of Truth, so he said, “What do you suppose Jesus thinks of gossipers?”

Hezbollah was using UN post as shield

Hezbollah was using a UN observation post as a shield, according to the e-mail communication of Canadian Major General Lewis MacKenzie.

Details here

While this shows Israel did have a tactical reason to bomb a UN post which killed UN observers, it is very poor manners and exhibits a lack of respect for the UN and for innocent life. It also shows a clear lack of political sense, isolating Israel further and garnering sympathy for Hezbollah.

This squandering of international support reminds me of US actions in the aftermath of 9/11, which turned a world ready to help into a confederation of cold shoulders.

A thought

I thought of a name for a band that I like, but since I don't have a band I'll pass it on:

Urban Smile Compromise


I think it would suit a soulful act like the Staple Singers.

Castroesque?

I think George W. Bush is best described as a fascist. John Dean prefers to call the president authoritarian. President Bush seems to prefer the phrase unitary executive.

You may find all these descriptions too flattering after reading this story, which highlights the president's latest unAmerican activities:

Bush seeks kangaroo courts

Osama must love this guy.

The second kick from a mule

While many neo-clowns clamor for war with Iran, perhaps it is wise to wonder what an irate Iran is capable of inflicting?

Iran's strengths

Joe Biden once lamented that there was, "no potential for education in the second kick from a mule." That succinctly sums up the futility of a neo-con in action.

With a riding crop
and a hoof-print on my head.
I boldly call for
more mules to strike dead.

A mule can strike a blow
But this one won't I know
Just bring it here and I'll
strike it's rear

And we'll do it all again....

With a riding crop
and two hoof-prints on my head.
I boldly call for
more mules to strike dead.


etc. and etc. and etc. and etc.

Lieberman's lament

Here is why Joe Lieberman's seat ain't safe:

Lamont on Colbert

Ned Lamont, you see, is a terrific candidate.

Ole!

I think that one reason intellectuals are regarded as wishy-washy is because they like to think things through before giving an answer, and when you do that simplicity evaporates.

In order to demonstrate what I am talking about I will hit you with two statements that seem undeniably True, while somewhat contradictory.

The unexamined life is not worth living

Socrates, in Plato, Dialogues, Apology
Greek philosopher in Athens (469 BC - 399 BC)

The unlived life is not worth examining

Sometimes attributed to Tom Morris

It is hard to deny that both statements are True and it takes a moment to bring them together in harmony, for instance...

Periodically examine your life to be sure it is worth living.


Information and debate have been hijacked by the appeal of ignorant action. To act immediately is somehow more respectable than to act wisely. Ignorant action is held in such high regard that president Bush could be reelected on the appeal of his foolish consistency:

Dead or Alive.
Bring 'em on.
Smoke him out.
Mission accomplished.
With us or against us.
War on terror.
Axis of evil.
Evil doers.
Cards on the table.
Turning the corner.
Roadmap to peace.

The fact that all of these rhetorical reductions are linked to failed policies seems insignificant in this era of unenlightenment. Voters prefer to be led by the bull than the matador.

Conservatives Without Conscience

John Dean has written a book about the Republican party and how it has been taken over by "Conservatives Without Conscience". You may read an excerpt of the book on-line and to tempt you I provide a small quote to whet your appetite:

"If truthfulness about extramarital affairs had been a requisite for everyone in Congress to hold their seats before they voted to oust Clinton, neither the House nor the Senate could have formed a quorum."

Part 1 of 3

Part 2 of 3


Part 3 of 3

Click for details 

Is it the C.O.?

Conservatives like Newt Gingrich couldn't stand Colin Powell for his "disloyalty" to president Bush.

Conservatives like Newt Gingrich cannot stand Condi Rice for her "incompetence on most foreign policy issues".

I got to thinking...what is it about Condi Rice and Colin Powell that might single them out for attack from Republicans like Newt?

Is it that they both work at the State Department?

Is it that both of their first names start with C.O.?

A look at Newt's solution to the problem, James Baker III, does seem to support the notion that Newt has a problem with names that start with C.O.

Perhaps Condi should change her name to something like Janice? Janice Rice does have a nice ring to it!

Black like Condi

Then and Now

Then

"The problems in Iraq are ahead of us, but we're doing better than people think. And a year from now, I'll be very surprised if there is not some grand square in Baghdad that is named after President Bush. There is no doubt that, with the exception of a very small number of people close to a vicious regime, the people of Iraq have been liberated and they understand that they've been liberated. And it is getting easier every day for Iraqis to express that sense of liberation."

Richard Perle - 9/22/03

Now

"Israel must now deal a blow of such magnitude to those who would destroy it as to leave no doubt that its earlier policy of acquiescence is over. This means precise military action against Hezbollah and its infrastructure in Lebanon and Syria [emphasis added], for as long as it takes and without regard to mindless diplomatic blather about proportionality."

- Richard Perle, New York Times op-ed piece published on July 23, 2006

Snarky comments

[*] Perhaps Iraqis are irrationally discontent or too modest to express that sense of liberation.

[*] Israel should indeed ignore mindless blather whether or not it comes from a diplomat.

The rockets red glare

Thoughts on Israel/Hezbollah war:

[*] A lot of people blame Israeli behavior in Lebanon on the kidnapping of two soldiers. Their reaction is "disproportionate" these people say. I sez Israeli behavior is more likely explained by the rockets Hezbollah started lobbing at Haifa. No country can allow a million of its citizens to live in bomb shelters without a heavy response.

[*] Israel is a democracy and their form of government isn't spreading throughout the region. I wonder if US planners thought of that when they invaded Iraq.

[*] Bombs are deployed with more haste than secretaries of state.

[*] I always recognize a foolish war in three ways:

1. Is it an aggressive war?
2. Do the politicians lie to their own people to get it on?
3. Is anybody talking about what comes after?

With regard to the current conflict in Lebanon I think Israel can answer No, No, and No scoring two out of three.

But, point three will mean the difference between another futile occupation and a focused rolling back of a hostile enemies capabilities. It can also tie in with the over-all effort if ordinary Lebanese believe Israel will help them rebuild and strengthen their official government.

[*] Western-style democracies ought to stand together but Israel makes it difficult with their really bad PR. Maybe they should join NATO if they want to receive our support in conflicts.


[*] The US made a half-assed attempt to help Lebanon get the Syrian influence out, but should have pressed hard to find out who killed Rafik Hariri, then followed up with carrots to the fledgling government. Rhetoric doesn't rebuild.

[*] God doesn't kill people. People kill people.

[*] Hezbollah is akin to an American militia arming itself and then deciding to fire rockets at Canada from the heart of downtown Detroit. Hezbollah wants to draw an Israeli response that will kill their own compatriots, then blame Israel for the deaths. Israel is happy to oblige if it means their own citizens suffer less for it and who can blame them.

[*] Because Israel has a right to defend itself that doesn't mean they have a free pass to inflict citizen casualties. They must uphold honor to uphold morale.

[*] Israel has a long tradition of fighting well and deserves more credit for it than they get. Hezbollah isn't dropping leaflets on Haifa to warn Israeli citizens of incoming missiles, but Israel is doing that for Lebanese just the same.

[*] I saw that the US just made a rather large arms sale to Saudi Arabia. That seems really stupid. I bet most of those weapons are used against US soldiers and Israeli soldiers.

Saving the American Dream

It is too bad that Hillary Clinton cannot convey sincerity or warmth on a podium, because otherwise I think she'd make a great candidate.

John Edwards somehow suffers from the same problem. It's hard to put your finger on it, but they seem insincere when I don't think they are. Perhaps they are too patronizing or constant smiling comes unnaturally to them.

That being said, I think we'd be a lot better off with either of them in Washington in lieu of president swagger and his all-star band of corrupt cohorts.

If American voters can choose substance over style, though, here is what would be in store for them:

DLC: Saving the American Dream by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Tom Carper, and Gov. Tom Vilsack

Oh, just the thought of returning to a president that could use words like "endeavored" in a sentence makes me sentimental.

Iceberg approaching

Well that course thing we're trying is working out well, isn't it?:

Iraq: 38 tortured bodies found

Another Schiavo moment

[*] I think that Congress should have named the stem cell research bill recently vetoed by president swagger the Robin Bush War on leukemia bill. It might have illustrated to the president the cruelty of his position.

[*] The US will find it must choose between maintaining military superiority and advancing the cause of theocratic science. The last time the superstition police had the upper hand is the era known to scientists as "The Dark Ages".

[*] During the Inquisition religiously inspired Spanish Catholics "tore [Native American] babes from their mother's breast by their feet, and dashed their heads against the rocks.". Sometimes the babies would first be baptized. It was perhaps the first time compassionate conservatism was put into practice on American soil.

This episode in Christian morality suggests that fundamentalists can get over their stem cell research objections by baptizing stem cells before they are used in research. If it is good enough for fully-born babies it ought to be good enough for a cluster of blastocyst cells.

[*] Perhaps scientists ought to call stem-cell research invitro fertilization science. There are no religious moral objections to invitro fertilization even though it is the same process (stem cell researches want access to unused stem cells generated via the invitro fertilization process).

[*] Once again the hobgoblin of little minds is to blame for spreading human suffering.

[*] Once again religious leaders celebrate the defeat of Hope as if it were a moral victory.

[*] Once again president Bush legislates as a theocrat.

Why conservatives can't govern

We all saw the fruits of compassionate conservatism in the wake of Katrina. Thousands of Americans stranded by a government with an ideological axe to grind.

We can all see the fruits of compassionate conservatism once again as the US government, "instead of charging to the rescue, is charging for the rescue" of US citizens from Lebanon.

It used to be that carrying a US passport abroad meant something more than this. It used to mean protection, not protection for those that could pay.


Conservatives in action

Conservatives can't govern because they hate government and want to destroy it, but without any plan for what comes afterwards.

What comes afterwards seems to be a government that strands Americans in the face of Katrina, or war, or global warming.

ADDENDUM: It appears that even corpses must pay extorting safety

Israel

While Israel is fighting Palestinians in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon it is making threats to Syria...

“Washington has information according to which Israel gave Damascus 72 hours to stop Hizbullah’s activity along the Lebanon-Israel border and bring about the release the two kidnapped IDF soldiers or it would launch an offensive with disastrous consequences.”

Details here

Sometimes I think that Arabs and Israelis deserve each other.

On Israel

There are a lot of bloggers blogging about the need for bloggers to blog about the Middle east mess.

I would rather blog about how much it pisses me off to see American citizens in Lebanon having to flee for their lives along dangerous routes to escape Israeli bombing.

Details here

President swagger ought to demand Israel's immediate assistance in the evacuation process and a halt in the bombing until Americans are out of the way.

Public schools

The Education Department reported on Friday that children in public schools generally performed as well or better in reading and mathematics than comparable children in private schools.


Story here

Since this study flies in the face of generally held beliefs (i.e. superstition) it has received scant press attention. It is worth repeating, though, since morale affects performance.

If you know any public school teachers be sure and congratulate them, and be prepared for them to weep when you do so.

The dark side

In this Frontline production known as The Dark Side you can learn all about Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld and their contributions to the Iraq war and subsequent occupation.

Diplomatic infighting

It is sad to consider that Mr. Cheney is as wrong today as the CIA was about the collapse of Russia. It is doubly sad to reflect that the CIA was wrong then for the same reason Mr. Cheney is wrong now, namely a slavish devotion to an agenda.

We will not, it appears, be welcomed as liberators in Iraq anytime soon.

Iraq did not, it appears, manufacture thousands of tons of WMDs.

And Dick Cheney did not, it appears, learn a valuable lesson from a catastrophic miscalculation. He instead drove those who were right out and rewarded the patronizing.

A problem with that approach is that the unimaginative do not generate creative ideas.

It is a story that has already been told in Russia.

Course correction

Often when politicians talk it is helpful to find and question the underlying assumptions of their speech. For instance, when president Bush says the United States will not "cut and run from Iraq" there are several assumptions that should be examined:

1. Are there any circumstances under which America can leave Iraq without "cutting and running", or must we stay there forever? If we aren't staying forever then why are we building permanent bases in Iraq?

2. Cutting and running is an intelligent strategy when you, say, find a ticking time-bomb tied to your leg. In that case you are only harmed when you don't cut and run.

Wouldn't we be intelligent to place some distance between our troops and the explosive situation that is Iraq?

3. Is our presence in Iraq having a stabilizing influence in Iraq, which withdrawal would jeopardize?

To answer this it is imperative to answer the following questions:

3a. Is security improving for average Iraqis? Nope.

3b. Are Iraqis access to jobs, electricity, water, and sewage improving? Nope.

3c. Is sectarian violence decreasing? Nope.

3d. Are the attacks on American GIs becoming less effective? Nope.

3e. Are Iraqis more and more, rather than less and less, welcoming of our presence? Nope.

4. Are we further along towards accomplishing our objectives, and will withdrawing our presence jeopardize them?

If our objective is to keep Iraqi oil in the ground and drive up profits for our enemies then we are "doing a heck of a job".

If our objective is to make Iraq a standard-bearer for democracy in the region and fund it's own reconstruction with an improved oil infrastructure, then we are further from our objective than when we started.


Continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting different results is a textbook definition of insanity, but every time I consider the fact that some young kid is over in Iraq right now being asked to do the impossible by the incompetent I wonder how to help them. In my attempt to do something helpful I keep pointing out the Truth and each time hoping for different results.

Breaking news

Hizbollah has captured two Israeli soldiers and Israeli troops have responded by crossing into Lebanon.

Tensions rising in Middle East

Thomas Paine

I think that one of the problems with the education I received is I often learned about things and not of things.

One example of what I mean is I learned that there was something called scientific method, but the details of it were not explored or put into practice. So, hypotheses, predictions, experiments, peer review, and reproduction were not part of the "learning process" somehow.

Another example is that I remember learning something very vague about this person called Thomas Paine who printed a pamphlet during the time of the American Revolution that was influential. The reading of this pamphlet was not part of the curriculum.

I feel cheated, as I now read Thomas Paine's "The Age of Reason." What a riotous discussion our class of French-Canadian Catholics could have had if we'd debated it's contents in the classroom.

In the book Thomas Paine uses the Bible to refute the Bible and challenges believers to repent of their support of its' authenticity. Here are a couple of quotes to give you an idea of his viewpoint:

People in general do not know what wickedness there is in this pretended word of God. Brought up in the habits of superstition, they take it for granted that the Bible is true, and that it is good; they permit themselves not to doubt of it, and they carry the ideas they form of the benevolence of the Almighty to the book which they have been taught to believe was written by his authority. Good heavens! It is quite another thing; it is a book of lies, wickedness, and blasphemy; for what can be greater blasphemy than to ascribe the wickedness of man to the orders of the Almighty?

And

The evidence I have produced, and shall produce in the course of this work, to prove that the Bible is without authority, will, while it wounds the stubbornness of a priest, relieve and tranquilize the minds of millions; it will free them from all those hard thoughts of the Almighty which priestcraft and the Bible had infused into their minds, and which stood in everlasting opposition to all their ideas of his moral justice and benevolence...

While the above examples are mild in comparison to the logical assaults Thomas makes upon the Bible, it is interesting to note that he does believe in an Almighty Creator. Not only that, but he outlines a moral world view arrived at from Reason, rather than belief in revelation or miracles. Here is a small sample of the type of beliefs he held:

The only idea we can have of serving God, is that of contributing to the happiness of the living creation that God has made. This cannot be done by retiring ourselves from the society of the world and spending a recluse life in selfish devotion...

And

The Creation we behold is the real and ever-existing word of God, in which we cannot be deceived. It proclaims his power, it demonstrates his wisdom, it manifests his goodness and beneficence. The moral duty of man consists in imitating the moral goodness and beneficence of God, manifested in the creation toward all his creatures. That seeing, as we daily do, the goodness of God to all men, it is an example calling upon all men to practice the same toward each other; and consequently, that everything of persecution and revenge between man and man, and everything of cruelty to animals, is a violation of moral duty.

The Dalai Lama wrote a book called, "Ethics for the New Millennium" which constructs a secular moral code which requires no belief in miracles or revelations. I like to think of it as a continuation of Thomas' work.

The Dalai Lama seems to be saying that the key to a spiritually fulfilling life is ethical conduct, and ethical conduct can be logically determined by adhering to the principle that all human beings wish to be happy and avoid suffering.

I recommend both books very highly.

The Age of Reason

Ethics for the New Millennium

Naomi

Fred sat watching television, which more accurately meant he was relaxing in front of a television whose programming was so bad he was actively ignoring it. For some reason if you sat quietly and reflected people thought you weren’t right in the head. If, however, you sat quietly and ingested the contents of a television people thought you were perfectly normal and further left you alone to “enjoy your programming”. And so with a bit of effort Fred reflected while ignoring the chattering television while Faith worked in the kitchen clanging pots and pans and periodically muttering things to herself.

Fred was trying to think of a way to get out of tonights social obligations, since otherwise he’d have to be subjected to the unwanted company of Faith’s friend Harriet. There must be a way out of this, thought Fred.

Unexpectedly, the front doorbell rang. Since in Maine friends and family used the back door (off the kitchen) and strangers came to the front door, Fred braced himself for either commercial or religious proselytizers. “Fred!”, reported like a shot from the kitchen, “Someone’s at the door!”. Sometimes Fred found Faith’s observations unnecessary, like now, but at other times her barks were liable to awaken Fred from reflections somewhat deeper than consciousness allowed.

He moved to the door and opened it and knew right away he was about to be invited to seek salvation. There was no mistaking the severe shoes, the funeral gaiety, and the cheerless dress of a Jehovah’s Witness spreading the good word. “Jesus! Just what I need…”, thought Fred. As he opened the door he was about to hasten the young woman’s departure from his front porch when the beginning of an idea came to him. It stopped him in half expression and his visitor was greeted with a facial expression that might have been interpreted as a mild stroke by one medically inclined, but was instead treated with confusion.

Quickly a most welcoming smile graced Fred’s face as he scratched up under his hat and enthusiastically greeted the newcomer. She was a short woman with wavy hair and a dark dress-suit. She had brown eyes and brown skin and stood slightly slouched and slightly tilted to one side. Looking again at her severe shoes Fred thought he detected one sole thicker than the other.

Fred thought how Harriet Mackie had been coming over to his house and inflicting herself upon his person for years and it was about time he got a sliver of revenge. He eyed his visitor again and wondered if it was mean-spirited of him to use her in his newly formed scheme. He decided that religious people were always saying that the Lord worked in mysterious ways and perhaps it was honoring their philosophy to accept his visitor as a gift of Providence.

He was right about the religious intent of his visitor and was soon offered a pamphlet which no doubt contained snatches of hokum that no more interested him than the ingredients of a hot dog did (and for the same reasons). His visitor was delighted when he said, “Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”. He opened the pamphlet, and perused it quickly pursuing his idea with increasing glee. He saw that the cover of this pamphlet had the questions “What is the purpose of life? How can you find it?” printed across a photo of culturally diverse young men and women. He leapt in.

“It just so happens I was sitting right there in that chair”, he said, “pondering the meaning of life myself. Isn’t that a coincidence? If you had a moment I’d love to discuss my ideas with someone.” Fred then held the door as his visitor radiated enthusiasm as she entered his home.

“Faith”, Fred sung, “Faith dear we have a visitor.”

A rather severe sound erupted from the kitchen that was undoubtedly something hard striking something else hard but beyond that Fred was uncertain. “I’ll be right there”, said Faith, as water began to run in the sink. After a brief pause Fred knew Faith would appear and took a moment to close the door, an act symbolically significant for the newcomer and perfectly time coordinating for Fred. As Fred now asked Naomi to sit down Faith appeared slightly dusted with flower, slightly sweating, her hands slightly wet, and slightly off balance socially. Fred said, “Faith this is Naomi and she’s talking to folks about religion and I expect she’s walked all over this neighborhood and she looks a bit hungry.” Turning to Face Naomi Fred asked, “Would you like to join us for supper? I’ve just picked more peas than we can eat and Faith here can cook better than anyone in town.”

Fred felt his delivery was just about right. He appealed to Faith’s mothering instinct, placed her in a delicate position in front of a stranger that really did look hungry, and he was being honest about her cooking and knew that inflating Faith’s pride wouldn’t hurt his chances. He knew, though, that Faith was expecting Harriet and would be hard pressed to gossip in front of a religious woman.

Fred licked his lips and smiled, then turned toward Faith. She blinked quickly a couple of times and then stammered that of course Naomi was welcome and there was plenty to eat and she hoped she’d stay and join the company.

Fred thought that was a pretty good parry from Faith, for the normal uninvited guest might decline to intrude on company. Fred felt confident that there’d be an easier job made of taking a bone away from a dog than driving off a fundamentalist with such appeals to manners. He wasn’t disappointed when Naomi parried with, “Thank you kindly Faith for offering to share the Lord’s bounty with me. I feel blessed every day that I spread the good word.”

Fred thought that Naomi’s introduction of the Lord into Faith’s offer somehow made it sound less generous. The Lord might provide the ingredients, but Fred never tasted anything as good as Faith’s cooking dangling on the end of a vine. He supposed that is why he didn’t take to any religion whatever. Religion always cheapened human accomplishment except when assigning blame. He thought religious people had it bass ackwards, since People couldn’t fairly be judged if there was a Creator, and he thought anything People did accomplish under such unguided circumstances was cause for appreciation.

As Faith returned to the kitchen and Naomi started talking about the empty lives that resulted from societal decay Fred found himself wondering if he had just miscalculated. He was pretty sure that Naomi would cheerfully overwhelm Harriet’s opportunity to gossip, but supper was two hours away.

Fred glanced longingly at the muted television and scratched up under his hat as he turned to face Naomi.

Ill about Il

I have found myself, of late, wondering how Republicans would be acting if a democratic president bumbled as badly as Bush with regard to nuclear-armed North Korea.

Would they shrug if a democratic president had embroiled the country in another Vietnam while a grave threat shot missiles around our allies?

Would O'Reilly and Limbaugh types think calls for permission slips from the international community prudent?

I think not.

So then I found myself wondering, "Why not?".

Is it because party politics now trump national security issues?

Or, is it because most people are too pathetic to admit their role in electing the awful administration of George W. Bush?

It seems to me they would rather slather rhetoric on a real problem while dreams of sugar-plums dance in their heads.

Kim Jong-Il

As far as I can tell the Bush foreign policy is wait for the next president to fix the mess.

 

Faith Temple

Faith Temple was a wiry woman that moved continuously, and particularly when she was agitated. As Fred came into the kitchen she looked up and said, “Fred! I thought you was going out in the garden to pick me some peas. Now, here you come an hour later and without a pea!”

Fred moved his lips in contemplation and scratched under his cap. He shuffled his feet. Then his eyes twinkled and he said, “Faith when you get to be my age you don’t always take a pee when you mean to.”

A dishcloth missed Fred by inches and landed harmlessly in the corner. He grabbed a colander and headed back out the door, chuckling to himself as he went, knowing that Faith was good and agitated. He went to the garden where his pea vines were and started tossing fresh, crisp, English peas into the colander. Fred loved peas because they were one of the first vegetables of the season, and they tasted good straight from the vine. He split a couple open and recalled a time long ago while he chewed. He could remember being young and foraging in his father’s garden, and eating peas like these. He remembered how they tasted, their texture, and how the earth felt beneath his bare feet. Sometimes when he placed his hands in live soil he could feel an emotion and he was never sure whether he was the object or the recipient of it.

“Fred!” slammed into his nostalgia like a thunderclap, “There better be some peas going in that pot! We got company coming.” Patience was not a virtue to Faith Temple, who equated it with toleration of sloth. Why if people sat around all day contemplating their navels, who’d chop the wood or fix supper? Fred felt moderately sorry for their guest, even though he didn’t care much for Harriet Mackie.

Harriet was the type of person that would notice a particular car in a particular driveway, cross reference it with a mental list of out-of-town spouses, then disseminate innuendos from one end of town to the other. Harriet was not quite as advanced in her operation as the chief political consultant to the president of the United States of America, but she did use some of the same tactics and would probably make a reasonable substitute. Her most trusted tool was to float trial balloons and adopt the storyline which received the most attention.

Fred knew that Faith was under tremendous pressure to be hostess to an unreformed gossip, but he knew too, that she was anticipating the latest gossip with unrestrained eagerness.

“Fred! I’ve got to get those peas cooking. Are you almost done?” cracked its way through his earlobes as he tossed his last handful into the colander, picked it up and headed back towards the house. As he neared he thought it would be a long evening. He entered the house, put the peas on the counter, passed Faith, and made his way to the living room where he took a seat and flipped on the television.

From the outside

Often the most insightful cultural analysis comes from outside, rather than inside, because people don't notice the irregular if the irregular is obvious (thanks to cultural practice).

Jeremy Clarkson takes a look at America the paranoid, America the police state, America the land of the permit:

The united states of total paranoia

Has America become the land of the small minded, toenail-staring, bureaucrats?

It is beginning to appear that way to outsiders.