If you want to know how little regard George W. Bush has for human life all you have to do is familiarize yourself with this story.
The United States felt like assassinating Ayman Zawahiri and so shot a missile at him.
We missed.
By a lot.
And killed 17 Pakistanis including six women and children.
Killing the innocent
I am ashamed to admit that US officials defended the immoral behavior.
Is this compassionate conservatism or winning hearts and minds?
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Friday, January 13, 2006
Impeachment Now
After years of widespread corruption scandals, incompetence, misconduct, and arrogant law-breaking by the Bush administration our nations Congressional leaders have begun to whisper the word "impeachment" into each others ears. In three more years perhaps they will consider acting on their coquettish conversations.
Until that time we can hear public outcries by people like former Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman's, a decided boot in Nixon's derriere.
The tush of Bush needs a push
Until that time we can hear public outcries by people like former Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman's, a decided boot in Nixon's derriere.
The tush of Bush needs a push
Relativism
I get worried when I find myself in agreement with fundamentalist Christians about anything.
One concept that I do agree with, however, is that moral relativism cannot be True.
My reason for sharing this belief was elegantly phrased by Plato and goes like this:
Relativism is the view that there is no Truth.
Can relativism be True, then, if it exists?
You can probably see where this is headed?
A fundamentalist Christian follows a doctrine.
A doctrine must dismiss Truth when Truth contradicts.
Dismissing Truth is practicing Relativism, since relativism is the view that there is no Truth.
Therefore a doctrine-following fundamentalist Christian practices relativism.
I suppose a fundamentalist Christian would argue that their doctrine is always True.
That is where we part company.
There is too much evidence available for me to believe the earth is 10,000 years old.
One concept that I do agree with, however, is that moral relativism cannot be True.
My reason for sharing this belief was elegantly phrased by Plato and goes like this:
Relativism is the view that there is no Truth.
Can relativism be True, then, if it exists?
You can probably see where this is headed?
A fundamentalist Christian follows a doctrine.
A doctrine must dismiss Truth when Truth contradicts.
Dismissing Truth is practicing Relativism, since relativism is the view that there is no Truth.
Therefore a doctrine-following fundamentalist Christian practices relativism.
I suppose a fundamentalist Christian would argue that their doctrine is always True.
That is where we part company.
There is too much evidence available for me to believe the earth is 10,000 years old.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
A Life, Wasted
Another gold star has been handed out, this one to Paul E. Schroeder for losing his son Edward in Iraq.
He has a lot to say about how/why his son died and they are words that no doubt piss off the Bush administration.
A Life, Wasted
I keep hoping that somehow a letter like this is going to fire a small spark of understanding among my fellow Americans about Iraq. Losing a child has got to be bad enough, but feeling it was a waste has got to sting.
These gold-star families speaking out are speaking out for a reason and it ain't treason. They want to save the children of others from dying for nothing.
The Bush administration has been an unrepentant failure since deciding to attack Iraq in response to 911. It must indeed be a nightmare to entrust your child to these ignorant, arrogant people.
Life is more precious than these machine men pretend.
He has a lot to say about how/why his son died and they are words that no doubt piss off the Bush administration.
A Life, Wasted
I keep hoping that somehow a letter like this is going to fire a small spark of understanding among my fellow Americans about Iraq. Losing a child has got to be bad enough, but feeling it was a waste has got to sting.
These gold-star families speaking out are speaking out for a reason and it ain't treason. They want to save the children of others from dying for nothing.
The Bush administration has been an unrepentant failure since deciding to attack Iraq in response to 911. It must indeed be a nightmare to entrust your child to these ignorant, arrogant people.
Life is more precious than these machine men pretend.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
A minor point
Richard M. Nixon resigned because he illegally wiretapped Americans and was due to be impeached.
George W. Bush illegally wiretapped Americans repeatedly and broadly, admitted it on a radio broadcast, then said he'd do it again.
A man without shame
To impeach or not impeach is not the question.
That is already clearly answered.
To uphold the laws of the land or not is the question.
The answer to that question seems to be a big fat no.
George W. Bush illegally wiretapped Americans repeatedly and broadly, admitted it on a radio broadcast, then said he'd do it again.
A man without shame
To impeach or not impeach is not the question.
That is already clearly answered.
To uphold the laws of the land or not is the question.
The answer to that question seems to be a big fat no.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Democracy Dominoes
As I understand the neoconservative "plan" for the middle east it goes something like this:
1. Attack Iraq and overthrow Saddam.
2. Install a client state.
3. Install permanent US military bases.
4. Democracy will spread throughout the Middle East on the strength of Iraq's commitment to democracy.
5. Accept candies, flowers, and the grateful accolades of an adoring nation.
This idea is essentially the tired old "domino theory" we've heard before. That idea failed spectacularly to pan out in Vietnam, and seems to be turning nations hostile towards us in South America.
Freedom is what makes democracy spread, and fear is what makes democracy retreat. When democracies start fearing their very freedoms and start devoting their talents to curtailing them a type of destabalizing paranoia sets in and destroys what no army ever could.
This is happening before my very eyes in America today. Every time the president fans the fears of Americans in order to steal more power for himself, his power becomes exponentially less useful since what he has given up is more valuable than what he has gained.
Caesar said, "Let them hate as long as they fear", and neocons seem to have taken that mantra to heart.
Caesar was murdered by close associates and Rome fell.
Napoleon said, "God favors the army with the strongest artillery", and neocons seem to have taken that mantra to heart.
Napoleon met his Waterloo and France isn't today what it once was.
A leader worthy of the title should strive to create a Just society that is not ruled by fear, but instead one ruled by reason and a desire to do good. Leaders that have done this have enjoyed the type of power (that is trust) that Bushie-types strive for unwisely.
1. Attack Iraq and overthrow Saddam.
2. Install a client state.
3. Install permanent US military bases.
4. Democracy will spread throughout the Middle East on the strength of Iraq's commitment to democracy.
5. Accept candies, flowers, and the grateful accolades of an adoring nation.
This idea is essentially the tired old "domino theory" we've heard before. That idea failed spectacularly to pan out in Vietnam, and seems to be turning nations hostile towards us in South America.
Freedom is what makes democracy spread, and fear is what makes democracy retreat. When democracies start fearing their very freedoms and start devoting their talents to curtailing them a type of destabalizing paranoia sets in and destroys what no army ever could.
This is happening before my very eyes in America today. Every time the president fans the fears of Americans in order to steal more power for himself, his power becomes exponentially less useful since what he has given up is more valuable than what he has gained.
Caesar said, "Let them hate as long as they fear", and neocons seem to have taken that mantra to heart.
Caesar was murdered by close associates and Rome fell.
Napoleon said, "God favors the army with the strongest artillery", and neocons seem to have taken that mantra to heart.
Napoleon met his Waterloo and France isn't today what it once was.
A leader worthy of the title should strive to create a Just society that is not ruled by fear, but instead one ruled by reason and a desire to do good. Leaders that have done this have enjoyed the type of power (that is trust) that Bushie-types strive for unwisely.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Take 'em at their word
Lately I have been playing a little game called, "Take them at their word". What you do when you hear some fool spout off is take their logic and carry it to a logical conclusion. It's fun you should try it.
My latest example used Pat Robertson's suggestion that Ariel Sharon had a stroke because he was dividing God's land (the land of Israel):
See it here
First of all it should be pointed out that all Pat is doing is amplifying the message of Israeli settlers who feel the same way.
But...let's take him at his word.
God punishes people with either death or debilitating illness for dividing His land.
Anyone at all in the US media remember president Bush's "Roadmap to Peace"? Anyone at all?
I would like to draw your attention to this quote (emphasis mine):
Woe be to president George Bush for surely he hath made himself a worthy target for the almighty God's righteous strokes!
My latest example used Pat Robertson's suggestion that Ariel Sharon had a stroke because he was dividing God's land (the land of Israel):
See it here
First of all it should be pointed out that all Pat is doing is amplifying the message of Israeli settlers who feel the same way.
But...let's take him at his word.
God punishes people with either death or debilitating illness for dividing His land.
Anyone at all in the US media remember president Bush's "Roadmap to Peace"? Anyone at all?
I would like to draw your attention to this quote (emphasis mine):
"Prime Minister Sharon is showing strong visionary leadership by taking difficult steps to improve the lives of people across the Middle East -- and I want to thank you for your leadership. I strongly support his courageous initiative to disengage from Gaza and part of the West Bank. The Prime Minister is willing to coordinate the implementation of the disengagement plan with the Palestinians. I urge the Palestinian leadership to accept his offer. By working together, Israelis and Palestinians can lay the groundwork for a peaceful transition."
-- President George W. Bush
April 11, 2005
Source
Woe be to president George Bush for surely he hath made himself a worthy target for the almighty God's righteous strokes!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Finding religion
I have found my new religion and it is skillfully cooked Italian food.
'Tis a religion that does no harm.
I am no Rastafarian.
I am a Pastafarian.
Spaghetti is no longer foodstuff, rather it is a transcendent religious experience that brings me closer to Heaven.
Hallelully Jeebus.
Hallelully!
'Tis a religion that does no harm.
I am no Rastafarian.
I am a Pastafarian.
Spaghetti is no longer foodstuff, rather it is a transcendent religious experience that brings me closer to Heaven.
Hallelully Jeebus.
Hallelully!
Friday, January 06, 2006
They're Back
What does Jon Stewart of the Daily Show make of presidential prerogative (special right) when it comes to illegally wiretapping American citizens?
That makes sense
That makes sense
Is 2006 an election year?
Here is the latest news from Iraq:
Violence escalates
Here is the latest news from president Bush:
Bush says troop reductions possible
Any questions?
Violence escalates
Here is the latest news from president Bush:
Bush says troop reductions possible
Any questions?
Harry Truman's warning
Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Sharon suffers significant stroke
Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon had a "significant" stroke, followed by hemorrhaging. He is now in stable but critical condition and doctors cannot say yet what the extent of any brain damage might be.
BBC report
BBC report
Free booze for Canada's homeless
Canada conducted a study which gave homeless alcoholics a regular supply of booze and the results were impressive and surprising:
Wine, Wine, Wine
If the river was whiskey
and I was a diving duck.
Wine, Wine, Wine
If the river was whiskey
and I was a diving duck.
Abramoff and my arse
The Washington Post is describing the latest scandal in a continuous stream of Republican corruption as "The biggest corruption scandal to infect Congress in a generation".
Voters that are Republican and think they are Conservative really crack me up these days. Individual rights my arse! Adult foreign policy my arse! Controlled spending my arse! Less government interference my arse!
Conservative you say? My arse! My arse! My arse!
Scrutinize this
Voters that are Republican and think they are Conservative really crack me up these days. Individual rights my arse! Adult foreign policy my arse! Controlled spending my arse! Less government interference my arse!
Conservative you say? My arse! My arse! My arse!
Scrutinize this
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Howard Zinn on war
Howard Zinn believes that once the war in Iraq ends that we, the people, ought to make an effort to end war. Not this war, or that war, but war period.
Study War No More
I'm sure he will be shouted down as crazy, for what could be crazier than expecting a government to spend public money on the public's well-being?
What a loon!
He sounds as stark-raving-mad as the Dalai Lama.
What kind of a crazy world would we be living in if people didn't collateral damage each other for the glory of God?
Study War No More
I'm sure he will be shouted down as crazy, for what could be crazier than expecting a government to spend public money on the public's well-being?
What a loon!
He sounds as stark-raving-mad as the Dalai Lama.
What kind of a crazy world would we be living in if people didn't collateral damage each other for the glory of God?
Timber!
Republicans Lindsey Graham, Arlen Specter, and Dick Lugar all have expressed concerns about the president's domestic spying. When I heard this I wondered if Rush Limbaugh would call them America-haters and wimpy.
I suppose he will if he is fair and that any delay is simply a matter of consideration for polished oratory.
Justice for all?
I suppose he will if he is fair and that any delay is simply a matter of consideration for polished oratory.
Justice for all?
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Evil doers
It has been said that evil enters the world through man.
That seems correct to me since a lion can be both brutal and selfish, but nobody accuses a lion of being evil.
Why?
To be considered evil one must understand good behavior and yet choose harmful behavior for selfish reasons. Therefore a lion, acting on impulse, is not considered evil.
Man seems the sole dispenser of evil on earth and it seems to me that only human choices guided by wisdom and the desire to do good can ever overcome it. Unwise choices, even with a desire to do good, can inflict great harm. Wise choices, guided by the desire to do evil, lead to no good.
From where does the desire to do good come from and how does one develop wisdom?
Can a sincere desire to perform good acts be taught?
How do we recognize these traits in others so that we can select good and wise leaders for ourselves, or else prevent evil or harmful leaders?
It seems clear that humanity would benefit from proper instruction in this regard.
That seems correct to me since a lion can be both brutal and selfish, but nobody accuses a lion of being evil.
Why?
To be considered evil one must understand good behavior and yet choose harmful behavior for selfish reasons. Therefore a lion, acting on impulse, is not considered evil.
Man seems the sole dispenser of evil on earth and it seems to me that only human choices guided by wisdom and the desire to do good can ever overcome it. Unwise choices, even with a desire to do good, can inflict great harm. Wise choices, guided by the desire to do evil, lead to no good.
From where does the desire to do good come from and how does one develop wisdom?
Can a sincere desire to perform good acts be taught?
How do we recognize these traits in others so that we can select good and wise leaders for ourselves, or else prevent evil or harmful leaders?
It seems clear that humanity would benefit from proper instruction in this regard.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Homecoming echo
A zombie movie with political connotations sounds like just the thing blogs ought to popularize.
Want to see a movie that features veterans coming back as zombies to vote in droves against people that started the war which killed them?
Then you need to see Homecoming directed by Joe Dante.
The zombie vote
Want to see a movie that features veterans coming back as zombies to vote in droves against people that started the war which killed them?
Then you need to see Homecoming directed by Joe Dante.
The zombie vote
George Uber Alles?
Many argue that we need a president above the law so we can all be safe, and that one shouldn't quibble about what the president does or doesn't do since our laws only apply to little people.
I say I agree if I woke up in Communist China this morning, but if I woke up in the United States of America this president ought to face the courts to determine if his wiretapping actions were legal.
That's the American way isn't it?
Presidential preference peddlers phrase their arguments differently, but this is what they mean when they argue that democrats ought to overlook president Bush's illegal behavior with regard to spying on Americans: "Shut up and be a loyal subject".
The definition of subject, by the way, is "one under authority".
I say I agree if I woke up in Communist China this morning, but if I woke up in the United States of America this president ought to face the courts to determine if his wiretapping actions were legal.
That's the American way isn't it?
Presidential preference peddlers phrase their arguments differently, but this is what they mean when they argue that democrats ought to overlook president Bush's illegal behavior with regard to spying on Americans: "Shut up and be a loyal subject".
The definition of subject, by the way, is "one under authority".
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