Friday, September 29, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Special Guest Post
A friend sends this dispatch about the rending of garments it pertains to "role models" and "the children".
From: Kerry Holleran
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 9:50 PM
To: The_Wizard
Subject: Just Holleran...About the Logical Fallacy Surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals
The recent antics of the Cincinnati Bengals have left many Cincinnatians in dismay. I guess you can add my name to that list. I’m left confused, concerned, and wondering why. All five of the journalist questions come to mind: Who are we going to lose next? What can the next guy do to trump the last blunder? When are they going to grow up? Where will the Bengals be if half the team is suspended? Why do they have to act like idiots? How hard is it to take a cab and to not do drugs? If you watch the news, listen in on the conversations of your neighbors, log on to any local website, or turn on local talk radio this week, you will inevitably hear discussions about Odell Thurman’s Monday morning arrest. The town is buzzing with the news. People are irate that these guys keep disappointing them and as a City, we’re all embarrassed.
Let’s look at all the law-breaking these boys have done in the past few months.
I suppose one should begin with Chris Henry. His first goof was being caught with marijuana, which happens to lots of folks. We can have that age old debate about whether the drug should be legal or illegal (my students are obsessed with the topic), but either way, the law currently states it’s an illegal substance. The next slip-up was wearing his own freaking jersey when pointing a gun at some kids outside a club in Florida. The NFL or the fashion police should make a rule that wearing your own jersey constitutes a $50,000 fine and an appointment with Dr. Phil. Come on. Then he got a D.U.I. and was caught going 82 in a 65 mile per hour zone. After that he was accused of sexually assaulting an 18 year old girl and providing alcohol to minors. The sexual assault charges ended up being bogus, and the girl was later arrested for stabbing a man to death after a discrepancy regarding the amount of money he was to pay her for sex. He paid $40 but she had wanted $60. I sincerely believed that a 6’5” 23 year old man in Cincinnati making $400,000 a year could do better than an 18-year-old $40 hooker, but I have officially been proven wrong. Lastly, he was in the car with Odell this past Monday apparently puking out the window when stopped by the cops. Nice Chris, nice.
Now for a story with a happy ending: Mathias Askew was charged with resisting arrest and obstructing official business by the Cincy PD, but he took the charge to court and the police backed down. Supposedly Askew parked his car on a sidewalk and the police told him to move it. He ignored them. They next asked for identification and he ignored them again. So they Tased him…for a parking ticket. Sound like the Cincy PD? Hey, at least they have Tasers now. They probably would have used a gun on him if they hadn’t. The Bengals released Askew and he soon after sued the city for $50 million accusing the officers of using excessive force. He was, however, acquitted on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, failure to comply with an officer's order and obstructing justice. My guess is they’ll settle out of court for a few million.
This summer boating got the best of Eric Steinbach (who happens to be the guy who let Kimo get around him on January 8) and he was charged with boating while under the influence. One could make the case that everyone who drives a boat drinks, but we’ll move on. Steiny told the cops he consumed six to eight beers, supposedly failed four of the five field sobriety tests, then was arrested when he refused to take a breathalyzer. He plead not guilty in court. If he’s convicted, the maximum sentence is a $250 fine. I think he’ll be okay.
Now to the weirdoes. A.J. Nicholson had some issues in college. He was arrested twice for alcohol-related issues and he also got the Taser. And he didn’t even get to play in the Orange Bowl because a girl accused him of rape. But nothing ever came of that. Not long after, the Bengals drafted him. Once he got to Cincinnati, he was charged with grand theft and vandalism for breaking into an apartment belonging to a teammate, Lorenzo Booker, and stealing $1700 worth of electronics when he was in college. What is it with men and electronics anyway? The case is still pending.
Frostee Rucker’s troubles began and ended during a fight with his girlfriend after a party at his L.A. apartment while he was in college. The weird thing is the party was in August of 2005 and the charges came in July of 2006. He apparently got mad at Joelle Barchan and smashed her cell phone and her Blackberry. He was charged with spousal battery and vandalism. I’m wondering why it’s spousal battery when it was his girlfriend, but a bigger issue is why did she wait so long? I found this comment on a USC newswire: “funny how no articles ever mention how he tried to get a restraining order on her or how she broke in to his apt in the middle of the night and left a gash on his chest or how she constantly harassed girls he dated after her. She will stop at nothing until she has done as much damage as she possibly can to frost. those who really know frost know that he may not be the most honest or faithful man but he would never intentionally harm someone he cared about.” Word is Frostee dumped her, then they were on and off for a while, and when he finally cut her off, she filed the charges. She even had a picture of a bruise on her arm from that night when she filed the charges nine months later. Sounds like premeditation to me. Isn’t that a crime? They oughta give him a $250 fine like Steinbach and call it a day.
And now to Odell. He’s the biggest disappointment in my book because he is a bit older and should know better. Over the summer, Odell got himself in some trouble for either missing or failing a drug test, though I can’t find evidence that says which it was. Even wikipedia.com doesn’t know, and that’s saying something. After the failed test, he was put in stage one of the NFL’s substance abuse program. Sometime since then, he entered stage two of the substance abuse program because of another violation, but I’m unclear on that one, too. The league gave him a four game suspension which was almost up when he was arrested Monday morning for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Mr. Thurman blew a 0.18 on the breathalyzer, which is a high-tier readout on the test, but after watching the video on Cincinnati.com, I am re-thinking the whole breathalyzer test. The parts of the video they showed on the news made the whole thing look much worse than it really was. He looked and sounded pretty sober to me, but he royally screwed up the alphabet, leading me to believe that he’s just not that bright. I’m certainly no advocate of drinking and driving, but watch the video and you’ll see what I mean. Monday morning Marvin cleaned out his locker and gave it to a new guy. Today the league announced he will be suspended for a year for the third violation.
So these are the six guys who are the root of the Bengals’ bad name. Many will disagree with me, but I think the underlying problem here isn’t that Bengals are doing bad things; it’s that we’re expecting good things out of them.
As a child, I was very optimistic about humanity. My friends will tell you I still suffer from that ailment. I give people too many chances, I go back on rules I had set for others, and I am pretty much an overall lover of mankind and a raging optimist. I sincerely wish everyone was a good person and I am so naïve I believe everyone has some good in them somewhere. Life’s experiences are finally showing me that humanity is not one big happy family. There are good people and there are bad people. There are people who are power hungry, people who want things from others and don’t care what they have to do to get them, and there are some people who just like to watch others suffer. Then there are the people who just can’t seem to follow the rules. Some of these people are politicians. Some are lawyers. Some are teachers. Some are babysitters. Some are even athletes. We go wrong as a society when we expect famous people or especially athletic people to be any different than the folks down the block.
We allow our children to look up to these people and watch their hopes get crushed when the athlete messes up. We’re at fault just as much as they are. Everyone makes mistakes. Some people make tons and tons of them, like Chris Henry. We go wrong when we expect these people to be role models to our kids or upstanding citizens. I’m a teacher and you can think that I’m a good teacher, but unless you’re my student, you won’t really know. You can hope I’m a good teacher, but you’re not going to assume I’m an amazing golfer, are you? My dad was a mailman and unless you lived on his route, you wouldn’t have known if he was a good mailman or not. You can hope so, but you’re not going to assume he’s an excellent interior designer, are you? We know these guys are good at football because we’re the fans. We watch and we’re the people they perform for. But we take it too far when we automatically assume they’ll be excellent role models for our children. They’re not in the profession of being role models. They’re in the profession of catching footballs. Many of them would probably be rejected by the Big Brother program, but we still buy our kids their jerseys and teach them that if they grow up to catch footballs well, they can be just like Chris Henry. Or if they can dunk basketballs they can be just like Lebron. Or if they can swing a golf club they can be just like Tiger. We’re committing the English teacher’s nightmare: the logical fallacy. We’re saying, “If they’re athletes, then they must also be role models” even though one doesn’t logically follow the other. If that argument were in an essay I was grading, it would have red pen all over it because it’s wrong.
There are some things the NFL or Coach Lewis could do to fix this problem. If they want these guys to act like role models, they can implement rules they must follow. Odell and Chris Henry are perfect examples that the current policies aren’t strong enough. If they were, the two idiots would have called a cab. Odell used to use Tim the Cabbie like my group of friends from Hampton Farms in Alexandria, but he must have lost his number this summer. Sure, none of the guys in that car make millions, but they’ve got to be in a better financial situation than me, and I can afford for Tim to drive me around on gameday. Maybe the Bengals organization needs to look into putting a taxi driver or two on its payroll. I recommend Tim and his brother Bob. They’re amazing guys and they get you where you need to go. Until the league and the team decide to toughen their policies, these issues are going to continue. But, in the meantime, as parents and fans, we have to realize that all athletes are not role models. And that all role models are not athletes. And that all Bengals are not bad people. And all bad people are not Bengals. See how confusing logic is? I have to go find my red pen…
From: Kerry Holleran
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 9:50 PM
To: The_Wizard
Subject: Just Holleran...About the Logical Fallacy Surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals
The recent antics of the Cincinnati Bengals have left many Cincinnatians in dismay. I guess you can add my name to that list. I’m left confused, concerned, and wondering why. All five of the journalist questions come to mind: Who are we going to lose next? What can the next guy do to trump the last blunder? When are they going to grow up? Where will the Bengals be if half the team is suspended? Why do they have to act like idiots? How hard is it to take a cab and to not do drugs? If you watch the news, listen in on the conversations of your neighbors, log on to any local website, or turn on local talk radio this week, you will inevitably hear discussions about Odell Thurman’s Monday morning arrest. The town is buzzing with the news. People are irate that these guys keep disappointing them and as a City, we’re all embarrassed.
Let’s look at all the law-breaking these boys have done in the past few months.
I suppose one should begin with Chris Henry. His first goof was being caught with marijuana, which happens to lots of folks. We can have that age old debate about whether the drug should be legal or illegal (my students are obsessed with the topic), but either way, the law currently states it’s an illegal substance. The next slip-up was wearing his own freaking jersey when pointing a gun at some kids outside a club in Florida. The NFL or the fashion police should make a rule that wearing your own jersey constitutes a $50,000 fine and an appointment with Dr. Phil. Come on. Then he got a D.U.I. and was caught going 82 in a 65 mile per hour zone. After that he was accused of sexually assaulting an 18 year old girl and providing alcohol to minors. The sexual assault charges ended up being bogus, and the girl was later arrested for stabbing a man to death after a discrepancy regarding the amount of money he was to pay her for sex. He paid $40 but she had wanted $60. I sincerely believed that a 6’5” 23 year old man in Cincinnati making $400,000 a year could do better than an 18-year-old $40 hooker, but I have officially been proven wrong. Lastly, he was in the car with Odell this past Monday apparently puking out the window when stopped by the cops. Nice Chris, nice.
Now for a story with a happy ending: Mathias Askew was charged with resisting arrest and obstructing official business by the Cincy PD, but he took the charge to court and the police backed down. Supposedly Askew parked his car on a sidewalk and the police told him to move it. He ignored them. They next asked for identification and he ignored them again. So they Tased him…for a parking ticket. Sound like the Cincy PD? Hey, at least they have Tasers now. They probably would have used a gun on him if they hadn’t. The Bengals released Askew and he soon after sued the city for $50 million accusing the officers of using excessive force. He was, however, acquitted on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, failure to comply with an officer's order and obstructing justice. My guess is they’ll settle out of court for a few million.
This summer boating got the best of Eric Steinbach (who happens to be the guy who let Kimo get around him on January 8) and he was charged with boating while under the influence. One could make the case that everyone who drives a boat drinks, but we’ll move on. Steiny told the cops he consumed six to eight beers, supposedly failed four of the five field sobriety tests, then was arrested when he refused to take a breathalyzer. He plead not guilty in court. If he’s convicted, the maximum sentence is a $250 fine. I think he’ll be okay.
Now to the weirdoes. A.J. Nicholson had some issues in college. He was arrested twice for alcohol-related issues and he also got the Taser. And he didn’t even get to play in the Orange Bowl because a girl accused him of rape. But nothing ever came of that. Not long after, the Bengals drafted him. Once he got to Cincinnati, he was charged with grand theft and vandalism for breaking into an apartment belonging to a teammate, Lorenzo Booker, and stealing $1700 worth of electronics when he was in college. What is it with men and electronics anyway? The case is still pending.
Frostee Rucker’s troubles began and ended during a fight with his girlfriend after a party at his L.A. apartment while he was in college. The weird thing is the party was in August of 2005 and the charges came in July of 2006. He apparently got mad at Joelle Barchan and smashed her cell phone and her Blackberry. He was charged with spousal battery and vandalism. I’m wondering why it’s spousal battery when it was his girlfriend, but a bigger issue is why did she wait so long? I found this comment on a USC newswire: “funny how no articles ever mention how he tried to get a restraining order on her or how she broke in to his apt in the middle of the night and left a gash on his chest or how she constantly harassed girls he dated after her. She will stop at nothing until she has done as much damage as she possibly can to frost. those who really know frost know that he may not be the most honest or faithful man but he would never intentionally harm someone he cared about.” Word is Frostee dumped her, then they were on and off for a while, and when he finally cut her off, she filed the charges. She even had a picture of a bruise on her arm from that night when she filed the charges nine months later. Sounds like premeditation to me. Isn’t that a crime? They oughta give him a $250 fine like Steinbach and call it a day.
And now to Odell. He’s the biggest disappointment in my book because he is a bit older and should know better. Over the summer, Odell got himself in some trouble for either missing or failing a drug test, though I can’t find evidence that says which it was. Even wikipedia.com doesn’t know, and that’s saying something. After the failed test, he was put in stage one of the NFL’s substance abuse program. Sometime since then, he entered stage two of the substance abuse program because of another violation, but I’m unclear on that one, too. The league gave him a four game suspension which was almost up when he was arrested Monday morning for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Mr. Thurman blew a 0.18 on the breathalyzer, which is a high-tier readout on the test, but after watching the video on Cincinnati.com, I am re-thinking the whole breathalyzer test. The parts of the video they showed on the news made the whole thing look much worse than it really was. He looked and sounded pretty sober to me, but he royally screwed up the alphabet, leading me to believe that he’s just not that bright. I’m certainly no advocate of drinking and driving, but watch the video and you’ll see what I mean. Monday morning Marvin cleaned out his locker and gave it to a new guy. Today the league announced he will be suspended for a year for the third violation.
So these are the six guys who are the root of the Bengals’ bad name. Many will disagree with me, but I think the underlying problem here isn’t that Bengals are doing bad things; it’s that we’re expecting good things out of them.
As a child, I was very optimistic about humanity. My friends will tell you I still suffer from that ailment. I give people too many chances, I go back on rules I had set for others, and I am pretty much an overall lover of mankind and a raging optimist. I sincerely wish everyone was a good person and I am so naïve I believe everyone has some good in them somewhere. Life’s experiences are finally showing me that humanity is not one big happy family. There are good people and there are bad people. There are people who are power hungry, people who want things from others and don’t care what they have to do to get them, and there are some people who just like to watch others suffer. Then there are the people who just can’t seem to follow the rules. Some of these people are politicians. Some are lawyers. Some are teachers. Some are babysitters. Some are even athletes. We go wrong as a society when we expect famous people or especially athletic people to be any different than the folks down the block.
We allow our children to look up to these people and watch their hopes get crushed when the athlete messes up. We’re at fault just as much as they are. Everyone makes mistakes. Some people make tons and tons of them, like Chris Henry. We go wrong when we expect these people to be role models to our kids or upstanding citizens. I’m a teacher and you can think that I’m a good teacher, but unless you’re my student, you won’t really know. You can hope I’m a good teacher, but you’re not going to assume I’m an amazing golfer, are you? My dad was a mailman and unless you lived on his route, you wouldn’t have known if he was a good mailman or not. You can hope so, but you’re not going to assume he’s an excellent interior designer, are you? We know these guys are good at football because we’re the fans. We watch and we’re the people they perform for. But we take it too far when we automatically assume they’ll be excellent role models for our children. They’re not in the profession of being role models. They’re in the profession of catching footballs. Many of them would probably be rejected by the Big Brother program, but we still buy our kids their jerseys and teach them that if they grow up to catch footballs well, they can be just like Chris Henry. Or if they can dunk basketballs they can be just like Lebron. Or if they can swing a golf club they can be just like Tiger. We’re committing the English teacher’s nightmare: the logical fallacy. We’re saying, “If they’re athletes, then they must also be role models” even though one doesn’t logically follow the other. If that argument were in an essay I was grading, it would have red pen all over it because it’s wrong.
There are some things the NFL or Coach Lewis could do to fix this problem. If they want these guys to act like role models, they can implement rules they must follow. Odell and Chris Henry are perfect examples that the current policies aren’t strong enough. If they were, the two idiots would have called a cab. Odell used to use Tim the Cabbie like my group of friends from Hampton Farms in Alexandria, but he must have lost his number this summer. Sure, none of the guys in that car make millions, but they’ve got to be in a better financial situation than me, and I can afford for Tim to drive me around on gameday. Maybe the Bengals organization needs to look into putting a taxi driver or two on its payroll. I recommend Tim and his brother Bob. They’re amazing guys and they get you where you need to go. Until the league and the team decide to toughen their policies, these issues are going to continue. But, in the meantime, as parents and fans, we have to realize that all athletes are not role models. And that all role models are not athletes. And that all Bengals are not bad people. And all bad people are not Bengals. See how confusing logic is? I have to go find my red pen…
Monday, September 25, 2006
Somebody's got a case of the Mondays...
After the elation of watching the Bengals take it to the Steelers yesterday, I'm feeling a little ill at ease, slightly nauseated.
It could be black coffee: I was up all night trying to elucidate my pedagogical philosophy and praxis, so that I can continue to go to the doctor and pay my rent.
It certainly isn't the same reason these guys might feel slightly nauseated (Yes folks, a stupid move on their part, but most of us have probably been in a similar situation. Plus, Chris Henry wasn't driving, thank God. I really hope a federal case isn't made out of this).
It's kind of a mixture of dread, paranoia, loathing, angst? Like something is not quite right. I feel slightly dirty, yet I have showered twice in twelve hours (don't ask: It's a midnight lamp ritual of mine).
No...it's definately dread. Am I just freaking out about the reappointment process, and my dossiers effectiveness toward that end? Maybe...
Oh wait! Now I know what it is!
icky.
It could be black coffee: I was up all night trying to elucidate my pedagogical philosophy and praxis, so that I can continue to go to the doctor and pay my rent.
It certainly isn't the same reason these guys might feel slightly nauseated (Yes folks, a stupid move on their part, but most of us have probably been in a similar situation. Plus, Chris Henry wasn't driving, thank God. I really hope a federal case isn't made out of this).
It's kind of a mixture of dread, paranoia, loathing, angst? Like something is not quite right. I feel slightly dirty, yet I have showered twice in twelve hours (don't ask: It's a midnight lamp ritual of mine).
No...it's definately dread. Am I just freaking out about the reappointment process, and my dossiers effectiveness toward that end? Maybe...
Oh wait! Now I know what it is!
icky.
It's About Time
WASHINGTON - A newly disclosed intelligence assessment that contradicts President Bush's claim that the war in Iraq has made America safer also casts doubt on the Republican campaign strategy for the November elections.
I can't wait to see how BushCo tries to spin this. You've gotta be pretty creative to convince people that making terrorism worse is actually an argument in favor of the war.
UPDATE: Ned Lamont writes a letter to Lieberman about the NIE report
I can't wait to see how BushCo tries to spin this. You've gotta be pretty creative to convince people that making terrorism worse is actually an argument in favor of the war.
UPDATE: Ned Lamont writes a letter to Lieberman about the NIE report
Sunday, September 24, 2006
WHO DEY!!!
28-20 Bengals!!!
We went in, and took their house away, made it our house. Heh heh heh.
You believe it now? Cryin' in their "terrible towels".
What a Schmidthead...
Atleast we know how she studied and toiled for that "degree" of hers.
Jean, you get an F for the assignment, and I'm turning this over to the Office of Judicial Affairs. Have fun explaining this to everybody.
Jean, you get an F for the assignment, and I'm turning this over to the Office of Judicial Affairs. Have fun explaining this to everybody.
Clinton on Bin Laden
Since those of us who comment or post on this blog are in the much derided "reality based community", I doubt this will make any difference, but hey.
Contrary to a popular right wing myth, Clinton did try to eliminate Bin Laden: Remember the missile strikes in Afghanistan and the Neo Cons screamed "wag the dog!"
I had my problems with Clinton, to be sure (and I'll scream the next time anybody refers to him as far left, or even liberal: He was as centrist as it gets. The country is far right-or at least the GOP), but I would never accuse him of being a "dove", nor would I accuse him of not doing anything about terrorism. I happen to remember quite a bit of the nineties, at least as far as U.S. History and World Events are concerned. I happen to remember that the Republican Revolution undermined every attempt he made to deal with terrorism, focusing instead on the blown first penis and not the blown up USS Cole.
So I'm glad that Bill went on Fox and fucked Chris Wallace up. I know that Fox doesn't do "reality" unless its Hannitized, but its kind of cool to see Bill take the fight to them. It'll be interesting to see what the talking heads on their say about it.
Contrary to a popular right wing myth, Clinton did try to eliminate Bin Laden: Remember the missile strikes in Afghanistan and the Neo Cons screamed "wag the dog!"
I had my problems with Clinton, to be sure (and I'll scream the next time anybody refers to him as far left, or even liberal: He was as centrist as it gets. The country is far right-or at least the GOP), but I would never accuse him of being a "dove", nor would I accuse him of not doing anything about terrorism. I happen to remember quite a bit of the nineties, at least as far as U.S. History and World Events are concerned. I happen to remember that the Republican Revolution undermined every attempt he made to deal with terrorism, focusing instead on the blown first penis and not the blown up USS Cole.
So I'm glad that Bill went on Fox and fucked Chris Wallace up. I know that Fox doesn't do "reality" unless its Hannitized, but its kind of cool to see Bill take the fight to them. It'll be interesting to see what the talking heads on their say about it.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
The "New" Biggest rivalry in Sports..
It is time for round one of Bengals/Steelers 2006, and it is the biggest game on the NFL schedule this week. There is plenty of good reason for it.
The story lines behind this game are endless, but the only thing that matters, is a Bengals victory. Period.
To expand, week 3 of the NFL schedule is chalk full of great early season matchups to watch. Giants @ Seahawks, Jags @ Colts, Broncos @ Patriots, and even Falcons @ Saints, just to name a few. Should be an interesting week in the NFL.
The story lines behind this game are endless, but the only thing that matters, is a Bengals victory. Period.
To expand, week 3 of the NFL schedule is chalk full of great early season matchups to watch. Giants @ Seahawks, Jags @ Colts, Broncos @ Patriots, and even Falcons @ Saints, just to name a few. Should be an interesting week in the NFL.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Geoff Davis Wants to Strip Search Your Children
You know...
Isn't it bad enough that High School felt like prison, but now they want to treat your kids like they work in a fucking diamond mine.
Is this the War on Drugs? Is this necessary?
Isn't it bad enough that High School felt like prison, but now they want to treat your kids like they work in a fucking diamond mine.
Is this the War on Drugs? Is this necessary?
Hincty...
First Off: I think any Church that does explicit and overt politicking should lose its tax exempt status. Regardless.
However, isn't it interesting that this would be the first one they'd pick on? What about that other church?
However, isn't it interesting that this would be the first one they'd pick on? What about that other church?
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
This one goes out to the Bush Administration
I'm going to be crushed with work for the next week or so (beginning of the quarter, collating a large document to justify my existance to administration, etc...).
I don't know how much posting I'm going to be doing, but I always like to psyche myself up for the coming year. Hope you enjoy..
Queen "Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)" from Earl's Court, 1977.
I don't know how much posting I'm going to be doing, but I always like to psyche myself up for the coming year. Hope you enjoy..
Queen "Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)" from Earl's Court, 1977.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
If you've been in a cave for the last 6 years...
Sydney Blumenthal reminds us what a catastrophe BushCo has been, not only for our country, but for the world.
If you read about this in a history text, the kind of demon's gallery of malfeasance, chicanery and naked powermongering that has characterized Bush's tenure, you'd say "Whew. Glad we missed all of that." Ahhh, but we didn't, did we?
9/11 has been called the defining moment for our generation(s), and rightly so: Unfortunately, we did not get our "England's Finest Hour" or the like, as our parents and grandparents did. What we are left with is an imperial presidency, hithero unknown in this country, whose lust for power, whose dreams of market control, whose greed and avarice are the instruments of this republic's destruction.
The shouting of "September 11th" to every question while defiling not only the lost men and women of that day, but every man and woman who gave all since the beginning of this experiment is tantamount to necrophilia.
Blumenthal, however, reminds us of a time when "progressive" and "republican" were not mutually exclusive, in citing a Bull Moose Prophecy:
"In 1900, Theodore Roosevelt wrote a sympathetic biography of Oliver Cromwell, the leader of the short-lived English republic of the 17th century. While Roosevelt admired many of Cromwell's intentions to create representative government, he described how Cromwell's volatile temperament undermined his virtuous goals. 'In criticizing Cromwell, however, we must remember that generally in such cases an even greater share of blame must attach to the nation than to the man'. Roosevelt continued:
'Self-governing freemen must have the power to accept necessary compromises, to make necessary concessions, each sacrificing somewhat of prejudice, and even of principle, and every group must show the necessary subordination of its particular interests to the interests of the community as a whole. When the people will not or cannot work together; when they permit groups of extremists to decline to accept anything that does not coincide with their own extreme views; or when they let power slip from their hands through sheer supine indifference; then they have themselves chiefly to blame if the power is grasped by stronger hands'.
The tragedy that Theodore Roosevelt described is not reserved in its broad dimensions to Britain. Roosevelt wrote his history as a lesson for Americans, who had been spared the travesties of the English revolution. Instead of Cromwell, we had had Washington. Ultimately, a people are responsible for its leaders. Bush's legacy will encompass a crisis over democracy that only the American people can resolve. "
If you read about this in a history text, the kind of demon's gallery of malfeasance, chicanery and naked powermongering that has characterized Bush's tenure, you'd say "Whew. Glad we missed all of that." Ahhh, but we didn't, did we?
9/11 has been called the defining moment for our generation(s), and rightly so: Unfortunately, we did not get our "England's Finest Hour" or the like, as our parents and grandparents did. What we are left with is an imperial presidency, hithero unknown in this country, whose lust for power, whose dreams of market control, whose greed and avarice are the instruments of this republic's destruction.
The shouting of "September 11th" to every question while defiling not only the lost men and women of that day, but every man and woman who gave all since the beginning of this experiment is tantamount to necrophilia.
Blumenthal, however, reminds us of a time when "progressive" and "republican" were not mutually exclusive, in citing a Bull Moose Prophecy:
"In 1900, Theodore Roosevelt wrote a sympathetic biography of Oliver Cromwell, the leader of the short-lived English republic of the 17th century. While Roosevelt admired many of Cromwell's intentions to create representative government, he described how Cromwell's volatile temperament undermined his virtuous goals. 'In criticizing Cromwell, however, we must remember that generally in such cases an even greater share of blame must attach to the nation than to the man'. Roosevelt continued:
'Self-governing freemen must have the power to accept necessary compromises, to make necessary concessions, each sacrificing somewhat of prejudice, and even of principle, and every group must show the necessary subordination of its particular interests to the interests of the community as a whole. When the people will not or cannot work together; when they permit groups of extremists to decline to accept anything that does not coincide with their own extreme views; or when they let power slip from their hands through sheer supine indifference; then they have themselves chiefly to blame if the power is grasped by stronger hands'.
The tragedy that Theodore Roosevelt described is not reserved in its broad dimensions to Britain. Roosevelt wrote his history as a lesson for Americans, who had been spared the travesties of the English revolution. Instead of Cromwell, we had had Washington. Ultimately, a people are responsible for its leaders. Bush's legacy will encompass a crisis over democracy that only the American people can resolve. "
Mr. Conservative
HBO is running a documentary on Barry Goldwater, which should put, in greater relief, how far these so-called "conservatives" are off the mark. A NeoCon is not a Conservative, as my father would say.
Certainly, as anyone who has stopped by here before knows, I am not a conservative, but you know what? If we had more of these conservatives, at least we could get an intelligent back and forth on the future of our country. We probably wouldn't have to worry about imperial ambitions of those other "conservatives".
I have only seen the last half hour, but since I grew up with Conscience of a Conservative around the house, I would say it would be worth watching. Thought provoking stuff.
Certainly, as anyone who has stopped by here before knows, I am not a conservative, but you know what? If we had more of these conservatives, at least we could get an intelligent back and forth on the future of our country. We probably wouldn't have to worry about imperial ambitions of those other "conservatives".
I have only seen the last half hour, but since I grew up with Conscience of a Conservative around the house, I would say it would be worth watching. Thought provoking stuff.
AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH
Today, of course, is International Talk Like A Pirate Day.
Pass the grog. Annoy those around you. Terrific Fun.
Pass the grog. Annoy those around you. Terrific Fun.
HuffPo: The Halliburton Edition
Dorgan rages at the machine, and Halliburton promises purple hearts to mercenaries.
Beautiful, isn't it?
Corporatism, I mean.
Beautiful, isn't it?
Corporatism, I mean.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Higher Ground: Intelligence
Inexplicably, and perhaps showing their truest colors, BushCo is continuing its campaign to make Sadism...well...American.
Prominent Republicans are in revolt over this. Our Military experts, past and present, know that torture does not yield much useful intelligence. So why?
Is it "the passion". Talk about "Passion", its play? Love in torture and execution, the death of Joshuah Ben Joseph on Calvary, the rabbi par excellence, writhing in darkness toward light? The first matyr of a revolution, created despots run amok.
No usable intelligence...
Is it "the tears", flesh and eyes, the cries of women and children under the iron bootheel of manifest destiny? Progress as a process as a procession West? The trail of the dead from sea to shining sea? Is it the first that makes it all real?
No usable intelligence.
Is it "the cruelty" of righteousness as self deceit, the total war of passionate minds, tears of whispered prayers unanswered because the truth is always self evident.
No usable intelligence.
Prominent Republicans are in revolt over this. Our Military experts, past and present, know that torture does not yield much useful intelligence. So why?
Is it "the passion". Talk about "Passion", its play? Love in torture and execution, the death of Joshuah Ben Joseph on Calvary, the rabbi par excellence, writhing in darkness toward light? The first matyr of a revolution, created despots run amok.
No usable intelligence...
Is it "the tears", flesh and eyes, the cries of women and children under the iron bootheel of manifest destiny? Progress as a process as a procession West? The trail of the dead from sea to shining sea? Is it the first that makes it all real?
No usable intelligence.
Is it "the cruelty" of righteousness as self deceit, the total war of passionate minds, tears of whispered prayers unanswered because the truth is always self evident.
No usable intelligence.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Censored News
Top Twenty Five Censored News Stories:
#1 Bush Administration Moves to Eliminate Open Government
#2 Media Coverage Fails on Iraq: Fallujah and the Civilian Death
#3 Another Year of Distorted Election Coverage
#4 Surveillance Society Quietly Moves In
#5 U.S. Uses Tsunami to Military Advantage in Southeast Asia
#6 The Real Oil for Food Scam
#7 Journalists Face Unprecedented Dangers to Life and Livelihood
#8 Iraqi Farmers Threatened By Bremer’s Mandates
#9 Iran’s New Oil Trade System Challenges U.S. Currency
#10 Mountaintop Removal Threatens Ecosystem and Economy
#11 Universal Mental Screening Program Usurps Parental Rights
#12 Military in Iraq Contracts Human Rights Violators
#13 Rich Countries Fail to Live up to Global Pledges
#14 Corporations Win Big on Tort Reform, Justice Suffers
#15 Conservative Plan to Override Academic Freedom in the Classroom
#16 U.S. Plans for Hemispheric Integration Include Canada
#17 U.S. Uses South American Military Bases to Expand Control of the Region
#18 Little Known Stock Fraud Could Weaken U.S. Economy
#19 Child Wards of the State Used in AIDS Experiments
#20 American Indians Sue for Resources; Compensation Provided to Others
#21 New Immigration Plan Favors Business Over People
#22 Nanotechnology Offers Exciting Possibilities But Health Effects Need Scrutiny
#23 Plight of Palestinian Child Detainees Highlights Global Problem
#24 Ethiopian Indigenous Victims of Corporate and Government Resource Aspirations
#25 Homeland Security Was Designed to Fail
#1 Bush Administration Moves to Eliminate Open Government
#2 Media Coverage Fails on Iraq: Fallujah and the Civilian Death
#3 Another Year of Distorted Election Coverage
#4 Surveillance Society Quietly Moves In
#5 U.S. Uses Tsunami to Military Advantage in Southeast Asia
#6 The Real Oil for Food Scam
#7 Journalists Face Unprecedented Dangers to Life and Livelihood
#8 Iraqi Farmers Threatened By Bremer’s Mandates
#9 Iran’s New Oil Trade System Challenges U.S. Currency
#10 Mountaintop Removal Threatens Ecosystem and Economy
#11 Universal Mental Screening Program Usurps Parental Rights
#12 Military in Iraq Contracts Human Rights Violators
#13 Rich Countries Fail to Live up to Global Pledges
#14 Corporations Win Big on Tort Reform, Justice Suffers
#15 Conservative Plan to Override Academic Freedom in the Classroom
#16 U.S. Plans for Hemispheric Integration Include Canada
#17 U.S. Uses South American Military Bases to Expand Control of the Region
#18 Little Known Stock Fraud Could Weaken U.S. Economy
#19 Child Wards of the State Used in AIDS Experiments
#20 American Indians Sue for Resources; Compensation Provided to Others
#21 New Immigration Plan Favors Business Over People
#22 Nanotechnology Offers Exciting Possibilities But Health Effects Need Scrutiny
#23 Plight of Palestinian Child Detainees Highlights Global Problem
#24 Ethiopian Indigenous Victims of Corporate and Government Resource Aspirations
#25 Homeland Security Was Designed to Fail
Friday, September 15, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Long Division
Does anyone know what the hell this genius bunch is up to?
Check this out, courtesy of Katie G.
Vote Vets.
Check this out, courtesy of Katie G.
Vote Vets.
Unions Update: Ford's 20 Million Dollar Man is About to Slit the Automaker's Throat
On September 9 Wizard pointed out this gem from the LA Times:
"As Ford Motor Co.'s new chief executive, Alan Mulally is staring down a long road as he seeks to turn around the ailing auto giant. But two weeks into the job, he'll be able to bank the lion's share of the $20.5 million he will receive in the first year.
That amounts to $56,164.38 for each day of the year. "
Now we hear that Mulally plans to step up the pace of the inevitable layoffs, buyouts and plant closures. That sounds reasonable. When business is bad, cut your overhead costs until you're profitable again. Problem is, this strategy might have exactly the opposite effect.
In an interesting article in The New Yorker, Malcolm Gladwell describes the "dependency ratio" and how it can sink a company like GM or Ford while miraculously lifting Ireland's economic fortunes.
Simply put, the dependency ratio compares the number of active wage earners against pensioners. The more the balance shifts in favor of pensioners, the greater a company, or country, or family's liability becomes relative to its ability to fund that liability. Bethlehem Steel is a case in point:
"But Big Steel didn’t get bigger. It got smaller. Imports began to take a larger and larger share of the American steel market. The growing use of aluminum, concrete, and plastic cut deeply into the demand for steel. And the steelmaking process changed... As a result, steelmakers like Bethlehem were no longer hiring young workers to replace the people who retired. They were laying people off by the thousands. But every time they laid off another employee they turned a money-making steelworker into a money-losing retiree—and their dependency ratio got a little worse. According to Reutter, Bethlehem had a hundred and sixty-four thousand workers in 1957. By the mid-to-late-nineteen-eighties, it was down to thirty-five thousand workers, and employment at Sparrows Point had fallen to seventy-nine hundred. In 2001, Bethlehem, just shy of its hundredth birthday, declared bankruptcy. It had twelve thousand active employees and ninety thousand retirees and their spouses drawing benefits. It had reached what might be a record-setting dependency ratio of 7.5 pensioners for every worker.
This conundrum, and Gladwell's article, make a good case for nationalized health care and pension benefits - It's called spreading the risk, stupid. Too bad it's probably too late for Ford, not that it will affect Mulally's bonus.
"As Ford Motor Co.'s new chief executive, Alan Mulally is staring down a long road as he seeks to turn around the ailing auto giant. But two weeks into the job, he'll be able to bank the lion's share of the $20.5 million he will receive in the first year.
That amounts to $56,164.38 for each day of the year. "
Now we hear that Mulally plans to step up the pace of the inevitable layoffs, buyouts and plant closures. That sounds reasonable. When business is bad, cut your overhead costs until you're profitable again. Problem is, this strategy might have exactly the opposite effect.
In an interesting article in The New Yorker, Malcolm Gladwell describes the "dependency ratio" and how it can sink a company like GM or Ford while miraculously lifting Ireland's economic fortunes.
Simply put, the dependency ratio compares the number of active wage earners against pensioners. The more the balance shifts in favor of pensioners, the greater a company, or country, or family's liability becomes relative to its ability to fund that liability. Bethlehem Steel is a case in point:
"But Big Steel didn’t get bigger. It got smaller. Imports began to take a larger and larger share of the American steel market. The growing use of aluminum, concrete, and plastic cut deeply into the demand for steel. And the steelmaking process changed... As a result, steelmakers like Bethlehem were no longer hiring young workers to replace the people who retired. They were laying people off by the thousands. But every time they laid off another employee they turned a money-making steelworker into a money-losing retiree—and their dependency ratio got a little worse. According to Reutter, Bethlehem had a hundred and sixty-four thousand workers in 1957. By the mid-to-late-nineteen-eighties, it was down to thirty-five thousand workers, and employment at Sparrows Point had fallen to seventy-nine hundred. In 2001, Bethlehem, just shy of its hundredth birthday, declared bankruptcy. It had twelve thousand active employees and ninety thousand retirees and their spouses drawing benefits. It had reached what might be a record-setting dependency ratio of 7.5 pensioners for every worker.
This conundrum, and Gladwell's article, make a good case for nationalized health care and pension benefits - It's called spreading the risk, stupid. Too bad it's probably too late for Ford, not that it will affect Mulally's bonus.
Failures of Imagination
Let' talk about the Embassy Bombing:
"'It is regrettable that U.S. policies in the Middle East have fueled extremism, terrorism and anti-U.S. sentiment, the Syrian Embassy in Washington said in a statement. 'The U.S. should ... start looking at the root causes of terrorism and broker a comprehensive peace in the Middle East'."
It curtly said that Syria 'performed its duties' under the Geneva Conventions to protect the embassy."
Now, before the right comes for my head, I am not defending the rather shady dealings or Syria's past, present or future terrorist links, but, let's remember something here: They are Ba'athists, same as Saddam Hussein, so any links to Al Qaeda are unlikely, since they are secular. A dictatorship to be sure, but then again, when has that ever prevented the U.S. from getting in bed?
But it seems to me that the statement in the 9/11 Commission Report that we failed to imagine such an event rings true, but I would add an additional layer: Perhaps we have failed to listen.
This is what Bin Laden said in 2002:
"[...] to prevent another 9/11-type attack, they had to elect leaders who would change U.S. policies toward the Islamic world. He focused especially on the U.S. presence in the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, and Afghanistan, unqualified support for Israel, as well as support for Muslim tyrannies in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere."
Kind of uncanny, really, how a secular, socialist government and a jihadist terrorist are kind of pointing out the same thing, though they are, ideologically opposed at least as much as, say, Noam Chomsky and David Horowitz? Just maybe....we should take this into consideration. Maybe...they are trying to tell us something.
Of course, the howls of execration will ensue from the right, but ponder this: A failed policy got us bombed at Pearl Harbor, and since the said folks love talking about "appeasers...Neville Chamberlain...blah blah blah", let us not forget our own shortcomings during that era. Our policy failed us there, because it failed to account. We failed to listen. Both parties were unwilling to commit to Europe or defend Asian until Pearl Harbor, even after the pleading of Winston Churchill, even after reports of Fascist Atrocities, even after Nanking. Our policy was wrong because it did not account for these things-it was obsolete for these reasons. We were wrong.
It seems that, now, we are facing a similar crisis, and I wonder whether we, as a nation, have the strength again to say "We were wrong" on this matter.
What possible benefit is there in our current course except as a recruiting film for millions of pissed off, disaffected young people in the Middle East, sending them on an errand of death?
What possible benefit is there in our current course except the murder of our own children on a fools errand. Who wants to explain to our grandchildren that their parents were killed because we couldn't imagine that we had made a mistake, that we just had to keep bases in Saudi Arabia, we had to, like it or not, bring "democracy" to Iraq, that we could not or would not find the people responsible?
If you're going to try to say that, somehow, I'm letting Bin Laden off the hook, let me stop you there: I abhor violence. Period. Understanding why, learning from it, trying to prevent it the next time, perhaps even acknowledging that we didn't know what we thought, or failing to listen is not condoning the act. If that were the case, all investigations of murder would end up with the law condoning murder.
Maybe if we would finally stop trying to cover our asses over these failures of imagination and fess up, we could begin to stop this insanity.
"Oh...Blame America First!"
"'It is regrettable that U.S. policies in the Middle East have fueled extremism, terrorism and anti-U.S. sentiment, the Syrian Embassy in Washington said in a statement. 'The U.S. should ... start looking at the root causes of terrorism and broker a comprehensive peace in the Middle East'."
It curtly said that Syria 'performed its duties' under the Geneva Conventions to protect the embassy."
Now, before the right comes for my head, I am not defending the rather shady dealings or Syria's past, present or future terrorist links, but, let's remember something here: They are Ba'athists, same as Saddam Hussein, so any links to Al Qaeda are unlikely, since they are secular. A dictatorship to be sure, but then again, when has that ever prevented the U.S. from getting in bed?
But it seems to me that the statement in the 9/11 Commission Report that we failed to imagine such an event rings true, but I would add an additional layer: Perhaps we have failed to listen.
This is what Bin Laden said in 2002:
"[...] to prevent another 9/11-type attack, they had to elect leaders who would change U.S. policies toward the Islamic world. He focused especially on the U.S. presence in the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, and Afghanistan, unqualified support for Israel, as well as support for Muslim tyrannies in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere."
Kind of uncanny, really, how a secular, socialist government and a jihadist terrorist are kind of pointing out the same thing, though they are, ideologically opposed at least as much as, say, Noam Chomsky and David Horowitz? Just maybe....we should take this into consideration. Maybe...they are trying to tell us something.
Of course, the howls of execration will ensue from the right, but ponder this: A failed policy got us bombed at Pearl Harbor, and since the said folks love talking about "appeasers...Neville Chamberlain...blah blah blah", let us not forget our own shortcomings during that era. Our policy failed us there, because it failed to account. We failed to listen. Both parties were unwilling to commit to Europe or defend Asian until Pearl Harbor, even after the pleading of Winston Churchill, even after reports of Fascist Atrocities, even after Nanking. Our policy was wrong because it did not account for these things-it was obsolete for these reasons. We were wrong.
It seems that, now, we are facing a similar crisis, and I wonder whether we, as a nation, have the strength again to say "We were wrong" on this matter.
What possible benefit is there in our current course except as a recruiting film for millions of pissed off, disaffected young people in the Middle East, sending them on an errand of death?
What possible benefit is there in our current course except the murder of our own children on a fools errand. Who wants to explain to our grandchildren that their parents were killed because we couldn't imagine that we had made a mistake, that we just had to keep bases in Saudi Arabia, we had to, like it or not, bring "democracy" to Iraq, that we could not or would not find the people responsible?
If you're going to try to say that, somehow, I'm letting Bin Laden off the hook, let me stop you there: I abhor violence. Period. Understanding why, learning from it, trying to prevent it the next time, perhaps even acknowledging that we didn't know what we thought, or failing to listen is not condoning the act. If that were the case, all investigations of murder would end up with the law condoning murder.
Maybe if we would finally stop trying to cover our asses over these failures of imagination and fess up, we could begin to stop this insanity.
"Oh...Blame America First!"
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
What a putz
Macaca Allen’s Ethnic Rally. Click through to his website for a lesson in "shamelessness" and "doesn't get it."
Monday, September 11, 2006
Hell, it worked the first time...
HOLY SHIT! Suddenly, as the veil of time drops...it's 0ctober 3rd...2001:
"Q -- ask your average American to do besides spend, to help?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the average American must not be afraid to travel. We opened Reagan Airport yesterday for a reason -- we think it's safe, and that people ought to feel comfortable about traveling around our country. They ought to take their kids on vacations. They ought to go to ball games. The Mayor wants them to come to the Yankee games, of course. (Laughter.)
MAYOR GIULIANI: The World Series.
THE PRESIDENT: The World Series, yes. (Laughter.) No question he's an incurable optimist. (Laughter.) But people ought to -- listen, we ought to be aware in America -- we are aware; how can you not be aware that we've entered into a new era. The imagery is vivid in people's minds. But nevertheless, Americans must know that their government is doing everything we can to track down every rumor, every hint, every possible evildoer. And, therefore, Americans ought to go about their business. And they are beginning to do so. "
No wait...its today.
"'But this is a different kind of war. In the past, there was troop movements, or, you know, people could report the sinking of a ship. This is a war that requires intelligence and interrogation within the law from people who know what's happening. . . . Victories you can't see. But the enemy is able to create death and carnage that tends to define the action.
And I think most Americans understand we're vulnerable. But my hope was after 9/11, most Americans wouldn't walk around saying, 'My goodness, we're at war. Therefore let us don't live a normal life. Let us don't invest.' Mr. Bush calls it an 'interesting contradiction' that he wants 'people to understand the stakes of failure' in this conflict. But on the other hand, he also wants 'the country to be able to grow, invest, save, expand, educate, raise their children'. This is another way of saying how hard it is for a democracy to maintain support for a war without a tangible, ominous enemy such as the Soviet Union or Imperial Japan.
Could he have done more, as president, to win over more Democratic allies? 'I met with a lot of Democrats over the course of this war, and'--he pauses for the longest time in our interview--'you know, it's hard for me to tell, Paul, whether I could have done a better job. . . . I don't know. I just don't know'."
Interesting discussion at Qando over these statements.
It goes without saying that, with a crucial midterm coming up, the GOP and the President are scrambling to save their sinking ship, so it makes sense to revisit some of BushCo's greatest hits: However, I have the feeling this particular reissue will do as well as the Paris Hilton record.
"Q -- ask your average American to do besides spend, to help?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the average American must not be afraid to travel. We opened Reagan Airport yesterday for a reason -- we think it's safe, and that people ought to feel comfortable about traveling around our country. They ought to take their kids on vacations. They ought to go to ball games. The Mayor wants them to come to the Yankee games, of course. (Laughter.)
MAYOR GIULIANI: The World Series.
THE PRESIDENT: The World Series, yes. (Laughter.) No question he's an incurable optimist. (Laughter.) But people ought to -- listen, we ought to be aware in America -- we are aware; how can you not be aware that we've entered into a new era. The imagery is vivid in people's minds. But nevertheless, Americans must know that their government is doing everything we can to track down every rumor, every hint, every possible evildoer. And, therefore, Americans ought to go about their business. And they are beginning to do so. "
No wait...its today.
"'But this is a different kind of war. In the past, there was troop movements, or, you know, people could report the sinking of a ship. This is a war that requires intelligence and interrogation within the law from people who know what's happening. . . . Victories you can't see. But the enemy is able to create death and carnage that tends to define the action.
And I think most Americans understand we're vulnerable. But my hope was after 9/11, most Americans wouldn't walk around saying, 'My goodness, we're at war. Therefore let us don't live a normal life. Let us don't invest.' Mr. Bush calls it an 'interesting contradiction' that he wants 'people to understand the stakes of failure' in this conflict. But on the other hand, he also wants 'the country to be able to grow, invest, save, expand, educate, raise their children'. This is another way of saying how hard it is for a democracy to maintain support for a war without a tangible, ominous enemy such as the Soviet Union or Imperial Japan.
Could he have done more, as president, to win over more Democratic allies? 'I met with a lot of Democrats over the course of this war, and'--he pauses for the longest time in our interview--'you know, it's hard for me to tell, Paul, whether I could have done a better job. . . . I don't know. I just don't know'."
Interesting discussion at Qando over these statements.
It goes without saying that, with a crucial midterm coming up, the GOP and the President are scrambling to save their sinking ship, so it makes sense to revisit some of BushCo's greatest hits: However, I have the feeling this particular reissue will do as well as the Paris Hilton record.
From Darksyde on this solemn Anniversary.
Erudite as usual:
"Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 03:26:45 AM PDT
Five years ago this very morning we stood transfixed in horror as seemingly surreal events unfolded before our eyes. It seems like only yesterday, and yet so long ago, that terrorists trained and funded by Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda working out of Taliban controlled Afghanistan viciously attacked our nation. Almost 3,000 innocent Americans died under that barrage of human-guided missiles. Even now the grim toll rises, as rescue workers and victims alike are still suffering from the devastating effects of oily black smoke and poisonous gas, unleashed from the blazing wreckage of airplanes and buildings.
Our President promised that the perpetrators would be taken "dead or alive" and that he would 'get the people that knocked these buildings down.' A few months later, President Bush was asked about that pledge:
Link Q: But don't you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won't truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?
Bush: I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him.
From the same press conference:
Bush: I want to reiterate what I said the other day. Our policy is to deny sanctuary to terrorists anyplace in the world, and we will be very active in doing that.
From this week:
Link--The clandestine U.S. commandos whose job is to capture or kill Osama bin Laden have not received a credible lead in more than two years.
Link--US president Bush on Thursday cautiously endorsed a truce between Gen Musharraf and pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan even as terrorist violence soared ....
America deserves better."
Relatedly:
"CBS Corp. said on Saturday it would broadcast the documentary '9/11' on the Internet as well as the airwaves after several affiliates said they would delay or forgo the award-winning film because it includes profanity [...]
The American Family Association, which describes itself as a Christian organization promoting traditional values, has called on CBS stations to forgo or delay the '9/11' broadcast."
Donald Wildmon is afraid that the "potty mouthed" heroes (police and fireman) will scar the children. Evidentally, the sight of people jumping out of buildings with their skin on fire is fine, just not the "Oh Fuck" response of those looking on.
Is this the most meaningful thing he can say-or do- concerning this epoch in our history? how about doing the Christ-like thing...speaking truth to power, and calling off the FCC/Moral Majority. Was a nipple really that serious as to have local affiliates scared of folks like you, who might call the dogs on them, for showing history? Is this being "Christian", speaking truth to power, or is it another example of the right wing speaking "power as truth". I'm betting on the latter.
Of course, Wildmon and Bush have lots in common, namely that they are "Christian" in name only, and as such, they always speak "power as truth".
So, while reflecting today, look at your reflection: How have you aged in five years? I'm not talking about gray hair, receding hairlines or proceeding waistlines. How has the last five years treated you? I know I feel old. Tell us...
Update: Driftglass has some poignant thoughts, Five Years On, with a little help from the Thin White Duke.
"Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 03:26:45 AM PDT
Five years ago this very morning we stood transfixed in horror as seemingly surreal events unfolded before our eyes. It seems like only yesterday, and yet so long ago, that terrorists trained and funded by Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda working out of Taliban controlled Afghanistan viciously attacked our nation. Almost 3,000 innocent Americans died under that barrage of human-guided missiles. Even now the grim toll rises, as rescue workers and victims alike are still suffering from the devastating effects of oily black smoke and poisonous gas, unleashed from the blazing wreckage of airplanes and buildings.
Our President promised that the perpetrators would be taken "dead or alive" and that he would 'get the people that knocked these buildings down.' A few months later, President Bush was asked about that pledge:
Link Q: But don't you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won't truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?
Bush: I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him.
From the same press conference:
Bush: I want to reiterate what I said the other day. Our policy is to deny sanctuary to terrorists anyplace in the world, and we will be very active in doing that.
From this week:
Link--The clandestine U.S. commandos whose job is to capture or kill Osama bin Laden have not received a credible lead in more than two years.
Link--US president Bush on Thursday cautiously endorsed a truce between Gen Musharraf and pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan even as terrorist violence soared ....
America deserves better."
Relatedly:
"CBS Corp. said on Saturday it would broadcast the documentary '9/11' on the Internet as well as the airwaves after several affiliates said they would delay or forgo the award-winning film because it includes profanity [...]
The American Family Association, which describes itself as a Christian organization promoting traditional values, has called on CBS stations to forgo or delay the '9/11' broadcast."
Donald Wildmon is afraid that the "potty mouthed" heroes (police and fireman) will scar the children. Evidentally, the sight of people jumping out of buildings with their skin on fire is fine, just not the "Oh Fuck" response of those looking on.
Is this the most meaningful thing he can say-or do- concerning this epoch in our history? how about doing the Christ-like thing...speaking truth to power, and calling off the FCC/Moral Majority. Was a nipple really that serious as to have local affiliates scared of folks like you, who might call the dogs on them, for showing history? Is this being "Christian", speaking truth to power, or is it another example of the right wing speaking "power as truth". I'm betting on the latter.
Of course, Wildmon and Bush have lots in common, namely that they are "Christian" in name only, and as such, they always speak "power as truth".
So, while reflecting today, look at your reflection: How have you aged in five years? I'm not talking about gray hair, receding hairlines or proceeding waistlines. How has the last five years treated you? I know I feel old. Tell us...
Update: Driftglass has some poignant thoughts, Five Years On, with a little help from the Thin White Duke.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
What the Fuck?
Yikes.
I can't think of anything else at the moment...No Fucking Way!
If this is true...Christ, it's worse than I imagined.
I can't think of anything else at the moment...No Fucking Way!
If this is true...Christ, it's worse than I imagined.
Walt Disney was a Fascist
This network TV tripe will probably not get pulled: ABC is owned by Disney, and they refused to distribute, via Miramax, Fahrenheit 9/11.
Uncle Walt, of course, was a reactionary conservative in his day, if not pro fascist, and his legacy, one of phony nostalgic "family fun" and simulacra sanitized snow white, seems to extend to all areas of the media giant. Liberal Hollywood, indeed.
This is, of course, their right to do so, but to claim that this shit is "True" is nothing more than the "Triumph of the Swill", an election year attempt to pin the whole thing on Clinton. Funny, isn't it, that all of this coincides with BushCo's "new" spin on the mess that helped create. Equally funny is how the advance copies were distributed to all company men.
According to Salon.com's editor, its worse than that. Nice...a five hour campaign commercial for the GOP.
Uncle Walt, of course, was a reactionary conservative in his day, if not pro fascist, and his legacy, one of phony nostalgic "family fun" and simulacra sanitized snow white, seems to extend to all areas of the media giant. Liberal Hollywood, indeed.
This is, of course, their right to do so, but to claim that this shit is "True" is nothing more than the "Triumph of the Swill", an election year attempt to pin the whole thing on Clinton. Funny, isn't it, that all of this coincides with BushCo's "new" spin on the mess that helped create. Equally funny is how the advance copies were distributed to all company men.
According to Salon.com's editor, its worse than that. Nice...a five hour campaign commercial for the GOP.
Nevermind what they're selling...it's what you're buying?!?
Have you been buying this National Security jag the GOP has been selling lately? Time magazine thinks maybe not:
"And it's not just Bush's handling of Iraq that Democrats are targeting but also the larger war on terrorism. Democrats have begun to echo a message template e-mailed to them by party leaders: 'President Bush and his Republican Congress have not learned the lessons of 9/11 and, as a result of their failed policies in Iraq and in the War on Terror, America is less safe'. This is where the White House does not want Democrats to get traction. If Bush's Iraq policies are a tough sell with voters, at least he has enjoyed credibility as a terrorism fighter overall. During the summer, Republican consultants watching focus groups of married women with children, a sector that strongly supported Bush's re-election, found that the mothers often asked questions about Iraq like 'Does this go on forever?' But if the women were reminded of Iraq in the context of a war on terrorism—say, by being shown a video of a plane flying into the World Trade Center—their opposition waned."
Here's the crux of that matter: Despite the fact that nearly everyone who isn't brainwashed, including the President (who might be) concedes the fact that Iraq did not attack on September 11th, the administration is banking on folks not caring about "facts" and how these "facts" illuminate the "stupid and dangerous" school of Foreign Policy that we have endured for 6 long years that has virtually resigned our country to many long years of antipathy and violence.
So, if you've been in a cave or something, let me tell ya that the War in Iraq has nothing to do with the War on Terror...correction. It didn't. Now it does, because the unmitigated sectarian Rochambeau going on there now, with our sons and daughters caught in the crossfire, has made things worse, and everybody, less safe.
"And it's not just Bush's handling of Iraq that Democrats are targeting but also the larger war on terrorism. Democrats have begun to echo a message template e-mailed to them by party leaders: 'President Bush and his Republican Congress have not learned the lessons of 9/11 and, as a result of their failed policies in Iraq and in the War on Terror, America is less safe'. This is where the White House does not want Democrats to get traction. If Bush's Iraq policies are a tough sell with voters, at least he has enjoyed credibility as a terrorism fighter overall. During the summer, Republican consultants watching focus groups of married women with children, a sector that strongly supported Bush's re-election, found that the mothers often asked questions about Iraq like 'Does this go on forever?' But if the women were reminded of Iraq in the context of a war on terrorism—say, by being shown a video of a plane flying into the World Trade Center—their opposition waned."
Here's the crux of that matter: Despite the fact that nearly everyone who isn't brainwashed, including the President (who might be) concedes the fact that Iraq did not attack on September 11th, the administration is banking on folks not caring about "facts" and how these "facts" illuminate the "stupid and dangerous" school of Foreign Policy that we have endured for 6 long years that has virtually resigned our country to many long years of antipathy and violence.
So, if you've been in a cave or something, let me tell ya that the War in Iraq has nothing to do with the War on Terror...correction. It didn't. Now it does, because the unmitigated sectarian Rochambeau going on there now, with our sons and daughters caught in the crossfire, has made things worse, and everybody, less safe.
Saturday, September 9, 2006
Unions
Next time some jag decides to run their mouth about Unions killing the Automotive Industry, consider this:
"As Ford Motor Co.'s new chief executive, Alan Mulally is staring down a long road as he seeks to turn around the ailing auto giant. But two weeks into the job, he'll be able to bank the lion's share of the $20.5 million he will receive in the first year.
That amounts to $56,164.38 for each day of the year. "
Obscene, really.
"As Ford Motor Co.'s new chief executive, Alan Mulally is staring down a long road as he seeks to turn around the ailing auto giant. But two weeks into the job, he'll be able to bank the lion's share of the $20.5 million he will receive in the first year.
That amounts to $56,164.38 for each day of the year. "
Obscene, really.
Friday, September 8, 2006
I am overly ready for some FOOTBALL!!!!!!
Sunday Sept. 10 is the beginning of a long, wonderful journey for most of the 32 NFL Teams. Every team is going for one thing, and that is to be the one who wins that little football game in Febuary.
I personally cannot wait for Sunday to be here. I look forward to this day all year long. My Sunday ticket is fired up, and ready to go. Drinking beer, and watching football all day Sunday with the Wizard. Who would not want any part of that!!!!! It will be fantastic!!!!
As a huge fan of the NFL, I do so love my Bengals and Seahawks. If you are a fan of another NFL team, and would like to comment on what you think of your team this year, I would love to read about it. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO STEELERS FANS. YOU FOLKS ARE NOT REAL PEOPLE. YOU ARE JUST SICK, AND YOU NEED HELP. GO DRINK THE COOL AID.
Here is a match up list for week 1. You gatta love the Sunday night game featuring QB Eli Manning and the Giants, taking on his big brother QB Payton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
I personally cannot wait for Sunday to be here. I look forward to this day all year long. My Sunday ticket is fired up, and ready to go. Drinking beer, and watching football all day Sunday with the Wizard. Who would not want any part of that!!!!! It will be fantastic!!!!
As a huge fan of the NFL, I do so love my Bengals and Seahawks. If you are a fan of another NFL team, and would like to comment on what you think of your team this year, I would love to read about it. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO STEELERS FANS. YOU FOLKS ARE NOT REAL PEOPLE. YOU ARE JUST SICK, AND YOU NEED HELP. GO DRINK THE COOL AID.
Here is a match up list for week 1. You gatta love the Sunday night game featuring QB Eli Manning and the Giants, taking on his big brother QB Payton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Purge the Universities
Horowitz finally says it. No more hemming and hawing. Just says it.
We're not talking about fair and balanced here. We're not talking about Academic Freedom.
We're talking about making sure that education, particularly higher education, which often contradicts the propaganda that passes for secondary education in this country, gets it right, and acts as the Ideological State Apparatus should: Keeping the Ruling Elite, well, Elite. Berube has more on Althusser.
And I was just getting comfortable...
We're not talking about fair and balanced here. We're not talking about Academic Freedom.
We're talking about making sure that education, particularly higher education, which often contradicts the propaganda that passes for secondary education in this country, gets it right, and acts as the Ideological State Apparatus should: Keeping the Ruling Elite, well, Elite. Berube has more on Althusser.
And I was just getting comfortable...
Monolith: Post 9/11 World
For the last five years, the (Vice) President and his minions have reminded us again and again that the old ways of thinking do not work, that the world is not the same since September 11th, and we cannot continue to think this way.
Yet, time and time again, we have seen the War on Terror bungled, with Bin Laden still at large, and Afghanistan awaiting the Return of the Taliban. Now Pakistan has cut a deal to ease out of the fight.
Add to that, a Civil War in Iraq, a wholly preventable disaster killing our children and theirs, costing billions, and acting as a rallying cry for fundementalists in the regions: a recruiting film, if you will.
Why, you might ask?
It's actually quite simple: Bush et al., for all their bluster about the "new world", are actually operating with an old paradigm. Cheney, Rummy, etc., all Cold Warriors, all evidentally incapable of thinking outside of that monolithic paradigm, vis a vis, Rocky vs. Ivan Drago. Superpowers facing off. Now, the finally said it.
Except that this is not Rocky vs. Ivan Drago. This is not the US vs. USSR. This is the US vs. an innumerable amount of discrete cells, operating all over the region and the world, and multiplying daily. We are the monolith.
The failure of this administration to understand this fact, all the while claiming its critics do not understand, is further proof that, not only is the administration out of touch with the world, it's out of touch with its own people.
Yet, time and time again, we have seen the War on Terror bungled, with Bin Laden still at large, and Afghanistan awaiting the Return of the Taliban. Now Pakistan has cut a deal to ease out of the fight.
Add to that, a Civil War in Iraq, a wholly preventable disaster killing our children and theirs, costing billions, and acting as a rallying cry for fundementalists in the regions: a recruiting film, if you will.
Why, you might ask?
It's actually quite simple: Bush et al., for all their bluster about the "new world", are actually operating with an old paradigm. Cheney, Rummy, etc., all Cold Warriors, all evidentally incapable of thinking outside of that monolithic paradigm, vis a vis, Rocky vs. Ivan Drago. Superpowers facing off. Now, the finally said it.
Except that this is not Rocky vs. Ivan Drago. This is not the US vs. USSR. This is the US vs. an innumerable amount of discrete cells, operating all over the region and the world, and multiplying daily. We are the monolith.
The failure of this administration to understand this fact, all the while claiming its critics do not understand, is further proof that, not only is the administration out of touch with the world, it's out of touch with its own people.
Monday, September 4, 2006
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