Thoughts while on the Road
Last night I made a snarky post about how fat we have become as Americans. How our freedom has given us the ability to be so fat no one in their right mind wants to sit next to us in a 737.
Okay, maybe a little harsh, but you get the point. This week the buzz is Greenspan admits Iraq was all about oil. "How dare those bastards have our oil under their soil. We'll show them and invade their pissant little country, occupy it and make money for our buddies (Halliburton, Parsons and Black Water. If they don't like it PISS ON THEM and the camels they rode in on..." So what if we kill a few (1,000,000 and counting) citizens and rape a few on the way.
Okay, so we invaded and condemned a mass murderer. He was a BAD guy. serious bad. Attacking him was like attacking the local perv who gets off killing puppies. But, God, our ocupation is heartless and ugly.
Freedom no more means we can be 400+ pounds than it does we can be a bully. We have all this military strength. Few can stand up to us. But might does not make right. Whatever happened to social contracts, world citizenship, moral leadership? With great strength comes great responsibility, unlike Ayn Rand's world view.
rojo
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Typing Skills be Damned
So far today, my fingers seem to be hitting three keys at once. Arthritis is fun. For example, the word typing originally came out "typohjngk". But here goes--
From the LA Times:
So far today, my fingers seem to be hitting three keys at once. Arthritis is fun. For example, the word typing originally came out "typohjngk". But here goes--
From the LA Times:
In a simple experiment reported today in the journal Nature Neuroscience, scientists at New York University and UCLA show that political orientation is related to differences in how the brain processes information.
Previous psychological studies have found that conservatives tend to be more structured and persistent in their judgments whereas liberals are more open to new experiences. The latest study found those traits are not confined to political situations but also influence everyday decisions.
The results show "there are two cognitive styles -- a liberal style and a conservative style," said UCLA neurologist Dr. Marco Iacoboni, who was not connected to the latest research.
Participants were college students whose politics ranged from "very liberal" to "very conservative." They were instructed to tap a keyboard when an M appeared on a computer monitor and to refrain from tapping when they saw a W.
M appeared four times more frequently than W, conditioning participants to press a key in knee-jerk fashion whenever they saw a letter.
Each participant was wired to an electroencephalograph that recorded activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain that detects conflicts between a habitual tendency (pressing a key) and a more appropriate response (not pressing the key). Liberals had more brain activity and made fewer mistakes than conservatives when they saw a W, researchers said.
So what is being said is that being a conservative (actually the way the experiment is explained here, it really is textbook definition reactionary) is a choice just as much as being gay. At least in many cases. I wonder if we can establish schools that can heal that malady as easily as being gay. Religious-based conversions seem to work so well. Oh, the irony that a repetitive incorrect response is hard-wired into a conservatives' brain. Makes you wonder if this is genetically passed down and can account for geographic areas being conservative.
In seriousness, though, some of this (conservative mind set) has to be genetics and some is reinforced learning. I can recall when some kids went to college and parental influence or religious influence was released, drug-taking, hard drinking sexual hijinks ensued until some level of maturity and choice making was developed. I would not be surprised to see if genetic predispositions actually have some influence on whether someone is ecstatic or mystical, as opposed to traditionally religious or atheist. The same in politics and sexual orientation. It may influence the way that the brain interprets signals electrochemically and actuates parts of the brain function, just as some families seem to have higher IQs than others, or have a bent towards poetry as opposed to engineering. Or are just plain stupid. I would not be surprised if genetically brains in individuals are not amorphis blobs, but actually have different levels of development in different areas. In some, the speech areas are seemingly overdeveloped (he said snidely), in others musical creativity.
Our Preznut's response to this war reminds of Bart Simpson as he becomes part of Lisa's science experiment. He touches an electrode, gets shocked, says "OW" and continues to do that.
I am convinced that much human activity is not predetermined by genetics, but there are genetic predispositions and as humans we grossly underestimate their influence on our behavior. The challenge we call life if actually being rational, ecstatic, forgiving, loving, encompassing and getting along, even though the guy (or gal) next to you may be genetically beautiful or handsome, or genetically predisposed to gas, or genetically predisposed to anger reactions. And what we do to get along as a society.
rojo
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Good words from www.salon.com:
"Like a vibration that causes a bridge to collapse, the 9/11 attacks exposed grave weaknesses in our nation's defenses, our national institutions and ultimately our national character. Many more Americans have now died in a needless war in Iraq than were killed in the terror attacks, and tens of thousands more grievously wounded. Billions of dollars have been wasted. America's moral authority, more precious than gold, has been tarnished by torture and lies and the erosion of our liberties. The world despises us to an unprecedented degree. An entire country has been wrecked. The Middle East is ready to explode. And the threat of terrorism, which the war was intended to remove, is much greater than it was.All of this flowed from our response to 9/11. And so, six years later, we need to do more than mourn the dead. We need to acknowledge the blindness and bigotry that drove our response. Until we do, not only will the stalemate over Iraq persist, but our entire Middle Eastern policy will continue down the road to ruin."
rojo
"Like a vibration that causes a bridge to collapse, the 9/11 attacks exposed grave weaknesses in our nation's defenses, our national institutions and ultimately our national character. Many more Americans have now died in a needless war in Iraq than were killed in the terror attacks, and tens of thousands more grievously wounded. Billions of dollars have been wasted. America's moral authority, more precious than gold, has been tarnished by torture and lies and the erosion of our liberties. The world despises us to an unprecedented degree. An entire country has been wrecked. The Middle East is ready to explode. And the threat of terrorism, which the war was intended to remove, is much greater than it was.All of this flowed from our response to 9/11. And so, six years later, we need to do more than mourn the dead. We need to acknowledge the blindness and bigotry that drove our response. Until we do, not only will the stalemate over Iraq persist, but our entire Middle Eastern policy will continue down the road to ruin."
rojo
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Overwhelmed!
It is just one of those days at the end of my heart's capacity to hear much more. Let's see--15 of 18 benchmarks aren't met (so we need to change then as they weren't good benchmarks). Cheney again is no longer part of the executive branch (of course, until he needs executive privilege). We can raise money for war, but not for the health insurance of children. The Decider really didn't decide to get rid of the Iraqi military--someone else did (except letters from Bremmer prove otherwise--George, being in charge means taking the shit for bad decisions). The Iraqi security forces should be disbanded and the process started again. Oh yes, and the media still reports that Bush states there is progress. Good boy, good boy. Sit roll over. Now give me your paw. By now he should have at least ten assholes, after having new ones ripped repeatedly.
And the problem with Vietnam is we did not stay long enough. Amazing how many doughy-faced white men say that and they never fucking served. Fish-lips Cristol, Turdblossom (aka Satan), Cheney, Bush (too may drugs and booze to even finish his deferment service). The list is endless.
Is it time to suck it up again? like here.
I hope so.
But I need a day to gather my energy.
and in total disclosure, I am moving and packing, so guess who won't be protesting anytime soon.
But I am betting many Americans out there are tired, trying to pay mortgages that were fixed by working two good-paying manufacturing jobs at MickeyDs. Since when is a Joe Job manufacturing? Just remember, if you keep people running to hard, they can't protest, or even be coherent. Until this.
Funny how we never hear of this in history class.
rojo
It is just one of those days at the end of my heart's capacity to hear much more. Let's see--15 of 18 benchmarks aren't met (so we need to change then as they weren't good benchmarks). Cheney again is no longer part of the executive branch (of course, until he needs executive privilege). We can raise money for war, but not for the health insurance of children. The Decider really didn't decide to get rid of the Iraqi military--someone else did (except letters from Bremmer prove otherwise--George, being in charge means taking the shit for bad decisions). The Iraqi security forces should be disbanded and the process started again. Oh yes, and the media still reports that Bush states there is progress. Good boy, good boy. Sit roll over. Now give me your paw. By now he should have at least ten assholes, after having new ones ripped repeatedly.
And the problem with Vietnam is we did not stay long enough. Amazing how many doughy-faced white men say that and they never fucking served. Fish-lips Cristol, Turdblossom (aka Satan), Cheney, Bush (too may drugs and booze to even finish his deferment service). The list is endless.
Is it time to suck it up again? like here.
I hope so.
But I need a day to gather my energy.
and in total disclosure, I am moving and packing, so guess who won't be protesting anytime soon.
But I am betting many Americans out there are tired, trying to pay mortgages that were fixed by working two good-paying manufacturing jobs at MickeyDs. Since when is a Joe Job manufacturing? Just remember, if you keep people running to hard, they can't protest, or even be coherent. Until this.
Funny how we never hear of this in history class.
rojo
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Another Day Older and Deeper in Debt
Okay, there is no company store anymore, so maybe the headline is a little outdated. But there has been much chest-beating by Republicans over the rise in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showing how strong the American economy is.
Today, CNN released a study that showed Americans have increased productivity by 20% over the past 7 years and are the most productive in the industrialized world. So, of course, the wages of the American worker has increased the same as their productivity and their buying power must have done the same.
But, wait! American workers have remained stagnant for 7 years, for all practical purposes. So this increased productivity has gone to shareholders as dividends or to executive salaries (VP and above) as their income has increased 348 times in that same period.
As an average consumer, there has been roughly a 3.25% increase in Consumer Price Index every year for the past 7 years. This should account for a raise in wages of almost 21%. Stand with me if your income has not increased by 21% over the past 7 years. And keep in mind that the CPI is a little slanted as included in the CPI has been the cost of housing as it appreciated almost 70% over the past ten years. That means you have a bunch more assets (not liquid and spendable of course) to offset the higher energy, car and food prices. Many consumers did the second mortgage against their assets to keep afloat routine.
Now, you are expected, as a worker, to have that 20% greater work output. You have more debts against your housing (if you have a house anymore). And wages are flat. So where did all that money go? Keep in mind the national debt has steamrollered the past 7 years.
Shareholders have it. CEOs have it. Workers do not. Who received the tax breaks in the past 6 years? Was it the workers, who are busting their asses? No, it is the upper 1/2 of 1% who control over one-half of the money in the country. And please keep in mind that over 70% of all the national debt has been caused by 3 presidents--Bush 1, Bush II and Reagan--the monsters and poster boys of free market economy. They did NOT practice "pay as you go" but rather said that and ran up debts that were astronomical. Don't have money for something--PRINT MORE MONEY. Sell the treasury bonds to the highest bidder (how much American debt is owned by China and Saudi is topic for another essay probably entitled "Short hairs" of "Bend Over".)
What has happened is that the average American has has their respective purchasing power drop 20% in the past 7 years, where the ruling class (economically and pragmatically, remember the haves and the have-mores) have had their earnings increase exponentially. Housing costs have gone up. And in order to pay for the workings of the American government, social programs have been cut and the average taxpayer now picks up most of the tab. I don't know about you, but having to pay more tax that Dick Cheney, while he is on a retainer from Halliburton and in public office angers me.
Remember the Preznut stating that the economy had to be healthy because so many Americans now owned houses under his leadership? Guess what? That is coming home to roost too. There were lending schemes that were somewhat risky applied to the now lower-income workers to make that happen. That is falling apart. And to help home owners in need. NO! But there will be bailouts (remember the simpler days of hate and welfare queens driving Cadillacs--like that ever really happened) for the mortgage companies and banks. And they will be called necessary for the economy, not CORPORATE welfare. And the average American taxpayer who may recently have been booted from their homes will have to foot the bill through taxes.
What this will create is a buyer's market. For example, Bank of America bailing out Consolidated Mortgage network. Oh yes, they will own it. and this happened the same week Bank of America raised their credit card rates, coincidentally. Again, the average American that needs credit cards will pay for wealth consolidation. You will see a bull market, with the weaker firms being bought by healthier firms and the "Good will" (aka bad investments that are going to be written off) costs being passed on to the consumer.
Not a pretty picture, as safety regulations, health care, etc. that typical Americans rely on will be booted to the roadside as wealth is rearranged into the hands of fewer and fewer.
However, never underestimate the spirit of the American people to rally and recover. America is the land of Hot Rods and innovation. All the populace needs is a leader and a fair tax plan and we are on the road to recovery. (if your salary increases 348 times in the next seven years would you be adverse to giving maybe one-half of that to the government in taxes? or would a further tax cut be better for America as a a whole?) It doesn't always take that long. Look what happened to the National Debt under Clinton.
So here is hoping for real leader soon. And perhaps some good, common sense fiscal policies.
rojo
Okay, there is no company store anymore, so maybe the headline is a little outdated. But there has been much chest-beating by Republicans over the rise in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showing how strong the American economy is.
Today, CNN released a study that showed Americans have increased productivity by 20% over the past 7 years and are the most productive in the industrialized world. So, of course, the wages of the American worker has increased the same as their productivity and their buying power must have done the same.
But, wait! American workers have remained stagnant for 7 years, for all practical purposes. So this increased productivity has gone to shareholders as dividends or to executive salaries (VP and above) as their income has increased 348 times in that same period.
As an average consumer, there has been roughly a 3.25% increase in Consumer Price Index every year for the past 7 years. This should account for a raise in wages of almost 21%. Stand with me if your income has not increased by 21% over the past 7 years. And keep in mind that the CPI is a little slanted as included in the CPI has been the cost of housing as it appreciated almost 70% over the past ten years. That means you have a bunch more assets (not liquid and spendable of course) to offset the higher energy, car and food prices. Many consumers did the second mortgage against their assets to keep afloat routine.
Now, you are expected, as a worker, to have that 20% greater work output. You have more debts against your housing (if you have a house anymore). And wages are flat. So where did all that money go? Keep in mind the national debt has steamrollered the past 7 years.
Shareholders have it. CEOs have it. Workers do not. Who received the tax breaks in the past 6 years? Was it the workers, who are busting their asses? No, it is the upper 1/2 of 1% who control over one-half of the money in the country. And please keep in mind that over 70% of all the national debt has been caused by 3 presidents--Bush 1, Bush II and Reagan--the monsters and poster boys of free market economy. They did NOT practice "pay as you go" but rather said that and ran up debts that were astronomical. Don't have money for something--PRINT MORE MONEY. Sell the treasury bonds to the highest bidder (how much American debt is owned by China and Saudi is topic for another essay probably entitled "Short hairs" of "Bend Over".)
What has happened is that the average American has has their respective purchasing power drop 20% in the past 7 years, where the ruling class (economically and pragmatically, remember the haves and the have-mores) have had their earnings increase exponentially. Housing costs have gone up. And in order to pay for the workings of the American government, social programs have been cut and the average taxpayer now picks up most of the tab. I don't know about you, but having to pay more tax that Dick Cheney, while he is on a retainer from Halliburton and in public office angers me.
Remember the Preznut stating that the economy had to be healthy because so many Americans now owned houses under his leadership? Guess what? That is coming home to roost too. There were lending schemes that were somewhat risky applied to the now lower-income workers to make that happen. That is falling apart. And to help home owners in need. NO! But there will be bailouts (remember the simpler days of hate and welfare queens driving Cadillacs--like that ever really happened) for the mortgage companies and banks. And they will be called necessary for the economy, not CORPORATE welfare. And the average American taxpayer who may recently have been booted from their homes will have to foot the bill through taxes.
What this will create is a buyer's market. For example, Bank of America bailing out Consolidated Mortgage network. Oh yes, they will own it. and this happened the same week Bank of America raised their credit card rates, coincidentally. Again, the average American that needs credit cards will pay for wealth consolidation. You will see a bull market, with the weaker firms being bought by healthier firms and the "Good will" (aka bad investments that are going to be written off) costs being passed on to the consumer.
Not a pretty picture, as safety regulations, health care, etc. that typical Americans rely on will be booted to the roadside as wealth is rearranged into the hands of fewer and fewer.
However, never underestimate the spirit of the American people to rally and recover. America is the land of Hot Rods and innovation. All the populace needs is a leader and a fair tax plan and we are on the road to recovery. (if your salary increases 348 times in the next seven years would you be adverse to giving maybe one-half of that to the government in taxes? or would a further tax cut be better for America as a a whole?) It doesn't always take that long. Look what happened to the National Debt under Clinton.
So here is hoping for real leader soon. And perhaps some good, common sense fiscal policies.
rojo
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Do We Laugh or Do We Cry
That is correct. I don't know.
Senator Craig has made it to the "Come out of the closet, Tom" Honor Roll. Yet another family values voting machine being bathed in the limelight of his own hypocrisy. He will, in the end, lose his power (bye, bye committee appointments already), his reputation and ultimately his job. He will be remembered as that queer bastard.
As a liberal, I am happy another Senate seat may open up for competition. Yes, another dirty-rightie proving they don't live up to their own PR.
As a person, I am saddened by the whole affair. How would you like be reduced to trolling for sex partners in the public bathrooms?????
As a married hetero, I never hope to have to do that. Of course, how many women will I find in men's bathrooms? But I could cruise down East Colfax for some wonderfully intimate sex. The fact that anyone has to do this is ridiculous. It speaks of shame, of horribly wrong social mores. Just incredibly stupid and wrong social expectations. It speaks of the origination point of so many homo-erotic dominant/submission sado-masochistic overtones in the Right, in our society--that it is incredible. Have urges, got to hide them--must not let others know, get out the leather so we can show others who is boss, completely turn inside out our emotional realms so nobody knows who we are and then make a society, policies and laws to reflect the twisted emotional realms rather than open and compassionate hearts. Think about Cod Piece George and his costume fantasies. Chain-sawing cowboy--I can see the Copenhagen in his cheek now (no sissy-assed Skoal for that hunk of a man). I have occasionally wondered whether the stories of him being buggered by a prostitute and former gubernatorial candidate in Nevada were true.
Why was denigration of manhood so important in Abu Ghraib? To break people, it is necessary to ruin their self-identity by destroying, in this case, their manhood and religious identity. (Kind of like military training, but that is another essay--just remember the characters of the Village People). But what you substitute is a twisted value system that reflects the torturer or the dominant. That is an exaggerated example, but much of society has subtle twists and turns that reflect that.
Most of America is in the closet when it comes to lust, carnal desires. Let's face it, we come from good Puritan stock, or Catholic (we brought the Inquisition) stock. Sex drives were not recognized and after the 60s they were, kind of. But, sex is sure used to sell. But now, instead of rational policies teaching what will be inevitable teenage sex and how not to get pregnant and attract STDs, we go to abstinence. Yeah, that will work. Syphilis was thought to be transferred from sheep to humans (wonder why George is obsessed with animal-human hybrids?), so I think abstinence maybe won't work too well. So now we cruise restrooms (and have you ever seen how clean public restrooms are?) for what should be good clean wholesome sexual fun.
Oy!
rojo
That is correct. I don't know.
Senator Craig has made it to the "Come out of the closet, Tom" Honor Roll. Yet another family values voting machine being bathed in the limelight of his own hypocrisy. He will, in the end, lose his power (bye, bye committee appointments already), his reputation and ultimately his job. He will be remembered as that queer bastard.
As a liberal, I am happy another Senate seat may open up for competition. Yes, another dirty-rightie proving they don't live up to their own PR.
As a person, I am saddened by the whole affair. How would you like be reduced to trolling for sex partners in the public bathrooms?????
As a married hetero, I never hope to have to do that. Of course, how many women will I find in men's bathrooms? But I could cruise down East Colfax for some wonderfully intimate sex. The fact that anyone has to do this is ridiculous. It speaks of shame, of horribly wrong social mores. Just incredibly stupid and wrong social expectations. It speaks of the origination point of so many homo-erotic dominant/submission sado-masochistic overtones in the Right, in our society--that it is incredible. Have urges, got to hide them--must not let others know, get out the leather so we can show others who is boss, completely turn inside out our emotional realms so nobody knows who we are and then make a society, policies and laws to reflect the twisted emotional realms rather than open and compassionate hearts. Think about Cod Piece George and his costume fantasies. Chain-sawing cowboy--I can see the Copenhagen in his cheek now (no sissy-assed Skoal for that hunk of a man). I have occasionally wondered whether the stories of him being buggered by a prostitute and former gubernatorial candidate in Nevada were true.
Why was denigration of manhood so important in Abu Ghraib? To break people, it is necessary to ruin their self-identity by destroying, in this case, their manhood and religious identity. (Kind of like military training, but that is another essay--just remember the characters of the Village People). But what you substitute is a twisted value system that reflects the torturer or the dominant. That is an exaggerated example, but much of society has subtle twists and turns that reflect that.
Most of America is in the closet when it comes to lust, carnal desires. Let's face it, we come from good Puritan stock, or Catholic (we brought the Inquisition) stock. Sex drives were not recognized and after the 60s they were, kind of. But, sex is sure used to sell. But now, instead of rational policies teaching what will be inevitable teenage sex and how not to get pregnant and attract STDs, we go to abstinence. Yeah, that will work. Syphilis was thought to be transferred from sheep to humans (wonder why George is obsessed with animal-human hybrids?), so I think abstinence maybe won't work too well. So now we cruise restrooms (and have you ever seen how clean public restrooms are?) for what should be good clean wholesome sexual fun.
Oy!
rojo
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Another "Hooray Beer!!" Moment
The kids have moved out of the basement and have gone to California. So tonight I steam-cleaned the carpets for (I hope) the very last time!
Definitely a "hooray beer!" moment. and the DJ on KCUV (give it a listen on line sometimes--a very good commercial radio station. you won't die from buttrock or ZZ Top), anyhow, the DJ was hot tonight. Playing Dallas by Johnny Winter, Starry Eyes, Robert plamer's version of Sailin' Shoes and Julia, followed by Little Feats Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley. and three Joe Jackson songs. Heard a band new to me called Back Door Slam. Some of the best guitar rock I've heard since early Stevie Ray Vaughn. And looking at the pictures make me think they aren't old enough to drink yet. Damn.
rojo
The kids have moved out of the basement and have gone to California. So tonight I steam-cleaned the carpets for (I hope) the very last time!
Definitely a "hooray beer!" moment. and the DJ on KCUV (give it a listen on line sometimes--a very good commercial radio station. you won't die from buttrock or ZZ Top), anyhow, the DJ was hot tonight. Playing Dallas by Johnny Winter, Starry Eyes, Robert plamer's version of Sailin' Shoes and Julia, followed by Little Feats Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley. and three Joe Jackson songs. Heard a band new to me called Back Door Slam. Some of the best guitar rock I've heard since early Stevie Ray Vaughn. And looking at the pictures make me think they aren't old enough to drink yet. Damn.
rojo
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Update to yesterday's post--
Love Demonstrated Ministries has been cited by the U.S. government as a fine faith-based initiative.
Love Demonstrated Ministries has been cited by the U.S. government as a fine faith-based initiative.
Partnering with Faith-based and Community Organizations The San Antonio Weed & Seed Coalition consists of 120 community, neighborhood, and law enforcement organizations whose mission is to reduce drug-related crime and victimization. The coalition has helped to reduce crime in San Antonio by 43.5 percent from 1992–2000. One of the coalition partners, Love Demonstrated Ministries (LDMI), is a faith-based organization which focuses on youth offenders, gang members, and high risk youth. Over the past three years, 135 of 165 young offenders entering its Life Skills and Parenting Camp have graduated from LDMI, a success rate of 82 percent. |
This has been taken directly from the 2003 budget. Honest. I am sure the accounting on the 82% success rate is nuts on.
rojo
Saturday, August 11, 2007
How Big is The Closet, Anyhow?
We have had a treat this week--
First, in Florida, we had a Florida Lawmaker, Bob Allen, offers to give a man a blow job for $20.
Florida Republican Bob Allen, the Tampa Police Union's 2007 Lawmaker of the Year, was arrested for soliciting an undercover officer for oral sex in a public restroom.
Yes, lawmaker of the year. Congrats.
His defense was that he was afraid of the stocky, black man in the restroom (which he cruised by police testimony at least twice) so, of course, he had to offer him $20 to blow him. One hell of a fight or flight instinct he has. Love to see him on a battlefield.
And then we have in Indiana, where Glenn Murphy, the newly-elected leader of the Young Republican National Federation is charged with non-consensual sex. Yes, he went out drinking with a friend, went to his sister's house and woke up with his friend's penis in his mouth. Apparently his friend did not ask and was not amused. And this is the second time he has been charged with this.
Okay, maybe he did not accidentally wake up and find a penis in his mouth. But I can bet he did not publically condone gay behavior. Just a guess, given his rise in the right wing political machine.
The question used to be "How big is the Republican tent?" Now the question must be "How big is the Republican Closet?" The more conservative types tend to be more hawkish. More militaristic. And these folks tend to approve torture, etc. How much of their behavior is based upon their own sexual inadequacy and shame??????
It has to be. And then how much foreign policy is based upon psychological inadequacy, gender orientation shame and dissatisfaction? This is really a scary thought. Particularly when decisions are made based upon these projections. After all, we must be tough MEN!!!! Couple this with the streak that has become apparent in some of the military where head men with fingers on nuclear armaments want an apocalypse and we have a very scary foreign policy.
In other news--
rojo
We have had a treat this week--
First, in Florida, we had a Florida Lawmaker, Bob Allen, offers to give a man a blow job for $20.
Florida Republican Bob Allen, the Tampa Police Union's 2007 Lawmaker of the Year, was arrested for soliciting an undercover officer for oral sex in a public restroom.
Allen recently sponsored a bill to crack down on soliciting sex in public parks.
Yes, lawmaker of the year. Congrats.
His defense was that he was afraid of the stocky, black man in the restroom (which he cruised by police testimony at least twice) so, of course, he had to offer him $20 to blow him. One hell of a fight or flight instinct he has. Love to see him on a battlefield.
And then we have in Indiana, where Glenn Murphy, the newly-elected leader of the Young Republican National Federation is charged with non-consensual sex. Yes, he went out drinking with a friend, went to his sister's house and woke up with his friend's penis in his mouth. Apparently his friend did not ask and was not amused. And this is the second time he has been charged with this.
Okay, maybe he did not accidentally wake up and find a penis in his mouth. But I can bet he did not publically condone gay behavior. Just a guess, given his rise in the right wing political machine.
The question used to be "How big is the Republican tent?" Now the question must be "How big is the Republican Closet?" The more conservative types tend to be more hawkish. More militaristic. And these folks tend to approve torture, etc. How much of their behavior is based upon their own sexual inadequacy and shame??????
It has to be. And then how much foreign policy is based upon psychological inadequacy, gender orientation shame and dissatisfaction? This is really a scary thought. Particularly when decisions are made based upon these projections. After all, we must be tough MEN!!!! Couple this with the streak that has become apparent in some of the military where head men with fingers on nuclear armaments want an apocalypse and we have a very scary foreign policy.
In other news--
"BANQUETE, Texas — The director of a Christian boot camp and an employee were arrested Friday for allegedly dragging a 15-year-old girl behind a van after she fell behind the group during a morning run, authorities said.
Charles Eugene Flowers and Stephanie Bassitt of San Antonio-based Love Demonstrated Ministries, a 32-day boot camp, were arrested on aggravated assault charges for the alleged June 12 incident.
The two are accused of tying the girl to the van with a rope then dragging her, according to an arrest affidavit filed Wednesday by the Nueces County Sheriff's Department.
Both remained in Nueces County Jail late Friday on $100,000 bond each.
A call to Love Demonstrated Ministries was not immediately returned Friday. No listing was found for Bassitt. An answering machine at a listing for Flowers cut off during an attempt to leave a message Friday.
Flowers, the camp's director, allegedly ordered Bassitt to run alongside the girl after she fell behind, the affidavit said. When the girl stopped running, Bassitt allegedly yelled at her and pinned her to the ground while Flowers tied the rope to her, according to the affidavit."
Love Demonstrated my ass! Like I said, torture, often homoerotic torture, is the basis of a disciplinary society. I am convinced much of this is twisted projection of gender misidentification and shame. Can't be gay and be saved. So repress it and be successful and make others suffer like you have to so you can be accepted.rojo
Monday, July 30, 2007
Stolen from Crooks and Liars.com--
crooks_andliars:
crooks_andliars:C&L July Film of the Month: A CRUDE AWAKENING The Oil Crash
Documentary by Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack
“Oil is our God. I don’t care if someone says they worship Jesus, Buddha, Allah, whoever – they actually worship petroleum.”
Mathew David Savinar, Lawyer and Founder of Lifeaftertheoilcrash.net
If An Inconvenient Truth could be considered The Wizard of Oz of environmental documentaries, then A Crude Awakening would have be considered the Rosemary’s Baby of that same genre.
Global warming. So what? Melting polar icecaps? Call me later. A Crude Awakening paints a picture so much grimmer than anything Americans have seen in their lifetimes. Or in the movies this summer, for that matter. It is dark. It is primordial. It is terrifying. It is - The end of oil, as we know it.
While technically speaking, oil is running out, for it to go bone dry will take a few lifetimes. But do not dare exhale a sigh of relief. That fact is not relevant to this splendid documentary. It seems there is a bigger problem. One that is arriving faster than Netflix. That problem is global peak oil. Say it over and over, folks. Say it until your tongue gets used to saying it. Write it down. Tell your children. Open the windows of your Ford Explorer and scream it out into the dark abyss. You will be seeing and hearing about it for the rest of your lives – possibly beginning today.
Written, produced and co-directed by Basil Gelpke, from Switzerland and Ray McCormack, from Ireland, A Crude Awakening will scare the living Bush out of you and at the same time leave you dumbfounded. If you’re like me, you’ll be grasping at straws for a logical way out of this oncoming runaway train that some experts have already dubbed the “post-industrial stone age.”
Now that, my friends, is an inconvenient truth. It is a truth so scary, so inconvenient, that few will even utter its name. Once again, for the record, its name is Peak Oil. And no one seems to have the slightest idea what to do about it.
You might not know about it but THEY do. The heads of the ‘Seven Sisters’ oil companies. The Saudis. OPEC. Dick Cheney’s secret Energy Task Force. Bill and Hillary – they ALL know about Peak Oil. Everybody but YOU! Maybe its time YOU found out? Huh? Curious? End of the World? Saving for your toddler’s college education? Uh, sorry, that won’t be necessary.
The world as we know it is coming to an end soon.
That doesn’t come from a religious cult like the Moonies or conspiracy lunatics with tin foil hats in Idaho. Rather it is the uncontested scientific conclusion of the world’s most widely respected geologists, physicists, oil executives, bankers and politicians.
Gelpke, with a background in anthropology and economics, worked as a war correspondent before becoming a scientific filmmaker. His partner, McCormack who has a history in corporate filmmaking also holds an Honors Degree in Environmental Policy and Management. These guys know their stuff, are extremely serious and bring on-camera expertise to back them up. A parade of renowned academics, scientific experts and corporate advisors from across the political and economic spectrum enter and re-enter this shocking film. Each time they reappear they bring with them overwhelming amounts of irrefutable evidence that the world as we know it is about to go through some very savage changes.
And they mean NOW.
I don’t want to alarm anybody but you should be afraid. VERY AFRAID. Not of bin Laden. Not of AIDS. Not of global warming. Not of George Bush. But of global Peak Oil and what that represents.
For the uninitiated, in order to understand this movie one has to understand peak oil. It is not very difficult.
Peak Oil, also known as Hubbert’s Peak was named for the Shell Oil geologist, Dr. Marion King Hubbert. In 1956, M.K. Hubbert accurately predicted that America’s domestic oil production would peak in 1970.
His peers laughed at Hubbert at the time.
He had successfully examined the amount of new discoveries of oil in the United States from the 1930s onward. Those rose and fell like a bell curve. After a huge spike, they were simply running out of places in the U.S. that held oil fields. He figured that if the discovery of oil supplies formed a bell curve, then the production of the oil would form a matching bell curve soon afterwards.
He was dead right.
By 1970, U.S. oil production had peaked and the decline was in rapid freefall. Using the same extrapolations for the entire world, Hubbert predicted that world oil production would be peaking by 1995. It would have been spot on accurate, had the politically motivated oil embargoes of 1973 and 1979 not been enacted, setting back world oil peak by just 10-15 years.
In other words…NOW.
“The United States had been the largest oil producer on earth for nearly 100 years and nobody thought it would ever end,” explains Mathew Simmons an energy investment banker and advisor to president George W. Bush.
The last new frontiers in oil discovery were in the Alaskan North Slope, Siberia and the North Sea. That was in 1967, 1968 and 1969 respectively. All have peaked since then. The North Sea oil finds were indeed massive and quite unknown at the time. A huge discovery. It peaked in 40 years. Next year Britain will actually have to import oil for the first time since the discovery.
The world has been so thoroughly explored with massive new technological devises that most experts feel there is no new oil out there. In fact, advanced engineering technology has created in effect, “super straws” to suck all known oil out of the ground faster than ever before believed possible.
The desperation of the oil companies have led them to oil shale fields in Canada and steaming old well sites for the very last drops of “the devil’s excrement.”
Two thirds of the known oil fields today are in the Persian Gulf. In 1978, Iran was producing 6 million barrels a day. Today? 3-3 ½ million barrels a day. This is indicative of the downward slope of oil production following a peak. The Saudis have found only one new oil field since 1967. They pump 12 million barrels a day yet each year they claim their reserves are exactly the same. How is this possible? It’s not. In the late 80’s all the OPEC countries simply increased their “known” oil reserves by 50% for political reasons and quota busting.
With the massive industrialization of India and China already underway, it is becoming quite obvious that oil production will not be able to keep up with demand. In fact, we already see this happening with the doubling of our own gas prices in just the past few years. Experts believe that those same prices will rise steadily and quickly to $15 per gallon.
And that’s when things will really and finally get hairy. Once oil peaks, the downward crash is fast and furious as the entire world scrapples for the remaining apples.
Our entire civilization has been built on cheap oil. Not only are we reaching the end of the artificial American dream, peak oil experts also feel we are on the precipice of a massive worldwide Age of Depression. We have become the victims of our own success. Huge population booms have occurred due to the mid-century “green revolution” in farming that produced enough cheap food to feed the entire world. Our cities and society grew at staggering rates because of the use of the cheapest fuel source ever discovered.
Oil.
“One barrel of oil for $100, will produce as much energy as you would get from 12 people working all year,” says Roscoe Bartlett a scientist and U.S. Republican Congressman from Maryland.
But the times they are a changin’.
Ten or fifteen years ago, the per capita income of the average Saudi was $28K. Today its down to $6K. There has been a huge drop in the standard of living for the average Saudi. Strap yourselves in folks. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride. We’re next.
There seems to be two solutions:
1) Multinational resource wars. Militarize our population to allow them to continue to drive SUVs. Tell them what the stakes and go for it. Invade till the last drop.
2) Begin to prepare for the end of cheap oil and adjust to available alternatives as soon as possible. As bleak as they may seem.
Just so you understand what we’re up against.
If we hybridized every stinking car on the road today, we would still be consuming the same amount of gasoline as we are now in just 5-7 years. With each year demand grows enormously. With no end in sight.
The alternative fuels everyone has been jabbering about lately don’t cut it. If you added all the alternative fuel sources up, that is if they were even ready and functioning at massive levels, it wouldn’t even make a dent in the loss of oil.
Oil is that cheap.
“We pay more for a bottle of drinking water than we do for a gallon of gasoline,” explains David L. Goodstein, professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology.
If you went nuclear alone, we would need 10,000 new nuclear plants immediately and then the damn uranium would run out in 10 years anyway. Unless you’re France. Their entire country is powered by nuclear power. Just watch were you put the trash, Jacques.
The most fascinating chapter of the film is entitled, Life After The Peak. This shows us the other side of the Hubbert Peak. The downward slope. Ouch. We got a snippet of it in 1973, when OPEC turned off the U.S. oil spigot because of the Israeli War. Cars lined up for miles to get the last drop of gas. Everyone freaked, but quickly forgot about it when the man hooked them up again with the Persian Black.
In the near, near future, driving cars and flying by plane will be a luxury reserved only for the Super Rich. The financial markets will shrink due to the elimination of petro dollars. The stock markets will collapse worldwide. Populations will shrink immensely as hunger and starvation sweep the globe.
An apple will cost $7.
Hydrocarbon Man’s days are severely numbered.
Oh, and if you think hydrogen is gonna save you, think about this: It currently takes 3 – 6 gallons of gasoline to make enough hydrogen to drive a car the equivalent distance that one gallon of gasoline would drive it.
Coal? Too dirty. We’ll choke to death. Wind power? Keep blowing. Hydroelectric? Every river is already dammed. Biomass? Too much energy to create it.
In fact, the only science that seems to have any chance in hell is solar. How ironic. But there is a catch. A huge catch. It would take a field of solar panels half the size of California to power the country. The sun. Of course. How could we miss it?
When Jonas Salk found the cure for polio, he was asked if he had filed a patent on his new vaccine. Salk looked quizzically at the reporter and famously said, “No. After all, could you patent the Sun?”
Hey, New Mexico. Let’s go. Everybody out! That means you.
See A Crude Awakening before there are no more petrochemicals left to even make DVDs.
A screenwriter/producer/journalist based in Hollywood, California, Mark Groubert is the Senior Film and Book Reviewer for CrooksandLiars.com. As a filmmaker he has produced numerous documentaries for HBO. Groubert is also the former editor of National Lampoon Magazine, MTV Magazine and The Weekly World News. In addition, he has written for the L.A. Weekly, L.A. City Beat, Penthouse, High Times and other publications. He is currently at work on his memoirs…or so he says.
Important enough to quote word for word.
rojo
Friday, July 27, 2007
After reading Digby's post about the Gay Old Party and their homoerotic fascination with all things big and bold, I have to wonder about why GW's figurine has a bigger penis than Ken.
rojo
rojo
Thursday, July 19, 2007
It's Good To Be The King!
Just yesterday in the Denver Post there was an interesting article about how foreclosures were running at a record high in Adams and Weld Counties. These are all low to low-middle income houses. There are also record rates in Douglas County, also known as rich, white Christian county (remember when Castle Rock voted down affordable housing--good to have Hispanic gardeners and housekeepers, just don't want to live by them). People bought on ARMs and as the rates raise, they lose their homes. Simple. Pay rates for low and middle class have not raised with the Cost of Living. They have remained stagnant, while worker productivity has increased.
Today's headlines in the same paper? A Sales Surge for Digs Over $1,000,000. Hmmm. There is no shortage of people who can afford over $1,000,000 and those people, some of whom may be rich enough to be Monkeyboy's base-"What an impressive crowd: the haves, and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite, I call you my base.", can't find adequate housing. There is dearth of $1,000,000 plus homes.
Let's see. Worker productivity up. Worker salaries stagnant for 5 years. CEO and executive pay rising at incredible rates compared to worker salaries. Hmmm. Trickle down economics at its finest.
rojo
Just yesterday in the Denver Post there was an interesting article about how foreclosures were running at a record high in Adams and Weld Counties. These are all low to low-middle income houses. There are also record rates in Douglas County, also known as rich, white Christian county (remember when Castle Rock voted down affordable housing--good to have Hispanic gardeners and housekeepers, just don't want to live by them). People bought on ARMs and as the rates raise, they lose their homes. Simple. Pay rates for low and middle class have not raised with the Cost of Living. They have remained stagnant, while worker productivity has increased.
Today's headlines in the same paper? A Sales Surge for Digs Over $1,000,000. Hmmm. There is no shortage of people who can afford over $1,000,000 and those people, some of whom may be rich enough to be Monkeyboy's base-"What an impressive crowd: the haves, and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite, I call you my base.", can't find adequate housing. There is dearth of $1,000,000 plus homes.
Let's see. Worker productivity up. Worker salaries stagnant for 5 years. CEO and executive pay rising at incredible rates compared to worker salaries. Hmmm. Trickle down economics at its finest.
rojo
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Fun to Visit - Just Don't Drink the Water
Indiana regulators exempted BP from state environmental laws to clear the way for a $3.8 billion expansion that will allow the company to refine heavier Canadian crude oil. They justified the move in part by noting the project will create 80 new jobs.Under BP's new state water permit, the refinery—already one of the largest polluters along the Great Lakes—can release 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge into Lake Michigan each day. Ammonia promotes algae blooms that can kill fish, while sludge is full of concentrated heavy metals.
This is not a comforting admission:
[Paul Higginbotham, chief of the water permits section at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management] said regulators still are unsure about the ecological effects of the relatively new refining process BP plans to use.
here is the complete story for the Trib.
Si if we place BIG mixers in the lake we can dilute the pollution? Maybe we can make toxic sludge pudding. Can't wait to eat carp. Yum.
rojo
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Iraq is going so well, we can’t have our Congressmen stay there over night.
“The delegation's visit was harrowing at times. While visiting with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker at the U.S. Embassy inside Baghdad's walled, high-security Green Zone on Friday, mortar blasts landed inside the American-controlled territory.
"This recorded message played four times while we were there, asking us to move away from any windows, to get on the ground and move to the center of the building," Bachmann said. "(Crocker) stayed in his seat and kept talking with us the whole time. He never moved."....
Security conditions in Iraq prevented Bachmann from meeting any Iraqis, leaving the Green Zone or staying in Iraq overnight. She and other congressional members were required to wear full body armor, including Kevlar helmets, during the entire trip, she said.”
From the St. Cloud Times via www.Americablog.com
And yesterday there were mortar and rocket attacks in the Green Zone. Right in the middle of the Green Zone. Our safe zone. By our Embassy. In the middle of surge-secured area.
“On Tuesday, guerrillas launched some 20 katyusha rockets and mortar shells into the Green Zone in downtown Baghdad, killing 3 persons, including a US soldier, and wounding 25 persons.
The Green Zone was originally supposed to be the safe place in Iraq, with the area outside it (everything else) called the "Red Zone." The US Embassy in Baghdad appears to have forgotten what the phrase "Green Zone" means, since a spokesman there told the LAT, "There's fire into the Green Zone virtually every day, so I can't draw any conclusions about the security situation based on that . . .’ ”
And the Iraqi security Chief for the Green Zone was KIDNAPPED!
"Tuesday's attack came the same day gunmen kidnapped Iraqi Police Col. Mahmoud Muhyi Hussein, who directs security inside the Green Zone . . .
Hmmm!!! Let me see if I got this straight. We get attacked in our own safe zone. Anyone we don’t want to get hurt can’t stay there and the Iraqi Security dude gets kidnapped there.
We know the war is lost. I am not trying t incite feelings, etc., but it is a failed policy and now the question becomes how do we keep the casualties to a minimum. How do we retreat with our equipment and 160,000 personnel plus contractors? Does anyone remember the last days of Vietnam? It was a zoo. People were hanging on helicopters trying to leave.
We are arming Sunnis to fight Shiites right now. Where do you think their arms will point as we leave the country? Do we walk out of the country backwards? Do we run like hell? Hope we don’t leave too much behind. Think anyone will shoot at us as we leave. After all, we are the liberators. And how much will be left of our new airbases and army bases? Will we leave a force there enough troops there to man them. Or will they be allowed to die on the vine as they wait for supplies in the middle of the desert?
rojo
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Hooray for NPR!
I have lived with my wife in many locations. In fact, we are soon to be moving to Northern California to follow my job. Can you say ASAP?? More on that later. Egad!!!!!!
That said, I went to work this morning and heard 3 FM radio stations playing the Doors out of the 7 possible choices. Oh, yes, 2 were playing ZZ Top. And one had Breakfast with the Beatles. Why, God, why??? Much music has been made since 1970.
But when my wife and I lived in Iowa, we only had AM radio. Yes, I am an old fuck and FM was not popular and cars had no FM radios (remember fm converters? anyone?) and the best Cedar Rapids had was oldies and there was KUNI and one FM station out of Muscatine that was pretty good. The AM stations had hog reports and futures and high school football. Then you could drive across the state and hear NPR on AM and it had quirky songs you did not get on other stations. An aside, we drove from Colorado to Ohio this past autumn and heard OAR in Omaha and Natalie Zuckerman in Iowa.
In '93, I worked in Grand Junction and had to drive from Ft. Collins to Grand Junction weekly and you had better have a tape deck or listen to NPR. It kept you sane. The university station at Mesa was good but had a range of 10 miles and there was as a good station outside of Carbondale. The rest was "Classic Rock." I mean, how many times can you get a woody listening to Smoke on the Water? Oh yes, Rush would have been the liberal talk show host in Grand Junction at that time and the local Classic Rock station had its 3rd anniversary. Having been to GJ two years ago, it has entered the 21st century and has nice bistros, etc. downtown. Very Cool.
Fast forward to today--crappy choices on the radio and I hit KGNU and Radio 1190 and KRFC. All have live listening links and are worth a listen. The day started better as I heard Gogol Bordello as the first cut!!!! Yay! Something New. and if no NPR, there would be no joy.
Anyone know of good minor stations in between Sacramento and SF?
For your listening pleasure.
A good band out of Denver. happy day.
rojo
I have lived with my wife in many locations. In fact, we are soon to be moving to Northern California to follow my job. Can you say ASAP?? More on that later. Egad!!!!!!
That said, I went to work this morning and heard 3 FM radio stations playing the Doors out of the 7 possible choices. Oh, yes, 2 were playing ZZ Top. And one had Breakfast with the Beatles. Why, God, why??? Much music has been made since 1970.
But when my wife and I lived in Iowa, we only had AM radio. Yes, I am an old fuck and FM was not popular and cars had no FM radios (remember fm converters? anyone?) and the best Cedar Rapids had was oldies and there was KUNI and one FM station out of Muscatine that was pretty good. The AM stations had hog reports and futures and high school football. Then you could drive across the state and hear NPR on AM and it had quirky songs you did not get on other stations. An aside, we drove from Colorado to Ohio this past autumn and heard OAR in Omaha and Natalie Zuckerman in Iowa.
In '93, I worked in Grand Junction and had to drive from Ft. Collins to Grand Junction weekly and you had better have a tape deck or listen to NPR. It kept you sane. The university station at Mesa was good but had a range of 10 miles and there was as a good station outside of Carbondale. The rest was "Classic Rock." I mean, how many times can you get a woody listening to Smoke on the Water? Oh yes, Rush would have been the liberal talk show host in Grand Junction at that time and the local Classic Rock station had its 3rd anniversary. Having been to GJ two years ago, it has entered the 21st century and has nice bistros, etc. downtown. Very Cool.
Fast forward to today--crappy choices on the radio and I hit KGNU and Radio 1190 and KRFC. All have live listening links and are worth a listen. The day started better as I heard Gogol Bordello as the first cut!!!! Yay! Something New. and if no NPR, there would be no joy.
Anyone know of good minor stations in between Sacramento and SF?
For your listening pleasure.
A good band out of Denver. happy day.
rojo
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
There may be an actual reason we feel people are getting stupider and stupider and we have many more ADHD problems. Check it out.
I am not a fear monger, but how many chemicals are developed and used without testing annually?
rojo
I am not a fear monger, but how many chemicals are developed and used without testing annually?
rojo
Friday, June 22, 2007
Notes from the Tubes--
Just a few thoughts before the weekend--
1) Cheney is above the executive branch. In my opinion, a specious argument. But if that is the case, I want to see the damned energy policy formation meeting notes!!!!!! These were denied to the public based upon executive privilege. Can't have it both ways Big Dickman.
2) I was listening to Randi Rhodes yesterday and she was speaking of caging votes and how a minimum of 1,000,000 votes were not counted because of vote caging (you can guess these votes were not the votes of prep school graduates). McNulty admitted he heard of the practice but did not research it in House testimony yesterday. Voter suppression is a felony offense. As second in charge of DOJ, he did not research this???? Either blind, incompetent, both or maybe in collusion. And Tim Griffin (where do the Republicans find so many lookalikes for the Pillsbury dough boy?? Are they cloning Rove?) was rewarded by being given a US Attorney post for suppressing minority votes and giving the election to Bush. (Which he has since quit because public service is not worth it. Ah, less money than the private sector and there is scrutiny. unlike Enron.)
Illegal, yes. But who gets to press charges. If there were that many votes not counted, does anyone know who they were? I am naive to this process, but if someone has names, could not the person whose vote was not counted contact these people and have them press felony charges of abridging constitutional rights? I don't know. Abu Torquemada will not press charges. Can Congress press charges for vote caging? I really don't know.
rojo
Just a few thoughts before the weekend--
1) Cheney is above the executive branch. In my opinion, a specious argument. But if that is the case, I want to see the damned energy policy formation meeting notes!!!!!! These were denied to the public based upon executive privilege. Can't have it both ways Big Dickman.
2) I was listening to Randi Rhodes yesterday and she was speaking of caging votes and how a minimum of 1,000,000 votes were not counted because of vote caging (you can guess these votes were not the votes of prep school graduates). McNulty admitted he heard of the practice but did not research it in House testimony yesterday. Voter suppression is a felony offense. As second in charge of DOJ, he did not research this???? Either blind, incompetent, both or maybe in collusion. And Tim Griffin (where do the Republicans find so many lookalikes for the Pillsbury dough boy?? Are they cloning Rove?) was rewarded by being given a US Attorney post for suppressing minority votes and giving the election to Bush. (Which he has since quit because public service is not worth it. Ah, less money than the private sector and there is scrutiny. unlike Enron.)
Illegal, yes. But who gets to press charges. If there were that many votes not counted, does anyone know who they were? I am naive to this process, but if someone has names, could not the person whose vote was not counted contact these people and have them press felony charges of abridging constitutional rights? I don't know. Abu Torquemada will not press charges. Can Congress press charges for vote caging? I really don't know.
rojo
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
If this does not raise your blood pressure, little will. So we could have saved lives, but we didn't, but we have protection for contractors because they can afford it. Why? Because they charge it back to us at a 30% minimum profit margin. Soldiers are collateral damage.
What the hell is this?
Contractors protect their "intellectual assets" - a wonderful buzz term meaning your ass is mine until you die and we will slough you off like a healed scab when you quit making us money - better then we protect our youth.
Another day I will rant about the use of contractors. Today I want to focus on how mismanaged this war and our military is. No one would ever expect the armed services to be safe. But if you have a volunteer army willing to go and serve, this cannot be the best you can do.
I truly believe that Saddam was picked because it was like attacking the local puppy butcher. An amoral oppressor who attacked his own people (Kurds). And they had no anti-aircraft capabities to stop shock and awe. Quick win, Mission Accomplished, look good in a codpiece, be studly. But, oops, we forgot the aftermath and what Condi calls civil order problem:
What the hell is this?
Contractors protect their "intellectual assets" - a wonderful buzz term meaning your ass is mine until you die and we will slough you off like a healed scab when you quit making us money - better then we protect our youth.
Another day I will rant about the use of contractors. Today I want to focus on how mismanaged this war and our military is. No one would ever expect the armed services to be safe. But if you have a volunteer army willing to go and serve, this cannot be the best you can do.
I truly believe that Saddam was picked because it was like attacking the local puppy butcher. An amoral oppressor who attacked his own people (Kurds). And they had no anti-aircraft capabities to stop shock and awe. Quick win, Mission Accomplished, look good in a codpiece, be studly. But, oops, we forgot the aftermath and what Condi calls civil order problem:
"But you know, I just -- I know that there are all these reports now -- well, but you know that this might happen or that might happen. I can remember sitting in our meetings before the invasion and saying, and particularly Don Rumsfeld -- you know, people worrying about revenge, that after all those years of the suppression of Shia and Kurds, particularly Shia, there might be revenge taken out. And then we were really rather surprised not to see it. And even in the first few months after the Samarra mosque, we were sort of surprised that people didn't.
Well, it has emerged. But it's emerged by extremists and bad guys doing it. It's not as if -- and sometimes when people say civil war it drives me a little bit crazy because, you know, it's not like Iraqi Shia and Sunnis are running down the streets killing each other because they're Sunnis and Shias. These are organized gangs and death squads, and that's a civil order problem. And we're helping them deal with a civil order problem.
I think part of the problem for the American people is that's kind of uncomfortable. And as Dave Petraeus has said, it's very dangerous -- helping them deal with a civil order problem. But if we can give them the space by helping them deal with the civil order problem to get this de jure reconciliation in place, then I think you can see the transition to the kind of posture that a lot of people talk about as acceptable for American policy. But we can't just get over where we are and go there now."
Does anyone not remember Yugoslavia??? Oil, control, bid swinging dicks and little "what happens next" vision. This administration is single-minded and incompetent. And not willing to sacrifice. Or ask others to. Just shop and be happy.
Why aren't people more furious? Oh yeah, they are working two manufacturing jobs (read Mickey Dees) to pay for things like food and rent that one job could pay for before free trade became popular.
rojo
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