I can't believe this administration's incompetence and how it is not reported in the mainstream media. There was a story that broke in a London newspaper on May 1st concerning a memo that outraged the public in the UK. It broke here a couple of days ago on the blog Tomdispatch.com. It has been reported here today without much outrage or concern.
On the other hand Newsweek reports on a flushing of the Quran, which caused riots and outrage around the world. Who gets all the heat . . . Newsweek. The story has not been proven wrong. The source now is uncertain of the accuracy of the reporting. Many other stories of the Quran being disrespected have been reported, an example -- by spraying it with black paint. Anyway, this story is not the one that should be taking front page status, especially if the blame for all the abuses doesn't fall on this administration, as it should.
The story that needs to be out front is the Downing Street Memo. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune:
A British official's report that the Bush administration appeared intent on invading Iraq long before it "fixed" intelligence to fit its intention -- has caused a stir in Britain. But the potentially explosive revelation has proven to be something of a dudin the United States. The White House has denied the premise of the memo, the American media have reacted slowly to it and the public generally seems indifferent to the issue or unwilling to rehash the bitter prewar debate over the reasons for the war.
Analogy -- let's say someone murders someone, and he's a likely suspect but there is not enough proof to convict him. But things just keep surfacing little by little. Do we just get tired of hearing about it and just let the guy off rather than rehash the same old crime over and over.
Bush wanted to invade Iraq 6 months before he did it. That's the point of this memo. While he was telling us, just before he got the okay, that this option would be a last resort. He would only do it if it was absolutely necessary. He got the okay. What people don't remember is that he got the okay only after all other options failed. He got the okay and he was on his horse and gone to war.
Another form of manipulating the public came out earlier this week when Tom Ridge said that against his better judgement, the terror threat level was raised and lowered for obvious political reasons. How do you think this guy got back in office. He kept that fear factor high with the premise that changing leaders would hurt our safety.
The new Star Wars movie comes out this week and I've heard hints about parts of it being compared to this administration. At a news conference, George Lucas was asked if the movie Republic's collapse into an evil Empire was directed at the Bush administration.
Lucas said he originally wrote Star Wars during Vietnam era and the Nixon administration and that he studied democracies that turned into dictatorships. "As you go through history, I didn't think it would get quite this close," he said. "I hope this doesn't come true in our own country. Maybe the film will awaken people to the situation and how dangerous it is."
One line in the movie has drawn a lot of attention: "If you're not with me, then you're the enemy," Darth Vader says. The line echoes Bush's ultimatum after the Sept. 11 attacks, "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."
Maybe the force is against you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Osama bin Back
According to the Asia Times finding Osama bin Laden may be imminent . . . I'm not sure what it would mean at this point. I guess, if he's still the head honcho, it would be a blow to his cause. But I think this whole thing has gotten so diluted, that you have mini-bin Ladens all over the place that might see him as a martyr. Anyway click on this link for the story.
Anybody Remember Iraq?
It seems the last time Iraq predominated the news was when purple fingers were being raised in the January 30th elections. That was considered a success. But put in context it was a success as in ' I've loaded my weapon in preparation for battle '. Great, but if that's the last heard about it, do you think the battle is going very well?
Well, I think not. Consider the last couple of weeks have been among the bloodiest since the U.S. invasion, with more than 420 people killed. The insurgents have been mounting an average of 70 attacks per day compared to 30 or 40 in March. In April, even before the latest expansion in violence, the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency testified. "The insurgency has grown in size and complexity over the last year."
It's not only grown, but it's grown in a way other than what the administration suggests. They say it is mostly foreign fighters coming in to fight. When in fact they are home grown insurgents. We are screwing this up so bad that we are the poster child for insurgent recruitment.
There seems to be a "Catch 22". We need to rebuild the infrastructure -- roads, electricity, water, fuel, the basic necessities of life. But we can't do it because we can't achieve a secure environment. So all the money, approaching $300 BILLION, is being used for security. Sure, some of it is used for rebuilding, but when you rebuild and can't secure, the rebuilt becomes un-rebuilt(destroyed).
There should be some collective outrage over this. But most people get their news from the mass media which sees more importance in "the runaway bride", "jacko the wacko", "brittney spears pregnancy" and reality tv shows. The real reality is occurring in your everyday life and if you don't pay attention you'll wake up too late. And better late than never doesn't count here.
Well, I think not. Consider the last couple of weeks have been among the bloodiest since the U.S. invasion, with more than 420 people killed. The insurgents have been mounting an average of 70 attacks per day compared to 30 or 40 in March. In April, even before the latest expansion in violence, the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency testified. "The insurgency has grown in size and complexity over the last year."
It's not only grown, but it's grown in a way other than what the administration suggests. They say it is mostly foreign fighters coming in to fight. When in fact they are home grown insurgents. We are screwing this up so bad that we are the poster child for insurgent recruitment.
There seems to be a "Catch 22". We need to rebuild the infrastructure -- roads, electricity, water, fuel, the basic necessities of life. But we can't do it because we can't achieve a secure environment. So all the money, approaching $300 BILLION, is being used for security. Sure, some of it is used for rebuilding, but when you rebuild and can't secure, the rebuilt becomes un-rebuilt(destroyed).
There should be some collective outrage over this. But most people get their news from the mass media which sees more importance in "the runaway bride", "jacko the wacko", "brittney spears pregnancy" and reality tv shows. The real reality is occurring in your everyday life and if you don't pay attention you'll wake up too late. And better late than never doesn't count here.
Church and State
In recent years the Bible has emerged as a major force in the political arena.
For example, devotees of the Scriptures have quoted this sacred source to justify religious support for the war in Iraq. In fundamentalist Christian communities this war is seen as bringing peace to the Middle East and securing Israel's establishment, which they believe are the conditions for the coming of the "rapture" and thus the end of the world.
Bush and his administration could not be a better head to Osama bin Laden's tail. Two sides of the same coin. Good versus evil. Both think they are the "good". And in winning the battle "the ends justify the means". Can you say "Self-fullfilling prophecy"?
The Bible is regularly quoted by conservative Christians to argue that what they call "the homosexual lifestyle" is contrary to Scripture. Politically this takes the form of seeking to amend the Constitution to discriminate against our citizens who are gay or lesbian.
In this basic charter nearly every previous attempt at amendment has been to expand freedom. Now these Bible quoters want to reverse that trend, failing to see that if today's majority can amend the constitution to discriminate, then no one is safe from tomorrow's majority.
The idea that citizens with a certain religious position can seek to impose their religious agenda on the whole body politic violates everything about the separation of church and state. Everyone should be able to practice their own religion and no one should be able to impose their beliefs on anyone else. The very reason this nation was founded must not be compromised by the zealotry of some of our citizens.
Just as Osama bin Laden is hijacking Islam to reach his ends, Bush and this administration are taking Christianity and using it to empower themselves. Why else would they be considering anything against their agenda as anti-religious. These guys walk with the Bible in one hand and sin in the other. But sin is needed to win the war between "good and evil".
For example, devotees of the Scriptures have quoted this sacred source to justify religious support for the war in Iraq. In fundamentalist Christian communities this war is seen as bringing peace to the Middle East and securing Israel's establishment, which they believe are the conditions for the coming of the "rapture" and thus the end of the world.
Bush and his administration could not be a better head to Osama bin Laden's tail. Two sides of the same coin. Good versus evil. Both think they are the "good". And in winning the battle "the ends justify the means". Can you say "Self-fullfilling prophecy"?
The Bible is regularly quoted by conservative Christians to argue that what they call "the homosexual lifestyle" is contrary to Scripture. Politically this takes the form of seeking to amend the Constitution to discriminate against our citizens who are gay or lesbian.
In this basic charter nearly every previous attempt at amendment has been to expand freedom. Now these Bible quoters want to reverse that trend, failing to see that if today's majority can amend the constitution to discriminate, then no one is safe from tomorrow's majority.
The idea that citizens with a certain religious position can seek to impose their religious agenda on the whole body politic violates everything about the separation of church and state. Everyone should be able to practice their own religion and no one should be able to impose their beliefs on anyone else. The very reason this nation was founded must not be compromised by the zealotry of some of our citizens.
Just as Osama bin Laden is hijacking Islam to reach his ends, Bush and this administration are taking Christianity and using it to empower themselves. Why else would they be considering anything against their agenda as anti-religious. These guys walk with the Bible in one hand and sin in the other. But sin is needed to win the war between "good and evil".
Friday, May 13, 2005
Will Limbaugh take this debate??????
Right-wingnut Rush Limbaugh said on his nationally syndicated radio show that Evanston Township High School students "don't know anything about World War II" and "they've probably never heard the name Adolph Hitler" because they're so focused on a multicultural curriculum.
The Evanston kids want to show him what they know. They want to debate him on American history. I personally feel that if there was a debate it would be as scripted as a George Bush speech or press conference.
An article in the Christian Science Monitor that profiled global studies courses required at ETHS. Limbaugh railed against multicultural education and focused on the North Shore school. "What multiculturalists is, is balkanizing this country. People are coming here from various parts of the world and they're bringing their cultures with them and the multiculturalists are saying 'your culture is better than the American culture. The American culture is discriminatory, it's racist, sexist, bigot, homophobic.' "
Sarah Loeb, an ETHS sophomore, said "Maybe he might be a little intimidated because I don't know his basis for saying we don't know anything. But I think he might be interested if he wants to live up to his reputation and back up his ideas so he doesn't look stupid.
These students all choose among several "global perspectives" courses covering the Middle East, Africa , Latin America, Asia and Russia. In the Middle East class, for example, students adopt a new identity for the semester -- a Syrian baker or a medical student from Qatar -- and try to view what's transpiring in the region from that perspective.
Supt. Allan Alson said " It struck me as incomprehensible that somebody would think multiculturalism antithetical to American values. I was stunned that he had such certainty that our kids are not knowledgeable about basic American history when in fact our students do extremely well on tests in that area. It's a shame he lets his conclusions determine his evidence."
RUSHBO SPEAKS THROUGH HIS RECTUM AGAIN . . . I MEAN STILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Evanston kids want to show him what they know. They want to debate him on American history. I personally feel that if there was a debate it would be as scripted as a George Bush speech or press conference.
An article in the Christian Science Monitor that profiled global studies courses required at ETHS. Limbaugh railed against multicultural education and focused on the North Shore school. "What multiculturalists is, is balkanizing this country. People are coming here from various parts of the world and they're bringing their cultures with them and the multiculturalists are saying 'your culture is better than the American culture. The American culture is discriminatory, it's racist, sexist, bigot, homophobic.' "
Sarah Loeb, an ETHS sophomore, said "Maybe he might be a little intimidated because I don't know his basis for saying we don't know anything. But I think he might be interested if he wants to live up to his reputation and back up his ideas so he doesn't look stupid.
These students all choose among several "global perspectives" courses covering the Middle East, Africa , Latin America, Asia and Russia. In the Middle East class, for example, students adopt a new identity for the semester -- a Syrian baker or a medical student from Qatar -- and try to view what's transpiring in the region from that perspective.
Supt. Allan Alson said " It struck me as incomprehensible that somebody would think multiculturalism antithetical to American values. I was stunned that he had such certainty that our kids are not knowledgeable about basic American history when in fact our students do extremely well on tests in that area. It's a shame he lets his conclusions determine his evidence."
RUSHBO SPEAKS THROUGH HIS RECTUM AGAIN . . . I MEAN STILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AIR AMERICA IS BACK ON 850 AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Monday, May 09, 2005
CRASH
I saw an excellent movie this weekend directed by Paul Haggis the guy who wrote the screenplay for 'Million Dollar Baby'. It's an intertwining story set in LA about racism, prejudice and ultimately reflection. This film is as good, if not better than 'MDB'. 4 stars and a must see!!!
click for the trailer
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Friday, May 06, 2005
JESUS DOOR
this is a picture of a door in a house my family lived in about forty years ago. it was interesting but we didn't worship it. our lady of the salt stain is a salt stain. thou shalt not worship false gods . . .
The Environment . . . again
Twenty two years ago the EPA issued a report titled "Can We Delay a Greenhouse Warming?" At the time the conclusiuon was that some warming was inevitable. But how much and how fast? Today there's no doubt that Earth's climate is changing.
Globally, nine of the last ten years have been the warmest since records began in 1861. In the last 100 years average global temperatures have risen by about 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Europe had a heat wave in 2003 that killed 26,000. Chicago recorded 700 deaths in 1995.
Scientists recently met at the Hadley Center for Climate Prediction and Research in the UK. This gathering presented evidence that global warming risks are more serious than previously thought. They found that greenhouse gases are affecting rainfall patterns and the global water cycle. The latest scientific predictions suggest that global temperatures are set to rise between 2.5 and 10.4 degrees F. over the next century unless we do something.
American and European scientists have shown that , if the Greenland ice sheet eventually disappears, this would lead to a rise in sea levels of about 23 feet over the next millenium, and the process of melting, once set in motion could be irreversible.
The heads of the G-8 countries will meet in July under the Prime Minister Tony Blair at Gleneagles in Scotland to show they are united to reduce emissions. Will Bush be there?
Don't count on him being there in a helpful capacity if he is. Today the Bush administration took sweeping action to open 60 million acres, about 1/3 of national forest land, to new road construction, logging and commercial use of previously protected areas.
Click on the following for full story http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0505060358may06,1,343734.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed
Globally, nine of the last ten years have been the warmest since records began in 1861. In the last 100 years average global temperatures have risen by about 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Europe had a heat wave in 2003 that killed 26,000. Chicago recorded 700 deaths in 1995.
Scientists recently met at the Hadley Center for Climate Prediction and Research in the UK. This gathering presented evidence that global warming risks are more serious than previously thought. They found that greenhouse gases are affecting rainfall patterns and the global water cycle. The latest scientific predictions suggest that global temperatures are set to rise between 2.5 and 10.4 degrees F. over the next century unless we do something.
American and European scientists have shown that , if the Greenland ice sheet eventually disappears, this would lead to a rise in sea levels of about 23 feet over the next millenium, and the process of melting, once set in motion could be irreversible.
The heads of the G-8 countries will meet in July under the Prime Minister Tony Blair at Gleneagles in Scotland to show they are united to reduce emissions. Will Bush be there?
Don't count on him being there in a helpful capacity if he is. Today the Bush administration took sweeping action to open 60 million acres, about 1/3 of national forest land, to new road construction, logging and commercial use of previously protected areas.
Click on the following for full story http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0505060358may06,1,343734.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed
Andrew Greeley
Click on this. He says it better than I can.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/greeley/cst-edt-greel06.html
http://www.suntimes.com/output/greeley/cst-edt-greel06.html
Sunday, May 01, 2005
ENRON
I saw the new documentary about the fall of Enron today, Enron: the smartest guys in the room, and I highly recommend it. But I suggest you see the documentary, "The Corporation", just released on video first. The Corporation will give you some insight into why the Enron debacle was able to happen.
"The Corporation" will give you some insight into what a corporation is. Legally a corporation is defined as a person. And the ends justify the means in keeping this entity alive and flourishing. It's kind of scary when you put these two docs together and understand a bit better what is happening in today's world and how it relates to us "little guys".
And once you see these two films and put all this into context and relate it all to the administration running our government today, relating to Halliburton, Bechtel, et al you realize how we are really getting SCREWED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do recommend that you see these films and draw your own conclusions. But I don't know that you'll come away feeling that we are in a good place. We're suckin' down the kool aid like it's . . . KOOL AID. It ain't.
click below to view trailer
http://www.kinetictrailers.com/Magnolia/Enron_Quicktimes/Enrontrailer_med.mov
"The Corporation" will give you some insight into what a corporation is. Legally a corporation is defined as a person. And the ends justify the means in keeping this entity alive and flourishing. It's kind of scary when you put these two docs together and understand a bit better what is happening in today's world and how it relates to us "little guys".
And once you see these two films and put all this into context and relate it all to the administration running our government today, relating to Halliburton, Bechtel, et al you realize how we are really getting SCREWED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do recommend that you see these films and draw your own conclusions. But I don't know that you'll come away feeling that we are in a good place. We're suckin' down the kool aid like it's . . . KOOL AID. It ain't.
click below to view trailer
http://www.kinetictrailers.com/Magnolia/Enron_Quicktimes/Enrontrailer_med.mov
Friday, April 29, 2005
Exploding Toads Theory
One German scientist has a theory on the exploding toads phenomenon. Hungry crows are pecking out their livers. "The crows are clever," said scientist Frank Mutschmann, a Berlin veterinarian who collected and tested specimens at the Hamburg pond. "They learn quickly from watching other crows how to get the livers."
Based on the wounds, Mutschmann said, it appears a bird pecks into the toad with its beak between the toad's chest and abdominal cavity, and the toad puffs itself up as a defense mechanism.
But because the liver is missing and there's a hole in the toad's body, the blood vessels and lungs burst and the other organs ooze out. There have also been reports of exploded toads in a pond near Laasby in central Denmard. I hope you already had breakfast.
Based on the wounds, Mutschmann said, it appears a bird pecks into the toad with its beak between the toad's chest and abdominal cavity, and the toad puffs itself up as a defense mechanism.
But because the liver is missing and there's a hole in the toad's body, the blood vessels and lungs burst and the other organs ooze out. There have also been reports of exploded toads in a pond near Laasby in central Denmard. I hope you already had breakfast.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
way too weird
BERLIN -- More than 1,000 toads have puffed up and exploded in a Hamburg pond in recent weeks, and scientists have no explanation for what's causing it.
All remains have been tested but no bacteria or virus has been found. It's a unique story that has never been seen before. Several theories that have come up have been ruled out. Tests will continue . . . meanwhile stay away from the pond.
All remains have been tested but no bacteria or virus has been found. It's a unique story that has never been seen before. Several theories that have come up have been ruled out. Tests will continue . . . meanwhile stay away from the pond.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Special Prosecutor for Prisoner Abuses
Human Rights Watch is calling for a special prosecutor to examine of Donald Rumsfeld and George Tenet , in issues related to the abuse of detainees.
The group has concluded, based mainly on news reports and military reviews, that there was "overwhelming evidence that U.S. mistreatment and torture of Muslim prisoners took place not only at Abu Ghraib but at facilities throughout Afghanistan and Iraq as well as at Guantanamo, Cuba and at 'secret locations' around the world." The report found that there was no indication that Rumsfeld made any attempt to stop it.
The report found that Tenet was responsible for policies that sent detainees to countries where they wer tortured, which makes him potentially liable as an accomplice to torture.
The reason for the necessity of a special prosecutor is because attorney general Alberto Gonzales has a conflict of interest as he was himself deeply involved in the policies leading to these alleged crimes. So far the government has shown no interest in an independent inquiry. Republicans in Congress have blocked requests by Democrats to examine allegations of detainee abuse, and the Justice Department has ignored requests to appoint a special prosecutor.
According to a statement by Reed Brody, special counsel for Human Rights Watch, "This pattern of abuse across several countries did not result from the acts of individual soldiers who broke the rules, it resulted from decisions made by senior U.S. officials to bend, ignore or cast the rules aside."
It will be very interesting to see what comes of this. In this administration's atmosphere of near royalty, this may be one more thing that gets swept under the rug as they take more power and continue changing rules to accomodate their agenda.
The group has concluded, based mainly on news reports and military reviews, that there was "overwhelming evidence that U.S. mistreatment and torture of Muslim prisoners took place not only at Abu Ghraib but at facilities throughout Afghanistan and Iraq as well as at Guantanamo, Cuba and at 'secret locations' around the world." The report found that there was no indication that Rumsfeld made any attempt to stop it.
The report found that Tenet was responsible for policies that sent detainees to countries where they wer tortured, which makes him potentially liable as an accomplice to torture.
The reason for the necessity of a special prosecutor is because attorney general Alberto Gonzales has a conflict of interest as he was himself deeply involved in the policies leading to these alleged crimes. So far the government has shown no interest in an independent inquiry. Republicans in Congress have blocked requests by Democrats to examine allegations of detainee abuse, and the Justice Department has ignored requests to appoint a special prosecutor.
According to a statement by Reed Brody, special counsel for Human Rights Watch, "This pattern of abuse across several countries did not result from the acts of individual soldiers who broke the rules, it resulted from decisions made by senior U.S. officials to bend, ignore or cast the rules aside."
It will be very interesting to see what comes of this. In this administration's atmosphere of near royalty, this may be one more thing that gets swept under the rug as they take more power and continue changing rules to accomodate their agenda.
Friday, April 22, 2005
HAPPY EARTH DAY
jjd
Today is the 35th annual Earth Day. Of all the things we've accomplished since then, unleaded fuel, no more lead in paint, recycling, preservation of rainforests and wildlife refuges, etc., we don't seem to have done enough. At this point in time, with this administration, we've gone from slow progression to reverse. That's not a good thing.But, on the upside, in Chicago anyway; there are a number of informational events the Earth Day weekend.
- Recycled batteries -- On Saturday the city will launch its first permanent battery-recycling program with dropoff sites at all Chicago Public Library branches and Walgreen stores in Chicago.
- Animals and nature -- Brookfield Zoo's Earth Day events include -- an Environmental Fair, a tree-planting ceremony, zoo chats with keepers and other staff; a tour of the zoo's state-of-the-art and odor-free compost facility; lessons on invasive plant species and bird-watching.
- Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland -- includes educational activities, guided hikes, exhibits and puppet shows.
Other activities are at the Shore Bank downtown, presenting a Green Building exhibit. The Morton Arboretum will host an Earth Day recycling event. Notebaert Nature Museum will have a month's long environmental family activities.
In 1992 the EPA started a voluntary rating program to identify and promote energy-efficient computers called Energy Star. Now it rates a number of household appliances from refrigerators to light bulbs. Check it out at www.energystar.gov .
Also check out www.charitybuzz.com
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
dot the i
MOVIES --
i only saw one movie this weekend and it's excellent. if you like neill labutte -- shape of things -- in the company of men -- and his take on the inhumanity between the sexes, you'll love it. It's a black comedy !!!!!!!!!! check out the trailer http://www.dottheithemovie.com/
i only saw one movie this weekend and it's excellent. if you like neill labutte -- shape of things -- in the company of men -- and his take on the inhumanity between the sexes, you'll love it. It's a black comedy !!!!!!!!!! check out the trailer http://www.dottheithemovie.com/
Thursday, April 14, 2005
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