Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Bait and Switch
I believe the war against Saddam's Iraq was the right thing to do because in the long term the ends will justify the means. The Iraqi people have a positive and brighter future, Freedom and Peace loving people will have more power and influence to shape the world to bring about a more peaceful, safer, democratic and free'er world.
That said, I will not blindly buy into all the propaganda that has tried to convince people to support this war. I do think the American public was snookered by an administration that used deceptive and sleazy salesman tactics to sell us this war and that the pro-war media helped them.
I believe the war against Saddam's Iraq was the right thing to do because in the long term the ends will justify the means. The Iraqi people have a positive and brighter future, Freedom and Peace loving people will have more power and influence to shape the world to bring about a more peaceful, safer, democratic and free'er world.
That said, I will not blindly buy into all the propaganda that has tried to convince people to support this war. I do think the American public was snookered by an administration that used deceptive and sleazy salesman tactics to sell us this war and that the pro-war media helped them.
Friday, April 25, 2003
British PM Galloway defends himself against allegations he accepted money from Saddam's regime.
I'm not going to pass judgement on him until I hear a non-bias assessment of the situation. So far I see his enemies in the media reporting the story and hear rightwing pundits foaming at the mouth in the orgie to trash him. On the other hand I read his thoughts, which for obvious reasons is not objective either.
I do want to hear your thoughts thought.
I'm not going to pass judgement on him until I hear a non-bias assessment of the situation. So far I see his enemies in the media reporting the story and hear rightwing pundits foaming at the mouth in the orgie to trash him. On the other hand I read his thoughts, which for obvious reasons is not objective either.
I do want to hear your thoughts thought.
Thursday, April 24, 2003
This is Very Exciting!!
The Building I work in has a nesting pair of Pergrine Falcon's on the Roof!!
Learn about it There's also a live Web Cam.
This is one awsome bird of prey that has adapted well to big city life. Pigeons Beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Building I work in has a nesting pair of Pergrine Falcon's on the Roof!!
Learn about it There's also a live Web Cam.
This is one awsome bird of prey that has adapted well to big city life. Pigeons Beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What make me sad
When I fly over America and look out the window and for miles and miles in every direction I don't see one stretch of untouched wilderness land. There is development everywhere. People have made thier mark on the land everywhere. We need to protect what little there is left.
When I fly over America and look out the window and for miles and miles in every direction I don't see one stretch of untouched wilderness land. There is development everywhere. People have made thier mark on the land everywhere. We need to protect what little there is left.
New Reality Show!! Appointed By America
At a Pentagon briefing Monday, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz gave his blessing to Appointed By America.
"It is great that Fox will play a vital role in post-war Iraq," Wolfowitz said. "Heck, we didn't really know what we were going to do."
It's side splitting funny click the link and see for yourself.
At a Pentagon briefing Monday, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz gave his blessing to Appointed By America.
"It is great that Fox will play a vital role in post-war Iraq," Wolfowitz said. "Heck, we didn't really know what we were going to do."
It's side splitting funny click the link and see for yourself.
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
Hans Blix wants in
Oh, I guess we could let them back in as long as they don't get in the way of the REAL inspection force (the Coalition)
It would be kind of cute to have a sidekick. They could be like the Jr. cub scouts.
Oh, I guess we could let them back in as long as they don't get in the way of the REAL inspection force (the Coalition)
It would be kind of cute to have a sidekick. They could be like the Jr. cub scouts.
A bitter, angry and sarcastic peacenik, admits the warmongers were right or do I sense sarcasm?
Hail the great victor BushCo! Ha! The U.S. kicked
ass! Who's your daddy, beeyatch? Thump thump
thump on the manly chest of great liberator America!
Liberals suck! Go, war! It's Miller Time.
Yes, justifiably do the war zealots gloat. See how our
multibillion-dollar high-tech superpower ordnance
annihilated the little scrawny pip-squeak nation! See
how we barely even broke a multibillion-dollar sweat!
Hail the great victor BushCo! Ha! The U.S. kicked
ass! Who's your daddy, beeyatch? Thump thump
thump on the manly chest of great liberator America!
Liberals suck! Go, war! It's Miller Time.
Yes, justifiably do the war zealots gloat. See how our
multibillion-dollar high-tech superpower ordnance
annihilated the little scrawny pip-squeak nation! See
how we barely even broke a multibillion-dollar sweat!
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Dosha the Wonder Dog!!
Dog hit, shot and frozen -- and still alive
By Associated Press, 4/22/03
CLEARLAKE, Calif. - A dog named Dosha may have as many lives as a cat.
She was hit by a car, shot in the head and kept in a freezer for two hours, but she survived and is now doing well under a veterinarian's care.
Local animal groups and the Humane Society of the United States have begun fund-raising efforts to pay for her care.
Last Tuesday, Dosha was hit by a car. A police officer reported to the scene and no one could tell him who owned the dog.
Officer Bob MacDonald shot the dog, apparently to save her the pain of her injuries. Dosha, presumed dead, was taken to Animal Control, where she was put in a freezer.
"Apparently, it was assumed dead," said Denise Johnson, Animal Control's interim director. "I went to the freezer and found that she was alive and cold."
She had hypothermia and a gunshot wound, but no broken bones from the car accident, Johnson said.
Police are investigating
Dog hit, shot and frozen -- and still alive
By Associated Press, 4/22/03
CLEARLAKE, Calif. - A dog named Dosha may have as many lives as a cat.
She was hit by a car, shot in the head and kept in a freezer for two hours, but she survived and is now doing well under a veterinarian's care.
Local animal groups and the Humane Society of the United States have begun fund-raising efforts to pay for her care.
Last Tuesday, Dosha was hit by a car. A police officer reported to the scene and no one could tell him who owned the dog.
Officer Bob MacDonald shot the dog, apparently to save her the pain of her injuries. Dosha, presumed dead, was taken to Animal Control, where she was put in a freezer.
"Apparently, it was assumed dead," said Denise Johnson, Animal Control's interim director. "I went to the freezer and found that she was alive and cold."
She had hypothermia and a gunshot wound, but no broken bones from the car accident, Johnson said.
Police are investigating
Monday, April 21, 2003
SYRIA'S NEW MINISTER OF INFORMATION DENIES U.S. CHARGES
Country not harboring ex-Iraqi officials, he claims.
From Ironic Times
Country not harboring ex-Iraqi officials, he claims.
From Ironic Times
Bush and OUR environment.
I like the 'environement'
Bush has been very quietly and effectively reducing enironmental protections since the weeks after septermber 11th. It's been done stealthily during a time when most of us has had bigger things on our minds.
I like the 'environement'
Bush has been very quietly and effectively reducing enironmental protections since the weeks after septermber 11th. It's been done stealthily during a time when most of us has had bigger things on our minds.
Music/Movie Trivia Quiz.
What band was the musician who played Pink in Pink Floyds The Wall from?
HINT: I Don't Like Mondays
What band was the musician who played Pink in Pink Floyds The Wall from?
HINT: I Don't Like Mondays
Mastermind of Cruise Ship hijacking Captured trying to flee Iraq.
Abu Abbas Captured
Abbas' wife, Reem al-Nimr, said he should be freed because he had nothing to do with Iraq and "is not party to this war at all."
Mrs Abbas do you think you may be overlooking the hijacking incident and the murder of a wheelchair-bound American who was thrown overboard?
Abu Abbas Captured
Abbas' wife, Reem al-Nimr, said he should be freed because he had nothing to do with Iraq and "is not party to this war at all."
Mrs Abbas do you think you may be overlooking the hijacking incident and the murder of a wheelchair-bound American who was thrown overboard?
Sunday, April 20, 2003
Have you heard the people who compare George W Bush to Saddam Hussein as being equally evil or claim that Bush is even worse?
If this were true here is the Alternate Reality we would be living in.
Now look around is that how things are? I didn't think so.
If this were true here is the Alternate Reality we would be living in.
Now look around is that how things are? I didn't think so.
Thursday, April 17, 2003
Thanks to a recent commenter on this blog I have discovered a wealth of 9-11 conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories are usually pretty convincing because they are designed that way. I can easily start thinking half this shit is plausible based on the "facts", "evidence" and "links" these kooks throw at you. It's impossible to completly dispute unless you are an actual witness and that's why they are so easy to buy into. Then I found this Gem and it all came crashing down.
Second Clue — First Report of First WTC Crash
The second clue comes from the first New York eyewitness on NBC. She had no question about what she saw. You could hear it in her voice. If she was the state's witness, the defense team would have their heads between their knees before she stopped talking.
What did she say? She heard an airplane coming in low and looked up. She saw a small private jet, and watched it fly into the first WTC tower, the North tower. She was certain in her description — most people know the difference between a big round-nose commercial jet and a smaller plane.
I WAS THERE. I WATCHED THE FIRST JET HIT THE BUILDING WITH MY OWN EYES.
Here is what I wrote on SEPTEMBER 12th.
I was about 75 yards away from the end when I heard a loud roar of a Jet. I instantly knew it was unusual and looked up and back over my shoulder expecting to see a low flying military fighter jet, what I saw was a huge commercial passenger jet flying low and strait towards the world trade center Tower. Then I saw the impact, the devastating boom and the fireball. I was so close that I and everyone else on the street near me feared for their lives and ran. I ran north 2 blocks up West Broadway before i turned around. What I saw was shocking. there was a huge gaping hole across the entire side of the building. the fireball was gone but the hole was on fire and black smoke was billowing up into the floors above the hole. I stood there watching in disbelief, i am probably one of the few people who saw the first plane hit from so close. People that were inside buildings came running out into the street and asked what happened, I told everyone that a huge passenger jet crashed into the WTC. There was not a single trace of the jet left. If I hadn't seen the jet myself i would never would have known it was a jet that hit the building. I saw the jet for long enough and close enough to know if was an American Airlines and at that point I became very upset and sad.
I have had enough of this conspiracy theory shit!!!!
Second Clue — First Report of First WTC Crash
The second clue comes from the first New York eyewitness on NBC. She had no question about what she saw. You could hear it in her voice. If she was the state's witness, the defense team would have their heads between their knees before she stopped talking.
What did she say? She heard an airplane coming in low and looked up. She saw a small private jet, and watched it fly into the first WTC tower, the North tower. She was certain in her description — most people know the difference between a big round-nose commercial jet and a smaller plane.
I WAS THERE. I WATCHED THE FIRST JET HIT THE BUILDING WITH MY OWN EYES.
Here is what I wrote on SEPTEMBER 12th.
I was about 75 yards away from the end when I heard a loud roar of a Jet. I instantly knew it was unusual and looked up and back over my shoulder expecting to see a low flying military fighter jet, what I saw was a huge commercial passenger jet flying low and strait towards the world trade center Tower. Then I saw the impact, the devastating boom and the fireball. I was so close that I and everyone else on the street near me feared for their lives and ran. I ran north 2 blocks up West Broadway before i turned around. What I saw was shocking. there was a huge gaping hole across the entire side of the building. the fireball was gone but the hole was on fire and black smoke was billowing up into the floors above the hole. I stood there watching in disbelief, i am probably one of the few people who saw the first plane hit from so close. People that were inside buildings came running out into the street and asked what happened, I told everyone that a huge passenger jet crashed into the WTC. There was not a single trace of the jet left. If I hadn't seen the jet myself i would never would have known it was a jet that hit the building. I saw the jet for long enough and close enough to know if was an American Airlines and at that point I became very upset and sad.
I have had enough of this conspiracy theory shit!!!!
SATIRE from Scrapple Face
(2003-04-14) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry announced today that its government can do nothing to stop the flow of anti-war celebrities into Syria.
"Our borders are long, and our resources short," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Buthaina Shaaban. "Let the U.S. government keep them contained in Hollywood. It's George Bush's problem."
The apparent disappearance of formerly vocal anti-war celebrities has led some in the Bush administration to speculate that they may have fled into Iraq's friendly neighbor.
"Up until a week ago," said an unnamed White House source, "there were dozens of celebrities making the rounds of the talk shows, saying our policy was doomed. Now it seems they've fled, and Syria would be a natural hiding place."
(2003-04-14) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry announced today that its government can do nothing to stop the flow of anti-war celebrities into Syria.
"Our borders are long, and our resources short," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Buthaina Shaaban. "Let the U.S. government keep them contained in Hollywood. It's George Bush's problem."
The apparent disappearance of formerly vocal anti-war celebrities has led some in the Bush administration to speculate that they may have fled into Iraq's friendly neighbor.
"Up until a week ago," said an unnamed White House source, "there were dozens of celebrities making the rounds of the talk shows, saying our policy was doomed. Now it seems they've fled, and Syria would be a natural hiding place."
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Uday's Music Man
Think you have a stressfull job? Try being Uday's (son of Saddam) favorite Iraqi singer.
Yes, but I wouldn't show fear. I would sing right through the flying bullets. I couldn't hear the music anymore. I'd just keep going, because I couldn't stop. You just can't. I'd sing until dawn or later. It ended when Uday was ready for it to end.
Thank God, that regime is gone and this psycho didn't take over Iraq when daddy was done.
Think you have a stressfull job? Try being Uday's (son of Saddam) favorite Iraqi singer.
Yes, but I wouldn't show fear. I would sing right through the flying bullets. I couldn't hear the music anymore. I'd just keep going, because I couldn't stop. You just can't. I'd sing until dawn or later. It ended when Uday was ready for it to end.
Thank God, that regime is gone and this psycho didn't take over Iraq when daddy was done.
GAYTONA
A website for Gay Nascar Fans. I guess there is a niche for everyone.
The list one this page WILL NOT be a category for LIST WARS
A website for Gay Nascar Fans. I guess there is a niche for everyone.
The list one this page WILL NOT be a category for LIST WARS
The war critics were right—not in the way they expected.
So it turns out that all the slogans of the anti-war movement were right after all. And their demands were just. "No War on Iraq," they said—and there wasn't a war on Iraq. Indeed, there was barely a "war" at all. "No Blood for Oil," they cried, and the oil wealth of Iraq has been duly rescued from attempted sabotage with scarcely a drop spilled. Of the nine oil wells set ablaze by the few desperadoes who obeyed the order, only one is still burning and the rest have been capped and doused without casualties. "Stop the War" was the call. And the "war" is indeed stopping. That's not such a bad record. An earlier anti-war demand—"Give the Inspectors More Time"—was also very prescient and is also about to be fulfilled in exquisite detail.
Everyones Happy!!
So it turns out that all the slogans of the anti-war movement were right after all. And their demands were just. "No War on Iraq," they said—and there wasn't a war on Iraq. Indeed, there was barely a "war" at all. "No Blood for Oil," they cried, and the oil wealth of Iraq has been duly rescued from attempted sabotage with scarcely a drop spilled. Of the nine oil wells set ablaze by the few desperadoes who obeyed the order, only one is still burning and the rest have been capped and doused without casualties. "Stop the War" was the call. And the "war" is indeed stopping. That's not such a bad record. An earlier anti-war demand—"Give the Inspectors More Time"—was also very prescient and is also about to be fulfilled in exquisite detail.
Everyones Happy!!
Monday, April 14, 2003
My cell phone prediction
The price of cell phone service will rise and we will also get nickel and dimed for services that used to be free. The cell phone companies had a plan and I am beginning to see that plan's wickedness.
Phase One was to offer really good deals for cell phone plans, making the phones very popular. Once almost everyone had one and the people became dependent on their phone ( I feel naked without mine and can't believe how inconvienced I was before I had one) they could phase in phase Two.
Phase Two is to jack up the prices of the plans and implementing various other ways to make money from the consumer. First it started with changing Night rates from 8pm to 9pm. Then it was "activation" charges when you started service. I predict soon when you switch phones there will be an activation fee for the new phone.
T-Mobile has changed the meaning of Roaming in their advertisements. They say No Roaming Charges but it's free because you are not allowed to roam. I guess they think it's genourous not to charge you for something you can't do with their service.
The price of cell phone service will rise and we will also get nickel and dimed for services that used to be free. The cell phone companies had a plan and I am beginning to see that plan's wickedness.
Phase One was to offer really good deals for cell phone plans, making the phones very popular. Once almost everyone had one and the people became dependent on their phone ( I feel naked without mine and can't believe how inconvienced I was before I had one) they could phase in phase Two.
Phase Two is to jack up the prices of the plans and implementing various other ways to make money from the consumer. First it started with changing Night rates from 8pm to 9pm. Then it was "activation" charges when you started service. I predict soon when you switch phones there will be an activation fee for the new phone.
T-Mobile has changed the meaning of Roaming in their advertisements. They say No Roaming Charges but it's free because you are not allowed to roam. I guess they think it's genourous not to charge you for something you can't do with their service.
Lights, camera, action: if we got that war wrong, we could always shoot it again
Before their forces had taken one step towards Basra, coalition leaders announced plans to helicopter in journalists and broadcast instant scenes of joyous Iraqis greeting troops. In the words of the US Marine commander, they apparently believed that: “The first image of this war will define the conflict.” When the people of Basra failed to play the part scripted for them, the search for that defining image moved on.
This war has made me skeptical of the current administration. I don't want spin doctors, scare tactics and pure propaganda to convince me a war is right. I want the truth!!!!!!!! I can just imagine Rumsfeld yelling back "You can't handle the Truth!!"
Before their forces had taken one step towards Basra, coalition leaders announced plans to helicopter in journalists and broadcast instant scenes of joyous Iraqis greeting troops. In the words of the US Marine commander, they apparently believed that: “The first image of this war will define the conflict.” When the people of Basra failed to play the part scripted for them, the search for that defining image moved on.
This war has made me skeptical of the current administration. I don't want spin doctors, scare tactics and pure propaganda to convince me a war is right. I want the truth!!!!!!!! I can just imagine Rumsfeld yelling back "You can't handle the Truth!!"
The Neoconservative Agenda: Which Country is Next on the List?
There are three things to be said about the neoconservatives and what they want.
The first is that they act out of fear. They are motivated by fear of terrorist bands, armed by Islamic states, wielding weapons of mass destruction, even though this is politically, technologically and militarily highly implausible.
There is an element of hysteria in this fear, as there was a quarter-century ago when Washington convinced itself that a victory by peasant insurgents in Vietnam would lead to world domination by "Asian communism" and to the isolation and destruction of the United States.
Second, they are naive. Krauthammer says it is "racist" to think that "Arabs" can't govern themselves democratically. The problem in the Middle East is not "Arabs." The problem is a powerful historical culture that functions on categories of value absolutes and religious certainties hostile to the pragmatic relativisms of Western democracy. Military conquest and good intentions will not change that.
Finally, the neoconservatives are fanatics. They believe it is worth killing people for unproved ideas. Traditional morality says that war is justified in legitimate defense. Totalitarian morality justifies war to make people or societies better.
What's the third part a philosophy lesson?
Even the neoconservatives have their limits. I don't think we need to worry about them picking some other place to invade and force regime change. Of course they have learned public opinion really doesn't like pre-emptive war. I think and hope they are wise enough not to militarily go after anyone else without equal or more justification than they did with Iraq.
There are three things to be said about the neoconservatives and what they want.
The first is that they act out of fear. They are motivated by fear of terrorist bands, armed by Islamic states, wielding weapons of mass destruction, even though this is politically, technologically and militarily highly implausible.
There is an element of hysteria in this fear, as there was a quarter-century ago when Washington convinced itself that a victory by peasant insurgents in Vietnam would lead to world domination by "Asian communism" and to the isolation and destruction of the United States.
Second, they are naive. Krauthammer says it is "racist" to think that "Arabs" can't govern themselves democratically. The problem in the Middle East is not "Arabs." The problem is a powerful historical culture that functions on categories of value absolutes and religious certainties hostile to the pragmatic relativisms of Western democracy. Military conquest and good intentions will not change that.
Finally, the neoconservatives are fanatics. They believe it is worth killing people for unproved ideas. Traditional morality says that war is justified in legitimate defense. Totalitarian morality justifies war to make people or societies better.
What's the third part a philosophy lesson?
Even the neoconservatives have their limits. I don't think we need to worry about them picking some other place to invade and force regime change. Of course they have learned public opinion really doesn't like pre-emptive war. I think and hope they are wise enough not to militarily go after anyone else without equal or more justification than they did with Iraq.
Friday, April 11, 2003
Kim Jong Il's web blog!!
A peek into Kim Jong's most intimate personal thoughts. Learn about his dreams, his passions, his love lorn relationship with GWB.
A peek into Kim Jong's most intimate personal thoughts. Learn about his dreams, his passions, his love lorn relationship with GWB.
What do the Arabs think?
This article exposes the Long Distance Arab Elites as not representative of the Arab masses. Although the media would have you believing other wise.
The Iraqis did not wish to suffer the fate of the Palestinians, that is to say to die in large numbers for decades so that other Arabs, safe in their homes, would feel good about themselves. The Iraqis know that had the Palestinians not listened to their Arab brethren, they would have had a state in 1947, as decided by the United Nations Security Council. The Iraqis know that each time the Palestinians became heroic to please other Arabs they lost even more.
This article exposes the Long Distance Arab Elites as not representative of the Arab masses. Although the media would have you believing other wise.
The Iraqis did not wish to suffer the fate of the Palestinians, that is to say to die in large numbers for decades so that other Arabs, safe in their homes, would feel good about themselves. The Iraqis know that had the Palestinians not listened to their Arab brethren, they would have had a state in 1947, as decided by the United Nations Security Council. The Iraqis know that each time the Palestinians became heroic to please other Arabs they lost even more.
Thursday, April 10, 2003
The Iraqi Information Minister got his own Fan Club!!
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister
See what he would say in other great battles such as this classic confrontations in a galaxy far far away.
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister
See what he would say in other great battles such as this classic confrontations in a galaxy far far away.
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
No More Nit Pickin'
It's funny when you realize your own hypocrisy but it's honorable to admit it. I keep hearing people (namely the right wing) citing the violation of UN resolutions as justification for the war against Iraq. These are the very same people that usually have nothing but disdain for the UN. It's a lesson in absurdity when I hear them crying about 14 UN resolutions Iraq has violated as a legitimate justified reason to go to war when in the very next breath they will defend the USA's unilateral sovereignty to defy the UN whenever we feel like it.
The next time the UN tries to pass a resolution or criticism that goes against the USA, as always the right wing will say, "who cares? we don't have to listen to the UN, the UN is irrelevant, the UN can't tell us what do...." Think back and remember how you used the UN resolutions as a justification to attack Iraq.
You can't have it both ways...You can't nit pick about when you want the UN to count and when you don't want it to matter. If you do atleast have the decency to realize and freely admit you are a nit picker.
I am guilty of being a nit picker and will continue to be one. Just Try and STOP ME!! muuahahahahahahahahahaaaaa
It's funny when you realize your own hypocrisy but it's honorable to admit it. I keep hearing people (namely the right wing) citing the violation of UN resolutions as justification for the war against Iraq. These are the very same people that usually have nothing but disdain for the UN. It's a lesson in absurdity when I hear them crying about 14 UN resolutions Iraq has violated as a legitimate justified reason to go to war when in the very next breath they will defend the USA's unilateral sovereignty to defy the UN whenever we feel like it.
The next time the UN tries to pass a resolution or criticism that goes against the USA, as always the right wing will say, "who cares? we don't have to listen to the UN, the UN is irrelevant, the UN can't tell us what do...." Think back and remember how you used the UN resolutions as a justification to attack Iraq.
You can't have it both ways...You can't nit pick about when you want the UN to count and when you don't want it to matter. If you do atleast have the decency to realize and freely admit you are a nit picker.
I am guilty of being a nit picker and will continue to be one. Just Try and STOP ME!! muuahahahahahahahahahaaaaa
Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Saddam's Palace has new house guests
Which of the following items does not belong with the others:
A) Retired military experts
B) Young American soldiers
C) Conservative pundits
D) Automobile commercials
E) Dead and wounded Iraqi civilians
From The Ironic Times
Is this a FOX NEWS quiz?
A) Retired military experts
B) Young American soldiers
C) Conservative pundits
D) Automobile commercials
E) Dead and wounded Iraqi civilians
From The Ironic Times
Is this a FOX NEWS quiz?
SECRETARY POWELL in an interview for German TV
I can only hope Bush takes his advise from Powell more than he does from Rumsfeld and Wolfowizt.
Full Article
QUESTION: I hear what you are saying. What many people in Europe will hear, through your words, is this is how the new partition of labor will be: America is looking for its Allies, is going its course with or without Allies, any number that’s available, and be it zero. And then the U.N.’s role is to go in as a good Samaritan and clean up the mess. That’s all they can do. America is already looking at its next destination.
SECRETARY POWELL: That’s absurd. It’s an absurd, simplistic, shorthand response to what people think we’re doing. In fact, we went to the U.N. in the first place with respect to this problem. It was a problem that belonged to the U.N. for twelve years -- this terrible regime that tortures its people, that developed weapons of mass destruction, that used them against its own people and then invaded its neighbors on two occasions. And we finally said to the United Nations, “If you would be relevant, if the international community would be relevant, we must deal with this.”
This is not a regime that will simply roll over and play dead. It will fight back. It will try to avoid consequences. So we got a very strong resolution passed. Unanimously. Fifteen to zero. And when it became clear to a number of members of the Security Council that it was time to apply those serious consequences, we took it back to the U.N. And the U.N. said, “Well, can’t agree on this.”
But 1441 made it clear – it was more than sufficient authority. Now there were some members of the Council who said, “We’ll veto anything.” And there were others of us who felt we must move forward. We must remove this danger to the world. Especially this regime that developed weapons of mass destruction and might actually allow some of these weapons to fall in the hands of terrorists. We will not apologize for this. We believe that we did what is right and we recognize that there is a great deal of opinion, especially in Europe, that thinks this was not the right approach. But I hope we will change this opinion, when everybody sees that after this conflict we’re not leaving it to be swept up by the United Nations. We are going to work with the United Nations and work with the international community. And guess who will be the major contributor, who will pay the most money to help the Iraqi people to get back on their feet. It will be the United States, as always.
I can only hope Bush takes his advise from Powell more than he does from Rumsfeld and Wolfowizt.
Full Article
QUESTION: I hear what you are saying. What many people in Europe will hear, through your words, is this is how the new partition of labor will be: America is looking for its Allies, is going its course with or without Allies, any number that’s available, and be it zero. And then the U.N.’s role is to go in as a good Samaritan and clean up the mess. That’s all they can do. America is already looking at its next destination.
SECRETARY POWELL: That’s absurd. It’s an absurd, simplistic, shorthand response to what people think we’re doing. In fact, we went to the U.N. in the first place with respect to this problem. It was a problem that belonged to the U.N. for twelve years -- this terrible regime that tortures its people, that developed weapons of mass destruction, that used them against its own people and then invaded its neighbors on two occasions. And we finally said to the United Nations, “If you would be relevant, if the international community would be relevant, we must deal with this.”
This is not a regime that will simply roll over and play dead. It will fight back. It will try to avoid consequences. So we got a very strong resolution passed. Unanimously. Fifteen to zero. And when it became clear to a number of members of the Security Council that it was time to apply those serious consequences, we took it back to the U.N. And the U.N. said, “Well, can’t agree on this.”
But 1441 made it clear – it was more than sufficient authority. Now there were some members of the Council who said, “We’ll veto anything.” And there were others of us who felt we must move forward. We must remove this danger to the world. Especially this regime that developed weapons of mass destruction and might actually allow some of these weapons to fall in the hands of terrorists. We will not apologize for this. We believe that we did what is right and we recognize that there is a great deal of opinion, especially in Europe, that thinks this was not the right approach. But I hope we will change this opinion, when everybody sees that after this conflict we’re not leaving it to be swept up by the United Nations. We are going to work with the United Nations and work with the international community. And guess who will be the major contributor, who will pay the most money to help the Iraqi people to get back on their feet. It will be the United States, as always.
Monday, April 07, 2003
Iraqi War Quiz
Here is a quiz made by anti-war folks that is directed at pro-war folks.
I am curious to see if the pro-war readers will tear into this or not???
The challenge has been issued.
Here is a quiz made by anti-war folks that is directed at pro-war folks.
I am curious to see if the pro-war readers will tear into this or not???
The challenge has been issued.
A tale of THE DUTCH, THE UN, and THE FRENCH GENERAL
I took a strong interest in the war's of the former Yugoslavia. What compelled my interest was that the war was happening in modern day Europe. I was disgusted by the savagery of that war and wanted to understand why people could act that way. The war was fueled by ethnic fear and hatred, that manifested itself in a genocidal strategy that I didn't think would ever again be seen in Europe. I thought it would have ended with victory over the NAZI'S of WWII.
Civilians were being slaughtered, they weren't victims of "collateral damage" they were being killed on purpose. Civilians were also being raped, tortured, brutalized and put into concentration camps.
The UN finally stepped in and set up a few Safe Haven city's in Bosnia. These Safe Haven's were under UN protection and the UN had the authority to call in NATO forces but NATO but could not act unless it was authorized by the UN higher ups. These Safe Havens were city's and towns were Bosnian refugees could go after there town and villages were ethnically cleansed.
One of these Safe Haven city's was Srebrenica. A contingent of Dutch UN forces was sent to protect the city. The Dutch forces and the UN failed miserably and tragically.
I had learned a little bit of what happened in Srebrenica but never learned the full details until recently when I found This Essay.
A few years ago I saw a documentary on TV that explained how the Dutch Commander sold out the city and the people he was supposed to protect in a deal he made with the Serbian War Criminals. I saw Dutch Commanders celebrating the deal with the Serbian butchers with champagne toasts. I saw a Safe Haven city come under full attack and I saw scared Bosnian men, women and children lining up outside the Dutch Base begging for protection. The Dutch let the Bosnians onto the base but only after they disarmed of all weapons. The Bosnians disarmed believing they wouldn't need there weapons because the Dutch would protect them and the Sebs wouldn't dare attack the UN base. How wrong they were....
I learned the Dutch had asked the UN for Air bombardments on the Serb positions surrounding the city. The French General in command of UN forces refused, he made a secret deal with the Serbs to surrender the city. I saw the Dutch separate the Men from the women and Children and put them on busses to hand deliver them to the waiting Serbian's. The men put on the busses were executed by the Serbs.
I do not blame all the Dutch soldiers for letting this tragedy unfold, they were caught in a situation beyond there control. There commanders and the French General not only betrayed the Bosnians they betrayed the Dutch soldier who believed they were there to do something good.
This is what happens when we put the UN in charge of conflict management of volatile situations. This is why I am glad when the tragedy in Kosovo unfolded Clinton had enough balls to defy the UN and ordered NATO to get things done effectively.
Here is another more to the point article Massacre in Srebrenica
I took a strong interest in the war's of the former Yugoslavia. What compelled my interest was that the war was happening in modern day Europe. I was disgusted by the savagery of that war and wanted to understand why people could act that way. The war was fueled by ethnic fear and hatred, that manifested itself in a genocidal strategy that I didn't think would ever again be seen in Europe. I thought it would have ended with victory over the NAZI'S of WWII.
Civilians were being slaughtered, they weren't victims of "collateral damage" they were being killed on purpose. Civilians were also being raped, tortured, brutalized and put into concentration camps.
The UN finally stepped in and set up a few Safe Haven city's in Bosnia. These Safe Haven's were under UN protection and the UN had the authority to call in NATO forces but NATO but could not act unless it was authorized by the UN higher ups. These Safe Havens were city's and towns were Bosnian refugees could go after there town and villages were ethnically cleansed.
One of these Safe Haven city's was Srebrenica. A contingent of Dutch UN forces was sent to protect the city. The Dutch forces and the UN failed miserably and tragically.
I had learned a little bit of what happened in Srebrenica but never learned the full details until recently when I found This Essay.
A few years ago I saw a documentary on TV that explained how the Dutch Commander sold out the city and the people he was supposed to protect in a deal he made with the Serbian War Criminals. I saw Dutch Commanders celebrating the deal with the Serbian butchers with champagne toasts. I saw a Safe Haven city come under full attack and I saw scared Bosnian men, women and children lining up outside the Dutch Base begging for protection. The Dutch let the Bosnians onto the base but only after they disarmed of all weapons. The Bosnians disarmed believing they wouldn't need there weapons because the Dutch would protect them and the Sebs wouldn't dare attack the UN base. How wrong they were....
I learned the Dutch had asked the UN for Air bombardments on the Serb positions surrounding the city. The French General in command of UN forces refused, he made a secret deal with the Serbs to surrender the city. I saw the Dutch separate the Men from the women and Children and put them on busses to hand deliver them to the waiting Serbian's. The men put on the busses were executed by the Serbs.
I do not blame all the Dutch soldiers for letting this tragedy unfold, they were caught in a situation beyond there control. There commanders and the French General not only betrayed the Bosnians they betrayed the Dutch soldier who believed they were there to do something good.
This is what happens when we put the UN in charge of conflict management of volatile situations. This is why I am glad when the tragedy in Kosovo unfolded Clinton had enough balls to defy the UN and ordered NATO to get things done effectively.
Here is another more to the point article Massacre in Srebrenica
Friday, April 04, 2003
WAR FOR DUMMIES
Iraqi tipster risks his own life to help save rescued American POW Jessica Lynch.
This is an amazing story of bravery and the beauty of the human spirit. The world needs more people like Mohammed.
"A person, no matter his nationality, is a human being," the tipster, a 32-year-old lawyer whose wife was a nurse at the hospital, said in an interview at Marines' headquarters, where he, his wife and daughter are being treated as heroes and guests of honor.
This is an amazing story of bravery and the beauty of the human spirit. The world needs more people like Mohammed.
"A person, no matter his nationality, is a human being," the tipster, a 32-year-old lawyer whose wife was a nurse at the hospital, said in an interview at Marines' headquarters, where he, his wife and daughter are being treated as heroes and guests of honor.
Thursday, April 03, 2003
STRANGER THAN FICTION
Mario Brothers article
Maybe they thought there older brother was Donkey Kong.
Mario Brothers article
Maybe they thought there older brother was Donkey Kong.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION
A couple of new discussion worthy comments were put up last night by PursuitSpeed. Unfortunatly one of those post has been pushed to the archives and the other one is going to be gone tommorow. So I have decided to reprint his comments here.
CRITISIMS OF BUSH POST from MARCH 21 (can be seen in archives)
Pursuitspeed comments: There are two types of right wingers; those in the know who are educated and keep up with news and read history (but from some reason still lean right) and the uneducated masses, who jump to conclusions, dislike foriegners, and propose "criminal" solutions to issues like abortion, crime, and dissent. These uneducated right wingers love to condem any critisim of Bush as unamerican and treasonous during this time of war. Sadly, the educated right wingers often coddle the uneducated, telling them they are right and should be mad. This is the insanity that is the right wing, and this insanity is going to cost them in 2004.
US soldier grenade attack on other US soldiers, from MARCH 24th. (still available to see in main page)
PursuitSpeed comments: Reassigning muslims, or even thinking about it, is a bad idea, because of important perceptions. We must not appear to be conducting a holy war, so by including soldiers of all religions, especial muslims, helps defeat any holy war arguement. In addition, arab american soldiers (who are mostly muslims) are invalueable to our troops for obvious reasons; they often speak the language and understand the culture. Their exclusion would be a mistake.
A couple of new discussion worthy comments were put up last night by PursuitSpeed. Unfortunatly one of those post has been pushed to the archives and the other one is going to be gone tommorow. So I have decided to reprint his comments here.
CRITISIMS OF BUSH POST from MARCH 21 (can be seen in archives)
Pursuitspeed comments: There are two types of right wingers; those in the know who are educated and keep up with news and read history (but from some reason still lean right) and the uneducated masses, who jump to conclusions, dislike foriegners, and propose "criminal" solutions to issues like abortion, crime, and dissent. These uneducated right wingers love to condem any critisim of Bush as unamerican and treasonous during this time of war. Sadly, the educated right wingers often coddle the uneducated, telling them they are right and should be mad. This is the insanity that is the right wing, and this insanity is going to cost them in 2004.
US soldier grenade attack on other US soldiers, from MARCH 24th. (still available to see in main page)
PursuitSpeed comments: Reassigning muslims, or even thinking about it, is a bad idea, because of important perceptions. We must not appear to be conducting a holy war, so by including soldiers of all religions, especial muslims, helps defeat any holy war arguement. In addition, arab american soldiers (who are mostly muslims) are invalueable to our troops for obvious reasons; they often speak the language and understand the culture. Their exclusion would be a mistake.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003
Why War?
Three reasons that when combined justify this war.
1. Security
To guarantee Saddam's regime can not harm us with weapons of mass destruction. To guarantee Iraq does not give these weapons to terrorist.
The counter argument to Security:
Iraq hasn't done anything to us.
There is no proof Iraq has WMD. Iraq claims they do not. Let the inspections continue to verify this claim.
There is no evidence that Saddam is linked to terrorist groups that want to harm us.
Combine these statements and Iraq is not a big enough threat to justify a pre-emptive attack.
My prognosis: I would not feel comfortable justifying a war based on the security argument alone.
2. Moral
To free the Iraqi people from a brutal dictatorship that specializes in torture and murder.
My prognosis- The USA will militarily intervene for humanitarian reasons but we always weight the cost (financial, social, political, security,) first. If morality was the only reason to go to war with Iraq then we would decide it wasn't worth it. Sad but true.
3. Legal.
Iraq lost the 1991 Gulf War. Since then they have broken the conditions of the cease fire agreement at will.
My prognosis: This is great justification but is war the answer? No, that is why we have had sanctions.
My FINAL prognosis: None of these reasons alone completely justifies this war but when combined together this is a very just war that I support.
Three reasons that when combined justify this war.
1. Security
To guarantee Saddam's regime can not harm us with weapons of mass destruction. To guarantee Iraq does not give these weapons to terrorist.
The counter argument to Security:
Iraq hasn't done anything to us.
There is no proof Iraq has WMD. Iraq claims they do not. Let the inspections continue to verify this claim.
There is no evidence that Saddam is linked to terrorist groups that want to harm us.
Combine these statements and Iraq is not a big enough threat to justify a pre-emptive attack.
My prognosis: I would not feel comfortable justifying a war based on the security argument alone.
2. Moral
To free the Iraqi people from a brutal dictatorship that specializes in torture and murder.
My prognosis- The USA will militarily intervene for humanitarian reasons but we always weight the cost (financial, social, political, security,) first. If morality was the only reason to go to war with Iraq then we would decide it wasn't worth it. Sad but true.
3. Legal.
Iraq lost the 1991 Gulf War. Since then they have broken the conditions of the cease fire agreement at will.
My prognosis: This is great justification but is war the answer? No, that is why we have had sanctions.
My FINAL prognosis: None of these reasons alone completely justifies this war but when combined together this is a very just war that I support.
FROM MONOKI
Protestors and Patriots: Who's Stupider?
by kevin kearney | 03.28.03
"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
We know you don't care what we think about the war. But since all of the swill being written about it seems to fall into one of two camps ("war is, like, bad" protestors, and "let's get it on" patriots) and fails to recognize that things aren't black and white, we offer the goofballs on both sides some suggestions that might help them see a more sane world, the one in which most of us live.
To protestors: Just because someone isn't dancing in the streets with a big stupid puppet doesn't mean they love bombing other countries.
To "patriots": You are no longer allowed to say "It's not about oil" without elaborating.
To protestors: Burn your Bush=Hitler signs. They represent the kind of ridiculous Michael Moore-style hyperbole that suggests you have never read a history book.
To "patriots": Your jokes about France aren't even remotely clever, and they make you sound like a moron.
To protestors: I don't know why it even comes up at protests, but your antipathy towards Starbucks is curious considering you frequently drink Starbucks coffee.
To "patriots": Linking Saddam to Al-Qaeda is silly at best, and intellectually dishonest at worst.
To protestors: If you are so interested in "impeaching" Bush I suggest you look into a little-known aspect of the democratic process that you may be unfamiliar with. It's called voting.
To "patriots": When defending Bush's intelligence you are expected to give examples.
To protestors: Please, for all of us, shut the fuck up about Bush being the "unelected president." It doesn't hold water. If you are so interested in unelected presidents let's talk about Mr. "99.9% of the vote" himself over in Iraq.
To "patriots": Don't bring up the Iraqi reconstruction contract recently awarded to Halliburton. There is nothing you can say to justify the insertion of that dick in the ass of the American people.
To protestors: Please take me off of your mass email list. I know you aren't rolling out of bed at 9:00am to go to that peace rally.
To "patriots": Shutup about how you "support the troops." We all support the fucking troops. Oddly, your support always involves them in combat.
To protestors: This is not what a police state looks like. In a police state you would be naked, crying, curled up in a little ball in a dank corner of a cell for leaving your apartment after curfew.
To "patriots": Fully expect to be smacked upside the head every time you reference September 11th in relation to Iraq.
To protestors: Hundreds of thousands of people protesting does not represent an "overwhelming global opposition." Try doing the math.
To "patriots": I know it's hard, but just try to pretend every once and a while that you support the war because you want democracy for the Iraqi people.
To protestors: Why do you have to fuck with the police? I bet you'll think they are pretty cool when they are dragging your ass to safety after a chemical attack.
Protestors and Patriots: Who's Stupider?
by kevin kearney | 03.28.03
"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
We know you don't care what we think about the war. But since all of the swill being written about it seems to fall into one of two camps ("war is, like, bad" protestors, and "let's get it on" patriots) and fails to recognize that things aren't black and white, we offer the goofballs on both sides some suggestions that might help them see a more sane world, the one in which most of us live.
To protestors: Just because someone isn't dancing in the streets with a big stupid puppet doesn't mean they love bombing other countries.
To "patriots": You are no longer allowed to say "It's not about oil" without elaborating.
To protestors: Burn your Bush=Hitler signs. They represent the kind of ridiculous Michael Moore-style hyperbole that suggests you have never read a history book.
To "patriots": Your jokes about France aren't even remotely clever, and they make you sound like a moron.
To protestors: I don't know why it even comes up at protests, but your antipathy towards Starbucks is curious considering you frequently drink Starbucks coffee.
To "patriots": Linking Saddam to Al-Qaeda is silly at best, and intellectually dishonest at worst.
To protestors: If you are so interested in "impeaching" Bush I suggest you look into a little-known aspect of the democratic process that you may be unfamiliar with. It's called voting.
To "patriots": When defending Bush's intelligence you are expected to give examples.
To protestors: Please, for all of us, shut the fuck up about Bush being the "unelected president." It doesn't hold water. If you are so interested in unelected presidents let's talk about Mr. "99.9% of the vote" himself over in Iraq.
To "patriots": Don't bring up the Iraqi reconstruction contract recently awarded to Halliburton. There is nothing you can say to justify the insertion of that dick in the ass of the American people.
To protestors: Please take me off of your mass email list. I know you aren't rolling out of bed at 9:00am to go to that peace rally.
To "patriots": Shutup about how you "support the troops." We all support the fucking troops. Oddly, your support always involves them in combat.
To protestors: This is not what a police state looks like. In a police state you would be naked, crying, curled up in a little ball in a dank corner of a cell for leaving your apartment after curfew.
To "patriots": Fully expect to be smacked upside the head every time you reference September 11th in relation to Iraq.
To protestors: Hundreds of thousands of people protesting does not represent an "overwhelming global opposition." Try doing the math.
To "patriots": I know it's hard, but just try to pretend every once and a while that you support the war because you want democracy for the Iraqi people.
To protestors: Why do you have to fuck with the police? I bet you'll think they are pretty cool when they are dragging your ass to safety after a chemical attack.
Tuesday, April 01, 2003
What do you think?
I went out over the weekend with some friends. We stopped to get a bite to eat at a Middle Eastern restaurant. One of the people I was with said she did not like buying things from Arabs. Someone else pointed out that they were Turkish and she replied that I guess it's alright to eat there then.
I was suprised that a nice person like her would say something like that. I think it's extremely prejudice.
I went out over the weekend with some friends. We stopped to get a bite to eat at a Middle Eastern restaurant. One of the people I was with said she did not like buying things from Arabs. Someone else pointed out that they were Turkish and she replied that I guess it's alright to eat there then.
I was suprised that a nice person like her would say something like that. I think it's extremely prejudice.
