"Uncivil <---> Civil War"
today you are Joyous, while I'm filled with rue
I canvassed, I voted, what more could I do?
I cried invasion, you said rescue
your state is red, my state is blue...
you protect corporation's, and I want to sue
my mind is enlightened, yours is full of number-2
you export deMOCKracy, while the people you screw
your state is red, my state is blue...
you claim war on terror, and I say be true
I say civil rights, you say my view
you're killing health care, and I've got the flu
your state is red, my state is blue...
you like the cowboys, and I side with the sioux
my pet goes 'meow', your pet goes 'moo'
you believe Rummy's fairy-tales, are actually true
your state is red, my state is blue...
I fought the good fight, did all I could do
there are millions of me, and amazingly more of you
oh Cheney, Cheney, you're a devious shrew
your state is red, my state is blue...
Monday, December 26, 2005
"Corruption Is How We Win!"
One of the many interrelated plots in the movie "Syriana," is how the oil company executives of "connex" (as in: ex-con, criminals, con you), and "killen" (as in: to physically kill you, to make a killing in profits), seem to only care about getting rich and are willing to do almost anything at anyone's expense to make more money.
There is a profound and memorable monologue that nails it on the head, where Danny Dalton (played by Tim Blake Nelson) tells Bennett Holiday (played by Jeffrey Wright):
"Corruption ain't nothing more than government intrusion into market efficiencies in the
form of regulation. that's Milton Friedman, he got a goddamn Nobel Prize.
we have laws against it, precisely so we can get away with it.
corruption is our protection.
corruption is what keeps us safe and warm.
corruption is why you and I are prancing around here instead of fighting each other for
scraps of meat out in the streets.
corruption is how we win!"
for oil execs who are supposed to be educated, sophisticated and worldly, they talk and act like a bunch of gangsters.
this speaks volumes about our so-called elite...
One of the many interrelated plots in the movie "Syriana," is how the oil company executives of "connex" (as in: ex-con, criminals, con you), and "killen" (as in: to physically kill you, to make a killing in profits), seem to only care about getting rich and are willing to do almost anything at anyone's expense to make more money.
There is a profound and memorable monologue that nails it on the head, where Danny Dalton (played by Tim Blake Nelson) tells Bennett Holiday (played by Jeffrey Wright):
"Corruption ain't nothing more than government intrusion into market efficiencies in the
form of regulation. that's Milton Friedman, he got a goddamn Nobel Prize.
we have laws against it, precisely so we can get away with it.
corruption is our protection.
corruption is what keeps us safe and warm.
corruption is why you and I are prancing around here instead of fighting each other for
scraps of meat out in the streets.
corruption is how we win!"
for oil execs who are supposed to be educated, sophisticated and worldly, they talk and act like a bunch of gangsters.
this speaks volumes about our so-called elite...
'Armed and Dangerous'
by-Syed Saleem Shahzad
December 22, 2005
Courtesy of: Asia Times
http://atimes.com
Karachi--Any Resistance movement is generally only as good as the weapons it uses, and that is something that has bedeviled the poorly-equipped Taliban-led anti-US forces in Afghanistan for a long time.
The resistance has steadily taken steps though, to beef up its arsenal to include modern automatic weapons and ground-to-air missiles. This it has done in part by forging closer links with the Resistance in Iraq, as well as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil.
According to Intelligence sources who spoke to Asia Times Online, al-Qaeda concluded that its attack on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000 was a failure, even though 17 American sailors were killed.
As a result, al-Qaeda sent a team to the LTTE to gain expertise in maritime combat operations. The LTTE, as part of its longstanding battle against the Sri Lanken government, has developed a relatively sophisticated maritime wing.
The interaction was brief and inconclusive, and al-Qaeda subsequently rejected the idea of maritime combat, deciding instead to fight the United States on land. Nevertheless, the links established between the two groups were to prove useful in another way.
Pakistani Intelligence sources say that al-Qaeda now works with the LTTE to get weapons, including automatic arms and ground-to-air missiles. The weapons are paid for in cash, as well as in drugs originating from Afghanistan, according to the sources.
The drugs primarily are sent to Scandanavian countries and Thailand, the latter being a traditional base from which the LTTE has smuggled weapons.
"this is a perfect arrangement as resources are complemented--the Tigers get ideological support, while regular arms supplies on the other hand go to al-Qaeda, which ultimately feeds its fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan," said the source.
"the smuggling channels are the same that the Tamil Tigers have adopted for years [with International arms cartels]. the latest weapons originate through arms dealers, as well as thoughs stolen from arms depots and shipped from South America and Lebanon. they are transferred from ship-to-ship and sometimes offloaded at the final destination," the source said.
-In The Firing Line-
In the mountains and on the plains of Afghanistan, the Resistance operates in several ways, ranging from suicide bombings to attacking convoys and brief pitched battles.
"but an air defense system [ground-to-air missiles] can break the back [of the enemy] in low-intensity conflicts," a top Pakistani official told Asia Times Online.
"the Resistance movement in Afghanistan has now acquired that system in bulk. there are possibilities that some pieces will also have been supplied to Iraq. as soon as this system comes into full action, drastic results will come," he said.
After the Taliban retreated in the face of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, the Afghan Resistance was largely scattered. The Taliban did preserve some heavy weapons, but these could not be easily accessed due to the strong US military presence, and many caches were seized.
Furthermore, some of the armory, especially missiles, required special storage facilities to prevent exposure to harsh climate conditions, but this was not possible, and the weapons were damaged.
Slowly, as the Resistance took firmer root and with the help of money from foreign Arab fighters who had fled to the tribal areas of south and north Waziristan in Pakistan, the Resistance acquired missiles, guns and ammunition from the indigenous home-made arms industry at Dara Adam Khel near Peshawar.
Authentic weapons are, of course, expensive, now the Taliban has solved this problem by tapping into Afghanistan--and the world's--richest cash crop, poppies. Using contacts among the warlords who control the drug trade, the Taliban are able to divert some of the money, which is then earmarked for weapons purchases.
With the drug money and the networks of the LTTE, the Afghan Resistance is now well positioned to sufficiently arm itself to take its war with foreign forces in Afghanistan to a new level.
by-Syed Saleem Shahzad
December 22, 2005
Courtesy of: Asia Times
http://atimes.com
Karachi--Any Resistance movement is generally only as good as the weapons it uses, and that is something that has bedeviled the poorly-equipped Taliban-led anti-US forces in Afghanistan for a long time.
The resistance has steadily taken steps though, to beef up its arsenal to include modern automatic weapons and ground-to-air missiles. This it has done in part by forging closer links with the Resistance in Iraq, as well as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil.
According to Intelligence sources who spoke to Asia Times Online, al-Qaeda concluded that its attack on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000 was a failure, even though 17 American sailors were killed.
As a result, al-Qaeda sent a team to the LTTE to gain expertise in maritime combat operations. The LTTE, as part of its longstanding battle against the Sri Lanken government, has developed a relatively sophisticated maritime wing.
The interaction was brief and inconclusive, and al-Qaeda subsequently rejected the idea of maritime combat, deciding instead to fight the United States on land. Nevertheless, the links established between the two groups were to prove useful in another way.
Pakistani Intelligence sources say that al-Qaeda now works with the LTTE to get weapons, including automatic arms and ground-to-air missiles. The weapons are paid for in cash, as well as in drugs originating from Afghanistan, according to the sources.
The drugs primarily are sent to Scandanavian countries and Thailand, the latter being a traditional base from which the LTTE has smuggled weapons.
"this is a perfect arrangement as resources are complemented--the Tigers get ideological support, while regular arms supplies on the other hand go to al-Qaeda, which ultimately feeds its fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan," said the source.
"the smuggling channels are the same that the Tamil Tigers have adopted for years [with International arms cartels]. the latest weapons originate through arms dealers, as well as thoughs stolen from arms depots and shipped from South America and Lebanon. they are transferred from ship-to-ship and sometimes offloaded at the final destination," the source said.
-In The Firing Line-
In the mountains and on the plains of Afghanistan, the Resistance operates in several ways, ranging from suicide bombings to attacking convoys and brief pitched battles.
"but an air defense system [ground-to-air missiles] can break the back [of the enemy] in low-intensity conflicts," a top Pakistani official told Asia Times Online.
"the Resistance movement in Afghanistan has now acquired that system in bulk. there are possibilities that some pieces will also have been supplied to Iraq. as soon as this system comes into full action, drastic results will come," he said.
After the Taliban retreated in the face of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, the Afghan Resistance was largely scattered. The Taliban did preserve some heavy weapons, but these could not be easily accessed due to the strong US military presence, and many caches were seized.
Furthermore, some of the armory, especially missiles, required special storage facilities to prevent exposure to harsh climate conditions, but this was not possible, and the weapons were damaged.
Slowly, as the Resistance took firmer root and with the help of money from foreign Arab fighters who had fled to the tribal areas of south and north Waziristan in Pakistan, the Resistance acquired missiles, guns and ammunition from the indigenous home-made arms industry at Dara Adam Khel near Peshawar.
Authentic weapons are, of course, expensive, now the Taliban has solved this problem by tapping into Afghanistan--and the world's--richest cash crop, poppies. Using contacts among the warlords who control the drug trade, the Taliban are able to divert some of the money, which is then earmarked for weapons purchases.
With the drug money and the networks of the LTTE, the Afghan Resistance is now well positioned to sufficiently arm itself to take its war with foreign forces in Afghanistan to a new level.
'Mere Moments'
counted all the times, I've cried, lost count so long ago
of love that love never had a chance, a love I'll never know
these shattered words of sorrow beckon winter's past
and make their claim upon the bed of a love that failed to last...
dreaming never brought along that lasting wait till dawn
when love holds on past midninght and waits to carry on
slipping through the doorway before the heart has sung
giving up sweet memories before they have begun
lonely is the soul that waits for two hearts to be one...
(unknown)
counted all the times, I've cried, lost count so long ago
of love that love never had a chance, a love I'll never know
these shattered words of sorrow beckon winter's past
and make their claim upon the bed of a love that failed to last...
dreaming never brought along that lasting wait till dawn
when love holds on past midninght and waits to carry on
slipping through the doorway before the heart has sung
giving up sweet memories before they have begun
lonely is the soul that waits for two hearts to be one...
(unknown)
'CIA Chief Admits To Torture After Six-Hour Beating, Electrocution'
December 21, 2005
Courtesy of: http://theonion.com
Issue: 41-45
(Satire)
Langley, Va--An internal CIA investigation into the possible use of illegal and inhumane interrogation techniques produced a confession from CIA Director Porter Goss Monday, with the aid of waterboarding, food and light deprivation, and the application of wire hangars hooked to a car battery to the testicles.
"I did it...we did it... we all did it!
the president knew...the president did it!
please, God, please stop,"
said a voice identified as Goss' on recordings produced by CIA auditors.
"stop, please stop!
I won't do it again...the president won't do it again...please let me die!"
Critics of the methods used to obtain the information continue to claim that torture is an ineffective means of obtaining intelligence, pointing out that Goss did not sound sorry...
December 21, 2005
Courtesy of: http://theonion.com
Issue: 41-45
(Satire)
Langley, Va--An internal CIA investigation into the possible use of illegal and inhumane interrogation techniques produced a confession from CIA Director Porter Goss Monday, with the aid of waterboarding, food and light deprivation, and the application of wire hangars hooked to a car battery to the testicles.
"I did it...we did it... we all did it!
the president knew...the president did it!
please, God, please stop,"
said a voice identified as Goss' on recordings produced by CIA auditors.
"stop, please stop!
I won't do it again...the president won't do it again...please let me die!"
Critics of the methods used to obtain the information continue to claim that torture is an ineffective means of obtaining intelligence, pointing out that Goss did not sound sorry...
Sunday, December 25, 2005
'The Ohio Patriot Act'
"Bill would allow arrests for no reason in public places"
Monday December 19, 2005
Courtesy of: News5
http://newsnet5.com
A bill on Gov. Bob Taft's desk right now is drawing a lot of criticism.
One state representative said it resembles Gestapo-style tactics of government, and there could be changes coming on the streets of Ohio's small towns and big cities.
The Ohio Patriot Act has made it to Taft's desk, and with the stroke of a pen, it would most likely become the toughest terrorism bill in the country.
The lengthy piece of legislation would let police arrest people in public places who will not give their names, address and birth dates, even if they are not doing anything wrong.
WEWS reported it would also pave the way for everyone entering critical transportation sites such as, train stations, airports and bus stations to show ID.
"It brings us frighteningly close to a show me your papers society," said Carrie Davis of the ACLU, which opposes the Ohio Patriot Act.
"the variety of people who are opposed to this is not Just a group of the usual suspects.
we have people far right and to the left, opposing the bill who think it is a bad idea,"
said Al McGinty, NewsChannel5's terrorism expert.
"Bill would allow arrests for no reason in public places"
Monday December 19, 2005
Courtesy of: News5
http://newsnet5.com
A bill on Gov. Bob Taft's desk right now is drawing a lot of criticism.
One state representative said it resembles Gestapo-style tactics of government, and there could be changes coming on the streets of Ohio's small towns and big cities.
The Ohio Patriot Act has made it to Taft's desk, and with the stroke of a pen, it would most likely become the toughest terrorism bill in the country.
The lengthy piece of legislation would let police arrest people in public places who will not give their names, address and birth dates, even if they are not doing anything wrong.
WEWS reported it would also pave the way for everyone entering critical transportation sites such as, train stations, airports and bus stations to show ID.
"It brings us frighteningly close to a show me your papers society," said Carrie Davis of the ACLU, which opposes the Ohio Patriot Act.
"the variety of people who are opposed to this is not Just a group of the usual suspects.
we have people far right and to the left, opposing the bill who think it is a bad idea,"
said Al McGinty, NewsChannel5's terrorism expert.
'GOP Convention 2004'
Check out this video-cut on the Republican National Convention of 2004...
The cut is hilarious...
http://rapidshare.de/files/8209498/GOP_Convention_2004.avi.html
Check out this video-cut on the Republican National Convention of 2004...
The cut is hilarious...
http://rapidshare.de/files/8209498/GOP_Convention_2004.avi.html
'Israeli Report: Palestinians No Longer Deterred'
Friday, December 23, 2005
Source: World Tribune
Tel Aviv--Israel's military has concluded that it has lost its deterrence against Palestinian Insurgency Groups.
Military sources said a report submitted to the General Staff asserted that Palestinian Insurgency Groups, particularly in the Gaza Strip, were no longer deterred by Israel.
The report said Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip have failed to stop Palestinian missile attacks on the Jewish State.
On Thursday, Palestinian gunners fired Kassam missiles toward Ashklon. The missiles landed in a military base as well as in the industrial zone south of the city's residential area, Middle East Newsline reported.
"we have lost all of our deterrence against the terrorists in the Gaza Strip," a military source said. "They don't care about our response or even if their missiles go astray and strike Palestinian homes."
An army officer and four soldiers were injured in an attack for which Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility, the source said. Near the military base is an industrial zone that contains such strategic facilities as a power station and oil terminal.
Israeli artillery batteries responded by firing toward open fields in the northern Gaza Strip. Minutes earlier, Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim told Israel State Radio that Palestinian Insurgency Groups appeared to have suspended missile strikes.
Military sources dismissed the prospect that the Insurgents would be deterred by Israeli artillery salvos in the northern Gaza Strip. They said the goal of the Insurgents, financed by Iran and Hizbullah, was to attack strategic facilities in the Israeli city of Ashkelon.
The Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad and Fatah have claimed responsibility for most of the missile salvos.
The report said Islamic Jihad and Fatah have been coordinating with Hizbullah, which finances Palestinian gunners. Hizbullah has deployed 15,000 missiles and rockets along the Israeli-Lebanese border, and the report warned that the Shi'ite Militia could launch attacks toward Israel in support of Palestinan Insurgents.
The Defense Ministry agreed with the military assessment, the sources said.
The two bodies, along with Israel's Intelligence Agencies, hold weekly sessions on the security situation and relay recommendations to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz.
"we have to impose here deterence," Amos Gilad, the Director of Political-Military Division of the Defense Ministry, said, "the phenomenon is intolerable. the question is what should be done,"
Over the last week, Palestinian gunners have fired Kassam-class, short-range missiles inside military bases and strategic facilities in the Ashkelon area. So far, nobody has been injured.
The sources said Palestinian gunners have managed to enter former Jewish settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. They said this has enabled the firing of Kassam-3 missiles, with a range of between nine and 12 kilometers.
The Defense Ministry has received a military assessment that Kassam missiles could rain on Ashkelon in January 2006. The assessment said Hamas would use its new extended-range Kassams against Israel when it formerly resumes attacks on the Jewish State.
"currently, there isn't sustained fire at the strategic facilities," Gilad said.
For his part, Mofaz has pledged to review a range of recommendations by the military. But he has ruled out the prospect of a ground invasion, urged by the military's southern command.
"it's not high on the list [of feasible actions]," Mofaz said.
courtesy of:
http://worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/front2453727.197222222.html
Friday, December 23, 2005
Source: World Tribune
Tel Aviv--Israel's military has concluded that it has lost its deterrence against Palestinian Insurgency Groups.
Military sources said a report submitted to the General Staff asserted that Palestinian Insurgency Groups, particularly in the Gaza Strip, were no longer deterred by Israel.
The report said Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip have failed to stop Palestinian missile attacks on the Jewish State.
On Thursday, Palestinian gunners fired Kassam missiles toward Ashklon. The missiles landed in a military base as well as in the industrial zone south of the city's residential area, Middle East Newsline reported.
"we have lost all of our deterrence against the terrorists in the Gaza Strip," a military source said. "They don't care about our response or even if their missiles go astray and strike Palestinian homes."
An army officer and four soldiers were injured in an attack for which Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility, the source said. Near the military base is an industrial zone that contains such strategic facilities as a power station and oil terminal.
Israeli artillery batteries responded by firing toward open fields in the northern Gaza Strip. Minutes earlier, Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim told Israel State Radio that Palestinian Insurgency Groups appeared to have suspended missile strikes.
Military sources dismissed the prospect that the Insurgents would be deterred by Israeli artillery salvos in the northern Gaza Strip. They said the goal of the Insurgents, financed by Iran and Hizbullah, was to attack strategic facilities in the Israeli city of Ashkelon.
The Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad and Fatah have claimed responsibility for most of the missile salvos.
The report said Islamic Jihad and Fatah have been coordinating with Hizbullah, which finances Palestinian gunners. Hizbullah has deployed 15,000 missiles and rockets along the Israeli-Lebanese border, and the report warned that the Shi'ite Militia could launch attacks toward Israel in support of Palestinan Insurgents.
The Defense Ministry agreed with the military assessment, the sources said.
The two bodies, along with Israel's Intelligence Agencies, hold weekly sessions on the security situation and relay recommendations to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz.
"we have to impose here deterence," Amos Gilad, the Director of Political-Military Division of the Defense Ministry, said, "the phenomenon is intolerable. the question is what should be done,"
Over the last week, Palestinian gunners have fired Kassam-class, short-range missiles inside military bases and strategic facilities in the Ashkelon area. So far, nobody has been injured.
The sources said Palestinian gunners have managed to enter former Jewish settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. They said this has enabled the firing of Kassam-3 missiles, with a range of between nine and 12 kilometers.
The Defense Ministry has received a military assessment that Kassam missiles could rain on Ashkelon in January 2006. The assessment said Hamas would use its new extended-range Kassams against Israel when it formerly resumes attacks on the Jewish State.
"currently, there isn't sustained fire at the strategic facilities," Gilad said.
For his part, Mofaz has pledged to review a range of recommendations by the military. But he has ruled out the prospect of a ground invasion, urged by the military's southern command.
"it's not high on the list [of feasible actions]," Mofaz said.
courtesy of:
http://worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/front2453727.197222222.html
'The Weeping Willows'
(by-Robert Fulwood, Old Australia)
the willows weep along the banks
of the river by the glade
they tell of thoughts not spoken
of a love that will not fade.
for you and I no longer walk
by the stream that meanders there
our hearts no longer Joined as one
by the love we had to share.
but hopes are only faded
when the loving is no more
so still with thoughts of you in mind
I will forever walk the shore.
for someday you and I may meet
on life's ever changing trail
to walk along the banks again
of that river by the dale.
so until that one chance meeting
when we will never part
I will keep a candle glowing
In the window of my heart.
(by-Robert Fulwood, Old Australia)
the willows weep along the banks
of the river by the glade
they tell of thoughts not spoken
of a love that will not fade.
for you and I no longer walk
by the stream that meanders there
our hearts no longer Joined as one
by the love we had to share.
but hopes are only faded
when the loving is no more
so still with thoughts of you in mind
I will forever walk the shore.
for someday you and I may meet
on life's ever changing trail
to walk along the banks again
of that river by the dale.
so until that one chance meeting
when we will never part
I will keep a candle glowing
In the window of my heart.
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