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Friday, August 31, 2007

SURGE NOT WORKING

The White House is playing down a report by the investigative arm of the US congress which contradicts key Bush administration claims of progress in Iraq.

"The forthcoming GAO report offers a clear assessment that a new direction in Iraq must begin immediately, before more American lives are lost and more taxpayer dollars wasted," said Harry Reid, the Senate Democratic leader.

please read the link!

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E23DAB81-6087-476D-A3F2-C92032B6991A.htm

OH WHAT A WEB WE WEAVE

No doubt, some of you would have recently seen and/or heard about United States Senator Larry Craigs' infamous indiscretion in an airport bathroom/toilet. Larry Craig had a foot tapping time in a bathroom stall and ended up being arrested by an undercover cop in the stall next to him, charged and plead guilty to misdemeanour disorderly conduct and paid more than $US500 ($602) in fines and fees, and had a 10-day jail sentence stayed.

More reading on this subject can be viewed here, here and here. Also audio of Larry Craigs' interview by police can be heard here.

'Mairead-' of Paltalk fame has kindly allowed me to reproduce here a piece of prose she wrote about Senator Larry Craig. More precisely it is an open letter to Larry Craig. What follows is what 'Mairead-' wrote in full:

"Dear Senator Craig (Big R from Idaho),

At your press conference following the revelation of your arrest at the Minneapolis airport's men's room, you said, "Thank you all very much for coming out today." You're welcome. Your turn.

You said, "I did nothing wrong." I happen to agree with you that playing footsie should not be a prosecutable offense, despite the fact that it might offend those people who make a habit of crawling around on the floors of airport bathrooms looking under stalls. (You know, like cops.) Wearing bad shoes, maybe, but not footsie. (Note to myself: ask your fashion consultants about the proper foot wear for "tapping in the boys room.")

Bummer that conservative Republican legislators keep making laws that keep gay guys closeted in fear and shame because the laws persecute gay guys......you know, Republican legislators like you. And closeted gay guys........well......like you. You clearly didn't think this through. (Can spiders get caught in their own webs?)

You said, "I am not gay. I never have been gay." Well, that statement pretty much puts you outside the company of experts on the issue!

To be fair, on the other side of the issue, I would like to know what the cop in this case says when his kids ask what he does for a living: "Well son, daddy goes to public bathrooms, drops his drawers, sits on a toilet, and plays footsie with strangers in the next stall, then arrests them when they play footsie back." What kid wouldn't be proud!

And you know, Senator, I do not want to see your career in the US Senate end. What I would like to see is you learning from this ludicrous situation how to be a more compassionate and rational legislator who stands up for his people (all of them) and works for social justice against the Puritan ninnies who run your party right now. That's what I'd like to see come out of this.

Heck, you and your change of heart can come out at the same time! I mean, we still love Barney Frank and George Michael! Who knows? You might like actually representing gay issues openly. As Carol Channing said when asked to what she ascribed her longevity as a performer (still performing in her 80's) She said, "Oh, get the gay boys to love you. They will pay to come see you if they wheel you out on stage in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank!"

On the other hand, a caution. Donna Summer was on the brink of superstardom in the 70's when she did that interview saying gay men were sinning against god. Ever hear from Donna Summer lately?"

Somehow, I don't think Senator Larry Craig is going to live this down in a hurry. Thank you for your literary contribution 'Mairead-'.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

PARANOID NATION


THE United States has 90 guns for every 100 citizens, making it the most heavily armed society in the world, a report released today said.



Monday, August 27, 2007

GIMME A DOGS EYE WITH DEAD HORSE


Sample questions for Australian citizenship exams in the federal
government's draft Becoming An Australian Citizen workbook:

1. In what year did Federation take place?
2. Which day of the year is Australia Day?
3. Who was the first Prime Minister of Australia?
4. What is the first line of Australia's national anthem?
5. What is the floral emblem of Australia?
6. What is the population of Australia?
7. In what city is the Parliament House of the Commonwealth Parliament
located?
8. Who is the Queen's representative in Australia?
9. How are Members of Parliament chosen?
10. Who do Members of Parliament represent?
11. After a federal election, who forms the new government?
12. What are the colours on the Australian flag?
13. Who is the head of the Australian Government?
14. What are the three levels of government in Australia?
15. In what year did the European settlement of Australia start?
16. Serving on a jury if required is a responsibility of Australian
citizenship: true or false?
17. In Australia, everyone is free to practice the religion of their
choice, or practice no religion: true of false?
18. To be elected to the Commonwealth Parliament you must be an
Australian citizen: true or false?
19. As an Australian citizen, I have the right to register my baby
born overseas as an Australian citizen: true or false?
20. Australian citizens aged 18 years or over are required to enrol on
the electoral register: true or false?

Too ridiculous for words!

Your Reprieve

I've posted a lot of drivel, new and old, over the last few days. I'm taking a break, for however long, so the period of mercy begins now.

Ooh

Aah

Lawsuits: Does this amendment give too much protection*

The threat of lawsuits for reportage of suspicious activities of course can only have a negative affect on the public's effort at diligence:

H.R.1401

Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)

SEC. 137. IMMUNITY FOR REPORTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES AND MITIGATING TERRORIST THREATS RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION SECURITY.

(a) Immunity for Reporting Suspicious Behavior- Any person who makes or causes to be made a voluntary disclosure of any suspicious transaction, activity or occurrence indicating that an individual may be engaging or preparing to engage in a matter described in subsection
(b) to any employee or agent of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Justice, any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer, any transportation security officer, or to any employee or agent of a transportation system shall be immune from civil liability to any person under any law or regulation of the United States, any constitution, law, or regulation of any State or political subdivision of any State, for such disclosure.

(b) Covered Disclosures- The matter referred to in subsection (a) is a possible violation or attempted violation of law or regulation relating--

(1) to a threat to transportation systems or passenger safety or security; or

(2) to an act of terrorism, as defined in section 3077 of title 18, United States Code, that involves or is directed against transportation systems or passengers.

(c) Immunity for Mitigation of Threats- Any person, including an owner, operator or employee of a transportation system, who takes reasonable action to mitigate a suspicious matter described in subsection (b) shall be immune from civil liability to any person under any law or regulation of the United States, any constitution, law, or regulation of any State or political subdivision of any State, for such action.

(d) Limitation on Application- Subsection (a) shall not apply to a statement or disclosure by a person that, at the time it is made, is known by the person to be false.

(e) Attorney Fees and Costs- If a person is named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit for making voluntary disclosures of any suspicious transaction or taking actions to mitigate a suspicious matter described in subsection (b), and the person is found to be immune from civil liability under this section, the person shall be entitled to recover from the plaintiff all reasonable costs and attorney's fees as allowed by the court.

(f) Retroactive Application- This section shall apply to activities and claims occurring on or after November 20, 2006.

But, even acknowledging the limitation mentioned in part (d), the above amendment goes too far. The threat of lawsuits is an unfortunate negative consequence for any reporting of suspicious activity of the kind covered in the amendment. It's not always fairly pursued, but the right of persons to seek redress, whether against government persons or others, should not be legally impeded solely on the basis of preventing a hypothetical risk.

Somethings which are confusing about part (d) (or however lawyers would refer to it) is how such a determination would be established, and when. Part (e) indicates, at least to me, such determinations can be made before the fact of a lawsuit's resolution. I would think, while judges have some power to dismiss cases, the issue of determining if the defendents knowingly reported falsely is something to be dertimined best by the juries of their trials, assuming any such case has the merit to reach the stage of jury deliberation.

While it can be said the amendment serves the greater public good, in the name of national security, the right of recourse through civil courts should not be limited to a single standard, as is apparently stated in part (e). The amendment is too broad, with too narrow of an exception.

*Originally created on March 30, 2007. I'm not completely confidant I read the amendment correctly, so apologies from me for any misunderstandings in my commentary on it.

On Conspiracy Theorists

I know, like the axiom which states absence of proof is not proof of absence, it's not always easy to refute their arguments when compared to that argument pertaining to God, and it's not really my goal to, nor do I assume they're wrong in their main assertions, but my experience with speaking with them on occasion leaves me with the sense that reasonable doubt is not given much consideration.

Their arguments seem to most often be based in their cynicism and a dubious or terrible level of moral credibility on the part or those they allege to be criminal, usually a government. The conspiracy theorist, taking some fact, usually, and his doubts about the entity he names as the conspirator, argues said entities guilt, sometimes impressively, but he takes it a step further with his theorizing, not simply asking like a dissenter, not demanding answers (as they understandably do), but alleging, which is to me a questionable tactic; is it right to take some facts and understanding beyond the condemnation of behavior to the point of alleging motive and convicting for it, as if any of us are valid courts of law? Even if valid in the end, do the conspiracy theorist's beliefs come from objective reasoning and a search for the truth, or is there an agenda that cannot be applauded by a fair minded person?

Sunday, August 26, 2007

TWEEDLE DEE OR TWEEDLE DUM

As Aussies approach an election, we find ourselves in the same boat as Canadians and Americans, where we have right wing Govts taking us to hell in a handbasket! The trouble is that the "left wing" alternatives are rushing to the right to pander to the ignorant masses with a vote.
This cannot end well.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE TO AMERICANS!!
The Australian LIBERAL party (John Howards party currently in power) is politically as right wing as you get, same as Bush, sucks up to the Godiots and appeals to the selfishness and fears of the people.
Our alternative, like your Democrat party, is the Australian Labor Party.
led by Kevin Rudd. We are all in trouble!

PALTALK CRASHES


Second day running paltalk servers fell over. It's an unusual pattern. first, the lag increases, then half the room drops out (it appears the names remaining are the older names) We paltalkers, particularly Arwens room, have no backup in case paltalk is compromised fatally. I invite ALL my friends and foes to use RATTTLER as a point of contact in case of a paltalk failure. I value my paltalk friends highly and would hate to lose touch. I expect a bumpy ride on the internet as various Govts attempt to control it (Australian Govt is attempting to censor the net already)
They already have the propaganda machine that Murdoch and the other media magnates have delivered to them. we NEED the internet to get the TRUTH! Did you notice that a lot of the open forums are closing, or BEING CLOSED by various methods?.
Vive la revolution!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Things I have noticed in PalTalk

  • Hecklers are rarely smart.
  • There's always at least 1 drunk on a day, and people called drunk because they don't talk fast enough.
  • Sometimes the best speakers are the most conceited and impatient.
  • Unlike Yahoo! and some other places, there aren't a lot of cliche phrases expressed.
  • If a room is not supposed to be about the US, it likely will become about the US.
  • Some of the people who complain about US focused discussion will continue to complain about the subject, and reprimand themselves for still talking about it.
  • The US healthcare system is the most interesting topic ever, apparently.
  • Someone inevitably feels it necessary to tell a room how independent he is, just as someone is compelled to tell a room of his cynicism toward politics.
  • When Scots are on mic they are difficult for some to understand, though usually not in my case. For some reason, I can make out most of what they say.
  • You'd have liver failure within two days if you made 'Zionist' your drinking game word.

AGENT PROVOCATEUR

The Canadian policemen dressed as protestors were there to incite violence and. Plain and simple.
The APEC meeting in Sydney will have similar undercover agitators trying to incite violence.
I guarantee that the new $600,000 water cannon WILL BE USED! and I suspect that after APEC even tougher "anti terrorist" legislation will be pushed through Parliament.
If it smells like bullshit and looks like bullshit, it's probably bullshit. (or is that BUSH SHIT?)
The Canadians held their summit at Montebello, isolated and reasonably secure. Why oh why is APEC being held at Sydney? For maximum disruption and world wide coverage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St1-WTc1kow

SHEDDING LIGHT ON A FEW THINGS!

Well, it seems that everyone's true colors are coming out in light of my last post where I voiced my displeasure of the "newest" Rattler writer, Eff25. After re-reading all of his posts I still don't see the vaule that his writing will bring to this blog nor will he ever fill the shoes of the greatest writer on here (that being me). Zipper the dickhead and ohnonotthisidoitagain think they are funny with their backhanded comments about me and my "moods", I will find it funny when SIP does another post about this place and you writers. I will not come to your recuse but I will laugh my ass off at the attacks as they come (and I hope they come hard and fast).

Also I want to suggest a new title for this blog.....THE WASTE OF SPACE. That title is a more accute disscripation of what this has become. Also, I recommend Issabella to take a shower before signing into paltalk because everyone can smell her from here. I pray that she gets arrested for cyberstalking a sweet perosn like attila.

In closing I just want to say that writing on the rattler was not fun, it was pure hell and I leave here a defeated man because I learned that I can't be with "normal" people and write about "normal" things. i am going back into the shadows where i came from and I am never returning to this piece of shit place again as a writer, but i may come back as a commentor.

So, FUCK you all.......
Kenny

Friday, August 24, 2007

KID HACKS GOVT $84M PORN FILTER


A MELBOURNE schoolboy has cracked the Federal Government's new $84 million internet porn filter in minutes.

IS AMERICAS' DRUG WAR WORTH IT






Steve Tucker served a 10-year prison sentence for selling light bulbs.

Has America gone stark raving mad!?
Federal prosecutors charged Steve Tucker with "conspiracy to manufacture marijuana." All Steve was doing, was running a hydroponics business, selling all the paraphernalia that goes with it.
Federal prosecutors never charged them with buying, selling, growing, transporting, smoking or even possessing marijuana. An 18-month DEA investigation had failed to turn up direct evidence connecting the Tuckers to even a single joint.

"There is something rotten in the state of Denmark." read more here ......


I'll close my posts today with a translation of a Michelangelo sonnet

Title unknown.

In a frail boat, through stormy seas,
My life in its course has now reached the harbor,
The bar of which all men must cross
To render account of good and evil done.
I now know how weighted in error was the fond fantasy
Which made art for me an idol and a king.
And how mistaken that earthly love which all men seek.
What of those thoughts of love once light and gay
As towards two deaths I move?
One is certain, the other menaces.
No brush, no chisel quietens the soul,
Once turned to the divine love of he who stretches out his arms upon the
cross.

Europe, et al, on America's gun culture

As should be expected, the Virginia Tech massacre has resumed the gun debate. Of course those in Europe, often critical of the US's gun culture, have weighed in, as is their right.

But a right does not guarantee a person uncritical tolerance, and I cannot give it to Europe on one very important, for me at least, issue: We, the US, are not uncivilized, barbaric, nor are we inferior to you because we have a large amount of guns, or so much, as it is seen, gun related crime.I am tired of this simple understanding of what civilized is. The conceit is appalling, and the irony is staggering. Civilized is not something only measured by consequences, it is also defined with respectful consideration of the rights of individuals, of the principles of self reliance, self defense, and trust in the populace of a nation to act well toward itself. If civilized can be defined by results, than near any method can be seen as just, so long as it is presented well enough. The irony is in the greater self reliance on neighbor and government that is consequential to more restrictive gun laws, when such trust in US government is so often seen as American naiveness.

Sadly, many in Europe and elsewhere do not respect the underlying principles of why people own guns, or support others owning them. The issue is not about agreeing with gun ownership, it is about understanding it, and not putting people down with sanctimonious, too often erroneous, assumptions about their culture and why they believe in what they do.I have always tried to make some effort to be fair, but there is only so much I can take. Europe, et al, you have never been, nor shall you ever be, more civilized than me, and my country's gun culture does not prove you right. To believe to the countrary is to prove you arrogant.

Ancient Eff(25) on PalTalk

Text unaltered from original.

5/13/2004

Recently in the Philosophy and Absurdity chatroom in PalTalk, the notion
that people are good until they are abused, in this case not being listened to,
was brought up by Tiffers101. She also contended that we all have some evil in
us.

It's difficult to characterize someone as evil. It is seemingly unlikely,
but even some one whose level of evil is arbitrarily estimated as 80 % to his
good side's 20 % could commit acts of goodness.

For the sake of the arguments, I will not debate what acts are definable as
evil, nor will I argue over whether or not the label of evil is justified by the
commission of a single act.

Tangible evil, that which can be witnessed, have the effects thereof seen,
supports Tiffer101's notion. When committed after an abuse, there exists an
apparent cause and effect. The strongest argument here is the absence of the
knowledge of nefarious intent before the abuse.

But if we define evil beyond empirical examples, we delve into the notion
of evil intent. Without knowing the intention of the abused man before his said
abuse, we cannot know if the abuse was the cause of his evil or a coincidental
occurrence in advance of the implementation of an intended evil. But this
ignorance on our part also makes it impossible to disprove the notion that the
abuse was the cause of the evil.

Therefore we have the conundrums of defining evil, by intent or action
alone, and the question of whether evil came about regardless of, or because of,
an abuse.

posted by Eff at 3:59:00
PM

I'm a loser not a fighter

Ok, who invited eff25 to this blog? Was there a meeting and I wasn't
involved in deciding if he should join or not? I am not pleased at all with this
new author as forseen with the posts he had already made thus far.

.Eff25- let's get one thing straight here...I am the only one on this blog who has the knack for using comedy here, not you or anyone else! Are we clear on that?

The other writers on this site have a choice to make: either he goes or I go! you have 2 days to make up your minds.

ZM


Muse did.

Thanks for your input.

I do like separate lines for sentences.

So I'll keep at it.

I wouldn't dream of it.

I wasn't so much trying to be funny as expressing my loathing about insignificant things.

Down with the Disney Channel.

Well, do as you will, I'm not that competitive.

Anyway, good luck to you and your moods.

ME OR HIM

Ok, who invited eff25 to this blog? Was there a meeting and I wasn't involved in deciding if he should join or not? I am not pleased at all with this new author as forseen with the posts he had already made thus far. .

Eff25- let's get one thing straight here...I am the only one on this blog who has the knack for using comedy here, not you or anyone else! Are we clear on that?

The other writers on this site have a choice to make: either he goes or I go! you have 2 days to make up your minds.
ZM

Thursday, August 23, 2007

High School Musical 2

The success of this ode to the insipid proves the end is near.

Reasoned criticism of the global warming/cooling theories

Yes, it can exist. An intellectually honest person allows the questioning of scientific theories, including the methodologies used to form the theories, without attacking the doubter of the theory, but I don't consider that an excuse for ignorance of the theory, and for trying to over simplify it and then refute it with irrelevant anecdotes.

The very least I understand about global warming/cooling theories are that they refer to global temperature averages as they change over the years and their causes, therefor the existence of weather in any given place not consistent with a layman's expectation of what mass global warming/cooling should have the weather in those places be, doesn't disprove the theory.

Anecdotes alone can't be used to disprove a scientific theory pertaining to a global trend. I'm not so sure about all aspects of global warming/cooling myself, but I tend to favor acting with sound policies, under the assumption that it is valid, regardless of what may be true. What I am sure of, though, is that one can't disprove global warming theory by saying the summers are still hot. It's not that simple.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Stop Downplaying Vick

Admittedly, I'm not an animal person, but I know right from wrong, that Vick's highest potential punishment will be woefully insufficient, that animals are valuable on this earth, not mere property, so the few that treat Vick like he didn't do anything that bad, who contrast him to mass murderers of humans, need to stop trying to distract from the egregiousness of his actions, and take this seriously. I, and at least vacreeper2003, are Virginians on here, and I hope I speak correctly for him when I call Vick an embarrasment to our state. We don't need indifferent assholes undermining the severity of Vick's crime; I want it known my condemnations are for serious crimes, and for people to believe that Vick's is.

Bull Shit Phrases

Honor killing:

There's no honor in killing a member of your own family to protect your family as a whole from bigotted judgements.

Reverse discrimination/racism:

Discrimination is a state of mind as much as it is a recognition of power. You can be a bigot or racist even if the effect of your hate is lesser than hatred toward you.

Dishonorable murders (or just murder) and racism/discrimination; I have corrected them. You are welcome.

Bush, Maliki, and Levin and Warner

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118780070756505445.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


"That said, Mr. Bush last November paid a visit to Vietnam, which is now more politically and economically stable. On that trip, he also made comparisons between the two unpopular wars, saying that Vietnam today served to remind that progress takes time." George W. Bush.


Those two unpopular wars are the current one in Iraq, and Vietnam.


It took over 25 years for our relationship with Vietnam to get to where it is today, and about 58,000 US soldiers died in that war. While still tragic, only several thousand US soldiers have died in Iraq, and we've not really put the all out effort into that campaign that we could, which would lead to more deaths and likely worse global repurcussions. However, one other major difference, just as there are differences between Japanese, other Asia-Pacific, culture and Middle Eastern ones, that's apparently being ignored, despite its major significance, is that we eventually left Vietnam. Argue how you want about why we lost, or how we really didn't lose, as some assert, the fact remains that we left and didn't complete the missions. Vietnam , therefor, came to its improved relations with Washington without having the US there. So my question is this, is Bush comparing these wars in order to say that we should fight at least 5 more years then leave and check in on the region in 25, or that we should risk further animosity with said region and ensure 10+ times the number of our soldiers die over 5 years, and then leave? Since Vietnam is a Communist country, last I heard, is he saying that a possible Islamic theocracy is all right if we wait 25 years?



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101600_2.html


"The fundamental question is, Will the government respond to the demands of the people? And, if the government doesn't demand _ or respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government. That's up to the Iraqis to make that decision, not American politicians."


http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1100&u_sid=10113630


"And it's not up to the politicians in Washington, D.C., to say whether he will remain in his position," Bush said. "It is up to the Iraqi people who now live in a democracy and not a dictatorship." George W. Bush



Actually, Levin and Warner didn't call for a whole new government, they called for the Iraqi Parliament to remove Maliki and his associates, but Bush's exaggeration aside, let's consider two things, 1, even as members of another nation's government, those Senators have the right to express their views and shouldn't be made to have their words distorted into sounding as if they want to remove the democratic process from the hands of another nation's people, 2, "it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Iraq#Chapter_Three:_The_Federal_Authorities) may also remove the Prime Minister in a no-confidence vote," which basically means the Iraqi people don't even have the direct vote to do what the US Senators have called for the Iraqi Parliament to do, something it can. While one could call the Senators recommendations intrusive, perhaps that intrusion, as it were, speaks to what many Iraqis might feel, that Maliki is slow, pandering, and might not have their best interest at heart.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1100&u_sid=10113630

"Tuesday, Bush had offered a tepid endorsement of the Iraqi government, expressing frustration at the lack of progress and saying that it was up to the Iraqi people to decide whether to replace those in power. The remark brought an angry response from al-Maliki, who said: "No one has the right to place timetables on the Iraq government. It was elected by its people."

The Hell we don't, Maliki. True, we don't have the right to force time tables via guns, but we have the right and power to make you clean up after we leave, which could be soon if you keep espousing democratic principles in such a conceited way in order to excuse your incompetent ass. Be humble, you arrogant little posturing prick.

GAY SHAMPOO???

I know surprising isn't it. I never knew shampoo could be gay, hell I didn't even know shampoo had sex. You don't believe me? Well you better read on.

Zomok-Rep-WA: unisex movement is crap.

abby_1312: zomok does that apply to my unisex shampoo also

Zomok-Rep-WA: shampoo dont have sex. duh.


abby_1312: zomok its called unisex shampoo

Zomok-Rep-WA: its probably gay


abby_1312: omg zomok thanks for letting me know my shampoo is gay, what would i do without you

Zomok-Rep-WA: unisex movement is shit


Yes, indeed what would we do without Zomok? Now I have only one question for Zomok in the picture below what excites you more? I'm betting it isn't the shampoo dispenser.




~~~Forever A Facetious Pain~~~

Kudos to Trudeau


http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html?uc_full_date=20070821

The Iraq war pushers' post rationalization has never been acceptable. The question is less if it could happen, than why it could. The answer is because arrogant people ignored warnings and are now trying to make fatalistic excuses for why we have to be where we shouldn't have gone in the first place. Besides, we know it's ludicrous to imply we won't have to fight terrorism here because Iraq "occupies the terrorists." It may reduce the number that come to the States, but it won't stop them altogether, and it is deeply sick to treat others' lives so expendably to save our own. The least that can be given is compassion, but not even that is in much supply.

I actually got a mention in Iraq Blog Count for this.

War and validation.

Honestly, this is getting on my nerves. Let's see if I can make this clear. War has one validating purpose, winning. Whether war did or did not end some ideological terror imposed on people is beside the point. If one nation defeats another, whether in defense or as the agressor, war has served its purpose. War isn't suppose to solve every consequence before it and thereafter. If you win, your war was validated. The only thing that might invalidate war is illegality and, moreso, non necessity. There'd have to be near countless wars for it to have a large enough effect on society to mold it into a kind of paradise. I hate how people expand war into something that exceeds its purpose.

Mentioning: http://iraqblogcount.blogspot.com/2005/07/ruminations-on-war.html#links

Which party has more pedos

I don't care. Grow up and stop generalizing.

Bush isn't very supportive of Maliki, is he?

I don't know when his lax support began, but I say it couldn't have come soon enough. Not only has he reportedly been too tied in with some Shi'a groups, I believe Maliki once pandered to his people with a claim that US soldiers routinely rape, pillage, what have you, Iraqis. Of course one rape is too many, but to claim there is a pattern is, I believe, absurd, unless I'm presented with strong evidence to the contrary. Furthermore, Maliki pandered to the "kill Saddam now" crowd, instead of waiting until at least the next year when that event in Islam (the name escapes me) should have ended shortly therein. I'm still annoyed by that, not to mention the absurdity of a few months to appeal death sentences in Iraq. Due process matters, especially fair process, even for those broadly accepted as being despots.

Ok. I've entered this world

Let's see how soon Muse regrets this. For now, at least until I feel inspired and focused enough, I'll intermittently post older items of mine.

Journalism: Consequences and Standards

Consequences

There are two issues I want to briefly comment on. The first has to do with recent revelations that CIA rendition flights have been occurring in Europe, and that the US Military is using especially dubious propaganda in Iraq.

To be fair, there are uncertainties ( objectively speaking) as to the extent and specifics of these cases, but I am not here to offer much debate on the merits of what these US government branches are alleged to be doing. It is, however, true, I believe, that these policies can have a protective value. But they can also have negative repercussions. In either case, the supporting side argues negative consequences are likely to occur. This puts the media, the opposition in this case, in a difficult position: On the one hand their journalistic ethic compels them to report facts and keep the public informed despite suppositions as to what might negatively result from reportage of sensitive information. But, on the other hand, there's the belief that some duties of citizenry obligate deference and self imposed silence when reporting might cause harm and hindrance to military operations and national security.

From the perspective of outside observers, the question of which side is correct may be presumed as fifty/fifty, where the general public is divided as to who is right. But I shall attempt to speak from the perspective of journalists, and I hope I do not offend actual journalists in attempting to do so. Still, I think it should be all right, because I am going to use a general principle that I believe is broadly applicable:

I contend that it is the first and foremost loyalty of journalists to follow the ethics to which they assigned themselves as journalists, and that it would be an unreasonable burden to apply abstract bases for exceptions to adhering to said ethics. The abstract bases are those theoretical negative consequences which might come about as a result of reporting on sensitive militarily related information. While not all cases of proclaimed national security interest are illegitimate, the use of such a proclamation has an undeniably excusatory effect, wherein it can be said that various actions must be kept silent because of the potential to harm national security whether or not the probability of doing so is high. Consideration should be given to national security interests, but it should not preclude all reportage, even in the name of deference.

Standards

What are the standard for determining what a legitimate story is?

I must admit that, while mainly boring, like it or not, the debate over where Christmas is said and not is an actual news story.

First, it brings up a constitutional issue; even if that matter is settled for some, it is not for all, thus it remains as a story, especially if court cases about it exist.

The second reason is more important to me because I mean to refute the notion, or at least the implied one, that a story needs to have multiple and widespread occurrences to be legitimate if it is not large in scale or particularly unique. Perhaps in some cases, but in the case of Christmas vs. Happy Holidays, that should not be the case. Given that most people in the US are Christian, many of which are practicing, there, established, is a clear majority which presumably favors scenes and signage which are pro Christian and might not be secular, or who are not inherently opposed to them. If there are individuals and groups intending to prevent religious specific advertising and inclusion in public places, the issue of whether or not that is an overstepping of bounds by the minority, as well as, going back to the constitutional debate, whether or not the some cases might exemplify respecting an establishment of religion is important. It is also a matter that goes deeply into the moral core of many Americans. Whatever side you are on, whether secular or in favor of Christmas displays, et al, the story is valid. As for me, I am an agnostic whom leans atheist. I might comment further, but I do not have much to say on that matter.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

BENT NAIL



rustynail_5: my wooden pecker is used as a dildo for many woman

rustynail_5: woman are afraid of catching termites

rustynail_5: hey binky my wooden pecker is kosher als maybe i can put my wooden pecker in your woodem teeth

rustynail_5: hey binky do you also have a wooden pecker

rustynail_5: I have a wooden penis

rustynail_5: c4u do you have termites?

binky110: stay with the wood rusty, dont complicate yourself

WE GOT AN ID FOR AMERICA'S ENEMY!!!

Dear Bushlies,

After completing hundreds of hours of research by watching The O'Reilly Factor, I've identified America's enemy. It's a Kos reading, eight year old Sioux, Jewish, atheist, Mexican, anti-war, lesbian gangster, son of a World Trade center casualty who has shows on Air America and MSNBC and is using her position to take Christmas away from us.

Unfortunately, that's as far as I could narrow it down. We'll need your help to finally nail this dangerous perp. I'm enclosing an artists rendition of her. Please compare it to the various people you know. Once you have a match, convince the perp to sign a terrorist application. That'll give us an excuse to take her into custody, torture her into madness, and then try her in front of a jury composed of knuckledragging crackers.


Monday, August 20, 2007

HOW CAN WE TRUST THEM???

For three decades, Marie Salvati and Olympia Limone essentially lived as widows, struggling to make ends meet as they raised four children on their own. Their husbands grew old behind bars after being convicted of a murder the FBI knew they did not commit.

The judge found two Boston FBI agents had allowed Barboza to frame the men because Barboza and his friend, Vincent "Jimmy" Flemmi, one of Deegan's killers, were FBI informants who provided evidence in the agency's highly publicized war against La Cosa Nostra.

Last month, a federal judge excoriated the agency for withholding evidence of the men's innocence and ordered the government to pay a record $101.7 million to the Salvati and Limone families and those of two other men convicted with them who died in prison.

For Marie Salvati, now 72, the money does not mean much. They plan to use it to send their six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren to college. "It was so cruel -- for my children, for myself, for my husband," she said. "It should never have happened."

Why, how can we trust them? Next time you decide to judge another maybe you should think about this story.

Don't miss framed by the FBI

~~Thanks goes out to CNN~~

NOISE

Well, I see that a few people have gotten to together to try to bring the Rattler back to life. Why doesn't this surprise me? Where is our leader Jesus Claus? No one has heard hide nor hair of him in a good long time. Maybe he jumped ship, maybe he realized what I realized...we are fighting a losing war here folks. We should pack it in and get on with our lives..

zm

ARE YOU READY



GOT YOUR PASSPORT READY?
Americans may need passports to board domestic flights or to picnic in a national park next year if they live in one of the states defying the federal Real ID Act.

The act, signed in 2005 as part of an emergency military spending and tsunami relief bill, aims to weave driver's licenses and state ID cards into a sort of national identification system by May 2008.

The law sets baseline criteria for how driver's
licenses will be issued and what information they must contain.

The cards would be mandatory for all "federal purposes," which include boarding an airplane or walking into a federal building, nuclear facility or national park.

The act calls for states to begin issuing new federal licenses, lasting no longer than eight years, by May 11, 2008, unless they are granted an extension. It also requires all 245 million license and state ID holders to visit their local departments of motor vehicles and apply for a Real ID by 2013. (Read more here)

ZIONISTS OWN YOUR PHONES

Contributed by weetbix.

It turns out that Israel has had a potential wiretap on every phone in America for years, along with the ability to monitor and record who any person is calling, anywhere in America; information of great value even if one does not listen to the calls themselves. Amdocs, Inc., the company which subcontracts billing and directory services for phone companies around the world, including 90 percent of American phone companies, is owned by Israeli interests. Yet another company, Comverse Infosys, is suspected of having built a "back door" into the equipment permanently installed into the phone system that allows instant eavesdropping by law enforcement agencies on any phone in America. This includes yours.
Fox News, alone of all the media, actually ran the story as a four part broadcast, and put the story up on its web site. Then, without explanation, Fox News erased the story from their web site and have never mentioned it again.


WHICH IS IT, BUSHLIE?

I would like to introduce ya'll to a semi-new hmmm... man; PwneByJesus. He is shallow, asinine, poorly schooled & a card short of a full deck. You know just one of the ever shrinking Bushlies. How can I be so sure of this, you ask? I think it's best I just let PwnedByJesus speak for himself.


PwnedByJesus: democrats can defund the war NOW
PwnedByJesus: democrats could end this war yesterday if they wanted to


PwnedByJesus: democrats cant touch bush


Well PwnedByJesus, which is it? Can the democrats End the war or is it they can't touch Bush? Why don't you take your time and get back to us when you figure it out.

~~~~Forever a Facetious Pain~~~~

Sunday, August 19, 2007

PURPLE HEART BLUES


Short of Purple Hearts, Navy Tells Vet To Buy Own

We’ve apparently reached a point in which U.S. troops are injured so frequently in Iraq and Afghanistan — the number is now near 30,000 — that the military is running out of Purple Hearts. That’s stunning.

Korean War veteran Nyles Reed, 75, opened an envelope last week to learn a Purple Heart had been approved for injuries he sustained as a Marine on June 22, 1952.

But there was no medal. Just a certificate and a form stating that the medal was "out of stock." (Read more here)

Saturday, August 18, 2007

SLINKY AND HIS FACT GATHERING

Now some of us always knew that Slinky wasn't the smartest or best at gathering facts but what you are about to read amazed us all.

livenletlive_1: link where are you getting your information you are spanning the room with??????

S_LINK90: liven the same place you get yours

S_LINK90: out of your ass


And here I always thought Slinky was creative enough to pull "facts" from his own ass. I guess it's true, Slinky can't even find his own ass.

FOREVER A FACETIOUS PAIN

Friday, August 17, 2007

SMILE !

You're being watched by the 'Behaviour Detection Officers' (read more here). ‘Behaviour Detection Officers’ are now watching passengers’ facial expressions at airport terminals for signs of danger. It’s a new level of absurdity for America. So start practising your smile, lest you be apprehended by the 'Behaviour Detection Officers' and investigated for looking like you plan to put your hand in the cookie jar when you get home. The Transportation Security Administration hopes to have as many as 500 Behaviour Detection Officers on the job by the end of 2008.

FAUX NOISE AT IT AGAIN

Thursday during Special Report, FOX reporter David Lee Miller admitted that FOX News actually did alter Wikipedia entries. Will wonders never cease?! Watch the video.



Hey I didn't say it, Faux Noise did. Fair and balanced my ass.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

USA HARBOURING TERRORIST


Why is the Bush administration letting one of the world's most notorious terrorists stroll freely around the United States? (read more here).

Luis Posada Carriles entered the U.S. illegally in 2005. The
US administration had to be shamed into detaining Posada — but on immigration charges, not for terrorism-related charges as would be expected of a terrorist in the United States. An exasperated federal judge declared herself "left with no choice" but to throw out the indictment. So for now he is free.


ONLY IN AMERICA


...... could you find clemency being given to a US marine after being jailed for plotting to murder an Iraqi civilian (read more here) on one hand and then on the other hand prosecute prisoners for masturbating in their jail cell in private instead of raping another prisoner (read more here).

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

HEALTHY USA - NOT


The United States is slipping in the life expectancy rankings ..(read more here). For decades, the United States has been slipping in international rankings of life expectancy, as other countries improve health care, nutrition and lifestyles.

Also ... Americans get the poorest health care and yet pay the most compared to five other rich countries, according to a report .. (read more here). About 40 million Americans are
without Health Insurance, thereby not getting the preventative health care that makes for a cost efficient health system. Its time USA, time to demand a universal health system.

BUSINESS IS BOOMING IN IRAQ !


..... the DEATH business. Coffin making is booming in Iraq!





BAGHDAD, 7 August 2007 (IRIN) - The continuing violence in Baghdad is fuelling a boom in the funeral industry.
Back in Saddam Hussein's time, coffin maker Abdul-Wahab Khalil Mohammed used to sell one or two coffins a day at US$5-US$10 each. Now he produces an average of 15 to 20 coffins a day and charges $50-$75 for each one. (continue reading here)

CHENEYS' QUAGMIRE

In this interview from April 15th, 1994, Dick Cheney reveals the reasons why invading Baghdad and toppling Saddam Hussein wouldn't be a great idea.



video length: 1 min 22 secs

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

ARE YOU A ZOMBIE TOO?

Millions of Americans spend their lives semi-conscious, unable to awaken from the darker version of the American Dream – an endless parade of office buildings, meetings, shopping malls, and television commercials

http://johnplaceonline.com/stress-management/are-you-an-american-zombie/

Enslaved by greed, it reminds me of a quote from George Orwells 1984
"OBEY, CONSUME, DIE!"

This giant pyramid scheme we call capitalism has run it's course. Time for radical change.

WHICH ONE OF THESE MEN SERVED IN IRAQ?


APEC BULLSHIT

INTERNET giant Google has denied its current fuzzy satellite images of Sydney are anything to do with APEC censorship

http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,22241978-462,00.html

SERIOUS TROUBLE AHEAD... LIKE, REALLY SERIOUS!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

NEW COLD WAR BEGINS


The recent renewal of squabbling over Arctic resources could have serious implications for Australias interests in Antarctica. One major difference is that the North Pole is 4km under the ocean, and possibly geologically connected to Russia or Iceland while Antarctica is a continent in it's own right.
As resources become scarcer and more valuable it's inevitable these last pristine areas will be plundered for profits.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

DANGEROUS REPTILES

Monday, August 06, 2007

FEELING SHEEPISH

A MAN who was accused of having sex with a sheep has walked free because the animal was unable to testify.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22194529-13762,00.html?from=mostpop

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