Gulf of Tonkin-Coming to a Middle East near you.

The spectre of the Gulf of Tonkin is back and it is pissed. It has also been working out, preparing to wreak havoc heretofore unseen.

The days since Bush’s surge speech have rendered me nearly catatonic with horror. Since declaring that we are throwing (“surging”/”bumping”) more of our people into the meatgrinder, the news has been nothing but a battering wave of ceaseless and baseless propaganda blaming Iran for all of our problems over in Iraq.

As you (hopefully) are already aware, Bush ordered the recent raid on the Iranian bureau in Erbil and has taken five diplomatic hostages in an effort to provoke a response from Tehran. The Iraqi foreign minister has stated that the Iranians were there with Iraqi government approval (remember, that’s “sovereign” and “democratic” Iraqi government), working in an approved liaison office. Bush and company continue to act as though this fact doesn’t exist, continuing to blame Iran and provoke yet another war in the Middle East. This administration is doing everything in its considerable power right now to provoke more war and nothing less. One has only to think about the many ways Bush tried to bait Saddam into violent conflict to see where this is going concerning Ahmadinejad. If you aren’t aware he continually tried to bait Saddam before our invasion, right now would be a good time to find out about how he wanted to paint some of our planes with UN colors to provoke Saddam into shooting them down, giving us the reason we wanted/needed to strike.

Bush has declared that the gloves are off over in Iraq, which means that our troops will begin fighting against Shi’ite militias as well (there will be no quarter for politics or anything else, as dutifully stated by the puppet Maliki), because we are told they are being supported and armed by Iran. The Shi’ites who have thus far not been a major part of the insurgency and who are fighting with Sunnis to try and ensure control in post-US Iraq-if that ever happens-(Arab on Arab violence suits those who control this war just fine) will increasingly join the insurgency if they are being actively attacked by the US. If Iran was truly the sole source of US problems in Iraq, believe me, our problems would be much, much bigger. Iran is much larger than Iraq in population and land mass, and the population is predominately Shia. Why in the world would Iranian Shi’ites be arming a Sunni insurgency that seeks to kill Iraqi Shi’ites in an effort to eventually regain the Sunni power and control they once had in Iraq? The answer is that Iran wouldn’t—you are being fed lies, just as you were in the run-up to the Iraq invasion.

Iran has only to begin actively encouraging the massive Shia population in Iraq to join the fight against not only Sunni’s, but also the US, to cause us much larger problems than those we are currently dealing with. These warhawk Nazi’s that are currently foaming at the mouth for war with Iran have grown so impatient they are now going to foment a raging anti-US Shia insurgency on their own. As the Shia population begins to increasingly engage in violent resistance in the coming months, the numbers of our dead (alongside further untold numbers of Iraqi civilian deaths) will climb. You will be told that it is Iranians who are at fault for the increasing numbers of American dead and that we must strike—you will not be reminded that it was us who “took the gloves off”, further inciting and helping to escalate the violence. Again, we are going to begin going after Shi’te militias as well (listen to the calls for the “taking out” of Al-sadr), and we will essentially begin fighting the entire (Sunni and Shia) population of Iraq.

We will begin to get crushed. You think the death toll is high right now—just wait.

There is currently a host of naval military in the region, from carriers to nuclear subs. All of this destructive military power along with the increasingly aggressive moves by this government both in action and rhetoric spell the coming of a major staged incident very soon that will practically have a name-tag stating “Hi, my name is Gulf of Tonkin, father of Run-Up to Iraq Invasion, nice to meet you.” I fervently hope this is not so, but the drumbeats from the corporate news services tell a different story as they continue to push policy and propaganda reminiscent of LBJ and Vietnam, except now it’s more like LBJ with a heavy crack habit and suffering the third stage of syphilis.

Bush on 60 minutes, Cheney and Condi (and many others) through the FOX mouthpieces are trying to crank up false patriotism once again within America. We are seeing a resurgence of the sentiment that if one doesn’t support the “surge” then one is undercutting the troops. Shenanigans. Only a fool believes such sentiment to be true.

You want to support our troops? Stop listening to the lies that make up the drumbeat propelling them to their death. They are too busy trying to keep their asses (and other extremities) and the asses of their friends from being blown away. Most of them don’t have the time or luxury (or access) to familiarize themselves with Middle Eastern religious and political considerations—they are too busy trying to carry out orders and trying not to die. In a hostile combat environment it is either you or the other guy, and when death is around every building corner, behind every door, and around every bend in the road, everyone not in a US uniform naturally becomes your enemy. We have only to look at Vietnam to know this as true and what the consequences of being in such a situation are.

It is our duty as the American public to do what needs to be done to stop these criminals that have taken over our government and military, because none of our current Senate or House leadership will. At this time, nearly every single person in a seat of power is more than happy to let the fighting continue as they discuss “non-binding” criticism of a unilateral, power-mad administration and continue plotting to grasp that power for themselves in ’08. Campaign strategies are already being formed on the assumption that we will still be in Iraq come next election.

You want to support our troops? Learn what is really going on and show others who aren’t aware. It is only a fully knowledgeable, aware, and active public that has any hope of stopping this utterly Orwellian madness.




Technorati: opinion Commentary Iraq Iran surge Gulf of Tonkin insurgency Sunni Shia invasion Bush unilateral news propaganda lies

Dreams

The Times Online, today:

Administration officials are already pondering alternative strategies for Iraq, should the surge fail. Dumping Maliki is an obvious first step. According to one congressman, Bush told him on the phone last week: “This has to work or you’re out.”

Iraqis—Free, democratic, and sovereign, as long as they cooperate.

************

Considering the holiday tomorrow, here is the obligatory MLK quote:

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

That’s the idea, anyway. Too bad it’s further away from being practiced than ever before. Wealth is being concentrated ever more at the very top—80% of the worlds assets and wealth are concentrated into the top 2%. US infrastructure is continually being given away for pennies on the dollar (whatever “dollar” is worth these days), and American labor is further eschewed in favor of foreign slave labor.

Don’t worry. Continue focusing on “retraining” and “updating” your skills. This way you can get a job that pays less and has fewer benefits than the one you will be forced from.

All men are created equal, unless the government determines you are one of the “terrorists”. Proof? Pfft, not for the persona non grata—it has been declared.

All men are created equal, unless the government deems it necessary to restrict you “for your protection.”

All men are created equal, as long as they are in line behind the fake notion of security and its attendant smoke and mirrors fascistic implementation.

All men are created equal, as long as all men toe one of the two party lines that have been set forth by elites. Any departure from set forth government-approved (see also: Party Approved) philosophies, dogmas, demagogues, directives, action items, orders, or policies is strictly forbidden. Only terrorists stand on the outside (see above)

All men are created equal, as long as they can afford to be. No money? That’s too bad; perhaps you should have been more serious about your retraining.

I have a dream, also. In fact, I have several of them.

More truth and reality--Less propaganda and colorful, shiny illusion

More character and integrity--Less partisanship, cronyism, lobbying, and other forms of sanctioned deceit.

More accountability--Less quiet resignation.

More habeas corpus--Less “robust interrogation”

More Constitution—Less color of law.

More of everything we are supposed to be—Less of what we currently are.

Enjoy your many liberties tomorrow, civil and otherwise. Just make sure you keep it confined to your free speech zone at a reasonable volume with no smoking.




Technorati: Iraq surge Bush lies democratic sovereign Martin Luther King Dreams

George Bush tells the future

Yes, I watched the speech last night. Yes, it's insanity gave me chills. Yes, I threw up in my mouth just a bit.

From the transcript of the message sent to you by the government through the mouth of George Bush--

"The challenge playing out across the broader Middle East is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of our time. On one side are those who believe in freedom and moderation. On the other side are extremists who kill the innocent and have declared their intention to destroy our way of life. In the long run, the most realistic way to protect the American people is to provide a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology of the enemy by advancing liberty across a troubled region. It is in the interests of the United States to stand with the brave men and women who are risking their lives to claim their freedom and help them as they work to raise up just and hopeful societies across the Middle East."

Truly, last night was some stuff out of 1984. It is the ideological struggle of our time, but Islam isn't our problem. There are extremists that threaten the American people and they are currently seated in the business and government seats of power. It's ludicrous and horribly macabre theatre. Oooh, the Democrats are fighting the "surge" with a non-binding resolution, how bold. Look public, at how we criticize the nasty Bush man and "fight" his surge, while we never even bring up the action necessary for putting a real stop to the illegal war of aggression. How do you think the Somalians are feeling about the "hopeful ideology" we are providing right about now, as our government is supporting and helping to re-install the very warlords that killed our troops in the 90's. Of course you're not told that. It's al-Quaeda, it's Islam, it's the terrorists--they all seem to be the same people, do they not? Never mind that the Islamic government in Somalia that we are helping to overthrow was the first to provide any stability in many, many years. Invariably, anyone who happens to be in front of an American bullet is automatically a terrorist. One o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock, WAR. Killing thousands upon thousands of Iraqi men, women, and children, and the senseless sacrifice of our own people somehow equals "advancing freedom" in the twisted minds of these astonishingly sick people who advance and cheer this direction and philosophy.

"From Afghanistan to Lebanon to the Palestinian Territories, millions of ordinary people are sick of the violence and want a future of peace and opportunity for their children. And they are looking at Iraq. They want to know: Will America withdraw and yield the future of that country to the extremists or will we stand with the Iraqis who have made the choice for freedom?"

What can I say? When George is right, he's right. Millions are sick of the violence and want a future of peace and opportunity for their children. How does one provide that through death and destruction again? They are looking at Iraq. Will the American people yield their future and that of the Iraqi people to the "extremists." Funny how the ephemeral term "extremist" is realistically translated as "whoever gets destroyed by our aggressive wars." Every day this government stays in power we are doing just that--yielding.

"The changes I have outlined tonight are aimed at ensuring the survival of a young democracy that is fighting for its life in a part of the world of enormous importance to American security. Let me be clear: The terrorists and insurgents in Iraq are without conscience, and they will make the year ahead bloody and violent. Even if our new strategy works exactly as planned, deadly acts of violence will continue and we must expect more Iraqi and American casualties. The question is whether our new strategy will bring us closer to success. I believe that it will.

Victory will not look like the ones our fathers and grandfathers achieved. There will be no surrender ceremony on the deck of a battleship. But victory in Iraq will bring something new in the Arab world a functioning democracy that polices its territory, upholds the rule of law, respects fundamental human liberties and answers to its people. A democratic Iraq will not be perfect. But it will be a country that fights terrorists instead of harboring them and it will help bring a future of peace and security for our children and grandchildren."

The terrorists don't have a conscience, and they will make the year ahead violent and bloody. Violent and bloody like starting a few more wars, because over 600,000 Iraqi deaths (and counting) just aren't enough? The military hasn't given enough? American families haven't sacrificed enough? You mean no conscience like people who willfully detroy the American way of life, middle class, and economy, and then say none of it is true, everything is fine? There is no functioning democracy in Iraq, there is no rule of law, and there certainly is not a shred of fundamental human liberty. All the while, what few liberties Americans have left are being quietly stripped away while the wonderful Democrats tell us what a great thing it is that they are rushing through all of the recommendations by that farce of a 9/11 Commission, recommendations that will continue locking us down as a society at home. Democrats are on the same team as George and pals, all of them, which is why there is never any real change and circumstances continue to spiral ever downward into the cold comfort of an awaiting souless abyss. They are not helping you and have no plans to. Minimum Wage? You've got to be kidding me. That will help everyone immeasurably as the value of our currency continues to plummet. Can't pay the debt's that you've been continually encouraged to accumulate? Off to the camps for you to not only work off your debt, but to help support the troops, of course.

The sentence about "Even if our strategy works perfectly...." needs some special attention. We are being told that no matter what, the deaths of Iraqi's and Americans will continue indefinitely. Again, stopping these wars, the torture, the maiming, the lies, the deep-seated corruption, the manipulation, the outright theft, the propoganda, the increased surveillance, the misery, the economic strife, the further division of humanity by meaningless and wholly artificial lines, is not on the table. You are being told that there will be no true peace or security for our children, even though you are told that we must do these things to achieve this freedom and security that we can never really achieve if the plan works perfectly. Oh, the fun of circular and insane logic. There will never be peace or prosperity or security for our children or for the children of anyone else as long as these people continue to be allowed to run amok. War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. We have always been at war with Eurasia.

George Bush and the entire government has told you to go fuck yourselves. What are you going to do about it?






Technorati: Iraq surge war police state 1984 DoubleThink deception escalation Democrats Republicans Bush Tragedy

The past is rife with evidence

Technorati: Iraq War Olbermann agitate

Bits of Terror

Ready to get your escalation on?

While the propaganda services churn out all manner of inane stories designed to keep people reminded of the ever-present threat of terrorism through staged crises such as smelly air and the all consuming dangers of sprinkler parts, here is some of the real terror that's been ignored.

Bangor makes it illegal to smoke in the car.

The architect of Bush's plan (to be announced tonight) is the same guy who advocates nuking North Korea. Because when you use nukes, everyone wins!

US and Israel are still trying to find a way to nuke Iran.

US nearly has the oil. And people wonder why Bush won't call Iraq a miserable failure and blunder. For the elites and their pals, Iraq is a resounding success.

China increasingly well positioned to profit from upcoming North American merger/takeover.

Savannah uses time-tested corporate incentives to motivate police.

**********
Made the jump over to a MacBook Pro yesterday. Since exorcising television from the house, a departure from the aging PC seemed in order. Thanks, Shelly, for the push over the edge. Now, to reconfigure my brain to use the thing.

Technorati:News Terror Iraq Oil Escalation

Plans to nuke Iran moving forward

From the Times Online:

"ISRAEL has drawn up secret plans to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities with tactical nuclear weapons.

Two Israeli air force squadrons are training to blow up an Iranian facility using low-yield nuclear “bunker-busters”, according to several Israeli military sources."

Oy vei. In the pantheon of really bad ideas, this one is way up there.

Some may question the leak as only providing cover to Iran , but given the constantly ramping Iraeli/US rhetoric against them, carrier deployments and constant posturing, and Olmert slipping up and admitting Israeli nukes (high ranking on the 'world's worst kept secrets' list), one is inclined to take this report seriously.

Of course there are those that hold tightly to what they have heard (and what is still often spouted as a valid quote) about Ahmadinejad wanting to "wipe Israel off the map." Here is the truth about what he really said (as well, here is a link to Juan Cole)

Technorati: Israel Iran Nuclear Weapons Nukes War

Pfizer solves vexing societal issue

Pfizer recently announced that they have solved one of the most vexing problems ever to be visited upon society. They have given us another weapon in the War on Dog Obesity. Recent years have demonstrated a noticable increase in dogs thinking suicidally due to poor body image, something the dog media would do well to think about as they continually focus on only the dogs that adhere closest to the "breed standard."

Living with the disease

AKC and the National Kennel Club representatives defended their practices as they are only providing material that other canine consumers want to see, but they are increasing money to their foundations seeking to promote education "helping dogs to focus more on inner beauty."

A HHTB nod goes to Pfizer for dedicating the necessary funds to an issue that really matters.

Technorati: Pfizer Satire Obesity Dogs Health

Pelosi exultant over new Hammer

In November of last year (’06 is now “last year”? Already?) Rick Santorum turned the idea of bringing children into the viper’s nest that is the political arena right on its head. Kids be used to push not only the approval of terrible legislation, but, as Rick demonstrates in this live field test, they could have potential use as guilt cannons.

Voting Democrat destroys Christian families!

It was a demonstration of pure Republican ingenuity in vilifying the opposing party, to be sure.
Until, that is, Nancy introduced the nation to her new security team--all 47 of them.



Look at how shiny it is!
There were a few skeptics among the audience until Pelosi laid the reasoning behind her bold move. She said that as the first female Speaker it was important to come from a position of strength, and being surrounded by a team of men could do great harm to her and the nation in a time of war.

While not having the time to introduce all the members of her new team, Pelosi did highlight a few of her team that stood out before being whisked away to the coronation after party.

Steven (closest to the right side of the chair) has ADD and is great for spotting snipers as he never focuses on one thing for too long and succumbing to the dreaded “tunnel vision” that comes from staying on task.

Directly behind girl with baby stands Scott, who only looks bored and a bit slow. He provides the necessary focus that Steven lacks. His laser-like subdued intensity underscores a keen eye for spotting anyone who looks like they want to say “impeach.”

The two in blue flanking either side of Pelosi are James and Justin. These brothers have been trained since birth and have been recently been rewarded with high-level black belt ranks in the art of Sad Face. It is rumored that James (to Pelosi’s left) can not only make the cutest sad face ever, but that his skills have developed to the point that he is now able to fire sadness laden tears in three-tear bursts. When asked about this yet to be seen skill, he was quoted as saying, “Wait till someone mentions impeachment in front of my Grandma, then you’ll see. But I’m telling you, you don’t want to see that. It will be too sad and too cute. Our job today is to make sure things don’t get to that point.”

After ending the session to attend other celebrations in her honor, Pelosi could not be reached for comment about whether or not her new hammer would be used to nail the door to impeachment shut for good. However, top aides anonymously stated that there were inter-office rumors going around that the new Speaker has plans to use her new hammer on the back of as many heads as possible in order to “more firmly plant various lips onto her ass.”




Technorati: Politics Satire Nancy Pelosi Congress Speaker of the House

New Year, New Pro's

Typical to the start of a New Year, the first week back to work has been thoroughly nuts. There’s something about the Christmas and New Year holidays that causes folks to forget how everything functions within a work environment and, per usual, the entire first week back is spent rebuilding normal routines and practices in the effort to recapture the normalcy of the environment that existed only a few weeks before.

It’s as if, in an effort to punish the humans that went on holiday and didn’t give them enough attention, the infernal machines hold their most inconvenient breakdowns for that first week when everyone comes back in order to cause maximum headache.

Now that the back to work dust has finally begun to settle, it’s back to the fun stuff.

Many congrats to all the folks that will be starting this year with well deserved new blogging digs. Speaker, Maudie, Change100, and Calistri all joining Linda’s burgeoning poker press empire, and the almighty Drizz blogging over at Keep Your Poker Face.

It may be old news by now, but congrats to all nonetheless.

We now return to the regularly scheduled political program, already in progress.


Technorati: Poker

“AT&T’s New Warhammer Nearly Complete," say FCC blacksmiths.

With a few new “concessions” to appease Democrats (damn the consumer), AT&T’s acquisition of BellSouth draws ever closer and is nigh unstoppable at this point given that the deal may be approved as early as today.

(Reuters)” The No. 1 U.S. telephone carrier said it would sell off certain wireless airwaves in the 2.5 gigahertz band, offer a $19.95 per month stand-alone basic high-speed Internet service and for up to 24 months would not charge content providers like Google Inc.[…] to speed their services to consumers.”

Heading briefly down memory lane, let’s revisit an interview of Chairman and CEO Ed Whiteacre by BusinessWeek on 11/07/2005.

“How concerned are you about Internet upstarts like Google […], MSN, Vonage, and others?

How do you think they're going to get to customers? Through a broadband pipe. Cable companies have them. We have them. Now what they would like to do is use my pipes free, but I ain't going to let them do that because we have spent this capital and we have to have a return on it. So there's going to have to be some mechanism for these people who use these pipes to pay for the portion they're using. Why should they be allowed to use my pipes?”

Besides the shocking hubris evident in the declaration that the “pipes” are HIS, it demonstrates nothing less than an unhinged mental state—one that knows nothing save logic (however twisted) that supports, and is motivated exclusively by, the increase of profit and control. As well, judging from recent actions on the part of the latest administration croney, FCC Chairman Martin, any hopes for future FCC actions or practices in the public interest are dim indeed.

Net Neutrality recently won a notable battle in its efforts to not be disemboweled. However, it should be remembered and noted also that there still exists no meaningful or forceful legislation protecting the concept—any wording that would have done so was forcefully kept out of the newest telecom legislation, still leaving Net Neutrality on very shaky ground. Keep this in mind as we proceed.

All of the above mentioned (and much, much more) adds up to nothing more than AT&T, Inc. (as opposed to the old AT&T, Corp. that was broken up in 1984—wow, it’s amazing just how completely different both are) and the FCC holding the following discussion:

AT&T: Hi, FCC, nice to see you again! Been what, bit over 20 years? **hand-shaking, passing of lobby money and gifts** We’d like to go ahead and acquire BellSouth now. See, we’ve decided we want to achieve monstrosity status beyond that of our former selves, but to do that we need to take this next step. What this will do is give us the warhammer we need to begin bludgeoning pesky problems like new technologies and business models that are preventing the growth of our money mountain.
FCC: Most of the public won’t care, but some of them are gonna scream pretty loud about this.
AT&T: Just don’t mention it to them.
CITIZEN: Hey, waitaminute. Not cool. Don’t businesses and consumers already pay for a “pipe”? If they need more capacity don’t they have to pay for it already?

AT&T: **looks at FCC**
FCC: Bailiff, this is a closed session.
BAILIFF: **tasers CITIZEN**
FCC: **faces AT&T** That would be nice, but probably won’t work. Some of those bastards are f****n nosy.
AT&T: But we’ve given you and Congress over $230 million since ’98! What the hell?
FCC: **shrugs** Weeeell, inflation and all…..we might need for you to give some “concessions” so the dough-brained Dems will get on board.
AT&T: How about this—You give us the warhammer we need, we’ll promise not to use it on the public or other companies for, saaaaaay, up to 24 months?
FCC: **looks around** Dems?
DEMS: Huh? Where are we?
FCC: Up To 24 months is a long time, right? I mean, it’s practically forever.
DEMS: Yeah. Good, great, grand, wonderful—just do whatever. We have to figure out whose wagon we want to jump on for 2008—can’t screw that one up. **proceed to talking amongst themselves again** Obama was really cute in his speech yesterday. I know, but did you see Hillary? I think she just got her hair did; I’m thinking of getting mine like that.
FCC: **turns back to AT&T** I think we’re good.
AT&T: Thanks, we’ll let George know you can keep the job.

**********
These concessions serve to let us know one important thing above all else. AT&T is of the mind that within 24 months of merger approval, further legal maneuvers and lobbying will enable them to put their new giant hammer to use. And if it takes longer, so what? Nothing will be lost, and it might work out better if they do just wait beyond that period. If the period of 24 months is exceeded, they can trump up how magnanimous they’ve been for so long, but due to economic “conditions” and stagnant growth in profits, they must start charging for the “free pipes” they’ve been “giving away” for so long. After all, if they can’t charge for using the “free pipes” they just might collapse.

What a tragedy that would be.

Technorati: Commentary Free Speech Technology Net Neutrality Politics Corruption

Namaste

"I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace."
---George Bush (Washington, D.C. June 18, 2002)

"See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction."
---George Bush (Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 3, 2003)

**deep inhale**

**deep exhale**

[I’m taking five here in order to pace and employ desperately amateur and doomed to fail yoga breathing exercises that I can vaguely remember being demonstrated by a “personal trainer” in a Miami Vice-inspired leotard one night on a commercial that informed me I, too, could be privy to this forbidden and ancient knowledge for 3 easy payments of $19.95]

In a few days we’ll begin the journey into 2007. The New Year. But calling it a new year right now just seems so old and outdated. Time magazine already boggled and dazzled our eagerly tuned senses by declaring each and every one of us ‘Person of the Year’, so I say we have them declare 2007 to be something equally amazing. Here’s one they could use—2007: A New Way Forward.

They must strike while the iron is hot, though. The administration's PR machine is beginning to swell up for a new thrust that’s sure to spray a white hot load of creamy neoconservative resolve right down our collective throat. Many have already caught the whiff of public relation pheromones and are steadily becoming more hot and bothered with new talking point anticipation, but if Time can be the first to declare it then there’s no telling how high the bar of ecstatic frenzy could be raised as we look forward to hearing about what’s going to happen with Iraq—once the Decider feels comfortable, of course.

Plus it would make Time, like, the most patriotic American magazine ever.

And forget Mylar on the cover, it’s way too static. In our globalized, connected, fast-paced, business and consumer tastes move quickly so companies have to be nimble, action item, mover and shaker, up the ladder, 7 Habits, cheese moving, “Holy Christ my SUV and penis are both too small I gotta upgrade” world, we demand our content be served to us dynamically. Give us something to play with that doesn’t hold still.

(will someone please escort Mr. Foley and Mr. Haggerty from the room and try to explain to them why “like little boys” is not an acceptable suggestion for meeting that last demand? Thanks. Also, please inform Mr. Hastert that aside from little boys not being acceptable for an answer, “Twinkies” do not count either.)

For this venture an enterprising, globally distributed magazine might want to get with Nintendo. Not only would it be a victory for diplomacy and general international relations, it could mean co-ownership of several lucrative new patents.

The cover could have an arrow. Not just any arrow, but a big white and red one (giving a somber and well-placed ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ nod to the base) with a stars and stripes “YOU” on it (another somber nod to anyone who’s not a terrorist). Here’s where Nintendo comes in—by adapting the new Wii controller technology just a bit, they could help Time make it so the new arrow on the cover points constantly to Iraq. It won’t matter which way you’re facing or at which level the magazine is being held. Always pointing at Iraq.

A patriotic compass, if you will. Just like George.

Sky’s the limit here—think of all the exclusive partnership opportunities, the merchandising, the glorious “viral” marketing campaigns!

Time and Hasbro could partner on a new UN Joe GI Joe line. Joe’s will have heads (built with Wii technology) that always face Iraq because they’re dedicated to fighting the tricky and dastardly 21st-century Cobras who got tans and grew beards—collect the whole set!

The GPS in the arrow could facilitate all manner of exciting contests. Whoever (in a properly diverse but randomly chosen city section) can win the new “Find Osama” contest while walking most consistently in the direction of Iraq (using the handy arrow, of course) wins a year’s supply of 24-Hour surveillance from the President and Cingular. That’s a lot of safety!

(Disclaimer: Winner will receive the Grand Prize of 24-Hour surveillance for the duration of one year from the President and Cingular upon purchase of a monthly plan at a price minimum of $69.99 on approved credit and upon the signing of a Contract Agreement of 3 years or greater. Does not include applicable taxes, surcharges, or fees. Cost of phone is not included. Penalty for Early Termination is $1700 or 3% of the winners gross wages summed over the last five years, whichever is greater.)

And if you don’t happen to be patriotic enough to win the contest, don’t worry. All “alternatively placed” finishers will be sure to get a consolation phone call from Tony Snow, encouraging them to “take a deep, cleansing breath."

Thanks, Tony. Tried that already. Didn’t help.




Technorati: Commentary Politics Iraq War Propoganda Draft Public Relations

Taking it seriously

Here is a comment from friend and Pai Gow powerhouse, EasyCure, (who has had to deal with some seriously tilt-inducing pre-holiday circumstances, so go wish him well) followed by a response.

***********

“You quote a website that thinks the Bush administration is about to impose martial law and open detention camps?
You are a very nice guy but you can't take that stuff seriously.”

I can’t take it seriously? Really? Why not? Even though all of said articles (from the site which I should not take seriously) are basically reprints of releases by other news organizations like AP, Reuters, and other international media?

What about if I read about it Portland IndyMedia, which is only quoting from MarketWatch out of San Francisco? Too gay? How about a FOX article?

“The contract, awarded in January to Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR), a subsidiary of defense contractor Halliburton Co., pays the company to establish and provide support for “temporary detention and processing capabilities to augment existing ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) Detention and Removal Operations (DRO) Program facilities in the event of an emergency influx of immigrants into the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs,” according to a Halliburton press release.”

“Rapid development of new programs” may not be too open-ended for you when it comes to the subject of detention camps but as far as I’m concerned it is nowhere close to being well-defined. Frankly it boggles the mind how anyone can be without concern, especially with the combination of other wonderful things hanging over our heads such as Patriot Acts I and II, The Military Commissions Act, and The John Warner Defense Authorization Act, to name just a few. How about Glenn Beck and his recently amped-up rhetoric encouraging the interment of Muslims to detention camps? He seems to be pretty convinced that Federal power to do so exists and he has been continually encouraging them to use it. Do you really think it will be a problem for some faceless Federal authority to declare you an “enemy combatant” and toss you or me in a camp, as well, invoking similar baseless assertions if the Party line is not toed? After all, proof is no longer required. This is the new “War on Terror” and all of us are guilty until proven innocent.

How about the written plans of the US Army for Civilian Inmate Labor Programs (pdf) and the tools possessed within it?

Don’t even get me started on the great numbers of secret Executive Orders signed over the last few decades (rest assured, I will start myself and beat on those in the future.)

Perhaps I shouldn’t take those seriously either, since there are some lesser-known links mixed in with the “notables”.

**********

While the above may be deemed as too sarcasm-heavy for dialogue between friends, I can only say that I will vigorously defend (or in the Cheney vernacular, “robustly” defend) what I write because a great deal of research and effort goes into it.

The only thing made clear by this comment is that I pricked a nerve somewhere and you are in the beginning stages of trying to convince yourself that I’m looney-tunes. That’s fine--I don’t blame you for this reaction and I hold no ill-will because of it. Hell, I spent many weeks trying to prove to myself that I was losing it. Thing is, the more I dug into the pile the more my thoughts were proven correct instead of the other way around, necessitating a difficult look at a great many ugly and frightening things. This left me at a serious crossroads. Namely, do I continue ignoring the problem by retreating back to the Propaganda Box to be sated by the baseless assertions and partial-truths spouted by talking heads (please ignore the wholly unintentional pun) who do as they're told, or do I face the scare-the-shit-outta-me truth and learn more about it like I should have been during the many years that I’ve squandered in servitude to television’s “infotainment”?

The direction I chose is plainly obvious at this point and I will not shrink from it. The only question is, will you? Will you actually read (not skim) all of the articles (instead of immediately denouncing an unfamiliar site), follow the sources, and really think about them? Will you go out and research yourself to find the answers to questions you may still have lingering in the back of your mind?

It’s not an easy thing to do. There’s a reason it’s called television “programming.”

If you find I’m truly wrong about something, please show me, I desperately want to know. What sweet relief it would be to find out that I’m wrong, that none of this stuff really exists, and that everything is going to be just fine. Feel free to imply that I’m nutso all day long, but when you do so, make sure you’re also coming with some substantial reasons why that are rooted in logic and documentation. Not because you owe it to me, but because you owe it to yourself and your family.

My links should only get you thinking, get you started. Don’t blindly take the word of this talking Head, go find out for yourself.

Stop Believing. Start Knowing.

Technorati: Politics Police State Tyranny Detention Camps KBR Government Contracts

Before and After Accessories

Rather than continuing to grinch my way through the [insert bipartisan, politically-correct, non-offensive, religio/ethno celebratory event designation here--or “non” as certain individuals may be] Season by focusing on persons or smaller subsections, I thought today might be a nice day to shift the focus to a larger group. This group includes you. The same group also includes me.

The group is Every Single Ordinary American.

The level of society where you currently happen to reside matters not. Young or old, rich or poor, if you pay taxes at all you are a part of this group. In the end it is all in the same large pool, a pool stricken by a financial fungus spread almost too far to comprehend. However, the current leprosy-ridden financials of the nation are not the current point. I only mention it in order to stress that a goodly portion of your money goes into that pool.

There is proof upon proof that there was no justified reason to go to war in Iraq. Americans have funded, bled, and died for what amounts to a (nearly complete) corporate takeover of government alongside wars of aggression that serve only to sow death and destruction, with the aim of reaping power and profit. While many are finally beginning to wake up intellectually to the fact, it can be counted on that 70% at least realize it instinctually.

Then why, pray tell, are we not only allowing, but funding, this drive in policy and practice that seeks to destroy and control not just others but us, as well?

We are allowing and funding structures controlled by people that foment nothing but death, destruction, aggression, arrogance, and fear. They are people (some who you know, and many that you don’t) exhibiting no other traits than those of sheer lunacy.

(oh the slander....oh the defamation.)

**********

While everyone hollies and jollies it up, in many cases by astutely adhering to the presidential directive to “go shopping”, a few other things happened this weekend that are neither holly nor jolly. General Casey, it seems, is now willing to back an increase in US troops in Iraq, even though, until very recently, he has been outspokenly opposed to the idea. Of peculiar note is not only the sudden reversal of viewpoint, but also the distinct lack of explanation for said reversal. This is another example of the government requiring you to a) listen better or b) think harder, if you are of the mind that it’s impossible to be opposed to something while at the same time being “open to it.”

(a draft would be good for society, but we don’t support it or plan to use it)

Congruent with this is some interesting news from the Telegraph:

“When President George W Bush meets his national security team at his Texan ranch this week to draw up a new military strategy for Iraq, a 56-slide PowerPoint presentation entitled Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq will be at the heart of their discussion.”

Aside from the title smacking of blatant propaganda in the extreme, you should be aware of who came up with the "Choosing Victory" strategy, our very own Frederick Kagan over at the American Enterprise Institute along with assistance from General Jack Keane. Frederick Kagan, if you’ll remember, was a signatory on the PNAC document Rebuilding America’s Defenses, and who is related to PNAC co-founder Robert Kagan. Really, the entire roster of associated folks boggles the mind and is astonishing in the fact that these are the same people who played large roles in getting us neck deep in the Iraq quagmire in the first place.

George Bush is once again favoring a plan brought to you by the same people that helped to cause, and seek to prolong, a tragedy that is of truly epic proportions.

Also…..

While it didn’t happen on Christmas Eve Day, but did happen over the [insert bipartisan, politically-correct, non-offensive, religio/ethno celebratory event designation here--or “non” as certain individuals may be] Weekend, the UN also approved sanctions against Iran. Have you been to this puppet show? Have you seen these strings before? It was only a short time ago when there were strict sanctions against Iraq. Who wants to lay me odds that it won’t be very long before we start to hear the same increasingly shrill cries about how ineffective the UN sanctions are, and that the only way they can be effective is to move ahead with military actions and attack?

**********

70% of Americans do not support this war, yet we lend our tacit support by not demanding that our representatives, be they Democrat or Republican, end it immediately. Rest assured that if we allow a third war to be launched, knowing the things we now know, then there will truly be little hope for us or our figurative "way of life". Our infrastructure will continue being handed over to foreigners as our economy continues it’s acceleration toward an abrupt bottom. The world will increasingly point their fingers toward us as being responsible for catastrophes throughout the world—and they will largely be correct in doing so--they will welcome our demise and feel relieved by it. Our politicians will walk away rich and free while We the People bear the inevitable consequences (unfortunately this is not limited to the US--Britons are under a very advanced and corrupt government thumb, as well).

If I tell you give me money and I use that money to cause massive death and increasingly encroach upon your existence (and lie about it), when I come back and ask for more are you going to give it to me? What if I tell you it’s “for democracy” as I change suits? Will that do it? What if I throw in a timely reminder about how scary brown people are?

Why do you let the government do it?

If you have been tricked into something that is wrong, then a true plausible deniability may exist. However, once you know (or at least have an instinctive, 70%-type, idea) of what’s going on and you continue to support it (tacitly, vocally, financially, etc.), you become an accessory after the fact (Iraq) and an accessory before (Iran).

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

What goes around comes around.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Stand up and do not let it happen—while you still can. Stop letting yourselves be criminally entrapped (through slow and steady increments) by the very people who claim to be working in our best interest. Put a stop to the financing of your destruction.

Merry [insert bipartisan, politically-correct, non-offensive, religio/ethno celebratory event designation here--or “non” as certain individuals may be] !



Technorati: Commentary Iraq War Iran Economy Tyranny Draft United Nations Sanctions Double Think Propoganda News

Welcome to the Machine

I wonder how many kids will be turning 18 this year. This being Christmas weekend I’m going to give myself a break and not track down the census info. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the answer is a lot.

Do you hear an engine that sounds vaguely familiar? It’s been dormant for some time, but the gears of Selective Service are turning once again.

“The agency is planning a comprehensive test - not run since 1998 - of its military draft systems, a Selective Service official said. The test itself would not likely occur until 2009. Scott Campbell, the service's director for operations and chief information officer, cautioned that the "readiness exercise" does not mean the agency is gearing up to resume the draft.”

Why does it not mean that? Oh, I see, it’s like a fire extinguisher—just in case.

“….the White House said Thursday that policy has not changed and no proposal to reinstate the draft is being considered.”

Wait, I could have sworn I read…..

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 — President Bush said Tuesday that the United States should expand the size of its armed forces, acknowledging that the military had been strained by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and would need to grow to cope with what he suggested would be a long battle against Islamic extremism.

“I’m inclined to believe it’s important and necessary to do,” Mr. Bush said. He said this was an “accurate reflection that this ideological war we’re in is going to last for a while, and that we’re going to need a military that’s capable of being able to sustain our efforts and help us achieve peace.”

So what is this "just in case" business? He clearly stated that he wants a bigger force and that this will require a increasing the active component. Logistically, and in the face of serious recruiting problems, a draft (likely to be under the banner of National Service) is the only way to accomplish this stated goal.

President Bush’s Secretary for Veterans Affairs would like us all to begin cozying up to the idea that a draft would be beneficial to society.

“He later issued a statement saying his comments had been misconstrued and thathe does not support bringing back the draft.”

Orwell had no idea what he was talking about. Just because two statements are fundamentally opposed doesn’t mean they can’t co-exist. It’s no different than the chocolate/vanilla Jell-O Pudding Pop or the Reeses Cup—just two great tastes that taste great together. If the two statements seem absolutely contradictory to you, well, that just means that a) you’re not listening close enough, or, b) you’re not thinking hard enough. It takes some time to overcome the fundamentals of logic, but I know you can do it. Remember, practice makes perfect.

*********
As the family is gathered around the warm hearth of the television singing along to the Product Hymns this holiday season, don’t forget to (as you see news clips of Iraq whizzing by, if you see them at all) remind your kids that they will likely get to go there one day to “protect the Homeland.” Also, don’t forget to remind yourself incessantly that it’s all going to be okay eventually, it will all work itself out in time—even though in the back of your mind you still hear the echo’s of the sentiments beaten out to you from the elitist war drum.

This war is going to last generations. It will require additional and ongoing sacrifice.

Sacrifice. Provided by you, the working adults, in the form of your children and way of life. How’s that housing market smell? The Peso Dollar?

You may not have known that you wanted a meat-grinder for Christmas, and Santa probably missed it, too. But George knows what you want, and more importantly, he knows what you need, and by God, he’s going to make sure you get it.

George doesn’t cut and run when it comes to giving meat-grinders to his beloved sheeple.

Merry Christmas, everything is just fine.





Technorati: Politics Iraq War Commentary Bush New World Order Draft Selective Service DoubleThink

On Point

Hi there, how was your dystopia today?

Mine was good, thanks for asking.

Say, did you have to pay any tolls today?

*****

I watched Bush this morning in what was said to be his last press conference this year. You can watch the speech here (click on the left-hand bar to watch it)

Quoth the President, “A recent report on retail sales show a strong beginning to the holiday shopping season across the country….And I encourage you all to go shopping more.”

I’m honored to know that I, too, can think in as American (Express?) a manner as the man himself.

That’s right bitches, I just linked myself.

Technorati Tags: Politics Commentary Iraq War Shopping Debt Economy Globalism Propoganda Bush

Lessons from CNN and George

What did I learn today on CNN?

Let’s see. I learned that Laura Bush has a bit of the skin cancer on her leg. It’s good that I know that because it reminds me of the inherent and ever present danger posed by the (some might say, Islamofacist) sun. I learned that the search for the three hikers on the mountain is scaling down, but the “human drama” (and consequent news coverage) still has plenty of get up and go. I also was informed, however briefly, that the reports are out saying inflation has increased by 2%, rather than the expected 0.5%. Directly following this was an oblique report about how scary it was that holiday sales are lower than expected. It was the “expected” that got me thinking. Therefore, I, being a good American, promptly went out and maxed out all of my credit cards.

I’m not worried. Soon, everyone will do the same after realizing their obvious folly. See it works like this. If we buy more stuff (as analysts expect), the economy does good, and that makes us all feel good. It’s what being American is about. If one says that they don’t feel good about something, well, that just seems un-American, and that makes me feel not good. If I feel not good then it must mean that I am becoming un-American and I certainly don’t want that. I should probably go buy something now, just in case. I’m sure there’s a new upgrade to something out there that I need.

Here’s what I missed.

“Bush, who gave an interview to the newspaper on Tuesday, said he had instructed new Defense Secretary Robert Gates to report back to him with a plan to increase ground forces, the Post said.”

The article went on to state:

"It is an accurate reflection that this ideological war we're in is going to last for a while and that we're going to need a military that's capable of being able to sustain our efforts and to help us achieve peace," he said.

**sigh**

Why didn’t I see it before? It was probably all of that unbidden freedom of speech drowning out my ability to properly relax. Thanks to Newt telling me why, I’m firmly committed to shutting that stuff down ASAP. Remember, can’t relax, can’t feel good, can't be American. If you don’t feel good about the Glorious War, I don’t blame you, and neither does George. He realizes, like you probably do, that the reason you’re worried is that we’re losing. But he also realizes, like you probably don’t, that the reason we’re losing is that we haven’t thrown enough bodies onto the pyre. I mean, what do we expect? Any idiot knows that the only way to make peace is to deal more death, and to do that one has to have more troops. Jaysus, you people have no idea what it is to lead. You just go on your merry way not buying stuff and free speeching it up when the country has serious war business to attend to.

“Gen. James Conway, the commander of the U.S. Marine Corps, also has expressed concerns about the strains being placed on his force and suggested last month it may need to grow.”

Just like the economy. Is it coming into focus now? This is the call for all good Americans to get out there and “shock and awe” some analyst expectations with our mighty debt.

With the largest ever naval deployment to Persian Gulf, a healthy injection of troops, and a grateful public wielding a mighty debt hammer, we’ll have those dangerous terrorists crushed in no time and then we can finally deal with that nasty sun.

Feels just like a Mission Accomplished.

Patrick Leahy-Opportunity Knocks

In the October of 2001 Senators Daschle and Leahy received some anthrax in the mail. Congress was completely shut down. In the beginnings of the oppressive hysteria that followed 9/11, this incident was the sneeze that sent America headlong over the edge of the abyss. Recall, if you will (and if you can’t recall, look it up), that these attacks conveniently targeted the two biggest detractors of the Patriot Act which at the time had a great deal of ramming force behind it—a Patriot Act that was sitting on John Ashcroft’s desk on Sept. 10 (for the numerically challenged, that’s before 9/11).

Five Years Later.

Five years and no updates—I wonder quite often these days why they haven’t been screaming much louder at this outrage much sooner. If this was you, or one of your family/friends, would you sit patiently and wait? And hey, perhaps they have been screaming long and loud, but the media just now decided it was time to let the braindeads know. It doesn’t seem too unreasonable seeing that the only thing that got any real news coverage beyond the sound bite (or what whizzed by on the hard-hitting ticker) in the US today was a serial killer suspect in Britain, a blurb about Robert Gates private swearing in ceremony, and three guys who are lost (and likely dead) on a mountain. Thank goodness there’s not too much else going on in the world—I might be inclined not to pay any attention to what they tell me (oh, wait).

Perhaps these Senators have been patient and hopeful because they have an idea of what they are really up against.

The thing that separates what happened to these senators (and their staff, some of whom were killed) from the rest of the folks involved was that it was anthrax in its most potent form--as in super weapons grade—a potency that, properly analyzed and investigated, would have led back to very few places, all of them within our government.

So says me? So says Robert Boyle. From the article:

“Boyle is a leading American professor, practitioner and advocate of international law. He was responsible for drafting the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989, the American implementing legislation for the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention. He served on the Board of Directors of Amnesty International (1988-1992), and represented Bosnia- Herzegovina at the World Court. Professor Boyle teaches international law at the University of Illinois, Champaign. He holds a Doctor of Law Magna Cum Laude as well as a Ph.D. in Political Science, both from Harvard University.”

I’m sure if anyone is going to know about this subject, he likely will.

In case your curiosity still isn’t piqued—perhaps you would like to hear from the horses mouth (click to listen to the stream—Dr. Boyles interview will be in hour three and will keep refeeding until the next live stream tomorrow. If your reading this after 12/18 just dig around, you’ll find it.)

It was shortly after Dr. Boyles went to the FBI with his info that the spore database in Ames, IA was ordered destroyed. The FBI has been completely mum on the subject since the first Patriot Act was successfully rammed through. When this tyrannical piece of legislation came up for renewal and was facing a heavier resistance, the same pattern of activity repeated, only this time with alarms relating to nerve agents that cleared out the Senate.

All in a long line of government sponsored terror that has been with us for decades. I can’t help but wonder what our governmental nannies might have in store for us and/or the world over the holidays. Hopefully nothing. Perhaps they'll be taking a break with a tastefully thrown and terrorist-free holiday extravaganza hosted by Pastor Taggert. All you can eat gay hookers and meth--don't forget the navel mistletoe at the door!

This is government holding the reigns of our future. This is the administration, rife with war hungry neocons and Zionists, that is killing us. This is the government that seeks to intrude on your life in an ever-increasing manner. This is the government that, if it’s corruption was combined and placed in a photograph, would look like a leprosotic and overused hooker vagina pulsing with a virulent strain of ghonnorratic syphillitosis of the most advanced stage. This is our government that routinely tries, and often succeeds, with efforts to pass legislation that “helps” us by stripping one and all of every last liberty. Pathetically ignorant legislators do what they are told as the bordering-on-retarded-but-oh-so-festivally-plump citizen mass heeds the droning clarion call for new and larger wars, new and larger heaps of human misery. The list is so long it threatens the very cycle of the 24 hour day just trying to mention it all.

Patrick Leahy will take his seat at the head of the table on the Senate Judiciary Committee when the new congress convenes in January, and it is there that he will have his greatest real opportunity to begin using his subpoena power to start the arrest of this frenetic unreality. It may also be the last, as he represents a final few that might have the integrity along with the courage to do so. It’s not just one of the last chances for him get closer to the truth personally, but a last chance for Americans to get closer to the truth as a country. Pray that he uses it. Demand that he use it. Contact the Senator and let him know that there are still thinking Americans that are behind him that will help him push for the truth that is so desperately lacking.

Bipartisanship be goddamned.

Arizona State Traitors

A new poison is currently being seeped into the hearts and minds of ASU college students as one of the North American Union tentacles reaches into this state. Witness the newest tool to win (read: dull over) minds in the continued push for the destruction of our sovereignty. ASU is making their play as an early adopting Judas in order to be better situated once the coming structural changes are complete.

After being made aware of the new ‘Building North America’ portal, it didn’t take many clicks to become wholly upset at what is flaunted in front of our very eyes as the (supposedly) next prudent and necessary step.

From the ‘About Us’ page:

“The links, documents, and other materials on this site have been selected, organized, and in some cases designed to advance teaching and research on North American regional integration.”

Seems as though I’ve heard “regional integration” stuff somewhere before…..(for those perplexed at the sarcasm, the easiest thing for you to do is begin searching for Lou Dobb’s clips and articles on the issue of the North American Union, as he is one of few mainstream people just beginning to scratch the surface of this issue.)

Moving to the ‘Who We Are’ page:

"The “Building North America” project began with a website, originally launched in 2000 and hosted by the Americas Society-Council of the Americas, which provided links (with editorial comment) to hundreds of sites of interest to the growing community of “North Americanists.” This site was inspired by the notion that economic integration in the NAFTA Triad (Canada-U.S.-Mexico) was advancing despite the lack of press and public attention it received, and that a presence on the web would allow those of us in the Triad countries, and beyond, to “link up” to a growing body of research and, by extension, to one another as professional colleagues in the academic, business, and policy worlds. In this same vein, the PanAmerican Partnership for Business Education launched a consortium of four North American business schools to promote a new generation of entrepreneurs with a deep knowledge of these integration trends in the region, while also generating more research and case studies regarding how businesses, governments, and organizations were shaping, and adapting to, the evolution of a shared economic space."

This is so big it’s difficult to even know where to begin, so headfirst we shall go.

Partner #1: The Americas Society is another wonderful policy and propaganda machine brought to us by his eminence, David Rockefeller. (Please see notable corporate members and Board of Directors—all of which are verifiable through multiple sources.) How do I make this charge? Go back to the ‘Who We Are’ page and take a close look at the bottom section under ‘Partners.’ Also for your consideration is the following quote from Mr. Rockefeller's Memoirs:

“Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as internationalists and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure, one world if you will. If that’s the charge, I stand guilty and I am proud of it.”

Partner #2-- NACTS (from the main page):

“The center supports the efforts of scholars whose work contributes to the development of innovative theory, public policy, and practices related to border issues. A primary goal is to provide significant information and research analyses to both the public and relevant policymaking bodies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, regarding the unique challenges associated with border regions. NACTS aims to have an impact on global considerations of border issues by contributing a uniquely collaborative North American research-based perspective.”

Partner #3-- Kansas City International Affairs and Trade Office (from the front page):

“The office collaborates with a wide variety of regional partners as it works with directors of Economic Development, Chambers of Commerce, Shippers, Port Authority directors, government leaders, tourism industries and international study centers at universities across the globe.”

Perhaps you weren’t aware that in the glorious new North American Union, Kansas City is slated to be a customs port.

Go ahead, read through all of the “academic” drivel on the site. Seems there are a great many big things happening for governments, multinational corporations, and other various foreign entities. Of course, the “commonly held wisdom” is that it will consequently be good for American individuals, as well, even though said individuals are only couched in the most vague and unsubstantiated terms.

**********
North Americanist? Growing community of? I think not. True, this “community” may be growing but I am not, nor will I ever be, a part of it. The reasons are personal and otherwise. To begin with, it seems that most of the memberships in said community are multinational corporations, members of an obscenely wealthy elite class, and bootlicking academic and government officials. I am none of these. However, I can certainly articulate what I am—American, as in United States citizen. Not North American and certainly not a North American with the added “ist” or any variation thereof to include the “Pan” prefix. Any plans or push to “integrate” America or degrade what it is in any way is hands down a treasonous act.

From Section 10 of the Constitution:

“No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.”

The academic articles on the ASU website sure did mention 9/11 and security ad nauseum. That date continues to hold its position as a massive excuse for ignoring any other relevant or pesky “details.”

There has been no consent of Congress (other than that which is subserviently implied), no public debate. SPP agreements have already been signed and now it’s time for the universities to begin the academic propaganda push. It was the same during NAFTA, which should have been a treaty but was instead pushed through as a law. Spend a bit of time on Chapter 11 of NAFTA. The US law implementing NAFTA essentially makes US interests beholden to the more "international" NAFTA law. To get it through as the treaty it should have been would have required a 2/3 majority vote of Congress--that would have never passed so it was pushed through as a law, winning 51-50.

I am a free individual who claims the rights granted to me by the founding document of our country. You will see me expire before you ever hear me referring to the Constitution as “antiquated” or “a goddamn piece of paper.” Statements like these should offend our deepest sensibilities and it is a daily shame on our people that it evidently does just the opposite as this beast of a concept rolls ever toward us.

The kids in college are the last chance to hang on to what little there is left of what we are. The poison of elitism and of the soulless and mindless corporate mindset is now being fed to eager youth as inevitable truth. The fact that personal identity is being increasingly crushed (a subject for several posts in and of itself) makes the stripping of national identity just that much easier.

Back to the original thrust….

For those who remember it’s inception, wasn’t NAFTA supposed to be this fantastic and wonderful thing that would lift our economy as well as the Mexican economy? If it did achieve its ostensible aims, why is the Mexican economy still in ruinous shambles with our own economy treading down the same path as we stand before China with hat in hand and continue to fight multiple pre-emptive, elected, and illegal wars? The Mexican economy has always written the manual on what it is to be intrinsically corrupt (read: bribes are the only way anyone will ever get out of Mexican jail--one of many examples of its institutionalized corruption) and we’re making plans to integrate with them? Ask any Arizonan or Texan who is not a soul-selling politician how they feel about the massive illegal immigration flood and the consequent push for mass amnesty. Ask Sheriff Joe (or other sheriffs) how he feels about illegal immigration and what it’s doing to this state alone—there’s a reason he is continually re-elected. There are still a great many people who want their nation defended and he is one of the few who is actually trying to do so.

Don’t worry, though. A couple of runs through the ASU training mill should take care of that problem soon. It won’t belong before these youth begin expressing their academically instilled outrage at those who refuse to take part in the grand and forward-thinking North Amercanist exercise. Most of the dumbed-down “adult” population will probably cry out for it as well but for different reasons. Once the stock market makes its inevitable massive correction taking the dollar completely to the floor, most will likely cry out for, and receive with open arms, the Amero. After all, it will be the only thing that could possibly save us while at the same time ensuring our “future economic prosperity” and simultaneously retain an increased focus on the security enhancements “necessary” in this new “post 9/11” world.

Any person with more than a fourth-grade familiarity with the founding documents of this country should be realizing that this, at its very least, is not government ‘by the people’ or ‘for the people.’ There has been no public debate, all of these things and many more have been largely passed over in reporting, and is rife with thinly veiled secrecy. Are you feeling apprehensive yet? Do you feel the distinct urge to look away, lest you be poisoned by cold reality?

Big Worm from Friday said it best, “Playing with my money is like playing with my emotions, Smokey.”

And make no mistake, there are a LOT of people playing with our money. But hey, it could just be that I am as "antiquated" as the document I swore to defend.

The Listening Tour

The WPBT Winter Classic was another resounding success--It was fantastic seeing everyone again.

As if it could have been any other way.

I wish there was some damn leisure time to reminisce and tell all of the good stories, but said stories will have to go to the back of the queue. With the first couple of days back comes the usual “Oh God why can’t I be in Vegas” depression as one walks resignedly back to the grind of it all. Plus there was a lot of news to catch up on.

Time to amp up the rhetoric.

**********

This will likely be brief, but needs to be highlighted. Hopefully I’ll find some posted video to link to shortly.

The Great Leader was on the telly today as I fought with telco’s to fix their continuously faulty circuits. It was the daily trot on CNN where the decider (or one of his many reps) deigns to tell the American people that he still hasn’t made up his mind on what to do about this travesty over in Iraq that he and his pals created. You know, “The Listening Tour.”

Today’s recap of the Listening Tour news came in the form of a press conference, in which the Pres decided, in his infinite patience, to field a couple of questions. (Although, he did have that look that said “none of what I get asked better have more than three syllables.”) Following the new focus group tested party line of “governs itself, sustains itself, defends itself, whose ally in the war on terror is a democracy” (Tony Snow Transcript) an AP reporter asked if on any of his listening stops he had heard any ideas that were different than what everyone else had been repeatedly hearing. Bush retorted that certainly he had, but they were bad ideas that would lead to defeat and that he’d rejected them. After the usual pause, he added that he wasn’t going to tell anyone what those ideas were.

I’m sure that this is due to the fact that we are too simple to understand these ideas that “lead to defeat.” Hell we’re probably stupid enough to think that these same defeatist ideas are good ones, like, oh I don’t know, LEAVING.

When George hears a song he doesn’t like he just changes the station. It’s just how he rolls.

But when it comes to The Listening Tour, “Generational War” is sure to be a chart topper.