Oxy-moron

It's a tale of two medications, a tale fraught with struggles.

But there also exists triumph.

"I hesitate to give this to you because it's highly addictive" quoth the doctor, pre-surgery, "but I'll give you some Oxy to get filled after the operation."

With a pat on the leg he walked off as if to say, "Good luck with that, you're fucked either way with that shoddy spine..."

Could it be? Was I about to secure a legal tryst with the stuff I'd only heard dire tale of on A&E or hard hitting and not at all sensational news magazine reports? Did I dare go to this dance?

Was there any realistic possibility that it would be so stupendous I would gratefully become the slave of mother addiction? Scary thought. If such a thing happened, would I surely pull a Britney on my way to rock bottom and, not having any hair on my head, decide shorn balls would be an advisable course of action?

(Speaking of which, why is this head shave thing rehab worthy? Didn't Sinead and/or Demi already do this way back? It's with fondness I recall all of the defaced Popery and push-ups. I guess we're more sensitive toward psychologically unstable celebrity these days because we realize that money doesn't buy happiness--to get that, rehab and Kaballah are required)

Images of rock bottom possibilites faded as the angel no one else can see reminded me that these new and I-can't-believe-it's-not-illegal feelings were an awful lot like the realization that, as a young man, you stand at the precipice of your first bra removing victory.

I think I'm about to see some boobs (so to speak).

Rock bottom what? Pills please.

Now while I generally have never met a boob I didn't like, there was this one time....

Aaaand let's just say that my Oxy experience was something like that one time, and in considering boobs and pills I'm left wondering which of the two is more disappointing when confronted by a bad example of such, as both seem to cause alternating dry mouth/pasty drooling, inability to speak or think properly, and physical withdrawl afterwards.

After the first initial rounds, I bid Oxy a not-so-fond farewell and went directly back to my pal Vic. Vic wanted to help but was running low on supply, so I put in another call to the doc with the conversation basically playing out something along the lines of "Hey doc, yeah, those oxy's are pure crap. Yes, I'm serious-for all the good they did me I might as well have stuck'em up my ass. Really? People do that? Well, put me back on the Vic's, they worked much better. Thanks."

But here's the thing. Due to his abject inability to prescribe the proper dosage, I run out quickly and have to supplement with tiny (also improperly, that is to say, "under", dosed) Oxy's. Four days of pasty-mouth headachey goodness thanks to the douche that gets to cut people but can't do good dosage/weight math. Finally, as the discomfort becomes more manageable (thanks to the magic of healing) I finally get my refill.

It took Rachel to finally notice what I should have two bottles ago. Stupid fucking Oxy. Or was it boobs? Circumstances during this period are a bit hazy.

The directive on the bottle says to take one or two every four hours for pain, implying that it is my decision based on the level of discomfort. The bottle also says that it is a 7-day scrip. So, going off the directions, if, in the course of relieving my discomfort, I deem it necessary to have two every four hours, it means I will need 12 per day for a grand 7-day total of 84. However, the bottle contains only 50.

It appears pharmacist math skills are in sharp decline as well. That, or they simply think "power sleeping through that shit" is something that all people can and/or want to do.

And now for the triumph portion of the story.

I walked (some might say shuffled/limped) three blocks today. I can also sit upright in five minute spurts. All with only a couple of brief visits to Vic over the course of a day--just look at me go (back to sleep, as that is all my body seems to want to do at the moment).




Technorati: Personal

The Angry Wife

Allow me, if you will, a chronicling rant:

Wednesday, February 7th – With the impending surgery, all anti-inflammatories are out, and the Tylenol is definitely not doing it. I call the doctor’s office to ask they prescribe something to alleviate J’s pain, which seems to be rapidly increasing. The woman on the phone tells me that the doctor has already left for the day and that she will have him take a look at it tomorrow. A few minutes pass, I realize that this is clearly not going to work, and I call the doctors office and have him paged. This is shortly before five o’clock. He calls back and we’re in business. I go to pick up his prescription.

Friday, February 8th – Early Morning - Still taking the prescribed 10-mg of Hydrocodone, it is clear that it is not bridging the 4-hour dosage span, and J calls the doctor to see what they can do. The same woman tells him to go ahead and take an additional 5-mg pill at the in-between two-hour intervals.

Afternoon – Woman calls back and said that she spoke with the doctor and he has agreed to prescribe a 15-mg dose.

Evening – I go to pick up the prescription at our (former) local pharmacy. Apparently the dosage prescribed (7.5-mg per pill) is fairly uncommon, and not widely stocked. They do not have them, nor do any other nearby pharmacies, I am told. At this point, it seems my only course of action to get the ol’ boy through the night is to refill the weaker prescription. Not optimal, but I figure he can do as instructed previously and take a mid-way pill. I request to pick up this prescription, and the pharmacist, in his most surly I-am-a-pharmacist-and-know-more-than-you voice, tells me that he will not release the refill, as it has only been two days, rather than four. I explain to him that J has been taking the dosage as recommended by his doctor, and that if no other pharmacies have the new dose, that is my only option and just GIVE ME THE DAMN PILLS!

He then goes on to explain, and I am quoting here:

“Let me explain this to you in the simplest possible terms.”

Oh yes, he did.

His kindergarten version had to be further dumbed down to reach my horribly deficient level of understanding, but he finally managed to explain to me, and again I quote:

“Taking that much acetaminophen will cause his liver to explode and I am not going to lose my license over it.”

Okay, fair enough. So then the question becomes “is this doctor trying to kill my husband?” By this point, I am in no mood. I go home, have the doctor paged again to let him know that the dosage he prescribed was causing issues, and that I couldn’t get anything filled. He said that he would call it in to a 24-hour pharmacy that he was sure would have it. I go pick it up, and we’re back in business. Right? Nope.

The caring local pharmacist had us both freaked out about J’s liver exploding, and as anyone who has been present at any of the blogger gatherings knows, he needs that for processing liquor. So he decided to wait until the next morning to take any of the new pills. Luckily, after screaming and writhing in pain the previous night, the paramedics were there to help administer them.

Saturday, February 10 – The paramedics offer to take him in, but as he is currently rendered immobile by extreme pain and muscle spasms, they acknowledge that this will likely cause more harm before it can actually help. They recommend I call his doctor to see what he can do for him. I have the doctor paged again, as it is 9:30 AM and I do not think it and unreasonable hour or an unreasonable call regarding a patient he is set to operate on in less than 48 hours. After explaining the current situation, he proceeds to say the following:

“I don’t know if he has a low pain threshold, or if he is having emotional problems, but he certainly isn’t handling this very well.”

Why do I suddenly feel like Lou Ferrigno?

I explain to him that it is none of the above, but that issue seems fairly moot to me. As far as I’m concerned, the patient’s pain tolerance or lack thereof is not a gauge for the amount of care said patient deserves. I guess I’m old fashioned that way and believe that doctors should give a flying fuck.

Monday, February 12th – The day is finally here and we arrive at the surgery center at 7:30 AM. J’s appointment is at 8:00, and in keeping with the current trend, surgery gets underway promptly at 11:30.

Interesting note: He is instructed that, prior to surgery he must cover his head with the provided cap. I am sure this is pretty standard for surgical procedures, but in this instance is a shining example of how there is no common sense left in this world. J is a very hairy man. He does not, however, possess any of that hair on his head.

***
So now we are in the mending phase, which seems to be going pretty well. That is if you don’t count the ongoing problems with the doctor’s office, the fact that they have a 72-hour window policy to fill any prescriptions and the inability of this doctor to write prescriptions for medications that EXIST, everything is going swimmingly.

Thanks for listening.

The scourge outside my window

At first it was only a couple of blacks, but the gang is growing and becoing more diverse. In just couple of weeks the gang has doubled and is now comprised of three blacks and a ginger.

They don't have jobs and spend all day roaming back and forth though the neighborhood getting into fights and being a general nuisance. Just because they think it fun, these four have taken to hanging out in the driveway and screaming. At 3AM. Every night.

I'm increasingly finding discarded bottles of Triple Pabst Lite Dog Piss in my yard.

The four were completely undocumented. I could just tell.

I moved toward them aggressively with exhortations to "Get the fuck outta here!" which didn't impress them in the least. These pricks obviously don't understand English.

So I resumed my aggressive posture and continued with an alternative "Consiga la cogida de aqui!" that I imagined would be understood.

Nope. They habla nothing and are accountable to no one--the ultimate in illegal.

Faced with no other options, I finally did what needed to be done and broke out the hose.

Stupid cats.

(This post brought to you by Hydrocodone, 15 mg)


Technorati: Medicated Post Surgery Ouch Narcotic Posting

Cocaine in a can, baby!

Technorati: Cocaine in a can

Spigot of Decay

Technorati: Cheney lies manipulation media complicity

Hip Hop Hooray, he's not gay!

It's old news by a couple of days, but the fact that I've been forced to spend more time on my back than Paris Hilton has prevented me from colorful commentary until now.

Pastor Ted is back!

After hitting bottom (as well as smacking it, flipping it, and rubbing it down) the pastoral sex machine is back and more heterosexual than ever before. After coming to grips with the fact he will no longer be able to preach his anti-gay message from the New Life platform he helped build, Ted will be moving away to start a new life and a new career with his wife (who he insists, post-intensive counseling, is 'way hotter than guys'). The two have said they will pursue Masters degrees in psychology online, and once again the cool winds of redemption are blowing through our collective hair.

But what will a counseling session with these two be like, circa 2010?

Woman: I love my husband but he keeps sleeping with men.
Ted: It happens.
Woman: Really?
Ted: Sure. Think about it. With so many hot guys walking around, how can he not?
Woman: **looks over at Gayle**
Gayle: **shrugs** Don't look at me, I'm just a woman.
Ted: Listen, the key here is to get right with God.
Woman: Whaddya mean? I didn't make my husband gay!
Ted: Are you sure about that?
Woman: What?
Ted: Do you have any kids?
Woman: Yes
Ted: Did you do your Kegel exercises? Do you know what those are? I know because I have a Master's Degree.
Woman: I tried to.....
Ted: Not hard enough, evidently. I fear that if your husband doesn't get therapy soon, he may get add meth to his man diet.
Woman: Why do you think that? My husband doesn't do drugs.
Ted: Trust me, meth goes great with gay sex. If he isn't now, he will be. By the way, is your husband hot?
Woman: I think so. What should I do, then? Wait, why did you just ask me that....
Ted: You don't need to know why--I have a Master's Degree.
Woman: **looks at Gayle again**
Gayle: You should pay attention to Ted, he's very close with God.
Ted: That's right. Here's what I propose. I'm going to schedule your husband for some intensive one on one therapy with me--should take about three weeks. Gayle will do some therapy with you to teach you how to be a better wife.
Woman: **looks at Gayle** He's kidding, right?
Gayle: C'mon, I'll show you some different ways to wash the taste of gay hooker out of your mouth....


Praise Jesus.


Technorati: Haggard gay hookers Jesus meth rehab hypocrisy

Cue R.E.M.

Technorati: North American Untion NAU globalism New World Order slavery debt Illegal Immigration

"The most significant pancakes of our time."--Hashimoto

Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?



Don't you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?

Getting Cut

The disc issues continue, and alas, so does the pain. I'm getting cut on early next week, and in delivering the news, the doctor's office informed me that until the surgery things such as ibuprofen are strictly verboten because they thin the blood and that's bad.

Basically, I'm stuck with the three T's. A tenns unit, Tiger Balm, and Tylenol. Here is a brief run down....

Tenns Unit--Many back injury sufferer's swear by these things, but I have yet to experience any meaningful pain-reducing results. It's not making it any worse, so I'm still using it just in case it suddenly decides to work some kind of transformative magic.

Tiger Balm--Simply is not the right tool for the job, as it is the heezy for muscle issues, but minimally beneficial for more serious issues. I use it anyway, because I love it, and it pisses off my dog which is always a good time. The suspicious look on his face when he hears the jar open is priceless.

Tylenol--Does this stuff work for anything? Seriously. I had less aches and pains before I started popping these.

Waiting eight more days like this is going to be a complete bastard. However, there should be some interesting post-surgery (read: narcotic haze) ruminations going on, so stay tuned.




Technorati: Personal

Aqua Teen Terror

I'm shedding a joyful tear right now...finally, someone who is getting media attention using the opportunity to mock the media's blatant manufacturing of fear.

I watched with glee as I saw this live today, which quickly turned to horror as CNN immediately cut the feed so the "reporter" could resume demonizing the two as soon as it became apparent they wouldn't be acting in the contrite manner demanded by the media and posturing law enforcement.

Whatever Cartoon network paid, whatever trumped up fines end up being paid, they certainly got their money's worth with these guys. Score for Aqua Teen Hunger Force.


Tehnorati: politics news fearmongering aqua teen hunger force terror police state psyops propaganda

Fresh-baked, piping hot lies from the President

On SOTU lies, in case you missed them.....

Technorati: bush SOTU state of the union terrorism lies propoganda

Hillary Speaks Volumes

"We expect him to extricate our country from this before he leaves office"
--Hillary Clinton, 1/28/2007 [quote]

Boy, can you smell the Hillary mania? This stuff came out of nowhere! Seriously, I had no idea she was going to run. I mean, I really thought she was going to happily stay in her Senate seat and continue to serve America from her adopted state of NY. Contrary to what others might tell you, the fact that NY happens to be a politically expeditious state to represent in this "post-9/11 world" has nothing to do with anything--it is pure coincidence--she just happens to like the fall season there. Oh, and the greater concentration of rich and influential folk to hang with--Murdoch and Ailes only feel comfortable hosting fundraisers for their favorite folk in centers of power. She told everyone time and time again that she had no intentions of running....I believed her, didn't you? It's just a bit odd to me that she is being backed by guys who own "conservative" FOX. I guess that's them living their "fair and balanced" creed.

I think it speaks to the comfort of the mattresses that Hillary wants to go back to the White House after previously spending eight years there. I could be wrong, though. I'm sure there are a host of other reasons she wants to go back. Caviar and hot dogs at 3:30 AM? You can get that if you live in the White House. You can even make a guy with a gun go get it for you if you want.

What is one of the things that most everyone does when they leave someplace (state, city, home, etc)? Sooner or later, all of us end up talking about what we wish we would have (or simply, should have) done while we were there. Eventually there are those off the cuff mentions of "crap, I should have gone/done this/that/there while we were still there" that we don't even really notice. Consciousness is really the only thing required to divine what Bill wishes he would have done while there (for anyone just waking from an extended coma, the answer is "more interns"). I wonder what she wishes she would have done....

Anyway, about that quote.....

I watched her say it on TV on the same day that everyone else saw it, and it's been nagging at me ever since. It completely boggles the mind how one can cheer for a Senate member who says something like this, especially one who voted "yes" for the war. I was for it, but now I'm against it...sort of, is her politically careful refrain, and the lobotomized crowd cheers and supports her push to become one of the most prominent figureheads on the world stage.

Her statement puts the blame squarely on the President, and nothing could be more wrong. Certainly, he and his boys were a major driving force behind behind the current ongoing atrocities, but she gladly (and hurriedly) jumped on the bandwagon. Hillary has a documented history of jumping on the most politically expedient issue and flogging it for all it is worth. Is that really the kind of person that should be leading.....anything?

If Hillary was truly concerned about doing what's best for America and it's people, she would use her powerful influence and all of her might to marshal the tools available to her and the rest of the representatives in the House and Senate to do what needs to be done to end this lunacy (powers granted to them by the Constitution, including, but not limited to, impeachment). Yet she does not. In fact, one can't even get a suitably direct statement of position, they only receive more of the same meaningless blather about supporting the troops and the War on Terror, if we don't go kill them over there someone will get us over here (24 plot line--oops, more FOX). No, she prefers to sit on the sideline, cast blame, and say the President should clean up his own mess, implying that she had no part in it's creation or continuation.

It's not that I disagree with her statement. I also am of the mind that Bush should extricate us--but he's not going to--a fact he's made painfully clear time and time again. Her saying what she did, in her position, only proves one of two things. Either she isn't paying any attention, or, she couldn't care less except where it helps her (rigged) election chances. A real candidate (read: real leader) would have brought the American people to her back (given that a large majority are against this madness) to push long and loud, using her considerable means and influence to do help bring this stupidity to a halt.

Unfortunately, her actions demonstrate nothing more than the same meaningless and politically opportunistic prattle. But why?

She doesn't want the American people at her back, she wants them under her heel. She is simply another power-hungry elite with the same corporate backers/handlers as the puppet King George.

The fact that she's a woman couldn't be more irrelevant.



Technorati: bush Hillary Clinton Election campaign 2008 Iran Iraq War FOX

(No Title)

That's me last night, playing penis to GE's giant plastic vagina.

Workin' it.

It went on much like this, hot and heavy, for the next 45 minutes. Now I'm just waiting on the (not yet rated) film.

I was under the impression that these recent back troubles were mere coincidence, and that may still be the case. However, it did come to mind that karma may be involved as it dawned on me that I wasn't very nice to a Girl Scout last week. I wasn't mean or anything (I don't think I could actually be mean to a Girl Scout), but I wasn't nice either.

Let's go with gruff...and a pinch of abrupt.

Ya know what? Never mind. Now that I think about it, that's the reason I wasn't very nice--my back was killing me. Karma isn't taking me apart, at least not for that. Still, I feel kinda bad about it. Maybe there's a rehab clinic for me to figure out why I would treat a Girl Scout so. It may be my unconscious fear of being enslaved by those wee, tasty, overpriced cookies.

Guess what I saw

[Editors note--Everyone, welcome Hashimoto (of the Hashimoto's, purveyors of fine thyroid issues)

Hi, everyone. I saw the following today and thought it was funny. Since Sharing is Caring, I thought I'd share with you.

Silver/dust-colored Buick, early 80’s model, over burdened by its occupants who apparently just left the shooting of a Hee-Haw reunion show. The handicapped placard hanging from the rear-view is slightly obscured by the “patina” of the windows and partially blocked the driver’s 10-gallon hat. Or perhaps by one of ma’s curlers (ma is in the back seat, and not to be mistaken with The Ol’ Lady in the front seat).

On the bumper, in the areas not covered with rust, is one lonely sticker. It reads:

Lincoln Elementary readers are tomorrow’s leaders.

Nice Doggy

So here we are, post-conditioning session (State of the Union, for the serious types), beset with old lies presented, yet again, as truth.

I think I have herniated discs (again) in my back (with no defining "event" to blame), so trying to sit as still as possible during another futile bout of "find a position without searing pain" while viewing the governmental festivities last night was difficult, to say the least.

Even though putting two thoughts together is a bit of a problem at the moment due to my spine dishing out healthy doses of "pain compliance", I must get fingers to keyboard, even if it's only for a bit.

Not about the speech, though. Way too obvious.

The thing I find I'm more stuck on today (following my first day back to work after several days of entertaining relatives in the middle of some of the strangest local weather in a long time) is the way that the media seems to be talking about it. CNN, in particular, as it is the station being aired in my department the entire day--at least it's not FOX, although FOX does have broadcast dominance on the television in the break/common area (what can I say, I work for a fair and balanced company). As a side note, the above does make me wonder is it FOX that makes people want to devour Lean Cuisines and all manner of artificial nacho cheese, or is it the regular consumption of these things that makes them want to watch FOX continuously?

If a person could prove the latter was true, would that mean that those foods are more patriotic by default?

Just thinkin' out loud here, folks. Think of what might happen should the doctors see fit to combine medication with this pain. Good gawd I'd likely have to put a call into Emeril (the "E" stands for ewok) to help make any vertical notch movements official.

**focus--picture your pain as a soft white ball of light....**

CNN kept playing the results of a survey they did as a follow-up to the State of the Union. They flogged it several times, as the news is wont to do, during the earlier morning hours. I noted that they seemed to be flogging this poll a bit more than their normal polls, but whatever, back to work.

They were still flogging the same poll as I came back from lunch. During the last couple hours hours of my day it was the same. While I didn't take fastidious notes with time stamps, it seemed as though they were talking about this thing directly before every commercial break. Why was it making me so nuts?

Twas the fucking poll question, "How do you feel after the president's speech last night?" Positive, negative, or the same?

Um, who cares.

Rather than hear about how people feel about something, I'd rather hear what they think. Of course, this would require making mention of the actual content of the speech (or lack thereof), and really who wants that? It would probably cause things like arguments and name-calling to break out, which is so boorishly partisan.

Various pundits and leadership were also queried, "How do you feel the president did last night?"

Nope, not very many thoughts on content there (other than the ever present all general successful waging of the war on terror and look over there at bad nasty Iran platitudes), but an awful lot of feeling. It's enough to make one think that there might be a concerted effort to minimize any real thought by focusing on general perception based on the facial expression and tone of the president rather than the meaning or implications (or, again, lack thereof) of his words. Kind of like a happy fun biggest focus group ever! Prizes? Maybe they'll put my email on TV. Yea!

There's something else on the tip of my brain....something else that doesn't really care about words so much but is really sensitive to tone and expression.....

Oh yes, dogs. Obedient, eager to please, dogs. Or children, take your pick.

I hoped for a fucking clue today from CNN, but alas, there were none to be found. **winks at Anonymous Coward** If I despise "liberal" CNN, does that mean I'm still a fucking left-wing asshole?

I'm off for an MRI now, and afterward, perhaps some nachos.


Technorati: bush CNN FOX State of the Union media Back problems

Reich-Wing Philosophy

You didn't need that stupid habeas corpus anyway, right?



Technorati:Gonzales Gonzo habeas corpus constitution tyranny

Other reasons for Doomsday Clock adjustment

The doomsday clock is closer to midnight.

Besides the obvious reasons for this move, reasons which I have been flogging and will continue to flog as the days wear on, there are some more obscure reasons why this was the correct move for the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists to make:

--Salmon-colored shirts seem to be making a comeback, particularly among executive types. As if their excessive hair gel wasn’t bad enough, we can now add this odious apparel color to the list of things for which they should be despised, along with failure to properly manage anything and their ongoing “my Bluetooth earpiece is cooler than yours and I can go a longer period of time before removing it than you can” contest. Never taking a position with red or pink, they opt instead to cower fearfully in fashion’s wasteland with the in-between salmon choice.

--I could have sworn that annoying and mostly useless car alarms went out around ’99 or ’00. These also seem to be enjoying a resurgence as I haven’t been able to step outdoors once in the last three weeks without an alarm going off in my ear. I tried to do a scientific survey, starting with the bum who gleans used butts from the outdoor ashtray, but as soon as I opened my mouth, a car alarm went off and thwarted my efforts.

--Donald Trump acquired his own star on the Walk of Fame. Next in line, Anders Dahlvig?

--Big Brother is still a running television show

--Someone actually decided it would be a great idea to hire Mr. Spears. What’s the over/under on how many times “diamond in the rough” was mentioned in that meeting? Someone point SEC in the direction of Nationwide—this move is just plain hostile to investors.

If anything, they’re not moving that clock forward enough.

(feel free to add to the list in comments)

Technorati: Doomsday clock Donald Trump Salmon Big Brother Federline Super Bowl

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