American politics is no more absurd than politics anywhere. Honestly. Trust me on this one. No new taxes.
Turrets against Minarets
According to the U.S. military's top spokesman, Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt:
"The minaret is no longer standing but the entire remainder of the mosque area remains intact," Kimmitt said, showing aerial photographs of the mosque before and after the attack. After Fallujah is pacified, he said, "you will see the coalition forces participating in the process of rebuilding that minaret."
I'd like to know how old that minaret was: are we not blowing up the very cradle of human civilization?
Why am I doubtful the average Muslim in Iraq wants US soldiers rebuilding their sacred temples?
While I trust the Iraqis have not grown suspicious of us, would it be hard to build some surveillance equipment into the walls of the minaret, if they let us "help"?
I think the US is ready to do this on its own soil, to its own people.
Beware gifts from occupying forces.
Iran Court Rules on Damages from US Chemical Weapons
$600 million is what they ask. There may be a thousand foreign policy strategy reasons not to pay this, setting aside the tough talking cowboy who is currently in the White House, and
the US will never pay this; but we
should jump at this "settlement":
- It is chump change, and will not impact the
$10 trillion US economy. The amount requested is 0.0000056% of our annual national income (GDP).
- The gas, or chemical weapons, which the US gave Iraq to fight Iran with,
killed perhaps 5,000 Iranian civilians in addition to thousands of Iranian troops, and left perhaps another 5,000 disabled. Even if you only admitted to ruining 10,000 lives (rather than... 20,000? 50,000? 100,000?), that would be only $60K per life, a bargain.
It's a cold way to look at it, but better than looking away. A US citizen, in a US courtroom, would expect to sue for
millions for a single life: if the tables were turned, the bill would be
well into the billions of dollars. $600 million is cheap, and there are people in the town I live in that can write a check like that. (No, not I) And...
- We should do this because it is just the kind of thing the US never does: take responsibility for our actions around the world, show compassion for those beyond our borders and influence, build bridges with nations and their people, heal wounds.
Besides, if Bush decides Iran is evil, you can be certain he'll drop more than $600 million of bombs on Iran cities, including families and children, in the first day, without second thought or remorse. That's just not how I'd choose my Government to spend my tax money, when there are better alternatives to fix the problem.
the Kalashnikov AK-MP3
Nothing to say really. It seems a proper reflection of many minds. Guns and camo are cool, war is "real", and we are into "reality", especially from the comfort of our living rooms, far away.
Hey, you dirty ______ ! Download this! Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-ta-tat.
Faint glimmer of hope to remember
"Forever" is never as long as a tyrannt believes. Natural forces work against tyranny, over time.
[You have to work out for yourself the relevence in your life, and who are tyrannts versus who are aligned with the wishes of the concerned people.]
[off topic]
This is wrong. A bad combination of science and fear that could be applied to anyone in the future. Human rights where art thou?
