http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4599004.stm
I love it. A German computer firm has banned whining in the office. If there were an American company like this, I'd apply there in a second.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Steve Treder at the Hardball Times has a very good piece about the Negro Leagues museum in Kansas City.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-negro-leagues-baseball-museum/
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-negro-leagues-baseball-museum/
Monday, January 09, 2006
"I must save this government if possible. What I cannot do, of course I will not do; but it may as well be understood, once for all, that I shall not surrender this game leaving any available card unplayed. - Abraham Lincoln
When Lincoln said that, it was a Civil War which threatened to divide our country. Today, there isn't a war between citizen and citizen, but between citizen and government. Why? Because the Bush administration has attacked the interests of the American people, squandered its fortune, and caused so many to die in war. Today's divide is not between north and south, but between the people and its government, a government which has proved over the last few years that it is created by and for the powerful rather than the citizenry of these United States.
There are times when a certain form of governance becomes toxic, where those in the public trust act not as civil servants, but as self-serving politicos. We are living in such a time.
The Congress no longer belongs to ordinary Americans; it belongs to the lobbyist who can cut the largest check. The Presidency no longer leads, but misleads. And the Judiciary (specifically the Supreme Court) is set to belong to the most vile, extreme, and un-American element of our society.
Democrats can either surrender this government to a party which seeks to destroy it, or we can take Lincoln's advice and play our available cards. To those who say filibusters--judicial, patriot act, etc--are too politically costly, I say that failure to filibuster is conceding that this nation isn't worth fighting for. Instead of worrying that we will be labeled "obstructionist," I say we filibuster Alito, filibuster the Patriot Act, filibuster time and time again until this crazy government comes to a screeching halt. Enough is enough. The list of scandals is overshadowed only by the list of names of the 2,190 whose deaths have yet to be honored by this administration.
At what point will our party realize that it's not just the midterm elections at stake here? Politics is secondary to the fact that our country has changed, drastically, over the last several years. What is that change? It is the unraveling of the American flag thread by thread. It is erasing the Bill of Rights letter by letter. It is, ultimately, about waking up one day and not recognizing this great society as the "America" we know and love.
This new year requires a new attitude by the Democratic Party. The party must acknowledge the gravity of the political climate today. It is not a time to crack jokes on Sunday talk shows; it is not a time to mince words or to parrot political consultants. It is a time to speak with the courage and conviction that is required when one is fighting for the heart of their country.
Democrats will not win by pledging to "do better." We will not gain a majority or even the Presidency in 2008 by approaching the American people as politicians. If we are to win, we must rediscover what it means to serve at the will of the people. We must show voters that we are willing to fight, not just talk, for their interests.
Time and time again, we've heard pundits gleefully recount the fact that the GOP is suffering, but the Democrats can't capitalize on it. It's true, to an extent. Where Bush is at 40% approval, he should be at 10%. Where we are ahead in congressional polling by 10 points, we should be ahead by 30. Why have we not been able to react properly to the plethora of scandals the GOP has laid before us? Because of fear.
Fear is what stifles the speech of our leaders, tying their tongues so they can't say the word "LIE." They write letters blasting the administration, but it is fear that holds them back from expressing the same level of outrage when speaking on national television. Fear is what caused so many Democrats to run away from Murtha's plan. We fail as a party not because we lack conviction, but because our words and actions are paralyzed by fear. We're afraid to be labeled as cowards, as commies, as traitors.
And in those rare moments when Democrats have spoken based on conscience rather than poll numbers, we, the party faithful, get all excited. The blogosphere buzzes with cheers for the "smackdown". Thousands of comments are dedicated to the discovery of "a spine." But what does it say about our party that we rejoice in what should be a commonplace event?
A Democrat speaking clearly, truthfully, and following through on his speech should not be an anomaly. It should be the norm in our party. Yet where there should be outrage and action on the part of our leaders, we get instead silence or mealy-mouthed platitudes and ineffective soundbites. "
From Daily Kos, (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/8/204534/2589)
That says it all. It is time for Americans to march to the sound of the guns and take back this government from the thugs and the fascists.
Who's with me?
When Lincoln said that, it was a Civil War which threatened to divide our country. Today, there isn't a war between citizen and citizen, but between citizen and government. Why? Because the Bush administration has attacked the interests of the American people, squandered its fortune, and caused so many to die in war. Today's divide is not between north and south, but between the people and its government, a government which has proved over the last few years that it is created by and for the powerful rather than the citizenry of these United States.
There are times when a certain form of governance becomes toxic, where those in the public trust act not as civil servants, but as self-serving politicos. We are living in such a time.
The Congress no longer belongs to ordinary Americans; it belongs to the lobbyist who can cut the largest check. The Presidency no longer leads, but misleads. And the Judiciary (specifically the Supreme Court) is set to belong to the most vile, extreme, and un-American element of our society.
Democrats can either surrender this government to a party which seeks to destroy it, or we can take Lincoln's advice and play our available cards. To those who say filibusters--judicial, patriot act, etc--are too politically costly, I say that failure to filibuster is conceding that this nation isn't worth fighting for. Instead of worrying that we will be labeled "obstructionist," I say we filibuster Alito, filibuster the Patriot Act, filibuster time and time again until this crazy government comes to a screeching halt. Enough is enough. The list of scandals is overshadowed only by the list of names of the 2,190 whose deaths have yet to be honored by this administration.
At what point will our party realize that it's not just the midterm elections at stake here? Politics is secondary to the fact that our country has changed, drastically, over the last several years. What is that change? It is the unraveling of the American flag thread by thread. It is erasing the Bill of Rights letter by letter. It is, ultimately, about waking up one day and not recognizing this great society as the "America" we know and love.
This new year requires a new attitude by the Democratic Party. The party must acknowledge the gravity of the political climate today. It is not a time to crack jokes on Sunday talk shows; it is not a time to mince words or to parrot political consultants. It is a time to speak with the courage and conviction that is required when one is fighting for the heart of their country.
Democrats will not win by pledging to "do better." We will not gain a majority or even the Presidency in 2008 by approaching the American people as politicians. If we are to win, we must rediscover what it means to serve at the will of the people. We must show voters that we are willing to fight, not just talk, for their interests.
Time and time again, we've heard pundits gleefully recount the fact that the GOP is suffering, but the Democrats can't capitalize on it. It's true, to an extent. Where Bush is at 40% approval, he should be at 10%. Where we are ahead in congressional polling by 10 points, we should be ahead by 30. Why have we not been able to react properly to the plethora of scandals the GOP has laid before us? Because of fear.
Fear is what stifles the speech of our leaders, tying their tongues so they can't say the word "LIE." They write letters blasting the administration, but it is fear that holds them back from expressing the same level of outrage when speaking on national television. Fear is what caused so many Democrats to run away from Murtha's plan. We fail as a party not because we lack conviction, but because our words and actions are paralyzed by fear. We're afraid to be labeled as cowards, as commies, as traitors.
And in those rare moments when Democrats have spoken based on conscience rather than poll numbers, we, the party faithful, get all excited. The blogosphere buzzes with cheers for the "smackdown". Thousands of comments are dedicated to the discovery of "a spine." But what does it say about our party that we rejoice in what should be a commonplace event?
A Democrat speaking clearly, truthfully, and following through on his speech should not be an anomaly. It should be the norm in our party. Yet where there should be outrage and action on the part of our leaders, we get instead silence or mealy-mouthed platitudes and ineffective soundbites. "
From Daily Kos, (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/8/204534/2589)
That says it all. It is time for Americans to march to the sound of the guns and take back this government from the thugs and the fascists.
Who's with me?
Sunday, December 25, 2005
In re: The War on Christmas- Is your faith so weak, so mindless and empty, that you need your particular religious message reflected back at you from EVERY corner of society? Mine isn't. I know what I believe, and I don't need anyone, or anything, other than my own personal church family and my pastor, to reinforce it.
Listening to: This American Life Christmas Spectacular. David Rakoff is a genius.
Reading: JFC Fuller, The Second World War. In talking about the origins of the war, he cites Clausewitz, who writes that there are two types of war-limited and total. Needless to say, we're really good at total war. We can kick your butt six ways from Sunday, every time, anywhere on the earth. Delbruck, a student of Clausewitz, continues (since Clausewitz died) that it follows that there are also two types of strategy, annihilation (total war) and exhaustion (limited war). Annihilation aims at just that-the decisive battle that eliminates the enemy force. Exhaustion aims at a political end through all means-maneuver, economic attack, political persuasion and propaganda.
Is there any doubt of the relevance of this to the Iraq war? Is there any doubt we are fighting (and losing) a limited war?
Clausewitz again, from Fuller, quoting Craig-”no strategical idea can be considered completely without considering the political goal”. No comment required.
Fuller also cites General Giulio Douhet in his book “The Command of the Air”-
“A complete breakdown of the social structure cannot but take place in a country subjected to this kind of merciless pounding from the air. The time would soon come when, to put an end to horror and suffering, the people themselves, driven by the instinct of self preservation, would rise up and demand an end to the war.”
Isn't it obvious that the insurgency is this sort of reaction?
I do this not to prove that I can read old military histories, but to prove how obviously wrong the planning and execution of this war has been. I know these people (the political leadership of this nation) arent readers, and they dont listen to outside advice.
Craig again, from Fuller, on World War I and the Germans' failure:
“The high command had failed...and had lost the war because it had disregarded the most important lesson of history, the interrelationship of politics and war.”
I disagree with nearly all of the goals of this administration. EVEN IF I DIDNT, George Bush should be impeached, and, really, jailed, because he is COMPLETELY, MANIFESTLY, GROSSLY incompetent. No THINKING person can disagree with that statement. I know Cheney is probably worse, but George Bush has to go. Not because I don't like him, though I don't, but because he has committed and allowed others to commit high crimes and treasonous misbehaviors.
Listening to: This American Life Christmas Spectacular. David Rakoff is a genius.
Reading: JFC Fuller, The Second World War. In talking about the origins of the war, he cites Clausewitz, who writes that there are two types of war-limited and total. Needless to say, we're really good at total war. We can kick your butt six ways from Sunday, every time, anywhere on the earth. Delbruck, a student of Clausewitz, continues (since Clausewitz died) that it follows that there are also two types of strategy, annihilation (total war) and exhaustion (limited war). Annihilation aims at just that-the decisive battle that eliminates the enemy force. Exhaustion aims at a political end through all means-maneuver, economic attack, political persuasion and propaganda.
Is there any doubt of the relevance of this to the Iraq war? Is there any doubt we are fighting (and losing) a limited war?
Clausewitz again, from Fuller, quoting Craig-”no strategical idea can be considered completely without considering the political goal”. No comment required.
Fuller also cites General Giulio Douhet in his book “The Command of the Air”-
“A complete breakdown of the social structure cannot but take place in a country subjected to this kind of merciless pounding from the air. The time would soon come when, to put an end to horror and suffering, the people themselves, driven by the instinct of self preservation, would rise up and demand an end to the war.”
Isn't it obvious that the insurgency is this sort of reaction?
I do this not to prove that I can read old military histories, but to prove how obviously wrong the planning and execution of this war has been. I know these people (the political leadership of this nation) arent readers, and they dont listen to outside advice.
Craig again, from Fuller, on World War I and the Germans' failure:
“The high command had failed...and had lost the war because it had disregarded the most important lesson of history, the interrelationship of politics and war.”
I disagree with nearly all of the goals of this administration. EVEN IF I DIDNT, George Bush should be impeached, and, really, jailed, because he is COMPLETELY, MANIFESTLY, GROSSLY incompetent. No THINKING person can disagree with that statement. I know Cheney is probably worse, but George Bush has to go. Not because I don't like him, though I don't, but because he has committed and allowed others to commit high crimes and treasonous misbehaviors.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Chuck Klostermann blows my mind again in the December 2005 Esquire.
He's talking about the reasons why we form the opinions that we do, and a BBC documentary called The Century of the Mind. Basically, the idea is that the central point of our opinion making is whether or not we believe the world and other people to be a rational place. All other opinions-politics, ethics, religion, whether or not Seal sucks-seem to come from that.
Fascinating notion.
He's talking about the reasons why we form the opinions that we do, and a BBC documentary called The Century of the Mind. Basically, the idea is that the central point of our opinion making is whether or not we believe the world and other people to be a rational place. All other opinions-politics, ethics, religion, whether or not Seal sucks-seem to come from that.
Fascinating notion.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
"Pressed on why he did not follow the surveillance act and get court approval, Bush said that would be too slow, even though such approval can be granted retroactively.
"We've got to be fast on our feet, quick to detect and prevent," he said. "
(http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20051220-9999-1n20bush.html)
Liar.
The FISA act allows him to go to court up to 72 HOURS after the tap is placed. FISA courts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. FISA courts NEVER turn down the government.
George Bush should be impeached.
http://feinstein.senate.gov/crs-intel.htm
The above outlines PRECISELY which intelligence Congress gets, and which it does not get, and why.
So the next time a Republican tells you that Democrats saw "the same intelligence" before the war, tell them they are wrong.
Period.
The above outlines PRECISELY which intelligence Congress gets, and which it does not get, and why.
So the next time a Republican tells you that Democrats saw "the same intelligence" before the war, tell them they are wrong.
Period.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/12/9/182140/401
Why do men hate women?
We're jealous. We don't understand you. We view nearly everything completely differently.
Chris Rock has a joke about married men being shoved together by their wives-"Talk to him. He likes baseball." Men are angry with women because your entire universe consists of things that we don't even know exist.
There is no excuse for rape or assault on a woman or a girl. But most men also live in fear that nearly any interaction with a woman can be misinterpreted as hostile, resulting in serious consequences for them.
Oh, yeah.
http://www.downingstreetmemo.com/
Why do men hate women?
We're jealous. We don't understand you. We view nearly everything completely differently.
Chris Rock has a joke about married men being shoved together by their wives-"Talk to him. He likes baseball." Men are angry with women because your entire universe consists of things that we don't even know exist.
There is no excuse for rape or assault on a woman or a girl. But most men also live in fear that nearly any interaction with a woman can be misinterpreted as hostile, resulting in serious consequences for them.
Oh, yeah.
http://www.downingstreetmemo.com/
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
I hope George Bush is right. I really hope the Middle East will be transformed by the War in Iraq. That would result in millions of people being infinitely better off, not to mention happier and healthier.
That still doesnt change the fact that he didnt have to do it on the cheap, and he didnt have to lie about why he was doing it, and he didnt have to bungle the postwar and battle for the hearts and minds so horribly. That will be the lasting legacy of this war-one hundred years of children taught to hate us by fathers (or widowed mothers) who hate us because of Abu Ghraib. And Abu Ghraib is not the fault of the media, it is the fault of leadership. Funny how all this personal responsibility rhetoric ends when they are the ones who are responsible.
That still doesnt change the fact that he didnt have to do it on the cheap, and he didnt have to lie about why he was doing it, and he didnt have to bungle the postwar and battle for the hearts and minds so horribly. That will be the lasting legacy of this war-one hundred years of children taught to hate us by fathers (or widowed mothers) who hate us because of Abu Ghraib. And Abu Ghraib is not the fault of the media, it is the fault of leadership. Funny how all this personal responsibility rhetoric ends when they are the ones who are responsible.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_7779.shtml
"It's just a goddamned piece of paper."
-George W. Bush, on the Constitution of the United States
Impeachment is too good for this guy. The unabashed gall of this man makes me literally nauseous. If you voted for Bush, and you're not ashamed of yourself, I'm not even sure you're human.
"It's just a goddamned piece of paper."
-George W. Bush, on the Constitution of the United States
Impeachment is too good for this guy. The unabashed gall of this man makes me literally nauseous. If you voted for Bush, and you're not ashamed of yourself, I'm not even sure you're human.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Although it is a fucking SIN that we have to do this, we should do it anyway.
https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx
Give phone cards to the troops.
https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx
Give phone cards to the troops.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
From Harper's Magazine, November 2005, page 34 : "But he and other men and women serving in Iraq must pay for their phone calls home."
What?
WHAT? These poor men and women have to pay for their own phone calls? Are you kidding me? $1 billion per month and we can't spring for the G-D phone?
Give me one good reason. ONE. You money grubbing corporate fascist heartless bastards. What reason could there possibly be? Any conservative out there. Any of you. Explain this to me. Please.
What?
WHAT? These poor men and women have to pay for their own phone calls? Are you kidding me? $1 billion per month and we can't spring for the G-D phone?
Give me one good reason. ONE. You money grubbing corporate fascist heartless bastards. What reason could there possibly be? Any conservative out there. Any of you. Explain this to me. Please.
There's a new book, "Postwar" by Tony Judt, about postwar Europe, which points out that one of the reasons why reconstruction of Europe worked so well was that THEY KEPT THE DAMN POLICE FORCE together! One of the favorite right wing taglines has been "Well, this is different from Germany and Japan because there werent any insurgents then." Duh.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2005/1122nj1.htm
"Ten days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President Bush was told in a highly classified briefing that the U.S. intelligence community had no evidence linking the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein to the attacks and that there was scant credible evidence that Iraq had any significant collaborative ties with Al Qaeda, according to government records and current and former officials with firsthand knowledge of the matter."
That says it all. Cheney's a liar, Bush is a liar, Rice is a liar. You don't need anything more than this to begin impeachment proceedings.
"Ten days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President Bush was told in a highly classified briefing that the U.S. intelligence community had no evidence linking the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein to the attacks and that there was scant credible evidence that Iraq had any significant collaborative ties with Al Qaeda, according to government records and current and former officials with firsthand knowledge of the matter."
That says it all. Cheney's a liar, Bush is a liar, Rice is a liar. You don't need anything more than this to begin impeachment proceedings.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-112105usiraq_lat,0,7518613.story?coll=la-home-headlines
The aptly named Dick Cheney.
And how would you know a damned thing about war, Mr. "Five Deferments"? Mr. "I Had Other Priorities"? While men like Murtha and John Kerry and my father in law were facing bullets, you were cowering in Wyoming.
You sick, lying, evil bastard.
The aptly named Dick Cheney.
And how would you know a damned thing about war, Mr. "Five Deferments"? Mr. "I Had Other Priorities"? While men like Murtha and John Kerry and my father in law were facing bullets, you were cowering in Wyoming.
You sick, lying, evil bastard.
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