Flexing the Freedom Muscle
I will give you 500 dollars if you can give me examples of right-wing "pro-war" protesters being treated in a remotely similar fashion as the left-wing "anti-war" protesters have been treated recently at Yale.
From Atrios (edited slightly for language*):
1) Wednesday morning - Publishing of an article on Katherine Lo,
whose suite was entered by three men armed with a 2x4 after she displayed an American flag upside-down outside her dorm room window. They attempted to enter her room, which was locked, and left the following note: "I love kicking the Muslims b*tches ass! They should all die with Mohammad. We as Americans should destroy them and launch so many missiles their mothers don't produce healthy offspring. F*ck Iraqi Saddam following f*cks. I hate you, GO AMERICA."
2) Wednesday evening - A group of undergraduates participated in a silent, non-violent vigil-type action in the University's dining halls to mourn the loss of Iraqi civilians in the current conflict. Raphael Soifer, a participant, was followed out of Davenport and spit on by a husky white male.
There's more, and it ain't pretty. And please, none of the "Well, in Iraq under Saddam you wouldn't have the freedom to decry the government," because that's the stupidest argument ever. That's like saying "Since you can show your dissent, that automatically means you shouldn't." What good is ability to flex your "freedom muscle" (to coin a kinky-sounding phrase) if you never actually flex it? If you have the ability to say, play the violin, and then say "I'm not going to play it, because I already can," then eventually you will lose that ability.
Am I the only one this is an obvious connection for? The less we allow ourselves to use the freedom of expression that people have fought and died for, the more the muscle will atrophy and eventually our freedom will be a 90 pound weaking that gets sand kicked in its face by Canada. And nobody wants that.
*I edited the language a little so that people reading this site from work won't get blocked out by their horribe fascist web-nanny software.
Saturday, April 12, 2003
Cultural Casualties of War
The looting in Baghdad is really starting to piss me off. (note: I've been told recently that I'm always pissed off about something. Perhaps Plucky is a misnomer?) We were immediately able to secure the oil wells in Iraq. The president even specifically asked Iraqis not to destroy them, because they were "wealth that belongs to the Iraqi people". But stores, offices, hospitals, schools? Even, god help us, the museum? Go ahead, angry mob, help yourself.
Robbing history itself, thieves pillaged the Iraq National Museum, stealing or destroying artifacts going back 7,000 years predating even Babylon. The loss resonated through Baghdad and around the world.
"This is Iraq's civilization," said a tearful museum employee. "And it's all gone now." At Emory University in Atlanta, historian Gordon Newby said: "This is just one of the most tragic things that could happen for our being able to understand the past."
The looting isn't just annoying. It's also, if I may put on my tinfoil cap for a moment, suspiciously convienent.
The looting of the Baghdad bureaucracy raised concerns that any documents tied to Iraqi chemical, biological or nuclear weapons programs might disappear along with all the treasures.
Our "unoccupying force" (you know, like 7up is the "unCola") needs to take care of this. Perhaps we are finding out that rebuilding a nation is not entirely as easy as we thought it would be?
The looting in Baghdad is really starting to piss me off. (note: I've been told recently that I'm always pissed off about something. Perhaps Plucky is a misnomer?) We were immediately able to secure the oil wells in Iraq. The president even specifically asked Iraqis not to destroy them, because they were "wealth that belongs to the Iraqi people". But stores, offices, hospitals, schools? Even, god help us, the museum? Go ahead, angry mob, help yourself.
Robbing history itself, thieves pillaged the Iraq National Museum, stealing or destroying artifacts going back 7,000 years predating even Babylon. The loss resonated through Baghdad and around the world.
"This is Iraq's civilization," said a tearful museum employee. "And it's all gone now." At Emory University in Atlanta, historian Gordon Newby said: "This is just one of the most tragic things that could happen for our being able to understand the past."
The looting isn't just annoying. It's also, if I may put on my tinfoil cap for a moment, suspiciously convienent.
The looting of the Baghdad bureaucracy raised concerns that any documents tied to Iraqi chemical, biological or nuclear weapons programs might disappear along with all the treasures.
Our "unoccupying force" (you know, like 7up is the "unCola") needs to take care of this. Perhaps we are finding out that rebuilding a nation is not entirely as easy as we thought it would be?
Let me just say this right now for the record...
If any of my "friends" or "loved ones" ever, ever puts me on Scare Tactics, I will kill them.
That show is seriously funny, though.
If any of my "friends" or "loved ones" ever, ever puts me on Scare Tactics, I will kill them.
That show is seriously funny, though.
Friday, April 11, 2003
Thursday, April 10, 2003
Happy Birthday*, the War is Over
I was going to write something pithy and genius about the "end" of the war, but Max wrote it already.
What's left? Will the Iraqi people come out of this, after burying their war dead, in better shape then we found them? If you think it matters, you have to admit it remains to be seen.
Got read it. I hope the "new" Iraqi government is worth these horrible injuries, these horrible deaths, and this kid's arms. To paraphrase a "Get You War On" cartoon I saw a while back, the Iraqi people better be the most freaking free people on the face of the planet, for me to justify the loss of a little boy's arms. The better have a more enlightened government than Canada by next week.
I also want to know, as I did with Afghanistan, what evil we're bolstering and supporting now that will turn against us in 20 years. Because, you know, our track record of installing successfull governments is soo good.
So while I definitely think it's great the Iraqi people are dancing in the streets right now, (especially the "Democracy, Whisky, Sexy" guy Bill Maher mentioned on his show last week) forgive me if I reserve my judgement on the "success" of the war for the time being.
Just to clarify, I know the song is "Happy Xmas, the War is Over", but it's my birthday tomorrow, so I changed it.
I was going to write something pithy and genius about the "end" of the war, but Max wrote it already.
What's left? Will the Iraqi people come out of this, after burying their war dead, in better shape then we found them? If you think it matters, you have to admit it remains to be seen.
Got read it. I hope the "new" Iraqi government is worth these horrible injuries, these horrible deaths, and this kid's arms. To paraphrase a "Get You War On" cartoon I saw a while back, the Iraqi people better be the most freaking free people on the face of the planet, for me to justify the loss of a little boy's arms. The better have a more enlightened government than Canada by next week.
I also want to know, as I did with Afghanistan, what evil we're bolstering and supporting now that will turn against us in 20 years. Because, you know, our track record of installing successfull governments is soo good.
So while I definitely think it's great the Iraqi people are dancing in the streets right now, (especially the "Democracy, Whisky, Sexy" guy Bill Maher mentioned on his show last week) forgive me if I reserve my judgement on the "success" of the war for the time being.
Just to clarify, I know the song is "Happy Xmas, the War is Over", but it's my birthday tomorrow, so I changed it.
Saturday, April 05, 2003
Let's play a little game...
Who said this?
"We have a president I don't trust, who has proven my reason for not trusting him: He had no plan. We have a civil war that was falsely described as a huge humanitarian problem, when in comparison to other places, it was nothing."
Was it Michael Moore at the Oscars? Was it Peter Arnett on Iraqi television? Was it John Kerry talking about George W. Bush? Was it a Dixie Chick?
Nope, it was Tom DeLay deriding President Clinton during the Kosovo invasion.
What's that you say, a Republican criticizing the President during wartime? They must really hate America!
For more right-wing hypocrisy, read this Salon article about how John Kerry is standing up to convervative attack dogs.
Luckily the decorated Vietnam war veteran is defending himself. ... "I'm not going to let the likes of Tom DeLay question my patriotism, which I fought for and bled for in order to have the right to speak out," .... "The Republicans have tried to make a practice of attacking anybody who speaks out strongly by questioning their patriotism. I refuse to have my patriotism or right to speak out questioned. I fought for and earned the right to express my views in this country." Finally, a Democrat who has the guts to fight back!
Let's hope they all show the same backbone, and we may actually end up with a democratic presidential candidate with a chance of ousting the Boy Emperor from office!
Who said this?
"We have a president I don't trust, who has proven my reason for not trusting him: He had no plan. We have a civil war that was falsely described as a huge humanitarian problem, when in comparison to other places, it was nothing."
Was it Michael Moore at the Oscars? Was it Peter Arnett on Iraqi television? Was it John Kerry talking about George W. Bush? Was it a Dixie Chick?
Nope, it was Tom DeLay deriding President Clinton during the Kosovo invasion.
What's that you say, a Republican criticizing the President during wartime? They must really hate America!
For more right-wing hypocrisy, read this Salon article about how John Kerry is standing up to convervative attack dogs.
Luckily the decorated Vietnam war veteran is defending himself. ... "I'm not going to let the likes of Tom DeLay question my patriotism, which I fought for and bled for in order to have the right to speak out," .... "The Republicans have tried to make a practice of attacking anybody who speaks out strongly by questioning their patriotism. I refuse to have my patriotism or right to speak out questioned. I fought for and earned the right to express my views in this country." Finally, a Democrat who has the guts to fight back!
Let's hope they all show the same backbone, and we may actually end up with a democratic presidential candidate with a chance of ousting the Boy Emperor from office!
Jewish-Muslim Interfaith Peace Walk
There is going to be a Peace Walk (like a march, but slower I suppose) in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday, May 10th. It will start at Nahalat Shalom at 7 am and end up at the Islamic Center of New Mexico. Anyone wanting more specific info just send me an email.
There is going to be a Peace Walk (like a march, but slower I suppose) in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday, May 10th. It will start at Nahalat Shalom at 7 am and end up at the Islamic Center of New Mexico. Anyone wanting more specific info just send me an email.
This one hit close to home...
The IDF has shot another non-violent, unarmed protester.
Brian Avery, 24, from Albuquerque, N.M., heard shots fired and came out of his apartment building to investigate just as an armored personnel carrier rounded a corner, said Tobias Karlsson, a fellow activist...."We had our hands up and we were wearing vests that clearly identified us as international workers when they began firing," Tobias said. "Brian was shot in the face, and it looks like he was hit by a heavy caliber bullet because of the extent of the wound."
Brian Avery is exactly my age and from my home town. I wonder if I've ever met him.
My father travelled with members of the ISM on his recent trip through the Occupied Territories. These people are not terrorists. I wonder what ham-handed excuse the IDF will offer up this time.
The IDF has shot another non-violent, unarmed protester.
Brian Avery, 24, from Albuquerque, N.M., heard shots fired and came out of his apartment building to investigate just as an armored personnel carrier rounded a corner, said Tobias Karlsson, a fellow activist...."We had our hands up and we were wearing vests that clearly identified us as international workers when they began firing," Tobias said. "Brian was shot in the face, and it looks like he was hit by a heavy caliber bullet because of the extent of the wound."
Brian Avery is exactly my age and from my home town. I wonder if I've ever met him.
My father travelled with members of the ISM on his recent trip through the Occupied Territories. These people are not terrorists. I wonder what ham-handed excuse the IDF will offer up this time.
Life as Parody
It took me a second to realize this pro-war rally was an April Fool's joke by anti-war protesters.
Then again, compare this to this and you might wonder which is real and which is a joke as well.
One thing I've been feeling recently is that America is not so much a country anymore, but a spoof of a country, starring Leslie Neilsen and directed by David Zucker and titled Democracy 33 1/3 or something. It's getting hard to tell The Daily Show and The Onion from actual news.
I don't know if that's good or bad.
It took me a second to realize this pro-war rally was an April Fool's joke by anti-war protesters.
Then again, compare this to this and you might wonder which is real and which is a joke as well.
One thing I've been feeling recently is that America is not so much a country anymore, but a spoof of a country, starring Leslie Neilsen and directed by David Zucker and titled Democracy 33 1/3 or something. It's getting hard to tell The Daily Show and The Onion from actual news.
I don't know if that's good or bad.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003
Missed Opportunity
You know, I'm actually kind of sad that Geraldo got kicked out of Iraq.
Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera and his crew were flown out of Iraq Wednesday by members of the Army's 101st Airborne Division.
Earlier this week, military officials accused Rivera of disclosing military movements without military authorization after a report in which he squatted in the desert and outlined military movements in the dirt.
This is a serious missed opportunity.
Think about it. Once coalition forces took hold of Baghdad, Geraldo could come across a secret vault in Saddam Hussein's basement, and spend an hour of prime time tv talking about all the amazing Weapons of Mass Destruction (and other buzzwords) hidden there. Then, they would crack it open on live on Fox and find...nothing!
Either that or one of Saddam's Fedayeen could hit Geraldo in the face with a chair and break his nose, I'm not sure which one would be better.
Seriously, missed opportuniy. Story via skippy.
You know, I'm actually kind of sad that Geraldo got kicked out of Iraq.
Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera and his crew were flown out of Iraq Wednesday by members of the Army's 101st Airborne Division.
Earlier this week, military officials accused Rivera of disclosing military movements without military authorization after a report in which he squatted in the desert and outlined military movements in the dirt.
This is a serious missed opportunity.
Think about it. Once coalition forces took hold of Baghdad, Geraldo could come across a secret vault in Saddam Hussein's basement, and spend an hour of prime time tv talking about all the amazing Weapons of Mass Destruction (and other buzzwords) hidden there. Then, they would crack it open on live on Fox and find...nothing!
Either that or one of Saddam's Fedayeen could hit Geraldo in the face with a chair and break his nose, I'm not sure which one would be better.
Seriously, missed opportuniy. Story via skippy.
Do you think we would ever see this on Fox News?
I really don't have any additional comment for this story. It speaks for itself.
"We had hope," he said. "But then you Americans came to bring us democracy and our hope ended."
Another one for the "I guess they'd rather be alive than free" files. Via Hesiod.
I really don't have any additional comment for this story. It speaks for itself.
"We had hope," he said. "But then you Americans came to bring us democracy and our hope ended."
Another one for the "I guess they'd rather be alive than free" files. Via Hesiod.
Thanks!
To everyone who sent me a nice letter telling me not to be in pain anymore.
And thanks to Devra, for the link!
To everyone who sent me a nice letter telling me not to be in pain anymore.
And thanks to Devra, for the link!
This is a seriously stupid article.
I am sick and tired of hearing that the anti-war movement should support the troops. How am I not supporting the troops if I don't think they should die?
Those who protest insist, for the most part, that they support the troops. But cries of "Bring them home!" are all but drowned out by ubiquitous war coverage.
"For the most part" my arse. Humph.
Look, I understand that our soldiers are good at their jobs, and that they understand the risks involved in performing it. Still, I think that if you join the armed forces, putting your life on the line, you are putting your implicit trust in your leaders to not to be wasted as a resource. Just because you're the president, and you can order a bunch of men and women to go and die for your personal gain, doesn't mean you should. I oppose the war the administration has started, not the mostly working-class men and women they are using as pawns and then refusing to take care of when they are sick and old.
Support the troops, bring them home.
I am sick and tired of hearing that the anti-war movement should support the troops. How am I not supporting the troops if I don't think they should die?
Those who protest insist, for the most part, that they support the troops. But cries of "Bring them home!" are all but drowned out by ubiquitous war coverage.
"For the most part" my arse. Humph.
Look, I understand that our soldiers are good at their jobs, and that they understand the risks involved in performing it. Still, I think that if you join the armed forces, putting your life on the line, you are putting your implicit trust in your leaders to not to be wasted as a resource. Just because you're the president, and you can order a bunch of men and women to go and die for your personal gain, doesn't mean you should. I oppose the war the administration has started, not the mostly working-class men and women they are using as pawns and then refusing to take care of when they are sick and old.
Support the troops, bring them home.
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