Last posts on politics

Whoops! Mexican mayor announces death of his arch nemesis... hours BEFORE his body was found

2009-11-05T03:18:42+01:00

A Mexican mayor has sparked fury by announcing the death of a notorious drugs baron - hours before the body was found and two days before it was identified. Speculation has arisen that Mauricio Fernandez may have had something to do with the killing after he made the slip while being sworn in as mayor of San Pedro Garza Garcia, one of Mexico's most exclusive areas. Speaking during his re-election ceremony, he announced: 'Black Saldana, who apparently is the one who was asking for my head, was found dead today in Mexico City.' The problem was that the barefoot, blindfolded corpse of 'Black Saldana', whose real first name is Hector, was not found for another four hours, according to Mexico City prosecutors. His body was also not identified for another two days. When questioned about whether he knew anything about his opponent's death, Mr Fernandez said: 'Sometimes there are coincidences in life. It's better to look at it this way.'

Obama urges Israeli, Palestinian sides to do more

2009-09-22T20:34:15+02:00

Pressing for elusive Mideast peace, President Barack Obama on Tuesday challenged Israeli and Palestinians leaders to do more, saying it was time to "find a way forward." It was the president's most direct engagement yet on a problem that has vexed leaders for years.In a moment deep in symbolism but offering little expectation of any immediate breakthrough, Obama brought together Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for their first three-way meeting. Obama's words as the meeting got under way showed frustration with the looming gap between the two sides as the U.S. again tries to foster a deal."Simply put, it is past time to talk about starting negotiations," Obama said. "It is time to move forward."Obama got specific with his expectations for both sides and outlined a timeline of steps for the coming weeks, eager to show momentum.He used the occasion of a U.N. General Assembly session to arrange the get-together, a high-stakes proposition, on the same day that he went before world leaders to proclaim a strong U.S. response to climate change and ask world partners to step up their efforts in that respect. His New York meetings set the stage for Obama to move to center stage later in this week when he hosts the G-20 summit of leading industrial and developing nations, in Pittsburgh.Neither Netanyahu nor Abbas spoke during a brief appearance before reporters as the meeting got under way. But after Obama's brief opening remarks, the president strode over to shake each of their hands. Then the two foes reluctantly shook hands as well, with dozens of cameras clicking to record the moment.The three-way sit-down began about an hour late, after Obama had met individually with both men.Obama said everyone has "worked tirelessly" but still not done enough.To Palestinians, he said they must build on progress on halting terrorism and "do more to stop incitement."As for Israelis, he praised their moves to increase Palestinians' freedom of movement and their discussions about restraining Jewish settlement-building in Palestinian territories — both top priorities of Palestinians.But, said Obama, Israeli officials "need to turn these discussions into real action."Despite all the obstacles, Obama said, "We have to find a way forward."The meeting unfolded on the sidelines of U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York, where Obama engaged in personal diplomacy and addressed a high-level climate summit convened by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.Obama held out the United States as a serious partner in combating global warming, telling world peers "we are determined to act.""The journey is hard. And we don't have much time left to make it," Obama said in brief remarks at the climate summit after Ban admonished leaders to put aside differences and move more quickly on global warming.The president sought to show U.S. resolve ahead of crucial talks in Copenhagen in December, when nations will try to reach a new global treaty to address climate change.Obama is under pressure to put political capital behind getting a serious clean-energy law at home and show that the U.S., an economic giant, will do its part to cut heat-trapping emissions. The U.S. House passed a bill this summer that would set the first mandatory limits on greenhouse gases, but a Senate version appears increasingly unlikely this year.In his first presidential visit to the United Nations, Obama also sought to show a clear break from former President George W. Bush without referring to his predecessor by name. Bush's critics said he didn't take climate change seriously enough."It is true that for too many years, mankind has been slow to respond to or even recognize the magnitude of the climate threat. It is true of my own country as well," Obama said. "We recognize that."Tuesday's U.N. summit and the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh later this week seek to put added pressure on rich nations to commit to greenhouse gas cuts and to pay for poorer nations to burn less coal and preserve their forests.Obama sought repeatedly to hold everyone accountable. He said developed nations such as the United States have a "responsibility to lead" but rapidly-growing nations must do their part.Obama's Mideast diplomacy efforts, although expectations were low for Tuesday's three-way meeting, it was seen as a crucial step for the president nonetheless.The Israeli-Palestinian sit-down wasn't announced until Saturday and comes with the two sides still far apart on what it would take to resume peace talks that broke off in 2008.U.S. envoy George Mitchell failed last week to bridge the gap between the two sides on the issue of Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory, putting the long hoped-for three-way meeting in doubt. Obama has asked Israel to freeze all settlement construction, a condition for Abbas to resume negotiations. But Israel has only committed to a partial halt.Still, the sides decided to go ahead, even though Obama is considered unlikely to resolve the settlement showdown and announce a relaunching of peace talks."We have no grand expectations out of one meeting," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.Obama's agenda on Tuesday also included meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao at a fraught time in the Washington-Beijing relationship; playing luncheon host, as America's first black president, to sub-Saharan African leaders for talks on boosting opportunities for young people in their poverty-stricken nations; delivering key speeches to former President Bill Clinton's Global Initiative and to a U.N. heads-of-state session on the stalled issue of climate change; and ending the day with a U.N.-sponsored leaders dinner.

Updated: Save Killing, Kill only to Save

2009-09-05T12:48:45+02:00

A war should be fought only if genocide is already taking place, in order to stop the genocide, when all other approaches to stop it have failed, including assassination and coups. A nation who commits genocide must be seen as an offender of international law. When a war does have to take place, the entire world should take part of it against the offender. A war stops only when either party is either defeated or surrenders; both will be more likely to happen, or happen quicker, if either of the parties is vastly outnumbered, so that many lives may be spared.

The United Nations of the world should see any nation in the world as part of their own world, as though it were their own nation; an offense against any nation must be seen as an offense against the entire world. The military of the world should be seen as a political police; like the police, the military of different countries should cooperate. Once it has recognized a criminal, it must put an end to their crimes.

When I say that all nations of the entire world should partake in the war, I mean that it should do so as though it were their own, and as though the people who were dying in of the war were as the people own nations. That is to say, every nation should send all troops that are readily available as fast as possible to the attacked nation or ethnic group. Long before they have fully done so, the offender will be so swarmed that it will be sure to surrender. Moreover, if the entire world reacts in response to genocide, genocide is far less likely to happen.

Panarchism

2009-07-09T16:35:00+02:00

Everyone should have the freedom to do whatever they want as long as they do not harm others. In this, they should also have the freedom to belong to whatever system they want as long as their system does not harm people in their own or other systems. Therefore, there cannot be anarchism without there also being panarchism, which is the freedom to join any government one chooses. Having total freedom, one could also choose for oneself to have less freedom, pledging oneself to a benevolent, enlightened dictatorship.

Through panarchism, anarcho-communism could be made to work, as only people who would fulfill its conditions could be allowed to join; it would work best if people who would join only to profit from others in the system were not allowed, though, of course, in a panarchism people would be free to form a system where these people were allowed, although it would then be significantly poorer. In the system where these people were not allowed, anyone who was judged to work too little could be banished for causing indirect harm to others in the system.

In a panarchistic system, politicians would be inventors, not petty preachers trying to howl each other down.

Safe and Security

2009-07-01T12:15:00+02:00

The word "safe" has an etymological root in the ancient Hebrew language. The Hebrew word "betah" connotes a sense of well-being and security resulting from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. The word emphasizes the feeling of being safe or secure. The ancient Hebrews saw their security and safety in a Transcendent God. The individual understood that they were devoid of the essential resources of life. Living in a militaristic world and surrounded by powerful empires, to put one's trust in anything but the Divine Sovereign was seen as completely vacuous. The word security in the Greek language means "without fear." It describes the state of being secure or the actions employed to obtain that state. To be secure without fear or harm. Detached from its theocentric root, "safe," "secure" and "safety" have come to convey a spatial and emotive result of feeling safe and secure due to governmental, community and individual decisions as mundane as home security systems and safes. These are but emblematic reminders that safety lies beyond our grasp. "Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe." Ps. 119:117We are witnessing the threnody of a dead philosophy. Secularism, with all its permutations; pragmatism, empiricism, atheism, humanism, are all in a decompositional state. No answer but one can be given to the centuries' old question that lays bare the philosophies of man, "For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26). Nothing profits a man, only loss, eternal loss. May the sound we hear be the regenerative voice that pierces through the detritus of a dying age and liberates us to breath the breathe of eternity. May we be awakened from the stupor of a deadening somnambulance. "A sense of contact with the ultimate dawns upon most people when their self-reliance is swept away by violent misery." (Abraham Heschel, The Philosophy of Judaism, p. 422). Advance Safes

Cartoonist Irfan Khan

2009-06-14T09:00:23+02:00

Cartoonist Irfan KhanCan you define Indian politics in seven words?http://www.cartoonsbyirfan.com/events.php?val=Exibitions I know you can’t. Even I cannot do it…… But yes, there’s one man who says a big YES to it. Guess who…….. The one and only Mr. Irfan Khan, more preferably we may call him “Cartoonist Irfan Khan”Well, Irfan is not one such who would restrict himself to a single category – He’s put himself into almost everything: Ask for children’s funny stripes, for terrific terrorist stuff or for political cartoons – he has it all. Also, he’s gone a step ahead cartooning the famous events of the world in his very own special way. Few of his exhibitions on special events include:Global Warning (2008): It’s not just the terror threat haunting all of us, but another major problem which if not now, will definitely effect our future generations. The exhibition raised issues, problems and solutions of how to tackle global warming.Terror Watch (2007): The exhibition showed how terrorism has become a threat to all the inhabitants of the earth and is directly or indirectly affecting the lives of everyone.Breaking Views (2004): Even Lalu Yadav could not help appreciating Irfan’s cartooning skills. The highlight of this exhibition was a train called Godhra Express that Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had unveiled. The train had a sequence of cartoons on the Godhra riots and their aftermath.Cricket World Cup (2002): In 2002 near Cricket world cup Irfan organized his cartoon exhibition on Cricket at India, New Delhi. Inagurated by Amar Singh – Interstingly Amar Sing is mostly targeted in Irfan's daily cartoons. ;)Toon Tale(2000): This exhibition discussed issues haunting and happening in South Asia at that time. Inaugurated by the evergreen Dilip Kumar, and the young-at-heart Manishankar Aiyyar, it was one of my first attempts on international issues.Irfan was recently in news worldwide for his cartoon on the Former Chief Justice of India YK Sabharwal, for which he was held guilty and sentenced to four months' imprisonment. The issue brought the media around the world together in protest. The case is still pending in the Supreme Court of India.I bet now you can’t wait to see more of him, so go ahead and entertain yourself with all matters of mind explained through simple cartoons! Welcome to the world of Cartoons by Irfan!

Jailed for Drawing Cartoons!!!!!!!!

2009-06-14T09:00:09+02:00

Jailed for Drawing Cartoons!!!!!!!! http://www.cartoonsbyirfan.com/mid_day.php Ever heard that before?Read it now: Mid Day Contempt Controversy : Cartoonist Irfan & 3 of his colleagues were sentenced for four months by Delhi High Court over making a cartoon on former Chief Justice of India'.Cartoon is the most visible democracy index.However, Cartooning had sent 4 Mid-Day journalists to jail for 4 Months! Incredible, isn’t it?Cartoons – loved by all the ages are not mere disfigured sketches in black & white, but rather are more alive than the most of the living groups. Cartoons – have got the power to speak truth in the most humble way! Cartoons – don’t fear to be like or disliked, they are very honest in their manner and they mirror the real complex life in simple and plain manner. Cartoons on the Former Chief Justice of India YK Sabharwal sketched by Irfan Khan of Mid-Day newspaper raised many eyebrows, which was showing the peoples’ view of Sabharwal’s dealing. The whole Mid-Day team was held guilty and sentenced to four months' imprisonment. The issue brought the media around the world together in protest. The case is still pending in the Supreme Court of India.I bet now you would you like to see more of him, so go ahead and entertain yourself with all matters of mind explained through simple cartoons! You are welcome in the world of Cartoons by Irfan!Click here to read all… ……… and the fight continues in Supreme Court of India till date...

Cartoon & Caricatures & Irfan Khan

2009-06-14T08:59:48+02:00

Cartoon & Caricatures & Irfan KhanCartoon & Caricatures which complete the name Irfan Khan are today in much vogue as people all over the world are now astonished at his skill in cartooning. Go watch them now @ http://www.cartoonsbyirfan.com/gallery.php Cartoons – loved by all the ages are not mere disfigured sketches in black & white, but rather are more alive than the most of the living groups. Cartoons – have got the power to speak truth in the most humble way! Cartoons – don’t fear to be like or disliked, they are very honest in their manner and they mirror the real complex life in simple and plain manner. Political cartoons are the ones seen mostly in everyday newspapers: They convey such important messages yet appear to be funny all the time. How simple are they! Wonderful, isn’t it?Well, Irfan is not one such who would restrict himself to a single category – He’s put himself into almost everything: Ask for children’s funny stripes, for terrific terrorist stuff or for political cartoons – he has it all.Few of his most famous works include:Political Cartoons Terrorism Cartoons Environment Cartoons Daily Delhi CartoonsChildren Strips Gags Caricatures etc.,Go check them out, Now!

Cartoons By Irfan

2009-06-14T08:57:16+02:00

Cartoons By Irfan @ http://www.cartoonsbyirfan.com/All children and old men think alike when they hear the name Spiderman spoken of! Isn’t it? Well yes! Not because that great guy has got a colorful dress, in red and blue and has the power to race against the wind, keeping himself high above the crowd and traffics! But because he was silent all the time however the readers world over were reading him aloud. Well, tell me where did you first meet this great guy? Not in your lawn, I bet. Yes, neither he resides in your neighbor-hood nor mine – but we all know him. How? (http://www.cartoonsbyirfan.com/gallery.php)Yes, I know what your answer is! Spider-man was born in books as a sketch, a cartoon – However he captured all our hearts and minds through his views and thoughts. Yes! Now that’s what we call the power of Cartoons!Cartoons – loved by all the ages are not mere disfigured sketches in black & white, but rather are more alive than the most of the living groups. Cartoons – have got the power to speak truth in the most humble way! Cartoons – don’t fear to be like or disliked, they are very honest in their manner and they mirror the real complex life in simple and plain manner. Political cartoons are the ones seen mostly in everyday newspapers: They convey such important messages yet appear to be funny all the time. How simple are they! Wonderful, isn’t it?Few of the best political cartoons seen these days are Cartoons by Irfan – He explains himself so lucidly through his sketches. He is into every kind of Cartoons & Caricatures, few of them include: Cartoons on Indian Politicians, cartoons on current issues, Editorial cartoons, Cartoon on terrorism & famous Indian characters, etc, etc. Irfan's cartoons visualize the thoughts of the Aam Aadmi and few of his recent political cartoons are highly acclaimed. Famously called the “political cartoonist Irfan” had also spent 4 months in Jail for his frankness on famous issues. His political humor exceeds all limits and brings the harsh facts pictured through dumb yet vicious cartoons.I bet now you would you like to see more of him, so go ahead and entertain yourself with all matters of mind explained through simple cartoons! You are welcome in the world of Cartoons by Irfan! http://www.cartoonsbyirfan.com/gallery.php

Man toupee for revealing bald truth

2009-06-10T20:41:00+02:00

A man who tore the wig off a telegenic Taiwan legislator last year was sentenced to five months in jail for depriving the MP of his freedom to look good, a court spokesman said Tuesday. The Taipei District Court sentenced Huang Yung-tien, 50, to jail for snatching the toupee off the head of ruling Nationalist Party lawmaker Chiu Yi. Chiu has become a household name for his media-friendly offensives against the political opposition. "The judge thought Chiu Yi had the freedom to wear what he wanted, and Chiu felt the wig made him look prettier," court spokesman Huang Chin-ming said. "The judge thinks that to remove it intentionally was to take away that right."

more...

What the Gang of Perverts (GOP) Needs to Do Next

2009-04-30T05:53:00+02:00

In its story, G.O.P. Debate: A Broader Party or a Purer One?, the NYT's writes:

"A fundamental debate broke out among Republicans on Wednesday over how to rebuild the party in the wake of Senator Arlen Specter’s departure: Should it purge moderate voices like Mr. Specter and embrace its conservative roots or seek to broaden its appeal to regain a competitive position against Democrats?"

I have a better idea. Just retire. Move to Florida. Pick up a few hobbies (that aren't illegal, immoral). The world has moved on to the 21st Century and left the GOP behind.

How to get over your Foes

2009-04-28T14:28:00+02:00

ya'all have lovers homies friends, but you have foes too, and all of us don't like to meet them, and wont give any chance to our foes to call our name for any reason, we don't like that our enemies know about our weakness...so that's why some how we don't feel comfortable when we cross some one of our enemies in the street, then we feel embarrassed what push us to act stupid, an idiocy that can put us in shameful situations....

But don't worry am gonna give ya some practical steps to follow when ever where ever you cross one of your enemies, it will work for you for sure...it will help you to calm down as it will help you to stand straight against your enemies, even you can be scared but this things will help out to be as strong as you have to be...

First thing ,when your eyes cross your enemy one, then automatically think about something else, you can keep looking at him if you’d like to, but your mind have to fly some where else think about some thing some one you love, take deep breath...

Second one; this is one of the most helpful things. If you have ever cashed your enemy in a bad situation(been beaten by someone, if he was pegging some one to don't hurt him) then start remembering that, it will make you feel more strong then him, to every strong men there is a stronger...so you wouldn't freeze no more.

Smile for him , it wouldn't be a real smile...cause you ain't in a smiling situation, but be sure that this movement will confound him , and will make him think about the things that makes you smile, and he wouldn't be at ease...thinking that you are planning something...

If he came to you then, then check his hand press on it...ask about him his family kids if he got ones...showing an interests from you toward him...he will be confused, and you'll be the one who dominate the situation, so you'll realize that that you ain't scared anymore...

But if you don't got a responding person then you should notice that your enemy is one of those who need to be neglected, so that's why you should be careful with every step you do , and remember you have to keep your eyes on everything, and watch him, cause a foe would never be a friend , cause if he would be a friend he wouldn't be a foe...when ever you are in the hood don't walk in the shadow of confidence...you might be hurt if not from a foe then you'll be hit by a car or touched by a stray bullet...so be careful when you step out home...nowadays things are getting worst , thieves gangs and so on but remember there is kindness too...and don't let your dark side take control of you, help others in the need no matter who, a kid, a young, an old, a men a women...no matter who , cause sooner or later you'll need help too...'Its more noble to forgive, and more manly to despise, than to revenge an Injury. Because revenge belongs only To GOD sob7anaho wa ta3ala 3amma Yoshrekoan...

PS: I don't have foes but when ever am out am watching my back, my both sides...

Sen. Robert Ford pushes to outlaw profanity

2009-01-23T19:54:00+01:00

South Carolina Considering Profanity Ban!State Senator Robert Ford is hoping to outlaw lewd language and is pushing for a bill that would prohibit profanity. Under the pre-filed bill, profanity could land you in jail for up to 5 years and/or cost you up to $5,000 in fines.Which words are exactly considered profane is still unclear, but the bill does have a list of qualifications for profanity including words or actions that are lewd, vulgar or indecent in nature. the First Amendment is not absolute. You cannot say whatever you want whenever you want to. Courts will usually look at where the words were said and who heard them. Children are usually protected.more...

Nashville voters deciding 'English First' proposal

2009-01-23T03:11:00+01:00

Nashville voters cast ballots Thursday on a proposal that would make it the largest U.S. city to require all government business be done in English.Proponents say using one language would unite the city, but business leaders, academics and the city's mayor worry it could give the city a bad reputation. Similar measures have passed elsewhere. Exactly how much translation would be silenced if the measure passes is murky. While it requires that all government communication and publications be printed in English, it allows an exception for public health and safety. About 10 percent of Nashville's nearly 600,000 people speak a language other than English in their homes, according to census data. The city is 5 percent Hispanic and home to the nation's largest Kurdish community and refugees from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.If the measure passes, it will take effect within 10 days.more...

Casting Spells

2008-11-09T22:26:20+01:00

Not sure why Booker-prize-winning novelist Ian McEwan (Amsterdam, Atonement, Saturday) was asked for his opinion on climate change policy and the new U.S. administration, but in this piece in the WSJ (8 Nov. 2008), he wrote this lovely bit:

"The contest for the presidency, like all elections, had the self-enclosed quality of a squash game, a chess match, a post-modern novel -- and this one was far better than most. While the candidates appeared to address an external reality, they were bound by strictly ethereal requirements: to cast spells on large crowds while seeming ordinary, to trample their opponent into oblivion while seeming pleasant, to be inspirational yet sensible, to avoid offending a score of sensitive constituencies, and, an old wizard's touch, to promise the electorate various gifts without further borrowing or raising taxes. ...

btw, McEwan argues that Obama must act decisively on climate change, taking advantage of the "unearthly powers" now attributed to him.

Still Warm Election-Related Links

2008-11-08T12:34:00+01:00

Yes, I know it's over. These are some of the links I found most funny (if sometimes rivalrous and cynical), most moving, most interesting. Followed by a modest compilation of lengthy and detailed lists of 'what Obama needs to do,' proposed by various folk!

Moving

Greene: If you can’t (or can) say anything nice... by Bob Greene at CNN (31 Oct. 2008)

From 52 to 48 With Love at Ze Frank (begun: 5 Nov. 2008)

images by Patrick Moberg

Funny

I watched Fox News for five hours last night by Andrew O'Hehir at Salon (5 Nov. 2008)

Blowing Off Steam at the Margaret and Helen blog (6 Nov 2008)

Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job in the Onion (5 Nov. 2008)

Obama Deletes Another Unread MoveOn.org E-Mail in the Onion (17 Sept. 2008)

Election-Related Signs: Why? by Scott Adams (4 Nov. 2008)

This.Fucking.Election.

Sarah Palin for Poet Laureate in Prospect magazine (Dec. 2008): "A great poet needs to leave open the door between the conscious and unconscious; Sarah Palin has removed her door from its hinges. A great poet does not self-censor; Sarah Palin seems authentically innocent of what she is saying."

Interesting and Useful

PolitiFact.com, applying factchecker and truth-o-meter to politicians' assertions

Political Speech by Nancy Hitt at Preaching Peace (5 Nov. 2008)

The Perils of Populist Chic by Mark Lilla in the WSJ (8 Nov.2008)

Change.gov - Office of the President-Elect (official website) - the 'agenda' section is pretty meaty

Obama's To-Do Lists

Obama's to-do list in the Boston Globe (6 Nov. 2008)

What Obama's Next Steps Should Be on Health Care, Transportation, Iraq and More at AlterNet (6 Nov. 2008)

A Towering Economic To-Do List for Obama in the NYT (5 Nov. 2008)

Economists' Advice for the President-Elect in the NYT (10 Nov. 2008)

Obama's global to-do list from John Hughes at the Christian Science Monitor (6 Nov. 2008)

Barack to the future: What can Obama do around the world at mirror.co.uk (6 Nov. 2008)

Top 10 foreign challenges for Obama at BBC News (5 Nov. 2008)

Obama's Top Three Foreign Policy Priorities at Foreign Policy in Focus (7 Nov. 2008)

Judith Kipper's Memo to the President at Huffington Post (6 Nov. 2008)

Environmental leaders offer their elevator pitches for Obama (Guardian, 7 Nov. 2008)

What the tech industry needs from President-elect Obama at CNET (5 Nov. 2008)

A Small Business Agenda for President Obama by Keith Girard at AllBusiness.com (6 Nov. 2008)

Let's consider three overlooked priorities for the new Obama administation by Judah Freed in the Portland (ME) Examiner (6 Nov. 2008)

Dave Pollard's view of Obama's Top 10 Tasks (5 Nov. 2008. Ten sounds small but wait until you see them ... 'Herculean' comes to mind)

Garrison Keillor has some advice, too: On this beautiful day, a few words for the happy couple (6 Nov. 2008)

requests for Advice for Obama at Freakonomics (see comments) (5 Nov. 2008)

what Obama should be reading from Inside Higher Ed (5 Nov. 2008)

Harvard economics professor Greg Mankiw has a memo to the POTUS-elect (8 Nov.2008)

advice from Alice Walker, at Ekklesia: Care for your soul, Barack (10 Nov. 2008)

advice from folk at Sojourners: Jim Wallis (7 Nov); Elizabeth Edwards (10 Nov); Richard Rohr (11 Nov)

leaders in sustainable food and agriculture weigh in at Grist (10 Nov. 2008)

(to be continued ...)

Sore Losers

2008-11-07T01:28:46+01:00

Well, it's started. Over 54 million of us voted for Obama and 49 million did not. And now it's started. At work the hateful glares of White customers towards my Black co-workers. The dire threats that Obama is going to shred up the Constitution. That Obama is going to bring this country down. That Obama is going to take everyone's guns away. The threats of packing bags and moving. It's started.

All I can say is too fucking bad. Yes McGeezer lost. Accept that fact, deal with it, and get the fuck over it. Don't take your bullshit out on my co-workers. And the only reason you're running your mouths is because Obama is Black and you want to take your frustrations out on someone so you feel comfortable walking up to Black people in the streets, where they work, where they live, and just run your mouths. You never did it when one White guy lost against another White guy because none of us have a D or an R on our foreheads. But this time the targets are easy or so you think anyway.

Let's get something straight. Obama cannot shred up the Constitution because Bush already did that. He has pissed on it, shit on it, and wiped his ass with it. Fortunately Obama has a degree in Constitutional Law and may be able to rectify that. Obama cannot bring the country down because it's already on its knees. Obama never said he was going to take your damn guns away but I sure do remember Blackwater taking people's guns away in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina and I believe the President at the time was named Bush and he was a White guy. Let's face it. Bush has gotten over a million people killed, he has implemented the most hostile policies against the American people and others, he has fear mongered and intimidated and threatened people, he has let corruption and greed rule the day, he has destroyed our economy, the stock market has crashed, people are living in their cars, and people are upset that this vile shit is going to be over? Give me a break!

Some woman was in tears on television because the Bush family has to move out of the White House. Oh, cry me a river. I hope they have the U-haul trucks lined up already. Go move to fucking Paraguay or something already. And for those of you who want to leave the country because Obama is President, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Of course, the blame game has already started. It's all Palin's fault that McGeezer lost. Well, you know what? McGeezer lost because he simply has nothing to offer anyone. After a lifetime of basically getting whatever he wanted, bombing Vietnamese children, and being a politician, he thought he would crown his glory and impress his trophy wife with the Presidency and it didn't happen. That's mostly his fault. He is too damn old, too sick, and has no fresh ideas or vision. He would have implemented the same disastrous policies that Bush did and we can't afford that. Yes, Palin did help lose the election for sure. She's stupid, she has no opinions on any issues, and she's a race baiter. What really got me was when she stated that she didn't think about the Iraq war much. I'm sure that went over well with people who have family members over there. Your family members are in a war that a potential vice-President didn't give enough of a shit to think about. Wow.

Well, a new day has dawned in this country. Over 54 million of us wanted change and apparently over 49 million people wanted the same old shit. As we progress forward as a nation, I hope you 49 million folks will join us.

Obama on South Park

2008-11-06T02:22:00+01:00

South Park Episode 1212: Obama Elected

http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/207897/

President Barack Obama

2008-11-06T02:14:50+01:00

Wow! What a monumental moment. I could hardly sleep last night I was so excited. We have our first African American president. We have for the first time in eight years a sane and rational voice. For the first time in eight years we have a president who can pronounce the word "nuclear". That always bugged the living shit out of me about Bush. The fact that this man was in charge of my country and couldn't even speak English properly. And the Republicans were going to replace him with some other guy who couldn't speak properly and a dimwitted woman whose brain cells must have frozen solid in the frozen tundra of Alaska.

Which leads me to say this. Good bye Caribou Barbie. I can't say it was nice knowing you because quite frankly I can't stand you. You my dear woman are an idiot and a disgrace to the female gender. Go back to your frozen tundra and stick an icicle up your ass and rotate on it. I'm sure we won't be hearing from you again any time soon. No matter how much money the GOP spent on trying to make you look presentable, you are still nothing more than an ignorant redneck and that shows through no matter how well people try to dress you. All the shit you said about Obama, all the racism you stirred up. In his acceptance speech as our new President, he made you look an inch tall. He was gracious towards you and I admire that in him. I don't think I could have been as gracious. So good bye Caribou Barbie. And by the way I'm going to sign every petition in my power to make sure you don't destroy the Arctic. Drill baby drill my fucking ass.

Now that the celebrations are winding down even though I'm still elated by this miracle that occured last night, Obama has a huge job ahead of him and I am confident that he can meet this challenge. He's already been working on it and I look forward to January 20th.

Congratulations President Obama. And good luck.

OH YES WE CAN!

2008-11-05T06:55:00+01:00

For the first time in my life, I feel that America is the greatest country in the world.

For the first time in my life, I really believe that equality can be achieved.

Congratulations, Mr President!

* * *

[Excerpt from: Obama Acceptance Speech in Chicago 11/04/2008]

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer...

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

It's a Beautiful Day

2008-11-04T16:38:00+01:00

a polling booth in my neighborhood

Sarah Palin got punked!

2008-11-02T02:16:58+01:00

"A Quebec comedy duo notorious for prank calls to celebrities and heads of state has reached Sarah Palin, convincing the Republican vice-presidential nominee she was speaking with French President Nicolas Sarkozy."

[Stef Carse is a Canadian singer, not the Canada prime minister]

[Johny Halliday is a French singer, the Sarkozy's special American adviser]

[Nailing Palin is a porn title, not a documentary on Gov. Palin's life]

[Nicolas Sarkozy probably can't see Belgium from his house]

World Series Chatter

2008-10-31T03:26:00+01:00

My friend of the great basketball blog writes:

So I'm in line at the bank just now, two behind a guy who's so frustrated at the numbing slowness that, I'm thinking, it's a good thing he didn't read Tobias Wolff's short story, "Bullet in the Brain". Anyway, a third teller who looks like something Donoghue's dog Riley might have buried three years ago and who, just moments before, dug her way out, moves toward a window, but before opening her window (really, why speed up?) says to another teller, a sister Neanderthal, but so everyone can hear, "Did you see Obama's speech is delaying the start of the World Series a half-hour?" To which I shout (maybe eight people in line now), "No it isn't it!"

And she says, spitting grass and dirt, "Yes, it is, it's supposed to start at eight o'clock; he's really messing things up for himself in a hurry."

And I shout, louder yet, "The game never starts till 8:30pm. Eight o'clock is just a pre-game show. It never starts till eight thirty. That stuff about him delaying the game is just more Republican lies." (I hear people behind me laugh.) "What's more important, the pre-game or the election?"

To which she replies, grubs and ticks and slimiest of worms calling her head home, "The World Series." I end the discussion with "There's the problem isn't it?"

Lovely.

I'll see her next Wednesday.

Didn't seem to fit his blog, so I post it for him here. True enough. Keeping my fingers crossed .

The McCain Campaign and the Lesson of Collapse

2008-10-26T00:41:07+02:00

Currently, Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign has devolved into internal squabbling, selfserving information leaking, finger pointing, and a general inability to adapt to the Obama campaign's activities. Much of the McCain campaign's flailing on issues, attacks, and negative campaigning are attempts to make an issue "stick" to Obama. Some pundits have called McCain's campaign all tactics and no strategy. Some pundits believe that it is the financial meltdown They are all wrong. What we are seeing is the Musashi 's classic definition of collapse as mentioned in the Go rin no sho's Book of Fire.

Sen Barak Obama will be president because not because of the money, Senator McCain's short commings, President Bush's failings, or the financial meltdown. Senator Barak Obama will be president because the country understands that he is the prospective sovereign that understands "The Way", and that this is what the country needs now.

Senator McCain's precieved flailing is a product of his fighter pilot training. Here is what McCain says about his own decision-making process in the 2002 book "Worth the Fighting For" which he co-wrote with Mark Salter:

"I make them (decisions) as quickly as I can, quicker than the other fellow, if I can," ...furthermore... "Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint."

Why does Senator McCain say this about his decision process and why is it due to his fighter pilot training?

The answer is due to John Boyd's OODA Loop. John Boyd was an airforce fighter pilot who saw combat in the Korean War; he is the U.S.'s Musashi. He is revered not by the USAF where he served and litterally wrote the book on fighter performace methodology ("Energy-Maneuverability_theory"), but in the USMC where his theories are the foundation of maneuver warfare.

"According to Boyd, decision-making occurs in a recurring cycle of observe-orient-decide-act. An entity (either an individual or an organization) that can process this cycle quickly, observing and reacting to unfolding events more rapidly than an opponent, can thereby "get inside" the opponent's decision cycle and gain a military or business advantage....

"In order to win, we should operate at a faster tempo or rhythm than our adversaries--or, better yet, get inside [the] adversary's Observation-Orientation-Decision-Action time cycle or loop. ... Such activity will make us appear ambiguous (unpredictable) thereby generate confusion and disorder among our adversaries--since our adversaries will be unable to generate mental images or pictures that agree with the menacing as well as faster transient rhythm or patterns they are competing against."

wikipedia OODA Loop

Sadly, Senator McCain is misinterpreting John Boyd's OODA Loop. Senator McCain s understanding is based solely on speed in traversing the OODA Loop. This is a very common and very fatal reading of Boyd. What Senator McCain is doing is quickly observering, making decisions and acting but eliminating the orientation process. Further, the OODA Loop is not a simple loop, but "the entire 'loop' (not just the orientation) is an ongoing many-sided implicit cross-referencing process of projection, empathy, correlation and rejection.". Currently, the McCain campaign has become detached from the empathy and correlation part of orientation.

fig 1 ref

What the McCain campaign has failed to understand is that the actions taken in the OODA Loop must be based on reality. The whole idea of tempo warfare is to create a mismatch between the opposition's preception of reality and what is real and concurrently, preserving and enhancing your preception of reality. What happens when the mismatches to reality become accute? Infighting, finger pointing, and dissention. Musashi and Sun Tzu consider this a severe form of insanity. Students of Boyd have a term for this state: self-referencing. At one time this was a more severe epithet than many four letter words in the USMC. It means that you are wholely focused inward; you have lost all touch with reality and are as good as dead. This is why to Sun Tzu "Warfare is the Way of Deception".

So the lesson here is that while one may traverse the OODA Loop quickly, but one must take actions that are strategically relevent. A failure to take strategically relevent actions will create a rapidly deteriorating situation. You must attempt to perceive the situation and your opposition in ever increasing levels of clarity or risk taking actions that degrade your capability to Observe. You must not degrade your capablity to Orient (project, empathize, correlate, and reject information) by indulging in prejudices, accepting the opposition's deceptions, or fall prey to your own deceptions.

At this point it is appropriate to disscuss the concept of cheng and chi Cheng is the concept of the conventional attack, and chi is the unconventional attack. The cheng is the attack that is in plain sight. The purpose of cheng is to provide a real and credible threat to a strategically important target. The chi is the unconventional attack, often less visble and more harmless looking, on a strategically important target. In warfare, one fortifies one's strategic, but vulnerable points while attacking the opposition's vulnerable strategically important points. This is why Sun Tzu is often quoted as saying to "One who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be in danger in a hundred battles."

The essence of Senator McCain's problem is that Senator Obama is operating at a faster tempo that is amplified by the fact that Obama is making more appropriate decisions (based on a better understanding of ground truth). Senator McCain has been driven to a state of selfreference because he has failed precieve that Senator Obama's cheng (conventional attack) is the tv commercials while his chi (unconvetinal attack) is his community orgainzation ground game, fortified by his understanding and implementation of policies that adhere to "The Way". The good news is that the millennial generations have embraced "The Way" and are now active in the electorate. Thank you Master Sun, Col. Boyd and all those who follow the lessons that they teach; and thank you to those who have paid for these truths with blood and iron.

I've never wanted someone to win so badly!

2008-10-25T06:04:00+02:00

Statistically speaking, the wealth gap between the rich and the poor in America always, always shrinks under a Democratic government...

Portraits of Obama Supporters

2008-10-22T05:54:00+02:00

If you sign up as a volunteer, you won't have to go to the zoo area towards the back, where latecomers snaked around the whole memorial more than once...

"Vote Now"

"What are the conservatives conserving?"

"Yes We Can"

"No third term" "Ask me how many houses I have"

Smiley gangsta

"Time for a Change"

"That One"

"History in the Making"

The VIP Stand

Bush's Cousin Apologizes

2008-10-22T04:36:00+02:00

"George H. Walker, had this to say when responding to a suggestion that his fellow executives at failed Lehman Brothers be denied their bonuses:

"Sorry team," he wrote to the executive committee, according to {chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Rep. Henry} Waxman. "I'm not sure what's in the water at 605 Third Avenue today.... I'm embarrassed and I apologize."

This was in response to the suggestion from Lehman's money management subsidiary, Neuberger Berman."

Yeah, we sure wouldn't want those fucking embezzlers to miss out on their multi-million dollar bonuses which are probably why that company went belly up in the first place. Multi-million dollar bonuses. I wonder what incredible things these people did to warrant bonuses like that. Maybe I need a job like that. I bet I could bankrupt a company too and then I'd get all sorts of money. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...where do I sign up?

"Congress hears Lehman sought millions for execs
By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Writer
52 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Days from becoming the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history, Lehman Brothers steered millions to departing executives even while pleading for a federal rescue, Congress was told Monday.

As well, executives who feared for their bonuses in the company's last months were told not to worry, according to documents cited at a congressional hearing. One executive said he was embarrassed when employees suggested that Lehman executives forgo bonuses, and cracked: "I'm not sure what's in the water."

The first hearing into what caused the nation's financial markets to collapse last month, precipitating a $700 billion bailout, opened with finger-pointing and glimpses into internal company documents from Lehman's chaotic last hours.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said the giant investment bank was "a company in which there was no accountability for failure." Lehman's collapse set off a panic that within days had President Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson asking Congress to pass the rescue plan for the financial sector.

Richard S. Fuld Jr., chief executive officer of Lehman Brothers, declared to the committee "I take full responsibility for the decisions that I made and for the actions that I took." He defended his actions as "prudent and appropriate" based on information he had at the time.

"I feel horrible about what happened," he said.

Waxman questioned Fuld on whether it was true he took home some $480 million in compensation since 2000, and asked: "Is that fair?"

Fuld took off his glasses, held them, and looked uncomfortable. He said his compensation was not quite that much.

"We had a compensation committee that spent a tremendous amount of time making sure that the interests of the executives and the employees were aligned with shareholders," he said. Fuld said he took home over $300 million in those years — some $60 million in cash compensation.

Waxman read excerpts from Lehman documents in which a recommendation that top management should forgo bonuses was apparently brushed aside. He also cited a Sept. 11 request to Lehman's compensation board that three executives leaving the company be given $20 million in "special payments."

"In other words, even as Mr. Fuld was pleading with Secretary Paulson for a federal rescue, Lehman continued to squander millions on executive compensation," Waxman said before Fuld appeared as a witness.

The government let Lehman go under Sept. 15, only to bail out insurance giant American International Group the next day, in a cascading series of financial shocks and failures that put Washington on track for the multibillion-dollar rescue starting the end of that week.

Waxman described that plan as a life-support measure. "It may keep our economy from collapsing but it won't make it healthy again," he said.

That sentiment echoed on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones industrials sank below 10,000 on Monday for the first time in four years. Investors fear the crisis will weigh down the global economy and the bailout won't work quickly to loosen credit markets.

The rescue plan, now law, was so rushed that the usual congressional scrutiny is only coming now, after the fact.

"Although it comes too late to help Lehman Brothers, the so-called bailout program will have to make wrenching choices, picking winners and losers from a shattered and fragile economic landscape," said Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, the committee's senior Republican.

Waxman said that in January, Fuld and his board were warned the company's "liquidity can disappear quite fast."

Despite that warning, he said, "Mr. Fuld depleted Lehman's capital reserves by over $10 billion through year-end bonuses, stock buybacks, and dividend payments."

Waxman quoted Fuld as saying in one document, "Don't worry" to the suggestion that executives go without bonuses.

That suggestion came from Lehman's money management subsidiary, Neuberger Berman. Waxman quoted George H. Walker, President Bush's cousin and a Lehman executive who oversaw some Neuberger Berman employees, as responding with a dismissive tone to the idea of going without bonuses.

"Sorry team," he wrote to the executive committee, according to Waxman. "I'm not sure what's in the water at 605 Third Avenue today.... I'm embarrassed and I apologize."

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., said: "I wonder how he sleeps at night."

Fuld said in his statement that the company did everything it could to limits its risks and save itself.

"In the end, despite all our efforts, we were overwhelmed, others were overwhelmed, and still other institutions would have been overwhelmed had the government not stepped in to save them," he said. "

Yeah, old George H. Walker (Georgie's cousin) is so embarrassed that he and his buddies can't take Lehman Brothers for a ride. How humiliating. Yeah, that company did everything it could to put millions of dollars of someone else's money into the pockets of its board of directors and other overpaid jackasses. Woohoo!

The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum

2008-10-22T03:54:05+02:00

Wow, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would blog twice in one night. What in the living fuck is going on with this country? People just vote for any ass that runs for office. Where in the HELL do people like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann come from? I mean what rocks do these people crawl out from under?

"CHRIS MATTHEWS: So you believe that Barack Obama may have anti-American views?

BACHMANN: Absolutely. I'm very concerned he may have anti-American views."

Would this delirious bitch honestly like to tell me exactly what anti-American views Barack Obama is spouting out? What constitutes anti-American views in this country? Any view that differs from her or any other uber rightwing fruitcake? I've had to live through eight years of insanity as it is and honestly I don't think I'm ready for four more years of this nutty shit.

We have an Administration that has single handedly taken this country back a hundred years. I still think that there's something funny about the way 9-11 came about. I do not believe their story. We have basically turned into a police state where the government spies on Americans and keeps track of what they do and what they spend their money on and who they talk to and who they email. We are involved in two illegal wars for profiteering and thievery. We are having the bailout of the century because these banks took foreign money and loaned it out as credit and now that foreign money has been pulled out leaving these banks with their underwear flapping in the wind. One bank, Lehman Brothers, has two Bush relatives on the payroll.

And this bitch wants to howl about people being anti-American? I don't think you can get more anti-American than the Bush cabal. As a matter of fact, I think Michele Bachmann is anti-American. Maybe we need to investigate her activities. Not to mention that she looks like she's certifiably insane. Karl Rove seems to have helped her out with her campaign. No wonder she's fruity.

www.tinklenberg08.com

Okay, so must of us haven't heard of this guy. Donate and get that fucking crazy bitch out of here.

Lehman Brothers

2008-10-22T02:08:00+02:00

Well, well. I guess it's not surprising that Lehman Brothers went belly up. From August of 2007

"NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Lehman Brothers has hired Jeb Bush, brother of the President of the United States, as an advisor to its private equity business, a source familiar with the situation said.

Lehman hired another relative of U.S. President George W. Bush last year--George Walker, a second cousin, who heads up the bank's asset management business.

Jeb Bush is the former governor of Florida.

Lehman Brothers declined to comment."

Gee, I wonder how many millions of dollars Georgie's cousin and brother absconded with. I remember back in the 80's when we had the savings and loan swindle there was another Bush involved in that one. I believe it was brother Neil. I tell you anytime something bad goes down in this country there's a Bush behind it. I think the Bush family needs to be rounded up, have all their assets frozen and liquidated, and put in prison for the rest of their lives. This crime family outdoes the fucking Mafia.

Portraits of an Obama Rally

2008-10-21T06:18:00+02:00

Location: WWI Museum, Liberty Memorial, Kansas City

Time: 2008-10-18, 4-7pm

Attendance: 75,000

Show Me Your Vote!

Yard signs

Obama memorabilia, even a cardboard cutout!

A glimpse of the podium

Men in Black everywhere

It was like going through airport security.

Safety is of paramount importance, specially for an outdoor event.

Anything can happen here... remember those Palin's rednecks shouting "kill him"?

Glad to see so many enthusiastic young volunteers.

Hello boys

I saw Obama!

2008-10-19T20:26:00+02:00

Rally for Change, Kansas City, Liberty Memorial, 2008-10-18

The vibe was very positive, the atmosphere was electrifying but also kinda relaxed.

Yay! Obama entering the Memorial Park.

(have to say GOOD JOB! to my Sony alpha DSLR)

I could tell that he was slightly tired, coming all d way from St Louis that morning. But he did a fine job.

There was definitely a sense that this is history in the making.

You should've seen that miles of cars that clotted the street afterwards... I simply didn't know there can be that many!

Abortion And Uteri

2008-10-19T04:09:31+02:00

Well, I haven't been to my blog in a while. I have been rather remiss and I notice that people still visit it so perhaps I need to be more prolific with my blogging. I tend to blog when something really pisses me off. Today I'm going to blog about an interesting experience I encountered. I signed on to be a volunteer at a MoveOn.org party and I called a number of folks in the Church Falls, VA area who had signed up as members of MoveOn.org and I was calling to see if they would be interested in drumming up support in Church Falls for Obama. Now I have to admit that John McCain and Sarah Palin give me the creeps. Especially Sarah Palin. I think it's great to see a woman running as vice president but this woman is a fucking freak. I'll get into that later in another blog.

I called many homes and got many answering machines. I assume something amazing was happening in Church Falls since most people didn't answer their phones. Perhaps it was a college football game. I know I let my answering machine take calls I don't expect. Anyway I got to talk to a few nice souls in Church Falls and the second to last person I called was definitely interesting. I told her that I was a MoveOn.org volunteer and I was wondering if perhaps she would be interesed in knocking on some doors or calling other MoveOn.org folks to drum up support for Obama. She basically gave me a lecture about how he is killing babies and the evils of abortion. Now Obama may very well be guilty of some things, what politician is totally honest? However I am not aware of him killing any babies. Naturally I let this woman rant and rave and when I finally got a word in edgewise I said "well, I can put you down as a definite no then." My sense of humor indulges everyone. This however leads me to the point of the blog today.

I am by no means a prude. I talk about sex, I joke about sex, I partake in sex. I find sex to be a healthy activity. I think it's good for spirit, mind, body, and soul. I am very open about sex. I do not view it as something evil. I do not see it as dirty or as some sort of sin. That being said I am aware that sometimes people tend to be irresponsible and find themselves in a predicament that they weren't intending to be in. An unplanned pregnancy. Most people take these pregnancies to term. Some do not. Be that as it may here is my take on this.

Since when did women's uteri (that is the plural form of uterus for the uneducated) become a top national priority in the U.S.? Why is the status of my uterus up for political debate? Why are total strangers such as the woman I spoke to today so concerned about what may or may not be taking place in my uterus? I own my uterus. I have total and absolute dictatorial control over my uterus. I have never found a need to use it. I will never use it period. To be honest, I worked once with a girl who didn't have a uterus of her own. If I could have taken mine out and given it to her, I would have. That is how non essential my uterus is to me. Therefore I fail to understand people's obssession with my or any one else's uterus.

We are engaged in two destructive and horrific wars. As a matter of fact I am quite certain that our military is guilty of killing more than their fair share of Afghani and Iraqi fetuses on a daily basis as they slaughter the natives of those regions. I can only wonder at how many Iraqi fetuses we annihilated during the intial three day "shock and awe" where we terrorized and bombed these people incessantly. Perhaps that is why I find this whole so called "pro life" debacle hypocritical. If indeed a fetus has a "right to life" which seems to be more important than a post uterus individual's right to life or innocence, then why do we invade other countries and annihilate fetuses there? Either all fetuses are sacred or they aren't. However I seem to suspect that these so called "pro life" folks are only interested in the viability of Anglo American fetuses. Since I am not Anglo, please leave my uterus in peace.

Our economy has collapsed. We are bankrupt. We have had massive layoffs and more layoffs are coming to a neighborhood near you. We are engaged in two wars. 45 million individuals have no health care. Entire families are living in homeless shelters and cars. Employment is scarce. Teachers are being laid off. Children are not getting the health care they need or the amount of food they need. We also seem to have a very high infant mortality rate. And all this is happening in the U.S. Here is my next point.

If we cannot care for post uterus individuals, if we cannot provide post uterus individuals with the best health care, employment opportunities, education, food, and shelter, then why do people obssess so much over fetuses? If every woman who finds herself pregnant is supposed to be so overjoyed at the prospect then why is it that these "pro life" people don't force legislation to be passed whereby every pregnant woman is guaranteed the best health care possible, the best pre natal care possible, and the best health care for newborn infants, babies, and children. Why aren't these "pro life" people lobbying for this? They have the money and the clout. Yet they for the most part belong to the Republican party which is notorious for stripping away Medicaid which provides health care for children.

If we refuse to ensure that children have the best in life and the best possible opportunities and all we envision for them is to not be aborted but to be killed off in war 18 years after their emergence from the uterus, then all this talk about a fetus's right to life is hypocritical. If we don't care about all fetuses, even Arabic fetuses, then this abortion debate is a bunch of shit.

Of course what this really is about is people's unhealthy, perverted obssession over uteri. People need to leave one another alone and to mind their own business and stay the fuck out of my uterus. My uterus is not for public consumption or political debate. Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama have any jurisdiction over my uterus. Leave my uterus alone folks and worry about your own if you possess one.

Different packages for conferencing service...

2008-10-15T12:06:22+02:00

This month Eagle conferencing is providing is a free trial for checking the reliability and scalability of the service. This means that you can check the quality of service before signing up with us. Presenters and attendees can instantly start an audio conference call by just dialing a conference bridge number and entering the corresponding pass codes provided to them. The evolution of audio conferencing services brought a rapid change in the conferencing world. The face to face meetings have almost lost their place with the introduction of conference calls. There is no need of equipped conference room as the conference is going to happen over a phone. There is also no limit to the number of participants in the conference calls. You can have the conference with unlimited number of conferees as per your requirement.These services offer methods that can handle the dial up on long distance; each of them works a little differently and you have many types of packages to sign up for. Some of them are:•Flat Monthly Fee -Unlimited Usage •Dial In Facility/Dial Out Facility•Usage Based Billing PackagesFor more details or the latest updates on current offers running on check with the main site. It is:www.eagleconferencing.in

Google's In Quotes

2008-10-14T20:08:00+02:00

Find out what various politicians (Obama, McCain, Clintons, John Edwards, Ron Paul, Condoleezza Rice, Sarah Palin, Dick Cheney, et al.) have said about various topics at Google's 'In Quotes': Iraq, the economy, abortion, marriage, oil, George W. Bush, or anything else you can think of. There are also Canadian, Indian, and UK editions which feature politicians in those places.

I tried 'libraries' and 'librarian' for both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin and got nothing. Got two hits on Palin for 'library,' though only one was a quote directly from her (the other was a quote someone attributed to her). Nothing for Hillary. Tried 'stem cell' for Palin and GW Bush -- turned up no quotes by Bush at all, which seems highly unlikely.

My initial assessment is that the quotes database is vastly underpopulated. One very useful feature: date and linked location are provided for each quote.

Asia Weekly Focus

2008-10-10T18:23:00+02:00

This week has been all about the markets starting to factor in the prospect of a global recession, it's not just the banking crisis in the northern hemisphere, which has been driving a lot of volatility in the markets in the past year or so but now the prospect is very real of a global downturn. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says he's more concerned about the stability of Australia's banks than its competitiveness. The Commonwealth Bank has launched a bid to buy Bankwest, while Westpac is trying to takeover St George Bank. Australia's opposition says the global economic crisis is an opportunity for the big banks, and will reduce competition in the market.

But Mr Rudd has brushed aside those concerns. "Competition questions can be resolved over time," he said. "The stability of the system is of fundamental importance, not just to businesses, but to every working family in the country, every pensioner and carer wants to know the banking system is stable, that's our first responsibility and I don't back away from it." Australian shares closed down 8.3 percent as the global financial crisis drove a fresh round of losses on world stock markets. The Japanese Nikkei index is still down by more than 10 per cent after shedding a massive 11-point-four per cent earlier in the day. The selling frenzy has been repeated all around Asiatic continent, although not with the same intensity. Share prices in Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea have all dropped by about seven per cent. In the meanwhyle Singapore's government has released figures showing the economy has slipped into recession. The ASX 200 has dropped 297-points to four-thousand-and-24. The Australian dollar has also been hit hard, falling more than six cents from its overnight peak to 65-point-six-six US cents.

China's top negotiator on Taiwan will meet the island's president for the first time, a Taipei official said on Thursday, in what would be a further sign of improved relations between the diplomatic rivals. Ma's Nationalist Party (KMT) ruled all of China until Mao Zedong's Communists won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek fled with the KMT to Taiwan. Taiwan is recognised by just 23 countries around the world compared to about 170 that recognise China. China has claimed sovereignty over democratic, self-ruled Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 and has vowed to bring the island under its rule, by force if necessary. But relations have improved since Ma came to office in May with pledges to boost the local economy by forging new trade and transit links with Beijing.

The two sides will also sign deals on regular flights and direct cargo shipments, PK Chiang, Taiwan's top negotiator on China policy. Chen Yunlin, head of China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, would meet President Ma Ying-jeou in Taiwan at the end of October or at the beginning of November. At a landmark meeting in Beijing in June, China and Taiwan agreed to begin direct charter flights Friday through Monday and let as many as 3,000 Chinese tourists visit the island per day. Before direct flights, previously banned for security reasons, travellers would make time-consuming plane changes in Hong Kong or Macau.

China and Taiwan are in talks to add six more Chinese cities to the five that handle Friday-through-Monday flights, and to shorten some of the flight paths. Trade and transit links with fast-growing economic powerhouse China should help lift Taiwan out of a seven-year economic slump aggravated by the global financial crisis. Taiwan is in last place among emerging Asian markets, and these direct flights can add business opportunities. At a round of talks expected in mid-2009, negotiators will discuss investment guarantees, financial relations and double taxation.

The head of the Solomon Islands Leadership Code Commission Emanuel Kouhota has told members of parliament that it is illegal to borrow money from individuals, while in office. The commission is investigating members of the Sikua government for possible misconduct. Local media have reported 18 ministers and backbenchers secretly obtained so-called loans from a prominent Honiara businessman.

The Speaker of the Solomon Islands Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea, has told the allegations are serious. "If it is true that such a situation occurred, then all I could say is that I would concur with the view of chairman of the Leadership Code Commission that it would be improper, and that it could be considered as misconduct in office."

Security forces are patrolling the streets of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, in an effort to maintain calm a day after deadly clashes. The leaders of mounting protests in Thailand have been granted bail after turning themselves in on charges related to their campaign to topple the government. A senior People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul says the police have granted him - and six others - bail unconditionally. Sondhi said he was heading directly to the protest camp at the prime minister's Government House offices, which the PAD have occupied since late August. No details were immediately released about the amount of bail. All seven protest leaders had turned themselves in on outstanding arrest warrants on charges of inciting unrest and illegal assembly. The move comes after PAD supporters and police clashed on the streets of Bangkok on Tuesday, with two people killed and hundreds injured. Leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy say they will continue their rallies until the elected administration steps down.

A new report shows middle income earners and younger New Zealanders are at risk of debt stress by Christmas. The New Zealand Herald reports Dun & Bradstreet's latest survey of consumer credit expectations shows a debt divide emerging in New Zealand as the global credit crisis impacts spending behaviours. One third of middle income earners and younger people expect to be forced to use their credit card to make ends meet, while one third of high income earners expect to lower their debt levels in the coming three months. The survey conducted last month shows younger New Zealanders and middle income earners face the greatest risk of debt troubles.

Written: by LuisB

Asif Ali Zardari, Presidential Cartoon?

2008-09-27T16:22:00+02:00

'Zardari: A Presidential Cartoon? By Investigative Journalist.Friday, 26 September 2008. Overseas Desk::------------------------>The day Asif Zardari was supposed to make one speech, he ended up making three. Well, he only meant to make two, but he made three. This isn’t statecraft; it’s the blind leading the lame leading the deaf. The ‘second speech’ fiasco is being blamed on that political appointee at PTV, Shahid Masood. Here’s some advice for Zardari: fire him. And the others too.I’m sure all the people working at PTV, the information ministry and in the president’s media team are nice people. I have no doubt they have families to support and unemployment in these tough economic times is nothing to sneeze at. But good, decent people can also be rubbish at their jobs. The media team surrounding Zardari has a simple task: make the president look presidential. Think Jinnah, not a Disney cartoon. The only reason Zardari got in front of a camera in the middle of the night was to reassure a frightened public that he has a steady hand at a time of crisis. His unsteady gaze and fumbling for words probably frightened the people a little more — this is the man in charge of our fate and security?The main show — the speech before the constellation of Pakistani and foreign elite — was botched too. I sat, pen in hand, ready to learn about Zardari’s plan for saving us. By the end of it, I wasn’t the only one wondering who will save us from Zardari. Forget his halting, fumbling delivery and his poor English — that’s just red meat for the snickering patricians amongst us. It matters little in which language he speaks and how he chooses to phrase himself, if — if — he is saying the right things. But he didn’t.Give him a break, the jiyalas cry. He’s learning on the job. Well, I’m sorry. Since when did supporting Team Democracy mean you have to support Team PPP? Especially if Team PPP is running the place into the ground? If Zardari isn’t ready for statesmanship, why must an orphaned country wait for him to grow into his job? He is only president because he wanted to be. And the same goes for the PPP co-chairmanship. It may rankle that the PPP is, in the memorable phrase of Tariq Ali, a “family heirloom”. But that’s our politics, so we can’t get stuck up over it. Now that Zardari has exercised his right to become leader though, it is our right to expect leadership from him.Bizarrely, some in the news media have argued that Zardari’s speech in parliament was presidential and that if he had given detailed policies he would have been criticized for eviscerating parliament. Rubbish. The circularity of power at the top of the civilian government is lost on nobody. Zardari is the PPP co-chairman. Forget the de facto configuration of power, it is factually his government. Were he to give up the co-chairmanship and strip himself of the powers inimical to parliamentary democracy, it would make sense to make a show of separating the presidency from parliament. But he hasn’t. The country needed policy. Asif Zardari could have made everyone happy by simply prefacing every policy statement with, “My government has instructed me to say….” But we got nothing.Zardari thundered that he wouldn’t let anyone violate our sovereignty. When Kayani said the same, the realists exchanged knowing glances. The general was pandering to the gallery — playing to a nationalist audience. It was red meat for the people, and the people loved it. The general was playing politics. It’s what Zardari should have done weeks ago.But in politics what’s fresh yesterday is stale today. A week is a long time in politics. Parroting Kayani’s line 10 days after the general surprised the world was pitiful. It’s a bit silly to talk about inviolable sovereignty when missiles have been raining down on Waziristan for weeks, isn’t it? Tell us instead what you’re going to do about missiles — and terrorism. Especially when you’re about to fly off to the UN to hobnob with the world’s elite.You want to win the war against the terrorists, defeat those who killed Benazir Bhutto and hundreds of Pakistanis, and rein in our shadowy agencies? Win over the people. All this talk of not violating our sovereignty and being our war is only violating our eardrums. Tell Pakistanis who we are fighting in Bajaur and why. Explain who the terrorists in Waziristan are. Unmask the sectarian hate-mongers in Khyber and Kurram. Use graphs and videos and numbers and pictures to expose the ugliness and hate that is spreading amongst us. The shadowy elements in the state apparatus will strike back. But they are no longer the real terror — the terrorists they have long since lost control of are.And squeeze the Americans for more aid. The Americans have given us a few hundred million to upgrade our F-16s. With great fanfare, they have also given us 11,000 tons of wheat. Some perspective: our annual wheat requirement is 23 million tons; we are importing two and a half million tons. This is a joke. Get something meaningful from the US. Bring the country money. Bring it fuel. Bring it a plan. Help the poor. Do something. Anything. Husain Haqqani and Mahmud Durrani owe their jobs to the fact that the Americans trust them — but what use is that trust if it earns us nothing? ‘Us’ being regular Pakistanis, not the PPP elite or the establishment.By now Zardari’s plan has revealed itself and it is wretchedly familiar: the consolidation of power. The trenches are being dug in Punjab rather than Waziristan. If someone dares, he should whisper into Zardari’s ear: what’s the point of consolidating power if you’ll end up presiding over the burned-out shell of a country?????? 'This column was first published.in Dawn newspaper'

Californian Gay Marriage TV Ad #1

2008-09-23T04:25:00+02:00

The Thorons - Don't Eliminate Marriage For AnyoneMake History - Vote NO on Prop.8The first gay marriage TV advert from Equality California & HRC is hitting the airwave today.I guess it's understandable why they're going for this non-offensive 3rd person angle. But it's just ironic that we have to shove ourselves back into the TV closet and "protect" the viewers from gay and lesbian visibility in order to garner support from the general population. Hmm...

SNL: Sarah Palin as Tina Fey

2008-09-15T01:40:00+02:00

Oh boy. This might be the best thing that came out of the election...

We must not blink, Charlie

2008-09-12T06:55:00+02:00

The best lairs do not blink - Chinese wisdom

Troopergate hitting the fan?

2008-09-11T23:30:00+02:00

What are friends for?

2008-09-09T21:19:09+02:00

Anne Kilkenny's Sarah Palin Gone Viral

2008-09-06T22:00:00+02:00

[[An ordinary Wasilla housewife's take on her ex-Mayor Sarah Palin]]ABOUT SARAH PALIN I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992. Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her father was my child's favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the residents of the city. She is enormously popular; in every way she's like the most popular girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and won't vote for her can't quit smiling when talking about her because she is a "babe". It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents for seven months. She is "pro-life". She recently gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby. There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby. She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym. She is savvy. She doesn't take positions; she just "puts things out there" and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit. Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin's kind of job is highly sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been anything like that of native Alaskans. Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters. She's smart. Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000 (at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about 670,000 residents. During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had given rise to a recall campaign. Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a "fiscal conservative". During her 6 years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they benefited residents. The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration weren't enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece of property that the City didn't even have clear title to, that was still in litigation 7 yrs later--to the delight of the lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the community but a huge money pit, not the profit- generator she claimed it would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing. While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office redecorated more than once. These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city. As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state. In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today's surplus, borrow for needs. She's not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren't generated by her or her staff. Ideas weren't evaluated on their merits, but on the basis of who proposed them. While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the Librarian are on her enemies list to this day. Sarah complained about the "old boy's club" when she first ran for Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of "old boys". Palin fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people, creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally grateful and fiercely loyal--loyal to the point of abusing their power to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the case of pressuring the State's top cop (see below). As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he "intimidated" her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska's top cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure and she had every legal right to fire him, but it's pretty clear that an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn't fire her sister's ex- husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in- law. She tried to replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew her support. She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn't like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness. Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything publicly about her. When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party) engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a gutsy fighter against the "old boys' club" when she dramatically quit, exposing this man's ethics violations (for which he was fined).As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the "bridge to nowhere" after it became clear that it would be unwise not to. As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative action restored most of these projects--which had been vetoed simply because she was not aware of their importance-- but with the unobservant she had gained a reputation as "anti-pork". She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a fiscal conservative. Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah. They call her "Sarah Barracuda" because of her unbridled ambition and predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made point guard on the high school basketball team. When Sarah's mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her. As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package of legislation known as "AGIA" that forced the oil companies to march to the beat of her drum. Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to global warming. She campaigned "as a private citizen" against a state initiative that would have either a) protected salmon streams from pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State's lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior's decision to list polar bears as threatened species. McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a heartbeat away from being President. There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more knowledgeable and experienced than she. However, there's a lot of people who have underestimated her and are regretting it. CLAIM VS FACT *"Hockey mom": true for a few years *"PTA mom": true years ago when her first-born was in elementary school, not since*"NRA supporter": absolutely true *social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships (said she did this because it was unconstitutional) . *pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to promote it. *"Pro-life": mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life legislation *"Experienced": Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska. No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city administrator to run town of about 5,000. *political maverick: not at all *gutsy: absolutely! *open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at explaining actions. *has a developed philosophy of public policy: no *"a Greenie": no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores and disconnected parking lots. Is pro- drilling off-shore and in ANWR. *fiscal conservative: not by my definition! *pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built streets to early 20th century standards. *pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on residents *pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city government in Wasilla's history. *pro-labor/pro- union. No. Just because her husband works union doesn't make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim that she is pro-labor/pro- union. WHY AM I WRITING THIS? First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny + Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local government, education, and PTA/parent organizations. Secondly, I've always operated in the belief that "Bad things happen when good people stay silent". Few people know as much as I do because few have gone to as many City Council meetings. Third, I am just a housewife. I don't have a job she can bump me out of. I don't belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will cost me somehow in the future: that's life. Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100 or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah's attempt at censorship. Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to say anything because they were somehow vulnerable. CAVEATS I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor) from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of Wasilla, and I can't recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible for a private person to get any info out of City Hall--they are swamped. So I can't verify my numbers. You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the population of Wasilla, ranging from my "about 5,000", up to 9,000. The day Palin's selection was announced a city official told me that the current population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was 5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to 2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90's.(I saw this from an iReporter the other day, who from Newsvine & Political Examiner, and now finally the mainstream media including NPR)

Qualifying McBitch

2008-09-04T06:45:00+02:00

[Drill drill drill, I wanna puke!][I hope baby Trig had earplugs.]Must say for some twisted reasons, I did have some high expectations from Sarah Palin's first speech on the national stage at the RNC. Given her sassy energetic image, I thought it'd at least be fun to listen to.But after struggling through the first 10 minutes of "Hymns to POW", I realized that the independent Goddess of Alaska has morphed into a full-fledged Republican attack dog, mouthing nothing but inaccurate "fact" and personal accusations against Obama.Where's the meat?Not even ONCE did she talk about health care or education or protecting the environment! Oops I forgot, she's an R.Why mention "Bridge to nowhere" or "earmarks" or the importance of experience when all these questionable issues are giving her troubles? How delusional!Why telling Obama what a mayor does when it reminds people that only 2 months ago you didn't know what the VP does everyday?!Baffling to say the least.You're completely off your mind if you think this is the way to court independents.One day, your negative comments on community organizers will come back to haunt you~ Fact Check.orgThis image reminds me of the Parade of Shame back in old Communist China...Oh, Levi, what a difference a fuck made!

Levi Johnston: Curse of his Myspace profile

2008-09-04T03:45:00+02:00

[Can't believe I'm blogging this. You need popcorn to watch CNN these days. Look which babydaddy is joining the American Royal Family]Levi Johnston"I’m a fuckin’ redneck, who likes to snowboard and ride dirt bikes. But I live to play hockey. I like to go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some shit and just fuckin’ chillin’ I guess.""Ya fuck with me I’ll kick ass."Status: In a RelationshipHere for: FriendsOrientation: StraightHometown: WASILLABody type: 5′ 8″ / AthleticZodiac Sign: TaurusChildren: I don’t want kidsEducation: High schoolJohn McCain, if these kids ruined their lives, you're going to hell!

Dude, that's SO COOL

2008-09-04T01:20:00+02:00

Levi, you're SO COOL!

I wanna nail a girl before the prom and brag to the WHOLE freakin WORLD just like you!

Before this, I didn't know that havin unprotected sex and gettin ya gal pregnant can get you onto TV!! Even my church said you're one FINE role model to America.

That's awesome dude. You're my hero!!

John McCain: ready to have more wars

2008-09-02T23:45:00+02:00

more wars X3

Go into Iran

Warmongering nature

Cafferty: John McCain the hypocrite

John McCain: Straight Talk Outta Your Ass

2008-09-02T07:45:00+02:00

10 things you should knowMcCain's YouTube ProblemJohn McCain vs. John McCainMcCain Caught LyingJohn.he.isJohn McCain eats his own words on Meet the Press

Snow White Trash

2008-09-02T06:00:00+02:00

My oh my. Look at the power of the internet gossips.Poor Bristol Palin. I just can't believe this irresponsible monster Governor Palin chose to openly drag her daughter's private life through the mud by accepting a VP nomination. Ironic isn't it, given the "abstinence only" bullshit she's been trumpeting with Bush, telling people how to live their lives.Or, should I say, hypocrite, since Ms Alaska runner-up was once a teenage mother herself, who eloped with the high school sweet DUI dude.Snow white trash (since it's Alaska)!Please spare those "it's a common American story" comments. If we want a common person in the white house, just go pick one off the street. Don't really need to throw billions into an election.All those right wing Evangelical fuckers lining up to show their "praises" and "respects"? Give me a break. It's a hypocrites edition of Who's Who.In Chinese, we have a saying that the better it looks from the outside, the more rotten it is inside.I know I should never underestimate anyone spotting an immaculate beehive.But if Palin can't even keep her family under control, don't expect her to keep the world order under control.Sorry McCain, your news dumping didn't work. Gustav didn't make a landfall on the internet.

Gender stereotyping

2008-08-18T05:35:00+02:00

Appalling reich-wingers continue to claim that institutionalised sexism doesn't exist anymore. Excuse me? Take the Iguana-gate affair. Would there have been even the slightest interest in this matter had Belinda Neal been a male?

Of course not.

And remember all the mockery of Ms Neal for saying, "Don't you know who I am?". No man in politics would have received such criticism if he'd said it. (And no man would have needed to say it anyway, because people would have known who he was.)

In any case, this seemingly aggressive attitude is quite understandable from a woman in politics. She has been routinely ignored; treated as second class citizen by the political patriarchy for decades. She shouldn't be excoriated for such demands; she should be celebrated for them!

Of course many other media attacks on her have been sexist in the extreme. But sassy as always, she continues to fight on. For instance, understandably affronted by an appalling item in the Murdoch rag The Australian in which it was claimed "she wears the pants" in her relationship with her signifcant other, she is complaining to the Press Council.

I hope she finds justice. I also hope that John Della Bosca lodges a claim of his own, because it implies that he doesn't wear anything!

What difference does technology and science make in the abortion debate?

2008-07-29T18:21:08+02:00

The British Parliament recently rejected the argument to reduce the upper limit of abortion for non disabled children, despite reports that babies have a greater chance of surviving before 24 weeks. Dawn Primarolo, the health minister, essentially argued that there was no evidence that technology had made a difference to the abortion debate.[1]

There have been extensive changes in the medical and scientific understanding of the development of the unborn child since 1967. We now have a greater knowledge of the damaging psychological impact of abortion[2], and with this we should examine the provisions that surround abortion in order to allow women to address to issues and be fully aware of the nature and consequences of abortion. Nine out of ten MPs favour a continuous review of the law in the light of new medical discoveries.

Other studies have shown evidence of the foetal pain of abortion,[3] an improvement in survival rates for those born before 24 weeks[4] and a link between abortion and breast cancer.[5] Some of these studies have been disputed, but more and more studies continue to validate these links. Many politicians and experts, including the House of Commons select committee,[6] have preferred to overlook this evidence, rather than consider the developing medical consensus of the damage of abortion to both the unborn child and the mother.

I believe that abortion is the most important and contentious issue our country faces because every year, 200,000 unborn children die by induced abortion, when they do not have the ability to defend themselves. These children, who have the dignity of being members of the human race, do not have the ability to speak for themselves. It looks like the British parliament has no interest in their cause: in the last 18 years in parliament, more than 700 hours were spent debating foxhunting legislation whereas just 3 hours were spent seriously debating the value of unborn children!

Yet it is undeniable that technology has made a phenomenal difference to the abortion debate. Professor Stuart Campbell has created 3D images of babies that have struck hearts and minds helping us to see the human face of the unborn babies.[7] His pictures show babies in the womb sucking their thumb, yawning and smiling. This has helped to communicate the human nature of the foetus- a convincing counter argument for those who just believe it to be a clump of cells. Modern technology has helped us to visualise what normally is hidden inside the womb, helping us to see that a baby inside the womb is not terribly dissimilar to one outside the womb.

Doctor Bernard Nathanson has used the technology of broadcasting to show action and reaction inside the womb. The film shows how a baby, just prior to being aborted, gives to considerable stressful signs and attempts to avoid being attacked by the tools of the abortionist.[8] The film compelling shows how human life is present in the womb and can even struggle to live and communicate inside the womb. This caused a radical change in heart for Doctor Bernard from being ardently pro choice to firmly pro life and his film has changed the hearts of thousands of others.

With such comprehensive legislation preventing discrimination of this disabled in society, why should we be allowed to discriminate in the womb but not on the pavement? In allowing abortion up to and during birth for "serious disability," the Abortion Act is at variance with The Disability Discrimination Act, which aims to end discrimination against the disabled. The Disability Rights Commission has questioned the discriminatory nature of our abortion legislation. Many are still unaware that abortion is still a crime in this country because it has only been partially decriminalised.

Above all, a new sexual revolution needs to occur before abortion diminishes in the western world. This will happen through the rediscovery of modesty and chastity as joyful ways of life. The discovery of compassionate alternatives need to be provided, such as housing, adoption and counselling for those involved in this trauma. Abortion is a tragedy, yet there is healing, compassion, mercy and forgiveness for those who have had this terrible experience.

[1]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7059169.stm

[2] Abortion has been shown to be damaging to mental health. Fergusson D et al. Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2006; 47(1): 16-24. Reardon DC et al. Psychiatric admissions of low-income women following abortion and childbirth. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2003; 168 (10): 1253-6 Coleman PK et al. State-funded abortions versus deliveries: a comparison of outpatient mental health claims over 4 years. American Journal Orthopsychiatry. 2002; 72,1: 141-152. Coleman PK et al. A history of induced abortion in relation to substance use during subsequent pregnancies carried to term. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2002; 187,6: 1673-1678

[3]Anand KJS et al. Neurodevelopmental Changes of Fetal Pain. Seminars in Perinatology. 2007; 31:275-282.

[4] Hoekstra RE et al. Survival and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely premature infants born at 23-26 weeks gestational age at a tertiary centre. Pediatrics. 2004; 113: e1-e6. Riley K et al. Changes in survival and neurodevelopmental outcome in 22 to 25 weeks gestation infants over a 20 year period (abstract). European Society for Pediatric Research, Annual Scientific Meeting. 2004

[5]Brind J et al. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. J. Epidemiology and Community Health. 1997; 50:465-467

[6]http://hfebill.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=5&id=20&Itemid=32

[7] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3846525.stm

[8] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjNo_0cW-ek