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9.29.2006
Republican Trent Lott. WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush barely mentioned the war in Iraq when he met with Republican senators behind closed doors in the Capitol Thursday morning and was not asked about the course of the war, Sen. Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, said. I'm sure all the people in the "real world" with kids, spouses and parents fighting in Iraq aren't "obsessed" with Iraq either. Its the war that went wrong and now the leaders would just rather that we forgot that its even happening. That Lott even assumes to speak for people in the real world should make us all smirk or chortle just a little bit. Lott went on to say he has difficulty understanding the motivations behind the violence in Iraq. This from a man whose party promoted the invasion of Iraq by pushing the fear of middle eastern people after 9-11? A man whose party demonizes everyone that disagrees with them? A man whose party is trying to win the next election by making immigration an issue with white suburban voters? A man whose party is winning points with homophobes by pushing an anti-gay amendment to the constitution? A man whose party is using religious faith as a political wedge? He doesn't understand tribal tensions and how people use them for political gain? You've got to be kidding me! That's like a fish that doesn't understand water. "It's hard for Americans, all of us, including me, to understand what's wrong with these people," he said. "Why do they kill people of other religions because of religion? Why do they hate the Israelis and despise their right to exist? Why do they hate each other? Why do Sunnis kill Shiites? How do they tell the difference? They all look the same to me." Of course Trent Lott isn't stupid and neither are the rest of us. But for those of you that really don't get it, here's a quick rundown... Why do they kill people of other religions because of religion? Because each side is convinced that they are the only ones anointed by God to be "right", thus, the other side must be wrong. The ethnocentrism nurtured by religious faith convinces people that not only is it good to kill others, but that its what God would want. Why do they hate the Israelis and despise their right to exist? Initially it was because the state of Israel was created by mandate and the Arabs in the area didn't like the idea that the Jews were moving back in. Nowadays its become a cause; a reason to push a radical agenda and consolidate political power in the region by creating a common enemy. Why do they hate the Israelis and despise their right to exist? Actually they don't think that the state of Israel has a right to exist, as it is an artificial creation (as are all states) and is resting atop where other people believe they have a historical right to live. I'm sure that most people in the region would be perfectly happy to have the people of Israel relocate somewhere else - hence, they can exist, just somewhere else. Why do they hate each other? Why do Sunnis kill Shiites? How do they tell the difference? They all look the same to me. Humans hate other humans for all sorts of reasons, but the main reason is because "they aren't like us". People always use scapegoats to deflect the blame away from themselves. Its always someone else that is the problem. Additionally, in some parts of the world they lack the fundamental liberal institutions that are essential to promote tolerance and peace. And do I even have to comment on the line that "They all look the same to me."? Nah, I don't think so. | 9.25.2006
Gotta say that I wasn't always a big fan of President Clinton's economic policies while he was in office, but today he is my hero for speaking truth to power on Fox News. As to why the news media gives a pass to Bush and the Republicans, there are easy answers: 1) Because they have the backing of some powerful and wealthy corporate backers that want to keep Republicans in power to ensure friendly policies, and 2) because the Republicans have done a good job of shaping the public discourse in their own terms. This shifting of the debate to the right has involved hiring hundreds of talking heads all over the country to fill people's head full of nonsense and to create the impression that the Republicans are the cool kids and its best not to be seen with those Democratic losers over there. This, in spite of the fact that time after time after time the "losers" turn out to be right, smarter, more honest and more competant, and the cool kids are a bunch of lying assholes who are just looking out for themselves and the people that pay their bills. This administration has been a disaster and the president is an entitled rich kid who lets greedy idealoges tell him what to think. However, they have convinced the news media that pointing out this fact would not only endanger the country, but put the media in league with our enemies. Of course, this is ridiculous. | 9.24.2006
"Hi I'm an obnoxious Mac Owner" "And I'm some guy that bought a cheap PC from Dell for about a third of the price" "I get a sense of superiority from owning an expensive computer." "I just needed a computer to send some emails and do homework." "I can edit photos, create movies, and play music..." "I can too." "I'm fun and hip..." "I play more games..." | 9.16.2006
The pope makes remarks about the prophet mohammad and the muslims get upset? When I heard this I thought it seemed a little absurd considering that the Pope represents a church that claims to be the one and only truth of the divine. I find this claim offensive in and of itself. But I expect religious people to routinely go off on how superior they are because of their unique position of being in personal contact with god. Its not unusual... ... and of course people are very touchy about their religions. | 9.11.2006
Just a few days ago we passed a national holiday in remembrance of the great strides the working class has made in this country. Many of us noticed the day simply because it marked another holiday in which there were promised to be "magnificent savings!". For this Labor Day, I worked. Sure, I made time and a half because of federal laws, but I worked nonetheless. The most powerful institutions in this country, the corporations that run it, are more than happy for many of us to forget that the struggle of the working class has been a battle against their power. So its not simply about a day. They would like us to forget that much of what we have gained as working people in America has been earned through conflict with the rich and powerful. Today is September 11th, and I have to wonder just how long it will take before the significance of this day will succumb to the cult of consumerism. After all, we have learned (or we should have learned) that nothing is sacred in the eyes of the marketplace. I suspect that a generation or two will have to pass before people look upon this day as yet another occasion to head to the malls and spend money. After all, we've stripped much of the sacred nature from all our other holidays. And lest you think a day like 9-11 could never been used for such crass purposes, I simply have to turn your attention to the various Memorial Day sales each year. Memorial Day - a day of remembrance, has been mostly forgotten expect by those who still remember why we should observe a day for the fallen. More and more I find that the only thing that Americans seem to stand for is the acquisition of wealth and power. For that goal we will be willing to strip any and all meaning from our culture, to believe whatever lies might serve that end and follow whomever promises to lead us to our goals. | |
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