From back in the days when most American's struggled to find Iraq on a map and and Texans thought a "Saddam" was the pistol carried by police officers, we find this story:
ON THIS DAY Aug 2, 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait
Just a reminder then of the crazy land grab that started it all and got us where we are today.
Reading this old report certainly brought back memories (not least Mr. Garton telling me to take down on grounds of taste the photo of Saddam with a speech bubble declaring my boarding school dorm room to be "the 19th province of Iraq" that Al Bowles had stuck up there for a laugh) and sparked these questions:
a) If Saddam's pre-emptive invasion of the dictatorship of Kuwait for what he considered economic security reasons was roundly condemned by the United States and resulted in a UN resolution for a coalition to push him out militarily, why was the United States' pre-emptive invasion of the dictatorship of Iraq for what we considered national security reasons OK? I can parse the difference from here, but the trouble is the Arab street, madrassas, and universities; the recruiting grounds for Al Qadea and Ansar Al Islam; cannot.
b) Daddy, what was a coalition?
c) Why do we let the Kuwaitis get away with it? If we are for building democracy in Iraq, how can we be friends with a kingdom that imported thousands of indentured guest workers before Iraq invaded so that the Kuwaiti population could live lives of unprecendented luxury, and then beat, executed, and imprisoned hundreds of those workers post war because they were deemed not to have shown sufficient resistance to Iraq (even while the Kuwaiti army was running south at full speed)?
Oy! Sorry, sorry; mustn't ask questions I already know the answers to; its a cheap rhetorical trick. I've been watching too much convention coverage. Besides, if we ask questions, the terrorists win.
Talking of the Democratic Convention, I spent most of the week on the couch watching the dang thing from pillar to post and marshalling my thoughts for a potentially epic post on the week's events after the weekend. Watch this space to see if I summon up the courage the write the darn thing.
Friday, July 30, 2004
History Friday Part One: 1966: Football glory for England
I could not resist this story, despite the various more important things in the world:
ON THIS DAY, July 30 1966: World Cup Football glory for England
This happened 38 years ago (and 7 years before I was born) but it is still the most important athletic event that has ever involved an England team. I can even name all the members of that bloody team who became world champions almost a decade before I took my first breath.
All sporting (and often political and military) achievement in England is measured against the 1966 World Cup win in the now defunct Wembley Stadium. The game produced many iconic images, from defender Nobby Stiles' menacing grin (Nobby looked like a cross between Austin Powers and one of those scary fish with jagged teeth that live in the abbyssopelagic layer of the ocean); mad English fans with old fashioned faces and rosettes on their lapels and rattles in their hands; the infant-like Martin Peters flicking his Beatle haircut out of his eyes as he steadied himself to fire one on goal; the suggestion of a whiff of sulphur and sub-audible Wagner whenever a German touched the ball; Geoff Hurst leaping like a salmon to head home the winning goal; and the great Bobby Moore, England captain, hoisting the Jules Rimet to the sky while sitting on his team-mates shoulders, the sun back lighting his head to turn his hair the same colour as the trophy.
My father's generation was extremely lucky in that they got to experience the 1966 win in ultimately the only sport that matters. I play rugby and love the game, but the world cup victory in Australia last year was (I say under my breath) not the same emotionally as the lowliest of England football tournament wins. I'm a huge fan of cricket and since I've been living in the States I've become fixated on baseball, American football, and NASCAR, but nothing would come close to the anticpated floodtide of pride, joy, and inane grinning that would accompany an England World Cup win.
Of course England teams have been living with the expectation that comes from being the inventors of the game and from having won in 1966 ever since July 31st, 1966 the day after they won the World Cup. The truth is that the nautre of the game as played in the home islands is that any given generation of England players will consist of a few woefully misued or over-burdened "flair" players and a phalanx of big hearted, shin-chopping donkeys who excel at clenching their fists, gnashing their teeth, and bleeding from head wounds for England. All of these players and the coaching staff invariably exist under a blanket of insane expectation from the press and the fans that makes the slightest stumble fatal and anything less than total victory a hanging offence.
And the truth is we love it that way. Its a soap opera for boys, and once every couple of years it feels like it really matters. Two years to go to the next one, and by then the inquest into our failure at the Europeans in Portugal will be over. Roll on Germany 2006...
ON THIS DAY, July 30 1966: World Cup Football glory for England
This happened 38 years ago (and 7 years before I was born) but it is still the most important athletic event that has ever involved an England team. I can even name all the members of that bloody team who became world champions almost a decade before I took my first breath.
All sporting (and often political and military) achievement in England is measured against the 1966 World Cup win in the now defunct Wembley Stadium. The game produced many iconic images, from defender Nobby Stiles' menacing grin (Nobby looked like a cross between Austin Powers and one of those scary fish with jagged teeth that live in the abbyssopelagic layer of the ocean); mad English fans with old fashioned faces and rosettes on their lapels and rattles in their hands; the infant-like Martin Peters flicking his Beatle haircut out of his eyes as he steadied himself to fire one on goal; the suggestion of a whiff of sulphur and sub-audible Wagner whenever a German touched the ball; Geoff Hurst leaping like a salmon to head home the winning goal; and the great Bobby Moore, England captain, hoisting the Jules Rimet to the sky while sitting on his team-mates shoulders, the sun back lighting his head to turn his hair the same colour as the trophy.
My father's generation was extremely lucky in that they got to experience the 1966 win in ultimately the only sport that matters. I play rugby and love the game, but the world cup victory in Australia last year was (I say under my breath) not the same emotionally as the lowliest of England football tournament wins. I'm a huge fan of cricket and since I've been living in the States I've become fixated on baseball, American football, and NASCAR, but nothing would come close to the anticpated floodtide of pride, joy, and inane grinning that would accompany an England World Cup win.
Of course England teams have been living with the expectation that comes from being the inventors of the game and from having won in 1966 ever since July 31st, 1966 the day after they won the World Cup. The truth is that the nautre of the game as played in the home islands is that any given generation of England players will consist of a few woefully misued or over-burdened "flair" players and a phalanx of big hearted, shin-chopping donkeys who excel at clenching their fists, gnashing their teeth, and bleeding from head wounds for England. All of these players and the coaching staff invariably exist under a blanket of insane expectation from the press and the fans that makes the slightest stumble fatal and anything less than total victory a hanging offence.
And the truth is we love it that way. Its a soap opera for boys, and once every couple of years it feels like it really matters. Two years to go to the next one, and by then the inquest into our failure at the Europeans in Portugal will be over. Roll on Germany 2006...
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Obama Hits A Home Run
Want something inspiring on a Wednesday morning? Here's the full text of the keynote speech given last night at the Democratic National Convention by Illinois senate candidate Barack Obama:
"On behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, land of Lincoln, let me express my deep gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let’s face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant.
But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place; America which stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor he signed up for duty, joined Patton’s army and marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised their baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the GI Bill, bought a house through FHA, and moved west in search of opportunity.
And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter, a common dream, born of two continents. My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or “blessed,” believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren’t rich, because in a generous America you don’t have to be rich to achieve your potential. They are both passed away now. Yet, I know that, on this night, they look down on me with pride.
I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents’ dreams live on in my precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible. Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night and know they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hiring somebody’s son. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted—or at least, most of the time.
This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations. And fellow Americans—Democrats, Republicans, Independents—I say to you tonight: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that’s moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour. More to do for the father I met who was losing his job and choking back tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits he counted on. More to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn’t have the money to go to college.
Don’t get me wrong. The people I meet in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks, they don’t expect government to solve all their problems. They know they have to work hard to get ahead and they want to. Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don’t want their tax money wasted by a welfare agency or the Pentagon. Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can’t teach kids to learn. They know that parents have to parent, that children can’t achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. No, people don’t expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.
In this election, we offer that choice. Our party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. That man is John Kerry. John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and sacrifice, because they’ve defined his life. From his heroic service in Vietnam to his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he has devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we’ve seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. His values and his record affirm what is best in us.
John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. So instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he’ll offer them to companies creating jobs here at home. John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren’t held hostage to the profits of oil companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields. John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us. And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option, but it should never be the first option.
A while back, I met a young man named Shamus at the VFW Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid, six-two or six-three, clear eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he’d joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week. As I listened to him explain why he’d enlisted, his absolute faith in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all any of us might hope for in a child. But then I asked myself: Are we serving Shamus as well as he was serving us? I thought of more than 900 service men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, who will not be returning to their hometowns. I thought of families I had met who were struggling to get by without a loved one’s full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or with nerves shattered, but who still lacked long-term health benefits because they were reservists. When we send our young men and women into harm’s way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they’re going, to care for their families while they’re gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.
Now let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure. John Kerry believes in America. And he knows it’s not enough for just some of us to prosper. For alongside our famous individualism, there’s another ingredient in the American saga.
A belief that we are connected as one people. If there’s a child on the south side of Chicago who can’t read, that matters to me, even if it’s not my child. If there’s a senior citizen somewhere who can’t pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it’s not my grandmother. If there’s an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It’s that fundamental belief—I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sisters’ keeper—that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. “E pluribus unum.” Out of many, one.
Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there’s not a liberal America and a conservative America—there’s the United States of America. There’s not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there’s the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
In the end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope? John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope. I’m not talking about blind optimism here—the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don’t talk about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. No, I’m talking about something more substantial. It’s the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker’s son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. The audacity of hope!
In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation; the belief in things not seen; the belief that there are better days ahead. I believe we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity. I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair. I believe that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us. America!
Tonight, if you feel the same energy I do, the same urgency I do, the same passion I do, the same hopefulness I do—if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as president, and John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come. Thank you and God bless you."
"On behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, land of Lincoln, let me express my deep gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let’s face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant.
But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place; America which stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor he signed up for duty, joined Patton’s army and marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised their baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the GI Bill, bought a house through FHA, and moved west in search of opportunity.
And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter, a common dream, born of two continents. My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or “blessed,” believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren’t rich, because in a generous America you don’t have to be rich to achieve your potential. They are both passed away now. Yet, I know that, on this night, they look down on me with pride.
I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents’ dreams live on in my precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible. Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night and know they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hiring somebody’s son. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted—or at least, most of the time.
This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations. And fellow Americans—Democrats, Republicans, Independents—I say to you tonight: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that’s moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour. More to do for the father I met who was losing his job and choking back tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits he counted on. More to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn’t have the money to go to college.
Don’t get me wrong. The people I meet in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks, they don’t expect government to solve all their problems. They know they have to work hard to get ahead and they want to. Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don’t want their tax money wasted by a welfare agency or the Pentagon. Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can’t teach kids to learn. They know that parents have to parent, that children can’t achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. No, people don’t expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.
In this election, we offer that choice. Our party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. That man is John Kerry. John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and sacrifice, because they’ve defined his life. From his heroic service in Vietnam to his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he has devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we’ve seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. His values and his record affirm what is best in us.
John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. So instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he’ll offer them to companies creating jobs here at home. John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren’t held hostage to the profits of oil companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields. John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us. And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option, but it should never be the first option.
A while back, I met a young man named Shamus at the VFW Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid, six-two or six-three, clear eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he’d joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week. As I listened to him explain why he’d enlisted, his absolute faith in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all any of us might hope for in a child. But then I asked myself: Are we serving Shamus as well as he was serving us? I thought of more than 900 service men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, who will not be returning to their hometowns. I thought of families I had met who were struggling to get by without a loved one’s full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or with nerves shattered, but who still lacked long-term health benefits because they were reservists. When we send our young men and women into harm’s way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they’re going, to care for their families while they’re gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.
Now let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure. John Kerry believes in America. And he knows it’s not enough for just some of us to prosper. For alongside our famous individualism, there’s another ingredient in the American saga.
A belief that we are connected as one people. If there’s a child on the south side of Chicago who can’t read, that matters to me, even if it’s not my child. If there’s a senior citizen somewhere who can’t pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it’s not my grandmother. If there’s an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It’s that fundamental belief—I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sisters’ keeper—that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. “E pluribus unum.” Out of many, one.
Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there’s not a liberal America and a conservative America—there’s the United States of America. There’s not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there’s the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
In the end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope? John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope. I’m not talking about blind optimism here—the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don’t talk about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. No, I’m talking about something more substantial. It’s the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker’s son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. The audacity of hope!
In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation; the belief in things not seen; the belief that there are better days ahead. I believe we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity. I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair. I believe that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us. America!
Tonight, if you feel the same energy I do, the same urgency I do, the same passion I do, the same hopefulness I do—if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as president, and John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come. Thank you and God bless you."
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Monday, July 26, 2004
Vicki's commentary on Muslim issues
If you haven't checked out this blog (listed in the links bar) please take the time to visit sometime soon:
Vicki's commentary on Muslim issues
Vicki is a Muslim woman living in Flint, Michigan who offers insight into the diversity of opinion and the sometimes uncomfortable ambivalence that permeates the American Islamic community.
You won't always agree with her, and she doesn't claim to speak for a whole religion, but you should add her to your sources when you evaluate the news fed to you by the networks and conglomorate owned newspapers.
Vicki's commentary on Muslim issues
Vicki is a Muslim woman living in Flint, Michigan who offers insight into the diversity of opinion and the sometimes uncomfortable ambivalence that permeates the American Islamic community.
You won't always agree with her, and she doesn't claim to speak for a whole religion, but you should add her to your sources when you evaluate the news fed to you by the networks and conglomorate owned newspapers.
Friday, July 23, 2004
Media For Democracy 2004
An interesting campaign for media reform that you might want to consider joining:
Media For Democracy 2004 | Homepage
As a former local radio broadcaster here in Maine its a subject close to my heart. I left the industry voluntarily when the stations I managed were sold to the big boys (most notably Clear Channel) as I didn't want to work at a radio Wal-Mart.
Sure enough, despite promises of commitment to quality and local programming, what dominates the airwaves both in Maine and across the nation is the same cheesy, poorly produced, conservative, uninspired pap that will only serve to alienate the listeners it purports to serve.
Media For Democracy 2004 | Homepage
As a former local radio broadcaster here in Maine its a subject close to my heart. I left the industry voluntarily when the stations I managed were sold to the big boys (most notably Clear Channel) as I didn't want to work at a radio Wal-Mart.
Sure enough, despite promises of commitment to quality and local programming, what dominates the airwaves both in Maine and across the nation is the same cheesy, poorly produced, conservative, uninspired pap that will only serve to alienate the listeners it purports to serve.
History Friday: One I was there for.
Although this did not happen today and therefore isn't a Friday "History Friday" thing, I'm going to exercise historic license as I was actually there for this one:
BBC ON THIS DAY July 20 1974: Turkey invades Cyprus: Thousands of Turkish troops have invaded northern Cyprus after last-minute talks in the Greek capital, Athens, failed to reach a solution."
On July 20th 1974 I was one day shy of being 13 months old. My dad was 26 and a Royal Air Force engineer with a squadron of Lightning fighter-jets; my mother was 20 and living overseas for the first time. Dad was based at RAF Akrotiri and we lived down in the civilian town in a rented house when the Turks invaded. Although not involved in the fighting, the British air base of course went on full alert and my dad spent his days keeping the Lightnings ready to respond to any threat (the British presence on Cyprus, which continues to this day, may have seem like a colonial hangover until one realizes its close proximity to flashpoints in the mid-east). He slept under a ping pong table in the rec room and was not to see my mother or me for almost a year.
As for mum and me, I'm told that we cowered down below the window line of our house, keeping out of sight of the factional fighting while we waited for evacuation. Our mail slot was taped shut to prevent grenades being rolled into the house. The Army was eventually able to rescue the military families from the chaos raging in the streets; I think our saviours were from the Royal Scots, but I'm sure a relative will correct me if I'm wrong. After all, I have no memories of my own of this, just being a wee baby at the time...
We were housed with several other families until the evacuation flights could arrive. My mum, just out of her teens and with an irraciable baby in her arms, was shunted from pillar to post friendless and alone until a place was found on a plane for us. Somehow we had become mixed up with the Army families, and the animosity between the British service branches was almost as strong as that between the Greeks and Turks. Finally, we made it onboard a trooper, and clutching my yellow teddy bear I apparently snoozed the whole way to England.
BBC ON THIS DAY July 20 1974: Turkey invades Cyprus: Thousands of Turkish troops have invaded northern Cyprus after last-minute talks in the Greek capital, Athens, failed to reach a solution."
On July 20th 1974 I was one day shy of being 13 months old. My dad was 26 and a Royal Air Force engineer with a squadron of Lightning fighter-jets; my mother was 20 and living overseas for the first time. Dad was based at RAF Akrotiri and we lived down in the civilian town in a rented house when the Turks invaded. Although not involved in the fighting, the British air base of course went on full alert and my dad spent his days keeping the Lightnings ready to respond to any threat (the British presence on Cyprus, which continues to this day, may have seem like a colonial hangover until one realizes its close proximity to flashpoints in the mid-east). He slept under a ping pong table in the rec room and was not to see my mother or me for almost a year.
As for mum and me, I'm told that we cowered down below the window line of our house, keeping out of sight of the factional fighting while we waited for evacuation. Our mail slot was taped shut to prevent grenades being rolled into the house. The Army was eventually able to rescue the military families from the chaos raging in the streets; I think our saviours were from the Royal Scots, but I'm sure a relative will correct me if I'm wrong. After all, I have no memories of my own of this, just being a wee baby at the time...
We were housed with several other families until the evacuation flights could arrive. My mum, just out of her teens and with an irraciable baby in her arms, was shunted from pillar to post friendless and alone until a place was found on a plane for us. Somehow we had become mixed up with the Army families, and the animosity between the British service branches was almost as strong as that between the Greeks and Turks. Finally, we made it onboard a trooper, and clutching my yellow teddy bear I apparently snoozed the whole way to England.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Blair Continues to Mutate into Thatcher
In a contentious debate in the House of Commons yesterday, Tony Blair, once so skilled at reading a room, showed again how delusions of grandeur are poisoning his premiership. Echoing Margaret Thatcher, the arch-nemesis of his (and once my) own Labour Party, Blair told the assembled members of parliament not to question his judgement but rather to simply "rejoice"<
As the Independent archly asks, is this what he wants the British people to rejoice about?
CAUSE FOR REJOICING?
* British soldiers killed during Iraq war: 60
* British soldiers injured in the conflict: 2,200
* Iraqi soldiers killed: 6,370 (estimate)
* Iraqi civilians killed: 13,000 (estimate)
* Projected cost of reconstruction: £55bn
* UK cost of war: £3.2bn
* Annual cost of keeping UK troops in Iraq: £1.5bn
* Percentage of Iraqis who would feel safer if US and UK troops left: 55
* Percentage of UK voters who believe Blair lied: 55
* Weapons of mass destruction found: 0
As the Independent archly asks, is this what he wants the British people to rejoice about?
CAUSE FOR REJOICING?
* British soldiers killed during Iraq war: 60
* British soldiers injured in the conflict: 2,200
* Iraqi soldiers killed: 6,370 (estimate)
* Iraqi civilians killed: 13,000 (estimate)
* Projected cost of reconstruction: £55bn
* UK cost of war: £3.2bn
* Annual cost of keeping UK troops in Iraq: £1.5bn
* Percentage of Iraqis who would feel safer if US and UK troops left: 55
* Percentage of UK voters who believe Blair lied: 55
* Weapons of mass destruction found: 0
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Fun With Translation
From Secrecy News, a rather splendid example of the dangers of treating intelligence data as the literal truth. Perhaps someone needs to share this with Tony Blair, the Bush Administration, and the US Congress the next time they decide to go to war at on the say-so of the spooks:
WINE JUG, FOLDING CHAIR AND THE PROBLEM OF RETRANSLATION
Another linguistic challenge for intelligence agencies arises from the distortions that are introduced by translation and then exacerbated further by retranslation into a third language or even back into the original source language.
Thus, a recent story from the Beijing daily newspaper Keji Ribao,
translated into English by the CIA's Foreign Broadcast Information
Service (FBIS), reports that "the latest generation of US military
surveillance satellites" includes systems named "Wine Jug" and
"Folding Chair."
But there are no such systems.
What happened here is that, as in a child's game of "telephone," the original content was altered in each translation and transmission until it became practically unrecognizable.
Allen Thomson, a former CIA analyst and specialist in national security space, was able to pierce the linguistic veil.
"Folding Chair," he explained, must be a reference to the satellite
program"Jumpseat," as it is known in the open literature. Likewise,
"Wine Jug" is a retranslation of the codename "Magnum."
It is clear from the context, though not to the FBIS translator, that allusions in the same article to the French surveillance spacecraft "Cherry" and "Zenong" actually refer to the CERISE and Xenon systems.
See the article 'Reconnaissance Satellites Can Peek Into Your Privacy' by Hou Jing, originally published in Keji Ribao, May 26, 2004, and published in translation by the Foreign Broadcast Information Service last week.
Of further interest, the article states that China has "successfully
launched 17 individual surveillance satellites."
WINE JUG, FOLDING CHAIR AND THE PROBLEM OF RETRANSLATION
Another linguistic challenge for intelligence agencies arises from the distortions that are introduced by translation and then exacerbated further by retranslation into a third language or even back into the original source language.
Thus, a recent story from the Beijing daily newspaper Keji Ribao,
translated into English by the CIA's Foreign Broadcast Information
Service (FBIS), reports that "the latest generation of US military
surveillance satellites" includes systems named "Wine Jug" and
"Folding Chair."
But there are no such systems.
What happened here is that, as in a child's game of "telephone," the original content was altered in each translation and transmission until it became practically unrecognizable.
Allen Thomson, a former CIA analyst and specialist in national security space, was able to pierce the linguistic veil.
"Folding Chair," he explained, must be a reference to the satellite
program"Jumpseat," as it is known in the open literature. Likewise,
"Wine Jug" is a retranslation of the codename "Magnum."
It is clear from the context, though not to the FBIS translator, that allusions in the same article to the French surveillance spacecraft "Cherry" and "Zenong" actually refer to the CERISE and Xenon systems.
See the article 'Reconnaissance Satellites Can Peek Into Your Privacy' by Hou Jing, originally published in Keji Ribao, May 26, 2004, and published in translation by the Foreign Broadcast Information Service last week.
Of further interest, the article states that China has "successfully
launched 17 individual surveillance satellites."
FoxNews: Unfair and Unbalanced
Here's a fun bit of spunky mischief from the good people at MoveOn.rg; a petition to the Federal Trade Commission asking that the right wing Fox News network (prop. Rupert Murdoch) here in the States be asked to stop using the slogan "Fair and Balanced":
Unfair and Unbalanced
Ah, how nice to see progressives with a twinkle in their eyes... Sign it, its fun to be active!
Unfair and Unbalanced
Ah, how nice to see progressives with a twinkle in their eyes... Sign it, its fun to be active!
Monday, July 19, 2004
Bush Blasted by His One of His Former MBA Teachers
From the Harvard Crimson, the newspaper of that elite university:
Former HBS Prof Blasts Bush: Business scholar says president was 'shallow,' 'flippant' in 1970s class
What bearing does this story have on the race for the White House in 2004? Well, Bush makes a great virtue of never having changed his mind, in contrast to Kerry's supposed "flip-flopping" so maybe more than you would think.
Usual caveats apply; consider the source, etc. Still a good fun story for all to enjoy and nod their heads to, though...
Former HBS Prof Blasts Bush: Business scholar says president was 'shallow,' 'flippant' in 1970s class
What bearing does this story have on the race for the White House in 2004? Well, Bush makes a great virtue of never having changed his mind, in contrast to Kerry's supposed "flip-flopping" so maybe more than you would think.
Usual caveats apply; consider the source, etc. Still a good fun story for all to enjoy and nod their heads to, though...
Friday, July 16, 2004
BREAKING NEWS: IRAQI PM ACCUSED OF MURDER
US appointed Iraqi Prime Minister and former Baathist Iyad Allawi stands accused of the extra judicial killing of six suspected insurgents in front of his joint American/Iraqi security detail, just days before the hand-over, says Australia's The Age:
Iraqi PM executed six prisoners: By Paul McGeough, Baghdad
Iraqi PM executed six prisoners: By Paul McGeough, Baghdad
History Friday: Same as it ever was
Proof if proof was needed that while the decision to go to war is taken by the rich and powerful, the burden of the fighting always falls disproportionately on the poor and disenfranchised:
The draft riot enters its fourth day in New York City in response to the Enrollment Act, which was enacted on March 3, 1863. Although avoiding military service became much more difficult, wealthier citizens could still pay a commutation fee of $300 to stay at home
Draft dodging became progessively less expensive for the wealthy, and by the time George W. Bush jumped the line for the a place away from the combat made mandatory for others, he actually got paid to shirk his responsibilities.
nowadays of course there is no draft, and instead the military relies on the desire of the poor to pull themselves out of the slums by risking death of permanent disability. Even this isn't working to well anymore however. The military has had to introduce a form of conscription, as troops who had recently served their hitch or retired now find themselves being recalled for compulsory service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Yay! Send in the 55 year old supply sargeants!
PS: Ditka declined the chance to run for the Senate for GOP in Illinois, the wuss. I wonder what skeletons they found in his closet... a little too fond of slapping his players on the butt, perhaps, or a taste for cheerleaders?
The draft riot enters its fourth day in New York City in response to the Enrollment Act, which was enacted on March 3, 1863. Although avoiding military service became much more difficult, wealthier citizens could still pay a commutation fee of $300 to stay at home
Draft dodging became progessively less expensive for the wealthy, and by the time George W. Bush jumped the line for the a place away from the combat made mandatory for others, he actually got paid to shirk his responsibilities.
nowadays of course there is no draft, and instead the military relies on the desire of the poor to pull themselves out of the slums by risking death of permanent disability. Even this isn't working to well anymore however. The military has had to introduce a form of conscription, as troops who had recently served their hitch or retired now find themselves being recalled for compulsory service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Yay! Send in the 55 year old supply sargeants!
PS: Ditka declined the chance to run for the Senate for GOP in Illinois, the wuss. I wonder what skeletons they found in his closet... a little too fond of slapping his players on the butt, perhaps, or a taste for cheerleaders?
Air Marshals Say Dress Code Makes Them Stand Out
As President Doofus keeps reapeating: "America is safer":
The New York Times > National > Air Marshals Say Dress Code Makes Them Stand Out
Who is runnning this program? Mauser from the Police Academy movies?
Yep, repeat a lie often enough and people believe it. Hell, the best liars even convince themselves: look at the whole WMD case.
Remember, the State Department is reporting the highest ever levels of terrorist attack worldwide, Tom Ridge is out there giving vague warnings, the US Army is bogged down in Iraq and under-manned in Afghanistan, there is talk of postponing the Presidential election, but like Mr Bush says, under his watch:
"America is safer."
Okey dokey George.
The New York Times > National > Air Marshals Say Dress Code Makes Them Stand Out
Who is runnning this program? Mauser from the Police Academy movies?
Yep, repeat a lie often enough and people believe it. Hell, the best liars even convince themselves: look at the whole WMD case.
Remember, the State Department is reporting the highest ever levels of terrorist attack worldwide, Tom Ridge is out there giving vague warnings, the US Army is bogged down in Iraq and under-manned in Afghanistan, there is talk of postponing the Presidential election, but like Mr Bush says, under his watch:
"America is safer."
Okey dokey George.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Bruce Yurgil's Political Velocity
An interesting collection of retro style political posters, a la When You Ride Alone, You Ride With Bin Laden by Bill Maher, sent to me by my friend Mike:
Bruce Yurgil's Political Velocity
Bruce Yurgil's Political Velocity
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Senate rejects gay marriage ban
BBC NEWS | Americas | Senate rejects gay marriage ban
Now can we concentrate on important senate business please? You'd think the Republicans would have better things to do than trying to fulfil Reagan's mantra that "the Government is the problem." Idiots.
Oh, and this also just in from the ranks of the GOP; taking the placed of disgraced candidate Jack Ryan in the Illinois senate contest is none other than multiple-fired football coach and erection medicine pitchman Mike Ditka.
Have American politics been outsourced to India along with our jobs? On the sub-continent Bollywood stars and cricket heroes run for office regularly as they are the only ones with name recognition; now we have Shwarzenegger and the old Chicago Bears/New Orleans Saints x&o guy.
Ditka; just what we need, a politician drawn from the ranks of the intellectually rigorous, clean living and untainted world of professional athletics.
Now can we concentrate on important senate business please? You'd think the Republicans would have better things to do than trying to fulfil Reagan's mantra that "the Government is the problem." Idiots.
Oh, and this also just in from the ranks of the GOP; taking the placed of disgraced candidate Jack Ryan in the Illinois senate contest is none other than multiple-fired football coach and erection medicine pitchman Mike Ditka.
Have American politics been outsourced to India along with our jobs? On the sub-continent Bollywood stars and cricket heroes run for office regularly as they are the only ones with name recognition; now we have Shwarzenegger and the old Chicago Bears/New Orleans Saints x&o guy.
Ditka; just what we need, a politician drawn from the ranks of the intellectually rigorous, clean living and untainted world of professional athletics.
Britain's Butler Report Slams War Intelligence
More thoughts on this later, but hot on the heels of the US Senate Intelligence Committee report that eviscerated the US intelligence community over the crap they spewed about Iraq, British judge Lord Butler has issued his own damning account of the UKs own intelligence failings:
BBC NEWS | Politics | At-a-glance: Butler report
BBC NEWS | Politics | At-a-glance: Butler report
Monday, July 12, 2004
Tom Mauser's Petition to Renew the Assault Weapons Ban
I got an email this moring from Tom Mauser, who lost his son Daniel in the massacre at Columbine High School. As Tom says, "If we don’t stand up to President Bush and the NRA right now, the assault weapons ban will expire and AK47s and Uzis will be back on our streets."
Here is what you can do to help:
1) Sign the petition to extend the assault weapon ban: http://www.tomspetition.org/blog_alert.php
2) If you have a blog or a website, link to the Personal Petition Page Tom will generate for you from your site and encourage your readers to sign up. Their special petition software will show you the number of people that sign up because of your effort, and even generate a map showing how the supporters are distributed across America.
For more information on the ban:
Brady Campaign
... and on the Right's push to allow machine guns back on American streets:
NRA lobby outgunning opponents: Assault weapons ban renewal in doubt
Here is what you can do to help:
1) Sign the petition to extend the assault weapon ban: http://www.tomspetition.org/blog_alert.php
2) If you have a blog or a website, link to the Personal Petition Page Tom will generate for you from your site and encourage your readers to sign up. Their special petition software will show you the number of people that sign up because of your effort, and even generate a map showing how the supporters are distributed across America.
For more information on the ban:
Brady Campaign
... and on the Right's push to allow machine guns back on American streets:
NRA lobby outgunning opponents: Assault weapons ban renewal in doubt
Friday, July 09, 2004
History Friday
From a historical standpoint, I tend to discount direct comparisons between the war in Iraq and Vietnam. If generals, famously, fight the last war each time they take the field, then this one was supposed to be a combination of lessons learned in Desert Storm, Somalia, and the Balkans. I don't think the example of Afghanistan is apposite here as that one is still going on. Of course, this current Itraqi war been ballsed up beyond belief by a combination of dogmatic meddling lead by Rumsfeld and Cheney, arrogance on the part of Tommy Franks and his successors, and a woeful lack of preparation for the troops on the ground.
OK, caveats aside, here's an event in history that might spark some consideration of the path Iraq might be taking:
1971 United States turns over responsibility for the DMZ in Vietnam
It is interesting to note that one of the first actions the newly 'sovereign' Iraq has taken since the hand-over on June 28th has been to rush through a law that allows the Prime Minister to enforce martial law. You know martial law, the essence of democracy; with its secret detentions, abritary searches and arrests, enhanced powers of lethal force, censorship and so on. Good to see that all those coalition troops and Iraqis who died to bring democracy to Iraq didn't die in vain, eh?
Mind you, when you consider the Bush adminsitration's definitions of democratic process and civil rights, maybe this was to be expected. After all, the new Iraqi powers are a combination of John Ashcroft's wet dreams and the Patriot Act. Perhaps this is what Bush and the neo-cons envision as a "hardened democracy." Maybe Iraq is the proving ground for the creeping fascism of corporate conservatism that will be coming back this way, rather than America being an exporter of values. Paranoid perhaps; just like Pastor Niemoller was in the 1930s. Yikes.
OK, caveats aside, here's an event in history that might spark some consideration of the path Iraq might be taking:
1971 United States turns over responsibility for the DMZ in Vietnam
It is interesting to note that one of the first actions the newly 'sovereign' Iraq has taken since the hand-over on June 28th has been to rush through a law that allows the Prime Minister to enforce martial law. You know martial law, the essence of democracy; with its secret detentions, abritary searches and arrests, enhanced powers of lethal force, censorship and so on. Good to see that all those coalition troops and Iraqis who died to bring democracy to Iraq didn't die in vain, eh?
Mind you, when you consider the Bush adminsitration's definitions of democratic process and civil rights, maybe this was to be expected. After all, the new Iraqi powers are a combination of John Ashcroft's wet dreams and the Patriot Act. Perhaps this is what Bush and the neo-cons envision as a "hardened democracy." Maybe Iraq is the proving ground for the creeping fascism of corporate conservatism that will be coming back this way, rather than America being an exporter of values. Paranoid perhaps; just like Pastor Niemoller was in the 1930s. Yikes.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Its with great regret that we note the passing of the fine blog "World of Stelfox", penned by my old, old friend Dave. For me it served as a fascinating entree into the world of Caribbean dance music, as well as a forum for enjoying Dave's elegant, wry, and impassioned turn of phrase.
All the best Dave in your future endeavours, be they sand-blown and profitable in the exotic east (the rumour mill is grinding), or should you decide to continue your missionary work in the Exotic dancer east where you currently reside.
Still, on the bright side, I recently stumbled across Tom Munnecke who has some pretty profound things to say.
All the best Dave in your future endeavours, be they sand-blown and profitable in the exotic east (the rumour mill is grinding), or should you decide to continue your missionary work in the Exotic dancer east where you currently reside.
Still, on the bright side, I recently stumbled across Tom Munnecke who has some pretty profound things to say.
Share Your Views with ActionForum
ActionForum
This is a nifty little site that allows you to posit questions on great burning issues or simply respond to ideas put forward by others. MoveOn.org uses the site to help shape its advocacy campaigns, and so its a nice way to chip in to the national debate.
Think of it as a small tranche of the participatory democracy so lacking in everyday life.
This is a nifty little site that allows you to posit questions on great burning issues or simply respond to ideas put forward by others. MoveOn.org uses the site to help shape its advocacy campaigns, and so its a nice way to chip in to the national debate.
Think of it as a small tranche of the participatory democracy so lacking in everyday life.
The Phoney War is Coming to an End
BBC NEWS | Americas | Kerry picks Edwards for US race
John Edwards versus Dick Cheney in debate; that should be delicious. It'll be like watching James Bond fight Goldfinger.
I don't know what it is about Edwards. I just like the guy (a vague feeling probably shared by many, hence the pick, n'est pas.) Normally he''d be a bit too right wing for my tastes (mind you, so is Kerry) but its one of those situations. Reminds me of when France decided to hold their noses and vote for Chirac to keep Le Pen and the fascist National Front out of office. And of course, there is a really good reason to vote Kerry, namely Bush lied to us:
Blair Says WMDS 'May Never Be Found'
Nothing like a series of lies that have caused untold human misery and death.
Anyway, Edwards is one of those Clintonian southern dudes who grins, preens, and is chameleon-like enough to charm rednecks, snake handlers, and daughters of the confederacy while not freaking out us northern liberals. Add to that Kerry's drive for Gladstone-like gravitas and its a healthy ticket. Lets just hope that in this bizzare moral climate (stealing money from your company/employees/taxpayers=good, getting some/cussing/seeing boobies=bad) Johnny E doesn't have a penchant for hairdressers, lounge singers, interns, or cigars.
Now if only reporters will stop calling Senator Kerry "Senator Kennedy" to camera...
John Edwards versus Dick Cheney in debate; that should be delicious. It'll be like watching James Bond fight Goldfinger.
I don't know what it is about Edwards. I just like the guy (a vague feeling probably shared by many, hence the pick, n'est pas.) Normally he''d be a bit too right wing for my tastes (mind you, so is Kerry) but its one of those situations. Reminds me of when France decided to hold their noses and vote for Chirac to keep Le Pen and the fascist National Front out of office. And of course, there is a really good reason to vote Kerry, namely Bush lied to us:
Blair Says WMDS 'May Never Be Found'
Nothing like a series of lies that have caused untold human misery and death.
Anyway, Edwards is one of those Clintonian southern dudes who grins, preens, and is chameleon-like enough to charm rednecks, snake handlers, and daughters of the confederacy while not freaking out us northern liberals. Add to that Kerry's drive for Gladstone-like gravitas and its a healthy ticket. Lets just hope that in this bizzare moral climate (stealing money from your company/employees/taxpayers=good, getting some/cussing/seeing boobies=bad) Johnny E doesn't have a penchant for hairdressers, lounge singers, interns, or cigars.
Now if only reporters will stop calling Senator Kerry "Senator Kennedy" to camera...
Friday, July 02, 2004
History Friday
At a time when President Bush the Republican Party are trying to add the first amendment to the US constitution that actively seeks to limit someone's human and civil rights, remember this great anniversary on History Friday:
1964: Johnson Signs Civil Rights Act
Compare the actions of Johnson, a Southern Democrat who faced immense pressure from within his own base to defer on civil rights, to those of George W. Bush. George wants a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages, even while he promotes heterosexual weddings as a cure all for society's ills. Monogamous, committed relationships with legally protected property rights sounds like a very conservative idea to me, regardless of who wants to wed. The only real difference between a straight and gay wedding is in the number of people who giggle and smirk every time the celebrant says "ring."
Frankly, those who claim that letting gays marry would mark the end of society are morons (and thus by their own logic, should be neutered to prevent them soiling the gene pool.) Remember, these people are the anti-evolution lobby, they believe that Jesus would have supported capital punishment despite that terminal mix-up with Barabas, and under their breath they are probably still muttering about inter-racial dating.
I support the rights of gay people; not as special rights but as an everyday right to be equal. I feel however there are a few more important issues in the world: poverty, hunger, religious extremism, terrorism, corporate power grabs et al that each side needs to focus on. So Bush, be compassionate like you said in your campaign literature. Tell your moronic followers not to be so stupid; they are Republicans and like that kind of leadership. Gay yuppie wedding petitioners; congratulations on the Massachusetts decision, and good luck with the rest of the country. Now how about using your formidable lobbying and campaigning skills fighting harder for social justice for others at the same time?
Anyway, for more information on what you can do to prevent the constitutional enshrinement of hatred and fear: Human Rights Campaign
And for something completely different and fun courtesy of my friend Richard, here is a contentious and interesting look at the soundrack from the decade when Mick Jagger decided to be gay for a while, the 1970s
Happy Fourth of July: don't forget the message of the revolution!
1964: Johnson Signs Civil Rights Act
Compare the actions of Johnson, a Southern Democrat who faced immense pressure from within his own base to defer on civil rights, to those of George W. Bush. George wants a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages, even while he promotes heterosexual weddings as a cure all for society's ills. Monogamous, committed relationships with legally protected property rights sounds like a very conservative idea to me, regardless of who wants to wed. The only real difference between a straight and gay wedding is in the number of people who giggle and smirk every time the celebrant says "ring."
Frankly, those who claim that letting gays marry would mark the end of society are morons (and thus by their own logic, should be neutered to prevent them soiling the gene pool.) Remember, these people are the anti-evolution lobby, they believe that Jesus would have supported capital punishment despite that terminal mix-up with Barabas, and under their breath they are probably still muttering about inter-racial dating.
I support the rights of gay people; not as special rights but as an everyday right to be equal. I feel however there are a few more important issues in the world: poverty, hunger, religious extremism, terrorism, corporate power grabs et al that each side needs to focus on. So Bush, be compassionate like you said in your campaign literature. Tell your moronic followers not to be so stupid; they are Republicans and like that kind of leadership. Gay yuppie wedding petitioners; congratulations on the Massachusetts decision, and good luck with the rest of the country. Now how about using your formidable lobbying and campaigning skills fighting harder for social justice for others at the same time?
Anyway, for more information on what you can do to prevent the constitutional enshrinement of hatred and fear: Human Rights Campaign
And for something completely different and fun courtesy of my friend Richard, here is a contentious and interesting look at the soundrack from the decade when Mick Jagger decided to be gay for a while, the 1970s
Happy Fourth of July: don't forget the message of the revolution!
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Happy Fourth of July
The big holiday weekend of the year is fast approaching here in the United States. Up here in Maine, the sun has been shining and the air is warm, and our thoughts are turning to a long weekend of parades, fireworks, and relaxation.
One thing is certain in this time of war; the nation’s celebrations will be dripping in patriotic fervor. It will take many forms, from the flag festooned floats winding their way down Main Street to fireworks thundering over Washington DC while George Bush demands we “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”
I say time of war because despite the return of limited sovereignty to a hapless gaggle of former exiles, 130,000 American troops still patrol the streets of Iraq, killing and dying for a lie. Meanwhile, across Asia in Afghanistan, forgotten thousands will celebrate the Fourth in dusty firebases as the former Northern Alliance destroy their own country outside the barbed wire.
What outlets does our President suggest for our patriotic energies? How does he want us to put our shoulders to the wheel for this great national endeavor? He doesn’t want us to emulate our soldiers by sacrificing, but by driving Humvees. He doesn’t want us to invest in war bonds; instead he wants us to spend our tax cuts on junk. He doesn’t want us to ask ourselves the tough questions that will lead us out of this time of strife, he wants to have the FBI check up on our book choices and web surfing habits. As Bill Maher said in When You Ride Alone, You Ride With Bin Laden, putting a flag on your car is literally the least you can do, and that’s exactly what the Republicans are asking of us.
“Ah!” You say, “Blaming the Republicans for the inappropriate orgy of consumption that is making a mockery of our claim to be the light of the world is like blaming McDonalds for making us fat. You cannot blame the pusher for the habit, my friend.” To you I say, that argument holds about as much water as an octogenarian with a bladder complaint. The media isn’t holding up its end of the bargain and is failing to subject the administration to appropriate scrutiny (screwing Monica Lewinsky is apparently a lot more worthy of investigation than screwing the American people); Congress by virtue of being held by the President’s party is an unquestioning lap dog more fixated on gay marriage than our wars; and our “Government of CEOs” has a vested interest in diverting us from the hard questions into the warm embrace of Best Buy.
I shouldn’t be surprised. Sacrifice, humility, and effort are hard things to ask of the richest, most luxurious, and most naive society on earth. Throughout his life, Bush has never been one to jump first into the breach, but rather is more like the leader described by Gilbert and Sullivan, who:
“In enterprise of the martial kind,
When there was any fighting,
He led his regiment from behind,
He found it less exciting.”
Simply put, we need a Roosevelt but have a Hoover.
At this point, those who know me will be pooh-poohing all of this. “How can you lay claim to an understanding of American patriotism?” You say. “You’re British. Nothing but a dirty immigrant.” True, I was born and raised in England, and when it comes to soccer and the Olympics, I’ll cheer for the Brit over the Yank every time. But I’ve lived in the USA for the best part of a decade. I don’t live in a big city, but up in Maine, immersed in American small town society. I love an American girl, my friends are American, my workplace is American, and I feel as American as I do English. Let me put aside my inbred English diffidence and state I am in the blessed position of being both an insider and an outsider in American society. You need people like me to cast a gimlet eye over the United States. I’m like Alistair Cooke without the headstone.
So what kind of patriotism do I advocate that galvanizes the American people to use their immense wealth and power for the national (and ultimately international) good and at the same time is reconciled with my belief in progressive politics? It is essentially the model laid out by Tom Paine when he said, “Those who must expect to reap the benefits of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” In his 1941 essay The Lion and the Unicorn George Orwell decried the tendency of the English left to sneer at a love of one’s country of birth or residence. He noted that true patriotism is a belief that one’s country is special to oneself because one feels a special affinity for the institutions and traditions that your forebears developed. No doubt scientists these days have isolated a genetic reason for this, the gene that makes a committed internationalist like myself puff out my chest and scream my lungs out when England play football. Maybe Mark Twain encapsulated it best when he said “My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one’s country, not to its institutions or its office-holders.”
So maybe I’m suggesting that true patriotism is as complex as any kind of love. Perhaps it’s a combination of recognizing the best that we have to offer while willingly accepting the strengths of other nations. It probably involves understanding our flaws and working to fix them, and proactively looking at ourselves through other’s eyes. Its comprehending both our core values and our ever-changing society and embracing both. Above all, it is reaching for the maturity of thought that thousands of years of prior human experience should enable us to reach.
One last quote, this time from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we know what to do with it.” We will know what to do with it if we stop listening to the man behind the curtain and start listening to our true selves.
One thing is certain in this time of war; the nation’s celebrations will be dripping in patriotic fervor. It will take many forms, from the flag festooned floats winding their way down Main Street to fireworks thundering over Washington DC while George Bush demands we “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”
I say time of war because despite the return of limited sovereignty to a hapless gaggle of former exiles, 130,000 American troops still patrol the streets of Iraq, killing and dying for a lie. Meanwhile, across Asia in Afghanistan, forgotten thousands will celebrate the Fourth in dusty firebases as the former Northern Alliance destroy their own country outside the barbed wire.
What outlets does our President suggest for our patriotic energies? How does he want us to put our shoulders to the wheel for this great national endeavor? He doesn’t want us to emulate our soldiers by sacrificing, but by driving Humvees. He doesn’t want us to invest in war bonds; instead he wants us to spend our tax cuts on junk. He doesn’t want us to ask ourselves the tough questions that will lead us out of this time of strife, he wants to have the FBI check up on our book choices and web surfing habits. As Bill Maher said in When You Ride Alone, You Ride With Bin Laden, putting a flag on your car is literally the least you can do, and that’s exactly what the Republicans are asking of us.
“Ah!” You say, “Blaming the Republicans for the inappropriate orgy of consumption that is making a mockery of our claim to be the light of the world is like blaming McDonalds for making us fat. You cannot blame the pusher for the habit, my friend.” To you I say, that argument holds about as much water as an octogenarian with a bladder complaint. The media isn’t holding up its end of the bargain and is failing to subject the administration to appropriate scrutiny (screwing Monica Lewinsky is apparently a lot more worthy of investigation than screwing the American people); Congress by virtue of being held by the President’s party is an unquestioning lap dog more fixated on gay marriage than our wars; and our “Government of CEOs” has a vested interest in diverting us from the hard questions into the warm embrace of Best Buy.
I shouldn’t be surprised. Sacrifice, humility, and effort are hard things to ask of the richest, most luxurious, and most naive society on earth. Throughout his life, Bush has never been one to jump first into the breach, but rather is more like the leader described by Gilbert and Sullivan, who:
“In enterprise of the martial kind,
When there was any fighting,
He led his regiment from behind,
He found it less exciting.”
Simply put, we need a Roosevelt but have a Hoover.
At this point, those who know me will be pooh-poohing all of this. “How can you lay claim to an understanding of American patriotism?” You say. “You’re British. Nothing but a dirty immigrant.” True, I was born and raised in England, and when it comes to soccer and the Olympics, I’ll cheer for the Brit over the Yank every time. But I’ve lived in the USA for the best part of a decade. I don’t live in a big city, but up in Maine, immersed in American small town society. I love an American girl, my friends are American, my workplace is American, and I feel as American as I do English. Let me put aside my inbred English diffidence and state I am in the blessed position of being both an insider and an outsider in American society. You need people like me to cast a gimlet eye over the United States. I’m like Alistair Cooke without the headstone.
So what kind of patriotism do I advocate that galvanizes the American people to use their immense wealth and power for the national (and ultimately international) good and at the same time is reconciled with my belief in progressive politics? It is essentially the model laid out by Tom Paine when he said, “Those who must expect to reap the benefits of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” In his 1941 essay The Lion and the Unicorn George Orwell decried the tendency of the English left to sneer at a love of one’s country of birth or residence. He noted that true patriotism is a belief that one’s country is special to oneself because one feels a special affinity for the institutions and traditions that your forebears developed. No doubt scientists these days have isolated a genetic reason for this, the gene that makes a committed internationalist like myself puff out my chest and scream my lungs out when England play football. Maybe Mark Twain encapsulated it best when he said “My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one’s country, not to its institutions or its office-holders.”
So maybe I’m suggesting that true patriotism is as complex as any kind of love. Perhaps it’s a combination of recognizing the best that we have to offer while willingly accepting the strengths of other nations. It probably involves understanding our flaws and working to fix them, and proactively looking at ourselves through other’s eyes. Its comprehending both our core values and our ever-changing society and embracing both. Above all, it is reaching for the maturity of thought that thousands of years of prior human experience should enable us to reach.
One last quote, this time from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we know what to do with it.” We will know what to do with it if we stop listening to the man behind the curtain and start listening to our true selves.
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