History repeating itself....

History is repeating itself in a sad and annoying way and I would think this would be one thing that could fairly easily be stopped and learned from. The problem is it isn't.

They say the devil is in the details and in this case I really think he is. Across news sites this morning I awoke to find a story about a Christian sect called Family Radio Worldwide who apparently feel like they need to set a date for the day of judgment. Of course they attribute this knowledge to reading the bible and being able to decipher some hidden meaning. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110103/ap_on_re/us_rel_apocalypse_soon)

Really?

I mean really?

Are we back to this again? Are there still self-respecting people out there who claim to study the bible and pull out a date for something that is explicitly written about in the book of Mark chapter 13? There is more that the main verses that immediately come to mind (13:32-33) but here's the main bit that speaks to what this group is claiming.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

That is why I say the devil is in the details. Biblical text doesn't say not to warn people that the end could be near, it doesn't say not to anticipate it or do nothing, it says to be rational and responsible and to be on guard for something that will happen at a time we won't be able to predict specifically.

These sorts of claims pop up every few years it seems and is hardly new. I suppose people just assume that with more study and more number crunching that suddenly they can usurp God's ability to keep a secret. Frankly if I thought I had the power to outsmart God and get away with it, I wouldn't want to believe in one.

It is so absolutely disappointing and frustrating when people with fervor who are so close to truth take that wrong left turn and wind up in Albuquerque (no offense to the city intended, just a Bugs Bunny reference).

Stewardship, Environmentalism, and the Battle of Interests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I'm not one of these fanatic environmentalists," Faupel said. "But when you are a seventh generation rancher, you are taught to be a good steward of the land . and you want the things on it, the cattle and the vegetation, to be healthy. And they're not."

The above is an excerpt from an article by the AP (link included) about the apparent detrimental effects of coal-fueled power plants on living plants. The examples used are just down the road for me and I've traveled in and through that land numerous times. The statement made by Faupel really hits the nail on the head of a battle that's been going on for decades if not longer. The progression of industrial/modern/civilized society versus the environment. But therein lies the problem. The battle's sides are confused and it tends to leave many on the fence with the natural tendency to fall on the side of short-term self-interest. The political powers that be tend to paint a two-dimensional picture of the matter but the truth is both simpler and deeper. I would submit that a majority of the population wants to live in a vibrant, healthy environment where nature and civilization thrive. We also don't want to be thrown under the bus financially or governed like we're 3-year-olds. 

The "green" movement has certainly caught on as its stated objective of conservation and stewardship is a noble one. It is, however, only able to do so as new opportunities for commerce are gradually introduced through traditional channels. We need to keep in mind those that employ us and produce much of what we've built this country on. It is vital not to just suffocate them with a blanket of regulation while we nudge those that aren't taking enough care with our shared resources towards better practices. It is also imperative that entire economies don't get founded on thin air. The incentive programs introduced over the past number of years seem to have made a good impact. They have allowed those who have the means and desire the opportunity to opt in. I think that is the key, as with many things. Ideally things would be voluntary.  

 But incentives have their downfalls too, and one could argue that they're too easily exploited. It would be better if the right choice environmentally was also the best business choice. The discrepancy often comes in the realm of priorities.

The issue of priorities is not a small one. With the growing population and demand for both natural resources and man-made ones, there is bound to be some conflict. It needs to be realized that both livelihoods and natural life are equally important and only since the modernization of our society have the two drifted apart. It would be a no-brainer if the same population in urban areas was still farming and ranching. I think that with all the factors at play, there will be need to be concessions on all sides and neither of the polar-opposite players will get exactly what they want. There is a balance and it is not easy to maintain all the time. 

We are charged with maintaining this earth as it is put in place to sustain us. The warring sides we're so familiar with come from ignoring the truth of the dependence and importance of both pieces of this ecological dilemma. Those with a passion for the earth's natural beauty in flora and fauna are right to appreciate it and those who are planning and working on ways to meet the demands of humanity are right to try and conquer the very real challenges of providing for people. 

I do think the planet is hardy but I also think we need to be conscientious in our management of it. All the while we should also keep in mind there are natural forces far beyond our capabilities that could throw everything into a whole new playing field. Considering how little control of the big picture we have, we can only focus on what is placed within our grasp for the moment.

It would be so nice if everyone could just work together and be open about challenges, mistakes, and new ideas for the future. Perhaps it is happening despite all the politics. Let's hope so, We need more healthy shady groves here in Texas.

Regarding our troops and their use

I am usually troubled in several ways when I read things like this. There is the empathy for the situations those fighting men and women have to deal with and also unease at the reasoning or method behind what they are instructed to do or sometimes do of their own will.
It comes down to the fact that as uniform as the military may be, there are still personal touches based on the men and women on the ground and making decisions. I understand where some intentions are, whether they be to free people or simply to get the job done for the ticket home. The problem is that the main polarized sides of the argument are just that, polarized. I don't think most Americans disrespect the troops (although they aren't fully appreciated either), I also don't think that our *stated* Mid-East policies are necessarily as beneficial to the people in all those foreign countries as one might be led to believe. It isn't necessarily that intentions are wrong but when it comes down to it, it is their country, not ours. Right or wrong, they need to come to realizations themselves or else the same effect with teenagers and their parents will occur (and it is it seems).
I believe that those who are blowing themselves and other up are wrong in doing so but I can see how desperation and suspicion coupled with religious fervor and other socio-economic factors could drive people into such actions. It is something that should be able to be curbed. My fear is that too much emphasis has been put on military presence and that this is detrimental to the stated goal of winning hearts and minds. The flip side of this of course is the issue of trust between our nation and those abroad. The point has been made that there was a serious breach at the end of the 90's Gulf War when many were led to believe there would be an uprising against Saddam Hussein. When the US decided to pull back, those who had joined the bandwagon to overthrow the dictator where consequentially targeted and suffered for it.
Of course there are reasons we were also suspicious and reasons we had to be concerned about the goings on of the Mid-East world. There are many that feel strongly about the western world and both its produce and policies. My concern is about who is going to keep the cycle of violence from continuing and how to get it to stop. I don't think the world is a worse place because there are self-sacrificing soldiers, I think it is a worse place because there are unfortunately some that aren't. It wouldn't be unreasonable to say that part of the blame for that is leadership misunderstands or underestimates the implications of actions they consider reasonable and puts troops in places that they perhaps are not the most effective in. That is in no way meant to disrespect the troops or leadership, there are complications and considerations that if all factored in and attempted to be catered to would simply not be possible. I would simply state and ask for further re-assessment of goals and methods, honestly looking at everyone's best interest. When it comes down to it, we're all just people, and we all have the same palette of basic human emotion and need. There are people around the world that endure hardship, throughout generations, regular people have fought and suffered to help bring both our own and other's freedoms and standards of living to great heights. We should be very grateful to those that serve and repay them with being careful in their use, caring for their needs, and honoring those who are brave enough to face situations daily where their lives are literally on the line. At the same time, we should be cautious, humble, and respectful of those that our country interacts with.

This post came from a response to the following bulletin:
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SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!!

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.
__________________________
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
__________________________
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
__________________________
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
__________________________
You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
__________________________
You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
__________________________
You don't feel like helping out your dad today, so you don't.
He does what he is told.
__________________________
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
__________________________
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
__________________________
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He does not get to eat today.
__________________________
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
__________________________
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
__________________________
You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.
He does as he is told.
__________________________
You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
__________________________
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
__________________________
You ditch class to go to a movie.
He goes where he is told.
__________________________
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
__________________________
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government and remembers why he is fighting.
__________________________
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gun fire and bombs.
__________________________
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.
__________________________
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does what he is told.
__________________________
You stay at home and watch tv.
He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and eat.
__________________________
You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gun fire.
__________________________
You sit there and judge him, saying the world is a worse place because of men like him.
If only there were more men like him
Please repost if you appreciate those who fight for your freedom

*****************************************************

Reactions to The US National Strategy in Iraq

The strategy outlined in this report issued by the White House made a number of good points and should function as a tool for clarification about our official policy and aim. That having been said, I saw recurring and troubling omissions of what I believe to be very important information.
The main issue is the continuing effort to either deny or ignore the fact that the strongest and most powerful factor driving most terrorists and insurgents is the idea that it is a holy war and that Bin Laden and al-Zarqawi (among the others utilizing terrorism) are "defending Islam." I can only assume the White House is opting to term this very vaguely as propaganda instead of taking on that viewpoint head-on (no pun intended).
I would think that addressing the Islamic world's concerns more prominently would be advantageous but there could be other unknown factors that justify the current stance. Especially taking into account how these suicide bombers and religious extremists are being recruited and developed, it makes sense to focus on the skewed perspective equally if not more than taking on the force directly with military action.
Everyone wants purpose. In a region that is tough in climate, economic environment, and religion, it is no wonder there is a deep pool of recruits. With strong political viewpoints that are hammered in by religious and political leaders in the area, they feel morally vindicated and a common bond in the oppotunity to fulfill what they see as a very worthy cause. They believe we are evil. They believe our country is trying to invade them for our own benefit and attack Islam to assert Christianity. I don't believe this to be true but they most certainly do. When you view someone or something as attacking your core beliefs and way of life by what you understand to be an evil empire... well, it doesn't take a genius. Violence isn't the answer, but it is a proven human reaction to hightened emotion and reaction to threat. [sarcasm] ...Not that a country that fought for its own independence and even itself (in civil war and cultural and familial wars) would be able to relate to those feelings. [/sarcasm]
They seem to have limited sources of information and when they do get an outside source from the west it is greeted with paranoia and great skepticism. This means we have an incredible obstacle to overcome that was built over hundreds of years. While it is very important to not encourage people using terror, we have a responsibility (and it is a necessity) to be careful and respectful of the people and nations we interact with. They need to be certain we aren't there to attack their way of life and their religion and we need to make sure we aren't making their perceptions reality. We need to make it clear in word and in action that our first objective is to make sure the people are safe and taken care of, our second to ideally give them the freedom to practice whatever faith they decide to. Instilling the capacity for tolerance and pointing away from violence is an unfortunately difficult task. Insituting the freedom of religion is something that they very warily look at because it is an effort coming from what they see as a Christian nation and therefore "must be" a method for undermining Islam. That is the crux of the whole situation it seems. If it were just about freedom there would be no problem. The problem comes because many in the Arab world don't and refuse to see our efforts in that light. We as a nation carry a fair share of responsibility as we take for granted our freedoms to criticize and ridicule at will things we don't fully understand. As a whole we've failed to realise the differences between how we think and things we're used to as compared to other's nations. Awareness about the daily lives of people in groups both within and abroad and their governments and rights is important to international relations and we forget that our media is broadcast almost everywhere.
For all these reasons the outline is both interesting, informative, and somewhat worrying. I can only hope that those in power realise what I've pointed out and are simply working on those issues out of the spotlight. There are so many factors it is nearly impossible for anyone to say with authority what is the best method for dealing with the the situation in Iraq let alone the world political and social theater.
Because there are those that are lawless and oppressive, war is sometimes necessary. However, it is in everyone's best interest to strive for peace. No one wants to be maimed or killed, no person wants to starve or be unduly restricted in living their life. There will be polarizations and for that reason everyone should be willing to both listen to gain perspective and open to forgiveness and understanding. To look through history is to see the cycle of things and human emotional triggers in major world events that impact empires and civilizations. We need to be able to view our world and ourselves objectively and critically or as the time-tested cliche goes, history will simply repeat itself and it will continue to until we stop refusing to see the parallels in our own and other countries and civilizations.

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/images/11/30/iraq.strategy.pdf
http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/iraq_national_strategy_2005.pdf

Buying Money

Detroit Free Press
MTV.com
Fox News

... In particular, Sony BMG buying airplay at radio stations to boost their earned lower spots in the top 100s and the like. Pushing a product as the best and having it seen more is a pretty good way to buy more sales... after all, it's a hit right? everyone loves it.

It has been pretty much assumed but now something is being done about it. Will this mean better music and more variety like just about every pop/hit radio station currently claims? We can cross our fingers... if not, at least now we have Napster and iTunes, to name a couple of legal current music download options.

There are so many good and struggling bands/musicians out there that aren't nicely pre-packaged for the pop-culture market. It's nice to maintain that image for those that need a constant happy face surrounded by "beautiful things" but lets give the myriad of talent and diversity out there a chance.

Passionless society, and the rights therein

This story almost surprised me. Understanding of the 1st amendment (let alone the rest of the workings of the country) among most of the youth in this country is definitely lacking. A lot of us have been raised with music and gone through youth with an ear to some pretty cynical/paranoid influences. There's no doubt some are reasonable concerns, while some are exaggerations, some are understatements, and others complete fabrications. These sorts of things, not just coming from celebrities in entertainment but pretty much any public figure, have played a role in shaping our society into one that is naturally suspicious of authority but at the same time having a desire to have some things taken care of by a central source. It's an odd paradox.

And now to refocus a little more on the issue of a passionless society...
Really it all ties in together, the lack of any real care besides a sort of mild hedonism, but there are multiple facets. A friend beat me to the punch about one of the concerns, that a significant portion of highschool students surveyed thought that the 1st amendment went too far. That being said, I can understand why they might think that. To make up for an increasingly low sense of personal accountability that can arguably be traced to the disintegration of the family (and therefore societal structure), schools, law enforcement, and the government in general have had to make numerous compromises and take some steps that do infringe on freedom. Abuse of freedom can be traced to our natural general tendency towards breakdown of higher level things and embrace of personal needs/wants above all else. It really is all very circular and unless people step out against some natural tendencies the circle will be a slow but potentially accelerating spiral downwards. While it is natural to want the best, we certainly fall into settling or actually acting on far less noble things.

And I'm slightly off track again... The reason is probably in the fact that the mindset I've seen as the predominant one in today's generations is decidedly slanted downhill. Part of it is due to the older generations attempted sanitization of reality without explaining the truth of things. Another part is our veracious hunger for entertainment at a rate that arguably is greater than any other society in history. Our youth are bombarded with messages of danger and excitement and desire and ambition. Acceptance is being touted as tolerance and in a mix of fear and marketing (whether it be politics, business, or self-preservation) we have decidedly clumped ourselves into billions of little groups and stereotypes for "easy" management. Why is this relevant? It's relevant because the kids in these schools who took these surveys are getting their understanding largely from a product rather than the true unbiased source. That's bad because these kids aren't dumb, and I'm sure at least some know they aren't getting the whole story but they're buying into it anyway because that's what they know. Still, they see flaws. The thing is that they aren't coming in at the ground floor and when they see effects of causes they've never really seen or experienced, they're going to act on what they know which is what we feed them (for the most part). Sources we trust most can be wrong even if its just in motivation. You can be doing something right with the wrong motivation or reason and it might even work for decades on end. Racism, class prejudice, sexism and numerous other faults ranging all the way to pride and selfishness that puts ones own comfort over desperate needs of others. All these things are often passed down through generations.
I keep getting off track it seems... It's just a lot of concern built up.

I suppose the reason I'm not surprised these highschoolers don't have that much care about these rights and our governmental structure is that they're so used to the mountain of preventive rules and regulations they live with. From dress codes to metal detectors, from cliques to pop culture, these kids are working off an ever tightening structure of law and acceptable society. It's only natural that they see it as applying to everyone else.

The lack of passion is understandable to me too. We're bombarded with information and suggestion from an wide range of sources and philosophies, we are introduced to things before we're ready and without proper guidance many times. After a while, after you've experimented with whets available and the rush is gone, you start getting numb when the myriad of both fiction and reality passes through your consciousness and leaves you with unrealistic expectations and limited or false understandings.
If you want to be cool or have fun, it is increasingly necessary to have money or do something unusual, extreme, or taboo. Being unique and special, having self-esteem and being rewarded is broadcast as the thing to do. Those things aren't bad in and of themselves but without context and inner direction of higher substance, it gets confusing when you see the millions of others clamoring for the same thing. It simply gets dreary in highschool. Many just accept things as they way things work and think they'll always be that way. We've settled into a way of life that is more fragile than most understand.
And so this post has turned into a scatterbrained rant that exemplifies the ideas that were attempted to be communicated. At least that much will make sense... Or will it...

Rock the vote, in a new sense

This article caught my eye both because of the voting reform and the artist involved. Nirvana has been one of my favorite bands and its always interesting to hear what they're up to.

Voting reform of the sort mentioned in this article may very well be a useful addition to our election process that even the major parties would endorse. At the least, it's something to think about.

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Grunge-Rock Pioneer Stumps for U.S. Election Reform
(Variety, Tuesday February 1)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eleven years after the demise of his million-selling rock band Nirvana, Krist Novoselic is back on the road, but this time he's getting out of bed before noon.

Novoselic, whose bass guitar anchored one of the most popular and influential bands of the 1990s, now spends his time pushing for voting reforms that he thinks could change the cynicism many people feel about U.S. politics.

It's a gig that requires him to wear a suit and tie and speak to audiences that measure in the dozens, rather than the thousands.
ADVERTISEMENT


But Novoselic, 39, sees parallels with the heady days when Nirvana stormed up the charts and brought grunge into the mainstream before singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain killed himself in 1994.

"Once music becomes predictable and a formula to sustain the establishment, people tune out, they become cynical and they stop buying records. But then a new wave of bands come in, and that restores vitality to the music scene," Novoselic told Reuters after a recent appearance at a Washington think tank.

"What we need is a new wave of democracy, because elections are predictable and they're formulas for sustaining the establishment," he said.

In a slim book, "Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy!," Novoselic outlines two approaches that he believes would breathe new life into politics.

Instant-runoff voting allows voters to pick several candidates for the same office, ranking them in order of preference. If no candidate wins a majority of first choices, second choices are considered.

Supporters of third-party candidates like Ralph Nader could feel like they're not throwing their votes away because their secondary choices would be considered in a close election, Novoselic said.

The second method, known as proportional representation, would allocate legislative seats based on the percentage of votes a party receives -- if the Republicans win 60 percent of the vote in a district, they would get 6 seats out of 10 available.

These methods could give greater influence to third-party candidates, other election-reform advocates say.

"These are things the parties don't talk about, the Republicans and Democrats, because it might mean they might have to give up the holy and privileged position that they have under a two-party system," said former Illinois Rep. John Anderson, who won 6.6 percent of the popular vote as an independent presidential candidate in 1980.

FROM PUNK TO POLITICS

Novoselic grew interested in election reform while fighting laws in his native Washington state that kept minors from attending rock shows or buying certain CDs.

Novoselic developed a taste for the day-to-day work of politics -- attending hearings, building coalitions, lobbying lawmakers. He testified in front of the U.S. Senate and even considered a run for lieutenant governor in 2004.

But as he became more involved, he realized that many of his peers felt that the Republican and Democratic parties didn't address their concerns, or they lived in an area so dominated by one party that there was no competition for their vote.

Instant-runoff voting and proportional representation would offer voters a wider range of choices and make political races more competitive, he said.

"If competition drives our economy, competition can drive our democracy. Why vote in an uncontested election?" he said.

Novoselic admits that these reforms won't catch on easily in the United States, where most elected officials belong to one of the two parties that benefit from the current system.

The best possibility lies at the local level, where ballot initiatives can allow voters to put them in place directly, he said. San Francisco recently adopted instant-runoff voting and several other cities have plans to use it as well.

Novoselic says he hasn't ruled out a run for office on the Democratic ticket, but right now is devoting his energies to election reform.

And music? Novoselic says he still plays for fun but has no interest in the rock and roll life anymore.

"A lot of being on the road is waiting around, waiting to play," he said. "I love Pittsburgh, don't get me wrong, but the fourth or fifth time through ... I'd rather be home."
Reuters New Media
Copyright © 2005 Reuters/Variety. All rights reserved.
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Lies, Allegatons, Spin

I was watching some PBS yesterday afternoon and came across John Kerry's recent speech. I've seen him speak before as well as Bush, and both have said things that really rub me the wrong way.
Politically, I'm a blend of all sorts of things with a focus on a path that will work for the best for the most people in the long term. I try to think globally but with sensitivity to place and propriety. I mention this to set the context for my observations about both speakers/candidates.

I voted for President Bush at the last election and have been, for the most part, supportive of his service. There are things that his administration has done that I don't agree with, but I do not see any evidence that the shortcomings or failures are malicious in intent, some of which aren't even his fault necessarily. What has really bothered me was some of the rhetoric used in many of his speeches in the past few years. I do think he's put a lot of people off by not directly addressing some concerns and giving direct answers. There is the security factor of course (regarding how much and what is wise to officially disclose) but there many socially issues at home that I wish he would really answer more candidly. The main thing that has really gotten to me though is how he keeps saying that the terrorists are attacking use because they hate how we're free. I can say with almost 100% certainty that (although freedom could be a small factor for some) the majority of those that hate America have at least two much bigger reasons: #1 We support Israel, the most hated of all in the Arab world. #2 We are perceived as a Christian nation of infidels and a harborer and purveyor of impurity, filth, and many other undesirable things. Somewhat contradictory, yes, but we're talking about their motives not our perception of them. We are dealing with people that put a much larger emphasis on their religious beliefs, who, because of many factors (including poverty, age-old grudges, and limited or biased information sources) simply hate our culture and influence on their side of the earth.
I can understand some of their positions, and I'd like to think I have a grasp on our situation and where we're at, but it is absolutely imperative that we not allow ourselves the luxury of thinking these people are so angry for reason that boost our own ego. Truth is what people need.

John Kerry is still on my radar as a "investigate further before trusting" blip. His speech I just watched didn't help my perception of him. It was actually improving until that speech. He claimed that Bush never let the American people know what the war might cost and also alleged that Bush was inventing new reasons for the war in Iraq. The whole tone was laden with claims that Bush is simply lying to the public and is bent on deception with malicious intent.
I can remember way back right as Bush was making his nationally televised speech regarding the decision to depose Saddam Hussein and this is the primary thing that really set off alarm bells. The President clearly stated in that speech and others that this was going to be a long and difficult war, all part of the war on terror. Bush plainly stated that we were going to be in it for the long haul, there would be a high cost, but it would be infinitely worth it in the long run. The reasons for going to war were also laid out by Bush; there is no new reason popping up. It only seems that way if you're going by headline reasons emphasized by the media. Goodness knows the full reasons wouldn't have made an attractive headline statement. Looking back over the actual records of the Presidents speeches should be more that enough evidence to disprove these particular allegations by Kerry. The other issue is the ever-so-popular misconception that Iraq didn't have any ties to Al-Qaeda. This was widely published as a product of the 9-11 Committee's findings in its official report. The discrepancy is in the context. The report did find that Iraq did not have a direct hand in the 9-11 attacks but that is all. It has been confirmed that Iraq has ties and has had ties with numerous terrorist organizations including Al-Qaeda. To allege that Iraq was innocent of all terrorist ties is simply a lie. Kerry really should know this and if he doesn't, that really worries me because that means that he and his administration are either incompetent or just simply spinners and liars. I've seen some decent public speaking skills out of Kerry, even some good ideas and observations, but his overall rhetoric is more nearsighted than he even realizes. When I've heard him talk, more often than not I've always gotten the sense that he's making dangerous oversights. For things he is right about, his plan to rectify things also seems lacking. I'm not going to say Bush has it all together but at this point Kerry does seem like the greater of two "evils."
I'm not sure Iraq was the appropriate second target on the war in terror, I'm not sure the economy is on the best track, and I doubt that putting a constitutional ban on homosexual marriage is the best way to deal with things (in the format of this nation). What I do know is that the US needs to a lot of hard work and really examine itself to find out who it really is. We are not the same nation we were 50, 30, or even 10 years ago. Our basic makeup is different, we are incredibly diverse, and we are quite weak in some areas. We can't afford to deceive ourselves internally for the sake of politics.

Ruins

While watching olympic coverage, several things have popped into my head. Pride, concern, intrigue, and enjoyment have all been feelings ellicited by the games. It's just always great to see competition.

One thing that has struck me as silly/odd is the announcers continually jumping on the greek gods bandwagon. The most recent occurance was during the women's mountain biking final. The commentator was talking about the lead rider from Norway and said that she must be praying to all the greek gods that they'll see her through. It may be silly of me to take offence, especially over a perhaps only hypothetical situation, but I know that I'd certainly rather not have someone associate me with or insinuate I might be praying to any mythical gods for strength or success.
It's granted the games are being held in its country of origin, it's granted that they did worship those gods back in the day, but I find it over-indulgent of our announcers to just jump into the mythology as much as they have been.
It gets my head spinning, starts me thinking about benchmarks and similarities between the United States and the Greek and Roman empires. It always strikes me when people delve into a culture of polytheism that went to ruins, giving credit to gods whose temples lay in ruin. I can't help but wonder when the great "western civilization empire's" time will come to a close. There are signs, moral uncertainty, plateaus and oversights, complacency, and human nature's effect with time. I only wish I could lay it all out, my memory and intellect don't serve me quite that well just yet. I need practice, instruction and guidance.
The point remains, based on personal and historical observations.
What is our place in history? Will the current world order stay? If so, for how long? What might replace it? Will there be a transfer of technological, political, and military power? What effect does magnetic, burning fuels, electric, and other somewhat delicate, depletable, or potentially volatile energy and technology mediums have and what might happen if those mediums are taken away? There are a million different questions. Tons of fun discussion...

3-Sided Commentaries

Until I get more articles written and up, here's a link to some political commentary that a friend of mine is now writing for.
http://www.watchblog.com/
Enjoy. :)

The Book of Ecclesiastes

I had read Ecclesiastes before and had the incination to check it out again this morning. I was not disappointed. It is a book that covers the broad aspects of life and provides a number of timelessly relatable examples and references. Wisdom, foolishness, wealth, povery, health, happiness, pleasure, pain, death, relationships, government and ambition are all included.

The translation I just read was the New Living Translation (metal edition). It seems to use more modern phrasology and consequently interprets more easily. All 12 chapters are more than worth the time to read and effort to look into. I would say it is best read from start to finish in order to really get the full perspective and get a good idea of how the author's mind seems to be working.

Going into specifics is something I'll leave for another time and perhaps another medium. Just have a look, there is much truth and wisdom in those words. There were certainly numerous thought-provoking assertions about life and manner of living, some of which seem quite contrary to what western culture preaches, some of it suprisingly close.

Ecclesiaste 1:9-11 (New Living Translation)
"9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 What can you point to that is new? How do you know it didn't already exist long ago? 11 We don't remember what happened in those former times. And in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now."

this is what is happening to the more ethically minded who are feeling defeated and forced to make lemonade out of some nice awful lemons.

A Conservative's Perspective on Iraq

I was directed to this article on our actions and policy in Iraq by a friend of mine and found it thought-provoking. The logic behind it seems quite sound and reasonable although I realise there is much that we may not know and/or can't know. I am troubled that we aren't helping pacify Sudan, among other places. The US definitely should show that it doesn't go to war soley for personal profit as is often suggested (and sadly has some base).

That reminds me of something else that bothers me. I keep hearing the President and others saying that the reason these terrorists hate us so much is because of our freedom and what we stand for. Although partially true, it seems unfair not to mention the fact that our relationship with Israel is the number one reason many muslims and arabs cite for hating America. I'm not going to say whether this is right or wrong but leading americans to believe these people just hate us for our freedom or are simply jealous is not right. If they hate freedom so much why are we bringing it to them? Why aren't we just doing billions of dollars in humanitarian aid? thats something that no one can argue against if it's making a difference.

Drinking Water

I've always been raised to be a big fan of good plain water. While browsing through Fark.com I came across the link to this MSNBC article on drinking water. Have a look-see.
Go drink water now.

The Taiwan Dilemma and the USA's Socio-Economics

This article at FoxNews.com caught my eye. I don't know how true this is but if it is, it is worrying.

I personally don't think getting into a military tussle with China is anywhere near a good idea, especially/at least not right now. US involvement in the Taiwan issue is a sensitive part of US/China relations with neither side wanting to budge. Taiwan wants to be independent from China for the most part but China considers Taiwan an offshore state in the People's Republic. They are basically a rogue state in China's eyes but Taiwan wants to keep it's pseudo-independence and the US likes the concept of freedom and independence even though they officially support the "One China" policy.
 
I would love for all countries to be democratic and free but I can't say i think exerting military force in this situation is wise. China is bigger in population and apparently is getting more investment dollars and growth nowadays. While the US system has worked well in the past, socio-economic changes have weakened out country in my view. Before we go around trying to be the defender of freedom everywhere we've got to make sure our foundation is strong and truly up to the task.
 
Our culture has become soft, self-serving, service-industry based, entertainment based, and cocky. That all needs to change. America grew the most when we were fighting with an true underdog mindset, when common sense was common, when we weren't dulled by the all the safety precautions, when people truly understood life and mortality. Humility, love, and hard work are key ingredients to a productive and growing society. Most of us are so addicted to convenience we would scoff at the idea of growing our own food or making our own clothes. Our pride dictates that we strive to fill ourselves with any and every luxury we can get whether we can truly afford it or not.
 
"Made in the USA" has become a rarity in pure form. So much of what we use daily is imported that American production and American material has dwindled. It bothers me that we are not more prepared to be self-contained or self-sufficient. I don't mind imports at all, I just think we should maintain sufficient structure to be able to replace the demand for imported goods if needed.
 
Living beyond our means is dangerous. That is why the national debt concerns me so much. Our whole culture is based upon an optimism that we will have enough money to repay our creditors and that it's just a matter of time. We assume things will be like they always were; we take for granted or overlook possible realities. The world has changed and is continually changing, the US needs to come back to root principles and re-evaluate our core structure both in legislature and culture.
 

Metallimonster

Metallica has been what I've called my favorite band for about 8 years. It's one band that I have loyally supported even through the musical changes and napster issue. It's always been the ability to relate to the music and the lyrics and while I don't subscribe to many of their philosophies, their songs seem to resonate with me. Sometimes it's more just the actual music, sometimes it' the lyrics, sometimes it's just phrases.

According to Hetfield:
“All the 'Icon' and legend labels, I guess that’s good, but we’re not done. I don’t know what it’s like to feel done."

Now Metallica is releasing a telling movie/documentary about the inner workings of the band and the individuals that make it up.
Read the full article about the upcoming movie "Some Kind of Monster"

Microchip Tagging Steps into Government

Having already been introduced into the supply chain industry, radio frequency identification has stepped out into new water. A rice grain sized microchip has been implanted into the arms of a number of Mexican officials to grant access to secure locations. RFID has been around but now that it's starting to be used as clearance in government security, it takes on a new life. Both the positive and negative aspects of this technology are pretty obvious. On one hand you have the convenience of not having to carry any sort of pass or commit any code to memory, data can be stored and read inside this implanted chip. On the other hand, you have the privacy concerns, inconvenience in removal, possible biological reactions, danger of having a floating foreign object inside you, and the grizzly issues that may arise if criminals start having to hack off body parts to get access to secure zones.
The more paranoid we are the more paranoid we become. Security concerns beget privacy concerns and those concerns may simply create more suspiscion and cause even tighter restrictions and security. It's the effect of a noose, the harder you struggle against it the tighter it becomes. RFID represents tracking and becomes a part of control by entities other than oneself once introduced to the human medium.

Original article from the AP. Click here or on the title to view the site.

Spiderman 2

Spiderman 2 was a worthwhile movie to go see because it had a full spectrum of emotion and entertainment. It brought real life to the comic book movie genre and to the super-hero in a way that is relatable to most. The depictions of inner conflict equalled or bettered the action scenes and physical conflict. I appreciate this movie espeicially because it brought real-life wisdom and presented a higher standard of responsible living. An example would be living in a self-sacrificing way to serve others to the best of your own abilities, do the right thing, and don't let revenge or selfish ambition guide you. These are all valuable lessons and are presented in a way that can be absorbed positively. I would write more but that's all i've got for right now. Go see for yourself, at the very least you'll have something to do for almost 2 hours.

Bill Cosby is a smart man

Cosby may have been a comic genious but now he's a very respectable activist. The concept of taking responsibility for people's own actions is very important. Popular black culture has tended to give the impression of blaming hardship and poverty on the white's suppression and racism. IT is true that racism is a problem but it has been so significantly reduced that the continued level of complaints about it have been more self-perpetuated. Just click the link and read the article.. it's interesting.

Interesting perspective on Iraq

I saw this on CNN tonight/this morning, it was very interesting to see video literally from the soldier's perspective, the transcript will have to do for now to communicate. I was just struck that there was actual perspective given about the many and multi-faceted duties our solidiers face in Iraq.

CNN NEWSNIGHT AARON BROWN

Aired June 30, 2004 - 22:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BROWN: In the early days of the Iraq war, the world watched as embedded reporters and U.S. troops scrambled across the desert side by side. War and those who fought it seemed that close.
As the mission shifted, the troops slipped into fuzzier focus, death tolls and casualty figures becoming the frame. For filmmaker Mike Tucker, it was important to fill in the frame. So he spent several weeks living with the 23 Battalion of the Army's 1st Armored Division and has made a remarkable documentary about them, war as seen through the soldier's eyes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL TUCKER, FILMMAKER: All of us have watched the war on the news, but I think you're seeing it with a really long lens. I wanted to get as close as I could to them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you hear that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What happened?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just boom.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Boom, boom.
TUCKER: To maybe almost stand a little bit in their shoes, feel what they're feeling, fear what they're fearing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep your eyes open, because if it's anything like last night, it is going to be ugly.
TUCKER: And almost get beyond they, where I could say we.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome to Gunner Palace. This palace was built after the first Gulf War for Saddam Hussein's first wife. And later, it was given to his son Uday.
TUCKER: The unit is 23 Field Artillery. And their nickname is the Gunners. They're based in Giessen, Germany. They're part of the 1st Armored Division.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was like, hey, give me 18 Whoppers. He's like, what?
TUCKER: I was more interested in these people as personalities and talking to them. I wanted to know who are these soldiers that are fighting in this war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They got us out here in Baghdad. Life is hard.
TUCKER: When I arrived, there were a lot of weapons being captured. And I would say the insurgency was just starting to rise up then, where the IED attacks were started.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Clear the road. Possible IED!
TUCKER: Mortar attacks were starting. And it was becoming a very dangerous place to be.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Part of our $87 billion budget provided for us to have some secondary armor to put on top of our thin-skinned Humvees. This armor was made in Iraq. It is high-quality metal. And it will probably slow down the shrapnel so that it stays in your body instead of going clean through.
TUCKER: They really were acting like everything from policemen to social workers to politicians.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have come so far so fast. Please, let's not digress. I'm sure we can get the same discussion done without screaming across the table.
TUCKER: And then, at night, they would go out and raid houses.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Coming up. Coming in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three RPG launchers. You know how many years in jail that is? That's 30 years in jail.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): I don't need...
TUCKER: Every few weeks, they'd have something called Gunnerpalooza. And one thing they did at these, they would have freestyle competitions where the soldiers would spit out freestyle raps. And so I approached some of the corps soldiers and said, if I can't interview, let's do a freestyle about it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This ain't fact. It's only theory in my statements about the struggle, stress and pain every day we're facing. Trials and tribulations daily we do and not always is life's pains washed away in our (UNINTELLIGIBLE) When we take a dip, we try to stick to the script, but when those guns start blazing and our friends get hit, that's when our hearts start racing and our stomachs get woozy, because you all, this is just a show, but we're living this movie.
TUCKER: Some of the stories that they tell in the raps are more on target than any report.
When I left the first time, I thought I was done. Three, four weeks later, the first soldier in the unit, Ben Colgan, was killed. He was the best soldier in the unit. It turned out later that Ben was not just special forces, that he'd been in Delta Force.
I had hoped to somehow find an ending where I could respectfully tell what happened to him. Once I was done cutting that, I found that there was so much more to tell, I just didn't want to leave it hanging there. And then I decided to go back.
When I went back, immediately, upon arrival, you could sense that it was different. Soldiers just kind of gave off a feeling that they were exhausted. They were ready to go home. And you felt like they didn't really feel like they could do anything more.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lose-lose situation we're facing, anticipation. They're hating. No need to like this, but please respect it. This is life. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We all talk about how when we're going to go home, how proud we're going to be to be combat vets. How many people can say that they're combat veterans? Nineteen years old, I fought in a war.
TUCKER: These soldiers are us wearing uniforms. They come from every walk of American life. I would hope that people would listen to what they have to say and not what we think they would say, because often what they say is pretty surprising.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't care what anybody says. There's peaceful places in Iraq, but to say -- know that anybody who has been here has lived it, seen it and done it, and they've done their job.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BROWN: Morning papers after the break.

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