I Make Things - Politics

Real Change

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:42:38 -0400

Remembering September 11, 2001

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:58:00 -0400

Today is the anniversary of September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center towers in New York City, New York were destroyed by terrorist attack. As Americans mark this anniversary, we must remember some important things that September 11, 2001 changed for us.

We are in more danger now than we were before September 11, 2001. There is more danger from abroad as our heavy-handed foreign policy and brash handling of worldwide affairs have inflamed anti-American sentiment and created enemies out of people who were once at most ambivalent to the United States. There is more danger from within as we are threatened with losing personal freedoms, privacy and individuality in the name of "security."

If there is not another terrorist attack on the United States, the federal government will proclaim the effectiveness of their freedom robbing efforts toward greater security (the Patriot Act, NSA wiretapping, unwarranted searches, illegal detentions and torture). They will use the lack of attack as evidence that their policies are working and they will seek to further them in the interest of "tightening" security. We will continue to lose freedoms and liberties which we will not soon (if ever) recover.

If there is another terrorist attack on the United States, the federal government will use it as "proof" that not enough is being done in the interest of security. They will use the fear and confusion generated by the attack to quickly increase their power and further subjugate citizens and aliens alike. The loss of freedom will be swift and permanent and we will certainly not understand the impact of the new laws until well after we have already sold our souls for protection.

September 11, 2001 saw not only an attack on the United States by terrorists but also ushered in an attack on the United States by a US federal government interested in increasing and solidifying their own power. As we mark September 11, 2001, we must remember that truly patriotic and heroic people resist terrorism and fear mongering in all its forms.

As the famous quote goes: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Three Cheers for Colbert

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Sun, 07 May 2006 22:04:08 -0400

Stephen Colbert (from Comedy Central's The Colbert Report was the headlining guest speaker at the White House Correspondent's Dinner on Saturday, April 29th, 2006.

His masterfully written and expertly delivered speech was uncomfortable and insulting to President Bush and the attendants of the dinner, but exhilarating, cathartic and down-right hilarious (in an ouch, burn kind of way) to 68% of Americans.

If you didn't get to catch it on CSPAN, take a look at the video rip. It was a pleasant surprise for me and something I had to watch over and over.

Colbert's silver tongue and sharp wit served Mr. Bush, members of the current administration, and the American press, a healthy meal of bitter irony when he spoke as the misguided right-wing pundit character he plays on his show.

It's surprising that he was granted the opportunity of a headlining speech at this dinner. His words were so scathing, so humiliating and so damn funny that you'd think the whole thing was staged. It wasn't.

Colbert deserves an award for this performance. Not only for the beautiful writing, excellent delivery and perfect acting, but for his ability to stand up and say exactly what millions of American's already think about President Bush. He showed all of us that while you can buy off the press, bury facts and silence critics, you can't stop everyone. Colbert should at least get a Presidential Medal of Freedom for exercising his right to free speech, directly in Bush's face.

FSM

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 21:48:04 -0400

I've found my religion: Pastafarianism! I first learned about Pastafarians when I read about the supreme deity; Flying Spaghetti Monster. I realized that all my life I've felt the power of FSM and everything up until now has been exactly according to FSM's grand design. I hope they begin teaching this in classrooms soon. Evolution has finally been debunked!

The Bush Energy Plan

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 18:43:38 -0400

Have you heard President Bush's energy plan? He claims it's not oil production that is the problem, it is domestic refining of that oil.

Bush and his dad have made a system of closing military bases. And now, in the midst of skyrocketing oil prices, Bush asks federal agencies to work with communities to see if refineries can be built on these unused bases. I wonder who exactly would build these refineries?

Hmmm... If this does not sound like a pre-meditated construct to you, what does?

This guy has no individual's interest at heart. Bush is a corporate patsy catering to the largest businesses out there (BP makes an annual profit of $17.5 billion). Bush would rather you pay more for gas - he doesn't buy gas and his friends are the ones selling it! Please don't believe this administration's bullshit.

You are not so naive!

The Terri Schiavo Legal Battle

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 19:03:42 -0400

I am glad the legal battle over whether or not to keep Terri Schiavo alive is finally over. Looking over the timeline of events surrounding this poor brain-dead lady will make you wonder how things even got this far.

One of the main lessons everyone should take from this legal battle is: make your own living will now! Make it known whether or not you want to be resuscitated. Set it in writing what should happen in the event you become brain-dead, unable to communicate, or in a coma. Detail what should be done with your body after your death and let your family, friends and loved ones know that you have created a living will. While it might feel like a morbid topic to address, it is something everyone must consider. No matter how old you are, having a living will can ensure that your wishes are honored and not what those around you think you would have wanted.

Who Controls the Past

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Tue, 15 Mar 2005 16:57:37 -0400

Anyone who has read Orwell's 1984 should understand the real implications behind the CIA seizure and re-classification of some of late Sen. Henry Jackson's papers that were housed at the University of Washington.

"Who controls the past, controls the future. Who controls the present, controls the past."

It's very interesting that the CIA seized papers had been at the University for over 20 years. The action of the CIA itself is interesting but the implications and reasoning behind the action is what really counts. As for the reasoning, I have not seen comment on that. As for the implications... ...the implications are frightening.

Inauguration Threat Level Red

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Thu, 20 Jan 2005 23:15:07 -0400

Today was George W. Bush's inauguration day. Something that signifies four more years of his heavy handed foreign policy, his arrogant, self-righteous attitude toward his constituency, his bumbling speech and general alienation of the rest of the world. Today is a celebration of all things America should not be.
Continue reading "Inauguration Threat Level Red"

Rumsfeld Gets a Smack

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 17:15:24 -0400

The other day, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld happened to be at Camp Buehring in Kuwait. He was giving a "pep" talk to the soldiers there. These soldiers will eventually be moved north to Iraq to help the continuing "lost cause" there.

Some of the soldiers questioned Rumsfeld about how the war is being fought. You can read the article at CNN.com. It is a rather interesting change in mindset to see the soldiers (who are trained to not question their leaders) criticize the Commander in Chief's right-hand man!

This shift in mindset is representative of a growing irritation in the minds of the troops who are fighting the war in Iraq; a war that doesn't seem to have any end in sight. It is a significant revolution to see this kind of criticism coming directly from soldier and supported by the cheers of his comrades.

I hope that the outspoken soldiers are not disciplined in any way. After all, they deserve to have a voice. As the voices of those forced to fight an ideological war start to speak against it, maybe our arrogant president will realize his mistake and add it to his long list of past mistakes. Well, then again, he probably wont.

Arafat's Death

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 22:08:14 -0400

Does anyone else think the Mossad poisoned Arafat?

My friends who aren't conspiracy theorists like myself say he died from natural causes. I tell them it was too sudden and played out too quick. Then they throw more arguments out at me.

I've heard the argument that goes: "Why would they poison him quietly when Israel had no problem launching missiles directly at him?" My response is: "That didn't work too well though, did it. He lived through that and they don't often have an excuse for an attack like that everyday."

The other argument I hear goes something like: "Why wouldn't they have done it years ago if they could?" My response is: "The CIA spent a lot of time and money trying to kill Castro through clandestine means (infect him with STDs, poison his food, etc). They were never successful and look how long they tried."

Arafat died from a brain hemorrhage which led to multiple organ failure - and it all happened inside of a few weeks. More than that, no one else is saying. That's the thing I find strange. I get uncomfortable when people don't talk openly about stuff.

The Mossad is not a weak third-world intelligence agency. Their skills and resources rival MI6 and the CIA.

I know others probably have the same suspicion. It will be interesting, in the following months, to see what other facts bubble to the surface.