Common Sense = Crazy

There has been an attack on Senator Barack Obama based on his comments about going into Pakistan to get Osama Bin Laden if the Pakistanis would not or could not do it. What the spinmeisters have turned this into is Obama wants to invade our “ally”, Pakistan. This has caused such an uproar that President Musharraf has contemplated declaring a state of emergency in Pakistan. The Republicans and Mr. Obama’s opponents on the Democratic side have denounced his comments as “irresponsible” and “dangerous”. I have a few questions.

1. Since when is it a bad idea to go after Osama Bin Laden? Don’t we want him “Dead or Alive”?

2. Since when does invading a sovereign nation not cause instability in the region, but a few common sense comments does?

3. How is it OK to invade Iraq with false intelligence, to get Saddam who had no WMD and was no threat to us, but it is not OK to go into Pakistan to get OBL who attacked the US, and is being harbored by the Pakistani government who has nuclear weapons?

4. Why haven’t we invaded Pakistan? They are a radical Muslim country headed by a brutal, military dictator, that has nuclear weapons, and is the home country of A.G. Khan, a nuclear scientist that has sold nuclear technology to “terrorists”. They are also harboring Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Waziristan. They are mortal enemies in constant warfare with India, who is definitely our ally militarily and economically.

5. How can anyone who has screwed up foreign policy so horribly, criticize anyone who makes a statement about a possible policy? These are the people who brought you the Iraq War and the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act. How is their opinion credible in the least?

6. Why do you think Iran wants nuclear weapons? So we will not attack them. The US has never attacked a country that has nuclear weapons. North Korea, Pakistan, The Soviet Union (Russia), all safe.

I guess I am just a crazy, left wing whacko who is irresponsible and dangerous. :) Obama/Richardson 2008

Fascism in 2007

For the purpose of this perspective, consider the following regimes: Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Franco’s Spain, Salazar’s Portugal, Papadopoulos’s Greece, Pinochet’s Chile, and Suharto’s Indonesia. To be sure, they constitute a mixed bag of national identities, cultures, developmental levels, and history. But they all followed the fascist or protofascist model in obtaining, expanding, and maintaining power. Further, all these regimes have been overthrown, so a more or less complete picture of their basic characteristics and abuses is possible.

Analysis of these seven regimes reveals fourteen common threads that link them in recognizable patterns of national behavior and abuse of power. These basic characteristics are more prevalent and intense in some regimes than in others, but they all share at least some level of similarity.

1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism. From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.

2. Disdain for the importance of human rights. The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.

3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause. The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.

4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism. Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.

5. Rampant sexism. Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.

6. A controlled mass media. Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.

7. Obsession with national security. Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.

8. Religion and ruling elite tied together. Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.

9. Power of corporations protected. Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.

10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated. Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.

11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts. Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.

12. Obsession with crime and punishment. Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.

13. Rampant cronyism and corruption. Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.

14. Fraudulent elections. Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.

Does any of this ring alarm bells? Of course not. After all, this is America, officially a democracy with the rule of law, a constitution, a free press, honest elections, and a well-informed public constantly being put on guard against evils. Historical comparisons like these are just exercises in verbal gymnastics. Maybe, maybe not.

i am back...

Well, I seem to have some time on my hands, and I am adequately annoyed so I updated the look of my blogsite and decided to post something.

My renters haven't sent the rent check yet. It was due on the 5th. If I call him, he will lie and say he sent it on the 1st. Does he think I am stupid? Here's another thing...he told my old neighbors that they would not be renewing the lease at it's expiration. All I know is that he is not getting one cent of his deposit back.

Not supposed to smoke in the house....smoked.

Not supposed to have pets...2 dogs.

Supposed to give 30 days notice prior to vacating...probably won't.

I have been nothing but nice to him and his fat ass wife (and when I say fat ass, I mean 50 lbs. from having to get a forklift to remove her from the house), and this is how I am repaid.

It is a lesson learned for me. The next tenant will be under the full-on ironclad contract that will allow me to penalize them like Lindsay Lohan in a driving contest at 3am.

On a lighter note. I recently bought a Harley. A custom V-Rod. Very fast and very fun. Too bad it has been raining everyday this summer.

Also, I have a new band. I know, I always have a new band. This one definitely has promise. More later on the band and schedule.

the end of music....apparently

Lately I have had the distinct displeasure of being exposed to noise. Noise is a nice word, meaning music that is crap. I hesitate to use the phrase "crappy music" because that would imply that what I have been listening to has resemblance to music, which it doesn't.

First and foremost, the addictive abomination that is American Idol, comes into my home twice a week and pollutes the air with sweet pop stink that eminates from my TV set. I know I don't have to watch it, but you don't have to watch a spectacular car crash either. American Idol is wrong in so many ways, I don't know where to begin. I'll start with the first that I can think of. It normalizes horrid music and makes people think that the "music" on American Idol is the standard, and that the singers are doing it well. Wrong on all accounts. Do you know how bad I would love to see Vinnie Paul Abbott from Pantera beat Sanjaya to death on live TV? American Idol also gives hope to horrible musicians that they can make music and sell it. The horrific plague of rap music has proven that anything can sell, but you definitely don't want to promote it. The last thing about American Idol that I will list is that it identifies Paula Abdul as a musician. Paula, smoking a record producers pole until he screams high C is not making music. And cut back on the Xanax bars and whisky prior to the show. Your dumbass is showing.

The other abomination that has stricken my life recently is a Disney/Billy Ray Cyrus created monstrosity called Hannah Montana. Apparently, BRC is smoking some pole and landed his daughter in a Disney TV show that features her as a singer. Well, the apple didn't fall too far from the tree in this case, because like her father before her, Hannah (Miley Cyrus is her real name) couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Apparently, she does have a skill of planting subliminal messages in her "music" that is only noticed by 9-11 year old girls (the rocket offspring) and makes them crave all Disney products.

The last and definitely the dirtiest is Gwen Stefani. The reason I loathe her the most is because she actually used to make great music. No Doubt was a killer ska band and definitely one of my favorites. She turned to the dark side, or should I say the crap side, as soon as she married no talent, flash in the pan, Gavin Rossdale. Yeah, Bush had some decent music despite him, but I think his overall suckiness bled over to her through the womb when they conceived their children. Now, Gwen, who once kicked ass, is a horrible corporate shill squeeling out drivel for the masses.

Overall, I think the problem with music today is a lack of heroin. No one does it anymore, and no good music is being made. Layne Staley and Kurt Cobain, send your heroin addled ghosts back to earth and show Sanjaya and Hannah how to make some music that is actually listenable. Dimebag, come back from the dead and shoot Sanjaya up with a big dose of smack, and make him see Shiva and write a grunge album so filled with pain and passion that it oozes like hot blood from my radio and changes my life.

Or, just shoot him up with a hot dose and kill him. Either one will do.

as the tangled web unravels...

As we are watching the Bush dynasty crumble piece by piece, I thought it would be nice to rub some salt in the wound. Although I am not foolish enough to think any of the big players will go to prison, at least they won't be resurrected in another 15-20 years (see Nixon Administration). Here are some fun quotes for you...

The National Government will regard it as its first and foremost duty to revive in the nation the spirit of unity and cooperation. It will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built. It regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.

George Bush? Jerry Falwell? Sam Brownback? nope....Adolf Hitler.

See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda.

Hitler? Goebbels? Mussolini? nope....George W. Bush

HERE ARE THREE WHOPPERS FROM THEODORE ROOSEVELT THAT THE 30% OF AMERICA THAT STILL SUPPORT PRESIDENT BUSH SHOULD READ!!!

That we are to stand by the president, right or wrong is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

It is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official...

Can you tell I am fired up today? Anyway, I am going to be working 6 days a week, 12 hours a day, nights only, for the next 5 weeks. As I enter my nocturnal existence, please enjoy the sunlight for me and give me some comments for future posts.

thanks...rickrocket

they hate our freedom....

Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what we see right here in this chamber -- a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms -- our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.

George W. Bush

If the terrorists hate our freedoms so much, why is the tactic to defeat them always to take away our freedoms? Is this some sort of appeasement or is it aiding the enemy? Give us more freedoms! That should really piss them off.

interesting quotes

"If we show weakness in front of the enemies, they will increase their expectations."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - President of Iran


"We have learned that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength; they are invited by the perception of weakness."

George W. Bush - President of the United States


Weakness on both sides is, as we know, the motto of all quarrels.

Voltaire

I'm moving to Tennessee..

Al Gore's light bill for a 20 room mansion is only $1325 a month? I pay a minimum of $300 a month for a 3 bedroom non-mansion, and in the summer it goes up to about $500. (no price-gouging there) If I had a 20 room mansion, it would be about $3333 a month.

Looks like Al Gore isn't doing too bad. And Reliant Energy is robbing me like a stereo store in a race riot.

Maybe I am just a carbon Sasquatch.

10 things that make me crazy....

10. People who use the word "Irregardless".

9. People named Tom or Jeff that spell their name Thom or Geoff.

8. "We have to fight them over there, so we don't have to fight them over here."

7. People who are against abortion, but are also against birth control and sex education.

6. pseudo-celebrities that are famous even though they have absolutely no talent.
(i.e. Paris Hilton, Anna Nicole Smith, Nicole Richie)

5. rap music made after 1995.

4. bands that were good when they were on drugs and alcohol, but suck now that they are clean.
(i.e. Pearl Jam, Aerosmith, Metallica)

3. giant multimedia companies that ensure that the same crappy songs are played on all the
stations over and over again.

2. evangelical christians who believe that hating gays and keeping people from getting abortions
is more important than helping poor people and preserving our environment.

1. "We're doing this to preserve the sanctity of marriage."


While this surely isn't a complete list, nor is it in order according to the intensity of my hatred, it is what was irritating me today....

rickrocket

What a dick.

"If our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves, radical factions would battle for dominance. The violence would likely spread throughout the country and be very difficult to contain. Having tasted victory in Iraq, the (militants) would look for new missions. Many would head for Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban" - "Deadeye" Dick Cheney

Please allow me to retort.

"If our coalition didn't invade Iraq, there would be no radical factions battling for dominance. There would be no violence throughout the country, and Saddam would still be contained. Having tasted defeat in Afghanistan, the militants would see the error of their quest. Many would head for Saudi Arabia to be reunited with their families, because the Taliban wouldn't exist anymore. Also, with the 500 billion dollars we didn't spend, we could actually pay for a decent universal healthcare system."- Rickrocket

The frightening thing about this is that people actually agree with him, and disagree with me. They probably TiVo all of the Anna Nicole Smith trial coverage, also.

Can you tell I am irritated today, working on my day off?

rickrocket

Why did I do it?

OK, it is my fault. But who knew? When I was wishing a horrible painful death to the abomination that was Anna Nicole Smith, who knew it would come true? Who could have predicted that the fulfillment of a casual wish, not a whopper like "Win the Lottery" or "Put Dick Cheney in prison in Guantanamo Bay", would cause such torture to millions. If I was annoyed by the constant airing of "Trimspa, baby!" and reruns of the Anna Nicole Reality(?) Show, it is negligable compared to the constant breaking news about where this idiot is going to be buried. Why is it news that 87 men might be the father of her child? What makes her so special? It's not like there is a shortage of dumb, drug-addled sluts in the world, and hers is a fascinating, unique story.

I am making a new wish. I wish that Anna Nicole Smith would come back to life, but that she would look like that girl that was in your high school class, whose name you couldn't remember without looking in the yearbook. Included in this wish is that Anna Nicole comes back as a very smart person who takes care of their children.

If my wish comes true, we should never, ever hear about Anna Nicole Smith again.

One can only hope.

Hello, everyone!!!

I was motivated to start a blog by my friend, Supersnark, and by her endless wit. I can only hope to make my little corner of the internet as fun and interesting as hers. Anyway...I have so much to say and I think this will be a great outlet for the cure of my writing jones, and all the ideas and frustrations I have bouncing around in my head. Please feel free to comment an anything I write, but don't comment on my sorry looking blog page until after I fix it. :)

3...2...1....blastoff.

rickrocket