The FBI Has Bugged Our Public Libraries: The FBI system apparently involves the installation of special software on the computers that lets the FBI copy a person’s use of the Internet and their e-mail messages. (Don’t ask me how I know about this because I can’t reveal how I was able to collect the information.) Members of the public who use the library have not been informed that the government is watching their activities. It’s not just the computers. Circulation lists that show which books someone borrowed are also accessible to the government.
06
Nov 02
Let the Fourth Reich begin
Hi, welcome to America where we have a corrupt one-party system maintained by brute force, mind-numbing propaganda, and political assassination. Right-wing militarists now control all branches of the government effectively destroying any remnants of the system of checks and balances that has managed to keep the government somewhat gridlocked. The fascist party has managed the triple-crown, the absolute control of the judicial, executive, and legislative branches. The opposition party, the Democrats, have secured their place in history as eunuchs. As Bush had eerily promised, America now ‘speaks with one voice’. Expect the Forever War to kick into high gear.
The suspicious and convenient deaths of Mel Carnahan and Paul Wellstone garnered two Senate seats for the Republicans which contributed heavily to their seizure of power.
fas-cism: n. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
dic·ta·tor: n. One invested with absolute authority; especially, a magistrate created in times of exigence and distress, and invested with unlimited power.
05
Nov 02
Vote and see the inside of a local elementary school
I did the early voting thing. If you don’t know who you would like to vote for at least vote against people who supported the Iraq War, or for the green party, or at least vote against that douche bag Bush by voting against Republicans.
03
Nov 02
Voting Machine Conflicts
Voting machine company demands web site remove articles showing conflicts of interest. Voting machines brought to you by right-wing nutjobs. Conflict of interest??
03
Nov 02
Guerrilla warfare or terrorism?
Russia Helicopter Downed in Chechnya, Nine Dead: It may be inconsistent for a pacifist to express this sentiment, but I can’t help but to root for the Chechens. They’ve been fighting the Russian absolutists in one guise or another for several hundred years. I admire their doggedness and determination.
03
Nov 02
War is politics by other means
And people around the world are getting sick of it. It is time to shrug off the parasites that attempt to propel us into war. These Russian kids have the right idea. Maybe it’s time to stop paying taxes that go towards murder.
Russian youth dodge conscript military:
While America fights a war on terror with overwhelming public approval, families here are scrambling to avoid sending their boys to Russia’s own war against an Islamist foe in Chechnya. And this czarist-era capital of Russia has become a hotbed of antiwar activism. So strong is the resistance to the draft in this city, the army is forcibly conscripting boys by dragging them from high school classes in handcuffs and arresting them on the streets, to be sent off to the army, lawyers and war resistance groups say.
Draft dodging is fueled reports of desertions and mistreatment of soldiers, and by widespread anger at government’s seeming indifference to the depravations that ordinary Russians face.
“Nobody I know is willing to go to the military,” said Artur Getrimas, an 18-year-old who has hired a lawyer in an attempt to get a deferral. “I don’t think my country deserves to be loved and respected because it doesn’t provide a good life for its people. Corruption is everywhere, and those people who have no money or connections are stuck on the lowest level, and everyone kicks them around.”
Remember, this kind of crap could and does happen here. When I was a senior in high school military recruiters would call and try to give me the hard sell because they needed warm bodies. There are bills in Congress which would require public schools to provide the personal information of graduating seniors to military recruiters for the purpose of seducing young people to join the mercenary army of the United States. There was also a bill which would have required all 18 year olds to serve the United States for a two-year stint.
03
Nov 02
Poem and response
| The Passionate Shepherd to His Love – Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) Come live with me and be my love, And we will sit upon the rocks, And I will make thee beds of roses, A gown made of the finest wool, A belt of straw and ivy buds, The shepherd swains shall dance and sing |
The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd – Sir Walter Ralegh (1554?-1618) If all the world and love were young, But Time drives flocks from field to fold; The flowers do fade, and wanton fields Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses, Thy belt of straw and ivy-buds, But could youth last, and love still breed, |
03
Nov 02
Ok, you might think I’m weird…
…but I loved the movie ‘Secretary’. I thought it was incredibly honest and really, actually, romantic. It is based on a short story by Mary Gaitskill which you can read online here. Steven Shainberg, the director of ‘Secretary’, recently gave an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air which you can listen to here in Real Audio.
31
Oct 02
Happy Halloween…the denouement
The workplace Halloween party was fun. I tossed back a few frosty ones and got flushed in the face. Life is good. Happy Halloween to all my friends and not-yet-friends in the ether!