Well ladies and gents, in case you missed the riveting speech our dear President Obama gave this evening, allow me to walk you through the highlights.
Really, it's quite difficult to pick only a few, as the whole speech, I mostly sat bleary eyed and motionless, unsure whether I should simply be disgusted or contact the X-Files claiming that "W" had somehow inhabited the body of Obama.
Nevertheless, here's some of the kickers:
"Mindful of the risks and costs of military action, we are naturally reluctant to use force to solve the world’s many challenges. But when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act. That is what happened in Libya over the course of these last six weeks."
My response: Horse shit. Obama is about as mindful of military action as an elephant is of the flies buzzing round it's shit. Secondly, you shouldn't be using ANYTHING to solve the world's many challenges - you should stay the fuck out of it. The mere suggestion that using force is even an option to police the world smacks of an atrocious arrogance I hoped to solely attribute to Obama's predecessor. I do however, have to give him props for admitting that we act in accordance with our interests. He didn't quite come out and say our "monetary interests," but all the same, he hinted that we are that fucking brash. Just to proudly say that when our values are at stake, we have to send in fighter jets suggests that you have bigger balls than a well hung steer. Our values? Since when do have shit for values? And even if we were that city upon a hill that Winthrop so eloquently (yet again, arrogantly) waxed poetic of, what the fuck gives us the right to take military action when another country exhibits values other than our own?
What about Saudi Arabia? Is stoning women in public part of our treasured values? Is dictatorial religious law part of our constitution? Oh no, wait - it's the opposite.
And that's just the opening of his speech.
For the next, what seems like endless paragraphs, Obama gives a play-by-play of the occurrences in Libya and how Gaddafi's tyranny and arrogance somehow allows us to pull out our aces of tyranny and arrogance.
He shoots down the questions brought by concerned Americans, opposed to a third conflict, opposed to the idea of policing the world when our own country is in a vortex towards absolute economic fall out. He says that as a leader of the free world, we can not simply stand by and watch, we must act on behalf of humans rights concerns since that is what we stand for.
This coming from the same guy who just announced the second grand opening of Gitmo, now with brand new water barrels and deprivation cellars - book your room today! Room and board (pun intended) paid for by the people - don't call us, we'll call you, and break your door down, rape your wife, kill your kids and keep you indefinitely without trial. God Bless.
In closing, Obama makes sure to note his "successes" in Iraq and Afghanistan, using the key words "Al Qaeda" to make sure the fear factory churns out some golden oldies.
In a tawdry attempt at inspiration, he closes with this comment:
"...when the news is filled with conflict and change – it can be tempting to turn away from the world. And as I have said before, our strength abroad is anchored in our strength at home. That must always be our North Star – the ability of our people to reach their potential, to make wise choices with our resources, to enlarge the prosperity that serves as a wellspring of our power, and to live the values that we hold so dear."
Ummm....you're full of shit, Mr. President. Allow me to introduce you to reality: there is no North Star beacon above your blessed purple mountains majesty, there is no city upon a hill. Our country has no values. The people that inhabit it might, but they are clouded over by apathy and inaction. You represent corporate cronies and are a disgrace to the republic this nation was founded to be.
True leaders lead by example. The contradictions so evident in your speech prove that you are either not aware of your own hypocrisy or you feel, as so many other presidents did, that those rules do not apply to you. You can wage wars and win a peace prize, you can preach change and be stagnant. You can talk of prosperity and pride when people sit homeless, dying from curable diseases in an infrastructure that feeds on the weak.
Shame on you Obama, shame on you.
If I were religious, I would not pray for you. I would pray for the soldiers you put in harms way in vain, I would pray for the people you promised prosperity to, that will never know it. I would pray for the people in the countries you invade and allow corporate interests to rape, under your watch.
But alas, I am not religious, and I do not think that God is watching. God does not bless us, God does not bless America. No one will make sure that everything will be OK. That's on us - you and me. Because, I can tell you right now, Obama and co. sure as shit won't do anything. We, the people, have to Do Something.
Showing posts with label gaddafi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gaddafi. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The deciders shadow
Libya continues on its way to an all out civil war: Gaddafi’s forces using tanks and rockets to push back rebel forces between eastern and western Libya. A revolutionary recently told a reporter that they are severely outgunned, holding up a light machine gun, shaking his head, “See this? This is no good. People are dying.”
Even though some rebels are equipped with heavier artillery, they don’t have access to, say, warplanes and tanks, often times mounting found anti-aircraft guns onto pick-up trucks.
There are mutterings suggesting that Gaddafi might be trying to leave the country, but without concrete evidence, the firefight continues. To make matters all the worse, rebels are running short on oil, making their advance slower and more trying.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Obama is being pressured by some to do more about it. Critics suggest that his talking points are about as helpful as throwing a spit ball at Gaddafi. Others say he shouldn’t even be doing that.
At a time when our presence in the Middle East is less than popular, rumors are being thrown around that the US is in fact behind ALL the revolutions, the main gust that rocked the cradle.
While I think that’s mostly horse shit, it’s best not to puff up considering our already unstable footing in the Middle East.
And speaking of our growing infamy, Obama announced today that he will be keeping Gitmo open, resuming military trials and keeping prisoners indefinitely, some without trials. The executive order came with deep disappointment from the cabinet’s liberal supporters and vindictive “I told you so’s” from conservative critics.
Anthony D. Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union commented on the decision: “The detention of Guantanamo detainees for nine years without charge or trial is a stain on America’s reputation that should be ended immediately, not given a stamp of approval.”
Rep. Peter King - Republican, N.Y., a loud and obnoxious opponent of the federal court hearings in NYC, of which the supposed 9/11 mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was a part. King was nice enough to give Obama a back handed compliment, praising his decision as a continuation of his predecessors policies to defend our country, “The bottom line is that it affirms the Bush administration policy that our government has the right to detain dangerous terrorists until the cessation of hostilities. This is clearly a step in the right direction.”
Ummmm...a cessation of hostilities? I’m no expert, but aren’t we the jack offs over on their soil blowing the shit out of their civilians every day? What would we allow them to do in the name of protecting their own till we get the fuck out of there? Oh yeah, that’s right - we don’t.
I guess since under the newly released Patriot Act (another cracker jack move by Obama), the government is allowed to jail their own citizens without trial, it would seem grossly unfair not to condemn accused terrorists of the same thing. Even if there’s absolutely no hard evidence against about 90% of prisoners in Gitmo. Clearly, it’s a pre-emptive thing...
With this news, I wouldn’t really be surprised if Obama were to announce within the next few days the unilateral takeover of Libya’s government. For as much as his cabinet claims to hate being compared to “W,” they certainly don’t do much to try and avoid it. From playing corporate lap-dog, to upping military presence in the Middle East, to approving tax cuts for the wealthy, and now this, Obama seems pretty comfortable in Bush Jr.’s shoes.
The closer we inch towards 2012, the more I see things being pushed back to the right. Conservative governors have got more balls than a batting cage and seemingly liberal lawmakers appear to be bending more and more in the conservative winds gusting our way.
So, what do the people say? Well, as usual, not much. Politics has almost become a spectator sport, although a withdrawn one, like tennis. We merely watch the back and forth, take a break here and there to grab a snack or stretch our legs. We don’t get in the middle, we don’t meddle with the professionals as they play their game.
Again, as much as I’d like to only blame politicians for these dick stick moves, it’s really our fault for not doing anything about it. It’s like getting hit in the face with a tennis ball repeatedly and not moving or complaining about it.
I for one am tired of being a guinea pig, punching bag for bad ideas and partisan bantering. Both sides are fucked. Both sides are fucking paid off idiots. Our silence only supports the idea that the people are even dumber. Apathy can quickly be confused for ignorance. And at the end of the day, when our ever growing pool of enemies washes over us, it won’t be the Bushes at the front lines paying for their mistakes. It’ll be the people. Are we ok with that?
Do Something.
Even though some rebels are equipped with heavier artillery, they don’t have access to, say, warplanes and tanks, often times mounting found anti-aircraft guns onto pick-up trucks.
There are mutterings suggesting that Gaddafi might be trying to leave the country, but without concrete evidence, the firefight continues. To make matters all the worse, rebels are running short on oil, making their advance slower and more trying.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Obama is being pressured by some to do more about it. Critics suggest that his talking points are about as helpful as throwing a spit ball at Gaddafi. Others say he shouldn’t even be doing that.
At a time when our presence in the Middle East is less than popular, rumors are being thrown around that the US is in fact behind ALL the revolutions, the main gust that rocked the cradle.
While I think that’s mostly horse shit, it’s best not to puff up considering our already unstable footing in the Middle East.
And speaking of our growing infamy, Obama announced today that he will be keeping Gitmo open, resuming military trials and keeping prisoners indefinitely, some without trials. The executive order came with deep disappointment from the cabinet’s liberal supporters and vindictive “I told you so’s” from conservative critics.
Anthony D. Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union commented on the decision: “The detention of Guantanamo detainees for nine years without charge or trial is a stain on America’s reputation that should be ended immediately, not given a stamp of approval.”
Rep. Peter King - Republican, N.Y., a loud and obnoxious opponent of the federal court hearings in NYC, of which the supposed 9/11 mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was a part. King was nice enough to give Obama a back handed compliment, praising his decision as a continuation of his predecessors policies to defend our country, “The bottom line is that it affirms the Bush administration policy that our government has the right to detain dangerous terrorists until the cessation of hostilities. This is clearly a step in the right direction.”
Ummmm...a cessation of hostilities? I’m no expert, but aren’t we the jack offs over on their soil blowing the shit out of their civilians every day? What would we allow them to do in the name of protecting their own till we get the fuck out of there? Oh yeah, that’s right - we don’t.
I guess since under the newly released Patriot Act (another cracker jack move by Obama), the government is allowed to jail their own citizens without trial, it would seem grossly unfair not to condemn accused terrorists of the same thing. Even if there’s absolutely no hard evidence against about 90% of prisoners in Gitmo. Clearly, it’s a pre-emptive thing...
With this news, I wouldn’t really be surprised if Obama were to announce within the next few days the unilateral takeover of Libya’s government. For as much as his cabinet claims to hate being compared to “W,” they certainly don’t do much to try and avoid it. From playing corporate lap-dog, to upping military presence in the Middle East, to approving tax cuts for the wealthy, and now this, Obama seems pretty comfortable in Bush Jr.’s shoes.
The closer we inch towards 2012, the more I see things being pushed back to the right. Conservative governors have got more balls than a batting cage and seemingly liberal lawmakers appear to be bending more and more in the conservative winds gusting our way.
So, what do the people say? Well, as usual, not much. Politics has almost become a spectator sport, although a withdrawn one, like tennis. We merely watch the back and forth, take a break here and there to grab a snack or stretch our legs. We don’t get in the middle, we don’t meddle with the professionals as they play their game.
Again, as much as I’d like to only blame politicians for these dick stick moves, it’s really our fault for not doing anything about it. It’s like getting hit in the face with a tennis ball repeatedly and not moving or complaining about it.
I for one am tired of being a guinea pig, punching bag for bad ideas and partisan bantering. Both sides are fucked. Both sides are fucking paid off idiots. Our silence only supports the idea that the people are even dumber. Apathy can quickly be confused for ignorance. And at the end of the day, when our ever growing pool of enemies washes over us, it won’t be the Bushes at the front lines paying for their mistakes. It’ll be the people. Are we ok with that?
Do Something.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Fast Blast: News 3.1.11
Having perused today's biggest stories, I feel confident in admitting that I have absolutely no idea which one to focus on - ergo, I give you many.
But first, I wanted to share a strange experience from last night. I went to a hockey game, which could seem odd for the simple fact that I live in LA, but something else happened, just before the game that sent chills.
As with any professional sporting event, there is the time before the first pitch, puck, punt or plunge where some adorable or fittingly famous person steps up to sing the National Anthem.
It was quiet, eerily so. I could barely even hear a chair squeak in the cavernous echo chamber that is Staples Center. Everyone stood, having sprung up at the mention of the Anthem, as if it were a knee jerk reaction, almost involuntary. I stood, slowly, surveying the crowd.
The little girl vibratoed her way through the Anthem at a snails pace, giving me more gloriously grotesque time to clench my fists and shudder.
Why are we standing? For what are we showing respect? What does the flag mean - to you, to me, to anyone in that crowd? It doesn't really have to mean anything. It's a program, a system. We stand and stare blankly upwards, at a strategically placed flag, mumbling the words to ourselves, eying the nachos on the floor, fidgeting with our keys. We become empty. And to ponder the inverse of this phenomenon, what are we full of? I'm not trying to be cheeky, I'd really like to know - what goes on in the hearts and minds whenever something nationalistic or patriotic is mentioned or performed? As a lyricist, I have an almost incessant need to dissect and analyze the lyrics to any song. If one were to listen to the lyrics of our National Anthem, really listen to them, not just through our ears but into our minds...would we still stare blankly - would it make us feel uncomfortable at the mention of a Utopian land of the free? A hearkening back to the days when our forefathers fought for the ideals we either don't have any more or are too far removed to protect and enjoy.
It made me wildly uncomfortable. If we, the people, if only for a moment, pondered the stark contrast between the lives we lead today, and the foundations of this country, we could start that revolution so desperately needed to effect change. Break the corporate chains, and do something.
Now for the news outside my head:
Two week notice: Just in the nick of time, the House has approved a measure to fund our gross spending another two weeks so they can talk and order more takeout, keeping Smokey the Bear in uniform and avoiding a shutdown...for now. In those two weeks, the bill will trim spending by $4 billion. It passed the House with a 335-91 vote. Republicans had originally hoped to pass the bill with $61 billion on the chop block but Obama vowed to veto that bill saying it would only escalate the economic problems by cutting back on necessary funding and programs. Ummm, I have a question? Is history still taught in schools? Or did the Texas board of education throw that out along with the mention of "separation of church and state," fossils and Europe? I seem to remember something called the New Deal, a series of public works projects aimed at bolstering the economy while putting the country to work...seemed to work pretty well. But hey, cutting education, health care, police, fire fighters and funding for MORE JOBS seems like a totally awesome idea too - keep up the good work!
The blame game: Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh blames the US and Israel for the growing unrest in the his country. Apparently, the spread of uprisings are " managed by Tel Aviv and under the supervision of Washington," Saleh said. "What do you have to do with Egypt or Oman? Are you president of the United States, or are you president of the world?" Well, to be honest, I don't even think he's doing a cracker jack job at the former. It must come as a shock to us, these fighting words, considering that last year alone, Yemen received $150 billion in military aid to fight Al Qaeda's insurgency, and just last week Defense Secretary Robert Gates pledged another $75 million aimed at doubling the U.S.-trained Yemeni counter-terrorism unit. So, that's where that money goes - wonder if that was on the chop block...hmmm, probably not. Teachers are easier to cut off than military - they only have brains, not guns. Meanwhile, back in Yemen, there seems to be mixed feelings for the future. Sheik Abdul Majid al-Zindani, a "global terrorist," according to Washington, gave a speech promising that "an Islamic state is coming." However, more secular demonstrations have sprung from many of the Universities seeking the seemingly simplistic ideals of freedom. "We need freedom. Freedom from Saleh." Good luck my friend - I'm sure we'll be there when he eventually does fall to spend more money we don't have and piss more people off in the process. Until then, keep fighting the good fight.
Underground Dungeons: Further evidence of Gaddafi's cruelty was unearthed as revolutionaries in Benghazi wandered into the previously blockaded government and military areas of the city. Along with tales of torture, police brutality, and unexplained disappearances, the revolutionaries found underground dungeons - really just holes in the ground - held up by wood beams, with single pipes from the outside world providing air, keeping prisoners alive long enough to suffer the maximum. The revolutionaries had found bones and skeletons along with 7 men, still alive, who were taken immediately to the hospital. A 26 year veteran of Gaddafi's armed forces happened to be there as an ABC news reporter surveyed the scene. He had his four children with him, showing them the ruins of Gaddafi's home and compound. He told the reporter that they used to just throw people into the holes, forget about them - no one would ever come out alive. I wonder what dark secrets are lurking in the compounds of our red, white and blue...
Republicans hate nature: House Republicans want to sever ties with the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), pulling all their funding from the project. "It (IPCC) is an entity that is fraught with waste and fraud, and engaged in dubious science, which is the last thing hard-working American taxpayers should be paying for," Missouri Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer said. He also said, that "More than 700 acclaimed international scientists have challenged the claims made by the IPCC. These 700-plus dissenting scientists are affiliated with institutions like the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense, the U.S. Air Force and Navy, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency." Ummm...since when were the armed forces the go-to-guys on climate change? Especially when their salaries lie in your grubby hands? Fuck, they'll tell you that goblins are falling from the sky if it gives 'em an extra bonus at Christmas time! The EPA? Really? They've been castrated and useless for years. The only difference between any of these agencies is who the corporate dick stick behind them is. As another thinly veiled fuck you to mother nature, tucked in the pages of the budget cuts, Rep. Ralph M. Hall, R-Texas, authored the prohibition of any funds to implement the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Service, on the 2012 requested budget from Obama....I was gonna write more but I think I'm gonna go outside while I can still suck in some clean oxygen without a tank on my back.
But first, I wanted to share a strange experience from last night. I went to a hockey game, which could seem odd for the simple fact that I live in LA, but something else happened, just before the game that sent chills.
As with any professional sporting event, there is the time before the first pitch, puck, punt or plunge where some adorable or fittingly famous person steps up to sing the National Anthem.
It was quiet, eerily so. I could barely even hear a chair squeak in the cavernous echo chamber that is Staples Center. Everyone stood, having sprung up at the mention of the Anthem, as if it were a knee jerk reaction, almost involuntary. I stood, slowly, surveying the crowd.
The little girl vibratoed her way through the Anthem at a snails pace, giving me more gloriously grotesque time to clench my fists and shudder.
Why are we standing? For what are we showing respect? What does the flag mean - to you, to me, to anyone in that crowd? It doesn't really have to mean anything. It's a program, a system. We stand and stare blankly upwards, at a strategically placed flag, mumbling the words to ourselves, eying the nachos on the floor, fidgeting with our keys. We become empty. And to ponder the inverse of this phenomenon, what are we full of? I'm not trying to be cheeky, I'd really like to know - what goes on in the hearts and minds whenever something nationalistic or patriotic is mentioned or performed? As a lyricist, I have an almost incessant need to dissect and analyze the lyrics to any song. If one were to listen to the lyrics of our National Anthem, really listen to them, not just through our ears but into our minds...would we still stare blankly - would it make us feel uncomfortable at the mention of a Utopian land of the free? A hearkening back to the days when our forefathers fought for the ideals we either don't have any more or are too far removed to protect and enjoy.
It made me wildly uncomfortable. If we, the people, if only for a moment, pondered the stark contrast between the lives we lead today, and the foundations of this country, we could start that revolution so desperately needed to effect change. Break the corporate chains, and do something.
Now for the news outside my head:
Two week notice: Just in the nick of time, the House has approved a measure to fund our gross spending another two weeks so they can talk and order more takeout, keeping Smokey the Bear in uniform and avoiding a shutdown...for now. In those two weeks, the bill will trim spending by $4 billion. It passed the House with a 335-91 vote. Republicans had originally hoped to pass the bill with $61 billion on the chop block but Obama vowed to veto that bill saying it would only escalate the economic problems by cutting back on necessary funding and programs. Ummm, I have a question? Is history still taught in schools? Or did the Texas board of education throw that out along with the mention of "separation of church and state," fossils and Europe? I seem to remember something called the New Deal, a series of public works projects aimed at bolstering the economy while putting the country to work...seemed to work pretty well. But hey, cutting education, health care, police, fire fighters and funding for MORE JOBS seems like a totally awesome idea too - keep up the good work!
The blame game: Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh blames the US and Israel for the growing unrest in the his country. Apparently, the spread of uprisings are " managed by Tel Aviv and under the supervision of Washington," Saleh said. "What do you have to do with Egypt or Oman? Are you president of the United States, or are you president of the world?" Well, to be honest, I don't even think he's doing a cracker jack job at the former. It must come as a shock to us, these fighting words, considering that last year alone, Yemen received $150 billion in military aid to fight Al Qaeda's insurgency, and just last week Defense Secretary Robert Gates pledged another $75 million aimed at doubling the U.S.-trained Yemeni counter-terrorism unit. So, that's where that money goes - wonder if that was on the chop block...hmmm, probably not. Teachers are easier to cut off than military - they only have brains, not guns. Meanwhile, back in Yemen, there seems to be mixed feelings for the future. Sheik Abdul Majid al-Zindani, a "global terrorist," according to Washington, gave a speech promising that "an Islamic state is coming." However, more secular demonstrations have sprung from many of the Universities seeking the seemingly simplistic ideals of freedom. "We need freedom. Freedom from Saleh." Good luck my friend - I'm sure we'll be there when he eventually does fall to spend more money we don't have and piss more people off in the process. Until then, keep fighting the good fight.
Underground Dungeons: Further evidence of Gaddafi's cruelty was unearthed as revolutionaries in Benghazi wandered into the previously blockaded government and military areas of the city. Along with tales of torture, police brutality, and unexplained disappearances, the revolutionaries found underground dungeons - really just holes in the ground - held up by wood beams, with single pipes from the outside world providing air, keeping prisoners alive long enough to suffer the maximum. The revolutionaries had found bones and skeletons along with 7 men, still alive, who were taken immediately to the hospital. A 26 year veteran of Gaddafi's armed forces happened to be there as an ABC news reporter surveyed the scene. He had his four children with him, showing them the ruins of Gaddafi's home and compound. He told the reporter that they used to just throw people into the holes, forget about them - no one would ever come out alive. I wonder what dark secrets are lurking in the compounds of our red, white and blue...
Republicans hate nature: House Republicans want to sever ties with the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), pulling all their funding from the project. "It (IPCC) is an entity that is fraught with waste and fraud, and engaged in dubious science, which is the last thing hard-working American taxpayers should be paying for," Missouri Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer said. He also said, that "More than 700 acclaimed international scientists have challenged the claims made by the IPCC. These 700-plus dissenting scientists are affiliated with institutions like the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense, the U.S. Air Force and Navy, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency." Ummm...since when were the armed forces the go-to-guys on climate change? Especially when their salaries lie in your grubby hands? Fuck, they'll tell you that goblins are falling from the sky if it gives 'em an extra bonus at Christmas time! The EPA? Really? They've been castrated and useless for years. The only difference between any of these agencies is who the corporate dick stick behind them is. As another thinly veiled fuck you to mother nature, tucked in the pages of the budget cuts, Rep. Ralph M. Hall, R-Texas, authored the prohibition of any funds to implement the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Service, on the 2012 requested budget from Obama....I was gonna write more but I think I'm gonna go outside while I can still suck in some clean oxygen without a tank on my back.
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