Looks like a good beginning, if Vermont Democrats call for Bush impeachment, I just hope it happens before Bush nukes Iran.
How much more insanity do we have to endure from Bush?
Liberty
Sleeper Cell
I have been watching the advertising for ‘Sleeper Cell’ a television program about Islamic terrorists in a western country, trained to hide, and poised to strike on command. This is a standard, ‘spy vs spy’ plot line used in many novels, so the plot element is well known. It’s great when used to produce paranoia in your reader. It’s an even better subject when you use it to control the public. If you point to the possibility, or the probability that there are ‘Sleeper Cells’. ready to strike the public at anytime. You can pretty much do anything you want to that population, their induced paranoia will allow you vast powers to subvert their freedoms and liberties.
What isn’t well known is the concept of a sleep cell is another way to describe an oppressed minority group, any group. As the the description of a cell as a small group of angry people so frustrated, that they are willing to lash out at the majority in a culture. Calling any minority group, a sleeper cell, allows you to suppress that group even more. And, better yet, conditions the majority population to assist you in that suppression. The only difference between the dreaded sleeper cell, and a group of frustrated teenagers is the myth of control. The sleeper cell takes orders from a leader, or a cause from outside, control is from a mythological and mysterious external source. The teens lash out, either from external peer pressure, or from their perceptions of the environments, or from just plain anger.
So the concept is, more or less, a Spin name for a frustrated disenfranchised minority. Again, ANY MINORITY, and that applies to vegetarians, immigrants, old age pensioners, atheists, christians or Muslims. Whom ever you want to suppress, call them a ‘sleeper cell’ and suppress away. They are now the enemy, and you no longer have to deal with their frustrations, or their needs. You no longer have to deal with mythological and mysterious causes for that frustration.
Sound familiar?
A Real meaning of Democracy
There is someone else who has finally started a discussion of
Democracy Without Liberty.
I have posted several times about this topic here, here and here.
Religion vs Morality
I have been struggling with the concepts of Religion as the source of morality. Each religion I have encountered believes it is the sole source of morality. That to be anti-religion is to be the same as amoralism. I always find that I am very much anti-religion, as it seems to make most people blind and dumb to the world. I think of myself as a scientist, looking at the world as a reasoned individual, but I believe that I am also very moral. Perhaps due to my brushes with a religious upbringing, but I believe that I have, at this stage in life, created my own moral compass removed from any religious aspects. And while I remain spiritual, I am not a religious person. The term ‘Religion is an anathema to reason’ or ‘religion is the opiate of the masses’ has strong meaning for me.
This has been brought to the forefront by the ranting of Radical Islamic Clerics, and Fundamentalist Christians ministers who both believe that they are locked into a war of beliefs. And all I see is two factions fighting over political control of an ignorant public.
I believe that if education was allowed to teach the facts, and that people could realize that there is morality without religious foundations. Most of the public would choose the secular morality. And that clerics and minsters who interpret their respective texts, are using these works as a control for their own purposes. That under the appearance of being a moral tool, they are deliberately distorting the message to strike out at opposing religions in a desperate attempt to prevent a secular approach to morality.
Both religions (in fact all religions) are fighting for control, in a vain attempt to preserve their institutes. And that real education, and real truth are the enemy. This appears to manifest in the so called Republican war on Science, and the secular religious schools of Islam. The truth, and perhaps the rational view of facts is being subverted to prevent a more just view of the facts and a clearer view of the truth.
We did not walk out of the jungle, or climb out of the evolutionary ladder just because God Placed us there, we got there, by way of our reasoning minds, and rational thought, corroboration, cooperation and trust.
Update: I heard about this when I posted this article, but I’ll link it now as another confirmation that religion is more concerned with ‘turf’ and not the spiritual nature of the human condition. It also reflects a ‘Burnt Earth’ policy. If we can’t have him, no one will!
The Republican’s are getting Desperate
The Republicans are so desperate to get out from under the corruption scandal(s) (pick one), illegal NSA spying, and Dubai port debacle that they believe that a Call for Censure Is Rallying Cry to Bush’s Base. This is assuming that the 34% of Americans who don’t want him Impeached will rise up and defeat the rest of the country who are already up in arms over presidential incompetence. You can tell when they quote Rush Limbaugh that they are stretching for the highest moral ground that they can reach, the gutter.
It goes to show, when an honest politician (and when I say honest, I mean doing his job) stands up and attempts to censure a president conducting constitutionally illegal NAS spying. That Politician, will not be a Republican. In fact, it’s sad to say, the Democrats spineless response does not merit their reelection either.
Republican Congress, unaware of the U.S. Constitution
If anyone doubts that most of the Republicans in Congress are unaware of the U.S. Constitution, Here is an example:
Eavesdropping bill spurs concern
So just for the Republicans, who skipped U.S. History and Civics I’ll quote
Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Left wing teaching, looks fair and balanced
It is quite evident that some of the commentaries here (thanks for the link Fi Fie Foe) have not been in a High school in the U.S. The audio of a so called left wing teacher teaching a class sounds to me, more or less a balanced world view from different perspectives.
(You can read a better review here )
They would have known that for a teacher to even get the attention of the class they would have to engage in controversial subjects and current affairs. The class sounded quiet, and interested. Unlike most classes where the drone of canned ‘facts’ clouds most students minds to the point that they pay no attention at all and chat amongst themselves.
Students in the U.S. Today (but not in Ireland), have immense access to the internet, mass media and other alternative sources for information. They are immersed in information far beyond the textbook learning of the past. And if a teacher does not engage that information, they loose the class.
Much of the far right would love to have only their facts (read propaganda) drilled into students, without critical thinking being part of the plan. Independent thought and freedom of speech are not what they are seeking from the next generation of students.
The very fact that this recording was made (by one of the students who holds an alternative opinion), is evidence that the students have the intellectual capacity to understand the subject matter, even if they are of an opposing viewpoint.
The U.S. Declaration of Independence, translated!
I have been giving the Declaration of Independence a lot of thought lately. With all the talk of changing governments around the world. I wanted to focus on, and translate into modern English, my favorite part.
The original paragraph:
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security
My translation is this paragraph:
You should take care not to change governments because of simple or temporary reasons. History is full of examples where people will put up with an abusive government rather than change it because it is familiar to them. But when the abuses escalate and rights abolished with the objective being absolute control by one person or one group. It is then the right and their duty to overthrow the abusive government, and create a new government that does not abuse their people or denies them their rights.
Sound familar to current events?
The last days of Fundamentalist Righteous Superiority
In recent weeks in the U.S., there have been numerous attempts by fundamentalist christians to force State legislatures into passing laws reflecting their religious beliefs. A South Dakota Rape Law in the form of a anti-abortion law, Intelligent Design teachings in schools, a law authorizing the establishment of a State Religion. Mad things, and with no hope of them withstanding a constitutional review. (I hope)
On the surface they don’t seem to have much in common except their republican, right wing religious pinnings. But what they share is desperation.
That’s what I said, Desperation. They all have the same fear, that the Republican GOP has run out of steam, and is facing a massive back lash in the upcoming elections. The expectation that the corruption, lies and constitutional violations by the Republicans in Congress and the Executive branch are going to bring about a massive Democratic reversal.
This all comes on the heels of calls for NSA reviews, impeachment and lobbying corruption scandals.
There is also an expectation that now that the Judicial Branch has a decidedly right wing slant. There could be some hope that these State Laws might pass Supreme Court Review, and hence force these laws upon other states.
There is even more fear, as the government is continuing to force states to implement electronic voting machines which clearly do not work, or worst, results in republican bias in their reporting.
The monster that the republicans have created is facing a revolt of the public. There is even more talk of a real overthrow of the current administration.
Some republicans are now having to consider if there needs to be some change in direction. A distancing from the president, and I can only hope that in their desperation that they finally choose to Impeach the President in a effort to save their own skins.
I have a faint hope that they will impeach, and also fail to sustain their majority one world government.
I hope that the American people get their government back without a violent revolution and that just a small revolution will reestablish the Constitutional Republic of the United States of America.
The Conversion
This story is one I heard at the University of Kansas. It was in a Medieval History class I was enrolled in (being as I was bound and determined to be a History teacher). This class was taught by the best history professor I have ever had, and I’m sorry to say, I don’t recall his name after all these years.
He would start out every class with a Medieval Joke or a story. And as best as I can, I will attempt retell one of my favorites.
There were a couple of merchants who were friends, one a Catholic the other a Jew, and they were in constant discussions as to the superior nature of each their chosen religion. At the time around the 13th century Catholicism was on the rise and there was a consistent stream of conversions and the Jewish merchant was always amazed. The two friends were each attempting to convert the other and neither succeeding. On one occasion the Jewish man who was intending a trip to Rome for business, told his Catholic friend in a bit of an amusing way that if what he found in Rome could convince him of the superior Catholic church, he would convert. Upon hearing this the Catholic man was fraught with fear as the Rome of that period was as corrupt as could be, with Bishops, Cardinals and Priests selling dispensation, granting favors and indulgences. While themselves participating it drunken debauchery and whoring. A generally poor example of the nature of the Catholic church. But knowing this the Catholic merchant did not illustrate this for his friend, hoping that such things might not be observed during his trip. So the Jewish merchant made his trip, and upon his return came to his friend and confessed that he would convert to the Catholic Religion. And his friend was perplexed, and ask what had been the determining factor. His friend then went on to describe the worst fears of what he had heard of Rome. The Catholic man was shocked at what he heard, and ask his friend that in the face of such corruption's, how could he want to convert to such a church. And the Jewish man said, it was because of such chaos that he determined that for a religion to grow as it had, then it must be the one true religion as nothing else could explain the rise of this religion. And the Jewish man converted to Catholicism.
Now this is interesting as it has a universal applicability to politics and religion in that with all the political corruption’s of democratic governments they continue to grow. Even in the face of fumbling presidencies corrupt politicians and bungled opportunities, when democracy has a chance, it will succeed even in the face of such chaos. Errors are corrected, politicians are convicted, presidents impeached, and bungled opportunities are recovered.
They are not without pain and require much work by honest men. And as it’s been said before;
Democracy is the the worst form of government, except for all the other’s
The Boxer can’t knit
I mentioned in a previous post that if Sinn Fein was to enter politics that it would be like a boxer entering a knitting contest. Well due to the riots it surely looks like the boxer can’t knit.
By allowing the scumbag thugs of the more violent factions of Sinn Fein to riot, destroy property assault Garda, reporters and anyone else who happened to be in the wrong place. They have shown that they are not motivated to extend the same liberties that allow them to speak, to others of the opposing voice. Demonstrating that their most potent arguments are those of the common bully.
And while the Unionist are laughing it up, their motivations are clear also, confrontation and incitement. Celebrating the victims of the IRA, while not honoring the victims of Unionist violence is equally one sided.
No one is honoring the Flag of the Irish Republic. And even I, as a ‘blow-in’ Irishman, know what they stand for. And anyone who crosses that white line between the the Green and Orange deservers to be instructed in the definition of Peace.
Sinn Fein, Hamas and George Washington
Someone ask me what I thought about Sinn Fein being elected as part of the government of the Republic of Ireland. And I flipped off an answer
If the people vote Sinn Fein into government, that is their will. If Sinn Fein are voted in on a platform that they will not fulfill. Then they are no different than any other politician that they replaced, untrustworthy, and they too, should, and will be replaced.
And then I hear that many people in Ireland fear terrible things will happen if Sinn Fein, “the Murdering IRA Thugs”, win more seats in the government.
And sure, I know that there are concerns there, but what would you say to George Washington. To the the British, he was a “Murdering rebel Traitor” but he became President of the United States. Some Americans wanted to make him King, but he declined. It seemed to work out fine for them, being a good man that he was.
I’ll quote you something normally attributed to Ben Franklin
Revolution is always illegal in the third person, such as ‘Their’ Revolution
it’s only legal in the first person, as Our revolution
So if Sinn Fein are, in their own minds, Revolutionary Patriots, then what would make them different from George Washington. The fact that they do not hold office yet, or that what they stand for is not what you stand for?
And if that’s the only difference, being that their platform distinguishes them from any other party, it only makes them politicians, like any other. And you wouldn’t be voting for something you don’t believe in as no amount of thuggery will get the average Irishman to change his mind, only kindly persuasion. (or maybe the parish priest)
Do you think maybe, that Hamas may believe they are patriots for their own people too?
It is really only a matter of perspective.
It’s much like a boxer entering a knitting contest, he wins only if he can knit.
Democracy is philosophically complex
When ever I hear some one proclaiming that they are striving to bring ‘Democracy to the world’ I shutter, and then mark it down as some one else who does not know what they are talking about. The following is an example of why I know they don’t know what they advocate when they say such things.
U.S. and Israelis Are Said to Talk of Hamas Ouster
The professed supporter of Democracy usually means that they support democracy so long as they win, or that the winners believe the same things as, and fall into line with, the speakers own agenda. The U.S. and Israeli politicians believed that the winners in the Palestinian election would be clones of themselves. And that is just not going to happen in a true Democracy.
The previous government in Palestine was corrupt, detached and did not help, or reflect the needs of the people they were elected to work for.
And if you think this is revolutionary, try reading the rest of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
Simpleton minds, hearing simplistic rhetoric often misunderstand what democracy really means. The form of government that the U.S. (and U.K, and most of the western ‘democracies’) exercises, is not a pure democracy, but a republic, with democratic foundations, governed by Laws that prevent Majorities from overturning minority rights. Such things as Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are protections for minorities, they prevent the rule of the mob from overcoming the rights of the minority.
If you can’t Stop the Government lying, File Suit.
I love this stuff. This falls under an earlier post I made about using the Civil Courts to preserve the rights of the common citizen from the government and big business. And this covers both.
EFF sues AT&T over U.S. wiretapping program
Discussions here:
Empire Building better than ‘isolationism’
During The State of the Union George Bush declared:
“In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting, yet it ends in danger and decline,” he said. “The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership, so the United States of America will continue to lead.”
Read here, that the U.S. will continue to Empire Build the American way. And that minding your own business is now called ‘Isolationism’.
More here