I'm doing so, because I believe it is worth highlighting twice, if not three times, what an arrogant cunt Bush really is.
This is sideline issue from the main topic of the meeting - which was about post-Iraq-freedom officially delivered by Bremmer (quite a topic in itself, LOL). It's about Emperor GW Bush's hide to tell the EU who should be a member or not, and not only emit his dumbfuck uninformed opinion about it, but tell everyone that the US gov will "fight for Turkey's integration in the EU".
Ah hemm... forgive in advance my very foul language, but .... who does this fucking cunt think he is? The Emperor of Planet Earth? sorry. I'm pissed off as can be, man, so here's my excuse, duh!
Hey, do we Europeans tell the world in a press conference (having nothing to do with the subject) how the US should assemble/disassemble its 52 states (or is it 53, now with Iraq?)?
Most of you probably know I'm a far-left proponent, and as such don't particularly think highly of Chirac, LOL. But I must give the old bastard what's due to him, and when asshole ignorant Bush throws his weight around telling the world how to behave, good old stupid Chirac doesn't take it lying down, and even indulges in plain-French statements - even if in his old-fashion diplomatic way.
Then again, the Pope also diplomaticaly told Bush to fuck off only a few weeks ago while Bush was crawling on the Vatican floor trying to score a few pathetic religious zealot votes.
He (Chirac), at least has some guts, unlike the Italian neo-fascist Bush donger sucker who will do anything to further his Mussolini-like monarchy stronghold over his country.
But I disgress....
Ok, Bushie boy, I know you are illiterate, but surely some asshole among your advisors can read English (even if lousily expressed, as Redtigress will no doubt explain - due to my French language barrier), and draw comic strips if need be: so, get this, asshole:
The EU was built on very humble beginnings of economic cooperation between a handful of western countries, and since then, has evolved into a never seen in history success story of countries uniting - as opposed to the regular litany of unions breaking apart.
Obviously, if we look at the amazing uniqueness of this achievement, it is because it is based on very stringent requirements by all members: requirements that manage to balance the respect of the indivualities of the member nations with the need for them to *agree* on some common values - both intellectual and practical/economical.
Out of the very few fundamental values of the EU charter, there is one called "human rights". Most, if not all, of the EU members have had to clean their act to qualify membership on this ground alone. Turkey, while it's jumped through hoops to get its act together in this respect, is still lightyears from meeting the standards.
I'm personally actually in favor of Turkey being an EU member - once its human rights issues are acceptable. I think it would be an extraordinary step forward in dissipating Muslim/Christian unrest - among other positive things. But right now, in spite of Turkey's efforts, it is still a long way from meeting the basic requirements - the very NATO meeting I'm talking about was consecrated with thousands of ppl who demonstrated in the streets (illegal in Turkey) being chased like assasins all over the city by riot police squads - no doubt a very appealling idea to Bush & Co).
But I find it extraordinary that fuckwit Bush even dares emitting an opinion about it:
- what fuckin' business of his is it? Is he part of the EU? LOL, even if he wanted, he couldn't, because the US appalling human rights record would put him down the end of the waiting queue, along with Turkey.
- His comments during the NATO gathering that "turkey is a model of freedom muslim democracy" is a pretty good indication of what human rights mean to Bush. No wonder America is turning into a fascist banana "republic".
- the most amazing outrageous highlight of his speech is that he not only emits the opinion that Turkey is ripe for EU elligibility, but he will FIGHT for it!!!!!! Fuck me dead, who does the fucker think he is? What's he gonna do - invade Europe like he did Iraq and force us to decide who should be EU members?
Un-fucking-believable!
'Mission Accomplished'? -- U.S. throws surprise party for Iraq
Several U.S. officials sustained minor injuries in last night's surprise transfer of power ceremony when they were crushed under the weight of flowers and complimentary Halliburton-brand sweets showered upon them by a grateful Iraqi people. Baghdad erupted with the sounds of celebratory gunfire and disoriented suicide bombers rushing into the streets to detonate themselves.
"Thank you for the power," said new Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, "now what would be really great is if you could hook us up with some electrical power." A new survey revealed that President Bush's approval rating among Iraqis skyrocketed from 1.2 percent to 1.9 percent. The U.S. moved up the scheduled June 30 handover of sovereignty to "stick it to those freedom-hating thugs," according to Bush, who added, "In your face, freedom-hating thugs."
The U.S. is scheduled to maintain a presence in Iraq, roughly forever, to help provide security and to make sure the oil doesn't fall into enemy hands. American advisers will also be on hand to teach Iraq's new government how to give tax breaks to the rich, restrict civil liberties in the name of fighting evil, and rig elections so the idiot son of a former leader can rise to power.
What is the definition of a *TERRORIST*? Are we being led astray?
Several things come to my mind, that are well worth discussing, but for right now, I'll just expand on one: the definition of "terrorism". It is important because I see every day examples showing different ppl interpret the word differently, and until we agree on a definition, or at the very least are aware of what the word means to various ppl, any argument is like pushing shit uphill
I strongly suspect we're led by the nose by our Western democracy leaders into fighting an evil that is not so much non-existent, but wrongly defined. In other words, we're being told to fight the wrong ppl.
So... what is "terrorism"? Who is a "terrorist"?
As the word is derived from "terror", we can assume a basic definition is that of "a person who instills terror around them".
Yet the example of a 12 year old kid "terrorizing" his impressionable little sister once a year at Halloween by dressing real spooky seems a long way from what most of us think to be a "terrorist".
But, to continue in this vein, what about this other 12 year old kid who say, regularly torments his sister for hours, bullies some of the weaker kids at school, threatens them with his knife, rackets them on a daily basis obliging them to pay him "protection" money, obliges them to stick their heads down unflushed toilets for a laugh, gets a kick out of torturing the family pet... What do you call this kid? He is not a terrorist? If not, why so? Is it because he hasn't killed any human being yet? Or is it because he hasn't gravely physically harmed one? What if the little sister developped huge and irreversible psychological traumas over the years? Would that qualify? Or would he have to get physical and push her down the stairs? And in that case, would a sprained ankle do the trick, or would we need for her to break her back and end up in a wheelchair? About the pet: if he dowses the family cat with gasoline and set it on fire, is he a terrorist yet?
Moving right along...
What about the serial killer who goes on a rampage for 2 years before he's caught and terrorizes an entire city, be it Paris or New-York. Is he a terrorist? What about the US soldier in an Iraqi prison who terrorizes ppl thrown in there without any proof? What about the average western soldier in any war who goes a bit nutty and terrorizes scared like hell civilians and kills a few for good measure because they are all just "filthy vietcongs or communists, or dirty muslims, etc"?
What about the 14-year old kid who throws stones at a tank: if he is a Palestinian boy, is he a terrorist? What if instead, he's a Czeck throwing molotov cocktails to the Soviet tanks rolling in Prague? Or a young Chinese throwing stones at the Chinese tanks rolling in Tianemin Square (excuse the spelling)?
How about the Israeli tank driver who deliberately runs over a 22-year old American girl waving in front of him to stop? What about the suicide bombers of Palestine who blow themselves at any Isreali target? What about the Israeli tanks who drive through entire neighborhoods flattening down dwellings by the hundred irrespective of who is living in them?
What about the suicide pilots who run planes into buildings in the States? The ppl who blow up trains in Madrid? The ones who blew up the tubes in London, Paris and Moscow?
What about entire generations of white Americans treating African negroes as slaves, Africans forcibly stolen from their own countries and herded like cattle across the Atlantic? What about when 1/2 the US white population finds it's ok to not only have them as slaves but hang, burn and otherwise torture some in order to spice up their boring week-ends?
What about an almighty military force set out to capture Saddam and which wipes out 16,000 civilians in the process? What about dropping 2 atomic bombs on civilian cities in Japan and directly eradicating 100s of 1000s of ppl, let alone the many more who will slowly die over the next decades?
What do you ppl think? Who amongst the above ARE the terrorists in YOUR opinion?
Rumsfeld offers proof of link between Saddam Hussein and ... Rumsfeld
While Donald Rumsfeld was in Baghdad in 1984 to grease Saddam Hussein for oil, the Iraqi madman was whacking Iranian soldiers with chemical weapons. Rummy must have been outraged, right? Guess again.
Back then it was handshakes and smiles for Hussein, who became a "grave and gathering danger" with plenty of help from his pals in Washington.
Rumsfeld and the Bush gang went to war over weapons of mass destruction that Hussein turned out not to have. But when Hussein was spraying his foes with mustard gas 20 years ago, Rummy kept his yap shut. Here's a quote from an August 2002 article by Jeremy Scahill in Common Dreams:
In 1984, Donald Rumsfeld was in a position to draw the world's attention to Saddam's chemical threat. He was in Baghdad as the UN concluded that chemical weapons had been used against Iran. He was armed with a fresh communication from the State Department that it had "available evidence" Iraq was using chemical weapons. But Rumsfeld said nothing.
He was too busy kissing Hussein's ass.
Around this time the Butcher of Baghdad was also buying all the American-made helicopters he could get his hands on. He was even getting poisonous chemicals and biological agents from U.S. companies, according to this "Rotten" Rumsfeld bio. Here's a quote:
As a result of the openings created by Rumsfeld's (1983-84) diplomatic triumphs, U.S. companies were recruited and encouraged, both covertly and overtly, to ship poisonous chemicals and biological agents to Iraq, by the administrations of both Reagan and George Bush Sr. Care packages to Saddam included sample strains of anthrax and bubonic plague, and components which would be used to develop nerve poisons like sarin gas and ricin.
The nerve of these guys.
Even a bit of pro-Rumsfeld propaganda says, "Mr. Rumsfeld and Saddam Hussein did not have time to address Iraq's use of chemical weapons, but instead discussed the (oil) pipeline project and other mutual interests."
Revisionist Rumsfeld now claims he cautioned Hussein about the use of chemical weapons. Do you believe him? If so, perhaps I could interest you in a piece of prime swampland in Falluja.
As the Iraqi people slowly become aware of the freedoms enjoyed in the U.S. many yearn for a less strict regime. Copies of the U.S. Constitution are widely circulated but a translation error regarding the Second Amendment is causing chaos.
Women across the Arab nation, tired of continual repression are cutting holes in their hijab and for the first time letting their arms be seen bare in public.
Honest mistake, or deception by design? Many believe that the current administration may have substituted “Bare arms” for “Bear Arms” on purpose fearing that the “Right to Keep and Bear Arms” isn’t something they really want to encourage at the dawn of the new democracy in Iraq.
What might have started out as harmless mischief may backfire. Having felt the taste of freedom, Iraqi woman are clamoring for more. Rumors abound that the hand over of power on 30th June may only receive female support if it includes a national acceptance of the “Right to Bare Ass”.
“It is hot as a burning pig in here” shared a woman on the streets of Faluja. “I’d be giving anything to let some air up my Hijab.”
Bill Clinton writes that his dream of becoming president began during a fortuitous 1963 visit with John F. Kennedy, who told him the job was "great for nailing chicks."
As his biography, "My Life" hits bookstores today, Clinton said he failed to launch a more aggressive effort to capture Osama bin Laden in part because intelligence reports indicated the terrorist kingpin had virtually no access to "high-quality Arabian tail."
The book (subtitled "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am") has already hit #1 on the Humor Gazette bestseller list. It is also #1 at Amazon.com despite protests that publisher Alfred A. Knopf raped an Amazon rainforest to print the hefty 957-page wad of Bill.
The New York Times called the work "skanky, auto-erotic and libido-crushingly dull," lamenting that the memoir contains no mention of Clinton's alleged Lincoln Bedroom gangbangs or his racy "Interns Gone Wild" videos.
Though the book is jam-packed with what top reviewers call "boring stuff," its pages are not completely unstained by seminal passages penned from the Great Fornicator's indelible dip into "company ink." Clinton does not defend his handling of the Lewinsky Missile Crisis.
Clinton characterized his antics with the White House intern as "morally indefensible," but "grammatically, linguistically and legally defensible." He claimed he "did not have relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky" simply "because he could," and also because a devilish 3-inch-high JFK kept popping up on his shoulder quoting the Marilyn Monroe Doctrine to egg him on.
Clinton confesses that when he told Hillary about the non-affair she clubbed him with a Teflon frying pan. He also makes fresh accusations that special prosecutor Kenneth Starr screwed him on a Whitewater rafting expedition.
But perhaps most telling of all, the former president confides that when making key decisions he always listens more closely to his left nut than his more conservative right.
Just wondering. I mean, you said not long ago you at last got a job, and with goofey hours too, so you'd not be posting much.
I just come from work, refresh the politics headers, and guess what: 5 Refucto posts in a row, LOL! Do they have a free Cheeto canteen at work or what?
Anyway, keep up the good and wholesome inane crap, but make sure you get enough sleep - I'm worried about your heart condition :-)
Black Panther still stalking Marseille city after a month
This is kind of funny since nobody's got hurt so far. For those readers who have never heard of it, Marseille is the 3rd largest city in France, situated on the Riviera, 50km from where I live:
About a month ago, a bunch of Marseille residents and tourists nearly choked on their soothing afternoon "pastis" in the cafés along the very busy downtown port area when they saw the pussy of their lives, i.e. a black panther strolling down the avenues and the famous "Canebière" in particular.
Strangely enough, nobody volunteered to jump on her ass and grab her by the tail, and so, by the time the competent authorities arrived, the slick feline had disppareared from the scene, on her way for a grand tour of Marseille. After some searching about, authorities were disappointed to find out the great big black cat was not an escapee from a zoo, and since nobody claimed ownership, she is to this day a complete mystery regarding where she comes from. Some "Marseillais" (=residents of Marseille) suggest it's all the fault of our "threatened / extinct species re-introduction programs", and that it is no wonder big fat cats are now taking over the country since wolfes have been given social security tickets to feed on sheep in the Alpes and huge nasty bears on cows in the Pyrénées mountains (the reintroduction of wolves in the Alpes and bears in the Pyrénées doesn't go down too well with some locals who think humans and their herds of sheep/cows should be the only ones to roam those mountains, and claim wildlife programs are nothing short of wasted social security money).
Since her début, the lovely black pussy was first spotted all over Marseille and its suburbs for the best part of 2 weeks. Most witness accounts concord to say "she seems pretty cool, and not aggressive at all, except when she opens her mouth and shows pretty impressive fangs the size of a T-Rex" (Ppl from Marseille have the reputation to kinda "enlarge" reality some). The same eye-witnesses also agree that "I'm really glad major banks, which are here accustomed to rocket-launchers hold-ups 3 times a day, offer a 'nifty safe-haven, and are air-conditioned as well' ".
For the last 2 weeks, however, the mysterious black lady seemed to have vanished. The "Marseillais" spirit was losing its 45% alchohol effectiveness by the day, putting a serious threat on the "Pastis from Marseille" label.
But all is not lost: only today, 20 June 2004, a ranger in the "Calanques" (national park south-east of, and adjoining, Marseille - very difficult terrain along the sea, and sought after by rock-climbing and 100m-dive-into-the-sea nutcases) confirmed what residents have been saying for 2 weeks, i.e. that the panther has elected home there. Which is pretty reasonable, if you think about it: food is plentiful (rabbits, deers, wild boars, etc, i.e. REAL healthy stuff, not like human beings from which you might catch fuck-knows what disease), the scenery is stunning, and there are no car nor industry fumes. Hey, if I was a panther, I'd certainly settle there instead of downtown Marseille.
As a result, the "Calanques" are now closed off to tourism. Dang! I think the mayor of Marseille is making a big tourism mistake. Considering how much European tourists pay to see a panther roaming around in Africa - or even lying in a tree branch looking all doped up - , you'd think the mayor would have jumped on the opportunity and started a campaign like "Why fly to Africa and be attacked by flies and mosquitoes to watch a big pussy? Just stay in Marseille: you get to watch a big black cat with very white and long canine teeth for one tenth the price, and the "pastis" is thrown in at no extra cost"
Ah.... if only I had enough room to put her up! I'd love to have a real BIG cat around.
Goodness! It's finally vaguely getting somewhere in the right direction, LOL. Speak of delivery complications!
Still, ... lots more before it's all in place. I guess we're experimenting teething problems without precedents in history: many examples of communities splitting and dis-uniting - diverse communities trying to unite is a rather pleasant change :-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
18.06.2004 - 22:37 CET | By Honor Mahony EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU leaders have agreed a Constitution for Europe after almost two and half years of intense negotiation and wheeler-dealing.
Emerging from the two-day summit on Friday, a relieved Bertie Ahern, Irish prime minister and current head of the EU, announced that a deal had been agreed.
"It's a great achievement for Europe", said Mr Ahern who added that while he did not know how long the Constitution would last, "you'll get a few generations out of it".
Outgoing president of the European Parliament Pat Cox said it was a "very significant and positive step forward for the European Union".
However, the final few hours of negotiation leading to the historic deal were characterised by bad temper as the 25 member states of the European Union wrangled over the balance of power in a future Europe.
The new voting system, how much power the European Commission should have over member states' economic policies and whether a mention of Christianity should be included in the text were on the table until the last minute.
Innovations The new document, which contains over 400 articles, introduces some big innovations.
After it comes into force, the EU will get a permanent chair of the European Council to drive the EU forward, and a new EU foreign minister.
The new voting system, which caused so much of the acrimonious discussion, will be based on a double majority of both member states and population.
Other big changes include an article to reduce the number of Commissioners to two thirds of the number of member states from 2014.
The European Parliament's powers have been strengthened so the areas where it can co-legislate with member states has almost doubled.
For first time, there is an exit clause so that a member state can leave the Union if it wants and a solidarity clause committing member states to help when another in the bloc is under attack.
The long path to agreement The road to today's deal has been long. The body that drew up the draft Constitution started its work in February 2002. It finished around 16 months later. Since then, EU governments have been fine-tuning the text - a process that led to a collapse of talks last December.
Talk of a two-speed Europe, with France and Germany leading the way, followed almost immediately.
But with a change of government in Spain - one of the countries most opposed to a new voting system based more on the size of population - the way slowly started to be opened to compromise.
The terror attacks in Madrid in March, which was followed shortly after by the traditional spring summit, further galvanised EU leaders leading them to propose June as a deadline for reaching a deal.
The low-key consensus-forging approach used by Dublin - in marked contrast to the flamboyant and relatively unpredictable Italian President - helped towards the overall mood to achieve a consensus.
What next? But even as the ink dries on this deal, diplomats are looking towards the next big hurdle - ratification.
Before coming into force, the document has to be ratified by all 25 member states - several of which have already committed themselves to having a referendum.
Following the low turnout in the European elections and the swing towards euroscepticism in some member states, it is clear just how difficult a yes vote for the Constitution will be.
Mr Ahern urged colleagues to "engage in active campaigns" to inform people about the Constitution.
Taking over the EU Presidency in July, the Netherlands will oversee the tidying up of the text and translation which is expected to take three months - after which there will be a formal signing ceremony.
Some weeks after that, ratification in the member states can begin.
IRAQ: Amnesty International Calls for Special Counsel to Investigate Torture
On the other hand, there is still room/time for some affirmative action on this front. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leaked Memoranda Mandate Independent Review of Criminal Liability of Administration Officials
(Washington, DC) - Amnesty International today called for the immediate appointment of a special counsel to investigate the torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in United States custody, citing leaked memoranda from the Departments of Justice and Defense as evidence that the independence of current investigations is critically compromised. The leaked documents contain strong evidence that Bush Administration officials in both departments sought to wiggle out of prohibitions on torture contained in US law and international treaties ratified by the US, making senior officials in those departments legitimate subjects of inquiry and mandating that investigation of the abuse of prisoners be wholly impartial and outside of the implicated departments.
Amnesty International believes the special counsel should oversee a comprehensive investigation of the torture scandal, including all identified and 'secret' detention facilities operated or accessed by the US, and should also include a determination whether administration officials bear criminal liability for torture or inhuman treatment of prisoners. The organization also continues to support the separate establishment of an impartial and independent commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate in an open forum the scope of US detentions worldwide, as well as associated policies and practices.
"Only a special counsel can scrutinize the role of senior officials in countenancing and possibly permitting the use of torture. Current investigators report to officials tied to the attempt to permit torture, which puts the foxes in charge of determining who broke into the hen house," said Dr. William F. Schulz, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA. "The Attorney General should recognize the conflict of interest in his department's investigating these serious charges and immediately appoint a special counsel to conduct an independent investigation into the torture and ill-treatment of prisoners detained or interrogated by the United States, including whether administration officials are criminally liable for acts of torture or inhuman treatment."
In memoranda prepared in August 2002 and March 2003 at the respective request of the Justice and Defense Departments, administration lawyers sought to construct legal arguments to support the conclusion that the President was not restricted by US and international laws barring torture. The March 2003 memo recommended a presidential directive from President Bush allowing for exercise of this power by "subordinates."
Amnesty International first warned of the potential ill-treatment and torture of prisoners held by the US in early 2002, and raised these concerns repeatedly with administration officials. Despite this, senior administration officials repeatedly sought to dehumanize prisoners and label uncharged and unconvicted detainees as 'killers' and 'terrorists.' The administration continues to violate international law and standards by holding detainees outside the protection of the law in Guantánamo, Iraq, Afghanistan and secret locations. Its alleged transfer of detainees to face torture in other countries continues to be of deep concern.
SAUDI ARABIA: Amnesty International Calls on Armed Group to Release Hostage Unharmed
Too late now, unfortunately. I bet Bush's so pleased about himself for having stayed his great course no matter who gets killed, including ppl of his own nation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amnesty International today called on the armed group holding Paul Marshall Johnson Jr., an American civilian, to release him immediately. In video released yesterday, the 'al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula' group threatened to kill Johnson on Friday unless the Saudi Arabian authorities released prisoners from jail.
Amnesty International strongly condemns abduction and ill-treatment of hostages and warned that the deliberate and targeted killing of civilians are serious crimes under international law.
"We condemn in the strongest terms hostage taking by armed groups and the targeted killing of civilians. Armed groups must release immediately and without any precondition all hostages and refrain from deliberately attacking, abducting and killing civilians," said Alex Arriaga, Director of Government Relations for Amnesty International USA. "Such acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances, they serve no just cause, and constitute a serious crime under international law. Those responsible should be brought to justice in line with international standards."
In the past year, armed groups and individual gunmen have carried out a number of bombings, including suicide bombings as well as individually targeted killings of mainly civilian Westerners. Scores of civilians are reported to have been killed since May 2003, but the exact number and circumstances surrounding the killings are not known to Amnesty International. These violent attacks are in violation of international law; the crimes must be investigated and the perpetrators charged and brought to account before a public and fair trial.
Saudi government forces have been involved in house raids and street chases of suspected armed groups and individuals, often with fatal consequences. The government has publicly blamed al-Qaida for killings carried out by armed groups and individual gunmen and has said that it has detained and interrogated thousands of al-Qaida members and sympathizers. Amnesty International has been unable to confirm the number of detentions due to the government policy and practice of secrecy. No public trials have been held to bring detainees to justice, and no access to legal assistance is known to have been extended to them. Human rights organizations are not allowed access to the country to carry out independent investigations of human rights concerns, and the government exercises strict control over media reporting of events.
Tired of Being Isolated and Ignored, Continent Isn't Bloody Moving (satirewire)
Shitttt!!! It's gone!!!
Wow, down-under is now upside-down-over!
Sydney, 800 miles S. of Nova Scotia -- After what bloody witnesses described as an all night bloody blinder during which it kept bloody droning on about how it was always being bloody ignored by the whole bloody world and would bloody well stand to bloody do something about it, Australia this bloody morning woke up to find itself in the bloody middle of bloody North Atlantic.
"Good Lord, that was a booze up," said a bleary-eyed Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, speaking from his residence at Kirribilli House, approximately 600 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
According to Australians and residents of several countries destroyed or lewdly insulted during the continent's nearly 7,000-mile saltwater stagger, the binge began just after noon yesterday at a pub in Brisbane, where several patrons were discussing Australia Day and the nation's general lack of respect from abroad.
"It started off same as always; coupla fossils saying how our Banjo Patterson was a better poet than Walt Whitman, how Con the Fruiterer is funnier than Seinfeld, only they're Aussies so no one knows about 'em," recalled witness Kevin Porter. "Then this bloke Martin pipes up and says Australia's main problem is that it's stuck in Australia, and everybody says 'Too right!'"
"Well, it made sense at the time," Porter added.
By 2 a.m., powered by national pride and alcohol, the 3-million-square-mile land mass was barging eastward through the Coral Sea and crossing into the central Pacific, leaving a trail of beer cans and Chinese take-away in its wake.
When dawn broke over the Northern Hemisphere, the continent suddenly found itself, not only upside down, but smack in the middle of the Atlantic, and according to most of its 19 million inhabitants, that's the way it's going to stay.
"We sent troops to Afghanistan. You never hear about it. We have huge government scandals. You never hear about it. It's all 'America did this,' and 'Europe says that,'" exclaimed Perth resident Paul Watson. "Well, we're right in the thick of things now, so let's just see if you can you ignore us."
Officials on both sides of the Atlantic conceded that would be difficult. "They broke Florida," said U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher. "And most of Latin America is missing."
Meanwhile, victims of what's already been dubbed the "Australian Crawl" are still shaking off the event.
"Australia bumped into us at about midnight local time," said Hawaii governor Ben Cayetano. "They were very friendly — they always seem friendly — but they refused to go around unless we answered their questions. But the questions were impossible. 'Who is Ian Thorpe? Do you have any Tim Tams? What day is Australia Day?'"
"Fortunately, somebody here had an Unimportant World Dates calendar and we aced the last one," Cayetano added.
Panama, however, was not so lucky.
"Australia came through here screaming curses at us to let them through," said Ernesto Carnal, who guards the locks at the entrance to the Panama Canal. "We said they would not fit, so they demanded to speak with a manager. When I go to find Mr. Caballos, they sneak the whole continent through."
When Caballos shouted to the fleeing country that it had not paid, Australia "accidentally" backed up and took out every nation in the region, as well as the northern third of Venezuela. They then made up a cheery song about it.
By late morning today, however, not everyone in Australia was quite so blithe. "We've still got part of Jamaica stuck to Queensland," said Australian army commander Lt. Gen. Peter Cosgrove. "I think we might have declared war on it. I don't bloody remember. Maybe it's time to go home."
Cosgrove, however, is not in the majority, and at press time, U.S., African, and European leaders were still desperately trying to negotiate for Australia's withdrawal. But the independent-minded Aussies were not making it easy. In a two-hour meeting at midday, Australian representatives listed their demands: immediate inclusion in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a permanent CNN presence in all 6 Australian states, a worldwide ban on hiring Paul Hogan, a primetime U.S. television contract for Australian Rules Football, and a 4,500-mile-long bridge between Sydney and Los Angeles.
U.S. negotiators immediately walked out, calling the Australian Rules Football request "absurd."
Maybe if Reducto wasn't such a liar he'd get someone else than just Noguru to debate on his blo
As you all know, Reducto blocks from his blog ppl he doesn't like and/or have the temerity to prove him wrong.
I'm one of the "privileged" barred ones and thus can't comment on his wonderfully cretinous article entitled "Maybe if Whoisjohngalt didn't act like an ass, he'd get more 'debate'".
But no worries, I'll reply to him here, in a brand new post. See how much more attention you're getting now, Reducto? I love you so much that I'll do anything to try to get someone else than just Noguru to comment on your insane blog. Ain't I good to ya?
Only one paragraph is needed to condense Reducto's latest gem, and here it is:
"This guy likes to make fun of other people. Because he disagreed with a blog of mine he decided not to "debate" with me but make fun of me. He is your typical left-wing hypocrite: he engages in sub-civilized behavior while claiming to be above it."
Ah hem. Lemme get this straight:
1. John disagrees with a blog from Reducto.
2. John, instead of debating it, posts separate blogs making fun of Reducto.
3. Therefore, John is yet another typical left-wing hypocrite.
Right, makes all the sense in the world, no? Except for one small detail:
John has the immense priviledge of belonging to the club I belong to myself, i.e. to be blocked off by Reducto from his blog. In other words, it is obviously impossible for me or John or Jimmy, etc to "debate" anything Reducto brings up. And yet, ... somehow.... mysteriously.... we guys are the hypocrites for not debating his subjects!
yeah, the mind boggles. Ppl like Reducto and Redtigress block off their blogs ppl who tear their arguments apart because they can't accept to be demonstrated wrong, then have the hide to claim those very ppl are liars and hypocrites for NOT debating issues they bring, LOL. Must be the right-wing fascist influence.
John Ashcroft has refused to deliver to a Senate Sub Committee a copy of a March,2003 memo that the Justice Department issued at the request of the White House condoning the use of torture and bad words in interrogations of non military prisoners being detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and in Iraq.
In a heated discussion with Committee member Senator Joe Biden, John (In God We Trust, Fuck You Heathens) Ashcroft, Attorney General of the United States swore he would hold his breath till he turned blue rather than release a copy of the memo which would, if reports are to be believed, prove that President George W. Bush is really into some kinky shit. Apparently, President Bush first told the Pentagon that it was justified in the use of torture, but the Military, knowing that what goes around comes around and one day their boys and girls could find themselves dressed in a poncho and hood on a box, declined to get involved.
George (Spank Me Laura, I’ve Been Bad) Bush then went to his fellow Christian John Ashcroft, who not only thought that torture could be legally justified, but that it was pretty hot too. Ashcroft delivered his legal opinion to the Commander in Phreak who then authorized the use of CIA Civilian Operatives to do the actual beatings and degradations, as long as they took lots of pictures he could keep in his underwear drawer.
(This story approved by Wegman (Pudgy) Waterhouse)
Russian speaking minority protests as Latvia opens EU poll
With slogans such as 'Stop apartheid in Latvia' and 'Same taxes – Same rights' a small demonstration of some 60 youngsters protested this Saturday (12 June) in the old town of the Latvian capital, Riga.
Swedish media reports that police forces soon surrounded the demonstrators, who were part of the Russian minority in the small Baltic state and so not granted the right to vote in today’s European Parliament election.
Approximately one fifth of the country’s 2.32 million inhabitants - known as Latvia's "non-citizens" - enjoy no political rights in the country.
Of these non-citizens, approximately 400,000 would have been eligible to vote today because they are over 18.
The lower house of the Russian Parliament on Thursday (10 June) urged the European Union to exert efforts to ensure that human rights are respected in Latvia and Estonia.
Russian MPs pointed to a large-scale infringement of election rights of a considerable part of the population in these countries.
16 political parties are participating in Saturday's election of nine Latvian representatives into the European Parliament. Polling stations close at 22:00 tonight (12 June).
Huge reward offered for recovery of missing Iraqi Sovereignty
A reward of at least 366 dinars is offered by the US government for anyone who steps forward with information that may lead to the capture of missing Iraqi Sovereignty.
"It was here a minute ago," says Bremer
June 8 - Iraqi sovereignty went missing late yesterday afternoon, plunging into some doubt whether sovereignty could be handed over to the Iraqi people by the U.S. deadline of June 30.
News of the sovereignty's sudden disappearance was announced at Coalition Provisional Authority headquarters in Baghdad by interim leader Paul Bremer III, who expressed puzzlement at the sovereignty's whereabouts. "To be candid, I have no idea where that sovereignty could have gone to," Mr. Bremer told reporters. "It was here a minute ago."
Iraqi President Ghazi Meshal Al-Yawar, who had been selected just hours before sovereignty mysteriously disappeared, expressed outrage and anger that U.S. officials had somehow permitted the nation's sovereignty to become mislaid, stolen, or worse. "I agreed to let sovereignty be transferred to me, and then they went and lost it?" Al-Yawar fumed. "I'm sorry, but that really sucks."
U.S. forces ransacked the offices of Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmed Chalabi for the twenty-seventh time yesterday after rumors swirled that Chalabi might have somehow slipped the sovereignty into his pants pocket and then sold it to Iran in exchange for a bag of shiny jewels.
But even after the search came up empty, President Bush insisted that sovereignty would be transferred on June 30 "whether there is any sovereignty or not."
Bush then proposed turning off all the lights in Iraq to enable the person or persons who took the sovereignty to return it anonymously.
The President's proposal drew praise from Bremer, who said that the plan was "extremely practical" because most of the lights in Iraq were already out.
Ray Charles: Here is one great American guy to mourn over
A guy who gave joy and hope for the entire world. A true genius of worldwide proportions, undisputed. A man with a horrific disability who yet managed to "see" through the good, the bad and the ugly throughout his life - and know where the difference laid.
A brilliant jazz pianist and organist, an equally brilliant singer, a man who never once in his life promoted violence nor religious intolerance (nor nationalism, nor imperialism, not "pro-life" bullshit, nor wars, nor capitalism, nor etc, etc , etc...).
A man who didn't claim to know the answers to the world, but contributed more to make America liked by the rest of this planet than all of its presidents combined. A man who only a year ago was here in France (as, I'm sure, everywhere else before) participating in a musical show on TV where he was the guest of honor, and man... what an un-edulcorated celebration he got! Young women and men of incredible talent were lapping up the honor of being part of his "life" celebration.
A man of peace, of joy of living, sharing, tolerance and fun! A man worthy of respect.
Rest in peace, Ray, all music lovers and life lovers will remember you forever.
Sorry, buddy, *YOU* should be the one splattered all over the United States' TV channels, but it seems that Reagan's achievements leave yours second-hand - if worth mentioning. But don't worry, there is more TV coverage about you in Europe than about Reagan - they know WHO to mourn as a true loss to humankind.
Hey, maybe some day, they'll make a $US 1000 note with your pic on it - if not, I'm sure a 1000 Euro note is not out of the question :-)
After a brief rest, Ronald Reagan blazes back onto America's television screens later this month in the blockbuster miniseries "Reagan: Cold Warrior."
The sight of a camouflaged, machine gun-wielding Reagan liberating hostages under heavy fire at an airport in Libya prompted some critics to accuse the Fox network of fictionalizing history. Reagan, they point out, never actually blew up a terrorist with a hand grenade after sneering, "Hasta la vista, Ahmad."
Sporting a dry wit and a six-pack torso, Reagan (Brendan Fraser) is also seen monkeying around with nuclear warheads and smashing the Berlin Wall behind the controls of a massive red, white and blue wrecking ball.
Surveys show CBS's decision last November to cancel a docudrama called "The Reagans" has whet the public's appetite for made-for-TV fare involving America's former chief executives.
ABC is reportedly negotiating with Jack Nicholson to play a maniacal, wise-cracking Nixon who holes up in the White House with a shotgun rather than relinquish the incriminating audiotapes that would ultimately end his presidency in a hail of gunfire.
Clint Eastwood grimaces "Read my lips, punk" as George H.W. Bush in the NBC docu-thriller "A Nation Bushwacked," which also stars Mathew McConnaghy as a beer-guzzling, skirt-chasing young George W. Bush.
Jim Carrey heads an all-star cast as a lanky, rubber-faced Abraham Lincoln in Kevin Costner's sprawling 16-hour megaseries "White House," which also features Sylvester Stallone as Teddy Roosevelt, Tony Danza as Warren G. Harding and Barbara Bush in her acting debut as George Washington.
My fellow Murkans: As your President, I have tried my best to make all the money flow to the rich where it can do the most good. I have tried to give my friends in the oil bidness all the breaks they deserve.
Meanwhile, the Democrats have decided to try to win the White House from me before I serve my two terms. Let me tell you a few things about my opponent, Senator John Kerry. John Kerry is the son of Russian atomic spies who were condemned to death; I was born into a humble farm family and was a member of 4H. John Kerry did not go to Yale like I did; he attended Flotsam Community College and got mostly C's and D's. John Kerry dodged the draft and ran up to Canada instead of serving two tours in 'Nam like I did. John Kerry never won any medals; I have four Purple Hearts, a Buck Rogers secret decoder ring, and two Congressional Medals of Honor.
John Kerry is not married to Teresa Heinz; she is a Senator-collecting brazen hussy of a harlot and they are living together in sin. I'm married to Laura and we've had sex only once. Laura didn't even smile--I guarantee it! They have a whole string of big fancy houses and drive around in limos; we live down here at the ranch and I drive a beat up old pickup.
John Kerry does not believe in God; I have been saved by the Lord. Every world leader despises John Kerry; I have all the leaders of the free world wrapped around my little pinky. John Kerry (and especially that slutty little foul-mouthed Teresa) have no understanding of art, culture, music and history; my achievements in these areas are well known among the intelligentsia.
John Kerry is a lying, cheating, ignorant piss ant of a man... and I'm gonna whup his ass come November.
European Union: 'most trusted' institution for young people
Seems things are moving in the right direction, even though there are teething problems. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 07.06.2004 - 17:30 CET | By Richard Carter EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - It seems that the European spirit is alive and well amongst the young people of the EU.
An internet survey of EU citizens aged between 18 and 30 has revealed that four fifths of them consider themselves European citizens and two thirds of them think the EU has "a positive future".
And the poll - published on Monday (7 June) by a group called "Youth decide", which is partly funded by EU institutions - revealed that young people trust the EU more than other World organisations such as the World Trade Organisation or the United Nations. They even trust the EU more than their own national governments.
The youth of the EU also seems to be more aware of - and more keen to vote in - the forthcoming European elections. Over nine out of ten people are aware that Europe will be electing its MEPs on 10-13 June and over three quarters said that they planned to vote in these elections.
Overall turnout across the EU is expected to be much lower than this.
Despite the majority of respondents saying that they identified themselves as a European citizen and 76 percent saying that the policies of the EU directly affected their lives, the bad news for the EU is that two-thirds of people do not believe that the EU represents them as an individual.
Late today, President George Bush and Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld announced at a brief press conference that up to 150,000 Boy Scouts from across America would be called into active duty in Iraq effective immediately.
“Our mission for a democratic and free Iraq must not waver” Bush said, “To stay the course we must make a long term commitment. Now these honorable young men will do their best for God and their country by laying down their lives so that we can keep oil prices low.” Questioned about the rapid deployment with which he intends to send the boy-troops to Iraq, Bush responded: “Thanks to the fine work of the NRA, even small boys now have access to powerful guns. Therefore, training will not be necessary. Many of these scouts already have several merit badges qualifying them for officer status in the Texas National Guard, where I myself, served and was proved to have visited the dentist.
In what sounded like a political stump speech, Bush went on further to add that the move would help our economy and show his moral leadership, two causes to which he is also firmly committed. “These scouts are dependent citizens. Pulling them out of their homes saves the working family money. Our economy will grow and prosper”. “Also, Fathers and sons together on the battlefield supports the American family which I believe should stay together. This will reduce the chance they will move to San Francisco and become homosexuals.
When questioned about the wisdom of putting thousands of 12-14 year old boys in harms way, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld interjected, "I’ll take full responsibility for that". Bush chimed in with “Yeah, what he said”.
Even if the latest rumor is true, supporters say, President Bush will not be the first Washington politician to speak with a forked tongue. The state of the president's tongue has provoked wild speculation, with critics saying Bush's snake-like appendage proves he has been deceiving the American people.
After insisting that intelligence fall guy George Tenet resigned for "personal reasons" (yeah, that's it), Bush was tight-lipped on the forked tongue issue. When asked directly, he hissed at speculation that his tongue has split down the middle, either from habitual lying or from years of rubbing against the silver spoon that has been lodged in his mouth since birth.
A source close to the president's piehole said that if Bush is forced to confront the forked-tongue issue, he will claim he injured his tongue last month when he fell off his bike. However, a bipartisan expert in political linguistics said it is more likely the president's condition is caused by the cumulative strain of playing fast and loose with the truth.
"Even the most adept prevaricator cannot expect to escape the severe tongue trauma associated with, say, telling millions of people you knew Saddam Hussein had weapons and even knew where some of them were," said Dr. Chad Lickett, an eye, ear, nose, throat and tongue specialist at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
"Even minor truth-fudging - like telling everyone you look forward to meeting with the 9/11 commission, or pretending you want the truth to come out about who leaked the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame - can take its toll," he said.
Doctors say the condition will not hinder the president's cold-blooded approach to foreign affairs and may actually enhance his natural ability to claim he supports certain programs and then slash funding. (For more information about the president's unfortunate affliction, see BushLies.net, BushWatch.com, MoveOn.org, CommonDreams.org, Misleader.org, or dozens of other Web sites.)
Linguistic analysts also suggest that President Bush's forked tongue and silver spoon may also account for his bumbling oratorical style. Other notable presidents who have suffered from forked-tongue syndrome include Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon.
David Corn, author of "The Lies of George W. Bush," documents the president's falsehoods on tax cuts, the environment, the war on terror and best of all, his claim to be a candidate who could restore honor and integrity to the post-Clinton White House.
Is it D-Day, J-Day or Gay-Day? First gay marriage celebrated in France
On the 20:00 news just a few minutes ago, the rreport of the first gay marriage celebrated by Joel Mamere (not sure how to spell his name), mayor of a town near Bordeaux. Joel Mamere is also a pretty high figure political activist (Green party, I think).
Since the first gay marriages in the US took place recently, I guess a lot of you ppl have thoughts about it, and I'm interested in anyone's opinion on the subject.
Before I describe my own personal view, here is a quick run-down on how the event affected the country:
There has been mention of it in the news every day for a week, but pretty low key. No demonstration for or against in the streets, nobody I know or met talks about it, no fuss. In street interviews with residents of that town, from young to old, the opinions varied from "I think it's a good thing", through "well, it's different", to "dunno, seems weird to me, but hey, it's not *my* life". Seems that by far, most ppl here don't care one way or another.... except ... our DICKHEAD prime minister Rafarin who seems to think this is the most outrageous thing that happened to France since our wine was poured down the drains of some American cities. A few days ago Rafarin, our very fat and substantially idiotic PM, mentioned he would take civil and penal action against mayor Joel Mamere if he went ahead. To which, Mamer apparently replied he couldn't care less, and had no lesson to learn from Rafarin regarding the law.
Tonight, in the news about the now done deed, I hear Rafarin is starting legal proceedings against Mamere. Geee.... ain't he got something better to do.... like do something about our around 10% unemployment rate?
Ok, regarding my personal views:
First, regarding homosexuality in general. I am not for or against. I mean, it doesn't concern me, and I don't see how it should concern others either. I see no reason why homosexuals should be discriminated against in any way. Except:
I regard homosexuality as a personal "problem". Loosely speaking, like schezophrenia, the flue, malaria, etc. What I mean is: I don't think it is "normal", genetically speaking. The norm, in every species except snails and Reducto (which are hermaphrodite), is there is a male and a female version. They mate, partly to procreate (as in rabbits), partly for pleasure (as in human beings), and in the case of most species, for both purposes. My (non-scientifically established) opinion/feeling about this is: it is pretty clear that, genetically, the need to continue the existence of a species is by procreation. It is also pretty obvious that all species except humans don't consciensiously reason something like "hey statistics tell us that our population rate is dwindling away, so let's do our duties, think of walrusland, and fuck some more to rectify the problem". The "drive" to procreate simply happens because of the urge for the pleasurable sensation fornication gives.
I believe nature, in spite of our repeated attempts to screw it globally, "knows" (figuratively speaking) what it's doing. If it created males and females to copulate, then surely that is what is meant to happen for a "normal" functionning & survival of a species. Now, if a man (or woman) has sexual attraction to a member or her/his own sex, as mentioned before, I see no reason to "pilori" her/him, but neither do I see any reason to pretend it's "normal" and quite as intended by nature. I think those people should be treated as people who have psychological/physical/po ssibly genetically defective problems, and offered to be treated if they wish (and if it is possible, depending on the cause), or let free to decide not to be treated. Just like if you have cancer, or are alcoholic.
When it comes to promoting homosexuality as a "very normal" thing, then, for me, the buck stops, and the alarm bell rings. I think it right to teach our children the concept that man-fucks-woman is normal, but wrong that man-fucks-man or woman-fucks-woman. Our children should be taught to respect these ppl like any other on the planet, but explained these ppl have severe psycho/physical problems, just like many of us have in various areas, and that it is wrong to despise them or put them down.
To finish, regarding "marriage"....
Well, my personal opinion is that it is a bit ridiculous. Especially here (and hopefully elsewhere on this planet) where homosexual relationships are already embedded in the law at every level. For instance, when you fill out a form for anything official, your choices of marital status are:
single, divorced, married, or concubine.
The latter not only includes same sex relationships, but gives every French citizen/resident exactly the same rights as a married couple. And so, in this respect, I see the "consecration" of homosexual relationships through "marriage" as pointless and quite frankly ridiculous. Worse: it sends the message that it is "normal" to be homosexual. But no big deal for me really. In fact, just because our fascist fat ass Rafarin is taking legal action against Mamere over the issue, any opportunity I'll have to support gay marriage, I'll take it up, just to piss Rafarin off, LOL
How does YOUR social security work in your country? Your thoughts and knowledge, please :-)
A recent post by TheRealSpartacus007 leads me to think the US social security is either completely screwed or that he (007) doesn't understand how it works. I certainly hope for you US ppl that the second possibility is the correct one. But as I don't know how it works (I lived in Florida for 2 years, but never had the pleasure of being sick and thus testing out your SS), I'd like to hear from anybody who could describe its functionning.
While I'm primarily addressing my question to US citizens, I invite any person from any other country to describe how their health care system works out their way. The only 2 SS systems I've dealt with are the Australian and the French one. The other countries I lived in, the issue of health care never arose, so I really have no idea how it works.
I replied to 007's post, and pointed out that here in France the SS works very well, thank you, and there is not ONE person in France who would like it gone. In my particular situation, my wife requires permanent expensive treatment, which costs us not one cent. To which 007 replied that "I'm glad your wife is allowed to steal so much money from the working class Frenchmen. Feel proud, slave driver"
"Stealing"? "Slave driver"? err... mmm... clearly, 007 has no idea how OUR SS works, and through sheer ignorance insults me and my wife. It's like a Noguru déjà vu: when ignorant, make pathetically uniformed and factually incorrect statments, and add insults for good measure.
So, for 007's benefit (and anyone else interested) here is short rundown on how OUR SS works:
Our SS has several purposes, but by far, its main one is about health care. In this category, every adult in France contributes. It is in effect one huge nation-wide compulsory health insurance scheme, and in fact it is called "Assurance Maladie" which means "illness Insurance". This is the term which ppl here should use, but because it is managed by the Social Security Department, and is the bulk of its financial activity, everybody refers to it as simply the SS.
If you are an employee, your contribution to the SS is automatically deducted from your pay every month. The amount is proportional (roughly, i.e. it is not exactly linearly proportional) to your salary. If you are self-employed, or anything whereby you are not getting a wage, then you must independantly contribute just the same as you have to pay your income tax.
Speaking of income tax, all in all, the SS contribution is exactly the same thing in principle: it is an additional income tax, which every adult is submitted to.
Now what does it do in return for the citizens (or other residents - like my wife, who is a US citizen)?
Just like an insurance company, it provides financial help when you need it. If you need to go see the doctor, you're covered. If you need to go on a course of antibiotics, you're covered. If you have a car crash and spend 2 months in coma, need multiple surgery, and end up in a wheelchair, you're covered.
The amount you're covered depends on the medical intervention and on your revenues. If your revenues are above a minimum (which is deemed around half of a minimum wage per adult), then you're not 100% covered for all but the most severe and costly things (like the car crash I was talking about above): it varies from 60 to 90%, depending on whether it's a simple GP visit, a whole bunch of medications (and which ones - some are reimbursed at a higher rate than others), dental work (again, the coverage % depends on whether it's a tooth clean up or a filling, etc), etc.
Any category that is not considered by the SS as a health issue is not covered at all. For instance cosmetic surgery, boobs enlargment, face lifts, etc.
Also, if one is below half the minimum wage income, then the SS has a division called the CMU, which will then complement whatever percentage the SS does not cover, effectively giving you 100% free health care - which is the case for my wife (although since my job now pays me more than the minimum wage, she is now still covered 100% for her permanent affliction, but not for other occasional health problems she may have: for these, she reverts then to the standard SS coverage rate of 60 to 90%).
All in all, I can't see a much fairer system than this:
1. Every citizen is covered for major drama: if you need hospital treatments after a car crash that could cost millions of euros, you're not told "sorry but in spite of the 80% SS coverage, you still owe us 20%. Show us a 1 million euro check if you want to stay alive".
2. Every citizen contributes, and according to their income - the richer pays more, just like regular Income Tax. Because everyone contributes, the SS is able to provide massive financial backing, giving everyone in the country health care support unthinkable if it were a private health insurance scheme where the healthy ppl don't contribute, resulting in much higher cost per contributor.
3. Because it is a public service, its aim is not to fill the pockets of shareholders or CEOs as is the case in private health insurance schemes. The money it gets is for serving the citizens, not for building colossal private wealth pockets. As a result the risks of corruption and embezzlement are virtually nil in comparison with private corporations which in France, just like in the US, are in it for the money, don't give a fuck about welfare of the People nor the environment, and would pay workers slave wages if the government let them.
Conclusion:
If the above sounds like my wife and I are stealing from the French working class, and that I'm a slave driver, I think the proponents of this view should give up whatever they are sniffing. If it sounds like a system that should be dumped because it makes CEOs pockets fuller, than you really need to give up your addiction immediately. If it sounds like it's unfair to the working class and only benefits the healthy & wealthy, then the stuff you're on has done its work and you have severe brain damage; in such case I suggest you come over here to France and get free treatment to save what's left of your brain.
Now, if anyone would like to describe the US and other countries systems, their pluses and minuses, I'd like to hear about it, as mentioned at the beginning ;-)
GM foods have been around since HomoSapiens discovered agriculture, reveals jrogg
I confess: I missed this gem while reading his wonderful blog explaining "The Tech Balance".
But in my defense, I'll humbly plead boredom: I didn't explore in detail everyone of his grand discourse unbeatable arguments at first sight. Yeah... human failing :-(
Anyway, you'll be pleased to know this one will be short. Here is the excerpt from jrogg's master argument (he's talking about Greens being upset about GM foods):
"They don't like genetically modified food (nevermind humans have been doing this since we discovered agriculture)."
Wow! Simply awesome. Some 40,000 years ago, dumb tribes had already worked out GM versions of crops and mamooth burgers. And you, my US friends, thought YOU were the clever dicks who discovered it a few decades ago? Tsk tsk... sorry to disppoint you guys, but some dude with a funky animal skin tuxedo filed for a GM patent thousands of years ago with the local Mamooth Tusk Authority.
Dang!
Flashnews! Another asshole discovered on planet tBlog!
jrogg, no less. I don't know how I managed not to notice him before, but his last post spells endless entertainment for me if he does us all the favor of posting more of his inane crap.
This is in answer to his latest gem, titled "The Tech Balance", which you can find here. Now I realize the *normal/proper* response would be to reply in a comment to his post, but my recent experiences with my comments being deleted from right-wing bloggers as well of being barred off their blogs made me decide to reply as a new post. Why? Because I intend it to be long and juicy and would be very disappointed if it "mysteriously disappeared" like so many of mine seem to.
BTW, is there a tBlog award for being the most comment-killed and blog-blocked blogger? I think I might be a serious contender to WhoIsJohnGalt and JimmyTheRighteous...
Ok, this is a long article, so I'll only quote the highlights, interspersed with my comments. Some of his stuff is actually not completely stupid, which gives him a definite edge over Reducto/Noguru/Rsheinfiel d/RedTigress.
"... Greenpeace are cleverly disguised marketing corporations peddling ridiculous ideas. Greenpeace is actually a fraudulent corporation of the Enron brand(and is domestic terrorists no less ardent in their collective belief than Islamic fundamentalists)."
Yeah, I know, not very exciting so far, but bear with him, it gets better, I promise.
"...While I could turn this into a tirade about the hypocrisy of these folks, I will resist"
Dang! What a shame!
"If the world bought Greenpeace tripe where would we be?
1. They don't like genetically modified food (nevermind humans have been doing this since we discovered agriculture). Without GM crops we would need to cultivate every acre of arable land in the world to keep the current population alive. Not that we would be allowed to do so since that would mean destoying millions of acres of prairie land and forests. Famine anyone?"
Mmm.... I didn't know that. Must be something weird with the United State landscape, cuz here in Europe we've never grown a single crop of GM stuff, and yet not only do we have a constant surplus (which farmers keep complaining about, throwing out food products in the street or the sea in protest), and for several decades the deforestation has not only stopped, but REforestation stages are happening all over the place. I'm sure you have a great explanation... can't wait to hear it!
"2. Water has to be clean but clean water is usually home to bacteria. Greenpeacers would have us stop treating water with chlorine. I'll have a glass of giardia juice with my organic omelet, thanks."
Wow, this is awsome indeed. For millions of years, species have drunk non cholrine treated water, and now for the last hundred years or so, no human being can drink it without dying?
"3. We should be using 'green' energy production like solar power or wind turbines. Of course producing sufficient amounts of solar energy would mean paving a fair chunk of the Mojave desert with solar collectors (mirrors or solar panels). Wind turbines are nearly worthless. Vast fields of them are necessary to produce an appreciable amount of electricity. Not exactly a golf-course view, is it?"
There is a place for solar/wind electric energy, but it is true they cannot in the present technology hope to fulfil our global needs. However, I don't see anything wrong using them where they can be suitably used - sorry about your golf course, buddy - or maybe you'd rather have an open coal mine in your backyard instead of solar panels on your roof?
"4. Hydrogen is a lovely dream, but it takes energy to produce hydrogen. And the amount of hydrogen we would need would require lots and lots of energy to produce. The only source of hydrogen large enough to meet our demand is the ocean (water). Water has to be electrolyzed to produce hydrogen. Catch-22."
Catch-22? I think you should go to school. Start with primary, just to make sure, then try secondary, and if you make it past that, go for a science university course. You'll learn all kinds of interesting weird and wonderful things, promise. Like for instance, the energy produced by fusion of hydrogen for a given amount of H material is about 1 billion times that needed to separate the hydrogen atoms from the water molecules through electolysis. In other words, if you have to spend X amount of kiloWatt-hour of energy to release Y number of H atoms from water, those released H atoms will provide X times 1000,000,000 kWh. Hardly a catch 22 situation, is it?
"Where are we likely headed in terms of technology? I think we will eventually move to fission power. For now the regulatory strangulation prevents construction of new fission power plants so we're stuck with coal (the filthiest of all options). In time I suspect the resistance to fission will be eroded. If we do ever move entirely to fission there is potential that we will produce enough surplus electricity to migrate towards a hydrogen economy."
Well in case you don't know (since you're mentioning of "moving to fission power"), England, Germany, Japan, Russia, but in particular France have been using fission technology for decades. In case of France, it's now the virtual ONLY source of electric energy since it produces the near totality of it. While it works fine, produces next to no pollution and is now well streamlined/efficient/che ap (my kWh is less than half what it costed me while living in Florida), fission is showing signs of coming to its limits. The huge problem of disposing of the highly radio-active wastes which have half-lifetimes of centuries if not millenia is becoming a nightmare.
"Fusion would be even more ideal for a hydrogen economy but I think fusion is more than a few decades away. Barring the fact we haven't achieved the break even point, we must also be concerned about the radiation problem with fusion reactors. Another problem with fusion is that we are moving beyond the point where it will be feasible to recoup the R&D costs. That's not to say fusion will never be viable, just that we aren't there yet. And I think there are probably a lot of tangential benefits of fusion research. OTECs are another possibility and Japan is researching this avenue more than anywhere else. It's a little ironic that the same people screaming for a hydrogen economy are the ones most likely to throw themselves in front of a bulldozer as it breaks ground for a new fission power plant."
I suggest you get yourself informed as to what's going on in the world. True, fusion is probably 20 years away in a commercially viable formula. But the rest of your comment is mostly incorrect, if not downright off the planet. Check out http://www.iter.org and you'll discover that England, France and Russia have had working fusion experimental centers for several decades, but much more importantly that the huge International Fusion Project is about to begin building its facilities. You're obviously totally ignorant when you say Japan is researching this more than anyone else. They do work on it, but nowhere near the European amount, nor do they have the practical industrial knowledge in comparison. Still, they are a significant partner in the project. But I guess you probably never heard of Europe, so naturally, it leaves Japan as a nation who not only leaves the US in ignoramus status but appears to be the most advanced nuclear research place in the world.
"Other technologies that could promise to extend the life of our finite resources are biotech and nanotechnology, both of which are under fire. The howlers battling against biotech really make me nuts. We've been pursuing biotechnology since we invented domestication. Modern day domestic plants and animals hardly resemble their ancient ancestors. Compare teosinte with corn. This is an example of genetic manipulation. It may have taken hundred of years, but humans modified the genetic structure of ancient teosinte until it became modern day corn. Today we have the ability to do so more rapidly. Furthermore, modern genetically modified crops are modified in such a way that they are unable to reproduce. The idea that some superweed will emerge is unfounded. The idea that GM crops cause cancer or disease is equally ridiculous since the difference between 'GM' crops and normal crops is a matter of protein structures which are broken down during digestion anyhow. If it weren't for genetic modification, there would be fewer people and more hungry ones in the world than there are today. That being said, genetic modification will further reduce reliance on existing resources. Eventually (it's already happening to some degree) specific medical molecules will be grown and harvested using plants or algae. I could agree that biotech needs some degree of oversight, but I think it's benefits outweigh it's potential pitfalls and firmly believe it should be pursued with diligence."
You're talking through your rear-end. Biotech technologies are ripe in Europe, particularly in Germany, Holland and Belgium. There are entire industrial cities working on nearly exclusively biotech energy, produced from pretty lil yellow flowers. Not a single gram of toxic gas emissions, nor ozone layer damaging emissions. While the exploing cost is still higher than oil, it is now only marginally so, and once you take into account the necessary humonguous cost to repair the fuckups to this planet caused by burning fossil fuels, it's already way ahead in the economic comparison.
"Coming full circle, this all shows how our resource base shifts with changing technology. Fission will shift focus from coal and natural gas to uranium."
You're living in the past, or on another planet: this has been the reality in France for 40 years: in 40 years, they changed the entire country's infrastructure to coal-generated electricity to one where the entire nation depends on nuclear fission exclusively. But the French are eager to move on from that because they realize it's not the final answer, even if it beats coal and gasoline hands down.
Bush crawls for 15 minutes trying to get catholic votes, while the Pope tells him to fuck off
This was quite entertaining to watch. Just straight off the news, direct live from Rome, just a few minutes ago.
After Bush kissed the Pope's hand while sticking his ass in the air, looking real kingly, ensued a 15 minute interview during which Bush kept telling the Pope how much better Iraqis were thanks to him, and what a bright future they had. During the same 15 minutes, the old, Alzheimer ridden man, still stayed his own course he's been on since the begining of the war and told Bush his war stunk and the prison abuses were a further disgrace to the United States.
But good ole Bush wasn't bothered by any of it, and offered the Pope the hightest medal of distinction for Peace that can be awarded to a civilian. This pityful Walmart salesman has so little self pride or integrity he thought being openly told off by the Pope was worth the show which will no doubt win him the nifty 25% catholic voters of the American population - so he hopes at least, and no doubt Refucto is now having a cheeto orgasm :-)
Is the tBlog Right-Wing technique of blocking & deleting an insight into Bush's way?
Without going into the details of what blatant liars they are (which you can find in WhoIsJohnGalt's excellent description), they seem to have a couple of "stay-the-course" neat and effective techniques.
Technique N°1: Delete comments they don't like off their blogs
This is of course unbeatable when one wishes to have a discussion where everyone agrees. Does it sound like Bush & Co or is it just my imagination?
Experts in this technique: Rsheindfield and NoGuru
Technique N°2: Block off access to the people who don't agree with them
This is even neater because it saves them the chore of having to manually delete selective comments. Much more effective: simply block the access to those pesky argumentative ppl! Again, the similarity with Bush's tactic is striking.
Here the experts are Reducto and RedTigress
The strangest thing of all is all the above 4 assholes keep saying how everyone else "lies", "distorts", "misquotes", "puts things out of context", etc. Oh, and even if you point out you in fact copy/paste their own diatribes, they still stick to their guns and still maintain you misquoted them. And of course, they keep telling their opponents they are gutless, sad little men, etc.
Yep: "It's Just My Opinion... But I'm a Liar in my Lair, and I'll stick to it no matter what"
Well, this baby owl was more the size of a pigeon, LOL, but it was quite an experience all the same (and I bet it was even more of an experience for the poor thing!)
Louisville, KY - During a speech given to the National Society of School Principals, President Bush said that the next target for U.S. military action would be Puerto Rico.
After a resounding victory in Iraq, Bush said that "several" countries were still funding terrorism, building weapons of mass destruction, and "generally being a pain in the ass". In addition to usual suspects North Korea and Syria, Bush also named Puerto Rico as a threat to the U.S.
Said Bush, "Puerto Rico is a place that the U.S. military may have to visit very soon. While I have no concrete evidence of any weapons of mass destruction or harboring of terrorists (in Puerto Rico), I have yet to meet a Puerto Rican that I trust."
The President continued to say that although North Korea and Syria present a more pressing threat to the U.S., Puerto Rico would be next. He said that he expected a quick and decisive victory over Puerto Rico "Because, as far as I know, they don't have a military of their own."
Another factor in a U.S. victory would be that "Geographically speaking, Puerto Rico is pretty close to (the United States). I figure we send a few platoons over there in some boats or something, and in a week or so, it would all be over", said Bush.
Soon after his comments, his advisors interrupted the President's speech and pulled him aside, where they apparently informed Bush that Puerto Rico is in fact a United States territory, not a menacing foreign power.
A visibly shaken and embarrassed Bush returned to the podium, where he admitted a "very serious mistake". He then tried to lighten the mood by asking the crowd of school principals not to "give him detention" for the error.
At the end of his speech, Bush again addressed his earlier comments, saying "Puerto Rico is a valued territory of the United States. In fact, I think it is my favorite U.S. territory. Not only will our military not attack the great island of Puerto Rico, as a gesture of goodwill, we may even decide to play major league baseball games there one day."
Advisors again rushed in and stopped the President's speech, and this time, Bush did not return to the podium. In a press release issued later that day, the White House said that Bush was "mentally drained" from the war in Iraq, and that his comments "should not count".
Unable to come to an agreement on who the first post-Saddam Iraq President should be, the choice has been delayed until the U.S. can "help" the IGC understand that Adnan Pachachi Pinocchio is the best candidate for the mainly figurehead post. The Iraqi Governing Council wants Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer, a civil engineer who is 45 years old, to become the first President of Iraq.
"We don't understand why people say we have an ulterior motive." Stated L. Paul Bremmer, the current U.S. administrator in Iraq; "We think Mr. Pinocchio is the best person to take charge of this new important position as the President of the United States of Iraq. He will have all the powers that any normal puppet president has according to the Geneva Convention. He will have full movements of his hands and feet, we'll be able to eat and sleep when he wants, will have around 85% movement of his mouth and we'll be free to think any thoughts he wishes within the boundaries set by us. This is Iraq's first true election."
Most Iraqi Governing Council members said they would not accept Adnan Pachachi Pinocchio, stating, "this is mainly a puppet that the U.S. wants to control and we have our own puppet we want to place that we want to control."
"I don't understand what is going on with the IGC." Stated President Bush in a press conference, "The strings used to work so well at the beginning, I mean, they use to be more agreeable, then something happened and now they argue about every little thing, like 'We want to choose our own president' or 'When are you leaving' or 'Abu Ghraib this and that'. I'm frankly getting really tired of all this."
We asked Donald Rumsfeld what is going to happen if the IGC does not agree with the U.S. choice for President. "Well, remember shock and awe?" said Donald Rumsfeld, "We can localize that to just a room if you know what I mean. They'll agree and we will transfer the power over on June 30th."
AI action: Urge Governor Ehrlich to Grant Clemency to Steven Oken
2. What you can do to save a life - that won't cost you a cent, and is virtually pre-digested for you in a 1-2-3-step manner.
3. More details about the case. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ 1. The issue at a glance
Steven Oken is scheduled to be executed in Maryland in the week beginning June 14, 2004. The State of Maryland plans to execute Mr. Oken despite the conclusion of a 2003 University of Maryland study that there is racial and geographic bias in Maryland’s capital sentencing. Studies of the US death penalty have consistently shown that race, particularly the race of the victim, plays a role in who is sentenced to death. ---- 2. Step by step model letter/email you can send to save this person's life:
Steven Oken (m), white, aged 42, is scheduled to be executed in Maryland in the week beginning 14 June 2004. He was sentenced to death in 1991 for the rape and murder of 20-year-old Dawn Marie Garvin in 1987.
If Steven Oken is executed, he would be the first person to be put to death in Maryland since a moratorium on executions announced by the previous governor, Parris Glendening, on 9 May 2002. He imposed the moratorium pending the outcome of a University of Maryland study that he had commissioned in 2000 to look into the fairness of the state’s death penalty, particularly geographic and racial disparities in capital sentencing. Upon taking office in January 2003, Governor Robert Ehrlich lifted the moratorium, stating that he would review every death warrant on a case-by-case basis.
On 7 January 2003, the final report of the study was released. An Empirical Analysis of Maryland's Death Sentencing System With Respect to the Influence of Race and Legal Jurisdiction , by Professor Raymond Paternoster of the University of Maryland, examined all first and second-degree murders committed in Maryland from August 1978 (the time when the new capital punishment law took effect) until September of 1999, approximately 6,000 cases in all. This is the most comprehensive study of the impact of race and geography on the death penalty in Maryland. It concluded that, even when other factors are accounted for, people who kill white victims are “significantly” more likely to face the death penalty than killers of non-whites. It also concluded that prosecutors in different counties “exhibit considerable variation” in their pursuit of the death penalty. In terms of whether a particular “death-eligible” murder will be pursued as a capital crime, therefore, “clearly the jurisdiction where the homicide occurs matters and matters a great deal”. Murders in Baltimore County are more likely to be pursued as death penalty cases than other counties. Baltimore County accounts for two of the three people executed in Maryland since 1977 and five out of the eight men currently on death row. Steven Oken was prosecuted in Baltimore County. Dawn Marie Garvin was white.
Maryland’s death penalty continues to draw scrutiny and the state has been unable to move forward with legislative remedies addressing the acute concerns raised by the University of Maryland study. In the last three and a half years the number of death row inmates in Maryland has shrunk from 18 to eight without a single execution. The decline is attributable to appellate decisions granting prisoner’s new trials, DNA evidence, or new sentencing because of legal flaws in the initial proceedings. During the 2004 legislative session, legislation to establish the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment passed the Maryland Senate (30-16), but ultimately failed in a House Committee.
Background
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases. Every death sentence is an affront to human dignity, every execution a symptom of a culture of violence, rather than a solution to it. Today, 117 countries are abolitionist in law or practice. In contrast, the USA has already executed 24 people this year, bringing to 909 the number of people it has put to death since executions resumed in 1977. Maryland accounts for three of the 909 executions.
There are eight people on death row in Maryland, seven blacks and one white. All were convicted of killing white people. Studies of the US death penalty have consistently shown that race, particularly race of victim, plays a role in who is sentenced to death. In 1994, a US Supreme Court Justice said: “ Even under the most sophisticated death penalty statutes, race continues to play a major role in determining who shall live and who shall die.” The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions wrote following his visit to the USA in 1997: "Race, ethnic origin and economic status appear to be key determinants in who will, and who will not, receive a sentence of death". In its report on the USA in 2001, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination noted the "disturbing correlation between race, both of the victim and the defendant, and the imposition of the death penalty..." The Committee urged the authorities "to ensure, possibly by imposing a moratorium, that no death penalty is imposed as a result of racial bias on the part of prosecutors, judges, juries and lawyers or as a result of the economically, socially and educationally disadvantaged position of the convicted persons."
Interesting report. I wonder if it means we're getting more US genetically modified crap food than ever before, LOL ================ 28.05.2004 - 17:41 CET | By Richard Carter
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Despite political tensions and periodic trade disputes, the economic ties between the EU and the US are closer and deeper than ever, argues a new report presented today (28 May) at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels.
Last year was marked by all-time lows in political relations between countries like France, Germany and the US, but this did not seem to affect investment and business decisions, argues the report entitled "partners in prosperity".
Dr Daniel Hamilton, from the Centre for transatlantic relations in Washington, who wrote the study, said, "politically, economically and socially, we are not drifting apart, we are smashing into each other".
Axis of weasels Despite France and Germany being branded the "axis of weasels" in some American circles for their opposition to the US-led war in Iraq, 2003 was a record year for economic relations between the US and the so-called "motor" of Europe in Paris and Berlin.
The report says: "even though US-German relations ebbed to one of their lowest levels since World War II, American firms sank $7 billion in Germany in 2003, a sharp reversal from 2002, when US firms pulled some $5 billion out of Germany".
US investment flows to France also jumped by ten percent last year despite a general decline in Franco-US relations.
And there was more French investment into the state of Texas than the combined total of US investment into China and Asia.
Overall, notes the study, the transatlantic economy generates roughly $2.5 trillion ($2,500,000,000,000) in total commercial sales per year and employs over 12 million workers.
And despite the talk of the rise of China and Asia in economic relations, US firms have ploughed ten times as much capital into the Netherlands - a relatively small European economy - as into China.
Trade disputes Furthermore, the report argues that too much emphasis is placed on high-profile trade disputes, such as the one over steel earlier this year. Trade disputes account for only one or two percent of overall trade between the US and the EU, notes Dr Hamilton and trade itself accounts for less than 20 percent of transatlantic commerce.
"Foreign investment, not trade, drives transatlantic commerce", argues the report, adding, "when one adds investment and trade together to get a more complete picture, one sees that US economic engagement remains overwhelmingly focused on Europe".
Hungary is the new Ireland And Dr Hamilton believes that the enlargement of the EU market with the ten new member states can only be a boost to the EU-US commercial relationship.
US multinationals, says the report, have been particularly focused on three of the ten accession states - Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Overall, the message of the document is clear - the EU and the US - like an old married couple, should remember that much more unites them than divides them.
"Our mutual stake in each other's prosperity and success has grown dramatically since the end of the Cold War. Ignoring these realities is short-sighted and shortchanges American and European consumers, producers, investors, workers and their families", concludes the study.
EU citizens of thirteen countries can apply as of today (1 June) for a European Health Insurance Card. The card would secure students and job seekers free emergency care throughout the EU.
Over time the card could become a kind of medical passport entitling holders to medical care anywhere in the EU, reports the BBC.
The new card is set to replace the current E111 forms with one single personalised card in a bid to reduce red tape.
The card also aims at securing quicker reimbursement for patients from their own social security system after treatment in another country.
Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Estonia and Slovenia are all expected to introduce the card immediately, while the other EU states will follow before the end of 2005.
The Card entitles holders to necessary healthcare in the public system of any EU / EEA member state or Switzerland if they become ill or injured while on a temporary stay in that country. The Card does not cover the cost of treatment in a private setting.
Blogs that suck:NoGuru's blog
(fascist, racist and proud of it. Hatred and dumb rhetoric are his fav. pastimes). "Just my opinion, but I'll stick to it, just like a fly to shit" Reducto's blog
(written with the vision and logic of a deep-fried zucchini. Highly recommended for a good laugh)
BushLover's blog
(take a Noguru fruitcake, add more fascist sauce, sprinkle with threatening & bullying spices, and you've got a perfect BushLover dessert). Rsheinfield's blog
(pro-israel fanatic - anything the Israel gov says or does is gospel, including mass murder)
RedTigress's blog
(same as above + delightfully racist and fascist. An embarrassment to the Tiger species)
SithSense's blog
(same as above, + he just LOVES dead bodies and massacres)
Jim Doney's blog
(kinda like Reducto's blog. Just change "zucchini" to "potato")
ajhankin's blog
(same as above)
Defensor's blog
(another fascist bore)
LynnKramer's blog
(curious case of religious zealotry having reached advanced paranoiac delusional condition. Also a delightful source of racist blogs (her fav targets are the French, closely followed by Germans - but any European target will do just fine)
jrogg's blog
(not quite as dumb as Reducto, but ok for a bit of fun every now & then. There's hope for him)
Stepdad's blog
(yet another [sigh!] fascist nutcase)
Deshanews's blog
(same as above)
Camel dropping's blog
(A shameful insult to the otherwise very cute and cudly species of camels and dromedaries.
But, as CamelFace himself proudly announces, his thinking mode is achieved by farting through his own brain)
