that the publication of the Mohammed caricatures and the subsequent (what a ...... coincidence, eh?) release of the video showing British soldiers beating Iraqi teens are in any way linked?
Do you suppose?
Probably not. Nobody could be so evil.
Could they?
Do you suppose?
I mean, such a thing could easily be construed as an attempt to fan the flames of hatred and racism and increase the rift between West and East, and between the Muslim world(s) and the rest.
Do you suppose?
I mean, who on earth could possibly benefit from all of this?
Do you suppose?
Monday, February 13, 2006
The USA is our friend and protector, right?
The USA are the good guys. They know what is best for all of us. They know who the bad guys are and they are doing their utmost to protect us all from the bad guys. Hell, they're even trying to protect the bad guys from themselves.
God Bless America.
Well, nobody's perfect, right?
Over the millenia, humans have managed to find increasingly inhumane methods in increasing numbers and increasing variety with which to end disputes, defend territories, attack territories, teach people and nations lessons, balance power, etc.
So, what IS the history of humankind's attempts to protect itself from itself?
In 1874, the Brussels Convention on the Law and Customs of War "Prohibited the employment of poison or poisoned weapons, and the use of arms, projectiles or material to cause unnecessary suffering."
In 1899, at the 1st Peace Conference at the Hague, European Nations prohibited "the use of projectiles whose sole purpose is the release of asphyxiating or harmful gases."
In 1907, the 2nd Peace Conference at the Hague added the use of poisons or poisoned weapons.
In 1925, the Geneva Protocol prohibited the use of "asphyxiating gas, or any other kind of gas, liquids, substances or similar materials."
(reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Protocol)
Fat Chance
I think a few people are aware of the two atomic bombs the USA dropped on heavily populated civilian centres in World War II.
Agent Orange
I think a few people are even aware of the USA's deployment of Agent Orange in SE Asia during the Vietnam "conflict".
Here are some of the other ways the USA is protecting us all from our silly selves.
BLU-80/B Bigeye
"Bigeye was a tri-service, safe-to-handle binary chemical weapon. When employed, Bigeye was designed to delay and disrupt airfields, troops and logistical lifelines by forcing an enemy into a chemical protective posture. The Bigeye metal parts contract was awarded in June 1988 for the procurement of production-representative operational test units, trainers and Safe Separation Test Vehicles."
It was designed to carry a 180-lb warhead containing VX binary agents.
"Often regarded as the deadliest nerve agent created to date, as little as 10 mg is enough to kill an average person."
The same reference provides this gem:
"Post-treaty disposal included the US Army's CHASE (Cut Holes And Sink 'Em) program, in which old ships were filled with chemical weapons stockpiles and then scuttled. CHASE 8 was conducted on June 15, 1967, in which the S.S. Cpl. Eric G. Gibson was filled with 7,380 VX rockets and scuttled in 7,200 feet of water, off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey. The long-term environmental ramifications of exposing large quantities of VX to seawater and marine life could pose a grave danger, but are ultimately unknown. The US is also destroying chemical weapons stockpiles containing VX in nine other locations, one of which is in Russia."
Apparently, there was another binary chemical agent delivery system development programme. XM-768 was aimed at developing an 8-inch projectile which would deliver VX to the battlefield.
Like I said, God Bless America.
I'm still looking for it but I'm pretty sure the US military must somewhere have an acronym like SNOP (Sorry, Not Our Problem). Or maybe it's OPIATE (Our Problem Is Assigned To Everybody). Hmmm, I like that last one. Especially where the various arms of the US government are concerned, it has a whole range of applications, eh?
Bearing all of the above in mind, as well as all the reasons given by the USA, the UK and a few other good guys about why we had to invade Iraq, surely it is time somebody asked some hard questions about why the USA was developing exactly the kinds of chemical weapons it now claims are the reasons we have to attack the bad guys and why the USA was instrumental in, amongst other countries, Iraq possessing and being able to deliver exactly the kinds of weapons the USA claimed had to be found and eliminated but were, ultimately, never found.
Allegedly. On all counts, I mean.
I wouldn't for a moment want to suggest anybody do some further reading about the weapons caches that the allies (or maybe it was only the Americans) are reported to have found and destroyed. Yes, those might be the same weapons caches that were clearly identified as originating in the USA. I wouldn't want for a moment to suggest they were officially supplied to Iraq, that their more recent "discovery" was covered up or that they all were disposed of in a hurried (and, I'm sure, completely safe) manner.
It would be silly to ask oneself if, though it looked very much like an own goal at the time, you might now understand why it was worth senior members of the US administration, from the President down, "admitting" that they had not found any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
Depleted Uranium.
I'm always banging on about this one. It bores me nearly as much as it terrifies me. Do a Google search.
Given all the fine work to date by the US government and its military, I have no doubt whatsoever that the following programme will be a smashing success!!
Agent Defeat Warhead (ADWAgent Defeat Warhead (ADW)
"Operation Desert Storm highlighted the need for pre-emptive strike capability to disable chemical and biological (CB) agent munition production facilities and stockpiles. Currently the United States must resort to conventional warheads as the only means of crippling the enemy CB agent capability. Use of explosives to destroy a CB agent production or storage bunker could result in the release of large quantities of lethal agents. Such agent releases can produce significant collateral casualities and destroy the local environment. In line with the latest national security directives (promoting non-lethal, disabling weapon technology development over current lethal nuclear and conventional weapon systems), new technologies must be investigated which can disable CB agent munition production facilities and stockpiles while minimizing collateral casualtites.
"The overall objective of the Agent Defeat Technology Program is to develop and demonstrate warhead technology capable of destroying, disabling or denying use of chemical and biological (CB) agent munition production facilities and stockpiles with minimal collateral damage (minimal agent dispersion.) The ADWD program objective is to develop and demonstrate a warhead with a payload specifically tailored for use against fixed ground targets associated with the development, production, and storage of chemical (C) agents, biological (B) agents, and CB weapons (CBW).
"The ADW shall, as a minimum, be effective against one of the following relevant target categories: hardened chemical targets, soft chemical targets, hardened biological targets, or soft biological targets. Effectiveness shall be understood to imply both the ability to achieve widespread physical damage within the target, and to limit collateral damage resulting from the unintended release of CB agents. Candidate kill mechanisms for achieving the desired results include, but are not limited to, thermal effects derived from high temperature incendiary (HTI) materials, low blast fragmenting warheads or submunitions, neutralizing chemicals, and other mechanisms which may be identified during the ADWD program. The ability of the ADW to deny the enemy access and/or use of the target and/or its contents is considered desirable, but only as a fallout capability occurring in conjunction with wide spread physical damage within the target structure. A hybrid warhead payload that employs a combination of the referenced kill mechanisms may be required to achieve program goals. Kill mechanisms that are not considered appropriate for the ADWD include those employing nuclear fizzle material or radioisotopes.
"The ADW shall, within acceptable tolerances, be designed to same external dimensions and closely approximate the mass properties as those for the 2000-lb class BLU-109 warhead. The ADW shall be designed for physical and functional compatibility with the following Air Force guidance kits: GBU-24, GBU-27, AGM-130, and GBU-31 (JDAM). The intent is to allow those weapon delivery systems, when equipped with the ADW, to hold a wide variety of CBW targets at risk, thereby minimizing the additional cost and operational burdens required to realize such a capability. Accordingly, the ADW shall also be compatible with existing Air Force ground handling, storage, and transportation equipment used to handle the 2000-lb class warhead common to those delivery systems.
"The Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Ordnance Division (AFRL/MNMI) did not receive an acceptable proposal for development of an Agent Defeat Warhead (ADW) Demonstration (ADWD). The closing date for proposals was 29 April 1999. The acquisition strategy for this program is under reevaluation."
God Bless America.
Well, nobody's perfect, right?
Over the millenia, humans have managed to find increasingly inhumane methods in increasing numbers and increasing variety with which to end disputes, defend territories, attack territories, teach people and nations lessons, balance power, etc.
So, what IS the history of humankind's attempts to protect itself from itself?
In 1874, the Brussels Convention on the Law and Customs of War "Prohibited the employment of poison or poisoned weapons, and the use of arms, projectiles or material to cause unnecessary suffering."
In 1899, at the 1st Peace Conference at the Hague, European Nations prohibited "the use of projectiles whose sole purpose is the release of asphyxiating or harmful gases."
In 1907, the 2nd Peace Conference at the Hague added the use of poisons or poisoned weapons.
In 1925, the Geneva Protocol prohibited the use of "asphyxiating gas, or any other kind of gas, liquids, substances or similar materials."
(reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Protocol)
Fat Chance
I think a few people are aware of the two atomic bombs the USA dropped on heavily populated civilian centres in World War II.
Agent Orange
I think a few people are even aware of the USA's deployment of Agent Orange in SE Asia during the Vietnam "conflict".
Here are some of the other ways the USA is protecting us all from our silly selves.
BLU-80/B Bigeye
"Bigeye was a tri-service, safe-to-handle binary chemical weapon. When employed, Bigeye was designed to delay and disrupt airfields, troops and logistical lifelines by forcing an enemy into a chemical protective posture. The Bigeye metal parts contract was awarded in June 1988 for the procurement of production-representative operational test units, trainers and Safe Separation Test Vehicles."
It was designed to carry a 180-lb warhead containing VX binary agents.
"Often regarded as the deadliest nerve agent created to date, as little as 10 mg is enough to kill an average person."
The same reference provides this gem:
"Post-treaty disposal included the US Army's CHASE (Cut Holes And Sink 'Em) program, in which old ships were filled with chemical weapons stockpiles and then scuttled. CHASE 8 was conducted on June 15, 1967, in which the S.S. Cpl. Eric G. Gibson was filled with 7,380 VX rockets and scuttled in 7,200 feet of water, off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey. The long-term environmental ramifications of exposing large quantities of VX to seawater and marine life could pose a grave danger, but are ultimately unknown. The US is also destroying chemical weapons stockpiles containing VX in nine other locations, one of which is in Russia."
Apparently, there was another binary chemical agent delivery system development programme. XM-768 was aimed at developing an 8-inch projectile which would deliver VX to the battlefield.
Like I said, God Bless America.
I'm still looking for it but I'm pretty sure the US military must somewhere have an acronym like SNOP (Sorry, Not Our Problem). Or maybe it's OPIATE (Our Problem Is Assigned To Everybody). Hmmm, I like that last one. Especially where the various arms of the US government are concerned, it has a whole range of applications, eh?
Bearing all of the above in mind, as well as all the reasons given by the USA, the UK and a few other good guys about why we had to invade Iraq, surely it is time somebody asked some hard questions about why the USA was developing exactly the kinds of chemical weapons it now claims are the reasons we have to attack the bad guys and why the USA was instrumental in, amongst other countries, Iraq possessing and being able to deliver exactly the kinds of weapons the USA claimed had to be found and eliminated but were, ultimately, never found.
Allegedly. On all counts, I mean.
I wouldn't for a moment want to suggest anybody do some further reading about the weapons caches that the allies (or maybe it was only the Americans) are reported to have found and destroyed. Yes, those might be the same weapons caches that were clearly identified as originating in the USA. I wouldn't want for a moment to suggest they were officially supplied to Iraq, that their more recent "discovery" was covered up or that they all were disposed of in a hurried (and, I'm sure, completely safe) manner.
It would be silly to ask oneself if, though it looked very much like an own goal at the time, you might now understand why it was worth senior members of the US administration, from the President down, "admitting" that they had not found any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
Depleted Uranium.
I'm always banging on about this one. It bores me nearly as much as it terrifies me. Do a Google search.
Given all the fine work to date by the US government and its military, I have no doubt whatsoever that the following programme will be a smashing success!!
Agent Defeat Warhead (ADWAgent Defeat Warhead (ADW)
"Operation Desert Storm highlighted the need for pre-emptive strike capability to disable chemical and biological (CB) agent munition production facilities and stockpiles. Currently the United States must resort to conventional warheads as the only means of crippling the enemy CB agent capability. Use of explosives to destroy a CB agent production or storage bunker could result in the release of large quantities of lethal agents. Such agent releases can produce significant collateral casualities and destroy the local environment. In line with the latest national security directives (promoting non-lethal, disabling weapon technology development over current lethal nuclear and conventional weapon systems), new technologies must be investigated which can disable CB agent munition production facilities and stockpiles while minimizing collateral casualtites.
"The overall objective of the Agent Defeat Technology Program is to develop and demonstrate warhead technology capable of destroying, disabling or denying use of chemical and biological (CB) agent munition production facilities and stockpiles with minimal collateral damage (minimal agent dispersion.) The ADWD program objective is to develop and demonstrate a warhead with a payload specifically tailored for use against fixed ground targets associated with the development, production, and storage of chemical (C) agents, biological (B) agents, and CB weapons (CBW).
"The ADW shall, as a minimum, be effective against one of the following relevant target categories: hardened chemical targets, soft chemical targets, hardened biological targets, or soft biological targets. Effectiveness shall be understood to imply both the ability to achieve widespread physical damage within the target, and to limit collateral damage resulting from the unintended release of CB agents. Candidate kill mechanisms for achieving the desired results include, but are not limited to, thermal effects derived from high temperature incendiary (HTI) materials, low blast fragmenting warheads or submunitions, neutralizing chemicals, and other mechanisms which may be identified during the ADWD program. The ability of the ADW to deny the enemy access and/or use of the target and/or its contents is considered desirable, but only as a fallout capability occurring in conjunction with wide spread physical damage within the target structure. A hybrid warhead payload that employs a combination of the referenced kill mechanisms may be required to achieve program goals. Kill mechanisms that are not considered appropriate for the ADWD include those employing nuclear fizzle material or radioisotopes.
"The ADW shall, within acceptable tolerances, be designed to same external dimensions and closely approximate the mass properties as those for the 2000-lb class BLU-109 warhead. The ADW shall be designed for physical and functional compatibility with the following Air Force guidance kits: GBU-24, GBU-27, AGM-130, and GBU-31 (JDAM). The intent is to allow those weapon delivery systems, when equipped with the ADW, to hold a wide variety of CBW targets at risk, thereby minimizing the additional cost and operational burdens required to realize such a capability. Accordingly, the ADW shall also be compatible with existing Air Force ground handling, storage, and transportation equipment used to handle the 2000-lb class warhead common to those delivery systems.
"The Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Ordnance Division (AFRL/MNMI) did not receive an acceptable proposal for development of an Agent Defeat Warhead (ADW) Demonstration (ADWD). The closing date for proposals was 29 April 1999. The acquisition strategy for this program is under reevaluation."
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
In an important exercise of Freedom of Speech this weekend...
the National Football League censored several bits of the Rolling Stones' live half-time performance. Oh silly me, we don't want to offend any radical Christians now, do we?
Then again, I can't really blame the NFL or ABC. After all, look at Afghanistan and Iraq.
I reckon most people in those countries probably think (or KNOW, rather) that dealing with an irate, mullah-whipped-up, crowd of misguided intolerance is likely to be a good deal more pleasant than trying to hide from AC-130s, running from Daisy Cutters, BLU-92s or BLU-80s, snuffing out that oh-so-pesky white phosphorous or relax in a private Gulfstream jet registered to a shell company......
Then again, I can't really blame the NFL or ABC. After all, look at Afghanistan and Iraq.
I reckon most people in those countries probably think (or KNOW, rather) that dealing with an irate, mullah-whipped-up, crowd of misguided intolerance is likely to be a good deal more pleasant than trying to hide from AC-130s, running from Daisy Cutters, BLU-92s or BLU-80s, snuffing out that oh-so-pesky white phosphorous or relax in a private Gulfstream jet registered to a shell company......
Google blacklists BMW.de
The rotters!
The German websites of BMW and Ricoh have been trying to corrupt "our" internet. They'll never get away with it, do you hear me? Never!!!
Murhahahahaha.
The German websites of BMW and Ricoh have been trying to corrupt "our" internet. They'll never get away with it, do you hear me? Never!!!
Murhahahahaha.
Pointless error codes - what's the deal?
I don't get it! I mean, take the newest networked multi-purpose copier/scanner/printer in my office. Please!
It's great to be here. You're a great crowd!
So up comes a call on the hailing frequency - "Nick! Nick!" My attendance has been requested at the Fuji Xerox that costs as much as a truck and weighs damn near as much.
The LCD panel says, "A fault occurred. Error code 005-285. Check the user guide for more information.", or something along those lines.
So I have to dig up the phone-directory-sized User Guide, which says, "A problem with the document feeder. Power cycle the unit."
This photocopier can scan, photocopy and print up to A3 in colour. It can function as a print server. It is networked. It can save files to another computer via FTP and network file shares. It can even email scans wherever you want them sent, for Christ's sake.
Why on earth can't they just program it so it says, "There was a problem with the document feeder. Turn the machine off and on again?"
I had a nice giggle while searching for the error code in Google (it's often faster to Google something like this than look in the User Guide) but I'm wondering why the first result was a page that says, "Crumpler Nad Sack green?"
And what IS Crumpler Nad Sack green? An oddly named village in England? The hottest colour in posing pouches (I thought that was tiger-print angora)?
And why does it only come up in searches via Google Thailand?
It's great to be here. You're a great crowd!
So up comes a call on the hailing frequency - "Nick! Nick!" My attendance has been requested at the Fuji Xerox that costs as much as a truck and weighs damn near as much.
The LCD panel says, "A fault occurred. Error code 005-285. Check the user guide for more information.", or something along those lines.
So I have to dig up the phone-directory-sized User Guide, which says, "A problem with the document feeder. Power cycle the unit."
This photocopier can scan, photocopy and print up to A3 in colour. It can function as a print server. It is networked. It can save files to another computer via FTP and network file shares. It can even email scans wherever you want them sent, for Christ's sake.
Why on earth can't they just program it so it says, "There was a problem with the document feeder. Turn the machine off and on again?"
I had a nice giggle while searching for the error code in Google (it's often faster to Google something like this than look in the User Guide) but I'm wondering why the first result was a page that says, "Crumpler Nad Sack green?"
And what IS Crumpler Nad Sack green? An oddly named village in England? The hottest colour in posing pouches (I thought that was tiger-print angora)?
And why does it only come up in searches via Google Thailand?
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Lab officials excited by new H-bomb project
Whew! and not a minute too early, either!
What else could we need more than a new atomic weapon?
Those old ICBMS, B1 ordinance and cruise missiles are just, so, old, you know? How else can we deal with IEDs, AK-47s, rock-throwing crowds and all manner of known unknowns, unknown knowns and, doh, unknown unknowns? Fifty megatons just don cut it no mo, namsayin?
You kids shutup about the hunger, already! Jesus Christ, can't you see we're busy preparing to turn you into dust? you won't be so hungry then, will you?
I'm missing something here. I wonder what would help me understand you "humans" a bit better? Crack cocaine? Opium? Glue?
Should I try holding my breath until I'm blue in the face? Would that help?
Oh I got it! More yoga! More and more and more and more until I can truly shove my own head up my own, erm, mobius?
I mean, the USA only has about 10,000 nuclear warheads.
"We are on the verge of an exciting time," the nation's top nuclear weapons executive, Linton Brooks, said last week at Lawrence Livermore weapons design laboratory.
And people think I'M NUTS? Excuse me while I hit the Yoga. Then, me and some friends are gonna get hooked up with some cheerleaders, a few bottles of Jack, plenty of oil and even more grunting. It should be a steamy night of Mobious Strip Poker.
What else could we need more than a new atomic weapon?
Those old ICBMS, B1 ordinance and cruise missiles are just, so, old, you know? How else can we deal with IEDs, AK-47s, rock-throwing crowds and all manner of known unknowns, unknown knowns and, doh, unknown unknowns? Fifty megatons just don cut it no mo, namsayin?
You kids shutup about the hunger, already! Jesus Christ, can't you see we're busy preparing to turn you into dust? you won't be so hungry then, will you?
I'm missing something here. I wonder what would help me understand you "humans" a bit better? Crack cocaine? Opium? Glue?
Should I try holding my breath until I'm blue in the face? Would that help?
Oh I got it! More yoga! More and more and more and more until I can truly shove my own head up my own, erm, mobius?
I mean, the USA only has about 10,000 nuclear warheads.
"We are on the verge of an exciting time," the nation's top nuclear weapons executive, Linton Brooks, said last week at Lawrence Livermore weapons design laboratory.
And people think I'M NUTS? Excuse me while I hit the Yoga. Then, me and some friends are gonna get hooked up with some cheerleaders, a few bottles of Jack, plenty of oil and even more grunting. It should be a steamy night of Mobious Strip Poker.
Further to the Cartoons Row
Though I began my last rant on this subject on a less than serious note, I certainly didn't take the Western party line, which appears to be "We're right, those stupid Arabs are wrong and to hell with them!"
The more I think about this story, the more it upsets me. This whole thing is riddled with hatred, racism, intolerance, ignorance, misunderstanding. I have yet to hear anybody point out the Mullahs who can be seen quite clearly on news video footage trying to stop the rampaging mobs from their destruction.
Though I do not for a moment support the way SOME Muslims have reacted to the publication and republication of these grotesque cartoons, I can understand why they are so angry.
One thing this really shows is how little the non-Muslim world understands the Muslim world.
We really cannot expect all humans to be alike and we certainly wouldn't want that.
Though I would never support censorship, having seen these cartoons, I remain convinced the newspapers were arrogant, pig-ignorant and stupid to have published them.
To claim the act is an important exercise in free speech is cynical in the extreme. Upsetting people by insulting their most sacred beliefs is not an important exercise in free speech.
Muslims hold the Prophet Mohammed incredibly close to their hearts. Just because most Westerners have lost any real passion or devotion to any belief system (apart from money, Playstation, iPod, BMW and Big Brother, perhaps) should we expect others to follow suit?
Maybe it's time that we started getting back to some of the basic principles we used to hold so dear. Things like respect other people, do unto others as you would have them do unto you (not the modern American version - do unto others before they get a chance to do it to you), don't lower yourself to the other person's level, etc.
Yes, it appears there are many idiots in the worlds of Islam and the Middle East but that doesn't mean we should show no respect for others and act with no manners. There are plenty of idiots in the Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh worlds. They are all human, after all. Does that mean we can only exercise our right to free speech by publishing cartoons that are extremely insulting to those groups as well?
The definition of good manners is that one avoids anything that could cause others to feel uncomfortable. It has always been bad manners to upset people. Few things in today's world could be so perfectly expected (or crafted?) to upset people as these depictions of Mohammed.
So a bunch of idiots think it's appropriate to storm the EU office in Gaza? So some morons think the answer is to have a go at the likes of Sweden and Denmark, perhaps Arabs' last "friends" on this planet? So some fools think setting fire to embassies in Syria and Lebanon is a justified response? Does that mean we, too, have to be such debased and ignorant beings?
I deplore of much of the Arab and Muslim worlds and think they are, for the most part, incredibly ignorant, useless, narrow-minded, glory hounds who couldn't tie their own shoes but I let that be their own choice.
There are plenty of good people in those worlds, too. Unfortunately, they don't make such good TV.
These cartoons (what I have seen of them) appear to me to be no different from the awful racist depictions of Jews published in European newspapers last century. Was that also an important exercise in free speech?
The actions of these newspaper publishers and editors is despicable. They have displayed a callous disregard for the profession. Publishing these cartoons serves no useful purpose.
Most of Europe has legislation making it a crime to incite people to violence and/or to hate crimes. Though that body of law was undoubtedly intended for dealing with budding Hitlers and the like, surely the same laws could be used against the publishers of these cartoons. After all, couldn't publishing these cartoons reasonably be expected to incite voilence?
Why not take that tact? Let's apply the existing laws the way we're always castigating so many other peoples' for their (alleged by us) failure to do so. Lead by example.
Unless further upsetting the Arab world in the middle of difficult and critical negotiations with Iran and Hamas serves a purpose, of course....
The more I think about this story, the more it upsets me. This whole thing is riddled with hatred, racism, intolerance, ignorance, misunderstanding. I have yet to hear anybody point out the Mullahs who can be seen quite clearly on news video footage trying to stop the rampaging mobs from their destruction.
Though I do not for a moment support the way SOME Muslims have reacted to the publication and republication of these grotesque cartoons, I can understand why they are so angry.
One thing this really shows is how little the non-Muslim world understands the Muslim world.
We really cannot expect all humans to be alike and we certainly wouldn't want that.
Though I would never support censorship, having seen these cartoons, I remain convinced the newspapers were arrogant, pig-ignorant and stupid to have published them.
To claim the act is an important exercise in free speech is cynical in the extreme. Upsetting people by insulting their most sacred beliefs is not an important exercise in free speech.
Muslims hold the Prophet Mohammed incredibly close to their hearts. Just because most Westerners have lost any real passion or devotion to any belief system (apart from money, Playstation, iPod, BMW and Big Brother, perhaps) should we expect others to follow suit?
Maybe it's time that we started getting back to some of the basic principles we used to hold so dear. Things like respect other people, do unto others as you would have them do unto you (not the modern American version - do unto others before they get a chance to do it to you), don't lower yourself to the other person's level, etc.
Yes, it appears there are many idiots in the worlds of Islam and the Middle East but that doesn't mean we should show no respect for others and act with no manners. There are plenty of idiots in the Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh worlds. They are all human, after all. Does that mean we can only exercise our right to free speech by publishing cartoons that are extremely insulting to those groups as well?
The definition of good manners is that one avoids anything that could cause others to feel uncomfortable. It has always been bad manners to upset people. Few things in today's world could be so perfectly expected (or crafted?) to upset people as these depictions of Mohammed.
So a bunch of idiots think it's appropriate to storm the EU office in Gaza? So some morons think the answer is to have a go at the likes of Sweden and Denmark, perhaps Arabs' last "friends" on this planet? So some fools think setting fire to embassies in Syria and Lebanon is a justified response? Does that mean we, too, have to be such debased and ignorant beings?
I deplore of much of the Arab and Muslim worlds and think they are, for the most part, incredibly ignorant, useless, narrow-minded, glory hounds who couldn't tie their own shoes but I let that be their own choice.
There are plenty of good people in those worlds, too. Unfortunately, they don't make such good TV.
These cartoons (what I have seen of them) appear to me to be no different from the awful racist depictions of Jews published in European newspapers last century. Was that also an important exercise in free speech?
The actions of these newspaper publishers and editors is despicable. They have displayed a callous disregard for the profession. Publishing these cartoons serves no useful purpose.
Most of Europe has legislation making it a crime to incite people to violence and/or to hate crimes. Though that body of law was undoubtedly intended for dealing with budding Hitlers and the like, surely the same laws could be used against the publishers of these cartoons. After all, couldn't publishing these cartoons reasonably be expected to incite voilence?
Why not take that tact? Let's apply the existing laws the way we're always castigating so many other peoples' for their (alleged by us) failure to do so. Lead by example.
Unless further upsetting the Arab world in the middle of difficult and critical negotiations with Iran and Hamas serves a purpose, of course....
Monday, February 06, 2006
AOL and Yahoo to start offering preferential email delivery for hire?
Well, well, well. So the two providers of the worst email services on the internet have decided to piss off everybody? Big deal. To use rather high-level technical language, AOL sucks. And that's not all. Yahoo! Sucks! Too!
In a nutshell, this is AOL and Yahoo realising they can't compete on quality so instead, they might as well shaft their users. Oops, sorry, I mean they might as well shaft their users some more.
There, that's better...
In a nutshell, this is AOL and Yahoo realising they can't compete on quality so instead, they might as well shaft their users. Oops, sorry, I mean they might as well shaft their users some more.
There, that's better...
Yet more links....
Gonzales poised to defend NSA surveillance at Senate hearing
A congressional authorization from 2002 approving use of force against Iraq "doesn't say anything about electronic surveillance," Specter said. "The issue was never raised with the Congress. And there is a specific statute on the books ... which says flatly that you can't undertake that kind of surveillance without a court order." (Posted 12:23 p.m.)
Easy-Glider drags you along while keeping it green
Surely a dog would be cheaper and greener?
Refuge for Roma proved a deathtrap
"Roma rights groups say that as many as 31 Roma have been killed by diseases brought on by lead poisoning,"
U.S. firm blamed for polluting sea
"The trial, a rare case of a major American corporation facing criminal charges in a developing country, pits one of Indonesia's valued foreign investors against the nation's little-tested environmental laws."
Harsh words for Putin from the U.S. on rights
Yet more pot and kettle action from those modern paragons of logic.
Odors Trigger Memory In Squirrels
What's squirrel talk for, "Oh MAN, I could SO murder a bacon sandwich right now!"
A congressional authorization from 2002 approving use of force against Iraq "doesn't say anything about electronic surveillance," Specter said. "The issue was never raised with the Congress. And there is a specific statute on the books ... which says flatly that you can't undertake that kind of surveillance without a court order." (Posted 12:23 p.m.)
Easy-Glider drags you along while keeping it green
Surely a dog would be cheaper and greener?
Refuge for Roma proved a deathtrap
"Roma rights groups say that as many as 31 Roma have been killed by diseases brought on by lead poisoning,"
U.S. firm blamed for polluting sea
"The trial, a rare case of a major American corporation facing criminal charges in a developing country, pits one of Indonesia's valued foreign investors against the nation's little-tested environmental laws."
Harsh words for Putin from the U.S. on rights
Yet more pot and kettle action from those modern paragons of logic.
Odors Trigger Memory In Squirrels
What's squirrel talk for, "Oh MAN, I could SO murder a bacon sandwich right now!"
Be Tacky and Gauche, 24/7
"Can you imagine 13 hours to Beijing next to someone on a cell phone?" asked Fern Lowenfels, a Manhattanite walking in the city's Upper West Side.
Wired
Wired
Today's Useful Links/Stories - Part Two
Turkish movie depicts Americans as savages
Iran and the jaws of a trap
Mapping hacks
Emergency Communication Disaster plan Check
An April, 2004 report by the Government Accounting Office: "The wireless communications used today by many public officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other public safety agencies do not provide [the ability] ... to effectively carry out their normal duties and respond to extraordinary events."
Secret Service investigates violent essay by seventh grader
"Someone in the 7th grade just doesn't gather this information by themselves," he said.
It's those God-damned Commies, I tell you!!! When are those YMCA Summer "De-Programming" camps finally going to open?
Introducing... the Open Source Geospatial Foundation!
Emergency Communication Disaster plan Check List what to do to get ready
An April, 2004 report by the Government Accounting Office: "The wireless communications used today by many public officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other public safety agencies do not provide [the ability] ... to effectively carry out their normal duties and respond to extraordinary events."
Combating West Nile Virus With Remote Sensing
Dynamic Internet Overlay Deployment and Management Using the X-Bone
Remember what my old friend (me) always says...
"With friends like the government, who needs an enema?"
GIS Map Mart
This map shows the Communications Towers and Suitable Structures within and near St. Johns County. A spreadsheet contains information on each tower and structure.
PhDisaster?
Citizens Fighting Eminent Domain Abuse
Iran and the jaws of a trap
Mapping hacks
Emergency Communication Disaster plan Check
An April, 2004 report by the Government Accounting Office: "The wireless communications used today by many public officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other public safety agencies do not provide [the ability] ... to effectively carry out their normal duties and respond to extraordinary events."
Secret Service investigates violent essay by seventh grader
"Someone in the 7th grade just doesn't gather this information by themselves," he said.
It's those God-damned Commies, I tell you!!! When are those YMCA Summer "De-Programming" camps finally going to open?
Introducing... the Open Source Geospatial Foundation!
Emergency Communication Disaster plan Check List what to do to get ready
An April, 2004 report by the Government Accounting Office: "The wireless communications used today by many public officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other public safety agencies do not provide [the ability] ... to effectively carry out their normal duties and respond to extraordinary events."
Combating West Nile Virus With Remote Sensing
Dynamic Internet Overlay Deployment and Management Using the X-Bone
Remember what my old friend (me) always says...
"With friends like the government, who needs an enema?"
GIS Map Mart
This map shows the Communications Towers and Suitable Structures within and near St. Johns County. A spreadsheet contains information on each tower and structure.
PhDisaster?
Citizens Fighting Eminent Domain Abuse
Today's Useful Links/Stories - Part One
Face transplant patient to meet media
NASA Charts Storm Damage Pronto
ABC Goes to Tape Delay for Stones Show
'The lyrics for "Rough Justice" included a synonym for rooster that the network also deemed worth cutting out.' I can't get no specially-saucy fried chicken? I've always been a breast man, myself.
In N.H., a Beer in the Belly Can Get Youths Arrested
NASA Charts Storm Damage Pronto
ABC Goes to Tape Delay for Stones Show
'The lyrics for "Rough Justice" included a synonym for rooster that the network also deemed worth cutting out.' I can't get no specially-saucy fried chicken? I've always been a breast man, myself.
In N.H., a Beer in the Belly Can Get Youths Arrested
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Human Feces Sickens Plants
What drugs are these people on?
We need "experts" doing scientific experiments to tell us that human poop is not healthy?
We need "experts" doing scientific experiments to tell us that human poop is not healthy?
Proof of aliens on earth? (with video!)
I loved the wag on one blog who said, "Jeez, can't a guy just be left alone to meditate without food or water for 6 months in peace anymore??? What is this world coming to?"
This being from another planet is getting lots of TV time here in Thailand. Still nobody has pointed out that he's not grey, hasn't large almond shaped eyes or little slits for a nose.....
Scientists to check Nepal Buddha boy
Pilgrims flock to see 'Buddha boy' said to have fasted six months
The Little Buddha of Bara
Buddha Boy of Nepal
This being from another planet is getting lots of TV time here in Thailand. Still nobody has pointed out that he's not grey, hasn't large almond shaped eyes or little slits for a nose.....
Scientists to check Nepal Buddha boy
Pilgrims flock to see 'Buddha boy' said to have fasted six months
The Little Buddha of Bara
Buddha Boy of Nepal
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