Wednesday, August 02, 2006

A long history of American treachery & Middle East mendacity

Posted by Mickey Z on 08/02 at 06:26 AM
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  1. Morning all.
    “Roosting Chickens” is indeed a very useful reference work, which seems odd to say given the reputation of its more incendiary chapters.

    A link from your Smoking Gun link made me chuckle: Fidel as the UK’s favourite grandmother!?!

    Posted by Mew from horriby humid London  on  08/02  at  06:48 AM

  2. Off to the dentist yet again, but let me say that the greatest lesson in foreign or domestic policy that I can give right now is that you need to learn to floss, for the love of god. That, and where for art Mudge.

    Posted by James from Hell's Kitchen  on  08/02  at  06:49 AM

  3. I like the new beach photo.  It is quite silly and refreshing.

    (word for the day is why)

    Posted by Christine Hamm from nimby  on  08/02  at  07:21 AM

  4. Good morning Mickey, Mew, James & Christine,

    Since there’s less immediate carnage involved in the Fidel story than in most other current affairs, I found it amusing when a few US news reports were sexing up the reports of his having handed over the reigns to his brother in order to make it sound as though he’d been ousted or some such thing. 

    Captcha “seven”, as in lucky

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canada  on  08/02  at  08:05 AM

  5. Good humid morning Mickey, Mew, Christine, Amelopsis, and James.

    It was just announced on the news that the race track at Saratoga is closed because of heat. First time I know of that happening. It’s about time that those poor horses got a day off. They should be set free on a permanent basis.

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/02  at  09:03 AM

  6. Hello Expendables.Long time, no see, Christine.

    Yet another steamy day (http://tinyurl.com/m2jdl). Even captcha sez: “enough.”

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/02  at  09:13 AM

  7. Yeah power is good…

    UN Warns of Environmental Disaster

    “The Lebanese government is calling it the biggest ecological catastrophe in the country’s history. Between July 13 and 15, Israeli jets bombed the Jiyyeh power station, located 30 kilometers south of Beirut, and caused up to 35,000 tons of fuel oil to gush into the sea. The oil slick has now spread along 80 kilometers of Lebanon’s 225 kilometer coastline and has already reached Syria.”
    http://tinyurl.com/lskw8

    Posted by Youngfox from Canaduh  on  08/02  at  09:47 AM

  8. Saratoga closed because of the heat?  I have a little brother up there.  I better give him a call and make sure he hasn’t melted…

    Posted by JOS from Chicago  on  08/02  at  10:13 AM

  9. Sorry to harp on about Cuba, but I thought this article was a good dose of hope. In fact it sort of fits with Empress’s comment last night about the blockade...you wonder if the cubans will persist with permaculture if they get their markets *ahem* ‘freed’.

    captcha sez “support”

    Posted by Mew from horriby humid London  on  08/02  at  11:04 AM

  10. I agree that lifting the blockade of Cuba will have a down side and a negative influence on the Cuban culture, BUT the blockade is an illegal act of war. A while back some Vermont farmers wanted to send some cows to Cuba. I am not sure how that deal turned out.

    JOS...across the border in the Albany/Saratoga area they have opened cooling centers and have just announced that the parks will not be charging any fee today.  Here in Vermont, the only cool place in town is Wal-mart and I am too busy today to go there.

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/02  at  11:16 AM

  11. I agree absolutely Rosemarie. Theres no doubt the blockade is illegal and destructive.
    That doesn’t change the fact that the conditions simulating an energy crash are what has led to Cuba adopting the technology and social changes we’ll all need in the future.
    Of course the embargo has to go, but realistically the only way its going to go is if one of the two governments fall. I think possibly my post was lazily conflating trade and free movement with the US plan to blow open Cuban markets, but they are obviously linked due to the attitude of the US govt.

    Btw, I think some southern states have successfully sold breeding stock to Cuba, so it may well be that Vermont has too.

    Posted by Mew from horriby humid London  on  08/02  at  11:34 AM

  12. Hey RMJ: http://www.vtcommons.org/journal

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/02  at  12:50 PM

  13. Hoping that all Expendables look good in orange.

    Thanks for that link, Mickey. Here is one of the comments there.... I am waiting for there to be a big outcry about this news story but it has not gotten much exposure yet.  Will we all be wearing orange jump suits or will the uniform of the day be black and white stripes? 

    “...by Anne Plummer Flaherty, Associated Press
    July 28, 2006
    WASHINGTON—U.S. citizens suspected of terror ties might be detained indefinitely and barred from access to civilian courts under legislation proposed by the Bush administration, say legal experts reviewing an early version of the bill.
    “Scott L. Silliman, a retired Air Force Judge Advocate, said the broad definition of enemy combatants is alarming because a U.S. citizen loosely suspected of terror ties would lose access to a civilian court — and all the rights that come with it. Administration officials have said they want to establish a secret court to try enemy combatants that factor in realities of the battlefield and would protect classified information.”

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/02  at  01:32 PM

  14. the oil spill is exxon all over again.  the photo of the men doing what they can to scoop the black death sludge from the water is as heartbreaking to me as the photos of dead children.

    RMJ, I like a nice cotton knit in orange, but that’s the reason I intend never to travel south of the border again. (which could be a redundancy sooner than later in any event.)

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canadia  on  08/02  at  02:32 PM

  15. Not even G.I. Joe is safe:
    http://tinyurl.com/kevgs

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/02  at  02:36 PM

  16. Score one for bacteria:
    http://tinyurl.com/ehpps

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/02  at  02:55 PM

  17. Just been into a bookshop where the “Fortunate Son” Bush biography was in the True Crime section!  Nice to see some people call it like they see it still ...

    Posted by Chris Wood from Manchester, which is fucking wet  on  08/02  at  03:00 PM

  18. A Marx Brothers Quiz! (I guessed on all of them and only got one correct) http://tinyurl.com/n3dqc

    Posted by TM from   on  08/02  at  03:41 PM

  19. Thanks, TM. I aced it. That’s because the Marx Brothers make me LAUGH.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/02  at  03:55 PM

  20. I’m late again - by at least 2 hours.  It is 7:03 am on a cold but clear winter morning in Daylesford, Australia, and we are going to have about 56F today.  Must say I’d rather have that than a heatwave.

    Thanks for another informative post, Mickey, my favourite cool observer - and ‘hi’ to Mew, James, Christine, Amelopsis, Rosemarie, Youngfox, JOS,Chris Wood and TM.  Have a good morning/afternoon, all of you.

    And now I’ll click on a few links ..

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  08/02  at  04:03 PM

  21. And Rosemarie #13, that really is disturbing news.  Makes me wonder how long it is going to take the Australian federal government to follow suit ..

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  08/02  at  04:15 PM

  22. Amelopsis #14...you make me smile. My daughter returned yesterday after a month in Montreal. She had tears in her eyes as she crossed the border. She says that Canadians are so much more polite and thoughtful. She is 8 months pregnant and she said that someone always gave up their seat on the subway for her. She also commented on the quality of food and said that it is so much better in Canada.  To put it mildly, she is in love with all Canadians and would move there if it was not so complicated. I have a feeling that my 2 year old grandson wil be speaking French soon.

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/02  at  04:23 PM

  23. Helga # 21...I hope that the legal system in Australia is better than it is in the usa. Here it is about as bad as it can get.

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/02  at  04:36 PM

  24. Rosemarie # 23:  the legal system in Australia might still be slightly better than in the US but not by much.  Hope springs eternal!

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  08/02  at  04:56 PM

  25. RMJ if your daughter moved here then you’d have an excuse to visit! We’ll even meet you in Montreal and volunteer for any required french lessons (although I’m probably rustier than I should be from lack of use)

    I have to say that Montreal has a reputation as being a charming city with european flavour and the reputation extends to the restaurants there. (they maintain that they make the best bagels...something the NY Expendables might contest) I don’t really know the city myself, but I did see the Rolling Stones there a few decades ago-memories of that trip are a little bit blurry.

    For what it’s worth, I think the complication would be worth it even if only for the standard medical benefits (esp with 2 children).  I have had experience in the process of applying and the motions of applying for residency in Canada and truthfully it wasn’t all that bad, hassle yes, but no more than most other bureaucratic processes.  (this could all be too much information, I’m not really sure how serious you were about her wishing to live here) (of course you know you can always email me if you did want more info)

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canadia  on  08/02  at  05:34 PM

  26. Hellos and howlows from the Official Home of Humidty.

    Don’t sweat the weather, y’all. Soon enough most of you will be wearing jackets and running spaceheaters while I still have the fans and A/C blowing…

    from Youngfox’ artice: “...Between July 13 and 15, Israeli jets bombed the Jiyyeh power station...”

    Gee, I wonder where those came from…

    MZ, bacteria are our friends!

    Posted by RT from The Buyou City  on  08/02  at  05:38 PM

  27. Thanks Amelopsis… I will tell Christine what you said. Of course, I don’t want them to move any farther away than they already are and I can’t move right now. I know what a great city Montreal is. Last time that I was there, I was impressed with the Jazz, culture, and I also thought that the people were extraordinary. When we were checking into the hotel, the “doorman/valet” noticed that I was wearing a “PEACE” pin. He and I started to discuss world affairs and in a matter of minutes we were hugging each other. My daughter still talks about that. It happened a few years ago.

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/02  at  05:50 PM

  28. I have often wondered about how with all the chaos going on in the world we can be so removed from it. We still do our day to day activities without much trouble. This can’t last long. How long before all of this actually catches up with us? How long before we reap what we have sown?

    Posted by David from Louisville KY  on  08/02  at  06:05 PM

  29. Just a couple more words to expand on what my mom said.  People consistantly are expected to give up seats to pregnant, infirm, or the elderly.  I think I used public transit, probably a couple of hundred times in the month and perhaps all but once or twice was there NOT a seat offered.  The produce available in the Marches - MOST OF WHICH IS GROWN IN THE US, is of a higher quality and at 1/4 the price that I can buy here.  There is a greater awareness of organic and healthy eating and natural living.  Fewer people seemed to suffer from being overweight and even the “fast” food is healthy.  Although we had a relatively easy time getting back in the country, being gone for a month was a definate flag for the Border agents to give us a harder time - to reenter the county that me, my husband, and son were all born in and citizens of.  Now after being back home 24 hours I am sad to be back in the junk food, junk tv culture.  The quality of life is TREMENDOUSLY higher.  How can people be civilized and healthy in such an uncivilized culture like we have in the US.  When I was pregnant with my son I was still working in downtown Albany, the capital of the state, and one just becomes accustomed to having doors slammed in faces, and once I even had my lunch stolen from my hands - not by a “street person” but by a man in a suit who was too rude to notice what he was doing.  I am fed up and would leave now if I could, and yes, we are trying to teach our son French, and are already hoping that we can spend next July in Montreal as well.  I have spritually changed my citizenship, even if I can’t do it in reality yet.

    Posted by Rosemarie's Daughter, Christine from Troy, NY  on  08/02  at  06:54 PM

  30. One last thing, NO ONE that I spoke with - in the entire city of Montreal, has any interest in leaving. Those who leave come back.  How unusual is that?  If anyone wants to see some of our experiences, look here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaxphotography

    Posted by Rosemarie's Daughter, Christine from Troy, NY  on  08/02  at  06:59 PM

  31. Welcome, Christine. We’ve heard so many wonderful things about you from your mom so it’s a pleasure to “meet” you. Thanks for the photos, too.

    How cold is it in Montreal in the winter?

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/02  at  07:17 PM

  32. Hi Mickey!  I am so glad to talk to you!  I am thrilled that my mom finally can speak with other great thinkers on your site because I can’t keep up with her!  You all are great!

    Montreal doesn’t seem to me to be a whole lot worse than here in upstate NY, although the past years have been mild by accounts with regard to snow.  If you live there you invest in a REALLY good coat.  ^Think about it, who would know better how to keep warm then people so far north where it is colder.  Montreal is home to a few of these companies. Also there is the underground city where you have at least a lot of space to walk through that is public, including underground skating rinks, in a climate controlled environment.  The network is huge and covers a lot of the city.  And, you know that spring will come and then everyone runs outside and goes to one of the many beautiful parks in the city.  We went to one nearly every day. 

    Great to say HI personally.

    Posted by Rosemarie's Daughter, Christine from Troy, NY  on  08/02  at  07:41 PM

  33. Thanks to all for your kind remarks about Montreal.  I first came here in 1967 for Expo ‘67 (I’m dating myself, I know) and fell in love, stayed, raised a family and have called it my home ever since.

    The winter weather can be harsh, but the other seasons are great.  Love the food, people, the joie de vivre and on, and on......

    Mikey, hope you soon get relief from the heat wave you are having.  According to the webcam in Times Square, the temperature, with the humidity factored in, feels like 104 degrees.

    Posted by Canadian Observer from   on  08/02  at  08:28 PM

  34. I second Mickey’s welcome, Christine, it certainly is nice to ‘meet’ you.

    You sound like you already live in Montreal and are vacationing or on sebatical in NY!

    Politically speaking, there is the seperation issue that won’t go away. That we have a federal party which expressely excludes the interests of all other 9 provinces is a major spanner in the works and is a large part of why we now have a minority Conservative government in power.
    If I sound bitter about it, it’s because I think the Block has some of the most dichotomous policies of any party.  Socially liberal and fiscally conservative, but with the ultimate aim of seperation they all too readily prop up the Conservatives when it suits their ends.

    (eveb so, I’d like to spend July in Montreal too!)

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canadia  on  08/02  at  08:39 PM

  35. Yeah, it was 101 in Queens today. With the heat index, it must have been 115. I’m just hoping the power can hold out one more day.

    Christine: I hope you’ll stop by often, okay?

    Hello Empress…

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/02  at  08:51 PM

  36. P.S. We’re All Enemy Combatants Now
    http://tinyurl.com/kde6o

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/02  at  09:07 PM

  37. Thank you again Mickey and I am sure that my mom will continue to update me on all of the conversations.  As you know I am having a baby basically anytime, but I can’t stay off the net for long.  Talk to everyone soon again.  All my best!

    Posted by Rosemarie's Daughter, Christine from Troy, NY  on  08/02  at  10:12 PM

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