Wednesday, August 09, 2006

"I have a right to keep my house safe"

Posted by Mickey Z on 08/09 at 04:11 AM
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  1. The issue of gun use is not as polarising up here.  It seems to me we are a little more sensible on the issue of guns.  It is hard for me to understand how lawmakers in the US get away with what they do.  I am also quite confused by that here in NS and Canada.  Perhaps, like Chomsky says, it’s because the states isn’t actually a democracy.  I feel Canada isn’t either really in any meaningful sense of the word.

    That Galloway video is awesome.  He throws at the interviewer’s face Chomsky and Herman’s propaganda model and how she is not even aware of just how bought into the system she is.  The best was when he accused of her of not being able to name even one family member of the Palestinian family killed on the beach by Israeli ship fire.  Indeed, to the MSM, an Israeli life is much more valuable than a Lebanese or Palestinian one in the current conflict.

    Chau for now

    Edson

    Posted by Edson Castilho from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada  on  08/09  at  07:58 AM

  2. Morning Mickey and and soon to arrive Expendables,
    Great post today.  You draw all too reasoned conclusions about the activities of defense on the part of the Palestinians and how readily the equivalent behaviour would be perfectly acceptable (if not encouraged outright!) by many Americans who’d number themselves among the most ‘patriotic’. 

    Instead, what’s good for the goose is only good for the gander if he says so, apparently. And so it always is with the struggle against any group which holds too much power and/or money.

    Here in southern Ontario yesterday evening Six Nations groups determined to continue to occupy the land which is being disputed in the Caledonia region.  Non-natives and the Ontario government are doing their best to obfuscate real discussion to settle the land claim, and, to relate to your post....the provocation of violence is quite outrageous.  The non - natives jeer and taunt at best, fist waving and as soon as a punch is thrown, the media rushes to ask if the protesters will continue their violent ways.  The OPP are in situ, but their biggest task is keeping the non-natives from running amock entirely. 
    The natives are arguing and occupying for the ability to retain the land promised, so that they might enjoy the ability to ‘protect their house’, they can’t even get in the front yard!

    Ok - that went rather OT, but it seemed somewhat related and was on my mind, as it’s been going on since February (18th century, really) and seems to be getting worse again now.

    The Q & A on Lebanon is something quite useful although I think that most don’t really want an answer to the questions they pose (’most’ referring to supporters of Israel’s actions) and that is the bigger stumbling block here. 

    It “simply” should not be acceptable to forgo discussion and resort to violence so very readily.  I just have no clue as to who could justly moderate such a discussion ... Bhutan?

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canada  on  08/09  at  07:58 AM

  3. Good morning all!

    Interesting topics today, Mickey.

    I know that being able to bear arms is considered by the American people to be their undisputed right but I wonder how many innocent lives will be lost to this new gun law?  When so much freedom is given to gun owners we will witness abuses, accidents and acts of a deliberate nature. 

    As for George Galloway, well, he is a treasure.

    Posted by Canadian Observer from   on  08/09  at  08:00 AM

  4. Good morning to you, Edson, we’ve “been” simultyping.

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canada  on  08/09  at  08:00 AM

  5. sorry - same to you, Canadian Observer, also simultyping again.

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canada  on  08/09  at  08:01 AM

  6. Canadia’s Military Lobbyist, uh, I mean Minister of Defence has just announced that our country will disregard military spending budgets.  Goodbye to our surplus, goodbye to the improvements in our healthcare system (so desperately needed) and goodbye to our once comfortable semblance of democracy. (we’re busy shipping it to Afghanistan)

    captcha “moral” - sure.

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canada  on  08/09  at  08:04 AM

  7. Of guns ...

    New World Order isn’t just “left” wing conspiracy, although it’d be nicer if it were nothing more.
    http://tinyurl.com/5e4h8

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canada  on  08/09  at  09:14 AM

  8. Good morning, everyone.

    Here’s an article with a transript of the tongue-lashing galloway gave the US Senate over a year ago:

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-3-1616578-3,00.html

    Posted by JOS from Chicago  on  08/09  at  09:35 AM

  9. I think we discussed this a while back, now it is in the works:

    http://tinyurl.com/nog5p

    Posted by JOS from Chicago  on  08/09  at  09:44 AM

  10. And to complete my trifecta of links, here’s an interesting theory:

    http://www.antiwar.com/orig/porter.php?articleid=9505

    Posted by JOS from Chicago  on  08/09  at  09:49 AM

  11. Hello Expendables. I see we have a full “room.” Thanks for all the links.

    I have another drive-by to share. Some guy named Mark Nelson had this to say about my latest article (featured in today’s post):

    Florida has alot of people who dont understand english that dont know the laws and liekto come in take a, rape and pillage.

    But here in the peoples Socialist Republic of Kalifornia I have the same right , then simply place a knife in your hand since you were threatening me.Afterall someone came into my home without my permission, i pay mortgage and taxes for “my home” not a “diverse community home” owned by all little red diaper doper babies.

    My answer blam! I guess I am a non diverse individual, how unaccepting of me, maybe I should have some little pho-pho sandwhichs and some tea and then bring a translator if needed to “understand the criminal”. Maybe I can ask him why he felt he needed to come in my home with a gun, knife and crow bar.

    We can chalk e-mails like this up to a few looneys or someone bored at work or even trolls...but let’s face it: A society born and bred on the culture that dominates our lives can only be expected to produce many millions of e-mails like this.

    The corporate media is our teacher.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/09  at  10:40 AM

  12. Great resources today. George Galloway rocks, but something is wrong when politicians have to shout down the press for its utter lack of morals and standards. The press has nothing to lose and everything to gain by being as principled and uncompromising as Galloway. It’s like he was the reporter and the tv anchor was the politician

    I saw that New York Times article about (no) gun control earlier today. That just won’t do at all. I like however the implication of the vice-president of the NRA calling a prostitute “good people doing good things” or whatever. Awesome.

    That Mark Nelson feller is even more wacked out than the dude from yesterday. Mickey, I take your point about what these drive-byers represent. Hey Amerika: why all the hatred?

    Posted by Keir from The Hague  on  08/09  at  11:14 AM

  13. PS: whaddy’all think about this call for a cultural boycott of Israel? Very curious to know Expendable reactions…

    Posted by Keir from The Hague  on  08/09  at  11:17 AM

  14. Hi Everyone. 

    Just read this over at SF gate and thought you would appreciate it. smile

    http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/morford/

    Peace and Love!
    Luna

    Posted by Luna_C from workies  on  08/09  at  12:12 PM

  15. Keir:
    If you live in a country where the press has “morals and standards”...it can’t be part of the crusader coalition!!
    As you’re all such fans of George Galloway, here’s what he had to say to me (and a few others) the day before that interview.

    Posted by sam_m from london  on  08/09  at  12:27 PM

  16. Welcome, Sam.

    Keir: In a way, boycotting Israel without shining a light on America is like not shaking a hit man’s hand while having dinner at the Mafia Don’s house.

    Thanks for the link, Luna. You’re right. I very much appreciated it.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/09  at  12:52 PM

  17. There are some great speeches on that link Sam provided. Mickey, there is a lot of truth in what you say. I think that no nation on Earth still doing business with the US has any claim to self-righteousness---and that includes Venezuela. I have long felt that the US should be utterly isolated economically, culturally, and politically. Not very likely, but perhaps boycotting Israel is a way of getting the (very many) people of conscience there to force a change and break free of the grasp of the US.

    Posted by Keir from The Hague  on  08/09  at  01:36 PM

  18. Hey Everyone-- on lunch from my latest job, at this huge investment firm where I’m proud to work because they’re such great blah blah oh whatever, but man, I just feel like if I have to come here and read illegible stuff like Mark Nelson’s, I should still be on the clock. It just isn’t fair.

    (cool posts and comments besides, wish I had more websurfing time at the office...)

    Posted by James from Hell's Kitchen  on  08/09  at  01:57 PM

  19. Hello to all Expendables,

    I posted the Galloway Sky TV anchor-spanking at my place the other day, as well as his passionate protest speech that Sam linked to.  George actually reminds me a lot of Ward Churchill, who is an electric speaker, especially when addressing a protest crowd.  My sense is that, if Galloway was an American, he’d have been either Churchill-ed or Wellstone-ed a long time ago.  The Powers That Be simply cannot allow eloquent, passionate, compassionate voices for Truth to roam the mass media brainwaves for any length of time.  And certainly, they cannot be tolerated as effective representatives of The People.

    Posted by Hawk from Boulder, CO, USA  on  08/09  at  02:12 PM

  20. P.S.:  Before anyone points it out, I know that Wellstone made a few deals with the Devil in his day.  To become a multi-term Senator in the U.S., you have to step on dead bodies and sell your sould.  It then becomes a matter of degree.

    Posted by Hawk from Boulder, CO, USA  on  08/09  at  02:35 PM

  21. Hi everyone! 

    JOS, thanks for the link to the transcript of Galloway before the Senate.

    Kind of off topic: For some evangelicals, Mideast war stirs hope http://tinyurl.com/ns8p9
    They love the smell of burning flesh in the morning, noon, and evening. Pictures of dead bodies, destruction of entire cities will not move them they will just cover their eyes and ears and sing Armageddon! Armageddon! Armageddon!  Pretty scary.

    Posted by TM from   on  08/09  at  03:19 PM

  22. Jesus H. Christ, TM, that is some scary shit.

    Posted by JOS from Chicago  on  08/09  at  04:19 PM

  23. this is a little scary:

    http://tinyurl.com/g2ta4

    Posted by JOS from Chicago  on  08/09  at  04:25 PM

  24. Hello again, everyone. Hey JOS, even though the Yanks lost, how was it to attend a Chisox game?

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/09  at  04:42 PM

  25. For Keir, et all,
    I do believe that it is technically “illegal” to boycott Israel in the United States.
    Or perhaps I am misinterpreting this U.S. Gov. webpage…
    http://tinyurl.com/rgngj

    Galloway is a brave and wise man.

    Posted by Youngfox from Canaduh  on  08/09  at  05:05 PM

  26. Hi everyone....I was in Massachusetts all day. Just got home and put the finishing touches on my latest article when I came upon this surprise...Talk about scary stuff, scroll down to the AG slot…
    http://votesocialist.info/vt.html

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/09  at  05:19 PM

  27. Rosemarie: yes!

    Youngfox: that link doesn’t work. As for boycotting Israel, I’m in The Hague, which technically is not part of the US, which is why there is this ball of legal bullshit.

    My reason for asking y’all’s opinion about a cultural boycott is that I have been invited (by a left-wing organization, but still) to do some performing over there. Soon. As a friend explained to me, talking is better than not talking, and I am inclined to go, speak, interact, and challenge. But I have to constantly reexamine my justifications for my plans.

    Posted by Keir from The Hague (Jackowski election hdqts)  on  08/09  at  05:32 PM

  28. RMJ: How exactly does one run for Attorney General and not know it? I wish I could vote for you.

    Speaking of votes, I cast mine in favor of Keir going to Israel and doing his thing.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/09  at  05:51 PM

  29. It’s a little complicated, Mickey. I expected the Liberty Union Party, NO connection to the Libertarian Party, to nominate me and have me on their ballot. I will not be “running” a campaign, I will have no campaign budget, but I will probably issue a press statement and/or give an interview. I do have a lot to say about the AG office and its policies, as you know. I (and others) know where the bodies are buried. BTW, Josh Frank has written some good articles about our AG. I do NOT expect to “win” the office but I will consider it a win if anyone on the ticket gets 5% of the vote. That is important because that will assure major party status and all of the perks for the party that come with it. Hopefully all of this will help the movement for a third party. Mal Herbert, who is also on the ticket, was the Socialist Vice Presidential candidate in 2004.

    Yes, Keir, go and spread some truth around.

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  08/09  at  07:02 PM

  30. The hypocrisy that allows a citizen of Florida to use a firearm to defend him/herself from an invasion of their home while every effort is made to strip Hezbollah of that right, is par for the course.  Hypocrisy is what empires are built on.

    Galloway is a treasure.  Did you notice how they brought his microphone down so the anchor could talk over him.  Very subtle.  It is interesting to note that Murdoch and his cronies are well familiar with Galloway, so why did they bring him on?  Certainly they couldn’t match his wit, candor, or oratorical abilities.  I think they had him on for a laugh.  They know that in the end they control the message.  Galloway doesn’t truly threaten them.

    Posted by Cart from near Warshington DC  on  08/09  at  07:58 PM

  31. You’ve been holding out on us, RMJ. I had no idea.

    Cart, you sure said it: “in the end they control the message.”

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/09  at  08:04 PM

  32. I’m just chiming in briefly to offer the full link on behalf of Youngfox: http://www.bis.doc.gov/AntiboycottCompliance/oacrequirements.html#whatscovered

    (although the tinyurl worked for me when I clicked it - dunno what’s up with that)

    My opinion on the cultural boycott:  Not sure I support that. I appreciate the spirit of solidarity behind it, but if we can’t bridge the cultures then I think we might just as well give up all hope forever. 
    Artists are the people who bring us together, politicians or any other bureaucratic body will never be able to do that. Artists allow us to communicate on a level that can, at it’s height, allow us to fully embrace the beauty of a people or culture or individual that we would otherwise not be given the opportunity to ever know of.
    I think if the opportunity to interact on an equal level with others is available to you, seize it and squeeze every last drop of goodness out of it in the name of human solidarity...political differences may just soften or melt away in the afterglow.

    And RMJ - I thoroughly look forward to your posting on official letterhead ;)

    I’ll have to catch up on all the rest later!

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canadia  on  08/09  at  08:21 PM

  33. Sorry to write-in so late on the boycott issue—I know Mickey is probably crashed for the night by now—but I just remembered that Xymphora posted on Monday a pretty intricate boycott proposal at his place.

    Tell me if I’m wrong, but I believe that Xymph is a Canadian Jew who loves a good conspiracy almost as much as I do, and who is very consistent in his criticism (condemnation, really) of Israeli/Zionist aggression.  His blog routinely draws some of the most viscious troll commentary this side of the Angry Arab....

    Posted by Hawk from Boulder, CO  on  08/09  at  10:06 PM

  34. Okay, whomever spoke the last 10 seconds of this wins the prize: http://tinyurl.com/j5r55

    Posted by Amelopsis from Canadia  on  08/09  at  10:44 PM

  35. Sorry to weigh in so late as to be useless, but I would also suggest to Keir that going to Israel is an excellent idea.  This assumes of course, you don’t get blown to bits.  First off, boycotting it would be meaningful only to you, let ‘s be honest, so it really depends how you feel about it.  However, I will say it is an interesting place in an uninteresting way.  Many moons ago, I had a chance to visit, as the company I was with at the time was working with an Israeli co. that built lasers for medical devices. I was only there for 5 days, was busy and jet lagged, and I can’t say I toured the country or did any sort of analysis. Also, I’ m not even mildly religious, so that aspect did not excite me, but to me it was an even more boring Las Vegas - like Utah or Tucson.  It’s definitely not the US, but it is not all that strange either.  I’d be interested to hear what someone else thought of it.  Under the circumstances, obviously, things could be different....

    Posted by DPI from The NJ  on  08/09  at  10:46 PM

  36. That’s it: Faulty construction. Those Arabs can’t build worth a damn.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/10  at  06:17 AM

  37. what sense does it make to go after Israel’s economy?


    it makes more sense to start with the financier; the banker. not the “consumer.”


    Israeli leaders are definitely responsible for their actions but from a tactical perspective, boycotting their economy will do nothing, especially for concerned Americans (since our taxes go to maintain the NaZionist regime).


    ---


    also, some may need evaluate their praise for Galloway. Sober up.


    The man is a politician.


    Remember his praise for Saddam?


    The man scored some valid points. That is not disputed; and we can appreciate the value of part in the interview, but before you give him a rim-job, please take into consideration that he may be exploiting truths for his own political gain.


    There is a huge difference between exploiting truths and living them and Galloway doesnt fit the latter…

    Posted by truth addict from Arlington, TX  on  08/10  at  04:01 PM

  38. I am new here so I dont know how knowledgable some of you are on the Israeli/Arab conflict. So, I thought I would provide some relevant links.


    <a href=http://truth_addict.blogspot.com/2006/08/lebanon-war-and-failed-un-resolution.html>The Lebanon War and the Failed UN Resolution by Phyllis Bennis</a>


    <a href=http://truth_addict.blogspot.com/2006/07/israel-lebanon-and-middle-east-peace.html>Israel, Lebanon and the Middle East; Peace and Social & Moral Responsibility</a>


    <a href=http://truth_addict.blogspot.com/2006/08/qana-rockets-and-truth-that-will-not.html>Qana; Rockets; and the Truth That Will Not Bring Them Back!</a>


    <a href=http://truth_addict.blogspot.com/2006/08/beyond-lebanon-by-brent-scowcroft.html>Beyond Lebanon by Brent Scowcroft</a>


    <a href=http://truth_addict.blogspot.com/2006/07/confrontation-with-hamas-and-hezbollah.html>Confrontation with Hamas and Hezbollah by Noam Chomsky</a>


    and for combatting those who say this conflict began on July 12 with the Hizbollah attack:

    <a href=http://truth_addict.blogspot.com/2006/07/lebanon-to-complain-to-un-of-israeli.html>Lebanon to complain to UN of Israeli land, sea, air space violations</a>


    <a href=http://truth_addict.blogspot.com/2006/07/beirut-to-complain-to-un-about-israeli.html>Beirut to complain to UN about ‘Israeli’ hand in assassinations</a>


    anyway, just hoping to help spread some relevant information!

    Posted by truth addict from Arlington, TX  on  08/10  at  04:23 PM

  39. Thanks, truth. I’ll get to the links as soon as I can.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  08/10  at  04:33 PM

  40. truth addict:
    I have a philosophical problem with the notion of “exploiting truth”.  I can see the nefarious benefits of exploiting falsehoods but “exploiting truth”??  What’s wrong with the truth??

    Whatever, Galloway has hardly benefitted personally from his support of the Palestinian and Iraqi people.  It’s given him a precipitous political career, ultimately being expelled from the Labout Party for telling the truth. (What really upsets them is that he was right and they were wrong.)
    If you didn’t like him talking to Saddam, how did you like Rummy talking to Saddam and selling him weapons??  Check Galloway’s senate testimony to see what a comfy life he has.  His Wikipedia entry too.


    By the by, help with your html tags here.

    Posted by sam_m from london  on  08/11  at  09:48 AM

  41. sam,


    thanks for the html link.


    I dont think it is necessary to spend too much time in the historical implications of leaders using “truths” to justify or expand crimes, so I will keep to someone you just mentioned: Saddam Hussein.


    It is “true” that Kuwait was illegitimately created by the Brits.


    It is “true” from certain perspectives that Kuwait was waging an “economic war” against Iraq following the end of the Iran-Iraq War.


    Furthermore, it is “true” that Kuwait was slant-drilling and that that was having an economic impact on Iraq.


    All of these “truths” were “exploited” by Saddam in his effort to justify his aggression against Kuwait.


    We can look at other historical examples of where “truths” were exploited in order to play a role in justifying crimes; from the grievances of Nazi Germany to the Soveit Union to 9/11.


    In response to the latter example, it is “true” that we were attacked, but the “truth” of that attack itself does not justify the continuation of the policies that provoked the attack or justify our aggression that followed. Sensible people will know to think more broadly and look at the issue deeper.


    Anyway, everything can be used for multiple purposes. A baseball bat can be used for a fun game or it can be used to beat an old woman in order to steal her purse. The “truth” is no different; it can be used to liberate us or it can be used as a ball and chain.


    People like Galloway will exploit truths in order to further their political career. My message was simply to be conscious of such people and such behavior.

    Posted by truth addict from Arlington, TX  on  08/11  at  01:28 PM

  42. “If you didn’t like him talking to Saddam, how did you like Rummy talking to Saddam and selling him weapons??”


    Sorry, I forgot to respond to this question. Rumsfeld served a much more intimate and criminal role, so my I would think Rummy deserves stronger condemnation. Also, when you consider his current position in power, I would think his responsibilities are larger.


    France is used a bit by the so-called peaceniks around the world (for opposing the 2003 war) and most of us have seen the Chirac-Saddam footage from the 1970s.


    Again, another example of truth being exploited by those seeking to advance their political career. Chirac had no problem buddying up to Saddam when his crimes were actually on-going as opposed to the mouse he was reduced to by 2003.

    Posted by truth addict from Arlington, TX  on  08/11  at  02:05 PM

  43. truth addict:
    It’s not a horse I want to flog too long either.

    Re. your example of Saddam Hussein, you’ve made the case for the justice of his war with Kuwait.  Kuwait attacked Iraq through its economy in a way that was prejudicial to the State of Iraq. 


    When you use the word “exploiting” you’re using an emotive word in a perjorative sense because you don’t like the guy.  It isn’t to do with the “truth”, it’s because you’re looking to present him in a bad light.  The truth of Iraq’s complaint with Kuwait stands in your account above. 


    Your point about truth and 9/11 is worthy.  All we know about 9/11 is that it happened.  No evidence of the involvement of bin Laden or whoever instigated the attack has ever been produced.  Quite how “sensible people” got us to our present state of affairs is another matter.


    You may not like Galloway but his “truth” has done nothing for his political career.  If he’d STFU and toed the line many years ago he could probably be in the position of John Reid (UK Home Sec) by now.  Reid holds one of the highest positions in Government and is a leadership contender.  He and Galloway were once very close.
    Galloway is likely to leave politics at the next election.


    As for national leaders cosying up to one another, well that’s another discourse entirely.

    (A side note on Saddam’s “crimes”.  If you’ve not heard of them and have the inclination, Google “Riegle report” and also “April Glaspie”.)

    Posted by sam_m from london  on  08/13  at  05:46 AM

  44. its not a matter of whether I like Galloway or not. I simply dont trust him because he is a politician who has a record of siding with anyone opposed to the US. I dont get the impression that he does it with sincerity. From Saddam to Asad to Iraqi resistance fighters. I get the impression that he does it for political reasons and nothing more. Call it whatever you want, but I simply dont trust the man. Its not a matter of like or dislike; its a matter of him being a politician.

    Posted by truth addict from arlington, tx  on  08/15  at  08:15 AM

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