Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Troop Surge: The Prequel
Morning all! It is sort of snowing here in NoVa.
Arundhati Roy has such a clear way of stating things. I’ve only heard interviews that she’s done on Democracy Now. Anyone have a book or two of hers that you’d put at the top of the list?
I got to work to find a little red heart-shaped box of chocolates. How romantic! It is courtesy of the property management company here. lol. Is it VD already? I thought that was the 14th or 15th?
Captcha says “language”, and it is true, I’ve been meaning to get serious about learning Spanish.
Posted by Deb on from NoVa 02/13 at 07:20 AMHow many amongst of us have asked ourselves the same thing at one time or another, Deb… “is is VD already?” Okay, that just sounds wrong.
Oh brother… I guess I should get ready for work. To the war machine I go! It’s some small activism that I put mickeyz.net on the history bar of every computer I use there.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 02/13 at 07:51 AMdeb, you have to read her novel “The God of small things”
and here are few arundathi links for videos yuo can download or watch for free…
http://tinyurl.com/mfx3r
http://www.weroy.org/watch.shtmland a transcript of the same speech…
http://www.nmazca.com/verba/roy.htmPosted by michael on from scotland 02/13 at 07:57 AMGood morning Deb, michael, and James…
Mickey, thanks for the Kerry quote.Many times I have said that Kerry’s view was NOT against the war, but that he said that he would do it bigger and better. Too bad that so few know that quote. It is even worse that so few who supported him knew what his position was. Voters tend to be so poorly informed and in the end vote for the candidate that they would most like to go out and have a beer with. Bush won the “Beer Buddy” contest, And 650,000+ Iraqis died.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/13 at 09:12 AMmichael, thanks for the recommendations! I will see if I can find the book at the library and I’ll watch the videos soon.
James, you made me laugh! I have always felt there is something disturbing about VD on several levels. Just say no!
Posted by Deb on from NoVa 02/13 at 09:12 AMMorning all...and a fine morning it is! We are in the middle of getting a foot of snow here in lovely Chicago and I like it.
Great top ten list, Mick. That line needs to be beaten into this country’s head a million times.
I think that we have to accept that most people will never learn and if we keep waiting for them to do so then we are just as bad. We’ve got to bring the whole thing down. Scary, but true.
Posted by JOS on from Chicago 02/13 at 10:04 AMHi Every Expendable!
Thanks for the links Michael, I’m not very familiar with her either.
JOS I think it’s scarier if we don’t bring the beast down. Heck I’m scared enough already as it is, can it come down now please?
Peace and Love to everyone,
Next time I see you it will be on XP, Vista be damned.
Luna
Posted by Luna_C on from the Delta 02/13 at 11:00 AMNo argument here, Luna_C!
Posted by JOS on from Chicago 02/13 at 11:27 AMtop ten things new labour say in order to get elected....
1. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
2. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
3. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
4. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
5. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
6. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
7. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
8. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
9. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 times
10. If you don’t let us punch u twice the tories will punch you 3 timesPosted by michael on from scotland 02/13 at 11:30 AMHello Expendables. It certainly looks like snow tonight.
Thanks for the great comments. I might add a book of Arundhati Roy interviews to the list: The Checkbook and the Cruise Missile.
And a happy VD to you all, too.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/13 at 12:22 PMLooked like you were getting some reaction to your latest DailyKos diary, Mickey!
Posted by Dr. B. on from U$A 02/13 at 01:50 PMI’m very popular over there, Dr. B.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/13 at 03:13 PMDamn those DailyKos people piss me off. You’re a Green Party Troll, did you know that Mick?
Posted by JOS on from Chicago 02/13 at 04:17 PMGreen Party, huh? Oh well...I have one more diary to post at KOs and then I’ll find better ways to use my time.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/13 at 04:32 PMHi Expendables.
This is depressing. Check the comments too. Reminds me of the Daily Kos stuff.
I have an Arundhati Roy book that I would recommend in addition to her (absolutely incredible) novel: The Algebra of Infinite Justice. Many of her important essays are in there.
Posted by Keir on from the hague 02/13 at 04:45 PMI don’t know...I am sure some have come over to visit. I see mention of debate, I wish they would begin one here. Kos’s comments style confuses me…
Anyway, it was worth a shot.
Posted by JOS on from Chicago 02/13 at 04:47 PMthat is depressing, Keir.
Posted by JOS on from Chicago 02/13 at 05:14 PMI’ve always thought it was a minor miracle that Chomsky never exploded at his audience. There we sit, basking in his hard work and research, and then we ask him “what can I do?”
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/13 at 05:28 PMBreaking news...Vermont just became the first State to pass a resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Passed in both houses today !
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/13 at 06:24 PMMust say I agree with you, Mickey, regarding the ‘differences’ between Democrats and Republicans - if somewhat reluctantly. One would have thought the Democrats would have drawn certain lessons from the outcome of the mid-term elections, but they clearly haven’t.
And good on you, Vermont - Rosemarie #19. That would HAVE to make you proud to live in this particular state.
Hello Deb, James, JOS, Luna_C, Dr B. and Keir.
This Australian hearts Arundhati Roy as well - she has got ‘War Talk’ by Ms Roy. Attractive and brainy - is life not fair or what?Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 02/13 at 06:55 PMVery cool news Rosemarie. Do you know the repercussions regarding Vermonters serving in Iraq, etc?
Posted by Keir on from the hague 02/13 at 06:55 PMThanks for sharing the news, RMJ. How did it come about?
Hi Helga…
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/13 at 06:57 PMOh, and ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ to all my fellow expendables.
And now for something completely different: interesting piece by Jane Mayer on the politics of the man behind “24”:
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070219fa_fact_mayer
Sad to see that Kiefer Sutherland is so different from his father politically ..
Captcha: ‘off’ - as in that apple has fallen far off the tree.Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 02/13 at 06:58 PMHi, Mickey. We must have simultyped ..
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 02/13 at 07:01 PMKeir...today there was an active debate in the legislature. The main argument opposing was that it would hurt the morale of the troops. The resolutions failed to pass last year so this year the strategy was different. The resolutions did NOT go to committee, just to the floor for debate and votes. The Committee system really messes things up in many bills. Very often the legislators don’t get to hear or participate in the floor debates because they are in committee hearings. Same thing happens on the federal level. It is a messy system. This Vermont vote today will not make a big difference, but it could if it started a domino effect and other States joined in.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/13 at 07:06 PMAnd please forgive me, Michael from Scotland - I forgot you in my list of expendables I said ‘hi’ to earlier. It is quite hot in Daylesford, though ..
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 02/13 at 07:08 PMBtw, I wanted to say thanks to whoever made the generous donations today. Much appreciated.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/13 at 08:07 PMOn the Chomsky comment, I’ve watched quite a number of lectures he’s given (on my computer, that is), and some of the stupid questions never cease to amaze me, the “What can we do?” being at the top of the list. I’ve seen Chomsky give it to a few questioners, but he is remarkably reserved. I watched Norman Finkelstein give a few lectures. I enjoy his less diplomatic candor, such as responding to questions by just saying, “That’s a stupid question.” That’s right. Tell it like it is.
So what’s up with this briefing on Iran? I’ve already seen it compared with Powell’s presentation to the UN, though not in a good way. The NYT had a skeptical editorial, but their other coverage basically reiterates the Pentagon position without any real examination of even what scant evidence was provided of Iranian government support for “extremist” groups in Iraq.
Posted by Jeremy on from Taipei, Taiwan 02/13 at 11:19 PMMickey, I’ll be on the lookout for that last diary over at DailyKos & as per custom give it a recommend. I don’t visit there very often these days, although lately I’ve been a bit more the glutton for punishment than normal.
Hi Helga & other Expendables. See y’all in the morning.
Posted by Dr. B on from U$A 02/14 at 01:17 AM
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