Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Ex-Marine: "I forfeited my honor, my self-respect, and my humanity"
its not marines alone at the moment. so many civil servants and agents are resigning in disgust and whistleblowing right now too.
aplogies to all for not doing the nano thing after i said i would. i just couldn’t (or wouldn’t) make time for it but did hope to do it.
also, i posted this on the end of yesterdays messages but i think the folks should see it…
IMPORTANT
http://www.blairwatch.co.uk are compiling a list of websites, blogs and magazines who will publish the downing street memo relating to al-jazeera if they get it. please add your sites/blogs etc to the list…
the ‘official secrets act’ has been invoked to stop anyone in the UK publishing it. there is an old joke about this act....
“the offical secrets act is not to protect secrets - its to protect officials”
also, al jazeera journalists have set up a blog in order to try and get support for not being bombed! please take a look…
http://dontbomb.blogspot.comPosted by michael on from scotland 11/30 at 04:54 AM
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/30 at 06:21 AMCongrats, Mick on completing the NaNovel…
Have you read any, all or some of the Pentagon Papers? I have only seen bits and pieces.
Great poem at the end there by Ehrhart. To tell your daughter that your government sent you to a war built on lies and while there you killed a ten year old child might possibly be the hardest, most honest and wise thing a father could do. I think it is important to trust that our sons and daughters are strong enough to know the truth and wise enough to know what to do with it.
Posted by JOS on from PR 11/30 at 08:01 AM“As part of an information offensive in Iraq, the U.S. military is secretly paying Iraqi newspapers to publish stories written by American troops in an effort to burnish the image of the U.S. mission in Iraq.”
Just think...the US media could be making a fortune...as of now, they print whatever the Government wants for free.
“story”
Posted by JOS on from PR 11/30 at 10:00 AMResident Bush’s personal stenographer, Bob Woodward, the guy who was the first reporter contacted in the Plame scandal but never thought to tell anyone about it, also screwed John Belushi:
One interesting paragraph from the above link:
‘Al Franken remembers seeing Woodward in the office of “SNL” producer Lorne Michaels. “I went over to [Woodward] and said, ‘Well, you know, the only time I ever saw John snorting coke was with [Woodward’s colleague] Carl Bernstein.’ And that was the last I ever heard from him.” (Franken assures us that he was just kidding.)’
Posted by JOS on from PR 11/30 at 10:17 AMJOS, hopefully Iraqi readers of these faked news stories will have the good sense that we do here and recognize shit when it stinks.
Hey, I got an email from Hillary Clinton yesterday! Stop by my blog for my response to the distinguished Senator from New York. I’m taking a poll: do any Expendables think I’ve gone too soft on her?
Posted by Keir on from The Hague 11/30 at 10:51 AMThanks, as always, for the links, Big Country. As for the Pentagon Papers, like you, I’ve only read bits and pieces.
Keir: I like your approach with Hillary, re: she works for us. That concept is so rarely articulated in public discourse that it took me aback at first. You’re right: Who cares what Hillary thinks if more than 50% of New Yorkers don’t agree? If she wants to tout her opinion, let her start a goddamned blog. Right now, she take orders from us. If only…
Crazy, crazy day on NYC subways today. I just might tell the story on Saturday.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 11:14 AMwhatever happened to bernstein?
Coming soon: Online hugs: http://tinyurl.com/98s5j
Monkeys have accents too, researchers say: http://tinyurl.com/d4tcr
US Soldiers Danced Around Dead Iraqi Civilians: Report: http://tinyurl.com/7stnu
Clinton paints false picture of “progress” for Sri Lanka’s tsunami victims :http://tinyurl.com/bvcwv
One earthquake could leave two-thirds of Californians without drinking water: http://tinyurl.com/8u339
and a quote from stalin:
Print is the sharpest and the strongest weapon of our party.
-Joseph Stalinjoe stalin dictator of russia he was also mentioned in that Living Colour song “Cult of Personality”
look into my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of personality
I know your anger, i know your dreams
I’ve been everything you want to be
I’m the cult of personality
Like mussolini and kennedy
I’m the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personalityNeon lights, a nobel prize
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your t.v.
I’m the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love meI tell you one and one makes three
I’m the cult of personality
Like joseph stalin and gandi
I’m the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personalityNeon lights a nobel prize
A leader speaks, that leader dies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set you freeYou gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You me power in your god’s name
I’m every person you need to be
I’m the cult of personality
Look into my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of personality
I know your anger, i know your dreams
I’ve been everything you want to be
I’m the cult of personality
Like mussolini and kennedy
I’m the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personalityNeon lights, a nobel prize
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your t.v.
I’m the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love meI tell you one and one makes three
I’m the cult of personality
Like joseph stalin and gandi
I’m the cult of personality
Cult of personality
Cult of personalityNeon lights a nobel prize
A leader speaks, that leader dies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set you freeYou gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You me power in your god’s name
I’m every person you need to be
I’m the cult of personalityPosted by tm on from underground 11/30 at 11:22 AMThanks for all that, TM. Lots of variety. You know, I used to train Bernstein in the 80s. Not very talkative but always on the make for women. He’d walk over to the desk and ask me if I had time to work with him. I’d say: “I’ll train you if you tell me who Deep Throat is.” He’d just laugh and ignore me...every single time.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 11:46 AMKeir, I am quite sure that Iraqi citizens are better at identifying fake news than their US counterparts.
OK Mick, here’s one for the second edition of 50AR if it’s not in there already (I haven’t finished it yet):
Posted by JOS on from PR 11/30 at 12:54 PMI like that one, Big Country. I printed it out and will bring it with me for my B&N talk next. People always ask me for other examples and that one is perfect. Thanks.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 02:22 PMThanks for another great post, Mickey! I know, I know I am repeating myself but some things just have to be said over and over again.
And hi Michael, JOS, Keir and tm! It’s the first day of summer in Australia: 1 December 2005 7:15 am and we’ll have about 90F today.Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 11/30 at 03:15 PMThanks, Helga. One day let in November, and I’m still in shorts here.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 03:28 PMYou’re still in shorts Mickey? Can we have a link to a pic please? (Don’t tell Michele ..)
And that is a great poem by Mr Ehrhart!Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 11/30 at 04:40 PMYou are naughty, Helga.
Where’s Joe today? You know I’ve been thinking about your interest in PR and I’ve been coming up with a new blog concept dedicated to the island and its people. When things calm down here, I think I will run with it. It will include many pictures.
Mudge, you are down to your final hours...why don’t you take a break and join us?
Posted by JOS on from Calle Colón 11/30 at 04:56 PMYou’re gonna have to be satisfied with me in the dress for now, Helga.
I like your idea for a blog, JOS. I’m assuming you’ll include plenty of island history and politics.
We want Mudge...we want Mudge…
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 05:18 PMMore about Venezuela: http://tinyurl.com/dsvcy
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 05:23 PMHistory, politics and the people’s current situation would be its focus...there is so much to discuss here. I’ve always been interested in photography and hopefully, as my Spanish improves I will be able to really talk to the people I want to learn about...this island is full of interesting people in hard situations.
The US interference in Venezuela’s politics is shameful…
Posted by JOS on from Calle Colón 11/30 at 06:08 PM(warning: yankees subject matter ahead)
by the way, Mick...what do you think about this scenerio?:
I don’t think it will happen, but I wouldn’t dismiss it entirely either.
Posted by JOS on from Calle Colón 11/30 at 06:15 PMBig Country, I’d hate to see the Yanks change the left side of their infield. What I’m dreaming about is Ichiro getting tired of losing in Seattle and ending up in pinstripes. There have been a few rumors that he’s on the block.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 06:37 PMHi Mickey & JOS & Helga ( Happy Summer! It’s almost winter, here… ) & TM & Michael & Keir -
Nice stuff from and about Mr. Erhart, Mickey. It’s cool that he wrote you…
This morning I saw an ad on TV, for a group called the Paralyzed Veterans of America. ( Or, something like that. ) A spokesperson, in a wheelchair, surrounded by wife & kids, spoke about his war-related injuries, and about how it was nearly impossible to rely on the government for the care required by folks with spinal-cord trauma… hence, the organization.
Vicious, callous bastards, eh? Send `em home to their families, many of which already require food-stamps to survive, though their loved-ones are risking their lives for the Empire - and once home, #### `em… let `em rot… And meanwhile, prattle on about the nobility and valor of our precious young men and women in uniform.
Wonderful article on Tubman, JOS. Of course, 150 years later, they’re still not free, and most of the country is in need of some sort of “underground railroad...” I’ll take a couple tickets, right now!
I like the idea of a change of focus for your Blog, JOS. I’m most interested in PR, and will be grateful for the pics and the education. Rock and roll, my friend.BTW - I sat down with my “questionnaire,” a couple hours ago. Will send it out soon, hopefully. Sorry I’ve delayed for so long. I feel like one of those comedic plate-jugglers… things are consistently crashing down and flying round all over the place.
I just read a short essay by Ivan Illich. He describes our situation as one of -
“industrialized impotence,”
an impoverishment of everyone in ‘civilization,’ poor and rich…
Great phrase, eh?Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/30 at 06:40 PMi take it nobody tried to sign up to the blairwatch thing? its important. truth out and all that.
that said, i signed up ages ago and it still isn’t showing.
anyone?
are we speaking the same ‘language’?
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/30 at 06:41 PMI like that, Joe. We could all use our own version of an underground railroad.
Michael, I went to the Blair site this morning but I’m not sure if I’ll load the button. I already use too much bandwidth. I will use the button in individual posts, however.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 06:47 PMi did a post on my blog about meeting scott ritter and was worried about it sounding like i was name dropping. i had the idea for a series.. “the day i met...” whoever it was - but i know that that sounds wank whether i meant it to or not so i stopped it before i really started.
something that ritter did say… he didn’t say it to me personally or anything. it was part of his speech.
he said that whether it was scotland, UK, France, Germany, all of them combined, the EU (which is much more) or whatever, it didn’t matter. even if everyone objected then it still doesn’t matter.
according to him, all that matters is if enough folks in the US object then something will happen. if not, everyone else in the world is going to have to put up with it because the US spends more on weapons than the rest of the world combined.
i happen to disagree.
all empires fall.
the amazing thing about the US government is that they haven’t seemed to realise this.the US empire may be better than the ones that will follow it and it might not be but can we really deny we are living in the US empire? the US people have not realised that it is an empire either.
military bases in more than half the countries on earth. control over the economic systems thru the IMF WB and WTO. cultural dominance via hollywood.
it’s an empire.
it’s an empire.
it’s an empire.the british know this fine well because they did it and failed already.
so did the french, the mongols. the russians, the nazis etc etc etc
don’t know why i went into this rant but not going to delete it.
mickey, cheers. i am saying all of this because it seems sometimes that those living at the heart of the empire don’t see what happens beyond the borders.
thats what happened here anyway.
p.s. UK no better… in fact ..precursor
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/30 at 07:12 PMHey Michael the difference between all those other empires and the one I was born in is that the present empire is the only one that can zap all existence into oblivion at the push of a button. Also, some of the rulers of said empire really believe in shit like armaggedon and so on. Sure, Hitler was a nihilist but that’s a much easier pill to swallow, for me anyway, than the stuff christian fundamentalists claim to believe.
So yeah, I’ll say it for you: it’s an empire.
But I think Scott Ritter was being slightly arrogant. It truly would make some difference if the Europeans would get off their high horse and stop pretending like they don’t have a moral obligation to stand up to the US. It’s easy for Ritter to say because Europe is so “center-right” right now, whatever the hell that means. Ten more big shots like Zapatero in Spain and the pressure would be on in a big way. I guess.
1:30am in The Hague. I’m out.
Posted by Keir on from The Hague 11/30 at 07:29 PMI’m glad you didn’t delete your post, Michael. The truth needs to be repeated. Memories need to be refreshed. What you say is essential and is not stated often enough. I have often declared in public talks that the U.S. is land built on myth and the greatest myth of all is that America will last forever.
Cheers right back to you.
Over and “out.”
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 07:31 PMSorry, Keir, I “made” my post as you were typing. Ritter may be arrogant but his end may somewhat justify his means. Americans need to be, figuratively speaking, slapped into awareness...I just don’t think it’s necessary for him to downplay the hard work of activists outside America.
Like most issues, it’s complex but, yes, a great first step would be to snap out of the denial and call America what it is: an empire.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 07:34 PMcheers agin mick
keir..
empire methodology has only changed in relation to its technology. the british empire was as brutal as it could get away with. the US empire has behaved in the same way. there is no point n killing everyone because then there is no one to dominate
that is the way these fuckers think - it doesn’t matter if white, black, british, american. chinese (which will supplant american) or whatever
apologies. we all know this. just repeating the obvious...its what i do for a ‘living’
Posted by michael on from scotland 11/30 at 07:42 PMFIFTY-FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND SIX WORDS
SEVERAL RUPTURED CORRESPONDENCES
TWO DOGS WHO DON’T REMEMBER WHO I AM
AND
ONE BLUE CERTIFICATEI am, faithless to the dictates of common sense, taking Punkin up on his offer of a reward for ending a writer’s block theat began before he was born. “Simply” irresistable.
I’ll hate myself in the morning. With a well-laid glow.
Anybody seen Rosemarie? I dedicated the book to her, she might want to read it or something.
Posted by Mudge on from Dear, dead Austin 11/30 at 08:39 PMThe Return of the Mudge
If I ever get my Nano Novel published, I’ll dedicate it to The Mudge.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 08:45 PMMichael & Keir -
Here’s a little quote from a guy named William Morris, from 1885. During my “darker” moments, I almost agree:
“I have no more faith than a grain of mustard seed in the future of “civilization,” which I know now is doomed to destruction, and probably before very long; what a joy it is to think of! and how often it consoles me to think of barbarism once more flooding the world, and real feelings and passions, however rudimentary, taking the place of our wretched hypocrisies… I used really to despair because I thought that what the idiots of our day call progress would go on perfecting itself: Happily, I know that all will have a sudden check.”As to Ritter -
Let’s recall that he thinks of himself as
“A Marine.”
This subtlety should explain a great deal to those familiar with such self-identifications.OK - Mudge, where are you? Can’t you hear the chanting of the vast crowds? “Mudge, Mudge, Mudge!”
Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/30 at 08:46 PMMudge, Welcome back!
The populations of the earth are pleased!And me, too.
Posted by joe on from Oregon 11/30 at 08:50 PMMudge is in the motherfucking house.
Posted by JOS on from Calle Colón 11/30 at 09:38 PMHello everyone…
Joe, I am thinking this PR blog will be at a new address...new beginnings for me. 90 days clean and sober yesterday.
Hey, talking about questionaires, I got a rare good one from my little brother today:
1. Choose a band / artist and answer ONLY in titles of their songs:
2. Are you male or female:
3. Describe yourself:
4. How do some people feel about you:
5. How do you feel about yourself:
6. ex boyfriends/girlfriends/crushes:
7. Describe current boyfriend/girlfriend/crush:
8. Describe where you want to be:
9. Describe how you live:
10. Describe how you love:
11. What would you ask for if you had just one wish:
12. Share a few words of Wisdom:
13. Now say goodbye:
I did mine already using Johnny Cash, but didn’t save it, it was fun so I may try again tomorrow.
Posted by JOS on from Calle Colón 11/30 at 09:41 PMSome quick answers, JOS:
1. Choose a band / artist and answer ONLY in titles of their songs: Bob Dylan
2. Are you male or female: “It ain’t me you’re looking for, babe”
3. Describe yourself: “Ain’t it clear that I just can’t fit?”
4. How do some people feel about you: “People see me all the time and they just can’t remember how to act”
5. How do you feel about yourself: “I got a head full of ideas that are driving me insane”
6. ex boyfriends/girlfriends/crushes: “She was married when we first met...soon to be divorced”
7. Describe current boyfriend/girlfriend/crush: “She’s got everything she needs, she’s an artist, she don’t look back”
8. Describe where you want to be: “In the empty lot where the ladies play blind man’s bluff with the key chain”
9. Describe how you live: “I ain’t looking to compete with you, beat or cheat or mistreat you. Simplify you, classify you, deny, defy, or crucify you. All I really wanna do is, baby, be friends with you.”
10. Describe how you love: “I’m looking for a woman who’s head’s mixed up like me”
11. What would you ask for if you had just one wish: “I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes. You’d know what a drag it is to see you.”
12. Share a few words of Wisdom: “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows”
13. Now say goodbye: “I believe it’s time for me to quit”
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 10:05 PMSpeaking of saying goodbye: Signing off at 10:15 from Astoria.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/30 at 10:15 PMNice, Mick. Great answers…
Bad news, I hear they’re going to kill Tookie...need verification, but damn.
Good(?) night.
Posted by JOS on from Calle Colón 11/30 at 10:34 PMMichael, not to be contradictory, but I think that if the US used its technology now to the extent that previous empires did, then the planet Earth would consist of a few grains of sand inhabited by a pair of cockroaches and some styrofoam packaging, orbiting the moon. Say what you want about the metaphorical truth of that anyway, but when the US decides to “go British” as an empire in the technological sense, you and I will be having this conversation telepathically with the other 8 billion people now alive as happy little angels in heaven. What wakes me up in the morning and prevents me from sleeping at night is how little I want to sit up in a cloud sharing my thoughts about the perfect weather telepathically with, well, anyone.
Mickey I agree that a good first step is waking up the sleeping giant of American opposition. “I try all things; I achieve what I can” (Melville, Moby Dick, favorite of the Expendables, ha ha). But again, Europe shouldn’t pretend it is not complicit in American crimes. Paul Street has wrote a good article on this subject in late 2004 I think. I’ll have a look for it later.
Posted by Keir on from The Hague 12/01 at 02:59 AMWell done Mickey and Mudge, and thank you doubly for the suggestion Mudge. I´m on my home stretch and extremely pleased with it.
Posted by Owen on from Barcelona 12/01 at 05:07 AMHow about supplying Amazon’s customers with a clue as to what The Biggest Mistake is about? You won’t get any sales unless we have a rough idea what it’s about.
Posted by Internet Surfer on from 12/03 at 02:46 PMGood point, Surfer...but I have to rely on the publisher to do so. For now, I can tell you it’s a collection of roughly 40 articles on a wide range of political, social, and cultural topics.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 12/03 at 04:03 PMP.S. The actual title is A Gigantic Mistake.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 12/03 at 04:04 PM
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