Showing posts with label terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label terrorism. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
As many people died in Iraq this week as in India. Where are the headlines?
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 | Original Musings by
Jen
(from iCasualties)
Iraqi Security Forces and Civilian Deaths Detail
Note: Iraqi deaths based on news reports . This is not a definitive count.
India has had these kind of incidents for years. What about the 2,500 who were taken off a train and murdered in 2002? Where were the headlines then?
Where is the international outrage?
The candle vigils?
Where is the mass outpouring of financial donations to help the survivors the families of the victims?
Or do we only do that with Wall Street Americans? Not poor Iraqi civilians and Rich that live a half a world away.
Iraqi Security Forces and Civilian Deaths Detail
| Dec-08 | 63 |
| Nov-08 | 317 |
| Oct-08 | 288 |
| Sep-08 | 366 |
| Aug-08 | 311 |
| Jul-08 | 419 |
| Jun-08 | 450 |
| May-08 | 506 |
| Apr-08 | 744 |
| Mar-08 | 980 |
| Feb-08 | 674 |
| Jan-08 | 554 |
| Dec-07 | 548 |
| Nov-07 | 560 |
| Oct-07 | 679 |
| Sep-07 | 848 |
| Aug-07 | 1,674 |
| Jul-07 | 1,690 |
| Jun-07 | 1,345 |
| May-07 | 1,980 |
| Apr-07 | 1,821 |
| Mar-07 | 2,977 |
| Feb-07 | 3,014 |
| Jan-07 | 1,802 |
| Dec-06 | 1,752 |
| Nov-06 | 1,864 |
| Oct-06 | 1,539 |
| Sep-06 | 3,539 |
| Aug-06 | 2,966 |
| Jul-06 | 1,280 |
| Jun-06 | 870 |
| May-06 | 1,119 |
| Apr-06 | 1,009 |
| Mar-06 | 1,092 |
| Feb-06 | 846 |
| Jan-06 | 779 |
Note: Iraqi deaths based on news reports . This is not a definitive count.
India has had these kind of incidents for years. What about the 2,500 who were taken off a train and murdered in 2002? Where were the headlines then?
Where is the international outrage?
The candle vigils?
Where is the mass outpouring of financial donations to help the survivors the families of the victims?
Or do we only do that with Wall Street Americans? Not poor Iraqi civilians and Rich that live a half a world away.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Who Needs Water When We Have Bombs
An article today that caught my eye:
Scientist urge $2-3 billion study of ocean health
Scientist urge $2-3 billion study of ocean health
By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent
OSLO, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Marine scientists called on Sunday for a $2-3 billion study of threats such as overfishing and climate change to the oceans, saying they were as little understood as the Moon.
A better network of satellites, tsunami monitors, drifting robotic probes or electronic tags on fish within a decade could also help lessen the impact of natural disasters, pollution or damaging algal blooms, they said. (click the above link to read more)
I would assume this study is a good thing. After all, oceans cover over 2/3 of the earth. Freshwater supplies are shrinking, and desalination for 3rd world countries remains cost prohibitive. I think I'm safe in assuming the oceans are our largest natural resource.
Then I googled and found: An estimated 80% of all life on earth is found under the ocean surface. Also, it's estimated that less than 10% of that space has been explored by humans. Each year, three times as much rubbish is dumped into the world's oceans as the weight of fish caught.
All of this is great and I think worthy cause! Actually I do! (I know, most of the time I'm making fun of these studies...but this one seems rational and necessary to me) Then I got to thinking about what else are we spending that money on current. Well, for starters... the war.
Do you realize the $2 billion dollars scientist want for this unprecedented study is dwarfed by our war in
Why worry about the future health of our planet from our largest resource, when we can destroy a country and millions of peoples lives today?
Monday, August 07, 2006
War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength
We all knew Big Brother was here, but now it's even easier to access.
Wait until criminals get ahold of this and notice you're on vacation 3 states away.... time to come over and load up their van.
I know there's a joke in here somewhere about psycho-girlfriends, but I'm really too disturbed by this to make a light-hearted joke.
If we all don't start to put an end to what the government (and these cash greedy private firms) are beginning (the extermination of ANY privacy and rights we as American Citizens have) then the Orwell Novel 1984 will more than be fiction.
Monday, July 31, 2006
My Religion Has a Bigger Dick than Your Religion
originally posted on myspace.com on July 31, 2006
This is what happens when we let men run the countries. We have conflicts, wars, police actions, etc. All because of testosterone posturing. Yes, folks, they have to prove to the world who is bigger.
Slap your religion behind your cause, and all of a sudden, your position is supposed to have validity, and the bombing is done because its Gods will. God hates those infidels across the border in case you didn't know.
A few random thoughts about God, war, and religion....
1) When it comes to killing in the name of your God, I especially get my panties in a wad. First of all, how do you KNOW you're right? Did God personally come down and tell you to kill those infidels across the border?
2) When God speaks to you, it's a good idea to listen.
3) When someone tells you God spoke to them though, it's a good idea to double-check. Here are a few examples:
~ David Koresh & the need to stockpile more ammunition than Ft. Bragg
~ that Utah polygamy-guy on the FBIs most wanted
~ and our current President who said God wanted him to win I always thought of God as more of a Libertarian.
I think religion is great and serves a purpose in many peoples lives. It gives purpose, direction, guidance, support, and a center they can come to when life gets crazy.
I also think it can be taken too far (and becomes a negative in life) and when it takes away a persons ability to think independently. Religion should be to enrich your life, not dictate every thought and action.
Killing in the name of religion is one of the most revolting things I can think of. Both sides pray to the same God before they go off to kill each other. In spite of the many differences among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, they share a fundamental belief in God as compassionate and just. Maybe a little less posturing and a little more compassion gets us back to where all religions think we should be.
This is what happens when we let men run the countries. We have conflicts, wars, police actions, etc. All because of testosterone posturing. Yes, folks, they have to prove to the world who is bigger.
Slap your religion behind your cause, and all of a sudden, your position is supposed to have validity, and the bombing is done because its Gods will. God hates those infidels across the border in case you didn't know.
A few random thoughts about God, war, and religion....
1) When it comes to killing in the name of your God, I especially get my panties in a wad. First of all, how do you KNOW you're right? Did God personally come down and tell you to kill those infidels across the border?
2) When God speaks to you, it's a good idea to listen.
3) When someone tells you God spoke to them though, it's a good idea to double-check. Here are a few examples:
~ David Koresh & the need to stockpile more ammunition than Ft. Bragg
~ that Utah polygamy-guy on the FBIs most wanted
~ and our current President who said God wanted him to win I always thought of God as more of a Libertarian.
I think religion is great and serves a purpose in many peoples lives. It gives purpose, direction, guidance, support, and a center they can come to when life gets crazy.
I also think it can be taken too far (and becomes a negative in life) and when it takes away a persons ability to think independently. Religion should be to enrich your life, not dictate every thought and action.
Killing in the name of religion is one of the most revolting things I can think of. Both sides pray to the same God before they go off to kill each other. In spite of the many differences among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, they share a fundamental belief in God as compassionate and just. Maybe a little less posturing and a little more compassion gets us back to where all religions think we should be.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Being Spoon Fed by the Media?
originally posted on myspace.com on June 9, 2006
Ok, this is two blogs in one, though related.
The first part is disappointment that a story I feel is VERY important to the current war and the future of our military that is not being discussed. Secondly, is it not being discussed because of political power & the American public being spoon fed by those in control?
Or is this story simply not as important as I think it is?
The story I'm referring to is that the Pentagon has decided to take the Geneva Detainee rules from the military field manuals, because in a post-9/11 world, things must be done differently (so they say). Here is a partial quote and a link to the article:
"The Pentagon has decided to omit from new detainee policies a key tenet of the Geneva Convention that explicitly bans "humiliating and degrading treatment," according to knowledgeable military officials, a step that would mark a further, potentially permanent, shift away from strict adherence to international human rights standards."
Click Here to read whole story
I heard this on a short blurb on a local station, but have no seen it discussed AT ALL on CNN, or FOX, or on talk radio (that I have listened to). Shouldn't this be debated more fiercely than the gay marriage amendment? I mean, we established that convention after ww2 and the atrocities that were experienced then. (here is a little background on the Geneva Convention if interested : Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It's interesting)
This story has much bigger ramifications than the current war. How can the US decide it no longer has to play by international rules? We then become the outlaws and see ourselves above the law.
Interestingly, the government is able to convince Americans that this is in our best interest. How do they do that? Through use of political power and the media.
There are two main sources of political power (in my opinion). 1: mass opinion. 2: money.
Money can buy soldiers. Opinion can buy unity. Opinion, not money, should be the first and main tool at all times!
Today the media is controlled by the tempters, who gain money by means of what the mass likes to hear most. There is no simpler a goal, then the control of the media. One message can be copied and sent to millions of men, while millions of soldiers would be needed to oppress millions of men. Using the military to control the people is what the stupid leader does, as it is both costly and inefficient. Mobilization of opinion is hard to start, and hard to stop; it picks up momentum. An idea can become a religion, and religion people will die for and blindly defend.
The media of today is reminiscent to me of "newspeak" and "doublespeak" from Orwell's book 1984. In todays media those methods are being used with Americans. Here are a few examples:
1) When they kill, they're terrorists. When we kill, we're striking against terror.
2) When terrorists attack, they're terrorizing. When we attack, we're retaliating.
3) When people decry civilian deaths caused by the U.S. government, they're aiding propaganda efforts. But, when civilian deaths are caused by bombers who hate America, the perpetrators are evil and those deaths are tragedies.
Fifty-two years ago, Orwell wrote an essay titled "Politics and the English Language." Today, his words remain as relevant as ever: "In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible."
Labels:
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government,
liberties,
news,
patriot act,
politics,
state of fear,
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Slippery Slope and the Patriot Act
originally posted on myspace.com on May 17, 2006
The slippery slope is an argument for the likelihood of one event given another. Invoking the "slippery slope" means arguing that one action will initiate a chain of events that will lead to a (generally undesirable) event later.
There are a lot of slippery slope arguments that I always find interesting, because it forces me sometimes to draw a line in the sand and say "I believe this" but "I do not believe in this". For example, a common one is about gay marriage.... if we allow gay marriage then next we'll have to allow polygamous marriage (which I don't believe).
A slippery slope argument that is on my mind today is that a small decrease in liberty will grow larger over time. Once we allow small liberties to be taken away, then it'll be easier in the future for more to be taken away. This is one slippery slope argument I can support.
Daily in the news we hear about our phone records being gathered, easedropping without warrants, and even our library records. After the Patriot Act was passed, a book club I belong to will not keep your previous orders (supposedly) on record more than 90 days. Simply because if compelled, they would have to release those records. If they don't have them, there is nothing to give to the government.
This is not the first time in our history where liberties that have taken decades to build up have been taken away from citizens. Hindsight makes the shameful internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the FBI's ruthless prosecution of civil rights leaders in the 1960s and 1970s universally condemned. We must be mindful of those lessons today.
George Orwell was right after all. In 1984 (one of my favorite books), Orwell wrote his book as a cautionary tale to underscore the insidious danger of slowly eroded individual liberties. His Thought Police may not yet be on the march, but it's not hyperbole to point out the eerie parallels with today's America. In America today, Big Brother is watching.
Ben Franklin said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." I'll admit, after 9-11, I was more ok with the Patriot Act than I am now. I had reservations, but believed in the "greater good." I was alone in Minneapolis in my apartment, pregnant, and wondering why can't the government protect us. How far my opinion has changed since then and I question more. The so-called "Patriot Act" scares me, as does the wiretapping and eavesdropping stories we're hearing about lately. I fear that like the Galactic Senate in Star Wars (Revenge of the Sith), we're letting liberty die... to thunderous applause.
I am reminded of a news story within the last year of a pizza parlor in Israel. They were having a grand reopening on the 1 year anniversary of a bombing that killed about a dozen patrons, including school age children. Some of the patrons that were injured and witnesses the day of the bombing were present at the reopening event. In the interviews with each of them the overwhelming theme was that they were there to show the terrorists that the survivors were not scared and the terrorists did not win.
Mark Twain said once, "that courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear". If we are to be courageous and stand up to threats again us and our country, then we can not allow our fears erode our freedom. THAT is how we fight terrorism.
(oh, and obviously spell check was not used, but hopefully you get the point....)
The slippery slope is an argument for the likelihood of one event given another. Invoking the "slippery slope" means arguing that one action will initiate a chain of events that will lead to a (generally undesirable) event later.
There are a lot of slippery slope arguments that I always find interesting, because it forces me sometimes to draw a line in the sand and say "I believe this" but "I do not believe in this". For example, a common one is about gay marriage.... if we allow gay marriage then next we'll have to allow polygamous marriage (which I don't believe).
A slippery slope argument that is on my mind today is that a small decrease in liberty will grow larger over time. Once we allow small liberties to be taken away, then it'll be easier in the future for more to be taken away. This is one slippery slope argument I can support.
Daily in the news we hear about our phone records being gathered, easedropping without warrants, and even our library records. After the Patriot Act was passed, a book club I belong to will not keep your previous orders (supposedly) on record more than 90 days. Simply because if compelled, they would have to release those records. If they don't have them, there is nothing to give to the government.
This is not the first time in our history where liberties that have taken decades to build up have been taken away from citizens. Hindsight makes the shameful internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the FBI's ruthless prosecution of civil rights leaders in the 1960s and 1970s universally condemned. We must be mindful of those lessons today.
George Orwell was right after all. In 1984 (one of my favorite books), Orwell wrote his book as a cautionary tale to underscore the insidious danger of slowly eroded individual liberties. His Thought Police may not yet be on the march, but it's not hyperbole to point out the eerie parallels with today's America. In America today, Big Brother is watching.
Ben Franklin said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." I'll admit, after 9-11, I was more ok with the Patriot Act than I am now. I had reservations, but believed in the "greater good." I was alone in Minneapolis in my apartment, pregnant, and wondering why can't the government protect us. How far my opinion has changed since then and I question more. The so-called "Patriot Act" scares me, as does the wiretapping and eavesdropping stories we're hearing about lately. I fear that like the Galactic Senate in Star Wars (Revenge of the Sith), we're letting liberty die... to thunderous applause.
I am reminded of a news story within the last year of a pizza parlor in Israel. They were having a grand reopening on the 1 year anniversary of a bombing that killed about a dozen patrons, including school age children. Some of the patrons that were injured and witnesses the day of the bombing were present at the reopening event. In the interviews with each of them the overwhelming theme was that they were there to show the terrorists that the survivors were not scared and the terrorists did not win.
Mark Twain said once, "that courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear". If we are to be courageous and stand up to threats again us and our country, then we can not allow our fears erode our freedom. THAT is how we fight terrorism.
(oh, and obviously spell check was not used, but hopefully you get the point....)
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