Consider these "Power and Conflict" proverbs and imagine how our lives would be so different under the leadership of one who understood then lived by such simple ideas:
. A certain peace is to be preferred to an expected victory.
. A good prince does not cut out freedom's tongue.
. A tyrant's breath is another's death.
. A war, even when most victorious, is a national misfortune.
. An ill man in office is a mischief to the public.
. An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.
. Argument seldom convinces anyone against their inclination.
. Better a lean peace than a fat victory.
. Black ambition stains a public cause.
. Bribes will enter without knocking.
. By wisdom peace, by peace plenty.
. Cursed is he that doth his office craftily, corruptly or maliciously.
. From prudence peace, from peace abundance.
. Give me liberty or give me death.
. Good fences make good neighbours. (As do protected borders. LST)
. He that is hated by his subjects cannot be king.
. He who cannot command himself, it is folly to think to command others.
. If peace cannot be maintained with honour it is no longer peace.
. In a false quarrel there is no true valour.
. In time of war the devil makes more room in hell.
. In war reputation is strength.
. It is a bad war from which no one returns.
. It is the raised stick makes the dog obey.
. Office tests the man.
. One peace is better than ten victories.
. One volunteer is worth two pressed men.
. Oppression causes rebellion.
. Our master is our enemy.
. Peace flourishes when reason rules.
. Peace with a cudgel in hand is war.
. Peace without truth is poison.
. Set thine house in order.
. Talk of the war but do not go to it.
. The best government is that which governs least.
. The hearts of the people are the only legitimate foundations of empire.
. The world without peace is the soldier's pay.
. There are no miracles in politics.
. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder.
. They that buy an office must sell something.
. To preserve friendship one must build walls. (And guard borders! LST)
. Tyranny is far the worse treason.
. War is a proceeding that ruins those who succeed.
. War makes robbers and peace hangs them.
. When war is raging the laws are dumb.
. Where money and counsel are wanting it is better not to make war.
. Who fills an office must learn to bear reproach and blame.
. Who shall keep the keepers?
Presidents dream of leaving a legacy for which they will be remembered. George W. Bush will certainly fulfill this dream.
William Shakespeare said, "No legacy is so rich as honesty."
Bush will be remembered for WMDs and dishonesty – making his legacy anything but "rich."
President Bush had his chance. He had the support of millions of Americans, but... Woe be to him whose advocate becomes his accuser.
Lastly…When God means to punish a nation.... He deprives its rulers of wisdom.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Sunday, August 28, 2005
What does ultra liberal mean to me?
To me it means everyone deserves adequate health care, food for those in need, a roof over their heads, etc.......I do not believe in blood for oil nor raping of my country by those that pillage and attempt to re-write the constitution in the name of religion and anti-terrorism. I believe in sharing the wealth, not hoarding the wealth nor one sided distribution of the wealth. I believe those that profit from un-just war should have a fair trial but be tried never the less for war crimes especially when it causes unwarranted deaths........It means serving your country when you are needed and waiting until it is "over" to question what it is all about but being damn sure you question it when you can. In a nutshell.......Follow our constitution instead of twisting it to help the wealthy religious right wing whores. To the person responsible for giving me that "tag", I'm sure it means something different. But I also believe everyone has a right to their own opinion.
L-man (an old hippy....)
Which 'Bush' Is Terrorism Hiding Behind??
Sadly, the American republic is on life support. Read Chalmers Johnson’s “Sorrows of Empire” if you want a good sense of the role of the American military around the world. If the U.S. military was really fighting “terrorism”, they’d have to bomb D.C. into rubble as the U.S. is the number one terrorist state in the world. Look at the historical record: training and funding for death squads throughout Central America—many of these terrorists and torturers trained at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia. Look at the support for terrorist groups, such as the Contras backed by Reagan, in their attacks on schools, clinics, farms, and the torture, rape, and murder of civilians. Examine the extermination of perhaps half a million people by the U.S. armed and trained Indonesian military led by Suharto in 1965. The U.S. provided lists of people to be tortured and murdered. Take a look at the terrorist coups against democratic governments: Arbenz in Guatemala 1954; against the democratic, secular Mosaddeq in 1953 in Iran. The U.S. and Brits installed a murderous, torturing dictator—the Shah—ultimately leading, in reaction, to the Islamic revolution. In 1973 the government helped overthrow the democratically elected Allende government and supported the fascist Pinochet as he murdered and tortured tens of thousands of Chileans. The democratically elected Aristide was just taken out by a U.S. backed coup--so much for the Orwellian mantra of "freedom and democracy."
By the way, the U.S. is refusing to extradite known Cuban terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, who helped blowup an airliner 1976 that killed 73 people, to Venezuela where he’s a fugitive from a prison break. Ironically, he’s in Texas on an immigration charge of entering the U.S. illegally. (Just more evidence that the so-called ‘war on terror’ is a massive fraud.) He’s asking for refugee status! There’s no sign that the Bush regime intends to arrest him as a terrorist. By the logic of American fascists, Venezuela should have the right to invade the U.S., kill a hundred thousand or so of our civilians, install a puppet regime, and occupy us for the next 50 years or so because of our government’s clear support for terrorists and terrorism.
Never forget that Saddam was recruited by the CIA in 1959 for a terrorist assassination attempt against Iraqi leader Qasim. He continued under their support and tutelage for years. When the Bathists came to power in Iraq, the U.S. provided lists of people again to be tortured and murdered—most were students, professors, doctors, lawyers, and trade unionists who were considered too ‘undependable’ to live. That’s terrorism. That’s murder. Recall that the U.S.--and particularly the Reagan/Bush Sr. gang--armed and supported Saddam in the 1980s when he carried out most of his killings of Iraqis. Rumsfeld has been immortalized in a photograph shaking Saddam’s bloody little hand soon after the infamous gassing of the Kurds. Odd, they had no concerns about his widespread torture and murder back then. He was one of “our” dictators. They armed and supported his invasion of Iran, a war that produced a million or so casualties.
Never, never forget that Bush and the PNAC cabal planned their invasion of Iraq long before 9/11. Bush is even on record saying that he planned to start a war so that he could get his domestic agenda rammed through Congress, even before he was selected president. (The neo-cons were impressed by Thatcher’s popularity after the Falklands War with Argentina and saw it as the way to blindfold people with the flag. Nationalism and religion have long served to manipulate the peasants, masses, average folks, etc. The Straussians and Machiavellians running our present regime are very, very adept at that strategy. After all, they have the American version of Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels—more commonly known as Karl Rove-- to plot strategy for them.)
Never forget who created, trained, funded, fostered the muhajedeen that morphed into the 9/11 boys and never forget who was asleep at the wheel when it unfolded. Even the neutered 9/11 commission, specially picked by Bush to avoid unpleasant inquiries, insisted there was absolutely no link between Iraq and 9/11. Don’t forget that Bush and the Neo-cons doctored intelligence and lied to the American public about WMD. They forged documents and went to the UN with fake intelligence and phony photos. They guaranteed that they KNEW EXACTLY where the verboten WMDs were located. All were lies and fabrications by individuals who are (with the exception of the now MIA Colin Powell) CHICKENHAWKS. It’s really unfortunate that we will not see Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, etc. on trial for war crime any time soon.
In the meantime, SUPPORT Cindy Sheehan!
By the way, the U.S. is refusing to extradite known Cuban terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, who helped blowup an airliner 1976 that killed 73 people, to Venezuela where he’s a fugitive from a prison break. Ironically, he’s in Texas on an immigration charge of entering the U.S. illegally. (Just more evidence that the so-called ‘war on terror’ is a massive fraud.) He’s asking for refugee status! There’s no sign that the Bush regime intends to arrest him as a terrorist. By the logic of American fascists, Venezuela should have the right to invade the U.S., kill a hundred thousand or so of our civilians, install a puppet regime, and occupy us for the next 50 years or so because of our government’s clear support for terrorists and terrorism.
Never forget that Saddam was recruited by the CIA in 1959 for a terrorist assassination attempt against Iraqi leader Qasim. He continued under their support and tutelage for years. When the Bathists came to power in Iraq, the U.S. provided lists of people again to be tortured and murdered—most were students, professors, doctors, lawyers, and trade unionists who were considered too ‘undependable’ to live. That’s terrorism. That’s murder. Recall that the U.S.--and particularly the Reagan/Bush Sr. gang--armed and supported Saddam in the 1980s when he carried out most of his killings of Iraqis. Rumsfeld has been immortalized in a photograph shaking Saddam’s bloody little hand soon after the infamous gassing of the Kurds. Odd, they had no concerns about his widespread torture and murder back then. He was one of “our” dictators. They armed and supported his invasion of Iran, a war that produced a million or so casualties.
Never, never forget that Bush and the PNAC cabal planned their invasion of Iraq long before 9/11. Bush is even on record saying that he planned to start a war so that he could get his domestic agenda rammed through Congress, even before he was selected president. (The neo-cons were impressed by Thatcher’s popularity after the Falklands War with Argentina and saw it as the way to blindfold people with the flag. Nationalism and religion have long served to manipulate the peasants, masses, average folks, etc. The Straussians and Machiavellians running our present regime are very, very adept at that strategy. After all, they have the American version of Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels—more commonly known as Karl Rove-- to plot strategy for them.)
Never forget who created, trained, funded, fostered the muhajedeen that morphed into the 9/11 boys and never forget who was asleep at the wheel when it unfolded. Even the neutered 9/11 commission, specially picked by Bush to avoid unpleasant inquiries, insisted there was absolutely no link between Iraq and 9/11. Don’t forget that Bush and the Neo-cons doctored intelligence and lied to the American public about WMD. They forged documents and went to the UN with fake intelligence and phony photos. They guaranteed that they KNEW EXACTLY where the verboten WMDs were located. All were lies and fabrications by individuals who are (with the exception of the now MIA Colin Powell) CHICKENHAWKS. It’s really unfortunate that we will not see Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, etc. on trial for war crime any time soon.
In the meantime, SUPPORT Cindy Sheehan!
America is falling asleep AGAIN...
Bombing in Afghanistan Kills One U.S. Serviceman, Injures Four
Associated PressSunday, August 28, 2005
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 27 -- A bomb killed a U.S. service member and wounded four others when it exploded near their armored vehicle in eastern Afghanistan, the military said Saturday.
Why is this not front page news today?? Has America been blinded by all the political turmoil at home? I would think this would be front page news instead of being a 10 liner buried so deep in local papers that unless you are checking football scores you won't even see it. We have been de-sensitized to war! The media has better things to cover now I suppose......like the large pro-war activist turn out near Camp Casey. Never mind that a brave American warrior gave his life yesterday on foriegn soil. Oh well......I guess we have to sacrifice someone so that front page news like the Hawk with a sign calling Cindy Sheehan "BITCH IN A DITCH" can be brought to our attention. I also found it rather odd that the radical, vicious venom spitting pro-war activists were big news in Waco when they were out-numbered 10 to 1 by the anti-war group! While those 2000 Doves were calling for peace and an answer to a single question.......the 200 pro-Bushies were busy shouting obsenities!
Associated PressSunday, August 28, 2005
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 27 -- A bomb killed a U.S. service member and wounded four others when it exploded near their armored vehicle in eastern Afghanistan, the military said Saturday.
Why is this not front page news today?? Has America been blinded by all the political turmoil at home? I would think this would be front page news instead of being a 10 liner buried so deep in local papers that unless you are checking football scores you won't even see it. We have been de-sensitized to war! The media has better things to cover now I suppose......like the large pro-war activist turn out near Camp Casey. Never mind that a brave American warrior gave his life yesterday on foriegn soil. Oh well......I guess we have to sacrifice someone so that front page news like the Hawk with a sign calling Cindy Sheehan "BITCH IN A DITCH" can be brought to our attention. I also found it rather odd that the radical, vicious venom spitting pro-war activists were big news in Waco when they were out-numbered 10 to 1 by the anti-war group! While those 2000 Doves were calling for peace and an answer to a single question.......the 200 pro-Bushies were busy shouting obsenities!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
The last weekend.
Photo update from Camp Casey II. Over a thousand folks are gathered under the massive tent and surrounding encampment for a full day of music. Updates to come...
Friday, August 26, 2005
We live under false premises, the false premises of power. The State has been put over as a fraud. We are promised one thing. We get quite another.
The journey to self-government (anarchism) will be long and tough. We won’t arrive unless and until we clearly understand what the goal implies and why the goal is a good goal. Changes in human nature, in the ways we think, feel, and act, are not a necessary condition for us to create better social and political lives. Changes in understanding are.
We will understand the logic of self-government better when we understand the illogic of the State better. Most portrayals of the State draw on at least three concepts: sovereignty, legitimacy, and territorial integrity. States are defined by legitimate sovereignty over a fixed territorial area, or a legal monopoly of violence in a fixed region. I will argue that each of these three aspects of the State is inherently illogical and self-contradictory: sovereignty or a power monopoly, legality of such a power, and legality of such a power over a fixed area. The confused disorder and insecurity that flow from these contradictions help make the State a fundamentally malignant institution, securing not the blessings of liberty and security but their opposites. .
The journey to self-government (anarchism) will be long and tough. We won’t arrive unless and until we clearly understand what the goal implies and why the goal is a good goal. Changes in human nature, in the ways we think, feel, and act, are not a necessary condition for us to create better social and political lives. Changes in understanding are.
We will understand the logic of self-government better when we understand the illogic of the State better. Most portrayals of the State draw on at least three concepts: sovereignty, legitimacy, and territorial integrity. States are defined by legitimate sovereignty over a fixed territorial area, or a legal monopoly of violence in a fixed region. I will argue that each of these three aspects of the State is inherently illogical and self-contradictory: sovereignty or a power monopoly, legality of such a power, and legality of such a power over a fixed area. The confused disorder and insecurity that flow from these contradictions help make the State a fundamentally malignant institution, securing not the blessings of liberty and security but their opposites. .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
