Love this story. Drug companies are working on a super strong painkiller. As someone who never even takes Tylenol (I've probably been lucky to have only taken it maybe 10 times in my life) I have to wonder what this is for. How much pain are we in? What's causing this pain? Why don't we talk about it instead of just finding ways to avoid talking about it?
It speaks volumes to something that we have been discussing at home recently. Humans have the ability to maintain themselves in dysfunctional behaviour patterns for a long time. I have always hoped (notice I said hoped not acted to make that happen) that civilization would crash sooner rather than later since it was so dysfunctional. Clearcuts, toxic waste, nuclear 'accidents', extinctions, etc, etc. But actually we are just smart enough to keep the death train going.
As much pain as we cause and experience in our ecocide we can just make a new pill to help us keep going.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Good Music
Want to make a recommendation for excellent music. Now I'm probably missing out on something but if you want to hear good new music that likely will never be played on any commercial radio (not that anyone listens to radio anymore apart from rural hermits) check out CBC Radio 2's The Signal. And of course they have a podcast and the ability to listen to past shows plus playlists.
Some interesting bands that I've heard there lately: Glasser, Dreamsploitation, Julianna Barwick and Microbunny.
Some interesting bands that I've heard there lately: Glasser, Dreamsploitation, Julianna Barwick and Microbunny.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Occupy This
Wow, the police are really hammering all the Occupy encampments, it seems, everywhere. It's almost like there is a plan to remove them all at the same time. And it seems that the US at least there was a plan. Clearly someone in power is not happy about this movement.
And the funny thing is that if you look at it, these are just peaceful people spending time together, building interesting organizing structures and going on the occasional march. In some ways it's hardly a challenge to the powerful. Then again they are shining a huge bright light on the corruption at the heart of everything. I'm particularly happy that the occupiers are encouraging people to move their money out of banks to local credit unions.
This article presents a case why the reaction to the occupiers is so forceful. She makes an interesting point that if it was just a problem with people camping out then no one would be allowed to camp out for tickets to concerts and other shows.
And the funny thing is that if you look at it, these are just peaceful people spending time together, building interesting organizing structures and going on the occasional march. In some ways it's hardly a challenge to the powerful. Then again they are shining a huge bright light on the corruption at the heart of everything. I'm particularly happy that the occupiers are encouraging people to move their money out of banks to local credit unions.
This article presents a case why the reaction to the occupiers is so forceful. She makes an interesting point that if it was just a problem with people camping out then no one would be allowed to camp out for tickets to concerts and other shows.
November News
So we are working on a greenhouse. We actually bought it last year but I was terribly intimidated so I thought to hire someone to put it up. No luck (Incidentally this is the funny thing about this region. People say there are no jobs but here is one that I would have gladly hired someone to do for me. Similarly we need an electrician to rewire our whole house--scary I know--but I guess they are all in the tar sands because even our 'local' friends can't find electricians).
So in the end I have to get over my worry about such a big project. We started in early November by hiring someone to level the ground and bring some gravel. Then we moved on to digging the foundation and putting down the tamarack 6x6s. Happily we had some really helpful and dedicated wwoofers in Hanna and Laurenz.
Then we put up the metal frame of the greenhouse. It actually only took one day! We had four of us working on that project. We actually realized that as much as we all complain about how there are 10 workmen but only one is working, some of the time that's just the way it is. We sometimes all stood around watching one person tightening a nut and bolt.
In the end, the greenhouse should look something like this. This is our friend Deb's who has the same kit as us. Go plastic!
But in between we have had snow and lots of it. Perhaps 20cm?
And for no reason here is Jane's cat Dulcie with our winter squash supply.
So in the end I have to get over my worry about such a big project. We started in early November by hiring someone to level the ground and bring some gravel. Then we moved on to digging the foundation and putting down the tamarack 6x6s. Happily we had some really helpful and dedicated wwoofers in Hanna and Laurenz.
Then we put up the metal frame of the greenhouse. It actually only took one day! We had four of us working on that project. We actually realized that as much as we all complain about how there are 10 workmen but only one is working, some of the time that's just the way it is. We sometimes all stood around watching one person tightening a nut and bolt.
In the end, the greenhouse should look something like this. This is our friend Deb's who has the same kit as us. Go plastic!
But in between we have had snow and lots of it. Perhaps 20cm?
And for no reason here is Jane's cat Dulcie with our winter squash supply.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Book Review
Wow, just finished reading Area 51: an uncensored history of America's top secret military base. It's amazing what you can piece together from declassified documents and interviews with former employees. And there is very little in the book about UFOs and aliens which are commonly associated with Area 51 (you must have watched X-Files at some point). The truth is much more sinister it seems.
It's mostly about nuclear weapons. Area 51 is part of a larger nuclear testing site/military base in Nevada. So many weapons were tested there as outlined in the book and many more remain classified. The US even tested a so called dirty bomb in the desert so they could see the results of this kind of blast. Of course they lined up animals to face the brunt of it.
Some other shocking highlights were Pacific Ocean tests in the upper atmosphere of the earth. Check out information on Teak. Though the entry doesn't really mention it, the US was unsure what the result of exploding this weapon would be. The altitude was so high (50 miles) it was close to the ozone layer. They almost blew up the ozone layer. Seriously.
And I never had heard about two instances of US bombers crashing in Palomares, Spain and near Thule, Greenland. In both cases B52 bombers crashed and their nuclear payloads spread radiation over the landscape. Both are now forgotten it seems but the release of so much radioactive material is shocking.
So what have I concluded on reading the book? Well I think I understand why cancer rates are so high around the world. The US and USSR (and China, UK, France, Israel, India, Pakistan, South Africa, North Korea) are guilty of releasing so many radioactive isotopes through their reckless testing of weapons. Similarly, the Fukushima meltdown and others have done the same. These isotopes are constantly irradiating anyone who is unlucky enough to respire or consume them.
I remember reading an article about how you can be exposed to radiation (those milisilverts we heard so much about after Fukushima) and how it may not be harmful in low doses. The real risk is inhaling or ingesting isotopes which irradiate you from within, constantly as they last for thousands of years.
All these nuclear tests and 'accidents' have just pumped up the potential for cancers to form. I truly believe that there is no use 'fighting' cancer unless you work for a complete abolition of all nuclear weapons and nuclear power.
Or maybe we can just turn Parliament pink and all will be well.
It's mostly about nuclear weapons. Area 51 is part of a larger nuclear testing site/military base in Nevada. So many weapons were tested there as outlined in the book and many more remain classified. The US even tested a so called dirty bomb in the desert so they could see the results of this kind of blast. Of course they lined up animals to face the brunt of it.
Some other shocking highlights were Pacific Ocean tests in the upper atmosphere of the earth. Check out information on Teak. Though the entry doesn't really mention it, the US was unsure what the result of exploding this weapon would be. The altitude was so high (50 miles) it was close to the ozone layer. They almost blew up the ozone layer. Seriously.
And I never had heard about two instances of US bombers crashing in Palomares, Spain and near Thule, Greenland. In both cases B52 bombers crashed and their nuclear payloads spread radiation over the landscape. Both are now forgotten it seems but the release of so much radioactive material is shocking.
So what have I concluded on reading the book? Well I think I understand why cancer rates are so high around the world. The US and USSR (and China, UK, France, Israel, India, Pakistan, South Africa, North Korea) are guilty of releasing so many radioactive isotopes through their reckless testing of weapons. Similarly, the Fukushima meltdown and others have done the same. These isotopes are constantly irradiating anyone who is unlucky enough to respire or consume them.
I remember reading an article about how you can be exposed to radiation (those milisilverts we heard so much about after Fukushima) and how it may not be harmful in low doses. The real risk is inhaling or ingesting isotopes which irradiate you from within, constantly as they last for thousands of years.
All these nuclear tests and 'accidents' have just pumped up the potential for cancers to form. I truly believe that there is no use 'fighting' cancer unless you work for a complete abolition of all nuclear weapons and nuclear power.
Or maybe we can just turn Parliament pink and all will be well.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
10 Things
Had this thought driving home tonight. I may have even generated this list before but here are 10 decisions that individuals (in North America) can make that I think would make a world of difference:
1) Move your money out of the big banks. Find a local credit union or caisse populaire instead. At the big banks profits from your money go to rich shareholders. With a credit union or caisse populaire you are a member and profits stay in the community. Members make decisions that decide how profits are spent and how funds are invested. Get involved in your credit union; don’t give your hard earned money to the banks of the rich.
2) Support democratic, transparent and local media. Since the corporate media represents the worst of journalism and corruption, more and more people are starting local media cooperatives. These groups need your involvement and your money. They don’t take money from advertisers and big corporations. This makes them credible and independent. They are the best investment you can make.
3) Minimize your contact with the global economy. All our dear leaders demand our allegiance to the global economy, sometimes shortened to merely the economy. It’s almost like we all have this family member who is a manic depressive and we have to all pray together that he stays happy. But what’s the goal of the global economy? How come we never ask that question? Is it to increase global greenhouse gas emissions to cook the planet? Sure looks that way. How about to turn all life into products (in other words dead)? Sure looks that way. A good start to escaping the clutches of the global economy is to . . .
4) Grow as much of your own food as you can. Start with potatoes, they are easy. Once you’ve gotten the basics down learn about fermenting, sprouting, preserving and canning. In case you are distracted and the weeds are growing . . .
5) Smash your television. Why are people paying to be advertised to? My crazy sister pays $70 a month for cable. Once the distraction is out of the way you should have more time for 4) above.
6) Make conscious decisions about how to donate. Most of us can probably set aside at least $100 for a worthy cause (or causes) each year. Then a tsunami strikes and we hand it over to the Red Cross in a knee jerk reaction. But is this the best use of your money? Only you can decide but I’m much happier giving it to Democracy Now! or the Halifax Media Coop (see 2) above).
7) Work less. Most of us hate our jobs, hate selling our labour. Selling our labour is very different from working, which is inherent in every organism. When you sell your labour someone tells you what to do, where to sit and how much you’ll be paid. Money is just energy, your energy, embodied in tiny pieces of paper or digits on a screen. Why not decide how you want to devote your energy? Working less gives you this chance.
8) Concentrate your political energy on the local. Engage with your municipality and work for change at this level. Politicians at the provincial and national level are bought and sold by big corporations and their ‘security’ keeps them well away from people like you. In other words they don’t listen. Local politicians in contrast live in your neighbourhood and, without party machines greased by big money, if they don’t listen you can actually throw them out. It’s also very possible for citizens to sit on local committees to guide elected officials. This is not the case provincially and federally where only experts and bought and sold politicians need apply.
9) Make time for human connections. Despite the rise of Facebook, people still like other people and want to be around them. Humans are social animals. Hold weekly potlucks with friends. Organize a monthly bike ride (no politics or conflict). Start a reading club. Coach soccer. Just be with other people. You’ll be happier for it.
10) So it’s too late and I’m off to bed. Any suggestions for #10? Use the comments button below.
1) Move your money out of the big banks. Find a local credit union or caisse populaire instead. At the big banks profits from your money go to rich shareholders. With a credit union or caisse populaire you are a member and profits stay in the community. Members make decisions that decide how profits are spent and how funds are invested. Get involved in your credit union; don’t give your hard earned money to the banks of the rich.
2) Support democratic, transparent and local media. Since the corporate media represents the worst of journalism and corruption, more and more people are starting local media cooperatives. These groups need your involvement and your money. They don’t take money from advertisers and big corporations. This makes them credible and independent. They are the best investment you can make.
3) Minimize your contact with the global economy. All our dear leaders demand our allegiance to the global economy, sometimes shortened to merely the economy. It’s almost like we all have this family member who is a manic depressive and we have to all pray together that he stays happy. But what’s the goal of the global economy? How come we never ask that question? Is it to increase global greenhouse gas emissions to cook the planet? Sure looks that way. How about to turn all life into products (in other words dead)? Sure looks that way. A good start to escaping the clutches of the global economy is to . . .
4) Grow as much of your own food as you can. Start with potatoes, they are easy. Once you’ve gotten the basics down learn about fermenting, sprouting, preserving and canning. In case you are distracted and the weeds are growing . . .
5) Smash your television. Why are people paying to be advertised to? My crazy sister pays $70 a month for cable. Once the distraction is out of the way you should have more time for 4) above.
6) Make conscious decisions about how to donate. Most of us can probably set aside at least $100 for a worthy cause (or causes) each year. Then a tsunami strikes and we hand it over to the Red Cross in a knee jerk reaction. But is this the best use of your money? Only you can decide but I’m much happier giving it to Democracy Now! or the Halifax Media Coop (see 2) above).
7) Work less. Most of us hate our jobs, hate selling our labour. Selling our labour is very different from working, which is inherent in every organism. When you sell your labour someone tells you what to do, where to sit and how much you’ll be paid. Money is just energy, your energy, embodied in tiny pieces of paper or digits on a screen. Why not decide how you want to devote your energy? Working less gives you this chance.
8) Concentrate your political energy on the local. Engage with your municipality and work for change at this level. Politicians at the provincial and national level are bought and sold by big corporations and their ‘security’ keeps them well away from people like you. In other words they don’t listen. Local politicians in contrast live in your neighbourhood and, without party machines greased by big money, if they don’t listen you can actually throw them out. It’s also very possible for citizens to sit on local committees to guide elected officials. This is not the case provincially and federally where only experts and bought and sold politicians need apply.
9) Make time for human connections. Despite the rise of Facebook, people still like other people and want to be around them. Humans are social animals. Hold weekly potlucks with friends. Organize a monthly bike ride (no politics or conflict). Start a reading club. Coach soccer. Just be with other people. You’ll be happier for it.
10) So it’s too late and I’m off to bed. Any suggestions for #10? Use the comments button below.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
The New Fascism
Having just finished Pierre Berton's The Great Depression it's both fascinating and scary to pay attention to the news these days. Now the book addresses only Canada but even in our so-called democracy the forces of totalitarianism were on the march. In Canada in the 1930s, there were serious calls by elites for the merging of the Liberal and Conservative parties into a one-party state (the only other option being the CCF, the precursor to the NDP but their members were being arrested and beaten over the head). And elected governments in Quebec and Alberta particularly restricted the press and targeted anyone who they designated a communist.
We are often taught in school about the Nazis and their treatment of Jews and other 'undesirables' and we rightly condemn them. And we rejoice in our fatherland. That could never happen in Canada! Such a beacon of democracy. But many of the same things did, including the targeting of Jewish Canadians and our very own kristalnacht. Seriously.
Check out the book, you'll be amazed with the parallels to today.
I'm currently reading a lot about the European Union's current crisis (one might even say this is a permanent crisis). Now Italy is on the chopping block. The most troubling thing is that this 'crisis' is being used to rollback democracy.
In Greece the (now former) prime minister called for a popular referendum on the massive bailout his country was going to receive. Makes sense for the people to make the call on such a big decision with wide reaching consequences. Though voting once in a while hardly a democracy makes, in this case, given the popular resistance it was a commendable move. The day after he said he was calling a referendum, the unelected elites who run the EU made the referendum disappear along, now, with the prime minister himself.
Now Italian democracy (such as it is) is the next target of these elites. In return for an Italian bailout one of the stipulations is the Italy rescind the results of a popular referendum rejecting the privatization of the nation's public water supply. This was not widely reported apart from on today's Democracy Now.
Then there is the Occupy Wall Street movement around the world. Much like in the 1930s there is to be no opposition to the plans of elites. The police will make sure of that. Below is some footage of police in Oakland shooting a peaceful protestor in the head and then afterward when others come to his aid, tossing a grenade into their midst.
Even peaceful nonviolent occupations are crushed even though these gatherings are theoretically protected by pieces of paper called constitutions. Occupy Vancouver is likely to face the same violence as Occupy Oakland in the coming week.
There is a new fascism on the rise especially in Europe. Politicians are bought and sold by corporations. But as always it's up to a small number of people to act. People are starting to stand up. Maybe we should join them.
We are often taught in school about the Nazis and their treatment of Jews and other 'undesirables' and we rightly condemn them. And we rejoice in our fatherland. That could never happen in Canada! Such a beacon of democracy. But many of the same things did, including the targeting of Jewish Canadians and our very own kristalnacht. Seriously.
Check out the book, you'll be amazed with the parallels to today.
I'm currently reading a lot about the European Union's current crisis (one might even say this is a permanent crisis). Now Italy is on the chopping block. The most troubling thing is that this 'crisis' is being used to rollback democracy.
In Greece the (now former) prime minister called for a popular referendum on the massive bailout his country was going to receive. Makes sense for the people to make the call on such a big decision with wide reaching consequences. Though voting once in a while hardly a democracy makes, in this case, given the popular resistance it was a commendable move. The day after he said he was calling a referendum, the unelected elites who run the EU made the referendum disappear along, now, with the prime minister himself.
Now Italian democracy (such as it is) is the next target of these elites. In return for an Italian bailout one of the stipulations is the Italy rescind the results of a popular referendum rejecting the privatization of the nation's public water supply. This was not widely reported apart from on today's Democracy Now.
Then there is the Occupy Wall Street movement around the world. Much like in the 1930s there is to be no opposition to the plans of elites. The police will make sure of that. Below is some footage of police in Oakland shooting a peaceful protestor in the head and then afterward when others come to his aid, tossing a grenade into their midst.
Even peaceful nonviolent occupations are crushed even though these gatherings are theoretically protected by pieces of paper called constitutions. Occupy Vancouver is likely to face the same violence as Occupy Oakland in the coming week.
There is a new fascism on the rise especially in Europe. Politicians are bought and sold by corporations. But as always it's up to a small number of people to act. People are starting to stand up. Maybe we should join them.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Police are the 99 Percent?
Democracy Now! today was about the weekend Occupy the World protests. Lots of interesting voices that you're unlikely to hear on the lamesteam media (to quote the Tea Party).
The most amazing scene, captured on video (you can see it on the video above), was a woman going to her [sic] bank to withdraw all her [sic] money. A plainclothes cop confronted her at the front door and she said that she was going into her [sic] bank. She had her bankcard out. She showed it to him, she was well dressed even, not some dirty hippy as if that's an excuse. The cop grabbed her and a pile of other cops jumped in.
Amazingly, and the cops obviously don't understand the importance of pretending to be impartial, they hauled her into the bank branch to arrest her.
Banks and cops together at last! Oh wait, they've always been together, since the dawn of civilization.
The most amazing scene, captured on video (you can see it on the video above), was a woman going to her [sic] bank to withdraw all her [sic] money. A plainclothes cop confronted her at the front door and she said that she was going into her [sic] bank. She had her bankcard out. She showed it to him, she was well dressed even, not some dirty hippy as if that's an excuse. The cop grabbed her and a pile of other cops jumped in.
Amazingly, and the cops obviously don't understand the importance of pretending to be impartial, they hauled her into the bank branch to arrest her.
Banks and cops together at last! Oh wait, they've always been together, since the dawn of civilization.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Get Away
Since moving here most of my friends are baby boomers. It's just a fact of life in the youth-depleted countryside. I'm not complaining (you can learn a lot from your elders) but it does offer some new perspectives.
I was at a party tonight and chatting with some of the people there I learned that a good number of them are leaving for a number of months this winter.
One lady told me she is going to Thailand to soak up the sun (I would assume). I guess that she gets CPP and other pensions directly deposited into her account. CPP goes a long way in Thailand.
Earlier this year we had an older, boomer wwoofer visit. She was so lovely and helpful. She no longer spends winters in North America. India is her second home.
Another couple I know is heading to either Thailand or Taiwan to escape winter. They haven't decided which yet.
Yet another boomer friend leaves for Florida each and every winter. I think she has been going down for years now. She was a teacher so she must have a fat pension.
My partner's parents go to Mexico for the winter. They have a lovely casa there and can sit back and enjoy the margaritas. I guess Mexico is a little closer than south-east Asia. Oh yeah they are going to Mexico after a family Christmas but first in November they are checking the Galapagos Islands off their life checklist. Next up Antarctica!
Imagine all the other boomers flying about here and there who I haven't met yet. Or maybe they are just one year away from retirement and then it's Brazil or maybe Hawaii instead of winter.
The lady heading to Thailand reminded me that Thailand is experiencing some massive flooding. Unprecedented really. It's a national emergency. Presumably these floods are related in some way to climate change. And climate change is related to air travel. But regardless she said that when she arrives she'll stay in the airport and fly north beyond the flood waters.
Nice to be able to get away.
I was at a party tonight and chatting with some of the people there I learned that a good number of them are leaving for a number of months this winter.
One lady told me she is going to Thailand to soak up the sun (I would assume). I guess that she gets CPP and other pensions directly deposited into her account. CPP goes a long way in Thailand.
Earlier this year we had an older, boomer wwoofer visit. She was so lovely and helpful. She no longer spends winters in North America. India is her second home.
Another couple I know is heading to either Thailand or Taiwan to escape winter. They haven't decided which yet.
Yet another boomer friend leaves for Florida each and every winter. I think she has been going down for years now. She was a teacher so she must have a fat pension.
My partner's parents go to Mexico for the winter. They have a lovely casa there and can sit back and enjoy the margaritas. I guess Mexico is a little closer than south-east Asia. Oh yeah they are going to Mexico after a family Christmas but first in November they are checking the Galapagos Islands off their life checklist. Next up Antarctica!
Imagine all the other boomers flying about here and there who I haven't met yet. Or maybe they are just one year away from retirement and then it's Brazil or maybe Hawaii instead of winter.
The lady heading to Thailand reminded me that Thailand is experiencing some massive flooding. Unprecedented really. It's a national emergency. Presumably these floods are related in some way to climate change. And climate change is related to air travel. But regardless she said that when she arrives she'll stay in the airport and fly north beyond the flood waters.
Nice to be able to get away.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Kids are Alright
Wow, check out this amazing article about the student protesters in Chile. They are amazing. What organization! No shit, no surrender, no capitulation. Canadians could learn a lot from these guys and gals. And the students in the article are only 15. Bring it on!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
QE to Infinity
Is it just me or does quantitative easing (QE) make little sense? I mean I can understand stimulating the death economy if that's your thing. But aren't plans like quantitative easing and direct bailouts merely further lining the pockets of the rich?
In the UK today they announced QE of 75 billion pounds. The idea as far as I can tell is to pump imaginary money into the death economy which will encourage the banks to start lending again. But is there any incentive for them to do so? Why don't they just take the money on offer and lend it to blue chippers (like oil and gas companies who are such a 'good' bet and put the death in death economy) or just sit on the cash and collect the interest?
That same interest and those profits then get channeled to their shareholders also known as the super rich.
To most of us plebs, this is exactly what is going on. Governments, in our name, are printing money to enrich the super rich. And then they cut services for all of us because they can't afford them. But don't worry! Some private company will offer those services back to you. You'll just have to pay this time. Maybe you'll need a loan.
It's nice to see people occupying Wall Street and making a stink. Some of them are even calling for a revolution. But it feels more like a party than a serious revolution. Lots of hacky sacks and beans. We need some tactics.
In the UK today they announced QE of 75 billion pounds. The idea as far as I can tell is to pump imaginary money into the death economy which will encourage the banks to start lending again. But is there any incentive for them to do so? Why don't they just take the money on offer and lend it to blue chippers (like oil and gas companies who are such a 'good' bet and put the death in death economy) or just sit on the cash and collect the interest?
That same interest and those profits then get channeled to their shareholders also known as the super rich.
To most of us plebs, this is exactly what is going on. Governments, in our name, are printing money to enrich the super rich. And then they cut services for all of us because they can't afford them. But don't worry! Some private company will offer those services back to you. You'll just have to pay this time. Maybe you'll need a loan.
It's nice to see people occupying Wall Street and making a stink. Some of them are even calling for a revolution. But it feels more like a party than a serious revolution. Lots of hacky sacks and beans. We need some tactics.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Finally
In the Prophet's (peace be upon him) time this journey would have taken weeks. But for me and my brothers the journey would take mere hours. But the dangers remain the same. Islam has always had many enemies. These days you can't even see your enemy coming.
We had a meeting with a sheikh in Ma'rib City. A courtesy visit and a chance to bring him the latest copy of Inspire. He would need a translator, if he even cared to read it.
--
It's a 40 mile drive from my house in a suburb of Santa Fe to the base. I work the night shift, eight hours from midnight to daybreak. The wife and kids don't mind. We would have just been sleeping anyway.
And even if it's dark here, halfway around the world, where I actually work, the sun is shining. Not a lot of places to hide. Point and click.
--
Along the way, we stopped for breakfast and to stretch our legs. Unlike some other places I have lived, here any house will welcome you in. Here we are all related. The poorest man can trace his blood even to dictators. But the dictator and his soldiers aren't very popular here.
While his wife prepared the meal, our host spoke of the growing rebellion in Sa'naa and truly across Yemen.
"Tens of thousands are in the street," he said. "The young men have stood up."
"And let's not forget the sisters also in the street," I reminded him. I heard his wife chuckle. "First the dictators must go and then their masters in America. Inshallah we will see it through to the end."
My hotter brothers started to speak of what they would do to Saleh and his family if they only had the chance. I hushed them as the man's wife brought in the food. Words must be clear and appropriate for each situation.
Rice and curried goat. This was my second breakfast of the day. A good start.
--
I sat down with my second breakfast of the night. The good thing about this post is that the usual rules are more slack. We can eat at our desks, if we get results. Some guys think too much and don't last long here. They never get coffee and donuts and are moved out. Me? I get results. So my CO doesn't mind that I'm not in top shape. Brains over brawn he always tells me.
I'm not interested in sweating my sack off in the desert thousands of miles from home. I'll take air conditioning, a big screen and watching the Super Bowl at the right time.
The CO came up to me as I finished the first donut and had a look at my file.
"Big day today corporal," he beamed. Beaming means someone's about to die; if he's grumpy it's just more surveillance. "The order's come down from the top. The VIP we've been tracking, Desert Dog. You've got the assignment. You up to it?"
"Sir, yes sir", I turned to my screens. You've still got to have some kind of chain of command, some kind of order. I wiped some chocolate sauce on my pants and got down to it.
--
We left the house after some hot tea. I thanked the man for his hospitality and complimented him on his wife's cooking. He had made our long journey all the more pleasant.
We had parked our vehicle away from his house some distance. For one thing, we needed the walk. Secondly vehicles have a tendency to spontaneously explode in this part of the world. One learns to look up, especially if one has a name. Our host knew mine, I'm sure. But he never let on.
--
"Got him," I reported. By now the whole room felt like it was crowding in around me. So much for air conditioning. "He's exited the building and is crossing the yard to the vehicles. Two others with him, bodyguard I suppose."
I switched to the drone screen and cast a glance to my left. Douglas had another drone in the air, backup in case something went wrong. Drones rarely fail but it's good to cover your bases. This target was clearly high profile. Not bin Laden high profile but someone clearly wanted to shut him up and evaporate all evidence that he had ever lived. We each have a file on our targets but honestly I don't need to know. What's the point? I don't decide who lives and dies.
"You are authorized to use deadly force corporal." I looked up to see the General staring at my screen. Big fish indeed.
Maybe I'll get a promotion for this one. With our mortgage and all the fees, heck even the price of gas, we could use the extra income.
Focus.
--
I got the rest of the day off. Not quite the promotion I was gunning for. Maybe a few more kills will do it.
I told my wife a very bad man had a very bad day. She doesn't really like what I do. But my job is to protect Americans. And I sleep soundly every single day.
We had a meeting with a sheikh in Ma'rib City. A courtesy visit and a chance to bring him the latest copy of Inspire. He would need a translator, if he even cared to read it.
--
It's a 40 mile drive from my house in a suburb of Santa Fe to the base. I work the night shift, eight hours from midnight to daybreak. The wife and kids don't mind. We would have just been sleeping anyway.
And even if it's dark here, halfway around the world, where I actually work, the sun is shining. Not a lot of places to hide. Point and click.
--
Along the way, we stopped for breakfast and to stretch our legs. Unlike some other places I have lived, here any house will welcome you in. Here we are all related. The poorest man can trace his blood even to dictators. But the dictator and his soldiers aren't very popular here.
While his wife prepared the meal, our host spoke of the growing rebellion in Sa'naa and truly across Yemen.
"Tens of thousands are in the street," he said. "The young men have stood up."
"And let's not forget the sisters also in the street," I reminded him. I heard his wife chuckle. "First the dictators must go and then their masters in America. Inshallah we will see it through to the end."
My hotter brothers started to speak of what they would do to Saleh and his family if they only had the chance. I hushed them as the man's wife brought in the food. Words must be clear and appropriate for each situation.
Rice and curried goat. This was my second breakfast of the day. A good start.
--
I sat down with my second breakfast of the night. The good thing about this post is that the usual rules are more slack. We can eat at our desks, if we get results. Some guys think too much and don't last long here. They never get coffee and donuts and are moved out. Me? I get results. So my CO doesn't mind that I'm not in top shape. Brains over brawn he always tells me.
I'm not interested in sweating my sack off in the desert thousands of miles from home. I'll take air conditioning, a big screen and watching the Super Bowl at the right time.
The CO came up to me as I finished the first donut and had a look at my file.
"Big day today corporal," he beamed. Beaming means someone's about to die; if he's grumpy it's just more surveillance. "The order's come down from the top. The VIP we've been tracking, Desert Dog. You've got the assignment. You up to it?"
"Sir, yes sir", I turned to my screens. You've still got to have some kind of chain of command, some kind of order. I wiped some chocolate sauce on my pants and got down to it.
--
We left the house after some hot tea. I thanked the man for his hospitality and complimented him on his wife's cooking. He had made our long journey all the more pleasant.
We had parked our vehicle away from his house some distance. For one thing, we needed the walk. Secondly vehicles have a tendency to spontaneously explode in this part of the world. One learns to look up, especially if one has a name. Our host knew mine, I'm sure. But he never let on.
--
"Got him," I reported. By now the whole room felt like it was crowding in around me. So much for air conditioning. "He's exited the building and is crossing the yard to the vehicles. Two others with him, bodyguard I suppose."
I switched to the drone screen and cast a glance to my left. Douglas had another drone in the air, backup in case something went wrong. Drones rarely fail but it's good to cover your bases. This target was clearly high profile. Not bin Laden high profile but someone clearly wanted to shut him up and evaporate all evidence that he had ever lived. We each have a file on our targets but honestly I don't need to know. What's the point? I don't decide who lives and dies.
"You are authorized to use deadly force corporal." I looked up to see the General staring at my screen. Big fish indeed.
Maybe I'll get a promotion for this one. With our mortgage and all the fees, heck even the price of gas, we could use the extra income.
Focus.
--
I got the rest of the day off. Not quite the promotion I was gunning for. Maybe a few more kills will do it.
I told my wife a very bad man had a very bad day. She doesn't really like what I do. But my job is to protect Americans. And I sleep soundly every single day.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Truth, nowhere does it lie
I just have to reprint this piece by Robert Fisk on Barack Obama's speech to the UN General Assembly:
Today should be Mahmoud Abbas's finest hour. Even The New York Times has discovered that "a grey man of grey suits and sensible shoes, may be slowly emerging from his shadow".
But this is nonsense. The colourless leader of the Palestinian Authority, who wrote a 600-page book on his people's conflict with Israel without once mentioning the word "occupation", should have no trouble this evening in besting Barack Hussein Obama's pathetic, humiliating UN speech on Wednesday in which he handed US policy in the Middle East over to Israel's gimmick government.
For the American President who called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab lands, an end to the theft of Arab land in the West Bank – Israeli "settlements" is what he used to call it – and a Palestinian state by 2011, Obama's performance was pathetic.
As usual, Hanan Ashrawi, the only eloquent Palestinian voice in New York this week, got it right. "I couldn't believe what I heard," she told Haaretz, that finest of Israeli newspapers. "It sounded as though the Palestinians were the ones occupying Israel. There wasn't one word of empathy for the Palestinians. He spoke only of the Israelis' troubles..." Too true. And as usual, the sanest Israeli journalists, in their outspoken condemnation of Obama, proved that the princes of American journalists were cowards. "The limp, unimaginative speech that US President Barack Obama delivered at the United Nations... reflects how helpless the American President is in the face of Middle East realities," Yael Sternhell wrote.
And as the days go by, and we discover whether the Palestinians respond to Obama's grovelling performance with a third intifada or with a shrug of weary recognition that this is how things always were, the facts will continue to prove that the US administration remains a tool of Israel when it comes to Israel's refusal to give the Palestinians a state.
How come, let's ask, that the US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, flew from Tel Aviv to New York for the statehood debate on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's own aircraft? How come Netanyahu was too busy chatting to the Colombian President to listen to Obama's speech? He only glanced through the Palestinian bit of the text when he was live-time, face to face with the American President. This wasn't "chutzpah". This was insult, pure and simple.
And Obama deserved it. After praising the Arab Spring/Summer/ Autumn, whatever – yet again running through the individual acts of courage of Arab Tunisians and Egyptians as if he had been behind the Arab Awakening all along, the man dared to give the Palestinians 10 minutes of his time, slapping them in the face for daring to demand statehood from the UN. Obama even – and this was the funniest part of his preposterous address to the UN – suggested that the Palestinians and Israelis were two equal "parties" to the conflict.
A Martian listening to this speech would think, as Ms Ashrawi suggested, that the Palestinians were occupying Israel rather than the other way round. No mention of Israeli occupation, no mention of refugees, or the right of return or of the theft of Arab Palestinian land by the Israeli government against all international law. But plenty of laments for the besieged people of Israel, rockets fired at their houses, suicide bombs – Palestinian sins, of course, but no reference to the carnage of Gaza, the massive death toll of Palestinians – and even the historical persecution of the Jewish people and the Holocaust.
That persecution is a fact of history. So is the evil of the Holocaust. But THE PALESTINIANS DID NOT COMMIT THESE ACTS. It was the Europeans – whose help in denying Palestinian statehood Obama is now seeking – who committed this crime of crimes. So we were then back to the "equal parties", as if the Israeli occupiers and the occupied Palestinians were on a level playing ground.
Madeleine Albright used to adopt this awful lie. "It's up to the parties themselves," she would say, washing her hands, Pilate-like, of the whole business the moment Israel threatened to call out its supporters in America. Heaven knows if Mahmoud Abbas can produce a 1940 speech at the UN today. But at least we all know who the appeaser is.
Today should be Mahmoud Abbas's finest hour. Even The New York Times has discovered that "a grey man of grey suits and sensible shoes, may be slowly emerging from his shadow".
But this is nonsense. The colourless leader of the Palestinian Authority, who wrote a 600-page book on his people's conflict with Israel without once mentioning the word "occupation", should have no trouble this evening in besting Barack Hussein Obama's pathetic, humiliating UN speech on Wednesday in which he handed US policy in the Middle East over to Israel's gimmick government.
For the American President who called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab lands, an end to the theft of Arab land in the West Bank – Israeli "settlements" is what he used to call it – and a Palestinian state by 2011, Obama's performance was pathetic.
As usual, Hanan Ashrawi, the only eloquent Palestinian voice in New York this week, got it right. "I couldn't believe what I heard," she told Haaretz, that finest of Israeli newspapers. "It sounded as though the Palestinians were the ones occupying Israel. There wasn't one word of empathy for the Palestinians. He spoke only of the Israelis' troubles..." Too true. And as usual, the sanest Israeli journalists, in their outspoken condemnation of Obama, proved that the princes of American journalists were cowards. "The limp, unimaginative speech that US President Barack Obama delivered at the United Nations... reflects how helpless the American President is in the face of Middle East realities," Yael Sternhell wrote.
And as the days go by, and we discover whether the Palestinians respond to Obama's grovelling performance with a third intifada or with a shrug of weary recognition that this is how things always were, the facts will continue to prove that the US administration remains a tool of Israel when it comes to Israel's refusal to give the Palestinians a state.
How come, let's ask, that the US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, flew from Tel Aviv to New York for the statehood debate on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's own aircraft? How come Netanyahu was too busy chatting to the Colombian President to listen to Obama's speech? He only glanced through the Palestinian bit of the text when he was live-time, face to face with the American President. This wasn't "chutzpah". This was insult, pure and simple.
And Obama deserved it. After praising the Arab Spring/Summer/ Autumn, whatever – yet again running through the individual acts of courage of Arab Tunisians and Egyptians as if he had been behind the Arab Awakening all along, the man dared to give the Palestinians 10 minutes of his time, slapping them in the face for daring to demand statehood from the UN. Obama even – and this was the funniest part of his preposterous address to the UN – suggested that the Palestinians and Israelis were two equal "parties" to the conflict.
A Martian listening to this speech would think, as Ms Ashrawi suggested, that the Palestinians were occupying Israel rather than the other way round. No mention of Israeli occupation, no mention of refugees, or the right of return or of the theft of Arab Palestinian land by the Israeli government against all international law. But plenty of laments for the besieged people of Israel, rockets fired at their houses, suicide bombs – Palestinian sins, of course, but no reference to the carnage of Gaza, the massive death toll of Palestinians – and even the historical persecution of the Jewish people and the Holocaust.
That persecution is a fact of history. So is the evil of the Holocaust. But THE PALESTINIANS DID NOT COMMIT THESE ACTS. It was the Europeans – whose help in denying Palestinian statehood Obama is now seeking – who committed this crime of crimes. So we were then back to the "equal parties", as if the Israeli occupiers and the occupied Palestinians were on a level playing ground.
Madeleine Albright used to adopt this awful lie. "It's up to the parties themselves," she would say, washing her hands, Pilate-like, of the whole business the moment Israel threatened to call out its supporters in America. Heaven knows if Mahmoud Abbas can produce a 1940 speech at the UN today. But at least we all know who the appeaser is.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Go Palestine!
I've been watching the Palestinian plan to to approach the UN for full membership with some amazement and not much expectation.
For a few years the Palestinian government has been lobbying governments around the world for their support at the UN. They want to be recognized as a state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as their capital. It's funny because even the Americans, the lapdogs of Israel, have wanted Palestine to have these borders.
But here they are, about to stand alone with Israel, and veto the Palestinians'
request of recognition. It's quite a bizarre game they are playing. So there will be no Palestine. Not while the unjust Security Council sits. But it's likely that the General Assembly, representing all countries, will approve their request and grant them more legitimacy.
I just read a great article about the last minute lobbying of the Palestinians and the US and Israel's desperate attempts to get them to stop. It's so gratifying to see that the Palestinians have some backbone. I pretty much expected them to cave after vague promises from the US to 'get Israel and the Palestinians back to the table' (every time I hear it it makes me want to puke). All the while the paint is drying on new settlements.
Here are some quotes from a Palestinian representative heading to the UN soon:
"Mr Blair doesn't sound like a neutral interlocutor, he sounds very much like an Israeli diplomat sometimes". (Duh)
The US is "not a neutral observer, but a strategic ally of Israel". (Double Duh)
On US pressure and threats of withdrawing funding: "You don't barter for your rights for money."
Good luck Palestine--you've always been alone against the world. Maybe things are changing.
For a few years the Palestinian government has been lobbying governments around the world for their support at the UN. They want to be recognized as a state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as their capital. It's funny because even the Americans, the lapdogs of Israel, have wanted Palestine to have these borders.
But here they are, about to stand alone with Israel, and veto the Palestinians'
request of recognition. It's quite a bizarre game they are playing. So there will be no Palestine. Not while the unjust Security Council sits. But it's likely that the General Assembly, representing all countries, will approve their request and grant them more legitimacy.I just read a great article about the last minute lobbying of the Palestinians and the US and Israel's desperate attempts to get them to stop. It's so gratifying to see that the Palestinians have some backbone. I pretty much expected them to cave after vague promises from the US to 'get Israel and the Palestinians back to the table' (every time I hear it it makes me want to puke). All the while the paint is drying on new settlements.
Here are some quotes from a Palestinian representative heading to the UN soon:
"Mr Blair doesn't sound like a neutral interlocutor, he sounds very much like an Israeli diplomat sometimes". (Duh)
The US is "not a neutral observer, but a strategic ally of Israel". (Double Duh)
On US pressure and threats of withdrawing funding: "You don't barter for your rights for money."
Good luck Palestine--you've always been alone against the world. Maybe things are changing.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
High speed
Oh accursed high speed. We just got it. I have been reluctant to switch from dial-up since moving here. We talked about it and the price always seemed quite high. Dial-up kept us honest in a way. Just email and the news and blogging of course. No high res pictures or youtube. But since Jane moved out it seemed that it would be good to have high speed.
It's funny how you can talk yourself into it. I've justified it that if we go with high speed then I can once and for all cancel the bloated, money sucking phone that we have with Bell. They charge $40 a month for phone and an answering machine! Shit. Yak has a VOIP phone for $14 a month and I think it has an answering machine included. Of course then I have to get a cell phone in case of emergencies when the power is out. So that's more buying and selling. In the end I'm feeling guilty I guess with all this shopping around and comparing.
But the worst is spending many hours on my laptop typing away and reading articles and watching new episodes of Futurama. I always tell people that we have to smash our televisions and we certainly should. But now I'm realizing that all we've done is moved that corporate brainwashing to a smaller screen. So I have to redouble my efforts and harness what I've learned thanks to dial-up. Just get on and get off.
It's funny how you can talk yourself into it. I've justified it that if we go with high speed then I can once and for all cancel the bloated, money sucking phone that we have with Bell. They charge $40 a month for phone and an answering machine! Shit. Yak has a VOIP phone for $14 a month and I think it has an answering machine included. Of course then I have to get a cell phone in case of emergencies when the power is out. So that's more buying and selling. In the end I'm feeling guilty I guess with all this shopping around and comparing.
But the worst is spending many hours on my laptop typing away and reading articles and watching new episodes of Futurama. I always tell people that we have to smash our televisions and we certainly should. But now I'm realizing that all we've done is moved that corporate brainwashing to a smaller screen. So I have to redouble my efforts and harness what I've learned thanks to dial-up. Just get on and get off.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Season Reflections
The climate is definitely changing. Our dear leader would tell us to adapt but there's no adapting to this. This summer has been super cool for us. Nights dropped to the lower teens all summer and now we are dropping into single digits at night with September. Happily we didn't have frost from May until now but it's been cool. This has meant slow growth for squash, summer squash, tomatoes, tomatillos, cucumbers and corn.
But we've had a super long season of peas and the lettuce has resisted bolting. The brassicas have done well, as have the beets. The garlic and onions are their usual successful selves.
And it's been dry, really dry. So it's cool and dry. Not the ideal combination. We haven't had rain for weeks. So I have drained my stored rainwater and now we're going to have to move water from the brook. The forecast always calls for rain in the next few days but, like tomorrow, it never comes. Even Hurricane Irene brought no rain.
So what are you going to do? I guess unless you are willing to stop the bastards that adapting is the best we can do. Pretty pathetic.
But we've had a super long season of peas and the lettuce has resisted bolting. The brassicas have done well, as have the beets. The garlic and onions are their usual successful selves.
And it's been dry, really dry. So it's cool and dry. Not the ideal combination. We haven't had rain for weeks. So I have drained my stored rainwater and now we're going to have to move water from the brook. The forecast always calls for rain in the next few days but, like tomorrow, it never comes. Even Hurricane Irene brought no rain.
So what are you going to do? I guess unless you are willing to stop the bastards that adapting is the best we can do. Pretty pathetic.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
MIA
Yikes, it's been a long time. I haven't forgotten this blog but important, the most important actually, things have gotten in the way.
But fall is arriving and we're having some cool nights. Still no sign of rain which would be most appreciated. We're doing lots of preserving and dehydrating and soon we'll be pulling the potatoes. It's nice to be here in such a special place. It's really so peaceful you almost forget the (civilized) world and all the nonsense going on.
More to come I promise.
But fall is arriving and we're having some cool nights. Still no sign of rain which would be most appreciated. We're doing lots of preserving and dehydrating and soon we'll be pulling the potatoes. It's nice to be here in such a special place. It's really so peaceful you almost forget the (civilized) world and all the nonsense going on.
More to come I promise.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Money Talks
A really good interview on Democracy Now! today. A real clear analysis about this so-called economic crisis. It's focused on the United States and what's really going on. Check it out.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Mushroom Madness
No this isn't a post about mushroom hunting in the woods. It's actually a story about the silly global economy, where oil fuels a completely insane production line. I'm in the city, where I just can't be comfortable. But that's another story. We're staying at Jane's parent's place and they are at the cottage (again thanks to the global economy).
Jane's mum shops at Costco, which is a bewildering place, a monstrous cavern of consumption. But you get amazing prices. I'm realizing that it's best never to even go in the automatic doors. I'm so tempted by the deals. I buy organic nachos by the kilogram there. Organic green tea? How about 100 teabags?
Anyway I was excited to uncover a plastic jar containing 1 pound of dehydrated mushrooms purchased at Costco the other day. And here's the most amazing part: it contains four types of mushroom. Porcini from Chile, shiitake from China, yellow bolete from Serbia and oyster from Montenegro. Apart from Serbia and Montenegro who are close geographically, all these mushrooms are grown thousands of kilometres apart.
Then each mushroom type is gathered and shipped to France, where the label declares the plastic jar was packed. Then the jars are exported to Canada, likely arriving in Ontario and then they are shipped to Halifax, where they were purchased.
What an amazing story! Pharaohs didn't have it this good. Think of all the greenhouse gas emissions to move these mushrooms around. But at least there were some jobs created. And you have to wonder at what point the mushrooms were dehydrated. Hopefully in the open air.
So tomorrow I'm going to make Jane a homemade veggie burger (kidney beans, chickpeas and millet base) and we'll have fried mushrooms on top. She will have a little Swiss cheese I'm sure. What decadence!
Jane's mum shops at Costco, which is a bewildering place, a monstrous cavern of consumption. But you get amazing prices. I'm realizing that it's best never to even go in the automatic doors. I'm so tempted by the deals. I buy organic nachos by the kilogram there. Organic green tea? How about 100 teabags?
Anyway I was excited to uncover a plastic jar containing 1 pound of dehydrated mushrooms purchased at Costco the other day. And here's the most amazing part: it contains four types of mushroom. Porcini from Chile, shiitake from China, yellow bolete from Serbia and oyster from Montenegro. Apart from Serbia and Montenegro who are close geographically, all these mushrooms are grown thousands of kilometres apart.
Then each mushroom type is gathered and shipped to France, where the label declares the plastic jar was packed. Then the jars are exported to Canada, likely arriving in Ontario and then they are shipped to Halifax, where they were purchased.
What an amazing story! Pharaohs didn't have it this good. Think of all the greenhouse gas emissions to move these mushrooms around. But at least there were some jobs created. And you have to wonder at what point the mushrooms were dehydrated. Hopefully in the open air.
So tomorrow I'm going to make Jane a homemade veggie burger (kidney beans, chickpeas and millet base) and we'll have fried mushrooms on top. She will have a little Swiss cheese I'm sure. What decadence!
Changes
Wow, I'm definitely aware of a change in myself the past few weeks. I'm really becoming more supportive and nurturing of Jane as the big day approaches. I'm anticipating her needs and making her really special food and rubbing her dear, swollen feet, driving all the time and I'm not grumbling at all. I think I used to before. Perhaps she is releasing some hormones to make me more caring. Whatever it is I'm very happy to see the change.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Share
A day alone with the internet, far from gardens, means writing. Not well but something. We should all be writing. Or gardening. Something real. I should be outside.
Here is a video from a band I quite like. This video made me think about my life. What a life it's been.
Here is a video from a band I quite like. This video made me think about my life. What a life it's been.
Last Known Surroundings from Explosions in the Sky on Vimeo.
Mania on Show
Just read a good article from George Monbiot. Generally all his pieces are at least though provoking. However he is now jumping on board with nuclear power but then so are all who have a modicum of sanity yet still cling to civilization.
The article is important because it points out the mania spouted by all governments. We have to cut emissions one day! We have to grow the economy the next! Repeat.
Nova Scotia is terrible. Our dear leader traveled to Copenhagen, jumping on the bandwagon seemingly. He came back with a plan. Yet all the while he was encouraging oil and gas in Nova Scotia, and a little fracking for good measure. At least Harper doesn't pretend that he sees climate change as a socialist plot. But Dexter, Nova Scotia's answer to Barack Obama (only white and pudgy), is 'creating good jobs and growing the economy'. That's what all his signs say anyway. Would you take a job or a habitable planet? It's getting to that point.
This death economy really is a pain. You can't have your cake and eat it too. But maybe we just have to drop these governments and start again. Expect a long fight.
The article is important because it points out the mania spouted by all governments. We have to cut emissions one day! We have to grow the economy the next! Repeat.
Nova Scotia is terrible. Our dear leader traveled to Copenhagen, jumping on the bandwagon seemingly. He came back with a plan. Yet all the while he was encouraging oil and gas in Nova Scotia, and a little fracking for good measure. At least Harper doesn't pretend that he sees climate change as a socialist plot. But Dexter, Nova Scotia's answer to Barack Obama (only white and pudgy), is 'creating good jobs and growing the economy'. That's what all his signs say anyway. Would you take a job or a habitable planet? It's getting to that point.
This death economy really is a pain. You can't have your cake and eat it too. But maybe we just have to drop these governments and start again. Expect a long fight.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Post Petroleum Human?
On a whim I decided to look up Mike Ruppert, formerly of From the Wilderness to see what was happening with him. This is a guy who wrote a lot about 9/11 back in the day and then about peak oil and I appreciated a lot of his insights. It was nice to hear someone moderately sane for once. I still meet people who tell me that the hydrogen economy is coming. In fact it happened the other day.
Anyway I found the following interview with Mike which you can check out if you want.
I'm a little concerned that people are annointing Mike as the leader of some new movement. I know there is a movement but it's a slow movement, like ice melting. But I'm very skeptical of leaders and of people who bow down before them. We are all amazing and don't need leaders.
But since he's way more articulate than me it's worth listening to.
Anyway I found the following interview with Mike which you can check out if you want.
I'm a little concerned that people are annointing Mike as the leader of some new movement. I know there is a movement but it's a slow movement, like ice melting. But I'm very skeptical of leaders and of people who bow down before them. We are all amazing and don't need leaders.
But since he's way more articulate than me it's worth listening to.
Weird moment in the video: a Volt (electric car) drives behind Mike as he is speaking. Made me think that this was a subliminal message to buy one. Perhaps he has sold out. Maybe Chevy sponsors him now.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thanking Last Season
Today I was very mindful of how much food we were eating from last season. We had two nice meals, one of veggie burgers and roasted potatoes (with lots of condiments), the other was chapattis and a beany stew (again with lots of condiments). To make these meals happen I have been going down to the basement and taking out potatoes, parsnips and lots of mason jars of preserved food. Here is a little rundown of all the great things we grew and preserved last year (and are enjoying now):
I really encourage everyone to get into fermenting and preserving. But you already knew that. Check out the great book Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz.
- Dill pickles
- Pickled beans
- Mustard pickles
- Green tomato relish
- Sauerkraut (made from radish and turnips)
- Potatoes
- Parsnips
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Canned tomatoes
- Green tomato mincemeat
- Lots of various jams, syrups and applesauce
- Salsa
- Garlic
- Pickled garlic scapes
- Horseradish sauce
- We made kim chi a few weeks ago from overwintered cabbage, turnip greens, kale and Jerusalem artichokes
I really encourage everyone to get into fermenting and preserving. But you already knew that. Check out the great book Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Like An Animal
I've been listening to some of the comments coming out of the Syrian refugee camps in Turkey and a comment that came out loud and clear (thanks to the Canadian media) was refugees referring to Syrian troops as "animals". They "behaved like animals" or "they were like animals".
Now how many assumptions and worldviews are represented in that statement. It's the same old civilized story: Animals are violent and savage. They are monsters preying on the weak. No civilized person would act this way. No civilized human being would destroy villages and force people out and torture children. These people weren't civilized humans, they were depraved animals.
There must be a lot of evidence to back up these claims since this view is so widespread. Are bears sacking cities as we speak? Have they ever sacked cities? No unfortunately most bears are smart enough to hang around the local dump, digging up a free meal. Perhaps foxes torture rabbits and their children everyday? No they are mostly looking for a meal and the fastest way to a meal is to kill your prey quickly. Torturing a prey animal just increases the chance that it might actually hurt you as it dies slowly and lashes out. Given this, it would be stupid to torture. All those nature videos of lions hunting gazelles show that, as quickly as possible, they rip out the gazelle's throat, ending its life quickly and what has been called 'humanely'. Lions have to eat too and they don't have anything against the gazelle.
No sadly the Syrian troops were not behaving like animals at all. They were all too human. Only that animal (and the specifically civilized at that) behaves in such a callous and cruel manner.
Now how many assumptions and worldviews are represented in that statement. It's the same old civilized story: Animals are violent and savage. They are monsters preying on the weak. No civilized person would act this way. No civilized human being would destroy villages and force people out and torture children. These people weren't civilized humans, they were depraved animals.
There must be a lot of evidence to back up these claims since this view is so widespread. Are bears sacking cities as we speak? Have they ever sacked cities? No unfortunately most bears are smart enough to hang around the local dump, digging up a free meal. Perhaps foxes torture rabbits and their children everyday? No they are mostly looking for a meal and the fastest way to a meal is to kill your prey quickly. Torturing a prey animal just increases the chance that it might actually hurt you as it dies slowly and lashes out. Given this, it would be stupid to torture. All those nature videos of lions hunting gazelles show that, as quickly as possible, they rip out the gazelle's throat, ending its life quickly and what has been called 'humanely'. Lions have to eat too and they don't have anything against the gazelle.
No sadly the Syrian troops were not behaving like animals at all. They were all too human. Only that animal (and the specifically civilized at that) behaves in such a callous and cruel manner.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Smash
In the city today. Waiting for Jane to come and get me. It's garbage day and I found a bunch of windows and seriously thick glass just down the road. I thought when she came back I could go and get them. I would need a car to move them. I'm a little sad to say that the garbage truck has just arrived. I could run out and get the glass but really there is so much glass thrown away every day in this city I'm sure. So I'm just going to sit here and type this instead.
There is so much useful 'waste' thrown away every single day here. I can't even imagine it. We could be building houses, greenhouses, amazing trellis systems. We could be increasing food production in cities. We could be building passive solar buildings (admittedly, probably not up to the building code but at this stage it probably goes too far). We could be doing so much.
But we are smashing the glass instead. We are smashing it and moving it out of the city to be buried. How much embodied energy is being lost? One day we are going to be begging for these resources. We're going to be digging in dumps and unearthing these amazing treasures building a new world with the magic of the old.
The glass is about to smash as it's tossed in the back of the truck. So long.
There is so much useful 'waste' thrown away every single day here. I can't even imagine it. We could be building houses, greenhouses, amazing trellis systems. We could be increasing food production in cities. We could be building passive solar buildings (admittedly, probably not up to the building code but at this stage it probably goes too far). We could be doing so much.
But we are smashing the glass instead. We are smashing it and moving it out of the city to be buried. How much embodied energy is being lost? One day we are going to be begging for these resources. We're going to be digging in dumps and unearthing these amazing treasures building a new world with the magic of the old.
The glass is about to smash as it's tossed in the back of the truck. So long.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Garden Update
I've certainly been neglecting the old blog. Update from the summer so far: the gardens are so fertile it's crazy. A friend and wwoofer Zsolt put up a fertility rune in the garden and the dandelions and grass have certainly noticed. They are monstrous. But it seems that the effect is more widely felt and the grapes and currants and gooseberries we planted this spring have gotten the message. I'm feeling a bit daunted by the idea of growing grapes but we'll give it a shot. It would be pretty special to make a few bottles of wine out of our own grapes, perhaps with some currants thrown in for good measure.
The potatoes are all in the ground at the usual time at the end of May. I just planted some sweet corn, hoping for the best. Last year I planted corn in July but didn't make a harvest. It was close but no cigar. All the seedlings (tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, chard) are looking good and I've been potting them into bigger pots instead of planting them out early, when they are very small. I did so last year and I think I should have waited. It's nice to be able to experiment from year to year. In the ground are snow and snap peas, beets, parsnips, carrots, salad mix and garlic.
We have had lots of wonderful wwoofers through this year. Thank you to Will, Maiko, Zsolt, Susana, Emily, Marie-Eve, Patrick, Ashley and Markus! We wouldn't be so fertile without you!
The potatoes are all in the ground at the usual time at the end of May. I just planted some sweet corn, hoping for the best. Last year I planted corn in July but didn't make a harvest. It was close but no cigar. All the seedlings (tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, chard) are looking good and I've been potting them into bigger pots instead of planting them out early, when they are very small. I did so last year and I think I should have waited. It's nice to be able to experiment from year to year. In the ground are snow and snap peas, beets, parsnips, carrots, salad mix and garlic.
We have had lots of wonderful wwoofers through this year. Thank you to Will, Maiko, Zsolt, Susana, Emily, Marie-Eve, Patrick, Ashley and Markus! We wouldn't be so fertile without you!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tale of Two Lives
Well I find myself living between two places. In one of these places I feel like I have a purpose, like there's always something to do. In the other place I'm just killing time. I don't have an Iphone to keep myself busy like so many other people I see around me. I'm not interested in getting drunk or heading to Tim Horton's for a double double. But I have appointments so that's why I'm here. And I get to spend time with Jane so that's good. Just can't wait until it's back home.
--
And sorry in advance for yet again remarking on the Israel-Palestine business. But, with Netanyahu pulling out all the stops and Obama falling into step (was he ever out of step?), you really realize that the Palestinians are getting somewhere. If the US and Israel effectively order you not to do something then you should definitely do it.
It looks like the UN General Assembly is set to vote to recognize a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders come the fall. How the chumpy have fallen. Slow and steady wins the race. And as much as they would like to use their veto, if a significant number of states vote then even the dismal US can't stop the inevitable. I wonder what it will mean. Fun times ahead.
And the only knock against the 1967 borders is that they are 'indefensible'. Huh, they must think we are pretty stupid. What the fuck do they think happened between 1948 and 1967? That's right defence.
But of course all this is a distraction. With a state, it will just be Palestinians abusing Palestinians instead of Israelis.
--
And sorry in advance for yet again remarking on the Israel-Palestine business. But, with Netanyahu pulling out all the stops and Obama falling into step (was he ever out of step?), you really realize that the Palestinians are getting somewhere. If the US and Israel effectively order you not to do something then you should definitely do it.
It looks like the UN General Assembly is set to vote to recognize a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders come the fall. How the chumpy have fallen. Slow and steady wins the race. And as much as they would like to use their veto, if a significant number of states vote then even the dismal US can't stop the inevitable. I wonder what it will mean. Fun times ahead.
And the only knock against the 1967 borders is that they are 'indefensible'. Huh, they must think we are pretty stupid. What the fuck do they think happened between 1948 and 1967? That's right defence.
But of course all this is a distraction. With a state, it will just be Palestinians abusing Palestinians instead of Israelis.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Talk is Cheap
Terribly sick. Miserable start of spring, and worst, I know that my annual end of May allergies are on their way. Mostly I'm spending my days shivering in bed and trying to sleep away 24 hours of each day, waking every two hours, eating very little. I haven't been ill in years I think, so I guess I was due.
Happily I am reading and listening to some great Democracy Now! shows. If you've never checked out Democracy Now! please listen and consider supporting them. We need a Democracy Now! North.
Tonight apparently Barack Obama is going to address the Muslim world or something. More meaningless bullshit. Check out Robert Fisk's great commentary on the dismal speech to come. I've included an excerpt tonight:
"OK, so here's what President Barack Obama should say today about the Middle East. We will leave Afghanistan tomorrow. We will leave Iraq tomorrow. We will stop giving unconditional, craven support to Israel. Americans will force the Israelis – and the European Union – to end their siege of Gaza. We will withhold all future funding for Israel unless it ends, totally and unconditionally, its building of colonies on Arab land that does not belong to it. We will cease all co-operation and business deals with the vicious dictators of the Arab world – whether they be Saudi or Syrian or Libyan – and we will support democracy even in those countries where we have massive business interests. Oh yes, and we will talk to Hamas.
Of course, President Barack Obama will not say this. A vain and cowardly man, he will talk about the West's "friends" in the Middle East, about the security of Israel – security not being a word he has ever devoted to Palestinians – and he will waffle on and on about the Arab Spring as if he ever supported it (until, of course, the dictators were on the run), as if – when they desperately needed his support – he had given his moral authority to the people of Egypt; and, no doubt, we will hear him say what a great religion Islam is (but not too great, or Republicans will start recalling the Barack Hussein Obama birth certificate again) and we will be asked – oh, I fear we will – to turn our backs on the Bin Laden past, to seek "closure" and "move on" (which I'm afraid the Taliban don't quite agree with)."
Happily I am reading and listening to some great Democracy Now! shows. If you've never checked out Democracy Now! please listen and consider supporting them. We need a Democracy Now! North.
Tonight apparently Barack Obama is going to address the Muslim world or something. More meaningless bullshit. Check out Robert Fisk's great commentary on the dismal speech to come. I've included an excerpt tonight:
"OK, so here's what President Barack Obama should say today about the Middle East. We will leave Afghanistan tomorrow. We will leave Iraq tomorrow. We will stop giving unconditional, craven support to Israel. Americans will force the Israelis – and the European Union – to end their siege of Gaza. We will withhold all future funding for Israel unless it ends, totally and unconditionally, its building of colonies on Arab land that does not belong to it. We will cease all co-operation and business deals with the vicious dictators of the Arab world – whether they be Saudi or Syrian or Libyan – and we will support democracy even in those countries where we have massive business interests. Oh yes, and we will talk to Hamas.
Of course, President Barack Obama will not say this. A vain and cowardly man, he will talk about the West's "friends" in the Middle East, about the security of Israel – security not being a word he has ever devoted to Palestinians – and he will waffle on and on about the Arab Spring as if he ever supported it (until, of course, the dictators were on the run), as if – when they desperately needed his support – he had given his moral authority to the people of Egypt; and, no doubt, we will hear him say what a great religion Islam is (but not too great, or Republicans will start recalling the Barack Hussein Obama birth certificate again) and we will be asked – oh, I fear we will – to turn our backs on the Bin Laden past, to seek "closure" and "move on" (which I'm afraid the Taliban don't quite agree with)."
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sad Truths
Wow, another brilliant and challenging article from George Monbiot. I especially appreciate his challenge to back to the land folks (I guess I'm one of them--just ignore my computer), around manufacturing. We obviously will need energy and mining to make gardening tools, butchering tool in the future. Anyway please check out the article. If you don't here are some highlights below:
"The problem we face is not that we have too little fossil fuel, but too much. As oil declines, economies will switch to tar sands, shale gas and coal; as accessible coal declines, they'll switch to ultra-deep reserves (using underground gasification to exploit them) and methane clathrates. The same probably applies to almost all minerals: we will find them, but exploiting them will mean trashing an ever greater proportion of the world's surface. We have enough non-renewable resources of all kinds to complete our wreckage of renewable resources: forests, soil, fish, freshwater, benign weather. Collapse will come one day, but not before we have pulled everything down with us."
"All of us in the environment movement, in other words – whether we propose accommodation, radical downsizing or collapse – are lost. None of us yet has a convincing account of how humanity can get out of this mess. None of our chosen solutions break the atomising, planet-wrecking project. I hope that by laying out the problem I can encourage us to address it more logically, to abandon magical thinking and to recognise the contradictions we confront. But even that could be a tall order."
I guess I really have to start talking to people about powering down in a real way, make it real to them. I don't feel much like a spokesman but we really need to start talking about these issues. I have no idea how to challenge all the advertising that promotes the destruction of the planet in such a pretty package. We are up against it friends. Again check out that article.
"The problem we face is not that we have too little fossil fuel, but too much. As oil declines, economies will switch to tar sands, shale gas and coal; as accessible coal declines, they'll switch to ultra-deep reserves (using underground gasification to exploit them) and methane clathrates. The same probably applies to almost all minerals: we will find them, but exploiting them will mean trashing an ever greater proportion of the world's surface. We have enough non-renewable resources of all kinds to complete our wreckage of renewable resources: forests, soil, fish, freshwater, benign weather. Collapse will come one day, but not before we have pulled everything down with us."
"All of us in the environment movement, in other words – whether we propose accommodation, radical downsizing or collapse – are lost. None of us yet has a convincing account of how humanity can get out of this mess. None of our chosen solutions break the atomising, planet-wrecking project. I hope that by laying out the problem I can encourage us to address it more logically, to abandon magical thinking and to recognise the contradictions we confront. But even that could be a tall order."
I guess I really have to start talking to people about powering down in a real way, make it real to them. I don't feel much like a spokesman but we really need to start talking about these issues. I have no idea how to challenge all the advertising that promotes the destruction of the planet in such a pretty package. We are up against it friends. Again check out that article.
Puke
The rejoicing in the death of Osama Bin Laden is enough to make one want to puke. I listened to the World at Six on CBC Radio One this evening and it was sickening to hear the joy that a bullet to the head caused. It just shows how violent and screwed up we all are. Revenge, revenge, revenge! The media, as ever, took sides, instead of just covering the news. Beating the drums of war and never, ever risking discussing complexity to confuse the plebs.
And these were grown adults rejoicing in death. The only moment of sanity came from the mouth of a babe. The comments of a little boy, whose father had been killed in 9/11 or the numerous trillion dollar wars that have followed (I'm sorry I don't remember which one) were conveyed by his mother. She happily told him bluntly of the brains splattered on the mansion walls in Pakistan. His response: "Why didn't they put him on trial"? Bless you.
Children at least know something about justice, unlike the madmen and women who lead and follow.
And never, ever do we wonder if, for all his own brand of madness (not far from our own clearly), does Bin Laden have (excuse me, had) genuine grievances. A quick list: the occupation of Palestine, Arab dictators, torture (and Bin Laden surely used it too) and secret police, corruption demonstrates that he had some fair points (Hitler had some good ideas right?).
Incidentally check out this great opinion piece from Robert Fisk. Fisk interviewed Bin Laden on three occasions and, unlike most reporters, he doesn't serve power.
Now I can get back to puking as the Conservatives win their majority. I'm sure Bin Laden would have died happy had he lived to see this result.
And these were grown adults rejoicing in death. The only moment of sanity came from the mouth of a babe. The comments of a little boy, whose father had been killed in 9/11 or the numerous trillion dollar wars that have followed (I'm sorry I don't remember which one) were conveyed by his mother. She happily told him bluntly of the brains splattered on the mansion walls in Pakistan. His response: "Why didn't they put him on trial"? Bless you.
Children at least know something about justice, unlike the madmen and women who lead and follow.
And never, ever do we wonder if, for all his own brand of madness (not far from our own clearly), does Bin Laden have (excuse me, had) genuine grievances. A quick list: the occupation of Palestine, Arab dictators, torture (and Bin Laden surely used it too) and secret police, corruption demonstrates that he had some fair points (Hitler had some good ideas right?).
Incidentally check out this great opinion piece from Robert Fisk. Fisk interviewed Bin Laden on three occasions and, unlike most reporters, he doesn't serve power.
Now I can get back to puking as the Conservatives win their majority. I'm sure Bin Laden would have died happy had he lived to see this result.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Back
Well finally I am home and kind of settled. This is a funny year. For a bunch of reasons I am finding myself heading to Halifax now and again. Last Friday was the last time. But I'm really wanting to be home and settled and working in the garden.
Today was a lovely day and I wanted to tell you about it. It's a sunny day and the greenhouse is nice and warm. Frances and I had lunch in there. The tomatoes and onions are out in the greenhouse along with the small rosemary plant. The brassicas and just out on some flagstones as I don't want to overheat them.
I weeded a bed and I'm going to plant some red clover as a cover crop/green manure. This is the first time I've tried green manure. Then I planted a few hazelnut trees in the hedge that we are building next to the driveway. I'm easing into the season so I lay on the grass and snoozed before coming in to write this post.
As I relaxed, Buddy went into the baby barn and came out carrying a vole he had caught. I was half hoping he would help evict a squirrel that's taken up residence there.
Then a huge raven, flew over the house. The wing beats were something to hear.
Earlier a raven or crow, perhaps the same one, started cawing and flying up the drive toward the house. Frances and I were weeding and we hadn't really seen this from a crow/raven before. But then we got our answer. A bald eagle flew over our heads from behind us and cruised away. It seems that ravens and crows have the ability to push around bald eagles. I know they are very crafty.
So I'm sorry that I haven't been writing as much but I'm going to shift gears now and start focusing on the beautiful season to come.
Today was a lovely day and I wanted to tell you about it. It's a sunny day and the greenhouse is nice and warm. Frances and I had lunch in there. The tomatoes and onions are out in the greenhouse along with the small rosemary plant. The brassicas and just out on some flagstones as I don't want to overheat them.
I weeded a bed and I'm going to plant some red clover as a cover crop/green manure. This is the first time I've tried green manure. Then I planted a few hazelnut trees in the hedge that we are building next to the driveway. I'm easing into the season so I lay on the grass and snoozed before coming in to write this post.
As I relaxed, Buddy went into the baby barn and came out carrying a vole he had caught. I was half hoping he would help evict a squirrel that's taken up residence there.
Then a huge raven, flew over the house. The wing beats were something to hear.
Earlier a raven or crow, perhaps the same one, started cawing and flying up the drive toward the house. Frances and I were weeding and we hadn't really seen this from a crow/raven before. But then we got our answer. A bald eagle flew over our heads from behind us and cruised away. It seems that ravens and crows have the ability to push around bald eagles. I know they are very crafty.
So I'm sorry that I haven't been writing as much but I'm going to shift gears now and start focusing on the beautiful season to come.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Forgotten Bahrain
Libya is providing some cover for the continued brutal suppression in Bahrain. The people in Bahrain are demanding an end to the absolute monarchy that rules them. They have taken peaceful actions and are being met by force. Even worse, the militaries of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States have been welcomed into Bahrain to aid in the violence against peaceful protesters.
The following were uploaded to Facebook today. If you've ever seen American History X you'll remember the seen where the protagonist stomps on the face of a black man. The fucking pig in this picture is just as brutal. Gotta love that wind-up. Make it count fucker, you're next.
And if these images weren't bad enough our dear leaders tell us they are doing all they can. The following is an excerpt from a letter I received from Lawrence Cannon on Bahrain.
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The Office of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, has forwarded to me your email of February 17, 2011, concerning the current situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain . . .
. . . Canada strongly encourages Bahraini authorities to continue their efforts toward building a sincere dialogue that addresses the concerns of the country's citizens. I believe an open national dialogue is the only valid option to resolve the current unrest. The Canadian government calls on all parties involved to show openness in this process in order to peacefully address the Bahraini people's concerns.
Canada hopes for a prompt and lasting return to calm, democracy and respect of human rights in Bahrain.
--
Huh! What democracy and respect for human rights? Is Lawrence Cannon living in a dream world? These are our dictators. They facilitate our privilege. We might as well recognize them as such. The delusion is so strong though that we assume that everyone lives with their rights guaranteed. Not so. Ask the cop in the pictures.
The following were uploaded to Facebook today. If you've ever seen American History X you'll remember the seen where the protagonist stomps on the face of a black man. The fucking pig in this picture is just as brutal. Gotta love that wind-up. Make it count fucker, you're next.
And if these images weren't bad enough our dear leaders tell us they are doing all they can. The following is an excerpt from a letter I received from Lawrence Cannon on Bahrain.
--
The Office of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, has forwarded to me your email of February 17, 2011, concerning the current situation in the Kingdom of Bahrain . . .
. . . Canada strongly encourages Bahraini authorities to continue their efforts toward building a sincere dialogue that addresses the concerns of the country's citizens. I believe an open national dialogue is the only valid option to resolve the current unrest. The Canadian government calls on all parties involved to show openness in this process in order to peacefully address the Bahraini people's concerns.
Canada hopes for a prompt and lasting return to calm, democracy and respect of human rights in Bahrain.
--
Huh! What democracy and respect for human rights? Is Lawrence Cannon living in a dream world? These are our dictators. They facilitate our privilege. We might as well recognize them as such. The delusion is so strong though that we assume that everyone lives with their rights guaranteed. Not so. Ask the cop in the pictures.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Mid-East Musings
A few thoughts on the so-called Middle East.
So a US F-15 has crashed due to mechanical failure today. The pilot was saved naturally. I'd like to continue the tally of cost on this 'mission'. So there are two models of F-15. I expect the more expensive one comes with air conditioning and power locks, possibly all-wheel drive. We can't tell which it is from the pictures.
The cost of this fighter breaks down like this. And don't forget inflation which I have calculated for:
F-15A/B: US$27.9 million (1998) = $37,880,497 in 2011 dollars
F-15C/D: US$29.9 million (1998) = $40,595,945 in 2011 dollars
So that makes a grand total of around $120,000,000 including those tomahawk missiles.
Just in: the Coalition of the Willing (now with Romania!) has fired 160 tomahawk missiles thus far. I'm going to stop keeping track of these expenses now as this is a stupid exercise.
Needless to say there's no cuts planned to the military but we are apparently broke.
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Incidentally, can Libya box up that fighter and send it back to the US with a bill? Seriously arguably this is littering on a grand scale. And I'm sure that the fighter is full of toxic materials. I somehow doubt it.
--
I love these dictators holding meetings and ranting on. Just saw Yemen's decrepit 'President' barking and snarling at the head of a mammoth table. Imagine being there. Do these guys take themselves seriously? Oh yeah, the torture. They are serious.
So a US F-15 has crashed due to mechanical failure today. The pilot was saved naturally. I'd like to continue the tally of cost on this 'mission'. So there are two models of F-15. I expect the more expensive one comes with air conditioning and power locks, possibly all-wheel drive. We can't tell which it is from the pictures.
The cost of this fighter breaks down like this. And don't forget inflation which I have calculated for:
F-15A/B: US$27.9 million (1998) = $37,880,497 in 2011 dollars
F-15C/D: US$29.9 million (1998) = $40,595,945 in 2011 dollars
So that makes a grand total of around $120,000,000 including those tomahawk missiles.
Just in: the Coalition of the Willing (now with Romania!) has fired 160 tomahawk missiles thus far. I'm going to stop keeping track of these expenses now as this is a stupid exercise.
Needless to say there's no cuts planned to the military but we are apparently broke.
--
Incidentally, can Libya box up that fighter and send it back to the US with a bill? Seriously arguably this is littering on a grand scale. And I'm sure that the fighter is full of toxic materials. I somehow doubt it.
--
I love these dictators holding meetings and ranting on. Just saw Yemen's decrepit 'President' barking and snarling at the head of a mammoth table. Imagine being there. Do these guys take themselves seriously? Oh yeah, the torture. They are serious.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Hidden History
You have to wonder how much longer the US with their buddies in France and Canada want to punish the people of Haiti. I know they liberated themselves from slavery to France then defeated Napoleon's conquering army when it tried to enslave them again. They reached out to the United States, the supposed beacon of liberty only to suffer through 200 years of abuse at the hands of Americans, French and yes even Canadians.
But you know, all this has been said before.
And the important thing is that Jean-Bertrand Aristide is back in Haiti. No thanks to Barack Obama, he arrived this weekend to a riotous welcome. Anyway I was following the coverage on Democracy Now! and learned something that I never knew about his kidnapping in 2004. I wanted to share it with you today.
As President of Haiti, Aristide recognized that one of the major problems in his country was a lack of medical services. There are very few doctors serving the population and doctors have to go abroad to study, and many I would imagine, didn't return. In fact I have read that there were only 2,000 doctors in the whole country of 9 million. So working with Cuba (famous for the exporting of doctors) in 2001 he broke ground on a new facility to house a new medical school for his country. The University of the Aristide Foundation was opened in late 2003 and its primary goal was to train poor, rural doctors to return home and serve their communities. The school was training 247 doctors by the time of the second anti-Aristide coup, orchestrated by the United States on February 28 2004.
Outrageously the occupying US and UN forces kicked out the medical students and used the building as a barracks until 2007! Some students went to Cuba to continue their training but Haiti lost an important institution (happily the building survived the earthquake). Aristide is looking forward to continuing the work he started in 2001 now that he is back in Haiti.
But you have to wonder what kind of friend moves in and takes over an important medical school in a country that desperately needs medical professionals? We are reminded by the media and our dear leaders how poor and vulnerable Haiti is; how much better prepared for the earthquake would they have been with these doctors in the field?
I was shocked to read this hidden history. But it's nice to know that the US and UN don't give a shit about Haiti. Once you realize these things you can move on to the next logical step.
But you know, all this has been said before.
And the important thing is that Jean-Bertrand Aristide is back in Haiti. No thanks to Barack Obama, he arrived this weekend to a riotous welcome. Anyway I was following the coverage on Democracy Now! and learned something that I never knew about his kidnapping in 2004. I wanted to share it with you today.
As President of Haiti, Aristide recognized that one of the major problems in his country was a lack of medical services. There are very few doctors serving the population and doctors have to go abroad to study, and many I would imagine, didn't return. In fact I have read that there were only 2,000 doctors in the whole country of 9 million. So working with Cuba (famous for the exporting of doctors) in 2001 he broke ground on a new facility to house a new medical school for his country. The University of the Aristide Foundation was opened in late 2003 and its primary goal was to train poor, rural doctors to return home and serve their communities. The school was training 247 doctors by the time of the second anti-Aristide coup, orchestrated by the United States on February 28 2004.
Outrageously the occupying US and UN forces kicked out the medical students and used the building as a barracks until 2007! Some students went to Cuba to continue their training but Haiti lost an important institution (happily the building survived the earthquake). Aristide is looking forward to continuing the work he started in 2001 now that he is back in Haiti.
But you have to wonder what kind of friend moves in and takes over an important medical school in a country that desperately needs medical professionals? We are reminded by the media and our dear leaders how poor and vulnerable Haiti is; how much better prepared for the earthquake would they have been with these doctors in the field?
I was shocked to read this hidden history. But it's nice to know that the US and UN don't give a shit about Haiti. Once you realize these things you can move on to the next logical step.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Blast Off
So the bombing has begun. Of course there's no question that we would dare to bomb the other dictators massacring their people: specifically Yemen and Bahrain. Both of which would be pushovers, unlike Libya. And anyway that would mean that we actually stand for something and not just securing oil.
But I read that already the US and the new 'Coalition of the Willing' have fired 110 Tomahawk missiles at Libya in one day. So let's make some calculations as to the cost of just firing these missiles. Remember these are weapons whose job it is to create nothing but burn up and destroy and sew misery.
According to a US military site, in 1999 dollars each Tomahawk costs $569,000. So I had to figure out how much that would be in 2011 dollars. I found an inflation calculator which showed that the number for each missile increases to $755,851.27 or 32.8 percent (scary and shows how quickly our hard earned money is rendered worthless--basically in 10 years the one dollar you made is now worth two thirds its value when traded for goods and services).
So in one day the Coalition of the Willing blew up $83,143,639.70. Keep up the good work boys!
But I read that already the US and the new 'Coalition of the Willing' have fired 110 Tomahawk missiles at Libya in one day. So let's make some calculations as to the cost of just firing these missiles. Remember these are weapons whose job it is to create nothing but burn up and destroy and sew misery.
According to a US military site, in 1999 dollars each Tomahawk costs $569,000. So I had to figure out how much that would be in 2011 dollars. I found an inflation calculator which showed that the number for each missile increases to $755,851.27 or 32.8 percent (scary and shows how quickly our hard earned money is rendered worthless--basically in 10 years the one dollar you made is now worth two thirds its value when traded for goods and services).
So in one day the Coalition of the Willing blew up $83,143,639.70. Keep up the good work boys!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Great Analysis
Last week Naomi Klein was on Democracy Now! It was a really interesting discussion, one of the best I've seen. Her analysis touched on the deep transformations needed to dismantle the global economy. But we all pretend that we don't have to do this and we can just buy hybrids and change lightbulbs but it's not going to work. And this is the reason why people are starting to reject climate change (based on faith not facts) because it would mean that we have to reject the global economy. The funny thing is that really the global economy only benefits the few while leaving the planet with a legacy of destruction. Anyway check out the show below.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Voice of Bradley Manning
The media likes to write articles, interpreting things for us. To my mind, however it's always best to hear from the source and make our own decisions. Words can be bent, emphasis changed, sentences dropped to paint the picture that a government or media corporation want to portray.
In this case, it's Private Bradley Manning, alleged leaker of thousands of diplomatic cables. His treatment since his arrest is shocking, though not unexpected from the history of the US government (and every single government I might add). Here are his own words on his torture and imprisonment:
Understandably frustrated by this decision after enduring over seven months of unduly harsh confinement conditions, I asked the brig operations officer, MSG Papakie, what I needed to do in order to be downgraded from maximum custody and prevention of injury status. MSG Papakie responded by telling me that there was nothing I could do to downgrade my detainee status and that the brig simply considered me a risk of self-harm.
Out of frustration, I responded that the PoI restrictions were absurd and sarcastically told him if I really wanted to harm myself, that I could conceivably do so with the elastic waistband of my underwear or with my flip-flops.
Later that same day, I was told that I would be stripped naked at night due to something that I had said to MSG Papakie. Shocked, I replied that I hadn't said anything. I had just pointed out the absurdity of my current confinement conditions.
Without consulting any brig mental health provider, chief warrant officer Denise Barnes used my sarcastic comment as justification to increase the restrictions imposed upon me under the guise of being concerned that I was a suicide risk.
I was not, however, placed under the designation of suicide risk. This is because suicide risk would have required a brig mental health provider's recommendation in order for the added restrictions to continue.
In response to this specific incident, the brig psychiatrist met with me. After speaking to me, he assessed me as "low risk and requiring only routine outpatient follow-up [with] no need for … closer clinical observation". In particular, he indicated that my statement about the waist band of my underwear was in no way prompted by "a psychiatric condition".
Since 2 March 2011, I have been stripped of all my clothing at night. I have been told that the PCF commander intends on continuing this practice indefinitely. Initially, after surrendering my clothing to the brig guards, I had no choice but to lay naked in my cold jail cell until the following morning.
The next morning I was told to get out of my bed for the morning duty brig supervisor (DBS) inspection. I was not given any of my clothing back. I got out of the bed and immediately started to shiver because of how cold it was in my cell. I walked towards the front of my cell with my hands covering my genitals. The guard told me to stand at parade rest, which required me to stand with my hands behind my back and my legs spaced shoulder width apart. I stood at "parade rest" for about three minutes until the DBS arrived. Once the DBS arrived, everyone was called to attention. The DBS and the other guards walked past my cell. The DBS looked at me, paused for a moment, and then continued to the next detainee's cell.
I was incredibly embarrassed at having all these people stare at me naked.
After the DBS completed his inspection, I was told to go and sit on my bed.
About 10 minutes later I was given my clothes and allowed to get dressed.
After apparent outside pressure on the brig due to my mistreatment, I was given a suicide prevention article of clothing called a "smock" by the guards. Although I am still required to strip naked in my cell at night, I am now given the "smock" to wear. At first, I did not want to wear this item of clothing due to how coarse it was and how uncomfortable it felt.
However, the brig now orders me to wear the "smock" at night.
Given the above circumstances, the decision to strip me of my clothing every night for an indefinite period of time is clearly punitive in nature.
There is no mental health justification for the decision. I am under 24-hour surveillance, with guards never being more than a few feet away from my cell. I am permitted to have my underwear and clothing during the day, with no apparent concern that I will harm myself during this time period.
The determination to strip me of all my clothing every night since 2 March 2011 is without justification and therefore constitutes unlawful pretrial punishment.
Under my current restrictions, in addition to being stripped at night, I am essentially held in solitary confinement. For 23 hours per day, I sit alone in my cell. The guards check on me every five minutes during the day by asking me if I am OK. I am required to respond in some affirmative manner.
At night, if the guards cannot see me clearly, because I have a blanket over my head or I am curled up towards the wall, they will wake me in order to ensure that I am OK. I receive each of my meals in my cell. I am not allowed to have a pillow or sheets. I am not allowed to have any personal items in my cell. I am only allowed to have one book or one magazine at a time to read. The book or magazine is taken from me at the end of the day before I go to sleep. I am prevented from exercising in my cell. If I attempt to do push-ups, sit-ups, or any other form of exercise I am forced to stop.
Finally, I receive only one hour of exercise outside of my cell daily. My exercise is usually limited to me walking figures of eight in an empty room.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Team Apocalypse
Further to my last post here is an excerpt from an Al Jazeera report on the toxification of the Gulf of Mexico:
"I have critically high levels of chemicals in my body," 33-year-old Steven Aguinaga of Hazlehurst, Mississippi told Al Jazeera. "Yesterday I went to see another doctor to get my blood test results and the nurse said she didn't know how I even got there."
Aguinaga and his close friend Merrick Vallian went swimming at Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in July 2010.
"I swam underwater, then found I had orange slick stuff all over me," Aguinaga said. "At that time I had no knowledge of what dispersants were, but within a few hours, we were drained of energy and not feeling good. I've been extremely sick ever since."
BP's oil disaster last summer gushed at least 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, causing the largest accidental marine oil spill in history - and the largest environmental disaster in US history. Compounding the problem, BP has admitted to using at least 1.9 million gallons toxic dispersants, including one chemical that has been banned in the UK.
"I have critically high levels of chemicals in my body," 33-year-old Steven Aguinaga of Hazlehurst, Mississippi told Al Jazeera. "Yesterday I went to see another doctor to get my blood test results and the nurse said she didn't know how I even got there."
Aguinaga and his close friend Merrick Vallian went swimming at Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in July 2010.
"I swam underwater, then found I had orange slick stuff all over me," Aguinaga said. "At that time I had no knowledge of what dispersants were, but within a few hours, we were drained of energy and not feeling good. I've been extremely sick ever since."
BP's oil disaster last summer gushed at least 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, causing the largest accidental marine oil spill in history - and the largest environmental disaster in US history. Compounding the problem, BP has admitted to using at least 1.9 million gallons toxic dispersants, including one chemical that has been banned in the UK.
Shocking
It's pretty shocking of course that the elite class and their politicians are blatantly looting the public commons and squeezing everyone to feed the voracious appetites of the rich and powerful. Tax cuts for the ultra wealthy, removal of collective bargaining, cutting environmental regulations and enforcement against big polluters, bailouts for the banks, approving untested genetically modified foods, doing less than nothing about climate change, bank bonuses swelling, retirement age going up, new wars for resources (you're next Libya), expanding jails for dissidents, security certificates and secret jails, purchasing elected officials, food price rises, the toxification of the environment, extinctions of species, the list goes on. Before it was pretty hidden but as the long emergency unfolds before us they get more bold. Take what you can boys, the party's over!
What's more shocking though is that people aren't standing up against it in a bigger way. The democracy we've been sold is rotten to the core. Just look at the Conservative Party of Canada. The civilization we all love is killing the planet (don't take my word for it, open your eyes and ask some tough questions).
You'd think that people just didn't care. It's not quite that bad. Just our hearts are broken and we can't connect with one another. Hence my blog posts and your Facebook profile. But if I tried to have a meeting to talk about these thoughts, the cops, those protectors of the collapse, would be all over it.
But at some point something's got to give. Maybe it will be one more handshake between a politician and his corporate owner and whispered thanks caught on tape. Maybe the corporate media will make a mistake and actually do something ethical and ask some meaningful questions. Or maybe the price of oil will rise too high and we'll realize that industrial civilization can't continue to decimate the planet without it. Or maybe someone will stand up and start our fight back. Or all of the above.
What's more shocking though is that people aren't standing up against it in a bigger way. The democracy we've been sold is rotten to the core. Just look at the Conservative Party of Canada. The civilization we all love is killing the planet (don't take my word for it, open your eyes and ask some tough questions).
You'd think that people just didn't care. It's not quite that bad. Just our hearts are broken and we can't connect with one another. Hence my blog posts and your Facebook profile. But if I tried to have a meeting to talk about these thoughts, the cops, those protectors of the collapse, would be all over it.
But at some point something's got to give. Maybe it will be one more handshake between a politician and his corporate owner and whispered thanks caught on tape. Maybe the corporate media will make a mistake and actually do something ethical and ask some meaningful questions. Or maybe the price of oil will rise too high and we'll realize that industrial civilization can't continue to decimate the planet without it. Or maybe someone will stand up and start our fight back. Or all of the above.
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