Ban on Sex for Soldiers in Afghanistan Lifted ... Sort Of
"It is about time. We are not machines that can be just turned off. They won't let us drink, they won't let us fraternize, and then they send us off to war. Whatthe hell do they expect us to do for a year? I'm sorry but they made it a co-ed armed forces, now they should deal with the reality that when human beings are sent away for a year or more from home, there is gonna be some hanky panky going on. Wether they like it or not, the result of not letting soldiers engage in normal relations is really bad for everyone. It always ends up with the worst case scenarios taking place because they tried to bottle up human nature. Not to mention making the worst environments even more horrible. (IRAQ) Besides what consenting male and female soldiers do behind closed doors on their own time is their own business. Not the Army's. If your gonna send adult men and women to war you had better expect that these things are gonna happen no matter what regulation or reprecussion they throw at you. They might be soldiers but they are also human. Its time the Army start treating all of its soldiers like adults, and leave the no fraternization nonsense in basic and A.I.T. where it belongs. You can go die for your country, but if you just happen to get lucky in the process we'll send you to jail and take your money! What a crock of sh@t! Get a grip Army, join the real world." -
Quote from unknown soldier
Musicians Tell Republicans to Stop Using Their Music
When introducing the Nazi witch Sarah Palin as vice presidential candidate, the Republicans played the song "Barracuda." Heart were not happy. Neither was the band Van Halen happy about them playing "Right Now" as McCain walked on, and Jackson Browne was really pissed that they* used his song "Running On Empty" in a commercial. Also used without permission were the band Orleans's song "Still the One" (one of the co-writers is now a Democratic New York Congressman), and Franki Valli's song "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You."
What do you think McCain & Team's reaction was to the demands from the artists that they stop? Anyone? It was the same thing Republicans have said to everyone not "in the fold" for over a decade: "Fuck you." "Barracuda" is still pumping out at campaign stops featuring the wicked witch of the far north.
Heart Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart have informed the McCain/Palin Campaign that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease-and-desist notice to not use one of Heart's classic songs "Barracuda," as the congratulatory theme for Sarah Palin. The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission. "We have asked the Republican campaign not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored."**
Van Halen "Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given."
Jackson Browne
"We are confident that Jackson Browne will prevail in this lawsuit. Not only have Senator McCain and his agents plainly infringed Mr. Browne's copyright in Running On Empty, but the Federal Courts have long held that the unauthorized use of a famous singer's voice in a commercial constitutes a false endorsement and a violation of the singer's right of publicity," Lawrence Iser of the Santa Monica, California law firm Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert said in a press release. "In light of Jackson Browne's lifelong commitment to Democratic ideals and political candidates, the misappropriation of Jackson Browne's endorsement is entirely reprehensible, and I have no doubt that a jury will agree."
*Officially the Ohio State Republican Party in an ad against Obama. **The song is still in use because the Republicans paid ASCAP, a corporation established to provide income from radio and other musical performance. Have I mentioned that our copyright laws are designed to enrich the ultrawealthy and have nothing to do with the artists that created the music? Posted by Alan Evil from 'me talk big noise.blogspot.com/ at 6:50 PM 0 comments
Protection burn likely contributes as Camp Fire rages into Concow area
posted July 9, 2008
CONCOW, CA — Fire officials said a procedure Monday night known as a "firing operation" may have hastened the march of the Camp Fire toward Concow, where several dozen structures were lost Tuesday. Flames from the blaze also burned toward Paradise Tuesday, prompting an immediate threat evacuation for thousands of residents on the east side of town.
"We had to try something; the fire was going to get there anyway," said Cal Fire-Butte County Capt. Scott McLean. McLean explained a firing operation is like a back- fire but is planned well ahead of time and done under the most favorable conditions as a way starve a wildfire of fuel. Early on Monday night, he said weather in the fire area was conducive, and a wide bulldozer line had been cut down to bare earth south of the active edge of the Camp Fire. Rim Road at the V-Line, both primarily logging roads, were shut down for the operation, which took place between 8 and 10 p.m. McLean said things went as planned initially, but strong down-canyon winds from the northeast came up after midnight and appeared to carry embers from the fire far ahead of the planned burn. He said humidity in the burn area suddenly plummeted from about 43 percent down to 21 percent.
"At that point, we were off to the races," McLean said. Concow was under an immediate threat evacuation order starting at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday. Some residents were reportedly leaving by 2 a.m. By Tuesday evening approximately 50 structures were reported damaged or destroyed by fire in the Concow area. Homes reportedly burned on roads north and northeast of Concow Reservoir. At 4 p.m. flames were nearing Crain Ridge Road, south of the reservoir.
Flames were also burning in the canyon of the West Branch of the Feather River east of Pentz Road Tuesday afternoon, prompting Paradise authorities to issue an immediate threat evacuation east of Pentz. After dusk, the evacuation area was expanded west into town to Sawmill Road. The fire hadn't crossed the river yet and fire officials were calling the move a "pre-emptive strike." While there was no immediate danger, fire officials were fearful that winds could kick up between 10-11 p.m., driving the fire forward. Evacuating that many people in the middle of the night would be impossible. Although Feather River Hospital hadn't planned to evacuate, that decision was changed about 8 p.m. Five critical patients had been moved out earlier in the day, and several others had been released. When the evacuation order was issued, there were 38 inpatients left in the facility. The hospital said it was making arrangements with Enloe Medical Center in Chico and Oroville Hospital to transfer the patients. Between Concow and east Paradise, an estimated 9,500 residents were evacuated, officials said, before the evacuation area was expanded. Residents east of Pentz Road south the town, in Magalia east of the Skyway, and in Paradise east of Clark Road, were also advised to be ready for evacuation. Las Plumas High School in Oroville was opened as an evacuation center early Tuesday, taking in people and small animals, but about 3 p.m. it was getting full. The nearby Nazarene Church opened to take in more displaced people, but not pets. The Neighborhood Church in Chico also opened as a shelter, also for people only. Larger animals were being taken to the Chico State University Farm on Hegan Lane. McLean said several blazes between Highway 70 and Paradise once had different names, but have burned together and are now being considered part of the Camp Fire. When the firing operation began Monday night, the Camp blaze was at an estimated 9,600 acres. Officials said it was estimated at 20,000 acres-plus on Tuesday, with just 5 percent containment. As if firefighters didn't have their hands full already, another blaze broke out late Tuesday morning near the intersection of Bean Creek Road and Darnell Lane, east of Bald Rock Road. Discovered at less than an acre, officials said it quickly grew to about 100 acres and was reportedly burning toward Berry Creek. It was believed to be a spot fire from the Frey Fire, which has been burning for several days in the Feather Falls Scenic Area. Due to the new fire, the Butte County Sheriff's Office ordered evacuations in Brush Creek, Berry Creek an d surrounding areas. Five air tankers were standing by most of Tuesday, but smoke in the fire areas never cleared enough for them to make retardant drops. The aircraft were sent home just before 2:30 p.m. Some helicopters were able to make water drops Tuesday afternoon. At least 2,200 firefighters and 40 hand crews remained working on all fires in the Butte Lightning Complex Tuesday, which had consumed approximately 37,000 acres.
Staff writer Greg Welter can be reached at 896-7768 or gwelter@chicoer.com.
7:45a.m. update: Fire at 20,000 acres; 12 to 40 homes destroyed; Skyway closed again
PARADISE, CA —
posted June 14, 2008
The Humboldt Fire continued to burn this morning in the Butte College area, Doe Mill Ridge and the southwestern edge of Paradise. Cal Fire-Butte County reported the fire was 15 percent contained and 20,484 acres had burned as of 6:45 a.m. Cal Fire said 12 to 40 structures have burned. Officials report they have not had time to verify the specific number of homes burned. More than 4,600 structures are still threatened and evacuations of south Paradise and the Butte College area remain in effect.
Cal Fire said 1,354 firefighters are working on the fire in addition to four air tankers, four helicopters and 14 bulldozers trying to cut fire breaks. Firefighters hope to make more progress today as the winds that whipped the fire Wednesday and Thursday have diminished and humidity is expected to rise to a still-low 20 percent. Overnight the fire burned to Durham-Pentz Road and beyond, but the college was not damaged. After being open briefly, eastbound traffic up the Skyway has been closed again to all but emergency vehicles. The Skyway will be closed at Bruce Road. Ridge residents can also head down Pentz Road, which is closed to uphill traffic. Neal Road and Clark Road remain closed. The evacuation line remains in all of the area south of Pearson Road. An evacuation center at Neighborhood Church in south Chico is full and people who need shelter are being sent to Pleasant Valley High School in Chico or Fit One Athletic Club in Chico. The county is asking residents not to call 9-1-1 except in a true emergency. For information, call 538-7826 or watch ChicoER.com for updates.
Exposing Pentagon and CIA Corruption
"The mood at the CIA and Pentagon was 'war is coming' because the Bush Family stands to make billions from it -- so get ready."
McCain Admits He Doesn't Know How To Use A Computer (VIDEO)
9/11, Deep State Violence and the Hope of Internet Politics by Prof. Peter Dale Scott
Hate speech or free speech?
Foreclosures Make Up 65% Sacramento Home Sales
Obscenity Trial Judge Posted Porn On Own Website
Marc Maron Wrangles Cats thanks PF
Free Bees - 9/11's a Lie
Israeli Finger on the Nuclear Trigger Could Turn the Next Israeli-Arab War Into a Conflagration
U.S. quits as observer at UN Human Rights Council under war-crimes accusations
The Bush/McCain Game Plan: What May Be in Store for Obama -- And the Rest of America. The Iran Attack.
Rep. Kucinich calls for Bush impeachment
President BUSH PARDON's HIMSELF against POTENTIAL WARCRIMES
this is what my first ufo looked like, 11-10-75, bridge city, LA - rev. first duval
Gates names first Vulcan to head Air Force
"Live Long and Prosper"
10 airports install body scanners
“I’m delighted by this development,” said Clark Kent Ervin, the former Homeland
Passengers can decline to go through a scanner, but they will face a pat-down. Schear, the Baltimore security director, said only 4% of passengers decline. ... 90% of passengers choose to be scanned, the TSA says.
posted by: rev. first duval
june 16, 2008
1:44 PM pst
OBAMA
"How many syllabels?"
Reply to: pers-712865309@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-08, 10:13PM
I was an Obama supporter, but I can imagine how angry women who supported Hillary must be at the way she was disrespected. I would like to be the person you take out your anger on. You are welcome to punish me in any way you choose. Please give me the beating you would like to have given everyone who patronized Hillary or minimized her strength and courage. I'm in my mid 40s, in good shape, and d/d free. Any age or race is fine, but please also be in good shape (no BBWs please) and d/d free.
Location: NYC and vicinitypers-712865309@craigslist.org Original URL:http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msr/712865309.html
From: P Fuse [mailto:uhuru62002@yahoo.com]
Subject: NOLA.com blogging on Jefferson's endorsement of Obama
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 03:47:47 +0000
Posted by LostinNOLa on 06/03/08 at 9:57PM
Who does super idiot Cynthia Willard Looney endorse? Pampy Barre? Comedian Rush Limburger went off on New Orleans today and for once he was right. We don't deserve to be taken seriously! We only care about tryin' to be like pimpin mac daddy "Bi$hop" Paul Morton and Clarence Ray the Chocolate City Playboy. We live in Haiti folks. Face it. And Marrero is just another Port Au Prince suburb. Wooden headed do-gooders are serving free crawfish to the tent people under the bridge now. I saw it being dished out yesterday. This morning the smell and garbage was hellacious. Haiti we are, yes indeed. SEE YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So i say with a smile
and a wink of my eye,
I'll stop killing the pain
when the pain stops killing me.
Carlos g.
Bombing Hiroshima
posted by Alex Mac
May 8, 2008
In Times of war, it is important to be reminded of the horrible crimes against humanity that ALWAYS occur during wartime. These serve as a reminder that war is a "failure of diplomacy", and that no matter How "noble" the cause, should be ended as soon as humanly possible. So it doesn't offend me that some are critical of the use of nuclear weapons by the United States against Japan During (causing) the end of World War 2. It was horrible that so many civilians were killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, (although oddly enough more death was caused by "firebombing" than the nuclear blasts.) I even read a compassionate "post" stating that we should have bombed Mt Fuji as a warning rather than Hiroshima first. That is a valid line of reasoning, although I believe it would have actually Japanese resolve to fight to the "Last Man". Although I disagree with ALL war, sometimes it has been necessary to kill. I actually believe that The "BOMBS" were dropped on Japan to save lives..(.and there is much evidence to support this), but my point is that if you are going to bring up the use of nuclear weapons...you should also bring up the circumstances that brought about these horrible events. I believe the real danger is not the weapons...but rather the mentality of those that believe that Killing others for the betterment of your living standard is acceptable. So if one was to take a lesson from the bombing, I believe it should be that Whole countries can rally behind a government and accept war as a solution to economic stress...,Not that the US are evil for using Nuclear weapons. (That is naive) So be critical of ALL acts against humanity! Question your government! But do not fall into the convenient hatred of an entire nation, for that ignorant prejudice is how governments have always rallied people to the cause of "Murder".
New Photos Reveal Horror Of Hiroshima (Warning: graphic)
A reminder that for all the talk about Iraq and Iran's 'nookular' bombs, one and only one nation has ever used nuclear weapons of mass destruction on the civilians of another country.
IF IT BLEEDS IT LEADS
KEEP LOCAL COPS LOCAL !
8 Days of Anarchy Begins!
posted Tuesday Mar 18th, 2008
Today begins 8 days of Anarchy. 8 days of anarchy is a time when anarchists and their friends come together, celebrate, and plan on their shared activities for the year. There will come a day when anarchy is 365 days a year but until that time we have 8 days.
Join us in the San Franscisco Bay Area for 8 days of events that range from discussions to conferences. We look forward to meeting you.
"Nuthin' Ain't Worth Nothing," by Duval Russell
March 18, 2008
None knows for sure when it really started or changed would be more like it. We know it was quick, but not instant. What "IT" is is called different things from town to town. We're not sure if we did it, or if it was natural or, like the titlte to the Big Brother song, the combination of the two. The end result is that the upper atmosphere is gone. Radiation bombards our globe at the speed of light and there's nothing to be done about it now. The event took out most of the known life forms on the planet. fruit trees that lived don't produce, they exist. just like humanity. We all into this existence mode, waiting for things to get better. Maybe it'll change in a few years or maybe a few thousand years. Who knows?
We know that money didn't exist anymore, but humans did, some. Technology varied from hill top to top. the sun was the enemy. it could kill you. Those that that had survived it were already considered heroes. their only mission now was to exist. there were many strange "bugs", germs that flourished in their new digs, so human contact was pretty much frowned upon. Contact wasn't outlawed since they were no authorities to enforce anyone's rules, but we'd heard stories of different plagues that had wiped out established encampments. Enough said on that subject.
Our community took up some old fruit grooves in what used to be Oregon. most lives in single, or what appeared to be single room dwellings alone. These were space out 100 yards or so and the solitary heroes that lived there had one job. Exist. Rations were delivered once a day. Don't ask what it was really made of, but it keep you alive. My wife and I got extra rations due to the fact that we delivered these brown papered packages 7 days a week. In return we got a little extra. A little I told you.
Now we hardly had known any of the heroes we serviced everyday in the Old World, but there was this one old lady we had worked with many moons ago. With the unspoken rule about human contact, we'd never bothered to see her in our years of delivering the rations. Her drop was in the morning and we'd always assummed she was sleeeping. Like in a famine, sleeping is the best way to past the time on limited calories. Our little network of surviours was plugged into a network of serveral thousands, spread up and down the waterways. So one day we'd mad up our mind to pay Nora, the aforementioned lady a visit after today's rounds. Afterall, noone lives forever, it just seems like it sometimes.
Nora came to her door in a dress. An old dress, like everything, and she recognized our eyes from another time. We all embraced and she invited us in. Her tiny abode was quite quaint, sectioned off like an Edwardian cotttage. Cher, my wife, Nora and I sat in a threesome at her wooden kitchen table and enjoyed double portions of God knows what. We all so happy to be together and alive. Existing isn't easy. This was pure joy when two world ages hugged one another from across the table. She quickly arose and went searching in her living area. She came returned shortly and revealed her prize. She rotated a half drunk bottle of home made wiskey. Home aged too, i presume since it was brownish - caramel color. In the old days she had been a 21 year AA chipped, so the presence of booze in her shack was a shock.
We passed the bottle around. What a taste. What a feeling. We were all in too good a mood. Joyous. We burst into good time songs like, "Camp Town Races." This was follower up by more. Soon we were inventing happy songs just to celebrate the years.
For some unknown reason I seemed to get more shit faced than the others, something I rememebered Nora had hated in drunks in the Old Age. Didn't matter today.
The left side of my face lay flush against her uncovered wooden table while darker melodies rumbled out my drunken soul. The last I recall I was doing a pretty good job of destroying, "Me and Bobby McGee." I absorbed a sharp kick from Cher's foot at my display, but could feel Nora calm her and let me drift away with the stars. It must've taken both of 'um to get me back in the '56 Chevy pick up we use for the packages.
The same old sun came up right on time and dawed our special clothes and creams needed to be out in the sunshine. We went about dropping off the packages. Not much was said about the small party we's created last. Not much too say. It was enough to keep you going and existing. Good enough for me.
posted march 16, 2008
by sweejak
The ACLU is reporting that by this summer, a million people will be on the US terrorist watch list. As of this writing there are approximately 925,000.
posted: march 15, 2008
by Elston GunnI
thanks Alex
I was raised to believe that people who sold & used drugs belonged behind bars, and that the government had my best interests at heart. Following the loss of friends and several family members to legal & illegal drugs, I was moved to explore America’s failed Drug War. This was the start of a 4 year mission to sort the facts from fiction and pick apart the paradoxes of America’s longest running war. I inter- viewed DEA agents, CIA officers, judges, politicians, gang leaders, ad- dicts, & Celebrities. Some of the questions I wanted answered were:
• Has our government participated in smuggling drugs?
• Who profits from the Drug War?
• Is there a connection between legal & illegal drug use?
• Why has the media swept the Drug War under the carpet?
• Why has our government combined the War on Terror with the War on Drugs?
.
AT A COST OF $60 BILLION PER YEAR, AND THE IMPRISONMENT OF MILLIONS OF NON-VIOLENT CITIZENS, THE WAR ON DRUGS HAS BECOME THE COSTLIEST WAR IN HISTORY.
HOW MUCH MORE CAN THE COUNTRY TAKE?
Anne Rice: 'It's a different season for me now' thanks James
Subject: Re: COMING TO THE LORD AND ALL
From: Anne Rice anneobrienrice@mac.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 6:11 PM
To: James F.
NOW THAT YOU’VE COME TO THE LORD AND BECOME A CHRISTIAN….WHAT ARE U GOING TO DO ABOUT THE EROTIC / PORNOGRAPHIC BOOKS YOU WROTE UNDER THE NAME A.N. ROQUELAURURE IE: SLEEPING BEAUTY…BEAUTY’S RELEASE ET. AL. WILL YOU DENOUNCE THEM…TAKE THEM OFF THE SHELF…???? SINCERELY JAMES FUSELIER…..JFUSE007@COX.NET A FAN FROM HARAHAN LOUISIANA WHOSE ALSO A BORN CHRISTIAN / ex catholic
Basically, there's nothing I can do. I don't have the money to buy them back. And though they were written with great sincerity and a belief in safe pornography, I don't have the energy to try to explain that to a Christian audience. I feel the best thing is to make no mention of them at all. They have never to my knowledge done anyone any harm. And the money certainly is needed for charity and to support family members who need help. I deleted all mention of them from my website, and when asked simply explain that that was 20 years ago, I was sincere, but I don't think my Christian readers should buy them or will like them. Christianity and eroticism right now are not at a place where porno like that can be understood. My personal opinion is they have considerable psychological value. But I'm not interested in defending them or advancing their cause. So they're just out there. I'd have to be very rich indeed to buy them back and I don't think the publisher would sell. They do too well. So that's the story. No story. I concentrate on my writing for the Lord, and I can say with a clear conscience that my past books were all sincere, and part of a journey to Christ, even those strange and unusual books. By the way, almost no one ever asks about them.
"Account Past Due,"
duval russell
march 5, 2008
in this ever more cashless society, the unspoken threat from multinational corporations down to mom and pop ops are that they might report you to one of the major credit reporting services. this could ruin ones, or a couple's, or a small families' life and future in today's world. this is what empowers even the smallest customer services reps for even the smallest companies.
there's something basically wrong when the cash paying customer quakes in fear at almost any encounter with a near nameless, customer service rep these days. they give you just their first name, the shrink's say is makes the customer more relaxed while doing business on an impersonal device like the telephone, but the reverse is true. you have no way of telling if that was even Debbie you were just talking to, nor should you even care. they are the company and you are the customer. the one that keeps major sales chains in business. they tell you up front that you may, believe me, you are, being recorded to make future encounters better for you, the customer. bullshit!
you're recorded so the big wigs at a computer shipping center or nosy electronic carriers can end the careers or Debbie or Thai Pay for not following company policy and bleeding that customer dry. they, the companies hold all the cards and have all the power. why not throws this weight around every chance they get. oh, but they do. they can ruin your credit and do. worse than that is that they can deny you service.
the law says they must serve you, no matter what color you were born or how ugly you happen to be. most are governed by these little commissions that they sheepishly hide behind and tell them just how much deposit they can get away with charging a potential or former customer. "its all right there in black and white," Debbie might say, smiling sweetly as she punches up the next problem customer she gets to deny service to today.
its not right. its not right to feel the fear of a black felon in Mississippi as he notes the spring in the step of the sheriff walking back to his car with his papers in his hand, every time he or she calls even the smallest company with a discretion on the bill. don't you agree?
The Death Penalty Should Be Administered Without Pain
Current mood: pissed off
Category: News and Politics
Death Penalty Blog
[Authors note: This essay is NOT about whether the death penalty is justified or not; it is about those who argue against the cruelty of the death penalty. Also, I suggest you read my links. I never said this was a quick read, but it might be the most important thing you read today so take your time and think before you speak.]
As a registered bleeding-heart Liberal, there are few things that bother me more than the idea that people convicted of horribly atrocious crimes might suffer some pain when they are put to death.
I think that the state should go out of its way to make sure that people who murder 3 year-olds and feed their remains to dogs be killed in the most painless way possible. I cannot sleep at night thinking that a person who murders innocent citizens and children in cold blood might feel a hint of pain when they are executed.
Before we go any farther, I want to inform the readers of this blog that I am not talking about whether capital punishment is wrong or not. This post is about HOW we execute people who abduct, rape and bury children alive.
While I am more than willing to pretend that I care about the victims of these merciless crimes, my true crusade is making sure that people who rape and kill children and then bury them alive receive a painless death.
That, to me, is justice.
Did you know that [insert rambling argument about how the electric chair and even lethal injection is cruel and unusual for people who have inflicted ten times the cruelty and unusualness upon their innocent victims] is unfair?
Doesn't that make your heart bleed? I know that it makes my heart bleed. When I think about a grown man who strangled a little girl to death for almost 10 minutes, all I can think about is that I hope when her killer is put to death it is quick and painless.
In fact, I'd like to take this one step further.
I would like the government to assist serial killers and child molesters to make sure that their victims' deaths are as quick and painless as the killers' deaths.
I'm dead serious. If you had to choose between your 3 year-old child being tortured for 2 weeks and then enduring a slow and painful death, or your 3 year-old being tortured for 2 weeks and enjoying a quick and painless death, which would you choose? The latter, obviously, which is why I think the government needs to start regulating the abduction, torture and murder of innocent children.
I think serial killers and serial rapists should be required to register with the government, pass a test, and be required to torture, rape and kill women and children under acceptable government guidelines.
If a killer follows these rules, they will earn the right to be killed quickly and painlessly when they are caught and convicted.
Oh, the humanity! ? I am crying as I write this because I cannot fathom the evil of people who rape and murder innocent women and children. I am a slave to satire, therefore I am not able to tackle this subject in a straight-forward manner. Please do not look at this essay as in any way condoning rape, murder, torture or child abuse. I thank you for indulging me on this issue.
[Post-essay reaction: I believe in the criminal justice system. I really do. It isn't perfect, but I really believe that the American criminal justice system is the best in the world. I don't think that the system is perfect, but I do believe it is the best we've got.
That being said, if anyone ever rapes one of my children or my wife, guess what? I will rape them. I'm not BS'ing you. If you rape my wife or children, expect to get raped by me. Probably murdered AFTER the rape. If you rape one of my family members, I WILL RAPE YOU! I will hurt you, I will degrade you, I will deprive you of dignity, I will make you beg for mercy and your pleas will go unanswered. You will never walk again and probably never talk again.
And if the justice system in this country wants to put me in prison for that, I will accept it. I believe in the criminal justice system, but I will NOT sit back and wait for the system to deal with you if you hurt my children or my wife. I am a pacifist, generally, and I have never started a fight in my life, but believe you me, I will end a fight if you ever go against my family. Rape one of my children once, and I will rape you twice. That is a promise.]
Obama for H.N.I.C.?
thanks Malcolm X
Feb. 22, 2008
BY JACK DOUGLAS JR.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
DALLAS -- Security details at Barack Obama's rally Wednesday stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.
The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security.
Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence, head of the Police Department's homeland security and special operations divisions, said the order -- apparently made by the U.S. Secret Service -- was meant to speed up the long lines outside and fill the arena's vacant seats before Obama came on.
"Sure," said Lawrence, when asked if he was concerned by the great number of people who had gotten into the building without being checked. But, he added, the turnout of more than 17,000 people seemed to be a "friendly crowd."
The Secret Service did not return a call from the Star-Telegram seeking comment.
Doors opened to the public at 10 a.m., and for the first hour security officers scanned each person who came in and checked their belongings in a process that kept movement of the long lines at a crawl. Then, about 11 a.m., an order came down to allow the people in without being checked.
Several Dallas police officers said it worried them that the arena was packed with people who got in without even a cursory inspection.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because, they said, the order was made by federal officials who were in charge of security at the event.
"How can you not be concerned in this day and age," said one policeman.
JACK DOUGLAS Jr., 817-390-7700
jld@star-telegram.com
"Alles muss anders sein!" ("Everything must be different!") -- A Hitler
In the future, everyone will be a mass murderer for 15 minutes. - stickdog99
"Sicko" Gets the Oscar High-Five ...a note from Michael Moore
January 25, 2008
Friends,
I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know (if you didn't already) the good news that "Sicko" has been nominated for this year's Academy Award for Best Documentary. It was a pleasant surprise when we got the news on Tuesday.
Of course, every reporter who's called me in the past few days wanted to know if I plan on giving an "anti-war" or "anti-Bush" speech, should "Sicko" win, as I did when we won the Oscar for "Bowling for Columbine" in 2003. (As you may recall, it was the 5th day of the war when those Oscars were held, and I said from the stage that, while I enjoy making nonfiction films, we live in fictitious times with a man of fiction in the White House. A ruckus ensued with a loud roar of cheers and boos, then someone cued the band to get me off the stage. As host Steve Martin said a few moments later, Teamsters were out back loading me into the trunk of a car.)
Well it's five years later and we are still at war. But there's no booing these days. 65% of the public is now opposed to the war and to Mr. Bush. The Academy, instead of cutting off the microphone, now nominates anti-war films for Best Documentary. That's right, three of the five nominees this year are Iraq War films!
I am very honored to be in this group of documentaries, three of which I brought last summer to our film festival in northern Michigan. "Taxi to the Dark Side" is a brutal examination of U.S. torture in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Operation Homecoming" has actors reading letters from soldiers in Iraq. "No End in Sight" has ex-Bush administration officials admitting how they messed up the occupation, lamenting how things would have been so much better if only Bush had put people in Baghdad who knew what they were doing (and wouldn't we all have loved to see THAT? Hahaha). And "War/Dance" tells the moving story of kids in a dance competition in war-torn Africa. A diverse group of films, and proof that nonfiction movies are stronger than ever.
A lot of people ask me, 'how does this whole Oscar voting thing work?' Well, actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors -- every branch essentially votes to nominate their own (including documentary filmmakers in my branch) -- and then all 6,000 Academy members vote for the Best Picture nominees. After the nominations are announced, then all 6,000 vote for all the categories.
Documentaries, though, have one special rule: The voters have to verify they have seen all five nominated films. As some of these films, unfortunately, don't have the distribution they deserve, special Academy members-only screenings of all five nominees are set up for this very purpose in the next few days in New York, and in the next couple of weeks in L.A. and elsewhere, and that's when any Academy member can vote for Best Documentary.
But will there be an Oscar show this year? As you know, the Writers Guild (of which I am a member) is on strike and the Oscars are a union show. If the strike isn't settled, they won't be able to put on the typical telecast as no actor, writer or anyone I know will cross the picket line. This is all happening because a couple of hotheads at the studios (some would say union-busting knuckleheads) have walked away from the negotiating table in what seems like an attempt to simply get rid of the union. What do they think we are, air traffic controllers?
The writers are only asking for about 2.5 cents out of every dollar made on Internet sales (that's right, not even 3 pennies!), a small pittance compared to what the studios or networks rake in. That's it. The union has dropped the demand to unionize the reality shows (in 1993, I created the first unionized reality show, "TV Nation," but the Writers Guild unfortunately wasn't able to build on this). I would like to believe that the honchos will come to their senses and settle this strike. Otherwise, I won't be able to talk to Joan Rivers on the red carpet or attend all those Oscar parties afterward! Don't make me suffer like this! My wardrobe and stylist people are already in tears.
In the meantime, I'll send you some pre-Super Tuesday thoughts next week. Thanks again for all your nice comments on the Oscar nod and I hope this extra attention on "Sicko" will help to push for the day when every American can go to the doctor or the hospital and never be asked "what's in your wallet?"
Yours,
Michael Moore
MIB Produce Pics '07 on the way!
"Well-known Chico musician dead at 54"
By HEATHER HACKING - Staff Writer
Article Launched: 01/15/2008 02:29:17 PM PST
Chico rockabilly front-man Matt Hogan died early Sunday morning, Jan. 13, at Enloe Medical Center. He was 54. A staple on the music scene for decades, Hogan was the leader for the band the Incredible Diamonds as well as playing with several other groups. Hogan died of natural causes, and a memorial is being planned by his family. Hogan was born in Red Bluff and grew up in Hamilton City. "He had one lesson from a friend" when he was in his early teens, said his sister, Mary Johnston, "and he never put the guitar down again." "He found his passion at that point of his life," and was self-taught, she said. Johnston said Hogan liked all kinds of music and was interested in helping local music thrive. She said many times he was asked to play a gig, and if Hogan couldn't do it, he would find somebody who could. "Matt's passion was playing music and it wasn't necessarily to make a bunch of money," she said. It was always about doing what he wanted to do and for people to have a good time, she said. Long-time friend and Incredible Diamonds drummer Clint Bear played with Hogan's band for nine years. "When I first met the four-eyed guy," was in the early 1990s, Bear said. Before Normal Street Bar, that location was owned by Mark McGowan, where Hogan held an open blues band. "He let all the local musicians play. We were just kids then," Bear said. Friend Lynette Frost said Hogan was "notoriously known" for playing his guitar while roaming through the audience. He'd take the guitar outside and play behind his head, she recalled. "Matt was the Incredible Diamonds," said Frost. "The band members were constantly changing," Bear said. "Everybody played with them, whoever he would roust up." Among the bands he also played with was Brutilicus Maximus. "He really enjoyed that. He got to let loose," because when he played with Brut Max he didn't have to be the front-man, Bear said. He was also a "Lonesome Cowboy," playing with Danny West. Hogan also made a point to perform at the Hamilton City levee festivals, events that were held to raise money to reinforce the failing levee on the West side of the Sacramento River. Another of his favorite venues was the Bambi Inn in Butte Meadows, Frost said. Beyond the music, Bear said Hogan's personality is memorable. "He was so charismatic. You could spend five-10 minutes with the guy and you would think he was your best friend. He made people feel comfortable. He could find something in common with everyone." Close friends may remember Hogan best for his stories. "He was always full of some story, some information that was interesting," Bear said. And he was always telling jokes, often repeating them the next time a person ran into him. One example still managed to crack Bear up Tuesday afternoon. Hogan would ask "have you seen my pride and joy?" Then Hogan would open up his wallet, and he had a picture of Pride furniture polish and Joy dish soap. Bear said he pulled this gag for years. "He probably had that in his wallet when he died," Bear said. "He would just bust that out. It was a crackup." "He wanted to enjoy every day," Bear said. "He lived every day in the moment, always just dealing with right now. He didn't always look into the future and didn't really dwell in the past. It was just right there, right now."
Staff writer Heather Hacking
thanks Alex
Letter: Torture is not courage
Chico Enterprise-Record
Article Launched: 01/12/2008 12:37:09 AM PST
In his recent letter to the E-R, Gary Foster supports the torturing and waterboarding of suspects by our government. He calls waterboarding merely "uncomfortable." Waterboarding is a procedure of strapping a human being to a board, then turning the board upside down, then dipping the suspect's head into a bucket of water until he cannot breathe. This is a famous technique of torture used in Nazi Germany under Hitler.
The United States of America is not Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Our U.S. Constitution clearly asserts that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. This is a part of our rights according to our Constitution. Torturing someone implies that they are already guilty of something. Furthermore, when you torture people to extract information, you will not get a true confession because people will say anything just to stop the torture.
Congressman Wally Herger stands for waterboarding and torture because he voted yes on HR 2082. There is no justification in the world for us to give up our constitutional rights for "security." That is what we are asked to do. This is not acceptable. Our constitutional rights should never be revoked under any circumstance.
— Susan Eissinger, Corning, CA