terrorism

Judicial branch? What judicial branch?

This vernacular frustrates in the extreme. "The procedures must be fair," Gonzalez said to the Senators, "but also must reflect that we are still at war and that our men and women on the front lines operate in a war zone, not in the controlled environment of an F.B.I. forensics lab."

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Little New Zealand down in the South Pacific, 2000 miles and three hours east of Walzing Matilda country, Australia, is hardly considered potential terrorist country. But post 9/11 anything is possible I guess.

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So I was reading this post in another blog today on how there are some people who think we should move beyond the tragedy that this date represents and not think about it anymore. No way; I'm going to remember this date as long as I'm alive, not quite as much as the day my dad passed away, or when it happens to my mother if she beats me, but it's pretty close to the top. Yeah, I take it personal, and I'm not forgetting a thing.

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What is terrorism?

Is it just ostensible display of violence? Is it just indiscriminate violence perpetrated by some groups of wayward people against the state and its citizens as we are most often led to believe? But is it not a state-sponsored idea that groups of wayward people commonly known as extremists only are reponsible for all those massacres and indiscriminate acts of violence?

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Perhaps my google-fu is just weak, but I can't seem to find anyone really talking about Tuesday's Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq. Several people have posted the order in its entirety, but few seem to actually interpret or discuss what it means. If you've come across such a post, please leave a comment with a link, as I'd really like to read what the more educated have to say about it.

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As I write this, there's the aftermath of an explosion here in NYC around 41st and Broadway, which is a few blocks from the hotel I'm presently staying at. It seems to only be a big steam explosion, though there are some injuries, but it's not the act of a terrorist, thank goodness.

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Man, if this isn't one of the sickest things you've seen in a long while, I'm not sure what else there is.

This is a news story about a 12 year old boy who took part in the beheading of a man. They say it was an American spy; who cares whether it was an American or not. Suddenly there's a 12 year old killer who's being prepped up by adults who have an agenda, yet should know better.

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Has the politics of fascism been wiped out from the world? Has it stopped to rear its ugly face? Let us have a quick look. What were synonymous with German Fascism? First and foremost it was the indiscriminate persecution against the Jews. But not only the Jews were the victims of Fascist German army but the death of millions of non-Jews let alone the communists, the repression of the minority community, waging war of aggression, forcible occupation of sovereign land all point fingers to the barbarism of Fascist political ideology .Are these things of the past? Is all of it just reminiscent today?

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Exotic animals captured in the wild are streaming into the U.S. by the millions with little or no screening for disease, leaving Americans vulnerable to a virulent outbreak that could rival a terrorist act.

Demand for such wildlife is booming as parents try to get their kids the latest pets fancied by Hollywood stars and zoos and research scientists seek to fill their cages.

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Both houses of the U.S. Congress are poised to send a new document to the Bush. It will grant him the sole and ultimate decision to determine whether or not an individual--ANY INDIVIDUAL--may be detained for indefinite periods of time without legal recourse or even being informed why he or she is being detained. This, mind you, in the name of the war on terrorism. Never forget, goes the mantra, we were attacked on 9/11/2001.

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We have all heard the various phrases and cliches over the past five years. "You are either with us, or against us" and "you can't support the troops if you don't support the war". Are these mere platitudes with a bias, slant, and spin, or must they become a reality that is supported by consensus?

I do not support the war. Once it took the turns it did by moving into Iraq, with all the deceit and gesturing, I lost any energy to invest in 'supporting' Bush and his agenda.

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Tell me something. Am I being unreasonable that I want to beat my sister? She felt the need to tell my son about 9/11, and then, when they were renting a movie, she let him pick out United 93. My position is that he's 7, he seems obsessed with it, and he knows that it happened in New York and that both of his parents are getting on a plane to go there within a week, this close to the 5 year anniversary. When I found out she rented it, I made it clear to my mom that he was NOT to watch it. She said that she didn't think my sister rented it for him. Sure enough, a few minutes later she was talking about him watching it. Did she bother to check the box for the rating? Did she somehow decide that the scene with a boxcutter and an airline attendant was appropriate viewing? Or maybe it was where the plane slams into the ground that sealed it for her. And then she had the nerve to say that it was "unfair" that he couldn't watch the movie he picked out.

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In a recent " Meet the Press" Program, Thomas Kean, the Chairman and Lee Hamilton, the Vice Chairman of the Sept 11/2001 Commission gave out some interesting statements.

They stated that the Pakistani Government is giving some help but not doing enough in the war against terrorism.

They stated that the US is now involved in three wars, one in Afganistan,second in Iraq and the third is the War against terrorism.

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Below is the full text of the recent U.N. (or Utter Nonsense, this time) on the Israel-Hizbullah war:

START PAGE: "OK, everybody settle now, children--you've got your fruity-candies.
(1)Hizbullah can now stop spending Iranian-paid Katyusha rockets, call a roll call on its members and conduct inventory of damaged terror, er, corporate infrastructures. OK? (You guys can re-group later and do some recruiting jobs, but puleeeeez, delay it for at least two years or more, OK?)

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I owe an apology to the good citizens of Bath, Maine, for my violation of city ordinances regarding noise pollution.

You see, yesterday, 11 August 2006, I was driving through town on my way to join the Bath Municipal Band for an outdoor concert. The Bath Municipal Band, bless their hearts, is not going to win any Grammy awards anytime soon. It's a community band, after all. Hardly a pro outfit. But that's not the noise pollution for which I need to apologize. Even though my own playing, which is never what I want it to be, was even further off the mark than usual.

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