Weather Conditions, Wish we were there...

Odd things and such things, as I feel appropriate, possibly relating to the war.
Email me at jll3a@hotmail.com.

Look below for links to good sites, ebooks and such.

Jerry Lawson, Proprietor

 
Spiced Sass - Waking Up

I was a child of the 60's but I had no ideology. It is a serious mistake to believe that the "hippies' embodied a generation of self aware, socially conscientious, idealistic soldiers against injustice. If my mid-western experience of hippie-dom is any measure, the main concerns centered around pinpointing the best dope and dealers as opposed to distinguishing flaws in the social system, and Viet Nam, foremost, was a canvas, a backdrop on the set.

The "issues" were if you were going to party with the band after the concert, the sophistication of your sound system and how you fit in with the new 'class hierarchy'. Hippies were subject to the same laws of human nature as any other group. The purported idealism that demanded the eradication of 'class' structure had created its' own caste system predicated on the dealers you knew, the intellectual patois you sucked down, the musicians you hung with and just how hip you were to party with. All of this while still ensconced in the safety net of the society we were intent on destroying

And pretty much succeeded in destroying, it would appear.

I swear to God, the majority of hippies were absolutely no more serious than that. And please understand. This was not about the dismantling of a repressive social system or stifling culture. What we rebelled against was anything that impeded our hedonistic hullabaloo.

With facile arrogance and a new vocabulary of psycho babble that justified rationalization, celebrated aberration, and gave license to every self indulgence, we facilitated the destruction of a system of mores and justice that had stood as guardian over our childhood, our parents childhood and the youth of our grandparents. The very real freedoms we foolishly refused to acknowledge as being the living testimony of, we traded for, bought into, hook-fucking-line-and-sinker, the illusionary and ultimately false 'freedoms' sold by the left. But back then, I would not have known to call them the left.

Like many things, "It seemed like a good idea at the time" can come back to haunt you. Forty years later, we're still feeling the repercussions of that time. But not all of it was bad - not all of it was good, of course.

From the perspective of years, it's hard to realize that what we might see as a 'golden age' in the 40s and 50s was at least as beset with trouble and problems as the 60s and 70s... and 80s and 90s. There are always problems, there are always solutions, workable or non... There are always some who take the low road, and some who take the high. There are those who toss aside anything resembing responsibility, and some who take on more than their share. There are those who want to destroy the society that nurtured them, some who don't care one way or the other, and those who want to preserve what they have. It's been that way since the Roman empire, the days of the Greek city-states, and even earlier.

Those in my generation who chose to buy the lie has cost this country beyond measure.

And it is a burden it seems, somehow, my generation must answer to.

Its a fight we dare not loose.

This country is a strong one. At one time we had a civil war, but a hundred and forty years later we're stronger than any other nation on Earth. Whether we can maintain that strength, that greatness of purpose, is another matter. There are those who would tear it down, who put party loyalty over the good of the country - just take a look at Washington these days and you can ask yourself "Which of the noisy clowns is in it for the good of the country, and which for the good of the political party he belongs to?" Sadly, to me it's really evident that the Democrats aren't exactly worried about the country.

But a lot of people are waking up to that, and wondering just how they could have been fooled for so long.

Zee is one of them. I heartily recommend her blog to you. She writes very well indeed. And she also wonders - how can she pay the debt she feels she has incurred.

Well, she's woken up - I feel that's a big portion of the repayment right there. And she wants to make amends - there's a second portion.

And she was wondering - just how does she go about making amends? She wants to do SOMETHING - she's aching to pay for the free ride she's gotten for many years. I suggested she take a look at FreedomCorps, or CitizenCorps, which has a number of service programs that anyone can volunteer for, or she might be interested in Community Emergency Response Teams if they're available in her area. Perhaps there's other things I'm not aware of, and you could suggest in the comments.

Also, if you have to go to (or through) airports often, consider finding out if your local commercial airport has a USO. They're always in need of snacks, food, drinks, comfort items (such as razors and shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste) books and magazines for the troops passing through. Often military families travelling together have small children - Matchbox cars, books and other small toys for kids passing through can help a lot. The USO can be a welcome respite during a stressful trip.

That's about all I can think of tonight. And it's an early morning tomorrow, so...

G'night, y'all.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/27/2003 11:09:00 PM

 
CNN.com - Iraq says it will destroy missiles - Feb. 27, 2003

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Iraq has informed the United Nations that it will comply with an instruction from chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix to destroy missiles that have been deemed illegal under U.N. sanctions.

However, in a letter received by the United Nations late Thursday, Iraq asked for talks on how the Al Samoud 2 missiles, should be destroyed.

The letter gives no indication that the destruction will begin ahead of the Saturday deadline given by Blix.

Ummm - five pounds of c-4 and a hundred feet of primacord would be sufficient, I think. Heck, just get an EOD troop or a SEAL in there, and you'll have those things in bits faster than you can say "What was that big noise?" Or send in an M-1 tank and they'll be flat and ready for recycling in two passes.

But this IS typical Saddam stuff - delay, delay, and finally assent - then delay some more. Can't figure out how to destroy them. Right.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/27/2003 09:35:00 PM

 
Zogby News!

Remember that poll I got sent?

Here's the results.

But you know something? I'm really glad we've got a President who's not concerned with the polls. I think he's got a better idea on how to handle the war and whether to even GO to war than the people Zogby polls.

Heresy, I know. American politics depend on polls - otherwise how would we get anything accomplished? But it's starting to be evident to me (and to anyone who knows Bush's actual history instead of the crap the left try to spin as it - especially on what he was doing as Governor of Texas) that he really does care more about doing the job in office that he sees needing to be done than to position himself for re-election by promising the moon and the stars.

So far, I'm glad I voted for him and I'd do it again without hesitation.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/27/2003 09:16:00 PM

 
Now, It's Business That Booms (washingtonpost.com)

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The day Taliban soldiers fled this capital, Sabir Latifa had $9,000 in savings from his dried fruit exports and a head filled with ideas about how to do business in a changed Afghanistan.

He started small by fixing up some guesthouses for the journalists and aid workers who flocked to Kabul when the Taliban left in November 2001. Then he branched into cars and a hotel and the capital's first private Internet cafe. Fifteen months later, Latifa has a business empire he says is worth $500,000, and he hopes to build a water bottling plant, more hotels outside Kabul, a computer store and even a chain of Internet cafes around the country.

He did it all in the midst of political chaos, with frequent security concerns, without the help of a bank to lend him money, and in an investment climate that can only be described as extremely challenging.

Once again, capitalism rears it's ugly head. When will we learn? People are OBVIOUSLY happier under the thumb of a dictator or a regime that severely limits what the person can do. Kabul is modernizing, and "In a city that had a handful of shopworn eating places two years ago, a new Chinese or Italian or American hamburger restaurant opens almost weekly, as well as kebab shops by the score." This is a clear case of too many sources for food, and will undoubtedly cause a lot of confusion and concern among the Afghanis who are inexperienced in choosing among many options. Wouldn't it be better to just add maybe one or two a year for a while, until the cultural climate has allowed the people to become comfortable with selecting among so many choices? Obviously the people will suffer under this, and a return to the days of the Taliban are just around the corner.

Not!

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/26/2003 09:37:00 PM

 
Qatar builds churches for Christian communities

Qatar has decided to build churches on its territories so as Christians from various sects will be able to perform their religious rituals, officially and openly for the first time, according to an official Qatari source.

The source explained that the Qatari ministry of municipalities will sign long- term lease contracts with sides concerned in charge of building the churches noting that this measure "comes in the context of Qatar's belief in the freedom of practicing religion."

Contrast this to Saudi Arabia, where NO religion other than Islam is allowed.

I believe that Qatar has gotten the hint - trying to keep things as they were in the 7th Century is a sure way to fail in the 21st.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/26/2003 09:17:00 PM

 
France Warns Iraq War Would Cause Split (washingtonpost.com)

In an impassioned appeal, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin warned Wednesday that waging war now against Iraq without exhausting avenues for peace would split the international community and "be perceived as precipitous and illegitimate."

Ummm... it might split off FRANCE - but at this point the only 'international community' that's against the war is the FrancoGermanic Alliance. China looks like it'll either go with things or abstain, and Germany may well abstain.

In all honesty, it looks like France went way out on a limb - and in the best Looney Toons tradition is busy sawing away at the branch.

Perhaps they ought to heed Chiracs' wisdom. There is indeed a time to 'shut up', and it's when speaking up gets you into more trouble - as France is eloquently demonstrating.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/26/2003 09:01:00 PM

 
Times Online

Judge reveals a bribery offer of thousands of pounds after the trial of a man who incited his followers to enjoy killing the 'infidels'

A judge was offered £50,000 to “throw” the trial of an extremist Muslim cleric found guilty yesterday of encouraging his followers to kill Jews, Hindus and Westerners.
A letter making the offer to Judge Peter Beaumont, QC, the Common Serjeant of London, was sent to the Old Bailey on the eve of Abdullah el-Faisal’s prosecution on charges of soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.

After the cleric was convicted on six of the counts yesterday, the judge lifted an order banning the reporting of the letter, which was sent from Glasgow. Police said that an investigation ordered by the judge, involving forces in London and Glasgow, was ongoing.

El-Faisal, an imam who toured Britain for four years urging audiences to follow the teachings of Osama bin Laden and kill all “unbelievers”, was behind bars last night after being convicted of three charges of soliciting murder. He was found guilty on a further three counts of attempting to stir up racial hatred through abusive and threatening words.

No comment. It's obvious he's innocent, isn't it? After all, only innocent people try to bribe the judges to let them go.

You know, a year ago or even six months ago I'd have felt some sympathy for this guy. No more.

At one time, I thought Islam was primarily a religion of peace. I still think it is - but there's a lot of criminals and terrorists who are using Islam to excuse their actions, and the internal structure of the religion prevents others from speaking up against their 'Islamic Brothers' - no matter what crimes they're committing.

However, a religion is judged by it's worst members and by what the religious leaders who adhere to the structure of that faith say. And, judging by what's been posted in various locations web-wide, people are starting to see through that "religion of peace" thing. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, waddles like a duck, sheds like a duck, shits like a duck and flies like a duck it'll still be a duck even if you want to call it an artichoke.

It ain't no artichoke, and I'm tired of trying to tell myself it is.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/25/2003 02:40:00 PM

 
DILACERATOR: Another Round in Old versus New Europe

...but the gist of it is that they've said in no uncertain terms that they're not going to be bullied around by France. After a meeting in Prague with the Czech foreign minister Svoboda, Polish foreign minister Cimoszewicz made the important announcement that the Visegrád Group would continue its work and cooperation also after the countries had become members of the EU.

And just to underscore the point, he he drew attention the fact that the four Visegrád Group countries are going to have 58 votes in the Council of Europe, the same number as Germany and France combined. That is another reason why the New European Insurrection is giving the French fits. The other part of it is that France still thinks it's a world power and deserves respect for that reason alone; she still thinks she's a pretty young girl, when in fact she's become an old whore with drooping breasts and way too much make-up who bitterly wonders why business is down so much.

Welcome to freedom, guys. Where you can decide to say 'No, thanks' to the folks who'll be glad to take your membership fees, but not allow you a voice in the club.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/24/2003 09:31:00 PM

 
Times Online

RAFAT Abdulmajeed Muhammad is a slightly built man of 45 with a distant stare and a scarred body. He lives alone in Sulaimaniyah, northern Iraq, and owns nothing but the clothes he stands in. He spends his days trying to forget the past 14 years, which he spent in the darkness of Saddam Hussein’s most infamous political prison.

Mr Muhammad’s only crime was to sell a British journalist a roll of film, but his treatment bears ample testimony to the nature of Saddam’s regime.

“I am surprised to hear of all the anti-war demonstrations in the West,” he said. “I wish that the demonstrators could spend just 24 hours in the place I have come from and see the reality of Iraq.

“Fourteen lost years of my life. Nothing but bread for food — darkness, filth, beatings, torture, killings, bitterness and humiliation. I wish they could experience it for just 24 hours.”

A roll of film, bought by a journalist. Who was accused of spying. And they found a card for this man's shop, where the film was bought.

And 14 years of his life lost.

If you're Anti-US and pro-Iraq, you need to read this. THINK, if you can, about the type of government you're against here in the US - and which you're for in Iraq.

And think of the thousands of people who've been tortured and murdered in Iraq because they dared disagree with Saddam.

Last summer Mr Muhammad had the top joint of the second finger of his left hand smashed off with an iron bar for insulting Saddam, an offence for which five years were added to his sentence.

Large-scale executions were a regular occurrence. The first that Mr Muhammad remembered was on March 27, 1991, during the uprisings in Iraq that followed the coalition victory in Kuwait.

“There was no rioting in the prison, just a feeling of unease,” he said. “Then that day hundreds of men from a special unit arrived. They took all the prisoners from their cells and made them parade in the yard facing the walls. It was the first time I had been in daylight since my imprisonment.When we all had our backs to them, standing in the sun, they opened fire on us. Over a hundred men lay dead and dying. The rest of us were made to stand up again and they kept us paraded there until 8pm, when we were returned to our cells.”

But, you say, the US is evil because we've got a death penalty. Which is handled by due process - and someone is executed ONLY when all legal requirements have been met. These guys - where was their due process? Where were their appeals? Where was their painless execution?

Where was Amnesty International?

(Oh, I know where YOU were - at a protest somewhere chanting "Free Mumia!" And oh, how relevant you felt...)

Read this - and understand your 'relevance' is dust in the wind.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/24/2003 07:56:00 PM

 
Actor George Clooney Frustrated by U.S. War Drive (washingtonpost.com)

Clooney, 41, said Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was making a mistake to think a war against Iraq would be an easy win for the United States.
"I believe he thinks this is a war that can be won, but there is no such thing anymore," said Clooney, who starred in a film about the 1991 Gulf War "Three Kings" that took a dark look at the war to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.

Oh, please. You're a friggin' ACTOR, for crying out loud.

Hell, as an AF paperpusher I've got a better handle on what's going on than you do - and I for SURE know that I don't know a hundredth of what's been planned! Perhaps you've got sources the President and Joint Chiefs of Staff don't? Somehow, I doubt that.

George - get a clue. You were an adequate Batman, but not great. You weren't a real soldier - you read a script that was anti-war and you acted the part. You've got an opinion, but it's not an educated or informed one, and you're taking the counsel of your fears.

Yet YOU believe you're right. You've got a right to your opinion - but it's not an informed one. Until it is (and it's possible to get informed, if you do the work) you really ought to not believe your syncophantic staff when they tell you you're really knowledgeable in foriegn affairs.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/23/2003 08:59:00 PM

 
Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC - Work In Progress

Oh my. You've GOT to see this...

They've done it again. You'll need DSL for this one.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/22/2003 11:44:00 PM

 
FOXNews.com

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards called President Bush "out of touch ... out of tune" with regular Americans as the freshman senator sought Saturday to turn his political inexperience and lucrative legal career into virtues.

Uh, bub? There's this little thing I think you forgot - most people like the idea of continuing to live in a terrorist/terrorism free environment. Now, you may think it's all smoke and mirrors - but there was a hell of a lot of smoke and not a few mirrors broken on 9/11. As I've blogged before - you guys are going to have to do a DAMN sight more work on the issues before you'll get my vote, and about the only way I won't vote for a Republican for President would be if Al Gore switched parties and got the nomination.

Here's a hint - if you're calling Bush an idiot, all you're preaching to is the party faithful. THAT won't get you elected, and after reading this article, you won't get my vote at all.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/22/2003 11:20:00 PM

 
Grouchy Media

Woof. Do some downloads. This guy knows how to string stuff together...

J.



posted by Jerry at 2/22/2003 12:49:00 PM

 
And speaking of much longer - next Saturday I start outprocessing from the AF Reserve. You see, for the last 10 years I've been shovelling paper out there. And about six, seven months back they eliminated the requirement for my job at the base I'm at. So I was faced with either getting a job at another base (and sadly, the AF doesn't subsidize commutes) or crosstraining (which is kind of difficult after you've gotten over 20 years time in service) or retiring - since I've got 23+ good years and over 4500 points towards retirement. (They don't start paying you until you hit 60, however.)

So - after looking at all the options and discussing things with she who must be consulted, I chose the retirement option.

Honestly, I'm conflicted. I feel a responsibility to stay in, especially considering what's on the horizon, but on the other hand I've basically been labeled 'surplus' to the current needs. And I've been associated with the military since 1974, when I first joined up. So, it's definitly a part of my life, or has been a phase of my life for close to 30 years.

But phases of your life end, though. And perhaps it's time for this one to end also. (Sigh)

7 days till I start outprocessing. Seems very strange to be counting it down, with the Iraq conflict looming.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/22/2003 12:00:00 PM

 
FOXNews.com

ANKARA, Turkey — A broad agreement to let U.S. combat forces deploy in Turkey in case of war against Iraq centered on a Turkish demand for $15 billion in loans and grants, a Turkish official said Saturday.

Okay - we've got Kuwait & Qatar, Iran isn't going to be helpful to dear ol' Saddam in the conflict (unless we're really misreading things, and the mullahs are going to figure that even though he DID cause a war and gas Iranians, better to support the devil you know - him managing a dictatorship instead of a democracy and all that) and now Turkey's signed on.

Time's getting short. Won't be much longer, I think...

J.







posted by Jerry at 2/22/2003 11:22:00 AM

 
Spiced Sass

I'm an American. Even during my hippie days, it meant something to me. I've never had a problem with it. Apparently there are those in the world who do.I've never been a political animal, it always having been something I could comfortably ignore. Until now. My politics have become an 'a la carte' adventure, a mosaic still being created. I have much to study, much to learn. But here is what I do know. I am frigging American to the bone and, the greatest threat to western civilization that I have so far espied is the one who comes riding in on the trojan horse of liberalism. The left. So, be warned. Hell hath no fury as a woman who has found her allegiance and rediscovered her country. I'm an American. Do. Not.Fuck.With.Me.

There's a lot of folks who have basically been apolitical, but are now finding they need to examine the issues. And when those issues are examined and thought about, in many, many cases they're becoming exceedinlgly angry at the 'useful idiots' in the peace movement. I hope you enjoy reading her. I'll be adding the above link to the blogroll on the left in the next day or two...

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/21/2003 12:30:00 PM

 
the dissident frogman, time to take sides! :: The Price of Peace

View - and if you're of the anti-war persuasion, pay very close attention to the sentiments involved.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/19/2003 11:17:00 PM

 
From Fox - Gephardt Launches White House Bid

ST. LOUIS — Rep. Dick Gephardt, seeking the presidency after eight frustrating years as House Democratic leader, said Wednesday that if elected he would repeal the vast majority of President Bush's "patently unfair" tax cuts to finance an ambitious new health care initiative.

No. Please, no.

Come on, you damn fool Democrats - is GEPHARDT the best you can do as a candidate? And you're just plain stuck on the same page, aren't you? Class warfare. Patently unfair tax cuts. Health Care. Gee... where have I heard this before? Oh - Clinton. And Gore. Man, talk about a broken record - a complete lack of NEW issues.

LOOK AROUND! IS THIS ALL YOU CAN FIND TO CAMPAIGN ABOUT?

Get a damn CLUE. You put the 'charismatic' Gephardt up with this, and you might just as well take the Democratic party out back and shoot it, because you're going to gut it alive. You're not addressing what people are caring about - you're pandering to your own little illusions that these subjects are really important to enough people to get you elected.

And it IS NOT. Yank back the tax cuts to fund a bloated medical buracracy? It ain't gonna fly - no way, no how. ESPECIALLY if you model it after HillaryCare. You start talking serious numbers, and let people who can add 2+2 do the math, and your support will evaporate. You've got to actually address people's concerns, not rehash campaign slogans from 12 years ago.

But then - the Democratic Party isn't exactly the party of ideas and progressive thinking any more, is it?

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/19/2003 10:52:00 AM

 
Oh, it just keeps getting BETTER.

Three Mystery Ships Being Tracked

Three giant cargo ships are being tracked by US and British intelligence on suspicion that they might be carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Each with a deadweight of 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes, the ships have been sailing around the world's oceans for the past three months while maintaining radio silence in clear violation of international maritime law, say authoritative shipping industry sources.

The vessels left port in late November, just a few days after UN weapons inspectors led by Hans Blix began their search for the alleged Iraqi arsenal on their return to the country.

......

Attempts to link the Iraqi regime to al-Qa'ida and other Islamist groups have also been met with scepticism. The UN says, though, that Iraq has failed to account for 1,000 tonnes of chemical agents from the war against Iran; to reveal the whereabouts of 6,500 missing chemical rockets; to produce evidence it has destroyed 8,500 litres of anthrax; and to account for 380 rocket engines smuggled into Iraq with chemicals used for missile propellants and control systems.

But hey, no WMD here. Move along now... just don't try to inspect those ships, okay?

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/19/2003 10:44:00 AM

 
Before/After

Which is better?

You decide.

There's many who would say that 'after' was - but I don't think you'll find many who were directly affected and lived through it who would agree.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/18/2003 09:41:00 PM

 
Memo to Binladen: Go to Hell!

When the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions fought in the name of Islam, Allah made them victorious and glorified them in this world. They made Islam the currency of human civilization for over a millennium. You and your men on the other hand face nothing but defeat, global ridicule and contempt and run and hide like rats in caves and dungeons. You live in the dark. Your faith neither enlightens you nor enables you to live in the light and you have made Islam the currency of hate and violence.

Let me tell you that I would rather live in America under Ashcroft and Bush at their worst, than in any “Islamic state” established by ignorant, intolerant and murderous punks like you and Mullah Omar at their best. The US, patriot act not withstanding is still a more Islamic (just and tolerant) state than Afghanistan ever was under the Taliban.

Remember this: Muslims from all over the world who wished to live better lives migrated to America and Muslims who only wished to take lives migrated to Afghanistan to join you.

We will not follow the desires of people (like you) who went astray and led many astray from the Straight Path. (Quran 5:77).

Written by Dr. Muqtedar Khan, who is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Adrian College in Michigan. He is on the board of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, Center for Balanced Development and the Association of Muslim Social Scientists.

A good read. I've been waiting a long time for this. CAIR certainly isn't doing much in the way of reassurance as far as I can tell. Dr. Khan's main site, http://www.glocaleye.org has some interesting articles of an anti-war slant - he doesn't like the idea of a war yet he realizes that war may be necessary, and when the US goes to war, he'll back the US 100%. THIS is loyal opposition - not what the Democrats are doing.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/17/2003 09:37:00 PM

 
The Telegraph - Defiant Iraq spurns French 'alternative' - Bulgaria refuses France's offer.

In the meantime, Bulgaria has vowed to resist French attempts to bully it into withdrawing support for America's plans to disarm Iraq. Last week the French ambassador to Sofia warned Bulgaria that its pro-American stance could jeopardise its efforts to join the European Union.

"Bulgaria has to consider carefully where its long-term interests lie," Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge said last week. "When people live in Europe they should express solidarity and think European-style."

Solomon Pasi, Bulgaria's foreign minister, condemned the French as neo-appeasers. "We all remember the hesitancy of the Allies, who weren't sure whether to attack Hitler. They could have prevented so much," he said.

I'm thinking that Bulgaaria is seeing the writing on the wall regarding the European Union. At present, the EU EXCEPT for France and Germany (and to an extent Belgium) are backing the US. France (and to some extent Germany) are trying to force the EU into THEIR version/vision of the way it should be - and it looks like there's resistance.

France doesn't run NATO. Neither does Germany. Neither do they run the EU - it's supposed to be a 'consensual' thing with all members equal. Not with some members (like France & Germany) 'more equal' than the others.

They'd better understand that - or it's going to collapse. Right now, NATO's shaking badly due to France and Germany. The EU may not be far behind.

J.



posted by Jerry at 2/16/2003 05:22:00 PM

 
I'm apparently on the Zogby poll list. Every so often they send something, I fill it out, and never hear back.

Today I got a poll on the war. What a surprise.

Currently, would you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose a war against Iraq?

Strongly support
Somewhat support
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Not sure
Refused


Would you support or oppose a war against Iraq if it were only comprised of bombing the country?

Support
Oppose
Not sure
Refused


Would you support or oppose a war against Iraq if it included sending in hundreds of thousands of U.S. ground troops?

Support
Oppose
Not sure
Refused


Would you support or oppose a war against Iraq if there were hundreds of American casualties?

Support
Oppose
Not sure
Refused


Would you support or oppose a war against Iraq if there were thousands of American casualties?

Support
Oppose
Not sure
Refused


Would you support or oppose a war against Iraq if it meant thousands of Iraqi military casualties?

Support
Oppose
Not sure
Refused


Would you support or oppose a war against Iraq if it meant thousands of Iraqi civilian casualties?

Support
Oppose
Not sure
Refused


Would you support or oppose sending your son or daughter to war to remove Saddam Hussein ?

Support
Oppose
Not sure
Refused


In your view, what poses the greater danger to the US, is it North Korea, Iraq , Al Queda , or some other international country or force?

North Korea
Iraq
Al Queda
Other
Not sure
Refused


Are you much more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or much less likely to support a war in Iraq after hearing Colin Powell speak at the UN or has it made no difference in your opinion?

Much more likely
Somewhat more likely
Somewhat less likely
Much less likely
No difference
Not sure
Refused


Would you support or oppose a war against Iraq if the U.S. waged it without significant UN or international support?

Support
Oppose
Not sure
Refused


Did you watch or listen to Secretary of State Colin Powell's address to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday?

Yes
No
Not sure
Refused


Do you agree or disagree that Colin Powell made a convincing case for war with Iraq ?

Agree
Disagree
Not sure
Refused

Honestly, I don't know that war is the only option left at this point. I DO know that the other touted options haven't worked, that there seems little chance that a meteorite is going to hit Saddam on the head, and that there are indeed evil people in the world who shouldn't be allowed to continue. (And no, Bush isn't 'evil'. You've got to be a non-elected dictator, killing your own people in the thousands on a daily basis, and be prone to shooting your cabinet members and family if they disagree with you to approach 'evil' status.) On the good side, Saddam's so gutted his military of anything resembling competent leadership that it won't be a long battle, but it could be a messy one.

Show me an option that'll work, that'll get Saddam to disarm, that'll get inspectors into the country and NOT have them interfered with.

I'd like there to be an alternative to war. I don't think there is one that'll work.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/16/2003 12:04:00 AM

 
Argument - From the Independent

My recurring nightmare – literally – is that, when all this is over, I meet up again with some of the friends I made in Iraq (and who I talk to everyday by e-mail), and they say to me: "You knew we hated Saddam, with his torture chambers, his secret police and his 100 per cent 'election' results. You knew we were desperate to overthrow him. You knew about the 5,000 people he gassed at Halabjah. You knew. So when British and American planes were just miles away, waiting to kill Saddam so we could begin to rebuild our country, what did you do?"

How could I possibly tell them I went on a march opposing the war? How will I explain that one million people in my home town actually did?

Indeed. How could anyone?

Look - I can understand how folks could hate Bush. I understand how they could think he's an idiot, that he's a moron, that he's (insert favorite argument for denigrating Pres. Bush here...) - but what I find very difficult to understand is how SADDAM's actions and torture of his own people, which are documented like nobody's business, are to be completely IGNORED and glossed over!

Actually, I think 'glossed over' is inaccurate - they're not 'glossed over', because that would imply they're noticed and regarded as significant in the first place. They aren't. As far as the Peace crowd goes, Saddam's a saint and Iraq is the Garden of Eden, and all the population are smiling, happy Munchkins just looking to follow the Yellow Brick Road.

Which brings the question: "If you're so sure that Bush is wrong on Iraq, are you equally as sure that Saddam is right for Iraq?"

Try to get a Peace activist to actually answer that question - and I'll bet you a box of Munchkins that you'll see intellectual contortions of the highest order, and you won't get a sensible answer out of them.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/15/2003 11:03:00 PM

 
Guardian Unlimited Film | Interviews | Pretty boys can think (But George Clooney apparently can't...)

"The question is," he goes on, "do we go on murdering each other, or are we going to take time out to ask ourselves why we're so angry in the first place? I get mad at someone, then I find out more about why they did what they did to make me mad, and the anger disperses. We get angry because we don't have enough information." His mousseline is now neatly stacked on the side of his plate. All tidied away.

"It's the head guys who really tick me off," he says. "You dumb down at the top, so what does that do to the bottom? Who's going to stand up for us now? I just want someone smart to stand up and shout, 'Bullshit!' They tell us we're going to war and no one's saying 'Bullshit' loud enough. And the language! Listen to the language! 'Evil.' 'Evil'? 'Nexus of evil'? 'Evil-doer'? That's my favourite, 'Evil-doer'! What's wrong with their vocabulary: couldn't they come up with 'schmuck'?"

One of the things I see, and that may be causing the problem, is the fact that certain segments of our society have a real problem with the concept of evil. With the concept that people would do bad things BECAUSE they enjoy doing it. For example, Saddam's gassing of the Kurds - it's ignored, or excused because we may have sold him the precursor materials to make the gas. It isn't that he's evil because he used the gas, WE are 'evil' because we provided the materials used to make the gas.

Same thing with criminal activity. Criminals aren't evil because they use guns - guns are evil because they exist and criminals use them. It's a case of putting the cart before the horse, of confusing cause and effect. Someone who's truely evil will find a way to kill others - no matter how much you make excuses for them.

For example - consider Israel and the Palestinians. Is Arafat evil? To my way of thinking - he is. He rejected an Israeli settlement that would get the Palestinians 95% of what they wanted, and instead started urging his people to blow themselves up in pizza parlors and shopping malls. He's started a death cult, in which the highest service a Palestinian youth can perform for his culture is commit suicide, preferably taking out one or more Israelis in the process. But there's a lot of people who don't see this as evil - who are apparently unable to associate the cause (an Arabic leader's complete refusal to negotiate) with the effect - suicide bombers exploding themselves while targeting women and children.

The IDF works hard to avoid unnecessary deaths and casualties. Hamas glories in them. Arafat encourages them.

Which is the more moral organization?

Which one is 'Evil'?

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/15/2003 11:27:00 AM

 
Okay, time for a quick update.

During the time I was in Albuquerque, I was able to get a lot of things in order, and a lot of things in process. The home care service we selected, "Angels on Assignment", came across as very good and caring and were highly recommended by several of the in-home health care pros who were visiting mother to do her physical therapy and monitor her blood levels and vital signs. They'll do a lot of minor things, the cooking, cleaning, laundry and such. (Please note that Mother objected to MY doing their laundry while I was there - but she'll let these people do it. Sigh. Go figure...) They started on Friday. Long term, I think they'll be a great help.

Father had two stents put in, opening up his left anterior descending artery from it's 70% blocked condition to 100% open. He was much pinker when I last saw him on Thursday evening, and I'm rather optimistic that he's good for a while longer. You might find this amusing - when he was feeling bad last Sunday, Mother wanted him to get Peggy from across the street to take him over to the hospital but he objected to that because he didn't want her to wait for hours if it turned out to be nothing. So, he drove himself.

To the hospital.

With a heart attack.

You know, you've got to be proud of a father who's so resilient (not to mention STUBBORN) that he'd drive himself to the hospital when he's having a heart attack. Personally, I'd let 911 do the driving...

I was able to get a good handle on their finances and legal situation. Again, they've been pretty resistant to either Steve or myself knowing what's going on regarding their wills and such - but now the objections have been dropped. There's a lawyer who will be visiting them next week to start the wills process and get powers of attorney written up (both general durable and medical) which they both realize are needed. Financially, their resources aren't what I'd hoped they'd be, but aren't as bad as I (or Mother) had feared. The big problem was sorting everything out - my father is a pack rat (which seems to be a hereditary condition) and his files have EVERYTHING - though the order is something I've yet to determine. For example, can you tell me why he'd file a 10 ounce silver bar in with information he's gotten from his current general physician? I asked, but he didn't tell me... (grin)

But it was very interesting looking through the old stuff. I found his old Navy performance evaluations from WW2, his supervisory evaluations when he was supervising a team of aircraft electronics specialists as a government worker after WW2, and reams of other assorted papers. When I mentioned all that to him, he said it was stuff he'd been meaning to throw away years back - but never had. I told him I was glad he hadn't, because it let me see his history, to piece together what he was like them. And then he changed the subject to how Mother got him to propose to her. (Remember, this was 1942. What we'd consider part of a normal courtship today would really be reserved for marriage. And no, it didn't involve any of that...)

All in all, I think my folks and I communicated more on this trip than on any other trip I've made. Sadly, I think it's because they both realize that there's not much more time to get the stories across, to share the feelings, and to get things straightened out. But at least we're making a start, and getting some good progess done.

What will the near future hold? They've come to the decision it may be time to pull up stakes and head to Georgia. We'll see. But I may be on the lookout soon for a house - single level, two bedroom, with at most one step up into it from the garage or front. If you know of such, would you let me know?

More later...

J.




posted by Jerry at 2/15/2003 11:14:00 AM

 
Well, Jerry is coming home on Friday. His father had stents placed today to compensate for the blockage in his coronary arteries. But, he's feeling good. has good color, and is eating and moving around without any problem. Not sure yet when he gets to go home from the hospital. Jerry has arranged for a home health aide to come to his mother's house daily for a few hours to do the cooking, cleaning and whatever else needs done. Jerry has also handled getting the financial and legal affairs in order. I'm very proud of how he's handled everything. Jerry's folks are discussing selling the house and moving to Atlanta. We'll see where that goes. Keep us in your prayers.
posted by Jerry at 2/13/2003 07:56:00 PM

 
This is Sue. I just got off the phone with Jerry (in Albuquerque). His father had a heart catheterization today, and he has 1 vessel that is 100% occluded. Also, his heart function is 70% of normal. If he were 63, they would be doing bypass surgery, but since he's 83, they will probably control it with medication. Tomorrow, they will do a stress test to further evaluate his heart. His mother needs alot of help taking care of her daily needs, so I'm very glad that Jerry went. They are talking about assisted living or having in-home help. Another option is coming to Georgia. We'll see. Just wanted to keep you all informed. Thanks for your warm thoughts and offers of help. It's nice to know that friends are ready to help.
posted by Jerry at 2/10/2003 08:37:00 PM

 
Quick update from the Nurses' station.

Father's at 70% capability, one artery blocked 100%, other two arteries at 70%, 1 sticy valve, one leaky valve. If he were younger, they'd be looking at a bypass with valve replacement, but he's 83 - that limits things.

They'll be doing more tests tomorrow, see what comes up, whether he's more of a candidate for ballon angioplasy or medication.

Too much damn fun, is what it is... maybe more tomorrow, probably not.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/10/2003 07:24:00 PM

 
Damn. My father's had a heart attack, and my mother's not doing so good. Be gone for a while.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/09/2003 04:15:00 PM

 
Jebus Harvey Crisco on a pogo stick.

Been giving more thought to what's going on with the FrancoGermanic Alliance trying to slide around the UN Security council and slip themselves into the position of 'occupying' Iraq. Maybe I'm coing a bit late to the party, but I'm thinking there's something smelling decidedly wrong about all that.

There's an old saying that if you want to find out why something is being done, you've got to follow the money. (There's another saying, 'Cui Bono' - which loosely translated is "Who Benefits?") Now, applying that sort of thinking (and bearing in mind that what I've seen in the news and what I've been able to find on the Internet is what I'm basing my logic train on - and that I'm NOT going to be putting in links to what I've been able to find, you should (if you've read this far) be able to find things for yourself. I take that back, I'll provide one link. To Google.Com. Happy hunting.) to what I've been able to find, here's what I'm thinking.

1. Saddam's been delaying as long as he can, promising cooperation that never quite materializes. Why? Because he's playing for time. Why? Because either he's cooking up batches of crap for WMD as fast as he can stoke the reactors, waiting for WMD he's aready spread to be used, or because he's in the final stages of creating a nuclear bomb or rebuilding one that got stolen when the USSR disintegrated.

1a. Why would he need to rebuild one? Simple. Gamma and neutron poisoning of the electronics involved, plus likely mishandling 'tween the USSR and a storage facility in the Big Sandy would make the triggering circuitry... questionable at best. If it's a uranium bomb, the timing is much less critical on light-off. If it's a plutonium bomb, everything has to go off exactly right - a few milliseconds delay on a triggering signal to one of the fuses in an explosive lens and all you've got is a low-order explosion scattering a few pounds of plutonium around. The compression of the plutonium to criticality is VERY time-dependent. And the parts involved in the trigger and timers can't be picked up at Radio Shack or the Iraqi equivalent.

1a1. Why would he delay in the final stages if he's building one? If he's got a plutonium bomb, as I said it's VERY timing dependent. A low-order fizzle wouldn't help establish him as someone who'd spit in the eye of the West - it'd establish him as a joke. Building a uranium bomb is comparatively simple - but what are the chances that Saddam would go for the simple route for a bomb? Your guess is as good as mine there. We know he's got the uranium, whether he can put it to use in time is another matter.

1b. Using WMD is a fool's game, as anyone with half a brain should recognize at this point. If you use them, and they can be traced back to you, you are not only toast, you're going to be well carbonized toast with smoke rising from the surroundings. Which is where the deniability aspect comes in, with terrorist organizations eager to strike at the US who'd just LOVE to get some unmarked packages with all sorts of fun stuff inside...

2. Germany and France are not only delaying the whole process, they've been really reluctant to sign onto a lot of the anti-terrorism approaches. And they're also very anti-semetic, which may be a factor in their decision to tacitly support Iraq, but that's really specualtion on my part.

2a. The two most vocal opponents to doing anything militarily in Iraq have been Germany and France. Their reasoning is specious at best - saying there hasn't been enough time for sanctions and such to work. However, to me it seems the twelve year period since 1991 has been enough time if Saddam was going to disarm in good faith. That he hasn't disarmed, that he hasn't complied with the articles he signed at the end of the Gulf War, leads me to think that he's going to comply only when forced at the point of a gun - and not before.

2b. There has been a pretty hefty paper trail pointing toward Germany as the source of a lot of 'equipment' - that's all well and good, but what SORT of equipment is the question - and it looks like a lot of the stuff they've been importing has been on the banned list. This is not good - since Germany was supposedly 'assisting' in the enforcement of the sanctions as a member of the UNSecurity Council.

2c. France has a rather large Muslim population. In itself this would not be a problem, but there's plenty of information available to show that in a lot of the cities the minorities are essentially taking over and disrupting society. Think of Mad Max movies, or any movie you've seen where society breaks down and gangs are the authority. That's parts of France, apparently. Again, this is not good - a militant Muslim community would significantly skew France's actions in the world, since the leadership would need to give tacit concessions to keep the next 'French' revolution from putting their heads on the chopping block.

In short - France and Germany have been making deals with the devil, assuming the status quo wouldn't change significantly. However, that damn upstart US has upset the fromage cart, and is threatening the whole deal. If their support of Iraq is made clearly public, it will damage their standing in the world. If they can't dissuade the US (and they haven't, neither has their reasoning made a bit of difference to a lot of other countries in NATO) they're going to take it up the ass sideways - and they don't want that.

Can't say I blame them, but what they're seeing is the result of THEIR bad decisions. And, whether you're one man or a country - the results of bad decisions WILL come back and smash you.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/08/2003 11:45:00 PM

 
CNN.com - Liechtenstein for rent - Feb. 7, 2003

ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) -- Country for hire, one careful owner.
The tiny principality of Liechtenstein is putting itself up for rent in a bid to attract corporate conferences and bolster its tourism industry, a local official said Friday.

Hell - why take over a country when you can RENT it?

Just think - no pesky dissatisfied population to squash, no damage to the infrastructure from fighting, no need to rebuild after you win - and when you get tired of it (or your lease runs out) you don't owe anything to it!

Man, I'll bet Iraq wishes it had come up with this concept...

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/08/2003 09:49:00 PM

 
United Press International: Rumsfeld annoyed over secret plan on Iraq Germany and France were/are apparently putting together a secret plan to get UN inspectors and troops into Iraq. Okay - they were griping about US being unilateral - what should we call THEIR actions?

And the UN doesn't exactly have a sterling record. UN troops have run prostitution rings in Bosnia, and they were directly responsible for massacres in Yugoslavia.

Separate from the secretive process that the United States delegation found outrageous, the U.S. government is likely to reject out of hand any such proposal to beef up inspections.

The senior official brought up the disaster with U.N. troops Srebenica in the former Yugoslavia in July 1995, when Bosnian Serb units killed about 8,000 Muslim men and boys after capturing the town, a U.N.-designated "safe area."

"We remember the last time that blue helmets were in a very difficult situation, and we remember July 10th, 1995, Srebenica, when 8,000 men and boys were killed," the official said.

But they'll do better in Iraq, right? By the way, a lot of folks are starting to wonder just WHY France and Germany are pressing so hard to keep the US out of Iraq.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/08/2003 08:03:00 PM

 
News

Diplomacy is failing. The United Nations is teetering between impotent protest and surly compliance. Europe is split painfully down the middle, an unsought bonus for America's hawks. Nothing now stands in the way of the Anglo-Saxon war machine but a few dozen miles of desert, a few dying spasms of jaw-jaw and a former US Marine called Ken O'Keefe with blazing eyes, hacked hair and a row of "cut here" crosses tattooed round his neck.
Yesterday he was deported from Turkey back to Italy, leaving 43 of his party and two buses behind. He had tried to enter with a passport Istanbul does not recognise, from the World Service Authority, a US-based group that issues them based on an article of the UN Universal Declaration of human rights that guarantees the right to travel freely.

Gee. Too bad. He'll have to find some other way to become a human bulls-eye.

Don't get me wrong - I admire the strength of the man's convictions. However - I can also admire the accuracy of a marksman who can put a bullet on a target 500 yards out. I'll admire it even more if it's the target he was supposed to hit. ("What? You mean I should have hit the target on lane 3? Dang.")

Strength without precise application and direction means nothing. Precision without the strength is back it up is useless. This guy is confusing the cause of world discord (Iraqi intransigence) with the effect (the US getting ready to pound on Iraq) and figures that by trying to keep the effect from happening the cause will disappear.

But Saddam's already scrambled that egg with his actions over the last 12 years.. It ain't gonna unscramble because you wish it would... or because you're on top of the targets that need to be taken out.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/07/2003 10:34:00 PM

 
opinion.telegraph.co.uk - Benn - not Powell - made the case for war on Saddam

A YouGov poll carried out on Wednesday evening for ITN showed a decisive shift of opinion in favour of war. They put it down to Powell with his centrifuge tubes, but most people hadn't had time to weigh through Powell's evidence while eating their supper. It was Benn who did it the night before.

And not a moment too soon. For some reason, the question of whether to go to war with Iraq has been routinely addressed with an infantile anti-American rant. We've lost our sense of what this war is really about. It has become a referendum on George W. Bush, rather than on Saddam. The interview forced us to choose: whom do we trust - this dictator or America? It was easy.

The anti-war rhetoric assumes, offering far less evidence than Powell, that Bush's motivation is malign. That he is out to avenge his father, he wants to control oil supplies, he's frustrated because he hasn't caught Osama bin Laden and his high-tech bombs will kill thousands of innocent children.

Saddam is a madman who is equipped with weapons of mass destruction. We cannot rely on rational judgment preventing him from using them. If we continue with this current combination of deterrence and containment, he will not disarm, and he may use them.

Great Britain is getting a clue. You see - they had someone go interview Saddam, then they broadcast the interview.

Saddam didn't come across too well, apparently.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/06/2003 09:47:00 PM

 
Voice From the Commonwealth

While the petition framed the call for Iraq regime change as an endeavor to avoid an American-led invasion of Iraq, some intellectuals in the Arab world have begun to express guarded optimism about impending US military action. "I feel a positive outcome might ensue from the coming war," wrote Saudi political analyst Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi. "[It] promises a new free, democratic and stable Iraq instead of today's fragmented dictatorship; a constitutional and tolerant Iraq run by the rule of law; an Iraq at peace with its neighbors; an Iraq that would pursue development in the interests of the prosperity and happiness of its people."

Interesting analysis of the 'Arab Street'. Hard to prove, of course, but encouraging....

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/06/2003 05:56:00 PM

 
Headline news from Sky News - Witness the event - MARINES MASQUERADE

US Marines on exercise in Kuwait have been seen wearing some unusual accessories - skull masks.

Stylish, aren't they?

Over atSpecWar they've got some pictures of the new Marine digital camo, woodland, desert, and urban. I had the chance to see this stuff close up - and it tricks the eye something fierce. You literally don't want to look at it, your mind registers it as grass or something and you look away. I was looking at a group of 3 marines in good fluorescent light, and it was real hard to keep my eyes on the fabric. For more info, you can take a look here at Hyperstealth.com and here at Marine Corps Systems Command.

J.



posted by Jerry at 2/05/2003 10:13:00 PM

 
Truax

Sea Dragon was a two-stage design of 1962 capable of putting 1.2 million pounds (550 tonnes) into low Earth orbit. The concept was to achieve minimum launch costs through lower development and production costs. This meant accepting a larger booster with a lower performance propulsion system and higher stage dead weight then traditional NASA and USAF designs. The first stage had a single pressure fed, thrust chamber of 36 million kgf thrust, burning LOX/Kerosene. The second stage was ‘considerably smaller’ (thrust only 6.35 million kgf!) and burned LOX/LH2.

Shuttle Alternatives...

The engineering's been done - they're feasible, but...

...this came just as Apollo was being cut back and the Viet Nam war was eating an ever greater amount of the US budget. NASA dissolved their Future Projects Branch (dropping almost all the manned Mars landing work). Prospects for Sea Dragon essentially disappeared, and Aerojet could no longer fund it on IR&D.

And a possibility bit the big one.

Now, the question I've got is two-fold:

1. Are they going to build a Shuttle follow-on? and
2. Is it going to be a delicate, state of the art, push the envelope till the damn thing breaks sort of thing?

The above ship looks damn near perfect from an operational viewpoint. Durable, rugged, and SSTO. Which, I'll make a wild assumption, will keep it or a system like it from consideration.

J.

posted by Jerry at 2/04/2003 11:31:00 PM