God Bless America
On the radio the other day was a discussion of a series of Spanish language radio stations playing a Spanish version of the Star Spangled Banner.
These are the radio stations and DJs that are basically responsible for the original mass protests in response to the immigration bill.
On the program I listened to, a spokesman for the radio station characterized the reactions of people listening (all whom are Spanish speaking Latino Americans) as about 60% offended and 40% supportive.
From what I can tell, there is a big internal division amoung the politically active Hispanic community. One side is pro-integration, they want to work, not be harassed, get a fair shake at the American dream. They want their kids going to college, they want to be Americans and not feel like second class citizens. But there is another side to this movement, which is not as earnest. There is a side who prefers that America adapt to their practices. They think they've been victimized by the system and feel like they are "owed" an opportunity. They seek power as a subgroup. They are what the framers worried about, a faction.
Evidence of the first group is the decision in the second round of rallies to wave only the US flag, as opposed to the Mexican flag. Evidence of the second group is to have bilingual education in schools.
When asked by the NPR host, what message he thought playing the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish sent, the radio person responded, freedom of expression.
It makes we wonder if a) freedom of expression is a message and b) what playing the SSB in Spanish has to do with freedom of expression. No one is proposing that we not allow the SSB to be played in Spanish, what we are asking is what it means.
George Bush was asked the question and he said he preferred it in English, in his smarmy tone, playing to the red state xenophobia. But is there something wrong with the SSB being played in Spanish? Yes, I think there is. For the same reason I think there is something wrong with playing an English version of the Iraqi national anthem. The message is sends is one of attempted domination, not one of respect for culture. Because, despite the common yogurt joke, the US has a wonderful culture, one deserving of respect - as do the Iraqis and the Mexicans.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
I Disagree
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This article talks about how Zarqawi has replaced OBL as the numero uno terrorist target because he is operational, whereas OBL is operationally insignificant. This is stupid. Who makes these decisions? If I'm President Bush, I say, OBL is numero uno target, we must get him. This is an ideological/propaganda issue. What better evidence that we are "winning" the war on terror, than if we capture OBL. He has made himself into the spokesperson of the Jihad movement. If he isn't "operationally important," then we should prove it by capturing him rather than just talking about it.
And how is it possible that we've waited until now to shed the DOD lawyers from interfering from getting Zarqawi or taking on the ground authority? Jesus.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
This article talks about how Zarqawi has replaced OBL as the numero uno terrorist target because he is operational, whereas OBL is operationally insignificant. This is stupid. Who makes these decisions? If I'm President Bush, I say, OBL is numero uno target, we must get him. This is an ideological/propaganda issue. What better evidence that we are "winning" the war on terror, than if we capture OBL. He has made himself into the spokesperson of the Jihad movement. If he isn't "operationally important," then we should prove it by capturing him rather than just talking about it.
And how is it possible that we've waited until now to shed the DOD lawyers from interfering from getting Zarqawi or taking on the ground authority? Jesus.
99 Cent Store
People talk about a lack of community in Los Angeles. I think. Anyhow, USC provides a community, so I've not been without one since I moved here. I have another tangential community, that of Silverlake, or more acutely, that of Sunset Junction. Basically that means the people at Eat Well know me. Anyhow, the other day I had a friend in town and we were walking back from breakfast at Millie's - east of Sunset from Sunset J, within walking distance from my house, and we pass by the 99 cent store. I remember that I need to find some plastic figurines for a game I'm making and it hits me that the 99 cent store might just have those little, cheap, plastic soldiers that I could paint and use for my final game project. We go inside.
I ended up not finding the little plastic soldiers. The thing about the 99 cent store is that you cannot count on anything being there, it's just sort of what they've got. But we perused around and noticed all the really cheap amenities, things I use that I can get for like a third of the normal price.
So it was today, while my pasta sauce simmered and when I needed tape, scotch, that is, that I ventured back to the 99 cent store for a second time. I search and I search and the only tape I can find has little pictures on it, as if it were to be taped onto a wall for decoration. Oh well. Part of me thought that perhaps I was burning my house down with the stove on low heat. I get in line. I notice a pretty hispanic girl. She has a child. Doh. Anyway, I get in line and a middle aged couple is in front of me. I'm waiting in line and I notice in their pile of items, a two-fer scotch tape dispenser.
"Where did you find that," I ask.
"Over there near the stationary. It's in a box, not on the shelf."
"Oh." I never thought to look in the boxes.
I walk over and sure enough, a giant box of exactly what I was looking for. And then I saw some big zip lock bags. I need those too.
I walk back into line, by this time it's much longer. I'm a little annoyed because I'm slightly worried about the simmering pasta sauce. Stupid, I know, to leave it. Anyway, I start feeling LA annoyed. That feeling you get when you see traffic on the 110 or waiting in line for a club/bar, the type of annoyed when you say, why the hell am I living here? But then you realize that there's traffic anywhere you'd want to live and the bars generally have lines whenever there's hot girls...and so I don't stress out too much, but still have a little burning annoyance. Anyway, that's how I felt. The pretty girl gets in line behind me. I see the guy who pointed me towards the tape leaving and he looks up and yells, "Did you find it?"
This isn't normal. What does he care if I found it.
"Yeah, thanks." I say.
The pretty girl taps me on the arm.
"I think he's opening up."
I look over and someone has opened up a new register.
I walk over to it, pay for my tape and zip lock bags.
People talk about a lack of community in Los Angeles. I think. Anyhow, USC provides a community, so I've not been without one since I moved here. I have another tangential community, that of Silverlake, or more acutely, that of Sunset Junction. Basically that means the people at Eat Well know me. Anyhow, the other day I had a friend in town and we were walking back from breakfast at Millie's - east of Sunset from Sunset J, within walking distance from my house, and we pass by the 99 cent store. I remember that I need to find some plastic figurines for a game I'm making and it hits me that the 99 cent store might just have those little, cheap, plastic soldiers that I could paint and use for my final game project. We go inside.
I ended up not finding the little plastic soldiers. The thing about the 99 cent store is that you cannot count on anything being there, it's just sort of what they've got. But we perused around and noticed all the really cheap amenities, things I use that I can get for like a third of the normal price.
So it was today, while my pasta sauce simmered and when I needed tape, scotch, that is, that I ventured back to the 99 cent store for a second time. I search and I search and the only tape I can find has little pictures on it, as if it were to be taped onto a wall for decoration. Oh well. Part of me thought that perhaps I was burning my house down with the stove on low heat. I get in line. I notice a pretty hispanic girl. She has a child. Doh. Anyway, I get in line and a middle aged couple is in front of me. I'm waiting in line and I notice in their pile of items, a two-fer scotch tape dispenser.
"Where did you find that," I ask.
"Over there near the stationary. It's in a box, not on the shelf."
"Oh." I never thought to look in the boxes.
I walk over and sure enough, a giant box of exactly what I was looking for. And then I saw some big zip lock bags. I need those too.
I walk back into line, by this time it's much longer. I'm a little annoyed because I'm slightly worried about the simmering pasta sauce. Stupid, I know, to leave it. Anyway, I start feeling LA annoyed. That feeling you get when you see traffic on the 110 or waiting in line for a club/bar, the type of annoyed when you say, why the hell am I living here? But then you realize that there's traffic anywhere you'd want to live and the bars generally have lines whenever there's hot girls...and so I don't stress out too much, but still have a little burning annoyance. Anyway, that's how I felt. The pretty girl gets in line behind me. I see the guy who pointed me towards the tape leaving and he looks up and yells, "Did you find it?"
This isn't normal. What does he care if I found it.
"Yeah, thanks." I say.
The pretty girl taps me on the arm.
"I think he's opening up."
I look over and someone has opened up a new register.
I walk over to it, pay for my tape and zip lock bags.
Friday, April 28, 2006
NBA Renaissance?
For the first time in awhile, I'm really enjoying watching NBA hoops, specifically, the Lakers. Maybe it's the Suns bringing out a run and run style, but this is damn good basketball. Nice passes, hustle, desire, all the good stuff of sport. Even Kobe isn't annoying me. Did you see those behind his back passes? It reminds me of the old Sacramento-Laker games with CWebb and Shaq.
So we've got Phoenix playing good hoops and bringing out good stuff in their opponents. You have Detroit, who plays awesome basketball. We've got Miami, San Antonio, and the Clippers - all solid teams. And the cast of stars: Kobe, Nash, LaBron, Carmello, Duncan, Brand...
This is good stuff. 'Bout time.
UPDATE: The Suns run. Awesome bball. Also, their footwork and positioning is soccer-ish. No doubt Nash-influenced. Lots of give and go passing and getting in triangle positions for receiving dribble penetration. Gotta love it.
For the first time in awhile, I'm really enjoying watching NBA hoops, specifically, the Lakers. Maybe it's the Suns bringing out a run and run style, but this is damn good basketball. Nice passes, hustle, desire, all the good stuff of sport. Even Kobe isn't annoying me. Did you see those behind his back passes? It reminds me of the old Sacramento-Laker games with CWebb and Shaq.
So we've got Phoenix playing good hoops and bringing out good stuff in their opponents. You have Detroit, who plays awesome basketball. We've got Miami, San Antonio, and the Clippers - all solid teams. And the cast of stars: Kobe, Nash, LaBron, Carmello, Duncan, Brand...
This is good stuff. 'Bout time.
UPDATE: The Suns run. Awesome bball. Also, their footwork and positioning is soccer-ish. No doubt Nash-influenced. Lots of give and go passing and getting in triangle positions for receiving dribble penetration. Gotta love it.
Collective Re-Memory
Saw United 93 this afternoon. Affecting. It made me feel they way I did the morning of 9/11. Stunned. Sad. Angry.
9/11 is an amazing story. The terrorist plan was so simple and clever and cunning. The acts of the passengers on flight 93, heroic, in a way we don't associate with the present. Heroism is often relegated to the past we barely remember.
The filmmaker moves out of the way. He lets the events tell the story. And a good story it is.
UPDATE: A critics round up.
Note, as faithful as the story is to the 9/11 commission report and other accounts, the filmmaker takes liberties with what occurred on the plane. Inevitable, because no one knows exactly...but the end is huge and good filmmaking. It is also unverifiable, and almost certainly untrue, based upon what I have read.
This film, I believe, will survive, at least the first 95%, like a document.
Saw United 93 this afternoon. Affecting. It made me feel they way I did the morning of 9/11. Stunned. Sad. Angry.
9/11 is an amazing story. The terrorist plan was so simple and clever and cunning. The acts of the passengers on flight 93, heroic, in a way we don't associate with the present. Heroism is often relegated to the past we barely remember.
The filmmaker moves out of the way. He lets the events tell the story. And a good story it is.
UPDATE: A critics round up.
Note, as faithful as the story is to the 9/11 commission report and other accounts, the filmmaker takes liberties with what occurred on the plane. Inevitable, because no one knows exactly...but the end is huge and good filmmaking. It is also unverifiable, and almost certainly untrue, based upon what I have read.
This film, I believe, will survive, at least the first 95%, like a document.
Why Aren't Rising Gas Prices Being Celebrated?
I don't understand. EVERYONE I know - conservative, liberal, whomever, agrees that we ought to ween ourselves off of oil. Rising gas prices are the ONLY way to actually get changes to our oil dependent-infrastructure to stick. Sure, Hollywood celebs and a few people will get hybrids and biodiesol fuel on their own, but let's be honest, these efforts are nominal and symbolic at best.
So instead of bitching about gas prices, people should be jumping up and down celebrating. I'm rethinking driving to NoCal this summer, and have extra incentive to carpool, take the bus, or not leave the neighborhood, if possible.
These are good things for the world, environment, and probably even for myself.
Can I get one politician to not be a pussy and say this?
I don't understand. EVERYONE I know - conservative, liberal, whomever, agrees that we ought to ween ourselves off of oil. Rising gas prices are the ONLY way to actually get changes to our oil dependent-infrastructure to stick. Sure, Hollywood celebs and a few people will get hybrids and biodiesol fuel on their own, but let's be honest, these efforts are nominal and symbolic at best.
So instead of bitching about gas prices, people should be jumping up and down celebrating. I'm rethinking driving to NoCal this summer, and have extra incentive to carpool, take the bus, or not leave the neighborhood, if possible.
These are good things for the world, environment, and probably even for myself.
Can I get one politician to not be a pussy and say this?
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Good Idea
I've neglected Reality TV, mostly because I don't really like it, although I think it's a field with opportunities. Anyhow, here's a good idea.
I've neglected Reality TV, mostly because I don't really like it, although I think it's a field with opportunities. Anyhow, here's a good idea.
I'd Read It
Brazilian fetishs with anal sex. And more tales from a middle class prostitute turned blogger turned novelist. That's my title anyway.
Brazilian fetishs with anal sex. And more tales from a middle class prostitute turned blogger turned novelist. That's my title anyway.
Kinkos
What a bunch of retards. I go in this AM, needing to print 8 pdf files (1 page each) on nice paper, in color. 8 lousy pages. So I'm sitting there waiting. I can see that the copy people see me, but they don't come up to ask - "How can I help you?" I'm literally standing there and they're ignoring me. "The fuck?" I'm thinking. So I go to the information service lady and say, I need to print out these 8 pages.
She tells me to go wait where I was waiting and someone would be with me. I said, I've been doing that, and no one has helped me.
I go back. Wait a few more minutes. Finally, the lady at information service comes over to "help" me. Once she starts trying set up an order, the assistant manager comes over - the same one who ignored me earlier, to help her set up the order.
I say, it's real simple - I just need 8 print outs of the pdf files. She informs me that opening a file costs $1.50 each after the first three. That's $7.50 for double clicking a couple of files. I tell her that's ridiculous, I called yesterday and they told me to make pdfs. I could have made it a single document had I known.
She shrugs her shoulders. I have no time to make the changes. This is at 8:30am.
They debate between themselves whether the order will be ready at 12:30pm or at 3pm. This is to print 8 pages. It requires double clicking a document and loading cardstock into a printer.
I try not to be an asshole. What good will it do. They print out the order slip. Over $20. For 8 pages. It'll be ready at 12:30pm. What a bunch of retards.
What a bunch of retards. I go in this AM, needing to print 8 pdf files (1 page each) on nice paper, in color. 8 lousy pages. So I'm sitting there waiting. I can see that the copy people see me, but they don't come up to ask - "How can I help you?" I'm literally standing there and they're ignoring me. "The fuck?" I'm thinking. So I go to the information service lady and say, I need to print out these 8 pages.
She tells me to go wait where I was waiting and someone would be with me. I said, I've been doing that, and no one has helped me.
I go back. Wait a few more minutes. Finally, the lady at information service comes over to "help" me. Once she starts trying set up an order, the assistant manager comes over - the same one who ignored me earlier, to help her set up the order.
I say, it's real simple - I just need 8 print outs of the pdf files. She informs me that opening a file costs $1.50 each after the first three. That's $7.50 for double clicking a couple of files. I tell her that's ridiculous, I called yesterday and they told me to make pdfs. I could have made it a single document had I known.
She shrugs her shoulders. I have no time to make the changes. This is at 8:30am.
They debate between themselves whether the order will be ready at 12:30pm or at 3pm. This is to print 8 pages. It requires double clicking a document and loading cardstock into a printer.
I try not to be an asshole. What good will it do. They print out the order slip. Over $20. For 8 pages. It'll be ready at 12:30pm. What a bunch of retards.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Fun Exercise
I am trying to make some cards for a game and taking some digital photos of figurines. It's fun trying to light them and stage them so they look good. It's pretty tough with the lens I have on my digital camera, but this would be a good cinematography assignment for folks to understand basics about lens selection and lighting and background/framing.
I am trying to make some cards for a game and taking some digital photos of figurines. It's fun trying to light them and stage them so they look good. It's pretty tough with the lens I have on my digital camera, but this would be a good cinematography assignment for folks to understand basics about lens selection and lighting and background/framing.
Walgreens Photo
I just did my first online digital photo upload to get prints. It worked fairly smoothly...
First, I tried Rite Aid, but couldn't figure out how to install the software using Mozilla on their website. Walgreens was much easier. I just needed to add the website to Mozilla's allowable websites. Then, I uploaded all my pictures and got the first 20 prints free and the rest for $0.19 a pop. It seemed like a good deal to me. I noticed Walmart has a deal for $0.12 a print. That's a fairly significant difference, but with the 20 free, makes it pretty nominal.
If you upload fewer prints on bring them into the store, the cost shoots up to $0.29 per print.
Anyhow, I've yet to see the prints, but I've seen other people print digital photos and they seems to hold up quite nicely. (Why aren't we shooting digital movies and making prints?) Just a thought.
One thing that did annoy me was I was only allowed to make "glossy" prints. Matte prints can be made, but must be via mail. I've always preferred matte.
One think I discovered, however, was that you can order huge poster sized prints, 20 x 30 for $20 plus shipping. This might be a nice way to decorate the house - make some arty pictures with a small digital camera. Shoot, you could do some cool photoshopping as well. Hmmmmm.
I just did my first online digital photo upload to get prints. It worked fairly smoothly...
First, I tried Rite Aid, but couldn't figure out how to install the software using Mozilla on their website. Walgreens was much easier. I just needed to add the website to Mozilla's allowable websites. Then, I uploaded all my pictures and got the first 20 prints free and the rest for $0.19 a pop. It seemed like a good deal to me. I noticed Walmart has a deal for $0.12 a print. That's a fairly significant difference, but with the 20 free, makes it pretty nominal.
If you upload fewer prints on bring them into the store, the cost shoots up to $0.29 per print.
Anyhow, I've yet to see the prints, but I've seen other people print digital photos and they seems to hold up quite nicely. (Why aren't we shooting digital movies and making prints?) Just a thought.
One thing that did annoy me was I was only allowed to make "glossy" prints. Matte prints can be made, but must be via mail. I've always preferred matte.
One think I discovered, however, was that you can order huge poster sized prints, 20 x 30 for $20 plus shipping. This might be a nice way to decorate the house - make some arty pictures with a small digital camera. Shoot, you could do some cool photoshopping as well. Hmmmmm.
Best Assignments In Film School
1. Interactive Media (Crit Studies 515) - Make a Bad 5 minute movie.
2. Visual Expression (506) - Photography Notebook assignment, taking 70 plus pictures demonstrating visual principles.
3. Directing Techniques (533) - 1 minute movie - show something unexpected.
4. American Sound Cinema (Crit Studies) - Pick a movie from the era and a write a research paper on it, using original research.
5. Intro Filmmaking Part I (507) - Give footage of a scene to two different people to edit different cuts, however they want.
6. Intro Filmmaking Part II (508) - Building your own sound from scratch
7. Intermediate Filmmaking (546) - Pitching a project (documentary or narrative)
8. Writing a Feature (533a) - Write a sequence outline for a feature.
Other thoughts or suggestions welcome.
1. Interactive Media (Crit Studies 515) - Make a Bad 5 minute movie.
2. Visual Expression (506) - Photography Notebook assignment, taking 70 plus pictures demonstrating visual principles.
3. Directing Techniques (533) - 1 minute movie - show something unexpected.
4. American Sound Cinema (Crit Studies) - Pick a movie from the era and a write a research paper on it, using original research.
5. Intro Filmmaking Part I (507) - Give footage of a scene to two different people to edit different cuts, however they want.
6. Intro Filmmaking Part II (508) - Building your own sound from scratch
7. Intermediate Filmmaking (546) - Pitching a project (documentary or narrative)
8. Writing a Feature (533a) - Write a sequence outline for a feature.
Other thoughts or suggestions welcome.
Monday, April 24, 2006
He Sort of Has A Point
Here's a problem with these trials of former dictators, etc. He sort of has a point - the people planning to assassinate Saddam - I mean, what's he supposed to do with them? Let them live freely? If you are a dictator with no legitimate legal means to prosecute those attempting to overthrow you, can you really be at fault for killing them?
Damn those dictators and their turned around, screwy logic.
Here's a problem with these trials of former dictators, etc. He sort of has a point - the people planning to assassinate Saddam - I mean, what's he supposed to do with them? Let them live freely? If you are a dictator with no legitimate legal means to prosecute those attempting to overthrow you, can you really be at fault for killing them?
Damn those dictators and their turned around, screwy logic.
Corruption
Radical Islam, I think, has been able to sustain itself because of the corruption of Arab governments. If the people trust - at least modestly - their governments, I imagine, it would be pretty easy to quell the surge of Fascist radicals. But because so many countries, Saddam's Iraq, Syria, Palestinian Authorities, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are essentially illegitimate and don't have the trust of the citizenry, Radicalism is able to fester and play off of widespread grievences. This is the problem with "containment" as a policy as opposed to "regime change."
Iraq is the test case. If the new Iraqi government is perceived as a) illegitimate or b) impotent we will again see the rise of fundamentalism. Right now, it seems to me to be mostly impotent. But some of the Sunnis still believe the government to be illegitimate, as well.
There's an interesting article I linked to before from Foreign Affairs that argues we need to solve the "political" problem of a communal civil war before we'll be able to resolve the security problem. That is, we need to get the Sunnis to feel as though we are not siding with the Shiite and Kurds and that the new Iraqi government will not be used to exact revenge for years of Sunni domination. The argument goes that we actually don't need to "win" hearts and minds (old Vietnam language, relevant to a people's ideological civil war), but in fact, merely need to help set up a government that adequately balances power amongst the factions such that each faction agrees that committing to a stable government is more of a benefit than duking it out to see who can control the central government.
We should not allow any single faction to have too much support or get too cocky with respect to their abilities to WIN a civil war and be able to reasonably guarantee that a new government will not be used as a tool to marginalize a sect.
Difficult, not impossible.
Radical Islam, I think, has been able to sustain itself because of the corruption of Arab governments. If the people trust - at least modestly - their governments, I imagine, it would be pretty easy to quell the surge of Fascist radicals. But because so many countries, Saddam's Iraq, Syria, Palestinian Authorities, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are essentially illegitimate and don't have the trust of the citizenry, Radicalism is able to fester and play off of widespread grievences. This is the problem with "containment" as a policy as opposed to "regime change."
Iraq is the test case. If the new Iraqi government is perceived as a) illegitimate or b) impotent we will again see the rise of fundamentalism. Right now, it seems to me to be mostly impotent. But some of the Sunnis still believe the government to be illegitimate, as well.
There's an interesting article I linked to before from Foreign Affairs that argues we need to solve the "political" problem of a communal civil war before we'll be able to resolve the security problem. That is, we need to get the Sunnis to feel as though we are not siding with the Shiite and Kurds and that the new Iraqi government will not be used to exact revenge for years of Sunni domination. The argument goes that we actually don't need to "win" hearts and minds (old Vietnam language, relevant to a people's ideological civil war), but in fact, merely need to help set up a government that adequately balances power amongst the factions such that each faction agrees that committing to a stable government is more of a benefit than duking it out to see who can control the central government.
We should not allow any single faction to have too much support or get too cocky with respect to their abilities to WIN a civil war and be able to reasonably guarantee that a new government will not be used as a tool to marginalize a sect.
Difficult, not impossible.
The Structure of Sopranos
By this point in the season it's become pretty clear that each episode belongs to an individual. Last night was Artie. The week before, Vito. The week before that, Johnnie Sac. The week before that, Paulie. The week before that, Silvio. The week before that, Carmela.
Next week it will be AJ, or so it looks from the preview. Do they have enough episodes for this? Or maybe this is how the show ends, by going through all of the main characters, giving them a show a piece. Tony will be last, I suppose.
By this point in the season it's become pretty clear that each episode belongs to an individual. Last night was Artie. The week before, Vito. The week before that, Johnnie Sac. The week before that, Paulie. The week before that, Silvio. The week before that, Carmela.
Next week it will be AJ, or so it looks from the preview. Do they have enough episodes for this? Or maybe this is how the show ends, by going through all of the main characters, giving them a show a piece. Tony will be last, I suppose.
Ohhh, Bin Laden
A good analysis of Bin Laden's "state of jihad" speech. What a freaking fascist this guy is.
What would Bin Laden do if there wasn't an Al Jazeera? Or should I say, what would Bin Laden do if Al Jazeera didn't act as his publisher and maybe just reported the news in the Arab world, rather than spewing his bullshit 24/7?
UPDATE: As a side note, Bin Laden and Zawahri both recognize Iraq as the epicenter of jihad. Iraq is the Ghettsberg of the War between Islamic Fascism and Democratic Liberalism.
It may just be this simple: If Iraq, with our help, is able to pull a country together where Sunni, Shiia, and Kurds, can live together in relative peace, under a legitimate government (to all the parties and the outside world), with democratic rule of law and the ability to fight Islamic radicals, it will be the beginning of the end for the Islamic Fascist movement. It will be the alternative to secular autocrats and Islamic Fundamentalism, and will be the model for the next 100+ years of governance in the Arab world. We know that Iraqis are willing to fight Al Queda, if they believe AL Queda is the greater threat to their security. We also know they are willing to fight to coalition if they believe WE are the greater threat to their security.
On the other hand, if we lose in Iraq, and by losing, I mean we pull out our troops and our money and no legitimate government forms, and the country turns into a broken state, an Afghanistan of 10 years ago, a Sudan, or a Palestinian-like situation, it will be a big loss of hope for democratic liberalism. It will prove the autocrats and cynics in the West right, that the Arab world is incapable of democracy, that the only options are inherently corrupt autocrats or Islamic Fascists. We will see a continued battle over the next 100 years of the Fascists trying to restore the Caliphate and the autocrats struggling to maintain power. The US will be increasingly timid in our activities overseas, China will increase their reach of power and we'll see an increasing number of unstable states. I imagine there will be a lot more humanitarian crises and democracy and liberalism and the United States will be viewed as increasinly irrelevant political models for countries whose citizenry is fundamentally unsatisfied with their political model.
A good analysis of Bin Laden's "state of jihad" speech. What a freaking fascist this guy is.
What would Bin Laden do if there wasn't an Al Jazeera? Or should I say, what would Bin Laden do if Al Jazeera didn't act as his publisher and maybe just reported the news in the Arab world, rather than spewing his bullshit 24/7?
UPDATE: As a side note, Bin Laden and Zawahri both recognize Iraq as the epicenter of jihad. Iraq is the Ghettsberg of the War between Islamic Fascism and Democratic Liberalism.
It may just be this simple: If Iraq, with our help, is able to pull a country together where Sunni, Shiia, and Kurds, can live together in relative peace, under a legitimate government (to all the parties and the outside world), with democratic rule of law and the ability to fight Islamic radicals, it will be the beginning of the end for the Islamic Fascist movement. It will be the alternative to secular autocrats and Islamic Fundamentalism, and will be the model for the next 100+ years of governance in the Arab world. We know that Iraqis are willing to fight Al Queda, if they believe AL Queda is the greater threat to their security. We also know they are willing to fight to coalition if they believe WE are the greater threat to their security.
On the other hand, if we lose in Iraq, and by losing, I mean we pull out our troops and our money and no legitimate government forms, and the country turns into a broken state, an Afghanistan of 10 years ago, a Sudan, or a Palestinian-like situation, it will be a big loss of hope for democratic liberalism. It will prove the autocrats and cynics in the West right, that the Arab world is incapable of democracy, that the only options are inherently corrupt autocrats or Islamic Fascists. We will see a continued battle over the next 100 years of the Fascists trying to restore the Caliphate and the autocrats struggling to maintain power. The US will be increasingly timid in our activities overseas, China will increase their reach of power and we'll see an increasing number of unstable states. I imagine there will be a lot more humanitarian crises and democracy and liberalism and the United States will be viewed as increasinly irrelevant political models for countries whose citizenry is fundamentally unsatisfied with their political model.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Morals of the VE Stories
In backwards order of appearance.
1. Don't Take What Isn't Yours.
2. Love Triumphs Over Death.
3. Children May Look Cuddly, But Are Actually Evil
4. Cigarettes are Addictive
5. No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
6. Hot Chicks Don't Go For Dorky Dudes
7. If You Anally Rape Someone They'll Hate Themselves
8. Siblings Are A Bitch
In backwards order of appearance.
1. Don't Take What Isn't Yours.
2. Love Triumphs Over Death.
3. Children May Look Cuddly, But Are Actually Evil
4. Cigarettes are Addictive
5. No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
6. Hot Chicks Don't Go For Dorky Dudes
7. If You Anally Rape Someone They'll Hate Themselves
8. Siblings Are A Bitch
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