lgf: Gentlemen, Start Your Whining
A beautiful comment at littlegreenfootballs looking at the distinction between the right and the left in modern politics. I'd have to say: I agree.
Recently in Politics Category
algorhythm/Patriot Act defiance on the rise
Arcata, California has passed an oridnance outlawing voluntary compliance with the Patriot Act. Excellent.
NOW: Bill Moyers Talks with Chris Hedges | PBS
During a lull I dashed across an empty square and found shelter behind a house. My heart was racing. Adrenaline coursed through my bloodstream. I was safe. I made it back to the capital. And like most war correspondents, I soon considered the experience a great cosmic joke. I drank away the fear and excitement in a seedy bar in downtown San Salvador. Most people, after such an experience, would learn to stay away. I was hooked.
I'm still reading through this, but what an amazing piece. via :: The Wonderchicken
shellshocking: The Complete Military History of France
While we're on the subject of political humor, check out Shell's posting of an email currently floating around.
Hundred Years War - Mostly lost, saved at last by female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare: "France's armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman."
Cox & Forkum: End Around
Like political cartoons? Interested in politics and current events? Extremely opinionated?
These guys are for you.
Oh, and while I'm talking about things I watched last night, I made sure to watch the State of the Union. Once again, I was reminded that Bush is not exactly the most charismatic speaker, but string together lots of patriotic words and even I get goose bumps. I'm not convinced that any of his current plans are good ones, nor am I convinced that war with Iraq is a good idea. Not convinced, but definitely on the "kick ass and take names" side of the fence. See, one of the things I was taught growing up is that you may not agree with the war, but you're always supportive of the troops who are involved. Their lives are on the line, their families hearts are heavy, they need support, not dissent and arguing. I'm not sure where protesting fits in to that equation, but wherever it is I haven't decided to look yet. I may not be convinced that war in Iraq is a good thing, but the equation (world - saddam = good thing) seems to be true in my book.
Anyway, I'm interested in hearing what other people though, and even whether or not you watched. If you write about it on your own blog, feel free to trackback me, if not feel free to comment. Also, if you find links other places that are interesting, post them here. I'd be glad to read them. Thanks ahead of time.
At the end of my road there's a house with a ratty, tattered, torn, and faded American flag flying. It flies all day and all night, with no light shining on it. Underneath it flies a pirate flag, and underneath that flies a Confederate battle flag. For many months I've been upset with the Confederate battle flag, but the fact that the American flag flew above it garaunteed the owner's right to freedom of expression. As the American flag got more and more worn out, though, I got more and more upset. Finally, I put together the following letter, which I'll be mailing tomorrow.
Dear Sir,
I am writing in regard to the flag you currently have hanging in front of your residence.
As you may or may not be aware, there are codes at both the national and state level regarding the proper treatment and care of the flag. According to the national codes, “It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.” The code also states “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
It is my opinion that the flag you’re currently displaying was “no longer a fitting emblem for display” many weeks ago, yet you continue to fly it. According to Massachusetts state law “Whoever publicly … defaces or treats contemptuously the flag of the United States or of Massachusetts, whether such flag is public or private property … shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.”
Many people feel that America’s youth is apathetic; they feel that we are unaware of the sacrifices made by our forefathers as they sacrificed their lives in order to secure the freedoms that the flag represents. Having two grandfathers who served our country and having been at school in Pennsylvania only miles away from where Flight 93 went down on September 11th, I am not a typical young person. I feel strongly that we need to respect our country and the symbols associated with it.
Months ago I stopped at the end of my road, mouth agape at the site of the confederate battle flag flying, a flag that myself and many others see as representing repression and hatred. At one of the most important times in history for our nation to stand united, I was outraged that you would fly a symbol of national conflict and disunion. The fact that you were flying the American flag, a symbol of free speech, guarantees you the right to hang whatever flags you wish. However, I ask that you treat it with the respect and dignity that it deserves.
Please take your old flag down. You can have it burned in a proper ceremony by giving it to the local VFW, which you can contact by phone at (ooo) ooo-oooo or in person at XXX State Road.
I've collected the contact information for my Senators and Congresspeople, and I'm drafting a letter to send to them regarding my post yesterday about the man who's pregnant wife was allegedly improperly searched at an airport. I say allegedly because I wasn't there, but it doesn't mean the fact that it could have happened upsets me any less.
Dave and I are thinking about a signature collection, however at this point, we don't know what we'd be collecting them for, besides a showing of support and as a way to make it known that the public thinks this is wrong. I haven't yet decided what type of action should occur or what changes should be made (besides the obvious "don't treat people unfairly and punish people who do"). In the meantime, here's another example of what Mr. Monahan's wife experienced.
Fark.com Comments Thingee (393336)
Ok, I admit... I laughed out loud at some of these pics. May take a while to load, but worth the wait.
Over at Vaxcave, Dave has a post linking to an article by Nicholas Monahan about his experience with his pregnant wife at an airport. The story isn't for lightweights, but it's important reading for Americans.
The problem is that there's nothing you can do about these situations if you don't have the money to afford a lawyer. What can you do? Write your congrssperson? Your senator? It's my opinion that most of them are pretty useless over all.
I'm all for protecting against terrorism, but where do we draw the line? I'd like to see it put down in such a way that things like this never happen. Ever.
Hacktivismo
Interesting software license. The following section really got my attention:
14.2 Any Governmental Entity that uses, copies, changes, modifies, or distributes, the Software or any part or portion thereof, or any Governmental Person who does so (whether that person's Governmental Entity contends the person's action was, or was not, authorized or official), permanently and irrevocably waives any defense based on sovereign immunity, official immunity, the Act of State Doctrine, or any other form of immunity, that might otherwise apply as a defense to, or a bar against, any legal action based on the terms of this License Agreement.
So where does that fit in to the Homeland Security Package?
via :: Kottke
The Library of Congress Copyright Office is asking for comments on the DMCA. As I said here, your voice matters, but only if you use it.
via :: algorhythm
As American's, we all have jobs to do to ensure our freedom and our rights. Read Dave's post below, and then do your job by filling out the form and having it sent to your congressperson. In a world where P. Diddy wants to be President, we all need to take a stand at some point. What's that quote about knife raping nuns?
We've got all these fun things floating around that do their best to circumvent the Constitution. My biggest problem is the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA). This is the one that says you aren't allowed to make a copy of a CD or tape you bought. That means all those mixed tapes you made are illegal and you're a dirty thief susceptible to a federal trial. You horrible, awful person! The DMCA ranks right up there with the Patriot Act on my list of stupid legislature. Now, it says alot more about encryption and not trying to break encryption. But the only people this protects is big business. So it's not just about mixed tapes and stuff like that. read more about it, you won't regret it.
Right now the Electronic Freedom Foundation is lobbying and asking for your support in amending the DMCA as well as supporting the introduction of a bill called the Digital Media Consumer Rights Act (DMCRA). All you have to do is contact your appropriate legislator and ask them to vote for this bill. They've made it so easy. You don' even need stamps. you can go to the EFF website and they will send a fax for you. So please go and fill out the form. There's no cost to do this. There's much more cost if you don't.
Go here to fill out the form. Your voice can make a difference.
A while back, while I was at school, I met this potential student and we exchanged email addresses and screen names. Tonight I found this in his away message:
q. In last Tuesday's midterm elections, Republicans retook the U.S. Senate, giving them control of both houses of Congress. What do you think?a. "You know, they say people get the government they deserve, but I don't recall knife-raping any retarded nuns."
[: VaxCave :]
Read Dave's write up called 'Boycott Saint Xavier' (he doesn't have permalinks, so I can't link it directly, so you'll have to search for it). I don't really have time do do the thing justice, but seriously. People like that deserve to be stoned.
On the flip side, feel free to make a donation to Operation Uplink. They'll be providing pre-paid phone cards to members of the US military who are on duty during the holidays. We might not all choose to put our lives on the line for our country, but we can at least support the people who do.
Recent Comments