COMMENT OF THE DAY

Thursday 3/14/08 - Attack Iran!

As a witness in the audience watching a looming global threat of Armageddon to unfold, one can’t help noticing the stage is being set; the players are moving into place, the world is being divided into two war camps while the neutral nations are biding their time either to be victims to be trampled on or to join in the battle cry on the winning side in its ‘last throes’ of our earthly existence.

Without a doubt, Bush and Cheney are determined to carry out their atrocious act to wipe out ‘their enemies’ at all cost. Who are the enemies?  Why, EVERYONE, of course. Because they plan to destroy the WHOLE PLANET.

Destruction is in their blood.

These two will live in world infamy as the worst leaders ever existed on Earth. In their grand scheme of destruction, they plotted 9/11 attacks to kill thousands of innocents, secretly designed to topple the United States, and have displaced millions of refugees around the globe due to their illegal wars in the Middle East and the interference of clandestine mercenary corps in Africa and Latin America. Worse still, they have ignited a nuclear arms race to quicken the annihilation of our world.

So, where is the epicenter for their Armageddon? Attacking Iran, of course. The following article should make everyone shudder:

6 Signs the U.S.  May Be Headed for War in Iran

Friday 9/21/07 - Taser Issue: Lethal Weapon to Silence Free Speech

The mainstream media is at it again – trying to obfuscate, misinform and bury important issues under the noise of whether a University of Florida student zapped with a Taser at the John Kerry Forum on campus deserves it or the university police abusive actions are justified.

The New York Times tried to depict the young student as ‘a prankster and his apparent flair for self-promotion’ by wanting to record his encounter with Senator Kerry on video. The Press Association suggested ‘his online writings and videos raised the question of whether his actions during the forum were genuine or some kind of stunt.’

It’s not at all surprising that Andrew Meyer, a senior telecommunications major, would want his questioning of the famous Senator be filmed with his own camera. That would also explain why he shows his homemade videos on his website.

The questions raised should not be about the student’s behavior or even the justification for the police to use a Taser on an ‘’unruly’’ student, instead the question should focus on why the police force is armed with a lethal weapon to silence free speech.

There are two significant issues here: First, why does a university allow the police to use a lethal weapon on unarmed students? Amnesty International says the high-voltage weapons have been linked to more than 70 deaths in America. Of course, there is the post-Virginia Tech shooting mentality, which advocates arming of faculty and students against the possibility of danger. But in the case of Andrew Meyer, he was clearly unarmed. Needless to say, it’s abhorrent to think our civilized society would need lethal weapons to control our youngsters in schools. Second, why does the exercise of one’s right to free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment be considered a threat that warrants an arrest?

In the police report, it claimed that ‘the defendant Andrew Meyer was being lawfully detained for inciting a riot and disrupting a school function.’ The video obviously contradicts the police report. There were no students rallying behind Meyer to start a riot and as for disrupting a school function, even Senator John Kerry said that he ‘never felt threatened by Meyer’ and ‘asked police to allow Meyer to ask his question.’

What’s disturbing about the University Police Department document is that it states the circumstances for using a Taser include trying to avoid an officer’s attempts to control a situation. A person does not have to strike or harm an officer to justify use of a Taser, according to “UPD document states circumstances for Taser use” (Independent Florida Alligator, 9/18/2007). In other words, anyone can be a victim to police abuse.

The students at the University of Florida got it right – this incident is too important to be ignored. They have held a series of protests supporting Meyer and their own right to free speech. Their fight is really everyone's fight, too! It could be one of us, next!

Friday 8/18/06 - FCC Inquiries of "Fake News"

The latest on FCC mailed inquiries to 77 television stations for using video news releases as "fake news" points to one major reason for public viewers to distrust the mainstream media. The spread of skepticism is like a forest fire where one can no longer tell the difference between propaganda and news.

As standards for news, FCC requires all video news releases to disclose "the nature, source and sponsorship of the material that they are viewing," but these stations not only broke the rules, they had the audacity to sabotage “the truth” in make-believe news stories for the sake of “considerations” (financial gain?) from private “creators of news releases”. In other words, these stations were bought to lie to the public.

Worse still, the stations have continued to release fake news despite the truth of their misconduct that surfaced earlier in March this year in "Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed," a study conducted by the Center for Media and Democracy, a nonprofit organization that monitors the public relations industry.

From this news item, one saying comes to mind: “Money corrupts people” — the managers of TV stations, the corporations as creators of fake news, the news station reporters to air the videos, the paid actors pretending to be reporters and the list goes on…

Thursday 8/9/06 - Cause of Obesity Epidemic - GM Suspect

The article about the spread of obesity to infants conducted by scientists is troubling. (Raw Story, August 9, 2006) Over the years we have been bombarded by scientists trying to blame obesity on the lifestyle habits, fast-food consumption, or genetic hereditary in the US. Instead of looking at the real cause of the obesity epidemic, mainly in the US compared to the rest of the world, the scientists and doctors have examined the results related to obesity.

Since the introduction of GM products in the US food market for mass consumption in the 1980s, obesity has become most noticeable in the last ten years. Obesity is a sign of abnormal physical condition of the body that could be brought about by external and internal factors. The fact that obesity is epidemic at an accelerated speed points to more of an internal factor than an external one. In other words, junk food intake and genetic hereditary would have a direct association with quick body changes, more so than a lifestyle habit of being a couch potato. The GM element in the unlabeled food in markets seems to be the culprit more than anything else, for it’s found in most junk food and it does cause genetic hereditary changes. It’s amazing that scientists turn a blind eye to study the negative effects of GM food for human consumption. Perhaps, they were the ones who have been complicit all along with big food corporations and the government in burying the facts — all for the sake of reaping profits from an ignorant public.

Monday 7/24/06 - Second genetic code discovered in DNA

This piece of news should put anyone at ease with cloning to take a second look at what scientists still don’t know about DNA. Here’s an excerpt from Raw Story (July 24, 2006):

“The New York Times will report on Tuesday that researchers believe they have found a second code in DNA in addition to the genetic code, Raw Story has learned.

The primary genetic code specifies the proteins that a cell makes. This second code specifies the placement of the nucleosomes, miniature protein spools around which the DNA is looped and which control access to the DNA itself. Biologists have suspected for years that certain positions on the DNA where it bends most easily might be more favorable for nucleosomes, but not until now has it been possible to analyze the hidden pattern. If confirmed, this discovery could help explain higher-order functions of the genes, such as how each type of cell is able to activate only the genes it needs and not those used by other types of cells.”

It would explain some of the inherent problems of making exact replicas of living things. The question is obvious: if the scientists don’t know all the facts, what are they doing messing with nature?

Sunday 6/11/06 - Read Between the Lines in AP Article 

The June 11, 2006 article entitled “Bush, advisers plan future of U.S. in Iraq” by AP is nothing more than a propaganda piece for the Bush administration to help push up the polls for Bush and the sagging support for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. It’s filled with contradictions that one must read between the lines to understand the real U.S. military stance in Iraq.

Here are some of the lines:

• “President Bush is gathering his top military and civilian war advisers to plan the U.S. role in the country’s future.”  (It didn’t say that Bush is planning to leave the future to the “new established government of Iraq”.)
• “White House officials have said announcements of force reductions are not expected.” (In other words, no plan whatsoever for troop withdrawals.)
• “…he (Bush) has been careful not to signal any troop reductions yet, continuing to say he will make those decisions when commanders in the field advise him to do so.” (When has Bush ever listened to any of his military commanders in the field before, or anyone for that matter?)
• “Gen. George Casey said he thinks it will be possible to withdraw some of the 130,000 U.S. forces in the months ahead as long as Iraq's government and security forces make progress.”  (Right. In fact, the war situation is getting out of control.)
• “Among the most immediate concerns is how to buttress security operations in and around Baghdad. Some suggest that could involve short-term troop increases. “ (Notice the word “increase” for troops and the justification for that increase. In reality, no intention for troop withdrawals.)
• “He said more Iraqis are taking the lead in the fight, although that does not mean they can operate without support such as logistics, intelligence and medical evacuations.” (In other words, the U.S. troops will stay and support Iraqi security forces to fight insurgents indefinitely.)

The sudden departure of the CIA director, Porter Goss, leaving the intelligence community as the best defense against terrorism adrift at sea mirrors the overall state of government under Bush’s watch. Like many departments, FEMA, Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, and Food and Drug Administration, that serve the essential welfare and the interest of the American people, CIA has become the latest casualty on the growing list of dysfunctional government departments and agencies.

Goss’ unexplained resignation (“a mystery”) and his nominated replacement, Air Force General Michael Hayden, an architect of Bush’s spying program (NSA eavesdropping), indicate several possible conclusions: 

1. In an attempt to raise his plunging poll numbers, Bush is trying to cast aside blame for both intelligence failures on terrorism (9-11 attacks) and on prewar intelligence on Iraq by having Goss as the scapegoat.
2. After Goss has cleared the CIA of dissidents by forcing out many talented and respected intelligent officers, Bush can now provide a military perspective on a cilivian agency by placing a military officer as the head of CIA for his ongoing “war on terror."
3. Bush is grabbing power by extending military dominance over civilians through civilian agencies acting as military Gestapo.  

More importantly, the intelligence community is facing an overhaul unlike any other in U.S. history. The directors of other major intelligence agencies, National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office, have been in office for less than a year. The head of the FBI’s counterterrorism and intelligence branch resigned last week and the head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency plans to leave next month.

In retrospect, evidence of the Bush administration lying to the nation to go to war against Iraq and even against Afghanistan (al-Qaeda was not tied to the 9-11 attacks) shows that Bush is to be blamed, not our intelligence community. Yet, Congress allows the Neocons to continue dismantling our intelligence community by supporting Bush’s overhaul policies and nominations.

Tuesday  5/2/06 - Stephen Colbert's Weapon of Mass Derision at the Correspondents' Dinner 

The comedian, Stephen Colbert, ambushed the audience at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner to the delight of millions cable TV viewers. He not only insulted the guests of honor — the press, but also mocked the most distinguished man in the room — the president. Displaying satire at its finest, Colbert riddled the non-suspecting crowd at the black tie event with razor-sharp barbs, stinging truths, and poignant ironies.

Here are some of his quotes on the press corps:

“Over the last five years you people were so good over tax cuts, WMD intelligence, the effects of global warming. We Americans didn’t want to know, and you had the courtesy not to try to find out.”

“I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox news. Fox News gives you sides of every story, the president’s side and the vice president’s side. “

“The president makes decisions, he’s the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type.”

“Reporting on N.S.A. wiretapping or secret prisons in Eastern Europe? Those things are secret for a very important reason — they’re super depressing. And if that’s your goal, well, MISERY ACCOMPLISHED.”

“Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know — fiction."

on the Bush administration:

“I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq.”

“So the white house has personnel changes…they’re just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic…. that is a terrible metaphor. This ship’s not sinking. This administration is soaring. If anything, they are rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg... “

“General Mosley, General Peter Pace. They still support Rumsfeld. You guys aren’t retired yet, right? (Looking at them) Right, they STILL support Rumsfeld.”

“Joe Wilson is here. And of course, he brought along his lovely wife Valerie Plame. Oh, my god! (covering his mouth with one hand) Oh, what have I said? I am sorry, Mr. President, I meant to say he brought along his lovely wife. Pat Fitzgerald is not here tonight?”

“And we can’t forget man of the hour, new press secretary, Tony Snow. Secret service name, Snow Job. Got some big shoes to fill, Tony. Scott McClellan, too, SAY NOTHING like nobody else.”

and on Bush:

“We don’t pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in "reality." And reality has a well-known liberal bias.” 

”I stand by this man because he stands FOR things. Not only for things, has he stood ON things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message, that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world.”

“I’ve never been a fan of books. They’re all fact, no heart. I mean, they’re elitist telling us what is or isn’t true, what did or didn’t happen. What’s Britannica to tell me the Panama Canal was built in 1914? If I want to say, it was built in 1941, that’s my right as an American. I’m with the president, let history decide what did or did not happen.”

“The greatest thing about this man is he’s steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday, that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday.”

It was truly an unforgettable event where he shamed the press for their inept coverage of the administration’s malfeasance, where he demonstrated the bravado that Congress lack in confronting the “Decider,” and where he spoke for the rest of common Americans how we really felt towards our incompetent leader, cowardly government and sycophantic press.

Without a doubt, Colbert dropped a bomb of weapon of mass derision at the annual Correspondent’s Association Dinner, leaving the victims “shocked and awed,” the conspirators “silently” uneasy, and the guilty “ready to blow.” Time will tell if Colbert’s performance as a message for soul-searching will have any affect on those attendees.

Saturday  4/25/06 - Bush's Hubris and Insanity

In his essay, “Bushim as Greek Drama: “Hubris” and “Tragic Flaws”, Bernard Wiener compared George W. Bush to other presidents, namely, Nixon, Reagan, and Clinton, for their hubris while in office and their characteristic flaws as leaders.  They all share one common attitude — they thought they could get away with anything as presidents, including breaking the law. The three previous presidents were caught lying and covering-up their misdeeds (Nixon’s Watergate, Reagan’s Iran/Contra arms scandal, Clinton’s Lewinsky affair).

Although Wiener claimed that Bush’s characteristic flaws are more than any of the other presidents, he falls short to state the obvious — Bush is mad. It would explain his inconsistencies, indifference to human suffering, and denial of reality. It would also explain his inability to know right from wrong or understand the consequences of his actions. He holds a persistent belief that he’s “saving America” at all cost.

As a Greek tragedy, perhaps it’d be more appropriate to compare Bush to the Roman emperors: Caligula and Nero.

Saturday  4/22/06 - October Surprise

In John Dean's article, "If Past Is Prologue, George Bush Is Becoming An Increasingly Dangerous President" , he mentioned five possibilities for the "October surprise" that Bush and Co. will pull before the midterm elections: 1. Cheney to step down as Vice President to be replaced by a new face; 2. to achieve a united stance among foreign nations against Iran; 3. to claim the capture of Osama bin Laden; 4. to launch a terrorist attack on homeland soil; or 5. to go it alone in nuking Iran. Any one of them would help the Republicans from losing control of Congress.  

First possibility is unlikely, changing Cheney with another Republican won't help the sinking administration. The midterm elections have very little to do with the president or vice president but everything to do with congress run by Republicans. The second is also improbable, world governments are wary this time to believe U.S. dejá-vu accusation of Iran's WMD after the false claim of Iraq's WMD. Third possibility is impossible to do because bin Laden is already dead. That leaves us with the fourth and fifth possibilities, both of which could turn out to be realities. The terrorist attack would not be another series of aerial hijacking attacks against skyscrapers, but some kind of biochemical assault on crowded trains or subways. The fifth possibility is going to occur while Bush is still in office. It's not a question of if but when.

Looking at the latest news -- a revolt of the generals, Bush's obstinate defense of  Rumsfeld, articles on U.S. military poised to attack Iran,  increasing hostile warnings against Iran by Bush and Co. -- all point to one or more possibilities: nuke Iran, or terrorist attack on homeland to garner American support for war on Iran. Bush won't fire Rumsfeld now for a simple reason -- the war against Iran could not be possible without Rumsfeld at the helm. The generals have the right idea to revolt -- to stop Rumsfeld from executing Bush's grandiose madness to start World War III.