Grateful Dead

Was the biggest lie in modern American history, maybe in all of American history. Why is it that the lowly citizens get themselves in big trouble both legally and morally for lying but our "great and fearless" leaders do it every single day and their lies cost people their lives?? "Only the dead will see the end of the war" -Plato "The dire wolf collects his due while the boys sing round the fire"

...is God's way of teaching Americans geography. Ambrose Bierce (American Satirist 1842-1914. Author of the wonderful Devil's Dictonary: www.thedevilsdictionary.com/)

let's elaborate on that a wee bit Gonzo-shall we? Since you mentioned it and all.Pakistan is at this very moment under a deluge of water. Monsoon season/major flooding. Millions homeless, thousands dead. Overall dissillusionment with the governnemt-while the Pakistanis were suffering yesterday, their president was safe and sound in Paris (I think it was) The main region of Pakistan that is affected is close to the border to Afghanistan. Hmmm prime opportunity for the Taliban to show up as a humanitarian organization. Dispensing food, first aid, and recruiting new members. ********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain

If you think the only way you can get your point across is through the barrel of a gun then you must not have very much of a point. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.

I have not made a painful, side-by-side comparison of the dissent to war in America 1965-1973 and 2001-2010. This subject is worthy of research in great detail. Several points do readily come to mind, though... The precursors to war were vastly different: The Gulf of Tonkin resolution vs. 9/11. The current wars are seen as readily justified as the US homeland was attacked. In contrast to Vietnam, where the anti-war movement made serious errors in how returning veterans were treated, the current wars are popularly justified as "We have to Support the Troops". The line between support of military veterans and support of conflict has been intentionally obscured. The military is now an all-voluntary (if economic conscription is not counted) force as opposed to the Vietnam conflict in which service was demanded at the threat of prison or exile. The way the war is covered by the press: The press was still an independent force subject to military censorship in Vietnam. Now, the war coverage is completely controlled through tight access and self-censorship due to conservative tendencies of major news organizations. These same news organizations serve to reinforce the legitimacy of war through slanted reporting. FOX news must be mentioned here. FOX got it's start as a conservative, jingoistic propaganda operation of the military-industrial complex scant months before 9/11, which gave it it's major push as a national network with a viewer base. There have not been major demonstrations against the war since the lead-up to conflict in Iraq in the spring of 2003. The anti-war movement fell apart in the face of the Bush onslaught. The movement has yet to regain it's feet and may never do so due to powerful forces of primal fear continually reinforced by heavy media exposure to terrorist incidents in the US and abroad.

...is usually measured in blood and treasure: Iraq: (since war began 3/19/03 to 8/3/10 -- almost 7 years and 5 months) Dead: 4413 Wounded: estimated to be over 100,000 Cost: 737 Billion (real time spending clock costofwar.com) Afghanistan: (since war began 9/11/01 to 8/3/10 -- 8 years, 11 months) Dead:1216 Wounded: ?? Cost: 287.5 Billion (costofwar.com) These are the costs to the US alone. There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The war was basically one family's (Bush) obsession with Saddam Hussein. Afghanistan has never been militarily conquered in it's history. The most any invader has been able to do is temporarily occupy. This war has been the Pentagon's obsession with Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban. To date Bin Laden has not been captured and the Taliban has not been defeated. Evidence grows that Iran and rogue elements of the Pakistani government are bankrolling and training proxy fighting groups as well as the Taliban in that country.

I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to have Billary for parents!

NPR's environmental show that airs on Sunday evenings (in my locale) had somebody on last night from one of the more venerable, established environmental groups. He was a very well-spoken, older gentleman. The words coming out of his mouth were very radical though: Corporations are the enemy of all mankind. They are actively sabotaging climate treaties through propaganda and bribes through their lobbyists. There is no time left.

Unfortunatley not-the bulls are killed in the arena. It's a brutal vile sport!!! Only in Portugal are they slightly more civil, and it is forbidden to kill them.********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain

...let the bull live, don't they? Maybe Lilly knows.