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Dubya/Cheney can be charged for the crimes they they were part of maybe not invading Iraq, but for the Torture they did to the people they captured, dig a little deeper and you will see they are not totally immune
I'm sure I have it right there are several countries around the world that have outstanding arrest warrants out for Dubya, Cheney, and the others in his criminal group. Unlike all other past American Presidents, Vice Presidents and senior staff members the Dubya/Cheney Criminal Groups have stayed inside American Borders so they won't get arrested, there was one exception and that was when Obama took Dubya and Laura to Mandella's funeral and prior arrangements had been made not to arrest Dubya at the funeral. But the base in the republicans refuse to believe this to be true they will just make excuses as to why they haven't traveled overseas. Maybe Obama will grow a set and insist charges be leveled against that criminal group in his last year in office.
9/11 could have taught the American population so much about the causality of American interventionism around the world, instead it has given credence to an already self-justifying system of the constant war economy based on mindless jingoistic consent from the population; given to a savage inhuman profit driven constant war economy that is leading to insane foreign policy decisions that are not sustainable. The American democratic façade is starting to crumble, and the Corporate Military Fascist state with those thousand points of light shining down revealing its true intent. While they use the tragedy of 9/11, to legitimize the destruction of already limited democratic process, to perpetuate the horrible economic doctrine of manufacturing conflict for war profit.
I still like the idea of commemorating negative events only when the anniversary is on the same day of the week, so that we don't too strongly associate that day of the year with something that we'd rather not have happened.
This would mean that 9/11 remembrance ceremonies would have been held only in 2007 and 2012, and from now would be held in 2018 and 2029.
I did a double-take hearing that the Swedish Prime Minister is named Fredrik Reinfeldt. I have a book on chess by a Fred Reinfeld.
Leigh, I got curious, after you mentioned on Facebook your having been treated like a troll on this forum, and so I searched and found this thread. — Now I see! — Well, it's clear that nr16020 hadn't a clue about you, nor about much of anything else. He obviously hasn't participated here long enough to have gotten to know your wit, your sensibility, your fine intelligence, to say nothing of your dry and original sense of humor. You and I don't agree on all things, but I've always sensed a good, kind spirit in you and no reason whatsoever to imagine you as a troll!
I also agree with the wide yawn over Thom's post, though I forgive him, because I understand he needs to pound away on certain themes, perhaps because he's developing a following which grows day by day and not every citizen has been listening to him as long as we have. Bernie Sanders does the same thing— repeat himself constantly. It's understandable, yet we snooze.
Just one exception, which I already mentioned to you over at FB: The presentation of the spin-off Facebook group, the one that uses Thom's brand in promoting itself, as some sort of safe place, where "civil" conversations can take place among Thom followers. Um, I don't think so, Leigh. I belonged there for awhile and ultimately had a most damaging experience. It was more like trying to discuss issues with a pack of cultists than with democratic thinkers. I was ganged-up on, mostly by the religionists and "spiritualists" in that group, all because, initially, I dared use the word "BS" in response to the magical thinking going on there, and because I do not subscribe to supernaturalism and magic in the guise of "science." Furthermore, there was always the threat of being banned by the founder of the group, that is, ONE person in control of decisions on membership; and the rules about "no cussing" in a discussion I found to be incredibly stupid.
By contrast, here, on this forum, you have a sense that adults can disagree, that the mere use of a BS here, or an "asshole" there isn't going to get anybody banned, and that the population is diverse enough that one finds simpatico participants to play among. Plus, the powers-that-be appear to be many, not just one authority.
In any case, it's okay, because that experience over at the FB group "inspired" me to originate my "What's the Matter with Supernaturalism" thread here. I found that to be a far more satisfactory experience than anything I might have experienced at the FB group. For one thing, I found like minds and appreciation here, which I did not find sufficiently within that FB group.
I do wonder if Thom would mind that a FB group is using his brand to siphon participants away from here to there.
Oh well, you know I think the world of you and hope my being myself here receives your understanding. It is possible to talk, to be ourselves. :-)
If it's a day early for "Thank God It's Friday", the standard expression is "So Happy It's Thursday".
"Leighmf", regarding the Pagans.... you took the words right out of my "mouth"! - AIW
I don't understand the reply mstaggerlee. Was there a newsclip on Neo-Pagan protests? I was astounded that there was such a thing as Neo-Paganism. My world is so insulated. I'm not into deities of the second century.
Plus, the name "Freedom Fries" never took hold so I think the Neo-Pagans should just give it up and go their own way.
The president can take only emergency action. Attacking ISIS (IS or ISIL) is not an emergency, therefore we whoud follow the Constitution and go to war only when the US Congress OKs it.
Absolutely agree with Thom. This new threat (ISIS) in the Middle East was radicalized by their treatment in places like Bagram and Abu Ghurab, as well as time spent in Saudi and Egyptian prisons, those countries being long-time U.S. allies (and recipients of U.S. military "aid").
FSTV also ran a documentary, Searching for Steele, a horrifying take on James Steele, the torturer-in- chief during the occupation of Iraq.
KUDOS, Thom! Great post, great rant; one of your best. The only part where I would differ is your reference to the U.S. as the world’s leading democracy. The world’s leading plutofascist empire is more like it.. - AIW
Palindromedary ~ I can't say I'm surprised about the fate of your little friend. I could have told you that would happen. Oh, well! Time for a new little friend. Looks like he's related to the other one.
Tom1945 ~ One thing I have to say about that second part of your story is how it reminds me so much of that scene in Blazing Saddles where Cleavon Little announces he is the new black Sheriff of Rockridge and all the white people in town draw their guns to kill him. He gets out of the situation by drawing his gun and threatening to kill himself. The white people believe it and lower their guns to protect him. (For anyone who missed it, here is a link to that scene)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upvZdVK913I
I think Mel Brooks might have been trying to imply that white people don't have a problem killing black people as long as they are the ones doing it. The idea of a black man killing himself is somehow taboo. Perhaps that is true for some reason and Mel hit that little phenomenon out of the park with his movie. Certainly something to consider in light of your experience. Like Sheriff Bart says at the end of the scene, "They are so dumb!"
Thanks for sharing! Great story.
I think it's big business that wants war. The way less than one percent. Bring back the draft and start pulling the privileged out of college and send them to fight with the rest. It's their country too. Then we can thank the rich for their service. Wave that around and then go back and see who still wants to fight. If it must be war, then no one shoud have to serve more than one tour of duty in a combat zone.
DAnneMarc: the little red devil had business in hell...again...lots and lots of business. ;-}
Face it! We're a war-like country. Too often, both Democrats and Republicans choose military action over diplomacy in almost every crisis.
Obama has fallen in love with drones despite the fact that the use of drones creates more terrorists than it destroys. He--like his predecessor--has ordered the use of military force without consulting Congress, and Congress keeps renewing the Patriot Act. Officials keep us in never-ending war. Our factories build so many war weapons that officials have decided to militarize our police forces. What else can we do with all that crap?
Combine the militarization of the police with the NSA spying on all Americans, and what do you come up with? The largest police state ever on the face of the Earth.
Palindromedary ~ This might be 'slightly' off topic. However, since it is the eve of the 9/11 attack and we are talking about the illegal war that ensued following it, I thought it appropriate to share this link with you and everyone else. This is Governor Jesse Ventura; and, he has 9 simple questions for the 9/11 commission. I thought you might enjoy his rant:
http://www.ora.tv/offthegrid/9-questions-for-the-911-commission-0_5jsinelweyvx
Reply to #3 -
Yes - FOX news. Thom played the clip on a Good, Bad, Ugly segment, last week sometime. I recall that it merely rated a "bad".
Reply to #1 -
WOW! That, essentially, is the ultimate, global extension of the Nixon Doctrine. It tales Tricky Dicky's statement that "when the President does an illegal thing, then it's not illegal", and extends it to (a) any member of the President's staff, and apparently the entire US military, and likely as not our intelligence services, as well, and (2) beyond our borders, to cover the globe!
I guess once a certain kind of person has obtained a sufficient amount of power, they come to believe that they are simply above the law.
There is a problem with that kind of thinking ... the rest of us do NOT believe that. It doesn't seem to matter what we little people think, though - and more's the pity!
I think a "World-Shunning " of Dick Cheney is an excellent idea. He should be pictured in stocks and getting a good dunking.
I have been informed in a Facebook Post that use of the acronym ISIS is insulting and disrespectful to Neo-Pagans worldwide who are now worshiping Isis as a deity.
The new word is ISIL : Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Objections anyone?
"DICK" Cheney really has NO credibility. Really ! The guy can't even handle a shotgun without it going off un intentionally.
Well, Marc, it wasn't quite that bad. I think the woman driving the car--she was a student of mine giving me a needed ride after class--also received a ticket for driving the wrong way. I don't remember just why the other driver was cited--some minor thing wrong with his vehicle--but the cop's attitude toward my (white, young, female) student was almost apologetic and toward the black driver just the opposite.
The reason I made that post was to show that there have been and are good cops even when working in high crime cities and with associates like cop 1 in my story. As more and more police are going to be dealing with unlike races, we need many more cops like the second part of my story and fewer (or none) like the other one.
Thom, Did you know?
Quoting an article from Human Rights Watch links at bottom of post:
U.S. President George Bush today signed into law the American Servicemembers Protection Act of 2002, which is intended to intimidate countries that ratify the treaty for the International Criminal Court (ICC). The new law authorizes the use of military force to liberate any American or citizen of a U.S.-allied country being held by the court, which is located in The Hague. This provision, dubbed the "Hague invasion clause," has caused a strong reaction from U.S. allies around the world, particularly in the Netherlands.
Yes, Unfortunately, Dirt Bag Dick falls under this protection.
Another interesting provision: America is exempt from prosecution by the recongnized international courts for the war crime of genocide. This was tested during the 90's in the aftermath of the war in Kosovo. The U.S. was one of the defendants accused of War Crimes but the court removed the U.S. do to the charge of genocide of which the United State can not be prosecuted by international courts.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2002/08/03/us-hague-invasion-act-becomes-law
Tom1945 ~ Your car caused a head on collision and the Cop yelled and gave a ticket to the black victim YOU ran into? You have got to be kidding me. Only in America!