Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Interesting/Sad Quotation

I saw this quote from Hermann Goering today and thought it particulary germane now that the GOP convention is rolling:

Goering: "Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

Gilbert (his interviewer): "There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

Goering: "Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

Oh well.

Interesting/Sad Quotation

I saw this quote from Hermann Goering today and thought it particulary germane now that the GOP convention is rolling:

Goering: "Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

Gilbert (his interviewer): "There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

Goering: "Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

Oh well.

Sunday, August 29, 2004

"Stone said the new pre-screening system is different from its predecessor because it will not use computer models known as algorithms to assess individuals for risk."

This isn't even from USA Today. It's from Reuter's. Who says the American education system is more or less working?

And thanks to Bernie.

Friday, August 27, 2004

Well...

Well, I'm not sure if anyone but me is still looking at this thing. But anyhow, be it known: I passed the Prelim Exam.

Thursday, August 12, 2004

My favorite publication

USA Today online lead off their people section with, "Funk musician George Clinton has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charges." Pull me up a chair.

How come Reid never says anything?


Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Alan Keyes

Alan Keyes must be--and bar-none, including P. Diddy, Cash Money Mob/Mafia (whatever), and all the other strapping black fuckers who make a point of showing off the refrigerator contents and the bedroom where "the magic happens," "the shit goes down," etc--the single most ridiculous, pathetic creature I am actually aware of. My opinion may turn tomorrow, but I wouldn't count on it. This is a putz who is somehow physically capable of claiming, on national broadcasts, that race had nothing to do with the Republican party selecting him to run against Obama. What kind of crazy-monkey-talk is that? Even Hastert had trouble keeping a straight face when asked about this, claiming something like "he wasn't actually there" when the decision was made. Remarkably, Keyes also claimed that he was chosen because of the unique set of skills that he brings to the challenge, which included the ability to take the race issue off the table--but that has nothing to do with being black. (I refer the reader to my published views of Objectivistic crazy-monkey-talk.) Subsequently, Keyes first salvo against Obama took the form of "likening [Obama's] pro-choice stand on abortion to a 'slaveholder's position.'" Whaaa? I have all sorts of sick images of crayola "flesh" colored ass-invading dildos running around in my head.

Okay, I'm just vituperating for the sake of it. I like "crazy-monkey-talk" though.

Monday, August 09, 2004

Garden State

Has anyone else seen Garden State? Here is a movie with definite flaws, but I think I still really liked it.

Sunday, August 01, 2004

Mamta Popat

Check out this article. Apparently, Mamta Popat is a pretty common name in Arizona.