When the “enemy” (in this case, Islamic extremists) give their lives for their cause, they’re considered by their brethren as martyrs. Merriman-Webster defines martyr as “a person who makes a great sacrifice for the sake of principle.” US Loyalists insult and criticize those who martyr themselves in the name of Islam but hold up as heroes those that do the same for the sake of the US state. Isn’t this hypocritical?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Satan is Smiling
When the “enemy” (in this case, Islamic extremists) give their lives for their cause, they’re considered by their brethren as martyrs. Merriman-Webster defines martyr as “a person who makes a great sacrifice for the sake of principle.” US Loyalists insult and criticize those who martyr themselves in the name of Islam but hold up as heroes those that do the same for the sake of the US state. Isn’t this hypocritical?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
DVD Reviews
Action thriller based around a government surveillance system gone haywire. There’s not a slow moment during the entire film.
Recommended
Burn After Reading:
Witty writing, great acting and quirky characters- everything you would expect from the great Coen Brothers.
Recommended
Battle for Haditha:
Reenactment of the civilian slaughter at Haditha, Iraq by US Crusaders. Ex- Marines play the lead roles which gives the film an authentic feel. The viewer can research for themselves whether the events are portrayed accurately. One fact remains clear- war is an obscenity that deserves neither glorification nor justification.
Recommended
The Mummy- Tomb of the Dragon Emperor:
Mildly entertaining action flick. This is the third installment of the Mummy series. As with most sequels that play out this far, the actors seem to have lost the spontaneity that made their original characters attractive, and now are just going through the motions.
(Barely) recommended
Joe Cocker- Mad Dogs and Englishmen:
The film chronicles Joe Cocker’s 1970 US tour with a 40 member orchestra. Cocker is one singer who puts his all into every word and note he sings which makes for some soulful, enjoyable music.
Recommended
Appaloosa:
Ed Harris stars in, directs, as well as produced and co-wrote this recently made western. A well played story about a long, working friendship between two lawmen in the New Mexico territory of 1882.
Recommended
The Visitor:
A middle-aged, disconnected professor (played ably by Richard Jenkins) discovers an illegal immigrant couple squatting in his little-used New York apartment. He becomes involved in their lives and immigration problems which brings about a personal life change of his own. A nice portrayal of post-911 American paranoia and how the state considers individuals to be nothing more than livestock to be managed and caged.
Recommended
The Express:
True story about Ernie Davis, the Syracuse running back who was the first black football player to win the Heisman Trophy. Not just a sports movie but relates his life’s events with the early days of the civil rights movement.
Recommended
Chaplin- The Movie:
This biographical film was produced in 1992 but was just released on DVD. Robert Downey, Jr. took on the challenge of playing the comic genius and succeeds. A very enlightening and insightful film about what motivated and inspired this once in a generation artist.
Recommended
Riding Giants:
A superb surfing film that outlines the history of surfing while focusing on the ultimate in the sport- riding the big waves. Lots of nicely restored surfing footage from the 1940’s and 50’s. The film includes the usual great surfing sequences, but the highlight is the wonderful personal testimony given by the most successful participants and trail blazers in the sport.
Recommended
Bangkok Dangerous:
Nick Cage stars in this Asian-style action film. He doesn’t have to work hard at playing the brooding loner- he looks that way, naturally. If you like dark, violent thrillers, this should satisfy.
Recommended
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio:
This film dramatizes the life of housewife Evelyn Ryan who helped feed her family in the 1950’s and 60’s by entering and winning scores of commercial contests, including jingle writing. A nice portrayal of a resilient person who made use of all their inner resources.
Recommended
Saturday, February 14, 2009
I Feel Under-Stimulated
All our lives, we’ve been conditioned to believe that the more money the government spends, the more prosperity that results. After all, governments know better how to spend and “invest” your money than you do. But, perhaps it’s time for all individuals to acquire some common sense.
Think about it. If government can wave its magic wand and “create” 4 million jobs, why doesn’t it go ahead and create 10 million, 20 million?
If government can wave its magic wand and produce $1 trillion out of thin air to “create prosperity“, why doesn’t it create even trillions more and make everyone a billionaire?
If you insist on fast relief, why settle for such a pittance?
Quotes of the Week
From the Light:L. Neil Smith
John Hasnas
Danijel Orsolic
William Lind
Lew Rockwell
Karen DeCoster
Michael Rozeff
Nancy Pelosi, defending her proposed spending of hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services.
“The federal government is the only entity left with the resources to jolt our economy back to life.”
Willima R. Hauser and Jerome Slater, writing in Foreign Policy.
Katrina van den Heuvel, editor of The Nation, and author Eric Schlossel.
Barry Obama, explaining what happens when he sits down to write a speech.
Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, on the Obama pork package.
Richard Holbrooke, special envoy to Afghanistan. [Then why are you continuing the program?]
"We're all Leninists now."
Image Review of the Week
You work hard to escape the state’s clutches, but there’s always something pulling you back:
A steel building on fire and…….it doesn’t collapse!:
Come fly with us- (Keep movin movin movin, Though they’re disapprovin, Keep them doggies moving..);
Overturning the laws of economics isn’t enough. Obama takes aim at the laws of gravity:
What’s a queen without a robe?....
....and what’s a king without a carriage?
Celebrating 200 years of myths:
The tradition continues:
Hear the band:
The winds of judgment are just beginning to blow:
Joe the Joker makes sure no one falls between the cracks:
A change in the chain of command requires much redecorating:
No need to dress. Just a friendly visit from Janey Jackboot:
You can scrub and you can scrub, but the slime just won’t come off:
Sic Semper Tryannis- Tyrants beget even more tyrants:
A romantic moment for fascists in love:
They’re all heart. The state not only owns you, but loves you:
Big tough soldier-persons need their comforter:
The Empire’s new enforcer:
US Crusaders- always looking for new ways to draw blood:
How come George isn’t smiling?
Is there room in the empire junkyard for still one more?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Quotes of the Week
From the Light:Uri Avnery
Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
James Leroy Wilson
Jacob Hornberger
Karen Kwiatkowski
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Mama Obama, thanking the parasites that inhabit the Department of Education.
Mama Obama, while addressing parasites at the Education Department [Mama thinks so highly of government schools that she has HER kids in private schools.]
Nancy Pelosi, [No, Nancy, the election was about which gang wins the authority to plunder the public.]
Image Review of the Week
Johnny Jackboot is always on the lookout for larger prey:
Cheer on the war machine. Sports + Politics = State Glorification:
Watch where you point your virtual weapon:
Boobus americanus searches for rodents and shadows:
Takin’ it to the streets:
It’s time to track your share of the stimulus:
Coming soon to your neighborhood:
They’re always looking for someone to kiss their boots:
The civic religion requires occasional prayers and supplication to the democracy god: