Sunday, April 28, 2013

Conspiracies, Cover-ups and Useful Idiots

About seven years ago, when Stalin was in process of being rehabilitated and had just been voted second in Most Important Russian in History by the Russian people, a professor at an English University in Moscow asked me,  "How do you know what is the truth?"  Not an easy question to answer as there is no set of rules or cookbook to follow, mostly just comparing every piece of information one comes across related to the subject.  There is no such thing as too much information.

I told her one solid reference and that is "If it is the official government version, it is invariably a lie".  Not 100% but so close it really doesn't matter.  I mean, have these people EVER told you the truth?

Which brings us to Alex Jones. That, of course, is also his position but then he jumps in with a ready made theory about what was lied about (covered up) and why it is a lie.

Let's take the Boston bombings.  His website raises some interesting issues, some  of which may be real, There are other questions about inconsistencies in the public story as well, not just his.  They should be followed up and explained clearly and logically, not just brushed off.  I quit following the story so some of this may have happened already.

The problem is that Jones' theory that it was a "false flag" operation (for which, sad to say, there is some precedent).  But his version that the government is looking for more excuses to "take away our guns and turn us into a police state" is patent nonsense. America already is a fascist police state, more or less, and the largest supporters of every move, regulatory or otherwise, to make it such are the people WITH guns, calling themselves Patriots.

Most Americans, I suspect, wouldn't know what "fascism" or "police state" looks like any more than they know what "communism" or "socialism" is.  They just throw the words around. Same as they do "Liberty", "Democracy" and "Patriotism"...but I digress.

The government must love crazy conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones because he makes it so easy to write off anyone who questions the official version of anything.  He is, in Lenin's words, a useful idiot. Anyone who suggests there might be unanswered questions is simply shut down for "believing in reptilian aliens coming to conquer the world".

Do you ever wonder why there are other kinds of "useful idiots" around when they are needed?  The Tsarnaev brothers were allegedly self recruited via the internet.  Others have mentioned a "newly converted Muslim" as a major influence on the older brother.  This is much more likely as research indicates there is always a recruiter. Who was he?  Anyone looking?

I could make a list of all these other kinds of useful idiots in American history possibly beginning with John Wilkes Booth but you can do that yourself.

Someone always benefits from any incident; natural (Hurricane Katrina) or man-made; deliberate (9/11) or accidental (Deepwater Horizon .  Regardless, the question is always "Cui bono?"  Who, how and why did they benefit?  The answers are rarely simple and conclusions too often jumped to. If the unanswered questions are likely to put the official story at risk you can rest assured that they will not be investigated, key pieces of evidence will disappear or it will simply be stonewalled until forgotten. JFK, MLK, RFK come to mind.

Why do American people accept the official version so unquestioningly in face of any and all evidence to the contrary?  Same reason the Soviet people readily believed that the millions of people arrested, tortured, disappeared, executed, sent to the gulag under Stalin were guilty.  Because to believe otherwise raised issues too terrible to think of and impossible to do anything about.

Believe what you want but question everything.  Get as much information as you can especially about unanswered questions and DON'T jump to conclusions, is all I can say.

And keep in mind Heinlein's Razor  Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity, but don't rule out malice.


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Kitten Update; 5 Weeks; Pictures

Progress.  Krasotka is spending less time with the kittens and more time outside which is good for the sanity of all concerned.  She seems to have decided they can stay in the backroom, though the other day she hauled the rather mischievous black and white kitten upstairs and dumped him at Tanya's feet as if to say "Can YOU do something with this child?"

They are all eating solid (canned) cat food now and once in awhile will chew on the raw chicken necks we give their mother as a treat.  There is milk in a dish but they show no interest.  A couple of them have investigated the water dish and   black and white kitty put a tentative paw into it a time or two.

They have discovered the litter box.  I don't know if they actually do anything in there or just enjoy digging. They do go through the motions so I expect they are training themselves. The other day there were three in there at one time and the gravel was flying.

Black and black and white kittens can both climb in and out over the barrier into the kitchen but seem to have lost interest now that they have accomplished it.

Tanya took the pictures; she has a way with kittens.

Cleanliness is next to...impossible

Wrestling mat

Behind the cupboard is a favourite hiding place for all four

It's OK; we are just playing

Pull his sweater over his head then pound him...
Now I got him...I think

I tolded them boys not to fight

Brothers

Sisters

I've catsized

Mama just watches



The Community Service Haircut

Blessed are those that can give without remembering, and take without forgetting.

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you ' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Then a Member of Parliament came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill , the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Member of Parliament was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Members of Parliament lined up waiting for a free haircut.


And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between
the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

The Roots of Terrorism

The tragedy in Boston this past week played out as expected.  The conspiracy theorists will wonder if the FBI didn't get tired of being accused of simply duping people then arresting them to make their stats look good and decided to go one step further and let them carry out the bombing too.  Those who have manufactured the Muslims into the current enemy have more ammunition and those who have fallen into the trap of Muslim-hating will have a heyday.

The real tragedy is that every day men, women and children are killed and maimed in "terrorist" attacks, state inflicted or otherwise.  In Iraq, in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Xinjiang, Dagestan, Mali, Nigeria... And no one hears about it until it is in Boston.

I jotted down some thoughts into a non-essay:

It is only class warfare if we fight back; it is only terrorism if they fight back.

What motivates an individual to commit acts of terrorism is highly personal; what motivates an entire societal group is almost universally a combination of bad governance and poverty.

Individuals are written off as mentally deranged and seeking attention, or ideological fanatics belonging to an inherently violent religion; whatever suits the politics of the situation and prevents examination (and acceptance) of any underlying causes.

Non-state terrorism is usually preceded by state terrorism of one kind or another.

State terrorism is about retaining power

Non-state terrorism – group or individual, state sanctioned/supported or private initiative.

Ideologically driven terrorism can be state or non-state but most ideologically driven non-state terrorism is linked in the end to bad government, poverty and an overwhelming sense of frustration and desperation.  No one is listening, no one is taking action to improve the situation.  If Islam did not exist, the same actors would still be on stage for the same reasons.

Normal people do not choose easily to kill themselves or others. 

Terrorists are like the Indians in the Westerns; they are just conveniently there; conveniently stirred to violence by bloodlust or medicine men.  No one asks why any deeper than this superficial rationalisation.

Terrorism as a form of guerilla warfare is usually engaged in by a much weaker power.

“The rebellion of the Huang Chao (875-884) had its roots in the extreme social instability and heavy financial burdens placed on the peasants however the recording of the event in official histories moralized the events as the conjuncture of corrupt or inept officials and persuasive but evil-minded bandits” (1).

The Boxer Uprising in China in 1900 (2).  The uprising backed by Imperial troops was ultimately against foreign occupation and influence.  History, written by the winners named it the  Boxer Rebellion as though they, the foreign powers owned the place.  A great deal of “terrorism” throughout history is from people who merely wanted their country back.

“We will not negotiate with terrorists”.  How stupid.  If they had been negotiated with prior to, they would never have become terrorists.

The entire Caucasus has been fighting the Russians for centuries (3), initially to retain their independence from the Empire; most recently while nominally about independence it has been about bad governance and poverty (4).

To revolt is a natural tendency of life. Even a worm turns against the foot that crushes it. In general, the vitality and relative dignity of an animal can be measured by the intensity of its instinct to revolt. Mikhail Bakunin
The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution.-Hannah Arendt

A populace never rebels from passion for attack, but from impatience of suffering.-Edmund Burke

A great revolution is never the fault of the people, but of the government.-Johann von Goethe

Most commonly revolt is born of material circumstances; but insurrection is always a moral phenomenon. Revolt is Masaniello, who led the Neapolitan insurgents in 1647; but insurrection is Spartacus. Insurrection is a thing of the spirit, revolt is a thing of the stomach.-Victor Hugo

(1) Ending an Era: the Huang Chao Rebellion of the Late Tang Adam Fong
(2) Besieged in Peking: the Story of the 1900 Boxer Rising Diana Preston
(3) Caucasus: Mountain Men and Holy Wars Nicholas Griffin 
(4) A Dirty WarPutin's Russia and A Russian Diary Anna Politkovskaya

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

In Memory of Rita MacNeil 1944-2013

  Taken from her website:


Sydney, NS (April 17, 2013) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Cape Breton’s first lady of song, Rita MacNeil. Rita died last evening (April 16th) from complications following surgery, at the age of 68.

A gentle soul with a heart of gold and the voice of an angel, Rita’s music spoke of her love of home and family, the courage to rise above life’s challenges and the hardworking men and women that tie this country together. “Working Man”, “Flying on Your Own”, Reason to Believe”, “I’ll Accept The Rose Tonight” and “Home I’ll Be”, are just a few of the songs that endeared Rita to fans in Canada, the U.K and Australia.

Born in Big Pond, Cape Breton on May 28th, 1944 to Neil and Catherine (Rene) MacNeil, Rita was one of eight children. It wasn’t an easy life, as depicted in her autobiography “On A Personal Note”(released in 1998), but with determination and a passion for writing songs and singing, Rita pushed beyond a profound shyness and found her way to a stage at Expo 86 in Vancouver. It was here that the world discovered Rita MacNeil.

In 1987 she won her first Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist. She was 42. “Flying on Your Own” followed in 1987 and in 1989, her Juno performance with Cape Breton’s Men of the Deeps of “Working Man”, brought the house down.

Over the course of her career, Rita recorded more than 24 albums which sold in the millions. She won 3 Juno’s, as well as numerous East Coast Music Awards, Country Music Awards, and a Gemini for her CBC variety show 'Rita & Friends' that ran from 1994 to 1997. She was a Member of the Order of Canada, was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia and is the recipient of five honorary doctorates. In 1986 she opened up Rita’s Tea Room in her hometown of Big Pond, which in the past few years enjoyed frequent visits from Rita herself.

Rita’s quick wit and sly sense of humour was a hallmark of her live shows and was in evidence when she was featured in an episode of the Trailer Park Boys.

A mother to Laura (Dana) and Wade (Lori), a grandmother, a dear friend, and a sister, Rita was a Canadian icon – a woman who had a dream that became a reality - who brought joy and inspiration to so many.

And you never let the hard times
Take away your soul
And you stopped the tears from falling
As you watched the young ones go

You’re as peaceful as a clear day
You’re as rugged as the seas
I caress you, oh, Cape Breton, in my dreams

Home I’ll Be – Rita MacNeil

“Music is timeless and ageless,” noted the legendary singer, “the passion I feel for what I do can’t be put aside with a number and a year. It is a big part of my life – the concerts, the touring, the letters and the joy the audience gives back to me when the music touches a chord with them.” Rita MacNeil



Don’t Mess With Children


A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, 'When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah'.
The teacher asked, 'What if Jonah went to hell?'
The little girl replied, 'Then you ask him'.

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, 'I'm drawing God.'
The teacher paused and said, 'But no one knows what God looks like'.
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, 'They will in a minute'.

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
After explaining the commandment to 'honor' thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?'
One little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, 'Thou shalt not kill.'

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, 'Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?'
Her mother replied, 'Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.'
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, 'Mummy, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?'

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
'Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, 'And there's the teacher, she's dead.'

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, 'Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.' 'Yes,' the class said.
'Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?' A little fellow shouted, 'Cause your feet ain't empty'.

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: 'Take only ONE. God is watching.'
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, 'Take all you want. God is watching the apples'.