Democracy? There is no democracy without an informed public

As of Fall 2006, there were only nine embedded reporters in all of Iraq. Of the nine, four were from military media (three from Stars and Stripes, one from Armed Forces Network), two not even with US units (one Polish radio reporter with Polish troops, one Italian reporter with Italian troops), and one was an American writing a book. Moreover, we should remember that embeds already make a rights tradeoff when they agree to the military's reporting rules. That is, they have already given up some of their 1st Amendment protections (something at the heart of their professional ethic) in exchange for access, so agreeing to potentially fall under UCMJ when deployed may not be a deal breaker.

Boing Boing: US military code will apply to contractors - and embed journos?

Don't forget! Kapitalism is War!

I always asked myself what's in it for Blair...

But the Blairs' famously poor choice of property investments has saddled the family with an annual mortgage bill of around £200,000. The new house in Connaught Square is alone mortgaged to the tune of £3.5m.

When one adds such incidentals as the £18,000-a-year cost of childcare and helping the Blairs' older children through university, the urgency for cash becomes abundantly obvious.

Independent Online Edition - Tony & Cherie's American Dream

As good as it gets

The Cremation of Care was devised in 1893 by a member named Joseph D. Redding, a lawyer from New York. During the ceremony, which serves as the opening to the Grove encampment, a mock human sacrifice representing "dull care" is cremated to symbolize the liberation of the participants.

Today, the ritual consists of hooded members accepting the effigy representing "dull care" from a ferryman traveling across a creek. Music and fireworks accompany the ritual, for dramatic effect. The mock human sacrifice is placed on an altar and set on fire. The ritual represents the act of embracing the revelry of Bohemian Grove while setting aside the "dull cares" of the outside world.

The ceremony takes place next to a 45-foot (15 m) high concrete owl statue. During the ceremony, audio plays through nearby speakers providing the illusion of a speaking statue. The voice of the former-newsman Walter Cronkite, a member of the Bohemian Club, is used as the voice of The Owl during the ceremony.

Bohemian Grove - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just a flavour of Bilderberg

I asked for examples, and I was given one: "During the Falklands war, the British government's request for international sanctions against Argentina fell on stony ground. But at a Bilderberg meeting in, I think, Denmark, David Owen stood up and gave the most fiery speech in favour of imposing them. Well, the speech changed a lot of minds. I'm sure that various foreign ministers went back to their respective countries and told their leaders what David Owen had said. And you know what? Sanctions were imposed."

The man who told me this story added,

"I hope that gives you a flavour of what really does go on in Bilderberg meetings."

Guardian Unlimited | Archive Search

See no evil, report no evil

Bilderberg meetings often feature future political leaders shortly before they become household names. Bill Clinton went in 1991 while still governor of Arkansas, Tony Blair was there two years later while still an opposition MP. All the recent presidents of the European Commission attended Bilderberg meetings before they were appointed.

BBC NEWS | Inside the secretive Bilderberg Group

So was Angela Merkel and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, two weeks before Schröder called for the dissolution of the German parliament and new elections, after which Angela Merkel became Chancellor. Somehow, they seem to sense important trends in international politics.

I wish I had more credible sources than this, but hey, this is a conspiracy private meeting after all.

And there was a very strange media campain here in Germany before the election in Germany. The german press tried to "write Angela to office". It was really eerie. Well actually they tried to write a CDU/CSU (Conservative, but in a corporation friendly sense) and FDP (liberal, but more in the sense of economic liberal) to power. They failed at that, but Angela Merkel managed to get to power anyway.

And now I hear that Hubert Burda (CEO of Burda), Mathias Döpfner (CEO of Springer) and Matthias Naß (second in command at Die Zeit) were at the Bilderberg meeting. And not a single word in German newspapers or other MSM about Bilderberg. Eerie, really eerie.

What's the chance for that?

After the last little video, I was just reading about the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations (WHOA! WHAT a GREAT title boys!), about the United States President's Commission on CIA activities within the United States (better known as the Rockefeller Commission), about Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, about the Rockefeller familiy in general, about Dealey Plaza, how it was the site of the first Masonic temple in Dallas (now what is the chance for that!), about the man who named the grassy knoll, when my chair started to fall apart. Literally fall apart.

Exhibit A - Photograph showing two exit wounds in the back

Exhibit B - Photograph showing the two main conspirers

Exhibit C - Photograph of the manufacturers signet

Now, what's the chance for that. I rest my case.

Oh fuck, in the name of science!

A Bush-Nixon-CIA-Hunt-JFK-Zapata-Nazi connection?

JFK Murder and the Bush Family Connection - Google Video

Fight Terrorism?

The US couldn't track a billion dollars if they'd invaded switzerland. I said it before, I say it again, this whole fight against terrorism is a giant global potemkin village.

In Washington, U.S. government officials confirmed that roughly US$900 million in U.S. currency was taken from Iraq's Central Bank shortly before the United States began bombing Baghdad in 2003. Treasury Department officials said they didn't know where the money was taken and were still checking out details of the incident, including the denomination of the missing U.S. currency.

13 Prisoners executed in Baghdad - journalismus - nachrichten von heute

Why DRM is bad

Old inquirer article, but this quote is very good.

The problem is that there is no theoretical, practical or implementation benefit of DRM for the consumer. It costs money to develop, costs money to implement, and adds hardware and complexity to a device. This all comes out of your pocket while it takes your rights away.

Intel to cut Linux out of the content market

National Academy of Sciences: Iran oil profits could dry up by 2015 - CNN.com

No, not really? Maybe they should invest in nuclear power? At least that is the solution many countries follow to get independent of oil. I would rather suggest something along the line of renewable engery, but that is just my stupid idea...

Report: Iran oil profits could dry up by 2015 - CNN.com

If this wasn't propaganda, what was then?

The threat of Saddam and weapons of mass destruction is not American or British propaganda. The history and present threat are real.
NOW. Politics & Economy. Press and Politics. BBC/Blair Battle Timeline | PBS

I just love good quotes. But if this wan't American or British propaganda, what was then? With people like that running nations, I am beginning to get deliusions I could be a good politician. "I am a good politician, that is proven fact and not my propaganda. Just trust me, I'm good for you!"

An addendum to the last post

America the savior… After nearly four years and Bush's biggest achievement in Iraq has been a lynching. Bravo Americans.

Baghdad Burning

What a great day for justice

So Saddam Hussein has been sentenced and executed for killing 125 people. What a great day for justice.

Najib al-Nuaimi, a member of the defence team, told Al Jazeera on Sunday that no Sunni lawyer was allowed to be among the execution witnesses and that the conduct of those present showed it was an act of revenge and for political purposes.

"This is not in the normal procedures to execute a normal person," he said.

"It's full of hatred and it's very ugly. It's nothing to do with the Dujail case."

Al Jazeera English - Video shows Saddam being taunted

and

[Saddam] Oh God.

[Voices] May God's blessings be upon Muhammad and his household.

[Voices] And may God hasten their appearance and curse their enemies.

[Voices] Moqtada [Al-Sadr]...Moqtada...Moqtada.

[Saddam] Do you consider this bravery?

[Voice] Long live Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr.

[Voice] To hell.

[Voice] Please do not. The man is being executed. Please no, I beg you to stop.

[Saddam] There is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God. There is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad...

BBC News

So who is next? Those who helped him stay in power, those in the West? Those who helped killing tens or even hundred of thousands of Iraqis following the US invasion?

We have the technology, we can make it better!

Finally someone has invented the perpetuum mobile. "If we just believe hard enough, then we can prove science wrong!"

Ah, well. The people at Steorn Watch just don't think this is real. BTW: And nobody is safe from conspiracy theories.

And I think that Steorn is to science what the Bush&Blair Inc. Ltd. is to intelligence. If you promote your bullshit just loud enough, many of the people with the facts simply give up and the people who continue to critize you are easily labeled as heretic misfits. And you are free to collect the money from the dumb masses.

Just in case you want to visit Steorn's website, the Steorn server seems to be down at the moment. Must be a power outage.

In related news: CIA offers studies in inteligence

A Message Courtesy Of Mr. Foreman: Internal FBI warning

I received an interesting email:

Subject: The news prompted the FBI to issue an internal warning on the risk his death could spark attacks, the US media says.
From: Raphael Foreman

comparable
The Yemeni authorities confirmed there had been a shooting incident, it said.

A shooting? In Yemen? And the FBI had to issue a internal warning? And Mr. Foreman tells me all about it? How fascinating!

But after that, I'm afraid, the "content" of the mail breaks apart.

Anichebe, making his first Premiership start, was a constant threat and when he was wrestled to the ground by the Dutchman, Arteta netted from the spot.

After that a trading alert GIF informing me of the possibilties of "Chef Selections, Inc.", a penny stock. How bizare, yet how fascinating. No wonder it was in my Spam folder.

And there are really suckers who really buy stock that is advertised in strange spam emails. I guess I could really make a nice living if I would not have any scruples...

"That is so obvious"

Liberal and progressive Christian groups say a new computer game in which players must either convert or kill non-Christians is the wrong gift to give this holiday season and that Wal-Mart, a major video game retailer, should yank it off its shelves.
...
When asked about the Arab and Muslim-sounding names, Frichner said the game does not endorse prejudice. But "Muslims are not believers in Jesus Christ" -- and thus can't be on Christ's side in the game.

"That is so obvious," he said.

'Convert or die' game divides Christians / Some ask Wal-Mart to drop Left Behind

Yeah, the Muslims are the scapegoats of today and have replaced the Jews, Japanese and so on, this is so obvious.

The Robbers are leaving the Bank

Imagine you are in power in at a big and heavily militarized country and want to transfer truckloads of money from the state to companies producing military goods and supplying military services. I mean more money that you already transfer. Much more. Imagine you have no scruple what soever. What would you do?

Well, I guess you would start a war, attack a country. But you would have to choose this "target" country well. You don't want to have to battle an army of 1 Million Chinese. No, that would be stupid. And after all, the rumours say that they *actually* have nukes. But you would not want to attack a country that is a flyweight. As tempting as it would be to raid Monaco or Liechtenstein, the war wouldn't last too long and it would be over you said the sentence "Our troops need more time to find the weapons of mass destruction". Which brings me to the third point. You need a state you can paint plausibly as an evil state.

I asked myself why the war against Iraq happened, why the US wanted to remove Saddam so badly (no pun intended), why they lied about the WMDs and the Al Q connection. I guess it was the least risk to attack Iraq, while it was still plausible to pull it of in a way that seemed "just" and in accordance to international law.

It was just bad luck for Saddam and the Iraqi people. (Don't get me wrong, I would have liked to have Saddam removed from power sooner than later, but what happened in Iraq was so wrong on so many levels. And after all it was the west who helped Saddam come to and stay in power, same as the west is to be blamed that Iran is no longer a democracy - but I this is not the point of this blog post) I guess the other candidates just seemed more risky or less "targetable". Add a little grudge by the Bushes against Saddam, and voila, you end up with a war against Iraq. Or maybe someone at the pentagon just flipped a coin and decided between Lybia and Iraq.

And the "nice" thing in that scenario is, that it doesn't matter if the US wins the war. Actually, no, the longer and exhausting the war, the better. If the US Army screams for better equipment, no "responsible" American could deny their demands. After all, everybody is a patriot in the US and no one wants to be called a traitor. So it doesn't matter what the heck is going on in Iraq, if there are Shiites, Sunnites and Kurds in Iraq. There could be yellow-eyed Aliens or armies of ants. It wouldn't make a difference. The money is safe home it the pockets of the few behind the Cheney-Rumsfeld neo-profiteurs.

And what about the "War for Oil" motive? A good smoke screen is one that is believable. I guess oil played a role in decision process leading to the Iraq war, but not a major one. Or maybe...

This war is been fought for one main reason: To transfer money to corporations in the military sector. It is that simple. Everything else just blends nicely into the picture, if you don't ask too detailed questions and "just believe". Democracy for the Middle East. Shuuure. Secure the oil demand of the US. Shuuure. Increase security for the US, Israel and Europe. Shuuure. Well, I guess those in power tried to do something in these directions, but having the money already transfered, they didn't try too hard. Add some "reasons" to have devoted followers for your cause and voila, everybody gets what they want. Well, everybody who pulls into the right direction. Well mostly everyone of those.

In the end, it is just a simple case of war profiteering.

As I have been watching The Corporation I have heard for the first time something about the Business Plot and I remembered about a guy claiming that 9/11 was actually a coup d’état by parts of the government against Bush (Sorry, can't find the link). Well, the more I think of it, the more I think that 9/11 wasn't a coup, it was a robbery. And the money is already out of the bank and the robbers are leaving the bank, one by one.

Fuck, it seems so crystal clear to me, I feel like I am starting to believe in some crazy cooked up conspircay theories.

Foster suspicions among the public

The taping began before noon on Sept. 11 at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center, in Ronkonkoma, on Long Island, where about 16 people met in a basement conference room known as "the Bat Cave" and passed around a microphone, each recalling his or her version of the events a few hours earlier.

But officials at the center never told higher-ups of the tape's existence, and it was later destroyed by an F.A.A. official described in the report as a quality-assurance manager there. That manager crushed the cassette in his hand, shredded the tape and dropped the pieces into different trash cans around the building, according to a report made public today by the inspector general of the Transportation Department.

The tape had been made under an agreement with the union that it would be destroyed after it was superseded by written statements from the controllers, according to the inspector general's report. But the quality-assurance manager asserted that making the tape had itself been a violation of accident procedures at the Federal Aviation Administration, the report said.

The inspector general, Kenneth M. Mead, said that the officials' keeping the existence of the tape a secret and the decision by one to destroy it had not served "the interests of the F.A.A., the department or the public" and could foster suspicions among the public.

F.A.A. Official Scrapped Tape of 9/11 Controllers' Statements - New York Times [summeroftruth.org]

There is something moving in the state of America

Senator Dayton has started to ask questions about 9/11. Thankfully he is not occoupied with phantom planes, but actual facts like the timeline of events.

911Truth.org - Senator Dayton: NORAD Lied About 9/11

A senator does not make a springtime. Or so they say.

The truth will prevail!

She has hosted numerous panels on Sept. 11, 2001, conspiracy theories and suggested that Bush had knowledge of the terror attacks beforehand but kept quiet about it to allow friends to profit from the aftermath. She introduced legislation to establish a permanent collection of rapper Tupac Shakur's recordings at the National Archives and asked for a federal investigation into his 1996 killing.

It was her scuffle with a Capitol police officer that drew the most attention. McKinney struck the officer when he tried to stop her from entering a congressional office building. The officer did not recognize McKinney, who was not wearing her member lapel pin.
Controversial Georgia congresswoman McKinney introduces bill to impeach Bush - International Herald Tribune

Hah, what fun. I am sure the media will comment on the work of Miss McKinney very favourable in the future... and the truth about 9/11 will surely come out.

Political Commissars for US Scientists?

The Bush administration is clamping down on scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey, who study everything from caribou mating to global warming, subjecting them to controls on research that might go against official policy.

New rules require screening of all facts and interpretations by agency scientists. The rules apply to all scientific papers and other public documents, even minor reports or prepared talks, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
LiveScience.com - White House Tightens Publishing Rules for USGS Scientists

(via fefe, in German)

"I'm going to sexually molest your dog."

Lyonne's former roommate claimed Lyonne trashed their apartment and then banged on a neighbor's door, rushed into that apartment and picked up her dog, telling the woman, "I'm going to sexually molest your dog."

What the dog fuck?

'American Pie' actress turns herself in at court - CNN.com