 | I signed up for NetFlix, which is a mail-order dvd rental service. They send you 3 movies at a time, and when you send one back they send the next one. The best part is, NO LATE FEES. So, what I would love to see from you, Dear Reader, is a comment with 2-3 movies that you think are great that I haven't seen. |
A March 19 Speech before the Senate
"The Arrogance of Power"
I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its founders and framers. Generation after generation of Americans has understood the lofty ideals that underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by the story of their sacrifice and their strength.
But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.
Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.
We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We treat UN Security Council members like ingrates who offend our princely dignity by lifting their heads from the carpet. Valuable alliances are split. After war has ended, the United States will have to rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuild America's image around the globe.
The case this Administration tries to make to justify its fixation with war is tainted by charges of falsified documents and circumstantial evidence. We cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war for one simple reason. This is a war of choice.
There is no credible information to connect Saddam Hussein to 9/11. The twin towers fell because a world-wide terrorist group, Al Qaeda, with cells in over 60 nations, struck at our wealth and our influence by turning our own planes into missiles, one of which would likely have slammed into the dome of this beautiful Capitol except for the brave sacrifice of the passengers on board.
The brutality seen on September 11th and in other terrorist attacks we have witnessed around the globe are the violent and desperate efforts by extremists to stop the daily encroachment of western values upon their cultures. That is what we fight. It is a force not confined to borders. It is a shadowy entity with many faces, many names, and many addresses.
But, this Administration has directed all of the anger, fear, and grief which emerged from the ashes of the twin towers and the twisted metal of the Pentagon towards a tangible villain, one we can see and hate and attack. And villain he is. But, he is the wrong villain. And this is the wrong war. If we attack Saddam Hussein, we will probably drive him from power. But, the zeal of our friends to assist our global war on terrorism may have already taken flight.
The general unease surrounding this war is not just due to "orange alert." There is a pervasive sense of rush and risk and too many questions unanswered. How long will we be in Iraq? What will be the cost? What is the ultimate mission? How great is the danger at home? A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid our solemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds of all Americans, even while scores of thousands of our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in Iraq.
What is happening to this country? When did we become a nation which ignores and berates our friends? When did we decide to risk undermining international order by adopting a radical and doctrinaire approach to using our awesome military might? How can we abandon diplomatic efforts when the turmoil in the world cries out for diplomacy?
Why can this President not seem to see that America's true power lies not in its will to intimidate, but in its ability to inspire?
War appears inevitable. But, I continue to hope that the cloud will lift. Perhaps Saddam will yet turn tail and run. Perhaps reason will somehow still prevail. I along with millions of Americans will pray for the safety of our troops, for the innocent civilians in Iraq, and for the security of our homeland. May God continue to bless the United States of America in the troubled days ahead, and may we somehow recapture the vision which for the present eludes us.
Where is Raed? is a weblog written by a guy who lives in Bagdhad. I wish I'd discovered this earlier; reading his archives have been fascinating. I hope he can continue to post as all hell breaks loose. (via Jason Kottke)
In another life, I lived for a short period in a house in Takoma Park, Maryland. Several of my roommates were in bands, and the filthy room I rented in the basement was right next to the practice area. Two of my roommates were in a punk band called Agent 86, who are surprisingly still touring. Another roommate was Bircho, then drummer for the band Trusty.
Today it occured to me to look him up on the internet
I am becoming more and more convinced that this coming war is spurred forward by the increasing desire for the military and news media to play with their new toys in the same sandbox as last time!
I went up to the PAWS shelter on Saturday with Bret to see about adopting a cat. I have been looking at the shelters for about a month hoping to find a male cat with a dark coat and great personality. This weekend I found one! Photos are forthcoming, but for now I will describe him. He's not really the cat I intended to adopt: his coat is medium-length, dark grey with a white undercoat that shows when you rub him the opposite way. His personality is really what endeared him to me. He sat in my lap and purred right away when I took him out of the cage.
" On 16 March 2003 in Rafah, occupied Gaza, 23-year-old American peace activist Rachel Corrie from Olympia, Washington, was murdered by an Israeli bulldozer driver. Rachel was in Gaza opposing the bulldozing of a Palestinian home as a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement."
A bunch of people I know in Seattle were friends with her.
Events like this diminish the entire human race.
(from Electric Intifada and myriad other sources)
My friend Ileigh is the BIGGEST DYKE IN THE WORLD but now she has the HOTS for this boy:
What will she tell her friends????
 | Here's a nice big image of the phases of the moon, suitable for maybe printing out or making into a desktop image. (from A.Cidadão) I have been struggling for a number of years to keep myself aware of the phase of the moon at any given time. I don't spend the night outside as much as I'd like, nor do I walk around outside at night near as much as I used to. There are various cool little desktop gadgets for various computing devices that can help you stay conscious of our mother the moon. |
Here are some great posters that you can print out when the boss isn't looking!
I talked to Amir this weekend, surrendered the TiVo, and now I proudly exhibit two fine Tibetan thangkas in my apartment:
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In order to get an edge in negotiations towards UN approval of the coming Oil War, the NSA has taken to bugging the phones of certain key UN delegates. I haven't heard anything about this in the American media, but Britain's Observer is reporting it. (via Benzene) |
