A new Czech movie set for release in spring 2009 will showcase the turmoil the small country has experienced in the debate over the radar and the loss of sovereignty for that great nation, the Americans once steadfastly supported in their unaided struggle for independence.
Cesky Mir - Czech Peace
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
SOFA to be Signed This Friday
According to CTK, the Czech news service, and Respekt.cz, Czech Minister of Defense Vlasta Parkanova and US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will sign the SOFA treaty this Friday in London. The deal is a follow up to July's anti-ballistic missile radar system agreement, which plans to place a US base equipped with a massive radar system on Czech soil, about 80 miles from Prague. In addition, a separate agreement with the Polish government puts nuclear missile interceptors in their country, with the new American base being only over 100 miles from Russian territory. The SOFA agreement has negotiated the legal terms of placing American troops in the Czech Republic, as well as an agreement about arming the Czech Air Command with new Hercules spy planes, as well as more equipment and transport for joint US-Czech military expeditions. Also, the SOFA agreement included a section about the further centralization of pro-imperial US news outlets gaining greater exposure in Czech markets. Thus, the Americans use their new military alliance also as a chance for influencing a foreign nation's terms of presenting news.
Already, American companies own a large television station NOVA in the Czech market, as well as a few high profile newspapers. Even the news transmitted inside the Prague metro are of American ownership.
And with all this integration used in furthering an international alliance against Russia with its strongest pro-West, freedom loving neighbors, the motives remain suspect. With three-fourths of the Czech citizenry opposing the radar, as well as the Slovakian government, many have come to question the good will of this project where no public input was taken into account, and back-room deals between the Czech, Polish, and American governments dictated the desired results. With Central Europe being remilitarized and an ever thin ice relationship the US maintains with Russia, the future for these countries appears bleak and entangled in a new mess of the two polar superpowers, once again jockeying for empire.
Already, American companies own a large television station NOVA in the Czech market, as well as a few high profile newspapers. Even the news transmitted inside the Prague metro are of American ownership.
And with all this integration used in furthering an international alliance against Russia with its strongest pro-West, freedom loving neighbors, the motives remain suspect. With three-fourths of the Czech citizenry opposing the radar, as well as the Slovakian government, many have come to question the good will of this project where no public input was taken into account, and back-room deals between the Czech, Polish, and American governments dictated the desired results. With Central Europe being remilitarized and an ever thin ice relationship the US maintains with Russia, the future for these countries appears bleak and entangled in a new mess of the two polar superpowers, once again jockeying for empire.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Economic Crisis in the Empire
Every day, the government aims to bail out more and more financial firms in the wake of the US (and even global) economic downturn. And each time another acronym firm like AIG is forced under the wing of the government, the American citizen is expected to pay for the bailouts with their own hard-earned deposit money.
When no accountability exists in any kind of form, what are we to expect next from our do-all, help no one but CEO government? Nothing, and not even nothing at all, but rather more taking away from the people to fund a fatally flawed military and financial empire. Americans will ever see their savings shrinking in the form of a hidden tax the Federal Reserve often uses, inflation. And as food prices spiral out of control, the People will pay dearly for such nationalizations of industry and socialistic takeovers. And who will hold our representatives to their sworn duty to the Constitution and this nation?
When no accountability exists in any kind of form, what are we to expect next from our do-all, help no one but CEO government? Nothing, and not even nothing at all, but rather more taking away from the people to fund a fatally flawed military and financial empire. Americans will ever see their savings shrinking in the form of a hidden tax the Federal Reserve often uses, inflation. And as food prices spiral out of control, the People will pay dearly for such nationalizations of industry and socialistic takeovers. And who will hold our representatives to their sworn duty to the Constitution and this nation?
Arming the World
While there are many questions the top corporate media have already picked to ask the two major presidential candidates, good inquiries about the dangerous policy of arming the world with billions of dollars of weaponry will not be among them. Since FDR's long imperial rule, the United States government has given trillions to other countries. Often tied foreign aid, much of this sum has been spent on securing American military craft for foreign powers.
In Afghanistan, the US funded Osama bin Laden and his "freedom fighters" during the 1980s Soviet-Afghan War. Years later when the US invaded that country, everything from US vehicles to rocket-propelled grenades were found with the label, Made in the USA. More disturbing, since 9/11, the United States has given over $10 billion to the president of Pakistan, Perez Musharraf, a military dictator who seized power during a coup in 1999. Much of this money was borrowed from China.
Something about this equation does not seem quite right. American people work hard two out of five days a week for their intrusive and irresponsible government. And out of this hard work, they must dedicated almost a third of their earnings to prop up military dictatorships abroad, as well as arm nation against nation. Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, France, Japan, Korea, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Georgia, and Iraq. The list is endless.
It's time the American people began to ask serious questions to those who race toward the throne of Emperor of the World. It is time to end phony debates about being strong on defense and following bin Laden to the gates of hell. Let's look at what is really destroying the public trust in our government, and the actions which put Americans in greater danger every day.
In Afghanistan, the US funded Osama bin Laden and his "freedom fighters" during the 1980s Soviet-Afghan War. Years later when the US invaded that country, everything from US vehicles to rocket-propelled grenades were found with the label, Made in the USA. More disturbing, since 9/11, the United States has given over $10 billion to the president of Pakistan, Perez Musharraf, a military dictator who seized power during a coup in 1999. Much of this money was borrowed from China.
Something about this equation does not seem quite right. American people work hard two out of five days a week for their intrusive and irresponsible government. And out of this hard work, they must dedicated almost a third of their earnings to prop up military dictatorships abroad, as well as arm nation against nation. Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, France, Japan, Korea, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Georgia, and Iraq. The list is endless.
It's time the American people began to ask serious questions to those who race toward the throne of Emperor of the World. It is time to end phony debates about being strong on defense and following bin Laden to the gates of hell. Let's look at what is really destroying the public trust in our government, and the actions which put Americans in greater danger every day.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hold On Houston!
As Hurricane Ike comes slamming into the Texas coast around midnight tonight, we hope our good friends from Houston and Galveston down along to Corpus Christi stay safe from the water's rage. As cumulus clouds of humidity lead the way into the Texas inland, we can only hope and pray now for the safe survival of the citizens of the coastal region. Already, mandatory evacuations have been made from Houston to Galveston, and while the Hurricane 2 storm will hit land tonight, many are staying, going against the governments' orders to flee.
These brave souls will see Ike come. And however one would praise or assail their judgment, they should be seen as heroes, waiting for the torturous torment to pass by. May the best of luck be with them all, and may God watch over.
These brave souls will see Ike come. And however one would praise or assail their judgment, they should be seen as heroes, waiting for the torturous torment to pass by. May the best of luck be with them all, and may God watch over.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
America's Foreign Policy Nightmare
Unlike what the Mainstream Media would have you think, the US-Russia conflict over Georgia has not ended. Rather, Georgia's ruthless president, Mikhail Saakashvili, now begs NATO to extend membership to his nation in response to Russian incursions into South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Prolonging the conflict, Saakashvili's military gamble against Russia almost led to his own dethronement at the behest of one of the most powerful military forces in the world.
However, while there may be a new peace treaty in place, negotiating by France's Sarkozy, the unrest has not subsided. With the United States strongly now advocating for Georgia and Ukraine's entrance into NATO, Russia could not feel more threatened. In addition, the new US missile defense system planned for Czech Republic and Poland symbolizes the last straw, a point of no return.
While people in those two countries oppose the radar system vehemently, back-room deals between governments' heads lead to this crisis. With the US possessing nuclear weapons only a mere 150 kilometers from the Russian border, the Russian leadership must take appropriate retaliatory responses, even if it means stationing new nuclear weapons in Cuba.
As Saakashvili grows ever louder in his perverted moan for NATO membership and a coveted place within the US's protective defense umbrella, the US's complaisant attitude toward what is really hurting relations in Europe appears to now doom our nation toward an inevitable "New Cold War" with Russia. Even Prime Minister Vladimir Putin recently warned against a new revival of the nuclear arms race and vehemently denounced US plans for missiles in Poland. In response, the Russians state that Poland and Czech Republic are making themselves targets for future military action.
What most Americans do not understand, is that these countries are not the backwoods and untouched locations many think they are. Rather, they lay in the heart of Central Europe, always essential places of trade, wealth, and art connecting East and West. Places where war is really unimaginable after the devastation of World War II, and civility is expected. To put our closest allies in jeopardy also raises questions about American motives. If we so strongly support these democratic societies, why not allow them to protect themselves? They face no real threats, except for our radar!
Also, while many Central Europeans strongly admire America, a cultural alliance and political one is enough. There is absolutely no need to militarize these crucial relationships. And as world events seem to escalate to a new height with clashes between the three major superpowers (US/Europe, China, and Russia) appearing more likely, maybe it is time to take some advice from those that know Empire well, the Russians, and stay out of other big dogs' backyards.
However, while there may be a new peace treaty in place, negotiating by France's Sarkozy, the unrest has not subsided. With the United States strongly now advocating for Georgia and Ukraine's entrance into NATO, Russia could not feel more threatened. In addition, the new US missile defense system planned for Czech Republic and Poland symbolizes the last straw, a point of no return.
While people in those two countries oppose the radar system vehemently, back-room deals between governments' heads lead to this crisis. With the US possessing nuclear weapons only a mere 150 kilometers from the Russian border, the Russian leadership must take appropriate retaliatory responses, even if it means stationing new nuclear weapons in Cuba.
As Saakashvili grows ever louder in his perverted moan for NATO membership and a coveted place within the US's protective defense umbrella, the US's complaisant attitude toward what is really hurting relations in Europe appears to now doom our nation toward an inevitable "New Cold War" with Russia. Even Prime Minister Vladimir Putin recently warned against a new revival of the nuclear arms race and vehemently denounced US plans for missiles in Poland. In response, the Russians state that Poland and Czech Republic are making themselves targets for future military action.
What most Americans do not understand, is that these countries are not the backwoods and untouched locations many think they are. Rather, they lay in the heart of Central Europe, always essential places of trade, wealth, and art connecting East and West. Places where war is really unimaginable after the devastation of World War II, and civility is expected. To put our closest allies in jeopardy also raises questions about American motives. If we so strongly support these democratic societies, why not allow them to protect themselves? They face no real threats, except for our radar!
Also, while many Central Europeans strongly admire America, a cultural alliance and political one is enough. There is absolutely no need to militarize these crucial relationships. And as world events seem to escalate to a new height with clashes between the three major superpowers (US/Europe, China, and Russia) appearing more likely, maybe it is time to take some advice from those that know Empire well, the Russians, and stay out of other big dogs' backyards.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Dr. Strangelove: The Secret Government
In Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece Dr. Strangelove, the every day operations of a powerful and secret government are unearthed. Digging deep under the surface of what the public sees of the government, planes fly constantly around the globe armed with nuclear weapons to be released by any small whim or mishap. Painting the true picture of how the U.S. government functions, Kubrick indicts the ruling elite, presenting their pettiness and disregard for the consequences of their actions which all too often seem to them only like child's play.
With cinematography that evokes the magnitude of government power, and the arrogance which drives men to make decisions of insane proportions, Dr. Strangelove presents for once to the people the corrupt system which watches over us, and keeps all beholden to its jurisdiction.
As the President invites global leaders to his military discussion, and those as the top Soviet leadership, the leader resembles once Presidential hopeful Adlai Stevenson, who strongly supported of the United Nations and international cross-government decision making. In a situation all too similar to today, the President assures his own staff of the soundness of working hand-in-hand with criminal totalitarian regimes to assure mutual benefit. Not only in theory, but the President even urges the Soviet leaders on the hot-line to shoot down his own U.S. aircraft, knowing well that the nuclear bomb drops on the USSR are commenced without a chance for return. The madness displayed by the US government is well documented in this film. Even the major generals, who are regarded as all-knowing and always prepared, seem to have higher priorities than assume their duty. One is held up by his young sexy bikini-clad maiden urging him back to bed. But while this general is preoccupied for personal reasons, others supersede their own Commander-In-Chief to launch wars of aggression, only based on so-called requests from the divine.
Also, LBJ makes his appearance in the aircraft, skidding along the clouds on his way to drop bombs. Adorned with a ten gallon cowboy hat, the Texan, once the most careful of the entire crew to enter such combat, submerges into a rage of misinformation and pledges himself to the cause of destroying others for "people of all creed, gender and color". Such a reference to LBJ and his war-filled vision of an equal America must not be overlooked.
Then, Dr. Strangelove appears. His crippled frail body sits straight in a wheelchair, his eyes darkened by the tint of his sunglasses. In his mad fits of the mind, Dr. Strangelove, the advisor, the secret mover behind the scenes, lets out his plan to let the world spiral into nuclear annihilation as long as the privileged government few could live underground in tunnels for over 500 years. Much like Dr. Kissinger, Strangelove gives off an unsuspecting but eery scent. Although he has the most powerful position in planning policy, he is the most withdrawn from the actual functioning picture and as well the least accountable for the happenings in reality. Much like today's Karl Rove, Paul Wolfowitz or Bill Kristol, or yesteryear's Josef Goebbels, Dr. Strangelove is an evil theoretician, whose mad rants into insanity can only lead to death and destruction.
After all the wrangling and fear and confusion over whether war could not be stopped, it is clear that these very organizations and preventive measures the governments have taken in name of the People, have only worked to destroy the society it set out to protect. The movie reminds us of this essential theme with its last montage of US dropped nuclear weapon tests. It gives the audience a haunting after-image to show the inevitable end of such fruitless endeavors.
To echo the words of David Byrne, "We're going boom, boom, boom, and that's the way we live. We're going boom, boom, boom, and that's the way we live. And then a real big boom, and that's the way we live."
With cinematography that evokes the magnitude of government power, and the arrogance which drives men to make decisions of insane proportions, Dr. Strangelove presents for once to the people the corrupt system which watches over us, and keeps all beholden to its jurisdiction.
As the President invites global leaders to his military discussion, and those as the top Soviet leadership, the leader resembles once Presidential hopeful Adlai Stevenson, who strongly supported of the United Nations and international cross-government decision making. In a situation all too similar to today, the President assures his own staff of the soundness of working hand-in-hand with criminal totalitarian regimes to assure mutual benefit. Not only in theory, but the President even urges the Soviet leaders on the hot-line to shoot down his own U.S. aircraft, knowing well that the nuclear bomb drops on the USSR are commenced without a chance for return. The madness displayed by the US government is well documented in this film. Even the major generals, who are regarded as all-knowing and always prepared, seem to have higher priorities than assume their duty. One is held up by his young sexy bikini-clad maiden urging him back to bed. But while this general is preoccupied for personal reasons, others supersede their own Commander-In-Chief to launch wars of aggression, only based on so-called requests from the divine.
Also, LBJ makes his appearance in the aircraft, skidding along the clouds on his way to drop bombs. Adorned with a ten gallon cowboy hat, the Texan, once the most careful of the entire crew to enter such combat, submerges into a rage of misinformation and pledges himself to the cause of destroying others for "people of all creed, gender and color". Such a reference to LBJ and his war-filled vision of an equal America must not be overlooked.
Then, Dr. Strangelove appears. His crippled frail body sits straight in a wheelchair, his eyes darkened by the tint of his sunglasses. In his mad fits of the mind, Dr. Strangelove, the advisor, the secret mover behind the scenes, lets out his plan to let the world spiral into nuclear annihilation as long as the privileged government few could live underground in tunnels for over 500 years. Much like Dr. Kissinger, Strangelove gives off an unsuspecting but eery scent. Although he has the most powerful position in planning policy, he is the most withdrawn from the actual functioning picture and as well the least accountable for the happenings in reality. Much like today's Karl Rove, Paul Wolfowitz or Bill Kristol, or yesteryear's Josef Goebbels, Dr. Strangelove is an evil theoretician, whose mad rants into insanity can only lead to death and destruction.
After all the wrangling and fear and confusion over whether war could not be stopped, it is clear that these very organizations and preventive measures the governments have taken in name of the People, have only worked to destroy the society it set out to protect. The movie reminds us of this essential theme with its last montage of US dropped nuclear weapon tests. It gives the audience a haunting after-image to show the inevitable end of such fruitless endeavors.
To echo the words of David Byrne, "We're going boom, boom, boom, and that's the way we live. We're going boom, boom, boom, and that's the way we live. And then a real big boom, and that's the way we live."
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