The fires raged and uranium burned,
Ash, smoke, haze, engulfing all ferns.
I soon got a cough and a fever too
I did survive, but almost died of the common flu.
The young men grew strong and overtook all the old
For it is the weak that perish in war.
Little swaddling babies - old people too,
According to Bush, they had to die! It's true!
They say bin Laden's still around,
Hiding out in caves.
Some people praise him, but with his killing,
I don't want to be associated with his name.
But I am Afghan, that's all I know is true
So that means I'm vapid, depraved and enslaved
and surely not worth anything too.
And all I see is pointless tanks kicking up dust
and making a coup.
Beware! Is it Blackwater?
Better run to the zoo!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Panelaky for Marcy-Holmes
Time is running out for the old-world charm of Marcy-Holmes. In a swift coup of "urban renewal", the city of Minneaoplis' Orwellian Community Planning and Economic Development agency is working with big developers to bring "luxury" high rise block housing to the city's first residential neighborhood. But the CPED's massive restructuring of the community is not without its detractors.
Homeowners of Marcy-Holmes are angered by what they have called a "closed process" to reshape the neighborhood. Desperately trying to engage in dialogue with the Rybak appointed 15th Avenue SE Urban Design Plan commission, they claim their cries for consultation are being ignored. The commission refutes these claims as they have pointed out that a five week discussion period permitted by the city produced nothing. The top-down run Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association also approved the city's plan for mass development.
However, homeowners and residents claim they are being shut out of the final decision and are having the future of the neighborhood dictated by developers who are ultimately writing the plan for the Community Planning and Economic Development department.
Some speculate that the city wants to push out of Marcy-Holmes what they deem as overoccupied slum housing perpetuated by deadbeat landlords. Whatever the case may be, it appears the city will prevail in the effort to gentrify the area. With other recent projects in the area going up at the abandoned Bunge Factory as well as near St. Anthony Falls, the city hopes to capitalize on extending the glam of downtown across the Mississippi. However, as many residents have already questioned. who will pay to live in these overpriced apartment blocks?
In former communist Czechoslovakia, these state-promoted blocks of flats were infamously known for shoddy construction and aesthetic cruelty. They were rediculed and despised by the derrogatory name of panelaky. If Marcy-Holmes' development is steered by similar broken programs, the panelaky will stand in the city's oldest neighborhood marring its subtle grandeur, forever a monument to mediocrity.
So after all, in these days of economic crisis, who will pay for the high priced, low quality apartment living? Most likely, none.
Homeowners of Marcy-Holmes are angered by what they have called a "closed process" to reshape the neighborhood. Desperately trying to engage in dialogue with the Rybak appointed 15th Avenue SE Urban Design Plan commission, they claim their cries for consultation are being ignored. The commission refutes these claims as they have pointed out that a five week discussion period permitted by the city produced nothing. The top-down run Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association also approved the city's plan for mass development.
However, homeowners and residents claim they are being shut out of the final decision and are having the future of the neighborhood dictated by developers who are ultimately writing the plan for the Community Planning and Economic Development department.
Some speculate that the city wants to push out of Marcy-Holmes what they deem as overoccupied slum housing perpetuated by deadbeat landlords. Whatever the case may be, it appears the city will prevail in the effort to gentrify the area. With other recent projects in the area going up at the abandoned Bunge Factory as well as near St. Anthony Falls, the city hopes to capitalize on extending the glam of downtown across the Mississippi. However, as many residents have already questioned. who will pay to live in these overpriced apartment blocks?
In former communist Czechoslovakia, these state-promoted blocks of flats were infamously known for shoddy construction and aesthetic cruelty. They were rediculed and despised by the derrogatory name of panelaky. If Marcy-Holmes' development is steered by similar broken programs, the panelaky will stand in the city's oldest neighborhood marring its subtle grandeur, forever a monument to mediocrity.
So after all, in these days of economic crisis, who will pay for the high priced, low quality apartment living? Most likely, none.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Obama to Spend $800 Billion on Wars in 2009, Vows to Keep 50,000 in Iraq Past 2011
In a stark look at the reality of the situation of U.S. military commitments abroad, journalist Steve Watson of PrisonPlanet.com reports that President Obama will push for over $800 billion to spend on war-related and occupation activities in 2009. Watson also reports that "Every single component bar one of the DoD budget is up 5-10% compared to 2008, with the budget for 'military construction' increasing by a whopping 19.1%."
By escalating the ongoing war in Afghanistan by announcing the deployment of an additional 17,000 troops to the battlefield, and expanding the CIA's covert war in the border region of Pakistan, America's war woes will not be cured anytime soon. America has occupied Afghanistan since the year 2001.
In other news, President Obama is poised to announce his so-called "withdrawal" strategy from Iraq where troop levels will be reduced over the next two years. After August 2010, President Obama plans to keep a "residual force" of over 50,000 soldiers in Iraq for occupation purposes. Currently, 142,000 American soldiers are deployed in Iraq. While the self-dubbed anti-war candidate has yet to deliver on any promise, it is astoundingly clear that his unwavering support of the Imperial War Machine will make things much worse for many more years to come.
By escalating the ongoing war in Afghanistan by announcing the deployment of an additional 17,000 troops to the battlefield, and expanding the CIA's covert war in the border region of Pakistan, America's war woes will not be cured anytime soon. America has occupied Afghanistan since the year 2001.
In other news, President Obama is poised to announce his so-called "withdrawal" strategy from Iraq where troop levels will be reduced over the next two years. After August 2010, President Obama plans to keep a "residual force" of over 50,000 soldiers in Iraq for occupation purposes. Currently, 142,000 American soldiers are deployed in Iraq. While the self-dubbed anti-war candidate has yet to deliver on any promise, it is astoundingly clear that his unwavering support of the Imperial War Machine will make things much worse for many more years to come.
Guantanamo Abuse Worsens Under Obama
A British-American lawyer Ahmed Ghappour for the group Reprieve, representing over 30 prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, has publicly stated that the abuse there has heightened since the election of President Obama. While noting that the abuse is not directed from above, he claims it is an endemic form of barbarism made worse by overzealous prison guards who have become used to torturing inmates.
Reuters reports that Ghappour stated that, "According to my clients, there has been a ramping up in abuse since President Obama was inaugurated." In addition, Ghappour claims that continued beatings, dislocation of limbs, excessive use of pepper spray and over-forcefeeding of prisoners remain mainstays of prison procedure. Ghappour also noted that most all of the 241 inmates still held at Guantanamo Bay do not believe that they will ever be released from the prison. All inmates held at the Guantanamo base are Muslim.
Reuters reports that Ghappour stated that, "According to my clients, there has been a ramping up in abuse since President Obama was inaugurated." In addition, Ghappour claims that continued beatings, dislocation of limbs, excessive use of pepper spray and over-forcefeeding of prisoners remain mainstays of prison procedure. Ghappour also noted that most all of the 241 inmates still held at Guantanamo Bay do not believe that they will ever be released from the prison. All inmates held at the Guantanamo base are Muslim.
Riots Continue in Greece
Yesterday in Athens the protests of late last year continued as a large number of citizens were able to effectively shut down the nation's capitol city airport. Riots began last fall in November after a 15 year old was shot and killed by police. Since then, the rioting has escalated as many Greeks have come to the streets to protest their government in lieu of the world economic crisis.
According to Reuters, thousands of farmers blocked national border crossings in January in protest of the low prices of their products. These protests were quelled after the government announced a 500 million Euro economic bailout, similar to those already dictated in the United States.
Riots also broke out during Greek carnival celebrations this month. This video presents one such protest in Thessaloniki.
As unrest has now continued for several months it is unclear what the final outcome of the situation will be and how it will effect the rest of Europe and the world. Rising discontent with the economic situation could present governments around Europe and North America with more sustained and concerted protests. So far, Greece has declined to use lethal force against their citizens.
According to Reuters, thousands of farmers blocked national border crossings in January in protest of the low prices of their products. These protests were quelled after the government announced a 500 million Euro economic bailout, similar to those already dictated in the United States.
Riots also broke out during Greek carnival celebrations this month. This video presents one such protest in Thessaloniki.
As unrest has now continued for several months it is unclear what the final outcome of the situation will be and how it will effect the rest of Europe and the world. Rising discontent with the economic situation could present governments around Europe and North America with more sustained and concerted protests. So far, Greece has declined to use lethal force against their citizens.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
President Obama Addresses Congress with Rhetoric, Little Substance
In a prime-time address to Congress last night, President Barack Obama rumbled through an awkward and arrogant speech, asserting America's need to revive and rebuild the nation's economy. In attempting to reassure the American people of the stability of markets and the certainty of the future, Obama lauded his recently passed $900 billion stimulus package as a great jumpstart to the economy, but warned that it was only the beginning of his efforts to "reform" the financial system.
With his words greeted by a mixed chorus of vengeful cheers and racuous booing in the halls of Congress, President Obama's speech stirred more resentment and worry than his purpose of calming down and reassuring a restless America. Stating that the economy had "still ample" ability to grow, he promised the stimulus' packages ability to "save or create" 3.5 million jobs. Nearly five million American jobs have been lost since the summer of 2008.
In scare-mongering of the "failure to act" to the unprecedented economic meltdown, President Obama echoed Keynesian ideas and the end of free market competition as the only way to stave off the so-called "Day of Reckoning". While giving fig leaves to the idea of peace in the Middle East and in Afghanistan, his actual policy in these departments did not quite add up to his words. Announcing last week the deployment of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, his remarks were incongruous with his policy.
As the speech wore on, a cloud of doubt fell over his credibility in his claims. Even his mention of the Recovery.gov website which supposedly tracks stimulus package money ends as a paper tiger; the site has no more specifics of how the money is being spent than general outlines like "Education" for whatever hundred billion dollar amount suits the PR fancy.
President Obama echoed the former President Bush's words of the need to be "moving swiftly and agressively" to force banks to lend more money to ailing banks, businesses and consumers.
President Obama praised his new comission for accountability in government spending, heading by President Joe Biden "because no one messes with Joe." This unwelcome joke and gaffe was answered by a chorus of boos, mostly from the balcony where Republican House members sat. One of many awkward moments, the President's being buffeted in frame by the highly partisan and unprofessional House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presented a state of disunity and bitter partisan bickering that plagues the nation. As the speech continued, it became painfully obvious that the Republican-Democrat pseudo split is doing more harm than anything else to America. The Democrats could be seen gloading in their new position as power extraordinaire on the political scene.
Saying he would end the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama's rhetoric appeared more as just words and little action to back up his claims. President Obama plans to leave a residual force of 50,000 troops in Iraq past the year 2011. He also touched on wasteful spending. However, this topic lost all punch as in the midst of a $13 trillion national debt he spent $1 trillion last week.
President Obama even took a moral tone as he told parents to take an active part in their children's education. Telling parents to turn off the TV and put down the video games, Obama began moral exhortations in which he claimed "I speak to you not as a President, but as a father." Sadly, personality and the conveyance of "father" now dominates the office of President more than his actual duties.
Emphatically stating that "those days are over" when a billionaire-scammer can disapear on a private jet, many Americans now ask when will it be when the President will no longer be able to disappear on his private jet. Rather than bringing a "sense of responsibility" to Washington, I'd personally like to see actual responsibility brought to the shallowest halls of shame and deceit.
With his words greeted by a mixed chorus of vengeful cheers and racuous booing in the halls of Congress, President Obama's speech stirred more resentment and worry than his purpose of calming down and reassuring a restless America. Stating that the economy had "still ample" ability to grow, he promised the stimulus' packages ability to "save or create" 3.5 million jobs. Nearly five million American jobs have been lost since the summer of 2008.
In scare-mongering of the "failure to act" to the unprecedented economic meltdown, President Obama echoed Keynesian ideas and the end of free market competition as the only way to stave off the so-called "Day of Reckoning". While giving fig leaves to the idea of peace in the Middle East and in Afghanistan, his actual policy in these departments did not quite add up to his words. Announcing last week the deployment of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, his remarks were incongruous with his policy.
As the speech wore on, a cloud of doubt fell over his credibility in his claims. Even his mention of the Recovery.gov website which supposedly tracks stimulus package money ends as a paper tiger; the site has no more specifics of how the money is being spent than general outlines like "Education" for whatever hundred billion dollar amount suits the PR fancy.
President Obama echoed the former President Bush's words of the need to be "moving swiftly and agressively" to force banks to lend more money to ailing banks, businesses and consumers.
President Obama praised his new comission for accountability in government spending, heading by President Joe Biden "because no one messes with Joe." This unwelcome joke and gaffe was answered by a chorus of boos, mostly from the balcony where Republican House members sat. One of many awkward moments, the President's being buffeted in frame by the highly partisan and unprofessional House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presented a state of disunity and bitter partisan bickering that plagues the nation. As the speech continued, it became painfully obvious that the Republican-Democrat pseudo split is doing more harm than anything else to America. The Democrats could be seen gloading in their new position as power extraordinaire on the political scene.
Saying he would end the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama's rhetoric appeared more as just words and little action to back up his claims. President Obama plans to leave a residual force of 50,000 troops in Iraq past the year 2011. He also touched on wasteful spending. However, this topic lost all punch as in the midst of a $13 trillion national debt he spent $1 trillion last week.
President Obama even took a moral tone as he told parents to take an active part in their children's education. Telling parents to turn off the TV and put down the video games, Obama began moral exhortations in which he claimed "I speak to you not as a President, but as a father." Sadly, personality and the conveyance of "father" now dominates the office of President more than his actual duties.
Emphatically stating that "those days are over" when a billionaire-scammer can disapear on a private jet, many Americans now ask when will it be when the President will no longer be able to disappear on his private jet. Rather than bringing a "sense of responsibility" to Washington, I'd personally like to see actual responsibility brought to the shallowest halls of shame and deceit.
Iowa National Guard Cancels Plans to Raid Arcadia, Iowa
After announcing last week that the Iowa National Guard would be conducting a four-day military exercise in the city of Arcadia, Iowa, they are now cancelling plans for the event after being bombarded with several hundred emails and calls complaining about the proposed raid. According to the Des Moines Register plans called for 100 troops to be involved in the operation in which they would go door to door searching houses with prior consent in the tiny town of 443.
As nationally syndicated radio talk show host Alex Jones brought to the attention of the wider national public, his focus on the story brought several complaints to the city, many of them from Arcadia residents or in towns nearby. However, Arcadia Mayor Oran Kohorst says he supported the training event and does not understand that there are any safety concerns regarding the proposed raid.
This event follows a string of new military policies instituted this decade where entire live U.S. towns become target practice for new strategies preparing the military for a War on Terror in the United States.
As nationally syndicated radio talk show host Alex Jones brought to the attention of the wider national public, his focus on the story brought several complaints to the city, many of them from Arcadia residents or in towns nearby. However, Arcadia Mayor Oran Kohorst says he supported the training event and does not understand that there are any safety concerns regarding the proposed raid.
This event follows a string of new military policies instituted this decade where entire live U.S. towns become target practice for new strategies preparing the military for a War on Terror in the United States.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
