This book looks interesting to me

The author has an interesting background.

An audio interview with the author . from KPFK's uprising radio (Be patient, the MP3 takes a while to load)


Review of the book in Asia Times
...Parsi's book is remarkable for its detailed look at the international-relations dimension of the Israel-Iran relationship. There exists, beneath the vitriolic public exchanges, a history of intelligence cooperation, arms sales, and secret dialogue between the two countries. And the dialogue continued even after Iran turned from a monarchy into an Islamic theocracy...

I'm freaking sick of it

If one more foreigner asks me why Americans aren't doing enough to stop this insane government I'm going to ask them if they fucking read English.

Then I'll send them here, or here or here

And then there's this happy horseshit:

Oil prices hit record $80 a barrel

Black and White and Re(a)d All Over:

The Conservative Advantage
in Syndicated Op-Ed Columns

INTRODUCTION

This project did something that has never been done before: It amassed data on the syndicated columnists published by nearly every daily newspaper in the country. While a few publications, most notably Editor & Publisher, cover the syndicated newspaper industry, no one has attempted to comprehensively assemble this information prior to now. Because the syndicates refuse to reveal to the public exactly where their columnists are published, when Media Matters for America set out to make a systematic assessment of the syndicated columnist landscape, we had no choice but to contact each paper individually and ask which syndicated columnists are published on their op-ed pages.

The results show that in paper after paper, state after state, and region after region, conservative syndicated columnists get more space than their progressive counterparts. As Editor & Publisher paraphrased one syndicate executive noting, "U.S. dailies run more conservative than liberal columns, but some are willing to consider liberal voices."1

Wow. These guys went to a lot of trouble to prove what lot of people know instinctively, didn't they?

Jimmy Carter steps into the Hollywood spotlight

Hmmmmm. Let's see why Jimmy Carter is marginalized in the US mainstream media, shall we?


...In a stinging attack on US President George W. Bush and his Christian supporters, he said: "I worship Christ who was the prince of peace, not pre-emptive war."

"A superpower like the United States should use all of its resources ... to promote peace," he said...

...Carter noted that he and his wife Rosalynn had visited the Palestinian territories on three occasions in recent years.

"I was amazed and almost nauseated to see the encroachment by Israel on Palestinian land and the persecution of the Palestinians," he said, citing 205 fortified Jewish settlements in "choice places" in the West Bank.

Rosalynn commented that the wall built by Israel to separate the two sides, but condemned internationally, was "shocking."...

Is Darryl Cagle married?

Oh crap, I am, darn it.

Religion sucks 5

Europeans Get Terror Training Inside Pakistan

Gee, this might be why I think Pakistan is a vast wasteland of hopelessness and idiocy. See the truckloads of firewood in the background? What a waste. These hateful morons breed like rabbits. Maybe they should try birth control instead of terrorist training camps. It may be more productive in the the long run.

Ok, there's your Muslim idiot slam.

Here's your Christian

and Jewish idiots slams.

Karl Rove, Still Behind the Curtain

Gotta keep the propaganda machine well oiled.

Unrelated, but important I think:

Pakistani lawyers launch campaign to oust Musharraf
Islamabad, September 06, 2007

MoveOn.org Misleads Members in Support of Holt Election Reform Bill Even as Holt Distances Himself from Own Bill
'It's No Longer my Bill,' Says Congressman of Software Giant's Successful Removal of One of the Bill's Once-Postive Provisions
Call it 'Microsoft 811' Writes an Election Integrity Advocate...
BLOGGED BY Brad Friedman from Colorado ON 9/4/2007 3:13PM

Kos Is Media, Federal Ruling Determines
By Politico.
Bill O’Reilly blasts DailyKos as a “hate site,” but according to a federal ruling released Tuesday, the popular liberal blog is as much a part of the media as Fox News when it comes to campaign finance rules.

The Federal Election Commission unanimously dismissed a complaint filed against DailyKos by a right-wing blogger who had argued it was illegally acting as a political committee by giving support and free advertising to Democratic candidates.

Mmm, OK, I know there isn't much to tie these stories together, I just think they are important stories.

my favorite joke

I'm sure that everyone has seen this joke, but today I'm exhausted and I need to laugh. Weeks of roasting (and not sleeping well because it's too fucking hot) have squeezed what little intelligence I had right out of my ears.

I have no idea where this joke originated, but whoever wrote it, thanks.

THIS IS SOME KIND OF CHILI CONTEST
If you can read this whole story without tears of laughter running down your cheeks, then there's no hope for you!
-Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better!

For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is.
They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time the Rodeo comes to town. It takes up a major portion of the parking lot at the Astrodome.

The notes are from an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast:

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off.
The Judge #3 called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Budweiser truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted."

Here are the scorecards from the event:
Chili # 1 (Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili)
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick. Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 - (Frank) Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2 (Arthur's Afterburner Chili)
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3 (Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili)
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.
Judge # 2 -- A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 - Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer.

Chili # 4 (Bubba's Black Magic)
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. bitch is starting to look HOT... just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 (Linda's Legal Lip Remover)
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers
freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 - My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those red necks.

Chili # 6 (Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety)
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers. Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
Judge #3-- I shit myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally. She must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone.

Chili # 7 (Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili)
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 - Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8 (Tommy's Toe-Nail Curling Chili)
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 - This final entry is a good, balanced chili Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor dude, wonder how he has reacted to really hot chili?

Religion sucks 4

Pastor had sex with daughters
August 30, 2007 - 5:37PM

A fundamentalist church pastor had sex with two of his teenage daughters to educate them on how to be good wives, a South Australian court has heard.

The 54-year-old man, who cannot be named, was today sentenced in the SA District Court to eight and a half years jail after pleading guilty to seven counts each of incest and unlawful sexual intercourse...

Gross. Just nauseatingly disgusting. Next hypocritical asshole please.


Hate-crimes legislation stirs pulpit and podium
Aug. 31, 2007, 3:15PM
Senate-bill controversy centers mostly on gender identity, sexual orientation


Why? Does it make the Repugnant Thuglicans' gay bathroom trysts less exciting?

Daryl Cagle is the bomb

I've been wanting to say something about the whole hypocritical Republican politician thing.

Cagle nailed it again.

Friday August 31, 2007

Heat wave not taking a holiday

Oh Fuck. We need to read this? Anybody who is not in a fucking coma can figure this one out.

It's fucking hot godamnit.

Are these stories unrelated?


Allowing Mexican trucks delayed

Thursday would be earliest start date
By Paul M. Krawzak
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
August 31, 2007
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation has delayed plans to open the border to long-haul Mexican trucks until at least Thursday, after earlier reports that it could happen over Labor Day weekend.


Border lanes closed due to protest

By Karen Kucher
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
10:26 a.m. August 31, 2007
SAN DIEGO – California Highway Patrol officers closed all southbound lanes on Interstate 5 and Interstate 805 near the U.S.-Mexico border early Friday because of a planned Mexican teachers union protest.


Why a U.S. Subprime Mortgage Crisis Is Felt Around the World

The evening entertainment for roughly 500 financial executives at the Deutsche Bank global derivatives conference last month in Barcelona did not come cheap — the Rolling Stones reportedly were paid more than $5 million.

“The best part is, it’s coming out of your bonuses,” Mick Jagger joked to the crowd.


(just kidding, right Mick?)

...As low interest rates fueled a lending boom to borrowers with weak credit, banks looked for new ways to package those loans, so they could sell more. A central building block to offset the risk was asset-backed securities, which are bonds backed by pools of mortgages or other income-producing assets, like student loans, auto loans, and credit card receivables.

Banks and other financial institutions pooled those asset-backed securities into new units, dividing them up again and issuing securities against them, creating collateralized debt obligations...


...According to JPMorgan, there are about $1.5 trillion in global collateralized debt obligations, and about $500 billion to $600 billion in structured-finance C.D.O.’s, referring to those made up of bonds backed by subprime mortgages, slightly safer mortgages and commercial mortgage backed securities...

Hmmmm. I lasted 4 days in a JP Morgan cubicle. I had never seen a mortgage file before. Once I realized what I was doing (they didn't like that any more than I liked being stuck in a cubicle with no human contact) I wanted out big-time. They were happy to oblige, only hamsters on a wheel need apply here. The pay sucked worse than the job itself. Pissing all over the American dream is not my idea of a good time. These people never should have been offered loans.

For Iran’s Shiites, a Celebration of Faith and Waiting

...And there was the booth set up to warn people about “Satan worshipers.” There was a Jewish star at the entrance, posted atop a replica of what was supposed to be the Washington Monument (which also was described as a satanic symbol because it is shaped as an obelisk).

There was also a movie concerning “perverted cults,” which focused on the Bahai faith...

Lovely.

Not the sharpest tools in the shed are they?

Class

No, you're right, I have none.

Today was the first day of class. I was told to take something fun. Can you guess what class I thought would be fun?

Religion sucks 3

Missed this entry on Sunday.

Missed this show last week.

God's warriors.

Jewish

Islamic

Christian

Best line in the whole show?

Fundamentalism (present in all three religions) is characterized by rigidity, male domination and exclusion.

Some of what I saw made me wish that I was a highly skilled sniper.

save KLSD (petition link)

Clear Channel in Texas is trying to kill the only progressive voice left in San Diego, the station that carries Air America Radio programs, along with a Jones radio program and a NOVA M program.

I'm highly suspicious that it's more than the bottom line (big sponsor is opening new stores ) that is out to kill KLSD . PBS' Full Focus is already dead. I did not go to the rally, nor do I go to the listener parties, or call the station during my favorite show-- the Stacy Taylor Show. I'm uncomfortable in crowds, and speaking on the radio. I am a very loyal listener, most of the time up to eight hours a day. I've noticed that the advertising is geared toward big ticket items and a lot of them for home owners. What, do the grocery store chains think liberals don't shop where union employees work?

I was thrilled to hear Bree Walker (Bree, I've been a fan since you were a DJ on KPRI) and Mike Aguirre. at the rally. I think that Mike Aguirre is one of the best things that ever happened to San Diego politics. San Diego politics are ugly and dirty. Remember Dukie? Just the tip of the iceberg, folks.

Makes me wonder if increasing the signal, which would increase sales in the North County where there is more money) is out of the question because Camp Pendleton is in North County. Getting the boys ready to fight Iran?

Trying to kill a progressive voice before the 2008 elections?

I for one, have had enough of the Texas manure that has spread itself all over this country and the world.


I love KLSD. I love San Diego. I am sick of the crap.


Oh, and Buh Bye No sé Nada Torquemada.

Reading now

Just for shits and giggles. I needed a break from non-fiction. I'm also reminded by Larry to review this article:

The Man Who Sold the War
Meet John Rendon, Bush's general in the propaganda war
JAMES BAMFORD
Posted Nov 17, 2005 4:25 PM


Prelude to an Attack on Iran - TIME by Robert Baer

Hmmmmm, Bob and Larry don't work for the CIA any more. Could be part of the reason this country's headed in the wrong direction eh?

Just a thought.

Bush administration tries to scuttle lawsuit over White House e-mails

No George, those won't help you with your legal troubles, and the Hurricane was in Mexico, you doof.

Kucinich Wins Debate Poll, ABC Covers Up Results

Surprised?

I'm not.

God I hate the MSM.

Top twenty books and movies for me in the last 6 years

Since September 11, 2001 I have been on a quest. I do not have much of a formal education. My high school education was kind of a joke and that's another whole story and I'm not going there. I took a few community college classes. A bachelor's degree seems like just another of my parent's unrealistic expectations for me.

The quest has been for knowledge. I know I'm not he only American who wondered "Why do they hate us so much?" during the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center. I was pretty sure I had a clue about why the attack on the Pentagon.

Obviously I'm not well traveled. A few trips to Mexico does not a world traveler make. Until 2002 I had seen very little of my own country. That's not to say I hadn't met and developed working relationships with immigrants from many different countries. It's amazing how poorly we treat our immigrants. I worked with people with advanced skills and experience who were forced to work in unskilled labor jobs in this country because their English skills weren't sharp enough to pass the licensing exams here. I've never been to New York but I've heard the New York cabbie stories.

I've been reading, watching documentary DVDs and trying to find out why they hate us enough to blow us up every chance they get made me wonder which ones that every jr. high kid should watch or read. I started out with a list of ten, which quickly grew to twenty, with a regular TV show thrown in for maintenance purposes.

Top twenty media sources that helped this American pull her head out of her butt, and not be such an ignorant clown.

1. The Corporation (DVD documentary)

2. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the book, but it was a book on the modern history of Israel. Something striking to me was one page that had four maps on it that showed the growing territory of Israel, the shrinking Palestinian territories. You know, shit that ain't on the six o'clock newz here in Murika. Like most of these, it was available through the City Library system.

3. The Arms of Krupp 1587-1968: The Rise and Fall of the Industrial Dynasty That Armed Germany at War by William Manchester.

4. Planet of Slums by Mike Davis (along with realistic sex education of course, this book will make the little shits think before they start breeding)

5. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins

6. Guns Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond (the book, I never saw the PBS special)

7. The Prize by Daniel Yergin (yeah, I missed the PBS special on this one too)

8. Killing Hope by William Blum

9. The End of Suburbia (DVD documentary)

10. Secrets of the American Empire by John Perkins

11. Fahrenheit 9/11 DVD by Michael Moore

12. Why We Fight a documentary by Eugene Jarecki

13. The Best Democracy Money Can Buy by Greg Palast

14. A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

15. The Opium Wars The Addiction of One Empire and the Corruption of Another
by W. Travis Hanes, Frank Sanello

16. The Sorrows of Empire by Chalmers Johnson The trilogy is important, but if you only can buy one of the three, this is the one.

17. The Third Chimpanzee by Jared Diamond

18. Armed Madhouse by Greg Palast

19. Breaking Rank by Norm Stamper

20. And finally, save Friday night (oh Tivo it fer chrissakes) for PBS NOW , and Bill Moyers Journal.

$25M Punitive Award Against Texaco Tossed in Mont. Pollution Case

Big Oil wins again.

Online voters pick Kucinich as winner of debate

Yup, if more people had access to information (right there on their teevee, would be good) on Kucinich, his numbers would be even better.

Iraq, Iran, & the Vanishing Context in American News

This is why Americans look like fucking retards to the rest of the world.

My watering can inhabitant

This morning I filled up this watering can, rinsed off the patio, and then discovered that the watering can had an inhabitant. Click on the pic if you're not sure what it is, and no, I didn't get bit. (the time is incorrect on the camera).

Somehow this seems fitting for today. Leona Helmsley died today.

Remember her?

Here's a hint-- "Only the little people pay taxes."

So, a couple of neurotoxic widows died today.

Religion sucks 2

This might be the easiest weekly feature, ummm, well ok, the ONLY weekly feature here.

Christians Alarmed at Non-Hindu Ban around Indian Shrine

The state government of Andhra Pradesh in India has announced plans to impose a 110-square-kilometre ban of non-Hindu religions around a Hindu shrine.
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Saturday, August 18, 2007, 11:36 (BST)

Oil price up on hurricane fears
5:00AM Monday August 20, 2007

CIA and Vatican edit Wikipedia entries
August 18, 2007 - 5:50PM
A US hacker's homemade program to pinpoint origins of Wikipedia edits indicates that alterations to the popular online encyclopedia have come from the CIA and the Vatican.


Where Does Money Come From ?



“In Debt We Have Trusted,” For over 300 years
What is money: Where does money come from?

Paul Grignon's 47-minute animated presentation of "Money as Debt" tells in very simple and effective graphic terms what money is and how it is being created.

"Shareholders and top executive management"

I missed this last night. I'm watching it now. NOW.

I'm also thinking about the ten most important documentaries and books that I've discovered since September 11, 2001. I need to add a TV show to that list, and I think it's going to be more than ten books and DVDs.

Follow up

Something I noticed, but haven't mentioned till now, is that I'm hearing advertisements on the radio for Border Patrol agents.

I figured this would happen, I just didn't mention it at the time.

CNN God's Warriors

Hmmmmm. I hope I can watch it online after it airs next week. I don't know why, I don't need an excuse to loathe these fuckers any more than I already do. I am curious to see if the birthrate is higher among these frightened, angry assholes.

Isn't that always one of any religious teaching? Go forth and squirt out as many brats as you possibly can for the cause. Just what the world needs, more frightened, angry assholes.

Here's an example of the type of person that just doesn't need to be raising any more kids. Watch for the terrified look on the youngest kid's face in this clip of God Warrior from one of those stupid trading spouse shows.

It's not like humans are an endangered species, right?

Voting machines

YouTube videos

Dan Rather discusses voting machine failures on CNN
from Brad.


Voting machines in jail from Black Box Voting

Sen. Barbara Boxer: Stop the GOP Electoral Power Grab in California

(Since it's hot for the third day and my brain hurts, most of today's links are YouTube videos)

Senator Boxer takes to task

Kevin Martin FCC chairman, partisan hack and Bush bootlicker

I'll admit it.

I love Barbara Boxer, and I'm glad that she's my senator.

I'm considering one of these Draft Barbara Boxer bumper stickers .

I think this country is ready for a female president, but Hillary ain't it.

However, I won't be surprised if Hillary ends up being the nominee

It's all show anyway.

They just pick two flavors of protectors of the rich.

Tonight on PBS NOW, a show that will hit close to home for me, literally.

Home Insurance 9-1-1

People who lost their homes in the Cedar fire in San Diego County still can't rebuild.