Monday, July 17, 2006

More misc news

A lot of stuff has been going on in the news lately. While I can't cover it all, here are some things that have struck nerves with me:

Conflicts in the Middle East
For starters, the nonsensical conflict between Palestine and Israel has started to reach out to its neighbors. According to this article, Lebanon has become newest casuality in this war. As it appears, the Israeli government is now using Lebanon as a "buffer zone" for missle attacks. So, let me get this straight. In the event that there is a rocket strike, Israel plans to use Lebanon (which actually is inhabited) as a demilitarized zone? As if casualites in Israel and Palestine aren't enough, Lebanese folks are now in the mix too.

Speaking of Middle Eastern conflicts, it appears that the kidnapping and killing of three US soliders in Iraq was in retaliation from other troops in their unit who raped and killed an Iraqi woman along with her family. Though five soliders have been charged, this scandel represents a host of problems. One, this reaffirms the fact that this war is horrible for our public relations. If soliders who are assigned to "protect" Iraqis are harming civilians, this doesn't make our cause for war justifiable. This kind of stuff is what happens when you put young, trigger-happy, controlling soliders around exotic (even in a "hidden" way) women of "the enemy". I mean I can attest to how beautiful Middle easterner can be. Now, I'm not saying that all (or even most) soliders do this type of stuff. In fact, I have to give it up for the brave men and women who face unimaginable danger every day. But, if we don't pull out soon, we'll see a dramatic increase of casualities; not just in "dead or injured" categories.


Global warming concerns increase
Has anyone seen An Inconvenient Truth? I’m wondering why it hasn’t been released in Michigan theatres yet (at least, not that I know of). As if The Devil Wears Prada is a great source for raising consciousness on important issues. Then again, seeing as though Michigan was the vehicle Mecca for a long time, I guess I'm not suprised.

At any rate, I can't wait to see it once it's finally released here. I'll be interested to hear how the movie supports the compelling arguments behind global warming. It’ll be equally as interesting to see how the government responds to the scientific discussion of the film, particular the Bush Administration. Maybe this is why your president is so hell bent on destroying the EPA and its network of technical research libraries.

As much as I like President Gore, there are a couple of things about his arguments that bothered me. One, he argues that an increase in the world’s population has resulted in an increased burden on the environment. I don’t entirely buy that argument; given that over 80% of the world’s resources are being used by…you guessed it…the West. Secondly, I’m not entirely convinced about the Peakoil theory that he cites. Simply put, I really don’t believe that we are near the point of running out of oil which can be extracted. This is not to say that we shouldn’t use alternative sources. But it’s not because we are running low.

Did Gore use these two misinformed observations as a campaign to get a certain outcome (i.e. Presidency?). Only time can tell that one, I guess...

But, at least others are starting to raise their consciousness about this serious threat. Tom Brokaw had a pretty interesting documentary about Global warning on Discovery last night. I had to stay up until 1 in the morning to watch it (we were at some pointless church function until…like…10:30. Thank God for my neighbor’s TiVo), but it was a great documentary.


Enron founder dead
I was a little late on this one. But, as one of my esteemed blogger buddies informed me, Kenneth Lay; founder of Enron died of heart attack last week. Lay, who stood to face life in prison, died before his scheduled sentence on October 23. Also dying with him were any chances that the thousands of former employees who were raped by Enron, would receive fair and adequate treatment for their troubles.

Now, I’ve got a few theories about his death; none of which are related to a ‘natural’ heart attack. A few people have hinted that maybe he committed suicide. Although no evidence had been found (or looked for) to suggest it, I wouldn’t rule it out. I mean, the guy faced life in prison being roomed with a cellmate named “Butch” who developed quite a fondness for white collar men.

But, has it ever occurred to anybody that it may have been more than suicide? I’d like to remind you all that Lay was part of your Vice Presidents infamously secret “Energy Commission” during Cheney’s first year in office. Freedom of Information Act requests went all the way up to the Supreme Court; asking for transcripts of those meetings. But the court eventually struck it down. Now, I think that Lay was threatening to release that information if Bush didn’t give him a pardon once he was imprisoned. That was it for him…

Sure my theory may be waaaay out there, but I wouldn’t rule it out. I mean, Cheney had four hear attacks; two of which were severe, and yet that windbag is still alive. Lay, who was much healthier than Cheney, had absolutely NO previous heart problems, and who has tons of money and the best health care at his disposal, dies of a heart attack with no one around? Add the equation that if Ken Lay had gotten convicted, the monies he had stolen probably would have been confiscated. Now that he has conveniently died, if they can’t try him for his crimes, his family gets to keep all of the money.

If I haven’t convinced you enough, please allow me to share another interesting turn of events. Apparently, an unidentified British banker who was connected with Enron scandal who was just found dead. Coincidence?


Price of Oil Rising Again
Ever since North Korea started launching missiles, oil prices have been steadyily rising (just as I predicted). This represents the fact that oil companies are using international tensions as an opportunity to raise oil prices. Though N. Korea itself is not blamed for the rise in oil prices, the unease caused by international conflict does. It always has. Hello? Remember the Iran “hostage crisis” that preluded the infamous embargo of the 70’s?

It doesn’t appear that the government is going to start regulating the price of oil any time soon. So, as an alternative, why won’t they open their own refineries? That’ll force these greedy oil companies to reasonable reduce their prices. Maybe I’m a socialist for thinking so, but there’s something fundamentally wrong with you and me getting raped at the gas pump while oil companies are getting richer (sorry, HC, but this nonsense is getting out of hand).For anyone who agrees with me, I urge you to contact your Congressmen and let them know how you feel. Click on this link and input your zip code to email your representatives in Congress:

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

Corruption in Mexican election?
Some political commentators are now saying that the Mexican election was rigged. Although exit polls indicated that Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (the "leftist" candidate was beating Felipe Calderon (a conservative in the National Action Party and a Bush supporter), by almost a 2% margin, Calderon snuck away with the victory. But the Mexican people are pissed and haven't stopped protesting since the election. They are demanding a recount. Most impressive is that, according to this article, Lopez Obrador stood in the "Zocalo"— the square in front of Mexico’s White House, yelling, "Count the votes!"

Perhaps our Democratic leaders should be jotting down a few notes here. Maybe if Gore and Kerry had the same nerve as Lopez Obrador, they would have did the same.

Well, that's all for now. I need to get back to work.

Until next time...

- ACL

12 "Insiders" spoke their mind. Join in...:

Greeneyes said...

Andre~ My GEM
Just finished your post and it is very clever and interesting , I must say your brain intrigues me , doesnt hurt your handsome as well. I look at my blog and think
*sigh*it is all fluff , but then I read yours and get a sense of things happening in our world . thanks and Bravo :} >;)
Greeneyes

Andre said...

You actually read all of this stuff?! Wow! I'm amazed. I mean, sometimes, I even bore myself with all of my ranting and pontificating. But, thanks for your comments. I'll turn you into a social revolutionist yet!

By the way, pul-lease don't downplay your blog. It's seriously a positive, upbeat, righteous, and (for lack of a better word) "happy" page. If the rest of the world had your outlook on things, I wouldn't have so much nonsensical stuff in the news to complain about.

People like you make the world a little bit better...

The H.C. said...

Hey Andre,
I love these mixed news pieces. I can rant out on a bunch things all at once.
1) Can you say WWIII! I am glad however, that you separated the thousands of decent troops from the very few that are acting disgracefully.
2) I haven't seen "An Inconvenient Truth" yet, but it was at Fenton Cinema, narrated by Al himself, even the impending destruction of the world couldn't keep me awake through that!
3) "esteemed?" Are you trying to make up for that Bush thing? Ken Lay's death reminds me of a friend's story of how his pet monkey jumped on his face and put his ***** is his mouth. he threw it against the wall in anger killing the poor monkey. The monkey died.... but he still felt cheated.
4)Corruption in Mexico??? tell me it's not true. What did they do, disenfranchise the Hispanic vote?

Thanks for the fun, great post as usual.

Andre said...

@ HC: Thanks for your comments (I think...)

1. I agree that this Palestinian/Israeli thing is really getting out of hand. Especially when other people are being dragged into this.

2. Minus the Reverend Lovejoy voice, I actually like Al Gore. I think he's on point about a lot of things and if he were to run today, I'd work on his campaign (sorry Hillary). But, I do question the veracity of many of his points and chalk them up more to political opportunism than to concern for resource consumption.

3. I can't help it that YOU support Bush. >:-)

Regarding Lay: I'm not as concerned about him dying as I am about the possibility of a conspiracy. When I read about the British guy, that made a total believer.

But the monkey thing was a little too much information...

4. It looks like it. See for yourself:

http://www.gregpalast.com/florida-con-salsa

I'm hoping it's not true bur -- since we've been known to put those who we WANT in office, I wouldn't be suprised.

Anonymous said...

Who's gonna read all that? Not me! You should just post the Tupac skit and call it a day!

Just kiddin', Andre! Good post!

DobyD said...

Nice...

I dont now where to start. All I know is that I feel some type of drastic change that is going on in this world. Is it in preparation for some crazy global event? who knows... But there is something, i can feel it. I cant help but feel like if we are like Rome, or any other empire at the top of its glory and we are headed towards a sudden topple.

Religous fanatics dont know what the best thing for everyone is, but that does not stop them from trying to force thier belifs on people. People cant force other people to thier ways. People can only hope change themselves. Then like single droplets dripping from a leaky roof, we will join and over flow the bucket.

Great posts Mr. drummer (not an extraordinare) lol

Greeneyes said...

Andre~ My GEM
well I think your one of the nicest people on here, and you are kind and a real sweetheart . I know , I read your profile, but deep inside your a great guy .Thank you very much for making my day ,I guess I'll have to show you the other "one"
now ,,,,LMAO , I will post it next to the first for you hehehehe , at least its not itchy anymore LOL!!!!!!
Thank you, you sweet man,hope all is well with you and your hearts burdens disappear and are replaced with lifes best, love.take care
Greeneyes

Andre said...

@ JD: I would've posted some Chapelle, but I was in one of my "stuff is annoying me" moods. I'll get out of it soon.

@ ajbendaƱa: This world has taken a turn for the surreal. Power, greed, and hatred fuel this system more than anything else I can imagine.

Ideally, I'd like to say that the existence of religious rules and activities would cause people to do "good". But, ironically, religion is a SOURCE of much of the world's turmoil.

Thanks for your comments.

@ greeny: Andre? Nice? Surely, ye jest!

Thanks for the compliment, though sometimes I have those days where I'm just NOT nice. But, fortunately people like you melt the ice sickles that I've formed from following the world's nonsense. I guess that God has an uncanny way of using other people to bless me; even when I don't FEEL like being blessed! Thanks for your comments.

Glad to hear that the pox have taken their last stand...

Greeneyes said...

Andre~ my Greeneyed handsome man,

what is troubling you?????? , school? work? family life? woman?family? or is it all politics?
Seems like you need to get away and have some fun and decompress, you are in need or some R&R . you can vent to me if you like , I understand if you dont but dont keep things all bottled up , it will erupt at the wrong time :{
and tends to make us into people we dont want to be !!!!!!
Take care of you, relax and recharge and then you can RELOAD all that makes you have "ICe sickels" wouldnt want to see you get frostbite:}
Greeneyes

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