I Would Expect Even Little Green Aliens to Be Treated Better

"As aliens detained by the military outside the sovereign territory of the United States and lacking a sufficient connection to this country, petitioners have no cognizable constitutional rights," the lawyers said in court papers.

~ ABC News

Thus spake government lawyers in response to a Supreme Court ruling that the Guantanamo captives have some rights.

We just have to hope that none of us get captured in THEIR countries. What ever happened to the moral highground? I liked living there....

My Kind of People

I knew that WalMart was evil and probably wouldn't fit into my new theory Cognizant Consumerism (R), and now I can see exactly how right I am in this article. So I have to find out where the nearest CostCo is. Why should I give money to a company that is going to run out and give it to the politicians I can't stand? As well as WalMart I know that this applies to Dell Computers. Tell me if there are any other yea/nay companies I should be aware of for Cognizant Consumerism - Voting with My Dollars (R).

Democratic National Convention

Finally, something to get excited about again. I missed Gore and Carter because I had to work late (and I would love to know where I can get video online because they are my favorites), but I did get to see both Clintons and tons of clips. Bring it on? Consider it brought.

While I was watching Bill Clinton I couldn't help but to repeat a little mantra in my head. "Oh yeah, this is what a President is supposed to sound like." Intelligent, articulate, and able to draw together complex international issues into a simple framework that would allow us to all work together.

I look forward to more good things from this convention.

Better the Pew than the Pulpit....

My Dad swears by the Pew Research Center. After Jon's little bit tonight about "America is safer!" I thought you might like to take a look at this report that Pew did in March 2004. An excerpt:

A year after the war in Iraq, discontent with America and its policies has intensified rather than diminished... Perceptions of American unilateralism remain widespread in European and Muslim nations, and the war in Iraq has undermined America’s credibility abroad. Doubts about the motives behind the U.S.-led war on terrorism abound, and a growing percentage of Europeans want foreign policy and security arrangements independent from the United States.

And think. This was BEFORE the realization that we had 'bad intelligence'.

Oh, and by the way, THIS part of the report shouldn't be any surprise:

Americans have a far different view of the war’s impact – on the war on terrorism and the global standing of the U.S. – than do people in the other surveyed countries. Generally, Americans think the war helped in the fight against terrorism, illustrated the power of the U.S. military, and revealed America to be trustworthy and supportive of democracy around the world.

These notions are not shared elsewhere. Majorities in Germany, Turkey and France – and half of the British and Russians – believe the conflict in Iraq undermined the war on terrorism. At least half the respondents in the eight other countries view the U.S. as less trustworthy as a consequence of the war. For the most part, even U.S. military prowess is not seen in a better light as a result of the war in Iraq.

Give a Little Bit

In case you haven't heard about it (what, are you living under a rock?), some Deanites at My Vote is My Voice have organized a gathering near the Democratic National Convention. Originally called DeanFest it has been changed to DemocracyFest. If you were a Deanie consider buying a ticket, making a donation, buying some kitsch (t-shirts, etc), or anything else that would help to put it on the map.

My vote is my voice.

Disney on Freedom

"As I see it, a person's culture represents his appraisal of the things that make up his life. And a fellow becomes cultured, I believe, by selecting that which is fine and beautiful in life and throwing aside that which is mediocre or phony. Sort of a series of free, very personal choices, you might say. If this is true, then I think it follows that 'freedom' is the most precious word to culture. Freedom to believe what you choose. In America, we are guaranteed these freedoms. It is the constitutional privilege of every American to become cultured or grow up like Donald Duck. I believe that this is our greatest cultural blessing. Therefore, it seems to me, that the first duty of culture is to defend freedom and resist all tyranny." ~ Walt Disney

Second Star to the Left and Straight On Til Morning....

Analyzing Kerry using astrology. (This will be fun, go with me now.)

Kerry is a Sagittarius. First, this means it is statistically unlikely he would be in the White House. (Look up all those birthdays and get back to me. There might be two. Compare that to all the Scorpios and Pisces.) This isn't to say that Sagittarians can't be great leaders and visionaries. Ever hear of Winston Churchill or Walt Disney? But I can see where there would be problems getting them into office. So let's see how we can meet the challenges. And what advantages he might have...

The first and most important force at work in any Sagittarian's life is the ability to, nay, the inability-not-to --- put their foot in their mouths. They need to wear peppermint flavored tennies because at some point in the day they are going to say something that goes over like a ton of bricks. With Kerry this has manifested with alternatively being pissy (snowboarding, anyone?) and being obsequious (flip-flop, flip-flop, flip-flop). Any Sagittarius will tell you that when you're 95% charming and fun, but 5%... something else, it's always the 5% that seems to have unequal weight.

Secondly, Sagittarius is famed for being clumsy. It's not just about that gangly, colt-like "grace" they have. It includes tripping over feelings and anything else that is around while they have their eyes firmly fixed on the horizon of possibilities.

It looks like Kerry has chosen to meet these challenges (at least partially) by bringing in the most charming and affable of the Democratic contenders as his running mate. John Edwards, typical of Gemini with his quick mind and glib tongue, should be able to ride those political waves almost effortlessly.

The most important advantage in their lives is luck. Luck, luck, and more luck. When they miss a train they end up meeting the most important person in their lives waiting for the next one. When they trip over a curb (and they will - often) they'll find a $20 bill in the gutter Ain't it lucky how everyone has rushed to see Fahrenheit 9/11?

In His Name

This essay almost made me cry. Breslin questions the Republican's use of Jesus and the Lord in their campaigning.

Aren't we instructed not to take the Lord's name in vain? Dictionary.com tells me that "in vain" (an idiom) means In an irreverent or disrespectful manner. Doesn't it disrespect Jesus to ignore his teachings and instead use him as a brandname for your campaign?

I'd Rather Vote for a Sock Puppet...

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Kerry, So Very....

...boring. We can only hope that his administration will be as boring as his campaign. I could use some rest after the last four years.

American Subversives

You see them whispering among themselves. They seem to be up to something, holding furtive meetings and saying more through body language than they would ever commit to paper or even speech. They seek alternate news sources and sneak into movies like "Fahrenheit 9/11". They are planning an action in 2004 that they previously thought abhorent to them. But they have thought it through and they are resolved. When the time comes they will push the button, pull the lever, whatever it takes.

Who are they?

Republicans.

The ones who have the lost the faith and are going to vote ABB. They aren't just going to stay home in November. They are frustrated enough that they will go out and vote to get someone from their party out of office. Those of us with a liberal bent need to remember how traumatic this is for them. Most of them aren't naturally rebellious people. It's almost paramount to going to church and voting out God. They have lost their faith and are wandering in a political desert.

To a great extent the current administration shouldn't be worried about the Coalition of the Wild-Eyed. We may be loud and proud, and it is certainly necessary that we vote to be the underlying block, but the deciding factor will be the disillusioned. They want to hold this administration accountable.

Right now it really sucks to be a moderate Republican.