That Guy Fawkes (Up Alot)

Don, IMus t Say, that thing you said...

2007-04-18T02:51:00.000+10:00

This entire thing is a fiasco - and it paints a really good picture of what is wrong with the media and society.
Firstly, the media has lost its way - somewhere. It no longer reports news, it reports things it "calls the news" - big difference.
While the Imus story was getting top headlines in every newspaper and internet site - hundreds of Iraqis and many US and Coalition soldiers had died. I mean - come on!
But because we have become so insensitive to death in Iraq - that unless we personally know the victim, its just in one ear out the other. "Oh, thats sad" and then it's virtually forgotten until the next report. The Don Imus situation was TOP STORY on virtually every news outlet in America. There is a problem and it goes deeper than three words spoken by an out of touch with reality 67 year old man. Ok, so he's a dumbass. He isn't alone out there.
Secondly, just what exactly did he say? And why was it pounced on by everyone? Well, it wasn't pounced on by everyone. Just the media - most folk wouldn't even have known if it wasn't for the media frenzy. I must admit, when the story first broke, I said to myself, Don who? Maybe I live under a rock, I don't know.
But it was piss poor media outlets around the country that needed something new to bring in the sponsors - and they got it. One only has to think back to the Janet Jackson incident a few years back. How ridiculous that so many people got so upset - from seeing a nipple on tv. The media had a hayday - they didn't want the story to go away - and they did everything they could to keep it on people's lips - because it sold papers and brought in valuable advertising dollars. Totally ridiculous. I hate to say it, but America, at the time, the rest of the world was laughing at you on that one.
Here in Australia we just couldn't fathom how this story had garnered so much steam. How could one nipple slip become such a phenom? How could it spark such outrage?
I remember reading and watching american news at the time and thinking, "my God, these people are mad - it's just a nipple folks - we all have them."Many religious fanatics, mostly rightwing religious conservative groups literally lost their minds. How dare they show such a thing on tv!!But moving on, it seems that the media never truly takes it focus away from sensationalizing things. Never mind the killing that is happening day in and day out in Iraq and Afghanistan, those stories get pushed to the back pages. The next big story is only a couple of racial slurs away.
I don't for one think that Don Imus actually intended to come across as a racist on the air. Then again, maybe he did - I would'nt know - Don doesn't grace our airwaves here in Australia.
But in a society that is so starved for ratings - the media and the networks are actually promoting/perpetuating this in their own sick way. Sure, he said three rather dicey words - a poor choice of lingo - but what does it matter? Life goes on. Get over it.
So, what's the bottom line in my opinion? The Don Imus story was not news worthy. It should have been a back page story at most. Don Imus is now a household name here in Australia, and we've never so much as heard him speak.
It should never have gotten the coverage that it has gotten - and because it did, and is still getting - it's proof positive that there is a cancerous rot in today's media outlets.
I truly believe that it's high time that the media got back to doing what it was originally intended for - reporting the news. Not creating the news.

Hicktown

2007-04-01T15:12:00.000+10:00

David Hicks. If you don't know the name you don't live in Australia.
Not only was this guy at the wrong place at the wrong time, but now he gets an additional nine months on top of the 5 plus years he has served without charge! Still, it has to be better than the 20 years that was tossed around just a few short weeks ago.
Ok, he trained with Al-Qaeda - so they say. Originally he was detained because he was caught on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan - home of the Taliban. You know, those freedom fighters that were helping the US fight the Soviets just a few short years ago. Before 9/11 Hicks would have been considered a hero. Time changes everything. Hicks never fired a shot at anyone, never killed anyone. So what did he do wrong? Wrong place, wrong time. There really isn't any other answer.
One could argue that he was fighting with the enemy. An enemy that was conceived after 9/11. One could also argue that he was fighting for what he believed in. One could argue any number of scenarios on either side. But the time for arguing has come to an end. Hicks has been tried, found guilty and sentenced. The only argument left is where in Australia he will spend the remainder of his time.

So, the good news for Hicks is now he will get to come home and serve out the remainder of his time in Australia. I'm sure he is sleeping well knowing that. Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre where he has been held since early 2002 without charge would be a nightmare and here we thought Abu-Ghraib was bad. Try living in a cell which is six by six with no windows for over five years. No outside contact allowed. One hour of "daylight walks" provided everyday, and not to mention prison food. I bet he can't wait to sink his teeth into a Four n' Twenty.

2007 is set to be an interesting year in Australia for political reasons. There is to be an election later on in the year, with John Howard facing some real competition for the first time since taking power back in 1996. He is up against a formidable Labor party that could conceivably soar to victory under the deft leadership of Kevin Rudd.

When David Hicks arrives here from Guantanamo Bay later this month, he will be ushered away, most likely to a secret location, where he will serve out his remainder of his sentence. Fine and dandy. But something stinks in denmark, or is that Canberra?
What is fishy is that he has been forced to sign a gag order that prevents him from speaking to any media directly or indirectly for one year - yes you read that right, one whole year.
That's a long time to keep your mouth shut - but he has had five years practice, so it shouldn't be that difficult for him. No doubt some publishers are already salivating and chomping at the bit, waiting until he can speak out - a book deal and movie not too far off on the horizon - just you wait.
So, not only will he not be released until after the Australian federal election, but he won't be able to speak about his ordeal to anyone. According to the Australian Government, these are conditions set by the governing body that sentenced Hicks just yesterday in Guantanamo, and had nothing at all to do with the fact that he could embarrass the Howard Government in an election year. We wouldn't want that now would we? Accordingly, Hicks won't be able to speak about either Government - the US - or the Australian. It seems somebody pretty high up believes that loose lips sink ships.
Only in an election year. goodonya Howard.

Mission Accomplished - GOP Win in 2012

2007-03-31T15:45:00.000+10:00

So what happens in November 2008 when either one of two outcomes happens? a) the Republicans win another term in office with a new President succeeding George W. Bush, or b)(and the most likely of scenarios) a Democrat is elected as 44th President of the United States.
One must wonder if the Democrats would want to take power knowing full well what they would be inheriting. A country almost brought to its knees by a massively over costing war in the Middle East. Heavily in debt with a war that is fast approaching one trillion dollars, and mounting death tolls of its soldiers and still no easy exit on the horizon.
It's not exactly the most promising of scenarios, but that's what will happen if things don't get better in Iraq in the next 18 months. Every sign along the way has indicated that it has steadily gotten worse since President George W. Bush stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in May 2003 and declared "Mission Accomplished".

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/20030501-15.html

What mission was that? We all know now that it was not Iraq. Maybe he was looking into his crystal ball towards 2012. It wouldn't be the first time a president had used mysticism to set the country on its course. Don't get me started...

It makes one wonder if the Dems would really, in all seriousness, want to inherit all this damage. The problem is, it might seem like an eternity from now, but in all truth the next election after 2008 is only a stones throw away, and if things don't look swimmingly by then, (which they probably won't) the dems will cop all the blame and face an uphill climb to retain power in 2012.
Which translates to this: the GOP loses in 08, and then sits back until the Dems can't turn things around and hop back in power in 2012. If things don't change for the better in the next 3 or 4 years, that's what will happen. Mark my words.
For number 44, It's going to be bumpy and short, I fear.

Will He? or Won't He? Should He? or Shouldn't He?

2007-03-30T19:54:00.000+10:00

John Edwards is a brave man - some would say. I'm not so sure.
I'm sure by now you all know what I am talking about - the unfortunate return of his wife's Elizabeth's cancer.
Back in 2004, when John was riding high in the polls and fighting the press as running mate of John Kerry, his wife was secretly fighting a battle of her own. Cancer. Soon after the election she was diagnosed and now it has returned.
The problem from a political standpoint is - what should he do as candidate for President in 2008? Should he continue as he has stated he is going to - or should he drop out of the race? Elizabeth has stated that she doesn't want her husband to drop out on her accord - he has worked too hard. Make no mistake: It would be a very difficult situation to be in.
The democratic nomination which isn't until next January - is a long way away. Anything could happen between then and now. No doubt this latest news will polarize voters. Some will think he should soldier on and just get on with it - and they may be right. While others think that he should back out and dedicate his time with his wife and family.
So - who's right?
What would you do?
There are those that are saying that he is using this as a springboard for sympathy votes. There are those who say he is extremely brave, while others think he is foolish. It seems it doesn't really matter which side of the coin you are - Republican or Democrat - everyone has a different opinion.
While I can't speak for John Edwards, I know that if I was in his shoes I don't think I could dedicate the focus that is required for President of the United States. It's got to be one of the most stressful jobs on the planet. Only a crazy person would want to add to that stress.
I would pull out. And personally, I think it's the right thing to do. But that's just me.
Running what is arguably the greatest nation on earth while your wife is sick and dying is a difficult ask. But it could be just what the country needs - a compassionate President with a real life - common man problem. This could be turned into a uniting force of immeasurable force and magnitude. Uniting the divide between common folk and politicians. Something that hasn't been seen in the US since the days of F.D.R.
On the other hand, this compassion could turn to embitterment if something were to happen to Elizabeth while he was in power. The US has been through too much negativity in the past 10 years or so - it certainly could use a break from more of the same.
There is also the fact that children are involved. I don't need to elaborate, but who is going to look after them if something was to happen to Elizabeth? John? He is in the White House. How could he dedicate the time required to his children? Being President is a full time job. There are no weekends off. You're President day in and day out. I just don't think that this could be a good situation for the children involved. Bottom line - kids need at least one full time parent. I just don't see that happening.
With the war in Iraq, it is going to take alot of work to turn the situation around. I believe it is a political situation, rather than a military one. Whoever is President will have their work cut out for them. The US needs someone who can dedicate all of their resources into helping broker a solution. Edwards could be that man. He also could be, and it is more likely that if elected (assuming he won the nomination), could divide the country by providing an unfortunate distraction at a time when it needs to be focused more than ever.
To this end, at the risk of sounding uncaring to his plight, I think that he should do the right thing - regardless of what his wife wants him to do - and that is don't drag the country through this grief. Heaven knows that the past few years the US has gone through enough grief. It certainly doesn't need to add to that.
John Edwards do the right thing.

Wish In One Hand...

2007-03-30T10:19:00.000+10:00

Have you ever woke from a dream and thought after a moment that it was so real that you weren't sure now if you were even awake? Well, I had one of those the other night. It was a short sleep - just before work, only a couple of hours. Maybe my dinner didn't set well with me - but it wasn't a nightmare. I can remember many wives tales about some foods causing nightmares. Hogwash. With the crap of the average person's diet - nightmares would be the only dreams ever had. Well, life might be bad - but it isn't that bad, is it?
The dream itself was simple enough in premise - more about that later. I honestly thought that it was real. I can recall sitting up in bed dazed and confused - like the Zeppelin song - only probably not as long to be not true. Well, that's not entirely accurate - it was just a dream after all. Dreams don't really come true - do they?
So just what was my dream? It was a jumble of thoughts. Isn't it amazing how fast dreams fade from our memory? In the seconds immediately following they are so vivid - they can seem real. Reality takes a momentary vacation. Which in itself isn't all that bad of a prospect.
Then, as the minutes pass, unless we write them down - or tell someone about them - they are usally just a forgotten memory. Which is harmless in itself - after all - it's forgotten!
But I digress. I do that alot. Sorry.
I mean, it's not like anyone will actually read this. The entire concept of blogging is like a forbidden fruit - we write what we want - secretly wishing others could voyeur in on our thoughts, our ideas - but knowing in the back of our minds, unless we're really special - or lucky - they go unseen, unread by anyone but us. There is no voyeur, no one looking in on us. But, the therapy that they provide is still real. An outlet is important. Then again, there is always Big Brother. Oh, crap. There I go again...sorry.
The dream...yes - the dream. Back on topic.
So, there I was sitting up in bed, wondering where I was. Not quite knowing was it real, was it not? Slowly reality creeps back in - rears its ugly head. There I go again. Reading this, one might think that I am bitter. I am in denial of reality. As if I am mad at the world. Not true - I don't have a bad life. Let me state once and for all - I enjoy my time on this rock.
So, there I was sitting up in bed. I reached for the remote. The dark screen grew bright. Nothing on the news..hmmm. Change channels. Notta. Again. Nothing.
Well, they say dreams do come true. But not for me. Not this time anyway. November 08 isn't that far off. I can wait. I'll have to. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Life's good.