micah holmquist's irregular thoughts and links |
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Welcome to the musings and notes of a Cadillac, Michigan based writer named Micah Holmquist, who is bothered by his own sarcasm. Please send him email at micahth@chartermi.net. Holmquist's full archives are listed here.
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Sites Holmquist trys, and often fails, to go no more than a couple of days without visiting (some of which Holmquist regularly swipes links from without attribution) Aljazeera.Net English Blogs that for one reason or another Holmquist would like to read on at least something of a regular basis (always in development) Thivai Abhor |
Thursday, February 12, 2004
American values "[T]he characteristics of American society that we cherish – our freedom, our openness, our great cities and towering skyscrapers, our modern transportation systems – make us vulnerable to terrorism of catastrophic proportions," say the heroic men and women of the Bush Administration. *** "A former Marine guard testified yesterday that it was common practice in Iraq to kick and punch prisoners who didn't cooperate – and even some who did," Rick Rogers of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes in a February 3 story. "Lance Cpl. William S. Roy, granted immunity for his testimony, said guards often abused prisoners at the Camp White Horse detention center." *** *** "As the Haitian crisis deepens, with violence flaring and President Jean-Bertrand Aristide locked in an impasse with his opponents, the Bush administration has placed itself in the unusual position of saying it may accept the ouster of a democratic government," Christopher Marquis writes in today's New York Times. "A senior State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the administration favored dialogue to ease Haiti's crisis, but that it might support replacing Mr. Aristide, who has two years left in his term... Administration officials stopped short of calling for President Aristide's resignation, but their remarks were seen as emboldening a widening and unwieldy opposition — including former supporters, armed gangs, demobilized army members and political foes — that seeks his removal." Rummy has reportedly said, " "We have no plans to do anything." While a decent position, this is hardly consistent with the administration's rhetoric about democracy. (Rummy must have been misquoted.) Then again, Powell says Iraqi control of Iraq will be determined by whether or not "all goes well." *** The lesser nations of the world must follow America's orders. *** Freedom of expression for the Iraqis, according to CPA Senior Advisor Daniel Senor (January 4): Ambassador Bremer issued a decree several months ago that sought to strike a balance between the freedom -- protecting freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Iraq, while also protecting against violence and the incitement of violence and using the media as a tool to incite violence against coalition troops and the Iraqi people. That is a decree that was modeled after similar policies and similar standards and guidelines in the United States, in the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere. That continues to be the policy in Iraq. It is something the Governing Council strongly supports. And it is focused on television, radio, newsprint...*** "Senior American officials concluded at the beginning of last May that there were no weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq, The Observer has learnt," Peter Beaumont, Gaby Hinsliff and Paul Harris write in the February 1 edition of The Observer. "Intelligence sources, policy makers and weapons inspectors familiar with the details of the hunt for WMD told The Observer it was widely known that Iraq had no WMD within three weeks of Baghdad falling, despite the assertions of senior Bush administration figures and the Prime Minister, Tony Blair." *** *** *** Lifting sanctions on Libya just in time to slap them on Syria? *** *** "A rat is a dog is a pig is a feminist (with profound apologies to rats, dogs and pigs)" says FReeper martin gibson. *** "Modern feminism is nothing more than a liberal effort to turn women into men and degrade the unique role given to women by their Creator," says FReeper Guelph4ever. *** "Enemy of Our State" Janeane Garofalo guest-starred on The King of Queens last night and played a woman who was supposed to be "annoying," which is interesting since she was by far the least "annoying" character on the show. *** So far everything in this entry indicates that America is better than ever, but there does exist a disturbing new trend away from filth. The BBC writes, "MTV in the US has moved Britney Spears' new video to its late-night schedule, saying it is too racy for day viewing." Seems one can't turn to MTV at any hour for a little T&A. The once proud home of Undressed has, beyond any doubt, lost its way. We all are a little poorer as a result. |