I simply can't stand the revisionist history surround the Iraqi war. Beforehand, everyone believed that he had WMD's, he'd broken the cease-fire that ended the first Gulf War on multiple occasions, and he was know for giving money to the family of suicide bombers. That's a little venting.
This Boing Boing story, though, seems to demonstrate their absolute ignorance of the significance of 9/11. Everything really did change that day. The first WTC bombing was just a harbinger of what was to come (and about with Clinton did absolutely nothing), the USS Cole, the African Embassy bombings, etc., etc., were all bad enough.
But 9/11 changed the rules. It showed that we're no longer just batting at flies, that these Islamic fundamentalists can and will do some real damage if given half the chance. And so, of course, 9/11 should have changed everyone's opinion on what war might be worth fighting.
Just because Bush chose to focus on all the wrong reasons for removing Hussein from power, doesn't mean it wasn't the right thing to do. Even if he wasn't an immediate threat, he was a future one.
Monday, August 13, 2007
According to Study, the Mainstream Media's Losing It
This story at Ars Technica confirms what I've always believed about the mainstream media (MSM): it's biased, unprofessional, uninformed, anti-American, and no longer serves its mission as protector of America's Constitutional Republic. At least, as a recent Pew study shows, most Americans would agree with me.
Some interesting items:
This, however, doesn't mean that the public isn't keeping up with drinking a tall glass of press "hatorade." Pew notes that, since 1985, the public generally sees the mainstream press as doing an increasingly bad job at remaining moral, protecting democracy, and avoiding bias. Only 39 percent of Americans surveyed felt that the media managed to get the facts straight, compared to 46 percent in 2001 and 55 percent in 1985. "As a consequence, the believability ratings for individual news organizations are lower today than they were in the 1980s and 1990s," writes the report. Americans also feel that the press is less professional than it was in 1985, with 66 percent of survey respondents describing the press as professional compared to 72 percent (although there was a particularly low dip to 49 percent in July of 2002).
The Internet crowd feels even more strongly:
The Internet news audience is even more critical of news organizations as a whole. "The internet news audience is particularly likely to criticize news organizations for their lack of empathy, their failure to 'stand up for America,' and political bias," reads the report. "Roughly two-thirds (68%) of those who get most of their news from the internet say that news organizations do not care about the people they report on, and 53% believe that news organizations are too critical of America." Comparatively, only 53 percent of the general public believes that news organizations don't care about the people they report on, and 43 percent believes that they're too critical of America.
And then, of course, there's the partisan line:
But there's another set of data lurking below the surface that is taking its toll on these numbers. It's no secret that Republicans and Democrats feel differently—and, in some cases, very strongly—over exactly how biased and accurate the mainstream media is, and Pew's data reflects this. For example, almost three times as many Republicans (63 percent) say that the press is too critical of America compared to Democrats (23 percent), "and there is virtually no measure of press values or performance on which there is not a substantial gap in the views of partisans," Pew found.
This is an important study. I wonder how well the MSM will cover the Pew results.
Some interesting items:
This, however, doesn't mean that the public isn't keeping up with drinking a tall glass of press "hatorade." Pew notes that, since 1985, the public generally sees the mainstream press as doing an increasingly bad job at remaining moral, protecting democracy, and avoiding bias. Only 39 percent of Americans surveyed felt that the media managed to get the facts straight, compared to 46 percent in 2001 and 55 percent in 1985. "As a consequence, the believability ratings for individual news organizations are lower today than they were in the 1980s and 1990s," writes the report. Americans also feel that the press is less professional than it was in 1985, with 66 percent of survey respondents describing the press as professional compared to 72 percent (although there was a particularly low dip to 49 percent in July of 2002).
The Internet crowd feels even more strongly:
The Internet news audience is even more critical of news organizations as a whole. "The internet news audience is particularly likely to criticize news organizations for their lack of empathy, their failure to 'stand up for America,' and political bias," reads the report. "Roughly two-thirds (68%) of those who get most of their news from the internet say that news organizations do not care about the people they report on, and 53% believe that news organizations are too critical of America." Comparatively, only 53 percent of the general public believes that news organizations don't care about the people they report on, and 43 percent believes that they're too critical of America.
And then, of course, there's the partisan line:
But there's another set of data lurking below the surface that is taking its toll on these numbers. It's no secret that Republicans and Democrats feel differently—and, in some cases, very strongly—over exactly how biased and accurate the mainstream media is, and Pew's data reflects this. For example, almost three times as many Republicans (63 percent) say that the press is too critical of America compared to Democrats (23 percent), "and there is virtually no measure of press values or performance on which there is not a substantial gap in the views of partisans," Pew found.
This is an important study. I wonder how well the MSM will cover the Pew results.
Digg Report
Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4462 Diggs, is a predictable celebration over Karl Rove's resignation. The vitriol present in the comments is something to behold.
More on Russian Politics
This summary of the Russian political situation posted on the Free Republic is pessimistic but, I believe, too close to the truth. Putin is already a shoe-in for the 2012 election, and there's some certainty that whomever is "elected" in between will be merely a temporary fill-in.
Put another way:
Back in early June on WAMU's Diane Rehm talk show, Andrei Sitov, the Washington-based representative for Russia's government-owned and controlled ITAR-TASS news service (and himself a government spokesman pretending to be a correspondent), portrayed the Russian election as analogous to the U.S. race. "There are two frontrunners now," he stated, "the two First Deputy Prime Ministers [Sergei Ivanov and Dmitri Medvedev]. An intriguing possibility is that [Putin] will say 'I endorse both--you choose'--the Russian people choose." Sitov went on to explain how these two would be promoting themselves to the Russian electorate just as American presidential candidates would do after the two parties have completed their nomination process.
At which point the U.S. commentators cried foul, explaining that Medvedev, a St. Petersburg lawyer and former head of Putin's administration, and Ivanov, the former defense minister and an old KGB crony of Putin's, are members of the same ruling cabal that has been progressively tightening its grip on Russia.
A comparable situation in America, clarified Stanford's Michael McFaul, would be "if George W. Bush decided that Karl Rove and Condoleezza Rice would be the two candidates and all opposition Democratic candidates would not be allowed to run. Second, all of the television stations from which Russians get their political news are either owned or controlled by the state. These are the reforms that Putin has instituted as president of Russia."
And what do we have to look forward to?
Even worse, the new man will be trying to show that, like Putin, he can rule with an iron fist. This means belligerence and a search for scapegoats bordering on the irrational will be the order of the day. For a taste of things to come, ponder the anti-U.S. tirade from TASS's Sitov towards the end of the WAMU broadcast. It would have done the Russian ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky proud: "The Putin course will continue," Sitov declared. "He is saying this to the future U.S. president's administration. You need to know that the good old days when you could lie to Russia and steal from Russia, when you could trample on Russia--all those days are over."
It's a quick read, and worth it.
Put another way:
Back in early June on WAMU's Diane Rehm talk show, Andrei Sitov, the Washington-based representative for Russia's government-owned and controlled ITAR-TASS news service (and himself a government spokesman pretending to be a correspondent), portrayed the Russian election as analogous to the U.S. race. "There are two frontrunners now," he stated, "the two First Deputy Prime Ministers [Sergei Ivanov and Dmitri Medvedev]. An intriguing possibility is that [Putin] will say 'I endorse both--you choose'--the Russian people choose." Sitov went on to explain how these two would be promoting themselves to the Russian electorate just as American presidential candidates would do after the two parties have completed their nomination process.
At which point the U.S. commentators cried foul, explaining that Medvedev, a St. Petersburg lawyer and former head of Putin's administration, and Ivanov, the former defense minister and an old KGB crony of Putin's, are members of the same ruling cabal that has been progressively tightening its grip on Russia.
A comparable situation in America, clarified Stanford's Michael McFaul, would be "if George W. Bush decided that Karl Rove and Condoleezza Rice would be the two candidates and all opposition Democratic candidates would not be allowed to run. Second, all of the television stations from which Russians get their political news are either owned or controlled by the state. These are the reforms that Putin has instituted as president of Russia."
And what do we have to look forward to?
Even worse, the new man will be trying to show that, like Putin, he can rule with an iron fist. This means belligerence and a search for scapegoats bordering on the irrational will be the order of the day. For a taste of things to come, ponder the anti-U.S. tirade from TASS's Sitov towards the end of the WAMU broadcast. It would have done the Russian ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky proud: "The Putin course will continue," Sitov declared. "He is saying this to the future U.S. president's administration. You need to know that the good old days when you could lie to Russia and steal from Russia, when you could trample on Russia--all those days are over."
It's a quick read, and worth it.
Putin Continues Harsh Rhetoric
Putin continues to turn up the heat. He just doesn't like the West infringing on former Soviet states. This story in the Financial Times basically summarizes what's been going on now for some time.
Relevant quotes:
Washington insists the anti-missile system is to deal with “rogue” states, but Mr Putin has said the installations would risk turning Europe into “a powder keg” and has threatened to retarget Russian missiles on Europe if the US goes ahead with the plan, opening the most serious rift in Moscow’s relations with Washington since the cold war.
Regarding moves back towards a command economy:
Mr Putin said fulfilment of plans to double Russia’s annual production of military aircraft by 2025 would require a radical shake-up of domestic aircraft engine manufacturing capacity. “The competitiveness of aircraft engines produced in our country today is, unfortunately, low, extremely low.”
The government plans to consolidate aircraft engine manufacturing companies into a large, state-controlled holding similar to Oboronprom, the helicopter monopoly, and Rosoboron export, the state arms export company.
And Putin sounds a little like Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) when it comes to announcing weapons that can't be defeated:
The Navy also announced that Russia was ready to launch serial production of its new Bulava submarine launched intercontinental nuclear missile which Putin has said can penetrate any defence system.
However, military experts said testing of the Bulava was incomplete and that the Navy chief was sabre rattling.
Read the whole thing.
Relevant quotes:
Washington insists the anti-missile system is to deal with “rogue” states, but Mr Putin has said the installations would risk turning Europe into “a powder keg” and has threatened to retarget Russian missiles on Europe if the US goes ahead with the plan, opening the most serious rift in Moscow’s relations with Washington since the cold war.
Regarding moves back towards a command economy:
Mr Putin said fulfilment of plans to double Russia’s annual production of military aircraft by 2025 would require a radical shake-up of domestic aircraft engine manufacturing capacity. “The competitiveness of aircraft engines produced in our country today is, unfortunately, low, extremely low.”
The government plans to consolidate aircraft engine manufacturing companies into a large, state-controlled holding similar to Oboronprom, the helicopter monopoly, and Rosoboron export, the state arms export company.
And Putin sounds a little like Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) when it comes to announcing weapons that can't be defeated:
The Navy also announced that Russia was ready to launch serial production of its new Bulava submarine launched intercontinental nuclear missile which Putin has said can penetrate any defence system.
However, military experts said testing of the Bulava was incomplete and that the Navy chief was sabre rattling.
Read the whole thing.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Boing Boing on US-Built Chinese Surveillance System
I'm sure that Boing Boing is implying something really bad here in the creation of a Chinese human-tracking system by a US-financed company. Although, I'd be hard-pressed to tell whether it was the tracking system they're against, or just the fact that it's being built by a US company?
Now, I would vehemently oppose any such system in the US. And I don't like it when US companies engage in this sort of work. But such systems exist in Europe, and are being expanded there as we speak. And I'm not sure I remember Boing Boing making a big deal out of those. Which, of course, would lead me back to the US-built theory.
Now, I would vehemently oppose any such system in the US. And I don't like it when US companies engage in this sort of work. But such systems exist in Europe, and are being expanded there as we speak. And I'm not sure I remember Boing Boing making a big deal out of those. Which, of course, would lead me back to the US-built theory.
Digg Report
Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4518 Digg, is a link to some suspended account that says something about Bill Nye quoted the Bible regarding the Moon reflecting light from the Sun.
Not sure what that's all about, but since the link is down, can't really comment on it.
Not sure what that's all about, but since the link is down, can't really comment on it.
China to Limit Access to Foreign Companies
Bad news for all those foreign companies that want a part of the Chinese market. China's doing everything it can to protect its state-owned enterprises, including creating barriers to entry.
This won't last forever. At some point, China's going to have to realize who their customers are.
This won't last forever. At some point, China's going to have to realize who their customers are.
Putin Youth - Scarier and Scarier
More on the Putin Youth, the Nashi, at the Boston Globe's Web site. The more I read about this phenomenon, the more it continues to remind me of the Hitler Youth. Some quotes:
I thought of that young woman when, shortly afterward, I read alarming reports about a new force in Russian public life: a youth movement called Nashi. The word is typically translated as "Ours," but that doesn't quite capture the nationalist, triumphalist overtones of the Russian name. "Nashi," in Russian idiom, means "Our Guys" or "Our Kind"; it's the "us" in us versus them.
"Them," for Nashi, includes everyone from Americans to former Soviet republics that bristle at Russian diktat to Russians who don't subscribe to Putin's authoritarian vision of "sovereign democracy."
As far as its size, it seems to be growing:
Nashi claims to be over 100,000 strong; according to some reports, it has a core of 10,000 activists ages 17 to 25, with another 200,000 or so who regularly attend its events.
And their methods?
Propaganda is not the only weapon in Nashi's arsenal. The movement offers paramilitary training that prepares members for breaking up opposition rallies (under the guise of combating "fascism") and intimidating those who run afoul of the Putin regime.
...
In April, the group's protests against the Estonian government's decision to relocate a memorial to Soviet soldiers turned violent: Hundreds of Nashi goons besieged the Estonian embassy in Moscow, unmolested by the police as they threw rocks, blocked traffic, and tore down the Estonian flag.
And finally, in a nod to a sort of Russian "Aryan purity":
Perhaps more aptly, some Russian liberals refer to Nashi as "Putinjugend." The movement's brownshirt tactics certain evoke shades of Hitler Youth, as does the emphasis on physical fitness, clean living, and procreation for the Motherland. (At the Nashi summer camp, sex was encouraged as an answer to Russia's demographic crisis, and 40 couples were married.)
Read the whole thing.
I thought of that young woman when, shortly afterward, I read alarming reports about a new force in Russian public life: a youth movement called Nashi. The word is typically translated as "Ours," but that doesn't quite capture the nationalist, triumphalist overtones of the Russian name. "Nashi," in Russian idiom, means "Our Guys" or "Our Kind"; it's the "us" in us versus them.
"Them," for Nashi, includes everyone from Americans to former Soviet republics that bristle at Russian diktat to Russians who don't subscribe to Putin's authoritarian vision of "sovereign democracy."
As far as its size, it seems to be growing:
Nashi claims to be over 100,000 strong; according to some reports, it has a core of 10,000 activists ages 17 to 25, with another 200,000 or so who regularly attend its events.
And their methods?
Propaganda is not the only weapon in Nashi's arsenal. The movement offers paramilitary training that prepares members for breaking up opposition rallies (under the guise of combating "fascism") and intimidating those who run afoul of the Putin regime.
...
In April, the group's protests against the Estonian government's decision to relocate a memorial to Soviet soldiers turned violent: Hundreds of Nashi goons besieged the Estonian embassy in Moscow, unmolested by the police as they threw rocks, blocked traffic, and tore down the Estonian flag.
And finally, in a nod to a sort of Russian "Aryan purity":
Perhaps more aptly, some Russian liberals refer to Nashi as "Putinjugend." The movement's brownshirt tactics certain evoke shades of Hitler Youth, as does the emphasis on physical fitness, clean living, and procreation for the Motherland. (At the Nashi summer camp, sex was encouraged as an answer to Russia's demographic crisis, and 40 couples were married.)
Read the whole thing.
Ayn Rand Supported Israel - You Should Too
Just for the record, Ayn Rand supported Israel. As Yaron Brook said in a story in the International Jerusalem Post:
“We view what happens in Israel as an indicator of what will happen in the rest of the world. To the extent America abandons Israel, it abandons itself Israel is a beacon of civilization in a barbaric, backward area,” Brook said on a recent trip here to visit family with his wife, also an Israeli expatriate, and their two children.
“Israel represents, despite its flaws, the values of the West; individual rights, free speech, freedom of the press, equality before the law and the rule of law.” Objectivism upholds values generally associated with Western culture — individualism, reason, and science - but its distinctive development is a moral ideal of “selfishness,” whereby someone’s own happiness is a moral responsibility.
Anyone who can't see the difference between Israel and the rest of the Middle East either isn't looking or is blinded by an agenda (or proselytizing for it).
“We view what happens in Israel as an indicator of what will happen in the rest of the world. To the extent America abandons Israel, it abandons itself Israel is a beacon of civilization in a barbaric, backward area,” Brook said on a recent trip here to visit family with his wife, also an Israeli expatriate, and their two children.
“Israel represents, despite its flaws, the values of the West; individual rights, free speech, freedom of the press, equality before the law and the rule of law.” Objectivism upholds values generally associated with Western culture — individualism, reason, and science - but its distinctive development is a moral ideal of “selfishness,” whereby someone’s own happiness is a moral responsibility.
Anyone who can't see the difference between Israel and the rest of the Middle East either isn't looking or is blinded by an agenda (or proselytizing for it).
Ahmadinejad Speaks Truth to Power
Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) on terrorism:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Algiers on Tuesday outlined Iran's policies on regional and global developments. On issue of terrorism, he said, "Terrorism is the ugliest phenomenon which has roots in discrimination, pressure, occupation and trampling on rights of others, deviation from the lofty humanitarian values and mismanagement of certain powers who seek to meet their own interests by imposing their own policies on the world and plundering the wealth of other nations."
Umm, okay.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Algiers on Tuesday outlined Iran's policies on regional and global developments. On issue of terrorism, he said, "Terrorism is the ugliest phenomenon which has roots in discrimination, pressure, occupation and trampling on rights of others, deviation from the lofty humanitarian values and mismanagement of certain powers who seek to meet their own interests by imposing their own policies on the world and plundering the wealth of other nations."
Umm, okay.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Digg Report
Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 3018, is about the "general strike" being called for on 9/11/07. To me, calling a general strike like this is ludicrous and hopelessly ineffective, even if one's cause were legitimate--and this one seems to have a baker's dozen Leftist causes.
Calling for the strike on the anniversary of the worst attack on American soil, by enemies against which we're still fighting, is immoral and despicable. I predict a complete failure, and I hope for a backlash against this disgusting proposition.
Calling for the strike on the anniversary of the worst attack on American soil, by enemies against which we're still fighting, is immoral and despicable. I predict a complete failure, and I hope for a backlash against this disgusting proposition.
Chinese Autos - Really Unsafe at Any Speed?
Oh. My. God. Those Chinese are sure getting blackeyes lately when it comes to product safety (and as I've always believed, you get what you pay for). Now, it seems their new automobiles are complete deathtraps. Go to Gizmodo to watch a video of a Chinese-made Cherey Amulet positively crushing its driver in the 40mph front-end crash. It's literally the worst crash result I've ever seen.
They're being sold in Russia for a US equivalent $9,000. I don't think there's enough savings there to virtually guarantee being killed in an accident that with other autos would like result in mainly a few bruises.
China better clean up its act soon, or its position as global manufacturer is going to be irreparably damaged.
They're being sold in Russia for a US equivalent $9,000. I don't think there's enough savings there to virtually guarantee being killed in an accident that with other autos would like result in mainly a few bruises.
China better clean up its act soon, or its position as global manufacturer is going to be irreparably damaged.
The Future of Ballistic Weapons?
Go watch this video if you want a look into the future of ballistic weapons. Incredible stuff, in the right hands. Even has some peaceful applications, for those of you who abhor the weapons of war.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Response to Top 10 Presidents List a Whopper
This list of the top 10 best American Presidents is interesting not just for who was picked, but even more so for the 2nd comment. One of the more in-depth comments I've read in awhile.
Iran's Threat Just Propaganda?
It's a dangerous game to be playing here, supposing that any allegations against Iran are merely propaganda and, like the information (allegedly) untrue that supported war with Iraq, subject to inherent doubt. There have been reports of Iranian involvement in Iraq for years, not just months, as anyone who's followed the story would know. And it is, of course, entirely possible that Iran is escalating its involvement, believing that the US is close to being politically forced out of the Iraq.
Stories like the one linked above leave the US defenseless, because any threat that might arise suddenly becomes another "Iraqi WMD lie." One sees it all the time from the Left, in responses to accusations such as these against Iran to reports of planned terrorist attacks (or, even when terrorists are caught in the act). Suddenly, the US is unable to defend itself, because no evidence that it can provide for doing so is acceptable.
Except, maybe, the smouldering ruins of an American city. And maybe not even then.
Stories like the one linked above leave the US defenseless, because any threat that might arise suddenly becomes another "Iraqi WMD lie." One sees it all the time from the Left, in responses to accusations such as these against Iran to reports of planned terrorist attacks (or, even when terrorists are caught in the act). Suddenly, the US is unable to defend itself, because no evidence that it can provide for doing so is acceptable.
Except, maybe, the smouldering ruins of an American city. And maybe not even then.
Capitalism and Dictatorships Together?
And what all these folks fail to realize is that capitalism (true capitalism, not just fascism with a different name) requires an environment that protects invidividual rights to succeed. It can't merely be strapped onto a dictatorship and flourish. For anyone who might want to point to China, note that China is successful in essentially utilizing slave labor, not capitalism.
My First California Earthquake
This is likely of absolutely no interest to anyone other than me, but here's a story about the first earthquake I've experienced since moving to LA a year ago. The epicentre was about 7 miles from my house as the crow flies, so I'm pretty darn happy it wasn't any stronger. Happened at 12:59am, which is a heckuva way to be woken up.
Digg Report
Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 2688 Diggs, is a link to a story about Google increasing some Gmail accounts to over 9GB. Let me just say that it's refreshing to see a legitimate tech news story get to #1 (at this moment in time), even if the number of Diggs is a little low.
Rich-Poor Gap Growing in China at Quite a Clip
The gap between the rich and poor seems to be growing in China and other Asian countries, according to this story. For China, this is likely more meaningful, since there is already a significant anti-government reform movement in place.
A quote:
China has had Asia's second-biggest and second-fastest-growing wealth gap since the 1990s, exceeded only by war-wracked Nepal on both counts, the bank said in an annual survey.
China has seen thousands of protests in recent years, some of them violent, over land seizures and other economic grievances blamed on the growing gap. The communist government has made improving incomes for the poor a priority, warning last year that inequality has reached "alarming and unacceptable" levels.
"High inequality, particularly high absolute levels of inequality, leads to a disruption in social cohesion. You could have street demonstrations which could lead to violent civil wars," Ifzal Ali, the bank's chief economist, said at a news conference.
This will be worth watching.
A quote:
China has had Asia's second-biggest and second-fastest-growing wealth gap since the 1990s, exceeded only by war-wracked Nepal on both counts, the bank said in an annual survey.
China has seen thousands of protests in recent years, some of them violent, over land seizures and other economic grievances blamed on the growing gap. The communist government has made improving incomes for the poor a priority, warning last year that inequality has reached "alarming and unacceptable" levels.
"High inequality, particularly high absolute levels of inequality, leads to a disruption in social cohesion. You could have street demonstrations which could lead to violent civil wars," Ifzal Ali, the bank's chief economist, said at a news conference.
This will be worth watching.
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