Welcome to 1984 - 21st Century Style

So this is the world in which we live. Historians who have spent their lives studying a very important part of world history are harassed, threatened and arrested simply because of what their findings showed them - that the official history is flawed, possibly even fabricated.

I am talking about the history of WWII and the holocaust of course. We all learned about it in history class throughout our education in our government run schools. But what if most of or all of what we were taught wasn't really how it all happened? Remember, the history of conflict is written by the winners - not the losers.

This is where these historians come into the picture. What they are saying publicly to anyone who will listen is that what we know about the holocaust is wrong. That what we have all been taught for around 60 years could be wrong.

I'm not going to get into whether or not these historians are wrong or right. I am more interested in the fact that their arguments are dismissed out of hand as simply anti-Semitic. Rather than refute their version of WWII and holocaust history with evidence, the mainstream would rather attack their character.

Why do they attack the persons character rather than refute what these people say using a valid argument?

When people claim that the moon landing never happened are they arrested and deported to countries with "thought crime" laws? No. When people claim to have been abducted by aliens are they arrested and charged? No. How about those who believe Elvis is alive?

Then why this type of treatment for those who question the official version of the holocaust? It is the reaction of the mainstream with regards to these people that makes me think there is more to this. Truth needs no law to support it. For some reason though, this "truth" does.

Ernst Zundell is one of the people who has spent his life studying WWII and the Jewish holocaust. He used his website and leaflets to get his version of this history out to the average person, and was arrested and deported from both the U.S. and Canada for it. Canada declared him a threat to national security and deported him to his homeland of Germany, where he faces a prison sentence simply for questioning the holocaust. It is a crime in Germany to deny the official version of the holocaust.

I didn't realize that simply questioning historical record made you a threat to the security of Canada. I know I certainly don't feel threatened.

David Irving is another historian who was arrested recently in Vienna Austria. He was there by invitation to speak to a University Association in the Austrian capital. His topics were secret negotiations between Adolf Eichman and Jewish leaders in Budapest and the 'trucks for Jews' deal. He was not allowed to speak and could face up to 20 years in proson - all for questioning the extent of the holocaust.

Germar Rudolph, a chemist, was recently deported from the U.S. to Germany where he was wanted for 'inciting racial hatred by disputing the deaths of thousands of Jews held captive at a concentration camp.'

This is a scientist who tested bricks in the gas chambers for traces of Zyklon B, a cyanide compound reportedly used to kill Jews during the Holocaust. His tests found no traces of this chemical. He therefore disputed the official story that Jews were gassed to death in this particular camp...Auschwitz.

No matter what you think you know about Auschwitz, you cannot be certain no matter what - you weren't there. We have an accepted version of events, and a growing group of people with evidence to support an alternate version.

The only conclusion any open minded individual can come to is that new evidence is being completely ignored based on character assassinations of those who bring it forward. This new evidence is never disputed with facts.

I wonder if the world is unfolding as George Orwell wrote in 1984 because of his book, or if he just had insight into where the world would end up if we kept a false history of our time here.

All I know is that on one side we have people who present evidence to support their side of the argument, and on the other side we have people that attack their character rather than refute the evidence presented with some of their own.

I will tend to believe that they cannot refute that evidence, and instead rely on me ignoring it as hate speech. I believe that the more they try to silence these "thought criminals", the more they make it obvious that they are trying to hide something.

Over the past few decades the 'official' number of Jews murdered by Hitler has dropped from around 6 million to 4 million, and more recently an accepted 1.5 million. I mention this only because the record is slowly being corrected...so why are they locking up people who only want to correct it further? What truth are they trying to hide that is worth taking these mens freedoms from them?

Some quotes relevant to this post :

The truth is "hate speech" only to those who have something to hide.--Michael Rivero

In this world, those who seek the truth will also find trouble. --Gary Amirault

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. --Arthur Schopenhauer

When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic.-- Dresden James

Those Who Benefit Are The Most Likely Perps

We see this logic used in crime dramas on TV all the time. Why does the media completely ignore this type of logic and instead reprint the official government line almost word-for-word without question? Why do most of us, as consumers of 'news' accept these reprinted government releases without question, even if they don't make sense?

The official story behind the most recent 'suicide' bombings that took place in Amman Jordan on November 9th, 2005 is another case that should have logic applied to it. Those who have been blamed for the attacks are those who's cause is hurt the most.

Not only that, but the story has changed repeatedly, taking it from 'bombs in the ceiling with Israelis evacuated beforehand' (a la Netanyahu before the London attacks) to suicide bombers from the Iraqi resistance, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the apparent leader of "al Qaida in Iraq".

This photo from the Grand Hyatt Hotel shows clearly that the blast came from above the damaged ceiling - not below. Also, this seems to be the only damaged part of the ceiling, indicating that this is the area in which the bomb detonated.

If the bomb were strapped to a person who was blown to pieces you would expect some blood splatter on the white wall in the background - there is none.

How can these two pieces of evidence be ignored, unless the story is that the 'suicide' bomber walked in and climbed up above the false ceiling of a very crowded room before triggering the device.

How about the witness accounts about power going out only in the area of the bombing seconds before it occurred? That part is disappearing from coverage slowly.

These three pieces of evidence should make any sensible and intelligent person question the official story, because these facts contradict the official story.

In the best case, the mainstream media is a bunch of complete idiots to not see the holes in the story; but in the more likely scenario, editorial boards in Western media outlets are choosing the Western side in the 'Global War on Terrorism', even though available evidence says Western governments are lying through their teeth regularly, and should at least be held somewhat suspect.

Their story changes and evidence slowly disappears from public airing as the mainstream press and the governments get the facts to fit their "official" story. No matter who the evidence in a crime points to, it is obviously in our interests to pursue all leads - even if it leads back to those claiming to be the victims.

So we go back to the main question any investigator asks after a crime...who benefits? Does the Iraqi resistance benefit? How could they benefit from attacking fellow Arabs who are likely to sympathize with their situation in occupied Iraq? They don't - which makes them the least likely suspect.

I'm not gonna tell you what to believe or who to blame, because if you aren't intelligent enough to figure it out for yourself you won't believe me anyway. However here is some more to chew on :

- U.S. and Israeli intelligence has been implicated in other terror attacks against Western interests, as well as the assassination of Rafik Hariri in Lebanon.

- Israeli Intelligence, known as MOSSAD has been implicated in many false flag operations over the years, including the Lavon Affair and the attack on the USS Liberty.

- the apparent leader of 'al Qaida in Iraq' - Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who has claimed responsibility for this (and many other) 'suicide' attacks is apparently dead...see here and here. Oh yeah, and so is Osama(5th paragraph down).

- a U.S. Army study says this about Mossad : "Wildcard. Ruthless and cunning. Has capability to target U.S. forces and make it look like a Palestinian/Arab act."

If Only My Inbox Told Me How My Day Was Going To Be...

Today I would :

Be spending time with...

1) Laura, a lonley housewife who wants to get to know me
2) two other girls that want me now

...having stronger, longer lasting climaxes by using cheap Viagra and Cialis...which according to my email are now cheaper than ever!!

And getting rich on
1) VNLB - positioned to grow
2) PPTL - watch them, big profits

Man what a life it would be if only my inbox was my day planner!!

Now back to the real thing....booooo

Duck, Here Comes The U.S.A.

So it seems our American "friends" are already willing to invade more sovereign nations, whether or not they even know the most basic thing about them - where they are on the planet. Check this video (get RealPlayer free) for the evidence. Here is the article that goes along with it.

Now I can understand that this video would have been edited to show only those mindless automatons who think they are superior to the rest of the world - and therefore have the right to invade and kill who they wish, but how does a large percentage of the population get to be like this? Here's a start to understanding that.

Many people delude themselves with thoughts that the American people don't agree with their foreign policy. However the above, along with poll after poll that still shows 30-40% support the war tells us otherwise.

In my opinion, someone really has to bitch slap the American military before the American people will realize that might doesn't make right - just because you win the fight doesn't mean you were just and on the side fo right.

Either that or an internal revolution, which seems the more likely scenario at this time, being that there is no military power who has the balls to stand up to them - right or wrong; and the American people are very divided.

The current situation in gloabl power politics reminds me of a schoolyard bully scenario...the U.S. is the big bully right now, but other countries are looking to the future and saying under their breath, 'the time will come when you are no longer the biggest.'

For evidence of this, look at China. They know that if their growth continues, and the decline of the American Empire continues, the bully will no longer control the schoolyard. They are already standing up to the American's by refusing to tinkle with their economy to try and prop up the American economy.

The U.S. is an empire in decline, and I hope it is put out of its misery soon. Let's just hope that we don't all get killed while a dying empire thrashes about in its final death throes. And hope that another doesn't try to rise to take its place....Empire benefits nobody but those who run it - and that doesn't include you Joe Citizen!

Here's a headline for ya.....

Arctic Ice Melts Faster As It Gets Warmer
Ice melts faster as heat rises? No fucking kidding!?! I guess I was right....I am smarter than pretty much everyone else.

U.S. Insists on Keeping Control of Web
No shit Sherlock - the U.S. insists on keeping control of everything. That is why they bomb and invade sovereign nations at will.

Government or Gang?

Recent events in American politics have put a spotlight not only on what we already know is a corrupt administration (see lies leading to Iraq War II), but also the entire Republican party. It is yet to be seen if this will also spread to the Democrats, or on to any government agencies (CIA, FBI, DOJ, etc.)

House majority leader (R)Tom Delay has been indicted, less than 10 days after Bush appointee David Safavian was arrested in the investigation into Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who was indicted August 11th in a bank fraud investigation. The SEC has opened an investigation into the stock dealings of Senate majority leader (R)Bill Frist. There are currently grand juries looking into the Valerie Plame leak, as well as the Niger "Yellow Cake" document forgery.

Holy crap batman, am I seeing this correctly? If I am, then the party currently governing the American people are nothing but gangsters in suits using patriotism as a shield to deflect the wrong kind of attention. Looks like it isn't working anymore.

Judging by the very loud silence coming from the Democtrats, they are either colluding with, or are no better than the Republican's. That is the only explanation I can see for not being all over the GOP lies and illegal activities.

Delay is/was one of the most powerful people in Washington, and is a close ally of Bush. Safavian was appointed to his job as the cheif of staff of the General Services Administration by George Bush Jr. himself. Abramoff has ties to George Bush's political team which go back to at least 1997. There are administration officials and their underlings directly tied to the Plame leak which may lead to indictments of some of Bush's cabinet at best, and at worst some important White House staffers.

The current admistration and the party it represents are nothing but common thugs and criminals. But if you think the illegal activites are confined to these few people, think again. We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg now, and unfortunately I think the rest of the iceberg is made up of most Federal and State politicians as well as most government departments run by political appointees.

The American political system is completely infected by the criminal virus, and it'll take more than 3 or 4 high profile names to cure the host. Let's just hope the cure doesn't kill the patient as well as the virus...it scares me to think what the US military-industrial complex could do if it saw itself possibly coming under control of an honest executive branch.

A really good read

Shunning by Paul Harris
from www.vivelecanada.ca, posted 9/20/05

This is an article about the United States of America. From the outset, let me state clearly that there is tremendous credit due to the US for a wide variety of social, humanitarian, artistic, scientific, intellectual accomplishments. But this small group of people, ruled by an even smaller group of thugs (a kleptocracy), is truly the epitome of the ‘tail-wagging-the-dog’ syndrome. The US comprises a small fraction of the world but it sees all the rest of the world – and, for emphasis, ALL the rest of the world – as its servant, its supplier of cheap goods and labour, its warehouse, its flea market, the place to play with its guns.

Both Canada and Mexico can reasonably think of the United States as our best friend. But it is also our worst enemy. Indeed, I will argue here that the United States is the enemy of ALL nations. It may be a little tougher for Canada and Mexico because the Beast lives next door, but also a little easier because at least they haven’t sent in the troops. Yet.

Now, we’ve all heard the rebuttal that ‘not all Americans are like that’, and that is certainly true. The US has at least as many decent humans as any other nation, more than many. But a country premised on ‘we the people …’ cannot shirk the responsibility for what they do as a group. The actions of the US are the actions of the whole population, by definition … the US constitution does not open with ‘we, some of the people’.

Many outside the US have waited patiently for them to outgrow their juvenile delinquency, but they show no sign of maturing. We have waited patiently for the good citizens of the US to corral the bad, but they persist in failing to do so. And now that they are acting out again and threatening the peace and security of the entire planet, it is high time that the rest of us took matters into our own hands.

The rest of the world should join hands and shun the United States.

full article...

False Flag Op By The Brits? Bloody Likely!

So now we have two British soldiers (likely SAS) arrested in Basra, Iraq, for firing on Iraqi police officers. When they were caught and arrested, it was found that the car they were driving was packed full of explosives.

So, we have a few different possibilities here that I can see :

1) the two soldiers were delivering the explosives to insurgents in a sting operation (sort of like undercover narcotics officers buying/selling dope during a sting).

2) the soldiers were delivering the explosives to insurgents in order to facilitate an attack on a target the British could not be caught targeting.

3) the British SAS troops were involved in a false flag operation which involved an attack against Iraqi police, army or civilians, in order to ensure their 'help' remains 'justified'.

The facts that we have so far negate the first two listed above, and here is how :

1) two British soldiers wouldn't fool anyone by putting on wigs and Arab dress. Their skin color and mannerisms would give them away long before their accents. Plus, if you were buying explosives from someone in an occupied country with a few different sides, i'm sure you would make sure you knew who you were buying from.

2) if it were a case of not wanting to be the ones caught targeting someone/something, they would still do it themselves. The SAS are some of the most highly trained advance forces in the world. They are basically state sponsored trained terrorists, and would likely have a higher chance of success (hitting target and not being caught) if they completed the whole mission themselves rather than having to rely on another untrained, and possibly untrustworthy party.

Given the above, unfortunately the one explanation that seems to fit the available evidence is the third option - that the British SAS were involved in a false flag operation. And before you say that is crazy and they would never commit acts of terror, please look at the current state of affairs in Iraq and the Middle East in general. Then look at past precedent of governments planning terror or actually committing terrorist acts to support an agenda.

Current Situation in Iraq and the Middle East in General

We have the Iraqi "government" saying that coalition troops could begin to pull out late 2005, which would obviously limit the influence the Americans and British currently wield over Iraqi politics - at the end of a gun. We have the Iraqi "government" building ties with Iran right in front of the Americans and British, who at the same time are starting the propaganda at home against Iran. We have the saber rattling against both Syria and Iran as well as the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

So basically, the Iraqis are cultivating ties with an enemy of their occupiers, while telling the occupiers that they can start planning to leave. At the same time, the Americans and British are seemingly gearing up for conflict with Iran and/or Syria, for which they will need bases to launch attacks from...what better place than Iraq which borders both nations?

This all leads me to one conclusion : the more unstable Iraq remains, the easier it is for the Americans and British to justify the occupation by fighting the 'insurgents' who are against a peaceful and democratic Iraq.

And the more they tell their people at home that the Iraqi insurgency is foreign fighters from Syria using explosives supplied by Iran, rather than Iraqis trying to kick out an occupying power, the more it seems that they are planning to escalate the situation against those nations. To do so they need a base from which to launch attacks...again, what better place than Iraq, which borders both?

Precedent For False Flag Terrorism

The British committed many acts of terror while trying to keep a handle on Northern Ireland throughout the years. Some have come to the surface, others will eventually be properly documented.

The U.S. has obviously terrorized nations around the globe for decades, but they even planned to commit acts of terror on their own citizens! The most recently revealed example being the 'Operation Northwoods' plans. For background go here and here, go here for a scan of the actual declassified document.

Here's another report of the U.S. forces actually hiding explosives in civilian cars in Iraq. Here's a report of the Iraqis already believing the Americans are behind (at least some of) the terror in Iraq.

Conclusion

The idea that the British and/or Americans have motivation and precedent to carry out terror attacks is not outlandish. It is actually the most logical explanation given the currently available evidence as well as the common sense approach, which is asking and answering the question "who has motive and opportunity?"

Now that the Brits have busted the two soldiers out of Iraqi jail rather than working with Iraqi authorities to secure their release upon confirmation of their identity, I become even more suspicious.

Whatever did actually happen could have serious consequences for the coalition in Iraq. The people already think the occupiers who are 'fighting' the terrorists, are also being the terrorists.

Add this event to the already current perception that they could be carrying out false flag ops, and the coalition risks uniting the Iraqis against them, as well as the rest of the world. Their current divide and conquer hold over Iraq would evaporate in a second, and they would be forced to withdraw with their tail between their legs and face international condemnation.

In this case, American foreign policy would have to be torn down and rebuilt from the ground up. Or they could ignore world opinion and continue down the road to ruin and pariah status.

We Are All Victims of Corporate Media

Over the few years since 9/11, the citizens of the world have been witness to - and victims of - a new level of deciept and outright lies by governments. This is all helped along by a complicit and/or chickenshit mainstream media.

This part has not changed at all though - history proves that politicians and governments have been shaping the information we get and how we get it for years with the help of major media. What has changed is that the lies are more brazen and more obvious than ever before.

And now, in my opinion, the mainstream media has shown itself to be a willing proponent of the outright lies of government on a whole new level. Their cencorship and twisting of the information we get has made us complicit in horrendous crimes around the world.

Would the US be in Iraq killing over 100,000 civilians if the corporate media had reported that there were no WMD's, that there was no Saddam-Al Qiada link to us before the war, and that the Bush administration was lying about it all? They had to know - even online bloggers with no resources other than the internet knew. Christ, even I knew! Instead they towed the official line 'patriotically' and obediently.

Remember all the news shows with their "experts" on WMD's and the Middle East? Notice most were former military and governemt people? Or members of elitist 'think tanks'. Studies of the news coverage in the runup to the Iraq war show the media helped fuel the drive to war.

Do you know the truth about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians? I highly doubt it. Media coverage in North America is distorted to give a false view of what is really happening.

These are just two recent and ongoing examples of horrible things being done by governments and being covered up and/or distorted by our mainstream media. Now add on to all this stories about journalists being paid by the US government to write favorably here, here and here.

How long are we North Americans going to allow our views of the world to be controlled by government and media? How long will we go on leaving the lying rat-bastard politicians and corporate media editorial boards in power and unpunished?

We are victims of a constant disinformation campaign. But the real victims are the ones our governments are terrorizing based on lies we are accepting.

I don't think people would stand by and do nothing if they were told the truth in no uncertain terms. It is time to take the media to account along with the politicians and their lies and the crimes they mask.

Galloway Kicks Ass!!

British MP George Galloway testified to a US Senate sub-comittee investigation into the UN Oil for Food program today, and he was awesome. He basically told them he is not involved, and that they are responsible for the whole Iraq mess, and guilty of lying to justify it all.

Read here, here and here.

Full statement here.

Video excerpts here and here. (RealPlayer req.)

Nice job George!

Conservative Rising in Canada? Not yet.

So here in Canada we have political corruption at it's finest i'm told by the media. The Liberals have been stealing our money and sending it to Quebec for years - like that is truly a shock to English speaking Canada. Our Prime Minister says he wasn't involved, which is very beleivable - once you ignore the fact that he was the Finance Minister at the time.

Those on the right believe that this is their coming, that many voters will turn on the Liberals and vote Conservative. They also believe that if you vote Liberal you are voting for corruption and against a Canadian value (being honest) - they are wrong.

Canadians vote based on their morals, values and beleifs. We cannot be expected to vote against these just because the current bodies filling the suits in Ottawa are corrupt - all politicians of any significance are corrupt - and Canadians know this.

No matter which party has won past provincial or federal elections, we have always been told one thing during their election campaign, and been witness to actions after they take power that prove them to be lies for votes. So why would we vote against our values only to elect different politicians who we know from past experience will lie as well?

In my humble opinion, the only Canadian party (of significance) that is gaining from the current situation is the NDP. They finished a close second for some seats last year, and are more likely to get former Liberal voters than the Coservatives...the Liberal and NDP party morals/values are very similar after all.

And now the NDP are sitting on the edge of the Liberal bed starting to get undressed - by negotiating support for budget concessions. This can work to the benefit of the citizens of Canada, because the NDP pushes a more 'regular Joe working-class' agenda.

The other political party that is benefiting from this crap is the seperatist Bloc Quebecios. They will take Liberal seats in the next election and gain overall in Quebec. Seperation is coming, and it's coming faster than you think. This scandal the Liberals are mired in is certainly helping distance Quebec and the West from Ontario - which they see as the only reason the Liberals are in power.

With the NDP and Liberals hooking up to keep the government going about its agenda, and the Conservatives and the Bloc contemplating taking down the government together we have quite a clear line between sides.

The Conservatives and the Bloc have to team up to bring down the government down, but at the same time they also have to ensure they do not look too cozy in public. Quebecers don't want to see the Conservatives in power, because they think Harper will be too pro-American - and they are probably right. And the Conservatives cannot be seen to be helping the Bloc - who is all about making Quebec a soveriegn nation - gain more power and influence.

Quite a situation we have here. IMHO the Conservatives would be crazy to bring down the government right now. Canadians do not want an election right now and are not ready to go against their values to vote for Harper.

The best the Conservatives could hope for - and this is in a perfect world - is that enough people in Quebec would go to the Bloc from the Liberals, and that Liberal voters will go to them instead of the NDP. In this scenario, I think at best they could win a minority - and a shaky one at that.

They are best to bide their time and hope more of the crap flying around the Gomery Commission sticks to Paul Martin.

a quick one on canadian politics right now

So we have the Liberals canceling an opposition day, and the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc all making not so veiled threats to bring down the government in the short to medium term. Like they said, the gloves are off going forward.

Meanwhile at the Gomery Spend-a-thon, a whole bunch of crap is being tossed about and costing us a fortune, while they do their best to cover it up without it being obvious. I think right now it is like musical chairs to see who the fall guys are going to be....it remains to be seen who will be left standing when the music stops.

I have to say, I don't think the Conservatives will win with Stephen Harper as leader if Martin's government is brought down. Not only that, but I don't think Canadians are fed up enough with the Liberals to vote Conservative. Doing this means setting aside some core values.

As far as i'm concerned Jack Layton of the NDP is the most eloquent and charismatic leader of them all. Everytime I see him lately he is making good points - too bad i'm not sure they could build a viable government in the near future, and I think that is what most Canadians think too. They have to grow from the grassroots up.

So - depending on what happens with Gomery - the Conservatives will still not get the support in the east, the Bloc will dominate Quebec, and the Liberals will get just enough to form another minority government.

Iran or Bust

So off to Iran the U.S. is heading. Down the same path of lies, smears and misrepresentations that lead the nation to Iraq - just a little further this time.

The rhetoric is starting to flow from the likes of Bush, Cheney and Rice. The mainstream media and their shills are showing very little objectivity and are not challenging questionable statements. I don't get it on television, but i'm sure the loudmouth propaganda crew at Fox News is cheering the next war along, with their mostly undereducated, and all racist viewers nodding in agreement.

Meanwhile, both Iran and the IAEA report that Iran is compying with all requirements of the nuclear watchdog. The EU is using diplomacy to see the situation through peacefully, and Iran is threatening nobody. Sounds familiar to the very beginning of the runup to Iraq. Remember Hans Blix and Scott Ritter? Iraq has no weapons. Iraq is complying. They got invaded anyway.

Iran reports that they are well within their rights to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Why not, we in Canada have nuclear power plants so why not the Iranians? But the U.S. seems adamant on their 'facts' and 'intel' which tells them that Iran is developing the technology for weapons purposes. I agree that Iran would like nuclear weapons, and likely discusses and plans for it, but that is beside the point of whether or not the U.S. is going...it has nothing to do with me.

Obviously I would prefer if Iran didn't have nuclear weapons, but not because i'm worried about them using them. They can't use them unless they want to be turned into a glass parking lot as well, so that is out of the question. I just don't want to see more nukes on the planet than there already are.

But should they not have the same right to have a nuclear deterrent as the U.S. and the other nuclear powers? They are in an unstable region of the world, being on top of the U.S.'s oil and all. You'd want a strong deterrent too.

With the U.S. and Israel driving to strengthen their strategic hold over the region, and with Afghanistan and Iraq in the dust, the power base in Iran has no choice to work towards the only deterrent they see that will keep the U.S. at bay.

The U.S. and Israel have converging interests in seeing the leadership in Iran change, and will do whatever necessary to ensure Iran does not become a nuclear power and tip the balance of power in the most important region of the world in the early stages of declining oil supplies.

See you in Tehran. And i've never been to Damascus.

This Mess - Who's Fault? - The Media, and Yours.

Okay, enough is enough. I realize it's close to the anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp in Poland called Auschwitz, but there was much more to WWII than the Holocaust. Ever notice there is no German side to any of the stories?

I personally don't know what to believe when it comes to the true history of WWII, mainly because I realize that the history of a war is written by the victor. Here in North America our views of history have been shaped by government, media and the education system - and continue to be. You can see it daily by watching the news or reading the paper.

You may not realize it, but the presentation of news information is designed to intentionally lead you to a desired opinion. Take the Israel/Palestine issue in the middle east. Perhaps the most telling situation of all when it comes to opinion shaping in a society.

When reporting a suicide bombing against Israeli civilians, the western media does not put the situation in context...it is as simple as 'Palestinian militant blows self up killing X number of innocent Israeli civilians in the act'. Notice the use of the words militant and innocent. Now, if the story were to be given context it might go something like "Palestinian freedom fighter with no other available means of fighting the illegal Israeli occupation sacrifices own life to strike the enemy'. See the difference?

For some reason (a whole other story) those who control the flow of information in the west - especially in North America - have decided that no matter the truth of the situation, western societies should be led to believe that the Israeli's are the victims in the conflict. Any honest look at the conflict from it's beginnings up until present day shows that the Israeli's have been the aggressor, antagonist and chief benefactors of the occupation and the retaliation it brings.

It is this obvious attempt to shape western opinion on this one issue which led me to look further into other events of historical importance to find my own 'truth'. And this brings me to the Holocaust and how it has been and continues to be morphed into the only part of WWII which we should learn from and about.

At this point in time I would suggest that the part of WWII history which would be most important to have been taught is how Hitler rose to power, and how he manipulated the German people into supporting his actions. That certainly would have made it alot harder for the Bush regime to use the exact same methods to take unprecedented control over the U.S. and its government agencies, and lead the world down a dangerous path of unprovoked aggression.

The media manipulation is obvious every day. For example the neocons are denying they've stated as fact the connections between Saddam, WMD and Al Quiada...now it is liberation and democracy. Have you seen any mainstream media type point out the obviousness of how the story changes to suit the political climate, or changes to include facts that they can no longer ignore? We all remember the 'mushroom cloud over a U.S. city', or 'biological weapons attack on an American city which could kill millions' comments. Why does the mainstream media ask for explanations on why these comments were made? Why don't they point out all the obvious lies and contradictions?

The reason the world is in the position it is in is because of the control of information the mainstream media has, and the fact that they are beholden to corporate interests. It is more important to the New York Times or Washington Post to get advertising revenue from corporate America than to tell the truth of how corporate and government interests have merged to form a semi-Fascist government, which is using the military and financial assets of the American people to pursue its own economic interests.

In my opinion the government isn't to blame for the current mess in the Middle East, the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the corporate media, and the shills who call themselves journalists. If the people had all the facts without the spin, the Fascist police state would either still be working to take hold, or be put down for good. There will always be politicians with evil in their hearts, what we need to ensure is that there is always an honest media to bring this information to light so the public can make informed decisions.

If only people weren't too lazy to get information on their own, and base their opinions on their interpretation of facts rather than letting a stakeholder in the situation tell them what their opinion should be.

American values, and why they are inherently evil

This will be a short one today even though it has been almost two weeks. I have come to the conclusion that unless death, destruction and bigotry are to be considered values, America as a nation has none. Whether or not they ever had any is a whole other topic, and I am going to stick as close as I can to the title of this post.

If there were any values in America the majority of them wouldn't continue their daily lives as if nothing is wrong. But they do. They wouldn't get up in the morning and complain about the weather while their army was killing and pilaging another society on the other side of the earth. But they do. They wouldn't turn a blind eye to all the evidence proving it was lies the Bush regime used to justify the killing and stealing and then re-elect them again. But they did.

America is a nation of arrogance, ignorance, hatred and greed. They pat themselves on the back and keep telling themselves they are good and right, meanwhile the vast majority of the rest of the world sees them for what they are....arrogant, ignorant, biggoted and greedy.

Wake up America, you still see yourselves as leaders of a free world but you are nothing but ignorant thugs.

Newfoundland and their whining

So Newfoundland is whining because the feds won't let them keep all of their oil revenue. They say it's their's blah blah blah. CBC just showed viewer comments and one lady from B.C. says something like "it's theirs so they should get to keep the cash". Here's a clue lady, because you obviously don't have one.
If our confederation worked that way there would be next to no infrastructure anywhere but Ontario. That's why there is something called Equalization. You know, that plan where Ontario gives and everyone else takes? The one where Quebec somehow always gets a better deal than everyone else? Sound familiar yet?
The truth is that your province - (B.C.) - is in line for over $800 million this year. Where do you think that money comes from? It comes from us - Ontario. More recently Alberta has joined us in contributing to equalization, but for the most part we have been sharing the wealth all along, mostly on our own.
Now, we look at Newfoundland and some recent equalization history. Between 1994 and 1998 Newfoundland recieved over 40 cents in equalization money for every dollar in provincial revenue. So basically, for every dollar Newfoundland took in, Ontario gave them another 40 odd cents.
So now I think it is self explanatory why Newfoundland should not be able to keep all their oil revenues to themselves. After being on the tit for so long you would think they would show some gratitude towards those of us who could have more if not for equalization and the idea of sharing the wealth.

Book Review (sorta, not really)

So i'm currently reading 'Crossing the Rubicon : The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil' by Michael C. Ruppert. This type of thing is right up my alley - books i've read recently include 'The Sorrows of Empire' , 'Killing Hope:US Military and CIA Interventions Since WWII', 'The Best Democracy Money Can Buy', and 'Seeds of Fire'.
There's nothing better to awaken you to how the world really works than to read it for yourself, with endnotes and appendix's to back it all up. This is why I am so cynical. I see outright lies accepted as truth, the sheeple too dazed and confused by media spin to see the wolves for what they are.
Anyway, this book is more thorough than anything i've seen in providing the evidence and tying it together - obviously the fact that Ruppert is a former LAPD detective helps. It kicks it at a little under 700 pages, but surprisinly it is not a hard read. If you are interested in this type of thing, you know - the truth behind the news - then you find it hard to put down.
If this type of thing doesn't interest you, then all I can say is I hope life is better for you with your blinders on, or in your little bubble or whatever you do to pretend it's all okay and the world isn't going to be left more dangerous for your children.
Wake up America. Peace.

Bring on *hl hockey! And stop stupid illegal wars!

I hope the show i'm watching on the History channel here in Canada is being broadcast in the U.S. It is called "Ghosts of War" and it is sort of a documentary on a journalists experiences covering war in Vietnam, as he draws parallels to the U.S. in Iraq today. And i'm also watching a St. John's Maple Leafs game against Edmonton (AHL game).

Anyway, like I said - I really hope "Ghosts of War" is being broadcast south of the border. They really need to look at the current situation in Iraq and see through the media spin. They are in the wrong, they are losing, and they have to look for a way out. Hopefully seeing this program and being able to see similarities with the current war will stir them to seek more information on the lies that led them to an unjust and sickening imperial quest.

Anyway, back to the game. St. John's is winning 1-0, but it's only the first intermission so there is lot's of hockey left to play. Speaking of hockey, I sort of hope the NHL folds and a new league emerges with hard and fast salary rules, and a commitment to calling play by the book. Start up right away with say 18 - 24 teams with a salary cap at $25-30 million, and see how fast the NHLPA members do an about face and come streaming back. They will have no other choice.

Staying in Europe is not an option for these guys. First of all there is the mindset, which will be hard to shake, that this is only temporary - to "keep in shape". No matter what any of them say, you can be guaranteed that none of them went over there with the expectation of staying for the long term.

Second, the lure of coming home will weigh heavy. Yes, I know that many of these players have brought their families over, and as nice as it may seem right now to be living in a different society, coming home to the lifestyle they are accustomed to will win out. Plus, once the same or better money is again available here why stay there?

Third - and this is just my prediction - I think the European leaques will enact rules to limit the number of foreign players that can be signed. Like Canada, they hold hockey in high regard and put resources into their national development programs. If they see a danger to thier national programs they will act.

Anyway, Rummy is telling me that "it's a different time, it's a different place". Okay Rummy. Some stats that just flashed on the screen - 58,000 dead, 120,000 verteran suicides after the war, 1/3 of the fighting force addicted to drugs. How could Americans not learn from this kind of lesson? They got spanked by the Vietnamese, and remained arrogant, learning nothing.

I'm switching back to hockey, I already know how wrong the U.S. is in Iraq, and have read enough about their past crusades to skip the rest of this show. Right on - 5 minute powerplay for St. John's early in the second, still 1-0. Go Leafs!

Why I am cheering for Iraqi insurgents AND the American invaders

So the U.S. has invaded a country based on lies. They've arbitrarily charged and arrested members of a soveriegn government, and caused the deaths of more than 100,000 innocent civilians. Over and over again their "smart bombs" kill innocent civilians. Over and over again we see reports of war crimes against the Iraqi's and their liberation force. And make no mistake - it is a liberation force supported by the majority of the population.
The average citizen hears reports of U.S. bombs killing a wedding party, hitting the wrong house and killing its innocent occupants. They see that since the U.S. invasion their country has fallen into anarchy, and it is likely someone they know has been killed. Why would they not want to help those who are fighting back against the foriegn enemy? And dont' think there isn't a strong memory of Gulf War 1 and the unillateral sanctions by the U.S. and U.K. just recently lifted once 'control' was established. These people have every reason to want the occupiers killed or kicked out of their country.
The point I am trying to make is that if you look at the hard facts objectively, and non-biasedly, you can come to no conclusion other than siding and supporting the Iraqi liberation forces. They are doing what I hope I and my fellow Canadians would do if we were invaded and our resources exployted - fight back using all means necessary.
But I think we must also support the average American soldiers. They are the ones who are being killed and crippled in war of choice, based on lies, and getting worse by the day. No fake election is going to change anything in Iraq other than solidifying the defiance and determination of the resistance when the elections are seen to be fraudulent - or in the case of officials elected who are against the U.S. occupation - ignored by the 'coalition of the willing'. You don't actually think they will let an anti-U.S. candidates form a government do you?
As a Canadian there is not too much I can do. But i'll tell you one thing - Americans should be organizing in huge numbers to wrestle control of their nation's destiny out of the hands of those rich maniacs who care not about them, but only about corporate control of the worlds wealth. I wish they'd hurry up and awake to the reality of a Fascist government, before they wake up to death and destruction coming home to roost on a large scale. The rest of the world will not allow their corpo-imperial ambitions to go unchallenged, and the average Joe American is eventually going to reap what their government sows.

I can read tab, i'm just lazy

So I've been playing guitar for a while now, and am competent enough that I can play and sing quite a few songs. But I use the chord files available online at places like Ultimate-Guitar.com rather than the Tab files. The problem is that my friends (the guys I jam with) both use tab and although I tell them I can't read it, I can - i'm just too lazy.
Sure the tab is usually more accurate and allows you to learn the solo's, but i'm not looking to play a flawless rendition of the song. I just want to be good enough to be able to play around a campfire on my parents beach, play some good jams with Stu and Devo, or do some rhythm at one of Bayford's cottage jambourie's for those two. I'm not looking to be the go to guy here, just to be involved in an overall good sound. The chord files allow me to do this. Plus once I learn the songs with them I can play around myself and pick up on things I didn't notice earlier.
I really like Jack Johnson and Donavon Frankenreiter, and can play some Jack songs pretty decently. I've also recently learned and am trying to improve on 3 Donavon songs, and with all the time i've put in trying to play it like the album i've realized that you can play their songs a little wee different, and they still sound great. That is the beauty of their music.
If you've heard live versions of any of their songs (like the stuff available here) you know they play their songs different all the time, and they always sound great.
So. My friends can have their tab. I am happy with being able to play a few songs good, and a whole bunch good enough. Speaking of playing guitar....

The greatest story of our lifetime...

The greatest story of our lifetime is happening right now, as we sit back and watch on tv. The images that have been flashed all over the internet, television screens, newspapers and magazines give us a sense of the devastation. We hear numbers like 155, 000 dead so far, with over 50,000 of them being children.
This isn't the current US oil/military push in Iraq and Afganistan i'm talking about. It's the tsunami caused by a 9.0 strength earthquake in the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day 2004.
This is death and destruction on a massive scale that man had nothing to do with for once . With one swift move, the earth and its natural processes have shown us that it doesn't take wars over dwindling natural resources to cause massive death and destruction. As Colin Powell said, he's seen war, but nothing he's seen compares to the destruction wreaked by the tsunami of Boxing Day 2004.
This disaster has wiped out entire families and villages. Those left behind have not only lost loved ones, but have lost their homes and livelyhoods. Nature can wipe away any evidence of your existense in the blink of an eye without warning.
We are seeing nations and governments step up with what seems like huge amounts of aid. We are seeing and will continue to see a great outpouring of grief and shock from all parts of the world.
But the skeptic in me knows that the amounts given in aid will be dwarfed by the amount those same nations spend on their man made tools of destruction. If only the masses would look at it in this context, and demand more from their governments.
What a shame when death is a higher priority than life come budget time, and most of us don't even realize it.

A New First

Well i'm jumping into the blog world, feet first - but here none the less. I've seen some diary type blogs, breaking news blogs and political op-ed blogs. This will be a combination of all - and likely more. Basically i'm going to post whatever is on my mind for whoever to see, and if you like you can post a comment. Here goes...