Shooting the Quran

President Bush has apologized to Iraq's prime minister for an American sniper's shooting of a Quran and the U.S. military said Sunday that it had disciplined the sniper and removed him from Iraq after he was found to have used Islam's holy book for target practice.

Iraqi police found the bullet-riddled Quran with graffiti inside the cover on a firing range near a police station in Radwaniyah, a former insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad. Members of the local U.S.-allied group said the Quran was found with 14 bullet holes in a field after U.S. troops withdrew from a base in the area.

Al-Maliki's office said the Iraqi Cabinet called on Tuesday for the "severest" punishment against the sniper and warned of "grave consequences" if similarly offensive actions were committed in the future.

On Tuesday, Khalaf al-Elyan, a senior Sunni Arab lawmaker, said the sniper must stand trial, preferably in Baghdad.

I wonder what they mean by "severest punishment"? Is this Death? 5, 10, 15, 20 years in jail? This soldiers actions were culturally insensitive, stupid, and wrong... but would we be having this conversation if he were shooting a Bible? A Torah? 40 churches have been bombed by militants in Iraq since June 26th, 2004... where was the global outrage then?

There is no doubt that the soldier in question should be punished, but the question is for what? Use of an unauthorized target on a military range? Violation of general orders regarding culturally insensitive behavior? Certainly not for shooting a book. It's a book, you know, paper, cardboard, maybe some leather or some leatherette, little bit of glue, some ink. It's the message inside that's important...and somehow, I think, the bullets did very little damage to that.

The Al-Arabiya article had a quote from 'Muslim scholars' that is probably the best route. "Everyone is reminded that God protects his book and his revenge is strong," the scholars said.

Sounds like a good idea to me... It's his book, let him handle it.

~Finntann~

By George I Think He's Got It

A must read from Senator Joe Lieberman in the Wall Street Journal on the ails of the Democratic Party.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121132806884008847.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries

What ever happened to the Democratic Party of Roosevelt, Truman, and Kennedy?

What ever happened to the party whose philosophy was:

"it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." Harry Truman

"pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of freedom." John F Kennedy

The End of Democracy?

Here is an interesting thought to ponder, right now Barack Obama has 1610 pledged delegates and Hilary Clinton has 1443 and the DNC requires 2025 delegates for a candidate to win the nomination. Left on the table are the following states, 5/20 Kentucky (51) and Oregon (52), 6/01 Puerto Rico (55), 6/03 South Dakota (15) and Montana (16). Which according to my calculations means there are only 189 voter delegates left, it's not going to happen, but giving all the delegates to either of the candidates results in: Obama 1799 or Clinton 1632, both short of the 2025 required to win the nomination.

What does this all mean? What it means is that the Democratic nomination for the President of the United States will be determined by some combination of the 795 super-delegates created by the party. That means that the Democratic nominee will be chosen by 19 Distinguished Party Leaders, 31 Democratic Governors, 48 Members of the Senate, 223 Members of the House, 398 Democratic National Committee members, and the 76 unpledged add-ons (usually party state chairs, etc).

The problem in this entire scenario is that the super-delegates, created by the party, are unpledged... meaning they may vote their conscience and do not have to follow the will of the people. The problem is that the people get 3253 and the party gets 795, that works out to approximately a 75/25 percent split, so 795 people get 25 percent of the say in who the next presidential party candidate is. Not exactly what I think our founding fathers intended when they established this Federal Republic of ours.

What is the worst case scenario here? Obama gets the popular vote and Clinton gets the nomination (Don't think it can't happen... the Clinton's have a lot of friends in the DNC, and simply because an unpledged delgate declares for a candidate doesn't mean they have to vote for them come convention time). As of right now Obama has 303 and Clinton has 278 'pledged' super-delegates. All this comes down to is a very interesting convention this August in Denver.

It means, that no matter what, the Democratic nominee is going to be the result of back-door political politics, decided not by the people but by party officials.

Only time shall tell where we go from there.

~Finntann~

The Thought Police

A Dutch political cartoonist was arrested this week on suspicion of insulting people. According to Amsterdam public prosecutor spokeswoman Sanne van Meteren, "We suspect him of insulting people on the basis of their race or belief, and possibly also of inciting hate."

Each is a crime punishable by up to a year in prison under Dutch hate speech laws — or two years for multiple offenses.

According to the news article he was arrested with a great show of force, by ten policemen. This is a reasonable precaution as everyone knows that cartoonists are the worst kind of criminal there is... "Look out... he's got a Crayon"!

Gee, I hope the Dutch don't find that insulting... maybe they'll come after me, but then again... I could just run! How fast can they chase after me in wooden shoes afterall?

Alas, it seems that Dutch authorities have already silenced him, as most of the links to his work now return a 404 error. Although if you speak dutch, there is an interview available on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9API1RH5ak

Hate Speech laws are a dangerous road to tread upon, tantamount to book burnings. Have we so abrogated personal responsibility in the west as to now convict those who 'incite' violence by words as opposed to those who commit violence by 'actions'?

Ostensibly, EU hate speech laws are a product of Nazi policies and a well intentioned policy to protect minorities, specifically Jews, yet how far do we go? True, freedom of speech does not extend, to use an overused analogy, to yelling 'Fire' in a crowded theater... but are we now to ban cartoons of 'fires' in crowded theaters?

We are far too accommodating, and losing our culture and principles as a result. It is curious that Gregorius Nekschot has been arrested for mocking Muslims, as he over the years has pretty much mocked everyone... Christians, Jews, Leftists, Socialists, pretty much anything or anyone he considers to be going to extremes... but then again, the rest of us aren't going off killing people and blowing things up because we have been offended.

The Reconquista needs to start now!

~Finntann~

Alo Presidente

Well, despite all his rhetoric to the contrary, it seems Hugo Chavez has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar again.

Interpol has confirmed that he computer equipment and data seized by Colombia was not tampered with and did indeed link Venezuela to the FARC rebels in Colombia.

"We are absolutely certain that the computer exhibits that our experts examined came from a FARC terrorist camp," said Interpol's secretary general, Ronald Noble, adding: "No one can ever question whether or not the Colombian government tampered with the seized FARC computers." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24651806/

Meanwhile, Hugo rants and raves calling the Interpol announcement a show of clowns.

The populist crackpot has also warned Colombia about allowing a US base in the region, calling it an act of aggression.

And this is the man Barack Obama has announced his intention to meet with one on one... an internationally proven state sponsor of terrorism and an elected official of questionable legitimacy. I am left wondering who is standing further to the left.

Colorado's "Personhood"

Barring legal halts, the following amendment to the Colorado Constitution should be on the ballot this fall and in a world of confusing legal jargon it's simplicity sets it apart:

Section 31. Person defined. As used in sections 3, 6, and 25 of Article II of the state constitution, the terms "person" or "persons" shall include any human being from the moment of fertilization.

The articles affected, as cited above are:

Section 3. Inalienable rights. All persons have certain natural, essential and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; and of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness.

Section 6. Equality of justice. Courts of justice shall be open to every person, and a speedy remedy afforded for every injury to person, property or character; and right and justice should be administered without sale, denial or delay.

Section 25. Due process of law. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law. '

More information may be found at: http://www.coloradoforequalrights.com/

The Worst in Politics

Steven Ybarra, democratic super-delegate has offered his vote...for $20 million.

http://cbs13.com/local/Superdelegate.Vote.Ybarra.2.718616.html
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iyFKKPMWWE3914VCwkVV7XndqacgD90H0F203

Ostensibly, he wishes to use the money to register and educate Mexican-American voters.

This has got to be the most disgusting behavior I have seen yet, I am totally and utterly appalled. This man belongs in jail for he is the epitome of corruption...and if his behavior under federal and state law is not illegal, it ought to be.

You might argue that his motives are just and he is not seeking personal gain...but is he? Undoubtedly, as a Democratic super-delegate, his intent is to register and educate these Mexican-American voters to be good democratic party voters. I seriously doubt he is out there registering voters for the Republican party. In the end, is his intent not to get another 1.3 million (his figure not mine) democratic voters out there for the presidential election? Is his personal gain not getting his party into office? Welcome to the new Tammany Hall!

This is the perfect illustration of the 'rot' in American politics, and the perfect reason to get rid of super-delegates. What is a super-delegate after all? Whatever happened to 1 man 1 vote? Now the political elite of both parties are given undue influence in our government as a form of political patronage. It is estimated that right now, the vote of a super-delegate is worth the vote of 10,000 of the common man. Is this what we fought a revolution for? This disgusting subversion of our democratic ideals?

This is behavior worthy of the backroom political machinations of the Kremlin, not the world's bastion of democracy. I for one am outraged and utterly ashamed, as an American, of this despicable and abhorrent political intrigue.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, unless you kiss enough posteriors in your political party in which case we'll make you a super-delegate.

~Outraged~

Operation Chaos

Operation Chaos is a proposal by conservative radio talk host Rush Limbaugh urging Republican voters to cross party lines and vote for Hillary Clinton in an attempt to prolong the Democratic Party race. Not that both candidates still running on the Democratic side aren't urging this themselves... hey, a vote is a vote, but is this how far we have sunk in American politics?

Talk of charges of election fraud in Ohio are unlikely to come to any fruition as it is virtually impossible to prove intent, so unless someone confesses to the felony you are unlikely to see anything come out of the talk. Ohio requires cross-over voters to 'swear' allegiance to the principles of the party they are crossing over to register with. As Rush jokes...principles? What principles?

It seems that principles are lacking all the way around if this is what American politics has become. It is one thing to urge members of the opposite party to come over to your side, quite another to specifically cast a vote simply to be an obstructionist. The Democratic party already seems to be headed towards a meltdown of Civil War proportions (Election of 1860)...do they really a push from Republicans?

An interesting twist, the Republican nightmare that is unlikely to occur, would be a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket. While neither candidate would likely support such a ticket... it would make for a very interesting November.

~Finntann~

Who's Racist or Sexist Now

Curious results, or perhaps not so curious, from election polls in Indiana and North Carolina.

For white men in Indiana the number are 58/41 Clinton/Obama, and white women 61/39.

Overwhelmingly, black men and women are supporting Obama 92/8.

Not much difference financially, contrasting the lowest bracket to highest the numbers range from 57/43 to 54/46 in favor of Clinton.

In North Carolina the number are only a little different.

White men in NC are supporting Clinton 54/40 while white women are at 64/32.

Overwhelmingly, black men in NC are supporting Obama 92/6 and black women 91/5

If you would like to see all the exit poll results, go here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21660890

Overall, from state to state, it seems that blacks are overwhelmingly supporting Obama generally at an 85/15 ratio ( this is just a guestimate on my part, as his numbers range from the high 70's to the low 90's). Still, it seems to indicate that race is a major factor in the black vote. An interesting point is that 81% of those polled said race was not important, and while 8% of blacks and whites said race was a factor, only 24% of blacks said it was not, while 54% of whites said it was not.

Some interesting, although possibly somewhat controversial, statistics, although certainly something to get you thinking.

~Finntann~

The Fifth of May

The history of the 5th of May:

In 1215, the rebel barons renounced their support of King John leading to the signing of the Magna Carta.

Christopher Columbus lands on Jamaica in 1494, claiming it in the name of Spain.

Mexican troops defeat the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

The civil war Battle of the Wilderness began on this day pitting U.S Grant against Robert E Lee in the beginning of the Union's Virginia Overland Campaign of 1864.

In 1865 the first train robbery in the U.S took place.

West Germany gained sovereignty on this day in 1955.

May 5th is Europe Day... celebrating the founding of the Council of Europe in 1949

The 27th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified...202 years after it's initial submission in 1789.

Cheers!

~Finntann~

The Pendulum Swings Left & Right

Does Labour's worst local election results in forty years indicate a swing to the right? Dropping to only a projected 24% share of the national vote now places Labour in third, behind the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Labor suffered a loss of 331 seats in local elections in England and Wales.

The question then becomes, is this any indication of where the general American election will go?

An interesting idea to contemplate is whether or not the general population is voting based on principle, or whether simply in a reactionary fashion. Labour, in power in the UK, suffers a significant loss... is this due to the abandonment of Labour's principles by the population at large, or simply due to the current state of dissatisfaction with the economy, taxes, bank-bailouts, and immigration problems. Could it be that these same issues will prompt a shift to the right in the UK while simultaneously causing a shift to the left in the US? Are we voting for principles? Or against the incumbents?

We define ourselves as Democrat or Republican, Libertarian or Authoritarian... but how much difference is there between parties as opposed to candidates? An interesting take on this can be found at http://www.politicalcompass.org/. Take the test if you care to see how they rate you, but more specifically, check out their ratings of the US Primaries... in which 16 of 19 recognized candidates are firmly in the Authoritarian Right block. (Not sure what to think of their methodology, as they placed me, close to the cross-hairs (Centrist?) in the Libertarian Right quadrant).

Is this clustering to the Authoritarian Right indicative of anything other than our common American and/or Western values? World-wide the majority of political figures wind up in this same quadrant. An interesting point to note, is that in playing around with the compass test I had to go to (what I consider) extremes to push my score to the outside edges, which is either indicative of a centrist bias on the test, or a personal centrist bias... I'm not sure which (lol).

I would be curious to know if the candidates positions on the chart are a result of participation, or an analysis by others... and if by analysis, how much reliability can we place in the assessment.

~Finntann~

Trinity United Church of Christ

If you'd like to see for yourself, go here: http://www.tucc.org/, some quotes from their website:

"We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian", "We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization."

"Black theology is one of the many theologies in the Americas that became popular during the liberation theology movement. They include Hispanic theology, Native American theology, Asian theology and Womanist theology."

First of all, let me begin by stating that all of us (Americans) ought to be rightly proud of our distinct and varied heritages. I come from, and approach Christianity from, a distinctly Irish background, a people I might add that have been oppressed since the Norman invasion of 1169.

Now we are all familiar with the various 'Christian' theologies, be they Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, Baptist, etc., theologies divided over theological matters. Should we be practicing 'Christian' theologies that are divided over race? country of origin?

Think long and hard on the connotations of 'White Church', 'White Christian', 'White Theology'.

Now, contemplate labelling yourself as such. Should we have a different reaction to the terms white theology and black theology? Should we be more tolerant of a black theology than a white theology? Don't get me wrong, I am not implying that they are equivalent terms. White theology is indisputably racist, but how racist is a church that identifies itself as "Unashamedly Black"? Is it any less than a church that identifies itself as 'unashamedly white'?

Then imagine hearing the following: "We are a European people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization."

It is human nature to form into groups, we tend to group and associate with those 'just like us'. It is why we have Italian neighborhoods, Irish neighborhoods, Chinatowns, and the like. But, is this separatism what we should be striving for? Or should we be embracing a more cosmopolitan philosophy?

Separatism and grouping lend political and social power to our endeavors, a unified group is much more powerful than a collection of individuals. The question then becomes, along what lines should we be grouping? Seen any 'white business councils' lately? If so, what did you think?

In the infancy of our great nation we were Pennsylvanians, Virginians, New Englanders... and this, our founding fathers recognized, was the greatest threat to the new republic. How many people do you know today that identify themselves as a Virginian? Perhaps as a small and insignificant label connotating pride of origin, but not with much meaning attached. If overseas, and asked, you will undoubtedly label yourself an American... why not at home.

Should we not be striving towards unification as opposed to polarization?

The American melting pot seems to be forming layers, do we not need a good politician who can stir the pot.

~Finntann~