News & Events - August 2006

2006-08-15 10:57:09 · 1 answers · asked by terry_gos_fst 1 in Other - News & Events

charge with a first degree

2006-08-15 10:50:34 · 4 answers · asked by NeedhelpforSis 1 in Media & Journalism

No liquids. what are your thoughts?

2006-08-15 10:49:45 · 10 answers · asked by *ShErBeRt* 1 in Current Events

I am going alone for my Girl Scout Silver Award project. I would really like to raise money to make a donation to the UNHCR, except I am working alone and I need a great fundraising idea. If you have any suggestions please tell me, I need a miracle here!

2006-08-15 10:18:58 · 9 answers · asked by Alexa 2 in Current Events

and Bush says, "Whad'l'ya have, pardner?" and Osama says...

But wait a minute. I'd better shut my mouth. The sign here in the airport says, "Security is no joking matter." But if security's no joking matter, why does this guy dressed in a high-school marching band outfit tell me to dump my Frappuccino and take off my shoes? All I can say is, Thank the Lord the "shoe bomber" didn't carry Semtex in his underpants.

Today's a RED and ORANGE ALERT day. How odd. They just caught the British guys with the chemistry sets. But when these guys were about to blow up airliners, the USA was on YELLOW alert. That's a "lowered" threat notice.

According to the press office from the Department of Homeland Security, lowered-threat Yellow means that there were no special inspections of passengers or cargo. Isn't it nice of Mr. Bush to alert Osama when half our security forces are given the day off? Hmm. I asked an Israeli security expert why his nation doesn't use these pretty color codes.

He asked me if, when I woke up, I checked the day's terror color.

"I can't say I ever have. I mean, who would?"

He smiled. "The terrorists."

America is the only nation on the planet that kindly informs bombers, hijackers and berserkers the days on which they won't be monitored. You've got to get up pretty early in the morning to get a jump on George Bush's team.

There are three possible explanations for the Administration's publishing a good-day-for-bombing color guidebook.

1. God is on Osama's side.

2. George is on Osama's side.

3. Fear sells better than sex.

A gold star if you picked #3.

The Fear Factory

I'm going to tell you something which is straight-up heresy: America is not under attack by terrorists. There is no WAR on terror because, except for one day five years ago, al Qaeda has pretty much left us alone.

That's because Osama got what he wanted. There's no mystery about what Al Qaeda was after. Like everyone from the Girl Scouts to Bono, Osama put his wish on his web site. He had a single demand: "Crusaders out of the land of the two Holy Places." To translate: get US troops out of Saudi Arabia.

And George Bush gave it to him. On April 29, 2003, two days before landing on the aircraft carrier Lincoln, our self-described "War President" quietly put out a notice that he was withdrawing our troops from Saudi soil. In other words, our cowering cowboy gave in whimpering to Osama's demand.

The press took no note. They were all wiggie over Bush's waddling around the carrier deck in a disco-aged jump suit announcing, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED." But it wasn't America's mission that was accomplished, it was Osama's.

Am I saying there's no danger, no threat? Sure there is: 46 million Americans don't have health insurance. IBM is legally stealing from its employees' pension plan and United Airlines has dumped its pensions altogether. Four-million three-hundred thousand Americans were injured, made sick or killed by their jobs last year. TXU Corporation is right now building four monster-sized power plants in Texas that will burn skuzzy gunk called "lignite." The filth it will pour into the sky will snuff a heck of a lot more Americans than some goofy group of fanatics with bottles of hydrogen peroxide.

But Americans don't ask for real protection from what's killing us. The War on Terror is the Weapon of Mass Distraction. Instead of demanding health insurance, we have 59 million of our fellow citizens pooping in their pants with fear of Al Qaeda, waddling to the polls, crying, "Georgie save us!"

And what does he give us? In my own small town, the federal government has paid for loading an SUV with .50 caliber machine guns to watch for an Al Qaeda attack at the dock of the ferry that takes tourists to the Indian casino in Connecticut. The casino dock is my town's officially designated "Critical Asset and Vulnerability Infrastructure Point (CAVIP)." (To find the most vulnerable points to attack in the USA, Al Qaeda can download a list from the Department of Homeland Security -- no kidding.)

But that's not all. Bush is protecting us from English hijackers with a fearsome anti-terrorist tool: the Virginia-class submarine. The V-boat was originally meant to hunt Soviet subs. But there are no more Soviet subs. So, General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin have "refitted" these Cold War dinosaurs with new torpedoes redesigned to carry counter-terror commandoes. That's right: when we find Osama's beach house, we can shoot our boys right up under his picnic table and take him out. These Marines-in-a-tube injector boats cost $2.5 billion each -- and our President's ordered half a dozen new ones.

Lynn Cheney, the Veep's wife, still takes in compensation from Lockheed as a former board member. I'm sure that has nothing to do with this multi-billion dollar "anti-terror" contract.

Fear sells better than sex. Fear is the sales pitch for many lucrative products: from billion-dollar sailor injectors to one very lucrative war in Mesopotamia (a third of a trillion dollars doled out, no audits, no questions asked).

Better than toothpaste that makes our teeth whiter than white, this stuff will make us safer than safe. It's political junk food, the cheap filling in the flashy tube. What we don't get is safety from the real dangers: a life-threatening health-care system, lung-murdering pollution production and a trade deficit with China that's reducing mid-America to coolie status. Protecting us from these true threats would take a slice of the profits of the Lockheeds, the Exxons and the rest of the owning class.

War on Terror is class war by other means -- to keep you from asking for real protection from true menace, the landlords of our nation give you fake protection from manufactured dangers. And they remind you to be afraid every time you fly to see Aunt Millie and have to give up your hemorrhoid ointment to the underpaid guy in the bell-hop suit with a security badge.

Oh, hey, you never got the punch line.
So, Osama Walks into This Bar, See? and Bush says, "Whad'l'ya have, pardner?" and Osama says, "Well, George, what are you serving today?" and Bush says, "Fear," and Osama shouts, "Fear for everybody!" and George pours it on for the crowd. Then the presidential bartender says, "Hey, who's buying?" and Osama points a thumb at the crowd sucking down their brew. "They are," he says. And the two of them share a quiet laugh.

2006-08-15 10:08:06 · 4 answers · asked by i see 1 in Current Events

2006-08-15 09:46:58 · 23 answers · asked by onelove 1 in Current Events

2006-08-15 09:33:53 · 33 answers · asked by spidermike 2 in Current Events

99% of terrorist attacks from 2000 until 2006 were conducted by Muslims with Arab backgrounds. Why not single them out from the rest? People who look Arab should be singled out and searched because of their race, don't you think?

2006-08-15 09:32:32 · 12 answers · asked by skifaster6666 1 in Current Events

A 13 year old boy in Fallon got hit by a truck while riding his bike. Does anyone know his name? I'm worried, cuz I have friends in fallon, and yes, they are 13 year old boys....

2006-08-15 09:27:19 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Current Events

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE?

Arabs and the Racial Lessons of 9/11
By Carol Chehade
Special to SeeingBlack.com

Talk about race relations and Black politics! Click here.
Profiled, feared, detained, assaulted, accused, interrogated, harassed, hated, and collectivized since 9-11, Arab Americans have suddenly known what it feels like to be temporarily Black. Although it is wrong to treat Arab Americans like criminals, we shouldn't be surprised when we are treated in ways African Americans have been treated for centuries. Still, many in my Arab American community are surprised when we are treated un-White. We figured that if we played by the racial rules of this country, we would be bypassed in receiving some of the bigotry that Blacks routinely receive.

Yet, that old cliché of what goes around comes around finally showed itself to be more than another cliché. The backlash we're now receiving is from the same whip we've borrowed to lash out against African Americans. Currently, the Arab American community is having a hard time trying to figure out why we've been racially demoted from ethnic house slave to ethnic field slave. I am less disappointed in how my ethnic group has been signaled out and more disappointed in how we have been pathetically courting the very White privilege that has the power to decide which group will be signaled out. We need to be completely honest as Arab Americans and ask ourselves whether or not we have been ethnic models of anti-racism. My heart tells me no. Although 9-11 represents many things to different people, one of its most interesting features is how the events after 9-11 can gauge how far we've come in understanding the disease of racism.

As I walked through diverse neighborhoods in New York City shortly after the carnage of 9-11, I noticed many non-Black people of color had aggressively decorated their homes and vehicles with American flags. The more immigrants in the area or the more the residents resembled Arabs, the more flags I saw lightly fluttering in the air. I thought to myself that it is too bad Black people can not lightly wave their flags in the air whenever members from their own race experienced problems. Unlike Arab Americans, the flag that African Americans know is so heavily drenched in blood and tears that it can never lightly flutter anywhere. Looking at how Arab Americans use flags reminds me of the Biblical story of God instructing the Hebrews to mark their doors with blood so that the wrath of God would bypass them.

Like countless immigrant communities before 9-11, many Arab Americans freely participated in covert and overt acts of racism against African Americans. This is no secret to Black people who already know that Arab Americans have the same type of superiority complex that European Americans do. This superiority complex is not only evident in the way we act toward Black people but in the way we choose to disassociate ourselves from their community. Our disassociation would not be so evident if we weren't ruthlessly trying to move up the racial hierarchy so that we can be closer to Whiteness. Unfortunately, every non-Black immigrant group has worked hard to secure a so-called respectable place above Blacks on the racial hierarchy. When groups like Italians, Jews, Hispanics, Asians, and now Arabs have faced their turn to be questioned on their allegiance to upholding the caste structure, few fully challenged the legitimacy of this racist pre-condition to be accepted as Americans.

As the Arab American community contends with the discrimination we're facing, we have been a little more sympathetic about some of the issues African Americans have always contended with, but which we did not believe until they started happening to us. Instead of seeing the bigger picture of racism by creating permanent and stronger ties with the Black community, we often use such ties as a temporary refuge, a temporary residence where we find people sensitive to our plight. I say temporary because we are not trying to stay "Black." In contrast, the only impermanent feelings we have toward Whites is that our eviction from Whiteness is nothing more than a temporary inconvenience. As long as we repay our dues by not challenging Whiteness in any real way then Whites, in exchange, will trust us again and re-induct us back into the racial position we held prior to 9-11. History has shown us that as long as we follow the formula of selling out our color to the highest bidder, then Whiteness will accept us back quicker than they will Blacks.

The proof of us using Blacks as temporary residence is exemplified in the way that we are more concerned with bigotry toward our community without facing the racism that comes from our community. If we really wanted the Black community as a permanent residence, then we'd put more effort and care to resolve our issues. An analogy is that if a man does not truly care for a woman, rarely will he take the time to explore her complexities because he knows he's only with her temporarily. Arabs have a lazy attitude in relations with Blacks because we are simply buying time in order to invest in the desired habitat of Whiteness. We become another of a long line of people who use the Black community and then discard it for something perceived as better. As a result, we invalidate our cries of discrimination by perpetuating the very thing of which we complain. Our temporary exile from Whiteness should serve as a wake-up call as to whether we want to be re-instated into a racial hierarchy that wields so much unearned power.

We look so racially arrogant when we complain to Black people about our brushes with bigotry. Stereotypes against Arab Americans have never been powerful enough to enslave us. An international event had to take place for the eyes of Whiteness to look down upon us, whereas those very eyes have been obsessively watching Blackness despite Black people having done nothing. It took the worst terrorist attack on American soil for Arab Americans to be mistreated, whereas all it took for African Americans to be mistreated was to be on American soil. If Black Africans instead Arabs had brought terrorism to our shores, there would have been a race war in this country. And judging by the way the Arab American community has treated African Americans, I don't think the majority of us would jeopardize our climb up the racial hierarchy be siding with them.

With all of the ignorance the Arab American community has been victim to, we still haven't fully learned our racial lessons due to the fact we still want our full Whiteness back. One of the most seductive privileges of Whiteness is that it allows us to blend back into the racial comfort zone where we're not constantly questioned. All non-Black people of color have been able to enjoy this, albeit conditional, racial comfort zone. Being a "minority" has less to do with what we look like and more to do with how we think. A real minority means someone who destroys the power of Whiteness. Since African Americans have done this more than any of us -often without choice- they produce more "minorities" than other ethnic group of color. Arab Americans can never be real "minorities" as long as we routinely switch racial allegiances to the side that best serves us at the moment. We change our positions with as much speed as Whiteness has in disowning those who challenge the false pretences it takes to become White. We exhibit this non-committal, part-time "minority" status whenever we want some the perceived benefits of minorities without giving up the privileges of Whiteness.

Until we can build an equal relationship with the Black community that does not position Arab Americans with the upper hand, then I will not bastardize the Black struggle by joining it with the Arab American struggle. As long as we crave the approval of Whiteness, our relationship with the Black community will be dysfunctional.

Like all wars, 9-11 brought a country together over a shared common enemy. This superficial unity will fall apart as soon as that enemy is shown its place and the only way to keep this deceptive unity going is to find another common enemy. The most returned to common enemy in our country has been Black people. Our country may have short-term affairs with other enemies such as Arabs, but as soon as these short-term affairs die out, then it always goes back to the enemy it has abused the longest. Arab Americans have a tremendous opportunity to alter this pattern by not enabling it with our consent to support the indiscretions of racial superiority. If we are to be positive additions to the United States, then we have to strengthen what makes us weak, and one of the biggest things that weaken us as a nation is racism.

2006-08-15 09:25:31 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Current Events

Are they really that stupid? Isreal destroyed their towns and villages - nothing is left. Now the Lebanese army will take control and Hezzbollah will no longer be allowed to operate as a state within a state - which means they LOST. Also - 950 muslims dead compared to 150 Israealis - who do you think won the war?

2006-08-15 09:24:22 · 12 answers · asked by skifaster6666 1 in Current Events

Im a 35 year old man and would always give up my seat to somebody who is pregnant, disabled or old. BUT!!!
The other day i was sitting on the tube and it was full up. A rather good looking young lady got on and stood in front of me in the gangway.
We had eye contact and as i was about to ask her if she wanted my seat she beat me and asked if she could sit as she was pregnant. "Yes of course you can" i said.
I think she asked me as everyone else hides behind a paper or pretends not to look at you. You know the type.
After i gave her the seat i stood for 2 or 3 stops but got thinking to myself that she didnt look at all pregnant. So after a while i asked her "so how long have you been pregnant then?" The reply was " about an hour"
What do you think of that?

2006-08-15 09:16:37 · 30 answers · asked by spidermike 2 in Current Events

when Bush was giving us the old heave ho again about the terror alerts blah blah I could`nt help but notice he was building himself up into a frenzy like it was exciting him,the content of his conversation was incongruent to his facial expressions and his body language and it was scarey.

2006-08-15 09:10:33 · 8 answers · asked by aminuts 4 in Other - News & Events

i all of a sudden heard about it on the news but i wasnt sure if it started with a small bomb or something because this is getting serious.

2006-08-15 09:09:00 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Current Events

2006-08-15 09:02:00 · 13 answers · asked by Crazzzzzy 2 in Media & Journalism

she looks like a bushman from the congo!

2006-08-15 08:55:13 · 30 answers · asked by sam b 1 in Other - News & Events

im broke too

2006-08-15 08:41:00 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Current Events

I didn't know this,
I know I should refer to my "rule book"
Darn I was having such a good time too!

2006-08-15 08:37:37 · 13 answers · asked by dingydarla 3 in Current Events

2006-08-15 08:29:54 · 20 answers · asked by matthieu085 3 in Other - News & Events

28 states,1618 languages, 6400 castes, 6 religions, 6 ethnic groups, 29 major festivals, ONE great country which never waged any war till date.

2006-08-15 08:28:31 · 18 answers · asked by BULLSEYE 2 in Other - News & Events

2006-08-15 08:25:47 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - News & Events

Seriously folks, with a president that has done more signing statements then all the past presidents combined, why would he further diminish himself and cheat us out of the fruits of stem cell research when so many people agree with the research? Republicans and Democrats both mostly agree that it can, and should be done within strict moral guide lines. Also, I might be willing to buy into the Bush is pro life stand, if it weren't for the fact that, that very statement makes me laugh, Bush, pro life...yeah right.

Let the fun begin....

2006-08-15 08:06:50 · 9 answers · asked by Anathema 1 in Current Events

everybody knows the alqaida did that inhuman act of 9/11 but why some people float stories that it was done by jews. what is their pscyhology? what is their disease?some say it was done by bush. don't they know no sane person on this earth believe that story?

2006-08-15 08:06:19 · 6 answers · asked by evelyn 3 in Other - News & Events

2006-08-15 07:58:52 · 7 answers · asked by Jenel M 1 in Other - News & Events

2006-08-15 07:56:38 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Media & Journalism

I think its religion and power............most wars are about religion or power or land.............henry the 8th may have had the right idea???...tell me what you think.......

2006-08-15 07:50:23 · 20 answers · asked by scottietiger 3 in Current Events

I believe that my life has been exciting, sometimes sheltered, very erotic, rebellous at times often involved in criminal activity in the name of research. I have lived both the pro and con way of life. I have witnessed the little man being oppressed by themselves as well as by corporate america and governmental policy. I have watched the poor finace themselves into poverty. I understand first hand family disfunction and the potential harm it causes to the American society as well as to government welfare. I'm no expert but I can and will offer solutions to existing and foreseeable problems. Any sponsors and/ or co writers want to lend their support... Let's network.

2006-08-15 07:48:51 · 4 answers · asked by ronfschmidt 2 in Media & Journalism

4 years ago now since the big blackout for most of the north eastern US and Ontario and Quebec.
What were you doing during that time?

2006-08-15 07:44:53 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - News & Events

2006-08-15 07:43:40 · 6 answers · asked by tishxbelle 1 in Other - News & Events

2006-08-15 07:40:40 · 2 answers · asked by chand c 3 in Other - News & Events