"More and more throughout the 90s "History" was "out," and "Me" was in. "Me," "Having My Space," "How to Be Your Own Best Friend," "Me, Myself, I," were hallmarks of that self-besotted age. The History of Me was huge in the 90s and rolled right through the millennium. It even had a Customized President to preside over those years; the Most Me President ever. A perfect man for the time and one who, in the end, did not disappoint in choosing "Me" over "Country." How could he do otherwise? It was the option his constituency of Many-Million-Mes elected him to select. I know because I was into Me then and I voted for him because, well, because he seemed to be "just like me." It was a sad day when "Me" couldn't run for a third term, but The Party of Me offered up "Mini-Me" and a lot of Mes turned out for him too.
Many millions of Mini-Mes were very upset when there weren't quite enough Mes in one state to put Mini-Me in office to continue with the wonderful Me-ness of it all. I voted for "Mini-Me" in 2000, but not because he really seemed like Me, but because he was the only thing out there that said he was Me.
Unlike millions of miffed Mini-Mes, I wasn't too upset when he didn't get in after stamping his feet and holding his breath. I suppose I should have. It was what all the really intense Mini-Mes were doing. But I'd already started to become disgusted with all the Me-ness that had been going around so long and this tantrum of the Mini-Mes just made me not want to hang around them. After all, we were well beyond the End of History by this point, so what did it matter?
Then on one bright and unusually fine New York September morning History came back with a vengeance we'd never seen before in the history of America. It came back and it stayed and stayed and stayed. The doors of history swung open again and we were all propelled through them into... what?"
Posted by: Howard UK ||
03/31/2006 9:16 Comments ||
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#2
"History's back -- and it's pissed."
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
03/31/2006 9:49 Comments ||
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#3
Fukuyama is blaming everything stupid he ever said on "those darn neoconservatives seducing me to the dark side of the force."
Posted by: Phil ||
03/31/2006 10:04 Comments ||
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#4
Lighten up, Francis
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/31/2006 10:34 Comments ||
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#5
Remember that self-infatuation is not just the product of an "esteem"-oriented society, it is also a reaction and rejection of the misuse of "those things more important than the self" in cynical and sarcastic ways.
Take "organized" Christianity as an example. It is facing a schismatic reformation because the laudable goals of its "better self" were co-opted by so many corrupt and perverse seducers that vast numbers of Christians could no longer tolerate it.
From "Creationists", to "Revolution Theologists", to infiltration of its clergy by pedophiles and homosexuals, to the tolerance of "Marianist" factions, Christianity as a whole suffered.
Its doctrines, Bible, Book of Common Prayer, Hymnal, were all torn down in many places, and its honored and beloved traditions were set aside as antiquated, to be replaced with crap.
Those who are stubborn enough, try to reform their sect; those who are not are returning to pre-Christian traditions (also rejecting secular philosophies such as communism, thank god.)
So we see the re-emergence of religions like the Druids, the Asatru (Aesir), the ancient Greek gods, even a pseudo-Aztec cult arising in Mexico.
These are not reflections of self-importance, these are efforts to find something that is "higher than onesself", and not yet corrupted by those seeking wealth and power, and the destruction of that which is honored.
#6
In this First Terrorist War, the character of our leadership will make a difference to some degree, but it will not decide. It is who we are and who we shall become as a people that will decide. How that will be in the end, I do not know. What I do know is that history, no matter what they tell you, never comes to an end. And because of that, the one small thing that I have the power to do is to decide that I shall no longer vote for Me. I shall vote for Us.
#7
Anonymoose, I would add Islam to that list. I think Islam has gotten a lot of followers in the West because it provides a very strict worldview and some folks need that. Christianity used to provide that (especially the Puritans) but not so much anymore.
#12
rjschwarz, the number of westerners converting to Islam is marginal. That is, not counting the prisons' inmates. Islam is popular there because it promises absolution and carte blanche for their next crimes. They would just need to select their victim properly.
#13
Charles Krauthammer exposed Francis last week. It's sad that his luminary career has become so damaged by his faux Damascus conversion.
Posted by: Captain America ||
03/31/2006 13:30 Comments ||
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#14
Islam is popular there because it promises absolution and carte blanche for their next crimes.
As an excon buddy of mine is fond of saying: "They're Muslims when their inside, Christians when they're in the halfway house, and crackheads when they're back on the street."
Just a note that "Info Wars" is one of those crackpot lefty sites. Also a 9/11 conspiracy site (not infowars, I believe) has been buying tons of goooogleads lately. This article is posted to Opinion 'cos it's a bunch of very dangerous fairytales.
Billionaire philanthropist Jimmy Walter and WTC survivor William Rodriguez this week embarked on a groundbreaking trip to Caracas Venezuela in which they met with with the President of the Assembly and will soon meet with Venezuelan President himself Hugo Chavez in anticipation of an official Venezuelan government investigation into 9/11.
Rodriguez was the last survivor pulled from the rubble of the north tower of the WTC, and was responsible for all stairwells within the tower. Rodriguez represented family members of 9/11 victims and testified to the 9/11 Commission that bombs were in the north tower but his statements were completely omitted from the official record.
Jimmy Walter has been at the forefront of a world tour to raise awareness about 9/11 and has still yet to receive any response to his million dollar challenge in which he offers a $1 million reward for proof that the trade towers' steel structure was broken apart without explosives. Well, Jimmy, I guess you owe PBS that check, 'cuz I remember NOVA did an episode on just that question...
Rodriguez said that he was told an FBI agent had asked the hotel him and Walter were staying in turn over a list of names of residents. Upon hearing this, the National Assembly provided armed military protection for the entirety of the trip. In addition, Walters said that CIA agents were seen surveilling the beach on which he and Rodriguez had handed out free DVD's a day earlier. Must have been advance scouts for the invasion...
The US government attempted to sabotage the trip by putting Rodriguez, who has been decorated at the White House itself, and Walter on a no fly list.
Rodriguez and Walter are educating top Venezuelan officials on the evidence that 9/11 was a self-inflicted wound carried out by the military-industrial complex. They have also appeared on every Venezuelan television and radio station both private and state owned and have given huge presentations to major universities.
Upon visiting, Rodriguez said that the President of the Assembly, Nicolas Maduro's home was brimming with books, videos and documents about the 9/11 cover-up. Maduro, Venezuela's top legislator, intoned that he was ready to create an international investigative committee, looking into the "international crime scene" that is 9/11 and that this would be structured via Hugo Chavez's government. 'cause we all know Venezuela really has jurisdiction over Manhattan.
Rodriguez and Walter are also set to appear on Hugo Chavez's weekly broadcast 'Alo Presidente' - which is often subsequently the source of major international headlines. If there is no coverage of this event then we know for sure that it's just the same sh@t, different day a blackout order is in place.
Rodriguez and Walter offered their full support for Charlie Sheen's recent public stance on 9/11 and were heartened by his efforts. The potential of a government level inquiry endorsed by Hugo Chavez dovetails with Sheen's call for an independent investigation to be carried out by political foreign nationals. No wonder Denise Richards left him.
Though the establishment media will no doubt seek to demonize Chavez as a militant with an axe to grind, this is an exciting development and the next step on the road to a genuine investigation that will seek to uncover the truth rather than hide skeletons and whitewash as was witnessed with the staged Kean committee.
#1
Please feel free to invite every kook and lunatic we have up here to Venezuela, Hugo, and let them stay as long as they want. We have a surplus, and it does wonders for your credibility.
EFL - read it all - very funny (in a sad way)
Operation Steel Gazelle: A Smart, Multi-Slide Plan For Toughening American Security with Smartness
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
HARRY: Hello, I'm Harry Reid, leader of the Democrats in the United States Senate.
NANCY: And me Nancy Pelosi.
HARRY: Like millions of patriotic Americans, Nancy and I, along with our Democratic colleagues in Congress, are concerned about our rapidly deteriorating national security situation. Nearly five years after the tragic events of 9/11, not only is our country wracked by record economic misery, low teacher salaries, expensive senior prescriptions, and widespread leprosy, it also remains at risk for illegal attacks from the terrorist Osama bin Laden. Meanwhile, the Bush administration has us mired in a disastrous unrelated civil war in Iraq, consuming billions of your taxpayer dollars that could be spent on preserving Social Security and community health care block grants for America's starving teachers.
NANCY: We can better do!
HARRY: You bet we can, Nancy. That's why we've purchase space on America's abandoned and neglected websites to present the Democratic vision for a smart, yet tough new national security concept that makes a clean break with the discredited and dangerous policies of this administration. As you can see by the American flags behind us, this is a smart and tough new approach, embodied in a comprehensive plan that was developed by some of America's foremost military minds: Madeleine Albright, Sandy Berger, Markos Zuniga, and former General Wesley Clarke -- the celebrated "Falcon of the Balkans." We call our plan "Operation Steel Gazelle" -- strong and tough like steel, but smart and agile like the gazelle, as it nimbly eludes its hungry predators.
NANCY: Tell, us more Harry.
HARRY: Well Nancy, the first phase of our multi-faceted plan focuses on the number one key to restoring national security: getting Osama bin Laden. Even as we speak, this dangerous fugitive is still on the loose. As the leader of a Democratic majority in Congress, I will make sure that the head Army and Navy generals get a clear and unambiguous message: "Get Osama" is "Job One."
NANCY: But it is important to do smart too!
HARRY: That's right, Nancy. That's why our tough, no-nonsense emails to the generals will include pictures of Osama bin Laden, so they will know who to get.
NANCY: But whats about disguises?
HARRY: Way ahead of you Nancy! Using state-of-the-art PhotoShop smart computers, we will create simulated pictures of Osama bin Laden wearing a mustache, soul patch, trucker hat, and so on, and these will also be included in our emails. Then, the generals will distribute the pictures to the soldiers, and they can then make a surprise attack at Pakistan and get Osama bin Laden, no matter his latest look. Imagine the looks on the terrorists' faces!
NANCY: Me too! What is next, in the plan?
HARRY: Well Nancy, after invading Pakistan and getting Osama bin Laden, our plan will next focus on rapid American redeployment from Iraq. With terrorism finally a thing of the past, we will need our American soldiers back here in the "good ol' USA" to guard Osama bin Laden while he serves out a tough sentence in jail or an innovative work-release program.
NANCY: Sounds, smart! But what about toughness?
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/31/2006 19:22 ||
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#1
wasn't much more - should've posted it all:
HARRY: Don't worry Nancy - before we redeploy the soldiers out of Iraq, we will pass a tough new assault weapons ban in Iraq to keep these dangerous weapons out of the hands of civil war gangs. We will back it up with a roadside bomb amnesty program, and after-madrassa programs for at-risk insurgent youths.
NANCY: Sounds almost too, good to be, true. But there be must a catch!
HARRY: No Nancy, it's all there in black and white, on slide 2 of our plan. The third phase our plan is to double the number of American Special Forces. It will be important that we have enough of these elite tough fighting units in case Osama bin Laden escapes through a secret tunnel and starts his terrorism again, or if his case dismissed on appeal.
NANCY: That's what I call future thinking tough! But is it smart also?
HARRY: We've got that covered too, Nancy. We will work to ensure that these expanded super soldier teams look like America, with plenty of elite security opportunities for all -- regardless of race, gender, age, or GLBT orientation. And, in keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act, all Special Forces training facilities under our plan will have accessibility ramps by 2008. We have already begun to recruit candidates from the ranks of TSA's elite airport security teams!
NANCY: Sure Harry but, whats about the other dangerous of the futures?
HARRY: I'm glad you asked, Nancy. As you know, we need to remain vigilant to ensure Osama bin Laden never obtains rocket-powered wheelchair technology, possibly enabling him to outrun our elite Special Forces pursuit to teams. This is why our plan calls for more spies - like Jack Bauer of the popular TV action program "24".
NANCY: I like TV!
HARRY: And who doesn't, Nancy? Every Monday night at 9 on Fox, we see how a strong spy force is vital for protecting America from suprise biological attacks by conniving White House insiders. That's why I have directed former ambassador Joseph Wilson to form a new super top secret spy agency, to monitor communications between terrorist groups and Dick Cheney.
NANCY: I feel, safer already. But is thats legal?
HARRY: Yes! Unlike the adminstration's illegal domestic wiretap program, all of our secret agent pursuit teams will include international human rights monitors from the United Nations and ACLU, and an elite three judge FISA panels. Plus, they will have a really cool headquarters with metal and glass furniture and blue lighting... and accessible ramps for our elite Special Forces.
NANCY: Okay okay Harry ha ha I am convinced but how, we can we help pass this exciting security, plan.
HARRY: Well Nancy, let's get the word out to everyone - Democrats have a plan. It is smart, and it is tough, and also, unlike the Bush system, it is planned. So remember, vote Democrat because national security is our number one priority, totally up there with living wage legislation, and opposing so-called "tort reform."
NANCY: Awesome!
HARRY: That's right Nancy. So the next time someone says the Democrats don't have a plan, what do we say?
NANCY: Smart!
HARRY: And if they're still not convinced?
NANCY: Tough!
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/31/2006 19:38 Comments ||
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Follow the money: In 2005, Mexicans in the United States remitted some $20 billion home. That's 3% of Mexico's entire national income.
Remittances have surpassed tourism, oil, and the maquiladora assembly industry to emerge as the country's top single source of foreign exchange. For the 6% of Mexican households that receive remittances, these funds can mean the difference between extreme poverty and an income roughly in line with the Mexican average.
And as Mexico's economy has malperformed since 2000, remittances have become more essential than ever - not only economically, but politically.
This trend explains why Vicente Fox pressed President Bush so hard for amnesty and guestworker programs in Cancun this week. It explains too why George Bush has acceded: After all, Mexico's problems are inevitably America's problems too. The stability and prosperity of Mexico are vital American national interests.
So President Bush is right to sympathize with his Mexican counterpart. He is entirely wrong, though, to give in. Remittances have cushioned Mexico's failure, but they cannot achieve Mexico's success. Only internal change in Mexico can do that. Mexico desperately needs foreign investment in its energy industry, a rationalization of its tax system, and free-market reform of its labor laws. Vicente Fox has done none of these things, and has in fact barely tried. He has instead pinned all his country's hopes on the export of its population to the United States.
Today, almost one-fifth of all living Mexican-born people now make their homes in the United States. You have to go back to the Irish potato famine to find a parallel. But Mexico is not suffering famine: It is suffering from a comprehensive failure of political and economic leadership.
Mexico's problems are also America's problems, no getting around that. But an American president cannot agree that Mexico's problems should be made only America's problems.
In the context of an immigration reform in the American interest - meaning a restrictive immigration reform - the US should of course help Mexico find substitutes for any reductions in remittance income. One good place to start would be the energy industry, which could contribute much more to Mexican wealth if Mexico abandoned its 75-year-old protectionist policies. Of course, Mexicans will say that such changes are politically impossible for them. Then they turn around and ask George Bush to lay waste to Republican political prospects to save them from a fate from which they will not save themselves.
#1
Maybe instead of building a wall, the US should just annex Mexico. Then instead of being immigrants, they will all be citizens with all the responsibilities of being Americans. Mexicos's southern border is much easier to defend. These yahoos running about with Mexican flags should be careful what they wish far.
First of all, the Founding Fathers knew from experience that Congress could not keep secrets. In 1776, Benjamin Franklin and his four colleagues on the Committee of Secret Correspondence unanimously concluded that they could not tell the Continental Congress about covert assistance being provided by France to the American Revolution, because "we find by fatal experience that Congress consists of too many members to keep secrets."
When the Constitution was being ratified, John Jay--America's most experienced diplomat and George Washington's first choice to be secretary of state--wrote in Federalist No. 64 that there would be cases in which "the most useful intelligence" may be obtained if foreign sources could be "relieved from apprehensions of discovery," and noted there were many "who would rely on the secrecy of the president, but who would not confide in that of the Senate." He then praised the new Constitution for so distributing foreign-affairs powers that the president would be able "to manage the business of intelligence in such manner as prudence may suggest."
In 1790, when the first session of the First Congress appropriated money for foreign intercourse, the statute expressly required that the president "account specifically for all such expenditures of the said money as in his judgment may be made public, and also for the amount of such expenditures as he may think it advisable not to specify." They made no demand that President Washington share intelligence secrets with them. And in 1818, when a dispute arose over a reported diplomatic mission to South America, the legendary Henry Clay told his House colleagues that if the mission had been provided for from the president's contingent fund, it would not be "a proper subject for inquiry" by Congress.
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Posted by: Captain America ||
03/31/2006 18:25 ||
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So they've cancelled the Dubai Ports World deal.
Feel better now? Safer?
I don't.
Because the problem is not just Dubai Ports World.
.
.
.
Influence and investment in the USA by Muslim nations --- particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE --- not only continues, but is escalating.
#1
There are a few things to think about before going into Chicken Little mode.
The oil producing nations have serious excess hard cash. They have to do something with it. They invest in the US because we'll be around for the long run. They're not going to expose themselves by heavily investing in EUrabia.
This is a two-edged sword. If the UAE proved to be what the hand-wringers fear, all of these investments are instantly forfeit with the stroke of a pen. Yes, they are. Same goes for all the others. Think about it. This is mainly paranoia without corroborating substance. Look to what our military says before believing this crap.
Nothing is perfect. We are an open society and we allow foreign investment. If we limited foreign activities here in the US in precisely the same way that they limit US activities in their countries, it would make more sense, but we have been, and still are, the one place on the planet where we make every effort to be open and free. I'd prefer the equal treatment approach, but that's just common sense. This isolationist approach is crap.
If the price tag for our openness actually does endanger us, not these mindless "Run away! Run away!" freak-out articles, it will change with a vengeance. We're very slow to rile, but even slower to disengage once we get our collective dander up. We will do our best in the mean time. We have been doing the right things, more or less, for the last 5 years. What we will do after Bush is something worth worrying about.
The gravest danger we face is internal, not external.
#3
LOL. .com? LOL, thanks. Another clueless detective.
You're an oldie, but not a goodie. I've heard your sad song before, under other names. Many others here probably recognize you, too. Your offering is a repetitive ballad of phoney expertise. Hit Fred's donation button, then button up.
#4
You are right Grotle Gliting3445. We said we were serious about moving them forward so we had better follow through this time. Nothing changes overnight and we still have control over our soverign assets. It is debt, reserve, and trust. And if an Arab trusts you, you have made a decision to include them into something they will be less likely wanting to destroy. They MUST change but that is a slow process. Our notes depend on this and they have to have something to start off with for balance. It is NOT selling America. It is granting a well meaning group with a suit and a tie overseas a steak in OUR survival as well as a good chance to balance what they already spend on US out. Trust ME. Do not turn this oppertunity down. You will regeret it if you do. I know of what I speak.
If anyone has questions, I am open for discussion but this is necessary. Very neccessary. Not bad guys, just people moving forward and deserving of some trust. Remember Japan.
Do not fight this deal. Please do not.
The least you can learn with your neighbors is that they all do not want to destroy you and some mean well. (And have proved it)
#5
Besides, you do not want to see what can be done if they screw US. So relax for awhile. Hell, if we get screwed once, there will be nothing at all left in the middle east but rubble by quake or rake.
#7
Our system has given the rich in the ME vast amounts of $ for the oil in the ground. They have to do something with it, so they invest in the NY stock exchange. Okay so far. But, when they start investing in our universities, bells and whistles. Why don't they build their own universities ? Islam uncompatable with education ?
We have yet to win our universities back from the declining commies who run them, so we can't afford this latest $ influx. The results of the leftists in our universities is to separate us. The additional money will further separate us. I say we keep foreign money out of our institutions. The idea that we get down on our knees to stay on top does not bode well in my world. I'm not going to sell out my country for anything, not even a free trip to heaven.
#9
Speaking not of the UAE, but of their Saudi neighbors, Ibn Warraq, the esteemed author of Leaving Islam and Why I Am Not A Muslim pointed out at the Hague conference, "In August, 2002, the Rand Corporation published a report that described Saudi Arabia as ' the kernel of evil, the prime mover, the most dangerous opponent."
The report went on explain that "Saudi Arabia supports our enemies and attacks our allies. The Saudis are active at every level of the terror chain, from planners to financiers, from cadre to foot-soldier, from ideologist to cheerleader'. And yet little seems to have changed in the West's behavior towards a regime that has financed terrorism, funnelled millions into madrassas that preach more anti-Western hatred, has corrupted institutions of higher education like Harvard and Georgetown University, has bought the favours of Western politicians and seeks to destroy Western civilisation at every turn. We know the reason: oil. But until we address the question of Saudi Arabia and its influence on life in the West we shall have no progress, no rest."
Saudi Arabia still remains our most significant blind spot. Until we delimit the spread of Salafist and Wahabbist Islam the global war on terror will continue to be the political and economic quagmire it is. However useful the war in Iraq has been in terms of exposing the uselessness of exporting democracy to Arab Islamic countries, it is still sad to think that the money we have spent in Iraq could have propelled American technology towards permanently weaning us off of the oil teat.
We desperately need to free ourselves of dependence upon foreign oil. Let them eat sand.
#10
How can the Salafists be better targeted? Prior to the extreme polarization in the occupied West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces found an easy way to get intelligence. They would pick up large numbers of civilians and seek to use them as informants. Naturally, most refused but enough co-operated to facilitate attacks on terror arms dumps, terror commanders and staging areas. So many Arabs would be picked up that the terrorists couldn't identify the informants. On a few occasions, the terrorists murdered innocent suspects, which discredited them. This sounds like kidnapping, but even in the US investigative detention was upheld by SCOTUS in Terry v Ohio. If it works...
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
