FINALLY! Got my links up and running. 30+ of the most righteous links rotating in sequence for your clicking pleasure, keep your eyes open because I guarantee there's at least one you haven't clicked on. Anyone who's read more than a few sentences here (not likely by the # of comments, but hey) would notice that the links are by and large more positive than the bile I spew here. As stated in the mission blurb, this is a venting space. Deal with it or move on. However, the links provide real constructive resources (except the pics of Iraq link from the anarchists, who celebrate the death of each American Imperialist...hmmm..) Enjoy the hypnotic scroll that only allows you to see one stinking link at a time. Sorry, there wasn't room for all 40, and I am a sucker for perpetual motion.

Anyway there is more content there than I have time to read, let alone react to. Vicente Fox, black and gay Republicans, the illogic of nuclear weapons, the humor of cluster bombs, the glorious Unchurched Northwest... I have another backlog building. More stupid neocons to flame. Let me just close for now by saying, if Jesus does come back in blue-eyed Pentecostal form, well... Got Nails?

George Will (uber-dork) recently reminded me that Saddam tortured children to get at their parents. Indeed, an evil man. If he were civilized like Bush and Rumsfeld, he'd be sure only to torture adults. That's the American way. The Geneva Conventions have been so violated by our forces acting from anti-islamic xenophobia and kickass zeal- the kind of zeal that sees all towelheads as enemies, and blurs the lines between the Taliban, who actually attacked us, and the Iraqis, who didn't (until we invade their country anyway)- that Amnesty International has accused the US of war crimes. Now, the US is far from alone in such violations- they happen across the globe. But it doesn't put us in very flattering company. And it doesn't win hearts and minds.

I saw a nice picture of a young soldier doing a house search in Iraq, down on one knee to show respect (but of course I'm too antimilitary to bother posting that link). I know there are lots of soldiers doing the right thing as much as they know how. In fact I am not even anti-military; I know we need a force to protect our nation. That's why I'm so pissed the people committed enough to do that job have been sent to a stinking desert. Funny, no weapons, but plenty of oil...Bush's family is in oil, has the Saudis over for barbecue... Cheyney is in energy, Condi has a tanker named after her...coincidence? Yeah, and the Pope lives in the woods.

Anyway, the torture and the pissing on the Qur'an, these things pretty much guarantee a fresh crop of recruits for Bin Laden and another attempted attack on our country. And, according to a professional interrogator, such tactics don't work (audio link).

Now, if we privatize the military, the guys doing the torture can't be prosecuted. Maybe that will get Rumsfeld off the hook. He seems to be moving in that direction anyway- shrink the military, and simultaneously over-extend the troops into multiple conflicts...threaten Syria and Iran...don't worry, the American taxpayer will happily pay Blackwater and Halliburton to clean up the mess for the next 10-15 years. It's not like we have any domestic expenses... like HEALTH CARE, maybe. Democrats need to take a breather from the big-business titty on this one, feel the pulse of the suffering American people, and offer a solution. That, plus a vision of Jesus crafted with the Methodists and Lutherans and Episcopalians, and hell, toss in a few Quakers and Universalists...well, that's the ticket to 2008. Rednecks?? Bring 'em on, I got my redneck Hunting License in the rear window. Be like shooting womp rats.

Last one tonight, kind of a rant backlog here. Whether it's Dan Rather's allegation that Bush shirked Guard duty or the Newsweek allegation that Qur'ans have been desecrated in interrogations, the loud disputing of a single detail does not negate the fact of the larger pattern.

To save time, read Mr. Parrish:

I need to be positive sometimes, people. Yes, it's true, many good people live in this country. They volunteer to help their neighbors and give to charity. But that's no substitute for public services, folks, because most people DON'T. Many are too busy chasing the capitalist dragon- that much is obvious around my neighborhood, where the cars go BOOM BOOM and all the single mothers are too busy working 2 jobs to attend their PTA meetings. Or maybe they are getting their nails did and kicking it at the club. Wha'ever. Busy or lazy, don't count on your neighbors. Hell, in the city you are lucky to know your neighbors- or unlucky as the case may be, hence the urban anonymity. I drove by the scene of a double homicide last week. Which Amendment was that being exercised again? The one that arms citizens in case they need to overthrow an unjust government, right?

Hey, seriously though. I think I can dig the idea of de-funding the government. It's gonna be just fine. We can all volunteer to repair the highways, we can volunteer to build new schools- or just farm that stuff out to corporations, who'd be happy to advertise to- er- train the labor pool- er, that is, educate the citizens, of the future. But what really excites me is that finally we can also defund the military! Those who want to serve, well, they can make their own guns, or have bake sales.

Honestly. Let's see- in how many of the military actions in the last 50 years were we facing an enemy with the capacity to actually attack and invade America? Hmmm.. Saddam? Nope. Unless Israel is part of America, which I don't think it is, as much as some folks wish. Maybe Vietnam...those Communist farmers with their hand-tools of mass destruction...nope...the Koreans! Well, I am honestly happy for South Korea that they gained some democracy and development and escaped the Communist boot, they are nice folks and they make nice products and great food and some neat movies lately. But uh, well, as generous as it was for liberals of that time to fight the Evil Empire, actually Korea didn't threaten us either.

There just has to be a new model for global security that doesn't hinge on the whoring of international favors and the threat of force. Look at the dance we're doing with China- Hey Israel, don't give them that weapon. Europe, wait, don't sell them that... we have a deal with Taiwan...but the trade imbalance, hm... and they are becoming a competitor for increasingly scarce oil resources, too..

The UN does need reform. They need a Security Council empowered to act quickly against aggressors. They need to boot human rights violators from the Human Rights Council- and if those countries don't like it, fine. They can leave. Nobody will miss their dues. But the last thing the UN needs is an asshole like Bolton. The world has been insulted enough already by the Son of a Bush and his cadre of goons.

So the filibuster remains, for now. Just shows what we are up against; from the doctored intelligence on Iraq, to covering DeLay's ass on the Ethics Committee, to the appointment of judges- if these folks don't like the way the game is going, they don't hesitate to change the rules. I wish I could feel encouraged about the possibility for bipartisan compromises...but I think McCain and his colleagues have just bought some time. With the Supreme Court in the balance, see how long Frist can keep his hands off the button. It would seem one man's mainstream is another's judicial activist, especially when abortions hit the fan.

Ah, yes, abortions. I do understand anti-choicers, emotionally; I have seen the pics of little tiny mini-babies at not too many weeks, with their micro-fingers and all. But if some women don't want to be mothers, and their choices are flush it or carry it to term, then they need the flush option. Maybe we can compromise as to a cutoff date; the late-term thing disgusts everyone and even I think once a woman knows she's pregnant, she needs to decide within a few weeks what to do about it. But the point is, outlaw abortion and desparate women will go back to poisons and coathangers, and they do not deserve to die for their choice not to give birth. Their lives are in fact more valuable than the potential lives they choose to flush, because more social capital (look it up) has been invested in them.

But the thing that really pulls the rug out from under the pro-life folks is the persistent existence of orphanages around the world and foster care kids in this country. Sure, there are newspaper ads every day where parents seek a child. But if every life was truly valued, all the foster kids would have families. I refuse to listen to any pro-lifer who hasn't adopted. And guess what? Ask anyone in the adoption field. If you, the white family running non-stop ads in the paper, were open to adopting an older child or just a black baby- well, your odds would go up and your expenses would go down. The sad truth is there are not enough of those supposedly eager parents to absorb all the unplanned pregnancies, and the age and racial discrepancies reveal what these people truly value- healthy (not disabled either), freshly born, WHITE babies.

I also refuse to listen to any pro-lifer who is pro-war, or pro-death penalty. Gotta give the Pope some credit there, at least he was consistent. It's the sanctimonious hypocrisy Bush spouts that makes me wanna abort HIM.