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Democracy Doesn't Work
Author: Raine    Date: 11/05/2007 13:01:53

That is the message that our leading ally in the Waronterra ™ sent over the weekend when he placed his country under military rule.

He threw the constitutional powers in his nation in order to curb extremism. He said he had to suspend the courts because of *judicial activism*. (Does that phrase sound familiar?)

He is delaying the January elections in his country for at least a year. He pulled off the air all independent media.

He made it against the law to speak ill of him or his leaders. He has had arrested many of the leaders of the opposition parties.

Lawyers are being beaten by Pakastani police and hundreds have been arrested for voicing dissent.

All day long yesterday I walked around stunned at the collassal problem this poses for not just Pakastanis, but for the entire world. I thought about the fact that America uses Pakastani airspace to enter Afghanistan. I thought about the fact that Pakastan has a nuclear weapon. I thought about the saber rattling in Washington over Iran. I realized that what Pakistan has done to it's nation is the very thing that Bush has been worried about in Iran... and this is our ally.

My biggest concern right now is that our leader will take from this that democracy does not work. For him, this may be the very proof he needs. After all, we already have SO many parallels in Pakistan here in America, especially when you head the warnings given to us in her article, Fascist America, In 10 Easy Steps.....

1. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy
2. Create a gulag
3. Develop a thug caste
4. Set up an internal surveillance system
5. Harass citizens' groups
6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release
7. Target key individuals
8. Control the press
9. Dissent equals treason
10. Suspend the rule of law....

So today, pay close attention to how and what our leaders in Washington say and do. And pray that in Pakistan democracy will overcome military rule.

I am concerned about these events in Pakistan when here in America we have a president that has done all or to some lessor extent of the above. IF dissent is suppressed and Musharref is allowed to continue with military rule with our American support due to the Waronterra ™, Then I must truly wonder what this administration thinks of when it says that America is a nation that supports freedom and liberty for it's people and all the people around the world. It means we are in bed with the bad guys...

And for me the ends just do not justify the means.

:peace: and :heart:
Raine
 

337 comments (Latest Comment: 11/06/2007 03:05:41 by Raine)
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Comment by BobR on 11/05/2007 13:11:45
Morning Folks... :coffee:



In case you hadn't noticed, there were some blog modifications over the weekend:

1) Changed the icon and position for the blog rollup button.

2) Added a button to allow rolling up the user options box.

3) Added some some new emoticons.

4) Changed the font to make it easier to read the blog.

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 13:34:51
:yawn: :coffee: morning friends.

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 13:46:09
Comment by TriSec on 11/05/2007 13:51:52
Morning folks!



Well, the 'ol bloggie is looking pretty slick.



Here's to hoping we'll still be able to use it in the coming weeks and months.



If not, I suppose I'll see everyone at Gitmo. At least it's in the Caribbean and it will be warm during those long winter months of captivity and waterboarding. Hell, it's like swimming lessons, right?



Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 13:55:23
Thousands battle and are arrested by Pakastani Police
Police fired tear gas and battered thousands of lawyers protesting President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's decision to impose emergency rule, as Western allies threatened to review aid to the troubled Muslim nation. More than 1,500 people have been arrested in 48 hours, and authorities put a stranglehold on independent media.


Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:06:00
I asked this question yesterday, and I will ask it again... has anyone seen or heard from der leader since Pakistan became a military state?

Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/05/2007 14:11:50
Good morning, bloggers!



Raine, I have not heard about our President. However, there are several good analysis articles that have run of late. (Check out the UNN Daily Headlines, which are taking shape for today, for some of the articles.)



Here is one blog entry that says a lot: Rice Adviser: Pakistan’s Crackdown on Dissent is ‘Small Favor’ That Makes ‘Iraq Look Pretty Good’.



It is all about the image, the money and the power for the Bush administrations and its allies. :(

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:15:16
Quote by will in chicago: Good morning, bloggers! Raine, I have not heard about our President. However, there are several good analysis articles that have run of late. (Check out the UNN Daily Headlines, which are taking shape for today, for some of the articles.) Here is one blog entry that says a lot: Rice Adviser: Pakistan’s Crackdown on Dissent is ‘Small Favor’ That Makes ‘Iraq Look Pretty Good’. It is all about the image, the money and the power for the Bush administrations and its allies. :(
I was just reading that article over at Wapo... here is a wonderful (NOT) snippet:
Rice was in Istanbul, Turkey, attending an international conference on Iraq when her attention was shifted to the upheaval in Pakistan. One adviser traveling with Rice saw a silver lining in the rapid turn of events. "Thank heavens for small favors," the official said. Compared to Pakistan, "Iraq looks pretty good." ad_icon
The quote is on page 2 ... 's. all of them.

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:16:54
WHAT THE F?!?!?!?!?

Comment by TriSec on 11/05/2007 14:18:01
A quick search for "Bush" on ye olde Google news reveals a few minimal articles.



Bush has been utterly incognito since this happened.



So, he's either pooped in his nappie at Barksdale AFB, or he's at the VP's knee furiously scribbling notes.



"See George....THAT'S how it's done!"

Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/05/2007 14:19:32
Michael Savage has lots of wargasms - perhaps the only gasms of any sort he has had since his skinny dipping days with Ginsburg came to an end.

Comment by TriSec on 11/05/2007 14:21:14
No Chris, there is a point.



STAND UP AND FIGHT!



There is no opposition anymore; this proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that this is nothing more than a rubber-stamp congress. Bush could do anything he wants and they would approve it.



Welcome to Fascism, everyone.



This was discussed at length on Friday's TRMS, in case anyone missed it.





Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 14:24:58






Morning.





Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:25:01
Quote by will in chicago: Michael Savage has lots of wargasms - perhaps the only gasms of any sort he has had since his skinny dipping days with Ginsburg came to an end.
Sheesh... it ws totally nonsensical... "Bomb Iran so we can bring the boys home???"

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:26:02
And, btw, Will and Tri and Starling... GOOD MORNING!

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:29:37
From Naomi Wolf at Huffpo: The title says it all... A "Paper Coup," and Blackwater Eyes Midtown Manhattan

Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 14:31:30
Quote by TriSec:

No Chris, there is a point.



STAND UP AND FIGHT!







Absolutley Tri! I've been saying this for so long now. I'm tired of the excuses.

Let him put in a nutjob recess appointment. At least then it would only be temporary. But, they would have stuck to their guns.

It's like the game has been changed to Cricket, but our "fearless leaders" are still trying to playing by Hockey Rules.



Comment by livingonli on 11/05/2007 14:36:18
Good morning all.



I just so did not want to get up in the morning.



Is it time to move to ?

Comment by livingonli on 11/05/2007 14:39:49
Also because of the writers strike, the Daily Show and the Colbert Report should be in reruns for the foreseeable future.

Comment by BobR on 11/05/2007 14:40:00
I saw Valerie Plame on Bill Maher the other night. This interview sounds almost exactly the same.

Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 14:40:10
Annual Enrollment time again. . . time to penalized for smoking.





Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:41:34
Quote by starling310: Annual Enrollment time again. . . time to penalized for smoking.
Have they increased the penalties?

Comment by livingonli on 11/05/2007 14:45:37
How about invoking the 26th amendment and removing Bush and Cheney on grounds of mental incompetence. Granted, it will be easier to prove for Bush. But, the executive branch is held by a bunch of sociopaths.

Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 14:45:48
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

Annual Enrollment time again. . . time to penalized for smoking.



Have they increased the penalties?





It's not too bad. . . but, the only difference in the Life Insurance for smokers vs. non-smokers. There is no "fatty fat pants" option, or "heavy drinker" option.



Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:48:32
Quote by livingonli: How about invoking the 26th amendment and removing Bush and Cheney on grounds of mental incompetence. Granted, it will be easier to prove for Bush. But, the executive branch is held by a bunch of sociopaths.
Bush and Cheny are weapons of mass destruction...

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 14:49:12
Quote by starling310:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by starling310: Annual Enrollment time again. . . time to penalized for smoking.
Have they increased the penalties?
It's not too bad. . . but, the only difference in the Life Insurance for smokers vs. non-smokers. There is no "fatty fat pants" option, or "heavy drinker" option.
Give it time...

Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/05/2007 14:51:09
Quote by starling310:

Quote by TriSec:

No Chris, there is a point.



STAND UP AND FIGHT!







Absolutley Tri! I've been saying this for so long now. I'm tired of the excuses.

Let him put in a nutjob recess appointment. At least then it would only be temporary. But, they would have stuck to their guns.

It's like the game has been changed to Cricket, but our "fearless leaders" are still trying to playing by Hockey Rules.







Time for some song lyrics to describe how I feel about the Democrats, courtesy of the band Garbage. The song is Special:



Do you have an opinion?

A mind of your own?

I thought you were special

I thought you should know

But I've run out of patience

I've run out of comments

I'm tired of the violence

I couldn't care less







Comment by livingonli on 11/05/2007 14:53:07
That's it. Force a country. Expose Bush for the tyrant that he is. Show the world that he is a wanna be dictator and should be removed from office. NOW!

Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 14:53:50
An interesting thing happened to ling this weekend:

Our Director's friend came to see the show for a 2nd time. This guy is absolutely brilliant, is a film director and "knows people." He is currently directing a film for the festival circuit, which my show's director is in. Ok, so I am standing outside chatting and he walks over and says "You should audition for 2nd City in Chicago."



I just laugh. . . Oh, Michael, you're a stitch!



Turns out he wasn't kidding. I know this because when we got to the bar afterwards he came over and said "You know? I wasn't kidding before. If you want to give a shot I can call some people and try to help you out. You've got talent. I wouldn't just say that."



And, he wouldn't. As much as I love the little old ladies who tell me how fabulous I was, they don't know the people that cast Saturday Night Live.



( starling )

Comment by livingonli on 11/05/2007 14:54:05
And who keeps giving Dennis Miller work? Tomorrow night, he will be doing a new sports show on Versus at 10 PM after the Hockey game.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/05/2007 15:03:18
Quote by livingonli:

That's it. Force a country. Expose Bush for the tyrant that he is. Show the world that he is a wanna be dictator and should be removed from office. NOW!




The Democrats need to act. If they do not, they may cause Democratic voters to stay at home next year - leading to more years of Republican misrule.



Comment by BobR on 11/05/2007 15:03:29
Quote by starling310:

An interesting thing happened to ling this weekend:

Our Director's friend came to see the show for a 2nd time. This guy is absolutely brilliant, is a film director and "knows people." He is currently directing a film for the festival circuit, which my show's director is in. Ok, so I am standing outside chatting and he walks over and says "You should audition for 2nd City in Chicago."



I just laugh. . . Oh, Michael, you're a stitch!



Turns out he wasn't kidding. I know this because when we got to the bar afterwards he came over and said "You know? I wasn't kidding before. If you want to give a shot I can call some people and try to help you out. You've got talent. I wouldn't just say that."



And, he wouldn't. As much as I love the little old ladies who tell me how fabulous I was, they don't know the people that cast Saturday Night Live.



( starling )


Wow! :clap:



You've got nothing to lose by giving it a go. You absolutely will NOT get a shot if you don't try.

Comment by BobR on 11/05/2007 15:04:56
Quote by livingonli:

And who keeps giving Dennis Miller work? Tomorrow night, he will be doing a new sports show on Versus at 10 PM after the Hockey game.


Didn't he already fail miserably at doing sports? How about giving Ben Stein a shot? It would be just as entertaining... :rolleyes2:

Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/05/2007 15:07:52
Raine, this is from the Atlanta Progressive News:

Kucinich to Force Impeachment Consideration Vote in US House.



So, while I doubt this will work, I at least want to see a few people go on the record.

Comment by livingonli on 11/05/2007 15:09:09
Quote by BobR:

Quote by livingonli:

And who keeps giving Dennis Miller work? Tomorrow night, he will be doing a new sports show on Versus at 10 PM after the Hockey game.


Didn't he already fail miserably at doing sports? How about giving Ben Stein a shot? It would be just as entertaining... :rolleyes2:


You would think after how well his Monday Night Football gig went that any other show from him would flop. They might as well stick to the Ted Nugent hunting show.

Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 15:10:31
Quote by BobR:

Wow! :clap:



You've got nothing to lose by giving it a go. You absolutely will NOT get a shot if you don't try.




Thanks.

You're supposed to have a year of improv experience, which I do not. But, we'll see what happens. I will now wait for them to post the Annual General Audition notice.



Any photographers out there who want to dole out cheap head shots!?!?!

Comment by livingonli on 11/05/2007 15:12:12
That Condi Rice with the sunny outlook.

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 15:14:27
:star: ling... you are damn funny. I think you shold give it a shot. You have nothing to lose except regretting it later if you don't. ;)

Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/05/2007 15:16:24
So, Karl Rove was running the Bush White House out of his butt checks. So much makes sense now!

Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 15:21:05
Quote by Raine:

:star: ling... you are damn funny. I think you shold give it a shot. You have nothing to lose except regretting it later if you don't. ;)




Eh, you're easy!

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 15:21:22
for the garbage video!!!

Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 15:22:51
Quote by starling310:
Quote by Raine: :star: ling... you are damn funny. I think you shold give it a shot. You have nothing to lose except regretting it later if you don't. ;)
Eh, you're easy!
Lissenup lil missy.... I ain't THAT easy!!!

Comment by wickedpam on 11/05/2007 15:24:50
MORNING!!!! :hug:





Raine - It's only letting me in if I register, not sure why.

Comment by BobR on 11/05/2007 15:26:59
Quote by starling310:

Quote by BobR:

Wow! :clap:



You've got nothing to lose by giving it a go. You absolutely will NOT get a shot if you don't try.




Thanks.

You're supposed to have a year of improv experience, which I do not. But, we'll see what happens. I will now wait for them to post the Annual General Audition notice.



Any photographers out there who want to dole out cheap head shots!?!?!


I can take the pics if you can get your head in front of my camera. :P

Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 15:28:17
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:



Lissenup lil missy.... I ain't THAT easy!!!




:rofl:





( by the way, I love the waiting-icon! )


Comment by BobR on 11/05/2007 15:28:52
Quote by wickedpam:

MORNING!!!! :hug:





Raine - It's only letting me in if I register, not sure why.


Don't forget your password is case-sensitive...

Comment by wickedpam on 11/05/2007 15:29:50
Quote by starling310:

An interesting thing happened to ling this weekend:

Our Director's friend came to see the show for a 2nd time. This guy is absolutely brilliant, is a film director and "knows people." He is currently directing a film for the festival circuit, which my show's director is in. Ok, so I am standing outside chatting and he walks over and says "You should audition for 2nd City in Chicago."



I just laugh. . . Oh, Michael, you're a stitch!



Turns out he wasn't kidding. I know this because when we got to the bar afterwards he came over and said "You know? I wasn't kidding before. If you want to give a shot I can call some people and try to help you out. You've got talent. I wouldn't just say that."



And, he wouldn't. As much as I love the little old ladies who tell me how fabulous I was, they don't know the people that cast Saturday Night Live.



( starling )






OMIGOD! OMIGOD! OMIGOD!!!!!!! That's so GREAT!





What could it hurt if you try? Maybe if your not right for them just then, doesn't Second City have workshops and stuff and if they like you, you could get into them!



:hug:

:hug:

:hug:



Comment by wickedpam on 11/05/2007 15:32:06
Quote by BobR:

Quote by wickedpam:

MORNING!!!! :hug:





Raine - It's only letting me in if I register, not sure why.


Don't forget your password is case-sensitive...




That's usually why I do most thinks in lower case, I tried every combination I could think of it just kept telling me the same thing.



It's most likely operater error, I'm just not sure what I did yet :shrug:



Comment by starling310 on 11/05/2007 15:33:52
Quote by wickedpam:



OMIGOD! OMIGOD! OMIGOD!!!!!!! That's so GREAT!





What could it hurt if you try? Maybe if your not right for them just then, doesn't Second City have workshops and stuff and if they like you, you could get into them!



:hug:

:hug:

:hug:









They do have Internship Training Programs that they sometimes select people for, yes!



And, I've already been thinking that maybe I could do my current paying job, remotely from Chicago. There is really no reason for me to ever see anyone in person. All of my work is done on the computer. I rarely go to meetings, etc.





Comment by Raine on 11/05/2007 15:35:43
Quote by will in chicago: So, Karl Rove was running the Bush White House out of his butt checks. So much makes sense now!
you know will, this is an image that has given me a pain in my head that is like a thousand pokers in my eye.