Homeland Security Adviser Fran Townsend gave a press conference yesterday on the National Intelligence Estimate in which all intelligence-gathering arms of the United States government concluded that the war in Iraq had made this country less safe, and that the situation was deteriorating rapidly.
“Although we cannot measure the extent of the spread with precision, a large body of all-source reporting indicates that activists identifying themselves as jihadists, although a small percentage of Muslims, are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion.”
Pretty clear statement, and of course it deserves a pretty clear response from the administration. Fortunately they had a questioner that was obviously pitching softballs:
Q Could I get a quick follow on George’s question? Are you questioning the judgment that jihadists are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion? Because if that’s true, how can you say we’re safer?
MS. TOWNSEND: I’m sorry, how can you say — I didn’t hear the question.
Q We’re safer.
MS. TOWNSEND: I don’t think there’s any question that we’re safer.
And that is what passes for journalism in America?
Hat-tip to Holden C.
Update: From Larry Johnson, the following chart shows the CIA statistics on actual terrorist incidents, note that the Iraq war began in 2003.
Hat-tip to thehim.
September 27, 2006 at 8:15 pm
I felt hideously less safe the minute I heard the term “Homeland” used to refer to our country.
Homeland sounds so Nazi like. What happened to America or The United States? Why did they do that? It’s very alarming to me.
If they act like Nazis and they look like Nazis and now, they sound like Nazis…what is a citizen of this country to think?
September 27, 2006 at 10:11 pm
They are Nazis. We do not have a completely fascist system yet. It is proto-fascist. The people like George Bush and Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld and the rest of their allies and supporters are quite intent on making it a complete totalitarian state.
A lot of people think that they will stop them with a vote. I do not think men like these are too concerned with a vote, but they may step aside for an ally to take their place. There will be a change of masters, a new set of names and places to be filled, but they will be the same people.
That is why I point out the intended succession of John McCain. If that occurs you will remember the good old days of George Bush, and I kid you not.
Just like people are now remembering the good old days of Bill Clinton, and they are serious!
Bill Clinton was a terrible president and he did more to destroy our constitution than anyone until George Bush came around and made him look like such a piker.
The only thing that will stop this is cannabis.
September 27, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Just think of this scenario — Cheney resigns, and John McCain is made Vice President.
How do you keep John McCain from becoming President?
I think that is what may happen.
September 27, 2006 at 10:26 pm
I know a lot of people do think that Bill Clinton was a good president or at least much better than his predecessors Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. I also know that the Republican noise machine did a great deal to tear him down mercilessly and unfairly. I am not entering into that particular dispute.
What he did to cannabis is to wink and say he tried and didn’t inhale, and then allowed the number of of people to be arrested for cannabis possession to double, without saying a word to help us. What he did in Serbia was as much an act of aggression as the invasion of Iraq, though it may have been smaller in scale or at least in terms of US involvement because he was able to negotiate with more allies to participate. He was more nuanced, much more capable, and he got away with a lot that he should not have.
I’m tired of war mongers.
September 27, 2006 at 11:22 pm
There is a dry wind that blows down the wash.
As it gathers strength and focus it finds it’s voice.
“Woe!” it cries with the hollow voices of a million dead.
In the fragile boxes the children hold each other in silent terror,
their parents fearful children too.
The static on the TV tells the tale, with no comforting ‘technical difficulty’ splash screen to hint of the world that existed only yesterday.
A thudding ryhtmic sound follows the cries of the dead;
hundreds of boots marching, marching , giving cadence to the wind.
A loud voice cuts through the wind and the march;
“All survivors are to report to (static) by 1600 hours. Laggers and looters will be shot. Please have your papers in order.”
“Mommy? What does that man mean?”
The ‘acceptable’ American answers thus:
“Oh yes I feel quite safe thank you. It could never happen here. It only happens to other people, in other countries. America is blessedly safe from reality infringing upon our Hollywood fantasies. I mean even though 9/11 was totally orchestrated by our own government, they did it for our own good right? I mean us ordinary citizens couldn’t possibly know how to wipe our own metaphorical posteriors without the proper beaurocratic channeling of energy and resource, could we?
“I need to be led around by the nose just like my fellow americans, I trust that the greed and insatiable lust for power and wealth that inhabits all levels of social control is the natural order of things, who am I to challenge the status quo? You can’t fight city hall. That’s just the way it is, some things’ll never change. I fought the law and the law won.
“God is on our side. I mean God picked the church, and the church picked the preachers, and the preachers picked the president, so obviously the president is CHOSEN BY GOD, by God. You go against the president (even though he looks suscpiciouosly like a chimpanzee) you go against God! By God.
“How dare you think otherwise. People like you should be made to suffer, imprisoned, your families stigmatized, and all your works stricken from the memory of men -to think such a thing as to question our glorious government and their rich friends who were obviously appointed by God to rule over all of us peasants. By God!”
That is mainstream America.
I on the other hand know only one sanctuary, and that is the faith of my convictions, the belief in a God that bears no resemblance to the above overstated ignorances, and the knowledge that that very same faith and belief has delivered to my understanding. In that knowledge is a plan and action already underway that renders all other action at best idle preoccupation, at worst total vanities.
I fell safe only in the knowledge that one mode of being is coming to an end, and another, better one is just beginning, but nothing about this illegal, evil, lying government makes me feel safe, nor should anyone with any control of their own brain function.
I toke in sacred honor and recognition, saying prayers sending the smoke to heaven as the incense cannabis was so chosen by God for just such purpose.
peace
September 27, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Whig,
I put this together a few years ago. Had it on the net just to see who would discover it. I’m pretty sure no one did. A lot of what I believe, what I know to be (rather) undiscussed idea, concept, and historical accuracy, is represented here. Like so many other of my projects, it is open-ended, in progress.
http://terryhubbard.com/YSHWH/
September 28, 2006 at 12:33 am
Museman, I am still reading, and it is a wonderful scripture you have written. At this point, and using your metaphor, I am saying that Michael’s present mission is to go and retrieve Lucifer and bring him back home without hatred or violence. We have been fighting for such a long time and it is time to end, before we are all destroyed, and the destruction is quite evident all around us and impending.
I will not kill my brother, and my brother should fear being killed by himself if he does not listen to me. It is this guilt which cries out and this unwillingness to accept forgiveness, because it is not believed.
That is why I am a Christian and not a Jew as I was raised. I am a forgiver and a forgiven. I did not accept forgiveness, but it was not mine to accept. It is given freely and without anything required in return. It is not a punishment or a discipline, it is not a qualified offer or a truce, it is an end. Mistakes have given us lessons and we have learned those lessons, let’s move on without war.
Without forgiveness, the war is endless. Without forgiveness, the world dies. Without forgiveness, there is nothing.
September 28, 2006 at 12:36 am
And that is why I pray for George Bush.
September 28, 2006 at 10:06 am
[...] Trackback [...]
September 28, 2006 at 12:04 pm
For many many years I debated the issue of ‘forgiveness’ for the fallen, rebellious angels who have enslaved man since the dawn of time, and the result is this;
There can only be forgiveness in a contrite, and admitting heart. Without remorse or even regret, there is no purchase for forgiveness, the result being exactly as YSHWH described in the parable “Do not cast your pearls before swine..”
Though none of us can have the complete understanding of the motivations of any individual, angel or man, one can obtain the power of discernment, and the wisdom to know by psychic flavor, and spiritual color (for example) of a heart and soul. Let us not discount the simple sign “You will know them by their fruits.”
When YSHWH was reputedly on the cross and dying, he was reported to have said; “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” He meant the error and folly of man, not the deliberate deception and manifest evil of the Fallen ones and their viper brood- the Nephalim.
Perhaps it is in the Will of the Most High that these high crimes be forgiven, and if so my mere reporting of the facts as I have been given them should not interfere with that in any way. The judgement against them has already been given, I merely report on it.
As far as my ‘fellow man’ is concerned, my tolerance and forgiveness reaches so much further than I can even qualify in words, yet I, like all the ‘diciples’ of YSHWH, and the Truth as exemplified by that Brother, am commanded not to forgive error and sin, but to shake the dust from my feet when I encounter it. This of course is after all reasonable attempts to allow the errant to find regret and remorse at their mistakes and error.
Just like Archangel Michael said when wrestling with ‘Satan’ and that dark entity hurled accusation and provokation at him, he said “May the Most High rebuke you.” for he dared not enter into Satans game.
If ‘forgiveness’ is in the forecast for these whose human disciples embody their antithesis to God and Heaven, then that act is reserved for the Most High Himself. We are not strong enough to take on that kind of power without direct empowerment and mandate from God Himself.
In my prayers about this the distinction is made. My fellows can be forgiven, but only if they are aware of their error and they themselves embrace forgiveness. There is no forgiveness for continuing horror, death and destruction. No, for that we have another Divine word, called “Justice.”
September 28, 2006 at 12:38 pm
Museman, you are right but the forgiveness is still there upon contrition.
God will rebuke all of us when we are wrong, and we continue in error at our peril. But when we cease to do those things which we should not do, when we obey the law of love and preserve rather than destroy one another, then we are forgiven all of our mistakes made in finding our way to that place.
We are all washed and clean.
And this is the thing that really makes this situation interesting, because the ones who do wrong in the name of God know that they will be forgiven, and so they take it as a license. They say, I will be forgiven this terrible deed, because I know that Jesus died on the cross for me and washed me of all of my sins that I have committed or ever will commit.
And this is where they fall into a pit of error further still, because the forgiveness does not matter until the contrition is made, and the contrition cannot be made until you understand the magnitude of all of the things you have done and have confessed them. You cannot petition the Lord with prayer.
A little Jim Morrison coming out there. He repeated that a few times for emphasis and for good reason. If you’ve done wrong you can’t go, “Father, forgive me for I have sinned” and be absolved at once, except that you will be told that your penance must be made first. This is not a teaching about going to a priest, this is about confessing to yourself, and then to those you have slighted.
What great wrongs they do imagining they will never need to atone.
September 28, 2006 at 12:40 pm
The important message that I am trying to bring here is to say to the fallen, even those deepest in the pit of corruption and destruction, that there is a way back home, and you will be forgiven when you are ready to return.
September 28, 2006 at 12:49 pm
We have to ask forgiveness too, of one another, even of the fallen.
September 28, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Oh yes whig. Up till the last breath of life, all of creation has oportunity to repent and recant. Your point about those who errantly feel mandated to do whatever in the false belief that they will be forgiven just by mouthing ritual and specific words, is also mine.
Whig, I myself have suffered the accusation of the damned, and in their presence it is hard to believe that such putrescence, and corruption could find redemption. I will not stand in the way, but I will mention Justice when my soul is called to testify. Justice is not ‘vengeance’, and I can’t pretend to know the ways that the Father intends to exact it. I do not believe in ‘hell and damnation’ in the classic biblical sense, yet I do understand fire on many levels.
I understand that the eternity we seek and believe is promised has but one simple condition, which is unconditional love. Because that in itself seems a contradiction, the drama of humanity comes into play.
There is a difference between a bottomless pit, and a being with holes that might ultimately consume them. The being who is falling, might, through their own will and efforts obtain whatever they need to stop the fall, and start to rise again, or through intercession such as is implied in ‘divine forgiveness’ achieve such desirable results. Those already beyond redemption may have already become ‘as if they never were’ though they have managed to convince humanity to carry their fading shadow a bit further. How can you forgive that which is already dead?
This the way it has been revealed to me. Ultimately it matters not whether the causes of corruption are ‘properly identified’ or not – unless you are someone like myself who was commissioned to do just that. I realized years ago that things that were paramount to my understanding, didn’t necessarily have do do with any one elses.
September 28, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Museman, not to change the topic but I know you’ve put a lot of your own thoughts into your music, and I wonder if you’ve ever considered making them into a video or even something very simple with a couple still frames of images being shown with the music as soundtrack. That could make for a good thing to put up on YouTube.
October 10, 2006 at 11:59 pm
I feel a little safer, merely in regards to having peoples “eyes open” now that we are not all powerful, untouchable America. So security is up, and people know now. We will never be completely safe, to believe in that is ignorant, and false security is bred from there, and people just “forget” eventually. As quick as all those American flags were sold around 9/11, to how quickly people lost their false patriotism, and stopped displaying their flags because the fad was over. How sad it has become. The government is twisted, and they may be the actual destroyers of the life we know. The mindsets change with each generation (I’m Gen X, 1983 DOB). Morals and ways of life change, are forgotten, or evolve for better or worse. Families are growing apart more often these days. 3rd of the country obese and ignorant. We’re so wrapped up suing, blaming, and battling with each other over petty shit! Thats why other countries laugh at America. We may be bigger in land, but for the most part we’re not even as intelligent or accomplished. I take nothing away from those who made America the glory it should be, but people today don’t care. Bush reads the bible? Then he’s got my vote without question kindof attitude! FOOLS I registered to vote to stop him from getting in. He was clearly a fugtard from debating against Kerry. Kerry isn’t the shit, but he was better, and he came prepared, and he beat Bush by a landslide in debate! The bible warns of many false teachers, and prophets. Religion should never be spoken of or used to win presidency or win people over! You get presidency by your own merit to what should be intelligent people! I hate what this country has become. Lazy, mcdonalds on every corner, arrogance, closed mindedness, and people not thinking for themseves (even intelligent people) just believing what they’re told like UFO’s aren’t real (yes they are), but that ruins the idea that God made just us, and the nation would panic mostly. Its pretty bold to say we’re the only intelligent beings in the UNIVERSE. If the government does become like the Nazi party, then I shall fight them with my best resolve, and defend those who cannot defend themselves. Even to the death, because I do not fear what God, the ultimate Judge, has for me. I believe the great rapture from revelations may be on its way. God will judge all on that day (I’m not even a big religious nut so don’t get that idea. I have true faith in righteousness) God will not take kindly to Bush’s propoganda regarding him either I can promise you. False Christians who support him will have no mercy, for talking of god, and acting out in his name doesn’t mean anything in the end. Walking tried and true in Jesus’s path, and having his heart speaks volumes over any “hardcore bible thumper” who doesn’t see you as a human since you have different beliefs. God bless the soldiers who fight for the freedom taken for granted, and in their minds they know they’re fighting for people who could care less because their everyday life hasn’t changed from terrorism. May God grant the power needed to those who fight for a just, selfless cause, and gamble their lives. Just wake up America, we’re not that bad off as other countries that have no hope like us. Our daily quarrels and problems are not so volatile as we make them. Show compassion, and mercy in a world that does not know it. Become the beacon of light surrounded by the darkness. Your example speaks silent volumes more than you think. People in America are shitty to each other, so some people just become shitty back to make it even. Kindness is rare and not weakness. Evil can be found everywhere, and its limited power gives nothing but evil back. A bully might get away with 9/11, or even taking your lunch money. However, someday a country, hero, or person like me will stand up for justice. They will be challenged, and smited by those who fight for right in God’s image. “Evil only happens when good men sit back and let it”. You can kill a million good men, but what they stand for and died for, will NEVER be beatin by any force. Osama, Al-Qaeda, and anyone who does evil…YOUR TIME WILL COME. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
October 11, 2006 at 12:05 am
James, that was quite a stream of consciousness there. May I suggest paragraphs? It’s very hard to read or respond when everything is all kind of jumbled together, and I don’t know how to address it without regard to things that seem unrelated like UFOs.
I will say that I have seen ball lighting. Three times. All in one storm over Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
October 13, 2006 at 4:32 am
*waits for the rimshot* Crap, I didn’t realize this was a surprise test. Yeah, you’re right about my paragraphs, and I’ll be the first to admonish you for pointing out whats obvious. The original poster. I didn’t realize the caliber of person I was dealing with! (this is my 2nd time here)
My mind was too expanded at that moment I realize now. I had a brief point to your original topic, but reading the opinions, and fairly hearing out others opinions, got me charged up. Powerful topics have an immeasureable domino effect on our lives, future. Instead of the witty “denied” response, you couldn’t give a rebuttal over 1 thing from my mess? Seriously.
The sustenance is there, unless the effort is asking too much. What I can obviously see behind your words though, is that my laid back lack of paragraph use is not up to snuff for an intellectual exchange from someone of your higher regard of self or “intellectual property”. If not, then what was the point of posting such a dud reply to kill the thread?
Haha, isn’t this your site? You made it for people to come together and share their views? Or for the same reason a child burns ants with a magnifying glass? I’ll give you credit in being the only bud smoker I’ve encountered that could, if desired, eat a lump of coal, and shit a diamond. I gave you some basic paragraph form to help you absorb it.
You need not reply to this since there is no grey area to discuss. Unless you have more snotty ways to insult your intelligence on your site?
October 13, 2006 at 4:49 am
I didn’t get the jest of your jab at the end about balls. Get this though…
The first rule of fight club – you do not talk about fight club.
The second rule of fight club is – YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB.
October 13, 2006 at 10:54 am
James,
Thanks for trying to communicate. There’s no joke there about ball lightning, it’s just something I saw. Really, it was spectacular. A lot of people used to not believe in that phenomenon, until it was seen by the “right” people at a scientific conference.
Two of the ball lightnings I only caught a glimpse of during that storm. The third, I was able to watch for a good duration, perhaps thirty seconds. It descended like a balloon, and changed color, then floated horizontally above and parallel to the telephone lines, towards the dormitory building where I was standing, and eventually flew into the building directly below me, at which time we lost electric power for a bit.
You seem to be looking for an argument of some kind. It’s not my purpose to enter into that kind of a disagreement, and I do not care to compare my intelligence and yours or anyone else’s. That would be entirely pointless, and goes against what I have been saying throughout, that you should not take my word for things but consider and weigh them for yourself.