Judgment at Abbottabad: So why am I not dancing in the streets?

One of the most important ideals to emerge out of the Second World War is the notion that individuals can be called to account by due process of law in the aftermath of conflict for crimes committed in the name of a nation or ideology. These criminals can be captured, held, tried and punished for even something as horrifying as genocide. Even decades after the famous war crimes trials, fugitives from justice such as Aldolf Eichmann were still being brought to account. Many were captured, tried and punished . . . by sentence of court.

Fifty million died to fascist aggression in twelve horrifying years of war and genocide, but the architects of that cataclysm were called to account in a manner consistent with the values we were fighting for. In the face of overwhelming evidence of their crimes, even genocidal Nazis and Japanese militarists were offered the benefit of due process at trial.

In these debased times, apparently we can no longer afford the luxury. Due process of law is a sad casualty of this War on Terror™

Last night, President Obama informed the world that Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the attacks of 2001.09.11, was killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and the US has his dead body. This electrifying news triggered spontaneous celebrations around the country and even some praise for the President from the various Republicans seeking their party's presidential nomination.

So while this monstrous mass murderer is now explaining his crimes against his religion to Allah in person and a nation rejoices . . . why am I not celebrating?

First of all -- it's not because I'm some kind of crypto-Islamofacist terrorist socialist communist who hates America, kicks puppies, eats kittens raw and thinks American Idol sucks. Far from it. Unlike many who are having a Beltane mass public triumphalist war-gasm over this, I've served this country in the US Navy. I think I understand a thing or two about war and the way the world works. The part of me that understands the latter is not in the mood for celebrating.

Reason the first for not wanting to celebrate: I hold with the idea of that all human beings have inherent value -- even Hitler and OBL. Yes, even a villain like Osama bin Laden. Even the dearth of this monster diminishes us.

Reason the second: Apparently OBL was killed in a daring raid by US Special Operations troops. Boots on the ground, not bombs from the sky. Intelligence and light infantry were Obama's choice of weapon, not data nets and remote-control drones. This operation could have gone very very badly for the troops and Obama, as both living Democratic former presidents can attest. Barack Obama risked his chances for a second term as President on the success of this raid. My point here: If the President chose to rely on light infantry / commandos for this task, there was the possibility of capturing OBL for trial.

If OBL were taken and not killed in action, the end result would eventually be the same: OBL would never "get off on a technicality" even before the most bleeding heart judge in the universe. Yes, any trial would be a theatrical event to rival Broadway, a media circus that would make OJ Simpson's trial look like a kiddie ride, and a trial would take time.

Due process has a price. But justice at the cost of our values and our souls is hardly worthy of a great nation like the United States of America.

However disappointed that we aren't going to try OBL for his crimes, I applaud the US military for its valor and courage in carrying out a dangerous mission. The guys in camouflage and the intelligence community scored a brilliant success on this operation. However, there is a bigger picture here . . . one that worries me over the long term.

Edit for clarity and a couple of stupid spelling errors.

(Quasi) Daily Bloggery 2009-04-16: Of teabaggery and untrasound

1. Health: SGL (109), feeling pretty good at the moment.

2. Family: Called my daughter last night. She had some ultrasound-sourced news: Baby Kanenwisher is a grandson. Her and Sam have picked a name for the little guy, which will be announced when he makes his debut in August.

3. Politics: There has been a big stink on certain cable news channels -- mostly one named for a certain fur-bearing animal -- about "tax protests" over President Obama's budget proposals. To symbolize their protest in a manner unmistakable to any American who is aware of his heritage, they've adopted the Boston Tea Party model, and are calling it "teabagging the President."

Guys, "teabagging" has a whole 'nother meaning in the here-and-now. In gaming, it refers to fragging your opponent and executing the maneuver described in the UD link with your foe's virtual corpse.

Of course, these protests -- basically corporate astroturf in action -- ignore the objective reality that the US has among the lowest taxes in the world, and has over the last, oh, thirty or so years, a lot less progressive while income distribution has skewed upward.

Gwenny referred to it as "insanitea."

4. Gwenny: I'm going to see her this weekend. It's been two weeks and I miss her badly.

5. WoW: Patch 3.1 landed on Tuesday, and it was a mighty thing indeed. Neat new content in Northrend, a big bad new raid instance I'm not anywhere near ready for . . . just grinding cash for Marty's epic flying skill and mount. Gwenny, through the lovely Paharita, donated 1k gold to the cause. I'm bringing over another 3k on another toon, which should be Just About Enough.

Man on Fire (and I'm not talking about artists in a desert . . .)

I'm talking about a certain skinny guy, dark complexion, curly hair, 'bout my age. Lovely wife, two darling little girls. He has a real tough job -- possibly the world's toughest -- and he works hard at it. He's only had it for five weeks, and in that time he has been damned effective.

Barack Obama: Man on Fire.

He is wasting no time at all. Other great leaders in history, like this Corsican / French leader from almost two hundred years ago, and this distinguished American President from the last century, both got a lot done in a mere 100 days. Frankly, it's refreshing to see a leader in action -- as opposed to the leadership inaction or malpractice we experienced under Obama's predecessor in the White House.

I'm resigned to one thing with Mr. Obama in the Oval Office: I'm not going to agree with everything he is doing . . . but he's doing things that really need doing. Like listening to those who do not favor his approaches to the issues -- something his predecessor emphatically did not even pretend to do. He treats the American people like adults, and not little children.

Not to mention the specifics: executive orders closing the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the plans for a summer 2010 withdrawl from Iraq . . . .

No voter's remorse here.

Introducing . . . the Obamatracker!

From NPR

An astounding level of activity so far and not a day of vacation yet. Given how much Shrub was out to lunch / out of the office / etc -- not to mention the hydra-headed crises facing the nation, I'm glad our new President has the work ethic he has demonstrated so far.

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Now playing: Neil Young - Lookin' for a Leader
via FoxyTunes

Assorted, various and sundry.

Political: "Bipartisanship, my ass!" To the Rethuglicans, the term means "getting my way, no matter what." I think it's time for the 'thugs to learn a life lesson: that Karma, aka Blessed Momma K, is the most pitiless bitch in the whole universe. How well we remember getting W's agenda shoved down our throats until we choked on it. Now the show is on the other foot! In the House, the Democrats don't need 'thug votes to pass the Obama agenda; With the Senate Dems just shy of a filibuster-proof majority, teh Prez still needs to trade horses with teh 'thugs. The problem is that you just don't trade with thieves.

Health: Serum glucose has been under good control, with only one spike over 200 in the last month and readings averaging right around 110. I'm battling a bit of a winter cold at the moment, feeling not so good.

Family: I'M GONNA BE A GRANDPA in August. My daughter's gonna be a mom. She will be a good one.

WoW: Doing the reputation grind thing and gearing for a 80 repec to Resto for raiding.



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Now playing: Jon Bon Jovi - Dead or Alive
via FoxyTunes

I had a dream...

...and it was wierd,

Ex#2 called me (in the dream) and invited me to come out to her place. I was about to categorically turn this invite down . . .

Her: "I have a guest coming you'd want to meet."

Me: "Nobody this side of Barack Obama could get me out to your place."

Her: "So when can I expect you?

Me: "YGTBSM"

Her: "If you don't believe me, check CNN"

I check CNN. Damned if she isn't right.

Right on schedule, the Obamas and the Secret Service roll into Pleasant Grove, followed by the media. Yes, he's making my ex's rather modest digs there his Western White House.

So I meet them in person. I ride a motor scooter with the girls and the oldest of Ex#2's sons. The youngest is allowed to hook his XBox into the President's satellite uplink for broadband internet access. Ex#2's mom takes the First Lady shopping in Roseville. I check out the Secret Service agents, communications gear and the various ironmongery deployed to protect the President. I get interviewed to within an inch of my life by CNN, et al. I tell Fox News to shove it.

Then I wake up.

From the YGTBSM* files

No, ISYN**

President Obama action figure . . . with kung-fu grip!

*YGTBSM -- You've Got To Be Shitting Me.
**ISYN -- I Shit You Not

POTUS Achievement in WoW

"Mr. President, your, uhm, tank is here"

Car Wars at the Obama Inauguration.

Okay, it's got worse acceleration than a typical 6600-lb Car Wars luxury (0-60 in 15 secs vs. 0-60 in 12 secs for a lux with a Super power plant in CW) . . . armor is non-ablative composites (CW armor is usually plastic ablatives), no heavy weapons (as far as we can tell, just pump shotguns and tear gas cannons), state of the art electronics and a (rare for CW) an Internal Combustion engine (CW vehicles use fuel cells).

If this vehicle keeps President Obama safe from teh terrists, it's all good by me.

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Listening to: Concrete Cell - Car Wars
via FoxyTunes

Watching the Inaguration . . .

They're playing "Simple Gifts" -- the tune to the Pagan version of Lord of the Dance.

Of course, this is also a Christian hymm...
HUZZAH!!!

And the Crowd goes wild!



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Now playing: By the Tree - Lord of the Dance
via FoxyTunes

Tis a very good day . . .

1. I found out yesterday that I'm gonna be a grampa in August. My daughter tells me that her pregnancy has been easy so far. Looks like I'll be taking time for a real vacation this summer . . . she'll be a good mom; of course their apartment may be a bit small for "baby makes three," Dertails, details.

2. Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th POTUS tomorrow.



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Listening to: R.E.M. - Walk Unafraid (Live)
via FoxyTunes

Pre-Helliday Thoughts, etc

Happy Fscking Hellidays!
Current annoyances:

1. Watching people who get more than ample time off the phones at work to do their required training beg like dogs for more because they have not spent the ample time they do have to complete training THEN whine to be "early-outed" -- sent home early to be with kith and kin -- because it is a holiday . . . while people like me who complete their training on time and within spec are "rewarded" by getting the opportunity to carry these no-load slugs' dead weight. Boy, do I feel incentivized!

2. I'm taking Saturday off. Friday's double time and I'm not missing that. Saturdays piss me off even more.

3. People who do not check the system requirements for software before installing it.

4. People who will not go to http://www.seananmcguire.com RIGHT THE HELL NOW and order her forthcoming album. Hanging's too damned good for 'em. You know who you are. From your IP I'll figure out where you live.

Just to prove I'm not a total sourpuss, there are some things I'm thankful for:

1. Looking for something for months, and finally finding it.
2. Gaining a cyber-stalker in WoW I *like* and does not creep me out.
3. The collective sense of the American people in electing the best of two very good candidates (Barack Hussein Obama) to be our 44th President.
4. Good healthcare.
5. Good work to do, albeit sometimes it annoys me.
6. Friends like mine -- Michelle, David, Matt, Seanan, Richard, Ralph, Sam, Duncan, Tim, Iz, Kate, Keegan, Mira, Brian, Rain, Equal and the rest of the gang in [Zealous] on Draka.

President-elect uses complete English sentences . . .

. . . world gasps in wonder!

He's not even been inaugrated yet . . .

And folks are naming schools after Barack Obama

I expect to see a lot of this in the next couple decades.



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Listening to: Steely Dan - My Old School
via FoxyTunes

THAT does it!

[Rant ON]
The more I think about this, the madder I get.
I for one am getting utterly sick and tired of hearing the financial media / "investing for the common guy" websites and the 401k management companies like Fidelity all urging us to "ride it out" with respect to the recent Utterly Bad Times in teh Market. We're looking at a disastrous paradigm shift happening in the financial sector right before our very eyes, complete with color commentary . . . and almost the whole industry is saying "Don't panic! Things will improve! Keep your investments where they are!"

Guys, I hate to break it to you, but I'm no longer going to heed your advice. I've taken a goddam blood bath in "the market" making safe, conservative investment choices, following the best conventional advice. You know what? The world on which that advice was predicated vanished sometime this summer and it is not coming back. I have ZERO confidence that this system of legalized financial rapine of the middle class they call a retirement savings program will ever recover, and for some -- like the 55 year olds in their last ten years of working -- it is is already far too late. The sharks in pinstripes told us not to count on Social Security to be there for us, while all the while these criminals were fucking each and every one of us over. Effective immediately, I am moving my retirement savings to a nice safe credit union, like this one. No longer will I particpate in this system until or unless the incoming Obama Administration completely fumigates Wall Street. Literally. As in "with nerve gas." I want to see these thieves HUNG for their crimes, alongside every deregulator, "free" marketeer, "free" trader and war criminal in that cartel of evil known as "the Bush Administration."

I do not expect government intervention in this mess; I DEMAND it. And President-elect Obama, Goddess bless you, I hope you deliver after you are sworn to our service in this Nation's highest office.
[RANT Off|

Forget abour Chuck Norris Facts . . .

. . . when you have Rham Emanual Facts!

It isn't The Onion . . .

But it fits!

Barack knows Jack . . .

I like this: Yes We Carve!



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Now playing: Emerald Rose - Four Jacks
via FoxyTunes

My (Rather Delayed) Reaction to Barack Obama's Acceptanc Speech

As a political junkie for over 40 years and someone who has delivered speeches to big crowds, I have to say one thing about Barack Obama's acceptance speech Thursday night: It was nothing less than a masterwork. I haven't heard such a speech in my entire life.

If you've never heard him speak, do so. Now.

The nomination of Barack Obama ensures that for the first time in my life, I am voting FOR someone. No "lesser of two evils" here, for me. Nor is it what has often been the case, the evil of two lessers. He has triumphed when people wrote him off, has persevered in the face of a multi-threaded smear-and-scare campaign, and has kept his cool throughout.

It feels good to support a winner, for a Change™

Finally, the song in my head:




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Listening to: R.E.M. - Imitation of Life (Live)
via FoxyTunes

Tonight's the Night . . .

. . . and not in the Rod Stewart sense of the phrase.

Tonight Barack Obama accepts his party's nomination. I *am* going to watch the speech live / streamed.

Of course, the stage setting at Invesco Field in Denver where Barack will speak has drawn some invidious comment from certain quarters because the backdrop looks like an ancient Greek temple(!). Well, people, lots of buildings are based on ancient Greek temples -- the Capitol Building in DC, Cali's own Capitol being just two. Where the hell do you think the word "democracy" itself comes from? Space fairies?

It's kind of ironic that the world has just wound down another cultural artifact that comes to us from the ancient Greeks: TEH FSCKING OLYMPIC GAMES!

OK, people, answer me this: What day is it? 28 August. On this date in 1963, another great American, also of African descent, also a great orator, gave a speech on the steps of a very similar building.

History's being made this week. The least we can do is watch it. Yes I can...and yes I WILL!



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Now playing: The Elders - Turning Point
via FoxyTunes