Genocide, Mosquitoes, Georgia Peanuts, and DefCon

I took the picture of the cat and the background. I tubed the cat. I added the text. Anyone can use this picture except for those who are in favor of DRM and the NSA. And if you fancy yourself some kind of "copyright" police, you are not welcome here at this blog ever.

     I have not written about the Israeli-Gaza conflict/ war/ genocide because quite frankly, the whole thing has been a ball of confusion in my brain. While I'm perfectly willing to have Israel dissolve into Palestine, I'm not in favor of Hamas leading the way. I don't know who tossed the first bomb or bullet [housemate says it was Gaza] but I do know that I want the whole thing to stop. Yes, I do think it is genocide. That is all I will say about it for the present.

     The West Nile Virus seems to be having a hurrah in Louisiana and has now made an appearance in Washington state. That sucks badly. I know that massive spraying cannot possibly been "good" for the environment. I also know that we are dealing with human lives. I'd rather there be spraying than a rising death toll from the bite of a mosquito. I suppose there is or ought to be research to make sprays [that emit from trucks to counter the mosquitoes] more "eco-friendly" or whatever. That can happen as we take steps to prevent people from being infected with West Nile. We can't wait. We ought to be conducting massive spray campaigns now.

     Those guys from the Peanut Corporation of America plant in Georgia who knowingly sent out salmonella-infested peanuts which did in fact cause nine people to die and bunches more to get sick ought to experience legal consequences [other than or in addition to paying fines] for their actions. That the safety of any food depends upon corporations owing up to bad lots is piteous. Let the food inspectors inspect!

     One of these years I hope to go to DefCon. I was heartened to hear that John McAfee showed up to defend privacy. He also set up a new complaint list over at brownlist.com. It is easy to use and I think he is on to something.

radical sapphoq says: I hate what is happening in Palestine. I have no particular love for mosquitoes, especially those that spread diseases. That bunches of peanuts with salmonella were sent out to people is hideous. I hate the N.S.A. and all of the corporations and politicians who do not understand things like privacy. Thumbs up to John McAfee.

References:

http://www.brownlist.com/


http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/aug/09/west-nile-case-suspected-ww-county/

http://www.ldnews.com/local/ci_26307599/west-nile-mosquito-spraying-coming-soon

http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2014/08/second_louisiana_resident_dies.html


http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/u-s-peanut-plant-manager-admits-faking-tests-before-deadly-outbreak-1.1952775

http://www.inquisitr.com/1402304/peanut-plant-manager-admits-faking-tests-before-deadly-salmonella-outbreak-flaws-in-honor-system/

http://www.news-record.com/news/north_carolina_ap/article_05ad8c4f-2f17-5ab5-93c7-55fb832de88b.html



http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-28721480

http://vpncreative.net/2014/08/09/mcafee-advocates-privacy-defcon-launches-new-site/

http://www.tgdaily.com/social/123801-john-mcafee-is-not-crazy-he-is-a-revolutionary

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/09/us-cybersecurity-hackers-johnmcafee-idUSKBN0G901J20140809

http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/09/john-mcafee-in-crazytown/

http://www.futuretensecentral.com/

NUKES AND MORE 1/13/07

Once again two of my unfavorite dictator-types are in the news. Ahmadinejad of Iran and Chavez of Venezuela had a nice tete a tete today concerning the Iranian Nuclear Programme and the selling of oil. Both countries play important roles in OPEC. It appears that the two men [both of whom some of my more liberal buddies continue to assure me are "good guys"] are intent upon signing agreements formalizing their co-operation on various industrial projects and stuff like that. The two countries will be jointly investing in factories producing iron, steel, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, health care equipment, and munitions. The men both hate the United States, and are seeking to strengthen economic ties in light of a possible U.N. embargo.

Ahmadinejad also intends to attend the swearing-in of Rafael Correa as Ecuador's new prez, meet with Bolivia's Evo Morales and with Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega. President Bush, who opposes the nuclear capability developing in Iran, is uneasy about having Venezuela join in the quest for nukes.

Conde Rice, on her own excursion, is trying to persuade Israel and forces loyal to Palestine's weakened Abbas Fatah movement to unite against Hamas. To this end, President Bush wants Congress to grant "training" money. Unfortunately, the Hamas is very popular in Palestine and the people there are very much against creating any sort of temporary state. Hamas and Palestine want a permanent state to be created rather than going through any intermediate steps which may serve to embroil the Palestinian Authority in further legal battles.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is demanding that the United States share any terrorist intelligence while neighboring Bangladesh is shutting down elections and arresting 2552 people. John Negroponte testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee that Pakistan is the center of the Al-Queda network and that the mountainous tribal regions between Pakistan and Afghanistan must be brought under control. Negroponte's testimony pissed off the Pakistani government. President Bush is lobbying to give Pakistan a bit more than one million dollars in U.S. aid in October of 2007-- which is still a bit less than what Pakistan is used to getting. A large contingent of Islamic anti-American demonstrators protested continued American military presence anywhere in the Middle East.

Robert Gates has called for an increase of 27K Marine and 65K Army troops, in light of the drain currently being placed upon our current armed forces. It will take time to enlist and to train the new recruits-- about five years and 10 billion bucks a year. National guard reserve units can also be recalled or have their tour of duty involuntarily extended.

All of these events point to escalating conflicts and wars rather than a hoped-for peace. It may very well be that a draft will become a national necessity. Additionally, we the people of the United States need to look at how to decrease our dependency upon oil and manufactured goods from other countries who hate us.

radical sapphoq

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/
Satellite?cid=1167467723728&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=38862

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6258243.stm

http://www.judeoscope.ca/breve.php3?id_breve=3056

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/
2007/01/13/AR2007011300834.html

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/170734

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2007/01/13/2003344572

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,9294,2-10-1462_2054196,00.html

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=5228

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/international/2007112/99857.htm

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/4465262.html