nebris

02:07 pm - Spam Name of The Month

Acyme Limupahyculy

Current Mood: Who?

nebris

01:15 pm - Empire of Consumption [text]

August 15, 2008

BILL MOYERS: Welcome to the JOURNAL.

America's in a pickle. Our friends, the Russians, with whom we were about to conduct joint military exercises, decided instead to attack some of our other friends, the Georgians, who not only aspire to democracy but control access to lots of oil and pipelines in which American energy companies have huge investments. But when President Bush demands Russia go home and leave Georgia alone, his pal Vladimir Putin - the modern Russian czar - gets that sardonic smile on his face.

He knows that American troops are spread so thin in Iraq and Afghanistan that Uncle Sam more resembles Gulliver, tied down by too many commitments, too much hubris, and too many mistakes, than he does to Superman. It's a pickle and a predicament, and it's serious.

The limits of American power have never been more vividly on display. That's the subject of my conversation this week with Andrew J. Bacevich. Here is a public thinker who has been able to find an audience across the political spectrum, from THE NATION or THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE magazines, lecturing to college classes or testifying before Congress.

( Bacevich speaks truth to power, no matter who's in power, which may be why those of both the left and right listen to him. )

nebris

12:19 pm - Empire of Consumption

Is an imperial presidency destroying what America stands for? Bill Moyers sits down with history and international relations expert and former US Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich who identifies three major problems facing our democracy: the crises of economy, government and militarism, and calls for a redefinition of the American way of life. Watch The Episode

Current Mood: thoughtful

nebris

08:48 am - George Carlin:

Narcotics Anonymous World Convention, San Antonio (08/31/2007)

Current Mood: amused

nebris

06:29 am - "Punishment Park" (1971)

doll_meat reminded me of this film, which, as I said to her, I probably had not thought of since before she was born. Read its WiKi.

Current Mood: contemplative

magyarok_saman

04:12 am - Our cupboard was bare

I had a master's degree. I had a job. But to feed my three children, I had to swallow my pride and go to a soup kitchen.

By Heather Ryan
Salon.com

( Text for linkophobes )

Current Mood: calm

nebris

09:44 pm - NATO Tells Russia, No ‘Business as Usual’

From The NYT
By HELENE COOPER
August 19, 2008

BRUSSELS — NATO foreign ministers strengthened their ties to Georgia on Tuesday and called for Russia to observe a cease-fire and withdraw its troops immediately, vowing that until it does the alliance “won’t continue with business as usual” in its relations with Moscow.

But the NATO ministers, at a rare emergency meeting, failed to agree on any specific punitive measures, despite pressure from the United States that NATO at least threaten Russia with unspecified “consequences,” and pleas from the Czech Republic, Poland and NATO’s Baltic members that it take a tough stand.

Instead, ( NATO issued a tepid response... )

Current Mood: cynical

nebris

03:46 pm - Today's Pig=Tommorow's Bacon

Generally, I get along with cops, but, frankly, I'm getting pretty sick of most of their behavior.

Current Mood: angry

nebris

06:07 pm - 'Liar loans' threaten to prolong mortgage crisis

From The AP
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Business Writer
Mon Aug 18, 5:50 PM ET

In the mortgage industry, they are called "liar loans" — mortgages approved without requiring proof of the borrower's income or assets. The worst of them earn the nickname "ninja loans," short for "no income, no job, and (no) assets."

The nation's struggling housing market, already awash in subprime foreclosures, is now getting hit with a second wave of losses as homeowners with liar loans default in record numbers. In some parts of the country, ( the loans are threatening to drag out the mortgage crisis for another two years. )

Current Mood: cynical

magyarok_saman

02:14 pm - Nicked from sapphoq

You Are an "A-OK"

Your life philosophy can be summed up as, "Whatever will be, will be." Your greatest wish is to live each day a little better than the next. You are naturally calm and stable. Some people would call you a rock. You feel one with the world. You are a spiritual person, though no one who knows you would guess it.

Current Mood: happy

nebris

07:11 am - Primary Cause of Personal Bankruptcy in America.

Georgia is a fucking distraction.

Current Mood: cynical

magyarok_saman

12:53 pm - meme explosion!

( Yes, I got bored... )

Current Mood: crazy

nebris

12:49 pm - Ay Luv Mah Brane

Socially Smart As a socially smart person, you are best with others in real-life situations. This type of intelligence is closely linked to being 'street smart.' Theories and such are not much concern: the things that matter tend to be those which you can see, feel, touch - what you can really experience. This knowledge comes to you both out of a natural knowledge, as well as learning from the situations you find yourself in. 60% applied intelligence 20% natural intelligence

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

So where's the other 20%? Up my ass?

nebris

12:48 pm - CASH FOR GOLD USA

Current Mood: You better laugh!

nebris

12:47 pm - Thoughts On Fearful Americans or Nebs Has Always Been A Fucking Smartass

~I have read how when some folks here in the good ol' US of A heard that 'the Russians had invaded Georgia', they thought that meant our Georgia, ya know the one between South Carolina and Florida, the Peachtree State.

I'm sure that you, my loyal readers, have some idea of the contempt with which I regard such ignorant idiocy. People that profoundly uninformed should be disenfranchised forthwith as far I as am concerned. But my views on standards for access to The Franchise are another story.

What that type of foolishness reminded me of was something from my childhood. That I was probably born precocious will come as no great surprise to those of you who have been paying attention.

In the summer of 1961, Mumsie took me back to the UK for the first time. EP also came along as he had a photo shoot in Paris that August. That was the excuse for the trip actually.

They stayed a few weeks. Grandmum wasn't particularly keen on EP, him being the 'pushy little Jew' and all. Grandad was indifferent to him as I was his focus, the only male child on his side. I looked like an emotionally animated version of those children from Village of The Damned. lol Straw blonde hair styled in a bowl cut and a pug nose, ein kleiner ubermenschen.

I realize now that I was quite the little Prince and not the sweet naif of Saint Exupéry either. I was an imperious little beast, telling English station masters that they were Public Servants and therefor I was their boss and other such princely beastliness. I fell quickly into the British Class System and my Upper Class English accent returned with a vengeance.

These things took place while I was on my own with the Grandparents. Mumsie and EP had gone off to Paris and I was free to be myself, by Gadfrey. Ha! Might be the happiest days of my often unhappy childhood.

I suppose as I grew up under EP's oppressive regime I began to feel more The Prince in Exile. But as usual, I digress...and I don't wish to whine.

Back then I was a very big fan of aircraft spotting books and the like. I found that one of the boys there in Colindale, Mumsie's old 'hood, was a fan of train spotting books, so off we went to 'spot', which is how I came to put the above station master 'in his place'.

There were many more little adventures that summer, but I'll relate those some other time. The one that first came to mind was at the end of that summer, when we were returning home on the SS United States. It was my first and unfortunately only time on an ocean liner. I was very excited of course.

We left Le Harve on a bright and beautiful morning in early September. I stood on the stern that afternoon as we passed Lands End. Looking out at our wake, I saw an aircraft approaching. Even at a distance, I recognized its silhouette; a Fairey Gannet.

But an American woman standing next to me squawked in fear, “Oh My God! Is that a MIG?” She was a little older than my mother, with a small blonde bouffant and a sleeveless yellow sundress. And she was deeply afraid.

I said, “No, it's a Royal Navy anti-submarine aircraft.” Exactly those words as that is how they were stated in my little aircraft spotting book.

She looked at me uncertainly, but with a slight hope of relief. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said with solid authority..and a proper English accent, to boot. “It's a Fairey Gannet.”

By now the Gannet was flying past. “See,” I pointed to the fat radome upon its belly. “That's it's radar underneath.” The British roundels on its fuselage were now clearly visible as well.

She smiled at me with a profound relief. “Thank you, young man,” she said, hand to her bosom as if restraining vapors. I think my smile may have betrayed my age, as she blinked a bit when she actually looked at this nine year old boy who had just 'saved' her..

In retrospect, that was a Peak Experience for me. And my first conscious memory of being smarter than an adult, a realization that increased exponentially with time.

When I read about the confusion over Georgia's, I heard that woman's voice from forty seven years ago crying out in fear, “Oh My God! Is that a MIG?” That memory makes me both smug and depressed.

Current Mood: contemplative

nebris

12:46 pm - I Can Relate

~This movie was a window into out collective National Psyche. Did anybody really look? I mean besides DHS.

Current Mood: Now I Want Some Breakfast

nebris

12:45 pm - Nebs <3's Mandee

Current Mood: Le-Le does too

nebris

12:44 pm - Quote of The Day

"Even on the highest throne in the world, we are still sitting on our ass." ~Michel de Montaigne, 'De l'experience' 1580-88

nebris

12:43 pm - Henry Charles Bukowski (August 16, 1920 – March 9, 1994)

Happy Birthday, ya ugly fuck!

magyarok_saman

12:04 pm - Neat!

"Intellectually" Intelligent You're 'Intellectually Intelligent.' That pretty much means that you're good with theoretical ideas and concepts - but this comes to you naturally. More or less, you're a natural brainiac. Good for you. 20% theoretical intelligence 40% natural intelligence

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Current Mood: content