February 2009 archive

Seattle Rock

Original article, by Christos Kefalis and subtitled John Carpenter’s “They Live“, via dissidentvoice.org:

Science fiction has been frequently utilized in embellishing the capitalist system. Suffice it to mention movies like Superman and Exterminator, which, under a seemingly innocent story, cover a barely hidden apology of its dominant values. In the history of the seventh art there exist, however, opposing examples where the symbolism of the imaginary is used for aims of social criticism. One of the most outstanding is undoubtedly offered by John’s Carpenter’s They Live. Although it appeared about 20 years ago, in 1988, the movie remains timely and relevant as one of the most devastating and sharp criticisms of American imperialism ever made. And it also reads as prophesy of what later crystallized to be the embodiment of its most brutal features, the corrupt and cynical Bush administration, now leaving the scene.

Off The Rails And Into

The Ditch

Alan Keys Calls Barrack Obama

A Radical Communist  

Obama Widens Missile Strikes Inside Pakistan



By MARK MAZZETTI and DAVID E. SANGER

Published: February 20, 2009

WASHINGTON – With two missile strikes over the past week, the Obama administration has expanded the covert war run by the Central Intelligence Agency inside Pakistan, attacking a militant network seeking to topple the Pakistani government.

The missile strikes on training camps run by Baitullah Mehsud represent a broadening of the American campaign inside Pakistan, which has been largely carried out by drone aircraft. Under President Bush, the United States frequently attacked militants from Al Qaeda and the Taliban involved in cross-border attacks into Afghanistan, but had stopped short of raids aimed at Mr. Mehsud and his followers, who have played less of a direct role in attacks on American troops.

Obama was unconvinced by Bibi’s desire for peace

Barack Obama, they say, did not get on well with Bibi Netanyahu when he met him in Jerusalem before the American elections.

Robert Fisk  Saturday, 21 February 2009

Mr Obama, who figured out the Middle East pretty quickly, apparently found Bibi arrogant and unconvincing in his professed desire for peace with the Palestinians. What Mr Netanyahu thought of Mr Obama is not known, but he could scarcely have tried to hide his election line: security for Israel, but no Palestinian state.

Much depends, of course, on whether Tzipi Livni will consent to join a Netanyahu government. For if Avigdor Lieberman slips into a ministerial position, Obama is in trouble. Does he congratulate a new Israeli prime minister who has introduced into his government a man who is prepared to demand loyalty signatures from his own country’s Arab minority? How would that go down in the United States, where a similar proposal – for a loyalty pledge by American minorities, for example – would be a scandal?

But those Palestinians who believe that Lieberman should be in a Netanyahu administration – on the grounds that the “true” face of Israel would then be clear to all Americans – are being a little premature. Obama is not going to change the US relationship with Israel. American foreign policy – like that of most states – is based not on justice but on power.

USA

Bear Market’s Bite Could Go Deeper

Dow at 6-Year Low, but Analysts Say More Pain Lies Ahead

By Tomoeh Murakami Tse and Alejandro Lazo

Washington Post Staff Writers

Saturday, February 21, 2009; Page D01

NEW YORK, Feb. 20 — With the Dow Jones industrial average plunging past its lowest point since the financial crisis began, panicked investors are asking: How much uglier can it get?

Many market analysts and technicians armed with reams of historical data say that even though the Dow has given back all its gains — and more — from the five-year bull market that ended in 2007, it is unlikely the market has hit bottom.

Mark Arbeter, chief technical strategist at Standard & Poor’s Equity Research, said the current market environment is showing few of the signs that have characterized previous lows — high price volatility, high volumes of trading and even higher levels of fear.

A Thousand People In The Streets

THAR’S GOLD IN THEM THAR PILES O’ CRAP!

According to Britain’s Telegraph newspaper, a small fortune in gold has been recovered from sludge at a sewage treatment facility in Nagano, apparently due to a number of precision equipment manufacturers using the precious metal in the area… ¥5 million worth so far.

Makers of electric toilet seats with warm-water bidets have issued warnings of potential fire risks after several incidents caused by defects and “improper usage.” Uh, how do you use this thing again?

In an effort to spruce up its image, Shibuya Ward is selling naming rights to its 14 public toilets. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a crapper named after you, here’s your chance.

Mount Asamayama, a snowcapped volcano 145 km northwest of Tokyo, blew its top, raining smoke and ash down on parts of the capital and prompting the good people of Karuizawa to cover their faces. No deaths or injuries reported.

In related news, a Japanese cosmetics company is pitching a face soap called Kingo Kingo, which contains volcanic ash spewed from Mount Sakurajima in Kagoshima.