As much as American officials and the country's corporate media refuse to acknowledge or discuss the fact that al-Qaeda and ISIL are foreign policy creations and tools of the United States and its so-called allies, media in the rest of the world rarely fail to mention it. For Lebanon's L'Orient Le Jour, columnist M. Saadoune explains how the latest activities of Daech, … [Read more...] about ‘Short-Lived’ Islamic State Serves America’s Purpose (L’Orient Le Jour, Lebanon)
Are We Really Teed Off at Obama’s Golfing?
Shortly after he angrily denounced the obscene beheading of freelance journalist James Foley by a member of the terrorist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a smiling President Barack Obama was photographed playing golf. And so it started -- just like clockwork. [icopyright one button toolbar] Obama's not really working... He's ignoring the country's crises.. He doesn't … [Read more...] about Are We Really Teed Off at Obama’s Golfing?
Where Opinions Don’t Matter
[icopyright one button toolbar] Indicative of the great diversity of opinions Americans have and because of the freedoms we enjoy expressing them, one can find the full spectrum of views on what should be done about ISIS and about related terrorism/bad actors-nations problems. They range from doing nothing to “bomb, bomb, bomb the hell out of them” -- and everything in … [Read more...] about Where Opinions Don’t Matter
A Potential Energy Breakthrough?
Hydrogen is not an energy source but an energy transfer medium since it requires more energy to produce the hydrogen than you get out of it when you use it as a fuel. If it was economical hydrogen fuel cells would be an ideal power source for motor vehicles if not for the negative ERoEI of hydrogen. But what if the negative ERoEI could be greatly reduced? Hydrogen is … [Read more...] about A Potential Energy Breakthrough?
Report: British Intelligence Has Identified ‘Jihadi John’
British intelligence has identified the black-clad figure shown getting ready to behead U.S. journalist James Foley last week, a report said. In a grisly video, the figure who has become known as "Jihadi John," said the execution was in response to the U.S. bombing of Islamic State positions near Mosul Dam in Iraq and threatened further… … [Read more...] about Report: British Intelligence Has Identified ‘Jihadi John’
No time to lead from behind (Guest Voice)
No time to lead from behind by Michael Gerson Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- Responding to the horrifying murder of photojournalist James Foley, Secretary of State John Kerry declared, "ISIL [the Islamic State] and the wickedness it represents must be destroyed." President Obama said, "people like this ultimately fail." The first is a … [Read more...] about No time to lead from behind (Guest Voice)
The Talented Fans of Doctor Who, Part 3
Another one of the creative endeavors mentioned in the Doctor Who special about their world tour to celebrate Peter Capaldi's premier as the Doctor is The Doctor Who Fan Orchestra. A collaboration via the internet of fans from many countries, it is a joy to watch as well as listen to. Here is their 50th Anniversary suite. Cross posted at The DemiGeek … [Read more...] about The Talented Fans of Doctor Who, Part 3
The Talented Fans of Doctor Who, Part 2
Another amazing piece of work done by a fan went viral and was so good that the producers of Doctor Who actually decided to use it for the titles of the show. This article on The AV Club goes into detail concerning how Billy Hanshaw created it and how it became the actual title sequence for the show. Cross posted at The DemiGeek … [Read more...] about The Talented Fans of Doctor Who, Part 2
The Talented Fans of Doctor Who, Part 1
The new Doctor has arrived with much fanfare, including several specials to accompany his arrival. One of the subjects discussed, though not the main thrust of the special, is the creativeness of some of the dedicated fans of the show. This trailer for the Peter Capaldi Doctor created by a fan was one of the examples and it's an amazing piece of work. … [Read more...] about The Talented Fans of Doctor Who, Part 1
SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch Take Ice Bucket Challenge; Gotham; True Blood; Minority Report; Dating Naked
We now have a new regeneration of the Doctor, a redecorated TARDIS, and a new title sequence on Doctor Who. Unfortunately the plot of Deep Breath was not very good. There was the return of the droids from The Girl in the Fireplace. Unlike the challenge of not blinking in Blink and other stories with the Weeping Angels, the challenge in this episode was seeing how long you could … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch Take Ice Bucket Challenge; Gotham; True Blood; Minority Report; Dating Naked
Is this gruesome enough for you?
Having trouble making up your mind about Ferguson? [icopyright one button toolbar] Julie Bosman, who reported for the Times from Ferguson during the protests, opens a report on the Ferguson shooting with this: Just after noon on Saturday, Aug. 9, Michael Brown was shot dead by a police officer on Canfield Drive. For about four hours, in the unrelenting summer sun, … [Read more...] about Is this gruesome enough for you?
Paul Ryan, Party Above Everything
Paul Ryan appeared on Face the Nation this morning and among other things said that even though he disagreed with the GOP strategy he said nothing for the sake of party unity. Here is his justification.[icopyright one button toolbar] "I don't think it was constructive for conservatives to be carping at each other. At the same time, the purpose of that passage is to try and … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan, Party Above Everything
James Foley’s masked killer resembles British fighter in video of Syrian soldier’s execution
Security agencies hunting for the killer of James Foley, the American journalist, are investigating video footage of two British jihadists taking part in the execution of a soldier captured during fighting in Syria. British and U.S. counter-terrorism analysts believe one of the Britons bears a resemblance to the jihadist who beheaded Mr Foley. If they can… … [Read more...] about James Foley’s masked killer resembles British fighter in video of Syrian soldier’s execution
Beheading Shows ‘Weakness’; Video Should Not Be Viewed (Le Nouvel Observateur, France)
In a world in which few of our institutions in government or media are trusted to tell the truth, who should decide what the public is permitted to see - and not? The horrifying terrorist beheading of journalist James Foley is only the latest story to spark this debate, after the recent terrorist shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines MH17. In this column from France's Le Nouvel … [Read more...] about Beheading Shows ‘Weakness’; Video Should Not Be Viewed (Le Nouvel Observateur, France)
Another Bird Picture
Following up on the bird themed photos yesterday here is one from TMV commentator dduck taken in Cairo. … [Read more...] about Another Bird Picture
(Updated) Is US Considering Expanding Air Strikes into Syria?
[icopyright one button toolbar] Update: The Washington Post has a piece discussing how and why it may be premature and/or risky to launch air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria. Among these: Intelligence gaps (as became clear in the failed attempt to rescue Foley) and lack of capabilities to “provide reliable-enough intelligence to sustain a campaign of … [Read more...] about (Updated) Is US Considering Expanding Air Strikes into Syria?
Be Happy
A pretty fun video but more importantly a solid message Yes we all have things in our lives we don't like. We have stress, worry, those unhappy moods that pop up. But most of us *can* choose to be happy. So make the choice... lighten up.... smile and laugh... do something silly with someone you care about or do something nice to a total stranger. It may not solve … [Read more...] about Be Happy
Friends, Allies and Enemies
This post is going to make some uncomfortable, make some angry but just perhaps a few will see some wisdom in it.[icopyright one button toolbar]' The socio-political world is in a constant state of flux. As conditions change we must reevaluate who our friends and allies are. One of the most disturbing recent events is the rather sudden rise of ISIS. There are … [Read more...] about Friends, Allies and Enemies
Islamic State: Obama needs friends
The main reason for the rise of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi is that Washington is losing influence over events in the Middle East. So forces hostile to the US are entering the power vacuum. [icopyright one button toolbar] Regaining control requires wining more friends among neighboring nations and peoples. Giving primacy only to American military power produces fear or fawning, not … [Read more...] about Islamic State: Obama needs friends
Dinesh D’Souza Compares Ferguson Protesters to ISIS Extremists
Conservative windbag Dinesh D'Souza is comparing what's going on in Ferguson to ISIS extremists. Really? Can't recall hearing that any of the Ferguson protesters beheaded anyone, of even abducted women and children. [icopyright one button toolbar] Here's more from Buzzfeed: “The common thread between ISIS and what’s going in Ferguson is you have these people who basically … [Read more...] about Dinesh D’Souza Compares Ferguson Protesters to ISIS Extremists