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Then the system would be coopted by not so well-meaning neocons to make sure that we all are buying flag-adorned stamps...

1. Afghanistan, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003
2. Bosnia, 1994, 1995
3. Cambodia, 1969-70
4. China, 1945-46
5. Congo (now Zaire), 1964
6. Cuba, 1959-1961 ("Bay of Pigs" invasion)
7. El Salvador, 1980s
8. Grenada, 1983
9. Guatemala, 1954, 1960, 1967-69
10. Indonesia, 1958
11. Iran, 1987
12. Iraq, 1991-2000, 2003 (The U.S. government used radioactive bombs in the first war against Iraq. See United States War Crimes Against Iraq for what appears to be an accurate history.)
13. Korea and China, 1950-53 (Korean War)
14. Kuwait, 1991
15. Laos, 1964-73
16. Lebanon, 1983, 1984 (both Lebanese and Syrian targets)
17. Libya, 1986
18. Nicaragua, 1980s
19. Panama, 1989. The U.S. government called it "Operation Just Cause". The link is to a U.S. military web site.
20. Peru, 1965
21. Somalia, 1993
22. Sudan 1998. There are doubts that the pharmaceutical plant that was bombed was making weapons.
23. Vietnam, 1961-73 (An estimated 2,000,000 Vietnamese were killed.)
24. Yugoslavia, 1999

There are many sources for this information. For example, see this PBS web page: PBS: A Chronology of U.S. Military Interventions (PBS is the Public Broadcasting System in the U.S.) Also see From Wounded Knee to Afghanistan: A Century of U.S. Military Interventions [zmag.org] and The government of the United States is a consistent opponent of international law. [prairie-fire.org]

I put some links and explanation together about wh

On the contrary, you'll find that outside of the United States, it's almost universally accepted that the US was behind the Pinochet coup, just as it was behind the recent attempted coup in Venezuela, and the coup against Mossadegh in Iran, and against Kassem in Iraq, and against Arbenz in Guatemala, etc, etc, etc.

Why do you think Kissinger doesn't travel abroad much?

Because the evidence is piling up:
1 2 3,
...and next time he's taken in for questioning, he might not strike it lucky again.

It's completely fair and logical for you to declare that you're not convinced by all the evidence you've seen to date for US involvement in the Pinochet coup, but it's quite illogical of you to then go on to assert that "no-one else is convinced of this".

And as I've said several times, I'd be delighted to cite you even more evidence, just as soon as you tell me what evidence would convince you.

1. Afghanistan, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003
2. Bosnia, 1994, 1995
3. Cambodia, 1969-70
4. China, 1945-46
5. Congo (now Zaire), 1964
6. Cuba, 1959-1961 ("Bay of Pigs" invasion)
7. El Salvador, 1980s
8. Grenada, 1983
9. Guatemala, 1954, 1960, 1967-69
10. Indonesia, 1958
11. Iran, 1987
12. Iraq, 1991-2000, 2003 (The U.S. government used radioactive bombs in the first war against Iraq. See United States War Crimes Against Iraq for what appears to be an accurate history.)
13. Korea and China, 1950-53 (Korean War)
14. Kuwait, 1991
15. Laos, 1964-73
16. Lebanon, 1983, 1984 (both Lebanese and Syrian targets)
17. Libya, 1986
18. Nicaragua, 1980s
19. Panama, 1989. The U.S. government called it "Operation Just Cause". The link is to a U.S. military web site.
20. Peru, 1965
21. Somalia, 1993
22. Sudan 1998. There are doubts that the pharmaceutical plant that was bombed was making weapons.
23. Vietnam, 1961-73 (An estimated 2,000,000 Vietnamese were killed.)
24. Yugoslavia, 1999

There are many sources for this information. For example, see this PBS web page: PBS: A Chronology of U.S. Military Interventions (PBS is the Public Broadcasting System in the U.S.) Also see From Wounded Knee to Afghanistan: A Century of U.S. Military Interventions [zmag.org] and The government of the United States is a consistent opponent of international law. [

Dude, you just referenced two liberal rags claiming the Republicans are pulling the sky down.

Like, shaa, bro. You talkin' 'bout this den of commies or the pit of socialist vipers?

It's a joke. Just do a search on any articles by Molly Ivins. Start on this one and work your way back.

Yes, freedom of speech is a weighty issue, but why should it be in danger when everyone can put up a website about anything (be it penis enlargement, low mortgages, teen sluts or perhaps even a more sensible subject) at no cost (if they put up with ads) and anyone who is interested in that can find it with a search engine?
There seems to be some cultural gap between Europe and the United State in that matter, I think in Europe very few people would degrade the principle of freedom of speech to such a formal notion about the media with which one should be able to spread unwanted data, but I suppose there are enough Americans, too, who think that freedom of speech is about the right of people to make their opinions public and the right of people who are interested to access this material.
I find it odd that while there is such insisting on issues about how one should be able to transmit information, restrictions on content seem to be accepted more easily. Laws against obscenity in the United States are much stricter than in many other countries and repression for political views unfortunately isn't over after the McCarthy era, now there are again reports about people being questioned because of "un-american material": The New McCarthyism, Novel Security Measures...

Certainly, the United States isn't the only country with such problems, but I find it strange that, while there are such real issues, again and again Americans think it could be a big problem for the freedom of speech when sellers had to wait for interested people coming to their website rather than waste the time of millions of people who aren't interested (well, maybe even a DOS attack should be protected by the First Amendment because even if there are so many of these data packets, they're all free speech that has to be protected as long as they aren't un-American). I haven't ever heard someone outside the United States seriously seeing the regulation of damaging advertising methods like spamming as a matter of free speech - it's a matter of business regulation, and there are much more important things for people concerned about free speech to worry about.

"There are reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do, and that this is not a time for remarks like that. - It never is" - White House spokesperson Ari Fleischer

Are you a patriot, or are you a terrorist?

Because if you're not with us, you're against us.

And if you're not a patriot, you're a terrorist.

A patriot has nothing to hide from his [sic] Country. A patriot is glad, glad with all his heart to hear that his country is taking the initiative, a patriot supports the party -- if the party wants to know whom Sam or Sally is speaking with, let the party know. If the party wants to know where every Citizen is, what every Citizen does, what every Citizen knows, then let the party know.

A patriot believes. A patriot is the opposite of the dissident.

A patriot does not support laws that allow terrorists, those who do not believe in the strength and ideals of our country, to hide behind anonymity. A patriot does not support anarchy, the total chaos that results when you allow dissidents to mess with public awareness, to spread their lies about our country.

And a patriot does not call for public hearings, checks and balances, handcuffs to hold the hand of Justice, to keep our men [sic] in uniforms -- who believe -- from doing what they believe in, what Americans -- real Americans, not bleeding-heart-liberals need for their protection.

A patriot does not question.

You're either with us, or against us.

If you're not a patriot, you're a terrorist.

I guess I'm a terrorist.

You are absolutely correct. However, politicians may steal as much as they can, but it's the people that still elect them. Only when the masses wake up will things change. And unfortunately, throughout history, this has rarely happened until after the point of no return.

What you list above is an admirable way to protect the 'homeland' but it still misses the main problem. Check out Usama's letter on what his reasoning is. We were founded on the premise of religious tolerance. However, there are elements linked to the government through the current administration that are now just as bad as Usama himself. Extremist conservtives drunk with intolerance of any religion other than Christianity and set on enforcing their view of morality on the rest of the world - just like Usama. Only difference is that they have the worlds largest military and corporations to back it up.

When and if we correct this problem, will there be no or little reason to monitor our borders and ports - except maybe to keep others away from prosperity (which sounds odd if you think about it). But for now, I fear you're correct and we are already starting to see ridiculous examples of democracy gone awry.

God Bless America.

You know, China doesn't exactly hold a monopoly position on atrocities to its citizenry.

Hello USA,
what have you got in your own eye?

1/ california: deregulation sucks
2/ microsoft antitrust trial: where are the sanctions?
3/ erin brockowich and elsewhere
4/ homeless: so used to it, it must be OK.
5/ enron
6/ georges bush jr
7/ dmca

no amount of self blindedness or hypocrisy will make the rest of the world forget all this and all the rest.

Don't worry, I'm not going to get all corny and weepy. Yeah, the guy really was born on April 1st. If you met him, you'd know how well it fits. Happy Birthday, Kurt!

<rant>
For the groaners: waah. Slashdot isn't Democracy Now, The Progressive, and sure the hell isn't CNN, NPR, MSNBC or whatever "hard news" site you've been looking for. It's a pretty cool blog - it keeps me (and you) coming back.
</rant>

Anyway, at least there's one day a year everyone can act a fool - even better if it's your birthday!

As for the other 364 days...

If all of a sudden we're attacked I'd rather a large group of people spend time now planning what would be done than a few people make a quick irrational decision which could lead to global problems.

I dont know about you, but I consider nuking half of the surface of this planet a global problem.

Now americans can sleep safe while the rest of the globe has to live in fear of an american nuclear attack. This is what happens when you put a religious retard with a QI lower than a small animal on the White House... Hell, Ill probably receive a visit from the FBI for saying something bad about our "great leader"...

Okay, mod this down as flamebait and Anti-American, but this is my opinion:

Unlike Afghanistan? Yes, 9/11 was a horrible atrocity committed by a bunch of nutjobs who we should go after. However, if you don't think that oil is the primary reason we're meddling in Afghanistan then you've bought the US government propaganda hook, line, and sinker.

US oil companies have been drooling over the prospect of building an oil pipeline through Afghanistan for more than fifteen years and were perfectly happy dealing with the Taliban in an effort to make it happen before 9/11. What we have in Afghanistan now is a puppet government installed by the United States.

I comple0tely and utterly support our troops - the soldiers are doing their duty by going where our government orders them to go and doing what they're ordered to do. They are not to blame. The government of the United States and the US foreign policy are to blame for the antipathy toward the United States. 9/11 was horrible, but it was chickens coming home to roost.

We killed just as many, if not more, innocent civilians in bombing the shit out of Afghanistan. Just listen to Democracy Now and some other NEWS organizations like The Progressive and Mother Jones. CNN has become nothing more than the mouthpiece of corporate America. Have you heard or seen of civilian casualties? When was the last time we had press coverage of a military action like we did during Vietnam?

How many more innocent civilians will the United States kill in vengance for the murders of 9/11? 10,000? 100,000? Millions?

Who will we invade next? Will their prisoners be treated humanely, like the Nazis we tried after WWII? Will the prisoners of the next country we capture be "unlawful combatants" or will they be white and thus qualified for "prisoner of war" status. How many "terrorists" will be captured as the definition is expanded to include anyone who objects to what the US government is doing? Will we too be denied civil liberties without legal representation and kept in prison without trial indefinitely? Will citizens face a military courts martial?

Okay, mod this down as flamebait and Anti-American, but this is my opinion:

Unlike Afghanistan? Yes, 9/11 was a horrible atrocity committed by a bunch of nutjobs who we should go after. However, if you don't think that oil is the primary reason we're meddling in Afghanistan then you've bought the US government propaganda hook, line, and sinker.

US oil companies have been drooling over the prospect of building an oil pipeline through Afghanistan for more than fifteen years and were perfectly happy dealing with the Taliban in an effort to make it happen before 9/11. What we have in Afghanistan now is a puppet government installed by the United States.

I comple0tely and utterly support our troops - the soldiers are doing their duty by going where our government orders them to go and doing what they're ordered to do. They are not to blame. The government of the United States and the US foreign policy are to blame for the antipathy toward the United States. 9/11 was horrible, but it was chickens coming home to roost.

We killed just as many, if not more, innocent civilians in bombing the shit out of Afghanistan. Just listen to Democracy Now and some other NEWS organizations like The Progressive and Mother Jones. CNN has become nothing more than the mouthpiece of corporate America. Have you heard or seen of civilian casualties? When was the last time we had press coverage of a military action like we did during Vietnam?

How many more innocent civilians will the United States kill in vengance for the murders of 9/11? 10,000? 100,000? Millions?

Who will we invade next? Will their prisoners be treated humanely, like the Nazis we tried after WWII? Will the prisoners of the next country we capture be "unlawful combatants" or will they be white and thus qualified for "prisoner of war" status. How many "terrorists" will be captured as the definition is expanded to include anyone who objects to what the US government is doing? Will we too be denied civil liberties without legal representation and kept in prison without trial indefinitely? Will citizens face a military courts martial?

Okay, mod this down as flamebait and Anti-American, but this is my opinion:

Unlike Afghanistan? Yes, 9/11 was a horrible atrocity committed by a bunch of nutjobs who we should go after. However, if you don't think that oil is the primary reason we're meddling in Afghanistan then you've bought the US government propaganda hook, line, and sinker.

US oil companies have been drooling over the prospect of building an oil pipeline through Afghanistan for more than fifteen years and were perfectly happy dealing with the Taliban in an effort to make it happen before 9/11. What we have in Afghanistan now is a puppet government installed by the United States.

I comple0tely and utterly support our troops - the soldiers are doing their duty by going where our government orders them to go and doing what they're ordered to do. They are not to blame. The government of the United States and the US foreign policy are to blame for the antipathy toward the United States. 9/11 was horrible, but it was chickens coming home to roost.

We killed just as many, if not more, innocent civilians in bombing the shit out of Afghanistan. Just listen to Democracy Now and some other NEWS organizations like The Progressive and Mother Jones. CNN has become nothing more than the mouthpiece of corporate America. Have you heard or seen of civilian casualties? When was the last time we had press coverage of a military action like we did during Vietnam?

How many more innocent civilians will the United States kill in vengance for the murders of 9/11? 10,000? 100,000? Millions?

Who will we invade next? Will their prisoners be treated humanely, like the Nazis we tried after WWII? Will the prisoners of the next country we capture be "unlawful combatants" or will they be white and thus qualified for "prisoner of war" status. How many "terrorists" will be captured as the definition is expanded to include anyone who objects to what the US government is doing? Will we too be denied civil liberties without legal representation and kept in prison without trial indefinitely? Will citizens face a military courts martial?

So now if you happen to be related to someone in politics, you're not allowed to do anything w/o being accused of nepotism? Guess the President's girls shouldn't be allowed to go into business, or we'd end up with cases like these.

And, most seriously of all, it would take a sledgehammer to every American's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. Under the new law, police wouldn't need to notify you when they were about to search your home. Instead, as long as they had a warrant and as long as they claimed that notifying you would obstruct their investigation, they could go in and search your place and tell you about it later.

Cost of about 75 cruise missiles fired on two targets in Afghanistan and Sudan in 1998: ~$75 million

Death toll: about 21 (source, source, source)

Cost per casualty (apologies): $3.6 million

Targets (you guess the cost): "suspected chemical weapons plant in Khartoum, Sudan, and a terrorist training complex in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border. "

-

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap:

Cost of full-fare airline ticket purchased by one of the hijackers (this is from memory): $2,499

Implied rough maximum cost for 18 hijackers: $44,982

Death toll: more than 6,000

Cost per casualty (apologies): less than $7.50

Estimated cost to U.S. economy, according to Economy.com: about $70 billion

-

They just need to get us to keep firing cruise missiles ($1m), dropping JDAM smart bombs (~$17k - src: WSJ last Fri.) and firing Maverick air to surface missiles (~$120K, ibid).

What you fail to realize that the copyright laws, in their present form, are stealing off of you and me and everyone else. Copyright is supposed to encourage the useful arts and sciences for the benefit of the public . It is clear that the copyright laws of today are written not to benefit the public, but to preserve the excessive profits of a few major corporations. Disobedience of unjust laws is not only justified, it is our duty as citizens.

Current copyright law doesn't even benefit the artists. There is much less live music in this country than there was 30 years ago, before the wave of corporate mega-mergers hit in the music industry. The etree model of music distribution is preferable to the copyright-heavy oligopolic distribution model we have today. It works like this: Musicians derive their income chiefly from live performances. In turn, they allow their fans to record the live performances for free, and trade the recordings for non-commercial use only. The recordings serve to generate a larger following, so demand for live musical performances rises, and the venues are always filled. The Grateful Dead outearned Micheal Jackson in his heydey using this approach. Today, the model is being increasingly used, and there are hundreds of taper-friendly bands . The benefits to the public are both immediate and far-reaching: Not only are most of the live recordings free, but this also has the effect of increasing the total number of musicians by encouraging live musical performances, as opposed to spinning discs in nightclubs. Just as importantly, it has the effect of cutting out the middleman, the huge corporations that impose their "corporate tax" on everyone else to benefit no one except themselves.

safety Sorry No. Go down and have a look at the 'murder' columns, shows a value of deaths per 100k. US ends up w/ double digits with countries like the USSR, Latvia & Brazil - Drastically higher than sub 2 values of star performers like Canada, Belgium, Greece and Japan..

freedom Sorry No. Have a look at the Corruption Index (Scroll to Table 1), American Imperialism (and here), McArthyism.. I wont bother with the links: DMCA, Marijuana Prohibition, Prostitution, Collusive Monopolies (RIAA/MPAA), The Cuban Embargo, Kent State Massacre, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bay of Pigs, Iran-Contra Affair, Watergate, Assassinations of John/Bobby Kennedy & MLK, Invasion of Granada, The War on Drugs, Internet Censorship in Schools/Libraries, Consumerism, Work holism, Invasion of Dominican Republic, Gulf War, Systemic Racism (weak gay rights)... etc etc

quality of life Sorry No. Canada has the highest Standard of Living on the planet - 7 years running...

I went to Chicago for NewYears eve to visit some friends. On the way home we heard a news reporter 'lead out of a story' by saying "...and after all; we are the richest and most powerful people in the world." What I began to think is that Americans have begun to treat their 'democracy' (*ahem*) like a Religion. There is no debate. They have enjoyed a very good 150 years - and like all successful civilizations; it will eventually end. If America didnt have such a large piece of 'virgin' North America to exploit for natural resources, and did host a World War (or two) Im betting the world would be a very different place. The 'success' of America dosnt prove the 'rightness' of Capitalism - so get that out of your head. America's 'success' is not success at all! (See adbusters.org about consumerism and mindlessness). America would do itself a favour and learn a little collective humility. Surely the last election has taught you something...

The system has been horribly corrupt by politicians and business people 'on the take'. Their is no longer anyone in Washington who intends to lead Americans. To help America lead and become better global citizens - and try their best to help set a good example - and take examples from those who are already doing good. No person on this planet should be without the rights described in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the US Constitution (or similar documents written or yet-to-be written). Like it or not this is a Global Village and we should be working together for the good of us all.

I refuse to become cynical and jadded. People will respond that this is 'The Real World' - to that I suggest people decide what we are choosing to make this 'Real World' become? Like it or not our collective action/inaction everyday sets the course for the future. We need to stop the 'present' America from setting the course that it is now (and using arms/propaganda to force others into capitulating). (I wont bother with the globalization/imperialist/enslavement/end-of-the-p lanet scenario that is our current future).

Please American PEOPLE do something about your government.

Here's a link.

" The Progressive" ran an expose about taser weapons like this (the direct-contact kind) back in November of 1997... it's not available online, but you can find a summary as #5 on this page.