I love the internet. In a single day people can get more information than what was available to people in a lifetime roughly thirty years ago, let alone 300 years ago. Sure, that can lead to information overload if one is not careful; however, that also creates a situation where everyone can have access to news the mainstream press doesn’t seem to report on… like this:Israel seizes ship in Mediterranean carrying more than 3,000 rockets
More than 3,000 rockets were apparently being smuggled aboard the ship Francop, which was captured in the Mediterranean Sea by Israel Navy missile boats and naval commandos late Tuesday night in an operation dubbed Operation Four Species.
So where were the rockets heading? It sounds like the end destination was Lebanon. The scary part of this story is the unspoken. Just think about how many ships actually make it – to any port of call – that have items that can be used as weapons.
U.S. Politics
New Jersey, Virginia, and New York had elections for state governors yesterday. What is so special about this race? Not much and everything.
In NJ and VA the Democrats lost the governor seats to Republican candidates. NJ is a historically Democrat state and VA went to the Democrats in both the Presidential and Congress races. This situation is causing political pundits to warn the current political climate is hostile to Democratic candidates in the 2010 mid-term elections.
Unlike some, I would not say that the results from yesterday were not referendums on President Obama and the Democrats as they were on the health-care debate. That has really been the focus of the general public for the last several months. One could make the case the health-care debate may carry forward and take down other Democrat candidates, but so many other things can between now and then as well.
However, what last night does show is the argument “Blame Bush” is no longer effective. Both of the Democrats had a healthy does of Bush bashing and suffered because of it. As the political defense of the last year has taken that approach, yesterday should serve as warning for political strategists to find another approach.
There are some that manage to have a positive view of what took place yesterday (why, I’m really not sure).
Turkey (the country, not the food)
Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, gave a clear sign to the world as to where Turkey comes in on the Israeli belief that Iran should not have nuclear weapons.
“… those who criticize Iran’s nuclear program continue to possess the same weapons,” said Erdogan, according to an advance copy, carried by state-run Anatolian news agency, of a televised address he was scheduled to make at 8 p.m.
“I think that those who take this stance, who want these arrogant sanctions, need to first give these [weapons] up. We shared this opinion with our Iranian friends, our brothers.”
“I think that those who take this stance, who want these arrogant sanctions, need to first give these [weapons] up. We shared this opinion with our Iranian friends, our brothers.”
If there comes a time where Israel takes a military approach to Iran it is clear Turkey will not support such an event. What will be interesting to watch is what will Turkey do when it comes down to oil pricing. Will they support the Dollar? They Euro? A basket?
Breckenridge voters passed Measure 2F, which removes criminal penalties from the town code for the private possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults 21 and older. The ordinance also removes criminal penalties for the possession of bongs, pipes and other drug paraphernalia.
It was an avalanche “yes” vote, passing 73 percent to 27 percent.
I have never once used Marijuana in my life. Ever. That said, I firmly believe that we cannot truly say we live in a free country if people cannot put whatever they want in their bodies.
Gay Love (not the good kind)
Much like I don’t feel we should be told what we can/cannot do with our bodies, I think it is morally unjustified for one to tell another who they can/cannot be wed to. Unfortunately, that is once again what happened in the state of Maine yesterday as voters repealed they states gay marriage law.
Democracy has both positives and negatives, no?
And a cute cartoon (really, just a cute cartoon)
And let us end the day on a really cute add for the Belgian public transport company De Lijn.
Posted (Van Santos) in Cool, Video on August-27-2009
Fans of the Venture Bros. your time is near! Sure, the season starts in November.. but fans can get a taste of what is coming thanks to the Season 4 trailer.
I have no doubt there are many questions running through your mind.. What did I just watch? Who is the new body guard? Are the clones of Dean and Hank really gone?
Favorite quote of the promo comes from Dean Venture: ”I love Hitler and Hitler loves me. He’s not all bad, Hitler just needs someone to believe in him.”
Makes you wonder if the show had the balls to actually create a character named Hitler! I cannot wait to see what is in store for us.
From the initial news publications I’ve read it appears this coup may be due to constitutional changes Mr. Manuel Zelaya was attempting to make in order to keep in power longer than his one-term limit. As there is (well, as of this writing) no acting president in office, congressional leader Roberto Micheletti was taking over the position until Mr. Zelaya’s official term comes to an end. What I have been unable to determine, however; is who was behind the coup and how is started. Even though the congressional leader is from the same party as the ousted President, all signs in the press seem to point to his behind the action.
The rest of the Americas appear to be reacting negatively to the action. The U.S., Venezuelan and Ecuadorean presidents all issued statements – from threats of military action to restore Zelaya to office (Hugo Chavez) to strong disapproval related to the ignoring of the democratic process (Barack Obama) – it is apparent this action is causing concern.
All this being said, I again ask the question what is the motivation for this coup. If Roberto Micheletti is behind the action, as it appears to be, it would be foolish for him to believe the would will accept him as the leader of Honduras. He skirted the democratic process. He would also be highly aware that Mr. Zelaya is on good terms with the leftists Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (who, ironically failed at a coup attempt during the early 90’s). So what is his goal?
Good chess players often think out many moves – if not play entire games in their head – before a game is played out. While I’m not saying Roberto Micheletti is a master chess player, I hope that he has some goal – some plan – in place in anticipation of events to come. If not, it can turn out very poorly for himself and the 7.5M people who live in Honduras could become victims to his actions.
But according to this video, it looks like Roberto Micheletti may not be the next president:
After reaching out to a friend of mine for more info, it sounds likePresident Manuel Zelaya broke the law and wanted to modify the constitution his own way, by his own rules, imitating Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, in hopes of being able to say within office for one term. What happened after this point is still up in the air.
