Category Archives: World Affairs

Johnny Depp To Make Rare Television Appearance For West Memphis Three

26 Friday Feb 2010

Posted by in Constitutional Issues, Crime, Culture, Justice, National Events, People, Religion, Television

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

By Smaktakula

Johnny Depp will be lending his talents to the CBS show 48 Hours on Saturday, making a rare return to television to bring attention to the West Memphis Three.

A star’s involvement with a cause does little to sway me to the rightness of said cause.  This is true even with actors and actress whom I like and admire, as many celebrities seem to mistake their fame for correctness.  For this reason, I would normally be suspicious of a show featuring Depp, Eddie Vedder, the Dixie Chicks and noted shoplifter-cum-actress, Winona Ryder.  However, I have been following the story of the West Memphis Three for years, and for a number of reasons, it resonates deeply with me.  Despite the attention this case has received over the years, including two outstanding HBO documentaries (Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills and Paradise Lost 2: Revelations), it still has yet to tickle the greater conscience of the American people, and an injustice remains fully unaddressed.

Continue reading →

SHAMU Sleeper Agent Wreaks Havoc At Florida Amusement Park

25 Thursday Feb 2010

Posted by in Critters, General Foolishness, Humor, Satire, Terrorism

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By Smaktakula

Yesterday in Florida, the interminable cold war between Terrestrial and Aquatic mammals turned hot once again.  The Aquatics’ attack was unexpected and savage.  When it was through, a veteran animal handler was dead.  Early reports indicate that the assassin was Tilikum, an orca.  Terrestrial representatives claim that Tilikum is a high-ranking member of the elite SHAMU (Secret Herald of the Aquatic Mammal Underground) Brigade, sent to bring a bloody message to the bipeds.

Tilikum has a checkered history, and at least one run-in with the law.  Although the claims have yet to be substantiated, the Terrestrials maintain that the rogue orca spent parts of 2007 and 2008 at an Al-Qaeda training facility in Sudan.

Continue reading →

AP Writer Claims Republicans In a Tizzy Over RINO Scott Brown

24 Wednesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Christianity, Constitutional Issues, Culture, General Foolishness, History, National Events, National Politics, Politics, Regional Politics, Social Networking

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A possible Republitizzy.

According to Glen Johnson of the AP, the Republican faithful have branded Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown a ‘Benedict’ after voting with the Democrats on a recent jobs bill.

Much ado about nothing, I suspect.  I haven’t seen the Drudge piece which Johnson cites, but even assuming that the AP piece correctly captures the spirit of the Drudge article, I don’t believe that’s indicative of any widespread Republican rage.

At least I hope not.

The Republicans absolutely deserve to be where they are right now.  For years their ranks have been clogged with second-raters who have allowed the small-government/personal liberty core of Republican ideology to be diluted, and allowing Christian ideology to morph into Christian policy.

Continue reading →

Dare We Mix Seamen With Women?

24 Wednesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Constitutional Issues, Culture, History, Military, National Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

We’ll know soon enough.  The US Navy plans to allow women on submarines. 

Just Wild About Submarinettes.

Any undo concern about this development is unfounded.  Of course, any time you put men and women in such close quarters over an extended period of time, there’s bound to be some sex.  Still, even if sex between male and female submariners does occur, it’s likely to comprise only 20-30% of the onboard sexual activity at any given time.    

Not A Fan

Deep sea hanky-panky here: Navy says it is ready to end ban on women in submarines – CNN.com.

Smaktakula

From Times Online: Libby Purves Castigates Victim Industry In Bullygate Affair

23 Tuesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Europe, General Foolishness, Political Correctness, World Affairs

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

And she does it in no uncertain terms.

I’m not sure what it is that makes Bullygate such a compelling story. 

Is it Mr. Brown himself that makes the story interesting–his thuggish behavior drawing inevitable comparisons to the affable Tony Blair?  Unlikely, given that there’s very little interesting about the current British PM.

A Big Teddy Bear

If the story isn’t about Gordonzilla, then the real meaning must lie with the culture of victimization which allows stories like this to gain traction.  It’s never fun to work in a poisonous culture, but to that Ms. Purves offers:

{B}ut if you’re good enough to get a job at Downing Street you’re good enough to find one somewhere quieter. And if you’re bright enough to be an aide, you can either shrug off the tantrums or tell Gordonzilla not to be so damn rude.

Read how Libby advocates a stiff upper lip: It’s Downing Street.  Not A Sheltered Workshop.

Smaktakula

Rushdie Calls Amnesty ‘Morally Bankrupt’

23 Tuesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Europe, General Foolishness, Human Rights, Islam, Middle East, Religion, Terrorism, World Affairs

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

 It’s sad, really, because back when Amnesty International enjoyed a consistent moral philosophy, it joined the international community in pressuring Iran not to kill author Salman Rushdie.  To be fair, the Ayatollah Khomeini did have a legitimate grievance–Mr. Rushdie wrote a book.  Around that same time, Amnesty International was keeping international attention on the plight of then-political prisoner Nelson Mandela.

For several years, however, Amnesty International seems to be losing its way.  Recovering alcoholics often say that a person must first hit “rock bottom” before beginning the road to recovery.  Perhaps this point marks the nadir in the once-great human rights organization’s history, and that Rushdie’s assertion will be a challenge to Amnesty to pick itself back up and begin the long, arduous work of repairing its reputation and mission.

Or, perhaps Amnesty will issue its first-ever fatwa. 

Read it before SR goes back into witness-relocation:Salman Rushdie: Amnesty International is morally bankrupt – Times Online.

Smaktakula

From My Moans: Another Aspect Of Bullygate

22 Monday Feb 2010

Posted by in Europe, General Foolishness, Political Correctness, Politics

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

An interesting post from My Moans on the Gordon Brown kerfuffle.

Says My Moans:

Though I accept that the spokeswoman may have thought that this statement was in the public’s interest, I do wonder if it is a breach of confidentiality on the part of the charity and might in fact deter people who are being bullied calling for help from them as their identity might not be kept confidential.

Read the whole thing here: Gordon Brown’s Bully Boy Tactics?

Smaktakula

Gordon Brown Is A Great Big Bully

22 Monday Feb 2010

Posted by in Europe, General Foolishness, Political Correctness

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

The founder of the National Bullying Hotline reports that staffers have made calls to the charity from Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s office.  Already unpopular, this will no doubt reinforce the PM’s reputation as a man who refuses to play well with others.

The revelation that all is not sunshine and games within British politics is certainly shocking.  Ideally, someone will propose legislation mandating that the staffers bring their mothers to work with them, as a bulwark against bullying.

Miss Me Yet?

Read about Mean Mr. Brown here: Gordon Brown hit by fresh bullying allegations | Politics | The Guardian.

Smaktakula

Even Better Than The Real Thing?

18 Thursday Feb 2010

Posted by in Constitutional Issues, Drug Culture, Drugs, General Foolishness, Health, National Events, National Politics, Science, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A new, artificial marijuana substitute, called among other things, “K2,”  is making the rounds.  And for right now, it’s legal.  Given that this stuff is made in China, a folk not known for their rigorous industrial standards, it’s probably best avoided.

A move is underway to criminalize this stuff.  Of course, if the real thing were decriminalized, K2 would disappear over night.

Smaktakula

Mellencamp Mooted For Senate Bid

18 Thursday Feb 2010

Posted by in Music, National Events, Politics, Regional Politics

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

No word from singer John Mellencamp yet, but activity on a Facebook page has spurred talk of a run for the senate seat soon to be left vacant by Evan Bayh.

Mellencamp is a great singer, and clearly cares about the causes with which he’s associated himself over the years.   However, despite having shilled for the Dems in the past, I’m not sure how what kind of reception the fuzzy, folksy populism Mellencamp espouses would receive within the lockstep confines of the current Democratic leadership.

Still, he has a great pedigree: like Cheney, he’s an irascible foul-mouth with a bad ticker, and like our current president, Mellencamp has frequently pledged to quit smoking, but has some trouble with his follow-through.

Smaktakula