It's become more or less common knowledge that US forces have been using music as an operational tool for some time now, and I've begun seeing lists of the songs that are being used either to inflict pain, to demoralize, or to just generally disorient various people in various sorts of situations.
There are others, wiser than I, who will opine as to the questions of efficacy and the moral issues surrounding these kinds of operations; I will opine, instead, as to the quality of the songs used.
Frankly, had anyone asked, I could have put the torturers onto much better musical choices, just by selecting from my own "My Music" folder--which left me thinking: "hey, it's the weekend...why not do exactly that?"
Got any psychological warfare mission planned for the weekend? Expecting to have to direct amplified sound at an angry mob in a defensive maneuver Saturday night? Planning a Halloween haunted house that goes a bit...fuurther?
Come along with me then, soldier, and I'll provide you a playlist that should do the trick in almost any foreseeable emergency.
Those among us who are familiar with the Bible will recall that Jesus Christ himself was an active member of the health care community as he travelled about the Holy Land.
It is reported that he practiced within multiple medical specialties, and his works as both an ophthalmologist and a neurologist are recounted within the verses of the Gospels.
But what if Jesus had been practicing medicine in the therapeutic environment we’re familiar with today?
In today’s conversation we’ll be tagging along with Jesus as he takes a few calls at his HMO’s Customer Care Center—and by the time we get done you should be able to bring a whole new take to those discussions you‘ve been having about why reform matters.
WASHINGTON (FNS) – In a startling development related to the recent disruptions of town hall meetings, FNS is now able to confirm that the Obama Administration, with the assistance of Unilever Group and Queen Beatrix, both of the Netherlands, PepsiCo, Skull And Bones, and the Bilderberg Group, is unleashing a secret plot to dispatch fleets of unmarked aircraft and helicopters to prevent teabag protesters from having access to teabags.
The goal of the plot: to disrupt protesters’ plans to save America from the destruction of our health care system.
FNS reporters have been following a trail of information that includes airport noise abatement records, classified documents, and the testimony of insiders, some of whom are now willing to be publicly identified.
We’ll begin our story by reporting on three events that occurred the evening of Friday, August 8th.
It has been quite some time, Gentle Reader, since we addressed the issue of political robot design, but recent events have forced us to return to the subject once again.
As you undoubtedly are aware, three high profile ‘bots from Robotican™ Labs have recently experienced major failures.
It was originally thought that the problems were isolated to the Robotican™.1 Congressional Series of Devices...but it is now known that the failures also extend to the.2 Gubernatorial Series as well.
In today’s story we will examine what is known about these failures, how they may impact other devices in Political Service, and what solutions might be available to address these issues.
Washington, D.C. (FNN)—In a move some are describing as a “news dump” timed to coincide with the attention being paid to President Obama’s foreign trip, the Justice Department announced the Administration’s plans to introduce legislation to legalize and regulate the manufacture, sales, possession, and use of what are today legally known as Schedule I drugs.
Additionally, Schedule II through Schedule V drugs will be made available to adult members of the public at their request, with a doctor’s prescription no longer being required before such drugs can be dispensed.
The drugs being “legalized” through this legislation would include marijuana, LSD, heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy; also included will be all pharmaceutical drugs currently under restricted distribution: among those are Xanax, OxyContin, and Viagra.
So many times when we get together you have to put up with me complaining about something...and there are lots of other times when it’s me warning about events that are looming in our future.
Even though they’re conversations we need to have, they’re often not very emotionally satisfying.
Today we depart from that pattern, in a very good way.
It’s “follow-up day”; and the conversation takes us to three “happy places”: two “problem” stories that have recent positive progress to report—and, just because I care about you, Gentle Reader, an exclusive preview of the George W. Bush autobiography, obtained with considerable effort from an unnamed and particularly well-placed source.
There’s a lot to cover, so let’s jump right in and tell you what you need to know.
There are but three days to go, Gentle Reader, and the McCain campaign is now down to fear and Joe The Plumber.
Those who seek to spread The Fear are resorting to fantastic schemes and amazing leaps of logic in an effort to find something to make The Fear rise in voters.
But to be honest, the crazy speculation lacks...imagination.
I believe I can present crazy speculation that is at least as interesting as what they’ve put out—and funnier to boot—and with that and the Halloween just past in mind we present the final weekend edition of the 2008 campaign cycle's blogging.
So, ya wanna hear a few debunked made up rumors that, frankly, have a lot more creative style?
BBQ smoke hangs thickly in the air, the rain is getting cooler than it usually is in the summertime, and the Mariners are securely in last place.
And it is also time to return to school. For the new voter about to enter (or return to) College, all the crazy living can make you forget about important things, like...oh, I don’t know...maybe an election or two.
To make sure this does not happen I’m going to put College and Politics together to create this year’s first...wait for it...synchronized Sarah Palin drinking game.
So start pairing up your shotglasses, find the Scotch tape, and when you get back I’ll tell you how it works.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a master travelling on a long journey, who called his servants, and entrusted his property to them.
Unto Yochanan was given five talents, to Michaela two, and to Baruch another one; to each according to their heritage; and straightway took his journey.
For Baruch was the child of a poor woman, abandoned and divorced, but industrious and wise, and her parents likewise; by dint of alms, frugality, and long labour, he excelled in his study, and leadeth among the learned of the law. Giving thanks for his blessings, he escheweth riches, in service to the families of the poor and needy.
And Michaela was the child of two parents, although her father had a wasting disease, but took upon himself extra labour, striving according to his working; she was the product of a public school education, she excelled in her study, with honour among the learned of the law.
Now Yochanan was by far the eldest, the scion of an illustrious and wealthy family; he attended an all-male posh school under one Ravenel III of Alexandria, yet learned not the honor code; he ranketh among the least of the Naval warriors, and wasted his substance with riotous living and nocturnal perambulations.
So the hand of God hath gone against him, and he was struck down, and delivered into the hand of his enemies, who vexed him. And his wife was stricken likewise, and her beauty taken from her.
Yet he turned not from his wickedness. He abandoned and divorced his afflicted wife, enjoying the pleasures of a young wealthy strumpet.
After a long time the master of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And so Baruch came, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me one talent: behold, I have gained beside this nine talents more.
Their master said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Michaela also came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained eight other talents beside them. And have joined with Baruch as his wife, and we are one flesh.
Their master said unto her, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then Yochanan came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Thus I was thy most faithful servant, taking that which I earneth not, seducing a wealthy heiress; she hath disinherited her sisters, and hath purchased me a high office among the princes and mighty men; I remember not the number of her talents.
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou thinkest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Take therefore everything from him, and give it unto them that hath twenty talents together.
For the labourer is worthy of his reward; unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, committeth adultery; and whosoever shall marry him that is divorced committeth adultery.
Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
For those who did not know, I’m a contract worker; and as a result I’m a direct beneficiary of the trend toward outsourcing.
And let me tell you, everyone’s doing it. At different times I’ve worked for school districts, a company that makes tax preparation software, agencies of State Government...even the Navy.
So it was no surprise when I found out from the agency that I was to be assigned to a Human Resources Department to help with the overflow of employee evaluations that needed to be completed—and it was no surprise when they told me the job was like working in Hell.
I was a bit surprised, however, when it turned out they were telling the literal truth...and that’s how I came to spend last week as a temp in Satan’s HR Department—vetting John McCain for his annual evaluation.
Many words have been proffered regarding the FISA bill this week, and I was actually preparing an analysis of the events when, to my surprise, I received an email that made me alter my schedule completely.
I want to apologize in advance to Danny Medress, over at Democracy for America, for whom I was preparing the analysis; and all I can tell you, Danny, is that this was of such import that the schedule had to be slipped.
That said, presented here in its entirety is the memo I received …and having read it through, I have to say I feel much safer.
I bring to you today a story that is eight years old and as recent as today’s headlines.
A foolish tale of mirth and merriment it is indeed--and for those who want a real all-American Fourth of July story, well...this one fits better than a glass slipper on Cinderella’s foot.
The story, as you might have guessed from the headline, starts with a simple premise and ends by paraphrasing Ronald Reagan’s famous question:
Had we elected Jerry Springer in 2000 instead of George Bush the Younger, would we be better off today than we were eight years ago?
Come along for the ride, Esteemed Reader, and we shall see...
OK, so this doesn't exactly deal with Michigan politics...but this is simply too good not to share.
The voice you hear is taken from an actual 911 call from a (now former) Dearborn police officer. Apparently this officer decided it would be fun to utilze some confiscated herbage to make some "special" brownies for he and his wife. It did not turn out well.
Hat tip to the Detroit Free Press for filing the initial FOIA request and for pointing the way to the video.
