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| Posted By : nathan - 9/17/2007 7:11 PM | | OMG. It pays to surf a variety of forums. I'm sure anyone who watches the news today will hear/read/see the story about Blackwater getting kicked out of Iraq by their prime minister. Here's the link to a forum frequented by acctuall private military contractors--a good many of them posting online from Iraq.
The disparaty in views is truly humerous if you have time to scroll the 2-3 pages of comments.
I', not commenting on ethics or politics or what have you--just the gulf of difference between what those guys are saying and what we're seeing on this "hot button" issue of Private Military Companies.
I think there's irony here.
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : Daniel - 9/17/2007 7:51 PM | Welcome back, Nathan! Darned interesting forum; thanks for the link.
"Art is the celebration of the ego's destruction."
Daniel |
| Posted By : nathan - 9/17/2007 8:10 PM | |
Thanks Dan!
Hey from Vancouver WA people.
Anyway that link to the forum is fascinating. Its a window into a completely different world. Watching these guys talk amongst themselves and noticing not so much the points themselves they talk about but, the things they take for granted that comes out unguarded: views of the media coverage, views of the Shia government, how things "get done" in Iraq--etc.
Like an anthropological window for people who've never been to Iraq. Much of it crazy.
VIEW IMAGE
"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/17/2007 8:30 PM | | Note that they can't actually be kicked out, as the CPA early on gave Blackwater total immunity from prosecution. And, if the "sovereign" Iraqi government does prevail, they will just shift the 1000 or so direct Blackwater employees to another corp. and they will stay in the same jobs, just with a different letterhead on their paycheck.
Welcome back Nathan--- where the heck are you?
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : nathan - 9/17/2007 10:18 PM | Hey Mike.
Moved from Vegas to Vancouver WA. Set a house up for sale. Moved a house. Got an agent. Started the boys in a new school. Had to survive with dial-up instead of broadband and no DVR!
I was in the freakin stone age. Now I'm living in my in-laws basement watching my 2 month old and waiting for the house to sell and typing against a deadline.
What's up with you?
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/17/2007 10:26 PM | Dude, this means you can make my book launch party at orycon!
Wife still running for city council, work still takes too much of my time, and !my book! coming out in a couple of months.
Dail-up and no DVR? You know those words make no sense, but somehow manage to instill a sense of dread.
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : nathan - 9/17/2007 10:33 PM |
MichaelEhart said...
Dude, this means you can make my book launch party at orycon!
Wife still running for city council, Date and time? Is there a thread about it up? Love to come. Where's your wife running for council again?
Excuse me making you repeat everything. Did I mention I have a 2 month old?
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/17/2007 10:44 PM | There will be a thread--- press release soon. Orycon is November 16-18 in Portland, of course. Launch party the evening of the 17th at the con. My wife is running in University Place WA, near Tacoma.
The repeat thing wears off soon--- in about 17 years, 10 months.
Which school did your wife end up at?
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : H.P. Lovesauce - 9/18/2007 9:15 AM | | Blackwater's notoriety was sealed by their involvement in the Katrina aftermath. |
| Posted By : BethS - 9/18/2007 9:21 AM |
nathan said...
Got an agent.
Who is it? And congratulations!
Re the link you posted -- yes, it was a fascinating peerk behind the media fogscreen. Most interesting.
~Beth
|
| Posted By : Jeff Stehman - 9/18/2007 9:53 AM | Humph. I didn't read anything at that link that struck me as new, radical, or profound. You came back just to torment me, didn't you.
--Jeff Stehman |
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 12:29 PM |
MichaelEhart said...There will be a thread--- press release soon. Orycon is November 16-18 in Portland, of course. Launch party the evening of the 17th at the con. My wife is running in University Place WA, near Tacoma.
That's right!
My wife is at Western Oregon U. I will be at the Orycon so I'm there in general and for your book I'll put bells on.
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 12:32 PM |
Jeff Stehman said...
Humph. I didn't read anything at that link that struck me as new, radical, or profound. You came back just to torment me, didn't you.
Well...yes!
I mean when I read the part about them talking about the female reporters doing stories on Baghdad after only seeing the weight room I thought of you...only in drag.
Is this wrong? 
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/18/2007 12:40 PM | Thanks Nathan. Now I have to rinse my eyes with bleach.
Yeah, that has been a complaint I have heard on other forums, too, but howcome there have been more reporters killed in this war than any other in history? There are reporters out there laying it on the line. I think that may be a reaction to the Katie Couric blond newsreaders that the 24 hour newschannels have spawned. CNN has a bunch of those, but Fox seems to be the worst offender. When you have 20-30 of these barbie-doll "reporters" around, sooner or later they end up in the middle of the big story, unqualified and terrified.
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 12:41 PM |
H.P. Lovesauce said...
Blackwater's notoriety was sealed by their involvement in the Katrina aftermath.
Taking guys straight off Route Irish wild west missions and asking them to operate back CONUS was insane. Except for their medic missions but really, that was a bonehead move. Yeah NO was crazy and lawless--but it was American chaotic and lawless, not sandbox chaotic and lawless.
The only notoriety I think BW cares about is with DoS and their contracts for bodyguard work: which I think is pretty safe. Sometimes a "bad" rep in certain circles is a "good" rep in different paradigms.
Still if you read other threads on those boards it seems even other PMC's hate BW. Still everyone always hates whose ever on "top" as it were.
I just find it interesting to see them talk amongst themselves. What "truths" do they take for granted, what's their perspective, etc, etc.
I read a lot of forums with monday morning QB's and I feel it keeps my own perspective centered if I ghost forums with people who're acctually there. The active duty thread perspectives on that board can be just as interesting if one is even curious about how those there view the situation.
I'm caffenine rambling--but yeah BW didn't get to wear white hats after Katrina though some of the press coverage seemed slanted. You can search "katrina" or "new orleans" on that site and read some insider takes on that situation as well.
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 12:49 PM |
MichaelEhart said...Thanks Nathan. Now I have to rinse my eyes with bleach. but Fox seems to be the worst offender. When you have 20-30 of these barbie-doll "reporters" around, sooner or later they end up in the middle of the big story, unqualified and terrified.
I think you might think I'd argue with you on this but I think you're correct. The last outside the GZ footage I saw saw was Geraldo Riveria, that guy went out.
Since then it's always the same background shot when I watch reports.
I agree Reporters have been killed, I think it's just a numbers thing. If 10 reports (or whatever) were killed covering the last war (or which ever) and 13 get killed in this war then more reporters have been killed. But if only 16 reporters out of a thousand are going outside the GZ then you get the bitching despite more reporters being killed--not meant to represent acctual research.
I will say this. Reporters not meshing well with the troops seems a common complaint on blogs. I have to wonder how this affects coverage.
Maybe more reporters should hire BW? I mean the points made on the thread that BW brought their principles home from an ambush seems relevant.
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/18/2007 1:07 PM | It is. If they are there, and hired to do a job, no one should bitch about them doing it. The problem is not with Blackwater, as weird and scary as
their CEO may be. The problem is with the jackasses who put them in situations where the only way to accomplish what they are there for is to hose down a neighborhood with lead. Yes, the bad guys jumped them, but the whole situation is so screwed up.
You are so right about BW in NO. They had no business being there. But it wasn't like they decided on their own that it would be a nice place to visit. They were contracted there, by the jackasses in DC.
What a freakin' century we live in. Our own government hiring mercs to maintain order in one of our cities. Isn't this where we came in with this whole United States thingy? Hessians.
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 1:12 PM |
MichaelEhart said...What a freakin' century we live in. Our own government hiring mercs to maintain order in one of our cities. Isn't this where we came in with this whole United States thingy? Hessians.
I was going to quibble (for the hell of it, it's what we do, lol) about the use of the term mercenary as it applies to PMC's--but I've learned to respect your mojo when you start talking early American history.
Now just close your eyes and think of Jeff in drag again...
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/18/2007 1:22 PM | Quibble away. PMC is just a PC way of saying the same thing in modern context, though. Different structure, same profession. Yes there are some differences.
BTW, I have no real problem with the idea. PMC's are a tool, to be used for good or ill. The tool isn't the problem.
Due to weirdness in her campaign, my wife is doorbelling with volunteer bodyguards. (We can discuss this offline, if you like) I expect them to bring her home safely, same as the guys who hired BW expected them to bring home their principles. The difference is in degree, and in the setting of the mission.
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 1:27 PM | You know I think there is more than a semantical difference between bodyguard and mercenary. But really we're on the same page.
Maybe she shouldn't canvas the Hilltop?  [*]
*on the otherhand your wife's safety isn't funny so I send good thoughts your way.
VIEW IMAGE
"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/18/2007 1:49 PM | | Fortunately we are miles from the Hilltop, which is in turn not nearly so bad as it used to be. The standing joke used to be if you bought a house on the Hilltop, the Realtor included a case of ammo as a closing gift. Lots of changes, both from the inside and out have made the Hilltop much safer and way less weird. Ten years ago we would make a food bank delivery to some poor old lady, and I would stay in the van so my white face wouldn't cause trouble. There would be gang lookouts posted on every corner, and on territory divides there would be one guy with a red bandana around his leg glaring at another guy across the street wearing a blue bandana as a do rag. Both wearing big baggy coats in the middle of summer, to hide their hardware.
The Crips and the Bloods are years now under truce, the church and urban organizations have really worked hard, the neighborhood patrols and the Nation of Islam and the Panthers organized watches, and the real estate boom made properties worth rebuilding. Much different now.
The really sad part is we are in University Place, which is where the rich folks (and we) live. Which shows ignorance and hate recognize no economic boundaries.
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 2:00 PM | That's kinda good to here. Renovation stories don't always end so well. Nice change.
pm coming.
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/18/2007 2:29 PM | Looks like they are trying to kick everyone out--- this could be the only way they can get us to leave, or at least some of us. Clearly more going on here than meets the eye.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20831502/
Any time Maliki and al Sadr are singing from the same page, you know something's up.
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : Jeff Stehman - 9/18/2007 2:49 PM | nathan said...
Is this wrong?
You're just jealous because you can't get away with.
--Jeff Stehman |
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 2:49 PM | According to the thread BW's Iraqi license lapsed a year ago. Apperantly all this means operationally for them is that they can't hire Iraqi citizens. They operate under the DoS mission in Iraq as the security.
Here's my prediction: Maliki goes before Blackwater does.
You'll note I'm not saying this good or bad just that the sudden Sunni shift in An Bar, etc has changed the playing field under Maliki's feet. He's taking a lot of heat and this "ground up" reconcilliation has in a practical sense weakened the central government.
(I wildly paraphrase)
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 2:51 PM |
Jeff Stehman said...
You're just jealous because you can't get away with.
If you got it: flaunt it.
VIEW IMAGE
"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : Dave Panchyk - 9/18/2007 2:57 PM | The thing that had a lot of folks concerned was the possible violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.
Dave Panchyk
Verbum Scriptum - Writing and the Soul
|
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 2:59 PM | What's up with this report saying:
"Iraq’s Interior Ministry said 11 people were killed when Blackwater contractors opened fire at random after mortar rounds landed near the convoy." ????
The other (AP) news story (linked) stated a "20 minute fire fight". What did they do? Recieve mortar fire with a diplomat inside, stop, then sit spray the neighborhood with line-of-sight weapons against indirect fire (mortars).
Seems more likely a complex ambush was initiated by mortar fire followed by machine guns. 11 people killed in crossfire? Okay. How many bodies were left after their brothers took the klashnikov's out of their hands so they'd be called "civilians"?
I wonder if this is more information from the 20-year old juice vendor the thread was mocking.
Talk about fog of war. The story didn't even make sense.
VIEW IMAGE
"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/18/2007 3:01 PM | Yeah, the Bushies having been setting up expectations for the ouster of Maliki for a few weeks now, partly to shift blame, and partly as a concession to reality on the ground, which is a welcome change. That they are once again pressing for Allawi means they have pretty much given up on installing anyone remotely ethical or decent, and have decided that if there is going to be a homocidal petit-Hitler in charge of Iraq, he might as well be our homocidal petit-Hitler.
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
|
| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 3:03 PM |
Dave Panchyk said...The thing that had a lot of folks concerned was the possible violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.
Dave didn't you see X-Files The Movie, arent you up on your conspiracy theories ?
Under Fema juristiction it's a different ballgame. Besides they were private citizens providing deputized security in a diaster zone. Not troops.
Technicalities blah-blah-blah.
Doesn't change the were "the hammer" mentality though.
VIEW IMAGE
"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/18/2007 3:07 PM | I understand the reason why they were brought in, all paranoia aside. The LNG were mostly deployed in Iraq, and so they needed someone to take their place. Not the best decision, but in this case I think it was stupidity and greed rather than malice that lead to the decision.
Buy my book!
The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP
Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock
Read me in 2007!
"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
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| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 3:10 PM |
MichaelEhart said...Yeah, the Bushies having been setting up expectations for the ouster of Maliki for a few weeks now, partly to shift blame, and partly as a concession to reality on the ground, which is a welcome change. That they are once again pressing for Allawi means they have pretty much given up on installing anyone remotely ethical or decent, and have decided that if there is going to be a homocidal petit-Hilter in charge of Iraq, he might as well be our homocidal petit-Hilter.
Something about trains? (he says wryly).
Of course many "people" having been making the argument that at least things were "stable" and "contained" under SH. Maybe Jr.s figuring "can't beat 'em join 'em."? Better a Musharif than a Hussien if that's all you have to choose from?
I'm recalling a quote (as I'm want to do): In Theory, Theory and Practice are the same. In Practice they're not.
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : Dave Panchyk - 9/18/2007 3:32 PM |
MichaelEhart said...
I understand the reason why they were brought in, all paranoia aside. The LNG were mostly deployed in Iraq, and so they needed someone to take their place. Not the best decision, but in this case I think it was stupidity and greed rather than malice that lead to the decision. Granted, although we've seen the inner cabal contains some who have combined greedy short-sightedness with malice quite effectively. 
Nathan, of course I've heard the conspiracy theories. FEMA's "performance" in that regard was almost disappointing; if they did make an attempt at imposing martial law, it would look more like Hogan's Heroes than The Turner Diaries.
Dave Panchyk Verbum Scriptum - Writing and the Soul
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| Posted By : nathan - 9/18/2007 3:41 PM |
Nathan, of course I've heard the conspiracy theories. FEMA's "performance" in that regard was almost disappointing; if they did make an attempt at imposing martial law, it would look more like Hogan's Heroes than The Turner Diaries.
It'd be  if it wasn't so  .
The Turner Diaries? Are you even allowed to talk about that without lightning striking? Now the writing in that is so  that it is
VIEW IMAGE"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews
Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 interview with Empire magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages." |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 9/18/2007 3:46 PM | Isn't there a clause in Godwin's Law about the Turner Diaries?
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"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007
"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007
"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007
"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!
"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007
"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007
"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007
"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007
"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007
"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007
"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007
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| Posted By : Dave Panchyk - 9/18/2007 3:48 PM | Godwin is worse than Hitler. :-P
Dave Panchyk
Verbum Scriptum - Writing and the Soul
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| Posted By : Daniel - 10/4/2007 1:50 PM | Interesting -- but not so surprising -- developments on the Hill re: the Blackwater case.
"Art is the celebration of the ego's destruction."
Daniel |
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