Apparently, I’m just not plugged into the political scene. Not to say that I want to become a political blogger by any stretch of the imagination – because the world has plenty of those already. I listen to political programs all the time (admittedly, most of them through my XM dial or local NPR station) – some conservative, some liberal, some international. This hasn’t made me any less biased than the average person, but it has given me a small amount of frustration.

There is no black or white – only 254 shades of grey.

So, I had an idea for bLaugh: why not try a couple of political cartoons? Maybe we weren’t funny, maybe we weren’t biting enough, or maybe we struck too close to home. Nevertheless, I’m gonna keep trying – if only because I see the political discussion / blogging scene heating up.

The country on everybody’s mind these days is… the United States. Er, Iraq. I mean, Iran! Since I’ve never been to either country, I was actually hoping to speak with people who have lived there (or still do, as is the case for Hometown Baghdad). I know of two American Iranians (including Maryam) – and I hope to record their thoughts on these matters of war sooner rather than later.

We created this cartoon to spark controversy – but maybe there’s no controversy after all?

• Iraq, Iran, War, Money, Me, and US
• Crowdsourcing Videos of the War in Iraq
• The Politics of Security
• America, Iraq, Gas. amd Linux
• Iran Invented Human Rights
• Hooray for World War III
• Call Connected Thru The NSA

Now, before I start, let me disclose that I’m politically independent – having voted for Clinton in his first term, and George W. Bush in his first term. I feel it’s important to state this only because (a) it’s the truth, and (b) I don’t live my life on party lines. I’m neither Republican nor Democrat – I’m just a regular ol’ American. Right? Left? Middle? Feh.

Last night, I watched Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers on Google Video. Its creator says:

For the past seven months, I have worked with politicians and groups all over the country trying to get the message of this film out, namely that we have to ask questions, to demand that Congress does its job. It appears that to do that, we need to make some serious changes in Washington. I hope and expect that the American public will look at this film and demand change. Patriots seek justice. Without justice, America folds.

And lest you think I’m pointing fingers at this country’s conservative leadership, check out Feinstein’s war profiteering:

SEN. Dianne Feinstein has resigned from the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee. As previously and extensively reviewed in these pages, Feinstein was chairperson and ranking member of MILCON for six years, during which time she had a conflict of interest due to her husband Richard C. Blum’s ownership of two major defense contractors, who were awarded billions of dollars for military construction projects approved by Feinstein.

The special interest groups are OUT OF CONTROL. And if you think we’ll stop with Iraq:

• US Army Troop Build up on Iraq-Iran Borders
• Russian Intelligence Reports U.S. Military Buildup Near Iranian Borders
• Easter Surprise: Attack on Iran, New 9/11… or Worse
• Knocking Out Iran
• Chomsky on Iran, Iraq, and the Rest of the World
• Middle East Pondering Possible US Attack on Iran
• Iran and the American Left
• FOX News Blames Democrats For Iran Captives

[EDIT: I originally had Rosie O'Donnell's statement here, but some readers felt this somehow undermined the credibility of my position.] Only time will tell. War isn’t about freedom anymore – it’s about money. I keep hearing the Bush administration stating over and over again:

…serves at the pleasure of the President…

Am I wrong to think that they should be saying: “The President serves at the pleasure of his/her Citizens?” Guess so. This country is NO LONGER IN OUR HANDS – and as bright-eyed as I want to be about the situation as it stands, I can’t help but think that THIS IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE ANYTIME SOON. This isn’t about patriotism – it’s about politics and power. Elections are nothing more than dog and pony shows.

On the radio today, I heard a presidential candidate having to defend himself because he hadn’t generated as much financial support as Giuliani or Hillary. SINCE WHEN DID THE SIZE OF YOUR POCKETBOOK IMPACT YOUR TRUE ABILITY TO LEAD? Campaign finance is OUT OF CONTROL. The Internet is the great liberator – and the first “underdog” candidate to take advantage of that fact is going to win a lion’s share of my support based on the fact that s/he isn’t supporting an INHERENTLY IMBALANCED SYSTEM.

Screw the television networks, man – run your freakin’ campaigns on YouTube, Revver, Break.com, Blip.tv, etc. Forget the newspapers, man – run your freakin’ campaigns in blogs and citizen media networks. Drop the radio dial, man – hit up podcasters far and wide, whether politically-oriented or not.

I seriously can’t believe that my fellow Americans continue to put up with this shit. I support our troops, and I support the belief in our nation – but I refuse to support corruption and government that is not truly ruled by the people. It doesn’t matter who we elect in this next cycle – war is inevitable, profiteering is inevitable, opaqueness is inevitable, posturing is inevitable…

…but the day of reckoning is coming sooner than you think.

• Political Cartoons
• Crowdsourcing Videos of the War in Iraq
• The Politics of Security
• America, Iraq, Gas. amd Linux
• Iran Invented Human Rights
• Hooray for World War III
• Call Connected Thru The NSA

Michael DiBenedetto from Next Next Entertainment sent me this announcement a few hours ago:

March 19th is the fourth anniversary of the war. And here’s an interesting perspective on Iraq… it’s a web documentary series about life in Baghdad – shot by Iraqi filmmakers. My company in NY helped produce it and is now distributing it online. I thought it was something that you could give an interesting take on and that your readers would appreciate. Also feel free to embed the videos. After four years of war, it’s about time to take a moment to focus on regular Iraqis and what they are going through. The life of the everyday Iraqi is the great untold story of this war. And with this series and its viral potential, we can change that. If enough people in America see this, it could potentially affect in its own small way the way Americans see the Middle East. It’s also interesting from a distribution standpoint… we’ve effectively crowd-sourced our distribution by putting the videos online and asking our viewers to help us spread them as far and wide as possible.

How long unitl Fox News picks up on this… CNN? MSNBC? Whether you’re “for” or “against” this war, it’s happening. The dentist’s perspective sounds eerilie familar (and makes you wonder if there should be a war on wars).

• Political Cartoons
• Iraq, Iran, War, Money, Me, and US
• America, Iraq, Gas. amd Linux
• The Politics of Security
• Hooray for World War III
• Call Connected Thru The NSA

I’m not a political or religious blogger – but I’ve been wanting to say something about the current Israeli/Hezbollah situation in the Middle East. Either way, I’m going to catch flames for bringing it up – even though I can’t turn around without reading or hearing running commentary. Ponzi and I have certainly discussed it in private, but I just wanted to point out something that Dave wrote last night. He says Israel is Wrong. This is Dave’s position, and I believe it’s important enough to share:

Hezbollah has every right to have defenses against Israel. If I’m not mistaken, Hezbollah didn’t start firing rockets into Israel until they were attacked by Israel. Okay, they took two Israeli soldiers hostage. And now Israel has killed hundreds of Lebanese, destroyed large parts of the country and its infrastructure. It’s enough already. Even a Jew like myself sees how wrong the Israeli position is.

I’m not over there, I’m not fighting a war, I’m not in the military, I’m not Israeli, I’m not Lebanese, I’m not a Muslim, I’m not Jewish, I’m not Christian, I’m not a Bhuddist, etc. – but I hope to “God” that these conflicts end before someone drops a nuke. There’s a time to fight for what you believe is right, and there comes a time when that very fight is taken too far – like when non-threatening persons are eliminated. Watch this video – I don’t think it’s appeared on any American networks.

Your twisted Austin Powers quote for the day is: “There are only two things I can’t stand in this world: people who are intolerant of other people’s religions… and religion.”

UPDATE: I have a solution! What we could do is blow each other up – every person on the planet. Nobody should survive if this is done right. We can toss bombs at one other until we’ve eliminated every last human being on Earth. I’m game if you are! I’m willing to make that sacrifice (and sacrifice everybody else in the process). Are you ready? I bet we could find some cheap explosives on eBay or something (so long as nobody goes to war with them first). Now, the only question that remains: who’s going to shoot first? I’ll fight you for the right to shoot first, and shoot you first even if you win. Let’s all just blow each other up – seriously. It’ll be the ultimate flame war. Everybody wins and loses at the same time. Awesome.

• The Politics of Security
• Political Cartoons
• Iraq, Iran, War, Money, Me, and US
• Crowdsourcing Videos of the War in Iraq
• Eisenhower was a Republican!
• Your Military Dollars, Hard at Work
• Call Connected Thru The NSA

You heard it here first: “Call connected thru the NSA. Complete transmission thru the NSA. Suspending your rights for the duration of the permanent war.”

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