Sectarian war in Syria / al-Qaeda

It's been quite a while since I've written anything.   Things have been much better personally, however the same cannot be said for the following area.   Here is a link to a video clip on the bombing mentioned below -

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/06/2012627132722216959.html

The Arab Spring still resonates with me as a chill-inducing series of events, representing the great human struggle for freedom and happiness.    But like any major upheaval of the status-quo, things are bound to get messy.    Syria, a puppet of the thugs in Iran, also borders Iraq, Lebanon and other countries which are either threatened by or creating increased tension in the region.   Now Turkey, another bordering nation, has had a recon plane shot down by Assad's forces, threatening to bring further conflict and increased fears over regional instability.

As sectarian violence (now committed on all sides) continues in Syria, it opens a terrible window of opportunity for groups that would take advantage of the chaos to gain power and oppress the masses, as we have seen in Iraq.    A recent bombing of a pro Assad media outlet is a frightening proof.   No mercy or thought for civilian life.  

al-Qaeda is undoubtedly crossing the border from Iraq and attempting to cut off media and establish a new base under the disguise of "rebellion" against the dictator Assad. For 18 months Assad claimed "terrorists" were behind the protests and violence......well now they are actually there. There's a possible offer of exile and amnesty if he gives up power. All things considered I think it's worth letting him go. But like Saddam, he is unlikely to even consider giving up his power.

I sincerely hope this does not morph into a stage for another massive international conflict.....

C.K.

Threat of nuclear blackmail much bigger than Iranian attack

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/18/iran-nuclear-ambitions-middle-east?newsfeed=true

I don't think the real danger is Iran nuking someone. But the worry of nuclear blackmail is almost worse. They can slaughter their own ppl and annex Syria/Bahrain and just say to the West...."what are you gonna do now?". Look at North Korea and the stalemate there. A crazy leader with a nuke, who may not use it, but still holds the world hostage regardless. They do missile tests during famines, essentially for the purpose of blackmailing the U.S. and others to provide aid in exchange for nuclear talks. People are spouting off about this being another Zionist/American imperalist scheme.  Fuck that.....they can't have nukes.   Period.   Not until they can at least offer their people some basic rights and freedoms and step away from destructive dark age religious dogma.

C.K.

Attempted suicide bomber arrested in D.C.

http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2012/02/17/suspected_suicide_bomber_arrested_near_u_s_capitol.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest

It's a matter of when, not if someone will attack the U.S. or Canada....but everyone's so paranoid about the government, I worry ppl will blame the gov. Either in the form of the inevitable conspiracy theory, or similar to Iraq/Afghanistan where there was a constant and common moan about Western aggression being to blame. Really? 1993, 1998 and 2000 (b4 Bush was elected) are good examples. It's not so much what we do, as who we are that they hate. Freedom of expression, capitalism and religious freedoms go against their ultimate goal of repression. We shouldn't have our rights compromised, but it is a very real and important issue. I hear alot of ppl suggesting otherwise.

C.K.

Sam Harris - The word Atheist is unnecessary

Harris makes a very valid point...that the word atheism is unnecessary and even harmful. We don't feel the need to call ourselves a-unicornists, or non-astrologers. We don't identify ourselves as being opposed to Zeus or other myths. Those of us who are in opposition (or in league), need only to think and live for ourselves.....

Labels only serve as a divisive instrument, one of my main reasons for opposing religion as well.   

Here's the link :   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH005Zi7nvg&feature=related

 

C.K.

Iranian Nukes / Just like Saddam

These guys are acting just like Saddam... acting like they are hiding something and taunting the IAEA and the rest of the world. I wouldn't care if they wanted nukes, as long as they demonstrated an ability to treat their own citizens and the world with respect. Any regime that believes the end of the world is a good thing and chases nuclear technology, is our enemy.....and a barrier to our advancement and survival as a species.

http://rt.com/news/iran-nuclear-program-achievements-411/

C.K.