DO YOU STILL FEEL HOPE?

Do you still feel hope?

Tell me, because I've forgotten, what does hope feel like? I'm not trying to be sarcastic, really. I just don't remember.

See, while I am totally for saving the environment, I think it's not the most important thing out there these days. What do I think is more important than the environment? One thing - US. Not the U.S., not our economy, not our bank accounts, our SUVs or even our way of life. But our life itself. You see because WE are the problem and the solution - well, we WILL be the solution, but for now, we're just the problem. Here are some things I've observed about us wacky and not-so-lovable humans:

1) People are interested in maintaining their own lifestyles as they are. OR, improve their lifestyles by making more money.

2) People are so interested in 1) that they will perform all manner of mental rationalization in order to make it happen. Whether it be taking a crappy job that makes them hate life, or by stepping on people to get ahead.

3) There are way too many people who can't see past what's on TV tonight. (Oo! The Sopranos!)

4) There are also way too many people who say things like "sure, I'm all for the environment!" but then drive around an SUV in a major American city. (With no plans to ever take their vehicle off-road. Hauling is no excuse - why do you think God invented the mini-van?)

5) People are so afraid of risk, pain or ANY kind of suffering that if a disaster happened and our leaders took every last one of their rights away from them 'in exchange for their safety', they would sit down in their easy chair and smile, feeling safe again to watch Family Feud in 'peace'.

6) Movers and shakers in the world are happy to overlook the fact that marketing campaigns have effectively become brainwashing campaigns. Calling them 'propaganda' doesn't go far enough.

7) Movies, TV, media, politicians and other public figures set examples that only serve to enforce the above points in every member of the Western World.

8) Millions of people have died around the world in the name of profits, the bottom line. (See 1) And we hear barely word one of any of it on any of the mainstream news media outlets. The Sudan, Bosnia, Columbia, the Middle East, areas of Asia. All of these places are focal points for oil and death. Don�t believe me? Do a Google search for any of those locations. You�ll find oil or violence-related stories for all of them.

My point in a nutshell is this: The environment will never be saved until the majority of humans on this planet stop treating each other with less respect than they do the environment.

Sure, 'education' is up compared to one hundred years ago, but lets compare the education the poor folks get to the education the white-- I mean the *rich* folks get. Let's check out health care. If you're rich, you get to pay for the procedures you need... until you need more procedures. Even the rich don't escape the fact that our health care industry is set up so that we're not *cured* we're just perpetuated. In the end, I don't care who is really behind 911, nor do I care about the Palestinians or the Israelis. I couldn't care less about famine in Africa or genocide in the Sudan, or the myriad lies we are told and tell ourselves here in the US.

All I want is for us to stop being so shitty to one another.

And no, I didn't just have a bad day, I'm just trying to point out that while I don't feel we are a suicidal animal, I do think we are incapable of respecting ourselves and others any less than we already do. And until this changes, THIS is the reason the environment can NEVER be the most important thing on our minds.

Humans have the potential to achieve great things. Explore the universe (both literally and figuratively) create works of art so grand they cause spontaneous tears of joy and/or sadness to fall, we are capable of such wonder, and yet most of what Humans do is one of three things:

1) Figure out how to make other people give you their money.
2) Figure out what you need to do to get the money you'll give to person #1.
3) Survive.
Granted, there are exceptions (I did say 'most' of what humans do), but the generalization is that all we really want to do is have money so we can live the way we want to live. We're an entire species dedicated to the get-rich-quick-scheme. And when it comes to the people polluting the environment? Guess what kind of people they are. #1, #2 and #3.

This has been "Life According to ThePete: Sucks Doesn't It?" and I'm your host, ThePete saying good night and suck less!

Crap, I forgot to try to suggest a solution. Okay, here goes:

We need a new group. Maybe a political party even. This group would work quietly, subtly, working it's way into society's most powerful corners. From there, each member would illicit change. Right now, I am on a path to do just that. I am trying to change things with my writing. I work positive, environmentally responsible messages into everything I write. (Maybe that's why I've not sold more.) In my opinion, this is the only way a sweeping change can occur - gradually, over the span of many years. Long-term investment isn't easy, but I'm doing it.

By doing this, I know I'm opening myself up for an attack from people more cynical than I (if such a person can exist) for being stupid and thinking I can change the world with my writing but I don't give a crap. I'm putting myself out there. We all need to do more of what we believe is right, not what's right for our bank accounts. And that INCLUDES how we treat each other and our environment can come after that. Think about it - if we just save the environment, the people who were in power before are still there. What's to stop them from polluting the environment all over again? But if we get humans to treat each other with respect, then automatically, the environment will be saved, because, after all, hurting the environment is hurting ourselves.

You know, I think I do remember what hope feels like.

Crazy World, TheKey Passes 1600 Pages

Hey there... things have been crazy the past couple of days. Just passed page 1600 in TheKey a couple of days ago. It's been tough to pull myself from world events. Things are so crazy what with people just not getting what's going on with the US Government. It's some pretty scary stuff and frankly I haven't been able to figure out where to come at it from. But watch GDF.C (TheBitch Page) for stuff... so much to assimilate, but I'm getting there. Hopefully this weekend, I'll be back on the weekly bitch schedule... wish me luck!

PLAN FOR A NEW AMERICAN EMPIRE

First off, I've added a new Real Media clip in TheMedia of the Moment section. It's of our fearless leader flubbing furiously a famous old phrase about being fooled... ironic.

But the REAL news is this article:

HERE!!!

It claims to have uncovered a document that is the Bush 2 Administration's plan for an Iraq Attack and then followed by a global domination-type deal. If that's not enough for you, this document is dated September 2000. Talk about the power of positive thinking. Although I think it's more negative thinking from the world's point of view... If this article is legit, which it appears to be, there's some serious bad things in front of us... anyway, enjoy your day!! Click here to watch a Real Video presentation on how the world is running out of oil! COOL!

PROBLEMS WITH BUSH'S ADDRESS TO THE UN

A year after terrorists struck American soil, the Bush II Administration is using this attack as part of it's reasoning for a new Iraq Attack. However, there doesn't appear to be any evidence that Iraq has helped Al Qaida out. Speaking to the UN, President Bush tried to address concerns of an Iraq Attack and the justifications to have one. You can read the whole speech here. What follows are my problems with his address. (I refer to the United States Government as the USG.)

Had Saddam Hussein been appeased instead of stopped, he would have endangered the peace and stability of the world.

Can I ask just what Saddam was supposed to do to threaten this so-called world peace and stability? (I didn't realize we had it!)

In 1991, Security Council Resolution 688 demanded that the Iraqi regime cease at once the repression of its own people, including the systematic repression of minorities - which, the Council said, "threaten(ed) international peace and security in the region."

Oh, I see, so he's trying to build on a mis-statement of the UN in the first place. I wonder who originally decided at the UN Iraq's oppression of minorities somehow equated a threat to world peace...

Tens of thousands of political opponents and ordinary citizens have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, summary execution, and torture by beating, burning, electric shock, starvation, mutilation, and rape. Wives are tortured in front of their husbands; children in the presence of their parents - all of these horrors concealed from the world by the apparatus of a totalitarian state.

Hm, this sounds a little like the USG's ally Saudi Arabia. Not a perfect comparison, granted, but close enough to wonder how the USG can point the finger at one without pointing it at it's own friend. Hell, that also sounds a bit like the US! (I said a BIT.)

In 1991, the U.N. Security Council, through Resolutions 686 and 687, demanded that Iraq return all prisoners from Kuwait and other lands. Iraq's regime agreed. It broke its promise. Last year the Secretary-General's high-level coordinator of this issue reported that Kuwaiti, Saudi, Indian, Syrian, Lebanese, Iranian, Egyptian, Bahraini, and Omani nationals remain unaccounted for - more than 600 people. One American pilot is among them.

Nice try - ONE person constitutes a violation? Come on, man! Give them a break. You try being a government and keeping track of ONE person. Hell, the USG couldn't keep track of FOUR PLANES on 911 and you get mad because the Iraqi's miss ONE GUY? (Don't get me wrong, they should release that one guy immediately, but this should not be considered a full violation.)

In 1991, the U.N. Security Council, through Resolution 687, demanded the Iraq renounce all involvement with terrorism, and permit no terrorist organizations to operate in Iraq. Iraq's regime agreed. It broke its promise. In violation of Security Council Resolution 1373, Iraq continues to shelter and support terrorist organization that direct violence against Iran, Israel, and Western governments. Iraqi dissidents abroad are targeted for murder. In 1993, Iraq attempted to assassinate the Emir of Kuwait and a former American President. Iraq's government openly praised the attacks of September 11th. And al-Qaida terrorists escaped from Afghanistan are known to be in Iraq.

Uh, ya want proof with that? Jeez, I've heard better arguments on Limbaugh's show. Last I heard, the terrorists were hanging out in the northern territories where I thought Saddam didn't have a whole lot of control over. Just my understanding - please correct me if I'm wrong.

U.N. inspectors believe Iraq has produced two to four times the amount of biological agents it declared, and has failed to account for more than three metric tons of material that could be used to produce biological weapons.

So, isn't this saying that Iraq *doesn't* have chemical weapons? "Could be used to produce" suggests they haven't produced them yet.

Right now, Iraq is expanding and improving facilities that were used for the production of biological weapons.

Again, how about some proofy-woofy with my Big Mac?

United Nations inspections also reveal that Iraq likely maintains stockpiles of VX, mustard, and other chemical agents, and that the regime is rebuilding and expanding facilities capable of producing chemical weapons.

WHICH UN inspectors? Because I know of at least one (COUGHscottritterCOUGH) that thinks nothing even close to this.

And in 1995 - after four years of deception

Pick your reaction:
1)Oh THAT'S rich.
2)Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
3)Well, if anyone knows anything about deception, it certainly would be Mr. Bush!

Iraq finally admitted it had a crash nuclear weapons program prior to the Gulf War. We know now, were it not for that war, the regime in Iraq would likely have possessed a nuclear weapon no later than 1993.

Uh-huh, that's nice. Um, Georgie? Why don't you go back to your room until you have some actual evidence that Iraq needs to be invaded, m'kay? You can watch a little TV if you want, but please try and finish your homework before taking up the UN's time... in other words, what the hell does this have to do with Saddam having nukes NOW? It only speaks to the likelihood that he has nukes now, but this is hardly proof. That's like assuming every guy who gets out of jail WILL commit a crime again. Sure, it's possible, even likely, but do we arrest these guys again, just in case?

Today, Iraq continues to withhold important information about its unclear program

How's that for an ironic typo?

Iraq's state-controlled media has reported numerous meetings between Saddam Hussein and his nuclear scientists, leaving little doubt about his continued appetite for these weapons.

Why doesn't Bush just say "I saw on TV that Saddam was meeting with really mean guys and that's not fair, since he said he wouldn't. And it's his own TV station, so you know they're telling the truth!" So, just because he's meeting with nuke scientists they've instantly got nukes...

Iraq was allowed to use oil revenues to buy food

Of course, Bushie-poo fails to mention that buying oil from Iraq is a LOT like supporting an enemy government. If Iraq were so bad, wouldn't we want to avoid Iraqi oil all together? (I know the answer, I'm just being rhetorical.)

{Saddam} blames the suffering of Iraq's people on the United Nations, even as he uses his oil wealth to build lavish palaces for himself, and arms his country.

And this means that we should invade his country? I'm not sure I see how a leader being a dickweed to his citizens means we need to play schoolground protector. Besides, shouldn't we march into Saudi Arabia with the same attitude?

In 1991, Iraq promised U.N. inspectors immediate and unrestricted access to verify Iraq's commitment to rid itself of weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles. Iraq broke this promise, spending seven years deceiving, evading and harassing U.N. inspectors before ceasing cooperation entirely.

Again, this is not what Scott Ritter said.

As we meet today, it has been almost four years since the last U.N. inspectors set foot in Iraq - four years for the Iraqi regime to plan and build and test behind a cloak of secrecy.

Pick your criticism:
1) Isn't this an admission that we have no intelligence regarding Iraqi weapons capabilities? (i.e. we have no evidence that they have WOMD so we can't really invade.)
2)So much for US intelligence sources... I thought we could find out a lot about them by watching those who sell stuff to them...

Saddam Hussein's regime is a grave and gathering danger.

Can't the same be said about the USG?

To suggest otherwise is to hope against the evidence.

WHAT evidence? You mean that list of things you think suggest evidence, Bush?

To assume this regime's good faith is to bet the lives of millions and the peace of the world in a reckless gamble.

I know that life has been a pretty stable thing for you Bush - what with your daddy making so much happen for you, but LIFE is a gamble. By marching into Iraq, YOU are GUARANTEEING the deaths of American soldiers and the expenditure of a BUTTLOAD of American tax dollars. Thanks, I'd rather wait for real proof to emerge from intel sources before we do that.

The first time we may be completely certain he has nuclear weapons is when, God forbid, he uses one.

Wow - even Bush's speech writers are idiots. "we may be completely certain" when "he uses one"?? I think there would be pretty much no doubt at that point, Bright Eyes. The catch is, there are many things we can find out about Iraq and their weapons capabilities in the meantime. Just look at the folks over at Janes.com - do you think opposing governments just hand out information on their own forces? But Jane's has been publishing intel on America's enemies since the cold war (or before, I'm not honestly sure). So, you tell me how they can know all this stuff about enemy forces, yet we can't tell if Iraq has bought the parts needed for a nuke.

Iraq has answered a decade of U.N. demands with a decade of defiance.

That may be, but are there no other alternatives?

If the Iraqi regime wishes peace, it will immediately and unconditionally forswear, disclose and remove or destroy all weapons of mass destruction, long-range missiles and all related material.

Sounds fair enough. Won't we need to send in weapons inspectors to make sure they're not lying? D'OH! Guess we can't invade then!

If the Iraqi regime wishes peace, it will immediately end all support for terrorism and act to suppress it, as all states are required to do by U.N. Security Council resolutions.

WHAT a crock!! The US supported terrorism in the past by calling it "resistance". PLEASE.

If the Iraqi regime wishes peace, it will release or account for all Gulf War personnel whose fate is still unknown.

All one of them!

If all these steps are taken, it will signal a new openness and accountability in Iraq. And it could open the prospect of the United Nations helping to build a government that represents all Iraqis - a government based on respect for human rights, economic liberty and internationally supervised elections.

JUST LIKE SAUDI ARABIA... I mean.. no wait...

The United States has no quarrel with the Iraqi people

But we'll kill them when we invade, just like we did in Afghanistan.

Liberty for the Iraqi people is a great moral cause and a great strategic goal.

Oh, sure! Yes, yes. Hm-hm... that's why we didn't kill Saddam ten years ago - because we wanted to liberate the Iraqi people... If anything, it's about the money the Iraqi people will spend on Coca-Cola and McDonalds once our corporations colonize Iraq.

Free societies do not intimidate through cruelty and conquest and open societies do not threaten the world with mass murder.

But it's okay when WE do it! :D

We can harbor no illusions. Saddam Hussein attacked Iran in 1980,

!!! WITH OUR HELP YOU MORON! WE GAVE HIM THE MONEY/WEAPONS TO DO IT!!! IF IT WASN'T FOR THE USG, SADDAM WOULDN'T BE IN POWER RIGHT NOW!! (Shouldn't the world be more concerned that the USG keeps propping up seriously dangerous people as leaders of countries?)

and Kuwait in 1990. He has fired ballistic missiles at Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Israel. His regime once ordered the killing of every person between the ages of 15 and 70 in certain Kurdish villages in Northern Iraq. He has gassed many Iranians and 40 Iraqi villages.

Sure, and we knew about all this back when we were supporting Saddam's regime with American Tax Dollars. Has the USG suddenly grown a conscience? Or are the war profiteers that run the USG looking to put some really big presents under their Christmas trees this year?

My nation will work with the U.N. Security Council on a new resolution to meet our common challenge.

Read: We've got a plan, you want to come along? Fine. But, uh, we're going to invade. Just an FYI...

The Security Council resolutions will be enforced

Even if the Security Council doesn't want them enforced.

the just demands of peace and security will be met - or action will be unavoidable.

WITH WAR!! YEAAAH!! KILL 'EM ALL! ahem... I mean, uh...

And a regime that has lost its legitimacy will also lose its power.

Wait, so YOU'RE RESIGNING?? COOL!!

Events can turn in one of two ways.

Again, choose your reply:
1)My way or my way...
2)Ah... black or white, the ONLY two ways to look at the world!

If we fail to act in the face of danger, the people of Iraq will continue to live in brutal submission.

Isn't it cute how he continues to pretend to care about the Iraqi people? He doesn't care about the AMERICAN people! It's ADORABLE!!

And if an emboldened regime were to supply these weapons to terrorist allies, then the attacks of September 11th would be a prelude to far greater horrors.

Yeah and Ben Kenobi was telling Luke the truth when he said Vader killed Luke's dad from a certain point of view.

We must choose between a world of fear and a world of progress.

And WAR is the correct choice?? Is pot free when you live in the White House?

We must stand up for our security, and for the permanent rights and hopes of mankind.

While eroding the rights of our own citizens...

Sigh... I wonder at this point why Bush is even caring what everyone thinks. In the end, he will have to invade anyway. If he doesn't, watch for his administration to slowly move away from Saddam as a real target, just like they did with Osama. Personally, I hope the latter happens. Invasion now would just mean that "W" will try to use the momentum to continue his world conquest and invade other countries as well. My guess is that if an Iraq Attack does happen, it'll be at one of three times: the end of September 2002, the end of November 2002 or January of 2003. I've read that the US Government has claimed all three dates to foreign powers, yet to the citizens of it's own country, the USG has made no such clear declarations...

Let's keep our fingers crossed...

MY 911 TRIBUTE

Okay, so TheBlurb lies - but not entirely. My 911 tribute is in TheMedia of the Moment section - specifically in the Real Media section. Click TheMedia link above (not NOW, you boob! Finish reading this first!) and then click on the three videos in the top section. The bottom two have been up for a few days. But, they're all examples of how our WONDERFUL government has let us down.

The third clip down is a clip from an episode of the failed X-Files spin-off scifi show The Lone Gunmen. It follows the adventures of three conspiracy geeks as they foil a plot to remotely pilot a passenger airplane into the World Trade Center. The episode the clip is from aired March 4, 2001.

The second clip down is a clip from a recent episode of Donahue featuring a clip from a BBC documentary about how botched the 2000 election was.

The first clip is the best of the bunch - it's a clip of George Bush as he is told in front of a school room full of kids that a second plane has just struck the Twin Towers. At this point, we didn't know if there would be more planes falling from the sky or what. Yet, what does he do upon discovering the country HE'S leading is under attack? He sits back and continues with the school kids for another 20 minutes. To which, I say: "Why did we elect you, again? OH THAT'S RIGHT, WE DIDN'T!"

How do you like THAT 911 tribute...

Oh yeah and you can check out the other stuff too. There's a new fun wav clip and I've added a new mp3 that you should listen to and try to name it. Use the tag board for your ideas for what the track is. Oh yeah and the Gatchaman clip is still up just cuz I think it's so damn cool... :D

JFK DIED FOR MONEY? MAYBE

Wondering what those two $5 bills are when you go to ThePete.Com? (I recently moved them here.) The bottom one is a standard $5 bill before the new ones came out a couple years back. The top one, with the red seal is a United States Note ordered into existence by John F Kennedy on June 4, 1963. It was a silver certificate, which meant that you could go to the US government and ask for silver in exchange for the note. Before 1963 and since JFK's death, this is NOT the way US money works. US money today is worth something ONLY because the US Government (and the citizens it governs) agree that it is 'worth something'. In actuality, it isn't worth anything at all. Just a little FYI to confuse the crap out of you during an otherwise 'normal' day. To TOTALLY blow your mind, check out this thread at one of my favorite forums to post to. It will open your eyes and knock you on your ass. ENJOY! (But, be warned - it's a tough read - make sure to stretch out your brain before because you don't want to sprain it like I did... ow! I think I pulled a lobe!)

Back from the East & Lone Gunman Clip

What a crazy couple of weeks it's been. First off, check out the new Real Media clip in TheMedia of the Moment - it's a clip of the failed "X-Files" spin-off called "The Lone Gunmen". The episode the clip came from was aired March 4, 2001 and in it, the lead characters foil a plot that may seem familiar to anyone who watches TV. Check it out. Last week I had to fly back east to my mom and step-dad's place because they're moving. This meant that I had to save my old toys from oblivion. I also brought my cat from high school back with me, so we've now got THREE cats and four mice... pictures of all are coming soon! Anyway, lots more going on. More soon - I PROMISE... like you care ;) Oh yeah, I'll have a new Bitch by the end of the day, too. Lataz...