This originally comes from the newyorker’s Tumblr:
“The first image of bin Laden that the White House may show us is ‘bloody and gruesome, with a bullet wound to his head above his left eye.’ If it’s released, this is the image that will instantly supplant every other account of Sunday’s raid as the iconic representation of America’s moment of triumph over its most wanted enemy. Is that what we want—the official equivalent of the Saddam hanging video? Did we learn nothing from the past decade about the overwhelming power of crude images of violence to define and polarize our historical moment?”—
Philip Gourevitch on why we should not release the bin Laden photographs
Sure, because if there no pictures of it, it didn’t happen.
This is asinine. I’m sick of PR fuckwads who think it’s OK to manipulate public opinion by withholding realities from them.
A special bonus EFFYOU to the media for not demanding this photo be released immediately.
When are we going to stop being treated like children?
When are people like Gourevitch going to stop entertaining the idea that by holding things back from people, reality will somehow be distorted into a more favorable shape?
All of the folks out there that are going after Al Qaeda or other extremist-types with the actual means to cause physical harm, GOOD ON YOU! Keep up the good work!! All the other folks out there who go after pissed off kids and other losers who have precisely zero means to commit the acts they say they want to commit: EFF YOU.
Among the principles the United States was founded on, none of them encourages or condones the arrest of people who would LIKE to harm others but can’t actually do it. In fact, one of the most basic concepts behind our country is the idea that every human is entitled to freedom of thought.
What happens when you find a 21 year-old guy or a 19 year-old kid who are pissed off at the government and dream of killing people?
Nothing.
Well, you can watch them. See if they have any connections with known terrorists, or see if they’re hanging around gun shops or buying a LOT of liquid fertilizer or see IF THEY’RE HAVING A SHITTY DAY. If you do see them exiting the Home Depot with six 55-gallon drums of fertilizer, watch them even more closely. If it looks like they are about to commit a crime THEN you arrest them!
You don’t approach them, lie to them and say you’re a terrorist and that you’re willing to equip them with weapons and then arrest them when they press the button on the detonator YOU HANDED THEM. THAT IS ENTRAPMENT (and no, I’m not talking about the bad Sean Connery caper movie). Entrapment is when you induce someone to commit a crime they wouldn’t normally commit. Entrapment is illegal.
You think a 19 year-old kid has the means to get his hands on a bomb? How about a 21 year-old, barely old enough to vote in this country? And hey, even if they do, you can arrest them once they get their hands on anything illegal.
Anything else is punishing them for wrongthinking. Sure, they thought they were doing the crime, but without the FBI helping them, it’s all too likely that they wouldn’t have gotten even that far. Now their lives are ruined because they didn’t have the chance to grow up enough to realize how stupid they were as kids. All because you wanted to look like you were doing your job.
How about going after real threats to human life instead of some loser kid who isn’t sharp enough to pick up a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook?
The whole problem with absolute power is that there can’t possibly be a check or balance placed on it. In case you haven’t noticed, America has no check or balance on it currently and hasn’t had one in quite a while. No military is stronger than America’s and only a few economic powers could ever hope to compete with the US economy (despite it’s recent and huge collapse).
So, why all the tough talk regarding WikiLeaks? WikiLeaks has no military, no national economy, very few ways to defend itself and it’s only power or influence in the world is through words.
Why are so many world leaders afraid of what words might end up on WikiLeaks.org? Perhaps it’s because those words draw attention to behavior that would normally not be acceptable if it were done in public?
If that’s the case, then why is it being done?
If your government is doing things in private that it couldn’t get away with in public, your government is doing bad things and should be stopped.
Who is more to blame for a child’s death when he or she is shot in combat? The soldier who pulled the trigger, thinking he was facing an enemy, or the commanding officer who ordered the soldier into the position in the first place?
When world leaders claim lives will be lost because of words, the reality is that those leaders are simply using those lives as human shields. So, rather than admit their own roles, world leaders are pointing fingers at WikiLeaks. Meanwhile, those same leaders don’t admit responsibility for the deaths they’ve already caused by their own actions.
So, EFFYOU to the people in the world who think WikiLeak’s words will harm them (or anyone else).
It’s sticks and stones that break bones, kids. Everything else is because of our own behavior. Don’t blame the creepy know-it-all kid in the back row of the classroom.
PS regarding these rape charges Assange is wanted for? There is no defense for rape. But even Hannibal Lecter had good advice for Clarice Starling. However, you have to wonder about this timing. Seems this rape thing keeps popping up in the news when WikiLeaks is about to drop more of it’s “killer” words on the world.
Funny, how that is. (Not.)
UPDATE 20101202: Turns out, Defense Sec Robert Gates thinks all the hubbub about WikiLeaks latest dump is pretty much over nothing. In short, he says nobody trusts the USG anyway.
So, why do we care so much? It beats focusing on Global Warming, cancer and our continuing-to-suck economy, right? Why not just blame Assange and pretend he’s at fault for all that’s wrong in the world for a few days? Those other problems will still be there when the public works out how Assange isn’t really the Anti-Christ. Sure those problems will be a little worse, big deal! It’s not like the media floods our lives with useless distractions that keep us from focusing on the real prob—OH MY GOD!!
There’s a double entendre in the above pic, I think… regardless:
For that statement, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gets the EFFYOU!
Now, this may seem like old news, but we shouldn’t forget it when politicians say stupid things that show off just how incredibly short-sighted and petty they truly are.
Really, Mitch? The most important thing you Republicreeps want is to make Obama a one-termer? How about you let the American People decide how many terms Obama will get and you worry about fixing healthcare, creating jobs and getting the American economy back on track, OK, jerkweed?
STOP MAKING THIS ABOUT POLITICS AND DO YOUR JOB.
No turtle jokes were made during the writing of this post.
He looks a little like General Ripper from the Stanley Kubrick classic Dr. Strangelove, doesn’t he? And it’s an ironic likeness since this guy is batshit insane with paranoia.
Check out what this guy said to CBS News recently:
“There is an ever-evolving nature to terrorist plots,” said Pistole. “It is clear we have to be one step ahead of the terrorists. If we have an individual who opts out of the advanced imaging technology, let’s say Abdulmutallab … had opted out, thinking [he’s] not going to receive a thorough pat-down so [he could] get on that flight, and if that had been successful on Christmas Day, I think we might be having a different dialogue this afternoon and in the public.”
Um, NO, we don’t have an “ever-evolving nature to terrorist plots” you freaking maniac! You don’t need to have your operatives feeling someone’s junk, grabbing someone crank, or touching a woman’s labia (while her child watches) to protect America from terrorism.
In fact you’ve completely missed the part where we’ve lost the war on terror. This is because we are now acting terrorized! This is something a CHILD would understand: when someone tries to terrorize you, and you act terrorized, it’s MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, YOU DOLT. If you ignore what the terrorists are trying to do and live your life as the free citizen you are, YOU WIN.
So, NO, if the Christmas Day bomber had been successful, WE WOULD NOT BE HAVING A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.
So, for TREATING EVERYONE LIKE A TERRORIST EFF YOU JOHN PISTOLE.
We’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty—not assumed to be guilty until proven otherwise!!
Now STFU and go drink yourself some pure grain alcohol and rain water.
ONLY THE DEMOCRATS could take the 8 year mess the Republicans made of America and, in just 20 months, make it seem like their fault.
The Dems HAVE achieved a few things. Obama was on the Daily Show last week insisting that the economy has stabilized and that another great depression has been averted. He also explained how great the reform of the health care system was.
Now, if he’s right, if all the Democrats are right and they have achieved something incredible, then why does it all seem so LAME?
Does NO ONE remember the amazing film “Bob Roberts” starring Tim Robbins as a dashing, young conservative politician who is an expert in co-opting all of the left’s “coolness” leaving them with nothing but Gore Vidal’s bland calls for Americans to “take responsibility” and to accept higher taxes?
It’s like the film predicted our current situation!
Seriously, EVERY Democrat in office needs to learn how to at least appear to be DYNAMIC. Yes, sure, you’re all being sensible, but THAT’S BLAND. The Republicans are full of FIRE and BRIMSTONE while you fools are sitting there going “Well, gosh! It’s not our fault the economy isn’t fixed yet! C’mon, guys! Stop pickin’ on us!”
You’re supposed to be LEADING THE COUNTRY. So, for crying out loud HAVE SOME SPINE.
Democrats. What a bunch of bland, boring, losers.
Yeah, this one’s a no-brainer. What do you do when some annoying protester wants to get close to the candidate you’re supporting? SIMPLE: you wait for another supporter to drag her to the ground and then you put your foot on her head!
>_<
NO.
Tim Proffitt, who I’m sure would claim to be a human, decided that he should protect his favorite candidate in the world from this clear and presently dangerous 23 year-old activist, by using his foot to hold her down.
Seriously, he thought a liberal protester might harm Rand Paul.
What is WRONG with you Tea Party FREAKS?!?! You idiots see enemies EVERYWHERE.
THINK ABOUT IT—liberals are HIPPIES. They don’t like wars or violence and they LOVE GUN CONTROL LAWS! They’re COWARDS, remember?
;)
Oh and for anyone who hasn’t seen the video or for anyone who has, enjoy it now:
Read more about this mess:
Comedy Central’s IndecisionForever blog
WKYT’s transcript from their interview with Tim Proffit
Mediaite’s coverage of Keith Olbermann interviewing the protester
This may sound like a lot to ask, but Christine O’Donnell, “Tea Party” Republican candidate for one of Delaware’s US Senate seat, could you please learn the Constitution before you try to get a job defending it?
Seriously, what is up with these teabaggers? They love their country so much they don’t even know what the Bill of Rights says about government not endorsing any religion (or even where in the BoA it says it).
For all the things wrong with this woman as a candidate for national office, here’s the one quote which should be the most bothersome to anyone who considers themselves to be a true patriot (source: LATimes.com):
“Where in the Constitution is the separation of church and state?”
>_<
OK, so the US Constitution (which includes the BoA) doesn’t use the exact phrase “separation of church and state,” but the First Amendment reads like this:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Of course, this brings up the Constitutionality of giving religions tax-free status, but that’s a discussion for another blog. The main point here is that the First Amendment clearly states that government can’t pass laws encouraging or discouraging religion.
So, here’s a person who seeks to take a job in the United States Government yet doesn’t seem to understand one of its founding documents. That should be enough for anyone who truly loves the United States to find her unfit for office. Tea Party people actually support this woman? They’re even more stupid than I thought.
Here’s another O’Donnell quote from the LA Times article to leave you with:
WHY NOT? (to both questions!)
Hm, where to begin with this guy?
His recent slurs against gays?
His hypocritical use of the “traditional family values” card?
OH and don’t forget his bestiality email forwards.
Carl, Carl, Carl, CARL, oh, sweet, stupid, homophobic Carl.
Seriously, Carl, we should all be glad you’re so outspoken about your beliefs. It makes it easier for us to know who not to vote for.
So, this November, if you hate gays, monogomy and love to lie about being all for “traditional family values” VOTE PALADINO!
Yep, Obama sucks.
WHY you ask? Just look at the pic to the right—this is me, ThePete, wearing the Obama sweatshirt I bought in DC back on January 20, 2009. Yep, I was there for the inauguration.
I was so hopeful, but deep down, I had the feeling he’d let us down. I had the feeling that he’d prove the racists wrong—that there is no difference between the races and that Obama could be just as lame as every other president in recent years. Maybe lame in different ways, but lame none the less.
There are far too many things I could cite regarding how Obama has been lame (here’s a short list of his sucky policies: torture photos, renditions, offshore drilling, assassination of Americans, economics). The main issue is that he has failed to realize his place in history. He is the first black president. His positive place in said history is secure and the odds of the first black president getting elected for a second term are statistically very slim.
But Obama doesn’t realize this—or at least, he doesn’t act like he does. If he did, he’d be kicking ass and taking names. He wouldn’t be caring about “bridging the divide” between the parties. He’d be issuing edicts and pointing the finger of judgment at people who deserve it. He’d be slamming corporations and the politicians they purchase. He could be blazing a trail that would ostracize him from the Washington Elite while endearing him to the American people and to history as not only the first black president, but the first president to REALLY rock the boat since Kennedy or even Lincoln.
Instead, he plays the game and lets, not only we Americans down, but the future Americans who would have benefited from his inspiration. Instead he’s just like every other president who has played it safe and towed the line, rather than assume the reigns of a leader and delivered on the promise he made back in 2008:
CHANGE.
Sadly, it seems quite:
