Your Wednesday Enlightenment 09.19.07
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 09.19.2007
Read me, because unlike Britney, my career is thriving.
*The age is at hand.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
So maybe (although I doubt it) you were wondering where the column was last week.
Truth be told I took a week off to attend the night time Emmy awards; I was some fabulous woman's date - I promised that I wouldn't divulge her name Tia Carrere and I had a very good time with her…a VERY good time.
So I was in no mood to write this piddling column. But now things have resumed to normal it's time to get down to business (i.e. bidness); and business means one thing.
The NEWS.
Suspected Meteor Crash Causes Ill Fate
Lima, Wednesday, September 19: A suspected meteor crash in a southern part of Peru has allegedly caused illness amongst those who have visited the impact site. The crash occurred over the weekend in a remote part of the country, in the Andes, and drew a lot of attention, and soon after locals began to report nausea, vomiting and headache. The impact crater, measuring some 30 metres wide, began to spew noxious gases. About 600 people have required treatment from the effects of the crash, whose heat fused elements in the ground, causing the gases to be created. The Peruvian authorities are telling people to avoid contact with the site.
Smelly.
Cold War Spying Levels Returning
Washington, Tuesday, September 18: United States intelligence official Michael McConnell has warned Congress that spying by Russia and China have increased and are bound to return to Cold War levels. Mr. McConnell, who is the head of National Intelligence, spoke before Congress and noted the aggressive level which China and Russia continue to spy and reap information from the United States, despite supposed friendly relations between the three nations. Mr. McConnell testified in light of legislation that gives the US government the ability to intercept international phone calls and emails without a warrant. The White House has expressed its desire to have these powers made permanent - something that Mr. McConnell supported - despite their expiration in the New Year.
He's listening.
National security is the first duty of every government - there is no contention in this assumption. However, the tools in which government undertakes the security of the nation with are a matter of great contention. Privacy advocates advocate - that's what they're there for - that the act to intercept foreign communication is a threat to citizens, and that civil liberties are rapidly eroding in the name of "national security" chiefly in the face of the "War on Terror." The classical "slippery slope" argument comes into play here: how much security is enough to secure? One could argue that to be truly free one must be enslaved: that way nobody dissents, nobody can threaten you against the established status quo. The ugly head of the police state is emerging, and because of this, I recommend you watch, "The Death List" episode of Yes Minister.
Taiwan Vies for UN Membership - Again
Tapei, Wednesday, September 19: Taiwan is preparing once again to attempt to apply for membership to the halls of the United Nations, a move which is vehemently opposed by China. The steps to join the UN are arduous, and a debate must be held to even begin to consider Taiwan's application - if it does not pass the committee, Taiwan's aspirations end there. A quarter of a million rallied in Taiwan on Saturday to press the UN to accept the island. China continues to view Taiwan as a rebel province and vows to attack if it ever sought outright independence.
Independence = war.
So why should China declare war on such a tiny island should it want to become independent? Perhaps a few factors influence the "Communists": the idea of a territory defying the government would not sit well with the dictators in Beijing, for fear of other provinces within China stirring up independence movements; China would also lose prestige on the world stage, and would look weak to its "opponents" and other powers in the region. The US position is equally tenuous, though what role it would take, militarily or otherwise, is not certain. I'll stay in bed that day, if it ever comes.
The "Moment" is very vacuous. But you people seem to like vacuous.
"A Moment of Pathetic."
I lament (not really) for one B. Spears, whose career seems to be in a tailspin via the toilet. A pathetic performance at the MTV Video Awards coupled with her being dumped by her management firm spells a pretttttttty lousy present career for the former "pop tart." Nyuk nyuk. Just kidding baby, I still think you're pretty. Ish. Kinda. Meh. See you on Hollywood Squares someday.
It's "This Just In" time. Now, I have replaced my old globe with a new JEWELED globe…well it has stones in it, and they're not really jewels, and I don't know how well it'll spin. But let's tryyyy.
*spins the globe*
Congratulations ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA, it's your turn to shine!
This West African state isn't one that makes the headlines everyday, so I'll see what I can dig up.
Okay, apparently finding news on this state ain't easy - one of the most recent stories about the country is dated AUGUST, or occurred in August, so what the hell, I'll take it.
Apparently the nation's parliament just voted to outlaw something. What's that something? Why, SLAVERY. YES, SLAVERY. After slavery was abolished in the British Empire in the 19th century, it was just abolished in ____________2007_____________...wow. However, the nation did move to outlaw it in 1905, but to no avail. Slaveholders now will face 10 year jail terms if found to still hold slaves under the new government of President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdellahi.
Slavery? Not in my country, buster.
Reference: http://www.allafrica.com
Well it's nice to end the column on a high note: slavery abolished.
Now when will the American people end the Republican enslavement of the White House?
STAY CURRENT