Snacks For Yer Brain
It should be unnecessary to point out that massive terrorism is a standard device of powerful states.... Some cases are not even controversial. Take the US war against Nicaragua, leaving tens of thousands dead and the country in ruins. Nicaragua appealed to the world court, which condemned the US for international terrorism ("the unlawful use of force"), ordering it to desist and pay substantial reparations. The US responded to the court ruling by sharply escalating the war, and vetoing a security council resolution calling on all states to observe international law. The escalation included official orders to attack "soft targets" -- undefended civilian targets, like agricultural collectives and health clinics -- and to avoid the Nicaraguan army. The terrorists were able to carry out these instructions, thanks to the complete control of Nicaraguan air space by the US and the advanced communications equipment provided to them by their supervisors.
-- Noam Chomsky
PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to distinguish between the government and one's "country"; 2) A highly praiseworthy virtue characterized by the desire to dominate and kill; 3) A feeling of exultation experienced when contemplating heaps of charred "enemy" corpses; 4) The first, last, and perennial refuge of scoundrels.
PATRIOT, n. A dangerous tool of the powers that be. A herd member who compensates for lack of self-respect by indentifying with an abstraction. An enemy of individual freedom. A fancier of the rich, satisfying flavor of boot leather.
-- from The American Heretic's Dictionary edited by Chaz Bufe
NYC Cop Charged for Not Arresting Homeless
Wed Jul 28,10:33 PM ET
NEW YORK - The police department put an officer on trial Wednesday for refusing to arrest a homeless man who was sleeping in a parking garage.
Eduardo Delacruz, 39, could be kicked off the force if an administrative judge finds him guilty of failing to obey a lawful order.
The incident occurred in November 2002 shortly after the department adopted a zero-tolerance policy to violations by homeless people.
An attorney for Delacruz, Norman Siegel, accused officials of punishing his client for following his conscience. Delacruz "saw the homeless as people and showed them dignity and respect," Siegel said.
Police lawyer David Green argued that Delacruz's personal beliefs are "completely irrelevant" and the case "begins and ends with the refusal of an order."
The officer told reporters outside court that he hoped to keep his badge.
"I'm a good police officer," he said.
-- Noam Chomsky
PATRIOTISM, n. 1) The inability to distinguish between the government and one's "country"; 2) A highly praiseworthy virtue characterized by the desire to dominate and kill; 3) A feeling of exultation experienced when contemplating heaps of charred "enemy" corpses; 4) The first, last, and perennial refuge of scoundrels.
PATRIOT, n. A dangerous tool of the powers that be. A herd member who compensates for lack of self-respect by indentifying with an abstraction. An enemy of individual freedom. A fancier of the rich, satisfying flavor of boot leather.
-- from The American Heretic's Dictionary edited by Chaz Bufe
NYC Cop Charged for Not Arresting Homeless
Wed Jul 28,10:33 PM ET
NEW YORK - The police department put an officer on trial Wednesday for refusing to arrest a homeless man who was sleeping in a parking garage.
Eduardo Delacruz, 39, could be kicked off the force if an administrative judge finds him guilty of failing to obey a lawful order.
The incident occurred in November 2002 shortly after the department adopted a zero-tolerance policy to violations by homeless people.
An attorney for Delacruz, Norman Siegel, accused officials of punishing his client for following his conscience. Delacruz "saw the homeless as people and showed them dignity and respect," Siegel said.
Police lawyer David Green argued that Delacruz's personal beliefs are "completely irrelevant" and the case "begins and ends with the refusal of an order."
The officer told reporters outside court that he hoped to keep his badge.
"I'm a good police officer," he said.