Home | Video | Music | Peace | History | Link

please report any broken links to info@fragilehippyrecords.com

Timely Rants | alternatives | dissent | pows

Cold Turkey - a crafty essay by Kurt Vonnegut on the modern world written May 12, 2004 (5 August 2004)

Senator Robert Byrd calls for the exit door from Iraq. Read his wise speech given April 7, 2004. (19 May 2004)

Whistleblower Fitts blows whistle at Condoleezza Rice in response to her testimony at the 9/11 hearings. (19 May 2004)

9/11 has been all over the news lately. Here is an interesting article that talks about skepticism over the delayed response to the hijackings. (19 May 2004)

Bishop Desmond Tutu connects the dots. Read what he has to say about the war and how Bush's record of the Governor with the most executions in US History bodes for the future. (16 February 2004)

Here is an interesting piece on the Draft by Charles Pope of the Seattle Post. Talk of a draft grows despite denials by White House. There are a few new links about the draft on the links page. I read an interesting excerpt from Robin Cook's recent book about his resignation from the British Cabinet after Britain invaded Iraq. Pretty interesting timeline and clear focus on the lack of evidence of eminent threats or connections between Iraq and the bad guys who the CIA used to employ during the Afghan war against the Soviets. (25 November 2003)

Just had an interesting read The Draft !?@#$ Have a look at how the Bush Administration is gearing up for a future draft. Here is a article exposing recent job ads for the draft board positions. This second article focuses on recent budget allocations to bring the Selective Service up to speed by 2005. Scary stuff. My question of the day is why does Bush need to bring 700 aides with him on his trip to London? (18 November 2003)

As we prepare for another veterans day one must wonder what truly is the message behind Bush's $87 billion dollar package. Are the daily casualities just flies on the windscreens of Halliburton and other corporate welfare machines? In times like these humor is much needed. Check out a funny edited version of Bush's State of the Union address. For something more sinister check out connections between Bush, Schwarzenegger and the Nazis. (10 November 2003)

Troops on the loose. How could you blame them? 16 have not shown up at the airport in the first 5 days of leave, not as shocking as them only getting flights to Baltimore or Germany and then having to pay the rest of their way. (21 October 2003)

view >> (Some Troops Don't Return to Iraq From R&R By Pauline Jelenik Middle East - AP)

Two years since 9/11 and what has changed? The Patriot Act comes to mind. Tax cuts for the wealthy and pay cuts for many. Just this week Congress has passed a new law taking overtime pay away from government workers. This same Congress recently voted itself a pay increase. California is in the midst of a historic recall campaign overshadowing a scary piece of legislation - Proposition 54. Read about some of the dangers of this new proposed law. (11 September 2003)

Energy Barons are at it again. This is an exert from a piece that appeared in the American Prospect two years ago: "Last May, [Kenneth] Lay convened a meeting of mostly conservative Los Angeles notables in a bid to preserve deregulation in California and quash a nascent public-power movement. Among those in attendance were Arnold Schwarzenegger, former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan (now the Republican frontrunner for governor), and, yes, Riordan's old business buddy, Mike Milken. Lay made the case for deregulation and predicted that prices for electricity would begin to fall from their skyrocketing levels." For the full story. (15 August 2003)

Not sure what to make of the recall election in California. This article on the buzzflash site raises some interesting questions about Bush's role. The recall requires signatures amounting to 12% of the number of voters in the last gubernatorial election. See how interesting 'democracy' can get when so many participate. This recall required just under 900,00 signatures. For a state of over 30 million that pathetically low turnout is apathy biting back. (12 August 2003)

Just how much climate change is out there?? Check out the record heat wave in Europe. (7 August 2003)

Look out - the money is rolling into the offices of Pres. Halliburton and VP Kellogg Brown and Root. 'VP' Dick Cheney's former company Halliburton has already made $600 million since the bombing began in Afghanistan. Halliburton's subsidary Kellogg Brown and Root signed a 10 year contract in 2001 making it the sole provider of troop support services. Being the sole provider has brought in $529 million so far. Kellogg Brown and Root also received a no bid contract for $71.3 million to operate and repair oil fields in Iraq. When will the American tax payer awake?? (5 August 2003 - source D'Arcy Doran AP)

Want some cool graphics to help illustrate the futility of what is happening in Iraq? Check out the Iraqometer. Updated daily and well researched. Need health insurance why not go for one of the few jobs that provides it -- no that wouldn't be America's largest employer (Wal-Mart) -- time to run for Governor of California. That is exactly why Jack Grisham (former lead singer of punk band TSOL) is running in the upcoming historic recall. (1 August 2003)

Hey, wait a minute it is getting hot in here. Bush is not ready to take off all is clothes though. He just isn't that kind of emperor -- instead he is pushing for a ten year delay --- got to have time to see if there really is any evidence of global climate change. Don't bother asking residents of Oregon or New Mexico who are, this week, experiencing the hottest days ever. (31 July 2003)

Bush reveals his true self in but his 8th formal news conference of his administration. Not only did Bush assail gay marriage, saying he will push for legislation, but he claims he won't go into Liberia until Charles Taylor leaves office. So let me make sure I am getting this - you can invade a country if there is no fighting if their leader refuses to leave. However, if the country is experiencing mass chaos you can't enter until the leader leaves?? Gee, I 'guess' human rights is not really the motivating force behind US Foreign Policy. In this 'amazing' news conference he admits 'responsibility' for the 16 word false connection between Iraq and uranium from Africa. I find it interesting that he is capable of taking responsibility for anything considering he has only been able to have 8 formal news conferences whilst Clinton and Bush Sr. had 33 and 61 at this time in their administrations. Also, amazing is the easy at which he explains away the ballooning deficit and the lack of evidence connecting Iraq with Al Qaeda or weapons of mass destruction (deception). (30 July 2003)

Climate Change?!? What climate change?? Read how the Bush Administration gets the Environmental Protection Agency to delete references to climate change in a new comprehensive report on the state of the environment. (19 June 2003)

Tax cut madness!! When Reagan cut taxes in the early 1980's he was hoping to reduce inflation and increase federal tax revenues. Inflation did decrease but tax revenues fell. The mixed predicted results have left some to brand tax cuts as a successful path. The madness of trickle down economics is that it flies in the face of the theory of diminishing returns. At a certain point one with lots of money will lose incentive to keep spending or expanding their business. The economy improves when you get money into as many hands as possible -- thus ensuring a much higher percentage of that money will be spent. FDR's new deal programs spread out federal revenues. Bush's new tax plan is not a good idea. Especially, with inflation very low and the deficit very high. Besides the fall of inflation in the early 1980's had much more to do with a mushrooming trade imbalance (suddenly we were importing more than we were exporting and doing so at a growing rate). Inflation decreased as more 'global' products became available - more choices - price decrease. That is my humble opinion - read what the 2nd richest man in the USA has to say about his tax rate decreasing from 30 to 3 percent whilst his receptionist's rate will stay put at 30 percent.

Weapons what weapons?? Seems that the shadow of deception is making its way on to TV screens in the UK. Read reasons behind the recent resignation of Robin Cook - British Foreign Secretary. (29 May 2003)

Deficit?? What is that asks Bush. This article is about the white house denying warnings over the mountain of debt we are raking up for an aging nation. (29 May 2003)

Was the POW Jessica Lynch story a fake? Full of a variety of theories and web articles on the subject. (29 May 2003)

United States President Halliburton says thank you very much for $7 Billion. This BBC article discusses the tip of a nasty iceburg that will make a titanic like impact on the economy of Iraq and perhaps the USA. (7 May 2003)

Brave new world. US pounds friend and foe alike. This in-depth article has a great comparison of US and European Union views on a number of topics. (posted 7 May 2003)

Tomahawk missiles malfunction. 4 land in Saudi Arabia and 3 in Turkey. (posted 7 May 2003)

A perspective on how the media and propaganda game has been played of late. This article discusses Harper's magazine editor John MacArthur's views on specifics within the propaganda war. (1 May 2003)

Depleted Uranium and possible US war crimes. The legal battle begins. "The U.S. military has been condemned for using weapons such as cluster bombs and depleted uranium in its invasion that have a devastating impact on civilians. It is also accused by human rights groups of targeting known civilian sites and journalists' offices. " (15 April 2003)

Propaganda overload !!!! Check out the wide angle view of the Saddam toppling. (11 April 2003)

Euro Alert ! An in-depth look at the survival of the dollar as a motive for war. (posted 10 April 2003)

US tanks and troops fire on media hotel in Baghdad. (8 April 2003)

Rubber Bullets on protesters in Oakland. See how serious 'the man' can get. (7 April 2003)

Bush and God. Wow the truth is scary in this BBC article (6 April 2003)

Cowboys loose again !!!! Read a British officer's account of 'friendly fire'.

US Navy finally leaves Vieques, Puerto Rico after 60 years of unwanted bomb testing and untold environmental damage. Story includes a nice slide show. (1 May 2003)

War on Drugs?? See what one California politician is doing to try and prevent more Ed Rosenthal cases. (11 April 2003)

Saddam is a bad man. Bush "is the son of a bad man" (click here for the Public Enemy song). So what is one to do about all of this? Does the world have any alternatives to war??? A delegation of US church leaders and others met with Tony Blair and Claire Short on February 18, 2003. They met to discuss alternatives to war. Read what they came up with before and during the meeting.

A message of hope from Desmond Tutu and Ian Urbina.

A nun asks all the right questions about Bush's policies. (23 June 2003)

Former CIA Director Stansfield Turner voices opinion against Bush and the story of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. (18 June 2003)

Rand Beers speaks out on why he quit the Bush Administration and is now working for John Kerry. (17 June 2003)

Did the Media turn a blind eye?? Where lies the keys to the propaganda machine? A critique of the US media war coverage. (29 May 2003)

Lt. General William Wallace refuses to retract comments that the Iraqi army was more aggressive than anticipated. (7 May 2003)

Shameful acts at Baseball's Hall of Fame. Susan Sarandon and Tom Robbins ("Long live democracy, free speech and the '69 Mets — all improbable, glorious miracles that I have always believed in") won't be there at the end of April to celebrate 15 years of the film Bull Durham. Read the letters to and from the Hall of Fame. (posted 7 May 2003)

The Dixie Chicks strike back. Read and see just how they combine a lack of clothing with a smattering of slogans. (24 April 2003)

The story of FBI agent - John O'Neill - the one who PBS's frontline dubbed "the man who knew". (22 April 2003)

India speaks out. "Calculations have gone seriously wrong" - Yashwant Sinha Indian Foreign Minister. (2 April 2003)

Do the Democrats finally react ??? Some question the stifling of dissent. The lone voices in the wilderness: Sam Farr (D-California), Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio).

POW double standard ?? Read George Monboit's One Rule For Them for some food for thought. I have heard accounts that the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay are actually allowed the time for religion and exercise. Always important to be critical of all information. There is also a follow-up to Monboit's article by British Lawyer Louise Christain.

back to top