Thursday, January 10, 2008

The Mickey Z. Travel Agency?

Posted by Mickey Z on 01/10 at 12:22 PM

  2. to the tune, ‘there’s no business like show business’


    There’s no mongers like war mongers, like no mongers I’ve known…

    Murder, rape and torture are the norm…

    No caring, no mercy for the forlorn…

    Let’s kill them quickly…

    Let’s kill some more...Oh...there’s no mongers like war mongers like no mongers I’ve known…

    Drop the bombs and kill the children quickly...so they are no more…

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/10  at  01:40 PM

  3. When US air traffic was grounded after 9/11, people who study the atmosphere noted that the air was much clearer. I forget the exact figure, but the sunlight was about 20% stronger.

    Seeing the rail system in Europe will convert anyone, though it will take a lot to bring serious rail travel back to the US. I think it’s possible...and can envision auto industry lobbyists getting their hands dirty, laying new track. (Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! I’m going to turn myself in to Rep. Jane Harman for domestic thoughtcrime, but only after I get vanity plate ‘HR 1955’)

    Posted by Zen Prole from Urth  on  01/10  at  01:49 PM

  4. Nice round up of articles Mr. Z.

    A stark alphabetical compendium of the “world’s greatest democracy’s” loving embrace of the world around it - real beacon of hope stuff.
    It does reinforce the fact that people immigrate there to escape American foreign policy.

    Homeland security will take care of that misguided notion soon enough as they “boiling frog” the place into a comply or be tasered/shot/disappeared unabashed corporatist police state.
    (The timer on the societal easy bake oven dinged a long time ago)

    Soon Americans will need to start painting their expanding slums in bright pastels to keep the illusion alive, with a flag on every stoop and a gun for every mouth.

    Your article on America’s best buddy, “The only democracy in the middle east” (urgle, sorry just threw up in my mouth a little), makes me wonder what your current take on that illusion might be.
    ___
    An interesting travel question Z.Prole.
    Until you must submit to ridiculously humiliating personal/physical degradations at the hands of the warrior poets working the customs gates, give up every last detail about your existence to be checked against an Orwellian database and allow your self to be locked into a hermetically sealed prison tube from which there is no reasonable escape but into the arms of other awaiting checkpoints or the fireball of an approved shoot down, trains will only be seriously utilized as the mules of corporate commerce.

    And really, how else can we the privileged haul our fat rolls down to the high walled, opulent “Xanadu-esque” resorts straddling the coasts of countries whose people exist for a month on what we gobble up and fart into our surrounding water bodies in a day. 

    Control is very important to the deviants who are elevated into power the world over.
    The endgame requires a global lockdown and once its increments are attained no quarter should ever be expected.

    Oh come, all ye asteroids…

    Posted by Y.C. from   on  01/10  at  02:58 PM

  5. Hi Mickey, joe, Zen, Y.C. and all....

    joe...Biddeford used to be one of my favorite places. No more....

    I am getting reports that McCain’s bus purposely ran the IVAW bus off the road in N.H. Anybody else hearing any of that.

    Also, I have been getting e-mails saying nasty things about Obama because they think he is a secret Muslim. Seems to me that should not be the issue. The voters and the Media ignore the real issues. I don’t care about any candidate’s gender, race, religion, marital status, or the color of their socks. I care about their position on war, health care, the environment, justice, freedom, human rights, workers’ rights, corporate welfare, capitalism, and whether everyone will have access to health care and dental care.

    Posted by RMJ from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts  on  01/10  at  04:21 PM

  6. On Monday, Phil Agee died in Cuba. He needs to be remembered for having exposed some crimes of the CIA. I beleive that he was friend of our friend Bill Blum.  It is amazing to think about the difference between his case and the Plame case. We should have rejoiced at the outing of Plame, but the Liberals tripped over themselves trying to “protect” the CIA.

    Posted by RMJ from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts  on  01/10  at  04:46 PM

  7. RMJ...I’ll tell ya...I think Lucas McCain might be a bigger whack job than the current war criminal...!

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/10  at  04:47 PM

  8. I haven’t seen anything yet about the McCain bus story, and it’s been a fantastic post and comment today but you forgot Pakistan. Luckily, today’s Gothamist has this:
    http://gothamist.com/2008/01/10/pakistan_airlin.php

    How odd.

    Posted by James from Hell's Kitchen  on  01/10  at  05:15 PM

  9. Well, I could not help myself:  had to click on ‘Germany’ seeing I am a German transplant to Australia:  excellent article, Mickey! 

    And hello to Joe of Maine, Zen Prole, Y.C., Rosemarie (#4: “The voters and the media avoid the real issues” - ditto in Australia)and James from a not too warm Daylesford.  They predicted temperatures around the 104F mark, but there has been a cool change in the last hour which has brought some relief. 

    Rosemarie #5:  I think Phil Agee visited Germany in the late 70’s/early 80’s.  Very impressive man!

    Take care, all of you!

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  01/10  at  08:25 PM

  10. Hi, dear Mickey

    There is the elections are shaking the US soil. If we are capable to figure out what the “recovery” really means ( even as we are rotten to the core) , wouldn’t be it helpful to start the campaign, crying for THE GENERAL STRIKE in order TO STOP THESE ELECTIONS?  Then - To Stop The War(s)? 
    With the honor restored, then, we will prodoudly take the Presidency in our own hands. Don’t you think so?

    your fan,

    How about THE GENERAL STRIKE in the country like ours

    Posted by vernica from new york  on  01/11  at  08:25 AM

  11. Hello Expendables...from rainy, damp Astoria. Yes, I’m in NYC for a brief respite to tie up some loose ends and will return to Texas tomorrow...for the duration.

    Welcome, Y.C. and Vernica. Always great to “hear” new voices.

    Yes, a general strike would be an amazing start. Any suggestions on how to arouse the huddled masses?

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  01/11  at  08:52 AM

  12. A quote by our prez in Bethlehem,

    “For those of us who practise the Christian faith, there isn’t a more holy site than where our saviour was born,” Bush said as he came out of the church.

    Like many nice church goers...pray one day, bomb everyday.

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/11  at  03:07 PM

  13. Hi joe, Helga, Mickey, James, Vernica, and all…
    Is today the 6th anniversary of Guantanamo?  Is that what we in the U$A have become - global torturers - yep, that’s us - and we wonder why they hate us - makes me wish that I had been born in Sweden, or anyplace else.

    Posted by RMJ from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts  on  01/11  at  06:01 PM

  14. RMJ..12..YEP...and it disturbs me americans normalize so much cruel behavior, carry misunderstood, un-dealt with negative emotions, class discrimination, hatred, and misdirect all this baggage on to others...I guess there are various degrees of torture...simply living in america is one of them...I got a call from someone wanting warm bedding...they cannot afford oil prices for their home...NO ONE should be denied living as a human being...just like ALL politicians are able to live...ALL politicians with their tax payer paid benefits, their investments, their bribes, their savings accounts...it’s all inexcusable and the general lack of awareness is horrifying...!!!

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/12  at  08:01 AM

  15. Here’s a nice carrot…

    Soldiers of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force ‘’ISAF’’ have repeatedly used Afghan children to detect land mines in war ravaged country, said a former German ISAF officer in Berlin on Thursday.

    Unveiling his new book titled ‘Final Station’, Achim Wohlgetan pointed out that children were misused by ISAF forces to find land- mines in the Kabul region in 2002.

    ISAF soldiers threw apples on an area and then waited to see what would happen. If the children were to run to pick up the apples, and there was no explosion, the area was declared safe, according to Wohlgetan.

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/12  at  12:51 PM

  16. joe...I know that you and many here do not watch tv, but last night on 20-20 they did a program about “happiness”. They compared, in a sort of scientific way, the degree of happiness in different countries. Many points that you (joe) bring out here were brought out in this program. Needless to say, the U$A has very unhappy people. Denmark was one of the most happy. It was interesting to hear their explanations of why. Many facts, that were also brought out in “SICKO”, were given as reasons for the happiness in other countries. Seeing the way that people in other countries interact with each other compared to daily life here was very telling.  Also, the citizens in other countries kept mentioning that they are free of worry over health care, etc.

    On a personal note - my dental bill is now more than my mortgage payment and will be for the next 12 months. All I had done was a minor repair to one tooth.

    Posted by RMJ from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts  on  01/12  at  02:55 PM

  17. RMJ..15..Happiness is something I know little about...but not to worry...when we’re laying in the gutter, one moment from death, someone will tell us we MIGHT qualify for some partial assistant program...and how we will rejoice, fore such an intolerable degree of barbarism has been normalized...and few question any damn thing...obey...the woman said the statement was inaccurate, the man said it was the closest one to describe the circumstances, the woman said, well reword the statement...the man looked puzzled..let’s accept all things without question...let’s repeat the chant of emperor…

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/12  at  05:01 PM

  18. joe...another point made during the program last night was that in Denmark ALL workers are respected. The garbage collector has as much status as the brain surgeon. I agree with what you say about happiness. I think that you and I are victims of geography. It is hard to be happy, while being oppressed in a dysfunctional culture.

    I heard some interesting comments about the economy and gas prices, etc. The commentator said that the problem is NOT that the price of oil has gone up. The problem is that the USA dollar keeps decreasing in value because the government just prints more when it needs money. Soon, we will need a wheelbarrow full of dollars to buy a loaf of bread. (Maybe I am suffering sticker shock because of my bill from the dentist.)

    Posted by RMJ from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts  on  01/12  at  05:34 PM

  19. RMJ...yes...all classists want a clean office but don’t respect the janitor...oil prices are what they are due to corruption and greed...all the oil executives in the universe could not convince me otherwise...no one held a gun to a ceo’s head and force him to accept a 64 million dollar salary...victims of geography...and there’s no real reason for any other form of transportation than our feet...why did Spain colonize Brazil...guns, ships, stupidity = suffering.

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/12  at  05:51 PM

  20. ‘A quote by our prez in Bethlehem,

    “For those of us who practise the Christian faith, there isn’t a more holy site than where our saviour was born,” Bush said as he came out of the church.

    Like many nice church goers...pray one day, bomb everyday.’

    Bears repeating, Joe of Maine (#11) - excellent!

    And Rosemarie #15:  dental bills can be a problem down under as well.  Let’s hope our new Labor government re-instals the Commonwealth dental scheme that the Howard government promptly ‘defunded’ upon coming to power in 1996.

    All best to all the expendables and best wishes to the Cool Observer Mickey,
    Helga

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  01/13  at  12:22 AM

  21. Helga, Good morning and good morning to everyone…

    I thought of going to confession this morning to see if I could pick up a horny priest. Things are becoming increasingly stressful and desperate.

    Time to look for new employment...I don’t deal with abusive authority figures very well at all...I never knew how to play some game that so many people talk about...I’m never politically correct, I know the difference between up and down no matter how company policy defines this...and policy will be incorrect at all times.

    Overdue for change...turn the page...toss the book

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/13  at  01:13 PM

  22. Part IV...during my sentence, in the late 60’s, while in the war zone of Vietnam, it was known if a bomber squadron dropped a certain tonage of bombs, this squadron commander would get points toward the next rank of captain...more money, more prestige while in navy aviation. A very sick reason to drop more bombs. While reading of the latest bombing raid in Iraq..I wondered how much of this bombing for politics and job advancement might be occuring...more sick reasons to unleash violence. Treating the destruction of a culture like a ground breaking party to build a new taco bell restuarant.

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/13  at  01:46 PM

  23. Hi Helga. Medical and Dental tourism is a growing industry. Sad, when people have to go to India for heart surgery and Costa Rica for dental care.

    joe...The Labor force is no longer respected in the U$A. I will never forget about the man who was fired because he took a day off to go to his father’s funeral. I missed being with my own father when he died because it was “forbidden” to take time off and I had a child to feed.////About no one needing any transportation other than their feet, I am not so sure of that. Our whole society would have to be restructured for that. Employment opportunities are usually NOT located in areas where housing is permitted under zoning laws. Yesterday I had to get 200 LBS of salt in order to keep my furnace and plumbing operating. I was glad that I did not have to lug it home on my back. We NEED transportation for survival because Capitalists have structured our economy that way. We don’t need gas for NASCAR, yachts, etc… Capitalism is the root of the problem but I don’t think that that will be recognized in the U$A for many, many decades.

    Currently in the Vermont Legislature there is a Bill that would allow all Vermonters to receive hospital care (not medicine or doctor’s care) without the fear of being turned away and without the fear of bankruptcy.  It will be interesting to see if that Bill passes. Our local hospital has a little-known policy of NOT billing insurance companies, and then going after the patient when the time limit for getting paid by the insurance company is up. Seems like collusion and corruption is going on. The average citizen has no way to fight back.

    Posted by RMJ from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts  on  01/13  at  02:10 PM

  24. Just found this gem on the CommonDreams site......

    John R. Hall January 13th, 2008 4:36 pm

    i pledge allegiance to the bank of the fascist remnants of america, and to the dwindling dollar for which it stands, hordes of homeless UNDER GOD, in freefall, without liberty or justice for anybody…Goodnight Amerika…Goodnight Johnboy.

    Posted by RMJ from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts  on  01/13  at  05:19 PM

  25. RMJ...we’re having a bad snow storm today...we’ve normalized such a degree of incoherency in america, few seldom object to the absurdities of everyday life and especially in the workplace where anyone of authority is playing the cover thy ass game...not for the benefit of every individual or the company itself...this exponentially creates greater conflict and problems and further, no one deals with the problems, great or small. It’s completely irrational and inhumane...it’s no wonder few give one damn about the slaughter of other societies by War for Profits LLC...FEAR has everyone in an intellectual, emotional, metaphysical paralysis.

    Posted by joe of maine from   on  01/14  at  11:28 AM

  26. Hello Expendables. I’ve made a new post to share the news of my Mom’s passing. Please feel free to continue your conversations on that new thread.

    Thanks, all…

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Dubya Land  on  01/14  at  11:30 AM

  27. . If each transaction is recorded with the date, a detailed purpose, and the type. Your books can be quickly assembled by yourself if you have the accounting skills and understand or go to the trouble to understand your software well enough.Insurance review

    Posted by Insurance review from   on  11/01  at  03:35 PM

  28. I share this topic!
    Cartier bracelet replica

    Posted by Cartier bracelet replica from http://www.topcartieronline.com/  on  10/11  at  04:08 AM

Next entry: Ann Zezima: 1936-2008

Previous entry: Philosopher of the Day: Thomas Petty