Messages

I'll be honest and admit ignorance on the true capabilities of all three types, I was assuming there would have been advances on bio/chem simply due to how long they had been around. These could also play more into guerilla tactics which I would imagine Iran to come down to.

Still, lots more to research and read up on, many thanks.

Cenk Uygar talks about war with Iran and how it stinks of idiocy. It like what Lenin said, you look for who will benefit and... uh... you know. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Uet6qsZpLo&feature=g-u-u&context=G25e86acFUAAAAAAABAA

Interesting video. Is there any truth to the claim that 7/10 US citizens believe Iran has nuclear weapons?

I suspect I am over-estimating the intelligence of humans again.

Totally unrelated,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17145225

"The shareholders were paid £11m in dividends in that period. Ms Harrison, who is one of the five, received 87% of this, the public affairs committee heard this month."

This is a UK MP in charge of getting people back to work. Company currently being investigated for fraud, 9 arrests so far.
By the by, they've had major government contracts for several years, so this has potential to drag in some old faces. Previous and current government involved? I'm shocked.

Eventually people will begin to see the sense in paying any government official minimum wage and making them live in accommodation comparable to the average in their constituency.

Corruption, almost certainly. Knowing a few freemasons personally, I'd say they get up to far more surreptitious shit than the criminals I know. As for having a grand secret agenda, most likely not. The object of membership is mainly business connections to line your own pocket as quickly as possible.

If the memberships have to be declared, where would one ask for this information? A FOI request somewhere seems to be wise. I could have a lot of fun with that list.

Thanks Cain, Appreciate the perspective.

Looking at the U.S presidential candidates it seems to be an all party push to keep Obama where he currently sits. Assuming he gets another 4 years I'd guess "They" would be using this as a way to further push the "Iran is crazy" agenda. 10 years of pre-war prep sounds right considering how Iraq went. It would also be perfect for a Hawk candidate to get the AMERICA FUCK YEAH voters out.

Your point regarding nuclear weapons is fair. I still fail to understand the current fear of these when you can make chemical or biological weapons. Considering how much quicker and cheaper they are, it would seem remiss to not have at least a few stashed for a rainy day. Do they simply not have the needed horror value to instigate wars quickly? I really can't decide here as that was pretty much the case for Gulf #1 and #2.

Cain, Could I take a moment and ask for a current perspective on Libya? I believe it is close to a year since the start of the shift to whatever you'd currently call it at the moment? Militarization with a veneer?

With Syria and Iran still not doing anything particularly productive, and Israel being Israel, It'd be interesting to see predictions for the region for the coming year.

The current rounds of finger pointing about terrorist attacks makes it look like a fun year ahead. Last one to your deity is hell bound.

I'll take that as high praise.

I'll spare you a lengthy biography and leave it as "Someone who is smart enough to know he's fucking stupid and should shut up more"

Incorrect!

Slaves don't have to dance for a parole board pretending to be penitent over that roach the cops found in the ashtray. Nor do they labour under the delusion of eventual release.

You are much more likely to experience happiness in slavery. I say happiness, I mean Stockholm syndrome.

You seem to be implying that they have not yet been successful.

Video related:

Judge Napolitano.How to get fired from Fox Business in under 5 mins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fOaCemmsnNk

Judge Napolitano, of Fox News announced that next week will be his last show. Then he started spitting truth about the two-man con.

Fuck me. That was unexpected. The rant, not the inevitable sacking.

More of this kind of thing. If every newscaster decided to do something similar people might start realising what a joke any political system is. Who knows, they may even figure out who can actually change it. Clue - It's the same person who prevents forest fires.

Back on topic, I'd suggest that a focus on geopolitics is worth considering. Current tensions in Iran for example, have very little to do with the political structure but a lot to do with the potential (And subtle threats) to disrupt oil flow. 

Spreading the relevant information behind decisions could be as important as what the decisions actually are, if not moreso.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16979424

"Metropolitan Police commander Ali Dizaei has been found guilty of misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice."

Taking all bets on the expected sentence. I'm guessing 3 months on tag. We can't have police commanders in jail, it may give the impression that they're some kind of criminal

Edit - He's been given 3 years. An unusual display of balls from UK courts. "Sources" state that his initial 15 months imprisonment prior to it being quashed will be taken in to consideration so it's looking like 21 months. Add good behaviour to that it's probably closer to 12-18 months.

Got to love "justice" and "Quotation marks"

I would suggest it may be as simple as PR and brand reinforcement.

Consider the billions fast food chains spend on it, it seems logical that arms dealers will be spending to comparable rates. This is probably done overtly (the odd tv spot) to enable covering of covert payments (bribes and "favours")

Considering how much tougher it is to sell the idea of mutilation and death this is a potential goldmine of comedy. Mark Thomas had some fun in this regard a while ago.
Linkage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bItVG0HeJw0