Ray Bradbury - Something Wicked This Way Comes
2 hours ago
Monday, 28 June 2010
We Spend $1 Billion/Year Fighting Each al Qaeda Member in Afghanistan
Think Progress does the math on Panetta’s admission that there are just 100 al Qaeda members in Afghanistan, and discovers we’ve got 1,000 American troops in Afghanistan for each al Qaeda member.
This sort of adds a new twist to that old Einstein quip about the definition of insanity being doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Because we’re doing the same thing over and over again–at a cost of $1 billion a year per nominal opponent–and expecting anything other than bankruptcy.
The U.S. has committed nearly 100,000 troops to the mission in Afghanistan. ABC This Week host Jake Tapper asked CIA Director Leon Panetta how big is the al Qaeda threat that the soldiers are combating:
The 100,000 U.S. forces that have been tasked to dismantle the 100 or so al Qaeda members — a ratio of 1000:1 — is complicated by the fact that we are also engaged in operations going after the Taliban leadership.TAPPER: How many Al Qaeda, do you think, are in Afghanistan?
PANETTA: I think the estimate on the number of Al Qaeda is actually relatively small. I think at most, we’re looking at 50 to 100, maybe less. It’s in that vicinity. There’s no question that the main location of Al Qaeda is in the tribal areas of Pakistan.
Now let me add to their math. Even Afghan war fans admit that it costs $1 million a year–on top of things like salary–to support a US service member in Afghanistan.
So 1,000 US troops per al Qaeda member, at a cost of $1 million each. That’s $1 billion a year we spend for each al Qaeda member to fight our war in Afghanistan.Michael O’Hanlon, a defense analyst at the Brookings Institution, says one useful way to break down these huge numbers is to look at how much it costs to send just one soldier to war.
“We are at a point where it’s unbelievably costing us close to a million dollars, in additional costs — above and beyond salaries and the equipment that’s already in the inventory — per soldier or Marine per year,” he says.
Fighting in Afghanistan means fighting in one of the most remote regions on Earth, and that plays a large role in the seemingly astronomical figure.
Dov Zakheim, a former chief financial officer for the Defense Department, says the $1 million price tag includes getting the soldier to Afghanistan, getting his equipment to Afghanistan, and moving the soldier around once in the country.
This sort of adds a new twist to that old Einstein quip about the definition of insanity being doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Because we’re doing the same thing over and over again–at a cost of $1 billion a year per nominal opponent–and expecting anything other than bankruptcy.
Glenn Greenwald on Jeffrey Goldberg
Jeffrey Goldberg on "Meet the Press."
In a stunning display of self-unawareness, The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg pointed to last week's forced "resignation" by Dave Weigel from The Washington Post as evidence that the Post, "in its general desperation for page views, now hires people who came up in journalism without much adult supervision, and without the proper amount of toilet-training." Goldberg then solemnly expressed hope that "this episode will lead to the reimposition of some level of standards." Numerous commentators immediately noted the supreme and obvious irony that Goldberg, of all people, would anoint himself condescending arbiter of journalistic standards, given that, as one of the leading media cheerleaders for the attack on Iraq, he compiled a record of humiliating falsehood-dissemination in the run-up to the war that rivaled Judy Miller's both in terms of recklessness and destructive impact.
Except unlike Miller, who was forced to leave the New York Times over what she did, and the NYT itself, which at least acknowledged some of the shoddy pro-war propaganda it churned out, Goldberg has never acknowledged his journalistic errors, expressed remorse for them, or paid any price at all. To the contrary, as is true for most Iraq war propagandists, he thrived despite as a result of his sorry record in service of the war. In 2007, David Bradley -- the owner of The Atlantic and (in his own words) formerly "a neocon guy" who was "dead certain about the rightness" of invading Iraq -- lavished Goldberg with money and gifts, including ponies for Goldberg's children, in order to lure him away from The New Yorker, where he had churned out most of his pre-war trash. ..
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Sunday, 27 June 2010
Booze galore for England-Germany game
The Free State government announced on Saturday night it has relaxed its liquor laws for Sunday when England and Germany play each other in the group of 16 of the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Bloemfontein.
Spokesman for the department of economic affairs and tourism Khotso Tau said the department took the decision in consultation with the South African Police Service.
Tau said in terms of the new concession liquor stores and supermarkets could sell liquor on Sunday during their normal business hours.
"Restaurants, pubs and taverns would also be allowed to sell liquor after midnight on Sunday night." Tau said it was agreed with police that there would be a "high visibility" in the streets during Sunday, in Bloemfontein specifically.
He said the concession was only for Sunday and only applicable on legal liquor operators in the province.
Asked for the reason for the decision, Tau said the game between England and Germany was probably the biggest soccer match ever in the history of Bloemfontein and the Free State.
"We will be hosting the two nations in the world who loves their beer and they should feel welcome in the province," he said.
Tau reiterated that police would be in full strength ensuring order and stability during the "special dispensation"
from iol
Spokesman for the department of economic affairs and tourism Khotso Tau said the department took the decision in consultation with the South African Police Service.
Tau said in terms of the new concession liquor stores and supermarkets could sell liquor on Sunday during their normal business hours.
"Restaurants, pubs and taverns would also be allowed to sell liquor after midnight on Sunday night." Tau said it was agreed with police that there would be a "high visibility" in the streets during Sunday, in Bloemfontein specifically.
He said the concession was only for Sunday and only applicable on legal liquor operators in the province.
Asked for the reason for the decision, Tau said the game between England and Germany was probably the biggest soccer match ever in the history of Bloemfontein and the Free State.
"We will be hosting the two nations in the world who loves their beer and they should feel welcome in the province," he said.
Tau reiterated that police would be in full strength ensuring order and stability during the "special dispensation"
from iol
Lust For Laughs
Iggy Pop's concert rider funniest in rock history?
As if you need another reason to love Iggy Pop, the veteran rocker (and his band The Stooges) have the single most entertaining concert rider TSG has ever obtained. The document--all 18 pages of which you'll find below--describes Iggy's requirements in terms of amplifiers, security, lighting, stage set up, and dressing rooms. But unlike most similar documents, Iggy's rider is written in a rollicking, stream-of-consciousness fashion that delivers multiple laughs per page. Apparently written by roadie Jos Grain, the Iggy rider is peppered with witty gems, tasteless asides, and typos. For example, in describing how Iggy's dressing room should be made to "look less like a typical rock & roll dressing room," the rider suggests that promoters "just let someone loose with a little bit of artistic flair...Er, do you know any homosexuals?" Explaining the need for two heavy duty fans, Grain notes, "So that I can wear a scarf and pretend to be in a Bon Jovi video." Also, don't miss the backstage requirements of a Bob Hope impersonator and "a copy of USA Today that's got a story about morbidly obese people in it. Most amusing!" (18 pages)
HERE
As if you need another reason to love Iggy Pop, the veteran rocker (and his band The Stooges) have the single most entertaining concert rider TSG has ever obtained. The document--all 18 pages of which you'll find below--describes Iggy's requirements in terms of amplifiers, security, lighting, stage set up, and dressing rooms. But unlike most similar documents, Iggy's rider is written in a rollicking, stream-of-consciousness fashion that delivers multiple laughs per page. Apparently written by roadie Jos Grain, the Iggy rider is peppered with witty gems, tasteless asides, and typos. For example, in describing how Iggy's dressing room should be made to "look less like a typical rock & roll dressing room," the rider suggests that promoters "just let someone loose with a little bit of artistic flair...Er, do you know any homosexuals?" Explaining the need for two heavy duty fans, Grain notes, "So that I can wear a scarf and pretend to be in a Bon Jovi video." Also, don't miss the backstage requirements of a Bob Hope impersonator and "a copy of USA Today that's got a story about morbidly obese people in it. Most amusing!" (18 pages)
HERE
"Arrogant" English anger world's media
The world's media were left stunned on Saturday after England's news briefing for Sunday's World Cup clash with Germany lasted barely five minutes and featured only questions taken from British TV reporters.
More than 250 journalists from around the world plus around 30 TV crews packed into the media tent at the Free State Stadium for the briefing with England coach Fabio Capello and captain Steven Gerrard.
Reporters, many of whom had travelled long distances to be at the briefing, left in anger after the FA's Head of Media Adrian Bevington took only eight questions from hand-picked reporters.
Giancarlo Galavotti, soccer correspondent of Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport who has reported on English soccer from London for more than 25 years, told Reuters: "That was typical. They do not seem to appreciate this is the World Cup, with the emphasis on the word 'World'.
"The idea that the English set-up is not the friendliest among the top teams is reinforced by this sort of arrogance.
"And this, despite the coach being able to answer in three languages: Italian, English and Spanish. The FA do not seem to think the rest of the world is important."
Jorge Luiz Rodrigues of Brazil's O Globo newspaper was stunned by what he saw.
"That was bad. This is the World Cup. This guy doesn't know what the World Cup is. He only asks for questions from his friends. This is not professional.
"If you go to Brazil you will have questions in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian.
"All the journalists have the same opportunity. And Brazil is five times champions, not once."
Bevington told Reuters afterwards: "We complied fully with FIFA's regulations by bringing the coach and a player, our captain, to the conference.
"Furthermore, and as agreed with FIFA, we had a further five minutes with English newspapers and a further five minutes with FIFA.com."
In the five minutes access allowed to the wider world, journalists learnt that manager Fabio Capello knew his team -- which he did not reveal -- and that skipper Gerrard was confident of victory.
Platitudes delivered, Bevington declared after five minutes and 12 seconds: "OK, everybody, thank you very much. I would like to invite the English Sunday newspapers to join us in a separate room."
One reporter sarcastically clapped and with that the England delegation swept out of the room.
Although German coach Joachim Loew failed to appear before the media on Saturday, he did speak to them for 45 minutes on Friday and the German FA, at least, gave reporters the chance to quiz goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke for 30 minutes on their preparations for the game.
(Mike Collett - Reuters
Additional reporting by Angus MacSwan; Editing by Ossian Shine)
via The Guardian
More than 250 journalists from around the world plus around 30 TV crews packed into the media tent at the Free State Stadium for the briefing with England coach Fabio Capello and captain Steven Gerrard.
Reporters, many of whom had travelled long distances to be at the briefing, left in anger after the FA's Head of Media Adrian Bevington took only eight questions from hand-picked reporters.
Giancarlo Galavotti, soccer correspondent of Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport who has reported on English soccer from London for more than 25 years, told Reuters: "That was typical. They do not seem to appreciate this is the World Cup, with the emphasis on the word 'World'.
"The idea that the English set-up is not the friendliest among the top teams is reinforced by this sort of arrogance.
"And this, despite the coach being able to answer in three languages: Italian, English and Spanish. The FA do not seem to think the rest of the world is important."
Jorge Luiz Rodrigues of Brazil's O Globo newspaper was stunned by what he saw.
"That was bad. This is the World Cup. This guy doesn't know what the World Cup is. He only asks for questions from his friends. This is not professional.
"If you go to Brazil you will have questions in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian.
"All the journalists have the same opportunity. And Brazil is five times champions, not once."
Bevington told Reuters afterwards: "We complied fully with FIFA's regulations by bringing the coach and a player, our captain, to the conference.
"Furthermore, and as agreed with FIFA, we had a further five minutes with English newspapers and a further five minutes with FIFA.com."
In the five minutes access allowed to the wider world, journalists learnt that manager Fabio Capello knew his team -- which he did not reveal -- and that skipper Gerrard was confident of victory.
Platitudes delivered, Bevington declared after five minutes and 12 seconds: "OK, everybody, thank you very much. I would like to invite the English Sunday newspapers to join us in a separate room."
One reporter sarcastically clapped and with that the England delegation swept out of the room.
Although German coach Joachim Loew failed to appear before the media on Saturday, he did speak to them for 45 minutes on Friday and the German FA, at least, gave reporters the chance to quiz goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke for 30 minutes on their preparations for the game.
(Mike Collett - Reuters
Additional reporting by Angus MacSwan; Editing by Ossian Shine)
via The Guardian
DJ Akalepse - Props Vol.1
Rich Medina and DJ Akalepse, staples of the New York DJ community known worldwide for consistently bringing you a full spectrum of soul music, are taking their legendary Little Ricky's Rib Shack party from APT and bringing it to Le Poisson Rouge in 2010. Expect a party that is as much what is this song?, as it is I love this song, a party that is simultaneously classic, and brand new. DJ Akalepse is also running things for the neo-classic Truth & Soul Records label. Come find out for yourself why these guys have had one of the most highly consistent and successful weeknight parties NYC has ever seen, with this funky and highly soulful introductory mix called Props Vol.1...
Download
HERE
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Chris Carter Mix
01. The Genetic Terrorists - Deactivated
02. Adrian Sherwood - Hari Up Hari
03. Amon Duul II - Archangel Thunderbird
04. The White Noise - Love Without Sound
05. Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me (HiLoSloMo Mix)
06. Delia Derbyshire - Ziwzih Ziwzih OO OO OO
07. Ambrose & His Orchestra - My Baby Said Yes
08. Delia Derbyshire - Restless Relays
09. Joy Electric - Monosynth
10. Basil Kirchin - Communication
11. April March - Flashback Part II
12. Delia Derbyshire - Untitled (1969)
13. Aleksi Virta - Whirlwind Pistols Dub
14. Delia Derbyshire - Psychedelian Waltz
15. Laurie Johnson - Happy Go Lively
16. Can - Spoon
17. Basil Kirchin - Heavy Machinery
18. Barry Gray - UFO Theme (Kraggs Mix)
19. Jah Wobble - Get Carter
20. Kraftwerk - Endlos Endlos
02. Adrian Sherwood - Hari Up Hari
03. Amon Duul II - Archangel Thunderbird
04. The White Noise - Love Without Sound
05. Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me (HiLoSloMo Mix)
06. Delia Derbyshire - Ziwzih Ziwzih OO OO OO
07. Ambrose & His Orchestra - My Baby Said Yes
08. Delia Derbyshire - Restless Relays
09. Joy Electric - Monosynth
10. Basil Kirchin - Communication
11. April March - Flashback Part II
12. Delia Derbyshire - Untitled (1969)
13. Aleksi Virta - Whirlwind Pistols Dub
14. Delia Derbyshire - Psychedelian Waltz
15. Laurie Johnson - Happy Go Lively
16. Can - Spoon
17. Basil Kirchin - Heavy Machinery
18. Barry Gray - UFO Theme (Kraggs Mix)
19. Jah Wobble - Get Carter
20. Kraftwerk - Endlos Endlos
Patti Smith by Joseph O'Connor
On my 14th birthday, I bought a record that changed my life. I had never heard of the artist. It was the album sleeve that captivated me. It showed a woman of mournfully beautiful gauntness, jacket draped over her shoulder. It was like a still from a French movie too cool to be made. The record was Horses by Patti Smith.
I had never seen anyone who looked quite like her. A lovesick Yeats wrote that Maude Gonne had "beauty like a tightened bow", and the old priest who taught us English (and who had once seen Gonne on a Dublin street) would spend eternities explaining the simile. But when I saw that photograph, I knew what it meant.
The first time I heard Smith singing is one of the defining moments of my life. It was East Village garage meets the sulphur of the blues. And that voice like a whip-crack: impish, transgressive, swooping from a mutter to a scream. She'd snarl like an angry Dylan or croon with tenderness, punctuating Lenny Kaye's guitar work with murmured incantations.
The rebels of culture haunted her work. Rimbaud, Jimi Hendrix, Virginia Woolf and The Who, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Baudelaire, John Lennon: they loomed behind her vision. Maddening, gorgeous, insolent, unique, she has been a poet, an acclaimed photographer, a memoirist, a mother, perhaps the last truly uncompromised artist in rock music. At 63, she's still making work of importance and beauty. She's been my hero for three decades. I don't know what I'd have done without her.
Rasta Rock - 2009 roots & digital stylee
01) Courtney John - Lucky Man (Peckings - Lucky Man)
02) Lady Lex - Don't Know Why (Peckings - Lucky Man)
03) Jah Faith - No Bother Grumble (Jan-Disc)
04) Black Emeralds - Humble Dub (Jan-Disc)
05) Mykal Rose - Hypocrites Warning (Heartical - Tonight)
06) General Levy - Life Hard (Heartical - Tonight)
07) Basque Dub Foundation - Midnight Organ (Heartical - Tonight)
08) Don Carlos & Million Stylez - World Crisis (Ink A Link)
09) Prezident Brown - Rasta Rock (African Beat - Bubbler)
10) Perfect - Can't Touch Me (African Beat - Bubbler)
11) Burro Banton - Too Dutty (African Beat - Bubbler)
12) Bubbler Riddim Version (African Beat - Bubbler)
13) Lukie D - Send Dem Come (Maximum Sound - Praise Jahovia)
14) Fantan Mojah feat Zareb - Good Meditation (Maximum Sound - Praise Jahovia)
15) Mr Vegas & Konshens - Help Me Praise Jahovia (Maximum Sound - Praise Jahovia)
16) Busy Signal - Uniform Bad Bwoy (Maximum Sound - Praise Jahovia)
17) Million Stylez & Joey Fever - Young Gunz (Necessary Mayhem - Come Down)
18) Tippa Irie - Tippa On Da Mic (Necessary Mayhem - Come Down)
19) Papa Levi - Speed Rappin' (Necessary Mayhem - Come Down)
20) Pinchers - Bandelero (Necessary Mayhem - Come Down)
21) Mr Williamz - Real General (Necessary Mayhem - Come Down)
22) Joey Fever - Back With A Blast (Fast Forward - Love My)
23) Everton Chambers - Walk In Peace (Fast Forward - Love My)
24) Samuel Lancine - They Don't Know (Fast Forward - Love My)
25) Love My Riddim Version (Fast Forward - Love My)
26) General Levy - Jah Jah Bless (SouLove - Jah Jah Bless)
27) ASK - Burnin Babylon (SouLove - Jah Jah Bless)
28) Jah Melodie - Seek King Ras Tafari (Roots Tribe)
29) Slimmah Sound - Dub Version (Roots Tribe)
30) Luciano - Protect I Jah (Silly Walks Discotheque - Aspire)
31) Lutan Fyah - Wreckage (Silly Walks Discotheque - Aspire)
32) Million Stylez - Born In The System (Bassrunner - Prison Break)
33) Fantan Mojah - Hot (Bassrunner - Prison Break)
34) Mykal Rose - Fight I Down (Bassrunner - Prison Break)
35) Chezidek - Vampire (Massive B - Declaration Of Rights)
36) Burro Banton - What U Fightin For (Massive B - Declaration Of Rights)
37) Kyle Sicarius - Tribulation (Roots Tribe)
38) Slimmah Sound - Tribulation Dub (Roots Tribe)
39) Barry Issac - Swell Headed (Reggae On Top)
40) Reggae On Top All Stars - Swell Headed Dub (Reggae On Top)
Download it
HERE
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