St. Augustine tells the story of a pirate captured by Alexander the Great, who asked him “how he dares molest the sea.” “How dare you molest the whole world?” the pirate replied: “Because I do it with a little ship only, I am called a thief; you, doing it with a great navy, are called an Emperor.”

From Noam Chomsky’s “Pirates and Emperors, Old and New”

“He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would fully suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable love-of-country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder.”

— Albert Einstein


There was what we think was a murder down the road from here. Kind of weird, the ground floor flat has black tarps over the windows. Someone has laid flowers on the door step, and the police tape is still across the front door. I kept thinking about the neighbours and how they must feel knowing something so dark has occurred. I try to think what it would be like, knowing that an incredibly violent act had occurred under your own roof.

On a brighter note - the summer is a coming in. It makes such a difference seeing a little sun in the morning. And leaving work and being able to see where you are going.

George W = Claim Jumper


ahhh, I’m easy like a Sunday morning. And far out - my niece Hannah starts school tomorrow. Jeez I can’t believe that! It was only yesterday that she was born. I remember thinking at the time that it would seem like no time had passed until she started school. Fark.

Why is it that every time a republican gets elected as the president of the US, they start a war?

mr b: when the Soviet regime fell it exposed many of their lies. It also exposed your lies. I know that you are still lying to me.

Sometimes things get blurry, I hear convincing arguments that go against all of my beliefs. It doesn’t shake my conviction to my stance, but I know that my argument is not a complete answer. Bugger.

mr b: Have the honour to say, “This is my war. It serves my interests. Voters who oppose my views do not have blood on their hands.”

mr b, thanks for reminding me that propaganda and empire are alive and well. I thought that they were nightmares from the past and that in our society we were enlightened, progressive and open. Why do you still rely on these obscene artifacts to conduct your political affairs?

This war is to defend and strengthen your own interests. Without remorse, you use the suffering of millions at the hands of Saddam as justification for a war for money. You may improve the situation for the Iraqi people in some way. But I feel that your $60 billion investment will bring a far greater return to you than it will the people of Iraq. Can I ask, what about Mugabe? What about Tibet? What about every other tyrant in the world? It is no coincidence that powerful western governments don’t give a shit about them.

Here it is, my own anti war March. Every day in March, an anti-war statement from yours truly:

mr B, please don’t allow greed to let you forget what suffering means.

(apologies for the cheesy pun)