CHRISTIAN PEACE ACTIVISTS IN IRAQ?

Recently, several CHRISTIAN PEACE ACTIVISTS in Iraq were rescued by British soldiers. These so called activists were being held hostage by presumably some “insurgent” group. One of the activists in the group was executed some time ago.

What I want to know is who in the hell are these activists and what the hell are they doing in Iraq.

My wife says that they just want to help the Iraqis and help the peace process. I say fuck that; they are just Christians trying to convert some Muslims.

Insane? – Yes, but there are certain Christian sects that view proselytizing as a requirement of their faith and a means of getting to heaven and they view Iraq as a fertile converting place.

I am sorry, but we have a war in Iraq and if soldiers have to risk their lives to rescue some stupid ass Christians that do not know any better than to stay home, then I think we have a problem here.

The Muslims already see this war as a CRUSADER INVASION. Remember the Crusades? These were expeditions by Christian armies to save the Holy Land. History now tells us that these were marauding Europeans that wanted to claim some land for themselves. They justified slaughtering thousands of Muslim dogs because the Pope told them it was OK.

Are you starting to see the connection?

So when these Christian Activists start flooding into the war zone to help themselves to some heathens, the Muslims see crusaders – and why not!

President Bush could issue an order prohibiting travel to Iraq for people that do not have a valid reason but he won’t. He actually likes the idea of converting the heathens to Christianity – maybe that was his intent from the beginning.


Janusz

DEATH FOR SWITCHING RELIGIONS!

In news from Afghanistan comes a case of a man that has converted to Christianity and now, unfortunately, must be put to death because that is the law.

The overlooked facts of the story involve an Afghanistan that has lived in Germany for many years and now is involved in some kind of custody case. The fact that he has become a Christian many years ago was incidental to the case but obviously has become THE case.

The U.S. approved the Afghanistan constitution and didn’t see the clause that requires the death penalty when a citizen rejects Islam?

The clerics in Afghanistan said “Rejecting Islam is insulting God…we will not allow God to be humiliated…”

Now I am not picking on the Muslims, this applies to all religious people that are too full of themselves, but who in the hell are you to protect your God from humiliation. If he is really God, shouldn’t He get pissed off at being humiliated?

Why doesn’t he throw some lightening bolts at this infidel? Why doesn’t He do something – anything! Because He can’t – he is just an invention of someone’s mind and the clerics know that. They can only keep their power by putting to death anyone that challenges their invention and they have been doing this for centuries.

If Afghanistan wants to call itself a Democracy, they cannot govern themselves by Muslin Law (Sharia). They need to write another constitution or admit that they are a theocracy and that is that (like Iran).

President Bush will have to realize that democracy is not for everyone and will not work everywhere. That is too bad but alas true.

Janusz

A MOVIE FOR OUR TIMES - V

I just saw the movie “V for Vendetta” and I have to highly recommend it! The movie made by the Wachowski brothers and starring Natalie Portman is well written, well acted and well filmed – it was brilliant!

I must warn you that it is a thriller with a big political statement; a statement that is very relative to the times we live in – perfect timing.

The action takes place in Great Britain in the near future where a leader, in a response to terrorism, takes away the population’s civil liberties. An individual in a Guy Fawkes mask tries to save the country from this evil dictator.

Guy Fawkes is a British subject that tried to blow up Parliament in 1605. That fact has been celebrated in England ever since (November 5th) by shooting off fireworks and burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes (traitor) in a large bonfire.

I am not going to give away the whole story but it sure resembles our own predicament. The message is strong and deep and oh so relevant.

I will discuss the movie more when more people have seen it – GO SEE IT!

WWII VS INVASION OF IRAQ?

Sunday, March 12, 2006


To: The Detroit News
Re: “What happened to unity in times of war?”, March 10.



Barrett Kalellis’s piece “What happened to unity in times of war?” March 10, shows that President Bush’s spin on the invasion of Iraq has worked on some Americans.

World War II veterans in my family were incensed that Mr. Kalellis dared to compare their war to the current military debacle. They gave their lives to protect this country, a country that was savagely attacked. The invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, terrorism or Al Qaeda, it was a plan hatched by a neoconservative group to change the world order – some members of that group are now publicly stating they were wrong. Mr. Kalellis owes WWII vets an apology.


Janusz M Szyszko

ANTI-GAY BIBLE THUMPERS

Sunday, March 12, 2006


To:     The Detroit Free Press
Re:     “Dear anti-gay Bible literalist: Turn the page on your outrage”, March 12.


The piece by Leonard Pitts, Jr., “Dear anti-gay Bible literalist: Turn the page on your outrage”, March 12 sent a much needed message to those Christians that justify their homophobia through the Bible.

I would also like to point out that recent scientific studies of women that gave birth to multiple homosexual sons have discovered specific gene formations that differ from those of mothers that have heterosexual sons. These studies add more proof to the belief that homosexuals are born that way and not simply choose the gay life. If that is the case, then homosexuals are natural creations of God just like heterosexuals and deserve to be treated as such.


Janusz M Szyszko

THE CANTON TRUSTEE SAGA

Wednesday, March 08, 2006


This is a story about a local matter. The location is Canton Township in the state of Michigan. The township is run by a supervisor and a board of trustees. This is about one of the trustees.

He came to my attention a few years ago when he ran for a seat on the Board of Trustees. I noticed, because the campaign literature he sent to Canton homes had him dressed in a Marine uniform and using patriotism and his sacrifice for our freedoms shtick to get votes. I really hate that type of pandering and I voted for someone else but Canton voters bought into it and he got a seat on the board.

His name was in the paper constantly. He opposed about everything the Board suggested. It appeared he was a contrarian and a populist, again pandering to the people of Canton as someone who will stick up for the common man. His objections and antics became more bizarre as time went on and he was looked on as a basic pain in the ass that wasted people’s time more than doing anything constructive.

The one time I saw him at a Board meeting, he came in at the very end, made a commotion entering the room and then the meeting ended.

A few people tried to criticize his antics in the local paper but were attacked by what appeared to be his fan club or his gang of like minded individuals.

The final straw for me came when he announced he is re-enlisting in the Marines because someone has to protect and defend our country. The local paper carried his story big time and a local editor wrote a lengthy column questioning his support for the Iraq war but praising his dedication to our country; willing to put his life on the line to defend our freedoms when fewer and fewer are willing to do that anymore.

He was re-enlisting but he would not vacate his Board of Trustee seat; he wanted that waiting for him when he got back.

I saw his actions as a continuation of his use of patriotism and his uniform to gain publicity for future political campaigns and I said just that in a letter to the editor.

Predictably, his harpies came out in force lambasting me with every imaginable charge. I also received an email, anonymous of course, from some inbred moron who used the vilest language to malign me and my family as well as issue a threat. The writer had a problem with my ethnicity and my service in the Air Force as well as perceived leftward leanings. He called me an “eastern European hippy (sic)”. Since my hips are rather narrow, I think he meant hippie.

This type of polarization is quite the norm in this country as exemplified by my previous post of attacking the Colorado teacher that dared to suggest that Bush sounds a lot like Hitler did.

It reminds me of the Hans Christian Anderson tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” where two scoundrels convinced the emperor that the invisible clothes they would sell him could help him see who was pure of heart and spirit because only the pure of heart could see the clothes, people who could not see the clothes are just evil. In the story, everyone did not want to appear un-pure of heart or evil and praised the non-existent clothes. Finally an innocent child cried out that the emperor was naked.

My letter to the editor basically exposed what was quite obvious to some people; the Trustee was using the flag, his uniform and the war on Iraq to further his political goals – he had no clothes!

There were specific accusations that the Trustee defenders made against me that need answers.

One letter writer accused me of supporting Al Qaeda by my views. I don’t know if people practice selective ignorance or are blinded by the truth when it does not validate their views but HISTORICAL FACTS are now in and the invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with Al Qaeda or terrorism or the 9/11 attacks. The sad and sick irony is that the invasion of Iraq gave Al Qaeda a new home, many new members and renewed energy to harm Americans and anyone else they want. All these years Saddam Hussein kept Al Qaeda bottled up in Afghanistan by not allowing them access to Iraq. BUSH ACTUALLY HELPED AL QAEDA AND PLACED AMERICANS IN MORE DANGER THAN EVER BEFORE BY INVADING IRAQ AND DEPOSING SADDAM – thank you very much Mr. President.

Another writer basically called me a coward for enlisting in the Air Force instead of going to the Marines and the front lines. I don’t know if these people remember the 60s or the Vietnam War but many 18-19 year olds, like me, were being drafted and placed in the Army or Marines.

Some gave this some thought and quickly enlisted in the Air Force even though it meant serving an extra two (2) years in the service of our country. The reasons are simple, they wanted to learn a skill they could use after their military service, wanted the opportunity to attend school and did not want to be mere cannon fodder. They provided essential services to the war machine during Vietnam.

President Bush and Vice President Chaney had other priorities and did not give ANY TIME TO THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. Please don’t bring up Bush’s National Guard duty; that is really a joke.

So these defenders of Bush and Chaney look aside at their lack of ANY military time but give me grief about my four (4) years in the United States Air Force – go figure.

Another letter writer made a point of stating that the Canton Trustee is going to Iraq to defend our freedoms. The War on Iraq was an invasion on our part; we were not defending diddly shit. Our freedoms are not at stake in Iraq. The only things at steak in Iraq are innocent American and Iraqi lives so please do not feed me that sack of shit.

Another accusation was that I may have a political agenda and that is why I am pointing out that the emperor has no clothes – no way.

People are always saying “Support the troops” and any criticism of the war is somehow “Not supporting the troops”. We have an all volunteer military so all the troops in Iraq are there because they signed up; it is their JOB. We support them by paying our taxes which in turn pays their salaries so WE ALL SUPPORT THE TROOPS so what the hell do people mean by “support our troops”?

Do the troops care if we support the war on Iraq? That is a different story. You may ask the troops IF THEY SUPPORT THE WAR ON IRAQ. Many reports say they do not and now we know that most Americans do not support it either.

I remember talking to my friend that has a teenage son and how he asked him about the war on Iraq. He stated that if the U.S. was attacked, he would be in the front of the line to join the military and defend our country. If the draft was reinstated right now and he was drafted to fight in the war on Iraq; he would go to Canada. You see, the war on Iraq has nothing to do with defending our country, it is Bush’s folly trying to democratize all Arab countries and probably Christianize them also – it is total bullshit and not worth one American life or Iraqi for that matter.

This whole Trustee episode does not put our country or citizens in a good light. Some appear no different then the Taliban morons or the cartoon protestors. The fact that they are fooled by a demagogue like this Canton Trustee is sad and I guess if he can use this power to his advantage then shame on us all.

Janusz

BUSH VS HITLER?

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

This morning’s news had an article about a teacher in Aurora, Colorado (family in Michigan) that compared President Bush to Adolph Hitler in his geography class. He actually said that Bush’s State of the Union speech was eerily similar to Hitler’s speeches; “Sounds a lot like what Hitler used to say…conquer the world and make people live the way we want them to live…”

A student in his class recorded the lecture; his conservative father sent it to a conservative radio program. The internet somehow got a hold of it too and then all hell broke loose along with threatening phone calls and emails to the teacher, student and related families. This is kind of similar to the Muslim reaction to political cartoons featuring the Prophet Mohammad.

I am not going to argue if the teacher’s remarks were appropriate for a geography class; it probably was not subject related. The teacher said he wanted to stimulate his students to think – again, in geography class? I can see why some parents would be upset but I was not in his class so I cannot really judge how appropriate his remarks were.

In general, most Americans do not know what Hitler ever said - period. They see old films with Hitler banging on a table and screaming. The impression is of a madman telling Germans to kill all non-Germans. But the German race is not stupid, in fact they are very smart so for Hitler to convince them to go to war he had to use some really good persuasive techniques.

He obviously convinced them that Germany was surrounded by enemies bent on destroying them and the only way for Germany to survive was to conquer those other nations and install German law and order and since Germans are the “Master Race” they are ordained by God to be rulers over lesser human beings.

WWII began when Hitler told his people that the Poles attacked Germany. Hitler had amassed a huge army and air force; the Poles still had horse cavalry and he tried to sell the fact that Poland attacked Germany. Well it worked.

President Bush convinced a nation that Saddam Hussein and Iraq were a danger to the United States. They had Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) which they were going to use on us. He also convinced us that Iraq and Hussein was somehow tied to Bin Laden and the Al Qaeda. We now know all this was false and a war of invasion was based of false pretenses.

Bush and Chaney’s neoconservative plan to change the world order (documented in the Wall Street Journal) included the democratization of Muslim nations so they could behave like us. I can see how the teacher could compare Bush to Hitler based on historic data – it is not a stretch.

American conservatives, just like the Muslims and their cartoons, reacted with blind emotion – how can you compare Bush to that evil monster Hitler who killed millions of people. Yes it is irreverent but very interesting.

Janusz

FREEDOM OF SPEECH?

Recently I wrote about free speech and the Muhammad cartoons published in Denmark. I mentioned that Muslims must realize that the West believes fervently in the principal of free speech and they need to learn that fact and accept it if they want to move forward out of their culture of ignorance and superstition; they need to be allowed to see the light of progress.

Then, Austria arrest and jails the British historian DAVID IRVING for denying that the HOLOCOUST is a historical reality. It appears there is a law in Austria that says people that deny the holocaust can be jailed – they waited till Irving arrived in Austria and they arrested, tried and jailed him.

I may disagree with Irving. I may think he is a nut case. I may think he is totally wrong about history BUT I have to respect his right to state his views!

This makes the whole West look bad and is totally unacceptable. I hope the governments of the West tell Austria to get a brain.


Janusz

IRAQI CIVIL WAR?

Some time ago, I expressed my views about the problems in Iraq and why Bush would have problems accomplishing his goal of democratizing Iraq and then the whole Middle East.

I mentioned that civil war was inevitable and lo and behold Iraq is on the brink of one.

Al Qaeda is very smart and knows how to get a civil war started in Iraq. Just a few days ago they blew up the holiest site of the Shiite Muslims who took their revenge by killing every Sunni they could find – Bingo! If the Kurds are smart they will just wait till both sides annihilate each other and then just take over the whole country.

You do understand that the United States is getting blamed for everything. The whole Arab world is blaming us; aren’t we in charge of security. How could we have let this happen? We cannot win here and that is what I was trying to say.

Look at Northern Ireland – those bozos are still killing each other and both sides are Christian; in Iraq, both sides are Muslim.

Bush is trying to change what took centuries to make – good luck!

One thing Bush may do that has never happened before; he may unite all the Muslims in their holy goal of once and for all, destroying the great Satan – USA. Here, Bin Laden would be the victor and probably elected god.


Janusz

DEATH PENALTY AND DISCOMFORT

Recently, an execution of a man who brutally raped, stabbed and strangled a young woman 20 years ago, was postponed because the governor of California wanted to make sure that the man being put to death for a heinous crime, does not suffer any pain or discomfort while being put to death by lethal injection.

The governor asked a doctor (Anesthesiologist) to monitor the administration of a sedative to the criminal and to attest that the sedative worked (no pain) before the lethal cocktail was injected. The doctor in the execution chamber refused citing professional conflict (Oath to save lives, etc……).

I agree with the doctor’s decision but I have trouble with the whole concept of sparing the criminal any discomfort or pain; if you are putting him to death (the ultimate discomfort) why should you worry about a little pain.

The eighth (8th) Amendment to our Constitution, based on the English Bill of Rights (1689), prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment”. OK, I can see that but the interpretation of cruel and unusual has me baffled.

First, let me say that I have always agreed with the death penalty for deserving crimes. My views have been somewhat tempered by the fact that many men on death row were shown to be innocent by DNA technology. I have also been convinced that federal, state, county, etc. prosecutors do not give a shit if someone is guilty or innocent. Cases have shown where prosecutors as well as police officials have lied and framed innocent people JUST TO GET A CONVICTION AND CLOSE THE CASE. The more cases closed, the sooner they can run for governor.

The reality of our legal system should sober everyone up as to the reality of the death penalty – we should be ABSOLUTELY, 100% SURE OF A PERSON’S GUILT. I do not know if we are at that point yet.

There are cases where the state is 100% sure of a person’s guild. The California case is just such a case.

I feel that trying to prevent ANY DISCOMFORT before killing someone has entered the absurd state. Shooting someone in the back of the head would spare the person any and all discomfort – death would be instantaneous – why don’t we do that?.

I guess my problem here is not the method of execution but the caring for the welfare of the crime perpetrator. he obviously did not care about the discomfort of his victim or the discomfort (forever) of the victim’s family. Why in the hell should he be afforded such consideration? Let me know.

Janusz

SHIPPING PORTS' SECURITY & ARABS

This is probably quite a shock to some people but I actually agree with BUSH on allowing an UNITED ARAB EMIRATES’ company manage a number of U.S. shipping ports – GASP! The ports in question are currently managed by a BRITISH company. The British company, Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, London is being bought by Dubai Ports World, U.A.E.

I will admit, the Bush administration really screwed this issue up and that is why it is SUCH A BIG DEAL to everyone – both parties. Bush did not know about this, it was approved by his department heads without letting Congress or anyone else know about this – as is their usual modus operandi. They really needed to SELL /EXPLAIN this beforehand since it is such a sensitive security issue. It may be too late for them to pull this off and even Bush’s threatened veto may be overridden – he has NEVER used a veto.

United Arab Emirates is a country my company has dealt with in the past. It is small, Arab and has always supported the U.S. They also invest a lot in this country. They would assume “management” of the port facilities. The security of the ports is handled by American agencies like the Port Authority, Coast Guard, Customs Department, local police authorities, etc. The workers are also American since the Longshoreman’s Union controls the labor part (for better or worst). The management could have some UAE workers but the president of the company is British.

Anyway, the big brouhaha is about national security. Everybody that is opposed to the deal see the management company sneaking in nuclear or biological weapons – this is bullshit.

Number one, they are not in charge of port security. They are not in charge of inspecting cargo – we are and we are doing a rotten job of it. Any jackass could sneak anything they want into this country because we HAVE NO REAL PORT SECURITY.

In my mind, Dubai Ports World would do a better job at managing these ports because now it has something to prove to Americans.

Scrapping this already approved “business” deal would send a bad message – Americans think all Arabs are bad and we are really paranoid (stupid).

I can understand the concern and I hope cooler minds will prevail once they have heard the facts and are convinced this has NOTHING TO DO WITH NATIONAL SECURITY but…………………

If this becomes a POLITICAL ISSUE and Democrats see a chance to attack Bush and Republicans see a chance to distance themselves’ from Bush to improve their chances at the next elections, then logic and reason will take a back seat and political reasoning will take over. If this happens I feel the United States will be worst of for it and we really could use some positive happenings.

The Bush administration could have handled this differently (even though they followed established law and protocol). Maybe new laws will be enacted setting requirements for the prior involvement of Congress or something (even though that may not be wise) but in this age of insecurity and Arab phobia, it would probably be helpful.

Janusz

LOCATION OF ABORTION CLINICS

Tuesday, February 21, 2006


To:     The Detroit News
Re:     “Stop racial profiling of abortion clinics”, Feb. 21


In answer to James Teela’s article “Stop racial profiling of abortion clinics”, Feb. 21, a majority of abortion clinics are located in areas populated by African-Americans because that is where the demand is. It is as simple as that.


Janusz M Szyszko

CARTOONS AND SACRED SYMBOLS

Saturday, February 11, 2006


To:     The Detroit News
Re:     “Stop making fun of sacred symbols”, Feb.11



Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi calls the Danish cartoons of Muhammad irresponsible, unethical and unacceptable. I call the violent reaction of some Muslims to those cartoons as uncivilized and also unacceptable.

For too long, so called leaders of Muslim nations have kept their populations mired in poverty and ignorance so as to better control them. The violent over-reactions to mere satiric cartoons shows us that the chasm between our cultures is very wide and will continue to widen unless Muslims, worldwide, are allowed the opportunities available to the rest of us to improve their lot in life.


Janusz M Szyszko

DRUG WAR CANNOT BE WON!

Friday, February 10, 2006


To:     The Detroit Free Press
Re:     “Change hard at coca farms”, Feb. 10



John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy says his strategy to eradicate drug production in Colombia is working, “Change hard at coca farms”, Feb. 10.

He sites an increase in the U.S. street price of cocaine as evidence that supplies of the drug have contracted and that fact will somehow save lives.

Does he realize that increasing the street price of cocaine will just force addicts to rob more people and houses and in so doing, kill or maim more of the populace, to cover the increase? Does Mr. Walters think that addicts stop using drugs when the price goes up?

Mr. Walters would save lives in the U.S. and the preserve the livelihood of Columbians by just admitting that the war on drugs cannot be won and only by decriminalizing drugs will the public good be served.


Janusz M Szyszko

MUHAMMAD CARTOON REVISITED.

Friday, February 10, 2006


To:     The Detroit News
Re:     Caricature controversy


Having now learned that the Koran does not expressly forbid images of Mohammad and that images of Muhammad are routinely found in the Muslim world, the violent reactions of Muslims to the Danish cartoon of Muhammad are even more ludicrous and reprehensible.

Muslim passions were inflamed by people seeking political gain. The fact that Muslims can be so easily manipulated by unscrupulous, so-called leaders is unfortunate and will be problematic as the cultures interact.


Janusz M Szyszko

IRAN AND THE BOMB!

Iran is a big country. It has a storied history. After being taken over by Ayatollah Khomeini and his clerics and turned into a theocracy the country and its people appeared doomed. We kept hearing about how the people of Iran suffer under such harsh rules and yearn for freedom and Western ways.

Moderate politicians started to make headway against the clerics’ rule and we all thought that the country was on the verge of a renaissance but then the clerics tightened their grip, arresting and killing those that showed any signs of progressive actions or even thought.

The clerics drew up a list of names the people could vote for. All the people on the list obviously supported the rule of the clerics.

The people of Iran supposedly elected Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a real religious nut case that has proven, by his words and actions, to be a threat not only to his own people but to the world at large.

Now he wants to build nuclear weapons. He said that he wants nuclear technology for peaceful purposes like energy production even though Iran has enough oil to energize their country basically forever.

No one believes him and now the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency voted to refer the Iran case to the U.N. Security Council because it is now a security issue.

Now there are countries that have atom bombs and make people nervous like North Korea, Pakistan and India and Pakistan was actually caught selling nuclear technology to Iran but the thought of Iran, in the hands of the current nuts, with an atom bomb is very scary. Most countries are scared and voted to do something BUT NOT Cuba, Syria and Venezuela.

I think Iran should be offered a nuclear reactor for energy production if they quit all nuclear testing and ambitions and agree to inspections by the U.N.

But we know they really want an atom bomb to protect themselves from a BUSH attack – who can blame them!

So, we (United Nations) need to take whatever action(s) that will keep Iran from developing a nuclear bomb!

Janusz

PALESTINIANS VOTED FOR HAMAS - WHY?

Sunday, February 05, 2006


To: The Detroit News
Re: “Palestinians failed democracy, not the other way around”, Feb. 5



Although I have no reason to disagree with Nolan Finley, “Palestinians failed democracy, not the other way around”, Feb. 5, I would like to think the Palestinians voted for change, plain and simple.

The Palestinians could have voted for Yasser Arafat’s Fatah Party, the bloated, corrupt party, in power for decades with nothing to show for it or give someone else a chance.

We can always hope that Hamas, now finally in power, will realize that their old terrorist ways have to be abandoned if they really want to help their people. I think many Palestinians voted the way they did with this in mind.


Janusz

CARTOONS OFFENSIVE TO MUSLIMS

Saturday, February 04, 2006

To:     The Detroit Free Press
Re:     “Muslim leaders urge restraint over offensive cartoons”, Feb. 4


It appears that freedom of speech and expression should only go so far for some area Muslims, “Muslim leaders urge restraint over offensive cartoons”, Feb. 4.

In our culture, we may vehemently disagree with someone’s ideas but we will defend his or her right to express them.

I think some Americans need to become more sensitive to what offends others especially people of different cultures. On the other hand, Muslim Americans need to realize that freedom of speech and expression is a right that cannot be constrained to please any one group of people.


Janusz

CARTOON OF MUHAMMAD CAUSES A STIR!

Well, well now. We have ourselves a real brouhaha going on.

It appears a Danish newspaper published a cartoon of Muhammad, the founder of Islam and it was not flattering. It seems, according to the Koran that the image of Muhammad cannot be drawn, sculpted, painted, etc…………………….. This rule is for a very good reason, the prophet did not want his image to be venerated or prayed to. Catholics pray to, kiss and slobber over wood, steel, ceramic, etc. images of anybody considered holy by the Church.

History has seen a number of “iconoclastic” periods where certain religions and religious sects tried to end the use of icons (religious images of people) in worship. Some of these periods were quite violent so you see it is or can be a volatile subject, even today. See how bare some Protestant churches are compared to Catholic and Orthodox churches?

So the whole idea of religious icons, pro or con, has been around for many, many years. So what the hell happened this time!

Well it appears that Muslims have interpreted the Koran / Quran as to say that all images of Muhammad are forbidden and anyone making an image is to be put to death or something like that. This, it appears, applies to everyone in the whole wide world and not only to Muslims.

The Quran also says that images of other prophets mentioned in the Book cannot be made. These include Jesus, Abraham, Virgin Mary, etc. It appears that is OK since we have many, many Christian images around and the Muslims don’t seem to mind.

Muslims say that to produce an image of Muhammad is an insult to them and their religion. This does not mean only insulting images like the Danish one but ANY image, no matter how nicely done. Remember Salmund Rushdi and the “Satanic Verses”?

I am all for respecting people’s religions and their religious practices. I think any one creating a religious image to insult certain peoples or their religions, because of a religious or ethnic bias should be criticized and newspapers should know better than to print such trash.

On the other hand, freedom of expression and opinion are fundamental rights in our culture. We may not agree with certain people and their opinions and expressions but we will surely defend their right to their opinions and expressions. The French newspapers that reprinted the offensive cartoon did so only to stress their freedom of expression, inflaming the matter even more.

I remember an art exhibit in New York many years ago that had a crucifix with Christ, sitting in a jar of urine. Now that image had everybody up in arms with total disgust but that so called, work of art is now in text books on art as an expression of one artist’s ideas. No one called for his death or rioted in the streets of New York.

I see this as a clash of cultures. Our Western culture is all about freedom, no matter how disgusting. Muslims of the Middle East have been isolated from our culture and taught that our culture and anything connected with it, is evil – this is unfortunate. I blame their religious leaders, politicians and academics; they keep them ignorant to better control them.

I don’t see an easy solution to this problem. The West will not give up freedom of expression; no way. We can become a little more sensitive to other peoples but that is a maybe. Muslim religious leaders need to open the window and let some light into the darkness of their minds and traditions.

Muhammad was only a prophet; not a God. He was human and made mistakes. Unfortunately he represents Muslims and what easier way to make a political statement about Muslims than a Muhammad cartoon.

Janusz

BUSH'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Listening to Bush speak last night I thought that the next morning pundits and normal Americans would characterize his speech as a bunch of lies, total bullshit, clever spin or the words of a great leader.

Those that pay attention to what goes on in the U.S. and the world, realize that President Bush, at this time, has no real options. He knows he has fucked up big time, but what do you want him to do, ask for forgiveness? No, he has to put a very positive spin on his message and make sure Americans believe him and history will bear him out to be a master spinner or master bullshitter (actually it is not him but his buddy Karl Rove that puts words in his mouth).

Just look at state of the union under Bush. He has not stopped terrorism; he can’t even catch a bunch of Arabs hiding in caves. His inability to take care of Al Qaeda means that this nation is in greater danger than it has ever been before. The 9-11 Commission has stated that nothing has changed since 9-11. The cops still cannot communicate with each other or different departments (fire department), our borders are a joke; in other words, Bush has done nothing to improve our safety except waste billions on the Homeland Security Department which has proven to be totally incompetent.

The Katrina mess showed more of Bush’s incompetence to handle our safety and welfare and he had the gall to stand at the podium and praise himself for doing such a good job.

Iraq is just making us look stupid as hell. Our soldiers continue to die every day. Our soldiers continue to be severely maimed every day. Iraqis die by the hundreds every month. The insurgents get stronger every day. The country will break into civil war any day now and HE wants us to stay the course – WHAT FUCKING COURSE!

He wants to attack Iran and Syria but he does not have enough soldiers. I bet he could convince the American public to support attacking those countries though.

He is fighting AIDS by giving billions to “faith based” agencies, read Churches. They will pocket the money, build mansions and buy limos and lecture people to abstain from sex or doing drugs and they will not get AIDS – they will not tell them to wear condoms because that is a form of abortion.

Bush is spending 7 BILLION in Iraq each and every month. He has asked for more. During his speech he told the nation that he has cut wasteful spending (in non security areas) a whole bunch; he stole from the needy to fund his war and enrich his corporate (Halliburton) friends.

History though, may see Bush is a different light. Yes, he is lying but to him the end justifies the means and his end is the salvation of the entire world and what could be better than that! Only history will tell if he has succeeded or not.

Just think about it, what sane person would go to war for no real reason except that it gives him a chance to introduce democracy into the Middle East and maybe change the course of history.

Is he a madman or a mad genius? I think he sees himself as a Christian Prophet on a mission to change the world order by hook or by crook. One think is certain; he is getting his way for better or worse.

Janusz

BUTLER FOR MICHIGAN SENATOR?

Sunday, January 29, 2006

To: The Canton Observer
Re: “Butler says he can attract independents”, Jan. 29


Senate candidate Keith Butler appears like an attractive Republican candidate to challenge Debbie Stabenow. As a Republican, I can understand his anti-choice stance. As a Detroiter, knowing full well about the countless unwanted infants that end up tortured and murdered in the city, I would think keeping abortions legal and available would be the compassionate thing to do but then I forget that for anti-choice crowd its’ all about the fetus; they don’t really care what happens to the child after birth.


Janusz M Szyszko

EVOLUTION IN MICHIGAN

Sunday, January 29, 2006


To: The Detroit Free Press
Re: “Bill may stir Darwin probe”, Jan. 28

Representative Brian Palmer (R-Romeo) wants to require all science teachers in Michigan to challenge all scientific theories, “Bill may stir Darwin probe”, Jan. 28.

Will Rep. Palmer require teachers to challenge Newton’s Theory of Gravity or Einstein’s Theory of Relativity or does he have a specific theory in mind, say Darwin’s Theory of Evolution?

I think Michigan science teachers are quite capable of teaching the subject without direction from a politician that does not appear to understand the concept of “theory” in a scientific context.


Janusz M Szyszko

THAT OLE' SPYMEISTER BUSH

I am all for spying. If we did it right, we would not be in the shit that we are in right now. How about this - if the CIA and FBI just did what they are paid to do, we would not be in the state we are in now. The CIA and FBI are just plain incompetent. For that matter, our whole government is incompetent and a bunch of crooks at that. Don't get me started...

Anyway, it appears BUSH has been spying on Americans for some time now WITHOUT following legal procedures in place for just such occasions. He says he has the right...

I don't know about all that and a bunch of lawyers could argue that fact for eternity without coming up with a conclusion. I see only one problem.

BUSH has lied on many, many occasions. He lied about the War on Terrorism - Bin Laden is still doing his thing and we are in Iraq cause he lied about Saddam and Iraq and WMD. He lies all the time!

If he was anybody else, I would have allowed him to sidestep our laws to keep us safe BUT I can't trust a word he says and therefore I WANT a judge or somebody to OK his spying. I want BUSH to be made to respect the Constitution and our Laws and FOLLOW them or be made to follow them. If he refuses, impeach the asshole.

Janusz

MICHIGAN GOVERNOR HAS SOME GOOD IDEAS

I have just listened to the State of the State address by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm - my wife made me.

Although our governor has some definite socialistic tendencies as all Democrats do, she did have some ideas that may actually benefit the state.

One was to have the State of Michigan administer 401(k) plans for business' that do not have any pension plans - at all.

The old guaranteed pension plans that are killing old companies, should be thrown out. Honor the existing ones but do not allow any new hires into the plan - give them the 401(k). This is pre-tax money coming out of the employees pay and stored tax free for retirement purposes. Companies that chose or are able to afford contributions to said plans would only enhance the employees pension savings.

The 401(k) does not cost a company anything but administrative time, which is also cost. Many small companies do not bother to offer a 401(k) for those very reasons.

The State is proposing to take care of those administrative duties for companies that do not want to. This would supposedly entice more companies to offer the plan. This would benefit the employee because the employee would have some kind of pension plan instead of no plan at all.

This would not cost the state much since companies like Fidelity do most of the work for them. I consider the 401(k) plan by Granholm a "good" idea worth pursuing.

Another of her ideas was providing medical insurance for the "working poor" that do not now have any insurance because their employers do not offer any. She plans to do a State and Federal plan. I am not sure how something like this could be structured but I think the overall idea is sound.

I have long maintained that the problem with our health care in this country is the uninsured. By law they have to be treated, usually in ER and therefore super expensive. All people that have insurance are paying for these uninsured through higher and higher premiums.

My solution has been MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE just like auto insurance. Many plans would be offered from bare-bones to deluxe. Everyone would have some type of coverage.

Before you say impossible let me point out that the elderly are already covered MEDICARE. The really poor are also covered MEDICAID. Many workers are covered by their employer's plan. Who does it leave?

Well it leaves the working poor that cannot afford the expensive policies offered by Michigan companies because they are, by law, prohibited from offering cheap, bare-bones policies.
Governor Granholm's proposal would cover the working poor. So who in the hell is left?

Well, young people that feel they will never get sick. Cheap policies and the fact that they HAVE to have insurance would take care of that. Who else?

Well, you also have those that just don't want to spend their beer money to buy insurance - give them a ticket for violating the mandatory insurance law or throw them in jail - problem solved.

Janusz

LEAVE WAL-MART ALONE !

I have been hearing a lot of negative comments about WAL-MART for a long time now. My wife is part of the anti-Wal Mart brigade and shops there only in emergencies - they always have what you want.

I am not saying that Wal Mart is not guilty of some of the accusations but I draw the line when State Legislatures are passing laws that compel businesses like Wal Mart to do certain things. In this case, the laws are mandating companies with 10,000 employees or more, to contribute 8% of their payroll to employee medical insurance coverage.

I am a business owner and a firm believer in our capitalist system and in a free marketplace. I have always provided health coverage to my employees (25 years) but lately have found it necessary to ask them to pay a small percentage of their health insurance premiums because those premiums are getting way out of hand.

No one compels me to offer health insurance but most business owners will tell you that it is the best way to find and keep good employees. I will continue to provide health insurance to my employees as long as I can afford it.

Now, States like Maryland have passed laws mandating 8% of payroll to health benefits. West Virginia, Wisconsin and MICHIGAN are looking at passing similar legislation. They are obviously supported by various UNIONS in those States.

This to me smacks of SOCIALISM / COMMUNISM. What made America great is our capitalist system. We are the envy of the world - why would you want to fuck it up. Remember what happened to the Soviet Union?

Wal Mart is a business and like any business has to do everything in its power to survive in the business world. If it is a public company, it is responsible to its shareholders - they are the owners of the business.

Wal Mart employs thousands (1.5 million) of people throughout the country. The employees are free; they are not forced to work at Wal Marts. They can leave for better jobs anytime they want.

Wal Mart is a successful business - it makes money. Wal Mart management is doing a good job. Once State government starts dictating what Wal Mart has to do, management can no longer do its job - the company is now compromised.

In Quebec, Wal Mart was forced to accept a union - they closed and left 200 without jobs. Wal Mart may have to do something similar in the United States. In Michigan, Wal Mart employs some 20,000 people. What would happen if it basically closed up shop. I think the State of Michigan would get the message and so would every other state in the union.

Yes it is playing hardball, yes it is brutal but what would you have them do. The entire capitalistic system in the U.S. would be in danger and with it the welfare of all Americans.

Remember that here in Michigan, auto companies are basically fucked because unions have made health care expenses so unmanageable that some firms may now face bankruptcy. Why do we want to do the same to Wal Mart? Are we that stupid?

Janusz

SAM ALITO ANOTHER BUSH PLANT?

My last blog talked about John Roberts and the fact that he probably is a loyal BUSH man who will represent the far right in his Supreme Court decisions as evidenced by his stance against the Oregon Death With Dignity law with Scalia and Thomas.

If Sam Alito is a Roberts clone - we are all in trouble.

Originally I thought that Alito, a son of immigrant parents, was probably raised well and taught the value of common sense and fairness and could think for himself and was not brainwashed by any one philosophy. Listening to him at the Congressional hearings I took his side and believed that he was a decent guy who would make the right decisions based on the Constitution and his conscience. Lately though, I have been having doubts.

More and more information is coming out about his judicial history and it does not look good.
Are his ideas and opinions set in stone? He says they are not but do we believe him?

We must remember that previous nominees who appeared to be very conservative at the outset, have turned out to be wise and fair once they got on the bench. We have to believe that once on the bench, appointed for life, Alito would not be bound to anyone person, group or philosophy - he could be his own man. It has happened before, can it happen in this case?

The problem is that our freedoms are at stake. I feel more threatened by BUSH and his kind than I have ever felt threatened before. Bush is even scaring Republicans because he is not a true Republican, he is on a mission from his god and will use whatever means to accomplish his mission - that is toooooooooooooooooo scary. Alito could give Bush unbridled power over the country.

Anyway, there is not much we can do to prevent Bush from loading the Supreme Court with these right wing fanatics. We are at his mercy. We can only hope that the next president will get a chance to appoint judges that will counter these fanatics and prevent them from doing too much damage to our country.

Janusz

JOHN ROBERTS SHOWS HIS TRUE COLORS!

John Roberts, Chief Judge of the U.S. Supreme Court has sided with the minority (6-3) on the OREGON SUICIDE LAW. This one act shows he is a BUSH man all the way through. Roberts joins Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas in the minority dissent - what a group to be in.

Let me explain what the Oregon "Death with Dignity" law is all about and why was it brought before the Supreme Court.

First, the people of Oregon have voted a "number" of times to make legal their "Assisted Suicide" law. The law allows the terminally ill a procedure where they can ask to be put to death with drugs. The law has been in affect for quite a few years. Not many people have used the law - I think around 200 over the years.

The law has many safety features and the fact that all the bad things people predicted would happen if this law passed - never came true. The people of Oregon wanted this law and are happy this law is on their books.

In comes BUSH and ASHCROFT. They don't like the law and they don't give a shit what the people of Oregon like or want. They say U.S. Federal Law says you cannot use drugs to kill people. Lower courts say the State law takes precedent over the Federal Law. The Supreme Court obviously agreed with that decision.

The troubling part with this case is that BUSH and his cohorts does not care for what States and their citizens want. They want the Federal Government to be god and govern all the people whether they like it or not. I find this attitude dangerous and a threat to all our freedoms. This is similar to the TALIBAN where only they know what is good for us.

We already know that SCALIA and THOMAS are pure conservatives that react only one way to cases brought before them - knee jerk conservatism. To see ROBERTS join this group is very disheartening but not surprising. One can only hope that ALITO will not join this group or this country is in deep shit.

Janusz