Big Bang Baby. Big Bush Bangy.

While watching Mr.Tucker Carlson and crew on MSNBC from a treadmill (as I am inclined to do these days) this whole concept started to gel in my head. I thought, could it be possible that the administration is trying to use troops in Iraq to goad on Iran and pick at them at every corner, just to provoke an attack and legitimize going after them? Furthermore, is it possible that the whole entry into Iraq was a long build up to goading on Iran so as to get at them without coming at them directly from the outset?
Seems really, really far fetched but not in the realm of the impossible to believe at this point. What adds a minute amount of legitimacy to this idea is that the US has had a much longer and more fervent desire to solve what they call the "Iran problem," than they have Iraq or ANY other issue that is considered of US interest in the region. US intelligence groups have been interfering and trying to turn the tide of the Iranian government since ousting Mohammed Mossadegh. Here's some rather poignant but topical history points of note:
-1949, just after WWII, US and British interests in the middle east begin solidfying ties to Oil producing nations. It's abundantly clear who the major players are, and given American and British arrogance, they assume that if they want the oil, they need to strike deals with greedy leaders to give them a full monopoly over oil extraction, basically stripping those countries of the profits. Iran, given that their oil stores are incalculable at this point, immediately recognizes what the US is doing and elects a nationalist Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, in 1951. He blocks the US and Britain from having control over Oil production and begins nationalized control over resources.
-1953, suspected although never completely proven, the CIA frames Mossadegh in a move code-named Operation Ajax as a criminal and stage a coup. The Iranian people have him removed and I believe jailed or killed. The Shah, Reza Pahlavi, maintains control over the country and increases crack-downs over the people and government as the population urges for more rights and more control. As a thank you for basically consolidating power under him, the Shah grants rights back to BP (British Petroleum, or 'Better Petroleum' as they currently liked to be called. Keep in mind in 1953 they were called the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, which seems as though it really was a 50/50 share. It weren't) and the US over oil.
-1979, tensions between Iran and Iraq have been ongoing and a strongman emerges from the Ba'ath party in Iraq to control the country. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinei decalres jihad against the Shah and orders him killed, Shah flees to America. Thus begins the islamic revolution. Upon finding out that the US has granted him asylum, the US embassy is sacked and the Ayatullah declares a jihad against america and the west.
-1980, Donald Rumsfeld and other members of the Pentagon and State department meet with Saddam Hussein to make nice nice and discuss support of his army as a containment unit against Iran. Supplies of weapons begin arriving in Iraq with a blank check. Iran and Iraq fight a decade long war on their border. Ends in a stalemate.
-1990, Iran has barely begun to tap into the resources of its oil and natural gas reserves and the US begins to recognize it might need to start rethinking it's policies, given that reformist movements are starting to stir in the government.
-1991, Saddam, eager to flex his muscle having gone toe to toe with Iran for a decade, decides to retrieve the 24th Kingdom of the Levant (the area of Iraq was at one time 23 kingdoms, conglomerated, with Kuwait as the 24th. Somewhere in the process of arbitrarily drawing boundaries in the middle east, the British, French, and Americans must have been convinced by the richest of those kingdoms not to include it in the 'Country" of Iraq). Oversteps his bounds with the US. Persian Gulf War. Saddam essentially declawed but still a viable power in the region.
-2002, Saddam, Iran, North Korea labeled Axis of Evil. (I liken this to an interesting event in 6th grade where I dedicated a dance to one of my best friends and his then crush. He chased me out of the building. It was pure goading to get a reaction. To pick a fight, ha ha. Children).

And well you all know the rest. Kinda makes you wonder if the whole Iraq war might just have been a clever but costly step in a bigger process. SCARY, SHIT

Recìculo

It seems that in my new luxury apartment building, the only recycling that goes on is metal cans and paper. That's a little silly to me because there are companies in the area that collect glass. metal and plastic all compiled together and dump it somewhere for it to be sorted by people paid to do so. It seems the only way for Americans to recycle on a massive scale is to have someone find a way to make it profitable. That's not cycnical, it's just a fact, and a good thing too. Whatever gets people to recyle more and even creates jobs in the process I am ALL for.

That being said, why the f can't my building be asked to fully recycle? There are something like 20 members of the NY Giants practice team living there (these guys are just as big and almost as good as the first and second stringers on the team, but they get paid a lot less until they move up chain. And a lot less is still upwards of $80K a year.). They also seemingly get discounts on rent. I think these blokes can afford to pay a little more for full recycling.

The end.

I like Sushi

Yeah, that's about it. I know a few fine gentlemen out there who also love sushi. Here's a hint, it's NOT philip.

This makes me laugh

When winter starts to sneak on in.

I know that feeling when winter is creeping cause my right hand (somewhat damaged by frostbite) tends to show the signs. For some reason my right hand wrinkles funny and my knuckles get all weird looking. It never hurts because once your skin has been damaged by frostbite it never returns to how it used to be. But, whenever it drops below about 40 degrees fahrenheit the fingers get all weird. Which is somewhat problematic 'cause I'm right handed. Too many snowball fights I guess. Oh well, the way I figure, it's worth it cause now I can have snowball fights and that killer right arm slider is impenetrable to winter's offenses. Bring it ON winter. I will fight thee and slay thee and show thee my wrath.

I love the seasons.

The Security Blanket

I think Holden needs to shrug off the security blanket of super close friends and be on his own. Anyone agree? Please chime in*:

*this is a debatable issue so all views will be reviewed and given merit. Be honest or do not respond.

Morally Bankrupt?

Upon leaving work today I was walking through Secaucus and every girl dresed for halloween over the age of 10 was dressed as a street walker, and every guy was dressed as a thug. What does that say about what kids idolize these days? Why is it cool to dress as a skank when you're 11? I just don't get it.

Oh well, at least Jeff Buckley is still sweet. "Everybody Here Wants You" off of Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk is a great song with so many different flavors. It seems to change moods three times before it's over. Incredible.

Hmmmm...

When a candle burns slowly, you always know that no matter how many times you blow it out, it'll always be there when you need it. When a candle burns too quickly, you bask in the flame it creates and then it burns itSELF out.

It's a shame on the one hand, and a comforting thought on the other.

Goodnight folks.

Modern American Union

The modern american love, I believe, is to be able fight like honest people, and in the end know that you love the person no matter what. It is not only important to be able to love and care for, through sickness and in health, it is also important to be able to argue in the face of fear, with a deep faith and trust, and knowledge, of the love that creates the foundation. If you can't hate the person at some point, you can't truly love them.

This of course comes WAY after the initial swooning, crooning, and adorational love. It's the litmus test. After the burst of enthusiasm comes the occasional frown, and then, in a beautiful way, the smile that always chases the frown away. We all know that smile. It's more forgiving and satisfying than any bucket of ice cream.

Smile all yee lovers. Smile BIGGER all yee fighters for love.

Long live Jon Bon.