Clipmarks | Truth Clips

Ain't this the truth...

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:37:56 GMT

clipped by: egoldstein
clipper's remarks: This is clipped from a strong piece by David Gergen, in which he argues that Obama must introduce a game changer in order to turn the momentum back his way. The two most powerful game changing events he sites are announcing either Hillary Clinton or Al Gore as VP. Either would be very smart in my opinion

Clip Source: ac360.blogs.cnn.com

Say what you will about Republicans making a muddle of governing, but they sure know how to campaign.

In just a few short weeks, they have not only thrown Barack Obama on the defensive and made him seem smaller but they have also made McCain seem larger and more commanding.

Tags: obama, politics, clinton, gore, vice president

Kremlin Unleashes "Mafia-on-Steroids" Style Chechen Thugs

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:44:20 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: ........continued........ to disband the unit.

The generals refused. At the time, their stubborn support for the outlaw Yamadaev Brothers seemed baffling - a quiet Chechnya was a longstanding Russian goal. But last week, it all made sense: Putin's military, which had been planning the invasion of Georgia for many months, intended to unleash the worst criminals in uniform it had on the Georgian people.

Why?

Two reasons: First, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin wants the Georgians to suffer - to really suffer. And Chechens are the world's subject-matter experts in atrocities.

Second, this gives the Russian army itself a veil of deniability: When Putin's spokesmen insist that the Russian military isn't involved in the worst savagery in Georgia, they're technically telling the truth (if we don't count air attacks and artillery bombardments), since the Chechen thugs on their payroll are on the job.

Clip Source: www.nypost.com

OVER the weekend, photographic proof emerged that the Russians used mur derous Chechen mercenaries to do their dirtiest dirty work in Georgia

Amid photos of the horrors of war, grateful South Ossetians and triumphant Russian troops, one series leapt out at me as a former intel officer: Bearded irregulars riding atop Russian-built armored vehicles (old BMPs, for the military-hardware buffs). The vehicles had been splashed with white lettering.

What did the scrawls announce to the world? These thugs proudly proclaimed that they're Chechens serving in the Vostok ("East") Battalion commanded by Badrudin Yamadaev - who shares a reputation for gangland violence with his brother, Ruslan

Last spring, mercenaries from the Vostok Battalion indulged in a bloody gangland shoot-'em-up in the city of Gudermes, near their home turf. The mafia-on-steroids brutality was too much even for the Chechens (which is quite a standard).

The province's puppet president publicly begged the Kremlin and its generals

Tags: georgians, chechen mercenaries, putin, georgian military training, peacekeeping, anti-terrorism, small-unit tactics, antique us anti-tank weapons/gear

Shroud Stirs A New Controversy

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:01:56 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: It's like looking for Noah's Ark to me. Why would you want to search when the truth is right here before you? Regardless of that, I'm awed and amazed by the story.

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The tie that binds John and Rebecca Jackson is about 4 feet by 14 feet, woven of herringbone twill linen. It once led to their romance; years later, it still dominates their thoughts and fills their conversations.

It brought Rebecca, an Orthodox Jew, to the Catholic Church; it led John to suspend himself from an 8-foot-tall cross to study how blood might have stained the cloth. Together, the two have committed to memory every crease, scorch mark and unexplained stain in their years-long pursuit of the mystery:

Is the Shroud of Turin -- which allegedly bears the image of a crucifixion victim -- the burial cloth of Jesus?

In 1988, science seemed to put that question to rest.

But others are challenging the radiocarbon date.

More On Georgia, Russia and NATO

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:06:57 GMT

clipped by: klippety
clipper's remarks: Self evident. Crack ( The Rear Kind ) or vertical Smile. Much Movement- Mostly Bowel Movement

Clip Source: informationclearinghouse.info

What Were They Smoking in the White House?

By Eric Margolis

The Bush administration appears to have pulled off its latest military fiasco in the Caucasus. What was supposed to have been a swift and painless takeover of rebellious South Ossetia by America’s favorite new ally, Georgia, has turned into a disaster that left Georgia battered, Russia enraged, and NATO badly demoralized. Not bad for two days work. Continue

The New Cold War Turns Hot

How Washington’s encirclement of Russia threatens us all

By Antony Black

The flare-up of hostilities in the Caucasus should bring to mind a similar case of the ‘guns of August’ almost a century ago. Then, a similar flashpoint (in Serbia) signalled the start of WW1. Fortunately, the nightmare conflagration of a WW3 has (hopefully) yet to be similarly ignited - though, truth to tell, it is not for the want of fuel heaped on the geo-political pyre by the global mafia don and its uncritical, cheerleading mass media. Continue

Pelosi confronted at book signing

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:40:58 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: Madam Speaker was so flustered by our efforts that she barely made a cogent remark for her whole "Know Your Power" talk. Our peaceful action had impact. The truth is a powerful tool. But if only our actions weren't necessary. If only, as Jodie Evans suggested, Madam Speaker would do her job!
Saddest of all is the contrast of who Pelosi once was to who she his now. For a woman who was once at the cutting edge of social progressivism, Nancy Pelosi has lost her way. She has strayed from her former social consciousness into the malaise of power. A sorry state for a woman who 32 years ago was a pivotal player in the 1976 Presidential campaign of radically progressive California Governor, Jerry Brown.

Clip Source: www.opednews.com

Last Monday evening, in the plush environs of Los Angeles' American Jewish University, a dedicated group of pro-peace, Pro-Constitution patriots "booked" Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. No, I don't mean "booked" as in charged her with a crime and jailed her. In this scenario, "booked" is more akin to "punked" - in which case we surprised Madam Pelosi by revising her new book, then forced her to read our revisions. Tuh-Dah!!

It happened like this: Madam Speaker of the House Pelosi, second in line to the Presidency, appeared at a book signing for her ironically titled new tome, "Know Your Power." Since Madam Pelosi has not used her power as Speaker to hold impeachment hearings against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, as prescribed by Article 1 Section 2 of the Constitution, we pro-Constitution patriots held her to task. We took her new book and scrawled our personalized imperatives and questions within it.

Adopting Desert Nomad's Science

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:27:17 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Christians who cling to the outdated belief that being gay is a sin are following the pre-scientific notions and social customs that were relevant 2000 years ago but are outdated and wrong today. Partly they adhere to these archaic beliefs because it gives them biblical authority to feel superior (if they are straight) and backs up their notion of persecution when others speak out against their homophobia.

Clip Source: www.rrstar.com

Christians should speak out freely against homosexuality

Speaking out against same-sex unions can result in a variety of consequences for anyone who dares to do so in the workplace, consequences which can include being required to attend special re-education workshops on “diversity” that teach that people must put values or religious beliefs aside to observe a “higher” value of tolerance.

So conservatives find themselves in a very precarious position regarding the issue of same-sex relationships. The issue is no longer just a political or a social issue; it’s a very personal one.

How do we tell them what we believe the Bible has to say about homosexuality? The same Bible that lumps homosexuality in with a variety of other sins is the same Bible that provides the answer to that question.

As Christians, we have an obligation to others, and that is to be mirrors, mirrors that reflect Christ’s love and also his truth.

Tags: religion, christianity, homosexuality

Cartoon: Truth about the war in Georgia

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:20:08 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: H.T oldephartte!

Clip Source: my.opera.com

The truth about the war in Georgia: http://war.georgia.su/

Tags: georgia, bush, russia

Obama's Infanticide Disgrace

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:05:06 GMT

clipped by: jatfla
clipper's remarks: The fact that he voted for such a bill is amazing. I wonder, though, if he would (given the task) have actually performed it. Those who do have no soul....in my opinion.

Clip Source: townhall.com

Obama's Infanticide Disgrace

Obama spoke out against, and voted down, a bill that would have explicitly extended legal protections to born-alive premature infants. In other words, he cast a vote against banning infanticide.

. It’s already been established that his standard explanation isn’t the truth,

One possible answer is that Obama’s commitment to legalized abortion runs so deep that he believes the Constitution guarantees that “right,” even if the initial abortion procedure fails.

it’s no wonder Obama may have decided to use misdirection and deception to explain away his vote.

what ultimately matters most is that he voted ‘no’ on a bill that simply stated killing a living, breathing baby is not acceptable. That vote, in and of itself, is far worse than any political cover-up could ever be.

Kristol: Powell to endorse Obama, speak at DNCC

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:56:34 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: Powell spokeswoman denies it

Clip Source: www.dailykos.com

Kristol: Powell to endorse Obama, speak at DNCC

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell will endorse Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, Weekly Standard Publisher Bill Kristol told FOX News exclusively on Thursday.

“He may well give a speech at the Democratic convention explaining his endorsement of Obama,” Kristol said, citing inside sources. “For whatever reason I think he has decided he’s going to endorse Obama. I think [Powell] has a high respect for Senator McCain, they go back a long way.”

Kristol continued, “This is not an absolute done deal, but these people are very confident that Powell will endorse Obama.”

Kristol said sources told him Powell will “quite possibly” speak at the Democratic convention on the same night as Obama’s vice-presidential selection and former President Bill Clinton.

Powell's spokeswoman

“There’s absolutely no truth to it whatsoever,” Cifrino told FOXNews.com

Tags: powell, obama

Messy Truth about Georgia

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:39:14 GMT

clipped by: abailart
clipper's remarks: Article deals with US foreign policy. What's horribly remarkable about this human tragedy is how utterly predictable have been many responses by those unwilling (or unable?) to consider the situation in its full historical complexity.

Clip Source: www.spiked-online.com

It is remarkable how quickly other people’s bloody tragedies can be transformed into simple morality tales by Western observers sitting in cushioned, air-conditioned offices.

The problem with this fairytale script that is being cut-and-pasted on to the horrendous massacres of people in South Ossetia and Georgia is that it is almost entirely wrong.

As one columnist says, ‘The history behind Georgia’s “frozen conflicts” is long and complex… but complexity is no excuse for abdicating moral judgement in situations of this importance.’

In short? Don’t let the facts – pesky complexity – get in the way of a good morality tale. People in South Ossetia and Georgia have suffered the double horror of being attacked, maimed and killed in a conflict unleashed by new post-Cold War instabilities, and then being marshalled like political ghosts in a morality tale that is likely to make things worse.

Tags: georgia

Your 6:1 Open Thread

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:08:54 GMT

clipped by: cptenaud
clipper's remarks: The comments from these troops is pretty compelling. And these guys are the ones fighting for us. Too bad we don't give a shit.

Clip Source: www.vetvoice.com

by: Brandon Friedman

Fri Aug 15, 2008

As RockRichard noted yesterday, six times as many deployed troops are donating to Obama as to McCain. No surprise there. As usual, Matt from Headzup is around to hammer the point home:

[Video]

Thoughts on Not Giving McCain money (0.00 / 0)

Aside from McCain's pretty daughter who has a blog, I think McCain is doing a pretty horrendous job of speaking to young people as evidenced by his lack of discussion of one of the biggest benefits of serving in the military: money for college education. It's almost absent from his campaign page for veterans, and not supporting the Webb GI Bill was a huge mistake.

by: LT Nixon @ Fri Aug 15, 2008 at 02:43:39 AM EDT

"not supporting" is not accurate. (0.00 / 0)

"Actively worked against" comes closer to the truth.

"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a time of moral crisis, remain neutral."

-Dante

by: RockRichard @ Fri Aug 15, 2008

Does Age REALLY Matter?

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:47:00 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: Age is such a subjective thing. A teenager thinks a 30 year old is "old" and a 5 year old thinks a teenager is old.
But what is interesting to me at least, are the preconceived notions other's have of people at a certain age; how one should act, how one should feel; even giving a certain amount of worth to the individual depending on their age.

Grow up society and get "old" really fast *LOL*

Clip Source: www.metafilter.com

It's not the first time a public figure has lied about his age. Gary Hart, Ann Coulter, Tom, the list goes on. But should we hold someone in contempt for lying and wanting to get ahead?

Let's see. Lying is generally wrong. Lying purely for personal gain is clearly wrong.

I like to tell people I'm about five years older than I really am, because then they say "Wow, you look great for your age!" Nobody says that if I tell the truth.

I don't lie about my age, I'm just uncertain. I mean, a lot was going on when I was born and I didn't bother to take notes. And I was just a kid, for goodness' sake.

It doesn't matter how old you are, only how many years you've got left. And hardly anybody knows that.

Posts like this remind me of how much I hate Ann Coulter

Rubaiyat (quatrains) of Omar Khayyam, the astronomer-poet of Persia (1048-1122)

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:09:17 GMT

clipped by: Johanna_G
clipper's remarks: Medieval Sourcebook: Omar Khayyam: The Rubaiyat, c. 1120, trans. E. H. Whinfield
Irania.eu Omar Khayyam Robaiyat
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, The Astronomer-Poet of Persia (First edition)
Biography
Philosophy of Omar Khayyam
Omar Khayyám - Wikipedia EN

Clip Source: johammonia2.blogspot.com

Some look for truth in creeds, and forms, and rules;
Some grope for doubts or dogmas in the schools;
But from behind the veil a voice proclaims,
"Your road lies neither here nor there, O fools."

Young wooer, charm all hearts with lover's art,
Glad winner, lead thy paragon apart!
A hundred Kaabas equal not one heart,
Seek not the Kaaba, rather seek a heart!

Better to make one soul rejoice with glee,
Than plant a desert with a colony;
Rather one freeman bind with chains of love,
Than set a thousand prisoned captives free!

They who by genius, and by power of brain,
The rank of man's enlighteners attain,
Not even they emerge from this dark night,
But tell their dreams, and fall asleep again.

Although the creeds number some seventy-three,
I hold with none but that of loving Thee;
What matter faith, unfaith, obedience, sin?
Thou'rt all we need, the rest is vanity.

Tags: omar khayyam, rubaiyat, quatrains, poems, persia, literature, religion, philosophy, middle ages

Welcome Back to the 19th Century

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:13:15 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Apologists for Russia can point to lots of mitigating circumstances, starting with the biggest one of Christmas Day 1991, when the hammer-and-sickle flag over the Kremlin went down for the last time, and up went the Russian tricolor. Poof, and a whole empire from the Baltic to Kazakhstan was suddenly gone. Yes, that chilled the Russian soul, and so did Georgia's love affair with the United States. How dare Georgia, the birthplace of Stalin, sidle up to the EU and NATO?

In the greater scheme of things, though, Georgia's geopolitical crimes pale against a simple historical truth: 8/8 is payback for 12/25, when the Soviet Empire expired.

That, as Mr. Putin has told us, was the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century," and ever since he was anointed neo-czar in 2000, he has been working hard, and as time went by ever more ham-handedly, to reverse the verdict of the Cold War -- to regain what Russia had lost.

By JOSEF JOFFE WSJ Europe

Clip Source: online.wsj.com

Russia -- like the mad scientist Emmett Brown in "Back to the Future" -- thrust us backward by about 150 years in the Caucasus: into the age of imperialism and geopolitics, resource wars and spheres of influence.

It was strictly 19th-century when Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin casually announced that "war has started." In the old days, such pronunciamentos were routine; war, to recall Clausewitz, was just the "continuation of politics with the admixture of other means."

Say hello to Vladimir Putin and his stand-in Dmitry Medvedev. By attacking Georgia, they have raised the curtain on a post-World War II premiere. They have launched the first real war in "Greater Europe" since 1945.

Many are blaming "hot-headed" President Mikheil Saakashvili for having baited the bear, and he is no angel, for sure. Didn't he go first by ordering his army into South Ossetia?

But in 1939, they also blamed the "hot-headed" Poles for refusing to placate Hitler, and so he just had to flatten Warsaw

Tags: georgia, president mikheil saakashvili, vladimir putin, neo-soviet empire

Is the Future of the Internet the Future of Knowledge?

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:35:06 GMT

clipped by: Djiezes
clipper's remarks: Click on one of the bottom links to watch the video.

Clip Source: webcast.oii.ox.ac.uk

Is the Future of the Internet the Future of Knowledge?

US-based panel speakers Lawrence M. Sanger, PhD and Andrew Keen discuss issues of legitimacy, credibility, regulation and censorship on the Internet.

Topics addressed include:

What role do truth, trust and expertise have to play in the creation and dissemination of knowledge and news through the Internet? What (or who) should we believe and why?

Is the Internet's role in shaping knowledge creation and dissemination broadly a force for good? Doesn't participation educate? Doesn't such an array of easily accessible knowledge and information have a potentially democratising effect?

Should knowledge and news production by non-professionals on the Internet be limited in any way?

Click here to launch RealPlayer streaming video in your external player

Download MP4-LOW File [272 MB]

76 mins

Tags: future, internet, web, video, webcast, knowledge, democracy, news