I never thought I would live in a country where habeas corpus didn’t apply. The bush administration got around that by holding prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, and they claimed that the US constitution only applies within the United States’ borders, and to US citizens. Holding prisoners indefinitely without charging them, or bringing them to trial, is morally reprehensible, and has no place in civilized society. Now the Obama administration is closing Guantanamo, but Obama intend to hold some prisoners (those who cannot be convicted in an American Court because the evidence against them was supplied by informants), in indefinite administrative detention in US jails. That is just moving Guantanamo somewhere else, and his solution does not even pretend to respect the intent of the Constitution. If terrorists are brought to the US they come under the halo of the Constitution, and should have access to our judicial system.
In my opinion Guantanamy should be kept open, but prisoners should be charged, and brought in front of a Military Court within a reasonable time. That is provided for in the Constitution. Even terrorists merit justice, and we owe them a quick trial, and a speedy execution.
There is endless debate about torture, and what it is. It is nonsense to assert that water boarding is not torture, just as it is nonsense to say that harsh treatment is. Once someone has been convicted of terrorism we should be able to torture them to get information about the organizations they belong to, and about their intentions, but only if we have indisputable reason to believe they have information that will save lives, or prevent a terrorist attack. Even then, torture should only be allowed after a court has sanctioned it. I can think of numerous possible scenarios where torture might not only be reasonable, but the only rational choice, and it is mad to make torture illegal under all circumstances.
Gråulf.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
American Cars by Gråulf
What is the difference between a Fiat and a Jehovah’s Witness…. You can close the door on a Jehovah’s Witness.
Fiat will own Chrysler, but part of the deal with the Union is that Fiat will not be able to sell their small, fuel sipping cars in the US. Ford owns Volvo, and Volvo developed a turbo diesel that puts out 200 horsepower, and gets 52 miles per gallon in their small sedan, and 40 miles to the gallon in their full size station wagon. So, why is Ford claiming that developing engines for the new mileage standards will add $2000 dollars to each new car?
American auto companies have been screwing their customers for years. I certainly thought so when the paint flaked off my Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Chrysler refused to do anything for me because the two-year warranty had expired. The Jeep also overheated if I used the air conditioner on hot days, and there was no fix for that. Then there was the Chevy Blazer I owned before the Jeep, which was so badly designed that you had to detach the engine mounts and jack the motor up above the frame to change the fuel pump. Why would anyone buy a Ford after they found out that Ford made a deliberate decision not to fix exploding fuel tanks in the Pinto, because it was cheaper to pay off lawsuits than to fix the problem. Why would anyone buy a Chevy Pickup after they found out the Chevy Pickup shown jumping a berm in the TV advertisements was totaled, and they used trick photography to show it continuing on undamaged. Why should we believe that it is important to “buy American” when at least one quarter of every American car is made in third world countries.
American auto companies once made the best cars in the world. On the way they discovered consumerism, and created the demand for new and different models every year. Their energy went into design rather than into improving their product. When foreign cars eventually surpassed American cars in quality American manufacturers increased their advertising budgets instead of improving their vehicles. American manufacturers also exploited the notion of class, and the idea that you can tell the quality of a person by the car they drive. Chevrolet was for the lower classes, and you had to buy a Buick or an Olds when you became middle class, and a Cadillac if you were fortunate enough to become upper class. The main difference between models was the price, the upholstery, and the name on the hood.
Now it appears we all spent seventy billion dollars and became owners of General Motors, and I expect them to deliver my new pickup as soon as possible. I would like a blue one. Meanwhile I would like someone to show me where in the Constitution the Federal Government was granted the power to take over private businesses. I have two copies of the Constitution, and cant find that passage anywhere.
Gråulf.
Fiat will own Chrysler, but part of the deal with the Union is that Fiat will not be able to sell their small, fuel sipping cars in the US. Ford owns Volvo, and Volvo developed a turbo diesel that puts out 200 horsepower, and gets 52 miles per gallon in their small sedan, and 40 miles to the gallon in their full size station wagon. So, why is Ford claiming that developing engines for the new mileage standards will add $2000 dollars to each new car?
American auto companies have been screwing their customers for years. I certainly thought so when the paint flaked off my Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Chrysler refused to do anything for me because the two-year warranty had expired. The Jeep also overheated if I used the air conditioner on hot days, and there was no fix for that. Then there was the Chevy Blazer I owned before the Jeep, which was so badly designed that you had to detach the engine mounts and jack the motor up above the frame to change the fuel pump. Why would anyone buy a Ford after they found out that Ford made a deliberate decision not to fix exploding fuel tanks in the Pinto, because it was cheaper to pay off lawsuits than to fix the problem. Why would anyone buy a Chevy Pickup after they found out the Chevy Pickup shown jumping a berm in the TV advertisements was totaled, and they used trick photography to show it continuing on undamaged. Why should we believe that it is important to “buy American” when at least one quarter of every American car is made in third world countries.
American auto companies once made the best cars in the world. On the way they discovered consumerism, and created the demand for new and different models every year. Their energy went into design rather than into improving their product. When foreign cars eventually surpassed American cars in quality American manufacturers increased their advertising budgets instead of improving their vehicles. American manufacturers also exploited the notion of class, and the idea that you can tell the quality of a person by the car they drive. Chevrolet was for the lower classes, and you had to buy a Buick or an Olds when you became middle class, and a Cadillac if you were fortunate enough to become upper class. The main difference between models was the price, the upholstery, and the name on the hood.
Now it appears we all spent seventy billion dollars and became owners of General Motors, and I expect them to deliver my new pickup as soon as possible. I would like a blue one. Meanwhile I would like someone to show me where in the Constitution the Federal Government was granted the power to take over private businesses. I have two copies of the Constitution, and cant find that passage anywhere.
Gråulf.
Friday, May 29, 2009
The Ka-Bar USMC Knife by Gråulf
The Ka-Bar USMC knife of World War II is possibly the most famous fighting knife of all times. The knife was made in Olean, NY, and had a 7” black powder-coated blade of high quality steel, and a handle made of compacted leather discs.
The Ka-Bar became standard issue to the Marine Corps back in 1942, and soon became the prized possession of every fighting marine. Later the knife was issued to the other branches of the service. The Ka-Bar went out of production at the end of World War II, but during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, many Ka-Bars were reactivated into military service as World War II veterans passed their personnel Ka-Bars along to their sons.
The old knives continued to be used by survivalists, campers and hunters, but eventually all available Ka-Bar knives ended up in collections. Thousands of knife enthusiasts were writing to the Olean factory every year, asking them to produce more Ka-Bar knives because they were unable to find used ones. Finally, after 32 years the factory, and some of the craftsmen who worked on the original Ka-Bar knife, decided to produce it again for the 200 anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
The new Ka-Bar USMC knives are identical to the original, but they cost a whole lot more. I once owned one of the originals, and it was the sharpest knife I have ever owned. That knife cost something like $12 at the local War Surplus Store. Now I own one of the second production Ka-Bars, It cost me $70, and it is my favorite outdoor knife. It is identical to the original in every respect, but I swear that it does not take an edge as sharp as the original World War II Ka-Bar USMC knife.
Gråulf.
The Ka-Bar became standard issue to the Marine Corps back in 1942, and soon became the prized possession of every fighting marine. Later the knife was issued to the other branches of the service. The Ka-Bar went out of production at the end of World War II, but during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, many Ka-Bars were reactivated into military service as World War II veterans passed their personnel Ka-Bars along to their sons.
The old knives continued to be used by survivalists, campers and hunters, but eventually all available Ka-Bar knives ended up in collections. Thousands of knife enthusiasts were writing to the Olean factory every year, asking them to produce more Ka-Bar knives because they were unable to find used ones. Finally, after 32 years the factory, and some of the craftsmen who worked on the original Ka-Bar knife, decided to produce it again for the 200 anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
The new Ka-Bar USMC knives are identical to the original, but they cost a whole lot more. I once owned one of the originals, and it was the sharpest knife I have ever owned. That knife cost something like $12 at the local War Surplus Store. Now I own one of the second production Ka-Bars, It cost me $70, and it is my favorite outdoor knife. It is identical to the original in every respect, but I swear that it does not take an edge as sharp as the original World War II Ka-Bar USMC knife.
Gråulf.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Forgiveness, by Gråulf
A while ago I got into a ferocious argument with a professor at the University of Colorado, who stated that all white Americans carry a burden of guilt for our past history of slavery. I hear the same argument about our treatment of Indians, and usually I just let it pass, but this professor caught me in a bad mood. I sneered that while there were slaves in America my ancestors were serfs in Denmark, and were often treated worse than any American slaves by the landowners they belonged to, so don’t tell me what to feel guilty about! Who is supposed to feel guilty about the inquisition, and the thousands of accused heretics burned to death by the Catholic Church? Who is supposed to feel guilty about the one million Europeans that were captured by Barbary Pirates, and sold into slavery in North Africa? Who should feel guilty about all the genocide happening around the world right now?
A group of American Jews told me that I should feel guilty about hating Germans. They passionately explained that the present generation of Germans had nothing to do with Hitler’s Third Reich, and that it is wrong to blame them for something that happened before they were born. I could only shake my head at their muddled compassion, because I know most of their European relatives had been exterminated in German concentration camps, and that some of those around the table had parents and grandparents who still wore concentration camp numbers tattooed on their arms. Their compassion is ridiculous considering Jews are still pissed about being slaves in Egypt 3000 year ago, although there is not one historical record to confirm the Exodus ever took place. I also know from previous conversations they all believed we owe Blacks and Indians compensation for the injustice done to them more than 150 years ago. In fact, something that happened while their ancestors were being persecuted in Eastern Europe for being Jewish.
I have traveled in Germany, although it gives me the willies to be anywhere near that country. I have even met individual Germans, whom I like, and I am very fond of my ancient BMW motorcycle, but I will hate Germans to the day I die. I was born during the German occupation of Denmark, and grew up in a Country Impoverished because the Germans dismantled and stole its infrastructure, so I believe I have earned that right. My Gods are not forgiving, and do not consider forgiveness or compassion to be virtues, unlike the one who got himself nailed to a cross.
Gråulf.
A group of American Jews told me that I should feel guilty about hating Germans. They passionately explained that the present generation of Germans had nothing to do with Hitler’s Third Reich, and that it is wrong to blame them for something that happened before they were born. I could only shake my head at their muddled compassion, because I know most of their European relatives had been exterminated in German concentration camps, and that some of those around the table had parents and grandparents who still wore concentration camp numbers tattooed on their arms. Their compassion is ridiculous considering Jews are still pissed about being slaves in Egypt 3000 year ago, although there is not one historical record to confirm the Exodus ever took place. I also know from previous conversations they all believed we owe Blacks and Indians compensation for the injustice done to them more than 150 years ago. In fact, something that happened while their ancestors were being persecuted in Eastern Europe for being Jewish.
I have traveled in Germany, although it gives me the willies to be anywhere near that country. I have even met individual Germans, whom I like, and I am very fond of my ancient BMW motorcycle, but I will hate Germans to the day I die. I was born during the German occupation of Denmark, and grew up in a Country Impoverished because the Germans dismantled and stole its infrastructure, so I believe I have earned that right. My Gods are not forgiving, and do not consider forgiveness or compassion to be virtues, unlike the one who got himself nailed to a cross.
Gråulf.
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