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| Monday, June 13, 2005 10:52 AM |
| Variance |
 by Fëanor |
- Okay, let's get the political scandal bit out of the way first, so we can move on to the fun stuff:
Remember that Downing Street memo? Well, the sequel just came out! Actually, it's really more of a prequel; that link is to briefing notes that were given to the folks attending the secret meeting for which the Downing Street memo was the minutes. Here's an article about this new document on the Times of London website (found via the Salon article). These briefing notes, though incomplete, are pretty strong back-up support for the memo. They state clearly that Blair and Bush had agreed to pursue a military solution in Iraq in April 2002, and that their purpose from then on was to construct a legal reason for invasion, and sway public opinion to their side. But the US military had only a few vague ideas on how the invasion would work, and almost no ideas for what would happen after the military action was over:The US Government's military planning for action against Iraq is proceeding apace. But, as yet, it lacks a political framework. In particular, little thought has been given to creating the political conditions for military action, or the aftermath and how to shape it. This fits with everything I've seen so far. Have you noticed how our reasons for going to war have changed over time? First it was because Iraq was somehow responsible for 9/11 (which is not true). Then it was because Saddam had weapons of mass destruction (he did not). Then it was because we wanted to bring freedom, democracy, and safety to the Iraqi people (which, frankly, is simply laughable; and if that was our purpose, we failed anyway). So yeah, we decided to attack, and then tried to alter the facts to support such an action. We had no plans for what to do in Iraq after the attack, which led directly to the situation of chaos and bloodshed that exists there now.
Here's another great line from this document: "it is necessary to create the conditions in which we could legally support military action." Reading the Times of London article on this, I couldn't help but think of a quote from The Phantom Menace (I know, I know, but I'm a Star Wars geek, what can I do?), from the scene in which Darth Sidious orders his Trade Federation lackeys to begin an unjustified war against the planet Naboo (thanks to IMDB for the correct wording here):Darth Sidious: We must accelerate our plans, Viceroy. Begin landing your troops.
Nute Gunray: Ahhh, my Lord, is that...legal?
Darth Sidious: I will make it legal. Thank you, Darth W and Nute Blair, for making this comparison possible.
Impeachment anybody?
- Speaking of horrendous offenses against humanity, yesterday I was listening to 93.3 WMMR's special cover weekend (they were playing a classic original track and then following it up with a cover of that song) and I heard a cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here." A cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"--one of the greatest songs by one of the greatest rock band's of all time. How. Fucking. Dare. You.
But, to be fair, I was curious when the DJ said he was going to play this track. Maybe it's the post-modernist in me, but I'm always interested to see/hear a remake of something. Sometimes it can be really interesting to get a different perspective--a re-envisioning--of something you're used to. So I listened with a hopeful and an open mind.
But this cover was done by the Goo Goo Dolls and Fred Durst (I could probably imagine a worse group of folks to do such a cover, but it would be hard) for some kind of 9/11 tribute or something, and not only had they had the audacity to redo a true rock classic (shortening it considerably--for which I suppose I should thank them--and making it almost completely monotone), they changed the lyrics. Check it out. This song was originally a beautifully sad ode to a friend whose mind had been destroyed by war and by life in general; now it's been turned into some kind of clumsy, half-assed statement about America, and actually ends on a ridiculously hopeful note. I was screaming with rage in my car listening to this garbage. WORST. COVER. EVER.
- In much better music news, I now have a copy of the new Sleater-Kinney album, The Woods, courtesy my good friend Eirk, and it is truly awesome. Their last album, One Beat, was entertaining, but somewhat obvious and clumsy. For this one, they've completely reconstructed their sound, going back to a classic, anthemic rock style, while losing none of their anger, and while turning up the volume a couple of notches (literally; I had to swipe my headphones off and turn the sound down to avoid making myself deaf), and in the process they have become totally reinvigorated. Long story short, it's good stuff.
- And finally, heh.
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