Is anyone really surprised

Maybe the young or naive have reason to be surprised by the violent nature of US military forces. Anybody who knows very much about the history of warfare, though, should not have been taken by surprise.

Every army that has ever fought, every police force larger than 10 people, every situation in which strong-man rule was in force, has resulted in abuses by those in power against those not in power.

It is the logical consequence of Dominator Model social structuring.

And we are going to punish (more Dominator Model maintenance) the lowest level possible in the hierarchy with only a passing nod that the issue might be systemic.

I despise the philosophy of punishment, the policy of deterrence and the politics of hate.

There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
There is no violence that will end violence.
There is no morality that will end immorality.

There is only love or a cry for love.

I am getting a lot of email from activist organizations giving me the latest details from military trials of the abuses in Iraq. The details are not the point. I do not need to know what a young soldier did to know what a young soldier is capable of doing.

I don't need to know where the line has been drawn to know that training a young man or woman to hate an enemy will lead to abusing another human being. As night follows day, brainwashing young people to kill with pride will result in young people abusing others without shame.

It is NOT a failing of the young people.

I am disgusted by the Bush administration spokespeople who insist that this is isolated and not condoned. It is the very life blood of the US military. I know damn well what the military is capable of doing. If the Secretary of Defense isn't aware, he should resign! Hell, he should resign anyway. To remain in office IS to condone that behavior. And the righteous asshole knows it.

Americans who are interested in peace might consider voting the violence-loving, punishment-minded, right-wingers out of office. There is no "God's Will" in our killing each other. I don't care what you religion is.

I am feeling a need to teach a little love. I going to present a free workshop for my friends and their friends on Sunday, June 13, 2004, from 11am - 5 pm. I will cancel it if fewer than 20 people register. You may register here.

Love, gentleness and peace.

Bad dream last night

Not a nightmare, but it wasn't pleasant.

A 35ish year old woman had decided that it was of primary importance to the world that my contribution to humanity should include siring a child for her.

When she first brought it up in the dream, I thought she was joking. I laughed and said my daughter would not approve. She became more or more insistent and threatening. My responses built up from a "no, but thanks for considering me" to "leave or I'll call the police." The dream ended when very big guys in white lab coats were dragging her off. She was screaming something about the end of the world and a thousand years of terror.

My daughter has said I was not allowed anymore children. She doesn't cotton to the idea of a sibling 30 years younger than she is. The thousand years part, I think, comes from The Dark Crystal. The must sire a baby bit comes from any or all of the religious-horror/thriller movies.

For the record. I will not be siring any children. I practice the only fool-proof, guaranteed perfect birth control. There is NO chance my sperm will ever meet up with an egg.

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I've gotten way out of the habit of cooking for myself. Big mistake. Why? Cause I'm a damn good cook. I think, though, I'll be back in the habit. Why? I've decided that I'm returning to being a vegetarian.

At least, mostly a vegetarian. Eggs and dairy remain in my diet. Also, some fish and sometimes other meats. Mostly for following some rules of hospitality.

Anyway. Tonight is a vegie stir fry over rice. "What makes it so special?" you ask. Well, the fact that it's really a pomegranate vegie stew with cheddar. Yum!

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Amy computer is once again on the table at my house. This time it has taken to stopping. At some point, it just locks up. The display doesn't change, no keys affect it. Even closing the lid doesn't do anything.

The only indication I can get it to make is to show me if it's plugged into the wall. That only requires the power supply. I have a couple of guess. But limited ability to test it.

I'm running a program will keep the cpu busy. We'll see what comes of that.

There are really two possibilities. One is heat. I'm not fond of that as a reason, though. Could be, but... The other is related to the ram cards. The protective cover is gone. I'm wondering if there might be a connection.

I want this machine to work. Amy wants this machine to work. sigh.

I will be loaning her my laptop, I think.

I haven't said it yet today. I hate computers.

I love you, though. Unless you are a computer.