apple juice

In this article at the Guardian, Israel seeks pipeline for Iraqi oil, the reporter reveals plans to reopen a pipeline that has been inactive since 1948.

Plans to build a pipeline to siphon oil from newly conquered Iraq to Israel are being discussed between Washington, Tel Aviv and potential future government figures in Baghdad.

The plan envisages the reconstruction of an old pipeline, inactive since the end of the British mandate in Palestine in 1948, when the flow from Iraq’s northern oilfields to Palestine was re-directed to Syria.

Now, its resurrection would transform economic power in the region, bringing revenue to the new US-dominated Iraq, cutting out Syria and solving Israel’s energy crisis at a stroke.

Hmm, smells fishy

More evidence that there isn’t very much going on in the way of actual thinking by the leaders of our country.

U.S. wary as Iraqi Shiites rise in strength

“It is a complex equation, and the U.S. government is ill-equipped to figure out how this is going to shake out,” a U.S. State Department official said. “I don’t think anyone took a step backward and asked: What are we looking for? The focus was on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.”

So you guys didn’t bother to plan out what was going to happen after you overthrew Saddam’s Regime? Great…

What a great message of freedom and democracy we’re sending to the people of Iraq and to the world- “We’ll let you choose your leaders, as long as we like them. So we’ll find some people we like and make sure they get elected.”

At my place of employment, we are blessed with the sonic goodness that is Muzak. The sounds of corporate wonderland drift like newfallen snow onto the busy worker’s ears. Actually, I have the nearby speaker turned off, since I usually listen to my iPod while toiling away at the keyboard.

When I venture from the warm confines of my desk and chair, however, I am bathed in sugary sweet and un-offensive sounds. One of these ventures is to the bathroom.

I haven’t decided if I’m just really, really regular, or if there is some sort of cosmic Muzak force spinning tunes for me, but whenever I sit down in the bathroom, it seems that the same song is playing.

A few months ago it was Enya with her smash hit Only Time. For the past few days it’s been Seal’s chart topper Don’t Cry. I don’t hear these songs once or twice mind you, I hear them for like 2 weeks straight, every time I go to the bathroom.

I will have to begin charting my breaks, because I’m getting a little freaked. It’s been like 7 or 8 times in a row I’ve heard Don’t Cry while doing my duty.

As soon as I have some definitive results, I’ll post them here for my faithful readers.

One actress I really enjoy watching is Parker Posey. Unfortunately I’m not skilled in the art of dissecting movie performances, but when you see Parker Posey acting in a movie, you can tell she has done her homework.

One movie they didn’t mention was Party Girl, one of my favorites. It’s definately quirky and weird, but I love those kind of movies

Though few have honed the art of cinematic sarcasm quite as adeptly as Posey, she always conveys far more than just snark and sass. Indeed, her performances in films like Hal Hartley’s “Henry Fool” have revealed Posey’s dramatic depth, her ability to invest virtually any role with nuance and complexity.

Read the interview

I caught the last 20 minutes of this speech while driving home on Sunday. Flipping through the channels, it was too early for Freedom Rock on (always has been Freedom rock, never French Rock), so I stumbled upon MPR Presents. I was gripped by the speaker’s voice as he calmly recalled being shot at in multiple countries while covering various wars and conflicts. It was very intense and surreal. I hope it wasn’t MSU’s graduation speech. 😉

As soon as I get a chance to listen to it straight through I will post a few quotes.

APRIL 20, 2003: Chris Hedges at Minnesota State University
Chris Hedges, a Pulitzer Prize-winning former war correspondent for the New York Times, and author of War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, has become an outspoken opponent of war. He recently spoke at Minnesota State University in Mankato on his view of war and how combatants, civilians, and reporters will likely feel the effects of the latest Iraq war for a long time to come. (Chris Hedges recently appeared on MPR’s Speaking of Faith.)

Listen to the speech…

Combat Rock by Sleater-Kinney

They tell us there are only two sides to be on
If you are on our side youíre right if not youíre wrong
But are we innocent, paragons of good?
Is our guilt erased by the pain that weíve endured?
Hey look it’s time to pledge allegiance
Oh god I love my dirty Uncle Sam
Our country’s marching to the beat now
And we must learn to step in time
Where is the questioning where is the protest song?
Since when is skepticism un-American?
Dissentís not treason but they talk like itís the same
Those who disagree are afraid to show their face
Let’s break out our old machines now
It sure is good to see them run again
Oh gentlemen start your engines
And we know where we get the oil from
Are you feeling alright now
Paint myself all red white blue
Are you singing let’s fight now
Innocent people die, uh oh
There are reasons to unite
Is this why we unite?
If you hate this time
Remember we are the time!
Show you love your country go out and spend some cash
Red white blue hot pants doing it for Uncle Sam
Flex our muscles show them weíre stronger than the rest
Raise your hands up baby are you sure that weíre the best?
We’ll come out with our fists raised
The good old boys are back on top again
And if we let them lead us blindly
The past becomes the future once again

For my inaugural post in the Trains category:

Pioneer Press | 04/21/2003 | COMMUTER RAIL: Crucial test for Northstar

Supporters have been making the same arguments as Cassady for years, but recently employed a respected economist who determined commuter rail was the best option for dealing with congestion along U.S. 10 and Interstate 94. Commuter rail would carry 5,000 people daily, equivalent to about 1? lanes of traffic. Building and running commuter rail would cost $502 million over 15 years, while the cost to build and maintain another lane to St. Cloud exceeds $1 billion.

I am hopeful about this commuter rail line, but we will need to convince short-sighted people (like our current Govenor) that rail is an essential component for solving traffic problems.

I’m not sure how people so completely lacking vision get into office:

“Invest in roadways everyone can use 24 hours a day rather than commuter rail that would operate limited hours a day,” said Mayor Gary Kirkeide.

Hey Gary, the traffic at 3am isn’t really the problem, is it? More like the gridlock at 6pm. The line, at it’s initial service estimate, would carry 5,000 people daily, which is equivalent to adding one and a half lanes of traffic. So what is more cost effective? Adding more lanes that are only needed for a few hours a day. Or adding commuter rail that is only utilized when it is needed?