The Iran crisis

Mostly, the whole Iran "crisis" (as it may become) is all completely overblown. Since the beginning I have been disappointed that someone didn’t come in and hold their hand so they could develop nuclear weapons for peaceful purposes only. The whole reason why they want them in the first place I first and foremost a power issue. Iran wants to play with the big dogs and become a world power. You can hardly blame them, what else would you do if you tried to be a forward thinking country?

Of course, there may be other benefits as well, if Iran did get nuclear weapons; they would not constantly being threatened by the prospect of a US “regime change” on them. Currently, Iran has several hundred centrifuges, which is enough to make fuel grade uranium. In order to make weapons grade uranium, they would need five times as many as they currently have.

The whole “air strike threat” is a bunch of bull. I could see this administration making the decision to destroy nuclear facilities with conventional weapons, but the nuclear option is far-flung. The defense department was criticized for “planning to nuke” Iran, but I defend them in this case. In their current job description, what else is the pentagon supposed to do but plan for every possible scenario? They are still stuck in the cold war and because of that are always planning for every possible contingency. I believe that it was a leak to the press just to make Iran feel really nervous, using the same scare tactics that this administration always uses while “negotiating”. Either that, or It was made by someone who wants to point out how stupid this whole things is, but judging by this administrations reaction, I would say that it was the first, because there have not been any white house plumbers running around trying to find out who leaked about the secret spying program. Speaking of which, this story gets that one off of the front page, an added bonus.

To conclude, I think Bush would confirm himself as being a bully and an asshole if he did go ahead with the air strikes on Iran (the conventional ones). I don’t put my name on my blog for a reason, this is one of them: if Iran was attacked for this I would agree with them being fully justified on making a counterattack against US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as perhaps aiding the Insurgency there. I say this not because I think it should be done, but because they should not let us push them around like that. Iran is asserting itself as it is just by building the nuclear reactors; let’s just hope they aren’t forced to assert themselves anymore than that.

Firefox Flicks

This is my favorite video :)

Game Review: A Force More Powerful

I have never done a game review before, and i am doubtful i will ever do one again, but A Force More Powerful is not something you want to miss.

Can a computer game teach how to fight real-world adversaries—dictators, military occupiers and corrupt rulers, using methods that have succeeded in actual conflicts—not with laser rays or AK47s, but with non-military strategies and nonviolent weapons? Such a game, A Force More Powerful (AFMP), is now available. A unique collaboration of experts on nonviolent conflict working with veteran game designers has developed a simulation game that teaches the strategy of nonviolent conflict. A dozen scenarios, inspired by recent history, include conflicts against dictators, occupiers, colonizers and corrupt regimes, as well as struggles to secure the political and human rights of ethnic and racial minorities and women.

A Force More Powerful is the first and only game to teach the waging of conflict using nonviolent methods. Destined for use by activists and leaders of nonviolent resistance and opposition movements, the game will also educate the media and general public on the potential of nonviolent action and serve as a simulation tool for academic studies of nonviolent resistance.

I have been playing this game for about three weeks now, and it is very addicting and fun. The actual game play is not spectacular, since you just do the planning for your movement; there is little action involved unless there is a mass protest. The game can be slow, because campaigns might often take years to accomplish (sim time) but it is very rewarding when you win. Many people from all over the world have modified the game to meet their own country and area's settings. This is one game really makes you want to get out there on the street and do something. This game is also related to a movie and book by the same name.

NOW GET OUT THERE AND FIGHT THE MACHINE!

more Socialism?

Since my last post on defining Socialist-Libertarianism I have done a lot of thinking about what I really am, and now more certainly than ever I am sure I have absolutely no idea. I guess you could just call me liberal..?



Recently, the Massachusetts legislature passed a law that required all residents to have health insurance. Free healthcare is one of the defining parts of a socialist state, and is seen in Canada, The Netherlands, Europe in general, ECT. So the question is, Is Massachusetts taking a step towards becoming socialist? I guess I should be excited about this, and in a way it's interesting, but at the same time it’s scary. All residents are required to have health insurance with private companies is not exactly the same as the concept of government healthcare, and may turn out to be a complete failure. They claimed that it would actually lower the cost of health care. In a way it makes sense, but in others it doesn't. It makes sense that if an illness such a strep-throat is treated sooner it will be cheaper to treat than one of the more serious complications when left untreated. They also say it will be cheaper because the uninsured’s medical bills are “paid for with public funds.” Massachusetts isn't the only state to have a program similiar to this, both Maine and Hawaii try to have almost universal health care but they took it a step futher by making it a requirment.

WAIT a second. Wouldn’t these insurance subsidies be paid for with public funds anyway? I’m not saying that this plan isn’t a good thing, but giving subsidies to insurance companies scares me. The plan gives the insurance companies subsidies so they can lower rates for those in lower income levels. If you are going to provide free Health care for everyone, do it right and don’t let the insurance company’s make money off of the program! I have always thought that insurance is a public service that should never be owned by a private company, like utilities and oil… but that’s another story…