Owner: Views from the Tractor URL:http://tractorviews.blogspot.com Join Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:52:41 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Contemporary commentary on politics and world events from a liberal progressive stance. Site statistics:Click here
No title 2008-03-01 10:44:00 I am temporarily shutting down this operation. I have only a dial-up connection and this blog is taking hours to put up, 3/4's of which is just trying to get my feeds to download and waiting for pages to upload. I am sorry. If I get DSL and if it alleviates this problem, I will be back, so to the 3 readers or so that I have regularly, I am sorry. If things don't improve, well it's been fun and I've enjoyed writing it, it's just I spend most of my time sitting and looking at this antiquated screen instead of writing. May the Democrats win!
Loyalty Oaths? How UnCalifornian of you 2008-02-29 08:36:00 Today's News The Way I View It_________________They said nothing was likely to change in Cuba as Fidel stepped down in favor of his brother Raul. But, apparently something has changed. Cuba has signed on to two human rights treaties issued from the UN back in 1966. The Cuban foreign minister, Felipe Perez Roque claimed that no pressure was placed on the country to do so, and it was the sole decision of a sovereign state. The Cuban state also agrees to periodic scrutiny of whether it is in compliance with UN accords. Cuba had recently been removed from a special watch list. We hope this means that more changes will be forthcoming._________________*********************We seem to be about diplomacy this day as Condi Rice is in Beijing and Secretary of Defense, Gates is in India. Word is th Read more:Loyalty
Husseined is like swiftboating 2008-02-28 08:36:00 Today's NewsThe Way I View It_________You might wonder now and again, where all the money that we pour into Iraq actually goes. Apparently hundreds of millions go to the three ethnic groups in Iraq for "security." The problem is, it is very much used by them to eliminate other ethnic peoples within their "border." So we have effectively armed the three camps and hope and pray they don't turn the guns on each other in a concerted way instead of the piecemeal way we have decided to accept as "normal." There are somewhere in the vicinity of 600,000 fighters, armed by us, but their loyalty is to themselves and no other. Some say its a matter of when not if, it explodes into an outright conflagration.__________________________________Some are claiming that there is a real war against science pu
No, he really didn't Say THAT! Did he? 2008-02-27 08:30:00 Today's News__________________The Way I View It____The reprint of a cartoon in Denmark continues to spark protests in the Muslim world. Latest to take up the condemnation, Sudan has barred all Danes from ever setting foot in Sudan again. All Danish produce has been boycotted as well. It is estimated that at least 10,000 marched in Khartoum. Denmark allegedly reprinted the cartoon in solidarity with the author and in support of freedom of speech. To represent Muhammad in any fashion is considered idolatrous.____________________________________If there is anyone out there who thinks that well, McCain ain't so bad, think again. It can be easy to come to that conclusion given the rabble that opposes him so vociferously. With enemies the like of Rush and Ann, John might look okay. It is very l
And you think We have problems with Marriage? 2008-02-26 08:37:00 _______________________________Today's News____________________________________________________________The Way I View It_____________________I suspect there is little substance to this but here goes. Mitt is perhaps reconsidering his withdrawal? His son suggests Mitt only "suspended" his campaign and did not dismantle it. This in the wake of all that nasty stuff about McCain and his oh too close ties to lobbyists. We doubt anything will come of this, but its worth the gossip, no?____________________________Al Jazeera reports today that Brazil has taken serious steps to curb illegal logging in that country. Brazilian forces face angry groups of people who are employed in the industry as the country attempts to slow the deforestation that worries environmentalists. The illegal logging is a b Read more:think
, problems
Keeping My Head Down 2008-02-25 08:49:00 ______________________Today's News__________________The Way I View It__________________Report after report suggests that things are beginning to fall apart in Afghanistan. Well, beginning is probably not correct, they have been deteriorating steadily and slowly since the moment George decided to listen to the nut cases he only listened to, and went off to play in Iraq instead. Heady with the "fun" of war, George had no idea his nut cases didn't have a clue as to what they were doing. And while he got mired in the muck of Iraq, well, Afghanistan festered like a wound that did not receive proper care. The costs, financially have been staggering, almost beyond belief. We, as individual citizens have yet to feel that cost in monetary terms that is. Read this assessment at Alternet. ___________
Hiccupping Through the World 2008-02-24 09:10:00 _________________Today's News_________________ ____________How I View It____________ Shia pilgrims on the way to Karbala were killed in a suicide attack today. At least 40 were killed and 60 wounded. The attack occurred in Iskandariya, about 50 miles from Baghdad. This is the second attack on religious pilgrims walking to Karbala as part of a religious event celebrating the end of a period of mourning marking the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson. It is believed that deaths are down so far from previous years. ______________________________Of course, many of us expected that the bottom line in Iraq was always about oil, and secondarily about military bases. Such appears to be the case, at least as to the military bases, and Bush and Maliki continue their work to solidify a continuing mi Read more:World
It Can't be Me, It Must be the Water 2008-02-23 08:22:00 Yesterday's News ~~ History~~~~~~~~~~~~Today was the normal end of the year in ancient Rome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Persecution of the Christians began in Nicomedia under the Emperor Diocletian. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~On this day in 1945, American forces secured Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima and raised the American Flag. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Today marked the first mass inoculation against polio using the Salk vaccine, in Pittsburgh in 1954. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Any holiday is a good day in Russia. Today is Defender of the Fatherland day, with lots of fireworks and speeches and wreath layings planned. It's a relatively new holiday, having been started in 1995. Before that it was known as Red Army day, (1922) Soviet Army and Navy Day (1949-93). I guess they didn't celebrate in 1994. And it was not a work-free day until 2002. I
Bluetongue is not a new BlueRay! 2008-02-22 08:54:00 Yesterday's News ~~ History~~~~~~~~~~~~Today is the the actual birthday of George Washington, first president of the US and commander of the Continental Army that won the war of Independence. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~You may believe you know pretty much all there is to know about the American Revolution. Chances are you don't. We tend to examine the events of those times from a unified position and assume that was the case for those who were experiencing it themselves. A personal perspective often brings to light quite a different set of conclusions. Look at the "mini" revolutions that took place during that time in our history. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This day, 4 C.E. the death of Gaius Caesar, heir apparent to Caesar Augustus. The actual successor was his wife's son Tiberius. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thanks to World Hi
Oh John, what Have you Done? 2008-02-21 08:37:00 Yesterday's News ~~ HistoryMany of us think it would be a fun thing to go back to a certain favorite period of history. However, we seldom think about the downside of that proposition. Mostly we forget about the lack of medical knowledge available to our ancestors and that gets worse obviously as we regress in time. It turns out that one of our major explorers was probably bi-polar, at least that is what experts believe based upon the written record. Read a very interesting post about Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and his difficult life spent suffering from "melancholy."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Today's News ~~ The Way I See It~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you thought that this election would put a stop to all those horrific policies Bush and his band of evil fo
Obama Has Shown He Has the Stuff 2008-02-20 08:41:00 Yesterday's News ~~ HistoryGeorge Washington remains in the "news." Over at the American Revolution Blog, there is a fine article on slavery and our first prez. A nice link to another article and a good discussion of the issue can be found from the comments as well. Today is day 8 in the continuing festival of Parentalia. (sounds like it has something to do with parenting and genitalia to me) but it's about honoring and appeasing the dead. Also, apparently on this day, Trajan, emperor of Rome, was named Parthicus in honor of his victories over, yep you guessed it, Parthia in 116 C.E. Today's News ~~ The Way I See It =============Yesterday we reported that President Pervez Musharref and his party were soundly defeated in Pakistani elections. It appeared that there was a good chance that t Read more:Obama
New Countries and Old, The Dance Continues 2008-02-19 08:59:00 Yesterday's News ~~ HistoryGeorge Washington was an interesting fellow by all accounts. And he had a strong connection to Jesuit Catholics which surprised the heck out of me. It just goes to show how truly cosmopolitan the world was, even in his time. He had a book of tips written by Jesuits in the 16th century, and recopied all 110 tips by hand. I thought this one was most telling of the times:"Kill no vermin, as fleas, lice, ticks, etc.,in the sight of others. If you see any filth or thick spittle, put your foot dexterously upon it, if it be upon the clothes of your companions, put it off privately, and if it be upon your own clothes return thanks to him who puts it off."Furthermore on Washington, who hasn't heard about his famous "wooden teeth?" Well, of course, some of us have learne Read more:Countries
, Dance
Presidents, Wannabes and God 2008-02-18 09:07:00 History~~Yesterday's Old NewsAs you undoubtedly know, today is President's Day. Lincoln celebrated (well actually he's dead, so I doubt he did much celebrating)his birthday on February 12, and Washington is scheduled to do the same on February 22. Sign up for lessons on all our presidents at the American History blog. If a little history lesson about how President's Day came about is of interest to you, there are answers to be had at the US History Site Blog. I filched their picture today too!Also, Daily Kos links us to Joseph Cummin's book, "Anything for a Vote: Dirty Tricks, Cheap Shots, and October Surprises in U.S. Presidential Campaigns" and some rather funny slams aimed at a number of our past presidents during the campaign. Things today, in comparison are not so bad. Today, in 1967 Read more:Presidents
It's a good day to hide 2008-02-17 09:08:00 The History You May Have ForgottenThe American Revolution Blog lets us know of another good book to consider picking up. This one is by well-known historian Joyce Appleby and is called "Inheriting the Revolution." Check it out. The Way I See It*******************This story comes as welcome news to those who suffer from spinal cord injury. A bacterial enzyme has been developed, Cambridge scientists say that can help dismantle the scar tissue that hampers regeneration of nerve fibers. The treatment has not yet been used on humans but scientists remain hopeful at this stage of testing.*******************The Dallas Morning News has a most interesting story about espionage, money laundering, selling of secrets and other nefarious goings on, and guess what? It's in Washington, where else?Sibel E
Awww my life is worth less than Verizon? 2008-02-16 08:38:00 The History You ForgotAmerican forces landed on Corregidor in the Philippines near the end of WWII on this day in 1945.The Way I See It*******************The Agitprop returns with a post about torture and waterboarding. Good old Joe Lieberman has jumped onto the "it ain't torture" bandwagon, albeit "reluctantly." Another easy rule of thumb: it doesn't inflict permanent damage! Hurrah, Now we know its got two standards: less than 3 minutes of agony and no permanent damage. Join the Republicans Joe, you have ceased being one of us, ya know, a compassionate human being. I sure do miss it when Agitprop is away. I miss the vitriolic presentation!********************If memory serves, Yahoo rejected Microsoft's offer, but is now discussing an alliance with Murdoch and company. This is in part to Read more:Verizon
Middle East, Science, and Endless Politics 2008-02-15 09:18:00 Your Historical WorldYesterday, many of us enjoyed Valentine's day in all its traditional splendor. While I never thought about it, perhaps you have--what was Valentine's day like for our colonial ancestors? Did they give chocolates and cards? Well, no. In fact, they celebrated it more along the lines of the early Romans who of course weren't celebrating Valentine's day at all, but Lupercalia. Read about it at the American Revolution Blog. Aldus Manutius died this day in 1515. He set up a Greek press in Venice and successfully completed 33 first edition printings of Greek and Roman authors of antiquity.The Way I See It*******************It is hard for us in the West to understand how stoning could be a viable means of punishment in the world today. Indeed, sadly it remains so in Iran. Alth Read more:Science
, Endless
, Middle East
Hearts and Minds, Feminists and Misogynists 2008-02-14 08:55:00 History~~Ignore at your perilToday, Alexander Graham Bell applied for a patent for his new machine, the telephone. The year, 1876. There are actually 3 different St. Valentines and all of them were martyrs. That somehow doesn't seem particularly romantic.The Way I See It****************Many of us have read in the last few weeks of increasing bombing runs in Iraq by American forces. Given that the surge is touted as such a success, this has always been problematical to me. Why the need? While it is claimed to serve some purpose of killing the bad guys, this kind of overkill has made more enemies then perhaps were there in the first place. Read this article in Alternet, "Iraq: Bombing Creates New Enemies."*******************The IRS has opened an investigation into a California church that op Read more:Hearts
From Aphrodisiacs to Lips, we have it all 2008-02-13 08:53:00 Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and that leads to cupid and that leads to aphrodisiacs, which derives from Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty. Any way, if you are short on the gift side, consider what you might need to eat to set the mood. Oddly I made lentil soup yesterday and bean soup last week. Wonder what that has to do with it? Follow the link and see.THE WAY I SEE IT*******************Agitprop was as agitated as I was at Justice Scalia and his shredding of the "cruel and unusual clause" in his interview with the BBC. He also chose to lash out about Europe's criticism of our barbaric practice of execution of those we cannot handle in our society. As always Agit is a bit over the top, but the facts are the facts.*******************Steven Spielberg was hired as artistic advisor to t
Lots of Hatred to Go Around, Truth gets lost 2008-02-12 08:49:00 Morning folks and here we go!Historical Hints (For those who don't understand it happens again and again)Abraham Lincoln was born this day in 1809. Lincoln along with Jefferson is the author of so many quotes. Here are a few:If slavery is not wrong, then nothing is wrong. To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.Truth
is generally the best vindication against slander.Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all.Today is Lupercalia one of the most important festivals in the Roman ancient calendar. It has become so convoluted with Christianity that it is hard to figure out what part was Roman any more. It appears to have begun at the inception of the Roman state and continued until the 5th Century C.E. It is connected in some
The Usual Stories and a Bit More. 2008-02-11 08:35:00 Well, here we are at the beginning of a new week, one that promises both more snow and cold temperatures. So with that happy news, lets see what is going on in the world.Okay, you want to know what is with the steamboat? Today is the day that Robert Fulton went and got his patent on this the North River Steamboat also known as the Clermont. Fine, you remember Fulton from grade school. What's the big deal? Turns out there is a good deal more to the story and a man name Rumsey was involved and well, go and read the story, but more important, read the comment attached for the real story. Hint: you dear reader were the victim of pure lies.On this day in history, the Emperor Claudius' son Britannicus was born in 41 C.E. I cannot recall, but I believe he died under mysterious circumstances and h Read more:Stories
The Race, New Names, Strange Bedfellows 2008-02-10 09:22:00 It seems to be a quiet day in and around the political blogging world. Oh, you can find the usual vote counts for yesterday, and the usual punditry regarding those numbers. I had thought this election essentially over lets say after Iowa, and I've vacillated between elation and depression in mild forms as Obama or Clinton surged, leveled off and did it again. And you can look around today, and see varying claims of analysis and various calls to unite behind either Obama or Clinton, although clearly in the blog world, Obama holds sway. I'm just not going to try to over-analyse this one. Much depends as I see it on whether Obama can keep up this momentum and whether the March primaries which favor Clinton will turn the tide or be too late to matter.Almost everyone now sees this race going pa Read more:Names
, Strange
More of the Same 2008-02-09 08:21:00 I'm not sure its good to start with this post, but Agitprop continues to come forth with either very topical or very important information. This has been reported elsewhere yesterday, but is put in better context here. Read about the "secret military" and be scared. Now you may think that Agit has gone around the bend on this one, but check out what That's Going Too Far has to say about it.Notice that the White House doesn't talk much about "success" in Iraq any more. No more "the surge is working" either. That's mostly because, as most knew, any so-called success could only be measured in months. Nope, the White House "declared" success and and has just kind of moved on. And so have most candidates. However, the surge has not meant troop reductions and it never addressed the real reasons
Republicans are just Aliens 2008-02-08 08:37:00 The depressing war in Iraq continues and the news there, mostly unreported by the regular media continues to be, well, depressing. Services, such as food, garbage pick up, and epidemic continue to plague the war-ravaged nation. Read all the sad details today at Alternet. Those journalists who try to probe deeper are met with resistance. Onnesha Roychoudhuri reports on a newly published book by the late British journalist, James Cameron, which details through interviews the difficulties that journalists have had with this war in getting honest factual information. We get a good update on political affairs in Iraq from the Huffington Post and Max Bergman. And as we know, it's not very good.American Street linked to a rather humorous take on the CPAC meeting, going on now. Sadly, No! has an u Read more:Republicans
, Aliens
It's all about the Perception isn't it? 2008-02-07 08:43:00 Well, a twofer! I trotted over to Agitprop this morning, and he takes first place again. What I want to know, is damn Agitproppie, how do you really feel? You should not keep it all bottled up inside buddy, it can cause your brain to explode. Enjoy the rant.This is like the third article in three days about waste dumping in the Pacific. This is so disgusting it hardly requires comment. Afternet has an eye-opening report. If that one isn't enough, consider this offering again from Afternet. This comes on the heels of Bush's new budget which as we would assume, gives little to environmental issues.One of the things we learn as political junkie bloggers is that the media, even more so than we had thought, really does pick and choose what to report on, ending up favoring or disfavoring particu Read more:Perception
Oh Crap its going to go on 2008-02-06 08:47:00 Well, its over and of course it decided very little did it? McCain got a bit of a shocker from Huckabee and I get to enjoy bashing Huck a bit longer. Romney is well, done, but he isn't ready to concede yet. And the Dems are about where we thought they would be, no clear front runner. But Hillary staved off Obama which is a victory of sorts I guess. I guess I wonder why the Republicans bother. Are they really so deluded as to think they have any chance at all in November? Reaquaint yourself with reality at Agitprop and see what is really going on.On a completely different note, we note the passing of the Maharishi Yogi yesterday. Famous for meeting the Beatles and more importantly for introducing TM to the west, the Maharishi died peacefully in his sleep at home in the Netherlands at age 91
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