Shared Thoughts of 4 Former English Students

The Irony.

Here is a recent ABC news article from their website: "How Effective is the Al Qaeda Propaganda Machine." Hmmmm. (http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=1526614)

I think the better question is, "How effective is the United States Media Propaganda Machine."

This is what has gotten me to thinkin'. You would think that such a huge event as Osama Bin Laden releasing a new statement -- would be broadcast all over all the news sites. As short as it is -- you would think they would read it on air and post it all over. But no. That's not the case. I had to go to BBC.co.uk to access it.

And you know what. He offers a truce. Not that I agree with violence on either side -- they could both learn a few things from Gandhi -- but when does he quite being a terroist and a recognized nation to deal with? When he stops sending threats -- done.

I think that the world is full of children that don't want to share their toys -- so they scream until the other relents -- or punch them -- in hopes that they will win out for what is best for them. Al Qaeda may not be a nation in terms of borders -- but they are definitely a nation of people.

He is not wildly threatening. He is being quite rational I think: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4628932.stm

And I'm a Republican.

CD

thanks, brother and sisters for the luscious reading niblets you have offered over the past few months while i have been . . . oh so busy you wouldn't believe it. sitting at home alone is quite a demanding exercise, i can testify. what are we supposed to write in this thing again? stuff about our lives? about politics? about how many years of purgatory i've added on since my last confession on these sacred pages? . . . well, it's damn good to be around again. hope it stays that way. it's kind of hard to add a new habit when i've got so many old ones i'm committed too, like cigarette breaks and drinking at 5 p.m.

but ho, here's my wisdom for the day: i am everything. should i be thinking of that michael jackson song Black/White or something like that right now? if only i'd listened to him, i wouldn't have to learn it for myself . . .

you'll see me again soon, peaceniks, bl

You know, I almost forgot about resolutions this year. Well, I actually did cause I didn't think of them until after New Years. Oh well. I go back and forth on the beauty of the tradition. Overall I think it is great to constantly reinvent ourselves and offer up challenges to make ourselves better somehow. That said, I don't currently have a resolution.

I have been terrible at writing on this I know, but I will do better. Oh look I just made a resolution! Did I just jinx it then?!

New York City is cold, but fun. I rang in the New Year on the Brooklyn Bridge. Longfellow got a drunken dial at midnight. Sorry I didn't make it to you Carla or Tom. I promise to drunk-dial (or just dial) sometime!

Right now I am trying to get over a cold. I broke down and took some medication - a nighttime cold and flu pill. So why am I still awake?! I think I may try to lay my head on my pillow now. Maybe that will help get this sleep process going. Maybe I shouldn't have bought the generic kind...hmmmm....

sc :)

ps - what books are you all reading currently?