Leave the press alone

Bush may not like the growing criticism he faces, but it's warranted

First, the Patriot Act. I could go on about that for about a year. It sets the course towards making 1984 a reality at best, and setting the ship on a full throttle course towards facism at worst.

Second, the attempted (and successful) overthrow of enemy governments for purposes of well....just cause he doesn't like the leader(s). Even in the face of the aforementioned criticism, it appeared he was angling towards expanding the "war on terror" to Iran or Syria. You know cause they are hotbeds of terrorist activity. Just like Iraq was in the Saddam regime.

Thirdly, the still (and probably always) uninvestigated Downing St. memo's. He had a very good idea the intellegence was exagerrated. You'll never convince me otherwise.

Now, there's the allegations that Bush wanted to (and may have) targeted a media outlet for bombings.

There are a lot of problems with this scenario if it's true. First it stomps all over the first amendment. I don't care if the media outlet was in another country or a war zone. Our smart bombs are smart enough to avoid entire buildings when they are readily identified as being television stations. Secondly, that's a terrorist act isn'it it? Targeting civilians.

Hypocrisy?

Sadly, there are still those who refuse to see the reasons behind the anger with the current administration at home or abroad.

Maybe Terrorism needs a Spin Doctor?

Well, it's finally starting to happen. People in parts of the Middle East are tired of being randomly blown up. I wish I could hug the people of Jordan for standing up and saying what everyone else wanted to but didn't want to be singled out as "wicked lapdogs of the infidels" by the fundamentalists.

People in Jordan massed to a crowd of approx. 100,000 and held a rally. Not surprising. They had just been subjected to a terrorist attack that killed 59 people. 30 of them were at a wedding of a Palestinian and Jordanian couple.....All Muslims. The difference is that the people of Jordan actually were blaming the bombers for the dead. They didn't fabricate ways to blame Israel (for being Jewish and oppressors of Palestinians), or America (for being in Iraq, and of course for the quality of life Americans enjoy), or Christians (for being...Well, not Muslims). They chanted "Al-Zarqawi, you coward,'' and carried banners that read, ''Al-Zarqawi, you are the enemy of God.''

The same rhetoric terrorists use to whip their supporters into thoughtless, western world hating, gonna show them by blowing myself up at a bus stop thus ending my chance at ever making a real difference frenzies. Interesting.

Then if that weren't refreshing enough (to see logic and reason taking a more prominent hold where mysticism seems the prevalent thought pattern), then came the tapes. The terrorists trying to justify their actions and statements that actually sounded apologetic. I swear this must be "opposites day" or something.

Here's the thing. You can be pissed at Bush and his administration for Iraq. I get it. I don't think that "war" should have ever happened either. I want Bush to own up to his lies of WMD and pay for his dishonesty as much as the next guy, but if you keep killing Muslim innocents (and even foreign innocents), eventually your rhetoric won't help you justify your actions. While I hate that it happens, I understand when you attack coalition military forces. You view them as an occupying force. America helped Afghans (and others) fight occupation when it was against a common enemy. Don't think that Americans with the capacity for reason don't see the hypocrisy.

With that said, enough with the civilian attacks already. People, no matter how loyal or galvanized for a cause, can stand only so much. Case in point "Contributors to militant Web forums -- who generally lionize al-Zarqawi and praise his attacks -- criticized the bombings." With the situation getting no better for the average Arab, your promises of ousting the wicked, unholy, and Zionists from the holy land start to sound more and more like lies. You will probably see more people start to embrace a Western way of life with it's freedoms and security. Your basically taking a shit where you eat. That's not real smart.

Work Work Work

Note: This is a rare personal post. I may be turning into a selfish bastard!

I am currently employed by a large bank. I don't have anything to do with the actual money. People all around me help the bank to make a load of money, and then I crunch numbers, and analyze data, and report those figures up the chain. I hate reporting. Always have. Always will. I'm someone who likes to do get actual work done. While analyzing past performance is absolutely valid and is a useful tool, it's just not my gig.

Therin lies the rub. I took over a couple of reporting processes when I started a new position within my company. Because I do these tasks fast, error free (99.9999% of the time) and create processes to do them as automatically as possible, I get all the reporting. FRUSTRATING. I even mentioned to my supervisor that I would do them if asked, but it's the one task I cannot stand.

Now I feel as if I'm being overlooked for other projects that I would not only be excited and motivated for, but projects that actually fit my skillset better. I'm analytical but not a number cruncher. I'm more technical and technology-based. Of course, I have no time to display those talents as I've been labled "the report guru". Fucking yuck.

So now comes the dilemma I deal with (internally) everyday. Do I move on to another company where they would hopefully remember why they hired me in the first place (hint: resume showed strong technical knowledge and background), and lose some very beneficial perks (stock options, excellent 401K, etc,)? Or do I stick it out in this position hoping the situation changes or a new opportunity presents itself within the same company?

I'm not looking for advice, I just needed to write it all down. No one's reading this anyway!