The increasing erosion of our constitutions, civil rights and democracies as they are being gradually subjugated by Authoritarian Security Surveillance States. The bloating no-fly lists and terrorist watch-lists. The continuing inhumane and barbaric renditions, "enhanced interrogations" and indefinite detentions - of children, teenagers and adults alike. The continuing standing of Military Commissions, which are nothing more than politically-driven, rigged, kangaroo courts. The seemingly unending wars of choice and occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq - both based on lies to justify a vengeance operation for 9/11 and the securing of foreign oil resources. The ever mounting toll of civilian deaths, displaced refugees and soldier casualties.

This is the overall state of things today with regards to our so-called "Western civilization" - especially with regards to the U.S.A., the U.K. and Canada.

Alternate title: Afghanistan - What Was It For, Again?

Recent developments with regards to the Afghanistan quagmire illustrate the sheer inanity of this "mission" while at the same time exposing the so-called Global War on Terror(TM) for the duplicitous scam that it has been from the very beginning.

In essence, the core-reasons for going into Afghanistan are now being disavowed in order to embark on a political salvage operation of appearances - with the price continuing to be exacted with the lives of N.A.T.O. soldiers and Afghan civilians.

Near the end of the 1990s, many spoke of the "bridge to the 21st century" - the expression evoking images of greater enlightenment, of enhanced rationality, of increased wisdom, of greater maturity and responsibility, of widespread peace, prosperity and democracy ... of a brave, new and better world awaiting all of us just around the corner, if we would but take the first, resolute step to make its promises a reality.

Instead, we decided that it was too uncertain, too much effort or not quick enough in coming - consequently, we chose instead to retreat within our self-centered selves, rejecting knowledge and reason in favor of fear, ignorance, truthiness and superstition.

Welcome to our Semi-Dark Ages.

Here we are, on the eve of another commemorative anniversary of 9/11.

Six years later, what has changed since the day after this fateful and tragic morning?

President George W. Bush claims to have seen ghosts emerge from the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House, according to a new book on his presidency.

In a retold episode from 1992 in said book, Mr. Bush's father, George Bush Sr., was still president and George W. was visiting the White House. After exercising in a White House gym one evening, the younger G.W. Bush told a friend he froze in his steps while approaching the Lincoln Bedroom, insisting that "he saw ghosts - coming out of the wall".

Well, Mr. President G.W. Bush, thanks to your forthrightness, I now find myself obligated to confess that I see dead people too.

Case in point:

(Updated below) (Update II)

On July 31, 2007, I wrote an article titled "Operation Enduring Propaganda", concerning an unrelenting blitzkrieg-like, coordinated propaganda counter-strike to sell the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, while making the case for more war in the Middle-East (especially Iran), through it all playing on the fear and insecurity of Americans.

In a follow-up article of August 13, 2007, titled "On Why The Surge Must Appear To Be Successful", I further discussed Operation Enduring Propaganda with regards to Iraq and the surge, and how it has been keeping in full swing despite the rise of discordant voices rising louder and louder - voices largely ignored by the MSM, of course. This then begged the question: why must there be at least an appearance of success with regards to the surge in Iraq? And my short answer was: Iran. I also discussed at the time the up-coming Petraeus-Crocker report (before news came out that the White House would be actually writing it), as follows (emphases mine):

"Mushroom cloud as the smoking gun", anyone?

President Bush, not to be outdone, has one better: "The shadow of a nuclear holocaust".

In the first case, it was about Iraq, WMDs and regime change.

In the second case, this is about Iran, WMDs ... and regime change.

By now, we've gotten used to hearing voices from lobbyists and politicians for the need to make government less costly and more efficient by outsourcing its services through awarding contracts to the private sector. All for the good of free market competitiveness, thus ensuring better services at cheaper costs - right?

Among many of the dark, sad and tragic tales and lessons that the Iraq War keeps serving us, if not actually reminding us of, there is one which offers us a glimpse into the future of for-profit corporation-provided governmental services and for-profit corporation direct influence, if not control, over our lives.

This future is dystopic and inhuman - frighteningly enough, this is not science-fiction but reality ... today.

(Updated below)

I keep asking myself: why is there so many people who not only applaud, but actually crave, each and every step taken by our governments to increase their influence over our private lives, to increase their ability to spy, monitor, survey and control us?

And why is it those same people are the most fervent war hawks and supporters of absolute Authority?

We know well these people.

(Updated below)

Alternate title: More war with those wars, Mr. President?

Operation Enduring Propaganda still rolls on, slowly but surely raising tempers to a frenzy against Iran - exactly as in the case of Afghanistan and, of course Iraq. All things considered, an Iran War is no more a question of "if", but now a question of "when" - regardless of how much the Afghan and Iraq War have become quagmires.

Because all that truly matters here is waging more war - whether with troops or without them.

(Updated below)

Frank Smitha wrote it best: "We can know about gruesome instances in the past and remain specific in our animosities. Collective animosities are primitive. Collective guilt - ages old - is one of humanity's dumber ideas (...) Let us leave guilt with the fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers and not collectively. We need not forgive everybody. Let us be specific."

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, America had a choice: stay strong in its principles and resolve, or give into the pain, grief and blind desire for vengeance. In other words: walk the high road or tumble down the low road. Despite an unprecedented international outpouring of sympathy, compassion and support, America chose the latter.

(Updated below)

Pakistan has often been praised by the Bush administration, among others, for its role in the Global War on Terror(TM). President Bush even once proclaimed a broad and lasting strategic partnership with Pakistan to this effect.

Despite evidence to the contrary.

(Updated below)

No - the title is not a mistake, nor a typographical error of the term "No man's land". This is about real human beings who find themselves without a land to call their own for the sole crime of having been wrongly imprisoned at Gitmo.

As of this month of August, 2007, some 80 Guatanamo Bay detainees have been cleared of all charges with regards to terrorism, as well as having been definitely established as constituting no threat whatsoever to the security of the U.S.A.

Yet they remain Gitmo detainees.

(Updated below)

Operation Enduring Propaganda with regards to Iraq and the surge keeps in full swing, despite the rise of discordant voices rising louder and louder - voices largely ignored by the MSM, of course. This in turn begs the question: why must there be at least an appearance of success with regards to the surge in Iraq?

Short answer: Iran.

Considering the newly released information regarding the Arar affair, which intimately implicates CSIS and the RCMP, coupled with the recent history of the government of the U.S.A. in conducting illegal spying and monitoring activities, in addition to the recent gutting of FISA, this Canadian citizen asks the questions which no one is apparently asking, such as to what extent are we Canadians being illegally spied upon and monitored by the CIA, FBI and NSA, with the complicit consent of the RCMP, CSIS and the CSE - if not of our own government?