Obscenities

Worst obscenities in the english language: "exclusive gated community" "planned golf resort" "new shopping center--pad space available"

Read This Book! Really!

Readers may have noticed that Chaos rarely recommends books anymore. Somewhat depressingly, there are apparently few works being produced that significantly advance those mentioned in the Edge's bibliography, and anyway, Chaos is well aware that book reading is becoming more rare with each passing day. However (knew this was coming, didn't you?) Chaos has recently completed a surpassingly profound piece that begs to be read, for those wishing to understand the developments in globalization, the CIA's role in developing torture techniques, the war in Iraq, the 2004 tsunami, and other disasters. The book is The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein, and Chaos cannot recommend it more. If reading a book is too much, there is also a short film here, but Chaos cannot recommend it, since the simplification to film robs the relatively complex metaphor which forms the core of the book of most of its power.

To The People Of Costa Rica, Regarding CAFTA

Chaos is aware that your country has been struggling with a dilemma, specifically, whether or not to become the last signatory of the Central American "Free" Trade Agreement. Chaos, in vast admiration for the national character, values and good judgment of the people of Costa Rica, would nonetheless humbly offer the following advice:
Reject this agreement. There is no mystery as to its consequences, no matter how rosy the promises being made to you. The purpose of this agreement is to enrich the few at the expense of the many ("few" refers in this context to multinational corporations). Even better, for the price of a plane ticket or the few clicks of a mouse, you can see the future of your country under this odious treaty in the country of Mexico today. Ever wanted to be forced to leave your homeland and illegally cross the US border to find work? This agreement will ensure it. Care to give up your family farm and move to the city, there to reside in a vast shantytown, and eke out a living performing degrading labor in a sweatshop factory, or beg on the streets for subsistence? Vote yes on CAFTA. We have a saying in Estados Unidos de Tejas, where Chaos currently and temporarily resides: "you got to dance with what them that brung ya." Costa Rica, what brought you to this dance was your strong history of real democracy, your rejection of militaristic jingoism, your commitment to education, and your ecological awareness. Cede not your sovereignty in these things in exchange for false promises of economic benefit. Perhaps other parties to this agreement think they will gain economic development, but they are not you. Look around the world today and try to find examples of the shining promises of benefits to all that proponents of this scabrous document would have you swallow without question. Chaos begs you to read the scandalous history of free trade imposed on the Second and Third World, and recall the murderous behavior of the US multinationals (United Fruit, ITT, and many others) in Latin America. Proponents of this fraud are counting on you to forget the lessons of the past. Do not permit this. It is no accident that the US has made this a priority. Think well upon these things and do whatever it takes to resist.

Quote of the Day

Only after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned
Only after the last fish has been caught,
Only then will we realise that money cannot be eaten.
- Cree Indian saying

Next: an open letter to Costa Rica...

Regarding The Latest Gasoline Price Increase...

The Empire is the most wasteful nation on earth, without any doubt. Moreover, the people herein are the grasshoppers of the world...partying incessantly for the last 30 years of so, drunk on cheap energy, while the ants of the world (we mean in this context, Europe and other more sober nations) stored food for the winter. With the latest price increases, the people of the Empire are receiving exactly what they deserve, no more and no less, for their profligacy, as colder weather approaches. No sympathy will be given, and no attention will paid, to their whining and moaning. The economy, constructed of papier-mache and delusional thinking, has begun a swirling motion reminiscent of toilet water circling the bowl. Alas! No more bubbles exist to be blown to keep the illusion alive. What follows is pain, and all the worse since so very few actually understand what different directions a people not so obsessed with material gain and grandiose stories could have gone.

Oh, and here's a nice piece by Michael Klare on why gas prices won't be coming down again. Ever. In case you didn't want to just take Chaos' word for it...

New Oil Drum Video On Olduvai Gorge

For those who are new or not conversant with the oft-mentioned theory...try this