Sanitized For Your Protection

If you needed further evidence of how much of a bubble the residents of the Empire live, work, shop and play in, look no further than this piece appearing in the nation's paper of record. Purporting to discuss the issue of high governmental officials' involvement in the despicable practice of torturing suspects to obtain information (or, perhaps, just for the hell of it), the reporter cannot or has been forbidden to actually use the word "torture." So, what we have instead are the creative use of euphemisms: "brutal techniques," "harsh interrogation methods," "harsh treatment," "aggressive techniques," and finally, "abuse," this last coming from an actual person, Sen. Carl Levin, who should know better. Of course, this is not new, or novel, in any way; residents of the Empire do not wish to gaze upon the truth about themselves and their complicity in rape, murder, genocide, and torture in their Imperial adventures. Chaos could say a good deal more about how the words one uses defines their reality, limits their options for action, etc., but really, what would be the purpose? The most uncomfortable fact is that there exists in this benighted nation a large percentage of the population who approves of these barbaric practices, and why would anyone expect this to change?

Change You Can Believe In...Not

Periodic Special Torture Edition:

Item: President Obama preserves the right of the CIA to outsource torture, i.e., the euphemistic "extraordinary rendition," in which agents kidnap "suspected" terrorists, and transport them to countries who are willing and able to torture them at the US' behest. The mangling of the language to accomodate the conduct is notable:

"The role of the CIA's controversial prisoner-transfer program may expand, intelligence experts say." (emphasis Chaos')

Oh, and even better news: the US may "expand" the program. Nice. No, Chaos has no reason to change the belief that the US has become a rogue nation. For more, check out this one, an up close and personal look at the US military's torture school, which of course remains open (the writer of the piece calls for its closing: fat chance).

The Power and Glory of the Internet: Militarization of the Empire

Here's a nice opportunity to view the excellent documentary Why We Fight if, like Chaos, you didn't catch it at the premiere. Isn't the internet amazing? This is quite an interesting film, in particular the roots of the military-industrial complex and how it has in effect taken over much of the Empire, as well as the gullibility of some of the citizens featured. Will send a chill down your spine if you've not encountered some of these ideas before.