utilized semantically to justify whatever power wants to do--even torture, they can do. Even rape--the POTUS simply says he has "decided" not to follow that court order to release 2,000 photographs, including photographs of imaginative forms of rape. Here we are three years later, and Obama is doing all it takes today to be a hero of feminists: declare against rape. "Rape is rape," said the champion of human rights, in response to the Akin idiocy. Yeah, but not all rape should be prosecuted, right Mr. President? Why? Because

The most direct consequence of releasing [the photographs], I believe, would be to inflame anti-American public opinion and to put our troops in greater danger.

Please read this by Riley Waggaman (h/t Cass). I have been seething over this all afternoon.

President Obama went on to add, apparently with no sense of shame whatsoever, “I want to emphasize that these photos that were requested in this case are not particularly sensational.”

Some of these "less than sensational" photos were shot by a female soldier or contractor of another soldier in uniform raping, variously a woman and a boy. There are eye-witness accounts re-confirming what the photos already confirm. Less than sensational instances of rape by American soldiers. Is any one of those rapists seeking asylum in an embassy anywhere? Are there any photos or third-party eye witness accounts of the infinitely less brutal rape Assange is suspected of? I haven't heard any mention of "phosphorescent tubes", "wire", or "truncheons" in connection with the desperately sought Assange. Do I need to say it? I'm not. There's more but that's enough.

Sorry not to pick things up, and instead to take it down another notch. Working on a piece about it, but it just spewed out in here. The two are connected: LAWLESSNESS. The law has been thoroughly co-opted. Also, music (paired with commercials, the language of "be your own self", etc.). Also, politics, not to be insulting. Also sports. Also, somebody has to say it out loud, religion. The military, now there's a scary one. It is not co-opted. That's why Xe et al are preferred, because they are co-opted by definition: they're employees.

The law is shot, at least in the U.S. and internationally. Judiciary is teeting on the edge, judicial bureaucracy must be highly suspect, AG office tainted by the last decade at least, obscene prison gulag exerting profit-seeking influence. Law enforcement is always a problem even in good times. Roll it all up together in a sinking ball, and you've got "justice". I keep quoting Pinter's Nobel Lecture". He's talking about the U.S. here. Could be South Africa. He really does cover everything in that incredible oration.

The United States no longer bothers about low intensity conflict. It no longer sees any point in being reticent or even devious. It puts its cards on the table without fear or favour. It quite simply doesn't give a damn about the United Nations, international law or critical dissent, which it regards as impotent and irrelevant. It also has its own bleating little lamb tagging behind it on a lead, the pathetic and supine Great Britain.

What has happened to our moral sensibility? Did we ever have any? What do these words mean? Do they refer to a term very rarely employed these days - conscience? A conscience to do not only with our own acts but to do with our shared responsibility in the acts of others? Is all this dead? Look at Guantanamo Bay. Hundreds of people detained without charge for over three years [this was written 7 long years ago], with no legal representation or due process, technically detained forever. This totally illegitimate structure is maintained in defiance of the Geneva Convention. It is not only tolerated but hardly thought about by what's called the 'international community'. This criminal outrage is being committed by a country, which declares itself to be 'the leader of the free world'. Do we think about the inhabitants of Guantanamo Bay? What does the media say about them? They pop up occasionally - a small item on page six. They have been consigned to a no man's land from which indeed they may never return. At present many are on hunger strike, being force-fed, including British residents. No niceties in these force-feeding procedures. No sedative or anaesthetic. Just a tube stuck up your nose and into your throat. You vomit blood. This is torture. What has the British Foreign Secretary said about this? Nothing. What has the British Prime Minister said about this? Nothing. Why not? Because the United States has said: to criticise our conduct in Guantanamo Bay constitutes an unfriendly act. You're either with us or against us. So Blair shuts up.

I need a value pyramid: where does rape fall compared to institutionalized rape compared to putting a soldier's life at risk compared to inflaming public opinion compared to being in a large group while police shoot people in that group. I need a fucking value pyramid, but give me one that's easily changeable to keep up with the self-righteous principle of the day.

Ok, couple of points. SA is one freaked up country. The miner strike is so huge that it has to be covered, however, it's being covered in the business section of many SA papers. Sheesh. Second, there are allegations that the 34 miners shot by the police were shot from the back. This is a huge story. Finally, the judge in charge of this matter has ordered that the 270 miners be held for 7 days before their bail can be processed so that the State has time to work on and review the charges.

http://www.iol.co.za/business/companies/marikana-murder-charge-madness-m...