U.S. Faces Complex Insurgency in Iraq
Topic: war in Iraq
By JIM KRANE, Associated Press Writer
October 4, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. military is fighting the most complex guerrilla war in its history, with 140,000 American soldiers trained for conventional warfare flailing against a thicket of insurgent groups with competing aims and no supreme leader.

The three dozen or so guerrilla bands agree on little beyond forcing the Americans out of Iraq.

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Living Systems in Evolution
Topic: Evolution
by Elisabet Sahtouris

By lifting a few constraints upon our Western scientific world-view, we can expand it to include the larger cosmo-vision traditionally relegated to religions... Scientists, who have taken over from priesthoods to tell us `how things are' are urged to recognize the one alive, intelligent universe in which spirit and matter are not separable and in which creation is continuous. Religious leaders are urged to recognize the importance of the uniqueness in each religion's story, as well as in that of science, and the fundamental unity of All That Is. Only true communion with each other can lead us to a common understanding that we are co-creators at the leading edge of evolution, and to a common ethic that will bring renewed health to our species and others.

As an evolution biologist, my work and passion are looking at the evolving patterns of biological living systems in order to make sense of our present human affairs in a broad evolutionary context.

more here.

Clear Thinking and Muddled Thinking
Topic: Philosophy
Jamie Whyte describes himself as "Outraged of Highbury" - someone who endlessly sends furious letters to newspapers complaining about sloppy thinking, logical errors, fallacies and muddles. He does the same at parties - and even on trains. Fortunately he's a professional philosopher or he might have attracted the attention of the authorities long ago. Liz Else and Alun Anderson asked what gets him steamed up and what errors they could commit that would make him explode.

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Brian Wilson completes Smile album after nearly fourty years!
Topic: music
The end result is a great album, albeit one more lighthearted than its myth would suggest. The music I hear is like round pegs in square holes; it's just as insular and manic-compassionate as "In My Room" or "God Only Knows", but filtered through an amiable resolve. It sounds pleasant and assured, lacking the vulnerable, shy wave of hope drenching the old Beach Boys records. Yet, Wilson's voice sounds great. It's a bit lower, and his inflections have lost some subtlety over the years, but it still carries the weight of those angelic melodies (and when it can't, his band helps him out).

Pitchfork Media review here.

Man Says Mind Control Made Him Send Threatening Envelopes
Topic: Mind Control
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. -- A man accused of sending envelopes full of white powder to more than two dozen Broward County cities said mind control made him do it.

more here.

Ayatolla Assa-holla
Topic: the Simpsons

Marge and Homer go through old things in the attic in preparation for the big sale.

Marge: Can we get rid of this Ayatollah T-shirt [it says: "Ayatolla Assaholla"]? Khomeini died years ago.

Homer: But, Marge! It works on any Ayatollah: Ayatollah Nakhbadeh, Ayatollah Zahedi... even as we speak, Ayatollah Razmada and his cadre of fanatics are consolidating their power.

from The Simpsons, "Two Bad Neighbors" (3F09)
airdate: 14-Jan-96

more here.

Bush Reverses Himself When Debate Played Backwards
Topic: presidential election
2004-10-04 - Wireless Flash Weird News

VANCOUVER, B.C. (Wireless Flash) -- George W. Bush may want to come across as a steadfast leader but he reverses himself when his speeches are played backwards.

That's the straightforward findings from Vancouver-based reverse speech researcher Jon Kelly, who says that when tapes of last week's debate are reversed, "Dubya" says some shocking things...

[more here]

Apparently, rock records aren't the only thing that contains backwords messages!

Find out more about this crackpot idea here]

On Baghdad Streets, Loyalty to Rebel Cleric Is Still Fierce
Topic: war in Iraq

By EDWARD WONG
The New York Times
Published: October 4, 2004

"If the Americans didn't try entering Sadr City with their tanks, I can guarantee you not a single bullet would be fired," Muhammad said over a lunch of lamb kebab, a framed portrait of Mr. Sadr on the wall behind him. "Everyone here is part of the resistance."

[more here]

The Trickster & the Paranormal
Topic: esoterica
I have just read a book that I think just might be a must read for anyone who takes part in `matters esoteric' in any form or to any degree...

The book is The Trickster And The Paranormal by George P. Hansen. Hansen spent 8 years working in two different parapsychology laboratories and has done many years of research.

more here]

Bush Debate Notes
Topic: presidential election
For someone who I've long suspected is illiterate, Bush seemed to be furiously taking notes yesterday. At times, the scribbling was so loud you could hear it over Kerry. Thanks to an undercover operative, The Talent Show is now able to present the notes that Bush took during last night's debate. With this peek behind the scenes, we hope to provide a candid look at the commander in chief. here.