h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have a clipping from a few years back, in which a General from Gulf War 1 says that the reality of war must be kept from tne public, or they'll never allow another one!

The "legal age" to enlist in the US Forces is 17. Even though Clinton signed the Protocol on Child Soldiers (the distinction being that the US doesn't "force" 17 year-olds to enlist): http://www.goarmy.com/army101/twopaths.htm
http://www.un.int/usa/00cln0705a.htm

However, there are those determines souls, who will and do manage to circumvent the rules and get in. http://www.ksdk.com/printfullstory.aspx?storyid=60541

The UN "Children and Armed Conflict" site: http://www.un.org/special-rep/children-armed-conflict/English/index.html

Thanks Mudhooks.

Surely now with computerised records it would be much more difficult for underagers to join the army?

I think 17 is still pretty young for legal enlisting. What is the voting age in the US?

A determined person can circumvent computerized records to do just about anything.

Considering the number of cases of identity theft that go completely unsolved, even if they are even interested in solving them, for many years, it shouldn't be that hard for someone determined to pass themselves off as a few years older to get into the military.

The minimum voting age in the US is 18.

yep. You are right.

It's opression, selfishness and arrogance again.

Whoops, just realised I posted this on the wrong thread earlier this evening!


"UK release date set for Fahrenheit 9/11"

http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1241083,00.html

"Michael Moore's Palme d'Or winning movie Fahrenheit 9/11 has been set a UK release date of July 9, with preview screenings on July 4."


az

*and there was much rejoicing.*

Here comes the predictable backlash:

"American right vows to settle score as Bush's nemesis turns up the heat"

http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1248276,00.html



Also, this sounds *very* interesting:

"Moore to turn guns on US health system"

http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1248551,00.html



What a guy!

az

"Writing this week in Slate magazine, the writer Christopher Hitchens described Fahrenheit 9/11 as a 'sinister exercise in moral frivolity, crudely disguised as an exercise in seriousness'.

'To describe this film as dishonest and demagogic would almost be to promote those terms to the level of respectability ... it is a spectacle of abject political cowardice masking itself as a demonstration of dissenting bravery,' Hitchens said."

Do the sort of people who believe this own dictionaries?

That's a whole nother thread - What happened to Christopher Hitchins (who used to be firmly on the left)?

I live in Michigan and they are just now showing Farenheit 9/11
(27 June,04)
He is probably preaching to the choir.
For thirty years I have been saying that we need to ammend the
US Constitution to eliminate the electoral college, but nobody takes me seriously.

I found this interesting article about the impact of blogging on the women of Iran.

http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_2705.shtml

I started a blog for myself, by the way... http://mudhooks.blogspot.com/

"Moore film opens in a blaze of glory"

http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1249022,00.html

"Fahrenheit 9/11 exceeded all expectations this weekend, setting a new record opening for a documentary as it claimed top spot at the US box office."


I can't wait for it to open here.

az

I am surprised that no one has commented on this today.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3846293.stm

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aY2qspX4yt0E&refer=top_world_news

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11478-2004Jun28.html
"In the summit conference room, Bush glanced at his watch, exchanged knowing smiles with Blair, who was seated at his side, and then they shook hands as they sat around an oblong table listening to speeches"

and this: http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/06/28/supreme_040628
:The U.S. Supreme Court handed down mixed decisions Monday on the rights of people captured in the Bush administration's war on terrorism."

Ah,Christopher Hitchens... There was an article in the Listener last year, kea, in which he talked about his disdain for his former friends on the left, what saps they are etc etc...
Now, he's firmly on the right, so much so that his opinions are solidly predictable.

Cool blog, Mudhooks! I love the pendant...
As for the Iranian women, that's fascinating, long live their internet access!

Handover... right... Interesting! A guy on the radio here was rubbing his hands with glee about the anger the early handover would have created in terrorists - , why would it?
John Coward has created a stir by claiming that the Australians got advance warning, but we NZers didn't because we've been bad. Mmm.

I *finally* saw the film this afternoon!

I think it is excellent.

Kind of the film version of Dude, Where's My Country? Not going for so many laughs as Bowling, but really quite a roller-coaster ride. At times laughing, other times crying, other times feeling outraged and upset. Or just plain - I cannot believe this! (except, sadly, you do).

I've actually seen very little of Bush on camera until now. What I couldn't help but think was how *anyone* could ever believe a word coming out of this guy's mouth. He just looks so slimy. With those shifty, beady eyes. And he sounds so, well, stupid. I mean, just plain stupid! As I say, it was my first real experience of seeing him, um, perform.

And it brought to mind this link that Hoo posted on another thread the other day:

http://www.bushorchimp.com/




az

I did have something else to say but it's probably treasonable so best keep shtum.


Best Bits:
My Pet Goat.
The Candid Camera interviews with U.S soldiers in Iraq.
Let the Eagle Soar!
The Army Requitment Guys outside the mall (oh it makes a fellow proud to be a soldier!)

Well, the bit that made me almost fall out of my chair laughing was that song when Bush is on the ship with the soldiers for a party - don't give it away Clive - but as the lyrics started sinking in I was almost in hysterics.

Some of the interviews with the soldiers made my blood run cold and also made me want to give them *such a smack*. How can people be so stupid???

The Iraqui footage was very good - how did he get it?


az