So recently, I've heard a whole bunch of people ask the question, Should Bush and Rumsfeld be tried for war crimes?
Lets clear this up a little, there is no Should...it's WILL they be tried for war crimes. According to UN Special Rapporeur on Torture Manfred Nowak, " both former President George W. Bush and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld could be brought to trial. Nowak told the German broadcaster ZDF, "the United States U.S.) has a clear obligation" to prosecute Rumsfeld and Bush for ordering interrogation methods at Guantanamo that contravened a UN convention on torture. Nowak said there were publicly available documents "that prove that these methods of interrogation were intentionally ordered by Rumsfeld."
Bush was warned on January 28, 2003, by Lawyers Against the War that he and senior government officials could be prosecuted for war crimes if military tactics violated international humanitarian law. Their letter to Bush said that although Washington was not a party to the International Criminal Court, U.S.officials could still be prosecuted under the Geneva Convention
And lets not forget those amazing photographs from Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. So now that its been indefinitely proven that in fact we did torture prisoners at Gitmo....Want more proof, Click me.
What do we do now? Should we go after Rumsfeld, and Bush? Nowak states that we as a nation have a clear obligation to do so. I guess, the reason there has been no real action on this front is because President Obama's first prority is the economy. I dont understand however why he is so adament about getting bipartisan support on his stimulus plan. He doesn't need it, the plan is going to pass and its virtually impossible to get republicans to see past tax cuts. I agree, that tax cuts will bring more immediate results however we aren't looking for a quick fix, we need a long term plan.
Ok enough of that.
I think after we relax the economic situation we must reprimand the people responsible for the torture. I say this because as an American citizen I feel like I've been cheated. I feel guilty and disgusted with myself. I condemned this type of behavior toward another human being because I was so caught up in the fervor post 9/11. You know the Bush Administration did a great job making a clear line, the US is Good and those people, the Muslims, are Evil.
It was so clear to see.
But now, after pulling my head out of the water (8 years later) the line is not so clear. How can we call ourselves "Good" if we did the same things the so called "Evil" people did.
Doesn't all this sound like the story of a poor, uneducated Pakistani boy? Lets say some terrorist blew up his home and killed many of his friends. He was vulnerable. He then was brainwashed into doing some terrible things. Isn't that the story of Americans post 9/11.
Our fellow citizens were killed by some terrorist. We as a nation were then brainwashed into indirectly doing some terrible things.
What do we have to show for it ? No WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and no Osama Bin Laden.
We killed thousands of innocent people in search for one man? We are in a war that is exhausting our spirits, economy and above all killing more of our own in search for what? One man?
above all, we forsaked the very virtues of our nation. Freedom. We took away the freedom of citizens. We threw innocent people into prison and tortured them. Here is the thing people, yes, you didn't do anything personally. There is no blood on your hands. directly. But we all as a nation, sat back and looked the other way as this was happening. We are responsible for the torture of innocent people. The blood is on our hands.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Happily ever after...OR NOT
Do you think life is a book? or a movie? You know, that life is following the same sequence as a novel or screen play would. Life imitating art perhaps?
A lot people I've noticed make references to their respective lives being like sitcoms or novels. I myself feel as though my life is a Lifetime film. For those of you who aren't familiar to Lifetime its called "television for women," need I say more?
I wonder why people do this? Why do we want our lives to be movies or novels? I guess if my life was actually a Lifetime film it would hold some significance. Thousands of women between the age's of 27 to 35 would tune in on 9pm on a Saturday night to watch what happened to Aditi Sharma. I guess in a way I'd be a role model, no?
The reason we do this (I believe) is because most movies and books have happy endings. No matter how shitty shit gets everything will come together and we will in fact live happily ever after...fade to white..roll credits.
Imagine, if there was no promise for a happy ending? Why would you continue to live? One day somebody came up to you and said you are going to die alone in your one bedroom apartment. Nobody will know for days, until your neighbors smell something peculiar. They'll find you a week later almost half eaten by your cats.
Why would you go on?
But here is the absolutely horrifying thing...there is no promise for a happy ending. There isn't, nobody told us that we would happy ending..I mean movies did and so did novels but those are not the ruling authority...
So yes some might argue that most novels and films are inspired by true events...but that doesn't mean that the hundreds of billions of people that inhabit the planet will live happily ever after.
Sad Shock. ouch.
A lot people I've noticed make references to their respective lives being like sitcoms or novels. I myself feel as though my life is a Lifetime film. For those of you who aren't familiar to Lifetime its called "television for women," need I say more?
I wonder why people do this? Why do we want our lives to be movies or novels? I guess if my life was actually a Lifetime film it would hold some significance. Thousands of women between the age's of 27 to 35 would tune in on 9pm on a Saturday night to watch what happened to Aditi Sharma. I guess in a way I'd be a role model, no?
The reason we do this (I believe) is because most movies and books have happy endings. No matter how shitty shit gets everything will come together and we will in fact live happily ever after...fade to white..roll credits.
Imagine, if there was no promise for a happy ending? Why would you continue to live? One day somebody came up to you and said you are going to die alone in your one bedroom apartment. Nobody will know for days, until your neighbors smell something peculiar. They'll find you a week later almost half eaten by your cats.
Why would you go on?
But here is the absolutely horrifying thing...there is no promise for a happy ending. There isn't, nobody told us that we would happy ending..I mean movies did and so did novels but those are not the ruling authority...
So yes some might argue that most novels and films are inspired by true events...but that doesn't mean that the hundreds of billions of people that inhabit the planet will live happily ever after.
Sad Shock. ouch.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Blow them up!
I was reading NY times today, I know, I am so absolutely cultured reading the times. In fact, I just recently started up a subscription because I don't want the newspaper industry to be done. I respect the history behind the paper business. So rise up America and start buying the paper!
Well, I read an article entitled, " UN Building in Gaza Strip is hit by strike from Israel." The sad part about purchasing the paper is that I could find this article free online and I paid for it.
But whatever it takes NY Times!
Anyway here is an excerpt,
"Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel expressed regret for the strike but said that Israeli forces were fired on by Hamas militants from just outside the United Nations compound and then ran inside to take cover, according to Mr. Olmert’s spokesman, Mark Regev. “It is absolutely true that we were attacked from that place,” Mr. Olmert said in broadcast remarks, according to Reuters."
OK . So they fired on you by foot, correct? Like they were standing outside? And then they ran inside (this is the part that Olmert does not confirm. He simply says that Israeli forces were fired on by Hamas militants outside the UN building).
OK. So your rational response, bomb the whole building? Interesting. I mean, who cares for the hundreds of Palestinians taking refuge in the building and then those who work there and have nothing to do with this conflict. Who cares. Like six Hamas foot soldiers maybe ran inside so we bomb the whole building. Smart. Effective?
This conflict sounds all too familiar???? Perhaps the US debacle in Mid-East. Remember how the rest of the world is shitting on us about that? Remember how American citizens are outraged themselves...this war of attrition.
Should you be trying to kill Hamas foot soldiers OR here is a thought, why not FIND the leaders who are training these soldiers???
I don't think killing innocent Palestinians is really going to solve anything. You think your situation is going to be fixed by killing more people? I mean even Bin Laden is involved (he has turned into the Rev Al Sharpton on all things Muslim). He is urging Muslims in Gaza to rise up against you. Do you really want more Muslims rising up? More suicide bombers? I mean, they have proved that they can do that well. Do we really need more of that?
Well, I read an article entitled, " UN Building in Gaza Strip is hit by strike from Israel." The sad part about purchasing the paper is that I could find this article free online and I paid for it.
But whatever it takes NY Times!
Anyway here is an excerpt,
"Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel expressed regret for the strike but said that Israeli forces were fired on by Hamas militants from just outside the United Nations compound and then ran inside to take cover, according to Mr. Olmert’s spokesman, Mark Regev. “It is absolutely true that we were attacked from that place,” Mr. Olmert said in broadcast remarks, according to Reuters."
OK . So they fired on you by foot, correct? Like they were standing outside? And then they ran inside (this is the part that Olmert does not confirm. He simply says that Israeli forces were fired on by Hamas militants outside the UN building).
OK. So your rational response, bomb the whole building? Interesting. I mean, who cares for the hundreds of Palestinians taking refuge in the building and then those who work there and have nothing to do with this conflict. Who cares. Like six Hamas foot soldiers maybe ran inside so we bomb the whole building. Smart. Effective?
This conflict sounds all too familiar???? Perhaps the US debacle in Mid-East. Remember how the rest of the world is shitting on us about that? Remember how American citizens are outraged themselves...this war of attrition.
Should you be trying to kill Hamas foot soldiers OR here is a thought, why not FIND the leaders who are training these soldiers???
I don't think killing innocent Palestinians is really going to solve anything. You think your situation is going to be fixed by killing more people? I mean even Bin Laden is involved (he has turned into the Rev Al Sharpton on all things Muslim). He is urging Muslims in Gaza to rise up against you. Do you really want more Muslims rising up? More suicide bombers? I mean, they have proved that they can do that well. Do we really need more of that?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Anonymous Comments and Emotional Support?
Why do people feel the need to comment? You know, comment on blogs, youtube videos, imeem playlists, stuff like that. Where the comment is anonymous, nobody knows who these people are, they are hiding behind a made up user name. I don't understand it and I am trying to. Currently I am listening to "I hate this Part" by the Pussycat Dolls, now I am not a big fan of this group because I think they parade around naked and are horrible role models for the millions of little girls who look up to them. THIS song however is very good, surprise.
I am listening on imeem and I scrolled down to see the pages and pages of anonymous comments.
1:05am
just thinkin about that part of a relationship makes me sad 
Jan 7th, 9:18am
I love this song... It really help you break up with someone when you know the relationship is already over... It actually makes me cry
The thing is, that despite this being a public forum people feel the need to post comments. These are a few general ones, some of them get very personal. I read a comment the other day where a young man vented his frustrations about his on and off girlfriend. Why do people do that? These are complete strangers why are you telling them your deepest secrets? They don't know you or your situation?
I think its because people have an unrelenting desire to be connected with each other, to feel a part of something. I mean, it makes sense, rememeber when AOL started and those chatrooms were so popular? Chatrooms are essentially the same thing, strangers talking about serious issues. I use to sneak on into chatrooms ( I say sneak becaue I wasn't allowed to be on AOL at the time). I remember how some people were on to find somebody to cyber sex with (something I'll never understand) and others were discussing some serious matters. I once advised a woman about how to cope with her son's drug problem. Granted, I shouldn't have because I am no way qualified to advise anyone. But I did. It wasn't really advice, it was me just listening to her or rather, reading.
The internet has made it possible for people to be connected to each other in ways that were originally unimaginable. I know everyone argues that, the internet/technology is destroying the youth of American, making them socially inept. One can argue that perhaps we are creating a batch of more sensitive individuals?
I'll take you back to the story of the young man taking about his girlfriend. After he left his initial comment over six hundred people commented, they were offering him kind words. Telling him to not deal with her drama and that he is too good for her. Stuff like that, all very supportive. I was suprised. I had expected at least a few mean and stupid comments. But no, not one.
I know the internet is dangerous and that children should be monitored while on it, but maybe just maybe, technology is not as big of a menance as we are making it out to be.
People open up more while on AIM and in chatrooms because they aren't being judged like they would be in person or over the phone. Maybe this is a good thing?
The thing is, that despite this being a public forum people feel the need to post comments. These are a few general ones, some of them get very personal. I read a comment the other day where a young man vented his frustrations about his on and off girlfriend. Why do people do that? These are complete strangers why are you telling them your deepest secrets? They don't know you or your situation?
I think its because people have an unrelenting desire to be connected with each other, to feel a part of something. I mean, it makes sense, rememeber when AOL started and those chatrooms were so popular? Chatrooms are essentially the same thing, strangers talking about serious issues. I use to sneak on into chatrooms ( I say sneak becaue I wasn't allowed to be on AOL at the time). I remember how some people were on to find somebody to cyber sex with (something I'll never understand) and others were discussing some serious matters. I once advised a woman about how to cope with her son's drug problem. Granted, I shouldn't have because I am no way qualified to advise anyone. But I did. It wasn't really advice, it was me just listening to her or rather, reading.
The internet has made it possible for people to be connected to each other in ways that were originally unimaginable. I know everyone argues that, the internet/technology is destroying the youth of American, making them socially inept. One can argue that perhaps we are creating a batch of more sensitive individuals?
I'll take you back to the story of the young man taking about his girlfriend. After he left his initial comment over six hundred people commented, they were offering him kind words. Telling him to not deal with her drama and that he is too good for her. Stuff like that, all very supportive. I was suprised. I had expected at least a few mean and stupid comments. But no, not one.
I know the internet is dangerous and that children should be monitored while on it, but maybe just maybe, technology is not as big of a menance as we are making it out to be.
People open up more while on AIM and in chatrooms because they aren't being judged like they would be in person or over the phone. Maybe this is a good thing?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Skinny Girls
I am screen testing in two weeks, to be a small time host on a small time show. The show covers local news, I'd be do
ing the food & dining portion of the show, meaning, covering local fun eateries. Exciting? WRONG. Absolutely mortifying. I looked to see the current host of the show and saw the skinniest girl. She was so thin and she was talking about food, its like an oxymoron!
I am a strong, intelligent and capable woman. This kind of thing does not intimidate me! I've already battled with my looks, I am comfortable in my own skin. NOPE all lies. Turns out I am a insecure 13 yr pre-pubescent girl.
Now, I am obsessed I NEED TO BE THINNER. I say thinner because I am already freakin skinny as hell. I stand 5''3 and 110 pounds, that's pretty skinny. I wear a size 1-3 and sometimes a 0. I am skinny. Here is the thing though, there is no longer any line. Before, there was a clear cut line, fat/skinny. It was easy to see but now there is no line. I am skinny but compared to the lady on my left, I am a fat ass.
Where is the line? Oh my God look at her arms. I know this picture is absolutely disgusting but a a part of me wishes I had those arms.
geez
On another note, I had a very interesting conversation with somebody today. A friend of mine, well not really a friend but a friend of a friend. I was talking to him today and he said, "Aditi don't worry so much about money. Start doing what you really want and the money will just come."
I am not going to take this advice. Instead I am reveling in it. You know when somebody says something so great that it revs you up? Like, it was something that I needed to hear. Here was this guy almost a complete stranger telling me that I would be successful. All I have done for the past 3 yrs of my life is doubt myself and my abilities. All everybody around me has done is either create the doubt or encourage the doubting. Not because they don't want the best for me but because they are just as scared as I am of failing. But this stranger who knows of me, knows of my work told me that I would be successful.
I know, I am crazy, I think too much but I can't help it. What he said was so necessary, it was exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the appropriate time. I am not taking the advice because I am scared as hell of failing but I might not criticize myself so heavily now.
ing the food & dining portion of the show, meaning, covering local fun eateries. Exciting? WRONG. Absolutely mortifying. I looked to see the current host of the show and saw the skinniest girl. She was so thin and she was talking about food, its like an oxymoron!I am a strong, intelligent and capable woman. This kind of thing does not intimidate me! I've already battled with my looks, I am comfortable in my own skin. NOPE all lies. Turns out I am a insecure 13 yr pre-pubescent girl.
Now, I am obsessed I NEED TO BE THINNER. I say thinner because I am already freakin skinny as hell. I stand 5''3 and 110 pounds, that's pretty skinny. I wear a size 1-3 and sometimes a 0. I am skinny. Here is the thing though, there is no longer any line. Before, there was a clear cut line, fat/skinny. It was easy to see but now there is no line. I am skinny but compared to the lady on my left, I am a fat ass.
Where is the line? Oh my God look at her arms. I know this picture is absolutely disgusting but a a part of me wishes I had those arms.
geez
On another note, I had a very interesting conversation with somebody today. A friend of mine, well not really a friend but a friend of a friend. I was talking to him today and he said, "Aditi don't worry so much about money. Start doing what you really want and the money will just come."
I am not going to take this advice. Instead I am reveling in it. You know when somebody says something so great that it revs you up? Like, it was something that I needed to hear. Here was this guy almost a complete stranger telling me that I would be successful. All I have done for the past 3 yrs of my life is doubt myself and my abilities. All everybody around me has done is either create the doubt or encourage the doubting. Not because they don't want the best for me but because they are just as scared as I am of failing. But this stranger who knows of me, knows of my work told me that I would be successful.
I know, I am crazy, I think too much but I can't help it. What he said was so necessary, it was exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the appropriate time. I am not taking the advice because I am scared as hell of failing but I might not criticize myself so heavily now.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Happiness/Destruction of New Year's Joy
What is it about happiness? We chase it and yet when we have it we doubt its real existence. At least, I do. When I have it I don't believe in it, I am thinking it has an ulterior motive. So I question it, I yell, scream, fuss and degrade it until it leaves me and then I snap my finger and exclaim, "I knew it!, I knew you'd leave!"
hilarious.
It's so hard to just accept that we are happy.
I was very excited to ring in the New Year. 2008 had been a bit of a drag. I think in 2008 I worked off all my AWFUL Karma. You know what was the biggest downer? Israel's attack on Gaza. I mean, I remember I was getting ready to go out, I was doing my hair and I flipped on the T.V to hear some MTV music video's. I really like that song, "American Boy" by Estelle and Kanye. So I was flipping and BAM there it was "BREAKING NEWS." So off course I had to watch. I turned off my straightener and I sat down.
So I know Palestine and Israel have beef, this isn't new. I was just very surprised at the way Israel handled the situation. WHAT ticks me off even more is how American politician's are afraid to say anything negative about Israel. Like we've sworn an undying oath to them, seriously? This is bad. I agree Hamas's attacks were awful....but were they unwarranted?
So this ruined my New Year's and probably President Elect Barack Obama
Monday, January 5, 2009
Maude and Tyler
This is the story of a girl named, Maude. I know what you are thinking. What kind of name is Maude? Who would name a child that? Well, that not her real name. I name her Maude for two reasons, 1. to protect her identity and 2. Maude was the name of a very popular 70's sitcom. In which the main character Maude got into very controversial situations. The show won a number of Golden Globes.
The Maude in this story is a lot like the Maude of the 70's is very outspoken and strong willed. Does this paint a good enough picture?
Maude, who is a twenty five year old successful Public Relations professional meets a young gentleman named Tyler (there is no real relevance of the name Tyler, I just like it). Tyler is twenty eight and is a NYPD guy. At first, he seems boring and Maude is very uninterested. She forces herself to go out on a few dates with him because she is twenty five and has not been out on a date in three years. OK, I assure you there is nothing wrong with Maude she just decided one day that she was done chasing boys and was going to focus on her life. When she met Tyler at a dive bar her friends pushed her to give him her number.
Maude goes on a date with Tyler. She goes on one date, two dates, three dates, sleeps with him, four dates, five dates, sleeps with again and finally they are in a full blow relationship.
Two years later Maude is moved in with Tyler.
Finally, on Maude and Tyler's three year anniversary, Tyler does the unthinkable, he proposes to Maude. The whole set up was rather romantic ( I add as an innocent bystander) he took her out to his favorite restaurant. He had asked her parents to be seated three tables behind them. The waiter brought her a glass of champagne (he could not afford the whole bottle because it was $250.00 and Tyler works on NYPD salary). Doesn't matter! He brought her a glass of champagne and at the bottom was her ring. She drank the champagne rather slowly. Finally, she gets to the bottom and has a putrid look on her face when she see's the ring (not what anyone had expected). Tyler kneels down next to her and she see's her parents get up and she realizes that she has been ambushed. Tyler says, "Maude, I love you, please make me the luckiest guy in the world. Will you marry me?"
Maude doesn't answer. The entire room is silent. All chatter has stopped. Maude looks up at her parents. Her mothers hands clasped at her heart and her father nearly in tears. She looks down at Tyler, she see's his socks that are exposed because he is kneeling...he is wearing two different socks!
How could he?! He is proposing to her. This is suppose to be the happiest day of her life! How could he be wearing two different socks? Maude feels humilated. Everybody is staring at her and her almost finance wearing two different socks! "I am sorry. I can't." Maude utters and then throws her napkin on the table and walks away.
This is all a true story. Ok, so I know that Maude didn't walk away from Tyler because he was wearing two different socks. The fact that she noticed that means she wasn't in love with him. Maude walked away because she had fallen into a relationship of convenience. This isn't a single isolated event. Hundreds of thousands of women fall into these relationships everyday! They find less than average guys and settle for them because there friends/mothers/confidants tell them too.
Its a very sad epidemic
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