So… Iran War Is Now Cancelled?

   A recent NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) released by the United State’s 16 intelligence agencies (16?? I know of the CIA and NSA… what are the other 14?) concluded that the Iranians have stopped weapons research in 2003, although if they choose to, they can produce enough enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon in 3 to 8 years.

   Which means, a) they are not developing WMDs (contrary to some media reports), and b) there are no longer a justification for bombing “the mad mullahs of Tehran”. Regardless, President Bush insisted that the report is a “warning signal” and that his views on the issue haven’t changed.

   Err… what? Iran developing nuclear weapons – yes, that might be threatening (frankly, I think they should go nuclear… what harm could it do?). But now that the cat’s out of the bag and it seems that they are NOT developing ‘em.. it’s a warning for what? I honestly don’t want to think of the current US Administration as a monolithic, idiotic, warmongering, bloodthirsty blob of protoplasm, but they do need to explain their case clearer.

   I believe that both sides should begin friendly negotiations, which is more likely to bring peace than any sort of war between the two. Iran should get over the fact that the US and co. installed the Shah; and in return, the US should stop being a dick and start *gasp* respecting other countries for a change and not suck Israel’s cock any longer. ‘course, it’s more likely that I will be marrying a supermodel than any of that happening, but a man can dream, can he?

Maybe It’s Just Me…

   US, Israel Vow To Support Abbas

   Isn’t that like having the KKK supporting your cause? No matter how well you might try to articulate it, people would immediately assume that you’re in the wrong due to guilt by association. Are Bush and Olmert that dumb?

   Okay, here’s an elaboration. The United States isn’t exactly having a glowing reputation in the Middle East, right? And of course, Israel is the regional bogeyman and no-one there likes ‘em, not even their so-called “friends” (the so-called “moderate” Arab states… ¬___¬ ). So, any entity that is endorsed by the two will, quite obviously, be tagged by pretty much all non-Israelis there as corrupt / US-Israel puppet / suicide bomber target.

   If Bush/Olmert really wants to support Abbas, can’t they do it in a less flashy way? Or better yet, go support Hamas (and see popular support for them quickly ebb away, ha!).

   Speaking of which, I don’t quite get the whole “boycott Hamas” thing. For years, the International Community have been saying, “embrace democracy”. So the Palestinians did… and they get punished for it? Why not be honest and say, “embrace democracy but pick only people we like?” Sheesh, talk about double standards.

Pacificism and Civil Disobedience – Can It Work?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

(Matthew, NIV)

   I was listening to Black Eyed Peas’ Where Is the Love? when this bit of the song struck a chord in my heart. But rationally thinking, can pacifism and non-violence — ahimsa, and refusal to take up arms against your enemies — work?

   Why It Won’t Work
    – not defending yourself will only make your enemies’ work easier

    – some people would think that self-preservation, and righteous hostile action made to defend yourself — is a fundamental duty of every human; therefore, refusing to fulfill this duty will put you in the “you deserve to be killed” category

   Why It Might Work
   - shame is a powerful force. An armed person, assuming that he’s just a normal human being, may feel ashamed to strike and attack a person who will peacefully just take it. Of course, with these days and age, predator drones and missiles means that combat is getting increasingly depersonalized, so this argument might not be true for long.

   Ah, forget it. Just random thoughts in my head.

Here’s a Good Question :

A certain annoying, pathetic, furry purple dinosaur should be:

a) Help up as a loving role-model for children’s morals and values

b) Hung from a tree

c) Hung from a tree and shot

d) Hung from a tree, shot, gutted and run over by a Buick

   Oh man, how I laughed.

   You know, I missed games of old. The current trend for videogames these days is, “more l33t graphics, franchise a popular movie / book / both, and throw in some scantily-clad women”. I mean, seriously, whatever happened to interactivity, to getting your audience’s attention apart from waving some boobs? In the olden days, developers will try to make the game as immersive as possible, to make up for the shitty graphics. So yeah, the picture’s not exactly a Monet, but at least it’s *fun*.

   I say, we bring back the era of 486s; enough with stupid Harry Potter / Spiderman / [insert movie here] games. Bring back the creativity, the fun-ness, the enjoyment of the games of old. I’d rather have a very engaging adventure in a roughly-drawn world than stare at an amazingly-rendered rock.

Target : Iran

So it seems that the United States have placed various strategic assets around the Persian Gulf. And some of the Gulf states are already opening up their airspace. Suddenly, the specter of a third Middle East war doesn’t seem so ridiculous anymore…

Anyone wants to take a bet on the probability that there’s gonna be a “hot” confrontation within the next 3 months?

Well, the whole affair is addle-headed to begin with (the Iranians enriched uranium. So?), but I am a bit curious; should war breaks out, what will the Iranian students in my university do? Go back and defend the Motherland? Seek asylum here? The mind boggles.

You know, sometimes I think humanity as a whole is better off without electricity.