‘This Is Called National Defense’

The following is an unpublished passage written by Joseph Heller that was printed in the New York Times at some point in the mid-1970’s. I found it in a newspaper clipping while I was cleaning out a deceased relative’s belongings from a closet. It is and will probably remain the single most scathing piece of literature that I have ever read, and manages to sum up my feelings about the government in under 300 words. Read the full piece after the jump.

*EDIT: I removed the date that the piece was written. It couldn’t have been written in ‘65 because MLK was murdered in ‘68. The actual newspaper clipping says 1965, so you can blame the Times copy desk for the slip up. Thanks to peppergomez from Digg for pointing that out.

**EDIT: I took a screenshot of the PDF of the piece from the New York Times archive. I hope this clears up any questions about proper sourcing. Check out the screenshot here:

http://tovoteornottovote.wordpress.com/2007/11/12/proof-pudding/

Where’s a hero when you need ‘em?

It looks like we’re going to be seeing $100/barrel oil any day now. When we start hitting Carter-era oil prices again speculators are going to (continue to) go psychotic, even though worldwide supply has stayed the same since 2006 (The higher prices are largely a result of the decreasing value of that pitiful thing we call our currency). A little energy independence would be nice right now. We’ll just have to stick it out until 2008 when a new president can fly in like Captain Planet and launch the “Green Revolution” that the mighty Friedman has prophesied.

What is the real message here?

From the New York Times editorial section:

“Democrats have failed repeatedly to end the Iraq war or to substantially change its course. Now they face another test. Mr. Bush will try to ram his spending request through Congress before Christmas, using the impending holiday to create a false sense of urgency. They must resist that, and try again to use their power of the purse to force the president to begin serious planning for a swift and orderly exit from Iraq. They cannot have it both ways — opposing the war and enabling Mr. Bush to keep it going full speed and full cost ahead.

If the Republicans block that, then the Democrats must at least insist on the fiscal prudence that Mr. Bush and his party claim to believe in so fervently. Representative David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, is already calling for a war tax. That, at least, would be a more honest and responsible way to ensure that all Americans share the financial burden of this war.” (10/25/07)

Hillary Clinton would give up what as President?

In this amusing piece from the Guardian, Senator Clinton claims she would launch a policy review of the current administration’s executive actions and powers “with an eye towards giving up some of the executive powers accumulated by George Bush.” A president who would limit presidential power. Right. Because somebody who’s job description includes a) the most powerful military force in the world, b) the richest economy in the world, and c) a huge ego problem would try to reduce the scope of his or her power once in office, instead of expanding it. By show of hands presidents, living or dead, how many of you ever willingly reduced the scope of your presidential powers or those of the executive branch? Anyone? No takers?

If you want people to vote wisely, don’t quote Dick Cheney

It’s Sunday, so that means Friedman’s got a new column out. “Save the Planet: Vote Smart” shows how badly warped his conception of the political process is. My qualms are not with Mr. Friedman’s endgame, strengthening environmental protection, but how he arrives at the conclusion that we need “greener” policies in the first place. More on voting and a ridiculous Dick Cheney citation after the jump.

Advocates vs. Leaders

“Look, I had, for five months, people sitting outside my home, going into my garden in San Francisco, angering neighbors, hanging their clothes from trees, building all kinds of things — Buddhas? I don’t know what they were — couches, sofas, chairs, permanent living facilities on my front sidewalk. If they were poor and they were sleeping on my sidewalk, they would be arrested for loitering, but because they have ‘Impeach Bush’ across their chest, it’s the First Amendment.