Banish Tarnish, and Buff the Family Ego

Grok Headline matches for Banish Tarnish, and Buff the Family Ego

The tarnish is the flag...

The tarnish is the flag... 05/16/2004 07:25 PM

It's probably evidence of the good that a couple of days off work can do to a man that I suddenly find myself able to write a brief post about politics - a subject that I'd normally handle with kid gloves attached to the end of a long barge-pole, itself glued to the end of some kind of excrement-encrusted stick. In my experience, most arguments about any subject function by flattening down complexities to tiny arguable issues. Normally we derive significant utility from this style of argument - but I think with politics our ability to find core and simple arguable issues disappears. With each person added to a political situation, the complexity grows exponentially, and when we try to reduce things down to first principles we end up with the sparsest and most atavistic of binaries - things like "them" and "us", and appeals towards cheap solidarity or patriotism, desperate attempts at face-saving and feeble gestures towards self-interest.

Which brings me to a post from the 37 signals weblog called It's good that you're upset. It's not an evil piece, it's not even a stupid piece - it's actually a desperately sad and mournful piece that tries to scrabble for positive meaning out of the behaviour of a small selection of incredibly stupid American servicemen overseas. Here's a quotation:

The world is rightfully disgusted by the treatment of some Iraqi prisoners, but the fact that the world is outraged is a good sign that America is still held to a higher standard. The Arab street remained mostly quiet when Saddam tortured for three decades or when American soldiers were dragged through the streets and hung to dangle in public a few weeks back. And how many leaders in the Arab world will be outraged that one of their own ruthlessly beheaded an American contractor after forcing him to name his parents and his siblings (and don’t forget about Daniel Pearl who had to admit he was a Jew before his head was cut off)? The world barely gave notice to the Taliban’s systematic and despicable treatment of women in Afghanistan or the destruction of ancient works of irreplaceable art and culture. The world was barely interested in stopping the carnage in Bosnia until over a half-million were killed (and then the UN still didn’t want to get involved). The world is still barely affected by the genocide taking place right now in Africa. But, when the US humiliates some Iraqi prisoners, people are outraged and are calling for resignations at the highest levels of our government. And that’s a good sign for America. We’re held up to a higher standard and it’s something we should be proud of. Not the vile treatment, of course, but the world’s response. We’re in trouble when people stop caring about how we act as a nation.

I wish I could agree, because although the UK's own parallel media situation has been resolved, I don't doubt for a minute that some British soldiers somewhere have undertaken very similar actions to the ones that these American servicemen perpetrated. But to try and find in that evidence that the tarnish is so noticeable because the flags are so bright... Well, it's pretty far from convincing.

The world is not looking towards these things as a momentary blip - that's not why they're so powerful. They're seen as emblematic, as representative, as illustrative of a relationship that America has with the rest of the world. These actions are seen by people to be illustrations in microcosm - direct analogies - with the way America (and the UK) acted flagrantly without consent from the United Nations. They're seen as directly illustrative of their disregard for international law, directly illustrative of America's perception of itself as superior to the rest of the world and qualified to police all of it according to what best serves it's own best interests. Those countries that are railing against America because of these pictures are not doing it because they're holding America to a higher standard, they're doing it because they finally feel they have human-scale evidence of the enormous insensitivity and clumsiness of the entire nation.

I think the most important thing I could say at this point is that it doesn't matter whether that's true or not. It doesn't matter whether or not America is a rampaging power, it doesn't even matter that an incredibly small minority of US forces have been behaving in this way or exposed. What matters here is that we in the west actually understand and accept that the stances of our governments are not seen by much of the world to be moral or good or positive, but rather self-serving, arrogant, interventionist and actually corrupt, and that pretending that we're well-liked isn't going to anyone any good.

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The DoD continues to tarnish its image

The DoD continues to tarnish its image 06/03/2004 04:53 PM
On May 7 the DoD provided the famous Taguba report on Abu Ghraib to the Senate.  On May 26 it was found to be missing critical sections (that had to do with Rumsfeld's and Gen. Miller's actions to ramp up activity at the prison last fall).  The DoD promised that there wasn't a cover-up and promised to send the sections immediately.  As of today, those critical sections have not arrived.  Time to revisit this:  clearly the effort here is to put as much distance as possible between the initial revelations and evidence of any involvement of Rumsfeld and Miller.  This will only make things worse. 

Web tool may banish broken links

Web tool may banish broken links 09/24/2004 02:59 AM
Students have developed a web-based tool which can automatically spot and update broken weblinks.

Crashes Tarnish Houston Rail Reputation
(AP)

Crashes Tarnish Houston Rail Reputation
(AP) 08/10/2004 04:11 PM
AP - Once called the "train to nowhere," Houston's new rail line between downtown and the Astrodome is earning a few new nicknames — "Danger Train," the "Wham Bam Tram," "A Streetcar Named Disaster."

Mayor Tells Sorcerers to Banish Evil
Spirits (Reuters)

Mayor Tells Sorcerers to Banish Evil
Spirits (Reuters) 05/24/2004 09:13 AM
Reuters - The mayor of Niger's capital has ordered "qualified" sorcerers to chase away evil spirits reported to be making terrifying appearances at night.

Covad's DSL still in the buff

Covad's DSL still in the buff 03/28/2005 08:05 PM
Several thousand naked-DSL customers won't be affected by recent decision.

History Buff

History Buff 04/10/2005 05:17 AM
History Buff, krantenartikelen van heel lang geleden .. HistoryBuff

historybuff.com
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Vision 3 LLC - names Scott A. LaFata and
David S. Banish Managing Directors

Vision 3 LLC - names Scott A. LaFata and
David S. Banish Managing Directors 09/17/2004 02:28 AM
Vision 3 LLC, an Atlanta based consulting firm for Corporate Chief Officers, has voted Scott A. LaFata and David S. Banish Managing Directors. They will lead the firm in all efforts including corporate Strategy Consulting, Corporate Performance Management Solutions and Corporate Compliance Guidance. [PRWEB Sep 17, 2004]

Pirate or harmless computer buff?

Pirate or harmless computer buff? 03/17/2005 04:20 AM
News.bbc.co.uk - Wed Mar 16, 07:37 pm GMT

Superhero Styling: Wet Suits Go Buff

Superhero Styling: Wet Suits Go Buff 08/01/2004 11:26 AM
Until recently, wet suits made most wearers look like misshapen sea mammals. The latest wet suits for both sexes enhance their wearers' bodies.

Computer buff Britain revealed

Computer buff Britain revealed 09/07/2004 05:01 AM
Manchester Online Sep 7 2004 8:35AM GMT

Relieve Aching Biceps, or Concentrate on
Buff

Relieve Aching Biceps, or Concentrate on
Buff 04/15/2004 06:30 AM
Compex Technologies asserts that after attaching the electrodes from its hand-held muscle stimulation device, users can simply switch it on, sit back and wait for their muscles to grow stronger. In reality, the Compex Sport device does not provide a route from the armchair to the Olympics.

Intriguing the Physicists, Radio Buff
Shrinks an Antenna

Intriguing the Physicists, Radio Buff
Shrinks an Antenna 06/09/2004 10:24 PM
A ham radio operator says he has developed a way to make antennas significantly smaller but still efficient.

AFA - American Family Association -
Promoting Traditional Family Values

AFA - American Family Association -
Promoting Traditional Family Values 12/22/2003 02:07 AM
AFA - American Family Association - Promoting Traditional Family Values .. rabidly-stupid right-wing crazies .. AFA

afa.net
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Mai Logic Licenses IBM's Elastic
Interface Technology For Its Articia
Chipset Family and Teron Series Systems
in Support of PowerPC 970 Microprocessor
Family.

Mai Logic Licenses IBM's Elastic
Interface Technology For Its Articia
Chipset Family and Teron Series Systems
in Support of PowerPC 970 Microprocessor
Family. 01/03/2004 02:34 AM
Mai Logic Licenses IBM's Elastic Interface Technology For Its Articia Chipset Family and Teron Series Systems in Support of PowerPC 970 Microprocessor Family.

Here is a prayer of safety you can pray
for your family on Halloween: Father, in
the Name of Jesus, I thank You that You
watch over Your Word to perform it. I
thank You that my family and I dwell in
the secret place of the Most High and
that we remain st

Here is a prayer of safety you can pray
for your family on Halloween: Father, in
the Name of Jesus, I thank You that You
watch over Your Word to perform it. I
thank You that my family and I dwell in
the secret place of the Most High and
that we remain st 11/02/2003 03:12 AM

kcm.org/studycenter/articles/seasonal/halloween.html
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Family Business Experts Credits Family
Business Synergy As Key To Baxa
Corporation’s Success

Family Business Experts Credits Family
Business Synergy As Key To Baxa
Corporation’s Success 06/05/2005 11:58 PM
Baxa Corporation is featured in a recently published “Family Business Experts” profile detailing the key to the company’s 30 years of success in product innovation and customer responsiveness. The company was selected as the featured family business for the Family Business Institute’s (FBI) top-ranked Internet site, because Baxa met criteria as both a positive family and a business success story. The profile details the company’s 30 years of success in product innovation and customer responsiveness, crediting that success secret to family business synergy. [PRWEB May 23, 2005]

ContentWatch Announces “Family Safe”
Recognition for Family Safe Web Sites on
the Internet

ContentWatch Announces “Family Safe”
Recognition for Family Safe Web Sites on
the Internet 09/24/2004 03:13 AM
ContentWatch announces its Family Safe Program, complete with a new "Family Safe" Award for websites, a list of family safe websites, and internet and email protection products for homes and businesses. [PRWEB Sep 24, 2004]

Focus on the Family and Digital Praise
Unveil Two New Interactive Computer
Games Based on Adventures in Odyssey;
One of America’s Most Popular Family
Radio Shows Comes to Life in Interactive
Computer Games

Focus on the Family and Digital Praise
Unveil Two New Interactive Computer
Games Based on Adventures in Odyssey;
One of America’s Most Popular Family
Radio Shows Comes to Life in Interactive
Computer Games 06/30/2004 03:04 AM
New game titles announced for ages 8 and up; Titles based on Adventures in Odyssey radio show. [PRWEB Jun 30, 2004]

The Family

The Family 09/19/2004 12:14 AM
At first glance, the sports-utility vehicle that pulled up to the Arrivals terminal (and into which we were scuttled inside) seemed like overkill. It wasn't. That became apparent when we passed over the mounds of wet, red clay that comprised the road into Bien Hoa where Mai's family in Vietnam lives. Her cousin's husband had picked us up from Saigon International Airport and ...

Fun for the Whole Family

Fun for the Whole Family 04/12/2005 05:12 PM

Now that Apple has announced a ship date (April 29) for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, Amazon.com has made the family pack 5-user version available for pre-order as well.

Family

Family 03/19/2003 10:46 PM

A majority of my family is overweight, though none are obese. It's not something that's questioned, or swept under a rug out of embarassment or for acceptance; it is a part of us. When the family comes together on occassion to celebrate events (birthdays, usually), the food is both plentiful and delicious. Over the past couple of months I've lost weight, and am visually slimmer. My family is most concerned. They insist I'm pale and losing too much weight (although I am still somewhat overweight), and they adamently try to get me to eat everything on the table. Meanwhile, I feel great.

Why can't it stay 72 degrees outside? Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 40's again.

Keep It in the Family

Keep It in the Family 09/16/2004 09:39 AM
The IRS is gunning for your inherited IRA. Follow these steps to avoid costly penalties.

We are family...

We are family... 03/13/2003 10:24 AM
Yesterday I had the greatest time hanging out with Jake and Cindy ( schmoopie and schmoo) and Tiffany (Cindy's best...

All in the family.

All in the family. 09/15/2004 11:55 AM
All in the family. An R. Crumb original will cost you an arm and a leg, but S. Crumb will do you one better, for a whole lot less.

Tux and family 0.5

Tux and family 0.5 04/19/2004 01:37 PM
A reddish background featuring penguins at dusk.

All in the Family

All in the Family 04/19/2005 12:12 PM

My brother Adam, who sits on the San Francisco Public Utility Commission and has an amazing record as a progressive activist, has an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle promoting municipal wireless broadband. It's great when our professional paths cross like this. It's even better when Adam does such an effective job of making the case for municipal networks.

Where Family Grows

Where Family Grows 12/29/2004 06:48 PM
Starting Again

Not a normal family

Not a normal family 06/24/2005 07:54 PM
I'm sitting at the dining room table geeking out with Tom's kitchen PowerBook, and Tom and Sean are watching Swan Lake on TV. I've already come to the conclusion that they'll watch darn near anything so long as it's in...

Seeing the family over the Internet

Seeing the family over the Internet 12/27/2004 08:51 AM
San Francisco Chronicle Dec 27 2004 11:40AM GMT

"Shari'a and Family Law..."

"Shari'a and Family Law..." 01/17/2004 11:07 PM

Diagramming the XML Family

Diagramming the XML Family 10/28/2003 11:06 PM
A graphical overview of the main members of the XML technology family, entirely produced using XML technologies: XML, Namespaces, RDF, SVG, XSLT and XSL-FO.

A Family Proposal

A Family Proposal 02/16/2004 10:42 PM
Bill Miller wants to start a family. He looks to be serious. Idiosyncrasies, indeed.

Old Family Photos

Old Family Photos 05/24/2004 02:33 PM
Ga llery of the Unamed. As much as i love digital cameras, i doubt that in a hundred years our descendants will rummage thru stacks of old flash cards or CD's looking for pictures. Here is almost 10,000 old photographs...not only the unknown, but Civil War veterans, railroads, fire departments...or you can search by location or surname. I've already spent hours and hours looking. Have some of your own? Go ahead and send them in...

"Which Family Guy character are you?"

"Which Family Guy character are you?" 05/22/2004 02:19 AM

It's a family affair

It's a family affair 02/10/2004 02:42 AM

New addition to the family!

New addition to the family! 04/09/2004 04:09 PM
Jen and I got a puppy! Yup! A chow chow... we've named him Ben. (Or Benny or Benjamin, but not...

Death in the family

Death in the family 06/07/2004 10:42 AM
In "The Sopranos" season finale, Tony preserves the peace in his kingdom the only way he knows how.

Rob on Family Reunification

Rob on Family Reunification 04/07/2005 01:05 PM
That would be my brother Robert Bray, who recently testified before a standing committee of the Canadian House of Commons. Canada has a parliamentary system, which means that when one party gets a majority they’re more or less an elected dictatorship; but at the moment we have a minority government, so Parliament in general and its committees in particular have considerable political oomph. Immigration is a hot issue across the rich world, and the issue of family reunification is a hot zone within the hot zone. If you care even slightly about these things, I think you’ll find Rob’s remarks worth the investment of a little time...
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Banish Tarnish, and Buff the Family Ego

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