Pandora's Box

This post reminds me of a great sketch by the immortal Bill Hicks. Take a listen to the truth he spouts from days of old and think about days to come. Capitalism has become the business of death, so what does this say about the ideology? Is this something that can be accepted in a civilized society? Is this something that YOU would expect from Terrorists or mass murderers? Why don't we call it like it is, marketing death. Is this the American Dream or Nightmare. To attain wealth from the injury or death of another is one of the reasons I could not do my job in insurance when I was in those shoes. Many people thrive on strife and gladly prostitute themselves so that they can "go along, to get along." This seems to be the same group that says that the American Republic has been replaced by a Democracy which has led us to Despotism under "W." This is just a rant that I hope will encourage people to learn about history and our fleeting GOD give inalienable civil rights while some still exist.

So turn off the tube and turn on your mind, it is the most powerful tool that you will ever have.

Iran inaugurates nation's first unmanned bomber

By NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press Writer Nasser Karimi, Associated Press Writer – Sun Aug 22, 7:14 pm ET

TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday inaugurated the country's first domestically built unmanned bomber aircraft, calling it an "ambassador of death" to Iran's enemies.

The 4-meter-long drone aircraft can carry up to four cruise missiles and will have a range of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers), according to a state TV report — not far enough to reach archenemy Israel.

"The jet, as well as being an ambassador of death for the enemies of humanity, has a main message of peace and friendship," said Ahmadinejad at the inauguration ceremony, which fell on the country's national day for its defense industries.

The goal of the aircraft, named Karrar or striker, is to "keep the enemy paralyzed in its bases," he said, adding that the aircraft is for deterrence and defensive purposes.

The president championed the country's military self-sufficiency program, and said it will continue "until the enemies of humanity lose hope of ever attacking the Iranian nation."

Iran launched an arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for a U.S. weapons embargo and now produces its own tanks, armored personnel carries, missiles and even a fighter plane.

Iran frequently makes announcements about new advances in military technology that cannot be independently verified.

State TV later showed video footage of the plane taking off from a launching pad and reported that the craft traveled at speeds of 560 miles per hour (900 kilometers per hour) and could alternatively be armed with two 250-pound (113.4-kilogram) bombs or a 450-pound (204.12-kilogram) guided bomb.

Iran has been producing its own light, unmanned surveillance aircraft since the late 1980s.

The ceremony came a day after Iran began to fuel its first nuclear power reactor, with the help of Russia, amid international concerns over the possibility of a military dimension to its nuclear program.

Iran insists it is only interested in generating electricity.

Referring to Israel's occasional threats against Iran's nuclear facilities, Ahmadinejad called any attack unlikely, but he said if Israel did, the reaction would be overwhelming.

"The scope of Iran's reaction will include the entire the earth," said Ahmadinejad. "We also tell you — the West — that all options are on the table."

Ahmadinejad appeared to be consciously echoing the terminology used by the U.S. and Israel in their statements not ruling out a military option against Iran's nuclear facilities.

On Friday, Iran also test-fired a new liquid fuel surface-to-surface missile, the Qiam-1, with advanced guidance systems.