I read Mike Niman's article in the Artvoice, essentially lighting up the communal religious organization known as 12 Tribes. I went ahead and did what Mike Niman DIDN'T do, which is engage these people in conversation today. Yes thats right - Mike Niman was given an opportunity to actually talk to 12 Tribes before publishing his article and he didn't. Why am I not surprised? The man has an irrational and innate hatred of anything related to the Bible, and the fact of the matter is that the other side of the story didn't matter to him. Only his prejudiced and halfwitted opinion article matter to him.
Want the truth? Different races live together in the local 12 Tribes commune. The organization consists of every race on Planet Earth, and there are multiple communes around the world. Wow, clearly they are white supremacists if they are best friends, live together and take care of each other. The organization is neither Christian or Jewish, but they live by the Bible in a peaceful and if anything, reclusive lifestyle. I'm completely outraged and incensed by Mike Niman right about now. I mean, don't get me wrong, his completely lopsided and irrational articles appear in Artvoice practically every week - the only thing that he suceeds in every week is displaying how much of a fringe lunatic he is. I've hated Mike Niman for a long, long time but this week is absolutely the pinnacle. If it doesn't scare you that this man is a college professor paid by the state, it should. DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU READ IN THAT ARTICLE.
Artvoice should be held responsible for publishing such utter garbage. Do you think you'll see an apology from Mike Niman anytime soon? Hell no - he's busy with his head in the sand and I personally guarantee that he is a chickenshit just like every other radical left wing writer in this country. Flip through the Artvoice this week - practically every response to Mike Niman's article lambbastes him and points out his obscure, poorly researched and small-minded predilection. He feels the need to defend himself by suggesting that because he's participated in Co-Op organizations for 25 years that he has the authority to speak on the subject? HORSESHIT. Not good enough for ANY publication in America let alone our shitty local pubs. Want the truth? Guys like him get away with this crap because they are completely unpoliced by their higher ups. I'm certainly not surprised that Jamie Moses let this one pass - he's just as much of an asshole as Mike Niman.
Joshua's Journal
My Podcast Link
10/29/2005 00:36 #24564
12 Tribes and Mike NimanCategory: outrage
10/28/2005 21:46 #24563
LibbyCategory: politics
The media's spin on this, and its been like this from day one, is that somebody is guilty. Never mind the actual evidence or the actual law, somebody is going to be guilty. Hopefully it would be Rove (oops!) so now Scooter Libby was indicted (legal speak for accused with no way to defend himself) for charges generated from an e-mail that he wrote. Surely the press is disappointed and will find some way to tie this to President Bush... which is a strategy that will ultimately fail since when you actually look at the law nobody broke any laws. Thats right, nobody is going to jail and ultimately this is going to be another black eye on the Democrats. What we are seeing here is the culmination of Democratic lunacy that started after Nov. 4, 2004. What? President Bush was re-elected? IMPEACHMENT TIME.
The bottom line is that the law that this entire investigation was about 2 years ago isn't applicable. Patrick Fitzgerald is a saint, but Ken Starr was a witch hunter. Hypocrisy anyone? This entire fiasco is a big steaming pile of horseshit that was trumped up by a media that hates the right wing. The media was exposed during Rathergate, during Newsweekgate which was even worse since people actually died as a result of inaccurate and sensationalistic reporting. Completely and utterly inexcusable. Just an FYI, "covert" is different than "classified."
Honest to God, the most interesting commentary I've heard as a result of this mess is from a liberal - good ol' Lefty Lanny Davis - former special counsel to President Clinton. He is shaming the media for being accusatory, and essentially ignoring the actual evidence. At least there is one honest Democrat out there!
The bottom line is that the law that this entire investigation was about 2 years ago isn't applicable. Patrick Fitzgerald is a saint, but Ken Starr was a witch hunter. Hypocrisy anyone? This entire fiasco is a big steaming pile of horseshit that was trumped up by a media that hates the right wing. The media was exposed during Rathergate, during Newsweekgate which was even worse since people actually died as a result of inaccurate and sensationalistic reporting. Completely and utterly inexcusable. Just an FYI, "covert" is different than "classified."
Honest to God, the most interesting commentary I've heard as a result of this mess is from a liberal - good ol' Lefty Lanny Davis - former special counsel to President Clinton. He is shaming the media for being accusatory, and essentially ignoring the actual evidence. At least there is one honest Democrat out there!
ajay - 10/29/05 14:18
Don't let ignorance of the law or the facts cloud your judgement.... ;-)
If this had happened under a Democratic administration, you'd be livid that these anti-CIA lefties are "weakening the country". The fact that is was a Right-wing nutjob who destroyed the carefully cultivated career of a NOC is now no big deal.
Fitzgerald is a widely-respected prosecutor, who both sides agree is balanced (unlike Ken Starr). And there is no comparison between Whitewater and Plamegate; none whatsoever. Keep grasping at the straws, maybe you'll get enough to make a strawman argument ;-)
Don't let ignorance of the law or the facts cloud your judgement.... ;-)
If this had happened under a Democratic administration, you'd be livid that these anti-CIA lefties are "weakening the country". The fact that is was a Right-wing nutjob who destroyed the carefully cultivated career of a NOC is now no big deal.
Fitzgerald is a widely-respected prosecutor, who both sides agree is balanced (unlike Ken Starr). And there is no comparison between Whitewater and Plamegate; none whatsoever. Keep grasping at the straws, maybe you'll get enough to make a strawman argument ;-)
10/28/2005 00:45 #24562
UnbelievableMy brother and I decided that instead of returning our bottles and cans ourself, that we would just stack up everything on the curb next to the big blue CoBuffalo trash bins. Now keep in mind, this wasn't a small amount of bottles and cans. There were probably $25 worth of returnables there. So, how long did they last?
It took us longer to bring them out than the length of time it took for somebody to scoop them up. I heard someone yell, "HOLY SHIT!" then about 10 minutes later they were gone. (e:jason) wanted to take a picture of them, but they were gone before he could. Simply amazing. At least I scratched one chore off of my to-do list and somebody got some money. Try that in the 'burbs, suckers!
My brother and I were going to come to the party as a soldier/detainee combo but I think we're going to try something else. I might just come "as myself' since I"m plenty enough of a character as is.
It took us longer to bring them out than the length of time it took for somebody to scoop them up. I heard someone yell, "HOLY SHIT!" then about 10 minutes later they were gone. (e:jason) wanted to take a picture of them, but they were gone before he could. Simply amazing. At least I scratched one chore off of my to-do list and somebody got some money. Try that in the 'burbs, suckers!
My brother and I were going to come to the party as a soldier/detainee combo but I think we're going to try something else. I might just come "as myself' since I"m plenty enough of a character as is.
theecarey - 10/28/05 14:46
I lived a very short while in the Falls.. people around there did the same thing.. except in stead of cans, it was just my garbage.
Now thats living..
I lived a very short while in the Falls.. people around there did the same thing.. except in stead of cans, it was just my garbage.
Now thats living..
leetee - 10/28/05 11:01
We could totally do that here, too. Way out in the wicked west end. Unfortunatly, we sometimes have cans and bottles from Canada that aren't returnable, and they get taken from our blue bin on garbage day... I reckon we need to hide them to save someone the effort of taking them in!!
We could totally do that here, too. Way out in the wicked west end. Unfortunatly, we sometimes have cans and bottles from Canada that aren't returnable, and they get taken from our blue bin on garbage day... I reckon we need to hide them to save someone the effort of taking them in!!
ladycroft - 10/28/05 02:00
Cool! I'm glad you guys did that :)
Cool! I'm glad you guys did that :)
terry - 10/28/05 01:07
Dudes, I totally used to do that. It was like why go all the way to the store when you can stack it at the curb and feel good about feeding a bum at the same time? Then one day the lady next store saw me stacking them and she was like, "that's you honey?" And I was like yeah, "I just put them here and someone takes them." She says that it was her most of the time and I should just stack them on her porch from now on. And that's what I did. Everytime they took up too much room, off to the neighbor's they went. Ahhh, to live on the old Elmwood...
Dudes, I totally used to do that. It was like why go all the way to the store when you can stack it at the curb and feel good about feeding a bum at the same time? Then one day the lady next store saw me stacking them and she was like, "that's you honey?" And I was like yeah, "I just put them here and someone takes them." She says that it was her most of the time and I should just stack them on her porch from now on. And that's what I did. Everytime they took up too much room, off to the neighbor's they went. Ahhh, to live on the old Elmwood...
10/26/2005 12:48 #24561
Emergency, Pt. 2My work buddy still can't get out of Miami so we had to cancel our trips this week. Woop! I still have to go into the office, though.
To answer the question (e:paul) posed - as far as the war ending is concerned, it will end although I'm not about to pretend to know how and when. My best guess is that everybody is going to be huggy and kissy when Islam itself decides that its not going to tolerate this militant fanatical wing ruining the reputation of a perfectly good religion. There isn't anything that us Westerners can do to change their minds, primarily because the source of their hatred is our ("our" meaning the Western world, not just the USA) culture and its influence around the world. We allow freedoms that their culture forbids to such an extent that they will line up to kill themselves if it means that they *might* stop us. This isn't about GWB for them. Its about creating and maintaining a worldwide Islamofascist state.
To answer the question (e:paul) posed - as far as the war ending is concerned, it will end although I'm not about to pretend to know how and when. My best guess is that everybody is going to be huggy and kissy when Islam itself decides that its not going to tolerate this militant fanatical wing ruining the reputation of a perfectly good religion. There isn't anything that us Westerners can do to change their minds, primarily because the source of their hatred is our ("our" meaning the Western world, not just the USA) culture and its influence around the world. We allow freedoms that their culture forbids to such an extent that they will line up to kill themselves if it means that they *might* stop us. This isn't about GWB for them. Its about creating and maintaining a worldwide Islamofascist state.
paul - 10/26/05 12:54
That's exactly what hmakes me wonder if there can be any end.
That's exactly what hmakes me wonder if there can be any end.
10/25/2005 10:21 #24560
EMERGENCY!Category: travel
My work buddy, Julio lives in Miami. Unless you have some way of sheltering yourself from the outside world for a week at a time you know that a hurricane went through south Florida recently. So, I am getting ready to go to the airport, and Julio calls me -
"Maing, the airport is closed." OH SHIT!
I was on hold with SWA for 30 minutes, but I did get my flight switched just in time. Technically, my flight boards in half an hour and I'm sitting in my living room writing to you. This isn't so bad, but when I get stranded one day due to weather I am going to freak out. Anyhow, I have a free day in Buffalo! I've wanted to go to Sahara Grill and Caffe Aroma for a while now. Its early in the day, and my plan is just to do what I never get to do - cruise my 'hood on foot and relax. I'm going to try something for lunch that I've never had or would never think to have, then I am going to go to Caffe Aroma, order a mocha or a latte... and read the local propaganda while I listen to my newly procured Doves MP3s.
"Maing, the airport is closed." OH SHIT!
I was on hold with SWA for 30 minutes, but I did get my flight switched just in time. Technically, my flight boards in half an hour and I'm sitting in my living room writing to you. This isn't so bad, but when I get stranded one day due to weather I am going to freak out. Anyhow, I have a free day in Buffalo! I've wanted to go to Sahara Grill and Caffe Aroma for a while now. Its early in the day, and my plan is just to do what I never get to do - cruise my 'hood on foot and relax. I'm going to try something for lunch that I've never had or would never think to have, then I am going to go to Caffe Aroma, order a mocha or a latte... and read the local propaganda while I listen to my newly procured Doves MP3s.
paul - 10/25/05 12:56
Sahara Grill is so tasty.
Sahara Grill is so tasty.
Niman got some bunk info from someone, liked what he heard, and started telling people the 12 tribes are white supremacists. He didn't need or want anything other than what he agreed with. He wrote an entire article making his case. He is peddling his opinion as if it is fact, and people are going to read the article thinking it is fact. If you were to ask Niman if what he wrote was opinion or fact, what do you think he would say? The "this is just an opinion piece" argument shrivels up as a result.
Maybe you're right. Maybe he isn't lying. Maybe he didn't already have his opinion in his head before he tried making a case for it. Maybe he just got BS information. Apparently that passes as a legitimate argument nowadays. We are seeing it more and more.
Don't think that just because I don't talk about Fox News that I don't have an opinion about them. There are 120239879834798 people talking about Fox News, and zero talking about the alternative press, who get a free pass from everyone. You tell me to be skeptical about what I read, but are you skeptical about what you read from the alternatives or from any information source? I'm sure the answer is yes but I've never asked. I want to make sure that you are willing to be as honest as you want me to be.
I'm willing to "set the example" but I feel like I am completely alone in that sentiment. I feel like people just want ME to point the finger at the right so they can tell me how correct they are, while they stay silent. Nobody wants to point the finger at the people who represent their political "side". As of yet I am the only person on e-strip who is willing to do this. Will you join me? =)
Yes I know Fox News reporting is skewed to the right, everyone knows that. They are the only TV news outlet in the USA that reports this way. There isn't any reporting from any media outlet that isn't skewed. They do report facts, but not the same facts and not in the same context. Hannity and O'Reilly and Rush and the rest - no I do not think everything that comes out of their mouth is fact. I am not so far to the right as a Hannity or a Rush.
Ultimately I want truth, and truth does not come from a single source. It comes from reading a broad spectrum of pieces. I feel like I'm the only person on e-strip who does that as well. I feel like I'm the only one who is willing to challenge his/her ideas and to grow. I'll never be a partisan.
First of all, lying can only be associated with facts; opinions, are, well, just opinions. And most of Niman's writings are opinions; if his facts are incorrect, feel free to point them out.
Second, instead of saying "why don't the lefties do this or that", why not set an example and show us what needs to be done, by doing it to your paragon of impartial reporting, Faux News? Talk about a pack of liars!
Ajay, how could you possibly equate "policed by their higher ups" with the condoning of a police state? More importantly, why don't you think that the alternative press should be accountable for the inaccurate things they write? Why do you think that anybody (err, I mean lefties) should be able to lie and lie and lie and not suffer the consequences? This isn't a challenge against diversity of opinion, and any honest reader could (should) have gotten that out of Josh's post. It is a challenge against inaccurate and hatefully biased pseudo-journalists who "police" every other media outlet, yet refuse to police themselves. Who else is going to watch the "watchdogs" for us?
"Guys like him get away with this crap because they are completely unpoliced by their higher ups."
Right!! That's what we need: a police state. Everyone's opinions must be checked and vetted by someone "higher up", for God forbid that there be a diversity of opinions. But who'll vet Bush's opinions? Hmmm.... wait! Bush already claims that God speaks to him, so I guess that's covered. Damn! You Righties are so smart....