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Allow Sparrow Chat to offer its congratulations to Texas, and its present governor, Rick Perry. On Wednesday October 22nd, Texas will execute its 400th human being. There is no argument in favor of this bestial act that stands scrutiny in our modern age. China is regularly condemned by the world for its human rights policy, including an abundance of executions. The United States in general, and Texas in particular, are similarly guilty of inhuman barbarism.

For once, the European Union has spoken out against the practice in America and has called on Rick Perry to use his powers to prevent this killing. Perry has refused. A spokesman for the governor told the BBC:

“Two hundred and thirty years ago, our forefathers fought a war to throw off the yoke of a European monarch and gain the freedom of self-determination……….”

Indeed, Mister Governor, and what a wonderful job you’ve done with your “freedom of self-determination. You still live in an age that hasn’t existed in Europe for one hundred of those two hundred and thirty years. You and your country may have succeeded in using your “freedom of self-determination” to stockpile arms and become the most powerful, and possibly the most hated, nation on the planet, and maybe that makes you feel good, but it is hardly a record deserving of respect and dignity.

Just what is your record, Governor? You call yourself a Christian. You are on record as stating you believe all who reject Jesus Christ as their savior will go to hell. Sparrow Chat hopes you enjoy your eternal burn, governor. You may pay lip service to your religion, but you sure as hell don’t practice what it teaches.

In February 2007 you mandated that Texas girls be vaccinated with Gardasil, Merck’s latest anti-cancer vaccine. It’s easy then to cast aside your “freedom of self-determination” and force others to your viewpoint, particularly when there’s something in it for you? Merck paid $10,000 to you and eight other Texas lawmakers on the same day – October 6th, 2006 – your aides were being briefed on the vaccine. They met with Mike Toomey, a lobbyist for Merck and, unsurprisingly, your ex-chief-of-staff three times in the months before the mandatory order was issued. Of course, according to your spokesman, Robert Black, the same guy who issued your mind-blowing quote above, it was all just an amazing coincidence.

Of course, governor, it’s wrong to suggest Texas doesn’t deserve you, just as it deserved the governor into whose shoes you stepped when he became president eight years ago. The majority of Texans didn’t like your mandatory vaccine order, but not due to any infringement of rights, or because of your undoubted financial gains. Oh, no, they complained because it weakened their blinkered doctrine of sexual chastity before marriage.

They deserve you, governor. But the guy you’re going to put to death in the next few hours doesn’t deserve you. It’s not your right to play God with his life, whatever he has done.

You see, your Jesus preached forgiveness. He said to turn the other cheek. His teaching are full of just one four-letter word: LOVE.

There’s no room in your heart for love, Governor Perry. Your views smack more of the Taliban, than Christianity.

So congratulations, governor, from Sparrow Chat.

No, not for being the one to act as judge and executioner of the 400th human being to be put to death in Texas, though I’m sure there’s many will hold a party to celebrate.

In fact, governor, these congratulations are not just for you, but for the state of Texas.

Congratulations, Texas, for managing to consecutively vote into power:

                                   

probably two of the most repulsive, slimy, inhumane apologies for arseholes in America today.

And in the United States of America, that title is damned hard to achieve.

BBC Website report HERE.

Filed under: Legalized murderers

At the last Democratic hopefuls’ debate, when asked if he thought prayer could actually produce results, John Edwards was honest enough to say, “No.” He went on to explain that he had prayed before his son, Wade, died in 1996; had also prayed for his wife’s health prior to the news she had cancer. As a result, or perhaps because of the lack of any, he no longer had faith in prayer as a means to an end.

That is a refreshingly honest observation from a politician in America today. It leaves one wondering how the question might be answered by any of the Republican hopefuls.

In sharp contrast to Edward’s forthrightness, Hilary Clinton trotted out the same old political side-steps and tried to show herself as a tough, experienced, campaigner well suited to handling the nation’s primary position. It may be an attitude that is winning her friends among the electorate. But then, the American voter is easily swayed.

After eight years of the Clinton’s in office, and a dozen or so of the Bush dynasty at the helm, the last thing America needs is more of the same.

“Ah,” but I hear the cry, “The Clinton years were good years.”

No, they were not.

In his latest article published recently in the UK’s leading current affair’s magazine, New Statesman, award-winning journalist John Pilger, writes of Bill Clinton:

“In 1993, he pursued George H W Bush’s invasion of Somalia. He invaded Haiti in 1994. He bombed Bosnia in 1995 and Serbia in 1999. In 1998, he bombed Afghanistan; and, at the height of his Monica Lewinsky troubles, he momentarily diverted the headline writers to a major “terrorist target” in Sudan that he ordered destroyed with an onslaught of missiles. It turned out to be sub-Saharan Africa’s largest pharmaceutical plant, the only source of chloroquine, the treatment for malaria, and other drugs that were lifelines to hundreds of thousands. As a result, wrote Jonathan Belke, then of the Near East Foundation, “tens of thousands of people – many of them children – have suffered and died from malaria, tuberculosis and other treatable diseases”.

Long before Shock and Awe, Clinton was destroying and killing in Iraq. Under the lawless pretence of a “no-fly zone”, he oversaw the longest allied aerial bombardment since the Second World War. This was hardly reported. At the same time, he imposed and tightened a Washington-led economic siege estimated to have killed a million civilians. “We think the price is worth it,” said his secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, in an exquisite moment of honesty.”

The pharmaceutical plant quoted by Pilger was al-Shifa in Sudan. Stated “US intelligence”, along with ex-pat opponents of the Sudanese government, suggested the plant was producing nerve gas and was linked to Osama bin Laden. In fact, justification for the incident bore a remarkable similarity to the excuses trotted out by the Bush administration just prior to the invasion of Iraq.

Americans who consider Hilary Clinton an admirable suitor for their vote should bear in mind that her previous experience in the White House is not necessarily a positive asset. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

Pilger again:

“These days, you see Good Ol’ Bill, or the Comeback Kid, as he is variously known, wiggling his head on the TV news, campaigning for his wife, Hillary, among Americans who, terminally naive, still believe the Democratic Party is theirs and that “it’s time to vote a woman into the White House”. Together, the Clintons are known as “Billary” and rightly so. Like Good Ol’ Bill, his wife has no plans to address the divisions of a society that allows 130,000 Americans to claim the wealth of millions of their fellow citizens. Like GOB, she wants to continue Iraq’s torment for perhaps a decade. And she has not “ruled out” attacking Iran.”

What America needs after twenty years of White House lies, evasion, and political subterfuge is a smattering of truth and honesty from its leaders. Sparrow Chat has no political affiliations, and is not subject to any “party loyalty”. Simple observation is sufficient to illuminate the snake-oil salesman facade projected by most prospective candidates for George Bush’s desk, and at this early stage it’s still not possible to select one as a suitable future US president.

Nevertheless, a smattering of honesty and integrity from any politician is as welcome as a warm day in the Arctic, and equally as rare.

Read the complete article by John Pilger HERE.

Filed under: Pick me, pick me

In the English Lake District of the 1920’s it was usual, from atop a high fell or hillside, to view thin plumes of wood smoke drifting languidly up through the trees. The charcoal burners were busy at their trade, slowly and methodically controlling the burn by cutting and laying turves to form a mound, under which the wood smoldered for days or weeks at a time. It was an English Lakeland industry, though always in keeping with the protection and balance of the countryside.

Until recently, there were twelve members of the Rugendo family. Men with rifles came twice. In total they slaughtered six; perhaps, seven – one infant from the family is still missing. A number of other family members were injured, but will recover.

Who committed these atrocities, and how does it pertain to the charcoal burners of the English Lake District?

The slaughter of the Rugendo family members has no relevance to the English charcoal burners, but everything to do with the product they manufactured. The Rugendo family live in Africa, the Virunga National Park; part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are a family of mountain gorillas. Aproximately three hundred and fifty gorillas live in Virunga; it is said, sixty percent of the world population.

Barely a generation ago, we – Homo sapiens – regarded the gorilla as a huge, vicious, beast ready and willing to tear us limb from limb at any opportunity, due, perhaps in part to early Hollywood movies, but most certainly as a result of mid-20th century African explorers. They brought back lurid tales of these creatures based more on imaginings than scientific study.

Thankfully, we now know the truth about the mountain gorilla and the gentleness, intelligence, and tranquility of these animals is well documented, thanks to Jane Goodall and others like her.

One would think the protection of our nearest genetic relative would be assured. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not content with devastating this planet to fuel our greed – a ravagement inevitably leading to our own eventual destruction – we are encroaching on the habitat of other species with bulldozer-like efficiency. The Virunga National Park is supposed to be protected, yet the rangers have not received their government salaries for years. Instead, they are supported by voluntary contributions, but are hopelessly under-funded, under-manned, and out-gunned, constantly in danger from those who would devour Virunga for the purpose of profit.

Charcoal is a $30 million-a-year industry in the DRC, and Virunga is the fuel that fires the fortunes. It’s a simple philosophy. Virunga exists to serve the mountain gorilla. Rid Virunga of the gorillas, and no-one will object when it is burnt to the ground.

Is anyone doing anything to stop it? Are George Bush, Gordon Brown, Sarkozy, Merckel, or any of our “leaders” doing anything to stop it? Are they even aware it is happening?

No, they are doing nothing. In fact, they are neither aware, nor interested. Scientists predict there is a strong possibility many, if not all, ape species may be exterminated within one human generation.

What does that say about us?

The charcoal burners of the English Lake District are long gone, eradicated by a world only concerned with profit margins and factory efficiency. The few who remain are confined to “model farms” or “visitor centers”, to be ogled by tourists. They are no longer free to roam the English hillsides and fells. They are confined. A preserved relic of a bygone age.

The mountain gorilla of Virunga is also about to be eradicated, cast aside by the same demand for profit. Homo sapiens has become primarily a businessman, but unlike good businessmen we gloat over our profits, and deny our losses. Before long, one of those losses will be our closest relative on this planet.

Can the short-term profit really be worth the long-term loss?

Read more on the plight of the mountain gorillas of Virunga:

HERE

HERE

and at Wildlifedirect.org a charity supporting the work of Virunga’s Rangers. A charity desperately in need of your donations.

Filed under: Imminent extinctions