Directed Energy Weapons Acronyms & Glossary

Directed Energy Weapons
Acronyms and Glossary*

ABL -- Airborne Laser
COIL -- Chemical Oxygen Iodine Lasers
CPB -- Charged Particle Beam
DEW -- Directed Energy Weapons
DEW-V -- Directed Energy Warfare - Vehicle
EMI -- Electromagnetic Interference
EMP -- Electromagnetic Pulse
FEL -- Free Electron Laser
GARDIAN -- General Area Defense Integration Antimissile System
HEL --High Energy Laser
HIRF -- High-Intensity Radio Frequency
HPM -- High Power Microwave
HPRF -- High Power Radio Frequency
LCMS -- Laser Countermeasure System
LLDR -- Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder
MIRACL -- Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser
MODS -- Mobile Ordnance Disrupter System
NLW -- Non-lethal Weapons
NNEMP -- Non-Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse
SBL -- Space-Based Laser
THEL -- Tactical High-Energy Laser

DTIC Thesaurus: High energy lasers, such as continuous wave, repetitively pulsed, and single pulse, for tactical and strategic applications; Charged and neutral particle beam weapons. Includes energy generators, beam handling and control, target effects and countermeasures.

Directed Energy [DE]: (DOD) An umbrella term covering technologies that relate to the production of a beam of concentrated electromagnetic energy or atomic or subatomic particles. [1]

Directed Energy Device: (DOD) A system using directed energy primarily for a purpose other than as a weapon. Directed-energy devices may produce effects that could allow the device to be used as a weapon against certain threats, for example, laser rangefinders and designators used against sensors that are sensitive to light. [1]

Directed-Energy Protective Measures: (DOD) That division of directed-energy warfare involving actions taken to protect friendly equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure friendly effective uses of the electromagnetic spectrum that are threatened by hostile directed-energy weapons and devices. [1]

Directed-Energy Warfare: (DOD) Military action involving the use of directed-energy weapons, devices, and countermeasures to either cause direct damage or destruction of enemy equipment, facilities and personnel, or to determine, exploit, reduce, or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum through damage, destruction, and disruption. It also includes actions taken to protect friendly equipment, facilities, and personnel and retain friendly use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Also called DEW. [1]

Directed-Energy Weapon [DEW]: (DOD) A system using directed energy primarily as a direct means to damage or destroy enemy equipment, facilities, and personnel. [1]

Electromagnetic Interference [EMI]: (DOD) Any electromagnetic disturbance that interrupts, obstructs, or otherwise degrades or limits the effective performance of electronics/electrical equipment. It can be induced intentionally, as in some forms of electronic warfare, or unintentionally, as a result of spurious emissions and responses, intermodulation products, and the like. [1]

Electromagnetic Pulse [EMP]: (DOD) The electromagnetic radiation from a nuclear explosion caused by Compton-recoil electrons and photoelectrons from photons scattered in the materials of the nuclear device or in a surrounding medium. The resulting electric and magnetic fields may couple with electrical/electronic systems to produce damaging current and voltage surges. May also be caused by nonnuclear means. [1]

Free Electron Lasers [FEL]: High-energy lasers in which the relativistic electron beam energy is converted into optical energy. [2]

High Power Microwave [HPM] Weapons: Energy generated by a conventional electromagnetic apparatus, such as a radar transmitter, or released from a conventional explosion converted into a ratio-frequency weapon which causes the disruption of electronic systems. Usually an ultra-wide ban source focus due to target vulnerability considerations. HPMs can also cause human unconsciousness without permanent maiming by upsetting the neural pathways in the brain and/or death. [3]

Non-Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse [NNEMP] Weapons: Non-nuclear EMP generating weapons mounted on cruise missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which would disable enemy tanks and early warning radars would be invaluable. Such weapons when they explode would produce a momentary blast of microwaves powerful enough to disable all but special, radiation-hardened electronic devices. [3]

Particle Beam Weapons [PBW]: Nonnuclear weapons using a stream of high velocity particles or atomic or subatomic particles, excluding simulators for nuclear weapons-provided effects. [2]

Radio Frequency [RF] Weapons: A class of weapons which transmit short, high-powered pulses of electromagnetic radiation over significant ranges. [3]

Thermal Gun: A device that directs energy to produce heat, in concept similar to a microwave oven. [3]

*Source Link.

End Times In Bush's Brain

Approximately forty percent of the american public subscribe to a literal translation of the Bible. A large, and influential percentage of the population believe we are living in "end days".

Tens of millions of american christians believe that a nuclear war between Israel, and an Islamic nation will take place, and that this war will lead to the death of billions of people around the world.

They also believe that this war must take place prior to the second coming of Jesus.

The president of the United States of America should be asked point blank by a member of the mainstream media if he subscribes to this view on the fate of mankind.

We really need to know what is rattling around up there in Bush's brain - don't we?

If Bush believes this fate exist, and if he truly believes his war in Iraq was at God's direction then it would help "We the People" to understand what our government is likely to do, or not to do. If the leaders of this nation take a fatalistic view of war in the Middle East then any notion of progress towards peace would be severely compromised.

With escalating conflict in the Middle East this would be a good time if some brave journalist shouted that question at the President.

"Are we living in end times Mr. President, and if so how do you see your role in brokering a peace in the Middle East?".

War & The Damned Dirty Apes!

Image: They Finally Did It*


I don't really feel we can blame religion entirely for what we are seeing in the Middle East. A brief look look at the history of humankind shows that wars have been fought by various peoples at various times, and places for a variety of "reasons".

Religion is essentially an excuse for going to war, but the main intent of war is theft. War is organized stealing. In the past if you wanted something your neighbor had, and didn't want to trade for it, you'd drum up some reasons, gather an army, and raid their lands.

Some of your party would surely die, but to the victors went the spoils. The victors were paid in sex, slaves, land, precious metals, gems, money, food, beer, and wine. If you survived it war could be a fairly lucrative operation.

War was like playing the lottery. There have always been people so downtrodden that risking their lives to wage war seemed like a risk worth taking.

We believe we're different, but we have our "Oil War", and we pay bonuses to those willing to enlist, or reenlist hoping that we will keep the ranks of our military well stocked. War is war.

War isn't as easy to understand today as it was in the past. We forbid modern armies the pleasures of rape, and plunder. Yet war in the end results in a victor to which goes the spoils.

The spoils may no longer return in chariots filled with gold, but there are spoils none the less. Modern day spoils come in the form of control over natural resources.

Plunder is no longer divided through the counting of coins, or jars of wine, but through lucrative contracts obtained by multinational corporations. Plunder is divided through the redistribution of wealth created via access to natural resources, and markets.

Call it a war of liberation, or a war of retribution, but when it comes down to it - it doesn't matter how we justify war - for in the end we're just a bunch of damned dirty apes running around killing each other so that we can steal as much as we can.

*Image: Not mine, although I edited it. I found the image using a Google Search. I added color, and contrast. I also digitally altered it, and then resized it. It's based upon a scene in the original Planet of the Apes movie. Charlton Heston's character discovers that the planet he is on is Earth. That due to an atomic war all he knew was destroyed long ago. A scene which sent shivers down my spine as a child. There's a horse in the lower right corner. The main character is on his hands, and knees in anguish just in front of the horse. A partially melted Statue of Liberty appears before him on the beach. Is this mankind's fate?

A Wave Particle Duality Cartoon?

Randy at Photo-Etc has linked to a short little cartoon which describes wave-particle duality.

Now I know some of you might be asking yourselves just why you'd want to watch such a cartoon about quantum physics.

You're not interested in that science crap!

You got a "C" in every science related class you ever took, and who cares about that stuff ~ anyhow?

If you feel that way, maybe you shouldn't watch the cartoon.

But for those of you who have been reading some of my recent post regarding the nature of the quantum mind who might want a quick way to advance your understanding of some of what I have been referring to - without having to read a boring description in some science magazine then this cartoon is worth watching.

Then again, what the bleep do I know?

Bush's Last Shin Dig

Bush walks up to the podium.

This is the Republican National Convention.

The crowd goes crazy!

They are the faithful.

They are the true americans!

Cheering for their beloved king!

They won't let him speak!

He smiles.

He winks.

He steps away from the podium.

He speaks to Laura.

She smiles.

She nods.

With a tear in her eye.

Get the close up!

On three!

She is so proud of her man.

He walks to the edge of the stage.

And points.

He's a people's man.

He knows em.

He swaggers back to the podium.

They won't let him speak!

He steps away again.

He looks out upon the sea.

Red.

White.

Blue.

Bush Signs.

They love him.

He is our hero!

He saved us!

Ten minutes later.

He makes it back to the microphone.

They told everyone only ten minutes.

He makes his joke.

They laugh.

And laugh!

Can you believe how funny that joke was!

He's so witty!

He's such a wonderful man!

If only we could keep him in office.

For another four years!

The crowd begins chanting "Four More Years! Four More Years!"

He seems prepared.

He's so clever.

Another Joke.

This one self deprecating.

Laura told him it's time.

Time to spend more time doing something important.

Like common folk do.

On the ranch!

Yes, the ranch!

He's a people's man!

He was just like Reagan!

Off into the Texas sunset!

Our hero.

Our cowboy.

They laugh, and laugh again.

He begins to speak again.

They hush now.

This is important!

The Republicans saved America in a troubled time.

No mention of Iraq will be made - it was decided.

No mention of Osama Bin Laden either - it's for the best.

The nation will still be at war.

In Iraq.

Five thousand U.S. war dead.

Fifty thousand wounded.

A half trillion dollars spent on Iraq.

And a raging civil war.

The borders, and ports of the U.S. will still be undefended.

The crowd will chant "Four More Years, Four More Years".

For exactly four minutes.

That's the secret.

Timing is everything.

Go to two!

Go to two for the close up!

Something I've been interested in for several decades. The nature of consciousness with consideration of quantum effects.
The article below is reproduced from Wikipedia.
Just a starting point for consideration if you wish.

Spin-Mediated Consciousness Theory

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The spin-mediated consciousness theory is a theory that says quantum spin is the seat of consciousness and the linchpin between mind and the brain, that is, spin is the mind-pixel. According to this theory, consciousness is intrinsically connected to the spin process and emerges from the self-referential collapses of spin states and the unity of mind is achieved by entanglement of these mind-pixels.

This theory was initially proposed by biophysicist Huping Hu with his collaborator Maoxin Wu. It is a tentative hypothesis as are all current hypotheses about consciousness. The starting point is the fact that spin is basic quantum bit ("qubit") for encoding information and, on the other hand, neural membranes and proteins are saturated with nuclear spin carrying nuclei and form the matrice of brain electrical activities. Indeed, spin is embedded in the microscopic structure of spacetime as reflected by Dirac equation and is likely more fundamental than spacetime itself as implicated by Roger Penrose’s work. In the David Hestenes picture the zitterbewegung associated with spin was shown to be responsible for the quantum effects of the fermion. Further, in the David Bohm picture the internal motion associated with spin has been shown to be responsible for the quantum potential which, in turn, is responsible for quantum effects. Thus, if one adopts the minority quantum mind view, nuclear spins and possibly unpaired electron spins become natural candidates for mind-pixels.

Applying these ideas to the particular structures and dynamics of the brain, they theorize that human brain works as follows: Through action potential modulated nuclear spin interactions and paramagnetic O2/NO driven activations, the nuclear spins inside neural membranes and proteins form various entangled quantum states some of which survive decoherence through quantum Zeno effects or in decoherence-free subspaces and then collapse contextually via irreversible and non-computable means producing consciousness and, in turn, the collective spin dynamics associated with said collapses have effects through spin chemistry on classical neural activities thus influencing the neural networks of the brain.

As with other quantum mind theories, decoherence is a major concern as pointed out by Max Tegmark but may not be insurmountable (See, e.g., Stuart Hameroff).

Fate, and Looking At Life Backwards

The Conscious Mind, and Decision Making.

Most of us have the luxury of time, and freedom to shape our own fate - at least to some extent. We decide to smoke, or not smoke. We chose what to eat, and how much to eat. We exercise, or don't. We take our medicines, and vitamins, and deal with our stress - or don't. We drive too fast, or not. Most of us make many decisions which add up, and have their effect upon our health, and eventually determine how long we live. Some of us don't have the luxury of time, or the freedom to make many choices, but all of us eventually die.

It's difficult to understand why individuals decide to make bad choices which shorten their lives. Why do people smoke when they know it will kill them, or why do they drink, and drive? There's always some reason whether good, or not, justifying the decisions people make. For some it's boredom, or addiction, for other's it's genetic dispositions.


The Subconscious Mind, and Decision Making.

If our fate is shaped by the decisions we make, it is also true that the decisions we make are shaped by our fate.

In the world of conscious perception we percieve events as a progression of actions and related reactions. We see the apple fall to the ground from the tree. We see the match light the candle. We see the baby age becoming an adult, and then die. The conscious mind sees this linear pattern, and it shapes the world view that each of us holds as true. Linear causality is incorporated into our thoughts, our beliefs, our religion, and our sciences. Without an understanding of linear causality individuals would find it impossible to learn. Yet, the perception, and expectation of linear causality is so predominant within the individual, and society, that any other possible model of causality is overwhelmed.


Non-Linear Causality & Consciousness.

• Consciousness exist within a universal tachyonic field.
• The tachyonic field constitutes a spatial, and temporal singularity.
• The singularity exist, and does not exist simultaneously.
• The singularity's waveform doesn't collapse until it is observed.
• Consciousness collapses such waveforms.
  
• The subconscious does not immediately collapse such waveforms.
• The subconscious acts as a trans-spatial-temporal information conduit.
• Conscious perception is the sampling of wave form collapses.
• Consciousness incorporates subconscious trans-spatial-temporal information.

If we are ever to understand personality we must also understand the forces which shape personality. Understanding consciousness without incorporating subconscious forces - including trans time perception only leads to a limited view of human psychological processes, and of consciousness itself.


Fate's Effect Upon Decision Making.

Human beings are able to make adjustments to the time, and circumstances of their last moments in a subconscious manner - partially dependent upon their subconscious knowledge of their own fate.

This is true not only when people are consciously aware that they are dying, but is true even in situations in which people are to die of a completely unexpected accident, undiagnosed health problem, or at the hands of another.

Sometimes people live their entire lives to the fullest in what looks like an abbreviated style.

The teenager who joined every club, and played on every team. They loved each moment, and shared themselves to the fullest with friends, and family. Then suddenly fate steps in, and they're gone. Everyone is stunned. Everyone ask, why that person?

These people knew subconciously how little time they had to live, and acted in a manner indicative of this knowledge. Their subconscious knowledge of their fate shaped the very fabric of who they became, and how they lived their lives. Many times those who survive them are left with the impression that they lived as if like a shooting star burning brighter in comparison to those around them.

A beloved teacher who spent every moment helping every child they could - and the entire school in mourning upon unexpectedly losing this inspirational, and unique influence. How could this young person die so unexpectedly, when they lived like a superman? It's always such a shock to those who survive their passing, yet it seems obvious too why they lived the way they did - but only if thier life is viewed in reverse. Playing their life story backwards makes more sense of their life decisions.

Playing their life story backwards reveals a wealth of clues as to the nature of the choices people make in their lives - and to their very personality.

We see it in horrible deaths too. You look at the photos of the people who go insane, and go on a killing spree before blowing their own brains out. You see it in their eyes - even in photographs taken of them when they were little children.

And who could deny the numbers of life partners who leave life within months of each other? Their reason for living is gone, and it's time for them to leave. You see it in the way they stayed together all those years, and then depart together.


Playing Life Stories Backwards Revealing.

Call it fate, god's plan, the soul, or subconscious forces, but something is taking place on a fundamental level of experience which many of us are willing to admit. While we may have great difficulty understanding what is is we are witnessing, and why it is taking place we never the less know it is taking place.

The tangle of life, and death is complex, and fascinating. The recent passing of former Enron CEO Ken Lay is just another interesting example which illustrates the power of mind, and spirit, as a force which shapes our destiny.

Ken Lay faced a future in prison. This was a fate he could not accept. By whatever subconscious means possible to him he willed himself to die. That is an astounding revelation to the power which people possess to shape their own health, and their lives.

It would be fascinating to play Ken Lay backwards - to examine his life, but starting at his death - to work back a day at a time, and to learn how it all went wrong.

How far back did Ken Lay's subconscious mind have to "tell" Ken Lay's conscious mind to start eating unhealthy foods so that he would die before ever having to serve prison time? That's a question I'd be looking to answer through any such biographical study of Ken Lay's life.

Hope for the Resurrection of the USA

Photo: Rainbow Over Springfield, Illinois. June 2006.

Hope
by JeromeProphet

My brothers, and sisters.
We've been there.
We know.
The feeling.
Alienation.
And defeat.

The fools leading the blind.
In the name of Greed.
They rule this day.

But do not despair.
You are not the enemy.
You are not alone.
You are right.
You are the patriot.

Our leaders have abandoned us.

We live in corrupt times.
In a corrupted nation.
And all seems hopeless.

Sadly.

Times will get much worse.
There can be no prediction without the admission.
That we are lost.
For now.

But do not give up.
Hope.

Evil leads to evil.
And evil rules the day.

But your hope leads to vision.
A vision you can share.
A vision you must share.

A vision of a great nation.
A vision of peace.
A vision of love.
Cooperation.
Progress.
Brotherhood.

A vision with hope.
And of resurrection.
For the nation we love.

The USA.

I Celebrated the 4th of July in Springfield, Illinois!

Photo: A Celestial Display of Fireworks Over Illinois State Capitol


You light your works.
You take your drugs.
You drink your drinks.
You smile your smiles.

You celebrate!

You eat your eats.
You say hello.
You say goodbye.
You sing your songs.

You celebrate!

You're going home.
You're wading in obscurity.
You're fading into history.
Of another 4th of July.

You celebrate!

Summer Embrace

Summer Embrace
by Jerome Prophet

Rustling trees upon the distance.
Summer days, and nights of fun.
Lightning bugs do flash yellow.
Reminders all was young.

Cicada, and crickets a melody.
The sun sets hot in amber glow.
Twinkling stars race to place.
Moon a silver sliver shows.

Reality more real than death.
Summer breeze fills my breast.
I see it now it's clear.
Live forever - abandon fear.

If summer night I could capture.
A memory or a trace.
I'd live in you forever.
In your warm eternal embrace.

Gates, Buffett and the New Social Darwinism

It is generally believed that those least able stumble, and fall to the wayside while those gifted rise to the top.

A type of selection process weeds out those unfit for success, and rewards the best, and most deserving in society.

Social Darwinism is at play it is argued, and the rich, powerful, and successful deserve their lot in life. They have either earned what they have, or perhaps inherited it from their parents who did the earning.

In any case one should not question the social order, or the devine right of authority, and nobility. They are there for a reason - they deserve it.

Luck is nothing more than wisely putting yourself in the right place, at the right time, and so even those falling into wealth, and fame, deserve what they have.

The poor also deserve their station, if not why wouldn't they work harder, and smarter, and show themselves capable to their superiors - thus finding promotion to a more successful position in life.

And for those somewhere in the middle, well keep working harder, longer, and smarter, and one day you too may find your earthly reward - have faith, and keep voting Republican.

Conservatives tend to agree with, and promote, this philosophical approach. Let the rich alone, they deserve what they have. Let the poor learn from their suffering for they surely deserve it.

Low taxes, low wages makes a wonderful world.

Yet, despite this widely held view that greed is the ultimate good, the two richest people in the world have decided that greed isn't good. They have decided that greed is only a means to an end, but not the destination itself.

Instead we see the most financially successful people of our time take retirement from the accumulation of riches, and give most of their fortunes away to the poor, and needy.

What gives? Is this even allowed? Did I miss something in the rules?

The biggest winners of the game of life have decided that living in the mansion isn't the object of the game, but instead have decided that helping out those in the poor house is the biggest victory of all.

There's certainly a lesson for us all in the actions of Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett.

I just hope the rest of us are listening.

Covert Testing of Immobilization Pathogens

Would the U.S. government ever use weakend bio weapons upon its own people?

There's no reason to believe the U.S. government wouldn't expose its own people to weakend forms of viri, and bacteria in illegal covert bio weapon's testing. The Main Stream Media in the U.S. would never expose such a program even if it ever came to know of its existence. Therefore there simply is no means by which the people's rights would be protected from this type of governmental abuse.

In a one party state in which there is no protection of the individual from government abuse anyone's worst nightmare becomes just another unpublished leak.


Program Justifications*:

• We're only going to use a weakend viri to test how a specific viri spreads.
• We're only going to use a weak bacteria to test how a specific bacteria spreads.
• We're only using a weak pathogen to test a new method, and/or technology used to spread pathogens.
• We're only using this weakend pathogen, or series of pathogens, to secretly vacinate the public from a real pathogen which the "bad guys" will one day use upon the U.S. population.
• We're developing means of countering chemical/bio-terror through the covert development of a mass antidote innoculation delivery system which could be employed after a biological, or chemical attack.
  

With immunity from detection, and criminal prosecution those who would carry out such a program could easily advance such a bio weapons testing program for decades without anyone, or any organization opposing them.

I believe it is an absolute certainty that the population of the U.S. has served as test subjects for a long running covert bio weapons testing program.

Not In America!

The U.S. government spies upon its own people in every way imaginable justifing such activity as being conducted for the common good. The Constitution is no longer seen as an inhibiting factor to government activity. The individual no longer matters in concerns of the state. It therefore must be assumed that the U.S. government would carry out other activities it deems as promoting the common good - including testing bio weapons upon its own people.

Such A Program Would Be Exposed!

Those most likely to know of such a program's existence would be most likely to approve of such a program, and therefore least likely to reveal its existence - making such a program much more likely to exist than not.


International Treaties Prevent This!

The U.S. ignores international treaties at will whenever it sees a treaty as an inhibition to national security.


Too crazy to believe?

Persuasive rhetoric: If our enemies would use bio-or-chem warfare against this nation, and they are not inhibited by international conventions then we must be prepared to fight fire with fire! We must do whatever it takes to win the war against terrorism. Sacrafices must be made to secure the safety of the public. What's a little discomfort (mild infections) when it comes to securing that safety?


*Such justifications would have been given by those involved in the program to each other (saving the world for communism, terrorism, etc.), and to a handful of members of Congress over the last fifty years - and maybe even a President or two.

Cheerful Media Tools Of The One Party State

ART: You Are Here Too - 5th & Adams - Springfield, Illinois - 2006

Opinion: Watching the news cycle so expertly crafted is enough to make anyone retch. Main Stream Media is staffed by corporate stooges who hide any personal concerns which they may have over being used by the spin masters of the one party state. Could we expect anything more from corporate media?

Oh my god a group of "terrorist" was planning to bring down Sears Tower in Chicago!

Let's see what other issues are ignored meanwhile.

It's always the senzational stories which dominate the headlines. It seems that less, and less consideration is given to stories of merit. There are some exceptions, but consolidtation of ownership of major media outlets has worked wonders in allowing the powers that be to squelch out voices of discontent.

In a world in which more voices should be heard than ever before the major media outlets tend to focus on the same sensationalistic stories. How can a democracy continue to exist when its people are so uninformed?

Image Monkey

Caption: Image Monkey

In school they taught me how to sit.

It worked because that's what I do for a living.

Sit boy! Sit!

Playing in the Dirt

Randy from photo-etc requested that I resume a more regular blog post routine.

So I will.

I've been very busy recently. I purchased two tons of top soil this week, and leveled out an area in my backyard that was on an incline.

Thing is I bought the soil in forty pound bags - stupid, stupid, stupid thing to do.

It was a major undertaking.

Next comes some late gardening.

I firmly believe that man can not live by blog alone.

People need many hobbies, and diversions or else those means of recreation become stale.

My blogging pace may have slacked off a bit, but I don't plan to stop blogging. In the end I'll be out here bloggin long after many others have grown bored of it.

By the way Randy, I like your blog.

Faith Based War

Supporters of the Iraq war feel that the money borrowed from future generations to pay for the war has been well invested. They believe that the benefits of the war outweigh the cost.

Have faith.

These patriots believe that the world will be a better place because of our actions, and that one day Iraq will be a free, and democratic society - one which will look upon the U.S. as a friend.

Let it be.

Why else would we spend three hundred billion dollars, and kill, and wound tens of thousands of human beings if it wasn't to turn Iraq into our trust muslim friend?

Amen.

This faith based approach to foreign policy refuses to believe the war could possibly be a mistake. Like any religious crusade the Iraq war is fueled on the faith of its supporters.

Believe.

While the borders of the homeland remain virtually undefended, and cargo containers with nuclear weapons could easily be brought into just about any U.S. port we are asked to believe that we have been made safer through our actions in Iraq.

Praise Him!

These lovers of freedom know in their hearts that Iraq was behind 9-11 no matter what anyone says.

In his infinite wisdom!

They know the Weapons of Mass Destruction were real.

You must believe!

And that our actions are justified!

Yes, justified my lord!

That torture is justifiable.

In the name of all that is holy!

That creating a terrorist state is justifiable.

In the name of God!

That lying to the U.N. is o.k.

Praise Him!

That lying to America is o.k.

His will be done.

That graft, corruption, and war profiteering is o.k.

God loves the sinner!

No matter how many enemies we create around the world.

We will prevail!

That the war in Iraq is God's will.

We are saved!

Senator Dick Durbin - Apology Revisited

I don't have much to say about this subject that I haven't already said. My email to the Anti Defamation League in defense of Dick Durbin went unanswered, as did my last email to the Senator himself. I guess the matter is resolved?

I don't feel the Jewish people have a lock on the use of the Holocaust as an analogy - that's not only racist, but it totally misses the entire lesson of the Holocaust!

We must learn from the Holocaust, see how it began - and not allow it to happen again to anyone of any race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or tribe ever again anywhere.

But intellectual facism in pursuit of control over collective guilt is the rule of the day in this Politically Correct world. Control over the use of "The Holocaust" as an analogy is more important than standing up to evil in the modern world. How sad, frightening, and warped this world has become - and all in pursuit of power.

I never believed that Senator Durbin's comments made from the floor of the U.S. Senate last year regarding prisoner torture, and maltreatment at the hands of the U.S. military were anything but accurate. They did not cast blame upon all American soldiers, nor did they lightly consider the nature of the Holocaust.

The Senator spoke true, with courage, and passion - in a time when such speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate is badly needed.

I felt then, and now that the Senator should have made a stand on principle, but instead he apologized. Caving in didn't appease his critics however - Go Here for more.

Passionate About Secularism

Without secularism our modern society would be ripped apart at the seams. Yet those who portray themselves as society's true defenders seek to destroy secularism.

Religious fundamentalist around the world fear a level ideological playing field which only secularism allows to exist. They fear the free market of ideas, and the power of the individual to make free choices in matters of conscience. Their fear is driven by a lack of surety in a modern world filled with continual changes - changes which challenge their sense of meaning.

Every human seeks answers to the fundamental questions we face. Is the pain I feel worth my continued survival? Is there life after death, or is this all there is? Is meaning to be found in the material world, myself, others, or some higher being? There are so many questions, and so many people with holy books telling us which way to turn.

If it were simply a matter of seeking, and finding fundamental truth and meaning we might all find a way to live with one another in peace, and harmony, but sadly it seems there's something else which people long for - sameness.

Fear not only drives people to seek fundamental answers to fundamental questions, it also drives people into the arms of despots. The more we hurt, and fear the more we seek to embrace offers of absolute answers, and solutions. We are but children seeking to be cradled to the bosom of a loving parent.

For the impoverished masses of Islam fundamentalism is a ready made solution to earthly pain, and anxiety. They may never achieve worldy wealth or success, but they can find peace, and meaning which only religion provides. All questions answered, and all anxiety sedated - religion is the perfect universal opiate.

Christian fundamentalist in the West know that they are saved, and that they are rightous. Others of different beliefs are simply walking corpses headed straight into eternal damnation. Through church attendance, and prayer group associations believers reach for deeper understanding of ancient wisdom found within the Bible. All doubts are pushed aside, the mind is calmed, confidence enabled. and lives are changed with a personal connection to the Alpha, and the Omega.

Whatever the religion fundamentalist fear tolerance of ideas which are different from those embraced by their denomination, sect, or cult. Fundamentalist seek to stamp out other ideas, for other ideas are evil.

Fundamentalist of all religions seek to destroy secularism in any state in which it exist. If fundamentalist had their way the United States, and in fact every nation on Earth, would be a theocracy.

Yet secularism is the very reason the West is technologically, and economically advanced. Secularism was fundamental to the West's defeat of Communism. Without secularism a functional democracy can not exist. Without democracy the modern capitalist state can not exist. And without the modern capitalist state scientific, economic, and social progress will not take place. I hold these truths to be self evident - I am a secularist. And I'm passionate about secularism.

Blogger Convention Coverage on CSPAN

There's a blogger convention taking place in Las Vegas, and CSPAN has been covering it. I watched several hours of coverage over the last few days. Very interesting.

For those interested I suggest checking CSPAN.ORG website out for scheduling. If you missed it the first time (and it's ongoing) you may be able to catch it via their webcast.

Did Our 183rd Hit Al-Zarqawi?

This SJ-R article ponders upon the possibility of Springfield Air National Guard's 183rd taking part in the "hit" on terrorist scum al-Zarqawi. True or not? I guess I'll find out when the rest of us do.

Do I care one way, or another? It really doesn't make my heart swell with pride, but I'm happy that murderous scum is dead, and if I had the chance to buy the pilot a beer, or a case of beer I'd feel happy to do so.

What would be fitting, and would fill my heart with pride is keeping the 183rd where it belongs - Springfield, Illinois.

Note: Just because I feel that Al-Zarqawi deserved what he got does NOT mean I support the war in Iraq, or the Bush Administration. I support our troops, but not the war. I love America, but can't stand the Bush Administration.

Solar Alternative To War

Only a few years ago if someone mentioned having a bank of solar cells on their home it would almost certainly have meant a solar water heater.

Those brave pioneers of the home solar energy movement certainly deserve recognition, but the truth is not very many people were willing to invest in solar water heaters in a time of inexpensive fossil fuels.

Only those truly concerned with the ecological benefit of solar energy could convince themselves that going solar was worth the money.

In recent years more efficient, and less expensive photo voltaic cells have lowered the cost of producing electricity from sunlight. While it still takes a sizable tax break to justify "going solar" doing so is no longer a far out proposition.

When the cost of global warming, pollution management, and building expensive new power plants is considered it makes more sense to go solar than not.

Still the upfront cost of going solar is daunting for an average household. The cost of a solar energy system capable of producing a typical home's entire electric needs averages $35,000. This cost includes a device used by the homeowner to sell surplus electricity to the power company.

Several sunbelt states, including California are granting large tax rebates to homeowners, and businesses willing to install solar energy systems. The federal government is also offering a tax rebate.

State, and federal tax rebates total to approximately $7000. This incentive is no doubt helpful, but the difference between cost, and tax incentives leaves most homeowners unable to take the solar plunge.

Gas, oil, nuclear, and coal are too inexpensive for solar to compete on a kilowatt per kilowatt basis, but simply comparing cost per kilowatt fails to factor in the cost of global warming, the cost and impact of pollution, the cost of dealing with nuclear waste, and the cost of paying for two oil wars - and perhaps more.

Despite the current cost advantage conventional energy has over solar the future of solar is bright. Solar technology continues to fall in price while the efficiency of solar cells increases. Each new generation of photocell has lowered the cost per kilowatt, while energy from fossil fuels continues to rise. As the world's finite supply of fossil fuels dwindles, driving the cost for such supplies upward, obtaining energy from the sun is looking more, and more like a solution for the world's energy woes.

There's no denying that Big Oil runs Washington D.C., which is why today the United States is more dependent upon imported oil, and natural gas than ever before.

Yet, with China, and India demanding more, and more oil for their own developing economies it is inevitable that within just a few decades that "alternative" sources of energy will be needed.

The question isn't if the U.S. will adopt solar energy, but when. The adoption of solar energy should not be driven by scarcity economics.

The cost to society for its dependence upon fossil fuels is continued risk of global economic instability, and possibly war.

If estimates of the cost of the U.S. war in Iraq are correct, then the U.S. has already spent $300,000,000,000. on this oil war.

Again, the average home in California could be converted entirely to solar power for $35,000. The Bush Administration has already spent as much money on its war in Iraq as it would have cost to convert 8, 571, 428 homes to solar!

That figure assumes the federal government would foot the entire cost, and therefore is a low estimate of how many homes could have been turned into mini-power plants. Even providing a large federal tax break for converting going solar could convince many more households into paying for such conversions themselves.

Also, by supporting solar energy on this scale the federal government would have driven the cost of solar energy down further. The economies of scale would have dropped the price of solar electric systems considerably thus allowing even more households to convert to solar.

If the Bush Administration in response to 9/11 had announced that the U.S. was overly dependent upon foreign oil, and announced a massive tax break for solar, geothermal, biomass, and wind-power one can only wonder how many tens of millions of households would already be using clean and cheap alternative energy right now.

But having the President's family on the take from Saudia Arabia dictated that the U.S. would remain highly dependent upon its oil pushers. We passed up on a historic moment of becoming an independent nation again.

U.S. troops currently occupy Iraq in the hope that one day it will supply the U.S. with its coveted oil. The war in Iraq is for oil.

Not only has the U.S. wasted a huge amount of tax dollars on its dependence upon oil, it could have used those tax dollars securing its independence. Sadly, its leaders don't consider themselves representatives of the United States, or the citizens of that nation, but instead consider themselves to be representatives of the oil industry, and Arab Princes.

Greed, short term concerns, and self interest have run the U.S. government, and economy for too long. The U.S. needs new leaders - leaders not owned by oil interest! As the American Empire spirals slowly into history who will speak for America?

Huntin Hajis

First let me say that without question I oppose the war in Iraq. At one time I was in support of the war, and thought President Bush had made the right decision to invade Iraq. But it wasn't too long into the occupation of Iraq that I began to realize that something was terribly wrong.

It started with the looting, and the unprotected hospitals. The arms depots which were left unguarded, and the sparse number of troops. The chaos, and the inability to restore basic services. It all began to add up. We went in with too few troops!

I kept waiting for the truth to sink in, and for someone to admit that more troops would have to be sent, but it appears keeping too few soldiers in Iraq is part of the Bush Administration plan.

A very big consequence of not having enough troops in Iraq is that we have grown an insurgency.

The closest analogy is that of antibiotics. If you take too little you just breed super bacteria that no longer respond to antibiotics. By sending in too few troops those troops we have sent in have only acted as trainers for rebel forces which grow in numbers, and strength by the day.

In the meantime we continue to make more, and more enemies with every death, and injury.

No matter how many pieces of candy tossed out to children by troops driving by in their Hummers it isn't going to turn the tide of this war. Iraq is a ticking time bomb, and it was we who set the fuse.

Many of our troops are used as bait. They are instructed to drive through areas in which an attack upon our troops is expected. Once the attack occurs other U.S. units will come in for a counter attack. This is Vietnam all over again. It's a war by numbers, but it is not a war in which we will win. These methods prove that we are understaffed in Iraq, and it's not right to send our troops out to act as bait.

The U.S. military learned a great deal from Vietnam. The use of overwhelming force when occupying a nation is the way to go, but for political reasons the Secretary of Defense has still not been sacked for intimidating our military's general staff into sending so few troops.

The truth is our political leaders smile a great deal, and act like they care about our troops, but are deliberately wasting these troops lives. And because it's Republicans were talking about here they can get away with - wrapping themselves up in the flag, and hoping like hell the media will be too timid to reveal what's going on.

One result of using our soldiers as bait is the stress is creates on our soldiers. By not enjoying overwhelming numerical superiority, and by not creating a passified Iraq we have created a non-stop war in which our soldiers are being hunted.

Our solders natural response is to view anyone who is not one of them as the enemy.

We're now seeing the slaughter of innocent civilians, racist approaches towards viewing Iraqis, and it is all too clear that this can only breed further hatred for our troops.

We either need to send hundreds of thousands more troops over to Iraq, or we need to pull our troops out now. But we all know more troops won't be sent will they. It would make the administration look bad.

We have lost the war folks, let's prop up an interim government, broker a deal with the Kurds, Iran, Syria, and Jordan - and get the hell out while the going is bad!

The civil war there will happen no matter how long we stay - we can't make it not happen no matter how much blood, and treasure we throw at it.

It's not good news, but it's the way it is.

Artificial Lightning - An Interview

AI: How long have you been interested in the subject of artificial lightning, and weather modification?

JP: Nearly thirty years now.
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AI: Why are you interested in this subject?

JP: Well, to me it's a fascinating subject. Imagine being able to secretly change the weather while simultaneously finding a way to secretly develop high energy weapons - to me that sounds mind bogglingly interesting.
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AI: Are you saying that is what is actually happening?

JP: I believe so. There's every reason to believe that such a program would have to be in operation at this time if the development of high energy weapons, and weather modification is to ever reach a level of proficiency which would allow either to become useful tools in the hands of the U.S. military.
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AI: How long do you believe such a program has been in existence?

JP: It would predate my interest by several decades.
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AI: You're saying that the U.S. has run a secret artificial lightning program for the last fifty years?

JP: I'd say to some extent the program's existence dates back that far.
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AI: But that's a long time to keep anything secret, and from everything we see, or hear about such technology isn't this stuff future weaponry?

JP: While the existence of the A Bomb certainly was not kept secret for very long how to make them was kept secret for many decades. Only a handful of nations possessed the capability until recently. The word secret means many things to many people. I don't suggest that the U.S. is the only nation to develop particle accelerators, to miniturize them, put them on an aircraft, fly them into a thick patch of clouds, and test them. During the Cold War the Soviets would have tinkered with the idea as well. There are few real secrets in the world.
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AI: But again, isn't this technology just too advanced? Something we see in science fiction movies, but just not possible now?

JP: Let's look at what that means for a moment. Is it more plausible that scientist are truly clueless as to the nature of lightning - that we as a species are still just scratching our heads about how a puff of water vapor can generate lightning, and that our technology is just too crude to match that of a cloud?
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AI: There are other natural forces such a hurricanes which are the result of nature, which humans don't possess the ability to duplicate - at least at this time, why is lightning different?

JP: Lightning is a much more localized event than a hurricane. The energy involved in creating lightning is well within our technological ability. No one is arguing that it is impossible, and those who were proposing the development of such technology decades ago suggested that if such weapons were developed that by now they would be deployable.
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AI: But we don't hear much about this. No one is saying that we have these weapons now, so they'd definately be classified as secret. If in fact you are correct, and the U.S. has developed high energy weapons to the point you are arguing then shouldn't we expect these weapons to be declassified soon?

JP: We saw that with the Stealth Fighter. There came a point when the weapon was going to be useful, and so it was deployed. I believe the time may come when artificial lightning weapons, and weather modification will be deployed - but it could be decades until we see this type of weaponry declassified.
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AI: What type of conflict would drive these weapons out of the world of black ops to every day weaponry as seen in Jane's, or the Military Channel?

JP: That's a good question. The more advanced the weapon becomes the less likely anyone is going to want to declassify it. The nature of this weapon is such that it lends a tremendous advantage to anyone possessing it when others do not. It would have to be an all out attack against the U.S., or perhaps a close friend - for example Japan. In such a scenario we'd see China launching an attack against a nation like Japan, and the U.S. would be forced to use it's best weapons - including weapons it very much wants to keep secret.
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AI: One of the advantages to high energy weapons is that it could render missiles obsolete. The development of such a weapon would change combat in many ways wouldn't it?

JP: Yes, and if one side could covertly develop that technology, develop techniques to use it, and then develop counter methods without an adversary doing the same - well just look at Pearl Harbor.
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AI: Do you believe the U.S. is decades ahead?

JP: Absolutely, and with each and every year the gap widens. By the time China develops into a military superpower which it plans to be, the U.S. will be able to shoot down anything China sends into the air. Owning the air allows us to control the conflict - to stop the conflict early.
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AI: That's an amazing claim, do you have anything, anything at all that would support this argument other than speculation.

JP: No, and if I did I'd be in pretty big trouble for revealing what I knew. This is just based upon speculation.
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AI: Is speculating about this a form of treason, here we are on the Internet talking about secret weapons - doesn't that hurt the U.S.?

JP: No, not at all. None of what I've said is beyond the imagination of the average science fiction writer - it's all public domain. I'm just saying it here, and now.
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AI: Which brings me back to my original question, why?

JP: We can't allow the military, intelligence community, and defense sector to be the only voices when it comes to public policy. The U.S. was once a thriving democracy, and I'd like to see that restored to the people before it's lost forever. In a day, and age in which the full resources of the U.S. intelligence community has been turned into a domesitic spying machine a full fledged police state can not be far behind. In fact I speak with so many people, just every day people who already believe the U.S. is already a police state that it isn't funny.
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AI: So this is politics?

JP: I guess if you can say that the preservation of the Republic is politics I'd have to say yes, it's political. Those who are diligently working to create the police state argue that they are defending the Republic, but the regime for which they toil isn't anything like what most Americans grew up with. Something very sinister has taken place, and it is up to the common man, and woman to stand up to it.
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AI: And discussing artificial lightning is a means of defending democracy?

JP: I ask you to imagine a day in which a model, I'm sorry, a News Anchor announces that the U.S. has been involved in a weather modification program which used artificial lightning. How many families, and friends of those killed by lightning would have to ask if their family member's, or friend's life was taken without due process? Was their farm purposely flooded, or subjected to drought?
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AI: That the state had committed murder? That is an incredible allegation!

JP: That's just one of the issues, there's so many more that need to be looked at including whether any election results were altered due to the manipulation of weather? I was watching the Daily Show just a few nights ago, and I was struck with how the audience laughted to a joke Jon Stewart made about the NSA not peeping through the window at our daughters taking their showers.

I believe the NSA has been using super strobes based on artificial lightning to spy on all of us for a very long time - long before 9/11.

Every time a thunderstorm comes rolling through average Joe American's Anytown it's photo-op time for Big Brother. Of course all the information the NSA is collecting, well I'm sure it's for the good of the country - to protect the sheep from the bears in the woods so to speak.

And for all of your readers who are inclined to believe only the best about the broadening powers of the state, well just go back to sleep, the rest of us will wake you up when we arrive at the slaughterhouse. But before you do go back to sleep, ask yourself this - who profits most from the current state of never ending terror we all live in?

The most powerful nation in the history of the world knows exactly where Osama Bin Laden is - yet he remains free to this day. He is the boogey man folks, and the Bush Administration has worked hand in hand with the evil doers in order to destroy the American Democratic Republic which Bush's true, and only constituency has always seen as a threat.

The less democracy the less fear over taxation of the rich which is what this is all about, and what it has always been about. Tax breaks for the rich, a costly senseless unwinable war in Iraq to act as a diversion from the tax breaks, and the destruction of the American Democracy at the hands of the right wing.

There is in fact no doubt in my mind that when the time comes we'll see another major terrorist incident. That attack will allow the next wave of legislation based upon fear to turn this country openly, and officially into the police state which it very much has already become.

The sad thing is millions of people are so complacent, and apathetic that they'd gladly accept a society without rights as long as they feel safe. We've seen the destruction of democracy many times, and it's happened in just the same way. Always a strong man coming along to save freedom from itself. The results are always horrible, and almost always lead to war. War is the organizing principle of society, but it doesn't have to be - sadly we have allowed this regime into power, and the deed is done.
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AI: I believe I understand where you're coming from on this. But shouldn't we trust our military, and our spys to do the right thing? Aren't they honorable men, and women?

JP: There is a huge intelligence community in this country, and we trusted them to protect us from 9/11, and yet that trust was betrayed. We are at war based upon cooked up intelligence provided to the U.N., Congress, and the American people. We can not place the future of our Republic in the hands of the military, and our spys - not unless you actually want to live in a police state.
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AI: Thank you JP.

JP: It was my priviledge.

Note: This interview is in fact a monologue.

A Peace Full Memorial Day

I've never been entirely comfortable with Memorial Day. I'd like to see Memorial Day broken down into at least two separate holidays - maybe four. I'd call one of those days Hero Day, and the other Ancestor Day. I feel that Memorial Day is in fact two days in one, and doesn't do either much justice. Some might also argue that Memorial Day is also a Futility of War Day, and an Honor Those Who Serve Our Nation Day. Certainly those days would be justified!

I feel that it is because Americans are so afraid of dealing with death that Memorial Day is so unclear about exactly what it means to people. Certainly the military aspect is there - it's an institution, but civilians honor other departed civilians on Memorial Day too - and who's to tell them to stop?

Let's look at my proposal to break Memorial Day down into four separate National Holidays:

Ancestor Day would be a wonderful day. It would be a day in which families could get together, and celebrate the elderly, and dearly departed. A run out to the Cemetery could be part of the Ancestor Day weekend, but so too could getting together with the elders, sharing family, and cultural history.

Heros Day would be the celebration of any Hero, not just those who have died in the Military. Firefighters, Police, and Civilian Heros would all be celebrated! The only rule here would be that a Hero would in fact be dead. I know it's a bummer, and lots of Heros are still alive, but you'll see why I have this rule later. We'll even leave it up to the people to recognize who they define as Heros. Certainly it could be a period of recognition which last a whole three day weekend since we're including more Heros. The Heros Day would in fact be most similar to Memorial Day.

Honor Those Who Serve Our Nation Day seems like a good idea too. I believe there a days similar to this already on the books, but no one gets a day off from work - and I think they should. We should have a weekend - a big event - for this type of recognition. We need to reinforce such behavior, we need to elevate such people to a place of honor. It's good for a nation to do so. This day is different from Heros Day in the sense that these folk haven't necessarily departed - they've served, or are currently serving. And the three day weekend would give ample time to focus on the military, police, fire department, rescue squads, nurses, doctors, dispatchers, volunteers, etc., and the role they play in our society. A three day weekend focusing on these folk sounds alright with me!

The Futility of War Day, well that's actually a day we should all be recognizing each, and every day, but just in case it wouldn't be a bad idea to make it an official holiday. Why not take one weekend out of the year in which violence of any kind - whether it be domestic, or international is shown for what it is - not the best option! I don't believe the nation needs to fear itself slip into pacificist isolationism just because the people would take a weekend each year to introspect about all the pain, and loss which violence has caused humanity. And this day doesn't need to be entirely depressing, as much of the celebration could focus on teaching people about alternatives to violence.

With many ideas I presented above, did I mention beer, and potato chips? Yes, there'd be even more time to spend with the family, and an extra paid day from work for each of these holidays.

August doesn't have a national Holiday, and October could use a three day weekend too. There hasn't been any national holidays added in many years, and I feel it's long overdue.

What A Week Of War Cost Us?

I was watching Mark McDonald's Illinois Stories on WSEC recently. I usually watch it when I notice it's on, but I never really plan on watching it. Still it's a good program, and the local focus makes it well worth watching.

I believe it was two weeks ago there was an edition of Illinois Stories on, and I must admit that I was only partially paying attention to Mark's interview of a librarian of a small town library. The small town was very fortunate as virtually no new libraries are being built in the State of Illinois due to budget problems. This library was built with a one million dollar donation from a well to do family - I believe some rich farmer left it to the city in their will.

It was a nice little state of the art library. Any small town would be proud to have a beautiful little library like that.

I kept wondering why our nation can spend money on Iraq, but we are too poor to build libraries for our own towns?

Isn't it time to win some hearts, and minds right here at home?

One week of funding the war in Iraq would build 1500 "million dollar" libraries!