I bet no-one in the world is talking about this right now!

I just got off my Facebook, where just about every single person in my friends list is rejoicing about the apparent death of Osama Bin Laden.  I though I would sound off about that too, although you might not like my opinion once you read it.  You've been warned.

WAR.  WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR.
Absolutely nothing.  Except stimulating the economy.  And keeping peoples attention focused from other, possibly more sinister events.
In 2001, 19 men flew some Jumbo Jets into a couple of massive buildings, and killed a lot of innocent people.  As we find out, the mastermind of this attack was an old man name Bin Laden.  He was not unknown to the world, or the US, nor did he act alone, and neither were his attacks "random" or "unprovoked".  The attacks themselves were horrible, and yet mysterious, and there are more questions than there are answers.  See "Loose Change" for more information about the collapsing of World Trade Centre 1 and 2, which were specifically designed to withstand the impact of an airplane in the 20's.

Ok, enough conspiracy.  Bin Laden fought for the CIA, who trained him to fight the Ruskies in Asscrackistan in the 80's.  He was an ally.  Then he wasn't.
After the 9/11 attacks, the US, and specifically Dick Cheney, and George "Dubya" Bush, went to war with Afghanistan, on the pretext that OBL was hiding there, which was NOT confirmed.

Based on that, the US bombed Afghanistan, and from 2001-present has killed EACH YEAR, the same number of INNOCENT CIVILIANS as the Americans killed in 9/11, about 3,000 a year.  Thousands more die of causes related to the war.  No one weeps for these people, except Afghanistan.
Iraq has been worse.  Millions are dead.  No one can remember why we are at war with Iraq without referring to the admitted lie of "weapons of mass destruction".

This is terror.  It is being waged against these countries by ourselves!  But, the soldiers who fight are not to blame.  They are fighting a politician's war.  Most of them are weary, they want the war to end, but the roadside bombs, shootings, and car bombs continue, and no one knows what to do next!

OBL is dead.  Nothing will change.  The war cannot be won, there is no objective to be taken, no people to be freed.  The people themselves produce "insurgents" who fight our men.  This bothers me, a lot.  A friend of mine just got back from A-stan, and he had no good words or news.  It is a dangerous place, and we should not be there!

VOTING
I don't often have two rants on one blog post, but tomorrow is election day, and I can't help myself.  Come with me down the rabbit hole, if you dare!
Voting for leaders is nothing new.  The Greeks did so, as did many ancient kingdoms, and hundred of countries today hold "elections", most of which are so clearly rigged, that we wonder why those people even bother to try!
In 1767, the original 13 American colonies revolted against King George because he dared to impose tariffs (taxes) on them.  Today, my government takes over 50% of my earnings to pay people to play solitare on thousands of computers, in hundreds of offices across Canada.  $10,000,000,000 goes to the smallest population group in Canada, who themselves pay no income taxes of any kind.  The leaders in these groups earn $300,000 for leading 1,200 people.  That money came from me, and you.
Tomorrow, millions of people will "cast a vote", and try to "make a difference".  None of them will, especially here in Alberta.  Millions of people will decide who will "lead our country".

The real question is this (for me):  Why can't I make my own decisions?  Why must I pick some one to lead me?

Not a single member of any political group in this country knows me.  Yet, they presume to take 1,000 hours of my time, every year, and commit my time to causes that they deem "worthy", but produce nothing.  They tell me that I cannot raise more than 2,000 chickens without buying "quota".  They forbid me to purchase raw milk, which I would like to drink.  They print, borrow, and spend money that no one has earned yet.  They have racked up $500,000,000,000 of debt, in my name and yours.  They have voted themselves pay raises, lavish and extravagant pensions, tax free allowances, and perks of all kinds.  I suppose I should be glad that they don't actually work very often, sometimes less than 100 days per year.  Every day that Parliament is in session, is a day that I should be guarding my pocketbook.

"If I don't vote, then I cannot complain".  It wouldn't matter if I did complain!  Who's listening?  I would rather vote in ways that actually matter.  I buy organic food, voting with my dollars for healthier apples.  I purchase beef from a trusted family source.  Because of the money I spend, people are moved to produce what I want!  I can actually wield that power for my own benefit.

I support the people, their rights, and obligations as God told us in Exodus 20 when he gave us the 10 commandments.  He has never amended His Law, and never will.  His Law can protect you, if you follow it!

If you vote tomorrow, please drive safe.  Traffic accidents always go up on voting day.  I'll be doing something productive.

By for now!