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The Nika Riots by: Unitary Moonbat Sun Apr 26, 2009 at 19:36:29 PDT ( - promoted by buhdydharma ) The truly beautiful thing about history is the way it informs on such a multitude of levels.  Depending on the way one reads things, the same story can be anything from a simple, cautionary tale, to an eerily-similar depiction of current events, to a cause for awe and celebration of human achievement, to an inspiration for future generations - and all manner of interpretations in between.  But, since the understanding of history is ultimately a personal thing, I'll leave it to my fellow historiokossians to figure out how we as a community should look at the story of the Nika Riot. Join me, if you will, in the Cave of the Moonbat, for a look a one of the most divisive times in the history of one of the world's great civilizations.  Now, far be it from me, a lowly historiorantologist, to claim that we as a community might see a bit of ourselves in the story - but I do confess to a hope that (if we have indeed laid waste to a third of our metaphorical city in the recent flamewars) the minds and passions here are capable of raising from the ashes our own Hagia Sofia. There's More... :: (9 Comments, 5552 words in story)

Ending the Real Culture Of Death by: Populista Wed Dec 19, 2007 at 16:12:16 PST (@8 - promoted by buhdydharma ) Cross-posted at The Great Orange Satan (DailyKos) The faux religious zealots like to go around spouting about a "culture of death" in our country because we let women make their own decisions about their bodies. However the real culture of death in this country is the unjust death penalty. We join beacons of justice China, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan in accounting for 90 percent of all executions. 133 countries around the world have abolished the death penalty. And yet we stick on to this culture of death. However great news has been coming out in recent days for those who wish to end this injustice. Two days ago New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine on Monday signed a law abolishing the death penalty, the first state to ban it in 42 years. And then yesterday on a 104 to 54 vote, with 29 abstentions the U.N. General Assembly passed a nonbinding resolution on Tuesday calling for a moratorium on the death penalty. There's More... :: (5 Comments, 651 words in story)

Congratulations, New Jersey!! by: davidseth Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 15:01:48 PST Yesterday I posted an essay announcing that New Jersey was about to legislatively abolish the death penalty.  I was elated.  Apparently, I was not alone.  Today the IHT reports: Rome will light up the Colosseum in support of the planned abolishment of the death penalty in the U.S. state of New Jersey, a lay Roman Catholic organization said Friday. The Sant'Egidio Community, which is at the forefront of an international anti-death penalty movement, said in a statement that the arena will be lit up when the state's governor, Jon S. Corzine, signs the legislation within a week. New Jersey is poised to become the first U.S. state in four decades to abolish the death penalty after votes by state legislators this week. Sant'Egidio praised New Jersey's decision, saying it is a "crucial passage" for a worldwide moratorium on capital punishment. Rome's Colosseum, once the arena for deadly gladiator combat and executions, has become a symbol of the fight against capital punishment. Since 1999, the first century monument has been bathed in golden light every time a death sentence is commuted somewhere in the world or a country abolishes capital punishment. I am so happy that this news is receiving the response it deserves.  And I hope that those abolitionists who worked so very hard and consistently to bring about this legislation-- that means you, too, Abe Bonowitz-- are enjoying the fruits of their victory.  I also hope this will inspire all of the rest of us! Discuss :: (5 Comments)

When Mercenary Armies Go Crazy by: Unitary Moonbat Sun Oct 28, 2007 at 18:05:12 PDT (Battime! - promoted by buhdydharma ) One of the things that always troubled me about the application of the term "Machiavellian" to the zany antics of the Bush misadministration is the extent to which Rovian Math - and even Cheneyian Cloak & Daggerism - ignores the master manipulator's precepts.  Indeed, like a conservative Christian who cherry-picks Leviticus, the architects of the failed philosophy of neoconservatism ignored some of the Prince's very clear warnings about things like rulers relying on hired soldiers to look out for their interests - and look at the quagmire of black water it's gotten us into. Join me, if you will, in the Cave of the Moonbat, where tonight we'll look into another occasion in which the use of mercenaries has bitten an empire in the ass.  As usual, we Americans are by no means the first to experience the sort of happening-since-at-least-the-time-of-Rome setback that so shocks (shocks!) the neocons every time one of them so predictably comes to pass. There's More... :: (11 Comments, 4373 words in story)

Strikes & Boycotts, Historically Speaking by: Unitary Moonbat Sun Oct 14, 2007 at 19:09:47 PDT Throughout the long ages, the proponents of societal reform have traditionally found themselves with the fuzzy end of the lollipop when it came to battling the entrenched Powers That Be'd, at least in terms of military strength.  In dozens of eras and in hundreds of contexts, however, those who would change society have learned that the force of numbers is where the power of the people lies, and from this they derived and perfected several ways of exerting considerable (sometimes government-changing) pressure upon the oligarchs, tyrants, and unprincipled politicians of their day. Join me, if you will, in the Cave of the Moonbat, where tonight your resident historiorantologist will offer for progressive consideration a look at a handful of the means our side has traditionally employed when all appeared lost and the aristocrats were running amok.  As we begin, please direct your gaze toward the Eternal City on the Seven Hills, and one of the first successful general strikes... There's More... :: (11 Comments, 4423 words in story)