President Bush has banned all web users outside of the United States from viewing his election campaign website georgewbush.com for “security reasons.”
According to the BBC, the blocking began early on Monday so those outside the US trying to view the site got a message saying they are not authorised to view it. However the security measures were put in place in a slap-dash half-baked manner to which the world has become accustom to seeing from America. Many of the alternative addresses for the site still allowed overseas viewers (and those alleged security risks?) to view the propaganda pages of Bush’s site.
The news of this rather xenophobic so called security measure has once again stirred feelings around the world that Bush is perhaps less than honest in his dealings with the American people and the world. Indeed many see this as yet another example of how shockingly arrogant the Bush administration and ‘America’ have been in the last four years.
The worldwide interest in Americas forthcoming vote appears more keen than ever before, some might suggest because the rest of the world desperately want to see Bush ousted from leading America. And as the vote already looks like it could all end up in court and controversy again us non Americans are wondering how on earth America can seriously stand proud and claim to be the leaders of democracy and the free world.
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Paranoid Bush blocks non Americans from reading his site
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Wrote the following comment on Oct 28, 2004 at 5:30 pm
Bush ought to be banned from office and unauthorized to lead a country. You know….for “security reasons.”
Wrote the following comment on Oct 29, 2004 at 11:15 am
Hi there Colleen (aftertheone). it’s fair to say I have a very special link with America, in fact I think the UK as a whole does. But the post on which you comment is not some hidden away story in the news.
This has made new headlines around the world and is seen by most as yet another example of Bush’s arrogance and willingness to simply snub the rest of the world. I have a “keen interest” in the United States, but the second link I posted under the story suggests, so does the rest of the world. Bush is a very VERY unpopular President who it would seem will take us to War with Iran next if elected, and who knows what else.
It’s a prospect that I fear will not have an outcome any of us will relish.I have no idea how you will vote, and I’ve tried to lay off my great American friends about who they’ll be voting for. It’s up to you. I just hope that Americans don’t just vote for him because they think he’s a Christian.
Wrote the following comment on Oct 29, 2004 at 5:15 pm
Am I a pioneer? Now there’s a question and a half.Well, no. Pioneers in my opinion are the kind of people who we might know by name. People like Sir Bob Geldof, the late John Peel, Martin Luther King Jnr, and Steve Jobs. They are people who set a new path, who leave a mark on the world, whose names out live their own mortality.I’m just a guy in England doing my thing. I’m not trying to be a pioneer. Not everyone can be a pioneer can they.
The Xanga site is just for fun, I’ve written about a few things here from a funny post about big boobs, to the Red Sox, to serious stuff like the virtue of thinking things like ‘anybody but Bush ’04’.
If you want to build up a better picture of who I am then you should take a look at Meanwhile, my website that dates back to the heady days of 1997. You might also take a glance at other things like Reality Radio, Point & Click America, and Posh Telly. But know this, I am not defined by the websites I have created, the photographs I have taken, the films I have made, or the words I have written. To assume any real depth of understanding of who I am merely from looking at this site or any others would be folly.
I am carving out my path in life, and with my hand on my heart I can honestly say that I am enjoying every moment. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to experience some of the most wonderful and dreadful times, allowing me the privilege of being able to enjoy a perspective that I feel I would have otherwise never of had.
Will history remember my name? Will history remember yours? Are we pioneers? Time will tell. For now I’m living my life, loving my life, and sharing a little of it with those who find themselves at my various websites.It was a good question Colleen, thank you for the opportunity to answer that.
Wrote the following comment on Oct 29, 2004 at 10:49 am
Dear friend.. you must have a keen interest in America….
Wrote the following comment on Oct 29, 2004 at 11:53 am
I am a Christian and I am voting for the man who I think is the best one for our country. Some Presidents say they are Christian, but their life may not reflect it, so I look at integrity, and the fruit of the offices the men have held.I also look at how they hold up under the pressure from many voices. Do they stand on their beliefs under that pressure. Many claim to be a Christian but their life does not reflect it. So this Christian is not voting for someone “just because they may be a Christian ” I shall vote my heart.
As an American I am very sorry if we have offended you because of our politics. I understand your concern and fear about war with Iraq.I hear you. We have many concerns about those we elect to office. I am thankful though that we have the opportunity to choose.You know there is a scripture that says that our times are in Gods hands. This assures me that he is in control, so I do my part and vote.
I read your posts because I am curious. You have a voice here and I am interested in hearing it.
Wrote the following comment on Oct 29, 2004 at 2:41 pm
If I may add one more statement to this posting. I obviously do not know you. But you have passion for the things you write about. My question is do you only write about those things, or do you move out to make change in this world. Are you a pioneer?
I have a passion in my heart. It is for a generation of young adults who have a call on their lives, yet do nothing to tread out a new trail.
Wrote the following comment on Oct 30, 2004 at 8:21 am
Thanks for the reply Simon. I guess on my end I have seen young adults who have had passion loose it. They voice their dislikes but do nothing. It is a very hard thing to see I suppose that is why I asked you that particular question. I pray that that God might fan those flames that have died in their hearts and they may once again become movers and shakers. (I mention young adults because they have a hook in my heart and to be fair we older folks are the same)
I clicked on your “meanwhile” link and it was very nice. I shall visit the others you mentioned when I have more time.
I dont think that all of History has to remember our names, but maybe those around us who’s lives we touch. I dont think those history makers had it in their head to make a name for themselves when they stepped out in faith for their convictions. But they did indeed make change and for some the cost was high.
I just saw a bio on Bobby Kennedy’d life. When his brother John was killed, Bobby struggled in that he was trying to fill his brothers shoes. It was a misserable thing for him, because he wasnt his brother. It was not until he saw the bondage of a people did he find his niche and purpose. It was then when he walked his path did he flourish.
After I wrote last night, I also searched my own heart and discovered a few things that I havent done,that I know are for me to do. Thanks for your honesty and that you reply in kind so that someone who is lots older, can listen and understand.
Wrote the following comment on Oct 30, 2004 at 5:37 pm
Hi Colleen, You know the thing you said about young adults losing their passion, well I know what you mean, but I have a slightly different take on it.I think the Church as a body caters very well for children, teenagers and adults. For me the area where Church loses it’s hold on ‘young people’ is around 18 to 30. It would seem that the Church as a whole seems to lack the language to be able to communicate with this age group. An age group that have the combination of great freedom and resources to enjoy the spoils that brings. Self discovery goes to new levels at this stage of life I feel.
But rather than seeing the change in many of those young people as a loss I think it is perhaps simply an opportunity for them to find and explore the boundaries of their faith. Many of them emerge through the other side of that age range with a sharp focus about their faith, and those who don’t… well, I don’t think that if one ever had a real faith they ever lose it. They might just misplace it for a while, but at some stage it is found again, like an old book or record that turns up years after being given up as lost.
Call me a liberal but I think that exploring the boundaries of ones faith is often an essential part of understanding that faith and maturing in it. The same as a race driver who wants to excel in his ability needs to push his race car to it’s limits in order to gain the full benefit from it.
Of course such exploration brings with it the kind of spills and thrills that from the grandstand seats might seem reckless and dangerous. But to extend that race car analogy further, the greatest race drivers of all time have had some of the most spectacular crashes of all time to. Do you see my point?
I’m not suggesting for one second that in order to find ones faith one needs to lose it first. But I am suggesting that for some it is beneficial, indeed necessary to view things from another angle in order to better understand them. In fact that could almost describe the mentality of the pioneers you spoke of.With all the wonderful excesses out there and available to us, it frankly amazes me that I, or any of my friends were able to get out of our 20’s alive! I’m enjoying my 30’s now. A period of life that feels like my 20’s without the stupid bits and a far better budget!Life is great – I’m loving life, I really am!
Wrote the following comment on Nov 1, 2004 at 5:06 am
Bravo! Thanks Simon your reply has greatly encouraged me!
Colleen