I remember hearing good reviews about "The Power of Nightmares" about a year ago. But I never tried to watch it. Fortunately, I was recently given a copy of the DVD and sat down to watch it last night. Around 1:30 AM I finally went to bed.
"The Power of Nightmares" is a three-part BBC documentary about the rise of the neo-cons and the influence of Leo Strauss, paralleled with the rise of radical Islamic fundamentalism.
I have a number of criticisms of the series, so I'll concentrate on them and thereby give you a picture of what the documentary details.
One of my first criticisms has to do with the proposition that prior to the rise of the neo-conservative movement, politicians and governments pointed the way forward to a better future. That they gave hope and promises of prosperity to the citizens of their country. In contrast, the neo-cons create and use existing myths to rally the citizens. These myths include religion and the myth of the nation. But they also use scare tactics (nightmares) to maintain a greater hold over society and justify authoritarian measures.
Now this all good and well, but as far as I can see it, using myths and lies to justify their hold on power is not peculiar to the neo-cons. It is a prescript that has long been written in the codes of rulers. There are plenty of examples throughout history. However, I do agree that the neo-cons have taken it a degree higher than has been done in US history since Joseph McCarthy.
But there is another level to this proposition, which relates to how the neo-cons view history, the role of leaders, etc. And this since it is very interesting.
It is also disappointing that criticism throughout the movie is laid upon the neo-cons without implicating the democrats and others. Clinton, for example, was also very guilty of playing into neo-conservative strategies on various issues.
Perhaps the most interesting segment to me was Part III. In this segment a very good case is presented to the effect that al Queda has never really been the world-wide terrorist network that is presented as. That it is in fact another myth that the neo-cons have created and have in ways legitimized. I am not going to comment on this, except to say, I had always been amazed at how much al Queda was presented so much like a jamesbondian Specter network. Haven't I seen this movie a million times in my youth?
Criticisms aside, it is a shame that this program has not been aired on PBS nationwide (I think it was shown on a few PBS stations, but very few I'm sure). If you can download or get a copy of it somewhere, definitely watch it!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Book Review: Wicked
Wicked by Gregory Maguire is thoroughly entertaining. If you love "The Wizard of Oz" and want it's story and characters to remain forever unchanged, then don't even bother reading this review any further, let alone the book. After reading Wicked I can guarantee that The Land of Oz will become a rich, entangled landscape and it's heroines enigmatic.
Not one character or people of the world of OZ escape Maguire's stain. You will feel endearment, enchantment, fear and disdain toward all of the Witches - particularly Glinda (the "Good") and Elphaba (the "Wicked"). Dorothy and her despised-by-everyone Toto, as well as the Tinman, the Lion and the Scarecrow are nearly afterwords to the novel and draw little, if any sympathy from the reader.
I must admit that I have never read L. Frank Baum's books covering the Land of Oz and I am sure he provides greater detail of the peoples and individuals inhabiting it. I am willing to bet, however, that Maquire has wrested out Baum's juvenile magic and has breathed life into Oz, providing it with human passions.
WIcked is definitely worth the read. Enjoy!
Not one character or people of the world of OZ escape Maguire's stain. You will feel endearment, enchantment, fear and disdain toward all of the Witches - particularly Glinda (the "Good") and Elphaba (the "Wicked"). Dorothy and her despised-by-everyone Toto, as well as the Tinman, the Lion and the Scarecrow are nearly afterwords to the novel and draw little, if any sympathy from the reader.
I must admit that I have never read L. Frank Baum's books covering the Land of Oz and I am sure he provides greater detail of the peoples and individuals inhabiting it. I am willing to bet, however, that Maquire has wrested out Baum's juvenile magic and has breathed life into Oz, providing it with human passions.
WIcked is definitely worth the read. Enjoy!
Monday, May 21, 2007
ACSS Newsletter - Automated Spyware Detection and Removal
Windows Users
[More specifically Windows XP and Vista Users]
Ok, I'm going to do a complete about-face and recommend a product I've condemned in the past.
The reason for this change has to do with the fact that I have found that a lot of people, whom I have put on Spybot, are not correctly immunizing, detecting and destroying spyware. What users really want is something that's automated and therefore quite simple.
So, I am going to suggest removing Spybot and installing Windows Defender.
You can get Windows Defender at:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
[NB! Do not try to install this if you do not have a legal copy of XP or Vista!]
Install using the "Recommended Settings."
After installing you can go into Options to change settings related to Updating and Scanning. In particular, you might want to pay attention to the time it has chosen by default for running updates and scans and change it to a time when you know the computer is generally on.
Regardless of what settings are installed by default, I have found that whenever Defender needs to update or hasn't scanned in a while, it will give you a warning to that effect. Thus, the user is given the opportunity to manually let it update or scan.
[More specifically Windows XP and Vista Users]
Ok, I'm going to do a complete about-face and recommend a product I've condemned in the past.
The reason for this change has to do with the fact that I have found that a lot of people, whom I have put on Spybot, are not correctly immunizing, detecting and destroying spyware. What users really want is something that's automated and therefore quite simple.
So, I am going to suggest removing Spybot and installing Windows Defender.
You can get Windows Defender at:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
[NB! Do not try to install this if you do not have a legal copy of XP or Vista!]
Install using the "Recommended Settings."
After installing you can go into Options to change settings related to Updating and Scanning. In particular, you might want to pay attention to the time it has chosen by default for running updates and scans and change it to a time when you know the computer is generally on.
Regardless of what settings are installed by default, I have found that whenever Defender needs to update or hasn't scanned in a while, it will give you a warning to that effect. Thus, the user is given the opportunity to manually let it update or scan.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
ACSS Newsletter - Office Suite Converters
Microsoft 2007 Format > OpenOffice
Mac
If your a Mac user and your have Microsoft Office X or 2004 and find yourself confronted with being unable to open the new format for Microsoft Office 2007 documents, Microsoft has released a Beta version of a converter. You can download it at:
http://tinyurl.com/3ysg57
Windows OpenOffice Users
Novell has released an converter for OpenOffice on Windows, which can be downloaded at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bhk9t
Suse Linux Users
Novell has released an converter for OpenOffice on Suse Linux, which can be downloaded at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bhk9t
OpenOffice Format > Microsoft Office 2003
Now in the reverse if you have Microsoft Office 2003 (and this is only for Office 2003 right now), Sun Microsystems has released a converter to import OpenOffice files into Microsoft Office.
This converter can be downloaded at:
http://www.sun.com/software/star/openoffice/
(As a caveat, unfortunately you will have to register to download the converter.)
Mac
If your a Mac user and your have Microsoft Office X or 2004 and find yourself confronted with being unable to open the new format for Microsoft Office 2007 documents, Microsoft has released a Beta version of a converter. You can download it at:
http://tinyurl.com/3ysg57
Windows OpenOffice Users
Novell has released an converter for OpenOffice on Windows, which can be downloaded at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bhk9t
Suse Linux Users
Novell has released an converter for OpenOffice on Suse Linux, which can be downloaded at:
http://tinyurl.com/2bhk9t
OpenOffice Format > Microsoft Office 2003
Now in the reverse if you have Microsoft Office 2003 (and this is only for Office 2003 right now), Sun Microsystems has released a converter to import OpenOffice files into Microsoft Office.
This converter can be downloaded at:
http://www.sun.com/software/star/openoffice/
(As a caveat, unfortunately you will have to register to download the converter.)
Monday, May 14, 2007
ACSS Newsletter - Vista Caveats
Windows Vista Caveats
Having set up several Vista computers already, I have a few caveats for anyone who has a Vista computer or who is planning on getting one.
1. Set up
Pretty much the same procedures for setting up any other Windows computer applies to Vista.
To view ACSS tips on setting up a new computer go to:
http://www.avantguardsystems.com/secIss.php?id=51&sVer=68&sOS=1
2. Updates
There is a difference in updating Vista compared to previous versions of Windows.
Go to Start > Programs and look for Windows Update.
One really important thing to look for in the Windows Update window is the enable other updates. This is not enabled by default and it is very important for getting Office and other updates.
3. Microsoft Office
Don't use any version of Office prior to Office XP (2002). You will not be able to auto update any version of Office from Office 2000 and earlier. You can manually update, but it is a pain.
I'm sure this alone will prevent many users from moving to Vista, although I'm not sure how many people now about this issue. I have never read about this anywhere, but I have direct experience in having to manually update Office 2000.
Other options that everyone should consider, especially from an economic point of view, is using free alternatives.
OpenOffice is an excellent replacement for Microsoft Office and it's free! I've been using the Mac port of OpenOffice for years now, and I am very satisfied with it.
OpenOffice is available at:
http://www.openoffice.org
If you have a DSL connection, there are several free online office suites. Here are two that I am familiar with:
ThinkFree
http://www.thinkfree.com
Google Apps
http://www.google.com/a/
4. Anti-Spyware software - Windows Defender
Vista comes with Windows Defender installed. Although Defender has not performed as well as other anti-spyware tools, like Spybot, nonetheless, given the fact that it is preinstalled, self-updates, and can be set up to auto scan, I am going to recommend that you leave Windows Defender to protect you from spyware and malware.
By opening Windows Defender you can set up when it updates and when it scans.
Having set up several Vista computers already, I have a few caveats for anyone who has a Vista computer or who is planning on getting one.
1. Set up
Pretty much the same procedures for setting up any other Windows computer applies to Vista.
To view ACSS tips on setting up a new computer go to:
http://www.avantguardsystems.com/secIss.php?id=51&sVer=68&sOS=1
2. Updates
There is a difference in updating Vista compared to previous versions of Windows.
Go to Start > Programs and look for Windows Update.
One really important thing to look for in the Windows Update window is the enable other updates. This is not enabled by default and it is very important for getting Office and other updates.
3. Microsoft Office
Don't use any version of Office prior to Office XP (2002). You will not be able to auto update any version of Office from Office 2000 and earlier. You can manually update, but it is a pain.
I'm sure this alone will prevent many users from moving to Vista, although I'm not sure how many people now about this issue. I have never read about this anywhere, but I have direct experience in having to manually update Office 2000.
Other options that everyone should consider, especially from an economic point of view, is using free alternatives.
OpenOffice is an excellent replacement for Microsoft Office and it's free! I've been using the Mac port of OpenOffice for years now, and I am very satisfied with it.
OpenOffice is available at:
http://www.openoffice.org
If you have a DSL connection, there are several free online office suites. Here are two that I am familiar with:
ThinkFree
http://www.thinkfree.com
Google Apps
http://www.google.com/a/
4. Anti-Spyware software - Windows Defender
Vista comes with Windows Defender installed. Although Defender has not performed as well as other anti-spyware tools, like Spybot, nonetheless, given the fact that it is preinstalled, self-updates, and can be set up to auto scan, I am going to recommend that you leave Windows Defender to protect you from spyware and malware.
By opening Windows Defender you can set up when it updates and when it scans.
Monday, May 7, 2007
ACSS Newsletter
Windows Users
Tomorrow is the second Tuesday of the month, otherwise know as Patch Tuesday.
Update your computers and don't forget to check Office updates, as well.
Office updates are available along with Windows Updates (Office XP, 2003, 2007), as well as at:
http://office.microsoft.com
Tomorrow is the second Tuesday of the month, otherwise know as Patch Tuesday.
Update your computers and don't forget to check Office updates, as well.
Office updates are available along with Windows Updates (Office XP, 2003, 2007), as well as at:
http://office.microsoft.com
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