Of all those that served in the military in my family, the one common trait shared by all of them is that they did not like to talk about their experiences. My Grandfather and Great Uncles went to lengths to avoid the topic, and as an inquisitive youngster I was sometimes scolded for my curiosity. At the time, of course, I couldn’t understand why, but as a grown man it’s something that I do. Other members of my extended family have also served and seen ...More »

The US occupation of Iraq has been, from the beginning, an exercise in plugging holes, ones that continue to spring up in a variety of different areas only to be met with more corks, more excuses, and the ultimate reality that the United States is responsible for plunging a nation, and a region of the world, into disarray while its own population, for the most part, goes on with their daily lives oblivious to the traumatic realities in what has become one of the most ...More »

Updated: Some video footage of what happened, here: Mr. Shelbourne went to Everest Restaurant on Queen St today to demand an apology from management that has told him they don't serve customers in wheelchairs, and asked him never to come back. Mr. Shelbourne was joined by 20 supporters today. Mr. Shelbourne entered Everest asking to speak with restaurant manager Karma Sanchok who had previously told him they don't serve people in wheelchairs. Mr. Shelbourne sought a public apology from Ms.Sanchok and the restaurant, and a promise ...More »

Removed from a situation, so much so that it has become an informational inconvenience, not to mention social taboo with regards to conversation, how do societies at war deal with the realities of war given the distance from which they are viewed? With regards to fighting abroad, this reality provides those promoting conflicts abroad with the ability to use disingenuous justifications and rhetoric to not merely defend their purpose, but to casually address the failures produced by them. Besides those fighting in Iraq, what experience does ...More »

This entry is part 1 in a series of entries exploring monetary systems with regards to public knowledge and awareness in the United States and Canada, its origins and history, and present day status. What better place to begin than with a video from George Carlin, about the state of affairs today... More »

In a surprising move after reports that Turkey’s offensive in northern Iraq would be sustained for the foreseeable future, Turkish forces began withdrawing yesterday in force. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that the withdrawal occurred just after President Bush called on the Turkish government to end the offensive and a day after US Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited the Turkish capital to deliver Washington’s message that the incursion must not be open ended. Of course, the Turkish government and military is claiming ...More »

It’s like a vacuum. On this side of the ocean people have become so tired of it that ignoring it has become the norm. On the other side of the ocean, despite claims that things are improving, instability still reigns in Iraq. Millions have fled the country, millions more are displaced within it, it boasts the highest child mortality rate in the world, is governed by a wholly ineffectual government that still has little to no ability to act beyond the policies of those occupying ...More »

Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier addressed the United Nations today, and in a ten minute speech said that a ‘high level special envoy to Afghanistan’ is a crucial to help stabilize and reconstitute the nation, claiming further than no one nation could do it alone. I would first like to point out that no one nation is currently doing it alone. There are, at present, 26 different nations that are a part of ISAF. In his speech, Bernier said… "Democracy and political stability cannot develop in a ...More »

It has been a beautiful week here in the lovely city of Toronto. It looks like it's gonna be a great weekend. This weather is absolutely incredible. I hope it's nice where you are and as always, thanks for checking in. - and by the great blue diabolical fuck has life been busy here on matthewgood.org! The passion of the comments, the tour kicking off in the west, the diverse authors - you gotta love it folks, you gotta love it! I am totally overwhelmed with ...More »

Updated: Watch this interview with Jeremy Scahill, author of “Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army" with regards to private security companies operating in Iraq. As for Blackwater, this video might be of interest to some of you. (Both via Crooks & Liars). From today’s New York Times… “A preliminary Iraqi report on a shooting involving an American diplomatic motorcade said Tuesday that Blackwater security guards were not ambushed, as the company reported, but instead fired at a car when it did not heed ...More »