A biiiiit more

Researching an article for DWM online. For those who can stomach more on the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, some journalism (no photos):

Blame the white trash
The Guardian on classist and sexist demonisation of individual soldiers to protect the chain of command

The Gray Zone
The New Yorker's expose of Rumfeld's involvement

If you were wondering why on Earth torturers would leave photographic evidence of their work, the answer's apparently a simple one: the threat of blackmail.

Religion and rudeness

For the irreverent amongst us, a satirical song about religion:
Serve Yourself (note the keyword-based ads at the top of the page)

A positively rude song about religion:
Go to Church

In the interests of equal opportunity satire I wish the words to Lunacy's "Sacred Bitch", or the numerous parodies of that tedious "Air I Am" chant* were available online. If I find 'em I'll link 'em in here.



* "Air I am, Fire I am, Water Earth and Spirit I am" becomes "Sam I am, I am Sam, I do not like green eggs and ham", and "Spam I am, spam I am, spam spam spam spam spam spam spam!" etc etc

(no subject)

Something which puzzled me about Mr Prager's article, mentioned in yesterday's posting. He credits the Hebrews with having invented the idea that sex is appropriate solely within marriage. Obviously, there's a whole commandment against adultery - that's unequivocal; and there are references to the burning of prostitutes in Genesis 38 and Leviticus 21. However, I've been rummaging and can't find OT teachings against premarital sex - there are metaphorical references in (eg) Ezekiel, but these are talking about apostasy rather than shagging. Nor does Prager provide any examples. Have I failed to spot an OT teaching against pre-marital sex, or something not in the Bible but in the archaeological record? Further study is indicated.