Bali Bombers, Eid ul-Fitr, and Remorse

The three Bali Bombers that are destined for the firing squad in the very near future, perhaps in just days, have expressed no remorse about their actions and the deaths of 202 innocent people. Amrozi, Samudra, and Muklhas have stated unequivocally that they have no regrets for the bombings of 12 October 2002.

The bombings were designed to punish the US and its allies. Seeing that the majority of those that died were allies of the US then the objective was achieved. Samudra is the most vocal of the three, always has been, and he added that he will never have any regrets. Unfortunately for him, he won't have too much longer to hold that thought. The three of them then offered their support and praise for the recent bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan.

The time is nigh and the end is ever-closer. You will soon know if Allah is pleased and has prepared the legendary 72 virgins for your eternal pleasure. Then again, if Islam is a religion of peace and abhors the slaying of the innocent then I cannot see your eternity being all that enjoyable!

I would still prefer that they rot in prison but it is not within my power to make that call. So, 'selamat jalan' and may God have mercy on your misguided and murderous souls (yes, the very mercy you did not show 202 innocent souls on 12 October 2002).

Marriott Hotel -- Pakistan

Look at the size of that crater! It is not surprising that more than 200 have been injured in this terrorist attack. However, what is surprising is that there have only been about 60 deaths.

What I fail to understand is how this kind of violence wins the "hearts and minds" of the people you want to convince of the justness of your cause? It might scare them but it certainly does not convince them!

Bombings like this one do not discriminate, they kill anything in their path. I find it hard to fathom that there was a legitimate target at the Marriott Hotel to warrant this kind of indiscriminate attack.

No one has claimed responsibility yet. However, if this is ultimately claimed by the Taliban or al-Qaeda, then it would be worth getting a breakdown of the victim's religions. To see how many Muslims were killed, this would in turn emphasize my earlier point of winning the 'hearts and minds'.

Yet, for me the abhorrence of such actions are that the victims are the innocent. I find it amazing that anyone can justify the killing of innocents in the name of independence, let alone in the name of religion.

This was a planned and premeditated attack on innocent civilians.

For me this is just plain wrong on all fronts.

Organic Alcohol

Is it a fad? Is it going green for the environment? Do you feel any better the morning after?

These might be some of the questions one asks themselves when considering an order of organic alcohol! There are at least three major hotel chains who have jumped on the organic alcohol wagon: the Marriott, the Ritz-Carlton, and the Kimpton Hotels. It is also worth noting that the most frequently swearing chef on the planet, Gordon Ramsay, is carrying organic alcohol in his newest restaurant.

It seems that a company called Square One is leading the way in organic spirits.

So, what does it take to be certified organic? Simply, there can be no herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers used at any stage of the process. Furthermore, no nitrogen or other chemicals can be used during the distilling process. I wonder if this means that the producers get the odd batch that is not drinkable?

Well, now that I know I can order organic, I might have to duck down to the Marriott or the Ritz after work and see if Indonesia is up with the trend towards organic spirits. If not then it might be off to the Ranch Farm to buy some organic produce of my own. I am sure I can learn to build a distillery on the Internet...I can see thriving underground business potential!