cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/23861196

Generated Summary of Video Below:

Video Description:

Amy Goodman (Democracy Now!) interviews Retired General Wesley Clark. Clark talks about his opposition to a U.S. attack on Iran; the impeachment of President Bush; the use of cluster bombs; the bombing of Radio Television Serbia in the Kosovo War under his command; U.S. service members refusing deployments to Iraq. (3-2-2007)

Generated Summary:

U.S. Military Actions and Iran

• General Wesley Clark discusses the potential for a U.S. attack on Iran, drawing parallels to the lead-up to the Iraq War, particularly the allegations of weapons of mass destruction.
• Clark expresses concern that history may repeat itself, noting that Iran was a more significant threat compared to Iraq, a point he made during his congressional testimony in 2002.
• He recounts a conversation shortly after 9/11 when military officials indicated a decision had already been made to go to war with Iraq, despite lacking evidence linking Saddam Hussein to al-Qaeda.
• Clark reveals that a memo he saw outlined plans to take out seven countries, including Iran, within five years, highlighting a broader strategy beyond Iraq.
• He elaborates on Iran's perception of U.S. presence in Iraq as both a threat and a blessing, as it removed Saddam but also made them feel vulnerable.
• Clark indicates that Iran has engaged in building its influence in Iraq, providing military assistance to insurgents and militias, which complicates the situation further.
• He emphasizes that while military action is an option, it should be a last resort, advocating for dialogue instead of confrontation.

Pentagon Planning and Covert Operations

• Clark discusses a report by Seymour Hersh indicating that the Pentagon has established a special planning group to prepare for a bombing attack on Iran.
• He highlights the involvement of Saudi Arabia in funding covert operations to strengthen Sunni groups in the Middle East, which includes supporting jihadist factions against Iranian-backed Shia forces.
• The conversation touches on the implications of U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, suggesting that a power vacuum could lead to the rise of extremist groups like al-Qaeda.
• Clark warns that early withdrawal could inadvertently empower Sunni extremists and destabilize the region further.

Military Leadership and Morality

• The discussion shifts to the moral responsibilities of military leaders, with Clark recalling a time when generals faced ethical dilemmas regarding military interventions.
• He reflects on the importance of asking moral and ethical questions before engaging in military action, highlighting a historical context where military decisions led to unnecessary loss of life.
• Clark expresses encouragement for military leaders who question the legality and morality of current operations, emphasizing that such scrutiny is vital for responsible leadership.

Conscientious Objectors and War Legality

• The conversation includes a mention of soldiers refusing deployment to Iraq, particularly focusing on First Lieutenant Ehren Watada, who declared the war illegal and immoral.
• Clark acknowledges the courage of such refusals but also stresses the need for discipline within the armed forces to ensure operational effectiveness.
• He distinguishes between legal and moral objections to war, stating that while the Iraq War is authorized, it is strategically misguided.

Guantanamo Bay and Military Commissions

• Clark advocates for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, arguing that it undermines American values and legal principles.
• He calls for the repeal of the Military Commissions Act, expressing concern over the use of evidence obtained through torture in military trials.
• Clark emphasizes the need for a cooperative international approach to counter-terrorism, arguing that military force should be a last resort.

Impeachment and Accountability

• Clark discusses the possibility of impeaching President George W. Bush, suggesting that the focus should first be on understanding the intelligence failures that led to the Iraq War.
• He expresses frustration over the lack of investigation into the administration's use of intelligence to justify the war, emphasizing the need for accountability.
• Clark touches on the implications of war crimes, indicating that there should be consequences for individuals responsible for unlawful military actions.

Military Strategy and Cluster Bombs

• Clark reflects on the use of cluster bombs during military operations, acknowledging their effectiveness but stressing the need for careful control and regulation.
• He recounts incidents from the Kosovo campaign where civilian casualties occurred, reinforcing his belief that military force should only be used when absolutely necessary.
• He supports the idea of banning cluster bombs but recognizes the complexities involved in military strategy and the need for appropriate weaponry.

Conclusion and Future Engagement

• In conclusion, Clark emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive strategy that incorporates diplomatic, economic, and military elements to address conflicts in the Middle East.
• He advocates for direct engagement with countries like Iran and Syria to foster stability and peace in the region.
• Clark expresses his belief that the U.S. must change its approach to foreign policy to effectively address the challenges it faces, rather than focusing solely on military solutions.

Turning a Lada into an EV with 50 Cordless Drills, Because Why Not?

[Garage 54] is no stranger to vehicle-related projects of the “because why not?” variety, and their latest is using 50 cordless drills combined into a monstrous mega-motor to turn a gutted (and extended) Lada into an electric vehicle (EV).

Doing this leans on some of [Garage 54]’s earlier projects, such as replacing the aforementioned Lada’s engine block with a frame containing sixteen chainsaws. That means they don’t need to start completely from scratch, and have a frame design that can drop into the vehicle once the “engine” is constructed.

Here’s what’s in the new engine: each of the drills has its chuck replaced with an aluminum pulley, and belts connect each group of drills to an output shaft. Ideally, every drill motor would run at the same time and at exactly the same speed, but one works with what they have. [Garage 54] originally worked to synchronize the drills by interfacing to each drill’s motor control board, but eventually opted to simply bypass all controls and power each drill’s motor directly from the batteries. Initial tests are done by touching bare cable ends with a turned-away face and squinted eyes, but we expect “Just A Big Switch” to end up in the final assembly.

It looks wild and we can think of more than a few inefficiencies present in a system like this, but the output shaft does turn and torque is being transferred, so the next step is interfacing to the car’s factory gearbox.

If it powers the car in any meaningful way, that Lada might very well become the world’s most gloriously hacked-together EV. And hey, if the power output of the EV motor is disappointing, you can just make your own.

-- Via HackADay

Re-watched the first episode yesterday. It holds up.

Bill Nye sucks. Give me a mad scientist in a green lab coat any day of the week.

Sorry, wrong mad scientist in a green lab coat from a funny 1990s show.

(Theme song by Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh, like a lot of other cool TV show themes.)

The amazing, but unsettling future of technology...

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/23798208

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/17197150

1. Gen. Wesley Clark, Democracy Now! interview, 2007. Objective: take out 7 countries in 5 years: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Iran.

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Practical Engineering's video on this is also really good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqmOSMAtadc

Happy new year