wish I knew where Atrios was tonite, I could stop by and say hello. Instead I'm with my best friend and her boyfriend, mixing random drinks and watching White Christmas.
OK, back to the drinks and Bing.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
MoJo
Mother Jones that is. I just finished reading the December issue which is all about religion in American politics. It is a fascinating read, and I suggest you all pick up a copy.
A few blog friendly tidbits: 27% of American believe that all Muslim Americans should be required to register their whereabouts with the federal government; 42% of the highly religious believe this. Over a quarter of the population thinks that forced registration of citizens is ok. Where the hell did these people go to school? And how did they absorb so little in civics class that they think a policy like that passes Constitutional muster.
Also, a Minnesota company sells a candle called "His Essence" which supposedly smells like Jesus will upon his return. There is a Biblical precedent for this, Psalm 45, check it out. But don't feel like you have to add this to my Christmas list, I'm willing to wait it out for the second coming.
On a bit of an unrelated note, John Gilmore had his hearing before the 9th Circuit Court of appeals on Thursday. You can listen to oral arguments on the court's website, search for case number 04-15736, Gilmore v. Gonzales. And you can see more details about the case at papersplease.org. There are a lot of reasons that the id requirement for airplane travel is ineffective, and at least a few why it is probably illegal.
A few blog friendly tidbits: 27% of American believe that all Muslim Americans should be required to register their whereabouts with the federal government; 42% of the highly religious believe this. Over a quarter of the population thinks that forced registration of citizens is ok. Where the hell did these people go to school? And how did they absorb so little in civics class that they think a policy like that passes Constitutional muster.
Also, a Minnesota company sells a candle called "His Essence" which supposedly smells like Jesus will upon his return. There is a Biblical precedent for this, Psalm 45, check it out. But don't feel like you have to add this to my Christmas list, I'm willing to wait it out for the second coming.
On a bit of an unrelated note, John Gilmore had his hearing before the 9th Circuit Court of appeals on Thursday. You can listen to oral arguments on the court's website, search for case number 04-15736, Gilmore v. Gonzales. And you can see more details about the case at papersplease.org. There are a lot of reasons that the id requirement for airplane travel is ineffective, and at least a few why it is probably illegal.
Friday, December 09, 2005
All good questions, Mike
Okay, so Atrios beat me to it, but this is pretty damn funny.
P.S. I'm back Renai, so feel free to brag again.
Q. [Suzanne C. Ryan, Boston Globe] President George W. Bush has declined to be interviewed by you. What would you ask
him if you had the chance?
A. [Mike Wallace] What in the world prepared you to be the commander in chief of the largest superpower in the world? In your background, Mr. President, you apparently were incurious. You didn't want to travel. You knew very little about the military. . . . The governor of Texas doesn't have the kind of power that some governors have. . . . Why do you think they nominated you? . . . Do you think that has anything to do with the fact that the country is so [expletive] up?
P.S. I'm back Renai, so feel free to brag again.
Monday, September 05, 2005
home at last
I've finally settled in here, well as much as possible until the moving truck brings all the furniture.
I missed the first few hours of hurricane coverage because I was preoccupied with moving in and work and such. So it was a total shock to me to turn on the tv and see all of New Orleans under water early last week. The shock only lasted until I realized that GWB et al weren't doing a damn thing to help all those people, then I switched to rage mode where I've been ever since.
I think the Kanye West had it almost right when he said that Bush doesn't care about black people. The truth is that he doesn't even think about black people or poor people of any color. It just doesn't register for him that some people don't have cars. Or the wherewithal to evacuate their homes on a moment's notice. Or cash reserves to get them through months of rebuilding without jobs. That's the main problem with the fed's response to this point: they just don't comprehend the reality of lower middle class life, let alone the reality of poverty.
Of course it would help if LA was more Republican. And especially if the state government had been more fawning and less critical of the way that Bush totally dropped the ball. Seriously, I cannot believe that he expected people to give him a pass on his total disengagement from the tragedy unfolding for the first week.
And where the hell was FEMA, and for that matter DHS. I mean, I know that DHS is trying to say that they plan for terrorist attacks, not natural disasters, but come on. How much harder is it to get into a city where a dirty bomb just exploded than it is to get into NO right now?!?! And the complete lack of appropriate equipment is an embarassment to our military. I could walk into a Hummer dealer anywhere in the country, plunk down a down payment and drive away in a vehicle that would get me almost anywhere in NO. And apparently rescue workers not only have nothing better than a Hummer, they don't even have anything as good. What was the budget for the Pentagon last year? What was the budget for DHS? FEMA? The people in charge of these departments should be totally f---ing ashamed of themselves.
And to make matters one tiny step worse, it looks like the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is going to be John Roberts. A singularly undistinguished candidate. So bland and vanilla that he is clearly hiding something truly horrifying. Besides his views on a woman's right to choose.
All in all, not a fantastic week.
I missed the first few hours of hurricane coverage because I was preoccupied with moving in and work and such. So it was a total shock to me to turn on the tv and see all of New Orleans under water early last week. The shock only lasted until I realized that GWB et al weren't doing a damn thing to help all those people, then I switched to rage mode where I've been ever since.
I think the Kanye West had it almost right when he said that Bush doesn't care about black people. The truth is that he doesn't even think about black people or poor people of any color. It just doesn't register for him that some people don't have cars. Or the wherewithal to evacuate their homes on a moment's notice. Or cash reserves to get them through months of rebuilding without jobs. That's the main problem with the fed's response to this point: they just don't comprehend the reality of lower middle class life, let alone the reality of poverty.
Of course it would help if LA was more Republican. And especially if the state government had been more fawning and less critical of the way that Bush totally dropped the ball. Seriously, I cannot believe that he expected people to give him a pass on his total disengagement from the tragedy unfolding for the first week.
And where the hell was FEMA, and for that matter DHS. I mean, I know that DHS is trying to say that they plan for terrorist attacks, not natural disasters, but come on. How much harder is it to get into a city where a dirty bomb just exploded than it is to get into NO right now?!?! And the complete lack of appropriate equipment is an embarassment to our military. I could walk into a Hummer dealer anywhere in the country, plunk down a down payment and drive away in a vehicle that would get me almost anywhere in NO. And apparently rescue workers not only have nothing better than a Hummer, they don't even have anything as good. What was the budget for the Pentagon last year? What was the budget for DHS? FEMA? The people in charge of these departments should be totally f---ing ashamed of themselves.
And to make matters one tiny step worse, it looks like the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is going to be John Roberts. A singularly undistinguished candidate. So bland and vanilla that he is clearly hiding something truly horrifying. Besides his views on a woman's right to choose.
All in all, not a fantastic week.
Monday, August 29, 2005
I heart DC
I love this city. Everyone is so unabashedly political, firm in their beliefs yet willing to argue (reletively) goodnaturedly. Plus, turning a corner to a sudden prospect of the Capitol or the Washington Monument is bloody cool. Tomorrow this really becomes home, when we finally get the keys to our apartment, and I can't wait.
Meantime, I'm temping (again!) and looking for a hill job or something else political or maybe non-profit. So many of my friends out here are doing really cool things like organic farming and fund-raising for children's advocacy, that I'm excited to get involved.
On a more fun note, a group of us ate at Marrakesh on Saturday night. It was an experience unlike any other restaurant I have ever been to. Hand washing, seven courses, belly dancing. Very fun. I recommend it to anyone visiting DC.
Well, off to pack and maybe watch the Daily Show. And thanks to the people who posted comments welcoming me back to the blog!
Meantime, I'm temping (again!) and looking for a hill job or something else political or maybe non-profit. So many of my friends out here are doing really cool things like organic farming and fund-raising for children's advocacy, that I'm excited to get involved.
On a more fun note, a group of us ate at Marrakesh on Saturday night. It was an experience unlike any other restaurant I have ever been to. Hand washing, seven courses, belly dancing. Very fun. I recommend it to anyone visiting DC.
Well, off to pack and maybe watch the Daily Show. And thanks to the people who posted comments welcoming me back to the blog!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Still waiting
On my new digs. Just a few more nights in a hotel or rented room and I will finally have a home.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
My hiatus is over
So, I made it to DC!! Well, Arlington really, but my job is in the District. I am so excited to be here, though I'll be even more excited when I can finally move into my apartment next Monday. Pictures to follow as soon as I can manage.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
kiss the fourt estate goodbye
Actually, I'm not that pessimistic about the condition of the press. Still, this article in Salon makes me slightly less sanguine.
Quotable quote from the article:
I suspect that this tactic has already claimed many vicitms. A friend of mine, a staunch Bush supporter, had this reply when I questioned her on the fact that Bush proudly doesn't read any newspapers: he shouldn't becuase the press is so hopelessly biased, he wouldn't learn anything of import. D'oh! I think I've linked to this before, but once again I refer you to the excellent PIPA investigation of the diparate realities of Bush and Kerry supporters. (Fair warning: the link points directly to a pdf.)
Quotable quote from the article:
According to David Brock, author of "The Right Wing Noise Machine" and CEO of Media Matters for America, a progressive, not-for-profit advocacy group, the White House's ultimate aim is to raise doubts about the information independent journalists produce. "Their explicit goal is to get us to the point where there are blue [state] facts and red [state] facts," Brock says.
I suspect that this tactic has already claimed many vicitms. A friend of mine, a staunch Bush supporter, had this reply when I questioned her on the fact that Bush proudly doesn't read any newspapers: he shouldn't becuase the press is so hopelessly biased, he wouldn't learn anything of import. D'oh! I think I've linked to this before, but once again I refer you to the excellent PIPA investigation of the diparate realities of Bush and Kerry supporters. (Fair warning: the link points directly to a pdf.)
update to what's pissing me off
Sorry, Aldo, there is a way to link to NY Times articles that doesn't require readers to log in, but clearly I have not mastered it.
FYI, I set up a log in to the Times site for people reading this blog, since I link to their articles pretty regularly. That login is: username=yesitreallyis password=myblog. If at some point this fails, I think that bugmenot.com is still up and running.
Also, at the risk of incurring the wrath of the entire lawyerly contingent over at the Times, here is the full text of the editorial I linked in my previous post:
FYI, I set up a log in to the Times site for people reading this blog, since I link to their articles pretty regularly. That login is: username=yesitreallyis password=myblog. If at some point this fails, I think that bugmenot.com is still up and running.
Also, at the risk of incurring the wrath of the entire lawyerly contingent over at the Times, here is the full text of the editorial I linked in my previous post:
February 28, 2005
EDITORIAL What's Secretly Wrong With Kansas
n a shocking abuse of office, the attorney general of Kansas is conducting a stealth campaign to violate the privacy of about 90 women who obtained late-term abortions, offering the flimsy claim that he's looking for evidence of crime.
Protected by a sweeping gag order from a local judge, Attorney General Phill Kline has been demanding the women's records from two clinics that have been unable to even warn clients that their intimate histories are being sought. When the inquiry finally came to light through a court brief, Mr. Kline maintained that he needed all the women's records - including their identities, sexual histories, clinical profiles and birth control methods - to prosecute statutory rape and other suspected sexual crimes.
Kansans deserve a full explanation of this gross intrusion into medical confidences that are supposed to be carefully protected by law. But Mr. Kline, a fervid anti-abortion campaigner throughout his career as a Republican politician, would not answer reporters' questions about his investigation. "Clinics should not act to protect the secrecy of the predator," he insisted in a statement, offering a blanket smear in lieu of a proper explanation.
Mr. Kline's campaign echoes a similar salvo last year by Attorney General John Ashcroft. Federal judges eventually cited privacy laws to stop his attempt to forage through hundreds of records at a half-dozen hospitals. Two years ago, Mr. Kline called on health-care providers to report underage sexual activity, but a federal judge ruled him out of line. Mr. Kline deserves another rebuff, beginning with the suspension of the gag order.
The targeted clinics say they have observed state requirements to report possible crimes. They have filed an appeal to the State Supreme Court, complaining that Mr. Kline is conducting a fishing expedition, not a case-specific inquiry. The clinics have suggested a compromise - that the identities of the women be blacked out with the option for more information from any whose records might yield evidence of crimes like statutory rape.
It's not at all clear how that crime is linked in particular to late-term abortions, which just happen to be the current target of Republican anti-abortion activists across the country. Late-term abortions - beyond 22 weeks of gestation - are illegal in Kansas, except when they are done to protect a woman's health. But Mr. Kline offers no evidence to suggest he has any legal ground to justify pawing through the confidential records of the 90 women he has targeted for his mission of harassment. As for predatory abuse of girls under the age of sexual consent, they could have obtained abortions earlier than 22 weeks.
There is no disputing that Mr. Kline has the duty and power to uphold the law. No one wishes child abusers to walk free. But Mr. Kline also has privacy laws to uphold. His demand for the clinics' records is not only insupportable legally; it smacks of an ideological dragnet.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Friday, February 11, 2005
Interesting morning
As usual, I woke up to the sounds of Wisconsin Public Radio (tres bourgeois, I know, but WPR is one of the few things I miss when I'm not in Wisconsin) and heard two compelling guests. The first was Jane Mayer discussing her article in the current New Yorker, Outsourcing Torture, which you can read here if you're not a subscriber. The NY Times also has an op-ed by Bob Herbert commenting on her article, which you can read here.
The second guest was a Canadian immigration lawyer from Vancouver. I already know that I have enough points on their scale to move, but at the behest of several people I am listening to my idealist better angels and trying to change the system from the inside for now. The callers were as interesting as the guest, though a bit depressing. Most sounded sad, hopeless and occasionally scared about the current state of the U.S. It's hard for me to ask people in that position to stay here. Both programs should be available at WPR.org later today (make sure to select Feb. 11th in the drop-down).
Reading Herbert's piece in the Times, I also saw Paul Krugman's piece about Bush's budget and how it is systematically screwing the poor (read it here). Of course, the reasoning is self-evident to most of the left, but it's nice to see it written up.
I am out of here for the next week and a half, travelling to Skandia, MI for my cousin's baby shower, and then on to South Lyon, MI to visit more family. I'm lugging my laptop, and will be posting if I can find wi-fi access.
The second guest was a Canadian immigration lawyer from Vancouver. I already know that I have enough points on their scale to move, but at the behest of several people I am listening to my idealist better angels and trying to change the system from the inside for now. The callers were as interesting as the guest, though a bit depressing. Most sounded sad, hopeless and occasionally scared about the current state of the U.S. It's hard for me to ask people in that position to stay here. Both programs should be available at WPR.org later today (make sure to select Feb. 11th in the drop-down).
Reading Herbert's piece in the Times, I also saw Paul Krugman's piece about Bush's budget and how it is systematically screwing the poor (read it here). Of course, the reasoning is self-evident to most of the left, but it's nice to see it written up.
I am out of here for the next week and a half, travelling to Skandia, MI for my cousin's baby shower, and then on to South Lyon, MI to visit more family. I'm lugging my laptop, and will be posting if I can find wi-fi access.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
heeeeeeeer's facism
My emotional breakdown on the day after the election (during which, between sobs, I assured my father that it was only a matter of time before I wound up in an "internment camp") is seeming less and less like an overreaction.
Check out this post over at Daily Kos. LOTE, you'll appreciate the Lew Rockwell reference, I think.
Also, all this ruckus over Talon and Jeff Gannon seems to have cause very little investigation into just how much control the White House is seeking over the media. Check out Salon's article on the subject.
Check out this post over at Daily Kos. LOTE, you'll appreciate the Lew Rockwell reference, I think.
Also, all this ruckus over Talon and Jeff Gannon seems to have cause very little investigation into just how much control the White House is seeking over the media. Check out Salon's article on the subject.
Friday, January 28, 2005
dispatch from the frontier
Okay, I admit that I haven't been keeping up with my blogging. This is because dial-up has me teetering on the brink of insanity. Since I am currently living in the boonies (nearest gas station= 4.3 mi. nearest bar= 2.5mi) I simply cannot get high speed internet access at home. Driving 12 miles to the nearest public library with my laptop and getting on their wifi is not a feasible thing on a daily basis. So, posts are few and far between, sorry if you've missed me.
Iraq is creeping towards elections this weekend. Of course, I wish them the best of luck. If they pull off some sort of Democracy miracle, my brother may get to come home. Obviously, I hold out little hope for anything but a debacle. Even if people make it to the polls and back without being bombed or shot, the results of an election which is being boycotted by a major political bloc are certainly going to be subject to charges of illegitimacy. I hear that the only political party which is actively campaigning and holding rallies is the Communist parties, which could make for a lovely bit of irony if we create a new Communist regime. It's good for a bit of a chuckle, probably the only part of the whole scenario that is.
On the home front, we have a new Sec. of State, Condi "my husb, er, I mean the President" Rice. She's the President's biggest fan, the person who has his ear, and the person least likely to ever contradict anything he says. Also, she has a knack for pissing people off and utterly lacks the knack of lying convincingly (though with all her practice. . . ), so she's the exact opposite of a diplomat.
Alberto Gonzales is wending his way through the confirmation process to be our new AG. There is a building movement to vote no on his nomination which is at least somewhat encouraging. At least when he does get confirmed, his tenure will be overshadowed by all the illegal and unethical behavior which will be outed during his confirmation hearings. I wonder if he'll be as committed to safe-guarding the modesty of statuary as his predecessor.
There's an interesting post over at Daily Kos about a proposed regulation limiting the freedom of college and university profs in Ohio. This is similar to a policy proposed at the University of Texas which I heard a lot about when I was in Austin. UT currently has a student group devoted to harrassing profs over their political beliefs, and they target liberals almost exclusively.
Anyhow, I am off for the weekend to Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula to visit my grandparents. While I'm gone, keep an eye on Kos and Atrios. Also, the entertainment and educational value of the following links cannot be denied:
Have a good weekend, all!
Iraq is creeping towards elections this weekend. Of course, I wish them the best of luck. If they pull off some sort of Democracy miracle, my brother may get to come home. Obviously, I hold out little hope for anything but a debacle. Even if people make it to the polls and back without being bombed or shot, the results of an election which is being boycotted by a major political bloc are certainly going to be subject to charges of illegitimacy. I hear that the only political party which is actively campaigning and holding rallies is the Communist parties, which could make for a lovely bit of irony if we create a new Communist regime. It's good for a bit of a chuckle, probably the only part of the whole scenario that is.
On the home front, we have a new Sec. of State, Condi "my husb, er, I mean the President" Rice. She's the President's biggest fan, the person who has his ear, and the person least likely to ever contradict anything he says. Also, she has a knack for pissing people off and utterly lacks the knack of lying convincingly (though with all her practice. . . ), so she's the exact opposite of a diplomat.
Alberto Gonzales is wending his way through the confirmation process to be our new AG. There is a building movement to vote no on his nomination which is at least somewhat encouraging. At least when he does get confirmed, his tenure will be overshadowed by all the illegal and unethical behavior which will be outed during his confirmation hearings. I wonder if he'll be as committed to safe-guarding the modesty of statuary as his predecessor.
There's an interesting post over at Daily Kos about a proposed regulation limiting the freedom of college and university profs in Ohio. This is similar to a policy proposed at the University of Texas which I heard a lot about when I was in Austin. UT currently has a student group devoted to harrassing profs over their political beliefs, and they target liberals almost exclusively.
Anyhow, I am off for the weekend to Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula to visit my grandparents. While I'm gone, keep an eye on Kos and Atrios. Also, the entertainment and educational value of the following links cannot be denied:
Have a good weekend, all!
Monday, January 17, 2005
back at the library
And I'm wondering, should I be worried about the PATRIOT act using the library's wi-fi to post this blog. Not that anything I have ever written on here even approaches illegality, but still, in this climate of fear-mongering and witch-hunting you have to wonder. Well, if this space suddenly goes dark, you'll know why.
So, we're officially no longer looking for WMDs in Iraq. The more cynical among you will wonder if we ever really were. I doubt it, having read (ok, skimmed) the Project for a New American Century. WMDs were the mcguffin, nothing more. And the official admission that we are no longer looking for what was clearly not there in the first place has raised so few questions among the public and press. More than that, it has cause zero recriminations in the administration.
No, I am not suprised, but I am disappointed. I keep hoping to wake up and find that the news media or Democrats are really taking Bush et. al. to task for their behavior. And if neither of those groups, then how about something more grass roots? Clearly there are enough people in this country from liberals to Libertarians to paleo-Cons who have something to gain by seeing Bush's political career implode to form some kind of ad hoc movement to that end. But they seem to be largely invisible. Mostly, I suspect, playing out alternated scenarios for the '00 and '04 elections, and running and re-running political fin de siecle fantasies. Meanwhile, GWB trundles on like some grotesque parody of the little engine that could. Nothing, not scandal, not horror, not the truth, seems to stop him.
Oh, and we get to have Alberto "Waterboarding" Gonzales as our new attorney general. Something about the fox guarding the hen-house. . . I thought that Clarence Thomas marked the low point for the American legal system at a federal level. Clearly, I was wrong.
I think I am going to start a list (and feel free to contribute) of questions the media should ask Bush. It's not important whether he answers, 'cause we all know he won't, but these should be in the public record as having been asked. Also, it's fun to watch him dance, like a little monkey. The first one is this: Do you believe in a literal reading of the Bible and more specifically, do you believe that God created the Earth in six literal 24 hour days as described in the book of Genesis? Follow-up: How does your belief influence your education policy with regards to science education?
So, we're officially no longer looking for WMDs in Iraq. The more cynical among you will wonder if we ever really were. I doubt it, having read (ok, skimmed) the Project for a New American Century. WMDs were the mcguffin, nothing more. And the official admission that we are no longer looking for what was clearly not there in the first place has raised so few questions among the public and press. More than that, it has cause zero recriminations in the administration.
No, I am not suprised, but I am disappointed. I keep hoping to wake up and find that the news media or Democrats are really taking Bush et. al. to task for their behavior. And if neither of those groups, then how about something more grass roots? Clearly there are enough people in this country from liberals to Libertarians to paleo-Cons who have something to gain by seeing Bush's political career implode to form some kind of ad hoc movement to that end. But they seem to be largely invisible. Mostly, I suspect, playing out alternated scenarios for the '00 and '04 elections, and running and re-running political fin de siecle fantasies. Meanwhile, GWB trundles on like some grotesque parody of the little engine that could. Nothing, not scandal, not horror, not the truth, seems to stop him.
Oh, and we get to have Alberto "Waterboarding" Gonzales as our new attorney general. Something about the fox guarding the hen-house. . . I thought that Clarence Thomas marked the low point for the American legal system at a federal level. Clearly, I was wrong.
I think I am going to start a list (and feel free to contribute) of questions the media should ask Bush. It's not important whether he answers, 'cause we all know he won't, but these should be in the public record as having been asked. Also, it's fun to watch him dance, like a little monkey. The first one is this: Do you believe in a literal reading of the Bible and more specifically, do you believe that God created the Earth in six literal 24 hour days as described in the book of Genesis? Follow-up: How does your belief influence your education policy with regards to science education?
just in case
I don't have another post this week, here's some interesting reading over at the American Prospect.
Monday, January 10, 2005
ahh, yes, it's about time
Really we should have done this years ago, but better late than never.
Also, I promise more timely posting when I get back to work. I am still job hunting, and also still working off dial-up most of the time (on that note, whoever started the free wifi at public libraries movement has my eternal gratitude). Once I'm employed, I'll have high speed internet and something to procrastinate on at work.
There was a news flash just before I left to come to the library that CBS fired four high ranking producers and staffers over the forged National Guard memo controversy. That's sad, I mean I don't condone what they did becuase I think it was sloppy, but the fact of the matter is that forged memos or not, the basic underlying story is true: GWB got preferential treatment in the National Guard during Vietnam. Too bad no one ever sees fit to cover that little tidbit.
My little brother's now in Kuwait waiting to see where he and his fellow Marines are getting sent in Iraq. If one more person says that they will pray for him, I'm gonna scream. Pray!?! Yeah, dumbass, how about instead we rewind the clock a few months and you vote for Kerry so my brother wouldn't be in Kuwait right now? How about that? Or how about you stop worrying about God, and get off you lazy ass to make life in this world better and safer? I am hard pressed to deal with such lunacy without totally losing it.
As scary and real as this is, it all still seems a little surreal to me. Looking back, it is hard for me to comprehend how the American public got talked into this war in the first place, and even more so, why there hasn't been a popular outcry against it yet given all the facts and all the lies we now know. I'm cynical enough to know that most people are pretty dumb, and pretty complacent, but I also have enough latent idealism to hope that they can shake off the stupidity and complacency in time to precent GWB et al from turning the Middle East into a giant slab of fused sand from Israel's eastern border to the Gulf. Or at least stop them from creating American funded and trained death squads.
Also, I promise more timely posting when I get back to work. I am still job hunting, and also still working off dial-up most of the time (on that note, whoever started the free wifi at public libraries movement has my eternal gratitude). Once I'm employed, I'll have high speed internet and something to procrastinate on at work.
There was a news flash just before I left to come to the library that CBS fired four high ranking producers and staffers over the forged National Guard memo controversy. That's sad, I mean I don't condone what they did becuase I think it was sloppy, but the fact of the matter is that forged memos or not, the basic underlying story is true: GWB got preferential treatment in the National Guard during Vietnam. Too bad no one ever sees fit to cover that little tidbit.
My little brother's now in Kuwait waiting to see where he and his fellow Marines are getting sent in Iraq. If one more person says that they will pray for him, I'm gonna scream. Pray!?! Yeah, dumbass, how about instead we rewind the clock a few months and you vote for Kerry so my brother wouldn't be in Kuwait right now? How about that? Or how about you stop worrying about God, and get off you lazy ass to make life in this world better and safer? I am hard pressed to deal with such lunacy without totally losing it.
As scary and real as this is, it all still seems a little surreal to me. Looking back, it is hard for me to comprehend how the American public got talked into this war in the first place, and even more so, why there hasn't been a popular outcry against it yet given all the facts and all the lies we now know. I'm cynical enough to know that most people are pretty dumb, and pretty complacent, but I also have enough latent idealism to hope that they can shake off the stupidity and complacency in time to precent GWB et al from turning the Middle East into a giant slab of fused sand from Israel's eastern border to the Gulf. Or at least stop them from creating American funded and trained death squads.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
still alive and kicking
I really didn't fall off the face of the Earth, though it does seem like it since I haven't been online for a few weeks (you should see my email inbox).
The holidays passed pretty uneventfully, I got to see my family and spend some time with my little brother before he's deployed to Iraq for which I am grateful. And I caught up with a bunch of friends I haven't seen for a while. I also lit out for Wisconsin the day after Christmas. That was an adventure and a half during which I decided I have way too much stuff. It used to all fit in my car, this time it took all of a minivan, d'oh. I like to travel light, this is not light.
I heard about the tsunami in my car. In fact I haven't really seen many pictures of it yet because I was on the road when most of the news coverage happened. Such a tragedy, and we're helping by sending Jeb Bush, great. WE could send Neal too, and sink a few savings & loans while we're at it. Also, we're donating approximately the amount of money we spend per hour in Iraq. Aren't we the philanthropists. It's so sad to think that we could have mobilized such massive resources to help all the people suffering if we weren't killing people in Iraq. This kind of thinking is of course an exercise in futility, but I've always been one for "what if. . . ".
My cousin Aaron just got back from his first trip to Europe all aglow about how wonderful it is. I had about given up on my plan to try to find work in Ireland, but seeing him like that reminds me of how much I really do like Europe. And also how much more my salary over there would be worth in American pesos, ahem, dollars. Such a beneficial exchange rate sure would make getting out from under my student loans easier.
Then I saw a Chicago Trib story about how Barack Obama is about to really break, like presidentially, and I thought, do I really want to miss out on something like the revitalization of the Democratic party? Of course I really don't believe that even another FDR can save the country now. It is too much in the grip of religious zealots and their puppets. I know, Ireland's not exactly a religion free zone, but I can sympathize with Catholics, and they don't scare me nearly as much as Evangelicals do.
Sorry for the train of thought ramblings, I need a few days to get back in the swing of things. In the mean time, check out this much more coherent and interesting piece by a fellow blogger. Suitably cynical reading for the new year.
The holidays passed pretty uneventfully, I got to see my family and spend some time with my little brother before he's deployed to Iraq for which I am grateful. And I caught up with a bunch of friends I haven't seen for a while. I also lit out for Wisconsin the day after Christmas. That was an adventure and a half during which I decided I have way too much stuff. It used to all fit in my car, this time it took all of a minivan, d'oh. I like to travel light, this is not light.
I heard about the tsunami in my car. In fact I haven't really seen many pictures of it yet because I was on the road when most of the news coverage happened. Such a tragedy, and we're helping by sending Jeb Bush, great. WE could send Neal too, and sink a few savings & loans while we're at it. Also, we're donating approximately the amount of money we spend per hour in Iraq. Aren't we the philanthropists. It's so sad to think that we could have mobilized such massive resources to help all the people suffering if we weren't killing people in Iraq. This kind of thinking is of course an exercise in futility, but I've always been one for "what if. . . ".
My cousin Aaron just got back from his first trip to Europe all aglow about how wonderful it is. I had about given up on my plan to try to find work in Ireland, but seeing him like that reminds me of how much I really do like Europe. And also how much more my salary over there would be worth in American pesos, ahem, dollars. Such a beneficial exchange rate sure would make getting out from under my student loans easier.
Then I saw a Chicago Trib story about how Barack Obama is about to really break, like presidentially, and I thought, do I really want to miss out on something like the revitalization of the Democratic party? Of course I really don't believe that even another FDR can save the country now. It is too much in the grip of religious zealots and their puppets. I know, Ireland's not exactly a religion free zone, but I can sympathize with Catholics, and they don't scare me nearly as much as Evangelicals do.
Sorry for the train of thought ramblings, I need a few days to get back in the swing of things. In the mean time, check out this much more coherent and interesting piece by a fellow blogger. Suitably cynical reading for the new year.
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