So I wrote my letters to congress and submitted a letter to the editor regarding the latest Republican debacles, namely the Citibank Bankruptcy Bill Giveaway (s.256) and the coming filibuster-buster over the appointment of right-wing judges. I'm doing my part, right? I even sent a follow-up letter admonishing my congressmen for his complacent party-line vote (he voted yes, duh). I don't have much money to send to issue orgs, but I send what I can when I think it's imperative.
Still, I feel I'm not doing enough. I want to take to the streets, screaming and shouting about the abuse of power, the abuse of the constitution, the theocratic hypocrites that pervade the opposition and dozens of other issues regarding the opposition's role in ruining our country.
But, alas, I have to work on Saturday.
Thank God for the internet or I wouldn't have any place to vent.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Ward Churchill on CSPAN
I wandered in from a late-night round of drinking and talking with a neighbor to find controversial professor and activist Ward Churchill on CSPAN defending his contention that the victims of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center were like "little Eichmanns", that the people who died in those building were directly or indirectly responsible for our foreign policy and the trade pressure that adversley affects entire continents. Churchill holds that the 9/11 attacks were the direct result of ten years of sanctions on Iraq and the millions of deaths, 500,000 of them children, that resulted from it - "chickens coming home to roost" as he puts it in a new book. This argument, I believe, further confuses the relationship between Iraq and 9/11 - but it's close enough to the truth to stir things up a bit and prompt a little introspection - which is precisely what a good academic does.
Personally, I've never heard Al Quaida's particular motives for the attacks on 9/11 other than America's offending presence in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi sanctions, which in retrospect seemed to have worked as advertised in reducing Saddam Hussein's ability to produce more WMD, to my knowledge, were never attributed as a motive for Al Quaida's attack. But I'm just an average American news consumer and I certainly could have missed that important detail in all the self-righteous nationalism that followed. The national ego will protect itself, no matter its culpability.
What's more important than Churchill's grandstanding on CSPAN, I think, is that Americans begin to have a dialbogue about our accountability as a nation. Like Churchill said last night, the attacks on 9/11 were not a "senseless act" of violence on innocent Americans" as it was so often reported, but a highly coordinated attack on our country by a group of Islamists who share a belief about The United States and our foreign policy. There was motive, intent, and a reason they did what they did and who and what they targeted - regardless of whether we get to hear about it or not. The Pentagon is not a symbol, and neither is The World Trade Center.
And there's more, not less reason today for the same group(s) to commit viloence against the United States. Our leaders have proven over the interim period between 9/11 and today that they're willing to risk our security to pursue their domination of the world energy market and to "stablizing" the middle east by whatever means necessary - particularly if those means are exorbitant military contracts with little or no congressional oversight. The proof is always in the profits. Follow the money. There were clues in the secret meetings between energy executives and our "vice" president before the missiles sailed. Since he claims executive privelege and refuses to reveal what happened in those pre-war meetings, I feel free to guess: the administration wanted to make sure that the energy companies were on board, willing to commit billions of dollars in future infrastructure once the dust settled. I know this is a very cynical view - but these are very cynical times where cynical people are willing to risk public safety for personal profit.
Anyway, I think that Ward Churchill is just the first prominent figure in the beginning of a new anti-war movement. Already, establishment press like The Rocky Mountain News have begun the character assasination of a once-respected, albeit already controversial, professor. In the article, "Ward Churchill: A Contentious Life", the paper felt compelled to report how many times he's been married (4), how much money he makes ($92,000), how swank his digs are (a million-dollar view of the snow- draped Indian Peaks) and how many Pall Malls he smokes (2-4 packs a day). Granted, it's a profile piece, but what sticks out are diapproving quotes phrases like "he's just a bully", "His message stirs echoes of a fading counterculture", "prone to "apoplectic fits if he's defied"' and other detractors who imply that he's an egomaniacal wife-beating "pretend Indian" with a questionable service record in Viet Nam. As we now know post-election, if your political leanings are left, your military service isn't honorable, but questionable.
Regardless of how Ward Churchill fares under hyper-media scrutiny, his presence and his mouth have opened the debate about Americna hegemony - and that's just as it should be.
Personally, I've never heard Al Quaida's particular motives for the attacks on 9/11 other than America's offending presence in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi sanctions, which in retrospect seemed to have worked as advertised in reducing Saddam Hussein's ability to produce more WMD, to my knowledge, were never attributed as a motive for Al Quaida's attack. But I'm just an average American news consumer and I certainly could have missed that important detail in all the self-righteous nationalism that followed. The national ego will protect itself, no matter its culpability.
What's more important than Churchill's grandstanding on CSPAN, I think, is that Americans begin to have a dialbogue about our accountability as a nation. Like Churchill said last night, the attacks on 9/11 were not a "senseless act" of violence on innocent Americans" as it was so often reported, but a highly coordinated attack on our country by a group of Islamists who share a belief about The United States and our foreign policy. There was motive, intent, and a reason they did what they did and who and what they targeted - regardless of whether we get to hear about it or not. The Pentagon is not a symbol, and neither is The World Trade Center.
And there's more, not less reason today for the same group(s) to commit viloence against the United States. Our leaders have proven over the interim period between 9/11 and today that they're willing to risk our security to pursue their domination of the world energy market and to "stablizing" the middle east by whatever means necessary - particularly if those means are exorbitant military contracts with little or no congressional oversight. The proof is always in the profits. Follow the money. There were clues in the secret meetings between energy executives and our "vice" president before the missiles sailed. Since he claims executive privelege and refuses to reveal what happened in those pre-war meetings, I feel free to guess: the administration wanted to make sure that the energy companies were on board, willing to commit billions of dollars in future infrastructure once the dust settled. I know this is a very cynical view - but these are very cynical times where cynical people are willing to risk public safety for personal profit.
Anyway, I think that Ward Churchill is just the first prominent figure in the beginning of a new anti-war movement. Already, establishment press like The Rocky Mountain News have begun the character assasination of a once-respected, albeit already controversial, professor. In the article, "Ward Churchill: A Contentious Life", the paper felt compelled to report how many times he's been married (4), how much money he makes ($92,000), how swank his digs are (a million-dollar view of the snow- draped Indian Peaks) and how many Pall Malls he smokes (2-4 packs a day). Granted, it's a profile piece, but what sticks out are diapproving quotes phrases like "he's just a bully", "His message stirs echoes of a fading counterculture", "prone to "apoplectic fits if he's defied"' and other detractors who imply that he's an egomaniacal wife-beating "pretend Indian" with a questionable service record in Viet Nam. As we now know post-election, if your political leanings are left, your military service isn't honorable, but questionable.
Regardless of how Ward Churchill fares under hyper-media scrutiny, his presence and his mouth have opened the debate about Americna hegemony - and that's just as it should be.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Riffing On The Times: Saturday, April 3rd 2005
The headlines (underlined) are taken directly from The New York Times, but the subheads are entirely made-up.
TOP STORIES
Pope Succumbs to Illness Suffered at Length and in Public - Last message to the world reportedly, "Don't think this won't happen to you."
All-Embracing Man of Action for a New Era of Papacy - Unknown selectee already being referred to by pundits as "The Popenator".
Challenge Is Posed in Selecting a Successor - Worldwide distribution rights for "Catholic Idol" competition spurs network bidding war in Vatican City.
INTERNATIONAL
Help Wanted: China Finds Itself With a Labor Shortage - Traditional "human resource management" resulting in uncontrollable labor mortality. Price of widgets projected to rise in United States. Wal Mart employees volunteer for permanent relocation.
At Least 20 U.S. Troops Wounded in Attack on Iraqi Prison - Casualties averted by threats of sexual humiliation and life-sized posters of Madonna and Paris Hilton.
Poland Mourns the Loss of the Savior of Its National Soul - Polish gag-factory closes doors; double-sided erasing pencils and "Polock" jokes become anachronism in politcally sensitive times, despite efforts of Young Republicans.
NATIONAL
In Boston, Mourning Is Tinged by Criticism - Gay Catholics say they wouldn't be caught dead in Pope's robe.
A Fierce Debate on Atom Bombs From Cold War - Military officials warn Bush regime, "Use 'em or lose 'em."
Drug Makers Race to Cash In on Fight Against Fat - Fighting life-threatening diseases described by drug makers as, "So, like, yesterday."
TOP STORIES
Pope Succumbs to Illness Suffered at Length and in Public - Last message to the world reportedly, "Don't think this won't happen to you."
All-Embracing Man of Action for a New Era of Papacy - Unknown selectee already being referred to by pundits as "The Popenator".
Challenge Is Posed in Selecting a Successor - Worldwide distribution rights for "Catholic Idol" competition spurs network bidding war in Vatican City.
INTERNATIONAL
Help Wanted: China Finds Itself With a Labor Shortage - Traditional "human resource management" resulting in uncontrollable labor mortality. Price of widgets projected to rise in United States. Wal Mart employees volunteer for permanent relocation.
At Least 20 U.S. Troops Wounded in Attack on Iraqi Prison - Casualties averted by threats of sexual humiliation and life-sized posters of Madonna and Paris Hilton.
Poland Mourns the Loss of the Savior of Its National Soul - Polish gag-factory closes doors; double-sided erasing pencils and "Polock" jokes become anachronism in politcally sensitive times, despite efforts of Young Republicans.
NATIONAL
In Boston, Mourning Is Tinged by Criticism - Gay Catholics say they wouldn't be caught dead in Pope's robe.
A Fierce Debate on Atom Bombs From Cold War - Military officials warn Bush regime, "Use 'em or lose 'em."
Drug Makers Race to Cash In on Fight Against Fat - Fighting life-threatening diseases described by drug makers as, "So, like, yesterday."
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Riffing On The Times: Saturday, March 27th 2005
As always, the healines are taken directly from The New York Times online edition, but the subheads are entirely made-up.
Top Stories
U.S. Is Examining Plan to Bolster Detainee Rights - Nameless and faceless detainees granted right to have assigned numbers as long as those numbers are "odd" and do not represent any patriotic or Christian significance such as "911", the date of the WTC attack, or "33", the age at which Jesus was crucified. .
Even as Doctors Say Enough, Families Fight to Prolong Life - Right-Wing Conservatives offer themselves as proof that absence of higher brain function does not negate quality of life, but offer "no comment" when asked why "limited government interference" seems to pertain only to matters of private wealth.
For Recruiters, a Hard Toll From a Hard Sell - Officers complain that late-night abductions of fresh recruits from impoverished areas of North America is taking a toll on their family lives. "Out-sourcing" recruits from non-english speaking countries offered as cheaper and easier alternative.
INTERNATIONAL
Boats, Cows, Tasty Lamb: Iraq Battles Smuggling - As U.S. continues its efforts to "stabalize" the region, natives sell-off national assets to survive.
New Details on F.B.I. Aid for Saudis After 9/11 - Turns out Michael Moore was right about our government aiding the flight of rich Saudis after 9/11, but he's still considered a "fat, liberal slob who doesn't know what he's talking about" by conservative talking-heads on the Bush payroll.
Grass-Roots Effort Aims to Upend Mugabe in Zimbabwe - Grassroots L.L.C., a private security firm in Langley Virginia, denies responsibility for African agit-prop.
National
Texas Official Admits Missteps That Helped Railroads in Suits - Says missteps are a necessary manuever for big companies learning the "Texas Two-Step" to circumvent U.S. judicial process.
Movement in the Pews Tries to Jolt Ohio - Christians band together by holding hands and shuffling feet on church carpets to zap local politicians into "Right Thinking". Spokesman says, "God told us to 'create friction' in the U.S. political process."
Tribe Buries 3 on a Long Road to Healing - Chief blames 'white man's fire-stick' on latest school tragedy.
Top Stories
U.S. Is Examining Plan to Bolster Detainee Rights - Nameless and faceless detainees granted right to have assigned numbers as long as those numbers are "odd" and do not represent any patriotic or Christian significance such as "911", the date of the WTC attack, or "33", the age at which Jesus was crucified. .
Even as Doctors Say Enough, Families Fight to Prolong Life - Right-Wing Conservatives offer themselves as proof that absence of higher brain function does not negate quality of life, but offer "no comment" when asked why "limited government interference" seems to pertain only to matters of private wealth.
For Recruiters, a Hard Toll From a Hard Sell - Officers complain that late-night abductions of fresh recruits from impoverished areas of North America is taking a toll on their family lives. "Out-sourcing" recruits from non-english speaking countries offered as cheaper and easier alternative.
INTERNATIONAL
Boats, Cows, Tasty Lamb: Iraq Battles Smuggling - As U.S. continues its efforts to "stabalize" the region, natives sell-off national assets to survive.
New Details on F.B.I. Aid for Saudis After 9/11 - Turns out Michael Moore was right about our government aiding the flight of rich Saudis after 9/11, but he's still considered a "fat, liberal slob who doesn't know what he's talking about" by conservative talking-heads on the Bush payroll.
Grass-Roots Effort Aims to Upend Mugabe in Zimbabwe - Grassroots L.L.C., a private security firm in Langley Virginia, denies responsibility for African agit-prop.
National
Texas Official Admits Missteps That Helped Railroads in Suits - Says missteps are a necessary manuever for big companies learning the "Texas Two-Step" to circumvent U.S. judicial process.
Movement in the Pews Tries to Jolt Ohio - Christians band together by holding hands and shuffling feet on church carpets to zap local politicians into "Right Thinking". Spokesman says, "God told us to 'create friction' in the U.S. political process."
Tribe Buries 3 on a Long Road to Healing - Chief blames 'white man's fire-stick' on latest school tragedy.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Riffing On The Times: Saturday, March 19th 2005
As always, the headlines are lifted directly from "The NY Times" but the sub-heads are entirely made-up.
TOP STORIES
The Medical Becomes Political for Congress - Majority Leader Frist leads 'horsebacked and hooded' posse on Washington women's clinic to "protect life".
Growth of Wireless Internet Opens New Path for Thieves - Telecommunicatioins revolution frees white-collar criminals from 'stuffy offices and cramped cubicles.'
Wal-Mart to Pay U.S. $11 Million in Lawsuit on Immigrant Workers - Money that would be best spent on a medical trust fund for current employees will instead be used to explore and expand "multiculturalism in the work-force" (i.e. another attempt by Bush to de-criminalize "guest workers").
INTERNATIONAL
Syria's Young Leader Moves to Consolidate His Power - Former dictator's opthamological legacy fits countrymen for another myopic mis-adventure.
Rice Bringing a New Style to State - Secretary unveils department's first spring collection.
C.I.A. Says Approved Methods of Questioning Are All Legal - Disapproved, illegal tactics, however, are on a need-to-know basis.
NATIONAL
A New Test for Imax: The Bible vs. the Volcano Proponents of "The Biggest Movie Screens In The World" turn out to be the biggest cowards when cranky Christians threaten current cash-flow.
Atlanta Police Concede Mistakes in Responding to Shooting - Chief says 'donut run' was probably not the best response to stressful courthouse shooting. Local university offers to study "cops, crisis, and comfort food".
Suspect Admits Killing Fla. Girl, Sheriff Says - Also admits to killing Jimmy Hoffa, Jon Benet Ramsey, The Lindburgh Baby and, "...anything, anything, just please stop hitting me!"
-30-
TOP STORIES
The Medical Becomes Political for Congress - Majority Leader Frist leads 'horsebacked and hooded' posse on Washington women's clinic to "protect life".
Growth of Wireless Internet Opens New Path for Thieves - Telecommunicatioins revolution frees white-collar criminals from 'stuffy offices and cramped cubicles.'
Wal-Mart to Pay U.S. $11 Million in Lawsuit on Immigrant Workers - Money that would be best spent on a medical trust fund for current employees will instead be used to explore and expand "multiculturalism in the work-force" (i.e. another attempt by Bush to de-criminalize "guest workers").
INTERNATIONAL
Syria's Young Leader Moves to Consolidate His Power - Former dictator's opthamological legacy fits countrymen for another myopic mis-adventure.
Rice Bringing a New Style to State - Secretary unveils department's first spring collection.
C.I.A. Says Approved Methods of Questioning Are All Legal - Disapproved, illegal tactics, however, are on a need-to-know basis.
NATIONAL
A New Test for Imax: The Bible vs. the Volcano Proponents of "The Biggest Movie Screens In The World" turn out to be the biggest cowards when cranky Christians threaten current cash-flow.
Atlanta Police Concede Mistakes in Responding to Shooting - Chief says 'donut run' was probably not the best response to stressful courthouse shooting. Local university offers to study "cops, crisis, and comfort food".
Suspect Admits Killing Fla. Girl, Sheriff Says - Also admits to killing Jimmy Hoffa, Jon Benet Ramsey, The Lindburgh Baby and, "...anything, anything, just please stop hitting me!"
-30-
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
The Appearance of Justice: Ebbers' Convicted
Bernard Ebbers, former CEO of World Com, has been convicted on 9 counts of fraud and conspiracy and filing false reports with government regulators in the $11 Billion book-cooking scandal that left stock holders and pensioners holding their di***.....er........empty bags.
According to The New York Times, the success of the government's case mostly hinged on the testimony of former Chief Financial Officer, Scott D. Sullivan, who pleaded guilty to his role in the fraud and could get up to 25 years in prison himself (but I'd guess his actual sentencing will be contingent on Ebbers' conviction). Ebbers' himself could get 5-10 years for each of the nine counts, but he won't be sentenced until June 13th and is out free on bail.
So what do you think? Will the guy show up for his sentencing date, do the honorable thing, or take an extended vacation in an undisclosed location somewhere far, far, away? Don't know why they think a rich white guy isn't a flight risk.
According to The New York Times, the success of the government's case mostly hinged on the testimony of former Chief Financial Officer, Scott D. Sullivan, who pleaded guilty to his role in the fraud and could get up to 25 years in prison himself (but I'd guess his actual sentencing will be contingent on Ebbers' conviction). Ebbers' himself could get 5-10 years for each of the nine counts, but he won't be sentenced until June 13th and is out free on bail.
So what do you think? Will the guy show up for his sentencing date, do the honorable thing, or take an extended vacation in an undisclosed location somewhere far, far, away? Don't know why they think a rich white guy isn't a flight risk.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Congress: Let Them Eat Chemotherapy
Just couldn't let it pass without comment of how typically disappointed I am with our so-called leaders and the passage of what I like to call the "CITIBANK BANKRUPTCY BILL". Once again, the representatives and senators who were elected to protect the interests of the people have predictably supported more legislation written by and for the companies who are paying for their re-election campaigns. It isn't bad enough they can offer pre-approved credit to college kids without jobs at interest rates that would make the mafia blush, but now they can stick-it to those who are suffocating beneath a mountain of medical bills as well.
Great job Congress; you couldn't have done a better job screwing the American working class if you wrote the bill yourselves!
(groan)
Great job Congress; you couldn't have done a better job screwing the American working class if you wrote the bill yourselves!
Bend Over America - Congress has another present for you!
(groan)
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Riffing on The Times: Saturday, March 5th 2005
As always, the headlines (underlined) below are taken directly from The New York Times online edition. Everything after that, however, is entirely made up.
Enjoy.- Sudrakarma
TOP STORIES
Italian Hostage, Released in Iraq, Is Shot by G.I.'s - Despite advanced training in recognizing a "terrorist", American soldiers still confused by dark hair and funny accents.
Pro and Con Line Up as Bush Presses Social Security Effort - "Pro"-fessional investment bankers "Con"-vinced Bush's plan better for their.....er...America's future.
Violent New Front in Drug War Opens on the Canadian Border - Crazed cabals of criminal Canucks carrying cannabis, cocaine and cash into California.
INTERNATIONAL
Ukrainian Suspected in Reporter's Murder Is Found Dead - Former president Leonid Kuchma says of Interior Minister's apparent suicide, "Kravchenko definitely killed that reporter - alone and with nobody's help. It was all him! Oh, and he poisoned poor Mr. Yushenko too! That's right, that was him as well. He was craaaazy! But he's dead now, so..."
Syria to Convene Parliament Amid Lebanon Speculation - Leaders say former funkadelic group helps them relax while considering their country's stake in the "Aluminum Boat Capital of The Word."
German Court Awards Jewish Heirs of Nazi-Seized Emporium - Court O.K.'s Potsdamer Platz promotion to award "jewish heirs" to each of the first hundred customers who pay retail.
NATIONAL
Efforts to Hide Sensitive Data Pit 9/11 Concerns Against Safety - Rail cars currently labeled "Liquified Petroleum Gas" will have the word "Not" stenciled above them in an effort to confuse potential terrorists.
...others will be labeled "Mechanic's Milk", "Go Juice" and "Not intended to be used as an incindiary device." Department of Homeland Security estimates the cost of the project to be 'somewhere in the billions'. A department spokesman said 'the scope and magnituded of such a lucrative government contract could only be entrusted to a company of the same scope and magnitude,' namely an as-yet untitled subsidiary of Haliburton. Company officials say they will immediately begin distributing "commercial catastophy cammoflaging kits (CCCK's)" to local governments, which, mysteriously have already been prepared. The kits, or C3K's as the've been dubbed, consist of a can of "application-specific" spray paint and stencil at the cost of $9,073 per kit. (ED - sorry, couldn't help myself!)
F.B.I. Agents Seize Letters From Supremacist's Friend - Agency uncovers evidence of conspiratorial tryst in Robert Novak's steamy love letters to President Bush.
F.D.A. Seizes Millions of Pills From Pharmaceutical Plants - Administration official deny allegations that they plan to re-sell the pills on the internet to recoup crucial funding.
Enjoy.- Sudrakarma
TOP STORIES
Italian Hostage, Released in Iraq, Is Shot by G.I.'s - Despite advanced training in recognizing a "terrorist", American soldiers still confused by dark hair and funny accents.
Pro and Con Line Up as Bush Presses Social Security Effort - "Pro"-fessional investment bankers "Con"-vinced Bush's plan better for their.....er...America's future.
Violent New Front in Drug War Opens on the Canadian Border - Crazed cabals of criminal Canucks carrying cannabis, cocaine and cash into California.
INTERNATIONAL
Ukrainian Suspected in Reporter's Murder Is Found Dead - Former president Leonid Kuchma says of Interior Minister's apparent suicide, "Kravchenko definitely killed that reporter - alone and with nobody's help. It was all him! Oh, and he poisoned poor Mr. Yushenko too! That's right, that was him as well. He was craaaazy! But he's dead now, so..."
Syria to Convene Parliament Amid Lebanon Speculation - Leaders say former funkadelic group helps them relax while considering their country's stake in the "Aluminum Boat Capital of The Word."
German Court Awards Jewish Heirs of Nazi-Seized Emporium - Court O.K.'s Potsdamer Platz promotion to award "jewish heirs" to each of the first hundred customers who pay retail.
NATIONAL
Efforts to Hide Sensitive Data Pit 9/11 Concerns Against Safety - Rail cars currently labeled "Liquified Petroleum Gas" will have the word "Not" stenciled above them in an effort to confuse potential terrorists.
...others will be labeled "Mechanic's Milk", "Go Juice" and "Not intended to be used as an incindiary device." Department of Homeland Security estimates the cost of the project to be 'somewhere in the billions'. A department spokesman said 'the scope and magnituded of such a lucrative government contract could only be entrusted to a company of the same scope and magnitude,' namely an as-yet untitled subsidiary of Haliburton. Company officials say they will immediately begin distributing "commercial catastophy cammoflaging kits (CCCK's)" to local governments, which, mysteriously have already been prepared. The kits, or C3K's as the've been dubbed, consist of a can of "application-specific" spray paint and stencil at the cost of $9,073 per kit. (ED - sorry, couldn't help myself!)
F.B.I. Agents Seize Letters From Supremacist's Friend - Agency uncovers evidence of conspiratorial tryst in Robert Novak's steamy love letters to President Bush.
F.D.A. Seizes Millions of Pills From Pharmaceutical Plants - Administration official deny allegations that they plan to re-sell the pills on the internet to recoup crucial funding.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Marth Stewart Can Go To Hell
Irreplaceable minutes of my day were stolen by the national media who seem intent to celebrate the return of Martha Stewart from prison today. Even NPR deemed it necessary to highlight favorable opinions of this shameless liar by quoting nothing but apologists in their story. Is Martha Stewart a personality we should be celebrating right now? CNN is treating her return as the greatest comeback since Nelson fucking Mandela. Martha Stewart lied to save her own ass! And now she'll profit handsomely from it with books, television specials and K-Mart merchandise. THIS is what we're celebrating? This is the "come-back" story we're teaching out kids to value? It's ok to lie, cheat and steal as long as you can turn it to your own advantage? That's pop-culture family values for you. God we love our winners, dont' we? No matter what they'll do to stay there. Where is our shame?
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Rome is burning.
Sears Corp./K-Mart Catalog Item # 334-1201 - "The Empress' Robe"
Martha fans will be sure to enjoy this unique, Limited Edition item from the "Martha Stewart Post-Prison Payback Collection". You'll look better than ever in your transparent "Empress' Robe". Don't let the neighbors shame you into submission because they aren't as "buff" as you. Hold your nose up high and saunter right on by! Comes in any imaginable size & style with free delivery. Made from 100% transparent sheeps wool, woven and spun into misguided perceptions..........................$70,000
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Rome is burning.
Sears Corp./K-Mart Catalog Item # 334-1201 - "The Empress' Robe"
Martha fans will be sure to enjoy this unique, Limited Edition item from the "Martha Stewart Post-Prison Payback Collection". You'll look better than ever in your transparent "Empress' Robe". Don't let the neighbors shame you into submission because they aren't as "buff" as you. Hold your nose up high and saunter right on by! Comes in any imaginable size & style with free delivery. Made from 100% transparent sheeps wool, woven and spun into misguided perceptions..........................$70,000
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Riffing On The Times: Saturday, February 26 2005
Again, the headlines below (underlined) were taken directly from The New York Times online, but the subtitles are entirely made up. Just a bit of satire. Enjoy.
Suicide Bombing Kills at Least 4 at Tel Aviv Club - And just when it seemed things were going so well between the Jews and the Arabs.
Pope Described as Recovering After Surgery - Also described as "Old", "Infirm", "Near Death" and most controversially, "Merely Human."
Women's Voice Rise as Rwanda Reinvents Itself - After bloody recent history, country wants to be known as "Soprano-Ville".
5 G.I.'s Killed and 9 Injured Across Iraq in 24 Hours - 1500 casualties and counting, Bush claims "Mission Accomplished" and sets sights on Iran.
5 G.I.'s Killed and 9 Injured Across Iraq in 24 Hours - President quips, "That wouldn't sound so bad if you knew how many Iraqis we've killed in the last 24 hours. But that's classified."
9 U.N. Peacekeepers in Congo Killed by Militia Fighters - Kofi Anan declares home continent "Danger Zone" and proposes new resolution to, "make it nicer".
9 U.N. Peacekeepers in Congo Killed by Militia Fighters - "Help Wanted" sign again graces U.N. Storefront. Talk of "out-sourcing" begins.
Rice Calls Off Mideast Visit After Arrest of Egyptian - Secretary of State says Egyptian man wasn't criminal, but hired by State Department to paint her toenails while she played piano, fan her with ostrich feathers while she lounged, and portray Marc Antony or Julius Ceasar when she was feeling "powerful".
Amid Uproar, Harvard Head Ponders Style - President of formerly respected university declares an end to confrontational leadership style to adopt, "...more of a Jim Backus/Thurston Howell III kind of thing." Claims sailor suit just the beginning of operation "Retro-President".
At a Small Shop in Colorado, Wal-Mart Beats a Union Once More - Seems "living wage" and need for "a decent living" no match for American's lust for "deep discounts".
At a Small Shop in Colorado, Wal-Mart Beats a Union Once More - Despite Walton Family $100 BILLION fortune, they're still not satisfied. "What we're really into is pounding the little guy deep into poverty. Now that's satisfying. You just can't put a price on that."
Move to Halt Delegations Is Challenging Episcopalians - Confusion over homosexuality leads to "Pissed-Co-Palian", "Bi-copalian", "Trans-copalian", and "Lez-copalian" splinter groups.
Read more Riffing On The Times: Feb 20th, 2005
Suicide Bombing Kills at Least 4 at Tel Aviv Club - And just when it seemed things were going so well between the Jews and the Arabs.
Pope Described as Recovering After Surgery - Also described as "Old", "Infirm", "Near Death" and most controversially, "Merely Human."
Women's Voice Rise as Rwanda Reinvents Itself - After bloody recent history, country wants to be known as "Soprano-Ville".
5 G.I.'s Killed and 9 Injured Across Iraq in 24 Hours - 1500 casualties and counting, Bush claims "Mission Accomplished" and sets sights on Iran.
5 G.I.'s Killed and 9 Injured Across Iraq in 24 Hours - President quips, "That wouldn't sound so bad if you knew how many Iraqis we've killed in the last 24 hours. But that's classified."
9 U.N. Peacekeepers in Congo Killed by Militia Fighters - Kofi Anan declares home continent "Danger Zone" and proposes new resolution to, "make it nicer".
9 U.N. Peacekeepers in Congo Killed by Militia Fighters - "Help Wanted" sign again graces U.N. Storefront. Talk of "out-sourcing" begins.
Rice Calls Off Mideast Visit After Arrest of Egyptian - Secretary of State says Egyptian man wasn't criminal, but hired by State Department to paint her toenails while she played piano, fan her with ostrich feathers while she lounged, and portray Marc Antony or Julius Ceasar when she was feeling "powerful".
Amid Uproar, Harvard Head Ponders Style - President of formerly respected university declares an end to confrontational leadership style to adopt, "...more of a Jim Backus/Thurston Howell III kind of thing." Claims sailor suit just the beginning of operation "Retro-President".
At a Small Shop in Colorado, Wal-Mart Beats a Union Once More - Seems "living wage" and need for "a decent living" no match for American's lust for "deep discounts".
At a Small Shop in Colorado, Wal-Mart Beats a Union Once More - Despite Walton Family $100 BILLION fortune, they're still not satisfied. "What we're really into is pounding the little guy deep into poverty. Now that's satisfying. You just can't put a price on that."
Move to Halt Delegations Is Challenging Episcopalians - Confusion over homosexuality leads to "Pissed-Co-Palian", "Bi-copalian", "Trans-copalian", and "Lez-copalian" splinter groups.
Read more Riffing On The Times: Feb 20th, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
My Life As The News: Father Rejects "Mall Mania"
A local father rejected his daughter's plea last night to be included in an upcoming Girl Scout field trip.
Known to local scouts as "Mall Mania" and billed by the Girl Scouts as "Mall-ticultural Mania", the field trip consists of "locking-down" a local mall from 10 pm to 4 am for local Girl Scout troops who will be encouraged to "shop till they drop" at selected stores that will remain open exclusively for them. Other activities, such as "rock-climbing" and swapping hand-made crafts with other scouts will also take place.
"Since when did the Girl Scouts encourage conspicuous consumption?" Eric Phillips complained. "And what does the mall and shopping have to do with multiculturalism? Unless they're going to spend the night looking at clothing and toy labels and discussing the wage slavery and child-labor in the third-world and how it's perpetuated to fulfill our every whim, I just don't get it."
That's just the problem, his daughter says. He doesn't get it.
"I just want to fit in," complained 10yr old Emily, in tears. "The other girls keep talking about it and I feel left out. And when they get back they're going to talk about how great it was and how I should have went. It's not fair!" She said she'll probably spend her weekend in her room, alone, with nobody to play with.
Two other local parents also rejected their daughter's involvement in the trip. One cited the early pick-up time (4:30 a.m.) as "terribly inconvenient" and the another girl's biological father has legal visitation that weekend.
Emily's father says he doens't mind picking his daughter up in the early morning, and "totally understands" the trip is primarily about bonding with other girls and just having some fun. But he has other concerns besides an inappropriate theme, he said.
"I really wasn't satisfied with how the whole thing was explained to me," said Mr. Phillips. Among his unanswered questions were the ratio was of parent-chaperones to girl scouts, the total number of girl scouts participating and what, if any, extra security precautions were taken to ensure his daughter's safety. "If your gonig to lock my kid up in a mall in the middle of the night in a strange city, I want to know exactly who will be responsible for her safety at all times."
In the meantime, Emily will be selling Girl Scout cookies with her father at a local produce market on the very day the field trip will take place. She's still upset about not being allowed to participate in "Mall Mania", but says she understand her father's ruling.
"I know he has his reasons," Emily said. "And I know that he loves me and wants to protect me."
"I don't want to be an ogre," Mr. Phillips said. "But if I didn't question her activities and associations I wouldn't be doing my job as a parent."
Still, feeling a bit guilty for his refusal, he promised to make it up to her.
-30-
Known to local scouts as "Mall Mania" and billed by the Girl Scouts as "Mall-ticultural Mania", the field trip consists of "locking-down" a local mall from 10 pm to 4 am for local Girl Scout troops who will be encouraged to "shop till they drop" at selected stores that will remain open exclusively for them. Other activities, such as "rock-climbing" and swapping hand-made crafts with other scouts will also take place.
"Since when did the Girl Scouts encourage conspicuous consumption?" Eric Phillips complained. "And what does the mall and shopping have to do with multiculturalism? Unless they're going to spend the night looking at clothing and toy labels and discussing the wage slavery and child-labor in the third-world and how it's perpetuated to fulfill our every whim, I just don't get it."
That's just the problem, his daughter says. He doesn't get it.
"I just want to fit in," complained 10yr old Emily, in tears. "The other girls keep talking about it and I feel left out. And when they get back they're going to talk about how great it was and how I should have went. It's not fair!" She said she'll probably spend her weekend in her room, alone, with nobody to play with.
Two other local parents also rejected their daughter's involvement in the trip. One cited the early pick-up time (4:30 a.m.) as "terribly inconvenient" and the another girl's biological father has legal visitation that weekend.
Emily's father says he doens't mind picking his daughter up in the early morning, and "totally understands" the trip is primarily about bonding with other girls and just having some fun. But he has other concerns besides an inappropriate theme, he said.
"I really wasn't satisfied with how the whole thing was explained to me," said Mr. Phillips. Among his unanswered questions were the ratio was of parent-chaperones to girl scouts, the total number of girl scouts participating and what, if any, extra security precautions were taken to ensure his daughter's safety. "If your gonig to lock my kid up in a mall in the middle of the night in a strange city, I want to know exactly who will be responsible for her safety at all times."
In the meantime, Emily will be selling Girl Scout cookies with her father at a local produce market on the very day the field trip will take place. She's still upset about not being allowed to participate in "Mall Mania", but says she understand her father's ruling.
"I know he has his reasons," Emily said. "And I know that he loves me and wants to protect me."
"I don't want to be an ogre," Mr. Phillips said. "But if I didn't question her activities and associations I wouldn't be doing my job as a parent."
Still, feeling a bit guilty for his refusal, he promised to make it up to her.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Riffing On The Times: Sunday, Feb 20, 2005
Thought this might be a fun writing exercise for a lazy Sunday morning. The first phrase or sentence in each example below (in quotes) is taken directly from The New York Times "Top Stories" and "International News" headlines. The subtitles, however, are entirely made-up.
------------------------------------------
"Audit Faults U.S. for It's Spending on Port Defense" - Despite it's origin, Portuguese wine says it can defend itself in War On Terror.
"Bush Seeks to Begin a Thaw in a Europe Still Cool to Him" - Proposes increase in industrial CFC emissions resulting in Green House Effect that will eventually melt their resolve.
"For Pain Management, Doctors Prescribe Caution" - ...which now comes in an easy-to-swallow capsule for only $12 a dose. Ask your physician if Caution is right for you.
"On Bus, Bicycle and Foot, Suicide Bombers Aim at a Shiite Holy Day" - but complain about the lack of automobiles available to them in Iraq. Insurgent leaders call for increase in private funding to aid martyr's plight.
"On Bus, Bicycle and Foot, Suicide Bombers Aim at a Shiite Holy Day" - but miss repeatedly. Tuesday and Wednesday suffer only minor injuries.
"Israel Gears Up for Burst of Far-Right Anger at Pullout" - Far-Right says Israel should think about baseball to prevent such bursts.
"15,000 Rally in Togo to End Family's Rule" - Crowd of unemployed U.S. engineers and factory workers protest nepotism at local sandwich franchise.
"In secretly taped conversations, glimpses of Future President" - being paddled by Donald Rumsfeld in a Defense Department hazing ritual deep beneath The Pentagon. Future President will henceforth be sent to Yale where he will learn "boozin' and bitchin'" from the Young Republicans.
"Focus on Indiana's Governor, A Tax Cutter Who Has Become a Tax Raiser" - Former Eli-Lilly executive couldn't bring himself to lower costs for ailing state.
"FDA Moves Toward More Openess With Public" - Admits that all Americans will eventually die, despite their best efforts to kill them first.
"FDA Moves Toward More Openess With Public" - Admits bribery and scandal not effective treatment for most health problems.
Please feel free to include your own examples by posting in the "comments" section.
------------------------------------------
"Audit Faults U.S. for It's Spending on Port Defense" - Despite it's origin, Portuguese wine says it can defend itself in War On Terror.
"Bush Seeks to Begin a Thaw in a Europe Still Cool to Him" - Proposes increase in industrial CFC emissions resulting in Green House Effect that will eventually melt their resolve.
"For Pain Management, Doctors Prescribe Caution" - ...which now comes in an easy-to-swallow capsule for only $12 a dose. Ask your physician if Caution is right for you.
"On Bus, Bicycle and Foot, Suicide Bombers Aim at a Shiite Holy Day" - but complain about the lack of automobiles available to them in Iraq. Insurgent leaders call for increase in private funding to aid martyr's plight.
"On Bus, Bicycle and Foot, Suicide Bombers Aim at a Shiite Holy Day" - but miss repeatedly. Tuesday and Wednesday suffer only minor injuries.
"Israel Gears Up for Burst of Far-Right Anger at Pullout" - Far-Right says Israel should think about baseball to prevent such bursts.
"15,000 Rally in Togo to End Family's Rule" - Crowd of unemployed U.S. engineers and factory workers protest nepotism at local sandwich franchise.
"In secretly taped conversations, glimpses of Future President" - being paddled by Donald Rumsfeld in a Defense Department hazing ritual deep beneath The Pentagon. Future President will henceforth be sent to Yale where he will learn "boozin' and bitchin'" from the Young Republicans.
"Focus on Indiana's Governor, A Tax Cutter Who Has Become a Tax Raiser" - Former Eli-Lilly executive couldn't bring himself to lower costs for ailing state.
"FDA Moves Toward More Openess With Public" - Admits that all Americans will eventually die, despite their best efforts to kill them first.
"FDA Moves Toward More Openess With Public" - Admits bribery and scandal not effective treatment for most health problems.
Please feel free to include your own examples by posting in the "comments" section.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
The Oz Principle and The War on Terror
Recently, my employer required me to read "The Oz Principle", a book about personal accountability in life and on the job which used, of all things, The Wizard of Oz as its metaphor. The characters in that story , after all their travels and tribulations, end up discovering that they had the power to rise above their circumstances all along, if they were just willing to see their part in perpetuating their plight.
At first I was taken aback by the language of the introduction which railed against the "victim mentality" that the authors boldy presumed to have become nothing less than a "crisis in America". They cited, among other popular conservative targets, litigious victims who've turned our court system into their personal entitlement dispenser. The book's language sounded like it was going to be yet another corporate cheerleading sessioin to increase worker productivity through pop psychology. I nearly dismissed it as just more conservative clap-trap in an era rife with it.
But soon, the authors cited examples of corporate and government victimhood and malfeasance, such as the savings and loan scandal, the Iran Contra affair and other examples where when caught in the act, the players began pointing fingers at everyone and everything except themselves. They weren't willing to own any of the responsibility of the outcome. Big surprise. "The Oz Principle" was written in the early nineties, but I bet the authors would have had a field day with the Enron, Tyco and Worldcom scandals and our government agencies reastions to 9/11. Hell, even Martha Stewart would get a lashing for her flippance in refusing, despite her conviction, to be in the least bit accountable for her predicament.
But liberal victims, like myself on occassion, aren't let off the hook either, which is as it should be. Seeing my own thoughts and actions in that light helps me own some accountability for my particular circumstances, as least those parts that I can control, and it makes me a better person I think.
Anyway, the book made me realize that, in part being a victim is a choice. Sure, bad things will happen to you that you have no control over, but you can choose to whine about it, or you can ask yourself, "What else can I do to rise above my circumstances to get the results I desire?" I know, it sounds like one of those annoying affirmations that are pinned up in somebody's cubicle to motivate them when they just want to crawl under their desk, curl up into a fetal ball, and refuse to acknowledge that, yes, this is their life. But I was really attracted to the book's core message which is to acquire Above The Line™ thinking. To See It™, Own It™, Solve It™, and Do It™. So forget what I think or who's at fault, rather, what can I do to get the results I want? As obvious as it sounds, it rarely occurs to me when things are looking bleak in my personal life or the world around me.
So I have a new paradigm, a filter through which I can get a fresh look at the world. And when I point that lens at my President, I feel somewhat vindicated for my criticisms. This is an administration that refuses to be accountable for any of its failures. I'll give them credit for their victories, like the recent electioni in Iraq. After all, they earned them the hard way, by taking high-risk actions for possibly huge political rewards. But I'd think much more of them, and be less apt to protest or rebel, if they would own their failures - at least partially. But all I've seen from this administration is the staunch refusal to accept ANY blame for ANY part of this entire "War On Terror" debacle. According to "The Oz Principle", that's Below The Line thinking.
I understand that the administration can't control the actions of radical Islamists or their horribly misguided religious ideals, but refusing to own any responsibility for our country's predicament in the world, or our position as a political and collateral target, is "below the line" thinking that can only lead to more finger-pointing and a "victim mentality."
The most recent example of "below the line thinking" are the attempt by a certain university to expel one of its professors for acknowledging in a speech that the victims of 9/11, in particular those victims who worked for and ran the corporations who deal in world trade and banking and whose interests shape our foreign policy, were at least partially responsible for their fate. It was a bold and brave statement, but one that, predictably, upset the "victim mentallity" of the U.S. populace who are still licking their wounds after being so viciously blind-sided by the events of that fateful day.
Some of the question that were repeatedly asked after 9/11 were, "How could this happen to us?" and "Why did this happen to us?" and finally "Why do they hate us so much?" I propose that we, as a country, will never really know the answer to that unless we're willing to acknowledge our part in creating the circumstance. Unless, as "The Oz Principle" states, we See It™ and Own It™ (i.e. accountability), well never Solve It™ and do what we need to do to make sure it never happens again. This is why history repeats itself. But we're not doomed to repeat it if we honestly and transparently ask ourselves, "What can we do as a country, as a world community, to rise above our circumstances and get the results we desire?"
Perhaps first we should ask ourselves, what do we really desire for our country? Do we desire perpetual war and a perpetual parade of finger-pointing "victims" and "perpetrators"? Or can we really create something better? That question hasn't been earnestly explored since the 1960's. Perhaps it's time to take another shot at it.
At first I was taken aback by the language of the introduction which railed against the "victim mentality" that the authors boldy presumed to have become nothing less than a "crisis in America". They cited, among other popular conservative targets, litigious victims who've turned our court system into their personal entitlement dispenser. The book's language sounded like it was going to be yet another corporate cheerleading sessioin to increase worker productivity through pop psychology. I nearly dismissed it as just more conservative clap-trap in an era rife with it.
But soon, the authors cited examples of corporate and government victimhood and malfeasance, such as the savings and loan scandal, the Iran Contra affair and other examples where when caught in the act, the players began pointing fingers at everyone and everything except themselves. They weren't willing to own any of the responsibility of the outcome. Big surprise. "The Oz Principle" was written in the early nineties, but I bet the authors would have had a field day with the Enron, Tyco and Worldcom scandals and our government agencies reastions to 9/11. Hell, even Martha Stewart would get a lashing for her flippance in refusing, despite her conviction, to be in the least bit accountable for her predicament.
But liberal victims, like myself on occassion, aren't let off the hook either, which is as it should be. Seeing my own thoughts and actions in that light helps me own some accountability for my particular circumstances, as least those parts that I can control, and it makes me a better person I think.
Anyway, the book made me realize that, in part being a victim is a choice. Sure, bad things will happen to you that you have no control over, but you can choose to whine about it, or you can ask yourself, "What else can I do to rise above my circumstances to get the results I desire?" I know, it sounds like one of those annoying affirmations that are pinned up in somebody's cubicle to motivate them when they just want to crawl under their desk, curl up into a fetal ball, and refuse to acknowledge that, yes, this is their life. But I was really attracted to the book's core message which is to acquire Above The Line™ thinking. To See It™, Own It™, Solve It™, and Do It™. So forget what I think or who's at fault, rather, what can I do to get the results I want? As obvious as it sounds, it rarely occurs to me when things are looking bleak in my personal life or the world around me.
So I have a new paradigm, a filter through which I can get a fresh look at the world. And when I point that lens at my President, I feel somewhat vindicated for my criticisms. This is an administration that refuses to be accountable for any of its failures. I'll give them credit for their victories, like the recent electioni in Iraq. After all, they earned them the hard way, by taking high-risk actions for possibly huge political rewards. But I'd think much more of them, and be less apt to protest or rebel, if they would own their failures - at least partially. But all I've seen from this administration is the staunch refusal to accept ANY blame for ANY part of this entire "War On Terror" debacle. According to "The Oz Principle", that's Below The Line thinking.
I understand that the administration can't control the actions of radical Islamists or their horribly misguided religious ideals, but refusing to own any responsibility for our country's predicament in the world, or our position as a political and collateral target, is "below the line" thinking that can only lead to more finger-pointing and a "victim mentality."
The most recent example of "below the line thinking" are the attempt by a certain university to expel one of its professors for acknowledging in a speech that the victims of 9/11, in particular those victims who worked for and ran the corporations who deal in world trade and banking and whose interests shape our foreign policy, were at least partially responsible for their fate. It was a bold and brave statement, but one that, predictably, upset the "victim mentallity" of the U.S. populace who are still licking their wounds after being so viciously blind-sided by the events of that fateful day.
Some of the question that were repeatedly asked after 9/11 were, "How could this happen to us?" and "Why did this happen to us?" and finally "Why do they hate us so much?" I propose that we, as a country, will never really know the answer to that unless we're willing to acknowledge our part in creating the circumstance. Unless, as "The Oz Principle" states, we See It™ and Own It™ (i.e. accountability), well never Solve It™ and do what we need to do to make sure it never happens again. This is why history repeats itself. But we're not doomed to repeat it if we honestly and transparently ask ourselves, "What can we do as a country, as a world community, to rise above our circumstances and get the results we desire?"
Perhaps first we should ask ourselves, what do we really desire for our country? Do we desire perpetual war and a perpetual parade of finger-pointing "victims" and "perpetrators"? Or can we really create something better? That question hasn't been earnestly explored since the 1960's. Perhaps it's time to take another shot at it.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
"The State of The Union" implies unity
I couldn't watch the State of The Union address.
Besides, I'm pretty confident I know what Bush's game is; get whatcha' can while you can. Piss on the constitution and loot the treasury for you and your buddies and do it so well that it will take a generation of American hard labor to recover from it. Then, when some fool Democrat creates a surplus again, the Republicans can steal it again in the form of tax cuts for the rich and out-sourcing corporations that care so much about America's present and future (they only salute one flag and it isn't red, white & blue). We've been through this ecomomic cycle before, people. It took twenty years to recover from the excess and government looting (a.k.a. bank bailouts) of Reaganomics. We many never recover from Bushonomics. At least, not without some kind of revolution.
It's funny that Republicans have managed to label Democrats as too loose with American tax dollars - spending them on useless government social programs that benefit the "undeserving" (that would be your poor, your children and your old people). But Bush is looting the pot to perpetuate a war for the benefit of Haliburton (and subsidiaries), The Carlyle Group and to manipulate the worldwide energy market.
If you think it was cynical for Enron (remember now, CEO Ken Lay was a good buddy to the Bush Regime) to plunder the newly deregulated California energy market in the nineties, just wait until this new world order takes shape.
By the way, how is your energy bill looking lately?
Besides, I'm pretty confident I know what Bush's game is; get whatcha' can while you can. Piss on the constitution and loot the treasury for you and your buddies and do it so well that it will take a generation of American hard labor to recover from it. Then, when some fool Democrat creates a surplus again, the Republicans can steal it again in the form of tax cuts for the rich and out-sourcing corporations that care so much about America's present and future (they only salute one flag and it isn't red, white & blue). We've been through this ecomomic cycle before, people. It took twenty years to recover from the excess and government looting (a.k.a. bank bailouts) of Reaganomics. We many never recover from Bushonomics. At least, not without some kind of revolution.
It's funny that Republicans have managed to label Democrats as too loose with American tax dollars - spending them on useless government social programs that benefit the "undeserving" (that would be your poor, your children and your old people). But Bush is looting the pot to perpetuate a war for the benefit of Haliburton (and subsidiaries), The Carlyle Group and to manipulate the worldwide energy market.
If you think it was cynical for Enron (remember now, CEO Ken Lay was a good buddy to the Bush Regime) to plunder the newly deregulated California energy market in the nineties, just wait until this new world order takes shape.
By the way, how is your energy bill looking lately?
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Great Britain Declared 51st U.S. State
Is is just me, or are the British copying everything we do? We say there's WMD in Iraq, Tony Blair says there's WMD in Iraq. We go into Iraq. They go into Iraq. We bust some G.I.'s for abusing prisoners, GB busts some G.I.'s for abusing prisoners. I know there's countless other examples of parallel political reports, I just can't think of them at the moment. But If I were a Brit, I'd be kind of embarassed about the coincidences.
Makes you wonder if Tony Blair got his $240,000 check from The Bush Regime like Armstrong Williams did. Something sneaky's going on between Bush and Blair - I've thought so from the beginning.
Makes you wonder if Tony Blair got his $240,000 check from The Bush Regime like Armstrong Williams did. Something sneaky's going on between Bush and Blair - I've thought so from the beginning.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Low-boy gets the Brig
Army Spc. Charles Graner Jr. has been sentenced for his part in the Abu Ghraib prison debacle. After busting Graner back to private, the military court gave him ten years and led the scapegoat out in shackles. No word on why Military Intelligence (definitely an oxymoron in this war) allowed an army reservist and his girlfriend to force "detainees" to perform lewd acts and photograph them - all the while unsupervised. Seems almost as if they were asked to do it.
Read about it in The New York Times.
Read about it in The New York Times.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
News Flash: Uncle Tom On The Take
Houseboy admits to getting extra gruel
Conservative radio host, media commentator, and until yesterday, journalist Armstrong Williams, has been outed by recent reports that he accepted $240,000 from the Bush Regime to promote its "No Child Left Behind" program and, 'to explain its policy to minority parents' - according to a statement obtained by The New York Times from The Department of Education.
If Williams had any doubt about NCLB, a policy that many educators consider an unfunded mandate at a time when Federal cut-backs in State aid have resulted in smaller education budgets, the near quarter-million dollar pay-off surely re-invigorated his enthusiasm.
Formerly a protege' of Sen. Stom Thurmond (R-South Carolina), who holds the record for the longest filibuster in U.S. Senate history while opposing The Civil Rights Act, Williams admitted his mistake on national television, reportedly saying that he was thinking like a businessman without worrying enough about journalistic ethics - no doubt a bad habit he picked up while hanging with The Right crowd and which led to his syndicated column being dropped by Tribune Media Services.
Perhaps he and J.C. Watts can put together a song & dance routine for the southern country-club set once they've lost all credibility with blacks in The United States.
Conservative radio host, media commentator, and until yesterday, journalist Armstrong Williams, has been outed by recent reports that he accepted $240,000 from the Bush Regime to promote its "No Child Left Behind" program and, 'to explain its policy to minority parents' - according to a statement obtained by The New York Times from The Department of Education.
If Williams had any doubt about NCLB, a policy that many educators consider an unfunded mandate at a time when Federal cut-backs in State aid have resulted in smaller education budgets, the near quarter-million dollar pay-off surely re-invigorated his enthusiasm.
Formerly a protege' of Sen. Stom Thurmond (R-South Carolina), who holds the record for the longest filibuster in U.S. Senate history while opposing The Civil Rights Act, Williams admitted his mistake on national television, reportedly saying that he was thinking like a businessman without worrying enough about journalistic ethics - no doubt a bad habit he picked up while hanging with The Right crowd and which led to his syndicated column being dropped by Tribune Media Services.
Perhaps he and J.C. Watts can put together a song & dance routine for the southern country-club set once they've lost all credibility with blacks in The United States.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Let's get this clear, we make the rules...
Republicans have effectively dismissed any threat that their party leaders will ever have to face discipline by congress for ethical misconduct - at least not while they're in charge and the party faithful are locked in goose-step formation ( so prepare for your state to be gerry-mandered into a Republican majority - if it hasn't already).
According to the New York Time, a 1997 rule (adopted to deal with the Clinton Administration) stated that if the ethics committe is deadlocked on an issue (in which the chairs are evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans) a preliminary investigation would automatically kick-in after 45 days. Under the new & improved rules for the Bush Regime congress, any ethics charge that splits down party lines is dismissed. That means, as long as the old boys club locks elbows on any particular ethics violation, say, buggering congressional aides in the coat-check closets, the charges are dismissed. Never happened. What congressional aide? What coat closet?
This just gets better and better.
According to the New York Time, a 1997 rule (adopted to deal with the Clinton Administration) stated that if the ethics committe is deadlocked on an issue (in which the chairs are evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans) a preliminary investigation would automatically kick-in after 45 days. Under the new & improved rules for the Bush Regime congress, any ethics charge that splits down party lines is dismissed. That means, as long as the old boys club locks elbows on any particular ethics violation, say, buggering congressional aides in the coat-check closets, the charges are dismissed. Never happened. What congressional aide? What coat closet?
This just gets better and better.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
$20,000,000,000 Each
The BBC reported today that each of the five members of Sam Walton's family (i.e. the same Sam Walton who founded Wal•Mart) are worth an estimated TWENTY BILLION dollars each. That's one family worth ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS. Meanwhile, government welfare agencies and healthcare providers are complaining because Wal•Mart employees are disproportionally using medicaid to pay their doctor bills. It seems those price-conscious employees figured out that if they wanted to eat and pay rent too, that it was cheaper to go on welfare than to pay for Wal•Mart's health insurance - assuming they qualify for health insurance with all that "working off the clock " shenanigans I've heard reported.
In the '80s, the dimwitted political will was swayed by the idea that welfare is BAAAAAD, and those lazy welfare slobs had better get a damn job if they want government hand-outs like the pharmaceutical corporations get (free taxpayer-funded goveernment research) or the national sports franchises get (free public stadiums to perpetuate their muti-billion dollar pastimes). Well, after twenty years of "welfare reform" (i.e. reductions) the slobs have jobs now. Some have two full-time jobs (or nearly - 39.75 hours a week will keep those pesky benefits away) and no health insurance.
Welfare fraud by the poorest among us is not the problem here, folks. Greed by the wealthiest of those among us is the problem. Who do you know that needs twenty billion dollars? I mean, besides an entire country?
In the '80s, the dimwitted political will was swayed by the idea that welfare is BAAAAAD, and those lazy welfare slobs had better get a damn job if they want government hand-outs like the pharmaceutical corporations get (free taxpayer-funded goveernment research) or the national sports franchises get (free public stadiums to perpetuate their muti-billion dollar pastimes). Well, after twenty years of "welfare reform" (i.e. reductions) the slobs have jobs now. Some have two full-time jobs (or nearly - 39.75 hours a week will keep those pesky benefits away) and no health insurance.
Welfare fraud by the poorest among us is not the problem here, folks. Greed by the wealthiest of those among us is the problem. Who do you know that needs twenty billion dollars? I mean, besides an entire country?
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Boobs, Guns, Jesus and John
Been a while since I've bothered to post anything. I've been deliberately avoiding the news because I've become so agitated and depressed about the state of our union. When I haven't been able to avoid politics on TV, CSPAN's morning call-in show for instance, I've noticed the boobs from right wing have gotten even more cruel and stupid, even more arrogant and self-righteous in their comments.
One elderly woman who called in from Mississippi yesterday had the audacity to blame our present situation in Iraq on eight years of Bill Clinton. I had to turn off the t.v. before I threw it out the fucking window. The Republicans control the entire country, have for four years, will for four more and in the minds of their true believers it's still Bill Clinton's fault? How can people be so extraordinarily stupid? How can you stick your head in the sand and continue to wave the flag with both hands and chant "Hail to the Chief" ? Where do these people come from? What are they on? Unbelievable.
I don't want to play anymore. Really. Count me out.
Anyway, my equally self-righteous co-worker, who also happens to be a born-again Christian, has become similarly deluded since the election. I happen to know through our many conversations that he doesn't agree with a lot of what this administration has pulled since 9/11. I also see doubt in his eyes and hear it in his voice when he talks about the young member of his parish who was recently killed in Iraq. Yet he says to me yesterday that the bible teaches that we're obligated to stand behind our leaders in times of war - without question and without complaint. Knowing that my co-worker is a gun-toting Christian, I asked him if he'd still feel the same way if Bush temporarily suspended the second amendment and fourth amendments (you know, for patriotic reasons), searched his home and seized his property. "Well, uh, uh, that's different," he stammered. He assured me that much of his parrish is armed to the teeth and ready to blast the face off ANYBODY who tried to take their guns.
Sigh.
All I could think about after this exchange was John Lennon's "Imagine" .....
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine ALL the people
Living life in peace....
If only we were all that evolved.
One elderly woman who called in from Mississippi yesterday had the audacity to blame our present situation in Iraq on eight years of Bill Clinton. I had to turn off the t.v. before I threw it out the fucking window. The Republicans control the entire country, have for four years, will for four more and in the minds of their true believers it's still Bill Clinton's fault? How can people be so extraordinarily stupid? How can you stick your head in the sand and continue to wave the flag with both hands and chant "Hail to the Chief" ? Where do these people come from? What are they on? Unbelievable.
I don't want to play anymore. Really. Count me out.
Anyway, my equally self-righteous co-worker, who also happens to be a born-again Christian, has become similarly deluded since the election. I happen to know through our many conversations that he doesn't agree with a lot of what this administration has pulled since 9/11. I also see doubt in his eyes and hear it in his voice when he talks about the young member of his parish who was recently killed in Iraq. Yet he says to me yesterday that the bible teaches that we're obligated to stand behind our leaders in times of war - without question and without complaint. Knowing that my co-worker is a gun-toting Christian, I asked him if he'd still feel the same way if Bush temporarily suspended the second amendment and fourth amendments (you know, for patriotic reasons), searched his home and seized his property. "Well, uh, uh, that's different," he stammered. He assured me that much of his parrish is armed to the teeth and ready to blast the face off ANYBODY who tried to take their guns.
Sigh.
All I could think about after this exchange was John Lennon's "Imagine" .....
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine ALL the people
Living life in peace....
If only we were all that evolved.
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