http://cardboardgods.blogspot.com
A blog that is way, way better than mine.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
"WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 — Two days before he resigned as defense secretary, Donald H. Rumsfeld submitted a classified memo to the White House that acknowledged that the Bush administration’s strategy in Iraq was not working and called for a major course correction."
(from www.nytimes.com)(http://tinyurl.com/yjvkc5)
Rumsfeld added that water is wet, rain usually falls from the sky, and golf clubs are a poor substitute for a soup spoon.
(from www.nytimes.com)(http://tinyurl.com/yjvkc5)
Rumsfeld added that water is wet, rain usually falls from the sky, and golf clubs are a poor substitute for a soup spoon.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
From a GOP fundraising email:
"Michael, as a steadfast supporter of the Republican Party, I know how committed you are to conservative principles... from winning the War on Terror, to keeping taxes and spending under control, to securing our borders. Nothing would be more disastrous for these principles than allowing Democrats to take control of the U.S. House and Senate."
...uh, yeah. Other than letting Republicans remain in control, that is.
Does anybody seriously believe that statement?
"Michael, as a steadfast supporter of the Republican Party, I know how committed you are to conservative principles... from winning the War on Terror, to keeping taxes and spending under control, to securing our borders. Nothing would be more disastrous for these principles than allowing Democrats to take control of the U.S. House and Senate."
...uh, yeah. Other than letting Republicans remain in control, that is.
Does anybody seriously believe that statement?
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
I know nothing about auto repair. I, similarly, cannot determine whether or not I am being ripped off when I get an auto repair bill. I can go by word of mouth, or seek advice from former customers on the Web, or read Consumer Reports. But I don't KNOW how good my auto repair place is. Similarly, the health care consumer doesn't know if their doctor is any good, either. You can use word of mouth, check the Web-but you don't know. If you're not getting care that you are supposed to
get (ie that your doctor wants to give you) because your insurance doesn't feel like paying for it, you lose. Health care rationing is going on, in America, right now, today-except it is going to line the pockets of Aetna and Cigna. Personally, since there is going to be rationing, I would rather the
government do it, and at least have a fighting chance that it be rational.
And, don't forget-what is your defense against denial of care? Those wasteful, frivolous lawsuits. I honestly hope it never happens to you, but a life threatening illness to you or a loved one might help you see how hopelessly broken the US system is.
And who else favors national health care? Those communists at General Motors-
"Another potential ally in reform is Big Business. The experience of General Motors is emblematic. GM, which provides health insurance to more people than any other private employer in the country, calculates that its health-care bill adds more than $1,500 to the price of every vehicle sold. Chief Executive Richard Wagoner Jr. has publicly complained that there's a crying need for a national solution. Self-interest? Sure, but most American companies share the pain to some degree. "
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jan2006/nf20060123_1965_db013.htm
Hospital Corporation of America-
"HCA CEO Jack Bovender came close to calling for a single-payer system, though he still couldn't utter the phrase "socialized medicine." "Hospitals have become the ultimate safety net for health care services for the vast majority of America's more than 44 million uninsured," he said. "It is time for all sectors of society, both public and private, health care and non-health care, to participate in solving this societal issue, by providing affordable health insurance for all Americans and more equitably sharing this growing cost to society." "
http://www.slate.com/id/2099036/
the National Association of Manufacturers-
“Now that the magnitude of these underlying costs pressures is understood, it is important that federal and state officials begin to address them with new pro-manufacturing policies,” he said. “Foremost among these should be tax, regulatory, health and legal reforms.”
http://www.mapi.net/html/prelease.cfm?release_id=990
get (ie that your doctor wants to give you) because your insurance doesn't feel like paying for it, you lose. Health care rationing is going on, in America, right now, today-except it is going to line the pockets of Aetna and Cigna. Personally, since there is going to be rationing, I would rather the
government do it, and at least have a fighting chance that it be rational.
And, don't forget-what is your defense against denial of care? Those wasteful, frivolous lawsuits. I honestly hope it never happens to you, but a life threatening illness to you or a loved one might help you see how hopelessly broken the US system is.
And who else favors national health care? Those communists at General Motors-
"Another potential ally in reform is Big Business. The experience of General Motors is emblematic. GM, which provides health insurance to more people than any other private employer in the country, calculates that its health-care bill adds more than $1,500 to the price of every vehicle sold. Chief Executive Richard Wagoner Jr. has publicly complained that there's a crying need for a national solution. Self-interest? Sure, but most American companies share the pain to some degree. "
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jan2006/nf20060123_1965_db013.htm
Hospital Corporation of America-
"HCA CEO Jack Bovender came close to calling for a single-payer system, though he still couldn't utter the phrase "socialized medicine." "Hospitals have become the ultimate safety net for health care services for the vast majority of America's more than 44 million uninsured," he said. "It is time for all sectors of society, both public and private, health care and non-health care, to participate in solving this societal issue, by providing affordable health insurance for all Americans and more equitably sharing this growing cost to society." "
http://www.slate.com/id/2099036/
the National Association of Manufacturers-
“Now that the magnitude of these underlying costs pressures is understood, it is important that federal and state officials begin to address them with new pro-manufacturing policies,” he said. “Foremost among these should be tax, regulatory, health and legal reforms.”
http://www.mapi.net/html/prelease.cfm?release_id=990
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
I just finished, in succession, biographies of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. (The recent Joseph Ellis ones.) The latter one particularly revolves around the central question of Jefferson's character-the slaveowner who believed that all men should be free. Ellis, essentially, argues, that Jefferson believed BOTH of those things-that slavery must continue and that all men should be free. It makes your brain hurt.
We all know that the founders, and the ancient Greeks, and most of the people who have walked the planet, lived very different lives from 21st century Westerners. Thus, it is unfair to look at say, John McGraw (New York Giants manager from the pre-integration years) and castigate him for not signing black ballplayers. The late Buck O'Neil, bless him, said as clearly as he could that he was not bitter about the fame and glory denied him by his skin color, and he has a lot more right than I do to judge. So my brain hurts, and I move along.
I don't understand homophobia, either, here on National Coming Out Day. I have an academic interest in what homosexuality feels like, in the same sense that I want to know what any human whose life is different from mine has experienced. I don't honestly know any gay people. I mean, statistically I know I must. But no one I know has told me that they are gay. I wonder what it is about homosexuality that inspires such a virulent dislike-Christians who profess to love thy neighbor and simultaneously hate thy neighbor. My brain hurts
I understand that feeling-the often quoted words from Fitzgerald-to hold two opposing ideas in your head at the same time is the mark of superior intelligence. I know that I need to schedule flu shots, get my finances in order, begin to plan for a trip this weekend, not let another day of vacation (my first in four years!) slip by...and yet I have spent the day communing with Jefferson, agonizing with the revealed civilian death figure from Iraq, and blogging, and posting angry political screeds on bulletin boards.
I feel like Michael Stipe sounds when he sings "All The Way To Reno".
I guess I'm fairly intelligent. I don't know. But whatever intelligence I do have feels like a curse today-there is too much misery to breathe. Too much information to process, too much to know and read and feel and understand.
Jefferson knew he had more to learn. Could it be that I want to learn less?
We all know that the founders, and the ancient Greeks, and most of the people who have walked the planet, lived very different lives from 21st century Westerners. Thus, it is unfair to look at say, John McGraw (New York Giants manager from the pre-integration years) and castigate him for not signing black ballplayers. The late Buck O'Neil, bless him, said as clearly as he could that he was not bitter about the fame and glory denied him by his skin color, and he has a lot more right than I do to judge. So my brain hurts, and I move along.
I don't understand homophobia, either, here on National Coming Out Day. I have an academic interest in what homosexuality feels like, in the same sense that I want to know what any human whose life is different from mine has experienced. I don't honestly know any gay people. I mean, statistically I know I must. But no one I know has told me that they are gay. I wonder what it is about homosexuality that inspires such a virulent dislike-Christians who profess to love thy neighbor and simultaneously hate thy neighbor. My brain hurts
I understand that feeling-the often quoted words from Fitzgerald-to hold two opposing ideas in your head at the same time is the mark of superior intelligence. I know that I need to schedule flu shots, get my finances in order, begin to plan for a trip this weekend, not let another day of vacation (my first in four years!) slip by...and yet I have spent the day communing with Jefferson, agonizing with the revealed civilian death figure from Iraq, and blogging, and posting angry political screeds on bulletin boards.
I feel like Michael Stipe sounds when he sings "All The Way To Reno".
I guess I'm fairly intelligent. I don't know. But whatever intelligence I do have feels like a curse today-there is too much misery to breathe. Too much information to process, too much to know and read and feel and understand.
Jefferson knew he had more to learn. Could it be that I want to learn less?
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
From http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzhiZGYwYmY2M2U5YzI2OTc1NTI3YmI5ZWI2YTM4MzE=
From Rich Lowry's column:
"The apparent North Korean nuclear test — as yet unconfirmed — punctuates more than a decade’s worth of deal-making, confidence-building, cajoling and negotiating with a regime that has responded to it all only by enhancing its rogue status."
Oh, really? Can you identify deal making, confidence building, cajoling, or negotiating that has gone on since 2001? Remember, Dick Cheney said we don't negotiate with evil, we destroy it.
Been workin like a charm so far....
From Rich Lowry's column:
"The apparent North Korean nuclear test — as yet unconfirmed — punctuates more than a decade’s worth of deal-making, confidence-building, cajoling and negotiating with a regime that has responded to it all only by enhancing its rogue status."
Oh, really? Can you identify deal making, confidence building, cajoling, or negotiating that has gone on since 2001? Remember, Dick Cheney said we don't negotiate with evil, we destroy it.
Been workin like a charm so far....
from-http://americablog.blogspot.com/
"REPORTER: How satisfied are you as to how your staff has handled this scandal so far and whether anyone should resign in your office.
HASTERT: Well I, uh, you know, look, this, I understand my, I have, understood what my staff told me, uh and uh I think from that response they've handled it as well as uh they should. However, in 20/20 hindsight probably you can do everything a little bit better....
I didn't think anybody at any time in my office did anything wrong. I found out about these revelations last Friday, that is the first information I had about it."
Uh, no.
"House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert's chief of staff confronted then-Rep. Mark Foley about his inappropriate social contact with male pages well before the speaker said aides in his office took any action, a current congressional staff member with personal knowledge of Foley and his behavior with pages said yesterday."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/06/AR2006100601888.html )
"Various accounts agree that only two people -- Rep. John M. Shimkus (R-Ill.), chairman of the Page Board, and then-House Clerk Jeff Trandahl, also a board member -- confronted Foley in November 2005 about the messages. But none has definitively said who decided that only those two should handle the task.
A Sept. 30 "internal review" released by Hastert's office says that aides to Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.) alerted Hastert's aides to the e-mails. Among those dealing with the matter were Hastert's deputy chief of staff, Mike Stokke, and his in-house counsel, Ted Van Der Meid."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/07/AR2006100701004.html )
Liar.
"REPORTER: How satisfied are you as to how your staff has handled this scandal so far and whether anyone should resign in your office.
HASTERT: Well I, uh, you know, look, this, I understand my, I have, understood what my staff told me, uh and uh I think from that response they've handled it as well as uh they should. However, in 20/20 hindsight probably you can do everything a little bit better....
I didn't think anybody at any time in my office did anything wrong. I found out about these revelations last Friday, that is the first information I had about it."
Uh, no.
"House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert's chief of staff confronted then-Rep. Mark Foley about his inappropriate social contact with male pages well before the speaker said aides in his office took any action, a current congressional staff member with personal knowledge of Foley and his behavior with pages said yesterday."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/06/AR2006100601888.html )
"Various accounts agree that only two people -- Rep. John M. Shimkus (R-Ill.), chairman of the Page Board, and then-House Clerk Jeff Trandahl, also a board member -- confronted Foley in November 2005 about the messages. But none has definitively said who decided that only those two should handle the task.
A Sept. 30 "internal review" released by Hastert's office says that aides to Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.) alerted Hastert's aides to the e-mails. Among those dealing with the matter were Hastert's deputy chief of staff, Mike Stokke, and his in-house counsel, Ted Van Der Meid."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/07/AR2006100701004.html )
Liar.
I heard Mark Halperin of ABC on NPR yesterday, and he was talking about how Matt Drudge, who admits only some of the items on his site are true, drives news coverage. What I wanted to ask him, but couldn't get through, was THIS IS ONLY TRUE BECAUSE YOU MAKE IT THAT WAY. The reason why Drudge drives coverage is because lazy fatasses at ABC don't have the nerve to do some real reporting. The fact that Drudge is reporting something isn't news.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Bush again remarked that it seems "like an eternity" since December elections in Iraq but predicted that "when this chapter of history will be written . . . it's going to be a comma -- the Iraqis voted, comma, and the United States of America understood that Iraq was a central front in the war on terror and helped this young democracy flourish."
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-yn/content/article/2006/10/03/AR2006100301391.html?nav=rss_politics)
COMMA? 2700 American and tens of thousands of Iraqis dead is a comma?
You bastard. You lying, hypocritical, insensitive, cruel, rotten, evil son of a bitch.
If you dare support this man, and this party...I don't even know if you are human.
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-yn/content/article/2006/10/03/AR2006100301391.html?nav=rss_politics)
COMMA? 2700 American and tens of thousands of Iraqis dead is a comma?
You bastard. You lying, hypocritical, insensitive, cruel, rotten, evil son of a bitch.
If you dare support this man, and this party...I don't even know if you are human.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
It's like this...
Either you're with the protectors of child predators...or you're with the humans.
You're with the murderers of innocent Iraqis...or you're with the humans.
You're with the "Let New Orleans Drown" people...or you're with the humans.
You're with the war profiteers...or you're with the humans.
You're with the torturers...or you're with the humans.
You're with the reckless spenders...or you're with the humans.
You're with the Bill of Rights Destroyers...or you're with the humans.
I don't understand how any thinking person can support any Republican. Anywhere.
Either you're with the protectors of child predators...or you're with the humans.
You're with the murderers of innocent Iraqis...or you're with the humans.
You're with the "Let New Orleans Drown" people...or you're with the humans.
You're with the war profiteers...or you're with the humans.
You're with the torturers...or you're with the humans.
You're with the reckless spenders...or you're with the humans.
You're with the Bill of Rights Destroyers...or you're with the humans.
I don't understand how any thinking person can support any Republican. Anywhere.
Well, the baseball season is over. 12th in my fantasy league, out of 19. Mediocre, like much of my life.
Quick Playoff Picks:
Yankees over Tigers
Twins over A's
Yankees over Twins
Mets over Dodgers
Padres over Cardinals
Padres over Mets (this is the shocker!)
Yankees over Mets
Hate to say it, but I don't see anyone beating the Yankees this year. Robinson Cano batting ninth? Come on.
Quick Playoff Picks:
Yankees over Tigers
Twins over A's
Yankees over Twins
Mets over Dodgers
Padres over Cardinals
Padres over Mets (this is the shocker!)
Yankees over Mets
Hate to say it, but I don't see anyone beating the Yankees this year. Robinson Cano batting ninth? Come on.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
"From keeping our country safe from terrorists to securing our borders to reforming the tax code to make it fairer and cutting wasteful government spending, Republicans are working for a better future for America."
From a Republican fund raising email.
Seriously, now-have they done even one of those things?
From a Republican fund raising email.
Seriously, now-have they done even one of those things?
Friday, September 22, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The President of the United States says that Article 3 of the Geneva Convention, which states that signatories will not participate in “outrages against human decency”, is “vague”. He says it is “open to interpretation.”
The continued existence of George W. Bush is an outrage against human decency.
The fact that this man claims to be a Christian nauseates me.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil;but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,
turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)
++++
You know when you make a jerk of yourself at a counter? When you’re rude, uncouth, insulting or arrogant? Do you ever wonder if the employees are talking about you?
They are. They’re probably insulting you scatologically, too.
++++
From The New Republic this week: “Incompetence is something they (military retirees) [have] been conditioned to measure in lost lives.”
Exactly. No military person, active or retired, should vote for a Republican for exactly that reason. The current administration has shown, time and time again, that competence is no longer the test for government employment.
++++
The continued existence of George W. Bush is an outrage against human decency.
The fact that this man claims to be a Christian nauseates me.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil;but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,
turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)
++++
You know when you make a jerk of yourself at a counter? When you’re rude, uncouth, insulting or arrogant? Do you ever wonder if the employees are talking about you?
They are. They’re probably insulting you scatologically, too.
++++
From The New Republic this week: “Incompetence is something they (military retirees) [have] been conditioned to measure in lost lives.”
Exactly. No military person, active or retired, should vote for a Republican for exactly that reason. The current administration has shown, time and time again, that competence is no longer the test for government employment.
++++
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Currently offline. I don’t know when I’m going to get this posted, but c’est le guerre.
It is really frustrating the way that big companies like Verizon and Comcast can just shit all over you, give you crappy service and treat you like nothing, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. I have had Verizon DSL, sort of, since Thursday, and it hasn’t worked for 24 hours yet. It is really frustrating. Of course, I can’t fail to pay-but they can fail to deliver the service, and that’s just fine.
I’ve been reading a lot of fiction, and thinking, and wanting to write. I’m not sure if I’m ever going to do it. I don’t know if I’m ever going to be the person I wanted to be.
I feel lost, trapped, alone, and bereft. Hopeless.
Cable doesn’t work either, so I can’t even watch football.
I don’t want to be this person, yet I don’t see any way to change.
It is really frustrating the way that big companies like Verizon and Comcast can just shit all over you, give you crappy service and treat you like nothing, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. I have had Verizon DSL, sort of, since Thursday, and it hasn’t worked for 24 hours yet. It is really frustrating. Of course, I can’t fail to pay-but they can fail to deliver the service, and that’s just fine.
I’ve been reading a lot of fiction, and thinking, and wanting to write. I’m not sure if I’m ever going to do it. I don’t know if I’m ever going to be the person I wanted to be.
I feel lost, trapped, alone, and bereft. Hopeless.
Cable doesn’t work either, so I can’t even watch football.
I don’t want to be this person, yet I don’t see any way to change.
Friday, September 08, 2006
"WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is drawing a parallel between the Iraq war and the U.S. Civil War. Both had their critics but both were justified, she says.
In both cases, it was the right decision to fight and see the wars through, Rice said in an interview with Essence magazine.
Asked whether she still thought the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003 was right, considering the cost in lives and treasure, Rice said, "Absolutely."
Rice, an African-American from Alabama, then offered a parallel between critics of the administration's Iraq policies and "people who thought it was a mistake to fight the Civil War to its end and to insist that the emancipation of slaves would hold."
"I'm sure that there were people who said, `Why don't we get out of this now, take a peace with the South, but leave the South with slaves,"' Rice said."
( http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0609060238sep06,1,4210361.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed )
Dr. Rice-
There are a few differences between the US Civil War and the War In Iraq.
-The US Civil War was fought for one, very clearly defined, reason-to end the rebellion and bring the Union together. Lincoln said this repeatedly throughout the entire war.
-When a general was behaving incompetently during the US Civil War, he was replaced.
-The citizenry were asked to sacrifice both blood and treasure to their government so that the war could be won.
-Abraham Lincoln was pained by the loss of life during his war.
In both cases, it was the right decision to fight and see the wars through, Rice said in an interview with Essence magazine.
Asked whether she still thought the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003 was right, considering the cost in lives and treasure, Rice said, "Absolutely."
Rice, an African-American from Alabama, then offered a parallel between critics of the administration's Iraq policies and "people who thought it was a mistake to fight the Civil War to its end and to insist that the emancipation of slaves would hold."
"I'm sure that there were people who said, `Why don't we get out of this now, take a peace with the South, but leave the South with slaves,"' Rice said."
( http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0609060238sep06,1,4210361.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed )
Dr. Rice-
There are a few differences between the US Civil War and the War In Iraq.
-The US Civil War was fought for one, very clearly defined, reason-to end the rebellion and bring the Union together. Lincoln said this repeatedly throughout the entire war.
-When a general was behaving incompetently during the US Civil War, he was replaced.
-The citizenry were asked to sacrifice both blood and treasure to their government so that the war could be won.
-Abraham Lincoln was pained by the loss of life during his war.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Been in a semi serious sort of funk lately.
Had to make some serious decisions at work, which I hate. Being in a friendly, congenial workplace environment is very pleasant, and it sometimes blurs the concept that it is a WORKPLACE, and the generation of profit is, and can be, the only priority for work. Henry was right-you don't have friends at work, you have coworkers. You socialize with friends, you work with coworkers.
Been listening to Rollins' spoken word stuff, and standup, and music, and reading fiction. Read another book by Paul Auster, which was, of course, awesome. Oracle Night this time, which I think I tried to read once before, and couldn't get into. I remember the very beginning of it, but nothing else.
Now reading: Timbuktu, by Paul Auster. Not as good as the last two I read, but not bad.
Now listening: Jesus Christ Superstar, London cast recording. I also own the movie soundtrack, the 20th anniversary revival soundtrack, and the indie rock version with the Indigo Girls in the lead roles. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
Feel fragile, sensitive. Like my carapace has worn down.
Had an epiphany-every where you go, that is someone's workplace. Try to treat them as you would like to be treated at work. I have taken far too much abuse at my work to feel otherwise.
JCS, even though it is literally as old as I am, exposes the central question for Modern Christians-the word is to drive the moneychangers from the temple, to put the welfare of others above one's own. To do to the least of God's creatures what you would do to God. So, therefore, logically, we all (we Christians) consume the bare minimum, and give the rest to charity. Right?
Please note I'm typing this on an ancient laptop, albeit one that would probably fetch 100-200 bucks at a minimum. There are $40 of CDS to my left, and a $12 paperback to my right. So I'm not saying I'm any better.
But still...we don't do it, do we?
"Take this cup away from me, for I don't want to taste its poison..."
Had to make some serious decisions at work, which I hate. Being in a friendly, congenial workplace environment is very pleasant, and it sometimes blurs the concept that it is a WORKPLACE, and the generation of profit is, and can be, the only priority for work. Henry was right-you don't have friends at work, you have coworkers. You socialize with friends, you work with coworkers.
Been listening to Rollins' spoken word stuff, and standup, and music, and reading fiction. Read another book by Paul Auster, which was, of course, awesome. Oracle Night this time, which I think I tried to read once before, and couldn't get into. I remember the very beginning of it, but nothing else.
Now reading: Timbuktu, by Paul Auster. Not as good as the last two I read, but not bad.
Now listening: Jesus Christ Superstar, London cast recording. I also own the movie soundtrack, the 20th anniversary revival soundtrack, and the indie rock version with the Indigo Girls in the lead roles. Needless to say, I'm a fan.
Feel fragile, sensitive. Like my carapace has worn down.
Had an epiphany-every where you go, that is someone's workplace. Try to treat them as you would like to be treated at work. I have taken far too much abuse at my work to feel otherwise.
JCS, even though it is literally as old as I am, exposes the central question for Modern Christians-the word is to drive the moneychangers from the temple, to put the welfare of others above one's own. To do to the least of God's creatures what you would do to God. So, therefore, logically, we all (we Christians) consume the bare minimum, and give the rest to charity. Right?
Please note I'm typing this on an ancient laptop, albeit one that would probably fetch 100-200 bucks at a minimum. There are $40 of CDS to my left, and a $12 paperback to my right. So I'm not saying I'm any better.
But still...we don't do it, do we?
"Take this cup away from me, for I don't want to taste its poison..."
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tom Cruise has been fired at Paramount.
About goddamn time. No one disputes your right to have views, but there is no reason for you to go around disparaging others. I’m glad someone in this world, other than Chick Fil A, is able to say, “No, it’s not about the money. I don’t care how much money I could make by not doing this, I’m just going to do it because it’s the right thing to do.”
There have been 40000 desertions from the Army since 9/11. Forty freaking thousand. That tells you something, doesn’t it?
Impeachment. Now.
www.freewayblogger.com
About goddamn time. No one disputes your right to have views, but there is no reason for you to go around disparaging others. I’m glad someone in this world, other than Chick Fil A, is able to say, “No, it’s not about the money. I don’t care how much money I could make by not doing this, I’m just going to do it because it’s the right thing to do.”
There have been 40000 desertions from the Army since 9/11. Forty freaking thousand. That tells you something, doesn’t it?
Impeachment. Now.
www.freewayblogger.com
Awful, awful, awful news. Pena, Ramirez hurt, and Ortiz and Lester hospitalized with potentially fatal illnesses. We can’t even rent a break now.
Ortiz and Lester, but especially Ortiz, have given me more joy than I can possibly express. The fact that their very lives could be threatened brings me up short. I hope fervently that both men make full recoveries, and, secondarily, return to the field.
Schilling got 3000 K, too-I had no idea he was at all close to that. His Hall candidacy may be less questionable than I thought.
I can’t believe I was able to snag Delmon Young for my fantasy team-I was sure he wouldn’t be available. I may go fishing for Scott Baker, too, since Brad Radke just went down too. Now Thome is hurt again, so I have to deal with that, too. I probably won’t win, but maybe I can cause some headaches for the leaders.
Ortiz and Lester, but especially Ortiz, have given me more joy than I can possibly express. The fact that their very lives could be threatened brings me up short. I hope fervently that both men make full recoveries, and, secondarily, return to the field.
Schilling got 3000 K, too-I had no idea he was at all close to that. His Hall candidacy may be less questionable than I thought.
I can’t believe I was able to snag Delmon Young for my fantasy team-I was sure he wouldn’t be available. I may go fishing for Scott Baker, too, since Brad Radke just went down too. Now Thome is hurt again, so I have to deal with that, too. I probably won’t win, but maybe I can cause some headaches for the leaders.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
"You know, I've heard this theory about everything was just fine until we arrived, and kind of "we're going to stir up the hornet's nest" theory. It just doesn't hold water, as far as I'm concerned. The terrorists attacked us and killed 3,000 of our citizens before we started the freedom agenda in the Middle East.
Q What did Iraq have to do with that?
THE PRESIDENT: What did Iraq have to do with what?
Q The attack on the World Trade Center?
THE PRESIDENT: Nothing, except for it's part of -- and nobody has ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a -- the lesson of September the 11th is, take threats before they fully materialize, Ken. Nobody has ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq. I have suggested, however, that resentment and the lack of hope create the breeding grounds for terrorists who are willing to use suiciders to kill to achieve an objective. I have made that case. "
(from www.whitehouse.gov)
You know, he may be right. No one ever suggested it. They FUCKING STATED IT.
Q What did Iraq have to do with that?
THE PRESIDENT: What did Iraq have to do with what?
Q The attack on the World Trade Center?
THE PRESIDENT: Nothing, except for it's part of -- and nobody has ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a -- the lesson of September the 11th is, take threats before they fully materialize, Ken. Nobody has ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq. I have suggested, however, that resentment and the lack of hope create the breeding grounds for terrorists who are willing to use suiciders to kill to achieve an objective. I have made that case. "
(from www.whitehouse.gov)
You know, he may be right. No one ever suggested it. They FUCKING STATED IT.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
I just finished Paul Auster's "The Brooklyn Follies". What a marvelous, marvelous book. It really spoke to me. I am left with that usual melancholy I get after a good novel, the need to write again. I don't know if I'll ever be able to do it.
The book was magnificent, though. Probably best appreciated by older people-or people who at least feel old.
So we're in Anaheim, and we load the bases, one out, with poor Kyle Snyder on the mound. Dustin Pedroia is up, and its his major league debut. Kid hits the ball hard, but Orlando Cabrera snags it and turns it into a double play. We can't BUY a break.
The book was magnificent, though. Probably best appreciated by older people-or people who at least feel old.
So we're in Anaheim, and we load the bases, one out, with poor Kyle Snyder on the mound. Dustin Pedroia is up, and its his major league debut. Kid hits the ball hard, but Orlando Cabrera snags it and turns it into a double play. We can't BUY a break.
In the doom and gloom following Slaughterhouse Five, the Red Sox getting swept by the Yankees, it must be remembered that Curt Schilling was downright heroic, in a baseball sense, in his performance, as was Papelbon. It hurts, losing all those games in a row, but I think Hansen and Delcarmen and Snyder and those guys will learn, and in 2007 or 2008 this team may be a monster. But it hurts.
Aaron Rowand collided with Chase Utley during yesterday’s game, and that may have fouled up the postseason hopes for Philadelphia. That’s too bad, but I don’t think they had any real hopes of beating the Mets in a postseason series.
Peter Beinart has an editorial in the current New Republic detailing the old, tired line about how Ned Lamont’s primary victory harbinges a 1968 to 1972 McGovern/Humphrey style Democratic loss. I couldn’t disagree more. What war apologists like Beinart don’t understand is that Democrats are motivated by anti Bush feeling, of course-but it isn’t personal. I think Bush believes what he says. I think his policies and his ideas are so dangerous, so ugly and wrong and evil and poorly imagined, that they must be defeated-they must be thrown into the dustbin of history, for the good of the country.
Yes, it’s naked partisanship, but it’s also a cry for help. I have a coworker who likes to mock me at every opportunity, and when I admitted my Democrat leanings, he immediately, as he often does, took the opposite tack. “You think Kerry would have done any better?,” he sneered. I do, actually, think John Kerry, for all his failings and personal quirks, would have been a much, much better president than George Bush. I think the same thing about Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, (especially John Edwards-I hope he runs in 2008.) Barack Obama-lots of people. I also firmly believe that if Bush had done nothing-not bombed Afghanistan, and certainly not invaded Iraq, after 9/11, we still would be better off. My distaste for Bush’s policies is so extreme that I believe a stuffed dog, or a piece of lint, or a moldly piece of cheese, would have done better than George Bush.
David Wells, entering 2006, is tied for 60th in career wins. I didn’t realize that. He has more career wins than Catfish Hunter and Jim Bunning. Hard to imagine he is ranked that highly. Boston just waived him, so they may be trying to trade him. I’ll miss him, but I hope he can get on a winning team and maybe win another World Series.
Aaron Rowand collided with Chase Utley during yesterday’s game, and that may have fouled up the postseason hopes for Philadelphia. That’s too bad, but I don’t think they had any real hopes of beating the Mets in a postseason series.
Peter Beinart has an editorial in the current New Republic detailing the old, tired line about how Ned Lamont’s primary victory harbinges a 1968 to 1972 McGovern/Humphrey style Democratic loss. I couldn’t disagree more. What war apologists like Beinart don’t understand is that Democrats are motivated by anti Bush feeling, of course-but it isn’t personal. I think Bush believes what he says. I think his policies and his ideas are so dangerous, so ugly and wrong and evil and poorly imagined, that they must be defeated-they must be thrown into the dustbin of history, for the good of the country.
Yes, it’s naked partisanship, but it’s also a cry for help. I have a coworker who likes to mock me at every opportunity, and when I admitted my Democrat leanings, he immediately, as he often does, took the opposite tack. “You think Kerry would have done any better?,” he sneered. I do, actually, think John Kerry, for all his failings and personal quirks, would have been a much, much better president than George Bush. I think the same thing about Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, (especially John Edwards-I hope he runs in 2008.) Barack Obama-lots of people. I also firmly believe that if Bush had done nothing-not bombed Afghanistan, and certainly not invaded Iraq, after 9/11, we still would be better off. My distaste for Bush’s policies is so extreme that I believe a stuffed dog, or a piece of lint, or a moldly piece of cheese, would have done better than George Bush.
David Wells, entering 2006, is tied for 60th in career wins. I didn’t realize that. He has more career wins than Catfish Hunter and Jim Bunning. Hard to imagine he is ranked that highly. Boston just waived him, so they may be trying to trade him. I’ll miss him, but I hope he can get on a winning team and maybe win another World Series.
Monday, August 21, 2006
The oddly dressed ESPN field reporter, Bonnie Bernstein, noted during tonight’s game that Johnny Damon says Red Sox Nation “forgot” about what he did in 2004. I don’t think that is true at all. Nobody forgot his role on The Team-I think the ovation he got on his first visit proved that. But he’s a Yankee now-he doesn’t get a pass forever. Becoming a Yankee is the “best career move” you ever made? This from the guy who would “never” be a Yankee? Sorry-that doesn’t fly. We’ll see who thinks what a “great move” this is during the last couple of years of the contract.
Then the rain....grrrrrr. We finally have something good start to happen, with Curt throwing like its 1996 again, and we get the rain. We can’t buy a break. We’re just not good enough, this year, to compete with the Yankees. I have a bad feeling this is 1978 redux-The Massacre II. I think it’s time to start rooting for My Second Favorite Team-Whoever Is Playing The Yankees.
I love baseball players with the high socks. That’s so cool.
Jamie Moyer is traded to the Phillies...wha? If this team is punting the season, and can’t afford to pay anyone.....wha? If they are making a run for it, and want to try to win this year, why on earth do you trade Bobby Abreu? Wha?
I hope Tommy Glavine is going to be okay. Any circulation problem brings up memories of Dennis Boyd. I hope Glavine pulls through. With him down and Pedro, the Mets look decidedly mortal. But seeing El Duque, Orlando Hernandez, tossing his half speed frisbee breaking balls past major league hitters makes me smile.
There’s a Lowe’s commercial that they are showing on ESPN that bugs me. A guy who works at Lowe’s is getting all these questions at work, and then they start asking them at home, at an ice cream truck and when he pulls into his driveway at home. No. NO! When you go home from work, you’re HOME from work. I’m sick and tired of corporations making impossible claims about their employees, while, of course, not compensating them for it or making it possible for them to live up to these claims. People who work with the people are just that, people-no more or less a person than anyone else. Simple human decency requires you treat them as such. I’m really sick of this garbage.
I wonder why the Yankees don’t shift against David Ortiz the way so many other teams do? Perhaps they are just smart enough to realize it doesn’t make very much sense?
There was a 45 minute rain delay, but now they are back playing. Both starting pitchers, Mussina and Schilling, are back out there pitching again, and it remains to be seen who will crack first.
Well, it didn’t remain for very long. Jason Giambi just took Schilling way, way over Williamsburg for a home run. I hate to admit that Joe Morgan is right, but you just can’t keep throwing fastball after fastball to these guys. For heaven’s sake, Curt, throw a damn splitter!
70 pitches for Curt by the fourth-we’re dead.
Joe Torre has a bat with him on the bench-I wonder what its for? 100 years ago, there would be a danger he would put himself in as a pinch hitter. Joe was quite a hitter back in his day.
The possible injury to Youk makes the Hinske acquisition look prescient.
Boy, was I wrong about Curt-7 innings, only a little over the 100 pitch mark. Heroic, at least in a baseball sense. The team desperately needed this kind of effort, and he gave it to them. Wow.
But we still lose. And then lose again, with Wells pitching his heart out.
Damn Yankees.
I wonder what Bill Hicks would think about George W. Bush?
Then the rain....grrrrrr. We finally have something good start to happen, with Curt throwing like its 1996 again, and we get the rain. We can’t buy a break. We’re just not good enough, this year, to compete with the Yankees. I have a bad feeling this is 1978 redux-The Massacre II. I think it’s time to start rooting for My Second Favorite Team-Whoever Is Playing The Yankees.
I love baseball players with the high socks. That’s so cool.
Jamie Moyer is traded to the Phillies...wha? If this team is punting the season, and can’t afford to pay anyone.....wha? If they are making a run for it, and want to try to win this year, why on earth do you trade Bobby Abreu? Wha?
I hope Tommy Glavine is going to be okay. Any circulation problem brings up memories of Dennis Boyd. I hope Glavine pulls through. With him down and Pedro, the Mets look decidedly mortal. But seeing El Duque, Orlando Hernandez, tossing his half speed frisbee breaking balls past major league hitters makes me smile.
There’s a Lowe’s commercial that they are showing on ESPN that bugs me. A guy who works at Lowe’s is getting all these questions at work, and then they start asking them at home, at an ice cream truck and when he pulls into his driveway at home. No. NO! When you go home from work, you’re HOME from work. I’m sick and tired of corporations making impossible claims about their employees, while, of course, not compensating them for it or making it possible for them to live up to these claims. People who work with the people are just that, people-no more or less a person than anyone else. Simple human decency requires you treat them as such. I’m really sick of this garbage.
I wonder why the Yankees don’t shift against David Ortiz the way so many other teams do? Perhaps they are just smart enough to realize it doesn’t make very much sense?
There was a 45 minute rain delay, but now they are back playing. Both starting pitchers, Mussina and Schilling, are back out there pitching again, and it remains to be seen who will crack first.
Well, it didn’t remain for very long. Jason Giambi just took Schilling way, way over Williamsburg for a home run. I hate to admit that Joe Morgan is right, but you just can’t keep throwing fastball after fastball to these guys. For heaven’s sake, Curt, throw a damn splitter!
70 pitches for Curt by the fourth-we’re dead.
Joe Torre has a bat with him on the bench-I wonder what its for? 100 years ago, there would be a danger he would put himself in as a pinch hitter. Joe was quite a hitter back in his day.
The possible injury to Youk makes the Hinske acquisition look prescient.
Boy, was I wrong about Curt-7 innings, only a little over the 100 pitch mark. Heroic, at least in a baseball sense. The team desperately needed this kind of effort, and he gave it to them. Wow.
But we still lose. And then lose again, with Wells pitching his heart out.
Damn Yankees.
I wonder what Bill Hicks would think about George W. Bush?
Saturday, August 19, 2006
"[Senator Orrin] Hatch was quoted in Tuesday's Tooele Transcript Bulletin as saying Middle East terrorists are 'waiting for the Democrats here to take control, let things cool off and then strike again.' "
from the Salt Lake Tribune ( http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4194186 )
Middle East terrorists are motivated by Democrats? Not by gross mismanagement, tone deaf pronouncements, and the slaughter of women and children?
These people are out to lunch.
from the Salt Lake Tribune ( http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4194186 )
Middle East terrorists are motivated by Democrats? Not by gross mismanagement, tone deaf pronouncements, and the slaughter of women and children?
These people are out to lunch.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Michael Gerson, a former speechwriter for, in Molly Ivins' famous phrase, the only president we've got, has a piece in Newsweek that just simply BEGS for explication.
"From those events [9/11], President Bush drew a fixed conclusion: as long as the Middle East remains a bitter and backward mess, America will not be secure."
Apparently, increasing the bitterness and backwardness was the way he saw to solve that problem.
"Threats would be confronted before they arrive,..."
Like Iran. And North Korea. He did a bang up job confronting them.
"...the sponsors of terror would be held equally accountable for terrorist murders..."
Like Saudi Arabia. Boy, we sure held the Bin Laden family accountable.
"...and America would promote democracy as an alternative to Islamic fascism..."
How slaughtering men, women and children does this...well, it's obvious, isn't it?
"Americans have every right to expect competence and honesty about risks and mistakes and failures. Yet Americans, in turn, must understand that in a war where deception is the weapon and goal of the enemy, every mistake is not a lie; every failure is not a conspiracy."
This makes me, in Bill Parcells' immortal phrase, throw up in my mouth. We are still waiting for any competence of any sort to arrive on the highest levels, we are still waiting for honesty from our elected officials, we are STILL WAITING FOR AN ADMISSION THAT YOU PEOPLE COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY FUCKED UP THE INVASION. We are stil waiting to hear you say that you miscalculated, that you underestimated the threat, that you didn't listen to the generals, that you exposed our troops to danger without the equipment they needed. I don't believe this is a Carlisle Group, neoconservative, Christian Taliban plot to bring about the End Times. At least, not much.
But I am still waiting for you to say that you blew it, and that you're sorry, and that you are going to leave no stone unturned until the THIEVES in the Pentagon who made BILLIONS go missing are in jail, the troops have EVERY PIECE of equipment they need, and the political aides who LEAKED THE NAME OF A FUCKING SECRET AGENT is at least fired, if not jailed.
These bastards are evil, irredeemably evil motherfuckers who need to be stopped.
Impeach the President. Now.
"From those events [9/11], President Bush drew a fixed conclusion: as long as the Middle East remains a bitter and backward mess, America will not be secure."
Apparently, increasing the bitterness and backwardness was the way he saw to solve that problem.
"Threats would be confronted before they arrive,..."
Like Iran. And North Korea. He did a bang up job confronting them.
"...the sponsors of terror would be held equally accountable for terrorist murders..."
Like Saudi Arabia. Boy, we sure held the Bin Laden family accountable.
"...and America would promote democracy as an alternative to Islamic fascism..."
How slaughtering men, women and children does this...well, it's obvious, isn't it?
"Americans have every right to expect competence and honesty about risks and mistakes and failures. Yet Americans, in turn, must understand that in a war where deception is the weapon and goal of the enemy, every mistake is not a lie; every failure is not a conspiracy."
This makes me, in Bill Parcells' immortal phrase, throw up in my mouth. We are still waiting for any competence of any sort to arrive on the highest levels, we are still waiting for honesty from our elected officials, we are STILL WAITING FOR AN ADMISSION THAT YOU PEOPLE COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY FUCKED UP THE INVASION. We are stil waiting to hear you say that you miscalculated, that you underestimated the threat, that you didn't listen to the generals, that you exposed our troops to danger without the equipment they needed. I don't believe this is a Carlisle Group, neoconservative, Christian Taliban plot to bring about the End Times. At least, not much.
But I am still waiting for you to say that you blew it, and that you're sorry, and that you are going to leave no stone unturned until the THIEVES in the Pentagon who made BILLIONS go missing are in jail, the troops have EVERY PIECE of equipment they need, and the political aides who LEAKED THE NAME OF A FUCKING SECRET AGENT is at least fired, if not jailed.
These bastards are evil, irredeemably evil motherfuckers who need to be stopped.
Impeach the President. Now.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
More brilliance from a Daily Kos diarist:
"Let's make it even simpler, shall we? The oh-so-mysterious message to elected officials is: People are sick unto death of war, of unresponsive representation, of incompetence, of corruption, of ever-more-intrusive government, of a spiraling deficit, of lobbyist-owned and corporation-sponsored politicians, of a power-hungry president, of six years of attempts to pass stick-up-the-ass moralizing legislation telling us when and how we can die and when and how we can reproduce. Get out of our personal lives, get the hell out of Iraq and do your freaking job - run the government competently, economically and fairly. Period."
That's it. That's all we're saying. Period.
www.dailykos.com
"Let's make it even simpler, shall we? The oh-so-mysterious message to elected officials is: People are sick unto death of war, of unresponsive representation, of incompetence, of corruption, of ever-more-intrusive government, of a spiraling deficit, of lobbyist-owned and corporation-sponsored politicians, of a power-hungry president, of six years of attempts to pass stick-up-the-ass moralizing legislation telling us when and how we can die and when and how we can reproduce. Get out of our personal lives, get the hell out of Iraq and do your freaking job - run the government competently, economically and fairly. Period."
That's it. That's all we're saying. Period.
www.dailykos.com
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Here's the thing:
All the Flat Earth Anti Global Warming Kooks out there like to argue that there is some cabal of scientists out there trying to suppress any science that does not toe the sushi eating wine drinking NPR listening party line.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money by properly assessing risk, right? They don't really care about anything at all except that they take in more in premiums than they pay out in damages. The whole house of cards depends on properly assessing risks so that premiums will be charged appropriately.
http://www.lloyds.com/News_Centre/Features_from_Lloyds/Climate_change_adapt_or_bust.htm
Lloyds of London says that Global Warming is real. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE for them to make decisions on anything other than fact. So what say you, flat earthers?
All the Flat Earth Anti Global Warming Kooks out there like to argue that there is some cabal of scientists out there trying to suppress any science that does not toe the sushi eating wine drinking NPR listening party line.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money by properly assessing risk, right? They don't really care about anything at all except that they take in more in premiums than they pay out in damages. The whole house of cards depends on properly assessing risks so that premiums will be charged appropriately.
http://www.lloyds.com/News_Centre/Features_from_Lloyds/Climate_change_adapt_or_bust.htm
Lloyds of London says that Global Warming is real. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE for them to make decisions on anything other than fact. So what say you, flat earthers?
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Ned Lamont beat Joe Lieberman in the Senate primary in Connecticut last night. Wow. Huge. I hope this means we can throw the bums out this fall.
Red Sox lose again. My bad feeling for this season gets worse and worse. The injuries have been horrific, but everyone had injuries-that's no excuse. The Yankees win this year, period.
Argh.
Red Sox lose again. My bad feeling for this season gets worse and worse. The injuries have been horrific, but everyone had injuries-that's no excuse. The Yankees win this year, period.
Argh.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
I have to train myself to write something, no matter how inane, every single day.
Juan Pierre, with his baggy uniform and high socks, looks like a Negro League player. It would probably be nice for Cubs fans if he took a walk more than twice a week, though.
It's finally a reasonable temperature today. I forget how hot hot is, until its HOT. Then just regular 'ol hot isnt so hot.
Is there anyone more self involved than a prospective bride?
Juan Pierre, with his baggy uniform and high socks, looks like a Negro League player. It would probably be nice for Cubs fans if he took a walk more than twice a week, though.
It's finally a reasonable temperature today. I forget how hot hot is, until its HOT. Then just regular 'ol hot isnt so hot.
Is there anyone more self involved than a prospective bride?
Thursday, August 03, 2006
I've got to force myself to do this every day. It's so hard to imagine that anything I say is relevant.
In regards to Yankee fans ripping ARod-in the words of Larry Bird (who was speaking about Antoine Walker, who was being similarly ripped by Boston fans at the time): If they don't want him, we'll take him.
In regards to Secretary Rumsfeld claiming that one would have "a dickens of a time" to find instances of him being "overly optimistic" about the war in Iraq: Well, no, it is actually extremely simple.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/18/lkl.00.html (Afghanistan, but still...)
http://www.usatoday.com/educate/war28-article.htm
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/iraq/2210842.html
Links from thinkprogress via dailykos
Lying bastards. Impeachment, trial, conviction, and execution. For the lot of them. For crimes against humanity. Now.
In regards to Yankee fans ripping ARod-in the words of Larry Bird (who was speaking about Antoine Walker, who was being similarly ripped by Boston fans at the time): If they don't want him, we'll take him.
In regards to Secretary Rumsfeld claiming that one would have "a dickens of a time" to find instances of him being "overly optimistic" about the war in Iraq: Well, no, it is actually extremely simple.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/18/lkl.00.html (Afghanistan, but still...)
http://www.usatoday.com/educate/war28-article.htm
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/iraq/2210842.html
Links from thinkprogress via dailykos
Lying bastards. Impeachment, trial, conviction, and execution. For the lot of them. For crimes against humanity. Now.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Just watched “The Hidden Child”, a documentary about a New Jersey woman who was hidden during the Holocaust. Hard to say anything at all about that.
***
What is Alex Gonzalez for, anyway ? I’m sick and tired of Red Sox rallies dying on the vine because he can’t hit.
***
Watching “The Hidden Child” does make you rethink your own suicidal thoughts. It seems sinful to consider after people suffered like that while trying to live.
***
LeBron James the best player in the history of the NBA? Yeah, its possible. If he continues on his current path, he is certainly headed that way.
***
***
What is Alex Gonzalez for, anyway ? I’m sick and tired of Red Sox rallies dying on the vine because he can’t hit.
***
Watching “The Hidden Child” does make you rethink your own suicidal thoughts. It seems sinful to consider after people suffered like that while trying to live.
***
LeBron James the best player in the history of the NBA? Yeah, its possible. If he continues on his current path, he is certainly headed that way.
***
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Ive been thinking about trying to post a more lighthearted entry now and then, but you can see how well that went.
Listening to the BobFest CDs (http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?z=y&EAN=74645323022&ITM=25)gets me mad all over again, though. The electriying version of Masters Of War is why I bought it originally, and it still gets me every time.
Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead
Copyright © 1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music
This president and his evil, fascist lying band of thieves need to be impeached, tried, convicted and jailed for crimes against humanity.
Some days you understand why the entire world hates us.
Listening to the BobFest CDs (http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?z=y&EAN=74645323022&ITM=25)gets me mad all over again, though. The electriying version of Masters Of War is why I bought it originally, and it still gets me every time.
Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead
Copyright © 1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music
This president and his evil, fascist lying band of thieves need to be impeached, tried, convicted and jailed for crimes against humanity.
Some days you understand why the entire world hates us.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
The President is right about the Dubai deal. It's not like we're giving them the security contracts, after all-its just the logistics and operations stuff-getting the cargo off the boats and onto the trucks. The security will be the same underfunded, woefully inadequate, half assed system we have now.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
"WASHINGTON - Howard Dean, the Democratic Party chairman, said Sunday that Vice President Dick Cheney would need to resign if he had ordered a leak that resulted in the public exposure of an undercover CIA officer.
Dean cited news reports last week that I. Lewis Libby, Cheney's former chief of staff, had testified to a grand jury that his ''superiors'' had told him to leak classified information to reporters to justify the Iraq war."
From The Salt Lake Tribune
Richard Cheney, aside from almost killing someone, has committed treasonous acts and must be impeached.
Dean cited news reports last week that I. Lewis Libby, Cheney's former chief of staff, had testified to a grand jury that his ''superiors'' had told him to leak classified information to reporters to justify the Iraq war."
From The Salt Lake Tribune
Richard Cheney, aside from almost killing someone, has committed treasonous acts and must be impeached.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Friday, February 03, 2006
"Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires---a wiretap requires a court order.
Nothing has changed, by the way.
When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so.
It's important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in place when it comes to doing what is necessary to protect our homeland, because we value the Constitution."
---President George W. BushApril 20, 2004
Nothing has changed, by the way.
When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so.
It's important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in place when it comes to doing what is necessary to protect our homeland, because we value the Constitution."
---President George W. BushApril 20, 2004
Monday, January 30, 2006
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B15146AB1-24DC-4250-96D4-A25967541406%7D&siteid=google
Bastards.
They stood there in front of Congress and insisted they weren't price gouging, that their prices were dictated solely by the market.
Then they set profit record after profit record.
I'm sure they just got really, really good at their business all of a sudden.
Bastards.
They stood there in front of Congress and insisted they weren't price gouging, that their prices were dictated solely by the market.
Then they set profit record after profit record.
I'm sure they just got really, really good at their business all of a sudden.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060128-9999-1n28hollis.html
As if we needed more evidence the Bush White House is completely and utterly incompetent.
Here's a company with a potential treatment for radiation poisoning, which could kill hundreds of thousands in a nuclear terrorist attack. (Which, of course, the White House is underfunding the prevention of by ignoring the security of the Russian nuclear stockpile.) Yet George Bush's allegedly pro business administration will not give this company the support it needs to go forward with a life saving treatment.
Once again, if another disaster happens, America, YOURE ON YOUR OWN.
This administration doesnt care about you.
As if we needed more evidence the Bush White House is completely and utterly incompetent.
Here's a company with a potential treatment for radiation poisoning, which could kill hundreds of thousands in a nuclear terrorist attack. (Which, of course, the White House is underfunding the prevention of by ignoring the security of the Russian nuclear stockpile.) Yet George Bush's allegedly pro business administration will not give this company the support it needs to go forward with a life saving treatment.
Once again, if another disaster happens, America, YOURE ON YOUR OWN.
This administration doesnt care about you.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4599004.stm
I love it. A German computer firm has banned whining in the office. If there were an American company like this, I'd apply there in a second.
I love it. A German computer firm has banned whining in the office. If there were an American company like this, I'd apply there in a second.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Steve Treder at the Hardball Times has a very good piece about the Negro Leagues museum in Kansas City.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-negro-leagues-baseball-museum/
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-negro-leagues-baseball-museum/
Monday, January 09, 2006
"I must save this government if possible. What I cannot do, of course I will not do; but it may as well be understood, once for all, that I shall not surrender this game leaving any available card unplayed. - Abraham Lincoln
When Lincoln said that, it was a Civil War which threatened to divide our country. Today, there isn't a war between citizen and citizen, but between citizen and government. Why? Because the Bush administration has attacked the interests of the American people, squandered its fortune, and caused so many to die in war. Today's divide is not between north and south, but between the people and its government, a government which has proved over the last few years that it is created by and for the powerful rather than the citizenry of these United States.
There are times when a certain form of governance becomes toxic, where those in the public trust act not as civil servants, but as self-serving politicos. We are living in such a time.
The Congress no longer belongs to ordinary Americans; it belongs to the lobbyist who can cut the largest check. The Presidency no longer leads, but misleads. And the Judiciary (specifically the Supreme Court) is set to belong to the most vile, extreme, and un-American element of our society.
Democrats can either surrender this government to a party which seeks to destroy it, or we can take Lincoln's advice and play our available cards. To those who say filibusters--judicial, patriot act, etc--are too politically costly, I say that failure to filibuster is conceding that this nation isn't worth fighting for. Instead of worrying that we will be labeled "obstructionist," I say we filibuster Alito, filibuster the Patriot Act, filibuster time and time again until this crazy government comes to a screeching halt. Enough is enough. The list of scandals is overshadowed only by the list of names of the 2,190 whose deaths have yet to be honored by this administration.
At what point will our party realize that it's not just the midterm elections at stake here? Politics is secondary to the fact that our country has changed, drastically, over the last several years. What is that change? It is the unraveling of the American flag thread by thread. It is erasing the Bill of Rights letter by letter. It is, ultimately, about waking up one day and not recognizing this great society as the "America" we know and love.
This new year requires a new attitude by the Democratic Party. The party must acknowledge the gravity of the political climate today. It is not a time to crack jokes on Sunday talk shows; it is not a time to mince words or to parrot political consultants. It is a time to speak with the courage and conviction that is required when one is fighting for the heart of their country.
Democrats will not win by pledging to "do better." We will not gain a majority or even the Presidency in 2008 by approaching the American people as politicians. If we are to win, we must rediscover what it means to serve at the will of the people. We must show voters that we are willing to fight, not just talk, for their interests.
Time and time again, we've heard pundits gleefully recount the fact that the GOP is suffering, but the Democrats can't capitalize on it. It's true, to an extent. Where Bush is at 40% approval, he should be at 10%. Where we are ahead in congressional polling by 10 points, we should be ahead by 30. Why have we not been able to react properly to the plethora of scandals the GOP has laid before us? Because of fear.
Fear is what stifles the speech of our leaders, tying their tongues so they can't say the word "LIE." They write letters blasting the administration, but it is fear that holds them back from expressing the same level of outrage when speaking on national television. Fear is what caused so many Democrats to run away from Murtha's plan. We fail as a party not because we lack conviction, but because our words and actions are paralyzed by fear. We're afraid to be labeled as cowards, as commies, as traitors.
And in those rare moments when Democrats have spoken based on conscience rather than poll numbers, we, the party faithful, get all excited. The blogosphere buzzes with cheers for the "smackdown". Thousands of comments are dedicated to the discovery of "a spine." But what does it say about our party that we rejoice in what should be a commonplace event?
A Democrat speaking clearly, truthfully, and following through on his speech should not be an anomaly. It should be the norm in our party. Yet where there should be outrage and action on the part of our leaders, we get instead silence or mealy-mouthed platitudes and ineffective soundbites. "
From Daily Kos, (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/8/204534/2589)
That says it all. It is time for Americans to march to the sound of the guns and take back this government from the thugs and the fascists.
Who's with me?
When Lincoln said that, it was a Civil War which threatened to divide our country. Today, there isn't a war between citizen and citizen, but between citizen and government. Why? Because the Bush administration has attacked the interests of the American people, squandered its fortune, and caused so many to die in war. Today's divide is not between north and south, but between the people and its government, a government which has proved over the last few years that it is created by and for the powerful rather than the citizenry of these United States.
There are times when a certain form of governance becomes toxic, where those in the public trust act not as civil servants, but as self-serving politicos. We are living in such a time.
The Congress no longer belongs to ordinary Americans; it belongs to the lobbyist who can cut the largest check. The Presidency no longer leads, but misleads. And the Judiciary (specifically the Supreme Court) is set to belong to the most vile, extreme, and un-American element of our society.
Democrats can either surrender this government to a party which seeks to destroy it, or we can take Lincoln's advice and play our available cards. To those who say filibusters--judicial, patriot act, etc--are too politically costly, I say that failure to filibuster is conceding that this nation isn't worth fighting for. Instead of worrying that we will be labeled "obstructionist," I say we filibuster Alito, filibuster the Patriot Act, filibuster time and time again until this crazy government comes to a screeching halt. Enough is enough. The list of scandals is overshadowed only by the list of names of the 2,190 whose deaths have yet to be honored by this administration.
At what point will our party realize that it's not just the midterm elections at stake here? Politics is secondary to the fact that our country has changed, drastically, over the last several years. What is that change? It is the unraveling of the American flag thread by thread. It is erasing the Bill of Rights letter by letter. It is, ultimately, about waking up one day and not recognizing this great society as the "America" we know and love.
This new year requires a new attitude by the Democratic Party. The party must acknowledge the gravity of the political climate today. It is not a time to crack jokes on Sunday talk shows; it is not a time to mince words or to parrot political consultants. It is a time to speak with the courage and conviction that is required when one is fighting for the heart of their country.
Democrats will not win by pledging to "do better." We will not gain a majority or even the Presidency in 2008 by approaching the American people as politicians. If we are to win, we must rediscover what it means to serve at the will of the people. We must show voters that we are willing to fight, not just talk, for their interests.
Time and time again, we've heard pundits gleefully recount the fact that the GOP is suffering, but the Democrats can't capitalize on it. It's true, to an extent. Where Bush is at 40% approval, he should be at 10%. Where we are ahead in congressional polling by 10 points, we should be ahead by 30. Why have we not been able to react properly to the plethora of scandals the GOP has laid before us? Because of fear.
Fear is what stifles the speech of our leaders, tying their tongues so they can't say the word "LIE." They write letters blasting the administration, but it is fear that holds them back from expressing the same level of outrage when speaking on national television. Fear is what caused so many Democrats to run away from Murtha's plan. We fail as a party not because we lack conviction, but because our words and actions are paralyzed by fear. We're afraid to be labeled as cowards, as commies, as traitors.
And in those rare moments when Democrats have spoken based on conscience rather than poll numbers, we, the party faithful, get all excited. The blogosphere buzzes with cheers for the "smackdown". Thousands of comments are dedicated to the discovery of "a spine." But what does it say about our party that we rejoice in what should be a commonplace event?
A Democrat speaking clearly, truthfully, and following through on his speech should not be an anomaly. It should be the norm in our party. Yet where there should be outrage and action on the part of our leaders, we get instead silence or mealy-mouthed platitudes and ineffective soundbites. "
From Daily Kos, (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/8/204534/2589)
That says it all. It is time for Americans to march to the sound of the guns and take back this government from the thugs and the fascists.
Who's with me?
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