Who taught you to ask the big questions? Who showed you that there was fantasy within your reality and to cherish it? For me, that was Madeline L'Engle.
Somewhere in second or third grade, as religion began it's slow collapse around my questioning mind, I found an unexpected joy and solace in the stories of Meg Murry, Charles Wallace, and the twins. True, it was escapism in fiction, but was more speculative fiction - a base in the real world - than it was science fiction or fantasy. Madeline L'Engle played with time, manipulated science, and wrote about multiple dimensions long before I ever heard about string theory (still don't have a firm grasp on that one). I began questioning my world, my universe, in a creative and imaginative way, and I'll never forget all the time I spent attempting to visualize a tesseract.
I owe a lot of my own imaginative process and the very seedling of my writing to Madeline L'Engle. She will be missed.
While the other leading candidates for the Presidency were spending the Labor Day weekend campaigning at picnics, barbeques, state and county fairs, and parading in front of the cameras, YOUR candidate, Dennis Kucinich, without fanfare, was quietly traveling throughout the troubled Middle East in search of real-world solutions to monumental, global challenges.
The votes we cast next year will have an impact here in the United States and around the world, and the candidate we elect must be equipped to make sound foreign policy decisions, based on first hand experience and in-person communications with other world leaders.
So, while other candidates partied and picnicked and posed, Dennis and Elizabeth traveled to a troubled, dangerous region of the world to meet with heads of state and other political leaders to find ways to solve the problems, mitigate the dangers, and find common ground for diplomatic cooperation - and PEACE.
"Strength through Peace" - the Kucinich philosophy - means direct engagement, diplomacy, adherence to international law and upholding treaties. It was in that spirit that Dennis and Elizabeth decided to visit the Middle East; to see whether political and religious leaders as well as the citizens of the region were open to the kind of positive dialogue recommended in the Baker Hamilton report. The kind of dialogue ignored and dismissed by the White House.
The six day trip started in Syria. In the Golan region, they visited the site of the "Shouting Valley" where Syrians whose families were separated by the occupation have to literally shout to each other across a distance of several hundred yards in order to maintain family and personal contact.
Syria has accepted and settled more than one and a half million refugees from Iraq. Dennis and Elizabeth visited an area on the Syrian-Iraqi border, as well as one neighborhood in Damascus where some of the Iraqis had settled. The Syrian government is providing free education and healthcare. "People are desperate," said Dennis. "They have lost loved ones in the war. They have nothing but the clothes on their back. This is a profound humanitarian gesture on the part of this country because it significantly increases the population of Syria. Now, someone must provide for these refugees."
On the second day, there was an extended meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. They discussed a wide range of other matters including building relations between Syria and the United States, the role of the European community in negotiations between Syria and Israel, hopes for a national unity government in Lebanon, matters affecting Pakistan, and Assad's stated desire for a peace agreement with Israel.
Elizabeth met with the President's British-born wife, with whom she shares an interest in community economic development, education and the welfare of refugees.
One of the most moving parts of their trip was a visit to the holy site of Notre Dame de Saydanaya, a revered Christian mecca where legend says the Virgin Mary appeared 1,500 years ago, fully veiled Muslim women worship together with Christians. "In this time of religious strife, it is important to bear witness to places that show the way of peace," Elizabeth observed.
Peace and harmony in the Axis of Evil?? Would that message be seen on American TV? No.
Next, Dennis and Elizabeth visited Lebanon. There, Dennis met with President Emil Lahoud and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora where further discussions centered on resolving the conflict with Israel and issues surrounding stability in Lebanon.
President Lahoud was specific about the challenge of Shiites having resigned from the government: "Lebanon is governed by a consensus on every issue. To have this we must have the three main religious groups represented equally (Shiites, Sunnis and Maronites). When one group leaves, you cannot have a legal government."
And, in what may be a surprise to many here at home, there is a surprisingly large American population in Lebanon. How large? About 50,000, many of them active in "Democrats Abroad Lebanon", a branch of the Democratic Party's official overseas arm. Those U.S. citizens were thrilled to have a chance to meet Dennis and Elizabeth at a special evening meeting, and they used the event to kick-off their plans for getting Americans in the country to vote in Democrats Abroad's delegate selection process to choose delegates to attend the Democratic National Convention next year in Denver.
Lebanon's leading Christian cleric, Cardinal Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Church met with Dennis and Elizabeth. Cardinal Sfier is no stranger to U.S. politics. He has met with George Bush, Dick Cheney and Condaleeza Rice in Washington. As the leader of a large segment of an ethnically and religious diverse nation, he told the Kuciniches, "We have to appreciate living together with persons who are not of our faith and working with them to achieve a common good."
Dennis and Elizabeth also made plans to return to Qana, the site of heavy fighting during last year's war and to participate in a televised 'Town Hall forum' in downtown Beirut with residents of the city.
Dennis, who will be returning to the U.S. in the next few days, summed up the trip this way: "I believe that through direct communication, there is hope for peace. The world is ready to embrace America again. It is important that America reaches out to show our true values, our compassion and our willingness to work for peace."
When he and Elizabeth return, he will provide a more detailed description of their travels and a more comprehensive assessment of his political and diplomatic findings.
Strength through Peace, Kucinich for President 2008
Last night FOX News hosted the Republican Debate in New Hampshire. Here are some thoughts on what transpired during the evening. Get your popcorn; it's a haul.
Low Point: FOX & Giuliani I gave this whole mess its own post in this spot, but it bears repeating at the top here as the single most angering event(s) of the entire evening: at several points during the evening, usually with the pretense of an attack-oriented question coming from Brit Hume or Chris Wallace, Ron Paul was asked to defend his "crazy" stance against the war or against bureaucracy. Starting as a light chuckle and continuing to crescendo with each instance throughout the debate, Rudy Giuliani could be heard directly laughing out loud at Ron Paul. FOX never cut his mic.
Rudy Giuliani is an unprofessional bully of a human being. What a dick.
Bill-O Preshow
Dennis Miller apparently never thought there were WMDs in Iraq; he thought it was right to go in, cuff Hussein, and develop a "reinvigoration of our brand." Did he just say that? You betcha.
Bill-O rails against a doctor who claims a chemical in microwave popcorn is not good for the lungs, follows it with one of the only things you can eat that's okay is hummus. What's wrong with that?
The Setup
Took this picture from May's debate, but last night was the same elephant. If red is GOP and blue is Democratic Party, why is the elephant not at least half red?
Every candidate had "Family" and "Religion" listed next to them at least once during the debate. Why is religion important? Mitt Romney's a Mormon, that's why.
The bell on Hume's nerts: the rule was that each candidate would have a minute to answer, shown by lights, then get buzzed. Unfortunately there was no consistancy except on how each candidate was treated: Ron Paul was regularly buzzed without warning, Giuliani was warned, warned, then buzzed, and at one point McCain got almost 2 solid minutes before even getting a warning. I came to the conclusion that a cowbell dangling by twine from Brit Hume's nutsack and tapped at his whim with a baby seal spine was the actual timer mechanism.
The Look
Does anyone believe Chris Wallace's hair is real?
FNC
Red tie, red tie, red tie: They must have called each other. Everyone except Huckabee - who went periwinkle - and Brownback with his grey-lavender ditty.
Mitt Romney is - save Dennis Kucinich - by far the sexiest candidate on both sides of the field. Just wanted to throw out that man-crush.
Hunter's got that left-elbow-podium pose down, perfect for showcasing that left swoopy, swarthy eyebrow of his.
Giuliani: how 'bout them choppers? Standing out against the orange (see comment in The Post at the bottom)
The Attacks
The hard questions, the ones targeting specific beliefs or previous ideas - all, of course, on FOX's "no-no" list - were predictably aimed, mostly by Wallace: Romney was attacked on immigration and not federally banning abortion, McCain was pitted against "America's Hero" Giuliani, attacked for not signing a "No new taxes" pledge, Huckabee caught hell for suggesting a 23% consumption tax, and Ron Paul was lambasted for his contrarian views at every opening. Obviously fair and balanced.
The Topics
Overall, this was a lame, lame debate. They farted at immigration, swarmed on Iraq and how great and necessary the war is, winked at taxes, then hit on how important it is to eliminate Iran as a nuclear power.
The Comments
Ron Paul, the only voice of reason: The war is illegal, America needs to fix the problem we started, Republicans will go down the drain next year, bureaucracy is out of control.
Giuliani's comments can be summed up into three categories.
I'm not running on what I did on 9/11, what I did on 9/11, what I did on 9/11...
When I was mayor, I was able to transform New York in ways no one thought possible. I am simply a magical being, a miracle worker and enacted change by dipping my penis in the Hudson.
[no words, just inappropriately laughing like a jerk at Ron Paul]
And one gaffe: "I was stuck with 398,000" illegal immigrants. Oops.
Huckabee says we should outsource immigrant management to UPS/FedEx. Not a terrible idea, but good luck tattooing bar codes on all those asses.
Hunter says he'll get that 800 mile fence built, informs America that the president actually did sign a bill that says it needs to be built
Brownback on Larry Craig: Blah blah blubba blu...
Romney on abortion: Blah blah blubba blu...
Giuliani on family values: Blah blah blubba blu...
Huckabee believes all life is sacred, whether an unborn child, trapped in a mine, or in a long term care facility. So unborn children should be mining our coal until they're forced into early retirement homes? That's just crazy.
Ron Paul high point: the same people who are saying Iraq will be a bloodbath when we leave said it would be a cakewalk when we invaded; why are we listening to them?
Ron Paul vs. Huckabee - Huckabee loses on our honor is more important than lives, more important than being right. I was watching a stump speech lineup and a debate broke out. What the hell?
Tancredo was the first out the gate with "Radical Islam."
Mitt Romney soon followed "Global Jihad" and Al Mah Leaky. Who's that? Jambi's cousin (Mek-a-lek-a-hi Mek-a hiney-hoe)?
Everyone except Ron Paul spent a little time with their lips wrapped around the McCain sausage. I'm not sure what that was about.
Romney Slam: Bit of a Reach
This might be a stretch, but is one of those nuances that FOX tosses at us from time to time. When Mitt Romney's font graphic was was popped in to identify him, the "TT" at the end of his first name were crammed together, looking like pi (π). Pi being a foreign character, this works subconsciously to make Romney seem more alien, more foreign. You know, like that crazy Mormon religion he believes in. Might as well be a Jew or Muslim with that funny language stuff.
The Post
I addressed the Hannity handling of the Ron Paul Poll Win: no one redialed; Ron Paul won. Eh, so what? Granted, if Giuliani won it would've been a topic of serious conversation.
It wasn't as apparent on stage, but as soon as Rudy Giuliani sat next to Hannity under those more bleaching lights, it was clear that he should've called for makeup before taking a seat: less makeup to be exact. Giuliani looked like a damned Oompa Loompa - all kinds of orange. It made it only slightly more bearable to hear him laugh - again - and compare Ron Paul to Mike Gravel. Dick
The Rendered Fat of the Debate
I think the most frightening thing about this debate is the rhetoric that came out near the end, Hunter's "You don't understand the determination of the U.S. Marines" and Romney's pledge that we will "overwhelm jihad."
Our armed forces are not radicals; they have a strong belief in their families and at least a small vested interest in self-preservation. The people they are fighting are not necessarily looking at returning home alive; they are looking at their sacrifice and the generations that will come after them and eventually crush the American power. How do we win against that, and why is it that only one candidate for President of the United States on that stage last night has even the slightest understanding of that dynamic and its implications?
Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate saying we need to pull the troops out of Iraq, that the war is illegal, and that governmental bureaucracy is out of control. If I were a Republican, I'd be pulling for him. Then again, if I were a Republican, I would've gone mad and put a gun in my mouth long ago (thank God for the 2nd Amendment!). Either way, he was a refreshing voice at last night's FOX Republican Debate in New Hampshire.
Unfortunately, a complete lack of professionalism showed just how ruthless Republican wingnuts can be and how they can turn on each other and eat their own.
FOX and Giuliani FOX - if confronted - will probably claim that it was fostering an environment of open debate, but when one candidate was speaking, other candidates' comments were sometimes audible. Most notably, each time a question was posed to Ron Paul - usually worded as an attack by Brit Hume or Chris Wallace - Rudy Giuliani could be heard laughing off camera with increasing vigor as the broadcast went on.
This is what FOX does, undermining those who don't tow the party line, clearly showing bias by allowing Giuliani's mic to remain open. But Giuliani? Regardless of what you think of "America's Mayor," and his 30 seconds of mistakes, his openly laughing at Ron Paul is the most telling characterization to date: Rudy Giuliani is an unprofessional, beat-up-the-underdog, smug, sad excuse for a human being; in a word - douchebag. I wouldn't vote for him with Karl Rove's arm sticking out of Rush Limbaugh's ass.
I don't think anything during the debate bothered me more.
Hannity's Lies After the Republican Debate on FOX, a special, live Hannity & Colmes aired with a "Text the Winner of the Debate" poll. At first blush, Ron Paul had twice the votes of the second place runner with 34% of votes; he carried that lead through the end of the show, finishing with 33% of the votes.
Sean Hannity, on two or three separate occasions, made serious comments on how it was a couple of nutjobs dialing and redialing and screwing up the poll. Sean Hannity was wrong. After one vote, the return text message thanks you for voting. Attempting to vote again returns a text saying "You have already voted...thank you for participating." No one could vote more than once with each cell phone.
But if Sean can undermine anyone without the FOX brand as their tramp stamp and make all his loyal, blind followers believe that there isn't something notable or significant going on? Well, that's his job. And he does it well.
I feel badly that Ron Paul is the clear casualty of these asshats.
UPDATE: JL over at Laissez-faire (nice comments) posted found this Ron Paul loveliness. I don't feel so bad anymore when Hannity looks like such a choad:
Stay tuned. I have 3 pages of notes from last night's debate; I just thought this deserved its own post.
Crooks and Liars had a nice post about President Bush's admission that he cries. They entitled it "Tears of a Clown." How dare they do that without a proper Photoshop?
This is flattery: if not for the presidency thing, he'd be a carney, running a tilt-a-whirl
"Wealth," the Pope says, "though a good thing in itself, must not be considered as an absolute good."
So with a quick Pope/Webster mashup, we're hearing that the Pope, the man who - by religious succession - is the keeper and high priest of the religion based on the man who supposedly said "Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven [Matthew 19:23]" is saying for the public record that abundance of valuable material possessions or resources is a good thing in itself.
Does that somehow sound incorrect?
But what else would the head of a multi-million dollar world power with its own country and mission to increase its flock by downgrading other belief systems say about money? It's what drives the Catholic power base. Unfortunately, it also puts them in a position where to believe what Jesus believed and preached about money would make them hypocrites.
UNION TWP. - Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby won't be charged in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Cecilia Slaby, who was left in a car for eight hours amid searing heat Aug. 23, the Clermont County prosecutor said Tuesday.
Nesselroad-Slaby, 40, forgot that she had left the sleeping girl strapped in a child seat of a sport utility vehicle at Glen Este Middle School, where she is the assistant principal.
All evidence indicated that Nesselroad-Slaby didn't intend to leave Cecilia in the car, Prosecutor Don White said.
The only charge that might have been appropriate was child endangering, White said. But Ohio law doesn't allow for the prosecution of someone on that charge if a death results from an accident. ... Prosecutors also reviewed video from security cameras at the school, which showed that, a few minutes before 7 a.m., Nesselroad-Slaby stopped near a school door to remove boxes of doughnuts from the rear cargo area of her car through a hatchback.
Nesselroad-Slaby then moved the car to a parking spot.
She didn't notice Cecilia, who was sleeping in a child seat behind the driver's seat, Croswell said. The doughnuts were for a 7:15 a.m. faculty meeting that Nesselroad-Slaby led to plan the Aug. 27 start of school. A teacher who parked next to Nesselroad-Slaby's car about 3 p.m. noticed Cecilia. Nesselroad-Slaby had not returned to the car before then, White said.
The child died of heat-related causes on a day the temperature averaged 98 degrees in that part of Union Township, police said. It could have reached 149 degrees in the car, which had its windows up.
Oopsie! I's forgets da baby...for 8 hours! What the hell?
It's being stated - repeatedly - that Ohio law, by apparent fluke, does not have a prosecutorial process for accidentally killing your child by leaving them in the car until their brain bakes. This is almost as unfathomable as someone remembering the doughnuts but leaving their child in the car - for 8 hours.
I am certain, however, that if you changed the facts of the case to a woman driving a beat-up Lincoln who forgot she had her child while she shopped at Big Lots and Dollar General for an hour or two and that child died, that woman would be in jail right now.
I'm also sure that this story is a comfort to anyone in Ohio who just doesn't really take to their kids; if they're young enough to be strapped in a car seat, it's hot enough, and you can park where no one's going to interrupt the baking process: problem solved. Oopsie! I didn't mean it.
I urge you to contact the following organizations. If this woman is seriously not going to be charged with reckless endangerment, involuntary manslaughter, or the like, at the very least she should not be supervising children for a living.
Clermont County Prosecutor's Office (513) 732-7223
Glen Este Middle School (513) 947-7700
West Clermont Local School District (513) 943-5000 contact_wcs@hccanet.org
I've been a writer for quite a while. My first stories were third-grade class-entertainment pieces about losing my homework to zombies, ninjas, and pirates and their steel-reinforced jock straps. No. Really.
Since then, I've gone slightly more high-brow. I'm actually working on a novel right now, and I'd like some exposure and feedback. If you ever read my blog and thought "I should comment," this is the time.
Chapter 1 is called "Job's Run":
Job was on fire.
He ran through the ally, his head switching left-right-over-the-shoulder. Every sound was new, was followed by his eyes. Every sight was fresh, and the sensations flashed into his mind with electric clarity. His brain was abuzz and burning with visions and auditory cruelty.
The rocks and glass on the concrete ground dug into his bare feet. Pain. New.
The chill in the air on his naked chest raised the hairs all over his body. He stumbled, stopping his fall with his hands as they dug into the cement.
Job held his bleeding palms in front of his face. Blood. Greater pain.
He catalogued, but did not react.
At thirty years old, Job was the world’s oldest and wisest newborn.
His brain had experienced many long years of suffering, but he had never felt physical pain.
Licking the blood, he logged taste with the other sensations, got up, and began to move again, remaining obsessed with the only spoken word his virgin ears had ever heard.
After a recent boon in 50 to 70 readers a day, I feel compelled to post the following:
Ricky Shambles will not have any new entries between September 16th and September 23rd. Mrs. Shambles's sister is getting married very far away and I will not be able to (or even want to) hit a computer while on an all-inclusive resort vacation (If I do have a chance...shhhh...I won't tell if you don't).
Seriously, though, there probably won't be any updates; but be aware that I am not abandoning you. I'll put up a final "I'm gone...but for a moment" post as a reminder. But when I do return, there will be much to talk about.
Most of those days I spend reflecting on news I've already dedicated myself to (have you ever felt the struggle between the sickness of ending a sentence with a preposition and that sickness not quite overriding the proper desire for the awkward structure that would make it "proper" English? Kind of like that).
Let's talk about apologies.
An apology is, in a sense, asking for forgiveness for some sort of trespass ("as we forgive those who trespass against us"...totally not raised Catholic). Unfortunately, most of our public officials and just about everyone who apologizes on the television has been a horrific example of what an apology should be.
When watching Saturday's "apology" resignation of Larry Craig, I was looking for a weeping James Orsen Bakker. Instead I got the standard "apology:"
I did something
It was not wrong
I'm sorry if decisions and opinions hurt people
This is what an apology should be:
I did something wrong
What I did hurt people
I apologize for my actions and for hurting those people
In America, we've gotten used to the "I'm sorry if something hurt people."
This is not an apology. We need to recognize that.
This is the equivalent to the linguistic passive voice, object deleted: "A meeting was held and it was decided that all Americans are terrorists unless explicitly stated by an unaccountable government body."
Larry Craig did not apologize; he barely resigned; he did not cry.
Where does our accountability live, if not in America, if no longer in our language?
It's almost 4pm EST right now, and I have a very distinct feeling that the pressure kettle that is Larry Craig's conundrum (about resigning, not about coming out to his wife that he likes to suck dick through a glory hole, sometimes sans hole) will pop in the next 2 hours.
It's a simple equation: as time approaches the Friday evening story buryin' time, the likelihood of Craig resigning approaches infinity.
UPDATE: This just in! From the office of Larry Craig, a graph has been leaked - presumably from Sen. Craig himself - confirming my previous statement.
The media is gathered at Larry Craig's place. It's only a matter of time.
UPDATE 2: A slight miscalculation on my part, Larry Craig did not bite at the upswell of forgettable weekend news, but has taken Labor Day Weekend, and burrowed into the bosom of forgetfulness, the apex of the wave post-Snow-resignation, pre-game Ohio State Buckeyes opener, hiding himself amongst Miller Lite Waterfalls and the Great Grill Wall where he will slowly, sulkily, tiptoe away through scattered Tuesday morning hangovers under the cover of Tropical Storm Felix. He's having a "Saturday Morning" press conference "early this afternoon" (although earlier this morning it was "this morning") - During the Ohio State game! - Where he'll supposedly announce his resignation effective September 30th. Hell, the graphic is still accurate.
Honestly, I don't care when he does it; I just want to see him cry.
Here's where the conspiracies begin, folks. Or, rather, some of the first information that'll be "we should have known" material should a major terrorist attack occur before September 21, 2007.
According to a Financial News article, someone has dumped a lot of money into what amounts to a market bet that Eurostoxx 50, Europe's top 50 stocks, will crash by 30%. Billions of dollars are at stake for this "investor."
Some further discussion leads us to believe that this is not the only instance of such trading and that whoever this mystery investor is will either be very rich or very SOL come September 21st.
Conspiracy theory? Take it with a grain of salt; remember that I also reported that we were going to start attacking Iran. Damn Russian reports.
The Police Report The Police Report of Sgt. Dave Karsnia goes way beyond misconstrued signals. Not only was there toe tapping, but Larry rubbed his foot - from in his stall - against the police officer's, as well as swiping his hand under the stall in a playful/signaling gesture. Something seriously hinky was afoot, and if Sgt. Karsina says it was bathroom stall foreplay, I'm going to trust him on that.
The Past Allegations The Idaho Statesman's complete coverage has it all: other toe-tapping behavior arrests, Larry Craig's past behaviors, a source who claims to have had sex with Craig in a bathroom in the past, Craig's resigning from several Senate seats, and the calling from other conservatives for him to resign. One word: snowball. No, not like that, gutter mind.
The Handling of the Airport Bathroom Sex Incident If I were in a bathroom, tapping my foot, and a police officer came at me with allegations of lewd behavior, and I was truly not doing anything wrong, I would be fighting tooth and nail to get my name cleared. Larry Craig did not do that; he quietly accepted the charges and several weeks later went back to plead guilty to lesser charges in a sad move to push it to the side. He apparently did not consult with lawyers and appallingly did not consult with his wife. People only hide something that carefully when they have something to hide.
I saw the press conference, and as the bumbling reading came across over the coaxial I said to Mrs. Shambles: "This will not end well." We watched with disbelief as he denied everything, and for all the words coming out of his mouth, his demeanor, and body language, he might as well have been performing fellatio as he spoke. It would have been more eloquent - and elegant.
There is no broom; there is no rug; everyone saw through it.
I can see this ending tomorrow in another press conference, but I'll give it a week on the outside. Sen. Larry Craig needs to resign lest he further aid in the continuing collapse of the Republican party.
Last night I attended the Take a Stand Town Hall Meeting to end the Iraq War over in Oakley. Over 300 people showed up! Rep. Jean Schmidt and members of the press were not in attendance. Here's some pictures and information about the event and the speakers.
Get active! Get involved! (My letter to the media is at the end.)
Town Hall Meeting in Oakley - Iraq Forum
Some remained outside to raise awareness
This woman's sign is, sadly, different today
An overview of the event
Lining up and signing up: getting involved
Prominent message of the rally
(indoor lighting was poor, camera not up to task) Connie Pillich was the MC and is a veteran
Councilman David Crowley, veteran, is a strong supporter of our troops and strong dissenter of the war - yes, you can be both - representing the political side from the point of view of City Council
Marty Webster put the fire of protest and outrage in our bellies, representing Vietnam Veterans Against the War as a founding member
Thor Jacobs came with enough political science to pull every troop out of Iraq for the betterment of the U.S. and the world - now we must spread that word
Sister Alice Gerderman, with Catholics against the war, added a realistic, humanistic, spiritual end to the speakers last night, speaking of what is in our hearts and how our leaders have strayed from the truth
Over 300 people attended
That's right, over 300 people
It was amazing to have so many people united in one place to support our troops and to end the war. It showed me the evolving face of concern that the Iraq war is taking on, and the humanism behind the eyes of the movement. And then there's that spirit, that fire that's beginning to smolder. Again, I say: get active. Get involved.
Yesterday evening, August 28, 2007, I attended the Take a Stand Town Hall Meeting to Stop the Iraq War. I - and over 300 other people - felt it important enough to give up an evening to discuss and become inspired about how our country, the United States of America, is wasting millions of dollars daily in a war that will not be won by force, but has cost over 3,700 American and countless Iraqi civilian lives. We gathered to discuss options on further protest, political and diplomatic perspectives, the lessons of the past, and to voice our disapproval about how a not-so-newly elected Democratic congress has failed to act on the one issue that mattered most when Americans made their decision in that ballot box last November: ending the Iraq War.
While the media and our elected officials were alerted to this Town Hall Meeting, Rep. Jean Schmidt and members of the Cincinnati media were conspicuously absent. My question to you is: when will it matter; when will it become news? At the last event I attended, only a dozen or so others were able to commit time during the day to show up, and I was disappointed then to see no media there. Last night there were over 300 people gathered to discuss the most important issue facing our country today, and the media took a pass. When will it become news? We are growing, becoming impassioned, drawing our friends and family into this circle of concern about the Bush administration's bumbling record and the congressional rubber stamp that is leading America down a road of ruin. We will continue to gather; we will continue to write letters; we will continue make phone calls until we can be ignored no longer. But when will it become news? When we're 3,000 strong in Cincinnati? When our government has allowed 5,000 American soldiers to perish overseas? When will you decide our country is important enough to simply show up?
In a recent post entitled More Gay Republican Blowjobs, I said "Will the joy of Republicans, gay sex, and bigotry ever end? My Magic 8 Ball definitively proclaims 'No.'" Less than three weeks have passed and I am pleased to proclaim the fidelity of my Magic 8 Ball. From, amongst others, WaPo:
Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), a three-term senator, "pleaded guilty earlier this month to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges stemming from his June arrest by an undercover police officer in a men's restroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport."
Sen. Craig was apparently aware of the highly-complicated mating ritual of the homosexual bathroom deviant to tap their right foot under the stall, alerting other like-minded toilet trawlers that it is, in fact, "go time." Then he pleaded guilty - although he says he did nothing wrong - to handle it "quickly and expeditiously." Durr. Ooh, and did I mention he's outspoken about being part of the "gay people are dirty cause Jesus says so" gang?
Our American leadership has gone into absurdity overdrive.
You may also recall in my last post on this topic I captioned Bob Allen (R-FL)'s impressive ham-fisted ham radio pic with "no, I'm not Photoshopping a dildo into his hand." This second appalling incident has inspired me to reconsider that position.
UPDATE: 4:30pm EST Sen. Larry Craig Press Conference. Will he cry? Beg forgiveness? Pull a R. Budd Dwyer? Come out of the closet? Resign? Elect not to run again?
I can't wait!
UPDATE: Sen. Larry Craig has unsuccessfully dodged the issue, admitting to nothing, calling his choice to plead guilty "regrettable" and claiming "I am not gay; I never have been gay." He may as well have continued, "Glory holes are a hobby, not a lifestyle." The only truth in his press conference was that this issue is certainly not over. With the police report, anonymous sources, and the logic behind his line of reasoning, this'll get another post later today, and I'm adding a tag for him.
Some people are blowing this out, talking about the "ditzy chick" or the "blond moment." What struck me was the irony inherent in a question posed to express concern about the state of education in America, answered in a way that really showcased the poor state of education in America; that in order to gain recognition and worth to stand out and speak out against the ills plaguing society, they all believe this is the path, and they all must reinforce a stereotypical false ideal of beauty that will affect millions of little girls.
If you haven't seen it, you know you want to watch:
It's painful to watch like the bad American Idol auditions, like that kid at the choir concert who - why? why? - got the music teacher to give him a solo. Ugh.
Glenn Beck's take? They tell us pedophilia is a bad thing and then parade 15-year olds around in bikinis. How confusing.
Actually, Glenn, there was only one fifteen year old in the pageant, and the only person who would make that statement would be a grown man who is personally struggling with justifying why they needed half a box of Kleenex on the end table during his viewing.
The person who posted this was tricky enough to place a Ron Paul supporter group photo on the main page. Since the original posting, it has been altered to include many Kucinich photos. But the Ron Paul folks are still there (photo 4 of 7 as of this publishing).
Let's keep dirty politics out of it. The leaders are heavy enough in it.
Some local loving of Peter Cetera for you. I was at the Taste of Blue Ash last night with Mrs. Shambles and some friends, specifically to see Peter.
He's still got it. Because I didn't have professional video equipment with me (the cell video is weak as hell and punked out at 30sec). Enjoy this logged YouTube as I enjoyed it live.
The authorities say the barbers were encouraging un-Islamic behaviour by offering Western hairstyles, tattooing and also eyebrow-plucking for men.
On the world stage, for as many problems as different religions - and in many cases different sects of the same religion - have relating to each other and/or starting wars and/or committing atrocities and/or genocide, should anyone be getting fucking tweaked over whether or not someone plucks as not to look like Jo-Jo the Dog-Boy and maybe get some under-the-burqa action?
Just to be clear: I'm not targeting Muslims. I have no tolerance for any of the organized religion accouterments that serve to veil the prime, raw truths that almost all religions have in common, the walls of money and power and death that encircle the same base concepts. These concepts, true throughout humanity, are accessible to everyone at any time in the entire history of our existence; because if you could see through the labyrinths of sacraments, past the stone towers of regalia, and into the heart of every religion's sanctum sanctorum, you would see something shockingly familiar, something you had always felt in the middle of your chest, an inner truth, a hope, an understanding of something greater than yourself.
You would be in a room. By yourself. With a mirror.
But in a world where the ultimate understanding is truly knowing and literally reflecting upon yourself, where you are not told what parts of what book are more important than the other parts and what books should and should not be burned, where you are not told who is wrong and who is right, where you are not given a dance of orbiting pomp and circumstance to jump the planned planets of submission, then there is no profit. There is no profit of cash or power for those who control religion; there is no profit for those who control the war industry, those that rely on intolerance; there is no profit for the religious politicians who drive those war machines.
Organized religion is important for many people all over the world, internally, as a guide, as a reference for Hey, maybe I shouldn't sleep with the boss's wife or Hey, maybe I shouldn't beat the hell out of that guy with a lisp. But from the the perspective of those that lord over the bureaucracies that pull the strings of extraneous, "sanctioned" apocryphal rules and laws, it's a form of control. And it is that line between reference and control that we all need to be aware of because on one side is the betterment of humanity; on the other: you'll end up spreading your belief at the expense of detriment to others and, perhaps, retaining that god-awful unibrow.
This September, after hearing the White House‘s report on the "surge," Congress will decide whether we bring our troops home or spend another year fighting an unwinnable religious civil war. As Congress heads back to DC, we're here to tell them that it's time to take a stand.
We're holding candlelight vigils and Town Hall meetings in cities all over the nation on August 28--National Take a Stand Day--to remember the human cost of the war and urge our members of Congress to stand up in September and end this endless war.
In a move of irony and symbolism beyond my wildest dreams of a Google search result, the Catholic organization Couples for Christ has split into two distinct entities: one will retain the group's name, the other will be known as Restoration Movement.
There is nothing I can say that could add more humor or insight than the reality of the situation.
Holy Crap. I want to believe it's a ruse, a gimmick, but sadly I think it's true: this guy's retarded for Brownback like fat kids love cake. But that's not the crazy, of course. He believes Homosexuals are trying to kill him, 70's Comics about bible adventures are the height of comic art, and isn't quite sure Mitt Romney - in all his sophistication and panache - is actually human. (Scroll down further for the argument for the "right kind of Christian" as president. [NOTE: B4B is not part of this Anti-Semite Adventure; his arguments against the offenders begins the journey...now.])
A little farther? Sure: he's got beef with the Politically Correct Apostate who is pulling for - rut roh! - Ron Paul. This anti-Semite mouth-of-foul says that because Ron Paul was not invited to Republican Jewish Coalition Presidential Forum, that makes him the only "authentic" candidate. What happened to the PC part of PCApostate? Be careful should you click on the main site: links to David Duke's official page, "Zionist Watch," and blog posts with "nigger" in the title. Yay!
I went from there through the blogroll to News From the West. More anti-Semitic rhetoric, links to places like Jewwatch, Pat Buchanan, more David Duke.
Blogroll over to The Ugly Truth and...more of the same, including a grand treatise on how Sarah Silverman is the devil for making an absurd joke about the Jews killing Jesus.
I'm done. The childish banter of a seemingly mentally crippled Limbaugh that was so tantalizing in the first two stops became racist and ignorant and tired. Quickly. And that's because of the sad truth to much of the far right wingnut blogging: it's a big ol' circle jerk recycling itself within the bounds of the talking points, whether it be the Jew Hating points or the Reach-around Ron Paul points; tight orbits of shallow planets encircling a sun of misdirected male aggression.
I was, however, surprised to see that they all posted "Fox Attacks: Iran," just like me. Unfortunately, it's because they think the war is a plot for the Jews to rule the world. I, on the other hand, believe FOX, the fourth branch of this particular government, is pandering to the fear-filled fathoms, all of them feeding on our blood in tens and twenties.
This was supposed to be the first post of the day. It was a busy day.
You may remember the story I posted about my friend Dave, the veteran, and how he was in dire straits with his lack of health insurance and diabetes management. I guess lack of health insurance and diabetes go together like, well, like Daves.
Dave over at CrackpotPress has been dumped by his health insurance.
We try and stay away from self-indulgent weepy, bloggy crap here… BUT ….
Here's the deal, I've been working freelance for the last year and been paying Cobra.
Well, the jackasses at the COBRA SERVE NATION (from Florida) upped my policy by $15 and changed my due date UP two weeks. I received no notification of this.
When they got the regular payment I had been electronically transferring every month, they said "Whoa! You're late! You're short! You're CANCELLED! Effective immediately." I’m not quoting but that was the feel.
Here's the rub, as many of you know, I am a type-one diabetic. This means I am uninsurable across the board. I have about a month’s worth of insulin left. I am truly lucky to have the cash today to pay uninsured premiums. Today.
Amazingly, after a vitriolic conversation I had with COBRA SERVE NATION on Monday, they did not see things my way. Usuall, my gift of calm, caustic language works wonders. I once got a health insurance company to cough up some of my teeth after threatening to burn down their office. It was a bit “Studio Exec” but it worked. I even threw in the Michael Moore line, to no avail.
In essence, I think I'm fucked.
Sure, I can get an office or barista job or marry someone who has bennies, but all of these things will take at least three months. If I won the lottery today, I still couldn't get healthcare. I need to get it now.
If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Thanks.
Dave Dave AT crackpotpress Dot com
I post because I care, and it's the only help I can offer as of now. Ah, would that Kucinich were in office!
If you have any suggestions, leave comments over there.
UPDATE: There's always CobraServ's Member Services line. 1-800-877-7994
And if you go to Cobra Insurance - Ask Us a Question, click the "General Cobra Questions" link, then click the "Ask Us a Question" link near the top, you can send Cobra an email about why Dave was ripped off.
Ruth Marcus over at WaPo makes a very good point in her article Democrats' Purity Primary: Edwards is all "not a cotton-pickin' penny from a lobbyist (get off my lawn!)" but makes no clarification that would stop him from taking money directly from the industries by which lobbyists are employed.
Unfortunately for Ruth Marcus, she is wearing blinders with the rest of the sheep; she only mentions Clinton, Obama and Edwards. I'm not saying that a political writer doesn't have the right to whittle down the story to a battle amongst the leaders, but when you decide to write about the Democratic field's views on finance and special interests, leaving out Dennis Kucinich and how he blows everyone else out of the water is like running an executive administration without the people's best interest in mind. Oh, I mean making Kool-Aid without sugar.
If you could email the Iraqi government, what would you say?
Think fast!
Bush says "We'll step down when they step up." Bush says he's "frustrated" with the progress in the government has made in Iraq. Iraq's Prime Minister, Nuri al-Malaki, chastises Bush for commenting that he was frustrated, reportedly stating that Iraq "can find friends elsewhere." Let's hold him to it!
We can hold press conferences, email our representatives, and blog away, but how many of you have actually emailed the Iraqi Interim Government?
But Ricky, what's all them snakey-scribblin'? Don't Arabs speak teh English? No. Bear with me.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the last link on the right side (I highlighted it in red).
Now you will see this relatively familiar form:
Holy crap! What do I do now?
Thanks to Google, I have the answer. The form fields and dropdown are translated in the following way:
And that final button? That's your Submit or Send button.
So now that you've got the Iraqi Interim Government on the horn, what do you say?
That, friends, is up to you. I would be polite but poignant; do your research, and no swears. I know, I know. But it's one more way we can be heard, and we should be heard as an intelligent and informed voice. So get active!
And then wait for the black whisper choppers. Or don't; you won't hear them anyway. Cheers!
Matt Drudge, everyone's favorite, lovable, not-gay wingnut has done it again. I've grown used to the anti-science on the site (Today: it's cold in NYC...and it's August! OMG!!11! [implied: global warming is bullshit]), but this pushes it a little far in my estimation. On the site today:
But in Norway's Moose Population in Trouble for Belching, the actual quote in the article is "Bacteria in a moose's stomach create methane gas which is considered even more destructive to the environment than carbon dioxide gas." The actual methane produced is the same as a car that travels 13,000 km (8077.8 mi) - this being a Dane study, I'm guessing they don't include many excessively-low mpg vehicles. The information I was able to scrape up was that the average person (American) drives about 15,000 miles per year, nearly double the impact of a single moose.
Am I seriously comparing a moose to a car?
Yes, I am. Because the moose/cow methane argument is commonly used to justify all the filth we're dumping into the atmosphere: "Well, if a cow's farts are hurting the environment, then my sweet Escalade's just fine." No sense of balance, of avoidable consequences vs. nature. These are the same people who see that it's cold in NYC today so global warming's a lie, and the same people who will take Drudge at his quote, not read the article, and poop the "moose worse than car" argument as fact over and over.
Thought I'd take the time to let everyone know it's bullshit so when you do run into that person, you're well prepared.
The Kucinich campaign is still awaiting an official response from ABC News about the unexplained – some have charged "inexplicable" - way in which the network has handled its post-debate online coverage of Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich over the past few days.
Among the "outrages" that have energized tens of thousands of Kucinich supporters - and even non-supporters - thousands of whom have flooded the ABC News website and other online news sites with comments of protest:
Congressman Kucinich was apparently deliberately cropped out of a "Politics Page" photo of the candidates.
Sometime Monday afternoon, after Congressman Kucinich took a commanding lead in ABC's own on-line "Who won the Democratic debate" survey, the survey was dropped from prominence on the website.
ABC News has not officially reported the results of its online survey.
After the results of that survey showed Congressman Kucinich winning handily, ABC News, sometime Monday afternoon, replaced the original survey with a second survey asking "Who is winning the Democratic debate?"
During the early voting Monday afternoon and evening, U.S. Senator Barack Obama was in the lead. By sometime late Monday or early Tuesday morning, Congressman Kucinich regained the lead by a wide margin in this second survey.
Sometime Tuesday morning, ABC News apparently dropped the second survey from prominence or killed it entirely.
AND, as every viewer of the nationally televised Sunday Presidential forum is aware, Congressman Kucinich was not given an opportunity to answer a question from moderator George Stephanopoulos until 28 minutes into the program.
The campaign submitted objections and inquiries to ABC News representatives on Monday and Tuesday. ABC News representatives have failed to respond - or even acknowledge - those objections and inquiries.
Stayed tuned for further details.
Strength Through Peace, Kucinich for President 2008
The Jesus And Mary Chain have announced a short stint on the road in the US, kicking off October 20 in Las Vegas.
The band have also confirmed they are heading back to the studio for the first time in almost ten years to work on new material.
The band broke up in 1998, but reunited earlier this year for a select number of shows, debuting at Coachella in May. The band performed a memorable greatest hits set, and were joined by actress Scarlett Johansson for vocals on 'Just Like Honey'.
They will be joined on all dates by Evan Dando, who will perform solo acoustically, and on the LA and San Francisco dates by Soulsavers, featuring Mark Lanegan.
The dates are:
Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues (October 20) Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues (22) Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre (23) San Francisco, CA @ the Fillmore (26, 27)
Imagine a child wearing a backpack that held ten pounds of electrical equipment. The child - retarded, autistic, or behaviorally crippled - wears this backpack out of which five wires emerge and attach, as electrodes, to the legs, arms, and torso of this boy. He has someone to shadow or watch a recording of him 24 hours a day; they always carry a button, or "sled." If he does something as innocuous as swearing or nagging and up to biting or clawing, he gets a two-second long jolt of electricity.
Now read this article from Mother Jones: School of Shock. This is not an exercise in imagination.
This is Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (site's a whitewash, but note the slide show - every kid with a backpack is carrying their own electro-shock cross), located in Canton, Massachusetts. Dr. Matt Israel pioneered the "therapy," the creation of the Graduated Electronic Decelerator or GED (after noting spatula spanks, finger pinches, muscle squeezes, and whiffs of ammonia could be inconsistant), and the legacy of the school. The parents of the most severe cases rally behind him to keep the school alive. The school district or state pick up the $220,000 tab for each kid. Half of the 234 kids are wired for zapping and deaths have resulted in the "care" of the facility. Warning: this is an angering "curl up and cry" story.
Here is the only mention about Kucinich in that article:
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio, often overlooked in such settings, drew a big laugh with his response. "George," he said, "I've been standing here for the last 45 minutes praying to God you were going to call on me."
When authors Mark Barabak and Peter Nicholas were called on it and sent the poll, here is what we got back:
Thanks for taking the time to read the article and share your thoughts. We don't base our political coverage on opinion polls--especially ones that are unscientific or so obviously manipulated by orchestrated campaigns. With all best wishes -mzb
So if what Mark says it true, then they must be basing their political coverage on the inordinate amount of time George S. delved out to the "two leading candidates;" if not polls, how else could you explain the typed dry humping of Clinton and Obama that filled the article?
I have a bias towards Dennis Kucinich, but that is clear to any of my readers. Any journalist covering the debates or primaries should try not to do so with such an obvious candidate bias; it shows a weak will and sad need to belong to the popular clique.
And herd mentality is no way to heal a desperately sick nation.
Should you feel the need to politely remind Mark Barabak and Peter Nicholas what is at stake in this election, you can reach them at mark.barabak@latimes.com and peter.nicholas@latimes.com
You can also contact ABCNews.com about the clipped image at their support email.
August 19, 2007 BY MICHAEL ASTOR RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Brazil's public health system will start providing free sex-change operations in compliance with a court order, the Health Ministry said Friday.
Ministry spokesman Edmilson Oliveira da Silva said the government would not appeal Wednesday's ruling by a panel of federal judges giving the government 30 days to offer the procedure or face fines of $5,000 a day.
Federal prosecutors from Rio Grande do Sul state had argued that sexual reassignment surgery is covered under a constitutional clause guaranteeing medical care as a basic right.
Gay activists applauded the decision.
'A question of life and death' ''Transsexuals represent about 0.001 percent of the Brazilian population, but for this minority, sexual reassignment surgery is a question of life and death,'' said Luiz Mott, founder of the Bahia Gay Group.
''It is unjust and cruel to argue that the health system should concern itself with other priorities,'' he said.
While don't share Mr. Mott's vim and vigor over the issue, I say good for Brazilian transsexuals. First the wax and now this.
I don't think there is any benefit to playing the "what if" for America; too many people in politics - thanks to Jesus and their mommies - are scared by and ashamed of regular, missionary-position, heterosexual relations. And "aw, shucks" to anyone who would deviate from that pale vanilla picture of reality.
The wonder of this article: "a constitutional clause guaranteeing medical care as a basic right." What? Why didn't we think of that?
Curator of ancient mystical secrets, your life on the surface is fairly typical these days. Though you are in denial about more things than most people. Nevertheless, you're trying to convince people that you're safe despite your more volatile and unstable times that seem to be behind you. You like cats a whole lot. You'd probably really appreciate The Blue Pyramid.
The leaders of Russia, China and Iran have warned the outside world to leave Central Asia alone to look after its own stability and security, in a veiled message to the United States issued on the eve of major war games between Russia and China. ... Some 6,000 Russian and Chinese troops, dozens of aircraft and hundreds of armored vehicles and other heavy weapons will be participating the games — the first such joint drills on Russia's territory.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: WTF?
I'm useless without a terror warning. Should I be nervous? Eh, it's not part of the War on Terror, so who gives a shit?
...besides Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela...
Yes, this has been posted to death in many different places. And honestly, I don't have anything new to say about it. I'm angry. I question even more deeply (if that's possible) the moral base of an administration who can clearly state Iraq is a "quagmire" and not worth American lives and then turn around a few years later and - because it serves the fix to suckle the crack-teat of war profiteering - do exactly the opposite, exploding the already-fragile stability of the Middle East, and killing thousands of Americans.
Way beyond the WTF Award to Cheney on this one.
My interview with Dick Cheney would go something like this: "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
Yay! I participated! I just got back from the MoveOn.org local Cincinnati (CincinnatiMoveOn.org) press release gathering concerning the local cost of the Iraq War. I even got some pictures.
We gathered near the Brent Spence Bridge - Covington, KY exit - for infrastructure relevancy and quality visibility.
The group wasn't huge: about a dozen or so in attendance. The media never showed.
A particularly clever sign had a quick-flip answer to the occasional middle finger.
This was the point...
...that our MoveOn.org organizer (Dick Manoukian) read about, sans cameras.
How about some of that Iraq War information? By the numbers, of course:
$456 billion - monies appropriated for the war so far (that's $4,100 for every household in the U.S.)
$15.99 billion - cost to Ohio taxpayers
$806 million - cost to Ohio's 1st District (over $2.5 billion adding Ohio's 2nd district and Kentucky's 4th, encompassing the local metro area)
What could Ohio's 1st District citizens have gotten instead?
Health care coverage for 270,399 people - or 458,768 kids, or
Head Start for 124,560 additional kids, or
13,708 new elementary school teachers, or
99,814 scholarships to make college more affordable, or
Renewable electricity for 903,450 homes, or
7,524 affordable housing units, or
19,351 public safety officers to keep the streets safe
In late 2002, Bush's Budget Director estimated the cost of the Iraq War at $50 to $60 billion. When Bush's Chief Economic Adviser, Lawrence Lindsey, publicly estimated that the war in Iraq might cost $100 billion to $200 billion, he was fired. Now we're at $450 billion and shuttling towards $1 trillion.
What is the tipping point for the American people? What will get 100 or 200 or a thousand local people so pissed off about how our country is being mismanaged that they, too, will appear in a park by a highway exit to gain more visibility and more visibility until we cannot be ignored? Is it $1 trillion spent? Is it 5,000 or 10,000 Americans dead?
Is it seeing Dick Cheney say that invading Baghdad and deposing Saddam would be a horrible idea...back in 1994?
One thing is for certain: we will change nothing by sitting on our asses and whining about it. Get active. Get involved.
I ran into some perplexing sex news yesterday: there's sex on Craigslist. And it's dirty, deviant gay sex.
Does the madness ever stop?
So idiot man (John J. Lake, 58, of Boston), maybe not too easy on the eyes, is looking to get some action - real action, not like the sweaty, quiet dry-humps over furry pr0n sites. He knows he's not a hottie, so he hints that there may be a monetary incentive. The cops bite and he's nailed for offering money for a blowjob.
For all things fair and comparative, I did some minor research on Craigslist locally as a source of entertainment and commentary on our society in light of the oldest of arguments against the illegality of sex for money.
In our American society, this is okay:
Lookin' to get my wang mouthified. - m4w
Ladies, I got a wang what needs mouthified. Holla.
This is okay:
NSA BJ for young dudes - m4m - 21
Lookin to suck a young 20s guy's dick. Be clean and disease free, VERY discreet, masc and in shape. Send pics :) You host, I come in, I strip you, I suck you, we part.
And even this is okay:
$1200 deal! - m4w
I am seeking a female to strip in front of me, give me a lapdance, motorboat her boobs and let me feel her whole body. I will give you 1200 dolllars for your time. Let me know and please send me a nude pic of yourself with your response i dont want to be disappointed. I might pay more.
This is America: ask, beg, and plead for sex and that is okay. Ask, beg, plead, and pay for anything short of what our antiquated legal system considers sex and that is okay. Ask, beg, and plead for sex with some monetary incentive: you get fucked. By the law.
I do realize that legalized prostitution has the potential to hurt and subjugate men and especially women, but illegal prostitution already does that, sometimes in the most vile ways. But, like the legalization of drugs would do to the dealers, legalization of prostitution could do to the same to the pimps: put them out of business. Publicity, centralized standards, and workers' rights would come into play.
I'm not saying I agree with John Lake's choice of sexual procurement, but we're putting people in jail for something that is actually legal in another state and - without the "cash-and-cum" - is legal everywhere else.
I do believe we need to get the government and the church out of our bedrooms. If you don't think they're still there, peeping in our windows and waiting to break down the door, check out the sodomy laws in the US, and understand that "sodomy," depending on the state, can refer to any sex that is not male/female vaginal intercourse.
What would Jesus do? To start with, he'd emerge from the wood paneling and forgive John Lake.
I had no hand in this, but am proud to support it. Brilliant!
If anyone is confused by the "35 Percenters," there was a poll taken that showed only 35% of registered voters who plan to vote for a Democrat in 2008 have ever heard of Dennis Kucinich. I'm hoping we've helped to shift that number; I know his presence alone has pushed the awareness.
54% of American adults are in favor of impeaching Vice President Dick Cheney, according to a recent American Research Group poll. Amongst Democrats specifically, 76% favor impeachment, yet for some reason Dennis Kucinich is the only Democratic presidential candidate willing to represent this overwhelming majority. The great disparity between public support and political support is also evident with regards to universal not-for-profit healthcare, of which Dennis is again the only candidate to stand for the vast majority of Americans who favor such a system.
Visit ImpeachCheney.org to show your support for HR Res 333, Dennis Kucinich's resolution to impeach Vice President Cheney on three charges. Congressman Kucinich's clear case for impeachment can be found at The Kucinich Website - Spotlight Issues.
Director: Ev Boyle Narration: Edan Bryant Voice Direction: Monte Jernigan Art Direction: John Harrison Animation: Bill Wesley
The 35 Percenters is comprised of the following bloggers:
I've joined up with MoveOn.org's Thursday Cincinnati press conference to support the end of the war by constant reminders to the public about what this war is costing America - in dollars and lives. Nationally, we've just crossed the $450,000,000,000 dollar mark. Yes, that's billions of dollars, billions of dollars that the Bush administration is just sorta not counting when we get the official budget numbers. Billions of dollars that we, our children, and our grandchildren will be responsible for.
I don't know if I have any local Cincinnati readers, but if you're interested, shoot me an email before Thursday morning and I can provide directions.
It is not with great frequency that we can see something ill-conceived and poorly executed fall on its face to receive the humiliation it deserves. It did take some time, but Fox's Half-Hour News Hour has stepped on the banana peel to the most triumphant biff.
I'd like to share some news with you about weekend programming.
Joel Surnow and I have mutually decided that we will not continue the Half Hour News Hour beyond its current 15 episode run. The last show will be presented on September 16th.
While HHNH performed admirably in the ratings and Kurt Long and Jennifer Robertson did a wonderful job, we are considering ways to retool the show for future scheduling needs. There is still a chance you will see the program at some point in the future.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Joel and his team. He is a visionary in this business and he created a contrarian program that fulfilled an untapped niche in the comedy genre.
My first - and last - experience with the show was an accidental stumble through the cable box. The anchors were trying their hand at "politically correct" show titles, or something of the sort. They said the new "Hairspray" would be environmentally friendly with less CFCs. Queue canned laughter. Non-essential CFCs (like in hairspray) were banned in 1978. I changed the channel.
Why did this "answer to the Daily Show" fail? It wasn't funny. Conservative humor can be exemplified in the person of Ann Coulter; she blasts the left with comments meant to get a rise, meant to enrage and inflame, but when she's called on it, she calmly says "What, cantcha take a joke?" and is then backed by Hannity and Limbaugh simultaneously farting out "What, cantcha take a joke?"
That's not humor. That's ignorant and mean. I'm just glad to see a lack of taste for this kind of stupidity.
I was taking the Country Quiz (I'm apparently Egypt), and I caught this link to One Million Blogs for Peace.
The Concept Between 20 March 2007 and 20 March 2008 (the fifth year of the war), we will attempt to sign up One Million Blogs for Peace. By signing up, a blogger is stating his or her agreement with The Pledge below. They will then be able to participate in various challenges launched by One Million Blogs for Peace. They will also be listed on this website with a link to their blog.
The Pledge I believe in the immediate withdrawal of all foreign combat troops from the nation of Iraq. I believe in using my blog, in whole or in part, as a tool toward this end.
They're not quite up to 900 yet, but, hey, one more thing we can do.
August 10, 2007 - A top seismologist is warning that another major earthquake is in our future, a big one that could devastate Southern California, from the desert to the sea.
Lucy Jones, of the U.S. Geological Survey says it's not a question of where but when a big quake will strike the Coachella Valley, sandwiched between the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults.
Jones says that region is long overdue, and the seismic clock is ticking.
Jones says a magnitude 7.8 quake or more could collapse major freeways, knock down buildings in Downtown L.A., kill thousands of people and cause hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.
Officials in the Coachella Valley say they're taking her warning very seriously.
Yay! Wait. I mean: Scary!
The only difference between this article and one that was written 20 years ago is that the date slug would read 1987. The words "that region is long overdue, and the seismic clock is ticking" are as true today as they were then (and probably earlier - I'm putting this into a framework of a me at 9 or 10, when I became aware of California's earthquake issue). But how true is that? I'm not really sure; in twenty years, the words have remained the same, the predictions have remained vague, and damage has been adjusted for inflation.
On Saturday, Bush met with French President Nicolas "Nikki" Sarkozy in Kennebunkport where they shared a "heart-to-heart," a boat ride, chatted about invading Iran, and "totally slammed that wussy Chriac cause he loves terrorists and hates freedom." Bush then greeted reporters with the double-thumb-and-forefinger "W," violently sniggered, and skipped arm-in-arm with Sarkozy all the way to a shed, behind which they showed each other their privates and did a cross-tinkle.
How quickly we go from "Freedom Fries" to "Gay for France."
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