This American Blog

2009-01-19T18:46:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day of W's failed presidency!
Tomorrow, change, Change, CHANGE!!!

2009-01-13T01:01:00.003-05:00

I am getting ready to begin teaching my first college-level class in two days and its rather scary as hell. I am sure it will be interesting. Have to get your feet wet at some point, right? I've been thinking about approaches, lectures, and how best to use my textbook, etc. etc. What I also hope is that I do not get too many kids who are into sniffing glue. Having recently moved to a new state, I was a little surprised when, at the local superstore, while purchasing a patch kit for an air mattress, I was carded. Apparently, where I now live, sniffing glue is a rather serious problem. As is meth. Here's to a good semester ya'll!

2009-01-09T23:37:00.001-05:00

Un-freaking believable.
It had taken me over a year to hack back into this blog.
I am sure it should'nt have taken this long, and I am sure I could have pressed the issue earlier.
But I'm back in!

Its quite a feeling to have access again.
I was fowled up from when blogger was bought by google. I had automatic sign-in on my web browser, which was great until they updated the browser and bought blogger. I was sure that I had used my gmail account and all its variants to log into this and my 4 other blogs I forgot I even had, but I was wrong. This blog was linked to my very first email account on Yahoo, which had been dead and gone for years and years. Suddenly, lightening strikes my brain and I remember my old Yahoo password and they ressurect my account, then I finally crack this blog's name variant and have them email my p-word and voila!
I am sure no one really cares, but I do. I have missed you my Blog.

2007-04-11T23:03:00.000-04:00

In nearly three months away from my blog, I haven't really thought much about it, if only in passing. Sadly, this form has lapsed just as my leisure reading, tho in all fairness I have not blogged nearly as long as i have read. With that said, it is not dead, this form, and while i think it may indeed have peaked already, or at least plateaued, there are still many bloody wars to be fought.

In my return, I am not without an impetus: the announcement today of the dropping of all charges in the Duke lacrosse rape case, while a mere pittance of actual news, is what i am writing of. Whenever I saw the 'three young me', or, 'good boys', all I could think, even with all of my studies and reading, and openness, I could not help but think that they were guilty of SOMETHING and should take the fall for this. It sounds horrible, but everyone has known the type of person/student/idiot - the jock who probably did decent in school, but partied and laughed at what they could and did get away with. This case was not about those three MEN, but instead was an indictment on college atheletics, in my opinion. My university just promised an insane salary for the basketball coach and another million to the program, and for what? Name recognition on ESPN? Maybe if some slacker teen sees this school on the tv for one game (we lost in th first round of the ncaa) then they will want to come here and join the masses of other ineffectual dead-heads? Yay for that. What this case should have been about was the culture, the atmosphere, of college sports which allow people to do crazy things with little or no consequence. Oh, sure, party in college, then back to the real life, but I dont see it that way. If these young Men have always been told that they were the best (a hallmark of the current generations' lack of any real parenting) and that they can do anything at anytime, and to anyone, that behavior is only going to be exacerbated by freedom in college, and set the stage for an adulthood of idiocy, and idiocy which will infect all those people who come in contact with these types. Only after years and years will they realize that they are failures, in life, and as people, and all they will have is there parents, or coaches voices in their heads: your awesome, you so good, your so...These guys may not have perpetrated the crime for which they were charged, and it did take too long to dismiss, but I feel like justice was not served, as the games will continue to be played and the idiots will still be churned out. Goddess help us!

2007-01-12T23:46:00.000-05:00

Well...first of the year I suppose will do. Again, my Blog, forgive me. I have a lot to be thankful for and much more to look forward to. Here's to a new year and openess. for all.

2006-09-01T23:35:00.000-04:00

Obligatory First of the Month Post
Sorry, blog of mine, and the greater blog-o-sphere that mostly ignores you, fore I ignore ye as well, and to that I apologize. So...

2006-08-01T18:49:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS | Americas | Castro 'recovering' after surgery

I am not soory that I do not sympathize with the Cuban people or those in America. Yes, Castro is what he is, but living there is not nearly as bad as many other countries where the people are much worse off. Cubans coming to America for the last 50 years have been treated better than most, including native American citizens (see the economic support and support systems, especially in Florida). So, these people are celebrating, waiting for the day when then can go back to Cuba. But will they? My guess would be hell no! They have much more here than they would have their, and the only way I see them returning, victoriously of course, is with American troop support. AKA: Cuban nation-building. Yep, thats right.

2006-07-18T21:32:00.000-04:00

New York Diary Online
Sent by a friend.
Read it if you will, a first-hand account of the over-actions of a nation-state created without regard to nation or state. We are all to blame in this.

2006-07-15T20:02:00.000-04:00

Too High a Price

I have to weigh in on this middle-east conflict. Yes, the region has been in a chronic state of flux and or violence since the unwanted births of the modern nation-states that now reside their, none more controversial than Isreal. Studying global history and later foriegn policy and politics as an undergrad, I became aware of a feeling that Isreal, despite its issues and its problems, acts more like the bastard, red-headed step-child of the bully parents the US and UK. Spoiled with weapons and money, propped up with propaganda and hardliners, this nation that would'nt be has taken its sovereignty and rights to the extreme. No, Isreal, you cannot do what you want when you want. No Isreal, you cannot Talk loudly and Carry nuclear weapons. Back off and realize that the last 50+ years of your young life, a life marred by abuse, violence, and terror, cannot ever be change with bombs and blasts. I wish the US would tug harder on its leash and make Isreal sit down and cool its jets. We gave you life and can either help you keep it or watch it dirft away. In the words of Bill Cosby, 'I brought you into this world and I'll take you out'.

2006-07-15T00:13:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Edwards and Spratt call on DCCC to pull down web video - Jul 14, 2006

Apparently fellow Dems don't want to face reality either. You can baby babies all you want, but when people are dying and the facts are ignored and nothing is being discussed or initiated or even over-sought, babies need to grow up fast. So, GROW UP and face the music!

2006-06-28T19:12:00.000-04:00

Off the Kuff: SCOTUS throws out CD23, upholds the rest

This is Huge.
The Supreme Court, in a 7-2 ruling today, upheld the Texas redistricting case that involved a mid-decade restructuring of congressional seats, spear-headed by tom delay that gave Texas 6 more Republican seats in the 2004 House of Reps. The ruling basically means that any state legislature, especially if the same party controls the governorship as well, can re-draw congressional districts WHENEVER they want, not just after a census. What does this mean? Off the top it means that the already mostly-secure seats (ie very few House seats are ever competitive sue to gerrymandering) could conceivably result in ALL seats being secure for one party or the other. That is dangerous no matter who is in power because there will be no need to be bi-partisanship or to have consensus. There are many other issues that this can impact, most notably the equal rights amendment protections that help keep minorities in competitive districts. And what does the Conervative boob that have on the News Hour say about all this? Its good because the courts should butt out of this (but not what you can do with your body or in your own bedroom or view online, etc) and let the voters decide, its just politics. HA! 'Just politics' have been behind all major conflicts in human history. If the voters are roped off into safe zones that offer only one real choice how the hell are they supposed to vote for change? They will have to move, collectively, into one county or region and vote with one voice, but if they do, then the state legislature will then redraw that district and disenfranchise them again anyway. This is mui mal.

2006-06-26T19:46:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - White House defends legality of bank records queries - Jun 26, 2006

Is'nt there a saying that is some what infamous that states that 'the only thing i regret is that you found out' or something to that effect. I find more and more that whatever the Bush Administration or the Pentagon or the CIA or the FBI or anyone does anything shifty, the only problem that emerges is that it, 'darn, you should'nt have found out, so, shame on you for looking into our shananigans'. Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here!

2006-06-14T01:09:00.000-04:00

Am 26 now. No change.

Patty

comfortable on the oustide, turmoil within,
boisterous and beatiful and needy and naughty

so much there to work with
potential prophesized forever, sailing through
bumpy roads ahead will yield perilous prospects

i wish the best for her always

2006-06-11T20:12:00.000-04:00

40 Words, 365 People
I like this idea...

Tim
listlessly directed for unknown reasons,
confident in little but had high beliefs
happy to all and rarely with himself,
wondering what lies where and when

likes things simple but lives to complicate,
calls out tourists but slinks back to familiarity

2006-06-09T03:08:00.000-04:00

Ann Coulter Attacks 9/11 Widows

Its not enough to wish that ann coulter would develop some highly appalling, debilitating disease that she once mocked or made fun of, and then, when stem-cell research or an envrionmentally-safe treatment is needed, there isnt any help whatsover and she dies a slow, agonizing death that even her millions in hate-money cannot stop. Personally I would settle for a random act of kindness, like a city bus plowing her over. Its not just her, its ALL people who profit from hate, bigotry, and stupidity. Thats right, liberals AND conserves alike should rot. But this 'lady' isnt even worth the paper that one copy of her drivel-ridden book is printed on. Im in mouring for those poor trees.

2006-06-06T13:20:00.000-04:00

Can Gay Marriage Help GOP? - Newsweek National News - MSNBC.com

This is beyond pandering to the point of being a risk - not only to other way more important domestic issues - but also to national security. Yes, national security, a favorite of Bush and the right for the last 6 years, because it is taking time and effort away from the 'war' and causing increased fatigue among our citizens. Republicans love to show some scrap of proof that their initiatives are or will work and that there is generally, no matter how fringe, some back-up for their views. I see NO such evidence in this argument, beyond the laughable 'traditional marriage protects children' when it doesnt and neither do the chronically underfunded, under-utilized state support system. All signs point to NO on this biased attempt to restrict access to some aspect of society of an entire group of citizens. (See Women, See Blacks) There are more important issues, more important anything else than this. The people, even their base, are not going to be fooled a third time. At least lets hope not.

2006-05-11T22:19:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Grizzly-polar bear hybrid found - May 11, 2006

I wanted to put a bullet between the eyes of every panda that wouldnt screw to save its species...

I think that this article pretty much sums up our species (homo sapiens that is).
We found a new species.
So we shot it dead.
One day we will be the trophy, or bettwe, one days humankind will the squirrels or the world.
A dime a dozen.
Hell, we already are!

2006-05-05T23:53:00.000-04:00

I could not let this little annoyance go. Last night I was flipping around between Charlie Rose (which definitely not the same without Charlie, so get well soon!) and Nightline which as is not as good as it used to be. The main story, that they have now stretched into two nights, is all about rich people trying to get their children into Manhattan pre-schools. Rediculous! Oh, those poor parents who waited out in the cold (below 18 degrees! oh no!) to get their brat into a place with a name and costs 12,000 dollars! Its all about getting those wealthy white babies into the pipeline of privelege. Well, good luck to the, because this sure was an important story to tell, over two nights, re-hashing the same fucking things. Thanks Nightline! Oh, gotta go, its judgment time!

2006-04-28T20:54:00.000-04:00

AOL Gay & Lesbian: Worth Repeating

This is such a good idea.

http://cdn.digitalcity.com/ch_gayandlesbian/brokeback_naming_hiway_400

Ha Ha!

2006-04-28T20:49:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Limbaugh reaches settlement in prescription drug charges - Apr 28, 2006

I doesnt matter that the charge will be expunged, once a hypocrite, always a hypocrite.

Rush Limbaugh is one of the biggest wastes of radio space in the world!

2006-04-25T20:38:00.000-04:00

California Becomes Second State to Introduce Bush Impeachment

Is this Ture?
Im looking this rule up, but something tells me that no single state house can enact it alone, it would seem logical that we need 3/5ths or 2/3rds or something. But either way, its a start!

2006-04-07T01:31:00.000-04:00

President Bush Discusses Global War on Terror

THE PRESIDENT: Okay, yes, very good. (Laughter and applause.) Good move.

Q You never stop talking about freedom, and I appreciate that. But while I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food. If I were a woman, you'd like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice and decision about whether I can abort a pregnancy on my own behalf. You are --

THE PRESIDENT: I'm not your favorite guy. Go ahead. (Laughter and applause.) Go on, what's your question?

Q Okay, I don't have a question. What I wanted to say to you is that I -- in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency, by the Senate, and --

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: No, wait a sec -- let him speak.

Q And I would hope -- I feel like despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administration, and I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself inside yourself. And I also want to say I really appreciate the courtesy of allowing me to speak what I'm saying to you right now. That is part of what this country is about.

THE PRESIDENT: It is, yes. (Applause.)

Q And I know that this doesn't come welcome to most of the people in this room, but I do appreciate that.

THE PRESIDENT: Appreciate --

Q I don't have a question, but I just wanted to make that comment to you.

THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate it, thank you. Let me --

Q Can I ask a question?

THE PRESIDENT: I'm going to start off with what you first said, if you don't mind, you said that I tap your phones -- I think that's what you said. You tapped your phone -- I tapped your phones. Yes. No, that's right. Yes, no, let me finish.

I'd like to describe that decision I made about protecting this country. You can come to whatever conclusion you want. The conclusion is I'm not going to apologize for what I did on the terrorist surveillance program, and I'll tell you why. We were accused in Washington, D.C. of not connecting the dots, that we didn't do everything we could to protect you or others from the attack. And so I called in the people responsible for helping to protect the American people and the homeland. I said, is there anything more we could do.

And there -- out of this national -- NSA came the recommendation that it would make sense for us to listen to a call outside the country, inside the country from al Qaeda or suspected al Qaeda in order to have real-time information from which to possibly prevent an attack. I thought that made sense, so long as it was constitutional. Now, you may not agree with the constitutional assessment given to me by lawyers -- and we've got plenty of them in Washington -- but they made this assessment that it was constitutional for me to make that decision.

I then, sir, took that decision to members of the United States Congress from both political parties and briefed them on the decision that was made in order to protect the American people. And so members of both parties, both chambers, were fully aware of a program intended to know whether or not al Qaeda was calling in or calling out of the country. It seems like -- to make sense, if we're at war, we ought to be using tools necessary within the Constitution, on a very limited basis, a program that's reviewed constantly to protect us.

Now, you and I have a different -- of agreement on what is needed to be protected. But you said, would I apologize for that? The answer -- answer is, absolutely not. (Applause.)

Courage and freedom are words that mr bush has never understood. i suppose you would probably have to know what their definitions were first. chalk it up to one child that Was left behind.

Quitters never quit, and losers never win, and liars never say they were wrong.

2006-04-04T21:07:00.000-04:00

Hammered

So long, Farewll, adieu adiei adieu!
Well, as i posted on this, my little, and oft-neglected peice of the blogosphere, it was only a matter of time until mr. Tom, or maybe uncle tom? bit the political dust. As much of an inevitability as it was, and given the 'shake-up' of the bush administration with monsignor card leaving, things are still not going right for the right. But have no fear one and all, come next fall, the beginnings of the end of their miserable dominance will begin, culminating in the 2008 win of (thats right, you heard it hear first) the Edwards-H. Clinton ticket. Goddess that would be sweet.

2006-03-30T02:10:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Frist fires opening shot on immigration - Mar 29, 2006

Not wanting to jump onto the 'hey its one more contentious issue for the elections' bandwagon, but the growing discontent over immigration 'reform' was an inevitability that im glad is happening now instead of later. this administration has had zero accomplishments in my book on domestic policy, and a severe negative in the defense department. medicare's prescription plan is a bureaucratic disaster, not because they didnt plan for - wait - yeah, its because they didnt plan for the conflicts, the confusion over the 80 choices and little help. even Lockhead-martin couldnt save it, maybe Haliburton could have done a better job. On the immigration issue, i am torn. reform is needed, and illegal entry is a security problem, but i am wondering why, after 5+ years, is this now just popping up? the Dubai ports deal was an apparent 'no-brainer' to the republicans, yet many companies and areas of the US are currently owned by foreign nations, thats nothing new. but immigration reform, in the context of bush's foundation for everything, 9/11, should have been a concern from the get-go, from eveb before the INS was folded into that bloated, under funded, bureaucratic beast known as 'homeland insecurity'. it took a test of nuclear material smuggling to spark THIS debate? Crazy.

now, for the flip side, the rioting, the protests in the US and the protests in France by student groups, and other ongoing divisiveness. A la 1968? its been over 30 years, and history has seen these social revolutions every 30 years or so. hm....

2006-03-20T00:58:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Rumsfeld's Iraq-Germany analogy disputed - Mar 19, 2006

Wow its been a while. So why not reappear on the net on the anniversary of the illegal, immoral, war in iraq. We have become complacent. we have become apathetic. even those of us still railing against the administration in our own ways have become tired. i am tired.

all i want at this point is my brother home safe and sound, and tomorrow.

2006-02-22T01:00:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Bush, Congress clash over ports sale - Feb 21, 2006

All this time i was confused as to why the current administration was hell-bent on calling anyone who questioned their authority and decision making 'unpatriotic'. at least that is until now. now i have got it. its only unpatriotic if you cannot put a proper price tag on it and successfully sell it. well, thats whats going on here. as long as there is money to be made for those most important to you, then patriotism is all relative. so go ahead and sell our ports, so long as the bottom line is the real patriotic, true american ideal - capitalism - it all comes back to it!

2006-02-22T00:19:00.000-05:00

Swing State Project: OH: 18 of 18
50 nifty united states, from the 13 orginal colonies!

2006-02-17T18:56:00.000-05:00

I just heard on a NBC Nightly news report on the six months since Katrina hit that there are still bodies unaccounted for in places because they havent been looking for them since DECEMBER because they ran out of money to pay for the overtime of workers to find them! ARE YOU SERIOUS! They cannot even get money to search for bodies and yet they are ramping up for Mardi Gras! Oh My Goddess!

2006-02-17T15:32:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Senate plans no probe of NSA spy program - Feb 17, 2006

Can you Say BLANK CHECK?
There isnt going to be even a hint of oversight on this issue?
The two days of crap they call a hearing was all we get?
Boy oh Boy.
Clinton got a blow and everyone needed to know.
Bushie can keep lying and people are still dying.
And No One Gives a Shit!

2006-02-12T15:29:00.000-05:00

TIME.com: First Photo of Bush and Abramoff -- Page 1

Of course we knew that they knew each other, but I am afraid that there will be yet another snow-job reminicent of Bushie and Ken Lay back in the day. Will people forget about this? Sadly, most likely.

2006-02-12T15:23:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Berlusconi: I'm Christ of politics - Feb 12, 2006

I believe that this kind of talk and action is the clinical definition of MEGALOMANIA! This guy is scary.

2006-01-25T06:27:00.000-05:00

Samuel Alito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apparently, regardless of all the outcrys and complaints by even the top democrats, Alito is a sure bet to win confirmation. Listening to all the dems who voted no in the conference committee vote yesterday and then not having it matter at all, really sucks, i mean, they bitch about no oversight, how Alito would prefer the presidency, big business and pursue anti=abortion views, yet, when they have some small shred of oversight themselves, the filibuster, sigh, oh well, i guess he could be worse! ACK! What the Hell!

2006-01-23T03:12:00.000-05:00

TIME.com: When George Met Jack -- Jan. 30, 2006 -- Page 1

SO, now bushie is going to deny that he ever even met mr. abromoff, yet he knows, as many others know, he did, and in fact, may have had more of a connection than anyone thought. Did his handler, mr. rove, really think that by denying that he met a top republican lobbyist and friend, would sail by without redress? It is the sane deja vu moment when the wind pipe that is mclellan states the exact same lie that his predecessor, fleischer, made when the Enron scandal broke: bush never met or knew abromoff and bush never really knew ken lay! Yeah, right!

What else are you guys selling, because i sure as hell dont buy this!

2006-01-20T23:57:00.000-05:00

The Charlie Rose Show

Wow. I am listening to the Charlie Rose show right now and he is grilling his guest, Gen. Douglas Lute, about why he will not agree that there was an airstrike in Pakistan. This is why i Love Charlie Rose, he goes after people with questions that pin people to an answe, and when and if they do not answer them, then he explains why and how that doesnt make any sense! This general didnt want to speculate about an 'alleged airstrike' when in fact there blatantly was one. Of course, if you continue to him and haw, then Mr. Rose has the right to end the interview, which he just did. Thank the goddesses for Charlie Rose.

Honesty hurts, and so does the truth. But without either, all you have is Bullshit.

2006-01-17T22:40:00.000-05:00

The Impeachment of George W. Bush

It is about time for a serious disussion and truthful recounting and examination of what exactly Mr. bush has said and done. Through such efforts, after all it IS the 'American Way', guilt and innocence can be ascertained.

Lets not prejudge.

But we sure a hell need to Judge!

2006-01-16T16:05:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Gore: Bush engaged in 'excessive power grab' - Jan 16, 2006

Really? Broke the Law? So when will something change?...No idea. Bushie has the most power ever of any president in modern times and he doesnt even have an opposing congress to check his powers = really bad.

Finally saw Brokeback Mountain last Thursday and it was extraordinarily good if sad. Over Christmas I purchased the short story collection by Annie Proulx which had Brokeback in it. So good, so real. I recommend.

2005-12-18T01:05:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Bush says he signed NSA wiretap order - Dec 17, 2005

I suppose the biggest problem that i have with this whole fiasco, well, make that bushies entire presidency, is the lack of reporting shit on time. The NY Times had this story for a year but where sufficiently quashed, like so many other issues, cast aside.

Yes bushie we should be investigating our own, and you should be at the top of the list!

2005-12-08T22:49:00.000-05:00

annieproulx.com - author Annie Proulx's official homepage

Want to See Brokeback Mountain in the worst way, ever since i heard about it months ago, and now since the preview has come out online, i cant stop thinking about it. last night ang lee was on charlie rose, as was heath ledger. the discussion with both of them was very interesting, though ledger was all fidgety and shit, kind of annoying. and michelle williams is in it, still like her, through thick and thin, dawsons creek and weird indie movies. we shall see what we shall see.
I see Rent on saturday. (Finally!)

2005-11-14T19:54:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News

Well well well, what have we hear? the american people not buying what your selling anymore buddy! well, console yourself with the fact that you have months of spin time ahead of you, so dont worry. you can go to your little happy place and dream sweet dreams.

And ill say this now: if anything happens to my brother when he is shipped off to Iraq, i wont stop until you are stopped.

Nighty Night!

2005-10-30T00:25:00.000-04:00

Paper Toys - Paper Cut-Outs - Custom Paper Models at PaperToys.com

Fun for the whole family!

2005-10-26T17:57:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - DeLay acknowledges failure to report legal fund donations - Oct 26, 2005

What is that saying im thinking of....?
Oh I know:
if theres smoke, theres fire!

forgot to do this, forgot to do that, forgot to not commit a crime.
it must be hard to mr deelay, but im sure he'll be able to warm his various homes this winter!

2005-10-20T18:41:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Wilma may hit Florida by Sunday night - Oct 20, 2005

I was watching the Nightly News about hurricane Wilma, when it hit me. The news always goes to places in mexico and other countries about to be hit by a disaster and interviews the Americans trying to leave from the airport. They dont cover the people, oh know, but we should feel pity for poor whitey tourist and how his flight was canceled. poor poor him.

2005-09-28T22:13:00.000-04:00

Politics, Theory & Photography

Politics and pictures? I like both, but as a combination? And how come I cant come up with anything interesting to blog about besides new sites i find mostly off of Metafilter? Oh, i know why, because i should be writing my paper for my demography class. Silly me.

2005-09-28T22:10:00.000-04:00

ROLLYO

An interesting premise: create your own search engine. me likey.

2005-09-28T20:29:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - DeLay indicted, steps down as majority leader - Sep 28, 2005

AWWWWWWWWWw! Poor Mr. DeeLay! Now if only mr. Frist could back out of his shadiness, too bad, too bad. They are too good for this. Im sorry Mr. tom and Mr. Bill, truly!

2005-09-24T20:20:00.000-04:00

Writely - The Web Word Processor

Hmmm....I'm going to give it a whirl.

2005-09-24T20:10:00.000-04:00

CNN.com

Funny how when Texas is going to be affected, Bushie and all of them are prepared and ready. The levees in New Orleans have already breached and half of Galveston is already under water. Rita was still 200 miles out! What the fuck.

2005-09-16T14:22:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Unexpected fallout from the storm - Sep 16, 2005: "ia (AP) "

This would be a really really great time to suck it up and offer universal health care. Look at the 'fallout' as reported on cnn: people who were to poor or didnt have health insurance are now given the opportunity to have their ailments looked at because they are victims of a mass catastrophy. I would argue that the worse tregedy was that these people were living without any real form of health safety-net. So since the slate has literally been wiped clean by katrina in the south, why not institute a universal system for them because one visit isnt going to cure everything. This could be a trial for full universal healthcare, and i think it would work.

2005-09-16T14:21:00.000-04:00

John G. Roberts, Jr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blogs have once again been validated, although I dot not fully agree with question, just now on c-spans' coverage of the nomination of John Roberts, Sen. Cornyn, a republican, just quote a blog. Then he asked a question of Judge Roberts from that quote. Either way you slice it politically or ideologically, blogs are here and they strong.

2005-09-08T18:01:00.000-04:00

Some words to ponder in these dark times.
I have a family friend who lives in Covington LA, he used to live with my uncle. Two years ago my uncle, who grew up in the NE, had lived in Florida for 15 years, decided to move back to Florida. Last year, he was hit by 3 of the 4 hurricanes that visited. He probably contemplated moving back to LA. Am i glad he didnt. He was up visiting in the NE last weeik, right after Katrina hit. We up here hadnt heard another about the family friend. We waited until wednesday to hear from my uncles own mouth that our friend was ok. He had gotten out. Covington LA sits across L Pontchatrain from New Orleans. My mother and brother had visited there, but I never got a chance. Now i wish that i had.

As disasters usually prove, we humans, and more speifically Americans, do not know everything, and cannot possibly prepare for every scenario. But in this case i feel that our government, FEMA, our 'leaders', everyone involved or that should have been involved, should have known. It had been predicted, it had been feared. mr. bush, i an afraid that you have failed us for the last time. You are nothing but a wasted time in history, and all i am left with is wondering about what could have been.

2005-08-29T16:59:00.000-04:00

n o l o g o . o r g
Yay Naomi Kline! You rule!

2005-08-29T16:58:00.000-04:00

Lessons of Camp Casey

There are many lessons to be learned from this mom/woman/patriot/citizen. I do hope, as this article implies, that her fight and recent actions and statements by administration favorites do highlight, no, SHOUT FROM ROOFTOPS that was is going on is wrong. We need to extricate. We need to save ourselves, and i am not afraid to say it.

2005-08-21T22:31:00.000-04:00

The Great Queers of History

It was only a matter of time before this 'sickness' and abberation was chronicled historically. Im not saying that it was necessary or that all of those people listed were or are actually gay, but you cannot ignore it. Its there. They are here.

2005-08-14T23:39:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Violence hits Gaza pullout - Aug 14, 2005

You want peace. You want the killing to end. Then why not give a little and step back and let the people live. Because whats been happening is not sustainable or good. Let the people go!

2005-08-13T23:35:00.000-04:00

New Rule:

Do what you say you are going to do and then follow through. I am sick an tired of people around me and no where near me, talking the talk and then balking the walk. you know what i mean. Stop making pronouncemts and actually fucking so something. We are on the cusp of something monumental, of change for the sheer sake of change, becuase what was old was rot. so lets start anew.

2005-08-11T22:46:00.000-04:00

Report - The Emergence of the Progressive Blogosphere

Yeah, thats right. We are here, partly queer, so get used to it!

2005-08-09T23:19:00.000-04:00

Camus, Albert famous quotes

Love Camus.

Best quote: It is a well known fact that we always recognize our homeland when we are about to lose it

Ok, there are a ton!

2005-08-07T23:08:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Soldier's mom digs in near Bush ranch - Aug 7, 2005

How can we ask the last soldier in Iraq to die for a mistake.

How can we aswk anymore mothers and families to swallow the bitterest pill.

We cant.

2005-08-04T20:42:00.000-04:00

Main Page - FreeMind - free mind mapping software

Had to blog it because I havent download furl on my new comp yet!

2005-08-02T23:14:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Bush signs controversial CAFTA�bill - Aug 2, 2005

I guess the whole mess that is NAFTA wasnt enough to thwart the powers of business, not that im at all surprised. More jobs out of here, and cheaper crap at Mall Wart. YIPPPEEE!

2005-07-31T23:13:00.000-04:00

Academic Skills Center - Notetaking Systems

Study Study.

2005-07-30T23:35:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Senate overwhelmingly approves energy bill - Jul 29, 2005Well thank the goddess that oil and gas compaqnies will get those tav breaks and incentives during this record profit run. PHEW! Not to mention the liability reversals for medical companies and whomever else they sqeaked in there. They really need protection form their killer products. And after years of saying no, Congress finally said Yes to a bill that doesnt reduce our oil consumption of reduce energy prices. Really guys, a stellar achievement!

2005-07-23T20:09:00.000-04:00

Got to see where they filmed The Shinning whilst on CO.

2005-07-23T20:07:00.000-04:00

OhmyNews International

More news is also good.

2005-07-23T20:02:00.000-04:00

The News is NowPublic.com | NowPublic.com: The News is Now Public

More news is good news.

2005-07-22T18:15:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Memo with Plame's�name marked secret - Jul 21, 2005

So who saw this memo? Well, its nearly obvious to a person who saw it, thise two who are involved in this whole affair. Here is why they took the risk: to discredit the media. Think about it. Those involved directly will probably not have anything happen, but the reporter in jail and double-takes that the news media are suffering shows a clear line: cant trust the media, that liberal, biased media.

Well done indeed.

2005-07-21T20:57:00.000-04:00

McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought

2005-07-20T22:58:00.000-04:00

TPMCafe || Supreme Court Watch

As the sit states, its Politics, Ideas & lots of Caffeine!
What could be better~

2005-07-17T23:34:00.000-04:00

Daily Kos: State of the Nation

X-posted to Kos.

The more you hear about No Child Left Behind, the institutional decay of higher education, the loss of entire economic sectors, the 'culture wars' over evolution, gay marriage, and of course christianity, it starts to make some sense. Perhaps more sense than that run-on sentence.

Bush and Mao have eerily similar ideas/motives/actions attrinuted to them. On Maos side you have the re-education of the people. They were told what to read, what to think, how to live and whom to place your faith in (Mao of course). For Bush its his agenda to re-educate through NCLB, campaigns to deconstruct secondary education (evolution, sex-ed) while berating the liberal elitist institutions of higher education that churn out American-made automotons (perhaps our last real industry). These people are inculcated with the 'values' of materialism, dumby patriotism, drive for money, and apathy.

If you are poor its you own fault, if you get pregnant keep it and good luck, if you lose your well-paying job to Walmart then go work at Walmart so you can buy from Walmart. Unions are evil yet they exist to protect the worker while government is trustworthy and exists to help exploit the worker. And then there is the fear factor of the us and thems, your with us or against us, war or death by terrorist.

Is Bush creating his own generation of illiterate, mindless, working-poor, brainwashed yes-men/women?

2005-07-17T00:14:00.000-04:00

WTI : World Tribunal on Iraq : Home

Come away o' human child, to the water and the wild, because the world is more full of weeping than you can understand.

2005-07-04T20:43:00.000-04:00

Walt Whitman's world

Heres to you Walt Whitman. Still as relevant and inspiring today as he was 150 years ago.

2005-07-02T21:47:00.000-04:00

MSNBC Analyst Says Cooper Documents Reveal Karl Rove as Source in Plame Case

Is this true? could it be? Of course it culd be, but I doubt that Rover would have done the leaking of his own accord, unless of course there are only so many people who would have known her name. And i believe he was one of them. His representation on American Dad was hilarious!

2005-07-02T00:42:00.000-04:00

Intelligence Resource Program

More info, more info. I'm always into more info. Whats our intelligence or un-intelligence, up to. Heres a little window.

2005-06-28T21:04:00.000-04:00

Open CRS Network - CRS Reports for the People

Tired of not knowing what your Congress is doing, sayng, or researching? Well be tired no more!

2005-06-27T22:04:00.000-04:00

The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race
The prime reaosn that I like reading Diamond's stuff is that he brings sound thought and theory frm a hard science background to the social science view. His arguments and ideas make sense, and having been 'forced' to read Guns, Germs, and Steel in college, my only regret is that i sold the book back! His views and evdence of warfae is superbly right-on. I also recommend his The Third Chimpanzee a great evolutionary epic that tells us why we do things and why our closest animal relatives do things and how scarily similar we really are, and how much we just don't get it. I hope we will one day real soon.

2005-06-26T13:03:00.000-04:00

Iraq War Fatalities

Let it Be known.

2005-06-23T21:20:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - High court�OKs personal property seizures - Jun 23, 2005

I am not sure I undertand this issue, or for that matter, why the supposedly liberal justices agreed with it. On teh surface it seems a victory for governments and companies who want to develop land where people live. This seems hugely wrong for the people who could lose their land for any possible reasons. I would have said nay. More development isnt necessarily good you know.

2005-06-21T22:39:00.000-04:00

Knowmore.org

Why wouldnt we all want to know more!
Brands, products, and companies answer to us and no one else!

2005-06-16T21:04:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Democratic forum�focuses on 'Downing Street memo' - Jun 16, 2005

Let me count the ways...one one-housand, two one-thousand. GUILTY AS HELL one- thousand...on and on this merry-go-round from hell keeps spinning and few are getting off, stop this madness!

2005-06-13T21:28:00.000-04:00

Independent World Television - Welcome

While I am all for new media, free media, exchange or ideas, open-source and all that, I suppose I am ambivalent about this project. It does show some promise but I am not sure it can withstand the onslought from the 'reputable' news agencies. Perhaps it would be better to ally itself with an already indie type of source, like the newly de-funded PBS/CPB/NPR network. If we gathered our strength (we being NPR/PBS lovers online) to actually support this national media treasure, then we would have what we need. The government and corporations be damned!

2005-06-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Dean Renews Attacks on Republicans - Yahoo! News

Besides the content of this article, and yes the Dems will never lie down and take whatever the repubs. shove at them, this articles also has some new-ish features from Yahoo that i like. These are other searchable articles about people (in this case Howard Dean), as well as links to noted elected officials that include vote history and bio info. Me likey.

2005-06-11T23:38:00.000-04:00

People's Daily Online -- Situation returns to normal in Bolivia with new president

And continuing my lame theme: Heres to you Democracy and Bolivia! When tens of thousands of people cram your capital, something better change! Now if pnly bushie would get the hint!

2005-06-11T22:56:00.000-04:00

National-Academies.org Evolution Resources
National-Academies.org Evolution ResourcesHeres to you, evolution!

2005-06-11T22:55:00.000-04:00

Myspace.com
Myspace.comThis is unreal. It totally reminded of that movie But I'm a Cheerleader! Only this is horribly real. Its also like the movie Saved. Jenna Malone saw a vision in which god told her that by having sex with her gay boyfriend he will be saved. Yadda Yadda Yadda: she gets pregnent and hes sent to gay rehab. All ignorance like this does is propagate hatred and bigotry. We need Understanding, We need Acceptance! People are who they are, no more, no less.

2005-06-11T22:53:00.000-04:00

IMPEACHMENT TIME: "FACTS WERE FIXED."
IMPEACHMENT TIME: "FACTS WERE FIXED."Actually heard a bit about this story on npr (surprise!) But as the article states, only in relation to British elections coverage and the fact that Blair is hurting far worse for his backing of bushie than bushie will ever be. You have to love the bbc and British journalism. unafraid and untainted for the most post while providing actual news. If only in America! Instead we have a wilting NY Times, flailing CS Monitor, Nut-owned Wash Post, and a fox empire that makes billions criticizing American decay and moral laothesomeness while at the same time presenting shows like the O.C, reality trash, fear factor re-runs, etc. Only here.If wmds=consenual oral sex then bushie would have been out on his ass two years ago!

2005-06-11T22:49:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Bush to Congress: Renew Patriot Act - Jun 9, 2005
CNN.com - Bush to Congress: Renew Patriot Act - Jun 9, 2005Call to action! End these unrestrained attacks on the real and true America! The reason these 'provisions' have these clauses were because no one knew what they were doing when they passed it!! End it!

2005-06-01T21:36:00.000-04:00

identity theory | we make it up as we go along.

Literature, social justice, interviews, all things Internet-y.
Fabulous.

2005-05-27T23:36:00.000-04:00

World Watch - May 15, 2005 - The Riots of the Faithful - The Ornery American

I was grabbed by the title. I was impressed with the argument. I realized that the fight against ignorance will not happen in the schools or the churches, in college classrooms or temples, but in the streets. This column goes through quite a bit of info, but I could only get through half of it.

To sum up: Newsweek arycile bad, shame on them. How dare they print whatever they like during time of war! They should be screened, rebuked, arrested, stopped, etc etc. This guy, Orson Scott Card, must love his little world hes created. In one breath hes against those who diss bushie and all that rigamorole and then states that the media should be curbed, reigned in, to help democracy and freedoms.

Example:Personally, I think there should be legal consequences for editors and publishers and reporters so abysmally selfish and stupid that they would run with a story that they knew would provoke outrage in Muslim lands, without first making sure it was true.

I'm not talking about prior restraint, which would be unconstitutional. I'm talking about consequences after the fact.
Rebutal: Personally, I think there should be legal consequences for political leaders and his appointees so abyssmally greedy and stupid that they would run with a lie thats killed tens of thousands of people and outrage entire nations and an entire religous groups, without first making sure it was true.

Im talking about prior restraint, which would be constitutional and diplomatic.im talking about consequences after the fact.

WOW. I really didnt think that that would fit so perfectly.

Conclusion: Words are words and can be twisted into anything. Actions speak volumes and actions without consideration of consequences equals death and destruction.

STOP PERPETUATING IGNORANCE!

2005-05-24T21:40:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Senate moves closer to vote on judicial nominee - May 24, 2005

I suppose that the role of the Devil in this deal is up for grabs. Both sides seemed to think the compromise reached Monday night was an aversion, but I say it was avoidance and the next time this issue rears its head the stakes will be much higher. So the deems held off two radicals for three and the conserves and their leadership seem entirely non-plussed. They still want more. They want all three branches of government. So what, my father said tonight at dinner, 'they will hang themselves come midterm elections and if not, then the next general election will not be so nice. I see no republican winning for quite a while'. Just one problem, you don't vote, I say (he has promised to vote if Hillary Clinton runs however). My problem is that I see little change come midterms because people are still scared and not fed up nearly enough (last November reinforced that) and seem fine to follow a leader who brazenly states that its his way or no way and that he doesn't not listen to public opinion, polls, or opposing views. This some how makes him a better leader. Personally, I don't think bushie could lead a little league team.

But here's the real problem: these conserve Yahoos that bushie will likely get appointed is a huge blow to checks and balances. Parliamentary tricks or no, the deal was not all that it was supposed to be. We came out on the short end indeed.

2005-05-23T22:09:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Senators compromise on filibusters - May 23, 2005

If only John McCain would use his powers for good instead of evil. I do not think that this issue is dead, far from it. Wait until the supreme court has a vacancy! This was a test run people, and I am not convinced that Frist wont try and pull it anyway, but all bets are off come a supreme court nominee. Democrats need to stick with it and we need some strong republicans!

2005-05-20T23:30:00.000-04:00

Am nearly finished with a wonderful book, Unbearable Lightness of Being, by Milan Kundera. It has so many themes and rythyms. Love, life, politics, ideology, profession, lust, marriage, and of course philosophic ramblings. What could be better?

Its Prague during the summer of 1968, old world Europe meets revolution meets the squashing boots of the Soviet Union. Doctor meets girl, sleeps with girl, then sleeps with many more girls while trying to find a few things out, not get thrown in jail or loose his life or his sex. And the patterns and themes run parallel then counter-intuitive, then in different directions all together. Kundera whips up the pot, foments the imagination and then leaves you to your own devices.

2005-05-20T22:34:00.000-04:00

My Room

2005-05-19T19:26:00.000-04:00

VIRTUAL MARCH ULSAN 2005

Captain, there be whales here!

Imagine our world with whales. We would'nt be far behind. Act NOW!

2005-05-17T18:03:00.000-04:00

SPLCenter.org: The Thirty Years War

When will articles like this become history? Not soon enough for me. 30 years and for all that people have done to overcome hate, prejudice, and bigotry, we still are only a sigh away from being back at square on. Real progress takes real change, n'cest pas?

2005-05-17T17:54:00.000-04:00

ChomskyTorrents.org v.2

Important subjects abound!

2005-05-15T12:30:00.000-04:00

DailyBulletin.com - News

Off of metafilter: this day in history: 1970. Who knew that there were campus deaths at Jackson U? I had no idea, and it makes me wonder, actually i think about this all the time, the stuff we never knew/know. Was it because the victims on this date were african-american? Answers to our questions are needed now and forever.

2005-05-10T22:03:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Appeals court sides with Cheney in task force lawsuit - May 10, 2005

While I am not overly suprised by this decision, it is still very dissapointing. The fact that it took them 4 years to rule and its voted down right before the legislation is up for vote is bad too. I fully believe that all matters that deal with policy, especially when the people involved are so high up should always be transparent! ALWAYS! and this certainly is not.

2005-05-09T23:39:00.000-04:00

Some Nietzsche on this night (from JB)

The greatest Weight - What, if some day or night, a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you:"This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more, and there will be nothing new in it, but every pain and every joy and every thought and every sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life will have to return to you all in the same succession and sequence-even this spider and this moonlight between the trees, and even this moment and I myself. The eternal hourglass of existence is turned upside down again and again, and you with it, speck of dust!"

Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus? Or have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: "You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine." If this thought gained possession of you, it would change you as you are or perhaps crush you. The question in each and every thing, "Do you desire this once more and innumerable times more?" would lie upon your actions as the greatest weight. Or how well disposed would you have to become toward yourself and to life to crave nothing more fervently than this ultimate confirmation and seal?
(GS, 341)

2005-05-09T19:28:00.000-04:00

"Filibuster Frist" @ Princeton University

Passing along this wonderful site and very important issue! Frist may not be as blatant as Delay, but he sure as hell has the same power. Delay Frist, get them out of power! It seems so fitting to me that the people at Princeton would conceive of such a democratic plot!

2005-04-21T22:11:00.000-04:00

FEMA Concentration Camps: Locations and Executive Orders - Friends of Liberty (undated) 3sep04

Scary. I mean, if you beleive the conspiracies of the X-Files, FEMA is the secret government, waiting for the president to declare a state of emergency (which, according to this article, can be for any number of reasons and non-reasons). that is when FEMA, the secret government will spring into shady action. Well apparently all of this behind the scenes action is already in motion. The closing of army bases, the revamping of old installations, the models of Abu Grahaib and Guantanamo are working models, not stagnant. By pressing the edge of civil liberties there they can learn how to better curb the outcriues when it happens within our borders. I mean, is it such a leap? We have been primed, now we're ready for all hell to break loose.