Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Today
Remember that on this day 63 years ago, the worst attack on U.S. soil was perpetrated by the Japanese Empire. Think about those we lost in that war today. Also, 9/11 cannot be equivocated with Pearl Harbor any more, not since we went into Iraq. Where Pearl Harbor was a wakeup call for Americans, alerting them to the tyranny that was spreading across the world, 9/11 has become nothing more than an excuse for Empire.
The War on Terror could have been a noble cause, the way the fight against the Nazis and Japanese was. But Shrub and his minions have diminshed the sacrifice of my fellow New Yorkers, New Jerseyans, and Connecticites. They have used 9/11 to justify any atrocity, veiled as their attempt to make America safer. I'd be willing to bet that the guy aboard Flight 93 who said 'let's roll' is spinning in his grave along with the 3000 others who died that day.
The War on Terror could have been a noble cause, the way the fight against the Nazis and Japanese was. But Shrub and his minions have diminshed the sacrifice of my fellow New Yorkers, New Jerseyans, and Connecticites. They have used 9/11 to justify any atrocity, veiled as their attempt to make America safer. I'd be willing to bet that the guy aboard Flight 93 who said 'let's roll' is spinning in his grave along with the 3000 others who died that day.
Duh
[. . .]
But as things currently stand, on this issue (as well as others like divorce), the Red States have no ground to stand on. Those crazy New Englad liberals are running circles around them in this tangible measure of their residents' "values".
From the Kos Diaries via RUFNKM.
Remember how I put up the chart, just after the election showing the IQ numbers of red staters vs. blue staters? Think there's a correlation? I do. Until the red staters change their worldview, and their educational policies, I will call 'em like I see 'em. They're stupid and they're hypocrites. Don't talk to me about abstinence-only sex education when most of your teenage girls are knocked up before their 20th birthday. Don't talk to me about the sanctity of marriage when your divorce rate is the highest in the nation. Don't talk to me about home schooling when my dog is more educated than you are. And don't talk to me about tax cuts when my tax money is supporting your stupid shit. Just shut the fuck up, you sanctimonious morons.
I mean, come on, look where they get the contestants for The Jerry Springer Show.
Monday, December 6, 2004
The DNC chair
I've been hearing a million names bandied about the Blogosphere lately, this clown or the other for DNC chair. The only one I could support is Howard Dean. The rest of 'em, puh, they suck. And I don't even know if Dean is the best one for the job. The best man for the job doesn't want it. Me.
That's right. Or at least a guy like me. A guy who doesn't want to go back to the same old same old, like we're doing now. Goddammit, it pisses me off.
I hear all this shit. "Oh, we have to come closer to the center." "Oh, we have to meet the Republicans half-way." No we don't, goddammit. What 'cause they won by a margin of 2%, we have to kiss their ass? No, no, no, I don't think so. What I'm proposing, and it's not an original idea by any stretch of the imagination, is more of a parliamentary approach. I want a true Opposition Party.
I want an alternate policy. For every policy the Repubs propose, have our people put out an alternative. When (p)resident Dicknose says he wants to privatize Social Security, come out with a plan to save it. Give the folks an alternative. When Shrub says he has to invade Iraq, show the American people a way to acheive the same ends diplomatically. Jesus H. Christ, we're not going to get any support from the public if we just say "Bush is wrong because he's a dickhead". We need a guy like me at the helm who'll call a spade a spade.
When Bush comes up with stupid shit, come out and say it. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is stupid shit". Or, "ladies and gentlemen, Bush is lying through his teeth and here's why". Call black Republicans what they are, steppinfetchit Uncle Toms who've sold out their principles and their people. If it weren't for the Dems, they'd still be niggas, having to use their own bathrooms, drinking fountains, and sit in the back of the bus. Call the Jesus freaks what they are, stupid. Creationism is illogical and stupid, unless facts and hundreds of years of scientific observation have no meaning for you. There's a reason we call it science, goddammit.
I'm tired of these 'make nice' hacks who think we have to accept anything the Repub talking assholes spit out. It's time to speak to the American people in frank, no-nonsense language. It's time to run on our foundation principles, and it's time for the DNC chair to spell that out clearly to the American people through his leadership.
The Democratic Party is one of inclusion. Everybody's welcome, any color, any enthicity, any sexual orientation, anyone who believes people have the right of determinism over their own bodies. Call the Repubs what they are, racist, bigoted, warmongers, and in the pockets of big business. Call their followers the same thing and show them the alternative. Call the Bush Administration what they are, a bunch of little-dick white men (and yes, I'm including Condi and Colin) who have to compensate by acting like a bunch of teenagers who've just been put in charge of the class when the teacher is out.
Stand for the principles laid down by our Founding Fathers instead of being willing to compromise them. If we stand up to the Repubs instead of chasing their propaganda, people will vote Democratic. If they see a Democratic Party with balls, they'll come around. But the leader of the Party must have a set of brass ones, not a couple dried up raisins. Jesus H. Christ, call the Shrub a lair often and loudly. Stop mincing words.
But the most important thing we have to do is steal a Republican idea. The "Contract with America" of Newt Gingrich infamy. We have to make something up like that. Ol' Oliver Willis is a fine example with his Brand Democrat stuff, but we need more of that, much more, and it has to come from the top of the Party. We need to have cool slogans and repeat 'em until folks are sick of it. The time for this pussy-footing bullshit is over. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Fuck 'em where they breathe.
We gotta do something soon, and appointing a strong, no-nonsense DNC chair is the first step. With good leadership at the top, the troops will come around. They always do.
(And a note to the ladies: When I say 'man' or 'guy' I mean women too. I'm an old guy, leave me alone.)
That's right. Or at least a guy like me. A guy who doesn't want to go back to the same old same old, like we're doing now. Goddammit, it pisses me off.
I hear all this shit. "Oh, we have to come closer to the center." "Oh, we have to meet the Republicans half-way." No we don't, goddammit. What 'cause they won by a margin of 2%, we have to kiss their ass? No, no, no, I don't think so. What I'm proposing, and it's not an original idea by any stretch of the imagination, is more of a parliamentary approach. I want a true Opposition Party.
I want an alternate policy. For every policy the Repubs propose, have our people put out an alternative. When (p)resident Dicknose says he wants to privatize Social Security, come out with a plan to save it. Give the folks an alternative. When Shrub says he has to invade Iraq, show the American people a way to acheive the same ends diplomatically. Jesus H. Christ, we're not going to get any support from the public if we just say "Bush is wrong because he's a dickhead". We need a guy like me at the helm who'll call a spade a spade.
When Bush comes up with stupid shit, come out and say it. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is stupid shit". Or, "ladies and gentlemen, Bush is lying through his teeth and here's why". Call black Republicans what they are, steppinfetchit Uncle Toms who've sold out their principles and their people. If it weren't for the Dems, they'd still be niggas, having to use their own bathrooms, drinking fountains, and sit in the back of the bus. Call the Jesus freaks what they are, stupid. Creationism is illogical and stupid, unless facts and hundreds of years of scientific observation have no meaning for you. There's a reason we call it science, goddammit.
I'm tired of these 'make nice' hacks who think we have to accept anything the Repub talking assholes spit out. It's time to speak to the American people in frank, no-nonsense language. It's time to run on our foundation principles, and it's time for the DNC chair to spell that out clearly to the American people through his leadership.
The Democratic Party is one of inclusion. Everybody's welcome, any color, any enthicity, any sexual orientation, anyone who believes people have the right of determinism over their own bodies. Call the Repubs what they are, racist, bigoted, warmongers, and in the pockets of big business. Call their followers the same thing and show them the alternative. Call the Bush Administration what they are, a bunch of little-dick white men (and yes, I'm including Condi and Colin) who have to compensate by acting like a bunch of teenagers who've just been put in charge of the class when the teacher is out.
Stand for the principles laid down by our Founding Fathers instead of being willing to compromise them. If we stand up to the Repubs instead of chasing their propaganda, people will vote Democratic. If they see a Democratic Party with balls, they'll come around. But the leader of the Party must have a set of brass ones, not a couple dried up raisins. Jesus H. Christ, call the Shrub a lair often and loudly. Stop mincing words.
But the most important thing we have to do is steal a Republican idea. The "Contract with America" of Newt Gingrich infamy. We have to make something up like that. Ol' Oliver Willis is a fine example with his Brand Democrat stuff, but we need more of that, much more, and it has to come from the top of the Party. We need to have cool slogans and repeat 'em until folks are sick of it. The time for this pussy-footing bullshit is over. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Fuck 'em where they breathe.
We gotta do something soon, and appointing a strong, no-nonsense DNC chair is the first step. With good leadership at the top, the troops will come around. They always do.
(And a note to the ladies: When I say 'man' or 'guy' I mean women too. I'm an old guy, leave me alone.)
Jeff thinks too much
But that's good for you and me. He just got Part 5 of his series on decriminalization up and everybody should take the opportunity to read 'em. Might not agree, but they are thought provoking. Good reading over the past few weeks. Good commentary too, although you'll have to put up with a couple of my smartass remarks. Nothing changes.
Sunday, December 5, 2004
Firefox
Oh man, this thing is fun. I told you I installed Firefox on my laptop the other day and, though I haven't spent that much time on the web this weekend, I know I'm never going back to Internet Explorer. It's faster, safer, and it doesn't crash. Firefox is the first thing I'm gonna load when I get my new PC. To Melanie at Just a Bump in the Beltway for clueing me in to this outstanding browser:
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!
Relative fuckedness
No Texas taxpayer is going to look at relative fuckedness and think this is a good idea. Trust me - I know a few people who recently moved from CA to TX and think their taxes have skyrocketed because of the property tax bills they have to write.
[. . .]
I love that term. From a corrente reader commenting on Bush's new tax code shenanigans. Relatively speaking, Gord, KR, and me are more relatively fucked than most others.
Chew On This
Fixer's been doing a fine job of covering the new Bush-friendly High Command (Cabinet heads) but this one seems to be slipping under the radar a little. From the Center For American Progress. I posted the whole thing 'cause it's fuckin' scary.
This guy sounds like a real jewel. If you think at all about the SecAg, think about him while you're eating. Is this the clown you want in charge of your food?
AGRICULTURE
Family Farms Under Attack
In a victory for corporate agribusiness and a defeat for family farmers, President Bush nominated Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns to become the next Secretary of Agriculture. Announcing Johanns's nomination yesterday, Bush called the governor "a faithful friend of America's farmers and ranchers." But as governor, Johanns worked persistently to undermine a law, passed by a citizen initiative in 1982, that protects family farmers in Nebraska by banning most corporate agriculture. Johanns used $300,000 from the Bush administration to fund a biased study of the law – called I-300 – produced by a Texas consulting firm. Predictably, the study recommended making it "easier for agribusiness to gobbleup traditional family farm agriculture" in Nebraska. Johanns's study also suggested "more taxpayer financed corporate welfare by 'incenting' the outside corporations that would be gobbling up individual owned farm and rural businesses." As his next step in undermining the law, Johanns pushed a bill in the Nebraska legislature which would "establish a 20-member task force to look at the pros and cons of I-300." (Johanns was to appoint 18 of the 20 members.) The legislature understood the purpose of the task force was "to weaken the state's anti-corporate farm law" and, thankfully, it was defeated. But if Johanns is put in control of federal agriculture policy, his corporate agenda will be much more difficult for the nation's small farmers to overcome.
JOHANNS PROPOSES SCHOOL FUNDING CUTS TO PRESERVE CORPORATE WELFARE: In the face of a multi-million dollar budget shortfall, Johanns adamantly defended the Nebraska's massive corporate welfare program. The state has given away $1.3 billion on the program since 1988 for giant corporations like IBP, ConAgra and Union Pacific. Corporations profited to the tune of $148 million in 2001 alone. Each year, Nebraska spends three times as much on corporate welfare as on the entire University of Nebraska school system. Instead of trimming back corporate giveaways, Johanns "called for 10 percent cuts to higher education and K-12 school aid."
JOHANNS FAVORS LOWER WAGES FOR WORKERS AT SUBSIDIZED COMPANIES: A bill was introduced in the Nebraska legislature that would require workers at companies receiving subsidies from Nebraska to be "paid at least $8.70 per hour if they have health insurance, and $9.57 for those without." Johanns supported an alternative proposal that would pay workers at taxpayer subsidized corporations lower wages, with no increase if the company didn't provide health care.
JOHANNS FAVORS WITHHOLDING MAD COW INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC: With Johanns in charge, you'll likely know a lot less about the safety of the food you eat. As governor, Johanns has expressed opposition to the Department of Agriculture's policy of informing the public when the nation's beef supply may be contaminated. Johanns asked the Department of Agriculture to reconsider their policy of announcing when initial tests of cattle show they may be infected with Mad Cow disease, also known as BSE. Johanns's position runs counter to the conclusions of the USDA inspector general, which found the agency isn't doing enough to protect the public from Mad Cow contamination.
JOHANNS AND THE POLITICS OF RELIGIOUS EXCLUSION: Johanns declared May 22, 1999 "March for Jesus Day." Johanns claimed the proclamation did not constitute government preference for a particular religion because he "wouldn't hesitate to sign a proclamation for the Jewish faith or the Hindu faith." But Johanns quickly clarified that he would not issue a proclamation supporting any religion he "personally disagree[d] with."
This guy sounds like a real jewel. If you think at all about the SecAg, think about him while you're eating. Is this the clown you want in charge of your food?
Zzzzzzt
An update on my trials and tribulations. Got 2 new TVs yesterday and tried to get a microwave. I say tried because it takes me less time to buy a car than it did to try to buy this microwave. Not just any microwave, mind you.
It had to be the same model Panasonic Genius that we bought 15 years ago. Needless to say, nobody locally had it, and they all said it would be exorbitant to special-order so the Mrs. goes on the Panasonic website. She finds it and tries to order it online. The website is down. Fine. She calls the help desk who, after keeping her on hold for 23 minutes, basically told her she was an idiot for not being able to figure out the website. I tried it and it didn't work either. Asshole. So she calls another 800-number and gets someone else over at Panasonic. "No, we can't take your order at this number," was the reply. WTF?
My wife is more than ready to part with $800 and you don't want to take it? If it weren't that she is so committed to this Panasonic (it was an excellent unit for 15 years), we would have bought from someone else. Sharp, for instance, who is one of the Mrs.' clients and who I'm sure would have yielded a deep discount.
She finally gets another number to one of their warehouses (in Mississippi). Hallelujah, after close to 4 1/2 hours of fighting with people, this freiendly southern guy there takes her order and gives it to her for $100 less than Panasonic lists on their website. Happy Day!
I still have to look at replacements for the VCRs, depending what they'll (Liberty Mutual) give me on 'em. I'm debating getting a combo VCR/DVD recorder, being that VHS is going the way of the dinosaur and I have a lot of tapes that could stand being put on disk. I'm still working off my laptop too, and will have to until they figure out what my 2 computers were worth. An upside is that the guy was here yesterday and the fridge and oven can be fixed for about $800 combined and I don't have to take 'em out(built-ins since I remodeled the kitchen). Oy! Off to go grocery shopping. More blogging later.
It had to be the same model Panasonic Genius that we bought 15 years ago. Needless to say, nobody locally had it, and they all said it would be exorbitant to special-order so the Mrs. goes on the Panasonic website. She finds it and tries to order it online. The website is down. Fine. She calls the help desk who, after keeping her on hold for 23 minutes, basically told her she was an idiot for not being able to figure out the website. I tried it and it didn't work either. Asshole. So she calls another 800-number and gets someone else over at Panasonic. "No, we can't take your order at this number," was the reply. WTF?
My wife is more than ready to part with $800 and you don't want to take it? If it weren't that she is so committed to this Panasonic (it was an excellent unit for 15 years), we would have bought from someone else. Sharp, for instance, who is one of the Mrs.' clients and who I'm sure would have yielded a deep discount.
She finally gets another number to one of their warehouses (in Mississippi). Hallelujah, after close to 4 1/2 hours of fighting with people, this freiendly southern guy there takes her order and gives it to her for $100 less than Panasonic lists on their website. Happy Day!
I still have to look at replacements for the VCRs, depending what they'll (Liberty Mutual) give me on 'em. I'm debating getting a combo VCR/DVD recorder, being that VHS is going the way of the dinosaur and I have a lot of tapes that could stand being put on disk. I'm still working off my laptop too, and will have to until they figure out what my 2 computers were worth. An upside is that the guy was here yesterday and the fridge and oven can be fixed for about $800 combined and I don't have to take 'em out(built-ins since I remodeled the kitchen). Oy! Off to go grocery shopping. More blogging later.
Saturday, December 4, 2004
NY's Finest
(New York-WABC, December 3, 2004) — President Bush made it official just before 10:00 a.m. He named Bernard Kerik as his nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security. New York's former top cop has what may be the ultimate resume for the job, having managed the city's response to the 9/11 attacks.
[. . .]
Kerik currently works for Giuliani. He has worked in Iraq, helping to establish and train their new police force. That followed his 16 months as police commissioner and an earlier stint as corrections commissioner.
His confirmation hearings may not be tranquil. There will be questions about $800,000 dollars that vanished during Kerik's days at the corrections department. And in Iraq, he agreed to serve eight months but left after just four.
[. . .]
This man is nothing more than a dumb street cop, overpaid bodyguard, and the luckiest motherfucker on 9/11. I don't care what Schumer and Hillary say, this is not good.
Update: 13:45:
Josh Marshall.
Update: 06:45 Sunday:
Lambert at Corrente has more:
[. . .]
Appointed by President Bush to train a new Iraqi police force in 2003, Kerik came under criticism for inadequate screening of recruits as U.S. authorities rushed to deploy the force. It has been plagued by desertions and by allegations that insurgents have infiltrated the ranks.
Kerik quit four months into his six-month tenure in Iraq, telling New York reporters later that he needed a vacation.
[. . .]
A couple things
Light blogging again today. Gotta go with the Mrs. to pick out a new microwave this morning, as well as the TVs. Thanks to the Mrs. crawling up Liberty Mutual's ass yesterday evening, they've given us authorization to replace most of the stuff. Still waiting for their deterimation on the computers.
And the guy's gonna be here between noon and 5 to look at the fridge and oven. So my day is shot before it begins. This post will probably be my contribution to the Blogosphere today. I did, however, post Chapter 3 of Empires over at creativity, for those who give a shit.
And on a technical note, I finally made the switch to Mozilla's Firefox browser yesterday, thanks to Melanie's advice. I'm still trying to figure it out (only used it for an hour or so), but I already like it better than Internet Explorer. I still gotta tweak a few things but I'm impressed.
Also, no Cattle Dog blogging today. One of the computers that went down was the one that held all my pics. Unfortunately, I didn't have any on a backup disk. Fortunately, the really important shit was. Hopefully, Princess Shayna will return next week at her regularly scheduled time.
And the guy's gonna be here between noon and 5 to look at the fridge and oven. So my day is shot before it begins. This post will probably be my contribution to the Blogosphere today. I did, however, post Chapter 3 of Empires over at creativity, for those who give a shit.
And on a technical note, I finally made the switch to Mozilla's Firefox browser yesterday, thanks to Melanie's advice. I'm still trying to figure it out (only used it for an hour or so), but I already like it better than Internet Explorer. I still gotta tweak a few things but I'm impressed.
Also, no Cattle Dog blogging today. One of the computers that went down was the one that held all my pics. Unfortunately, I didn't have any on a backup disk. Fortunately, the really important shit was. Hopefully, Princess Shayna will return next week at her regularly scheduled time.
Friday, December 3, 2004
Blue State Booze
Small-batch likker-makin' ain't just for hillbillies anymore. Charles Perry of the LATimes goes into quite a bit of detail about an emerging West Coast craft.
Good shit, too! Go read about it. Unique, even in this age of microbreweries.
Good article. Goes into the heads and tails of making different kinds of spirits and describes several. Long article, but well worth reading. Enjoy.
Who makes whiskey? A laconic Scot tending a still in the Highlands? A good old boy nursing his sour mash in Kentucky? A moonshiner brewing sneaky Pete up yonder in the holler?
They're not the only kinds of whiskey makers anymore. Lately there's been an explosion of handmade whiskey here on the West Coast. Forget Scotland and Kentucky — we have a crop of eager Western dudes who want to create a distinct Western style of whiskey.
They're taking this nouvelle whiskey idea in wildly differing directions — rough and powerful, sweet and fruity, gnarled and smoky, mellow and harmonious. The result is whiskeys with very distinct personalities, whiskeys you don't find anywhere else.
Easterners may be puzzled. The West Coast is known for lighter drinks — beer and wine. In fact, that may be exactly why small-batch whiskey is happening here. "West Coast consumers are more receptive to craft whiskey," says Lee Medoff of Edgefield Distillery near Portland, Ore. "They've grown up with wineries and microbreweries."
Another San Francisco company, Anchor Brewing Co., made the first of these West Coast whiskeys: Old Potrero. Anchor's owner, Fritz Maytag (whose family created both Maytag washers and Maytag blue cheese), has a track record of turning out excellent products by revitalizing old-fashioned, small-scale production techniques. His Anchor Steam beer was instrumental in reviving craft beer brewing in the 1970s.
Good shit, too! Go read about it. Unique, even in this age of microbreweries.
Good article. Goes into the heads and tails of making different kinds of spirits and describes several. Long article, but well worth reading. Enjoy.
Fools' Paradise
An inkling of good news yet to come. Jonathan Chait in the LATimes:
Good thing, too. I have years left, but not too many decades.
The news has been filled with giddy Republican talk of the 2004 triumph as a realigning election — one that ushers in, as Newsweek put it, "political dominance that could last for decades, as FDR's New Deal did."
The Republicans are living in a fool's paradise. It's true that over the next few years Republicans will have enormous power. In the long run, however, they're doomed. Doomed, I tells ya! Doooomed! OK, I may have gotten slightly carried away there. Perhaps "doomed" overstates things a tad. But President Bush's political formula does carry the seeds of its own demise.
Republicans have social fissures of their own. A huge part of the GOP base (the religious right) votes Republican in the hope of enacting a radical social agenda that another part of the GOP base (suburbanites and the business elite) has no intent or desire to carry out. And it's also possible that Republicans will suffer a Vietnam-style external shock of their own — a severe recession or a bungled war. (Can't possibly imagine where the latter could happen, can you?)
When conservatives are confronted with Bush's record on spending and deficits, they usually reply by admitting that it's a terrible shame the president hasn't slashed spending and he really ought to do something about it. Many hoped that Bush, having bribed enough voters to win reelection, would use his second term to enact a single-rate tax code and privatize Social Security. These are ways to get voters to swallow middle-class tax hikes and cuts in popular social programs, both of which are ultimately unavoidable if the rich are going to pay a permanently lower tax rate. Casting the debate as "simplification" (the flat tax) or "ownership" (privatized Social Security accounts), the thinking goes, will make them forget that they're paying a larger portion of the bill for government and getting less in return.
But even a few weeks after Bush's reelection those hopes are all but dead. First, Bush administration officials leaked that they would hold off on tax reform until 2006. Given that by then Congress will be facing elections and Bush's political strength will be on the wane, tax reform advocates agree that enacting tough changes will be impossible.
As for privatizing Social Security, the Republicans have floated the prospect of paying for that not with cuts in benefits or tax hikes but with enormous new borrowing. We would enjoy the benefit — spiffy new accounts — today. The bill comes later.
The upshot of both these developments is that a second Bush term means more of the same. Even with full control of the federal government and a president freed of the constraints of reelection, Republicans lack the political will to raise middle-class taxes or cut large spending programs.
Which means that eventually one or all of the following will happen: The budget deficit will drag the economy down; Republicans will have to inflict significant fiscal pain on major elements of their coalition; voters will elect Democrats to tame the deficit. It may take years before the "realignment" falls apart. But it won't take decades.
Good thing, too. I have years left, but not too many decades.
Voices of reason
From MilitaryWeek.com via RUFNKM. Lt. Col. Kwiatkowski is an ex-Air Force weenie who was one of the first to call attention to the clusterfuck in Iraq.
While it might take a little time, the tipping point will come when some of the active duty (and recently retired) flag officers start speaking up or letting shit leak(if our inept press can pick up on it). When enough of them do, even the Jesuslanders will realize Bush & Co are using their children as cannon fodder. If not, then the eventual draft will do it.
[. . .]
What of the retired military analysts? From traditional conservatives and retired Army Colonels Bill Lind and David Hackworth, we heard early, consistent cautions regarding our backfired boutique war in Iraq. Their wise words ignored by the administration and the Pentagon, Hackworth and Lind in different ways have provided words of clear constant advice on how to successfully deal with what we have wrought in Iraq. Lind’s latest includes "The Last Dignified Exit" and for The American Conservative, the November 22 cover article "Strategic Defense Initiative." Both address the abject failure of our strategy in Iraq, military to be sure, but in a more substantial way, our politics of war. The Bush administration planners have much to answer for, as Colonel Hackworth’s archive indicates. Retired generals from Tony Zinni to William Odom to Brent Skowcroft and a host of others agree with the battle hardened soldier’s concern about administration intent, objective, strategy and Iraq exit possibilities. Yet, truly, these men have had their chance, and no longer serve in the active force.
The litany of stakeholders in American military strategy would be incomplete without the words of the soldiers on the ground in Iraq, or those recently returned. Our soldiers, as do all soldiers in all stupid wars, fight for their brothers in arms, and only for them. Period.
The Bush administration ignores or discounts these critical and honest observers from all parts of the American defense spectrum. Navel gazing groupthinkers to a man (and one woman), the current administration fails to recognize American strategic gains in Iraq – a dominant military presence in the heart of the Middle East, permanent basing, guaranteed petro-dollars, unquestioned control of Iraqi economic development in a post-Saddam environment, and an Iraqi state that will not rise again as a regional power – are simply not well understood by most Americans.
[. . .]
While it might take a little time, the tipping point will come when some of the active duty (and recently retired) flag officers start speaking up or letting shit leak(if our inept press can pick up on it). When enough of them do, even the Jesuslanders will realize Bush & Co are using their children as cannon fodder. If not, then the eventual draft will do it.
Pious Hogwash
James Wolcott has a few thoughts on the matter:
I like this guy. I just wish he'd learn not to mince his words.
I'm really getting fed up with all the pious hogwash we're supposed to accept now about faith and belief and the need for God in our lives. "There is, in fact, nothing about religious opinions that entitles them to any more respect than other opinions get," wrote H.L. Mencken in 1929, and oh were he with us in this hour. Most people use religion to justify what they were inclined to do anyway, picking and choosing the Biblical passages that best feather their proud modesty. We're cautioned now that snickering over Bush's choice of Jesus as his favorite philosopher only reveals how snobby and elitist we are. Well, too bad. For all his compassion for the poor and lame, Jesus also possessed a punitive mean streak, and as a philosopher he was a primitive compared to Eastern thinkers such as Buddha, Shankara, and Longchenpa, a point Sam Harris drives home in The End of Faith: "Even the contemporary literature on consciousness, which spans philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience, cannot match the kind of precise, phenomenological studies that can be found throughout the Buddhist canon."
But now David Brooks is enjoining us to pay heed to evangelical theologian John Stott. I'll leave the last word to Mencken: "The average theologian...disseminates his blather, not innocently, like a philosopher, but maliciously, like a politician. In a well-organized world he would be on the stone-pile. but in the world as it exists we are asked to listen to him, not only politely, but even reverently, with our mouths open."
I like this guy. I just wish he'd learn not to mince his words.
Steroids
I'm not gonna go into how I can't stand Barry Bonds, and this is the only post I'm gonna write about this, but I just have to say something about this BALCO scandal.
If you use performance-enhancing drugs, you're cheating, period. If you're caught cheating, your records should be voided and you should be barred from continuing to play your particular sport. That's all. Unfortunately, the prevailing wisdom in this country forgives cheaters if they win. Another sad commentary on the state of our nation.
If you use performance-enhancing drugs, you're cheating, period. If you're caught cheating, your records should be voided and you should be barred from continuing to play your particular sport. That's all. Unfortunately, the prevailing wisdom in this country forgives cheaters if they win. Another sad commentary on the state of our nation.
Thursday, December 2, 2004
He's had it
Stole it from yelladog who stole it from Thesaurus Rex:
In a move that has taken many by surprise, Jesus Christ of Nazareth has resigned his cabinet post as National Lord and Savior. Long believed to have been a voice of tolerance and restraint within the administration, sources close to the Lord have said that frustrations with the president and members of the White House inner circle have led to His decision to tender His resignation.
Publicly, Christ has never officially broken ranks with the White House nor openly criticized the war in Iraq, but in off-the-record conversations, He has been overheard referring to Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as “f*cking crazies". There is no word yet who will be appointed as His successor or what Jesus’s plans are beyond “taking some time off” and spending time with His Apostles.
As of press-time, Christ could not be reached for comment.
Slow News Week In The Hills
While we sit around waiting for Bush&Co.'s next Stupid Political Trick, occasionally we check local news to see who's trying to get over on us nearer to home. Well, this is a really slow news week if the front page story in the Sierra Sun is any indication. Welcome to Mayberry, folks. Oh yeah, I've known Kenny for twenty years.
Jesus in business
I stole this whole thing from David at 42. I don't get this much, being I live and work in New York, but Mrs. F gets this a lot. Her business takes her to red states on a regular basis.
John by the bayou writes about fa-reeky Christian junk mail, which reminded me of something that happened last year at work: I was investigating a particular type of industrial equipment; wanting to know more about it I arranged to visit a local manufacturer of said equipment. I met the CEO and a few flunkies and we visited a factory that was using their equipment. They seemed like OK people til we went to lunch. When the food came the CEO looked at me and said “would you like to join us in saying grace?” or something like that. “Um, no thanks, I’ll just wait til you’re all done” which I did without any smirking or smart-assed remarks so shaddap. Damned if those guys didn’t prattle on and on thanking God and Jesus for this bountiful feast… come on, it’s just Olive Garden.
As I was leaving the CEO said “…blah blah blah, thanks for coming, and BE BLESSED!” “Uh… yeah, thanks for your time, I’ll be in touch.” And that was pretty much that because the budget was cut and we decided not to buy that equipment, and I was reassigned to my current project early this year so I forgot about it, until about two months ago. One of the guys from that project forwarded an email from Mr Godly CEO claiming I’d been really impressed with their stuff and that I had done some sort of technical review and “approved” their equipment. Natch it ended with “BE BLESSED!” Sptoo!
I wrote and re-wrote a reply probably a dozen times before settling on something like “…Mr Godly CEO is indulging in wishful thinking as I never approved anything and never stated an opinion of the product, but as I’m not part of this team anymore, my only recommendation would be to use your best judgement in dealing with him.”
In other words, Mr Godly CEO lied to my colleague in hopes of making a sale.
Free hint, Christian business people: leave Jesus at home. Anyone who flaps their religion in my face is not going to make a sale to my employer if I have anything to say about it. It’s Generally-Recognized Good Business Sense® to leave religion and politics out it which is something everyone ought to know, but I’m repeating it just in case your brain was checked at the door of the church and you forgot to pick it up on your way out.
Changing the subject, the cat is attacking his tail. He’ll sit there staring at it and just barely twitch the tip of it, then he pounces. Funniest goddam thing I’ve seen all year.
What’s on: Be Wild, M83, Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
First It Was Tinky Winky...
I read a lot of stuff every day in my never-ending quest to bring you the latest and most newsworthy items as you're a discriminating, intelligent bunch. Sometimes I find things that are so ludicrous that I simply can't pass them up. From Media Watch:
I left that last line in for a tease. Go read the newsletter. Don't be drinking anything, it'll likely exit your nostrils.
Don't these "Christians" have any better things to do? Aren't there any hungry, homeless, sick or shut-in folks that they could use all this energy to go help? Or would their agenda simply be to attack the "moral values" of that bastion of Liberalism, the animated movie? I hope they never see any anime. It'd blow their feeble little minds.
Personally, I hope these Right-wing Retards keep this shit up. It makes them, their "moral values", and, by inference, that fool they helped elect, look ridiculous. Besides, it's entertaining.
Want to see what the Religious Right has done with its new found power in being the organization solely responsible for giving Our Glorious Leader his mandate?
They have taken on the task of protecting our children from the rampant homosexuality found in the movie "Shark Tale," which was released recently from the pro-gay team at Dreamworks.**
The American Family Association has just sent out a newsletter with the bold headline: SOMETHING'S SWISHY ABOUT SHARK TALE.
Evidence:
The main character, Lenny, has all the "mannerisms and voice" that tend "toward the effeminate." Get where they learned of Lenny's mannerisms?
Lenny's mannerisms and voice tend toward the effeminate, notes a review by Scott Tobias in The Onion A.V. Club, but that's not the worst of it. For in sharkdom, masculinity is measured by one's proficiency as a meat-eater.
That's right--"The Onion," that stalwart of professional journalism.
But there is more. Later in the article, the AFA asks the question: Cross Dressing Shark?
I left that last line in for a tease. Go read the newsletter. Don't be drinking anything, it'll likely exit your nostrils.
Don't these "Christians" have any better things to do? Aren't there any hungry, homeless, sick or shut-in folks that they could use all this energy to go help? Or would their agenda simply be to attack the "moral values" of that bastion of Liberalism, the animated movie? I hope they never see any anime. It'd blow their feeble little minds.
Personally, I hope these Right-wing Retards keep this shit up. It makes them, their "moral values", and, by inference, that fool they helped elect, look ridiculous. Besides, it's entertaining.
We needed them here
(New York-WABC, November 30, 2004 ) — Two New York City firefighters who joined the military to fight in Iraq hit a roadside bomb, killing one and injuring the other.
[. . .]
These guys were in the World Trade Center on 9/11, barely making it out before the towers came down. They were dedicated men who thought nothing of giving, whether to their city or their country. Thanks, (p)resident Cowardly Liar, for getting everything you could out of them.
Light to no blogging
Big windstorm here today and a power line came down. The Mrs. was home when the power surge shot through the house. Scared the shit out of her and the mutt. The tally so far:
2 TVs
2 IBM desktop computers
1 oven
1 microwave
4 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Fortunately our laptops didn't buy it, but now I gotta fight with my insurance company so my afternoon is probably shot.
On a funny note, I was coiling up the wire that fell in front of the house. I checked first to make sure both ends were disconnected. As I'm doing this, the Long Island Power Authority guy pulls up. You should have seen the look on his face when he sees me with this power line in my hand.
"Hey, buddy, you can get 7600 volts of backflow in that line. Drop it!"
"Not when both ends are disconnected," I said. "Is this yours?" I ask him, laughing my ass off.
Oh, also the heater on my waterbed bought it, so the Mrs. and I are gonna have to live out the guest room until I can replace it. That means draining most of the bed (it's under the mattress). Just fucking wonderful.
Update: 15:25:
Add a VCR to the list. I feel sorry for the folks at Liberty Mutual (my homeowners carrier). Did I mention the Mrs. is an insurance executive?
Update: 16:10:
Fax machine's done too. Fuck me.
2 TVs
2 IBM desktop computers
1 oven
1 microwave
4 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Fortunately our laptops didn't buy it, but now I gotta fight with my insurance company so my afternoon is probably shot.
On a funny note, I was coiling up the wire that fell in front of the house. I checked first to make sure both ends were disconnected. As I'm doing this, the Long Island Power Authority guy pulls up. You should have seen the look on his face when he sees me with this power line in my hand.
"Hey, buddy, you can get 7600 volts of backflow in that line. Drop it!"
"Not when both ends are disconnected," I said. "Is this yours?" I ask him, laughing my ass off.
Oh, also the heater on my waterbed bought it, so the Mrs. and I are gonna have to live out the guest room until I can replace it. That means draining most of the bed (it's under the mattress). Just fucking wonderful.
Update: 15:25:
Add a VCR to the list. I feel sorry for the folks at Liberty Mutual (my homeowners carrier). Did I mention the Mrs. is an insurance executive?
Update: 16:10:
Fax machine's done too. Fuck me.
States' Rights v. Federalism
From Joe Conason via Working For Change.
This is going to get better and better. SCOTUS is looking at it as an interpretation of commerce laws. States' Rights seems to be OK for abortion and gay marriage, but not to change the law on a controlled substance that helps people if Big Pharma can't profit from it.
Not to mention the deep-seated Puritan fear that someone, somewhere, might use this particular substance for FUN. It might lead to dancing or some other sin. Oh, the horror!
No worse example exists of the moral cowardice of the federal government -- implicating all three branches -- than the continuing prohibition of marijuana for medical therapy.
Despite copious evidence that pot has helped to ameliorate the lives of thousands of patients suffering from cancer and AIDS -- and despite burgeoning voter support for legal reform -- Washington officialdom persists in its lethal devotion to prohibition. Even when a blameless woman comes before them to plead for her life, the constituted authorities seem unable to think beyond a law, more than three decades old, that has long since been superseded by science and common sense.
What is most remarkable about this problem is how impervious our politicians (and most of our judges) are to human compassion and scientific data. To enforce marijuana prohibition, they would willingly endanger the health and lives of innocent citizens -- and even cast aside principles they profess to hold deeply.
Messrs. Ashcroft and Hutchinson are devout Christians of a fundamentalist stripe. Both claim to be "pro-life," but they see no contradiction in depriving Ms. Raich and many other patients of the substance that keeps them alive. Both claim to promote "family values," but they are determined to destroy any family with a member who needs this drug. Both would insist on "states' rights" as a cornerstone of constitutional law, but they won't allow any state to experiment with marijuana reform.
In a society that still promotes alcohol and tobacco, as well as many narcotics and pharmaceuticals with severe side effects, the draconian regulation of marijuana is both illogical and cruel. That is why Americans across red and blue states from Arizona to Maine have voted repeatedly to reform those laws for the sake of the seriously ill.
This is going to get better and better. SCOTUS is looking at it as an interpretation of commerce laws. States' Rights seems to be OK for abortion and gay marriage, but not to change the law on a controlled substance that helps people if Big Pharma can't profit from it.
Not to mention the deep-seated Puritan fear that someone, somewhere, might use this particular substance for FUN. It might lead to dancing or some other sin. Oh, the horror!
Congress Approves Of $250 Billion
WASHINGTON, DC—In a near-unanimous vote Monday, 434 members of the House and all 100 senators voiced their approval of $250 billion. "My fellow members of Congress, $250 billion is an incredibly vast sum of money," U.S. Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT) said. "That much money is totally awesome." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the lone dissenter, disagreed with Rehberg's assessment, saying that, unless the money was stacked on a table in one-dollar bills, it was "pretty cool," but not "awesome."
From The Onion.
From The Onion.
On This Day
On Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a black seamstress, defied the law by refusing to give up her seat to a white man aboard a Montgomery, Ala., city bus. Parks was arrested, sparking a year-long boycott of the buses by blacks.
Do As We Say And Not As We Do...
If you're following the state's rights/compassionate use of marijuana v. SCOTUS/War on Drugs/foreign policy proceedings, go see Meyer's Take.
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