A fun activity

This is fun: Go to Google.com, enter the word "failure" and hit the search button. Notice the first result that is generated. I love it! I agree! Worst _______ ever! A total failure in every regard!

Thank you, Pat Robertson!

Self-righteous Christian and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson yesterday called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has been very critical of the Bush administration and America in general. According to the Associated Press, Robertson on his 700 Club religious show said "We have the ability to take him [Chavez] out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability," and added, "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war ... and I don't think any oil shipments will stop."

This comes shortly after Robertson earlier this month, again on his 700 Club show, called for his audience to pray that there would be additional vacancies on the US Supreme Court. Since Supreme Court justices serve a lifetime term, the only way there would be a vacancy would be because of death or some other health related issue (Sandra Day O'Connor stepped down to spend more time with her husband, who apparently has Alzheimer's Disease). In essence, Robertson was asking people to pray for death or some other bad thing to happen to additional justices.

Mr. Robertson, what kind of Christian are you? Do you even hear what you are saying? Do you know what the Fifth Commandment is? Why don't you call for your rich buddies and your audience of devout Christians to do something constructive like give to the poor or pray for world peace? Thanks for exposing your true colors--the colors of a self-righteous hypocrite. Bah!

DDSDDS

Walking down the street this afternoon I noticed a truck pass by. On its side was Dakota Data Shred Document Destruction Services. It struck me with an odd mixture of feelings: amusement, pensiveness and security. First I laughed at the thought of exploding piles of paper. Next came to mind thoughts of monks in Europe during the Middle Ages and how they often spent many hours hand-copying books. Would they be appalled that documents were so plentiful in this day and age that we freely destroyed them on a very regular basis? I guess information these days is cheap... I know we destroy documents these days to protect privacy, etc. and, in the end, from my 21st century perspective I guess I was glad that an organization like Dakota Data Shred Document Destruction Services exists. Still, I wonder what it was like living in time when even being able to read was a skill that only the very rich and those darn monks possessed... Confetti, anyone?

The Mom vs. the 80% President

You go, Cindy Sheehan! Thanks to this mother of a young soldier killed in Iraq, someone is finally having the persistence to ask a simple question. That question is: why are we in Iraq? All she is asking for is a direct, honest answer. It's no wonder that 'king W. is avoiding her...he doesn't have an answer because his state rationale has changed with each revelation that the previous reason given by his administration doesn't hold water.

So how does one ask such a question when the supposedly liberal media has all but given up on true investigative journalism? This solitary mother simply decided to camp outside his driveway as he takes the longest presidential vacation in 30+ years. He truly is the 80% president, since he has spent approximately 20% of his entire time in office on vacation at his Crawford, Texas, ranch, according to Mark Knoller, a CBS Radio reporter and as reported in the August 3, 2005, edition of the Seattle Times. And, according to that same edition of the Seattle Times, "Weekends and holidays at Camp David or at his parents' compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, bump up the proportion of Bush's time away from Washington even further."

Let's say the average person works 52 40-hour work weeks or 260 days. Now let's subtract 7 days for holidays like Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year's Day. That's 253 work days for the average American worker. At his rate of 20% off, 'king W. takes about 50 days or 10 weeks of paid vacation per year--which means he works about 203 days a year. I'd love to have a job where I could take 10 weeks off and still earn my full salary.

To be fair, his aides say during his vacation he receives daily briefings and signs required paperwork, etc.--sort of a work at home atmosphere. I don't really buy that as "working" as I often check in with work on days off or on weekends to see how things are going.

Since I've begun to ramble, let me finish by acknowledging the two issues here. 1) One solitary mother can do more to be persistent in order to ask a question than the entire U.S. Media and still be ignored by 'king W. and 2) 'king W. has what could be the most complex job in the Western World and, yet, apparently spends far less time at it than the average American spends at his or her job. Man, this guy must be like the best president ever! (Please read that last line with a strong tone of sarcasm.)

Can't talk, angry...

Okay, I haven't posted anything for about two weeks. Why? I'm trying to get over being politically angry.

Angry at 'king W's appointment of John Bolton as US ambassador to the United Nations and Peter Flory as assistant secretary of defense--both of which via a constitutional provision enabling him to bypass the Senate and install directly a nominee who had been blocked in the Senate.

Angry at 'king W. for his endorsement of the push by many of his conservative Christian supporters to give intelligent design equal treatment with the theory of evolution in public schools.

Angry at 'king W. not firing his lackey, Karl Rove, for revealing the name of a CIA operative.

Angry at the U.S. Congress for passing an energy bill that gives big oil companies billions of dollars of tax breaks and that does very little to lessen our dependency on fossil fuels.

Angry at the U.S. citizenry for letting this all happen without any sense of public outrage.

Honestly, I'm not normally an angry person, but it just goes on and on with no end in sight. So I guess I should talk about something positive.

Sufjan Steven's new CD "Illinois" is excellent with quirky, joyous, sad and often beautiful moments.

Okay, now back to being politically angry, at least until the 2008 election...

Lyrics of the moment

This song recently struck me for some reason. It's obviously about loss and regret.
It's on the soundtrack to the snow farce Out Cold.
Band: Jimmy Eat World - Song: Hear You Me

There's no one in town I know.
You gave us some place to go.
I never said thank you for that.
I thought I might get one more chance.
What would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.

So what would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
May angels lead you in.
May angels lead you in.

And if you were with me tonight,
I'd sing to you just one more time.
A song for a heart so big,
god wouldn't let it live.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
May angels lead you in.

Six people who aren't screwing up America

Accolades to Mr. Jon Stewart of the Daily Show for inviting Bernard Goldberg, conservative author whose new book "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America" is heavily biased against liberals and entertainment figures. Why the accolades? Mr. Stewart and Mr. Goldberg, who obviously disagreed, had a very civil conversation where each got to make some excellent points. How ironic that such an insightful debate took place on a fake news show, when most "real" news shows would simply degenerate to petty insults and yelling. Also kudos to Mr. Stewart for trying to have a civil, meaningful discussion with someone he disagrees with and not just inviting a liberal friend with a book to promote. He proves we can have civil discourse between the left and right.

After the show, I did a little research and found that Mr. Goldberg's list of people who are screwing up America includes (my comments in parentheses):

#1 Michael Moore, filmmaker - (I understand that Michael is controversial, but how is providing some unheard viewpoints and a dissenting opinion screwing up America?)

# 6 Jimmy Carter, former Democratic president - (What? Who knew winning a Nobel Peace Prize, building houses for the truly needy and supervising elections in other countries was really bad for the world?!)

#37 Al Franken - (Interesting that someone who actual does supporting research and includes it in his books would be screwing up America)

And Barbara Streisand because she has a liberal slanted blog? Who listens to Barbara Streisand on political matters? Who listens to Babs anymore even for her music?

I'll admit I haven't read the book, but his bias against liberals is pretty evident. I'd be okay, I guess, if he gave equal time by listing the following (these folks are some people with serious power...):
Rush Limbaugh (divisive hypocrite "news" jocky), Bill O'Reilly (can dish but can't take it when he's called on it), Ann Coulter (for calling anyone who disagrees with her a traitor to the US), Fox News (fair and balanced, hah!), Bill Frist (a powerrul senator and an M.D. who doesn't seem to know how AIDS is really transmitted), Tom Delay (for proving you can be a criminal and still keep your job in congress), Karl Rove (master manipulator), Ahnold Schwartzenegger (for thinking he could solve California's many problems by reciting lame quips from his movies), Pat Robertson (working to erase the line between church and state) and 'king W. himself (too many reasons to mention here, but let's start with rolling back 40 years of environment progressivism and lying about the reasons to go to war with Iraq).

How about a list of people who are helping to keep America from getting more screwed up? Here's a start...

#1 Jon Stewart for the Daily Show
#2 Morgan Spurlock for 30 Days (you gotta watch this show)
#3 Bill Cosby for trying to get people to take responsibility for their lives
#4 John McCain (yeah, I know he's a Republican) for trying to bring bipartisanship back to Congress
#5 Jeff Immelt for making General Electric a more eco-friendly company
#6 Bill Gates for donating lots of money to try help stop the spread of AIDS in Africa

365 days

So, I've been here in SF for one year now officially. It's been quite a year, mostly in a good way. I think I've changed a little for the better. The job is going well. I've met a few great people. And I've lost a couple people that meant a lot to me. But I guess that's how it goes. I look forward to a second year of maybe knowing what to expect at work and being a bit more effective. Challenges always exist, and they should. Overall, I'm optimistic to see where this year takes me. Bring it on!

Cryptically clear!?!?

I ran across this description today in a music review. What do you think it means?

"Happy sad. Simple yet complicated. Sincere yet cool. Naive but clever."

Also, came across this lyric... how would you interpret it?

"All those giant little animals, don't they seem like monsters?"

An open letter to the media regarding Tom Cruise

Dear American Media Masters,
I hate to break it to you, but I really don't care all that much about Tom Cruise or his personal life. I know you feel compelled to report every aspect of his life as serious news that merits journalistic integrity, but I don't care. I don't care that he's crazy in love for the third or fourth time. I don't care that he's in another blockbuster movie. I don't care that he's a scientologist or that he may or may not be gay. I don't care what his ex-wife Nicole Kidman thinks about him. I don't care what Oprah or any celebrity news reporters think either, for that matter. And you know what, I don't think I'm alone in this celebrity apathy.

Please, please, please, please, dear media masters, please turn your attention to some real news. I'm sure Mr. Cruise is a genuninely nice person, but please offer something else. At this point I'd take a kitten up a tree--almost anything (except more celebrity antics) would be a step up. There must be something? Nope, not celebrity trials. Sorry, behind the scenes movie stories don't count either. Um, no, celebrity diet plans are out too. I'm sure you can think of something to report...Hey, I know, how about something detailing how the war in Iraq is going? Or maybe an interview with someone from another country asking about his or her thoughts on America? Something? Anything? Please?

In touch with 1505

Okay, so these comments will either put the final nail in the coffin that condemns me to hell and/or will get me excommunicated. (Interestingly enough, I actually prayed before moving forward with this post.) Anyway, I'm just going to point out a few things that cause me growing concern about the Catholic Church and how it's not so much in touch with 2005 as with 1505.

Fall of 2004--many Catholic bishops and priests used the pulpit to tell their flocks that to vote for an elected official who may have a pro-choice stance is to put one's immortal soul in danger. Loosley translated: voting Democrat (many of whom are pro-choice) will send you to hell. My question: wouldn't voting for a Republican (all of whom are supportive of the war in Iraq, which has been called "immoral" and "a defeat for humanity" by Pope John Paul II) essentially be bad too?

Spring of 2005--the whole Terri Shaivo issue involved "playing God' -- if you supported the removal of the feeding tube from the (now recently re-confirmed via autopsy) brain dead accident victim, you were playing God and supporting not the liberation of a soul from a brain dead body, but the killing of an supposedly still sentient young woman. My question: wasn't it playing God by inserting the feeding tube in the first place? Many Catholic priests and bishops used their pulpit to condemn the husband as an evil killer who, by the way, was also committing adultery because he had moved on and remarried. Even people lost at sea are considered dead after 7 years, aren't they?

Spring of 2005--the selection of German cardinal Josef Ratzinger as Pope, Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict has called homosexuality an “intrinsic moral evil”; has described the movement toward equality for women “radical feminism”; and has denounced rock music (specifically by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, the Eagles, and Queen) as an "instrument of the Devil" because it "endangers the human soul." And according to David Gibson, a former Vatican Radio journalist and author of a book on trends in the church, “[Ratzinger] has said himself that he wanted a smaller, but purer, church.” My question: isn't the message of Jesus about forgiveness and acceptance? And while he didn't necessarily condone their activities, didn't Jesus associate with lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors (the homosexuals, feminists, and rock musicians of his time) forgiving them their sins and accepting them as human beings? And let's not even go to the place where we discuss purity and groups of people deemed unpure...

If you read this blog, even only occasionally, you know that I worry about the fearmongering that is going on by our elected officials, the rise in influence of the judgemental religious right, the erosion of the separation of church and state, and the dumbing down of America in general. These are the same conditions that brought about the Dark Ages. A few demagogues took control of the church and set back science and humanity hundreds of years. Demagogue: one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots. (thanks for that definition H.L. Menchen)

If those people were still in control, we'd still believe the earth was flat, the sun revolved around the earth, diseases we caused by demons or some sin your parents or grandparents committed, women were inferior and were to serve only as baby incubators, homos were to be stoned, and the only acceptable music was by church choirs. Wait... Re-read those last three again? My point exactly.

Personally, I don't believe God cares that much if you're a man or woman, who you sleep with as long as it's consensual, or what music you listen to, as long as you try to make the world a little better, try to give to those who are less fortunate, and try not to judge others. What was that phrase... "Judge not, lest ye be judged?"

By the way, I've always wondered just what the Catholic church could accomplish in the world if it melted down all the gilded chalices and golden cruicifixes (adopting humble glass cups and wooden crosses in their stead) and cashed that all in, along with all the jewels, art, extra land and other material-world stuff and just fed, clothed and educated people--and stayed out of the political arena...

Now maybe we can expect some REAL news...

Now that yet another celebrity trial is over with the "not guilty" verdict in the Michael Jackson case, perhaps we can expect some real news on our networks. Oh, yeah, I forgot, this is the American media we are talking about. There'll be plenty of runaway brides, missing white children, shocking celebrity break-ups and other non-items to cover.

Wait, wait, wait, now maybe we can get some news of how the war in Iraq is actually going. Nope. Expect more of what's on 'king W.'s iPod, who Paris Hilton has on her cell phone call list, and the latest person to get a phone thrown at them by Russell Crowe.

Hold on, you mean we won't get to hear how our allies in Europe are reacting to our latest foreign policy moves? Probably not, but we may be exposed to some unfounded gossip about how Hilary Clinton may be a lesbian (don't expect to hear about anything she's accomplished in Congress). Or maybe that 'king W. sometimes talks baby talk to the First dog.

How about some balanced coverage on who "Deep Throat" was and why it's even relevent? Nope. But maybe we can hear why his famous whistle blowing was "unethical" from some right-wing pundits who were tried and convicted for their involvement in Watergate (but the media conveniently won't give your their backstories because it nullifies anything they'd say).

Nichts. Nil. Nada. Nothing. Oh wait, what's that? A ray of hope? Nope, it's just that crazy Courtney Love acting out again! Wow! That really helps me understand the socio-economic struggle of the lower middle class.

Since most of us don't get BBC America on our cable selection, I guess the best that we can hope for is to keep watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I actually do get some vital information by watching the fake news. And I do read the newspaper everyday, but that's a whole other entry waiting to happen.

Nightly news? Today Show? Even CNN? They give us all the infotainment we really need. After all, the whole world just loves us Americans, so why should we bother learning anything about the rest of the world... After all, the "president" doesn't read newspapers, so news must not be that important, right? I can't wait to see what celebrity is found "not guilty" next time.

11:45 and random thoughts

It's 11:45 p.m., about the time I start to wind down and feel like hitting the hay, but tonight I'm not tired. Honestly I haven't been sleeping well lately, or ever! I usually wake up at least 3 times a night--I have ever since I can remember. I'm told I might have sleep apnea, but I don't want to go to a clinic to check that out. I've always just been a light sleeper.

Anyway, random thoughts going through my head right now--stream of consciousness: bills coming due, hating all the rainy weather, annual report at work, friends and loved ones, a trip to Kansas City next weekend, nearing a year at my "new" job, karma, would I ever go back to UMC if they made a good offer (which they won't), probably not, why would i want to go back, new Coldplay and White Stripes CDs come out tomorrow, I wish I was independently wealthy, blah, blah, blah.

Okay, I guess I'm a little more tired now. Getting these thoughts written down maybe got them out of my head for a while. Maybe I'll try to hit the hay.

Enthralled by Mythbusters

Okay, I admit to being a bit of a dork and maybe even somewhat of a geek (and the following doesn't help help my case any either), but I have to admit that I am totally enthralled by the show Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel (Wednesdays at 8 p.m. CST). Jamie and Adam are just too cool, and they get to do fun things like blowing things up and making things sink and doing all sorts of damaging things to Buster, the poor crash test dummy.

They both have a certain personal style, too. One sports a walrus-like handlebar moustache, a shaved head and a black beret, the other has a goatee, big 50's style geek glasses and often wears a fedora.

I've been watching the show since it came on about two years ago, and they still find interesting things to test every week. And they know their stuff! What a cool job they have, getting paid to test urban myths. This week they will try to build a working jet pack of their own, and they are likely to succeed! It's edu-tainment at its finest in my book.

Episode III, part 2: The Zen of the Jedi

Also, I noticed a very Zen moment from the Jedi master Yoda. "Let go of the thing you fear losing the most, you must." (or something like that). That and a comment about the dark side being about absolutes and the Jedi way not being fundamentalist. (Is it just me or did anyone else notice the polical commentary and how the rising empire mirrored what is happening here in the US?)

Letting go is something I'm not particularly good at. I am working on that on many levels, but the Scorpio in me makes that a challenge. Zen is all about letting go and making the most of the very moment here and now. Modern religion could sure learn a lot from the Jedi (and from Zen). Maybe I should train to be a Jedi... Now THAT is truly geeky, I must admit.

Episode III

Yes, it's the end of an era, the end of a saga (and sort of a beginning of one), and the official end of my youth, I think. Episode III of Star Wars was fun in its own way, mildly disturbing in another. You sense an ambivalence? Well, duh!

The storyline was fine. We all knew the outcome, but how we got there was, at times, gripping. The special effects were cool. And yet there seemed to be lacking a certain heart. Upon reflection, I think it may be attributed not to the film, but to the person who is me who watched this film (vs. the person who was me who remembers the original episodes IV and V). If I were that age again watching Episode III, I'd probably be saying how ultimately cool it was, and it was really pretty cool!

And yet, it seems to be a sort of bookend for the first part of my life. You, yes you, the occasional reader of this blog, know somewhat vaguely of the challenges of this past year. Lots of 'em and more I didn't detail here. I think they were all about growing up...

The tyranny of the majority

Before I start today, I encourage you to read this excerpt from John Stuart Mill's essay on liberty:

Like other tyrannies, the tyranny of the majority was at first, and is still vulgarly, held in dread, chiefly as operating through the acts of the public authorities. But reflecting persons perceived that when society is itself the tyrant — society collectively over the separate individuals who compose it — its means of tyrannizing are not restricted to the acts which it may do by the hands of its political functionaries. Society can and does execute its own mandates; and if it issues wrong mandates instead of right, or any mandates at all in things with which it ought not to meddle, it practices a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression, since, though not usually upheld by such extreme penalties, it leaves fewer means of escape, penetrating much more deeply into the details of life, and enslaving the soul itself. Protection, therefore, against the tyranny of the magistrate is not enough; there needs protection also against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling, against the tendency of society to impose, by other means than civil penalties, its own ideas and practices as rules of conduct on those who dissent from them; to fetter the development and, if possible, prevent the formation of any individuality not in harmony with its ways, and compel all characters to fashion themselves upon the model of its own. There is a limit to the legitimate interference of collective opinion with individual independence; and to find that limit, and maintain it against encroachment, is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs as protection against political despotism.

Okay, so 'king W.'s whole administration and his congressional cronies, including Sen. Frist, have been exemplifying the tyranny of the (slight) majority--or, more probably, the tyranny of the vocal minority. They have been acting like they received a mandate even though the country is still pretty closely divided 50/50 on pretty much everything. They are in power, and they want to ensure they stay in power. They also want to force their opinions on basic birth control, a woman's choice, creationism, marriage, sexual preference, end of life issues, and general morality on everyone. Remember, Dr. Frist (yes he is apparently a real medical doctor) is the doctor who still doesn't rule out tears and saliva as major AIDS tranmission methods, even though it's basically an accepted fact they are not--but I digress.

Dr. Frist and 'king W. have also gone as far as saying that those who don't agree with them are against "people of faith." Apparently, these two men have a monopoly on God and what he wants (I've discussed this before). I'm sorry, but I believe in God and call myself a Christian. Yet, I certainly don't agree with these "people of faith." Where does that leave me? I am, apparently, a godless bastard doomed to an eternity in hell.

I am so very tired of the religious right-eous tyrannizing those who disagree with them. Although they would say that THEY are the ones being tyrannized. They brand those of us who disagree with them as faithless, yet they get mad when 'king W. is branded a "loser" (and yet he can get away with calling a reporter an asshole). I just don't get it! Isn't the hypocrisy glaringly evident to everyone?!? I believe that God probably sees it.

Let's get the church the hell out of government and back across the line into the churches again.

Rambling...

So what's the whole point, anyway? I've been thinking quite a bit lately about my place in the world. Have I made any kind of difference in my 38+ years here? Have I touched any lives for the better or has it all been vanity? So many things have changed for me in the past year, new job, new location, people coming into my life, people going out of my life. It's been a blur.

Regarding situations changing, people leaving: it's difficult. I was told don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. Easier said than done.

Regarding meeting new friends: it's always exciting when you meet someone you click with and you share common interests with.

I guess I'm glad things change, that way we are always dealing with new potentials for positives. Still, it's difficult not to look back to those times you feel were really pivotal high points and wish that those moments could last longer. But one thing leads to another and so on and so on. It's quite a journey and we keep evolving and growing and building. Sometimes I just wish it was a little easier. Sigh.

Don't panic!

So I got a chance to see the movie The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with my friend Charlie Blair this weekend. I'll admit I never read the books, but I did catch an episode or two of the British TV series. I have to say the movie was pretty enjoyable overall. Wacky, but in a good way.

My favorite part was the Infinite Improbability Drive, "a wonderful new method of crossing vast intersteller distances in a mere nothingth of a second without all that tedious mucking about in hyperspace." Using the Infinite Improbability Drive a ship "passes simultaneously through every point in the universe. It is then possible to decide at which point you actually want to be at when improbatility levels decrease." The effects of this type of travel can be disconcerting as you see the crew turning into knit dolls, planets changing into flowers or fruitcakes, nuclear missiles spontaneously becoming sperm whales or bowls of petunias, etc. Still, it's fun sort of concept.

42 everyone, 42!

Dollar Bill, Laura B. and a charmed media

So eveyone in the media thinks Laura Bush is a comedian after her comments at the White House Correspondents Dinner on April 29 about sneaking out with Lynn Cheney and Condi Rice to see some exotic dancers. Her salty story of how Lynn Cheney got her Secret Service code name of "Dollar Bill" was hi-larious, wasn't it!? Katie Couric and the rest of the gang in the media sure found her to be quite the Lenny Bruce! How properly hypocritical of this bastion of propriety to show a little humanity, eh? The faith-based, imperial couple seemed rather proud of themselves to yuk it up for the press (or maybe it was just a bunch of pre-screened supporters brought in to make them look good--who can tell these days?). I hope Mrs. Bush's comments made all members of the religious right-eous cringe just a little bit.

Now don't get me wrong, her comments were, in my mind, relatively tame, but they certainly fly in the face of the image of the first couple, who apparenly have a direct line to God (the vengeful Old Testament God, by the way)! Sort of like king W's comments of a few years back when he called someone an asshole when the microphone was inadvertantly left on... Maybe now they'll make guest voice appearances on South Park!

Blech!